Guyana Times - Sunday, November 25, 2018

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Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 3758

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Sunday, November 25, 2018

Guyana’s debt spikes by 4.4% in one year – report Page 3

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Passengers left stranded on MV P13 Sabanto …after ramp malfunctions

...debt to foreigners account for 74.3% public debt As budget approaches

Govt yet to provide comprehensive economic plan – Ali See story on Page 9

Sai Baba’s birth remembered

Black Bush Polder triple murder

“I was P2 struggling… but things are getting better” – victim’s wife

EU, Guyana join forces to combat illegal logging P5

Guyanese urged to vote online for Miss World Guyana P14 Devotees celebrated the life achievements and teachings of Swami Sathya Sai Baba on Friday during a special service at the Prema Nilayam Centre on Laluni Street, Queenstown

288 Govt regional houses being occupied rent-free Page 7

Port Mourant market clerk allegedly assaulted by overseer Page 10

Weed your community’s playfield P13 yourselves – Ramjattan to Agricola residents

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news

SUnDAY, november 25, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

Sai Baba’s birth remembered S

wami Sathya Sai Baba's life achievements and teachings were celebrated on Friday

tration of his accomplishments was presented.

The evening commenced with a singing of universal

spiritual leader and philanthropist who is the reincarnation of Sai Baba of Shirdi.

According to one of the

A member of the Sathya Sai medical team shares a light moment with a patient after a uterine fibroid surgery

as devotees commemorated his birth anniversary with a special service at the Prema Nilayam Centre on Laluni Street, Queenstown.

Over 200 persons graced the occasion where an illus-

--- after which there was a presentation on the life of the religious leader.

Sai Baba or Sathyanarayana Raju was born on November 23, 1926, and was an Indian guru, a

attendees, this ceremony was important as it remembered Sai Baba for his teachings which are very much needed in this time of society.

The hospitals, educa-

tional institutes and other organisations which he established continue to operate to the benefit of people around the world. He would have also assisted in the provision of potable water to several communities in India where these services were lacking.

Volunteers of the Sai centers in Guyana are involved in a large number of social services and humanitarian programmes.

Among the programmes conducted in Guyana are the building of homes for needy families; uterine fibroid surgeries in collaboration with the Public Health Ministry and weekly feeding programmes for the destitute and homeless.

The organisation's members come from all faiths and share a common goal: to reach the ultimate goal of realisation of their innate divinity by practising the teachings of love and service taught by their spiritual teacher, Sathya Sai Baba.

Black Bush Polder triple murder

“I was struggling… but things are getting better” – victim’s wife …as humanitarian mission assists family

Indrawattie Rooplall received cattle and poultry from the New Jersey Arya Samaj Humanitarian Mission to assist her in maintaining her livelihood

By Andrew Carmichael

T

he woman who lost her son, husband and brother in 2016 when they were murdered at Cookrite Savannah in Black Bush Polder, Berbice, benefited from assistance from the Humanitarian Mission of New Jersey Arya Samaj on Friday.

The New Jersey Arya Samaj Humanitarian Mission has as its motto: Dedicated to helping children, seniors, victims of gender-based violence, and other individuals who are living in dire poverty. The organisation’s aim is for the beneficiaries to be healthy, educated and self-reliant.

Executive member of the entity, Mahindradass Nandalal said the Mission wanted to ensure that Indrawattie Rooplall is in a position to live a normal life, hence the donation of livestock.

“We always believe that handouts is not the answer.

We also believe that before we give an individual fish, we teach them how to fish.

So we gave her this poultry and two sheep so that she could rear them and turn over the business so that she can get a profit that would

be able to assist her financially,” Nandalal said.

Nandalal said Rooplall has been found to be a person with integrity and honesty. According to Rooplall, her children are absent most days from school.

“We does struggle. I plant but don’t get much. I use to do security work but because of the night shift, I left it,” she said. Rooplall in giving thanks said the Mission had come to her assistance when her financial situation took a downward turn and she could not afford to send her two remaining children to school.

According to the widow, the Mission has been reaching out to her ever since her plight was publicised in the media. Corporate businesses have also assisted, she said.

“I thank God for that. I have all the stationary for my children to go to school.

Over the past two years things were rough and I was struggling all the time but for the past three weeks things are getting better and for the New Year I am planning to get some creole fouls and get some eggs, rear some animals and plant…” turn to page 16

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SUnDAY, november 25, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

Public Debt report

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Sunday, November 25 – 05:30h-07:00h and Monday, November 26 – 05:00h-06:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Sunday, November 25 – 05:50h-07:20h and Monday, November 26 – 06:40h-08:10h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times - 05:00h, 11:00h and 16:00h daily

WEATHER TODAY Light rain showers can be expected throughout the morning, while light cloudy skies with sunny intervals can be expected in the afternoon. Partly cloudy skies with light rain showers can be expected in the evening.

Temperatures will range between 22 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to East North-easterly between 2.23 metres and 5.36 metres.

High Tide: 05:42h and 17:55h reaching maximum heights of 2.71 metres and 2.82 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 11:29h and 23:58h reaching minimum heights of 0.55 metre and 0.39 metre respectively.

saturDAY, novemBER 24, 2018

LOTTERY NUMBERS J

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23 25 27

FREE TICKET

14 Bonus Ball

DAILY MILLIONS

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Guyana’s debt spikes by 4.4% in one year – debt to foreigners account for 74.3% of total debt

G

uyana’s total public debt has been increasing over the last three years; going from $317.7 billion in 2015 to $344.9 billion in 2017. Of this amount, almost 75 per cent is owed to foreigners.

This is according to the Public Debt Annual Report of 2017, recently released by the Finance Ministry and made available to Parliament. According to the report, in one-year Guyana saw a 4.4 per cent spike in its debt. At the end of 2016, the total public debt was $330.6 billion. This included $240 billion in external debt and $90.5 billion in domestic debt. As of 2017, external debt was $256.1 billion, while domestic debt dropped to $88.8 billion.

While Government has tried to implement debt relief measures, there have been challenges. Government has been trying to negotiate the settlement of its debt with the South-eastern European country of Serbia, through its State entity YugoimportSDPR. According to the report, Guyana owes Serbia US$1.3 million, including US$745,359 as penalty interest and US$587,719 as the principal arrears. This loan was contracted since 1976.

“However, YugoimportSDPR and Guyana were unable to reach a mutually acceptable position on the debt settlement,” the Finance Ministry explained in the report. “We intend to make every effort to continue pursuing a debt settlement agreement with YugoimportSDPR.” “Currently, Guyana does not service its debt to Yugoimport-SDPR and any

The Finance Ministry

other Non-Paris club creditors that are in arrears, owing to the requirement imposed by the Paris club as a condition for debt relief.”

Other non-Paris club members Government continues to engage include Libya, Kuwait, Argentina and the United Arab Emirates. This, according to the report, is being done under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative.

Guyana had signed a debt relief agreement under the HIPC initiative back in 2005 under the then People’s Progressive Party Administration, with the Organisation Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Fund for International Development.

Indebtedness vs servicing

Even though Guyana’s indebtedness to external creditors has increased, so has debt servicing (repayments).

According to the Bank of Guyana Quarterly Report and Statistical Bulletin re-

leased earlier this year, repayment of external debt grew by some US$24.3 million to US$85.3 million.

This is a rate of 59.1 per cent, when compared to the corresponding period of 2017. This was not the case for domestic debt.

“Domestic debt service payments fell by 14.6 per cent to $726 million resulting mainly from a 23.2 per cent reduction in interest payments for Treasury bills.

Interest payments for the 182- and 364-day bills fell by 38.7 per cent and 17.6 per cent to GY$36 million and GY$358 million respectively,” the report stated.

“This position resulted mainly from competitive bidding primarily amongst the commercial banks compounded with lower interest yields during the review period,” the report outlines, a telling indicator.

The report had pegged the total hike in public debt

at US$19 million. It divided this debt into external and domestic. External debt increased by 1.5 per cent hike from a December position of US$1.241 billion. The report therefore pegged external debt at US$1.265 billion for the quarter.

“The rise in the stock of external debt was on account of higher disbursements by multilateral creditors, specifically, IADB and CDB for financing of social and economic infrastructural projects,” the report states.

Domestic debt, on the other hand, increased to $89.5 million, from a December position of $88.8 million.

Domestic debt, the report notes, increased because of a hike in treasury bills by 1.3 per cent. “(This) resulted mainly from a 1.5 per cent growth in the stock of the 364-day treasury bills during the first quarter,” the report had added.

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guyanatimesgy.com

SUnDAY, november 25, 2018

Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544 223-7230,223-7231,231-0544, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

Editorial

The no-confidence motion’s timing T

he official results of the Local Government Elections (LGE) were finally announced by GECOM, and they confirmed what the PPP/C had declared a week ago: the PPP had won the popular vote with 61 per cent of votes cast, while APNU trailed far behind with 34 per cent and the AFC collected an insignificant 4 per cent.

Because the political parties had contested the LGE separately in their own names, it is not surprising that the vote is seen as a referendum on the performance of the incumbent PNC-led coalition.

The PPP/C then decided to file a “motion of no confidence” in the Government, paraphrasing the stark language set by the British House of Commons: ‘That this House has no confidence in the APNU+AFC Government’. In such motions, there is no need to state the reasons for placing them before the Legislature; the practice is an intrinsic aspect of Westminsterstyle Parliamentary governments.

The official House of Commons’ description of “noconfidence” motions quotes Rodney Brazier’s “Constitutional Practice, 2nd ed”: “The real significance of the general requirement that a Government retain the confidence of the House of Commons is not in the rare loss of a vote of confidence or in the somewhat more frequent legislative defeat, but rather that it obliges every Government to defend itself, explain its policies, and justify its actions to its own backbenchers, to the Opposition parties, and through them to the country as a whole.”

When filing the no-confidence motion, the PPP/C had insisted that it be given the highest priority, and had placed this responsibility on the Speaker of the National Assembly. In clarifying this latter point, the Clerk of the National Assembly released a statement which revealed that in the event that our National Assembly’s Standing Orders do not cover a particular point of order (as, in this case, who controls the timing of the debate on a no-confidence motion) the said Standing Orders instruct that the practice from the British House of Commons be followed. He then quoted from the authoritative Erskine May, Parliamentary Practice, 23rd edition, 2004, as did the House of Commons itself in the aforementioned definition of no-confidence motions: “From time to time, the Opposition puts down a motion on the paper, expressing lack of confidence in the Government, or otherwise criticising its general conduct. By established convention, the Government always accedes to the demand from the Leader of the Opposition to allot a day for the discussion of a motion tabled by the official Opposition which, in the Government’s view, would have the effect of testing the confidence of the House. In allotting a day for this purpose, the Government is entitled to have regard to the exigencies of its own business, but a reasonably early day is invariably found…”

From this statement, the Clerk averred that it is the Government, rather than the Speaker, that sets the date for the debate. For us in Guyana, this is unfortunately a moot issue, since the actions and decisions of the incumbent Speaker have never -- not on a single issue, no matter how contentious -taken a position against the Government.

The PNC-led Government, to its credit, did not question the right of the Opposition to call for the no-confidence vote, even though PM Moses Nagamootoo questioned its propriety in light of President Granger’s unfortunate illness. He appeared not to appreciate that the fortunes and fate of the Government that is in charge of the state demand that the representatives of the people look beyond personal challenges in favour of the greater good.

But as for the timing, which the Government insists must be after the Budget Debate, it is unfortunate that the Clerk did not include the rest of the paragraph from Erskine May: “This convention is founded on the recognised position of the Opposition as a potential Government, which guarantees the legitimacy of such an interruption of the normal course of business. For its part, the Government has everything to gain by meeting such a direct challenge to its authority at the earliest possible moment.”

Why is the Government dodging?

An employee selects a book from the shelves of the Royal Portuguese Cabinet of Reading in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Founded in 1837 by a group of Portuguese immigrants, the library has been open to the public since 1900 and houses many rare and valuable books (BBC News)

Senior Saudi prince says CIA cannot be trusted on Khashoggi conclusion A

senior Saudi prince cast doubt upon the reported Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) finding that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul last month, saying the agency could not be counted on to reach a credible conclusion.

“The CIA is not necessarily the highest standard of veracity or accuracy in assessing situations.

The examples of that are multitude,” Prince Turki al-Faisal, a senior member of the royal family, told journalists in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.

The prince, a former Saudi intelligence chief who has also served as

ambassador to the United States, said the agency’s conclusion that Iraq possessed chemical weapons before the US invasion in 2003 showed it could be unreliable.

“That was the most glaring of inaccurate and wrong assessments, which led to a full-scale war with thousands being killed,” he said, speaking at an event hosted by the New Yorkbased Beirut Institute.

“I don’t see why the CIA is not on trial in the United States. This is my answer to their assessment of who is guilty and who is not and who did what in the consulate in Istanbul.”

The CIA has concluded that Prince Mohammed ordered the operation to kill

Khashoggi, as first reported by the Washington Post, and briefed other parts of the US Government on its findings, sources told Reuters last week.

US President Donald Trump has disputed that the agency reached a conclusion on the murder, saying instead “they have feelings certain ways.”

Tension and frustration at the US-Mexico border

A Turkish newspaper also reported on Thursday that CIA director Gina Haspel signaled to Turkish officials that the agency had a recording of a call in which the crown prince gave instructions to “silence” the journalist.

Khashoggi was killed at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, 2018, in an operation that Turkish authorities have said was ordered by the highest level of Saudi leadership, prompting the kingdom’s biggest political crisis in a generation.

After offering numerous contradictory explanations, Riyadh said Khashoggi was killed and his body dismembered after negotiations to persuade him to return to Saudi Arabia failed.

The kingdom’s public prosecutor is seeking the death penalty for five suspects charged in the murder, but has said Prince Mohammed had no prior knowledge of the operation.

(Reuters)

Jamal Khashoggi’s daughters pay tribute to their ‘Baba’ …vow ‘his light will never fade’

J

amal Khashoggi’s two daughters have written a poignant tribute to their father, vowing that “his light will never fade”. Noha Khashoggi, a graphic designer based in Dubai, and her sister, Razan Jamal, describe life with the man they call “Baba”, who was killed in the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul on October 2.

“Dad was no dissident,” they wrote in the newspaper where he was a columnist, The Washington Post, emphasising his passionate love of his homeland.

“It was vitally important to him to speak up, to share his opinions, to have candid discussions.” The pair recall their childhood, when the celebrated journalist would take them to book-

Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi

shops and allow them to rifle through his paper-filled office.

They also recall travelling to his Virginia home, after his death.

“The hardest part was seeing his empty chair,” they wrote. “His absence was deafening.”

On Saturday, as the article was published, a senior Saudi prince cast doubt upon the reported CIA finding that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered Khashoggi’s murder, saying the agency could not be counted on to reach a credible conclusion.

Donald Trump, the US President, has also disputed that the agency reached a conclusion on the murder, saying instead “they have feelings certain ways.” (The Telegraph)

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SunDAY, november 25, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

EU, Guyana join forces to combat illegal logging T

he EU and Guyana have concluded negotiations on a Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT). The new agreement will give EU-based timber buyers assurance that timber products from Guyana are legal.

It will help improve forest governance, tackle illegal logging and promote trade in verified legal timber products.

Through the VPA, Guyana will tackle trade in timber that has been illegally harvested, transported or processed. In this way, Guyana will improve market access for law-abiding businesses, as well as modernise its forestry sector, create jobs, promote sustainable development and protect the rights of Indigenous peoples.

Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Neven Mimica, said: “This is an important step towards promoting the sustainable development of timber trade, protecting our planet and

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman and Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development (DG DEVCO) Deputy DirectorGeneral Marjeta Jager signing the agreement

at the same time creating jobs and contributing to the competitiveness of the forestry sector.

The EU is committed to supporting Guyana’s efforts to implement the Voluntary Partnership Agreement in the years ahead.”

Meanwhile, Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman said the forestry sector in Guyana is an important contributor to the national economy, generating jobs and helping to reduce poverty. “The Voluntary

Partnership Agreement with the EU will help Guyana to develop the sector by improving forest management and governance. By rooting out illegality, it will boost trade and contribute to Guyana’s goals on climate change, biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.”

The agreement will enter into force as soon as the EU and Guyana have completed their internal procedures for signing and ratifying it. To implement the agreement, Guyana will develop systems and procedures to verify that all timber and timber products comply with relevant laws and regulations. Among other things, this means ensuring that loggers do not fell more trees than they are allowed to harvest, factories uphold health and safety regulations, and companies pay sufficient taxes. This process will involve identifying and addressing possible gaps in the forest allocation process and in the legal framework, upgrading systems for tracking wood through

the supply chain, improving procedures for verifying legal compliance, and supporting Guyana in developing approaches for ensuring that the traditional rights of Amerindian peoples are not impeded.

It will also include the establishment of independent audits, a complaints mechanism, and systems and procedures for making information on the forest sector publicly available. This process will be accompanied by a joint oversight of progress by the EU and Guyana.

Once the VPA is fully implemented, Guyana’s shipments of timber products to the EU will have to be accompanied by a Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) licence demonstrating their legality. Such a licence would certify that the products meet the requirements of the EU timber regulation, which prohibits the placing of illegal timber on the EU market.

Two consecutive victories are indeed significant (Pt 1) Dear Editor, The two consecutive victories by the PPP/C at the 2016 and 2018 Local Government Elections (LGE), is indeed significant in the context of wider national embrace. The overwhelming evidence indicate the party’s increasing popularity for all the right reasons, and this must certainly be a tremendous motivation for their members and supporters to work for a big victory in 2020.

The electorate’s view and increasing demonstration of unflinching support to the PPP/C, perhaps among others, is in recognition of the comparatively greater and tangible opportunities which were present and evolving not so long ago. In fact, the APNU/AFC Coalition is in its fourth year of government and these options have dissipated into thin air. They have failed to demonstrate to the young people of this country that they are prepared to create the much-needed job opportunities.

Shortly following the 2015 General and Regional Elections, the increased hardships were initiated with the Coalition callously ripping apart and throwing

by the wayside supportive mechanisms that were in place for youths while providing no substantial alternatives.

Broad testimony is revealed from the dismissal of approximately 2000 Amerindians, 7000 sugar workers; together with the closing down of this country’s first Call Centre in Linden where approximately 200 persons, particularly youths, were kicked out of their jobs. The exit of Bi-Shin-Lin, the Barama Company, along with the numerous deals, led to reduced contributions from the Mining and Forestry Industries, and serious hardship to our people in this country.

In this framework, the haughty, manipulative, disrespectful and self-aggrandising attitude of several of the Coalition’s leading Ministers cannot be understated. There have been too many bullish conflicts resulting in unwanted legal challenges (often lost by the Government), together with suppression of citizen’s and other constitutional bodies’ rights. From the teachers to the cane and rice farmers.

The PPP/C’s significant net increase votes

in Essequibo and Berbice must be most heartening to General Secretary and Opposition Leader Dr Bharrat Jagdeo. It signals that many of the rice farmers duped by the coalition in 2015, have certainly recognised the double-dealing nature of the government. Although delayed, their quick turnaround and no-nonsense position was anticipated, appreciated and very much welcomed in

the national context.

It would be useful and strategic for the PPP/C to take advantage of their broader connectivity to the people, to ensure that residents are comfortable in their respective communities. There has already been a signal from persons in the government that there is likely to be a suppressive approach to Local Government Areas won by the PPP/C at the recent

Elections.

In response, however, it is anticipated that Councils must take up the challenge of providing unparalleled community service within their limits, and the leaders should continuously follow the Jagdeo masterstroke of being with the people in the streets and house-to-house.

The low-voter turnout speaks volumes of the people’s disenfranchisement, but establishes the need for

harder work.

The work in ‘mass’ organisations making representations for the people, is strongly required and very relevant today. While the PPP/C has a supporting base, including the workers and farmers, their policies advocate broad based national improvements for all citizens.

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

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SUnDAY, november 25, 2018

Page

Foundation

How to talk to your kids about divorce and help them to cope by

Monica Foley, Med

D

ivorce can put a strain on every member of the family, especially children. It’s often challenging to be positive in a situation like this and see that it can be the best choice for future happiness.

Divorce usually hits children the hardest. If they’re young kids, they may not be able to fully understand what is happening. However, it doesn’t matter what age they are; whether they’re toddler or teens – generally, their first instinct is to blame themselves. The good news is that you can do a lot to help your child cope with this tough transition and reduce some of the painful effects of divorce.

The priority when getting a divorce from your partner is to consider how, when and what to tell your children. How you explain the divorce to your child will set the tone for their response. Children will naturally be anxious and worried.

Talking to your kids about divorce should occur sooner rather than later.

If possible, it’s best to tell your kids together as their parents. Try to discuss what you want to say to them beforehand so that you can be on the same page – this will also prevent the kids from hearing two different versions of events.

Even though the marriage is dissolving, children need to feel a sense of trust in the parental relationship. You may begin by saying, “For a long time, Mom and Dad have not been getting along. We’ve tried in lots of ways to make our marriage happier, but we’re still not happy with each other. We’ve decided not to live together anymore and to get a divorce.”

Children will often have a lot of questions. They may want to know where and with whom they will live, when they’ll see each of you, and where they’ll go to school. If you know the answers, share this information with them then, otherwise, be honest and promise to tell them once it’s sorted out.

Using the following tips, you can help your child cope with divorce:

1. Keep an open dialogue by being open and approachable. Talk

guyanatimesgy.com

Identifying

social anxiety

in teens

By Monica Foley, Med

A to your children about the divorce.

The worst thing you can do is act like nothing is happening between the two of you. Even if you have some pent-up emotions about your ex-spouse, this doesn’t mean that you should shy away from the topic with your child.

Be prepared to revisit discussions with your kids often. Even if you’ve talked a lot in the beginning, tell your kids they can talk to you about the divorce whenever they need to.

You may sometimes ask your kids how they’re coping. When you bring up the conversation occasionally, it gives them the message that it’s okay to talk about the divorce.

2. Accept anger and disappointment from your children. Listen to how your kids are feeling and know that it is natural for them to have these emotions. * Talk to your child about their fears. * Allow your kids to cry if they need to do so. * Make sure that you always offer an open ear for your child’s concerns.

3. No one is at fault. Make sure your children know that the divorce is not their fault. They won’t know the actual cause of the divorce, so they may resort to blaming themselves. They may even start to believe that there’s something they can do to patch up the marriage. Help them come to terms with these feelings.

Are your kids glued to their electronics?

Learn how to create a healthier, happier family that understands the importance of spending less time glued to their electronics and more time communicating and connecting.

Even if you believe someone is at fault for the divorce, it’s critical to avoid pointing fingers or showing angry feelings around your children.

These actions only cause them to withdraw and internalise their feelings.

Regardless of your feelings towards your ex-spouse, allow your kids to maintain a positive relationship with both parents and show them that you trust them to adapt to the changes.

4. Let your children know that mom and dad still love them very much. With all of the changes going on in your child’s life, they need to know that one thing – the most important thing of all – isn’t going to change.

Remember to give your kids lots of affection to reassure them of your love and support.

5. Provide stability. Although significant changes may occur, such as relocating, try to maintain your children’s familiar routines as much as possible. For example, keep bedtimes, meal times, and having friends over consistent. Kids feel safest in a routine environment. (Childdevelopmentinfo.com) TO BE CONTINUED

lthough anxiety disorders affect one in eight children, they often go unrecognised as mental health issues in teens. Social anxiety disorder, in particular, can take many forms and present differently depending on the individual, thus making it challenging to identify.

Most parents and adults dismiss anxiety symptoms as merely shyness or teen angst that their children will eventually outgrow. However, social phobia, as the disorder is sometimes referred to, can grow worse if left untreated and become debilitating over time. Poor academic performance, missing opportunities for significant social experiences, and substance abuse can all be indicators of social anxiety.

Recognising social phobia in teenagers is crucial for their transition to adulthood. Parents and other caregivers have the responsibility of ensuring that they get help.

Following are several ways to recognise symptoms of social anxiety in teens:

1. Be aware of extreme shyness or discomfort in your teen when he or she becomes the centre of attention. First-time performers typically experience stage fright but extreme discomfort, passivity, or inactivity, when put in the spotlight, merits further investigation. Although most people may feel this is due to teens’ fear of embarrassing themselves in front of their peers, do not be complacent.

Take the time to talk to your child about why he or she was unable to perform. Avoid using an accusatory tone to prevent putting your child on the defensive.

2. Pay attention to your child’s academic performance. When your straight-A teenager starts bringing home B or C-graded homework and exams, you immediately worry that something is wrong. Unfortunately, social anxiety is not as apparent as dropping grades. Social anxiety provides small clues such as hesitance to talk in front of the class, fear of being asked to report information, or even downright refusal to be a part of class activities. If possible, talk to your teen’s teacher about your concerns and ask him or her to inform you if your child exhibits any of these behaviours.

Are your kids glued to their electronics?

Learn how to create a healthier, happier family that understands the importance of spending less time glued to their electronics and more time communicating and connecting.

3. Be aware of your teen’s friends or lack thereof. It is common for teenagers to spend hours texting, going to parties and events, or hanging out after school. Many teens will be part of a large group or at least have a couple of friends.

However, teens with social anxiety often isolate themselves from other people or minimise contact. They would rather attend class without homework than ask a classmate about the assignment. They may have trouble making eye contact, initiating or joining conversations, and being part of school organisations.

4. Observe your child’s confidence level. Most teens who are suffering from social anxiety doubt if they are good enough for other people or worry excessively about how others see them. Their fear of being ridiculed or rejected is solidified in their minds, and they often look for signs of negative perception in others. This negative attitude towards meeting other people is so pervasive that it can lead to low self-esteem and an inferiority complex.

5. Take note of your teen’s reaction to social situations. People suffering from social anxiety exhibit physical symptoms as well, especially if they are in a social situation such as family gatherings or school functions. Signs to look out for include diarrhoea, nausea, excessive sweating, heart palpitations, and shortness of breath. If your teenager experiences any of these symptoms before or during a social event, he or she may be experiencing social anxiety.

According to the 2015 Child Mind Institute Children’s Mental Health Report, 80 per cent of kids with a diagnosable anxiety disorder are not getting treatment. If your teen exhibits any anxiety symptoms, take him or her to a psychologist for a consultation and thorough examination. The chances are high that your child knows that his or her reactions to social activities are irrational but does not know where or how to ask for help. Ensuring that children get the support and treatment they need starts with their parent or another adult caregiver. (Childdevelopmentinfo.com)

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SUnDAY, november 25, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

288 persons living rent-free in regional houses T

he Auditor General (AG) has flayed seven of the 10 Regional over Administrations their mismanagement of Government buildings. He has revealed that some 288 persons are living in those buildings rent-free, and has since recommended that all steps be taken to recover the monies owed, so that the monies could be paid in to the Consolidated Fund, where they belong.

Leading the list of delinquent regional administrations is that of Region Four (DemeraraMahaica), which has again been flagged by the Auditor General for its management of the 300 Government buildings. It was revealed in 2016 that 132 of those buildings are occupied, but only 26 persons are actually paying rent; and in the AG’s Report for 2017, the occupancy number has been raised to 136, with only eight persons actually paying rent, while some 120 persons are living in the buildings without permission.

According to Civil Service Law, 2004 Public Service Rules, “Government quarters provided to public servants as a condition of service, eg in the case of hospital staff, where presence on a hospital compound may be required on a continuous basis, shall be free of rent.”

It goes on to state that: “in lieu of quarters, a house allowance may, with the approval of the Permanent Secretary, Public Service Ministry, be granted to a public servant who is entitled to free quarters but for whom quarters are not available.”

It is understood that for unfurnished quarters, an employee who does pay rent is required to pay 10 per cent of his or her salary, while the requirement

ferent, since the AG identified that 20 of the 46 living quarters are occupied without any documentation to validate such action.

Included in the 20 quarters are two junior staff, a heavy-duty vehicle driver and a Schools Welfare Officer; they continue to occupy these living quarters rent free and with free utilities. The Regional Administration had paid for these utilities, and currently, as of July 2018, continued to pay same without any approval.

“The Head of Budget Agency indicated that the

for a furnished apartment is 12 per cent of that employee’s pay.

The report also recommended that the Regional Administration take steps to ensure that only officers entitled to Government quarters are accommodated therein.

In the AG’s 2016 report, the same issue was identified and brought before the Public Accounts where Committee, Regional Executive Officer (REO) Pauline Lucas said the State Asset Recovery Unit (SARA) has been called in to assist with eviction. However, it is unclear as to the status of that action, since the number of occupancy has increased and those paying rent have decreased.

Of the 10 Regions, figures were not provided for three of them; namely, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne); Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice). However, it was reported that in Region One (Barima-Waini) there are 230 Government buildings owned and controlled by the regional administration, of which 60 are Government Living Quarters. Of these 60, of-

ficers of the region occupy twenty, 38 are unoccupied, and two are abandoned.

However, in respect of the twenty living quarters occupied by officers of the Region, no evidence has been seen that rent was being paid by any of the occupants.

According to the AG, the administration of Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) made little or effort to correct the situation that existed in 2016, since it was revealed, after inspecting the House Rent Register, that of the 77 living quarters, 15 are occupied by unauthorised persons.

However, the Region indicated that seven persons were transferred there, while five have vacated, and three are still occupying the living quarters.

The Report indicated the number of persons paying rent in Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara) has increased from 7 at the end of December 2018 to 21 at the end of May 2018. However, some 28 other persons are still living without paying any rent.

In Region Five (Demerara-Mahaica), the situation was a little dif-

Schools Welfare Officer was transferred from Region Four and sent to the Region, but brought all her furnishings; while the heavy-duty vehicle driver was allocated an apartment next to the REO, who is entitled to a vehicle and driver in the event of an emergency, for transportation purposes,” the Report stated.

Based on the records presented in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), there are some 102 living quarters, of which 88 are occupied, with only 12 paying rent, while 30 are enti-

tled to rent free accommodation. However, of the 46 living rent free, there are five civilians with no relation to the regional administration.

In Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni), there are 85 Government buildings controlled by the Regional Administration with 53 being occupied rent-free. The last time rent was collected was in December of 2014.

All of the defaulting REO’s have since promised to have the issue addressed and the living quarters regularised.

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SUnDAY, november 25, 2018

| guyanatimesGY.com

Money changer’s murder trial begins

T

he murder trial of a Crabwood Creek, Berbice money changer has commenced.

Forty-seven-year-old Muhamamed Fizal Baksh Munir, called “Sugar cake” was murdered at the Number 63 Beach on December 15, 2015.

On trial for the alleged murder is Philemon Boodhoo. The trial begun last week before Justice Priya SewnarineBeharry with State Prosecutor Mondel Moore telling the jury that Boodhoo committed the murder during the course of a robbery.

Moore stated that on December 15, 2015, the now dead man left home as per routine to do business and Boodhoo took him to the Number 63 Beach and robbed and killed him. His body was found three days later. Muhamamed Munir’s wife, Jagwantie was the first to take the witness stand at the Berbice High Court. She told the court that her husband left home with both local and foreign currencies. She said he did not return home that evening and several calls to his cellular phone went unanswered. She told the jury that the following morning, she made a missing persons report at the Police station. She said she also went to the market where her husband operates and spoke with several vendors in the area. She told the jury that based on information she received from the vendors, she contact-

Murder accused: Philemon Boodhoo

ed Boodhoo at his Number 65 Village home. She said Boodhoo claimed that he did indeed call the now dead man, but claimed that he did not see him in person. According the dead man’s wife, a search party was formed and after two days, she received a telephone call stating that a body was discovered on the Number 63 Beach. She said she went to the beach and realised that it was her husband’s body. His footwear and wrist watch were next to him and a $1000 bill was a short distance away. She said when Police arrived and turned the body over, his cellular phone and calculator were found under him.

Meanwhile, under cross-examina-

tion by Attorney Arudranauth Gossai, the wife said she could not say for sure if it was Boodhoo she spoke with on the phone the day after her husband disappeared.

Taxi owner, Farida Hussain also took the witness stand, telling the court that Boodhoo rented a car from her at about 08:30h on December 15, 2015 and returned about 10:30h. She said he should have paid $5000 but since the car was returned the same day, she only charged him $3000. Hussain said Boodhoo paid the money to a worker.

Rohan Karim told the court that he was working at the taxi service, which also rented cars at that time. He noted that when Boodhoo returned with the car, he appeared to be nervous. He told the jury that Boodhoo had what he described as a “slab of money” which was about “six inched thick.” The money, he said, was both local and foreign currencies.

Karim told the court that Boodhoo asked him for a plastic bag and placed the money into is and then stashed it in his crotch. He said the man then hurriedly left the taxi service.

Under cross examination Karim said he knew Boodhoo to be a businessperson who would normally rent cars from the service.

The trial continues on Monday.

Spinning wheels…

T …on Budget

he PNC-led Government has gone into survival mode with the spectre of the PPP’s no-confidence vote hanging over its head like the sharpened cutlass of a cane cutter poised to lop off the “head” of a cane stalk!! As the week closed, Nagamootoo, the man who was supposed to be a bulked-up PM, boasted with false bravado: “We will have this motion discussed and defeated, because it is not viable.” But his saucer-sized widened eyes – like a deer’s caught in headlights – gave him away!!

If he’s so confident of leading the coalition MPs into victory, why wait till December, and not get it out of the way before the Budget Debate? Because he knows the noconfidence debate will be a Guyanese “Charge of the Light Brigade”, that’s why!! Defeat is certain!! Your Eyewitness is sorry, though, for the backbenchers on the coalition benches. To paraphrase Tennyson: “Not though these MP’s knew/ Someone had blundered./ Theirs not to make reply,/ Theirs not to reason why,/ Theirs but to do and die./ Into the valley of Death/ Rode the thirty-three.”

But, as your Eyewitness said yesterday, the Budget is just free publicity for the coalition Government to promise all sorts of meaningless giveaways for their constituency; knowing full well, come the new year after the inevitable new elections, there will be a new Budget by the victorious PPP!! Even on the cusp of Jordan reading out his Budget – which he’ll predictably label banally “Biggest ever!” -- your Eyewitness will tell you why the PNC isn’t serious about Guyana or its people.

While a budget details a government’s spending for the coming year, if they mean business about development, that spending will be part of a broader strategic plan. But this Budget – your Eyewitness predicts once again – will be just “bread and circus” for the gullible, and will completely ignore the “Green Development Strategy” it ostentatiously announced two years ago.

In its own words, “The strategic approach which will be adopted to address the structural transformation of Guyana’s economy into a green and inclusive one will recognise the economic value of the extractive sectors, instituting measures to ensure their environmental sustainability while facilitating new economic growth from a more diverse set of inclusive, green and high value-adding sectors.

“Emphasis will be placed on a number of areas which will contribute to facilitating a shift from a heavy reliance on a commodities-dependent productive base to one that is more diversified, value-adding, inclusive, and green: Resource extraction for sustainable development/ Sustainable, productive, climate-resilient and diversified agriculture/ Green, inclusive, high value-adding industrial development/ Enabling business environment.”

Your Eyewitness challenges Nagamootoo to identify programmes in the coming Budget that advance even ONE of those objectives!!

Wanker!!

…with a 4% party

After the LGE humiliated him by revealing that even his AFC candidates in his home village, Whim (including his sister, his Dabit and Pupah!), couldn’t get their “backers” to vote for them, Nagamootoo tried to bluff his way out by claiming he’s still part of a 10 per cent party. He even disputed Jagdeo’s claim that in reality there was no way he could even get past 4 per cent! Well, now that GECOM’s announced the AFC barely got 4 per cent of the votes, what says he now? Is he going to fess up and eat humble pie? Is he going to apologise to Jagdeo?

Not Nagamootoo. The man has always been a bluffer, known for his tall tales. Remember him telling everyone Jagan PROMISED HIM THE PRESIDENCY in the Rupununi?

Did he think all the Indigenous Peoples listening to the great man couldn’t understand English? How come none of them even confirmed Nagamootoo’s claim?

And failure begets failure. Bereft of votes, his goose is cooked come 2020!!

…on change

The PNC, like the leopard (and jaguar) of yore, can’t change its spots; it’s genetic!! They retained Chase-Green as a candidate in Georgetown, and just watch them return her as Mayor!!

You can’t just dump folks who know where the bodies are buried!!

Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com

news

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SUnDAY, november 25, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

As budget approaches

Govt yet to provide comprehensive economic plan – Ali ...makes recommendations for people- centred budget

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ith Budget Day one day away, Parliamentary Opposition frontbencher and economist Irfaan Ali has rapped the Government for the continued absence of a comprehensive economic plan for Guyana, while proposing solutions of his own.

According to Ali, Government’s management of the economy has been “ad hoc” and “counterproductive”.

He has cited the Value Added Tax (VAT) measures that have been implemented to substantiate his contention.

He noted that consumers’ disposable incomes were slashed with the introduction

from the Ministry of Finance have showed reduced declarations from the mining sector.

According to last year’s Half-Year Report, the mining and quarrying sector contracted by 4.0 per cent during the first half of 2017. Gold production fell by 1.7 per cent to 317,096 ounces in the first half of 2017, compared to the same period in 2016, and this trend continued into 2018.

“In the 2018 Mid-Year Report, low declaration of gold by small and medium scale miners was cited as one of the fundamental reasons for low growth in the economy,” Ali observed. “Over the

penditure, including employment costs, and billions of dollars in increased spending on dietary, security, rental of buildings, and travelling.

Expressing worry that Government’s handling of the fiscal regime would only get worse with the approaching fiscal year, he has urged Government to improve access to finance, and to repeal the increased tax measures, something that would ease the burden on the average citizen’s pocket.

“Consumers need a stimulus in spending, and there is no better way than to reduce taxation. Not only will purchasing power increase, but

Among the measures Irfaan Ali is calling for is economic free zones, where businesses can operate with little to no taxation

of over 200 tax measures, and added that operational costs skyrocketed with the introduction of VAT on electricity and water, and many zero-rated equipment used in the mining and agriculture sector attracted a hefty 14 per cent VAT. “As profit margin flattened, producers were forced to cut back on employment, hence prompting an inevitable downsize in operation. In the mining sector, the 100 per cent increase in tributors tax, coupled with deteriorated hinterland roads and high fuel prices, dealt a huge blow to both small and medium scale miners,” he said.

According to Ali, the overall impact was devastating, and persons felt the squeeze at all levels of the economy.

Indeed, he said, statistics

past three years, Guyana has witnessed a major decline and contraction in four of its main traditional sectors.”

Sugar, rice, bauxite and timber have all plummeted, he noted. “Hence one of the major causes for the country’s depleting foreign reserves and reduced private consumption,” Ali continued. “On the fiscal side, Government racked up a huge chunk in additional revenue. From 2015-2017, revenue increased by more than 26 per cent or $35B, and is expected to further increase by another $10B by end 2018.”

Worry

According to Ali, however, Government has not even put this additional revenue to good use. He pointed to increases in recurrent ex-

consumers’ confidence and demand could receive a major boost,” he said.

“A public-private partnership with commercial banks is critical, and could play a major role in offering cheap credit to small and medium size investors. The bureaucracy surrounding the access to small and medium size loans needs to be obliterated,” he opined.

Ali noted that Central Government could address this and contribute meaningfully by ensuring commercial banks benefit from reduced lending rates from the Bank of Guyana.

He also stressed the need for Government to make a concerted effort to diversify the economy.

“Oil should be perceived as a bonus to our diversifica-

tion programme, and not as the backbone of our economy. Budget 2019 should propound measures on how we will initiate the transformation our economy into a major economic power house,” he declared.

“Some of the major projects that should receive unwavering attention should include the deep-water harbour, sustainable urban transport, Corentyne river bridge to Suriname, Lethem/ Brazil road corridor, and the Georgetown bypass road.”

Value added production

Moreover, Ali called for measures to drive value-added production within the forestry, agriculture and mining sectors to be outlined in the Finance Minister’s presentation. He noted that in the manufacturing sector, measures should be proposed to

boost output and increase competitiveness.

The economist also proposed that key input materials, such as raw materials, should be subsidised in the new budget. He suggested that special concessions should be offered that would create a level playing field between foreign companies and local firms, even as many continue to raise concerns about local content.

Ali also proposed that Government announce the establishment of economic free zones, a term that designates areas in which companies can operate with little to no taxation. Economic free zones are usually meant to act as an economic stimulus. He was also hopeful of bold initiatives within the health sector.

“Resuscitate the specialty hospital for advanced health care services for both

PPP/C MP Irfaan Ali

Guyanese and international patients,” Ali suggested. “(Construct) a 100-bed ward at East Bank Demerara Regional Hospital; (construct) a new policlinic with X-ray, laboratories, and dental and eye services in different regions,” he also said.

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SUnDAY, november 25, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Port Mourant Market Clerk allegedly assaulted by overseer

P

olice on the Corentyne, Berbice, are investigating a report by the Clerk of the Port Mourant Market that he was assaulted by the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) Overseer inside the office.

Guyana Times understands that the report was filed on Thursday and this is not the first time allegations of this nature have being levelled against the Overseer.

Clerk of the Port Mourant Market, Ryan Mallay, told this publication that he, along with four other employers who work at the market, were summoned to a meeting at the Overseer’s office.

According to him, upon arrival at the Overseer’s office, they were asked why they were there and had to remind the Overseer that she summoned them to the meeting. According to Mallay, the Overseer then took out her cellphone and appeared to be recording them, but suspecting something was amiss, he asked

Market Clerk Ryan Mallay displays his torn vest

her if they were working the following day and after not receiving an answer, got up and left.

Mallay related that he was the last to leave the office and as he existed the room, the Overseer pushed him. “She then come and pull me by my shirt and rip off some of the buttons and hold my vest and tear it

down,” he said.

Another staff member, who is a labourer at the market, said after the Overseer pulled the Market Clerk’s shirt off, she began checking his pockets.

According to him, shortly after that, she asked Mallay for her cellular phone, accusing him of stealing it but then the others said the cell-

phone was in her hand.

Mallay said he and a colleague reported the incident to the Police.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Johns/Port Mourant NDC, Ishwarsammy Narinesammy in an invited comment said the Overseer reported that she and the Market Clerk were involved in a scuffle. The Overseer is also claiming that Mallay injured her during the scuffle.

According to the Chairman, the NDC has written letters to the Communities Ministry and the Local Government Commission in relation to the alleged conduct of the NDC Overseer, but to date, no action nor investigation was undertaken.

“I am fed up,” the NDC Chairman said.

Narinesammy said since the matter is with the Police, the NDC will let law enforcement deal with it.

On August 15, 2016, the same Overseer was accused of assaulting a reporter, who was covering a protest by Port Mourant market vendors.

Air Transport Meeting

Countries must work towards enforcing agreements – Ghana’s Director …more needs to be done to address barriers

T

he recently concluded Air Transport Meeting which was organised by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has tacked the main barriers that countries face when promoting air travel across the diaspora.

In an interview with <<Guyana Times>> on Friday, Director General of Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, Simon Allotey, said that while the conference was successful in its aim to establish new rela-

Director General of Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, Simon Allotey

tions, countries must work towards enforcing agreements that are signed with other nations.

“The conference has lived up to its objectives on promoting air connectivity between the diaspora. The discussions were very practical because, over the years, we took several corporation agreements, MoUs which were never implemented,” said Allotey.

He said the barriers lie within these policies which had never materialised,

and member states are now working towards resolving the issues. This is evident in the memorandums of understanding (MoUs) that Guyana signed with Aruba and Ghana respectively.

“This forum, we’ve realised that we need to put our words into actions. We have identified our key barriers to improving connectivity. Collectively, we’ve all resolved towards addressing these barriers and improving air links. turn to page 12

Who’s the plantain?

S

atiricus was still in a state of euphoria! He now understood how MLK must’ve felt when he shouted, “Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, I am free at last!!” He was strolling towards the Back Street Bar and realized he must’ve yelled out aloud, since several persons near him jumped back in shock!! He smiled sheepishly as he ducked into the Bar. “Fellas, I can’t tell you how a weight has lifted from my shoulders since I quit the KFC!” said Satiricus, as he sat down with the fellas. “But now abee na get none news fram Nagga Man and Rum Jhaat,” complained Cappo. “Don’t worry!” said Satiricus expansively.

“They still call me, hoping to get me back!”

“You mean for your paper to cover them!!” smiled Hari, as he touched bottles with Satiricus.

“Maybe,” conceded Satiricus. “But I still hear from them.”

“Suh wha’ dem tell yuh?” inquired Bungi, who’d been polishing off his beer in one long gurgle.

“That the LGE elections show the KFC is stronger than ever!” laughed Satiricus.

“W’en 4% mo’ dan 11%? Da mus’ be de new Mat’s me a hear ‘bout!!” said Cappo. “KFC a now de 4% party!!”

“Nagga Man’s not talking about the strength of KFC numbers, my friends,” said Hari. “He’s now Pee’nSee!” “Me ‘gree,” said Bungi. “Yuh na see de elect-shan result? Straang breeze ah mek crow an’ eagle light pan waan line!”

“But the PPCEE breeze shake up even the line,” pointed out Satiricus.

“Nagga Man fo’get wha’ me Daady bin tell me,” said Cappo. “W’en cow deh a pas-tah ‘e nah remember weh daag and butcher deh, till ‘e see am!”

“Well it looks like Jagdesh has a rope on the whole Pee’nSee government’s neck with his no-confidence motion!” smiled Hari.

“Suh wha’ Nagga Man seh ‘bout da?!” asked Bungi, looking at Satiricus.

“He said he won’t allow the vote until he catch the traitors who will vote with PPCEE!” reported Satiricus.

“Budday, na he and Rum Jhaat set de pattern fuh trait’ah?” asked Cappo. “If yuh plant plant’in yuh cyaan reap cassava!”

11 Agricola residents complain of employment stigma A Offer horizons news

SUnDAY, november 25, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

I

to the poor

n Guyana, if nothing else, we should at least have the grace to avoid belittling the poor because of the circumstances of their lives. After all, we all came, in the words of Martin Carter, “from the Nigger Yards” – whether we were of African, Indian, Chinese, Portuguese or even Amerindian origin. The last were also not spared the scorn of not being white.

But yet, from each group, there were many who clawed their way out of their degradation through sheer determination and grit, to assert their humanity. We saw this in the great movement of freed Africans to initiate the Village Movement, and in the peoples who followed them to expand “Guyana” beyond the sugar plantations. This capacity was sustained by a willingness, in modern economic language, to defer their gratification.

Today, this willingness to imbibe self-control, plan for the future, and defer Ravi Dev gratification to ensure that the plan gets accomplished in the face of humble circumstances is fast disappearing. We are now generally living and consuming for the moment, but still want to see our lives improve over time. We want to “suck cane and blow whistle at the same time.” It can’t be done, so we end up frustrated; sink into despair, or demand handouts. Some, of course, use force and take what they want.

From whence have we imbibed this new ‘don’t give a damn’ attitude? For one, in any group, there will be some that go against the grain. But generally, it’s as a result of outside pressures and influences – cultural and otherwise. In the Caribbean, there are aspects of the dominant Creole culture that present some of these pressures and influences, and they were encouraged by those with power. And this has been part of my rejection of the assimilationist imperatives in the present dominant mode of ‘integration’. As Malcolm X said in an analogous context, “Why integrate into a burning house?”

Back in 1984, there was an International Roundtable in Guyana to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the abolition of slavery. Then Prime Minister Desmond Hoyte delivered an address: “Towards 2034: A Deeper View of the Horizon”, in which he made some pertinent remarks on the refusal to live for the future. Because my assertion about Creole culture can be (and have been) egregiously misinterpreted, I quote rather liberally from Mr Hoyte’s address. “...(O)ne of the most pernicious consequences of slavery was that it bereft the slave of a vested interest in the future by imposing upon him the need to be constantly preoccupied with the exigencies of the moment. Indeed...the African slave on a WI plantation found himself in a world without horizons. His condition circumscribed within very narrow limits not only his physical, but also his spiritual being. It deprived of the cohering and creative influences of his social organisation and his culture.

“Uprooted from his natural milieu, no longer able to fulfil his civic and religious duties, he was robbed of his spiritual points of reference. His personality disintegrated, and, in a word, he suffered “social death”. It is not to be wondered at, then, that his outlook was little informed by any curiosity beyond the immediate, by any speculation about the distant future.

“And so, lacking a social motive, he developed no interest in, or aptitude for, making long-term arrangements. Moreover, the colonial polity which succeeded the era of slavery did not provide the former slave and his descendants with significantly greater incentive or opportunity for cultivating these pursuits.

Thus there persists in our society, even to this day, a reluctance to focus too intently on the future.

“It is critically important, I believe, that we should analyse and understand this phenomenon of our lack of interest in the future, and our failure generally to plan in a serious, methodical way with respect to it.”

While Mr Hoyte’s address focused on the need for planning at the country and international levels, it is important to note that he grounded the fundamental lacuna at the individual level.

And it is here I believe that, in the present, thirty-four years after his warning, we must begin. The question is, “Can we teach our selves how to live for the future, to create the ‘good life’ for all?”

The evidence of the forty-eight thousand descendants – more than half of the freed slave population who quit the plantations within one decade after the Apprenticeship Scheme to found the Village Movement mentioned above -- shows that if the opportunities are there, our people will seize them. They turned the “straw” of abandoned plantations to “gold”.

t a job fair hosted at St Anne’s Primary School, Agricola, Greater Georgetown, on Saturday, a number of residents during the formal opening ceremony complained of being discriminated against during job interviews because of the alleged reputation of their village.

A senior representative of businesses in the community, Christopher Rockcliffe, noted that via conversations with youths whom helped with their applications, he learnt the harsh truth.

While admitting that there are rogue citizens living in Agricola, Rockcliffe said, “Agricola has been stigmatised, in some cases I know for a fact that a number of youths have come to me for assistance in helping them to write their applications. A number of them can’t indicate for example that they are from Agricola and a number of them have been unsuccessful on the occasions when they indicated that they are from Agricola”.

The frustrating behaviours being meted out by employers have to be moved passed, he added, suggesting a follow-up check be done by the business owners to verify the person’s background in the community.

He charged that institutions who attended the job fair to give youths in the community who met the requirements a fair chance to be employed.

Organiser of the job fair, Christine Profitt, shared her take on youths of Agricola being turned down

Intrigued youths being engaged at one of the booths at the job fair

because of their address.

She pointed out, “Definitely being a part of Agricola you find that two-headed coin because an Agricola youth was chosen to go and be one of the ambassadors to recommend change for the community and that’s one side of the coin but other youths receive a lot of stigma when trying to find a job. They receive a lot of negativity and they say they do not want a lot of problems in the organisation”.

Meanwhile, a business owner at the job fair related her experience and how she managed to spring out of the negativity.

“I am just a perfect example of (how) in life it doesn’t matter where you come from but look at your circumstances. You have to make a decision to be better and you take that position to reach out,” she explained.

The job fair was hosted by a new organisation dubbed ‘I Can’ on Saturday.

I Can Founder, Christine Profitt explained at the formal opening ceremony, that the ‘I Can’ project was spe-

cifically designed to combat negative thoughts that might play in the minds of Agricola youths.

According to her, “The I Can project for Agricola’s youths is to combat a lot of the negative thoughts we tell ourselves and the negativity that we project in to the community… the project is centred around two

main goals and that is to provide mentorship, networking opportunities, like this job fair and lastly provide opportunities for those of you that are looking for employment or connectivity within organisations that provide employment”.

Several booths including the Strategic Recruitment Solutions Incorporated, Action Coach and Live Proactive among others were present to provide job solutions for persons in the area.

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan who attended the event made a donation of a number of books to the community, while encouraging youths to read.

He said he was more than delighted when he heard about the I Can project and expressed that more such projects should be replicated across the country.

12 news

SUnDAY, november 25, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Garbage service withdrawal

City Hall has small contractors on standby – Solid Waste Director …says operations will not be affected

Solid waste collectors

T

he major garbage collectors have threatened to pull their services from the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) because of Council’s failure to make them outstanding payments, but it has been revealed that the smaller contractors have been placed on standby in event this services’ withdrawal should materialise.

According to Solid Waste Management Director at the M&CC, Walter Narine, these smaller collectors will commence collecting garbage in Georgetown if Cevon’s Waste Management and Puran Brothers Disposal Incorporated pursue their strike action on Monday.

Among these smaller garbage collectors are Granderson, Trash Tech, Tri Star, C&S Services and Garbage Eaters.

“We would have engaged

some smaller contractors and have them ready. On Monday morning, in the case where Puran’s and Cevon’s haven’t started their work, the guys would come out and start collecting garbage,” Narine said on Saturday.

He insisted that garbage collecting operations in the city would not be affected, since the larger garbage collecting contractors have not confirmed that they will pull their services. Those collectors had engaged the Council on Friday, asking for a substantial amount of the money due them in order for them to continue operating.

“We don’t know if they’re going to pull their services or not. They indicated that without receiving a substantial amount of money, they will withdraw. They had a meeting yesterday (Friday), and that did materialise; so I’m waiting on an official let-

ter from them, stating that they will pull their services or not,” he added.

Narine is confident that garbage collection services will continue as per normal, because of improvised mechanisms that Council has enforced, especially during the holiday season.

“In the event that they pull off their services, we would have put mechanisms in place to continue collecting refuse in the city as per normal. We have an obligation to the citizens of Georgetown, so if Puran’s and Cevon’s withdraw for a financial obligation that we did not make, we can’t leave (the city) without refuse collection, especially now in the Christmas season,” Narine declared.

Friday’s negotiations did not end amicably, with a solution to pay outstanding monies due the contractors.

Puran Brothers and

Cevon’s Waste Management have both informed media operatives that City Hall owes them in excess of $150 million dating back to the second quarter of 2018.

They were since contemplating to cease operations until receiving payments, especially since they had not been receiving positive answers from their several meetings with Council. For one of these collectors, the monthly operational expenditure is somewhere in the vicinity of $15 million.

Services were withdrawn by these two main collectors in the past pending payments that were owed by City Hall. Some of their staff-

ers were also dismissed, but were later rehired when the monies were made available.

Govt intervention

Cevon’s Waste Management and Puran Brothers Disposal have unitedly called on Friday for Central Government to ‘take the wheel’, as they contend that City Hall is out of its depth and cannot resolve the municipality’s mounting debts to the companies.

They explained that they had withdrawn their services over an outstanding debt of $160 million.

“We wish both the Government of Guyana and the citizens to be assured

that a great deal of human and physical resources are invested in discharging our responsibility to the capital,” the companies said in a joint statement. “In that context, we submit that it is both morally and legally wrong to expect that we can continue, over a protracted period of time, to discharge these services without compensation.”

The two companies have also responded to reports that City Hall would contract smaller companies to replace them. They warned of the risk to the entire city should City Hall engage persons with less capacity to collect garbage, replacing them.

Countries must work towards...

Some of the barriers relate to regulations, policies at state and regional levels,” he stressed.

For now, the participants have decided that free movement across the continents is the next step which can eliminate some of the glitches of the past.

“We’ve all agreed that we should allow free movement of people within Caricom and Africa. We can achieve that by states accepting and implementing the various protocols on free movement of people, and these have been some of the barriers,”

he explained.

This publication also sought a comment from the Director of Policy Planning at the Aviation Ministry in Ghana, Ellis Hugh Tamakloe, as he appealed for more action on the part of governing aviation bodies in each country.

Many officials would have shared their perspectives, and the conference would be successful only if the talks are followed by effective action.

“From the discussions, there are a lot of things that we need to do. There are a lot

from page 10

of things that we’ve been doing, but we need to do more to actualise what we need to do to ensure that there is connectivity between the Caribbean and Africa and the Caribbean and elsewhere. We think that [if] the findings and discussions are implemented, then this will be successful for all of us,” stated Tamakloe.

The MoU signed between Aruba and Guyana will see direct flights from Georgetown to Aruba in the near future. The same is expected in the agreement between Guyana and Ghana.

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Passengers left stranded on MV Sabanto …after ramp malfunctions

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SUnDAY, november 25, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Weed your community’s playfield yourselves – Ramjattan to Agricola residents

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T&HD staff working on the ramp at Parika on Saturday

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assengers travelling on the MV Sabanto, which plies the Parika-Essequibo Coast route were forced two spend almost two hours onboard the vessel after arriving at Parika on Saturday. This situation arose after there was a mechanical malfunction of the ferry’s ramp.

Speaking with Guyana Times, a passenger said the ferry left Supenaam at 14:00h on Saturday for Parika. However, upon arrival at Parika, the ramp malfunctioned forcing all the passengers to stay onboard.

According to another passenger, while the situation was unavoidable, there was no proper communication

between the ferry staff and passengers, causing some persons to panic. The passengers said some persons became irritable since the vessel’s staff were most unhelpful. Another passenger told this publication, that the Transport and Harbours Department should train its staff on vessels how to communicate with persons on board in the cases of emergencies.

“Clearly from what happened here today (Saturday), the staff wasn’t trained for these types of incidents,” a passenger said.

Meanwhile, other passengers lamented the poor condition of the ferries plying the route.

“We are calling on the

MV Sabanto

T&HD to pay more attention, especially this time of the year, the holiday season when passengers and cargo will be moving to and from.

The toilets on both ferries are in a deplorable state and passengers sometimes have to wait until they reach one of the ports before easing themselves,” a passenger said.

On November 30, 2017, an alarming amount of water accumulated in the lower deck of the MV Sabanto as the vessel was plying its regular route from Parika to Supenaam during high tide.

Panic erupted on board the ship as fear began to spread that the vessel was on the verge of sinking in the Essequibo River. Although

the vessel’s operators were unable to identify the source of the influx of water, they managed to complete the journey to Supenaam.

In July 2016, the MV Sabanto collided with the Supenaam Stelling, causing extensive damage to the ferry. The crash resulted in severe damage to the back of the vessel and sections of the stelling.

Guyana Times had reported that persons on board the vessel began to panic.

Eyewitnesses described the situation at the stelling as “chaotic.”

T&HD had subsequently launched a probe after it was reported that staff on board the vessel were under the influence.

ublic Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan on Saturday informed residents of Agricola, Greater Georgetown that they must not depend on the Government to do everything. In fact, he told the residents that they should weed the community’s play field themselves, which is presently covered in overgrown vegetation. He made the comments at a job fair held in Agricola where he reflected on his days as a young man. He said he was part of a cricket team which did the same thing for their local community ground.

“It is important that these things happen in your area and it happen as a result of your effort. Not everything Government will provide, and I want to tell you that,” Ramjattan said.

The Minister said even in the United States (US), France and the United Kingdom (UK), residents make donations; Guyanese must play a part as citizens to reduce the work of the Government.

Crime

Speaking on the issue of the crime rate in the community, the Public Security Minister stated that residents have the power to overcome their demons.

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan

He said while the desire of being rich exists in the life of every human being, it is their duty to practice self-restraint.

“We live in an area that is extra ordinarily violent if you didn’t know. South America, next to Venezuela, next to Columbia, Bolivia and Ecuador and Brazil are extra ordinarily violent societies when it comes to the crime rates and all of that and it is largely because of so much gun-running, Trafficking in Persons, cocaine and poverty levels,” he explained.

He said Government is quite aware of those activities in neighbouring countries and does not want that criminal behaviour to trickle in.

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SUnDAY, november 25, 2018| guyanatimesgy.com

Guyanese urged to vote online The State of the Envifor Miss World Guyana ronment: Biodiversity … Miss World Pageant slated for December 8

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uyanese are urged to vote for Miss World Guyana as the Miss World pageant has launched its online Head-to-Head Challenge. As such, Miss World Guyana, Ambika Ramraj, is seeking the assistance of her Guyanese fans to cast their votes in favour of her. The voting is done in a four-way medium. First on the official Miss World Page at Https://Missworld.com/#/ contestants/5408.

In addition, persons can vote on Facebook by liking, sharing, following and commenting on posts done by Miss Guyana World. Simply go on Facebook and click on Miss World Guyana. Ramraj is currently in China preparing for the competition slated for December 8.

In that competition, more than 120 delegates from around the world will be fiercely competing for the coveted title. From all reports, the delegates have all arrived in the host country, and have already started to heat up the international stage.The other two media is for persons residing in China. They can cast their votes by going to China's Model Power Live Vote or download Mobstar.

The 19-year-old beauty ambassador was crowned

went training in various aspects such as pageant/ catwalk walking, talent, etiquette and others. She had however, promised to repre-

sent the Golden Arrowhead with pride and dignity but more importantly, she was optimistic of bringing the title home.

First batch of doctors graduate from Georgetown American University

Miss World Guyana 2018 after outshining nine other contestants at the Guyana Pegasus Hotel in May. Ramraj, during the local leg of the pageant, promoted metal health issues using sport and physical activities. She will nevertheless promote the same issue during her ‘Beauty with a Purpose’ project which she will present to the Miss World Committee and judges during the preliminary competitions in the international pageant.

Ramraj departed Guyana last month but spent a few weeks in New York and the United Kingdom before heading for China.

During her time in the USA and UK, she under-

The graduating class shares a photo moment with Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence and staff of the University

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he inaugural graduation of the Georgetown American University was held on Saturday, introducing seven new doctors into the medical field.

Founded five years ago and located on Croal Street, Georgetown, students from countries such as Nigeria, the United Kingdom, Canada and Russia completed the programme and were awarded at the Marriott Hotel.

Members of the graduating class were Bruke Abenet, Ihiyemi Aderayo, Hayaat Amara, Amanda Amsterdam, Alicia Jaikaran, Lyndon

Tuffulo and Isioma Oside.

Isioma Oside was Valedictorian and highlighted the challenges she would have faced to finally graduate after waiting for three years.

“Graduating isn’t the end but the beginning of the journey ahead. We have bought the land, set the foundation and now, it is time to build and building is the tough part. One thing we shouldn’t forget is how we started and what we have been called to do in this field,” Oside said to her fellow graduates and the extended gathering. continued on page 15

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uyana is known as “the land of many waters”, but unknown to many, it is also the home of many giants, such as the Giant River Otter, Giant River Turtle, and the Arapaima. The country is unlike any other when it comes to its flora and fauna. Many rare animals and plants are able to strive in Guyana because of its unique ecosystems, sitting between biologically rich zones of both the Landscape at Kato, Region 8. Photo credit, Amazon Region Dillon Charles and the Guiana Shield.

These ecosystems -- such as rainforests, savannahs and wetlands -- provide unique characteristics to allow for flourishing habitats which sustain a multitude of organisms. However, while Guyana’s biodiversity is largely intact, the increase of human activities is at the forefront of pressuring this unique resource.

Pressure on Biodiversity Resources Guyana’s biodiversity faces both direct and indirect threats.

Economic activities such as over-fishing, mining and logging have a direct impact on pollution and habitat loss. Invasive alien species -which are species that do not naturally belong here, but are brought into the country -- also pressure the biodiversity as they compete with them for resources.

Presently, there are twenty-one known invasive species in Guyana, many of which have not been studied, so their impacts are not completely understood.

Indirect threats are as a result of challenges with policies and legislation; for example, conflicting legislation and the lack of compliance enforcement and monitoring. Additionally, limited knowledge on Guyana’s biodiversity and the importance of protecting ecosystems contributes to the indirect destruction.

As the world continues to battle the effects of climate change, this has both direct and indirect impacts on Guyana’s rich ecosystems.

Climate change is already affecting the availability of food and water for wildlife, while the increase of global temperatures, causing major floods, droughts and extreme storms, is resulting in habitat loss.

Guyana’s commitment to preserving its Biodiversity When it comes to putting measures in place to protect its natural resources, Guyana is committed to leading by example. The country has committed to the EU-FLEGT project, the REDD+ Initiative, and to developing the National Water Council (NWC). In addition, Guyana has, at the national level, taken significant steps towards conserving its biological resources, by signing on to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD), and by submitting five National Reports on the status of the country’s biological resources to the Convention. Guyana has enacted key legislation to ensure the protection and conservation of its biodiversity. Those include the Environmental Protection Act and regulations which govern the work of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Furthermore, the development of national strategies, such as the Protected Areas Strategy and the soon-to-be-implemented Green State Development Strategy (GSDS), are also tools used to guide biodiversity conservation and protection. In fact, one of the principles of the GSDS is the Sustainable Use of Biodiversity and Resource Efficiency.

A number of policies and plans were also developed; for example, the National Land Use Plan, along with the National Land Use Policy.

In addition to the development of policies, strategies, legislation and plans, institutional and governance agreements were strengthened via the development of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in 2011, under which a number of agencies had functioned, including the EPA. However, some of these sectors are now operating under the Department of Environment, which is responsible for overseeing environmental compliance and monitoring. This Department is comprised not only of the EPA, but also the Protected Areas Commission (PAC) and the Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission (WCMC), which both have crucial responsibilities in biodiversity conservation and protection.

Much more has been done to ensure Guyana’s biodiversity is sustained. Several committees have been formed; there has been the establishment of new protected areas, and the strengthening of monitoring and capacity building in biodiversity. In recent years, there has been an increase in research and study on Guyana’s biodiversity.

Guyana is progressively moving towards keeping its precious and rare organisms safe. In order for Guyana to continue maintaining its low rate of ecosystem degradation, Guyanese must continue to put measures in place to conserve and protect this resource, as failing to do so will have detrimental impacts on us all.

This means that when embarking in an economic activity that would likely have environmental impacts, we must remember to keep the environment in mind, and proceed in a sustainable manner.

If you wish to know more about the state and trends of Land Resources in Guyana, you can download the State of the Environment Report 2016 from the EPA’s website, www.epaguyana.org

You can share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O ECEA Programme, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN, or email us at: eit.epaguyana@ gmail.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

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SUnDAY, november 25, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Timehri roundabout

Utility companies’ causing delays – contractor

By Jarryl Bryan

Considerations F for a modular oil refinery

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few months ago, or thereabouts, commentators had been calling for a revisit of the feasibility of an oil refinery in Guyana amidst the vast oil deposits offshore, wherein Guyana now has in excess of six billion [declared] barrels of recoverable oil reserves. Against this background, the idea of an oil refinery might well be feasible, but the type and model of refinery would be an underlying factor.

An international consultant was contracted by the Government of Guyana to conduct a feasibility study in regard to an oil refinery. It was unfortunate, however, that the consultant only considered a conventional oil refinery, which Guyana most obviously cannot afford.

That presentation concluded that an oil refinery (a conventional refinery) would not be feasible in Guyana against the backdrop of the capital investment it would require, which was estimated at some US$ 5 billion.

Indeed, Guyana cannot afford such an investment, even if the capital were to be mobilised through a publicprivate partnership; because US$5 billion is greater than Guyana’s GDP, which is merely close to US$ 4 billion, and real GDP is about US$2 billion.

That notwithstanding, there are refineries known as “modular refineries” that are far less costly to build. These refineries are usually capable of producing between 5,000 and 30,000 barrels of crude per day. These types of refinery have also experienced a trend in growing demand – largely driven by government initiatives in countries such as Nigeria and Indonesia, for example -to add local refining capacity to offset continued growth of importing finished products for growing consumer demand (UOP, 2017).

“In the oil refining business, the cost of inputs (crude oil) and the price of outputs (refined products) are both highly volatile, influenced by global, regional, and local supply and demand changes. Refineries must therefore find the “sweet spot” against a backdrop of changing environmental regulations, changing demand patterns, and increased global competition among refineries in order to be profitable”. (Canadian Fuels Association, 2013).

The advantages of the modular refineries include: lower investment costs; sized for lower local demand; modular fabrication offsite for higher quality; shorter schedule; and possibility for future relocation. The disadvantage in comparison to the traditional larger refineries is that these (traditional refineries) have improved economies of scale; can produce a wider variety of refined products; can also be integrated into petrochemical operations; and offer more flexibility (UOP, 2017).

In order to determine the viability of a modular refinery with a production capacity of 30,000 bpd, it is prudent to first establish what is the current demand or consumption of refined crude oil products, particularly fuel. In this respect, data for 2014 showed that total imports of refined crude products, inclusive of C.I.F (cost, insurance and freight) values, amounted to US$561.6 million; and in terms of quantity, that is close to five million barrels. Thus Guyana’s average annual consumption is about five million barrels of crude annually, which works out to 13,700 barrels of crude per day.

Therefore, a modular refinery with production capacity of 30,000 barrels per day would be able to satisfy Guyana’s local consumption needs of refined crude products, which would also save a hefty import bill of in excess of US$500 million annually; and the excess production can easily be exported to other CARICOM countries.

Moreover, it makes more sense for Guyana to consider a modular refinery, given that PETROTRIN in Trinidad & Tobago was recently closed down, which has thus prompted CARICOM countries to have to look for a new supplier of fuel. This, therefore, would be a strategic opportunity that Guyana, becoming the next oil producing country in the region, should position itself to advance these avenues in view of providing a better quality of life for its people.

(For comments, questions and responses on articles featured in this column, readers can reach the author at jbinsights@outlook.com).

ar from being responsible for delays to the Timehri roundabout project, Gaico Construction and General Services is maintaining that utility infrastructure impeded the project. However, the company is aiming to complete the project by this year end.

This is according to Gaico’s Chief Executive Officer Komal Singh, during an interview with Guyana Times. The Auditor General’s 2017 report had flagged his company for the delayed project, despite receiving $30.8 million in advances.

But Singh noted that the State auditors did not take into account work done on the site in order to prepare for the project. According to the CEO, his company delivered approximately 2000 tons of crusher run within a week of the contract, a cost of almost $20 million.

In addition, Singh said Gaico demolished and rebuilt a fence; all part of preparatory works he said exceeded the mobilisation advances they received. He then alluded to the sub terrain lines and pipes the company encountered from utility companies like the Guyana Telephone and

First batch of doctors ... from page 14

Her advice for the future is to be inquisitive in this field and develop relations with persons who share encouragement.

Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence also expressed that the graduates must be committed to leadership, in healing those who are suffering from diseases and other health factors.

“The most significant words are leadership, alleviating human suffering, research [and] healthcare delivery; all of which are intrinsically linked to the global health mandate under the theme: ‘Universal Health, Everyone, Everywhere.”

To the first graduating class, she said, “You are the first batch and the ambassadors of this prestigious institution. The expectations for you are therefore high.

You will be the trailblazers and torch bearers, striving in your respective milieus to uphold the name of the institution.”

President of the institution, Dr Melissa Varswyk sighted that the use of technology to develop a modern curriculum has always been on the agenda and they are hoping to expand the number of courses being offered.

The Academic Honour Award was presented to Amanda Amsterdam, while Alicia Jaikaran was named the President Honour Awardee.

The project site at Timehri, as included in the Audit report

Telegraph (GTT).

“Any contract you sign, you sign in good faith that there are no utility issues,” Singh said. “But when we got there, the GTT wire was in the way. And obviously you cannot go and dig. Had we gone and dug and dug up the cable, we would have shut down the whole airport. We had to put the project on hold.”

“It (bond) can’t forfeit, because it’s not the contractor’s fault. The project is ongoing. The performance bond is in effect. It’s because of the issue we had on the (utility companies) end. If the Auditor had identified the material on site, it’s valued almost $20 million. And if they had valued the fence demolition, they would have found that the money that

was paid (advance) was exceeded.”

That being said, they have a new timeline of this year end that they are working with. According to Singh, they are still working with GTT to resolve outstanding issues, such as approval to run a line through the utility company’s compound.

“We’re hoping to achieve everything by the end of this year. We should be paving in another week or so. We would have done since last month but the water stuff was in the way. The GPL power cable was in our way,” he said.

The report

According to Auditor General Deodat Sharma’s 2017 report, the contractor was given advance payments

totalling $30.8 million, with $628,568 being paid to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) as Withholding Tax. The contractor, who was awarded the contract out of 11 bidders, was supposed to construct a single lane rural roundabout and bypass road.

The AG revealed that he examined payment vouchers, contract documents and even paid the site a physical visit a few months ago.

Among his findings were that the works were incomplete and behind schedule.

While Gaico had mobilised on site, at the time only excavation and general earth work had started.

And this was limited to two small sections of the existing roadway. The works were expected to be done at the existing two lane road coming from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and the four land highway.

The AG also revealed that the advance payment bond, meant to be a security in case the contractor defaulted after being paid up front, expired since December 4, 2017. As of August 2018, only 19.5 per cent of the advance payment had been recovered. turn to page 18

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SUnDAY, november 25, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

GTA/THAG recommit to Upgraded health facilities for Baramita supporting tourism development

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The new building proposed to house the Baramita Health Post (projected to be Baramita Cottage Hospital) located at Barama Line in the community of Baramita

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esidents of Baramita, Region One (BarimaWaini), as well as neighbouring communities will soon enjoy the full benefits of an improved health facility as it is expected for the Baramita Health Post to be upgraded to a cottage hospital.

The building at Barama Line, which will house the cottage hospital, was recently visited by Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence and a team from the Health Ministry.

Baramita’s Toshao, Sharmain Rambajue and Deputy Toshao Ralph Hamilton, along with other district and village officials, also joined the Minister during the visit.

“With a catchment area this large, you have people coming from all over, you need to think big and there is a lot to be done here…

But you are doing well,” the Minister related to Baramita’s Regional Health Officer, Dr Cerdel McWatt as quoted from Department

of Public Information.

Dr McWatt revealed that the health post’s services are available on a 24-hour basis, adding that additions to the laboratory services, a vector control unit, the area for infectious diseases and a morgue after the Health Post is relocated.

The healthcare programme is also intact while the essentials drugs and medical supplies needed to support the chain of healthcare delivery are in stock.

he Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) and the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) signed a Memorandum of Understating (MoU) to assist in the promotion of sustainable tourism development by fostering professionalism throughout the industry, while collaborating with relevant Government institutions and networking with other related local, regional and international agencies.

The objective of this memorandum is to enhance cooperation and collaboration between the Association and the GTA. The parties agreed to continue supporting tourism development at all levels and also to engage in the preparation of strategies and action plans for the development of sustainable tourism while undertaking a thorough analysis of the tourism value chain in all regions. This is to identify how the local economy can gain maximum advantage from tourism and to design and implement measures to strengthen local empowerment and engagement in the sector, including access

GTA Director Brian Mullis and THAG President, Mitra Ramkumar

to training.

According to the tourism bodies, the areas of cooperation will include cross marketing and information sharing, marketing, database development, fund development, capacity building and training and product and cluster development.

The MoU was signed at the launching of the 8th annual Guyana Restaurant Week 2018 earlier this week at OMG Restaurant, Sheriff Street, Georgetown.

GTA’s Director Brian Mullis in his brief remarks told media representatives on Thursday last that even though the two organisa-

tions have been partnering with each other, it was never “formal”.

Meanwhile, the tourism bodies also shared that they will also be launching “Resort Week”, where locals and foreigners will get a chance to experience Guyana’s resorts at an affordable price.

Even though the event is still in its planning stage, both THAG and GTA promise to launch the initiative before the festive season.

This initiative will be one of several that the bodies will be launching together following their formal partnership.

“I was struggling…

On July 23, 2016, the bodies of Pawan Chandradeo, also called “Surish”, 37, of Black Bush Polder; his son Jaikarran Chandradeo, also called “Kevin”, 15; and his brother-in-law, Narish Rooplall, also called “Mice”, 33, of Number 73 Village, Corentyne were discovered lying next to each other on a dam at Cookrite Savannah, Black Bush Polder, with gunshot wounds. The Police

said that bodies bore a single gunshot wound each.

The bodies were discovered shortly after daybreak by a rice farmer, about three miles into the savannah, a short distance away from “King’s Camp”.

The men had gone on a fishing expedition around mid-afternoon and were expected back home the following morning.

Police had reported that

from page 2

a farmer, Carlton “Lyman” Chetram; his wife; their 19-year-old son Jairam Chetram; and an employee, Tameshwar Tajmohan confessed to the killings and revealed that another man was involved.

Those persons have since been charged and the matter is currently being heard at the Whim Magistrate’s Court, where it will come up again on November 29.

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SUnDAY, november 25, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

D Division Legislative changes needed to Christmas security advance human rights in Guyana plans taking shape 70 years of UDHR

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ppeal Court Judge, Justice Arif Bulkan, said despite Guyana being signatory to a number of human rights conventions as well as guaranteeing basic human rights in its Constitution, there are some legislative changes that are required to further advance those rights.

“All of these rights paint such a good picture but there is also, in our constitution, a savings law clause which simultaneously forecloses those rights from applying to preexisting laws.

In other words, that savings clause mocks the guarantees that are included wherein and that is something that needs to be legislatively removed,” Justice Bulkan said.

He made the statement on Wednesday while addressing the Foreign Affairs Ministry’ Public Commemorative Lecture on the 70th anniversary of Universal Declaration on Human Rights (UDHR) titled “The role of the Human Rights Council in promoting Human Rights in developing countries” at the University of Guyana, Turkeyen Campus.

Bulkan said the significance of the UDHR should not be underestimated since it is revolutionary for its time, adding that it imposes the concept of human rights thus ushering the end of States doing as they please. He explained that he was struck by the way the former Attorney General of Belize described human rights when he said it is the new theology in the modern world. Bulkan explained that the modern reality is that human rights form an integral part of global processes and institution whether openly or as subtext.

He went on to say the fact remains that many global interactions, as well

Justice Arif Bulkan

as global institutions, look to the extent to which human rights are protected before they decided to build relationships with other states.

“As offensive as that may seem to some, I think in Guyana we are much too small at this point to buck against that and it makes all the more sense to engage these processes so that we can at least have a say in the standards that are formulated,” he said.

Justice Bulkan said since independence, Guyana has enshrined basic human rights in its Constitution and that it has progressively, over the past five decades, to ensure those rights are further advanced. He related that Guyana is so unique in its guarantee of human rights that it is the only country in the Caribbean that guarantees Indigenous people their rights to land in its legislations.

However, he noted the need for greater implementation to guarantee those rights in the future.

“There must be a greater implementation, a commitment to implementation which would include a slew of interventions by the State which includes strengthening key institutions like Guyana Police

Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge

Force, Judiciary and operationalising the Human Rights Commission which was set up since 2001 yet no movement in that regard as well as ensuring the other rights commissions can function properly,” he noted.

“There must be the development of a culture across the bureaucracy of the State institutions in which respect for human rights is routine and organised. What we need is not just reactive forms, of waiting to address human rights violations, but an inculcation in our society of the importance of rights from a very early age,” Justice Bulkan posited.

Guyana’s commitment

Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge said the UDHR, as proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on December 10, 1948, heralded a new era in human history, adding that for the first time, all nations acknowledged the inalienable rights of every person regardless of where they come from, their sex, religion or socio-economic background.

He noted for small developing countries such as

Guyana, the recognition that “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights” remains a central guiding principle of governance structure and the promotion and protection of human rights is among its highest priorities.

“It is a crucial pillar for our social and economic development as true development cannot take place without a solid foundation based on respect for human rights and rule of law. ?The Government of Guyana recognises this and is committed to the promotion and protection of fundamental human rights nationally and across the international community,” Greenidge noted.

“While it is our best intention to fulfil our obligations, limited technical capacity has presented itself as a challenge. As such there is a difficulty in fulfilling in a timely manner all our monitoring and reporting obligations under these international instruments.

As such, Guyana welcome all assistance extended in overcoming this challenge,” he added.

The Minister said as the celebration of 70 years of the UDHR happens, there are still worrying signs of intolerance, racism and bigotry around the world.

Additionally, President of the United Nation’s Human Rights Council Vojislav Šuc delivered the keynote address where he expounded on the importance of the UDHR and how the Council would continue to advance human rights for all.

The UDHR has 30 articles, with the first one being “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.”

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Police Officers at one of the booths at Vreed-en-Hoop

olice in D Division (West Bank Demerara-East Bank Essequibo) have begun exercising its Christmas plans, as eight Police booths have already been placed along the busy areas for extra protection for shoppers and residents.

This was revealed by a senior Police Officer in the Division on Saturday.

According to the officer, the booths will be a resting place for the several Police Officers who will be deployed during the festive season. Among the areas where booths were placed are Vreed-en-Hoop, Anna Catherina, De Willem, Tuschen and Parika.

This year, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) promises a safer holiday season as it is already gearing to deploy more officers to patrol busy areas to ensure safety. Patrols will be done in the various divisions using vans, bicycles and even foot patrol.

A Division (GeorgetownEast Bank Demerara), which is usually the busiest division, has already re-

vealed plans to beef up security.

Just last week, Commander of A Division, Marlon Chapman, said Police patrols around the city will be boosted in a bid to ensure a secure shopping environment.

According to the Divisional Commander, foot patrol will be conducted from 07:00h to 13:00h and 12:00h to 19:00h by the various responsible officers.

Vehicular and motorcycle patrol will be conducted on a 24-hour basis.

Chapman nonetheless noted that these patrols will be heightened from December 22 to 24 and 29 to 31 to allow for safe “late shopping”.

Meanwhile, to reduce traffic congestion, Traffic Chief Linden Isles said two crash trucks will be towing away illegally parked vehicles, among others.

For this exercise, the GPF will be working along with DJs, City Constabulary, youth organisations, taxi services, the business community and several other stakeholders.

NA Technical Institute certifies 123 A

total of 123 students graduated from the New Amsterdam Technical Institute (NATI) on November 21, 2018, during its 46th Convocation and Prize Giving Ceremony.

The graduates are now skilled in various areas, including agricultural machinery, electrical installation, internal combustion engines, mechanical fitting, metal machining, motor vehicle electrical systems, motor vehicle work, radio and electronics servicing, welding, bricklaying and masonry and carpentry.

Others secured certificates in plumbing and diplomas in administrative principles and practices, commerce, and computer science.

British High Commissioner to Guyana,

Greg Quinn, is quoted by the Department of Public Information urging the students to apply the knowledge and skills they have acquired during their tenure at the institution, in a manner that will make them ambassadors for their alma mater.

Valedictorian Bibi Ali described her two years spent at NATI as challenging yet inspiring. She acknowledged the guidance and support of her parents, the administrative staff and friends throughout her studies.

Principal Maxine Thompson in her report to the school, disclosed that 123 students wrote the Guyana Technical Education Examination.

The institution recorded a

Valedictorian Bibi Ali receiving one of her awards

71 per cent successful pass rate, 27 per cent being referred and two per cent being unsuccessful. The candidates’ overall performance in 2018 of 71 per cent, is the same as when compared to 2017.

While overall performance remains the same, it should be noted that the students’ performance in the science department has improved from zero in 2017 to one hundred per cent in 2018. The building department yielded a 64 per cent success rate in 2018, a 17 per cent increase in performance when compared to 2017. The engineering department achieved 94 per cent success in 2018, two per cent less than in 2017.

The business department achieved 26 per cent suc-

cess in 2018. This is a 50 per cent decrease in performance when compared to 2017’s performance.

Principal Thompson highlighted that the institution recently signed an agreement becoming a member of the Higher Education Consortium on Engineering and Mining (HECEM). The consortium, she said, will foster and promote academic collaboration to explore and develop new curricula and joint programmes to address the national development needs in engineering and the oil and gas sector in preparation for oil production in 2020.

The graduation programme was also enlivened with cultural presentations performed by current students.

18 Around the world SUnDAY, november 25, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

Journalists, lawyers raise French Police fire tear gas, water cannon at protesters in Paris concerns over jailing of Reuters reporters

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roups representing journalists and lawyers in Myanmar handed a letter to the country’s president on Friday outlining their concerns over the jailing of two Reuters reporters convicted of breaking state secrets laws.

The letter, given to President Win Myint at the inauguration of the semi-official Myanmar Press Council (MPC), pointed out contradictions in the case against Wa Lone, 32, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 28, who were sentenced to seven years in jail in September.

Their convictions have raised questions about Myanmar’s progress towards democracy and sparked an outcry from human rights advocates.

Myanmar’s de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi said in September that the case had nothing to do with freedom of expression. She has also urged people to read the judgment in the case and “point out where there has been a miscarriage of justice”.

The letter, signed by the Myanmar Journalist Network (MJN) and several

Reuters journalist Wa Lone departs Insein court

other groups, including two countrywide lawyers’ associations, said that because Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were employed as professional journalists their case should have been dealt with under the country’s media law, not the colonial-era Official Secrets Act. “The Official Secret Act was prescribed in order to prevent espionage. In modern times, that act is no longer appropriate and needs to be reviewed,” the letter said. “A sentence of seven years to each of the report-

ers is forbidding the media and denies the public’s right to access information.”

Government spokesman Zaw Htay said at his twice-monthly news conference on Friday that the Government could not interfere in the case as Myanmar’s courts were independent. He confirmed that the president had received the letters from MPC members, but did not discuss them further.

The letter also said Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo had followed the facts on the ground to report stories of high public interest, had shown professional balance in seeking comment from police officers in order to tell both sides of the story and did not violate Myanmar’s media law.

Before their arrest, the reporters had been working on an investigation into the killing of 10 Rohingya Muslim men and boys by security forces and Buddhist civilians in western Myanmar during an army crackdown that began in August last year. The operation sent more than 720,000 people fleeing to Bangladesh. (Reuters)

Brexit: Donald Tusk tells European Union to approve deal

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uropean Council President Donald Tusk has recommended that the EU approve the Brexit deal at a summit on Sunday. It comes after Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez received assurances from the UK government over Gibraltar, and dropped his threat to boycott the summit. He said he had received the written guarantees he needed over Spain's role in the future of the British territory. UK Prime Minister Theresa May has arrived in Brussels and held talks with top EU officials, ahead of the summit. Meanwhile, former UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said the UK would become a "satellite state" under the deal. The UK is scheduled to leave the EU on 29 March 2019. The terms of the UK's withdrawal have been under negotiation since June 2016 following a refer-

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rench security forces have fired tear gas and water cannon against “yellow vest” protesters in the capital, Paris, as demonstrations against rising fuel taxes and President Emmanuel Macron’s economic policies spread throughout the country.

Thousands of Police were deployed nationwide to contain Saturday’s rallies, which saw 5,000 protesters descending in central Paris and 23,000 others in cities

across France, according to officials.

The protesters are upset about new taxes on diesel and petrol, justified as an anti-pollution levy by Macron’s centrist government.

A week ago, more than 250,000 people wearing fluorescent yellow vests joined the nationwide protests from southerly Provence to northerly Normandy and in between - that have laid bare growing anger over stagnant spending power and the rollback in public

services in some parts of the country.

Two people have died and more than 750 others, including 136 police officers, have been injured during the week of demonstrations, which have also spread to French territories abroad, including the Indian Ocean island of Reunion.

Since assuming office in May 2017, Macron has also seen off trade union and street demonstrations against his changes to labour rules. (Except from Aljazeera)

Petrotrin hospital to be leased or sold

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nergy Minister Franklin Khan has announced operations at the Augustus Long Hospital in Pointe-a-Pierre, which has serviced the medical needs of Petrotrin employees, retirees and their dependents, will be terminated and it will be offered for lease or sale in January next year.

He made the announcement in response to an urgent question in Parliament yesterday from Fyzabad MP Dr Lackram Bodoe on the status of the hospital as at December 1, 2018.

Khan said the transition to the new organisational structure will take effect on December 1 and on that date

Energy Minister, Franklin Khan

all operations Petrotrin’s medical facilities will be terminated. He added the company has introduced a new medical plan, to be rolled out

next week, and various dates for meetings with pensioners and employees were published in the newspaper yesterday.

Bodoe asked about the security at the site and Khan responded there were security arrangements and infrastructure at all Petrotrin sites, including the hospital.

Tabaquite MP Suruj Rambachan asked if the new medical plan was with Sagicor for two, years and also what will happen to people who were supposed to receive treatment at the hospital for life.

Khan confirmed the plan was for two years, but it will be rolled over or re-evaluated. (T&T Newsday)

Magistrates not losing power in courts – T&T AG

A UK Prime Minister Theresa May and European Council President Donald Tusk

endum in which 51.9% voted to leave the EU. Even if the EU approves the deal, it still has to be passed by the UK Parliament, with many MPs having stated their op-

Utility companies’ causing... from page 15

In its response, the Public Infrastructure Ministry explained that complications from removing utility connections in the area resulted in the delays on the project.

“The contract time of 24 weeks had elapsed, and the works were not completed due to the complications that arose with regards to the removal of utilities from the work

About 5,000 protesters gathered on the Champs-Elysees on Saturday, according to Interior Minister Christophe Castaner (Benoit Tessier/Reuters)

area, namely GTT (Guyana Telephone and Telegraph) and GWI (Guyana Water Incorporated).”

“These issues arose and required additional $8.5 million to remove GTT utilities and $11.5 million for GWI utilities. These delays caused work to be stalled until June 2018,” the Ministry had said in explaining the delays.

position. Spain had raised last-minute objections ahead of the summit about how the issue of Gibraltar had been handled in the Brexit talks so far.

But EU leaders secured a compromise with the Spanish prime minister, who said that Europe and the UK "had accepted the conditions set down by Spain" and so would "vote in favour of Brexit". Tusk, who represents EU leaders on the world stage, said he recommended "that we approve on Sunday the outcome of the Brexit negotiations" in a letter to members of the European Council. He added: "No-one has reasons to be happy. But at least at this critical time, the EU 27 has passed the test of unity and solidarity.” (BBC)

ttorney General Faris Al-Rawi says magistrates will continue to oversee all the summary matters that come to them when the Case Management Conference (CMC) kicks in at the magistrates’ courts, guided by The Criminal Division and District Criminal and Traffic Courts Bill, 2018.

In essence, the AG said magistrates will not be replaced by Masters of the Court, as Masters will only be required to case manage under an initial hearing or a sufficiency hearing.

This was the explanation given by Al-Rawi on Friday for why the act does not need to be repealed.

The purpose of the Bill, he said, is to make jurisdiction for criminal matters exercisable in a division of the High Court to be known as “the Criminal Division” and to make jurisdiction for criminal and traffic matters exercisable in a division of Summary Courts to

be known as “the District Criminal and Traffic Courts.”

The Bill contains five parts and 25 clauses.

The call to have the act, which was passed on July 12, repealed was made earlier this week by former attorney general Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj SC. Maharaj warned about what he termed would be fundamental wrongs if the act is implemented. He said it would be a move which would have an adverse effect on the independence of judicial officers, the rule of law and the doctrine of the separation of powers.

Maharaj also said that existing magistrates will be relegated to presiding over traffic offences and petty civil matters in the district, civil and traffic courts. He said criminal matters which are currently heard by the magistracy will also be transferred to the High Court and will be heard by Criminal Court Masters. He also said

magistrates will not be absorbed automatically into the new position and would have to apply.

However, in response to this, Al-Rawi said he believed Maharaj had misunderstood the bill and that he wasn’t aware of the legislation “that is on the Parliament’s desk.”

“This country has preliminary inquiries going for 18 years, people are awaiting trial incarcerated in prison for 20 and 25 years. The magistrates’ court in this country is run by a clerk of the peace.

Administratively, that clerk of the peace is not a legal officer, is not an attorney at law, in fact, it is a breach of the Legal Profession Act in so far as the clerk of the peace engages in legal work,” Al-Rawi said.

“People in T&T now accept that civil cases move fast. Why, because we introduced rules of court and we had case management in the High Court.”

sunDAY, november 25, 2018

19

Shakib joins elite Test all-rounder ranks – Bangladesh skipper fastest to double of 3000 runs/200 wickets

Bangladesh Captain Shakib Al-Hasan etched his name in Test cricket history

By Clifton Ross

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angladesh Captain Shakib Al Hasan has become the first cricketer from his country to snap up 200 Test wickets and score 3000 runs. He now joins an elite company of players who have achieved similar feats.

In a short list, mostly dominated by utility players like him, the Bangladesh star joins the likes of legendary England all-rounder Sir Ian Botham; former New Zealand all-rounder Chris Cairns; f o r m e r Indian skipper K a p i l D e v , and for-

Andrew Flintoff-69

mer-England skipper Andrew Flintoff -- all of whom have racked up more than 3000 Test runs and bagged 200 plus wickets in 60 Tests or less.

The left-hander also became the fastest to a double of 3000 runs and 200 wickets, having completed the achievement in his 54th Test, one fewer than legendary England all-rounder Sir Ian Botham.

Ironically, Shakib replicated acts from six years ago, November 24, 2012, when he bagged his 100th Test wicket against the same team to become the second bowler to reach the milestone, after spinner Mohammad Rafique who achieved it in his last Test.

Windies suffered an agonising defeat of 65 runs against the Tigers on the 3rd day, thanks to some wizardry from Taijul Islam, who bagged 6 wickets in the second innings; and the Bangladesh skipper, who entered the match with 196 wickets, snapped up three wickets in the first innings before making Windies opener Kieran Powell his 200th Test victim in the second innings.

The 31-year-old, who has played T20 cricket here in the Caribbean for the annual Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL), has 3727 Test runs with 5 hundreds and 23 fifties. His new Test bowling tally of 201 wickets with 18 five-wicket hauls and two 10-wicket hauls further highlights the all-rounder’s class ever since making his Test debut back in 2007 against India.

BCB/RHTYSC/GBTI Inter-Secondary Schools Under-19 Cricket Tournament...

Kapil Dev -73

Russell, Pooran destroy Punjabi Legends in Sharjah T10 League

Chanderpaul Govindan spearheads JC Chandisingh Secondary School to title N A brilliant innings of 46 from Berbice Under-17 player Chanderpaul Govindan spearheaded J.C. Chandisingh Secondary School to Championship honours in the Final of the Berbice Cricket Board- organised Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club/Guyana Bank for Trade & Industries Inter-Secondary Schools Say No to Suicide Under-19 tournament.

The tournament was contested by these four secondary schools in the Lower Corentyne area: Lower Corentyne Secondary School; J.C. Chandisingh Secondary, Corentyne Comprehensive, and Port Mourant Secondary.

The tournament was the 17th to be completed by the vibrant Berbice Cricket Board over the last four months under the Presidency of Hilbert Foster, who also serves as Secretary/CEO of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS. In the opening round, Port Mourant Secondary School lost to Corentyne Comprehensive High School by eight wickets. Batting first after losing the toss, Port Mourant Secondary reached 45 for 5 off their allotted eight overs, with A. Hartman 11 and R. Rampersaud 10 reaching double figures.

National junior cricketer Gourav Ramesh took 2 wickets for 5 runs.

In response, Corentyne Comprehensive High School raced to 50 for 2, with Tyrese Sealey hitting 25 while D. Brijadder was unbeaten on 12. Lower Corentyne Secondary was restricted to 30 for 7 against J.C. Chandisingh Secondary, with only Vijay Gopilall reaching double figures, with 12.

Christopher DeRoop claimed 2 for 2 in an impressive spell. Skipper Jonathan Rampersaud then struck

a quick-fire 23 not out to lead J.C. Chandisingh to victory at 32 for 1 in the fourth over.

In the grand finale, played in front of a sizeable crowd of school children, J.C. Chandisingh Secondary amassed 88 for 5 off 12 overs, with Govindan hitting six sweetly-timed boundaries in his 46. Tagwah Ross supported with 15. Gourav Ramesh took 2 for 8, while Tyrese Sealey, D. Brijadder and Mahendra Gopilall took a wicket each. Corentyne Comprehensive High was never allowed to score quickly, and apart from Ramesh who contributed 23 not out, Sealey 11, and Shamar Scott 11 not out, none of the other batsmen looked at ease, as Corentyne Comprehensive High ended on 62 for 5, to lose by 26 runs. Jonathan Rampersaud, Surendra Ramcharitar and Christopher DeRoop took a wicket each for the champions.

BCB President Alex Foster praised the four teams for the high level of discipline displayed during the match, and encouraged them to always strive for excellence. He told the attentive youths that Berbice Cricket was on the move again after a period of neglect, and he urged the players to take full advantage of the opportunities being presented to them. He spoke on the importance of youths saying no to drugs, suicide, alcohol, tobacco and crime, and yes to education, sports, culture, religion and life.

The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club and the Berbice Cricket Board, he said, would continue to organise cricket tournaments on a large scale once he remains part of their management, as sports are a safe alternative to a life on the road for youths.

Special thanks were extended to the management and staff of the Port Mourant Branch of the Guyana Bank for Trade & Industry.

Chris Cairns-58

icholas Pooran and Andre Russell put the opposing bowlers to the proverbial sword on Friday as the Northern Warriors defeated the Punjabi Legends by 99 runs in the T10 League in Sharjah.

Man-of-theMatch Pooran smashed ten sixes in a 25-ball-77, and Russell smashed 38 from just nine balls as the Warriors racked up a mammoth 183 for 2 from their 10 overs. Pooran opened the batting with Lendl Simmons, and together Russell smashed six sixes in his nine-ball 38 they plundered the Legends’ bowlRovman Powell faced only five balls ing to race to 107 off 6.5 overs. for his 21, which included two sixes and Then Simmons got out for 36, two fours at a strike rate of 420. caught by Mitchell McClenaghan off Despite taking one of the two wickthe bowling of Zahir Khan, who fin- ets to fall, McClenaghan proved expenished with 1 for 26 off his two overs. sive, with 48 runs coming from his two Simmons’s runs came off just 21 balls, overs. and included six fours and a six.

Chasing a mammoth total, the Twenty-three runs came off the Legends folded under the immense next seven balls before McClenaghan pressure they faced from the scorehad Pooran caught by Mohammad board, with Ravi Bopara reaping the Sami with the score at 130. Pooran richest reward -- 4 for 15 off his two scored at a remarkable rate of 308, but overs. Anwar Ali top scored with 18 somehow managed to be upstaged by from seven balls. He was one of only Russell. Russell faced nine of the re- four players to reach double figures, as maining 11 deliveries, and proceeded to the Legends crumbled to 84 for 7 from rub even more salt into the Legends’ al- their allotment of overs. ready gaping wounds. From those nine Luke Ronchi, 14; Evin Lewis, 10; balls, he smashed six sixes and ran a and Shaiman Anwar, 15, were the othcouple of singles to remain unbeaten ers who got starts but were unable to with a strike rate of 422.22. carry on.

20 GAPLF Senior National Championships for December 2

guyanatimesGY.com

sunDAY, november 25, 2018

...1 week remaining

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he clock is winding down for the 2018 powerlifting season, and one week remains before powerlifting enthusiasts converge at the St Stanislaus College for the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation’s (GAPLF’s) Senior National Championships, scheduled for Sunday, December 2.

Being one of the most-talked-about events, powerlifting fans are anticipating awesome displays of strength as the competitors vie for the top spot and selection to the 2019 National Team.

The event will see the inaugural battle in the Women’s 84+kg category as those ladies vie for the title of Best Female Lifter.

Best female lifters in the 2018 Intermediates and 2018 Raw Nationals, Runita White and Natoya Robinson respectively, are likely to headline the division.

The competition is expected to commence at 10 am, the athletes participating in ‘Flight A’ are expected to be at the venue for 8:00 am for the weigh in, as that would last no longer that 9:30 am, while the athletes from ‘Flight B’ are expected at the weigh-in at 11:30 am sharp.

Athletes interested in competing are required to download their application forms from the GAPLF’s official Facebook page, for submission along with the required competition fees.

Other athletes set to compete are 2018 NAPF Overall Champion Carlos Peterson; Vijai Rahim; 2018 Novices Overall champ Timothy Bagla; and Noel Cummings, the nation’s oldest competing

Den Amstel venue for impending showdown

athlete.

All registration forms and monies should be submitted to GAPLF Committee Member Martin Webster.

Alternatively, payment for this competition can be made directly to the GAPLF’s Republic Bank Account, #6552194, with a confirming screenshot of the completed registration form along with the confirming banking deposit slip being electronically submitted to Webster.

Tickets cost $1,000, and can be purchased directly from GAPLF executive members, or from Buddy’s Gym. The entrance fee at the gate will be $1,500.

Entities on board thus far are Buddy’s Gym, Fitness Express, Trophy Stall and Dyna’s Embroidery.

The GAPLF would like to encourage all families and friends to bring out there children and support this event.

National Schools Athletics Championships being staged today

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he best of the best athletes in Guyana will gather at venues in Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and Four (Demerara-Mahaica) for the next five days as they participate in the National Schools Athletics Championships and determine their ranking among the top tier of local youth athletes.

The longstanding athletics competition is now in its 58th year, and will see in excess of 1500 students participating in events such as cycling, swimming and track and field activities.

Not only does the competition allow students to showcase their athletic tal-

Hamilton Green InterWard Football reaches penultimate round

District 10’s Deshana Skeete blows away the competition in the Girls U-16 100M final

ent, but it puts them under the radar for participation at the national level.

The week-long event will kick off this afternoon at the Leonora Track and Field Facility, where Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo; Minister of Social Cohesion with responsibility for Sport, Dr. George Norton; Minister of Education, Nicolette Henry; and Guyana Teachers Union President Mark Lyte are expected to grace the grand opening ceremony with their presence.

Aside from the track and field event being hosted at the Leonora Stadium, the National Park in Georgetown will

be home to the cycle races, while the Aquatic Centre at Liliendaal, ECD will host the swimming events.

Of the 15 districts participating, bragging rights currently belong to Upper Demerara/ Kwakwani, District 10, who would have championed the event for the last three years. South Georgetown, District 13, have been steadily improving, and would be looking to take the crown this year, after finishing second in 2017. West Demerara/ Essequibo Islands, District Three, completed the top three districts at the end of last year’s competition.

E

Hamilton Green

ight exciting matches will highlight the penultimate day of action in this year’s Hamilton Green 9-a-side Inter-Ward/ Village KO Cup football tournament, which resumes today at the Den Amstel Community Centre ground.

According to Co-ordinator Lennox Arthur, fans are certain to get their money’s worth, judging from the quality of teams left in the competition, and predicting who will survive tonight’s round is causing headaches among the pundits.

In the opening encounter, at 18:00hrs, Zeelugt tackles Charlestown, and many feel this game is the perfect start for the night’s proceedings.

This clash will be followed by the game between Sophia and Central Mackenzie; before Mahaica and Mahaichony square off for both a place in the next round and for bragging rights. Goed Fortuin then collides with Wales, before Crane and Sara Lodge take to the field for their matchup.

West Demerara’s Pouderoyen would then look to repel the challenge of visiting Newtown Kitty, before another team from the West Side entertains Timehri.

In the final game of the evening, hosts Den Amstel would entertain East Bank/ Soesdyke, with the home support anticipated to be vociferous, especially with a spot for the finals at stake.

Meanwhile, prize monies in excess of $700,000, and lots of prizes -- including the coveted first prize of $400,000 and the championship trophy, compliments of the Ministry of Citizenship -- are up for grabs.

The runner-up will be awarded $200,000 and trophy through the goodwill of John Fernandes Ltd, while third and fourth place finishers will receive $60,000 and $40,000 respectively, along with the Techno Mills and Courtney Benn Construction Services trophies in that order.

Top finishers will receive hampers compliments of Ricks & Sari Industries, while the highest goal-scorer will walk away with a Lazy Boy Chair courtesy of A.H&L Kissoon and a Dinette Set compliments of China Trading. The Most Valuable Player will be awarded a special prize from Techno Mills.

Among the other sponsors on board are: IPA, Alfro Alphonso, Sattaur Gafoor, ANSA McAL, Top Brandz Distributors, MACORP, Starr Computers, Cummings Electrical, Ready Mix, BK International and New Thriving Restaurant.

BCB/Mogu Mogu School Cricket

Benjamin leads NATI to title - Persaud, Naidu restrict Lower Corentyne to 50

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he combined brilliance of Garfield Benjamin, Simon Naidu and Byron Persaud helped New Amsterdam Technical Institute (NATI) to a comprehensive 171-run victory over defending champions Lower Corentyne Secondary School in the final of the Berbice Cricket Board’s (BCB’s) Mogu Mogo 30 Over School Cricket tournament.

This match was played in scintillating sunshine at the ‘Area H’ ground in Rose Hall Town on the Corentyne, where the ground is relatively small and the outfields are lightning fast. The NATI team took first strike, and captain Garfield Benjamin was in his element as he continued his superb form, hitting a masterful 88. This under-

rated Berbice batsman made the weary Lower Corentyne bowlers pay for their ordinary bowling; and he received support from former Berbice Under 17 player Brandon Stewart, who stroked a composed 40, while former Guyana Under 15 player Stephen Kamaludin hit 21.

At the end of their 30 overs, NATI had posted a mammoth 221-8. Bowling for Lower Corentyne, D. Cecil took 2-35 and V. Gopilall 2-34.

Lower Corentyne were pursuing 222 for victory, but they ran into the likes of Simon Naidu and Byron Persaud, outstanding bowling for NATI. Naidu was quick to make use of his home conditions with his left-arm spin, and was easily the best bowler on show, with impressive figures of

4-19; while Byron Persaud was equally outstanding with 4-22.

Lower Corentyne were bowled out for a mere 50 runs, giving NATI the school’s championship title in Berbice. Neil Tillakram was the only Lower Corentyne batter to score double figures -10 runs made in an embarrassing batting display.

The New Amsterdam Technical Institute (NATI) played unbeaten in this tournament, and were led by a professional Garfield Benjamin, who was also the tournament’s leading run-scorer with scores of 124; 34; 84; 0, and 88.

Man-of-the-match Garfield Benjamin proudly raising his bat after scoring a match-winning 88

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St Pius, South Ruimveldt strike gold as Smalta U11 continues

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he Smalta Girls 11-and-Under Football tournament continued in a mixture of sunshine and rain yesterday, and with two rounds of play.

The day’s action got off to an exciting start, as defending champions South Ruimveldt powered to their second win of the 2018 tournament, this time over St. Stephen’s Primary.

South’s Fayan Harry opened the scoring early when she netted two goals in the first half of the game to put South in the lead.

St. Stephen’s got their groove in the second half when Sara Williams connected their first goal. However, South’s defence went to work, pre-

venting St. Stephen’s from being successful again; which meant a 2-0 win for the defending champions.

The second game of the day was even more exciting, as the St. Pius girls followed in their male counterparts’ footsteps.

Little Marissa Frank got the scoreboard ticking as early as possible, as she netted the team’s first goal in the first minute of play.

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West Ruimveldt and Tucville Primary locked in battle

Christal Acker was the next player to add to the tally, in the 8th minute; and then Anthea Braithwaite connected back-to-back goals in the 10 and 13th minutes to put St. Pius at 4-0 by the half.

Play continued in attacking strides, depriving St. Margaret’s of ball possession. Tehana Mendonca and Shevon John each found the back of the net in the second half, to push St. Pius’s winning tally to 6-0.

The clash between North Georgetown

Driving School

VACANCIES

21

sports

St Pius’ Marissa Frank displays great control as she takes on St Margaret’s defence

Primary and Smith Memorial followed. It was a stiff game during the first half, when either team failed to score. However, in the second, Smith Memorial’s defense was penetrated twice -- by Martha Chance in the 22nd and the 25th minutes for North Georgetown’s 2-0 win.

Enterprise Primary also won by a similar margin when they met FE Pollard. Audain Denita and Allegra Williams could be thanked for the team’s 2-0 victory.

The final match of Round Two came when West Ruimveldt and Tucville Primary met on the playing field. It was truly a display of skill from both teams, but West Ruimveldt eventually emerged victorious after Shellon David netted the lone and winning goal of the game.

The tournament, sponsored by Ansa McAl under their Smalta brand will continue next Saturday at the Ministry of Education Ground on Carifesta Avenue.

Round Three results:

St Stephen 0 vs Genesis Harmony 1 Goal scorer Genesis Gasella Williams 13 South Ruimveldt vs Maes (South won via walk over) North Georgetown 4 vs St Margrets 0 Goal scorers North Martha Chance 8,10,15 Talia Tappin 12 Smith Memorial 0 vs St Pius 2 Goal scorers St Pius Christal Archer 14,37 FE Pollard 1 vs West Ruimveldt 3 Goal scorers West Ashanna Rajcumar 2 Seona France 9 Teneshia Persaud 21 Goal scorer FE Pollard Akila Samuels 16 Enterprise 1 vs Tucville 0 Goal scorer Enterprise Allegra Williams 24

Guyoil/Tradewind Tankers U18 Football

Annandale and CWSS to feature in headline clash

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he Ministry of Education Ground on Georgetown’s Carifesta Avenue will be home to a monumental clash this afternoon, when two of the front-runners in the Guyoil/Tradewind Tankers’ tournament go head to head on the playing field.

Linden’s Christianburg/Wismar Secondary School (CWSS), who currently sit at third place in the points’ standings, will be at full strength for their clash against current table leaders Annandale Secondary of East Coast Demerara. The extremely skilled Annandale are four points ahead of CWSS, who have proven to be free scoring with an incredible goal difference of +44.

The day’s activities will begin with another exciting match, wherein second place Lodge -- tied at the top with Annandale on

points, after winning each of their eight games contested -- will look to come away with a big win against the struggling Queenstown Secondary.

Meanwhile, two other games will punctuate those two encounters. After the Lodge/ Queenstown clash, St. Roses are expected to take on Uitvlugt Secondary. With both teams losing their previous encounters, a fierce battle is expected, as they both would be looking to improve their points standing.

The final game of the day will see Bishops’ High School and Vergenogen Secondary battling to stay among the top 5 teams. Bishops, who are lingering at number six, would want to better their chances at the title, whilst Vergenoegen would want to maintain their winning streak.

Teams GP W D 8 8 ANNANDALE LODGE SECONDARY 8 8 WISMAR CHRISTIAN8 6 2 BURG VERGENOGEN 8 5 1 UITIVULGT 8 4 BISHOPS 8 3 2 CHARLESTOWN 8 3 1 DOLPHIN 8 2 1 MARIAN ACADEMY 8 2 QUEENSTOWN SECOND8 3 ARY QUEENS COLLEGE 8 1 ST ROSES 8 1

L 31 28

5 3

26 25

24 24

46 2

44

20

2 4 3 3 5 6

27 24 10 17 7 8

11 16 25 -1 9 1 18 -1 26 28

16 12 11 10 7 6

5

5

23

3

7 7

9 7

34 34

3 3

22

SUnDAY, NOVEMber 25, 2018

Windies suffer batting collapse to lose first Test

Sunil Ambris’ 43 failed to save the Caribbean side from suffering a loss

B

angladesh 324 (Mominul 120, Warrican 4-62, Gabriel 4-70) and 125 (Mahmudullah 31, Bishoo 4-26, Chase 3-18) beat West Indies 246 (Hetmyer 63, Dowrich 63*, Nayeem 5-61) and 139 (Ambris 43, Warrican 41, Taijul 6-33) by 64 runs Despite a ninth-wicket, 63-run partnership between Sunil Ambris and Jomel Warrican, the WINDIES succumbed to a 64-run defeat to Bangladesh in the first Test in Chittagong.

Bangladesh started day three on 55/5, and were able to add a further 70 before the WINDIES bowled them out for 125.

Devendra Bishoo spun a web around Bangladesh when he got Mehidy for 18, Mahmudullah for 31 and Nayeem Hasan

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Bangladesh 324 (Mominul 120, Warrican 4-62, Gabriel 4-70) and 125 (Mahmudullah 31, Bishoo 4-26, Chase 3-18) beat West Indies 246 (Hetmyer 63, Dowrich 63*, Nayeem 5-61) and 139 (Ambris 43, Warrican 41, Taijul 6-33) by 64 runs

Then came the innings indicator, which saw the WINDIES lose 3 wickets for 0 runs. Shakib Al Hasan had Shai Hope caught behind for 3. Next over, with the score still on 11, Taijul Islam trapped both Kraigg Brathwaite and new batsman Roston Chase for 8 and 0 respectively.

Shimron Hetmyer came to the crease, and it looked like he and Ambris just might be able to rebuild the WINDIES innings. Hetmyer continued his fearless stroke-play, carting the Bangladesh bowlers around for 3 fours and 1 six on his way to 27. But trying to go for one big shot too many, he was caught at long-on for 27.

Shane Dowrich couldn’t get going, as he did in the first innings. Once again, Taijul trapped him LBW for 5.

The Windies were now reeling at 51/6.

Devendra Bishoo con-

Taijul Islam spun Bangladesh to a huge Test win over the Windies

Warrican in picking off some of the Bangladesh deliveries on a pitch that was deteriorating fast.

Warrican’s quick scoring also energized Ambris to increase his own scoring rate. The pair took quick singles between the boundaries being struck. Warrican struck 3 fours and 1 six before he tried going for another big heave, but Shakib running backwards juggled a catch to dismiss him for 41. The Caribbean side’s innings folded soon after when Ambris edged behind to Mushfiqur for a top-score of 43.

Shannon Gabriel remained not out on 0.

Bowling for Bangladesh, Taijul Islam took 6/33, while Mehidy Hasan had 2/27 and Shakib Al Hasan 2/30. Mominul Haque, for his first innings century, was named Man of the Match.

Speaking after, visitors Captain Kraigg Brathwaite said, “We didn’t play ourselves and games as best as we could have. We didn’t get the partnerships going at the top, which was key; and that cost us the target. The pitch got worse as the match went on, as we saw… looking ahead to Dhaka, the batsmen have to start the innings better, and we’ve got to get bigger totals.” (CWI)

SCOREBOARD Taijul Islam celebrates one of his 6 wickets with his teammates

for 5. Roston Chase took care of Taijul Islam for 1. Bishoo finished with 4/26, while Chase had 3/18, and Warrican 2/43.

Set a target of 204 with 3 days to achieve, the pitch became the biggest foe of the WINDIES batsmen. With dust flying up just from the swing of the bat, the Bangladesh spinners got to work immediately. First WINDIES wicket to fall was Kieran Powell. Unnecessarily charging down the wicket to the first ball he faced, he was stumped by wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim for 0.

sumed 21 balls for his 2 runs, while Ambris kept the score ticking over towards the target. But Taijul bowled him with the score on 69. Kemar Roach also fell to Taijul, LBW for 1.

Then came the partnership that gave the WINDIES hope of a late and possible victory. Jomel Warrican joined Ambris, and took over the run-scoring. Being a spinner aided

West Indies 2nd Innings (target: 204 runs) KC Brathwaite (c) lbw b Taijul Islam 8 KOA Powell st †Mushfiqur Rahim b Shakib Al Hasan 0 SD Hope c †Mushfiqur Rahim b Shakib Al Hasan 3 SW Ambris c †Mushfiqur Rahim b Taijul Islam 43 RL Chase lbw b Taijul Islam 0 SO Hetmyer c Nayeem Hasan b Mehidy Hasan Miraz 27 SO Dowrich † lbw b Taijul Islam 5 D Bishoo b Taijul Islam 2 KAJ Roach lbw b Taijul Islam JA Warrican c Shakib Al Hasan b Mehidy Hasan Miraz 41 ST Gabriel not out 0

Extras 9 (b 9) TOTAL 139 all out (35.2 Overs, RR: 3.93, 144 minutes) Fall of wickets: 1-5 (KOA Powell, 2.4 ov), 2-11 (SD Hope, 4.5 ov), 3-11 (KC Brathwaite, 5.1 ov), 4-11 (RL Chase, 5.5 ov), 5-44 (SO Hetmyer, 10.2 ov), 6-51 (SO Dowrich, 13.5 ov), 7-69 (D Bishoo, 19.6 ov), 8-75 (KAJ Roach, 21.5 ov), 9-138 (JA Warrican, 34.4 ov), 10-139 (SW Ambris, 35.2 ov) BOWLING O M Shakib Al Hasan 7 0 Nayeem Hasan 7 1 Taijul Islam 11.2 2 Mehidy Hasan Miraz 8 1 Mustafizur Rahman 2 0

R W 30 2 29 0 33 6 27 2 11 0

Dr Doobay hails LGC for helping spread awareness via sport

By Clifton Ross

F

ounder/President of Guyana’s Renal Centre, the local golfer Dr. Budhendra Doobay, has lauded the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) for helping to spread alertness of health, most notably within the realm of dialysis treatment in Guyana via the sport.

Saturday’s tournament teed off with some 30 golfers coming together for a more sensitive means, as the LGC executives and members hosted its Charity Open, with proceedings going straight towards the Annandale-located Centre’s drive to spread more cognizance while keeping Guyanese affordably healthy.

Dr. Doobay, during Saturday’s tournament, took some time off from his game and told Guyana Times Sport that he was touched by the gesture of his comrades in the golf fraternity, who yearly try to give back to different parts of the communities. As such, this year

they chose the Centre, which is located minutes away from Lusignan.

He explained that the club, in making such a magnanimous move, will help to incorporate more consciousness about kidney diseases and treatment, and he added that the overall aim is to ensure that Guyanese are given proper dialysis treatment for a low cost.

“We are trying to do dialysis in Guyana for people who cannot afford it. We don’t turn anyone away, because it’s not about the money; it’s about spreading the awareness.

If more awareness through sport can be seen by corporate Guyana, it would be great. This is to help poor people feel positive about life”, Dr Doobay said.

Regarding the turnout, the golfer said he was pleased to see a strong contingent taking to the greens in an effort to sync sports and health. He further admitted that while it would be good to win the tournament, which is played in

Founder/President of Guyana’s Renal Centre, golfer Dr. Budhendra Doobay

LGC teed off their Charity tournament on Saturday

his cause, he was a bit game-rusty, having not played for a while. “I’m a bit rusty, but the important thing is to have fun, meet people, and spread the awareness,” he ended.

Meanwhile, LGC President Aleem Hussain recently told this newspaper that the members of the club saw it fit to make the Dialysis Centre its recipient of the Charity Open. He said the institution has been saving lives not only on Guyana’s East Coast, but it caters to the entire spread of the country, and it therefore rightfully deserves as much support as it can receive.

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sunDAY, november 25, 2018

23

Stand-alone Women’s World T20 tournament…

Australia are champions

Meg Lanning played a responsible innings

– all-round Gardener leads Aussies to fourth World T20 title

By Brandon Corlette

T

he mighty Aussies are once more the Women’s World T20 champion after they outplayed England winning by eight wickets in Antigua. Ashleigh Gardener was the star of the show with three wickets and an unbeaten 33 for Australia winning with 29 balls to spare. Earlier, England displayed an ordinary batting performance scoring 105 all out in 19.4 overs.

It was show-time at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound Antigua as the players made their final walk to the middle. Captain Heather Knight and her counterpart Meg Lanning made their presence at the coin toss; England’s captain Heather Knight won the toss to take advantage batting first on the freshly prepared wicket. In a match where the stakes were high, Australia were seeking their fourth T20 title and England aiming to complete the double adding the World T20 trophy to their 50 over World Cup trophy.

Playing unchanged teams from the previous semifinals triumph, Danielle Wyatt and Tammy Beaumont marched the middle after the final countdown. Wyatt started proceedings in the first over for England in entertaining fashion, thumping Sophie Molineux for one four and one six in consecutive balls. Wyatt set the tone for England, putting immediate pressure on the Lanning led Aussie team. Her opening partner, Tammy Beaumont was removed by Megan Schutt for 04 in the fourth over with the score on 18. Wyatt continued to blaze away but England lost momentum losing two wicket in six overs scoring 36 runs.

Australia bowlers were brilliant especially in the middle overs picking wickets at regular intervals. The half-centurion in the semifinals for England Natalie Sciver (01) was the third wicket at 41-3 when she was trapped in front by Ellyse Perry. The wicket was a record breaking moment for Perry as she completed 100 wickets in T20 International, second woman after Anisa Mohammed. Danielle Wyatt attractive innings concluded at the end of the tenth over scoring 43, including 5 boundaries and one six.

After the loss of Wyatt captain Heather Knight attempted to steer the England innings but it was too late. Knight was the only other batter amassing double figures with 25 as she watched her final five England teammates falling for 21 runs combined. England managed a below-par 105 being bowled out within 20 overs. Ashleigh Gardener was the star bowler with 3-22 while Megan Schutt continued her consistency with 2-13. Georgia Wareham was brilliant with 2-11

while Perry picked up one.

Australia were confident of achieving 106 for victory and they foresee their fourth World T20 title. The tournament’s best batter, Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney took cen-

imus one four in her match winning 33*. Meg Lanning played the responsible role with a calm and composed 28 off 30 with three classy fours to help her team finished with 106-2 in 15.1 overs.

England bowlers had few runs to play with Sophie Ecclestone and Danielle Hazell being the only wicket takers with one wicket each.

SCOREBOARD

ter stage in Antigua. . It was a key battle between England’s best bowler Anya Shrubsole and Alyssa Healy as Healy hit the latter to the boundary with ease and grace. Healy started playing her aggressive shots early in the innings but she perished in the power play. In the fifth over Sophie Ecclestone ended Healy’s dream tournament with a ball that shattered, Healy scored 22 off 20 balls with four trademark boundaries. Ashleigh Gardener, the star with the ball for Australia entered at number three to partner Beth Mooney.

Mooney was tentative in her stroke play and she was removed by off-spinner, Hazell for 14 in the eighth over. The ever-dependable captain Meg Lanning partnered Gardener and the pair was simply amazing in their shot selection.

Gardener and Lanning combined to ensure that Australia, the team from down under complete a comfortable win against their arch-rivals with an unbroken 62run partnership with an eight wicket win. Gardener was the only Aussie batter to smash sixes hitting 3 huge max-

England Innings Danielle Wyatt c Lanning b Gardner 43 Tammy Beaumont c Villani b Schutt 4 Amy Ellen Jones (wk) run out (Georgia Wareham) 4 Natalie Sciver lbw b E Perry 1 Heather Knight (c) c Georgia Wareham b Gardner 25 Lauren Winfield lbw b Georgia Wareham 6 Sophia Dunkley Brown b Georgia Wareham 0 Anya Shrubsole c E Perry b Gardner 5 Danielle Hazell lbw b Schutt 6 Sophie Ecclestone run out (E Perry/Alyssa Healy) 4 Kirstie Gordon not out 1 Extras6 (b 2, lb 1, w 3, nb 0, p 0) Total 105 (10 wkts, 19.4 Ov) Fall of wickets 18-1 (Tammy Beaumont, 3.2), 30-2 (Amy Ellen Jones, 4.5), 41-3 (Natalie Sciver, 6.3), 64-4 (Danielle Wyatt, 10.6), 74-5 (Lauren Winfield, 12.5), 74-6 (Sophia Dunkley

Brown, 12.6), 84-7 (Anya Shrubsole, 15.4), 98-8 (Heather Knight, 17.6), 104-9 (Sophie Ecclestone, 19.2), 105-10 (Danielle Hazell, 19.4) Bowling Sophie Molineux 3-0-23-0 Megan Schutt 3.4-0-13-2 Ellyse Perry 3-0-23-1 Delissa Kimmince 3-0-10-0 Georgia Wareham 3-0-11-2 Ashleigh Gardner 4-0-22-3 Australia Innings Alyssa Healy (wk) b Sophie Ecclestone 22 Beth Mooney c A Jones b D Hazell 14 Ashleigh Gardner not out 33 Meg Lanning (c) not out 28 Extras 9 (b 0, lb 2, w 7, nb 0, p 0) Total 106 (2 wkts, 15.1 Ov) Fall of wickets 29-1 (Alyssa Healy, 4.4), 44-2 (Beth Mooney, 7.1) Bowling Natalie Sciver 1.1-0-3-0 Anya Shrubsole 3-0-30-0 Sophie Ecclestone 4-0-12-1 Danielle Hazell 3-0-19-1 Kirstie Gordon 3-0-30-0 Heather Knight (c) 1-0-10-0

Mars confident in retaining crown...

Chess and Scrabble competitions continue

T

he University of Guyana Sports Department continued its annual King and Queen Chess and Scrabble competitions on November 23, 2018 in the Conference Room of the Faculty of Natural Sciences.

Speaking with Guyana Times Sport, defending Chess Champion Davion Mars was asked how he rates the competition, and he said: “Well, I am fairly confident in my abilities as defending champion. Compared to last year’s lineup, the players are more tuned and seasoned, and this tournament will be a lot stronger than last year’s. I have been doing some training with them, so I kind of know what Davion Mars to expect, but I would not underestimate

anyone at this point.”

Mars said he knows his experience would push him forward, as, prior to playing locally, he has had international experience and is certified

by Fédération Internationale des Échecs, or World Chess Federation (FIDE) to train individuals, as he is licensed.

Mars says he is training with others and is also personally training alone, as it would help him when he faces the victor of the semifinals.

In last week’s leg of the tournament of the Scrabble competition, Komal Hukumchand was defeated by Jaffar Gibbons, while Francisca Persaud lost to Feona Jones.

In the chess competition, which was played the best two out of three games, Joshua Gopaul defeated Tristan Carter, while Andre Jagnandan defeated Obeng Quamina; and for the first time in the female league, Anicia Patterson defeated Unique Persaud.

After the competition ended, the two winners drew to play one of the top four, which resulted in Andre Jagnandan playing the 2nd seeded Rondell Palmer and Joshua Gopaul playing the 3rd seeded Tristan Cordis.

While in this week’s competition, it continued with the best two out of three games for the chess. However, the games were not completed, due to time. Andre Jagnandan and Rondel Palmer faced off against each other, but only one game was played thus far, with Jagnandan leading.

Marcellus Cornelius played Xavier Perriera. Both games are currently tied, as they have each won a game, and will await the third game to know who will advance. In the female chess competition, Britney Bovell defeated Ansonette Thomas, and Shanese Richards defeated Madena Archer.

In the Scrabble competition, Ivana battled it out with Aliyyah Anderson. Anderson won, but was defeated by defending champion Christina Basil. Basil will play Crystal De Cumba who defeated Feona Jones in the semi-final.

In the male semi-finals, John Forde and Jabar Gibbons faced off in a battle of intellect, which saw Gibbon emerging victor, and will now await the winner from the second semifinal. That game will be played between Joshua Gopaul, who defeated Tejay Anderson, and Marcellus Cornelius, who defeated Obeng Quamina.

All competitions will continue on Monday. (Timothy Jaikarran)

Sports is no longer our game, it’s our business

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

Stand-alone Women’s World T20 tournament…

Australia are champions – all-round Gardener leads Aussies to fourth World T20 title

Pg 23

Team Australia celebrates Pg 24

Team Australia celebrates

National St Pius, South Ruimveldt strike Schools gold as Smalta U11 continues Athletics

Championships

Pg 21

being staged today Pg 20

North Georgetown had a difficult time penetrating the Smith’s Memorial defence before winning 2-0

GUYANA TIMES - www.guyanatimesgy.com, email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, NEWS HOTLINE: 231-8063 EDITORIAL: 223-7230, 223-7231, 231-0544, 225-7761 SPORT: sport@guyanatimesgy.com SALES AND MARKETING: 231-8064 - lezas@guyanatimesgy.com - PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GUYANA TIMES INC.

November 25, 2018

Ayushmann Khurrana on balancing professional high with Page 14 personal low

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2 Sunday Times Magazine

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NOVEMBER 25, 2018

Feature

T

he 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an international campaign that takes place each year. It commences on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and ends on December 10, Human Rights Day. It was originated by activists at the inaugural Women's Global Leadership Institute in 1991, and continues to be coordinated each year by the Centre for Women's Global Leadership. It is used as an organising strategy by individuals and organisations around the world to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.

In support of this civil society initiative, under the leadership of the United Nations Secretary General António Guterres, the UNiTE to End Violence against Women Campaign calls for global action to increase awareness, galvanise advocacy efforts, and share knowledge and innovations.

In recent years, the UNiTE Campaign has utilised the colour orange

diums and the arts may be used to support storytelling and advocacy through the voices of the women and girls.

As in previous years, the colour orange will be a key theme unifying all activities, with buildings and landmarks lit and decorated in orange to bring global attention to the initiative.

Main principles of UNiTE advocacy:

to represent a brighter future, free from violence against women and girls as a unifying theme running through all of its global activities.

UNiTE Campaign theme and objectives for 16 Days of Activism 2018

For far too long, im-

punity, silence, stigma, and shame have led to an entrenched endemic of the human rights violence violation of against women around the world. However, in recent years, the drive for change has garnered more visibility due largely to the determination and bravery of grassroots activists and sur-

vivor advocates, including #MeToo, #TimesUp, # N i u n a m e n o s , # N o t O n e M o r e , #BalanceTonPorc, among others. Advocates understand that while the names and the contexts may differ across geographic locations, economic and social contexts, one common theme runs deep. Women and girls are experiencing extensive abuse and violence and their stories need to be brought to light.

This is why the UNiTE Campaign’s global advocacy theme this year is: “Orange the World: #HearMeToo”.

The theme and activities of the UNiTE Campaign in 2018, under the global banner Orange the World: “#HearMeToo, will aim to mobilise all UNiTE networks, the

UN system, Government partners, civil society, schools and universities, Private Sector and sports associations, and individuals to stand in solidarity with survivor advocates and women’s human rights defenders who are working to prevent and end violence against women and girls.”

Under the theme Orange the World: #HearMeToo, the UNiTE partners are encouraged to host events with local, national, regional and global women’s movements, survivor advocates and women’s human rights defenders, and create opportunities for dialogue between activists, policymakers and the public. These events may take place through physical as well as online platforms. Creative me-

1. Honour and acknowledge women’s movements and their leadership in 16 Days of Activism in preventing and ending violence against women and girls.

2. ‘Leave No One Behind’: apply a human rights-based approach and focus attention on the most underserved and disadvantaged groups of women and girls in efforts to prevent and end violence against women and girls.

3.

Survivor-centred: take a respectful and ‘do no harm’ approach to the telling and retelling of survivor stories, only with their permission and under the conditions which they have agreed to. This principle is vital for the engagement of survivor advocates in activism. All UNiTE partners must ensure that survivor advocates’ rights, safety, dignity and confidentiality are upheld.

4. Multi-sectoral: everyone in society has an important role to play in ending violence against women and girls, and we all must work together across sectors to address the various aspects of violence against women and girls.(UNwomen.org)

guyanatimesgy.com

NOVEMBER 25, 2018

Sunday Times Magazine

3

Feature

ne of my favourite poets, Maya Angelou famously said, “if you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. Don’t complain”, and that is exactly what the women of the Guyanese Women In Development (GUYWID) has been doing for almost two decades. They have been transforming the lives of women across Guyana not because those women cannot help themselves but because those women are the most vulnerable, since the

push even harder. The organisation has about 12 active members currently and is based in New Amsterdam.

It is currently being led by Sharon Samlall, who is serving her second term as President and, according to her, it is the most fulfilling job she has had.

“Our mission is to create an environment of care and confidence, to empower women to take leadership roles and develop their communities and we do this through community service and providing information and awareness and advocating for change in those ar-

people around them who seek to control them are dragging them down.

Quite often, that control is exercised by “showing who is boss” and that is where the various degrees of violence and abuse come in. Recognising the need for women to be empowered, particularly in the Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) area, a group of women formed GUYWID Berbice Chapter and for almost two decades, they have been transforming the lives of countless women.

Guided by their vision of having a community of independent women who are empowered to function in key leadership positions and to always be ready to share their skills and expertise has motivated the founders of GUYWID to

eas. We are a small group, but we are making an impact and transforming the lives of the women in this area. We are quite pleased with the impact we have had and are hoping that it becomes even greater as time progresses. We want to have a society where violence is non-existent and women are empowered, they are independent and can function in any position,” Samlall tells me.

She said that their calendar of activities is always packed, as they try to educate the public about various observances as well as work with the women to improve their skills.

“We would have workshops and invite people to take part, and we teach women independence and how to deal with various situa-

By Lakhram Bhagirat

O

tions. For this Elimination of Violence Against Women

activity, we will be having a candlelight march to

spread the word that women are not to be beaten, but to be loved and cared for. We are tough and we can handle any situation. We want women to know that they can say no and be in control of their lives and development,” Samlall said.

She joined GUYWID about five years ago. Prior to that, she did little work in the field of women’s empowerment, but ever since joining the organisation, she has been motivated to do more for her fellow women.

She believes that it is everyone’s job to help each other so as to ensure rapid growth and development as a people.

Region Six is known as one of the regions in Guyana with the highest rates of violence against women and, quite often, the stories are only shared after the woman in question has lost her life.

When I asked Samlall how she feels about this, she told me that it is something that

affects everyone and it is also the driving force behind GUYWID, since the organisation is aiming to make the lives of women much more comfortable.

“We have not made much inroad (in tackling violence against women), because every day we keep seeing the same thing over and over and we try to educate, but the same thing over. Guyana is a violent society and we need to tackle that. We have to do more to tackle that. I believe that we can tackle that by starting the education with this younger generation. Let them know that it is not right to hit anyone and we also need to go into homes, because when children are growing in homes that are abusive then that behaviour is normalised. It is not something we want to be normalised so we have to end it with this upcoming generation, or it will just get much worse from here.”

4

Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

NOVEMBER 25, 2018

Feature

V

iolence, particularly violence against women, takes a heavy toll on everyone and everything around us, and here in Guyana, it is estimated that one in every three women experience some form of violence and, quite often, it is at the hands of those who promised to care for and protect them.

After the number of reported cases of violence against women and children started to significantly rise, in 1994, Help & Shelter was founded to tackle those cases. Since then, the NonGovernmental Organisation (NGO) has become the forerunner in the protection of women and children against all forms of violence. Its work has been so extensive that in 2011 it received a Medal of Service.

Help & Shelter's mission is to work towards the elimination of violence in all its forms by helping to create a society where attitudes to use of violence and violent practices have been transformed. According to its website, in a client base of over 8000 persons, 85 per cent are female and 80 per cent victims of spousal abuse.

Help & Shelter was the brainchild of a support group created in 1994 as an adjunct to the Georgetown Legal Aid Clinic (now Guyana Legal Aid Clinic).

Since its establishment in November 1994, Help & Shelter has become a recognised leader in the fight against violence in Guyana, particularly in the areas of

domestic, sexual and child abuse. Domestic violence takes a heavy toll on the individual’s emotional and physical health, and has high social and economic costs for families, communities, workplaces, and the country as a whole.

The goals of the organisation include working towards building respect for the rights of women, children, youth, and men to

live free of violence and the threat of violence. Help & Shelter also provides options for victims of domestic violence by providing temporary shelter for abused women and their children, along with training that can develop psychological and practical skills needed for increased self-sufficiency.

It also provides a recourse for victims of domestic and sexual abuse by lob-

bying for the strengthening of relevant laws and implementation mechanisms where necessary.

One of the objectives when Help & Shelter was formed was the establishment and maintenance of a shelter for abused women and their children. It took some time for the first element of this objective to be realised, but thanks to a donation of land by the Government of Guyana, a building grant from the Basic Needs Trust Fund

November 2000. However, keeping its doors opened has been a constant struggle for the organisation.

The shelter was closed several times as a result of the lack of resources as well as low rates of occupancy. However, in March 2006, the organisation permanently reopened the shelter’s doors to those desirous of such help. Since then, the number of women seeking refuge there has increased, in no small part, we believe, to the effectiveness of

self-sustainability for the shelter, including the rearing of chickens and planting of fruits and vegetables. Regular donations of foodstuff and other supplies from a number of business entities and donations of furniture, clothes, books, and toys also help to keep running costs down.

Over the years, Help & Shelter has been instrumental in rescuing numerous women from different situations and degrees of violence. The organisation’s

and donations of cash and kind and fundraising to furnish and equip the building, the shelter (now called The Ixora) was first opened in

the NGO’s public education work.

Efforts have always been and continue to be made to achieve some measure of

impact is one that is immeasurable in protection of the nation’s women and children from violence.

guyanatimesgy.com

NOVEMBER 25, 2018

Sunday Times Magazine 5

Feature

ugees, indigenous women and ethnic minorities, or women and girls living with HIV and disabilities, and those living through humanitarian crises.

V

iolence against women and girls (VAWG) is one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violations in our world today remains largely unreported due to the impunity, silence, stigma and shame surrounding it. It is alarming to know that one in three women and girls experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, most frequently by an intimate partner.

According to the United Nations (UN), only 52 per cent of women married or in a union freely make their own decisions about sexual relations, contraceptive use and health care. Additionally, almost 750 million women and girls alive today were married before their 18th birthday; while 200 million women and girls have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM).

To further compound the need for the protection of women and girls from violence, the UN says one in two women killed worldwide were killed by their partners or family in 2012; while only 1 out of 20 men were killed under similar circumstances adding that 71 per cent of all human trafficking victims worldwide are women and girls, and three out of four of these women and girls are sexually exploited.

Violence against women is as serious a cause of death

and incapacity among women of reproductive age as cancer, and a greater cause of ill health than traffic accidents and malaria combined, UN notes.

The Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women issued by the UN General Assembly in 1993, defines violence against women as â&#x20AC;&#x153;any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.â&#x20AC;?

The adverse psychological, sexual and reproductive health consequences of VAWG affect women at all stages of their life. For example, early-set educational disadvantages not only represent the primary obstacle to universal schooling and the right to education for girls; down the line, they are also to blame for restricting access to higher education and even translate into limited opportunities for women in the labour market.

While gender-based violence can happen to anyone, anywhere, some women and girls are particularly vulnerable - for instance, young girls and older women, women who identify as lesbian, bisexual, transgender or intersex, migrants and ref-

Violence against women continues to be an obstacle to achieving equality, development, peace as well as to the fulfilment of women and girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; human rights. Overall, the promise of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) - to leave no one behind cannot be fulfilled without putting an end to violence against women and girls.

In Guyana, VAWG is very prevalent and while some inroads have been made we are yet to reach a stage where we can say that the issue is being adequately addressed. Every day there are several reported cases of VAWG but despite this, there are no significant data collected by the relevant governmental agencies to holistically address the issue of violence against women.

To observe International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women there are several activities held by advocacy organisations and they range for marches to workshops and seminars. They all serve to create awareness surrounding the issues faced by women and how we can address them.

6 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

NOVEMBER 25, 2018

Literary Corner

by

Petamber Persaud

(E

Preserving our literary heritage

xtract of a conversation with people who do research, the people who Laura Johnston Kohl and travelled to Jonestown - authors and surJordan Vilchez, Guyana, March vivors all write for this newspaper.

2018, both are Jonestown survivors.

What I did this year I talk to the ediKohl has already published one book tor saying I’d like to reach out and get on Jonestown with another forthcoming a Guyanese point of view so I wrote while Vilchez is preparing two books on a request for Guyanese to contact me the subject for young adults. and I said we would like to print some Part 1 was published in April of this of your reflections and questions in the year; the opening remark is shown here Jonestown Report where it belongs, your in italic.) perspective belongs there – you are not a PP No one book can acneutral party, you were very much count for a people’s hisinvolved by being neighbours. tory. Parts of our hisAnd it was almost as if peotory are still stored ple were waiting for the in diaries and memchance to share. So they oires and in forwrote everyday and eign archives.

I would get ten, fifHowever, someteen, twenty responstimes we are fores so I would ask of tunate to have them to elaborate people who are so the Jonestown still alive and Report would have in our midst and a Guyanese perspecto whom we can tive; I brought some turn to fill in the and shared it with gaps. So it is with the National Library. great satisfaction Some people wrote to meet both of you 500 words about their who are survivors experience and a lot of Jonestown. of people just wrote a Much of what paragraph but who had we know about something significant to JORDAN VILCHEZ Jonestown came to say. So it is just a beginus in various forning just like this trip mats – books, films, social media. But is the beginning of having oral communithere are missing pieces. I was not there, cation that was the beginning of having you were…let’s talk about [Jonestown]. contact that we could do back and forth; LJK The Jonestown Institute – not just a hit and you move on but a back ‘Alternative Considerations of Jonestown and forth dialogue. So that is what I am and Peoples Temple’- is the most profound really interested in.

PP Where did it all start [for you, source of information about the Peoples Temple and Jonestown – they put out an Jordan]? annual newsletter and many times the JV What?

PP Your attachment to Jim Jones and the Peoples Temple.

JV Well, a friend of our family told me about the Temple....

PP First, locate the Temple....

JV The Temple was located in Northern California in the Redwood Valley and we were living two hours south which was called the Bay area across from San Francisco – the East Bay. Our family friend had gone to the Temple up north and liked what she saw; what she saw was all races of people in a building singing, talking about social justice issues, serious about making positive change.

She encouraged us to go – my mother, my brother, my sisters, my sisters’ children piled into the car and drove up to Redwood Valley and attended a meeting and we were very impressed. So my sister who was older than I decided to move up there; at that time I was twelve and so my mother decided it would be a good idea for me to move too because this was a community and it was a very supportive community, anything you needed you could get; if you needed community support, you could get that, if you needed clothing, you could get that, whatever you needed, it could be provided....

PP So it met all your needs....

JV So I moved up there, went to school and we had meetings every Wednesday and on weekends the church was more like a community centre with a pool at the back so after the meetings on the weekends we would swim particularly the young people and children.

For a young person who didn’t have many friends because my mother would travel back and forth to Mexico after her divorce from my father; I didn’t have many friends and here instantly I had so many awesome good friends who welcomed me as a newcomer to the community. And so I moved in with my sister and we got to know the people of the temple. It wasn’t long after that that I moved into a commune and another and then another commune. The highest form of loyalty was to go communal which meant you would give up everything – if you had a job, you would turn in your entire pay cheque. I didn’t work, I went to school but I gave all my time and extra time and creativity and, you know, all of myself. And what I learnt in the Temple was that I was only of value to the extent that I could be of service.

While that was good in its own right....

PP Did this not bother you?

JV While that was good in its own right, it was not good for me developmentally because there was no focus on the individual. The focus was on the cause and what that did was it diminished me and everyone else as an individual. I grew up believing that I need to dedicate myself to the cause – the cause been social justice and equality, all of these noble good things.

It wasn’t too long after that, a few years, we start-

LAURA JOHNSTON KOHL

ed travelling down south to San Francisco and Los Angeles going back and forth in Greyhound buses between these two cities; for the most part, we sort of abandoned the valley area where we started out in.

I was in the temple in San Francisco communally as well then in a day’s notice in 1976, the summer of ‘76, I was told I was going to Guyana the next day.... (to be continued)

Responses to this author telephone (592) 226-0065 or email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com

guyanatimesgy.com

NOVEMBER 25, 2018

Sunday Times Magazine

7

8 Sunday Times Magazine

NOVEMBER 25, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

Feature

Annai

T

he Rupununi is by far one of the most picturesque areas in Guyana. The vast savannahs surrounded by the hills and mountains creates the best experience for someone who is all about adventure and wants to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life to enjoy the calmness that the Rupununi exudes. The Rupununi is also the home to several of Guyanaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Indigenous tribes who still practice their traditional way of life.

It is an amazing experience to go hunting is the vast creeks or forest with the Indigenous people as they teach you not only to shoot a bow and arrow properly but also the numerous uses of the plants within our reach. Everybody should have the Rupununi experience at least once in his or her lifetime. (Photos provided

by Kapohn)

Rockview

Hill overlooking Annai

Santa Fe

Takutu River

guyanatimesgy.com

NOVEMBER 25, 2018

Sunday Times Magazine 9

Health

Overview

include: • Physical exam to assess your pain.

• Blood test. This allows your doctor to check for a high white blood cell count, which may indicate an infection.

• Urine test. Your doctor may want you to have a urinalysis to make sure that a urinary tract infection or a kidney stone isn't causing your pain.

• Imaging tests. Your doctor may also recommend an abdominal X-ray, an abdominal ultrasound or a computerized tomography (CT) scan to help confirm appendicitis or find other causes for your pain.

Symptoms

Appendicitis treatment usually involves surgery to remove the inflamed appendix. Before surgery, you may be given a dose of antibiotics to prevent infection.

Surgery to remove the appendix (appendectomy) Appendectomy can be performed as open surgery using one abdominal incision about 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 centimeters) long (laparotomy). Or the surgery can be done through a few small abdominal incisions (laparoscopic surgery). During a laparoscopic appendectomy, the surgeon inserts special surgical tools and a video camera into your abdomen to remove your appendix.

In general, laparoscopic surgery allows you to recover faster and heal with less pain and scarring. It may be better for people who are elderly or obese. But laparoscopic surgery isn't appropriate for everyone. If your appendix has ruptured and infection has spread beyond the appendix or you have an abscess, you may need an open appendectomy, which allows your surgeon to clean the abdominal cavity.

Expect to spend one or two days in the hospital after your appendectomy.

Draining an abscess before appendix surgery If your appendix has burst and an abscess has formed around it, the abscess may be drained by placing a tube through your skin into the abscess. Appendectomy can be performed several weeks later after controlling the infection.

Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix, a finger-shaped pouch that projects from your colon on the lower right side of your abdomen. The appendix does not seem to have a specific purpose.

Appendicitis causes pain in your lower right abdomen.

However, in most people, pain begins around the navel and then moves. As inflammation worsens, appendicitis pain typically increases and eventually becomes severe.

Although anyone can develop appendicitis, most often it occurs in people between the ages of 10 and 30. Standard treatment is surgical removal of the appendix.

Signs and symptoms of appendicitis may include: • Sudden pain that begins on the right side of the lower abdomen • Sudden pain that begins around your navel and often shifts to your lower right abdomen • Pain that worsens if you cough, walk or make other jarring movements • Nausea and vomiting • Loss of appetite • Low-grade fever that may worsen as the illness progresses • Constipation or diarrhea • Abdominal bloating The site of your pain may vary, depending on your age and the position of your appendix. When you are pregnant, the pain may seem to come from your upper abdomen because your appendix is higher during pregnancy.

Causes A blockage in the lining of the appendix that results in infection is the likely cause of appendicitis. The bacteria multiply rapidly, causing the appendix to become inflamed, swollen and filled with pus. If not treated promptly, the appendix can rupture.

Complications

Appendicitis can cause serious complications, such as: • A ruptured appendix. A rupture spreads infection throughout your abdomen (peritonitis). Possibly life-threatening, this condition requires immediate surgery to remove the appendix and clean your abdominal cavity.

• A pocket of pus that forms in the abdomen. If your appendix bursts, you may develop a pocket of infection (abscess). In most cases, a surgeon drains the abscess by placing a tube through your abdominal wall into the abscess. The tube is left in place for two weeks, and you are given antibiotics to clear the infection.

Once the infection is clear, you will have surgery to remove the appendix. In some cases, the abscess is drained, and the appendix is removed immediately.

Diagnosis

Tests and procedures used to diagnose appendicitis

Treatment

Lifestyle and home remedies

Expect a few weeks of recovery from an appendectomy, or longer if your appendix burst. To help your body heal: • Avoid strenuous activity at first. If your appendectomy was done laparoscopically, limit your activity for three to five days. If you had an open appendectomy, limit your activity for 10 to 14 days. Always ask your doctor about limitations on your activity and when you can resume normal activities following surgery.

• Support your abdomen when you cough. Place a pillow over your abdomen and apply pressure before

you cough, laugh or move to help reduce pain.

• Call your doctor if your pain medications aren't helping. Being in pain puts extra stress on your body and slows the healing process. If you're still in pain despite

your pain medications, call your doctor.

• Get up and move when you're ready. Start slowly and increase your activity as you feel up to it.

Start with short walks.

• Sleep when tired.

As your body heals, you may find you feel sleepier than usual. Take it easy and rest when you need to. return• Discuss ing to work or school with your doctor. You can return to work when you feel

up to it. Children may be able to return to school less than a week after surgery.

They should wait two to four weeks to resume strenuous activity, such as gym classes or sports. (Mayo Clinic)

10 Sunday Times Magazine

NOVEMBER 25, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

Fashion

G

uyana is filled with immensely talented people but the creative space afforded to them is very limited. One of those talented young people is Naomi Murray. Naomi is one of Guyanaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s go to fashion designer, especially among young people. She has the knack for creating over the top prom dresses but is not only limited to just that. Naomiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fashion creation is limitless and has the ability to make every head turn. Here are a few of the elegant evening gowns created by Naomi and be sure to check out her showroom on the second floor, Acme Building, Regent Street Georgetown. (Photos compliments of Naomi Murray)

guyanatimesgy.com

NOVEMBER 18 , 2018

Sunday Times Magazine 11

Home & Cooking

Ingredients • ¾ lb pasta • 1 tsp olive oil • 1 red bell pepper cut into thin strips • 1 carrot, julienned • 1 tsp crushed ginger • 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced • 1-13oz can Coconut Milk • 2 chicken bouillon(omit to make dish vegan) • ¼ tsp black pepper • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes • Salt to taste • 3 scallion, thinly sliced • Avocado(optional)

Instructions Cook pasta according to directions on the

1. package.

2. While the pasta cooks, in a wide pot over medium fire heat oil. When oil is hot, add red bell pepper, carrot, ginger and garlic and cook for about 2 minutes until the vegetables soften.

3. Add coconut milk, chicken bouillon, black pepper, red pepper flakes and bring to a boil. Cook until coconut milk thickens, about 5 minutes.

4. Add cooked and drained pasta and salt to taste then toss to coat. Cook for an additional minute. Remove from heat and add fresh chopped scallion. Serve with sliced avocado. (Jehann Can Cook)

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef • 1 lb ground chicken • 8 oz can water chestnuts, drained and finely chopped • 1 tbsp crushed garlic • 1 tsp crushed ginger • 3 scallion, finely chopped • ½ tsp red pepper flakes • 2 tbsp soy sauce Instructions To make the meatballs, preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place beef, chicken, water chestnut, garlic, ginger, scallion, red pepper flakes, soy sauce, panko break crumbs (or regular bread crumbs) and egg in a large bowl and mix until combined. Do not over mix. Pinch off about 2 tablespoon of mixture and gently roll into a meatball. Place on a sheet pan and repeat.

Place into a preheated oven and bake for 20

• • • • • • • • •

½ cup panko bread crumbs 1 egg Sauce 1 cup BBQ sauce ¼ cup soy sauce ¼ cup duck sauce 3 tsp crushed ginger ½ cup brown sugar 3 tbsp ketchup ½ cup water

T

here is never any need to put yourself in debt for a new kitchen. Simple, small changes over time can have a major impact on your finances and the way your kitchen looks. Choose any of the following options to update your kitchen for the upcoming holidays, and you may even have funds left over for other things on your wish list. (House to Home)

Change your wall colour. Painting your walls is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to create a new look, but have you ever considered painting your units, too? This season’s shades include purple and grey, so any variation of tone will look elegant and stylish.

minutes.

To make the sauce, place all of the ingredients for the sauce in a large heavy bottom pot over medium heat. Add baked meatballs to the sauce and heat until it begins to bubble, reduce heat to low, cover and let simmer for 25-30 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly before serving.

(Jehann Can Cook)

Try new fabrics and furnishings. From new cushions for tired old chairs to pretty blinds and tablecloths, fabrics can work wonders and don’t have to cost the earth. Oilcloth table coverings are also back in vogue.

Filling • 1 cup brown sugar • 2 eggs • ½ tsp pure vanilla extract • 1/8 tsp grated nutmeg • 2 cups coconut flakes • 2 tbsp melted butter • Pinch of salt pastry from the fridge and on a floured surface, Instructions To make the pastry: In a small bowl mix the roll to 1/8 of an inch thickness. Using a biscuit flour and sugar together. Cut butter into small cutter (or wide mouth glass) cut into 4-5 inch chunks then cut into flour using a fork or pastry circles. Line a muffin pan with the pastry cutter until it resembles coarse cornmeal. circles. Place the muffin pan into the oven Next add egg yolks and water and mix to for and bake for 7 minutes. Remove from oven the pastry. Once pastry comes together, then fill each pastry shell with until it’s about ¾ flatten into a disk, wrap with cling wrap and way filled. Return to oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from refrigerate for ½ hour.

To make the filling: Place all ingredients in oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan. Cool completely before a bowl and mix with a fork to combine.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Remove serving. (Jehann Can Cook) • • • • •

Fit new doors. If the cabinet shell is in good condition, you can change the look of the room by simply replacing the fronts. You could even try a mix-and-match look by replacing just the wall or base cupboard doors of your existing kitchen. Add a splash of colour to a simple white kitchen or break up a wooden scheme with different horizontal grains.

Crust 1 2/3 cup flour ¼ cup sugar 1 stick cold butter( ½ cup butter) 2 egg yolks 6 tsp cold water

Upgrade your appliances. New appliances and can refresh your kitchen without changing any of the furniture. You’ll need to ensure that they will fit into the existing space, though. Freestanding appliances can be replaced more easily, so consider upgrading to an energy-efficient model to save on electricity.

12 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

NOVEMBER 25, 2018

Puzzles

1 7

12

17

21

22

23

24 25

26

28 29

30 32 33

35

37

38

39

40 42 43

44

45 47

48

49 52

53

54 55

59

61

62 63

64

65 66

67

68

69

70

72

73

74

75

76

77

80

82

83

84

85

87

88

89 90

91

92

94

95

96

ACROSS Rounded roof Unambiguous Ivan's dollar Fret and fume Ethically neutral 3:1, e.g.

Register (var.)

Not for Pounced It's a guy thing (2 wds.)

Sealed a deal Quarry Yellow flowers Disgorge Aplenty Gaslight and Big Band Parking-garage sign Baltic tributary Ocean game fish Fixed the pilot Pitch Subatomic particle Hybrid citrus Lox partner Many Tijuana kid GI rank Nov. runner Jab playfully Hold dear Umps Cafe -- -Police van Folk wisdom Advise against Dripping sounds Slowly vanish Clue Sweetie-pies To boot Budget reductions Kayak's kin Fired up Severn tributary Holm and Fleming Beds of coal Ring rocks Volleyball need Mall stand Minty quaff Search engine finds Kind of salad Tropical fruit Muralist -- Orozco "Knock, knock! -- there?"

Bird's claw Guzzles -- colada CIA agent, slangily Ruffled Low voice Natural fabric

97 Milne bear

98 -- kwon do

99 Da or ja

100 Bucks' antlers

101 Suet and blubber

102 Carpenters' jaws

104 Mentions

107 Leak giveaway

108 "When We Was --"

109 Given to back talk 113 Bunkum

114 Bristle with

115 First-magnitude star

117 Oz canine 118 Stuns Polygraph flunker

119

120 Permafrost regions 122 Vase

123 London gallery

124 Tidy sum (2 wds.)

127 Sluggish

129 Kassel's river

130 Good for something

131 Euclid was one

132 Monet or Debussy 133 Pops

134 Direct elsewhere 135 Walkway

136 Frog or rabbit

DOWN

1 Friendly ghost

2 Out caller

3 Imposing entrance

4 Zoologists' mouths 5 Country 6 Kelp

7 Snowflake

8 More delicate

9 The heavens

10 Makes public

11 Aussie jumper

12 End a shutdown

13 Bobby of Indy fame

14 It might be arched 50

15 Actor Herbert - 51 16 Polish

53

17 Silken fabric

54

18 Relax, as a snake

55

19 Camper's stove

56

20 Fries and slaw

57

27 Windows predecessor (hyph.)

58

31 PC chip maker

60

34 Jason's ship

61

36 Bro or sis

63

38 Like granola

65

39 Indian corn

66

41 Old wall hanging

67

43 "Shimmy, Shimmy, -- -Bop" (hyph.)

69

44 White ribbon

70 46 Acquired

71

47 Opera box 72

48 Speak hoarsely

74 49 Custard-apple

75

KATHLEEN SAXE

WORD GAME TODAY'S WORD -- ARRANGED (ARRANGED: uh-RAINJ'D: Planned or prepared for.)

Average mark 28 words Time limit 45 minutes Can you find 42 or more words in ARRANGED? adage agar aged agenda ager anger area arena radar rage

rang range ranger rare read rear regard rend reran near

nerd gander garden garner gear gnar grade grand earn errand

dang danger dare darer darn darner dean dear drag drear

RULES OF THE GAME: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of "s," such as "bats" or "dies," are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a "d" or an "s" may not be used. For example, if "bake" is used, "baked" or "bakes" are not allowed, but "bake" and "baking" are admissible. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.

Totally Interwoven (hyph.)

Goalies' protection Supplications Lacoste of tennis Without end Clairvoyant Grads-to-be Philippine volcano Thai temples Some boxers Bad mood Lacking energy Deli meats Hacienda Congolese river Daisy -- Yokum Morays Na+ and ClBlack-eyed --

76 Empathize

78 Quebec school

79 Oscar's cousins

81 Bard villain

82 Indiana or Casey

83 "Oops!" (hyph.)

84 "-- -Pan"

85 Youth org.

86 Hole puncher

87 High -- (horseplay) 88 Romances

89 Ancestry tables 91 Finicky

92 Charley horse

93 Food cookers

94 Notes on the scale

96 July's flower

98 It flows near Rome

100 Not easy to find 101 Tempestuous

102 Stylish beard (2 wds.)

103 Gathered dust

104 Marriott rival 105 Delighted

106 Drinking bowls

107 Room warmer

108 Sausage herb

110 Add power (2 wds.)

111 Purposeful gait

112 Wild blue - 113 Beat at chess

114 Author's concern

115 View from an oasis

116 Cookie-sheetful

119 Explorer -- Erikson

120 Garr or Hatcher

121 Aria, usually

125 Rural addr.

126 Tiger's org.

128 Seance sound

See Solution on Pg 14

guyanatimesgy.com

NOVEMBER 25, 2018

Sunday Times Magazine 13

Tech

A

I

nstagram announced that the company is testing out new user profile layouts.

“Over the next several weeks, you may see features re-arranged at the top of your profile including changes to icons, buttons and the way you navigate between tabs,” the blog post explains. Your photo grids will be safe, though, so you can breathe easy.

The most notable part of the redesign is that follower counts appear to be de-emphasized, as they are no longer at the top of your profile and are in a much smaller font.

Twitter recently made a similar change to its iOS app, as the company thinks about how to prioritize “meaningful” conversation on the platform rather than focusing on numbers. Instagram is no doubt thinking about authenticity on its platform as well, as the company also recently started crack-

M

icrosoft and Google engineers appear to be collaborating to support a version of Chrome running on Windows on ARM. 9to5Google has spotted various commits by Microsoft engineers assisting with the development of Chrome for Windows 10 on ARM. The details follow claims by a Qualcomm executive last month that the chip maker was working on an ARM version of Chrome for Windows 10.

A native ARM version of Chrome would make a lot of sense for Qualcomm, Microsoft, and Google. Chrome is one of the most popular desktop apps available on Windows 10, and without a native version for ARM it’s difficult to take ARMpowered Windows 10 devices seriously for many. However, it was only last year that Microsoft pulled Google’s Chrome installer from the Windows Store, because it violated store policies. Those policies restrict ri-

ing down on fake followers, comments, and likes.

The “Follow” and “Message” buttons sit next to each other, and you would be able to see your mutual followers when you tap on a user’s Following tab. The grid, posts, and tagged photos icons are now written out, and it appears IGTV might be getting its own tab. For business accounts, there is a Shop tab, in addition to buttons like “Directions,” “Call,” and “Start Order.”

Instagram says it is working on these changes, and will be testing out different combinations in phases over the next few weeks. The company says it will keep experimenting with profiles based on feedback, so if you are absolutely opposed to having an IGTV tab, better let them know. (The Verge)

val browsers to using Microsoft’s own Edge rendering engine, specifically that “products that browse the web must use the appropriate HTML and JavaScript engines provided by the Windows Platform.” Microsoft also blocked similar browser apps for Windows 8.

Unless Microsoft relaxes its rules then this native Chrome support for Windows on ARM won’t be found in the Windows Store. Microsoft and Google’s work could still help improve performance for Electronbased apps like Slack and Visual Studio Code which rely on parts of Chromium.

Microsoft and Google have also been working closely to add a Windows 10 dual-boot option to Chromebooks recently, codenamed “Campfire.” If the two companies are working more closely on these types of projects, it does show that the Scroogled days are well and truly in the past. (The Verge)

pple has resumed production of the iPhone X due to weaker than expected demand for its latest XS and XS Max models, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal. The move is allegedly due to an agreement made with Samsung to purchase a certain quantity of OLED screens.

With this y e a r ’ s O L E D equipped models failing to sell in the quantities needed to fulfill the terms of the deal, the report suggests that Apple is turning to last year’s model for a solution. Apple ceased selling the iPhone X in stores when the XS was first released.

The iPhone X is thought to be cheaper to produce than the XS or XS Max thanks to its age, which means components and manufacturing equipment is cheaper, according to the WSJ report. In the past, legacy models have been produced when there’s enough demand for them in certain markets.

The news comes amidst reports that

F

acebook has appealed against a fine imposed on it by the UK's data watchdog after the Cambridge Analytica scandal.

The social network says that because the regulator found no evidence that UK users' personal data had been shared inappropriately, the £500,000 penalty was unjustified.

Last month, the watchdog said Facebook's failure to make suitable checks on apps and developers amounted to a "serious breach of the law". It has acknowledged the appeal.

This was the last day on which the US firm could challenge the Information Commissioner's ruling.

The affair stems from the discovery that an academic at the University of Cambridge - Dr Aleksandr Kogan - used a personality quiz to harvest up to 87 million Facebook users' details.

Some of this was subsequently shared with the political consultancy Cambridge Analytica, which used it to target political advertising in the US. It was initially reported that about 1.1 million UK-based users had had their details exposed.

But Cambridge Analytica said it had only ever licensed data belonging to about 30 million people, and a probe by the Information Commissioner's Office found no evidence that UK citizens were among them.

Even so, the ICO imposed the maximum penalty possible on Facebook on the basis that UK members had been put at risk and the tech firm had not done enough to address this after learning of the problem.

"The ICO's investigation stemmed from concerns that UK citizens' data may have been impacted by Cambridge Analytica, yet they now have confirmed that they have found no evidence to suggest that information of Facebook users in the UK was ever shared by Dr Kogan with Cambridge Analytica, or used by its affiliates in the Brexit referendum," said a statement from Facebook's lawyer Anna Benckert.

"Therefore, the core of the ICO's argu-

Apple has cut production orders for all

three of its new models of iPhone due to lower than expected demand. The cheaper iPhone XR is thought to be particularly struggling, as budget-conscious customers opt instead for last year’s iPhone 8, which continues to be available and is priced lower than this year’s budget model. It was a similar case with the company’s previous budget effort, the iPhone 5c, which saw its sales pick up the year after its original release as mainstream consumers caught on to its existence. (The Verge)

ment no longer relates to the events involving Cambridge Analytica. Instead, their reasoning challenges some of the basic principles of how people should be allowed to share information online, with implications which go far beyond just Facebook, which is why we have chosen to appeal.

"For example, under the ICO's theory people should not be allowed to forward an email or message without having agreement from each person on the original thread.

"These are things done by millions of people every day on services across the internet, which is why we believe the ICO's

decision raises important questions of principle for everyone online which should be considered by an impartial court based on all the relevant evidence."

An independent body, known as a General Regulatory Chamber tribunal, will consider the challenge.

If it is unhappy with the decision, Facebook can subsequently take the case to the Court of Appeal.

"Any organisation issued with a monetary penalty notice by the Information Commissioner has the right to appeal the decision to the First-tier Tribunal," said a spokesman for the ICO. "The progression of any appeal is a matter for the tribunal. We have not yet been notified by the tribunal that an appeal has been received." (BBC)

14 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

NOVEMBER 25, 2018

Bollywood/Hollywood

H

aving tasted backto-back success at the box-office with Andhadhun and Badhaai Ho and then facing the harsh reality of his wife Tahira Kashyap's breast cancer scare, actor Ayushmann Khurrana now sees things through a different prism and has called life a "great leveller".

Tahira revealed her affliction on September 22, posting on Instagram that she was detected with DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ) in her right breast with high grade malignant cells.

Asked how he was balancing his professional and personal lives, Ayushmann told IANS: "It was very difficult. I have realised that life is never perfect. You have to celebrate the imperfections of life and you have to accept that there would be a void in your life every time, it cannot be perfect. So, this was just a small imperfection according to us. We are taking it as it is."

The 34-year-old actor added: "I had two back-toback films coming and I was going through a professional high and I was wondering life is so beautiful and suddenly this happened, so it is a great leveller. Life is a great leveller."

On Karva Chauth this year, Ayushmann kept a fast for the good health and long life of Tahira, whom he proudly calls his inspiration.

"I am glad I have a partner like Tahira who is very brave, strong, who is an inspiration. I have started seeing life through a different prism," said the actor, who has two children with Tahira -- Virajveer and Varushka.

"I was giving her my

K

time, of course. In the morning I was promoting my films, in the nights I was with her in the hospital... It is not easy."

Making his debut in the world of films in 2012 with Vicky Donor, Ayushmann in just six years has carved a niche for himself in Bollywood with movies like Dum Laga Ke Haisha, Nautanki Saala!, Bareilly Ki Barfi, Shubh Mangal Savdhan, Andhadhun and Badhaai Ho -- a film that has now crossed the Rs 200 crore mark worldwide.

Asked what he thinks about getting tagged as an unconventional hero in Bollywood, Ayushmann said: "You have to be successful, that's it. Conventional, unconventional, action hero, comedy star -- you have to be successful in your zone. All I am looking for is a fine combination of critical and commercial acclaim. Whether conventional or unconventional -- does not matter."

At a time when several stars were trying their luck

Crossword Solution

in the industry with formula films, Ayushmann dabbled in genres as different as chalk and cheese.

Did that give him an edge over others? "You make your own formula. I think that's my own formula of doing films which have no reference point. India does not have a reference point for Vicky Donor or Andhadhun or even Badhaai Ho. I am proud of the choices I have been making and I have made my own space in the industry," he said.

But he stressed that adding a sprinkle of your own identity in films is important to him.

"You bring something of your own into a film. You give a bit of yourself to every film you do. I had an edge in Andhadhun because, being a musician, I knew how to play a guitar so it was not difficult for me to learn a musical instrument," said the actor, who has even given his vocals for songs like Pani Da Rang and Saddi Galli Aaja.

(Hindustan Times)

aty Perry took home the top honors for 2018 on Forbes’ annual list of the highest-paid women in music.

The “Chained to the Rhythm” singer took in a whopping $83 million for the year starting June 1, 2017, beating out fellow powerhouses Taylor Swift ($80 million), Beyoncé ($60 million) and Pink ($52 million).

spot because her Witness world tour earned roughly $1 million a night and she raked in over $20 million for her role as a judge on “American Idol.”

One of the main reasons Swift didn’t outrank Perry (despite the incredible success of Swift’s album “Reputation” and the subsequent equally successful tour by the same name) is that her tour dates were outside

6. Jennifer Lopez ($47 million) 7. Rihanna ($37.5 million) Fischer 8. Helene ($32 million) 9. Celine Dion ($31 million) Spears 10. Britney ($30 million) Last year, Beyoncé had the No. 1 spot on the list after earning $105 million pretax, largely because of the im-

All the figures are pretax and are based on “Nielsen SoundScan, NPD BookScan, insider interviews and Forbes estimates,” according to the outlet. The magazine didn’t deduct fees from agents, lawyers and managers.

As Forbes pointed out, Perry nailed the No. 1

the period for the list.

Take a look at the rest of the 2018 list: 1. Katy Perry ($83 million) 2. Taylor Swift ($80 million) 3. Beyoncé ($60 million) 4. Pink ($52 million) 5. Lady Gaga ($50 million)

mense popularity of her “Lemonade” album and Formation tour, which grossed a quarter of a billion dollars.

Adele took second place in 2017, with $69 million in earnings, and Swift scored third with $44 million.

A

ctor Priyanka Chopra, who is set to wed American singer Nick Jonas, will be shooting for The Sky Is Pink right till the day before the celebrations, says the film's producer.

Siddharth Roy Kapur, who is producing the movie under his Roy Kapur Films banner, told IANS: "Priyanka has been wonderful. She will be shooting with us right till the very eve of her nuptials, which I think shows a tremendous amount of professionalism."

Kapur is in Goa for the Film Bazaar, being held alongside the 49th International Indian Film Festival. His film The Sky Is Pink, directed by Shonali Bose and also starring

Farhan Akhtar, is currently being shot in Delhi.

Is Kapur going to Jodhpur for the much-awaited Priyanka-Nick wedding?

"I'd rather speak about

these things after they happen, rather than before," he said with a smile.

Preparations for Priyanka and Nick's wedding at the grand Umaid

Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur are on in full swing. The details, including the official dates, of the wedding have been kept under close wraps so far, but according to those in the know of developments, it will be a close-knit family affair and a separate celebration for her film fraternity friends will take place later.

The actress came to India to resume shooting for "The Sky Is Pink" after enjoying a bridal shower in New York and then a bachelorette party in Amsterdam and Italy.

(Hindustan Times)

guyanatimesgy.com

NOVEMBER 25, 2018

Sunday Times Magazine 15

16 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

NOVEMBER 25, 2018

Fun Times

Archie

ARIES

Clear up any money, legal (March 21- or health issues, and pay closApril 19) er attention to the people you love and care about. Don't let an emotional situation lead to isolation or a domestic disruption.

Visit a friend or relative TAURUS and do your best to lift his or (April 20her spirits. You'll be offered May 20) information about your ancestry or someone from your past.

Keep your life simple and

GEMINI your relationships with others (MAY 28- up-front and honest. If you mix June 20) business with pleasure, you

are likely to get burned. Don't share personal information.

Concentrate on self-improvements.

Visit a spot you've never been before or participate (June 21- in something unique. You'll July 22) gain greater perspective if you check out unfamiliar people, places and pastimes.

CANCER

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Dilbert

VIRGO Get out and socialize with (Aug. 23- people you can learn from or Sept. 22) collaborate with. What you discover and what you have to offer will lead to an unusual but interesting partnership.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Peanuts

You can be generous without spending a lot of cash.

Offer your time and skills to make someone happy. Joint money ventures are risky.

Self-improvements and romance are favored.

A day trip to visit a friend or relative will help you clear up an emotional issue. A personal change will ease your stress and help you move forward.

Update personal docuSCORPIO ments and make financial ad(Oct. 24- justments that need to be put Nov. 22) in place before the end of the year. Preparation for upcoming festive events will ease stress and lift spirits.

Delays and doubts will deSAGITTARIUS velop if you are too trusting.

(Nov. 23Gather the facts and practice Dec. 21) patience. Overly indulging in anything or acting in haste will slow you down.

Calvin and Hobbes

Rationalize the best way to handle others before you enter CAPRICORN into a situation that has the (Dec. 22- potential to become emotionJan. 19) al. An unexpected incident could leave you physically exhausted if you don't take precautions.

You'll have plenty to AQUARIUS think about regarding what (Jan. 20- you want to do next. An opFeb. 19) portunity to bring about changes that will affect your personal finances looks promising. Romance is featured.

Your enthusiasm will PISCES be met with resistance.

(Feb. 20- Surround yourself with peoMar. 20) ple who share your interests and concerns. Birds of a feather should flock together. Avoid temptation and indulgence.