Guyana Times - Sunday, April 7, 2019

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Nationwide coverage coverage from from the the best best news news team team in in Guyana Guyana Nationwide Issue No. 3887 guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON BEACON OF OF TRUTH TRUTH THE

Sunday, April 7, 2019

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Man stabs 2 officers, killed by Cops while trying to escape in Police vehicle

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Page 7

Guyana’s P15 capacity to address human trafficking weak – activist

Oil and gas sector

Local Content Policy must clearly outline benefits for Guyanese – British envoy Page 3

A Division hosts Career Day

Page 14

A future member of the Traffic Department in the Guyana Police Force? A young boy learns about All Terrain Vehicles (ATV) used by traffic officers during A Division's Career Day on Saturday, which was hosted at Police Sports Club Ground, Eve Leary, Georgetown (Dexter Ceres Photo)

Conflict of interest at Housing Ministry

Lusignan P10 prisoner beaten to death by inmates

CPGs play integral role in crimefighting P16 – Commander Splinter from firewood kills Essequibo P2 Coast labourer

Complaints against Chinese P17 supermarkets' products increase – GA-FDD

TIGI calls on Govt to review contract awarded to Minister’s husband

Page 9

Venezuelans rally to demand power, water and end to Maduro Page 9

Drinking spree turns deadly: Labourer P2 stabbed to death

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news

SUnDAY, april 7, 2019 | guyanatimesGY.com

Splinter from firewood kills Essequibo Coast labourer

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39-year-old labourer is now dead after being wounded to his neck by a splinter as he was chopping firewood.

Dead is Gowkarran Narine called “Pauline” of Lot 41 Painter Street, Reliance, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam).

Reports are at about 13:00h, Narine told his wife that he was going to "burst wood" for her to cook.

His 27-year-old wife told the police that she had started cooking and was about eight feet away from Narine, who was in the process of chopping the firewood, when she heard a

Dead: Gowkarran Narine

strange sound coming from his direction.

She said that she turned around and saw her husband laying on the ground and upon rushing to him, she noticed a piece of wood sticking in the right side of Narine's neck. She said he was bleeding and she immediately removed the splinter and threw it away.

According to the woman, she proceeded to wipe the blood from her husband’s neck with a piece of sponge.

This newspaper was told that the woman, in her report to police, said that she asked her husband if he wanted to go to the hospital

but he could not speak and she took him to the bedroom instead where she helped him to get onto the bed.

Guyana Times was told that the woman resumed cooking but repeatedly checked on him but at about 16:00h, she realised that he was motionless on the bed.

She raised an alarm and a report was made at the Anna Regina Police Station.

Officers who visited the scene reported that a wound was visible at the right side of Narine's neck. The father of three was taken to the Suddie Hospital where Narine was pronounced

dead on arrival. His body was taken to the Suddie mortuary and is awaiting a post-mortem examination.

Meanwhile, the now dead man’s wife was taken into police custody as investigations into the incident continue. (Kristen Macklingam)

Chainsaw operator dies in freak accident

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ndonesian national Daniel Sambara who was on Friday operating a chainsaw in the Demerara River area of Mabura Hill in Region 10 is now dead after a freak accident.

Guyana Times was told that the 45-year-old man lost his life at about 09:00 on Friday at West Kruruabaru

Backdam, Demerara River.

A block inspector in the area reportedly told Police that the now dead man had chopped down a tree, but was struck on his head by the root of another tree which had become uprooted by the one he had cut down.

According to the Police, Sambara sustained a bro-

ken leg in addition to the injury to his head. He was rushed to the Linden Hospital Complex, but was pronounced dead on arrival.

His body is presently at the Lyken Funeral Parlour in Georgetown awaiting a post mortem examination (PME). Investigations are continuing.

Drinking spree turns deadly: Labourer stabbed to death

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drinking spree ended in murder at Glen Nors, Lower Pomeroon River, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

Dead is 48-yearold Michael Chu called “Chuman” of Charity Housing Scheme, Essequibo Coast.

Reports are Chu and another labourer, a 28-year-old resident of Grant Melville,

Lower Pomeroon River, were on a drinking spree at about 12:00h on Saturday when a heated argument ensued.

Reports are that the younger labourer, in the midst of the argument, armed himself with a knife and stabbed Chu several times.

During the incident, a Coast Guard Officer responded to a request for assistance and Chu was

transported to the Charity Hospital where he was admitted. However, because of the extent of his injuries, he was transferred to the Suddie Public Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries at about 17:58h on Saturday.

The 28-year-old suspect was subsequently arrested and is said to be assisting with the investigation.

news

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SUnDAY, april 7, 2019 | guyanatimesGY.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

Oil and gas sector

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

Sunday, April 7 – 05:30h-07:00h and Monday, April 8 – 05:00h-06:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Sunday, April 7 – 05:10h-06:40h and Monday, April 8 – 05:45h-07:15h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Early morning sunshine is expected to give way to sunny intervals that will last throughout the day, followed by clear skies in the evening. Overall temperatures will range between 20 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 05:40h and 18:03h reaching maximum heights of 2.78 metres and 2.73 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 11:36h and 23:51h reaching minimum heights of 0.40 metre and 0.54 metre respectively.

saturday, april 6, 2019

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Local Content Policy must clearly outline benefits for Guyanese – British envoy

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t is imperative that Guyana has a finalised Local Content Policy with clear guidelines on how everyone will benefit. According to British High Commissioner Gregory Quinn, the sooner this is completed the better for everyone.

The High Commissioner was asked about local content on the sidelines of an event on Friday, where he noted the urgency of having a policy. According to Quinn, it should be a prerequisite for Guyana doing business with the international community while ensuring ordinary Guyanese benefit.

“We’re still waiting to see what the Local Content Policy or legislation will look like. So we’re waiting and I think it’s actually important that that gets delivered and produced quite quickly so that everyone knows, both on the international business side but also on the local company side.”

“Because no good international company will want to come in here and not do stuff that will benefit the local economy and the local population. But they need to know exactly what the parameters which they have to work in are. So I think the sooner we have complete clarity on that, I think the better for everybody.”

However, Quinn noted that these companies need to know within what framework they can work. Asked about what forms of local content companies should employ, Quinn had this to say.

“I think it’s everything.

I don’t think there’s any one way you can look at it.

Obviously there’d be jobs, whether its people working in the office. Whether its people they sub contract to provide services, or employing more people,” Quinn said.

“So I think local content has to be very clear in demonstrating what local people are getting out of it. And it’s not just about providing the jobs. It’s about providing the education and the knowledge and passing on that, so that the people here who are working in the companies can also benefit and develop themselves, through the system.”

Draft policy

The Department of Energy has been collaborating with the Private Sector in order to draft the Local Content Policy. It was announced earlier this year that a contract was awarded to a British local content specialist, for individual consultancy services to the state pertaining to the oil and gas sector.

The contract, which is to the tune of over US$100,000, was awarded to Dr Michael Warner. Warner is presently the Director for Local Content reporting, Sustainable Business Group of the DAI Global.

It was DAI Global that helped to launch and then

British High Commissioner Gregory Quinn

Department of Energy Head, Dr Mark Bynoe

manage ExxonMobil’s Centre for Local Business Development (CLBD) based in Guyana. Warner has also presented on Guyana’s own draft Local Content Policy, where he gave it positive reviews.

Local content and what it will do for Guyana has been a burning question since the announcement of oil in the Stabroek block in 2015. After ExxonMobil first tempered expectations by saying that few job opportunities will be created by oil, it has since said that it will help with lo-

cal content delivery.

A draft Local Content Policy created by the Government has previously been criticised in for lacking provisions which would safeguard against exploitation by companies, especially since there have been intensified reports of the local companies being bypassed for contracts and services with foreign companies being favoured.

The document does not cater for issues such as how to avoid procurement fraud, conflict of interest and favouritism, among others.

According to the draft local content framework document, the policy seeks to address the suite of opportunities that may arise.

It also addresses the approaches to be taken in selecting and developing opportunities related to enhancing the capabilities of Guyanese nationals and businesses through training and well-tailored social contributions for greater impact and benefits among others.

The initial draft, after being released, was unfavourably critiqued by an InterAmerican Development Bank sponsored report. According to the report, Guyana’s draft was missing critical parts of generally accepted local content principles. For one, the report stated that the draft policy did not contain concrete targets or performance metrics Business Minister Dominic Gaskin had announced last year that the second review of the Local Content Policy is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2019.

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SUnDAY, april 7, 2019

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

Constitutional values

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he political crisis in which we have become mired because of the People’s National Congress (PNC)led Government’s refusal to obey the dictates of our Constitution after the successful No-confidence Motion brought by the Opposition, brings to mind an observation of the 18th century philosopher Immanuel Kant.

“The problem of organising a State, however hard it may seem, can be solved, even for a race of devils, if only they are intelligent. The problem is, given a multitude of rational beings requiring universal laws for their preservation, but each of them is sincerely inclined to exempt himself from them, to establish a Constitution in such a way, although their private intentions conflict, they check each other, with the result that their public conduct is the same as if they had no such intentions.”

And this is the nub of our problem: the PNC voted for reintroduction of the no-confidence clause in the slew of constitutional changes approved in 2000. In the tradition of parliamentary government, long established in Westminster, it forced the Government to demonstrate that it retained the legitimacy to govern, by demonstrating it retained the majority of the National Assembly.

Immediately after the motion was carried, the Prime Minister, who represents the President in the National Assembly said: “Guyanese must understand that the democratic process is sometimes unpredictable. You may have results that are not planned for and, like cricket, democracy could be a game of great uncertainty. But the outcome has to be accepted.” He repeated this in his column, captioned, “The historic no-confidence vote”. The following day, President Granger announced, “Govt will abide by constitutional requirements following N-confidence Motion.” Yet, the week after, thrown a contrived lifeline, the PNC sought refuge in the courts to “exempt” its Government from obeying the Constitution.

President Granger took the high ground, at least in his public pronouncements. But at this juncture of our history, he has the opportunity to move from rhetoric to action by following the further advice Kant proposed to create a solution to the inevitable conflicts in societies such as ours, caused by those who would seek to exempt themselves from the constitutional rules. He proposed that institutions, as with all normative behaviour, would have to satisfy the “categorical imperative”.

Which is to, “Act only on that maxim whereby thou canst at the same time will that it should become a universal law: which if followed, would ensure the person(s) behaving in accordance with it, are behaving morally.” As one whose Minister of State declared to be a Christian, President Granger would undoubtedly recognise the similarity of the categorical imperative with the Golden Rule of the Holy book: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” If the PNC in Government will always choose to cherry pick which portions of the Constitution they will obey – invariably those that only further its interests – they should not be surprised when the populace and other political players develop a cynicism towards them and politics in general.

During the first 28 years of illegal rule by the PNC, they made a mockery of constitutional Government by completely rewriting the Constitution in 1980 to institutionalise its authoritarian rule. Unfortunately, even though there were the aforementioned constitutional changes of 2000, by then the political culture permeating all political institutions had become so distorted, that the Guyanese people must insist on constitutional change which the PNC is resisting.

The Opposition must lead a national discourse to reinforce the values undergirding the “basic structure” of the new Constitution which must be enshrined in the basic structure of our Constitution so they are beyond change and to institute sanctions on those who would transgress them.

The values that have shaped the struggle of all Guyanese above all others are democracy, liberty and equality. We must resist the opportunistic manoeuvrings of the PNC so that they become living reality. Only then we can hope for justice, which is the prime imperative for all social institutions.

Students and staff of the Charity Secondary School Dormitory on Friday evening hosted its inaugural “Dorm Night” activity. As part of the socialising event, students and staff participated in a cook-up competition and an evening filled with games (RDC No. 2 (Pomeroon/

Supenaam) photo)

Khashoggi ‘blood money’: Reported payments in Saudi writer’s death raise questions

By F Brinley Bruton

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eports that the family of Saudi Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi could receive millions of dollars after his murder in the kingdom’s Istanbul consulate focus attention on a specific aspect of Islamic law: “blood money” payments.

The Post reported Tuesday that Khashoggi’s two sons and two daughters had already each been given homes and monthly payments of US$10,000 or more.

According to the newspaper, the payments were cleared late last year by King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud. One official described the handouts as an acknowledgment that “a big injustice has been done,” the report said.

In addition, the children could get tens of millions of dollars each as part of negotiations when the trials of his killers are wrapped up over the next few months, current and former Saudi officials and people close to the family told the Post.

The payments, which NBC News has not independently confirmed, are likely an attempt to use a “traditional approach” to mitigate the international fallout from the murder, said Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, a Middle East fellow at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.

Khashoggi’s killing and the Saudi response triggered a wave of revulsion and anger that appears to have caught the kingdom’s officials by surprise. The Government likely wants to make sure the family does not “puncture the narrative the Saudis have spent months trying to get a grip over,” Ulrichsen said.

“The nightmare scenario for the Saudi Government would have been the sight of

Khashoggi’s children in the US speaking out and casting further doubt upon the Saudi attempt to set the record straight, after so many missteps at the beginning,” he added.

Officials in Saudi Arabia at first denied the Washington Post contributor had gone missing in the consulate on October 2, 2018.

But after a series of embarrassing reports and revelations, they eventually admitted that Khashoggi’s killing had been premeditated and pinned the blame on a rogue team – some of whom are known to have been close to the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Meanwhile, the CIA has concluded that the crown prince – who had embarked on a worldwide charm offensive to publicise his sweeping economic and social reform programme – ordered Khashoggi’s killing. These findings have been roundly rejected by the kingdom’s officials.

The absolute monarchy is a long-time US ally, but under President Donald Trump, King Salman and his son, the crown prince, have become linchpins of American policy in the region.

In November, the US announced sanctions against 17 Saudi Arabian officials over the killing. The UN human rights office said 11 people are on trial, five of whom face the death penalty in cases shrouded in mystery. On Thursday, Agnes Callamard, an independent U.N. human rights expert, denounced the closed-door trials and called on the kingdom to name the defendants.

According to observers, the reported payments to Khashoggi’s family are being cast as being part of Saudi Arabia’s strict interpretation

of Islamic law, under which families have the right to demand the life of a perpetrator or blood money as redress for murder.

Under classical Shariah law, if the aggrieved party agrees to a payment for an accidental or intentional killing, it would have amounted to the equivalent of US$80,000 in animals or gold or silver, according to Najam Haider, a professor of religion at Barnard College in New York City.

But if the idea of Sharia law is to impart justice, according to Haider, it’s unclear that has been done. “The responsibility is very clearly on one or two people and the justice should be imparted on those people,” he said. “The purpose of this law is justice, and it is hard to see how justice is being done.”

“We have no idea whether they were compelled to accept the money,” Haider said of Khashoggi’s family. A longtime regime insider, Khashoggi became disenchanted with the powerful crown prince and left the kingdom in 2017 as the latter’s power grew and the crackdown on dissent deepened.

Yahya Assiri, founder of the London-based rights group ALQST and a former member of the Royal Saudi Air Force, rejected the idea that these payments would in any way be part of a proper legal system. Instead, he said, they were a continuation of a long tradition of Saudi authorities throwing money at problems to try to make them go away.

“The Saudi Arabian regime believes they will solve issues by money. They can destroy Yemen and solve it by money,” he said, referring to the Saudi-led intervention in the neighbouring country

that has produced one of the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. “They can kill someone and solve it by money,” he added. “This is dangerous. They want to silence the world by money.”

Besides, the payments reportedly received by the family could not have been accepted willingly, as is required, Assiri said. “The family is not free to forgive – they are under pressure,” he said.

Khashoggi’s four children have remained relatively quiet in the wake of their father’s killing, although daughters Noha and Razan Jamal published an affectionate tribute to their father in the Post on Nov. 23.

Omaima Al Najjar, a Saudi activist and writer living in exile in Italy, said that the blood money reports had triggered serious discussions among fellow Saudi dissidents.

“If you look back into the history of Saudi Arabia, when it fell into the hands of bin Abdulaziz – families who decided to stay in the area were given blood money to start a new page with the ruler,” Al Najjar said, referring to King Salman’s father and the crown prince’s grandfather, Abdulaziz ibn Saud, who founded the state in 1932.

The large amount of money was due in part to the status of the Khashoggi family, which had been close to the royal family for decades, she said. Still, al Najjar added, she did not see it as “morally wrong” for Khashoggi’s family to take payments or favours from the Government.

“Let’s be realistic: It is most likely that his body has been buried or dissolved in acid, so what’s the point of continuing to fight?” she said.

“It makes sense for them to accept the blood money and to live in peace.” (Nbcnews)

guyanatimesgy.com

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You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

Enough of APNU/AFC’s bogus tactics Dear Editor, These last three years, as this Granger team controlled the levers of power, they used the opportunity to place a heavier burden on the people.

More debt, less disposable income, less innovative public policies and an environment of indecision that makes a sloth looks like he is a cheetah.

It was Guyana that led the Caribbean in many respects in the past. Let me remind the readers of one facet of human development where Guyana was on the leadership front – workers’ rights. It was Jagan’s dream to have such rights enshrined in law since 1953 when he put forward the Labour Relations Bill. That proposed law was designed

to empower trade unions and the right of workers to choose their representative at the point of production. It finally culminated in Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act of 1997, which was more advanced than anything the Caribbean had ever seen.

Yet today we see that this very law was trampled upon by this PNC-led Granger gang who decided they shall delay the payment of severance to the sugar workers in clear violation of the law. It took the courts to force them to pay. What a shame!

This pattern continues today. The law says no dual citizens in the National Assembly as elected members but yet the PNC continue to impose four declared dual cit-

izens on the people and I was told that two more are still in the closet. I am happy that come April 12, all of the PPP dual citizens will be gone from their list. What about the PNC ones?

For the record, I have no problem with dual citizens serving. I am actually very much in support of all Guyanese sons and daughters serving but not in sin and against the law. If you want Mr Greenidge as your Foreign Affairs Minister, then reach out to the PPP and change the law, stupid!

In May 2015, you had been given a golden opportunity by the youths, elements of the sugar industry and a small group of urban Indo-Guyanese to do better

at health, housing and education and all you did was deliver an “F” Grade performance that has brought great hardship on the youths of the land. Today more of our students are failing elementary Mathematics than ever before in the entire history of independent Guyana. That is the Granger record.

The majority of people that I spoke to in March 2019 all across the coastal belt have told me that they have lost faith in Mr Granger and his ability to deliver on what he promised. Many are so anxious today about the fact that a world of traditional Guyanese peace is about to be shattered all because this Granger gang does not know what it means to operate in

a world of democracy, justice, and freedom. And yes, a world of happiness. You see, you cannot talk about happiness, you have to “do” happiness and that comes with hard work. That is an alien ideology to Team Granger. These people cannot do happiness because all they are doing all day is conniving and scheming around this ambition to stay in power illegitimately.

My dear Guyanese brothers and sisters, this is the Guyana we did not plan for when our fore parents were planning for independence.

They were planning for one people, one nation with one destiny, not 16 of the 17 Permanent Secretaries being from one group and all other groups shut out from appoint-

ments to higher offices and the PNC leaders telling the nation that they only “hiring PNC people”.

The job is not over, but all these anti-democratic, anti-Guyanese, anti-national attitudes of the Granger gang must be conquered and indeed we shall conquer.

This Granger Team is all about pageantry, idle statements, and show.

We have had enough of their bogus tactics. Get on with calling the elections and listen carefully to the voice of the people as they speak.

You will be surprised by how smart the Guyanese voters are.

Regards, Sasenarine Singh

Guyanese boiling over with passion for action-free, fair elections Dear Editor, The dictatorial posture and pomposity of the APNU/ AFC cabal prior to the NoConfidence Motion (NCM) certainly served to reverse the upward positive trajectory on which Guyana proceeded under the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C). In so doing, the many self-serving activities of the clique run uncaringly and counter to the objective enshrined in Guyana’s constitutional ideals for the wellbeing and development of our country and citizens.

There is almost a freefall to pre-1992 extremity status of the then PNC Government, inundated with incompetency, daring and intensified fraudulent manoeuvers, and bullish disregard for citizens’ rights.

There is absolute public recognition of the overwhelming reversal of fortune of most Guyanese under the extreme maladroitness of the Granger-led team. It would, therefore, have been a failure of the Opposition if they had not moved with appropriate speed to protect the working-class and citizens at large in lieu of these emerged threats.

Indeed, the NCM was sensational, timely and sent shivers down the spines of

those callous APNU/AFC power drunk leaders. Their reaction is one of defiance as they seek to activate a characteristic and unconstitutional preset mechanism of cheating the people of Guyana. The poisoned vendetta approach to governance by the APNU/AFC as they unleashed policies of uncaring hardships on the people while those in the Government, in the highest echelon, thrives.

Players of central roles in the wicked scheme are the unilaterally appointed octogenarian Chairman rtd James Patterson and the sand dancer Chief Executive Officer Keith Lowenfield of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). In addition to their irrational and unconstitutional bias in favour of the coalition’s supporters, perhaps deliberate moves to extend the illegal mutilation of the Guyanese people by spending a pretence filled and convenient observatory vocation in the hospital. At the same time, the President continues to be the most distinguished tourist and traveller.

There is no denying that the APNU/AFC has proved untrustworthiness in their practices, crime-driven high cost of living and devastating

brutal political persecution and discriminative approach.

They have put thousands of Guyanese on the breadline, closing instead of advancing proper initiatives to create jobs. The closing down of the Call Centre in Linden, the dismissal of two thousand Amerindians and the wicked and ruthless closing down of several sugar estates resulted in destabilising more than ten thousand sugar workers and their families.

Upon assuming power in 2015, the immediate imposition of Value Added Taxes on 217 household items was among other fiscal policy changes that contribute to the numerous deliberate and vindictive hardships that the APNU/AFC are imposing on our citizens. It is notable that there is no withdrawal or relief of these impositions given the outcries of citizens and the calls of the opposition.

The now illegal cabal who continues to demonstrate that they will hang on to power by any means has driven Guyana to a crisis. The People’s Progressive Party, with their proven developmental record of accomplishment, on the other hand, continues with their massive People’s outreach programme. There is much

evidence that the PPP/C’s connection with the people is certainly igniting the masses into very focused and purposeful actions in their struggle for free and fair elections.

There is no doubt, therefore, that the resistance against this illegal APNU/PNCdriven Government is widely seen as necessary, and is fast gaining momentum.

The outcomes of the scheduled May 2019 hearings at the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) will have significant implications which are for not only Guyana, but the region and the Commonwealth as well.

This is particularly relevant for the struggling image of the CCJ given that only a few of the Caricom nations have made the entity a final court.

In this sense, any measure of partisan rulings will likely influence future regional commitments and respect, in not only the eyes of citizens, but also other States.

Further, in the face of the emerging trend of unacceptable undemocratic practices on the rise across several global fronts, the rulings will be under the highest scrutiny. Although there is a clear demonstration that leading world powers whom we hold collaborating relationships do not support such

A woman is akin to a goddess Dear Editor, I was moved by the stirring article from Mosa Telford in her ‘’Think on That” series on April 6 titled: “Doomed if they leave and doomed if they stay” in which she bemoaned the harsh cruelties often delivered to women by the very men who profess love to them!

In Hinduism, our womenfolk are likened to goddesses in that we revere God in both the male and female forms, for example, Mother Lakshmi, the Goddess of light and enlightenment; Mother Saraswati, the Goddess of Knowledge and Learning; Mother Durga, the Goddess

of protection etc. Besides, we are acculturated to bow to the feet of our mother daily as we grow up. It is, therefore, anathema and sacrilegious to even think of being violent towards women.

I wish to encourage our menfolk to quickly shun any inkling towards violence against women, to think of your own mother and sisters if ever you are tempted to “hit-out” at your wives or partners and to “school’ your sons and brothers towards a more healthy reverence of our womenfolk.

Sincerely, Nowrang Persaud

practices, the Granger cabal has persisted. The image of hope, therefore, in the CCJ is up for public examination and long-term acceptance, contrary to the rulings of our two Appeal Court judges, which have quickly become on unpopular among Guyanese people.

As they continue to sand dance, we are witnessing pervasive massive corruption as the Illegal cabal creates new rules for procurement outside of the National Assembly. This is to ensure heads of budget agencies can spend more in breach of the Public Procurement Act. The obvious blatant malpractices in the Cheddi Jagan International Airport project is obvious and glaring in the approval and payments for one million truckloads of sand at double the cost per load. Many others of the cabal’s sand dancing will be exposed in future articles.

The same hands that

were using the scissors to cut the budget from the speciality hospital proposed under the PPP/C Government are now collecting millions of dollars for medical treatment overseas. Guyanese are calling for the public declaration of the medical bills of the President and the Prime Minister. A peep at the ‘overseas medical bills’ of Cabinet members is indeed devastating and shocking, even as too many children and citizens die at our public medical institutions for lack of drugs and systems to address minor complaints allowed to worsen.

As Guyanese await the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) decision on the NCM, they are boiling over with passion for action-free and fair elections.

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

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How to help students control their self-doubt

By Amy Curletto

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veryone has a little voice inside their head that talks to them all day long. Most of us are unaware of exactly what it says; it is so ingrained that we just don’t pay attention. For some of us, that little voice cheers us on, telling us that our hard work paid off, that we are capable, smart, or great at what we do.

For others, that little voice constantly berates us, telling us we are worthless, we should give up, or that we don’t measure up.

For most of us, that little voice falls somewhere in the middle.

At times, telling us how great we did while at other times full of doubt. Some level of self-doubt is a universal, and even healthy, experience. Young children tend to have less self-doubt than older kids. As kids begin school, gain experience and interact with peers, they may start to experience more self-doubt. Kids with special needs have additional difficulty in this area because they know in some way, they are different and keenly feel this difference.

The effects of self-doubt A little self-doubt can actually be a good thing. It’s good to know your limits. Knowing your weaknesses gives you the ability to improve upon them. If a child has blind confidence in themselves, especially in areas where growth is needed, it is difficult to grow.

Too little or too much self-doubt leads to kids overachieving and being anxious. For some kids, the perpetual negative chatter in their head becomes very motivating. When they are overachieving, they can, at least temporarily, quiet the negative thoughts. Unfortunately, this isn’t sustainable and kids that function this way tend to overdo it and get burned out. This leads to anxiety and depression. They are successful, but this success comes at a cost. It also sometimes leads to memorisation, regurgitation, and forgetting.

Conversely, self-doubt can cause lack of motivation. When kids excessively doubt themselves, many times they give up.

They think to themselves, “Well I’m never going to be successful, so why try?” or some variation of this.

How can we help students rein in their self-doubt?

Help kids to be aware of that little voice inside their head and learn to change their self-talk so that it is more positive. Parents and teachers should model self-talk for kids. When you make a mistake rather than beating yourself up verbally (I can’t believe I did that! I feel so stupid!) try giving yourself a break (I made a mistake; that’s ok, now I can…).

Help kids focus on their effort rather than what they accomplish. We can control how much effort we put into our learning, but no one can control how inherently smart they are. When kids focus on what they can control they feel more confident and more empowered. Use the Making The Effort curriculum with your students to teach them the importance of

effort and grit with real-life applications.

Children need someone to listen to them. It’s important to validate their feelings rather than sending the message ‘You shouldn’t feel that way.’ Help identify the thinking behind their self-doubt. Perhaps they believe they aren’t smart or are incapable of something. Maybe they are simply overwhelmed and need help breaking down a task.

Teach them to Manage Anxiety: Teach kids mindfulness techniques such as deep breathing or guided imagery. When kids start to feel anxious or doubt themselves, they can turn to these techniques to redirect their thinking.

Social media Watch out for social media: Social media can fan the flames of self-doubt (in some cases it’s more like throwing on kerosene).

While on social media, kids spend time trying to pretend they are something they aren’t. Posting pictures with filters, trying to be funny and garner likes, which doesn’t help them accept their authentic selves. Secondly, on social media kids spend their time looking at the surface best of their peers and compare themselves to others. In fact, according to childmind.org, psychologists have coined the term ‘duck syndrome.’ “The term refers to the way a duck appears to glide effortlessly across a pond while below the surface its feet work frantically, invisibly struggling to stay afloat.”

It’s important to minimize the effects of social media, but “It’s not about taking the phone away or having a single conversation.”

She says, “Parents need to be diligent about making sure kids are getting a dose of reality and need to model healthy behaviours.”

Minimise the time kids spend on social media but also provide them with opportunities to build their confidence and interact with others in healthy ways.

Self-doubt is a manageable issue, but one that affects almost every kid at some point in time. Teach your kids these skills so they can have confidence and do their best. (stanfield.com)

Signs you are an overachiever

By Amanda L Chan

"I

just don't know how he/she manages to do it all!" If people are always saying this about you, you may be an overachiever.

But while the title of "overachiever" often has a positive connotation – think back to your elementary school days, when being an overachiever basically meant being the teacher's pet – it's not always all it's cracked up to be. Overachievers are more likely, for instance, to feel anxious. And their motivations for, well, over-achieving, often stem from the need to avoid negative judgment, explains Robert Arkin, PhD, a professor of psychology at The Ohio State University.

If you're an overachiever, a lot of the following signs are probably true for you!

1. It's all about the outcome And it better be a good one. Arkin explains that one of two hallmark traits of an overachiever is the staking of identity on outcomes. "They believe that people around them, and they themselves, judge their worthiness based upon how well they do," he says.

Overachievers view failure more as a personal reflection on themselves, whereas a high performer is more likely to embrace failure as "part of the process," says John Eliot, PhD, a clinical professor in human performance at Texas A&M University and author of Overachievement.

2. You live your life in a state of perpetual relief Overachievers are far more focused on avoiding failure than they are at achieving a good outcome – a key differentiator between an overachiever and a high performer. But there is a downside to this: "When you avoid a bad outcome, your emotional life is experienced more as relief than it is experienced as joy, and that's just not as rewarding," Arkin says. "If people are walking around feeling anxious and tightly wound, trying to avoid bad things, then they're really not tuned into life. They're thinking about the past and the future, mostly, instead of living in the moment and enjoying its pleasures."

3. You secretly think you're not good enough The other hallmark trait of an overachiever is feelings of selfdoubt about one's own competence or ability, Arkin says. While some people will "self-sabotage" when they feel inadequate, overachievers stake their identities on performance in order to conquer self-doubt.

4. There is a short list of things you want to be good at – and that list only includes things you know you'll be judged on People who do things for the love of it may have a wide range of things on which they stake their identities, such as hobbies, relationships, work, and the like. "But overachievers narrow that list of things, and they tend to want to be good at all of those things," Arkin says.

5. Your significant other is tired of hearing, "I'm sorry honey, but I have to stay at the office late again” While everyone has to cancel on commitments because of work from time to time, overachievers are more likely to do this than others. And it doesn't even have to be a social event with friends or family -- an overachiever may also be more likely to skip something as simple as exercise in order to finish what they feel they need to do, Eliot says. (www.huffpost.com) TO BE CONTINUED

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SUnDAY, april 7, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Man stabs 2 officers, killed Dubai-based shipping company forms partnership with locals

by Cops while trying to escape in Police vehicle

A

man, who attacked two police officers with a knife after being arrested for threatening his wife, was shot dead by ranks after he tried to escape in a police vehicle at the Vigilance Police Station, East Coast Demerara (ECD), on Saturday.

Dead is Teon Maxwell, 34, of Lot 1388 Bareroot, ECD. Reports are a police mobile patrol on the ECD responded to a report of threats made towards Belinda Thomas, the man’s reputed wife, at about 11:40h on Saturday.

This publication understands that upon arrival at the couple’s residence, Maxwell, who was armed with a cutlass, was disarmed by the police, arrested and then taken to the Vigilance Police Station.

However, while he was being processed in the Enquiries Office, Maxwell reportedly whipped out a knife and attacked and injured two subordinate officers who tried to subdue him. In the process of fleeing, he damaged several windows.

According to the police, Maxwell, who was still armed, swiftly entered the driver’s seat of the Police Force’s vehicle which had transported him to the station.

Police said that the engine of the vehicle was still running and Maxwell drove off in an attempt to escape but ended up crashing into another police vehicle that was in the police station’s compound. It was during this process that he was shot by the police.

Maxwell was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The injured ranks, a sergeant and a corporal, have received medical attention.

Meanwhile, according to the police, a “thorough” investigation has been launched with

G

A group of officials from the two companies take a group picture

Dead: Teon Maxwell

a number of statements already being taken in relation to this matter.

Meanwhile, Maxwell’s mother has since said that her son was behaving in a disorderly manner and she encouraged her daughter-in-law to call the police as he was threatening her. The 34-year-old man was a father of one.

uyana’s burgeoning oil and gas sector has attracted the Dubai-based shipping company, Gulf Agency Company (GAC) Limited, with the firm partnering with local shipping giant Guyana National Shipping Corporation (GNSC).

The companies’ joint partnership was officially celebrated at the Marriott Hotel on Friday. There, GNSC Managing Director Andrew Astwood hailed the partnership between the two companies.

“At GNSC, we have been committed to growth and diversification, business development and strengthening our operations and our portfolio, particularly in the area of shipping and logistics and solutions to the maritime sector and the emerging oil and gas sector in Guyana.”

“Combining our resources, I have no doubt that we’ll be a strength to reckon with.

The discovery of oil and gas presents opportunities for local and foreign businesses to develop partnerships like this

and to develop the maritime sector.”

Meanwhile, British High Commissioner Greg Quinn, who was present at the launch, was optimistic that this partnership would set a standard for partnerships in the oil and gas sector between local and foreign companies.

“I think this is another really good example of a company that is global. It has a UK connection but it’s a global company and who is committed to the market here in Guyana. And they are committed in a way that will benefit the Guyana market and people here as well.”

“You know, linking up with GNSC, this is very much a partnership. So this demonstrates what can be done and what should be done. And tonight demonstrates a very clear partnership between a global company and their Guyanese partner.”

It is understood that GAC will be recruiting and training locals using courses from their corporate academy. The company already has footholds around the world, pro-

viding shipping, logistics and marine services.

With first oil just around the corner, there has been much talk about the need for local companies to build capacity to serve oil companies.

Partnerships with big international firms have been cited as a gateway to ensuring locals get a piece of the pie.

Guyana Shore Base Inc (GYSBI) is another example of partnership, as it is a joint venture made up of Muneshwers Ltd, Pacific Rim Constructors, TotalTec Oilfield Services and LED Offshore.

It was awarded a contract to provide shore base services to ExxonMobil’s offshore operations and is responsible for operating a shore base facility at Muneshwers Limited, Houston port.

It consists of a 28-acre warehousing and logistics base and is an integral part of Exxon's Liza Field project, providing port facilities, accommodations on site, fuel bunkering, bulk cementing and mud plants.

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SUnDAY, april 7, 2019 | guyanatimesGY.com

Accused chain snatcher on $30,000 bail

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n East La Penitence, Georgetown resident during last week found himself in hot water after he allegedly stole a gold chain. The 21-yearold man appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts after he was charged.

Shemar Samuels, of Lot 87 East La Penitence, Georgetown, stood before Principle Magistrate Leron

Daly and denied the charge which read that on April 2, 2019, at Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, he stole from the person of Amanda Dukharan, one gold chain valued at $31,000.

Police Prosecutor Sanj Singh informed the court that on April 2 at about 16:00h, the Virtual Complainant was standing

on the road when the defendant approached her on a bicycle, snatched the chain from her neck and rode away.

However, the Virtual Complainant raised an alarm and with the help of public-spirited persons and the police, Samuels was apprehended after which a search was conducted on his person and the chain

was found.

Prosecutor Singh did not object to bail but requested that conditions be attached.

As a result, Samuels was released on $30,000 bail and ordered to report to the Alberttown Police Station weekly until the completion of the case.

The case will continue on May 7, 2019.

Convicted fraudster back in court for similar offence

A

fter being slapped with eleven counts of fraud and convicted for one back in 2018, 29-yearold Ganraj Raghubeer of Kitty, Georgetown, was last week hurled before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts where he was slapped with another fraud charge.

Raghubeer appeared before Principle Magistrate Leron Daly and denied the allegation which detailed that between May and July 2018 at Water Street, Georgetown, while being employed by Kumar Chintaman as a clerk or servant, he stole $1.6 million; property of the Virtual

Complainant.

Police Prosecutor Sanj Singh, told the court that the defendant was previously charged with eleven counts of fraud and was convicted for one while the others are pending in another court.

The prosecutor further objected to bail being granted on the grounds that Raghubeer is often absent when the cases are called and poses a flight risk.

Magistrate Daly upheld the prosecution’s submissions and remanded Raghubeer to prison. The case will continue on April 12, 2019.

Do we need…

B

…politicians?

usiness tycoon Yesu Persaud was quoted as asking whether Guyanese need politicians. This was within the context of calling for folks to see themselves as only “Guyanese”.

“Let’s look at Guyana as a country that belongs to all of us. Not a segment (for) Africans, Indians, Portuguese, Amerindians. We’re supposed to be one people, one nation, one destiny”, he said.

Now, there’s a whole heap of Guyanese who’ll agree with our most successful liquor baron; and why not? After all, it implicitly shifts the blame for our divisions away from ourselves and onto that favoured whipping horse – politicians!! But before we get to that not inconsiderable hitch to Guyana becoming a utopia, we have to answer the man’s question: Are politicians necessary?? Well, we don’t have to argue about the issue theoretically, we’ve got thousands of years of experience when societies had no politicians.

We were ruled by kings and queens, and even some kings who were queens!!

Did Henry VIII have politicians?? Did Louis XIV? No siree Bob!! If anyone dared to ask for even a discussion on the king’s proclamation, it was “Off to the Tower” at best, or “Off with his head!!” at worst. Or maybe it was vice versa?! Just ask Sir Thomas More, Lord Chancellor of England, who literally lost his head when he dared question his King, Henry VIII’s insistence that he divorce his wife Catherine, who “wouldn’t” bear him a son!!

Politicians, the successful businessman probably forgot, were invented when the folks of what became the United States decided they’d rather rule themselves – that is, have a democratic government - than be ruled by a king. The challenge, of course, was that unless there was some “body” or institution whose members were actually elected to run the country (as its government), they’d end up with the law of the jungle. And that’s how “politicians” inevitably come in.

There is, of course, the suggestion by Plato that we should be ruled by philosopher kings and an aristocracy. There have already been responses to Mr Persaud’s proposal that maybe he ought to be our philosopher king. The name of Clifford Reis, who runs a more diversified liquor conglomerate (he has beer in addition to rum) was also floated.

The problem with these “Philosopher Kings” is that there’s no guarantee that they’ll be benign – even if they were trained to rule with humility. Karl Popper later wrote that this kind of thinking led to totalitarianism.

But your Eyewitness returns to his first riposte, dear reader: that the fault lies not in our politicians, but in ourselves. Haven’t studies shown that it is we who separate into groups – which politicians then mobilise?

Can we take the mote…?

…dual citizen MPs

This debate about “dual citizens” just keeps meandering on like Old Man River. The AFC now suggests we eject the constitutional bar! The latest argument offered is that the Guyanese diaspora has a lot of highly skilled persons who’d be of great help to us once oil starts coming in. Now, there’s no question that that’s a fact; but what does it have to do with the price of bora at Bourda Market??

To get to the kernel of the matter, why is it that dual citizens must be eligible for executive positions in the Government (MPs or Ministers)? Or is the argument that only those who have executive experience in their second country can be eligible?? But even with that criterion, your Eyewitness believes folks are missing the point – maybe deliberately. And that point is: since these dual citizens are willing to renounce their second citizenship – which they can do quite easily – then there’s no problem. And that’s the problem, isn’t it??

Like with the EU and Theresa May, they want Brexit – but also want an Irish backstop!!

…Griffith as VC?

Someone touted Griffith’s “qualifications” – with his experience in running a university as the clincher -for snagging the UG VC post.

Did they ask why he was let go with two years on his contract from that university?

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

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SUnDAY, april 7, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Conflict of interest at Housing Ministry

TIGI calls on Govt to review contract awarded to Minister’s husband

T

r a n s p a r e n c y Institute of Guyana Incorporated (TIGI) has weighed in on the conflict of interest issues arising in the Housing Ministry, saying the fact that a contract for constructing houses was awarded to the Housing Minister’s husband is not a good look for the State.

On Saturday, TIGI called for Government to review the contract award.

In an interview with Guyana Times, TIGI President, Dr Troy Thomas noted that a review would determine to what extent Housing Minister Valerie Patterson-Yearwood was involved in her husband being awarded the contract.

“It would seem that there is a conflict of interest and then it would be important to try to understand the circumstances under which the contract was awarded and to what extent the Minister was involved,” Dr Thomas said.

“Even if the Minister wasn’t directly involved, if a subordinate of the Minister was involved, the whole situation doesn’t seem ideal,” he explained, nevertheless acknowledging reports that the contract was awarded before the Minister got married.

He noted that the timeline for the award of the

published in Guyana Times on that day (April 4, 2019), Minister PattersonYearwood said she would not give a comment.

This issue came to the fore on Wednesday last when Opposition Leader

Bharrat Jagdeo disclosed that the Minister’s husband had sub-contracted the works and the person whom he hired is complaining of not being paid for works done to date.

In fact, the construc-

tion worker, a resident of Victoria Village, on the East Coast of Demerara, had written President David Granger four times over the past year for his intervention but only got acknowledgement responses so far.

Venezuelans rally to demand power, water and end to Maduro Minister Valerie Patterson-Yearwood

contract could raise complications regarding accusations of a conflict of interest in the award of the contract.

But he said the importance of transparency and the need for answers are important.

“Given that it has come out like this, it should definitely be reviewed and let’s understand what happened, when it happened.”

Earlier this week, it was revealed that the Housing Minister’s husband, Godfrey Yearwood, was awarded a contract to build homes for a project spearheaded by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA).

Contract

That project is still ongoing and according to

tear gas to disperse them.

“I’m fed up. They hurt me, and though I was frightened, what it makes me most is angry,” said Denis Fernandez, a 25-year-old who said he had been injured by a rubber bullet.

Fernandez said his daughter had almost died from hepatitis a month ago, as hospitals had no supplies to treat her. When there is no electricity for air conditioning, he said he and his wife had taken to fanning their children at night to keep them cool.

The National Assembly, on its Twitter account, said two of its lawmakers had been arrested and then released by authorities at the Maracaibo protest. Venezuela’s Information Ministry did not respond to a request to comment.

Godfrey Yearwood

CH&PA Chief Executive Officer, Lelon Saul in an interview with the media after the story broke, the contract awarded to the Minister’s husband was a one-off award.

In fact, Saul himself noted to the media that the contract award is a conflict of interest and in fact that a review of the award might be in order. He had called for the CH&PA board to review the matter and ensure there is no reoccurrence.

“The award of contracts is above my level. But I think the (CH&PA) Board should review that (awarding process) based on recommendations coming from the agency,” Saul asserted.

When contacted on Thursday for a comment on the matter, which was

“True national emergency”

Supporters of Venezuelan Opposition Leader Juan Guaidó, whom many nations have recognised as the country’s rightful interim ruler, take part in a rally against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s Government in Caracas, Venezuela, April 6, 2019

A

fter weeks of power cuts and limited access to water, tens of thousands of Venezuelans took to the streets on Saturday to back Opposition Leader Juan Guaidó and protest against President Nicolás Maduro, who they accuse of wrecking the economy.

Venezuelans, already suffering from hyperinflation and widespread shortages of food and medicine, say the crisis has worsened over the past month. That is when crippling nationwide power outages began to leave vast swaths of territory in the dark for days at a time, cutting off water supplies and cell phone service.

Guaidó, head of the Opposition-controlled National Assembly and recognised as Venezuela’s legitimate Head of State by most Western nations, had called for rallies on Saturday to mark the start of what he has billed as a new wave of “definitive” protests to oust Maduro.

Guaidó invoked the Constitution to assume an interim presidency in January, denouncing Maduro as a “usurper” for beginning a second term after a 2018 election widely considered fraudulent. Maduro, who retains the support of the military and allies including Russia and China, has derided Guaidó as a US puppet and said he will face justice.

In Caracas, thousands of Opposition supporters assembled at a main rally point in the eastern El

Marques district. Protesters said their homes had been without water for days and many had taken to drawing it from unsanitary pipes or streams running off the Avila Mountain overlooking Caracas.

“We have to get rid of this usurper, and we can’t think about anything else,” said Claudia Rueda, a 53-year-old homemaker at the protest.

At one point, the crowd chanted, “The water has gone, power has gone, and now Maduro what’s missing is that you go too.”

Two massive power outages in recent weeks led Maduro’s Government to cancel school classes and left many businesses shuttered. The resumption of services has been uneven, with cities such as San Cristobal, Valencia and Maracay still reporting intermittent blackouts.

“We haven’t just come to demand water and power.

We’ve come to demand freedom and democracy,” Guaidó said at the Caracas rally, surrounded by a cheering crowd.

“We can’t let ourselves become used to this, we can’t put up with it, we aren’t going to let these crooks keep hold of our country.”

While no immediate protest-related violence was reported in Caracas, witnesses reported clashes between protesters and police in the steamy oil hub of Maracaibo.

Demonstrators in the city, in the western state of Zulia, told Reuters Police had fired rubber bullet rounds and

The ruling Socialist Party staged a rival march in Caracas’ centre on Saturday, with several thousand people, mostly state workers clad in red shirts and red baseball caps, banging drums and dancing salsa.

Attendees Reuters spoke to echoed Maduro’s statements that the power outages were due to attacks orchestrated by the US Government. The Opposition, along with power experts, blame the blackouts on the Government’s incompetence at maintaining the network and corrupt officials who have pocketed billions of dollars allocated to develop it.

“They’ve resorted to cyber terrorism, to electromagnetic terrorism,” Maduro told the crowd. “I ask for understanding ... we are in a true electrical emergency, a true national emergency.”

Venezuela’s Constituent Assembly, a parallel legislature controlled by the Socialist Party, on Tuesday approved a measure allowing for the possible prosecution of Guaidó by stripping him of his parliamentary immunity.

The chief prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation into Guaidó and his alleged links to the blackouts and to “incidents of violence” in January, but it has not yet ordered his arrest or officially charged him with any crime.

The US Government on Friday took another step in its efforts to force Maduro out, by imposing new sanctions on Venezuelan oil shipments, and promising “stronger action” against key ally Cuba for helping to keep his government afloat. (Reuters)

10 news

SUnDAY, april 7, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Prisoner beaten to death by inmates at Lusignan Prison

The Lusignan Prison, East Coast of Demerara

A

n inmate who was on remand on a murder charge at the Lusignan Prison, East Coast Demerara, is now dead after allegedly being beaten by several prisoners.

Dead is 30-year-old Shaheed Ali of Albouystown, Georgetown.

Reports are that at about 22:58h on Tuesday last, Ali was in Bay One at the Lusignan Prison when several other prisoners began to beat him following a dispute.

The injured inmate was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where he was admitted as a patient. However, on Friday, at about 20:50h he succumbed to his injuries at the GPHC. A report was subsequently made to the police.

Guyana Times was told that Ali had undergone surgery for several injuries in-

cluding a fractured skull on the day of his death. His body is at the hospital’s mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination.

Meanwhile, acting Guyana Prison Service (GPS) Director, Kevin Pilgrim when contacted on Saturday said that the incident is being investigated by the police.

He explained that the protocol of any assault that occurs inside the prison which results in death stipulates that the police spearhead the investigation.

“The police have been called in to the matter, in fact, when the assault took place they were notified, and now that this is a murder case it is the GPF who is leading the investigations. We at the GPS are awaiting a full report as it relates to the actors (perpetrators) who are involved in this death. The police visited

the area, the holding bay at Lusignan on Friday night, and investigations are continuing,” Pilgrim told this newspaper.

According to Pilgrim, the holding bay where the assault against Ali occurred is very large, with a large number of inmates. He said that the prison service has been cooperating with the investigation and has made provisions for all staff who worked during the night of the beating to be available to the police for questioning.

“Even if there are 500 inmates there at Lusignan, the GPS will make each of them available to the police for the investigation process.

Also, all our prison officers we will make available to the police so that this matter can be fully investigated so that we will know who needs to be charged or held accountable,” Pilgrim added. (Kristen Macklingam)

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SUnDAY, april 7, 2019 | guyanatimesGY.com

Region 1 outbreak

Several sick patients air-dashed to GPHC still undiagnosed

...testing still ongoing, hospital awaiting results to determine illness

Race, class O and politics

T

he strength of a “class” lies in the economic interests of its members; but generally, it fails to satisfy the affective emotional need of man to belong to a wider collectivity.

The salience of ethnicity is based on its accomplishment of both tasks – it is simultaneously instrumental and expressive.

A person is born into an ethnic group, and especially – as in Guyana - if it is simultaneously a racial group, he can hardly jettison it. If he attempts to do so, he risks great psychic damage to his “self”, because so much of his personal identity is enmeshed with his ethnic identity. His ethnic group is the home, the womb to which he can always return, and from which he cannot be turned away. It is the only social grouping that accepts him for what he is, and not for what he does.

This reflection of the group’s ethnic identity in the individual’s identity has several consequences.

Firstly, attacks on the group Ravi Dev are equated with attacks on the self. Every Indian winces when he hears, “Coolies are cowards”. But accolades on the group also elicit similar identification reactions. It is for this reason that lower class members of an ethnic group are the most vociferous supporters of the ethnic politics of their upper classes. For in addition to promising the economic rewards (the instrumental purpose of ethnicity), which may or may not be delivered, there is the psychological boost which will certainly be delivered in knowing that his group is ruling.

In the modern world therefore, ethnicity is particularly susceptible to politicisation. In a world of scarce resources and powerful, all-pervasive states, ethnic political entrepreneurs do not find it difficult to persuade fellow group members that their economic interests are better served if their ethnic group controls the state. The affirmation of themselves as a people and the economic interests served mutually reinforce each other.

Secondly, if it is felt that the ethnic group’s interest is threatened, the individual can be motivated to defend it at almost any cost: it is literally a matter of the latter’s survival.

It is for this reason that ethnic conflicts are so intense. We see this dynamic operating quite clearly in the wake of the PPP’s successful no-confidence motion. African Guyanese are convinced that if the PPP returns to power -- as do Indian Guyanese with the PNC -- they will be faced with “extinction”.

It does not matter whether this is a perception or not: as Thomas’ Theorem states, “If men define their situation as real, they are real in their consequences”…

Thirdly, an individual can rise out of his economic class, but not from his ethnic group, which makes the former not an inescapable fate. This very openness of “class” makes its hold on members very tenuous. Every poverty-stricken individual has a dream of “striking it rich”, not as a member of the “blessed” poor, but on his own. Class position is one of the several social roles an individual performs on a quotidian basis, and the greater the possibility of the individual escaping his class position, the less will be his class identification. It is an article of faith in the Indian community, for instance, that if they work hard and the Government does not discriminate against them, they can rise in class position.

Even if this possibility is only a myth for most, as in the US, class loosens its hold.

Fourthly, a person’s conception of self is formed to a large extent by the socialisation provided by his primary (read ethnic) contacts during his early years. Thus by the time the individual enters the wider world of economic and wider societal concerns as a young adult, the new influences are much more diffuse, with the class role etc., typically not as intense as the ethnic one.

The dominance of race over class does not imply that class -- or for that matter any other orientation, affiliation, segmentation, differentiation etc -- has disappeared: within each ethnic group, they are alive and well. In this sense, class is more fundamental. Class and ethnicity both exist objectively, and the subjective preponderance of one over the other depends on the situation and context, as the two interact dynamically within the nexus of the personality of individuals.

In multi-ethnic, multi-class societies such as Guyana, situations that appear to threaten unrelieved domination by one ethnic group over another will trigger “ethnic” responses.

Hence the desperateness of our ethnicised politics.

ne week has passed since at least eight Chinese mining workers were air-dashed to the capital from Matthew’s Ridge, Region One, for emergency treatment and some of these men are yet to be diagnosed.

While at least three of the men were said to have contracted leptospirosis with the deadly disease claiming the lives of two of them, it is unclear at this point as to what illness/illnesses the other men may have contracted.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud told Guyana Times on Friday that investigations into the matter are ongoing and the Public Health Ministry along with international health organisations are still conducting further laboratory testing to determine what the men are suffering from.

“We are waiting for the results. We don’t know what they have and we also don’t know how long it will take for the results to get back to us. But as soon as the results come they will be disclosed,” he stated.

Meanwhile, the health

The quarantined area at the GPHC where the sick GMI workers are being treated

officials in Region One are tight-lipped about the conditions and treatment of other patients who may have either contracted leptospirosis or be exhibiting symptoms similar to those men who are yet to be diagnosed.

Several others who were brought out from the manga-

nese operation site, Guyana Manganese Incorporated (GMI), at Matthew’s Ridge remain patients at that medical institution.

On Thursday, the Public Health Ministry in a statement pointed out that the second miner who passed due to his illness died from compli-

cations associated with leptospirosis on Wednesday night while undergoing treatment at the GPHC. Another mining employee, who also tested positive for leptospirosis, is in “critical but stable condition,” an internal medicine specialist at the tertiary institution confirmed on Thursday.

Dr Persaud, in the statement, highlighted that while two of those patients were successfully treated and discharged from GPHC, Regional Health Officer, Dr Ramjas has updated the MoPH that another Guyana Manganese Incorporated employee has been admitted at the Pakera Hospital and is undergoing treatment for a respiratory tract infection.

This patient is said to be in a stable condition.

Dr Persaud reiterated that all precautionary measures are still in place at the Matthews Ridge tunnel site and its immediate surroundings and he said essential medical supplies are in stock to treat employees of the mining firm and residents of the area.

ChildLink lobbies for more persons to be foster-parents

W

ith child abuse cases for 2018 topping recent figures and mounting to over 4900 cases, ChildLink – an activist group – is calling for more persons to come forward and become foster-parents to be able to help a child who may be in dire need of care and attention.

At a recent forum where a report was presented on the topic by the agency, Samantha Alleyne spoke of the significance such a small gesture can have on a child’s life.

“Our children are being abused everyday all around us and every one of us, all of us sitting here, we all have a role to play and I hope that this evening’s gathering will start something… if each one of us does something, each one of us listens to a child, each one of us report a case, each one of us open our homes, even temporarily, to an abused child, we are going to be making a difference,” she said.

Alleyne, who conducted research for ChildLink to compile the report on ‘Lessons Learnt From Trauma Stories on Child Abuse’, reminded that the scars from child abuse are hard to heal, but the process becomes easier if children are surrounded by persons who are willing to help instead of remind them of their past.

While sharing a survivor’s story, the agency explained that some children are severely battered after being abused, as many times some children are abused by numerous persons. In one instance, the researcher said she came across a child

who was abused by five different persons.

During the study, three types of children were used

to collect data.

turn to page 18

12

SUNDAY, april 7, 2019

E

xperts explain how small steps can help you stay on track to meet your diet and exercise goals.

Find yourself losing interest in exercising and eating a healthy diet? Maybe you were gung ho for a few weeks and then your get-in-shape determination quickly faded -and you went back to your old, bad health habits.

What if instead of making mega-changes with the all-or-nothing approach to weight loss and good health, you resolve to tackle a few simple changes at a time? Studies show that the health and weight loss habits that have the best chance of lasting are the ones that call for minor, doable changes.

1. Feel Good About Yourself Today

Be sure the people around you make you feel good about you -- no matter what your size or health condition. In addition, if close friends encourage you to smoke, overeat, or drink too much, find some new friends who have good health habits and also want a healthier you.

2. Rethink Your Role Model

Barbie's still the first role model many young girls are drawn to. But let's be honest. For most of us to look like Barbie, we'd have to be nearly 6 feet tall, shrink

our waist size by 8 inches, move the excess inches up to our chests, and then pose in the "suck in the gut/high heel" position all the time. Come on! There's a better way to live our lives than pretending.

Select positive role models. Choose role models that help you feel good about who you are, rather than ones who make you feel bad. Find a female role model who is strong, healthy -- and real!

3. Know What Makes You Overeat

The key to staying motivated is to know where your problem areas are and have a plan for dealing with them. Do you use food to cope with disappointment, rejection, boredom, or even personal success?

Brainstorm some healthier ways to cope with mood swings that do not involve food.

In addition, control your environment to avoid bingeing on high-calorie foods when you do feel disappointed, rejected, or bored.

Keep your kitchen stocked with lots of healthy options such as chunks of fruits and veggies, low-fat yogurts, flavored waters, and sugar-free gum.

4. Make Simple Daily Change

Who said health-related lifestyle changes had to be all or nothing? Start small and make a few simple weight loss and exercise changes each day. These small changes can add up over time to give you a big health boost. Here are some suggestions:

Special

guyanatimesGY.com

* Add 5 more grams of fiber to your daily meal plan. * Cut out refined carbohydrates, such as white bread, white rice, and sweets * Avoid foods with transfats * Add two more servings of veggies at lunch and dinner * Drink three more glasses of water each day * Add 10 minutes of walking to your daily exercise regimen * Take a break every hour at work and walk 500 steps in place (2,000 steps burns 100 calories) * Wake up 15 minutes earlier and walk before work

5. Find a Cheering Section

We all need a cheering section -- having to account to someone else gives you a reason to hang in there when you can't muster determination from within. It doesn't matter where the support comes from -- a spouse, friend, co-worker, or online "buddy," or others.

Think of five people who might be in your cheering section. Talk to these people about giving you support and holding you accountable as you work to reach your weight loss or health goals. Call upon your cheering section when you're having trouble sticking with good health habits. When you do reach small weight loss or exercise goals, invite your support group to celebrate with you.

6. Forgive Yourself

If you slip up on vacation and overeat, drink too much, or fail to exercise -forgive yourself. Don't beat yourself up! Instead, say, "I really enjoyed my vacation," and let it go at that.

Allowing yourself time to enjoy a few indulgences occasionally is OK. If you start to feel guilty for

having dessert on a special night out, forgive yourself and start back on your more disciplined program the next day.

7. Never Go Hungry

Katherine Tallmadge, MA, RD, author of Diet Simple, says the biggest cause of overeating is undereating. "People go too long without eating, and then pig out when they are ravenously hungry."

Rigid diets don't work for anyone. Include planned snacks in your daily diet to prevent binges. Make sure you allow for treats once a week without feeling guilty. Have a brownie every Friday, and enjoy every bite.

8. Remember That Change Takes Time

It's easy to see thin people and think how lucky they are. But here's the truth: If a thin person is over 30 -- or even over 20 -chances are they are working hard at being thin each day. Learn from them. Find out how they stay thin. Is it through more exercise?

Eating fewer snacks?

According to Kathy Kater, a LSW and psychotherapist in St. Paul, Minn., the research on body diversity is conclusive. "Even if we all ate the same optimal, wholesome diet and exercised to the same high degree of physical fitness, we would still be very diverse in our shapes. Some quite thin and some quite big, but most in the middle."

Make the commitment to change some lifestyle habits and allow yourself plenty of time to see your goal. In addition, accept the fact that your body is meant to be a certain size -- even if that size isn't skinny -- and feel good about it.

9. Move Around More Today; Sit Less

Make healthy choices by

being more physically active. Park at the end of the lot when grocery shopping.

Change your TV channel manually. Take the stairs at work. Go on a long walk with your kids or grandkids. Raining outside? Walk or run in place while watching TV. No excuses!

10. Celebrate Each Day's Journey

In the midst of your exercise and weight loss goals, don't forget to enjoy each day's journey. Most women agree that their lives and dreams for the future are so intertwined with reaching a specific goal or destination that any derived pleasure is disregarded. Problems arise when the "goal" becomes the sole purpose of living and overshadows our daily lives.

While having healthy weight loss/exercise goals are important, make sure to take time to celebrate each day's journey. Live for the moment and savor some of life's simple pleasures -- every day. .

https://www.webmd.com/diet/obesity/features/10-motivational-tips-tokeep-you-healthy#4

13

14 news

SUnDAY, april 7, 2019| guyanatimesgy.com

A Division hosts Career Day

‒ over 1000 children benefit from informational talks

O

ver 1000 children from the various youth groups within the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) A Division turned out at the Force’s 5th annual career day fair on Saturday.

The event, which was held at the Police Sports Club Ground, Eve Leary, under the theme “Empowering positive change through career exploration, think outside the box, sweet success”.

Police Commander of A Division, Marlon Chapman boasted that this activity has become one of the hallmarks of initiatives launched by the GPF to reach out to vulnerable youths in a positive way.

“It is aimed solely at keeping them away from the street, crime and criminal influences, assisting our efforts to fulfil one of [our] mandates which is to prevent crime, what better way than to achieve this than to go into the communities and offer the youths opportunities?”

Each exhibitor at the fair, he said, had an instrumental role to play in providing the youths with vital

Deputy Commissioner Paul Williams and Commander Chapman interacting with some of the youths at the 5th annual A Division career fair

Children examining equipment used by the Guyana Police Force

information and a possible career path “so that they can grow to become productive members of society. To the members of the Social Crime Prevention

Programme, I can assure that senior and junior ranks of this are committed to ensure the success of this programme each year and same will be sustained in

the future”.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner of the Force, Paul Williams, who represented Commissioner Leslie James at the event, stated that such an initiative is of great importance, not only to A Division but the entire Police Force.

He explained that the genesis of this career fair was in 1992 under the stewardship of the late and former Police Commissioner, Laurie Lewis, and at that time the GPF embarked upon engagement with youths especially those who were vulnerable and those the Force wanted to impact in the Tiger Bay, Georgetown area.

“Our observation in that neighbourhood is that such an event brought about a reduction of youths moving in the direction in following the patterns of adults who they would have observed involved in criminal and illegal activities.

Also, that of itself caused the parents to really truly recognise the importance of working together with the GPF and the impact we made on their children’s lives in a positive direction. Out of that programme, I can say that several of those youths, grown into adulthood, became members of the GPF and still serve in the GPF,” he said.

In light of this, the Deputy Commissioner explained that upon recognising the progress of such a venture and noticing the positive impact it brought about, it became mandatory for all of the Commanders across the seven Divisions to move into that direction in relation to the formation of youth groups and scouting groups.

“Today, A Division has continued to show its importance and its commitment towards sustaining the development of youths. We, the members of the GPF, recognise that embarking on this journey will help us a lot in terms of making our youths better, give them an opportunity to see there is much more to offer in life rather the community where they just grow up.

Also, we help them to embark them upon a changed culture and to realise that where they are born does not create a permanent disposition to what is there for them in the future, and with that engagement we have continued to see a great reduction in crime, we have continued to see a great reduction in crime involving youths…”

At Saturday’s event, there were booths from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), the Guyana Fire Service (GFS), the Guyana Police Force (GPF), Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA), Public Health Ministry, GT&T, and E R Burrowes School of Art among others. (Kristen Macklingam)

Celebrating World Health Day 2019

W

orld Health Day 2019 focuses on universal health coverage (UHC), the medical services provided by health facilities, and the way to obtain them. Universal health coverage is about ensuring all people and communities have access to quality health services where and when they need them, without suffering financial hardship. It includes the full spectrum of services needed throughout life — from health promotion to prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care — and is best based on a strong primary health care system.

One of our main roles at the EPA is to ensure the public is fully considered when assessing impacts of developmental projects and activities carried out in the environment. This is important since human health and the environment are integrally interrelated.

Environmental factors influencing the spread of communicable diseases A number of environmental factors influence the spread of communicable diseases that are prone to cause epidemics. The most common of these are: A lack of safe water, inadequate excreta disposal facilities, poor hygiene, poor living conditions, and unsafe food can all cause and contribute to a number of diseases. Climate can affect disease transmission in a variety of ways. The distribution and population sizes of disease vectors can be heavily affected by local climate. Flooding after heavy rains can result in sewage overflow and widespread water contamination. In addition, there is some evidence to suggest that pathogens can be spread from one region to another along air streams or by wind.

The depletion of important biodiversity species contributes indirectly to the spread and transition of diseases. A number of animals are considered indicator species, like butterflies, frogs, fishes and some types of worms. The absence of these in a particular ecosystem indicates that something is not right, like a change in temperature, water quality and air quality.

Some other species help to control the spread of pathogens and diseases caused by animals through biological methods.

Additionally, rapid expansion in cities due to urbanisation can contribute to the spread and introduction of diseases. Increased activities in traffic, construction, and even human population can put pressure on resources.

How is the EPA working to protect public health?

The very mandate of the EPA is to ensure the effective protection and management of natural resources, by controlling and monitoring pollution and by assessing the impacts of developmental activities on the environment. Specifically, a major part of our work programme aims towards safeguarding human and environmental health. This is achieved through:

Education and awareness

The EPA works to develop and deliver a number of educational materials and programmes, to raise awareness on the importance of good environmental practices at the household, community and country levels to protect the environment and safeguard human health.

Environmental Authorisation Though its authorisation process, the EPA ensures that business and different project activities that might have significant impacts on the environment are permitted in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act, Cap. 20:05. This is important, since these activities can have negative impacts on the environment and human health by reducing water, air and soil quality; destroying important biodiversity, and releasing harmful gases and chemicals to contribute to climate change. Through this process, the EPA works closely with persons to ensure all possible impacts are identified, and that measures are put in place to reduce, remedy and avoid negative impacts.

Environmental Compliance and enforcement In addition to ensuring persons and businesses are authorised to carry out certain activities in the environment, checks are constantly being made by the EPA to ensure persons are operating in accordance with what is required in their permits. We work along with relevant agencies to develop a number of standards, regulations and guidelines in the area of water quality, air quality, and waste management etc. to guide and support environmental users in accordance with the laws.

Happy World Health Day 2019!

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.

news

15

SUnDAY, april 7, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Guyana’s capacity to address human trafficking weak – activist A comprehensive review of the economic performance for 2018

I

n last week’s column, the author would have examined the 4.1 per cent GDP growth rate achieved for 2018, and established that this was not reflective of any real substantive growth of the economy. Rather, it was more or less reflective of growth in terms of massive increases in Government expenditure, and not real expansive growth of the economy.

In continuing along this same line today, another summary of previous articles is presented. This one is focused on bringing together a comprehensive review of the performance of the economy for the previous year.

One would have noted that several public comments from key Government officials have been pointing in a direction to suggest that the December 21, 2018 NCM did not stimulate any major cause for concern in terms of a slowdown in business activities, or a diminishing economy. This is in fact a true and accurate notion, because the economy, as will be proven hereunder, has been underperforming or dwindling since before the NCM. Perhaps this was even the underlying genesis of the NCM. In a previous article, an analysis of macroeconomic data was conducted for a ten-year period, wherein it was found that the fiscal deficit position over that period stood at $15 billion in 2008, and a record high of $35 billion in 2014. In 2015, however, this position dropped to a record low of $9.3 billion, after which it went back up to the $30 billion region in 2016-2017.

On the international reserve front held with the Bank of Guyana, total international reserves stood at US$298.8 million in 2008, and there was a balance of payment position of a surplus of US$5.6 million for the same year. Notably, international reserves reached a record high of US$825 million in 2012, and a balance of payment of US$33 million surplus. Thereafter, the international reserves’ balance started to dwindle in 2013 to US$751 million, balance of payment recording a deficit of US$119.5 million. In 2014, it went down by another US$100 million to US$652 million, while the balance of payment position recorded a deficit position of US$116 million.

Between 2015 and 2017, the international reserves’ position continued to deteriorate to a record low of US$584 million from its high of US$825 million in 2012. It was also shown that the Central Government’s balances held with the Central Bank for the period 2008 to 2014 were always recorded at a surplus, from $40.9 billion surplus balances in 2008 to $21.4 billion in 2014. This means that the current Government would have inherited an economy that was in a sound macroeconomic position, after which, from 2015 to 2017, it racked up a deficit balance in those fiscal accounts to a position of $60 billion to date.

FX shortage

Over the years, the Central Bank has always maintained a net sales position of foreign currency with the commercial banks.

Notably, however, in 2017, this trend had been reversed; that is, from a net sales position to commercial banks to a net purchase position from the commercial banks. In 2017, the Bank of Guyana bought US$37.6 million, and in 2018 it bought a whopping US$178.2 million from the commercial banks, thus giving rise to a total purchase of US$215.8 million from the private FX market in just two years – something that had never happened over the last ten years or so. Now, when the central bank of a country has to buy FX from the commercial banks to this extent, this in itself is very worrying, and it means that there is a real shortage owing to several factors, which will be discussed.

As was highlighted last week, since the closure of a number of sugar estates, Guyana has lost approximately 70 per cent of incoming foreign exchange from sugar alone; while, in 2018, gold, which is currently the biggest foreign exchange earner, had underperformed by US$20 million compared to the corresponding periods of 2017 and 2016.

Turning now to the net foreign assets’ position of the banking system for the year 2018, international foreign reserves reached a record low of US$452.6 million in September 2018, which is US$47.4 million below its target of US$500 million. Figures for the commercial banks also showed that, at in January 2018, commercial banks’ net foreign assets stood at US$307.5 million, which was depleted to US$281.3 million by the end of 2018, or by US$26.2 million.

With the aforementioned factors leading to this outcome, it is no longer just a matter of an artificial foreign currency shortage being created, as was contended in previous articles. There is now a real situation of rapidly depleting foreign reserves, coupled with an increasing number of foreign companies in Guyana in the oil & gas- related sectors. It in effect means that, with this growing number of foreign companies operating here, this would inevitably add pressure, or compound the issue wherein there is and will be a growing demand for foreign exchange to repatriate profits out of Guyana to entities that are parent companies of those operating in Guyana.

Taken together: export earnings continue to decline; international reserves are depleting; the traditional economic sectors are undeforming; there is widening fiscal deficit owing to massive increases in Government spending; sovereign debt is climbing, and the rate of unemployment is rising. These are indicative of reckless spending and egregiously poor and imprudent economic governance of the economy; and should these trends continue, these are indicators for an economic crisis, despite the prospects of oil revenues in the medium-term.

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

H

uman trafficking is a widespread plague in Guyana, with cases of such activities increasing every year, particularly involving women. While the country is governed by laws to ensure that victims are protected after being rescued, the institutional capacity to deal with these situations is very weak.

This is according to Women’s Rights Activist Karen De Souza of the Red Thread Group, who told Guyana Times during an interview that there are provisions for victims to access counselling and other assistance to regain their stability, but those provisions must be strengthened to win the battle against the epidemic of human trafficking.

“The law has a number of protections in it for persons who have been rescued from a trafficking situation.

They have to be given whatever assistance is necessary to get his/her life back together, and that would include counselling; training; assistance to find work; repatriation, if the person is not Guyanese, and so on. In terms of the institutional capacity to deal with all that, I would say that it is very, very weak, and a lot has to be done to build up that capacity,” De Souza said.

She declared that financial and human resources are the most important aspects in building capability to effectively support persons who are liberated from trafficking rings. She thinks those resources are presently lacking to ensure that these laws are upheld.

“There are a number of areas that need to be looked at more closely in relation to implementation of the law that exists; and the resources also have to be provided for the full implementation of the law, as in how do you support a person that has been trafficked to retake their lives, and put things together for a person to become a free, functioning, and emotionally secure human being. I’m saying we don’t have all those resources at the moment.”

She declared that training should not be done with personnel and officers of the Social Protection Unit, but further education should be imparted at schools and in communities. This will ensure that persons are au fait with the dynamics of trafficking, and will be able to make early detections thereof. If a person is rescued from the inception of the trafficking, that person will not require as much assistance as those who have been kept against their will for a longer period of time.

De Souza declared, “Training has to be done at various levels. I would say more budgetary resources have to be allocated to implementing the law. I think we have to speak beyond a certain kind of specialty.

One of the things that are necessary in terms of public education is to ensure that every school child of a certain age understands what trafficking in persons is. This should extend to the community as well, so persons are on the lookout for behaviour that is clearly trying to recruit unsuspected persons to be trafficked.”

She believes that with the introduction of such information in communities, violence will also be reduced.

Meanwhile, the activist reiterated that some individuals choose the life of a trafficked person just to provide an income. This revelation speaks to the need for better opportunities for youths, thus preventing their urge to resort to these means.

“In an ideal situation, we should have the counselling skills available in every community, and not just for trafficking. There is so much violence in our communities that we have to find some means to address it. Also, we have to look at the prevention aspect; so economic opportunities for young people also needs to be looked at very seriously, so that there

is not that push-back. A lot of people are trafficked because they’re looking for some improvement in their circumstances,” she stated.

In the past, the Social Protection Ministry had provided training for shelter operators who are exposed to trafficked victims. For 2018 only, some 156 cases of human trafficking were reported in Guyana.

De Souza said responsible media reporting and proper Police approach to these matters are also important. After being rescued, some victims are arrested and questioned, instead of being offered counselling and other support mechanisms.

“I think it is also true that we have to look more seriously at the ways in which the media report or the language that is used on trafficking. I’ve seen headlines that say persons were nabbed by the Police, and it’s clear that sometimes some of these people are trafficked. ‘Nabbed’ essentially means ‘arrested’, which is absolutely not what the Police is supposed to be doing with a person suspect-

Women’s Rights Activist Karen De Souza

ed of being trafficked,” she explained.

For the first two months of 2019, eight cases were reported. According to officials, this is a small number when compared to the statistics of cases that remain undetected. In some cases, Venezuelan and other migrants enter the country illegally and seek employment through trafficking.

World statistics show that trafficking in persons is among the fastest growing crimes, wherein there are approximately 24.9 million people trapped in its forced labour.

16 news

SUnDAY, april 7, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

CPGs play integral role in crime-fighting – Commander

T

he Community Policing Group (CPG) of the Public Security Ministry on Saturday continued its series of events to commemorate 43 years since the establishment of the division, which was created to eradicate crime and other misconducts.

The activities were taken to the West Coast of Demerara during a route march with officers of the Guyana Police Force and members of the various CPGs. Commander of D Division (West Bank Demerara-East Bank Essequibo), Edmond Cooper stated that these policing groups have become an integral part of assisting the Force with criminal elements in the various communities.

“In this Division, we are very much supportive of the CPG and their efforts in ensuring that crime and traffic lawlessness is being addressed appropriately.

We’re working assiduously to ensure that the Community Policing Groups along with the adminis-

tration of D Division work collaboratively in ensuring that we provide the best level of service to members of the community,” said Cooper.

The march culminated at the Leonora Athletics Track, where Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan related that they are looking at providing a stipend to these groups should the resources be made available.

“As best as our resources could provide, we are going to make the argument that certain stipends come your way when those resources become necessary. It is not as if we’re having the best of time now with resources and that is why we try as best as possible to get the assets like the vehicles, uniform and other paraphernalia that goes with the community policing,” Ramjattan said.

The Minister reiterated the importance of strengthening these groups by providing additional human resources and establishing new groups in other areas.

Members of the CPGs at the beginning of the march

“We must do our patrols. We must increase our organisational strength and I noticed that we’ve been doing that because all across Region Seven, Region One and a couple of other places in Region Nine, we have moved to have groups set up there,” Ramjattan relayed.

It was recently announced that the CPGs have increased their presence in border villages in or-

der to amplify security in remote locations where access to a law enforcement agency is absent.

Mechanisms were put in place to establish more Community Policing Groups as well as police stations in Regions One (BarimaWaini), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

Moving forward, the Ministry stated that it will seek to increase

the number of such groups in the interior regions since these groups have provided some level of security to communities that are subjected to criminal activities.

To date, there are 16 divisions and 210 policing groups consisting of 4255 members. There was an increase in the number of patrols from 5765 in 2017 to 9182 in 2018. These were carried out by foot, vehicles and vessels.

Community policing in Guyana commenced in the year 1976 with the aim of harnessing the energy of willing members of communities across Guyana in support of the work of the police.

After taking office in 2015, the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change Government had taken away the vehicles from the CPGs and handed them over to the Guyana Police Force.

In 2017, realising the importance of CPGs, Ramjattan announced that several of those resources have since been returned to the CPGs.

17 Complaints against Chinese supermarkets’ products increase – GA-FDD T news

SUnDAY, april 7, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

he number of Chinese business investments, specifically in supermarkets, have increased which have also triggered a hike in complaints against such businesses by locals about the quality of items being sold.

In an interview with this publication on Saturday, Director of the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD), Marlon Cole told this publication that several complaints have been filed by customers as they were sold expired items among others.

According to him, complaints received by the agency would usually be related to the use of foreign language by those business owners or employees, therefore resulting in a communication barrier as well as products being labelled in foreign languages. Some products, Cole said, even had expiry dates tampered with to extend same, while complaints have also been made of certain food items

Director of Government Analyst Food and Drug Department Marlon Cole

being stored in close proximity to others.

Last November, a Chinese supermarket owner who operates on the East Coast of Demerara, was fined $60,000 when he appeared before the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court to answer to three charges of tampering with food items.

The Director of the GAFDD was unable to say if any other proprietors have

since been hauled before the courts for similar matters.

Yuhai Lin of Lin Supermarket admitted that he repackaged foods under unsanitary conditions, sold expired products and tampered with the labels of milk products. Lin was fined $60,000 for the three offences.

Criminal proceedings were instituted against the proprietor in accordance with the laws of Guyana – Food and Drug Act of 1971, Chapter 34:03, Section 35.

Under this law, Part II (5), it states: “Any person who sells an article of food that is unfit for human consumption or was manufactured, prepared, packaged or stored under the unsanitary condition is guilty of an offence”. Part II (6) of the Act went on to outline that: “Any person who labels, packages, treats, processes, sells or advertises any food in a manner that is false, misleading or deceptive or is likely to create an erroneous impression re-

East Bank Berbice villages plagued by limited access to irrigation water

Corn under threat as a result of dry weather at Mara, East Bank Berbice

A

griculture Minister Noel Holder on Friday said that the Ministry will be focusing a significant amount of resources at returning agriculture lands along the East Bank of Berbice to full production.

The Minister’s comment was made while visiting the East Bank Berbice, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) communities beginning at Mara, some 25 miles from New Amsterdam.

Commenting on the overgrown and obviously neglected lands there, he said the once thriving rice farming area no longer produces rice because of bad yields as a result of the soil type in the area.

According to the Minister, the development of advanced soil management techniques by the Guyana Rice Development Board’s (GRDB) Research Station at Burma, can result in trials to be conducted in the area,

with a view to having rice cultivation restarted.

Meanwhile, at two other communities along the East Bank, Kothbraat and Rotterdam, Minister Holder was shown the investments being made in rice cultivation by a re-migrant who has invested millions of dollars in clearing nearly 7000 acres of lands of which 400 acres is cultivated.

However, those villages being plagued with limited access to water for irrigation was among issues raised by farmers who also indicated satisfaction with the help they have been receiving.

In recent months, the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) has been assisting by excavating a main canal which should be able to provide water to some 400 acres of rice under threat.

Holder noted that the NDIA is also engaged in a major project aimed at ex-

panding the viability of all agricultural lands spanning the area from Vryheid in West Canje to Mara.

“This is being realised through the rehabilitation of what is referred to as the crown dam which, when completed, will protect some 10,000 acres of fertile agriculture lands from flooding,” he explained.

In an invited comment, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NDIA, Fredrick Flatts, said there is vast potential for revitalisation of agriculture along the East Bank of Berbice corridor.

However, this will only be realised if there is substantial investment in drainage and irrigation structures there.

He estimates an initial outlay of approximately $30 million would go a long way in ensuring that the agriculture potential of the East Bank corridor is maximised.

garding its character, value, quality, composition, merit or safety is guilty of an offence.”

The owner of the embat-

tled supermarket was busted one month prior to being arraigned during an inspection exercise on the East Coast of Demerara, on

October 5, 2018.

The GA-FDD is calling on consumers to pay closer attention to the expiry dates on products being sold.

18 news

SUnDAY, april 7, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Co-op society

Enmore landowners now accused of squatting

O

ver one dozen persons whose lands were reclaimed by a co-op society and later distributed to other individuals in Enmore North, East Coast Demerara, have been accused of squatting on the lands even though they have legal documentation for the lands.

The matter ensued over nine months ago when trans-

port documents for the lands were unlawfully distributed to other persons in the community by the co-op secretary.

Since then, some persons retrieved their lands through intervention from the Social Protection Ministry. The coop secretary was also fired during that encounter but she continued to hold a post in the co-op rankings.

At present, persons who did not retrieve their lands are being accused of squatting and a meeting is scheduled for today, where these matters would be highlighted.

The last meeting held between the co-op society and members of the community had erupted in a disagreement after the lands were not released to the rightful

ChildLink lobbies for more...

“Children who experience sexual abuse, children who experience physical abuse and children who experience sexual abuse and their cases were persecuted,” Alleyne explained.

Interviews were held with the children who experienced sexual and physical abuse, while the parents of young children who were sexually abused were interviewed because the children were at risk of being traumatised again if asked to recount the experiences.

The interviews were con-

ducted over a four-week period with 17 individuals, inclusive of nine children and eight adults.

In December, the Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA) revealed that two children are abused every hour in Guyana.

According to CCPA, by the end of October 2018, the Agency had already responded to 4352 child abuse reports, which happens to be the highest number of reported cases ever for the period.

In fact, a 25.4 per cent

from page 11

increase was recorded when compared with figures for the same period last year.

Last September, CCPA Director Anne Greene told Guyana Times that being in formal care has a negative impact on children as she too called for persons to come forward and become foster parents.

Back then, some 700 children were in formal care, however, in the Agency’s Year-in-Review, a total of 175 children were placed in foster care homes with 117 foster parents.

owners.

According to one resident, Champa Samuel, it is a new tactic on the part of the former secretary to ensure that their lands are not returned.

In her situation, someone has already started the construction of a house on her property.

“Co-op secretary claiming that we come here and squat on the land and how the land didn’t have a house and that’s why she give transport to other people. That land belong to us. We have to go to a meeting with the document that we get for the land.

She is not in the co-op society anymore. She was fired

and she still coming back,” Samuel told this publication.

Former Attorney General, Anil Nandlall who had initially represented the disenfranchised residents had indicated that by law, it is wrongful for those actions to be committed. While the co-op is in a process of redistributing the land, they cannot merely give it to another member. When a person is deceased, the beneficiary of the deceased is supposed to be given the land.

Prior to her dismissal, the co-op secretary was ordered to cease all issuance of transport documents. However, many persons claimed that

they hassled when they went to obtain their lands. Other residents complained that their documents were reportedly taken by the former coop secretary, who is now refusing to return them.

Back in July, the homes of many persons were invaded and they were threatened to not return to the properties. One of the residents whose home was ransacked, Nadia Rambarran, told this publication that a person who was given her transport document stormed into the property and threw her belongings on the road. The items were later damaged by the rain.

Pakistan PM accuses India of war hysteria over downed F-16 claim

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akistani Prime Minister Imran Khan blamed India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for “whipping up war hysteria” over claims that India shot down a Pakistani F-16 during a standoff in February, saying the truth is always the best policy.

US-based Foreign Policy magazine, citing US officials, said all of Pakistan’s F-16 combat jets had been accounted for, contradicting an Indian air force assessment that it had shot down one of the jets.

Nuclear-armed neighbours India and Pakistan engaged in an aerial battle over the disputed region of Kashmir a day after Indian jets crossed over into Pakistan

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan

to attack a suspected camp of anti-India militants.

An Indian jet was brought down during the fight and its pilot captured when he ejected on the Pakistani side of the border. He was later released.

India said it too had shot

down a Pakistani aircraft and the air force displayed pieces of a missile that it said had been fired by a Pakistani F-16 before it went down.

Foreign Policy said in a report published on Thursday that two US defence officials with direct knowledge of the matter said US personnel had done a count of Pakistan’s F-16s and found none missing.

Details of the IndiaPakistan air engagement have not been fully provided by either side. If the US report turns out to be true, it would be a further blow to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had said that India had taught Pakistan a lesson, ahead of elections next week.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

UK issues passports without EU label despite Brexit uncertainty

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ritish authorities have begun issuing passports without the European Union insignia on them, the BBC reported on Friday, despite the delay to Brexit.

The new passports were first introduced on March 30, a day after the United Kingdom was initially scheduled to leave the 28-member bloc. It is not clear when, or if, the UK will leave the EU. A Home Office spokeswoman told the British broadcaster that delivery centres will continue printing the pre-Brexit EU-UK design until stocks run out “in order … to achieve best value to the taxpayer”.

Britons have expressed mixed feelings about the new design, with some shocked that the change has been made before Brexit.

Post-Brexit UK passports are expected to look entirely different, abandoning the burgundy colour that the UK adopted in 1988 to

Side by side photos of a regular passport along with the new one without the EU label

be in line with the rest of Europe.

In late 2017, then Immigration Minister Brandon Lewis announced that the UK would return to the “iconic” blue and gold design, which had been used some 100 years ago. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Iran's Khamenei urges Iraq to force out US troops “as soon as possible”

I

ran’s top leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urged Iraq on Saturday to demand US troops leave “as soon as possible”, during a visit by Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi that showed off Tehran’s strong influence in Baghdad despite US pressure.

Iran and the United States have been competing for clout in Iraq since the US-led invasion in 2003 that Over the past four years, both Iran and the United States helped Iraq defeat Islamic State fighters that captured a third of Iraq in 2014.

Iran and Iraq fought a devastating 1980-88 war but the 2003 US-led invasion prompted a long Sunni Islamist insurgency during which Iran’s regional sway rose at

Washington’s expense. The long enmity between Iran and the United States worsened further following President Donald Trump’s decision last year to pull out of an international accord curbing Tehran’s nuclear programme and to reimpose economic sanctions on Iran.

During Abdul Mahdi’s visit, President Hassan Rouhani called for Iran and Iraq to expand their gas and electricity dealings and boost bilateral trade to $20 billion.

Rouhani also expressed hope that work on building a railway linking the two countries would begin within the next few months. The railway project was part of deals reached during Rouhani’s March visit to Baghdad.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

sunDAY, april 7, 2019

Dream debut!

19

Alzarri Joseph bowls MI to victory

…Pollard unstoppable with the bat

I

n his first IPL match ever, with a modest target -- even if 22-year-old Alzarri Joseph it was on a tricky home pitch -steamed in and bowled the Sunrisers never got themselves tournament’s top run-scorer, moving. They lost their in-form David Warner, off an inside edge openers inside the first five with his first delivery, and went overs, and although several on to have a debut beyond batsmen got starts, no one all fantasies. could push beyond 20. Joseph In defense of Mumbai and Mumbai continued to Indians’ 136 for 7, which take wickets, and the required had only been made rate ballooned. When Rashid respectable by Kieron Khan fell towards the end Pollard’s 46 not-out of the 15th over, off 26 balls, Joseph with 49 to get off produced one of the 25 balls and only great IPL bowling three wickets left, performances. the match was effectively He claimed 6 for sealed.

12, consistently Joseph’s star turn rushing batsmen Had Lasith Malinga been with his deceptive available, there is every pace. Those figures chance Joseph would still broke an IPL Alzarri Joseph be awaiting his IPL debut; record that but boy, how he grabbed h a d the opportunity! Joseph claimed two wickets off his first two overs: bowling stood David Warner off his inside since the very edge with his first ever IPL ball, first season, before having Vijay Shankar bettering Sohail caught at point off a top edge Tanvir’s 6 for 14. soon after the Powerplay Despite being posed ended. His two wickets off

successive deliveries in the 16th over definitively swung the game in Mumbai’s direction. He bowled Deepak Hooda with a full, straight delivery which the batsman inside-edged onto his stumps. Next ball, Rashid Khan was rushed into a pull shot, which the batsman could do no better than top edge, Joseph himself running through to take a simple catch.

The final two wickets were almost just a bonus.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar had his middle stump pegged back by another full, straight one. Four balls later, No. 10 batsman Siddarth Kaul was caught behind trying to run Joseph to third man.

That Kaul wicket concluded the second excellent away result for Mumbai, who in the last two seasons had been infamously slow starters in the IPL. With this victory to follow the one in Chennai on Wednesday, Mumbai have announced they are once again serious title contenders.

Pollard’s manic finish

For so much of Mumbai’s own innings, it seemed as if they would not muster a competitive score. They had been at a pathetic 5 for 65 after 12.5 overs, four of their top five batsmen having failed to score at a-runa-ball. Pollard, though, eased himself into his innings, hitting 9 off his first 13 balls, thanks to some good fortune (more on that later), before exploding in the 19th and 20th overs.

He walloped the first ball of Siddarth Kaul’s final over way over long off, before blasting one into the legside stand two balls later, then muscling another into the stand beyond long-on two balls after that.

Mumbai made 20 off that Kaul over, then 19 off the final one bowled by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, thanks again to some serious luck for Pollard.

Sunrisers’ horror drops Very rarely does Rashid Khan let a catch slip through his fingers; but he did so today, and wouldn’t you know it, it was Mumbai’s eventual topscorer that he reprieved. Pollard

should have been out for 8 off 13 balls had Rashid held a straightforward chance at deep extra cover. He would go on to pummel 37 off 13 balls after that drop.

According to ESPNcricinfo’s Luck Index, the drop cost Sunrisers Hyderabad 21 runs, which very much looks like the difference between the two teams.

To make things worse, Mohammad Nabi also dropped Pollard off the penultimate ball of the innings palming the ball over the boundary to give him six, before Deepak Hooda at long off failed to stop a ball that deflected off his body for four.

Mumbai’s support acts Although Joseph was easily the visitors’ best bowler, the attack actually put in an excellent performance between them.

Jason Behrendorrf claimed 1 for 28 from his four overs; Jasprit Bumrah took 1 for 16 from his three; and Rahul Chahar had

Kieron Pollard’s 46 propelled Mumbai Indians to a defendable score

struck t h e first blow, removing Johnny Bairstow in the fourth over of the innings. Chahar finished with figures of 2 for 21, later removing Yousuf Pathan as well.

Bayern thrash Dortmund in title battle

G

erman champions Bayern Munich thrashed title rivals Borussia Dortmund to move back to the top of the Bundesliga with six games remaining.

Dortmund, who were two points clear heading into this match, were shell-shocked following a ruthless first-half display from the hosts.

Goals from Robert Lewandowski, Mats Hummels, Serge Gnabry and Javi Martinez gave Bayern a 4-0 lead at half-time.

Bayern are chasing a seventh consecutive Bundesliga title.

In a showdown described as the “biggest in Europe this season”, Dortmund’s title hopes suffered a blow, and their losing streak was extended at the Allianz Arena to five games.

At the start of December, the title race looked to be over, with Dortmund nine points clear at the top; but Bayern took advantage of the stuttering form of their rivals to claw back the deficit.

And as if intended as a timely reminder of Bayern’s pedigree, Lewandowski became the second fastest player to score 200 goals in the German top flight, doing so in 284 games.

His Bayern side are aiming to win a 29th league title, and could add the German Cup after reaching the semi-finals with a victory over second-division side Heidenheim.

Dortmund’s free-flowing football had propelled them to the top of the table with seven games remaining, but they were taught a lesson by a Bayern side hungry to retain their title.

There weren’t any initial signs of a collapse; midfielder Mahmoud Dahoud hit the outside of the post within eight

minutes, as Dortmund looked bright. But ex-Dortmund centreback Hummels proved more clinical when his towering header thumped into the back of the net just minutes later.

After the opener, Dortmund struggled to keep pace with their title rivals, and eventually the pressure took its toll.

Dan-Axel Zagadou’s clumsy pass fell straight to Lewandowski, and the former Dortmund striker lifted the ball over the keeper and slotted it into an open net to double Bayern’s lead.

Bayern’s pressure was relentless. Dortmund keeper Roman Burki was forced to tip Thomas Muller’s header over the bar, before making two smart low saves to deny Hummels and Lewandowski.

But Burki’s heroics were short-lived, as Javi Martinez pounced on a rebound to fire Bayern into a 3-0 lead within 40 minutes.

Gnabry rubbed further salt into the wounds two minutes later with a pin-point header from Muller’s cross, and Lewandowski picked up his second of the night with a tap-in a minute before full-time.

Dortmund’s humiliation was confirmed at half-time, but they remain only a point behind in a thrilling title race.

Bayern’s slip-up last week against Freiburg suggests there could still be more twists to come.

NSC completes in-house training room for coaches and organisers ─ building valued at $12M Timothy Jaikarran

T

he National Sports Commission (NSC) recently completed renovating one of the buildings in its compound to the tune of $12 million, and that building will now become a training room for coaches and organisers in Guyana.

In an interview with Guyana Times Sport, Director of Sport, Christopher Jones, said: “Essentially, the space that is currently renovated was a storeroom or a dumping ground, so to speak. The entire room and walls were all caving in, so we have taken it upon ourselves to refurbish the space. Essentially, this space is going to cater for the coaches and the organisers. This is going to be their training room as well as their office space.”

Jones elaborated that while the training room has been completed, it still needs to be fully furnished. The building is currently fully conditioned, tiled, and fully grilled for security purposes. As time progresses, the building will be outfitted with a 70-inch flat screen television which will essentially lend to WIFIready training in all of the various sporting disciplines, he explained.

Jones also noted that, from time to time, if the need arises, the NSC will make the place readily available to other sporting

associations or federations.

He said, “Essentially, there is an office that will house the Technical Directing Sporting Officer, which is Seon Erskine, who will be vetting all the work programmes from the various coaches and organisers to ensure that they are finished within a timely manner”.

He disclosed that the NSC has also hired two coaches who will focus on sports in Regions 1, 7, 8 and 9 as they aim to accomplish their objective of decentralising sports in the coastal areas.

Thus far, in the last month, the NSC has assisted the Athletics Association with $3 million to participate in the Junior CARIFTA Games 2019 in the Cayman Islands. The Deaf Association of Guyana received $200,000 towards their Annual Deaf Inter School Sports, and the Guyana Table Tennis Association received $3 million to participate in the recently concluded 61st Senior Caribbean Table Tennis Championships.

The newly refurbished building

20

guyanatimesGY.com

sunDAY, april 7, 2019

CSK strangle KXIP at the death for fourth win

C

hennai Super Kings outfoxed yet another opposition on a slow turner at home, making Kings XI Punjab fall 22 runs short in chase of 160, of which they appeared in control for a long period.

The KL Rahul-Sarfaraz Khan stand was at first game-reviving, but the pair’s inability to find the next gear towards the end eventually brought about KXIP’s downfall.

For most of the partnership,

He opened the batting with Shane Watson, and impressed straightaway on another slow turner at the Chepauk, this time in the scorching 4 pm heat.

Ravichandran Ashwin made a surprising call of leaving out Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and his team ended up conceding 54 in the Power Play overs, during which there was just one over of spin. Andrew Tye, who took Mujeeb’s spot, went for 18 in his first over, showing clearly that this was a strip for the

in gold. The KXIP skipper unfurled carrom balls at will, and at one point even bowled with a low-arm Kedar Jadhav-like bowling action to try and deceive Suresh Raina.

He mixed that up with an attempt at bowling seamups too, and put the brakes on CSK in the middle with a fine spell.

It was one of his Playing his first match of the IPL 2019, Faf Du Plessis was in top form

Harbajan Singh bowled a double wicket maiden

it felt like CSK might end up falling short because of Dwayne Bravo’s absence, but Dhoni trusted his Lungi Ngidi replacement -- Scott Kuggeleijn -- to bounce back from a very off-colour start. The New Zealander obliged, followed instructions to the T, and left KXIP on the wrong side of the result.

The South African finally got a chance to lose that green bib he’s been spotted in throughout, and nudge Ambati Rayudu back to a middle-order spot.

spinners to chokehold a batting line-up.

Du Plessis’s return also gave CSK their best opening partnership of the season 54 - and set the platform for what would follow through the middle overs. Du Plessis’s batting through middle made a bigger impact for what was to follow, as he took on the Ashwins, smartly playing a lot straighter against the turning ball.

A 38-ball 54 on such a surface was worth its weight

many attempts at his favourite variation that ended Du Plessis’s innings, as the South African holed out to David Miller at long-on. Suresh Raina’s odd decision making on just the next ball gave Ashwin a shot at picking up a hat-trick, as the CSK No.3 swung blindly and missed a regulation off-spinner that crashed onto the stumps.

At one stage, KXIP looked set to keep CSK down to a sub150 total, as MS Dhoni and Ambati Rayudu struggled to get the scorecard ticking. But

Chennai Super Kings SR Watson c Curran b R Ashwin 26 F du Plessis c Miller b R Ashwin 54 SK Raina b R Ashwin 17 MS Dhoni (c) † not out 37 AT Rayudu not out 21 Extras 5 (w 5) TOTAL 160/3 (20 Overs, RR: 8.0) Fall of wickets: 1-56 (SR Watson, 7.2 ov), 2-100 (F du Plessis, 13.3 ov), 3-100 (SK Raina, 13.4 ov) BOWLING O M R W ECON Mohammed Shami

4 0 41 0 10.25 R Ashwin

4 0 23 3 5.75 SM Curran

4 0 35 0 8.75 AJ Tye

4 0 38 0 9.50 M Ashwin

4 0 23 0 5.75 Kings XI Punjab KL Rahul † c Jadeja b Kuggeleijn 55

Dhoni went from 6 off 11 in 17 overs to 37 off 23 in 20, as Tye, Sam Curran and Mohammed Shami struggled with their lengths against the CSK skipper. It looked competitive at the halfway stage, and even a few overs into the chase, when Harbhajan Singh dismissed Chris Gayle for the fifth time in T20s and Mayank Agarwal played a tame loft to long on. But KL Rahul and Sarfaraz Khan picked up the pieces and put them together against CSK’s spin barrage.

The game moved along slowly, and CSK still held the aces, until MS Dhoni had to introduce Scott Kuggeleijn. The New Zealander bowled too full in his first over and got hit for 16 runs, putting Dhoni in a spot of bother. Even as the CSK spinners conceded just 61

CH Gayle c †Dhoni b Harbhajan Singh 5 MA Agarwal c du Plessis b Harbhajan Singh 0 SN Khan c du Plessis b Kuggeleijn 67 DA Miller b Chahar 6 Mandeep Singh not out 1 SM Curran not out 0 Extras 4 (nb 2, w 2) TOTAL 138/5 (20 Overs, RR: 6.9) Fall of wickets: 1-7 (CH Gayle, 1.4 ov), 2-7 (MA Agarwal, 1.6 ov), 3-117 (KL Rahul, 17.3 ov), 4-135 (DA Miller, 18.6 ov), 5-137 (SN Khan, 19.4 ov) BOWLING O M R W ECON DL Chahar

4 0 40 1 10.00 Harbhajan Singh

4 1 17 2 4.25 SC Kuggeleijn

4 0 37 2 9.25 RA Jadeja

4 0 24 0 6.00 Imran Tahir

4 0 20 0 5.00

in the 12 overs they bowled, Dhoni needed to get eight overs out of his two fast bowlers, and also trust them to take care of the death overs.

Kuggeleijn struggled across his first two overs, but a chat with Stephen Fleming in the timeout break helped him turn the game around on its head.

When he came back to bowl his third over, KXIP needed 46 off 18 balls, and had two set batsmen with a partnership of 110 in the middle. A bit of a waiting game to tee off from the pair seemed risky but also calculative, as Dhoni had to rely on the two quicks to do the finishing job.

As Rahul geared up to whack fuller balls, Kuggeleijn dished out short and back-of-a-length cutters, getting him caught in the deep for a 47-ball 55.

David Miller started with

a four, but the equation came down only to 39 off 12.

Chahar nearly gave the game another 180 degree turn with two successive waist-high noballs, but Sarfaraz just couldn’t hit him out of the park in the over, where he nailed his yorkers and mixed it up cleverly with fuller balls and slower bouncers. KXIP got 13 off the over, but Kuggeleijn bowled an exceptional final over, conceding just three runs and completing CSK’s 22-run win.

Chennai Super Kings have a couple of days’ break before they host the Andre Russellfuelled Kolkata Knight Riders on April 9, while Kings XI Punjab make the long journey back home to Mohali for a home fixture against 2018 finalists SRH. (cricbuzz)

GCC crowned NBS 2018/2019 40-over 2nd division champions...

Forrester, McAlmont half-centuries take GCC to 260 ─ Everest skittled out for 98

By Timothy Jaikarran

T

he action continued under lights at the Demerara Cricket Club, as the highly anticipated finale between Everest Cricket Club (ECC) and the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) culminated the NBS 2018/2019 2nd division 40 overs’ tournament.

At the spin of the toss, GCC elected to bat first, as the pitch was a batsman’s paradise. Opening the batting for GCC was the in-form Winston Forrester and Martin Pestano Belle; and the GCC guns knew what was at stake.

Forrester and Belle played with class, punching the bad balls to the boundary while keeping the run rate ticking as Forrester brought up his half-century. However, after laying the foundation that would propel GCC forward, Forrester and Belle fell for 62 (4×9) and 32 (2×4 1×6) runs respectively, the leg spin of Amir Khan and off spin of Richie Looknauth.

From there it was simply the job of Deonarine Seegobin and Timothy McAlmont to carry on for GCC, the two batsmen at one point of the game digging deep and taking GCC to 183-2 with 10 overs remaining. The Everest team rotated their bowlers as they searched for a breakthrough. However, the breakthrough came as McAlmont went for a big shot off Khan and was caught for 65 (4x8 1x6).

Seegobin then switched roles, as he anchored the innings for most of the overs that remained. However, he was stumped for a well played 45 off 51 balls to take GCC past 200. But after Seegobin fell, Travis Mohamed of Everest struck to restrict GCC, as he bagged the wickets of Ronaldo Ali Mohamed, Jason Wade and Gavin Singh for below-par scores as they attempted big shots with less than five overs

Winston Forrester (62) and Timothy McAlmont (65) both scored vital half-centuries

Ronaldo Renee and Bernard bailey bagged 3-26 and 3-31 respectively to help GCC defend 260

remaining in the game.

From there it was easy pickings for Everest, despite Carlos La Rose’s 5-ball 15 at the back end of the innings.

GCC ended on 260-9. Bowling for Everest were Travis

Mohamed 3-44, Amir Khan 2-25, Richie Looknauth 1-37 and Dwayne Adams 1-53.

Needing 261 for victory off 40 overs at a net run rate of 6.5 runs per over, the opening pair of Dwayne Adams and Ronaldo Renee started off their chase. But the pace of Bernard Bailey was too much to handle, as Renee was bested for pace and fell for 13 to leave Everest at 25-1. Shortly after, Captain Dwayne Adams attempted a slog sweep and top-edged the ball, but luck was on his side as Bailey dropped the catch to allow Adams to steal a single.

Things then took a turn for the worse, as Bailey struck twice in the same over to remove the hard-hitting Uanjrekar Bhola for one and Amir Khan for duck. It was now up to captain Dwayne Adams and Richie Looknauth to carry on for Everest if they were to remain in contention for the title.

However after smashing a six, Adams fell leg before to off spinner Gavin Singh for 18, to sink Everest into further trouble at 38-4. Things kept ticking along slowly as Everest fell deeper and deeper into trouble, losing Looknauth for 7 and Shaheed Mohamed for duck in the same over, to take the score to 48-6.

From there on, everything went downhill, as Mohamed returned to take his third wicket to clean bowl Daniel Mangal for 3 to take the tally to 73-7, as Everest slowly folded under pressure. The next victim to fall was Travis Persaud, off the left arm off-spin of GCC captain Devon Lord. He was caught

by Forrester attempting to slog one over long on.

In the end, the last two wickets fell cheaply as Everest were dismissed with the score at 98-9. Javed Rasheed being injured earlier in the first innings and was unable to bat.

Bowling for GCC were Ronaldo Ali Mohamed 3-26, Bernard Bailey 3-31 and Devon Lord 2-9.

sunday, APRIL 7, 2019

guyanatimesgy.com

The end is near

21

─ Richard Pybus likely to be removed as West Indies Head Coach

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Windies Head Coach, Richard Pybus

ichard Pybus is likely to be removed as head coach of West Indies, ESPNcricinfo understands. And this is coming just three months after overseeing the Test Series victory against England.

His contract was meant to run until after India’s visit to the Caribbean in July following the World Cup, but the new Cricket West Indies (CWI) president, Ricky Skerritt, will host a board meeting next week as part of a review of the coaching structure.

“A cricket review process is underway,” Skerritt told ESPNcricinfo. “Announcements will be made following our board meeting on Tuesday.”

Pybus’s shift to the head coach position in January, filling the vacancy left by Stuart Law’s moving to coach Middlesex, created significant divisions in the Caribbean, but the team had shown plenty of promise against England by winning the Test Series 2-1 and sharing the ODIs 2-2 to lift confidence ahead of the World Cup. Pybus originally took over as high performance director in February 2018, having previously served as West Indies’ Director of

Cricket from 2013 to the end of 2016, when he chose not to renew his contract.

The stint as Director of Cricket was controversial. He was responsible for the policy that made participation in West Indies’ domestic competitions mandatory for international selection across formats. This was in part responsible for a number of senior players choosing to focus solely on playing T20 leagues around the world.

It is also understood that Mushtaq Ahmed, who has been an assistant coach since October 2018, will have his contract ended.

West Indies Cricket could be about see a significant overhaul following the end of Dave Cameron’s six years as president, after he lost to former team manager Skerritt in recent elections.

Skerritt immediately made clear he wanted to push home-grown coaching talent rather than looking overseas.

“That [Pybus being appointed as interim coach] has been a vexatious sort of issue,” he said.

“I have to tell you that we believe very strongly in localising the expertise that we put behind our teams, and we believe in bringing in non-Caribbean expertise only where it is not available across the region. We want to be sure that the team does well at all times with the possible resources, but we also have to make sure that they have a Caribbean support team around them.” (espncicinfo)

Head Coach and University President speak highly of Guyana’s Ramdhani N

arayan Ramdhani has an excellent 2018/ 2019 season competing in Alberta, Canada.

The 20-year-old Guyanese, now ranked among the top collegiate level players in Canada, is slowly gaining the recognition he deserves after all the hard work he has put in. The Guyanese was the star at the Kings University Awards Ceremony last week, bagging the Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Athlete of the Year awards.

He has also been recognised for winning the ACAC All Conference Award for outstanding achievement in the field of College Sports in Alberta, and for being selected for the 2018-19 All Conference Badminton Team.

His most recent achievement was being featured in the Kings University Magazine, which reads: “Going undefeated for the first two Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) badminton tournaments this season, Narayan Ramdhani dominated his experienced competition.

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“He easily secured a spot at the provincial championships in February, and emerged from the tournament ranked first nationally. In the process, Narayan was awarded an ACAC AllConference award.

“This March, across the country at the CCAA National Championships held at Dalhousie Agricultural Campus in Truro, NS, Narayan finished with a 3-2 record in his matches and a bronze medal around his neck—third in the nation!

“Narayan is a tall, fast, smart player. I’m very proud of what he’s accomplished,” says Head Coach Naeem Haque.

“I was talking to Narayan after he won his bronze medal,” explains president Melanie Humphreys. “He said, ‘Next year I’m getting a gold!’ I told him to celebrate this win, he was third in Canada, after all! It was very, very cool, and he’s ecstatic as well.”

“Eagles Athletics Badminton Programme joined the ACAC in 2014. Badminton athletes have previously represented King’s at nationals, but Narayan is King’s first badminton athlete to medal.’

Since November of last year, Narayan has won two silvers and

Narayan Ramdhani and the Kings University Eagle’s mascot

two gold medals in singles’ tournaments, whilst finishing in the top four in the doubles division.

BCB 100 Balls’ cricket…

Mickle brothers demolish Police in Tucber Park ‘A’ win

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Kwesi Mickle, with ball in hand, had 5 for 6, and Malcolm Mickle scored 63

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The boys from Tucber Park Cricket Club ‘A’ team

he Mickle brothers, in a family affair, displayed some top-notch performances to lead Tucber Park ‘A’ Team to victory against Police in the Berbice Cricket Board’s (BCB’s) 100 balls’ cricket.

On Saturday April 6, 2019 at the Rose Hall Canje Ground, Tucber Park batting first scored 139-6 in their allotted 100 balls. Malcolm Mickle led the way with an astonishing 63.

In reply, Police were bowled out for 80 in 13.5 overs, with Kwesi Mickle bamboozling the lawmen

while spinning his way to match winning figures of 5 for 6.

The positivity began when Tucber Park had a solid start, with opening batsmen Malcolm Mickle and Steve Deonarine adding 101 runs for the opening wicket. Both former Berbice Under-19 players, Mickle smashed four sixes and two fours in his brilliant innings of 63, while the compact lefthanded Deonarine stroked his way to 40, hitting two sixes on the large Rose Hall Canje ground, and

timing two fours.

Garfield Benjamin scored four runs; Clifton Lindie, batting at number four, scored 15, while Leon Swamy made one.

Tucber Park ended in a strong position, setting Police a chase of 140 from 100 balls in their innings.

In the Police run chase, they had a watchful start, but the introduction of off-spinner Kwesi Mickle sparked the collapse, as the cops from Berbice lost seven wickets for seven runs through the Mickle demolition.

The jaded Police team were bowled out for 80 in 13.5 overs, Kwesi Mickle starring with 5 for 6 from two mesmerising overs, while veteran Anthony D’Andrade had 2-0 in three balls in the complete team effort.

This tournament, played in the New Amsterdam/ Canje area, is organised by the Berbice Cricket Board and is sponsored by a group of friends who continue to aid in the development of cricket.

(Brandon Corlette)

22

guyanatimesgy.com

SUnDAY, april 7, 2019

Windies Women set to resume season on May 26 ─ regional tournaments answer selection questions

A

fter 10 Regional Women’s matches played in Guyana in the Cricket West Indies (CWI) T20 Blaze and Colonial M e d i c a l Insurance Super50

commence from Sunday May 26, 2019 and end on May 29, 2019, with all three matches being played in Dublin,

Deandra Dottin, the most consistent performer in the regional tournaments

tournaments, the selectors who were present at the matches may have seen the players who deserve selection for Windies duty.

The Windies Women will resume their international season when they meet Ireland Women for three T20 Internationals, which will

Ireland.

After that series in Ireland, West Indies Women will head over to England for the International Cricket Council (ICC) Women’s Championship matches.

The Caribbean Women will play England in three One Day Internationals (0DI) followed by three T20 Internationals.

Windies will meet the Women’s World Cup champions, England, on Thursday June 6, 2019 for the first of three ODIs. The second ODI will commence from June 9, 2019 while the third and final ODI is scheduled for June 13, 2019.

Windies Women will play their final match of the tour in England on Tu e s d ay June 25, 2019.

P r i o r t o the Women’s Regional championships, Windies Women toured Pakistan and Dubai, where they played three T20Is and three ODIs in late January and early February 2019. Windies Women won the T20I series that was entirely played in Pakistan 2-1, while they lost the ICC Women’s championship matches that were played in Dubai against Pakistan 1-2.

Present at the venues that hosted the Regional matches

Regional U-19 female tournament set for April 15 in T&T ─ 5 members in senior squad eligible to participate

A

n Under-19 T20 Female tournament which will feature all of the six teams in the Caribbean is scheduled to commence from April 15, 2019 in Trinidad and Tobago.

Five of the players who featured in the Guyana Senior Team are eligible to participate in this U-19 tournament, which will be played over a one-week period. These players are: Shabika Gajnabi, the player expected to lead the team; opening batter and off-spinner Mandy Mangru; fast-bowling all-rounder Cherry Ann Fraser; Lafona Gilgeous and Afruica Gentle.

Gajnabi has had a fair tournament as a senior player.

She was one of only two players to score in excess of 100 runs in the Super50 Cup for Guyana.

She accumulated 136 runs at an average of 27.2, and had a high score of 78 from 78 balls

Captain Shabika Gajnabi

against the Leeward Islands.

She also displayed a n impressive ability in the field, taking masterful catches and effecting

super run-outs.

Her bowling has not been up to standard, but she should be effective in the U-19 tournament.

Mandy Mangru, a

Mandy Mangru

talented p l a y e r, g i f t e d opener and off-spinner, looked good at the top of the order playing textbook cricket s h o t s during the opportunity she had in the Super50 tournament. She had a high score of 35 in the Super50 Cup, and a best bowling figure of 4-22 in the senior tournament.

A naturally defensive player, she played in the T2O Blaze as specialist off-spinner, where she bowled with extreme control and picked up wickets.

Cherry Ann Fraser, who has been around the senior regional setup, will play Regional U-19 cricket for one last year. Fraser has had more opportunities with the bat than she has had with the ball, and in the just concluded R e g i o n a l to u r n a m e nt s , she played some useful cameos for her team.

Like Mangru and Gajnabi, Fraser is expected to dominate the U-19 level.

Lafona Gilgeous and Afruica Gentle have had limited opportunities in the senior team, playing only one match each. They will be seen as senior members in the 14-member squad selected for the T20 tournament in Trinidad and Tobago. The likes of Ashmini Munisar, Ashley Ramnauth, Casey Charles, Sarah Amin, Omadevi Matadin and Lisa Charles, among others, are in the squad selected.

The Guyana Under-19 Female Team had earlier been encamped simultaneously with the Guyana Women’s Senior Team during the recently concluded Women’s tournaments.

(Brandon Corlette)

Cherry Ann Fraser

were CWI selectors, namely chief selector Courtney Browne, who witnessed most of the action in the Colonial Super50 Cup and the T20 Blaze tournaments. It was seen that most of the current Windies Women players dominated the Regional tournaments.

Deandra Dottin, who was the leading run scorer in both the T20 and Super50 Cup, has been among the wickets and is a certain selection for the tours in Ireland and England. At age 27, Dottin has experience on her side, playing 117 ODI and 110 T20I for Windies Women since she made her debut in 2008.

Windies captain Stafanie Taylor had some solid performances in the tournaments. Hayley Matthews, the Windies vice-captain, is also a likely selection. Players Kycia Knight, Shemaine Campbelle, Natasha McLean, Chinelle Henry, Afy Fletcher, Anisa Mohammed, Shakera Selman, Shamilia

Windies and Barbados’ Shamilia Connell is arguably the fastest bowler in the Caribbean

Connell, Merissa Aguilleira, Karishama Ramharack and Jamaica’s Rashada Williams were on the last tour against Pakistan.

With conditions in England suiting the faster bowlers, the leading fast bowler in both Regional tournaments, Erva Giddings, will fancy her chances to play alongside the likes of Connell, Selman, and Henry as front-line seamers.

Giddings’s performance was

superior to those of the Windies trio. She took 10 wickets of her own in the T20 Blaze, while Henry, Selman and Connell had 11 wickets combined in the T20 Blaze playing for their respective teams.

The squad from the previous tours will not see wholesale changes, but an extra seamer in English conditions will be considered. (Brandon Corlette)

LGC prepares to up standard of golf course for 2019…

Course to be renamed the ‘Green Anaconda’

Timothy Jaikarran

T

he Lusignan Golf Club (LGC), the only up-to-par golf facility in Guyana, has continued to grow throughout the years, whether it be in terms of new members or sponsors; and for 2019, is planning to expand its horizons by undergoing an upgrade that would make it match the standards of other clubs around the world.

Speaking to Guyana Times Sport in an exclusive interview, LGC President Aleem Hussain, when asked about the club’s goal for 2019, said: “I want to surpass what I did in 2018.

We did 40 tournaments in 2018, but I want to do 50 in 2019. I want to double the size of the membership, and I want to raise the standard of the golf club to that of an international club.

“To do that, I will add a swimming pool, two tennis courts, five fine dining restaurants, and remodel the entire club house to upgrade it to a world class standard,” Hussain elaborated.

He also relayed that for this to be done he must acquire the approval of the members of the club. Once this is done, he disclosed, the project can be completed in a matter of three months.

He also said that between the months of April and June, the club is scheduled to host seven competitions, such as the Banks DIH Golf Tournament, Assuria General Inaugural Tournament, ISG MACORP Golf Tournament, Kissoon’s Furniture Golf Tournament, Continental Group (Torginal Paints) Golf Tournament, and the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) tournament, which will be one of the largest golf tournaments that Guyana has ever seen.

Asked how sponsorship has been for the club, Hussain responded that most of its clients have returned, and the LGC has seen an influx of new members. From this the club would therefore have to combine tournaments on both days of the weekend, because sponsorship levels and goals would be exceeded.

Hussain also related that, unlike many golf courses in the Caribbean, the Lusignan course is not to be underestimated, as it has proven in the past to be challenging. He said the course will be renamed “The Green Anaconda”, after one of the most dangerous animals in South

American.

He said the course has in the past proven to destroy anyone’s handicap, and related about a time when he played with an 8 handicap and ended with a 17 handicap.

Hussain is urging golfers in Guyana and the Caribbean to come out to the LGC. He said the course will definitely challenge their style of play, as it has had a reputation of defeating some of the best golfers.

Some of the entities that have thus far partnered with the LGC are the Grand Coastal Hotel, Pegasus Hotel, The Guyana Marriott Hotel, MACORP, Ramps Logistics, ExxonMobil, Slumber J; and there are many others, he said.

MACORP has continued its long-standing partnership with the LGC

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sunDAY, april 7, 2019

23

Skerritt hints at return of big names for World Cup

“We have to engage Sammy and several others who have either ended their careers or are getting to the end of their careers”, CWI President Ricky Skerritt

C

ricket West Indies President Ricky Skerritt has revealed to Cricbuzz that a new selection policy in the Caribbean will see the Caribbean side going into the World Cup with their strongest possible team, which will be armed with a potential return of some big names and a new regional head coach.

Skerritt, who won the election two weeks ago to end the contentious reign of Dave Cameron, has also insisted that “administrative issues, politics or petty emotional situations” will no longer prohibit or prevent players from being considered for selection, and also that the team will go back to being referred to as the West Indies, and not the Windies, from the World Cup onwards.

In a freewheeling and exclusive interview with Cricbuzz, the former team manager also talked about mending fences with the likes of Darren Sammy, appreciating the rights of players to earn incomes in T20 leagues, winning the trust of former greats like Sir Viv Richards, the CPL’s need to contribute more to West Indies Cricket, and winning back the regional fans.

For Sammy to have hit out against the board at the post-match presentation after winning the World T20 final, it says how bad things had become.

“I prefer not to speak too much about the past and a president

who was totally confused about his role. But I want to talk about how critical Darren Sammy has been to West Indian Cricket, and how he’s carried the trust and hope of Caribbean people everywhere in his heart and on his sleeve, and has been a successful captain,” he said.

“For Darren Sammy to end up in a virtual war with the administration is a piece of our history which we could never feel proud about, and we should always make sure it never happens in West Indies Cricket. We have to engage Darren Sammy and several others, who have either ended their careers or are getting to the end of their careers. They must know that West Indies Cricket needs them in one form or the other”.

So is there a possibility that some high-profile names who aren’t part of the team for non-cricketing reasons could be back?

“In the last two weeks, one of the most critical points that have been embedded as a selection policy is that: “If a player can still get selected for the team, they must be considered”. There must be no reason for non-consideration other than cricket or medical or physical health. No administrative issues, politics, or petty emotional situations must prohibit or prevent players from being considered for selection”.

Will this selection policy ensure that the West Indies will go into the World Cup with their strongest squad possible?

“Absolutely! And that’s a policy decision which was made even before we got into office. But it became effective immediately on us getting into office, as we wanted it to be cemented before the World Cup. The last 10-11 days since the election, we’ve been bringing in changes in terms of personnel and policies, to make sure that we can reach out to everybody who wants to play for West Indies. The people responsible for selecting, managing and leading the squad to the World Cup have been reaching out to players who may be interested, to let them know that the policy has changed,

and to be clear whether they are available or not; so that when the group gets together next week to make their final decision on the squad, they have as wide a slate to choose from as possible.

“The problem in the recent past we discovered was that it was more an informal policy that hovered over the selectors’ heads.

And I suspect they erred on the side of political caution and at times made decisions that hurt the team from being strengthened.

That led to the policy-makers pointing fingers at the selectors for only picking young people. But we know a successful cricket team needs a mix of seniority and young players.”

Will the team also have a new full-time coach for the World Cup? “We are putting in place a very clear policy on that. It’s no disrespect to foreign coaches. We will have international participants in areas where there’s nothing of equal quality available regionally. But regional expertise is a priority for us, and was a key area in our 10-point plan. We are very serious about that.

That policy, too, will commence before the World Cup.” Twelve months on from qualifying for the World Cup, the West Indies couldn’t ask for a better time to welcome back some big names then.

“That process of having to qualify just to get into the World Cup is one of the most humiliating periods in our cricket history.

It was a very depressing thought. But the reality is we haven’t won that World Cup for 40 years. We really have been struggling in ODI cricket, and the qualifying process in the final analysis was a wakeup call that we needed. If we were able to get one or two players back into the mix, who themselves, like Chris Gayle, were worried about the situation and decided to come back in, I think that it was a good start to a new era.

“We have to make sure that it’s taken to the next level, and it cannot be business as usual”. (cricbuzz)

Milo Schools Football tournament…

Who will make it to the final?

By Jemima Holmes

W

ith $500,000 as first prize on the line, competition is sure to intensify today when the Milo Schools’ Football tournament continues at the Ministry of Education Ground on Carifesta Avenue in Georgetown.

After more than two months of competition, four teams have come close to attaining the lucrative prize, but each is still far away from the accolade. For those teams, today can be considered the Day of Judgment, as each looks to overthrow its opponents in hopes of entering next Sunday’s final.

Today’s double-header will feature three teams which have been at the forefront of Under-18 football for the past year, while the fourth team has assumed an attitude of the underdog entering the big league – anything can be expected.

In the first game, Annandale Secondary will take on longtime rivals Christianburg-Wismar Secondary in what will surely be a noholds-barred exciting game. The two teams have met countless times in the past, but their last two encounters went the Linden way, which leaves room for Annandale to make a comeback.

In the Guyoil/Tradewind Tankers tournament in 2018 Christianburg-Wismar toppled their rivals 5-1. However, Annandale showed vast improvement against the fast-paced ChristianburgWismar team in the 2018 KFC Goodwill tournament, being able to hold their Linden opponents to a 2-2 deadlock at the half, even though they unfortunately could not complete the upset when they went to penalties, going down 5-3.

Today’s semifinal game gives Annandale Secondary the best opportunity to show that they have bettered their skills since confronting their opponents months ago. While having to match the swift pace of the Linden team, Annandale will look to strengthen their defenses, especially against the likes of Andre Mayers and Tyrese Lewis. On the other hand, the likes of Omari Glasgow and Jemar Harrigon will be keenly hunting the Christianburg/ Wismar goal.

Before the 2019 edition of the Milo Schools Football tournament, some would have said the second semifinal match would be a lop-sided affair pitting President’s College and Lodge Secondary against each other.

However, over the course of the past two months, President’s College have proven that they are worthy opponents and are able to go toe-to-toe with one of the most consistent Under-18 school teams.

All while exhibiting their potential, President’s College got

by in the group stages, and flourished once they entered the round of 16s; winning each game thereafter to get to the stage they’re at. Despite their ability to register wins in crucial games, today’s second semifinal would be deja-vu to both teams, since they have met before.

Being drawn in the same group, President’s College and Lodge Secondary met in their final group match, which was won by Lodge by a 2-0 margin. If they have learnt from their mistakes, PC would tighten their defenses, especially around the likes of Dorwin George and Shemroy Myers. On the flip side, Lodge’s goalkeeper would do a fair amount of leaping in the nets if he is to keep up with the header attempts that are often used by the President’s College captain, Edron Stephen.

Whichever way the pendulum swings this afternoon, it would result in two new teams being in next week’s final, and new champions being crowned. The first encounter will kick off at 14:00hrs, while the second is billed for 16:00hrs.

The school finishing in first place will receive $500,000, while second place will pocket $300,000. Third and fourth place winners will receive $200,000 and $100,000 respectively. All prizes will be given in kind, in the form of a project requested by the school.

SUNDAY, APRIL 7, 2019

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

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Pg 22

Pg 23

Skerritt hints at the return Windies Women set to of big names for resume season on May 26 World Cup ─ regional tournaments answer selection questions BCB 100 Balls cricket…

Pg 21

VIVO IPL 2019…

Match #19 & 20 Time: 06:30h

Mickle brothers demolish Police in Tucber Park 'A' win

Time: 10:30h

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April 7, 2019

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2 Sunday Times Magazine

APRIL 7, 2019

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Miss Earth Guyana

M

y village -- Scottsburg, Corriverton, Berbice has always been known for the most adventurous bunch of children with great imagination and energy who can light up the community. One of my major challenges while growing up was me understanding why I can’t be like the boys.

I was never the girl who liked pink or dolls or even wearing clothes; my mom actually needed to convince me that I was not like the boys who can be seen around the yard in little to no clothing. I was able to overcome this challenge when I started seeing the changes in my body and was not exactly comfortable with the boys from the village noticing these changes.

I am always the “bright” girl in the class, who never tried to get 80 per cent and 90 per cent, but was always in that line-up. In secondary school, I came to the realisation that I was capable of doing big things if I remained focused and actually took the time to study. In 2009, I wrote CXC and was one of the top students graduating from Skeldon High School.

My A Levels years were my most difficult education-wise thus far since I had to

T

he Miss Earth Guyana Pageant is the local competition that mirrors the principles and philosophies of the international Miss Earth competition.

The contest sees delegates from over 100 different countries as it motivates young women of all walks of life to use their talents and voices in the attempt to raise awareness about the necessity of protecting and preserving the environment.

The pageant places primary focus on its Beauty For A Cause concept; the backbone of any delegate’s participation that

travel for 40-50 minutes from Skeldon to New Amsterdam, then back home daily.

Nevertheless, I was successful at the journey and went on to complete my degree in social work at the University of Guyana, Tain Campus after completing the Diploma at the Turkeyen Campus.

I am currently pursuing my Master's in Psychology through the University of Greenwich.

Pageantry has never fascinated me until I lost a bet with my late best friend. At that time I was still very boyish, couldn’t walk in heels, liked baggy clothing and was very much into reading thriller/scary novels at the top of very tall trees. Losing the bet meant that I had to enter the Miss Skeldon High Pageant, which I won, and went on to the Miss Berbice, Miss Region 6, Miss Jamzone, Miss Universe, Miss Global International, Miss Bartica Regatta, Miss Caribbean Culture, Miss Black San’ International Pageants, all of which I have either won or placed in the top three.

I would like to be known as not only the beauty ambassador that represented her town and country, but who also represent-

ed the Earth. The Miss Earth Pageant is a search among the most beautiful women of the earth to serve as a role model dedicated to upholding advocacy to preserve and restore Mother Earth.

My Beauty With A Cause project is Iplant. It is focused on sustainability, healthy living and a beautiful Guyana. I was exposed to a community where most of the households had their own little kitchen garden and that is why it was always easy to find, share, and purchase healthy foods.

Iplant offers a plan of action directed at ensuring a continued situation where the people of Guyana at all times have access to enough food that is affordable, safe, healthy, and culturally acceptable while meeting specific dietary needs, is obtained in a dignified manner, and produced in ways that are environmentally sound and socially just.

And, of course, this will contribute to beautifying Guyana, since Iplant doesn’t only focus on fruits and vegetables but also flow-

details a national project that she would have been working on. This project should have seen implementation before participation on the international stage and must be characterised by long-term feasibility and capacity to call to action persons not just from her own country but from all around the globe.

Miss Earth Guyana saw its return to the local scene in 2019 after an absence of some three years and is currently owned by local business Guyana Premier.

In a bid to change the pageant landscape and reinvent attitudes towards pag-

eantry in Guyana, the franchise holders took the prospect of Miss Earth as an opportunity to do just this. It was simple as the pageant not only focused on the young women who made pageantry popular in the first place, but also their causes and their motivation to protect the environment. With the Guyanese franchise available, Guyana Premier acted quickly to take up the challenge and thus far, has seen favour.

Miss Earth Guyana is currently managed by its own organisation comprising its National Franchise Director

ers. There are three main processes to make Iplant a success: resources, visuals, and making planting habitual.

Winning the pageant will allow me the resources, exposure, and manpower to execute this project. Being crowned Miss Earth Guyana will help to advance Iplant by ensuring everyone who is involved in this project benefits. Other environmental concerns that I would like to battle if I win Miss Earth Guyana 2019 involve clean-up campaigns, recycling, restoring, protecting the mangroves, and educational workshops.

I will plant. Will you plant? We all should plant!

Dave Lalltoo; Managing Director, Dr Omesh Balmacoon and Account Manager Francina Lanferman-Duncan. Working closely with the team also is their Artistic Director, Meleesa Payne, who oversees training for the delegates of the pageant in terms of modelling, choreography, visuals and poise.

As soon as the Miss Earth Guyana franchise was obtained, Miss Earth Guyana 2018 was launched and applications opened. After much publicity, over 50 applications were received but only 15 were shortlisted based on the criteria set out by the international body.

Finally, eight finalists were inaugurated into the competition and in June 2018, Xamiera Kippins was crowned as Miss Earth Guyana 2018. She went on to represent the country in November in the Philippines at the 2018 edition of the Miss Earth Competition. There she shone bright, copping the gold medal for her national costume designed by Randy Madray depicting the Ole Higue, as well as the silver medal for her talent piece -- a contemporary dance to This Bitter Earth.

Continuing this momentum, Guyana Premier has once again launched the competition pledging to be bigger and better in 2019.

On March 30, 2019, in fine style, nine new delegates were sashed under the theme “Celebrating Guyana’s Flora” as the race towards Miss Earth Guyana 2019 began. The coronation of the 2019 earth warrior will be held on June 15 at the National Cultural Centre.

guyanatimesgy.com

APRIL 7, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine

3

Miss Earth Guyana

By Lakhram Bhagirat

B

eauty contests are often frowned upon as they set a certain “unachievable” standard to be considered beautiful. But as the times evolve so do these pageants, with it being all about the message and not so much the physical appearance of the contestants.

One such pageant that is all about the message and making an impact is the Miss Earth Pageant. Since its establishment, the pageant has provided an avenue for the girls to commit to the preservation of the environment through various projects aimed at tackling the global warming epidemic.

Being in a pageant by itself is a challenge but to bring about awareness and influence change while addressing issues that threaten the survival of human beings is monumental. It goes to show that some pageants are not only about beauty, rather it is about service to the community and being a role model to those who intend on doing the same. It shows that you can make a difference and influence a generation to become aware of the issues around us.

It was these very reasons that led Amelia Bakhsh to where she is right now.

The bubbly 21-year-old has always dreamt of being a part of the pageant world, but knew that she would find it clashing with her studies so she chose to hit the books and rest the heels. Now, that she is not hitting the books as hard as she used to, Amelia has the time to sashay over into the pageant world in order to fulfil a deep desire.

Over the next months, you will see her face quite often as she was just recently revealed as one of the contestants vying for the Miss Earth Guyana crown and a chance to represent the world’s number one ecotourism destination on the big stage sometime later this year.

Amelia, a teacher by profession, grew up on the East Coast of Demerara in the village

of Good Hope. Coming from a family meant that her childhood was fun filled with lots of stories to tell.

She credits the different personalities in her family for shaping her into the person she is today.

Education has always been at the forefront of Amelia's life and it is something she treasures. It

large

is her belief that hard work leads to the accomplishment of all goals hence her reason for pushing harder than normal. While a student at St Joseph High School, Amelia loved Mathematics and one can imagine how crushed she was when she failed the pre-CSEC trial examination.

“I never gave up hope. I joined the Add Math class, which was out of the curriculum. I'd come into school extra early and give up lunchtime; however, my teacher at the time didn’t believe I'd pass. Although the SBA was really difficult; I was determined more than ever to at least prove him wrong. Coming down to the end, we had a new teacher and this one was more inspirational. I passed with a Grade 3 and a distinction in CSEC Math,” she recalled.

“A year later I went on to being a Math teacher and majored in same. CPCE was definitely a challenge, since I had classes after work. But my colleagues and I worked hard together towards the common goal. All the group study and peer teaching, I finally graduated with credit.”

Amelia’s passion for nature and keeping the environment healthy led her to join the movement with the Miss Earth Guyana Pageant, since she sees it as an opportunity to not only boost her confidence and self-esteem, but to also make a positive contribution in society through

her Beauty With A Cause Project. The Miss Earth Guyana Pageant organises and participates in a variety of environmental and educational projects with the aim of educating the public and encouraging them to preserve and protect the environment.

Amelia’s Beauty With A Cause Project is the 4R PLUS initiative. The core of this initiative is to reduce, reuse, recycle and respect; preserve, learn, unite and push. self-awareness. It aims at bringing youths together so that they can promote environmental sustainability while learning and becoming self-aware; thus improving their mental health.

“I foresee the assistance given to construct an official 4R PLUS Centre, made partially with recycled materials. Here, persons will be able to meet and discuss new projects in keeping the environment clean as well as keeping workshops and classes to teach persons of the importance of environmental perseverance,” she explained.

In order for her to achieve her goals, Amelia knows that there are several steps to be taken. She chose this project because it brings together both her dedication to nature and her students. If she gains the title, Amelia plans to expand her project from the community level to a more national platform.

“Everyone deserves some amount of support, but I believe I should be rooted for because Miss Earth Guyana organisation has already given me opportunities to make a difference with my project. 4R PLUS has already been implemented in Stewartville Secondary School where students are recycling bottles and even brought from home to be used in the project instead of disposing of it with other garbage. They have taken on leadership roles and there has been a dramatic improvement in their behaviour. I can't wait to work hard on a project like this during my reign. “ With her mother as her role model, Amelia is bound for greatness. She is passionate about everything she does.

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Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

APRIL 7, 2019

Miss Earth Guyana

M

angroves are a group of trees and shrubs that live in the coastal intertidal zone, with about 80 different species of mangrove trees. All of these trees grow in areas with low-oxygen soil, where slow-moving waters allow fine sediments to accumulate. Mangrove forests only grow at tropical and subtropical latitudes near the Equator because they cannot withstand freezing temperatures.

Many mangrove forests can be recognised by their dense tangle of prop roots that make the trees appear to be standing on stilts above the water. This tangle of roots allows the trees to handle the daily rise and fall

of tides, which means that most mangroves get flooded at least twice per day. The roots also slow the movement of tidal waters, causing sediments to settle out of the water and build up the muddy bottom.

Mangrove forests stabilise the coastline, reducing erosion from storm surges, currents, waves, and tides.

The intricate root system of mangroves also makes these forests attractive to fish and other organisms seeking food and shelter from predators.

Armed with that knowledge, 19-year-old Maricia Meusa is now on a mission to further raise awareness on the preservation of Guyana’s mangrove forests

as her platform in the Miss Earth Guyana Pageant.

This beauty is not afraid to get into the mud to advance her cause.

Hailing from the city, Maricia has always lived her best life while being truly authentic. She is not afraid to embrace her failures, but uses them to learn and fuel the drive of achieving better. Asked if she was previously interested in pageantry, Maricia related that it never got her gears going until she entered the Miss Youth Ambassador Pageant in 2016.

During that competition, she was adjudged the first runner-up and since then it has fuelled her to go on to greater things. She notes

T

he Miss Earth Pageant is an International environmental event to promote environmental awareness. The pageant is a search for the most beautiful women of the Earth to serve as a role model dedicated to upholding advocacy to preserve and restore Mother

that the Miss Earth Pageant is not like any other pageant, rather it is a pageant with a cause. For her, the Miss Earth Pageant focuses on bettering the environment and helps young ladies who have a desire to make their environment cleaner, greener and safer.

“The destroying of mangroves has been a major issue in our country and certain parts of the world, without knowing the benefits. Mangroves are there for many reasons – not just protecting us from the sea but also trapping waste originating from land and so much more. I chose this project, because over the passing years, mangroves have been destroyed knowing that our

country is below sea level and I've always wanted to be involved in restoring our country to a greener and safer nation.”

Maricia is forging full steam ahead to achieve her

goals. She is ready to take the competition by storm and cannot wait to get her hands dirty as she makes Guyana more mangrove conscious.

Earth. The winner of Miss Earth will serve as the Ambassador to environmental protection campaigns worldwide.

It is that very cause of promoting environmental awareness that led Cintiana Harry to the local leg of the competition. No stranger to beauty pageants, the bubbly 26-year-old says she is ready to school Guyana on the 5Rs needed to tackle pollution. She is ready to do so through her Beauty With A Cause Project -- Recycle4US. “It is important that we apply in our daily lives the 5Rs: reduce, reuse, recycle, rethink and respect. My project will be done at my school and in my community, both in recycling and upcycling. I have planned a project at my school where we will be planting trees and using bottles to be creative for the environment. In my community, I will be doing a campaign clean-up and will rebuild a sanitation facility where people can place their garbage until the NDC (Neighbourhood Democratic Council) ready to collect it,” she said.

Currently, Cintiana is a typist clerk at the JC Chandisingh School.

If given the opportunity to serve as Guyana’s ambassador to the international stage, Cintiana

sees this as an opportunity to not only win the competition, but also to network and further advance her agenda of environmental preservation.

“My first step (in implementing my Beauty With A Cause Project) is to establish a coordinating committee. Second, approach local businesses for funding. Third, have fundraising activities. Then, start my programme and activities on small scale. I believe in togetherness, community spirit and education. I will advocate for a green Guyana through my Beauty for a Cause: Recycle4US.” Coming from humble beginnings, Cintiana has never taken anything for granted. Her father sold ground provisions at the Rose Hall and Port Mourant Markets to ensure that the family was taken care of and he later evolved his business to sell a wide range of stationery and everyday items.

“My parents taught me to be my own person at an early age. They instilled values such as culture, respect, courtesy, financial management, and cleanliness.

My fond memories were listening to stories about my parents, how life was back in the days and how

hard it was for them; which made me realise that I have it all: a proper education, even books to help me through.”

Like many parents, Cintiana’s father was not pleased about her decision to enter into the world of pageantry, but he is now coming around.

Since she was a child, she has been following the life of former Miss World and now mega-successful Bollywood actress Aishwariya Rai-Bachan.

It was Rai-Bachan who influenced her to follow the fashion world and gave her the confidence that it required.

In 2018, Cintiana entered the Miss Berbice Pageant and emerged as the first runnerup and copped several awards, including Miss Impression, Best Swimsuit Body, Best Costume and Best Gown.

Now she is ready to take Guyana, if she wins the title, to unprecedented heights at the international leg of the Miss Earth Pageant.

“I am the choice for Guyana, since I can be the catalyst of change in our environmental arena. With my Beauty for a Cause Project, I will be able to reshape our society's core values and traditions to promote environmental-led communities and educational systems.”

guyanatimesgy.com

APRIL 7, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine 5

Miss Earth Guyana

F

rom a very young age we learn about the types of pollution and how they affect our daily lives as well as how they threaten the very existence of the human species. We learn that land pollution is the deterioration of the earth’s surfaces through the direct or indirect misuse of land resources by man. With the effects of global warming and climate change now more than evident, more emphasis is being placed on the preservation of Earth.

It is not often that we see a beauty pageant with its sole focus being earth’s preservation and not physical beauty. The Miss Earth Pageant is one such pageant and it is inspiring girls with a passion for environmental conservation to jump in and give it a shot.

One such girl is 23-year-old Kataina Phillips, who was recently revealed as one of the finalists for the Miss Earth

M

iss Earth is an annual international environment-themed beauty pageant promoting environmental awareness.

Along with Miss World, Miss Universe, and Miss International, this pageant is one of the Big Four international beauty pageants – the most coveted titles when it comes to international pageant competitions. The reigning titleholders dedicate their year to promoting specific projects and often address issues concerning the environment and other global issues through school tours, treeplanting activities, street campaigns, coastal clean-ups, speaking engagements, shopping mall tours, media guesting, environmental fairs, storytelling programmes to children,

eco-fashion shows, and other environmental activities.

For her entry into the local leg of the pageant, 19-yearold Sunita Sears is going to be heavily focused on educating the population about her campaign ‘REDUCE’. The Renew Environmental Discipline to Unify Communities Effectively (REDUCE) initiative aims to educate persons on the importance of maintaining our environment for a cleaner, greener country. This will be done mainly through education on pollution in its varying forms, and its impact on environmental and social health as well as the image of the community.

It is a known fact that Guyana is a victim of land and water pollution by plastics, and by extension, air pollution. With great emphasis being placed on addressing this, proper education on the disposal of non-biodegradable wastes is necessary as is the management of such waste products through the Reduce, Reuse and Recycle initiative.

Though the entire community will be impacted, the focus is mainly on the young people of Sunita’s community of Bare Root on the East Coast of Demerara.

It is understood that in Guyana, the older generation are somewhat stuck in their traditional ways of disposal which include: dumping of garbage in waterways which lead directly to the rivers and the ocean; dumping of garbage on vacant land and government reserves; and burning of garbage in large heaps, all of which have negative impacts on our environment.

“As a result, reaching the younger generation with my platform would mean I have a positive impact on the way forward to manage the community. The younger generation will put into practice the proper way of management and disposal which will further influence the older generation to get it the right way. Also, the younger generation will further train their children in the right

Guyana competition.

As part of her Beauty With A Cause campaign, Kataina came up with the Protecting Our Planet Against Land Pollution (POPALP) initiative.

“Land pollution is one of the major pollutions our planet faces and it’s increasing daily. With my project, I intend to bring awareness to all so as to reduce this problem significantly.

Because my Beauty With a Cause focuses on land pollution, I believe it’s one of the most accessible areas we can target when dealing with environmental issues. Hence, it’ll be a great project for the organisation to work with.

Since I’m already aware of what my goals are for this project and what I want to achieve, my next step will be defining the work. I’ll then create a plan to work with. And lastly, execute my project,” she informed.

way. I firmly believe that a truly natural and clean environment enhances the aesthetic beauty of the community as well as promote a healthy environment where all, both young and old, can work and play,” Sunita stated.

She is going to embark on a massive education drive to push her project since it is one

She notes that land pollution is one of the major issues our environment is greatly affected by and after doing some research, she decided on the POPALP project, which aims to help reduce the problem and possibly eliminate same in the near future.

Kataina has some knowledge of the pageant world, having been crowned Miss Earth Mahaicony in 2014.

“Winning the Miss Earth title would give me an even larger platform, which mean it’ll be my responsibility to help bring awareness to all about environmental issues and ways we can find solutions. With the project I’ve decided to work with, I’ll be able to have the entire country as well as other countries playing their part in protecting and caring for Planet Earth,” she declared.

that she takes pride in. if given the chance, the aspiring physician’s associate will serve in the best interest of the environment. She developed this project on account of the fact that many of the youths are not aware of recycling initiatives and how they can impact their lives.

6 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

APRIL 7, 2019

Miss Earth Guyana

S

elena Guyadeen is a feisty 19 year old from Goed Fortuin on the West Bank of Demerara with a passion for promoting a harmonious environment. She believes that for far too long there has been this disconnect between the environment and people and is here to encourage them to reconnect through her platform as part of the Miss Earth Guyana Pageant.

The Sunday Times Magazine recently has a chat with Miss Guyadeen and here is how that conversation went: STM: Have you always been interested in pageantry?

SG: I would say yes. When I was in my early teens I always imagined participating in modelling and pageantry.

STM: Why the Miss Earth Pageant?

SG: I chose it because I realise we as humans cause so many harms to our environment and Earth itself unknowingly and sometimes we know, but don't ever pay any attention. If I could change this, I would do my very best. I believe in being the change you desire to see.

STM: What do you know about the Miss Earth Pageant?

SG:I know that the Miss Earth Pageant is a worldwide pageant whereby females from all across the

P

ageantry has always been a dream of Phelicia Adams, and it is something that she constantly talks about, so when she was afforded the opportunity to join the Miss Earth Guyana Pageant, she jumped at the chance. The pageant allows her to pur-

sue two things near and dear to her: her love for nature and pageantry.

She grew up in Parika on the East Bank of Essequibo, where her love for nature developed. Growing up around nature made Phelicia aware of what is needed to be done to preserve what we have

and how we can advance the green agenda. “In my childhood days, I was always a lover of sports especially cricket, football and running. Being the only sister to two brothers from my mother, I was considered a tom-boy growing up. I occupied my childhood days

globe from age 18-28 can participate.

Miss Earth origin is located in the Philippines every year, each country participating Miss Earth winner goes to the Philippines or either Oceania to participate for the Miss Earth worldwide crown. Miss Earth Organisation is not only an organisation but is like a family. Young women who participate are in safe hands and from there they become more confident such as myself.

STM: Tell us about your Beauty With A Cause Project.

SG: Disharmony of the environment - Harmony between the environment and humans is too corrupt and a balance needs to be struck. Disharmony of environment is quite common. Have you seen deforestation in Guyana?

Have you seen the garbage in Guyana?

I think you see it every day. And I know we hardly take care of our environment and we need to change that.

Maybe a year won't do much, but it will be a start.

STM: What steps would be required for you to achieve the goals of your Beauty with a Cause?

SG: Firstly, I'll need a team to cooperate and communicate with me and mostly the citizens of Guyana. A team that will help me seek out help from our

with lots of outdoor activities and quality time with family. Even though living in a single-parent home was challenging, I still knew how to get up every day and give thanks for my life and I always knew that God has great plans for me and my family,� she related.

STM: Why the Miss Earth Pageant?

PA: As an ambassador who believes in being the change. It would be an honour to recreate Guyana in a new picture as well as to showcase to the world all the wonders that Guyana has to offer, since I believe it's my duty as a woman to love and care for the earth. The Miss Earth Guyana Pageant will give me the opportunity to empower young people like myself for betterment.

STM: Tell us about your Beauty with a Cause Project?

PA: My Beauty for a Cause Project focuses on Re-create under the theme "Recycle, Reduce, Reuse and Educate for a sustainable and green Guyana.

The initiative aims on promoting an eco-friendly environment through beautification of communities and educating the youths of today on the importance of implementing the 5RS in their everyday life. The steps that are required to achieve my Beauty with a Cause are togetherness, respect, commu-

fellow Guyanese. The rest is still yet to be discussed.

STM: Why did you choose this project?

SG: Because nature can survive without humans, but humans cannot survive without nature. And this being the reason why I made it my duty to be an ambassador to save Earth, so that our upcoming generation won't have to suffer for our deeds when we could change it.

STM: Why should you become the next Miss Earth Guyana?

SG: I not only have the qualities in bettering my beautiful Guyana but to also help my fellow Guyanese to learn about protecting our earth. We cannot just sit and expect stuff to be done for Mother Earth, but to also get up and help in doing so and not just by giving orders. I choose to participate because I read about it and then wondered to myself if so many young females could do it, why can't a normal girl do it.

STM: Is there anything else we should know about you?

SG: Yes. That I believe if I could make it this far, other girls out there in Guyana could do it too. All it takes is a bit of courage and the rest is up to you.

Besides I'm always here for help.

nities' outreach constantly with community members and team work.

STM: How do you see the Miss Earth Guyana organisation advancing your Beauty with a Cause?

PA: The Miss Earth Guyana organisation will advance my project because it does not only educate young people about environmental protection, but impacts for a change in which we all can see benefits for our communities.

STM: Why did you choose this project?

PA: I live in an area where things are available for young people to occupy their time, and knowing for

a fact that most depressed areas don't have such resources, it hurts my heart.

So I decided to take on this major project, because I see it as one that will impact the lives of young people and communities. My project strives for betterment.

STM: Why should you be the next Miss Earth Guyana?

PA: As an ambassador who believes in being the change, it would be an honor to recreate Guyana in a new picture as well as to showcase to the world all the wonders that Guyana has to offer. I believe it's my duty as a woman to love and care for the Earth.

guyanatimesgy.com

APRIL 7, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine 7

Miss Earth Guyana

A

fter being voted the most elegant contestant in the 2017 Miss Tourism Bolivar in Venezuela, 19 year old Annessa Van Sluytman is here to make her mark in the Miss Earth Guyana Pageant as she vie for the coveted title to represent Guyana on the big stage.

She hails from Industry on the East Coast of Demerara.

Growing up with two brothers meant that Annessa was somewhat of a tomboy as she did almost everything her brothers did. Education has been something treasured

by Annessa and her family.

She is currently a business management and marketing student at the Nations University in Georgetown.

With a rich history of pageantry running through her blood, Annessa is here to dominate and not be underestimated.

The Sunday Times Magazine recently posed some questions to Miss Van Sluytman and this is how it unfolded: STM: Why the Miss Earth pageant and what knowledge do you have of the platform?

When I was a kid I always dreamt to be in a pageant. I grew up with that dream inside of me and it became my passion, my ambition and my love for nature drove me to participate in Miss Earth

Guyana. The Miss Earth pageant is an international environmental-themed beauty pageant promoting environmental awareness. Along with Miss World, Miss Universe, and Miss International, this pageant is one of the Big Four international beauty pageants – the most coveted beauty titles when it comes to international pageant competitions. The reigning titleholders dedicate their year to promote specific projects and often address issues concerning the environment and other global issues.

STM: Tell us about your Beauty With A Cause project.

To use rice hulls (rice husks) in the construction of wood laminate floors in order to decrease their polluting effect on the environment and also to reduce the need for wood from trees. I believe that this has application in Guyana where rice husks are seen as a waste product from rice mills and where it is disposed of by burning mostly. It is also left in big piles be-

hind the rice mills and not only does it look untidy but also pollutes and can cause breathing problems for anyone coming near it. The technology of using the rice hulls in laminate floor construction already exists and introducing it to Guyana would greatly reduce the pollution from rice hulls and also decrease the demand for hardwoods from trees in the forest.

This also saves the trees and allows for another way to protect the environment.

STM: What steps would be required for you to achieve the goals of your beauty for a cause?

• Identify a problem area. In this case a rice mill.

• Visit the area and carry out reconnaissance activity.

• Quantify the waste material coming out of the facility.

Set up a process • design and a costing for the project.

• Seek help in the form of a Government grant in order to buy the machinery and set up a facility to do the recycling.

STM: Why did you choose this project?

I chose this project because I think that my country needs a change why it is preferable to pollute the environment instead of using it for a good? My purpose is to change that, our country needs a change for save the environment.

STM: How do you see the Miss Earth Guyana organization advancing your beauty for a cause?

The Miss Earth organization provides me with the media platform that I need in order to spread my message of recycling the rice hulls. I think that it's a unique idea and the

fact that I am a beauty pageant contestant and not an environmentalist or an

Engineer will attract attention to my cause. People will see the value of my idea after the publicity that the pageant offers me gets their attention initially. If I win I would have more platforms to expand my project much more and to be known internationally which would give me a great opportunities to turn this project into something extraordinary and create awareness of the pollution that affect the environment and our health.

Also create awareness about water pollution and the pollution of streets that affects us all in our day to day.

Who is your role model?

My mother, she is strong, fighter, cheerful and very persistent with what she wants and for me she is my example to follow with all the goals that I set out to do.

Why Guyana should root for you?

Sadly Guyana has never won the international crown of Miss Earth. I bring something new and different in this contest and I know that if we work together with the goal of bringing the crown home I will leave our country in high, a wonderful country full of diversity and I completely believe that I have that diversity, beauty and intelligence to represent Guyana and win the crown in the international pageant.

8 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

APRIL 7, 2019

Travel and Tourism

Explore Georgetown Guyana’s capital city, home to around 240,000 people, certainly has its charms.

Its British and Dutch heritage has resulted in some beautiful colonial buildings, even if many are crumbling. Mix in a strong Caribbean influence, and you have a pleasant melting pot of culture. Sights are low-key but include the dazzling white St George’s Cathedral, one of the largest wooden structures in the world. Friendly manatees hang out in the ponds in the botanical gardens and National Park, taking grass from visitors.

Marvel at Kaieteur Falls

Five times higher than Niagara Falls, and said to be the world's largest single drop waterfall by the volume of water flowing over it, this is one of the great wonders of the world. The beauty of the setting, the lack of visitors, and the power of the water all helps.

There are several viewpoints to admire the falls, but make sure you explore the surrounding area and its unique microclimate too. Look for the tiny golden frogs in the leaves of the giant tank bromeliads, and seek out the beautiful Guianan cock of the rocks.

This little-visited South American country is stuffed full of amazing wildlife, waterfalls and wild experiences, as Wanderlust's editor-in-chief Lyn Hughes discovers...

Birding All that forest and water has resulted in Guyana boasting over 900 species of birds.

If you’re really lucky you may get to see the largest raptor in the Americas, the harpy eagle.

Sometimes referred to as the “flying wolf”, this huge eagle can carry off sloths and monkeys in its claws, which are the size of a grizzly bears.

But the most recognisable bird, which just about every visitor wants to see is the Guianan cock of the rock. The males are a striking orange in colour, with a half-moon crest on their head, and feathery tendrils from their body. They are best spotted at leks, the parade grounds they use for displaying themselves to females in a bid to capture her interest. Kaieteur Falls and Iwokrama have well established ones where you have a good chance of a sighting.

Stay in a community-owned lodge Guyana is a shining example of how community-owned lodges can work, with several Amerindian communities now running successful places to stay. The result is that jobs are created, money goes into the community for education and healthcare, and traditional culture is conserved, as is wildlife, which is fiercely protected rather than being hunted. For the visitor, they are getting an immersive experience and unique insight into a culture. So a win-win all round.

Good examples to stay at include the Rewa and Surama Eco-Lodges, both of which offer excellent river and land-based excursions in search of unique flora and fauna.

Ogle giant river otters Over the years, you may have seen film footage of a remarkable lady in South America who was raising orphaned giant river otter cubs. If so, it was almost certainly the late Diane McTurk, and filmed at Karanambu, her family ranch in the Rupununi. Indeed any footage of giant river otters by the BBC and other crews may well have been filmed here. Diana went on to build an eco lodge to host visitors and help fund conservation.

Although Diana passed away in 2016, her family continue with the lodge and with the work to protect otters, including any orphans. Boat trips explore ox-bow lakes which are home to river otters and myriad species of birds. Monkeys and sloths are frequently seen in the trees, while anteaters roam the open savannah and you may be lucky enough to see one on a morning game drive.

Walk the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway The million-acre Iwokrama Reserve protects one of the last pristine rainforests in the world. Not surprisingly, it has a rich diversity of flora and fauna, with around 200 species of mammal, and 500 birds calling it home, as well as black caiman, giant river otters and jaguars. The Iwokrama Canopy Walkway gives a unique perspective of the forest, and can be visited (with guides) at all times of day and night.

Munch on a meal at Backyard Café Chef Delven Adams lived and worked in the US until coming back and turning a hobby into Georgetown’s hippest and most magical restaurant that really is in his backyard. You have to pre-book, and there is no menu - rather you discuss what you like and what might be available with Delven.

While you can just have a meal, for the full experience we recommend taking a market tour with Delven first, shopping for fresh fish, sampling fruit along the way, sipping on fresh coconut milk, and meeting many of the local characters. Then enjoy the freshly cooked results of the shopping expedition, savouring beautiful dishes crammed with flavour. (Wanderlust)

guyanatimesgy.com

APRIL 7, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine

9

Feature

By Dr. Vishnu Bisram

D

harma and P l a n t a t i o n H i n d u i s m : Explorations and Reflections of an Indian Guyanese Hindu (2019), written by Dr. Ramesh Gampat, helps us to understand Hindu Dharma as it is practiced in Guyana and by extension Hindu Guyanese communities in other parts of the globe (Hindu Guyanese diaspora). The examination of what is believed and practiced led the author to the conclusion that some aspects The Guyanese brand of Hinduism does not square up with Sanatana Dharma or Vedānta. It is a refreshing perspective of Hinduism. Dr. Gampat major thesis that permeates the entire book is that the brand of Hinduism practiced in Guyana is not consistent with Sanatana Dharma.

Dr. Gampat is a former economist attached to the United Nations and has spent considerable number of years abroad advising countries on economic and human development. One would never tell that man

Book Review

who is a scholar in economics would demonstrate such a comprehensive grasp of Hinduism, the Dharmic tradition of his ancestors and of himself.

The book is original, comprehensive and a timely discussion of the Guyanese brand of Hinduism. The book offers primarily factual information on Hindu practices and commentaries of the views of the author on these practices.

The arguments are well articulated, and evidence documented, supported by anecdotal and empirical evidence.

It is an important academic treatise, a kind of encyclopedia Hindu practices and beliefs, complemented by definitions of Hindi and Sanskrit terms that are commonly used in Guyana and worldwide.

The book is staggeringly comprehensive. It includes virtually all that is practiced in Hinduism in Guyana and more. One cannot think of what is left out. But one must not get carried away that everyone practices Hinduism in the manner described.

Almost everyone, however, depends on the pandit’s worldview of Hinduism and his instructions to engage in rituals and other practices.

Dr. Gampat defines important terms and concepts including plantation Hinduism” – the kind of Hinduism practiced on the plantation that came from India and evolved over time into commerce between pandits and ordinary Hindus and between ordinary Hindus and gods. He takes issue with the kind of liturgies being uttered by the pandits in mandirs and at pujas at home or in Ramayana and bhagwat discourses in Guyana and its Hindu Diaspora because of inadequate knowledge and training of pundits to deliver expert liturgies. He contends that pandits tend to preach and encourage others to follow what is actually not in the scriptures or what they themselves do not practice. He acclaims that yajman become too dependent on the pandits or purohits who exploit them commercially.”

There is no evidence in

the book of any bias against any particular individual or against pandits. Dr. Gampat is not against pandits; he simply wants them to become better educated and knowledgeable about their religion since they are the leaders and have to guide others.

He writes at length about the devotional “bhakti” tradition. He also addresses illiteracy among Hindus and how the faith accommodates women, low-caste men and illiterates. He critiqued Dr. CheddiJagan, the Indian political leader, for embracing Marxism as his faith, to the detriment of Hindus and other Indians. Jagan had a lot of influence on Hindus but not on Hinduism. Hindus considered Jagan as their God even though Jagan did not believe in a God. Jagan used the pandits for his own political ends that were detrimental to Hindus and Indians. The author also made references to the persecution of Hindus (Indians in general) by the Forbes Burnham dictatorship. And he notes that in spite of repressive colonial rule, missionary activity, and Burnhamism, Hinduism has survived.

The book does a fantastic job at shedding light on some of the main aspects of Hinduism which readers take for granted but about which people need to be reminded. Major topics addressed are: Indian immigration, name origins, festivals (Diwali/Divali and Holi/Phagwah), religious gurus (some of who

exploit the uninformed and ignorant which the author condemns), caste system, practices in the Hindu Guyanese diaspora, Hindu philosophy, kharma, dharma, murti pooja, sanskars, rituals (Pinda) after death, Burnhamism and discrimination against Indians, and identity, among others. Two chapters examine the proselytization efforts of Christian Missionaries.

He also tackled the division in Hinduism between the Sanatanists and Arya Samajists.

One may consider the book a history of Hinduism in Guyana, but the author makes ample use of politics, economics, sociology, and anthropology to clearly bring out his points and in enabling readers to understand the state of Hinduism going back several decades.

The multi-disciplinary approach adds variety and color but also helps the reader to understand the issues. Gampat’s book helps us to understand some of the vast number of spiritual texts used by religious minded Hindu Guyanese and spiritual leaders when performing kathas or pujas.

I am impressed by the

vast amount information, views and research included in this book. The good news is as that the book is written in three parts.

Each part can be read independently of the other. It is a great book. It is an erudite comprehensive analysis of Hinduism in Guyana, none like it has ever been written in the west or even in India.

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in understanding Hinduism as practiced not only in Guyana, but around the greater Caribbean region, USA, Canada, UK, Holland, and parts of India.

Even those who are wellversed with the concepts of Hinduism may take something or other from the book. It is impossible not to admire a book that strides so intrepidly into such a controversial area, to seek to right the practices of Hinduism and to encourage pandits to become better in that profession. Anyone who reads the book will have a deeper understanding of Hinduism and why Caribbean Hindus accept certain beliefs and practices. It will also force pandits to become more learned.

10 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

APRIL 7, 2019

Health

E

A

utism spectrum disorder is a developmental disorder that affects the way someone interacts and communicates with other people. It is also characterized by repetitive behaviors. It is called a spectrum disorder because each person with autism is affected differently. Along the spectrum there are different symptoms that vary in severity that people on the spectrum present. A person can be diagnosed with mild, moderate or severe autism. Boys are four times more likely to have ASD than girls.

What causes ASD? There is no single cause of ASD. If a relative in the family has autism it is likely that a child can be born with or develop the condition during the early years as a toddler.

an exceptional ability to record and retain minute details.

2. Autism only affects children.

No! A child with autism grows up to become an adult with autism. Contrary to what some people believe, a person cannot “grow out” of autism.

3. There must be some medical test and a cure for autism.

No! There is no medical test available that can detect autism, neither is there a cure. The best hope for children with autism is early diagnosis and early intervention.

4. Autism is contagious.

No! Autism is not contagious. Do not be afraid to befriend and love someone with autism.

5. People with autism look different.

Unlike cerebral palsy and other men-

ndometrial cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the uterus. The uterus is the hollow, pear-shaped pelvic organ in women where fetal development occurs.

Endometrial cancer begins in the layer of cells that form the lining (endometrium) of the uterus. Endometrial cancer is sometimes called uterine cancer.

Other types of cancer can form in the uterus, including uterine sarcoma, but they are much less common than endometrial cancer.

Endometrial cancer is often detected at an early stage because it frequently produces abnormal vaginal bleeding, which prompts women to see their doctors. If endometrial cancer is discovered early, removing the uterus surgically often cures endometrial cancer.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of endometrial cancer may include: • Vaginal bleeding after menopause • Bleeding between periods • An abnormal, watery or bloodtinged discharge from your vagina • Pelvic pain

Causes

Doctors don't know what causes endometrial cancer. What's known is that something occurs to create a genetic mutation within cells in the endometrium — the lining of the uterus.

The genetic mutation turns normal, healthy cells into abnormal cells.

Healthy cells grow and multiply at a set rate, eventually dying at a set time.

Abnormal cells grow and multiply out of control, and they don't die at a set time.

The accumulating abnormal cells form a mass (tumor). Cancer cells invade nearby tissues and can separate from an initial tumor to spread elsewhere in the body (metastasize).

Risk factors

Signs and Symptoms of Autism Here are just a few symptoms of ASD • Poor eye contact • Stimming (hand flapping, rocking back and forth) • Difficulty having conversations • Difficulty understanding language • Inability to cope with a change in routine • Eating the same foods • Always engaging in the same type of play • Playing inappropriately with toys.

• May be non-verbal • May talk about the same thing over and over again • May become upset with minor changes in the environment.

Debunking the Myths 1. Autism is the same as retardation.

No! Many people on the spectrum have normal to high IQs. Many of them succeed in math, music, art etc. They have

tal disorders, people on the spectrum look as normal as anyone else. Autism has no “look.”

6. All children with autism have to go to a special school.

No! Children with mild to moderate autism can go to a mainstream school and excel with the right type of support from their parents and a teacher who is trained to work with children on the spectrum.

7. Corporal punishment will help the child learn.

No. People on the spectrum interpret things differently. They will not be able to make a clear connection between “licks” and what is expected of them and their ability to understand and perform desired tasks.

8. Vaccinations cause autism.

No! There is no link between vaccines and ASD. If your child has any of the symptoms stated above, you can schedule an appointment to have your child screened at The Step by Step School (223-7837), or alternatively, by Rosanne Farley (6224201).

Factors that increase the risk of endometrial cancer include: Changes in the balance of female hormones in the body.w Your ovaries make two main female hormones — estrogen and progesterone. Fluctuations in the balance of these hormones cause changes in your endometrium.

A disease or condition that increases the amount of estrogen, but not the level of progesterone, in your body can increase your risk of endometrial cancer.

Examples include irregular ovulation patterns, such as those that can occur in women with polycystic ovary syndrome, obesity and diabetes. Taking hormones after menopause that contain estrogen but not progesterone increases the risk of endometrial cancer.

A rare type of ovarian tumor that secretes estrogen also can increase the risk of endometrial cancer.

More years of menstruation.

Starting menstruation at an early age — before age 12 — or beginning menopause later increases the risk of endometrial cancer. The more periods you've had, the more exposure your endometrium has had to estrogen.

Never having been pregnant. Women who have never been pregnant have a higher risk of endometrial cancer than do women who have had at least one pregnancy.

Older age. As you get older, your risk of endometrial cancer increases.

Endometrial cancer occurs most often in women who have undergone menopause.

Obesity. Being obese increases your risk of endometrial cancer. This may occur because excess body fat alters your body's balance of hormones.

Hormone therapy for breast cancer. Women with breast cancer who take the hormone therapy drug tamoxifen

have an increased risk of developing endometrial cancer. If you're taking tamoxifen, discuss this risk with your doctor.

For most women, the benefits of tamoxifen outweigh the small risk of endometrial cancer.

An inherited colon cancer syndrome. Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) is a syndrome that increases the risk of colon cancer and other cancers, including endometrial cancer. HNPCC occurs because of a gene mutation passed from parents to children. If a family member has been diagnosed with HNPCC, discuss your risk of the genetic syndrome with your doctor. If you've been diagnosed with HNPCC, ask your doctor what cancer screening tests you should undergo.

Prevention

To reduce your risk of endometrial cancer, you may wish to: Talk to your doctor about the risks of hormone therapy after menopause. If you're considering hormone replacement therapy to help control menopause symptoms, talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits. Unless you've undergone a hysterectomy, replacing estrogen alone after menopause may increase your risk of endometrial cancer. Taking a combination of estrogen and progestin can reduce this risk. Hormone therapy carries other risks, such as a possible increase in the risk of breast cancer, so weigh the benefits and risks with your doctor.

Consider taking birth control pills.

Using oral contraceptives for at least one year may reduce endometrial cancer risk. The risk reduction is thought to last for several years after you stop taking oral contraceptives. Oral contraceptives have side effects, though, so discuss the benefits and risks with your doctor.

Maintain a healthy weight. Obesity increases the risk of endometrial cancer, so work to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. If you need to lose weight, increase your physical activity and reduce the number of calories you eat each day.

Exercise most days of the week.

Exercise may reduce your risk of endometrial cancer. Add physical activity into your daily routine. Try to exercise 30 minutes most days of the week. If you can exercise more, that's even better.

Treatment

Your options for treating your endometrial cancer will depend on the characteristics of your cancer, such as the stage, your general health and your preferences.

Surgery

Surgery to remove the uterus is recommended for most women with endometrial cancer. Most women with endometrial cancer undergo a procedure to remove the uterus (hysterectomy), as well as to remove the fallopian tubes and ovaries (salpingo-oophorectomy). A hysterectomy makes it impossible for you to have children in the future. Also, once your ovaries are removed, you'll experience menopause, if you haven't already.

Radiation

Radiation therapy uses powerful energy beams, such as X-rays and protons, to kill cancer cells. In some instances, your doctor may recommend radiation to reduce your risk of a cancer recurrence after surgery. In certain situations, radiation therapy may also be recommended before surgery, to shrink a tumor and make it easier to remove.

Hormone therapy

Hormone therapy involves taking medications that affect hormone levels in the body. Hormone therapy may be an option if you have advanced endometrial cancer that has spread beyond the uterus. (Mayo Clinic)

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APRIL 7, 2019

Ingredients

• 12 oz tomato paste • 2 cups beef broth • 12 oz chopped tomato • 15 oz black beans, • 15 oz red kidney bean, • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, optional CORNBREAD DUMPLINGS • 1 cup cornmeal • 1 cup flour • 1 teaspoon baking powder • 1 pinch salt • 2 eggs • ¼ cup honey • ½ cup buttermilk

Preparation

3. Add the tomato paste and cook until the tomato paste gets dark and starts sticking to the bottom slightly. Add in the canned diced tomatoes, broth, black beans, kidney beans, and apple cider vinegar (optional). Stir until all is well incorporated. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low to a simmer, 4. Scoop and shape the cornbread batter into golf ball sized dumplings and place in the simmering chili.

5. Put a lid on the Chili and steam/ simmer the dumplings 20 minutes or until the dumplings are cooked through. Serve with cheddar cheese, sour cream, and sliced scallions. (Tasty)

• 2 lb ground beef (or any meat of choice) • 2 tablespoons kosher salt • 1 tablespoon black pepper • 1 tablespoon ground cumin (geera) • 1 tablespoon chilli powder • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika, ground • 1 teaspoon cayenne • 1 large onion, chopped • 1 red bell pepper, chopped • 6 cloves garlic, minced • 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, chopped 1. In a large bowl, mix the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, and salt. Mix and make a little well in the center then add the milk, eggs, honey into the well, beat the eggs and liquid first, and then combine with the rest of the dry ingredients. Set aside until chili is almost finished.

2. In a large pot at medium high heat, add ground meat, season with salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, cayenne, and cook until it is a deep brown color.

Add the onion, red bell peppers garlic, and chopped chipotles, and a pinch of salt. Cook until caramelized and soft, about 10 minutes.

Ingredients

• 14 oz canned pink salmon, bones and skin removed • 2 tsp crushed garlic • 1 tbsp finely chopped parsley • 1 tsp lemon juice • 1/2 of wiri wiri

Sunday Times Magazine 11

Home & Cooking

Lush Leaves

Fill any underused nook or corner with a big, ol' houseplant and it can instantly become the personality-packed focal point of the room. Tuck the pot in a cute basket for an extra punch.

Better Flow

It’s not as much about where you put your furniture as it is about the types of pieces you choose. Try to include at least one round piece, such as a coffee table, that people can walk around without bumping their knees and also add a few armchairs and a versatile piece like a garden stool that can be used as a stool to sit on or as a table for a drink.

pepper, seed removed and finely chopped(any hot pepper will do) • 1/4 cup finely chopped onion • 1/4 cup plain bread crumbs • 1/2 tsp salt • 1 egg beaten

Instructions

1. Place salmon in a bowl and break apart with a fork into small pieces. Add garlic, parsley, lemon juice, pepper (optional but highly recommended), onions, bread crumbs and salt and mix well. Add egg and mix well.

2. Next using a 1/4 cup measuring cup, scoop salmon filling and form into shape with your hands. Repeat until all the mixture is used.

3. In a heavy bottom frying pan over medium, add oil, about an inch deep. When the oil is hot add the salmon croquettes and fry until golden brown on all sides, flipping to make sure both sides are cooked. Place on a plate lined with paper towel to cool.

(Jehan Can Cook)

Velvet Sofa

Make the living room feel airer (and infinitely bigger) by replacing a bulky sectional with pretty seating. Besides, what feels more luxe than velvet?

12 Sunday Times Magazine

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APRIL 7, 2019

Puzzles

ACROSS

86 Oater challenge 1 Go back over

87 Limestone rock formation 7 Cousteau invention

88 D-sharp alias (hyph.)

12 Bundle of grain

89 Prehistoric plant-eater 17 Nostalgic soft drink brand 92 "From -- -- Eternity" 21 Beehive

93 Nearly all 22 Poe's middle name

94 Clink glasses 23 Pitcher -- Martinez

95 "Make" or "break" 24 Lena of filmdom

96 Diamond stat 25 Minor accident

97 Huck's father 26 Skeptically (5 wds.)

98 Push rudely 29 Elev.

99 Solar plexus 30 Fuses

100 Exert a calming influence 32 Fictional governess

102 Outfit 33 Near-homer

105 Flour holders 34 Gloom's partner

106 Devious 36 Spa facility

107 Tillers 37 Dauntless

110 Horde members 38 Robert Urich TV role

111 Rose fruit 39 See eye to eye

112 Calendar rows 41 Portland hrs.

114 Charles Lamb's pen name 42 In order

115 Hamburger extra 43 Attacked

116 Team 44 Consume

117 Burdensome 46 Volcano goddess

119 Naval off.

47 Shallow dish

120 Kind of fight (hyph.)

48 Insect resin

123 Frostings 50 Parody

125 Inner portion of an egg 51 Smudge

126 Traditional saying 52 Vacation spot

127 Brown bag contents 53 Cruise-ship deck

128 Act the snitch 57 Mr. Spock's mother

129 Rightmost column 59 Summer annual (2 wds.)

130 Gulf nation 61 Where Ephesus was

131 Knight's gloves

62 Mounds

132 Wiped out data

63 Lower jaw DOWN 64 Row on a chessboard

1 Marriott competitor 65 Ankle opposites

2 Afterword (var.)

66 Tolstoy heroine

3 Some books (2 wds.)

67 Quick-witted

4 Open-wide word

68 Not genuine

5 Mex. matrons

70 Scold

6 Flu shots

71 Busy place, slangily

7 Carpenter's sweepings

72 Accepts an invitation 8 Patron

73 "Wellaway!"

9 Infra opposite

74 Bikini halves

10 Words from Scrooge 75 Fidel's friend

11 Literary compilation 78 Courage under fire

12 Nimbly

80 Garlic juicer 13 Eavesdropped

81 Form an opinion

14 Adams or Brickell 82 Platte River tribe

15 Comic-strip prince 83 Sorry

16 Nature trail

85 La -- tar pits

KATHLEEN SAXE

WORD GAME

TODAY'S WORD -- ECONOMICS (ECONOMICS: ek-uh-NOM-iks: The social science dealing with production, distribution and consumption of goods.)

Average mark 32 words Time limit 45 minutes Can you find 43 or more words in ECONOMICS?

cisco coco coin come comic concise cone conic conies cosine cosmic omen once oscine nice

nose noise noisome noose nose mesic mice mien mince mine monies mono moon moose icon

income scenic scion sconce scone secco semi since sine some sone sonic soon

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.

17 Snooping around

18 Fly by

19 Heaped up

20 Entomb

27 Crystal-filled rock 28 Jacques, in song 31 Not get renewed

35 Hubbies

37 Role for Phil Silvers

38 Hut

40 Mild oaths

42 Atlas abbr.

43 Rattle 45 Earth-conscious org.

46 A Beatle

47 Spring bloom

48 Capital of Bolivia (2 wds.)

49 PABA part

51 Like a neat lawn

52 Fake bullet

53 Burglar's "key"

54 Campers' need (2 wds.)

55 Morse signal 56 Western treaty gp.

58 PBS funder

59 Ally opposites 60 Gator cousins

61 Rainbow goddess 63 Boo and hiss

65 Pow! 67 -- & the Gang 68 Skirt feature

69 Possesses

70 Pilot et al 72 Overabundance

73 -- we all!

74 Shaggy animal

76 Shade-loving plant

77 Bar legally

79 "... to buy -- -- pig"

80 Not poetry

81 Trounce 82 Rower's need

83 Sleep phenomenon 84 Sci-fi saucer

85 Cochise's warrior 86 Take a chance

87 Bandmate of Mick

89 Derrick arms 90 Bakery fixtures

91 Uses hair rollers 92 Cinemax rival 94 "-- Night Football" 96 Chicago columnist 98 Reeked 99 More mature 100 Gumshoes 101 Laugh syllable 102 Circus shooter 103 Oval-nest builder 104 Fills the shelves 105 Commanded 106 Lead astray 108 Join the crowd 109 Mouthed off 110 Godzilla's target 111 Be contingent on 112 Treat unfairly 113 Hotel offering 116 Did the crawl 117 Water, in Baja 118 Injury memento 121 Keats offering 122 HS math 124 Give -- -- whirl

See Solution on page 14

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APRIL 7, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine 13

Tech

O

fficials investigating the deadly crash of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 have said that the plane suffered from “repetitive uncommanded nose-down” prior to crashing, in an apparent reference to the Boeing aircraft’s controversial automated flight control system. Officials also said that the plane had not been damaged by a foreign object, and stressed that the plane’s pilots followed the correct procedures, but could not prevent the 737 Max 8 from crashing.

“The preliminary report clearly showed that the Ethiopian Airlines Pilots who were commanding Flight ET 302/10 March have followed the Boeing recommended and FAA approved emergency procedures to handle the most difficult emergency situation created on the airplane,” reads a statement from Ethiopian Airlines. “Despite their hard work and full compliance with the emergency procedures, it was very unfortunate that they could not recover the airplane from the persistence (of) nose diving.”

Ethiopian officials have asked Boeing to review the 737 Max’s flight control system as a result. A full report into the crash of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 will be released in about one year.

By ruling out other causes suggests that investigators are zeroing in on the controversial automated flight control system as the primary cause of the March 10th crash that killed all 157 people on board. The same anti-stall software has been cited as contributing to the October 29th crash of another Boeing 737 Max airplane, Lion Air Flight 610, which also killed everyone on board.

Not only was the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System, or MCAS, engaged on the Boeing 737 Max

jet that crashed minutes after take-off in Ethiopia, but it re-engaged up to four times, according to The Guardian. The system automatically points the nose of the aircraft down to prevent a perceived stall-out. In the case of Lion Air 610, a faulty sensor sent the signal that the plane was climbing too steep and in danger of stalling.

These are the only two accidents involving the new Boeing 737 Max series of aircraft, which was first introduced in 2017.

Since the crash of Ethiopian Airlines 302, more than 300 Boeing 737 Max passenger jets have been grounded worldwide.

Boeing began rolling out an update to its MCAS software soon after the Lion Air crash. But the company said the update was delayed. Boeing had hoped to submit the update to the Federal Aviation Administration last week. The FAA must approve the new software and training procedures before the Max can return to commercial flight. The update could come, according to The Wall Street Journal, with final FAA testing to take an additional six weeks. Overseas regulators could take even longer to review and certify the fix.

Meanwhile, lawmakers and prosecutors in Washington, DC, are trying to determine if there was any wrongdoing in the approval and certification of Boeing’s MCAS software.

The Senate Commerce Committee is investigating whistleblower allegations about improper training and certification for FAA safety inspectors. Subpoenas have been issued in a criminal investigation into the FAA’s certification process, which reportedly was mostly outsourced to Boeing engineers. (The Verge)

A

mazon plans to launch a constellation of 3,236 satellites into low Earth orbit in order to provide internet to “unserved and underserved communities around the world.” The so-called Project Kuiper initiative first came to light after GeekWire spotted that Kuiper Systems LLC recently made three sets of filings with the ITU, the international organization in charge of coordinating satellite orbits.

Amazon confirmed that Kuiper Systems is one of its projects.

Amazon is the latest in a string of companies with plans to use a network of thousands of satellites to offer broadband around the world. Unlike traditional satellite internet, these plans involve the use of satellites in low Earth orbit, which can be operated cheaply and with lower latencies. SpaceX has plans to launch as many as 12,000 satellites as part of its Starlink constellation, One Web wants to launch 650 satellites, and Facebook is also developing an internet satellite of its own.

Project Kuiper will consist of satellites at three different altitudes: there will be 784 satellites at 367 miles, 1,296 satellites at 379 miles, and 1,156 satellites at 391 miles.

These satellites will offer internet in areas ranging from 56 degrees north (roughly in line with the middle of Scotland) down to 56 degrees south (which is below the southernmost tip of South America). This area, theoretically, covers over 95 percent of Earth’s population.

When contacted for comment, a spokesperson from Amazon said: “Project Kuiper is a new initiative to launch a constellation of Low Earth Orbit

W

hatsApp Business, a version of the messaging app that lets small businesses connect with their customers, is now rolling out worldwide on iOS. The free app launched on iOS last month but only in a limited number of countries.

WhatsApp Business has been available on

A

tiny robotic spacecraft from Israel just inserted itself into orbit around the Moon in a critical maneuver that sets the vehicle up for a landing on the lunar surface next week. If the touchdown is successful, the spacecraft will become the first private vehicle to land on the Moon.

The lander now speeding around the Moon is Beresheet, which is built and operated by Israeli nonprofit SpaceIL. On February 21st, Beresheet launched to space

on top of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, which deployed the lander in a wide orbit around Earth. Since then, the spacecraft has been periodically igniting its engine and stretching its orbital path around the planet, sending itself toward the Moon. So far, the lander has traveled more than 3.4 million miles through space and completed around 12 orbits. It’s also taken a few snapshots of Earth and itself along the way. (The Verge)

satellites that will provide low-latency, highspeed broadband connectivity to unserved and underserved communities around the world. This is a long-term project that envisions serving tens of millions of people who lack basic access to broadband internet. We look forward to partnering on this initiative with companies that share this common vision.”

Amazon has yet to announce whether it intends to build its own satellites or buy them from a third party. It also has yet to make a decision about how it will launch them into orbit. Although Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos has his own spaceflight company called Blue Origin, an Amazon spokesperson confirmed to GeekWire that “[Amazon] will of course look at all options.”

The project will also require a network of Earth stations for the satellites to communicate with. Last year, Amazon launched AWS Ground Station, a cloud computing service that will enable space-to-ground communications.

There’s no time frame for when Amazon’s satellites might be sent into orbit, but it will need to receive the Federal Communications Commission’s approval before it can do so.

The FCC will consider issues such as orbital congestion as well as Amazon’s plans for decommissioning its satellites at the end of its operation. Orbital debris has become an increasingly large concern; last year, NASA recommended that 99 out of every 100 satellites from these mega constellations will need to be deorbited once their missions are over to prevent the space around the Earth from filling up with dangerous junk. (The Verge)

Android since last year.

Unlike the standard WhatsApp messaging app, WhatsApp Business lets business owners set up a profile to share company details like their email or store address, and also have access to greetings and away messages to manage interactions with customers (who contact them using the standard WhatsApp client). WhatsApp’s web interface is also supported by the app.

The WhatsApp Business app should not be confused with the WhatsApp Business API, a paid service designed for much larger companies.

The API allows businesses to send out notifications like boarding passes and receipts, as well as respond to customer queries. It’s currently one of the few ways WhatsApp monetizes itself directly.

The WhatsApp Business App is available now in Brazil, Germany, Indonesia, India, Mexico, the UK, and the US, and will be coming out across the rest of the world in the coming weeks. (The Verge)

14 Sunday Times Magazine

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APRIL 7, 2019

Bollywood/Hollywood

B

ollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Zero may have been panned by critics and proved to be a box office flop but the film will be the closing movie of the Beijing International Film Festival.

The festival, which will run from April 13 to April 20, will open with The Composer, a forthcoming Chinese-Kazakh co-production, as its opening title.

The decision to programme Zero in such a prominent slot underlines the growing success which Indian films are enjoying with Chinese audiences, reports variety.com.

Directed by Aanand L. Rai, the Hindi language film released in December last year.

It features SRK as a person with dwarfism in a love triangle with a scientist with cerebral palsy (actress Anushka Sharma) and a

F

ormer actor Mayoori Kango, who is best remembered for her film Papa Kehte Hain featuring the runaway hit Ghar Se Nikelte Hi, is now among the top executives in Google India. She has been appointed as industry head - agency business at Google India recently.

Mayoori quit acting in early 2000s to pursue a career in the corporate world.

She will lead agency partnerships with Dan and Publicis at Google.

According to media reports, Mayoori started her corporate career with New York City-based digital agency called 360i where she worked as an associate media manager from 2004 to 2012. She then worked as the managing director of Performics. Resultrix, part of the French company Publicis Groupe.

B

ritney Spears‘ friends and family are helping her get stronger amid her mental health struggles.

After it was reported Wednesday that the 37-year-old pop star checked herself into a mental health facility to cope with her father’s illness, her sister Jamie Lynn Spears, boyfriend Sam Asghari, and ex-husband Kevin Federline, publicly shared words of support.

Jamie Lynn, who is nine years younger than her big sister, shared a throwback photo of herself as a child and a teenaged Spears on her Instagram.

“Yup, she rode the bus home with me after my first day of school, cuz she’s the fn best,” Jamie Lynn, 28, wrote, adding the hashtag #WCW for “Woman Crush Wednesday.”

Asghari, who has been dating Spears for more than two years, reposted the singer’s Instagram message, which read “Fall in love with taking care of yourself, mind, body,

famous actress (Katrina Kaif).

The Composer is the first movie to emerge from a cooperation agreement between China and Kazakhstan under Chinese President Xi Jinping’s infrastructurebuilding project, the Belt and Road Initiative.

Directed by Kazakhstan’s Xirzat Yahup, it describes the life of a Chinese composer stranded in Almaty in the 1940s who strikes up a friendship with a Kazakh composer.

The festival line-up is a mix of Hollywood blockbusters (including all five “Jason Bourne” films and all four “Mad Max” titles); homage to filmmakers, including Akira Kurosawa and Alfonso Cuaron (with screenings of “Gravity” and “Children of Men”); and lesser-known works from countries including Indonesia and India. (Hindustan Times)

She has also worked as an associate director with Digitas.

Previously, she was also associated with Zenith as their Chief Digital Officer.

Mayoori started her Bollywood career at the young age of 15 with the National Film Award-winning movie, Naseem. She has worked with actors like Rani Mukerji, Ajay Devgn, Arshad Warsi, Anupam Kher, Shakti Kapoor, Bobby Deol, Chandrachur Singh and Jugal Hansraj with films including Papa Kehte Hain, Hogi Pyaar Ki Jeet, Badal, Betaabi and Papa the Great. She also worked on the small screen for some time with Kaahin Kissii Roz, Kittie Party, Kkusum and Kya Hadsaa Kya Haqeeqat, among a few others.

She is now living in India, having returned from the US in 2009. (Hindustan Times)

B

ey is the new Yeezy. Adidas has signed Beyoncé as its new creative partner, the brand announced on Thursday.

As part of the deal, the 37-year-old pop star will be developing allnew line of products for the athletic giant ranging from performance to lifestyle, which will include shoes and clothing.

Adidas also plans to relaunch the musician’s own brand, Ivy Park, which initially launched with Topshop in 2016. Beyoncé will retain full ownership of the label, as well as debut a program aimed at empowering the next generation of athletes and creatives “driving positive change in the world through

L

aw & Order: SVU and NBC made TV history with the season 21 renewal.

The series starring and executive produced by Mariska Hargitay is now the longest-running primetime live-action series in TV history.

With the renewal, SVU beats Gunsmoke, which ran for 20 seasons between 1955-1975, and the Law & Order mothership series, which ran from 19902010.

Hargitay has been with the show since the beginning as compassionate detective-turned-lieutenant Olivia Benson. Of course she'll be back for the landmark season.

"I'm deeply proud to be a part of this groundbreaking show, and humbled to make television history today," Hargitay, who has also directed numerous episodes, said in a statement. "The longevity and continued success of SVU is a testament not only to the show's powerful storytelling and ability to connect with viewers, but to its necessity. We have told important stories for 20 years, and we will continue to tell them."

Paul Telegdy and George Cheeks, co-chairment of NBC Entertainment, announced the renewal.

"We tip our cap to Dick Wolf, Mariska Hargitay and the amazing cast and crew of SVU, who now all go into the record book," Telegdy and Cheeks said in a joint statement. "This incredible run is an example of what happens when producers, writers and actors all come together and create a show that, year after year, speaks to its audience in a powerful way. We couldn't be more proud of this remarkable achievement."

The series currently stars Harigtay as Lt. Olivia Benson, Ice T as Sgt. Odafin "Fin" Tutuola, Kelli Giddish as Det. Amanda Rollins, Peter Scanavino as Det. Sonny Carisi and Philip Winchester as Asst. District Attorney Peter Stone.

sport.”

“This is the partnership of a lifetime for me,” the Grammy winner said in a press release announcing the partnership.

“Adidas has had tremendous success in pushing creative boundaries. We share a philosophy that puts creativity, growth and social responsibility at the forefront of business.

I look forward to re-launching and expanding Ivy Park on a truly global scale with a proven, dynamic leader.”

While no photos of the collaboration have been released just yet, the forthcoming pieces are practically guaranteed to give Kanye West’s Adidas designs a run for their money. (Page Six)

Hargitay was nominated for eight Emmys so far, winning in 2006. She won a Golden Globe for her work in 2005. Inspired by the series, she created The Joyful Heart Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting survivors, ending domestic violence and helping change response to sexual violence.

The organization is currently committed to ending the backlog of untested rape kits, the quest was spotlighted in Hargitay's documentary I Am Evidence.

The announcement gives no indication the upcoming season will be the last.

Hargitay previously told E! News she has thought of the ideal ending for Benson— and Wolf knows it— but she's not done yet.

(E! News)

Crossword Solution

spirit.”

“It isn’t weakness, It’s a sign of absolute strength, people should only be inspired by this, at least I am,” he captioned the photo.

Federline, who was married to Spears from 2004 to 2007 and has two children with the pop star, did not comment on social media, but showed his support by releasing a statement through his attorney, Mark Vincent Kaplan.

“Kevin commends Britney for recognizing that she needs to take a step back and that she is taking the reasonable steps to dealing with her situation in a responsible way,” Kaplan told Entertainment Tonight.

“He wishes everyone well.”

A source told Page Six about Spears’ health, “Britney hasn’t been drinking or doing drugs or anything, she just has some very difficult emotional and mental health issues. She’s gone away to try to deal with her issues before they get worse.” (Page Six)

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APRIL 7, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine 15

16 Sunday Times Magazine

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APRIL 7, 2019

Fun Times

Archie

Before you make a change, be sure you have what it (March 21takes to succeed. The propApril 19) er qualifications, drive and physical stamina will be required if you want to reach your goal.

ARIES

Look for an opportunity TAURUS and turn it into something (April 20- life-changing. You don't need May 20) to wait around for someone else to make the first move.

Follow your heart and make things happen.

GEMINI (MAY 28June 20)

Find out what's expected of you before you enter into a joint venture or offer to help someone. Don't let anyone take advantage of you, your skills or your generosity.

You may not like change, but it can be necessary to (June 21- make progress, so be open July 22) to new possibilities and see what transpires. Love, romance and personal growth await you.

CANCER

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Dilbert

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Concentrate on what's important. Refuse to let emotional drama dictate your actions and lead to regrettable choices. If you learn from your mistakes, you will be able to put your energy to good use.

You've got the moves, so don't hesitate. Attend events that will inspire you to expand your mind. Romance should be a priority, so don't go solo -- take along a loved one or someone you're interested in.

Sensibility will help you LIBRA make wise choices. Money (Sept. 23matters should be handled Oct. 23) practically. Think big, but stick to your budget and be realistic. Reason and moderation are recommended.

Peanuts

Share the things that SCORPIO make you happy with a loved (Oct. 24- one to find creative, spiritual Nov. 22) and emotional motivation. A promise will lead to a bright future.

Trust in yourself, not in SAGITTARIUS someone who is being over(Nov. 23Dec. 21) ly nice to get something from you. Choose friends wisely and know when to walk away from a manipulative or indulgent person.

Calvin and Hobbes

Make domestic changes CAPRICORN that suit your needs. Surround (Dec. 22- yourself with good people and Jan. 19) a happy environment if you want to find the motivation to succeed and live a more fulfilling life.

Make changes for the AQUARIUS right reasons, not just be(Jan. 20- cause someone else is doing Feb. 19) something. Time and money should be put into things that make you happy, not into someone else's dreams.

Slow down and think PISCES (Feb. 20- matters through carefully.

Mar. 20) The right choice can lead to a better future, so don't let anyone push you in the wrong direction.