Guyana Times - Sunday, March 31, 2019

March 31, 2019

TIMES BOLLYWOOD:

Pahlaj Nihalani responds to Kangana Ranaut’s allegations: ‘She should not play with me’ Page 14

FREE DISTRIBUTION

2 Sunday Times Magazine

MARCH 31 , 2019

guyanatimesgy.com

World Autism Awareness Day

A

s a first-time mom, I eagerly looked forward to holding my baby girl in my arms for the first time.

I already envisioned the type of child I wanted to raise and the many adventures we would experience together as mother and daughter.

Prior to her second birthday, I noticed she had very poor eye contact, she was unwilling to engage in play with me and toddlers her age, she seemed a bit stubborn, she had less than five words in her vocabulary and was not very responsive to anyone. She didn’t respond to her name; she didn’t acknowledge my presence when I returned home after a long day. I was worried about her. Why wasn’t she developing as other toddlers her age?

When she was two years old, I took her to see a psychologist who confirmed that she has mild to moderate autism.

This was very painful to hear since I had done my research and knew, to some extent, the challenges that lie ahead.

After crying for a while, I decided it was time to take action and I learnt all I could about autism and what interventions I could implement to help my beautiful baby girl. After play school, she was enrolled in a mainstream nursery school and there were several challenges in the classroom at this point. The teacher complained of her walking out of the class during sessions, having meltdowns and a lack of social interaction, among other things.

My saving grace was that her teachers were open to understanding her condition and trying different methods to reach and teach her and get her to participate. After nursery classes, she attended the Step-by-Step School in the afternoons for interventions, and I also worked with her consistently when we were home. She slowly began to make

progress and this was very encouraging to me.

Today, she is well adjusted to primary school and gets good grades. She has overcome several challenges, but yet there are others we are currently working on. She longs to feel accepted by her peers and to build friendships, but she does not understand how this is done.

She often feels ostracised, since she is not accepted in peer groups. Nevertheless, she has managed to maintain her grades over the years and she is working on developing other skills.

I cannot stress how important it is for parents, teachers, guardians, and professionals in the field to work together at the earliest possible time to realise optimum results.

I am forever grateful to the principal and teachers from her school who have gone the extra mile to ensure she is treated fairly and give her additional guidance and instructions as are needed.

Now, I look forward to a bright future once again with this beautiful, intelligent, talented, and energetic young lady.

It’s “au-some”.

That was Rosanne Farley chronicling her experience as a mother of a child living with autism.

Rosanne’s daughter was diagnosed with mild to moderate autism in 2010 and ever since she has been working to make life easier for her. In order to better understand what her daughter is experiencing, Rosanne began working with the Step-by-Step School, where she was trained in working with children using the Applied Behavioural Approach, which is the therapy used for children with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder ( ASD).

Her daughter has been consistently improving and seeing that improvement has led Rosanne to become more invest-

ed in helping other parents who are going through the same experience. It has been about five years now since she has been an Autism Consultant and she has helped numerous parents accept their child has an ASD. “I started screening children myself and once they scored high on the test, they would be referred to a visiting psychologist from the US. My daughter began to improve and because I was aware that there was a need and I wanted parents to understand that all is not lost when you get a diagnosis of autism, I decided to spread the word and provide guidance for parents who need that sort of help,” she said.

Rosanne reached out to paediatricians within Georgetown and informed them of what she was doing with the hopes of them spreading the word. To date, some of those doctors would refer patients to her so that they can be screened and get the help afforded to them.

“Many parents are suffering in silence, because they do not know what is going on with the child. Autism, unlike some other disorders you cannot tell from looking at them. They look perfectly normal. It is because it is where they are on the spectrum and what behaviours they exhibit. There are some things they may get and some you expect them to get and some basic concepts the child may not understand, and that is quite frustrating to the parents and they can’t understand why my child is acting this way, why my child is speaking at a level lower. So we help them to understand that,” she said.

For Rosanne, her biggest concern is

children who are non-verbal owing to their ASD, because they are at a higher risk of being abused or molested.

“I am hoping to bring greater awareness of autism in Guyana so that parents will not be afraid to have their children tested, because there is great denial out there and I want to be able to reach out to children and provide the therapy they need and ensure that they get it.

We have schools in Georgetown for children who are moderate to severely autistic, but we have no schools for children who are mild to moderately autistic, so my focus is to reach to those who are on the mild to moderate end of the spectrum and provide the therapy they need.

"Early screening, early diagnosis, early intervention are what we need. When this is done early, it increases the possibility of that child overcoming some of their challenges or getting better, and when parents wait until the child is eight or nine, it is more difficult and that is what is key right now. Parents need to understand that there is no reason to be afraid to get an autism diagnosis and it is not synonymous with retardation,” Rosanne declared.

To reinforce that, she uses the example of her daughter being exceptional in what is considered to be the regular school system. (Lakhram Bhagirat)

guyanatimesgy.com

MARCH 31 , 2019

Sunday Times Magazine

3

World Autism Awareness Day

By Lakhram Bhagirat

I

t is my belief that parents of children with special needs live in their own worlds. They create this space where imperfections are embraced as the new normal and they believe in things we ‘normal’ people cannot see as yet. Their eyes are opened to a world where we dare not venture but one where they happily dwell.

That model world has been all Yonette Collins has known for the past 19 years.

Like every first-time mother, she had envisioned a certain path which her child would tread, but when she was told his path would be more unique than the one she envisioned, she did not know how to accept it. She felt that her world had shifted into the unknown and she started to panic at the level of uncertainty.

However, Yonette knew that the faster she accepted the reality, the faster her firstborn could start adjusting to the challenges in his life as she could be there to catch him every time he fell.

Just about 19 years ago, Yonette gave birth to Shaquille.

From the inception, she knew that he was a special boy not because he was her first born, but because he came before his time.

He was eager to see what the world had to offer him and for the first year of his life, everything seemed pretty basic to him. He was developing as every infant should and even spoke three very clear words among the constant babble. He could boast about calling for dada and identifying the doggies as well as expressing his love for everything cars.

However, as Shaquille grew, instead of developing more, he became distant. He stopped talking completely.

He no longer looked at his momma when she spoke to him. He stopped responding

to her calls and this broke her heart. She knew something was amiss, but could never put her finger on it.

On a visit overseas, a family friend who had worked with autistic children told Yonette that Shaquille was exhibiting signs of someone who was on the Autism Spectrum and that she should get him checked out. Having never heard of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Yonette was puzzled so she collected all the reading materials about ASD from the friend and upon her return home to Guyana, she started reading and researching.

“I used to look at him and he used to portray those signs in the book. He doesn’t make eye contact, he won't respond, he had repetitive behaviour and he was fascinated with cars and he w o u l d line them

up and play and so on.”

However, at that time she could not find anyone in Guyana to diagnose Shaquille so she kept ob-

serving him and trying to address the needs he had.

He was doing everything in reverse and developing far later than those his age.

He went to nursery school still not being able to use the washroom by himself.

His communication issues had intensified with him just speaking two words at a time. His phrases were to the point, identifying what he needed and that was all.

Children with an ASD that affects their communication ability are often taught sign language to be able to better communicate what they are feeling, but Yonette said she knew that it would be a last resort for Shaquille to learn sign language. She wanted him to be verbal and she pushed him to talk and express what he wanted. Now she can report that his phrases have turned into sentences with room for improvement.

After a few years, Shaquille and his family

would move to the island of Jamaica where they lived for about three years. It was in Jamaica where Shaquille was officially diagnosed with mild to moderate autism, a diagnosis that brought no shock but relief to Yonette because she knew that her

special boy had very special needs.

He was about seven when he was diagnosed and she immediately accepted what was offered and began carving a path for her son to live the best version of himself.

It

i s a p a t h with num e r o u s bumps, but a path where every little accomplishment is hailed as the greatest success. In Jamaica, Shaquille attended a school that catered for

his needs and learning abilities and was rapidly progressing. His communication issues were beginning to be addressed, he was learning by using pictures and his handwriting was

IMPECCABLE. When the family returned home and got settled in Berbice, Shaquille had a big adjustment to make.

Yonette got him enrolled in the New Amsterdam Special School in order to cater to his needs.

“He is very choosy about who he gets close to him.

When he was in school, I would know who is his friend. Because I was a regular visitor at the school, he would be all smiles and bring his friend to introduce them to me. Despite his communication issues I would know that this is his friend because he would be very happy.

I would be happy because I would know that he is communicating with that person,” she said.

Because of his ASD, Shaquille dislikes being touched by people who he does not know and he has severe Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

His OCD is the reason he was forced to drop out of school. By the time he was about 16, the New Amsterdam Special School had grown from what it was when he first started and it meant more traffic as well as more people using the washrooms. Shaquille, because of his OCD, would not use the washroom because it would be wet or messy so after a while, he developed an infection that resulted in him being in immense pain. He was on medcontinued on page 5

4

Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

MARCH 31 , 2019

World Autism Awareness Day

By Lakhram Bhagirat

A

utism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is one of the most commonly misdiagnosed or undiagnosed disorders in Guyana.

It is also a topic not many Guyanese are knowledgeable about, since awareness surrounding this disorder is somewhat lacking.

In Guyana, when the common person hears the term autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder, they are almost immediately puzzled as to what the disease really is or whom it affects, because the fact remains that the Public Health Ministry, and by extension the Government, is doing a poor job at educating the populace about ASD and the only time the conversation begins about the disorder is in April, World Autism Month, and it dies on April 30.

We cannot deny the fact that we, the Guyanese people, are quite judgmental when it comes to the way children behave. We often shun mental health issues so when someone suggests that our children may be suffering from a mental health-related issue, we are quick to accuse them of referring to our children as ‘mad’. Then we would dismiss the issue and leave the child there without proper intervention for whatever they may be suffering from, resulting in us seeking treatment when it is quite often too late.

ASDs are intricate neurological disorders often categorised by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviours and general communication abilities. However, persons suffering from ASD are more than likely to be on the higher academic scales, but suffer tremendously as

it relates to their social skills and those on the opposite end of the academic field cannot access education, since they cannot speak or even concentrate.

While the causes of the disease have not been isolated, it is widely believed that it stems from a series of genetic and environmental influences. Contrary to the popular myth, there is conclusive data that proves ASD is not remotely related to measles, mumps and rubella vaccines received during early childhood, rather the data went as far as determining that vaccinations, as a whole, do not increase the risk of ASD.

If we are to use the WHO figure of 1:160 given the approximate 775,000 persons resident in Guyana, then we would arrive at a figure of just over 4800 persons who have an ASD. But, that figure is yet to be confirmed or any data whatsoever in relation to ASD in Guyana.

In 2018, the Center for Disease Control (CDC), USA, determined that approximately 1 in 59 children is diagnosed with an ASD, with boys amounting for most of that number. It was determined that 1 in 37 boys has an ASD compared to 1 in 151 girls. It was conclusively expressed that boys are four

Autism, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), affects 1 in every 160 children worldwide, but sadly for Guyana there are no comparative statistics since autism is only highlighted during the month of April or whenever a NonGovernmental Organisation (NGO) hosts a programme that seeks to bring about awareness.

times more likely to be diagnosed with autism and most are diagnosed after the age of four.

The WHO says individuals with ASD often present other co-occurring conditions, including epilepsy, depression, anxiety and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The level of intellectual functioning in individuals with ASDs is extremely

variable, e x tending from profound impairment to superior levels.

Nevertheless, there are some telltale signs that

can lead to early detection of ASD in children since they start appearing as early as six months of age.

Parents with children with ASD as well as activists urge parents to observe their child’s behavioural patterns and look for signs such as lack of eye contact; social isolation; delayed language development; struggles identifying social cues; constant repetition of words or phrases; unusual reactions to taste, sound or smells and intense vexation in response to minor changes in their routine or surroundings. Experts have related that the aforementioned signs should be taken seriously and immediate intervention should be pursued.

Once signs have been identified, it is advised that families seek the relevant information and services offered to help them address the indi-

dure abuse home from siblings who are tired of them getting all the attention and that is coupled with the at

vid-

ual needs of their child. But in Guyana services primarily for autistic children are not readily available since Government institutions offer very limited services and the NGOs are limited in what they can do since most of them depend on funding from donors and in most cases, the funding and grants are often minimal.

Nevertheless, to access information and services to care for an autistic person one can visit the Step-ByStep Foundation, the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre, or the Sorsha Williams Foundation since those entities are equipped to offer advice and specialised care.

Additionally, one thing the organisations promote is acceptance of autistic persons since there is the stigma attached to persons who are not considered “normal” in the traditional sense. Persons with ASD often have to en-

deprivation of health, education and social opportunities.

Persons suffering from ASD are heavily dependent on their primary care provider. There are a range of care options and skills training programmes for parents and other caregivers. The most effective is Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA), which teaches young people, with autism, the life skills they need and how to tap into their true potential.

Additionally, depending on their needs, children who have autism receive a range of therapies which included behaviour therapy, speechlanguage therapy, occupational therapy, social skills training and sometimes feeding therapy. However, the training and therapy are not limited to the children but incorporate the parents or caregivers since they are the ones who have to understand the person with ASD. Remember that autistic people can do anything a “normal” person could and in most cases, they can do it better. Take an example from singer Susan Boyle; movie director Tim Burton; mathematician and scientist Albert Einstein; mathematician, astronomer, and physicist Sir Isaac Newton; comedian Jerry Seinfeld and Pokémon creator Satoshi Tajiri among a host of others.

guyanatimesgy.com

MARCH 31 , 2019

Sunday Times Magazine 5

World Autism Awareness Day

“I like having autism and I would never change anything about myself.

I would not be the person I am today if I did not have autism. I am very creative and smart because of this.

However, autism is just a little part of me; it is not who I am.”

W

hen their son, Milan, was officially diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) at seven years of age, his parents felt a wide range of emotions. Years of uncertainty and concern suddenly collided with feelings of optimism and hope.

The family had increasingly noticed developmental differences between Milan and his twin sister, Livi. Why did Milan have sensitivity to loud noises and a heightened sense of smell? Why didn’t he like to be shown physical affection? Why was it so difficult for him to sit still for longer than a few minutes?

And why didn’t Livi seem to

be affected by any of these things?

With the official autism diagnosis, the family was ready to exhaust every resource to ensure their son would have everything he needed to live a happy, fulfilling life.

"My husband and I researched autism spectrum disorder and ADHD, and spoke to Milan’s therapist and developmental pediatrician to develop a plan to deal with his diagnosis as a family. We reached out to other parents and the school social worker as well. Of course, Autism Speaks and SEPTO (Special Education Parent Teacher Organization) were also very helpful," said Milan’s mom.

"We agreed that it would

be best to share the diagnosis with Milan and his twin sister, who doesn’t have autism, to help them understand what the diagnosis meant.

We read and discussed children's books with them on ASD and researched autism heroes. We also shared the diagnosis with our friends and family and explained Milan’s sensitivities and needs."

Today, with the help of an Individualized Education Program (IEP), a dedicated team of teachers and paraprofessionals, and trusted medical professionals, Milan continues to make tremendous strides both socially and academically. In fact, he has come so far since his initial diagnosis that today, he’s the proud co-author and illustrator of a chil-

dren’s book titled, "Autism & Me." The paperback, co-authored by Milan’s former paraprofessional, tells the story of a fictional character,

Mike, and creatively demonstrates how his mind works differently than those of most of his friends and family. Milan not only did all the illustrations in the book, but he provided valu-

able insight into his daily triumphs and struggles in hopes of providing a better understanding about what it means to be on the autism spectrum.

In the final page of the

book, Milan proudly describes the positive outlook he has adopted about his autism since being diagnosed two years ago.

"When I think of autism I think of a big lightbulb on the top of my head. I do not want people to feel bad for me. I like having autism and I would never change anything about myself," he said through the voice of Mike.

"I would not be the p e r son I am today if I did not h a v e autism. I am very creative and smart because of this.

However, autism is just a little part of me; it is not who I am." (Autism Speaks)

from page 3

ication for some two months and refused to go back to school.

Shaquille is a whiz when it comes to technology. He can navigate his way on a computer and enjoys gaming. Yonette allows him to hone his skills by exposing him to as many activities that interest him. He is still OCD and noise still affects him, but he is slowly overcoming those challenges.

She feels that there is more to be done in the field of autism awareness and screening.

It is not the end of the road when your child is diagnosed with an ASD, according to Yonette.

She said the faster we accept that this is who our child is, the faster we will be able to get them the help they need to fully develop.

“There will a lot of challenges because it will be all different. Acceptance is key.

Children with autism teach you patience and you have to treat them with love. This is a special child with special needs. The child comes first and then the needs come after. You have to treat the child as a normal child and then treat the special need, because most times, we look at the needs and forget that the child is normal in every other way.”

You always have to be there for your child no matter what. An autistic child requires special levels of attention and you have to dedicate your time to them for all your life, because when they choose you, they really choose you for life. Every child on the spectrum is different and as they progress, their

needs change and behaviours evolve.

You have to be there to love them unconditionally and support everything they do. It is a lifelong commitment and one you must be prepared to execute once you decide to have a child. For Yonette, Shaquille and their family, the victories, no matter how small in the eyes of the world, are magnificent to them. There are constant high fives in their family to build Shaquille’s selfesteem and boost him up so that he can feel accomplished.

6 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

MARCH 31 , 2019

World Autism Awareness Day

White House

China Central Radio and TV Tower in Beijing

T

o place the spotlight on autism, the United Nations sanctioned the month of April as World Autism Awareness with April 2 being World Autism Awareness Day and also coincides with the Light It Up Blue Campaign (LIUBC) which was pioneered by Autism Speaks co-founders Bob and Suzanne Wright.

The aim of the LIUBC is

to increase understanding and acceptance of people with autism and on this day thousands of landmarks, homes and businesses in more than 150 countries are lit blue, marking the start of World Autism Month as well as the Autism Speaks month long LIUBC. There are no particular significance of the colour blue as it relates to autism but

the colour is associated with the Autism Speaks Organization.

Autism Spectrum Disorders refers to a range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication, as well as by unique strengths and differences.

Research have proven that there is not

one autism but many types, caused by different combinations of genetic and environmental influences.

World Health Organisation statistics reveal that 1 in every 60 children have some form of ASD and living with the disease can be very challenging for families as well as for the victim since they have a tough time adjusting to socially acceptable norms. It

ten ask persons to wear blue and pledge their support for awareness during April. In addition to wearing blue, as a sign of solidarity persons would light up their homes, businesses, schools landmarks, social media accounts as well as websites.

On April 2 every year, one can expect famous landmarks such as the Niagara

is believed that the LIUBC came about as an expression of support to the families caring for autistic children or adults.

Autism Speaks is one of the largest advocacy organizations in the world that focuses on bringing awareness and researching the cause and treatment for ASD and for LIUP they of-

Falls in Canada, Christ the Redeemer Statue in Brazil, the United States White House, the Empire State Building and the Burj Khalifa to be illuminated in blue.

However, while many may support the LIUBC there are many parents and family members of persons living with ASD who are to-

Eiffel Tower, Paris

tally against the campaign and everything that Autism Speaks is about when it comes to raising awareness.

According to critics placing emphasis on lighting up a site blue or wearing clothing of that nature is not going to bring them any comfort rather they are for “Autism Acceptance” since generally society does not accept persons suffering from ASD. It is widely reported that person with ASD are more than likely to suffer abuse in the home as well as bullying from the public since they are quite often referred to as “weird” since they are less likely to make eye contact when interacting and more than likely to miss social cues.

They are more prone to erratic outbursts irrespective of their location and quite often those outbursts include loud screaming, banging of heads or fists on walls or any surface and in some cases getting physical.

It is understood that symptoms of autism are unique to the persons suffering from it, as some are more academically inclined while others may be artsy.

So based on all of those reactions, critics of the Light It Up Blue campaign stresses the need for inclusion and acceptance of autistic persons into the realm of everyday society. They contend that even the autistic adults are discriminated against when it comes for them to get jobs and access other services.

guyanatimesgy.com

MARCH 31 , 2019

Sunday Times Magazine 7

Feature

by

Preserving our literary Heritage

Petamber Persaud

(E

xcerpt of an interview with Dr. Manu Chander, Georgetown, Guyana, March 2019. Chander is a Visiting Fulbright Fellow. Chander’s publications include ‘Brown Romantics: Poetry and Nationalism in the Global Nineteenth Century’.

This interview coincides with and sort of celebrates World Poetry Day and World Storytelling Day given that Leo was a major Guyanese poet and a master storyteller.)

PP…..

You know, you academics like to put writers and their works in categories but there are many things going for Leo; apart from the fact that he was the first major black poet of Guyana, he was a writer. Let’s look at his prose writing. Let me quote him: ‘Scriptology is writing about writing, history about history, storytelling about storytelling. It is a study of its own procedure’.

Let’s talk ‘Scriptology’.

MC It is a remarkable collection; it’s only four stories. But we do know that he likely wrote more stories or planned to write more stories, although we haven’t traced any more yet.

There are a couple things that are very interesting to note about Scriptology. The first is it was deliberately

meant to appeal to a wider reading audience and specifically to a Creole audience.

So he talks in his preface for the need of anyone who can identify as a Creole and who could spare a little money to support local Guyanese Literature…

PP That’s another outstanding characteristic of Leo… MC So he is very deliberate about creating a Creole culture and by Creole he means Afro- Creole or Afro-Guyanese. And he is working very hard to establish the relevance of locally produced literature to at least local readers, if not the world.

Now you asked about the term, the title – scriptology.

First of all, the term doesn’t exist in the Oxford English Dictionary and certainly not before that moment; this is first usage of it that I’ve found. What’s interesting about the term is the logos, the logic, of script, the writing; it’s about the ways in which through manipulating language we can reveal aspects, specifically in his case, Guyanese culture that otherwise goes unnoticed. So there’s a lot of meditation on the writing process throughout the work, a self-conscious engagement with what is it to write, I suppose a lot of that comes

I'm very despicable and non- compliant, So don't try to convince me that, I'm capable of being complaisant, Because at the end of the day, I hate myself in every single way.

And I won't lie by saying, The heart is what really matters, So most assuredly, I will remind myself daily, That I'm an insolent, malevolent person, And nothing you say will make me believe, I still deserve love.

Because regardless of whatever, I'm prohibited to be loved, And I have no reason to believe that, Kindness really does exist within me, Because every time I scrutinize myself I always think, Am I really that terrible as people deem me to be?

(Read now, from bottom to top.)

By Faheem Esau

from the fact that he primarily wrote poetry. So before he is a storyteller, he is one works with language, who moulds language. For that reason, I think readers who are looking for a gripping page-turner may not find it in Scriptology just as they wouldn’t find it in Wilson Harris I think, in both cases though different writing styles, there’s a desire to slow us down, to really ponder on the words and to play with them ourselves.

The first story is ‘The hole in the Pan’, it starts with a bit of a mystery – a colonial settler has a bedpan with a hole in it and his friend comes by to visit and wants to know why there is a hole in the centre of this pan and he asks for the whole story …. [laughter] …Martin certainly enjoyed playing with language, enjoyed punning.

But one of the things that emerges as you read the story that it is story with a hole in both senses. It is a story that doesn’t have a complete narrative of who these characters are, there is no sort of strong character development, there is something missing and yet there is a w-h-o-l-e that gets reveal through these very thin characters, what he gives us is a picture of secular society in the 19th century – the desire for courtship and love, the loneliness of the man far from England who has come to settle, the need for fraternal bonds and romantic bonds. He is a thematic writer, he is working around a particular set of ideas he wants to put into a form that will activate the reader’s imagination, get the reader to be active, to do some work, peeling apart the layers of what’s going on.

PP He was aware of his audience.

MC Deeply aware of his audience PP He begged for response MC He really did. First of all, he wanted to be acknowledged…there was a moment in the preface to his first book where he says if I cared so much for fame then I would have put my

real name to this, I would have signed Egbert Martin instead of signing ‘Leo’ But it was not so much the fame that goes with the name, it was more about fame of the position in a way to be someone who is known for bringing readers together, creating a community, a literate community, organized around a shared text, his text – that idea is clearly

represented throughout his work.

So in the preface to his second collection, Leo’s Local Lyrics, he is saying some people didn’t like the first book too much, they found it too goody- goody, too religious in spirit, in humourous fashion, he also says, frankly I’ve looked through a couple dictionaries and I haven’t been able to find the phrase ‘goody-goody’ – that term the London press had charged him with, nevertheless I’d write something more in line with public taste. So he turns from his religious theme in his first book to issues more of the local landscape, to try to paint a clear picture of Guyanese life for audience here and abroad. And that strategy actually worked – his second book is much better received by the London press – poems from it appeared in London, New York, Boston.

He was very market conscious and that’s something that has been left out of the very few critical treatments of Martin that exists….( to be continued) Responses to this author please telephone 226-0065 of email: oraltradition2002@ yahoo.com

8 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

MARCH 31 , 2019

Travel and Tourism

A

re you thinking about escaping to a faraway village or even more interesting, a faraway ranch? Well, think no further, the Dadanawa Ranch is said to be one of the oldest, largest and most isolated ranch in the world.

Extending over 1750 square miles of natural savanna in the South Rupununi, the ranch is lush and unspoilt.

It is also a unique place for involvement and insight of a working ranch. It serves as a great base for wildlife spotting such as jaguars and giant anteaters. As you continue to read, you will find out some interesting facts about the Dadanawa Ranch that would make your visit worthwhile but first examine its origin.

Origin Of Dadanawa

About 1865, Dadanawa started out as a trading post by a man of the name DeRooie and was sold with 300 head of cattle in the late 1880s to H.P.C. Melville, a gold prospector from Barbados who found himself lost and near-dead of malaria in the area several years before. The ranch was sold to investors and was established as the Rupununi Development Company in 1919. English ex-cavalry Harry E Turner was the manager of Dadanawa up to 1965, and retired to England that year. It was also at one time managed by Stan Brock

footprints.

5. Wildlife and Exploration: You can enjoy birdwatching, caiman spotting, canoeing, fishing, hiking, seeing petroglyphs, and visiting Amerindian communities. You will also find harpy eagles, jaguars, giant anteaters, anacondas and the red siskin finch.

Tip: The name “Dadanawa” is a distortion of the local Wapishana Amerindian name of Dadinauwau, or “macaw spirit creek hill”. who was one of the host of the wildlife show, ‘Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom.’

Did You Know?

Dadanawa Ranch is one of the most remote ranches in the world containing about 5,000 to 6000 head of cattle.

Five Interesting Facts About Dadanawa

1. Cowboys: Ranch cowboys are called “vaqueros”, most of whom are Wapishana Amerindians.

The ranch supports over 40 people in the main compound including the direct and extended families of the manager and staff, some of which extend for 3 generations.

2. Working Ranch: The cattle are wild and the vaqueros are barefooted as they head out on cattle drives to round up steers and wild horses, using the same techniques they used a hundred years ago. The ranch buildings are comprised of a small group of stilted wooden houses typical of the region, deep in the savannah with views of the beautiful Kanuku Mountain range.

3. Entrepreneurs: The ranch is now run by Duane de Freitas, his wife Sandie and son Justin along with his Irish partner, Erin Earl.

They run an Ecotourism business from the ranch and visitors from all over the world come to birdwatch or go on river trips in the sa-

vannahs and Amazon rainforest.

4. Eco-tourism: Duane and Justin have set up the Rupununi Conservation Society to protect the highly endangered siskins and other bird and river turtle species. The people at Dadanawa are ethical, responsible and aim for sustainable eco-tourism. All livestock is free range and the ranch’s electricity is powered by solar panels. On day trips and expeditions they aim to have minimal impact on the environment, using ancient techniques to track or hunt for food, and leaving nothing behind but

How To Arrive At Dadanawa

Visitors can take scheduled flights to Lethem on the Brazilian border and utilize pre-arranged ground transport to the Ranch. The preferred means of travel to Dadanawa is by jeep.

It takes about 3.5 hours to drive from Lethem to Dadanawa in the dry season, and as much as 3 days in the wet season. Tourists often stay at Dadanawa and use the ranch as a base for further journeys throughout the South Rupununi.

Dadanawa’s Environment

You can use Dadanawa as a base to launch on a River Adventure down the

Rupununi River, passing through Sand Creek Village (Suburun Tao) which sits between two rivers and close to the mighty Kanukus.

Going further south from Dadanawa Ranch, there are villages such as Rupunau that is set in a hilly, quartz area, also set against the backdrop of the blue Kanuku and to the east of the village there are outcrops of black crop set strikingly against the blue sky.

Things To Try At The Ranch:

• Damooriid (pepperpot) – Local dish made from fresh cassava water and fish, but can be served with other meats and cassava bread.

• Parikari (Cassava Beer) – Delicious, strained thin, sweet and strong, the local beverages in south Rupununi have no competition in Guyana.

• Farine: Local staple food made with cassava.

• Tasso: Dried, salted meat – often fried or roasted on open fire – a traditional cowboy food.

• Passock: Influenced from Brazil, pounded tasso, mixed with farine.

• Boily: A recipe with

fresh beef, seasoning and water, slow cooked to perfect deliciousness.

• Local Fruits: There are various local fruits found in Rupununi that are simply delicious.

Dadanawa Ranch In Guyana

At the ranch, they have beds for up to 15 people but have in the past accommodated more with the use of hammocks. Mosquito nets are provided. As you stay, you can travel with cowboys over the Savannahs looking for cattle on the open plains and seek wildlife between the Kaiambe trees.

You can take part in the action of bringing the cattle into the corral, parting the herds and watching the cowboys compete with each other in a mini rodeo, showcasing their skills and bravery.

Feel free to take a peaceful, scenic canoe ride or relax in the creeks and rivers around the ranch. This ranch that has been about for years is indeed a beautiful place for you to take both literal and mental pictures – pictures that will stay with you for a long time. (www. thingsguyana.com)

guyanatimesgy.com

MARCH 31 , 2019

Arapaima Conservation with Karanambu Lodge

T

he Arapaima is considered the largest scaled freshwater fish in the world and can grow up to three metres in length. They are considered as one of the endangered giants of Guyana. There is a unique subspecies of the arapaima found in the ponds around the Karanambu area in the Rupununi.

At the height of the dry season, younger fish can sometimes find themselves isolated in ponds that have become cut off from the river. As the ponds contract the fish become trapped which would be detrimental to the young fishes. As part of their continued commitment to the conservation of the Karanambu area, the Karanambu Lodge usually dispatch teams to monitor the ponds and over the years have pioneers a successful relocation for the trapped arapaimas.

This year, their effort commenced earlier than usual and thus far they have man-

as well as Black and Spectacled Caiman that live on the 30 mile stretch of the Rupununi River that runs through Karanambu’s land.

Giant Anteaters, Crab-Eating Foxes and Red Brocket Deer roam our savannahs and our many fresh water ponds are home to what has been called, one of the world’s best wild collection of Victoria Amazonica water lilies. These lilies - the largest in the world - can reach up to three meters in diameter and their flowers bloom every evening at dusk.

Ever so often, an Ocelot, Jaguarondi or White-Faced Tayra will wander through.

The Karanambu area was settled in 1927 by Edward ‘Tiny’ McTurk and his wife Connie, as a cattle ranch and Balata collection station. Their Old English heritage still persists today and helps to make Karanambu Lodge the perfect pairing of oldworld charm and the raw beauty of the nat-

aged to relocate 17 trapped arapaimas to deeper waters so that they can survive the Rupununi dry season. The Karanambu Lodge says it never discloses the relocation site because the arapaimas are still being hunted despite being protected.

The images, of the rescue operation which involved even the youngest resident, was captured by the Karanambu Lodge’s Operations Manager, Manuel Cook.

ural environment.

‘Tiny’ himself, was extremely knowledgeable of the natural environment around him and in the 1950’s was instrumental in helping the young David Attenborough and Gerald Durrell, among other, make some of the earliest wildlife programs and collections of animals and specimens for different zoos across the world.

Edward and Connie’s daughter, Diane McTurk, took over the ranch after her parents and went on to establish the Karanambu Lodge. Karanambu is probably best known for having been her home. She was a conservationist and world-renowned expert on giant river otters. Her hospitality was legendary, as was her quick wit and infectious laugh.

She passed away in late 2016 after dedicating her life to the rehabilitation of the Giant River Otter Her work lives on through the Karanambu Trust, an organization set up by the McTurk family in 1997 to help fulfill Diane’s vision of establishing Karanambu’s lands as a protected area.

Diane’s fabled hospitality endures at Karanambu.

In keeping with ‘Aunty Di’s’ legacy, the Lodge welcomes travelers, adventurers, naturalists, film makers, conservationists and really anyone who loves nature and wants to experience the beauty that is found in our part of the untamed Rupununi.

Karanambu Lodge’s story

Hidden in the dancing savannah grasses of the North Rupununi is Karanambu Lodge.

Featured on the BBC, National Geographic and the Discovery Channel, Karnambu was in 2013 the recipient of the Caribbean Excellence in Sustainable Tourism Award and is considered the Hallmark of Bush Tourism in Guyana.

There are as many as 700 species of fish at Karanambu - more than anywhere on Earth. During the biannual rainy seasons, the tributaries of the Amazon and Essequibo rivers flood their banks and meet. The union of these vast river systems result in the exchange of genetic and biological material, allowing Karanambu to be home to an extraordinary amount of aquatic life.

Over 600 species of birds also make their home here, making Karanambu a birdwatcher's paradise. The Lodge provides excellent viewing opportunities of Giant River Otters, River Turtles, a variety of monkeys,

Sunday Times Magazine

9

Feature

10 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

MARCH 31 , 2019

Health

A

n ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants and grows outside the main cavity of the uterus. Pregnancy begins with a fertilized egg. Normally, the fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus.

An ectopic pregnancy most often occurs in a fallopian tube, which carries eggs from the ovaries to the uterus. This type of ectopic pregnancy is called a tubal pregnancy. Sometimes, an ectopic pregnancy occurs in other areas of the body, such as the ovary, abdominal cavity or the lower part of the uterus (cervix), which connects to the vagina.

An ectopic pregnancy can't proceed normally.

The fertilized egg can't survive, and the growing tissue may cause life-threatening bleeding, if left untreated.

Symptoms

You may not notice anything at first. However, some women with an ectopic pregnancy have the usual early signs or symptoms of pregnancy — a missed period, breast tenderness and nausea.

If you take a pregnancy test, the result will be positive. Still, an ectopic pregnancy can't continue as normal.

Signs and symptoms increase as the fertilized egg grows in the improper place.

Early warning of ectopic pregnancy Often, the first warning sign of an ectopic pregnancy is pelvic pain. Light vaginal bleeding may also occur.

If blood leaks from the fallopian tube, you may feel increasing abdominal pain, an urge to have a bowel movement or pelvic discomfort. If heavy bleeding (hemorrhaging) occurs, you may feel shoulder pain as blood fills your pelvis and abdomen. Your specific symptoms depend on where the blood collects and which nerves are irritated.

Emergency symptoms If the fertilized egg continues to grow in the fallopian tube, it can cause the tube to rupture. Heavy bleeding inside the abdomen is likely. Symptoms of this life-threatening event include extreme lightheadedness, fainting, severe abdominal pain and shock.

Causes

A tubal pregnancy — the most common type of ectopic pregnancy — happens when a fertilized egg gets stuck on its way to the uterus, often because the fallopian tube is damaged by inflammation or is misshapen. Hormonal imbalances or abnormal development of the fertilized egg also might play a role.

Risk factors

Some things that make you more likely to have an ectopic pregnancy are: • Previous ectopic pregnancy. If you've had this type of pregnancy before, you're more likely to have another.

• Inflammation or infection. Sexually transmitted infections, such as gonorrhea or chlamydia, can cause inflammation in the

tubes and other nearby organs, and increase your risk of an ectopic pregnancy.

• Fertility treatments. Some research suggests that women who have in vitro fertilization (IVF) or similar treatments are more likely to have an ectopic pregnancy. Infertility itself may also raise your risk.

• Tubal surgery.

Surgery to correct a closed or damaged fallopian tube can increase the risk of an ectopic pregnancy.

• Choice of birth control. The chance of getting pregnant while using an intrauterine device (IUD) is rare. However, if you do get pregnant with an IUD in place, it's more likely to be ectopic. Tubal ligation, a permanent method of birth control commonly known as "having your tubes tied," also raises your risk, if you become pregnant after this procedure.

• Smoking. Cigarette smoking just before you get pregnant can increase the risk of an ectopic pregnancy. The more you smoke, the greater the risk.

Complications

An ectopic pregnancy can cause your fallopian tube to burst open. Without treatment, the ruptured tube can lead to life-threatening bleeding.

Prevention

There's no way to prevent an ectopic pregnancy, but here are some ways to decrease your risk: • Limit your number of sexual partners.

sound allows your doctor to see the exact location of your pregnancy. For this test, a wandlike device is placed into your vagina. It uses sound waves to create images of your uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes, and sends the pictures to a nearby monitor.

Abdominal ultrasound, in which an ultrasound wand is moved over your belly, also may be used to confirm your pregnancy or evaluate for internal bleeding.

Other blood tests

• Always use a condom during sex to help prevent sexually transmitted infections and reduce your risk of pelvic inflammatory disease.

• Don't smoke. If you do, quit before you try to get pregnant.

Diagnosis

A pelvic exam can help your doctor identify areas of pain, tenderness, or a mass in the fallopian tube or ovary. However, your doctor can't diagnose an ectopic pregnancy by examining you. You'll need blood tests

and an ultrasound.

Pregnancy test

Your doctor will order the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) blood test to confirm that you're pregnant. Levels of this hormone increase during pregnancy. This blood test may be repeated every few days until ultrasound testing can confirm or rule out an ectopic pregnancy — usually about five to six weeks after conception.

Transvaginal ultrasound A

transvaginal

ultra-

A complete blood count will be done to check for anemia or other signs of blood loss. If you're diagnosed with an ectopic pregnancy, your doctor may also order tests to check your blood type in case you need a transfusion.

Treatment

A fertilized egg can't develop normally outside the uterus. To prevent lifethreatening complications, the ectopic tissue needs to be removed. Depending on your symptoms and when the ectopic pregnancy is discovered, this may be done using medication, laparoscopic surgery or abdominal surgery. (Mayo Clinic)

guyanatimesgy.com

MARCH 31 , 2019

Sunday Times Magazine 11

Home & Cooking

Home Décor

I

f you’re trying to decorate a small home, it can sometimes feel like your options are limited. And while there’s not much you can do to add square footage, there are plenty of ways to make your tiny apartment feel perfectly put together.

The key is taking advantage of the largest open spaces you have—your walls.

Those empty walls are filled with pos-

Cod Fish Stew • •

• • • • • • • • •

• •

1 lb fresh cod fish 1 tsp finely chopped thyme + 6 sprigs thyme 1 tbsp crushed garlic 1 tbsp chopped cilantro 3 tsp canola oil 1 tsp curry powder ½ tsp black pepper 1 ½ tsp salt 1 medium onion, sliced ¼ cup water 1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes cut in half 2 scallion, chopped ½ lemon

Place cod in a bowl and mix with chopped thyme, garlic, cilantro, 1 tsp canola oil, curry powder, black pepper and salt and set aside.

In a pot over medium high heat, add remaining oil. When oil is hot add onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until it has soften then add tomatoes. Cook for 2-3 minutes then add water and bring to a boil; cook for an additional minute or two, until the tomatoes start to break down a little. Add cod, scallion and thyme and

• • • • • • •

• • •

sibilities and a few additions can make a small apartment feel cozy and stylish, instead of stark and cramped.

No matter your style, there are tricks that can amp up your walls and bring out your personality and taste.

Whether you’re an art collector, a nature enthusiast, or a book lover, your walls can be customized so that you can be surrounded by the things you adore.

A

n oversize painting r o photograph will command attention and set the tone in a small space.

Try a black-andwhite photo in a minimalist space or add color with a vibrant abstract piece.

cover pot, lower the heat, then cook for 1012 minutes. Remove from heat and add a squeeze of fresh lemon. Serve over rice.

Garlic Plantains

•

should

• • •

• •

2 whole plantains cut into small cubes, slightly ripe( the skin be yellow) 2 cloves garlic 2 tsp oil 1 mild pepper thinly sliced, like jalapenos ¼ tsp salt Chopped cilantro

Add oil to a pot over medium heat.

When oil is hot, add plantains and cook until all sides are golden brown.

Add garlic, pepper and salt and cook for an additional minute while stirring.

Remove from heat and garnish with chopped cilantro.

N

othing adds personality and color quite like a gallery wall. Display a collection of art, photographs, or add wall hangings and other ephemera. Opt for simple, cohesive frames or bring in an array of ornate variations to mix things up!

(Jehan Can Cook)

1/2 cup red wine 1 cup sugar 1 1/2 cup water sticks cinnamon 1 tbsp vanilla 1 tbsp cloves ripe pears, peeled, halved and cored Honeyed Cream Cheese 4 oz cream cheese 1/3 cup half and half 1 tbsp honey

Mix wine, water, sugar, cinnamon sticks, vanilla and cloves in a pot on a medium fire. Bring to a simmer. Add pear and cook for 20 to 25 mins until pears are tender. Remove pears from liquid and cook liquid for an additional 15 mins. The liquid will reduce to form a syrup.

While the wine reduces, mix room temperature cream cheese, half and half and honey. Beat with a mixer for 3 mins until light and fluffy. To plate place pears on plate and drizzle with syrup. Add a generous dollop of honeyed cream cheese on top.

Devour!! (Jehan Can Cook)

S

conces add an e x t r a source of light without taking up space on the floor or a side table.

Choose an eyecatching design that doubles as a wall sculpture to bring in light and style.

A

tapestry or wall hanging can add color and pattern, as well as a sense of softness to a space.

Consider framing vintage scarves or other pretty textiles.

Bonus: It’s a lot easier to move than framed paintings when it comes time to head to your next home.

12 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

MARCH 31 , 2019

Puzzles

ACROSS

95 What -- can I do?

1 It may be green

96 Wonka's creator 6 Ecru and taupe

97 Concussion result 10 With joy

100 Caesar's legions 15 Grounds

102 Heavy reading?

20 Harder to find

103 Glasses, slangily 21 Just great

104 Vegas game 22 Ms. Zellweger

108 Slander's kin 23 Tally

109 Studied intently 24 Maureen of film

110 Cathedral part 25 "The -- Limits"

111 Andes vulture 26 Emitting light

112 Pipe bend 27 Organ feature

113 Fridge coolant 28 Flirt

115 Claptrap 29 Deli crepes

116 Desperado's piece 30 Health food (2 wds.)

117 Batman and Robin 32 Juan Peron's widow

118 Trickle 34 Ease

120 Search eng. find 36 Call in sick

121 "Honest" fellow 37 Rack and - 123 Scout leader, often 40 Whodunit herring

124 One-time JFK landers 41 London's Big - 125 Cry of amazement 42 Jayhawker st.

127 Strait-laced person 44 DeLuise and Perignon

129 Dwarf maple, maybe 48 Choose

131 Mir experience 49 Royal pronoun (2 wds.)

50 Snags

136 Prow opposite 53 Balked

138 Cuddly toy 55 Playing marble

142 "And thereby hangs -- --" 56 "The Magic Flute" composer

143 Deep South 58 Falana or Montez

144 "The Velvet Fog" 59 Perfume base

145 Noted soap vixen 61 Hartford competitor

146 Check endorser 63 Croce's "I Got -- --"

147 More remote 64 Transparent wrap

148 Everglades wader 65 Lowly laborer

149 On -- -- (winning) 66 Mighty

150 Downhill racers 67 Freight train unit

151 Wedding-cake levels 69 Silica mineral

152 Crowd noise 70 Actor -- Neeson

153 Eva -- Saint 71 Party-tray cheese

74 Dock denizen

DOWN 75 Mosque feature

1 Walked heavily 78 Undamaged

2 Sunk fence (hyph.)

81 Base runner's need

3 Europe-Asia range 82 Fashion length

4 Arthur's sorcerer 83 Util. bill

5 Makes like a mule 84 Boxing locale

6 Drove a semi 86 Persona -- grata

7 No later than 87 Atomizers

8 Shangri-la 89 Bravo opposite

9 Turkey neighbor 93 Dow Jones fig.

10 Famous pin-up girl 94 Cellar, briefly

KATHLEEN SAXE

WORD GAME

TODAY'S WORD -- MALIGNANT (MALIGNANT: muh-LIG-nent: Tending to spread to another part of the body.)

Average mark 30 words Time limit 45 minutes Can you find 43 or more words in MALIGNANT? TODAY'S WORD -- MALIGNANT

magi mail main malign malt mania manila manna manta mating mint again alga align alit

angina anima animal anti lagan lain lama laming lanai limn ling lint gain gait gala

gamin giant gilt glint gnat nail naming natal taiga tail taming tang ting

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.

11 Cyclades locale 12 Do a mosaic 13 Trotsky or Spinks 14 Somber evergreens 15 Romantic isle 16 Ancient (hyph.)

17 Pakistan's language 18 Box or bucket -19 Snaky fish 21 Fishing float 31 Glazier's unit 33 In -- -- (stuck) 35 UPS units 37 Canning tomato 38 On top of 39 Chichen -42 Mongol title 43 Oxygen source 45 Hassocks 46 Educator Horace -47 Pirate's booty 49 Pitcher -- Hershiser 50 Asta's mistress 51 Bedside noise 52 Make taboo 53 Elegant wrap 54 Carbon 14 job 57 Kind of radio

106 Mope 58 Acid in milk

107 B'way signs of yore 59 Horrify

109 Part of mpg 60 Natural eyewash

111 Cows' mouthfuls 62 Latin I verb 114 Industrial region 64 Getz or Kenton

115 Daffodil digs 66 Hurls

116 Deep-diving seabird 68 Comes up Shared a ride 69 Shaquille of the NBA 119 121 More Bohemian 71 Codgers' queries 122 Customers 72 Veggie-tray item

123 Attic window 73 Shaking

124 Notched range 76 Needed scratching

126 Curved moldings 77 Spell

127 Elf 79 Web suffix 128 Organic compound 80 Explosive letters

129 Yankee catcher 82 Yours truly

130 First-stringers (hyph.)

85 Currier's partner

131 Phaser blasts 88 "That's -- --!"

132 Term paper abbr.

90 Festoon 91 Unlikely to bite (2 wds.)

133 Zany Martha -92 Reindeer herders

134 Mine entrance 94 Loft locale

135 "Veni, vidi, --" 98 Go together 137 For takeout (2 wds.)

99 PC screen image 139 Designer label 100 Porter and stout

140 Cicero's 651 101 Exasperate 141 Padlock brand 102 Shovel or rake 103 -- Paulo, Brazil See Solution 105 Does sums on page 14

guyanatimesgy.com

MARCH 31 , 2019

Sunday Times Magazine 13

Tech

L

G’s latest flagship, the G8 ThinQ, will be released in the US beginning on April 11th.

The Verge originally previewed the G8 back at Mobile World Congress, but release info and pricing was unavailable at the time.

The phone will be available at all major US carriers, as well as authorized retailers and a few regional carriers. The list includes: Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Best Buy, B&H, US Cellular, and Xfinity Mobile.

Preorders start on March 29th at some of those retailers, but the specifics vary depending on where you want to buy the phone. The LG G8 ThinQ’s unlocked retail price is $819.99, with select retailers offering a promotional $150 discount “for a limited time at launch.” As for carrier pricing,

Verizon and Sprint will both be selling the LG G8 for $840, AT&T’s is set at $829.99, and T-Mobile’s undercuts everyone else’s at $619.99.

As a quick refresher, the LG G8 ThinQ is very similar to last year’s G7 in terms of looks. It has a Snapdragon 855 processor, a large 6.1inch QHD+ (3120 x 1440) OLED screen, a 3,500 mAh battery, 128GB storage (with microSD support), 6GB RAM. The G8 will run Android 9 Pie out of the box.

One feature that makes the LG G8 ThinQ stand out, it’s the Z Camera. The G8 uses its front-facing camera for Air Motion gestures that let you perform various actions by simply waving your hand or pinching the air near the screen. Some of these Air Motion actions include answering and ending calls, switching between apps, adjusting the volume, or taking screenshots — all without touching the phone itself. The Z Camera also doubles as a form of authentication, by scanning the veins in your hand (in cases where using the included fingerprint sensor might be inconvenient). (The Verge)

T

he Google-sponsored Lunar X Prize competition may be dead, but the foundation behind the contest still plans to give a cash prize to one of its former competitors — if the team actually lands on the Moon. On Thursday, the X Prize Foundation, which organized the competition, announced it will give a $1 million “Moonshot” award to the

cessfully landed on the Moon and explored the surface before the competition’s deadline was set to receive $20 million from Google, while the second place team would receive $5 million. The rest of the cash was reserved for teams that performed special tasks, such as visiting an old Apollo landing site.

The X Prize Foundation originally set the deadline

teams are still striving to reach the Moon, with SpaceIL poised to be the first of the finalists to make it to the lunar surface. The nonprofit completed its lander with a budget of $90 million and launched the spacecraft into Earth orbit on top of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on February 21st. The lander, named Beresheet has spent the last month and a half in

Israeli nonprofit SpaceIL, if the organization’s lander successfully touches down on the lunar surface.

SpaceIL was originally one of five finalists in the $30 million Google Lunar X Prize competition, which ran from 2007 to 2018. The competition aimed to lower the cost of getting to deep space, by challenging teams all over the world to build and launch lunar landers using mostly private funding. The first team that suc-

for 2012, but extended the competition a few times until a final deadline was set at March 31st, 2018. Dozens of teams initially entered the competition, with five finalists making it to the last round. But ultimately, none of the teams ever launched before the last deadline. The X Prize Foundation tried to relaunch the competition with a new sponsor in 2018, but was unable to find anyone to back the prize.

However, many of the

space, slowly stretching its orbit around Earth in order to reach the distance of the Moon. The plan is to put the lander into the Moon’s orbit the first week of April and then attempt a landing on the lunar surface on April 11th. he fact that SpaceIL kept working toward this mission after the competition ended inspired the X Prize Foundation to offer up a new award, contingent on the team’s success. (The Verge)

Samsung shows off the Galaxy Fold’s folding skills

S

amsung has been pretty closed off about letting anyone actually try out the Galaxy Fold in real life, but apparently, those rules don’t apply to robots — specifically, Samsung’s specialized stress testing machines, which the company showcased in a new video highlighting the Galaxy Fold’s bending abilities.

The video is pretty mesmerizing on its own — there’s something almost soothing about watching all the phones fold open and shut in perfect synchronization, but more importantly, the stress tests are giving us what might be the best look yet at what the Galaxy Fold actually looks like when its folding.

And so far, it looks pretty slick. The screens are fast to turn on, there doesn’t seem to be that big of a gap when the device is closed, and there also doesn’t seem to be

A

mazon’s Rohit Prasad, head scientist and an instrumental member of the Alexa division, says the company’s personal software assistant would be far smarter if it had a robot body and cameras to move around in the real world. Prasad, speaking at MIT Technology Review’s EmTech Digital AI conference in San Francisco on Wednesday, said, “The only way to make smart assistants really smart is to give it eyes and let it explore the world.”

Some Alexa-enabled smart devices already have cameras. But a robot body would be new. Prasad’s comments suggest that work could be in service of one day giving Alexa a body — although he wouldn’t confirm this directly. Prasad works on natural language processing and other machine learning capabilities for Alexa, so it’s likely

the creasing issue that early reports claimed might be a problem (but given that its an extremely polished, Samsung-produced video, we’ll have to wait and see for ourselves if that’s really the case).

Samsung promises that the Fold will be able to “outlast 200,000 folds and unfolds” (which it estimates to roughly five years of use, assuming 100 folds a day), although unless you build a folding robot of your own, it’s likely you won’t run into that barrier anytime soon.

The Galaxy Fold is set to release on April 26th, starting at $1,980. (The Verge)

if he wanted to test these features out, he’d be one of the few Amazon employees who could easily go ahead and try it.

Giving smart assistants cameras and physical bodies would grant them more data on the world around them and help build what we might consider “common sense,” potentially making them more intelligent and more capable of performing complex tasks that require visual context and other important data human brains take for granted. (The combined theory around this blend of neurobiology, robotics, and AI is often referred to as embodied cognition.) And the comments from Amazon’s Prasad line up with rumors of a mobile Alexa robot from a Bloomberg report last year that could follow users around in the home. (The Verge)

14 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

MARCH 31 , 2019

Bollywood/Hollywood

Pahlaj Nihalani responds to Kangana Ranaut’s allegations: ‘She should not play with me’

A

ctor Kangana Ranaut recently revealed on a show that she was once asked to dress in just a robe for a photoshoot for a Pahlaj Nihalani film. The producer has responded to her claims, warning her not to “play with me”.

On being asked for a reaction to Kangana’s story, Nihalani told Cineblitz, “I had spent one-and-a-half crore on that picture advertisement and shot for three songs.

She did the reading post the photoshoot, but with my advertisement and the poster she got Mahesh Bhatt’s film (Gangster) and backed out of my film as she requested me to let her do Gangster as we were under a three-movie deal. She should not play with me, otherwise I have a lot of things to play with her.”

Nihalani also spoke about the film in question and claimed that he had also approached Amitabh Bachchan with a role. “It was a youth film; she was married in that movie. I had approached Amitabh Bachchan for that role. It

A

ctor Salman Khan is known for launching several faces in Bollywood with Notebook actors Pranutan Bahl and Zaheer Iqbal being the latest ones. The actor has now revealed that he is currently looking into scripts to launch his bodyguard

Shera’s son, Tiger.

Talking about launching several star kids, Salman told Bombay Times in an interview, “Shera’s son Tiger is being groomed right now and he’s already being considered by so many producers and directors. Shera feels I will be the best judge of a script for his son, so I am now sifting through scripts.

I am yet to find something worthy.” Tiger has earli-

was on the lines of Cheeni Kum. I gave the narration to Amitji too; he pulled out due to him already doing something similar. It was never a porn film and neither am I interested in those kinds of movies,” he said.

Kangana had told MidDay, “The fact that people met, and promised to guide and help me, but then I was put under house-arrest. And then Pahlaj Nihalani had offered me a film called I Love You Boss. They had a photoshoot where they gave me a robe to wear, and no undergarments. So I just had a satin robe for a show-girl pose, from which I had to stick my leg out, coming out of darkness.”

Calling the role a soft-

er worked as an assistant director on Salman’s 2016 blockbuster Sultan.

Salman had launched brother-in-law Aayush Sharma (Arpita Khan’s husband) with LoveYatri last year which failed to impress the moviegoers and the critics. He had introduced

Aditya Pancholi’s son Sooraj Pancholi in his 2015 production, Hero.

The actor is proud to have launched the newcomers and will continue to do so until he can. “I will continue to back more kids for as long as I can. Why? Because I was also launched at some point and I think the industry can do with some more fresh talent,” he said.

Salman said that all of

porn character, she added, “They should at least have given some tapes. I was supposed to play a young girl lusting after her middleaged boss. So it was a softporn sort of character. And I had this epiphany that I can’t do this. I felt like this is exactly what my parents were talking about. I actually went through the photo shoot, but then I disappeared. I changed my number.”

The actor had also revealed that soon after this incident, she finally landed roles in two-three projects, including her debut film, Gangster. Kangana won several awards for the film.

(Hindustan Times)

them work very hard to get a nod, adding, “Sooraj, Aayush and Zaheer chill together at Galaxy. They are always together and stand by each other at all times. They’re happy for one another — no khunnas, no jealousy. I wish it stays that way.” He goes on to share his wish, “I actually want all these boys to work together in a super dhamaal film, the kind that I have done in my past.”

The actor is currently working on his next film Bharat and have a few more projects in his kitty, including Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Inshallah with Alia Bhatt and Dabangg 3. Salman stars opposite Katrina Kaif in the film which also has Disha Patani, Jackie Shroff, Sunil Grover and Tabu in prominent roles. The film is being directed by Ali Abbas Zafar and co-produced by him along with Atul Agnihotri and T-Series. (Hindustan Times)

B

ollywood choreographer Saroj Khan, who is choreographing Madhuri Dixit after four years in Kalank, has criticised the quality standards in Bollywood saying “music directors can’t even come up with original tracks” and dance is mostly copied from the west.

Saroj has choreographed a song for Madhuri Dixit in Kalank. Saroj spoke about it to a tabloid, “Four years after Gulaab Gang, I’ve choreographed another song for Madhuri (Dixit). All through the film (Kalank) she makes others dance and never dances herself, then, in the climax, when Varun’s (Dhawan) Zafar enters the kotha, she breaks into a mujra. Tabahi is a sad, situational song with fast-paced beats. Madhuri and I danced our hearts out and I’m hopeful that after seeing it, people will remember Saroj Khan again. After just reading about it, Kangana Ranaut with whom I had worked in Tanu Weds Manu earlier, called me to do a song, Rajaji, in Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi.”

She also slammed the current crop of Bollywood songs and claimed the heroines ‘look and dress the same’. She said,

“Bollywood songs have hit an all time low.

None of the songs today are memorable and you can’t differentiate between heroines, who look and dress the same. I have to ask my kids who the actress is. In the ’80s and ’90s, maybe even before that, every heroine was distinctive and no one was afraid of close-ups. People are trying to copy western dance, but gymnastics is meant for circus people.”

“Why go into living rooms in the West and show them their own moves when people abroad love and want to learn our todas and taals? It’s stupid, but then music directors today can’t even come up with original tracks, they have to remix yesteryear hits. Remo D’souza, Ahmed Khan, Ganesh Acharya, my own son Raju Khan have all been my students. In my time, we always encouraged new talent, we were not insecure of them taking our work away from us.

Taqdeer roti deti hai,” she added.

Saroj has been a renowned name in the industry and has given several hit numbers including Dola Re Dola (Devdas), Dhak Dhak Karne Laga (Beta) and Ek Do Teen (Tezaab). (Hindustan Times)

Angelina Jolie in negotiations for Marvel’s ‘The Eternals’

A

ngelina Jolie is in talks to star in Marvel Studios’ “The Eternals,” in what would be Jolie’s first venture into the superhero realm.

Details about the movie and what character Jolie would play are being kept under wraps. Created by Jack Kirby in 1976, the story of “The Eternals” is set millions of years ago when the cosmic beings known as the Celestials genetically experimented on humans to create super-powered individuals known as the Eternals along with the villainous Deviants.

The two groups went on to battle each other throughout history. The Eternals also warred with Greek, Roman and Norse dieties before leaving the Earth to explore the stars.

Chloe Zhao, whose helming credits include “The Rider” and “Songs My Brothers Taught Me,” became attached in September to direct “The Eternals” from a script by Matthew and Ryan Firpo. Marvel Studios Chief Kevin Feige is producing.

Jolie is starring “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil,” a sequel to the 2014 fantasy “Maleficent,” which grossed

$758 million worldwide. The sequel, which will open Oct. 18, will be Jolie’s first big-screen appearance since 2015’s relationship drama “By the Sea,” which she also directed.

Jolie’s other upcoming projects include animation/live-action hybrid “The One and Only Ivan,” and the fantasy drama “Come Away” with David Oyelowo with Brenda Chapman directing. She is repped by UTA and Sloane Offer. (Page Six)

Crossword Solution

guyanatimesgy.com

MARCH 31 , 2019

Sunday Times Magazine 15

16 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

MARCH 31 , 2019

Fun Times

Archie

ARIES

Don’t let go of your (March 21- dreams. Sketch out a plan April 19) and reach out to people who share your beliefs and concerns and can help you reach your objective.

Do what has to be done TAURUS and then relax. Now is not (April 20- the time to stir up trouble, May 20) be stubborn or let emotional matters escalate into something you cannot control.

GEMINI (MAY 28June 20)

The more direct you are about what you do, the less interference you’ll encounter.

Gullibility will invite meddlers and people trying to entice you into something that’s better for them, not for you.

Branch out and try something different. Engage in (June 21- talks and events that will July 22) teach you about other cultures or introduce you to someone or something you didn’t know.

CANCER

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Dilbert

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Rethink your next move.

Do what’s not only good for you, but good for those you love. Self-centered motivations should be discarded.

Take time to expand your ideas and figure out the best way to maintain integrity and keep the peace, while still being able to do your own thing.

Experience will lead to wisLIBRA dom and the ability to make (Sept. 23the right decision when faced Oct. 23) with adversity. Take care of your responsibilities and move on to what you truly want to do.

Peanuts

Emotions may flare up, SCORPIO but if you put love, romance (Oct. 24- and peace first and foremost, Nov. 22) you can turn any frown you encounter into a smile. Build memories instead of destroying them.

Don’t go overboard. You SAGITTARIUS may feel like being excessive (Nov. 23Dec. 21) or giving into a temptation that someone dangles in front of your face, but consider the consequences before you indulge.

Calvin and Hobbes

Keep an open mind when CAPRICORN someone suggests a change.

(Dec. 22- Offer positive suggestions that Jan. 19) will help keep things moving along smoothly when dealing with others. Romance should be a priority.

An expression of gratiAQUARIUS tude will help you deflect (Jan. 20- any negativity that comes Feb. 19) your way. Make positive changes at home that will encourage loved ones to get involved. Today is about sharing.

Choose to be the best PISCES (Feb. 20- that you can be mentally, Mar. 20) physically and emotionally.

Always take the high road and give it your all, regardless of what others do.