Guyana Times - Sunday, March 3, 20109

LOOK INSIDE !

Nationwide coverage coverage from from the the best best news news team team in in Guyana Guyana Nationwide Issue No. 3852 guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON BEACON OF OF TRUTH TRUTH THE

Sunday, March 3, 2019

PRICE

Firing of striking bauxite workers

Opposition Leader reminds APNU/AFC of how PPP saved bauxite industry

$120 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Police raid Stabroek P8 Market area …13 arrested

Page 9

…blasts Govt for politicising industrial relations

Bandit killed during botched robbery

…judicial system still faces major P14 hurdles – Chancellor

Page 7

Fire destroys Lombard St squatters’ shacks Page 2

Several students rushed for medical attention after receiving vaccines in school

Page 13

...parents unaware of vaccination programme

PPP awaiting elections date to elect PM candidate Page 3

…Ali promises restoration of democracy

People’s Progressive Party on Saturday held a fundraiser at Leonora, West Coast Demerara. In this composite photo, the Party's Presidential Candidate Irfaan Ali addresses the gathering where he expressed his gratitude for their support (Dexter

Ceres photo)

243 women trafficked in Guyana during 2018

Guyana still unable to conducted DNA testing

…equipment yet to be delivered 2 years later P11

Oil and gas sector

GCCI Vice Chairman P16 decries sloth in Local Content Policy

Carciom P17 expresses concern over hardships, suffering in Venezuela

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SUnDAY, march 3, 2019 | guyanatimesGY.com

Fire destroys Lombard St squatters’ shacks

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ver 35 persons are now homeless after a fire gutted several shacks on Lombard and Broad Streets, Charlestown, Georgetown on Saturday morning.

Reports are the fire started at about 08:00h after an alleged mentally unstable man set one of the shacks, which is adjoined to each other, on fire.

When Guyana Times visited the scene, occupants of the dwellings stood in disbelief with many household items on the roadway. Some were tumbling through the rubble to unearth any valuables that were saved while passers-by looked on.

Speaking with this pub-

lication, several occupants of the shacks recalled being alerted by nearby persons who noticed the smoke emanating from the structures.

The fire quickly escalated into an uncontrollable inferno, leaving persons with no other option but to dash to safety while the fire ripped apart the shacks.

Abiola Khalil told this publication that she was at work when someone called and informed her of the fire.

She said that by the time she reached home the fire had flattened her dwelling place.

Meanwhile, Roxanne Austin said she was asleep when the alarm was raised.

“Everything I lose. I don’t have anything…I was asleep.

I jump up when I see what going,” Austin said. Meanwhile, Tidicia Daniel explained that her attention was drawn to the fire after someone alerted her but the flames prevented her from saving any furniture and valuables.

“They claim that my brother cause the fire. I don’t know ‘cause I wasn’t there. I hear people talking and when we look, we see the fire coming and it was uncontrollable so we couldn’t save nothing,” she related.

The woman praised the Guyana Fire Service for arriving promptly since other buildings in close proximity could have been damaged as well.

“It’s a lot of loses every-

A firefighter struggles to contain the blaze at Lombard and Broad Streets, Charlestown, Georgetown (News Source Guyana photo)

body get. The fire service come on time and had it under control because if they didn’t come, the whole square would’ve gone,” said Daniel.

No injuries were recorded.

Back in 2017, the Central Housing and Planning Authority was on the verge of relocating the squatters from Broad and Lombard Streets after the owner of the property was granted a High Court judgement to have them removed.

Some 68 adults and 100 children have been living in the area and they were supposed to be relocated to Barnwell North, Mocha Arcadia but the residents of Mocha Arcadia, East Bank Demerara, protested over this move due to several social issues.

The Department of Housing, in collaboration with the Food For The Poor (FFTP) organisation were expected to construct 72 homes for the squatters.

Government had said it will match the $42 million contribution by FFTP but the Government was not pleased with the house model and the project was reportedly stalled.

Meanwhile, the previous Administration had discussed plans to have the squatters relocated at La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, and on the East Bank of Demerara but they had refused to move from the area.

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SUnDAY, march 3, 2019 | guyanatimesGY.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Sunday, March 3 – a night retraction at 03:30h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h and Monday, March 4 – a night retraction at 04:00h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Sunday, March 3 – 14:45h-16:15h and Monday, March 4 – 15:30h-17:00h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunny intervals are expected throughout the day, followed by partly cloudy skies in the evening.

Overall temperatures will range between 21 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 02:42h and 14:58h reaching maximum heights of 2.20 metres and 2.32 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 08:32h and 20:58h reaching minimum heights of 1.01 metres and 0.85 metre respectively.

saturday, march 2, 2019

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PPP awaiting elections date to elect PM candidate …Ali promises restoration of democracy

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he People’s Progressive Party (PPP), which successfully toppled the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government on December 21, 2018, says it is awaiting the announcement of the constitutionally mandated elections date

by President David Granger before it starts the process of selecting its prime ministerial candidate.

The Party’s General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo told those gathered at the fundraising dinner on Saturday that the Party have deviated from the traditional process of selecting the prime ministerial candidate to include the Civic component of the PPP and that the process has already been streamlined.

He added that there will be an announcement of a prime ministerial candidate before Nomination Day after the official announcement of a date for the hosting of General and Regional Elections.

“We have spent over the last couple of weeks defining the process through which we will be selecting the prime ministerial candidate. We have departed a bit from the traditional process to broaden it a bit more to the inclusion of the civic in the selection process. Traditionally, it used to be only the Party and so now that we have defined the process, we’re waiting for an election date to decide when we will trigger that process,” Jagdeo explained.

He further stated that the process “can move swiftly.

Within a week of triggering that process we can select out prime ministerial candidate with adequate discussions on that issue. I want to assure that there is no requirement on Nomination Day to name the prime ministerial candidate so it is not that urgent but we will still have a prime ministerial candidate before Nomination Day which is 32 days before the elections are held.”

On January 19, 2019, almost one month after it toppled the Government through the passage of the

A large gathering at the PPP fundraiser which was held at Leonora (WCD)

No-confidence Motion in the National Assembly – when AFC parliamentarian Charrandas Persaud made a conscious decision and voted in favour of the motion – the PPP elected its former Housing and Water Minister, Irfaan Ali, as its presidential candidate to contest the constitutionally mandated General and Regional Elections.

According to Article 106 (6) and (7) of the Constitution: “The Cabinet including the President shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence.” And “Notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain in office and shall hold an election within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall by resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the votes of all the elected members of the National Assembly determine, and shall resign after the President takes the oath of office following the election.”

However, the Government has been pussyfooting on the announcement of an elections date and have challenged the validity of the no-confidence resolution since Charrandas Persaud is a dual citizen.

Acting Chief Justice Roxane George has since ruled that while Persaud is a dual citizen, his vote remains valid as a result of the doctrine of necessity as well as the resolution was validly carried having garnered the majority of

the votes of the elected members of the House.

It has been 71 days since the resolution was carried and no move has been made by the Government to have elections held within the constitutionally mandated 90 days. Additionally, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has since indicated that it will require at least five months to prepare. A vote was also taken to have house-tohouse registration conducted; treating the issue as if it is a normal one.

Prior to his departure to Cuba for cancer treatment, President Granger ordered GECOM to begin its preparations for the hosting of elections and also requested to meet with the Opposition Leader.

However, at Saturday’s fundraiser, Jagdeo told supporters that the President’s request reeks of desperation since it is the PPP alone that can extend the life of the present Government beyond

the March 19 deadline.

“They know that only the People’s Progressive Party can extend the life of this Government because Article 106 (7) of our Constitution outlines that clearly… so they are desperate for a meeting to do that. But we have argued that there has been absolutely no good faith effort to meet the deadline, therefore there is no need for a meeting unless a date for the elections is set and is set with regards to the Constitution,” he stated.

“Not now they want house-to-house registration to push elections to December or next year. We will never acceded to that and they will be solely responsible for making this country go into unconstitutional territory so after that date expires… in Guyana we will have an illegal President, an illegal Government, illegal Ministers.

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SUnDAY, march 3, 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

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Elections date: Clarification or duplicity?

f the political atmosphere were not tense enough with the PNC-led Government resorting to the Appellate Courts to question the Legislative and High Court’s determination that 33 is the majority of 65, and consequently the NCM was valid, and that in accordance with Art 106 (6) of the Constitution, the President and Cabinet “shall” resign immediately and elections be scheduled within 90 days, the differing opinions by the Opposition and the Government on the significance of the issuance of two letters by the President to GECOM on the same day has only served to escalate the tensions.

The Opposition Leader viewed the two letters as an attempt by the President to commit “fraud” on the Guyanese people, since the letters had different implications for the holding of elections as constitutionally mandated by Art 106 (6). The first letter stated, “The Government is committed to doing everything possible to ensure that the Commission is provided with the financial resources and has sufficient time to conduct credible elections.

“I urge the Commission, therefore, to commence preparations for the conduct of GRE (General and Regional Elections). The Government will initiate measures to provide the funds required and to seek the approval of the National Assembly to ensure that an agreement can be reached, given both the Constitutional requirements and GECOM’s capability.” These “Constitutional requirements” were also spelled out in this letter: “…to deliver credible General and Regional Elections (GRE) within the three-month time frame commencing 2018.12.21.”

This letter is therefore very clear in its import: the Chairman of GECOM had indicated to the President that elections were due “three months (from) 2018.12.21”, i.e. March 19, 2019; and the President, who has the authority and duty to do so, had asked that preparations for GRE commence immediately.

The second letter, however, spoke to a totally different issue: that GECOM was now evidently being given the responsibility for setting the GRE’s date: “I have noted also, that GECOM, as a Constitutional agency would require a new appropriation of funds approved by the National Assembly for the conduct of General and Regional Elections. I now write you in that context for us to initiate consultations on the readiness of GECOM for the conduct of General and Regional Elections in 2019 (GRE).”

This shift in responsibility is what the Leader of the Opposition alluded to when he spoke of fraud. Since, for instance, the GECOM Chair accepted that the clock on the GRE date started ticking from Dec 21, 2018, why did he not then throw the machinery of the institution to meet the March 19 deadline, or at most a month afterwards, knowing that the validity of the voters’ list expired on April 31? For him to now express “doubts” on GECOM’s readiness a mere three weeks before that date, after the Government GECOM Commissioners had been strenuously insisting on a new “house to house” registration to create a new voters’ list and to have the President upturning his firm instructions for elections preparation within hours to “initiate consultations” on GECOM’s readiness, does lead the law’s famous “reasonable man” to conclude that “mischief was afoot”.

The Government’s spokesperson indignantly responded to the Opposition Leader’s assertion on “fraud” by raising a “straw man” to claim essentially that President Granger was a church-going Christian and, as such, incapable of lying; and that the Opposition leader was in fact so maligning all Christians. But by then the issue had moved from the surmise by the Opposition Leader to the world of facts. At a meeting of GECOM, only upon inquiry by the PPP Commissioners was the existence of two letters from the President acknowledged.

The PNC Commissioners then proceeded to give life to the opening offered in the President’s second letter by insisting that only the matter of a new voters’ list should be on the agenda. The PPP Commissioners not unreasonably wanted to know why the date for the elections should not be directly addressed.

That meeting then broke up with March 19th looming ominously.

New bridge built at Kashi Dhaam K ashi Dhaam, on the West Coast Demerara, is a sacred site on the Ruimzeigt foreshore where a crematorium and supporting facilities were created over 12 years ago by the Ramroop Foundation. Over the years, the Foundation has maintained the institution in an immaculate condition with a full-time staff to ensure that the last rites for those who desire to be cremated are conducted in a dignified

atmosphere. Last month, a completely new bridge was constructed to replace the former structure which had become worn under the elements.

“Kashi Dhaam” alludes to the famous Ghats in Kashi (Benares or Varansi) along the sacred River Ganga, where Hindus are cremated in the city dedicated to Lord Shiva, and where they believe they will attain liberation (Mosksa) after having died there. In Guyana, how-

ever, individuals of all or no faiths are allowed to be cremated at Kashi Dhaam, with the only stipulation that alcohol be not consumed on the premises.

The location at Ruimzeigt had been used for cremations ever since the ancient method was permitted by the authorities in 1956, after being previously prohibited since Indians immigrants arrived in 1938. However, it was very difficult for the mourners maintain a dignified cer-

emony in the prevailing muddy conditions – specially to cross the canal from the public road to the site on the Atlantic Ocean. The Ramroop Foundation was formed, and with no fanfare constructed Kashi Dhaam.

In addition to the concreted pathway to open brickpaved ground that can accommodate four cremations simultaneously, there is a large adjoining structure that offers several hundred visitors cover from the elements.

European Union to Nicolás Maduro: Let Juan Guaido go home

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enezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro must allow top Opposition Leader Juan Guaido to return to the country safely, said the European Union’s top diplomat.

“In this respect any measure that could put at risk Juan Guaidó’s freedom, safety, or personal integrity would represent a major escalation of tensions and meet the firm condemnation of the international community,” Federica Mogherini, the European Union’s top diplomat, said in a Saturday message.

Guaido flouted a Maduro regime travel ban to participate in a February 23 effort to deliver humanitarian aid from Colombia over the objections of the regime’s security forces. He has spent the ensuing week on a diplomatic tour of friendly South American nations, raising questions about when he would return to continue leading anti-regime protests and whether Maduro would try to punish him for leaving the country without permission.

“The members of National Assembly enjoy constitutionally granted immunity that needs to be fully respected,” Mogherini said. “They should be able to exercise their parliamentary mandate free of intimidation on them or their family members.”

Federica Mogherini, the European Union’s top diplomat

President Nicolás Maduro

Opposition Leader Juan Guaido

The European Union has not recognised Guaido’s claim as interim President because some members of the bloc, which makes major foreign policy decisions unanimously, have declined to do so. Instead, the European Commission, which functions as the EU’s executive branch, is “giving support to the National Assembly” — which Guaido leads as the top lawmaker — while calling for new elections. Most of the major European Union member states have recognised him outright as interim President, as has the European Parliament.

Guaido, whom Trump recognised first as interim president under Venezuela’s Constitution on January 23, is headed for a high-stakes political game of chicken with Maduro whenever he returns to Caracas.

“For the Government, the best case scenario is that Guaido doesn’t return,” Felix Seijas, the head of a Venezuelan polling firm, told Bloomberg. “Guaido is trying to raise the stakes of being imprisoned.”

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s top lieutenant for the crisis believes Guaido is succeeding in that effort, though a return remains dangerous.

“You saw Juan Guaido become much more of an international figure in the last week than he had previously been,” special envoy Elliott Abrams told reporters Friday. “I think and many other countries, are very concerned about Interim President Guaido’s ability to go back home, which he has a right to do as a Venezuelan citizen, and to go back home safely. Because a number of

regime officials have actually threatened him with arrest. We certainly hope that he is able to go home safely.

We know that there are dozens and dozens of other governments who share that concern.”

Mogherini’s Saturday statement echoed that refrain while reiterating the need for a peaceful resolution to the standoff between Guaido and Maduro.

“The European Union underlines its conviction that the solution to the multidimensional crisis affecting Venezuela can only be a political, democratic, and peaceful one,” she said. “The European Union will keep closely monitoring events in cooperation with the International Contact Group members and its regional and international partners.” (Washington Examiner)

guyanatimesgy.com

SunDAY, march 3, 2018

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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

Global support of our constitutional rights

Dear Editor, Chairman Justice (ret’d) James Patterson seems to shamelessly dance to the beat of the People’s National Congress Reform’s (PNC/R) drums while defying the Constitution. In 2015, the APNU/AFC coalition Government took the issue concerning the life of the voters’ list to Parliament.

They placed into law that Continuous Registration will be an ongoing process, followed with Claims and Objections as the updating mechanism for the voters’ list to be ready for elections during any six months.

The delaying tactics now

will not be able to stop the people in our country from demanding Regional and National Elections before the end of March 2019.

I join the international call for the global support of our constitutional rights.

We demand the immediate isolation of this fraudulent, illegal APNU/AFC regime based on the colossal corruption and glaring violations of United Nations standards of acceptable human rights that are taking place under this Government.

The Guyanese nation calls for immediate and necessary intervention against this vulgar wrongdoing of

this regime.

It is encouraging to read that President Granger is now coming around to understanding the importance of our country’s Constitution.

However, even as he belatedly calls on GECOM to prepare for Regional and National Elections, there exists a deepened level of national distrust, given the tried and proven hypocrisy that usually emerges from his clan. It leaves one to wonder about the basis of Granger’s system of governing.

We recall that in 2017, Granger hurriedly appointed and swore in ‘pension-

er’ Patterson as Chairman of the Guyana Election Commission on Deepavali day. This happened to be one of the most auspicious and signature days on the Hindu religious calendar. Heaven knows why he is proposing to reach the Leader of the Opposition on ‘Ash’ Wednesday, March 06, 2019.

Given that, the political calendar is respected and not punctuated by the amount of days, but by the ‘events’ that take place on particular ‘dates’; Ash Wednesday is recognised as one of the most significant days on the Christian cal-

endar, which signals commencement of preparation by our Christian brothers and sisters for the ‘holy’ period of ‘lent’. It is a time when our people are cleansing themselves from all evils with no use of alcohol, meat, and wrongdoings. Selecting this date is certainly disrespectful to some Guyanese, or maybe a call for pious intervention.

March 6 is also the death anniversary of the Founder of the PPP, Dr Cheddi Jagan and the death anniversary of one of our country’s ‘heroine’ Kowselar. Maybe President Granger Makes his decisions based on sig-

nificant dates.

Notwithstanding, GECOM must do one or both of the following: 1. Conduct a short Claims and Objections period so as to further sanitise the voters’ list and prepare immediately for elections.

Or 2. Have a short period of continuous registration along with a period of Claims and Objection for early elections.

The bottom line is that we must have elections when the voters’ list is valid!

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

GPSU stands Condemning ongoing campaign to discredit the PPP presidential candidate in solidarity with employees Dear Editor, The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) stands firmly in solidarity with employees of the Russian Aluminium company (RUSAL), and their Union, the Guyana Bauxite & General Workers Union (GBGWU) in their struggle for fair and decent pay, and the employer’s disrespect for the laws of Guyana.

The Collective Labour Agreement between the GBGWU and RUSAL allows for discussions on any policy which will alter the conditions of service for employees. It also enjoins the employer to discuss with the Labour Department of the Social Protection Ministry, any changes in workers’ conditions of service.

The Collective Labour Agreement is enshrined in Article 147 (3) of the Constitution of Guyana.

Guyana has also ratified ILO Convention 98 which deals with Collective Bargaining.

Furthermore, the Trade Union Recognition Act of 1997, Section 23-1 stated pellucidly that where an employee’s organisation is recognised, management must meet with the employees’ representative in good faith to discuss conditions of service of the employee.

Section 23-3 of the said Act states that where the employer fails to meet with the employee’s representative, this constitutes an offence and that for every additional day that they fail to meet, a fine is imposed. RUSAL, in arbitrarily imposing a one per cent increase, changed the conditions of service of the employees and this is a blatant disrespect to the employees’ representative and total disregard for the laws of Guyana.

This flagrant disregard and infringement on workers’ rights led to their protesting, and RUSAL responded by adding ‘salt to the wounds’ with the dismissal of 61 workers, ejection of employees and their families from their living quarters, and refusing to prepare meals, in an effort to break the workers’ spirit. This is a method used by combatant forces and violates a fundamental international principle of humanitarianism which prohibits the starvation of civilians. The move by RUSAL can be viewed as contempt and disdain towards the workers in their fight for a living wage. This reprehensive and illegal conduct is in violation of Article 147-2 of Guyana’s Constitution which gives the employees the right to strike. The right to strike is also mentioned in ILO Convention 87, a fundamental right of workers and of their organisations and must be protected and respected at all cost!

This action by RUSAL flies in the face of all decency and shows blatant disrespect for the people and laws of Guyana more so at a time when the country is celebrating its 49th Republic Anniversary.

The Guyana Public Service Union strongly condemns this action

by RUSAL and its labour advisor for disrespecting and violating the workers’ rights and breaching the laws of Guyana. The GPSU calls on the Social Protection Ministry to enforce the laws immediately by taking the necessary legal action against the employer.

Sincerely, Guyana Public Service Union

Dear Editor, Please allow me to respond to the ongoing vitriolic and virulent campaign by the APNU/AFC supporters to discredit and disparage the credibility of the PPP presidential candidate, Irfaan Ali. Ali is by far one of the most qualified persons to ever contest for higher office in Guyana. His exemplary and impeccable track record as a Government Minister, apart from being one of the leading figures behind the 201114 orchestrated economic boom through the unprecedented housing programme, undoubtedly, allowed him to reach the zenith of his political career, whereby he is now

the presidential candidate of the largest single political party in Guyana.

It must be noted, however, given the ongoing ad hominem attack and spurious allegations of academic fraud in the media, any sane person would grasp the notion that this is clearly a politically driven campaign by the Government to tarnish Ali’s image. On that note, I would like to address one of the latest attacks, one penned by Shawn Sam in the Guyana Chronicle on March 2, 2019. In the article, Sam alleged that Ali obtained a fictitious Master’s Degree in Finance from Anglia Ruskin University.

This is, however, far from the truth. Ali’s degree from Anglian Ruskin University (ARU) was obtained through Arden University, an institution that collaborates with ARU in the delivery of online graduate programmes.

Similarly, his other Master’s Degree from the University of Sunderland, was obtained through RDI distance learning. And in the interest of putting all accusations to rest, each university was written to, seeking confirmation and validation of all certificates.

Hence, Ali’s commitment to self-improvement and intellectual development is astounding. In his latest quest for higher education, he is cur-

rently enrolled in the prestigious and internationally recognised LLM International Commercial Law at the University of Salford. The programme, inter alia, will explore critical areas of international commercial law, corporate law and governance. Notwithstanding, he is also awaiting results from the University of the West Indies on his PhD dissertation. Hence, his unmatched self-discipline and commitment to achieve higher education should be celebrated and not condemned.

Sincerely, Name withheld

Isn’t this advertising discourtesy and laziness?

Dear Editor, The incidence of vacancy notices which carry rather rude warnings that only shortlisted applications will be acknowledged has been on the rise. I find this increasing (mal)-practice among some current colleagues (oops!) in the noble profession of Human Resource Management rather disconcerting. I believe it might even ‘turn-off’ rather than encourage good applications.

I, therefore, wonder about its genesis and value to the advertiser.

I joined the Human Resource Management profession in the days when the laborious typewriters

and ‘Gestetner’ printing machines were in vogue; yet we acknowledged every application – even the unsolicited ones! It is common courtesy, good professional practice and necessary Public Relations.

With the convenient and cost-effective communication facilities available these days, why indulge in this off-putting practice of forewarning applicants that their applications might not be acknowledged?

Chances are, if the advertisements are carefully crafted, unsuitable applications will not proliferate.

Too many advertisements lazily replicate the official job

descriptions which naturally include many incidentals.

Instead, the core essentials of the job should be extracted from the job description to write a good advertisement that ‘markets’ the job without enticing every ‘Tom, Dick

and Harry’ to apply!

A well-crafted advertisement will be shorter and, therefore, less costly to the company/office.

Sincerely, Nowrang Persaud

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What do Hindus celebrate during this festival?

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nce a year, usually during the 11th month in the Hindu calendar – this year on March 4 – Maha Shivaratri is celebrated. The celebration usually falls in February or March, before the arrival of the spring season. The name means, “The Great Night of Shiva”.

On this night, Shiva is said to have saved the world from destruction on the condition that people worship him with great pride and enthusiasm. Other legends say Shiva named this specific day when the goddess Parvati asked. Maha Shivaratri is a major festival within the Hinduism culture because it marks remembrance of overcoming darkness and ignorance in the world. During this day, Hindus observe the occasion by remembering Shiva and chanting prayers, fasting, doing yoga, and meditating. Ethics and virtues of self-restraint, honesty, kindness to others, forgiveness, and the discovery of Shiva are the primary focuses and ultimate goals.

Maha Shivaratri is one of the biggest festivals for Hindus. Devotees offer water, milk, dhatura, bhaang, akwan flowers to Shiva’s murti or the formless Shivalinga and worship the Hindu God of dissolution. Shiva is considered the ideal husband and unmarried girls and women pray for a husband like him. In Hindu practice, every day in the calendar holds some significance and the stories often vary from different regions and communities.

There are three specific reasons to celebrate Maha Shivaratri:

* Shivaratri is the day in the Hindu calendar when the absolute formless God Sadashiv appeared in the form of "Lingodbhav Moorti" exactly at midnight. God in his manifestation as Vishnu made his appearance as Krishna at Gokul at midnight, 180 days after Shivaratri, commonly known as Janmashtami. * Shivaratri is also the ritual wedding anniversary of when Lord Shiva was married to Devi Parvati.

Remember Shiva minus Parvati is pure 'Nirgun Brahman'. * Shivaratri is also a day of thanksgiving to the Lord Shiva for protecting us from annihilation.

On this day, it is be-

the temple to perform the puja of traditional Shivalingam Abhishek four times during the night starting at 06:00h every three hours with milk, honey, coconut water, yoghurt and ghee hoping to get what they have prayed to the God. They take bath in the holy water of the Ganga or other bodies of water, a symbol of purity, early in the morning before sunrise and wear clean clothes after the sacred bath.

Every worshiper brings a pot full of holy water to the temple to offer the Shivalingam. Women pray to God for her well-being of their husbands and sons; an unmarried woman pray to get their desired husband like Shiva in the future; boys pray to get beautiful wives and to be successful in life. The temple is usually full of the sound of bells and people shouting “Shankerji ki Jai” or “Mahadevji ki Jai”. Devotees take five rounds of the

lieved that L o r d Shiva became 'Neelkantham' or the blue-throated one, by swallowing the deadly poison that arose during the churning of "Kshir Sagar" or the milky ocean. The poison was so deadly that even a drop in his stomach, which represents the universe, would have annihilated the entire world. He held it in his neck, which turned blue because of poison.

At Maha Shivratri, people fast the whole day and night and attend temple in the morning. They come to

Shivalingam and pour water on the Shivalingam. Some also pour cow’s milk on the Shivalingam.

According to the Shiva Purana, the Mahashivaratri puja involves six steps which are taking a bath in the Ganges which purifies the soul, mind and body. Bathing of the Shiv Linga with the holy water of Ganga, then bathing with milk and honey. After bathing of the Shiv Linga, vermilion paste is applied on it which represents virtue. Hindus then offer fruits and flowers which are given in the hope of obtaining a long life and satisfaction of desires.

Burning incense yields wealth – this is an important step. The lighting with diyas represents achieving more knowledge; offering betel leaves provides real satisfaction.

Worshippers also apply three horizontal lines of holy ash on their forehead – just like Lord Shiva which represents spiritual knowledge, cleanliness and penance.

Hindus wear garlands made up of Rudraksha, while worshipping the Lord Shiva. It is believed that the Rudraksha tree was originated from the tears of Lord Shiva. Shivaratri is also considered as the wedding day of the Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati.

The popular Hindu celebration has a lot of faith centred ideals and cultural presence. While the practices have evolved, the bigger picture and worshipping ideals have remained. (shutterstock.com)

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SUnDAY, march 3, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Bandit killed during botched robbery PPP awaiting elections...

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suspected bandit was shot and killed while three of his accomplices were nabbed on Saturday during a failed armed robbery on a city diamond dealership.

The incident occurred at about 12:10h at Kay’s Diamond Enterprise Ltd, a licensed trader of diamonds, which is located Lot 288 Middle and Thomas Streets, Georgetown.

The dead man has since been identified as 25-yearold Henry Johanison, a miner.

Guyana Times understands the man was shot and killed inside the building after he attempted to carry out a robbery.

Police in a subsequent statement said the diamond dealership is owned and managed by a male caucasian, who told investigators that he received a phone call from Johanison on Saturday morning. He said the man indicated that he wanted to buy diamonds and advised him to go to the office.

Johanison, the businessman said, arrived at the business establishment at about 12:03h and they had what he described as a “general” conversation before the now dead man asked to use the washroom.

“Upon his return from the washroom, Johanison pointed a pistol in the direction of owner who was sitting in his chair behind his desk in the office and told him not to move; but [the businessman] instinctively drew his licensed handgun and discharged several rounds in the direction of Johanison, who was struck in the upper part of his body and he fell [to the

Kay’s Diamond Enterprise Ltd where the attempted robbery occurred on Saturday

ground],” the Police said.

The matter was reported and Emergency Medical Technical (EMT) personnel were summoned and pronounced Johanison dead at the scene.

The Police said they recovered a 9mm pistol along with eight live matching rounds in the magazine and one round in the breech, which was allegedly in possession of the deceased.

The weapon and ammunition have been lodged.

Meanwhile upon arrival at the scene, the Police observed a black Toyota Fielder wagon parked outside the premises with three male occupants.

The men are believed to be accomplices of Johanison and were allegedly awaiting his re-

turn, since they were unaware he had been killed inside the building, which is said to be sound proof.

A nearby resident told this newspaper she did not hear any gunshots coming from the building. The woman related that she only realised something was amiss when she heard loud voices outside her home and upon inspection, observed a number or armed Police Officers talking to the occupants in a vehicle. “[The Police] were shouting “Come out the car!”. So I peered through the ventilation blocks and saw the Police, with their weapons drawn; they were spread out,” she recollected.

The neighbour further indicated that she went outside, and the Police began searching the vehicle and the three occupants were just standing around, “acting cool”.

She added that it was then that she heard that the men attempted to rob the diamond dealer and one was shot and killed.

Nevertheless, the Police said the vehicle in which the three suspects were in was impounded and the men were taken into custody to assist with further investigations.

Meanwhile, the body of the now dead miner, who is reportedly a known character to the authorities, was removed from the scene by undertakers and taken to the Lyken Funeral Home, where it awaits a post-mortem examination.

from page 3

No contract signed by that Government will be respected by the People’s Progressive Party. There will be consequences to this. The country will go into a serious period of turmoil and all of you will have to be part of that. There will be strikes, we will have to come on the streets, not in a violent manner, to demonstrate that we are not going to allow our freedom to be impaired or taken away from us…” Jagdeo added.

The former President further told supporters that the PPP is not bothered by the Government’s daily shenanigans and excuses to hold onto power, explaining that it only reveals the true nature of the People’s National Congress – the largest demographic of the APNU. “People will understand in the upcoming days the true nature of the Government and the international community has now progressively, because we have been meeting with them discussing with them they too now understand that this Government will push the country into a constitutional crisis… we will continue to work with the international community because we have a lot of sympathetic ears there. The pressure will come from us here and it will come from abroad and the nature of that pressure will change once the country goes into unconstitutional territory which will happen in a few weeks’ time,” he explained.

Restoration of democracy

Meanwhile, the Party’s presidential candidate, Irfaan Ali, promised supporters the restoration of democracy which is being destroyed by the current APNU/AFC Administration.

He said that tracing back to all the times the PPP has been in power, his-

tory would show that its leaders have fought for and guarded the democracy of the nation which is the foundation.

“Our country is built on the Constitution, on the respect for the Constitution and when the foundation is threatened, when the foundation is being trampled upon then the nation can shake in every aspect of national rights and it is unfortunate that after the return to democracy that we are faced with such a challenge in a world today where democracy is guarded very tightly,” he explained.

Ali said citizens ought to trust their Government and everything that they promised to do, alluding to the lofty promises of the APNU/ AFC’s 2015 manifesto. He accused the Government of fooling the nation with the promises it is yet to deliver upon.

He urged supporters to inspect every manifesto the PPP/C has produced, adding that they would see that over 80 per cent of those promises was delivered.

The presidential hopeful further acknowledged that while in Government the PPP/C would have done extraordinary things but there were also gaps that he promised to fill once elected. He noted that Region Three (Essequibo Islands–West Demerara) which he hails from, has felt the brunt of the destruction by the APNU/AFC Administration, identifying the destruction of the sugar industry with the closure of the Wales Estate and the impending destruction of the rice industry.

Ali told those gathered at the fundraiser, which was held at Leonora, West Coast Demerara (WCD), that once in power, the PPP would focus on returning Guyana to its former glory of a nation that was thriving and accommodating to investors.

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SUnDAY, march 3, 2019 | guyanatimesGY.com

Police raid Stabroek Market area …13 arrested

Beware…

T Officers at Stabroek Market during the operation

The illegal items which were found

he parameters of the Stabroek Market were thoroughly searched on Saturday by ranks of the Guyana Police Force, during an impromptu raid for drugs and illegal items. As a result, 13 persons were arrested.

Sniffer dogs were also dispatched to the area and

Unit and Narcotics branches of the Force cordoned off the area. A search operation was conducted at the market and around the routes 31 (Patentia), 32 (Parika), 40 (Kitty/Campbellville), 41(South) and 44 (Mahaica) bus parks.

Sniffer dogs assisted in locating some of the drugs

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dozens of ranks equipped with high-profile equipment were stationed mainly at the entrances of the market.

Based on Police information, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters, Canine Department, Construction Department, Tactical Services Unit, Firearms

and vendors at the market were questioned as the area was subsequently combed for illegal items. During the search, 128 grams of marijuana seeds and 561 grams of cannabis along with several knifes and other sharp objects were seized.

Thirteen persons were detained – three for possession of narcotics and the others for questioning in relation to several offences.

Guyana Times understands that a meeting was convened with Georgetown Major Ubraj Narine; Police Commissioner Leslie James; Divisional Commanders and senior officials of the Force on Friday to deal with the situation at the Stabroek Market area.

According to the Police, the Mayor raised issues of effective policing around Georgetown, along with other challenging factors which were pertinent to eradicating crime.

Concerns by the Mayor sparked decisions to have a joint collaboration between the City Constabulary and A Division (Georgetown-East Bank Demerara).

Just prior to the raid, bus operators were arrested for various offences such as having offensive weapons such as knives and ice picks, tint, breach of road services licence (amplifier set and equaliser in minibuses), breach of road services licence (offensive words and designs on minibuses) and defective tyres.

As part of the exercise, traffic ranks stationed at the Brickdam Police Station, which also houses the Divisional Headquarters, took the opportunity to educate the delinquent drivers and conductors about the seriousness of these offences prior to releasing them.

They were advised on issues such as the seating capacity of a minibus; working attire; obstruction of traffic around the Stabroek Market area; playing of loud or offensive music; speed limit; cleanliness of the interior of the minibuses; paying of traffic tickets; insurance of motor vehicle, and adhering to all traffic laws and regulations.

Following the teaching session, the drivers were all grateful to the Police for their leniency and thanked them for the advice given.

…the Ides of March

he “Ides of March” was a medieval marker for the 15th of several months – including March – from where one could count how far in the month one had advanced. But the Bard, in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, made it eternally famous when he had a soothsayer warn Caesar, “Beware the ides of March”, even as Caesar was surrounded by his closest friends, Brutus and Anthony, and was at the height of popularity, with the masses clamouring to make him king.

Well, for us in Guyana, we don’t even need a soothsayer to remind us that mid-March is going to be a very challenging period, as the PNC insists on trampling on our Constitution to threaten the foundation of our fledgling democracy – delaying free and fair elections to choose the next government. On March 12th, the Appellate Court will be announcing its decisions on the PNC’s second rearguard action to hold off the verdict of the Legislature to have the President and Cabinet resign and have elections scheduled on March 19 – 90 days after the NCM was successfully moved by the Opposition on Dec 21, 2018.

And so “The ides of March” falls smack in the middle of the 12th and the 19th, and we, the Guyanese people, will have to “beware”, because on the 12th March, the Appellate Court would have already certainly tossed out the PNC’s “cock and bull” plea that 33 is not the majority of 65! And on the 19th, the Government would’ve lost whatever legitimacy was left to continue with business as usual!

If the PNC were not the cheating bully it has always been, like other parliamentary democracies such as Britain and India, they would’ve already scheduled elections by March 19th, and been voted out.

But on the Ides of March, your Eyewitness believes the PNC could still try to bluff its way through – by going to the CCJ for a third opinion on the obvious – for clinging to office for another month or so. And this is where the Guyanese people have been forewarned to prevent the PNC from assassinating democracy – as Brutus had done to Caesar. But unlike Brutus, the Guyanese people have no reason to give the benefit of the doubt to the PNC, which has never been a friend to democracy. If we do not head the PNC off at the pass

by March 15, we don’t even have the excuse of saying, “E tu, PNC”, since they’ve never displayed anything but treachery and contempt for democracy.

By March 15th, we will have to gird up our loins and prepare to come out into the streets in our numbers.

To show the PNC we will not allow another dictatorship!!

…of PNC’s misdirections

The PNC should be reminded of the folk wisdom, “wha’ rain na full dew cyaan full”. Ever since the NCM pulled the rug from under their bravado (“Bring it on!!) they’ve been rushing here, there and everywhere doling out “goodies”. The Government newspaper has doubled its pages with advertisements of bids for building roads; centres; bridges; playgrounds; airports (including one for US$48 million!!); solar farms; and so on and so forth!! Christmas in March!!

Like Burnham, they’re now threatening to nationalise one bauxite operation – never mind that they eventually destroyed the bauxite industry with their inept management! To show how clueless they are, Raphael Trotman – who sold off the largest oil reserves of the decade for a pittance – took the visiting South African Dep Natural Resource Minister to visit the Bosai BAUXITE operations!!

Hello? SA has absolutely no bauxite mining!! But with gold, they’ve got the deepest underground mines in the world!!

Why not take them to Guyana Goldfields, which is now trying to mine underground??

…of emboldened thieves

Khemraj Ramjattan and his Guyana Police Force have been trying to convince the Guyanese people – by trotting out massaged statistics - that they’ve got crime under control.

The break in at CID Berbice HQ, where all sorts of equipment were burgled, doesn’t help their cause!!

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

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SUnDAY, march 3, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Firing of striking bauxite workers

Opposition Leader reminds APNU/AFC of how PPP saved bauxite industry …blasts Govt for politicising industrial relations

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s the impasse continues between Government and the Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc (BCGI) over the firing of 90 employees from its Linden operations, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has accused the coalition Administration of being incapable of defending the workers.

Initially, 60 striking workers were fired by BCGI – which is owned by Russian Aluminum company, RUSAL – but an additional 30 were later dismissed after the department in which they were working was temporarily closed.

On Friday, Government threatened to shut the foreign company down, saying that the status quo cannot continue.

Meanwhile, speaking at his weekly press conference on Thursday, the Opposition Leader blasted Government on the issue saying, “they don’t defend anyone’s interest, they are incapable (and) incompetent, they can’t defend anyone’s interests, not the workers, not the people of Guyana”.

The former Head of State said that the Government has been meeting with the bauxite company behind closed doors and subsequently sent a Minister with the media to a worksite, which is not what is required to bring an end to the impasse between the workers and the foreign company.

He made it clear that despite the political climate in the country, the Government must not take advantage of the situation, but rather conduct its duties in the best interests of the workers, whose bread and butter was snatched.

Under PPP Administration

He reflected on his time in office under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) noting that a similar matter had arisen and

“We have lent them (Government) a ton of advice on how to treat workers with respect and they have not done anything.

They have not done anything.

This Government is not interested in listening even in this matter they are trying to politicise,” – Opposition Leader the then Administration managed to save the jobs that were at risk.

“When we had to fight to keep the jobs of the bauxite workers in Aroaima and Burmine they were on the

other side, Lincoln Lewis and the others and we managed to save those jobs when ALCOA (Aluminium Company of America) walked away.”

Jagdeo added, “We took back the company that was private to the treasury, brought it back, renationalised it and kept it going until we found a replacement…we worked hard to protect those workers there so our track record is important”.

Not only are private and foreign companies taking advantage of workers but the Government themselves are doing the same, the Opposition Leader said while making specific reference to the 7000 sacked sugar workers who had to go to the judiciary to get their legally entitled severance payments.

The Opposition Leader added that the then PPP Administration exhausted every effort to ensure that workers’ rights were protected, especially with the passing of several laws which mandated severance payments among others.

Jagdeo pointed out that he has been lending

Closing down

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

Government advice which seems to be of no use.

“We have lent them (Government) a ton of advice on how to treat workers with respect and they have not done anything.

They have not done anything. This Government is not interested in listening even in this matter they are trying to politicise,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Natural Resources Minister on Friday told reporters that the Government is geared at taking action against the company, even if it means closing them down.

“What I can say is that I have ordered the GGMC (Guyana Geology and Mines Commission) to conduct a technical and legal assessment of all of RUSAL’s operations. I am hoping that I can get that report for presentation to his Excellency (President David Granger) and other Ministers on Tuesday.

And we are looking at all of the legal and other consequences, either them closing or we closing them. We just can’t have the status quo continue as is,” Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman told the media.

Meanwhile, RUSAL’S management, along with the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers’ Union (GBGWU) have been invited to a meeting on Monday

President David Granger

at the Labour Department in an effort to resolve the impasse.

Sixty-one workers were fired by the Russian-owned company after they protested a one per cent salary increase, which they said was agreed to by Government.

Following a meeting with Government, RUSAL refused to reinstate the workers.

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SUnDAY, march 3, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

MoE, GTU to begin teachers’ salary negotiations

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he Education Ministry on Friday announced it is expected to meet with the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) in the second week of March to begin negotiations on public school teachers’ salaries.

The Ministry said a “High-Level Committee on Public Education (HLCPE) has been reactivated to examine the Guyana Teachers’ Union’s proposal that was submitted to the Ministry of Education”.

It was only on Thursday that the General Secretary of the Union, Coretta McDonald told Guyana Times that she is looking forward to a timely decision agreeable to both the GTU and the Education Ministry, so as to avoid any negative reaction from teachers across the country.

“In 2018, you would have seen the reaction of the teachers when it came to their benefits and I want to say to you in 2019, it is going to be no different… I am hoping that at that first meeting, we are going to actually lay out where we want to go and how quickly we are going to get there, because I am sure the officials at the Ministry of Education, they would not want to have a repeat of what transpired in 2018. If we have to do it, we will do it, but we are saying loud and clear we are prepared to sit and talk, but we are not prepared to sit and talk for a whole year,” McDonald stated.

She explained that the 2019 proposal submitted by the GTU went beyond this year and was a three-year proposal. She hopes that

Honorable Nicolette Henry Minister of Education

GTU President Mark Lyte

within a two-month period after discussions begin, the two parties involved can settle things amicably with decisions that are welcomed by both the Union and the Ministry.

The Union submitted a proposal to have teachers’ salaries increased by 25 per cent earlier in February.

President of the GTU, Mark Lyte, had said in this new proposal, the Union requested that some of the already existing policies be maintained such as Whitley Council for three years, instead of four, and a few others.

This proposal also requests that grants be given to schools instead of having materials supplied, as complaints have been flagged in the past of sub-standard materials and cleaning supplies.

“We believe that in some regions where schools are given a grant to purchase what they need, other schools can have that as well,” he said.

In addition to this, the President of the Union disclosed that the Union also requested the maintenance of duty-free concessions in the existing categories.

Moreover, the new proposal seeks to extend gratuity for persons leaving the profession before the age of 50 to 55, while the issue of class size for special needs schools were highlighted.

Lyte explained that, “Class size was agreed on in the last agreement that will see a reduction in class size so we want that to be maintained and in addition to that, I don’t think that we spent enough time talking about the special needs schools and how those class sizes should be different so we are stressing special needs schools in terms of its class size”.

Meanwhile, in relation to other schools, he said he is cognizant of the fact that some schools are over populated so they are pleading with the Ministry to have that issue sorted out.

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SUnDAY, march 3, 2019 | guyanatimesGY.com

Guyana still unable to conduct DNA testing …equipment yet to be delivered 2 years later

Bullshit in politics

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bout a decade or so ago, the philosopher Harry Frankfurt’s book, with the seemingly most nonphilosophically sounding title, On Bullshit, became a NY Times bestseller. The blurb to Frankfurt’s slim book – which was originally just an article – summarises the concept of “bullshit”. He argues that bullshitters misrepresent themselves to their audience not as liars do, that is, by deliberately making false claims about what is true. In fact, bullshit need not be untrue at all.

“Rather, bullshitters seek to convey a certain impression of themselves without being concerned about whether anything at all is true. They quietly change the rules governing their end of the conversation so that claims about truth and falsity are irrelevant.

Frankfurt concludes that although bullshit can take many innocent forms (like in our rum-shop gyaafs), excessive indulgence in it Ravi Dev can eventually undermine the practitioner's capacity to tell the truth in a way that lying does not.

“Liars at least acknowledge that it matters what is true.

By virtue of this, Frankfurt writes, bullshit is a greater enemy of the truth than lies are.” This last feature of bullshit is what makes bullshit so dangerous: very soon truth becomes irrelevant.

Against this background, what can we say about the PNC’s statements on the No-confidence Motion subsequent to its passage on December 21, 2018, but that it’s been all Frankfurtian bullshit spewed onto the Guyanese people??

On the night in question, against plaintive cries of “No Charrandas, No!” the AFC MP replied with three firm “Yes! Yes! Yes!” and the PNC-led coalition fell like Humpy Dumpty.

After a quick huddle, the grim faced PM Nagamootoo, and PNC Chairman Volda Lawrence faced reporters.

Nagamootoo said, “We want our supporters in particular… to understand that we are going back to the polls… Guyanese must understand that the democratic process is sometimes unpredictable. You may have results that are not planned for… but the outcome has to be accepted… It is like cricket in some sense. What happened here today, a game of glorious uncertainty. There was a robust debate involving speakers from both sides and the parliamentary democracy in a sense triumphed that after the robust debate, a vote was called for and one member of the Government voted with the Opposition.”

The next morning, President Granger issued a statement: “We will do everything necessary to facilitate the smooth functioning of General and Regional Elections bearing in mind the need for normal governmental functions to continue uninterrupted.” And that was when the truth stopped and the bullshit began to flow in an uninterrupted stream to this day. And it is bullshit because what they said was so reckless that it clearly didn’t matter when they were later shown to be “wrong” – what mattered was that their supporters believed them. Bullshitters are basically speaking to those with similar mindsets who then are predisposed to accepting their claims.

A ridiculous assertion, that the 33 who voted for the NCM was not the majority in the 65-member National Assembly, was picked up by the PNC-led coalition that had been installed into Government by just that number! Any primary school student knew that such a claim was bullshit – but it didn’t matter to the PNC – who now ate their words and passed them out as pure bullshit. They went back to the Assembly and asked the Speaker to reverse his ruling on their BS claim, but he flatly refused. They then took their BS to the High Court where the Chief Justice threw them out on their ears as the rest of the Caribbean once again snickered at how far the PNC would go to stay in power.

But even to them, their BS must have started to smell after the international community politely reminded them about the norms of democracy. Still insisting that the President and his Cabinet did not have to resign according to Article 106 (6) of the Constitution, they began to refer to their meetings as a “plenary” and a “Caucus”. More BS. This spread to the PNC-controlled GECOM Commission, which pretended not to notice that they were constitutionally bound to prepare for elections by March 19. Suddenly they declared they needed more time.

And this brings us to the BS about the two letters from President Granger to GECOM – the second obviously meant to delay immediate elections which the first had called for. A long time ago, Walter Scott had bemoaned “what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.”

It is even more tangled when woven with bullshit.

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uyana is still unable to conduct its own Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) testing instead of having to send samples overseas despite assurances from Government that this would have come to fruition last year.

Years have passed since the Guyana Police Force commissioned its Forensic Laboratory and there have been frequent delays as to when DNA testing would commence.

Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan on Saturday promised that 2019 would be the year when Guyanese could finally benefit from having its own DNA testing services instead of relying on other facilities overseas.

However, he could not pinpoint a date, although the country has been waiting on the testing equipment for over two years.

“We are having some problems in relation to the equipment. The contract was awarded to an Italian firm. The firm is supposed to be making the arrangements to get it to us. We thought that it should have been here by now.

It is not here by now.”

He explained that although the equipment has not arrived on the shores of Guyana despite assurances from the Italian contracting company that it would have been up and run-

Guyana’s Forensic Science Laboratory

ning since 2018, training for local staff who are to work in the DNA department has already commenced.

In 2017, Minister Ramjattan said that the forensic laboratory is currently equipped to conduct testing including those on currencies, forged documents, and ballistics. Under the second component of the of Public Security Ministry’s Citizen Security Strengthening Programme (CSSP), there are provisions for improving the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) Forensic Laboratory’s effectiveness towards preventing and conducting criminal investigations. This component is being funded at the cost of US$5.5

million through the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

As part of the lab’s qualification and certification process, it has to be fully equipped and the staff have to be qualified to conduct DNA tests which are internationally recognised.

DNA is a material that is found in all living organisms, and it has been used to solve murders across many of the world’s countries.

In July 2014, Guyana’s first forensic laboratory was officially opened but the lack of DNA testing at that facility continues to provide a challenge to the solving of many high-profile murder cases.

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SUnDAY, march 3, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Women in Business Expo features new entrepreneurs

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he annual Women in Business Expo commenced with a large turnout on Saturday at the Pegasus Hotel, as newcomers and experienced ladies in the entrepreneurship world capitalised on the opportunity to put their businesses in the spotlight.

Over 30 booths were on display featuring different business ventures in the areas of cosmetology, fashion, décor, cooking and local beauty products among

others. The atmosphere was buzzing with excitement and the exhibitors also learnt techniques on influencing persons to purchase their products by offering striking deals and discounts.

Guyana Times spoke with several of the entrepreneurs, who lauded efforts to put their businesses on the map, and showcasing their capabilities as women.

Crafted by Chey’s creator, Shonta Noel, stated that while her expertise is

in the paper craft department, changes were made this year to introduce a jewellery collection.

“We do paper craft, greeting cards, invitations, centrepieces, party supplies, party bags and so on.

But this year for the expo, we’re focusing on our jewellery line. We do necklaces, chokers, earrings, bangles and you can get them in a whole set if you want them to match.”

According to her, this

Crafted jewellery and local beauty products

is a platform for women to boost their confidence.

Judging from the response, it spreads the realisation that their talent is sustainable and worthwhile.

“Every year it’s really good, not just for me but for all the different exhibitors because there are returning ones. That means there has to have a good response for them to be coming back and the fact that we’ve had a maximum capacity of exhibitors. It helps to boost their confidence in that what they have in a business is actually sustainable. They also get to make themselves known,” the young entrepreneur related.

Marissa Jaisingh of Trails and Treasures Décor gave some specifics about her services as a party planner, noting that while they specialise in balloon artistry, the entire party package can be ordered.

Standing against an Alice in Wonderland themed backdrop, Jaisingh said, “We’re a decorating business. We specialise in balloon artistry and a lot of theme parties, birthdays, weddings and we basically plan your event for you. If you have an idea, we can ex-

Locally made products on display at the Women in Business Expo

ecute that idea and bring it to life”.

On the other hand, Debbie Houston of Glitzy Glamour Cakes is a veteran in delivering professional cakes, pastries and other baked goods at her catering establishment which was created over 12 years ago.

Now, she also offers classes for persons who are interested in mastering the art.

She told this publication, “We’re a catering service that does cakes, cupcakes and other items. We also do evening and day classes and right now, we have discounts on them,” Houston noted.

Meanwhile, Angela Solomon featured her exclusive beauty products and scented candles under the Sunshine Creations brand.

“We’re a skincare company but we also make scented candles. I have a lot of scents but now we have pomegran-

ate, mango, Brazilian jackfruit,” she said.

This year saw the introduction of Immaculate Cleaning Services, owned

by Leslie Ann Balgobin. For her company, services are offered for events and homeowners who are occupied with other activities.

“We offer event cleaning, home cleaning, washing, ironing. We find that most people respond to the home cleaning because they are working all week and do not have the time to clean.

That’s where we come in and get the work done,” she said.

International Women’s Day 2019 will be celebrated on March 8 under the theme “Think equal, build smart, innovate for change”. It is referred to as the United Nations (UN) Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace. (Rupa Seenaraine)

NEWS

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SUnDAY, march 3, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Several students rushed for medical attention after receiving vaccines in school ...parents unaware of vaccination programme

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everal students of the Lochaber Primary School in West Canje, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) had to be rushed for medical attention at the New Amsterdam Hospital after receiving vaccines at the school.

The vaccines were administered on Tuesday last and by the next day, several pupils had to be rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital. Several worried parents reached out to this publication and complained that they were not informed of any vaccination programme.

This newspaper was told by the upset parents that the children’s medical records, such as their clinic cards, were not updated.

Cassandra Author, a mother of five, told Guyana Times that her six-yearold son has not been able to attend school since last Tuesday.

She said while at work on Tuesday, she was called and told that one of her sons was ill at home after receiving a vaccine at school.

She said she immediately called the class teacher and was told to call the Head Teacher on the matter.

“She ask me if I didn’t carry my son’s clinic card and I told her ‘no’. I did not sign any form and how could they give my son a vaccine unknowing to me,” the woman lamented.

She further explained that she was unaware of plans to administer the vac-

cines at the school.

“When I come home I meet my son ill and I take him to the hospital and I left the hospital at 1 o’clock (01:00h) the morning.”

The mother said that she went to the school the following day and met with the class teacher and also the nurse who administered the vaccines. She also had a conversation with the Head Teacher.

According to Author, she was told that the nurse insisted that the pupils be administered the vaccine even if the parents objected.

Author said she contacted the Education Ministry in Georgetown and received an apology from the Department of Education in Berbice.

Meanwhile, another mother, Candace Sulkar, mother of one, told this publication that her daughter suffered a similar fate after receiving the vaccine.

“She said, ‘Mommy!

Some nurse come in to the school and they bore me’.”

She said there was blood on her daughter’s shirt and there was evidence which suggests that she received two vaccines.

“She go by my sister and she ask my daughter what happen…she get weak and her skin was hot…,” Sulkar said.

She said she later took her child to the hospital for medical attention. The same scenario was reported by several other parents, who noted that they are upset at the move by the school without their consent.

When contacted, Director of Regional Health Services, Jevaughn Stephen said that in collaboration with the Education Ministry, all Head Teachers were invited to a meeting at the Berbice High School, where they were told about the vaccines and given consent forms to give to the parents. But the upset par-

ents are adamant that they did not receive any consent form.

“Now she (the nurse) asking me for the clinic card so she can put the records in. I have not given her the card…nobody has come to visit to see how the child is doing. Nobody from the school, nobody from the Ministry neither the

nurse has come to see him,” Author said.

Meanwhile, when contacted, parents of several other schools in the region said that they received the consent forms and even after signing it they received telephone calls from the school to confirm that they had indeed signed the forms.

Head of the Regional Education Committee, Zamal Hussain said there was some breach of protocol at this particular school.

However, he noted that the Education Ministry has launched an investigation.

Hussain also heads the Regional Health Committee.

(Andrew Carmichael)

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SUnDAY, march 3, 2019| guyanatimesgy.com

243 women trafficked in Guyana during 2018 …judicial system still faces major hurdles – Chancellor

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rafficking in Persons (TIP) is a global issue and here in Guyana, more effort needs to be put in place to ensure that successful investigations lead to successful prosecutions.

This is according to Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, who, while speaking at a discussion on the prosecution of TIP cases in Guyana on Saturday, stated that in 2018 some 243 persons were trafficked locally.

“There were 243 victims and on one occasion they [officials] went to a club…39 were found in small rooms, obviously the presumption [was] that they were being trafficked, and of course alleged victims under 18, you have 11 out of that 243. The suspects involved, if I may breach some confidentiality of the police here, you have 57 of them,” the Minister divulged.

He stated that total charges for last year amounted to 36 and all of the other cases are presently ongoing.

“Actual TIP charges as a result of those reports we have 23…the numbers of individuals charged for trafficking offences, of course there are some other offences like illegal entry into the country and so on, but actu-

al TIP charges we had 10. For the year 2018 too we had two convictions for TIP; previous years we had zero and one.”

Minister Ramjattan explained that the regions where these cases were found are from Region Four, specifically Georgetown; Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

He added that the countries of origin from which these victims originate have revealed that Venezuela is at the top of the list. He added that 162 of the TIP victims in 2018 are Venezuelans.

“We Guyanese also suffer as victims, and of course out of Cuba there were 49. The Dominican Republic, 10, and couple of the other Caribbean countries with one each from Trinidad and Tobago, Dominica, Jamaica. So, it is important that we have a handle as to the whole spectacle as it were, where the origins, what is happening with them, and how the difficulties with communicating and so on.”

Judicial challenges

Meanwhile, despite the progress that Guyana has made in terms of eradicating the scourge of Trafficking in Persons (TIP) the judicial system still faces recurring challenges in ensuring that justice is served for alleged victims.

This is according to Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, who was also in attendance at the TIP event on Saturday.

“There have been challenges in identifying who is the victim of trafficking. Sometimes we have issues where some of the victims are foreign nationals and who speak Spanish or Portuguese…There is the question of having a language barrier and interpreters and the delays in security services,” the Chancellor said.

According to Justice Cummings-Edwards, in a report from Guyana’s Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan, it was pointed out that the police officers are instituting charges but have been unable to complete the files in a timely manner. This has resulted in the victims’ unwillingness to testify and inevitably, the dismissal of cases for want of prosecution.

“There are also cases where foreign nationals who have illegally entered Guyana or overstayed their time are afraid or reluctant to testify even because of fear of deportation of they being challenged…many victims are poor and settle for payments…many cases which are not reported because of customs or because they are vulnerable or they are simply unaware that they are victims,” the Chancellor said.

She explained that poverty has played a major role in some of the TIP cases being quashed.

“There is the issue of cases not proceeding because the defendant is wealthy and is able to pay off the victim from proceeding further with the matter or not reporting the matter. We mentioned the issue of cases where victims are foreign nationals who may have returned home before giving evidence or before sufficient information for the prosecution of the crime,” Justice Cummings- Edwards stated. turn to page 17

Managing your “E-Waste” R

ecently, the Head of the Computer Science Department at the University of Guyana, Ms. Penelope DeFreitas, conducted a survey to ascertain the perception of Guyanese when it comes to electronic disposal and management practices.

This study surveyed approximately 10,000 students and staff of that institution, and concluded that much more national effort is needed in this area.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fully endorses this conclusion, and would have over the years been making strides, such as developing educational material on this topic; providing training seminars; and raising general awareness through talks with communities, groups and schools on best practices when it comes to managing these and other types of waste.

What is e-waste?

E-waste (electronic waste) is a popular, informal name for discarded computers, office electronic equipment, entertainment device electronics, mobile phones, television sets and refrigerators nearing the end of their "useful lives." Many of these products can be reused, refurbished, or recycled, but electronic discards is one of the fastest growing areas of waste in our world today.

The United States is the world leader in producing electronic waste, tossing away about 3 million tons each year. China already produces about 2.3 million tons (2010 estimate) domestically, second only to the United States; and despite having banned e-waste imports, China remains a major e-waste dumping ground for developed countries.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_waste)

Is e-waste considered hazardous?

Certain components of some electronic products contain materials that cause them to be hazardous, depending on their condition and density. For instance, nonfunctioning CRTs cathode ray tubes - which help to display images in televisions and monitors, are considered hazardous.

Environmental effects of e-waste Computers and most electronics contain toxic materials, such as lead, zinc, nickel, flame retardants, barium, and chromium.

Specifically with lead, if released into the environment, it can cause damage to human blood, kidneys, as well as central and peripheral nervous systems. When e-waste is warmed up, toxic chemicals are released into the air, damaging the atmosphere. The damage to the atmosphere is one of the biggest environmental impacts from e-waste. When electronic waste is thrown away in landfills, their toxic materials seep into groundwater, affecting both land and sea animals. This can also affect the health of the people in the developing countries where most of the electronic waste in dumped.

What should I do with my electronic discards?

The mantra of "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" applies to electronic discards. Reduce your generation of e-waste through smart procurement and good maintenance. Reuse still functioning electronic equipment by donating or selling it to someone who can still use it; and in countries where the facilities exist, recycle those components that cannot be repaired. Some computer components can be reused in assembling new computer products, while others are reduced to metals that can be reused in applications as varied as construction, flatware, and jewelry.

Eternity Investment is the only facility authorised in Guyana by the EPA to manage E-waste.

Facts about “E-Waste)

• 20 to 50 million metric tons of e-waste are disposed worldwide every year.

• Cell phones and other electronic items contain high amounts of precious metals like gold or silver. Americans dump phones containing over $60 million in gold/silver every year.

• Only 12.5% of e-waste is currently recycled.

• It takes 539 lbs. of fossil fuel, 48 lbs. of chemicals, and 1.5 tons of water to manufacture one computer and monitor.

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

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SUnDAY, march 3, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Stricter monitoring of foreign enterprises needed – trade unions

Too much at stake for Guyana to be heading into a sea of political uncertainty

- The increasing need to avert a political and economic crisis On February 25, 2019, it was reported in sections of the media that the President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce (GCCI) indicated that its members have so far experienced a decline in business activity. In his report, it was noted that approximately 85 per cent of the businesses which registered a decline in business activity experienced a 25 per cent to 50 per cent decline in the level of commercial activity, while the remaining 15 per cent reported a decline of 75 per cent to 100 per cent decline in business. The GCCI further expressed its concern that this significant decline in commercial activity is worrying, and, with the continued state of political uncertainty, can result in further decline in business activity.

At another forum recently, another association’s President; namely, the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), also joined with the GCCI and expressed similar concerns.

To this end, the Association’s President noted the need for “a stable political environment, and one which is conducive for doing business.”

Readers of this column would recall that, even before these events were manifested, this author made such pronouncements weeks and months ago in previous columns. For ease of reference, in the most recent column on the issue, carried on February 9, 2019, this analyst contended that on the economic development side, both private and foreign investors are already worried and holding back from getting involved in terms of investing in Guyana – much less signing any contracts with the Government.

The manifestation of these events would only hurt the Guyanese people, and especially the working class, at the expense of politicians fighting for power and clinging to power without any regard for a strong and prudently governed economy in the interest of all Guyana’s peoples. The economy is at risk of becoming standstill overall. Very little or no investment would occur during this period; unemployment would be on the rise, crime would be on the rise, and social and economic hardships would be imposed upon the working class especially. Other articles on these fronts were featured in January and sometime last year.

Notwithstanding that, and politics aside, Guyana has too much at stake for having to treat with the risks and implications of what a political and economic crisis can do to Guyana; the negative impacts would be far reaching. Guyana cannot afford to have international sanctions imposed upon it at this time, as this would potentially affect international trade with the rest of the world. With an excess of 4.5 billion barrels of recoverable oil offshore Guyana and a sea of international companies coming to Guyana owing to the notion of massive oil wealth here, wherein production is projected to commence next year, these events would only weaken Guyana from an economic governance perspective.

All this time that is wasted in the fight for political power should see us focused on working together to craft a long-term strategic development plan for Guyana. For example, what are the development projects that should be high on the agenda for the next five years? The fact remains that oil will not last forever, it will be exhausted. In fact, the traditional export commodities such as gold would outlive oil, and therefore how do we continue to incentivise and revamp these traditional sectors as part of a long-term development strategy for Guyana? These are but a few examples of where the attention needs to be focused by not only the political leaders, but also all other stakeholders involved.

Finally, speaking of traditional sectors that will far outlive oil, it is unfortunate that Guyana has opted to get rid of the sugar industry, rather than focusing on how to reposition the sugar industry amidst the evolving global changes of where the sugar industry is heading. In this respect, empirical work has suggested that, with changing sugar markets in the U.S and around the world, innovation and environmental protection through value addition and diversification will be crucial for sustainability of the sugarcane industry. Commercial sucrose has very high purity (99%), making it the purest organic substance produced on an industrial scale.

Several value added commodities are currently produced from sucrose by chemical or biotechnological derivatisation. Increasing use of biotechnological methods to derivatise the sucrose molecule is envisaged to add special functionalities to the sucrose products, which are becoming important in the emerging bioeconomy (Eggleston et.al, 2016).

In referencing Eggleston et.al. (2016), the sugarcane industry is currently faced with the reality that sugar, molasses, and bagasse can no longer be regarded as the final products for factory refinery.

Instead, the sugar industry should be regarded as a biomass-based industry that is not only equipped to manufacture products for the food sector, but also value added biofuels, energy and chemicals for the non-food sector. Sugarcane fits well into the emerging concept of a renewable carbohydrate feedstock because of its availability, and it is among the plants giving the highest yields of carbohydrates per hectare.

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

I

t is time for the Department of Labour, and by extension, the Government, to investigate and remedy the conditions some employees are forced to endure when working at mining sites.

This was the call of General Secretary of the Guyana Teachers’ Union, Coretta McDonald, who said that the Government of Guyana must not allow foreign companies operating locally to disregard the rights of Guyanese workers.

“I am saying this has got to stop. And I think that the time is now when we will have to…put some pressure on our administration so that these things can change. Employers must respect the right to collective bargaining, they must respect the rights for association, and they must have respect for the union that is there to bargain for the workers.”

She stated that the low wages and unlawful dismissals of workers have rippling effects on families and more so on school-aged children who belong to those affected families. When such negativities occur they more often than not affect the attendance and/or completion of studies for those children, McDonald noted.

“I would want to call the Department of Labour to ask them to very quickly send their folks to see under which conditions they (miners) are working.

Even though we have been working under these conditions, there is nobody there who is saying you know these workers work for long hours. These workers are working under conditions that are not proper,” the GTU Secretary said.

Meanwhile, President of the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GB&GWU), Lincoln Lewis, explained that the administration was voted in office to protect the rights of all citizens and the rights of workers in the mining industry should not be sidelined.

Additionally, General Secretary of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), Seepaul Narine posited that the recent actions of the Bauxite Company of Guyana (BCGI) to dismiss over 90 workers without any regard to laws and conventions in Guyana must not be overlooked by the administration.

He pointed out that the company seems to be following a trend that other foreign enterprises in Guyana have set over the last few years.

“An almost similar approach was embraced by the Malaysian-owned Demerara Timbers Limited (DTL), the DTL in 2016 had

General Secretary of GTU Coretta McDonald

GAWU General Secretary Seepaul Narine

GB&GWU President Lincoln Lewis

moved to dismiss a number of workers after they took part in a protest exercise outside that company’s head office in Kingston, Georgetown…in 2017 there were certain breaches by the Canadian-owned company. The Union, at that time, had also expressed concern that workers were not being granted any pay

rises…also concerns being expressed in the media regarding employees employed with El Dorado Offshore (EDO), another foreign enterprise involved in the oil sector, who could be fired were they to disclose their working conditions,” Narine added.

The General Secretary added that while GAWU is

not averse to foreign investment, it has justifiable concerns regarding the practices and ploys embraced by some foreign enterprises operating locally and while the public announcements made by the administration on such issues are welcomed, it needs to do more than speak, it needs to act.

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SUnDAY, march 3, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Region 1 Chairman refutes GCCI Vice Chairman decries sexual assault allegations sloth in Local Content Policy …says accusation a political gimmick by APNU/AFC T V Oil and gas sector

ice Chairman of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Nicholas Boyer on Friday said that while monies are being spent on the Local Content Policy, Guyanese are anxiously awaiting the legislation that will entitle them to benefit from the oil sector.

Boyer was at the time addressing the media at the Chamber’s Waterloo, Georgetown office during a press conference.

“The Chamber would like to finally see that Local Content Policy move from draft, I mean we have spent consulting dollars on it and had a revised draft I mean for goodness sakes everybody at the table would like to see it finally move to a complete policy,” he said.

Boyer noted that the Department of Energy recently engaged the Chamber in a meeting where officials of the GCCI were comforted that the Department intends to move to the legislation process soon.

“I am more concerned about getting the policy done and seeing what’s in the policy regardless of who is getting it done be-

GCCI Vice Chairman Nicholas Boyer

cause at some point we got to get the language done and right now I am not sure what the contract (is) and how much was paid,” Boyer said.

The Government’s Energy Department has assured that the document will be ready before first oil which is expected in 2020.

However, this commitment was given more than three years after oil was first discovered offshore Guyana by oil giant ExxonMobil.

The Local Content Policy will guard against

local companies being bypassed for contracts and services with foreign companies and workers being favoured.

Business Minister Dominic Gaskin had said the second review of the Local Content Policy is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2019 as Government wants the new legislation to be “balanced”.

According to the draft Local Content Framework document, the policy seeks to address the suite of opportunities that may arise and 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 draft Local Content Policy has been criticised for lacking provisions which would safeguard against exploitation by companies. It had been reported that the document does not cater for issues such as how to avoid procurement fraud, conflict of interest and favouritism, among others.

he Region One (Barima-Waini) Chairman, Brentnol Ashley, has refuted an article published in sections of the media which alleged that he sexually assaulted a 22-year-old special needs man.

In a statement to the media, the Chairman said he

“It would appear as though these political operatives would go at any level to smear my good name which I have maintained throughout my public life from the commencement of my career as [a] teacher” – Brentnol Ashley believes that the accusation is being instigated by the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition

Region One Chairman Brentnol Ashley

Government officials in the region who have been continuously targeting him.

“From my entry into politics in 20l5, I have been subjected as a young man to all sorts of attacks on my character. These attacks intensified after the 20l8 Local Government Elections in which the APNU/AFC suffered a massive defeat in Mabaruma. This allegation is intended to diminish my effectiveness as a leader of the PPP and also Regional Chairman in light of the impending national elections,” Brentnol said.

The Chairman assured the residents in the region that the allegation is a mere attempt to stain his name

and is false and wholly malicious.

He added that he has since contacted his lawyer who is presently examining the best way forward.

Brentnol explained that the allegation is a “direct result of the desperation of the APNU/AFC clique, who is faced with defeat all around them, especially with the successful no-confidence motion which necessitates the Government having to face new elections at which they will be defeated again”.

The Chairman further went on to say that just recently the members of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) experienced racist treatment by the new APNU/AFC Regional Executive Officer who was sent from Georgetown.

“It would appear as though these political operatives would go at any level to smear my good name which I have maintained throughout my public life from the commencement of my career as [a] teacher,” he said.

In an article published in another section of the print media, the Chairman was accused of sexually assaulting a 22-year-old man, who has a mental issue and was under his care.

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SUnDAY, march 3, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Caricom expresses concern over hardships, suffering in Venezuela

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ensions in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela continue to escalate resulting in an increase in hardships and suffering of that population and the imposition of sanctions are making matters worse.

The Caribbean Community (Caricom) on Saturday reiterated that Venezuelans should be allowed to decide their own future in accordance with the principles of the United Nations (UN) Charter.

According to Caricom, it is deeply concerned by the recent further escalation of tensions in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the ensuing increase in hardship and suffering of the population exacerbated by the imposition of sanctions.

In a release to the media on Saturday, Caricom said that there must be non-intervention, non-interference and the prohibition of threat or use of force.

It also maintains that there should be respect for the rule of law, human rights and democracy.

“As Caricom has ceaselessly advocated, for this objective to be attained, there has to be a meaningful and internal dialogue between the contending parties. This dialogue must determine how best the crisis can be resolved within the confines of the Constitution and the rule of law, whether by referendum, elections or any other agreed mechanism. Nothing short of this will lead to the quelling of this crisis or provide the relief

that all Venezuelans desire,” the release stated.

According to the Caricom, pending this, there must be a commitment to the delivery of humanitarian aid in a manner that is “not politicised but which uses United Nations mechanisms that have been used over the years for the impartial and effective delivery of humanitarian relief”.

On Friday last, the Trump Administration imposed sanctions on six high-ranking members of the Venezuelan security forces and revoked the visas of other officials and their relatives in the latest

effort to pressure President Nicolas Maduro into leaving office.

The sanctions are in response to the blocking of humanitarian aid convoys last week while the visa revocations on dozens of individuals are intended to punish people who have flourished amid the South American country’s dire economic crisis, the special representative for Venezuela, Elliott Abrams, told US reporters.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Juan Guaido faces possible arrest upon return after he slipped out of the country in violation of a Supreme Court order to stay within the country’s borders.

Reports in the media on Saturday are that Guaido left Venezuela last week to join aid convoys in Colombia and then met with US Vice President Mike Pence as well as other regional leaders to step up pressure on Maduro to resign.

243 women trafficked in Guyana...

According to the acting Chancellor, it is not only the judicial system that faces hurdles in addressing the issue of TIP and, therefore, a collective effort must be made to overcome these challenges.

In relation to the challenges posed to the judicial officers in the courtrooms, she added that those difficulties need to be ironed out and solutions must be derived in order to ensure successful

treatments in each case of TIP in the courts.

2019

Earlier this year, Coordinator of the Counter Trafficking in Persons Unit, Tanisha Williams-Corbin had said that the Unit had recorded 156 cases in 2018.

According to her, this trend has continued into 2019 with some eight cases reported in less than two months.

“For 2019 so far, [it’s the] same thing. To date, we have recorded eight cases of suspected trafficking in persons.

45 victims were identified on the soils of Guyana and we’re working closely with a Caribbean island and the International Organisation for Migration to repatriate one victim who was recruited in Guyana but trafficked to a Caribbean country,” she stated.

from page 14

In its 2018 Trafficking in Persons Report, the USState Department noted that although the Guyana Government meets the minimum standards, it did not provide adequate protection and shelter outside the capital for child and male victims.

It said the number of trafficking investigations and new prosecutions decreased and the number of successful convictions remained low.

Maduro’s Government has closed borders with Brazil and Colombia in order to block

what he says is an attempt by the US to proceed with its regime change plans.

18 Around the World SUnDAY, march 3, 2019 | guyanatimesGY.com

T&T businessman fatally shoots US grants temporary himself in gun demonstration protection status to Haitians

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usinessman and retired coast guard officer Richard Edwards is believed to have accidentally shot himself while showing employees how to use a firearm on Friday night.

Edwards, 50, was the owner of Multinational Specialist Network Richard Edwards.

Eyewitness said Edwards last words to his employee was, “This is how it is done.

This is what I want you to do,” before he pointed the gun to his face and pulled the trigger. He then collapsed in the classroom.

According to a police report, on Friday night Edwards was conducting a lecture at his business in Point Lisas on the topic, Proper methods of loading a gun, when the incident occurred.

Police said Edwards was using his personal firearm to

Businessman Richard Edwards

demonstrate to his employees.

“One of the students asked him if a gun could be fired from a certain position and he decided to demonstrate. He loaded the gun... and said, ‘this is how it is done’,” Edwards’ close friend, Kevol Garcia, told Newsday.

Garcia said he was told that before Edwards pulled the trigger, one of the employees stopped him, saying he had not taken out the magazine.

But Edwards replied saying that he knew what he was doing, and with those words he pulled the trigger.

Garcia said he is still puzzled. “This is not sounding like the Edwards I know. He is not a novice, he has been training people for years.

How could he not know that there was still a magazine left in the gun? This is crazy. I am in shock. I don’t understand how could he point a loaded gun to his head.”

Edwards was taken to the Couva Health Facility where he was pronounced head.

Police have seized a 9 mm gun as investigations continue. (T&T Newsday)

T

he United States Government has decided to comply with a District Court judge order temporarily preventing the Donald Trump Administration from evicting Haitians with Temporary Protection Status (TPS).

Justice Edward Chen had issued the injunction order on October 3 last year, and yesterday the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officially published, on the Federal Register website, a notification of its decision to extend until January 2020 the TPS protection.

“Through this notice, the

Department of Homeland Security announces actions to ensure its continued compliance with the preliminary injunction order of the US District Court for the Northern District of California in Ramos v Nielsen…” it said.

The DHS said that beneficiaries under the TPS designations for Sudan, Nicaragua, Haiti, and El Salvador will retain their status while the preliminary injunction remains in effect, provided that an individual’s TPS is not withdrawn under Immigration and Nationality Act because of ineligibility.

The DHS said it was further announcing it is automatically extending, through January 2, 2020, the validity of TPS-related Employment Authorization Documents, Forms I–797, Notice of Action, and Forms I–94 regarding the arrival and departure records of those individuals.

It said that the notice on its website also provides information explaining DHS’s plans to issue a subsequent notice that will describe the steps DHS will take after January 2 “should continued compliance with the preliminary injunction be necessary”. (CMC)

India, Pakistan exchange heavy Lula released from prison border fire after pilot’s release I for grandson’s funeral

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ormer Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was granted leave from prison to attend his grandson’s funeral.

The seven-year-old died of meningitis on Friday, and the jailed ex-leader was allowed to go to the burial in Sao Paulo on Saturday, where supporters gathered to greet him.

Lula, as he is known, is serving 12 years in prison on corruption charges.

The ex-leader says his conviction was politically motivated.

An iconic figure for the left in Latin America, the former trade unionist led Brazil between 2003 and 2010.

But he was convicted for work done on a beach front property, and in February a court doubled Lula’s sentence after he was found guilty of benefiting from renovation work from a company impli-

Former Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva

cated in a corruption scandal.

His lawyers said he would appeal against the new conviction.

Lula had asked permission to attend his brother’s funeral in January, but the country’s Supreme Court did not grant the request until

the funeral was under way.

However, Paraná state government said Lula would be allowed to attend his grandson Arthur’s funeral in Sao Paulo.

Arrangements were made to fly him to the city, roughly 340 kilometres (211 miles) away.

The former leader is currently jailed in a federal prison in Curitiba, capital of Paraná state. This is his first time out after his conviction last April.

Lula’s was the most high-profile conviction from a sprawling anti-corruption investigation known as Operation Car Wash - dubbed “the largest foreign bribery case in history” by the US Department of Justice.

His supporters have insisted he is the victim of political persecution, with his left-wing Worker’s Party petitioning for his release. (BBC)

183 injured in Algeria protests – State news agency

A

total of 183 people were injured during protests across Algeria on Friday against President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s bid for election to a fifth term, the state news agency APS said on Saturday, citing the health ministry. Tens of thousands of protesters called on the ailing, 82-yearold Bouteflika to abandon plans to seek re-election in an April presidential vote — Algeria’s biggest anti-government rallies since the Arab Spring eight years ago.

He has not formally confirmed he will stand, although representatives have indicated he will do so.

APS reported on Saturday that Bouteflika had named Abdelghani Zaalane as his campaign director.

Friday’s protests were mostly peaceful but scuffles between police and protesters broke out in the evening near the presidential place in the capital Algiers.

Algiers was quiet on Saturday.

ndian and Pakistani soldiers again targeted each other’s posts and villages along their volatile frontier in the disputed region of Kashmir, killing at least five civilians and two soldiers, and wounding several others, officials on both sides said.

The nuclear-armed rivals fired mortars and artillery at each other despite the release of an Indian pilot who was shot down by Pakistan, but then sent back as a “peace gesture”.

Fighting resumed overnight into dawn on Saturday, leaving two siblings and their mother dead in Indianadministered Kashmir.

The three died after a shell fired by Pakistani soldiers hit their home in Poonch region near the Line of Control (LoC) that divides the Himalayan territory of Kashmir between the two nuclear-armed rivals, police said.

The children’s father was critically wounded and has been admitted to hospital.

In Pakistan-administered Kashmir, a man and a boy were killed by Indian shelling in Nakiyal, said Nasrullah Khan, a hospital official. Khan said a man was also wounded in the Tatta Pani area.

The Pakistani army said in a statement that two of its soldiers were killed in Nakiyal in an “exchange of fire while targeting Indian posts under-

A Pakistani soldier watches movement of Indian forces along the Line of Control from a post in Pakistan-administered Kashmir

taking firing on civilian population”.

Separately, a police official in Rawalakot, speaking to Al Jazeera on condition of anonymity, said that a man had been wounded and three homes destroyed in the Indian shelling overnight.

Also in Pakistanadministered Kashmir, government official Umar Azam said the Indian troops with heavy weapons “indiscriminately targeted border villagers” along the LoC. Both countries’ officials used the routine description for the military confrontations, saying their soldiers retaliated “befittingly” and blamed the other for “unprovoked” violation of the 2003-ceasefire accord at several sectors along the Kashmir frontier, targeting

both army posts as well as villages.

Tensions have been running high since Indian aircraft crossed into Pakistan on Tuesday, carrying out what India called pre-emptive raids on the camps of Jaishe-Muhammad (JeM), which claimed a suicide bombing in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed at least 40 Indian troops last month.

Rebel groups have been fighting Indian rule since 1989 and demand that Kashmir be united either under Pakistani rule or as an independent country. Anti-India sentiment runs deep in the region, and most people support the rebels’ cause against Indian rule while also participating in civilian street protests against Indian control. (Al Jazeera)

Jamaica Govt initiates action to access dormant bank accounts Police Officers try to disperse people trying to reach the Government palace during a protest

Large-scale demonstrations — rarely seen in Algeria with its ubiquitous security services — against Bouteflika’s re-election move began a week ago, but Friday saw the biggest turnout yet.

Bouteflika suffered a stroke in 2013 and has been seen in public only a few times since. His re-election bid stoked resentment among Algerians who believe he is not fit to run the major oil- and gas-producing country.

Bouteflika’s cam-

paign manager had said on Tuesday he would submit his official application on Sunday, the deadline for candidates. Bouteflika, who turned 82 on Saturday, has not directly addressed the protests.

Authorities said last week he would travel to Geneva for unspecified medical checks. Swiss television said on Friday Bouteflika was at Geneva University Hospital.

There was no official confirmation that Bouteflika was in the Swiss city. (Reuters)

T

he Government has initiated steps to tap into nearly $50 billion in dormant bank accounts, which are being sought to provide low-interest financing to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).

Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Audley Shaw says a consultancy group has been contracted and tasked with the responsibility of reviewing and advising the Administration on this engagement.

He was speaking at a Jamaica Business

Development Corporation (JBDC) stakeholder breakfast forum, held at the Spanish Court Hotel in New Kingston on Thursday.

The action comes against the background of the governance framework, which Shaw noted stipulates a 15year timeline before the dormant funds can be accessed by the State.

This compares to the international standard of seven years, and the five-year timeline in the United States.

Shaw, who advised that he met with the consultants earlier this week, indicated that the group is “actively”

exploring the matter and will submit reports on the outcomes.

“The first report is due in April [and] the second report

by July, which I will then be sharing with the minister of finance and the public service, because accessing dormant funds has got to be a part of the landscape of finding affordable funding for small and medium enterprises… and we are serious about it,” he emphasised.

Shaw said access to affordable financing has been identified as a major constraint to MSME growth and development in Jamaica. (Jamaica Observer)

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Dave West Indian Imports U-15 Inter-county tournaments…

Undefeated Demerara crowned champions – Latif, Jodah, Dindyal star for Demerara

By Brandon Corlette

D

emerara lifted the Guyana Cricket Board’s (GCB’s) Dave West Indian Imports Under-15 Inter County title when they defeated Berbice by seven wickets in the final match played at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground at Bourda.

Berbice were bowled out for 72 in 40.4 overs, while Demerara responded with 75-3 in 17 overs.

Earlier in the day, Demerara won the toss and elected to bowl first on a turning pitch.

Berbice open-

scored 13 before being trapped in front by Dhani at 24-2.

Captain A l v i n Mohabir steered the ship for a brief moment, but he was out bowled by Salim Khan for eight.

It was then the Dindyal show commenced.

Riding his luck after being dropped on zero, he finished the innings for Demerara with a classy unbeaten 37, which included three boundaries. Jodah was the other unbeaten batsman with four in Demerara’s complete performance.

Bowling for Berbice, Dhanai had 2-21 in six overs, while Salim Khan had 1-14 in four overs.

Speaking exclusively to this publication after the match, Demerara Captain Alvin Mohabir said the guys executed the game

ers Christopher Deoroop and Rampertab Ramnauth began proceedings for the Berbicians by sharing a 20-run opening partnership. Rampertab continued his impressive season with the bat, and was the top-scorer. He was out caught off a bumper bowled by Thaddeus Lovell for a calculated 21, after facing 32 balls.

With the score on 36, his opening partner Deoroop, having struggled for his 42-ball five, was trapped leg before by last round’s player of the match, Omari Lalbachan.

Demerara bowlers kept chipping away at the wickets. Berbice lost Albion player Tameshwar Mohabir for 02, out bowled by the talented young leg-spinner.

Tucber Park’s wicket-keeper batsman Ravishkar Sobhai was the other Berbice batsman to reach double figures, with 16 from 52 balls.

Eventually the boys from the ancient county succumbed to Demerara’s brilliance with the ball when the innings concluded at 72 all out in 40.4 overs.

Bowling for Demerara, leg-spinner Rayad Latiff grabbed 4-29 in 10 overs, including one maiden. Talented off-spinner Krsna Singh had 2-4 in 6.4 overs; while Lovell, Lalbachan and Jodah had one wicket each.

Zacahary Jodah, a left-arm spinner, bowled with great control, ending with dream figures of 1-1 in nine overs, including eight speechless maidens.

In reply, Demerara made light work of the small target, after encountering a few hiccups. Aggressive opener Jadon Campbell lost his wicket scoring three runs at 12-1 when he was trapped in front

by Bhaskar Dhanai. His fel- Rampertab Ramnauth receives ‘the most runs award’ from low opener Romeo Deonarine National selector and CWI Level-3 Coach, Julian Moore

plan brilliantly.

“We wanted to bowl out Berbice for 80 and we did better than that,” Mohabir disclosed.

Rampertab Ramnauth was awarded for scoring the most runs in the tournament; he aggregated 215 runs, with a high score of 147.

Another Berbician, Matthew Pottaya,

was awarded for the most wickets; he collected 12 wickets during the tournament, a best bowling figure of 5-27. It was a great initiative by the Sponsor, Mr. Dave Narine, of Dave West Indian Imports and the Guyana Cricket Board, to host a youth tournament of the highest quality.

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guyanatimesGY.com

sunDAY, march 3, 2019

Kings of Studies 2019 hailed as a success A

s one integrally involved in the first-ever student-organised sporting event to be held at the Turkeyen Campus of the University of Guyana, first-year International Relations student Jafar Gibbons has hailed the tournament as a massive success.

Having played 19 games on the day, with all having been played smoothly, with no interruptions occurring at any point, Gibbons says he has been really impressed with the style of play and the fluidity with which the teams played.

Hard Knocks emerged the eventual winners of the inaugural tournament, with their top scorer Jamaine Samuels finishing with a total of 8 goals (most in the tournament) and also copping the MVP award, which saw him walk away with one Signature Moov sneaker, a trophy and a gold ring. Top Strikers finished second, while 5-0 finished third.

The tournament was filled with goals, as play was exciting. Twenty-three goals were scored in the knockout stages of the tournament, which featured 7 games at an average of 3.3 goals.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Ivelaw Griffith was full of praise for the thoughtfulness and persistence of the organiser Gibbons, who, after one week of bad weather and another dominated by a bomb scare, did not give up his push to have the tournament play as schedule. Jafar said the goal of the tournament was to create cross-faculty interaction by having teams compete with players from any faculty, and this was fully achieved. He also said the diversity in composition was also realized, and he thanked the teams for seizing the opportunity to do so.

Gibbons reiterated his gratefulness to the sponsors who would have contributed to making this idea of his a reality. Among those persons/entities were C&L Construction Inc., Robbie Rambarran, ASP Fredericks, Rex Hamza, The Kashif and Shanghai Organization, Guyana Football Federation Inc., Signature Moov, Asim Shakur, Sharma Solomon, New Era Entertainment, Professor Paloma Mohamed. All the others who would have contributed to the success of this tournament are hereby being heartily thanked for their input.

The ‘Kings of Studies’ winners, Hard Knocks, pose with organiser Jafar Gibbons (3rd from right), and UG Vice Chancellor Ivelaw Griffith (2nd from right). MVP of the tournament, Jamaine Samuels, is seated

Mahrez breaks Bournemouth resistance as Man City go top R

iyad Mahrez scored the only goal as Manchester City overcame injuries to Kevin de Bruyne and John Stones to edge past Bournemouth and go two points clear at the top of the Premier League.

The champions lost De Bryune and Stones either side of the break before Mahrez - on for Belgian De Bruyne - fired City in front at the start of the second half.

Sergio Aguero hit the bar from long range before Mahrez saw his header well saved by

Artur Boruc as City continued to dominate.

But Pep Guardiola’s side held on for a narrow victory, which puts the pressure back on title rivals Liverpool, who can return to the summit with victory over Everton in the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park on Sunday.

It was a second 1-0 win in the space of four days for City, who once again dominated possession but were forced to be patient against dogged and defensive opponents.

Riyad Mahrez opened the scoring for Manchester City with his 11th goal of the season

They only created one clear-cut opportunity in the first half, when David Silva met De Bruyne’s low cross but could only sidefoot wide. Seconds before the break, they suffered their first injury blow when De Bryune went down unchallenged and immediately signalled to the bench that he wanted to come off.

It was the same scenario at the start of the second period, with John Stones walking off the field to be replaced by Vincent Kompany. Despite those setbacks, City continued to push forward, and deservedly took the lead after 55 minutes. Charlie Daniels failed to properly clear Bernado Silva’s pass, the ball falling to Silva, who teed up Mahrez to fire home at Boruc’s near post.

The Bournemouth goalkeeper could possibly have done better, but made up for it with a series of impressive stops to keep the score at 1-0. The 39-year-old showed great athleticism to tip Aguero’s lofted effort on to the bar before pushing Mahrez’s header away from point-blank range. Bournemouth offered little as an attacking force in reply, failing to have a shot at goal or force a single corner.

Man City win - but at what cost?

The sight of a pumped-up Guardiola passionately hugging all his players on the pitch at the final whistle highlighted the importance of this win in an increasingly fascinating title race.

The result was just reward for City’s patience and determination, as they stuck to their possession-based approach even though they failed to break through a packed defense early on. The champions had 82 per cent possession, forced 14 corners, and had 23 shots at goal in a win that was a lot more comfortable than the score line suggests.

The victory came at cost, however, with Guardiola confirming De Bruyne came off with a hamstring injury while Stones was substituted as a precaution.

With Fernandinho and Aymeric Laporte already sidelined, even a squad as talented

as City’s is being stretched. Guardiola will have been delighted therefore with the impact of Mahrez, who was ineffective against West Ham in midweek, but was much improved here.

The City boss was also boosted by the return of Gabriel Jesus, who came on as a late substitute after three weeks out with a hamstring injury. Each is likely to play a key role in the coming weeks, with this game being the first of five matches across three competitions in a hectic March for City as they seek an unprecedented quadruple.

Bournemouth battle, but are blunt in attack

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe responded to Wednesday’s 5-1 thrashing at Arsenal by switching formation to a back three, with wing-backs Nathaniel Clyne and Charlie Daniels effectively making it a back five.

The plan was clear - defend deep in numbers and limit the space for City’s forward players in dangerous areas. The Cherries have the worst defensive record outside the bottom three, so it was an understandable approach against the most prolific side in the division.

The formation worked perfectly in the first half, with Nathan Ake superbly marshalling the defence alongside Chris Mepham and Jack Simpson, the latter making his first Premier League appearance of the season.

That approach obviously needed changing once Mahrez put the visitors ahead, but Howe waited until the 75th minute before bringing on an extra forward in Lys Mousset.

The tactical change had little impact, with the Cherries failing to test Ederson with a single shot on target throughout the 90 minutes.

Howe will hope the imminent return of top-scorer Callum Wilson, after six weeks out with a hamstring injury. will boost his blunted attack as they seek the points the Bournemouth manager still feels they need to banish any lingering fears of relegation.

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Milo Schools Under-18 Football action heats up over the weekend L

ittered with declarations that Gender Based Violence is a disease in modern society, the Milo Schools Under-18 Football tournament continued on Saturday afternoon at the Ministry of Education Ground, Carifesta Avenue.

With three matches scheduled for the day, the school-aged spectators often heard reasons to stand against domestic abuse and violence from the captains of each team, as part of the tournament’s collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health’s (MoPH’s) Stop Gender Based Violence campaign.

After the formalities, the youths took to the playing field to try to secure A Charlestown striker takes on a double dose of Tutorial defenders much needed points for their ute. The back and forth went on, but the Tutorial schools, in hopes of advancing out of the rocky strikers weren’t able to pierce the net of the caparound robin stage. ble Charlestown goalkeeper.

The first two teams to face off on Saturday The second half saw a more aggressive Tutorial were Georgetown-based Charlestown Secondary hoping to find the equaliser, but their closest atand Tutorial High School. Both sides were intent tempt sailed a few inches above the crossbar and on winning, and showed these intentions from the goalkeeper, much to Tutorial’s dismay. Tariq the first sound of the whistle as they both opted Pryce extended the Charlestown lead in the 56th for an attacking style of play. A more composed with a powerful strike into the net, and the enCharlestown Secondary were the ones to be re- counter expired quickly, with Charlestown manwarded first for their determination, as Raymond aging to hold off Tutorial for a 2-0 win.

Bandhu found the back of the net in the 12th minThe second game of the day featured East

Nadir to serve as Everest CC President

The battle between Uitvlugt and Golden Grove was an intense one

Coast’s Golden Grove and West Coast’s Uitvlugt Secondary. It was an encounter that promised to be an exciting one, judging from the first five minutes of play, and it eventually went down to the wire, as both teams had their share of chances, attempts and near misses, resulting in a nil all score at the end of regulation time.

The same fate befell the encounter between Friendship Secondary and St John’s College, as they also played to a scoreless stalemate.

The Milo action will continue over the weekend with three more fixtures scheduled for today.

Playing at the Ministry of Education Ground, Carifesta Avenue, Vergenoegen Secondary will battle with Tucville Secondary. The second game billed will see Ann’s Grove Secondary looking to cut down the dominant Christianburg Wismar Secondary School. The final game will feature St. Cuthbert’s Mission taking on Cummings Lodge.

The first ball is expected to kick off at noon.

Roger Federer wins 100th ATP title in Dubai with victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas

The new executives of Everest Cricket Club after being elected on Thursday, February 28, 2019

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E

verest Cricket Club (ECC) held their annual general meeting (AGM) for 2019 last Thursday at the club’s banquet hall at Camp Road and Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown, and many of the previous term’s executives have been returned to serve again.

Among those returning is former Treasurer Manzoor Nadir, who was elected to serve as President for the next one-year term. Nadir, who was not challenged for the top spot, will have immediate past president Rajesh Singh as his second vice-president, while Saheed Mohamed, Dwayne Adams, Ron Morris, Rahaman Khan and John Ramsingh have also been re-elected to various posts.

Nadir thanked the membership for their vote of confidence in him, and pledged to continue the hard work with the help of the new executive and wider membership.

The AGM was well attended, and after listening to reports from former President Singh, the Secretary’s Report from Morris, Club Captain’s Report from Ramsingh and the Treasurer’s Report from Nadir, Returning Officer Raymond Williams took charge of the second half of the evening’s proceeding.

After a peaceful process of nominations and voting, the full executive

body, including auditors, was officially announced.

With the high traffic expected at ECC over the next year, the new executive has been charged by Williams to work hard to keep the legacy of Everest high without looking for individual recognition. Williams, who is a long time member of the club, also supported the call for a forensic study of the wider membership in an effort to have them frequent the club again.

The 105-year-old club is expecting a return of hockey and lawn tennis in the near future, while maintaining membership and activities in cricket, table tennis, squash and dominoes.

Everest Cricket Club Executives 2019/2020 Manzoor Nadir – President Saheed Mohamed – First Vice President Rajesh Singh – Second Vice President Ron Morris – Secretary Dwayne Adams – Treasurer Riyad Sattaur – Assistant Secretary Prakash Balgobin - Assistant Treasurer John Ramsingh – Club Captain Rahaman Khan – Committee Member Reyaz Husein – Committee Member Ramdeo Kumar – Committee Member Bhageshwar Murli - Committee Javed Rasheed – Auditor Javed Khan –Auditor

Federer is only the second man to win a ton of ATP titles

R

oger Federer has won his 100th ATP Tour title at the Dubai Tennis Championships -- 6,600 days after winning his first in Milan.

The 37-year-old Swiss, a 20-time Grand Slam champion, beat Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 6-4. Federer’s first ATP title came at the Milan Indoors on 4 February, 2001, when he beat Frenchman Julien Boutter. “It is an absolute dream come true right now,” said Federer, who will become world number four on Monday.

He is just the second man, after American Jimmy Connors in 1983, to reach the landmark. “I’m delighted! It’s great to win my eighth here in Dubai, and in combination with my 100th singles title,” he added.

“To win in Marseille and then come here was difficult for Stefanos.

“I don’t know if Stefanos was born when I won my first title (he was, in August 1998). It’s a privilege [to play against possible future champions], because I’ll be watching them on the TV. It was a treat to play Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi. I’m sure Stefanos will have a wonderful career. Tennis is in good hands regardless if I’m there or not,” he declared.

Federer broke Tsitsipas, 20, in the first game of the match before saving two break points at 5-4 to see out the first set. The Greek, who will break into the world top 10 for the first time on Monday, held his nerve in the second set until 4-4, before Federer broke his serve once again to wrap up the final in 69 minutes.

World number 11, Tsitsipas, was Federer’s 50th different final opponent and the 25th different nationality. It was only the second time the pair had met, with Tsitsipas beating Federer in four sets in the Australian Open’s last 16 in January.

Federer will have to win 10 more titles to beat the men’s record of 109 titles held by Jimmy Connors, while Martina Navratilova holds the all-time record, having won 167 women’s singles crowns during her career.

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SUnDAY, march 3, 2019

Second round of Amerith Rocky Rai Memorial T20 Cricket

Shivpersaud, Persaud, Dhanpaul, Bharat highlight play T

he action continued in the Amerith Rocky Rai Memorial T20 Cricket on the West Coast of Demerara (WCD), where Balbinder Shivpersaud, Yutesh Dhanpaul, Naresh Persaud and Anand Bharat highlighted the second round of play in the tournament.

The first match, which commenced at the Canal #2 Ground, saw Rising Stars ‘A’ Team defeating Saw Pit by 34 runs. Batting first, Rising Stars were bowled out for 112 runs scored in 19.3 overs. Anand Bharat top scored with 28 runs.

Bowling for Saw Pit, Imran Khan with 4 - 16 and Shivram Mahase with 4-8 did the damage with the ball.

Naresh Persaud top scored with 67

Responding, Saw Pit were never in the chase, and were bowled out for 74 runs in 16 overs.

Shivram Mahase scoreed 27 runs and Naresh Persaud 22 runs. Bowling for the winners, Anand Bharat picked up the tournament’s second hat trick by grabbing 4 for 2 from 3 overs. He was supported by Christian Husbands with 2 for 12.

Meanwhile, at Belle Vue Ground, Christ Ambassadors beat Players Cricket Club by 66 runs. Batting first, Christ Ambassadors were bowled out for 113 runs in 16.2 overs, with Emanuel Martin leading the way with 33 runs and Melroy Albert with 25 runs. Bowling for Players Cricket Club, Shivdat Motie returned figures of 3 for 18.

Yutesh Dhanpaul and Balbinder Shivpersaud top Players Cricket Club in re- scored with figures of 63 and 70 respectively ply were skittled out for a meascored 210-5 in 20 overs, with Balbinder gre 47 runs, as Ameer Mustapa end- Shivpersaud top scoring with 70 runs, ed up being the only player to reach and Yutesh Dhanpaul scoring 63 runs. double figures with 13 runs. No bowl- Maniram Ragnauth was the best bowling figures were available for Christ er for Windsor Forest, with 2-40.

Ambassadors.

In reply, Windsor Forest were disThe second match then continued missed for 159 runs scored in 19 overs. at Belle Vue Ground, with Saw Pit Abdullah Wazidali top scored with 58 beating Players Cricket Club. Batting runs, and Doodnauth Dhanraj supfirst, Saw Pit scored a challenging 190- ported with 38 runs. The bowlers for 6 in their 20 overs. Left hander Naresh Zeeburg were Captain Mark Jeffers, Persaud scored 67 runs, which includ- with 2-24, and Deonarine Saffeek, with ed 6 sixes and 4 fours. He was well 2-20. They bowled Zeeburg to yet ansupported by Avinash Ragnauth with other victory.

45 runs. Bowling for Players, Shivdat According to Organizer Troy Khan, Motie bagged 3 - 37 and Davinan the mining company is currently Jailall 2-20. looking to have similar tournaments In reply, Players were bowled out for played in Berbice and Georgetown.

123 runs. Shivdat Motie scored 48 runs He also stated that this present tourand Avinash Bhiro 22 runs. Bowling nament is not being facilitated by the for Saw Pit, Rabindra Rajroop’s 3-21 West Demerara Board, and that severand Terrence Singh’s 2-13 completed al matches are set to continue tomorthe victory for Saw Pit. row.

Over at Zeeburg Sports Ground, The tournament is sponsored by the home team defeated the Windsor F.A.B Mining Company Inc. Forest team. Batting first, Zeeburg

ICC assures BCCI of robust security measures at World Cup

T

Team India

he International Cricket Council, at the conclusion of the ICC Board meeting in Dubai on Saturday (March 2), assured the Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) that robust security measures will be put in place for the World Cup in England later this year. The Indian board had raised concerns about the safety and security of players and match officials participating in this mega-event as tension between India and Pakistan rose.

“As you would expect for a global sporting event, the ICC, in partnership with the ECB, has a robust security plan in place for the Men’s Cricket World Cup. We work closely with the authorities in our host countries to ensure that the safety of players, officials and fans is a priority,” ICC CEO David Richardson said.

“Should those authorities raise the threat level of the event based on intelligence, we will of course uplift our security commitment as appropriate. We will continue to work with the ECB and our Members throughout the build-up to and during the tournament to keep everyone abreast of the situation.”

Among other decisions made during the ICC Board Meeting, the governing body decided to have a new composition of the Women’s Committee. While Clare Connor was confirmed as the chair of the committee, it was also announced that two Full Member representatives, one Associate Member representative, two CEC representatives, one Independent representative, one media representative, two elected player representatives, and one ODI coach representative will form the committee.

Anil Kumble was also reappointed as Chairman of the ICC Cricket Committee.

It was also announced that the United Arab Emirates and Scotland will host the ICC Men’s and Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier events later this year. The Women’s Qualifier will be in Scotland from September 7, while the men’s event will be played in the UAE from October 11, with the final being played on November 3.

guyanatimesgy.com

sunDAY, march 3, 2019

2018-2019 Regional 4-Day Tournament…

23

THE JAGUARS HAVE ROARED

Pride defeated by 7 wickets in 3 days – Reifer grabs 9 wickets in match, Hemraj hits 51

By Brandon Corlette

S

ealed with a maximum from the big Christopher Barnwell down long-off, Guyana Jaguars romped to a seven wicket win in their ninth round clash against Barbados Pride at the National Stadium at Providence, in Guyana.

Player of the match, Raymon Reifer, and Veerasammy Permaul had earlier ended the second innings with four wickets each, bowling out Pride for 238 in 75 overs. Requiring 114 runs to win, Jaguars completed the victory by seven wickets on day 3, after Hemraj

blasted his way to a 63-ball 51.

Barbados Pride had resumed the penultimate day on 228-6, enjoying a lead of 103 runs, then veteran leftarm spinner Veerasammy Permaul and Raymon Reifer cleaned up the tail. Permaul removed Tevyn Walcott, trapped in front leg before with the score on 234-7. The right-handed Walcott attempted to play forward but

SCOREBOARD

Barbados Pride 1st Innings 76 all out Guyana Jaguars 1st Innings 201 all out

Barbados Pride 2nd Innings 238 all out R Boucher b Rutherford 14 44 S Brooks b Permaul S Moseley lbw Lewis 64 J Carter c Chanderpaul b Permaul 47 15 A Jones lbw Reifer S Springer b Reifer 6 T Walcott lbw Permaul 33 J Warrican c Bramble b Reifer 4 0 C Holder c&b Permaul M Mindley not out 3 M Cummins b Reifer 0 Extras 8 Total 238 all out (75.5overs) FOW 1 - 19 (Boucher, 9.2 Ov), 2 - 93 (Brooks, 30.2 Ov), 3 - 167 (Moseley, 51.6 Ov), 4 - 177 (Carter, 54.4 Ov), 5 - 192 (Springer, 59.5 Ov), 6 - 205 (Jones, 63.3 Ov), 7 - 234 (Walcott, 72.4 Ov), 8 - 234 (Holder, 72.6 Ov), 9 - 238 (Warrican, 75.2 Ov),

10 - 238(Cummins, 75.5 Ov) Bowling R Shepherd (10-1-41-0) R Reifer (11.5-4-22-4) R Lewis (20-3-63-1) S Rutherford (9-2-34-1) V Permaul (24-6-62-4) C Barnwell (1-0-9-0)

Guyana Jaguars 2nd Innings 118-3 T Chanderpaul c Walcott b Springer 8 C Hemraj c Cummins b Springer 51 8 V Singh c Warrican b Springer L Johnson not out 20 C Barnwell not out 23 Extras 8 Total 118-3 (29 overs) FOW 1 - 35 (Chanderpaul, 9.2 Ov), 2 - 61 (Singh, 17.6 Ov), 3 - 82 (Hemraj, 23.4 Ov) Bowling 5-0-11-0 M Mindley M Cummins 4-1-24-0 C Holder 4-0-13-0 S Springer 10-3-29-3 J Carter 6-0-37-0

A Pride batsman evades a Reifer bouncer (Brandon Corlette photo)

missed a straight ball. Two balls later, in the same Permaul over, the eighth wicket fell at 234-8 when Chaim Holder spooned one to Permaul, who completed a simple return catch off his own bowling in his impressive over.

Pride were looking out of sorts as Reifer added the finishing touches in removing the final two wickets. Reifer continued to impress when he removed Warrican out caught behind, and bowled Miguel Cummins for a duck after Cummins at-

tempted to pull, but only succeeded in dragging the ball onto his stumps.

It was game over for Pride, and Jaguars required a mere 114 runs to complete a thumping win of the match. Reifer ended the second innings with 4-22 in 11.5 overs, while Permaul had 4-62 in 24 overs. Lewis and Rutherford were the other wicket takers.

Jaguars openers stepped out to bat in the morning session of day 3, looking to make amends for the first innings’ performance.

Tagenarine Chanderpaul was the first to be dismissed, when he felt for a ball outside off. He was out caught behind by Walcott off the bowling of former Windies U-19 player Shamar Springer. At 35-1, Vishaul Singh came in, but his 30-ball innings of eight came to an end when he was out caught in the slip cordon by Warrican.

The flamboyant Chandrapaul Hemraj reached his seventh First Class half-century, but fell soon after for 51 from 63 balls, which included five fours and one six. He hit one down the throat of mid-off off the bowling of Shamar Springer at 61-2.

The senior players, skipper Leon Johnson

and Christopher Barnwell, rubbed salt into the wounds of Barbados Pride. Captain Johnson played a responsible unbeaten knock of 20 from 40 balls, hitting four hallmark boundaries. Barnwell was in a no-nonsense mood as he faced 12 balls, hitting an unbeaten 23, including three fours and one six.

Jaguars completed seven the wicket win after an unbroken 36-run partnership between Barnwell and Johnson. Bowling for Barbados Pride, right arm paceman Shamar Springer had 3-29 in 10 overs in a losing cause.

Speaking after the match, Guyana Jaguars Head Coach Rayon Griffith explained that it was a good win for the team. Griffith hailed Rifer for his player of the match performance, and spoke highly on debutant Ramaal Lewis, who is seen as the extra variety in the team. Guyana Jaguars will play their last round match this season against Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, starting from Thursday March 7, 2019. It will be a day/night pink ball encounter starting from 14:00h local time at the National Stadium at Providence in Guyana.

2019 England ODI series v West Indies

Gayle, Thomas star in crushing series levelling win O

shane Thomas’s maiden five-for and Chris Gayle’s record-breaking half-century in a brutal batting assault on England’s pacers helped the Windies to draw the five-match ODI series 2-2 with a commanding seven-wicket win in the final fixture at the Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in St. Lucia on Saturday (March 2).

The Windies have thus averted their 18th series loss on the trot in this format.

Windies meant business in the series decider, and showed exactly that with their clinical bowling show to skittle England for just 113, but the lowly target didn’t stop Gayle from having his own fun. The left-handed opener slammed the fastest fifty for a West Indian -off just 19 deliveries, studded with half-a-dozen sixes, to better Sammy’s record of 20 balls -- and in the process he set up the hosts’ easy win with more than 36 overs to spare, and even before a formal “innings break”.

Set a target of 114, Gayle blew the English bowlers away with his whirlwind 27-ball 77, which included nine sixes and five more boundaries. He went after Chris Woakes and later Mark Wood, but almost single-handedly dictated the chase for the eight overs that he lasted in the middle.

Woakes was hit for back-to-back boundaries and then a six in his opening over; and there was no turning back from there. His next over yielded 23 runs, including three sixes. Woakes and England momentarily thought the carnage was over when the batsman was caught in the deep off a short delivery, but the umpire deemed it a no-ball, for it was his third bouncer in the over. Gayle took the attack to Wood next, who was dispatched for five sixes and a boundary in the space of two overs.

England did pick up some consolation wickets, with Wood dismissing the two openers and Woakes disturbing Shai Hope’s stumps in the ninth over, after having leaked 50 in his five-over spell by then. But with Windies at 95 for 3 at that point, it was hardly going to bother them.

Darren Bravo and Shimron Hetmyer wrapped up the formalities off the first ball of the 13th over, to give Windies a series-levelling win without breaking a sweat.

Earlier in the day, Windies pacers rattled England with short balls, after Jason Holder put the opposition in to bat in bowling-friendly conditions. Nearly all of England’s batsmen got starts, but Windies’ regular strikes prevented any partnerships from flourishing.

The platform was laid by the early strikes of Sheldon Cottrell and Holder, before Carlos Brathwaite piled on more damage in his miserly eight-over spell, and Thomas eventually ran through the tail. England lost their last five men for the addition of just two runs, and eventually folded for their lowest ever score against Windies, barely days after posting their highest ever.

Cottrell tempted Jonny Bairstow into a drive as he followed up his short delivery with a fuller length one. The English opener took the bait, but the ball seamed in a tad and took the inside edge to knock down his legstump. England had barely recovered, and Joe Root barely settled in, before Holder got rid of the new batsman with a short ball. The extra bounce in the pitch did him in, as Root attempted an uppercut only to see Cottrell pouch a dolly at third man.

Brathwaite’s spell next suffocated the life out of England’s innings. The Windies T20I

SCOREBOARD

captain sent down England Innings O M R W 11 BOWLING his eight overs on the JM Bairstow b Cottrell

SS Cottrell 4 0 23 1 AD Hales c †Hope b Brathwaite

23 trot, giving away just 7 2 28 2 JE Root c Cottrell b Holder 1 JO Holder 17 runs, but crucially 8 1 17 2 EJG Morgan (c) c Cottrell b Thomas 18 CR Brathwaite breaking two partner- BA Stokes c †Hope b Brathwaite 15 O Thomas 5.1 0 21 5 ships that threatened JC Buttler † c Cottrell b Thomas 23 AR Nurse 4 0 24 0 to revive England.

MM Ali c †Hope b Thomas 12 After the two ear- CR Woakes c Holder b Thomas 0 Windies Innings 77 ly setbacks, a brief TK Curran b Thomas 0 CH Gayle b Wood JD Campbell b Wood

1 39-run partnership AU Rashid c †Hope b Holder 0 13 ensued between Alex MA Wood not out 0 SD Hope † b Woakes 7 Hales and his skipper, Extras 10 (nb 1, w 9) DM Bravo not out 11 Eoin Morgan. Hales TOTAL 113 all out (28.1 overs RR: 4.01) SO Hetmyer not out Extras 6 (nb 1, w 5) picked up four bound- Fall of wickets: 1-16 (JM Bairstow, 2.3 TOTAL 115/3 (12.1 Overs, RR: 9.45) aries in quick succes- ov), 2-18 (JE Root, 3.1 ov), 3-57 (AD Fall of wickets: 1-40 (JD Campbell, 3.2 sion to push England Hales, 10.2 ov), 4-63 (EJG Morgan, 13.3 ov), 2-93 (CH Gayle, 7.6 ov), 3-95 (SD past the 50-run mark, ov), 5-88 (BA Stokes, 18.5 ov), 6-111 Hope, 8.5 ov) but Brathwaite had (MM Ali, 24.5 ov), 7-111 (CR Woakes, BOWLING O M R W his revenge as he 26.3 ov), 8-113 (JC Buttler, 26.5 ov), CR Woakes 6 0 56 1 banged one short and 9-113 (AU Rashid, 27.6 ov), 10-113 (TK MA Wood 6 0 55 2 Curran, 28.1 ov) induced an outside off 0.1 0 4 0 TK Curran Hales’ bat, which was caught behind easiof a late fight-back. ly. Likewise, when Ben Stokes seemed to be Thomas struck on the fifth delivery to inslowly settling in - having picked up a couple duce an edge off Moeen Ali for the keeper, beof authoritative boundaries off Thomas to get fore Woakes tamely pulled a short one to midEngland a move on - Brathwaite cramped him wicket in the following over. One ball later, for room with a short ball that rose sharply Buttler took his eyes off the pull shot and topand brushed his gloves on the way to the keep- edged to Cottrell in the deep. er.

Bowling from the other end, Holder enEngland were staring down the barrel at sured there was no room for late fireworks, as 88 for 5, and in the meanwhile Thomas had he sent Rashid packing off the final ball of the bounced out the centurion from the previous maiden. game, Morgan, on 18 for his first wicket of the Thomas fired in a yorker next at Tom day. Holder, though, decided against bowling Curran right in the block hole, and it rattled out Brathwaite, and brought Thomas back his stumps and wrapped up England on 113 on in the 25th over. He validated the move on the first ball of the 29th over, Thomas finalmost immediately by running through the ishing with 5 for 21 in just 5.1 overs. (cricbuzz) England lower order to wash away all hopes

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

SUNDAY, MARCH 3, 2019

guyanatimesgy.com

2018-2019 Regional 4-Day Tournament…

THE JAGUARS HAVE ROARED Pride defeated by 7 wickets in 3 days – Reifer grabs 9 wickets in match, Hemraj hits 51

Veerasammy Permaul, who had 4-62, congratulates Reifer (Brandon Corlette photo)

Pg 23

A flamboyant Chandrapaul Hemraj stroked a compact 51 (Brandon Corlette photo)

Player-of-the-Match, Raymon Reifer, grabbed nine wickets in the match (Brandon Corlette photo)

Dave West Indian Imports U-15 Inter-county tournaments…

Pg 19

Undefeated Demerara crowned champions Latif, Jodah, Dindyal star for Demerara

Kings of Studies 2019 hailed as a success Pg 20

Rayad Latif was impressive during his Player-of-theMatch performance

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

March 3, 2019

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2 Sunday Times Magazine #BalanceforBetter

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MARCH 3, 2019

International Women's Day 2019

Think equal, build smart, innovate for change I

nternational Women’s Day is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities.

The 2019 theme “Think equal, build smart, innovate for change” focuses on innovative ways in which we can advance gender equality and the empowerment of women, particularly in the areas of social protection systems, access to public services and sustainable infrastructure.

The achievement of the ambitious Sustainable

Development Goals (SDGs) requires transformative shifts, integrated approaches and new solutions, particularly when it comes to advancing gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.

Innovation and technology provide unprecedented opportunities, yet trends in-

dicate a growing gender digital divide and women are under-represented in the field of science, technology, engineering, mathematics and design. It prevents them from developing and influencing gender-responsive innovations to achieve transformative gains for society. From mobile banking to artificial intelligence and the internet of things, it is vital that women’s ideas and experiences equally influence the design and implementation of the innovations that shape our future societies.

Echoing the priority theme of the sixty-third session of the Commission on the Status of Women

(CSW63), in 2019 we look to industry leaders, gamechanging start-ups, social entrepreneurs, gender equality activists, and women innovators to examine the ways in which innovation can remove barriers and accelerate progress for gender equality, encourage investment in gender-

responsive social systems, and build services and infrastructure that meet the needs of women and girls.

On 8 March 2019, the world will celebrate a future in which innovation and technology creates unprecedented opportunities for women and girls to play an active role in building more inclusive systems, efficient services and sustainable infrastructure to accelerate the achievement of the SDGs and gender equality.

International Women's Day is also an opportunity to consider how to accelerate the 2030 Agenda, building momentum for the effective implementation of the Sustainable Development

Goals, especially goal number 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls; and number 4: Ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning.

International Women's Day 2019 campaign theme #BalanceforBetter is aimed as building a gender-bal-

anced world. From grassroots activism to worldwide action, the world is entering an exciting period of history where the world expects balance. Balance drives a better working world. Let's all help create a #BalanceforBetter.

The 2019 #BalanceforBetter campaign runs all year long. It does not end on International Women's Day. The campaign theme provides a unified direction to guide and galvanize continuous collective action, with #BalanceforBetter activity reinforced and amplified all year. Balance is not a women's issue, it's a business issue. The race is on for the gender-balanced boardroom, a gender-balanced government, gender-balanced media coverage, a gender-balance of employees, more gender-balance in wealth, gender-balanced sports coverage. Gender balance is essential for economies and communities to thrive.

So put your hands out and STRIKE THE #BalanceforBetter POSE and make International Women's Day YOUR day and do what you can to truly make a positive difference for women everywhere.

Chronology

1909 The first National Woman's Day was observed in the United States on 28 February. The Socialist Party of America designated this day in honour of the 1908 garment workers' strike in New York, where women protested against working conditions.

1910 The Socialist

International, meeting in Copenhagen, established a Women's Day, international in character, to honour the movement for women's rights and to build support for achieving universal suffrage for women. The proposal was greeted with unanimous approval by the conference of over 100 women from 17 countries, which included the first three women elected to the Finnish Parliament. No fixed date was selected for the observance.

1911 As a result of the Copenhagen initiative, International Women's Day was marked for the first time (19 March) in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland, where more than one million women and men attended rallies. In addition to the right to vote and to hold public office, they demanded women's rights to work, to vocational training and to an end to discrimination on the job.

1913-1914 International Women's Day also became a mechanism for protesting World War I. As part of the peace movement, Russian women observed their first International Women's Day on the last Sunday in February. Elsewhere in Europe, on or around 8 March of the following year, women held rallies either to protest the war or to express solidarity with other activists.

1917 Against the backdrop of the war, women in Russia again chose to protest and strike for "Bread and Peace" on the last Sunday

in February (which fell on 8 March on the Gregorian calendar). Four days later, the Czar abdicated and the provisional Government granted women the right to vote.

1975 During International Women's Year, the United Nations began celebrating International Women's Day on 8 March.

1995 The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a historic roadmap signed by 189 governments, focused on 12 critical areas of concern, and envisioned a world where each woman and girl can exercise her choices, such as participating in politics, getting an education, having an income, and living in societies free from violence and discrimination.

2014 The 58th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW58) – the annual gathering of States to address critical issues related to gender equality and women’s rights — focused on “Challenges and achievements in the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals for women and girls”.

UN entities and accredited NGOs from around the world took stock of progress and remaining challenges towards meeting the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The MDGs have played an important role in galvanizing attention on and resources for gender equality and women’s empowerment.

guyanatimesgy.com

By Lakhram Bhagirat

N

o matter what struggles come our way or whatever life throws at us, we must always push and push so hard that we break through all the barriers so that we get on the other side and can be proud of what we have overcome. No one knows pushing their limits and breaking barriers while crushing a couple of stereotypes like Amanda Mc Nichol does.

She is fearless, she is without boundaries and she is a trailblazer. She is proud and has every reason to be proud, because she has persevered in not only one but every aspect of her life. She is the epitome of a fearless woman, one without any ego and one with every bit of kindness.

You see, Amanda is not your average woman nor is she ever going to be your average woman because she feels as if she should not be placed in a box of what a woman should be, rather she feels as though it is time the mould of the stereotypical woman be broken and is doing everything in her power to shatter the proverbial glass ceiling.

The 33-year-old mother of one has been doing what are considered traditional men’s jobs for almost all of her adult life.

With a passion for engineering, Amanda has done everything from construction to now driving a taxi. She has been driving a taxi for over five years and is attached to the N2N Taxi Service in Georgetown.

The only way to truly understand

Sunday Times Magazine 3 International Women's Day 2019 #BalanceforBetter March 3, 2019

Amanda’s story is to thread back to where it all began. Growing up, according to her, was a joy in itself, since for her it was everything and a little more.

She grew up in the heart of the city among family she adored. Everyone who grew up with their grandparents around knows that there is a certain level of discipline one receives, but there is also the certain level of joy one feels just to be loved by granny. Amanda had that since she lived on Norton Street with her mother, but granny was just next door on Princes Street which served as a good escape.

Education has always been on the fore of her life growing up and after she finished her secondary education at the St Mary’s High School, Amanda started the Computer Science Programme at the Government Technical Institute (GTI) and upon completion, she went on to the Critchlow Labour College for advanced studies in mathematics. However, despite all of that, Amanda felt some thing was lacking. Thirsty for an adventure, at 18, she packed up her belongings and hopped on a straight flight to Barbados to begin a new chapter in her adult life.

“I am a bit adventurous and that is how me becoming a taxi driver happened. I like to see different things and meet different people. I was still a teenager and that is how I ended up in Barbados. I like construction and engineering and Barbados is not a sexist place and they allow women to be themselves,” she said.

In Barbados, with no cap placed on her abilities, Amanda began pushing her boundaries. She explains that being in Barbados allowed her to explore, push and shatter boundaries.

“In Barbados, if you wanna turn spade, you can turn spade. You wanna hammer nail, you can hammer nail. That is what

You gotta eat, ain't no shame in the game because I come from a place where you can do what you wanna do and be what you wanna be. Nobody can’t stop you. You’re in control of that. Nothing is impossible. You are in control of your own destiny, the only person who can break you is you and first of all, you must believe in the Most High, the Father, and you can’t do nothing without Him. Just do you, follow your heart and be what you want to be. Nobody but you can’t say you can’t.

Barbados provides. Women can be what they wanna be, not like they will watch at you. Here (Guyana) is a bit more sexist than there. I did construction.

I was a paint foreman for five years and controlled a workshop and made sure everything was perfect.”

Amanda worked in the construction industry with very few objections from the men there. She said that level of comfort allowed her to dominate her field and hone in on all the skills she had. She was allowed to perfect every skill she had and when the tide changed on the island, she knew her time was becoming limited there.

After the Government changed on the island and the arrest of Allen Stanford for fraud, the tourism industry in Barbados took a dip resulting in the loss of contracts and stalled work.

“It didn’t make sense that I were there and had to pay rent and the work is coming yes, but not as fast enough…so it didn’t make sense for me to stay there and do all of that, is best that I came home because

home is home,” Amanda, who got pregnant and gave birth to a beautiful girl during her time in Barbados, said.

When she returned home, there was some amount of confusion before she actually settled in. However, it was not all smooth sailing even then, since Amanda thought she would be afforded the same respect working in a male-dominated field, but little did she know she was in for an unwelcome surprise. Amanda got a hard time getting work in construction since many men frowned upon her wanting to join them, because it was not the stereotypical woman’s job.

“Some would give me chances and trust me when I perform, I perform well and so.

Still they see it challenging, because I was better than some and they wanted to pay me less. I value my talent and it is worth every dollar. I don’t do shabby work and it wasn’t working out,” Amanda explained.

It was then that a friend told her to put her licence and vehicle to work for her.

She began scouting taxi bases and found the N2N Taxi Service where she has been working for over five years now and is now a manager.

You gotta eat, ain't no shame in the game because I come from a place where you can do what you wanna do and be what you wanna be. Nobody can’t stop you.

You’re in control of that. Nothing is impossible. You are in control of your own destiny, the only person who can break you is you and first of all, you must believe in the Most High, the Father, and you can’t do nothing without Him. Just do you, follow your heart and be what you want to be.

Nobody but you can’t say you can’t," she notes.

The passion to be a civil engineer is still burning inside of Amanda and she is ready to follow it. For now, she is focusing on shattering all the ceilings to make Guyana a better place for women with very few boundaries.

M

arch 06 will mark the 55th anniversary of the death of the humble housewife, Alice, more famously known as Kowsilla, who met with her demise during a demonstration against the denial of work to labourers at the Leonora Sugar Estate. Tribute was paid to the heroine of the sugar workers, on the West Coast of Demerara.

On March 6, 1964, Kowsilla, along with a group of striking workers, squatted at the factory’s gate in Leonora as they staged a protest against the denial of labour to the estate workers. At the time, they were also rallying for the recognition of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU). The then General Manager of the Estate instructed the driver of a tractor to proceed through the bridge where the demonstration was being staged. The act, which took the protesters for granted, resulted in the death of Kowsilla and 14 persons being injured. Kowsilla, thereafter, became known as the heroine of sugar workers for her sacrificial act against the injustice to estate labourers.

Kowsilla was forty-four years old when she paid the supreme price for her convictions on that fateful Friday morning on March 6th 1964. Along with her fellow workers she stood immovable, unheeding of the scab’s shouts as he continued to drive the tractor directly at them: “You-all ain’t hear what the Boss-man say? Get off the blasted bridge.”

An eyewitness recalled Kowsilla telling the other women “Don’t budge. We can’t let the rich man thief we children-them future.” Of the fourteen who were mown down by the tractor, receiving serious injuries, two of them, Jagdai and Daisee Sookram suffered broken backs and were crippled for life. Another, Kisson Dai, lost one kidney and had broken hips.

Commemorations to honour the heroine, Kowsilla, takes place as usual with scores of participants marching from the Leonora Public School to the Anna Catherina Cemetery where she was interred. A ceremony, during

which wreaths are laid at her tomb and tributes were pre-

sented by sugar workers’ activists is usually conducted.

4 Sunday Times Magazine #BalanceforBetter

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MARCH 3, 2019

International Women's Day 2019

port that they would not have gotten anywhere else.

“We are all farmers and single women, and it started out as a small group, but as it grew, we had to switch things up a bit. We then moved to the (Hugo Chavez) Venezuelan Institute where they took classes in cookery, cake decoration and pastry.

After they would have completed their classes, the group returned to the village and began training other women.

“We gained our certificates and we trained over 154 ladies and we had tutors from Carnegie School of Home Economics helping us. In the moment, we are specialised in scented candles. Most of the women in the group are farmers and we are with NAREI and Food For The Poor so everybody have their farm where they plant t h e i r little

By Lakhram Bhagirat

F

or me, one of the most inspiring things is women cheering on other women despite all the obstacles thrown at them. Throughout our history, women have been dealt the short end of the stick and they are now bringing about change, demanding those changes because equality is the most important thing.

One thing that is embedded in our culture is the habit of attempting to pit women against each other while identifying perceived faults for them to go after each other. So when I see women supporting each other, it makes me beam with joy. Women

supporting each other is exactly what the Mahaica Women’s Group (MWG) has been doing for the past few years.

The group was birthed from a youth group in the community and according to Chairwoman Debbie Argyle, they have been supporting each other. The predominantly farming community has very limited opportunities for women to branch out on their own and create a space for their own development, resulting in the formation of the support group.

The 20-member group is made up of mainly single women who are all in different fields of farming who came together to offer sup-

kitchen garden and their produce to sell,” Argyle said.

For now, the group focuses mainly on the scented candles project. The fragrant candles also serve as mosquito repellent. The group receives monthly donations of wax, a key ingredient in their product from the Food For The Poor. Argyle explained that they create the labels and package the candles in recycled glass bottles or cans to reduce production costs.

Apart from the candles, the group does craft items such as dolls, decorative bottles, florals and sewing. Because of the fact

that many of the members are single mothers, there are several challenges associated with gathering.

The members would find it hard to buy their craft materials or even travel to classes because of financial hardships and that makes it extremely difficult for the group to function holistically, but it is a challenge they address as it comes.

“We do not have a fixed location to meet so travelling is tough. So when the women are having problems accessing craft items and so on and when that comes up, we have other members who buy the stuff and we help out each other. Supporting each other is what we are here for.”

Sunday Times Magazine 5 International Women's Day 2019 #BalanceforBetter

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March 3, 2019

By Lakhram Bhagirat

T

echnology innovator Steve Jobs once said “Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work and the only way to do great work is to love what you do.”

Trust me, when I say, I have met a lot of people throughout my life and many are comfortable in their career fields, but never have I ever met someone who talks

I

n a sport which dates back to the 1950s in Guyana, with the formation of the British Guiana Motor-Cycle Club (BGMCC) that showcased their daredevilry at the No 63 beach, men have dominated motor racing.

However, over the

as affectionately about what they do as Aretha Meusa does.

Throughout the world, women are pushing boundaries and cementing their place in the world as movers and shakers. They are proving that there is nothing like ‘a man’s job’ and are taking up careers in every possible field.

If you had asked Aretha a few years ago, what she wanted to become, she would not have said that she wanted to be a plumber. She had never planned to go down the plumbing route, since she had her eyes set on entre-

past years, there has been the emergence of fiercely competitive female drivers in the Caribbean region and in Guyana, Sharima Khan has acted as the change agent.

With the racing name of “Speed Queen”, Khan has gone bumper to bum-

preneurship.

The 31-year-old mother of one is doing everything to ensure that she serves as motivation for her young son as well as letting him know that there is nothing that a woman cannot do. Aretha grew up in the small village of Plantain Walk on the West Bank of Demerara. She attended the Vreed-en-Hoop Secondary School, and immediately joined her mother in handling their small business after she finished school.

With a need to further her education, Aretha joined the C o m p u t e r Science programme at Computer World in Georgetown and after graduating she went on to the Government Technical Institute (GTI) and got certified as a plumber. After she graduated from GTI, Aretha took the bold step of venturing out on her own and so came A Meusa and Son Residential Plumbing and General Construction.

“The reason I started my own business is to make sure

that I have everything in order.

I fell in love in plumbing and I can’t see myself in anything else other than that. I also did a heavy-duty operator course at GTI,” she said.

Tracking back to her early beginnings, Aretha explains that she grew up with her father who allowed her to join him at work.

He was an architect and was also into construction so he allowed her to work with him.

“I have always been doing work with my hands. I grew up with my father in the construction field, he was an architect and he was an artist and from looking at him and being in the field with him and doing the plumbing work, I fell in love with it. I love it and that is when I started to pursue it more. It became my passion and it is something I cannot see myself doing anything else.”

For over five years, Aretha has been blazing the field and making sure that she makes her name a household one and she has been quite successful in doing that. However, it has not been without challenges and those were not easy challenges.

Despite being given the opportunity to join the field by a male, the other men in the field made it even more challenging for her since they doubted her ev-

ery step of the way. She said that the main challenge was the sexism.

“As a woman, it is very challenging to be in the field because of the sexism, but I put all of that behind me and I showed them that it is all about the mind. Once you set the mind to do what you want to do, then you can conquer everything. The body works with the mind and once you put your mind to it, then you will conquer.

That is what I did and I conquered all the negatives,” she declared.

For now she continues to blaze the trail, making her one of the most requested plumbers in the country.

“At first, it was hard because men used to say that plumbing is a man’s job and that you can’t do it, because you are a woman, but now everything is better.

Now I'm known and my work is respected, the business is growing and exceeding. My advice to the other women who are thinking about being in this field, then they should stay focused and be humble. Put your mind to do what you want to do and the Holy Spirit will guide you that way. Go forth and don’t bother with those people who try to pull you down, because that will make you stronger.”

per with the men, both young and old, and has managed to drive off with the precious chequered flag, doing something no other female has done for the sport in Guyana to date.

Khan firmly believes once behind the wheel, the issue of gender does

not matter since “competition is competition and it is the best driver who crosses the finish in first place”.

Interestingly, the driver said it was not as easy for her to enter the sport as it was for her male compatriots, since she was put under immense pressure to assert her skills as a circuit racer. However, she is hoping that her success encourages more females

to enter the sport, adding that “the hard work is done”.

With the focus returning to her life as a racer, the former Covent Garden Secondary School student recollected her most memorable moment on the track when she and her father, Rafeeq Khan, drove together at her first endurance race meet and won the title.

“It was an amazing feeling.”

Khan has since gotten married at the end of 2018 and currently resides overseas. It is yet to be seen whether she will return to the local racing arena or hang up her helmet. Whichever she chooses, she did leave an indelible mark on the lives of young women throughout Guyana and further afield. She is the epitome of a fearless woman breaking barriers.

6 Sunday Times Magazine #BalanceforBetter

By Lakhram Bhagirat

O

ne of the fondest memories of my childhood is my grandmother returning from a hard day at Bourda Market and ever so often surprises us with thin brown biscuits that were crunchy but not too crunchy, sweet but not too sweet and many years later the aroma still lingers in

my nostrils.

It is the aroma of the ever so nostalgic coconut biscuits.

As time went by the delight slowly faded away from the market and as I grew older they became almost obsolete.

However, a few years ago I was ever so surprised to see them back on the market but this time it was sophisticatedly packaged but the aroma has reignited the nostalgia.

About a year ago, I was at the Women in Business Expo where I smelled a familiar smell that led me to Simone Peters’ booth.

It was then I discovered Country Style Coconut Biscuits. Not only was the smell familiar but also the face, coincidentally I would have taught one of Simone’s daughter during my stint as a teacher at the Vreed en Hoop Secondary School.

Simone resides at Crane on the West Coast of Demerara and has been invested in bettering her products. When most of the village is asleep, Simone is up already preparing her ingredients to have an early start.

Soon, a delicious smell drifts lazily from Simone’s kitchen. Floating lightly on the early morning breeze, the inviting aroma wafts through Simone’s sleepy village, reminding her neighbours that one of their own has made a unique

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MARCH 3, 2019

International Women's Day 2019

and delectable addition to Guyana’s cuisine.

The thing that makes Simone unique is that she uses coconut in all of her products making her products authentically Guyanese.

“I love to make coconut products because I am from the country as well.

Everything I want to keep it at the country level, so people get that taste of home… my products will take persons back to their country roots.”

Simone is a native Essequibian and grew up in a family that was about baking. Her aunt would make pastries and other delicacies which she also learned.

In 2015, Peters started her business by selling coconut biscuits as a way of supple-

menting the income.

“In life, we always have ups and downs and we find ourselves in situations that are between a rock and a hard place and we would have to find something to sustain you and take care. I tried my hands at a lot of things that I know to do and I even tried lots of 9-5 and I realized that is not me and I always

want to be doing something that satisfies me and I love working with myself. When I ended up in the rock and a hard place situation I went back to what I know best and that is the baking.”

For Simone, it is about making her mark and taking people back to their childhood and creating more memories for the younger generation. She is the epitome of not giving up making her role models for females across the country.

“I have never known in myself that going back to where we started can bring so much joy and happiness to you and it pushes you forward. I have gained the attention of people in Guyana, the Caribbean and even further afield. We are working now to ship to those markets so that people can

make those things possible,” she said.

Simone is currently doing everything to develop herself and according to her she is going places and it teaches her how to be humble about her success. The mother of three is serving as the ideal role model for her two daughters and one son.

She had thought about giving up a lot of times but she credits the constant calls for orders or to offer a word or encouragement as fuel to her drive. Simone is currently working on building her bakery as well as expanding her product line.

“I want to keep it strictly coconut and stay true to the roots. So I am currently developing more new products and improving constantly.”

guyanatimesgy.com

by

Petamber Persaud

S

he was a font of knowledge especially with regards to Guyanese literary and cultural matters of yesteryear, yes, history matters, history matters more than most of us care to admit, history matters gravely to the future. And most of Guyana paid little heed to that significant fact that she was a font of such information. And now she is gone, another library underutilized, another library that could

Poem

Sunday Times Magazine 7 International Women's Day 2019 #BalanceforBetter March 3, 2019

Preserving our literary heritage

have been employed to inform the present custodians of our literary and cultural patrimony. Oh, why do we waste our human resources so? Oh, unkind old age!

Sheila King was more than a font of knowledge. She wore many hats including the ones with which she won many a hat shows at Easter. King was also an artist cum designer, past member of the Guyana Women Artists’ Association

(GWAA). She was a career Public Servant, poetess, playwright, actress, and prizewinning writer of children stories.

At age 19, a well-spoken and Sheila King entered the Public Service, a move that led to a remarkable career, resulting in a number of firsts. In 1951, she was appointed the first female Probation & Welfare Officer. In 1965, she became the first female Labour Officer.

In 1972, she was made the first Organising Secretary of the newly formed Council on the Affairs and Status of Women in Guyana (CASWIG).

In 1975, she was appointed first female Assistant Chief Labour Officer.

Her greatest satisfaction was when in support of Eileen Cox’s letter and on behalf of CASWIG, King was instrumental in getting government to remove a ban on the employment of married women in the Public Service.

The writing career of Sheila King blossomed during the flowering of women writing in Guyana in the 1960s.

Numerous women writers surfaced during that period including Evadne D’Oliviera, Cecile Nobrega, Doris HarperWills, Rajkumari Singh, Syble Douglas and others. That group of women writers became a force to be reckoned with, pioneering many aspects of Guyanese Literature.

King was part of what may be the first Guyanese anthology of stories. That slim book, ‘Stories From Guyana’, was produced to coincide with Expo ’67 in Canada. Incidentally, coming out from Expo’67, was a humorous poem, ‘Delightful Delinquent Millie’, written by King about the macaw that made history on that occasion. In fact the poem became so popular locally that it was produced on stage in one of the Brink Shows of the 1960s.

Another groundbreaking literary effort King was involved in (with other women writers) was the publication of ‘Guyana Drums’, a collection of poems prepared to coincide with the first Caribbean Festival of Arts (Carifesta) held in Guyana, 1972. That book has gone down in our history as the first anthology of Guyanese women writers.

In 1993, King published a small number of copies of her poems in a slim volume entitled ‘Our Homes Spring Poetry’.

Many of her pieces (poetry, fiction or drama) were penned to celebrate or mark special events, local or international.

‘The Cruellest Test’, an adult short story won the first prize in the Human Rights Year Short Story competition held in 1968. In the same year marking the Human Rights event, her poem, ‘Triumph of the Martyrs’, was included in an anthology of poems, VOICES OF GUYANA, a P. E. N. (Guyana) initiative, edited by Donald Trotman.

But she made contribution to Guyanese literature in other genres of writing.

Two of her plays, A MATTER

OF POLICY and HANDS ACROSS THE RIVER were produced for radio. And ‘FOR BETTIN’ OR WORSE was produced on stage at the Theatre Guild Playhouse, Kingston, Georgetown.

King also acted in plays such as N. E. Cameron’s JAMAICA JOE and George Bernard Shaw’s ANDROCLES AND THE LION. She was a codirector for the Cameron’s production of THE TRUMPET. She was also associated with another great man of let-

ters – Wilson Harris. At a tender age, King was part of an informal literary circle comprising of Harris and Malcolm King, discussing mainly Shakespeare, Milton, and Camus.

Sheila King was a font of knowledge; her memory was awesome as she regurgitates events – dates, venues, attendances with pinpoint accuracy.

Her biographies of persons of substance were peppered with spicy anecdotes. Her voice was strong, her delivery impeccable

– tone, diction, pronunciation and enunciation. She did not mince words.

Bits and pieces of her knowledge are now part of my data base on Guyanese Literature, some of which I was able to package and pass on to other interested parties. Thank you, Sheila.

This is not the last of Sheila….

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

8 Sunday Times Magazine

MARCH 3, 2019

Travel & Tourism

Rockstone is a scenic community tucked away along the banks of the mighty Essequibo River with a little over two hundred households. The community can be accessed from Bartica but the main access point is through Linden.

The residents of Rockstone survives on mainly farming as well as tourism. The village is also becomes the center of attention for the annual Rockstone Fish Festival. Here are some photos from the serene village.

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Sunday Times Magazine 9 International Women's Day 2019 #BalanceforBetter March 3, 2019

Women’s Health

productive endocrinology and infertility at Northwestern University School of Medicine previously told Women's Health.

You may also find less hair on your legs, arms, and other areas, or that your hair has become coarse, dully, dry, and breaks easily, per the AAD.

Y

ou're likely well aware that your body works like a machine—if one part is off, then, well, the whole damn thing can start having issues.

The best example of this is your thyroid, the small gland in your neck that controls your metabolism and regulates your bodily functions (you know, breathing, temperature, menstrual cycle, and so on).

Most of the time, you don't notice your thyroid gland is working at all (I mean, why would you?). But when it starts misfiring, like not releasing enough thyroid hormone (a.k.a. hypothyroidism) or releasing too much (hyperthyroidism), all hell can break loose. Even more annoying: That hell can break loose anywhere in your body: your eyes, your skin, your hands, you name it.

That's because symptoms of thyroid disease can mirror the symptoms of a ton of other issues. "Symptoms vary from person to person and can come on suddenly or very gradually, so they're hard to detect," as Valentina Rodriguez, M.D., an endocrinologist at NYU Langone Health previously told Women's Health in Do I Need A Thyroid Check?.

That's why it's super important to stay on top of—and quickly act on—any of the symptoms below. (Thyroid disease is much more common in women, BTW. One in eight will develop a thyroid disorder in her lifetime, per the American Thyroid Association.)

1. Your hair is thinning.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), your dermatologist might be the first doctor to notice signs of thyroid disease since many signs and symptoms show up on your skin, hair, and nails.

Both conditions—hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism—can cause your hair to thin. Your eyebrows are hit especially hard: Eyebrows that thin along the outer edges can be a sign of hypothyroidism, Eve Feinberg, M.D., assistant professor of re-

2. YOUR EYES FEEL DRY AND LOOK PUFFY.

While dry, irritated eyes can be a symptom of both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, super-puffy, protruding eyes can be a sign of Graves' disease, an autoimmune disorder that causes hyperthyroidism, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).

This happens when the eyelids are pulled back from the eye, per the NIDDK. Along with bulging eyes, Graves' disease can also cause double vision and swelling.

3. YOUR MUSCLES FEEL WEAK.

Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can cause muscles to feel achy, weak, or stiff, according to Rodriguez. But, because thyroid symptoms often develop slowly, many people don't notice the muscle aches or weakness right away, or brush it off as typical pain that comes from aging. Check in with your doctor if something feels off.

4. YOU'RE FEELING LOW.

Hypothyroidism can be associated with difficulty concentrating or depression, while hyperthyroidism can result in anxiety, says Sona Shah, M.D., an endocrinologist at NYU Langone Health.

Both disorders can leave you feeling out of control mentally and emotionally, according to Rodriguez, so it's important to seek mental health treatment, along with medical treatment.

5. YOUR LEGS AND ANKLES LOOK SWOLLEN.

Because hypothyroidism can cause the body's processes to slow down, it can lead to water retention, which will typically show up in your lower body—your hips, knees, ankles, and feet—because of gravity, says Feinberg.

6. YOUR NECK IS SWOLLEN, TOO.

If your neck is super swollen, it may be

caused by a goiter, which is basically the term for an abnormally enlarged thyroid gland, according to the American Thyroid Association. See a doc if your neck looks swollen.

7. YOUR WEIGHT DRASTICALLY CHANGED RECENTLY.

With hypothyroidism, your body slows down, which means that you can gain weight, according to Rodriguez. The opposite can happen with hyperthyroidism, she adds.

W h i l e many women can see weight loss as a good thing, Rodriguez says it's necessary to get treatment, regardless of what type of weight

fluctuation you're noticing. Left untreated, any thyroid condition can be extremely hard on the body,

"especially the heart," she says. (Women’s Health Magazine)

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MARCH 3, 2019

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Sunday Times Magazine 11

Home & Cooking

Rose gold, subway tiles and exposed lighting were some of the top home decor trends of 2018. With a new year comes new decorating patterns, stylish, timeless pieces to fresh takes on old styles. 2019 is going to have some fantastic home design trends. Whether you are renovating your home, buying a new one or simply redecorating a room, here is everything you need to know from the designers who set the trends.

Ingredients • 1 pack chowmein noodles • 2 lbs boneless chicken thighs cut into thin strips • 1 tbsp crushed garlic • 1 tbsp grated ginger • 3 tbsp soy sauce • ½ tsp 5 spice powder

• • • • • • • •

1 wiri wiri pepper, finely chopped ¾ red bell pepper, thinly sliced ¾ green bell pepper, thinly sliced 1 carrot, cut into thin strips ½ tsp black pepper Canola oil 5 scallion, finely chopped Shredded cabbage for garnish

Instructions 1. Cook chowmein noodles according to directions and set aside.

2. Season chicken with garlic, ginger, 2 tbsp soy sauce and 5 spice powder. Mix well to coat evenly.

3. In a large frying pan or wok, add 1 tbsp canola oil. When oil is hot add chicken and cook on high for 5-7 minutes. Add peppers and onion to the pot and stir fry for an additional 3 minutes.

4. Add remaining 1 tbsp of soy sauce and black pepper to the chowmein and mix using a large fork to coat the chowmein with the soy sauce. Add chicken and vegetable mix to the chowmein and repeat. Mix until well coated then taste to see if additional salt is needed.

5. Add 1 tsp oil to the pan or wok and fry chowmein in 2 batches. Combine, then add scallion. Serve with thinly sliced green cabbage. (Jehan Can Cook)

• • • • • • • •

ARTISANAL FIXTURES Like velvet pieces many designers have noticed a shift and that more decorators are partial to fixture from local artist and small businesses, especially lighting.

Artisan fixtures personalize your home, and like natural elements, helps shifts homes focus from the tech world to the natural world.

GEOMETRIC PATTERNS Similar to floral patterns and brass decor, incorporating geometric patterns is no new trend. Yet for the new year geometric patterns are expected to become a dramatic presence. Colors will be bolder with oversized patterns. This is a trend that will help make a bold statement in any room. A chic and easy way to incorporate this pattern into your home decor is adding geometric throws.

Ingredients 1 bar (9.7oz) dark chocolate chopped 3 tbsp unsalted butter 3 tbsp water 1 cup sugar 1/2 tsp salt 1 tsp vanilla 3 large eggs 1/4 cup all purpose flour

FLORAL PATTERNS This decorating trend has been around for a while, in the upcoming year. However, we will see floral patterns in a new light.

Decorators expect to find exaggerated proportions and contrasting colors used for this timeless decor pattern.

Directions Position rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees. Line 8 inch square pan with aluminum foil. Melt chocolate with butter and water, stirring until smooth. With a spoon beat in sugar, salt and vanilla. Beat in eggs, one at a time until smooth and glossy. Stir in the flour just until combined. Spread batter into prepared pan, bake for 30-35 minutes or until a crust forms on top. The center will still test moist. Do not overbake because the chocolate with solidify as it cools. Cool on rack for 2-3 hrs. These brownies will cut more easily if allowed to cool overnight. Remove from pan by lifting out foil and cut into 25 squares with a long bladed knife that has been warmed by dipping it into hot water. (Jehan Can Cook) Ingredients •14 oz Soursop pulp •2 cups vanilla ice cream •1 cup milk •6 tbsp condensed milk • Nutmeg Directions Place soursop pulp, vanilla ice cream, milk and condensed milk in a blender and blend until smooth. Add a pinch of nutmeg and mix. Pour into a glass and sprinkle a bit of nutmeg on top. (Jehan Can Cook)

VELVET FURNISHINGS Believe it or not, velvet was seen as old fashion and stuffy, now viewed as a luxurious yet funky.

This multi-dimensional fabric has already started gaining a lot of attention, leading many designers to believe velvet decor will be one of 2019’s most sought-after trends.

BRASS DECOR 2019 is setting up to be a year where we wave goodbye to stainless steel and polished nickel, and welcome brass accents back into our homes. Brass is a surprisingly warm and subtle alternative to the expected steel accents.

12 Sunday Times Magazine

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Puzzles

ACROSS

91 Old-fashioned pen 1 Alpha followers

92 Snorkeling venue 6 Pullman choice

93 Call, as an elk 11 Quay

95 Ad -- committee 15 Take without permission

96 Bungles 20 It may be airtight

97 Large tanks 21 Move blindly

98 Not a god 22 Reserved or reticent 99 Island near Kauai 24 Baking potato

101 Weed whackers 25 Pedro's honorific

102 False fronts 26 Belgian or Clydesdale 103 Buttonholed 27 Raga instrument

104 Timely question 28 Takes long strides

105 Mighty steed 29 Know somehow

106 Poet -- Pound 31 Grocery store rows 107 Went first 33 --, vidi, vici

108 Bane of pvts.

34 Like Atalanta

109 Archipelago dots 35 Summer flower

111 Fetches 37 Barely manages

112 Treasure in an oyster 39 Sloppy - 114 Dallas sch.

41 Exercise place

117 Gal. fractions 42 Lifts anchor

118 House slipper 43 Goes for the gold

119 Ben Hur, e.g.

44 Watered silk

124 Shiva devotee 46 Worn-down pencil 126 Mallard cousin 50 Fair grade

128 Hue, but not cry 51 Install a door

130 Coat with flour 52 Has a fever

131 Pie-chart lines 53 Smack a mosquito

132 Throw lava 57 Gullets

134 Mortgages 59 Like Tonto's friend

136 Ran its course 60 Skirmish

137 Sultans' cousins 61 Bushel fraction

138 Cheap nightspots

14 Zen riddle 62 Droids

139 Fossil resin

15 Filch 63 Corduroy rib

140 Like heavy metal concerts 16 Archaeologist's find

64 Risks it

141 AAA or EEE

17 Ponytail sites 65 Kind of system

142 Surrender territory

18 Twitter 66 Miffed, plus

143 Provides for

19 Shade-loving plant 67 Coastal flyer

144 Craggy ridge

23 Tex-Mex beans 68 Notre Dame's city DOWN

30 Pamphlets 69 Conforms

1 "-- Street Blues"

32 Trawler net 72 Ceiling fixture

2 Helen, in Spain

36 Dead heats 73 Retired

3 Salon rinses

38 Small cask 74 River rapids

4 More or less

40 River in France 75 Temporary trends

5 It follows Orion

43 Windmill blade 76 Strenuous effort

6 Snort of disgust

44 Treadmill units 79 Big families

7 Brief bio

45 Sixth sense 80 Kind of cake 8 Like a sponge

46 Warfare 84 Hold down a job

9 -- Downs (racetrack)

47 Insect's middle 85 Wild party

10 Plant in a swamp

48 Debonair 86 Trickle

11 "-- Rheingold" 87 Yes, to Yvette

12 Bartender's stock 49 Mukluk 51 Ice-fishing need

88 Foul-ups

13 Doves' shelters 52 Cliffside refuge

54 "Read 'em and --" KATHLEEN SAXE 55 Part of CPA

56 Ring stats

58 Downed a sub

59 Turf, not surf 60 Stores

WORD GAME

TODAY'S WORD -- TOPONYMIC

(TOPONYMIC: top-uh-NIM-ik: Named after a place or region.)

Average mark 30 words Time limit 40 minutes Can you find 43 or more words in TOPONYMIC?

tiny tonic tony topi topic toponym tycoon typo omit onto optic option otic

picot pinot pint pinto piny piton pity point pointy pony potion mint minty

mono moon moony moot mopy motion myopic icon into city coin comity compo

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.

63 Little chirper

64 Frighten

67 Poet's black

68 Anagram for shape

69 Seniors' org.

70 Banned bug spray 71 Pale blond

73 Tunes

74 -- up (won't say) 75 Feudal domain 77 Sports "zebra" 78 Frat letter

79 Primitive weapons 80 Comb producers 81 Bowser's ID (2 wds.)

82 Cafe -- - 83 Investment returns

85 Book jacket ad 86 Treats fractures 88 Finish third

89 Wordy Webster 90 Aspirin target

91 Urgent requests 92 Pro -- (in proportion)

93 Tarzan's kid

94 WWW addresses 96 Woodsy

97 DVD forerunners 98 European capital 100 One, in combos 101 Sentry's bark 102 Montezuma subject 103 Last a long time 106 Conger 107 Scholarly 110 Wet-sneaker sound 111 Swallowed hard 112 Moon, in poetry 113 Golfer -- Ochoa 114 Xanthippe, e.g.

115 Orange Bowl home 116 Loosened 118 Purple-gray 119 Usual weather 120 Quartet member 121 Rabbitt or Murphy 122 Discharge 123 Go back to brunette 125 Juicy gossip 127 Clapton of "Layla" 129 Viking name See Solution 133 Mao -- -tung on page 135 Almost grads 14

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Sunday Times Magazine 13

14 Sunday Times Magazine

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Bollywood/Hollywood

R

emember the young and sassy Poo in Karan Johar’s 2001 hit Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham? Almost 18 years later, that young girl is all grown up and is all

set to make her debut in Bollywood.

Malvika Raaj, who is also the niece of actor Anita Raj, is going to star in action thiller Squad, opposite Danny Denzongpa’s son

Rinzing . She told Mumbai Mirror that her character is a fierce sniper in the film. “She’s very knowledgeable about weapons which is important to the storyline.

There’s a lot of action and a little bit of romance with Rinzing,” she said.

Malvika made the announcement on Instagram with a news clipping.

“SQUAD! #squad #malvikaraaj Thank u so much @ theonlynylosahay and @jkdbombay @rinzingd time to roll,” she captioned the post.

(Hindustan Times)

B

ollywood actor Madhuri Dixit Nene, who was recently seen in Total Dhamaal alongside Anil Kapoor and Ajay Devgn, has expressed hope that working women will not be asked about their ‘comeback’, adding that only women are asked the question, not the heroes of our movies.

“When a hero is away from a screen for a long time, no one asks him when he would be making a comeback, but actresses have to face this question, ‘When are you coming back in films?’ every single time. If actresses are not doing films for sometime, it’s their personal choice. Don’t constantly ask them about their return to showbiz or films. Like other people, our priorities also differ from time to time,” Madhuri said.

Be it during the time of her marriage with Shriram Madhav Nene in 1999 or after the birth of her sons Arin (2003) and Raayan (2005), Madhuri took a break from movies to devote time to her personal life. She said, “I have been asked about my comeback so many times... I didn’t work for years and there was one mandatory comeback question always asked to me. I don’t know what to say about it, but now I hope this thing will change in future and there will be no more ‘comeback’ questions being imposed to working women.”

The 51-year-old took a break of five years

A

ctor Priyanka Chopra and husband Nick Jonas have been having the time of their lives ever since they tied the knot in December. After a series of receptions and parties, Priyanka is back into work mode and has been promoting her new Hollywood movie Isn’t It Romantic. Even Nick is getting busy with work and recently revealed the cover of his new single, Sucker. The single will mark the reunion of Nick’s boy band, the Jonas Brothers – Nick, Kevin and Joe. Welcoming the band back to the music scene, Priyanka shared a picture of the song cover and captioned it, “And yes they’re back… and may I say… hotter than ever. So proud of the family #Sucker#JonasBrothers #MidnightET.” Priyanka had commented on Nick’s original post, “Yesss baby!

It’s time! So proud.”

Nick also shared a promo video of their appearance on The Late Late Show. The promo shows host James Corden driving his car through Los Angeles and picking up Joe Jonas on

after starring in 2002’s Devdas. In 2007, she came back on-screen with Aaja Nachle and then was away from films for seven years before featuring in Gulaab Gang in 2014.

She has just featured in the comedy entertainer Total Dhamaal and will soon be seen in Karan Johar’s period drama, Kalank.

Having started her career in Bollywood with film Abodh in 1984, the ‘Dhak dhak’ girl owns a huge body of work despite her sporadic appearances on-screen post-2000.

Not only films, she has featured in several reality TV shows as a judge. She was a part of shows like Dance Deewane and Jhalak Dikhhla Ja, owing to her flawless dancing skills. (Hindustan Times)

the way.

The two are later joined

by Nick and then Kevin Jonas and that’s when Corden asks if this means something.

The Jonas Brothers finally announce that they’re back.

The talk show will mark their return in a series of episodes throughout the week

and will also show a glimpse of their Carpool Karaoke.

Nick and Priyanka recently visited Delhi to attend the roka ceremony of her brother Siddharth Chopra.

The latter got engaged to his girlfriend Ishita Kumar in the capital. Priyanka was later spotted arriving at the Mumbai airport.

Crossword Solution

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Sunday Times Magazine 15

16 Sunday Times Magazine

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Fun Times

Archie

Consider what makes the ARIES most sense and is sustain(March 21- able, and proceed to incorpoApril 19) rate your findings into your everyday routine. Exercise willpower to achieve your goal. Romance is highlighted.

Take better care of your TAURUS physical health and emotion(April 20- al well-being. Anger promotes May 20) chaos and will not solve anything. Look for a diplomatic way to engage touchy situations.

GEMINI (MAY 28June 20)

Consider what's true and what's false. Put greater emphasis on physical changes that you can make to gain strength and emotional stability.

Pick up the pace and see what transpires. Discipline (June 21- and precision will help you July 22) reach your goal. A partnership should be based on equality and mutual understanding.

CANCER

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Dilbert

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Peanuts

Consider your options and choose the one that encourages you to be yourself. Don't let anyone talk you into something you don't want to do or that may be detrimental to your health.

Make a move, attend an event, travel and learn all you can by listening and comparing notes with someone who has valuable information. Don't fold under pressure. Make your own decisions.

Live life your way. Refuse to let someone dictate terms or take charge. It's up to you to stand up and be counted.

Protect your rights.

Avoid a senseless debate.

SCORPIO Know when to walk away (Oct. 24- from a situation that is holdNov. 22) ing you back. Let the past go and make lifestyle changes that suit your needs.

Stick to the truth and don't SAGITTARIUS put up with people who don't (Nov. 23Dec. 21) do so. Separate yourself from situations that aren't conducive to your success or happiness. Focus on being your best.

Take the time and make CAPRICORN the effort to improve your sur(Dec. 22- roundings. The changes you Jan. 19) make will help you relax and enjoy yourself.

Calvin and Hobbes Emotions will surface, AQUARIUS and arguments are likely if (Jan. 20- you don't maintain control.

Feb. 19) Take a moment to consider how to best handle whatever situation you face before you say something you'll regret.

Think before you act.

PISCES (Feb. 20- Emotional matters will esMar. 20) calate quickly if you are too quick to judge. Be cognizant of what others are going through. Listen and offer suggestions.