Guyana Times Monday May 6, 2019

Nationwide coverage coverage from from the the best best news news team team in in Guyana Guyana Nationwide Issue No. 3908 guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON BEACON OF OF TRUTH TRUTH THE

Sunday, May 5, 2019

Fraud at SOCU can damage Guyana’s FATF standings – former CFATF Director Crime spiralling out of control

Guyana not in “really bad state” Page 9 – Ramjattan

…MP calls for Minister to be reassigned or fired

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Fisherman dies in boat accident …several others P14 missing

See story on page 3

NIS denies Berbice woman of pension over 2 contribution shortfall Page 11

Man shot P9 over cattle/ rice dispute in Berbice 40% youth unemployment worrying P16 – economist

Region 10 Chairman/ DREO clash over employee being fired without due process

…replacement P17 hired 24 hrs later

US Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch visited Linden, Region 10; the Guyana Defence Force’s Camp Seweyo; and the US Southern Command team, who are preparing for the upcoming New Horizons exercise. The Ambassador also visited the site of a new community centre in Amelia’s Ward, which will be constructed by the New Horizons military engineers (US embassy photo)

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BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Sunday, May 5 – 05:30h-07:00h and Monday, May 6 – 05:30h-07:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Sunday, May 5 – 16:55h-18:25h and Monday, May 6 – 04:45h-06:15h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Thundery showers can be expected in the morning, followed by right rain showers in the afternoon and early evening. Thundery showers will return later in the evening, with overall temperatures ranging between 23 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly between 2.23 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 04:40h and 17:04h reaching maximum heights of 2.77 metres and 2.71 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 10:37h and 22:51h reaching minimum heights of 0.40 and 0.54 metres.

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Fraud at SOCU can damage Guyana’s FATF standings – former CFATF Director

…being ranked as high risk country will affect everybody

T

he Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) has to investigate financial crimes, but with the tables turned and SOCU being itself under investigation, this can have a negative effect on Guyana’s international status on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) watch list.

This is according to Calvin Wilson, a former Executive Director of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF). Wilson was at the time addressing members of the media attending a training session on oil, gas and energy transparency at Cara Lodge on Saturday.

“If an important arm of the State is deemed to not be efficient at doing its job, in the anti-money laundering architecture, it means that the country is not meeting the international standards to be efficiently implementing the FATF recommendations,” Wilson explained.

“It means when the country is assessed, the report by the assessor will say exactly what (the headlines about SOCU say in the newspapers.

It will identify the deficiencies and based on the ratings in the report, potentially the country can go back into the review for having the shortcomings.”

He gave examples of Trinidad and Tobago and the Cayman Islands, who he noted are being reviewed with their systems having been found wanting by the Task Force during their evaluations. Wilson also spoke of the effects Guyana being blacklisted would have on the economy.

“Potentially, if Guyana continues in this area, if there are no prosecutions, if there are deficiencies in other parts of the architecture, it means potentially the country can be placed on this (review) list.”

Former CFATF Executive Director, Calvin Wilson

Wilson referenced recommendation 19 of FATF, which urges countries and financial institutions to exercise greater diligence when dealing with countries deemed as higher risk. These recommendations including limiting business transactions with such countries.

Following a plenary session in France in 2016, FATF had announced that Guyana would be removed from the global watch list after it was acknowledged to have made progress in addressing AntiMoney Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT).

The state of SOCU, Guyana’s main money laundering investigation arm, came to light when information was leaked to the media from a probe being conducted by the Guyana Police Force (GPF), which had unearthed irregularities that in-

cluded falsified records and missing documents.

According to reports, there was even a case of an official who alleged that his signature was forged. In addition, there are reports of listed expenditure being concocted and receipts being backdated.

Several ranks of the SOCU are expected to be transferred or even have their services terminated following the findings of the report. This was according to Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, who on Friday during a media briefing stated that action will be taken by Police Commissioner Leslie James with regard to the damning discoveries.

“The Commissioner is the head of SOCU as you know. I have seen the report, it is not a very nice report and the Commissioner has told me that he is going to take action.

Operational matters, a Minister must not indulge in and that is an operational matter,” Ramjattan had said.

The Public Security Minister, who is the first Government official to speak about the findings of the audit report, explained that by having changes in a system that is flawed, or in this case, an agency where it is revealed that persons are not serving the purposes that they were contracted to function in, then this is the first key step in rebranding SOCU’s image.

SOCU was established in 2014 on the recommendation of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), and was intended to be a Police unit operating under the authority of the Police Commissioner, but with a close relationship to the FIU.

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SUnDAY, may 5, 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

Indian Arrival Day blues

Today is Indian Arrival Day. One hundred and eighty-one years ago, two ships – the Whitby and the Hesperus, which had left the port of Calcutta more than two weeks apart – serendipitously arrived off port Georgetown on the same day, May 5th, 1838. The receiving depot was not ready to process them, so the <<<<Whitby>>>> was sent to Highbury Plantation, up the Berbice River, to disgorge some of its human cargo. The first Indian set foot on Guyana soil – and in fact in the entire Western Hemisphere – in Berbice.

The arrival of Indians to the then colony of British Guiana was a momentous occasion, one that would irremediably alter the trajectory of its social, economic, cultural and political development. Socially, the society was already “plural”, with the freed African ex-slaves and Portuguese (brought in since 1835) adding to the white planters, overseers and Government officials. There were also the Indigenous Peoples sequestered in the interior, and a “Coloured” strata issuing from the miscegenation between the white planters/overseers and African slave women. They formed a buffer zone between whites and blacks.

The Indians, however, with their vast numbers pouring in for the next 79 years, qualitatively altered the nature of the society; but it was economically that the Indians had their greatest impact. Even before the abolition of slavery, the planters were petrified at the prospects of sugar’s survival in a post-slavery economy in light of the vast tracts of land that were available for the freed slaves to occupy and make their own “living”. And it was this fear at the loss of a stable labour force that drove them to reintroduce “indentured” labour into the industry. In many of the small West Indian islands, there was not even the transitional “apprenticeship” scheme for the freed slaves: they had nowhere to go but return to the cane fields. In fact, over 30,000 of them would be enticed to emigrate to British Guiana, since the conditions here were better.

But the planters had to also cater for the loss of their preferential British market. In addition to a stable work force, they needed a cheap one; and this was where the Indians’ greatest economic impact was felt. While the Portuguese and the Chinese (who arrival in 1853) quickly abandoned the sugar fields at the expiration of their indentureship, the Indians stayed on and facilitated more than a doubling of the production of sugar than in the heyday of slavery.

But how could the Indians survive on wages that the ex-slaves, Portuguese and Chinese balked at? They supplemented their meagre sugar wages by cultivating rice on swampy lands leased or bought from the plantations, and by planting cash crops and rearing cattle to sell their milk.

These endeavours, in time, became substantial industries on their own, and lowered the cost of living for the entire colony.

Culturally, the Indians’ different practices from the “Creole culture”, which had evolved between the African slaves and the white ruling class over hundreds of years, served the interest of the planters, since it helped to nip any ties that might be formed with the freed Africans who remained on the plantations. Interestingly, most of the latter were the small- island immigrants, who were all dubbed “Bajans”.

There were thus two apposed cultural tendencies at work with Indians: encouragement of cultural retention by the planters versus encouragement of cultural assimilation by the educational system, run by the Christian Church.

Today, with no real multicultural education that includes Indian culture, the latter is slowly being eradicated.

But it is politically that the Indians suffered the greatest exclusion. Until the advent of the universal franchise in 1953, they were disproportionally excluded by the poll requirements of education and income. After 1964, they were then severely discriminated against by the People’s National Congress Government in all aspects of national life, which led to mass migration to the US and Canada. Since 2015, those discriminatory policies have returned with a vengeance.

There is precious little to celebrate this Indian Arrival Day.

The Association of Women Police hosted their annual Hat Show and Tea Party on Saturday. In photo are contestants showcasing their radiant hat designs in the compound of the Police Commissioner’s official residence at Eve Leary, Georgetown (Dexter Ceres photo)

Parliamentary motion honouring Abdul Kadir must be revoked Dear Editor, The citizens of Guyana should be deeply troubled by a tribute to convicted terrorist Abdul Kadir, otherwise known as “Aubrey Michael Seaforth”, passed unanimously by all 33 APNU/AFC Members of Parliament on April 26, 2019. Members of the opposition party were not present in the Assembly on that day.

Regardless of one’s ethnic or religious affiliation, Guyanese must demand that members of the esteemed legislative body rescind the motion honouring Kadir. They should do so because it is the morally right thing to do.

Failure to do so sends an extremely dangerous message to criminals and violent Islamist extremists in Guyana and the Caribbean that their evil actions can be erased by having friends in positions of power.

When the heavily scripted Honourable Valarie Patterson-Yearwood stood up in the National Assembly of Guyana and called on her APNU/AFC colleagues to honour the memory of Kadir, she deliberately expunged dark details of his life, and in doing so, made a mockery of the country’s Parliament.

Patterson-Yearwood and the Honourable Audwin Rutherford, who seconded the motion, painted the picture of a “friend” and a “colleague” who was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather to dozens of grandchildren.

Patterson-Yearwood, apparently awed by Kadir’s ability to spawn his seed so profusely, admiringly referred to him as a “fruitful man”.

And so gushing was her praise of Kadir that Patterson-Yearwood made him ten years younger by

getting the year of his birth wrong. Perhaps that sort of mistake can be excused these days on the grounds that this particular group of parliamentarians has recently experienced a heap of trouble in properly adding and dividing numbers.

Patterson-Yearwood got the correct day, time and year of Kadir’s death, down to the specific location of his final resting place, and yet she conveniently omitted the fact that Kadir was a convicted terrorist who died in a US penitentiary in Pennsylvania, USA, as inmate number 64656-053.

Kadir was found guilty by a court in the Eastern District of New York on terrorism charges in 2010 and was sentenced to life in prison. His conviction and the seriousness of it ought to have overshadowed everything that preceded it but that’s not how Patterson-Yearwood reads history.

It is true that during his custody and trial by jury, Kadir had consistently pleaded innocent. Why else would there have been a trial?

He claimed repeatedly that his association with his co-conspirators had nothing to do with attacking John F Kennedy Airport, but rather he was hoping to obtain financial assistance to help build a mosque in Linden, establish trade contacts and rehabilitate the men’s understanding of Islam.

However, Zainab Ahmad, assistant US attorney, disputed Kadir’s version of events.

She asked jurors to consider “what kind of person comes face to face with committed terror, and says, ‘you know, I wasn’t into that idea about blowing up JFK Airport, but he seemed like a great guy to

get into import/export business with.’ The very idea is laughable because it is patently false”.

During the six-week-long trial, US attorneys introduced a mountain of evidence that ultimately convinced members of the jury that Kadir had “a terrible criminal plan to teach America a lesson. A plan to destroy the economy of New York and a plan to take innocent lives”.

It is alarming, therefore, that Patterson-Yearwood would ignore all of this and boldly proclaim to Members of Parliament that “the people of Linden and Guyana have lost a great man, a stalwart, a bold and courageous man”.

Kadir had converted to Islam in the mid-1970s, but eventually, he rejected the Islam practised by the vast majority of Guyanese Muslims and became a devoted follower of Ayatollah Khomeini and a believer in the Shiite Iranian worldwide revolution.

“It is his belief that Shiite Muslims around the world should rise up and throw off the yoke of their Western oppressors,” said Ahmad in her summation to the jury.

Kadir was so devoted to Ayatollah Khomeini’s revolutionary ideals, evidence from his trial shows, that “he has been providing intelligence to the Iranian Government for years”.

To APNU/AFC Members of Parliament who applauded the motion believed that Kadir was a technically competent engineer who travelled extensively, was into martial arts, enjoyed swimming and cycling and was fluent in multiple languages.

But the jurors who found him guilty heard evidence

that it was Kadir’s competence as an engineer, his leadership skills, his authority and influence among a tiny cabal of fellow religious extremists in Guyana and the Caribbean, including the notorious Yasin Abu Bakr in Trinidad and Tobago, plus his contacts in Iran’s revolutionary leadership, that drew his co-conspirators to him in the first place.

The court heard evidence - testimony, documents and photos - that proved Kadir had agreed to present the terror plot to the revolutionary leadership in Iran and that he was about to get on a plane to do just that when he was taken into custody.

What Rutherford said about Kadir is true. He was generous in his financial support for youth sports clubs in Linden. But at the same time, Kadir allowed a bank account associated with his Guyana Islamic Information Centre to be used to launder the funds for the terror attacks in New York.

What is absolutely shocking about this ill-conceived motion is that on August 30, 2017, the Finance Ministry, under the stewardship of Winston Jordan and Jaipal Sharma, froze the financial assets of Abdul Kadir under Guyana’s Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act. What is even more bizarre is that both Jordan and Sharma were present in the Assembly on April 26 when the motion honouring the very person whose assets they froze less than two years ago was passed.

Sincerely, Nazim Baksh Guyanese born journalist in Canada

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SunDAY, may 5, 2019

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Govt must apologise for and recant tribute to convicted terrorist Dear Editor, The honouring of convicted (by an American court) terrorist Abdul Kadir by the Guyana Parliament (and by extension APNU/AFC Government) is shameful and disgraceful. It is very insensitive to America and Guyanese Americans reeling from terrorism on US soil since the 1990s; many Guyanese Americans were victims of terrorism in America. Paying tribute to a terrorist is worse than the ‘feral blast’ prepared

by Presidential Secretary Roger Luncheon, approved by then President Donald Ramotar, and innocently uttered by two PPP MPs in 2014. The Kadir tribute has brought dishonour to the Guyana Parliament. Every Guyanese should condemn and dissociate from this tribute.

Kadir, who admitted that he was part of a plot to kill Americans in a mass terror blast, is not deserving of any praise or honour. In seeking to praise this mass murderer, the APNU/AFC Government has brought the country un-

der international scrutiny and opprobrium. It is a sign of the international reprobation this extremist position has sparked among democratic nations in the West.

This is a very big embarrassment for our country. Those responsible should be held accountable.

The Kadir tribute suggests that the APNU/AFC Government cannot be counted upon to protect America’s interest in the Caribbean region or northeast South America. America should seek to build alliances with NGOs and other political forces willing to secure its interests in Guyana. The idea of Guyana America Friendship Association (GAFA) initiated during the struggle for the restoration of democracy in Guyana in the early 1990s and should be re-birthed and launched in Guyana to take up this issue of building a security strategic and economic alliance with the US. GAFA was formed to foster closer commercial, political, strategic, and diplomatic ties between Guyana and the

United States with the goal of building a strong and durable partnership between both countries.

Contrary to what Government politicians say, offering a tribute to a terrorist in the West is not a trivial matter. Thousands could have been killed or wounded in worse ways than what happened on 9/11. The US Government is upset about the tribute to Kadir and has used strong language condemning the Government motion to honour a mass killer.

The ABC countries did the right thing by condemning the Government for honouring Kadir and the US Ambassador is within her right to criticise the Government. Almost every Guyanese American, save a few Government sycophants, stands by her harsh words against the Government.

As the representative of America in Guyana, it is her right to speak out on matters impacting on her country. Someone plotting to kill Americans is the business of

the Ambassador; he does not deserve recognition.

The diaspora I have spoken with in America and Canada almost unanimously dissociates itself from this tribute to the terrorist Kadir. Only some supporters of APNU, and none who are supportive of AFC, endorse the tribute praising Kadir.

Every PPP supporter strongly condemns the tribute to Kadir. One cannot praise a man plotting to kill people.

The tribute paid to the convicted terrorist was carried on the national news networks in America, bringing ridicule to the Guyanese nation including the hundreds of thousands of Guyanese Americans.

Guyanese Americans could become victims as a result of this tribute to an anti-American terrorist.

The Guyanese diaspora apologises to the American nation and urges the APNU/AFC Government to immediately recant the tribute.

The Government made a blunder to honour this man.

No one could quite understand why the Government

would adopt such an insensitive position as relates to America at a time when America has been cracking down on terrorists and Governments harbouring them. America has done so for Guyana – restored democratic governance in 1992 – that we should not do anything hurtful to Washington.

America is a friendly partner to Guyana siding with Guyana against Venezuela.

America is also responsible for removing the PPP Government in installing the PNC in December 1964 and again in May 2015. Every Guyanese American is hurt by an act of terrorism against America and condemns such an act against their adopted (host) country. The Government seems to have forgotten that there are probably more Guyanese (and their descendants) in America than there are in Guyana and honouring a terrorist would be an issue which would adversely impact them. When Kadir conspired with other Islamic terrorists to blow up JFK, he did not care how

many people would be murdered. Guyanese who use that airport to travel back and forth between Guyana and America would also have been among the victims.

And even if Guyanese would not have been victims, such violence is unacceptable. The world has suffered a lot from terrorism including most recently in Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and India.

The Guyana Government could have spent time and money paying tribute to the victims of terrorism rather than spending so much money and time recognising and praising a terrorist.

The APNU/AFC Government should issue an unqualified apology to the US and to Guyanese Americans for this insensitive act. The nation should pressure the Government to adopt such a position.

And every Guyanese in the diaspora should unswervingly commit to joining in the fight against terrorism.

Yours truly, Dr Vishnu Bisram

Time for Ramjattan to be fired

Dear Editor, Like most Guyanese, I am totally disgusted by all the brutal, senseless killings and barefaced robberies taking place every day throughout the country, and the apparent lack of any coherent plan by the Minister of Public Security to end this escalating crime spree. The ease with which criminals are going about their business, brutalising families in their homes, stripping them of their valuables, their dignity and often, their very lives, is reminiscent of the infamous Burnham era of the notorious “kick down the door bandits”. And Minister Khemraj Ramjattan seems clueless and in denial.

Responding to questions at an AFC press conference last Friday, he said, “Sometimes this thing is emblazoned across the front pages of newspapers giving the impression as though we are in a real bad state, [but it’s] not really true”.

In its editorial of April 23, 2019, the Government propaganda mouthpiece tried to discourage outraged public-spirited citizens from becoming vigilantes by assuring them that the APNU/ AFC Administration is competent enough and “fully capable of enforcing the law, including protecting citizens”.

And shamelessly, the Guyana Chronicle’s editorial concluded that “In the last three years or so, since the APNU/AFC coalition was elected, there has been a steady decrease in crime due to a Government initiative and the police adopting a more intelligence-led approach to crime fighting… In fact, President Granger has emphasised that security is one of the preconditions of the

‘good life’ that Government is committed to delivering to all Guyanese” and that, “crime will not be tolerated”.

But while the Chronicle propagates this hogwash, the nation wakes up every day to independent press reports of an escalating crime wave that’s out of control.

Readers may recall that the newly-elected APNU/AFC Government launched a sixweek gun amnesty nationwide campaign on September 1, 2015, aimed at getting illegal weapons off the streets to reduce the gun-related crime rate. It netted a total of 186 illegal firearms, but most of those were previously used by our indigenous Amerindian brothers for hunting food and protecting their families and livestock from dangerous wild animals in isolated hinterland areas, far away from police protection. The fact that none of these weapons was used to commit a single crime is evident that the campaign was a failure. Most of these hunting rifles have since been returned to their rightful owners.

The years between 2000 and 2010 are often referred to as “The Troubled Period”.

During this decade, there were massacres in Agricola, Bagotstown-Eccles, Bartica, Bourda, Campbellville, Kitty, Lamaha Gardens, Lindo Creek and Lusignan. And despite the promise made by President Granger to set up a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the spate of murders that occurred, only Lindo Creek was singled out for investigation to disparage members of the police force. There is enough evidence in the public domain to suggest that most of the killings done during

this period were politically motivated, and the perpetrators were protected by some in the current Government who prevented the joint services from pursuing the criminals that invaded the village of Buxton.

During his testimony to the Rodney Commission in July of 2014, Staff Officer attached to the G2 Branch (GDF Intelligence Unit), Lieutenant Colonel Sydney Charles James said GDF records show that on August 10, 1979, fifty pistols, 100 magazines, 20 Berretta SMG’s and accessories, fifteen M70 rifles, ten 879 guns, and 11 Light machine guns, among others, were all given to the then Ministry of Mobilisation and National Development. In addition, Staff Officer James told the Commission that seven Smith and Wesson weapons were issued on May 18, 1976, to Robert Corbin, the then Parliamentary Secretary of the Office of the Prime Minister, and former PNC Leader.

During a shootout with armed bandits in the Mahaicony Creek on January 9, 2008, police recovered three guns, including a Beretta submachine gun and an M72 rifle, which the GDF admitted were the property of the army and confirmed that they were part of those issued to the PNC. To date, more than 200 weapons, among them heavy machine guns, issued to the PNC during the 1970s are still unaccounted for.

Repeatedly, the People’s Progressive Party has made calls for the PNC to return the weapons that were issued to the Ministry of Mobilisation and National Development by

the Guyana Defence Force between 1976 and 1979. But so far, Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan and the PNC Leader, President David Granger remain unresponsive. Undoubtedly, if a Commission of Inquiry is held into the “troubled period”, the lies propagated by the PNC-APNU/AFC that the PPP is responsible for the deaths of over 200 Black youths would have a serious backlash on the Government when it is exposed that most of the so-called 200 Black youths “killed by the PPP” include the notorious criminal Rondell “Fineman” Rawlins and his murderous gang killed by the police; policemen that were killed by the criminals; a number of Indo-Guyanese who were also killed by criminals; and even a person who suffered a massive heart attack. These lies, once exposed, would make it difficult for the APNU/AFC to label the PPP as a racist party in an attempt to discourage Afro-Guyanese from joining the PPP/C. For this reason, President Granger will never allow a CoI to reveal who is really responsible for the atrocities committed during the 2000 to 2010 period. And if Ramjattan dares to turn up the heat on these criminal gangs, he may very well discover the source of the missing GDF weapons, putting him in direct conflict with some powerful people in the PNC leadership.

Since 2015, crime has escalated to dangerous levels, prompting the British Government and the US State Department to issue travel advisories to their citizens to exercise caution when travelling to Guyana due to

an increase in crime, citing violent crime, such as armed robbery and murder, as being “common”. Yet, Ramjattan declares it is “not really true”.

Now he wants to increase the academic qualifications for entrance into the Police Force, but fails to give police officers the 20 per cent salary increase they were promised during the 2015 election campaign.

And to add salt to the wound, he took away the one-month tax-free Christmas bonus the Joint Services once enjoyed under the PPP/C. Morals in the Police Force must be very low under his leadership.

In one of his earlier columns, Kaieteur News’ Peeping Tom just about sums it up, “Businesses are being robbed at gunpoint. Workers are being pistol-whipped in the course of these robberies.

Customers are being deprived of their belongings during these robberies. Homes are being invaded and the occupants beaten. Businesses are being robbed. When you go into a shop these days you are tempted to make your purchase quickly because you do not know if while you are there some bandit will come in and rob the place and you in the process. Guyanese are locking their gates and their doors and retiring before it gets dark. They are fearful. This is not the way people should be living in Guyana. The criminals are curtailing the freedom of citizens. The people who voted for change did not expect this state of affairs under the new Government.

Expectations were high that the new Government would cause a reduction in crime.

This has not happened”.

Since Khemraj Ramjattan became Minister of Public

Security, he has brought the entire security sector in disrepute. In March 2016, seventeen prisoners were burnt to death and 11 others injured in what was described as the worst prison riot in our history. Then in July 2017, during the blazing inferno of the Camp Street Prison, a prison officer was murdered and 8 notorious, hard-core criminals escaped, two of whom are believed to still be on the run.

Since then, there have been several more well-organised prison breaks, countless murders and armed robberies that dominate the news behind Government corruption. No doubt, Minister Ramjattan has a difficult job... One he has proven incapable of.

He may well succeed in his bid to replace the egotistical Moses Nagamootoo as his party’s prime ministerial candidate, but the electorate will ensure he never gets the opportunity to serve one day in that capacity.

For all the deaths and the many victims of violence and armed robberies that occurred under his watch, Khemraj Ramjattan has yet to accept ministerial responsibility for his inability to keep our citizens safe. It is now time for the Minister of Public Security to be fired in the public interest, or be reassigned to a Ministry where his incompetence can no longer affect the safety of our people.

Sincerely, Harry Gill PPP/C Member of Parliament Member of the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on the Security Sector

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sUNday, May 5, 2019

Page Foundation How to teach your kids about other cultures

– raising kids with a greater appreciation for differences can help make the world a better place

By Caroline Bologna

A

s racist and xenophobic sentiments fill news headlines, many parents are wondering how to instill values of acceptance and cultural understanding in their chil-

dren.

“It’s important to me for my sons to understand that people around the world are just like them and to have empathy for those people, understanding and real global awareness,” Florida mom Akeelah Kuraishi told HuffPost.

Kuraishi ? who was born in England to a Pakistani father and Scottish mother ? put her mission into practice by creating Little Global Citizens, a subscription box meant to teach kids about different cultures and people around the world.

“Young children don’t have societal preconceptions and I think sometimes we forget that,” she explained. “It’s very imperative to take a stand right now to impact the next generation and make sure they are open-minded, compassionate and aware.”

To offer parents some guidance on this front, HuffPost spoke to Kuraishi and Sonia Nieto, author of Affirming Diversity and professor emerita of language, literacy and culture at the University of Massachusetts Amherst College of Education. Here are their tips for teaching kids about cultural diversity.

Start with books

Both Kuraishi and Nieto recommended having reading material at home that reflects the diversity of our

world, from magazines to children’s books.

“Books offer a great opportunity to teach kids about different countries and cultures to expand their horizons, even just to get them to say unfamiliar names,” Kuraishi noted.

While reading books that involve different cultures, parents should help their children empathise with the characters. They can ask questions like, “Oh, isn’t it interesting that this person lives with their grandparents or their aunties?” or “Wow, they have chickens at their home. Do you think it would be fun to have chickens? What would that be like?”

“Ask them to think about the differences and make sure to highlight the similarities, like ‘This little boy likes soccer just like you!’ or ‘This child is enjoying a book just like you!’”

Kuraishi said.

Find opportunities in your community

“Expose your children to experiences that they might not

ordinarily have and that they can learn from so that as they grow older. They will be comfortable in these situations where they are the only one of whatever background they might be,” Nieto explained. “Exposure is so important. Let them see things they aren’t familiar with yet.”

Nieto recommends taking advantage of community experiences like theater performances, concerts, lectures and museums, which provide a wealth of diverse learning opportunities. While these kinds of experiences are more abundant in large cities, it’s still possible to find them in smaller communities. “You just have to look for it,” she said.

Finding local places of worship can be a helpful route, as they often put on cultural festivals to teach the community about their traditions and allow people from diverse backgrounds to engage with each other.

And although kids might be reluctant to try new things, Nieto noted that it’s all about getting over that initial hurdle.

“It’s just like with food. I’d always ask my kids to try something and said, ‘If you don’t like it, you don’t have to have it,‘” she explained. “But often they would like it, and say ‘Oh yeah this is pretty good.’”

Go to different restaurants

“I think it’s very important to make sure you’re learning from a culture and not about a culture,” said Kuraishi. Going to different kinds of restaurants that are embedded in cultural communities gives kids the opportunity to taste new food, hear other languages and see what people from different cultures wear.

Before visiting restaurants that serve cuisine from a less familiar culture, Kuraishi reads up on it with her sons. “My boys love to learn a few new words in that language and then try them out at the restaurant if we’re lucky enough to go to a restaurant where the staff is actually from the country of origin,” she explained. “People respond so well to it, too. Just dive into restaurants you wouldn’t normally go to.”

Kuraishi also noted that restaurants are a great entry into diverse communities that you can engage with outside the dining experience.

Foster their curiosity

It’s an all-too-common situation: A parent and child are walking down the street when they pass someone wearing unfamiliar cultural garb or speaking another language. And when the child asks about it, the parent shushes them.

Nieto and Kuraishi advise parents not to do, as it assigns a negative connotation to differences. Rather, they should to take an open and positive approach and encourage those kinds of questions as a way to normalize differences.

“Don’t act like it’s a negative thing that you have to speak in an embarrassed fashion about or be concerned to address.

Look at it as a learning opportunity ? to open their minds and expand their horizons. It’s so exciting and fun for them,” said Kuraishi. “Your children are not coming at this from a negative perspective, so make it a positive thing by saying, ‘Oh that’s so cool. I don’t know why she’s wearing this type

of clothing, but why don’t we go and learn about it together?’”

These moments can also open the door to learning. “If a child asks about a woman wearing a hijab, for example, you can just say honestly, ‘Women in other religions sometimes cover their hair as part of their religion and a sign of respect. In other religions, men wear yarmulkes, for example.’”

Know there’s nothing wrong with differences

Pretending not to “see race” or “see differences” doesn’t serve kids well. After all, they learn about differences like colors and shapes early on in their education.

“I think we have a problem here in our country of not wanting to notice differences,” said Nieto. “I’ve met many teachers who say ‘Oh, I don’t see differences black or white.

All of my kids are the same to me.’ But all of your students are not the same. They come with their beautiful differences, and we should acknowledge those because it’s not as if by avoiding them they cease to exist. They do exist.”

Parents set the tone for how children think about people from other cultures and shouldn’t be shy about differences, Kuraishi noted. “We can set their norms,” she said.

Ultimately, parents need to teach their children that people in the world look different, wear different clothes, eat different foods, listen to different music and more. Kuraishi added that laying this foundation can help prepare kids to succeed in this globally connected world, develop better emotional intelligence skills, feel greater flexibility and creativity, and build more confidence in understanding their role and place in life.

Make it natural

“I think the best way for parents to make sure their children experience diversity is to make it a natural part of life,” Nieto said. She cautioned against taking an overly contrived approach. “It’s not to say ‘Go out and make a black friend!’ because that’s not the most natural way.”

Ideally, all families would live in highly diverse communities that naturally exposed their kids to differences, she noted. But as that’s not the reality in the US, Nieto advised parents to get involved politically.

“Work for change in housing policies. Neighborhoods are really segregated by race, ethnicity and social class,” she said.

“If we live such segregated lives, parents may feel like they need to import diversity, which is not very natural.”

Use other media

There helpful digital resources to help kids learn about differences. Kuraishi recommends language learning apps like Gus on the Go, Little Pim, and Duolingo. “There are also some great TV shows, like ‘Super Wings,’ which takes kids on a journey to a different country in every episode,” she said.

“As parents, it’s important to be intentional about what your kids are watching and making sure the children characters are representative of a diverse spectrum.”

Nieto pointed to the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Teaching Tolerance project, which includes resources for educators and other caring adults – as well as a magazine. She is also a fan of Teaching For Change and Rethinking Schools.

Educate yourself

If you don’t feel comfortable having these conversations as a parent, it’s important to educate yourself.

“Often I think we’re stuck in our own silos, and we’re afraid to venture out,” Nieto said. Reading, taking classes, seeing different movies or joining a book club with diverse selections are good ways to start.

“If you read the news right now, you see that our world needs a hefty dose of empathy, and it’s not really taught in schools,” Kuraishi explained. “It’s something we have to teach as families.”

The Little Global Citizens CEO draws inspiration from a quote by author Rachel Naomi Remen: “When we know ourselves to be connected to all others, acting compassionately is simply the natural thing to do.”

“I think that should be a guiding force for our generation of parents to make sure the world is better for our kids,” Kuraishi added. (www.huffpost.com)

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SUnDAY, may 5, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Opposition Leader calls out Govt over selective tendering practice

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

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pposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has expressed concern over the awarding of over $479 million in contracts by the Public Infrastructure Ministry via selective tendering process.

Jagdeo at a recent press briefing told the media that from January 4, 2019 to April 8, 2019, $479.9 million worth of contracts were doled out, with most of them being awarded through the selective tendering process or no tendering process.

“This is unbelievable in three months and most of it is through selective tendering or no tendering and so we have looked at some of the companies that got the contracts. Some are, we checked the registry and we

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson

cannot find any documents incorporating them as a company or with a business registration. That is some of the people who got these contracts. Some who got multimillion-dollar contracts just have a business registration,” he stated.

The Opposition Leader explained that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) is in the process of securing the names of the persons to whom the trademarks of the businesses are registered to, adding that many of them were recently formed. “…most of these were newly formed, you have some fancy names too, like over $6 million to a company called A CREOLE RESTAURANT. Over $6 million, and this is for contracts

in the Ministry of Public Works (Infrastructure), to do public works, one is a creole restaurant… I have some of the names here but I am not going to call the names now because we are checking now for these and you will see again a pattern there, friends and family, what we are seeing everywhere, and this is taking place in the regions, almost every region,” Jagdeo added.

He also spoke about the recent action of the Regional Chairman of Region Nine (Uppe Takutu-Upper Essequibo), Bryan Allicock, who wrote to the Public Procurement Commission to point out that many projects in that region were being awarded without the requisite rules in such processes.

“In the letter that he wrote them, said that approximately 60 projects were awarded and that only 18 were advertised and the rest came from selective tendering and a lot of these are to cronies, cronies and family.

Another recent letter, one of the Toshaos in a village in South Central said that people went in, broke down the fence, and he doesn’t even know how a contract was awarded in his village.

Some contract is awarded but you know the situation that people cannot go into Indigenous villages without permission etc, so that is

taking place right across the country.”

The Opposition Leader added that the PPP has been

vocal about corrupt practices by the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change coalition

Administration since it took office but that there seems to be an increase of such occurrences.

Body of toddler found in Pomeroon River

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The canal where the toddler is believed to have fallen overboard

wo days after falling into a canal at Charity Squatting Area, Essequibo Coast, the body of two-year-old Zaverha France was found floating in the Pomeroon River on Saturday.

According to reports, the toddler was seen floating in the lower Pomeroon sometime around 16:30h on Saturday by a passersby.

Guyana Times was reliably informed that the body was discovered six miles away from where the toddle fell overboard in the canal in front her home in the Charity

Squatting Area.

Her badly decomposed body was recovered from the Pomeroon River and transported to Charity by boat.

It is currently at the Suddie Hospital Mortuary, where it is awaiting a post-mortem examination.

Two-year-old France went missing on Thursday morning after falling overboard.

Based on information received, the child was last seen by her mother, Samantha Layne, at about 09:00h. Initially, the moth-

er took the child to the landing alongside the canal with the intention of giving her a bath.

However, the now depressed woman changed her mind and went back into the yard, taking the child with her. But after a few minutes, the woman could not find the child. She frantically searched every corner of the yard but there were no signs of the toddler.

It is believed that the child went back to the landing to have the bath all by herself and fell into the canal.

8 news

SUnDAY, may 5, 2019 | guyanatimesGY.com

Fly Jamaica to process refunds by July 1 – CCAC …over $8M in reimbursement complaints received

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temming from a discussion between Fly Jamaica and the Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission (CCAC), the airline has given its word to process refunds owed to inconvenienced passengers

by July 1, 2019.

Those passengers were left stranded when a Boeing 757 flight crash landed at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) at Timehri, East Bank Demerara, in November after encountering hydraulic issues.

According to the Consumer Department, it met with the airline on May 2 where they discussed compensation for those travellers. Some 46 complaints have been received so far by the Commission which value about $8, 316, 504, CCAC said.

In attendance at the meeting were the Director of CCAC, Dawn Cush, Consumer Affairs Officer, Feyona Austin-Paul and Senior Investigator, David Kaladin of the Consumer Affairs Unit along with Fly

The Fly Jamaica aircraft that crash-landed

Jamaica’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Paul Reece and Operations Manager, Carl Bowen.

“Resulting from the discussions, Fly Jamaica has committed to work with the Commission to process refunds for consumers by July 1, 2019. Captain Paul Reece expressed his regret at the situation and looks forward to bringing closure to the matter, stating that, refunds to consumers is at the top of the company’s agenda,” the Consumer agency said.

Further, the Commission reminded that it is committed to ensuring that consumers are kept updated on

the developments as it continues to engage the airline on passengers’ refunds.

In a recent interview with this publication, the Consumer Affairs Officer had pointed out that the airline could be hauled before the courts if it fails to compensate affected passengers.

Initially, the airline had promised the Commission to begin payments in March but was unable to do so due to lack of funds. Subsequent to this announcement, Fly Jamaica made its staff redundant at the end of March.

In light of this, the consumer officer explained, “They will be treated just

like a normal supplier and the [Consumer] Act will be enforced against them”.

She noted that it was too early to determine whether the Commission will be forced to take the airline to court or if passengers themselves would have to make that move. Already, two lawsuits have been filed against the airline, both for compensation to passengers. The most recent order was issued in December.

Of the 120 passengers on board the Boeing 757 flight on November 9, 2018, along with eight crew members, at least six were injured during the crash landing.

An 86-year-old woman died one week after the incident as a result of brain swelling.

The flight left the CJIA for Toronto at about 02:10h on November 9, 2018, from the CJIA, but after reportedly encountering hydraulic issues, the pilot returned to the airport where the aircraft crash landed at about 02:53h.

Duo remanded for multiple armed robbery charges

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thirty-five-yearold taxi driver, Rex Blanche, and his alleged accomplice, 19-yearold Michael York, were last week remanded to prison after they were taken before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to face several charges of armed robbery.

Magistrate Leron Daly read the first seven charges to the duo, which alleged that the two, on April 26, 2019,

at Promenade Gardens, Middle Street, Georgetown, while being in the company of others and armed with a gun, robbed Simone Wickham, Marcel Wickham, Amanda Ramcharran, Shawn Ramdial, and Tashana Sanchar of a quantity of items at a total cost of $606,000.

It was also alleged that the duo, on April 29, 2019, at Garnett Street, Kitty, Georgetown, while being

armed with a gun, robbed Orin Hamilton of $5000 and a cellular phone valued $70,000.

Meanwhile, it was further detailed that the duo, while being armed with guns on the same day at Light Street and North Road, Georgetown, robbed Akemo Dasilva of a cell phone worth $113,000.

Attorney-at-Law George Thomas, in a bail application for Blanche, informed

the court that his client suffers from hypertension and diabetes. York was unrepresented.

Police Prosecutor Sanj Singh objected for the defendants, noting the serious nature of the offence and the penalty it attracts.

Magistrate Daly upheld the prosecution’s submission and remanded the duo to prison.

The cases will continue on May 31, 2019.

Departures…

B …and Arrivals

etween 1838 and 1917, some 243,000 Indians were inveigled to Guyana to labour on the sugar plantations. Some of them returned to India, while the others remained to struggle and die to improve their lot and, not so incidentally, also develop their country.

And develop their country they surely did!

They not only saved the sugar industry, which had been hit by a loss of its preferential market to Britain and faced competition from slave-grown sugar, but because they persisted under a regime of falling wages throughout the 79 years of the indentureship programme, the sugar industry was actually EXPANDED to twice its size from the days of slavery!!

But did they develop themselves? They did, but no thanks to King Sugar! They leased and bought patches of swampy land near the sugar plantations; and, using the knowledge the “agricultural Kurmi castes” brought with them from the plains of the Ganges, cultivated rice to supplement the slave wages they received. In fact it was less than “slave wages”, since the freed slaves refused to accept it, and walked off the plantations.

With their ingenuity and hard work, they created a new industry, one which supplanted sugar decades ago.

The immigrants from the Ahir caste, who reared cattle back in India, also parlayed their knowledge for survival by launching that industry that included selling milk to the rest of the populace.

Gold jewellery became another option, since Guyana had gold and the Soniar caste had the knowledge.

Coconut oil was also made by the Teli caste etc…etc.

While it’s been the norm to castigate the Indian caste system for its backward features, the “trade guild” aspect has never been recognised for its role in transforming Guyana.

But with all of that achievement, since the middle of the 1960s, far more than the 243,000 Indians who came here packed up and left Guyana, mostly for the US and Canada. Why’d they do that? It was because the politics of the PNC set up a scenario in the land -- for which they had sacrificed with their blood, sweat and tears -- that made their existence here untenable.

The PNC nationalised the sugar industry, and scooped off the profits with a levy, ensuring their hardearned profit sharing was made moot.

The rice industry was destroyed when the PNC mandated that all paddy and rice be sold to the Government for ridiculously low prices, and then kept the profits made from exports! Racial discrimination against Indians in the 80 per cent of the economy controlled by the PNC Government forced out the white and blue collar Indian Guyanese.

Today, the PNC of David Granger in sugar, rice and the public service is applying the coup de grace.

…in the AFC hierarchy

Nagamootoo had, in so many words, said the last elections were his last hurrah. In fact, he didn’t run for any position in the AFC’s Executive body, and was given an honorary “Elder” role. Not surprisingly, everyone concluded he wasn’t going to put his hand up for the PM slot, which in the new PNC dispensation meant an Indian Guyanese. After all, in addition to relinquishing any formal role in the AFC, which is the entity in the coalition with the PNC, he’d undergone open heart surgery.

Then in stepped Trotman, the current leader of the party, who declared that Nagamootoo ought to have a second stint as PM. Everyone knew where he was coming from: there was always a thinly veiled, low- intensity, internecine warfare waged by him against Ramjattan.

It stemmed from Ramjattan’s refusal to allow him to renege on the agreement that the leadership be rotated between the two of them.

It’s now payback time. And with most of the Indian Guyanese decamping the AFC, Trotman will swing the vote against his bete noir!!

It’s sayonara time, Ramjattan!!

…and loyalty

Ramjattan, however, isn’t going quietly into the night. He’s lining up support within the AF hierarchy to take on Trotman.

He backs the Telecoms Minister’s getting Govt contracts. And him a lawyer!!

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

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SUnDAY, may 5, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Crime spiralling out of control

Guyana not in “really bad state” – Ramjattan …MP calls for Minister to be reassigned or fired

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he impression that Guyana is in a “really bad state” as compared to other countries with regard to the country’s crime rate is “not true”.

This is according to Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan, who at a press conference on Friday said: “sometimes this thing is emblazoned across the front pages of newspapers giving the impression as though we are in a real bad state, [but it’s] not really true”.

He stated that although crimes are occurring, there must be an appreciation of the fact that Guyanese live in a geopolitical space (Latin America and the Caribbean) where interpersonal violence is the highest in the world.

However, this analysis of the escalating crime situation in Guyana did not go down well with Opposition Member of Parliament (MP), Harry Gill; a Member of the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on the Security Sector, who in no uncertain terms called for the Minister to either be re-

assigned or fired as Public Security Minister.

“Like most Guyanese, I am totally disgusted by all the brutal, senseless killings and barefaced robberies taking place every day throughout the country, and the apparent lack of any coherent plan by the Minister of Public Security to end this escalating crime spree,” Gill said in a letter to the editor on Saturday.

He added that the ease with which criminals are going about their business, “brutalising families in their homes, stripping them of their valuables, their dignity and often, their very lives, is reminiscent of the infamous Burnham era of the notorious kick down the door bandits. And Minister Khemraj Ramjattan seems clueless and in denial,” he added.

According to the PPP Parliamentarian, the Government’s news agencies continue to publicise articles which give the impression that there has been a steady decrease in crime since the APNU/AFC coalition was elected but that

independent press reports reveal an escalating crime wave that is “out of control”.

He posited that since 2015, crime has escalated to dangerous levels, prompting the British Government and the US State Department to issue travel advisories to their citizens to exercise caution when travelling to Guyana due to an increase in crime, citing violent crime, such as armed robbery and murder as being “common”.

“Yet Ramjattan declares it is not really true…Since Khemraj Ramjattan became Minister of Public Security, he has brought the entire security sector in disrepute: In March 2016, seventeen (17) prisoners were burnt to death and 11 others injured in what was described as the worst prison riot in our history.

Then in July 2017, during the blazing inferno of the Camp Street Prison, a prison officer was murdered and 8 notorious, hardcore criminals escaped, two of whom are believed to be still on the run. Since then, there have been several

more well-organised prison breaks, countless murders and armed robberies that dominate the news behind Government corruption. No doubt, Minister Ramjattan has a difficult job... One he has proven incapable of,” the MP said.

Gill contended that Minister Ramjattan is yet to accept ministerial responsibility for his inability to keep our citizens safe and is calling for him to be fired in the public’s interest, or to be reassigned to a Ministry “where his incompetence can no longer affect the safety of our people”.

Meanwhile, Ramjattan, in downplaying the crime situation in Guyana, said that “countries like Honduras and El Salvador have murder rates that reach over 50 per 100,000, Jamaica 52 per 100,000, then you go to St Vincent and Grenadines, St Lucia and Trinidad and so on at 32 and 42 per 100,000.

And I am talking about Caricom countries here, we are probably one of the lowest, 15 per 100,000, and of course, that is 15 more than we want to have happening

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan

if we don’t want anything happening in relation to homicides”.

He acknowledged that every day in other Caricom countries there are mur-

PPP MP Harry Gill

ders, many of which are brutal in nature, and that here in Guyana it is largely “domestic violence kind of murders”. There has been an escalation in murders and robberies in Guyana.

Man shot over cattle/ rice dispute in Berbice

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cattle farmer is now a patient of the New Amsterdam Hospital after he was shot twice at his Manchester, Corentyne, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) home.

Injured is Glenroy Collins, 27, a cattle farmer. Reports are Collins was shot during a dispute over his cattle rearing in the suspect’s rice field,

destroying thousands of dollars of rice. This newspaper was told that the shooting occurred on Saturday morning.

The suspect is in Police custody. However, they were unable to locate the weapon.

Earlier this year, several cattle were poisoned as rice farmers retaliated to the destruction of their crop by animals.

10 news EITI calls out miners for non-disclosure of info SUnDAY, may 5, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

‒ GGDMA says info already available through regulatory agencies “The GGDMA recognises that the EITI report, by demanding disclosures of ownership, valuations and profits in a manner outside of the law, will expose local miners to additional criminal targeting and security risks while also creating an easy ledger for bandits to carve up local operators.”

“The GGDMA maintains that all the necessary local agencies, GGMC, Guyana Gold Board and the GRA, are already in possession of this information and cannot see why an additional disclosure should be made that only places miners in additional

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman during the handing over of the EITI Report summary from Deputy Coordinator for the Guyana EITI, Diane Barker

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he recent Extractive I n d u s t r i e s Transparency Initiative (EITI) report into Guyana’s extractive sector has called out certain business establishments for not disclosing their beneficial ownership linkages, but the initiative is now being called out buy the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA).

According to the GGDMA

in a statement, EITI by requiring this information may put miners in a precarious position where criminal elements will have a target to fixate on. The Association claimed that much of this information is available anyway, through agencies such as the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), the Guyana Gold Board and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).

danger of being targeted by criminals.”

The Association noted that besides security concerns from local criminals, Guyana is located next to the destabilised Venezuela.

According to GGDMA, criminal gangs from neighbouring Venezuela are a problem for Guyanese.

“Over the last few years there have been continuous incursions by these types of individuals over our porous borders, with reports of robberies taking place in the interior after which these criminals slip back over to Venezuela undeterred and

no doubt emboldened.”

“We cannot idly stand by and have information publicised that will further whet the appetite of these criminals to target specific miners’ operations and put them and their staff in the way of serious harm and death.

All information is available via the Guyana Gold Board, the GRA or the GGMC and can be accessed by competent authorities if required.”

In EITI’s first report on Guyana, which was recently released, some of the companies who did not

supply names of beneficial owners were Innovative Mining, R Mining Inc, Azeem Baksh, Gold Target Export, Milburn Mahadeo, Grey Wolf Resources and Tesouro Resources.

Also included on the list was Bauxite Company of Guyana (RUSAL), Bosai Minerals Group (Guyana) Inc, El Dorado Trading, J&D Mining, New East International, Higgins Winslow Theophilus, Wal Jays Mining, Harpy Investment, SSS Mineral Trading Ent, and Adamantium Holdings. turn to page 14

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SUnDAY, may 5, 2019 | guyanatimesGY.com

NIS denies Berbice woman of pension over 2 contribution shortfall …pensioner insists she met her requirements

Indian Arrival: Silencing and Erasure

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uyana’s Indian Arrival Day should remind us of leaders in the Caribbean in general, and those in Guyana in particular, who are refusing to acknowledge the legitimacy of the descendants of the indentured Indians as a Caribbean people, entitled to the patrimony of their respective countries as citizens of those countries.

Early on politically, there was their refusal to acknowledge as rational and valid the concerns of the Indians of Guyana about being swamped in a Federation of the West Indies, which those same leaders had worked to define as part of a “PanAfrican” nation. One of them was Sir Arthur Lewis, who worked assiduously to create, and then save the Federation, after Jamaica and Trinidad had pulled out. Without irony, he condemned “democracy” in plural societies as a “zerosum game” and asked in reference to elections in Guyana, where Africans were a minority: “Are we, on counting heads, to conclude that…The Indians of British Guyana may liquidate the Ravi Dev Negroes?”

The Guyanese Indians, however, with even less alarmist concerns, were dubbed “racialists”, not only by the Caribbean Leaders of African descent, but by Cheddi Jagan, their leader. It was perhaps poetic justice that, in splitting hairs on the Federation due to local politics, he was also dubbed “racialist”!!

Indian Arrival Day should compel the examination of the genesis of this denial of legitimacy to West Indians of Indian descent, especially in Guyana. African Caribbean scholars and leaders have taken great pains to insist that Indian immigrants after 1945 entered into an already formed “Anglo-African Creole society”, with a “white bias” in terms of its value system. But they refused to give credence to those values and their evaluative reach vis-a-vis Indians up to the Independence era, even as they fought to recuperate African culture.

The British hegemonic discourse, on one hand, informed the Indians that they were “industrious” and “thrifty”, as opposed to the Freed Africans, who were “lazy, shiftless and improvident”.

But at the same time, the British efforts to proseletyse and “civilise” the Indians gave the Africans the message that they, having imbibed that “civilising” influence for hundreds of years, were socially above the Indians. The latter were uncivilised, backward “coolies”, who were performing menial tasks for wages the slaves had refused.

The history of Guyana is replete with the latter evaluation.

In 1963, addressing his party Congress in the midst of a critical general strike against the PPP Government, Burnham offered his analysis on what he called the “race question”. Indians, he said, were belatedly adopting the values of Guyanese society, but because of their late entry, ”…retained much more than fragmentary traces of their native culture…It must also be recognised that in spite of the new values now becoming part of the Indian repertoire, there is a lag between the forward group and the rest.”

It is this view that the “backward” Indian’s “necessary assimilation” into Creole society demands the jettisoning of his “backward” culture that has led to continued and studied efforts to silence and erase that culture, even though Caribbean governments pay lip service to “multiculturalism”.

At Guyana’s Independence, the national symbols of flag (Garveyite and Ethiopian colours) and National Hero (Cuffy) were ostentatiously of African origin, while the National Motto declared the cultural goal explicitly: One People; One Nation; One Destiny.

By 1970, “Ujaama Socialism” was adopted from Tanzania, after Burnham’s tour of Africa, as Guyana’s philosophy of development, when the country became a republic. Republic Day became commemorated by Mashramani, which was simply an imitation of the Trinidadian carnival under a completely made up “Amerindian” name.

Pan African activists in Trinidad had taken much time and effort to prove the African origin of carnival, even as the PNM adopted it as T&T’s “national” festival. In 1970, there was also the Caribbean Writers and Artists Convention – with less than a handful of Caribbean Indians invited. Many of the attendees had been at the Oct 1968 “Montreal Congress of Black Writers of 1968”, which had led to Rodney’s Jamaica Black Power riots.

A flavour of the times can be gleaned from the play staged at the Theatre Guild at the time: My Name is Slave. A “Caribbean Festival of the Arts” (CARIFESTA) was proposed and launched in 1972. Representation of Indian culture in the WI has always been, at best, a token gesture. And the silencing and erasure of a people continues unabated, economically, culturally, socially and politically.

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Number 40 Village, Berbice woman was denied her pension from the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), after being short of the intended target by $1000, which is equivalent to two contributions.

Guyana Times understands that Ingrid Arthur, who was employed by a State institution is now 61 years of age, having worked from 1997 to 2014. After Arthur was laid off, she received a correspondence from the NIS office, where it was confirmed that her contributions were intact. In fact, she was required to make 750 contributions but made 752 instead, which qualified her to be paid her monthly pension.

However, six months prior to her 60th birthday, she received another contribution statement which showed that she made 748 contributions to the Scheme, having a shortfall of two contributions.

Speaking with this publication, a close associate of the

The document sent to Ingrid Arthur showing she met the NIS requirement

woman, Patrick Hamilton, said that the situation regarding Arthur is “outrageous”.

“She worked from 1997 to 2014. She had received a doc-

ument which said that she reached the contribution in 2014. Then last year, I don’t know how they revise it and told her that she was short by

just $1000. It’s the same people that check and verify in the first instance. When you look at the calculation, its two contributions that she is short by.”

He stated that NIS offered the woman a payout of $100,000 by having her sign a document. However, she rejected the offer. The woman is standing by the first calculation sent to her by NIS. “They offered her a $100,000 payout but she didn’t take the money. She wanted to know what was going on,” he stated. The woman has been unable to get any proper explanation from NIS. This newspaper’s call to senior officials at NIS went unanswered.

In the last financial statement issued by NIS, it had shown a deficit of over $800 million. Since the dismissal of thousands of sugar workers and the firing of about 2000 Amerindian Community Support Officers (CSOs), financial analysts have outlined worry about the financial status of NIS.

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SUNDAY, may 5, 2019

guyanatimesGY.com

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14 news for the Fisherman dies in boat accident Preparing impending ban on singleuse plastics ‒ Part 1 A SUnDAY, may 5, 2019| guyanatimesgy.com

Corentyne, Berbice fisherman died on Friday after a boat collision at sea.

Dead is Rudra Persaud, 51, of Number 77 Housing Scheme, Corentyne, Berbice.

Reports are Persaud was the captain of the vessel Rosanna 1. The incident reportedly took place in the Atlantic Ocean at a place called “Long Pole” in Surinamese waters.

This newspaper was told that the incident occurred just around mid-

night. Reports are the crew of five was awakened by a loud crashing sound on their boat. According to information, another vessel was in the water but Rosanna 1 began to sink.

The men then cut their seine and started the engine, hoping to make it to shore but the boat continued to take in water.

The others in the boat were Premdat Sohan of Number 55 Village, who is currently hospitalised with a broken rib and burns from

Dead: Rudra Persaud

gasoline, which had spilt on him; Sukhpaul Kaiso, 26, of Number 77 Housing Scheme; Ravindra Persaud, 23 (son of the dead man), and Shazad Ally, 17. Kaiso told this publication that they tried to use the ice box to float to no avail.

“We nah see nothing but the boat was leaking and

within three minutes, the boat gone down. We hold on the icebox and float on it for hours until 03:00 this morning (Friday) then we get rescue,” the man said.

According to the father of one, Persaud told them that he was not going to make it.

“When we already near fuh reach the boat he make two blow and that was it.

Is the cramp and he does suffer from high pressure and was heavy rain…” The rescue boat, he said, pulled up the front half of a wooden speed boat in its seine.

Meanwhile, the dead man's wife referred to him as a very kind person who always took care of the family. The fishermen were expected back in Guyana on Saturday.

Persaud leaves to mourn his wife and two children.

(Andrew Carmichael)

EITI calls out miners...

Among the companies who complied with EITI’s requirements for information sharing were Excel Minerals Inc, Dinar Trading, Pure Diamond Inc, and Mohamed’s Enterprise.

Beneficial ownership is a term used in law to indicate someone who, while not being registered as the own-

from page 10

er or a beneficiary, benefits anyway.

The report also revealed that the extractive industry in Guyana, particularly gold mining, has contributed to 65.1 per cent of Guyana’s total exports for 2017.

According to the report, total revenues from the sector in the 2017 fiscal year amounted to $20.8 billion.

The Guyana Gold Board, to which gold declarations are made, accounted for 33 per cent of this revenue. This is followed by the Guyana Revenue Authority, 32 per cent and the Finance Ministry, 18 per cent.

Gold and other minerals contributed $17.4 billion or 84 per cent of revenue from the extractive industries.

On the other hand, oil and gas contributed $2.8 billion or 14 per cent. Bauxite, one of Guyana’s oldest industries, contributed $479 million or two per cent.

However, GGDMA criticised the report for the way in which it characterised the small and medium-scaled miners.

Participants at a single-use plastics conversation t seems as though a new gruesome image or video of a marine animal suffocated by plastics gets uploaded to social media every day. By now you probably have heard the stories of marine animals being washed up on shore with their stomachs full of plastics. These stories and images are graphic, but often we may catch ourselves thinking that if plastics are so bad, why do we continue to use and produce them?

Plastics are easy to use and transport materials; it is impossible to imagine life without them -- just take a look around you. However, plastics actually have far-reaching negative effects on the environment, prompting the international community to rethink how we use and dispose of these materials, especially single-use plastics.

As Guyana continues to transform itself into a Green State, the country has announced that, by 2021, there will be a ban on single-use plastics. Within the next few weeks, the Environmental Protection Agency will write a series of articles on single-use plastics with the intention of keeping the public up to date as we move towards phasing out these materials.

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What are single-use plastics?

Single-use plastics are designed to be used once before they are thrown away. These items can include plastic bags, straws, cups, spoons, forks, soda and water bottles, and most packaging.

Globally, approximately 300 million tons of plastics are produced each year, and more than half are single-use plastics.

Plastics that are less than 35 microns thick cannot be reused, and typically end up in landfills and water bodies.

Most plastic bags, for example, are less than 35 microns. Plastic bags are made from a polymer substance known as polyethylene.

Polyethylene is manufactured from ethylene, which is commonly extracted from natural gas (petroleum). Ethylene is treated to become a polymer (large molecules), forming long chains of carbon and hydrogen atoms. These chains can vary, depending on the type of polyethylene being used, but they all help to create various types of plastic bags. When exposed to heat, light and oxygen, these polymers disintegrate into small fragments, and can remain in the environment for prolonged periods of time.

What is the EPA doing about this?

Last year, the Agency, as part of its World Environment Day celebrations, hosted through Regions 2, 4, 6, 7 and 10 a number of public conversations around single-use plastics. To this end, the Department of Environment and the Environmental Protection Agency collaborated in not only informing stakeholders of the move, but also to garner support, particularly from the private sector.

A total of one hundred eighteen [118] persons attended the “Single-Use Plastics Conversations” throughout the regions.

The conversations were intended to get initial feedback from citizens on their thoughts on the impending ban. Data from those conversations showed that citizens are open to the ban, since it would reduce pollution in the environment.

However, they asked for a matrix to test biodegradable alternatives. In some regions, citizens recommended adding a tax to plastic bags as a way to encourage shoppers to bring their own reusable shopping bags.

Citizens also suggested that the EPA work closely with the Police department to enforce the ban.

As we approach World Environmental Day 2019, the Agency will continue the “Single-Use Plastics Conversations” with citizens of Guyana through a number of public events engaging supermarkets, vendors and other businesses.

How can a citizen be prepared for the ban?

As we continue with this series focused on single-use plastics, we encourage you to read and follow the conversation. However, awareness goes only so far; a move away from single-use plastics involves an attitude change towards the reliance on single-use plastics.

Citizens do not have to wait for the ban to make small changes to reduce their plastic footprint. For starters, you can take up the single-use plastics challenge this week. The Agency challenges you to do two simple things to reduce your plastic footprint. First, encourage your family members to take a reusable bag when shopping. Secondly, remember to pack your reusable cutlery and water bottle in your lunch bag this week.

Feel free to tag us on social media. Remember, we are agents of change, and can always change our habits with practice. No matter how small, we need you to do your part as we move towards a sustainable Guyana.

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, may 5, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Media freedom essential for democracy during elections – UN rep

ExxonMobil Guyana granted approval for its Liza Phase Two operations in Guyana

- What does this mean for Guyana, and how can Guyana benefit from its massive oil wealth offshore?

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he Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a local regulatory agency in Guyana that has responsibility to take the necessary measures to protect, conserve, manage and improve the environment, has granted approval for ExxonMobil to commence its Liza Phase Two operations in Guyana through its subsidiary, namely Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL).

There are many public discussions and debates from commentators and analysts alike regarding whether Guyana can benefit from its oil wealth offshore. The question is: how should Guyana spend the potentially massive wealth it is poised to earn in less than two years’ time? The most recent such public pronouncement was made by the General Secretary of the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) in its Labour Day celebration in Georgetown -- a national holiday event in Guyana. In his speech at that forum, he made calls for free education and nationwide healthcare.

There was also a suggestion put forward by a prominent professor of economics for cash transfers of US$5,000 to be made to each household, among other things.

In the analysis that follows, the author, for now, examines the cash transfer debate within the context of Guyana’s economic development and status, and how economically sensible some of these proposals might be in the long run. Proponents of this proposal are of the view that a policy of this nature would aid in poverty reduction, and is perhaps the best mechanism by which every Guyanese would be guaranteed direct benefit from the oil & gas production operations in Guyana; especially since this new sector would not provide a fantastic amount of job opportunities for locals.

The contrary view of other analysts and economists alike is that such a policy would engender hyperinflation, and may not be fiscally sustainable.

In my analysis, I would therefore explore a broader spectrum of implications of the proposed cash transfer policy.

Guyana’s population is roughly 750,000 people. So, assuming that each household in Guyana has an average number of four (4) persons, then using four as the denominator and the population size as the numerator, this computation would give rise to 187,500 households.

For simplification, the total average number of households is rounded to 200,000. Therefore, an annual cash transfer of US$5,000 from the potential oil revenue would cost US$1.0 billion, or Gy$206.5 billion annually.

This figure of Gy$206.5 billion is equivalent to 50.8 per cent of real GDP (2017), which was Gy$406 billion, and represents 82.6 per cent of the size of the National Budget for 2017, which was Gy$250 billion.

Further, considering competing priorities and opportunity costs, the new Demerara Bridge is estimated to cost some US$150 million; the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Expansion Project is some US$150 million; the engineer and design cost to build the road linking Guyana and Brazil is about US$10 million – assuming that road might cost about US$20 million. These figures combined give rise to a sum total of US$320 million, or Gy$66 billion; which means that a total cash transfer of Gy$206.5 billion annually to each household could -almost three times -- cover the combined cost to build a new bridge over the Demerara river, the International Airport expansion project, and the road linking Guyana to Brazil.

That being said, it is important to note that the net cash flow from oil commencing from 2020 would not reach US$1.0 billion; which means that -- if considered, and at whatever figure -- such a policy is unlikely to take effect at the immediate onset of oil production. During the first two years into production, net revenue from oil is estimated at just over US$300 million; from 2022 to 2025, at a production rate of 220,000 bpd, net revenue is estimated to be at about, or just over, US$750 million but less than US$1.0 billion. When production is significantly increased to 300,000/500,000 bpd, net revenues would reach and/or surpass the US$1.0 billion mark (note that these estimations are based upon ExxonMobil’s production alone); but this level of increased production is likely to occur until after 2025.

In the synthesis of current global evidence of the impact of cash transfers in developing countries -- and of what works in different contexts, and/or for different development objectives -- it has been found that such transfers have proven potential to contribute directly or indirectly to a wider range of developmental outcomes.

Essentially, cash transfers are direct, regular, and predictable noncontributory cash payments that help poor and vulnerable households to raised and smooth incomes. The term can be administered through a range of instruments, such as social pensions, child grants or public works programmes; and a spectrum of design, implementation and financing options (DFID, Evidence Paper, 2011).

Henceforth, perhaps if the Government of the day were to decide on the cash transfer policy, the current proposed methodology, inter alia, the direct cash transfer to each household may indeed fuel hyperinflation – an undesirable outcome policymakers would have to guard against. As such, it would probably be better to consider other instruments; or, even better, a combination of different instruments to administer such programmes. For example, grants geared towards promoting entrepreneurial activities might be a better way to do so, as against direct cash transfers annually to each household. Or careful thought should be given to the eligibility criteria for cash transfers; for example, the high income (the rich) class should not be eligible.

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

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orld Press Freedom Day was celebrated on Friday with many sentiments expressed about the role of journalists in providing impartial information during the election period as well as the need for media freedom.

United Nations Resident Coordinator, Mikiko Tanaka emphasised the importance of press freedom to the presence of democracy during the electoral period. She also hinted that Government has a role to play in ensuring the safety of media representatives during elections. This statement came in light of the political climate in the country over the past months following the passage of the No-Confidence Motion in December 2018.

Tanaka explained that the single guiding principle underlining the role of the media in elections is that without media freedom and pluralism, democracy is not possible.

“This has been underlined in the decisions of numerous international entrepreneurs.

It has also been stated very clearly by the United Nations reporter on freedom of expression, who elaborated a series of steps that Government should take to guarantee freedom of media during elections.”

It was expounded that the media’s role is extremely important in the aftermath of elections. As such, during the fight against violence against journalism, she cautioned against other developing issues, such as fake or misleading news.

“Election outcomes and the aftermath are critically affected by political discourse and communications, including the role of the media in relation to the polling process. As we fight against censorship, media closure and violence against journalists around the world, we also need to be better equipped against new phenomenon such as fake news and misleading media outfits which distort reality and inflame tension,” she stated.

The UN representative also sought to mention that within the election season, there should be freedom of opinion and responsible journalism.

“The freedom to report the news and to express opinions is especially important during the electoral context. Ethical and responsible journalism during an electoral campaign reduces tensions, informs the electorate and creates the space which, to exchange ideas and reach compromise.”

Meanwhile, British High Commissioner to Guyana, Greg Quinn also used the opportunity to stress on the media’s role during elections to provide transparent information.

“Journalists are a vital component in ensuring that voters have reliable, impartial and accurate information upon which they can base their decisions…Voters need to be able to make their own decisions, but journalists must be able to provide the information to allow that to

UN Resident Representative Mikiko Tanaka

British High Commissioner Greg Quinn

Canadian High Commissioner Lilian Chatterjee

happen,” he said.

His words were accompanied by those of the Canadian High Commissioner, Lilian Chatterjee who stated, “Canada believes efforts to advance media freedom must seek to protect both the media’s right to speak and the public’s need to access information of public interest and value, in order to exercise their democratic right”.

This year’s theme was “Media for Democracy: Journalism and elections in times of disinformation”. It is indeed timely in Guyana, given the political uncertainty ever since the December 21, 2018, No-Confidence vote in the National Assembly and the events which unfolded subsequently after.

Out of 180 countries assessed during the 2019 Reporters Without Borders for freedom of information (RSF) World Press Freedom

Index, Guyana was placed at 51, which is an improvement from previous rankings. The RSF, however, stated that in Guyana, journalists still face hurdles in executing their duties, and some of the present laws that the country has implemented can land a journalist in jail despite the Constitution guaranteeing free speech and the right to information. The RSF also stated that officials locally often use various pieces of legislation – including defamation laws, which provide for fines and up to two years in jail – to silence opposition journalists. This is as a result of the Cybercrime Bill that was passed into law in July 2018 in Guyana. According to the media advocacy body, the Cybercrime Bill restricts the freedom of certain media outlets which are denied licences, and recent attempts to improve regulation of the

broadcast industry involved no consultation with any broadcaster. This, the RSF pointed out, means that locally, journalists are still subjected to harassment that takes the form of prosecutions, suspensions, and intimidation.

This will lead to local journalists being censored due to editorial or company policies.

The threat remains at large that Government officials can use the laws of Guyana to persecute and prosecute journalists if their articles are not “in keeping” with how they wish the publicity to be. This, therefore, by itself, is an infringement on the rights of journalists, and in contradiction of Guyana’s Constitution.

Last year was considered one of the deadliest years for journalists with over 95 media workers killed. Additionally, some 340 were detained and 60 were held hostage.

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SUnDAY, may 5, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

40% youth unemployment worrying – economist

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Economist, Dr Tarron Khemraj

ith a Government Minister having revealed recently that Guyana’s youth population has a 40 per cent unemployment rate, an economist, Dr Tarron Khemraj, has described the situation as one of worrying proportions.

In an interview with this publication, Professor Dr Tarron Khemraj noted that even industrialised

and developed countries going through their economic depressions did not reach this stage. “…the 40 per cent unemployment is [worrying].

The United States and Greece during their worse crisis and depression did not reach that level,” Dr Khemraj related in his interview with this publication.

Dr Khemraj explained that there are different kinds of unemployment such as frictional, structural, disguised and cyclical unemployment, each of which, he noted, requires a different kind of policy solution.

Frictional unemployment is one that results from workers transitioning between jobs. On the other hand, structural unemployment comes from industrial reorganisation.

Disguised employment are cases where persons who are unemployed appear to

A section of those gathered at the Government’s job fair which was held last month

be employed, while cyclical unemployment relates to economic fluctuations.

“There is no short-term solution that will work in 6 months, in spite of what politicians say,” the economist advised. “It will take about two to three years to get some of the short-run problems fixed,” the economist noted.

“Another problem is we don’t have a good measure of unemployment in Guyana even though the present MOF said they will work on getting monthly labour market surveys,” Khemraj also observed.

Compared with the 40 per cent unemployment, which was quoted by Social Cohesion Minister Dr George Norton, Dr Khemraj noted that 25 per cent unemployment is consistent with an economic depression.

Last month, Government had hosted a job fair attended by hun-

dreds of youths. At the time, Dr Norton had said that the job fair was inspired by the large amount of jobless youths, amounting to 40 per cent.

“Statistics show that approximately 40 per cent of the youth population in Guyana is unemployed.

The Department of Youth recognises this scourge, seeks to bring Private Sector and Government agencies together to tackle this growing issue,” he explained.

It is against this backdrop that the Department of Youth decided to host

its first youth fair at the National Sports Hall.

The high rate of youth unemployment has triggered a number of negative effects. Only in January, the Caricom Secretary General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque said that 80 per cent of prosecuted crimes are committed by youths between the ages of 19 and 29.

In February, Chartered Accountant Christopher Ram, told Guyana Times that unemployment will present a major challenge in the coming years.

Ram spoke of some of the reasons for Guyana’s low employment rate and also expressed the belief that not enough attention is being paid to its economic and social side.

“Part of the problem we have is that we have a very low wage economy,” Ram had said, adding “and it discourages people entering into the employment sector. If you get the minimum wage and you have to spend 20 per cent of it on transportation alone, it’s not a great motivator for you to work”.

Labourer jailed for escaping from Police custody

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39-year-old labourer was last week sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment after he admitted to escaping from Police custody.

Roy Abrahams stood before Magistrate Leron Daly and admitted that on April 24, 2019, he escaped lawful custody from the Alberttown Police Station.

The court was informed that the labourer was ar-

rested and placed in custody on a simple larceny allegation.

Police Prosecutor Sanj Singh stated that Abrahams was handcuffed and placed in the inquiry department to sit but he managed to open the handcuffs and ran out of the police station. He was eventually recaptured on May 2.

However, after admitting to the offence, Abrahams

told the court that he was being locked up regularly and this caused him to escape.

“They keep locking me up steady steady, so I had to find a way to escape…I pick the lock and I beat out. They catch me back though,” Abrahams told the court.

Magistrate Daly sentenced the defendant to nine months in prison.

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SUnDAY, may 5, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Region 10 Chairman/DREO clash over M&CC requests employee being fired without due process status of leases

…replacement hired 24 hrs later

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hairman of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice), Renis Morian expressed his disappointment during a recent statutory meeting after it was found that an employee was dismissed without following standard procedures.

The unilateral dismissal was brought to the attention of the Council

by Councillor Mavis Lewis, who informed that an employee by the name of Rockell Bailey was removed from her position as supervisor of a hostel in Kwakwani by acting Regional Education Officer, Sonia Fraser.

Bailey was told that her services were no longer needed and subsequently replaced with a one-day notice.

The Chairman, who was seemingly displeased stated, “I want to say that the placement of staff should not be news to this Council. I want to sound it clear to administration and education. This Council here oversees everything that happens here and on behalf when Council is out of session, the Regional Chairman fits in for Councillors and updates Councillors.

I must not come here and hear that a staff was sent, a staff had to go and this Council didn’t hear so I am asking that this practise stop from

Region 10 Chairman Renis Morian

today. This Council manages the affairs of this region”.

He reminded Heads of Departments attending the RDC meeting that the regional administration will not tolerate such inefficiencies.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Regional

Executive Officer (DREO), Maylene Stephens, sought to respond, saying that she only became aware that the previous supervisor was fired and a new one was hired.

She disclosed that the acting REDO took an application for the new supervisor to the Personnel Department and it was decided to fire the supervisor and employ a replacement immediately.

She disclosed that the Personnel Department sought advice from the Public Service Commission and was given the green light to proceed with the employment of the new supervisor.

The Regional Chairman expressed his dissatisfaction at the situation, dubbing it as being very disturbing.

He declared that while the region is seeking to have a number of vacancies, there are persons who are being dismissed without due process.

He continued, “We have done this woman a great injustice and this Government don’t work like that because we are not a cowboy administration where you just knock off someone because you feel like and let me say this I am going to write about this because education has certainly acted outside of their remit”.

Starr Computer engages international partner on Guyana’s ICT sector

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APC Regional Director Franklin Guerrero

tarr Computer in accomplishing its 2019 agenda, has brought in its international partner, APC, to aid in developing Guyana’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector particularly in crucial areas such as data security and power management.

The electronics company has been an authorised APC brand re-seller and partner for over two decades, and playing its part in educating and developing the local ICT sector, Starr Computer has facilitated an APC visit which is aimed at engaging businesses, Government and other corporate entities on issues relating to data security and power management solutions within Guyana.

APC’s brand was acquired by the Schneider Company and offers custom, informed solutions to customers’ most complex IT challenges. Their portfolio includes power protection for the consumer, small businesses, data centres and

hospitals as well as a level of unmatched after-sales services for their products.

APC’s Regional Director, Franklin Guerrero in presenting an overview of the Schneider Company which developed the APC brand, disclosed that Guyana is one of those new economies that account for 41 per cent of the company’s overall sales.

He further revealed that the Schneider Company is independent as it uses its own manufacturing facility to distribution centres.

“We have 41 per cent of those sales comes from new economies, so that’s very important, all new economies and Guyana is a new economy and it’s impacting positively on our sales…we do own of manufacturing facilities, development facilities, our distribution centres so everything is owned by Schneider” he explained.

The Regional Director further asserted that Guyana being a new economy, will be subjected to significant economic growth due to the country’s emerg-

ing oil and gas sector, since new economies out pay mature economies.

“New economies will continue to out pay mature economies, mature economies; for you to grow those economies it is going to be more difficult. All the competitors, all the manufacturers are focusing on mature economies, new economies and emerging economies are extremely important for us and you guys in Guyana are going to experience incredible growth because of how the oil and gas will develop in the country…. you will see tremendous change in Guyana because of that” Guerrero noted.

Some of the products and services offered by APC through Starr Computer includes Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), network and servers, surge protection and power conditioning, voltage regulators, software services and product-based services among others.

The event was attended by staffers of Starr Computer, including President of Starr Computer, Mike Mohan, and APC Business Development Manager, Jeneive Simmons, this adds to the recently launched Innovation Centre

by Starr Computer that pro-

vides technologies which aims to prepare young minds for the world that is technologically advanced.

from all leasees

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n light of the discovery that many lease agreements issued to private citizens are either unutilised or expired, the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has requested all lease holders to claim the status of these properties.

The Council stated that this procedure is viewed as an important step to ensure accountability and should be carried out in an urgent manner. Adding to that, some lands which were owned by the local organ body are now managed by the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission.

Both the GLSC and the M&CC are expected to meet, where the status of properties within Georgetown will be addressed.

Just last year, the Commission of Inquiry into City Hall’s operation showed that former Town Clerk, Royston King leased lands to a private company, which the Council did not have jurisdiction over.

The report concluded that King leased lands to Quick Shipping Incorporated at Lombard Street, which were owned by the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL). Throughout that time, the company argued payments of $625,000 were

made on three occasions but there were only receipts at the Council for two disbursements.

While many stakeholders had testified before the Commission, King was subpoenaed and posited that he was “unaware” or couldn’t “recall” most of the incidents.

NICIL provided statements to the Commission which positioned that they acquired the property in 2002.

The Guyana National Engineering Corporation (GNEC) would have vested all of its assets to NICIL and they became the lawful owner. However, King leased the land to a shipping company where “questionable” payments were made.

Prior to his dismissal in January, King appeared before the Local Government Commission to answer to the findings of the report and was also requested to present dialogue on other matters. However, his refusal to discuss the impeachments which were brought against him triggered a decision on the part of the Commission to dismiss him with immediate effect.

King was sent on administrative leave on September 21, 2018, where he was never reinstated to perform his duties.

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sunDAY, May 5, 2019

guyanatimesgy.com

Arrival Day Messages

Let’s value the sacrifices of our ancestors – PPP T

he People’s Progressive Party (PPP) takes this opportunity to extend greetings to all Guyanese, home and abroad, on the occasion of Arrival Day. May 5, the designated day, is of much significance in commemorating the arrival of our ancestors who came to these shores from various parts of

the world.

They braved the dark seas during their gruelling journey here, at different points of our history, and laboured to make this land their home.

Despite the hardships faced, they were resolute in their endeavours to preserve their cultural traditions and values which have shaped our lives.

Their selfless sacrifices in that regard led to the creation of the rich and colourful mosaic which encompasses our multifaceted nation.

This diversity has become our strength as we share and participate in the various festivals that have come to identify us as a people.

May 5 also marks the ar-

rival of our Indo-Guyanese ancestors, beginning in 1838.

Across our country, there will be many activities to commemorate this event and others that have come to signify Arrival Day. Our party also takes this opportunity to commend all those who have worked steadfastly over the years and who

continue to do so in the promotion of activities designed to foster and preserve our history, values and cultural traditions which have become shared; demonstrative of the strength in our diversity.

As we participate, our party urges reflection on the valiant efforts of all of our fore-parents so that we can

continue to be inspired and to better contextualise the value of our gains. This will ensure that we remain determined to build upon our gains and that our country remains a place for all of its sons and daughters.

Happy Arrival Day to all!

PNCR Arrival Day message 2019 Guyanese have always found ways to foster togetherness – ERC O n the occasion of the 181st Anniversary of the arrival of East Indians to Guyana, the PNCR salutes all Guyanese of East Indian descent and those in the diaspora who are celebrating this milestone in the nation’s historical calendar. The party recognises the valuable contributions that our East Indian brothers and sisters have made to the development of our country and the shaping of the cultural tapestry of this nation. The

PNCR, therefore, salutes all our East Indian brothers and sisters on this special commemorative day.

When the PNCR, in the 1980s, inaugurated the concept of celebrating the arrival of the respective ethnic groups of this nation, the intention was to deepen an understanding of the culture of these groups and so promote greater understanding and racial harmony as tools for nation-building. The party held at all times that such a

course of action was absolutely necessary for welding the nation into a single whole out of the various groups which emigrated here from the various continents of the world.

As we reflect on this historic milestone, it is the wish of the PNCR that the occasion would be used to indulge ourselves in activities designed at forging and moulding a destiny of racial and cultural cohesion so necessary for building an economically strong and vibrant nation.

IAC points to sharp downturn in Guyana’s economy on Arrival Day

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he Indian Action Committee (IAC) wishes all Guyanese a Happy Arrival Day, and, especially, calls upon all citizens to remember the 181st Anniversary of the Arrival of East Indians to Guyana. The IAC, an organisation which promotes and preserves Indian culture and deals with the issues and concerns of persons of Indo-Guyanese origin, over the years, has provided Guyanese with historical information regarding the arrival of just over 239,000 Indian immigrants who came to this country aboard 245 Coolie Ships which made a total of 534 voyages across the Kaalaa Paanii between 1838 and 1917.

The IAC has also clarified and corrected statistical errors pertaining to the arrival of the first two Coolie Ships, the Whitby and the Hesperus, which, between them, landed a total of 423 persons including 382 indentured males, 14 indentured females, 21 chil-

dren and 6 Christian AngloIndian interpreter/superintendents.

The IAC, as the organisation has done over the years, continues to recognise the endeavours by these Indian immigrants and their descendants, the persons of Indo-Guyanese origin, to develop this country.

The IAC, which has recognised important contributions by giving awards to persons from Berbice, Demerara, and Essequibo, is aware that tens of thousands of East Indians have made valuable efforts in all fields of human activity in this country including business and commerce; banking and finance; the sugar and rice industries; coconuts and other crops; fishery and livestock; mining and quarrying; forestry and sawmilling; education and academia; medicine and law; journalism and communications; accounting and insurance; private and national security; the hospi-

tality and aviation sectors; the alcohol and beverage industries; sport and entertainment; culture and religion; and politics and governance.

As all Guyanese share in this commemoration, the IAC is cognisant of the sharp downturn in Guyana’s economy over the past few years, evidence being the steadily declining economic growth rate and the worrying fact that the country’s foreign currency reserves have dropped by about US$400 million since 2009; and in combination with global economic events, hardships have fallen upon the poor class of Guyanese especially those dislocated in the sugar industry and those in the rice industry that are currently threatened by a major paddy bug infestation.

The IAC is saddened by the surge in criminal activities in recent years and is shocked and horrified at the almost daily attacks on persons of Indo-Guyanese ori-

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he Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) extends best wishes to all Guyanese on the observance of Arrival Day. This day, May 5, commemorates the profound historical period of indentureship which began in 1838. We celebrate the enrichment of diversity that Arrival Day embodies in the shaping of modern Guyana.

Arrival Day is most significant for what it represents in the context of the multi-faceted mosaic it created and for which our country is known.

Our hodgepodge of multiculturalism was as a result of the untold sacrifices, desires and steadfastness of our ancestors, to practice and preserve their rich and colourful cultural traditions, having come to this land from different parts of the world at different times in our history.

In doing so individually through the various ethnic groups, sharing and participation in each other’s culture forged our dear nation to become multi-ethnic, multi-re-

ligious and multi-cultural.

Over time, this rich, beautiful and vibrant diversity has become our strength and the common bond in the process of becoming one people in this our nation, working towards a common destiny.

While there have been challenges along the way, our Guyanese brothers and sisters have always found ways to foster togetherness through tolerance and respect. This is evident as all participate meaningfully in each other’s festivities which have transcended religious and ethnic boundaries to become truly national in observances. Herein lies the desire of all of our people for harmony and unity to be strengthened and for it to continue to prevail across this land that is home to all.

The ERC, therefore, wishes to take the opportunity on this occasion to reiterate the need for all to build together upon our gains and to continue robustly, the process of fostering unity and

harmony. This is imperative in the interest of our nation and all of its people so that our diversity must never be made a tool for division but one that will continue to reflect our strength and bonds of togetherness. May 5 also marks the anniversary of the arrival of our East Indian ancestors who reached these shores on that day in 1838 while two days ago on May 3, Portuguese Arrival Day was observed.

The colourful commemorative events across the country will once again serve to bring our people together, allowing opportunities to not only participate, but for the continuation of that important process of educating for a better understanding and appreciation of our cultural traditions. This builds tolerance which is the bedrock of harmony and unity as we strive for one people out of many cultures. Once again, happy Arrival Day to all Guyanese here and in the diaspora.

gin who are being brutalised, traumatised, robbed, and murdered even though the Minister of Public Security a few days ago stated that the country is safe.

The IAC is extremely concerned that following the No-Confidence Motion of December 2018, the country has become dangerously polarised both politically and ethnically resulting in a tremendous rise in anxiety among the Indo-Guyanese population which historically has been continually victimised.

The IAC is of the opin-

ion that the concept of social cohesion as espoused by the coalition Government is not working in Guyana even though large amounts of taxpayer monies have been wasted behind this failed policy.

The IAC is appalled that the Indian Immigration Monument, which was originally conceptualised by the organisation in 2003 and approved by the previous Administration with valuable inputs from the IAC, had its initial design and concomitant symbolism unilaterally disposed of and hi-

jacked by elements which do not have the wellbeing of the Indo-Guyanese at heart.

The IAC wishes to remind all Guyanese that the Indian immigrants arrived in this country almost empty-handed, essentially poverty-stricken and with a high degree of illiteracy, have bequeathed to this country, descendants who did not remain in that original state but became literate, educated, industrious, wealthy and patriotic.

A Happy Arrival Day to all.

Sugar industry that occasioned our diversity is finding itself in difficult times – GAWU

T

he Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) joins in expressing to all Guyanese best wishes on the occasion of Arrival Day 2019. The day’s observances are yet another reminder of our rich diversity and the unique multi-cultural composition of our nation. Indeed, it adds to the vibrant tapestry of Guyana where people of different backgrounds can co-exist in harmony and unity as they all seek to improve their lives; a goal linked to building our country which will surely augur well for the future generations.

The day is generally asso-

ciated with the arrival of East Indian indentured servants to our country. At this time too, we also recall those other nationalities who toiled to develop our nation and advance its progress under the indentureship scheme. History has recorded that over 240,000 East Indians arrived on our shores and nearly 31,000 Portuguese, mainly from the island of Madeira, came to our then colony as well. We also recognise that some 13,000 Chinese made the long journey to then British Guiana as well and we are aware too that the colonialists brought labourers from Malta, Ireland, Germany and England.

Arrival Day also reminds us of the reasons for the indentureship system. The then immigrants who replaced the emancipated slaves were made to toil in the fields of the sugar plantations to enrich the foreign owners of the plantations. Indentured labourers and their families were forced to exist in inhumane and atrocious conditions. And, like their compatriots, they were forced to engage in several struggles, which gave us several martyrs, in order to bring about small improvements and meagre benefits in their lives and work conditions.

Today as we celebrate Arrival Day, the GAWU can-

not fail to observe that the industry that occasioned our diversity is finding itself in difficult times. We are disheartened to note that the sugar industry, a large source of sustenance for thousands of Guyanese has been significantly minimised. For the workers and their families, the cane farmers, the shop owners, the market vendors, the bus drivers and others, their days are filled with hardship, misery and difficulty. Even worse is that they have been left to fend for themselves as the powersthat-be have largely ignored their plight.

It is disturbing that at this

time when our nation celebrates a day set aside to recognise the contributions of the indentured immigrants to our nation that their heirs along with other fellow workers are forced to contend with harrowing circumstances arising from closure and the intended miniaturisation of the sugar industry. It is especially disturbing for the Union that such thoughts were entertained especially when they were unnecessary. Sugar, we reiterate, has all possibilities of success but, among other things, requires the active and material support and confidence of the powers-that-be.

As we celebrate Arrival

Day, the GAWU urges all Guyanese to spare a moment to reflect on how far as a people we have come, the challenges we overcame, and the successes we have recorded.

At this time, when we ought to be looking to reach new and higher plateaus, we see concerted efforts that will very likely reverse much of the progress we have made and rightly can take pride in. Let us resist such efforts and get back on the developmental track.

GAWU joins with all of Guyana to celebrate Arrival Day.

sunDAY, may 5, 2019

19

Sunrisers’ play-off spot in danger after Hetmyer blitz V

irat Kohli, AB de Villiers and Parthiv Patel -- the heart, heartbeat and spine of Royal Challengers Bangalore -- were all gone inside three overs of a 176 chase. It must have been a cakewalk for Sunrisers Hyderabad. Right? It wasn’t.

S h i m r o n Hetmyer and Gurkeerat Singh gave RCB a peek into the potential returns they could deliver if retained going forward. The pair put together 144 for the fourth wicket, as RCB walked home without breaking sweat.

Meanwhile, all Sunrisers can now do is bite their fingernails, hoping Mumbai Indians help them make the playoffs by beating Kolkata Knight Riders tomorrow.

RCB’s indifferent start Twenty minutes into the game, Kohli was tearing his hair out. Umesh Yadav continued to get whacked, Kulwant Khejroliya failed to cover for a throw that resulted in four extra runs, and Yuzvendra Chahal fluffed a regulation chance at deep square leg.

Martin Guptill seemed to be doing alright, getting outside leg to counter Umesh’s late movement and helping himself to disdainful slaps. At the other end, Wriddhiman Saha, who should have been out for 5, cracked a hat-trick of fours off Chahal, and Sunrisers motored to 44 for 0 in four overs.

Saha couldn’t cash in on the reprieve, falling for 20 when he mistimed a hoick to mid-on off Navdeep Saini. The onus was on Manish Pandey, the in-form local boy, to sustain the early momentum. But he couldn’t.

Washington Sundar proves himself Washington was brought in for only his third game this season. Why? Only Kohli can answer that. Was it lack of confidence in the 20-year-old’s abilities? Sure, the Chinnaswamy surface doesn’t help spin bowlers, but Washington doesn’t claim to be a turner of the ball.

Off the second ball he bowled, he had Guptill chip a flat delivery to Kohli at short midwicket. Off his fifth, he had Pandey mistiming a pull

to Shimron Hetmyer, who tumbled around to take the catch inches from the ground at deep square leg.

The biggest strike, however, was the one to get rid of his Tamil Nadu team-mate and India’s new ODI No. 4, Vijay Shankar, who was coming into the game with three of his most recent scores reading 12, 7*, 8 and 26.

On Saturday, Vijay had no trouble playing his trademark lofted shots into the leg side, and seemed to get into his hitting gear, even crashing Washington for a couple of sixes.

But the off-spinner changed tactics after getting hit, going round the wicket and forcing the batsman to hit against the angle if he wanted to access the leg side.

Vijay went for the slog sweep, mistimed it and was caught at short fine leg. Just reward for Washington’s bravery in the face of an onslaught at a venue where the boundaries are a spinner’s biggest enemy.

His figures on the night read a creditable 3 for 24, but only Kohli can answer why Washington didn’t complete

his quota.

Williamson tucks into a buffet Sunrisers imploded, looking for one big shot after another.

But not Kane Williamson.

He batted like a man who waited for the breakfast counter to open and then helped himself to an as-youwish buffet. With Vijay for company, he nudged the ball and milked the singles to keep the scoreboard ticking in a 45run stand. And once wickets started to fall -- Sunrisers were 127 for 5 in the 16th -- he decided to cut loose.

He was reprieved on 20 -- the result of Khejroliya’s generosity when a return catch was put down -- and this proved to be the trigger for a sensational assault that concluded with him hammering Umesh for 6,4,6,4 and 2(nb) in the last over, as 147 for 7 turned to 175 in the space of six balls.

Amidst the carnage, Umpire Nigel Long made an incorrect no-ball call. The replay of that ball went up on the giant screen, making the mistake known to everyone, but it couldn’t be overturned. Ah, cricket’s tryst

SCOREBOARD Sunrisers Hyderabad Innings (20 overs maximum) WP Saha † c Yadav b Saini 20 MJ Guptill c Kohli b Washington Sundar 30 MK Pandey c Hetmyer b Washington Sundar 9 KS Williamson (c) not out 70 V Shankar c de Grandhomme b Washington Sundar 27 YK Pathan c Yadav b Chahal 3 Mohammad Nabi c Gurkeerat Singh b Saini 4 Rashid Khan c Hetmyer b Khejroliya 1 B Kumar not out 7 Extras 4 (lb 1, nb 1, w 2) TOTAL 175/7 (20 Overs, RR: 8.75) Did not bat: KK Ahmed, Basil Thampi Fall of wickets: 1-46 (WP Saha, 4.3 ov), 2-60 (MJ Guptill, 7.2 ov), 3-61 (MK Pandey, 7.5 ov), 4-106 (V Shankar, 13.5 ov), 5-127 (YK Pathan, 15.5 ov), 6-137 (Mohammad Nabi, 16.6 ov), 7-139 (Rashid Khan, 17.3 ov) BOWLING O M R W 4 0 46 0 UT Yadav NA Saini 4 0 39 2 4 0 24 1 YS Chahal K Khejroliya 4 0 29 1 Washington Sundar 3 0 24 3 C de Grandhomme 1 0 12 0

with rigidity again. An already irate Kohli then saw the last two

Royal Challengers Bangalore Innings (target: 176 runs from 20 overs) PA Patel †c Pandey b Kumar 0 V Kohli (c) c †Saha b Ahmed 16 AB de Villiers c Guptill b Kumar 1 SO Hetmyer c Shankar b Rashid Kha n 75 Gurkeerat Singh c Pathan b Ahm ed 65 C de Grandhomme not out 3 Washington Sundar c Pandey b Ahm ed 0 UT Yadav not out 9 Extras 9 (lb 2, w 7) TOTAL 178/6 (19.2 Overs, RR: 9.2) Yet to bat: K Khejroliya, YS Chahal, NA Saini Fall of wickets: 1-1 (PA Patel, 0.3 ov), 2-18 (V Kohli, 1.5 ov), 3-20 (AB de Villiers, 2.5 ov), 4-164 (SO Hetmyer, 17.4 ov), 5-167 (Gurkeerat Singh, 18.2 ov), 6-168 (Washington Sundar, 18.3 ov) BOWLING O M R W 4 0 24 2 B Kumar KK Ahmed 4 0 37 3 4 0 44 1 Rashid Khan Mohammad Nabi 2.2 0 26 0 Basil Thampi 4 0 29 0 1 0 16 0 V Shankar

balls disappear, and Sunrisers had momentum on their side.

Origi’s late winner sinks Newcastle and keeps Liverpool’s title hopes alive W herever the Premier League trophy ends up -- and Anfield remains a possible destination -- Liverpool will know they could not have given any more. Jürgen Klopp’s team have dragged the title race and Manchester City to the wire with a punishing late victory at Newcastle, where Divock Origi reprised his role as unlikely saviour for the club that never gives up.

The Belgium forward was on the pitch only as a consequence of a head injury to Mohamed Salah, who was carried off after a collision with Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka. Liverpool’s title chances appeared to be disappearing along with their leading goal scorer, as Rafael Benítez’s determined hosts twice came from behind in search of a merited point.

But in the 86th minute, Matt Ritchie was wrongly adjudged to have fouled Fabinho deep in the Newcastle half. “It was not a foul,” said the simmering former Liverpool manager.

Xherdan Shaqiri whipped over an inch-perfect free-kick, and his fellow substitute Origi, plus a slight touch from James Lascelles, headed home the winner. The pressure is back on Pep Guardiola’s team yet again.

Liverpool and City have now traded 20 consecutive Premier League victories between them, a remarkable stand-off in an enthralling title race, and the margin for error will remain nonexistent until the final day.

For Klopp’s team to return to the summit after the painful exertions in Barcelona on Wednesday, after the loss of Salah and only four minutes from a hugely damaging draw, is testament to the depth of their resources – mentally as well as physically. Unlike Ernesto Valverde, who fielded a secondstring Barcelona side against Celta Vigo, wholesale changes were out of the question for the Liverpool manager. He confirmed Roberto Firmino will miss the semi-final second leg with a muscle problem and Salah is a doubt with the aftereffects of his head injury. There are no doubts about Liverpool’s resolve or title credentials.

For 20 minutes, they were in complete control against a Newcastle team frantically clearing their defensive lines.

Benítez, so diligent in his positional work and collective organisation, looked on aghast at the spaces that invited Liverpool to flood through his five-man defence.

Salah was sharp from the off, and had gone close twice before Liverpool struck their first blow.

Ritchie diverted Salah’s second attempt wide with a vital block.

Trent Alexander-Arnold swept the resulting corner into the heart of the Newcastle area, where Virgil van Dijk powered in a textbook header completely unmarked. Lascelles slipped as the corner arrived, but had lost van Dijk before the PFA ‘player of the year’ converted his sixth goal of the season. Klopp credited his

analysts with the set-piece routine.

The Liverpool manager reacted with a thumbs-up and an appeal to his players to retain concentration. Newcastle reacted more impressively, however, as they woke from their slumber to transform the flow of the game. Benítez’s side levelled after Dejan Lovren put his own defence under pressure with a wayward pass. Javier Manquillo centred, Salomón Rondón flicked on to Ritchie and turned his return cross goal-wards from close range. Alexander-Arnold blocked the shot on the line with an outstretched arm, and was fortunate in the extreme that Christian Atsu was on hand to bury the rebound. It would have been a red card for the Liverpool defender plus a penalty had Andre Marriner not played the advantage. He also escaped the yellow for unsporting behaviour that should have been shown.

Liverpool were on the ropes.

Manquillo tested Alisson with a diving header, Ayoze Pérez struck the crossbar and Ki Sung-yueng forced the Liverpool goalkeeper into another save from distance.

Newcastle, though, then abandoned their defensive duties to damaging effect once again.

Alexander-Arnold assisted for the third time with a delightful first-time cross from Daniel Sturridge’s back-heel near the corner flag. Salah, remarkably, was alone in front of Dubravka’s goal, to restore Liverpool’s lead with a deft volley.

It was the Egypt international’s 22nd league goal of the season and Alexander-Arnold’s 11th assist in the Premier League campaign, bringing him level with Robertson and the Premier League record for a defender.

Liverpool’s threat from both full-back positions may be well established, but their opponents are powerless to resist.

At the opposite end, Rondón was crucial to Newcastle’s

prospects. His power and pace unsettled Liverpool’s central defence and encouraged teammates to venture forward.

He gave Alisson no chance with an unstoppable finish when Manquillo returned a Ki corner into the visiting penalty area.

Klopp introduced the lessspotted Shaqiri for Georginio Wijnaldum in an attempt to inject vibrancy into his attack, but the hosts continued to exert

pressure.

The German’s problems intensified to a worrying degree when Salah was floored by an accidental collision with Dubravka when the keeper punched clear. Salah received treatment for several minutes before exiting in evident distress and being replaced by Origi. The substitute who sealed a stoppage-time win in the Merseyside derby ensured there would be one final twist.

20

guyanatimesGY.com

sunDAY, may 5, 2019

Capitals finish league stage with win; Royals eliminated

A

jinkya Rahane’s decision to bat at the toss backfired as Rajasthan Royals failed to recover from Ishant Sharma’s triple-strike in the Power play, and were eliminated from IPL 2019. Delhi Capitals would have tabled if they’d chased 116 in 10 overs; and though they couldn’t do that, the five-wicket win still gives them a chance to finish in the top two, provided Kolkata Knight Riders beat Mumbai Indians in the final match of the league stage on Sunday.

He Shant be kept down for long The 30-yearold fast bowler had been having a very lean campaign, fetch-

ing just three wickets in his last seven outings for the Capitals, and had sat out their last match against Chennai Super Kings on Wednesday. But after the 80-run thrashing meted out by MS Dhoni’s men, Ishant was recalled, and produced his best figures of the season: 3 for 38.

He struck the first blow in dismissing Rahane as the batsman picked out one of only two fielders allowed in the deep during the Power play. Later, Ishant flummoxed Liam Livingstone with a fabulous off-cutter and bowled him for 14.

Sanju Samson was run-out following a big mix-up with Mahipal Lomror, and Ishant made sure to send the survivor of that partnership back as well, leaving Royals on 30 for 4 at the end of six overs.

Mishra’s fourth time unlucky

Riyan Parag played a patient knock of 50 off 49 balls

SCOREBOARD Rajasthan Royals Innings (20 overs maximum) AM Rahane (c) c Dhawan b Sharma 2 LS Livingstone b Sharma 14 SV Samson † run out (Shaw) 5 MK Lomror c †Pant b Sharma 8 S Gopal st †Pant b Mishra 12 R Parag c Rutherford b Boult 50 STR Binny c †Pant b Mishra 0 K Gowtham c Sharma b Mishra 6 IS Sodhi c Mishra b Boult 6 VR Aaron not out 3 Extras 9 (w 9) TOTAL 115/9 (20 Overs, RR: 5.75) Did not bat: O Thomas Fall of wickets: 1-11 (AM Rahane, 1.6 ov), 2-20 (LS Livingstone, 3.5 ov), 3-26 (SV Samson, 4.2 ov), 4-30 (MK Lomror, 5.2 ov), 5-57 (S Gopal, 11.2 ov), 6-57 (STR Binny, 11.3 ov), 7-65 (K Gowtham, 13.2 ov), 8-95 (IS Sodhi, 17.2 ov), 9-115 (R Parag, 19.6 ov) BOWLING O M R W TA Boult 4 0 27 2 I Sharma 4 0 38 3 AR Patel 4 0 16 0 A Mishra 4 0 17 3 KMA Paul 3.1 0 15 0 SE Rutherford 0.5 0 2 0

Delhi Capitals Innings (target: 116 runs from 20 overs) PP Shaw b Sodhi 8 S Dhawan c Parag b Sodhi 16 SS Iyer (c) c Livingstone b Gopal 15 RR Pant † not out 53 CA Ingram c Rahane b Sodhi 12 SE Rutherford c Livingstone b Gopal 11 AR Patel not out 1 Extras 5 (lb 4, w 1) TOTAL 121/5 (16.1 Overs, RR: 7.48) Yet to bat: KMA Paul, A Mishra, TA Boult, I Sharma Fall of wickets: 1-28 (S Dhawan, 3.1 ov), 2-28 (PP Shaw, 3.2 ov), 3-61 (SS Iyer, 7.3 ov), 4-83 (CA Ingram, 13.4 ov), 5-106 (SE Rutherford, 15.2 ov) BOWLING O M R W K Gowtham 4 0 16 0 VR Aaron 2 0 21 0 O Thomas 1 0 13 0 IS Sodhi 3.1 1 26 3 S Gopal 4 0 21 2 R Parag 1 0 14 0 STR Binny 1 0 6 0

Coming into the day, Amit Mishra had three IPL hattricks to his name, and very easily could have had a fourth.

On the second ball of the 12th over, Shreyas Gopal charged the leg-spinner, who responded by dragging the length back and adjusting his line well wide of off stump, leaving the batsman flailing and stumped. Stuart Binny then played well away from his body in edging a top-spinner behind for a golden duck. K Gowtham, facing up to the hat-trick ball, played a bizarre slog that went straight up.

No mid-off was in place, forcing Trent Boult to run across from mid-on for the chance. But even though he covered the ground in time, the usually sure-handed New Zealander grassed it, his last-second full-length dive to the right prov-

ing of little use.

It didn’t matter much in the end, as Mishra claimed Gowtham in his following over and Royals were suddenly 65 for 7. Riyan Parag ground through the rest of the innings, showing maturity beyond his years, to become the youngest IPL half-century maker at age 17. Still, the total of 115 was severely under-par.

Far from so-so

Playing just his second match of the season for Royals, leg spinner Ish Sodhi nearly inspired a thrilling fightback.

Brought on in the fourth over, he struck on his first two balls as part of a double-wicket maiden.

Shikhar was beaten in flight as he charged out of his crease, and the miscue was taken quite smartly by Riyan running back from mid-on. The non-striker Prithvi Shaw had crossed with the ball in the air, and promptly dragged the next ball onto his stumps to put Sodhi on a hat-trick.

Everything’s Pantastic

After seven consecutive dot balls by Sodhi, Shreyas Iyer wrestled the momentum back with two glorious straight drives for six. But it was Rishabh Pant who finished the game off.

Perhaps his finest shot came in the 15th over, when he stepped inside the line to flick Varun Aaron over fine leg for six. With scores level, he belted Sodhi’s first ball of the 17th over cow corner for his fifth six, to bring up a 38-ball fifty, clinch victory and eliminate the opposition.

MYO Inter-Jamaat 15 Overs Softball Cricket Competition…

Diamond New Scheme overcome MYO in last-over thriller A

thrilling day of exciting cricket defined May 1, the final day of the MYO Inter-Jamaat 15 Overs Softball Cricket Competition, which ended with a nail-biting finale played at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground in Queenstown, Georgetown.

In that MYO encounter against Diamond New Scheme, Diamond won the toss and sent in MYO to take first strike. The opening pair of Shaheed Gittens and Safraz Esau gave the

The victorious Diamond New Scheme

MYO team a good start by making 106 runs in 7 overs, before Esau was bowled for 49 runs (6 x 6, 1 x 4) off the bowling of Patrick Khan.

After Gittens was caught off the bowling of Patrick Khan for 55 runs (4 x 6, 6 x 4), wickets fell at regular intervals, and MYO could post only 176 for 8 in their 15 overs. The bowling wreckers were Patrick Khan and Sheldon Perch with 2 wickets each.

Diamond New Scheme got off to a bad start, with the in-form opener Rawl Reid caught off the bowing of Fazal Nazeem for duck.

Keisho Ramsarran strolled to the crease to join opener Rickey Sargeant, but was sent packing for 1 run when he was caught off the bowling of Timore Mohamed.

Ameer Khan, who then occupied the crease with a determination to keep the scoreboard ticking, plundered boundaries all over the ground. Then Kishan fell in the 6th over

for 13, bowled by Safraz Esau.

With the score on 47 for 4, Rajesh Reddy came to the crease, and the sweep shot again proved most effective as he dispatched the ball to all parts of the boundary.

Ameer Khan fell in the 12th over for 59 runs (4 x 6, 2 x 4), and the score was then 138, requiring another 39 runs in 3 overs.

The experienced Patrick Khan again joined Reddy as he had done in the semi-finals, and these two took their team close to the target. Richard Latiff was entrusted to bowl the final over, with 11 runs to defend. In the 1st ball, Reddy was bowled for a match winning 63 runs (8 x 6, 2 x 4). In came Sheldon Perch, and he, too, was bowled.

Safraz Mohamed came to the crease with 11 runs to get from 4 balls. He took a single, bringing it to 10 in 3 balls, and Patrick Khan then smashed the next ball for 6 over midwicket. Still

requiring 4 runs from 2 balls, Latiff then bowled a dot delivery.

With Diamond now requiring 4 runs from 1 ball for the victory, Latiff did the unexpected and bowled a wide ball down the leg side, allowing Diamond to run 2. With 1 required off 1 ball, Latiff again bowled a wide, giving Diamond New Scheme the victory. Latiff ended with 3 wickets for 27 runs.

In the end, the Man of the Match was awarded to Rajesh Reddy for his match winning knock of 63 runs.

The accolade for the most runs scored in the competition and highest individual score (Preliminary round) was given to Keion De Jesus (New Amsterdam), who had 335 runs and 122 runs respectively.

The best bowling figures and the most wickets awards (Preliminary Round) were given to Wahab Riaz (New Amsterdam) for his 7-16 and 18 wickets in total.

sunday, may 5, 2019

guyanatimesgy.com

21

High hopes, performance support for West Indies Under-19 prospects Training squad

Kevlon Anderson (Guyana) Daniel Beckford (Jamaica) Matthew Forde (Barbados) Elroy Francis (Leeward Islands) Joshua James (Trinidad and Tobago) Leonardo Julian (Trinidad and Tobago) Avinash Mahibirsingh (Trinidad and Tobago) Kirk McKenzie (Jamaica) Kimani Melius (Windward

Graeme West (Head Coach) Dwain Gill (Operations Manager) Kenny Benjamin (Assistant Coach) Andre Coley (Assistant Coach)

Matthew Parchment (Physiotherapist) Martin Gallyer (Strength & Conditioning Coach) Donald La Guerre (Mental Skills Coach) Dinesh Mahabir (Video Data Analyst)

areas that were covered.

“We also focused on reinforcement, and getting the players to do more thinking for themselves; putting them in match situations and getting them to prepare and plan for those situations.

They also had the chance to receive feedback while working through different scenarios, with the opportunity to reflect on where they had done well, and how they could improve next time. All of this will be of great benefit for their long-term professional cricket aspirations.”

In addition to the training camps, West said, the players had -- during the last three months -- been

working through their individual programmes in their home countries. This will continue from May through to July, before applying the development to competition in the West Indies Under-19 Championships in August, and then the final build-up to the Under-19s World Cup. “In the Championships, they will have to give proof of a high level of skill, consistent level of stand-out performances; and at the conclusion, 24 boys will be retained and will play a series of trial games from which a squad for the competitive activity of the programme will be selected in September,” West disclosed.

Training Camp Support Staff

Guyana’s Under-19 squad: Ashmead Nedd, Kevlon Anderson, Kelvin Umrao and Sachin Singh

H

ead Coach Graeme West is buoyed by the progress of the current crop of West Indies Under-19 recruits following a second training and development camp.

The training camp, which featured four Guyanese players, took place over the Easter period at the West Indies High Performance Centre at the Coolidge Cricket Ground. It provided the players with further opportunities to develop their technical skills, and there was greater emphasis on tactical awareness and putting together game plans for each situation the player would need to master.

The training camp is part of an international standard high-performance programme to grow West Indies young talent. It not

only aims to build a strong squad for the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2020 in South Africa, but also gives potential future stars the chance to develop their skills and awareness to prepare for a professional career.

This camp, following the first held last December here, saw players receiving individual technical skill and physical conditioning programmes.

“The players worked very hard and maintained high standards right the way through until the end,” Coach West told CWI Media.

“The success of each of the Under-19 teams with which I have worked over the last few years is dependent heavily on how quickly they can harness that talent and build and grow game

understanding and the ability to repeat their skills at the highest level in pressure situations,” he explained.

“It’s still early days, but there is some real ability within this group of players,” he disclosed.

West said he was impressed by the abundance of raw talent shown by the players when it comes to ball striking and athleticism.

“We can improve in all areas, however,” West disclosed. He guided the Windies Under19s to their first ever ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup title three years ago in Bangladesh, under the captaincy of Shimron Hetmyer.

“The technical and physical programmes the players will take away are designed specifically to help them to improve in those

areas that will strengthen their all-round game,” West explained. “We have also encouraged them to put more purpose into their training, to make it more challenging and more beneficial to their development.”

West said significant time was spent refining the players’ skills and developing their basics and fundamentals.

“We spent the second half of the camp (honing in) on game awareness and game understanding,” he said.

“It was also great to expose the players to the expertise available from former West Indies fast bowler Kenny Benjamin and Windward Islands Volcanoes head coach Andre Coley, as well as the professionals responsible for the physical, mental and high-performance

Islands) Antonio Morris (Barbados) Ashmead Nedd (Guyana) Matthew Patrick (Trinidad and Tobago) Rivaldo Ramlogan (Trinidad and Tobago) Nico Reifer (Barbados) Jayden Seales (Trinidad and Tobago) Sachin Singh (Guyana) Kelvin Umroa (Guyana) Zawandi White (Leeward Islands) Nyeem Young (Barbados)

Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” Linden edition

Retrieve Unknowns humble defending champions D

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efending champions Silver Bullets began their Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Linden 2019 campaign in the worst way possible, suffering a 4-0 loss to Retrieve Unknowns in exhilarating football action played at the Mackenzie Tarmac yesterday.

Several high-scoring games defined the action, with Wisroc emerging victors in the opening number when they came up against Presidential. Andres Chester of Presidential handed his team the lead in the 5th minute, and they were able to hold on, until Wisroc’s Deshawn Joseph netted a Guinness goal (which counts for two goals) for the win in the 19th minute.

In the following encounter, High Rollers thrashed Barsenal 4-nil. Jonah Simon’s Guinness goal and one each from Omar Brewley and Antwoine Gill sealed the deal for High Rollers.

The next encounter was one of the night’s most exciting, as fans were able to witness seven goals being scored. Ateba Emmanualson’s hat trick and a Guinness goal from Keron Daw made for Coomacka scoring five of those goals, and ultimately overshadowed the two goals scored for Quiet Strom respectively by Mark Richards and Michael Richmond.

Defending champs Silver Bullets then went down to Retrieve Unknowns, who drilled four goals in last year’s winners. Shaquille Alexander was the lone marksman in these heroics, connecting two goals in the 6th and 12 th minutes respectively, and a Guinness goal in the 19th to hand his team the win.

Another highscoring encounter saw Amelia’s Ward thumping Haynes Scorers 8-2. Shawn

Daniels was the star of the encounter with 5 goals, while an own goal and Oswald Benjamin’s double rounded up the Amelia’s Ward eight-goal tally. A Guinness goal off the boots of Javier Smith was the only reply from the defeated Haynes Scorers.

A 3-all tie between Swag Entertainment and Dave and Celina’s was fitting for the final game of the night.

Going down to penalty kicks, Swag Entertainment edged out last year’s runners- up 2-1. During regulation time, Dellon McAllister opened the scoring for Swag Entertainment in the 9th, and was followed by a brace from Colwyn Drakes in the 11th and 13th.

Donovan Francis netted in the 6th and 16th minutes, and Keon Sears connected one, to round off Dave and

Celina’s tally.

Action in the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Linden tournament will continue this evening (May 5) with six more exciting fixtures. At 19.30hrs, Quiet Storm will match skills with Haynes Hitters, while in the next game Capital Storm steps up to the plate against Assassa Ballers at 20:00hrs. NK Ballers will face off with Amazings at 20:30hrs, and Wisroc will look to continue their winning streak against Dave and Celina at 21:00hrs. Presidential is expected to battle with Swag Entertainment at 21:30hrs, while defending champions Silver Bullets would look for redemption in a toe-to-toe encounter with High Rollers in the final fixture at 22:00hrs. (Jemima Holmes)

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SUnDAY, may 5, 2019

Hamilton Green 9-a-side Inter-Ward Cup

Who will be $300,000 richer today?

W

hile being cognisant of the inclement weather, organisers of this year’s Hamilton Green Cup Inter Ward/ Village 9-a-side Knockout Football Tournament have confirmed that today’s final showdown in the competition will go ahead as planned.

This is according to Cocoordinator Lennox Arthur, who has said the organisers are busy preparing to ensure that spectators have a great time throughout the day; and the action is set to kickoff at 16:00hrs with ‘round of 16 play’, before the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final are played.

The Round of 16 opening salvo will see Timehri, with such players as Seon David, Colwyn Cort and Sheldon Holder in their line- up, tackling Mahaicony, who will be spearheaded by Delbert

Wilson, Sheldon Toney and Bertie Shepherd.

Tyrone Khan’s Soesdyke then take on Liliendaal in what is anticipated to be an exciting affair. Khan will be supported by the likes of Delon Smith and Alvin Adams, while Liliendaal’s quest for victory will be led

by Anthony Sancho, Otto Jones and Akeem Saul.

The Mocha-versusCharlestown encounter is a virtual final, with the Stewart brothers - --Orville and Dorville – and Kevin Gordon expected to lead the former pursuit of a win.

Keiron Solomon, Jamal Cozier, Jermin Junor and Devon Charles are the key players for the latter team.

Kevin Humphrey, Michael Thomas and Keron Boyce will lead Pouderoyen in their clash against Bagotville, who will depend

Delon Lanferman

on the services of Corwin Wright, Mark Chester and Brian Fredericks to orchestrate a win.

Banks Beer Softball League…

Anthony and Ashley Hardin and Maxwell Trapp will be the lynchpins for Goed Fortuin in their skirmish against De Kinderen, who will have in their lineup Colin Henry, Steffon Coleman and Romel Medas.

What more could be said of the Sophia vs. Bourda Blues game, which has players the calibre of Peter and Ernie Smith and Jermaine Nedd starring for Sophia, while Lenox Cort, Tevin Curry and Joshua Brathwaite would don colours for the Blues.

Delon Lanferman, Kevyn Murray, Kobe Kingston and Dwayne Wilson will spearhead Den Amstel Back Street’s attempt to advance, while opponents Zeelugt have Avery Fraser, Dillon Schultz and Jason Peters to rely on for victory.

National player Trayon Bobb, Jamaal Harvey and

Seon Bobb will represent Uitvlugt in their encounter against Vreed-en-Hoop, who will be spearheaded by Curtis Garraway, Trevon Abrams and Jamal Mounter.

Teams will be battling for a chance to claim the John Fernandes $300,000 first prize and the Prime Minister’s Trophy, along with hampers from Ricks and Sari.

The second placed team will take away the Courtney Benn-sponsored $100,000 prize on offer; third $60,000 put up by Technomills, and fourth $40,000 donated by Ready Mix, along with the respective trophies. All the trophies have been sponsored by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo.

Also at stake are the individual rewards for the Most Goals, the winner of whom will take home a Dinette

Chair from China Trading, while runners-up will be presented with a Lazy Boy Chair from AH&L Kissoon; along with the Best Goalkeeper, who will claim the Minister of Natural Resources Trophy.

Among the sponsors so far are Techno mills, Ready mix, Sattaur Gafoor, E.C Vieira, BEV Enterprises, BK International, IPA, New Thriving, Ricks and Sari, E-Networks, Star Computers, NAMILCO, Cummings Electrical, National Sports Commission, Star Entertainment, Alfro Alphonso, the Guyana Police Force, GuyOil, Minister of State, Prime Minister, and Ministry of Legal Affairs.

All teams are being asked to be at the venue by 15:00hrs, to ensure there is a prompt start to the day’s proceedings.

May Day Better Ball Golf Tournament…

RGX1, Queenstown/Ariel, Adventure Eureka and Roy victorious Sports Club, Bacchus Bulls and Die Hard Brothers among teams through to quarter-finals

A

ction in the Essequibo Zone of the Banks Beer Softball League (BBSL) commenced over the weekend with noteworthy teams fighting for top honours and Neiland Codogan scoring a century to highlight the first round of play.

In Group ‘A’ action at Queenstown, Queenstown/ Ariel posted 112 for 5 in 10 overs, with Frank Satrohan top-scoring with 40. SVC Spartan, in response, folded for 107, with Ekhnauth Persaud scoring 26.

In the other fixture, SCV Spartan made 89 in 10 overs, but RGX1 chased down that total with ease to end on 90 for 1 in 15 overs. Dovendra Mohan with 36 and David Williams with 25 were the main run-scorers.

Queenstown/Ariel then posted a dominant 191 for 4 in 10 overs, with Jonathan Fernandes on 62 and Frank Satrohan on 51 being the main run-getters. In the end, Sunrisers Masters folded for 99 all out.

In the final match played at Queenstown, Sunrisers Masters scored 102 in 10 overs, but RG X1 again chased down the target with ease, closing off their innings on 103 for 2 in 7 overs. with Dovendra Mohan scoring 48.

In Group ‘B’ action at the Affiance Ground, Adventure Sports Club defeated Young Warriors by 5 wickets. Young Warriors made 103 all out in 12 overs, with Lukesh Ramnarine leading the scores with 31. Shaz Grovesnor bagged 2 for 30.

Adventure Sports, in response, scored 104 in 9

Neiland Cadogan has slammed the first century of the tournament

overs, as Grovesnor showed his all-round ability with a brilliant 49.

Sedesh Deoall was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 40.

Bacchus Bulls defeated Nazz X1 by 70 runs. Bulls posted 180 for 3 in 12 overs, with Neiland Codogan leading the way with a brilliant 111 (12x6, 4x4), and being supported by Latchman Rohit with 38 (3x6,2x4).

Nazz X1 crumbled for 95 all out, as Derick De Silva with 31 and Leyland McDonald with 22 were the two

main contributors. Thakur Samlall bagged 4 for 35 and Yougeshwar Lall 2 for 20.

Adventure Sports Club also accumulated a total of 180 for 8 in 12 overs. Dellon Grovesnor with 49 and Andy Dass with 44 were the topscorers. Bowling for Nazz XI, Delon McDonald took 4 for 35. Nazz X1 again crumbled, scoring 110 for 6 in 12 overs.

Bacchus Bulls went on to win their second game, posting 150 all out in 12 overs, compliments of Ganesh Mangal’s 84, scored despite Sedesh Deolall taking 4 wickets for 25 runs. Young Warriors, in the end, could make only 106, with Aron Tiebowan top-scoring with 35. Yaseer Mohamed was the chief tactician with 3 for 40.

In Group ‘C’ action at the Reliance Ground, Diehard Brothers defeated Reliance Hustlers by posting a mammoth total of 210, with Patrick Rooplall leading with 84. Reliance Hurlers fell short, managing only 180 despite Narendra Madholall’s 65. In their second match, both teams got a walkover from Crown X1.

The second round of preliminary matches will be staged today, Arrival Day, at Affiance No. 1, Pomona and Reliance grounds, and this would determine the final four teams.

The semi-final and final matches will be held on May 12th at Affiance ground from 11:00hrs. The winner will pocket $150,000, runners-up $100,000, third $75,000 and fourth $25,000. Teaming up with Banks DIH for this event will be Trophy Stall.

From left: President Aleem Hussain, Roland Buell, Maxim Mangra, Roy Cummings, Eureka Giddings; and golfers Solomon Bannister and another, who were supporters of the day’s tournament

E

ureka Giddings reached top spot with partner Roy Cummings in an exciting 9-hole Better Ball tournament run off by the Lusignan Golf Club on Wednesday, May 1, 2019.

The Better Ball format is a variation in golf which allows two persons to play as a team. Each player is given an opportunity to play a ball at each legitimate time of play, and the ball which was played better is accepted as the ball of play, the other played ball being ignored.

Teams were formed by grouping low-handicap golfers (much better players) with high-handicap golfers (learners, or regular or older players)! In addition, the handicap of the team was determined by first taking half of the high handicapper’s rating because of 9 holes of play (which is half of the course of 18 holes) and then dividing it again by 2, so as to consider it shared between the two players.

A team with two players of individual handicaps 10 and 28 for instance, would now be given a team handicap of 7. Prizes were awarded for 1st to 3rd places in the net performances.

At the end of play, winners were: Eureka Giddings & Roy Cummings (net 28/hcap 7) – 1st; Maxim Mangra & Roland Buell

(29/12) – 2nd; and E. Bispat & David Harry (31/6) – 3rd. Very close competition came from a tie at 4th place between teams Rigo Serventi & Aleem Hussain and Maurice Solomon & Mike Mangal, both returning a 32/5 performance.

Club President Aleem Hussain and Dr Joan Deo are currently in Barbados competing in the Garry Sobers ‘Festival of Golf’ international tournament. The tournament is being hosted by Denis ‘Denny’ Foster, and is being played over three days at three clubs; namely, the Sandy Lane and Royal Westmoreland in St James, and at the Barbados Golf Club at Durants, Christ Church.

Hussain is the LGC Club Champion, having won several individual tournaments at the LGC over the past year. Dr Deo is a former Guyana International Open Ladies Champion and the current (2018) Suriname International Open Ladies Champion.

sunDAY, may 5, 2019

Tri-Nation Series

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23

Can Ireland put a second-string West Indies team under pressure?

T

he World Cup is nearly here, but not quite; and the IPL is nearly done, but not quite. In this in-between time comes an ODI tri-series of in-betweenish significance, with each team looking to take something different out of it.

Bangladesh have whisked Shakib Al-Hasan away from Sunrisers Hyderabad, and assembled their full World Cup squad, plus four others.

For them, this is a chance to figure out their best combinations and acclimatise to the conditions in the British Isles, although whether early-May pitches in Dublin Shai Hope will would remotely resemble the be critical in ICC-curated strips in England the West Indies’ and Wales remains to be seen. batting line-up Ireland won’t be at the World Cup, and would want to show everyone -- like they did on Friday, when they

gave England a proper scare -- that this is unfair to them.

West Indies, meanwhile, have allowed their star players to remain at the IPL, and their squad here contains only eight players who are part of their preliminary World Cup 15. Spots are theoretically still up for grabs before the final squads are inked in, and the likes of Sunil Ambris, Shane Dowrich and Roston Chase would strive to achieve the optimum balance between exuding team spirit from every pore and hoping for an injury to strike down a bigger name or two.

The last time West Indies met Ireland in an ODI, the stakes were high: a chance to take two crucial points to the Super Six of the World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe. Ireland had West Indies down to 83 for 5, and then 169 for 6, but a century from Rovman Powell ultimately lifted them to a match-winning 257.

Much like in Friday’s game against England, Ireland showed they had enough quality to inflict serious damage on more fancied opponents, but not perhaps the depth of resources to seize the advantage fully. Can they show a little more bite this time, against a less-than-full-strength West Indies?

With Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis and Shimron Hetmyer still at the IPL, West Indies’ top order is perhaps their weakest suit in this tri-series. Ireland will have their best chance of putting them under real pressure if Tim Murtagh and Boyd Rankin can make a few early breakKemar throughs.

Roach’s If he features, as he should, Shai experience Hope will be making his 50th ODI appearwould do ance. His numbers so far -- an average of the bowling 45.56, a strike rate of 72.38 -- suggest he’s attack well still searching for that extra gear to become a truly elite 50 overs batsman. If he can find some form in this tri-series, and carry it into the World Cup, he could just make that step-up at the perfect moment.

Rain reduced Friday’s ODI to a 4 5 - o v e r s - a side contest, but Sunday’s forecast does not suggest a high chance of showers. The pitch can be expected to favour seam bowling once again. (ESPN CricInfo)

GFF/KFC U-20 Independence KO Cup; EBFA leg

Timehri Panthers, Grove Hi Tech advance to semis

T

imehri Panthers, behind doubles respectively scored by Tyrone Burnette and Ishmael Pulsuram, eased to a solid 6-0 win over Herstelling Raiders and register a presence in the semifinals of the inaugural GFF/KFC U20 Independence Cup in the East Bank Football Association leg, which continued yesterday at the GFF National Training Facility.

Also easing into the semifinals were Grove Hi Tech, which did so without breaking a sweat, as their opponent, Diamond Upsetters, did not show up for the match.

Yesterday’s other match, which was a first round clash between Diamond United and Samatta Point/Kaneville, saw the former hammering the latter 10-4 in a goal feast.

With the win, Diamond has earned a second round date with Soesdyke Falcons, tomorrow from 14:00hrs at the same venue. This match would be the feature of a double-header, as the East Bank Football Association Senior League will kick off with one match between Grove Hi Tech and Kuru Kururu Warriors.

The EBFA Senior League is being sponsored by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), fulfilling a commitment made by President Wayne Forde. The official march past of the 11 contesting clubs would also take place, with the best dressed team set to be rewarded with a trophy.

Yesterday’s U-20 KFC action saw a total of 20 goals being scored in the two matches played, as the teams battled for the lone available spot in the national playoffs.

Timehri Panthers got their goals from Tyrone Burnette, who scored in the 4th and 49th minutes; Pulsuram was on target in the 17th and 73rd minutes, while one goal was scored by Shawn Stelle in the 24th minute and by Tyrone David in the 37th minute.

Diamond United ran away 3-0 leaders by the 17th minute in their clash against Samatta Point/Kaneville, which saw two helmet-tricks and one hat-trick being recorded. Tariq Pryce blasted the first of his four goals for Diamond in the 5th minute, and followed up with strikes in the 73rd, 84th and 89th minutes.

Runaldo Grant in the 10th and Corvin Griffith in the 17th had put Diamond 3-0 up, after which Tyreece came into the mix with his four goals, the first coming in the 27th minute. He followed up with similarity in the 39th, 67th and 79th minutes.

Samatta Point/Kaneville’s Jadon Forthe employed his best efforts for his team by netting a hat-trick, but it was never going to be enough to save them from the rampaging lads of Diamond United.

Forthe rocked the back of the net in the 20th, 78th and 87th minutes. The other goal came off the boot of Kenyan Moe in the 82nd minute.

Gayle’s homecoming!

Chris Gayle returns to the Jamaica Tallawahs

T

he Jamaica Tallawahs have signed Chris Gayle as their Marquee Player for the 2019 Hero Caribbean Premier League season.

As leading T20 batsman of all time, Gayle is the only player with more than 10,000 runs in the format. He is the leading CPL run-scorer, with 2111 runs, and has scored three CPL hundreds, all of which were for the Tallawahs.

Gayle was with the Tallawahs from 2013 to 2016, winning the title for them twice in that time. He has since been with the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots, for whom he has captained the playoffs in successive years, making the final in 2017.

The Tallawahs will be playing five home games in

Jamaica during the 2019 season, giving the fans at Sabina Park a chance to see Gayle in action on his home ground.

This year’s Hero CPL will take place between September 4 and October 12.

The rest of the Tallawahs squad will be decided at the Hero CPL Players Draft, which takes place on 22 May. Jefferson Miller, COO of the Jamaica Tallawahs, said: “We are delighted to have Chris playing for his home team for the 2019 season. There is no bigger name in Twenty20 cricket, and we can’t wait for him to arrive and make the Jamaican fans proud. We are looking forward to Chris being a big part of our push for a third CPL title.”

Chris Gayle has led the Tallawahs to two CPL titles, in 2013 and 2016

SUNDAY, MAY 5, 2019

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Tri- Nation Series

Pg 23

Can Ireland put a second-string West Indies under pressure?

GFF/KFC U-20 Independence KO Cup –EBFA leg

Gayle’s homecoming!

Timehri Panthers, Grove Hi Tech advance to semis

Pg 23

Pg 23

Chris Gayle returns to the Jamaica Tallawahs 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.

May 5, 2019

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May 5, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine

3

Feature

A

merican author/philanthropist Tony Robbins once said, “It’s not what’s happening to you now or what has happened in your past that determines who you become.

Rather, it’s your decisions about what to focus on, what things mean to you, and what you’re going to do about them that will determine your ultimate destiny.”

No one knows more about changing the course of their destiny than Nazar ‘Shell’ Mohamed. Coming from humble beginnings, Mohamed was born on March 27, 1953 to parents Mariam and Mohamed Yusuff of Johanna Cecelia on the Essequibo Coast.

His father was a sawmill worker, and the family lived in a two-bedroom apartment in a logie.

Although the roof leaked and there were holes in the wall; although there was no running water, no electricity, and they had to use a latrine, the Mohameds had what mattered most, and that was: love and happiness.

Poverty was the way of life in the earlier days, with their fishermen neighbours assisting the family with fish for a meal, and even with financial assistance.

Now that he is in a place where he can provide assistance, Mohamed ensures that he takes care of the relatives of those who would have provided relief to his family when they were in need.

“You must never forget your past and those who moulded you; especially your parents, siblings and neighbours,” he says.

Being a spoilt child at his Madrasa (Islamic school), his act of being the messenger between smitten teenagers caused him to be named ‘Shell.’

As a young boy, he loved the outdoors: hunting, fishing, swimming and cricket. Being from the countryside, it meant he spent most of his days in the backdam, or engaging in sports, particularly cricket. He was a formidable batsman, and quite the athlete too.

Though his boyhood days were full of fun, frolic and mischief, Mohamed showed a keen interest in Islam. He punctually attended Madrasa, read the Holy Quran, and followed the teachings of the late Prophet and Messenger of God - Muhammad (on whom be peace). His parents were devout Muslims too.

Education was, and still is, the foundation of his life.

He started his primary education barefooted, and had to trudge on a rough brick road despite sun and rain, because he knew that if he was to change his life then, he would need to have a solid education. He was a

brilliant student, particularly in mathematics.

Due to his financial situation, Mohamed was forced to drop out of school, since his parents could not afford the bus fare of 23 cents to send him to the Anna Regina Secondary School. He never gave up though, and began a path of self-education through various means; but as life would have it, tragedy struck.

His father died, and being the eldest, he was catapulted to the role of breadwinner. He grieved a lot for his father, and to this day his hero remains his father. With a household of nine to provide for, he was forced to find a job, and he did.

It was labour intensive, spading and removing sawdust and packing lumber at a faraway sawmill. It was tough, but he never once complained because he knew he had to do what needed to be done.

Mohamed worked hard, and all he got for his efforts was just $10; but being the person he is, he made good use of that small sum. He would buy sweets for his siblings; groceries for his mother, so that they can have their meals; and for himself, just a glass of mauby and a cake.

Wanting for a better life and a more lucrative job, Mohamed began scouring the Essequibo Coast, but came up empty-handed.

That was when he decided to take the leap from the country to the city, and he moved to Georgetown and took up residence with a friend at Albouystown. It was there he felt what it was like to be robbed, and a few days after that, he moved to Bartica and then to Kaow Island, where he took a job as a checker at a sawmill.

Working for someone else was not his calling, since he was yearning to do business and be his own boss. After years, he returned to the city and settled in Alexander Village.

After stumbling on a few friends that were trading overseas, Mohamed joined them. He first started in the Caribbean, trading items like zippers.

After it became profitable, he ventured to the United States, and started to gain knowledge of the trade market. He later became a licensed Cambio dealer and started to flourish.

He ventured into a series of other businesses, shaping what is ultimately his future. Today, he runs an empire, but still remains the humble son of a sawmill worker.

Family is ultimately important to him, and he values his marriage, children and grandchildren. He remains the charitable man, and not a day goes by without him giving to some kind of charity.

4

Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

May 5, 2019

Food

By Rupa Seenaraine

I

ndian cuisine is known around the world for its varying ranges of aromatic spices, which is clearly differentiated from other types of cooking. Here in Guyana, Indian food is quite common, with notable variations since it was brought to this land during the arrival of East Indians in 1838.

In India, the streets are usually bustling with merchants who market their dried spices such as cumin, masalas, chillies, cinnamon, turmeric, cardamom and mustard seeds among others. Ginger and coriander are also prevalent to achieve certain distinct tastes.

In India, there is an ar-

ray of sweet and savoury dishes depending on the location. In fact, each state captures a different palate but these have been uniquely merged into one here in Guyana.

When the indentured immigrants arrived, the cooking techniques were brought from their motherland. Up until a few decades ago, these practices were well-preserved just as how the way it was done in the early era.

During a conversation with my grandmother, Homattie Seenaraine, she revealed that in her young childhood, it was a norm for Indian food to be prepared on a daily basis.

On most occasions, dhal or lentils was a staple with a few curried vegetables. If

rice wasn’t prepared to accompany a curry, roti or dhal puri was made.

“This is what we were taught to cook. Dhal was regular food. Every afternoon, people would return from the farm and they would be made this and other vegetables, whatever was available at that time. Sometimes, dhal puri if there was enough time,”

she said.

She distinctively remembered ‘seven curry’ being prepared on important events when persons from the village would be invited. It is still known as one of the most popular dishes, having seven components mainly rice, lentils, a chutney and four to five vegetable dishes all served up in a lotus leaf, which surprisingly serves conveniently as a plate.

Back in those days, the use of a mortar and pestle was quite common. The mortar was a hollow bowl, usually made of stone and the pestle would be used to crush spices and other herbs. The traditional fireside was used primarily for all cooking.

Adding to that, amchar or pickles would be made from weeks ago and stored in jars.

Seasonal fruits such as mangoes would be picked and prepared to last for as long as they could by using mustard oil and other natural preservatives.

In a modernised setting, the prevalence of these foods is still widespread.

However, there is an indentation caused by western influence by persons of the younger generations.

While many of the foods are still prepared, it is mostly done on special occasions, religious holidays like Holi and Diwali or just a few times a week as compared to every meal.

Of course, there are other items such as samosas, which have gained popularity through increased connection to India. In this way, other dishes are being introduced to the Guyanese strata.

“There is a lot of western influence on the Indian cooking because now it is occasional to do things that we used to do every day.

People, of course, learn new ways,” she said.

Presently, many of the ingredients used in Indian cooking are sold extensively in supermarkets and local arcades. Adding to that, some spices are processed

and packaged by locals, eliminating the tedious task of grinding these elements.

Sweetmeats

Barfi, kheer, gulab jamun, ladoo, jalebi and many others are the most common sweet delicacies which originated from India. Having survived many tweaks and changes in the Guyanese culture, the recipes are passed from one generation to the next.

Growing up in a very traditional home, a variety of these were prepared and distributed to neighbours on auspicious occasions. A common favourite was seemingly kheer, made with rice and milk with cinnamon, sugar and cardamom. Raisins and other dried fruits were also added.

This was served with gulab jamoon, a sweet, syrupy sphere which earned its unmistakable taste from just a few drops of rosewater.

Jalebi, on the other hand, is another syrup based delicacy but models a crunchy texture.

Food has evolved to include the plethora of different cultures incorporated in the Guyanese fabric.

guyanatimesgy.com

May 5, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine 5

Feature

By Rupa Seenaraine

W

hen one hears the mention of tassa drummers, their mind immediately rushes to primarily men. It is one of the many stereotypes buried within society, which chooses to hide women from these roles.

This is not the same for Chandni Jaimangal, an 18-year-old who is passionate about tassa drumming and plays for one of the most popular groups – the Dynamic Tassa Troup.

During a recent interview with the Sunday Times Magazine, she related that this journey began about one year ago when she officially joined her three brothers – Navindra, Chanshekhar and Chanderpaul along with the other members of the group.

According to Chandni, making the step of entering a male-dominated field was never strange since she grew up watching her brothers play the drums.

Eventually, she too became engrossed with learning the skill, which she has managed to perfect.

“I joined my brothers about a year now. So far, it has been amazing. My brothers were the ones to teach me how to play and I just love the vibe and playing for people.”

For her, making people happy takes precedence and she is especially pleased when persons dance to the music which she has created.

“What I like most is that when I’m playing, people dance and sometimes they have a nice moment.

Everybody is happy. As long as you see that they’re happy, I’m happy,” she revealed.

Presently, Chandni accompanies the troupe to all events, sometimes it is weddings and on other occasions, it is to perform for the

President at State House.

She shared that accepting the invitation to play at State House is one of her most memorable memories.

Another thing she loves about being a member of the troupe is travelling to different locations. So far, she was lucky to visit Essequibo, Wakenaam and Berbice among other places.

“Playing at State House was really amazing. Other than that, I got to travel to Essequibo, Wakenaam and Berbice and hopefully, more opportunities will come in the future.”

Navindra Jaimangal, who is the founder of the group, hinted that other females have expressed interests in joining the group and it is something he looks forward to in the future.

With the right training, he is positive that other girls can join the team successfully.

“My sister is the first female to ever join our group.

Many others asked but they are yet to come for training and we would love to recruit more female tassa players to the troupe,” he expressed.

Coming from the community of Windsor Forest on the West Bank of Demerara, his two brothers helped to officially form the group.

From 2014 to now, they have evolved to recruit many persons, some of whom have left and others who have enjoyed the company of the troupe. During that process, the name “Dynamic” surfaced and it describes what the group is about – new ideas and invention.

The other members of the team include Subhash Haimraj, Mohan Singh, Deepak Rupchand, Kevin Somwaru, Jagdeo Persaud, Haresh Hanoman, Ryan Persaud and Adesh Rabichand.

“We played tassa for over 10 years now but Dynamic was created in 2014. The

name Dynamic comes from the style we play, always finding new stuff to incorporate and new ideas.”

He stated that the group is always open to sharing their talent with other interested youths. So far, they conduct continuous training with

persons and then introduce them to the field to give them some exposure.

The group currently has 10 members, and they would alternate themselves to fit the schedule.

He is hoping that they can take their skills in Trinidad, where tassa drumming is highly recognized and the competition is intense.

“Usually, a group could play with four. On average, we would have about six.

That’s the advantage of hav-

ing so many members. In the time to come, we plan on going to Trinidad.

We know that there is a lot of competition but it’s good just for the experience and participation,” he explained.

At present, the group is practising for the Dubraj Tassa Competition, which is slated for May 5. Last year, they would have acquired second place and this time around, they are hoping to take the first place.

6 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

May 5, 2019

Feature

G

u y a nese, will on Sunday, May 5, 2019 observe East Indian Arrival Day ; an occasion commemorating the 181st anniversary of their arrival, bringing with them their ancient customs, food and culture from India.

Under a system of agreement, an order in the Council of Britain was passed on July 12, 1838 making provision for indentured immigrants to travel to Guyana for a term of five years.

The immigrant ship Hesperus

On January 13, 1838 the Whitby left the shores of India with 249 immigrants on board and arrived in Guyana on the 5th May 1838 after a voyage of 112 days. Five immigrants died during the voyage. The Whitby proceeded first to Berbice and landed 164 passengers at Hilbury, East Bank Berbice, nearly 12 miles from New Amsterdam.

East of the capital, the

same day it returned to Vreeden-hoop, West Demerara and landed 80 passengers. Out of the 244 immigrants that came with the Whitby they were 233 men, 5 women and 6 children. The first man to step on shore in Berbice was Anant Ram while in Demerara the first man to disembark was Nutha Khan.

On January 29, 1838, the Hesperus sailed from Calcutta sixteen days later than the Whitby, with 165 persons on board. It arrived at Port Georgetown on the night of May 5th 1838, 13 immigrants died during the voyage including two persons who fell over-board. Out of the 152 im-

migrants that came on board the Hesperus, were 135 men, 6 women and 11 children.

On January 26, 1845 ‘Lord Hunger’ left Calcutta with 162 passengers on board, the ship arrived in Georgetown on May 4, 1845, and ten persons died on the way. Next ship was the ‘Success’, which arrived on July 21, 1845 with 231 passengers, 14 died on the way. Next was the ‘Nester’, which arrived on December 26, 1845 with 233 persons and brought 500 bags of rice.

On February 2, 1846 ‘Manchester’ then the ‘Thetis’ followed by the ‘Tamerlane’ the ‘Martin Luther’ and ‘Troy” in succession, then the ‘John Wickliffe’, the ‘Bussorary Merchant’, the ‘Aurora’, ‘Lady Mekennaway’ and lastly the ‘SS Ganges’, which docked in Georgetown on April 18, 1917.

Bringing that period, 79 years- 238,979 indentured labourers journeyed from India to Guyana to work under colonial administration. They were distributed to various locations on the coastland of Guyana.

The plantation system and conditions were not favourable at all. The immigrants worked from sunrise to sunset and were so poorly paid that they were just able to exist. They slaved and provided luxurious living for their masters. They brought with them a rich culture and heritage together with a language.

The indentured immigrants were disciplined and found satisfaction in honest and productive work. They were kind, hospitable and generous and they lived contented lives. They made tremendous sacrifices so that their descendants would be able to enjoy a better standard of living.

The foremost characteristic of the struggle of the East Indian immigrants against indenture and plantation system was their unity. Their unity had been forged on shipboard. Those who came on the same ship were considered as ship brothers and sisters-“Jahaji”.

A further contributing factor to unity was that everyone came with an inter-faith mind of mainly Hindus and Muslims and there was also a belief that the caste system has been lost through the crossing of ‘Kaala’ Pani (Black Water). Through the years the community spirit has manifested itself in various situations-forming groups singing Ramayan, Bhajanas reading of the Holy Quran

and observing the various festivals and holi days etc.

The plantation owners and the colonial administration feared the unity of the workers and used several techniques to destroy it. By January 1830, there was evidence that the Indian labourers were being mistreated.

Far more significant were the uprisings, which frequently led to tragic deaths of immigrant workers protesting illegal wages, bad conditions and the exploitation of their women.

There were eight main disturbances on sugar plantations leading to shooting by colonial police from Devonshire Castle in 1872 to 1948 at Enmore. At Vreed-enhoop, West Bank Demerara an English nurse Betsy Ann testified that she had witnessed the flogging of immigrants with the cat-o-nine tails, and another woman Elizabeth Caesar witnessed the flogging of immigrants under the manager’s house after which, salt pickle was rubbed on to their backs.

Figures show that one out of every five immigrants was brought before the courts; not for offences of a criminal nature but for resistance to a plantation system, which was supported by the judiciary and colonial administration.

There were no trade unions until recent times.

The East Indians have contributed in a significant way to build Guyana’s economic and social structures.

It was indeed the unity of principle and action among East Indians that brought overwhelming success to our dear land of Guyana.

(Adapted from an article by Shan Razak; 2013 Guyana Times newspaper)

Origin of indentureship

Most of us know that ‘Arrival Day’ is about the ‘arrival’ of ‘indentured servants’ to labour on the sugar plantations after the abolition of slavery - first the Portuguese (1935), West Indian Africans (1835), Indians (1838), and, finally, the Chinese (1853).

But exactly what is an ‘indentured servant’? It is actually one of a series of arrangements in which individuals were pressured by various devices - which were enacted into ‘law’ - to provide their labour under controlled and specified conditions.

‘Indentured labour’ was but one of various guises under which individuals across the globe were conscripted to provide labour in the develop-

East Indian lodgings

ment of the ‘capitalist’ mode of production that developed as Europe began to exploit the worlds it had ‘discovered’ – and more germanely, conquered – after 1492. There were indentured labourers from Europe starting from the 17th century long before the Indians from India.

Indian indentureship

In India, which the British East India Company conquered between 1657 and 1818, the British passed laws that changed the rules on land taxes and crops that should be cultivated. Consequently, millions died from famine and pushed off the land to become the excess labour that could be exported to other parts of the empire as needed.

Under the new racism, Indians were also lower intrinsically to whites.

Indentured Indian labour was first used within India in the tea plantations of Assam, and then to the newly acquired French islands of Reunion and Mauritius.

After the abolition of African slavery in the British Empire in 1834, rather than moving to ‘free labour’, as was promised, they introduced ‘unfree’ indentured labour by law. The contracts of the indentureds were structured to keep them bound to their employer so that if they were not in the fields, they had to be either in jail or hospital.

Infractions of their contract were subjected to criminal penalties, and these were applied liberally.

In Fiji, the descendants of the Indian indentureds call themselves ‘GIRMITIYA’ people of the agreement by which they were bound to the new world.

The indenture contracts formed a partnership between the traveller and the ‘master’ to exchange years of service for a promise of future compensation like acres of land, livestock, clothing, room and boarding during the time of service. The terms of this contract were between servant Patrick Larkin and Master Thomas Blood.

The Indian Indenture contract

Below is an example from Mauritius of the indenture contract that Indians were made to sign before embarking on the ship for the colonies at the beginning of indentureship. The terms were to be copied by all the countries such as Guyana and Trinidad, which received indentured labour later.

guyanatimesgy.com

May 5, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine 7

Feature

By Brandon Corlette

A

t age 18, Guyana’s Under 19 female captain, Shabika Gajnabi remains on the radar for selection in West Indies Women’s team. In 2018, she gained selection

in the West Indies Women’s training squad ahead of the Stand-alone ICC Women’s World T20.

She continued her outstanding performances at both the junior and senior levels for Guyana and she

By Professor Indira Babbellapati Coerced Manipulated Lured Hoards and hoards Huddled up on decks What the dark waters Had in store None could guess Thrown into one’s own kinsman But each in one’s own Cocoon of dreams Of wealth Of returning Names forgotten Numbers, their identity ‘Slaves’ reinvented To augment imperial arrogance To make the rulers ‘sweeter’ Cheap labor to fill the royal coffers Thumb impressions Sealing generations of lives Labeled ‘coolies’ They passed on legacy of uprootedness They strived and struggled The song they secretly Carried from the homeland Their only connect To the past of familiar shores Lurking like fading light Where are they?

Scattered all over the world Return to the motherland A distant cry Human history— A saga of exploitation A saga of subversion Personal history— Cracked memories Carefully secured in one’s heart.

is in the current training squad that will tour Ireland and England in May/June 2019. Born on July 14, 2000, Shabika Gajnabi hails from the humble village of Chesney but she is a current player for the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTYSC). Gajnabi was inspired by her father to play the game of cricket and she has never looked back.

The blooming cricketing talent, Gajnabi attended the Port Mourant Secondary School; she lived a dream of becoming an international player, representing West Indies Women’s. That dream is on the brink of reality as she is seen as one of the supreme talents in the Caribbean. Gajnabi dominated the recently concluded Regional U-19 Female tournament in Trinidad and Tobago.

A clean hitter of the cricket ball, Gajnabi was one of three Guyanese to make the Regional team of

Shabika Gajnabi displays her top form as she prepares to assault the incoming ball

the tournament on the back of some stellar performances. The right-handed batter, Gajnabi hit 52 from 48 balls against hosts, Trinidad and Tobago following her 57 against Jamaica. Bowling her right arm medium, Gajnabi had 3-13 against Barbados U-19s and 2-15 against Canada.

In the Senior Women’s tournament, the teenag-

er played a significant role in Guyana’s team. She was one of two batters to aggregate 100 runs in the Super50 tournament behind her Berbice teammate, Shemaine Campbelle; Gajnabi scored 136 runs and picked up one player of the match award against the Leeward Islands. On her quest to wear the maroon colours and represent West

Indies Women’s, Gajnabi admires the current captain of the Caribbean side, Stafanie Taylor.

When asked the reason behind this choice, Gajnabi stated “I just like everything she does in cricket her captaincy, her bowling, and most importantly, her batting. My dream is to one day bat like her”. Playing at both levels for Guyana, Gajnabi’s most successful batting performance came in the Female Inter-county tournament in 2019. The belligerent right-hander blasted a high score of 160 against Essequibo in a match played at Everest Cricket Club. Her best bowling performance was 4-12 in four overs.

Equipped with such talent, the humble being will certainly break into the West Indies Women’s team.

With age on her side, she will be the next product this nation has produces that will play cricket at the highest level.

8 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

May 5, 2019

Tourism

T

wo hundred and fifty labourers had sailed from Kolkata (then Calcutta) India on The Whitby to arrive in British Guiana on May 5, 1838.

Four died along the 96-day journey. Highbury, their first point of entry, is a small village at the culmination of an annual trek by those commemorating the arrival of East Indians in Guyana.

According to some accounts, many of those who returned to India after their indentureship period at Highbury had ended, returned with substantial wealth; paving the way for the Indian indentureship era in Guyanese history, and, according to most scholars, saving the colony from ruin and abandonment.

After the labour vacuum left by freed slaves began to have a disastrous effect on colonial industry, particularly the sugar industry, the owners of Plantation Highbury along with a few others including John Gladstone, from Liverpool, England, sent to India for workers to tend their investments.

Henry Davidson, Aeneas Barkly, whose only surviving son Henry Barkly would become the 4th governor of British Guiana (1849-1853), and D.C. Cameron, were the British owners of the plantation. Aeneas Barkly died during the apprenticeship period, and his son Henry took over his father’s affairs.

One hundred and seventeen labourers, including 11 females, arrived at Plantation Highbury on the East bank of the Berbice River to begin their period of indenture on the colony. Their indentures were dated from Dec. 29, 1837.

According to some accounts, by January 1839, a visit by a Justice Macleod to Plantation Highbury found that 15 males and two females had since died, and some 10-15 were on the “sick list”. The surviving labourers were described as “cheerful and contented”. By November 1839, mortality rates at the plantation included 17 males and one female, with 12

on the sick list. Others had run away several times, despite reports of the good treatment of coolies on the plantation.

Official colony records stated that 22 persons from the original first batch had died on Plantation Highbury, either from drowning, excessive drinking, dysentery or gangrene, to name a few, while two had run away. Colony records also note that the Highbury Pln labourers reared the most livestock than anywhere else on the colony; both for their own food and to sell.

In January 1843, Davidson wrote to Lord Stanley that “the first-class ship “Louisa Baille”” was returning to India with a batch of former indentured workers from Highbury estate. This was after a flurry of letters from colony governor Henry Light to Lord Stanley in England, conveying the increasing uneasiness of the workers who were still in the colony awaiting their journey back home after serving out their contracts.

Colony records estimate that 81 Highbury labourers returned to India on the “Louisa Baille”, while nine chose to remain on the colony. There were also eight women, seven boys and two girls on the return trip, of which all but two children were born on the colony. Between the 81 labourers, the group was returning with some $8,536, while four of the nine remaining had no savings at the time.

But Plantation Highbury was not the original name of the estate, nor were its British owners its original landlords. The estate initially belonged to the Berbice Association, a Dutch association formed in 1720 similar to the East India Company (of Hindustan) to expand cultivation within the colony and which was a substantial slave owner on the colony.

The Berbice Association, though with allegiance to Holland, were proprietors who governed the territory and could sell lands, described as lots or grants, to private owners willing to establish

2017 Arrival Day observances at Highbury ( DPI Photo)

plantations. The association also retained lands on which they established what they called “model estates”. These model estates, known as “Society’s ground” or “Society’s Plantations”, are also referred to as “Colony Estates” on some maps.

When the colony was captured by the British, there were four such estates under the association, and an agreement was made between the two sides that these were to be treated as private rather than government property.

These four estates were called Dageraad, St Jan, Dankbaarheid and Sandvoort, and remained association property until November 1818 when they were sold to Cameron, Davidson and Barkly, partners of the English company Davidson’s, Barkly & Co. The partners in this purchase then divided the properties among themselves.

Cameron, along with a friend, took Sandvoort, then a large coffee estate in Canje.

Sandvoort would later be divided into two; of which one half was converted into a sugar estate named “Lochaber” after the Scottish headquarters of the Camerons.

The other three plantations re-

mained with Barkly and Davidson, though Dageraad, a sugar plantation, after a period was handed over to the government as a leper asylum or colony.

St Jan, originally a coffee plantation, and Dankbaarheid , a sugar estate, were united and renamed Highbury, after Barkly’s place, Highbury Grove, in Middlesex (then an English county) near London.

In addition, according to the book “Frustrated Peasants, Marginalized Workers: Free African Villages in Guyana” by Wazir Mohamed, sometime between 1847 -1848, 100 acres of Crown Land in Highbury were commun a l l y pur-

Dancing celebration

chased by former slaves. Between 1853 and 1880, writes Walton Look Lai in his book “The Chinese in the West Indies, 1806-1995: A Documentary History”, Highbury Plantation also indentured Chinese workers.

Position of Arrival Day monument One note of unease from some members of the East Indian Community is the fact that the construction of the Indian Arrival Day monument, in the pipeline, should be sited at Highbury, where the first batch of Indian immigrants actually arrived, instead of Palmyra.

Replica of the Whitby

guyanatimesgy.com

May 5, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine

9

10 Sunday Times Magazine

May 5, 2019

guyanatimesgy.com

Feature

A photograph of The Clyde, which brought indentured immigrants from Calcutta to Demerara (Photo by the British Library)

Plantation Enmore, East Coast Demerara, British Guiana (Photo from 'British Guiana Picture Postcards' by Terence Dickinson)

Rural dwelling, West Coast Demerara. Logies of Leonora Estate, once occupied by plantation workers (Photo courtesy of National Trust of Guyana)

Sugar factory at work, Plantation Skeldon (Berbice Gazette)

Immigration Department

East Indian Market, Plantation Farm, East Bank Demerara (Photo courtesy of National Trust of Guyana)

Interior view of sugar factory

guyanatimesgy.com

May 5, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine 11

Indian Recipes

• • • • •

• • • • • •

• • • • • •

Ingredients 4 dried red chilli peppers 3 long, green fresh chilli peppers 1 teaspoon cumin seeds 1 teaspoon Kashmiri garam masala 1 (1 inch) piece fresh ginger root, peeled and grated 5 cloves garlic, crushed 1/4 cup dried unsweetened coconut 3 tomatoes, chopped 6 tablespoons vegetable oi l2 large onions, thinly sliced 2 pounds lamb meat, cut into 1 1/2inch cubes Salt to taste 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric 1 cup plain yogurt 1/2 teaspoon saffron threads 20 whole blanched almonds 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1.

Directions Place red chiles, green chiles, cumin seeds, garam masala, ginger, garlic, grated coconut, and tomatoes into a blender; pulse several times to chop, then blend into a smooth

Ingredients • 1 cup yogurt • tablespoon lemon juice • 2 teaspoons fresh ground cumin • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon • 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper • 2 teaspoons freshly ground black

pepper • 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger • 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste • 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts,

cut into bite-size pieces • 4 long skewers • 1 tablespoon butter

Ingredients • 2 mangoes – peeled, seeded and diced • 2 cups plain yogurt • ½ cup white sugar • 1 cup ice Directions In a blender, combine mangos, yogurt, sugar and ice. Blend until smooth. Pour into glasses and serve.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

paste.

Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Stir in onion; cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low, and continue cooking and stirring until the onion is very tender and golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes more.

Stir the spice paste into the onion and cook and stir until the oil separates from the mixture, about 3 minutes.

Stir in lamb pieces and salt. Cook, stirring frequently over medium-high heat, until the lamb pieces are browned on all sides, about 8 minutes.

Mix in yogurt, saffron, and blanched almonds until well combined.

Reduce the heat to low and simmer, covered, until the meat is tender and the gravy is thick, about 1 hour.

Garnish the curry with chopped cilantro before serving.

• • • • • • • •

1 clove garlic, minced 1 jalapeno pepper, finely chopped 2 teaspoons ground cumin 2 teaspoons paprika 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce 1 cup heavy cream 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Directions • In a large bowl, combine yogurt,

lemon juice, 2 teaspoons cumin,

cinnamon, cayenne, black pepper,

ginger, and salt. Stir in chicken,

cover, and refrigerate for 1 hour.

• Preheat a grill for high heat.

• Lightly oil the grill grate. Thread

chicken onto skewers, and discard

marinade. Grill until juices run clear,

about 5 minutes on each side.

• Melt butter in a large heavy skillet

over medium heat. Sauté garlic

and jalapeno for 1 minute. Season

with 2 teaspoons cumin, paprika,

and 3 teaspoons salt. Stir in tomato

sauce and cream. Simmer on low

heat until sauce thickens, about 20

minutes. Add grilled chicken, and

simmer for 10 minutes. Transfer

to a serving platter, and garnish with

fresh cilantro.

Home & Cooking

Ingredients • 1 (.25 ounce) package

active dry yeast • 1 cup warm water • 1/4 cup white sugar • 3 tablespoons milk • 1 egg, beaten • 2 teaspoons salt • 4 1/2 cups bread flour • 2 teaspoons minced garlic

(optional) • 1/4 cup butter, melted Directions 1. In a large bowl, dissolve

yeast in warm water.

Let stand about 10

minutes, until frothy. Stir

in sugar, milk, egg, salt,

and enough flour to

make a soft dough. Knead

for 6 to 8 minutes on a

lightly floured surface, or

until smooth. Place dough

in a well oiled bowl, cover with a

damp cloth, and set aside to rise. Let

it rise 1 hour, until the dough has

doubled in volume.

2. Punch down dough, and knead in

garlic. Pinch off small handfuls of

dough about the size of a golf ball.

Roll into balls, and place on a tray.

Cover with a towel, and allow to rise

until doubled in size, about 30

minutes.

3. During the second rising, preheat

4.

Ingredients • 1 cup yogurt • tablespoon lemon juice • 2 teaspoons fresh ground cumin • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon • 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper • 2 teaspoons freshly ground black

pepper • 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger • 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste • 3 boneless skinless chicken

breasts, cut into bite-size pieces

• • • • • • • • • •

Directions • In a large bowl, combine yogurt,

lemon juice, 2 teaspoons cumin,

cinnamon, cayenne, black

pepper, ginger, and salt. Stir in

chicken, cover, and refrigerate

for 1 hour.

• Preheat a grill for high heat.

• Lightly oil the grill grate. Thread

chicken onto skewers, and

discard marinade. Grill until

juices run clear, about 5 minutes

on each side.

•

grill to high heat.

At grill side, roll one ball of dough out into a thin circle. Lightly oil grill.

Place dough on grill, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until puffy and lightly browned. Brush uncooked side with butter, and turn over.

Brush cooked side with butter, and cook until browned, another 2 to 4 minutes. Remove from grill, and continue the process until all the naan has been prepared.

4 long skewers 1 tablespoon butter 1 clove garlic, minced 1 jalapeno pepper, finely chopped 2 teaspoons ground cumin 2 teaspoons paprika 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce 1 cup heavy cream 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Melt butter in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Sauté garlic and jalapeno for 1 minute.

Season with 2 teaspoons cumin, paprika, and 3 teaspoons salt.

Stir in tomato sauce and cream.

Simmer on low heat until sauce thickens, about 20 minutes. Add grilled chicken, and simmer for 10 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter, and garnish with fresh cilantro.

12 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

May 5, 2019

Puzzles

ACROSS

1 Guitar sound 6 Brooded

11 Loose-fitting

16 Kind of jar

21 Calgary Stampede

22 Skirt the issue

23 Dragon puppet

24 Chemical compound

25 Winter constellation

26 Wear hand-me-downs

27 Attacked by jellyfish

28 Stoops

29 Navajo foe

30 Qatar rulers

32 Water-lily painter

34 Dollop

36 -- a load of that!

37 Clonk

39 Finished up

41 Second to none

43 Impedes

45 Domed residence

47 Specks

49 Bear habitat

51 Black-footed critters

54 Whiz 55 Posterior

56 Veep’s boss

60 Adjusts, as tires

61 Shogun’s domain

62 Greet the queen

64 Demand, as a price

65 George of “Star Trek”

66 Raul’s brother

67 Objects on radar

68 Ekberg of films

70 Dog days in Dijon

71 Front indicator

73 Laments loudly

74 Yodeler’s home

75 Croat neighbor

77 Town near Provo

78 Butte cousins

79 Gander (hyph.)

80 Pulls apart

82 “Emptor,” translated

83 Portage item

84 Daisy Mae - 87 Find a new tenant

88 Philandering fellow

89 Like some controls

93 Breathes hard

94 Had a cough

95 Sore-throated

97 Kung fu expert Bruce - 98 Pixies

99 Wallet stuffers

100 Latin dance music

101 A Beatle

103 Whopper

104 Muss up someone’s hair

106 Muscular

107 Hold onto

108 Vampire’s tooth

110 WWW addresses

111 Rally starters

112 Happy outcome

113 Viewpoint

115 Vicious elephant

116 Merriment

117 Dough

120 Amazing bargain

122 Stage production

124 Egg portion

128 30-day mo.

129 “Harper Valley --”

131 Think alike

133 Granny Smith

135 Noon on a sundial 136 Understand

138 Part of REM

140 Soup server

142 General course

144 Not glossy

145 Sweet liqueur

146 Thorny shrub

147 Fiddled with

148 Yet to come

149 Put on the payroll

150 Not quite right

151 Abrasive mineral DOWN

1 Speckled fish 2 Usefulness

3 Farewell

4 Prefix meaning “recent”

5 Not home

6 Soft wools

7 Go to extremes 8 Hesitate

9 Sullivan and Murrow

10 Judge

11 Sarajevo language

KATHLEEN SAXE

WORD GAME TODAY’S WORD -- JARDINIERE (JARDINIERE: jar-din-EER: An ornamental stand for plants or flowers.)

Average mark 42 words Time limit 60 minutes Can you find 60 or more words in JARDINIERE? TODAY’S WORD -- JARDINIERE jade jarred jean jeer aerie aide aired airier arid radii raid raider rain rainier ranee

rani rare read reader readier rear reed rein rend render reran reread ride rider rind

dare darer darn darner dean dear dearer deer denier dine diner dire drain drainer drear

drier idea nadir near nearer need nerd eared earn earner eider endear erne errand erred

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.

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18

19

20 31

33

35

38

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46

48

50

51

52

53

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58

59

Changes clothes Floods the market Pink lady ingredient Safecracker Crowded around noisily Lumberjack tool Blacken More peculiar Egg containers Defrosts Regularly Some bouquets Mournful music Toddler swaddler Punks Recipe meas.

Wish granters Almond-shaped Equine fodder Fearsome trio Raise spirits Picard’s assistant Respectful title Cliff dwellings, now Racetrack boundaries Helena rival Aquarium denizen

61

62

63

66

67

69

72

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74

76

78

79

81

82

83

84

85

86

87 88

90

91

92

94

95

96

99

Is in accord

Unambiguous

Search engine Focus and Escape

Under siege

Ready to streak Nightclub numbers

Entered data

Ice-cream treats

Intrepid

Pack animals Gene Tierney movie

Spit out

Ball girl?

Run on gravity

Rock ledge

Ben Jonson dedicatee “Nevermore” quoter

Lunar trenches

Buns Humeri attachments

Zeus’ shield Trotsky and Spinks

Ushers’ beats

Flagged down

Not slouching Knot on a tree

100 102 105 106 107 109 111 112 114 115 116 117 118 119 121 123 125 126 127 130 132 134 137 139 141 143

Crewmate of Uhura Like dandruff Should, with “to” Call, as an elk In the country Guy’s date Hopped on Coy smiles Took a snooze Junta, say Sugarbush units Obsidian, once Talk-show name Expound at length Narrow down Diameter halves Kind of daisy Hard-hit drive Tot (var.)

Part of a foot Isle off Sicily Feminine suffix RR terminal Christina’s pop Tentacle PC acronym See Solution on page 14

guyanatimesgy.com

May 5, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine 13

14 Sunday Times Magazine

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May 5, 2019

Bollywood/Hollywood

P

A

ctor Hrithik Roshan and his former wife Sussanne Khan got divorced in 2014 but are often seen together along with their two children, Hrehaan and Hridhaan. Speaking to Bollywood Hungama, Sussanne said that their marriage may have ended but her relationship with Hrithik is sacred and that he is her support system.

She was quoted as saying: “I have a support system in Hrithik.

It’s not a marriage, but we are friends. That zone is so sacred to me, it doesn’t make me feel sad or lonely.

My kids are go-getters.

They organise things!” Hrithik and Sussanne are often seen at outings with their boys, be it lunches and dinners or movie outings. They also go on vacations as a family.

Hrithik and Sussanne were married for 14 years before they ended their relationship in 2014.

The two continue to co-parent their children. Last year, there was speculation that they may reconcile but both had dismissed the rumours.

Hrithik will be seen next in Super 30, a biopic on Bihar’s mathematics wizard Anand Kumar, who coaches students from non-privileged social strata to crack the elite IIT examination.

The film will release on July 26, which was earlier supposed to

B

ollywood actor Tiger Shroff has revealed he has been offered many Hollywood projects but he is yet to sign anything. Tiger, who is gearing up for the release of Student of the Year 2, was talking about being stereotyped as an action hero.

Claiming that not being versatile is his USP, Tiger said, “I am not at all versatile and I look at it as a positive thing. I already have an identity of an action hero in the Hindi film industry where there is so much competition.

When people talk about action heroes of the present time, one of the names could be Tiger Shroff. Yes, I am typecast but this whole thing has given me an identity and made me stand out. It makes me

hit the screens on the Republic Day weekend this year.

Sussanne has had a successful stint as an interior designer.

“My mum (Zarine) and sisters (Farah Khan Ali and Simone Arora) have been key players in my life and more importantly my careers,” Sussanne had told IANS. “Also, my boys give me all the inspiration I’ll ever need,” she added. (Hindustan Times)

feel good.”

Is he interested to work in the West?

“Though I have got some offers, I haven’t signed anything yet. I am very lucky that people have noticed my work and have understood that I have the ability to perform action. Maybe there is a void of young action heroes in the West, which is opening a possibility,” he said.

Starting his career with Heropanti in 2014, Tiger has featured in films like Baaghi and Baaghi 2. He will soon feature in Student Of The Year 2, produced

by Dharma Productions. Student of the Year 2 is the sequel to the 2012 hit Student of The Year, which marked the Bollywood debut of Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan, and Sidharth Malhotra.

The film which is being helmed by Punit Malhotra is set to hit the screens on May 10. (Hindustan Times)

J

oe Jonas and Sophie Turner got hitched just hours after the Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas at A Little White Wedding Chapel on Wednesday, May 1, a rep for Turner confirmed to Page Six. Diplo posted footage of the wedding in his Instagram story, which showed that Turner walked down the aisle as country music duo Dan + Shay performed an acoustic version of their hit song “Speechless.”

The DJ also posted a live story to his Instagram, which showed an Elvis Presley impersonator officiating the ceremony, which ended with the pair exchanging ring pops instead of wedding bands.

Jonas’ brothers Kevin and Nick were both groomsmen.

Jonas, 29, and Turner, 23, got a marriage license earlier in the day, according to online records obtained by Page Six. The singer and “Game of Thrones” actress announced their engagement in October 2017 with an Instagram photo

of her sparkler.

Though they were rumored to have started dating in late summer 2016, the incredibly private couple didn’t make their red carpet debut until two years later, when they wore matching outfits at the Louis Vuitton fashion show at the Louvre in Paris.

The delayed debut wasn’t a surprise, though, as Turner has admitted she prefers to keep her relationships to

ink is opening up about her decision to share some of her past struggles in her new song, “Happy,” in which she sings, “Since I was 17, I’ve always hated my body / and it feels like my body’s hated me.”

“The reason I said (that) is because I’ve always had this very tomboy, very strong gymnast body, but actually at 17 I had a miscarriage, and I was going to have that child,” the 39-year-old told USA Today.

Pink further explained the lyrics of the track off her new “Hurts 2B Human” album, saying that a mis-

carriage makes a woman “feel like your body hates you and like your body is broken, and it’s not doing what it’s supposed to do.”

The now mother of two shared she’s actually had “several miscarriages” since she was a teen, adding, “I think it’s important to talk about what you’re ashamed of, who you really are and the painful (expletive). I’ve always written that way.”

In June 2011, Pink gave birth to daughter Willow Sage — her first child with husband, Carey Hart. The couple welcomed their son, Jameson Moon, in December 2016. (Page Six)

F

or actor Ayushmann Khurrana, 2018 will always be special. Two of his films, Andhadhun and later Badhaai Ho, worked wonders at the box office. It was also the time when his personal life was in turmoil.

Ayushmann’s wife Tahira Kashyap was diagnosed with breast cancer. In an interview with Rajeev Masand, Ayushmann mentioned the news of her cancer came on his birthday.

He said: “It was difficult. Thanks to her, that she was brave enough to take it positively. I was in the middle of promoting these two films last year, Andhadhun and Badhaai Ho. And we got to know of it on my birthday. And we saw a film that day, Manmarziyaan — on September 14 and we got to know about this disease and she was like I want to just celebrate my life, take it head-on and we are together in this — both fighting the disease and my promoting the films. So it was a collective effort. I am glad she has overcome and as we speak, she’s is delivering a lecture on cancer, how to fight, how to combat it. She’s a leader now with cancer patients. She’s an inspiration.”

Ayushmaan has two interesting films in his kitty — Mulk director Anubhav Sinha’s investigative drama Article 15 and Raaj Shaandilyaa’s Dream Girl. Speaking about Dream Girl, Raaj told PTI: “I can’t reveal much about the film but the title

herself. She did, however, confess to Elle magazine that she likes to date people in the entertainment industry because it’s “easier.”

“I found it easier to date someone who understands the industry or is in that world,” she shared.

“You realize that you’re not going to see each other all the time.

And you don’t feel like a jerk when you’re like, ‘My publicist says I can’t do this …’”

It wasn’t until September 2017 that it was clear these two were extremely serious. The former Jo-Bro and Turner announced they adopted a husky puppy whom they named Porky Basquiat. Only a few weeks later would Jonas pop the question.

Ahead of their big day, Jonas and Turner solidified their love in a different way: matching tattoos.

The couple decided to permanently commemorate their relationship with “Toy Story” hero Buzz Lightyear’s famous catchphrase: “To infinity and beyond.” (Page Six)

fairly reveals the story. What I can tell you is that Ayushmann becomes Sita from Ramayana, Draupadi from Mahabharata and Radha from Krishna Leela. Now why he becomes them and how, that’s what the story is about.”

The film is set in Mathura and Ayushmann will be heard speaking Haryanvi and Hindi languages in the local accent.

Ayushmann, who recently wrapped up shooting for Article 15, had previously penned a heartfelt note on his Instagram account, calling the movie “the most relevant and important film of Indian cinema”.

“Wrapped up a film which will become the most relevant and important film of Indian cinema. Thank you @anubhavsinhaa sir for giving me this gem and also writing the most realistic cop role ever. Thanks to the entire cast and crew, esp @ronjinichakraborty and @ashishsverma for this wonderful 3D mini model of mine. Love.

It’s a wrap! # Article15,” He also posted a picture featuring the 3D mini model of him. (Hindustan Times)

Crossword Solution

guyanatimesgy.com

May 5, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine 15

16 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

MAY 5, 2019

Fun Times

Archie

Keep busy doing things that you enjoy with like(March 21minded people whom you April 19) find mentally stimulating.

Romance is encouraged.

ARIES

Express your feelings and TAURUS intentions. How you take care (April 20- of pressing concerns will deMay 20) fine who you are and determine who you want to associate with.

GEMINI (MAY 28June 20)

Size up relationships and consider who you are safe sharing secrets with. The most complimentary person may not be your most loyal ally. Protect your reputation and position.

Do what works for you, not what someone else is sug(June 21- gesting. It’s OK to do things July 22) differently if that’s what makes you happy and gets the results you want.

CANCER

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Dilbert

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Use your actions and words to make a point and find out where you stand. You can’t move forward without getting the facts and finding out what’s possible.

Participate in events that will lead to information, enlightenment and opportunities. Any activity that will ease stress, offer insight and get you heading in a positive direction is encouraged.

Change may not be to your LIBRA liking, but what transpires (Sept. 23will be in your best interest.

Oct. 23) Associate with people who encourage you to expand your mind and strengthen your body.

Peanuts

An emotional attitude SCORPIO change is encouraged. Once (Oct. 24- you see how different people Nov. 22) influence you, it will encourage you to choose your allies carefully. Not everyone is looking out for you.

Don’t give up when you SAGITTARIUS should be getting started.

(Nov. 23Dec. 21) Look at your lifestyle and alter what isn’t working for you. A happy home environment will ease stress and encourage better relationships.

Calvin and Hobbes

Walk away from anyone CAPRICORN disrupting your life. If you (Dec. 22- make positive changes at Jan. 19) home, it will improve your relationships with helpful, important people. Don’t let the past hurt your future.

Getting together with old AQUARIUS friends will bring back mem(Jan. 20- ories, dreams and a desire to Feb. 19) do the things that bring you the most joy. Love and romance are in the stars.

Don’t let the little things PISCES (Feb. 20- get to you. Stay focused on Mar. 20) the people and projects that are most meaningful to you to find peace of mind and personal satisfaction.