Guyana Times - Wednesday May 5, 2021

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

Issue No. 4638

THE BEACON OF TRUTH WEDNESDAY, MAY 5, 2021

PRICE

Arrival Day

Reject divisive, hate-filled rhetoric – President Ali ...reminds ... reminds all of importance of unity in Arrival Day message Page 3

GAWU lauds Govt’s commitment to …says political will needed to revitalising sugar turn around industry

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

ExxonMobil to change compressor manufacturer on Liza Unity, Prosperity P21 – in order to prevent flaring at future projects

13-year-old P19 drowns during outing with relatives

Page 26

COVID-19 Sister death toll slapped climbs to 306 with as 3 more die accessory charge …92 new cases recorded …wanted man’s father released from Police custody Page 23

Linden shallow grave murder

Page 20

Heavy rainfall, culvert overtopping cause flooding in Linden

Page 19

Man found guilty of raping 16-year-old P8 girl

2 arrested P11 for robbing Brazilian miner in Bartica

UG launches 3 Master's P22 degrees in Communication Studies

…over 60 households affected

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 5, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 5, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, May 5 – 01:00h – 02:30h and 12:30h – 14:00h and Thursday, May 6 – 01:30h – 03:00h and 13:00h – 14:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, May 5 – 12:10h – 13:40h and Thursday, May 6 – 13:10h – 14:40h.

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

WEATHER TODAY

There will be sunshine during the day.

There will be light rain showers at night.

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

Winds: Northerly to North-Easterly to East North-Easterly to North North-Easterly between 1.78 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 12:04h reaching a maximum height of 2.12 metres.

Low Tide: 18:14h reaching a minimum height of 1.04 metres.

TUESDAY, MAY 4, 2021

LOTTERY NUMBERS J

04 14 18

20 24 26

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DAILY MILLIONS

02 10 11 16 25 LUCKY 3

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DISCLAIMER: WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ERRORS IN PUBLICATION. PLEASE CALL THE HOTLINE FOR CONFIRMATION - TEL: 225-8902

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$68.88/barrel

+1.92

Rough Rice

$255. 52/ton

+0.04

London Sugar

$444.0/ton

-0.21

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

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$1779.20

$1780.20

Low/High Change

$1769.90 +0.20

$1800.40 +0.01%

Arrival Day

Reject divisive, hate-filled rhetoric – President Ali ...reminds all of importance of unity in Arrival Day message P

resident Dr Irfaan Ali on Tuesday used the occasion of the May 5 celebration of Arrival Day to call on Guyanese to reject hate-filled rhetoric from those who would seek to divide the peoples of the nation.

In his Arrival Day message, the President also called on Guyanese to work together in love and unity and to pool their ideas to combat societal and public health issues ranging from domestic abuse to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Today we are faced with challenges. But if we work together in unity and love, regardless of ethnicity, lineage, or political affiliation, we are bound to overcome these challenges. Let us, therefore, pool our ideas and resources and work towards eliminating some of the ills – such as suicide, domestic abuse, poverty, ignorance, substance abuse and the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“All of these have the potential to inflict disaffection, discomfort, and distress in our society. Let us also reject hate-filled, rancorous rhetoric aimed at dividing our people,” President Ali said in his message.

In recalling the origin of Arrival Day, which celebrates the contributions to the national development of our African, Indian, Chinese, Portuguese and European ancestors and their descendants, he noted that the day came about following the passage on April 14, 2003, in the National Assembly, of Resolution No 12 of 2003.

“Arrival Day is a day of recognition and appreciation of our nation's multicultural character. Arrival Day challenges us to appreciate our diverse peoples and their cultures and encourages us to strive for a society in which the contributions of every ethnic group are recognised, respected and rewarded.”

“It is towards that objective that I have committed to launching a One Guyana Commission. The Commission will become an instrument for valuing and respecting one another. As I indicated in my inaugural address to the National Assembly, the Commission's work will be national in scope.”

Ancestral heritage

The President noted the importance of engaging the citizenry on ways in which Guyanese can honour their ancestral heritage while maintaining the glue that holds the multi-ethnic Guyana together.

“Today also marks Indian Arrival Day. This year we are commemorat-

President Irfaan Ali

ing the 183rd anniversary of the arrival of the first batch of Indian indentured immigrants to our shores.

The contributions of Indians to national development are indelible and undisputable.

Indians have excelled in all aspects of national life.”

“They have also passed on a precious legacy, one which should be preserved for and transmitted to future generations. The Indians who came to Guyana, beginning in 1838, demonstrated steadfast resilience in the face of great adversity. They persevered in the face of hardships, deprivations, oppression, and back-breaking exertions. Today we can all be inspired by their sacrifices and resilience.”

Stronger together

During the election campaign, one of the PPP’s fa-

vourite messages was that the country was stronger together. Ali recalled that message, noting the importance in the country pooling its efforts to build a stronger, united country.

“We have an enormous

opportunity today to leave a Guyana that will be incredibly better for the generation that will follow. We can only do this if we understand that collectively, in our collective strength, in our collective wisdom and the pooling together of our energies, it is only then that we can be the best and become one Guyanese people.”

“Today, we are blessed with tremendous natural resources. We have to go back to that inner strength of our ancestors to overcome all that will be thrown at us.

That inner strength is what we need to build a unified coalition to improve the lives of each other and bring freedom to this land.”

According to Ali, it is the inner strength within all Guyanese that can pave the way for the present generation to leave Guyana a better place than they met it, for generations after generations to follow.

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 5, 2021

Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 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

Women’s economic interest

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he issue of women and their role in development has always been a topic of interest, not only in Guyana, but in countries around the world. The debates have centred around the challenges women face in getting access to the same opportunities as men, and in a general sense, programmes and policies that could be implemented to ensure their economic and social advancement.

Women, over the years, have made tremendous progress, not only in terms of their own advancement, but by playing key roles in the development of their own communities, and, by extension, allowing other women opportunities to develop themselves. However, many challenges remain, and these must be tackled to ensure that women have access to the opportunities and resources needed to allow them to lead more productive and fulfilling lives.

We believe that when women are allowed to develop their full potential, it is not only women who gain, but the entire society. Women make enormous contributions to economies, whether in businesses, on farms, as entrepreneurs or employees, or by doing unpaid care work at home.

According to the United Nations, investing in women’s economic empowerment sets a direct path towards gender equality, poverty eradication, and inclusive economic growth.

Here, in Guyana, women have made tremendous progress at every level of the society, and women enjoy rights equal to what their male counterparts enjoy. This country deserves commendation for the advances it has made in ensuring that, in addition to women being protected under the law, they are also given relevant opportunities for their personal and professional advancement.

However, there is still a far way to go before we can safely say that women have access to the resources and opportunities they need to fully develop themselves. For example, our single-parent mothers have, over the years, found it very difficult to make ends meet. Many of them have found themselves in a position where they work from month to month and there seems to be no end to the financial hardships they experience.

In some cases, they lack the necessary skills and qualifications required to get suitable well-paid jobs, so that they can earn enough to provide for themselves and their children.

For some, who would like to venture out into establishing their own small businesses etc, the strict criteria set by banks and other lending institutions make it difficult to access the necessary loans. There are a few institutions which give grants and other forms of support, but that is on a limited scale, and most of them are Georgetown-based, making it a bit difficult for rural women to easily access.

There is also the issue of the high level of domestic violence affecting countless families, with women being at the receiving end of the violence most times. There were numerous dialogues, with the involvement of the relevant stakeholders, to tackle the issue, but the number of cases of women being abused or killed is going up.

We believe that policy-makers should revisit the issue and come up with practical solutions to address this scourge in a holistic manner, with greater focus being placed on the root causes of the problem.

The COVID-19 pandemic has also worsened the situation, as it continues to have serious socio-economic repercussions on the lives of women. Worldwide, as a consequence of the partial lockdown, significant sections of the female working population are now unemployed or are receiving reduced pay, and those include singleparents.

The economic and social advancement of all women, including those in hinterland and rural communities, should remain a priority.

The Allan Shaw: one of the ships that brought Indentured Indians to Guyana

East Indians’ contribution to Guyana’s development is of fundamental importance Dear Editor, 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.

‘Indentured labour’ was but one of various guises under which individuals across the globe were conscripted to provide labour in the development 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. With the abolition of slavery, plantation owners in the British West Indies were desperate to find a new source of labour for their sugar estates.

Emancipation had conferred on the Guyanese labourers both physical and occupational mobility. They could withhold their labour temporarily or permanently, and vacate the estates if living and working conditions did not satisfy them. In fact, a gradual exodus from the plantations began soon after emancipation. The planters desired an alternative and competitive labour force which would give them the same type of labour control they were accustomed to under slavery.

On May 5th 1838, the very year of final slave emancipation (Abolition of Slavery) in the British West

Indies, a small batch of 396 Indian immigrants landed at Highbury, Berbice from Calcutta, India aboard the Whitby and Hesperus. This was the beginning of the indenture system, which was eventually abolished in 1917, by which time a total of some 240,000 indentured servants from India had come to Guyana under a system with essential features very reminiscent of slavery. 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 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 aboard ship. Those who came on the same ship were considered as ship brothers and sisters. A 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 had 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 shootings by colonial Police from Devonshire Castle in 1872 to 1948 at Enmore. At Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara, English nurse Betsy Ann testified that she had witnessed the flogging of immigrants with the cato-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 the backs of those who were flogged.

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 was no trade union, 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.

Within a decade, East Indian immigration was largely responsible for changing the fortunes of the sugar industry, the mainstay of the economy, from the predicted ‘ruin’ to prosperity.

East Indians have evolved over the years to become the single largest ethnic group in Guyana, and have branched out of sugar into all aspects of economic and political life in Guyana.

East Indian contribution to development and creation of modern Guyana has been of fundamental importance.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, Indian labour sustained the sugar industry on which the colony’s economic survival depended. They were also the founders or main players in other agricultural industries such as the rice industry, the coconut industry, the fishing industry, the dairy and meat industry, and in increasing the production of ground provisions, fruit and vegetables.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 5, 2021

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

Great honour to be counted among Not buying this 233,336 “mentally lazy” Guyanese lacklustre, verbose Dear Editor, It is a great honour to be counted among the 233,336 mentally lazy Guyanese who did not vote for the PNC at the March 02nd 2020 general elections. Our collective mentally lazy reasons are as follows: • The birth of the PNC is rooted in its role in destroying the first ever multi-racial nationalist working class mass movement in the 1950s because of the egotistical nature of their founder-leader Burnham.

• The release of CIA classified documents revealed how the PNC, in collaboration with external forces, created mayhem and destruction in our country between 1962 and 1964.

• The PNC under the Burnham dictatorship rigged elections in 1968, 1973, 1980 and the referendum in 1978. The PNC under Hoyte rigged the 1985 elections.

• The PNC, as a fulfilling prophecy, attempted in the most crude and vulgar way to rig the 02nd March

2020 elections. As a bunch of mentally lazy Guyanese, we were unable to comprehend that, in moving a no confidence motion, 34 would have to be the majority of 65. We were also mentally challenged to fathom how, out of 18 nominated Guyanese, none was fit and proper to be Chairman of GECOM, but an octogenarian of Granger’s choice was suitable.

However, the biggest strain on our lazy mental capacity were the audacious and falsified results declared by GECOM high ranking officials Mingo and Lowenfield. That really taxed our credibility as well as that of the international community. What is even more incredulous on our mentally lazy outlook is the PNC regurgitating the same legal arguments that were ruled against them by the CCJ, but always hoping for a different outcome without a shred of verifiable proof.

Talk of mental laziness.

• The PNC under the Burnham dictatorship was

responsible for the assassination of our greatest historian and world-renowned revolutionary, Dr Walter Anthony Rodney. That act of terrorism by the PNC deprived Guyana and the world at large of one of its most enlightened souls of our generation. It is an act that historically never should be forgiven.

• The PNC reduced Guyana from being the bread basket of the Caribbean to a basket case from 1964 to 1992. We were the wretched of the earth and the nomads of the Caribbean because of economic destruction by the PNC. • It was during the PNC’s senseless dictatorship that the most massive brain drain occurred in the 70s and 80s. In those days prior to the exodus, we had intellectual giants that were Members of Parliament.

Today it is a pantomime and tragedy to see some of the intellectual pygmies masquerading as Members of Parliament, where their intellectual depth is limited

to espousing racist stereotypes and pigeonholing a whole group of people as mentally lazy.

These and a host of other egregious reasons are why we would never vote for or follow the PNC; and for the Walton-Desirs of this world, who are locked in a metal prison of their own making, it would do them good to reflect on the lyrics of the revolutionary icon Bob Marley when he sang, “Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds.”

Just imagine it has been 183 years since our forefathers made Guyana their homeland, yet we are still subjected to morally reprehensible racist drivel promulgated by intellectually bankrupt sycophants.

This has been written on behalf of the bunch of 233,336 mentally lazy Guyanese whot voted for the PPP. Yours sincerely, Reggie Bhagwandin

Walton-Desir should be condemned Dear Editor, As regards the hate speech that spewed from Opposition MP Amanza Walton-Desir, I bided my time until the sparks were abated. So now I hope to get some space to make a few relevant comments in an effort to put some fresh perspective on what took place.

First, I think that the host of the programme “Politics 101”, Working People’s Alliance (WPA) member Dr David Hinds, must be castigated too. He, after all, facilitated the occasion and endorsed (with a nodding head) that, according to Walton-Desir, it was unfortunate, “…that part of the political divide on the PPP have a base that prefer if they say this is what is going to happen, men are going to come and rape your children, they believe that. Because the burden of sorting things out for themselves is too great.”

This meant for her that “… (the base PPP) remain trapped, all the while believing they are free to think and self-determine.

They don’t have the freedom of self-determination.

Because freedom requires responsibility…so we have a bunch of mentally lazy people. The PPP understands this very well, and so they capitalise on it.”

As expected, a rage of responses instantly surfaced, and justifiably so.

The Attorney General himself “…slammed the Opposition MP for her com-

ments, noting that her stereotypical analysis is ‘completely misconceived’ and ‘palpably wrong’.”

“More importantly, her utterances are downright racist, discriminatory, and absolutely repulsive.

Utterances like those have no place in any modern, democratic and civilised society, moreover one which is as multi-ethnic as ours.

Indeed, protection against such stereotyping is guaranteed to every citizen of this land as a fundamental right by the Constitution of Guyana,” Nandlall said.

So, my question is what next?

Outside of Anil Nandlall, private individuals and the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) etc, I go to what obtains in the real world.

The United Nations itself has been thoroughly opposed to this kind of utterance, deeming it as explaining that “…hate speech is understood as any kind of communication in speech, writing or behaviour that attacks or uses pejorative or discriminatory language with reference to a person or a group on the basis of who they are; in other words, based on their religion, ethnicity, nationality.”

So, in many ways, the UN has already condemned this poseur of a politician.

It should be noted, too, that the penalties for hate speech include fines, imprisonment, or both. I firmly believe that ‘some kind of

an accountability’ should be pursued. After all, WaltonDesir’s comments epitomise that which “…denigrates a person or persons on the basis of (alleged) membership in a social group identified by attributes such as race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, physical or mental disability, and others.”

My second comment resides in what came from the mouth of PNC’s Volda Lawrence. After complaining about PPP and the Police hostility over an arrest, she told her questioning supporters that

“Comrades, y’all must listen to your leaders, and don’t question your leaders. That is how the PNC is. If you are a real PNC, you don’t question us.”

So I am left to wonder if Walton-Desir and Dr. Hinds are even mindful of how the PNC operates.

Now, to me, it seems as though ‘enough is enough.’

The likes of Hinds and Walton-Desire must be stopped. Their divisive hostility must be confronted.

And I hope quite early.

Yours truly, Baldeo Mathura

East Indians...

FROM PAGE 4

Schools were never established on the sugar estates, since it was the assumption of the ruling classes that the role of Indians was to supply agricultural labour. It was only when they left the estates that they and their children were able to access secondary and tertiary education. The turn of the 20th century saw an increasing number of Indians entering commerce and industry and the learned professions such as Law, Medicine, Engineering and Accounting; adding another dimension to their contribution to national life.

The Indian cultural contribution to national life is of notable importance. They introduced new foods and recipes, new festivals, music and dance, and above all Hinduism and Islam as established

religions. This has given Guyana the unique position of having the three greatest world religions established here side by side and existing in the greatest amity, unlike other countries in the world.

In recognition of their contribution to the overall development of Guyana, The Government declared May 5, Indian Arrival Day, a day which was ostensibly to commemorate the peopling of Guyana in the 19th century by indentured immigrants from various countries in the world. Guyana’s experience in this regard was not singular, since there were other countries in the Americas which were going through a similar experience.

Sincerely, David Adams

statement of the MP

Dear Editor, I must be “dotish” and “mentally unstable” to accept a word that comes from the mouth of Member of Parliament Amanza Walton-Desir.

Desir’s statement that was released to the public and media via Facebook was full of “hogwash”. It is testimony that some members of APNU+AFC coalition think all Guyanese as “fools” or persons that are “mentally retarded”. The fact that Walton-Desir responded to the protests of right-thinking Guyanese who called her out and reported her statements to the Ethnic Relations Commission with nothing less than an unreserved apology is reprehensible and comical at the same time.

The more holier-than-thou writers in the coalition were asleep, because I am sure they could have done something that is better than the “360” she did in her speech. To see her struggling through the prepared speech, which was clearly written out for her, was painful as well as disdainful. Maybe she was not comfortable saying the glowing words about “Indians” in Guyana.

Maybe she thought that if she said it eloquently, all Guyanese would believe her and forget what she said, and it would be business as usual.

But no. It was not a slip of the tongue or “misrepresentation”, as she claimed.

It stoked fear in me that she would think it’s okay to speak that way because she is comfortable on David Hinds’s bandwagon, where he is obsessed with the PPP. It is no doubt appalling and disrespectful.

And what Khemraj Ramjattan said, or how he feels about what WaltonDesir said, is in no way representative of how Guyanese feel about racism.

She was saying that the group she supports is superior to another group, which she described as

mentally lazy. Her tone, context and intent could not be easily mistaken, and could not travel far above the heads of Guyanese, which includes those in the Opposition.

She is clearly a racist, and in a really “crazed” frenzy. Don’t put gloomy platitudes to us about the topic. We now know how you feel, and why you feel the way you do.

The Opposition allowed this race baiting and racially insensitive woman to speak for them. No defense or statement could undo the harm caused or indignity caused by what Walton-Desir said.

The Government, which incidentally said it represents all Guyanese, should boycott this woman. She must learn that Guyanese take offence to this insult, because we are “one people, one nation, and we have one destiny”.

Desir’s attempt to divide us now will not make the coalition appear any more guilty than they already are.

No rational Guyanese could be made a fool.

The manipulation of this “Pontius Pilate-like” Opposition parliamentarian is cowardly and dangerous to the quest for national unity, cohesion, and governance.

A disservice that Walton-Desir did by her statements then and now has nothing to do with the PPP. It is in bad taste.

It is counterproductive.

Amanza Walton-Desir should stop trying to pull the wool over our eyes. She is like a wolf in sheep’s clothing. But we are seeing the vile statements of the Opposition on race each time they make them on a live show, whether it be on the traditional media or social media.

Don’t worry Amanza, Local Government Election is right around the turn.

And memories don’t live like people do!

Yours truly, Attiya Baksh

Aiding and abetting remarks Dear Editor, The furor which stemmed from statements perceived to be racist by a sitting Parliamentarian and which were complained to the ethnic relations body, begs the question: Shouldn’t the facilitator (host) who it is alleged nodded in agreement with the caustic remarks, also be hauled before the ethnic relations

body for aiding and abetting remarks which may have caused disharmony?

Further shouldn’t the national broadcast regulator look into the operation of the broadcast platform from which the statements were allowed to emanate and found its way in the public domain?

Sincerely, Shamshun Mohamed

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 5, 2021

Question 1

Foundation ◄

Page

Tuesday’s answers

Indian Arrival In 1838 from India, we came as strangers to this land with our rich culture, traditions and brotherhood…

That kept us strong; so that we managed on sea and on land

ai)From the diagram, the lengths of B = 8 metres RS + 2 metres = one long side of B (8 metres) So RS = 8m – 2m = 6m aii) The length of A = 10 metres RS + x metres = a length of A (10 metres) So substituting known values: 6 metres + x metres = 10 metres Therefore, x = 4m b) Perimeter of floor = total of length of sides (5m+10m+5m+2m+3m +8m+3m+4m) = 40m c) Area of floor = Area of A + Area of B (50m2+24m2) = 74m2 d) Number of boards needed = area of floor divided by area of each board (50m2 ÷ 0.2m2) = 250 flooring boards

Map the possible routes our Guyanese fore-parents travelled to arrive in Guyana on a map of the world.

A better life we were told… travelling across the kala-pani Awaiting the unknown ….

Five died at sea on the journey of 114 days packed tight like sardines And the separation began when we landed in Berbice… Demerara and Essequibo We came from the east: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madras – the time had come For our foreparents to see their new battle-ground Living in Logies – no bigger than a minibus But we managed contentedly without any fuss Whether either in the cane-field, hospital or in jail If we ever resisted, we were given the cat-o-nine tail But soon after we became leaders in many different ways Though we were pressured each and every day To change, convert and become strangers to ourselves Our books, our beliefs and our unity kept us from going astray Rum shops were opened especially for paydays…

And our monies earned were indirectly taken away Still, the mothers managed with the little cash and ensured we prayed Few returned to India after the five years agreement While many stayed, developed and made Guyana their settlement We came as Indentured labourers and are sometimes call Jahajis’ or Girmitiyas Our contributions to Guyana and the world are too enormous to mention Thanks to our Indian leaders, May 5th was declared a national holiday Kiska desh pyara hai-Guyana desh Pyara hai…our land, our heritage, our own.

WORD SEARCH

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 5, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 5, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

3 arrested for ganja possession conduct a search on the motor car when three transparent Ziploc plastic bags and a black plastic bag containing the ganja hidden in a basket of clothing were found.

The suspects were ar-

rested and escorted to the Mahaica Police Station where the cannabis was weighed in their presence and amounted to 45 grams.

The Police are expected to institute charges shortly.

Man found guilty of raping 16-year-old girl

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The ganja found in the car

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hree men were arrested on Monday evening after they were intercepted with a quantity of ganja at a stop and search exercise at Belmont Public Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

Based on reports received, a team of Police ranks were conducting a stop and search exercise during which a silver Allion motor car carrying the three was stopped.

The Police requested to

ickram Persaud was on Monday found guilty by a 12-member jury of raping a 16-yearold girl back in 2009. The jury delivered its unanimous verdict before Justice Brassington Reynolds at the High Court in Demerara.

Following his arraignment, Persaud had denied the charge which alleged that on June 7, 2009, in the county of Demerara, he engaged in sexual penetration with the teen without her consent.

The convicted rapist, who was represented by Attorney-at-Law Nirvan Singh, was remanded to prison pending sentencing which has been fixed for May 25, 2021. Then, a probation report and victim impact statement will be read to the court. State Counsel Sarah Martin and State Counsel Nafeezah Baig appeared on behalf of the prosecution.

Rapist: Vickram Persaud

During Persaud’s trial, it was revealed that he is known to the victim and her family. The facts revealed that on the day in question, Persaud and the young girl were in his boat on the Demerara River. After tying the boat to a nearby tree, Persaud grabbed the teenager, dragged her out of the boat then onto a hill. When the victim started to cry, the man strangled her.

Persaud then demanded the teen girl to give him “some wife.” Thereafter, he pushed her onto the ground and ripped off her garments.

He then forcibly had sex with her. After the incident, the young lady went home and complained to her mother, who reported the matter to the Police. When Police ranks went in search of Persaud, they found him hiding in some bushes at Timehri, East Bank Demerara.

“Us” vs “Them”...

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…by the PNC he fallout from the Walton-Desir outburst about “mentally lazy” Indian-Guyanese “in contrast” to rationally actuated African-Guyanese continues to roil the blogosphere and dailies; but, sadly, it’s been producing more heat than light. So, your humble Eyewitness will try to shine some of the latter on the matter. Not like the big guy up in the clouds, who thundered, “Let there be light!” and there was light, but more modestly, by using one theory that’s used in these socially contentious binary relations.

It’s called “othering”, or the formation of an “us versus them” mentality between groups - especially groups who’re competing in one way or another. Now, rather that paraphrasing and risk being accused of taking sides, your Eyewitness will quote extensively from one site, called “Wellmind”. So already you know that “othering” ain’t so kosher!

“Othering involves attributing negative characteristics to people or groups that differentiate them from the perceived normative social group. It is an “us vs them” way of thinking about human connections and relationships.

This process essentially involves looking at others and saying “they are not like me” or “they are not one of us.”

Othering is a way of negating another person’s individual humanity and, consequently, those that have been othered are seen as less worthy of dignity and respect.

“Othering can lead to discrimination and prejudice against other people. Prejudice is often fuelled by the belief that all members of that group are fundamentally different in some way. Racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, and other forms of intolerance are often rooted in othering. Othering can harm relationships by driving a wedge between people who are, in actuality, not all that different. By casting people as others, it suggests that their unique characteristics are to blame for existing inequalities. It can also end up reinforcing existing biases, such as negative attitudes about different groups of people.

When people internalise these beliefs and attitudes, they can become even more rigid and entrenched.

“On a societal level, othering can lead to institutional discrimination, and even political policies that single out people who are viewed as somehow different or less deserving. Othering is also present in politics. Authoritarian leaders, for example, stoke fear and resentment of “others” in order to gain and solidify support for their political aims.”

And this is where we return to Ms Walton-Desir. She’s merely regurgitating the stereotype of the “barefoot and backward Coolie” that’s been circulating in the AfricanGuyanese community since Indians stepped off the boat back in 1838. But they’ve also since been suffering from cognitive dissonance, since the trope was rebutted by the economic success of the Indians.

The political success was the final straw!!

…and our future Your Eyewitness must point out that Newton’s third law of motion, “Action and Reaction are equal and opposite”, applies to social relations as in physics. So whatever social pressures were applied to the Indian Indentureds by the groups here before them, those pressures just caused them to defensively form their own stereotypes. It also forced them to close ranks and subdue the diversity in religions (Islam and Hinduism), regional origins (north and south India) and even caste, to a great extent.

So, what we have here in Guyana are several groups, each running around speaking “AT”, and not “TO”, each other because of stereotypes they have in their heads.

Some well-intentioned persons are able to break out of their straightjackets for a while, but then one-thing-or-theother from one-group-or-the-other will drive them back to their original positions.

Take that reaction after Granger threw 7000 mostly Indian-Guyanese on the breadline.

Were they “mentally lazy” for deserting the AFC?

…on Indian Arrival Day Your Eyewitness notes that one Quixotic fella - who’s been carrying on about the issue for decades - has called for “Arrival Day” to be officially named “Indian Arrival Day”.

Still tilting at windmills, or will the call be heeded one day?

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

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2 arrested for robbing Brazilian miner in Bartica

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The Sheriff Inn Hotel

olice have arrested two vagrants in connection with the robbery committed on 62-yearold Paulino DeJesus, a Brazilian miner, in Bartica, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni).

In a statement on Tuesday, Police Headquarters revealed that the miner reported that he went to bed on Monday night and when he woke up on Tuesday, he realised he was robbed.

He was at the time staying at the Sheriff Inn Hotel located at Second Street, Bartica. The missing items included his passport, some documents, $30,000 cash and 320 grams of raw gold.

Police had also stated that the stolen items are es-

timated to be valued over $3.2 million.

However, Guyana Times understands that the miner was robbed before he returned to the hotel. According to a source, the victim was imbibing at a nearby shop and as he was making his way to the hotel, he was robbed.

This publication was further told that after the two men were arrested, the stolen documents were found in their possession; the cash and gold remain missing.

In addition, the stolen gold is actually valued at some $500,000 and not $3.2 million as previously revealed by the Police.

Meanwhile, Police are hunting for a third suspect in relation to the robbery.

Brawl lands neighbour in court

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man who was allegedly involved in a brawl with his neighbours was on Monday released on bail after denying allegations of use of threatening and abusive language.

Forty-nine-year-old Eustace Thomas of East Ruimveldt Housing Scheme, Georgetown, appeared before Magistrate Sherdell Isaacs-Marcus at the Georgetown Magistrates’

Courts.

The charge stated that on April 26 at East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, he made use of abusive language towards Waveney Paul. It was further alleged that on April 25, at the same location, he made use of threatening language towards Adonia Paul.

Thomas denied both charges and was ordered to post bail in the sum of $10,000. (G15)

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Linden fire victims receive assistance from RDC

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he Regional Democratic Council of Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), through the directives of Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh, has stayed true to its word by assisting the family whose house was gutted by fire on Sunday.

The Council was able to secure temporary accommodations for the seven children and four adults at the Dorfolk Home in Retrieve, Mackenzie, Linden, through

its Regional Executive Officer (REO), Dwight John.

Supplies, including mattresses, food and water were provided, while the Council said it is seeking to extend its response through collaboration with other agencies.

Regional Vice Chairman Douglas Gittens and Councillors Michelle Daniels and Coretta BraithwaiteWalton visited the family on Monday and handed over a quantity of much-needed items.

RDC officials meeting with the fire victims on Monday

It was reported that the fire was spotted in one of the bedrooms of the Dageraad Avenue, Mackenzie, Linden home and quickly razed through the building leaving no time for the occupants to salvage any household items.

Soon after the fire, Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh who was on an outreach programme in the area, visited the scene and committed his Government’s assistance.

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Ramsammy’s Ruminations Repugnant, reprehensible – the silent campaign against the COVID-19 vaccines

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here are so many reprehensible things to condemn right now.

What Ms. Walton-Desir said about supporters of the PPP, that they are mentally lazy, makes her a person deserving of the harshest condemnation. What she was saying, when she was saying it, and in the context of what she was saying was clearly racist. In her defence so far, she has been digging a deeper hole for herself. She should simply have apologised. When Joseph Harmon, speaking as the Opposition Leader, responded to the Chief Justice's ruling throwing out the election petition by threatening unspeakable things, he deserved condemnation.

Khemraj Ramjattan has dug an even deeper hole by threatening violence. These are all obscene examples of the shallowness of the Opposition and their leaders. They have nothing of substance to offer the Guyanese people, and have descended into open racist positions and threatening instability in our country.

Dr Leslie Ramsammy With no tangible idea of how the Opposition can serve Guyana and the Guyanese people, and no clue how to represent the interest of their own supporters, they descend into a place they know well, and where they feel most comfortable - racism and violence. The Opposition have dug into their bag of tricks and ended up resuscitating an old, unworkable formula - Desmond Hoyte's "slow fyah, mo' fyah".

These are things we all should stand against, no matter what race we belong to, no matter what religion, no matter what party we support. All three of these persons deserve condemnation; all three owe this country an apology; all three should resign as MPs. These are absolutely reprehensible things, there is no excuse.

These things make me angry.

Yet, today, on the eve of Arrivals Day, this is not what makes me most angry. What makes me most angry today is the continued public silence of these three persons and their colleagues in and out of Parliament on what must be the most important security and developmental issue facing our nation. COVID-19 has already killed more than 300 of our Guyanese sisters and brothers. More will die in the coming days. COVID-19 is not attacking people who support the PPP or the PNC; COVID-19 is waging a war against all Guyanese. We all are in this boat, and we all must respond together.

The only way out of this COVID-19 pandemic is to vaccinate all of our people. Every single country, no exception, has discovered that certain public health measures are critically important in fighting COVID-19. These measures, such as masking, social distancing, and sanitation such as washing hands regularly have contributed to restricting the COVID-19 virus. But these by themselves have not been sufficient to stop the COVID-19 virus. Every country now is finding out that the only way to exit the COVID-19 pandemic is via mass vaccination. Israel, Bhutan, the UK, the USA are some of the countries where vaccination is proving effective already in staving off the pandemic.

The Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Health, is actively rolling out the COVID-19 vaccination programme with an intent to vaccinate all adults living in Guyana this year. We urge everyone to work together so that every adult living in our country is vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus (SARS-CoV-2) sooner rather than later. In this regard, we appreciate that persons such as the former Minister in the Ministry of Health, present APNU/AFC MP Dr. Karen Cummings, took her vaccine and publicly urged others living in Guyana to take their vaccines. We urge other MPs who have also taken the vaccine to similarly do their part and publicly encourage persons to take their vaccines. In doing so, Dr. Karen Cummings showed there is still hope that the Opposition MPs and members can do the right thing. She acted responsibly. She acted as a patriot. In difficult times like these, Guyanese politicians must find a way to work together. Working together in the national interest is ultimately the goal of all genuine politicians.

What Karen Cummings did with her vaccination and her public statement this past week is similar to what Volda Lawrence did during the West Berbice violence, when David Granger, Joe Harmon and other PNC leaders tried using the tragedy of a murder to catapult their sagging, almost dead political fortunes. She took a principled stance. It did not matter what Volda's motivation was, it was still a principled stance in the interest of the PNC supporters and in the interest of the Guyanese people.

It is clear that APNU/AFC is engaged in a silent campaign to discourage people from taking the vaccines. With this clear picture of what APNU/AFC is doing, Karen Cummings took a principled position and went contrary to the APNU/AFC narrative.

What makes the present silence surrounding the COVID-19 vaccination campaign most reprehensible is that all the PNC leaders and their MPs and their families have taken the vaccines.

They want to ensure they and their families are safe. But they remain totally silent, not uttering a single word to encourage their supporters to take the vaccine. This is not just ordinary hypocrisy; this is utterly reprehensible. The vaccines are good for them, but their supporters must put their lives in jeopardy just so that these APNU/AFC leaders can be satisfied. Such repugnant, obscene strategising must be rejected.

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Drunken brawl leaves forest ranger hospitalised A 29-year-old forest ranger attached to the Guyana Forestry Commission is now a patient at the Orealla Hospital, Corentyne, Region Six (East Berbice-

Corentyne), after he was injured by two men during a drunken brawl.

The incident occurred just about 23:40h on Monday when Officer Karl Alpin was drinking with

the two men.

Police said that the men all knew each other and an argument broke out followed by a scuffle.

One of the men then armed himself with a piece

of wood and began beating Alpin.

The other man then joined in the fight.

Both men also received injuries with one requiring medical attention.

They are now in Police custody receiving medical attention while Alpin is hospitalised.

Investigations are still ongoing.

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Drunken fisherman found dead in drain T

he body of a 26-year-old fisherman who had been reportedly heavily intoxicated was pulled from a drain at Number 76 Village, Corentyne, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) on Monday.

It is believed that the man might have fallen into the drain, where he subsequently drowned.

The dead man was identified as Kishan Bayo, also called

“Penton”, of Number 76 Village.

He was reportedly last seen alive around 12:30h on the day in question at his stepfather’s home consuming alcohol.

The dead man’s father, Vejai Ramnarine related that he received a telephone call from someone who informed him that his son was seen lying motionless in a drain at Number 76 Village.

As family members of the now

dead man rushed to the scene, they were confronted by their worst fears. His body was subsequently retrieved and taken to the Skeldon Mortuary, where it awaits a post-mortem. The police have since confirmed that there were no visible marks of violence about his body. Investigations are ongoing.

About a month ago, 21-yearold Devin Persaud, also called

“Richard”, of Crabwood Creek, was discovered floating at Orealla Point, Corentyne days after he went missing.

It was reported that Persaud and a few of his friends had left for a fishing expedition in the Corentyne River.

The men said that during the trip, Persaud jumped overboard to “beat water to chase fish in the seine”. However, about 10 min-

utes later, Persaud called out to the others to collect him, but as they approached the area where he was, he reportedly let go of the life jacket and, within seconds, disappeared under the water.

The others reportedly searched the area up to 03:00h the next morning, but to no avail.

Persaud’s partially-decomposed body was discovered about one week after the incident.

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Wanted man, 1 other arrested in Police operations

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The items that were found in the house at Mon Repos on Tuesday

21-year-old man who was wanted for questioning into a number of offences was arrested on Tuesday following a Police operation at Mon Repos North, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

Based on reports gathered, Police, acting on information, swooped down on the home of the wanted man and conducted a search during which one Makita Power Saw, two Stihl weeding machines, a quantity of cellphones, electronic tablets, batteries, one cutlass, one knife, one air gun, a mask, one PlayStation console and one game controller were found.

The items, which are suspected to have been stolen or illegally obtained, were taken to the Beterverwagting Police Station, where they were lodged as evidence.

The suspect is expected to be charged shortly.

In addition, a party of Police ranks conducted a cordon-and-search exercise for drugs, arms, and ammunition in several homes along the lower East Coast

The ganja found during the cordon-and-search exercise

Demerara (ECD) corridor.

During a search on one of the houses, a quantity of ganja was found. One man who was in the house at the time was taken to the Enmore Police Station, along with the ganja, which was weighed in his presence and amounted to 13.8 grams. The suspect remains in custody pending charges.

15 arrested for failing to wear masks in Region 7

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olice in Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) have arrested a total of 15 persons on Monday for failure to wear a face mask in public.

The arrests came as ranks within the region carried out an enforcement exercise to ensure the stipulated COVID-19 guidelines were implemented.

Several shops and liquor restaurants were closed in keeping with the COVID-19 guidelines, and Police said individuals were also found in different locations without masks.

As such, they were arrested and placed on $5000 bail each. The violators are

expected to make a court appearance soon.

Despite the numerous sensitisation exercises being carried out by members of the Joint Services, scores of persons continue to defy the COVID-19 guidelines.

Only recently, a number of persons were arrested in the township of Anna Regina, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), for failure to wear a mask in the public.

Moreover, during the Easter holiday weekend, 27 persons were arrested at resorts, beaches, and lakes along the Essequibo Coast.

These persons were fined $30,000 for breaching the COVID-19 guidelines.

19 Heavy rainfall, culvert overtopping cause flooding in Linden NEWS

WEDNESDAY, MAY 5, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…over 60 households affected

A woman crosses the main access road to Three Friends Mines which was completely under water

A family stuck in their house as a result of flooding

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ver 35 homes have been affected by flooding in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) as a culvert overtopped at Coomacka Mines on Monday afternoon.

Additionally, some 30 homes were affected at Old England as heavy rainfall persisted. This also led to the breakaway of the main access road to Three Friends Mines as a result of erosion.

An engineer from the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) visited the scene on Monday evening, followed by other officials on Tuesday. Residents said while the Coomacka area has been flooded as a result of the situation in the past, the volume of the water

had increased tremendously.

“The water came up so high...it’s the volume that shocked us...normally it would recede in a very short time but today it took forever.

Even after the rain stopped, it took a while,” a resident told this publication.

Chairman of the Coomacka Community Development Council (CDC), Dexter Harding said the main road to Central Coomacka has been severely damaged and is impassible as a result. He noted that they were in the process of securing materials for emergency works to be conducted.

“The Minister of Agriculture visited the community about a month ago and we gave some recommen-

13-year-old drowns during outing with relatives

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n outing for a Dazzell Housing Scheme family turned tragic on Tuesday after a teenager plunged into a trench at Bellfield, East Coast Demerara (ECD), and never resurfaced.

Dead is 13-year-old Amuel Sancho of Dazzell Housing Scheme, ECD. Based on reports received, the now dead teen and his relatives went swimming and between 14:00h and 15:30h, he reportedly plunged into a trench and

disappeared.

However, the oldest cousin went into the water to search for him and after some time, his motionless body was pulled from the trench. The Police were summoned to the area and rushed the teenager to the CC Nicholson Hospital at Nabaclis, ECD, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

His body was taken to the Lyken Funeral Home awaiting a post-mortem. An investigation has been launched into the incident.

dations, and the Minister pledged to send an excavator. We received the excavator already. (We) start some clearing of the main drains and we’re waiting on some tubing...the main drains that were opened assist a lot but we were waiting on the tubing. It seems we will achieve some results by Friday,” Harding said.

He noted that the tubings will be received through the Public Works Ministry

while the work will be done through the NDIA. Meanwhile, representatives of the Civil Defence Commission, the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) and the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) visited the communi-

ties on Tuesday and assessed the situation on the ground.

The CDC also handed over 75 cleaning hampers. Also present were Regional Vice Chairman Douglas Gittens and RDC Councillor Norris King.

“They did a thorough as-

sessment and by Friday we’re going to have the tubing to start to install...once we put it at strategic points it’s going to alleviate the flooding a lot,” Harding said as he reiterated that he is optimistic that systems will be put in place on Friday.

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Linden shallow grave murder

Sister slapped with accessory charge …wanted man’s father released from Police custody

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he fifteen-year-old relative of the Linden woman, Shonnette Dover, who was killed and buried in a shallow grave, was on Tuesday slapped with an accessory after the fact of murder charge.

The minor appeared at the Linden Magistrate’s Court.

She was not required to plead to the indictable charge and was remanded to a juvenile holding centre by the presiding Magistrate Wanda Fortune.

The teen was represented by lead attorney Dexter Todd and his two associates Dexter Smartt and Shareefah Parks.

The matter has been adjourned to May 28.

Following her arraignment, Todd said that though his team made a successful bail application on the teen’s behalf, she asked the court to remain in custody. Todd said that the teen had expressed fears of returning to the com-

Wanted: Shaquawn Alleyne

munity.

“She said she has fears of returning to the same environment She didn’t say home, she said environment… so we don’t know where the fears are, whether she fears the family, the boy, or if she’s afraid of his friends. So, we didn’t want to take chances since she didn’t feel comfortable returning,” he told this

publication.

In light of the teen’s concerns, the attorney explained that the juvenile holding centre was the best option available to her.

“The Magistrate did ask probation officers if we had witness facilities, but we don’t… so the safest place the Magistrate could’ve guaranteed her protection was at the juvenile centre,” Todd explained.

Moreover, the attorney told Guyana Times that arrangements have been made for probation officers to meet with the teen’s family to discuss safer housing for her.

Meanwhile, the father of the wanted suspect, Shaquawn Alleyne, who was arrested following the discovery of Dover’s body, has been released from Police custody.

The father was arrested on April 30 after Dover’s decomposed body was found buried in his son’s yard at

Dead: Shonette Dover

Canvas City, Wismar, Linden.

This publication was told on Tuesday that while the murder suspect’s father was informed of the murder, he was not present when the woman was killed or buried.

As such, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) recommended that the teen be charged but no charges were recommended for the father.

Instead, the DPP advised that the Police continue with their investigations.

On Friday last, Police said that the teen had led them to a shallow grave where the missing woman’s remains were buried after confessing to being at the scene of the crime when Dover died on April 3.

In giving a detailed account of what took place, the teenager had told the Police in the presence of a Child Care and Probation Officer that on April 3, 2021, her sister was shot by her 19-year-old boyfriend Shaquawn Alleyne when he was “oiling his brownish gun in their living room”.

She explained that af-

ter the incident, they visited Alleyne’s father and told him of what had occurred. Soon after, she admitted that they collected a spade from someone and dug a hole aback the house where the victim was buried after which the boyfriend hid the gun in a tree.

Following the discovery, the teen and Alleyne’s father were held in Police custody. Based on advice from the DPP, the teen was charged on Tuesday. A post-mortem found that Dover died as a result of a single gunshot injury to the head.

Nineteen-year-old Alleyne remains at large as Police continue their hunt for him.

Orealla-Siparuta residents elect new Toshao

The new Orealla-Siparuta Village Council

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he reservation of Orealla and Siparuta on Sunday evening installed a new Toshao who will serve for the next three years.

Lewis DeVair was declared winner of the closely contested election which saw five persons vying for the post of Toshao.

At the end of the voting process, DeVair secured 147 votes while David Henry secured 143. This was followed

by Joseph Aaron with 84 votes, Rudolph Hudson with 68 and Joel Peneux with 56 votes.

Of the 784 voters in Orealla, 323 cast their votes while of the 267 who were expected to vote in Siparuta, only 179 cast their ballots.

Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region Six, Navindra Persaud performed duties as the Returning Officer at Sunday’s poll.

Former Toshao of the villages, Carl Peneux was not nominated by villagers for re-election after serving only one term. Villagers had stated that they had no confidence in his ability to lead.

Peneux did not show up to cast his ballot on Sunday.

Villagers stated that his term was the worst ever. His successor, Ann Vantrump was also removed from her post after she was implicated in a fuel racket.

She nevertheless, contested for a position on the Council on Sunday but did not find favour with the residents.

However, the 15-member Council is made up of six members from Siparuta and nine from Orealla.

Those from Siparuta are Shawn Venezuela, Lee Wong, Celine Williams, Enoch Aaron, Safeena Williams and Anesia Williams while those from Orealla include Charles Sarius, Charles Lowe, Stewart Peneux, Karen Lowe,

Newly-elected Toshao Lewis DeVair

Fernando Christmas, Jason Pablo, Dawn Daw, Angila Devair and Shondalene Russell.

Following the installation of the new Council, the former Toshao, Carl Peneux, is obligated by the Amerindian Act to hand over all assets in his possession.

Peneux, however, did not do so and the REO after meeting with the new Council had agreed to write the Amerindian Affairs Minister on the issue.

Meanwhile, the new Toshao has called for the residents to be a part of the decision-making process for the communities.

“I am happy that you have given me that opportunity to serve you but there are other persons who contested this election and there must be a winner. I wish to say not because they did not make it, we would look down on them; we are all one. We will work together. We will work hand in hand and pool our resources together, our strengths so that we can move this community forward together.”

Under the new leadership, the residents participated in a clean-up exercise to restore some form of glory to the community.

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ExxonMobil to change compressor manufacturer on Liza Unity, Prosperity – in order to prevent flaring at future projects

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atural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat said ExxonMobil’s local subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), will switch the manufacturer of the compressor equipment it uses, to ensure there is no flaring during future projects.

The Minister made this disclosure on the sidelines of the launch of Sustainable Environmental Solutions at the Duke Lodge on Tuesday.

Minister Bharrat said the Government took decisive action, due to the constant flaring at the Liza Destiny Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel.

“This now has forced us to enter into engagements with Exxon to ensure that the Unity FPSO that is coming later in this year, and then Prosperity in early

2024, that we don’t have this issue with those FPSOs… So, we have gotten that assurance that General Electric will be used as the manufacturer to ensure that the compressor, there is not a recurring problem on those FPSOs with the gas compressor.”

General Electric is a US multinational company. Exxon had contracted German company MAN Energy Solutions to supply the compressor equipment for Liza Destiny. That company, however, failed to correct the challenges encountered on the equipment used on the Liza Destiny, which have plagued Exxon’s operations since the beginning of oil production here.

The Minister said the adjustment needed to be made since both the Liza Destiny and Prosperity are each designed to produce 220,000

Man wanted for abduction arrested 9 months later

Captured: Miguel Mathurine

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ine months after the Police had issued a wanted bulletin for a Kuru Kururu, SoesdykeLinden Highway man for questioning in relation to abduction, he was arrested on Tuesday.

Miguel Mathurine, 25, of Kuru Kururu Squatting Area, Soesdyke-Linden Highway, was wanted for the abduction of Jose Fraser which occurred on March 27, 2020, at Eccles, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

In August of last year, Police had issued a wanted bulletin seeking the public’s assistance in capturing the man, but to no avail. It is now nine months later, and the Guyana Police Force has managed to apprehend the suspect.

Based on information received, Mathurine was arrested on Tuesday at around 03:00h during a Police operation in his village. At the time, the ranks were looking for drugs and ammunition.

According to the Regional Commander, Senior Superintendant Mahendra Siwnarine, upon seeing the Police, the man attempted to escape but the ranks gave chase and caught up with him. He was taken into custody.

“They were not looking for him but after he saw the Police, he run so they arrested him. While profiling him that was when they would have discovered who the person was,” the Commander added.

Motorcyclist injured in Better Hope accident

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n elderly man was admitted a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital after he was reportedly struck down by a minibus along the Better Hope Railway Embankment, East Coast Demerara (ECD), on Tuesday.

Police in a release stated that both the minibus bearing registration number BXX 9170 and the pedal cyclist were travelling along the roadway when the now injured man attempted to cross the road.

However, a motor car reportedly stopped to allow the elderly man to cross the road

but the minibus suddenly overtook the motor car and collided with the pedal cyclist.

The pedal cyclist, the Police stated, fell onto the roadway and received injuries about his body. He was subsequently picked up and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was treated and admitted a patient in the male surgical ward suffering from a dislocated hip and punctured right leg.

The minibus driver was arrested and a breathalyser test was conducted but there were no traces of alcohol in his system. Investigations are continuing.

barrels of oil per day - almost twice the amount of the Liza Destiny.

Minister Bharrat said the Government has been in contact with Exxon daily to ensure that a swift resolution is reached for the challenges on the Liza Destiny.

“It is not something that the Government of Guyana wants. It is not something that we will tolerate. It is not something I believe that Exxon-EEPGL wants either because it is affecting production and worse yet, it is causing damage to the en-

vironment by the flaring of gas.”

ExxonMobil has given a timeframe of twothree months for a fix.

Minister Bharrat said the Government hopes there will be no recurrence since there are plans to monetise its proud environmental stewardship through the sale of carbon credits.

It was reported that ExxonMobil’s oil production has plummeted to 30,000 barrels of oil per day, as the compressor that has been in Germany for much of

last month being repaired, and which only recently returned to Guyana, has once again failed.

The oil giant had stated that other problems in the discharge silencer were detected during the final testing phase of the reinstalled flash gas compressor on board the Liza Destiny Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel.

It was explained that a team from SBM Offshore, MAN Energy Solutions and ExxonMobil are on site to

assess repairs, supported by engineering experts in Europe and the United States of America (USA). In the meantime, steps have been taken to reduce operations.

“We have reduced production to a minimum level that mitigates formation of hydrates in subsea systems, maintains gas injection and fuel gas to the power generators, and minimises flare.

Relevant Government agencies have been notified and we are continuing to work with officials to determine the next best steps,” the statement explained.

“ExxonMobil Guyana is extremely disappointed by the design issues and continued underperformance of this unit, and will be working with the equipment manufacturer MAN Energy Solutions and the vessel’s operator SBM to rectify the situation. This performance is below ExxonMobil’s global expectations for reliability,” the statement added.

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Opposition MP files Police complaint against Roshan Khan

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pposition Member of Parliament (MP) Amanza WaltonDesir has filed a Police complaint against businessman and former Ethnic Relations Commissioner, Roshan Khan, over what she described as threatening posts made on his social media account.

Walton-Desir is currently facing major public backlash and condemnation for referring to supporters of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) as “mentally lazy”.

She attempted to clarify her offending statement, claiming that it was never about Indo-Guyanese specifically.

Khan reportedly made a series of social media posts for Indo-Guyanese to picket the parliamentarian and everywhere she goes, including her home.

It was against this backdrop that she filed a complaint at the Brickdam Police Station on Monday night. As a result of this, Walton-Desir was invit-

Former ERC Commissioner Roshan Khan

ed Tuesday morning to the Guyana Police Force’s Headquarters to give her statement.

“I was asked to come down to the Cyber Crime Unit [Tuesday] morning in furtherance of my complaint… against Mr Roshan Khan for the comments he put up on his Facebook page, calling for me to be “marked”… and to call for my home to be picketed. I am a woman, I am a mother

and I have a family,” the MP posited.

Walton-Desir added that during her near two-hour visit to the Police HQ at Eve Leary, the officers were professional and took her statement as well as the evidence that she had to present.

According to her, the utterances by Khan is especially irresponsible since he was a Commissioner at the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC).

Further, she expressed concerns for her safety.

“Mentally lazy” comments

Meanwhile, WaltonDesir herself had come under fire over her comments about supporters of the PPP, which were made during a recent show “Politics 101” hosted by the Working People’s Alliance’s (WPA) Dr David Hinds, who was present and nodded in approval to said comments.

“Unfortunately, that part of the political divide on the PPP have a base that prefer if they say this is what is going to happen, men are go-

Opposition MP Amanza Walton-Desir leaving the Police HQ on Tuesday

ing to come and rape your children, they believe that.

Because the burden of sorting things out for themselves, is too great,” WaltonDesir said during the show.

“And so they remain trapped, all the while believing they are free to think and self-determine. They don’t have the freedom of

self-determination. Because freedom requires responsibility… so we have a bunch of mentally lazy people. The PPP understands this very very well and so they capitalise on it,” Walton-Desir added, to nods of affirmation from Dr Hinds.

Walton-Desir had gone on to insist that the other side of the political divide, the supporters of A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC), possessed these self-determining qualities.

“Contrast the supporters of the PNC for example, who are far more inquisitive and enquiring and who have a greater appreciation of the democratic process,” Walton-Desir said during the show.

Downright racist

However, PPP Executive Member and current Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil

Nandlall has slammed the Opposition MP for her comments, noting that her stereotypical analysis is “completely misconceived” and “palpably wrong.”

“More importantly, her utterances are downright racist, discriminatory and absolutely repulsive.

Utterances like those have no place in any modern, democratic and civilised society, moreover, one which is as multi-ethnic as ours.

Indeed, protection against such stereotyping is guaranteed to every citizen of this land as a fundamental right by the Constitution of Guyana. That a parliamentarian, masquerading as a political leader from the official, constitutional Opposition in a country can conceive those thoughts and worse yet, proceed to express them, publicly, is evidence of a demented mind and decayed political culture,” Nandlall contended.

Moreover, the Indian Action Committee (IAC) has since lodged a complaint with the ERC, saying it is impossible, given Guyana’s political context, to mistake the MP’s comments for anything but a racial attack.

“The IAC believes that such comments have no place in our society and is unbecoming of someone who holds the esteem position of a Member of Parliament.

Having viewed her comments as racially insensitive, offensive and derogatory, the IAC has since lodged an official complaint with the ERC and has brought it to the attention of the Honorable Speaker of the National Assembly,” the organisation said in a missive.

UG launches 3 Master’s degrees in Communication Studies

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he University of Guyana – Centre for Communications Studies has announced the launch of three new Master’s of Communication Studies programmes in areas of specialisations: Strategic Communication, Social Change Communication, and Visual Communication.

This suite is part of ten new programmes being offered by the University this academic year which responds to the growing need for quality, affordable and relevant post-graduate programmes in Guyana and the Caribbean.

The curriculum development for the Master’s in Communication Studies programme commenced in 2017 with a task force out of the office of Philanthropy, Alumni and Civic Engagement (PACE) headed by Nelsonia Persaud Budhram and Denise Hopkinson.

The work was completed and headed by Dr Taijrani Rampersaud from September 2018 with key inputs from the lecturers and staff of the Centre for

Communication Studies, the Registry, the Faculty of Social Sciences, and programme heads for other post-graduate programmes at the University.

Approved in April 2021, applications for the upcoming 2021/2022 academic year will be open on Monday, May 10, 2021. Anyone who has a good first degree, is working in or desirous of working in a communication-based field and is or aspires to be part of management-related functions would be an ideal candidate.

The programme will be delivered in a blended fashion and will take two years to complete at roughly US$14,500.

Individuals interested in specialising in Social Change Communication can look forward to mastering various communication skills associated with the design, implementation and evaluation of various projects with the aim of creating positive social change within Guyana, the region, and the world.

NEWS

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COVID-19 death toll climbs to 306 as 3 more die …92 new cases recorded

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he Health Ministry on Tuesday related that three more persons who tested positive for the novel coronavirus have succumbed, thus taking the death toll to a whopping 306.

These latest fatalities are a 77-year-old female from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), and two males – a 66-year-old and 47-year-old also from Region Four. They all died on Monday while receiving care at a medical facility.

With persons continuing to lose their lives to the disease at a rapid pace, these latest COVID-19 deaths have taken the fatalities for the month of May up to eight. In April, some 65 persons succumbed to the virus.

Meanwhile, 92 new COVID-19 cases were detected from 537 tests conducted in the last 24 hours.

According to new statistics provided by the Ministry on Tuesday, the total number of confirmed cases in Guyana now stand at 13,656 – 6855 males and 6801 females.

However, 1754 of these are currently active cases.

This includes 17 patients in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and the remaining 1737 persons in isolation, that is, 100 in institutional isolation and the other 1637 in home isolation.

There are also another six persons in institutional quarantine.

To date, some 11,596 persons who had contracted the deadly virus have recovered – 149 more recoveries than the figure reported the previous day.

Some 125,711 persons have been tested for the novel coronavirus in

Guyana thus far.

Of the 92 cases detected on Tuesday, eight are from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); 26 from the Demerara-Mahaica region; another eight cases from Region Five (MahaicaBerbice); four in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); two from Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni); a whopping 37 cases from Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and the remaining seven cases from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

The figure in the other three regions – Regions One (Barima-Waini), Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) and Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) – were the same.

29.9% of adult population get 1st dose

Meanwhile, the Government of Guyana continues to aggressively roll out the COVID-19 vaccination campaign in order to achieve herd immunity at the fastest possible time.

To date, some 145,797 persons have so far received their first dose vaccine while 5309 persons have been fully vaccinated.

With Government aiming to have 200,000 persons fully immunised by August, Dr Anthony has once again reassured that there are sufficient doses to give persons their second shot.

“There have been persons who are worried that they might not get their second dose shot but I want to assure them that we have set aside the vaccines to give them their second dose,” he explained.

The Health Minister noted that with the donated Indian-manufactured AstraZeneca vaccines and

the Chinese Sinopharm, half of these were set aside to be used as second shots to boost the immune systems of persons against COVID-19.

However, with the Sputnik V vaccine, the first and second doses are two different components. But the Minister again assured that this second dose of the Russian jab is also available in the country to be administered to those who took the first shot.

“So, there should be no worry pertaining to where

you’re getting your second dose from. We already have it here and have in shortage at the vaccine bond…

We have enough vaccine for every adult person in Guyana,” he asserted.

Dr Anthony further pointed out that they are currently depending on two main sources of vaccines, that is, through the COVAX facility – which is expected to send a second batch of 38,000 doses AstraZeneca sometime this month – and the remainder of the 200,000 doses of

the Sputnik V that Guyana bought to the tune of US$4 million.

So far, the country has received some 138,000 doses of this Russian jab.

Nevertheless, the Health Minister pointed out that the challenge is not acquiring the vaccine but actually getting persons to be immunised. On this note, he pleaded with persons to fact-check information they share on the vaccines so as to not mislead or deter persons from getting inoculated.

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Indian Arrival: The Early Days

By Guyanese of Indian Ancestry Association (GIAA)

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n January 1836, John Gladstone, owner of plantations Vreed-enHoop and Vreed-en-Stein, wrote to the Calcutta firm of Messrs Gillanders, Arbuthnot and Company enquiring whether the firm could supply 100 “young, active, able-bodied” labourers on contracts for his estates.

The exporters replied that they did not envisage any recruiting problems, “the natives being perfectly ignorant of the place they agree to go to, or the length of the voyage they are undertaking.” This reply virtually set the stage for the deceit, fraud, coercion and kidnapping which permeated the whole recruiting system.

After some correspondence, two sailing ships - the Whitby and the Hesperus landed in British Guiana on May 5, 1838, with 396

Indians of whom only 22 were women. This shortage of women was to continue throughout indenture with disastrous social consequences in the Indian community. Inter alia, it produced unstable marital relations and an alarming incidence of Indian wife murders in nearly all the recipient colonies. The revelation that Indian women were leading immoral lives in the sugar colonies produced bitter resentment in India and galvanised articulate Indian nationalists into a massive anti-indenture campaign which paralleled the anti-slavery movement a hundred years earlier.

Despite social conservatism, caste prejudices and the traditional non-migratory nature of the Indian populace, villagers left India for a variety of reasons.

Among these were the socio-economic plight of landless labourers, rack renting

by landlords, rural indebtedness, exploitation by Banias (moneylenders) and the loss of a traditional livelihood due to the importation of cheap manufactured goods from Britain. Recurrent famines in North India were another significant factor in colonial emigration. Famines often broke the morale of villagers and produced a state of complete desperation.

Indeed, there was a strong correlation between economic distress and high migration and a good harvest and recruiting difficulties. The Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 also gave a great fillip to colonial emigration as the total number of emigrants shipped from Calcutta (Kolkata) between 1857/1859 jumped from 31,184 in 1854/56 to 88,895 or an increase of some 185 per cent. On arrival in British Guiana, indentured Indians quickly came under the rigid discipline of the plantation sys-

tem. The plantation is often described as “a total institution where a large number of individuals, cut off from the wider society for a long period of time, together lead an enclosed and formally administered life.”

On the plantation, Indians and other groups were controlled largely by the Labour and Vagrancy Laws which, inter alia, subjected them to heavy penal sanctions, circumscribed their movements even during leisure and denied them access to the Immigration Office to air their grievances. These two sets of laws reduced workers to a state of helplessness and dependence akin to slavery. The various disabilities on arrival aggravated their plight. Strikes and demonstrations, assaults on managers and estate subordinates, coupled with such passive resistance as malingering and deliberately doing sloppy work, seemed the

only forms of protest through which Indians could give expression to their grievances. The most violent strikes in the indentured period occurred at Devonshire Castle, Essequibo, in 1873, Non Pareil in 1896, Lusignan in 1912, and Plantation Rose Hall in 1913 where 15 Indians were killed including a woman, Gobindai. The many confrontations with a repressive state apparatus seemed to destroy the myth of Indian docility and demonstrated forcibly that Indians were capable of responding appropriately to pressures.

They used the Tadjah celebrations to demonstrate their power in the community. Tadjah devotees in their inebriated state frequently attacked, with their hackia sticks and other lethal weapons, any European or traveller who failed to dismount from his horse. Since 1845 when colonial emigration became state-controlled, the Government of India adopted a policy of benevolent neutrality which was maintained throughout the 19th century. With the growth of nationalism in India, a change of policy occurred when in 1910 the Indian Government assumed power to prohibit emigration to any country which failed to give sufficient guarantees about the future treatment of Indian residents there.

The assumption of such power followed Mohandas Gandhi’s exposure of the abominable conditions under which Indians laboured in South Africa, and the refusal of the South African Government to abandon its discriminatory laws. It was Lord Hardinge, Viceroy of

India (1910-16), who attacked the ineradicable evils of the system, namely the grave recruiting irregularities, a high mortality and suicide rate on the plantations, “indescribable” sexual immorality in the immigrant camp, and mounting planter prosecutions for minor infractions of the law. Indenture, too, was considered an affront to the national honour of India that must be abolished. At the same time, the Indian Government was finding it extremely difficult to defend a system which aroused so much bitterness among articulate Indians. It took a massive anti-indenture campaign largely confined to India, and punctuated by speeches, petitions, pamphlets and propaganda, to ensure its abolition. A subsequent attempt to introduce Indian workers on a colonisation scheme did not materialise because of its financial implications and strong opposition in India.

By 1920 indenture officially came to an end.

Indians must seize the opportunity to highlight their economic, political, educational, cultural and scientific achievements so that their manifold contributions could be placed in their proper perspective.

Extracted from Basdeo Mangru writings dated May 4th, 2013 Today marks 183 years since the arrival of Indians in Guyana. It’s an opportunity for us to learn and understand the enormous contributions and struggles of the Indian forefathers to our beautiful nation.

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 5, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GAWU lauds Govt’s commitment to revitalising sugar …says political will needed to turn around industry

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he Guyana Agriculture and General Workers Union (GAWU) in its Arrival Day message took the opportunity to laud the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government for its demonstrated commitment to revitalising sugar.

According to the Union, the PPP’s term in office has so far shown the contrast with the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC), under which a number of sugar estates were closed and thousands of workers displaced.

“Today as we celebrate Arrival Day, the GAWU cannot fail to observe that the industry that occasioned our diversity is being revitalised. Our Union recognises that the industry remains critical to the sustenance and well-being of thousands of Guyanese,” GAWU said.

“The efforts to push the industry into obscurity by the past regime

is well documented and the hardship it created is well-known. We are encouraged by the actions and utterances of the new Government, which has demonstrated its commitment. 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.”

When it comes to Arrival Day itself, GAWU noted that the day serves as a reminder of the diversity in Guyana. They also noted that outside of the East Indians, a number of other groups arrived in Guyana including the Madeiran Portuguese in May 1835 and the Chinese in 1853. Additionally, GAWU noted that the colonialists also brought labourers from Malta, Ireland, Germany and England.

The Union reminded Guyanese that as they celebrate Arrival Day, they spare a moment to reflect on how far

Guyanese have come and the challenges they have overcome. In addition, the Union urged Guyanese to beware of efforts by others to reverse all the development progress that has been made.

“The observances always serve to remind us of the rich diversity and the unique multi-cultural composition of our nation. Indeed, it adds to the specialness of Guyana that 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,” GAWU said.

“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, to bring about small improvements and meagre benefits in their lives and work conditions.”

As part of its policy to downsize sugar, the former APNU/AFC Government had closed down the Rose Hall, Skeldon, Wales and Enmore sugar estates. The downsizing of the sugar industry saw only the Uitvlugt, Blairmont and Albion Estates remaining in operation. However, their decision to close estates went against what their own Commission of Inquiry (CoI) recommended.

Critically, the former Government made no provisions for sugar workers, who were thrown on the breadline and had to protest for their severance payments. Communities in the sugar belt

suffered the devastating economic and social effects of the estate closures, as families were left with no income and breadwinners were left unemployed.

Even the remaining estates were left unable to meet their targets.

In an effort to bring back the sugar sector to its previous state of profitability, the PPP/C Government had approached India for assistance with the reopening of the closed estates. The Indian Government had, in the past, offered technical assistance to Guyana in the sugar sector, but this was never capitalised on by the former coalition Government.

The Government has also set itself the Herculean task of ensuring that the closed estates are fully functional by 2023/2024. GuySuCo was also allocated $5 billion in the 2020 budget and $2 billion for capital works in the 2021 budget.

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Reflect on the many sacrifices of our foreparents – PPP

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rrival Day, designated a national holiday on May 5th, is of tremendous significance to our country and all of its people.

It’s a day that brings into focus the invaluable contributions of our ancestors, who came to the shores of our dear land from various parts of the world. It is also a day to commemorate their arrival and monumental achievements.

Once again, as we observe this occasion, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) takes this opportunity to extend greetings to all Guyanese, at home and abroad.

As we commemorate this day, all Guyanese are urged to reflect on the many sacrifices our foreparents made to advance our country and better our lives. We are urged to recognise that the sacrifices

of all our ancestors will be in vain if those who would divide us are allowed to succeed.

After their gruelling journeys at various points in our history to arrive here, and in spite of the hardships they faced, they were selfless in their efforts to not just build for our betterment, but remained steadfast in ensuring the preservation of the various cultural traditions which continue to instill values, enrich and shape our lives.

Those deliberate efforts have led to the creation of this multi-cultural and multi-religious society of ours, in where there is immense pride in diversity, imbuing us all with strength as we share and participate in the various festivals that have come to identify us as a people. Over time, those events have served to

strengthen bonds of togetherness among our people. The sacrifices and achievements of our foreparents will remain a source of inspiration for our collective efforts to build a prosperous and unified nation that is home to all of us.

Over the decades, activities to commemorate Arrival Day were held across the country, providing opportunities for Guyanese and visitors to interact and experience our rich and diverse cultural traditions. At this juncture, those customarily vibrant and colourful celebrations associated with this day have been curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are all reminded to observe the related protocols, to be safe, and for those eligible, to get vaccinated.

Happy Arrival Day to All!

India recommits to collaboration with Guyana – High Commissioner on Arrival Day

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n behalf of the Government of India and the High Commission of India in Guyana, I wish to extend my best wishes to all Guyanese brothers and sisters on the occasion of the Indian Arrival Day, on May 5. Starting from Port of Calcutta in India, on 13 January 1838, by the ship ‘Whitby’, and after travelling for 114 days, arrived in Guyana. It was on this day in 1838 the first group of Indian Immigrants set foot on this beautiful land of Guyana at Highbury on Berbice River.

It is very heartwarming to note that the Indo-Guyanese still retain their Indian traditions and culture despite settling down in a far-off country.

The most striking aspect of the Indo-Guyanese in Guyana is their strength of resilience and adaptation. Indian culture has a big influence on the overall culture of Guyana, be it music, food, language, art, religion, tradition, rituals, costumes, etc.

The Indian diaspora in Guyana has played and is playing a crucial role in the economic, political and social development of the country. They have excelled in almost all areas. India is very proud of the achievements of the Indo-Guyanese Diaspora and their role in the development of Guyana. The Pravasi Bhartiya Divas held in India has honoured such Guyanese

achievers with the Pravasi Bhartiya Award.

I consider it indeed a matter of honour and privilege for me to serve as the Indian High Commissioner to this Girmitiya land. The priority of the current Government of India led by Honourable Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi is to build everlasting links with the Indian Diaspora the world over.

On this occasion, I would like to commend major Indo-Guyanese socio-cultural-religious organisations which have been the torch-bearers of preserving Indianness - Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha under Honourable Minister Dr Vindhya Vasini Persaud, Indian Commemorative Trust led by Dr Yesu Persaud, HSS - Hindus for Selfless Service, Indian Action Committee, Cove & John Ashram, Saraswati Vidya Niketan, etc.

The Government of India has been closely working with Government of Guyana in several sectors, and has delivered on various projects so far. Now we are working on over US$100 million worth of Indian Grants and Lines of Credit for building roads, hospitals and a ferry; solar panels, collaborations in agriculture, rice, sugar, etc. while oil and gas education scholarships will be the future.

Availing this opportunity, I would like to reassure you

that the High Commission would be happy to work closely with the Government and people of Guyana and extend its hand of collaboration in more areas of benefit to the people of Guyana. It is our aim and endeavour to see that the expertise and capacities available with India are shared with our friendly country Guyana. I fondly hope that we continue to build upon this sacred relationship between India and Guyana. The massive projected transformation of Guyana in the next decade will surely have India as a strategic partner, and we wish to strengthen our partnership. We wish and pray for Guyana’s success. I call upon all brothers and sisters of Guyana to take an oath to join hands and work for the growth and progress of this rainbow nation of Guyana.

On a parting note, India will be celebrating its 75th Independence Day Anniversary on 15th August, 2022. To celebrate this momentous occasion, Government of India is organising several events in India and across the globe. High Commission of India in Georgetown is also planning a series of events on this historic occasion in Guyana. We urge all Guyanese to join us in this series of events, which will be publicised in due course.

Long live India-Guyana Friendship!

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Spare a moment to reflect on how far, as a people, Guyana has come – GAWU

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s our country once again observes Arrival Day, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) takes the opportunity to extend greetings and best wishes to the people of Guyana. The observances always serve to remind us of the rich diversity and the unique multi-cultural composition of our nation.

Indeed, it adds to the specialness of Guyana that 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.

While Arrival Day – May 05 – is largely associated with the arrival of East Indians, the day re-

minds us of all indentured immigrants brought to our land. Our research advises us that outside of the East Indians, the Madeiran Portuguese came in May 1835, the Chinese in 1853, as well as a few other ethnicities during that phase of colonialism. We are aware that the colonialists brought also 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, to bring about small improvements and meagre benefits in their lives and work conditions.

Today, as we celebrate Arrival Day, the GAWU cannot fail to observe that the industry that occasioned our diversity is being revitalised. Our Union recognises that the industry remains critical to the sustenance and well-being of thousands of Guyanese.

The efforts to push the industry into obscurity by the past regime are well documented and the hardship it created is well known. We are encouraged by the actions and utterances of the new Government, which has demonstrated its com-

Guyana is richer today because of invaluable contributions of all immigrants – PNC

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he People’s National Congress extends greetings to all Guyanese, especially those of East Indian origin, on the occasion of Arrival Day, as our nation observes the 183rd anniversary of the arrival of the first East Indian immigrants.

Arrival Day, observed as a national holiday annually on 5th May, celebrates one of the most significant events in Guyana’s history.

Our nation’s multi-cultural diversity, which was shaped

by the ‘arrivals’ who came during the colonial era, is an asset that enriched our common experience.

Arrival Day not only gives persons of Indian origin an opportunity to reflect on the journey of their ancestors, but also it provides an opportunity for people of other origins to reflect on the journey and history of their own ancestors. It is important for us to examine our origins, so that we could understand better the impact of our collective efforts

in building our nation, and appreciate the need to respect each other.

Arrival Day reminds us that our nation is richer today because of the invaluable contributions which the descendants of all immigrants have made to our national development and to shaping our Guyaneseness – the unique tapestry of beliefs, cultures and traditions.

The People’s National Congress wishes everyone a happy Arrival Day.

Guyanese diversity must never be made a tool for division – ERC

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he Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) extends best wishes to all Guyanese on the observance of Arrival Day 2021. It is a day which commemorates the historical arrival of numerous indentured servants of diverse ethnic heritages to Guyana, to replace slave labour on the sugar plantations after the abolition of slavery in the British Empire.

On this occasion, the ERC wishes to take the opportunity to reiterate the need for all Guyanese to build together upon their gains, and to continue robustly the process of fostering unity and harmony.

Today 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.

Doing so individually, through the various ethnic groups, sharing and participating in each other’s traditions forged our dear nation to become multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-cultural. That is evident as all participate meaningfully in each other’s festivities, which have transcended religious and ethnic boundaries to become truly national observances.

Over time, that rich, beautiful and vibrant diversity has become our strength and the common bond in the process of becoming one people 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. 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.

This is imperative in the interest of our nation and all its peoples, 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 5th also marks the anniversary of the arrival of our East Indian ancestors, who reached these shores on that day in 1838, while on May 3rd, the arrival of the Portuguese was observed.

The colourful commemorative events across the country will once again serve to bring our people together, allowing opportunities not only to 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 to become one people out of many cultures.

As Guyanese record another milestone amidst the difficult and threatening COVID-19 crisis, the ERC nevertheless emphasises the importance of continuing to observe all the necessary precautions and regulations.

Happy Arrival Day to all Guyanese here and in the Diaspora, from the Management and Staff of the Ethnic Relations Commission!

mitment. Sugar, we reiterate, has all possibilities of success, but, among other things, requires the active and material support and confidence of the powersthat-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 look to be 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 development track.

GAWU joins with all Guyana to celebrate Arrival Day.

30 IPL 2021 postponed as COVID-19 count increases

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 5, 2021

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PL 2021 has been postponed, following several positive COVID-19 cases across franchises over the past couple of days. There is no official word yet on when, or whether, the remainder of the tournament will be staged, though BCCI Vice-President Rajiv Shukla was emphatic it “will happen”, and a decision would be taken when the pandemic situation has improved.

In a statement, the IPL said the decision was “unanimously” taken by the tournament’s governing council, and the BCCI. “The BCCI does not want to compromise on the safety of the players, support staff, and the other participants involved in organising the IPL,” the statement said.

“This decision was taken (in) keeping the safety, health and wellbeing of all the stakeholders in mind. These are difficult times, especially in India, and while we have tried to bring in some positivity and cheer, however, it is imperative that the tournament is now suspended and everyone goes back to their families and loved ones in these trying times.”

The statement also said the BCCI would “do everything in its powers to arrange for the secure and safe passage of all the participants in IPL 2021”.

Shukla, speaking to Star Sports, hinted at the decisionmaking process. “Obviously, the current situation in India is pretty bad, everybody is scared, so even they [foreign players] might be scared. A few players spoke to their franchises about wanting to leave the country, the franchises also confided in us.

Not many players were willing to leave the country, but obviously there is a panic-like situation, and if people are scared, we need to look at that aspect and take steps accordingly.

“So, taking the players’ concerns, their families’ concerns in mind, we have taken this decision,” he said.

Though the statement itself was unclear on the tournament resuming, Shukla’s comments suggest that it would, at some point. “One thing I want to make very clear, it has not been cancelled; it has been suspended, it has been postponed, it has been deferred.

So, it will happen. The remainder

of the IPL will happen, but in due course. When the COVID situation improves, a decision will be taken.”

The immediate cause The announcement came following increasing COVID-19 positive cases within the IPL. The Sunrisers Hyderabad became the third franchise to register cases

when it was confirmed earlier on Tuesday that Wriddhiman Saha had tested positive for COVID-19 and was isolating from the rest of the squad.

On Monday, the Kolkata Knight Riders’ Varun Chakravarthy and Sandeep Warrier tested positive, and the day’s match between the Knight Riders and the Royal Challengers Bangalore in Ahmedabad was put off. Within hours came news from Delhi of two confirmed cases in the Chennai Super Kings’ camp: bowling coach L Balaji and a member of their service staff.

Balaji’s case, in particular, raised concerns among the other franchises, as he was in the team’s dugout on May 1 during the match against the Mumbai Indians. Earlier on Tuesday, it was confirmed that the Super Kings had gone into isolation for a week. The Saha news soon followed, before the tournament’s postponement was announced.

What happens to the overseas players now?

The Australians, who can’t go home for another ten days, are expected to spend the time in the Maldives, joining broadcast commentator Michael Slater. There are 24 Australians in the playing and coaching staff among the franchises; though some, like Dan Christian, have playing deals in England, and even those borders are currently sealed to non-UK nationals flying

in from India.

The two Bangladeshi players, Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman, will have to undergo 14 days of quarantine once they are back home, according to the country’s health authority, which refused the BCB’s request for a shorter isolation period. They are expected to return home in a chartered flight in a couple of

days’ time.

They were both named in Bangladesh’s preliminary squad for the ODI home series against Sri Lanka, which is likely to start on May 23. The BCB will be hoping that the pair arrives in the next couple of days, so that they have a few days of training after the 14-day quarantine, before the first ODI in Dhaka.

The ECB said it was in “close contact with our players and staff in India, as arrangements are put in place for them to return home safely”.

Cricket South Africa said those travelling back to South Africa would undergo home quarantine “in line with the current World Health Organization recommendations”.

New Zealand recently lifted its travel ban for India, but there are limited flights between the two countries, and the New Zealand players will have to undergo a 14-day quarantine whenever they get home. NZC issued a statement saying it was liaising with different authorities to find a solution.

The broader pandemic backdrop The tournament has been held with India in the grip of a vicious second wave of the pandemic, with the six host cities - New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru and Ahmedabad - among the worst hit places. The IPL’s “caravan” model of scheduling, with two of the six venues being used at

DC’s Amit Mishra and CSK’s batting coach Michael Hussey test positive for COVID-19

D

elhi Capitals’ legspinner Amit Mishra tested positive on Tuesday, confirmed the IPL team on Twitter.

Mishra has been moved to a designated medical care facility, as per BCCI and IPL guidelines, they added.

“The Delhi Capitals’ medical team is in constant touch with Mishra, and ensuring his safety and wellbeing. We wish him a speedy recovery,” DC tweeted.

Chennai Super Kings’ batting coach Michael Hussey is reported to have tested positive for COVID-19 as well, a day after the IPL team’s bowling coach L Balaji returned positive for the dreaded virus.

This was confirmed by Indian Premier League sources

Michael Hussey

Amit Mishra

hours after the 14th edition of the lucrative T20 league was indefinitely suspended due to a COVID-19 outbreak in its bio-bubble.

Hussey’s test reports came on Tuesday. “Hussey was tested, and his sample came positive. We sent it for retesting, but that has also come positive,” an IPL source

told PTI. On Monday, CSK bowling coach Balaji, along with Kolkata Knight Riders’ bowlers Sandeep Warrier and Varun Chakravarthy, returned positive results.

The spread of infections had led to postponement of two IPL games earlier.

(Hindustantimes)

any given time, cut down on air travel and other risk factors as compared to the usual homeand-away concept, but still left teams vulnerable.

The rising numbers - around 400,000 new positive cases daily over the past few days prompted several countries to ban travellers from India.

The Australian Government even imposed a ban on its own citizens returning from India until May 15, and said any transgression would be deemed a criminal offence. It led to a statement last week from the BCCI that sought to reassure all stakeholders and the eight teams that the tournament bubble was “totally safe”.

However, the players were

getting anxious. Liam Livingstone and Andrew Tye (both Rajasthan Royals) and the Royal Challengers pair of Adam Zampa and Kane Richardson returned home to England and Australia before the clampdowns. The Delhi Capitals’ lead spinner R Ashwin also left the IPL after the first leg to attend to his family, many of whom had tested positive for COVID-19. Senior Indian umpire Nitin Menon also returned home to Indore to attend to his parents, who were positive.

Australian umpire Paul Reiffel admitted he was minutes away from leaving India before the travel corridor through which he was planning to return was shut off.

(ESPNcricinfo)

Windies slump to 10th in latest ICC T20 charts

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ONDON – West Indies have slumped to the tenth spot in the latest International Cricket Council’s Twenty20 rankings, just six months before they defend their title at the T20 World Cup in India.

Following Monday’s annual update which saw results from 2017-18 being eliminated, West Indies found themselves on 222 rating points, but still within striking distance of the three teams immediately ahead of them.

Bangladesh is ninth on 225 points, Sri Lanka lies eighth on 227 points, while Afghanistan is seventh on 236 points.

England, meanwhile, remains the top side in the rankings with 277 points, and have extended their lead over second-placed India to five points.

New Zealand also gained in the rankings, leaping two places to third on 263 points, with Pakistan two points back in fourth and Australia fifth on 258.

South Africa are in sixth, 10 points behind.

West Indies have experienced a topsy-turvy run of form in the shortest format in recent years, with only four series wins in the last 12, while losing 14 of their last 23 games inside the last 2-½ years.

In their last series in March, the Caribbean edged Sri Lanka 2-1 in a three-match series to make up for their 2-0 thrashing in New Zealand last December.

West Indies won the last T20 World Cup staged in India five years ago, and are currently gearing up for their title defence under white-ball skipper Kieron Pollard, recently named Wisden’s Leading T20 Cricketer in the World.

In the One-Day

International format, West Indies climbed one place to eighth, overtaking Sri Lanka to be on 82 rating points.

They swept Sri Lanka 3-0 last March in the Caribbean, but that was on the back of successive whitewashes at the hands of Bangladesh earlier this year and Sri Lanka back in 2020.

New Zealand, meanwhile, has replaced reigning world champions England as the topranked side in ODIs with 121 rating points, with Australia second on 118 points after jumping two places, and India slipping one place to third on 115 points.

England now lies a decimal point behind in fourth, with South Africa fifth (107), Pakistan (97) sixth and Bangladesh seventh on 90 points.

The Test rankings will be updated after the ongoing series between Zimbabwe and Pakistan ends on 11 May.

2237230-1

(Ext 55)

NOW!

ODI rankings

1. New Zealand 2. Australia 3. India 4. England 5. South Africa 6. Pakistan 7. Bangladesh 8. West Indies 9. Sri Lanka 10. Afghanistan

T20 rankings

1. England 2. India 3. New Zealand 4. Pakistan 5. Australia 6. South Africa 7. Afghanistan 8. Sri Lanka 9. Bangladesh 10. West Indies (CMC)

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

31

WEDNESDAY, MAY 5, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

WEDNESDAY, MAY 5, 2021

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Guyanese unlucky at 2nd swim qualifiers W

ith national athletes around the world seeking to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics just months before it begins, the Guyanese swim team found themselves coming up against the crème de la crème from over 60 countries for spots in the international games.

The initial team of three

Guyanese swimmers, boosted by a new addition, turned up unsuccessful when they hit the pools in Clermont, Florida over the past weekend, for the 2021 UANA Tokyo Qualifiers.

Unfortunately for the team comprising Andrew Fowler, Leon Seaton, Jamila Sanmoogan and newcomer Chase Thompson they were unable to make their

mark in a pool of more than 50 competitors per race. The team was accompanied by Coach Paul Mahaica.

However, Leon Seaton’s races were listed under the Azura Florida Aquatics team, with which he has been training for some time now, since acquiring a scholarship stint in that US state.

Competing in the 50M butterfly and freestyle, Sanmoogan was unable to make it past the first stage of both events. The 24-year-old clocked 31.10s and 29.03s in the events respectively, to finish 31st and 46th.

Seaton and Fowler contested the same three events. For the 50M butterfly, Fowler finished

Renee, Basdeo lead McGill to 2-0 win over MMZ in 3-match series – McGill to establish B team

I

n a 3-match series against Meten Meer Zorg Sports Club, the McGill Superstars Sports Club wrapped up things on Sunday last, and now lead the series 2-0 with one consolation game left to play.

With games being played at the MMZ SC Ground and all COVID-19 measures being observed, the highly anticipated matchup, which was a 35-over game, featured some top-notch action. It didn’t matter what big names were playing in the game or which team had the more talented players. What mattered was that MMZ needed to bag a win to level the series, and in the end McGill showed fight to wrap up the series.

MMZ won the toss and chose to bat first. They were able to post 117-9 after 35

Bowling for McGill, Daniel Basdeo took 3-25 (7 overs) and Diquan Murray took 2-21 (3 overs).

Needing 118 runs to win, Mc Gill scored 119-8 (27 overs),

Daniel Basdeo bagged 3-25 and chipped in with 13 not out

ad Ronaldo Renee with 58 (3×4) (5×6) led the way, while Daniel Basdeo chipped in with 13* (2×6). Bowling for MMZ, Mahendra Dasrat took 2-20 (6 overs) and Jermaine Maxwell took 2-22 (4 overs).

The Mc Gill Super Stars Sports Club will also be establishing its ‘B’ Team, in an

effort to recruit young talent to the well-established Club. The ‘B’ Team will be a part of the Club’s Youth Development Programme to foster the transition of young cricketers from the junior to the senior level. Any individual interested in joining the club is asked to please contact the Club’s Secretary on 649-9596.

Gonsalves ploughs $100,000 into ACCCC for Under-21 sponsorship

F

ORMER Guyana batsman Andrew Gonsalves has ploughed $100,000 into the Albion Community Centre Cricket Club (ACCCC), as sponsorship of the Club’s Under 21 Team for the 2021 Season.

At a simple launching ceremony held recently at the Albion Community Centre’s Main Hall, Gonsalves, also a former Albion cricketer and the owner/manager of the Cell Towers Builders Inc. in the United States, where he now resides, disclosed to the audience via a live social media appearance that he was extremely happy to give back to his Club.

“I am delighted to give back to my Club. It is always a pleasure for me to assist and I will continue to do so. It is very likely that I will do this annually.”

President of the ACCCC Vemen Walter, thanked

Gonsalves and assured him that his sponsorship of the Club’s Under 21 Team will assist tremendously not only toward the development of Albion’s cricket but also cricket in Berbice, Guyana and by extension the West Indies.

“This sponsorship will not only assist the ACCCC but will also contribute towards the development of game in Berbice, Guyana and the West Indies generally. As we all know, Albion is a major player in Berbice, Guyana and West Indies’ cricket, having known to produce top quality cricketers over the years.

As we all are aware cricket is a very expensive game and I must thank Mr. Gonsalves for this sponsorship. It is a clear testimony of his continued commitment toward Albion’s cricket, which he had also demonstrated during cricketing days.”

freestyle, but was unable to make it past the prelims.

He clocked 58.64s in that event. However, he had a better outing in the 100 breast stroke, where he made it past the first round of preliminary races.

Finishing 23rd, the newcomer clocked 1:08.05 in the preliminary, and bettered his time in the final by clocking 1:06.73. In Thompson’s his final races, he returned times of 31.18s and 35.55s, seeing a better first 50 than in the final half.

The Guyanese team still has another shot at the July 23rd to August 8th Olympics, with Puerto Rico-based swimming qualifiers on the cards.

More support for “Cricket Gears For Young And Promising Cricketers In Guyana” Project

Ronaldo Renee scored 58 to lead his team to victory

overs. Top scoring was Richie Loaknauth with 54 (2×4) (2×6), with assistance from Jermaine Maxwell’s 13 (1×6) and Leroy Miggins’s 11 (1×6).

on 26.44s while Seaton clocked 28.56s. Seaton tipped Fowler in the 50M freestyle, stopping the clock at 25.38s, while Fowler finished on 25.50s.

In the 100M freestyle, Fowler came in 56th with a time of 55.46s and Seaton 58th in 55.74s. A breakdown of the times saw Fowler swimming a better first half in the 100M freestyle than his second half, 25.97s and 29.49s.

For Seaton, the situation was the same, as the 16-yearold swam a 26.70s first 50 as compared to a 29.04s back half.

Chase Thompson, representing Guyana for the first time on the national stage, also participated in the 100

Also speaking at the ceremony was ACCCC’s Secretary, Omarnauth Outar, who commended Gonsalves for having seen it fitting to invest in the Club.

The Albion Under 21 Team for the 2021 season will be known as the “Albion Cell Towers Builders Under 21 Team.”

Gonsalves, providing assistance to the ACCCC is nothing new since over the years he had made several financial contributions.

Among those present for the launching were Dularie Lachminarine and Henna Rupnarine – the sister and niece respectively of Gonsalves, along with current top Albion cricketers Devendra Bishoo, Veerasammy Permaul and Gudakesh Motie.

This sponsorship is one of many that the Club has attracted recently.

Just over a month ago, sponsorships for the Club’s Team which will participate in the upcoming Speaker’s T20 National Club Cricket Tournament along with its Under 13, 15, 17 and 19 Teams were also launched.

Permaul’s Trading & Distribution (PT&D) and K.P. Jagdeo General Contracting are the sponsors of the Club‘s Team for the Speaker’s T20 National Club Cricket Tournament.

The Club’s Under 19 Team is also sponsored by K.P. Jagdeo General Contracting with Orvin Mangru’s Contracting Services being the Under 17 Team’s sponsor, Permaul’s Trading & Distribution (PT&D) – Under 15 and 13 being taken care of by Harichand’s Business Establishment. The Club’s First Division Team is also partly sponsored; however, it is very likely that this team will have a full sponsor shortly.

A

friend of Guyana Cricket (name withheld) is the latest donor to project “Cricket Gear for Young and Promising Cricketers in Guyana”. He is a friend of one of the partners in this initiative, Kishan Das of the USA. The other partner is former Berbice Cricket Board long serving Executive and recently appointed Guyana Cricket Board Technocrat.

Their aim is to provide cricket gear for young and talented cricketers in Guyana who need assistance. The project, which was recently launched, is seeking new and used cricket gear which will then be distributed free of cost to the targeted cricketers.

Option Group, West Indian Sports Complex and P&P Insurance Brokers are the other companies on board so far.

Three pairs of batting pads, one helmet, one pair of batting gloves and one cricket bag have already been received as donations. Total gear collected so far is ten pairs of batting

pads, nine bats, four pairs of batting gloves, and two cricket bags.

The donor said the initiative is a timely one, and he would surely help to unearth more talent in Guyana, especially in the nontraditional areas.

Talent spotting will be done across Guyana, along with guidance from club leaders to identify the players.

Players must be attending school and be disciplined Players above school age will also be considered.

Gratitude is so far being given to Imran and Javed Khan of West Indian Sports Complex, Option Group, Bish Panday of P&P Insurance Brokers, a Friend of Guyana Cricket, and spinner Sean Devers who is now a journalist and the former Senior Berbice player who also represented Guyana at the junior level.

Anyone interested in contributing to this initiative can contact Anil Beharry on 623-6875 or Kishan Das on 1-718-664-0896.

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