Guyana Times Daily

House of Israel leader chooses silence

Courts Guyana Inc on Saturday presented mothers with a pre-Mother's Day experience, while it also made a donation to the Carnegie School of Home Economics. Here one of the mothers (left) receiving her package from a Courts employee (Marceano Narine photo)

First Lady extends Mother’s Day greetings

First Lady Deolatchmie Ramotar has extended heartiest congratulations to all the mothers in Guyana on Mother’s Day 2014.

In a message, Ramotar said: “I thank them for being exemplars of that unique and great gift of motherhood. The unconditional love that they shower not just on their own children but those of others, their unlimited patience and forgiveness, their selflessness are but few of the qualities for which I salute all mothers.”

She added that for all of the above and much more, mothers are irreplaceable and extraordinary.

“And today we celebrate the immeasurable gift of motherhood. It is a day to pay our homage to our

mothers, whether they are still around or whether they have departed this world. We are eternally indebted to our mothers. We would not have been here had it not been for our mothers. They are our keystones and our cornerstones. There can be no substitute for a mother’s love and devotion.

“May this day, Mother’s Day, witness an outpouring of love and appreciation for all mothers everywhere. They represent the finest of human virtues, the ones that we need to preserve for all humanity.

Happy Mother’s Day!” the release concluded.

Mother’s Day is a celebration honouring mothers and motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. It is celebrated on various days in many parts of the world, most commonly in spring. (April-May in the northern hemisphere, October in Argentina, but northern hemisphere spring, May, in Australia). It complements similar celebrations honouring family members, such as Father’s Day and Siblings' Day.

The celebration of Mother’s Day began in the US in the early 20th century; it is not related to the many celebrations of mothers and motherhood that have occurred throughout the world over thousands of years, such as the Greek cult to Cybele, the Roman festival of Hilaria, or the Christian Mothering Sunday celebration (originally a celebration of the mother church, not motherhood). Despite this, in some countries, Mother’s Day has become synonymous with these older traditions.

First lady Deolatchmie Ramotar

Guyana fully prepared for CXC e-marking – CXC assures system protected from hackers

By Svetlana MarShall

The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) Pro-Registrar Glenroy Cumberbatch said e-marking will yield greater efficiency in marking of scripts while reducing the cost incurred from the exercise. CXC has taken a decision to commence the marking of examination papers online from this year.

Speaking from CXC Headquarters in Barbados, Cumberbatch, during a telephone interview with Guyana Times, said extensive studies were conducted before the e-marking solution was selected.

Last year, Integrated Science and Physics were marked via e-marking as part of a pilot initiative. Due to the success rate recorded, CXC will roll out live marking for the May-June sitting of the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations.

Cumberbatch explained that when face to face marking was compared with e-marking during the experiment, there was a high correlation. He said when the examination papers were marked electronically, the results was almost identical to the ones done using the traditional marking system. “So CXC has no doubt whether the e-marking solution can do the job,” he told this publication, pointing out that the process is well protected from hackers.

Though CXC markers have the option of marking the examination from the comfort of their home or in a designated area allotted by their respective Education

Ministry, Cumberbatch said the same marking structure will be used.

As customary, markers will be placed within groups and led by table leaders. “Examiners will be managed in real time,” he added.

But he said markers' ability to mark from their home depends on the availability of bandwidth and the level of Internet penetration in their country.

Intensive training

The CXC Pro-Registrar said too that examiners received extensive training, giving them the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the new electronic system.

But despite the justification, some are of the opinion that there are many challenges that can be faced with the introduction of e-marking, such as Internet penetration, spam and a possible collapse of the Internet during the specified period.

In March, CXC signed onto a four-year contract for RM Assessor onscreen marking software and transition services. With examiners spread across the re-

gion, the implementation of onscreen marking of exam papers will significantly reduce the high cost attached to transportation.

Less expensive

The cost factor was a major concern to the examination council. Not only was CXC responsible for the payment of teachers’ air fares to travel to Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and Guyana for the marking of millions of papers; there were also issues of accommodation, food and stipends for a two-week period. Approximately 2200 teachers participate in the marking process.

According to reports, the marking of CSEC and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) papers represent the largest portion of the money spent by the Examinations Council.

Though e-marking is an expensive solution, it is estimated to eliminate approximately 70 per cent of the costs associated with the script movement, data capture, travel and accommodation expenses. It is also expected to reduce the processing time, automate

the collection and analysis of data and provide realtime management information throughout the script marking activity.

Speaking with the media on this new development, Education Minister Priya Manickchand said Guyana is 100 per cent onboard with the initiative. She said with technology comes incredible benefits such as e-marking.

She too pointed to the cost factor, noting that it is very expensive to facilitate examiners at the four locations within the region.

Graduate Senior Master, Eugene Thompson, who has been marking CSEC papers since 2005, told this publication that e-marking is a step in the right direction.

“I think it is a good move. It will reduce the cost linked to the movement of teachers from point A to point B. I think it is incredible.”

Thompson teaches Principles of Business at the St Rose’s High School. Although he is happy that teachers would be able to mark exam papers within the comfort of their homes, he opined that there are some disadvantages. According to him, the electronic system does not permit face-to-face interaction.

“When you are sitting across the table, marking a paper, you can actually engage in meaning arguments regarding the answers given by candidates. Fellowship interaction is important,” he lamented.

He said too under the traditional system, CXC officials would visit the four marking centres in the region to hold discussions on matters of interest.

Sunday Times Editor: Tajeram Mohabir

Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134

Mailing address:

238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown

Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Editorial

Mother’s Day

Anna Jarvis was the originator of Mother’s Day. Upset that most of the American Holidays honoured male achievements, she decided in 1908 to celebrate the contributions of mothers. Without whom, she pointed out not unreasonably, there would be no humans, much less human society.

By 1914, the idea had caught on so well, the US Government declared it an official holiday. It soon spread like wildfire across the world.

However, just a decade later, she rose up in arms against the impetus that made the holiday and commemoration so popular – commercial interests. The latter figured that since everyone had a mother, this was a demographic that could certainly be the source of higher revenues, once offspring were reminded to signal their “love and appreciation” for their mothers through gifts.

In a world in which the family was being increasingly atomised through the spread of highways and motor cars, the ploy worked beyond the wildest dreams of the manufacturers of gifts.

Ms Jarvis complained, “Commercialisation of Mother’s Day is growing every year... Confectioners put a white ribbon on a box of candy and advance the price just because it’s Mother’s Day. There is no connection between candy and this day. It is pure commercialisation.”

The group that did the most to spread the holiday were the card makers. Ms Jarvis advised: “Write a letter to your mother. No person is too busy to do this. Any mother would rather have a line of the worst scribble from her son or daughter than any fancy greeting card...”

And the advice holds to this day. Analysts subsequent to Ms Jarvis noted what they call the “commodification” of every human exchange, including sentiments in general and sentiments towards mothers in particular.

Commodification occurs when we buy and sell what was normally not saleable. We now have “Father’s Day”, “Valentine’s Day”, “Grandparents’ Day” and of course, the even more ubiquitous and generic, “Birthdays” – all geared towards transforming what were hitherto close social bonds, into trinkets that could be bought and sold.

And this is the point we wish to stress today. At one level, there is nothing wrong about remembering one’s mother on a particular day. The entire world has moved further into the fragmented society of early 20th Century USA and families are increasingly being dispersed. But we believe that we cannot simply accept this fragmentation as the norm.

As early as the 19th century, the deleterious effects of what was called “alienation” were noted: with familial and community bonds snapped, man, who evolved as a social being, was lost.

In Guyana, one of the consequences of uprooting individuals from closely knit communities and dumping them into logees/ barracks, where they were “strangers in a strange land”, was a phenomenal increase in suicide rates, which have persisted in the present.

In Guyana also, we witness mothers being left to survive on their own in the most impecunious of circumstances by children. And it is possible that some of these children do visit on Mother’s Day and drop off a trinket. We have to do better.

More than in most other societies, in Guyana and the rest of the Caribbean, mothers have played the key role in ensuring that we at least survived that most degraded institution in the history of mankind – African chattel slavery – and its successor, indentured labour. Society as a whole has to move beyond the commodification of Mother’s Day, to recognise them for that real emancipatory role.

Sometimes individuals themselves forget who they are, when the rest of society –especially the still-dominant male strata – collude in this mass amnesia.

There is a great hue and cry about “violence against women”. Much of this violence is actually against mothers. If we can instil into all Guyanese from childhood, respect for the seminal contributions of mothers in our civilisation, then perchance the violence may diminish.

Happy Mothers’ Day, Guyana.

Modi will be Prime Minister of India Kudos!

Dear Editor,

Voting in India for the Lob Sabha (Lower House of Representatives) ends on Monday in the ninth and final phase of elections. Counting begins on Friday and the world should know the result by mid day.

From when voting began on April 9 through now, opinion polls were conducted but the Election Commission banned their publications while the voting is still ongoing. Thus, the public does not have a real sense of who is in the lead. But one can get a sense of the outcome based on pre-election surveys as well as from conversations with voters.

Several opinion polls were conducted and all have the Opposition BJP ahead winning the most seats but short of a majority (273) to form a GOVERNMENT on its own. I was in India for the ongoing general elections and was also there in December for a series of state elections including in the capital state of Delhi. Polling there is extremely difficult.

Nevertheless, based on informal surveying, all indications are the BJP will win the most seats and the President will ask Narendra Modi (its Prime Ministerial candidate) to form a Government. I do not think BJP will win a majority (273) of seats or the 250 seats it is counting on.

But I do see the party getting over 200 seats and more likely to get around 240. With its alliance partners, Modi will cross 300 seats enough to win a vote of confidence as the President will set as a condition for appointing him PM. Once the BJP wins the most seats, other parties will come around to supporting it and its total support will swell to over 350 seats. It will be most ideal for the BJP to win a majority so it can effectively carry out its manifesto plans.

Voter turnout in this election has improved considerably over previous elections. This is due to the Modi factor. Modi is enormously popular pulling crowds of tens, if not hundreds, of thousands at campaign stops. Everywhere I went, it was Modi fever.

There was hardly mention of Rahul Gandhi, the standard bearer of the Congress party and scion of the Gandhi clan. Rahul does not demonstrate that he is someone of outstanding intellect. He lacks the charm and charisma of his grandmother (Indira) and great grandfather (Jawaharlall Nehru) and his uncle (Sanjay or even his father (Rajiv).

His nemesis, Modi, on the other hand, speaks confidently and unscripted. Modi has displayed an ability to address the media and huge crowds extemporaneously without any hic -

cups and difficulties. There are no gaffes. But there are a lot of laughs as he pokes fun at Rahul and the Gandhi family.

Modi is from the masses. He is loved by members from the higher and lower castes; many Muslims and Christians also support him for security, protection and development. This was much in evidence on Thursday when hundreds of thousands showed up for a motorcade for Modi in the constituency of Varanasi where Modi is contesting. It is a make or break contest for him. If he wins, he becomes PM. If he loses, all bets are off as it will be untenable for someone who can’t win a seat to be appointed as PM. Varanasi is a complex constituency with some 30 per cent of the electorate Muslims and Modi’s opponents are urging Muslims to vote as a bloc against Modi to bring about his defeat. Varanasi is a critical seat for BJP as it is one of the holiest sites for Hindus and is central to the state of Uttar Pradesh where most Indo-Guyanese trace their roots.

The BJP is banking on winning 50 out of 80 seats in UP. The party is likely to win the most seats there as well as in Bihar where the largest number of IndoGuyanese their roots. The party’s alliance partners in Tamil Nadu where the third largest number of Guyanese trace their roots.

All leadership opponents of Modi have descended on Varanasi to defeat him. Arvind Kejriwal, the anti-corruption campaigner, who is from Delhi, set up camp for a month in Varanasi, is Modi’s main opponent. Rahul Gandhi also showed up in Varanasi on Saturday urging voters to vote as a bloc to defeat Modi. Rahul did not pull much of a crowd as the Congress is weak in Varanasi.

Kejriwal has been pulling huge crowds daily for the last month and the outcome of the election hangs in the balance. Modi applied for permits to hold two rallies in Varanasi but the District Administrator denied him permits saying effective security could not be arranged. The Election Commission endorsed the decision though one commissioner expressed regrets for not allowing Gandhi to hold his rally. Kejriwal is convinced he will defeat Modi by a huge majority in Varanasi; that is left to be seen. I think voters are convinced that Modi will transform Varanasi and UP the way he has changed Gujarat that has been experiencing rapid development leading the way for the rest of India. Modi will prevail comfortably in Varanasi and go on to become PM.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

The Labour, Human Services and Social Security Ministry on Saturday honoured several women for their outstanding contributions to society. In photo is Prime Minister Samuel Hinds with some of the women formally recognised at a ceremony held at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Greater Georgetown

A barbaric, terrorist act

Dear Editor, I stare with sadness and disgust at the horrible news of 300 school girls abducted on April 14 in Nigeria’s North-Eastern Borno State, West Coast Africa as schools were opened for students to prepare for their final exams.

What is the crime these innocent children committed? Why do they have to endure this horror? Who are these barbarians’ abductors; these beasts of the un-Godliness operating under the banner of Islam?

The kidnappings three and a half weeks ago by the extremist group called Boko Haram have raised a worldwide outcry and condemna-

tion. The group leader has used the distorted teachings of Islam for justification of his actions and threatens to sell the girls into slavery.

This crime and the crimes committed by the likes of these extremists organisation contradicts and violates all humanitarian principles and moral values and violates the Sharia laws of Islam and the sacred teachings of the Holy Qu’ran and of Prophet Muhammad – may peace be upon him.

This is a barbaric, terrorist act of which I utterly condemn as I echo the call for the perpetrators and their affiliates to be brought to justice and treated with the full force of the United

Nations – International Human Rights Law.

The hearts of God fearing and God conscious people around the world are bleeding and we hope and pray that the 300 children will be rescued or freed and reunited with their parents and loved ones in Nigeria.

Our sympathy and prayers extends to the children, their parents and relatives who are traumatised at this moment as a result of this heinous crime.

I pray that God –Almighty have mercy on all of us and cause us to be just people.

Respectfully,

Nazar Mohamed

An afternoon of music

Dear Editor, The Protected Areas Commission under the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry is inviting the public to an afternoon of music at the Botanical Gardens Bandstand on Sunday May 11, from 13:00h.

Enjoy a relaxing afternoon in the Botanical Gardens as Ras Camo keeps the beat going with his Steel Pans. This event also seeks to rekindle the tradition of music in our urban parks and provides the perfect venue to showcase Guyanese talent.

We invite all bands, musical groups or talented individuals who wish to play in the Botanical Gardens or

National Park to make contact with Annalise Bayney of the Protected Areas Commission on annaliseb. pac@gmail.com or 227-1888 if interested.

Under the Three Parks Initiative, the PAC seeks to restore and improve the facilities of our urban parks as part of a commitment by the Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud to rehabilitate the National Parks and Botanical Gardens. The Minister has also been calling for more public/private partnerships to accelerate the rehabilitation of facilities within the National Parks and Botanical Gardens.

As such, this event will

Remember the history of our country’s struggles

Dear Editor,

I believe that, if we remember the history of our country’s struggles towards independence and thereafter, we would be better able to judge whether our Government’s resistance to any interference in our national affairs and any violation of our sovereignty is justifiable.

When the British Government established the Waddington Constitution under two leaders who repre-

sented the vast majority of our people, our country seemed at last headed towards true unity, independence and progress on all fronts.

But matters developed in a manner that threatened the influence of the two major western powers, and I am sure that is it now universally accepted that the suspension of this constitution and the “Divide and Rule” solution that they imposed on us have been almost wholly responsible for the problems that we

have encountered in all aspects of our development to this day.

This imposition resulted in the advent of the most infamous period in our history when rigged elections and dictatorship became the norm for nearly 30 years, effecting retrogression in our affairs that nullified all the gains we had made as an aspiring nation and people.

The burning questions since then, which have become more intense now that

this project to “strengthen democracy” has been conceived, are: Where were the initiators of this project when this blatant trampling on our people was going on, and why did they not try to intervene in this same manner as before?

I will always remember the words of maybe one of their most simple-minded presidents who said in cowboy-like language that people should understand that whenever his country intervened anywhere it was to

protect his country’s interests.

Some letter writer wrote of his perceived hypocrisy of one of our more balanced feature writers who had supported intervention when democracy was clearly being trampled upon, and I wonder whether he has the integrity to accept the same of the people he seems to be defending.

Sincerely, R Paul

also coincide with a cleanup exercise within the Botanical Gardens starting at 16:00h. Littering is a constant challenge to the environs and our parks; as such, the Environmental Protection Agency’s Litter Wardens will be conducting their first official exercise in the Gardens on Sunday. With the passing of the new Litter Regulations under the Environmental Protection Act, littering now carries a $50,000 fine for anyone caught littering.

Sincerely, Protected Areas Commission Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment

Page Foundation

Anu Dev

My vacation has started and I’m home just in time for Mother’s Day! I missed out on celebrating my mom’s birthday with her, since I was stuck in Trinidad grinding out my finals. So I’m pleased as Punch at least I’ll be able to spend Mother’s Day with her. It’ll be nice to get back in to the kitchen with my mom, trying new dishes and trying to learn all (some?) of her special techniques she uses to give food her unique flavour (and flair!).

Today, kids all over the world will try to do whatever they can to make their mothers feel special. Some will give their mother flowers or cards. Some might even prepare a home-cooked meal, or take their mom out for dinner. I think I’ll be trying my hand at preparing a meal.

When Mother’s Day became a recognised holiday in the US in 1914, it quickly spread to the rest of the world. And just as quickly, by the 1920’s it had become as commercialised as any other holiday.

But why should you only honour your mother on the second Sunday of May? It’s

just a date chosen arbitrarily. It could’ve been any other date or better yet, it doesn’t just have to be one date. Why can’t people show their love for their mother every day? Or rather, why don’t they?

Your mother should be important enough to you that you would have no problem with showing her that you love her every day – whether you want to show your love by just saying ‘I love you’ or by

have to deal with a noisy, cantankerous kid. She could’ve decided that she wanted to be some high-powered executive, completely focused on her career, caring about nothing but her job. But she didn’t. She decided to have you.

So let’s hear it for those wonderful women who had to put up with our wailing in the middle of the night as babies, our whining about going to school, our teenage angst, and

high – 10 years from now I’ll have some big shoes to fill. But the good thing is that your mom would be there to help you get through your own journey through motherhood. She’ll teach you how to hold your newborn child and of course she’ll spoil your kids rotten so they’re always more excited to see their grandmother than you.

And this Mother’s Day isn’t just limited to celebrat-

showering her with gifts, it’s your prerogative. Be spontaneous; show your love every day in all of the little ways that count much, much more. You wouldn’t even exist if not for your mother. With it becoming more accepted for females to have abortions or to be on birth control, your mother could’ve just as easily decided she didn’t want to

everything else. The women who all too often are our shoulders to cry on, the persons we share our hopes and fears with, the persons who worry about us more than we ever worry about ourselves.

And when we become mothers, we often pattern our behaviour after our own mothers. And my mom has certainly set the bar pretty

ing your biological mother. It’s a time to honour all of those great women who were mothers to you, who at some point treated you like you were their own child.

And even though you should be showing your love every day, it IS a nice gesture to go that extra mile on Mother’s Day.

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

Children ‘influenced by parents’ screenviewing habits’

Children are three times more likely to spend lots of time watching TV and playing on screens if their parents do the same, suggests a Bristol University study.

The link between fathers’ and daughters’ weekend screen time is particularly strong, it indicates. Previous research suggests too much screen time can damage the health of adults and children. The study looked at five and six year olds from 1000 Bristol families.

Parents were asked how much time they and their children spent watching TV and using a computer, a games console or a smartphone. The results, published in the International Journal of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity, showed that during the week 12 per cent of the boys, eight per cent of the girls and 30 per cent of the parents watched more than two hours of television each weekday.

In the families where par-

ed to find out why this was the case.

Parent time spent using computers was also linked to child computer use, and this link was also stronger between fathers and daughters than fathers and sons.

Screen health risk

The discovery that parents’ viewing habits can influence their children’s screen-viewing habits was important, the researchers said, because of the health risk associated with high levels of screen-viewing.

This activity has been associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, type two diabetes and all-cause mortality among adults and an increased risk of obesity in children.

Professor Russ Jago, lead study author, from the Centre for Exercise, Nutrition and Health Sciences at Bristol University, said: “We know that excessive screen-viewing is not good for children’s health.

ents watched more than two hours of TV on a weekday, the children were 3.4 times more likely to adopt the same habit if their father exceeded this threshold – and 3.7 times more likely if their mother watched more than two hours.

On a weekend day, screen-viewing time was much higher, with 45 per cent of the boys, 43 per cent of the girls, 53 per cent of the mothers and 57 per cent of the fathers spending more than two hours watching TV.

At the weekend, children were nearly five times more likely to watch more than two hours of TV if their mother or father did the same. Daughters of the fathers who spent more than two hours watching TV were more than twice as likely as sons to exceed this level, the study found. The Bristol researchers said further research was need-

“What our data shows is that some young children spend too much time watching TV and using other screen-viewing devices with much more TV watched at the weekend than during the week.Children are much more likely to spend high amounts of time screenviewing if their parents spend a lot of time screenviewing.” He added that families should be helped to reduce the amount of time that children and parents spend screen-viewing.

Dr Sanjay Thakrar, from the British Heart Foundation, which funded the study, said spending too much time watching TV or playing computer games could have a real impact on heart health.

“The results of this study highlight that any guidance related to excessive screen viewing should involve both parents and children.” (BBC News)

PNC says Rodney CoI ‘sullying’ its ‘good

name’

The People’s National Congress (PNC), the political party fingered in the 1980 assassination of Dr Walter Rodney on Friday said it is prepared to do all that it possibly can to protect its good name from all attempts by the ruling Government to implicate it in the killing.

“We are going to vigorously defend the name and the members of the People’s National Congress and all the public servants who would have worked during that period for what we have been calling the pursuit of truth.”

People's National Congress Reform (PNCR) Legal Representative at the CoI, Basil Williams told reporters at the party’s weekly press briefing that the Government is using the Commission of Inquiry to stain the party.

According to Williams the Commission, headed by Barbados Queen Counsel, Sir Richard Cheltenham is headed down the wrong road.

Desired outcome

“We are saying that they were merely proceeding in furtherance of an outcome that is desired,” he said. Several persons who testified before the Commission thus far have said that it was the PNC Government that killed the prominent historian. But Williams is contending that the Government should take stock of the fact

that Guyanese, near and far are paying attention to the inquiry.

At the press briefing, issues addressed include the recent statement made by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), urging the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry to summon PNCR leader retired Brigadier David Granger to appear before the Commission to give evidence.

According to Williams, the party had indicated since the inception that the inquiry was “hopelessly flawed”.

Expressing similar sentiments was PNCR Leader retired Brigadier David Granger. The leader said the CoI is set to miss the truth behind Rodney’s assassination and the PPP has no interest in finding the truth.

Why hide

But the PPP has emphasised that that if Granger is interested in the truth, he would not have been “hiding” from the Commission.

He said Government had over the last 20 years had made some “insincere gestures” to Dr Rodney. These include a post-humus Order of Excellence (OE), establishing the Walter Rodney Chair of History at the University of Guyana and designating the National Archives as the Walter Rodney Archives.

According to him, the party has planned well.

“The PPP/C has now deliberately waited on the onset of Local Government Elections with the intention of diverting public attention from the issues of crime, corruption and conflict within the PPP itself,” Granger told reporters.

The first session of the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry was officially opened on April 28 and lasted four days. Nine witnesses were slated to testify during that hearing; however, only four witnesses gave evidence. The CoI will recommence on Tuesday, May 27 at the Supreme Court building, Georgetown.

Rodney CoI allegations

House of Israel leader chooses silence

… says “I might say the wrong thing”

Aleader of the House of Israel in Georgetown could not say for sure if the reports given by witnesses at the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry (CoI) two weeks ago were true.

Rabbi Adom, who leads the flock at the Light Street, Alberttown headquarters, said he was just 28 years old at the time and had been travelling the country.

On day two of the CoI which commenced on Monday, April 28, Lawrence Edward Rodney, brother of the late Dr Walter Anthony Rodney had testified that the House of Israel was used by the People’s National Congress (PNC) Government, back in the 1970s to subdue Opponents and break up their political meetings.

Rodney, now a member of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), told the hearing that the House of Israel had emerged during a dark period of the country.

He said it was a time when the PNC, led by the late Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, was using the reins of power to trample on the poor and working class.

But Rabbi Adom told this publication in an exclusive interview that he heard about the alleged involvement of his fellow members, but had never attended any meetings held by Dr Rodney. “I was more or less in districts at that time; I was mostly out of town. This thing about breaking up meetings and all of that, I wouldn’t be able to relate to that,” Rabbi Adom said.

He said the church is known for the proclamation of truth and this may

be a reason why the church is being targeted. “Actually, there’s a lot of fabrication going on around this time about the House of Israel, for the simple reason that what we are saying you can find it in the Bible without a doubt”, he said.

Asked about the church’s political affiliation during the time, Rabbi Adom said that the church had only offered its assistance to the Government in the canefield when it was burnt in 1977. The church had also donated blood to the Georgetown Public Hospital, and had offered its services to Guyana Stores.

Jews are black

He maintained that he could not speak to the allegations brought against the church. “I will not venture to say anything on that because I might just say the wrong thing, so I’ll just leave it at that.”

Asked if the church, given the principles on which it stands, was capable of being involved in such acts, the Rabbi responded “I don’t know, I don’t know”

The House of Israel, ac-

cording to the Rabbi has as its belief that “all Jews are black”. He said the church supports 10 principles. They include the observance of the Seventh Day of the week as the Sabbath and there is one true people (The Jews). Even with all this, the Rabbi explained that members of the House of Israel are not Christians.

The House of Israel and its activities during the 1970s dominated the first few days of the Walter Rodney CoI with three of the four witnesses testifying against its domineering practices.

Dr Rodney’s brother “Eddie” Rodney said that the religious/political organisation had established a name for itself after it came into existence through US fugitive Rabbi “David Hill” Washington” (now deceased), in 1972.

According to him, the group’s actions included the violent breaking up of

Opposition public meetings, attacking anti-government demonstrations and working as strike-breakers whenever Government workers went on strike for improved wages and better working conditions.

Rodney alleged too that the Police had often turned a blind eye to the thuggish behaviour of members of the group. He had also disclosed that Gregory “Cyril Johnson” Smith, the man accused of giving his brother the bomb that exploded in his lap, and former PNC executive member Joe Hamilton were members of the House of Israel.

Another witness Father Rueben Gilbert, who testified that he was targeted by the PNC Government because of his relationship with Dr Rodney, described the red, black and green uniform of the House of Israel. He too claimed that the organisation, considered a cult during that time, had carried out acts of violence to persons attending the WPA meetings.

Rabbi Adom said that most of the members who were part of the House of Israel during the time have left the movement. According to him, the church is focused on the “salvation of men”. He said members are involved in “The week of Bible study”, at the end of which, they are given an opportunity to become part of the church, using an application form.

The House of Israel

Opposition Leader David Granger

Continue search for solutions to challenges –

acting COTED Chair charges

Delegates to the 38th Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) were encouraged to continue to search for solutions to the various challenges that beset the Caribbean Community (Caricom) with conviction and confidence.

Acting Chairman of COTED, Saint Lucia External Affairs, International Trade and Civil Aviation Minister Alva Baptiste delivered the charge on Friday morning in remarks at the opening ceremony of the two-day meeting at the Pegasus Hotel, Georgetown, Guyana.

Minister Baptiste, who is acting Chairman in the unavoidable absence of Haiti’s Trade and Industry Minister Wilson Laleau, referred to changes in the international arena, including the turbulent economic situation, and their effects on the Community.

He described the community as a “veteran” that had survived the constant international changes, and called for the continuation of a “restless search” for solutions.

The matter of change and the region’s approach to reform, were points of reference of Caricom Secretary General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, who also spoke at the opening ceremony.

The Secretary General placed emphasis on the reform process that is underway in the community, and stressed the need for prioritisation and a focus on a few strategic priorities which would make a difference to the region’s sustainable growth and development.

The community’s first ever Five-Year Strategic Plan, which seeks to identify strategic priorities, will be presented to the 35th Caricom Heads of

Government Meeting in July.

“Change is nothing new to our community. We have progressed from a Free Trade Area to a Common Market and now to a Single Market and Economy, and we have done fairly well. We have always sought to position ourselves to adapt to and benefit from the global environment. We have done so in a deliberate, yes, sometimes slow, manner which tries to take into account the interests of all our constituent parts.

“Through every formulation our integration arrangements have become stronger. Let us therefore now embrace this reform process at every level and ensure that our community emerges even stronger and provides our people with a secure, viable and prosperous future,” Ambassador LaRocque said.

Guyana fully prepared...

from page 3

“They would give guidance to the markers. That firsthand experience is very good but that I think will be missing.”

However, he said with the standardised arrangement in place, scripts are extensively scrutinised before the final results are given.

“They will give you scripts that are now computerised and they will ask you to mark it according to the marking scheme. If you deviate from the scheme, they will highlight your mistakes and return the scripts to you for correction,” he explained.

CXC now joins a list of leading awarding organisations, including Cambridge Assessment and the International Baccalaureate which use RM Results’ emarking system to mark high stakes exams. Before formalising the system this year, CXC executed three emarking pilots which were coupled with additional research.

Eyew tness “Solutions”...

...vs implementation

There’s no question David Hinds wants to do right by the African Guyanese community. Otherwise, why would he be at it for four decades? Even after being jailed and worse for his efforts. But the problem with folks like Hinds is they’ve fallen for the hype that talk alone will solve problems...and that once a problem is understood, it can be fixed.

Your Eyewitness doesn’t know about that. All overweight persons know they shouldn’t eat too much. But yet almost all of them keep on taking in the calories. And remain overweight. Now don’t push the analogy farther: that some people are overweight because of organic conditions. In the area in which Hinds professes expertise, ethnic empowerment, he would concede that the problem isn’t “organic” or “genetic”.

Looking once again at the African Guyanese community, Hinds proposes a two-phase approach to address their challenges. First there would be a “conversation” with the community and then there’d be a plan – drawn up by experts who’d take on board the findings from the “conversations”. Now there’s nothing wrong with this. But Hinds stops here. It seems he assumes, as we said before, the problem is cognitive – and that the problems would automatically be solved. But Hinds would know that there’ve been so many conversations and so many plans...but the challenges are sadly still there. Even in his own lifetime, didn’t ASCRIA have conversations and plans? Didn’t ACDA? Remember Kenneth King and his stupendous ability to plan? Your Eyewitness would respectfully like to submit to Hinds, that he should remember what Rodney said about “praxis”. It wasn’t to just talk and plans to solve problems: it’s implementing those plans in action.

If the “act-ivist” is serious about change he must first “act”. Back in the day, there was another activist in the WPA with Hinds. His name was Odaipal Singh. Like Hinds, he believed education was one of the keys to generating positive change. Like Hinds he proceeded to the US and completed a PhD. The difference is, Hinds remained in the US and made occasional forays into Guyana – all the while having conversations on the ground and through the press with his community. And proposing plans.

Odaipal Singh, on the other hand, returned to Guyana, launched a school in his rural, depressed, marginalised community with local help. Within a decade this school, with the lowest performers at the NGSA, is now one of the top schools in all of Guyana –with infrastructure bar none.

Odaipal Singh became Swami Aksharananda. Maybe Hinds can have a conversation with his old friend.

...and muddled thinking

Henry Jeffrey’s another one trying to square the circle. Or is it he’s playing ducks and drakes equating the PPP/C with the PNC? He responded to a fella who pointed out the PPP/C is by definition different from the PNC, because the latter, “always lacked political and constitutional legitimacy to govern this country having rigged all elections.”

But all Jeffrey demonstrated is that he’s just a sophist: the fella’s talking about the procedural aspect of democracy, while Jeffrey carries on about the substantive side. Apples and oranges! Jeffrey quotes Huntington: “Elections, open, free and fair, are the essence of democracy, the inescapable sine qua non,” but that doesn’t mean it can’t be inefficient, corrupt and so on. Well duh!!! Whoever said otherwise?

The point is, as Churchill said, “democracy might be the worst form of government – except all the others that have been tried.” People will always argue about the substance of democracy...what’s corrupt? What’s cronyism? And that’s why, there is the sine qua non of “free and fair elections” to define it. Free and fair elections!!

And this, the PNC never practised.

...to racial politics

There’s a consensus that the split of the PPP in 1955 produced racial politics here. Now since Burnham produced that split, what can we conclude?

Colwin Harding saga Justice Kennard’s report almost complete – yet to receive

As former Chief Justice Cecil Kennard wraps up his review into the Colwyn Harding Saga, he is yet to be presented with a copy of the medical certificate that was acquired from a private medical institution in Jamaica where the victim was examined.

Retired Justice Kennard, who is in Trinidad and Tobago (TT) attending the funeral of murdered TT Senior Counsel Dana Seetahal, said he is expected to present his recommendations and resend the file to the Police who will in turn send it to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for her final decision.

He said he is disappointed that the file reached him for the second time, but the most important documents that are relevant to him making a recommendation are absent. The medical certificate, he added, is a vital piece of information that can be used to determine whether Harding was indeed ba-

medical certificate from Jamaica

ton-raped.

While he could not say who has possession of the document, he is certain that Nigel Hughes, who is representing the victim, would have handed over the document to the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) and was not sure the reason for it to be omitted from the file sent to him.

In his initial conclusion that Harding was not batonraped, Kennard would have examined the Police baton in arriving at his decision.

The largest part of a Police baton in terms of circumference is towards the tip (end). The said end (tip) is not rounded nor pointed. Rather, the baton’s tip (end) is sawn-off making it flat,

and this flat area at the tip (end) is much larger than the anal opening.

A medical expert claims that before a baton can enter the rectum, it first has to pass the anal opening, which is a ring of powerful muscles called the sphincter, which is always tightly closed even during sleep.

In addition, for a Police baton to enter the rectum, it first has to rip and tear apart the anal opening, resulting in serious damage with profuse bleeding and requiring immediate lifesaving surgery.

Strange Harding alleged that the Police baton was covered with a condom. After receiving such serious injuries, Harding spent many weeks in prison on remand with normal bowel movements.

It was reported that Harding’s mother, Sharon Harding, in the presence of Attorney Nigel Hughes made a Police report to Timehri Police Station that the Police baton-raped her son on November 28, 2013 and later assaulted him at the station.

Despite attending court after the alleged incident, Harding did not report the alleged rape.

It was reported that Harding was examined by a medical expert, Dr Dalgleish Joseph at the St Joseph Mercy Hospital in Guyana and doctors in Jamaica who pointed to “active rectal mucosal bleeding on Harding in the upper rectum”.

The Jamaican doctors, who subsequently examined Harding, noted that his injuries were consistent with the findings of the local Guyanese expert.

King of the Tarmac

Satiricus is a fan of historical dramas – especially in the movies. He’s looked at Ben Hur at least a dozen times. “Just love that chariot race scene!!” he enthused to himself. But his favourite historical character of them all was Henry VIII. “Here’s a fella who knew what he wanted and wouldn’t let anything stand between him and his desire,” sighed Satiricus wistfully.

Henry wanted a son to succeed him as King of England. And, by golly! He split away the entire Church of England from its Catholic roots and the Pope – just to clear the way to have a new wife to give him one. That Henry never got a son is beside the point. The man did what he had to do.

All of these thoughts whirled through Satiricus’ head as he saw Mayor-for-life, HamTon Greed anoint his loyal scribe Roi-Stone King, as the Clerk of the fair City of Georgetown. “What a guy!” thought Satiricus. Here it is Georgetown already had a Clerk of the City –a woman, ShooBa. And to boot, she just wouldn’t do what the Mayor told her to do and go quietly into the night.

She had this weird idea that just because the Mayor wasn’t her boss, he couldn’t tell her what to do. “What nonsense!” said Satiricus as he sucked his teeth loudly. The Mayor-for-life was the Mayor for life. Just like Henry VIII. Why did this ShooBa person think people had to call HamTon Greed “Lord Mayor”?? “Lords are just a shade below Kings!” fumed Satiricus. “HamTon Greed could do just as he damn well please.”

The ShooBa woman thought HamTon Greed would be shooed away when she locked the door of the City Hall office. “Why!! This was just like when the Pope locked the door to the Cathedral to stop Henry from marrying again!” said Satiricus to himself, with hushed breath. Henry just went ahead and created his own Archbishop!! There were now two Archbishops and two Churches in England.

And Lo and behold – this was exactly what HamTon Greed did in the fair city of Georgetown. He summoned his followers and Councillors onto the Tarmac of City Hall. Picking his Pee Are man, who was so aptly named – “Roi” meant “King” and “King” was...well...”King”) His Lordship HamTon Greed laid his sword (a twig, actually) on the back of RoiStone King and declared henceforth RoiStone also would be “Town Clerk” of the fair City of Georgetown.

For good measure, to mark the occasion, HamTon Greed sprinkled some water from a nearby canal on RoiStone, and gave him an additional title: King of the Tarmac.

Satiricus was so happy for the old Pee Are. But the water from the garbage-filled canal did make him smell like “Pee Is”. Phewwww!!

Colwyn Harding Retired Justice Cecil Kennard

Police promise thorough probe in shooting of teen

rime Chief Leslie

CJames said the Guyana Police Force will not rush to complete its investigation into the shooting of a teenager to please the public, but will work tirelessly to ensure that a thorough probe is executed.

He adopted this position on Friday while speaking with Guyana Times. James maintained that the thorough investigation into the circumstances which led to 15-yearold Alex Griffith being shot in his mouth would avoid a failed prosecution of the matter as all bases would be covered.

The Crime Chief opined that the incident is “sensitive” and warrants a lot of time if justice is to be served at the end of the day. He was adamant that many times, cases are thrown out of court because of a rush to complete investigations to please the

public.

He also pointed to other problems that develop because there is a lack of sufficient evidence to cause a conviction as he pressed for the public to understand the importance of a professional and detailed investigation.

James assured the public that once the investigation is completed, decisions would be taken based on the recommendation emanating from the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR). He confirmed that the officer who pulled the trigger is on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

Griffith, a resident of East La Penitence Squatting Area, was allegedly shot to the mouth by a Police rank who had accused him of being a witness to a robbery in the area. He told reporters that he was beaten, before identifying the rank that allegedly

shot him after several threats.

The incident occurred during a response to a report of robbery with aggravation committed on a relative of the rank. The teen was allegedly shot even though he had advised them that he knew nothing of the robbery committed on the rank’s sister.

Reports later suggest that the rank was playing a game of Russian Roulette with the teen that eventually resulted in him being shot.

Meanwhile, the teen’s mother, Marcelle Griffith is maintaining that she wants justice and a speedy probe into the incident which has attracted widespread condemnation from human rights body.

She has also declined a $1 million settlement offered by the Guyana Police Force as she reissued a call for the rank to be charged and jailed.

Mosquito infestation creating unease in Linden

Calls are mounting for the Health Ministry and the regional authorities in Linden to conduct a fogging exercise to halt the mosquito infestation in the town.

Regional Chairman Sharma Solomon has also confirmed the countless complaints of residents about the infestation and the need for adequate systems to be put in place to return the situation to normalcy.

Solomon called for the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) to get involved by ensuring that the drains and canals in various communities are cleared and cleaned.

Solomon said the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) is seeking to identify areas across the region in urgent need of fogging.

Region 10 Health Officer, Dr Pansy Armstrong said three persons are currently in training to conduct the vector control and fogging exercise so as to bring the situation under control.

revealed that based on tests conducted, it was discovered that there were two species of mosquitoes in the compound.

SOL launches new engine oil

SOL Guyana Inc on Thursday evening launched two new Shell Helix High Mileage motor vehicle lubricants at the Georgetown Club with the promise of excellent engine protection, reduced wear and extended engine life for drivers of high mileage vehicles.

General Manager of the company, Orlando Boxill said as part of its continuing commitment to provide value to consumers, Shell Lubricants has introduced the two premium lubricants to the market: Shell HX7 and HX5, each of which has been specially formulated

to deliver a specific range of benefits to prolong the life of the engines of vehicles and to slow down the ageing process for high mileage vehicles.

“Car owners in Guyana want to keep their engines running efficiently for as long as possible which is why they need oil that offers high quality performance and an extended engine life. This will also help them to avoid spending unnecessary money on engine repairs,” Boxill said.

It was in this context, he noted that the Shell Helix High Mileage engine oils met the needs of high usage vehicles that had more than 100,000 km of life since these products were specially formulated with a special additive package to help recondition worn engine seals and reduce oil leakage and consumption.

He noted that the company also realised the need for quality, effective oils at an affordable cost, and as such, embarked on research and development with over 200 specialists involved so that such a need can be fulfilled.

Both lubricants contain anti-wear agents which helps to reduce engine wear and prolong the life of engines; cleansing technology to stop harmful deposits from forming and improve combustion chamber for compression.

The lubricants can be found at all Shell service stations across the country at an affordable cost.

“If you want to save money, you want a long engine life, a smooth running engine, this is the product for you,” said Group Technical Advisor Michael Meritt.

Stagnant water lodged on the school’s premises was cited as the main cause of the increase.

Senior officials at the Wisroc Nursery School, located only a short distance away, as well as other school officials around Linden had also voiced concerns.

Subsequently, the Region 10 Department of Education and the Linden Mayor and Town Council (LM&TC) conducted fogging and cleanup exercises in the proximity of the Wisburg Secondary School. Meanwhile, officials at the Wisroc Nursery School

She confirmed that a region-wide fogging exercise was conducted several months ago and the same will be done again. Only a few months ago, the Wisburg Secondary School in Linden was forced to remain closed for weeks, and students relocated due to a mosquito infestation.

Region 10 Chairman Sharma Solomon

One of the new oils, the HX7 5W-30 that was launched on Thursday

Journalists should not be immune from scrutiny – Nandlall

Legal Affairs Minister and Attorney General Anil Nandlall said that there is a dire need for the establishment of an oversight body to scrutinise the work of journalists and other media operatives, noting that they should be held accountable in the discharge of their duties with the same fervour and zeal that all others are held accountable to them.

“The media demands accountability from every sector in the country, people in their personal life, people in their professional life, the Government, the court system, the National Assembly, the Opposition... media demands accountability from everybody,” said Nandlall, while questioning: “To whom do they account? Who watches the watchdog?”

To that end, Nandlall pointed out that there is an urgent need for an oversight mechanism to be put into operation that will see

journalists and those plying the trade being held accountable for their work and their reporting on issues that are of national importance.

“We need some form of ethical guidelines, which must be in writing... some form of accountability”, adding that the media “has to operate within some framework of regulations, rules to which we can hold them accountable and when I say we, I mean me as a citizen”.

He adopted this position during a recent interview on TVG Channel 28’s Current Issues and Analysis show.

During the interview, Nandlall posited that there is a need for journalists to receive further training so that the standards at which they operate can be raised; hence, raising the bar for other young individuals that may venture into the esteemed area of work.

On that note, Nandlall

related that the media can prove to be very instrumental in the development of a country, especially if that country is a third world country.

He said the media can also stymie development.

“It is important that we partner with the media to ensure that there is a sure and steady flow of in -

formation to our people” while highlighting that the “media plays the role of oversight to not only Government but to all the other sectors”.

The Attorney General was at the time addressing core concerns about press freedom in Guyana and the need for more to be done to promote a freer and more

democratic press.

Acceptable standards

Nandlall opined that while Guyana may not have the best levels of press freedom, the current standards are acceptable in comparison to many other jurisdictions globally.

“Not one of them I have heard ever come forward to say that any member of the Government has intimidated them or imposed upon them a view,” said Nandlall while noting that under the stewardship of the People's Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government, several media houses have been established, many of which he said are “not friendly to the Government”.

Nandlall maintained that the journalists and reporters in Guyana are operating in a free environment where they are free to criticise the Government without fear of being persecuted or ostracised.

The Attorney General then pointed out that not so long in the past, media operatives were not allowed to express their views as lucidly as they now do today. This, he explained, was not only due to the absence of a forum for the journalists to adequately express themselves, but also because a vast majority of them had feared that something adverse to their health might happen were they to express themselves.

He contended that this era of darkness in press freedom had led to several journalists fleeing the country for fear of reprisal and death.

When further probed, the Legal Affairs Minister stated that journalists in Guyana seem to be exhibiting diverse levels of abuse, depending on the issues that are engaging their attention and the news outfit reporting.

In this regard, he ex-

plained that some media operatives are focused on reporting only negatives about the Government and the country as a whole, while neglecting to report on any matter that makes a positive impact on the country and by extension the people of the country.

“You know you would get an international report which publishes something commendable about the Government, you would hardly see any coverage of that report in certain sections of the media... if there is some report somewhere that publishes something negative of the Government... rest assured that those are their headline stories,” said Nandlall, adding: “I don’t know what it is... it is not journalism” when questioned on how he would describe the behaviours of such sections of the media and journalists.

Nandlall was adamant that “compliments must also be published; achievements and positive acts of the Government and those in Government must receive the same prominence” as those articles that would make the front pages and headlines of media outfits.

Nandlall said the PPP remains firm in its commitment towards media development and called for more journalists to be trained to ply their trade more effectively.

The Attorney General maintained that “with power comes great responsibility” as he admitted that not even the media’s power is limitless, regardless of how legitimate it may be.

He noted that some media operative manipulate the English Language and tend to use “satire” to put across their tainted views, noting that with an oversight institution, matters in this regard would be addressed.

Attorney General Anil Nandlall

Truth Simply the

“Coolie bai”

Donald Sterling, owner of the basketball team LA Clippers, was recorded spouting reprehensible comments about black people. He seems to have been in his mansion and was talking privately to his girlfriend. She recorded the conversation. It is all over the TV and newspapers in North America.

Sterling, a billionaire, is being dragged through the mud. He will be forced to sell the LA Clippers, and he has been banned for life from attending any basketball game. The humiliation of public condemnation is something from which he will never recover, even though he will still have lots of money. That’s in the United States of America.

Rob Ford, Mayor of Toronto, was caught on tape uttering nasty things about women and “coloured” people while holding a crack pipe.

The recording allegedly says something obscene about what he would like to do to some woman. His career is dead, for all intents and purposes. This is in Canada.

In the civilised world and for civilised people, racism and misogyny are criminal acts.

One cannot utter racist and misogynistic filth in your own house. Someone may hear or someone may record you. And one cannot dare babble racist or woman-hating rubbish in public. Prison time!

While it remains unfair to draw too great comparisons with places like the USA and Canada on the one hand and a place like Guyana on the other, it is quite appropriate to draw comparisons about the attitudes of people everywhere. For us in Guyana, it is quite acceptable to be loudly racist and even more acceptable to be misogynistic. Let us provide an example with the “music” to which we subject ourselves and others.

There is this new “noise” called “Coolie bai”. It is unabashedly blasted by radio stations and it screams from cars and buses, and from every rum shop. It says much about us as a nation that this vile thing is allowed air time and has become so popular. The best thing that can be said about this stuff is that it is not anywhere close to being music.

At worst, it is racist filth –

Professor Daizal Samad

loud and stink. It says much about us that we can glorify this filth by revelling in it. There are the usual nasty stereotypes: the eating with hands, the dhal puri, the leaf and seven curry, the cowardliness, the quick move to violence when a few drinks are had, the “bus patta”, and so on. There are references to wife-beating before or after eating too. And we blast this rubbish everywhere.

The racism and misogyny are clear and these criminal things are celebrated in the noise. It is the same thing with other offensive stuff like “Kick in she back door” and “Bend over, bend over”. And our society plays them often and loudly, without shame, without thought. We gyrate and sing along in celebration, in drunken and sober revelry.

Not only men but women too. It is a sad thing indeed when victims join hands with victimisers to perpetrate or glorify that victimisation. It is a sad thing when the whole society participates.

And then we have the gall to have workshops and seminars and make speeches against racism and the victimisation of women. We do these things in nice rooms in language that few people would understand, in comfortable places or pseudoacademic settings.

But I have heard no one come out against these offensive things that pass for music in Guyana. I have heard of no parliamentarian (supposedly our leaders!) raise their voices in outrage at these things. After all, they want votes; and they will not get votes if they come out against what so many in our society dance and jiggle

Justice Kennard’s report...

page 10

Harding spent 33 days at the Georgetown Public Hospital where doctors said he suffered a strangulated hernia and was discharged on January 20 after undergoing several surgeries.

The administration of the Police Force was first informed of the alleged assault by the ranks attached to Timehri Police Station by way of a text message from Harding’s mother, Susan Harding, to then Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell. Consequently, an investigation was launched by the A Division Commander un-

der which the Timehri Police Station falls.

After the story broke in the media, the Police were roundly condemned for the alleged abuse. The matter was subsequently investigated by the OPR and the file was sent to the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) for review. It was then sent to the DPP who after perusing the file and resent it to the Police for further investigation.

The policeman accused of the assault was placed under close arrest and a number of other ranks implicated were transferred to other locations.

and giggle to. There is no moral indignation at all. I have seen online comments: almost all of them laud these “songs”.

I will say clearly that in civilised places if songs like these were made about whites or blacks or Latinos or Muslims or Jews, there would be outrage. Not so in Guyana. We have lost our ability to know what is good and what is downright wrong.

We have lost the ability to think at any level. If we had any real researchers or scholars in this country, they would see that this is a fertile field of investigation, and the results may just make a difference to our nation.

Of course, we have no scholars that we can hold up to the world and say: “This person has contributed to the reform of a whole nation!” In allowing these racist and woman hating things, we betray ourselves in terrible ways.

Outstanding Linden women to be honoured today

Women and mothers who have made significant contributions to the Linden community will be honoured at the 10th Annual “Men in Concert, Mothers’ Night Show”, to be held at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground (MSC) this evening.

Amril Beckles, also known as “Aunty Amryl”, a Probation and Child Protection Officer in Linden is among the vibrant women who will be featured

at the show, promoted by Darty and UC Promotions.

Beckles said she enjoys helping others even if it means working beyond her normal hours of work. She displays the characteristics of humility, commitment to tasks assigned, and a zeal for innovation.

She is a go getter, and caring but firm individual who is always receptive of new ideas.

Meanwhile, Ruby Bakker, a mother of five children, who has adopted sev -

eral others, will also be honoured. A former student of the Mackenzie High School (MHS) in Linden, she retired in 2004 after working as a teacher at the Regma, Mackenzie, Coomacka and the Christianburg primary schools. She also worked as a literacy instructor and is now the Headteacher of the Linden school of Excellence.

In addition, Bakker serves as an elder at the Shebinah SeventhDay Adventist Church, Chairman of the Old

England and Siberian Community Development Council (CDC). She is active, dynamic and full of zest and energy.

Bakker finds time to conduct extra-curricular classes with students at home. In her spare time, she writes poems and listens to gospel music.

Also making the list of honorees is Faye Crawford. She served as a nurse with the Health Ministry for 34 years and worked for seven years in Berbice and 27 in Linden. She joined the School of Nursing at the New Amsterdam Public Hospital in June 1970.

Afterwards, she worked at the Corriverton, Port Mourant and Fort Wellington hospitals, before moving to Linden to work as a staff nurse and midwife. On request, she was transferred to the Upper Demerara Hospital (UDH) on November 1, 1977, then to the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC) in September 1996, where she served as a Ward Sister until her retirement in November 2004.

Crawford is a mother of five and grandmother of 10, in addition to being an ardent member of the Wisroc Revival Centre and executive member of the National Women’s Ministry Group.

In addition, at Sunday evening’s show, there will be prizes and special giveaways for the “Oldest Mother”, “Youngest Married Mother”, and “Best Dressed Mother”. Winston “Zar” Caesar, Charlie Couchman and Neville Austin will serenade the special mothers with old school music and their melodious voices.

Additionally, there will be special performances by popular Linden drama group “Youths in Promotion” and “Temperature Band”.

The event is sponsored by Bosai Minerals Group Guyana Incorporated (BMGGI), Hinds Gas Station, Banks DIH and Massive Inn.

Younge’s take

Youth job creation and the economy

Efforts are still under way to craft a long over-due National Youth Policy in Guyana. Any youth policy crafted for youth here must have at its core the need to create more jobs and to focus on the utilisation of sport as a means of building a more developed and rounded youth.

The Government, over the last 22 years, has done a stellar job in advancing the interests of youth, but there are still lots of areas where Guyana is lagging.

Thousands of youths have benefited from scholarships and training in engineering, medicine and the sciences at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Further evidence of this can be seen in the building of vocational training centres in the major populated regions; implementation of the OLPF project; continued efforts at providing ICT access at all schools; hinterland electrification and the list goes on.

The potential of Guyana is unmistakeable. The economic climate that exists in Guyana shows a very large demand for labour in mining, agriculture and construction. Unfortunately, outside of the vocational schools, our education system is organised to provide labour for the services sector of the economy and there is not as much focus on the primary sector.

There is need for a restructuring of the country’s premier tertiary institution.

The University of Guyana must join the National Conversation about the need for its programmes and courses to become modernised to provide the jobs that the economy and its private sector are demanding.

Each year, UG graduates a large number of students from the social sciences field. While the number of graduates coming out from the Social Sciences faculty, the combined Science, Technology and Agriculture faculties produce less. The social sciences provide for a labour market where the services/tertiary industry is well developed.

Like all other developing countries, these services are found mostly in the Government. It would be incredibly naive to suggest that all these graduates be taken up by the Government. The purpose of Government is not to give out jobs, but to have the environment available for job creation through the private sector.

It is in the areas of manufacturing, agriculture, food processing, textile and engineering where a developing economy has to create jobs. The University of Guyana therefore needs to have a change in strategy. It needs to make it more appealing for prospective students to join the Technology

and Sciences faculties.

At the same time, the Government must continue to work on creating an environment where the private sector can flourish. The Amaila Falls Hydro project wouldn’t be built just to lower household cost of electricity, but also to allow for a manufacturing and processing industry to become a reality. Our bright young scientists together with local and foreign entrepreneurs would come together and develop quality products demanded by international markets.

The building of a new bridge across the Demerara, the road to Lethem/Brazil and the Deep Water Harbour in Berbice are also projects aimed at lowering the cost of doing business. This, together with highly skilled graduates, would allow Guyana to leapfrog the traditional growth formula of cheap, unskilled labour for manufacturing, and go into highly skilled manufacturing, research and development and processing.

These infrastructural projects do serve as a transitional means of moving the economy. However, this is not a formula that can last forever. The Government needs to help the private sector as much as possible. One method of lowering cost is by lowering the cost of finding labour. There needs to be an urgent relaunching and re-organisation of Government’s Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency.

The administration has given the commitment to decentralise the operations of this agency, but there is still an urgent need for a formal unemployment register to be created. This unemployment register should be used as a tool of gauging Government policy in this respect and responding to shocks in the economy that sometimes result in a spike in unemployment or underemployment.

The register should be placed at every Neighbourhood Democratic Council and citizens, especially youth, should be encouraged to register if they are without gainful employment and similarly struck off when they become employed.

The register can also be used as a database for Government understanding what skills are available throughout the country, both formally and informally, and where it is necessary for the Public Service Ministry to boost training as well as what other private areas require investments from the private sector.

This register would provide the Government with a fair idea of labour requirements needed by industry, and that which is available. This would then allow it to make changes in the system to accommodate the needs of industry.

Amril Beckles Faye Crawford

Ruby Bakker

Guyana Festival promises to be memorable occasion

Its rich culture, set against a backdrop of black waters, golden beaches and never ending forests is what gives Guyana its lasting influence on travellers who visit.

However, it is through an introduction to another country’s culinary traditions that there is the potential to spark a curiosity in many other aspects of another country’s culture like their language or music; this is what the Guyana Festival seeks to accomplish.

In a release, the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) said one of the many other highlights of a visitor’s rest here is sharing a meal with people from diverse cultural backgrounds and sampling their traditional dishes.

It said by doing this, the visitor’s identity expands to take in a fresh feast of experiences which will assist in improved intercultural understanding of the destination.

The release stated that since relationships are often established and maintained in social situations where food holds a central place, then this inaugural Guyana Festival is the ide-

al event for families, friends and even strangers to connect.

An ingredient from each of the six ethnicities has been added to produce a touch of excellence to the Guyanese cuisine, since the food is derived from the diverse cultural influences that were bestowed on the destination.

Exotic indulgence

The GTA said the various peoples have added their own flavours to the cuisine, transforming it into an ultimate exotic indulgence.

It noted that only healthy ingredients are

Green free to continue his ‘outdoor circus’– Sooba

Acting Town Clerk

Carol Sooba said contrary to what Mayor Hamilton Green wants, she will not vacate her post on his instruction, a decision she said the Mayor appears to accept. According to Sooba in an interview with Guyana Times on Saturday, even though the Council voted to have Royston King appointed to act as Town Clerk, Mayor Green is still sending his “slips for gas” to her for approval.

She said all financial and administrative matters at City Hall is still overseen by her, and will remain so until being asked by the rightful authority to step down. Sooba said too that she would not be moved by Green’s ‘outdoor circus’, noting that as Major,

Green is free to hold his “Extraordinary Meets” in the compound if he sees fit.

In what is being seen as his strongest condemnation at the politics being played by the Georgetown Councillors at the expense of taxpayers in the jurisdiction, Local Government Minister Norman Whittaker, said the Mayor was out of order and had ample knowledge that the move to install King is not only outside of his powers as Mayor of Georgetown but an illegal act.

Whittaker further noted that the attempts to install King and undermine Sooba even while two appeals are scheduled to be heard by the Judiciary are a troubling development in the pervasive saga at the City Council.

“This is an affront to the system of Justice in Guyana and the people of Guyana. They have pre-empted the decisions of the court on this matter. Therefore, Government cannot and will not recognise King who is being misled,” he insisted.

Whittaker said the Government was standing by its appointment of Sooba as Town Clerk and understood the current local government system and the laws governing the Council’s powers and duties in the absence of a functioning Local Government Commission.

used to create Guyanese ‘soul foods’ – the perfect name as the flavour and aroma of every dish elates the soul and offers an ultimate gastronomic experience.

The cultural confluence in Guyanese cuisine has turned the destination into a food lover’s paradise, offering plates piled high with world flavours.

Food is such a unique

cultural experience here because it involves everyone. This is why Guyanese recipes are so diverse, the GTA explained.

Hemingway wrote that “If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast.” The notion of a moveable feast has been adopted in reference to people from diverse and rich cultural and linguistic backgrounds migrating to a foreign environment, bringing to the host culture a multitude of diversities in their ways of living and dietary practices. “In this context, Guyana is also a moveable feast!”

While many tourists ar-

rive in Guyana in search of the perfect paradise, many leave with an appreciation for everything that the country truly has to offer, other than its unparalleled landscape. The GTA said it is an unforgettable experience taking in the Guyanese culture, noting that a unique opportunity will be presented at the Guyana Festival from August 8-10 at the National Stadium.

As part of this event, a Festival Cook-out will be staged and interested groups and individuals are invited to participate.

Interested persons can contact the Tourism Ministry and the GTA for more information.

The GTA says the Guyana Festival will offer a culinary delight

Carol Sooba

Gauitra Bahadur writing biography of Janet Jagan

Author of Coolie Woman: The Odyssey of Indenture Gauitra Bahadur is working on the biography of former President Janet Jagan, using the story of the former President to tell of American intervention in Latin American politics.

Bahadur made the disclosure during an interview with Guyana Times while promoting her book Coolie Woman: The Odyssey of Indenture

She visited the National Library in New Amsterdam where she read an excerpt attended by primarily women. She then handed over a signed copy to the library.

She also held a reading at the University of Guyana Berbice Campus. The book is also available for sale at Austin’s Bookstore in Georgetown and on Amazon.

com

Coolie Woman: The Odyssey of Indenture is a book written by Guyanese born American Gauitra Bahadur. The book was inspired by Bahadur’s great grandmother Sujaria, who was four months pregnant

while traveling alone from Calcutta, India as an indentured labourer to British Guiana.

The book tells a tale of her great grandmother’s story, one focused on the suppressed history of many other “coolie women”, highlighting the difficulties they faced.

Many of whom were widows, runaways and outcasts

facing extreme hardship and sexual exploitation.

Bahadur, who originally hails from Canje, East Berbice, migrated to the US when she was six years old. She attended Yale University where she studied Literature and Columbia University where she read for a Degree in Journalism. Her desires about knowing her roots brought her

back to Guyana in 1997 when she started hearing more stories about her grandmother. One of which was of her grandmother gaving birth on the ship; and the child was named Lalbahadur, a name which means “Son of a Hero”.

Discovery

“As I started to do research to find out more to see if I can discover, I saw that the story wasn’t so unusual, it was like a lot of women who left, pretty much two to three of the women came by themselves; their stories were complicated, many of them were widows, child widows in some cases, if they were marry before, they were forbidden by society to remarry and other women have been thrown out of their homes, fled from mis-

treatment. I decided to write the book in the end, I realise that I wasn’t only going to tell the story of my great grandmother, but a much broader picture.”

The author also writes reviews and articles for New York Times Book Review, The Nation Magazine and Ms Magazine, among many others.

Bahadur, who is also a journalist, shares this advice to young journalists.

“Leave your office as much as possible, there are not a whole lot of stories to be found in the office mostly press releases, for me, I was a beat reporter the best thing I could have done was to go out to whatever community I was covering to talk to people.”

She said too that journalists should not accept what everyone tells them, noting that they must always double check their information for accuracy.

The Book Coolie Woman: The Odyssey of Indenture was published in 2013 to critical acclaim in the US, United Kingdom, India and the Caribbean.

The Trinidad Guardian chose it as one of the year’s Best Caribbean Books while Ms Magazine in the US bookmarked it as one of its “Great Reads”.

The book was also one of three non-fiction finalists for the Bocas Prize for Caribbean Literature and is shortlisted for the Orwell Prize, Britains most prestigious prize for political writing.

Prisoner had cocaine hidden in rectum, court hears

An inmate of Camp Street Prison was fined $60,000 and had 36 months added to his stay in prison after Magistrate Judy Latchman on Friday found him guilty of trafficking cocaine at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Twenty-year-old Odingo Edwards, of 32 King St, Cummingsburg, is currently serving a 54-month sentence for robbery and would have been out in December if not for the startling discovery of 40 grams of cocaine after a body search.

The charge stated that on April 24, after labouring at the Home Affairs Ministry, the defendant returned to the Camp Street Prison where a search was carried out on his person after suspicions were raised. When nothing was found in the initial search, Edwards was instructed to remove all clothing and to assume a squatting position for two minutes, after which a white transparent cylindrical plastic bag fell out of his rectum.

Police ranks then asked the defendant if that was all he had and he responded that he had another in his rectum, which he then excreted. The four-inch bags were weighed in his presence, he was told of the offence and charged.

Gauitra Bahadur presenting a copy of her book Coolie Woman: The Odyssey of Indenture to a staff of the National Library, New Amsterdam branch

Eligible attorneys invited to apply for elevation to Senior Counsel

After almost 18 years without the appointment of Senior Counsels, the Office of the Chancellor of the Judiciary on Saturday by way of advertisement in the media, has invited practising attorneys desirous of being elevated, to apply.

The invitation will be viewed with great interest as the status is usually conferred. The selection

Bandits

Two alleged bandits were on Friday evening apprehended by residents of Phoenix Park, West Bank Demerara after they attempted to rob a young man in the area.

process has for decades been the source of contention and speculation.

According to the notice, attorneys who wish to apply must have at least 15 years of active practise at the Bar; expert up-to-date legal knowledge with a record of accurate and relevant application of such knowledge; a record of written and oral advocacy; a reputation for appropriate deportment, de-

corum and interpersonal relationships with professional colleagues befitting that of a member of the inner Bar; and a reputation for honesty and integrity, particularly with respect to professional dealings with the court, with clients and all other parties.

The notice indicated that attorneys, who previously made applications need not reapply since they will be considered

during the impending considerations.

The last appointment of Senior Counsel would have been in 1996 when former Speaker of the National Assembly Ralph Ramkarran, Richard Fields, former Attorney General Charles Ramson, acting Chief Justice Ian Chang, Moen McDoom and the late Samuel Brotherson were confirmed.

caught in attempted robbery

Police in a statement said that about 19:50h on Friday evening, Gervy Harry was confronted by three men while he was walking along the Phoenix Park Road.

According to information

received, the three men cornered the young man and demanded that he hand over his valuable items, but he managed to run some distance and raise an alarm.

Persons in the neigh-

bourhood responded and managed to catch two of the men. The third suspect managed to escape. The two men were handed over to the Police. Police are continuing their investigations.

No arrest yet in Albouystown shooting

Police are still to make an ar-

rest for the shooting to death of Orvin Millington of North East La Penitence, who was gunned down in the wee hours of Thursday morning in Albouystown while gambling.

Teenage bandit was shot by private security guard – Police

Police said Lloyd Hazel, 19, of Hill Street, Lodge, Georgetown, who was shot dead on Main Street on Friday, was not shot by the Police but by an armed private security guard in the vicinity

Police Spokesman Ivelaw Whittaker in a release stated that about 16:45h on the day in question, two gunmen held up a salesman attached to the Fix It Hardware Store, Main Street, Georgetown as he was in a motor vehicle waiting at a traffic light in the area. The two men were on a motorcycle.

The perpetrators, the Police stated, took away a bag containing close to $600,000 after which they were confronted by an armed private security guard nearby.

During the confrontation, there was an exchange of gunshots, resulting in Hazel being fatally shot, while his accomplice managed to escape.

never involved in any illegal activities.

Hazel’s mother is claiming that she sent her beloved son to drop off some photographs at a relative’s home to take back to the US.

His father, Lloyd Hazel Snr said that he left home in a minibus to purchase cigarettes at Stabroek Market.

At the time of the shooting incident, the young man was wearing a helmet which was a strange occurrence to the father, who could not say the reason for his son wearing a helmet.

Lloyd Hazel Jr was allegedly shot at least four times about his body in the vicinity of New Thriving Restaurant.

Guyana Times understands that no one has come forward with a positive identification of the shooter.

Orvin “Champo” Millington, 30, of WW7 North East La Penitence,

Crime Chief Leslie James on Saturday told Guyana Times that they are continuing their investigations into the shooting incident and are working with the possible leads at their disposal.

Georgetown was killed with a single bullet to his head after he was attacked about 12:45h in Curtis Street, Albouystown.

At the time of the shooting, the now dead businessman was among his friends when the lone gunman walked into the yard at Curtis Street, and reportedly asked him whether he remembered him.

In the same breath, the shooter pointed the gun to Millington’s head and pulled the trigger, causing pandemonium to break out as persons scampered for cover.

The father of four was picked up and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

“All the stolen money was recovered along with an unlicensed Luger 9mm. Pistol and the motorcycle,” the Police added.

Crime Chief, Leslie James told Guyana Times that they are in the process of checking the records to see if the now dead man had any prior brushes with the law. On the other hand, the relatives of the dead man are holding out that he was

According to information received, Hazel and his accomplices were riding CG motorcycles and about 16:30h, they were seen parking their motorcycles in front of the old Customs Administration Building on Main Street. The motorcycles did not have back number plates.

After they parked the bikes, three men reportedly walked towards the New Thriving Restaurant and confronted the man who was in a taxi, and relieved him of the bag with money. The sales representative raised an alarm which caught the attention of the armed guard.

(Dec. 22Jan. 19)

Share your brilliant ideas with others.

Consider starting your own business, or look for someone who shares your goals and form a partnership. Invest in your skills and talents.

(Jan. 20Feb. 19)

Take a break from your daily routine.

Consider taking a day trip or engaging in an unfamiliar activity. Mental and physical stimulation will be rejuvenating.

(Feb.20March 20)

Resist the urge to make an investment decision. The prospects of a good return are questionable. Keep your cash in a secure location until a sure thing comes along.

(March 21-April 19)

You will need patience to avoid an unpleasant run-in with someone close to you. A difference of opinion is not worth driving a wedge in an important relationship. Choose your words carefully.

(April 20May 20)

Professionalism and persistence will help you reach your goals. By staying true to yourself and your convictions, you will deflect any negative comments that may be headed your way.

(May 21June 20)

Trends and fashions are constantly changing. Give yourself a lift. This is a good time to use your imagination and originality to create a new look and a new you.

By Bernice Bede Osol

(June 21July 22)

An unpleasant situation needs to be resolved before you can move forward. Listen to the demands people are making and look for a solution that will give you an out.

(July 23Aug. 22)

Romance, popularity and travel will make your day. You will be more desirable than ever, with your delightful wit and happy-go-lucky mood. Enjoy the moment and have fun.

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Decisive action will be required today. Directing your energy into work, money and health matters will be more profitable than just worrying about them. Don’t hesitate to take control – it’s your life, after all.

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Although you may be involved in an emotional battle, face the situation with a firm but mindful manner. Don’t relax your standards. The problem will not be resolved if you let things slide.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Partnerships are looking good. Consider a joint venture. This is a good time to make changes to your investments and savings, as well as to the way you currently live.

(Nov. 23Dec. 21)

If you are already in a relationship, plan to do something special with your loved one. If you’re single, get out and mingle with people who share your interests. Love is in the stars.

Calvin and Hobbes dilbert

arCHie

CAPRICORN

By Avenash Ramzan

One of Guyana’s leading legal minds on Friday evening delivered a stirring address on sport as the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) hosted its annual appreciation and awards ceremony at the Georgetown Club, Camp Street.

The fact that Justice Roxane George received a standing ovation upon completion was indicative of the impact she had on the audience, which included Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony, Mexican Ambassador to Guyana Francisco Olguin, members of the private sector, sport administrators, special invitees and awardees.

Narrowing her speech on the upcoming Commonwealth Games theme, “Opportunity through Enterprise”, Justice George delved into the various aspects of sport and the pathway that could be developed to ensure growth.

Madam George, whose husband, Garfield Wiltshire, is a former squash champion and current GOA Treasurer, shared her thoughts on the necessity for a supportive environment for athletes so that opportunities can be created through the enterprise of sport.

Conducive environment

“While we seek to develop coaching abilities as regards the technical aspects of various sports, we know that there is much more to ensuring high class performances from our athletes. In order for them to excel they must operate in an environment that is conducive to excellent performance. I read another newspaper article recently about

the need to improve the psychological mind set of one of our track and field athletes,” Justice George asserted.

She added, “And having interacted with sports administrators on the GOA Sports Administrators course over the years, I am aware that they are grappling with a number of social issues that

affect our athletes. Therefore, we need to have psychologists, particularly sports psychologists, to work with our athletes to strengthen their mental fitness to compete at the highest levels. I suggest that we also engage social workers because they can assist in addressing a number of the social issues that our athletes face, especially our young athletes. These include family related issues, domestic violence, inter-personal violence, sexuality, peer pressure, depression and other vulnerabilities.”

Justice George, whose three children are all current squash champions, also spoke on the importance of scholarships for athletes, citing a partnership with the

University of Guyana could be created to enhance the overall status of the student/athlete.

She suggested, “The next career fair at the University should see the presence of the GOA to provide such information on the opportunities through the enterprise of sport. The GOA facebook and website pages should include information on these and the myriad issues that can have an impact on and affect our athletes. There is so much to learn and grasp in terms of the opportunities in sport that are beyond the performances on the field of play but which are absolutely necessary to produce and support such performances.”

Leadership

The guest speaker also pointed out that another important aspect of seeking and realising opportunities through the enterprise of sport is the necessity to continuously develop a cadre of sport leaders.

This, she said, would allow for the GOA to take the Sport Administrators Course to another level.

“We should identify athletes and other sport personalities who have leadership qualities and specifically hone these qualities with specialised training. In this regard, where we already have the skills, and I know we have such skills available on the council of the GOA and through the professionals who are already accessible to the GOA, a mentoring programme can be established that allows for developing institutional memory and expanding the numbers of persons who can encourage and provide leadership in order to foster the sports ideals that are desired. In the process we would be moulding future leaders of our sports organisations who must be able to be articulate and decisive, yet humble and appreciative of other points of view, treating others with dignity and respect,” Justice George highlighted.

Reflecting on the recent public forum on the development of sport hosted by the GOA, the eloquent former Director of Public Prosecutions said the exercise highlighted the need not only for better infrastructure, but also the necessity for trained and knowledgeable sport personnel to achieve such development.

“I gather that it was canvassed that in order to fully utilise any sport facilities and venues, there will be need to understand what one newspaper report termed the “science

Justice George delivers stirring address at GOA awards

of sport” in order to produce elite athletes who can maximise the use of such facilities and venues,” she commented.

Collaboration

Meanwhile, president of the GOA, K.A. Juman Yassin, highlighted the association’s

vested interest in working along with the government to ensure the various sport disciplines are properly developed.

Responding to the proposition, Sport Minister Dr. Frank Anthony said the government is prepared to partner with the GOA and highlighted that

a number of projects are in the making.

Yassin also updated the gathering on the state of construction of the GOA headquarters at Lilliendaal, noting that G$68 million has been spent on the plot of land so far, while another US$1 million will have to be expended to bring the entire project to fruition.

Awardees

Receiving awards were Guyana Times/TVG/RGI’s Sport Journalist Treiston Joseph, former national lifter and coach Winston Bentham, while sport historian Charwayne Walker was presented with the IOC Trophy under the theme “Sport as a school of Life.”

Former table-tennis player and administrator, Kim Kissoon, also received an award, but was unavoidably absent, while several other persons were also recognised for their contributions to sport, including national cycling coach Hassan Mohamed and badminton queen Priyanna Ramdhani.

Guyana Times/TVG/RGI’s Sport Journalist, Treiston Joseph (left), receives his award from GOA Treasurer, Garfield Wiltshire

National cycling coach Hassan Mohamed, who was recognised for his organising role during the Queen’s Baton visit recently, shares a moment with Prime Minister Samuel Hinds

Justice Roxane George was the guest speaker of the evening

Persaud wins Powerade feature race

Robin Persaud warmed up for the upcoming 32nd annual Independence ThreeStage by copping top honours in the feature 35-lap School Boys and Invitational race of the third annual Powerade 11race programme sponsored by Banks DIH Limited on Saturday at the inner circuit of the National Park.

Persaud called on all his experience to outsprint his fellow riders, winning the race in one hour, 14 minutes, 11.15 seconds (01h: 14m: 11.15s). He also copped one of the eight prime prizes on offer.

Christopher Holder returned to the podium with a second place finish, while Godfrey Pollydore, Orville

Hinds, Marlon Williams and Paul deNobrega rounded off the top six finishers in that order.

Williams and Raynauth Jeffrey won two prime prizes each, while Alanzo Greaves, Pollydore and Alonzo Ambrose copped one each.

Other winners of the day included Avish Ramlakhan (12-14 Boys and Girls), Junior Niles (Veterans Under-50), Linden Blackman (Veterans Over50), Monty Parris (Veterans Over-60), Michael Anthony (Juveniles), Raynauth Jeffrey (Mountain Bikes), Sherwin Sampson (BMX 6-9 and BMX 9-12), Ammo Gomes (BMX 12-14) and Brighton John (BMX Open).

At the presentation cer-

emony which followed, chief organiser and national coach, Hassan Mohamed, lauded the riders for an incident-free day of racing. He complimented Banks DIH Limited for once again sponsoring the activity, noting that corporate support is critical for the development of the sport.

Banks DIH Limited’s Outdoor Events Manager, Mortimer Stewart, said the reason for using the Powerade drink for the sponsorship was to enlighten cyclists on the benefits of using the product, which he said is an excellent source of rehydration.

He also pledged his company’s continued support for cycling. (Avenash Ramzan)

Sunrisers prevail in rain-hit game

On a frustrating evening with four rain stoppages, sensational death bowling and a cameo from Naman Ojha set up an eight-wicket win (Duckworth-Lewis method) for Sunrisers Hyderabad against Delhi Daredevils at the Feroz Shah Kotla. This was the fourth consecutive loss for Daredevils on their home ground in this IPL.

Sunrisers gave away just 22 in the last five overs, restricting Daredevils to 143 for 7, before their own chase was shortened first to 117 off 15 overs, then 97 of 12 overs and finally 43 off five.

SCOREBOARD

Delhi T20 innings (20 overs maximum)

Q de Kock c Rahul b Steyn 7

KP Pietersen* c Dhawan

b Mishra 35

MA Agarwal c Warner b Mishra 25

KD Karthik† c Steyn b Henriques 39

LR Shukla c Warner

b Henriques 21

JP Duminy b Kumar 4

KM Jadhav c Pathan b Steyn 5 R Shukla not out 2

Extras: (lb-4, w-1) 5

Total: (7 wickets; 20 overs) 143

Fall of wickets: 1-10 (de Kock, 2.4 ov), 2-54 (Pietersen, 6.3 ov), 3-73 (Agarwal, 8.5 ov), 4-128 (Karthik, 16.1 ov), 5-132 (LR Shukla, 16.5 ov), 6-139 (Duminy, 18.6 ov), 7-143 (Jadhav, 19.6 ov)

Bowling: DW Steyn 4-0-20-2, B Kumar 4-0-23-1, KV Sharma 3-0-29-0 (1-w), MC Henriques 3-0-26-2, A Mishra 3-0-23-2, IK Pathan 3-0-18-0 Hyderabad T20 innings (target: 43 runs from 5 overs)

AJ Finch b R Shukla 4 S Dhawan* c Duminy b Kaul 4 DA Warner not out 12 NV Ojha† not out 13

Extras: (b-4, lb-2, w-4, nb-1) 11

(2 wickets; 4.2 overs) 44 Fall of wickets: 1-13 (Dhawan, 1.4 ov), 2-25 (Finch, 3.2 ov) Bowling: Mohammed Shami 1-0-6-0

The category winners pose with their trophies and bottles of Powerade (Photo: Avenash Ramzan)

Spectators take cover from the rain

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GCB Inter-County U-19 tournament…

Berbice crush Essequibo by an innings

– President’s XI face uphill task on final day

By Rajiv Bisnauth

Led by Balchand Baldeo’s unbeaten ton and backed by devastating spells from their spinners, Berbice powered to an innings and two-run victory over Essequibo in the third and final round of the Guyana Cricket Board’s (GCB) Under-19, three-day tournament inside two days at the Everest Cricket Club ground on Saturday.

Trailing by 217 runs after Berbice made 339 all out in their first innings, the Essequibians capitulated to 215 all out in 61.2 overs.

Berbice’s array of spinners continued their excellent work, sharing eight wickets between them.

Off-spinner David Latchaya finished with flattering figures of 4-8 from 5.2 overs, while Arif Chan ended with 2-3. Baldeo and Viendra Gooniah, along with medium-pacer Dimitri Cameron, all captured a wicket each.

Keom Paul hit the top score of 76 (19x4s, 2x6s) for Essequibo, Travis Drakes made 35, while openers Ricardo Peters and Avenash

Persaud made 24 apiece, but the rest of the Essequibo batsmen were undermined by the clever spin bowling on a pitch that offered some turn and bounce.

Starting the day at 1686, the Berbicians made a confident start and were successful in their plan to bat Essequibo out of the contest as they amassed 339 all out, in reply to Essequibo’s122.

Opener Baldeo, who resumed on 64, completed a well-deserved century. The right hander, who seemed determined to play a long innings, stroked his way to an unbeaten 177. His innings lasted 225 balls, inclusive of 12 fours and five sixes.

Essequibo had been kept at bay for close to an hourand-a-half in the morning session by Baldeo and fellow overnight batsman Hakeem Hinds in a stand of 96 for the sixth wicket, before Hinds was dismissed for 44.

Arif Chan (03), Parmanand Ramdhan (02), Grisean Grant (07) and Dimitri Cameron (06) were the other batsmen dis-

missed around Baldeo.

Off-spinner Akil Wallace (4-101) was the best bowler on show, while Mahindra Balbadar (1-36) Keom Paul (1-49) and Akini Adams (176) were the other successful bowlers for Essequibo.

Essequibo had the entire lunch break to regroup before they came out to bat, having bowled out the hosts at the stroke of lunch.

Ricardo Peters and Avenash Persaud added 53 for the first wicket, but in breaking that opening stand, the floodgates opened swiftly, with Essequibo slipping to 87-5.

The Berbicians were held up by a stand of 100 between Paul and Drakes that stemmed the tide before the spinners continued the demolition job, claiming the last five wickets for just 57 runs.

Uphill task

Meanwhile, the President’s XI closed the penultimate day against Demerara on 152-7, replying to the hosts’ massive first innings total of 407-7 declared.

At stumps, Damion

Waldron was unbeaten on nine and Ronaldo Mohamed on six, still trailing Demerara’s total by 255 runs.

The batsmen dismissed so far are Ryan Shun (08) Sunil Singh (43), Kareen Mentore (18), Avishkar Sewkarran (15), Nick Ramsaroop (36), Michael Shalin (14) and Vishwanauth Ramlakhan (00).

Keon Morris (2-26),

Steven Sankar (2-40), Sherfane Rutherford (1-17) and Tagenarine Chanderpaul (1-24) were the wicket-takers for Demerara at the close.

Demerara had resumed on 253-3 and swiftly built their innings even though they had lost four wickets in quick succession in the first session. The hosts declared at lunch on 407-7.

Centurion Tagenarine Chanderpaul had anchored

the hosts’ innings with a compact approach in holding up his end, finishing on 167. His 344-ball knock contained 15 boundaries and a six.

He featured in a productive fifth-wicket partnership with Kemol Savory, who hit a stroke-filled half-century to consolidate Demerara’s grip on the proceedings.

Chanderpaul’s overnight partner Deonarine Seegobin (05) was removed early, but the ChanderpaulSavory duo kept the opposition busy and had no real difficulty against the weakened attack.

Savory’s 73-ball knock 66 was studded with five boundaries and a six.

Steven Sankar (08) was the other Demerara batsman to be dismissed before the deceleration came after 127 overs.

Off-spinner Damion Waldron was the pick of the bowlers, taking 4-128, while Ryan Shun got 2-46 and Daniel Lewis 1-65. Play will resume at 10:00 hours today and Demerara will need a further eleven points to win the tournament overall.

Dhoni delivers win for CSK

Mumbai Indians innings

LMP Simmons c du Plessis b Ashwin 38

CM Gautam† c McCullum b Badree 9

AT Rayudu c Jadeja b Sharma 59

RG Sharma* c Raina b Ashwin 19

KA Pollard c Raina b Ashwin 0 CJ Anderson not out 18

AP Tare c du Plessis b Pandey 9

Extras: (w-5) 5

It’s a tight Saturday prime-time IPL match involving the two highest profile franchises in the tournament. Guess who delivers when it’s a big game? MS Dhoni is perhaps the best finisher in the limited-overs game, and when Chennai Super Kings needed a big hit in the final over, he duly obliged, as he has so many times in the past. It came down to 11 off the last

Total: (6 wickets; 20 overs) 157

Fall of wickets: 1-16 (Gautam, 2.5 ov), 2-77 (Simmons, 11.5 ov), 3-122 (Sharma, 17.3 ov), 4-129 (Pollard, 17.6 ov), 5-129 (Rayudu, 18.1 ov), 6-157 (Tare, 19.6 ov)

Bowling: S Badree 4-0-341 (1-w), IC Pandey 4-0-341 (2-w), RA Jadeja 4-0-330, MM Sharma 4-0-26-1, R Ashwin 4-0-30-3 (1-w)

Chennai Super Kings innings (target: 158 runs from 20 overs)

over, and Dhoni responded by calmly whacking a six over deep midwicket before wrapping up the victory with three balls to spare. The last time Mumbai Indians lost an IPL game at the Wankhede Stadium was back in 2012, so long ago that their openers were Sachin Tendulkar and Herschelle Gibbs. The 10-game winning streak at home was built on muscular batting and depth in the bowling, neither of which were in evidence on Saturday.

DR Smith c Simmons b Kumar 57

BB McCullum lbw b Kumar 13

SK Raina st †Gautam b Pollard 19 F du Plessis b Malinga 31 MS Dhoni*† not out 22 RA Jadeja b Malinga 6 M Manhas run out (Kumar/†Gautam) 1 R Ashwin not out 0

Extras: (b-1, lb-5, w-5) 11 Total:(6 wickets; 19.3 overs) 160 Fall of wickets: 1-29 (McCullum, 4.3 ov), 2-56 (Raina, 7.5 ov), 3-119 (Smith, 15.3 ov),

Off-spinner David Latchaya clinches on to a stunning return catch to dismiss Kemo Paul

MS Dhoni collects a stumps after scoring the winning runs

West Indies Fullbore Shooting championships…

National rifle shooters make clean sweep of team titles

Guyana made a clean sweep of the team titles at the West Indies Fullbore Shooting championships when they carted off the prestigious Anchor Cup Short Range title on Saturday at the Twickenham Park ranges in Spanish Town, Jamaica.

It was another clinical performance by the Guyanese shooters as they romped to victory by 14 points over arch-rivals and last year’s winners Jamaica, as challenging winds made it difficult for the teams in the match, held over 300, 500 and 600 yards ranges.

Guyana recorded a grand aggregate of 1119 points and 75 V-bulls in their triumph, followed by Jamaica with 1105.58, Trinidad and Tobago 1068.44, Antigua/Barbuda 1050.33 and Barbados 1022.25.

It was the fourth consecutive victories for Guyana on Jamaican soil with the Guyanese marksmen winning in 2000, 2005, 2008 and now in 2014.

Regional Individual champion Lennox Braithwaite piloted the victory with a total of 146 points and 9 Vs with scores of 49.4, 48.2 and 49.3 from a Highest Possible Score (HPS) of 150.

Vice-captain Dylan Fields was also in good form, scoring 144.13 (49.5, 48.4, 47.4), while Leo

Romalho recorded 144.11 (49.5, 47.3, 48.3).

Captain Mahendra Persaud contributed 142.14 (46.6, 48.3, 48.5), Ransford Goodluck 140.9 (47.3, 46.4, 47.2), Sigmund Douglas 136.8 (46.4, 48.3, 42.1), Sherwin Felicien 135.3 (44.0, 45.2, 46.1) and Ryan Sampson 132.8 (43.1, 46.3, 43.4).

The Team scores were 373.28 at 300 yards, 376.24 at 500 yards and 370.23 at 600 yards. The Guyanese had retained the Milex Cup Long Range title on Friday, also with a dominant performance over the four other competing countries.

Captain Persaud said the team’s performance was exceptional. He added that that teamwork was the hallmark of the victory. Persaud showered praises on the shooters, coaches and support staff for laying the platform for the team’s success.

Great Britain coach Ian Shaw, who worked with the local shooter earlier this year in Guyana, also came in for high praise. The presentation ceremony was scheduled to take place last evening at the Jamaica Rifle Club in Kingston.

The Guyana contingent will return home this evening after a successful week of competition.

(Report and photos by Troy Peters)

Christianburg/ Wismar wins

World Athletics Day trophy

Christianburg/ Wismar Secondary School retained the World Athletics Day trophy when the competition concluded on Saturday at the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary.

Christianburg/Wismar recorded 39 points to take the first place position, while Wismar Secondary was third with 27 points. No other school took part in the competition to vie for the championship.

However, on an intense day of action, Carifta Games 400 metres bronze medalist, Jason Yaw, took the Boys’ Under-18 100 metres and recorded a time of 10.9s to win the event.

Carifta representative, Avon Samuels, recorded 18.2s to win the Girls’ Under-16 150 metres to top the field in the event.

Onassha Rogers topped the field in the Girls’ Under-16 80 metres, defeating her competition easily in the event to help Christianburg to the win.

Coach of Christianburg, Moses Pantliz, who also coaches Cassey George, was pleased with the consecutive wins and looks forward to defending the title for the third straight year in 2015.

Triple gold medalist at Carifta Games, Cassey George, was also in action, taking the Girls’ Under-18 1500 metres race in 5:02.5s. Carifta bronze medalist, Andrea Foster, was second.

Champs again! The Guyanese rifle shooters

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony and GOA president K.A. Juman Yassin with the awardees on Friday evening (Photos: Avenash Ramzan)

Tagenarine Chanderpaul acknowledges the applause of his teammates, after posting his 150 (Photos: Rajiv Bisnauth)