Guyana Times International

INTERNATIONAL

US-based Guyanese entrepreneur inspired by heritage

US-based Guyanese designer Soyini George

Page 31

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

for FRee distribution guyanatimesinternational.com

You can also read Guyana Times daily edition online at www.guyanatimesgy.com ISSUE NO. 211

week ending October 5, 2014

'Quality of life has improved significantly in Guyana' See story on page 25

- President Ramotar tells New York gathering

Dr Luncheon taken to heart institute

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ead of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon, was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation’s (GPHC) Caribbean Heart Institute on Thursday for a medical assessment after complaining of feeling unwell, a statement from the Office of the President has said.

Earlier this year, Luncheon announced that he was suffering from cancer. He has however continued to work.

Guyana bound!

T

President Donald Ramotar and First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar listening to a member of the Guyanese Diaspora in Miami during a recent visit to the US

he US Embassy in Georgetown has announced that American hurdler Kristi Castlin will be heading to Guyana on November 5, 6, and 7th for athletics workshops and training geared towards benefitting young Guyanese citizens.

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NEWS

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Revenue body says Kaieteur News emails fake T

he Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) on Wednesday deemed a string of emails from Kaieteur News purporting to be correspondence between the Commissioner General and the Attorney General being contrived, and called on the newspaper to respect the principle of sub judice and the concept of contempt of court in its continued publication of the fake emails.

In a recent report, the GRA Commissioner General Khurshid Sattaur categorically denied ever sending any emails purporting to have been dispatched by him to high ranking Government officials on tax information on several media houses. Notably, information on Kaieteur News was excluded, yet its publisher, Glenn Lall has been repeatedly claiming that Government has a plot to destroy his newspaper.

“What is troubling is how the information got out there. I call upon political parties to question Lall on how he gets information from within GRA,” Sattaur was quoted as saying in a local news outfit. Sattaur believes his email was hacked and used for sinister purposes. “I want the Police to investigate how Lall is receiving on daily basis, information on GRA,” he said.

Further, on Tuesday, Guyana Times International was informed that the emails were faked and concocted by Lall to create a diversion from the probe launched by the tax body.

The source said that in all of the “fake emails” published thus far, no informa-

Kaieteur News Publisher Glenn Lall

tion was disclosed about the Kaieteur News. “Hence the so-called plot to destroy Kaieteur News is only a concoction,” said the official. “That publication might end up destroying itself.”

Sub judice

The GRA noted that the sub judice rule regulates the publication of matters which are under consideration of the court and matters are considered and remain sub judice once proceedings are active. “In the case of criminal charges the proceedings are deemed active when a person is arrested, a

GRA Commissioner General Khurshid Sattaur

warrant for arrest has been issued, a summons has been issued or a person has been charged and remain so active until conviction,” the statement said.

Prejudicial publication of material which is sub judice comprises contempt of court, a crime under the Laws of Guyana. In light of the foregoing, the GRA said statements purportedly attributed to Robin Hunte, Attorneyat-Law for Glenn Lall, Bhena Lall and Kaieteur News are evidently contemptuous, since statements published are likely to create, and were calculated to create a substantial risk of prejudicing the course of justice in the proceedings

against the Lalls, Gharbassi Brijnan and Narootandeo Brijnan. “These statements are intended to interfere with the administration of justice in pending proceedings,” the GRA said.

The GRA is of the view that the statements attributed to Hunte are as erroneous as they are contemptuous.

The defendants were charged with various offences against the Customs Laws, including dealing with goods with intent to defraud the Revenue Authority of duties, fraudulent evasion of Customs duties, and making and subscribing a false declaration, etc.

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Good to see you Mr President!

INTERNATIONAL To contact: Guyana Times International

New York Office 106-15 Sutphin Blvd, Jamaica NY 11435 Email: guyanatimesnyint@gmail.com Tel no: 718-658-6804 Preferred method of contact via EMAIL Guyana Office Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana.

Tel no: (592) 227-0704, 227-0709.

Fax (592) 225-8696, 227-0685 Email: guyanatimesint@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

The GuyExpo hub

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ver the years, the Guyana Government has invested billions of dollars in the execution of successful GuyExpo shows with the aim of fuelling the growth of small and medium-scale businesses.

The Administration has undoubtedly used the GuyExpo ‘hub’ as a unique platform to build and engineer the concept of PrivatePublic Partnerships.

It has also demonstrated seriousness about ensuring local businesses, apart from exhibiting their products and services, have an opportunity to create linkages with other regional and international businesses during and after the staging of the mega event.

Additionally, successive PPP/C Administrations have paid rapt attention to using GuyExpo as the ideal hub to encourage businesses to become innovative, technologically advanced, and competitive.

As a result of these approaches, GuyExpo has had a positive and significant impact on the development of those small businesses that choose to invest and be part of the event. They have benefited, according to exit polls done over the past five years, from increased pre-and post GuyExpo profits and boosted public image/portfolio as a result of the work of the organising committee and their branding of the event.

Added to this, these small-scale businesses are able to market themselves through unique promotions and sales pitches made to the thousands that pass through the exhibition daily. In a nutshell, Government has consistently been providing the policies, atmosphere, and right developmental mix to ensure that GuyExpo thrives and grows young businesses with the hope that the Private Sector would demonstrate more seriousness and overall ownership of all aspects of the lucrative trade and exposition show some time in the future.

It is, however, most unfortunate that the Private Sector has not managed to match Government’s investment in the exposition over its existence. It is also worrying that the Private Sector has not seen the need to occasion a paradigm shift that demonstrates genuine understanding of the potential of the exposition and its link to the country’s macro-economic fundamentals.

While they are willing to exploit the benefits of the exposition year after year, they are not willing to invest in the construction of another site dedicated purely to the staging of expositions like GuyExpo. They also appear to be running away from the risk of using the exposition in a meaningful way to launch private large-scale developmental projects that could significantly impact the future of the manufacturing sector in Guyana.

It is clear that a certain section of the Private Sector is bent on criticising the presence of foreign delegations and businesses at the exposition.

Yet that section is unwilling to match the seriousness and dedication shown by those participants to do business, seek out new markets, and maximise all avenues to expand their various brands and products whether within their countries or farther afield.

Guyanese must commend those businesses that have demonstrated confidence in the exposition and are working closely with the Tourism, Industry and Commerce Ministry with the aim of constantly improving the exposition, while strengthening its ability to remain the hub for the promotion of manufacturing businesses in Guyana.

Those new and emerging partnerships, cottage industries and other forms of businesses that also display confidence in the exposition through their participation in GuyExpo over the years must also be commended.

In 2014, the exposition is at another crossroads which it will no doubt successively navigate, but if it is to be sustained over the coming years, the Private Sector must become more intricately involved.

They must demonstrate the willingness to respond in a more serious way to Government’s call to improve the fortunes of the economy through domestic, regional, and foreign direct investment.

Careful consideration must be placed also on taking the event to other jurisdictions in the world, such as North America, China, Latin America, Central America and South America with the aim of boosting the confidence of local businesses and their ability to compete on the international scene.

President Donald Ramotar receiving a warm welcome from the Guyanese Diaspora in Los Angeles, California, during a recent visit to the US where he participated in various meetings of the UN General Assembly.

PM Modi enthralls IndoGuyanese New Yorkers

By Vishnu Bisram

Dozens of Guyanese and many other Indo-Caribbean people were among the 20,000 (who came from as far away as Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, Florida, Texas, UK, etc.) were present at Madison Square Garden last Sunday to welcome India’s Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi who promised a resurgent India and governance that would make them proud.

The PM enthralled his listeners. He told them: “I will never do anything that will make you feel ashamed of me,” a pot shot at his predecessors who disgraced India. He urged the diaspora to join in nationbuilding to make India a developed nation and to provide every Indian with a home by 2022.

Madison Square Garden is the venue for sports players, American Presidents, rock stars and occasionally Bollywood singers. Modi was the first overseas politician to address a gathering at the venue. In addition to the packed stands inside, thousands more waited outside the Garden and at Times Square some 10 blocks away to watch the PM’s speech on giant screens.

Hundreds of millions also watched around the world as the speech was carried live on TV and the Internet and also broadcast on radio for listeners. Traffic was closed off around the Garden with hundreds of Police providing security and facilitating the throngs of people.

And dozens of American Secret Service agents, aided by several Indian Secret Service officers, surrounded the PM as he made his entrance.

Modi delivered an impressive speech laced with humour and offered several goodies for the Indian diaspora. At various times, the crowd interrupted his speech with chants of “Modi, Modi, Modi”. They chanted, clapped and cheered throughout his more-thanone-hour-long speech.

He was attired in his trademark chic kurtha outfit –

Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Madison Square Garden last Sunday

cream kurta pyjamas and a bright orange jacket. He offered a traditional humble Indian “Namaste” bowing to all as he entered the Garden and closed with the same as he exited the stage.

Prior to his speech, the PM met with a host of American national, state and local politicians who came from around the nation to welcome the PM. Dozens of Senators and Congressmen came on stage to welcome Modi just before the singing of the anthems of both countries.

Many enthusiastic groups occasionally broke into chants of “Vande Mataram” and “Bharat Mata ki Jai”. Ahead of the PM’s speech, there were performances by folk dancers representing the diversity of Indian culture. Individuals from various American ethnic groups were among the performing artistes.

An Indian American rendered the US national anthem.

Noted Bollywood classical singer Kavita Krishnamoorthy accompanied by world renowned musician Dr Subramaniam, rendered the Indian national anthem and sang several other songs.

Modi announced lifelong visas for Global Organisation of Persons of Indian Origin (GOPIO) cardholders that would include Indo-Guyanese and other Indians in the diaspora. He also promised to merge the GOPIO and Overseas Citizenship of India schemes with a new scheme to be announced soon. He also

said very soon, American passport holders will be given visas on arrival in India.

Modi spoke in Hindi without notes, praising the diaspora for its contribution to IT. There were English subtitles on huge screens. The media had access to ear plugs with English translations.

He noted that India was no longer considered a land of snake charmers but of software wizards who are valued for their skills around the globe.

He said when he was in Japan recently, someone asked him whether Indians still charm people with snakes. Modi said he told the individual, “No, we have graduated from that. We charm people now with smaller things like the mouse.” The crowd erupted into loud laughter with a standing ovation and wild cheers.

Referring to the elections that swept him to power in May, Modi thanked the diaspora for their support leading to loud cheers. “For the first time, a party got a majority in 30 years thanks to your help,” he said.

But he said, “Winning elections is not for sitting on a seat, it is a responsibility.

And I have not taken even a 15-minute vacation since becoming PM.” The PM is known to sleep less than four hours a night and is up at 04:00h.

He told the crowd his Government would not leave any stone unturned to fulfil the expectations of people.

He said, “India was at an opcontinued on page 5

You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times International, Industrial Site Ruimveldt Georgetown, Guyana or guyanatimesint@gmail.com

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Trotman should resign and allow the justice system to work Dear Editor, The ethical thing for the speaker of the house to do is to resign until the police investigation of the accuser’s complaints is completed. Let the beacon of the truth take its course.

If Mr Raphael Trotman did indeed write a letter of recommendation for the accus-

er to get a job as a supervisor at the Pegasus Hotel, then it would be difficult to conclude that this 22-year-old accuser is mentally challenged, as Mr Trotman wants us to believe.

Mr Trotman has been a master of manipulation from the PNC/AFC. He used his position in those parties to pene-

trate himself into parliament as Speaker of the House. Mr Trotman should do the right and honourable thing, and step down to allow justice to be served.

I am sure if a Member of Parliament was holding a high position in the Government, and was accused of rape from the time the victim was 12

years old, the Opposition and you, Mr Speaker, would have called for that person, even if he were a Minister, to resign or step down and allow the law to take its course.

We must recall how the opposition and the Lindeners had called for Minister Rohee to resign over the shooting

incident in Linden – an incident Mr Rohee had nothing to with.

The excuse that because there is a pending No Confidence Vote, Mr Trotman should remain Speaker of the House is absurd, shameful and despicable.

In any job or sensitive positions in Government service

such as in those held by doctors, lawyers, teachers, etc, when an accusation is made against those individuals, an immediate removal from the job follows. The accused is suspended, with or without pay pending the completion of the investigation.

Sincerely, Vassan Ramracha

The US Diversity Visa There is need for a strong and vibrant civil Lottery programme can society in every country now be accessed online Dear Editor, US President Barack Obama on September 23 reaffirmed the longstanding American support to sustaining global civil society’s significant role at a gathering sponsored by the Clinton Global Initiative.

President Obama said, “If you want strong, successful countries; you need strong, vibrant civil societies. When citizens are free to organise and work together across borders to make our communities healthier, our environment cleaner, and our world safer, that’s when real change comes.”

Listening to Obama’s speech, I reflected upon my own involvement with civil society organisations, taking stock of where this particular sector stands in Guyana. While a few organisations are working tirelessly to address many social, health, education, economic and cultural issues, there is no overwhelming sense of broad participation in these groups.

Most citizens seem to have placed their fortunes and desires complacently in the hands of a few elected politicians.

Political discourse emanating from Government authority figures and the National Assembly dominates the daily narrative, while civil society groups struggle to get coverage of their work and policy positions.

While Obama speaks of citizens being “free to organise and work”, our civil society is paralysed by a suffocating fear. This fear discourages those from joining civil society groups.

This fear silences most civil society groups from voicing policy positions supporting their stated goals. This fear makes the private sector and donors – including those from abroad – shy away from supporting the cause of civil society groups, particularly those that advocate public policy prescriptions.

This fear is the single most egregious impediment to civil society growth in

Guyana. This fear stems from real concerns that those in positions of authority and power will intentionally target and discriminate against individuals actively involved in civil society work and thus affect their livelihood.

Similarly, from my own experience, I have noticed a form of discrimination against Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) whose public policy positions do not align with those of political parties or the Government.

When NGOs such as Blue CAPS speak out on public policy issues, its members and the organisation become likely targets for discrimination. This occurs in various forms, including public rebuke by political parties.

Other forms might be more subtle, such as not being invited to topically relevant meetings, seminars and workshops or not responding to NGO queries or invitations intended for public and political officials. Members of NGOs are also discriminated against at their places of employment because of their association.

Private sector firms also fear the potential for political backlash if they venture to support and fund vocal civil society groups so they back away from any form of support or endorsement.

Notwithstanding, civil society must stand firm and never cave in to threats and intimidation, for we will never be ‘free’ unless these clouds of fear are lifted.

It is worth listening to the words of President Obama, who reminded that “when these rights [association and expression] are suppressed, it fuels grievances and a sense of injustice that over time can fuel instability or extremism”.

I hope those who attempt to suppress our civil society listen to and undertake to directly hold these wise, prudent words.

Clinton Urling Blue CAPS

Dear Editor, Guyanese and citizens of other countries can begin submitting an application for the 2016 US Diversity Visa Lottery programme.

The Diversity Visa Programme, often called the “green-card lottery”, is an annual diversity immigration programme that makes available by random selection upwards of 50,000 immigrant visas to people from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States.

Currently, Guyana and the rest of the Caribbean region are among qualified countries.

The programme gives applicants an opportunity to get a green card visa without going through the normal family or business or professional sponsorships.

There are limits of visas for certain areas and countries. Winners are chosen by random by a computerized process.

Everyone has an equal chance of winning.

Application will be accepted from noon October 1, 2014 through

noon November 3, 2014.

For details on eligibility and how to officially enter the DVL, visit www. dvlottery.state.gov.

There is no fee to enter the Diversity Visa Lottery. Lottery winners will only pay fees at the US Embassy at the time of their interviews if they win a visa. One does not need a lawyer or a specialist to apply for the raffle. It can be done by yourself or someone with basic competence in using a computer.

Do not let anyone fleece you as has happened to so many in the US. Illegals in the US may also apply; however, they face issues to actually get a green card if they overstayed their visas in America.

After an application is submitted, one gets a confirmation number that must be saved. It will not be possible to get that number again; if you lose it, there is no way you will know if you have won a raffled visa.

Only through this number can one determine if you have won a visa by entering it into an Entrant Status Check.

This can be done from May 5, 2015, to June 30, 2016.

Please remember that only one entry per person is allowed.

Multiple applications under the same identity disqualify the person from being entered into the raffle.

Submitted by, Vishnu Bisram

PM Modi enthralls Indo-Guyanese New ... from page 4

portune cusp of circumstances, blessed with a vibrant democracy, with 65 per cent of its people under the age of 35, and a market of 1.25 billion people. These three things are present in one country; this is not there anywhere else in the world. And on the basis of this India will cross new heights – it is my belief.”

He said on investing in India: he is removing red tape and rolling out the red carpet. He said there will be minimum Government and maximum governance.

He made reference to e-governance – effective Government and processing documents through emails and the web to speed the process. He said he plans

to remove obsolete laws that serve as an impediment to progress and development.

Modi also referred to the “Make in India” campaign, “Clean India” mission, and a campaign to clean the Ganges River. He made reference to India’s Mars mission that was successful at its first try unlike other countries, noting that

it is cheaper per kilometre to travel to Mars (seven rupees) than within India (10 rupees).

India’s Mars mission is about one 10th the cost of those of other countries.

The Indo-Caribbean people I met said they were most impressed with his speech. They noted that the speech did not have a dull moment.

They compared his oratorical and communication skills with those of the late Presidents Reagan and Kennedy.

The PM’s address to the diaspora came a day after he enthralled a 65,000-strong youthful crowd at Central Park, unveiling to them his vision of a clean India with toilets for all, and ending with the words,

“May the force be with you”, from the “Star Wars” movies.

Modi was hosted at a state banquet at the White House on Monday evening. He met President Barack Obama again on Tuesday after a breakfast meet with Vice President Joe Biden. He was scheduled to meet several Members of Congress as well.

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E-Networks to roll out high-speed broadband … using O3b Trunking Solutions

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3b Networks on Wednesday a n n o u n c e d that local Internet Service Provider (ISP) E-Networks has signed a multi-year agreement to use O3b’s unique “Fibre in the Sky” satellite network.

The Guyanese ISP will be the first Latin American client to be brought up on the O3b network since it commenced commercial operations earlier in the year.

E-Networks engineers were recently trained at 03b’s Manassas facilities and will be working with O3b as a certified partner in Guyana. According to a release, the use of O3b satellites, which are in a unique orbit closer to the Earth than conventional geostationary sat-

ellites, reduces latency, increases data rates and improves voice and video quality for the user. The high throughput O3b satellites also offer much greater capacity, supporting up to 1.6 Gbps in a single beam.

E - N e t w o r k s Managing Director Vishok Persaud said: “We are very proud to be part of this pioneering venture with O3b Networks. The O3b capacity will significantly improve our customer offering, allowing us to enhance a number of highperformance services for both corporate customers and consumers. We now have the unique ability to offer international services to our corporate customers either on fibre or O3b or a combination

of both while maintaining low latency.”

“This gives us the most resilient network in Guyana. Access to the O3b network gives us the ability to open up new services countrywide where it would otherwise be difficult to have access to fibre.”

This deployment will be used to further enhance E-Networks Fibre-optic and 4G Data Networks, Persaud said.

Next generation

O3b Region Vice President for LATAM and Africa, Omar Trujillo, said: “We are delighted to welcome E-Networks to the rapidly expanding O3b family and congratulate them on being the first Latin American ISP to be up on the O3b network. Working with

E-Networks in Guyana is another great example of O3b bringing vital high performance connectivity to the underserved areas of the world. Once in service with O3b, E-Networks will be able to enhance its commercial data services over the most resilient backbone network available in Guyana.”

O3b Networks Limited is a global satellite service provider building a next-generation satellite network for telecommunications operators, Internet Service Providers, enterprise and Government customers in emerging markets.

The O3b system will combine the global reach of satellite with the speed of a fibre-optic

E-Networks Managing Director Vishok Persaud

network providing billions of consumers and businesses in nearly 180 countries with low-cost, high-speed, low-latency Internet and mobile connectivity.

O3b Networks’ investors include SES, Google, Liberty Global, HSBC

Principal Investments, Northbridge Venture Partners, Allen & Company, Development Bank of Southern Africa, Sofina, Satya Capital and Luxempart.

O3b Networks is headquartered in St Holier, Jersey, Channel Islands.

Caricom TVET strategy launched in Guyana

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he Education Ministry on Tuesday hosted a symposium to officially launch the Technical and Vocational Educational Training (TVET) strategy in Guyana. It targeted the main stakehold-

ers within the education sector in order to sensitise them on the project.

TVET was launched in Trinidad and Tobago by countries within Caricom on September 22. It is a ratified agreement among the mem-

bers of Caricom to overhaul the education curriculum within their states. It was developed after much consultation among the stakeholders within the member states.

It was approved

educational system where the students are taught from three to five years old, eight hours a day – the school system thus influencing their “values and behaviour”, as an example.

Craig did not mince words as he spoke on the choices of parents and even teaching professionals when it comes to children and education.

He declared that there is no such thing as Robert Craig, Executive Director of the HEART Trust children not being “acNational Training Agency of Jamaica (HEART Trust/NTA) ademically inclined”, as he shows stakeholders the ratified document signed as there are some who

by Caricom member states for the TVET strategy may be more inclined towards computers,

by Caricom’s Council er, the strategy also inor vehicles- using both for Human and Social cludes focus on economic their hands and brains Development during its competitiveness. rather than simply their 24th meeting. The stratRobert Craig, brains only. However, egy was then endorsed Executive Director of the that does not mean their at the Council’s 26th HEART Trust National “head too tuff fuh tek meeting, on May 14 and Training Agency of book.”

15 this year.

Jamaica (HEART Trust/ This, the Executive Thus, with the launch NTA), advocated the tag Director of HEART having occurred, moves line for the strategy, Trust/NTA remarked, are now being made to “skills and credentials is the disaffirmation of implement this initia- are the new global curour children. He told the tive within the mem- rency”. participants of the symber states, to strengthen Means to an end posium that Caribbean the delivery of the TVET Craig showed the ratyouths are “the brighttraining. ified document that the est little pickney” and According to Caricom Member States that it is not right to tell UNESCO and signed to make the the children they cannot International Labour TVET strategy possido anything, remarkOrganisation (ILO) ble to the stakeholders, ing that low self-esteem (2002), “TVET is an ed- emphasising the point does nothing for a brilucational process involv- that education is going liant child. ing the study of technical in a new direction in the The launch of the and related sciences and Caribbean and that it is TVET is supported by the acquisition of prac- a good one, “a means to the Caricom Education tical skills and general an end”. for Employment education, attitudes, unHe expressed that Programme (C-EFE), derstanding and knowl- this indicates that launched in March 2012, edge relating to occupa- Caricom is serious and and delivered in partnertion in various sectors of joining the list of “seriship with the Caribbean economic life.” ous countries” that take Association of National The TVET sympo- education as the ecoTraining Agencies sium placed particular nomic investment that (CANTA) and the emphasis on workforce enables their economies Canadian Government. development; howev- to grow. He gave China’s

news PNM begins election screening in Trinidad

Opposition Chief Whip Marlene Mc Donald and acting General Secretary Ashton Ford (TT Guardian photo)

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ORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD: The Opposition People’s National Movement in Trinidad and Tobago began screening candidates last Friday for next year’s general election, constitutionally due by September.

General Secretary of the 58-year-old party Ashton Ford said the process was expected to take place at the party’s headquarters, Balisier House on Tranquillity Street, Port-of-Spain, from 5 pm.

The screening committee will look at prospective candidates for only four constituencies—Diego Martin West, St Joseph, Pointe-a-Pierre and Mayaro.

Party leader Dr Keith Rowley is the incumbent MP for Diego Martin West and the party represents St Joseph in Parliament after Terrence

Deyalsingh won the seat in the November 4, 2013, by-election. Rowley and Deyalsingh are expected to be approved as the candidates for their respective seats. A post on Dr Rowley’s Facebook page on July 23 said, “Clarence Rambharat will be representing the People’s National Movement in the next General Elections.”

The Mayaro and Pointe-a-Pierre seats are now represented by Community Development Minister Winston Peters and Labour Minister Errol Mc Leod, who is also the acting prime minister.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar told legislators weeks ago that the Parliament will be prorogued by June next year and the polls will be held as constitutionally due

by September 2015. (TT Guardian)

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PM Kamla at NY Republic Day dinner…

TT on threshold of major achievement P

ORT-Of-SPAIN, TRINIDAD: Sustainability must be underlined by social and economic freedom and can only be achieved by education which must be accessible, equitable and modern, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said last Saturday night in her address at a Republic Day gala dinner in Queens, New York.

“When we combine the progress on all fronts, we can feel sure saying that our Republic stands great for today’s people, and shall stand as the beacon for tomorrow’s people,” she added.

“As a people, this is another opportunity we have to ensure that, not even for the shortest moment, we allow ourselves to forget how much our nation has grown because of us, and indeed how much we have grown, as a people, because of Trinidad and Tobago.”

Persad-Bissessar noted that where education thrived, social inclusion also flourished which resulted in communities becoming stronger and people more confident in

TT’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar addressing last Saturday’s Republic Day gala dinner in Queens, New York (FB photo)

their own country.

“When all of these factors come together, we have people and communities less inclined to protecting, fostering or condoning crime, criminals and anti-social behaviour,” she related.

Commenting on the many hurdles the country faced, she said TT had walked through them with dignity.

“Our advance in the face of challenges, continues with determination.

We are now at the thresh-

old of a very significant achievement in the area of education, which has come as a result of vision, commitment and keeping promises,” PersadBissessar expressed.

Last Friday, the Prime Minister, who participated in the United Nations General Assembly in Manhattan, said she had pleasure of speaking directly with leaders around the world and also listened to how some had been able to emerge from the prover-

bial ashes.

She said as a country that stood strongly on the side of social justice and equity, TT continued to be a supportive force in the Region for justice and reconciliation. “We continue to advocate, support and participate at any level where we can secure sustainable development by honouring the fundamental rights of all people to live free of fear and instability,” she stressed. (Excerpted from TT Guardian)

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Guyana gets Centre Boosting shared for Laparoscopic prosperity key to tackling Surgery in Linden

inequality – World Bank

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China’s Health Minister, Li Bin (centre); Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Zhang Limin (her left) and LHC Chairman Mortimer Mingo (her right) after unveiling the plaque

H

ealthcare services in Guyana continue to expand and improve at the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC), with the most recent addition of a Centre for Laparoscopic Surgery, now located inside the health facility.

The centre is sponsored by the National Health and Family Planning Commission of the People’s Republic of China.

An official inauguration ceremony held at the health institution on Sunday marked the commissioning of the centre, although it has been in use for some time.

Laparoscopic surgery, also referred to as keyhole surgery, Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) or bandaid surgery is a new and advanced surgical technique whereby operations are started a far distance from the site, through small incisions in the body.

Chinese Ambassador to Guyana Zhang Limin; Chief Medical Officer

(CMO), Dr Shamdeo Persaud; Chinese Health Minister Li Bin; LHC Chairman Mortimer Mingo; a Chinese medical team, and other healthcare professionals within the Health Ministry were present to witness the simple yet significant ceremony.

In her remarks, Minister Li said the event represents the advancement of medical techniques at the LHC and represents the traditional friendship between Guyana and China.

“On behalf of the Chinese Health and Family Planning Commission, I would like to formally congratulate the inauguration of this centre. In the health area, we have conducted in-depth, concrete operations for the past many years. Twenty-one years ago, China deployed the first of the China medical teams to Guyana, and so far has already sent altogether, 124 medical workers. For many years, the Chinese med-

ical teams have devoted themselves to provide good services to the local people and patients….” she noted.

Li said the fundamental change marked by the transitioning from the former LHC building to the newer, more modern hospital complex, where the laparoscopic facility is being housed, will inspire better services to the local people. She added that the commissioning of the centre represents a new starting point of many more achievements for the LHC. Dr Persaud in his remarks noted that the LHC is a very important medical institution which serves a significant proportion of the Guyanese populace. He emphasised that the collaborative knowledge of medical staff deployed to the laparoscopic centre will help to address some of the major health issues, in the institution’s quest to achieve the ultimate Millenium Development Goal.

orld Bank G r o u p President Jim Yong Kim said boosting shared prosperity for the lowest 40% of income earners in developing countries will improve the lives of all members of society, not only a fortunate few.

“Our goal of boosting shared prosperity will be achieved by raising incomes, creating jobs, educating children and providing all with access to food, water and health care,” said Kim in a speech given in advance of the IMF-World Bank Group Annual Meetings to students and faculty at Howard University on Wednesday. “By doing so, we will grow our wealth and nurture our humanity.”

The president stressed the need to help low-income countries grow their economies. In the last four years alone, high growth rates in China and India have meant that 233 million people no longer live in poverty. But poorest people in these countries must share in the gains of that growth, he said.

Kim cited a recent Oxfam International report that found the world’s richest 85 people have as much combined wealth as the poorest 3.6 billion.

“Shared prosperity is part of the Bank Group’s headline goals simply because it is required to end poverty,” Kim said.

“With so many Africans,

World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim with with Barron H. Harvey, dean of the Howard University School of Business

as well as Asians and Latin Americans, living in extreme poverty, this state of affairs is a stain on our collective conscience.”

The president talked about how the Ebola epidemic in West Africa underlines the importance of addressing inequality. “This pandemic shows the deadly cost of unequal access to basic services and the consequences of our failure to fix this problem,” Kim said.

The Bank Group has transferred US$105 million in emergency funding to Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone to fight Ebola — more money to date than any other international organization, the president said.

Overall, the Bank Group has committed US$400 million to support treatment and containment.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said that in a worst-case scenario, 1.4 million people could become infected with Ebola. “We must do all we can to prevent thousands more needless deaths and an economic catastrophe. … Our ability to boost shared prosperity in West Africa — and potentially the entire African continent — may be quickly disappearing,” Kim said.

“Unless we stop the infection’s spread now, there will be little prosperity to share, to say nothing of the number of people who will be unable to share in what remains.”

Boosting shared prosperity and tackling inequality requires two key steps on the World

Bank Group’s part, said Kim. The first is improving the understanding of how economic growth at the national level impacts development at the household level. This requires better and more precise data from low-income countries.

Secondly, the Bank Group should continue to evaluate the impact of its projects on low-income earners.

He gave the example of Bangladesh, where the Bank Group has helped to build and fix 3,000 kilometers of road. In just six years, he said, the average household income in those areas grew by 74% as roads connected communities to markets.

Areas that did not have access to these upgrades saw a 23% decline in average household income.

Kim said four strategies are integral to boosting shared prosperity: building human capital; constructing well-designed and implemented social safety nets; offering incentives for the private sector to create good jobs and implementing fiscally and environmentally sustainable policies to pursue those ends. In closing, Kim cited the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who he called “one of my heroes.”

King called poverty “a monstrous octopus” that “spread its nagging, prehensile tentacles into hamlets and villages all over our world.”

“If a man doesn’t have a job or an income,” the great civil rights leader said, “he has neither life, nor liberty, nor the possibility of happiness. He merely exists.”

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US joins fight to tackle gender-based violence in Guyana MPs fearful of Ebola, refuse trip to Cameroon

By Vahnu Manikchand

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he United States Embassy in Georgetown on Monday evening donated US$600,000 (GY$125,069,970) to three Civil Society Organisations to help fight gender-based violence.

The funds were handed out as the Embassy hosted a reception to raise awareness on the issue. The three organisations that received the grants were: the Roadside Baptist Skills Training Centre, which got US$89,962; ChildLink Incorporated which received US$99,999 and the largest sum – US$400,000 went to Red Thread.

The Embassy’s Chargé d’Affaires, Bryan Hunt, said that the grants will be used to enable the organisations to expand their existing grassroots work in order to prevent such acts and assist meaningfully its victims. He noted that while adequate strides have been made to end the scourge, there is still much more work to be done by removing the roadblocks that would enable women to get involved in the political,

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US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Bryan Hunt and representatives from the three organisations that received the monetary awards to raise awareness on gender-based violence

economic and social arenas.

Hunt emphasised the need for a global coalition inclusive of all stakeholders, such as Governments, civil society, private industry and individual men and women, to collectively respond and prevent gender-based violence.

“Doing more certainly includes raising awareness, changing societal attitudes, and offering care and support for victims of genderbased violence. It includes building more shelters, offering additional counselling to victims and their families, and assisting victims in achieving economic independence from their abusers. International

donors, civil society and the Private Sector can and should unquestionably assist in this area,” he stated.

Chairperson of the Gender and Equality Commission, Indra Chandarpal, reiterated the need for a collaborative effort to tackle gender-based violence, as she pointed out that Government alone or society on their own cannot do it. She further spoke about the need for community and religious leaders to play an active role in curbing this global pandemic by engaging in discussion with persons in society, particularly abusers.

She recalled that when the Commission was established years

Laparkan launches ‘You Shop, We Ship’ promotion

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From left are Yonette Jeffers, Nirmala Singh, Devina Singh and Sherry Singh at the launch of ‘You Shop, We Ship’ promotion.

aparkan Shipping last Friday launched a ‘You Shop, We Ship’ promotion at its Lombard Street, Georgetown location.

The promotion will allow online buyers to shop at the convenience of their own ‘Private Mail Box (PMB) with a secure private address’, where the consumer can even choose ocean freight, air freight or even home delivery.

The service is ideal and economically sensible for fast, direct delivery of packages. With the rate of US$1 or G$217, the service is a simple, attractive and easy step

with a uniquely personalised approach to the handling and management of a customer’s particular needs.

Grand Prize

Customers can ship this Christmas season with Laparkan using the Private Mail Box Services with the opportunity to win the grand prize of one 50” flat screen smart television, the second prize of one surround sound audio system and the third prize of one food hamper.

Sales and Marketing Manager, Yonette Jeffers said that “new private mail box users are automatically qualified – all they need to do is shop with Laparkan during

the period from October 1st through December 19th and they’re automatically entered to win.”

Additionally, Jeffers stated that customers can also purchase an item using their own credit card, and ship and clear through customs and have it delivered in Guyana.

Meanwhile, she advised online shoppers to sign up with Laparkan and get their private mailboxes where it is fast, reliable and safe to make their online purchases.

The drawing will be held on the 22nd December.

ago, gender-based violence was immediately picked up as a key area to focus on. Chandarpal noted that years ago domestic violence used to be treated as a “family affair” and persons tend to ignore it rather than get involved; however, there have been efforts over the years to remove such acts from the realm of the family and make them criminal offences.

The Chairwoman of the Commission disclosed that at a recent conference held on the same issue, it was revealed that Guyana is ahead regarding its legislation on the issue, but there was still much more to be done to eliminate the scourge. (vahnum@guyanatimesgy.com)

uyanese and other Caribbean Members of Parliament have refused to travel to the West African country of Cameroon for a conference owing to the growing threat of the Ebola Virus which has now entered the United States.

Speaker, Raphael Trotman told a news conference on Tuesday that a delegation from the Guyana Parliament was due to travel to the country. The delegation included: Transport Minister, Robeson Benn, Deputy Speaker, Basil Williams and Alliance For Change MP, Trevor Williams. The conference is being sponsored by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. “Because of obvious public health issues with Ebola, the decision was taken not to send that delegation and all members will remain in Guyana,” Trotman told reporters. According to him several other Caribbean countries that are part of the CPA have also opted to skip the conference.

Trotman said the concerns were not only with travelling to the region

but the hassle anticipated when returning.

“Coming back persons may be taken into room and examined and probably kept for a few days.”

Ebola virus disease is a serious infectious disease spread between humans from person to person. Infection is transmitted by direct or indirect contact with the blood, body fluids or secretions (stool, urine, saliva, semen) of infected people, but only when they show symptoms.

Ebola cannot be transmitted by air.

The disease usually has a high mortality rate, but in the current Ebola outbreak the rate ranges between 55 per cent and 60 per cent.

Ebola first appeared in 1976 in a village near the Ebola River in the Democratic Republic of Congo (former Zaire).

Since its detection, several Ebola outbreaks have occurred in different parts of Africa. In the Americas, the emergence of the Ebola virus has never been documented and there have not been any imported cases associated with the current outbreak to date.

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Trotman sodomy allegations:

Welshman to answer gag order in 10 days J

ohnny Welshman, the young man who has accused Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman of sexually assaulting him when he was younger, has been given 10 days to respond in an affidavit to claims that he made libellous statements against Trotman.

On Wednesday, acting Chief Justice Ian Chang granted Welshman leave to file his affidavit in response to a gag order and lawsuit filed against him by Trotman after he came forward with the revelations late last month.

The injunction prevents Welshman from making further allega-

tions against Trotman or repeating the allegations in public domain.

Trotman is being represented by Alliance For Change (AFC) Chairman, Attorney Nigel Hughes, while Welshman appeared on behalf of himself.

According to Welshman, he was also advised by Chang to seek legal representation.

Questioned by the media following an in-camera hearing, Welshman said he was prepared to face the law if his case fell through.

He said he has confidence that the law will rule in his favour given the overwhelming evidence he has.

He noted too that he

was prepared to take his case to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) and thereafter, the Privy Council, if he fails in his bid to have Trotman held responsible for his alleged atrocities.

“I am ready big time; I am ready to go to the CCJ or the Privy Council; I am ready for the fight,” remarked Welshman.

He also dispelled concerns that his actions might have some political motivations, pointing out that if that was the case, he would have had a barrage of attorneys with him when he went to court. He opined, however, that the notion that he was being politically motivated was being put out there simply

to “shove the issue under the rug”.

Again, Welshman affirmed that he had met with several sections of the media and journalists who refused to hear his pleas, but he plans to expose them in due time.

Welshman had told Guyana Times International that he had met with Kaieteur News Editor Adam Harris and spoke with a reporter, but the media house refused to carry his story, asking him to wait until a later date to come forward.

“If it comes to a point where I have to expose journalists and who and who and who, I will do it,” a defiant Welshman said.

A Yarrowkabra, Linden Highway man was now in Police custody, as he was one of the persons implicated in the assault allegations made

by Welshman.

A Division ( G e o r g e t o w n ) Commander Clifton Hicken had told this newspaper that the suspect is being questioned by members of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

He said that since the report was lodged, an investigation was launched, while disclosing that there were no eyewitnesses to support the young man’s claims.

Trotman on Tuesday avoided answering questions on the shocking child molestation allegations against him during a news conference at his office.

He had said earlier that “unfortunately, Welshman seems to have been conveniently encouraged by manipulative and diabolic political forces”.

“There is absolutely

Johnny Welshman exiting the Chambers of the Chief Justice

no truth in the allegation, and I am confident that the masterminds and supporters of this dastardly plot will soon be exposed.

“I call for a thorough and professional investigation into this scurrilous allegation. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble,” he said.

Jamaica looks to export pork

- as local industry booms

K

INGSTON, JAMAICA: Chief Technical Director in Jamaica’s Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Dervan Spence, has lauded local pig farmers for creating a “self-sufficient pork industry”.

Spence, who was speaking at the 12th annual general meeting of the Jamaica Pig Farmers Association (JPFA) held in Mandeville last Thursday, said Jamaica produces nearly 10 million kilograms of pork annually, which is more than enough to satisfy local consumption.

He noted that this independence from importing pork and pork products, exemplifies, in several ways, the goal of the government to achieve food and nutrition security.

“We are seeking to ensure sustainable food security and the aim is to attain self-sufficiency in many areas. We are now looking at that in Irish potato and several other crops coming on stream, and the plan is to target the expansion of the export sector, once we have satisfied the local market,” Spence indicated.

He noted that having successfully increased production to sustainable levels, the pork industry can now lead the way in terms of expansion into export markets and diversification of product lines.

The chief technical director gave the pig farmers the assurance, that the government has every intention to build on and preserve the gains that have been made. (JIS)

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EU, Spain, IDB to help Caribbean Decriminalisation of develop renewable energy homosexuality in TT still

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EW YORK, U N I T E D S T A T E S : The Inter America Development Bank (IDB) says it is prepared to work with donor organisations and countries to avoid duplication on projects as the Caribbean seeks to reinforce collaboration in the field of renewable energy.

“Our long and close relationship with the Caribbean has allowed us to gain extensive knowledge of the region’s current conditions and future needs and of what it will take to achieve its en-

ergy targets,” said IDB President Luis Alberto Moreno following the signing of a joint declaration involving the European Union, Spain and the IDB on energy efficiency in the Caribbean.

The IDB noted that renewable energy and energy efficiency can help the Caribbean accelerate its development, mitigate the impacts of climate change and achieve greater energy security.

“By renewing its commitment to renewable energy and energy efficiency, the partnership will work to foster

conditions for attracting more investments in sustainable energy; identifying, replicating and scaling up best practices, and coordinating policies and activities among Caribbean states,” the IDB said.

It added that the renewed collaboration will also explore opportunities such as involving the private sector and civil society in energy-related efforts, and promoting the use of sustainable energy technologies and solutions to limit the negative consequences of energy generation, among other issues. (Caribbean News)

Caribbean hoping to boost China trade

A

Members of the Caribbean delegation and their Chinese counterparts

contingent of representatives from four of the Region’s Business Support Organisations (BSOs) participated in the Eighth China-LAC Business Summit in Changsha, September 12-13, supported by the Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export).

The Summit is the promotion mechanism and platform of economic and trade cooperation between China and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).

The mission to China, led by Donville Inniss, Minister of Industry, International Business, Commerce and Small Business Development for Barbados, sought to build relations, discover new potential trading partners and promote the Caribbean for viable investment opportunities.

Speaking at the China-LAC Summit, Minister Inniss noted that the areas for future cooperation between China and the Caribbean included financial services, logistics, tourism and hotel development, agribusiness and infrastructure

development.

The participation of these BSOs – JAMPRO, InvestSVG, the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Chamber of Commerce of Haiti, is an important step towards not only strengthening the capacity of the BSOs to understand the Chinese market but also to enable the BSOs to work with the Region’s private sector to strategically target and penetrate the Chinese market for exports and investments.

Increased access The Caribbean delegates also took the opportunity to further discussions with the Tianjin authorities and business groups on investment and prospects for future trading relations. Meetings with the China Ministry of Commerce, and in particular the International Trade Development Bureau, enabled the discussion on the support that could be offered to the Caribbean allowing for increased access of Caribbean products into the Chinese market.

In addition, talks with the China Development Bank led to enlight-

enment as to how the Caribbean could access available resources in China earmarked for infrastructure development, as well as commercially viable projects in the Caribbean.

Another key meeting that was held during the mission was with ChinaGoAbroad whose members-only platform provides information and connections for Chinese companies as well as their global counterparts seeking international business partners, investment opportunities and joint ventures in a variety of sectors. Future collaboration with these partners will be led by Caribbean Export as the Agency seeks to strategically position the Region for trade and investments from China.

Caribbean Export is a regional export development and trade and investment promotion organisation of the Forum of Caribbean States (CARIFORUM) currently executing the Regional Private Sector Programme (RPSDP) funded by the European Union under the 10th European Development Fund (EDF).

off the cards - PM Kamla

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O R T - O F S P A I N , TRINIDAD: Trinidad and Tobago’s criminalisation of men who have sex with men (MSM) will remain in legal force for the foreseeable future of the People’s Partnership government.

Word of this came from Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar, who insists that the question of decriminalisation should be considered by the people of Trinidad and Tobago, and not her government.

Her remarks came in response to a question posed by Lakshmi Singh, an NPR journalist, at a Trinidad and Tobago Investment Conference in Manhattan, New York. Singh pressed Persad-Bissessar for a response on the issue in light of an increased gay-rights lobby for the decriminalisation of same-sex relations in the Caribbean.

“I think this is an issue that is not for the government to decide at this time in our coun-

TT’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar (Caribbean News photo)

try. It is an issue that the people must decide and…therefore may require a referendum to get the views of the people. Our personal views are not good enough”, the Prime Minister responded.

She noted that proposals to decriminalise MSM had previously been included in a draft national gender policy by the former Patrick Manning-led government, but that the policy “failed to see the light of day” due to rife opposition. Persad-Bissessar

indicated that she was met with even further opposition when her government later picked up the same policy to disseminate for discussion–particularly from the islands’ Roman Catholic groups.

Despite affirming that her government will not decriminalise homosexuality without a mandate from citizens, the Prime Minister further claims that her government cannot instigate a referendum process either.

“It’s not legally possible”, Persad-Bissessar related in response to questions from journalists on the legality of a national vote.

The Prime Minister, herself a Senior Counsel, did not clarify her views on the legal impediments to a referendum, but further told journalists that it would not be “prudent” for the government to head in that direction at this time.

“There’s no consensus on an issue as sensitive as that”, she concluded. (Excerpted from Caribbean News)

12 news Guyana values immensely contributions from its Diaspora WEEK ENDING October 5, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

– Dr Singh tells Guyanese residing in California

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overnment has not given up on Guyanese who have migrated from the country during times of hardship, but is rather proud of their achievements in their adopted homes, Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh told a large gathering of Guyanese in Los Angeles, California on September 28.

“The Guyanese Diaspora has distinguished itself wherever it has gone, whether it is in academic or professional accomplishments, whether it is in civic and political affairs, whether it is in business or entrepreneurial activities, … but in every field of endeavour, Guyanese nationals and Caribbean nationals in their adopted homes have distinguished themselves, and we are immensely proud of what they have accomplished and the contribution they have made

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh addressing members of the Guyanese Diaspora in California

in their adoptive homes,” Singh was quoted by the Government Information Agency (GINA) as saying.

Dr Singh had accompanied President Donald Ramotar’s delegation to the 69th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, and the team took the opportunity to meet with the Guyanese Diaspora in the United States. The President himself had addressed Guyanese audiences in New York and

Washington, DC. In addressing the mostly professional members of the audience, the Finance Minister noted that with the passage of time and the proliferation of technology, members of the diaspora are no longer disconnected from their homelands. He pointed to the instantaneous manner in which the Internet allows Guyanese abroad to communicate with their loved ones at home, and the swiftness with which

they can access information on current activities in Guyana. This, he said, has also helped Guyanese and Guyanese organisations overseas to make meaningful and timely contributions to their country.

Richer engagement

“Today’s interconnected, connected wired world allows Diaspora communities like yourself to remain in touch with your source country, your homeland Guyana and al-

low you, I believe, to have a far richer engagement and a more substantial contribution, and we are delighted to see that communities like yours have seized that opportunity,” Dr Singh said.

“I want to say to you that we value immensely that contribution, not only the tangible contribution in helping to build hospitals and so on, but you have an important role to play too in ensuring Guyana is represented,

the Guyanese flag is flown proudly, that you are good ambassadors”.

He also pointed to the significant importance of Guyanese living abroad in ensuring Guyana maintains its rightful place in the global community and advocating the country’s interest at every possible forum.

The Finance Minister stressed that Guyana needs the advocacy of its diaspora to tackle the legislative challenges facing the country at this point in time. He also spoke of Guyana’s progress in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and reiterated the Government’s commitment to moving Guyana to a place where all Guyanese can enjoy maximum social benefits. However, he noted that Government alone cannot achieve this, and, as such, looks forward to the continued contribution of the Diaspora.

Govt dismisses claims of rice sector crisis

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major rice miller is contending that the rice industry is in crisis, but Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy said although there are problems in the sector, the industry has been breaking records over the years.

Former Chief Executive Officer of Alesie Rice Mill, Thurane Doerga, took his disagreement with

the Ministry to the home of the Opposition on Tuesday where he held a news conference at the Leader of the Opposition’s Office.

Doerga claims that countries like Panama and Venezuela are receiving rice for prices way below the set market price. He added that whenever private entities like his business ship rice to those countries, they

are often greeted with the statement that the Government is selling them the same rice at a cheaper price.

He noted when such things happen, farmers and private entities suffer because they will be forced to produce twice the amount of rice in order to reach their allocated budget. Doerga also claimed that it was him who struck the deal with Venezuela and now

he has little or no say over the deal, since the Government has now taken it over. He told the news conference that at a recent meeting with rice farmers, he was escorted out of the room due to his disagreement with decisions that were being made.

Disruption However, in a statement, the Agriculture Ministry said that at no time was Doerga escort-

Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy

ed by security out of a recent meeting, which saw farmers and millers having consensus on the current rice crop and prices. According to the Ministry, during the meeting, Minister Ramsammy, in relation to complaints of low prices being paid to farmers for paddy by some millers, announced that based on the Rice Factories Act, the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) will proceed to audit the books of rice millers. Such a move by the GRDB will bring closure to the perception that millers are not making huge profits. “This move didn’t go down well with some millers, including Doerga who interjected,” the Ministry said.

According to the Ministry, during the discussion, the allocation of quotas for the Venezuelan market was also addressed. It was pointed out that this quota allocation was discussed with the Millers Association on several occasions. “Mr Doerga then refuted that claim that a Millers Association exists even after several of his colleagues clarified that they are indeed part of the Association who meet often.”

The Ministry’s statement noted that a comment was also made by an official of the GRDB, adding weight that the Association does exist.

“Mr Doerga then accused the official of being in partnership with the Association and involved in biased distribution of quota with the Millers Association.”

It was at this stage, the Ministry said Doerga was asked to issue an apology for the misleading statement which he refused to do and continued to behave in a disorderly manner.

The Ministry said after repeated requests from several millers, including Nazeemul Hakh of Golden Fleece Rice Investment, Doerga left the meeting but not before threatening to go to the Opposition.

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Guyana police burn huge ganja fields in Haurauni

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s members of the Police Narcotics Branch continue their drug eradication exercises throughout the country, more than 17,000 cannabis plants were destroyed at Haurauni, Soesdyke/ Linden Highway on Friday last.

In addition to the marijuana plants, which range from one foot to eight feet in height, 25 nurseries containing approximately 9000 seedlings were destroyed, along with seven camps.

The size of the marijuana field was estimated at 15 acres. At the time of the raid, no one was arrested.

Earlier in the year, a

The Police Narcotics Branch destroyed more than 17,000 cannabis plants at Haurauni, Soesdyke/Linden Highway on Friday last

total of 10 acres of marijuana was destroyed at Yarrowkabra, LindenSoesdyke Highway, resulting in two men being arrested and charged.

The two fields contained approximately 100,000 cannabis sativa plants, ranging in height

from three feet to 10 feet.

Along with the illegal plants, several nurseries, a large quantity of seedlings, and three camps were destroyed.

No weapons were found.

Earlier this year, in April, Police ranks conducted a drug eradica-

Our goal is to regain the parliamentary majority – Rohee

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eneral Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Clement Rohee, this week pointed out that the party is focusing on regaining its majority in parliament and is quite optimistic about doing so. His comments came at the party’s weekly press briefing at Freedom House in Georgetown.

“Our political goal and ambition is to regain our one-seat majority in the parliament. We in the PPP are supreme optimists and we are looking to the future with great optimism with respect to representation in the National Assembly,” he remarked.

Meanwhile, Rohee noted however since the last elections, the political Opposition has “targeted and shut down” every single developmental initiative that was taken by the Government.

“Not to mention the sniping that takes place from time to time with respect to issues of corruption, etc.”

President Donald Ramotar a few months back similarly slammed the parliamentary political Opposition, comprising the A Partnership for

Guyana’s Parliament in session

National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC), for their “callous and brutal assault” on several crucial national developmental projects in Budget 2014.

“The Opposition has demonstrated by their cuts that they are opposed to development.

This is evident by the fact that they are attacking important national infrastructural and developmental projects for narrow and selfish political interests,” Ramotar had told sections of the media.

The President had said he was “baffled” as to the reason behind the Opposition’s cutting “willynilly” some of the most important projects in the budget.

He also expressed alarm at the Opposition’s obvious “double standards” whereby, on one hand, they are voicing their support for a sector such as Tourism; yet on the other, they have cut funds for the important Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) expansion project, which is crucial to the development of tourism in Guyana.

The APNU and AFC, in their relentless efforts to cut funding for the ex-

pansion and modernisation of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, have also cut funding for the upgrading of hinterland and coastal airstrips, the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority and the Ogle Aerodrome, among several other key projects.

tion exercise, destroying a field of cannabis sativa on a half-acre plot of land at Old England, Upper Demerara River.

Approximately 5000 marijuana plants, ranging from one foot to four feet were discovered. An abandoned camp was also destroyed, along with the illegal plants

but no arrest was made.

Then in June of this year, Police also conducted a drug eradication operation at Ann’s Grove Backdam, East Coast Demerara. A half-acre field of some 60 marijuana plants, ranging in height from one foot to six feet were found and destroyed. Again, no one

was arrested.

The Police Narcotics Branch is continuing to put a dent in the drug trade with the help of other drug enforcement units. Thus far in the year, several persons have been charged for the possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

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Parties gearing up for debate on No-confidence Motion

By Svetlana Marshall

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ven as the three main political parties gear up to debate the historic No-Confidence Motion against the Government, the Parliament Office has confirmed that the Motion is on the Order Paper.

Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs on Tuesday said though a date has not been set for the reconvening of the National Assembly, the NoConfidence Motion has been placed on the Order Paper. Shortly after October 10, the National

Assembly will reconvene from its August recess.

Days before the House went into recess, the Alliance For Change (AFC) submitted the No-Confidence Motion to National Assembly against the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government. On Tuesday, AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan told Guyana Times International that his party will be proceeding with the motion during the first sitting. “It will be the first and only sitting,” he posited, noting that the Opposition

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds

APNU Chief Whip Amna Ally

would be moving ahead “full force”.

Though the PPP/C would want the 65 Members of the National Assembly to debate the historic motion,

Ramjattan said this would not be permitted, explaining that only a percentage of the members would debate. The mover of the motion, Moses Nagamootoo will

be debating the motion, Ramjattan said, in addition to Cathy Hughes for the AFC. “We will prove that the Opposition is united on this motion,” the AFC Leader declared, as he said the smile on Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee’s face would be transformed into a frown. “They (People’s Progressive Party/Civic) would have uncontrollable tears running down their faces,” he opined.

Wholehearted support

A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Chief Whip Amna Ally said the APNU would be supporting the No-Confidence Motion “wholeheartedly”. “Our position has not changed,” Ally told this newspaper during an interview on Tuesday. According to the APNU Chief Whip, due to the fact that the No-Confidence Motion is a “normal motion”, it would be debated in a similar fashion, allowing for only key Members of Parliament to represent their parties.

The AFC had proceeded to submit the NoConfidence Motion to the Clerk of the National Assembly after securing the support of the APNU. However, eyebrows were raised when Opposition Leader David Granger presented President Donald Ramotar with an ultimatum for the holding of the long-awaited Local Government Elections.

The coalition was accused of backpedalling on the No-Confidence Motion, as it feared that it may lose the next General and Regional

Elections.

When contacted, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds said that the PPP/C is more concerned about passing the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) and the establishment of the Amaila Falls Hydropower Plant. “We are concerned about nation building, the development of our country,” the Prime Minister stressed.

Since 2013, the AML/ CFT Bill was sent to the Parliamentary Special Select Committee; to date, it is yet to return to the House for debate and passage. Though APNU, the AFC and the PPP/C have agreed on the AML/ CFT Bill of 2013, they have fundamental differences on the amendments made to the Principal Act of 2009.

Due to its continuous failure to meet the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) deadlines, the country has been handed over to the international Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

Prime Minister Hinds has made it clear that the PPP/C will “respond more than adequately,” when the motion arises in the House for debate. He is of the opinion that all members of the House would be given the opportunity to debate the motion.

If the motion is successfully debated and passed, President Donald Ramotar would be forced to dissolve Parliament, paving the way for General Elections within 90 days. (svetlanam@ guyanatimesgy.com)

19-year-old sentenced to three years for narcotics trafficking

A

19-year-old was on Wednesday sentenced to three years imprisonment and fined Gy$30,000, after pleading guilty to possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

Jermaine Dowridge pleaded guilty to the offence when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts which stated that on Monday, September 29 at Arangan Landing, Cuyuni River, Region Seven, he had in his possession 295 grams of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.

The court was made to understand that on the day in question at around 01:00h, the Police were at Arangan Landing where they saw the defendant acting in a suspicious manner. They

stopped him and conducted a search. Upon searching the defendant, a plastic bag which he was walking with contained the illicit drug.

Police claimed the bag contained leaves, seeds and stems they suspected to be cannabis.

The Haslington, East Coast Demerara resident told the court he was sorry and begged for mercy, explaining that he had no money and a man asked him to take “this” (meaning the plastic bag) to a shop and in return he would pay for him to leave the interior.

The Chief Magistrate explained to Dowridge that pleading guilty to such a charge has a mandatory penalty which she cannot change but the first timer maintained his guilty plea.

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Transatlantic slave trade memorial will send powerful message – UNESCO Director General

Jamaican, Guyanese and TT nationals shortlisted for ACP top post

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he United Nations took one more step on Friday towards constructing a permanent commemoration to the horrors of the transatlantic slave trade in what the head of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) said would be “a message of hope, of tolerance, of human dignity”.

At a high-level ceremony on the margins of the UN General Assembly, the representatives of six nations – The Netherlands, New Zealand, Qatar, Senegal, Jamaica and Spain – marked the financing of The Ark of Return, the new memorial which is expected to be unveiled on the grounds of the UN’s Headquarters in New York in the beginning of 2015.

Speaking at the event, UNESCO’s Director General Irina Bokova highlighted the memorial’s role as “a powerful symbol” and said UNESCO was “deeply honoured” to have been associated with the coordination of the process by which the memorial was selected.

The Ark of Return is the design of Rodney Leon,

The island of Gorée, Senegal, which from the 15th to the 19th Century was the largest slave-trading centre on the African coast (Photo: UNESCO/Dominique Roger)

also the architect and designer of the African Burial Ground National Monument in Manhattan.

It was selected as the winner of an international UNESCO-led competition in August 2013.

Maher Nasser, acting Undersecretary General of the UN Department of Public Information – the body that manages the UN’s Remember Slavery commemorative programme – was equally humbled by the role the memorial would play in ensuring that the legacy of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade is not forgotten.

“The memorial will be an important addition to UN Headquarters complex when it is built,” he told those gathered, “and it will send a powerful message on the need to

remain vigilant about the dangers of racism and racial discrimination today”.

In his remarks, Ambassador Tete Antonio, the representative of the African Union to the UN, similarly described the inauguration of the memorial as “a momentous time in the history of the United Nations”.

“The overwhelming support of member states is evident today in the generous contributions that continue to flow into the trust fund for the construction of the Ark of Return,” Antonio noted.

“This is a symbol set in marble that will stand high on the grounds of the United Nations for generations to come lest we forget.”

The project is funded through voluntary contributions from member

states, complemented by funding from foundations and private individuals. A trust fund account is administered by the Fund of the UN Office for Partnerships.

As at September 15, pledges and contributions to the fund stand at about US$1.5 million, leaving a minimal funding gap of approximately $500,000 to complete the project as planned. It is the aim of the Permanent Memorial Committee that the shortfall should be raised by the end of 2014 given the current trend.

Over 70 member states have supported the project to date and the Permanent Memorial Committee appeals to others to join the group of contributors in order to bring the project to completion.

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Dr Patrick Ignatius Gomes

hree candidates from Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica have been shortlisted for the post of Secretary General of the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) grouping.

Informed sources said Guyana’s Brussels-based Ambassador to the ACP, Dr Patrick Ignatius Gomes; Jamaica’s Patricia Francis, the former Executive Director of the International Trade Centre (ITC); and Dr Hamid Ghany, a political scientist and senior lecturer at the St Augustine campus of the University of the West

Indies (UWI) have been shortlisted for the post.

St Vincent and the Grenadines, Haiti and Suriname had also named candidates for the top ACP post.

Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett is quoted by a local website as saying she is “happy that the process has advanced for selecting the Secretary General of the ACP”.

The website also quoted Suriname’s candidate Rabin Parmessar as saying the Dutch-speaking Caribbean Community (Caricom) country would have preferred just one candidate named for the post.

“It’s time for the Caribbean region to show their teeth. It is our turn to appoint a SG for the ACP, and we have opposed to the idea to name three candidates for the ACP Ministerial Council to vote on, instead of just present one candidate,” he told the website.

Caribbean leaders are yet to publicly confirm the names of the shortlisted candidates, keeping the matter very closely guarded.

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WEEK ENDING October 5, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Albouystown shooting‌

Post-mortem report missing from file sent to PCA

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olice Complaints Authority (PCA) Chairman Cecil Kennard on Monday disclosed that while he is in receipt of the file with respect to the shooting to death of Adrian Bishop, 28, the postmortem examination report is missing.

The former justice told Guyana Times International that the report plays an important part in the matter.

Based on the report submitted to the PCA Chairman, it is alleged that the gun went off accidently, but with the post-mortem examination, it is likely to determine if that was the case.

He also noted that there is one witness whose statement is entirely different from what the Police said had occurred. There are a total of 12 statements to be perused before he makes his recommendations to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Backup

However, Guyana Times International understands that Bishop

the Office of Professional Responsibly (OPR) was called in to investigate the matter, and as such, compiled the report which was sent to the PCA. Bristol was shot to the neck while he allegedly attempted to relieve a Police rank of his shotgun. He was arrested on Saturday evening for a robbery under arms offence.

Assault report

Dead: Adrian Bishop

and the Police rank who had called for backup shared a relationship and on the night of the incident, they had met at a dance in Hill Street, Albouystown.

The report that was submitted to the PCA Chairman stated that on the night of the incident, the now dead man attempted to throw a bottle at her.

It was this time, she contacted her colleagues who were in the area and reported the matter. The young man was arrested and placed in the minibus where he was subsequently shot.

After the incident,

19

However, after the shooting incident, the Police in a release stated that ranks of a mobile Police patrol responded to a report received from a Policewoman, stating that a suspect who was wanted for robbery under arms had assaulted her in Albouystown, Georgetown.

The Police, accompanied by a reporter, went to Hill Street, Albouystown, where Bishop was pointed out to them.

Bishop was informed of the allegation against him and was arrested and placed in the Police vehicle.

The Police added that continued on page 20

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PPP/C favours national Post-mortem democratic model of governance report missing from file...

A s it moves towards the establishment of a national democracy, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) said it will be utilising the National Democratic Model of Governance. PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee made this disclosure at Freedom House on Monday.

“The process of national democracy can only fulfill its full potential if all the political and social forces come to the table to determine the role in which it would wish to play in this process of national democracy,” Rohee said.

But even as the PPP/C champions the cause for shared governance in Guyana, the General Secretary made it clear that it must be built on trust. He explained that a model of national democracy cannot be built in an atmosphere that is polluted with a high degree of distrust.

He said shared governance cannot be achieved overnight, given the “charged atmosphere”, positing that the Opposition must first wipe its slate clean and indicate what model of shared governance would be placed on the table.

“As far as I am aware, I haven’t seen any model coming from the Opposition.”

PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee

He also slammed the Opposition, saying that they are now sheepishly singing from the PPP/C’s hymn book in an attempt to take credit for something they rejected from the inception.

“This posture is nothing but another ploy to distract public attention from its internal problems and media attention generated as a consequence of damning allegations made against a senior executive of that party,” Rohee said as he alluded to the Alliance For Change (AFC).

Road blocks

According to him, Guyanese ought to guard themselves against those who continue to hinder the country’s economic and social fabric by putting road blocks in the path of developmental projects. He said the

obstructionists tactics employed by the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and AFC have “harmed” Guyanese, in particular the young population.

He emphasised that it was the PPP/C that first initiated the notion of “political and ideological pluralism” and inclusive governance; a concept which would allow for Guyanese to be integrally involved in the process of national development.

“This party wishes to reiterate that it is fully committed to a Government of National Unity and will do everything within its powers to bring together the diverse people of Guyana in an effort to harness their collective energy towards the realisation of the national motto of One People, One Nation, One Destiny.”

PPP/C has been holding consultations with stakeholders on the notion of national governance. In earlier statements, Rohee said Guyanese are being assured that they will benefit significantly from higher levels of transparency and accountability through shared governance.

Shared governance has been a long debated subject in Guyana, dating back to 1957 when the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) un-

der the leadership of the late Dr Cheddi Jagan attempted to form a broad united front to contest the General Elections; a move which would have seen a Government of National Unity. At the time, Prime Minister Linden Forbes Burnham had rejected the notion of “shared governance”.

But approximately 54 years after, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) reintroduced the concept, calling for a Government of National Unity. APNU is a coalition which is dominated by the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR); a party formed following the 1957 General Elections by Burnham.

APNU has come in for high criticisms, not because it championed the cause for “shared governance” months ahead of the 2011 General and Regional Elections, but because it has failed to advance the notion.

Back in 2011, the coalition comprising the PNCR, the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), Guyana Action Party (GAP) and National Front Alliance (NFA) had said that constitutional and institutional reforms were necessary for the realisation of shared governance.

from page 19

while being transported to the Police station, he held on to a Policeman and attempted to relieve him of his shotgun, resulting in a struggle during which, he was shot to the neck. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

On the contrary, Adrine Mc Almont, the mother of the dead man is holding out that her son was cold-boldly murdered by a Police rank. She said based on reports she received, the young man was shot once to the neck while he was sitting in a silver grey “Pitbull” used by the Police.

She is contending that the shooting stemmed from jealousy involving a Policewoman with whom her son shared a relation.

It was reported that after the Policewoman saw the young man at the party with another woman, she started an argument and it was during this time, she called for Police back up, claiming that Bishop was wanted in connection with a robbery.

Meanwhile, the Police had implicated Bishop in several crime-related activities. He was placed on Gy$100,000 bail for an offence of carjacking. He came out of the lock ups on September 5 after he posted bail.

On September 7, he was reportedly riding to his mother’s house on Garnett Street when Police intercepted and took him into custody after he did not have a license to ride the motorcycle. A traffic matter, she noted was changed to armed robbery.

NEWS

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GDF officer charged with causing death of colleague

The deceased: Lieutenant Ronald Gonsalves

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wenty-six-year-old Antonio Eastman was granted Gy$200,000 bail after being arraigned on a charge of causing of death by dangerous driving.

The Army Lieutenant stationed at Camp Ayanganna appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Priya SewnarineBeharry.

It is alleged that on November 1, 2013, he drove motor vehicle PPP 2210 along Mandela Avenue, Georgetown, in a manner dangerous to the public causing the death of Lieutenant Ronald Gonsalves, 31.

Eastman was represented by defence counsel, who told the court that his client is not a flight risk and requested reasonable bail. Police Prosecutor Michael Grant had no objections to bail.

L i e u t e n a n t Gonsalves, a father of two of Linden, was killed

The accused: Lieutenant Antonio Eastman

after the car he was travelling in crashed into a utility pole on Mandela Avenue in the vicinity of the Rubis Gas Station, last November.

According to persons on the scene, the car was heading along Mandela Avenue at a fast pace when it suddenly slammed into the utility pole splitting it in two, with splinters plunging through the car window and fatally injuring the officer.

Three other Army officers: Lieutenant John Flores, Lieutenant Eastman (the driver) and Lieutenant Rickford Warden were also injured in the accident.

They were listed as stable at the Georgetown Public Hospital where they were rushed for medical attention.

Gonsalves is survived by his two children and his wife. Eastman will make his second court appearance on October 21 at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Audit Office completes two reports on remigrant scam A

fter months of investigations, the Office of the Auditor General has completed two reports on alleged scams in the Government-run Remigrant Scheme involving senior Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) officials and some remigrants.

Speaking with Guyana Times International on Tuesday, Auditor General Deodat Sharma disclosed that the two reports have been submitted to the GRA Board. He noted one was completed about a month ago and the other was recently handed over to the Board. The Auditor General said that investigations are still ongoing in the issue. He opted not to reveal any findings of the probe until the Board completes its review. Sharma explained that his office is probing the scheme all the way back to its establishment in 2010 to find whether the applicants are complying with the stipulated three-year stay and other requirements outlined in the scheme.

When contacted, GRA Commissioner-General Khurshid Sattaur told this newspaper that the Board after receiving the reports handed him copies for review before discussions commence. Sattaur said that his legal and investigative teams are looking at the contents of the report and examining the recommendations ahead of appearing before the Board to discuss the report.

“We are examining the report in details, looking at the recommendations so that when we go before the Board, we will be able to advise them on which recommendations can be acted on and be implemented,” the GRA head stated. The GRA Board meets at

Auditor General Deodat Sharma

GRA Commissioner General Khurshid Sattaur

least once every month and according to Sattaur, if he completes his assessment by the time the next meeting is scheduled, then the report will be examined by the Board.

The remigrant programme initiative seeks to create a framework for overseas-based Guyanese to come back and make meaningful contributions to their birthplace.

The remigrant scheme is administered by the Foreign Affairs Ministry in conjunction with the GRA. The Ministry is responsible for determining and granting remigration status to applicants, while the GRA administers the tax exemptions under the act.

Under the remigrant scheme, a Guyanese who is 18 and older, who has been residing legally overseas for a minimum of five consecutive years and is now returning to Guyana, can benefit.

Also, Guyanese students/graduates who have attended or are attending a training institution and residing overseas for a minimum of four years and are now returning to Guyana, can also benefit.

Expanded probe

In an exclusive interview with this newspaper, Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn RodriguesBirkett had said that the Ministry had been forced to revoke the remigrant status of several persons under the programme, since it was discovered that they were using the scheme for bringing in all manner of luxury vehicles and other items and not really resettle in the country. Initially, the Minister said that the probe was to focus on that aspect of the alleged fraud; however, it has expanded to include whether persons are actually living in Guyana after attaining remigrant status.

NIS expenditure pegged at G$1B C

hairman of the National I n s u r a n c e Scheme (NIS) Dr. Roger Luncheon on Monday called on workers of the scheme to recommit to providing services of an impeccable standard to the people whom they serve, and to execute their duties in such a way so as not to expose the institution to criticisms and ridicule.

He was at the time speaking in his capacity as Chairman of NIS’s Board at a ceremony in commemoration of the scheme’s 45th anniversary. Speaking of NIS’s public image, Dr. Luncheon said that the scheme like many other organisations has not escaped unscathed from the proclivity of some sections of society to tear down and ridicule.

“It is our 45th year and there is so much for us to be proud of, but at

Chairman of the Board of the National Insurance Scheme, Dr Roger Luncheon with senior officials from the scheme and students who have been awarded bursaries

the end of the day we have to be careful to safeguarding the honour, integrity and image of this scheme and not be adopting reckless approaches that would threaten the very image that has so laboriously been established through the efforts over the decades of so many people and organisations,” Dr. Luncheon

said, according to a Government Information Agency (GINA) release.

He noted that NIS must be able to clearly identify what it has accomplished over the years as well as where it has fallen short.

This he said is only on the basis of this type of individual and collective organisational self-

assessment that the scheme will be able to move forward and continue to improve.

NIS collects over Gy$1B per month in contributions and spends a similar amount in the payment of benefits. The Chairman noted that very few institutions in Guyana could boast of conducting financial ac-

tivities of this scale. He called on management and staff to strengthen their resolve to continue to move the work of the scheme forward in the same steadfast way it has been promoted over the past years.

Over the 45 years, NIS has moved from a level of unsophistication to expanding its services and making significant strides in the process of technology application.

Dr Luncheon said that going forward into the future, the focus must be on preserving the scheme and ensuring its financial viability.

Going forward too, steps will be taken to reform the legislation and statutes that govern the scheme so as to open up broader vistas that would allow for it to address the issue of workers’ social security in the most comprehensive of ways. Dr. Luncheon add-

ed that legislative interventions will ensure that the scheme remains relevant.

Meanwhile, NIS’s General Manager, Doreen Nelson said that the scheme continues to strive to meet its commitment to the workforce in accordance with its mission statement and provide the social security required at this time.

Tasked with ensuring the registration of workers, the receipt of contributions and the payment of benefits, NIS has, over the past 45 years, registered over 27,700 employers, 660,000 employed persons and 29, 900 self-employed persons.

However, Nelson explained only approximately 16 percent of the employers, 18 percent employed persons and 29 percent of the people in the self-employed category are still active in 2014.

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Rodney panel “iffy” about sitting during debate on No-confidence vote

By Alexis Rodney

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ommissioners probing the circumstances surrounding the death of Dr Walter Rodney have registered some degree of concern regarding the effect the pending Noconfidence Motion will have on their investigation, which is expected to resume later this month.

Sources close to the Rodney CoI reveal that the debate set for the National Assembly this month may affect the work of the three Caribbean Commissioners probing the death of Dr Rodney.

The three-member tribunal, which comprises its Chairman, Barbadian Queen’s Counsel Richard Cheltenham, Jamaican Queen’s Counsel Jacqueline SamuelsBrown and Trinidadbased Guyanese Senior Counsel Seenath Jairam are tasked with examining the facts and making a judgment on who might have been responsible for the explosion on June 13, 1980.

The Commission of Inquiry (CoI), sponsored

by Head of State Donald Ramotar, sets out to bring an end to all speculation on who might have killed the Working People’s

Dr Walter Rodney

Alliance (WPA) leader as fingers have always been pointed in the direction of the People’s National

Congress (PNC), which governed the country during that period.

Sources told Guyana Times International that the Commissioners, while not making it public, are already asking questions about the Noconfidence Motion and the Commission of Inquiry.

Guyana is expected to see a major shakeup, a first in the history of the republic, when, if the motion is passed, the ruling administration will have to leave office and make way for national elections in three months’ time.

Commissioners, tasked with probing the death of the historian

and WPA co-founder, are somewhat concerned about the repercussions the No-confidence Motion will have on the investigation.

According to a source, the No-confidence Motion will have its repercussions and Commissioners have indicated that they wish not to be tangled up in the political masquerade which will ensue as a result.

The No-confidence Motion against the Donald Ramotar Administration was tabled by the Alliance For Change in early August.

The major Opposition political party, the A

Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has also indicated its full support for the motion.

Meanwhile, an influx of overseas witnesses is geared to headline the sixth round of the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry when it resumes. Among them will be Donald Rodney, the only witness to the June 13, 1980 bombing which claimed the life of his older brother.

A few former members for the WPA will also appear. This is according to head of the Walter Rodney Secretariat Hugh Denbow, when he spoke to GTI on Monday.

Indian Classical singer to perform in Guyana I nternationally acclaimed Indian singer Indira Naik is set to make her first performances in the Caribbean during October.

The great classical singer, together with her troupe, is expected to visit Guyana during October 27-30 as part of a tour which takes her to Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Barbados and St Vincent.

Naik’s visit is being organised by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), New Delhi, India, and the Indian High Commission in Guyana (IHC) is coordinating the Guyana leg of the tour with the Anna Catherina Islamic Complex (ACIC) and the Guyana United Sadr Islamic Anjuman (GUSIA).

Two shows are slated for October 28 at a

Indira Naik and her band during one of her previous performances

venue to be announced in the city and another on the lawns of the famed ACIC, West Coast Demerara on October 29.

Indian High Commissioner to Guyana Venkatachalam Mahalingam is spearheading the organising of the visit himself, together with the Director of the Indian Cultural Centre, AK Chaterjee.

The local Muslim community is being represented by a committee led by ACIC’s President

General Hakeem Khan.

In a genre dominated by soul-stirring greats like Mehdi Hassan, Ghulam Ali, late Jagjit Singh and Pankaj Udhas, she is a true female counterpart – one whose ‘dard’ and ‘ehsaas’ are comparable to the greats.

The singer whose voice is an instrument of beauty and power, of earthy sweetness and stark sensuality, evoking images of modern grace and old world mys-

ticism.

Classically trained in the Patiala Gayaki, Niak’s music is a tribute to age old traditions set against the backdrop of our times.

She comes from a family of artistes with a Bharat Natyam exponent mother and a sitarplaying father. Growing up in such a rich environment certainly helped her to discover her talent, although her ability to apply it to an unexpected genre was

very much her own doing.

Having toured widely across the globe, Naik has built a reputation for herself, enthralling audiences with live renditions the world over including in the US, the UK, Portugal and Brunei as well as across the length and breadth of India with performances at Hyderabad, Delhi, Mumbai, Chittorgarh, Rajkot, and Jodphur.

Each year, Naik tours the UK and the US

extensively, taking her music to foreign shores.

Across the last three decades, she has been educating herself on the intricacies of Indian music, learning from Guru Satyanarayan Singh, Pandit Dayal Thakur and Pandit Vithal Rao. The talented singer will be accompanied

by Ustad Rashid Khan on violin, Amar Sangam Das on guitar, Janaab Samar Khan on tabla and Suprit Gaikwad on keyboard.

Pledges for mercury-free mining must be delivered early – Persaud tells UN forum

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atural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud has urged that pledges made to support the transition from mercury to mercury-free mining by governments as well as international agencies must be delivered on early.

He made the appeal recently at a highlevel special event, The Minamata Convention on Mercury: Towards its early entry into force and effective implementation, held at the United Nation Headquarters, New York.

Minister Persaud had earlier signed the Minamata Convention during an international conference organised

by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Minamata, Japan, October 9-11, 2013.

The Natural Resources and Environment Minister during his address updated the meeting on Guyana’s own efforts through the use of national resources to reduce the use of mercury in mining at the national level.

According to a United Nations media release, 22 countries have taken major steps to address the emissions and releases of one of the most notorious heavy metals – mercury.

A year after the adoption of the Minamata Convention on Mercury,

Ministers and senior Government officials from around the world have renewed the international community’s commitment to combat the global threat posed to human health and the environment from mercury pollution worldwide.

The high-level special event witnessed three states agreeing to become parties to the Minamata Convention and an additional 15 states signing the treaty. In addition, two more states joined the convention and three additional states signed it since UN Treaty Event.

The Governments of Djibouti, Gabon, Guyana, Monaco and Uruguay have joined the US as the

first six future parties to the convention. The US had joined the convention last November.

An additional 18 countries, bringing to the total number to 120, used this occasion to sign the convention, namely: Belarus, Cameroon, Croatia, Cyprus, Ghana, GuineaBissau, Honduras, Latvia, Liberia, Malaysia, Monaco, Montenegro, Poland, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic and Turkey.

Held in the margins of the opening of the 69th session of the United Nations General Assembly, and in conjunction with the Secretary

General’s annual Treaty Event, the event was jointly convened by the Governments of Japan, Switzerland, the United States and Uruguay, with the assistance of the UNEP, the UN media release added.

Named after a city in Japan where serious health damage occurred as a result of mercury pollution in the mid-20th century, the Minamata Convention aims to protect human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury and mercury compounds.

The convention requires that 50 states have to agree to become parties to bring the convention

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud

into force. Signature will be closed on October 9.

Meeting this cut-off date for signature could be of particular importance for developing countries and countries with economies in transition, as signing the convention is a condition to access funding for enabling activities and pre-ratification projects from the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

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Guyana, Norway reaffirm commitment to tackling climate change

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resident Donald Ramotar and new Norwegian Prime Minister, Erna Solberg met on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, last Wednesday in New York.

The two leaders discussed the Guyana/ Norway forest deal and reaffirmed their commitment to tackling climate change and to working to ensure other countries emulate the deal, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.

In an interview after the meeting, President Ramotar said, “We both expressed satisfaction with the relationship that Guyana and Norway has had. We both think it is a very useful partnership and a good example of links between developed and developing countries in the common fight against climate change and for saving the international environment.”

In terms of getting

New Norwegian Prime Minister, Erna Solberg, is flanked by Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh and President Donald Ramotar when they met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York last week.

more countries on board the climate change fight, the Guyanese leader said, “We think we are ready to share our expe-

riences with other countries so that we can have more countries coming in… other developing countries, more devel-

oped countries, so we can make a tangible and real contribution in fighting climate change.”

On November 9,

2009, the Governments of Guyana and Norway signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), and simultaneously published a Joint Concept Note, which set out how the two countries will “work together to provide the world with a relevant, replicable model for how REDD+ can align the development objectives of forest countries with the world’s need to combat climate change”.

Norway committed to providing financial support of up to US$250 million until 2015 for results achieved

by Guyana in limiting emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, which will support the implementation of Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). As part of the agreement, the two countries agreed to establish the Guyana Redd + Investment Fund (GRIF) as the financial interme-

diary mechanism for the performance-based payments from contributors to Guyana. Guyana has received about US$115 million from Norway to date under that agreement and the money has gone towards several projects.

These include: the Amerindian Development Fund (ADF) which is being implemented in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); Amerindian Land titling; the small and medium sized enterprises which are in process of being implemented; climate resilient strategy and action plans; an institutional strengthening project to reinforce the institutions involved in environmental management; Project Management, Office of the Office of the President; and the Amaila Falls hydropower project, the flagship project of the LCDS.

New push for DNA Govt, tour operators testing in Guyana discuss incentive regime

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iting several cases of unsolved murders and unconfirmed identities, the Caribbean American Domestic Violence Awareness (CADVA) group on Sunday announced that in partnership with global activist group One Billion Rising, it will be looking at strengthening the Missing Persons Act. This is according to CADVA Founder Sukree Boodram who made the announcement during a press conference in the Savannah Suite of the Pegasus International Hotel, in Kingston, Georgetown. Boodram remarked that for too long, Guyanese parents and families have buried persons without any sort of confirmation of their identity and too many bodies have been found and have remained unidentified.

She contended that proper systems need to be put in place to ensure that families get some sort of closure when their loved ones go missing and are not positively identified.

The CADVA Founder also pointed out that although Guyana’s Government has been able to establish a Forensic Laboratory, the facility does not have the required capabilities to conduct DNA testing.

It was against that backdrop that Eureka Medical Laboratory will be partnering with CADVA, Boodram said, in hopes of making DNA testing available locally.

Boodram pointed to the recent disappearance of Nygozi Goodman, a St Stanislaus High School teacher, noting that no confirmation has been given on the identity of the discovered body.

“Her family doesn’t even know if it’s her body that was found, or what became of the DNA testing… what we need to do is find a way and liaison and put systems in place,” said Boodram.

“You have families who are burying their daughters, their wives, their children and don’t even know who they

W CADVA Founder Sukree Boodram

are burying,” the social activist declared.

Domestic violence

It was also explained that the two groups will be facilitating a “grassroots” consultation process, with Dr Faith Harding and Dr Dawn Stewart.

The consultation is geared at hearing from the everyday woman on suggestions to tackle the scourge of domestic violence that has been affecting not only Guyana’s society but the world over from time immemorial.

Eve Ensler, author of the Vagina Monologues and founder of One Billion Rising, said that the general aim of the events was to bring the revolution to Guyana.

One Billion Rising is a global campaign to end violence against women, rise for justice, and promote gender equality. It was started in 2012 as part of the V-Day movement. The “billion” refers to the UN statistic that one in three women will be raped or beaten in their lifetime, or about one billion. In 2012, the One Billion Rising campaign culminated in the biggest mass global action to end violence against women ever, with tens of thousands of events held in more than 190 countries.

Acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali and other officials at the 2015 tourism budget discussions

hen the Tourism Ministry sat down with the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) on Monday to discuss the 2015 tourism budget, high on the agenda was the introduction of an incentive regime for tourist operators.

According to acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali, the Ministry has recognised that with the type of tourism product Guyana has to offer, there is a high cost to access them.

“Tourism for us is a very expensive endeavour in relation to the type of tourism we offer and the placement of the tourism: river, savannah, interior locations…the sector has raised their concerns in relation to incentives to promote easier mode of travel and in acquisition of assets to benefit the sector and how we will link that to growth and development and taxation,” the Minister explained.

Ali said that the Ministry will be focusing on a joint collaboration and expansion regarding

its marketing approach of the sector as he dubbed 2015 the year of marketing.

On this note, the Minister said the intention of his Ministry will be to focus heavily on compliance and adherence to regulations within the tourism sector.

International level

Meanwhile, THAG President Shaun Mc Grath emphasised the need to develop the tourism product to international market level, which requires an incentive regime at the national level that is suitable to the industry.

Additionally, Mc Grath called on Government to give due recognition to the tourism industry, stating that the sector has continuously brought in decent income.

“We are an export industry and just because nothing leaves the country don’t mean we are not an export industry, we export our product but our product doesn’t leave the country, which is very unique. We earn higher currency and anywhere in the world would clas-

sify as being an export industry. Even in Guyana, there are incentives in place for export industries and we would like to see that applied to us as well,” he urged.

On the other hand, former THAG President Kit Nascimento pointed out that for Guyana to compete with other tourism destinations in the Caribbean and Central America, its domestic product needs to be competitively priced.

“It is expensive to get to our product once you land in Guyana because our product is fundamentally nature tourism and it’s in our hinterland… are we therefore competitive? We are not at this point, but we can be if the Government takes into account the need for incentives and they are applied to make us competitive for the Caribbean and Central America,” he stated.

Minister Ali is hoping to wrap up discussions soon and present the Ministry’s tourism budget to the Finance Ministry by the end of the week.

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Human Rights body urges greater political will to end sexual violence

Fly Jamaica hoping to fill gap left by TravelSpan A I

n light of the suspension of TravelSpan operations out of Guyana and the JFK International Airport, Wesley Tucker, Senior Marketing Officer of Fly Jamaica recently disclosed that his company was not contacted by their counterparts for assistance.

He said since the announcement of their suspension, Fly Jamaica knew that the options of passengers travelling to and from the United States are limited and they might be contacted at some point in time to transport the stranded passengers.

On this note, he highlighted that while the airline has not contacted them directly, passengers have started to do so. He is optimistic that after TravelSpan would have reimbursed their passengers, their alternative would either be Fly Jamaica or Caribbean Airlines (CAL); hence, they are gearing themselves for an influx of passengers.

Of recent, Fly Jamaica has also had several cancellations and delays, resulting in

heavy criticisms. This, he noted has not dampened the spirit of the team that always has their customers at heart.

Despite the negativity, Tucker said the airline will be expanding its routes in the coming months.

He hinted that they are presently looking to serve the Barbados, St Maarten and a few other markets of interest.

This, he added would obviously mean that they will have to increase their flight complement.

As such, they have already acquired a Boeing 767 aircraft as part of their expansion plans.

The 767 aircraft, he noted caters for 250 passengers when compared to the existing 757 which

has a capacity for 199.

He, however, confirmed that there will not be any increase in international flights.

On the other hand, CAL operated at a whopping US$70 million loss last year. Presently, CAL benefits from a US$40 million fuel subsidy which ends in 2015.

They too have had several delays but due to their fleet of aircraft, the issues were quickly dealt with.

Over the past years, high fuel costs have crippled the aviation sector, forcing several airlines to pull out of the market.

REDjet and EZJet were two airlines that offered low cost fares, but their operations fell through after a year in the skies.

Recently, Dynamic Airlines cancelled operations just after a few flights, saying approval from the JFK to land as the main reason. In the case with TravelSpan which has re-entered the Guyanese market, its suspension comes after a fallout with Vision Airline from whom they lease their aircrafts.

The company is however, hoping to return to business once it secures another company from which to rent an aircraft.

TravelSpan had noted its dissatisfaction with the services of Vision Airlines. It was reported that while TravelSpan staff, including flight attendants, and management have worked diligently to offer a much-needed solution for an alternative airline within the market, its rented planes have been plagued by mechanical issues, which resulted in unsatisfactory service on the flights.

The decision to let go of Vision Airline was due to the lack of consistent service, proven by the significant amount of cancelled and delayed flights that caused major inconvenience to TravelSpan’s clients and the continued losses to the airline. TravelSpan suspended operations on September 27 last.

mid swirling allegations of child molestation being levelled against Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman, the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) has said that mobilising sufficient political commitment to carry through with reforms to strengthen sexual offences legislation has consistently failed.

The GHRA said that the Sexual Offences Act (2010) has the potential for real progress to secure justice for survivors of sexual violence. “In too many cases, from their first contact with the system to the end, survivors of sexual offences continue to experience callous indifference whether from the Police, the prosecution services and the Judiciary,” the GHRA said.

The body also called on public health authorities to take responsibility for the role they are mandated to play in recognising serious health consequences that sexual violence generate for survivors.

No exceptions

Only last week, Guyana observed Child Protection Week under the theme, “Partnering with Communities, To Prevent Child Abuse.”

Leader of the Opposition and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), David Granger told this newspaper in an interview to mark the occasion that all child molesters should be condemned.

The Opposition Leader noted that the APNU has held one position on child abuse over the years and that has not changed.

Granger said that the party “condemns” all forms of abuse against

GHRA head Mike McCormack

children, including paedophilia, incest, child abuse and child neglect, while noting that the same applies to the abuse of women.

He noted, however, that there was need for greater enforcement of laws on the part of the Human Services and Social Security Ministry and the Guyana Police Force, to curb and possibly end child abuse in our society. Guyana Times International sought comments from Alliance For Change (AFC) Member of Parliament Trevor Williams as well as several Government officials, but was unsuccessful.

All-consuming

Earlier, Head of the Child Care and Protection Agency, Ann Greene contended that paedophilia and child sexual molestation have no barriers. “It has no respect for creed, status, race; it cuts across all divides. You can’t put it down to say that only these people will do child abuse,” Greene said.

She also indicated that while there has been an increase in reports of child sexual abuse, “child abuse is still very much hidden; the reports are just the tip of the iceberg”. It was noted that child sexual abuse is the second most frequent form of child abuse reported.

GAWU boss confident of meeting bigger sugar target next year … says 300,000 tonnes achievable with good management

BY VAHNU MANIKCHAND

G

u y a n a Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) President Komal Chand said the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) must work harder to set and achieve a target of 300,000 tonnes of sugar for next year. But he pinned this on overall good management of the struggling industry.

This year’s target is 219,000 tonnes, which the Corporation said

it would meet easily.

The first crop was successful, surpassing the 75,000 tonnes target, bringing in about 80,000 tonnes. Sugar production came in at a dismal 186,500 tonnes for 2013, but Guyana has been taking steps to turn around the sugar industry and hopes to meet the 300,000 tonnes-target soon, with a projection that the sector will reach its 400,000-tonne goal by 2020.

Investments

GuySuCo, however, continues to oper-

GAWU President Komal Chand

ate at a loss, even with more than 15 years of billions of dollars in investments.

Back in 1995, the Corporation was producing sugar at a relatively high cost; today, the situation remains the same. From 1995-1996, the cost of production was US$0.23 per pound with the figure dropping to US$0.22 by 1997.

When compared with production costs in Guatemala, the United States, North-East Brazil and India, the cost of producing sugar

in Guyana is most unfavourable.

Speaking last Friday during the signing of a four per cent wage/salaries increase agreement for sugar workers, Chand said despite low prices, the production level is reasonably high.

He said as such, he foresees that next year, the Corporation will take the next step forward and increase the production target to 300,000 tonnes sugar.

The GAWU President pointed out that while no one can really be

pleased with the current target, it is higher than last year’s. He noted that all the conditions are in place for the target to be attained.

Strike

The GAWU head referred to the recent strike action at the Skeldon Estate, noting that it had an adverse effect not only on production but also electricity supply. Against this backdrop, Chand highlighted the importance of the industry and its role in providing employment opportunities.

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- President Ramotar tells New York gathering

A

t a public meeting in Richmond Hill, President Donald Ramotar told Guyanese living in New York that Guyana has made tremendous progress over the years and the quality of life of the citizens have improved significantly in spite of the many challenges being faced by his administration.

The president used the opportunity to slam the combined Opposition and their affiliated media for being obstacles to development. The speech was interrupted several times with cheers. He said he wanted to use the occasion “to address misconceptions put out by the Opposition which appear in their affiliated media”.

He charged that “a lot of distortions appear in the Opposition supported media”, contending that they “engage in lies, slander and libel, and they get away with it”.

He claimed that “there is a lot of nonsense and untruths that appear in the media.

They write and publish anything they want and yet they say there is no press freedom”.

Decent growth

The president pointed out that Guyana’s economy has been doing well since the 2007 housing bubble in the US when other countries experienced a deep recession.

Persons protesting the actions of the Alliance For Change and the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)

“We escaped that decline,” he said, noting that Guyana has done well growing at an average of five per cent since 2007. And he noted that growth has been taking place in spite of the fact that sugar, historically the mainstay of the economy, has not been doing well.

Ramotar said the PPP/C Government is facilitating development, and the economy must be driven by the people.

He also told the gathering that Guyana has invested heavily in health and education, noting that services in these two areas have increased significantly.

Prudent investments

“The quality of training of our people is the single most important factor in my Government,” he said.

He pointed out that during PNC rule, in 1992, the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s budget was bigger than health, education, agriculture and social services combined. “Today, under the PPP/C, it is the opposite. The social sector is 30 per cent of the budget. In 1992, social service was only eight per cent of the budget. We are seeing dividends of investment with quality people we produce in our schools.”

Ramotar pointed out that under the PPP/C Government, there is Universal Primary

Education and soon the country will achieve Universal Secondary Education.

“Under the PNC, few in the interior had secondary education – students were brought to Georgetown and housed in dormitories. Today, we have built a secondary school at Paramakatoi with 700 students who are provided three meals a day. We have done the same at Mazaruni. We are doing the same at Kato.

All of our secondary school students are writing the CSEC [Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate] unlike what took place under the PNC.” Ramotar claimed that

“since we came into office in 1992, we have built or rehabilitated 1000 schools. We are investing in teacher training. Some five years ago, only 58 per cent of teachers were trained. Today, it is 75 per cent and the goal is to get 100 per cent soon”.

The President said too that Guyanese students have been topping CSEC over the last few years. He also claimed that “under the PNC, less than 30 per cent of students finished high school whereas today it is almost triple that rate”.

He said there is equal opportunity for all and the Government gives equal access to all in education.

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By Petamber Persaud Part One

U

p Next: ‘Green Mansions’ Immediately, I froze my thumb on the remote control. Here, at last, was something of interest to me after constant flicking from channel to channel. I know a lot about the book, Green Mansions. I treasure my copy, having acquired it a long time ago from a market stall in New Amsterdam. The stall was, at that time, operated by a Chinese male who was quite a negotiator once the item was selected. That treasure

ing among the Makushi tribe of Guyana until he was almost ten years.

And I know of the author of the book, having done research on him (in this column).

In 1887, William Henry Hudson travelled to British Guiana from

'Green Mansions' book cover

'Green Mansions' movie poster (1959)

trove and its operator have since disappeared, relocated I was told, to somewhere on the West Coast of Berbice. I now grieve over the lost opportunity of securing other rare and out-of-print books from that business.

I do not manage my time well enough to watch a complete movie, but with the book fresh in my mind, I decided to watch the movie, something I use to do when I was discovering literature – read the book then watch the movie or vice versa. It was a fascinating venture to experience the treatment of the same subject by two differing art forms.

Another reason for staying with the film, as it was rapidly flashing its opening salvo of information, included the cast of established actors - Audrey Hepburn, Anthony Perkins, Lee J Cobb, and Henry Silva; and known director, Mel Ferrer. Also I was aware of a Guyana-connection, namely R Lal Singh, who was technical adviser during the production of the film. Singh was born in Morawhana, a little known Amerindian village in the North West District of Guyana, liv-

London to take up an appointment in a public office. During that stint, he was a daily visitor to a ‘familiar’ house in Main Street, Georgetown, the residence of a ‘Mr Abel’ whose full name was Abel Guevez de Argensola.

Abel, poet and naturalist, was a fugitive from Venezuela who refused to return home despite news of a windfall fortune awaiting him in Caracas. He stayed in Guyana, becoming a favourite of Georgetown society, a man held in high esteem and ‘even affection’. The two men were attracted to each other chiefly because of a mutual ‘love of poetry’ even though one was ‘suckled’ on the literature of Spain and the other English Literature.

There were other areas of interest shared by the two men and they would ‘tired the sun with talking’. It was during those bouts of talking, Hudson was gifted the story of Green Mansions, the story of Abel’s flight from his homeland and his romance with a spectre girl/creature called Rima in the virgin jungle of South America.

Hudson promised to publish the whole truth

William Henry Hudson

of Abel’s story in order to dispel ‘much conjectural matter...printed week by week in the local press’.

That amazing story was only given life in fictional form because Hudson was already a published author and who was already a respected naturalist and ornithologist at a time when those subjects were treated with scant regard. By the time that story of Abel was made public, Hudson had already published some thirteen books including The Purple Land (1885), Argentine Ornithology (1888), Fan - The Story of a Young Girl's Life (1892), British Birds (1895), Hampshire Days (1903), and a collection of stories, El Ombu (1902).

Green Mansions, the novel, was published in 1904; it falls within that honour roll of first novels on Guyana.

Green Mansions was the first novel in our literary heritage to be made into a movie. That movie of the same name of the book was released in 1959, starring Audrey Hepburn, Anthony Perkins, Lee J Cobb, and Henry Silva, and it was directed by Mel Ferrer.

In the 1970s, DC Comics adopted the story in a series, “Rima, the jungle girl”.

To be continued Responses to this author telephone (592) 2260065 or email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com

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US-based Guyanese designer Soyini George

oyini George is the designer/founder of the Washington, DC, handmade baby brand, Yinibini Baby. As a little girl growing up in Guyana, Soyini learned to sew from watching her great aunt Jean cut, pin and put fabrics together to create stylish clothing. That was just

the beginning of Soyini’s love for art, design and colour. One year after graduating from college, and with US$100, a dining room table and tons of motivation, she started the Yinibini brand of clothing and jewellery for women.

The origin of the name ‘Yinibini’ came

from the last four letters of Soyini’s name (Yini) plus ‘bini’, which means ‘good girl’ in Guyanese Creole.

In 2010 the brand’s focus was switched from women’s clothing to accessories and clothing for babies.

Yinibini Baby clothing and accessories are

Soyini showcasing one of her designs in her studio

all hand-sewn and made of cotton, organic cotton, cotton blend and bamboo blend fabrics. The collection includes blankets, onesies, booties, bibs, burp cloths, dresses and more! Her original illustrations are based on childhood stories and memories, and the great selection of colours, patterns and textures are perfect for babies. Soyini draws inspiration for colour, texture and patterns from memories of her uncle Reggie’s garden.

“He took pride in his garden, and the vibrant colours, textures and patterns of the fruits, flowers and vegetables still lingers in my mind,” Soyini shared. Soyini applies the same meticulous care and love to all of her delicate her pieces.

Soyini’s work has not gone unnoticed in her hometown of Washington, DC. In 2011, Yinibini Baby was voted the 2nd Best Local Crafter, Washington City Paper Best of DC; 2012 – Yinibini Baby was voted Best Local Crafter, Washington City Paper

Best of DC; 2013 – Yinibini Baby was voted Runner Up Best Local Crafter, Washington City Paper Best of DC; 2014 – Yinibini Baby was voted Best Local Crafter, Washington City Paper Best of DC. In 2014, Yinibini Baby was also named a finalist in the Martha Stewart American Made Awards.

American Made spotlights the maker, supports the local, and celebrates the handmade.

The programme is made up of people and communities that have turned their passion for quality craftsmanship and welldesigned goods into a way of life. Voting for the winner of this award began on 15 September and runs until 13 October 2014. The winner will be announced on 17 October 2014.

To vote for Soyini, visit her page on www.marthastewart.com. (http:// guyanesegirlsrock.com)

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Guyana National Youth Council “Y

our voice matters” is the message the Guyana National Youth Council wants to send out to all young people across Guyana as the youth council prepares for its launch and cel-

ebration of Caribbean Youth Day 2014.

The ‘My Voice Matters’ (MVM) Campaign consists of a series of video clips and photography of young people between the ages of 15 to 35 years advocat-

ing and raising awareness among youths like themselves. Their message is that everyone’s opinions count and youths should be more proactive in standing up for their rights.

The MVM’s initia-

Brainstorming session for the launch date and 'My Voice Matters' campaign

tive will be launched simultaneously with the Guyana National Youth Council (GNYC) on 30 September (the day dedicated to the commemoration of Caribbean Youth Day) in the conference room of the Guyana National Library from 1pm to 3pm.

“This is the technology generation, and we’ve adopted the Caribbean Youth Day theme ‘Embracing Technology to promote innovative and sustainably conscious Caribbean Youth’ as we celebrate our launch. We came up with the MVM (My Voice Matters) campaign to reach out to young Guyanese using technology to capture the reasons why they believe that their voice, as a young person, matters,” explained Tiffany Daniels, Chairperson of the GNYC’s Board of Trustees, in an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine.

She added, “The responses that the team has gathered from the field have all been either very eye opening or inspirational. There was such a high degree of hope and aspiration expressed by many of the young

Guyanese, yet, at the same time, it was clear that much work needs to be done in empowering them so they could understand the critical role we have to play in developing our country.”

The first of the video clips, a five-minute production, will highlight youths’ opinions from

these opportunities for young people to express themselves,” implored Daniels.

Although the Council has been operating in its interim phase for the past year, the GNYC has begun its efforts to create such opportunities starting from several consultations in 2013,

Tiffany Daniels making a presentation to GNYC members

across Guyana on why their voice matters on issues affecting them.

This will be aired at the GNYC launch and later on their Facebook page, which will also be officially launched on the same day.

In preparation for the big launch, members of the GNYC have decided to start their outreach to numerous groups and students throughout Guyana.

“The main purpose of the GNYC is to create a network of young people and groups. Though we have been waiting until our launch to really up the ante on our outreach, we decided to start getting out there to see how different the opinions of young people are,” Daniels noted.

According to her, there is a clear difference in priorities across regions and communities, which makes it critical for youths to continue reaching out to other young people to understand the diverse issues and develop plans.

“We recently had a meeting with a dynamic group of youths in Fort Wellington area and it is clear that young people are just craving for opportunities to give their issues as well as their solutions. We want to encourage all youth workers to keep creating

which led to the group’s formation.

The consultations involved a wide variety of youths represented by different organisations and youth groups, as well as individual young people. They were given a forum where they presented their ideas for the creation of the GNYC, which saw the formation of a Steering Committee.

This Committee will create and put forward a strategy for establishing a Youth Council unique to Guyana to get their “buy-in”. This resulted in youth participants collaborating and joining several ‘Task Forces’, which worked along with the Steering Committee to create the Council.

These Task Forces were able to receive training monthly in the areas of community engagement and advocacy.

In outlining their future plans, the members of the GNYC stated that they hope to visit each of the ten administrative regions within the next six months, to continue to reach-out to youths and hear their concerns and propose solutions so that they can develop and implement their interventions and initiatives based on evidence.

Once they have reached their minimum target for youth group continued on page 35

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Trying up history

B

I

By Anu Dev

think I’d better get down on paper, the memory of my vacation in New York. Even though I’ve been back only some three weeks, things are already beginning to get hazy. With my lecturers insisting they really have to drone on for hours at a stretch, and days on end, I guess there’s only so much the old grey cells can retain!

One thing that struck me in New York City was the sight of so many Chinese tourists. They were everywhere – even upstate New York!!! And it wasn’t by chance. The New York tourism folks are sending all kinds of teams to China to snag a share of their US$100+ billion tourist market.

As one newspaper pointed out, the middle class in China is larger than the ENTIRE population of the US…and they have as many billionaires. That’s a lot off dough rolling around!!

Having ploughed through seven years of various courses in high school that bemoaned our (Caribbean) declining tourist trade because of the decline of the West, I wondered why we also haven’t gone after this alternative tourist market. Jeez!! If the Americans can try to lure Chinese tourists to New York – why can’t we?? Even the flyers handed out by the touts on 8th Ave hawking NYC Bus Tours and the Empire State Building, had Chinese calligraphy.

With so many relatives in New York, I had the opportunity to check out their secondary migration.

One aunt lives in Poughkeepsie, up the Hudson Valley.

Even though I hadn’t visited for nine years, I still remembered the hills and forested areas of that part of the state very fondly.

The streets of Jamaica, Queens can get a bit too much sometimes!! The visit didn’t disappoint. From the famous vaulted ceiling over the great hall of Grand Central Station (where that scene from Madagascar was filmed and from where we took the train up) to visiting the palatial homes of the Vanderbilts and Rooseveldts outside of Poughkeepsie, a different New York presented itself.

I’m not sure many New Yorkers realised that their State was once owned by the Dutch, and in fact only became British after the treaty of Breda back in the 17th Century when it was exchanged for Suriname!!

(Who snickered why I had to write WI History? Ha! ) But if one took time to notice, there were signs of the Dutch presence everywhere in upstate New York – from the stone fences, to the houses, to the artefacts – not to mention the names of towns and places. Having coffee and cake in the picturesque European-like village of Rhinebeck was a highlight of the trip.

We also spent a night over in the town of Schenectady, near the state capital of Albany. This also brought back scenes from my books. This was the landscape that Fenimore Cooper described in (often painstaking) detail in Last of the Mohicans. This was the land of the Mohican Tribe. But today Schenectady can be seen as a snapshot of 21st Century America: its once great factories closed; its products “outsourced” to China; and its cities plunging into ruin.

The population of Schenectady has declined by a third from its heyday when General Electric (GE) produced turbines and generators that lit up the world. My cousin Devi drove me past the gargantuan GE factory – that once employed 40,000 but is now one tenth of that.

The abandoned houses in the city attracted thousands of Guyanese from New York City – and they have done a wonderful job of gentrifying large swathes of what were slums.

E R L I N , GERMANY: Berlin is the shameless city of deviance and decadence.

There is no such thing as a closed door. The art scene is original, courageous and edgy.

Living amidst this hyper-energetic pace is one short ‘windgy’ Jamaican man named Kirk Henry, who through sheer force of personality has become one of Berlin's energiser bunnies.

To walk down the streets of Berlin with Kirk is like walking into the Regency Bar & Lounge at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel with fellow Food Awards judge Patrick Smith.

Kirk knows everyone.

Kirk knows everything.

Henry grew up in Jamaica with chicken dinner Sundays and Moreland Camp summers.

A year of high school in Belgium gave him his first real taste and hunger for foreign lands.

Chef/Patron Kirk Henry laughing late into the evening

He did a long stint in New York, then graduate school in Paris, then back to New York working for United Airlines and Dolce & Gabbana.

He took it all in, honing his eye, his mind and his business acumen, all the while building out a global Rolodex. He took some pretty nasty knocks as all entrepreneurs do, but it made him savvier and more focused. When New York got to be a drag, he moved back to Europe,

starting first in London, which proved expensive and professionally cliquish, and so he moved on to Berlin because it is the last affordable cosmopolitan city in the world.

Through it all he kept his roots and yardie attachments alive, as no matter where he laid his head he returned to Jamaica every year, and often, several times a year.

He wanted to make his mark in a sophisticated global centre and

The restaurant's outdoor view (Jamaica Observer photos)

S

atiricus was a great admirer of educated people. Having been brought up mostly in the school of hard knocks, he often wished he had the massive vocabulary of the “big ones” to express himself.

Satiricus was especially taken by lawyers – these fellas (and felines!!) literally lived by their wit and words.

And man did they take time to hone their tools!

As he’d confessed time and again, one of the best communicators he’d ever come across was Rum Jhaat of the KFC party. Obviously he was a lawyer. Satiricus could just see him poring over his law books in school just soaking in those big – but appropriate – words.

People liked to molest Rum Jhaat that he carried around a “flattie” of rum in his jacket pocket.

Which he would sip until he could hit the “large” in his desk drawer.

But Satiricus knew better. Rum Jhaat actually had a dictionary in

decided that the restaurant business was where he would try something new and innovative. He began with his friend Troy Lopez, who had learnt how to cook at the feet of his grandmother Rosa. Kirk, too, had also studied food and life at the feet of his now 80-year-old grandmother Caleta, who lives in Kingston. Out of their mutual brainstorming, and as homage to these grand Jamaican ladies, the restaurant partnership of RosaCaleta was born.

RosaCaleta is the only fine-dining Jamaican restaurant in Berlin.

It opened in Feb 2009, making it now almost six years old.

It is currently ranked the 50th best restaurant in a city that boasts over 5,800 eating establishments, according to Trip Advisor. (Excerpted from Jamaica Observer)

Haul yuh ass!! his pocket – and he only drank in the words in long pulls – whenever he had a spare moment. Satiricus was reminded of all of this when he read of the interview a reporter had conducted with Rum Jhaat on his bribery allegations. According to Rum Jhaat, the PPEE had offered Gy$30 million to three Opposition MPs – which the PPEE immediately denied.

The reporter asked Rum Jhaat if he would now retract his allegations. Presumably because he and the PPEE and the fingered MPs were all “honourable” men. At least that was how they addressed each other in Parliament, Satiricus reasoned.

Now if he were like ordinarily educated fellas, Rum Jhaat could’ve answered “yes” or “no”. But Rum Jhaat was a trained Attorney-at-Law – with years and years of experience at the bar. He replied, “Tell de PPEE to haul deh ass!!!”

“Could anyone blame him for being such a fan of Rum Jhaat?” thought Satiricus. What a guy!! What wit!! What precision of thought!

The reason Satiricus couldn’t fulfil his childhood dream to become a lawyer was because he could never absorb all the Latin expressions that were thrown around so casually.

Order nisi, mandamus, actus reus, lege lata – and now this one that Rum Jhaat loved so much – “haul yuh ass!”

Last December, the Secretary of the Minister of Housing had called Rum Jhaat to invite him to a press conference. Rum Jhaat had told her to tell her boss and others to “haul deh ass!!” The poor girl, not understanding Latin, felt her boss was being insulted.

And all the time, the Latin phrase simply signalled how lawyers closed their cases. It meant: “Respected sirs, let us now retire and take a drink.”

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vast playground and manicured lawns, these are the first things one notices upon visiting the Bosco Academy - an all boys Catholic school operated by the Sisters of Mercy located in Plaisance, East Coast Demerara.

A small school with a combination of students from both the nursery and primary levels - no more than 27 boys, 24 in the primary section and only three in the nursery - Bosco Academy, like most religious schools, is very orderly with wellbehaved pupils.

The minuscule populace of the school proves advantageous Shelda Emanuel, the school’s principal and a retired principal from St. Agnes Primary, explained in an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine. “Because of the size of the school we are able to do a lot of one-on-one teaching.”

With no more than two small rooms and one large rectangular space, the school is situated

Hard-balled…

An overseas volunteer teacher with his students

Sister of Mercy and the director of the school.

The boys at the school are commonly referred to as “home schooled” children, since they are all orphans from the St John Bosco Orphanage located in the same compound, making it very convenient to return home and get to school on time.

However, Sister Julie revealed that the school was not established for

Bosco Academy located on the bottom flat of the Sisters of Mercy Convent in Plaisance

on bottom floor of the St. Jude’s Convent. The space was separated into seven classrooms: five for the primary level, one for nursery and the other for children with special needs.

“I think children with special needs are our biggest challenge, because there are not a lot of opportunities for them. However, we try to school them as best as we can, not only in economics but life skills,” noted Sister Julie Matthews, a

that purpose. “When I moved here to the orphanage in 2003 to take over, I found that all the boys were not doing well in the school system. I believed that was defying the laws of probability that every boy would be failing.”

Nonetheless, Sister Julie told herself it was probably the effect of the difficult backgrounds they came from, so she took them out of the public system and placed them into smaller class-

rooms “with more concentrated teaching”.

“I thought this would help and that we would only do this for a year, but here we are 11 years later,” Sister Julie pointed out.

The original aim was to assist the orphans struggling in the public school system to cope at a pace appropriate to their age. After seeking permission from the Ministry of Education to home school the boys, Sister Julie then staffed the school with retired teachers.

“At the time teachers were required to retire at age 55 years, but I used that pool of newly retired teachers to run the school,” Sister Julie revealed.

Majority of the teachers at the Bosco Academy are retired administrators, some of which are retired head teachers.

The school also receives staff members from abroad and draws on the assistance of missionary volunteers.

The Bosco Academy therefore operates like a private school with a very qualified staff that instructs the children on all subjects, following the primary school curriculum and a host of co-curricular activities.

The only deviation from a regular school curriculum is religious studies.

The students wear school uniforms, despite being home schooled. They are involved in interactive

sessions with classrooms filled with lots of diagrams and books. They also write the Grade Six exams at the appropriate time with their fellow colleagues at the Plaisance Primary School.

Emanuel added that “those boys who are more skilled than academic” attend the Mercy Wings Skilled and Vocational Centre in Sophia, where they learn skills such as masonry, carpentry and plumbing.

“At Bosco, we give our boys the kind of education that prepares them for life, to help them adapt to the working world,” Emanuel elaborated. She cited that the first batch of students to receive the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate from Bosco Academy excelled, graduating with grades one to three - one student even walked away with nine subjects.

“This could only be accomplished with a dedicated staff that goes beyond work, but operates like a ministry, a good team that helps out a lot.

Ms Emanuel in particularly is outstanding,” a grateful Sister Julie said.

The Bosco Academy relies entirely on donations to assist with the daily operation of the school. For more information on the Bosco Academy and how you can help, call Sister Julie Matthews on (592) 2222353. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

…Opposition politics As the Trotman paedophile accusations slither inevitably to their denouement of shame, humiliation and resignation, we cast our eyes to the fissures opening up in the Opposition ranks over political strategy.

Even though they’ve all been bonding in their “Black Consciousness” meetings under the auspices of their front group – Cuffy250 – David Granger (PNC/APNU); David Hinds (WPA), Nigel Hughes (AFC), and Tacuma Ogunseye (WPA/ ACDA) have taken their disagreement into the press.

The Brown Brothers Nagamootoo and Ramjattan evidently recused themselves.

Anyhow…Ogunseye expressed his vehement disagreement with Hughes’ articulation of the AFC’s position that the “no-confidence” motion is the way to go for the Opposition. Seems that even though Hughes dubbed this the “strongest possible constitutional protest”, Ogunseye and Hinds aren’t convinced. The ACDA activist insists the actions have to be more “hard-balled”.

Why?? Well, the No-Confidence Motion leads to elections – but the AFC cannot guarantee the PPP/C’d be deposed! The only action that’ll accomplish this would be for the Opposition to come out into the streets. “A practical demonstration of ‘people’s power’ in the streets would have brought the rulers to their senses a long time ago…”

Now you dear readers are asking, “How the heck can Ogunseye guarantee this??” After all, Granger brought his people out into the streets across the country last week and it didn’t result in regime change, did it? So what did Granger do wrong, in the eyes of Ogunseye – and Hinds?

Well, we have to get back to what Ogunseye means by “hard-balled” protests. Before the 2011 elections, when he was preaching the ACDA line that elections wouldn’t deliver regime change then, at Golden Grove he declared there must be “a massive rebellion of African people throughout the length and breadth of this country”.

Later at BV, he read “the riot act” to the PPP/C Government and threatened if they were still in office after the elections, the rebellion should remove them, without fear of the security forces. “Once the African people rise up in their great numbers, I dare the army to take the side of the PPP/C and against Africans. Our sons and daughters would not do that.”

And this is the kind of “hard balled” protests that’re being demanded. It worked in the 1960s with the help of the CIA, and in 1998-9, by unleashing what the Stabber Called “Terror in the City” when hundreds of PPP/C supporters were beaten in the streets of Georgetown.

A hint to Beneba mek Quasie tek notice?? …ad hominem After two of its columnists viciously attacked each other personally, Muckraker’s houseslave editor declared: “This is the end of the ad hominen attacks by anyone contributing to the pages of this newspaper.”

Gasp!!! No more attacks against the GRA boss??

feature

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T

N

Iconic Argentine musician Nestor Basurto

estor Basurto, an iconic Argentine musical composer and tango legend, is set to arrive in Guyana this Sunday as part of a cultural exchange between Guyana and Argentina.

Basurto has to his credit a large number of compositions, both in the field of folklore and tango. Many of them have been performed and recorded over the years by major artistes.

He has also made compositional pairs with Hamlet Lima Quintana, Alejandro Szwarcman, Gustavo Machado, Mariano Pini, Juan Carlos Muñiz, Julio Olivera Chazarreta, Ramiro Gonzales, Marcelo Robles, Raul Aguirre, Sergio Zabala, Raul Luzzi, Mario Rodriguez, Alberto

Urquiza and Cecilia Stanzione.

For the past 12 years, he has been running his own recording studio, where he works as an arranger, producer, and director–recording and editing for the likes of Daniel Maza, Enrique Llopis, Quintet Gale, Omar Moreno Palacios, Teresa Parodi, Omar Cerasuolo, Oscar Alem, Manolo Juarez, Claudio Sosa, Eduardo Guajardo, Santaires, Roxana Fontan, Martin Alvarado, Luis Baetti, Pablo Agri, Ernesto Baffa, and Franco Luciani, all of whom are Latin music superstars.

A r g e n t i n e Ambassador to Guyana Luis Alberto Martina pointed out that the tour was the second part of a cultural exchange that started this year.

O R O N T O , CANADA: The National Dance Theatre Company (NDTC) of Jamaica proves that emancipation is the genesis of creativity. This creative force, birthed in 1962—the year Jamaica gained independence from Great Britain— will grace Toronto with one performance only on November 4th at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts.

According to the organisers, NDTC's "Tribute to Rex" is an ode to its co-founder, Ralston Milton "Rex" Nettleford, OM, FIJ, OCC, who died in 2010. Nettleford was a Jamaican scholar, activist, dance aficionado, Professor and Vice Chancellor of the University of the West Indies. NDTC has been lauded for its ability to fuse "The lore, music and dance traditions of Jamaica, Africa and the American South, with both modern and classical ballet."

“Under the legend-

The National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica performs a piece (Jamaica Gleaner file photo)

ary and seasoned leadership of artistic director Barry Moncrieffe, NDTC has taken its belief that "dance, music and song," are of themselves tools to deepen and stretch the cultural imagination to new levels,” a release from the organisers stated.

With a well-honed international reputation, the company has moved audiences from Sydney to Kiev, New York to

London and is poised to do the same for its long-awaited return to Toronto's diverse audiences.

The company's legendary co-founder Nettleford said, "The power to create and innovate remains the greatest guarantee of respect and recognition."

Nettleford's vision carried NDTC to the vanguard, and the November 4 soiree is a fitting end

to its 52nd season that will summon the greatness of Nettleford's signature, seminal choreography with works like "Dialogue for Three" and Kumina.

Supported by the NDTC singers and a group of musicians the company will deliver a show stopping performance on November 4th.

Tickets are available at Ticketmaster and the Sony Centre Box Office.

from page 32

Cuso volunteer Andrew Rhikkie Alexander (second from right) with GNYC members

membership, they will host their first annual General Assembly to facilitate elections of the inaugural Executive Committee and Regional Representatives, and to establish a two-year strategic plan for young people at the national, regional and community levels.

“Once a strong membership-base of youth organisations and young people has been accumulated, only then can we have nominations to elect executive members and regional representatives for the Council. It is very important that a youth council embraces democratic processes, so the first Executive of

the Council needs to be duly elected to represent youths, the very ones they will be representing. The members, which are the young people and groups of Guyana, determine the work and scope and who their leaders are,” Daniels revealed.

The GNYC is assiduously working towards ensuring young people remain at the top of the agenda and that their collective voice is heard.

It will play a key role in fostering communication and collaboration across youth groups, keep young people informed of opportunities, and organise them for activities where they can build their capacities or be part of so-

lutions at the local and international levels.

At present the GNYC’s secretariat is based at the CUSO International Office in Subryanville, Central Georgetown, and staffed by a permanent CUSO international volunteer, Andrew Rhikkie Alexander, a youth development activist from St. Lucia.

Alexander, who has vast experience in the area of youth development in various capacities ranging from grass roots mobilisation to representing youths at high level meetings and commissions, was instrumental in the establishment of the St. Lucia

National Youth Council and hopes to lend his expertise to the youths of Guyana.

The GNYC’s launch plans to be a very upbeat, informative, and promises its attendees an opportunity to learn about the work of the GNYC and how they can get involved through presentations, feature speakers and kick-starting the MVM campaign and their Facebook page.

The launch is open to the public and is expected to attract the presence of stakeholders, potential partners, youth organisations and leaders, youth activists and the press.

“Becoming a member is simple; you just have to contact us for a membership form at nycguyana@outlook.com and fill it! We have one for individuals not attached to groups because they shouldn’t be left out, and then we have another for youth groups and NGOs,” Daniels summarised.

The Guyana National Youth Council strives on the Mahatma Ghandi principle, “Be the change you wish to see in the world”. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

De trouble wid running from yuh own people

W

hen some people in trouble dem does look different, talk different, sound different and some does even walk different. A young man who was a lil boy years ago come out in public de other day and talk bout some trouble, which been troublin he mind since he was eight.

De trouble continue fuh de next four long years, so that was a long period of trouble. Whah really had happen is that when he had de trouble back then, he was a lil too small to seh any ting bout de trouble. So he didn’t trouble no body bout he trouble.

De young man actually end up tellin de people in Tee-Tee bout he trouble. Is a good ting he didn’t choose de Bajans because dem woulda put de young man thru even more trouble. And this is de trouble whah been troublin he since he was small.

But de innocent lil boy was never de cause of de trouble. So is no wonder de big man who de lil boy accuse of puttin he in all that trouble, turn round and describe de lil boy as “troubled”.

Now it look like de big man don’t even wanna tek on de trouble of helpin de lil boy get outta this trouble. And that is whah cause all this trouble.

And now de big man find he self in a (w)hole lotta trouble. It gon be real trouble fuh he to prove that he ain’t trouble de lil boy.

So in essence, de trouble now start now that every body know bout de trouble. De Kiss Man had get trouble like that since he was small, but he never raise any trouble. In fact, he had keep on goin fuh more of de same trouble.

Now Rum Jhaat in a different kinda trouble.

Accordin to he, is not de AFC people get offer a bribe. And according to Green Jah, is not de APNU people either. Now that only leff de PPP/C. Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! So Rum Jhaat in big trouble! Wonder if he collect all de money!

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This week's Crossword

J k es

Satan

People were talking in their church pews.

Suddenly, Satan appeared at the front of the church.

Everyone started screaming and running for the front entrance, trampling each other in a frantic effort to get away from evil incarnate.

Soon everyone had left the church except for one elderly gentleman who sat calmly in his pew without moving, seeming oblivious to the fact that God's ultimate enemy was in his presence.

So Satan walked up to the old man and said, "Don't you know who I am?

The man replied, "Yep, sure do."

"Aren't you afraid of me?" Satan asked.

"Nope, sure ain't." said the man.

"Don't you realize I can kill you with a word?" asked Satan.

"Don't doubt it for a minute," returned the old man, in an even tone.

"Did you know that I could cause you profound, horrifying, AGONY for all eternity?" persisted Satan.

"Yep," was the calm reply.

"And you're still not afraid?" asked Satan.

"Nope," said the old man.

More than a little perturbed, Satan asked, "Well, why aren't you afraid of me?"

The man calmly replied, "Been married to your sister for 48 years."

Automatic Radio

This week's Puzzle

A lady bought a new Lexus. Cost a bundle. Two days later, she brought it back, complaining that the radio was not working. "Madam,” said the sales manager, "the audio system in this car is completely automatic. All you need to do is tell it what you want to listen to, and you will hear exactly that!"

She drives out, somewhat amazed and a little confused. She looked at the radio and said "Nelson".

The radio responded, "Ricky or Willie?" "Willie," she replies. Soon, she was speeding down the highway to the sounds of "On the road again." The lady was astounded. If she wanted Beethoven, that's what she got, if she wanted Nat King Cole, she got it.

At the traffic light, her light turned green and as she proceeded through the intersection, out of the corner of her eye she saw a small sports utility vehicle run the red light and head right towards her vehicle. She swerves out of his way, narrowly missing a head on collision. "JERK!" she screams! and from the Radio ..."LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES ..."

Church announcements

Actual announcements taken from church bulletins show how a letter or wrongly phrased sentence can make all the difference: “The rosebud on the altar this morning is to announce the birth of David Alan Belzer, the sin of Rev and Mrs. Julius Belzer.”

“Tuesday at 4 PM there will be an ice cream social. All ladies giving milk will please come early.”

“8 new choir robes are currently needed, due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.”

“The Associate Minister unveiled the church's new campaign slogan last Sunday: "I Upped My Pledge -- Up Yours.”

Good Fairy

A man and his wife, now in their 60's, were celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary. On their special day, a good fairy came to them and said that because they had been such a devoted couple, she would grant each of them a very special wish.

The wife wished for a trip around the world with her husband. Whoosh! Immediately she had airline and cruise tickets in her hand.

The man wished for a female companion 30 years younger ... Whoosh! Immediately he turned ninety.

Gotta love that fairy!!

I can hear just fine!

see solution on page 46

Three retirees, each with a hearing loss, were playing golf one fine March day. One remarked, "Windy isn't it?"

"No," the second man replied, "it's Thursday."

And the third man chimed in, "So am I. Let's have a beer."

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Arts & Culture

WEEK ENDING October 5, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

“A

rt is the most intense mode of individualism that the world has known,” said Irish writer and poet Oscar Wilde.

Artists around the world use art as a medium to not only create something admirable but to express their deepest emotions.

This is how effervescent Guyanese artist Sheliza Rampersaud also views art.

“Art allows me to express myself. I don't think there was any real inspiration, because initially art was just a hobby.

I then grew and learnt more about it - the dif-

ferent forms and aspects.

Eventually, it became more than just a hobby, it became a passion,” the artist explained in an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine.

She recalled attending an art exhibition at Castellani House where she saw a variety of

paintings from famous Guyanese artists. She pointed out the paintings that captured her attention were by notable Guyanese artist Ron Savory, his ‘Creek’ series. “I remember looking at those paintings and thinking someday I wanted to paint like that.

Savory’s work truly inspired me.”

Rampersaud attended Montrose Primary where she developed a love for art. There she was taught to “draw and colour”, but art was only a hobby.

“After I graduated from primary school, I attended Tutorial High School where I was introduced to a more advanced level of art. It was there that art became more than just a hobby. I knew

Artist Sheliza Rampersaud

the main subjects that was taught. I did painting, a bit of textile and craft and experimented with other aspects of art.

Consequently, from then on, art became a part of me. My art teacher, Miss Suton, told us (fellow artist Tammy Walker and I) that we could further our study in art. After I

hibition at the National Cultural Centre, along with other students from Burrowes. Rampersaud stated that the exhibition was referred to as a “review”, which provided an opportunity for the students to display their work they completed for that term and for the tutors from Burrowes to examine and grade the showcased pieces.

“For me, personally, art gives me the freedom of expressing myself and finding out new things. I hope I can keep furthering my studies in art, but as for now I have not decided completely about what the next step is,” Rampersaud disclosed.

The artist identified “Hidden” as one of her favourite pieces she has

Artistic ceramic pieces

that art was something I wanted to pursue. In Fourth Form, I chose to go in the art stream where visual art became one of

graduated from Tutorial in 2011, I decided to do just that and, in that same year, I enrolled at the Burrowes School of Arts as a major in painting and minor in ceramic,” she reminisced.

The young artist mentioned that she enjoys painting landscapes and sceneries. She has experimented with other areas of art, such as abstract, still life, portraits, among others, but found herself feeling “free and comfortable” with capturing the beauty of various landscapes.

“Nature became a centre piece for me. I found the beauty of nature and admire the role it plays in our life and the environment. It became more of an escape for me, thus I incorporated it in my paintings and also my ceramics pieces,” Rampersaud noted.

Although very young in her art career, Rampersaud is determined to showcase her talents to the world.

Earlier this month, she was part of a local art ex-

done thus far. “It is my favourite piece because it was the first introspective piece that I have done and it was challenging when I first started painting it. As a matter of fact, this piece was always a challenge for me; it meant that I had to express my emotions on canvas and it had to be able to tell a story. As a student in Burrowes, I was not always prepared to share my emotions with everyone. However, my painting tutor, Ms Nikki B Williams, encouraged me to do that. It was also the first complete figure painting that I did, so that also made it challenging, but I did it. After a while I decided to go back to that painting and I made some changes to it, which varied from the original piece. Some people may think this painting is just a girl sitting by a window with chains on her body, but to me it holds a deeper meaning.”

For more information on artist’s work, call 692-7858. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

travel & Tourism

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he Kanuku mountain range lies in the southern half of Guyana, and runs east to west and divides the north and south Rupununi. These mountains are internationally recognised as being extremely rich in biodiversity.

The Kanukus contain habitats as diverse as gallery forests, lowland forests and montane evergreen forests and savannah, and is home to 70% of all mammals and 53% of all birds known to exist in Guyana. At least five of the South American giants live in the Kanuku Mountains the Harpy Eagle, Black Caiman, Giant River Otter, Arapaima fish and the Giant Anteater. The Macushi and Wapishana peoples make up the population that live in communities in or near to the Kanuku Mountains, caring and wisely using the resources in the traditional way.

The Kanuku Mountain Community Representative Group (KMCRG) has responded to the call to be guardians of that area, protecting and preserving ancient indigenous traditions and the environment. KMCRG aims to support and uphold activities that encourage and ensure the participation of community members in the management of natural resource and social development of their own societies. Members of the group work closely with a number of national and international, government and nongovernmental organisations, all of which share the group’s commitment to the conservation of natural resources and social development of indigenous communities.

View of the mountains from Shea Rock (James Broscombe photo)

Termite mound taller than a person Wapishana-Macushi village in the Kanuku Mountains (Photo by John Martin)

Winding through the region

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news

WEEK ENDING October 5, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Granger calls on Govt to provide free transportation for school children

P

eople’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and Opposition Leader, Brigadier (retired) David Granger has repeated his call for the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) administration to provide road and riverine transportation for schoolchildren, particularly those in rural and hinterland communities.

This call comes in the wake of demands made to Minister within the Finance Ministry Juan Edghill when he met residents of Coomaka, Elizabeth Maria -Three Friends, Old England and Nothinghamshire.

According to an

APNU Leader David Granger

APNU press release, residents complained about poor transportation service for school-age children. According to a GINA report, residents

“implored the Minister to intervene as they complained that during the rainy season, children are forced to stay at home because no transportation is available.

However, in instances where children decide to brave the harsh condition and walk to central Linden to attend school, their parents worry about their safety.

They said: “These children walk for miles to go to school and they come home late at nights. If we get a minibus to collect all the school children in the mines, it would encourage the children to go to school more.”

Another resident not-

ed that the children in the communities are eager to go to school, but because of bad weather, they are forced to stay at home and in some instances miss end-of-term examinations.

The residents indicated to the Minister their willingness to ensure that the bus once provided is maintained and used for the purposes intended. Noting Government’s commitment towards improving the education sector and building the human capital, Minister Edghill said he will make representation to Cabinet for a school bus for the communities.

Simply the Truth

Reading, writing, Berbice

B

erbice has produced quite a few good writers, foremost among them are Sir Wilson Harris and the Edgar Mittelholzer.

They both hail from New Amsterdam.

Mittelholzer is regarded as the father of the West Indian novel, producing such works as “Corentyne Thunder”, “The Harrowing of Hubertus”, “The Life and Death of Sylvia”, “My Bones and My Flute”, and many others. His best work, to me, is “Morning at the Office”.

Mittelholzer died in 1965. He is a son of Berbice.

Sir Wilson is often regarded as one of the greatest novelists living, second only to that great novelist and travel writer, Nobel Laureate Vidya Naipaul. Harris has been fabulously prolific, but numbers of books do not necessarily mean quality.

Harris has both the body of work and critical acclaim regarding quality. His “Palace of the Peacock” alone may have changed the way the novel is conveyed, and it may have pushed the language to new creative frontiers.

In spite of these two giants and a host of others (like Martin Carter, A J Seymour, John Agard, and so on), Berbice and Guyana seem to have pushed literature to almost irrelevance. In fact, there is one single literary journal in Guyana that is worth the read –The Arts Journal, edited by Ameena Gafoor.

It is an excellent journal and ought to be governmentally supported and read by every literate Guyanese, especially our secondary schoolchildren in the upper classes. Certainly, each student in English Language classes at UG should be armed with a copy, not just for the content but for the language used by various contributors, including that fine scholar Michael Gilkes (Guyanese too!).

From the time I returned to Guyana in 2008 and took over UGBC, I have been on the lookout for any kind of literary talent or for anyone who

By Professor Daizal Samad

shows some kind of interest in literature.

I may have found three in five years, one of them an ex-law enforcement officer. The other was a young student at UGBC. I read her stuff (as I have read so many other things to help lecturers publish in Chemistry, A g r i c u l t u r e , Education, Sociology, and other areas).

Usually, if you find one good line in 100 lines of what passes for poetry, you are fortunate. With this young UGBC student, I found a good line in 80 lines. So there was hope there.

I often wonder why we have retarded ourselves in such dramatic fashion when it comes to writing, reading and enjoying literature. Our taste is as cheap as the “music” that befouls the air of Guyana, spilling out from rum shops, homes, places of worship, cars, minibuses, and so on.

Poor taste is a habit in Berbice and Guyana, sad to say.

Even in schools, there is no real attention to literature. Attention is paid to the sciences (and quite rightly so!).

But this should not mean that we should disregard literature as we now do.

Indeed, many scientific discoveries are predicted in literary works, and some of the greatest scientists (like Albert Einstein) are famous for their fondness of literature.

In literature, we write ourselves into being. The self sings its own great truth.

With poetry and creative prose, one cannot lie. Maybe that is another reason why we do not dare write!

We want to cover ourselves with lies.

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Cardi director says Caribbean importing too much food P

O R T - O F S P A I N , TRINIDAD: The Caribbean has achieved ten per cent food security and self-sufficiency, according to Arlington Chesney, executive director of the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Cardi). The target for the Region is 25 per cent, he told TT media.

Speaking in a recent interview after the opening ceremony of a regional workshop at the Carlton Savannah, St Ann’s, Chesney said the Region is importing too much food. “We are strategically trying to identify those commodities that we can do away with easily. We’ve identified about 12 commodities where the Region can make a relatively rapid impact on the food import bill,” he indicated.

Chesney added that Cardi is looking at commodities to reduce imports but there are chal-

Cardi’s Executive Director Arlington Chesney (TT Guardian photo)

lenges in achieving that goal. “One of the challenges that we have is that a lot of the food import is processed products,” he stated, although he expressed confidence that Caricom is doing its part in promoting the idea of food security to the member states.

“In the last two or three years they have

put a lot of the policies in place. In one instance, I understand, there are three investors from TT in Guyana. Remember Caricom is not a ‘doing’ institution, the activities (investment) has to take place at the national level. What Caricom has to do is try to facilitate those activities at the national level along with the member states,” he said.

Chesney highlighted that not all the food on the import bill can be eliminated but items such as poultry, roots and tubers, fruits and vegetables, sheep and goat can be eliminated to achieve an acceptable level of food security. Asked whether there was enough political will by the leaders of the Caricom member states, he added there is need for a greater percentage of national budgets to be allocated to agricultures.

Chesney said Cardi plans to pilot a project on coconuts in 2015. (TT Guardian)

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News

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Canada seeking Jamaican professionals for 'Express Entry'

K

INGSTON, JAMAICA: Highly skilled Jamaican professionals in industries such as health care, financial services and construction are being encouraged to send applications to Tenn-K Consultants Ltd, as come January 2015, Canada is set to launch its active recruitment model known as 'Express Entry'.

This recruitment model is set to manage

applications for permanent residence in certain economic programmes. The model is being launched to meet current and future labour-market needs in Canada.

"Express Entry will be labour-market driven by identifying people who have the skills and experience required to meet Canada's economic needs and bring them to Canada in months, not years," Remi Lariviere,

media relations officer, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, noted.

"Canadian employers will be able to consider Express Entry candidates when they are unable to find Canadians or permanent residents to fill job vacancies," she continued.

Express Entry will allow Canada to actively recruit, assess and select skilled immigrants

under the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

Potential candidates will complete an online Express Entry profile where they will provide information about their skills, work experience, language ability, education, and other details.

Those who meet the criteria of one of the feder-

al economic immigration programmes subject to Express Entry will be placed in a pool of candidates.

"To prepare for the launch of Express Entry in 2015, Citizenship and Immigration Canada has been accepting applications under new caps for the FSWP, FSTP and CEC since May 1. These measures will ensure a steady supply of skilled workers who are settling in

Canada permanently and helping to supplement the Canadian workforce in areas where there are skills shortages," she noted.

Since 2006, Canada has welcomed the highest sustained levels of immigration in Canadian history with an average of 257,000 newcomers each year, in all economic, family and humanitarian classes combined. (Excerpted from Jamaica Gleaner)

News

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WEEK ENDING October 5, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

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RIDGETOWN, BARBADOS: In the aftermath of the financial crisis, investment into Barbados continues to grow at rates that are much higher than Canadian investments in any other jurisdiction.

This was the word coming from Dr. Walid Hejazi, an Associate Professor of International Business at the Rothman School of Management, University of Toronto, at a recent-

ly held conference at Hilton, Barbados. His areas of research include Global Competitiveness, Foreign Investment, International Trade, Financial Markets and Monetary Policy.

The conference dealt with the role of International Financial Centres in the global economy. “Of the 30 or so offshore financial centres that are relevant for Canada, Barbados is the most important,” he said.

“A full eight per cent

Dr. Walid Hejazi

of all of Canadian foreign investment abroad comes

through Barbados; that is a number which is

League: No TT Muslims with ISIS

P

O R T - O F S P A I N , TRINIDAD: The Trinidad Muslim League (TML) says it does not know of any local muslims fighting with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (Isis), as it distances itself from the international terror group.

TML public relations officer Faisal Mohammed, in a telephone interview, made the statement as he responded to reports alleging that some 50 Trinis were fighting with the terror group.

M o h a m m e d said, “There are no Trinidadians that I know of fighting with Isis. We

TML President General Dr Nasser Mustapha (TT Guardian file photo)

(TML) are not affiliated with that group in any way. We do not support

them and do not know of any Trini Muslim Isis fighters. The league fully supports Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar’s co-sponsoring the UN (United Nations) resolution on foreign terrorist fighters.”

TML president general Dr Nasser Mustapha, in a media release issued by Mohammed, said the league “strongly condemns extremism, fanaticism and intolerance.” He indicated: “We (TML) condemn all acts of aggression by individuals and groups against innocent people worldwide, under the guise of Islam.”

Mustapha, in the release, stated that TML supported “any action to eradicate such activities and restore peace to the world.”

The league is the third Islamic group in TT to distance itself from Isis which has been described as a global terror threat. Last week, the Anjuman Sunnat ul Jamaat Association (Asja) and Islamic Missionaries Guild expressed their support for Persad-Bissessar in her stance on terrorism, adding that they did not support Isis in any way. (Excerpted from TT Guardian)

around Bds$62 billion for 2013,” he pointed out.

The professor maintained that when one looks at the top eight or nine offshore financial centres relevant for Canada, “you look at Barbados and Barbados is much further ahead than the next closest jurisdiction, which would be the Cayman Islands, which would be a half of what Barbados receives”.

Explaining why Barbados, Professor

Hejazi stated that while the island has an extensive array of Double Taxation Agreements (DTAs), the key feature is that Barbados is a jurisdiction that allows Canadian companies to open up an affiliate to leverage all of the bilateral tax treaties, bilateral investment treaties, and double taxation agreements, set up in Barbados and use the island as a hub to expand globally.

(Barbados Advocate)

Jamaican man accused of infecting Canadian women with HIV fights extradition

K

INGSTON, JAMAICA: The hearing into the case of an HIV positive Jamaican man fighting his extradition to Canada has been pushed back to December 17 for case management.

Tuesday, the matter could not proceed when it was called up in the Supreme Court.

Canadian authorities want the Jamaican man to stand trial on charges of aggravated sexual assault.

He has been accused of infecting five women in Canada with HIV.

The authorities contend that while the Jamaican man was living in Canada in the late 1990’s he had sexual intercourse with the women knowing that he was HIV positive.

Last month, the man was ordered to be extradited following a hearing in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court.

However, he later took the matter to the Supreme Court seeking a writ of habeas corpus for his immediate release. (Jamaica Gleaner)

46

history

WEEK ENDING October 5, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

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Plaque (marker) on the monument

ocated in Devonshire Castle on the Essequibo Coast, and unveiled 29 September 1985, the

Devonshire Castle monument commemorates the lives of five Indian indentured labourers who were killed on 29

September 1872, during a protest strike against colonial working conditions and poor wages in British Guiana.

The monument was designed by Ali Basir and unveiled by William Badar, 113 years after the tragedy. On 29 September 2000, the monument was modified and rededicated by the National Trust of Guyana. The Trust installed an interpretive heritage marker in 2008 to inform Guyanese about the monument’s significance. The plaque, or marker, includes the names of the five persons who were killed on that fateful day: Kaulica, Beccaroo, Maxidally, Baldeo and Auckloo.

Seven other persons were injured during the 1872 protest, as police

opened fire on the protesting crowd in what has been described as an “accidental” shooting.

The strike is considered the first strike staged by the indentured labourers on the colony. The labourers had been complaining to plantation owners, and later the magistrate, about long hours of night work, being underpaid, and administrative abuse, but felt their concerns were not being adequately addressed.

The strike actions led to an inquiry called at Danielstown by the magistrate, based on workers’ complaints, but workers refused to attend, believing that they would still not receive satisfactory redress.

Instead, they gathered in the overseer’s compound

Devonshire Castle monument (Photo

by Marco Farouk Basir)

where police were called in.

The police read the Riot Act, and orders were given for the labourers to disband but they refused to. As police advanced in the hope they would retreat, the labourers stood their ground, and at the sound of a gunshot, said

to be accidentally fired, the remaining police officers fired into the crowd.

The monument also serves to remind descendants of indentured labourers, of the sacrifices and struggle for basic human rights their ancestors endured. (National Trust of Guyana)

Never a dull moment

T

Shooting fish on the Essequibo River circa 1913

Indian benab, Mazaruni River circa 1919

ings never dull in de land of many waters.

Tings does some times be more hot and spicy than some of dem gyals around de town.

Tings does move from one ting to de next. That is why old people does seh when is not one ting is another ting.

And nowadays it got people who always deh in one ting or another ting. Plenty high people involve in low tings. Some of dem done reach de height of bein low.

Well, when yuh talk bout low, it ain’t got no one ‘more lower’ than Rum Jhaat. Any ting ‘more lower’ than Rum Jhaat is a hole in de gound. And talkin bout hole, that is right up Rum Jhaat alley – all de way up.

It was only de other day that Rum Jhaat had wanna haul de whole of de Pee-Pee-Pee/See a**.

And he even shout at a reporter when he couldn’t get de Pee-Pee-Pee/See a**. Before that he had wanna haul a minister a**. And he even shout at de minister secretary when he coouldn’t get de minister a**.

Wid all this a** talk, it musbe that Rum Jhaat obsess wid a**, or he is an a**. Or both. Some body seh he does behave like an a** anyway.

Now de Prezzi had done confirm not too long ago that de Nagga Man is a donkey man. And in de dictionary donkey = a**. So is no wonder one a** follow de other a** when de Pee-Pee-Pee/See was kickin some a**.

Since then both of dem coverin one another a**. In fact now, dem get so big in this a** business that dem tryin to cover Rafeel a**. And any a** can figure that out from de way dem behavin like a**.

Dem even mek Rafeel turn up to cover he own a**.

But he end up mekkin he self an a**.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! Well, if it turn out to be true that Rafeel was dealin wid a** a long time back, that gon be a big-a** problem. But right now, all three of dem lookin like a**!

News

47

WEEK ENDING October 5, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Trinidad’s controversial highway…

‘I will not relent’ - vows environmentalist on hunger strike

No loyalty S

atiricus is a self-confessed dunderhead. And because of that condition he couldn’t fulfil his childhood dream of being a lawyer. But even as a news hacker, he was just fascinated by the goings on in that fraternity – which he followed avidly and fervently. And he did think it was a “fraternity”. Until now.

Satiricus was trying to keep up with the accusations and counter accusations in the “Case of the Boy who cried Rape!” But right off the bat Satiricus knew the boy was lying. Just look at his name: Welsh Man. Now everybody knew that you are your name. Look at Rum Jhaat for instance??

It was “Rum Till Ah die” with that fella.

And it was for good reason that people who don’t keep their word is said to “welsh”. The boy’s word was not to be trusted. So Satiricus didn’t need Naga Man, NoGel Huge, Rum Jhaat and Trot Man to tell him that. But here was all these big name lawyers rallying around their comrade who was being wrongfully accused of raping the little boy!!

Satiricus knew it wasn’t just because they were all members of the KFC party and that if Trot Man was found of violating the little boy, their party’s chances of getting a seat at the next elections stood as much a chance as a snowflake not melting in hell. Nah…these were lawyers – and they stood for the tenets of Justice!! Satiricus discreetly wiped a tear from his cheek.

But then the Naga Man spoke. And this was when Satiricus started to doubt that there was a “legal fraternity”. The boy who claimed that Trot Man “took his innocence” had called this lawyer – Manic Sand – whom he’d had known from the days when he’d just become “troubled and disturbed”. Manic Sand immediately called then texted Trot Man that the news of him diddling a little boy mightn’t go down well with his family.

“Settle the thing”, she advised. All of this sounded plausible to Satiricus. Legal fraternity and all that. If the Police had a “blue wall”, why not a lawyers’ “black wall”? But Naga Man, with all the two years of experience he had under his belt, smelled the rat. “You don’t need a “retainer” to become someone’s lawyer. That’s too much botheration! I take clients like NICIL just like that!!”

And Naga Man insisted that lawyers don’t look out for each other. No loyalty. “Manic Sand,” Naga Man screamed, “was just trying to hustle Trot Man!” And Satiricus figured who but Naga Man would know about no loyalty to fraternity and friends??

Hadn’t Naga Man sold out his comrades of 50 years because they didn’t hear their departed chief make him his successor?

CROSSWORD SOLUTION

P

Highway Re-route Movement leader Dr Wayne Kublalsingh is embraced by an unidentified woman outside the Office of the Prime Minister, St Clair, on Day 13 of his hunger strike. At left is MSJ political leader David Abdulah (TT Guardian photo)

ORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD: Trinidadian environmental activist Dr Wayne Kublalsingh has mobilised several civil society groups to sign a petition in support of the proposed new route for the Debe to Mon Desir segment of the Solomon Hochoy Highway extension. This petition was expected to be delivered to the Office of the Prime Minister Wednesday.

Kublalsingh spent Tuesday, day 14 of his second hunger strike, outside of the Office of the Prime Minister in St Clair, with his mother and several Mon Desir residents under umbrellas as they waited for a response on the new proposal.

Government has not yet responded to the Highway Re-route Movement’s (HRM) proposal which was announced by leader of the Movement for Social Justice (MSJ) David Abdulah, last week.

“I feel that the Prime Minister has before her a very excellent way out of this. It is a way that if she wishes, she can implement it and claim victory for her government and victory for the people,” Kublalsingh said in an interview. “We (the HRM) don’t have any inclinations about declaring victory in this matter. We want to give all victory to the Prime Minister and the government of TT. I think this is a victorious plan.

I think she needs to get together with her scientists and do a very close scrutiny of it.”

The plan includes the use of parts of the highway already constructed by the government, along with connector roads al-

ready existing in the Southern communities.

“If she has any questions we have a technical team waiting to present her with details,” he said, adding that a few organisations had signed on.

Kublalsingh seemed to be in high spirits Tuesday and said he felt good, despite not having consumed food or wa-

ter for the past 14 days.

“This (Tuesday) morning when I left home I felt bad but my spirits are buoyed. I feel good that there is so much media here and so many supporters.”

However, the activist maintained that he will not relent and also underscored the important role the press has

played in keeping the issue alive.

“The media is an extraordinary institution in a country and they have been here almost every day talking to me, asking about my condition and also about this important issue of the highway,” he stressed.

(Excerpted from TT Newsday)

48

hollywood

WEEK ENDING October 5, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Jennifer Lopez scared for kids after drunk drive crash

R

obert Downey Jr. has penned a touching tribute to his mother Elsie who passed away recently.

In the tribute that he posted on Facebook, the 'Iron Man' star urged fans to express their love for their mothers and admitted that his mother ultimately inspired him to get sober.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, he praised both his parents for the work they did together and recalled how a call she made to him at his lowest ebb made him overcome his addictions.

The 'Sherlock Homes' actor chronicled her struggle and also wrote about the last few years when she moved to Los Angeles to be with him and his family.

His mother, Elsie Ford, died on September 22 aged 80. (TOI)

P

op star Jennifer Lopez was ‘super scared’ for her kids when the car they were travelling in was hit by a drunk driver.

Lopez was test driving a new car in California with friend Leah Remini and their three children when the incident happened, reported E! online.

Lopez’s twins Max and Emme and Leah’s daughter Sofia were sitting in the back seat of the vehicle when it was rear-ended by a drunk driver.

“Everybody’s fine… just a little shook up. You know you get hit from behind like that, it felt like a boulder fell on top of the car,” Lopez said.

“I was super scared that something like that happened to the kids… They say in situations like that you fight,

flight, freeze. I didn’t freeze, I fought, and I didn’t leave, I fought… I was like, ‘They were kids in the car! There were three kids in the car, what’s wrong with you?” she added. (Indian Express)

Family makes me feel rich: Brad Pitt

H

ollywood star Brad Pitt’s family makes him feel like the ‘richest man alive’ and he says becoming a parent changed him

completely.

The 50-year-old actor – who raises six kids, Maddox, 13, Pax, 10, Zahara, nine, Shiloh, eight, and six-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne, with wife Angelina Jolie – said he loves helping his children grow up, reported Contactmusic.

“You learn to value the basic beauty of family, of watching your children grow and evolve. It’s the most beautiful thing you can experience,” Pitt said.

“Being a father has changed me on so many levels and made me more generous and alive. I see my children as an essential part of my life, and it means so much to be able to educate them and help them make their way in the world as they grow up.

“I love being a father and all the responsibilities that entails. I feel like the richest man alive since I’ve become a father,” he added. (Indian Express)

S

inger Alicia Keys, who is pregnant with her second child, has revealed she is due on New Year’s Eve. Keys, 33, has threeyear-old son Egypt Dean with husband Swizz Beatz, reported E! Online.

“They are telling me December 31st,” Keys replied when asked about her due date.

Keys, recently went nude in a photo, where she is shown clutching her breasts and there is a giant peace sign painted on her belly.

When the singer was asked about the photograph, Keys said the portrait was symbol-

A

explicable and terrifying happen to him. Ig's anger is a lot more on display than any character I've played. The way he lashes out at the world is much more overt than I've done before. And I think, frankly, it's one of the most emotionally intense characters I've ever played," Radcliffe said.

(TOI)

W

ith the help of Oscar de la Renta, Stella McCartney, Giambattista Valli and Dolce & Gabbana, human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin vaulted into the top echelons of Hollywood fashion with her stylish Italian wedding to actor George Clooney.

Alamuddin, 36, showcased several outfits during her whirlwind wedding weekend in Venice, picking British, American and Italian designers and channeling golden age Hollywood glamour.

The piece de resistance was an offthe-shoulder tulle and Chantilly lace gown she wore at her formal wedding ceremony on Saturday that was revealed on Tuesday by fashion magazine Vogue and custom-made by New York-based de la Renta.

The British-Lebanese bride told Vogue she and Clooney wanted a “romantic and elegant” wedding, and de la Renta’s romantic and feminine design was the right choice.

The magazine renowned for anointing fashion royalty and whose editor Anna Wintour attended the nuptials, noted “she stands resplendent in her dress.”

De la Renta also supplied Alamuddin’s post-wedding dress, which the magazine described as a “festive, Gatsby-style party frock.” Clooney wore a custom black tuxedo by Giorgio Armani.

Oscar-winning Clooney, 53, one of Hollywood’s most famous bachelors, and Alamuddin’s wedding was attended by celebrities such as Cindy Crawford, Bill Murray and Matt Damon. It has drawn comparisons to the nuptials of Kate Middleton and Britain’s Prince William

in April 2011.

Middleton, now the Duchess of Cambridge, has become a style icon for her chic ensembles that often incorporate high fashion and high street retail, earning a place in Vanity Fair’s annual best dressed lists over the past few years.

Vanity Fair’s special correspondent, Amy Fine Collins, said Alamuddin was one of the runners up for the magazine’s Best Dressed list this year, and pegged her as one to watch during the upcoming year for her “cosmopolitan view of fash-

ion.”

“Amal has immediately entered the major leagues,” Collins said. “She has her own innate style which comes with maturity and intelligence.”

The raven-haired beauty opted for a chic white trouser and top by British designer Stella McCartney for her civil wedding ceremony on Monday. The outfit drew on effortless coastal fashion, a theme she embraced as she arrived in Venice in a black and white maxi Dolce & Gabbana dress.

As the newlyweds jetted through Venice in a speedboat named ‘Amore,’ the new Mrs Clooney selected a short, bellskirted dress embroidered with floral motifs by Italian designer Giambattista Valli, showcasing her long legs. (Indian Express)

ic because she wants a peaceful world for her children. (Indian Express)

'Horns' character my most emotionally intense: Daniel Radcliffe ctor Daniel Radcliffe has described his role in 'Horns' as the most 'emotionally intense' character he has ever played.

Based on the novel by Joe Hill, 'Horns' revolves around a man named Ig who is suspected of murdering his girlfriend, reported Digital Spy. "He's a good person who has something in-

Amal Alamuddin enters fashion pantheon as George Clooney’s bride

E

mma Watson and Daniel Bruhl will be starring in Oscar-winning director Florian Gallenberger helmed project 'Colonia.'

According to a media report, principal photography on the project, which would be a South American political thriller, had already begun and the movie would be filmed in Luxemburg, Germany and South America.

The drama, which is set during the Chilean military coup of 1973, would follow a young German couple, Lena and Daniel, who become entwined in the violence which led to the overthrowing of the democratically elected president Salvador Allende.

The film would be produced by

Majestic Filmproduktion, with co-delegate producer Iris Productions, and coproduced by Rat Pack Filmproduktion.

(TOI)

bollywood

49

WEEK ENDING October 5, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

H

is debut Bollywood film ‘Khubsoorat’ features quite a few fudged kissing scenes and Fawad Khan, the Hindi film industry’s new entrant from across the border, says he refuses to do intimate scenes as he doesn’t want to hurt the sentiments of his core audience.

He is seen as one of the most romantic heroes in Pakistan, and interestingly has earned the reputation without getting intimate in front

of the camera.

In ‘Khoobsurat’ he is seen romancing Bollywood style icon Sonam Kapoor.

When asked if

he refused to kiss in ‘Khoobsurat’ because of the cultural and moral issues in Pakistan, he said: “I didn’t want to hurt the sentiments of my core audience - the audience that has got me where I am. I think I need to respect their feelings.”

“A lot of my audience would be quite offended if I suddenly started losing all my inhibitions.

I just want to prepare the audience for a gradual change.” (Indian Express)

Mary Kom wins Gold at Asian Games, Priyanka Chopra congratulates her ‘Shero’

“M

ary Kom”, the movie has been breaking barriers by being the rare womencentric movie to win the audiences and critics alike and that too without any skin show. The real Mary Kom has also

been doing just the same.

MC Mary Kom, on whose life the movie was based, has made India proud by winning her maiden Gold at the Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.

Priyanka Chopra, who had reprised Mary Kom in the movie, took to Twitter to express her elation and congratulated her ‘shero’.

Priyanka Chopra was appreciated for her portrayal of MC Mary Kom in the movie. She was time and again quoted saying how she feels related to the character and salutes Mary Kom’s spirit and determination. (Indian Express)

H

rithik Roshan, who battled brain injury and split from wife Sussanne while shooting for 'Bang Bang', says the action-romance is special for him as it helped him overcome the "personal challenges" that he was going through in his life.

The film was delayed as Hrithik underwent a brain surgery following an injury that he had sustained while doing a stunt in the Siddharth Anand-directed movie.

His injury was followed by the end of his 13-yearold marriage. He also had to walk out of Karan Johar's Shuddhi. "’Bang Bang’ was a dream of mine. It is a different matter that it took so much time to complete because of my personal challenges--both

A

cided to go for a adenoid tonsil surgery, which had been troubling him for long. The adenoid surgery was regular and had nothing major.

Apparently, because of the adenoid, Ranbir Kapoor had to sometimes sleep with his mouth open, to facilitate breathing.

He had to cut short his birthday celebrations, hosted by girlfriend Katrina Kaif, as he had to leave for

T

he young and versatile actress Alia Bhatt has turned designer for a line titled 'Alia' for an online shopping portal. She says her love for fashion is courtesy filmmaker Karan Johar. Alia says she was not much of a fashionista initially, but during the shooting for "Student of The Year", which saw her in the role of a brand-conscious style diva, she started loving the world of fashion.

"I didn't really understand clothes while I was overweight. When I was auditioning for 'Student...', I lost weight and because my character Shanaya was so into dressing up and fashion... because of that I kind of got into loving fashion," the 21-year-old said recently.

"Basically, Karan (Johar) has a great influence on that and he has a great fashion sense. He tells me when I am wrongly dressed and when I am doing good," added the actress, whose line will be available on Jabong. (TOI)

the surgery. The actor is currently shooting for ‘Roy’ along with Jacqueline Fernandez and Arjun Kapoor. And the Barfi actor, also a football enthusiast, has entered the sports arena by buying a stake in the Mumbai City football club (Mumbai FC).

“It’s always been a dream to be a part of a football team as a fan. Now to own one is something I never imagined,” said Ranbir in an interview.

S

S

hraddha Kapoor is an actress with back to back hits to her credit but she is extremely new in the music world.

Besides her acting abilities, people are also talking about her singing abilities thanks to her second musical outing.

Sharddha made her singing debut with the unplugged version of the song 'Galliyan' in ‘Ek Villain’. And now she has taken her singing career further by crooning 'Do Jahaan' for her upcoming film ‘Haider’.

The actress has sung both songs with renowned singers. While she shared audio space with Ankit Tiwari in the unplugged version of 'Galliyan', she sang 'Do Jahan' with veteran singer Suresh Wadkar.

While 'Galliyan' is a love ballad, 'Do Jahaan' is a Kashmiri folk song.

Shraddha has sung two completely different kinds of songs equally well.

backs.

"I think the solution to every problem lies in moving forward. If you sit and think 'why this is happening to me' then you are wasting the life within you. Spreading more smiles frees you up and fills you up in best possible ways," he added. (TOI)

Alia Bhatt turns designer, says Karan Johar influences her fashion sense

Ranbir Kapoor discharged from hospital after minor surgery ctor Ranbir Kapoor was on Wednesday morning discharged from a hospital in Mumbai following a minor surgery, said a source. According to a report, he was being treated for adenoid tonsil.

Ranbir, who turned 32 on September 28, was admitted to the Breach Candy Hospital.

Ranbir Kapoor got a five-day break from work and he then de-

emotional and physical.

But I got through. I kept myself very very strong.

This is why I call ‘Bang Bang’ my biggest victory. Just completing the film has been a victory," Hrithik related.

The 40-year-old actor said the gruelling shoot of the film helped him forget his personal set-

The response Shraddha's voice has received is phenomenal. She is overwhelmed by the positive feedback she has been receiving from all quarters for 'Do Jahaan'.

Most importantly, the positive feedback and praise coming in from her co-singers Ankit Tiwari and Suresh Wadkar, who are themselves so phenomenal, gives the actress a different high.(TOI)

ince last November, the rumour mills have been buzzing about the new jodi in B-town-Sonam Kapoor's ex, director Punit Malhotra, and 'Raaz 3' actress Esha Gupta. In fact, at a promotional event of Punit's last film 'Gori Tere Pyaar Mein', the film's lead actress Kareena Kapoor had commented that the two look great together.

Not surprisingly, the couple vociferously denied the link-up even though they have been spotted together many times.

Last Friday, Punit's silver-hued car zoomed out of the Andheri building where Esha stays. An eyewit-

ness told MIRROR, "He arrived and they drove out in three minutes.

Apparently, she was waiting for him."

The source added, "Esha sat beside him.

Both looked comfortable in each other's company even though Punit was driving the car rather

fast." Punit and Esha's 'friendship' began on the sets of 'Gori Tere Pyaar Mein'. Esha made a special appearance in the film, gyrating to a club song. Repeated calls and texts over the weekend failed to evoke any response from Punit and Esha. (TOI)

50

Sport

WEEK ENDING October 5, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Flex Night Int’l set for Jamaica appoints FraserDecember 7 in Georgetown Pryce as special envoy

F

Flex Night Inc at Tuesday’s launching of Flex Night International 2014

lex Night International 2014 is set for December 7 at the National Cultural Centre in Georgetown. Flex Night Inc, headed by Donald Sinclair, on Tuesday launched the 2014 Flex Night International at the Hermandston Lodge in Georgetown.

The event will feature muscle men and women from the Dutch Island of Aruba, Suriname, Barbados and Brazil, clashing on stage with some of Guyana’s finest and for the first time, inmates from the Camp Street Prison and representatives from the Guyana Prison Service will be participating at a body building competi-

tion.

According to Sinclair, the response from gyms across Guyana is overwhelming.

Reigning Mr Flex Night International Koese Soepe of Suriname is expected to make a return to Guyana to defend his title, while Sinclair noted that two females are expected from Brazil; one based in the South American country and the other from the northeastern state of Amapa.

Meanwhile, for the first time in Guyana, Flex Night will have a Men’s Physique competition.

Flex Night Inc was legally incorporated in January 2012 and has committed itself to the

highest standards in the planning and staging of bodybuilding and fitness events in Guyana.

The mission of Flex Night Inc is to propagate, through the planning and execution of appropriate bodybuilding, fitness and related promotional events, the attractiveness of the health, fitness and bodybuilding lifestyle.

The company has pledged its full support and cooperation to the GABBFF and the Sport and Health Ministries, as those entities pursue strategies aimed at raising awareness of the contribution of sport, especially bodybuilding and fitness, to the maintenance of a healthy lifestyle.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and husband, Jason, receiving their diplomatic passports from Jamaica’s Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller last week (JIS photo)

K

INGSTON, JAMAICA: The Jamaican government has appointed two-time Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce as an Ambassador Special Envoy to the world.

Fraser-Pryce, who has five World Championships gold medals to her credit, received the instruments of appointment during a brief ceremony at the office of the Prime Minister last week.

Minister without portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for sports, Natalie Neita-Headley, described Fraser-Pryce

as the perfect role model for young Jamaicans.

“Shelly-Ann FraserPryce is, of course, an excellent athlete who has done tremendously well, winning back-toback Olympic gold medals and, of course, being recognised as the top female athlete in the world by the IAAF,” Neita-Headley told Jamaican media.

“In addition, she is well grounded and has displayed honesty and integrity in character.”

The Jamaican sprinter has also developed a local charity known as the Pocket Rocket Foundation, which has been raising

funds and contributing to student athletes and less fortunate children.

Fraser-Pryce and her husband Jason Pryce have received diplomatic passports.

“I believe ShellyAnn [Fraser-Pryce] has added significantly to Brand Jamaica and we are very proud to have her serve as Ambassador Special Envoy to the world,” said Neita-Headley.

“She would have received official passports; herself and her husband and will be treated with the courtesies that go with those,” the minister added. (Jamaica Gleaner)

North Georgetown starts road to Nationals

Tyreese Glasgow (yellow jersey) outfoxes Sherwin Sampon (all red) on the line

W

ith the Guyana School National Championships about two months away, defending champions North Georgetown/ District 11 has begun the process of identifying their top athletes with the Inter School Championship for primary Schools on Wednesday at the Police Sports Club Ground, Eve Leary.

A number of the talented young athletes seemed in ripping form, none more glaring than Yesenia Andrews who sped away from the under-12 field in the girl’s under-12 category.

Tyreese Glasgow also created a major upset in the boy’s under-12 100 metres by defeating favourite Sherwin Sampson who has been a staple in the team from the under eight category.

However, with the raw untapped talent on display, district leader Mariska Williams shared her thoughts on the day’s activity.

“Well we have seen some talent but we were not blown away we had a few upsets but it was good day for the primary schools,” Williams told Guyana Times International Sport.

In addition, Williams

highlighted that everything has been falling into for her zone while noting that their teacher’s category seems a bit weaker than usual.

However, Williams was not shy on the district’s ability to retain the title, “We have no doubt that we can, we never go into the event with any doubts and believe that we will retain the title,” Williams stressed.

The event will continue today (Thursday) with cycling action and next week with more track and field as the secondary schools will take the track from Tuesday.

SPort Ontario Softball Cricket League tournament…

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Dant dominates 2014 season

By Ravendra Madholall

T

O R O N T O , CANADA: Dant emphatically defeated East Coast by five wickets with 7 balls to spare on Sunday at Ashtonbee Park as the 2014 Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL) regular 20-over season culminated.

In their debut year, Dant won the 10-10 and 15-over competitions while they added the last two trophies by winning the West End’s and now the aforementioned tournament with ease.

East Coast took first strike at the invitation of Dant and only made 117-7 from the allotted 20-overs while Dant, in reply, reached the target in the penultimate over.

Openers Muniram Karran and Shaun Deonandan started the chase rather slowly, but later progressed. Despite losing his partner for 7, Karran scored 32 with just a solitary boundary. The innings however gathered momen-

The victorious Dant Cricket Club team strikes a pose just after the game at Ashtonbee Park (Photo: Courtesy of Bobby Ramlagan)

tum half-way through a quick 12 from Looknauth Ramsuchit.

East Coast, featured in their third consecutive grand champion final, also bowled steadily, compliments of Rakesh Dyal’s penetrative opening spell.

However, Riaz Kadir and Aftab Shamsudeen, linked up together and brought home victory

with an entertaining 31run fifth-wicket stand when Kadir hit the winning boundary with a towering six over midwicket.

He made 13 while Shamsudeen anchored things during his occupation at the crease with 21.

Dyal ended with 3-17 from his 3 overs while Andy Persaud support-

ed him by claiming two wickets conceding 23 runs from his maximum 4 overs.

Earlier, East Coast began their innings perilously losing two of their chief batsmen. Eion Katchay opened the batting with Surujpaul Deosaran but felt cheaply while skipper Krishna Deosaran also went back

without a batting impression.

Surujpaul though found a willing ally Dyal and the two prospered in an impressive 84-run third-wicket stand that helped the score.

Surujpaul played several exquisite drives and finished with a responsible 43 which included a six and a four while Dyal

proved his all-round capability with a steady 23.

Bholonauth Sukhu emerged as the most successful bowler for Dant by snaring 3-30 from 4-overs and Shamsundeen rounded off a fine all-round performance with 2-11 from 4-overs.

At the presentation, the winning and runnersup teams received a trophy each while Dant’s Most Valuable Player Shamsudeen and East Coast’s MVP Surujpaul Deosaran also took home awards for their outstanding performances.

President of the OSCL Albert Ramcharran, congratulated Dant on their success and thanked all the participating teams.

Captain of Dant Yadram Bogh attributed the triumphant efforts to great dedication and commitment.

The players and teams will now be recognised at the League’s annual presentation, dinner and dance at Eastown Banquet Hall in Scarborough on October 25.

Jamaica’s Reggae Girlz win practice match in U.S. - as preparations heat up for CONCACAF Women's Championship Jamaica, drawn in Group B, open their account at the CONCACAF tournament versus Martinique at the Sporting Park in Kansas on October 16.

They then face Costa Rica at the Toyota Park

(From left) Jamaica’s goal scorers Jodi-Ann McGregor, Donna- Kay Henry and Christina Murray after a 4-2 win over Florida Kraze Krush in last Saturday’s practice game in Orlando, Florida (Jamaica Observer photo)

F

L O R I D A , U N I T E D S T A T E S : Jamaica’s senior Reggae Girlz head coach Merron Gordon praised the depth of his squad after they recovered to outscore Florida Kraze Krush 4-2 in last Saturday's practice game in the United States .

The Jamaicans, who are camping in Orlando ahead of the CONCACAF Women's Championship to be staged in the U.S. from October 15 to 26, were led by a double from

Jodi-Ann McGregor and one goal each from Donna-Kay Henry and Christina Murray.

Several usual starting players including captain and defender Alicia Wilson, strikers Shakira Duncan and Alexa Allen, as well as goalkeeper Nicole McClure, did not feature.

"It was a very good win and we played without six or seven of our regular starters," Gordon told Jamaican media, while adding that the academy is ranked

fourth in the country.

"Scoring those goals showed the depth of our squad, especially to score four goals in the second half after trailing 0-2 at half-time. We have some depth and quality and we are very happy for that."

Despite playing a number of practice matches against U.S. colleges and academies in a few overseas preparation camps since June, the Reggae Girlz have been unable to tie down any international friendly games.

in Illinois on October 18. The Girlz complete their preliminary round games against Mexico at the RFK Memorial Stadium in Washington, DC on October 21.

The top three teams at the Championship

will automatically qualify for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada. The fourthplaced team will enter a play-off against a South American country for a World Cup spot.

(Jamaica Observer)

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Guyana Hockey Board names squad for Pan Am Cup in Toronto

T

he Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) has named its national boys under-19 squad to begin preparations for the 2016 Junior Pan American Cup in Toronto, Canada.

The programme will be run by a coaching staff which includes experienced coaches Andrew Xavier and Dwayne Alleyne, as well as national senior men’s coach Robert Fernandes.

The squad of 32 players is expected to be developed into a formidable force over the next two years, with their first assignment being a tour to Trinidad in December of this year to have their first taste of the artificial surface on which

Hilton Chester (left) and Mark Sargeant are included in the Guyana squad

all international hockey matches are played.

During the four-day tour the team will train and compete against club teams from the twin island republic, in addition to playing against the country’s under-19 national development squad.

Although the majority of players are newcomers to the national programme, standouts such as Mark Sargeant, Andrew Stewart and Aroydy Branford have already tasted success at the senior level, having been part of the men’s team that won Bronze at the Indoor Pan American Cup in Montevideo, Uruguay earlier this year.

Squad: Mark Sergeant, Medroy Scotland, Kareem McKenzie, Keon McKenzie, Daniel Hooper, Sammar DeFreitas, Rosario Ramsammy, Lorenzo Vanzo, Aroydy Branford, Andrew Stewart, Leon Bacchus, Robert Brumell, Joshua Carew, Omar Hopkinson, Stephon Sprosta, Shaquille Thomas, Onasis Fraser, Deheron Wilkinson, Richard Thomas, Akeem Wilson, Hilton Chester, Paramanand Dindial, Shemar Boston, Nicholas Nervais, Gordon Trotman, Troy Hodge, Ezekiel Springer, Delmar Ng, Ato Greene, Edmund Chinian, Myron Phllips and Meshach Williams.

GFCA launches international softball competition

T

he Guyana Floodlights Cricket Association (GFCA) will bowl off the fourth edition of the Guyana Softball Cup on October 31 at various venues across Guyana.

At the launching of the of the tournament on Wednesday at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) Players Pavilion,

Members of the head table at the launching on Wednesday

it was revealed that the top winning prize will be Gy$800,000 GYD’s while the second place finishers will receive a total of Gy$200,000.

Twenty four (24) teams will vie for the top prize with seven teams coming from New York, three from Florida and two from Canada.

Minister of Sport Dr Frank Anthony who was on hand for the launching stated he was very impressed with the growth of the event.

“All my wishes for your tournament have exceeded our expectation…

Cricket as a whole is very important to Guyana and

is regarded as our national game.

“Softball Cricket is the way you were introduced to the game, so Cricket is engrained in us… you have filled a much needed niche in taking an unorganised style of cricket and making it organised and that should be commended,” Anthony stated.

President of the GFCA Ramchand Ragbeer was highlighted that the tournament has become a flagship event of the association.

“I can assure that this year will be bigger and better, several teams from the USA

and Canada will be in Guyana and we at the GFCA pledge that we will take softball cricket to the highest level in cricket,” Ragbeer lamented.

The tournament that started in 2011 has grown and will see Trophy Stall aiming to defend their open title while New York Better Hope will look to retain the Master’s title.

Thirty six preliminary games are expected to be played along with four semifinals and two finals. There will also be a couple of women’s exhibition games on the final day which is scheduled for November 2.

Linden to come alive with Stag Beer/Cell Smart Futsal tourney

N

ew Era Entertainment will be hosting the Stag Beer/Cell Smart sponsored Futsal Tournament set to kick off from November 1at the Mackenzie Sports Club Hard Court in Linden.

The first place winner will cart off Gy$100,000 while second will take away Gy$75,000. The most Valuable Player (MVP) and the most goal scorer will be receiving incentives as well.

Co-Director of New

Aubrey Major Jr

Era Entertainment Aubrey Major Jr stressed that teams needed to register early, “We have

teams like Hard Knocks, Russians, Silver Bullets and Retrieve Unknowns, but presently, not everyone is registered so we’re asking the teams who would’ve collected forms to please have them filled out and returned to us as soon as possible.”

However, Major Jr highlighted that more information on the tournament will be revealed at the launching which is set for October 16 but revealed that the final of the tournament will be held on November 22.

Sport

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TV audiences double for 2014 CPL – remarkable success continues off-field with release of outstanding broadcasting figures

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ew figures published on Wednesday indicate a significant growth in fans for the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), with over 65 million people across the globe tuning in to see the likes of Chris Gayle, Kevin Pietersen and Sunil Narine entertain in the 2014 edition of the Biggest Party in Sport.

The stand-out figures show remarkable growth in the Indian fan base, with 21m fans, a sevenfold increase on 2013, following the tournament.

Viewing figures in the Caribbean showed a strong rise, from 31m to 39m, while there were 1.6m viewers in Pakistan and 600,000 in South Africa – a ten-fold year on year increase.

There was a 174 per

Pete Russell

cent rise in British fans following the tournament, while viewing numbers in Australia (65 per cent), New Zealand (192 per cent) and the USA (10 per cent) also jumped markedly.

Pete Russell, Chief Operating Officer of the CPL, said; “The Biggest Party in Sport just keeps getting bigger, and for that we would

Ashante Smith wins Jamaica’s Liguanea Squash tournament

Ashante Smith (right), gets a high five and handshake from Gerry Wight, chief operating officer of BCW Group Limited, after receiving the BCW Group trophy for his win in the final of the 2014 Liguanea Club Open (Jamaica Observer photo)

K

INGSTON, JAMAICA: Former national and regional junior champion Ashante Smith signalled his intention at the senior level with a decisive win at the 2014 Liguanea Club Open which wrapped up over last weekend.

The in-form teenager delivered an authoritative performance, convincingly beating his training partner, the reigning All Jamaica and Caribbean Under-19 champion Julian Morrison, to win his first senior title.

After losing the first game, Smith turned the tide on Morrison and rallied to post a 16/21, 21/17, 21/7, 21/7 win.

The victory put a pause on Morrison's yearlong winning streak which saw him tak-

ing the All Jamaica and Caribbean titles and contributing strongly to the University of Technology's successful defence of their KPMG Squash League trophy.

In the play-off for third place, Adam Ardito prevailed in an exciting match-up to beat Yasser Wright 21/15, 21/19, 21/16. Then, in the consolation round, Nathalee Boreland earned bragging rights when she beat 12-time All Jamaica Ladies champion Karen Anderson, 21/9, 21/14, 21/15.

"However, what was most significant about the 2014 Liguanea Club Open is that we saw a definitive changing of the guard as we had some of our youngest players finishing in the top four," he added.(Jamaica Observer)

like to thank our fans and broadcast partners.

A unique blend of sport and entertainment has helped to establish the CPL as one of the key highlights in the cricketing calendar, and we can’t wait for next year, where our fans will be able to see even more global stars competing in the most exciting T20 tournament around.”

The Barbados Tridents were handed victory by CPL officials in the 2014 edition in a highly controversial final which the Guyana Amazon Warriors have since challenged.

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