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INTERNATIONAL

Pennsylvania cops hold symposium with Guyana Police Force Page 19

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

for FRee distribution guyanatimesinternational.com

You can also read Guyana Times daily edition online at www.guyanatimesgy.com ISSUE NO. 214

- President Ramotar

week ending October 26, 2014

See story on page 25

Hundreds participate in Diwali Motorcade in Queens

Happy Diwali to all our readers!

Hindus from Guyana and other nationalities turned out in their numbers to participate in the Annual Diwali Motorcade and Cultural Show held last Saturday in Queens, New York. (Buddy Singh Photo)

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NEWS

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Canadian parliament locked down, soldier fatally wounded in Ottawa shooting

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Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper

gunman shot and fatally wounded a soldier in Ottawa on Wednesday and then entered the country’s parliament buildings chased by police, with at least 30 shots fired in dramatic scenes in the heart of the Canadian capital.

A suspected gunman was shot dead inside the parliament building, a government minister said.

Ottawa police were searching for more suspects near the National War Memorial in central Ottawa, where the soldier was shot, and on

nearby Parliament Hill, a police spokesman said.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper was in a caucus meeting in parliament when gunfire erupted in the building, Veterans Affairs Minister Julian Fantino, a former policeman, told the Toronto Sun. Harper was later safely removed from the building, and parliament was locked down.

Fantino said parliament’s head of security, Sergeant-at-Arms Kevin Vickers, a former member of the Royal Canadian Mounted continued on page 14

Govt, APNU hold talks on governance … but no progress on LGE, assent to Bills

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n the absence of the Alliance for Change (AFC), the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) met with the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Administration in a quest to advance the national governance agenda.

In a statement, APNU said the meeting was convened in wake of the Opposition’s year-long demand and public protests for the long overdue Local Government Elections (LGE). During the meeting, President Donald Ramotar was urged to set a date for the holding of the LGE. But this was just was one the many petitions that were laid on the table when the parties met.

“APNU also committed to collaborate on a process by which the President would assent to the Local Government Bill, No 12 of 2012; the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2013; the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act, Bill No 24 of 2012 and Bill No 5 of 2013 and the Former President’s

(Benefits and other Facilities) Bill No 29 of 2012.”

Due to the absence of the Attorney General who is presently attending a Financial Action Task Force (FATF) meeting in Paris, France, the PPP/C took a decision not to decide on the bills or LGE. Much to its dissatisfaction, the APNU in response reaffirmed its commitment to support the NoConfidence Motion in the National Assembly. “A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) is committed to the formation of a Government of National Unity to rid Guyana of winner-takes-all politics.

APNU is dedicated to ensuring that our multiethnic and multicultural society will succeed through respect for the diversity, hard work, thrift and sacrifice of all our citizens.”

APNU’s high profile delegation was led by David Granger and included parliamentarians, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, Basil Williams, Carl Greenidge and Joseph Harmon.

Government

was represented by President Donald Ramotar; Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh; Housing Minister Irfaan Ali; Government’s Chief Whip Gail Teixeira and Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon.

Back in September, President Ramotar had expressed his willingness to meet with Granger to discuss matters of national importance.

Ramotar in a letter to Granger back then had reiterated his commitment to dialogue while inviting Granger to meet with him at a time convenient to the Opposition Leader. Nonetheless, at the time Ramotar expressed concern over the new communication posture and policy adopted by the Opposition Leader which sees him, as of late, utilising the media to send messages to the Executive.

Ramotar’s letter had come days after Granger had threatened to take action if a date for LGE was not announced. The President then wrote Granger seeking clar-

ity, while stating that the contents of the letter, which contained the ultimatum, were “ambiguous and contradictory” to the utterances made by the APNU in relation to a menu of related issues. “While awaiting your response, Office of the President has noted your resort to the media, where you have been reported to have agreed to commence protests in support of your demands for Local Government Elections,” the President said.

He noted too the media reports which called for meetings with Government on other critical issues affecting Guyana while protesting the use of the media to make these demands.

“I must, for the record, express my deep reservation about this mediabased communication style you have recently adopted in dealing with my Office. There is nothing that my team and I have done to prompt you to disregard our usual format,” the Head of State said.

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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

Politics as guerilla warfare

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ost people would accept Lasswell’s definition of politics as “who gets what, when and how”. Ultimately, then, politics is supposed to authorise allocative decisions within a framework that is agreed on by the people of a country. Normally, that framework is described in the country’s Constitution – even if the latter is “unwritten”, as in the two lonely exceptions of Britain and Israel.

In democracies, of which Guyana is one, political parties are supposed to mobilise and aggregate votes at general elections so as to secure the authority to make those allocative decisions as the “Executive” or “government”. The premise, is that since the rules were agreed by all the players “in the game” they would accept the “voice of the people”.

In Guyana, the Constitutional rules determined – following general elections in 2011 – that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) would control the Government.

And this is where the rules of our local competitive politics have been traduced by the Opposition and reduced to guerrilla warfare against the legitimate government of the day. That Opposition – comprised of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) entered those elections as separate bodies fully cognisant that they could not coalesce afterwards in the event that they had a greater total number of seats than the PPP/C. Yet, when the latter eventuality became reality, they immediately signalled their refusal to accept the political framework encompassed in the Constitution and dubbed the administration as a “Minority Government”. In the context of our history this was not an accidental nomenclatural choice.

Under the old Burnhamite Constitution, the word “minority” was used to describe the PPP/C, which had been rigged out of its majority, to emphasise the latter’s powerlessness. In our context, the phrase “Minority Government” is an oxymoron, since the Executive was separated from the Legislature in its powers by the Constitution.

And the Opposition then launched a vicious guerrilla campaign against it from both within their redoubt in the National Assembly and from without. After the pitched battles of Linden and Agricola, in which lives were lost, billions went up in smoke and thousands of ordinary citizens were traumatised, the Opposition fell back to the National Assembly, where they launched one attack to another – each designed to bring Guyana to its knees.

This “scorched earth” policy was callously intended to alienate the people from the Government by creating hardships through strangulation of the economy.

The terrain of the guerrilla warfare was established when the Opposition seized control of the all important Speaker and Deputy Speakerships as well as of all Parliamentary Committees. They went for the jugular in their first Parliamentary foray – the annual Budget Estimates of the Government. This is the feature within the political framework of democratic governance in which the essential question of politics, as adumbrated above – who gets what, where, and how – is answered.

They insisted on crudely chopping sections of the Budget, evidently just to prove the PPP/C was a “Minority Government” and could not govern. The Government, however, sagely resorted to the procedure spelled out in the Constitution, and went to the arbiter of that document – the courts. That institution ruled that the Budget could only be denied in its entirety – in which case it acts as a “no confidence vote” and the government falls – or it cannot be cut at all.

But the Opposition did not confine its guerrilla war to the Budget, it also refused to pass critical legislation such as the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering of Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Bill which precipitated the blacklisting of our country with the global financial system. Right now the two parties are split on whether to censure the Finance Minister for performing his spending function, or moving a “no confidence” motion.

It would appear that this falling out might finally allow the Government to get on with the business of developing Guyana.

A scene from the 2014 Diwali Motorcade and Cultural Show held in Queens, New York last Saturday

Some 15,000 Guyanese unaware they have diabetes – International Diabetes Federation

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ith more than 60,000 persons affected and over 1000 deaths per year, diabetes remains a major life claimer in Guyana.

In a country with an estimated population of 750,000, some 15,000 persons are believed to have the disease but they are unaware.

As of 2013, some 382 million people have diabetes worldwide, with Type 2 Diabetes making up about 90 per cent of the cases.

This is equal to 8.3 per cent of the adult population, with equal rates in both women and men.

Worldwide in 2012 and 2013, diabetes resulted in 1.5 to 5.1 million deaths per year, making it the eighth leading cause of death.

Diabetes overall at least doubles the risk of death, Wikipedia pointed out.

In 2011, then Health Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy had said that based on a study, persons living with the illness have an 80 per cent chance of dying prematurely.

This is so as diabetes contributes to hypertension, stroke, heart, eye, and kidney diseases, among others.

Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas is no longer able to make insulin, or when the body cannot make good use of the insulin it produces.

Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas, that acts like a key to let glucose from the food eaten pass from the blood stream into the cells in the body to produce energy. All carbohydrate foods are broken down into glucose in the blood.

Insulin helps glucose get into the cells.

Not being able to produce insulin or use it effectively leads to raised glucose levels in the blood (known as hyperglycaemia). Over the long-term, high glucose levels

are associated with damage to the body and failure of various organs and tissues, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) said The illness is generally classified as two types – Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 is usually caused by an auto-immune reaction where the body’s defence system attacks the cells that produce insulin. The reason this occurs is not fully understood. People with Type 1 Diabetes produce very little or no insulin. The disease may affect people of any age, but usually develops in children or young adults.

Type 2 Diabetes accounts for at least 90 per cent of all cases of diabetes. It is characterised by insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency, either or both of which may be present at the time diabetes is diagnosed.

Unusually undetected

The diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes can occur at any age.

Type 2 Diabetes may remain undetected for many years and the diagnosis is often made when a complication appears or a routine blood or urine glucose test is done. It is often, but not always, associated with being overweight or obesity, which itself can cause insulin resistance and lead to high blood glucose levels. This can be controlled through regular exercise and diet.

Giwan Harilall, 63, of Better Hope, East Coast Demerara said aside from staying away from foods and beverages with high sugar content, he has been exercising regularly as this keeps him well.

According to the IDF, Guyana’s best performing area is its health system, which provides a range of services, although cost is not fully covered.

“National plans are in place but remain to be fully

implemented.

Funding, preventive services and policies, and services for early diagnosis are areas for improvement if Guyana is to respond to the diabetes challenge,” the IDF said.

However, the international body noted that though the health system provides a range of services, early diagnosis is not universally provided.

“Self-management education is limited. Less than 50 per cent of the cost of services is covered and individuals who have the means use the private healthcare system.”

The IDF reported that there are some 60,150 diabetes cases in Guyana, with some 1098 deaths in 2013. It has also estimated that some 15,000 persons in Guyana are unaware they have the disease.

Sanjiv’s story

This was the case of a victim, who gave his name as Sanjiv Singh. The young man told Guyana Times International that he learnt he had the noncommunicable disease after he suffered a serious attack a few weeks ago.

He related that about six days prior to being diagnosed, he was experiencing blurred vision, feeling weak in the arms and feet and foods were becoming tasteless.

According to him, an initial examination by doctors at a private hospital indicated that the situation was not serious as the symptoms point to a viral infection, likely the Chikungunya virus.

Sanjiv noted that he was given some medications and experienced some relief, but after two days, the weakness and blurred vision worsened to the point where it was becoming difficult to see, remember routine things and comprehend simple instructions. continued 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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So what if log exports doubled in 2014?

Dear Editor, Once again I noticed the embattled Kaieteur News is in its usual ‘rumour mill’ mode to cast aspersions and paint a picture of rampant corruption and malpractice as was attempted in its October 19 edition with a prominent front page headline, “Log export doubles in 2014”.

As if this is the end of the world. I have been engaged in the forestry sector for a number of years and have heard numerous calls from the Guyana Forestry Commission encouraging companies to increase their production as several companies are harvesting far below the allowable cut which is the threshold to ensure the sustainable exploitation of Guyana’s forest resources.

With this in mind, I am confident that if not all, some companies are still harvesting way below the allowable cut.

Most naturally, if there is an increase in the production of logs, there will be an increase in log exports and other value added production as well, which I am sure will be reflected in the Forest Product Development and Marketing Council’s year-end report.

While Kaieteur News failed to highlight any significant malpractices or breaches resulting from the increase in log exports, those in the sector have welcomed this bit of news which will only serve to further increase the demand and prices for Guyana’s logs.

This will continue to produce further export earnings contributing to foreign exchange and development of Guyana as a whole.

Further, over the past few years, there has been much public debate over the exports of logs. However, the outcomes from those

stakeholders’ meetings have remained unchanged, as the export of logs will continue but with a phased increase in royalties and taxes on exported logs. Stakeholders are against the ban on the log trade.

Additionally, the relevant agencies have maintained that deforestation is kept within the allowed margin.

In fact, only recently it was announced that deforestation rates have dropped from 0.079 per cent as the annual rate for 2012, to 0.068 per cent as the reported rate for 2013.

Meanwhile, it is evident that Kaieteur News needs to distract the public from its own misdemeanour by once again misrepresenting the forest sector and efforts accrued to strengthen its sustainable exploitation and management.

Sincerely, Samuel Singh

Our teens ought to be taken seriously

Dear Editor, Young Alex Persaud could have been in love with the 18-year-old teacher of his school, that’s the way the youth of today see it; it is real to them. He is a prime example of one of our straight thinking, straight acting young men of today.

A young energetic teen with hormones jangling is a representation of the hormone testosterone. If not kept in check, it can spin out of control and cause many to get into trouble.

An abnormal teen no, there is nothing abnormal about these feelings. However, he has to train himself to “keep his emotions under control.”

One might be tempted to say he was out of place, I would reluctantly admit to agreeing with this because these types of relationships

cannot be encouraged in a school setting. The youngster is there to do his schoolwork and the teacher is there to teach – neither to be distracted by the other.

That is why the Swami sent the boy home to cool off while engaging the attention of his parents. Why didn’t the parents visit the school? They are the ones most culpable in this whole affair.

A young man having love/sexual matters at school – those parents should have been there at a flash to get the matter resolved. Judging from today’s teenagers’ plight, matters of this nature should not be taken lightly.

Love matters are real to them and they need that timely intervention to diffuse things.

And that shopkeeper – why would he sell a young, vulnerable teen

gramoxone? Isn’t that shopkeeper so daft to pick up the signs of a teen in crisis? Isn’t that shopkeeper the dumbest person in the world?

Why sell a teenager a deadly weedicide when he is not the owner of a farm? The actions of that shopkeeper are most outrageous!

I think the timely intervention of the parents, principal and a strong dose of counselling would have resolved this whole matter. Send him to another school where he can cool off. I strongly believe that young man would have been alive today if these simple age old steps were taken.

Don’t be too laid back parents, watch out for your children. God has given you the sacred responsibility to guide and nurture them.

Name and address provided

Some 15,000 Guyanese...

It was at this point, the young man said he decided to visit a different hospital, which proved to be a wise decision as his blood sugar level was found topping 600.

Doctors were able to arrest his condition, preventing him from going into a coma. Sanjiv has managed to pull through and is in fairly good heath now.

Prior to the attack, he related that he was a heavy consumer of high-sugar carbonated

beverages, sugary foods, seldom ate on time and hardly ever exercised.

He was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud speaking to GTI said the disease should not be taken lightly, pointing out that Type 2 Diabetes accounts for 95 per cent of all cases in Guyana.

It is caused by high consumption of sugar, obesity, lack of exercise and poor diet.

“There might be some

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family dispositions but those are made worse when we practise those lifestyles. So currently we treat about 4600 people annually in all our various health centres, hospitals and we have added private sector figures to that as well.”

He said the problem can be addressed by educating persons, especially the youth about the dangers of the disease and how it can be prevented.

Diaspora, remittances and illegals in foreign countries Dear Editor, Guianese and later Guyanese started to leave the country before independence. They left in droves for the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada, and during the racial clashes in the mid 1960s, more and more started to leave for all parts of the world for a better way of life.

However, the consolation is that most of them are doing extremely well in their professions and businesses. Some excelled and made Guyana proud. What is more important is that a large number of members of the diaspora assist their friends and relatives back home and hundreds send remittances on a fairly regular basis.

While most of them are in overseas countries legally, there are tens of thousands who are illegal in several countries mainly the United States, Canada and a few Caribbean countries.

The latest report from Port of Spain is that a total of 110,012 illegals are in that oil-rich country.

Incidentally, the illegals comprise one-tenth of the total population and as a result the Ministry of National Security is taking drastic action to deport and even to pros-

ecute some of them.

Guyana has the largest number – 25,884, followed by Jamaica with 19,500.

The illegals in Trinidad and Tobago are from 16 countries, mainly from six Caricom countries, as well as from Venezuela – 10,570, and nearly 10,000 from St Vincent and the Grenadines; Colombia – 6388 and as far as Nigeria and Bangladesh.

It might be surprising to the readers that as many as 7169 illegals are from Barbados and 4391 from St Lucia.

Although Guyana topped the list of illegals in Trinidad for the country with most illegals; there are several thousands of illegals including Brazilians, Chinese, Colombians, and Caribbean nationals who are in the Cooperative Republic.

It is believed that the immigration authorities in Guyana are not as vigilant and harsh as their counterparts in other countries especially the United States, Canada, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados.

The Treaty of Chaguaramas makes provision for freedom of movement in the Caribbean Community,

but the Treaty is not always being adhered to by a few countries especially Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and Antigua and Barbados.

Jamaica has recently been criticised for deporting Abu Bakr, a Muslim from Port of Spain who went to Kingston to attend the 19th anniversary celebration of the Million Man March which was attended by Louis Farrakhan and other black leaders.

The Jamaican immigration authorities said that Bakr was sent back to Port of Spain in a chartered jet in the interest of public safety. Bakr plotted and tried to overthrow the Trinidad and Tobago Government in a coup in the Parliament Chamber more than two decades ago.

Gerald Pereira, Chairperson of the Black Consciousness Movement in Guyana, was also denied entry to Jamaica. Pereira lived in Libya for many years and served in the Green March, an International Battalion for the defence of the Libyan Revolution.

People tend to move from country to country to seek a better way of life for their families.

Sincerely, Oscar Ramjeet

PNC/APNU not qualified to speak about Local Govt Elections

Dear Editor, In relation to Local Government Elections, President Donald Ramotar was quite in order not to have given his assent to a Local Government Bill. Why? The Bill, the Local Authorities (Elections Amendment) Bill 2013 was not passed unanimously in the House of Assembly, hence it was rightly deemed unconstitutional.

Every time my mind focuses on the parliamentary Opposition of our country for analysis, I remember Dr Walter Rodney’s usage of a word at his revolutionary meetings in Georgetown when he was alive.

Rodney used to say that anything the PNC (when it was illegally in Government) touches turned to “s*it”. Now while the PNC/APNU is in the parliamentary Opposition, the word is still relevant and applicable. It seems, therefore, that Dr Walter Rodney like Dr Cheddi Jagan was a prophet.

David Granger,

Leader of PNC/APNU, says he is protesting for the holding of Local Government Elections.

He was caught holding a placard that read “Yes Democracy, No Dictatorship”.

That placard quite appropriately referred to Granger himself, since that placard must have reminded him about his undemocratic actions in his treatment of his own PNC members at Linden and the dictatorship of the one seat-majority held by the parliamentary Opposition.

But Granger should now recognise that he is just wasting time protesting since as a political leader he should have known that in the new dispensation, all Bills before the House before they are given assent by the President must have the endorsement as well of the Executive.

If not, a Bill not supported by the Executive but passed in the House by the Opposition’s oneseat majority would be deemed unconstitutional by the President.

This is what Opposition elements in Guyana need to know and accept and stop being misled by the PNC/ APNU and AFC leadership where the blind is leading the blind. This, of course, is flawed leadership which seeks to hinder Guyana’s national development and its peoples.

This is quite evident in their wicked budgetary cuts from 2012 to 2014 and their deliberate failure not to pass the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Bill.

Also not giving parliamentary support to national transformational projects such as the Amaila Falls Project, which can save Guyana from a fuel import bill of Gy$500 million annually. Guyana’s parliamentary opposition (PNC/APNU & AFC) is, therefore, useless to the Guyanese people and clearly a waste of tax payers’ money.

Yours sincerely, Peter Persaud

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No-Confidence Motion not a priority for APNU, says Granger

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pposition Leader, David Granger said the Alliance For Change (AFC) sponsored No-Confidence Motion against the Government is not a priority for his coalition, although insisting that

they were committed to the motion.

The Granger-led A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has been forced on several occasions to explain its position on the NoConfidence Motion and

on each occasion it has said that it was committed to it. However, on Tuesday when Guyana Times International asked Granger specifically if the motion was a priority for his 26-seat coalition, he said no.

Granger’s position is that the outstanding matters from the last sitting should be dealt with when the next sitting of the National Assembly is held. He explained that the No-Confidence Motion was put to the House by AFC and whenever the matter arises, it will be debated.

Earlier in a press statement, APNU said it remains committed to the No-Confidence Motion, while refuting claims that Granger and President Donald Ramotar are discussing a compromise to avoid passage of the motion.

“APNU remains committed to supporting the NoConfidence Motion when it is brought to the floor of the National Assembly of Guyana. Any suggestions to the contrary are malicious, scandalous and mendacious,” the party said.

The AFC however, remains bent on its position that the No-Confidence Motion should be placed high on the agenda.

AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan had told GTI 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 would be moving ahead “full force”.

He said though the PPP/C would want the 65

Opposition Leader David Granger

AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan

members of the National Assembly to debate the historic motion, 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.

“They (People’s Progressive Party/Civic) would have uncontrollable tears running down their faces,” he opined.

But although recess ended on October 10, the Government has not decided on a date for the next sitting of the National Assembly.

Last Wednesday, a high level meeting was held but the Parliamentary Management Committee could not have decided on

a date for the reconvening of the 10th Parliament.

According to Standing Order 8 (2) “if during an adjournment of the Assembly, it is represented to the Speaker by the Government, or the Speaker is of the opinion that the public interest requires that the Assembly should meet a day earlier than to which it stands adjourned, the Speaker may give notice accordingly and the Assembly shall meet at the time stated in such notice”.

However, it was explained by the Clerk of the National Assembly Sherlock Isaacs that if a date had already been fixed for the next sitting and Government wanted an earlier sitting, representation would have to be made to the Speaker to do just that.

He stressed that the Speaker could not on his own fix a date for the reconvening of Parliament.

Essequibo miller to convert paddy husk into energy, factory underway

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rice miller in Essequibo has procured equipment at a cost of US$100,000 to

convert paddy husk into energy to reduce wastage of rice by-products.

This is in keeping with the Government’s aim to add value to Guyana’s produce as part of its development strategy.

Minister of Agriculture, Dr Leslie Ramsammy at the Guyana International Conference Centre (GICC) on Monday, during the opening ceremony of the Annual Research Conference 2014 said, “…

I am in a position to say that a miller has procured equipment to convert paddy husk into energy to meet the energy needs of the mill, making use of all the by-products of rice.”

This sort of investment is to ensure that the remains of rice harvest do not create an environmental problem, and are converted into cleaner energy.

Cooking gas is also being produced on a small scale locally and the Minister said agriculture could contribute more such initiatives.

In the last couple of years, rice has gone from

just being a producer of paddy for mills in other countries to additionally utilising every bit of the rice plant and its product.

The Minister said he recently had discussions with a group that wants to produce healthy cooking oil using the paddy husk, shell and other byproducts. He added that there are many opportunities for this kind of research. Thus, “we would like to see our university, National Agricultural Research Extension Institute (NAREI), Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) and other organisations coming together with an active research programme.”

Minister Ramsammy commended the work being done at the Rice Research Centre and by young agriculturalists at NAREI and GLDA to improve the varieties of crops and the breeds of animals.

Earlier this year, a farmer saw his cow give birth to twin calves through artificial insemination. (GINA)

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Parties agree to Widespread TIP arbitration tribunal in sensitisation sessions Skeldon industrial dispute conducted in Region Nine

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Minister of Labour Dr. Nanda Gopaul and GAWU President Komal Chand among others at the meeting

he Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) on Tuesday agreed to proceed to arbitration over disciplinary action taken against an employee of the Skeldon Sugar Estate.

The parties signed a Memorandum of Agreement containing the Terms of Reference for the Tribunal. The Sole Arbitrator was identified as Mr. Mohamed Akeel, who is a former Chief Labour Officer, while the Secretary to

the Tribunal will be Mr. Dexter Semple, a Labour Occupational Safety and Health Officer.

The decision was reached at a conciliatory meeting involving the parties under the chairmanship of Minister of Labour, Dr. Nanda K. Gopaul. Also present at the meeting were the Chief Labour Officer and other staff of the Labour Ministry.

The industrial dispute arose after disciplinary action was taken by GuySuCo against an employee attached to the Skeldon Estate, Mr.

Daniel Stephen, who was accused of hitting a manager.

It was agreed that the said matter be referred to an arbitration tribunal, which will enquire into the disciplinary action taken against Mr. Daniel Stephen and having regard to the evidence and submission by the parties to make an award as the arbitrator deems fit. The parties agreed that the award of the tribunal shall be final and binding.

The Tribunal will meet on October 24, 2014.

he Ministerial Task Force on Trafficking in Persons (TIP) recently conducted a number of awareness and sensitisation sessions in Region Nine; targeting residents, health workers, Amerindian leaders and secondary school students. This outreach is in keeping with the Task Force’s 2014-2015 Action Plan.

A press release from the Home Affairs Ministry stated that sessions were held at Karasabai, Aishalton, Sand Creek, Annai, Lethem, Long Creek and St. Ignatius.

Presentations were delivered on causes, detection, and consequences of human trafficking.

Residents were also enlightened on the techniques used by traffickers.

At Karasabai, the team spoke with Community Health Workers (CHWs) and toshaos from Tiger Pond, Tiperu, Rukumoto, Yurong Paru, Karasabai, Pai Pang and Taushida.

Additionally, over 300 students (from forms three to five) drawn from the Annai, Aishalton and Sand Creek secondary schools were engaged in discussions. At each of the schools, brochures and posters were handed to students. Materials were also given to the head teacher of St. Ignatius Secondary for distribution to students.

The Ministerial Task Force was created under the Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act No. 2 of 2005, which is as a result of the Government’s recognition of the seriousness of trafficking in persons and its act to eradicate and prevent same.

It comprises the

Ministries of Home Affairs; Labour, Human Services and Social Security; Legal Affairs; Foreign Affairs; Amerindian Affairs; Guyana Geology and Mines Commission; Guyana Police Force; Indigenous Peoples’ Association; Help and Shelter; Food for the Poor; and the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions In June this year, the Task Force launched a new action plan 20142015, which will be implemented in a two-year period. It will see more measures put in place to protect victims of human trafficking in addition to widespread awareness campaign. (GINA)

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Guyana’s National Psychiatric Hospital to be converted into a three-component complex

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he National Psychiatric Hospital in Guyana will be transformed into a complex, with three components – one for the elderly, the second for addicts and the third for people with psychiatric problems and need care. This is to reduce over-crowding at the institution. This was told to health personnel at Herdmanston Lodge on Thursday at another forum held to address mental health.

Minister of Health Dr. Bheri Ramsaran said that by the end of 2014 the discussions on the Mental Health Strategic Plan will begin to show progress and an all inclusive document made available.

Minister of Health Dr Bheri Ramsaran and Dr. Bhiro Harry address the gathering on Thursday

The minister said he hopes discussions will be expanded to other locations such as Berbice and Essequibo and on television as well. A draft plan is to be presented in early December for endorse-

ment and funding.

In the past Guyana was limited to little or no psychiatrists, now there are five psychiatrists. Further, mental health along with Non Communicable Diseases

(NCDs) will be dealt with in specialised units in the Ministry of Health.

Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, Chief Medical Officer pointed out the difficulties of treating the mentally ill. He told

the gathering that mental health is everyone’s business as it can affect persons of any age, race or class.

Mental health is the most common disabling condition globally, and

is even sometimes determined and affected by the way a child is brought up, Dr Persaud noted.

He pointed out that there “needs to be a place where we can refer mentally ill persons, persons who are suffering from tobacco and other addictions.” He advised that persons get adequate sleep to ensure proper mental health.

Dr. Bhiro Harry psychiatrist attached to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation said suicide is a problem all over the world.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has deemed Guyana the suicide capital of the world, but Head of the continued on page 13

NYC Council Member Wills introduces Bill to curb domestic violence among City youth

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n Tuesday New York City Council Member Ruben Wills introduced the Intimate Partner Abuse Primary Prevention Act, an initiative that calls on the Department of Education to establish a domestic abuse awareness

and prevention pilot program for students enrolled in the Public Schools Athletic League (PSAL). The act, which also proposes increased funding towards the Human Resources Administration’s (HRA) successful Teen Relationship Abuse

Prevention Program (RAPP), seeks to broaden awareness around the issue of intimate partner abuse among young New Yorkers, particularly the City’s nearly 38,000 student athletes.

Recent news surrounding incidents of intimate partner

abuse committed by professional athletes have heightened the public’s consciousness about the prevalence of such abuse within society today. While much of the national dialogue has revolved around the conduct of professional sports athletes, the

New York City Council Member Ruben Wills

potential for younger athletes competing at the pre-collegiate level to commit acts of violence against their romantic partners is significant and warrants urgent attention.

According to the Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence, more than 280,000 incidents of partner abuse were reported to police last year, with 62 familyrelated homicides occurring city-wide, 13 of which were in Queens.

In addition, more than one in ten New York teens cited personal encounters with physical or sexual violence in a relationship. These statistics highlight the urgency of this crisis and the necessity of

legislation like the Intimate Partner Abuse Primary Prevention Act, especially in regards to its focus on student athletes.

“The stubbornness of this social ill threatens the safety of young men and women throughout the five boroughs and beyond,” said Council Member Wills. “Every resource must be leveraged to combat it early and vigorously.

This bill aims to doubledown on RAPP and stem the spread of partner abuse by instilling healthy principles in the minds of our students whose aggression in the spirit of competition may be grossly misdirected if left unmanaged,” he added.

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Parliamentary Committees Election of AFC get down to work leaders put on hold … despite uncertainty of next sitting

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espite the uncertainty as to when the next sitting of the National Assembly will be held, work resumed at the level of several committees, the Parliament Office said on Tuesday.

Last Wednesday, the Parliamentary M a n a g e m e n t Committee, which is chaired by the Speaker, met and discussed several matters of importance, including the possible date for the next sitting; Parliament’s role in the LEAD Project; training, workshops and conferences to be attended by Members of Parliament; and the return visit to the Parliament of Suriname. This visit will be the result of an invitation made by the Surinamese Speaker who visited Guyana in October – and aims at establishing a formal relationship between the two Parliaments.

Additionally, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association also met on Wednesday to consider the report of the 16th Biennial Regional

Special Select Committee on the AML/CFT Chairperson Gail Teixeira

Conference of Presiding Officers and Clerks of the Caribbean, the Americas and the Atlantic Region of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and to look at several other issues on that Committee’s agenda.

Anti-Money Laundering

The Special Select Committee on the AntiMoney Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) Bill 2013Bill22/2013 also met and the Chairperson, Gail Teixeira, briefed the

members of the meeting on Guyana’s appearance before the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) in June of this year.

The Public Accounts Committee, chaired

by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament, Carl Greenidge, met on Monday to reschedule dates for the examination of agencies in the report of the Auditor General on the public accounts of Guyana for the year 2012, and to consider outstanding matters to be addressed by the Auditor General, the Finance Secretary and the Accountant General.

This Committee is expected to meet again on Monday, October 27.

In addition to these meetings, the Foreign Relations Committee would be visiting the Foreign Affairs Ministry Re-migrant Section and Protocol Division on Wednesday, October 29 to discuss issues relating to remigration etc, and to examine the operations of the existing system in the Protocol Division.

…Patterson says everything hinges on No-Confidence Motion

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lliance For Change (AFC) General Secretary David Patterson said the fact that a date for the reconvening of the National Assembly had not been set was what caused the party to postpone its congress.

Speaking to Guyana Times International in an interview on Tuesday, the General Secretary explained that the congress has several pertinent motions to debate that hinge on the passage of the NoConfidence Motion.

He explained that based on the party’s constitution, it is bound to call a special congress in preparation for elections, but it cannot call a special congress, with the debate of the motion still being uncertain.

The AFC on Monday announced that it had deferred its National Conference, which was slated for this month due to the stalling of its No-Confidence Motion against the Government.

“If the motion is passed, then we will only

AFC General Secretary David Patterson

need to have one congress. If we go ahead with the congress now, it will not be a special congress and then maybe next month we will need to have another Congress,” Patterson said.

He said too that the decision to call off the congress was made owing to the fact that the Party’s overseas chapter would be coming to Guyana for the congress and it would be inconvenient to have two congresses in a matter of two months.

In a statement, the AFC said as was men-

tioned during its recent National Executive Meeting, it was anticipated that the NoConfidence Motion would have commenced being debated either this week or at latest next week.

“Due to circumstances beyond our control, it appears quite likely that this motion will only be debated either in the last week in October or sometime in November,” the AFC said.

AFC’s National Executive Committee met and received four nominations for presidential candidate: Khemraj Ramjattan, Nigel Hughes, Moses Nagamootoo, and Cathy Hughes.

Nominations were also received for prime ministerial candidate: Raphael Trotman, Nigel Hughes, Cathy Hughes, Dr Verasammy Ramayya and Patterson.

The decision on who will be elected the presidential and prime ministerial candidates will be made when the party holds its biennial congress.

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Spend more on agriculture PPP/C calls on developed countries research - Ramsammy to step up fight urges stakeholders against Ebola

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M

Minister of Agriculture, Dr Leslie Ramsammy delivering the feature address at the Agriculture Ministry’s Annual Research Conference at the Guyana International Conference Centre

inister of Agriculture, Dr Leslie Ramsammy has called on countries to spend more in sustainable agriculture research, saying that this is critical in the development of the sector.

Minister Ramsammy was at the time speaking at the Agriculture Ministry’s annual Research Conference at the Guyana International Conference Centre (GICC) under the theme “Consolidating Food and Nutrition Security in the Region-Increasing Economic Opportunities and Entrepreneurship for Rice and other Agriculture.” This threeday conference is aimed at highlighting the importance of research in the area of rice and other agriculture products.

Minister Ramsammy noted that this event starts yet another tradition in Guyana- research in agriculture, and underlines the Ministry’s

commitment in this regard.

The post-2015 sustainable development agenda will not serve our global interest unless we recognise that research is very much a part of that development agenda,” Minister Ramsammy said.

Rice is the third most prevalent crop in the world, and because of research, this crop has developed to where it can be able to feed most of the people in the world.

Minister Ramsammy said that the Indian rice varieties cannot be ignored, noting that they have transformed the world’s production of the grain, and is a good example of how research can increase production and efficiency in agriculture.

The Agriculture Minister emphasised that even as there are talks about producing Guyana’s own food, the energy equation must be looked at so as to es-

tablish where the energy would come from, at what cost and how it would affect the environment. “These are answers that must come from research, and that is why countries need to invest,” he added.

For every one dollar spent on global research in agriculture; thousands of dollars are spent in other types of research. “We have not invested enough in agriculture, it is our collective failure… some one trillion dollars is spent in research overall and yet without agriculture there is not a world. There is no other way of feeding people and establishing the basis for nutritious food in the world, there is no life without agriculture,” Minister Ramsammy further explained.

Speaking on climate and its effects on the sector, Minister Ramsammy noted that the agriculture sector is the most affected by this issue,

and research can also be done in this regard.

He said the production of greenhouse gases is another area that agriculture research can resolve. Agriculture has led Guyana to a sustainable development path, and it continues to be an important contributor to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), employment generation, foreign exchange earnings and rural development.

He added that in Guyana, five percent of the National Budget is dedicated to those areas of training and research.

Building capacity at the University of Guyana and the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) and Technical Institutes, enhancing Agriculture Science in Secondary schools, engaging young people in the sector are just a few of the aspects Government has been investing in. This is not enough, he said, but for a developing country it is impressive.

he People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) is calling on developed countries to step up their fight against the deadly Ebola virus, which has been wreaking havoc in some West African countries.

The virus up to last week had killed over 4500 persons since the latest outbreak started in December 2013 in West Africa. Speaking at a news conference on Monday, PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee said the developed nations should not create history by failing to act. According to him, the disease could have been easily brought under control had the international community responded appropriately when the virus was discovered in 1976 in Sudan. “The world’s fail-

who seek to develop a cure for the disease.

“We also wish to caution that while individually we seek to protect ourselves from the virus infiltrating our population, there must be a well-coordinated global response. This is the only way in which we can realistically bring this under control,” he posited.

Fight against Ebola

The Party also used the opportunity to applaud the Government of Guyana on the steps taken to combat the disease. According to him, steps taken by the Health Ministry to increase surveillance at ports of entry and the establishment of quarantine facilities at the main ports and hospital ought not to go unnoticed. The party has pledged its support in

PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee

ure to respond appropriately and immediately then has resulted in a catastrophe. It is only now that the international community is moving to respond to the virus and this response is slow and inadequate,” the General Secretary opined.

The ongoing spread of the disease, Rohee said, is a threat to national security and can result in a breakdown in law and order, negatively impacting trade and investment especially in poor and developing states. To prevent the disease from spiralling out of control, Rohee said, there was an urgent need for the developed world to decisively provide the necessary assistance not only to the affected countries but to medical experts

the fight, saying that it stands willing to work closely with the Health Ministry in the case of an outbreak.

The Government has placed restrictions on the issuance of visas to nationals of Ebola-hit West African countries as this country takes steps to stave off the virus. Since September 9, 2014, Guyana’s consulates in West African states were instructed to stop issuing visas to those nationals.

However, the Government has not taken a decision to stop persons from coming to Guyana from those countries.

Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea are the three West African nations to have reported the highest number of Ebola cases.

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Foreign Minister urges fair treatment of small economies - as WTO officials conduct Third Trade Policy Review

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two-member technical team of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) is currently in Guyana to conduct the third trade policy review.

These reviews are carried out once every six years with the first two being conducted in 2003 and 2009. The function of the review mechanism is to examine the impact of a member’s trade policies and practices on the multilateral trading system. The WTO team is made up of Hayafuji Masahiro and Xinyi Li. According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) release a formal opening ceremony was held on Monday at the Foreign Service Institute which saw the attendance of Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Foreign Affairs Minister, Carolyn RodriguesBirkett and heads of a number of Government agencies.

In her remarks, Minister RodriguesBirkett said that Guyana’s approach has been consistent in demonstrating genuine efforts aimed at strengthening the liberalisation framework while securing, as far as possible, the requisite policy space for small

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Foreign Affairs Minister, Carolyn RodriguesBirkett and the two WTO officials, Hayafuji Masahiro and Xinyi Li

economies.

The Minister noted that small trading economies such as those within the Caribbean Community (Caricom) are faced with tremendous challenges in an increasingly globalised world, characterised by rapid economic integration and trade liberalisation.

These challenges are further compounded by a narrow production base and limited supply capacity.

“Unlike large economies, small developing economies as ours have little room for mistakes and scarce financial and other resources. Yet,

how we match up to these realities is what will determine our place in the world…our private sector has no choice but to make the necessary adjustments in order to flourish in this highly technological and more competitive environment,” she said.

For this reason, capacity building to prepare citizens for a modern economy is vital.

As Guyana continues to adjust to the globalised world, its membership in the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) becomes even more important. Minister Rodrigues-Birkett said that the CSME represents a critical

Message of Diwali can be applied everywhere – President Ramotar

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resident Donald Ramotar has described the lessons and message of the Hindu festival of Diwali, as ones that can be applied the world over.

Delivering the feature address at the Uitvlugt Diwali Motorcade at the community’s ground, Saturday evening, the President said that the story of light over darkness or good over evil is one that can be equated with what is happening locally.

The fact that Guyana’s economy has had eight years of consecutive growth, and major investments in education and agriculture, were highlighted by President Ramotar. The efforts of the political Opposition to thwart these and other gains made in Guyana, particularly over the last three years, were described by the President as a real reflection of ignorance.

He said that Guyanese must enable “the light to shine on that ignorance to move

President Donald Ramotar addressing residents at Uitvlugt Community Centre ground during a Diwali motorcade

them from that position.

The Opposition has been talking about increasing jobs, fighting the drug trade and corruption yet has not supported the hydro-power project and the Anti-Money Laundering Bill,” the President stressed.

The Head of State expressed his gratitude to the people of the community and asked for their continued support to ensure that Guyana’s progress is never held back again

and the developmental thrust could continue.

As Guyana and other countries with Hindu communities celebrate the Festival of Lights, motorcades have become a part of the traditional celebrations.

Several such events which see mandirs and businesses constructing vehicular floats depicting various scenes from Hindu mythology, and competing in various categories are being held across Guyana. (GINA)

and pragmatic step which a group of small vulnerable economies found it necessary to take, to respond to the changes in the global trading environment.

She used the forum to call on the WTO to ensure that future special and differential treatment be based on specific development criteria instead of arbitrarily defined transition periods. She also noted that these arrangements should be part of a special programme in the WTO that focuses on the trade development needs of

smaller economies.

The Minister also registered her disappointment with the current impasse at the WTO whereby public stock holding and the adoption of the protocol of amendment on the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) are yet to be concluded. This matter has resulted in the stymieing of the work programme that was decided on at the 9th Ministerial Conference in Bali in December last year.

Notwithstanding the proliferation of regional trade agreements, the multilateral arena remains the refuge for small developing economies.

Based on existing official data for Guyana, in 2005 distribution, transportation and communication, engineering and construction, rent of dwelling, financial services, and other services accounted for 32.8 per cent of GDP. In 1995, these same services represented only 22 per cent of GDP. Today, it is in excess of 60 per cent. On the export

side, however, services account for less than 12 per cent of GDP. Meanwhile, Hayafuji who is a councillor at WTO’s Trade Policies Review Division explained that the purpose of this threeday forum is to garner information and look at developments that have taken place since the last review in 2009.

“We are not here to check your compliance with your WTO obligations…we are here to assist you to raise the transparency and understanding of the trade policies and practices of Guyana… it will not be a basis for enforcing obligations under WTO agreements…,” he said.

The two WTO officials will be looking at the economic rationale for decisions taken over the past six years such as the elimination of certain subsidies, introduction of higher tariffs, and/ or the imposition of licencing restrictions on certain products. Guyana will be undergoing another review which is scheduled for September 2015.

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PNCR goes back to drawing board to discuss Linden fallout make her case.

She said subsequently, the Central Executives met with all the heads in Region 10, including the Regional Chairman, Vice Chairman, two Members of Parliament and the region’s Central Executive representative Mortimer Mingo.

Taking into consid-

Region 10 Chairman Sharma Solomon

BY SVETLANA MARSHALL

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he ongoing division within Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) can hurt the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) during the next elections, the party’s Linden Coordinator Sandra Adams said.

Observers say that the party’s support has been rapidly moving from active to passive due to the ongoing rift between the Regional Chairman Sharma Solomon and the leadership of the party.

Solomon, who is often backed by Member of Parliament Vanessa Kissoon and Trade Unionist Leslie Gonsalves, is forming an “army” of his own, even as Adams attempts to take control.

Only last week, Party Leader David Granger had a bitter sendoff when angry PNCR supporters voiced their dissatisfaction over his leadership style. At the time, Granger was addressing a select group of sup-

APNU MP Vanessa Kissoon

porters at the Mackenzie High School when a decision was taken by Adams to lock out the angry supporters who were at the venue.

Speaking with Guyana Times International on Sunday, Adams admitted that the ongoing rivalry within the region can negatively impact the PNCR during the next elections.

According to her, the Central Executive has returned to the drawing board to devise a plan that would mitigate the impacts of such a fallout.

Small support

Based on her observation and analysis, Adams said only a handful of persons are backing the Solomon faction.

“Every day more and more people are getting clarity on the issue,” she said in response to the general attitude of Lindeners towards the party since the rift began.

Having served two terms in the National Assembly since 1998 as a PNCR Member of Parliament, Adams was forced to migrate in 2007 after be-

Guyana’s National Psychiatric... from page 8

Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon, said that the way in which the number suicide deaths is calculated by the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and WHO, does not accurately reflect what is recorded by the Guyana Police Force and the Health Ministry.

The mental health strategic plan is being worked on to prevent suicide in Guyana. The plan is a very detailed one and its goals were recommended by the WHO. “We are hoping to have a mental health institute for training doctors/nurses to become qualified in order to satisfy the needs of our people. We are having two additional psychiatrists

coming to Guyana; one is expected to be placed at Suddie Essequibo Coast and the other at the National Psychiatric Institution,” Dr. Harry said.

Special psychiatric services for children and elderly will be put in place, he added.

Minister Ramsaran said the engagement of Hindu and Muslim organisations in fighting suicide is also being looked at. The minister urged everyone to get involved and take a stand against the problems in mental health Guyana faces at present.

The Ministries of Agriculture, Education and Human Services are expected to be on board the programme. (GINA)

ing diagnosed with a thyroid disorder in 2002.

However by January 2014, she had undergone surgery and treatment, resulting in her full recovery. Her doctor had granted permission for her to return home and so she did in February. Adams said being full of energy and experience in the political realm, she offered her support to the Region 10 Chairman Sharma Solomon, recognising that there was no PNCR party structure in the region.

But this offer, she said, was rejected from the onset. “He blatantly refused. He told me he was not interested,” she recalled.

Having served as the last Chairperson of the PNCR Linden arm in 2003 and the only PNCR Member in Region 10 to serve as a Mayor and Town Council (M&TC) Councillor, RDC Councillor and Member of Parliament, Adams with the determination to rebuild the party structure in Linden paid a visit to the party’s Headquarters in Sophia, Georgetown to

eration her track record, Adams was reportedly identified by the central body as the most suitable person to rebuild the party groups within the region since at the time there was no official group in place. But this decision was met with stern objection by Solomon and Kissoon.

Kissoon and current Region 10 Chairman Sharma Solomon had been credited with ensuring a landslide victory for APNU in the Upper Demerara District at the last election, with the coalition sweeping both of the geographic seats. (svetlanam@guyanatimesgy.com)

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Scrapping of PetroCaribe deal “will not severely hurt Guyana” - Ramsammy

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n light of mounting concerns over the longevity of the Petrocaribe deal, Guyana’s Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy said any failure of the rice-for-oil deal would not “severely” hurt Guyana’s economy.

Petrocaribe is an alliance of many Caribbean states with Venezuela to purchase oil on conditions of preferential payment. The alliance was launched on June 29, 2005, in Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela.

However, there are talks that the Petrocaribe will be discontinued by the Venezuelan Government in the near future. This prediction came from Professor Anthony Bryan who said the programme has become too costly for a country reeling from political instability and economic challenges.

In an interview with the T&T Guardian, Bryan explained that Venezuela was “in serious trouble” and the country was essentially allowing one-third of its total crude production to be sold at discounted rates in Petrocaribe and

assistance to Nicaragua and Cuba.

But, Ramsammy told Guyana Times International in an exclusive interview that indeed the deal has been a good one for Guyana and the Caribbean, but fortunately Guyana has not “put all of its eggs in the Petrocaribe basket”.

No absolute dependency He said: “Guyana does not have an absolute dependency on Petrocaribe.

Petrocaribe has been a good thing for Guyana, but Guyana’s economic system is not dependent on Petrocaribe. So my belief is Guyana will not be severely affected if it comes to an end…”

According to the Trinidad Guardian, Professor Bryan had said “the loss of revenue for Venezuela from these programmes is about 400,000 barrels a day or US$20 billion a year.

When you add to that the US$28 billion that the country allows in terms of petroleum subsidies, you can see the problem.

So Venezuela will not cut the domestic subsidies, because that will be political suicide so it will have to be a case of eas-

Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy

ing out Petrocaribe”.

Petroleum imports

Under the Petrocaribe agreement, the countries purchase petroleum and petroleum products from Venezuela on concessionary terms and the differential between the market and discounted prices is turned into a loan.

In addition, the countries can pay for part of their petroleum imports using non-cash mechanisms. Bryan said Jamaica would be particularly vulnerable because the country has used the savings to assist with budgetary support, domestic debt refinancing, and infrastructural development.

Bryan, who is professor emeritus at the

University of Miami, said he expects the assistance to Cuba and Nicaragua to be reduced, but will remain in place for ideological reasons, but warned that Haiti was likely to be in the same boat as Jamaica,

since it did not provide either ideological or strategic reasons for Caracas to continue support.

According to the IMF, Venezuela’s economy has been in almost freefall with market distortions that have created major economic disincentives for investment and production inside the country. This has made Venezuela almost entirely dependent on imports for pretty much everything from electronics to food.

As a result, inflation has skyrocketed (56 per cent last year) as the central bank printed more and more bolivars, Venezuela’s currency, to sustain the exchange

rate.

Today, the Government’s official exchange rate remains locked at 6.3 bolivars to the US dollar, but on the black market, the rate is at 80 to 90 bolivars to the US dollar— around 14 times the official rate. Such disparity means that foreign goods are now incredibly expensive, leading to shortages.

It has become so bad that people are only allowed to go to the supermarket once a week, and when they get there, they find little on the shelves.

Petrocaribe is considered part of the late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez’s legacy.

Pregnant 12-year-old…

Reports suggest stepfather first raped her at age nine

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he Police and the Child Care and Protection Agency of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security continue to investigate the incidents surrounding the impregnating of an interior-based 12-year-old girl.

This publication was told that the two organisations are also investigating reports by the child’s grandfather that the stepfather was reportedly molesting her since she was nine years old.

The child who has not yet delivered her baby remains in the protective care of the Ministry of Human Services even as the police continue to question persons surrounding the incident.

The police have completed questioning two

Child Care Director Ann Green

persons, including the stepfather, who are fingered in the rape of the child and are seeking to question at least two others.

Child Care Director Ann Green has indicated that the child will deliver her baby soon, even as Crime Chief Leslie James confirmed that

the police are still receiving statements in the matter.

Last week Green was very upset after the news of the girl’s pregnancy reached the agency and she reminded that what had happened to the child was unfortunate and a crime.

She said that no person should rape a child and no person who rapes a child should be allowed to walk away with impunity. The 12-year-old was found to be pregnant when she returned to her interior location home after visiting a Georgetown home. She told officials of the child care agency that she was molested by her stepfather but the police had soon after indicated to this publication that she was not sticking to her initial story.

Canadian parliament locked...

from page 3

Police (RCMP), had shot a suspect dead.

“All the details are not in, but the sergeant-at-arms, a former Mountie, is the one that engaged the gunman, or one of them at least, and stopped this,” Fantino said. “He did a great job and, from what I know, shot the gunman and he is now deceased.”

Canadian cabinet minister Jason Kenney said the soldier who was shot at the war memorial had died. He said a guard in parliament buildings had been wounded.

“Condolences to family of the soldier killed, and prayers for the parliamentary guard wounded. Canada will not be terrorized or in-

timidated,” Kenney, one of Harper’s most powerful ministers, said on Twitter.

A spokeswoman for the Canadian military said she could not confirm that the soldier had died and had no update on his condition.

Dramatic video footage posted by the Globe and Mail newspaper showed police with guns drawn inside the main parliament building. At least a dozen loud bangs can be heard on the clip, echoing through the hallway.

In Washington, a White House official said U.S. President Barack Obama had been briefed on the situation. He said the United States had

offered assistance to Canada.

Mass shootings are relatively rare in Canada, which has stricter gun laws than the United States.

Compared with Capitol Hill in Washington, security on Parliament Hill is also fairly low key. Anybody could walk right up to the front door of parliament’s Centre Block with arms and explosives without being challenged before entering the front door, where a few guards check accreditation.

The Canadian military closed its bases across the country following the events in Ottawa, CBC TV said.

(Excerpted from Reuters)

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Rodney’s wife gives emotional testimony - says her husband “never wanted reins of power”

By Alexis Rodney

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he Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry swung into its sixth session on Monday with Dr Patricia Rodney, wife of the slain historian informing the three-member tribunal that her husband was never interested in taking the reins of power during the period leading up to his death.

In fact, though known to be one of the founders of the now political party Working People’s Alliance (WPA), Dr Rodney was a “grass roots” individual who was more concerned about the working class in and out of Guyana.

Led into evidence by the family’s attorney, Queens Counsel Andrew Pilgrim, the sixth round of the investigation was opened with the mother of three, recounting the life she had with a man who was bent on changing the world, one day at a time.

Her testimony came in light of allegations made by an earlier witness, that the WPA had crafted a plan to

overthrow the 1980 People’s National Congress (PNC) Government, whose leadership is believed to have assassinated Dr Rodney.

Former Police Constable Alan Robert Gates had told the commission in April that Dr Walter Rodney and the current leader of the WPA, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine were at the forefront seeking to topple the Government of Forbes Burnham and were acquiring arms and ammunition to achieve their objective.

But the widow said her husband, whom she was married to for some 15 years at the time of his death, was a “kind and thoughtful person” who was able to relate to a wide cross section of people, and was not carried away by his level of education.

“He was interested in the youth and working people. Walter always saw the working class as the vibrant class, the production class and so his focus was on the working people.

Whether they were in a

Dr Patricia Rodney on the stand at the inquiry into the death of her husband Dr Walter Rodney

community, a church or anywhere”, Mrs Rodney told the Commission.

Asked about his political ambitions and interest in governance, Dr Rodney related that her husband had remained the humblest person she had ever known. She reiterated that as far as she knew,

he was not interested in the political ambit, but was rather focused on reaching out to, educating, and mobilising the masses.

She recalled her husband was, however, very concerned about the political division which existed during the time of their return to

Guyana in 1974, pointing out that the “inclusive” Guyana she knew when she left was not the same one she and her family had returned to.

The divisions in race and political parties were obvious, she related, and her husband was centrally interested in weaving the social strands back together.

But there came a time when the family had made a decision to leave the shores of Guyana and go to Zimbabwe where he accepted a job offer there. However, that plan was short lived as her husband was killed not too long after.

Dr Rodney said while her husband had an innate interest in the social and economical landscape of Guyana and had a drive to see change happen, he was equally concerned about the welfare of his family and had made the decision to leave, based on that growing concern.

She told the Commission that the situation had become very scary after their return from Tanzania, when Dr Walter Rodney

was offered a teaching position at the University of Guyana (UG).

The historian, Dr Rodney recalled, had received a confirmation letter from the institution, informing him that he was accepted.

However, she noted that she had an indication, since she returned before him, that her husband “would not be getting the job”.

However, that did not deter him from coming back. He had maintained that even if he had to “drive a taxi” to support his family, he would be returning to Guyana.

Patricia Rodney said there was harassment for the family, which she explained started out in a “subtle” way, as persons were warned to stay away from the “Rodney family”.

She said it became less “subtle” when her home was constantly searched and her husband was frequently arrested, though for a few hours.

It became even “scarier”, Patricia said, continued on page 21

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Berbicians cash in on Gy$10,000 Govt grant

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President Donald Ramotar looks on as parents uplift their grant during the distribution at the Berbice Educational Institute

he Government of Guyana’s, “Because We Care,” Gy$10,000 education grant continues to be rolled out at schools across the country.

Disbursement of the grant continued in Berbice on Sunday with parents from 20 schools benefitting with Berbice High School, Berbice Educational Institute, New Amsterdam Secondary and St Therese Primary School serving as the distribution centres.

The education grant is the latest in a series of initiatives extended by Government to parents to ensure that students

get the best education.

This was pointed out

by President Donald Ramotar and Regional Chairman Permaul Armogan, when they formally launched the region’s rollout exercise at the Berbice High School, and as they continued throughout the day, meeting parents at the other distribution sites in the region.

The President noted that the initiative “Because We Care” is aptly named, because records testify to Government’s commitment to education of the nation’s students.

In fact, testimonies to Government’s care are its renovation and/or

construction of 1000 schools, the achievement of Universal Primary Education and being on the verge of attaining

Universal Secondary Education, the President noted.

Government is also on the verge of attaining 100 per cent trained teachers in all schools, with the current rate being 75 per cent.

“We are providing the schools, the materials, we are providing the hot meals in schools, snacks, assistance for uniform; we are trying to take the pressure off parents and would have now come to this (Gy$10,000 grant) to give our parents more assistance.

The President said that given time, the country has the potential to reach a developed status. He pointed out

that the workers of the country now and those of the future would build this country; hence, Government’s focus on educating the nation.

“We possess all the materials, all the ability to move to a develop country in the shortest period of time. We have natural resources, and we have talented people and what we need to do is to build on the natural talents of our people, to provide them and enhance their talents with sound scientific education, so that they can help to move our country forward,” he said.

Further, the President noted: “There

is no better gift that you can give to a child than to give them a sound education.”

He explained that parents have the responsibility to provide children with two things; roots (so that they can have morals and values) and education (so that they can soar).

“We cannot love them and hold them back,” he said.

This focus, in ensuring the laying of a strong foundation for a prosperous society has been the basis for Government’s allocation, annually of 30 per cent of the nation’s budget to the social sectors, the largest chunk of which goes to the education sector.

Parents of students of Berbice High, Vryman Erven Secondary, All Saints Primary, St Aloysius Primary and Smythfield Nursery at the distribution exercise at the Berbice High School

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Linden mob disrupts PPP/C’s event …tries to block PM Hinds from entering his vehicle

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group of Oppositionbacked protesters Saturday evening disrupted a People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) event in Linden during which they verbally attacked Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and at one time and tried to block him from entering his vehicle.

Police were quickly called in and escorted the Prime Minister from the Edward Benjamin Centre where an event to reflect on the PPP/ C’s 22th anniversary in Government was held.

The hostility shown to Hinds, who has roots in the bauxite town, mirrors a similar occurrence a week ago against Opposition Leader David Granger in Linden. Granger had gone to the community to hold a meeting with party members, but had locked out those who had been opposing his rule. Guyana Times International was told that the protest was organised by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), but none of the leaders of the

A section of the PPP/C event in Linden

party was seen.

The first verbal attack on Hinds came as he was giving his keynote address at the “Night of Reflections” when one protester ran into the compound and shouted angry remarks at the gathering.

Around 19:30h, other protesters joined in, blocking the entrance to the Edward Benjamin Centre and trying to

create a disturbance at the gathering. Police had to be called in to restrain the protesters shortly after the group swelled to around 20 to 30. They held placards with messages for the Government. One member of the audience was also attacked and had to be protected by Police as he tried to escape from one of the angry protesters. Prime

Minister Hinds, on the other hand, had to be hustled away in the midst of numerous Police Officers, as protesters tried to prevent him from entering his car.

Hundreds attended

Meanwhile, hundreds attended the event, which was addressed by the Prime Minister and Minister within the Finance Ministry, Juan Edghill. The evening’s

proceedings began with the welcome and opening remarks done by Andrew Forsythe. Prayers were then said and the PPP/C song was then sung lustily as those present bellowed “Oh Fighting Men.” Edghill told the gathering that it was a night of celebration. “We are here tonight because October 5, 1992 when the PPP/C won Government, and on October 9, 1992 when the late Dr Cheddi Jagan took the oath of office, creating history in Guyana. This was really the first time that in the post-independent Guyana we had free and fair elections. We must celebrate.”

He said the PPP/C had restored hope and courage in all Guyanese.

“This party is based on love always. Love is stronger than hatred,” the Minister stated.

Hinds for his part said it was “indeed a pleasure to be in Linden to see old faces” and that since the 22 years that PPP/C has been in Government, “there has been deep emphasis on the restoration of

democracy not only to Lindeners but to all Guyanese”.

He reflected on the life and work of the late Dr Jagan who, he said, reached out to all Guyanese. Hinds said that Government has placed heavy emphasis on education, pointing to the hundreds of doctors who were trained in Cuba under the present PPP/C Administration.

“There is greater opportunity for persons to study abroad…” the Prime Minister added.

“The Linden Foundation School located in Amelia’s Ward is a primary example of what the Government had done to better educate the children of Linden,” he further added.

He also spoke of the Gy$10,000 school grant being rolled out currently.

Representatives from both the Progressive Youth Organisation and the Women’s Progressive Youth Organisation also presented messages emphasising that the PPP/C Government had placed great emphasis on freedom for all Guyanese.

News

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WEEK ENDING October 26, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Jamaica could meet global demand for its ginger by 2019

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INGSTON, JAMAICA: Local farmers could meet the global demand for Jamaican ginger by 2019, according to the Agriculture Ministry.

Ginger output is on target to near-double this year should the 320 hectares (790 acres) under production yield the expected 3,000 metric tons (tonnes).

That's more than five times the 460 tonnes produced in 2009. But the long-term demand for Jamaican ginger globally is estimated to be 21,000 tonnes, or five per cent of total world demand for the root.

Meeting demand will require another 1,460

hectares to be put into production.

"Once the farmers continue to embrace the best practices, and there is sufficient buy-in from the market," the country could meet that demand "in five years", said Byron Henry, general manager of the Export Division at the Ministry of Agriculture.

To make that happen the Agriculture Ministry has launched a number of initiatives aimed at helping farmers with technical, financial and market support, by offering training, interestfree loans and by purchasing the product at the end of the crop.

During 2013 alone, the ministry increased

its financial contribution to the industry from Ja$31 million in 2012 to Ja$114 million, of which Ja$40 million was provided to 502 farmers as interest-free loan to cultivate 445 hectares of ginger.

Jamaica's ginger production fell to an all-time low in the early 1990s, having been impacted by the rhizome rot and bacterial wilt diseases, which effectively rendered the country as a net importer of the product.

Now, Jamaica exports around 20 tonnes more than it imports.

A number of local importers of ginger have opted to use the local product, as a result in the upturn in production.

Henry said that it is now more economically feasible to use local ginger than imported ginger. For instance, importing the powder cost over Ja$1,000 per kilogram, while locally produced ginger powder currently cost about Ja$813 per kg.

PM Kamla's Diwali gift to the nation... citizens enjoy 20% discount on flour, rice, oil

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ORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD: As a gift to the Hindu community for Divali, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar last Saturday announced a 20 per cent discount on flour, rice and oil.

Speaking at the annual Divali celebrations at her Penal constituency office, Persad-Bissessar said the discount will take effect from Tuesday until Divali, which will be celebrated on Thursday.

The PM said similar to what was done on other occasions and in keeping with the Government’s goal to make food more affordable, the following National Flour Mills products will be discounted. The products include: •Ibis all-purpose flour (2 kg and 10 kg) •Hibiscus all-purpose flour (2 kg and 10 kg) •Lotus all-purpose, whole wheat, bakers and cake flour (2 kg and 10 kg) •Five Roses all-purpose flour (2 kg and 10 kg) •Lotus soya bean oil (all sizes–500ml, 900ml, 1.5 L, 3L, 5L and 17.25L) •Lotus rice (all sizes) •Cuisine all-purpose

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar

flour (2 kg) •Club select all-purpose flour (10 kg) ‘Be Ebola vigilant at ports of entry’ Meanwhile, as the nation faces the threat of Ebola, the PM called on all those who guard the nation’s ports of entry to be vigilant, as one case of Ebola will be disastrous for TT. “We must be vigilant more than ever. We must be our brother’s keeper. We must not allow Ebola to enter our country. While we may say that this disease has a remote chance of coming here, we must not let our guard down”, PM added.

The PM noted the darkness right here in TT. “We have the darkness of crime, and in particular the murders. We

now have a new darkness—Ebola, which is threatening the world.”

PM calls on Maharaj to end hunger strike The PM also called on highway supporter Ravi Balgobin Maharaj to end his fast. Maharaj continues his fast to counter the hunger strike by environmental activist Dr Wayne Kublalsingh. “I call upon Ravi Maharaj, I do believe he is indeed truly fasting, I call upon him to end his hunger strike for your life is more important.” She told him to put his faith in the rule of the law and God Almighty.

“According to the rule of law, construction of the highway will proceed and we will all benefit from the highway.” (TT Newsday)

Pennsylvania cops hold symposium with Guyana Police Force

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This US Embassy photo shows the participants with trainer Patrick Zirpoli (sitting at right) and US Charge d’Affaires Bryan Hunt (sitting at centre).

raining officers from the Pennsylvania State Police in the United States held a symposium for 34 members of the Guyana Police Force from October 13-17 at the Guyana Police Force Training Centre, a release from the US Embassy said on Tuesday. .

Topics covered in the programme included an

overview of criminal investigation procedures and evidence collection.

The symposium also explored causes of domestic violence and child sexual assault, and how to handle cases of this nature.In his remarks at the closing ceremony, U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Bryan Hunt stated that, “Over the years, the United States has developed close part-

nerships with Guyanese law enforcement and today’s event represents another example of the commitment we share.

It is also the beginning of what we hope will be a long and productive relationship between the Pennsylvania State and Guyanese police forces that will result in the increased safety and security of the people of Guyana.”

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CIOG commissions Gy$90M masjid at West Coast Demerara

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he Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) on Sunday commissioned a newly-reconstructed Masjid and multi-complex at MetenMeer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara.

The project was sponsored by the Zakat House of Kuwait, an international aid organisation which provided a whopping Gy$90 million for the construction of the multi-complex.

Zakat House was established in 2009 to support and work with new and growing charities to make the charity sector sustainable and efficient. This is done by offering affordable office space and office services and resources to support these charities.

The initiative at Meten-Meer-Zorg was undertaken to rebuild the Masjid after it was found that the previous structure could not accommodate the growing Muslim population in that community and its environs.

The facility will serve communities along the West Coast of Demerara and East Bank of Essequibo. It can accommodate approxi-

The spanking new Masjid was commissioned by the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana on Sunday at Meten-Meer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara

mately 500 worshippers.

Additionally, it has facilities that can be used to host social and cultural events and offer training and other integral social services to the persons in those communities.

CIOG President Fazeel Ferouz said the building represents an integral step forward in community involvement.

He said that “Masjid is a place for the community” as he extended gratitude to the Zakat House of Kuwait for its part in the construction of the Masjid.

CIOG Director of Education and advisor Sheikh Moen ul-

Hack said that the project was more so possible through the support of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, which would have introduced the two Islamic bodies.

He explained that the working relationship of CIOG and Zakat House commenced some years ago when the Kuwaiti organisation agreed to sponsor a programme for orphaned Muslim children in Guyana. Since then, he further elaborated, the organisation has been providing Gy$700,000 on a monthly basis towards this programme. He underscored that it was im-

portant that the real message of Islam gets out there and not what is being peddled by extremist groups such as a

Boko Haram in Nigeria and Islamic State (IS) in Syria. He noted that seemingly these forces infiltrated close to home, since there were reports of 50 Trinidad and Tobago nationals being involved with IS, noting that everything must be done to safeguard the minds of Guyana’s populace.

“We have a responsibility to educate the community of the true teaching of Islam; this is the only way we will be able to remove misunderstandings and misconceptions about Islam,” ul-Hack said.

Meanwhile, Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn RodriguesBirkett noted that this

country has an exceedingly high level of religious harmony. She contended, however, that at times this religious harmony is taken for granted. On a global scale, she said, there was need for more harmony to be fostered in the religious areas.

After the commissioning ceremony, persons in attendance were treated to a meal.

Many persons at the event expressed gratitude that the complex was rebuilt. One man explained to Guyana Times International that he was particularly grateful that the site would now be more than a Masjid and offer extensive community service.

Unveiling of the dedication plaque at the Meten-Meer-Zorg Masjid. In photo are Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Housing Minister Irfaan Ali, CIOG President Fazeel Ferouz and CIOG Director of Education and Advisor Sheikh Moen ul-Hack

NEWS

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WEEK ENDING October 26, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

34 million Latin American, Caribbean citizens without electricity in homes

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ome 34 million citizens in Latin America and the Caribbean have no electricity in their homes and 75 per cent of the regional energy matrix relies on non-renewable sources.

This means expanding access to energy and increasing the use of renewable energies and efficiency are needed to achieve sustainable development with equality, regional authorities and representatives of international organisations agreed during the launch of the Decade of Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) Americas.

This was declared at a forum last week in Chile.

The speakers included Chilean President, Michelle Bachelet; the Chief Executive Officer of Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) and Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General, Kandeh Yumkella; the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Alicia Bárcena; the VicePresident of the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB), Hans Schulz; and the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations System in Chile, Antonio Molpeceres.

President Michelle Bachelet indicated that Chile, where 96 per cent of the population does have access to electricity, has set the goal of reducing by 50 per cent the number of families that have no electrical power today by the year 2018. The country also aims to have 20 per cent of its matrix coming from non-conventional renewable energies by 2025 and is promoting energy efficiency with the

Chilean President Michelle Bachelet

objective of achieving a 20 per cent savings by that same year.

Kandeh Yumkella, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General, contended that energy, which was not included explicitly in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), should be a central theme in the post2015 agenda to foment growth, competitiveness and innovation. There are still 1.3 billion people in the world today who lack access to electricity, he underscored.

Of those people, some 34 million live in Latin America and the Caribbean, which amounts to five per cent of the Region’s total population, the ECLAC’s Executive Secretary said.

Alicia Bárcena explained that this United Nations organisation had identified four key points for a sustainable agenda on this issue: promote the efficient use and saving of energy, foster equal access, improve energy security and diversify the matrix, 75 per cent of which currently depends on non-renewable sources.

The Vice President of the IDB said that the organisation is on track to reach the goal of allocating US$5 billion in five years to finance sustainable energy projects, as it committed to do in 2012 during the United

Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro (Rio+20). Among the most recent regional efforts, Hans Schulz highlighted the deployment of solar energy in Chile and wind energy in Uruguay.

Sustainable Energy for All is a multi-stakeholder partnership between Governments, Private Sector and civil society that was launched in 2011 by the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon. It has set three interlinked objectives to be achieved by 2030: ensure universal access to modern energy services, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency, and double the share of renewable energy in the global energy matrix.

The United Nations agreed in late 2012 that the period between 2014 and 2024 would be considered the Decade of Sustainable Energy for All. The gathering inaugurated represents that campaign’s launch in the Region, where 21 Latin American and Caribbean countries have already joined the initiative. The meeting, which concluded on Friday, October 17, was attended by authorities from the Energy Ministries of numerous countries in the Region, as well as representatives of the Private Sector and civil society.

Rodney’s wife gives... after the murder of Father Bernard Darke in July 1979 and worsened after the death of WPA member Ohene Koama.

Dr Rodney said her husband was somewhat conscious of the threatening atmosphere around him. She recalled that he had even hinted to friends in Barbados that should anything happen to him, they should make sure that his family was safe.

She said that was one of the reasons the family was able to leave Guyana some 17 days after her husband’s death.

The widow spoke too about the events on June 13, 1980, the day of the

Govt placing strong focus on ICTs – Finance Minister

historian’s death and the difficulties her family endured in trying to gain possession of his body from the Police.

According to her, it took 10 days after his death before his body was released. Dr Rodney noted the interest shown by the United States Ambassador, who visited her home the morning after her husband’s death, offering his condolences and an opportunity to enter the United States.

She said he also, on behalf of the Embassy, had offered to assist with funeral arrangements.

She said she refused all the offers. When

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A parent signs to uplift the education grant during a distribution exercise at Queen’s College on Saturday

he Georgetown leg of Government’s “Because We Care” Gy$10,000 Cash Grant initiative commenced on Saturday with Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh underscoring the importance of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in raising the standard of education delivery.

Hundreds of parents from Stella Marris, Starters and Precious Jewels Nursery Schools flocked the auditorium of Queen’s College as they eagerly awaited the receipt of their cash grants from the Government.

Finance Minister, Dr Singh, who delivered the keynote address before the commencement of the process, highlighted that education is a top priority of the Government, and the cash grant was another measure to support learning in the school system.

He said too that strong focus is also being

placed on ICT. “Every child coming out of the public school system will be computer literate,” he said, hinting that the subject would be made mandatory.

“We don’t want children to leave the school system without the basic skills they are required (to have) in the world,” said Minister Singh.

He also said in all of this, parents have a key role to play in ensuring that their children receive a sound education.

The Minister said no party should say “the Government is not doing enough or the teacher not doing enough”, contending that education of the nation’s children requires the maximum effort of all stakeholders.

“No matter what investments are made by Government. Don’t matter how much schools we build and how much teachers we recruit. Don’t matter how much we equip the IT

Guyana Govt commits to rectifying AML/CFT deficiencies

from page 15

questioned by the Commission, Dr Rodney said she could not draw an inference from the visit from an official she had never seen or known before.

Dr Walter Anthony Rodney was killed on June 13, 1980 when a bomb exploded on his lap. His younger brother, Donald, who was with him at the time of his death, was also injured in the explosion.

Donald had reported that a former army sergeant and electronics expert William Gregory Smith had handed over the bomb, hidden in a communication device that killed his brother.

(Information Technology) labs… the truth of the matter is that our children will not be as welleducated as they should be if there isn’t parental commitment or parental involvement,” Dr Singh said.

The Minister said some 15 per cent of this year’s National Budget was allocated to the Education Sector, pointing out that “no other single sector has been allocated as much as the education sector”.

“The allocation goes to building more schools.

To expand and modernise and rehabilitate existing schools, to meet operating costs of schools including payment of teachers – thousands of teachers,” Dr Singh told the gathering.

Several parents who spoke to Guyana Times International expressed satisfaction of the move

by Government to introduce the cash grant initiative.

Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General, Anil Nandlall

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uyana was reviewed on Monday by the Financial Action Task Force, International Cooperation Review Group FATF- ICRG, in Paris, France.

The country was represented at the review by Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General, Anil Nandlall. In his presentation, the Attorney General reiterated the country’s commitment to international financial legislation,

and reported that an action plan was worked out between Guyana and the Americas Regional Review Group (AARG) in which certain technical deficiencies were identified in Guyana’s AML/CFT regime, and time-frames were agreed on for these deficiencies to be rectified.

Significantly, the Attorney General highlighted that a national task force has been established, comprising very high ranking members of Government and important stakeholders/agencies of state, and that the national task force is currently reviewing a five-year plan for Guyana’s AML/CFT regime.

“I also highlighted the technical and strategic ongoing assistance which the Government of Guyana continues to receive from the local diplomatic community, including the Embassy of the United States, the British and Canadian High Commissions, and the European delegation,” the Attorney General said.

Minister Nandlall handed over a Letter of Commitment from President Donald Ramotar to President of the FATF, Roger Wilkins AO, pledging Guyana’s commitment to ensuring that the country implements an AML/ CFT regime that meets the requisite international standard. (GINA)

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Rockstone Fish Festival, South Rupununi Safari promise to be bigger and better this year

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he Tourism, Industry and C o m m e r c e Ministry last Friday launched the 9th Rockstone Fish Festival and the South Rupununi Safari, promising that both events will be adventures to remember.

Ahead of their starting points, the events are creating momentum with tourists from across the Caribbean and the North American continent registering their participation.

Rockstone Tourism Association President Lynette Benn said preparations for the much anticipated event are moving apace; pointing out that some 2000 participants are expecting during the two days of fun and adventure.

The Rockstone Fish Festival will commence on October 25 before culminating on October 26 with a wide range of competitions.

As customary, Benn said there will be the Fish Cooking Competition, the Fish De-boning Competition and the Smoke Fish Competition, in addi-

Guyana Tourism Authority Director Indranauth Haralsingh (third right) addressing media operatives at the launch of the 9th Rockstone Fish Festival and the South Rupununi Safari in the presence of officials

tion to the Largest Catch Competition. According to her, competitors would not only walk away with trophies, but fantastic prizes.

In addition to the competitions, the festival will feature an Amerindian Village. Member of the Association Jennifer Compion explained that there will be Amerindian cuisines on sale, ranging from pepper pot to tuma pot to piwari. “When you come to the festival, make sure you bring your bottles to buy the fresh cassava water to make your nice pepper pot,” Compion urged.

To facilitate the growing numbers of visitors, the Rockstone Tourism Association has extended the camp-

ing grounds and parking areas. Additionally, the road from Linden to Rockstone has been rehabilitated to facilitate safe travel. Admission for this year’s event remains at Gy$500 for adults and Gy$200 for children.

Guyana Tourism Association (GTA) Director Indranauth Haralsingh said the Tourism Ministry is pleased to be associated with the Rockstone Fish Festival. According to Haralsingh, the Fish Festival has grown tremendously over the years, much to the satisfaction of its supporters.

“It is a community-based event, so let us support this festival. Sometimes because

these communities are remote, we tend to forget them, but this is an opportunity to get out of the city environment and explore a new community,” he posited.

Rockstone, located in Region 10, some two hours from the capital city, is a perfect getaway paradise, Haralsingh emphasised.

Gaining momentum

Meanwhile, one year after being launched in Guyana, the South Rupununi Safari is gaining momentum with 10 Trinidadians, seven Jamaicans, one Canadian and a large delegation from Suriname set to arrive in Guyana next month for the second edition. Guyanese are also registering for

this breath-taking exercise. It is estimated that the safari will have a total of 20 vehicles, inclusive of a truck.

The much anticipated expedition is set to kick off on November 25 before culminating on November 30 at Lethem.

According to Rainforest Tours Marketing Director Frank Singh, the adventure will be an event to remember.

“It is totally different going to the South versus the North because the land is flat, there is more savannah land but you will get an opportunity to experience the different Amerindian cultures,” he explained.

In the South Rupununi, there are 14 villages in which

members of the safari will get an opportunity to explore, including Ashalton and Shea.

A visit to the Dadanawa Ranch, Bottle Mountain, Kanuku Mountain, Shea Village and the Shea Rock are among some of the highlights.

The cost to participate in this year’s South Rupununi Safari is just Gy$100,000, which includes food and accommodation. The expedition forms part of a range of events being executed by the recently established Pakaraima Mountain Safari Club.

According to the Secretary of the Safari Club Yonette Sahibdeen, the hosting of safaris is just one way of boosting domestic tourism.

It was disclosed that the club, in addition to its local member, has a large international presence with members from Suriname, Brazil, Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago and Canada. Guyanese are encouraged to join the club. (svetlanam@ guyanatimesgy.com)

CJIA, Ogle airports usage rise sharply – report

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lobal airline data provider Innovata said there has been a 12-per cent increase in flights in and out of Guyana with figures showing around 460,000 one-way seats being offered on services involving Guyanese airports this year when compared to last year.

That said, both airports managed to post capacity increases when compared to 2013 figures, with Ogle doubling its annual capacity, while Cheddi Jagan posted 9.6 per cent growth.

In fact, the rapid expansion at Ogle comes as a result of LIAT having taken the decision to move all of its Cheddi Jagan operations to the airport located 10 kilometres away from the Guyanese capital, which was granted international airport status in 2009.

Previously, Ogle was mainly used for domestic flights within Guyana.

According to Innovata, overall, looking at the annual seat figures since 2005, the combined capacity of the Guyanese market grew by an average annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.6 per cent, with Cheddi Jagan’s capacity having visibly accelerated in the

no carrier posted capacity decline in the last 12 months, the Guyanese market has seen the arrival of three new airlines, namely Insel Air from Aruba (twice-weekly), Copa Airlines from Panama City (twiceweekly) and CONVIASA from Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela (weekly).

Top country market

The Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) recorded 9.6 per cent growth in 2013

period after the global economic crisis.

Not surprisingly, considering the country’s political and economic instability in recent years, the Guyanese aviation industry saw uneven development between 2005 and 2014.

CAL commands

As of October 2014, Guyana is served by a total of seven airlines, with Caribbean Airlines – the flag carrier of Trinidad and Tobago – being the dominant player in this country’s market, as it commands 69 per cent and 62 per cent of seats and flights respectively.

The airline, which carried 2.9 million passengers last year, operates three airport pairs, to New York JFK, Toronto Pearson and Port

of Spain, with the latter being its most frequently served destination with a total of 30 weekly flights from the CJIA. Ranking second with a weekly seat share of 14 per cent, Fly Jamaica Airways connects the CJIA to Toronto and Kingston, with the former sector having been added on December 17 with weekly flights.

Total weekly seat capacity in Guyana has gone up 24 per cent, with two out of the seven carriers recording growth, when comparing data from this October with the same week last year, while Surinam Airways and LIAT saw their operations unchanged.

Fly Jamaica is the fastest growing operator, increasing its week-

ly capacity by 100 per cent or 621 weekly seats over the last 12 months.

Besides commencing weekly flights to Pearson last December, the latest Jamaican start-up has also added two further weekly flights on the 2379-kilometre sector to Kingston. While

A total of nine countries can be reached non-stop from Guyana according to Innovata schedule data for this October.

At around 4800 weekly seats, 4.6 per cent more than in the corresponding week last year, Trinidad and Tobago tops the list of country markets served, with a combined total of 30 weekly flights operated by Caribbean Airlines

from the CJIA. Jamaica has seen the most significant growth in weekly capacity, 67 per cent, or an additional 414 seats, followed by the USA (24 per cent) and this year’s top position.

The US, which is served by Surinam Airways and Caribbean Airlines, has seen a net growth of 214 weekly seats due to the latter’s additional weekly departure to New York JFK. Noteworthy is the fact that in the last 12 months, four new country markets have entered this year’s ranking, namely Canada, Aruba, Panama and Venezuela, while Caribbean Airlines has withdrawn its twiceweekly flights to Antigua and Barbuda.

Passengers at the Ogle International Airport doubled last year, Innovata said

23 Guyana signs anti-child labour declaration C news

WEEK ENDING October 26, 2014

aribbean Labour Ministers gathered at the 18th American Regional Meeting of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Lima, Peru have signed a declaration against child labour.

The Bahamas, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago endorsed the declaration Latin American and Caribbean Free of Child Labour.

The declaration was a follow up from the 2013 Brasilia Declaration against Child Labour, signed by 154 countries in Brazil.

Belize, St Kitts and Nevis and St Vincent and the Grenadines have expressed interest in signing the declaration.

The “Regional Initiative for Latin

America and the Caribbean Free of Child Labour” was launched a year ago at the Third Global Conference on Child Labour, where several countries shared their concern about slow progress in this area.

Latin America and the Caribbean committed to eradicate the worst forms of child labour by 2016 and to eliminate all forms of child labour by 2020, which is unlikely to be achieved if progress continues at this pace.

In fact, the ILO noted, it would require at least 40 years to achieve the goal of eradication.

Indeed, the region could become the first child labour-free developing region in the world.

In recent years, important achievements have been made in reducing child labour by

A representative from Guyana signing the declaration

7.5 million.

According to the ILO, child labour is estimated at 12.5 million in Latin America and the Caribbean, of which the vast majority, 9.5 million, are in hazardous

work.

“This initiative unites us all in Latin America and Caribbean,” said Peru Labour Minister Freddy Otárola, who is President of the 18th American Regional

In light of Ebola fear…

Texila University freezes admission of West African students

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he Texila American University (TAU) said it does not have any student from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone and has also stopped accepting new applications from Nigeria and Senegal.

The university made the announcement in a statement last Saturday in light of growing fears that the virus which has already spread to Europe and the US, could reach Guyana with persons from West Africa going there to study.

The TAU said among its students, the ones who come from the African continent are primarily from those countries in North, South and East Africa and Nigeria.

While the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also said Nigeria and Senegal have reported fewer cases of infection, they are considered to have contained the disease.

TAU said it has also been proactive to mitigate the threat since the outbreak of Ebola, and the few students who were admitted previously and travelled recently from Nigeria have undergone medical checks and provided their medical certificates as not having symptoms of Ebola at their ports of exit and at other check points en route to Guyana.

Robust action

Right from the period in which the out-

The Texila American University (TAU) said it does not have any student from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone

break had affected the West African countries, TAU became cognisant of the scope of the Ebola outbreak and steps were immediately taken to implement standard operating procedures for dealing with students arriving from abroad.

“Drawing on the recommendations from CDC and WHO, students were assessed for a period of 21 days during which time they were required to be away from the campus and to be monitored regularly. Additionally, all the international students had to undergo medical exams before and after arrival to ensure that they are not having any symptoms of Ebola, irrespective of which foreign country they come from.

“All of these steps were taken because TAU perceived it had a greater social respon-

sibility to safeguard all students, staff of the institution and the people in Guyana at large, all the more being a medical institution itself, which various physicians from different countries teaching on campus at Texila American University.”

The TAU is an international university providing quality education in health sciences to students around the world.

TAU offers degree programmes in Medicine, Nursing and Dentistry. The university has been operating in Guyana since 2010 and attracts a diverse and wide cross-section of students including from India, Africa, the US, the UK, the United Arab Emirates and Europe.

“TAU applauds proactive measures taken by the Government of Guyana to mitigate the

threat of Ebola virus disease to Guyana. When it comes to the international recruitments from the African continent, TAU is closely following the statistics from the WHO and CDC, who have declared Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone as hot spots for the outbreak of Ebola virus disease.”

Acquiring modern equipment

Meanwhile, amid increasing threat of the Ebola virus, President Donald Ramotar on Friday said that Government has been acquiring modern equipment and additional medical supplies, including more protective gear in order to be prepared to tackle the disease.

But he called on citizens to do all in their power to help keep the disease that has already killed close to 5000 people out of the country.

| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Meeting, and who was responsible for presenting the initiative to the American Regional Meeting.

During the presentation of the initiative at the plenary sitting of the Regional Meeting, the ILO Director General said “the initiative is part of a global effort to restore the rights of 168 million children and adolescents affected by the scourge of child labour.”

It calls for a broad commitment and mobilisation of all institutions, agencies and actors involved with the present state of children and adolescents and with the future of the region.

The initiative is also designed to accelerate the prevention and eradication of child labour, and includes a number of interventions to

strengthen the mechanisms of action and identification of the practice.

The declaration states that the persistence of child labour, especially its worst forms, is a factor that exacerbates social inequality, which deepens social and economic vulnerability.

The current signatories to the declaration are: Argentina, The Bahamas, The Plurinational State of Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, The Dominican Republic, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

Police blank on Prashad Nagar murder

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rime Chief Leslie James on Monday disclosed that no arrest has been made so far in the murder of Saleem Abdool who was shot and killed in the wee hours of Sunday morning at Delphi Street, Prashad Nagar, Georgetown.

Nevertheless, James stated that the Police are working with several leads as they continue their investigations into the shooting.

Several statements were taken from persons in the area while the retrieved spent shells were sent to the ballistic centre for them to be analysed.

The 24-year-old Electrical Engineer attached to the Edward B Beharry and Company Limited was shot and killed during a robbery at his Lot 33 Delphi Street, Prashad Nagar home about 04:00h.

The young man was formerly of Lot 32 Arberdeen Village, Essequibo Coast.

According to information received, he lived alone and it was while he was attempting to open his gate, he was confronted by three men on bicycles.

Guyana Times International was told that the men demanded that Abdool hands over his valuables, but instead, he put up a fight.

It was during the scuffle, he was shot to the abdomen. He then ran some distance and hid behind a minibus, but the men reportedly followed him and pumped at least

Dead: Saleem Abdool

three more bullets into his body.

Upon hearing the gunshots, persons in the neighbourhood rushed to his rescue and summoned the Police. Abdool was picked up, placed in an ambulance and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The three men reportedly managed to relieve him of his mobile phone, his wallet and the jewellery he was wearing at the time. The young man left his hometown a few years ago so that he could have completed his studies at the University of Guyana.

From all indications, he went out with friends but parked his car at home and used a taxi. Moments after disembarking the taxi, he was confronted by the three men.

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‘Negligence caused death of woman, unborn child’ - Chief Medical Officer

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n light of the recent death of Evita Singh and her unborn child at the Georgetown Public Hospital, Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Shamdeo Persaud admitted that there was some negligence on the part of the hospital.

He said several recommendations were made for immediate action.

Persaud in an interview with Guyana Times International disclosed that a report was compiled by the hospital and was submitted to him.

The report, he noted was perused and sent to an Expert Committee comprising medical professionals from various disciplines. They have reviewed the report and made several recommendations.

One such is the need for a serious revision of the operations at the Maternity Unit of the Georgetown Public

Hospital in terms of monitoring patients, especially when they are induced.

He added that health workers must be alert at all times.

The recommendations intimated to the Chief Executive Officer of the hospital called on the administration to put systems in place as there are areas of weakness with respect to monitoring of patients.

In addition, there were some lapses with regards to protocol.

Nevertheless, he explained that the patient was admitted for symptoms not directly related to labour and delivery, but during her stay at the hospital, health workers would have translated some information from her clinic card which proved that she was hypertensive.

Hence, they commenced treatment with a recommendation to induce labour.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud

“This method was prolonged and from the report, the patient was not adequately monitored and time did go by and by the time a decision was taken to perform a cesarean, another patient from the hinterland area who was critical was occupying the theatre.”

He went on to say that arrangements were made to transfer Singh to a second theatre in another building, and this took some time. During the surgery, it was dis-

National Geographic and FAO in pact to raise awareness on nutrition

Dead: Evita Singh

covered that her uterus was ruptured which led to severe internal bleeding.

“Anytime a pregnant mother bleeds from a ruptured uterus, she uses up a lot of clotting factors – a difficult condition referred to as DIC had developed even though she had blood transfusion and so on…

It became very difficult for them to recover from the catastrophic outcome that we know.”

Evita Singh, 34, of Lot 13 Lathan Street,

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he National Geographic Society and FAO last Friday agreed to work together to provide information and raise awareness about hunger and nutrition.

In particular, when reporting on food and agriculture, National Geographic will utilize food and agricultural statistics as well as trends and data sets, sourced from FAO’s statistical service, FAOStat.

Speaking at the agreement’s signing ceremony in Rome, FAO DirectorGeneral José Graziano da Silva noted that National Geographic and FAO “share the view that wide access to reliable information is a key tool in the fight for human rights, and specifically when it comes to the right to food.”

N a t i o n a l Geographic’s Chief

Content Officer Chris Johns said: “National Geographic’s reporting on food greatly benefits by our partnership with the FAO and we are very pleased to be formalizing a longer term relationship.”

The FAO and National Geographic partnership envisages cooperation, a regular dialogue and access to FAO expertise, knowledge exchange, content-sharing, cross promotion, joint activities and participation at events and on publishing platforms.

National Geographic magazine’s in-depth eight-month Future of Food series, began in May 2014, and has included food and agricultural statistics and trends on topics such as feeding megacities in a world of changing demographics, reducing food loss and waste, and glob-

al forestry issues.

FAO is also providing material for articles and graphics for the NatGeoFood.com website.

FAO and National Geographic also inaugurated at FAO’s headquarters, a travelling photo exhibit that showcases the Future of Food series. An expanded version of the exhibit – a project involving FAO and National Geographic Italia, the Society’s Italian chapter – will go on show at Rome’s Palazzo delle Esposizioni on 13 November, 2014. This exhibit will coincide with the Second International Conference on Nutrition (ICN2), the high-level intergovernmental meeting co-organized by FAO and the World Health Organization (WHO) in Rome from 19-21 November.

to the labour room where the nurses attempted to deliver the child, but in the process, the bleeding became excessive.

Eventually, a decision was taken to perform the C-Section, but, by the time it was done, the baby was already dead.

In the meantime, Singh lost a significant amount of blood and her heart rate started to decline. She never regained consciousness. The doctors reportedly told the family that Singh’s body was rejecting the blood transfusion she had been given.

From the onset, Minister Ramsaran described the incident as unfortunate, as he ordered the probe. He also said the Georgetown Public Hospital needs to provide a higher standard of service to the public, referring to some of the things that currently occur as “unacceptable”.

WHO declares Nigeria Ebola-free

BY SVETLANA MARSHALL

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Chris Johns, Chief Content Officer, National Geographic Society and FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva sign the partnership agreement

Better Hope, East Coast Demerara died during childbirth on September 6.

According to reports, the mother of two was taken to the hospital after she was experiencing high fever. Upon her admittance to the medical facility, she was placed in the Maternity Ward where she was treated for the high temperature which was brought under control by Tuesday.

Days after, the nurses reportedly induced labour by inserting a tablet called ‘Cytotec’ into Singh. Guyana Times International was told that the nurses reportedly inserted about six of the pills over a threeday period, since they claimed Singh was not responding to the tablets and there was no movement from the fetus.

The young mother reportedly started to bleed and the pain had become intense. Singh was taken

igeria has been declared Ebolafree by the World Health Organisation, Nigerian Association of Guyana Vice President Onoja Atta Onoja said.

Speaking with Guyana Times International hours after the declaration was made, Onoja said: “We are thankful to God for this breakthrough.”

Despite being dubbed Africa’s most populous country, Nigeria has been successful in eradicating the disease after it was first detected in July in the city of Lagos where some 21 million people live.

Lagos, Africa’s largest city, is also characterised by a large population living in crowded and unsanitary conditions.

According to the WHO, the Ebola virus entered Lagos on July 20 when an infected Liberian entered the city. It was recalled that the Liberian was visibly ill during the flight and upon arrival was driven to a private hospital. He subsequently died five days after along with the Protocol Officer who escorted him.

But prior to his death, he denied having contact with an Ebola patient, claiming that he had malaria. Taking his word at face value, none of the medical staff at the hospital took protective action, resulting in nine doctors and nurses becoming infected. Four of

them have since died.

“The virus entered the country’s oil hub, Port Harcourt, on August 1 when a close contact of the index case flew there seeking care from a private physician. That doctor developed symptoms on August 10 and died of Ebola on August 23,” the WHO recalled.

With support from the WHO, the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and others, Government health officials reached 100 per cent of known contacts in Lagos and 99.8 per cent at the second outbreak site in Port Harcourt.

Federal and state Governments in Nigeria merged their resources to provide ample financial and material resources, in addition to well-trained and experienced national staff. Isolation wards were immediately constructed and were designated Ebola treatment facilities.

“Unlike the situation in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, all identified contacts were physically monitored on a daily basis for 21 days. The few contacts who attempted to escape the monitoring system were all diligently tracked, using special intervention teams, and returned to medical observation to complete the requisite monitoring period of 21 days,” the WHO said Monday marked 42 days after the country’s last infectious contact with

a confirmed or probable case occurred, resulting in the chains of transmission being broken.

“The virus is gone for now. The outbreak in Nigeria has been defeated.”

It is said that the country’s strong leadership and effective coordination of response is responsible for its current success.

“The Nigerian response to the outbreak was greatly aided by the rapid utilisation of a national public institution and the prompt establishment of an emergency operations centre, supported by the Disease Prevention and Control Cluster within the WHO Country Office,” the WHO said.

Another key asset was the country’s first-rated virology lab affiliated with the Lagos University Teaching Hospital. It was explained that the lab was staffed and equipped to quickly and reliably diagnose a case of the Ebola virus, and ensure that containment measures could begin with the shortest possible delay.

Onoja told GTI that Guyana should take a page of Nigeria’s book.

He explained that the Government through the Health Ministry should put the requisite systems in place to prevent an outbreak if the virus reaches the shores of Guyana. “Preparation is key, the country should be prepared,” he urged.

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ECLAC predicts decline in Investors showing high levels of Caribbean unemployment rates confidence in Guyana’s economy

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ECLAC’s Executive Secretary Alicia Bárcena

wo United Nations agencies say the unfavourable evolution of the economies in Latin America and the Caribbean during the second half of 2014 will not prevent regional urban unemployment from decreasing slightly this year.

The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in a joint report are predicting declines to six or 6.1 per cent from the 6.2 per cent recorded in 2013.

The report indicates that while a regional rebound in job creation

is not foreseen in 2014, a lower rate of labour market participation – which is to say, the proportion of the workingage population inside the labour force, whether employed or unemployed – should enable unemployment to fall.

In the document, the United Nations organisations analyse the employment situation during the first half of the year and explain the mechanisms that have helped reduce inequality in the Region’s earned incomes in the last decade.

According to the report, even though country data shows a high degree of heterogeneity,

the employment rate at a regional level – meaning the number of employed people versus the total working-age population – continued the decline it had initiated in 2013 during the first half of this year.

“Considering these circumstances, and as paradoxical as it may seem, the decline in the unemployment rate is not entirely positive news… The fall in labour force participation that is behind the decreasing unemployment has an impact on the economic autonomy of a growing proportion of the population, especially women,” said ECLAC’s Executive Secretary Alicia Bárcena and ILO’s Regional Director Elizabeth Tinoco.

Despite the current stagnation, the overall assessment of the region’s labour markets during recent years is positive, according to the report.

Between 2009 and 2013, the report states formal jobs grew 12.7 per cent – 53.4 per cent of total employment – while informal jobs grew just 2.6 per cent or 46.6 per cent of total employment.

- President Ramotar

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The new Republic Bank branch that was opened at D’Edward Village, Region Six on Saturday

resident Donald Ramotar said investors are displaying a growing confidence in Guyana’s economy amid a noconfidence motion filed in Parliament by the Alliance For Change (AFC).

His comments came as he addressed business persons and residents of Region Five at the commissioning of a new banking facility at D’Edward Village, Region Six on Saturday.

The Gy$508 million facility symbolises the confidence being shown in the local economy

by investors, President Ramotar said.

He, however, noted that the confidence which many have shown in the local economy is being taken for granted.

Government, he said has had to work very hard to create an atmosphere when more investors are attracted to Guyana.

“We have created various models; right in this region, the bridge across the Berbice River is a Private-Public Partnership. I know about two decades ago we hardly attracted any kind of investment in

our society and even our local entrepreneurs and business people were seeking opportunities abroad than investing in our own society.”

The President said the confidence in the local economy which business persons now show came about as a result of sound policies, good foresight and good choices.

“And it is the same way that it can be lost if the right choices are not made,” he said.

He said his Government has been investing in the people and this remains its primary focus.

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Guyana tops Guyanese farmers trained in Caribbean at greenhouse technology CSEC again

Guyana has gained four regional awards for outstanding performance in the May/June 2014 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations

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uyana has gained four regional awards for outstanding performance in the May/June 2014 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations.

According to a release, the students who will be awarded for their outstanding performance this year are Elisa Hamilton of Queen’s College (Overall Outstanding Achievement); Aliyyah Abdul Kadir, also of Queen’s College (Most Outstanding in Humanities); her colleague, Ryhan Chand (Most Outstanding in Business

Studies); and Kishan Crichlow of New Amsterdam Multilateral School (Most Outstanding in Technical Vocational). In recognition of their achievements, the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) will present the students with awards at a ceremony to be held at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Regional Headquarters, Mona Campus, Jamaica on December 4.

“The Ministry of Education wishes to congratulate the students on their exemplary performance and wish them all the best in their future endeavours,” the release said.

Last year Guyana won five of the eight awards offered. The winners from Guyana were Yogeeta Persaud of Anna Regina Secondary School (Overall Outstanding Achievement); Rafena Mustapha of Saraswati Vidya Niketan (Most Outstanding in Humanities); Cecil Cox of Queen’s College (Most Outstanding in Sciences); Sasha S Woodroffe of Queen’s College (Most Outstanding in Business Studies); and Zimeena Rasheed of Anna Regina Secondary School (Most Outstanding in Technical Vocational).

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Some of the farmers who were trained in greenhouse technology

he Caribbean Local Economic Development Programme (CARILED) in collaboration with the Local Government and Regional Development Ministry and several partners has trained 36 farmers in greenhouse technology.

According to a release, the programme facilitated through the Regional Democratic Council, Region Three and Canal Polders Interim Management Committee (IMC) successfully completed three training sessions with farmers of Canal Polders Number One and Two on October 15-16.

This training workshop forms one aspect of the Canal Polders Green Initiative

(CPGI) which seeks to provide sustainable economic opportunities and increase farmers’ productive capacity in Canal Polders through the demonstration, application and use of hydroponic technology.

The training workshop encouraged the adoption of hydroponic technology among farmers in order to reduce the high production cost and improve the quality of local produce.

The training sessions were facilitated by Local Economic Development Officers Shivana Persaud and Satya Dayaram as well as HydroGreen Products Consultant Colwayne Morris.

The training sessions were divided into theoretical and

practical sessions that focused on hydroponic farming. The training sessions focused on the advantages of hydroponic farming compared to traditional farming, natural pesticides and disease control, sanitation and maintenance of greenhouse facilities.

The practical sessions gave participants the opportunity to observe and discuss greenhouse features and engage in a demo planting exercise.

CARILED National Country Coordinator Dhanraj Singh closed the workshop by noting that “the initiative is timely and will significantly boost the region’s capacity to deal with the challenges of climate change in the local agriculture sector”.

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Scientist encounters Goliath spider in Guyana’s rainforest P iotr Naskrecki was taking a nighttime walk in a rainforest in Guyana, when he heard rustling as if something were creeping underfoot. When he turned on his flashlight, he expected to see a small mammal, such as a possum or a rat.

“When I turned on the light, I couldn’t quite understand what I was seeing,” said Naskrecki, an Entomologist and Photographer at Harvard University’s Museum of Comparative Zoology.

A moment later, he realised he was looking not at a brown, furry mammal, but an enormous, puppy-size spider.

Known as the South American Goliath birdeater (Theraphosa blondi), the colossal arachnid is the world’s largest spider, according to Guinness World Records. Its leg span can reach up to a foot (30 centimeters), or about the size of “a child’s forearm”, with a body the size of “a large fist”, Naskrecki told Live Science.

And the spider can weigh more than six oz (170 grams) — about as much as a young puppy, the scientist wrote on his blog.

Some sources say the giant huntsman spider, which has a larger leg span, is bigger than the birdeater. But the huntsman is much more delicate than the hefty birdeater — comparing the two would be “like comparing a giraffe to an elephant”, Naskrecki said.

The birdeater’s enormity is evident from the sounds it makes. “Its feet have hardened tips and claws that produce a very distinct, clicking sound, not unlike that of a horse’s hooves hitting the ground,” he wrote, but “not as loud”.

Prickly hairs

When Naskrecki approached the imposing creature in the rainforest, it would rub its hind legs against its abdomen. At first, the scientist thought the behaviour was “cute”, he said, but then he realised the spider was sending out a cloud of hairs with microscopic barbs on them.

The South American Goliath birdeater (Theraphosa blondi) is the world’s largest spider, according to Guinness World Records

When these hairs get in the eyes or other mucous membranes, they are “extremely painful and itchy”, and can stay there for days, he said.

But its prickly hairs are not the birdeater’s only line of defense; it also sports a pair of twoinch-long (five centimeters) fangs. Although the spider’s bite is venomous, it is not deadly to humans. But it would

still be extremely painful, “like driving a nail through your hand,” Naskrecki said.

And the eight-legged beast has a third defence mechanism up its hairy sleeve. The hairs on the front of the spider’s body have tiny hooks and barbs that make a hissing sound when they rub against each other, “sort of like pulling Velcro apart,” Naskrecki said.

Yet despite all that, the spider does not pose a threat to humans.

Even if it bites you, “a chicken can probably do more damage”, Naskrecki said.

Bird eater or mostly harmless?

Despite its name, the birdeater does not usually eat birds, although it is certainly capable of killing small mammals.

“They will essentially at-

tack anything that they encounter,” Naskrecki said.

The spider hunts in leaf litter on the ground at night, so the chances of it encountering a bird are very small, he said.

However, if it found a nest, it could easily kill the parents and the chicks, he said, adding that the spider species has also been known to puncture and drink bird eggs.

The spider will eat frogs and insects, but its main prey is actually earthworms, which come out at night when it is humid.

“Earthworms are very nutritious,” Naskrecki said.

Birdeaters are not very common spiders.

“I’ve been working in the tropics in South America for many, many years, and in the last 10 to 15 years, I only ran across the spider three times,” Naskrecki.

After catching the specimen he found in Guyana, which was female, Naskrecki took her back to his lab to study.

She is now deposited in a museum. (livescience)

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Jamaica: CHASE invests Ja$4.4 Billion in sports development

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INGSTON, JAMAICA: Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, has hailed the Culture, Health, Arts, Sports, and Education (CHASE) Fund’s approximately Ja$4.4 billion investment in Jamaica’s sports development since its inception in 2003.

This input, she said, includes over Ja$532 million channeled into the sector during the last fiscal year.

The Prime Minister noted the contribution in her speech delivered by Water, Land, Environment, and Climate Change Minister, Hon. Robert Pickersgill, at Thursday’s 10th Courtney Walsh Award for Excellence ceremony, at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston.

She further highlighted the role of the private sector, noting that the Government alone “will never be able to provide all the support needed to advance sports development. The sponsorships and endorsements that are provided by the private sector are extremely important.”

The Prime Minister also acknowledged the input of Jamaicans in the Diaspora, whom she stressed “must not be ignored”, adding that “they continue to support our athletes, especially when they are competing overseas.”

Mrs. Simpson Miller pointed out that Jamaica has been able to perform exceptionally well on the international stage, and in instances, much better than many countries with larger geographical,

Water, Land, Environment, and Climate Change Minister, Hon. Robert Pickersgill (right), with Laurel Smith, member of the management team of this year’s winner of the 10th prestigious Courtney Walsh Award for Excellence, Olympian, Michael Frater, following the presentation at Thursday’s (October 16) awards ceremony at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston.

Mr. Pickersgill, who represented Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, made the presentation to Mr. Smith, who collected the award, in Mr. Frater’s absence.

space, budgets, and facilities.

Mrs. Simpson Miller highlighted several sports development policies and programmes which have either been implemented or are in the process of being carried out by the administration.

These, she informed, include a National Sports Policy, which has been instituted “to create a dynamic and enabling environment in which persons enjoy and excel in sports at all levels, while building strong bonds of unity in their communities.”

The Prime Minister also noted the High School Sports Infrastructure Project, being implemented in partnership with the SDF, and the Sugar Transformation Project, “to begin to address some of the infrastructure

needs at the level of the secondary schools.”

“The projects will improve fields, running tracks, and courts, in 24 high schools. The projects will cost (over) Ja$250 million and (are) intended to further enhance the sport facilities in the schools identified,” she indicated.

“Jamaica has become an even more dominant world beater in sports. We intend to keep our winning advantage, building on the work of the early pioneers, such as George Headley, Arthur Wint, Herb McKenley, Cynthia Thompson, and others who paved the way. Our generation cannot afford to drop the baton,” she stated.

Olympian, Michael Frater, was awarded the 2014 Courtney Walsh Award for Excellence.

(JIS)

Barbadian schools urged to participate in Agrofest B RIDGETOWN, BARBADOS: The

Agrofest Schools’ competitions were launched at the Gordon Walters Primary School in St Patrick’s, Christ Church on Monday.

In addition to the oral, essay and poster competitions, there will be a treasure hunt this year which will focus on enhancing the oral skills of the students.

The competitions are open to all primary schools across the island, but since Gordon Walters School took the top three spots last year’s oral competition

it was chosen for the launch.

Chief executive officer of the Barbados Agricultural Society (BAS) James Paul encouraged other schools to participate in the competitions which enhanced the children’s knowledge and appreciation of agriculture.

Paul stressed that agriculture was extremely important for the survival of the nation.

“The reason why we are able to call ourselves Barbadians and we do not have to run anyplace to go and live

is that fact that we have a strong and healthy nation that can feed itself to some extent. We never want to lose that,” he said.

He added that the BAS had been trying to promote agriculture as a business.

The organisation has therefore partnered with the Junior Achievement to teach business fundamentals to the children.

“If we can at least engender good business practices among young people who are involved in agriculture at a very early age it will help,” Paul said. (Nation News)

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Avon Community Help Fund

Providing vital funds for breast cancer screening

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reast cancer awareness should be a priority to all, since one can have a mother, wife, sister or friend afflicted by the disease. In its mandate to spread awareness on breast cancer, the Avon Community Help Fund (ACHF) is pleased to announce the commencement of its Ninth Annual Avon Breast Cancer Awareness Activities

for October 2014, a month recognised internationally and locally as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The ACHF has recognised the importance and need for more education and awareness programmes in the fight against breast cancer at the community-based level in society. During ACHF’s past community outreach programmes, it was observed that

At a past Avon Breast Cancer Awareness Walk, supporters celebrate their accomplishment in spreading awareness

more women are in need of correct information about breast cancer in order to become proactive in the fight against this disease. The programmes, therefore, encourage the participants to take responsibility for their own health using the tools provided for the early detection of breast cancer.

Under the theme, “See the difference, make a difference”, the

Displaying Avon's banner at a past awareness walk

ACHF has heightened its awareness and education programmes.

The Breast Cancer Awareness programme will continue to provide free access to screening services, including mammograms for “high risk” women, which also includes the medically underserved and women who are uninsured.

In 2013, with the concerted efforts of the programme, partners and the willing support of business entities, funds were raised to create the opportunity and motivate more women to have the test done and timely action taken to fight this disease.

This year, ACHF will be covering the cost for 150 women to be screened, an increase from 2013. The screening and mammogram services will be conducted by the Cancer Institute on East and Lamaha Streets.

The ACHF promotes Breast Cancer Awareness Month by wrapping the trees along upper Camp Street in the signature pink fabric, and ushers the week of activities with a church service to be held

at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Brickdam on 19 October at 5pm.

“Wear Pink Day” is being observed on 24 October in collaboration with business entities such as Scotiabank (Robb Street) Décor and Gift Gallery (Sheriff Street) and Medicare Pharmacy (Hinck Street).

Avon invites the private sector and other organisations to support this initiative by wearing pink, as this is a symbol of commitment to raise awareness on breast cancer and lending support to the patients diagnosed with the disease.

On 22 October, an educational symposium will be held at 5pm at the Pegasus Hotel, Kingston. Avon’s annual “Awareness Walk” will take place on 25 October. This will start from 6am, beginning and ending at the Parade Ground on Middle Street. The public is encouraged to support this worthy cause via the major sponsors. Scotiabank (Robb Street) will host its annual Cake Sale on 25 October from 8am and

Digicel will also host its Annual Cycle Race on 26 October from the Berbice River Bridge to the National Park.

Proceeds of these events will go toward ACHF’s programme of continued screening and mammogram services for underprivileged women.

Women survive breast cancer everyday through early detection and treatment and it is in this hope that Avon continues its fight against breast cancer.

The Avon Community Help Fund will continue to advocate for public policies that will provide women with the access to free mammograms and breast cancer treatment. Additionally, ACHF will continue its public outreach programmes to raise awareness on this disease among women in Guyana and promote the use of the Breast Self-Examination as a method for early detection.

Avon is grateful to all sponsors and the media for the tremendous confidence and support of its campaign on breast cancer education and awareness in Guyana.

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Civil Defence Commission equips elderly with emergency, survival kits I

nternational Day for Disaster Reduction, celebrated annually on 13 October, raises awareness of how people, focusing primarily on the elderly this year, are taking action to reduce their risk to disasters.

The day highlighted the need for a more inclusive approach for older people in disaster risk reduction. It recognises the critical role they can play in better planning and understanding disaster risk, and how they can help with resilience-building in their communities through their experience and knowledge.

In keeping with this year’s theme, “Resilience is for Life”, the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) and the Civil Defence Commission Volunteer Corps (CDCVC) planned several inclusive initiatives throughout the last week, engaging elderly persons in disaster reduction in Guyana.

“Every year the CDC try to commemorate the International Day of Disaster Reduction with an activity centred on the theme of the year. This year our efforts included elderly persons...We always include some form of capacity building section in our annual activities and this year we looked at including some-

Major Kester Craig of Civil Defence Commission hands over the key to an emergency and survival kit to Lloyd Wiggins of the Palms Geriatric Home

thing tangible, hence, we distributed emergency and survival kits,” Anita Wilson, Community Based Disaster Risk Management Officer & Volunteer Coordinator of the CDC told Guyana Times Sunday Magazine.

CDC and its partner agencies, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), observed the day with a host of activities throughout last week.

These activities, which lasted from 13 to 17 October, includ-

ed an observance ceremony and experiential sharing platform, capacity building sessions; incorporating the elderly for Inclusive Disaster Risk Management and the equipping of elderly homes for risk reduction.

Each activity planned was as engaged and inclusive as possible which involved the participation of residents and caretakers of the New Nazareth Home, the media and the wider public.

The first activity, held on 13

October, was an Observance Ceremony and Experiential Sharing Platform which provided a forum for the sharing of approaches and methodologies for disaster reduction between the elderly and younger persons.

“This was done in an attempt to identify strategies and best practices for disaster risk reduction employed in the past, which can be reintroduced, as well as devise how elderly and young person’s can cooperate to build resilience and reduce vulnerability to disaster risk,” explained Major Kester Craig, the Operations and Training Officer of the CDC. This activity focused on awareness in disaster risk reduction and involved information on how elderly persons can and should be included in the Disaster Risk Management initiatives throughout the country.

Consequently, the CDC staff, volunteers, as well as other stakeholders, conducted a tour and assessment of the Palms Geriatric Home to examine the hazards, risks and opportunities for further collaborations between the CDC and elderly homes.

The Commission donated 18 emergency and survival

kits to various elderly homes.

These kits are expected to be utilised in the event of a disaster or emergency situation in an effort to enhance the resilience of the homes. The kits contain several emergency and survival items such as a first aid kit, flash lights, batteries, petroleum jelly, scissors, whistles and several other necessary items for emergency situations.

According to the CDC, the floods of 2005 and 2006 tested the system, bringing to the fore key issues that worked against the effective management and coordination of efforts and entities in Guyana.

Providing sufficient and appropriately trained assistance to older people during disasters is even more of a challenge in less wealthy nations. Hence, it is important that steps be taken to create detailed evacuation and treatment plans for older people in case of disasters.

The elderly can make positive contributions to disaster risk management. Often familiar with local history, geography, and culture, they can provide important information on local risks to health, and in times of crises, can offer astute advice to relief workers on response and recovery efforts.

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WEEK ENDING October 26, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Feature

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WEEK ENDING October 26, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Simply the Truth

The changeability Returning to Berbice of weather

T

B

By Anu Dev

ack in primary school, along with “as white as snow”, we crammed the simile, “as changeable as the weather”. My voracious reading also made the ubiquitous greetings, “nice weather” and “good morning” untethered from their moorings as commentaries on the PHYSICAL environment. Our good old Guyanese “rainy season” and “dry season” were predictable enough, to not need comments.

And so it was, I never quite appreciated just how fickle the weather could be until I came to Trinidad.

In the morning, if I peer out through my windows I could see that it’s pretty much bright and sunny – a picture perfect “Caribbean day”.

So could you blame me for donning a light dress and casual shoes? But then two hours later, stepping out of class, I’d wish I’d brought a raincoat, boots and umbrella so I could get home without coming down with pneumonia. Not “good morning”. I finally understood why the English always walked with umbrellas.

Yet I must confess that I love the rain. Not “walking in the rain” or, God forbid, “singing in the rain” for me, however. Yes, yes, I know libraries are filled with poetry about that experience. Call me humdrum.

Pneumonia, hypothermia, and such things don’t really excite me, thank you! I just love the rain when I’m in bed. Really! I’ve heard of the joys of the “patter of little feet” – but that’s a while away. In the meantime the patter of raindrops on my roof and window panes, do wonders for me!

Some of the most pleasurable moments of my life have been waking up when the rain’s just started to fall and then burrowing down into the sheets for a little more of that sweet slumber.

But there’s a downside – when you have to get out of bed to get ready for class. That’s when I start making bargains with myself, “I could sleep in for 10 more minutes and I’d still be able to make it to class in time if I take that shortcut to class. But that route gets a bit muddy in the rain. No! It doesn’t matter; sleep is more important (read, “luxurious!”) I’ll deal with the mud when I get there.”

It’s cruel and inhuman punishment, I think, having to leave one’s warm, comfy bed to deal with raging winds and torrential downpours. I mean, lying in bed, sometimes in that in-between reality connecting the dream world and this harsh one here: isn’t this when you have your most creative ideas?

The only problem is we don’t generally remember any of it when we’re awake. But we do retain that feeling of thinking “deep thoughts”.

I was very pleased to read later (in a Chemistry text, of all places!) that one of the greatest of discoveries in organic chemistry occurred to the scientist Kekule while he was dozing. I won’t bore you with the details (I bore that ordeal for you!) save that it had to do with a snake seizing its own tail. I frequently tell myself that I’m channelling Kekule when I’m trying to snag that extra 15 minutes of sleep.

At this rate, I may be well on my way to making some breakthrough discovery during one of my frequent naps. Nobel Prize, here I come!

But even with all of my kvetching about the weather, I have to admit that there’s something nice about sprinting home in the pouring rain, changing into dry clothes, putting on a cup of coffee, snuggling up under a blanket, and just listening to the rain pitter-patter across the roof.

he return to Berbice is an exercise in pulling back and pushing forward in time whilst trying to stay still in order that some kind of objective assessment may be established. We tend to pull ourselves backward in order to return to a past that is half real and half nostalgia.

Most of us become nostalgic, and we cling almost hysterically to our youthful days. We cling to what we believe to be our villages and our schools. And we give with this lovely generosity while we live our tiny lives in places like Toronto and New York.

The grind. The waking up. The travelling to work. The return from our salaried jobs, the pushing of food into mouths, the watching of meaningless television programmes.

The restless, tired sleep; the awakening; the journey again to a job which gives our lives

meaning, but which really makes no difference to anyone, and from which we can be replaced instantly. It is to pay the bills, and a great many good people ease their way into graves.

Every so often, those of us who scrape some money together come back to Berbice. Our flash and dazzle is something that we will scrape to pay off, until we can come back again. Our lives grow meaning from our return.

And there are some of us who are so desperately pathetic that we twist our meaninglessness into a hatred of this nation. Any mention of Guyana or Berbice evokes bitter bile. It is not so much about hatred of Berbice/Guyana as it is about self-hatred.

One of my family members, upon hearing that I will return home to Guyana and Berbice, was so incensed that she said: “Someone will put a bullet in your head!” The

mere mention of Guyana or Berbice incurs such wrath that reason flees and thought withers.

Debate is useless (it seldom happens!) and is reduced to vulgar argument. When I say that I am going to Malaysia or Singapore or Morocco or Thailand or Taiwan or China or Jordan or some such place, there is no real argument! But Guyana?

And yet, here I am for a few days in Guyana, having been to some 64 countries. And I can say with the simple truth that I am safest in this nation of ours, this Guyana, especially this Berbice.

It takes belief, one supposes. But it is also about refusing to believe that this nation has spewed me out like so much bitter vomit. One of my family members said that I left Guyana and Berbice and never gave it a second thought.

But not one of my family members has

Professor Daizal Samad

read the things I have published. Hundreds of thousands of words in books and scholarly journals. If they did, they would see that I never really left in spirit.

I am home for a few days, and I shall cherish those days. I shall cherish the ten men who helped lift my borrowed car from a drain in Kitty, wanting nothing in return. I shall cherish the charm and family atmosphere of Little Rock in New Amsterdam.

Nothing like home, bhai! Nothing like home, gyaal!

Dominica signs MOU with Malaysian University

The Dominican and Malaysian delegation after the MOU signing

R

O S E A U , DOMINICA: Dominica has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Malaysian-based Limkokwing University to establish an international campus of the university on the island.

An article on the university’s website said the MOU was signed by a delegation headed by Emmanuel Nanthan with Dato’ Gail Phung, Limkokwing University’s Senior Vice President of Corporate Development.

The MOU was signed on October 16.

The article said Dato’ Gail Phung has announced that the Founder/President of Limkokwing University, Tan Sri Paduka Lim Kok Wing, has offered his services to help the Dominica in the development of it creative education programme.

Nanthan said the of-

fer was tremendous and thanked Tan Sri Lim Kok Wing for his generous offer.

“His experience and skill are not just demonstrated in Malaysia, South East Asia and Africa. And to have him in Dominica and in the Caribbean, we feel honoured and privileged.

To have such an expert guy working with us and working with the Caribbean, the Caribbean future is better,” Nanthan was quoted as saying.

The article said both Dominica and the university , “aspire to create a new kind of campus which will be a unique and cutting edge University campus specialising in travel, tourism and hospitality management and other disciplines that will contribute greatly to the ongoing social and economic transformation of Dominica.”

“With the establishment of the new campus, students from Limkokwing University’s global ecosystem will also have the opportunity be able to pursue a part of their studies in Dominica through the Limkokwing Global Campus initiative,” the article said.

“The establishment of this new campus is in line with Limkokwing University’s commitment to globalising education, which will see it setting-up a campus in the Americas after already having a presence in Asia, Europe and Africa.”

Nanthan said the work of the university in different parts of the world has been tremendous.

“Your school has done tremendous work in Asia and Africa and we believe that the frontier of The Caribbean and Latin America and

North America is a tremendous potential for the good work done by this great institution”, he was quoted as saying.

“We consider ourselves now to be fully on board the movement to change the world.

L i m k o k w i n g University, known formally as Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, is a private university with campuses in some 13 countries around the world.

The Dominican delegation included Alick Lawrence and environment minister, Dr. Kenneth Darroux.

Last week Malaysian website, The Star Online, reported the delegation met with a high ranking Malaysian official in Langkawi, an archipelago of islands on Malaysia’s west coast, to explore ways of replicating the area’s tourism success. (Dominica Newsonline)

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feature

WEEK ENDING October 26, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

TT’s Nirmala Maharaj

P

O R T - O F - S P A I N , TRINIDAD: Seven years ago, Nirmala Maharaj became the first female President of one of the oldest temples in the western hemisphere — the El Dorado Shiv Mandir at Tunapuna. It was a “ceiling shattering” moment for her and Hindu women across Trinidad and Tobago, but she didn’t just stop there.

Maharaj felt that the temple’s work needed to expand beyond religious activities and focus on the socio-cultural health of the community and by extension society. She pushed for this balance and within a relatively short period of time the El Dorado Shiv Mandir was actively tackling issues affecting youths and families in the community as well as focusing on strengthening cultural beliefs among younger people.

“When you look at society you see the pressures that people are facing, from our youths to women coming to grips with failed marriages and pushing back against domestic violence, among a host of other issues… I felt that the temple needed to play a greater role in the community,” said Maharaj, who was born in El Dorado village and has been a devotee at the temple since she was a little girl.

Before her climb to the position of President, Maharaj had served the temple in several other positions.

She was a youth leader before work-

ing as a trustee and later secretary and public relations officer.

Maharaj currently serves on the management team at the Arthur Lok Jack Business School as Director of Internationalisation & Institutional Relations. It’s a position she has held for 19 years and has no intention of moving on from, at least not in the immediate future.

The position, she explained, has allowed her to engage with a number of companies locally and abroad to understand their challenges and issues, and craft solutions for growth.

“It’s been a phenomenal journey and I was able to get into the depth of international marketing,” she said, before adding that having the power to influence policy which impacted positively “is fulfilling.”

To this, add her position as a Board Member at the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago and more recently, an appointment to serve on the Independent Advisory Panel at the Ministry of Public Administration.

And again, this only scratches the surface. She is involved in numerous other non-profit work, including serving as a Rotarian. She is even tipped to be the next PresidentElect of the Rotary Club of Marcas St Joseph.

She continued: “For me, one of the most rewarding aspects of Hinduism was being able to talk to my elders, to learn and to understand… what

they have passed on generation after generation is not in any textbook and I couldn’t find it either in all the years of management training and the MBA training.”

Holding true to the basic principles of her religion, which includes selflessness and respect for elders, has allowed her to not only succeed but to do so without allowing the occasional setbacks to consume her.

Maharaj also pointed out that while religion is a huge influence in her life, her parents and the “loving and supportive environment” they created for her growing up also helped to shape the person she is today.

She blushed when mentioning her husband Surendra Maharaj. They tied the knot last year and Maharaj, who is 41-years-old, is looking forward to celebrating her first Divali as a married woman. She said of the marriage: “We are equal partners and that is so important to me. I like that he has different perspectives… we are a team.”

Speaking about Divali, she said: “It’ a time for introspection and to refocus my thinking and to give thanks to God for the blessings of life and good health. I’m also looking forward to lighting deyas with my husband.”

Despite all of the accolades she has earned, Maharaj still strives to do better because she be-

Inspiring youths to be future leaders

C

ome Alive Network, commonly known as CANI, is a non-governmental, not-for profit organisation that actively supports youth development and enables youth through the use of applied global perspectives to effectively contribute to genuine and progressive community and global development.

According to Kadeem Gordon, Public Relations Officer, the CANI organisation presently has 42 members who are all between the ages of 16 to 28. These youths work towards developing leadership and community building skills, creating an atmosphere of global interaction for youth and community leaders to network on local and international causes and fostering appreciation, understanding and love for humanity through volunteerism.

CANI aims to establish a foundational framework for youth development and preparation of youth to be advocates on issues that affect them as well as cultivate abilities in youth that they can effectively communicate their messages of hope, peace and love.

“We at Come Alive Network believe that it is the little things in life that counts. It counts when thought, substance and meaning are put into it by many and it is only with that collective effort that something simple becomes what we as a society need to head in the right direction,” Gordon explained.

He added, “Apart from academics and home, it is understood that young people need a little more exposure and input to the world we call our home. It is without that input that we grow to be silent and complacent in the areas we need to be active in the most.”

The Come Alive Network seeks to create the channels necessary for young people to display their capabilities differently, which coincides with their interest and allows them to motivate themselves to be healthy contributors to the interest of the society.

“It is with these youth organisations that young people can seek the support that is lacking and be a blessing in the lives of others…The nature of this organisation is fundamental to the lives of not just those who express an interest and are a part of it, but also those who it caters for,” Gordon expounded.

Since its inception, the Come Alive Network has made numerous contributions to the society through educational/ motivational speeches, capacity building sessions, school empowerment sessions at a number of high schools in Georgetown, the ‘EMPOWERED 2 LEAD’ project and a youth conference, ‘JUST YOUTH IT’, held in August of this year.

The ‘JUST YOUTH IT’ conference was a success, with a great turn out of youths. This project resulted in the conception of ‘2014

SHOES’. This initiative saw hundreds of shoes, by various donors, distributed in Enmore, Linden, Charity, Albouystown and various sections of Georgetown.

According to Gordon, Come Alive Network is about networking and not just creating relationships with the young people its influences, but also other organisations and companies that share a vision of a developed society and aim to do as much as possible to employ their resources to strengthen the overarching cause.

“We intend, on every level, to advocate the cause of youth and the importance for them to be empowered so that they can take their charge in society to bring a new taste and meaning to all systems,” Gordon declared.

CANI was formed in April 2012 by the organisation’s Executive Director, Ryan Hoppie, who found the inspiration to establish the organisation in the Howard Thurman quote, “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive”.

lieves her work has only just started. “I’m concerned about the increasing number of people in the society who are pointing to the ills but offer no solutions. You don’t hear a lot of, ‘How can I be part of the solution?’…

This is happening so often,” she said.

When she is not thinking about work or her role in changing the space around her, Maharaj enjoys spending time with her family and more recently, she is enjoying being a wife. “I’m just enjoying life and the people who are close to me right now.” (TT Newsday)

Saving the free press

A Members of the Come Alive Network at the One Billion Rising for Justice event held in Guyana last year

Nirmala Maharaj became the first female President of one of the oldest temples in the western hemisphere (Arthur Lok Jack photo)

s a media hack, Satiricus was ecstatic he had the opportunity to be here – up close and personal – to see the saviour of the Guyana free press: Mook Lall. Satiricus was so happy other people recognised the works that this new great man was doing for the people. But that was what got him to here, no?? Hauled before the courts on charges of tax fraud.

Why was it so hard for the Government to believe that an old couple had worked and scraped all their lives – doing guard work and domestic live-in work – to buy two luxury SUVs now that they retired???

And why couldn’t they believe the old folks would return to Guyana to live and get the vehicles duty free (Gy$100 million of “free”) – but give them to the Mook to drive around in?? Didn’t they believe that retired Guyanese old people – who had slaved all their lives – would give away two vehicles they’d bought for US$190,000 to the MOOK??

“What has the world come to?” Sobbed Satiricus as he glanced away from the Mook. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to gaze at the Mook all the time – it was just that the sun was shining off the Messiah of the media’s bald head so strongly, Satiricus feared for his sight.

“Didn’t these bureaucrats at the GRA think old pensioners valued a free press??” said Satiricus aloud, surprising the vagrants surrounding the Mook. They were told the Mook would share out sweeties from the factory he owned. Duty free.

“Of course, the old remigrants would help the Mook tool around in luxury vehicles!!” thought Satiricus. “The old folks loved the free press more than themselves.”

Satiricus was also surprised at his own newspaper.

Here it was that the Mook’s Muckraker’s profits and tax figures hadn’t even been mentioned in the Case of the Hacked E-Mails. Satiricus hung his head in shame when he realised his own paper’s figures had been leaked. And the Mook was defending HIS paper when he talked about the Government going after newspapers. Satiricus sobbed some more at the sacrifice of the Mook.

He was saying his Muckraker was being persecuted, because he wanted to show solidarity with Satiricus’ newspaper. The Mook was definitely a Mahatma.

news

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WEEK ENDING October 26, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

The Shaping of Guyanese Literature

‘Reaching for the stars’

By Petamber Persaud

Debacle… … in cricket Some say WI cricket reached its low point after our great run between 1975 and 1990 when we absolutely ruled the cricket roost. But this Eyewitness believes we finally have a defining moment that we’ll all look back on as to when we really hit rock-bottom. It’s October 17, 2014 when the WI team walked off the field in the middle of a tour of India.

The entire sorry episode illustrates the rot that’s overtaken WI cricket – and it’s not confined to the performance of the players on the field.

Whether we like it or not, cricket’s a professional sport today. But those who control the sport in the Caribbean – the WICB and its territorial affiliates – insist on using their colonial “amateur” institutions and habits to run the game entirely for their own aggrandisement and benefit.

In this modern professional era, the players aren’t going to lower their eyes, doff their caps and say, “Yes, sah!!” to whatever the WICB says. Let’s take the latest straw that broke the players’ backs in India.

The WICB negotiations with the WIPA – supposedly representing the players’ interest – were never even accepted by the WIPA’s Board!!

The agreement was signed by WICB President Dave Cameron and the head of the WIPA – Wavell Hinds.

Back in mid-September.

The WIPA never had this agreement ratified by the players as a group. And with good reason. As Captain Bravo wrote, “The players will not accept any agreement it has had no input in, did not give its consent to and which would infringe on its rights.” The players only saw the new agreement when they’d already arrived in India – and they immediately expressed their disagreement to Hinds. Not surprisingly since their fees for Tests/ ODIs and T20s were slashed by 65 per cent!!

In Bravo’s letter to Hinds, he also objected to the clause where the WIPA not only received three per cent of the players’ fees but an ADDITIONAL fee of US$500,000 IF the new fee structure remained in place. While many will say the players could’ve waited until the tour was over, it must be stated that they did offer a way out of the debacle: retain the old fee structure until they returned.

Very bluntly, the WICB wasn’t even willing to work with the WIPA – just with Wavell Hinds – to ram an unacceptable “agreement” down the players’ throats.

This will not do. Justice demands the players must be involved. … on Parliament’s reconvening Ralph Ramkarran twisted his ears, fell on his knees and “beg pardon” because he allowed the date for reconvening Parliament to remain at the discretion of the Government. Well, he actually did not just allow, it was his “omission”. But you could tell he’s ruing the day he didn’t do more to sandbag his erstwhile comrades while he had the chance.

Ramkarran also implicitly bitch-slapped Lalloo Ram when pointing out that – as your humble Eyewitness did yesterday – the Standing Order (SO) that Lalloo’d quoted only allows the Speaker to intercede IF the Government had fixed a date to end the adjournment. But being on the same side (the DARK SIDE!) of Lalloo nowadays, he didn’t mention the wanker’s puerile intervention.

So what did Ramkarran recommend in the end?? That Parliament should change the SO on adjournments so that it doesn’t say a recess ends until “a date to be fixed”. Which gives the Government power to decide. Well, heck!!

Parliament can do what they want with the SOs – unless they conflict with the Constitution.

So in the meantime, Ramkarran invokes a Deus ex machina (where’s he’s the God in the machine (Constitution) to call on the Speaker to just fix a date! Envy is so corrosive!!

(Extract of an interview with Dr Yesu Persaud, Georgetown, Guyana, September, 2014) PP: I have seen this book Reaching for the Stars in its manuscript form, a huge bundle of paper held together by a paperclip but it was a good read. Now the manuscript prepared in this book form, with attractive hard covers and photographs, is endowed with a life of its own, telling the story of a beautiful life well lived.

Many persons talk about writing their story but never get past the talking stages. But you are a man of action and because you always support your words with actions – action is the main characteristic of your life – we are now gifted this inspiring book, Reaching for the Stars, which tells part of the story of your life, that part of your life that is also part of our living history. Each autobiography forms part of Guyana’s living history.

You are a very busy, an ultra busy man, and you are now into your four scores and five years, and still very busy, you had to make time to put this together.

How, when, where did it start?

YP: Let’s start with my ancestors. Indians were brought to Guyana from India as indenture workers [beginning 1838] but after the Indian Mutiny [1857], thousands came, women were limited. Now my great, great, grandfather came here just after the Indian Mutiny...

PP: You’re talking about Iswar.

YP: Yes, Iswar. He had no compulsion to migrate but he was a leader

Dr Persaud (left) and Prof David Dabydeen

and the British were after him.

PP: According to the book, he was well-read, versed in the Hindu scriptures.

YP: Yes, he was; what we call a guru of an area, not too far off from a British military post in Uttar Pradesh. When the Mutiny started, although he was not involved, he was targeted as an instructor...

PP: Of religious ideas...

YP: Yes, but he was perused, and run and run until he escaped by jumping into the river, the Ganges River. He floated downriver, because he was shot in the leg, a fascinating and true story...

PP: Lots of drama in your life...

YP: Well, he floated downriver for some 30 to 40 miles where he was found by some villagers who saved him, kept him until he was healed, and then helped him on his way.

PP: And there are other fascinating dramas in the Yesu Persaud saga.

YP: Many, many others...

PP: Another drama was when one of your ancestors, after having served his indentureship in Guyana, returned to

India to get his wife and they returned to settle in Guyana. Lots of decisions to make, lots of drama...

YP: The reason for that was his wife was left behind. In 1834, the Governor General of India made a statement saying that the plains of India are littered by the bones of craftsmen and women of the highest calibre. This was due to the [British] Industrial Revolution, which saw the importation of goods into India duty free. So there was a lesser demand for goods produced

by Indians brought on by this unfair competition.

This led to stagnation and poverty, thousands were dying.

PP: Let’s get back to Guyana and your story.

YP: My story is simple. I was born in a logie, grew up on a sugar plantation until I was in my 20s and got married in a logie. I tried several jobs off the plantation. In those days you couldn’t get jobs, and the better jobs were reserved for certain types. Finally, I ended up back on the plantation…where I started at the lowest level until I reached the position of supervision or driver. Here I experienced, first hand, the drudgery of a sugar

worker. I also observed the way the managerial staff treated those below.

PP: In the meanwhile, you were drawn into many clashes with the managerial staff and fellow workers because of your integrity.

YP: Which helped me in my decisions.

On the plantation, I reached as far as I was allowed to go. There was nothing else for me on the plantation. So I went home and discussed it with my wife - my desire to go to England. She was a very frugal woman and she had saved up some money. But everybody was against the idea. They said that I was well-set with a good job and young family... why leave it all...

PP: Throughout your life you had to make tough decisions, a defining quality in your life and you are better for the wear and tear.

I want to go back to something you said earlier, about people who helped you through life and people who helped you putting this book together.

YP: One of the persons is David [Dabydeen].

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

Nov 24 release for Marley's Dortmund concert

K

INGSTON, JAMAICA: If you are a Bob Marley fan then news of yet another posthumous release will be welcome news.

According to online sources, the 1980 concert played by the reggae legend in Dortmund, Germany during his final world tour will be released under the title Uprising Live!. It will be issued as a DVD/ two-CD set on November 24.

Eagle Rock Entertainment's release of Uprising Live! by Bob Marley on DVD and digital video will be the first-ever DVD release of the concert, which originally aired on the famed German television series Rockpalast.

The Uprising Tour ran in Europe from May 30 to July 13, 1980, with five further dates in the USA in September. It was Bob Marley's last tour before he died. The trek was in support of the Uprising album, released June 10, 1980.

Footage from the concert, which was held at the Westfalen Stadium in Germany, was fully restored

under the supervision of Marley's children, Cedella and Ziggy Marley.

Songs such as No Woman No Cry, Exodus, I Shot The Sheriff, Redemption Song, Is This Love, Jamming, Get Up, Stand Up and Could You Be Loved will be included on Uprising Live!, which also features the I Threes.

On February 6, 2015, the iconic entertainer would have celebrated his 70th birthday. Bob Marley died of cancer at age 36 in May 1981. (Jamaica Gleaner)

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WEEK ENDING October 26, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

This week's Crossword

J k es

Frog prince

An 80 year-old woman was walking down the main street in her hometown one evening when she heard a low voice say, "Hey lady."

She looked around to see who was talking but upon seeing nobody there she shrugged it all off and continued walking. Before she got another five feet, she heard the same voice, only a little louder, say, "Hey lady!"

She once again looked around and didn't see anybody, but when she went to walk again she saw a frog sitting at her feet looking at her.

The frog then opened his mouth and said, "Could you please help me?"

The elderly woman was shocked at first but picked up the little frog and asked him what he needed. The frog proceeded to tell the woman that he was actually a handsome young prince that had been turned into a frog. All the lady had to do was to kiss the frog on the lips and he would turn back into a handsome prince, and would then be eternally grateful to the woman.

Well, the woman thought for a moment and then quietly slipped the frog into her purse. As she was walking away she quietly muttered, "At my age I'll have more fun with a talking frog."

Lump

This week's Puzzle

A carpet layer had worked all day installing wall-to-wall carpeting. When he noticed a lump under the carpet in the middle of the living room he felt his shirt pocket for his cigarettes, they were gone.

He was not about to pull the carpet back up, so he went outside for a two-by-four. Stamping down cigarettes with it would be easy. Once the lump was smoothed, the man gathered up his tools and carried them to his truck.

Then two things happened simultaneously. He saw his cigarettes on the seat of the truck, and over his shoulder he heard the voice of the woman who owned the house.

"Have you seen anything of my parakeet?" she asked.

Gifted hamster

see solution on page 47

A mangy looking guy who goes into a bar and orders a drink. The bartender says, “No way. I don't think you can pay for it.”

The guy says, "You're right. I don't have any money, but if I show you something you haven't seen before, will you give me a drink?"

The bartender says, "Only if what you show me ain't risqué."

"Deal!" says the guy, and reaches into his coat pocket and pulls out a hamster. He puts the hamster on the bar and it runs to the end of the bar, climbs down the bar, runs across the room, up the piano, jumps on the key board and starts playing a tune. And the hamster is really good.

The bartender says, "You're right. I've never seen anything like that before. That hamster is truly good on the piano."

The guy downs the drink and asks the bartender for another.

"Money or another miracle, or else no drink,” says the bartender.

The guy reaches into his coat again and pulls out a frog. He puts the frog on the bar, and the frog starts to sing. He has a marvellous voice and great pitch. A fine singer.

A stranger from the other end of the bar runs over to the guy and offers him $300 for the frog. The guy says, "It's a deal."

He takes the three hundred and gives the stranger the frog. The stranger runs out of the bar.

The bartender says to the guy, "Are you some kind of nut? You sold a singing frog for $300? It must have been worth millions. You must be crazy."

"Not so,” says the guy. "The hamster is also a ventriloquist."

feature

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WEEK ENDING October 26, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Association of Guyanese Nurses and Allied Professionals

Supporting the development of local medical facilities

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n 26 years of effortless service and dedication, the Association of Guyanese Nurses and Allied Professionals (AGNAP) was formed with the main purpose to support medical professionals (mainly nurses) and assists in the development of medical facilities and institutions in Guyana.

Today, although the focus remains the same, “providing aid and support to Guyana’s health care institutions and professionals”, AGNAP has grown very specific in their efforts, encompassing everything from award ceremonies and professional development of loyal nurses to donating medical equipment and providing counselling for person’s directly and indirectly affected by a number of diseases.

‘Promote, Support, Develop’, a fitting motto as it really catches the essence of what AGNAP does for the Guyanese society. The association works in several areas and in collaboration with numerous organisations and unions in Guyana to promote the good health of its citizens.

“When AGNAP was established in the 1980s,

our main purpose was support. We were largely giving support to nurses and sending medical supplies to Guyana,” Beryl Curtis, the association’s treasurer told Guyana Times Sunday Magazine while on a visit in Guyana.

Although her twoweek visit to Guyana was meant to be a leisure one, Curtis took the opportunity to visit some of the local organisations AGNAP works with. She stated, “Today we still remain committed to working with several local organisations and for various noteworthy causes.”

Curtis, in her short visit, visited a few organisations that the AGNAP has special interest in and has worked with for years: Guyana Nurse’s Association, the Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Association, the Periwinkle Foundation, and the Beacon Foundation.

AGNAP was founded in 1987, however, its inaugural meeting was not held until 1988 at the Hackney Town Hall in the United Kingdom (UK). “The founding member, Tryphaena Todd, a retired Guyanese nurse, after migrating to

A few of AGNAP's members

the UK, brought together several other retired Guyanese nurses to form the group,” Curtis explained.

AGNAP was formed by a group of Guyanese nurses, namely: Tryphæna Todd, Lynette Richards-Murray [Lorde], Sybil ForresterGibson [Inverary], Elaine Williams, Lileth Warford, Betty Why, and an adviser, Marva Williams.

The association’s first fundraiser was a dance, which helped to develop programmes of support for health care institutions in Guyana. From that first fundraiser in 1989, AGNAP has been a frequent donor and sup-

port to various local organisations.

This is accomplished through their numerous monetary donations and facilitated training of local medical and nurse staff (flown to the UK), provision of bursaries to support nursing education, establishment of various awards to honour members of the medical field, spearheaded renovations, built libraries, donated medical supplies and other forms of support whether through tangible or intangible means.

AGNAP aims to alleviate sickness in Guyana, particularly among the economically disadvan-

taged, advance health education in Guyana and the UK, preserve and protect public health by providing information and advice and facilitate institutions and charitable bodies in Guyana and the UK, which promote health education and the welfare of the local people.

It has championed various causes including audiology through the Lyn Richards-Lorde Audiology Project in 2000; physiotherapy; all forms of cancer specifically cancer/palliative care; and more recently, Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia.

Ann Read, AGNAP’s envoy who visited

Guyana, recounted her experience, “As a proxy Guyanese nurse I was lucky enough once to work with two Guyanese nurses who, after exciting me with stories of their home country, introduced me to AGNAP. It then facilitated an amazing period of volunteering for me, based in Georgetown, where I repeatedly discovered the impact of its work, which included the Beacon Foundation palliative care team; the Periwinkle Club; Georgetown Public Hospital; St Joseph’s Mercy Hospital; the Guyana Nurses Association; the Palms Care Home; and then out to Linden Hospital and along the coast east and west of Georgetown.”

With over 100 members accumulated during their 26 years of existence, AGNAP currently has six active patrons, a president and two vicepresidents. It is managed by an executive committee comprising a chairperson, vice-chairperson, secretary, assistant secretary, treasurer, assistant treasurer, fund-raising secretary, publicity officer, two elected members and a number of coopted members.

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Feature

WEEK ENDING October 26, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

The festive art of rangoli

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festive art consisting of brilliant colours, rangoli is a decorative design made mostly in yard entrances, living rooms, and floors in celebration of Diwali.

The Indian art is believed to have originated in the state Maharashtra, where it

was gradually dispersed throughout the country, and is now present wherever the descendants of Indian immigrants live.

The Hindu scriptures and puranas (Hindu mythological literature works) can be credited for the emergence of the art.

Background

Rangoli is named differently in different Indian states: South India it is called Kolam, Madana is Rajasthan, Chowkpurna is the name of rangoli in Northern India, Alpana in Bengal, in Bihar it is called Aripana.

According to the ear-

Decorative rangoli (Amanda Richards photos)

Colourful rangoli surrounded by diyas (Amanda Richards photo)

liest treatise on painting, named Chitra Lakshana, a king and his kingdom were extremely grieved on the death of the high priest’s son. Everybody offered prayers to Lord Brahma.

Brahma, being moved by the supplications, asked the king to paint a like-

ness of the dead boy on the floor. He then put life in the portrait, thereby relieving the kingdom of its sorrow and pain. This tale is considered the scriptural evidence of the creation of the beautiful art.

Significance

Rangoli is a Sanskrit word, signifying a creative expression of art with the use of colours.

Besides a creative expression, they were considered to be good luck.

The patterns have significance, and ancient symbols have been passed down through the ages, from one generation to the next, keeping both the art form and tradition alive.

Patterns are typically created with materials such as rice, flour or sand, to which sindoor (vermilion), haldi (turmeric) and other natural pigmentation can be added. Chemical colours are a modern variation; they can also be done with flowers.

Rangoli designs

A Play-Doh rangoli

The purpose of rangoli is to be decorative; it is also thought to bring good luck. Design depictions may also vary, as they reflect traditions, folklore and practices that are unique to each area.

It is traditionally done by women.

Generally, this practice is showcased during occasions such as festivals, auspicious observances, marriage celebrations and other similar milestones and gatherings.

Rangoli designs can be simple geometric shapes, deity impressions, or flower and petal shapes (appropriate for the given celebrations), but they can also be very elaborate designs crafted by numerous people. The base material is usually dry or wet granulated rice, or dry flour. On Diwali, people usually make various types of geometrical patterns and designs between which they place diyas.

In the creation of rangolis, auspicious sym-

bols are selected. Some of these are: the lotus flower, its leaves, mango, Tue vase, fish, different kinds of birds like parrots, swans, peacocks, and human figures and foliage.

Rangoli can be made dry or wet. The rangoli made by adding points to ground in a particular size. After creating the desired shape, they are filled with colour.

Freehand rangoli image is created directly on the ground.

Readymade rangoli stencils are also found in the market, which can make the drawing task easy. A newer trend of making rangoli involves using cement colours with marble powder.

This is a rather precise method, but requires some previous training. Beautiful portraits can be drawn using this method.

Making a Rangoli

1. Sketch the design on paper with a pencil.

Sketch lightly so that you can erase if needed.

If you are working on the ground, you only need chalk.

2. Decide what kind of design you want. Most designs are symmetrical patterns, and are based on drawings of animals or plants. Flowers are very popular. Search online for designs, or look for a library book on Indian crafts.

3. Outline your design. Roll a piece of newspaper into a cone, and snip a hole in the narrow end. Fill the hole with flour or sand. Using your finger as a stopper with which to control the flow, outline your design.

3. Fill in your design.

This is the most interesting step, and usually the most fun. You may fill in your design with a variety of products: Powdered paints mixed with rangoli colour, sand or flour, coloured rice, flowers.

4. Add final touches like candles, clay potlanterns, and so on. Use your creativity to the maximum. (Cover photo

by Amanda Richards)

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WEEK ENDING October 26, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

‘Pakaraima’ recognises work of Guyanese writers in Canada

By Ravendra Madholall

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O R O N T O , CANADA: The P a k a r a i m a Guyanese Canadian Writers and Artists Association celebrated its 9th annual Literary Dinner and Social Evening last Saturday at Twilight Family Restaurant in Scarborough.

At the specially-arranged function, Frank Birbalsingh, a Professor Emeritus, Author, officially launched his book.

‘Indian Caribbean Test Cricketers and the Quest for Identify’.

In attendance distinguished Poet and Guyanese Dr. Ian McDonald, read some of

Authors at the 9th Annual Pakaraima Literary Dinner - L to R - Ken Puddicombe, David Johnson, Dr. Ian McDonald, Professor Emeritus, Frank Birbalsingh, Dr. Ramabai Espinet, Professor Janet Naidu, Peter Jailall, Shirley Najhram, Ashmead Ali and Habeeb Alli.

his famous stories and took the opportunity to encourage aspiring writers to maximize on the tools available to become great authors.

Pakaraima aims are to identify, develop and promote the works of writers and artists and to

promote a forum for the expression of their talents and facilitate marketing of their works.

Poet and author Janet Naidu and Habeeb Ali, who are executive members of the association, stated they were delighted to have all these es-

tablished writers present at the occasion and it really signified the development of the association of the years.

They congratulated Birbalsingh and the other authors and poets for their continued involvement with the associa-

tion and simultaneously portraying their talent in this field.

Poems were read by Ali, David Johnson and Ramabai Espinet while Birbalsingh, Naidu, Peter Jailall, Ken Puddicombe and Sandi Sue-Ping were the other guest readers.

Birbalsingh in his feature address disclosed he was elated to have this new edition of the book launched and available to the public. It was a privilege to highlight Chanderpaul’s stunning cricketing career because of his endurance, tenacity and determination having made his international debut in 1994 at Bourda venue in his homeland Guyana, according to Birbalsingh..

Meanwhile, McDonald who has written extensively for the past three decades congratulated Pakaraima and was honoured to be at the Dinner.

While his visit to Canada was personal he was invited to share his vast knowledge about poetry.

Jamaican wins Miss Diwali Nagar 2014 in TT

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ORT OF SPAIN, T R I N I D A D : Jamaican beauty Rachel Biesray has won the Miss Diwali Nagar 2014 crown.

Biesray got the judges’ nod over 11 other delegates who participated in the show at the National Council of Indian Culture (NCIC) Divali Nagar celebrations in Chaguanas on Sunday night.

The delegates were from Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Suriname, Fort

Lauderdale, Florida, and Guyana. They modelled saris of various colours and designs, showcased their talent in dance, skits and song and their knowledge on current affairs to the eight-judge panel.

Biesray 16, who also won Miss Photogenic, performed a dance item as part of the talent segment of the competition. She won TT$20,000.

Biesray said it “truly is an honour to represent my country Jamaica” and thanked her sponsors Mr and Mrs Rohit

Beharry.

First runner-up Swetha Gilda (Trinidad and Tobago) won TT$10,000; second runner-up Kavita Rambaran (Trinidad and Tobago) — TT$6,500; third runner up Ashna Chotkan of Suriname — TT$5,000 and fourth runner-up Geeta Sookdeo (Trinidad and Tobago) TT$4,500. All prizes were courtesy the sponsor for the evening, the National Lotteries Control Board (NLCB).

Star of the week

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ubrina Jettoo, who recently graduated from Marian Academy with 10 subjects, developed a passion for dancing since she was nine-years-old. She is currently a member of local dance group, Dharmic Nritya Sangh. The brilliant dancer is inspired by the love and support she receives from her family and friends.

Over the years, Subrina has gained much knowledge of numerous dance styles under the tutelage of her dance instructors, Dr Vindhya Vasini Persaud and Trishala Simantini Persaud. Recently, Subrina put on a spectacular performance in the group's annual production, Naya Zamana.

Dancing has helped Subrina to keep fit mentally, physically, and even spiritually. She views it as a means of self-expression. Not only an exceptional dancer, but also a humanitarian, Subrina enjoys spending time at orphanages, getting to know the children there.

Valuing a good education, Subrina will be pursuing studies in law and business.

Her role models are her mother and older sister.

Subrina is determined to fulfil her goal of becoming a notable individual, making her family and friends proud. Additionally, she aims to continue to be a wellrounded, graceful person.

Subrina Jettoo

The evening also featured performances by singers Avinash Maharaj, Dr Winston Tolan (Jamaica), Veejai Ramkissoon and group and the Sangeet Music Academy from Canada which comprised of six young talented singers and musicians.

Indira Niak from India also made a guest appearance.

Amritam Shakti Dance Group, Kal Nayak Dance Academy and Young Spiderz Tassa Group performed as well. (TT Express)

Rachel Biesray

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news

WEEK ENDING October 26, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Dheeraj Gayaram honoured with prestigious Sunshine Award in NY

By Vishnu Bisram

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t an elegant and captivating ceremony at the AXA Theater in Manhattan earlier this month, well known and accomplished Guyanese and Caribbean dancer/ choreographer, Dheeraj Gayaram, was honoured with the prestigious Sunshine Award for his substantial contribution to the arts.

The Indo-Caribbean icon, who heads the Dheeraj Cultural Foundation Inc (DCF) and the dynamic Ghungaroo Dance Academy (GDA) told reporters he was extremely happy to be honoured and to be in the company of distinguished local and international performing artistes.

Dheeraj was the first Guyanese artiste in 26

Dheeraj with daughters Anesha and Nikita

years to receive such an award, and was overwhelmed by the occasion.

The artiste was also given the honour to open the program with his “Ghungaroo Dance Academy” dancers, with Dhaniram as the lead performer. Dheeraj made a guest appearance on stage with his daughter Nikita.

The dance legend has many “firsts” in his long and illustrious career as a dancer and choreographer. For example, he was the first Caribbean dancer to be featured in the New York Times Magazine, and the first Caribbean performing artiste to have won the India-sponsored Naya Andaz dance competition.

Prior to that, (1982-1988), he held the “Disco Dancing” Champion title and was the national dancer for Guyana for 5 years.

Dheeraj performed before several Heads of State, like Queen Elizabeth of England, Dr Cheddi Jagan of Guyana and Nelson Mandela of South Africa.

He performed twice at the Bollywood Awards that was held at Nassau Coliseum, New York and Trump Taj Mahal.

He was on a tour with India’s legendary singer Asha Bhosle and performed for the “ChutneySoca Monarch” competition which was held in Trinidad and Tobago.

Dheeraj has performed in over 5000 shows locally and internationally and has won over 150 dancing competitions.

Baring of chest…

… (partially) by Kwayana Eusi Kwayana is an old codger from back in the day.

But it seems he still can raise the hackles of some in the country – and simultaneously, praise. Could be it’s because “back in the day”, he was quite a lightning rod – if not the chief cook and bottle washer – for the racial divisions we’re still fighting 50 years later. And suffering from.

In a letter published prominently in the Stabber a couple of weeks ago, he wrote about visiting the Doobay Dialysis Centre in Annandale, which adjoins the Sage’s native Buxton. He reminisced that back in July 1963, the visiting British Secretary of the Colony, Duncan Sandys had arranged for him to shake the hand of Doobay’s father – a rather famous Annandale Pandit – on the bridge between Buxton and Annandale.

As a seeming throwaway comment – but quite calculating, because it is designed to throw dust into the eyes of the present generation – Kwayana allowed that, “At the time, July 1963, I was in the bad books of both the PPP and the PNC and belonged to no organisation.” We’re supposed to conclude that the Sage of Buxton was “neutral”. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Firstly, Kwayana was not a member of the PPP, because he’d abruptly quit that party after Burnham did. And why was Kwayana not a member of the PNC, which he’d help found and was its first General Secretary?? In the lead-up to the 1961 elections – after which the British had promised the winner would “lead Guyana to Independence” – the then Sidney King called Burnham a “traitor” for agreeing he’d accept independence under Jagan – if the latter won.

Even Burnham couldn’t stomach such blatant race hate and kicked Kwayana out of the PNC. Kwayana promptly proposed – along with his hatchet man from the New Nation, Nicholson – aka “Vigilance” – to partition Guyana into three parts. And as for Kwayana “belonging to no organisation”, is Kwayana now denying forming and running the African Society for Racial Equality with Nicholson then??

Fact of the matter is that the British by 1963 were working with the US to get rid of Jagan and the PPP Government. Kwayana was more than happy to work along with them since he and the British had the same goal – GET JAGAN!!!

That’s what the old codger (dodger?) didn’t say.

We wonder why? …by man of the cloth A “man of the cloth” – a Bishop Ivan John – also bared his chest in the letters’ pages. But his comments were quite a tad less self-serving than the Sage of Buxton’s. From his comments, the Bishop is a selfmade man, like Kwayana. But noting all the negativity that’s been bandied around in Guyana, he asked a simple question: Aren’t things in general better today than they were just a short while ago?? John was too kind to add… “under the PNC”.

And that’s a question that most of the enemies of the PPP don’t want to hear. Like Kwayana, their hatred of the PPP is so great that they’d rather cut a deal with the devil (again like Kwayana) to get rid of them. Doesn’t matter what the consequences will be for Guyana. Like with Kwayana, that’s just “collateral damage”.

And that’s why we picked up on Kwayana’s sanctimonious piece. Modern imitators like Ramjattan and Nagamootoo are totally consumed with power.

And they’re willing to do whatever’s necessary to get back at their erstwhile comrades – who they blame for their impotence.

As for PNC/APNU? They’re simply following their Master’s script. …and more This newspaper carried an interview with the schoolgirls caught “in flagrante” in the viral sex video.

What was most amazing was that there was no evident contrition – much less moral regret – for their act. Seems that their friends let THEM down and not the other way round.

Go figure!

travel & tourism

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WEEK ENDING October 26, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Itiribisi Lake

Etay palm in the Itiribisi Lake

Panoramic view of Itiribisi Lake

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tiribisi Lake in Mashabo, an Amerindian community located several miles aback Huist T’Dieren village on the Essequibo Coast, is a scenic lake filled with etay palms. There is a spectacular view of the village of Mashabo from the lake. (Photos by Marco Basir)

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WEEK ENDING October 26, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

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WEEK ENDING October 26, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

O

Guyana blazing new grounds in promoting education for all

n October 11, the first distribution of cash vouchers worth Gy$10,000 per child was initiated by the President and the Minister of Education. The programme, “Because We Care”, is now in full roll-out mode across Guyana.

The Guyanese population has responded with overall commendation for the architects of the initiative. It appears as if this is the only country where a cash award is being given to families for every child in a public school. Guyana is blazing another new path.

Critics believe that this is an election gimmick. But the PPP/C Government included it in its 2014 budget, which was more than two years before the next election is due.

The No-Confidence Motion in Parliament that could force a new election soon is a reality that followed the programme’s introduction.

Vast improvement

There is a very logical explanation why this is the most appropriate time of the year. All children who would be registering for school for the first time would benefit.

Even as Guyana rolls out this programme, four of our children have copped awards at

The education sector has increased the training of teachers through in-service training and pre-service training. In addition to the pre-service training programme at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), there are now in-service training programmes in most geographic regions of Guyana.

Multi-faceted

the 2014 CXC. Out of the possible eight top awards given

by CXC, Guyana has won four of the awards and one of those awards was for the overall top CXC student in Caricom.

Last year, our children won five of the eight awards and no country has won more of the top CXC awards than Guyana over the last decade. The vast improvement in the education sector is no coincidence and has much to do with the investment Guyana is making in the education sector.

From just about US$8 per capita in 1991, Guyana today invests over US$200, more than 25 times it did in 1991. The education sector commands close to 20 per cent of the entire national budget today, compared to about four per cent in 1991.

It is the reason why most of the schools have been re-

constructed or rehabilitated and new schools have been constructed. The Education Ministry has massively invested in the infrastructure and in technology so that our teachers and students could benefit from a modernisation of the education sector.

“Because We Care” is about achieving universal access to education at all levels. Which one of us is not proud that we have long surpassed the goal of 100 per cent universal access for primary education?

In terms of secondary education, Guyana has emerged from a dreadful past when, in 1992 just above 30 per cent of our children had access to secondary education, almost the same as in 1964. Today, greater than 90 per cent of Guyanese children have access to secondary education.

From less than 30 per cent trained teachers in our schools in 1991, there is now more than 75 per cent. Because we care, there are mentor-teachers providing valuable support to young teachers.

There is almost Gy$1 billion for school feeding and uniform voucher programmes. Many schools in our hinterland have a hot meal feeding programme for children. Many schools on the coast have a juice and biscuit snack programme in place.

The Ministry of Education is trying to expand the feeding and snack programme so that all children in school can benefit and ensure that our children are nutrition-secure. This is a programme similar to programmes in other countries.

The uniform voucher programme is unique. We have not been able to find another example of a country that provides financial support for uniforms for schoolchildren. The

Free Textbook Programme in Guyanese schools is not new, but before 1991, it was a promise not kept. Guyana has ensured that most of our children have access to school books.

Guyanese schools today are increasingly utilising Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and computers as part of their education strategy. This has been achieved because of the significant number of computers distributed to families via the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) Project.

In African and other developing countries, children must pay to go to school. More than 100,000 children go to public nursery, primary and secondary schools free of charge. Rich or poor families have equitable access to education.

Education remains one of the surest ways for children and families to improve their economic standing. Education is a guaranteed way for a child to escape poverty.

Because we care, our country ensures that children find a way to better lives through education. This must bring a sense of pride in all of us.

Readers are invited to send their comments by email or Facebook to times.notebook@ gmail.com.

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NEWS

WEEK ENDING October 26, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

TT signs MOU with St. Lucia, St. Vincent and Grenada to boost cruise industry

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ORT-OF-SPAIN, T R I N I D A D : TT has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Grenada, St Vincent and St Lucia for implementation within a month of Southern Caribbean Cruise Initiative (SCCI) to collaborate and network with major cruise line executives to promote the respective destinations.

The MOU was signed during the Florida Caribbean

TT’s Tourism Minister Gerald Hadeed (TT Guardian file photo)

Cruise Association (FCCA) Conference and Trade show in St Maarten earlier this month where the TT delegation was headed by Tourism Minister Gerald Hadeed.

Hadeed and his counterparts from Grenada, St Lucia and St Vincent held high level talks, which were attended by representatives of the Ministry of Tourism, Tourism Development Company (TDC) and the Port Authority of TT (PATT) and

agreed to launch the SCCI at the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) meeting scheduled for Porto Plata, Santo Domingo in June 2015.

During the conference Hadeed paid a courtesy call to Thadeus Richardson, St Maarten’s Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunication and held meetings with TUI Cruises, the FCCA, idea Inc,

Inflot Worldwide Inc and KPMG. FFCA president Michelle Paige has agreed to support Hadeed in initiatives aimed at development of TT's cruise industry in Trinidad and Tobago.The FCCA Cruise Conference and Trade Show offers the best opportunity for TT to foster business relations with cruise industry partners and executives to market the destination. (TT Guardian)

news

45

WEEK ENDING October 26, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

TT Carnival groups proceed with plans Lalloo think he is a big boy

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ince Lalloo getta lil lawyer wuk, he tink he is big boy. Well, he is a old boy a long time now, but he tink he a big boy wheh de lawyer wuk concern. He never used to get any lawyer wuk and he had seh he woulda do all he lawyer wuk fuh free.

But even then he still never used to get any wuk.

Well, now that he getta lil bit lawyer wuk wid some other old boys, he actually tink he can lime wid dem big lawyer boys who is real big lawyers.

In de fuss place, Lalloo used to tink that because he coulda tell a good lie, that woulda mek he into a good lawyer. He tek long to realise that all lawyers does be good liars, but that ain’t mean that all liars can be good lawyers.

Indeed, when yuh talk bout lyin, Lalloo way up deh among de top liars. Lalloo does mek “King Liar” look like stupidness. People does tink Lalloo stupiddy, and most of de times dem right, but not wheh lyin concern. And that ain’t no lie.

Well, talk bout liars and lawyers, eight lawyers turn up to represent one man de other day. It could be a sign that is how much that one man friken jail.

Somebody seh he like whah he gon get in jail, but he just don’t want it in jail.

And to tink that none of dem eight lawyers turn up fuh a lil boy who was beggin fuh a lawyer to fight another lawyer, who look like a liar, is a clear indication of de art of lyin as a lawyer. Lalloo ain’t reach that stage, but Ron done run past that stage.

As soon as de lil boy talk out he mind, Ron had start to run from de Bar. But when a real lawyer who name Peter Hugh tek up de matter, suddenly Ron run back and seh he coulda tek de wuk.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! Talk bout another King Liar!

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ORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD: Despite suggestions that Carnival 2015 should be cancelled due to the threat of the Ebola virus, Carnival organisation heads have said they are proceeding with their plans for next year.

This was revealed on Monday by National Carnival Bands Association (NCBA) President David Lopez, president of the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians’ Organisation Lutalo “Brother Resistance” Masimba, and Pan Trinbago President Keith Diaz.

The men were part of a panel for the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies (SALISES) Forum: Carnival 2015 and Ebola, held at the University of the West Indies (UWI), St Augustine.

Lopez questioned why the national festival has been identified as the “whipping horse” and said the country must “look beyond it” to the general preparations for a possible local Ebola case. He stressed that Carnival preparations do not start two months before Carnival, but much earlier, even as early as Ash Wednesday.

He also added the country must understand the importance of Carnival and pointed out that thousands of people are employed due to the festival. Lopez stressed that the NCBA cannot cancel Carnival only the Government can, and the NCBA will “wait to see” if there is a cancellation.

Health Minister Dr Fuad Khan, in his presentation, stressed that the Health Ministry has “taken absolutely no decision” to recom-

National Carnival Bands Association (NCBA) President, David Lopez

mend to Cabinet to stop Carnival, but was watching the world movement of Ebola. He said while they understand the individual and national economics, the decision would depend on the exponential rise of Ebola and whether it can be contained internationally.

He noted that an Ebola infected person may not present with the symptom of a fever on a flight, but may arrive in the country and “take a wine in a band while the fever rising” and pass around a drink.

“So we have to look at it in a very serious manner. It’s not a matter of saying that “we could lose TT$4.5 billion”. We have to look at the whole public interest. If we...say “have (Carnival) no matter what” we lose our population and we lose much more as a result of it,” he stressed.

National Coalition for Transformation Political Leader Nalini Dial, who was in attendance, said “my life worth more than TT$4.5 billion” and suggested a “local” Carnival which would not allow

any visitors. Calypsonian Edwin “Crazy” Ayoung, who was also in attendance, said he liked the idea of a “tourist-less” Carnival.

Diaz in his remarks said “Carnival is serious business” and preparations for Panorama 2015 began since March 20, 2014.

He said they were receiving calls from people in the U.S. asking if Panorama 2015 was being cancelled. He noted that it is the largest entertainment event in the Caribbean and called on citizens to have greater confidence in the Ministry of Health.

Masimba in his remarks questioned the source of the “hysteria” and noted there are a lot of people in the country who do not like Carnival, but profit from it.

He said a “conservative estimate” was that his members spend TT$15 million from their personal finance to produce music for Carnival and are “starting as investors out of pocket,” He stressed that business was not more important than the health and welfare of citizens, but people needed to understand where the calypsonians are coming from.

Panellist Dr Jo-Anne Tull, UWI lecturer in Carnival Studies, in her presentation noted that the personal sentiment has taken over what people believe and it is characterised by fear and lack of knowledge about the disease. She stressed that whether or not Carnival is cancelled that “does not stop Ebola from coming if it has to come” and the real question is what is the country doing to be prepared if it faces an Ebola case tomorrow or next week.

(TT Newsday)

46

feature

WEEK ENDING October 26, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Hog Island Windmill T

he Hog Island windmill is the only known surviving brick windmill structure once used on sugar estates during colonial rule. The Hog Island windmill ruin is located on a former Dutch plantation called Plantation Lyksburg on the eastern side of the island.

Constructed on a sixfoot mound, the structure stands some 28 feet high, and is made of granite blocks and red brick; the brick being primarily used as facing for the big windows and archways.

Brief history on Hog Island

Hog Island’s original Dutch name was Varken Eiland, which means Hog Island. It was so named for the obvious reason that it was home to numerous wild hogs, and when the British took over the Dutch col-

Part of the windmill's interior

onies in Guyana they retained the name in English translation.

The Gazetteer, the official reference book for the spelling of all

Guyana’s place names, records it as “Hog Island”.

Copies of the Gazeteer of Guyana are available from the Guyana Lands and Survey Commission.

Restoration

In pursuit of its policy of heritage preservation and conservation, the National Trust, which has an annual

Before its restoration

agenda of capital projects, restored the windmill and constructed a fence and footpath at the site in 2010.

Preservation of this windmill is important because of its historical significance. In his 2014

budget speech, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony stated in his list of vital restoration work on national sites that “some additional work on the windmill at Hog Island” will be done.

Keep looking out fuh de fringes

O

Gingerbeer sellers, Seawall, Georgetown, circa 1920s

Water Street, Georgetown, circa 1890s

ld people seh when yuh live in a glass house yuh musn’t pelt people pun de road. Old people also seh that knock got knock back.

Plus old people seh when yuh do evil tings, yuh musbe ready fuh de consequences.

These days it gotta lotta people who ain’t ready to face de consequences of de evil tings whah dem doin. Whah is de most hutful part is that some of de evildoers ain’t even know whah de consequences gon be yet.

But the whole country done know that it gon have consequences. And that dem kinda consequences does be both severe and several. ‘Severe’ meaning that it ain’t gon be easy and ‘several’ meaning de number of years.

And de ‘years’ part is whah got dem losin sleep over, even though dem drinkin sleepin tablet and runnin to read other people paper early morning. As old people also seh, whah miss yuh nah go pass yuh.

A man de other day thief in Better Hope. He run away to Plaisance hopin fuh better. But de Pullice had better hope than he, so when dem ketch he, dem throw he in de only place whah was better fuh he at Sparendaam. Now he beggin fuh better and he hopin fuh better. But he bound to get some better years.

It got people who miss a lotta years in de past. Dem miss it by de skin of dem teeth, but teeth don’t keep that kinda skin fuh long. Is simply because whah ever is done in secret does come to light some day. And whah ever is done outta Guyana does still come back to Guyana.

It also got some people who does like to call people all kinda names and use all kinda words to describe other people. But when dem get back word in dem a**, dem does can’t tek it. Mosta dem is on de fringe and behavin like dem on de fringe, but when yuh call dem fringe dem vex.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! Just keep lookin out fuh de fringes!

feature The true meaning of Diwali:

47

WEEK ENDING October 26, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Kindle the light of Love and Hope Veteran

Jamaican singer John Holt dies

Pt Suresh Sugrim

“D

iwali” is a time for celebration, but it is also a time for reflection – a time when we must remember that there are always others less fortunate then ourselves. This holiday reminds us that we should commit ourselves to helping those in need. On behalf of the Humanitarian Mission of New Jersey Arya Samaj Mandir, Inc., and its Guyana and Canadian Chapters, I am pleased to extend “Shubh Deepavali” greeting to all my Hindu brothers and sisters in Guyana and across the globe. At this time we must renew our commitment to kindness, to think of all those less fortunate individuals, especially all those who are sick, invalid, lonely, abused, and our seniors.

A significant event in the Hindu religious calendar, Deepavali celebrates prosperity and shower its light over darkness. On this very special occasion that is cherished and loved by many people across the world, Diwali is now celebrated by all communities in Guyana and across the globe. It is a beautiful recognition; that light is something which is universal and important and significant for every one of us. A single “diya” or lamp holds infinite beauty and hope from within us. We need to kindle the light of hope from within our personalities so we can brighten ourselves and the people around us.

From time immemorial, Diwali has been a celebration of victory over evil or darkness and also symbolizes the coming of a New Year. But if we think deeply, what is this darkness that we want to remove? How can we remove the darkness from within us? Where there is darkness, we need light and there is tremendous darkness with each one of us, so let us kindle the light from within us.

Light means to follow a virtuous path such that our thoughts are always pure; our words are sweet and peaceful and thus bring joy to the listeners. Also our actions are always beneficial first to ourselves, and to others as well as the environment. On this Diwali we need to pray and get rid of all the darkness from within our society and ourselves.

Darkness is when our thoughts are negative and when these thoughts are reflected in our words or actions they bring hurt and sorrow to others at every step.

In reality, evil or darkness does not have an identity of its own – it exists due to a lack of goodness or light. Knowledge, power, and all that is pure are very real characteristics since they are part of us; perhaps hidden yet existing. The festival of lights is the fight against evil forces and the creation of peace and happiness.

As we celebrate Diwali, its message is a reminder that we are the “Deepak,” that inner being, to have that experience of enlightenment. When the light of the soul is lit, that fire brings light not only to my own life and my relationships in my little, but also, to all the Deepaks that are in me and you.

When all the Deepak and the souls are lit with love, truth, peace and respect they create a rosary.

In “Deepmala,” the rosary of Deepaks, the souls have been lit with the light of truth and we are able to bring optimism to ourselves, the people around us and the whole world.

It is clear that the world contains a lot of darkness. Every one of us is an instrument that brings that light into this world of ours, so that we are able to move forward to a world that is truly loving, harmonizing and peaceful.

So instead of celebrating Diwali, let us experience

CROSSWORD SOLUTION

The late John Holt (Jamaica Observer file photo)

K Pandit Suresh Sugrim

Diwali in positive ways.

As we clean our homes, let us clean our minds and intellects too. As we wear new clothes, let us also get rid of our old, unwanted, and disturbing habits of anger, jealousy and worries. Let our new but original qualities of peace, love, bliss and happiness emerge.

Tonight, we will settle our old account books and begin new ones; simultaneously let us settle our old karmic accounts, any unpleasant relationships and begin our relationships in a new, positive way. We are all aware of the pollution caused by fire crackers, but it is Diwali. We need to burn crackers, so why not burn all the crackers of evil characteristics within ourselves.

This burning will in fact purify our minds and the environment. As we exchange sweets, let us also exchange meaningful sweet words, good wishes and blessings. If we really experience Diwali, we will succeed in invoking (calling upon) Goddess Lakshmi. Her name comes from the word, “laksh”, meaning “the goal”. Experiencing Diwali will help us reach our ultimate goal of heavenly perfection – which Goddess Lakshmi stands for. Worshipping Goddess Lakshmi is good, but what is even better is making the wealth of spiritual knowledge and qualities, a part of our life. A divine character alone can attain prosperity and peace.

In an attempt to be a unifying force, the devotions during Diwali will seek to encourage greater unity, amity and understanding. “On this auspicious occasion of Diwali, let us pray for our leaders that they will confront the many challenges that are currently abounding in the society. And even as Diwali is celebrated, we pray that Maha Lakshmi brings the true wealth of peace, health, happiness, and love to all of God’s creation. May the spirit of Diwali extinguish any darkness in every human personality and illuminate their souls with the light of God. Let us all burn like Diyas – giving light and life to others, and then we can truly say that we are celebrating the festival of Light.”

INGSTON, JAMAICA: Veteran reggae singer John Holt died in a London hospital on Sunday. He was 69.

Copeland Forbes, Holt’s manager since 2006, confirmed the entertainer’s passing.

“John died at 2:40 am English time. His [John’s] nephew informed of his death,” Forbes told the Jamaican media.

The cause of death is yet to be confirmed.

Forbes said Holt did an operation at the University Hospital of West Indies in June and went to England the following month for a series

of shows. Holt is one of reggae's most influential singers.

He had a remarkable career with the Paragons during the rocksteady era of the late-1960s.

His solo career is just as impressive. He recorded hits for producers Clement Dodd, Bunny Lee and Joseph Hoo Kim in the 1970s, as well as the classic album 1000 Volts of Holt, a big seller in the United Kingdom.

His hits include Stick by Me and Only a Smile.

He was awarded the Order of Distinction, Jamaica's fifth highest honour, in 2004. Holt is survived by his wife, Merl. (Jamaica Observer)

48

hollywood

WEEK ENDING October 26, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Selena Gomez gets guidance Darren Aronofsky to receive Animal Rights award from Taylor Swift

D

S

inger Selena Gomez says she gets advice from her friend and country musician Taylor Swift.

During an appearance on 'The Talk', Gomez revealed the valuable guidance Swift recently shared with her in private, reports eonline.com.

"She was actually at my house the other day and we were sitting by the fire and I was talking about relationships and business in my life and she just kind of looked at me and was like, 'Selena, if you're the smartest person in the room, I think you're going to be in the wrong room'," Gomez said.

"She thinks I should constantly surround myself with people who are going to make me better, that are going to challenge and motive me.

It kind of stuck to me. I want to surround myself

with those people," she added.

The performers, who have been friends for years, always have each other's back. And when it comes to those rumours that the two once feuded, Gomez says don't

believe them.

"She supports me and never judges me for anything," she said.

Though the two can't seem to agree on whether or not Gomez should move to New York permanently. (TOI)

irector Darren Aronofsky will receive the first ever Human Society Filmmaker Award as an appreciation for his decision to use animated animals instead of real creatures in his Biblical film 'Noah'. The 45-year-old filmmaker has been chosen by officials at the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) to be the guest of honour at the animal charity's upcoming To The Rescue! New York event on November 21, reported Contactmusic.

Aronofsky has been praised for his "compassionate decision" to use computer-generated imagery (CGI) instead of animal actors in 'Noah', and the moviemaker insists the choice was easy.

"When I started working on 'Noah', an early question was how to express the vastness and complexity of the animal kingdom on the big screen.

"It was quickly apparent that working with live animals would be dangerous for them. It was also morally ambiguous considering we were making a film about the first natu-

Leonardo DiCaprio, Toni Garrn bond over tennis

Renee Zellweger to star in 'Same Kind Of Different As Me'

R

enee Zellweger has signed Paramount's upcoming film 'Same Kind

Of Different As Me.' The faith-based drama is based on the 2006 nonfiction best-selling book

'Same Kind Of Different As Me: A Modern-Day Slave', An International Art Dealer, And The Unlikely Woman Who Bound Them Together, which highlights the unlikely friendship between a rich white art dealer Ron Hall and former sharecropperturned-drifter Denver Moore, Deadline.com reported.

The 45-year-old actress would fill the role of Deborah, whose purpose to serve others had brought Hall and Moore together before she gave in to cancer in 2000.

The movie would be helmed by Michael Carney and produced by Mary Parent alongside Darren Moorman.(TOI)

ralist, Noah, who saved and cared for all the varied species on the planet," Aronofsky said.

The event will be co-hosted by an honorary HSUS host committee featuring animal advocates from across the industry, including actresses Kristen Bell and Wendie Malick, singer Billy Joel, dance star Moby, comedienne Ellen DeGeneres and her wife Portia de Rossi, and TV host Bill Maher. (TOI)

A

ctor Leonardo DiCaprio was spotted enjoying a friendly tennis match with supermodel girlfriend Toni Garrn here.

Dressed in a casual white t-shirt and a pair of denim jeans, the actor was seen playing with Garrn, who chose to wear a pair of blue sweat pants and a dark t-shirt, on Saturday night.

"It was quiet there and no one was around, Leo was encouraging Toni on her tennis skills by using encouraging words, such as 'Good one, baby'," an eyewitness told eonline.com.

From what the witness saw, Garrn loved all the attention from her man.

"She was all smiles and focused on the match," the source added.

The couple, who tries to avoid prying media eyes, went on a lavish vacation this year. (TOI)

Bradley Cooper and Suki Waterhouse to wed next year

Would have 'Brangelina' not wed if kids didn't insist?

B

rad Pitt has revealed that the only reason he and wife Angelina Jolie tied the knot was for their 6 kids. The 50-yearold 'Fury' star said that they felt they were "beyond marriage as they already had a family," the Daily Star reported.

However, Pitt, who married the 'Maleficent' star, 39, earlier in August this year, added that when their children asked them to get married, both of them surprisingly thought "it would be lovely."

B Pitt also revealed that he planned to make the French chateau

where they got married their main family home.

(TOI)

radley Cooper is reportedly planning to marry Suki Waterhouse on his 40th birthday next year.

The 'Hangover' hunk is keen to tie the knot with the 22-year-old model - whom he has been dating since March last year - in the U.S. on their joint birthday on January 5.

A source told the Daily Star newspaper: ''Bradley wanted to wait

until his 40th before getting hitched as he's been married before. It's very important for him now that they seal their love.''

The loved-up couple have already begun planning their big day and are keen for it to be an intimate affair in front of their close friends and family.

The source explained: ''Bradley and Suki spend a lot of time daydreaming and planning their

nuptials. ''They know they want to get hitched in the States, most likely L.A., because they want it to be hot. But it's likely to be a very small, private affair.''

The pair sparked rumours they had got engaged earlier this month after they were spotted wearing matching rings on their wedding finger as they left The Chiltern Firehouse in London.

Meanwhile, Bradley was previously married to actress Jennifer Esposito in 2006, but just four months later they announced that they were divorcing.

He then went on to date Renee Zellweger from 2009 to 2011, before striking up a relationship with Zoe Saldana from December 2011 to January 2013.

Suki, on the other hand, has had previous relationships with The Kooks' frontman Luke Pritchard and Miles Kane. (TOI)

bollywood

49

WEEK ENDING October 26, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Priyanka Chopra down with conjunctivitis

A

ctress Priyanka Chopra had to cancel her pre-Diwali plans as she is down with an eye infection. And now she is fuming.

First, shooting for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Bajirao Mastani' kept her busy and now she has suffering from conjunctivitis, grounding her.

"What a downer!!!!! Shoot cancelled!

Diwali cancelled! Instead I sit in bed with conjunctivitis!!! Aaaargh! I could kill someone," she tweeted.

The actress, who is fresh out of the success of 'Mary Kom', features in the historical with Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh on Peshwa Bajirao and his love Mastani. (TOI)

No 'arty film' with Salman, says Govinda

A

ctor Govinda refused to do a film, the remake of superhit Marathi movie 'Shikshanachya Aaicha Gho', offered by friend Salman Khan. He says he isn't interested in doing "arty film" with the superstar.

The 'Haseena Maan Jaayegi' star said that Salman is a "dear friend" and when the superstar approached him with the script, he was "not excit-

ed" about it.

"I didn't like it. Later, Salman said he will make a few changes in

the script and came to me again with it, but again it didn't interest me. I thought it's a very arty film and I don't want to do an arty film at least with Salman Khan," Govinda told reporters in a group interview.

Talking about his bonding with Salman, he said: "We had a great time shooting together for 'Partner'. He is a very dear friend. We are almost the same". (TOI)

'Happy Ending': Saif's quirky act in Shyam Benegal's Junoon inspired 'Paaji Tussi Such A Pussycat' me to be filmmaker: Imtiaz Ali he makers of ‘Happy Ending’

T

have released a new song from the film, that goes 'Paaji Tussi Such A Pussycat.'

The song features Saif Ali Khan mouthing the quirky lyrics while strumming a guitar. 'Paaji Tussi Such A Pussycat' also features Ileana D'cuz and Kalki Koechlin in it. The song also offers glimpses of Preity Zinta. Saif and Preity have starred together in several films, and ‘Happy Ending’ has a cameo by the dimpled actress.

The song also features music directors Sachin-Jigar who make an appearance along with Saif, who sports a beard and big specs. The actor dances amidst dancers in two piece outfits. The song is sung by Amitabh Bhattacharya, Jigar Saraiya and Divya Kumar. (TOI)

F

ilmmaker Imtiaz Ali on Monday said Shyam Benegal's critically acclaimed film 'Junoon' inspired him to be a director.

"Junoon' has inspired me to be a filmmaker...

It's a kind of a film which has helped me as a filmmaker. This is one of my favourite films and ac-

Actor Prabhu caught with Aishwarya Rai in Mumbai

T

amil actor Prabhu, who was recently seen in the Kannada film Drishya starring Ravichandaran in the lead, was recently spotted in Mumbai. The actor, who endorses Kalyan Jewellers, was seen hanging out with Mangalorean Aishwarya Rai. Prabhu even took a picture with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Manju Warrier.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who has acted in several Bollywood films, recently hosted a party for her father in law Amitabh Bachchan. The actress is married to Abhishek Bachchan.

Meanwhile, everyone is awaiting the actress to make her cinematic comeback. (TOI)

Shahrukh Khan: I pray to Allah that ‘Happy New Year’ delivers happiness to the viewers

S

uperstar Shah Rukh Khan, whose 'Happy New Year' releases Friday, hopes that the heist entertainer spreads joy amongst audiences.

"Didn't get to see HNY but saw the smiling faces of all who saw it. I pray to Allah that it delivers happiness to the viewers," Shah Rukh tweeted.

The movie was screened in Mumbai Sunday.

Directed by Farah Khan, the movie also features Deepika Padukone, Abhishek Bachchan, Boman Irani, Jackie Shroff, Vivaan Shah and Sonu Sood.

The film is produced by Shah Rukh's Red Chillies Entertainments Pvt. Ltd. SRK says the idea is to produce films "which are difficult to produce". "'Paheli' was offbeat, 'Asoka' and

Irrfan Khan to head Abu Dhabi film fest jury 'Ra.One' were difficult to produce. I had a visual effects company, so I could make them. I have to make films that are commercially viable," he said. (TOI)

Vijay thanks Jayalalithaa

A

ctor Vijay, whose Kaththi is expected to hit screens on Diwali has thanked the former Chief Minister of

tors have done a great job," Ali told reporters at the 16th Mumbai Film Festival (MAMI).

Released in 1978, 'Junoon' featured Shashi Kapoor, Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi and Nafisa Ali among others.

The MAMI film festival will end Tuesday.

(TOI)

the state for her support in the film's release. The actor in an official press release stated, "Some Tamil groups have been

demanding the removal of the logo of the production house of the film, ‘Lyca’. The producers have finally obliged to remove the logo from the promotion material of the film and the issue has been sorted amicably. I thank Puratchi Thalaivi Amma, the police department, theatre owners in the state and the producers of the film, who agreed to remove the logo of ‘Lyca’. Wish everyone a very Happy Deepavali." (TOI)

A

cclaimed actor Irrfan Khan will preside over the Narrative Feature Competition Jury at the forthcoming Abu Dhabi Film Festival (ADFF).

The actor, known for his performance in movies like 'The Namesake', 'Slumdog Millionaire' and 'Life Of Pi', will lead a jury comprising Algerian novelist and academic Waciny Laredj, English writer-director Steven Shainberg, Australian film director Cate Shortland and Palestinian actor Ali Suliman, it was announced on ADFF's official website Monday.

This year, the ADFF will be held Oct 23 to Nov 1.

This won't be Irrfan's first visit to the gala.

Last year, his performance in Anup Singh's Punjabi film 'Qissa' was highly appreciated. His 'Paan Singh Tomar' was also screened at the fest in 2010.

An alumnus of the National School of Drama, Irrfan prefers to work in cinema that challenges audiences -a case in point is 'The

Lunchbox', which garnered global attention for a narrative and treatment far distinct from regular Bollywood potboilers.

Apart from Irrfan, his 'Qissa' director Anup Singh, a Geneva-based Indian filmmaker, will also be a juror at ADFF this year. He will be judging projects in the New Horizons category along with Paris-based film producer Catherine Dussart, Syrian actor Bassel Al Khayat, Moroccan filmmaker Leila Kilani and film critic Charles Tesson, the artistic director of Critics' Week at the Cannes Film Festival.

As many as 197 films from 61 countries will be screened at ADFF this year. (TOI)

50

Sport

WEEK ENDING October 26, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Matthais ousted as GFF President – to be replaced by committee

P

resident of the Guyana Football F e d e r a t i o n Christopher Matthias has been booted from his post by FIFA due to the current affairs of Guyana’s football.

The decision was made on Tuesday evening at a high level meeting held at the Pegasus Hotel and headed by FIFA’s Head of Member Associations Primo Corvaro.

FIFA’s Head of Member Associations Primo Corvaro noted that the lack of quorum as well as two failed congresses has brought about such a decision, resulting in a normalisation Committee being installed to run the affairs of the GFF. “The lack of quorum paralysed the GFF. We

The scene at the press conference where Matthias was booted by FIFA's Head of Member Associations Primo Corvaro (in front of microphones)

at FIFA and CONCACAF tried to fill the vacancies and find solutions and twice failed due to the legitimacy surrounding the delegates” Corvaro stated.

Corvaro also highlighted that five locals

will make up the normalisation committee.

He added that all will be new to sport and the names of the persons will be released in three days.

It was also revealed that that background

checks have been done on the five persons and only FIFA has the power to remove the committee.

Matthias at the press conference noted that he was comfortable with the decision

of FIFA, “Any approach that FIFA takes with regards to the development Guyana’s football is welcomed by me. If indeed FIFA’s objective is the structured approach to the development of the game locally and constitutional reform as we had advanced”.

“If the vision by FIFA is embraced by those who were fighting power, then Guyana’s football will develop” Matthias stressed.

CONCACAF’s Director of Legal Affairs Marco Leal, made mention that suspension in such cases as Guyana is normally the first route, but believes Guyana can move forward with its football.

Matthias was slapped with a no-confidence vote on April 26.

Subsequently the GFF broke into two factions while Matthias slapped the aggrieved members with an indefinite ban due to an illegal ordinary congress.

However, when the parties met for a second congress, it resulted in another walkout by the same aggrieved members which finally resulted in FIFA’s intervention and the Normalisation Committee being named as the solution.

The Committee will be tasked with establishing constitutional reforms of all the constitutions of the nine regional associations as well as to adopt a new GFF constitution and amend the current one, to organise electoral process and run the business of the GFF.

MVP prizes for Guyana Softball Cup unveiled

T

he prizes for the Most Valuable Players (MVPs) of the Open and Masters categories of the Guyana Softball Cup 4 were unveiled at a simple function on Tuesday at Steve’s

Jewellery on Church Street in Georgetown.

Two beautifully crafted 14-karat gold bracelets, accentuated with diamond studs, have been put up as the prizes for the MVP of each catego-

ry.

President of the Guyana Floodlight Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA), Ramchand Ragbeer, received the pieces of jewellery, noting that the

A representative of Steve’s Jewellery (second right) presents the two bracelets to President of the GFSCA, Ramchand Ragbeer, in the presence of GFSCA Vice President Ricky Deonarain (left) and Proprietor of Steve’s Jewellery, Steve Narine, on Tuesday (Photo: Avenash Ramzan)

GFSCA is grateful for such noteworthy support from corporate Guyana.

He added that Steve’s Jewellery has been onboard with the Guyana Softball Cup since its inception in 2011, making it one of the core sponsors of the country’s premier softball tournament.

Proprietor of the business, Steve Narine, said the competition has grown significantly from when it first started and that’s the main reason he has chosen to remain onboard. During the last two years, Steve’s Jewellery also presented similar bracelets for the MVPs of the two categories.

This year, the jewellery establishment has taken it one step further, adding diamond studs to the pieces, which are worth a combined Gy$400,000.

Whose hands those beautiful pieces will be wrapped around will be known on November 2 when the finals are contested at the Demerara Cricket Club

ground, Queenstown.

Also present at Tuesday’s handing over was Vice President of the GFSCA, Ricky Deonarain.

Format As was the case in previous editions of the tournament, there will be two categories – one for teams contesting the Men’s Open and the other for the Masters players, aged 45 and over.

The champion team in the Men’s Open is guaranteed a whopping Gy$800,000 first prize and a huge trophy, while the losing finalist will have to settle for Gy$200,000 and a trophy. In the Masters’ division, the winning team will pocket Gy$600,000 with the runner-up assured of Gy$150,000.

The Man-of-the-Match in both finals will receive a trophy.

On the day of the final, there will be lots of hampers and giveaways for spectators.

Additionally, two spectators can win return tickets from Survival Travel

Agency to the beautiful island of Aruba. All the spectators need to do is retain their half tickets and listen for their numbers to be called over the Public Address system during the final.

Two dozen teams will compete in this year’s event, with 12 from Guyana, seven from New York, three from Florida and two from Canada.

During the three-day championship, there will be a total of 36 preliminary games, followed by four semi-finals and two finals.

Trophy Stall and New York Better are the defending champions of the Open and Masters categories respectively, while the previous champions were NYSCL New York (Open) and Savage Masters in 2012 and Cotton Field Wild Oats (Open) and Regal Seniors (Masters) in 2011.

According to information emanating from the GFSCA, this year’s tournament has an estimated budget of around Gy$10 million.

SPort

51

WEEK ENDING October 26, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

TT’s Soca Princesses Bramble guides Albion to whip Guatemala 2-1 top of Corentyne Zone Carib Beer T20 cricket in Berbice…

P

T

he preliminary stage of the 2014 Carib Beer First Division T20 cricket competition in Berbice concluded on Saturday with the final two Corentyne Zone matches.

In the deciding match, Albion Community Centre made light work of Rose Hall Town Gizmos and Gadgets to emerge as the top team of that Zone.

After the Albion spin attack had restricted Rose Hall Town to 109-8 in 20 overs, the in-form Guyana wicketkeeper/batsman Anthony Bramble barely missed out on his fourth consecutive half-century when, after Albion in their reply were 13-2, he hit 48 to guide the chase as they won by six wickets.

Bramble and former Guyana T20 batting star, Jonathan Foo (30), put on 71 for the third wicket. Bramble, having had scores of 54 against Port Mourant, 82* against Skeldon Community Centre and 77* against Guytrac Upper Corentyne, now has a tally of 261 runs from four innings at an average of 130.5.

Led by 50 (8x4s) from Joshua Ramsammy, and 39 from former Guyana Under-19 all-

Joshua Ramsammy

Anthony Bramble

rounder Loyydel Lewis, Port Mourant managed a decent 145 in 16.5 overs against Skeldon Community Centre, who in their response, led by 59 (4x4s, 4x6s) from Sherwin Murray, gave good chase, but fell short by 12 runs in the end.

Below are the summarised scores from the games.

At Rose Hall Town: Albion Community Centre beat Rose Hall Town Gizmos and Gadgets by six wickets.

Rose Hall Town Gizmos and Gadgets 109-8 in 20 overs (Brandon Prashad 28*, Veerapen Permaul 2-4, Balchand Baldeo 2-10, Sharaz Ramcharran 2-26) Albion Community Centre 112-4 in 14.5 overs (Anthony Bramble 48, Jonathan Foo 30, Keon Sinclair 2-38).

At Port Mourant:

Port Mourant beat Skeldon Community Centre by 12 runs.

Port Mourant 145 in 16.5 overs (Joshua Ramsammy 50, Loyydel Lewis 39, Parmanand Narine 3-27, Jason Itwaru 2-23) Skeldon Community Centre 1335 in 20 overs (Sherwin Murray 59, Parmanand Narine 20).

Meanwhile, the three playoff matches are scheduled for Saturday at 13:30h. Zone A winner West Berbice will meet with Zone B runnerup Universal Solutions Bermine at Bush Lot, West Berbice; Zone B winner Young Warriors will host Zone C runner-up Rose Hall Town Gizmos and Gadgets at Cumberland, Canje; and Zone C champs Albion will clash with Zone A runner-up D’Edward at Albion.

Scholars’ Academy advances to 7-0

T

he Scholars' Academy PSAL Girls Soccer Team have advanced their overall record to 7-0. Erin McDermott (shown below) has 13 goals and 1 assist so far this season. Jessica Buckley has 13 goals and 4 assists, Aleksandra Neckahuptysiows has 9 goals and 6 assists, and Serena Yannello has 9 goals and 5 assists. The girls’ strong defense consists of Emma McCarthy, Erin Moss, Alexa Youre Moses and Alexandra Berman who have kept opposing teams away from the goal.

Captains Allison Tipaldo and Serena Yannello have shown outstanding leadership and are a big part of the team's overall success. Goalkeeper Kalyn Marrero has yet to let up a goal. The Lady Seawolves have just 3 games left to complete a perfect first season.

ORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD: Kennya Cordner put in a 74th minute header and captain Maylee AttinJohnson converted a 83rd minute penalty, as Trinidad and Tobago’s national women’s footballers came away 2-1 winners over Guatemala in Washington, DC, on Monday to put themselves in prime position to progress to the final four of the CONCACAF Women’s Championship.

Outplayed for much of the match, Guatemala got a consolation goal a minute into added-on time, when 20-year-old midfielder María Monterroso beat late TT substitute Ayanna Russell to a lofted ball into the 18-metre box, and put a glancing header past inexperienced Soca Princesses goalkeeper Teneshia Palmer.

For the second consecutive match, striker Cordner was on the end of a precise cross from Ahkeela Mollon when beating the Guatemalan keeper at the back post, and also won the decisive penalty when taken down while driving between two defenders.

The win made the Soca Princesses almost certain to move on to the final four of the Championship. To stop them, Caribbean thirdplaced finishers Haiti would have had to accomplish the greatest upset in the tournament’s history, by beating the world No.1 ranked Americans in last night’s later match.

With ambitions of becoming the first Caribbean

Trinidad and Tobago defender Arin King jumps over goalkeeper Tenesah Palmer who holds onto the ball with Guatemala forward Maria Monterroso nearby, during the first half of their CONCACAF Women’s Championship, at RFK Stadium, on Monday, in Washington.

team to qualify for a FIFA Women’s World Cup, the Soca Princesses finished their Group A programme with six points, and are highly likely to advance as the second-placed finishers to the group leaders United States and advance to the knockout round, where they would meet Costa Rica in Pennsylvania on Friday, for a spot in both the CONCACAF final and the World Cup. The first three CONCACAF finishers qualify automatically for the 2015 FIFA Women World Cup to be played next year in Canada. Should they finish fourth, at minimum, TT will earn a two-leg play-

off against Ecuador for another World Cup spot, the route which took the men’s team, the Soca Warriors, to the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

The first leg is carded for November 8/9 in Ecuador and the return between November 22/23.

On Monday, TT dominated a goalless first half, but, rather than build on their superior possession in the second half, the Princesses became very scrappy, particularly in the midfield.

However, Cordner’s goal lifted them. And the penalty she earned provided the needed insurance.

(TT Express)

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Jamaican Walters stops Donaire in Dandrade, Nero 6th round for WBA featherweight title claim TT 5k titles

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INGSTO N , J A M A I C A : Nicholas Walters stopped Philippine-born Nonito Donaire with a second left in the sixth round, winning the WBA featherweight title in dramatic fashion last Saturday night. Walters (25-0, 21 KOs), a fairly unknown fighter from Jamaica, punctuated his breakthrough performance by knocking down Donaire (33-3) for the first two times in the fourdivision champion’s career.

After Donaire swung and missed with a huge left hand late in the sixth, Walters caught him above the ear with an overhand right. Donaire fell facefirst to the canvas and, though he beat the count, he couldn’t continue in his second loss in four fights.

Walters also knocked Donaire down to one knee in the third round with an uppercut, and he absorbed Donaire’s biggest punches in an impressive allaround performance that thrilled the sellout crowd for

Nicholas Walters celebrates after defeating Nonito Donaire in the sixth round of a WBA featherweight title boxing fight

Gennady Golovkin’s middleweight title bout against Marco Antonio Rubio. “We worked hard for this victory,” Walters said.

“Donaire is a supergreat champion. I know I have to respect him, and that’s what I did. He caught me with a few shots.”

Walters, nicknamed the Axeman for his chopping blows, had won 10 of his last 11 fights by stoppage, while climbing from obscurity and winning one version of the WBA title.

Donaire was a serious step up in competition

for Walters, but he handled the champion with activity and precision before finishing the fight.

“I’ve never seen a featherweight with as much power as Walters,” Top Rank promoter Bob Arum said.

“Nothing like the concussive power this kid has.”

Donaire fell hard to the canvas in the first round, but it was ruled a slip. He otherwise controlled the early action, and he staggered Walters with a flurry at the second-round bell. But Walters stunned Donaire and knocked him

down to a knee late in the third, putting an uppercut squarely on Donaire’s jaw.

Donaire rose and survived the round, but developed a dripping cut near his right eye in the fourth. Donaire lost his 122-pound titles to Guillermo Rigondeaux in April 2013.

The Bay Area-raised Donaire had been considered one of boxing’s top poundfor- pound fighters before getting schooled

by Rigondeaux, but he bounced back with consecutive victories, winning the WBA 126-pound title in May. Before this fight, Donaire said he had a revitalised passion for boxing after struggling for motivation in recent years.

Winning his fourth world title exceeded his own expectations, and becoming a father changed his mentality toward his violent sport.

“I’ve got to go back to the drawing board,” Donaire said. “I know I can’t compete with guys like Walters.” (Jamaica Observer)

Lionel Dandrade wins the men’s open title at the TTARP 5k which took place around the Queen’s Park Savannah

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O R T - O F S P A I N , TRINIDAD: Lionel Dandrade and Tonya Nero won the men’s and women’s open titles respectively when the TTARP (TT Association of Retired Persons) 5k took place around the Queen’s Park Savannah, on Saturday.

Dandrade stopped the clock in 15 minutes and 34 seconds, ahead of Sherwyn Stapleton (15:50) and Shane Barran (16:04) in the men’s open category.

Nero was a comfortable winner in the wom-

en’s equivalent, taking gold in 18:17. Thais Gutierrez was a distant second in 19:42, while Toco Secondary student Donicia Antoine was third in 22:13.

Claiming age group titles on the day were national runner Curtis Cox, Roy Riley, Lily Stauble and Rosamund Jolly.

RESULTS Men’s Open - 1 Lionel Dandrade; 2 Sherwyn Stapleton; 3 Shane Barran Women’s Open - 1 Tonya Nero; 2 Thais Gutierrez; 3 Donicia Antoine (TT Guardian)

TT’s Nurse to challenge for STETHS, Garvey Maceo advance Guinness World Record spot to next round of Lime Super Cup

WILLON IVAN Nurse also known as the flag man would take part in his 11th UWI International HalfMarathon on October 26 to prepare to challenge the Guinness World Record, for the longest distance run with a national flag within 24 hours.

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O R T - O F S P A I N , TRINIDAD: Willon Ivan Nurse also known as the flag man would take part in his 11th UWI International HalfMarathon on October 26 to prepare to challenge the Guinness World Record, for the longest distance run with a national flag within 24 hours.

The 39-year-old has already registered with Guinness and is hoping to set the record this year by covering a distance of 170 miles across Trinidad.

“Running with a National Flag is more

than just being patriotic, it’s my attempt to get in the Guinness Book of World Records, but use this marathon as preparation,” he said.

He attempted to go for the record last year but was unable to achieve it due to lack of funding and management, which he is still looking for this year. “I am looking for people to come on board and support and work with me,” he pleaded.

Nurse, who is a second-year History Major at the University of the Southern Caribbean, is confident he could set the Guinness record with the help of God, who he attri-

butes all his successes to.

He also plays a key role in the development of Shania Francis, a middle-distance runner who vies to become the first female middle-distance athlete to represent Trinidad and Tobago at the Olympics.

At just 15, the Form Four Fyzabad Secondary student has taken part in a number of 5K races this year, and ironically has medalled in all. Her most recent outing was competing in the Newsday Save the Children 5K where she placed third among the women.

Her main goal is to be selected to represent TT at the Carifta Games and the 2015 Youth Games in Colombia, to compete in the 800 and 1500 metres events.

“It’s her first time running the UWI HalfMarathon, she is looking to set a new Youth National record,” he continued.

“I just want people to come out and support her.”

He went on to compare her to national distance runner Tonya Nero, who he says she has a similar running style to. “She has a lot of potential and I think she can be among the best in the country once she gets the needed supported behind her,” he ended. (TT Newsday)

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STETHS coach Omar Wedderburn hugging Donjay Smith who scored twice during his team's triumph over Denham Town High.

Behind Weddderburn is STETHS principal Keith Wellington.

INGSTON, JAMAICA: South Central Jamaica teams, defending daCosta Cup and Ben Francis Cup champions St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) and Garvey Maceo High advanced to the next round of the inaugural Lime Super Cup Knockout football competition on Saturday.

STETHS hammered

Denham Town High 5-0, while Garvey Maceo High of Clarendon stopped Charlie Smith High 3-1.

The third school from the south central region, Clarendon College were stopped 3-2 by Holy Trinity on penalties after the teams played to a 1-1 full-time score.

The Lime Super Cup, involving the top 16 teams from the all-rural

daCosta Cup and urban Manning Cup are vying for a top prize of $1 million.

Photo shows STETHS coach Omar Wedderburn hugging Donjay Smith who scored twice during his team's triumph over Denham Town High.

Behind Weddderburn is STETHS principal Keith Wellington.

(Jamaica Observer)

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WICB must share the blame for cricket crisis

By Rajiv Bisnauth

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est Indies cricket was plunged into a major crisis on Tuesday after India, the world’s richest board, suspended all future tours with them following the Caribbean team’s abrupt withdrawal from a series in India last week.

The mighty Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) also decided to take legal action against the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) after the tourists abandoned the series on Friday over a protracted payment dispute between the players and their board.

They still had a onedayer, a Twenty20 international and three test matches left to play.

However, a number of local cricket protagonists, involved with the sport one way or another condemned the WICB for the current dilemma.

Former Guyana middle-order batsman Rabindranauth Seeram has chosen to empathise with the West Indies players for deciding to return home abruptly, while holding the WICB fully responsible for the current cricket crisis.

“Cricket is the play-

The latest impasse between players and officials in West Indian cricket has far reaching repercussions that threaten the very future of the sport in the Caribbean

ers’ livelihood and they depend on that. I think the WICB is to be blamed for the entire issue at hand,” Seeram said.

He added “Cricket in the West Indies will suffer a lot because of the BBCI’s decision to scrap future tours here. India are a power house in world cricket and West Indies need them.”

Vice-president of the Berbice Cricket Board, Anil Beharry said it was not surprising to see the West Indies Cricket Board in this current state of chaos and dilemma.

“The leadership is very weak and the current sit-

uation with cricket in Guyana is a testimony to it. As the governing body for cricket in the West Indies, I think more openness and energies should have been spent to fix the problem here and any other territory that have similar issues.

“Instead they choose to sit idle and allow the situation to escalate. Caricom needs to take note quickly and the heads of government need to act early for cricket is the only unifying force in the Caribbean.

It is very clear that the WICB is not capable to run our lovely game of cricket,” Beharry concluded.

Mature and responsible

Meanwhile, a former Test cricketer, who spoke in a personal capacity and wished to remain anonymous, said that while the WICB must take full responsibility for the situation, he is of the view that both parties must focus on finding solutions to the crisis rather than bitter recriminations.

One senior official from the East Coast Cricket Board, who also wished to remain anonymous calls for a complete WICB overhaul and the immediate intervention of Caricom.

It’s not the first time West Indies players and

the WICB have engaged in brinkmanship. There were strikes before series against Sri Lanka in 2005 and Bangladesh in 2009.

On both occasions, replacements were brought in but the BCCI dismissed any chance of that happening this time.

West Indies tour South Africa for three Tests, five ODIs and two T20 matches from December 10 through to January 28, and Cricket South Africa is unlikely to accept a weakened team.

If the impasse persists and West Indies field a weakened team, the International Cricket

Council might also decide to ban the team from next year’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Australia are scheduled to tour the Caribbean immediately after the World Cup. Meanwhile to fill the void, the BCCI swiftly arranged a five-match oneday series with Sri Lanka next month but was not ready to take the estimated US$65 million (40.21 million pounds) loss lying down even though WICB apologised for the team’s sudden withdrawal.

For the sponsorship and TV revenue it generates, a series against India represents a jackpot for financially weaker boards like the WICB and India were expected to make four trips to the West Indies in the next eight years.

India’s decision is a fresh blow for the WICB which has already been grappling with a rumbling pay dispute.

The WICB and the West Indies Players’ Association signed a new agreement last month covering pay and conditions but it was rejected by the senior players, including one-day Captain Dwayne Bravo who said they were kept in the dark. (Cricinfo)

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