Guyana Times International

INTERNATIONAL

Looking dapper this Christmas Page 38

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

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You can also read Guyana Times daily edition online at www.guyanatimesgy.com ISSUE NO. 173

week ending December 29, 2013

Oil and Gas companies remain optimistic about prospects in Guyana See story on pg 3

Last minute rush!

Christmas shopping Guyanese in downtown seniors in New Georgetown York receive

Christmas cheer

Page 14

Oswald Singh passes away Page 14

Photo by John Greene

Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year to all our readers and supporters

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NEWS week ending December 29, 2013

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Oil and Gas companies remain optimistic about prospects in Guyana

P

RINCIPALS from petroleum companies operating in Guyana had a meeting with Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud and Deputy Commissioner of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, Newell Dennison in the United States.

The meeting was held against the backdrop that Guyana has petroleum prospecting licenses issued for exploration activities by petroleum companies in the offshore, coastal, near shore, deep water and ultra-deep waters of Guyana and within Guyana maritime areas.

Executives of CGX Resources Inc, ESSO Exploration and Production Guyana Ltd and Repsol Exploracion Guyana S.A. were in attendance while new venture company Ratio Petroleum was also present.

The petroleum companies shared their operational experiences in Guyana and cross-cutting issues were identified which needed to

Minister Robert Persaud and Mr. Newell Dennison along with principals from petroleum companies operating in Guyana

be better addressed. In that regard, it was recognised that during 2013, there were three (3) major offshore 2D and 3D seismic acquisitions and these involved administration details with several agencies such as the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, Environmental Protection Agency and the Guyana Revenue Authority.

The volume of documents which had to be processed in an organ-

ised and timely manner was a challenge which was handled well under the circumstances by the involved agencies where full support was always evident. However, better systems are being examined to improve future operations.

Minister Persaud was able to respond and give his assurances that he would engage his colleagues to tackle this matter.

Minister Persaud was also able to respond

to concerns over the situation with Venezuela which directly affected Anadarko’s survey in October 2013. He also intimated that Guyana was committed to a peaceful resolution but would preserve Guyana’s rights of sovereignty guaranteed under international laws and conventions.

Esso, Repsol and Anadarko were companies operating offshore which concluded geophysical in their respective prospecting areas.

Nabi Oil and Gas Inc. concluded a small geochemistry survey over their coastal onshore block in the last quarter of 2013 and together such investments in exploration have been in the vicinity of US$ 50-million.

CGX indicated that significant funding was being arranged for their own exploration programme over their prospecting areas and that they should in the near term be advising on their plans. All the companies

present committed to keeping their timelines and especially with regard to processing and interpreting their new data which has to inform on an anticipated next campaign of drilling speculated for as early as 2015.

The meeting concluded with an undertaking by all to work in a unified manner to overcome the issues common to all stakeholders for a more efficient outcome.

(GINA)

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

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EDITORIAL

Steady progress

T

he International Monetary Fund (IMF) offers a report card, so to speak, on the economic performance of its members towards the end of the year. It does this even if the country is not participating in one of its adjustment programmes, such as those Barbados and Jamaica are presently executing, to stabilise their economies.

Its report for Guyana is extremely encouraging and should bring cheer to the citizenry for the Christmas season.

According to the figures, Guyana continues to make steady progress on the economic front. Most citizens would have known this from their own experience, but very sadly because of the opposition’s constant “doom and gloom” reportage through the media they control, their eyes are directed at the “ half-empty” cup, not the “half-full” identical one.

For instance, the IMF has confirmed that the economy has grown continuously for the last seven years at an average rate of over four per cent. One could compare this to the almost nine per cent achieved by China over the same period – as the opposition parties have done – but they do not point out that this is an exceptional – and unique – achievement.

It could be better compared to the less than one per cent growth rate achieved by Barbados in the last few years, or the 1.5 per cent for Trinidad and Tobago this year, with no relief in sight.

But what does this “economic growth” rate mean for the average person? Most pertinently, it has implications for citizens to be gainfully employed and to determine the contours of their living conditions. As the Labour Ministry reported, almost everyone who is willing to work and is willing to be trained for the available jobs can find employment.

In every growing economy, there will never be a perfect fit between the jobs created and the skills demanded for those jobs.

It is up to individuals to be retrained for the available jobs.

Right now, for instance, the public servants are marching for a 15 per cent salary increase as opposed to the five per cent the government granted them. This can be contrasted to the layoff of 3000 public servants in Barbados to address the challenge of their slumping economy.

Historically, the public service was seen as a sinecure for individuals that imbibed the traditional academic education.

Our public service became additionally bloated during the People’s National Congress (PNC) cooperative experiment of 19701988.

With the ignominious collapse of that experiment, the IMF had initiated downsizing of the public service and the PNC under Desmond Hoyte made large “retrenchment” cuts between 1989 and 1992 This was intended to rationalise the staffing of the public service to match the needs of the new, free-market economy.

The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/ C) government, under Dr Cheddi Jagan, however, halted the downsizing effort on attaining office in 1992. Consequently, rationalisation of the public service has never been consummated.

The government’s five per cent grant exceeds the 3.4 per cent inflation rate announced by the IMF for Guyana in 2013 and therefore, the opposition is being irresponsible and provocative in claiming the living standards of public servants have deteriorated.

The IMF also called for the efficiency of “public enterprises” to be increased and this call can also include the public service.

If wages are increased out of step with productivity, then inflationary pressures would be created, which should wipe out the effects of salary increases. If it were not for the political opportunism of the opposition and its affiliated Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), our public service would have been downsized and simultaneously upgraded in the skills demanded in the modern economy.

Rather than accepting this reality and dealing with it frontally with the GPSU, the government has had to employ skilled “contract workers” to fill the gap. The GPSU, which wants to have its cake and eat it too, has not surprisingly been very critical.

To achieve higher growth rates and higher standards of living, all Guyanese workers will have to increase their productivity.

West Indies batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan on Saturday entered a new level of his innings, marrying the beautiful Nirmala Cindy at a private function held at Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice. The management and staff of Guyana Times International salute the 2013 Guyana Amazon Warriors captain on this special occasion and wish him a long and successful marriage (John Greene photo)

Love is patient and kind!

What hurts is being hurt by someone you love

By Pandit Suresh Sugrim

I

t’s Christmas, give love and respectability to your partners as a gift. Don’t hurt them.

Love is patient and kind, love does not envy or boast, it is not arrogant or rude. It does not cause suffering and death. It does not insist on its own way, it is not irritable or resentful, it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices only with the truth.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.

Love never ends.

The more you water it, with the water of love, the more it blossoms. Love is not found in just saying three words, “I love you”. It is found in the way you show that you care for one another.

Love is kind. Love doesn’t hurt! What hurts is being hurt by someone you love.

Love is joy. Love is happiness.

Love is caring and sharing for each other. Love doesn’t mean hurting or killing each other.

Don’t convince yourself that suffering is a part of it. This is so beautiful and so true. I have been noticing a lot of unnecessary suffering around in the area of relationships, from friends whose physical bodies become affected by dysfunctional relationships to friends who seem to be complaining about the same issues over and over again in their relationships.

Suffering can be avoided, or at least short lived, with a shift in perception and understanding that yes, pain is inevitable in life, but the suffering part is truly optional and the power to

end it is in our own hands.

Taking responsibility for our part in the dysfunction gives us back the power to change our lives. Usually no one does anything to us or takes advantage of us without our permission. If you are in a relationship with someone who is causing you suffering, it may be time to stop and ask yourself what it is that is really causing you to suffer. Hint – it’s not love.

Because love is not needy.

Love is not insecure.

Love is not jealous. Love is not angry. Love is not mean.

Love is not vengeful. Love is not lonely. Love doesn’t lie or cheat. Love doesn’t leave us feeling neglected, used or like second best. Yet these feelings often get confused with love, hence the expression, “Love hurts”. It’s not love that hurts.

It’s the loss of love or the fear of losing it that really hurts.

I believe, as I often say, that relationships are containers for growth, especially our most challenging ones. It’s the most challenging, earth shattering relationships which bring us to our knees that have the potential to propel us to our greatest heights.

The most challenging ones will put our biggest insecurities and weaknesses under a microscope and show us where we need to grow. It’s only when we finally become aware of these weaknesses and learn

what we need to learn that we can move on to a better, more fulfilling relationship – sometimes it’s with the same person and sometimes it’s not.

But when we don’t learn, we get caught up in the same unhealthy patterns over and over that cause more suffering and even our death at times.

Before we rush into relationships with other people, it’s important to nurture our most important relationship of all, which is the one with ourselves. Our relationships with other people are a direct reflection of how we feel about ourselves. Fall in love with yourself and you won’t settle for a fraction of love from someone else. You will find yourself less tolerant of bad behaviour.

Neediness and loneliness will trans form to self- fulfilment.

If you are in a relationship that does not bring you joy, I invite you today to examine the role you have played in your current situation.

How have you participated?

What have you tolerated and continue to tolerate? And how can you change? Situations don’t get better by choices, but with changes.

Because, by now, you know you can’t change any one’s behaviour but your own, and sometimes that means, after doing all you can do, walking away. And that’s ok because the experience, self-knowledge and wisdom you have gained are priceless and will take you to places you may never have dreamt.

However, you first need to be willing to walk the dark unseen parts of your path alone, but I assure you there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

week ending December 29, 2013

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Zhanghao shipyard building logging vessel locally

The Zhango Hao No. 1.

T

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and Minister of Public Works Robeson Benn with owner of the Zhanghao Shipyard, Shuzairong Su and a worker on the deck of the Zhango Hao No. 1.

he speed and efficiency with which Zhanghao Shipyard has constructed a 63-metre long logging vessel, has impressed a high-level Government team which visited the shipyard in Coverden, East Bank Demerara on Monday.

The vessel, Zhango Hao No. 1 which is 183 metres in width and 4.3 meters in height is 95 percent completed after just over three months of construction.

“I felt very heartened, and excited by what we saw here some months ago, the establishment of this shipyard and the construction of this power barge, and we think it is a sign of what would be accomplished in Guyana, and what is being accomplished in Guyana, and we thought we come out here to bring attention to fact that activities are being widened in Guyana so that you could think more of having ships built in Guyana;

small ships and repaired here in Guyana,” Prime Minister Samuel explained.

The Prime Minister who was accompanied by Minister of Public Works Robeson Benn expressed the hope that the investment would encourage Guyanese to make similar investments in their country.

Zhanghao shipyard is operated by the Su family, which has been involved in the logging business in Guyana over

the past six years. In 2009, the decision was taken to commence construction on the shipyard in Coverden. Simple construction started in this regard in 2012, however to facilitate a logging concession that the family owns in Kwakwani, they realised the need for transportation and in this regard, building of the shipyard paused to make way for the vessel’s construction.

Tresey Su explained that her husband Shuzairong has invested US$4M on the entire operation thus far; US$2M on the construction of the Zhango Hao No. 1, and the remainder on the shipyard and on the 60 employees, 30 of whom are Guyanese.

She said her hus-

band, who is a Guyanese was driven by his need to give back to his country.

The vessel, whose design and engine are Chinese, and steel plates were also pre-formed in China.

It has the capacity to carry 200,000 tonnes of logs and six crew members and will take about four days from their wharf in Kwakwani to Coverden with the logs.

This was Minister Benn’s second visit to the shipyard since the construction began. “I actually visited whilst they were in construction a few months ago, and had a quick site visit,” he said.

The Minister explained that rapid construction and good quality delivery, on schedule, is always of interest to

the Ministry. “We are excited that such construction to move our goods into markets could be done fairly quickly here based on technology that is planned and prepared and integrated. We are also interested in the fact that the cost of shipbuilding, based on Chinese engineering and construction materials, the cost is significantly lower than the sources that we have, so that is all of interest to us,” he said.

All that remains to be completed on the vessel are minor works in the cabin and another coating of paint on the exterior.

The Su family is hoping to, in time, construct and design similar vessels for interested buyers.

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PARLIAMENT HAS LOST ITS FOCUS: Gov’t not satisfied with progress made in 2013 legislative agenda

T

HE political gridlock that dogged the proceedings of the National Assembly in 2013 has left the Government dissatisfied with the level of progress it achieved in advancing its legislative agenda.

Attorney General Anil Nandlall, at a press conference held on Monday at Freedom House, said: “No one in the PPP (People’s Progressive Party) can say we are satisfied.”

Parliament has lost its focus and is being used by the Opposition as an instrument to advance political causes, he opined.

“Parliament has been used repeatedly as a forum to extract political gains…one must be disappointed in the use of Parliament,” he declared.

The AG said rejection of the “people’s voice” in moves made to reject petitions from the private sector and stakeholders in the cricket field was also a source of disappointment.

He argued that the petitions were not reject-

ed on the basis of their merit, but because of other considerations.

The use of the oneseat majority, Nandlall said, was another source of contention.

The AG said that misuse of the majority reflected an authoritarian style that bore resemblance to governance in the pre-1992 years.

ENCROACHMENT

He added that there are “constant and relentless” attempts to exceed the powers of the Legislature and encroach on the functional responsibilities of the Executive.

The AG said: “Last year we saw a series of motions moved by Mr. Carl Greenidge and Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan seeking to direct certain ministers to do things, things that are inconsistent with the law and the Constitution.”

Nandlall pointed to more recent acts, including the call for Minister Robert Persaud’s resignation and the motion to have Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, appear before a Privileges

Minister Clement Rohee

Speaker Raphael Trotman

Committee.

He said the House has no power to censor a member of the Executive in the discharge of Executive functions.

“The Parliament has jurisdiction over the conduct of its members over the proceedings of the House, but it has no jurisdiction, no power and no responsibility to censor a minister with respect to the Executive functions of the minister.

“All these are trespasses committed into the province of the Executive by the

National Assembly seeking to expand their (the Opposition’s) role as they continue on the path of political vendetta. That is what the Parliament is being used for…this can never be the role conceived for the Parliament.”

He made it clear that the National Assembly has to serve the interest of the Guyanese people.

“A Parliament is the place where the ultimate objective is to act in the interest of the people, not to penalise the people,” Nandlall said.

General Secretary of the ruling party, Mr Clement Rohee, added: “The Opposition MPs appear to want to run the

Government from the Parliament. This is a total misconstrued view on the role of Parliament vis-à-vis the Executive.

“Someone seems to have convinced them, or they seem to have convinced themselves, that the Parliament can give direction to the Executive.”

Rohee termed this a governance challenge, and stressed the need for “political compromise” going into 2014. This, he said, has been called for since Cheddi Jagan was Head of State, and throughout the time of the ruling party’s majority in the National Assembly.

He said the legislative agenda for the New Year is already being worked on.

HIGH POINT

Both Government Members of Parliament agreed that, despite the challenges this year, there were some high points.

The AG noted the Speaker’s ruling following the Opposition no-confidence motion in Minister Rohee.

Speaker Trotman ruled that Rohee would be allowed to participate fully in the business of the

National Assembly and be unhindered in the execution of duties, both as an elected Member of Parliament and as the individual designated by the President to be the Home Affairs Minister.

Trotman had said: “It is my considered opinion that refusing the right to a minister to address the House is tantamount to refusing the President the right to speak in the House — a very unconstitutional and untenable situation”.

Nandlall said the number of questions, in the hundreds, tabled in the House was another high point. He added that none went unanswered.

Rohee said the experience gained from working in the new dispensation in the National Assembly was another high point, as it provided the basis for advancing proceedings under different circumstances.

Both men agreed that moving into 2014 will not be without challenges, but they also agreed that consensus – which has been proven possible in the absence of political plays – must be the focus of Parliamentarians.

(Taken from Chronicle)

CGX starts arbitration proceedings against Repsol

C

anadian-based oil and gas exploration company CGX Energy Inc announced Monday that it will commence arbitration proceedings against Repsol Exploración SA in connection with the expiry of the petroleum prospecting licence (PPL) covering the Georgetown Block.

CGX, which along with Repsol, Tullow Guyana BV and YPF SA formed a four-company consortium that built the Jaguar-1 well in the Georgetown Block, believes that Repsol acted in “bad faith”, according to Co-Chairman Dr Suresh Narine.

The company is of the view that the terms of the joint operating agreement governing the Georgetown Block were still in effect when Repsol allowed the Georgetown PPL to expire and sought out a new petroleum prospecting licence covering virtually the identical acreage offshore in Guyana,

Co-Chairman Dr Suresh Narine

which is now known as the Kanuku PPL. Furthermore, Repsol was aware of CGX Energy’s continued interest in the Georgetown PPL and under the joint operating agreement, was obliged to seek renewal of the Georgetown PPL alongside CGX Energy.

The company further alleges that Repsol, which owned 15 per cent of the PPL, as against CGX’s 25, accepted a

US$ 15 million payment. The Jaguar well was closed due to overpressure issues and the company said before closure, it had indicated its continued interest in exploration activities.

Repsol began offshore drilling of the Jaguar- 1 well in Guyana on December 5, 2011.

Interest in the Guyana/ Suriname basin amplified after explorer Tullow struck oil last year off French Guiana, raising the prospect of the opening of a major offshore oilproducing province in South America.

The United States Geological Survey ranked Guyana as having the second most attractive underexplored basin in the world with a possibility of 15.2 billion barrels of oil. If a finding was to be made, production targets would be estimated at 50 million barrels per year, which would be about 140,000 barrels per day.

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week ending December 29, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Public Works Ministry bids farewell to veteran staffer

P

hyllis Rahaman has been with the Public Works Ministry for over four decades and has been a “tower of strength” to four ministers during her dedicated years of service.

On Wednesday, subject minister Robeson Benn and staff held a simple ceremony at the ministry’s boardroom to express their gratitude to Rahaman, who worked her way up the chain of command

from a typist clerk one to confidential secretary.

Her outstanding credentials included her adaptability, charisma, promptness and endearing attitude towards work.

The ministry’s Permanent Secretary Balraj Balram, in his glowing tribute to the veteran staff, said Rahaman’s departure “has left a vacuPublic Works Minister Robeson Benn gives Phyllis Rahaman a token on behalf of his office

Teen’s sudden mysterious death devastates grieving parents

M

OMENTS after concluding an animated conversation with her father and starting to watch video cartoons, 15-year-old Ronita Erskine, popularly known as “Pinky”, suddenly took ill at her West Ruimveldt home, and died before receiving medical attention.

The Gifted Hands Learning Centre student was the daughter of Mr and Mrs. Godfrey Erskine of 113 West Ruimveldt, Georgetown. Mrs. Erskine is an employee of the Guyana Chronicle.

Pinky’s parents were in mourning yesterday even as they struggled to find reasons for their only child’s sudden death.

A devastated Mr. Erskine recounted the moments before his daughter collapsed while eating a meal early yesterday (Monday) morning. He said: “I was at home. Her mother had left for work, so myself and her were talking as I moved around the house; and everything seemed normal. Then I asked her if she was hungry and she said yes, and I dished out some pepperpot and gave her

some bread to eat it with. Then I left her in the upstairs where the TV is and went downstairs to do some other tidying up,” he said.

Moments later, he said, he heard a loud thumping noise in the upper flat, and he rushed back upstairs to see what was happening.

He found the teenager tossing on the floor and apparently gasping for breath.

He thought that she had choked on her food and tried to help her, but her condition began to deteriorate when she began to bleed through her nose and mouth; so he had no option but to rush her to the nearest hospital. The young girl was declared dead on arrival at the St Joseph Mercy Hospital.

The sad and mystified parents said it was the first time their daughter had taken ill. They said they are totally depending on the results of a post-mortem on Pinky’s body, scheduled for Friday, to furnish them with answers to her mysterious death.

um” in the lives of those she interacted with.

Meanwhile, her former boss, Minister Benn, challenged the two young ladies who now man his office to fill the “big shoes left

by Phyllis”. “She is an extraordinary resource to assist in your development,” he added.

Rahaman joined the then Works and Housing

Ministry in September 1972 as a typist clerk one, and following several promotions, she was elevated to the position of confidential secretary in 1993 to then Minister Harry Persaud Nokta.

Over the ensuing years, she has served ministers Benn, Anthony Xavier and Harry Narine Nawbatt.

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week ending December 29, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Disabled woman gets house for Christmas through Habitat-Scotiabank project

Home at Last

“T

he house means a lot and I am happy with my own home and I would like to thank God because I was all over from here, there till God make way and I own my own home today,” says Amanda Anthony, a disabled woman.

The estimated GUY$2.5 million one bedroom house-a disability friendly model- at Hope Lowlands, East Coast Demerara was built with funding from the Scotiabank Habitat Build a Home Promotion. Scotia contributed about GUY$1.8 million.

Anthony, a widow and mother of two, recalls living several places ranging from the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, Kamuni Creek, Land of Canaan and Vryheid’s Lust, East Coast Demerara and even neighbouring Suriname. “All about I used to live,” she says.

Her dream to own her own house came through when more than one year ago she acquired a house lot from the Ministry of Housing.

Undaunted by her failed efforts to secure assis-

By Anu Dev

“I’m coming home... Tell the world I’m coming home” –I’m coming home by JCole featuring Skylar Grey

Amanda Anthony and her son, Andrew at their new home

tance from the Lion’s Club and Food for The Poor, the cheerful and determined woman was later referred to Habitat for Humanity where she was lucky enough to have a quick chat with Habitat for Humanity’s National Director, Rawle Small and subsequently made arrangements to be interviewed by officials of that organisation. “I seek, seek and there was no door opening for me and lastly the door was wide opened,”

says Anthony who hails from Mabaruma, North West District.

Born without legs, the 52-year old woman was almost brought to tears when she reflected on her past nomadic way of life. Asked a bit about her disability, a smiling Anthony proudly said she is not affected. At the same time, she concedes that she wishes she had all of her lower extremities. “I’m quite happy with it but sometimes by going about I

see people with their two legs and I grieve a lot,” she says.

Anthony- who cooks, cleans and moves about briskly- says she has been often denied employment even as a domestic because of her disability.

Accustomed to working on a farm on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, the proud home owner hopes to have her yard fenced so she can plant vegetables and rear chickens She praises her 22year old son for supporting her financially by paying rent while depending on various organisations for food. Her 20-year old daughter ran away 10 months ago.

Habitat for Humanity’s local staff sees Anthony as an inspiration because of her vision of receiving support to emerge out of the “really harsh conditions” in one room that she had been living in.

Other criteria used to determine eligibility include the number of dependents, employment status, health status and age.

Scotiabank (Guyana) is taking a small percentage from several types of loans to finance the project. The Scotiabank/ Habitat Build a Home project has been extended for three years.

Marketing Manager for Scotiabank (Guyana), Jennifer CipriainiNelson says the project was a no-brainer. "When Rawle came with the list of options, Amanda was at the top. We said-yes, go for it."

Ansa Mc Al, the Braam family, Office of the President Guyana Relief Council, Courts and other entities also assisted in making the house comfortable for Amanda Anthony and her son

W

ell, the deed is done! I can finally say (shout?) that I’ve survived my first semester at med school. I’ve persevered through their gruelling exams – which are obviously designed to test one’s endurance more than anything – and lived to tell about it. It hasn’t been easy, I’ll tell you.

But I got through it by keeping my eyes on the prize.

The prize being of course, home-cooked meals straight from mom’s kitchen, back in good, old Guyana.

But now that the semester’s all over, I can look back and reflect on what the last four months have been like.

What hits me first is; it really doesn’t feel like an entire four months has gone by. Einstein was right and time is relative.

Four months loomed ahead like an eternity at the beginning of the semester.

But now, I think that I can amend the saying “Time flies when you’re having fun” to something more along the lines of, “Time flies when you’re having mountains of arcane medical minutiae continuously flung into your face for four months straight”.

It’s less catchy I know, but it has that lovely jaded ring to it, which I think I’ve earned. The Hallmark people probably won’t be calling me up any time soon, though!

But it hasn’t been all “burning the midnight oil” and having our noses “pressed to the grindstone”.

They have proper lighting in our dorms and there are more devious torture methods here than grindstones.

Like sitting though PowerPoint presentations with over 150 slides. The mind wanders, I’ll tell you.

But in all seriousness, the semester has had its fun mo ments as well. It’s been incredible.

From attending the spectacular Diwali play by students to spending hours in the kitchen (I cook to relax) with my flat-mates just talking, I’ve enjoyed everything immensely.

And so, I’ve managed to settle into a routine.

A campus that seemed so large and strange in the beginning is now home to me. I have different routes I take to class depending on my mood or the weather. If I’m running late and I can’t make my coffee run before classes, I’ve perfected the art of making a quick dash to Rituals in the little break we get in the middle of a lecture to ‘stretch our legs’. And I can tell you, I tend to take the act of ‘stretching my legs’ a bit more literally than I’m sure my lecturers intended – I’ve clocked in some of my best sprint times on those quick dashes for coffee. See, there are ways of keeping fit in med school!

But it was a strange feeling on Friday, locking up not only my dorm room, but the entire flat as well, since my flatmates from the other Caribbean islands had all decamped. Checking to make sure the lights were switched off, the windows were locked and that nothing was left plugged in. It felt very adult, actually.

And then, while driving away, while my mind was frantically checking and rechecking to figure out whether there was something I had forgotten to do or to pack, I finally understood why my mother gets so anxious about leaving the house unattended when we go off on vacation.

I can see I have nine gruelling semesters ahead of me, but this is where I want to be: exactly what I want to be doing with my life at this point in time. I did get those moments, even in the height of my pre-exam tensions, where I was just so enthralled by how complex and intricate (and delicately balanced) the human body is.

They were the moments where I was truly happy to be learning the things I was learning. And I hope to have more of those moments – with increasing frequency and duration. It’s those moment, I guess, that make it worth going through the grind med school is shaping up to be – those moments of clarity where I remember all of the reasons why I chose to do medicine.

9 The opposition seems bent on damaging investor confidence in Guyana You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times International, Industrial Site Ruimveldt Georgetown, Guyana or guyanatimesint@gmail.com

week ending December 29, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Dear Editor, The opposition parties A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance For Change (AFC) seem committed to damaging the investment climate of Guyana.

Is this an APNU strategy? They attack the Marriott Hotel, the Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Project, the Specialty Hospital and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Expansion project.

More recently, their attacks on the toll structure of the Berbice bridge are all direct attacks on investors. Any reasonable person would interpret this as a strategy to scare away existing and potential investors.

With respect to the Berbice bridge, the security for all of the investors in the Berbice bridge is the Berbice River Bridge Act and the Concession Agreement issued pursuant to this act. One of the most important parts of the Concession Agreement is the right of the Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI) to collect tolls and to have the tolls adjusted to cover its expenditure.

The order made by the public works minister with respect to the tolls for the Berbice bridge is based on the Berbice River Bridge Act (Act Number 3 of 2006). Two toll orders were made by the minister: Order Number 42 of 2008 pub-

lished in the Official Gazette on December 22, 2008, the same month the bridge started operations and Order Number 23 of 2009, published in the Official Gazette on November 26, 2009. Since the bridge started operations in December 2008, the tolls have not gone up.

Without investors having the confidence in the rule of law and the state honouring the toll orders referred to above, any serious investor will be turned away. And the investors include the top five commercial banks in Guyana, insurance companies, pension funds, the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), the New Building Society (NBS) and major corporate investors.

Excluding the NIS, which some consider quasi-government, all of the investors in the Berbice bridge are private.

With the existing tolls, BBCI is only at a breakeven position. To date, the common shareholders have not received a single cent of dividend.

To date, only the interest returns on the debt (bonds and subordinate loan stock) and the dividend on the preferred shares to NIS have been paid. The Berbice bridge has not started paying back principal on any of its debt.

If the opposition’s parliamentary motion was to be implemented, it would amount to a form of na-

tionalisation or expropriation and would send shockwaves through the investment community.

It would amount to a fundamental breach of the Concession Agreement issued to BBCI and violate the Investment Act. Every investor would then be forced to write down their asset as the likelihood of payment of interest, much-less principal, would be impaired.

To make matters worse, this opposition’s political attack on the tolls of the Berbice bridge will jeopardise the ability to have the proposed new Demerara bridge funded as a private sector project.

In order for the new Demerara bridge to be financed by the private sector, investors will have to be confident that they can collect the tolls from users crossing the bridge.

The right to collect tolls is a right derived from legislation (similar to the Berbice bridge). If there is no confidence in this mechanism working based on agreements entered into, then investors will not be willing to take the risk of investing.

Without the private sector investing in this bridge, it will force the government to borrow the money to fund the bridge.

Based on the estimated capital costs contained in the pre- feasibility study, this is likely to cost a minimum of US$ 162 million.

Consider this figure be-

Why religious images?

Dear Editor, Ethiopians in Africa created an image of a black Jesus Christ while Europeans created a white Jesus. The Indian Gautama Buddha was transformed in the rest of Asia (Chinese, Thais, Vietnamese, Koreans and Japanese, etc) into an image of Buddha which replicated their own distinctive Mongoloid features of slanted eyes.

India’s Hinduism (from which Buddhism originated) featured their sacred deities or Gods with images with their own Indian features including animals living in harmony when worshipping God as in the Vedas. The use of images, pictures, animals or statues which explains and gives meaning to religion is nothing new.

For thousands of years visual aids were an integral Hindu method of worshipping, teaching their children its preservation and continuing their Vedic way of life. Yet, Hinduism came under criticism for idol imagery which is a modern teaching method practised today in schools.

Two main techniques: 1. phonetics and 2. whole language are generally employed in teaching.

In phonics, the sounds of a word by its syllables do not bring meaning to the words or letters but allows an understanding of its possible pronunciation. Whole language uses pictures or images to evoke prior language of a particular word into graphic meaning.

Since a picture can tell more than a thousand words, images are therefore important.

For example, a teacher before reading a story will show their students a picture, say of “Old Mc Donald who had a farm”, and ask them to describe details seen.

Developing critical thinking is achieved by eliciting the necessary information from the students for effective education.

Some of the questions may include a) the setting of the place, b) clothes worn, c) any animals present, d) making comparisons to another environment and, e) what do you think this story is all about?

Students initially would have already known or comprehend the old McDonald story is about farm life with assorted animals.

After the Mahabharata war which pitted cousins feuding over a kingdom most of the Hindu intellectuals were decimated resulting in Hinduism’s decline and pervasiveness.

Buddhism later became widespread in India.

But by the continuous use of whole language used worldwide today, Hinduism eventually reasserted itself in India.

Criticism of Hinduism is spurious when the facts become clear and should be discontinued.

Merry Christmas, Vassan Ramracha

ing added to the national debt and the implications for the government having the fiscal space to do other projects.

So if the proposed new fixed Demerara bridge has to be funded by the public sector, rather than the private sector, our national debt will go up, and the ability of Guyana to afford other capital projects will be substantially reduced.

And there is substantial liquidity in Guyana – just our banking sector has over US$ 1 billion of assets that are not loaned out. So we will force government to invest in a project, when the private sector can – all because the opposition political forces are scaring away potential investors.

One final note on the tolls and the volume of traffic on the Berbice bridge. In December 2005 (some eight years ago), a car with five passengers would pay for each way and for every passenger – one way was Gy$ 760 for a regular vehicle and each passenger was Gy$ 60 one way.

Therefore a round trip cost with the ferry for five passengers would be Gy$ 2120.

Compare this to the Berbice bridge of Gy$ 2200. So the fares are substantially similar in money terms (real terms).

Compared to 2005, the tolls on the Berbice bridge are just about the same as that of the ferry.

It should also be noted that all the studies showed that users of the ferry were willing to pay a lot more for the convenience of using a bridge vs the existing ferry. The Berbice bridge allowed users to go from three hours to cross (waiting time included) using the ferry to three minutes on the Berbice bridge.

In terms of volume, in 2005 (average round trip), about 109,000 vehicles crossed with the ferry, of which 82 per cent were passenger vehicles and the balance commercial vehicles.

The vast majority of vehicles paid the above ferry fare – commercial fares were much higher.

In 2009 (the first complete year of operations of the Berbice bridge), the total volume of vehicles crossing the bridge totalled 307,000, of which 90 per cent were passenger type vehicles. In 2012, vehicles crossing the

bridge totalled 393,000 of which 90 per cent were passenger type vehicles.

So since 2005 to 2012, as a result of the bridge, total vehicular traffic has increased by 260 per cent.

Notwithstanding the so-called concern about tolls, far more vehicles are using the bridge compared to the ferry, and since the bridge has opened, volume of vehicles using the bridge has increased by close to 10 per cent per annum (2012 compared to 2009).

It is always appealing to have rates lowered – everyone would want to have their minibus fares, or electricity rate, or telephone tariffs, lowered. Who wouldn’t want that? But can we afford this? Similarly, everyone would like to see their wages go up each year.

The facts are – the BBCI is just generating sufficient cash flows to pay interest and dividends and the tolls are not that different from the ferry.

Sincerely, Business owner, Corentyne, Berbice Name withheld by request

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Ruling on budget cuts appeal set for January 13

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hen the budget cuts appeal hearing came up again on Friday in the Full Court, justices James Bovell-Drakes and Rishi Persaud announced that they will rule on the appeal on January 13.

On that date, Opposition Leader David Granger will know whether he will be allowed to be heard in the 2012 budget cuts court case, which is being held in abeyance pending the course of the appeal.

On June 19, a decision was taken by acting Chief Justice Ian Chang to dismiss the opposition leader, as well as Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh from the case,

Minister Ashni Singh

APNU MP Basil Williams

on the grounds that as members of Parliament (MPs), the Constitution provides them

with immunity.

Granger has since sought to waive his immunity in an

appeal. Attorney General Anil Nandlall, who represents the government in the 2012 Budget cuts case, had argued that Granger’s immunity as an MP prohibits any participation in legal proceedings.

However, Granger’s Attorney Basil Williams had argued that his client was willing to waive his immunity.

Nandlall disagreed with the opposition leader’s claim that he has a right to waive his immunity, arguing that it is not immunity but a prohibition which could expose all other Parliamentarians.

The attorney general stated that for the opposition leader to relinquish his rights to immunity, legislation has to

be passed, amending the current law before this can happen.

The parliamentary opposition had slashed the 2012 budget by Gy$ 21 billion, leading to the government to take legal action on the basis that the opposition has no power to cut the budget.

The acting chief justice in a preliminary ruling has said that the National Assembly cannot cut the budget and that the finance minister has the authority to allocate monies as needed. But the opposition again in 2013, despite the ruling, slashed over Gy$ 30 billion from the estimates, prompting a return to the court for a final ruling.

President lauds rice farmers for DIGICEL acquires submarine fibre their contributions to the economy assets across the Caribbean region

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resident Donald Ramotar, on Friday last, acknowledged the significant contributions of rice farmers to Guyana’s economy, and called on them for their support to ensure much more happens in 2014.

Guyana recorded its highest ever rice production in 2013, netting 530,000 tonnes.

Speaking to the farmers during a Christmas party organised by the Rice Producers Association (RPA) at Crane, West Coast of Demerara, President Ramotar observed that things are not smooth and easy with projects always being stopped for one reason or the other.

Pointing to cuts of the national budget earlier this year, he reminded that they affected major development programmes for the country such as the Specialty Hospital, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport expansion and the Amaila Falls Hydro

– driving choice and innovation for data hungry customers

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Showing his moves, President Donald Ramotar cuts the barriers at the party hosted by the Rice Producers Association

Power Project.

The President noted that the Amaila Falls project would have alleviated electricity problems in Guyana, in addition to attracting investment, and creating employment for Guyanese.

“Only recently, the Anti Money Laundering Bill which targets drug trafficking and people

profiting from illegal money, again the opposition opposed it… I know that it is putting our country in great danger and carrying up the cost in doing business in Guyana,” the President stated.

He appealed to the rice farmers for their support to carry on and pull the country forward.

(GINA)

igicel on Monday announced that it has reached an agreement with the Guadeloupe-based Loret Group and with Caribbean Fibre Holdings to acquire a submarine fibre network across the Caribbean region. Digicel will acquire Middle Caribbean Network, Southern Caribbean Fibre, Antilles Crossings and a number of related assets from Global Caribbean Fibre.

This deal will provide Digicel with a wholly owned submarine fibre optic cable network of approximately 2,100km providing capacity from Trinidad to Guadeloupe, according to a statement from the company.

Digicel said it has also entered into a transaction with Global Caribbean Fibre and Global Caribbean Network to provide submarine fibre capacity from Guadeloupe to Puerto Rico with on-

wards connectivity to the mainland United States.

With these new capabilities, Digicel is underpinning its commitments to delivering best network, best service and best value and will once again be at the forefront of driving competition and consumer choice in the region.

In total, Digicel has secured access to a robust network comprised of 15 submarine segments with a reach of some 3,100km across the Caribbean region. Digicel will also have extensive onwards capacity on other submarine networks connecting locations such as Miami,

Paris and New York.

The financial terms of the contract are not being disclosed and the transaction is subject to regulatory approval.

Digicel Group CEO, Colm Delves, said: “We are always looking for new ways to ensure that we deliver choice and innovation to our valued customers. The acquisition of this submarine network secures significant additional broadband capacity for Digicel.

This additional capacity is central to our continued drive to offer innovative services and products to our customers in a data hungry world.”

The incoming Mayor needs our universal support on this commendable initiative.

Confucius, the great philosopher, was right

when he said, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

Universal pre-K is not nearly a thousand miles.

We can do it if we try.

District leader albert baldeo calls for support for mayor-elect de Blasio’s universal pre-k initiative

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e have long advocated for universal pre-K for our kids. Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio has admirably taken the leadership on this initiative, and his vision and fight for universal pre-K is laudable. He must ensure that it is not only universal but also economically integrated.

Research confirms that state investments in early childhood education have significant benefits to our children’s development.

The incoming Mayor’s

proposal of creating 48,000 new full-day preK seat by next fall 2014 will be a challenging order, and will require converting 38,000 existing half-time slots to fulltime and adding an additional 10,000 seats, all to the tune of $340 million.

He proposes paying for this by raising taxes on New York’s wealthiest taxpayers, increasing the tax rate on income over $500,000 from 3.9 to 4.4 percent. Consequently, those making $500,000 to $1 million per year

would contribute an annual tax increase by an average of $973 per year to society.

His biggest hurdle toward achieving this goal will be to convince Governor Andrew Cuomo and the state legislature, who will need to sign on to any change in the city’s income tax, but they should be encouraged by the fact that this goal is in lock step with President Obama’s proposal for universal pre-K in his State of the Union address earlier this year.

This growing consensus in favor of universal pre-K is a huge step in the right direction. In providing universal access, as opposed to funding programs for highneeds students only, two big benefits will inure to all. It rightly shifts a significant financial burden from middle-class families who do not make the cut for means-tested programs, and improves the quality of early childhood education for all students by integrating classrooms.

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Persaud challenges critics to public debate on Muri Brazil survey agreement

Patriotic marchers S atiricus was confused. As a news hack, he’d been assigned to cover the march.

The big march by the servants of the people (SOP). All week long, the editors had been gathering around in a huddle to plan their strategy on how to cover the event. Everybody agreed it was going to be “massive”. And why not? After all, the SOP had faithfully served the people of this country through rain and sun, water and mud, thick and thin all year long and look what the government was giving them – a measly five per cent! Well, they actually worked in air-conditioned offices, but Satiricus’ blood was really boiling.

So here he was... out in the sun looking for the multitudes of SOPs gathered in righteous indignation to gather the citizens of Georgetown in support of their just cause.

All he spied were a bunch of persons gathered under umbrellas with some small hand- crafted placards held sheepishly in front of their faces. Was this the march? Then it dawned on Satiricus: the other thousands and thousands of SOPs were too tied up dealing with the problems of the people to leave their air conditioned rooms and stroll around in the boiling sun. Tears came to Satiricus’ eyes.

These SOPs were the only people who thought only about Guyana. Whenever the ordinary folk had a problem and went to the SOPs’ air conditioned offices, they didn’t have to wait more than a few hours in the not-air conditioned waiting area.

And as soon as they were seen, the SOPs would spend at least two minutes with them – even though they had so much to do. Like taking their coffee breaks and lunch hours.

The geriatric president of the SOPs demanded to know why there were so many policemen. There were at least three times more policemen than marchers. The geriatric president of the SOPs had every right to be livid, thought Satiricus.

It was obvious the policemen didn’t know how patriotic the SOPs were and that they would sacrifice the opportunity to stroll down scenic, aromatic Georgetown and remain toiling away at their desks in air-conditioned offices. Some more tears rolled down Satiricus cheeks. And a little sniffle.

Satiricus hadn’t received any salary increase this year because his editor had pointed out the newspaper still hadn’t increased its profits.

So Satiricus didn’t raise any fuss.

But the SOPs were a different story.

Why should gold miners, for instance, get so much money? Didn’t they know it was because the SOPs were in their air-conditioned offices, they could take in the big bucks. So what if they could get malaria or whatever? SOPs could get paper cuts, no? As Satiricus trudged back to file his story, he hoped the government would come to its senses and wake up to the heroic sacrifices made by the SOPs. Or else they might just leave their jobs and take up cane cutting. Cane cutters had received four per cent for their cushy jobs.

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atural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud has thrown out a public challenge to those who have been criticising his actions regarding the issuance of the Permission for Geological and Geophysical Survey (PGGS) for the New River Triangle area, saying he was willing to debate anyone on the issue as to whether he sold out the country or broke the law.

He made this declaration on Wednesday at the 32nd Guyana Gold and Diamond Mining Association (GGDMA) dinner while addressing the gathering.

Persaud said “… any

group, be it the media, environmental group or be it any political party, I am willing to enter into a public debate and let them set it up any place, any time with any one, on all the issues raised because what we have and what we’ve done, we are proud of. Its consistent with our laws and whatever we do in the sector, we do it because it’s in the best interest for Guyana’s development.”

Misrepresentations

The natural resources minister pointed out that there has been a lot of misrepresentations of what is happening in the sector. He said that there are some who still

believe that everyone should live in an antagonistic atmosphere and so when persons are in “talks with others over investments, they think you are selling out”.

“When we set about to have broad stakeholder partnership, be it with the mining, environmental community, it is not about compromising our social principles but rather in a society such as ours, it is important that we collaborate, it is important that we build consensus and it is important that we seek to work together, so not because when we open the papers in the morning, I’m not cursing down the mining sector means I’m in bed with the sector,

that’s backward thinking,” the minister vented.

Persaud stressed that this is the first and only PGGS in the country where there was a call for a public expression of interest.

He continued that he has been accused of acting in a stealth manner, but refuted it, stating that he cannot do so when everything is in the media and there is an official gazetteer.

The PGGS was granted to the Muri Brazil Ventures Inc, by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) to conduct a survey after the company had expressed interest in the area.

AFC says Mahdia road in an ‘appalling state’

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he Alliance For Change (AFC) is expecting that the 2014 national budget will provide sufficient funds for the total and proper rehabilitation of the road in the Mahdia community.

The present condition of the road is in an appalling state, especially during the rainy season.

The 2013 budget did not provide sufficient funds to rehabilitate the road.

The party in a release said it is unconscionable that for a region that contributes as much to the national coffers, Region Eight residents have to put up with a road as bad as the one they have.

The government while boasting of the growth in the economy and the record gold production, should put back some of that money into

The pothole-filled Mahdia Road

the region whose resources are being plundered.

In addition, the AFC is urging the local government minister to cooperate with the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) and heed the call of the council to have the regional executive officer removed.

The AFC contended that the regional execu-

tive officer’s non-cooperative attitude has stymied the efforts of the RDC to bring development to the region, and as a result, the people are suffering.

Regional Chairman Mark Crawford has repeatedly written the local government minister, citing numerous instances where the REO has been less than profes-

sional, but, to date, the minister has failed to see the wisdom of ensuring Region Eight has an REO who is committed to the development of the region.

“It seems that since losing control of the region to the AFC, the PPP/ C government through the Ministry of Local Government and its appointed REO has been punishing the people of Region Eight for voting the way they did in 2011,” the AFC said.

Meanwhile, the regional chairman has had cause to write the permanent secretary of the Local Government Ministry enquiring about his copy of the auditor general’s report. It is customary for the ministry to forward copies of the AG’s report to all regional chairpersons.

12 news CPCE churns out 336 more trained teachers week ending December 29, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

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Prizewinning graduating teachers at the 79th CPCE graduation ceremony at the National Cultural Centre in Georgetown

hief Education Officer Olato Sam last Thursday saluted all of the nation’s teachers and educators for what he described as their tireless contributions to the improvement of the education system, as he delivered the feature address at the Cyril Potter College of Education’s (CPCE) 79th graduation ceremony.

He said government’s investment in the training and upgrading of educational facilities must be matched with the quality of the teach-

ers necessary to take the system forward.

CPCE is on the upsurge and the graduates, according to Sam, must reflect the quality of investments being made towards their training.

He urged the 336 graduates to “not be complacent and let others denigrate your chosen profession, stand up, especially to those who don’t have any idea or understand the sacrifices that you go through to make a difference”.

He also reminded those who were success-

ful to continue studying so as to improve themselves and those who will benefit from their teaching.

CPCE’s Principal Viola Rowe said that the institution remains committed to its mandate of preparing men and women from all regions of the country for formal entry into the teaching system, “using both face-toface and distance modules (print and computer assisted). We are confident that our graduates are capable of providing high quality instruc-

Some of the graduating teachers at the 79th CPCE graduation ceremony at the National Cultural Centre

tion to students in urban and rural classrooms of Guyana, contributing to the national development goal of having a competent citizenry”.

The principal said that 788 students initially registered for the academic year 2012- 2013, 17 per cent males and 88 per cent females for the programmes of associate degree, the trained teachers’ certificate and the teacher upgrading programmes.

She mentioned some of the challenges as being unable to attract enough part-time staffers; hence, the need to utilise fulltime staffers to compensate for this shortfall, the absence of technology support in some schools and an inability to incorporate information communication technology (ICT) in the teaching/ learning situation.

This, she noted, is being addressed by the

Education Ministry’s drive to equip all schools with ICT laboratories.

The need to get some stakeholders to “buyin” to the need for regular attendance resulted in some of the trainees withdrawing from the CPCE. Seventy-four of the graduates are now trained in early childhood teaching, 110 for the primary level and 156 are certified to teach at the secondary level.

Govt should not have withdrawn from USAID Governance project – Granger

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he A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) on Friday expressed disappointment in the government’s move to reject the 2012 United States Agency for International Development (USAID) project.

The US$ 13.1 million Leadership and Democracy (LEAD) proj-

ect was designed to advance development in health, economic growth, and democracy and governance. The government rejected both the design and the project, citing its non-involvement in the process and flaws in the programme.

However, APNU Chairman, retired Brigadier David Granger

said the government’s decision to pull out comes as no surprise to the opposition. “I don’t understand the mind of the government, but this is not the first time that they would have rejected assistance; the most notorious case is when the country signed a 3.5 million pound sterling agreement with the United Kingdom govern-

ment and then they rejected it,” Granger told reporters.

In October 2009, the Security Sector Reform Project with the UK collapsed following differences between the two countries.

The leader of the opposition also alluded to the National Drug Strategy Master Plan which ex-

pired approximately two years ago.

Turning his attention back to the USAID project, Granger said the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/ C)) administration should put the citizens of Guyana first, positing that the USAID project was simply designed to foster growth in the country,

with major emphasis being placed on the young.

APNU’s executive member Basil Williams, in supporting the sentiments of the coalition’s chairman, said he could not comprehend why the government would reject a project that sought to educate the Guyanese public on the local government electoral process.

Guyana, Argentina to boost tourism cooperation G uyana and Argentina will enhance their bilateral cooperation on tourism, which will redound to the benefit of the people and economies of both countries.

After meeting with a high-level Argentine delegation on Wednesday, acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali disclosed that the countries will work to more closely cooperate on this fast-growing sector in the South American market.

The meeting was a follow-up to Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett’s meeting with officials from the Argentine Tourism Ministry, among others, during her trip to Argentina earlier this year.

Minister Ali said the expansion of the country’s market has been long outlined, but Guyana has not taken

Acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali presenting books on Guyana to Argentine Tourism Ministry Undersecretary of Tourism Quality Gonzalo Casanova Ferro while another member of the Argentine delegation looks on

full advantage of destinations within the trading blocs of which it is a member.

“One such destination is Argentina,” Ali said, stating that both countries are members of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR). As such, it presents an “exceptional opportunity to ex-

pand the bilateral relationships that would, in a way, add value to our membership in UNASUR” and bring the two countries and their peoples together.

The minister said the countries needed to develop a common approach that could focus on the strengths of their tourism offerings

Minister Ali in discussion with the Argentine delegation

to reach different markets by sharing and understanding each other’s product.

Ali added that since Argentina has a well-developed market, Guyana can use that country’s experience to develop its own in a collaborative effort.

He noted that Guyanese need to see the learning of Spanish as

an important part of the development of the country that would break the language barrier.

He said, in this respect, exchange programmes such as student exchange initiatives would be a very important component.

Argentine Tourism Ministry Undersecretary of Tourism Quality Gonzalo Casanova

Ferro, who headed the delegation, said cooperation between the two countries will create more job opportunities in the tourism sector and the development of the economy.

Cooperation between Guyana and Argentina has intensified since the re-establishment of the latter’s embassy two years ago.

News

New York immigrant population reaches peak

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ew York City’s immigrant population has reached a new peak, with the percentage of foreign-born residents being the highest it has been in more than a century, according to a new report issued by the city.

More than three million immigrants – 37.2 per cent of its population – were living in the city in 2011. This is the highest percentage the city has seen since 1910, when 40.8 per cent of New Yorkers were foreignborn.

According to the Department of City Planning report, entitled “The Newest New Yorkers”, the city’s immigrant population hit a low in 1970 when only 18 per cent of residents had come from another country. It has grown since then, stabilising and growing the city’s overall population. “[Immigrants] were crucial in pushing New York’s growth over the eight million mark in 2000, and have now propelled the city to its new population peak of 8.34 million in 2012,” a press release stated.

The largest percentage

New York City’s immigrant population has reached a new peak, according to a new report issued by the city

of immigrants has settled in Queens and Brooklyn, where two-thirds of the city’s immigrant population lives.

The Bronx and Staten Island both saw a jump in foreign-born residents between 2000 and 2011.

The Bronx’s immigrant population grew by about 85,300, while Staten Island’s immigrant population increased by 36 per cent, the largest percentage increase of the five boroughs.

According to the report, the largest immigrant group hails from The Dominican Republic, with 380,200 residents living in the five boroughs.

The second leading group was China with 350,200 residents. The Chinese population, however, has grown at a much faster rate between

2000 and 2011, the report found.

If these growth rates continue, they are expected to become the city’s largest immigrant group in the next few years.

Other countries represented by the city’s foreign-born population are Mexico, Jamaica, Guyana, Ecuador, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, India and Russia.

The report also looked at the role immigrants play in the city’s economy.

They comprise 47 per cent of all employed residents in all major industries, and they also disproportionately represent those who start new businesses.

“As the city stays economically attractive, it will continue to sustain immigrant flow, which in turn acts to sustain its economy,” the report stated.

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Guyanese seniors in New York receive Christmas cheer

The senior folks enjoying themselves

Volunteers with the gifts that were given to the senior citizens

BY VISHNU BISRAM

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uyanese senior citizens were treated to a special luncheon fete in Richmond Hill on Sunday for the holiday season. The banquet was organised by

community leaders and sponsored by several local businesses, IndoCaribbean Federation District Leader, Dr Taj Rajkumar, RHDC, Pan American Travel, and others.

It was a wonderful, entertainment-packed

holiday luncheon held at Villa Russo in the heart of the Indo/ Guyanese community at the Villa Russo Italian restaurant that made available its catering hall and staff free of charge.

George Russo gave a short talk wishing all

happy holidays.

The community organisers and sponsors provided the food and drinks.

It was done to show appreciation for the seniors who have had a very lonely life in America. As the organisers noted, in today’s society, senior citizens are often not treated with

the respect they deserve and it was great to bring them together for special honours and gifts for the holidays.

One of the scourges of old age is loneliness especially during the winter.

The holiday luncheon allows seniors to be out of their homes and to socialise with others they had not seen for some time.

The elderly had a most joyous time celebrating the yuletide season and the end of the year.

The elderly did a lot for us as children growing up and it was a terrific gesture honouring and treating them well.

The event included a traditional Guyanese luncheon, with seasonal music and dancing interspersed with speeches.

Big party

This is the eight consecutive year of the luncheon that was initiated

by Frank Singh, the IndoCaribbean Fed and others. It started very small with just a few dozen seniors. But this year saw some 500 persons being feted in Richmond Hill and the guests included several non-Indians and non-Guyanese from

the greater Richmond Hill area as well as from Brooklyn.

The event helps to promote partnerships between businesses and the local communities as a gesture of goodwill to the elderly and their families. It was funded by donations from several businesses and a host of volunteers who worked very hard to put together the programme and organise gifts for everyone.

The hall was transformed into a festively decorated atmosphere with balloons, trimmings and buntings and other party favours and Christmas paraphernalia.

Villa Russo had a Christmas tree and other decorative items, providing an atmosphere of festive fervour and celebration for the elderly citizens.

Fried rice, chowmein, dhal puri, curried meats, jerk chicken an assortment of vegetarian dishes, cakes, kheer, salad, fruits and drinks were served.

The senior citizens enthusiastically cheered the singers and dancers who performed at the luncheon.

Oswald Singh passes away

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opular radio announcer Oswald Singh, one of the great voices of Guyanese radio, died on Monday evening at the Woodlands Hospital after a brief illness.

Singh, at the time of his passing, was employed at Radio Guyana Inc (RGI) 89.3/ 89.5/ 89.7 FM, headquartered at Camp and Quamina streets, Georgetown.

Prior to his engagement at RGI, he was employed at the National Communications Network (NCN).

The management and staff of Guyana Times / TVG/ RGI extend condolences to his family.

General Manager (GM) Daniel Singh expressed profound sadness at the news of his passing and said the radio fraternity and the

Oswald Singh

country have lost a fine son of the soil. “He will be remembered for the joy and upliftment he brought listeners,� he said. The GM also conveyed his deepest sympathies to the family and relatives of Singh during this time of bereavement.

Funeral announcements will be made at a later date.

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Josiah served his country well – President Ramotar

President Donald Ramotar addressing the huge gathering at the funeral service of the late Derrick Josiah at the Uitvlugt Community Centre Ground

A

ssistant Police Commissioner and A Division Commander Derrick Josiah was described as a man of dignity who served his country without fear and prejudice as he was laid to rest on Saturday afternoon.

As thousands flocked the Uitvlugt Community Centre ground to pay their last respects to the fallen lawman, President Donald Ramotar, reflecting on the life of Josiah, said he served his country well.

Ramotar remembered the former com-

mander as a very organised individual, who was always willing to serve above and beyond the call of duty.

He spoke about his interactions with Josiah, recalling that he inquired from Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell about his health a day before his passing, and was told that he was recuperating well.

“I was surprised to have heard about the sudden passing of our colleague,” Ramotar said.

Opposition Leader David Granger, while

At left: President Donald Ramotar, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, Guyana Defence Force Chief-of-Staff, Brigadier Mark Phillips, Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell and Opposition Leader David Granger (right) were among those who attended the funeral of the late Derrick Josiah

expressing deep sympathy to the bereaved family, called on the Guyana Police to sternly address the issue of road deaths.

Josiah was a victim of a road accident.

Lesson

“I can hope and pray that the Guyana Police Force can understand that too many people are dying on Guyana’s roads and if there are any lessons from the life of Derrick Josiah, should be determination to drastically reduce the number of deaths on the roads.”

Granger posited that he has heard very heart rendering tributes about the former command-

er and he too, without any hesitation, can relate to them, describing Josiah as a brave man, a man who has served his community and country well.

He also called on the youths in the various communities to emulate the life of the great man.

Brumell said the police force has lost an icon, pointing to Josiah’s body as it laid in the casket draped with the flag of the force.

“The body of the man who is in front of us was tied to us like the links of a fallen chain that cannot be broken… how can we say that Josiah is gone… How can we say

that he will not walk the green earth again… how can we say that he is dead… he is not dead, he is with us to eternity.”

He said Josiah participated in a number of overseas training and engagements on behalf of the Guyana Police Force, representing Guyana with distinction.

He climbed the ladder with speed and had a very bright future ahead of him, Brumell said of the former commander, who served the police force for 28 years.

A true professional

Guyana Defence Force Chief-of-Staff, Brigadier Mark Phillips praised Josiah for his

professionalism and more so for being a family man.

He said Josiah will be remembered not only for his intellect, but also for his warmth as a human being.

There were other tributes done by persons that were close to the former police commander in the form of songs, poems and dances.

Josiah joined the Guyana Police Force on August 22, 1985 as a constable and served in various capacities with distinction, the last being as commander of A Division. He was laid to rest at the Uitvlugt Burial Ground.

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FEATURE

week ending December 29, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana trip shifts Greenfield pastor’s worldview

W

hen Dennis LeBlanc, a former minister who now directs Greenfield’s Pastoral Counselling Centre, was packing his bags in midOctober for three weeks in Guyana, with shorts, t-shirts and other gears for the South American country just north of the equator, he had to remind himself that this trip was not a vacation.

The brief visit to the English-speaking tropical country was instead a chance to see firsthand what it would be like to volunteer in a Third World country, helping a longtime friend from seminary who has been travelling to the former British colony for the past nine years.

LeBlanc got a taste of the culture along with the strengths and failings of the country by joining his retired friend, who spends three months a year teaching psychology and related subjects to nursing students at Mercy Hospital in the capital, Georgetown, while also volunteering at an orphanage there.

For the 67-yearold LeBlanc, who had travelled to Egypt and Israel and had volun-

teered in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, what he described as his first experience in a true Third World country gave him a fresh perspective on the world.

Hospitality

Describing the hourlong taxi ride the first Sunday on his arrival, LeBlanc wrote in an email to friends, how the driver “warmly greeted me and talked the whole way... only stopping, when he pulled over to a roadside fruit stand and told the owner something in the distance — the owner then pulling out a machete and proceeding to carve up a coconut from his stand. The driver put a straw in the hole and then handed it to me, saying, ‘Welcome to Guyana my new friend. I hope your stay is a good one.’ Trying to pay for his kindness, I quickly halted as he said, ‘It’s a gift — no pay for gift here.’”

LeBlanc, a licensed marriage and family therapist as well as pastoral counsellor, led a “Relationship 101” workshop for the 17 young nursing students at the hospital, many of whom had already experienced abuse and bad romantic encounters.

Dennis LeBlanc, a former minister who now directs Greenfield’s Pastoral Counselling Centre, spends time with a little girl who is an orphan in Guyana

During his visit, from October 19 to November 9, LeBlanc also volunteered at the St John Bosco Orphanage for Boys just outside Georgetown, where he was one of few men and was known as “Father Dennis” by the boys, mostly six and sevenyear-olds, he kept company playing board games and by being surprised by their creativity.

Heart rendering

“I was really there kind of watching them play, as an observer,” he said. “I didn’t want to go as the American who knows all the rights and wrongs. The kids are the saddest of populations for me. It touched my

heart to see what they don’t have. But they’re also the most resourceful,” playing intricate running games and version of marbles played with far-flung bottle caps.

“I let them be the teachers of me, following their leads, and they seemed to have pride and joy doing that,” said LeBlanc, who found that the boys also had a fascination for his camera and photos he and they could take with it.

After playing games like “Snakes and Ladders” in an outdoor pavilion during a surprise torrential rainstorm, LeBlanc observed, “They wanted a hovering adult to say what rules are. They’re craving structure, to not have to be in charge of their lives and having some adult saying, ‘It’s safe enough for you just to be a kid.’”

LeBlanc, who was not paid but got to share a simple apartment with

his friend on the hospital grounds, described squalid conditions where no one dared drink the water and even hospital rest rooms lacked toilet paper or paper towels “because people would steal them”.

In an email, he wrote, “There is no relief here — from the heat, humidity, torrential downpours ... or from the poverty, pain, unemployment, corruption, garbage, congestion, noise, danger, illness... and on.

Relief is a concept very few can afford. ... These are not temporary problems that come and go like our seasons. They are their perpetual state of affairs, that people today have inherited from their forebears, and now those children are also destined to have as the reality of their lives.”

Depressing After a visit to Guyana’s only “Mad House,” as it is called by locals, LeBlanc lamented, “What we saw there defies description... But I will say that the filth, squalour, poverty and disregard for human life, made me embarrassed to be part of the human race. That we can warehouse people in such a fashion, and hide them away so that who knows who they are, where they are, how they are doing, is a travesty. And to bring a smile to their face or show comfort and compassion for a few moments, does little to soothe my sadness.”

And yet LeBlanc also shares glimpses of Guyanese hospitality, like the bus driver who responded, “Nonsense” to a request by Canadian and American visitors for a restaurant stop after he had driven two hours to a hospital and back again. Instead, he pulled out his cell phone, called a Hindu friend, and had everyone invited to their home to share a celebration of the annual feast day, puja.

“For the next hour and a half, we ate, visited, were shown their ducks, chickens, fruit trees, flower garden ... and left filled with so much more than food!”

Overall, LeBlanc said of his three-week visit, “It was a sad and depressing experience, but their sense of gratitude for what they have in life was a slap upside the head for me.”

He’s still weighing whether he would return. “I can honestly say I don’t know,” he said, adding that he may be more inclined to help out from the U. S., whether it is by sending needed things to the orphanage or making other kinds of contributions.

“I’m thinking about it a lot. It’s shifted something inside of me that wants me to pay attention to my life here differently and to some part of a pocket of my experience down there. I don’t want to let either of those things go.” (Miami Herald)

NEWS

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week ending December 29, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Simply the Truth

More constructive suggestions

By Professor Daizal Samad

I

n the last column, we explored two constructive suggestions: 1. A new source of electrical power and potential spin-off. 2. A Special Victims Unit in the Guyana Police Force that would identify, prosecute, analyse, and prevent domestic violence and child abuse.

Let us add to that list.

Thanks to a few thinking senior law enforcement officers, we put together a new training regimen for police trainees at the Felix Austin Police College in B Division (Adventure).

The University of Guyana Berbice Campus (UGBC) implemented immediately.

New cops were trained in new areas: oral communication and mannerly conduct, written communication, police report writing, the fundamentals of law, first arrival medical treatment, conflict resolution and domestic violence, information technology, and so on.

This was a week-long intensive training at UGBC. Our several good lecturers, former police trainers, lawyers, magistrates, civic and religious leaders volunteered their time and expertise.

Free! We should continue this and expand it. It would be relatively easy to have a fully computerised system connecting all police stations and outposts with a consolidated database of crimes, criminal activity, convicted criminals, and potential perpetrators. Where, when, who, how! Crime happens in Skeldon, Anna Regina knows promptly.

This too can be expanded.

Let us have a rotation system for active ranks to retrain and refresh them.

With measureable excellence upon completion, they are rewarded with bonuses and promotion. Importantly, the best and brightest could be granted scholarships for higher education with higher promotions in sight.

Let us implement a tracking system for law enforcement officers. We then know who are serving where, in what capacities, and how well. We design Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that would assist in the tracking.

And then we have a full degree programme in Senior Police Management at UG. This has been designed already at UGBC, but UGBC cannot implement this – yet.

Any rank from sergeant up, would be eligible for entry into the degree programme. This would not have to take the old UG (well, 1800s UK) system which would spend four years to complete.

There will be credit hour rewards for experience, other training locally and internationally, rank seniority, and other certification. The degree could be done in as little as two years.

We could ask for assistance from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), and other proven international law enforcement agencies. No need for this old semester-long system.

Let us use the spring-and-extended-session system.

It is back-breaking and intensive, but good. The greatest gainers would be law-abiding citizens. The only losers would be criminals or potential criminals.

Another constructive suggestion from this small column. In Rose Hall Town, there are horses. Five or six at a time. They are geldings or wasted mares, bay and one grey. Around the clock, they graze on an empty patch of land. While they wait for death, they are tormented by bored children, pelted by care-takers, and beaten with sticks. They trot away from it all, and resume their grazing, wasting away.

Their coats are spotted with sores, their eyes clotted with puss, their heads hung down with defeat. And yet, they are gentle. And yet, there is old musculature that seems to remind them that they were once useful and admired. They have more beauty and remembered power and present grace than those two-legged things around them.

It is (or should be) well known that animals are good company for children.

Just to be around these noble creatures brings joy and relief to children. All children, but especially the handicapped.

How about this crazy idea? We go to the owner of these horses and to these important chaps that own all these abandoned race horses. These fine things are not even lead ponies (we still do not have those in Guyana, to my knowledge). At best, they get sold away as dray cart things, as beasts of burden.

So let us create a riding school. Someone donates a small piece of land, the community builds simple paddocks, the children and parents pay a small sum to ride, and the kids have the sheer pleasure of taking care of the horses. Under supervision, they bathe them, dry them off, feed them, brush them, and love them.

It is truly fabulous therapy for children, parents, and the animals. In this simple way, we can re-build families, heal children, and learn to care for each other as we care for animals.

I am confident that these many ministries will come on board.

Miss Guyana Universe fetes Linden children

M

iss Guyana Universe 2013/ 2014 Katherina Roshana has described her recent outreach to children of the Cheshire Home-Young Voices in Linden, Region 10, as an exhilarating and exciting experience.

Roshana said on receiving the invitation to contribute to the Christmas Fund of the Cheshire Homes-Young Voices, she felt she wished to do more than making a mere monetary contribution or of some article.

Miss Guyana Universe, who is also Miss India Guyana 2013 and the Miss India Worldwide 2013 Most Beautiful Skin awardee, said she decided to treat the children, as she is the spokesperson for The Step by Step School, where children who suffer from autism (a neurological disorder) are educated.

Roshana has been speaking locally and internationally to make people aware of the need to love these children, and to give them a sound education. She said disabled children need more love and attention than normal children.

Speaking about the children at the Cheshire Home, Roshana said de-

Miss Guyana Universe 2013/2014 Katherina Roshana with the children of the Cheshire Home-Young Voices in Linden

spite their disabilities which include sight impairment and blindness, cerebral palsy and voice impairment, among others, the beautiful children are “bubbling with ambition and full of zest for life”, and many wish also one day to serve humanity, and be useful members of society.

Roshana became extremely emotional, especially when it was time for her to return to Atlantic Gardens. The children held on to her and asked why she was leaving.

Roshana, Guyana’s celebrated beauty queen, who is popularly referred

to as “Guyana’s Diamond Girl”, decided to use her personal money to treat the children of the charitable home.

The beauty queen said she wished she could have met more people and the leaders of Linden.

She learned that Linden is a family and Lindeners look out for each other, a philosophy she cherishes.

Roshana is also an international ambassador of world peace and firmly believes in the oneness of mankind.

The children were fed a wholesome and delicious meal, drinks and juices, and snacks. They played games, sang songs

and were very jubilant.

But most of all, they were excited to see the Miss Guyana Universe, who is sponsored by the NEW GPC/ Limacol, decked in her sash and crown. She told them stories, played and danced with them.

Many songs were sung, but two were specifically dedicated to Roshana by Teshawn Rodney, 17. He sang for her “Christmas Holiday”, and his own favourite “Gallery”, which caused the queen to shed tears of joy. She was thanked by Shewan (only name given), one of the students and a facilitator of the event.

Pepsi Dream prize winner wings out for Beyoncé concert W inner of the Pepsi Dream Prize Promotion Brian Persaud of Berbice and a guest have left for the all expenses paid VIP experience trip/ concert in New York City to witness the world renowned musician Beyoncé, live in concert.

The Pepsi Dream Prize Promotion, which commenced on August 16 and concluded on the September 26, saw one lucky Pepsi consumer and a guest being given the opportunity to see Beyoncé perform live at the final show of the “Mrs Carter World Tour” held over the weekend in New York City.

Persaud turned out the eventual winner at the final draw of the promotion which was held on September 28 at DSL Cash and Carry, Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

The winner, Brian Persaud, who submit-

Brian Persaud and a guest at the John F Kennedy Airport upon arrival in the U.S.

ted more than 300 entries, and a guest have received an all inclusive trip for the music VIP experience which includes two VIP concert tickets, a recording stu-

dio experience, accommodation at the Marriott Marquis Hotel Times Square for four days and three nights, airfare and spending money.

In December 2012,

Pepsi announced a wideranging global collaboration with Beyoncé. Pepsi in a release at that time explained that the collaboration would include the development of new content and innovative ways to engage fans, consumers and retailers to benefit both the Pepsi brand and Beyoncé.

As a brand ambassador, Beyoncé has appeared in print and outof-home advertisements for Pepsi. She has also been visible in-store through materials such as shelf promotions, instore displays and instore advertising. Pepsi has had a relationship with Beyoncé for more than a decade, first serving as a spokesperson in 2002.

The Beyoncé partnership is a leading example of how Pepsi is pioneering a new way for brands to engage with musical artistes, moving from sponsorship to partnership.

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News

week ending December 29, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

U. S. lauds corporate community’s response to HIV/ AIDS fight

U

.S. Ambassador to Guyana, D Brent Hardt has lauded the work of the Guyana Business Coalition on HIV/ AIDS (GBCHA) for its sustained efforts in reducing the disease while mobilising resources through the local private sector even as donor funds dry up.

Hardt was delivering key remarks at the coalition’s private corporate breakfast earlier this month at the Pegasus Hotel.

Hardt, who commended the coalition for its efforts in leveraging resources from the private sector to match existing donor funds, said “In 2008, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) launched a partnership to combat HIV/ AIDS with Guyana’s private sector. It did so out of recognition that private companies must play a central role in a successful and sustained response to the disease.”

Partnership

Following a four-year partnership, USAID made the decision in March 2012 to tran-

Winners and some of the sponsors of the GBCHA raffle

sition its private sector HIV/ AIDS support programme to the ownership of the Guyana Business Coalition on HIV/ AIDS. This decision was based on the confidence the coalition had the inhouse capacity to manage these programmes successfully.

“I am pleased to say today that over the past 18 months, the private sector did not disappoint. In fact, you have continued to leverage the resources necessary to sustain these critical activities,” Ambassador Hardt said in his remarks.

Ambassador Hardt stated that the coalition served as a model for the country and the region while reminding the gathering that “creating

an AIDS-free generation was a shared responsibility.”

The breakfast meeting, held on December 10, focused on the theme “Inspiring Compassionate Leadership in the Workplace and Beyond”.

The participants, who included members of the diplomatic corps and private sector representatives, were welcomed by GBCHA Vice Chairperson Delmar Tobin.

The meeting was a time for members to reflect on the successes of the local private sector in response to HIV and to address the issues of “country ownership” in regard to the changing HIV/ AIDS response.

In his opening remarks, Tobin remind-

ed the audience that the private sector played a key role in HIV prevention programmes through their workplace programmes. He encouraged attendees to stay committed to the fight against HIV/ AIDS in the workplace, community and at the national level by continuing their support of the National AIDS Programme (NAPS) and nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) that are engaged in helping to reduce and prevent HIV/ AIDS.

Progress

Tobin highlighted the progress made in the reduction of stigma and discrimination over the years and called on partners in the private sector to continue to seek collaborative and innovative ways to fill the re-

Opposition seeks back door executive power via Parliament – Dr Luncheon

H

ead of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon said that the parliamentary opposition is using the National Assembly to exercise executive powers which they were denied of when they lost the 2011 elections.

Dr Luncheon made this statement last Wednesday at his weekly post-Cabinet briefing.

According to the Cabinet secretary, this is shown at every sitting of the National Assembly when the combined opposition refuses to pass or consider key bills which will see the development of Guyana.

He noted that the three bills which the opposition previously refused to approve were allowed to be considered for a second time in the 10th Parliament. These are the Anti- Money Laundering Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/ CFT) Act Amendment Bill, the Firearms Amendment Bill and the Evidence Act Amendment Bill.

“Guyanese must be aware that the opposition, presented with the identical opportunity of considering resubmitted bills, inflicted the same fate on those bills as when they were initially submitted. One which we should not forget and for which Guyanese will forever suffer is the Amaila Falls Hydro-Power Bill,” the Cabinet

Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon

secretary said.

Luncheon went on to say that the tabling of financial papers one, two and three was another opportunity for them to display their misconceived belief that the Parliament performs executive functions in Guyana.

He explained that this is a “terrible misconception” which the opposition continues to embrace despite court rulings and constitutional provisions to the country.

False sense of authority

The Cabinet secretary also noted that the parliamentary motions and resolutions have been presented as executive fiat, a ploy

that Cabinet absolutely rejects.

“Parliamentary resolution and parliamentary motions can never replace nor substitute for executive authority… the government policy consummately deals with contracts with obligations, national development policy, image of Guyana, all of which mean very little to the current parliamentary opposition,” he stated.

Dr Luncheon added that recklessness and caprice have now characterised the opposition’s decision-making process; however, he pointed out that a more sinister aspect of the opposition current behaviour is the refusal to consider, hear and even listen to the voices of the Guyanese people. This, he noted was shown in their refusal to hear the petition of the Private Sector Commission.

“The opposition rejected the opportunity to hear their voices at the time of consideration of the Anti-Money Laundering Act Amendment Bill, now it’s the Cricket Administration Bill and the petition by thousands of cricket lovers in Guyana,” Dr Luncheon mentioned.

The Cabinet secretary pondered and asked Guyanese to consider what would happen if the opposition parties are allowed to have executive power given the behaviour which they unashamedly and willfully adopted in Parliament without any power.

source gap which exists.

The GBCHA vicechair also thanked members of the coalition and international partners like the United States Agency for International D e v e l o p m e n t / President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (USAID/ PEPFAR) for investing in the GBCHA which now fosters partnerships with members and other stakeholders.

Tobin pointed out that while the GBCHA will continue to forge partnerships in the multi- sectoral response to HIV, the organisation has also used the lessons learnt in its HIV prevention programmes to address gender-based violence and other issues.

He disclosed that this expanded mission has initiated discussion about a potential name change for the organisation as it continues in its transition to expand its mission beyond HIV/ AIDS. During the meeting, there was also a panel discussion moderated by the GBCHA Executive Director Suzanne French.

Panellists included UNAID Country Director,

Dr Roberto Campos; USAID Population, Health and Nutrition Officer, Dr Oleksander Cherkas; International Labour Organisation Project Coordinator Sean Wilson; and Pan Caribbean Partnership Against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP) Coordinating Unit Director Dereck Springer.

Response

The moderator opened the brief session by stating that as the response to HIV evolves, the terms “country ownership” and “sustainable response” were more frequently used. The panel was asked to envisage the role of the private sector in country ownership and sustainability.

What can the private sector do to advance country ownership and sustainability?

Dr Campos began his response by reflecting on the feeling of hope that is evident today as compared to 15 years ago.

He urged that investment be made now in order to end AIDS. Dr Campos said sustainability of the gains so far should be made a priority.

Biker dies after crashing into pole

BY ANDREW CARMICHAEL

P

olice are investigation the circumstances surrounding the death of a Cotton Tree, West Coast Berbice man whose lifeless body was picked up on the public road about 03: 30h on Sunday.

According to a police press release, about 03: 20h, Fazal Baksh, 37, of Cotton Tree, was driving a motor cycle along the main road at D’Edward Village, West Coast Berbice, when he lost control of the vehicle and collided with a utility pole.

The release said he suffered injuries and was pronounced dead on arrival at the Fort Wellington Hospital.

According to the dead man’s cousin Mohamed Shakoor, Baksh had met him the night before at a wedding and they had a good time.

“We drink bout six beers each and dance up an about two o’ clock I lef and go home.” The cousin explained that Baksh was “a little intoxicated”.

According to him, about 03: 00h, police vis-

Fizal Baksh

ited the wedding and ordered that the music be turned off.

His mother Latifan Shakoor, who is the dead man’s aunt, told this publication that about the same time Baksh came to her home asking for Mohamed, he was asleep. She said he left and did not head in the direction of his home, but went towards the Rosignol Ferry Stelling.

Reports are that moments later, the father of three was heading home when he met his demise.

“When I get there, I see police and a couple people,” another relative said, noting that Baksh’s face was covered with blood while the motorcycle was damaged.

“The head lamp and other lights on the bike were broken. And the helmet, a few feet away, break in four pieces.”

23 Joint Services get one month tax-free bonus A news

week ending December 29, 2013

s is customary, all members of the Joint Services, in addition to receiving their five per cent increase, will also benefit from a one month taxfree Christmas bonus.

The announcement was made by commander-in-chief of the armed forces, President Donald Ramotar on Friday at Camp Ayanganna, when he and Prime Minister Samuel Hinds joined members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) for their annual Christmas luncheon.

The announcement was received with loud cheers, more so, when the president said that he had advised the finance minister to make the payment before Christmas Day. President Ramotar said that he was hopeful that the bonus will contribute to the officers enjoying the holidays, and that they can begin the new year fully refreshed

President Donald Ramotar and Prime Minister Samuel Hinds greet soldiers at the GDF Christmas luncheon

and hopefully reinvigorated to carry out their work.

He noted that serving in the Joint Services is a “noble way” to serve the country, and for that, all Guyanese are grateful.

The president also expressed the view that greater emphasis must be placed on training and professionalism in the army.

Changing world

“The world is chang-

ing scientifically,... and therefore it becomes imperative that we train our force to make it even more disciplined and professional and with all the other disciplines that are necessary to create a modern army,” he said.

He advised that the training not be limited to military life but must also to support life after the army. “So when our soldiers would have left the army, they can con-

tinue to make a valuable contribution to development of the country, by acquiring skills and by lifting their educational standards within the Guyana Defence Force,” he said.

Investment

President Ramotar also called on the soldiers to take care with the equipment supplied to the army. He pointed out that government spends millions on the equipment to ensure the

| guyanatimeSinternational.com

President Donald Ramotar serving soldiers at the Christmas luncheon at Base Camp Ayanganna

army remains efficient and effective, and damaging these only places greater demand on the finite resources available to government that could have been expended elsewhere, bringing greater service to the people.

Army Chief-of-Staff, Brigadier Mark Phillips noted that 2013 was a good year for the army.

He described it as one where the officers and

ranks continue to serve Guyana, defend and maintain law and order, the Constitution and the way of life, and protect the national interest.

This is Brigadier Phillip’s first luncheon as chief-of-staff with the soldiers, having been appointed to the position in September. He said the change has been seamless and the force remains a professional organisation.

Recruitment agency finds jobs for 2548 Region Two chairman slams power

G

overnment said its recruitment agency has helped to secure jobs for more than 2000 people so far this year.

Speaking at a news conference last week, Labour Minister, Dr Nanda Gopaul said that from the 2954 persons who registered for jobs between January to December this year, the ministry’s Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency was able to find jobs for 2548.

Dr Gopaul said that this year has seen an average number of job placements compared to previous years.

The minister said in 2011, of the 2919 persons registered for jobs, 2009 were placed at various agencies and in 2012 when 2825 persons registered, 2865 received gainful employment.

Categories

The categories of work for which these persons were placed during this year include clerical and office support, supervisors, typist clerks, customer service representatives and receptionists.

In the case of craft and related work, persons were given jobs as welders, drivers, fitter machinists, mechanics and machines operators.

Meanwhile, for the skilled, semi-skilled and unclassified categories, persons were placed as factory workers, cleaners, sales clerks, labourers, security officers, bag bay attendant, porters,

Labour Minister, Dr Nanda Gopaul

counter clerks, masons and carpenters.

In addition to the work of the manpower agency, Dr Gopaul disclosed the figures for persons trained by the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) under the National Training Project for Youth Empowerment (NTPYE). A total of 1537 persons were certified, of which 646 were males and 891 were females.

Some 492 persons were trained in engineering, 45 in electrical work, 77 in building construction, 220 in health services, 513 in home economics and 190 in information technology.

Further, in the single parent training programme, a total of 447 persons were certified.

Approximately 113 persons also underwent training with the Guyana Forestry Commission and 112 attended the Guyana Sugar Corporation’s (GuySuCo) evening classes and were trained in various technical areas.

The minister said

that during the course of the year, employers were clamouring for workers registered by the agency.

According to him, the job areas that employers are seeking to fill are commercial workers such as sales personnel, clerical staff and security personnel.

The agency has been unable to meet those demands for employers. On the other hand, Minister Gopaul said that while massive improvements is being made to have persons of all age and creed employed, his ministry is still to ascertain the level of unemployment here.

He said that this information will be provided when the Guyana National Bureau of Statistics completes compiling data of the census conducted in 2012.

Underemployment

In addressing the issues of underemployment for thousands of University of Guyana graduates, the minister said that there is a need to have students counselled before choosing a programme that will benefit them in the long run.

Dr Gopaul stated that too many persons are pursuing studies in the business and social sciences, for which there are limited vacancies and job opportunities.

The labour minister said that persons should instead seek to pursue studies in areas that are more marketable such as information technology and natural sciences.

company over constant blackouts

the GPL staff at Anna Regina, but had to suffer the indignity of giving them false hope.

BY INDRAWATTIE NATRAM

R

egion Two C h a i r m a n Parmanand Persaud has expressed deep dissatisfaction with the poor and slow effort by the Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) in restoring power on the Essequibo Coast.

Persaud, during an interview with Guyana Times International, said he is frustrated over the situation and called on GPL to get its act together.

Region Two on Saturday suffered a 12- hour blackout on Saturday less than two weeks ago after having to put up with a 48- hour power outage.

Since power was restored to the region after the two-day power outage, Region Two residents were greeted with frequent blackouts, but apart from Region Two, Georgetown and other areas on the coastland have been enduring the ‘fairy-lights’ ordeal.

On a visit to the GPL power station at Anna Regina on Saturday, Persaud said he was told by officers there that they are fixing the problem and all will be good before the end of Sunday.

Difficult to comprehend

But the regional chairman is finding the explanation difficult to comprehend, noting that he cannot believe that

Hurting businesses

Region Two Chairman Parmanand Persaud

GPL is taking more than 12 hours to fix a simple problem.

According to Persaud, he was told by the officers that a power card was damaged resulting in the shutdown.

He said the card has to come from the Geogetown head office and would take five minutes to install.

But 18 hours after the blackout, GPL did not install the card, and this Persaud said speaks to the level of inefficiency of the power company in handling the plight of Region Two residents.

The regional chairman said he had received numerous calls from the business community inquiring from him about the blackout, noting that he had promised them that all will be well soon, based on the advice of

Meanwhile, the unstable power situation continues to hurt businesses on the Essequibo Coast. The power company last week in a statement had said that power supply is back to near normalcy. But up to Sunday, poultry farmers said they are being forced to sell “live” chicken since they cannot say whether there will be a daily power supply.

One poultry farmer, Jean Samaroo said she is losing on her chickens since she cannot pluck them due to frequent power outages.

Samaroo related that she earns more from plucked chicken but due to the unreliable power supply, plucking is a risk. Many offices on Wednesday were unable to function due to the black out.

In a statement last week, GPL said all remedial work on the 11kV busbar at the Anna Regina generating station had been completed and power supply has returned to a state of near normalcy.

According to the company, intermittent outages are, however, still being experienced as faults develop in its distribution network as a result of high winds.

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News

week ending December 29, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

APNU/ AFC's position on Berbice Bridge amounts to nationalization – Govt

T

he recent attacks

by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) on several developmental projects have been viewed a ploy by the opposition to damage the local investment climate.

Several opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) have strongly criticised the Marriott Project, the Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Project, the Specialty Hospital, the Cheddi Jagan Internationa Airport Expansion, and of late, the toll structure of the Berbice River Bridge.

The opposition is seeking through a parliamentary motion to reduce the tolls to cross the bridge. On the latter, a prominent Berbice executive said the security for all of the investors in the Berbice River Bridge is the Berbice River Bridge Act and the concession agreement issued pursuant to this act.

“One of the most important parts of the concession agreement is the BBCI (Berbice Bridge Corporation Inc) right to collect tolls and to have the tolls adjusted to cover its expenditure.

The order made by the minister of public works with respect to the tolls for the Berbice Bridge is based on the Berbice River Bridge Act.

Toll orders

“Two toll orders were

Season of goodwill?

APNU Leader David Granger

made by the minister – Order Number 42 of 2008 published in the Official Gazette on December 22, 2008, the month the bridge started operations and Order Number 23 of 2009 published in the Official Gazette on November 26, 2009,” the official said.

Since the bridge started operations in December 2008, the tolls have not gone up.

Without investors having the confidence in the rule of law and the state honouring the toll orders referred to above, any serious investor will be turned away.

The investors include the top five commercial banks in Guyana; insurance companies; pension funds; the National Insurance Scheme (NIS); the New Building Society (NBS); and major corporate investors.

Excluding the NIS (which some consider

APNU Member of Parliament Joseph Harmon

quasi-government); all of the investors in the Berbice Bridge are private.

Breakeven

With the existing tolls, the BBCI is only at a breakeven position, the official said, noting that to date, the common shareholders have not received a single cent of dividend.

To date, only the interest returns on the debt (bonds and subordinate loan stock) and the dividend on the preferred shares to NIS have been paid. The Berbice Bridge has not started paying back principal on any of its debt.

“If the opposition’s motion were to be implemented, it would amount to a form of nationalisation or expropriation and would send shockwaves through the investment community. It would amount to a fundamen-

Alliance For Change (AFC) Leader Khemraj Ramjattan

tal breach of the concession agreement issued to BBCI and violate the Investment Act. “Every investor would then be forced to write down their asset as the likelihood of payment of interest, much less principal, would be impaired.

“To make matters worse, this opposition’s political attack on the tolls of the Berbice Bridge will jeopardise the ability to have the proposed new Demerara Bridge funded as a private sector project.

“In order for the new Demerara Bridge to be financed by the private sector, investors will have to be confident that they can collect the tolls from users crossing the bridge.

"The right to collect tolls is a right derived from legislation (similar to the Berbice Bridge),” he said.

Relatives want probe into skeletal remains found at Bath A post-mortem is expected to be performed on the skeletal remains of Sookram Ragabir, called “Baayun”, which were discovered last Thursday on a vacant plot of land in a clump of bushes at Waterloo, Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice.

The man had been missing since August. He was never reported as a missing person. According to his sister Rohanie Dkharam, he did odd jobs and most of the times stayed at the place where he worked.

According to her, in August, he was working with the owner of a supermarket performing security duties.

Missing

She said her brother had been doing that job for several months and they only learnt that he was missing after the owner of the supermarket came in August to ask if he was at home.

She said the supermarket owner was preparing for a wedding and was seeking his assistance to cut bamboo. “But we tell him that Baayun is with him so he can’t

Deceased: Sookram Ragabir

come and ask for him.”

It was then she explained that family members started a search.

She said they searched several villages and worksites for months.

Another sister, Jasmattie Dkharram noted that the search took them to New Amsterdam.

“Somebody tell us that he might be in the National Psychiatric

Hospital and so we went there and look.”

Dkharam said on another occasion, they visited ‘old folks’ home in New Amsterdam in search of her brother.

According to her, her now dead brother did have some abnormalities.

She said it was a male cousin who called on Thursday and said that they found somebody’s skeleton.

According to Dkharam, when he arrived on the scene, he told investigators that his brother-in-law had been missing and provided some details.

When Guyana Times International visited the area on Sunday, the unpleasant smell was still evident.

Dkharam is of the view that there are still other bones in the area and wants all of them to be buried properly.

Ragabir leaves to mourn three sisters and one brother.

He would have celebrated his birthday on Thursday. Police are investigating the matter.

.. in the capital So here was your Eyewitness all ready for a nice, juicy show-and-tell drama in Parliament, and all that took place was the basic humdrum name-calling and aspersion- casting exercise we call “parliamentary sittings”.

We’re referring, of course, to the People’s National Congress (PNC), now A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) faithful, Volda Lawrence, clearing the mud and innuendoes that’ve been cast on her good name.

You remember? The poor woman took ill during the previous “sitting”. Now if you’ve ever been exposed to the parliamentary rigmarole you’ll appreciate its almost impossible not to get sick there. In fact, most visitors, like your Eyewitness, leave the chamber, sick to their stomachs for what passes for “debate”. They make your average fourth form debate team look like the Oxford Union in full flow.

After Volda took sick, she evidently became disoriented and couldn’t signal her votes properly. As a result, she didn’t toe the line along with the rest of her colleagues on a number of votes. Like the Specialty Hospital, on which APNU is doing some collegial backscratching for the Alliance For Change (AFC).

Most PNC and APNU people would like to have the Specialty Hospital. They remember well when Comrade Robert Corbin had to be medivacked out of Guyana some time ago with a heart condition. They’re all getting on in years, and know that the bell may roll for them anytime.

But Khemraj Ramjattan’s client had lost out on the bid to build the hospital and you know you don’t become a “client” until money has changed hands. In some cases, we’re talking suitcases of money. So it’s not surprising that APNU’s horse-trading and backscratching mightn’t have gone down well with all the old heads... who remember the PNC is supposed to talk development also.

But David Granger, ever determined to maintain discipline, insisted that Volda be “investigated”. He was in so many words saying Volda had been bought. Not by the AFC – they’d already bought APNU’s support as explained – but by the PPP/ C. Your Eyewitness had wondered how the heck Granger’s “investigation” would proceed.

The doctor in the house – a PNC one at that – had already affirmed that Volda’d been sick.

Were they going to pull her (manicured) nails out?

Administer a truth serum, like in the Jason Bourne saga? Anyhow, Granger backed down and the official line was to ask the clerk to clarify why one of Volda’s silences had been interpreted as “yes”. On her hospital vote, all, including Granger, were silent. ... in natural resources In the wake of the public hounding he’s been subjected to by the opposition and its media handmaidens – Stabber and Muckraker mainly – on the survey permit extended to Muri Brazil, Natural Resources Minister Robert Persaud has come out swinging. Literally.

He threw out an open challenge to “any group, be it the media, environmental group or be it any political party... to enter into a public debate and let them set it up any place, any time with any one, on all the issues raised...” Now if there are any takers, with all the red herrings dragged into the issue, that’s going to be a long debate. There are the environmental claims.

Seems that in addition to former President Bharrat Jagdeo offering to have a fixed, minimal programme of deforestation – which is monitored by satellites – and the granting of Iwokrama, the largest forest reserve in the world by former President Desmond Hoyte, there are folks out there who believe we must leave the entire New River Triangle untouched! Then there’s the “security” concern... the imperative not to get big, bad Suriname riled up and of course, the elephant in the forest – claims that the minister lied to the parliamentary committee. ... by public servants Public servants are the only ones who’ve demonstrated any appreciation for the Christmas spirit. For the protest march called by their union, less than 100 showed up, including officials. The others were busy making their black cakes and ginger beer.

News

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week ending December 29, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Luncheon blasts U. S. ambassador for proceeding with governance project

C

abinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon has sharply criticised the decision by U. S. Ambassador D Brent Hardt to implement a governance project or aspects of it, under the auspices of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), despite strong objections

by Cabinet.

Addressing the issue during a television interview, Dr Luncheon said that the matter was engaging the highest levels of government in no uncertain terms.

“This issue is an affront to Guyana’s sovereignty,” the cabinet secretary said.

He said it is essentially a challenge by the U. S. ambassador to ignore Cabinet’s disapproval, and implement elements of the project, not in any guise of having a discourse on the matter, but just to inform the government through the media of what position has been adopted by the American authorities.

“That is what at this point occupies the minds of the presidency and Cabinet,” said Dr

On December 19, a meeting was convened among President Donald Ramotar, Dr Luncheon and Ambassador Hardt.

It was noted by Dr Luncheon that, “The ambassador was not categorical in affirming to

U. S. Ambassador D Brent Hardt

Luncheon.

He said the U. S. ambassador’s resort to the media, in this case the Stabroek News, to declare his intentions of pursuing the project despite government’s position, borders on the “grossest disrespect and abuse of his diplomatic presence”.

Dr Luncheon said that all other “antecedent events” about the project can now be considered moot.

He insisted that the views by some sections of society that the governance project should be entertained and even implemented due to its

perceived importance are not the main issue.

“Cabinet made a decision, a definitive decision, that is where the matter ought to have ended,” said Dr Luncheon.

The USAID project was not approved by Cabinet and this was formally indicated to the relevant authorities on October 26, formally.

Unconfirmed reports later indicated that the USAID project activities were being implemented and Cabinet wrote to the U. S. ambassador, requesting clarity on the matter, reported the Government Information Agency (GINA).

the president and myself that yes, indeed, I have received confirmation of Cabinet’s disapproval, not withstanding which the American authorities have indeed continued to implement elements of the project.”

Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett has been mandated by Cabinet to ascertain if indeed the statements made by the U. S. ambassador are true as have been attributed to him.

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FEATURE

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Shameful that a media house can insult women and get away with it I

t is appalling how often women are being degraded and their fundamental rights are being infringed on in the media.

There is a trend in the Kaieteur News towards constantly degrading women and attacking their fundamental rights.

Kaieteur News has a fetish for attacking peo-

ple who they perceive to be supportive of the government.

Their attacks usually are libellous, racist, sexist and vulgar and this mode of attack is in lieu of them not being able to make a logical case against their target.

Target

Their latest target is Town Clerk Carol

Sooba and on December 16 –– it was vulgar and, by any standards, exceeded the limits that even an unfair and absolutely biased newspaper sets itself. They were targeting Sooba for ridicule. Guyana is a free country and we are certain there are civilised ways to ridicule someone.

Questioning some-

Town Clerk Carol Sooba

one’s qualification for a job does not give you a right to ridicule and call the person a prostitute. It is wrong and all groups that claim they exist to promote and protect the fundamental rights of women cannot fail to see the injustice in this wicked piece of journalism.

The biased nature of Kaieteur News is not the point of our contention.

Kaieteur News has disrespected women many times before. Some time ago, Kaieteur News ridiculed another woman who occupies a senior position in government.

It was another vulgar piece of journalism and society must demand

Education Minister Priya Manickchand

Government Chief Whip Gail Teixeira

adherence to common decency.

What we also find appalling is the silence from organisations that supposedly exist and get financial support to promote and protect the interests of women.

Whether or not Sooba is a legitimate candidate for the position of town clerk, no one has a right to attack her in the vile manner that Kaieteur News did.

What if the town clerk controversy involved a man? If that man was perceived to be a supporter of the government, Kaieteur News would have been in a frantic mode about him not having the academic qualification.

This would have been within their right, whether they were correct or not.But would Kaieteur News have descended to being vile, vulgar and utterly disrespectful? Maybe they would have celebrated the fact that he might be a gigolo.

This is the kind of discrimination, inequality and disrespect we in Guyana, men and women, fought to prevent.

We are encouraged that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/ C) government recognised the illadvised attack on this woman and was bold enough to make public its concerns.

We heard someone from the Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO) spoke about this matter.

We also heard female ministers in government speak out, including Priya Manickchand, Jenifer Webster and Gail Teixeira.

Thread Organisation?

Where is the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA)?

Where is Transparency International? Where is Amnesty International?

Where are the women’s arms of other political parties? Where are the political leaders of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance For Change (AFC)?

Where are David Granger, Khemraj Ramjattan and Moses Nagamoottoo? It is repugnant that women of the stature of Amna Ally, Volda Lawrence, Cathy Hughes, Debra Backer and Valerie Garrido-Lowe, so vociferous in other matters, chose to be silent.

We need to stand up for Sooba, not for her job, but because she is being told that she can only get the job because of the reason the Kaieteur News column gave.

Silence

But where is the Red

Ridicule

If you are perceived to be supportive of government, you are targeted for ridicule. If you are also a woman, you become targeted for ridicule by being called names. Sooba is a target not because of the particular job the Kaieteur News and others don’t want her to have, but because they perceive her to be supportive of the government.

We do not know the political persuasion of Sooba, and we stand by her, not because of her job, but because as a woman, she is equal in the eyes of God and in the eyes of humanity, whether or not Kaieteur News thinks so.

Readers are invited to comment on this article via email (times. notebook@gmail.com) and on Facebook.

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star of the week

week ending December 29, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

R

emoving the stigma attached to rock music is what musician Gavin Mendonca feels passionately about.

Gavin started singing and playing the guitar in 2009 when he was 18. He bought a guitar and taught himself. As he continued to learn, Gavin soon realised he found his calling. The singer’s talent is inherent as he draws inspiration from family who are also passionate about music. His uncle, Jude Mendonca, is known as a veteran drummer in the local Rock community. Gavin also grew up in a household of music lovers.

His father would play vinyl records every Christmas and his grandmother was an excellent singer, of mostly bhajans, as was his mother. Gavin’s aim is to change the notion that music cannot be a major career.

His motivation comes from proving to Guyana that anything can be accomplished

once “you set your mind to it and work hard.” Musically, his inspiration comes from international bands/artistes such as Eminem, Blink 182, Nirvana, Eddy Grant and Dave Martins. The songwriter, who has written more than 40 originals songs, is also the main bassist/vocalist of Keep Your Day Job! (KYDJ!), a three-piece punk rock band. Additionally, he is bassist for local heavy metal band, Feed the Flames, and bassist/vocalist of JoJo and the Bums – a side project/band spawned from KYDJ! The musician has showcased his talent at numerous local events and, with KYDJ! and Feed the Flames, performed in Trinidad and Suriname. Gavin is currently collaborating with the Guyana Music Network, an initiative by Kross Kolor Records, to develop the local music industry. He hopes to create a network among all Guyanese musicians

and everyone involved in the arts. The initiative aims to standardise the production of music to reach a level where local artistes can actually make a living off of their work.

Determined to keep the rock genre alive, Gavin recently started a radio programme, Rockin' GT, on 100.1 Fresh FM- compliments of the Guyana Music Network. The purpose of this programme is to air more local music instead of the current saturation of foreign music. Gavin also has another programme called Radio Rock n' Roll Guyana (which you can tune in on Tuesdays from 9p.m. on 98.1 FM and Saturdays at 2p.m. on 100.1 FM).

The purpose of this radio broadcast is to add new content to Guyanese radio- mainly rock music. Gavin views rock music as an art because his belief is that it represents a “whole different culture, way of life, way of thinking, and is truly unique.”

Gavin Mendonca

feature

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"A

very vigorous boot camp." That is how The Voice winner Tessanne Chin is describing a typical day during the just-concluded season of the NBC competition.

She noted that, while the earlier rounds of the competition were quite laid-back, once the show moved to airing live, that was when the whirlwind commenced.

"You wake up between 7:00 and 9:00 am, or earlier, depending on whether you had satellite media press (interviews), in which case you would be up from... for me about 4:30 am for make-up and all that," Chin told reporters and editors at Jamaica Observer Monday Exchange.

Following that, Chin explained that her days were filled with all things The Voice-related.

These included rehearsals, stage blocking, wardrobe, camera blocking, lighting, sets, refits and recording iTunes songs.

"It was like school.

For example, on a Wednesday, after you

saw a full rehearsal of the performance show to air on a Monday, and Sundays were dedicated to the eliminations shows, which were aired on Tuesdays.

"On Mondays and Tuesdays we did everything as a show before it is actually filmed. That's how they know if some-

The Voice winner Tessanne Chin

had made it through on a Tuesday, or sometimes immediately after the show on Tuesday, you had to film your coach reality, which is basically where you sit down and discuss your song.

So everything you see with us and the coach rehearsing, that was sometimes filmed right after the results show... that was particularly stress-

ful," she explained.

Chin added that Thursdays were devoted to band rehearsals off camera, followed by staging and wardrobe.

Fridays saw the contestants doing recording in studio followed by oncamera rehearsals on stage in full dress.

The weekend was less hectic, she explained, noting that Saturdays

Bolt's attendance at ‘The Voice’ a huge honour, says Tessanne the show's blind audition on September 24, she had told Bolt that she was nervous and didn't want to let anyone down.

But Bolt, she said, told her: "Listen, you can only go out there and do your best, and while you're out there be confident and have fun."

(Jamaica Observer)

T

TESSANNE Chin and Usain Bolt

ESSANNE Chin admits she was shocked when she saw sprint king Usain Bolt sitting in the audience during the live show of The Voice on Monday, November 18.

But she regards the surprise attendance of the Jamaican 100m and 200m world and Olympic record holder as a great honour.

The eventual winner of the NBC talent contest told reporters and editors that she had no clue that Bolt was in the audience until she saw him while making her way to the stage to perform in a group song.

"Ah nearly lost it,"

she said. "I was like, what is he doing here?"

"It was just such a huge honour, because I know he's a busy guy; I know his time is precious, so when I saw him there that just moved me so much," Chin added.

She said that after the show — on which she again wowed the celebrity coaches with her rendition of Gladys Knight's If I Were Your Woman -the track superstar went backstage and took pictures with everybody and passed on words of encouragement to her.

"He was like, yuh going on good, man, keep it up," she said, adding that before she went to

thing is up with your wardrobe, if they need to fix lighting, or if they need to do something else because, like me, mi always have problem a come dung stairs and dem always a give me stairs. You are ready for that show at nine o'clock in the morning and you stay dressed. They just

keep refreshing everything until you go on stage. It was pretty vigorous, but I loved every single moment and I'd do it again tomorrow."

However, Chin said the one thing she missed most was time to decompress and be by herself during these periods.

(Jamaican Observer)

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Feature

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The Shaping of Guyanese Literature

By Petamber Persaud

H

e writes his own songs with significant amount of input from his wife. But many who buy his music are not aware of this because very often they see only the performer, thereby diminishing the role of the writer.

This husband and wife team has ensured that team work and team spirit be communicated publicly not only via a by-line to the song but through their words and music.

Without a doubt, John ‘Slingshot’ DrePaul has become a household name in Guyana, especially around this time of the

Local Christmas Music I

year, but he would not allow us to forget the contributions of his wife, Ingrid.

Ingrid Begging Me To Make Ah Stop!

She Don’t Want No Callaloo!

Trinidad Pelau Won’t Do! Is Guyanese Metemgee And Pepper Pot … Fuh

She! Around this time of the year, it is not uncommon to hear Slingshot on the air belting out his Christmas songs umpteen times a day on a variety of programmes.

And what he has to say connects to Guyanese instantly: in his first Christmas song, “A Very Merry Guyanese Christmas”, DrePaul says it was written “to teasingly capture the spirit of a typical Upper Corentyne IndoBerbician Christmas ambience, with a tongue-inthe-cheek tease to those in the diaspora…. the Xmas Eve visit to homes would be done by a ‘makeup’ band of just about anyone in the villages – especially by yours truly, Shamboy, Marco, Neville Budhan, and others, as we play acoustic guitar, blow mouth organ, knocking bottles, saucepans, bamboo joints, tincups, spoons, vigorously shaking the ‘shac-shac’ and just having a whaleof-a-time in typical rustic fashion”.

Here’s sample of that song: Ah Very Merry Guyanese Christmas Wishing You Were Here We Guh Miss Yuh Company At Dis Festive Time Of De Year When We Pass Yuh House Christmas Morning We Guh Give Ah Shout Calling Out To Yuh Family As We Rub We Belly And Mouth... ..... In De Kitchen De Women Cooking Creole Food Non-Stop Eating Bake And

Pepperpot Dey Gat Fuh Drag We From De Pot... .... All Around Is Music Playing Tassa Band Coming Down Dem Boys From Victoria Village Licking Up Kumfa Drum....

Ah Very Merry Guyanese Christmas Wishing You Were Here We Guh Miss Yuh Company At Dis Festive Time Of De Year Chipping Down De Road Knockin Bottle Iron And Saucepan Stop At Everybody Home Singing, Dancing Every Man...

“A Very Merry Guyanese Christmas”, was released on the “Mash Fever” CD in 2003 which included such hits as “Pirates”, “Tek ah Taste”, “The Golden Locket” and “Wake Up My Guyana”.

The next Christmas song by John and Ingrid DrePaul was “Christmas in Guyana” which, he says, spans “a much inclusive geographic span of Guyana, especially with the culinary samples depicted in the song…”

However, the song itself keeps to Slingshot’s rural roots and captures the essence of the rural appeal as well as the urban…

Of note is the inclusive nature of all of “Slingshot & Ingrid” compositions, whereby we span the diverse ethnic nature of Guyana’s population, all the while reflecting the ethnic, political and religious slant of village inhabitants… using names of real individuals living in the geographic area…

There’s Nothing Like Meh Home On Christmas Morning Liming Wid Meh Friends And Family!

Greeting Everyone Around!

Eating, Dancing Getting Down!

Spending We Christmas In Guyana!

There’s Nothing Like Meh Home On Christmas Morning Everybody There Soca Dancing!

Masquerade Band Coming Down!

Mother Sally Prancing Round!

Spending We Christmas In Guyana!

Merry Christmas…!

There’s Nothing Like Meh Home On Christmas Morning, Garlic Pork And Black Fruitcake Baking!

Plenty Sorrel And Mauby!

Ice Apple And Nuff Sweetie!

Spending We

Christmas In Guyana!

Every Time When Christmas Come Marco And Dem Boys Around, Drinking .... And Telling Ol’ Time Story!

Neville Budhan Is De Man Christmas He Does Kill Two Ram! We Eating Loud Roti Wid Sheep Curry! Nuff Peppa!

“Christmas in Guyana” was released on DrePaul’s third CD “Home Sweet Home”.

“John DrePaul is an affable and multi-talented entertainer, composer, musician, calypsonian, who grew up in Guyana’s rural Corentyne, Berbice, with No. 63 Beach as his backyard.

This would later prove to be the ideal landscape and inspiration for most of his poetry, songs, and short stories.” (“Slingshot - A Short Biography” by Dr Parbhudyal Singh, York University) Of course at Christmas time, we love to hear the old, time-tested favourite songs and carols, but many of us would like to hear how contemporary writers and performers deal with the subject of Christmas.

And, over the years, there had been many additions to this oeuvre of music, but only a handful from Guyanese.

Slingshot has effectively filled that gap and given the response to his music and the popularity on which he is riding, there would be no doubt that he and his wife will come up with new Christmas music with a Guyanese/West Indian flavour (Ingrid was born in Trinidad).

Responses to this author telephone (592) 226-0065 or email: oraltradition2002@yahoo. com What’s happening: • Give a book this Christmas; give the gift of reading this Christmas....

• “An Introduction to Guyanese Literature” is now available from the above contacts, Austin’s Book Service and at the National Library. This book is an up-to-date guide featuring significant literary landmarks from the 16th century to the new millennium. This 150-page book including over 100 photographs is an attempt at bringing to the fore little known facts about lesser known aspects of our literature.

The big books, the big authors and the big success stories in Guyanese Literature are also featured.

• Coming Soon: Hall of Fame for the Literary Arts.

feature

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health corner

By Tisha Boston

“T

’Twas the night before Christmas, when all thro’ the house, Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there; The children were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of sugar plums danc’d in their heads, And Mama in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap, Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap — When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash, Tore open the shutters, and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow, Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below; When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny rein-deer, With a little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, And he whistled, and shouted, and call’d them by name: “Now! Dasher, now! Dancer, now! Prancer, and Vixen, “On! Comet, on! Cupid, on! Dunder and Blixem; “To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!

“Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!”

As dry leaves before the wild hurricane fly, When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky; So up to the house-top the coursers they flew, With the sleigh full of Toys — and St. Nicholas too: And then in a twinkling, I heard on the roof The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my head, and was turning around, Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound: He was dress’d all in fur, from his head to his foot, And his clothes were all tarnish’d with ashes and soot; A bundle of toys was flung on his back, And he look’d like a peddler just opening his pack: His eyes — how they twinkled!

His dimples how merry, His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry; His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow.

And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow; The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.

He had a broad face, and a little round belly That shook when he laugh’d, like a bowl full of jelly: He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, And I laugh’d when I saw him in spite of myself; A wink of his eye and a twist of his head Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, And fill’d all the stockings; then turn’d with a jerk, And laying his finger aside of his nose And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.

He sprung to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, And away they all flew, like the down of a thistle: But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight — Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

Major Henry Livingston, Jr.

is the season to be jolly” so make sure that the gifts your children receive this holiday season are not harmful. Toys are fun and exciting for kids as they allow for play time, an important part of a child’s growth and development.

However, toys that are inappropriate for a child’s age and ability can be a health safety risk.

For instance, infants and toddlers should not play with toys that are small enough to fit down their throats. Choking is a particular risk for kids three years and under because they love to put things in their mouths. Hence, it is important to examine the toys your children receive, and even the ones you intend to give as gifts, to ensure that they be age-appropriate and suited to that child’s individual ability.

Here are some things to consider when examining toys: • Toys should have the age/age

range labeled.

• Stuffed toys should be washable.

• Painted toys should be labeled lead free.

• Art materials such as crayons, markers, paints, etc, should

be labeled nontoxic and ASTM approved on the package, which indicates that they have been evaluated by the American Society for Testing and Materials.

• Toys that are made of fabric should be labeled flame resistant/

flame retardant.

Keep in mind that even though manufacturers may adhere to guidelines that ensure product safety, the best way for one to ensure that the toy do not cause any harm to the child while playing is to supervise play.

Harmful toys include marbles, balls or games with balls that are 1.75 inches (4.4 centimeters) or less in diameter.

Objects this size can be easily swallowed or lodged in the windpipe of children. Other harmful toys include those that are easily broken or torn apart, those that have sharp ends, and those that contain long strings and cords. These are particularly dangerous for infants and young children.

Overall, all toys are not for all children so read labels before having the child play with his or her desired toy. For more information regarding toy safety, consult the Consumer Product Safety Commission at cpsc.go

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A festive hub on Main Street F

estive holiday trees, enticing smells of tasty local dishes, thousands of Christmas lights and a joyful atmosphere are some of the exciting attractions at the second Christmas Village on Main Street in downtown Georgetown.

From the grand opening on December 6 through to December 29, an area along Main Street’s avenue reflects the original Christmas Village charm, of a holiday shopping atmosphere with more vendors, a Christmas market and an event space.

Persons can enjoy traditional Christmas black cakes, foods, beverages, art and craft, and weekly entertainment for the adults and children.

At the opening ceremony, Minister Irfaan Ali stated that events like the Christmas Village add a special flair to the Christmas sea-

Junior displaying knitted flower baskets and handmade jewellery

jewellery and the event is the perfect opportunity to showcase it. She pointed out that her jewellery is made from local products such as precious stones, seeds and leather, and so far is a hit with foreigners.

“The response has been overwhelming.

People are amazed at how seeds can be transformed into creative

years on Main Street and can be found there usually on Saturdays or when she is on school holiday.

For those yearning for mauby and other local drinks this Christmas, Roxanne has a cold glass – or glasses – waiting for you.

At Roxanne’s booth you will see a “Craft in Action” sign, which was the name she officially

Artist Deborah Matthias showcasing her collection of handmade jewellery

son, where the traditional Guyanese Christmas can be enjoyed. He added that more importantly, it creates a wholesome environment for family and friends to gather.

A significant aspect of the accommodation this year is safe parking. Visitors gathering to share in the festivity at the Christmas Village can be assured of safe and secured parking.

Guyana Times Sunday Magazine spoke to a few exhibitors who expressed their appreciation for the event and the forum it gives them to advertise their products, especially at this time of the year.

Designer/artist Deborah Matthias, founder of RAVE, which is also co-founded by fellow designer/artist Roger Evelyn – both better known for their creative Mash costumes – said she is thankful for the Christmas Village because she recently launched a collection of fashionable handmade

products, especially jewellery. Forums such as these are excellent for artists to showcase their work,” she noted.

Roxanne Adams, a visual artist teacher at St George’s High School for more than 20 years, has an array of beautiful craft items and seasonal handmade home decorations. Roxanne said she has been exhibiting for

gave her business after a visit by the late president Janet Jagan.

“Mrs Jagan would come visit me regularly and would comment how I’m always working and ‘always in action’. Then a friend recommended, after she heard what the late president said, to name the business Craft in Action. I’m grateful for the Christmas Village because it provides an

excellent opportunity to showcase my products,” Roxanne declared.

Roxanne also does catering for any event and can be contacted on 6449595.

For plant lovers, Junior, also an artist, has lovely knitted flower baskets. He said he has been making them for more than 27 years and they are perfect to enhance the home.

“These flower baskets were a popular feature of the homes back in the days and still continues to be a popular décor. I love to beautify homes and people. I make jewellery with only local products. I even take my work outside of Guyana, not only to build appreciation for local products but to ultimately sell Guyana overseas. I want people to come see what we offer and to enjoy the beauty of our country,” Junior said.

He can be contacted on 688-9698 or 611-0540, and can be found at the Christmas Village knitting his flower baskets.

Christmas Village is organized by the Tourism, Industry and Commerce Ministry and supported by companies including Giftland, Courts, GT&T, Ashmins, Ansa Mcal, Banks DIH, China Trading and Corona. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

Home decor such as fruit baskets and knitted kitchen towels by artist Patricia Helwig are sold at affordable prices at the Christmas Village

Putting ourselves into perspective: The earth (L) and moon (R) taken by the Juno spacecraft which was about 6 million miles (9.66 million kilometres) away

W

hen NASA on December 10, 2013 presented a movie of the Juno spacecraft flyby on its way to Jupiter, the earth and moon could be seen as almost minuscule orbs of light in the vast darkness of the vacuum of space surrounding the two cosmic entities. As the spacecraft sped past, it revealed the spinning orb of earth, alone in this vastness.

For anyone who watches that video (available on space.com as well as nasa.gov, among others) there should be a moment of pause and reflection at how much the human race should need each other in this vast, cold and, for us humans, inhospitable universe.

Despite the science that states there must be others if not like us, similar to us, we have yet to receive confirmation; and so (for now anyway) we can view ourselves as alone in our known universe. Such a thought should be humbling, and more proof that we must be united in our humanity.

In the silence of space, on this tiny orb of blue we call the only home we know – or have –humankind must seek to preserve our solitary and fragile haven, and seek to ensure the quietness of space doesn’t belie how we exist upon it.

And so far it does. Throughout our human history we have fought each other for footholds on the precious lands the earth provides, forgetting or ignoring that its rarity demands we protect it and share rather than destroy and covet. Throughout our civilizations we have fought each other for wealth and power, forgetting or ignoring that our uniqueness demands we celebrate each other rather than hate.

It is especially poignant at Christmas since the message of the season essentially remains one of peace and goodwill to all. Whether we choose to believe in religious dogma of any kind or not is irrelevant to the message that the season attempts to convey: one of love for our fellow human beings on this exclusive planet.

Whatever our views on our existence on this planet, it should be obvious that we are in it together not to annihilate each other but to build a rich, diverse and dynamic global society together. There is a purpose for good in our diversity. We are all here to live and die; let us do so in peace and love.

This will be the Guyana Times International Christmas edition, and we would like to take this opportunity to wish all our readers and advertisers a Merry Christmas and a happy holiday season. As Christmas day approaches, it is hoped that despite our differences we can all find the spirit of goodwill within us that would carry us together into the New Year.

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heir minds and hands constantly in motion while being inspired by the music around them, 40 children are bent at tables, fully engrossed on their masterpieces as they spend their Christmas holiday developing their artistic skills.

The tables are protected by wrapped newspaper as the children work with paint, glue, scissors, brushes, markers and pens. There are smiles all around, small jokes and ideas being shared. The adults in the room scarcely have anything to do as the children seem to know exactly what is required.

Colours and materials are mixing to create lasting art at the tables, and more importantly, in the minds of the children.

This week in Essequibo, school was

Volunteers teaching the children basic art skills

the campers are from the Supenaam area, 10 miles away, so bonding

goals and standards for themselves,” said Claire, the other Peace Corps

The children are focused on their masterpieces

closed, but at the Imam Bacchus Library it was a time for learning at its Art Development Campa joint venture between the library and volunteers of the U.S. Peace Corps.

“We want to create a sense of achievement.

We want that once the camp is over, the kids will say, ‘Hey, I can do that. It's not hard.’

Then they will use the skills they learned here for their personal art long after this week is over,” Colleen, a Peace Corps volunteer and one of the two teachers at the art camp, declared in an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine. Imam Baksh, the head librarian, told Sunday Magazine that every morning camp begins with team-building activities in the Imam Bacchus Park next door to the library. In addition to the local children from Affiance village, a significant number of

between the two groups is important. After exercises and games like dog-and-the-bone, the children are ready for art.

Every activity is personal. The children made their own name tags, for instance, decorating them with designs of their choice. Perhaps the most personal items are the silhouette portraits.

A projector casts a shadow of each child's profile onto a canvas where it is outlined. Using paint, and pictures and words cut from magazines, the children create a representation of themselves.

According to Imam, the children were very excited to be given the opportunity to express themselves via art.

“This isn't just about the kids telling the world who they are. It’s also about their first looking inside themselves and figuring out what their values are, and that helps them set

teacher.

Imam revealed that

a 13-year-old said she had already reproduced some of the projects from the camp on her own time for fun. Nineyear-old Shawn said he enjoyed learning about painting techniques.

Almost all the children, noted Imam, indicated that they will continue to create art even after the camp is over.

The children are all praise for the teachers.

“The teachers are fun. They make me like the work and they make things easy to learn,” 9-year-old Charran said.

“You can tell the children enjoyed it from how consistent the attendance was over the week. Every student chose to be here, and that's a powerful thing.

Kids learn so much bet-

Making a Christmas card

ter when they're willing,” Imam noted.

The head librarian noted that it is the enthusiastic learning that makes the project worthwhile for Imam Bacchus & Sons Ltd, the company behind the library and the art camp. The company has sponsored the cost of art supplies, snacks and meals. They also spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on the library each year.

The local community donates cash and books as well.

The library has hosted art, theatre and literacy events since it started in 2011. They also have regular story times for children each Saturday morning, and an annual Christmas party.

The art camp is one of the library’s most ambitious projects, reaching more children for a longer period than anything they have done so far. During the children’s Christmas school holiday, each day the library features activities such as snowflake Christmas decorations, greetings cards, paper windmills and colour wheel flags.

“Those didn't start out as flags. It was just supposed to be a lesson about mixing colours, but one kid started to decorate his and then they each decided to make their canvas personal and every kid ended up with a flag to represent themselves,” Colleen recalled.

Another project that received a good response from the students was the designed hearts.

Imam disclosed that the task called for the children’s patience, since they had to spend half a morning learning to create patterns and designs out of small, repeated lines and shapes and then they used that skill to decorate hearts with complex patterns.

“I think it surprised many students that they could do something so difficult by being patient and just working at it.

But in the end, that's the kind of lesson we hope they learn,” Imam stated.

For more information about the Imam Bacchus Library, visit The Imam Bacchus Library on Facebook.

(Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

A student at the library working on his artwork

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This week's Crossword

This week's Puzzle

see solution on page 46

J k es

Revised Christmas days

Effective immediately, the following economizing measures are being implemented in the "Twelve Days of Christmas" subsidiary: 1) The partridge will be retained, but the pear tree, which never produced the cash crop forecasted, will be replaced by a plastic hanging plant, providing considerable savings in maintenance 2) Two turtle doves represent a redundancy that is simply not cost effective. In addition, their romance during working hours could not be condoned. The positions are, therefore, eliminated 3) The three French hens will remain intact.

After all, everyone loves the French.

4) The four calling birds will be replaced by an automated voice mail system, with a call waiting option. An analysis is underway to determine who the birds have been calling, how often and how long they talked.

5) The five golden rings have been put on hold by the Board of Directors. Maintaining a portfolio based on one commodity could have negative implications for institutional investors. Diversification into other precious metals, as well as a mix of T-Bills and high technology stocks, appear to be in order 6) The six geese-a-laying constitutes a luxury which can no longer be afforded. It has long been felt that the production rate of one egg per goose per day was an example of the general decline in productivity. Three geese will be let go, and an upgrading in the selection procedure by personnel will assure management that, from now on, every goose it gets will be a good one 7) The seven swans-a-swimming is obviously a number chosen in better times. The function is primarily decorative. Mechanical swans are on order. The current swans will be retrained to learn some new strokes, thereby enhancing their outplacement 8) As you know, the eight maids-a-milking concept has been under heavy scrutiny by the EEOC. A male/female balance in the workforce is being sought. The more militant maids consider this a dead-end job with no upward mobility.

Automation of the process may permit the maids to try a-mending, a-mentoring or a-mulching 9) Nine ladies dancing has always been an odd number. This function will be phased out as these individuals grow older and can no longer do the steps 10) Ten Lords-a-leaping is overkill. The high cost of Lords, plus the expense of international air travel, prompted the Compensation Committee to suggest replacing this group with ten out-of-work congressmen. While leaping ability may be somewhat sacrificed, the savings are significant as we expect an oversupply of unemployed congressmen this year 11) Eleven pipers piping and twelve drummers drumming is a simple case of the band getting too big. A substitution with a string quartet, a cutback on new music, and no uniforms, will produce savings which will drop right to the bottom line Overall we can expect a substantial reduction in assorted people, fowl, animals and related expenses. Though incomplete, studies indicate that stretching deliveries over twelve days is inefficient. If we can drop ship in one day, service levels will be improved.

Regarding the lawsuit filed by the attorneys’ association seeking expansion to include the legal profession ("thirteen lawyers-a-suing"), a decision is pending.

Deeper cuts may be necessary in the future to remain competitive. Should that happen, the Board will request management to scrutinize the Snow White Division to see if seven dwarfs is the right number.

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fashion

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ocusing on men this Christmas, designer Nelsion Andre Nurse has launched a stylish collection that showcases male debonair and masculinity.

Since his debut collection at Guyana Fashion Weekend (GFW) 2010, and after being awarded Most Promising Designer, Nurse has not sat on his laurels; he has been consistently active, working in various facets of the creative industry since his hallmark introduction.

Nurse, who is also an interior designer, has been designing costume art for children and adult bands, and setting designs for public and private sector entities, and has been worked closely as a production assistant for Caribbean Fashion expert, Richard Young, for GFW and Guyana Model Search and Designers Portfolio. With children, he works with different school groups, teaching movement and craft.

The designer recently launched his new collection: Man in the Mirror, suited for the classy man. The collection is an exclusive clothing line that ranges from beach wear to formal clothing, and includes matching hats and

bags.

“My recent collection, Man in the Mirror, is a reflection of my personal style with a twist. In the world we live in, one must face the harsh reality when it comes to being a man of style and sophistication.

Sometimes it’s a mystery why men show so much interest into how the opposite sex looks rather than looking at themselves. Personally, I believe men have an extra when it comes to being stylish; however many times due to fears, they hold that back. I believe in being bold and [being] who you are – men,” the designer stated in an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine.

For more information on Nurse’s collection call 2263099.

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travel & Tourism

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he rarely-travelled Kamarapa Creek in Region Nine is home to serene falls and rich biodiversity.

Entering the creek from the Rupununi River is an adventure. Just beyond the creek entrance a thick mass of vegetation sprawls across the width of the creek, piling up more than 10 feet high.

Navigating through the creek reveals thick bush and towering Mora trees. There is also the Paima Falls where Kamarapa makes its last drop from the mountains and joins the continually meandering creek.

At Kamarapa, explorers can enjoy refreshing baths in the creek and discover the natural habitats that thrive there. (Photos by Matt Hallett)

Entering the creek

Paima Falls at the mountain foot

A pair of scarlet macaws feeding on palm fruits along the creek

Giant river otters in the creek

Manicol palms along the creek

arts & Culture

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"Prolific" (2011) by Courtney M. Douglas was awarded first prize

T

"Six Races-One Root" (2013) by Shimuel Jones was awarded third prize

he opening of the ninth National Drawing Exhibition, and a prize giving ceremony, recently held at Castellani House, celebrated the creative talent of local artists.

The National Drawing Competition has been a bi-

ennial event first presented by Castellani House in 1996, and received unwavering sponsorship from Republic Bank for 15 years until 2010. The 2012 biennial competition, postponed due to a clash in event scheduling last year, is now re-

launched with renewed support from the bank.

An increase in funding by Republic Bank to more than $700,000, allows the gallery to offer a first prize of $150,000, a second prize of $100,000 and a third prize and Young Person’s Prize of $50,000 and $35,000, respectively. Gold, silver and bronze medals will

also be awarded to competition winners.

Republic Bank’s sponsorship of the National Drawing Competition is part of their ‘Power to make a difference’ initiative, where support and promotion of social and cultural projects are provided across Guyana.

The National Gallery’s competitions aim to sup-

"Breaking Free I" (2013) by Lori Ann Jacobs

port the artists’ community and to garner appreciation of artists’ technical and expressive skills.

All Guyanese artists were eligible to enter and could have submitted up to three works for the competition, which was to be judged and presented in a prize-giving ceremony and exhibition on December 17.

The exhibition continues until January 18, 2014. Gallery hours are 10:00 hours to 17:00 hours Monday to Friday and 14:00 hours to 18:00 hours on Saturday; the gallery is closed on Sundays and holidays. The public is cordially invited to visit this exhibition. Admission is free. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

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hristmas is about family, friends, gifts and, best of all, delectable cuisine. This holiday, in an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, Guyanese food blogger, Jehan Powell shares her passion for food, her cooking heritage and a recipe that is sure to be a crowd pleaser.

Powell related that she spent her early years between Stewartville in Linden and Georgetown, before migrating to the United States when she was 11-years-old.

“My love for cooking developed from having parents who are both great cooks. Growing up in a household where there was much emphasis on what, when and how we ate our meals, I naturally became consumed with every part of the experience. Every step was as important as the next; the process of purchasing my ingredients is just as important as consuming what I've created. Although I came to the U.S. as a child, I’m still very attached to my culture and food. Roti and curry is my soul food,” Jehan recalled.

A food enthusiast, Jehan loves to cook, bake, eat and explore new foods, and then shares her recipes with fans via her blog. According to Jehan, her blog was born as a way to combat boredom but eventually blossomed into something more significant. It is now a catalyst to share her love for food and her Guyanese/Caribbean heritage.

“I’ve uncovered a deep passion for all things food and an amazing community of like minds. Originally from Guyana, I chose to blog about cuisine from Guyana and the Caribbean because I felt as though there is a lack of authentic recipes online. Our grand-

wonderful feedback from my readers.

A trip to the grocery store or a simple conversation can inspire a spectacular meal. Most of my recipes are my own but some of the most traditional recipes belong to my mother. She has been a huge inspiration and nurtured my interest in food. With her expert advice, I am able to recreate her expertly executed dishes,” the blogger noted.

So far, the response to Jehan’s blog has been overwhelming as people from all around the world, Guyanese and non-Guyanese, email her with words of positivity and immense gratitude.

Jehan pointed out that Guyanese/ Caribbean cooking has become so popular that most people are now familiar with our flavours and cuisine.

Jehan Powell

mothers and mothers cooked with a pinch of this and a handful of that, there were no real measurements, which made it virtually impossible to recreate the dishes we grew up on. In an effort to help make our food accessible, I share both authentic recipes that our moms would make and as well as modernized versions,” she explained.

Jehan’s blog was launched in 2008, but she only began blogging consistently in 2010. Through it she shares bits and pieces of her life as well as memories of growing up in Guyana. Her enthusiasm for all things food and the wonderful feedback from her readers keep Jehan inspired, and motivate her to keep blogging.

“I draw my inspiration from everything around me as well as from the

“Now I’m getting numerous requests for a book. I have not published one as yet but it is definitely something I am interested in doing. The requests have been so overwhelming so I have no choice but to pay attention to my readers. I am currently testing and building a collection of new recipes as well as revising some from my blog in preparation,” she revealed.

This Christmas, Jehan was kind enough to share with Sunday Magazine her Roast Chinese Chicken recipe which has become a widely popular recipe on her blog. She guarantees it will be the star dish on your table this holiday.

For more fantastic recipes, visit Jehan’s blog at www.jehancancook. com.

Roast Chinese Chicken Ingredients 5 lb whole chicken ½ cup soy sauce ½ cup water 3 tbsp brown sugar 2 tbsp hoisin sauce ½ tsp chilli flakes Method In a bowl small bowl, add soy sauce, water, brown sugar, hoisin sauce, chilli flakes, star anise, 5 spice powder, garlic, orange peel, ginger and scallion and mix to combine. Set aside.

Place the whole chicken on a cutting board and with a sharp knife cut along the back bone of the chicken, starting at the tail end.

Once the back bone has been cut all the way through, spread the chicken open. Now press the knife down the centre of the breast bone cutting all the way through. You should now half two halves.

Place both halves in a large Ziploc bag and add marinade and making sure to coat it well. Allow chicken to marinate for at least 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Place chicken skin side up and all of the marinade in a large baking dish.

Cover tightly with foil then place into preheated oven. Bake covered for 1 ½ hours.

1 star anise ¼ tsp 5 spice powder 4 cloves garlic, crushed 3 slices of ginger (1/4 inch thickness) 3 scallions, finely chopped 2 pieces of orange peel 1 tbsp cornstarch

After 1 ½ hour, turn the oven up to 425 and bake chicken uncovered for 30 minutes basting every 5 minutes.

In the last 10 minutes of cooking, mix 1 tbsp of cornstarch with 2 tbsp of water and pour into baking dish. Stir carefully to combine.

Now continue to cook the chicken and baste every 2-3 minutes with thickened sauce.

Remove from oven and let sit for 15 minutes before serving.

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ASL launches helicopter, aeroplane tours of Georgetown River to Sheriff Street.

At that elevation, you can also see the Harbour Bridge connecting this area to West Demerara, the very healthy mangrove forests at Vreed-

A

The ASL helicopter which will be used for the tours

ir Services Limited (ASL) is now offering 10 minute aerial tours of Georgetown, with passengers having the choice to go by helicopter or aircraft.

The tours depart from Ogle using either the Bell 206 Long Range helicopter or Cessna 172 aircraft, and ASL is offering this exciting tour at a “Christmas Special Price” of Gy$ 9000 per person in the helicopter,

and Gy$ 4000 per person in the aircraft, ASL said in a release.

The route commences from Ogle airport straight to the coastline then turns left, following the seawall past the Marriott Hotel now under construction.

The tour then turns south taking in the views along the Demerara River from town to the Harbour Bridge. One final left turn past the Princess Hotel and

Providence Stadium takes passengers back to the Ogle airstrip.

ASL’s Annette ArjoonMartins said, “The aerial view is truly special.

You see Georgetown from a new perspective – the seawall, Pegasus and Marriott hotels, Stabroek Market and St George’s Cathedral are highlights – and it also shows the intricate layout of the various parts of the city stretching from the Demerara

en-Hoop and our coastline stretching east along the Atlantic Ocean.”

ASL staff member Brittney Ally, who has been on test trips of the tour, said, “It’s a great

experience. The views are so amazing; it gives you a whole new feeling about your country. I would advise folks going on the tour to definitely bring a camera.”

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ESSAYS OF LIFE

Blessed is a Loaf of Bread

By Sr. Shamane Hassad

D

o you remember the television advertisement with Richard Narine cradling a bundle in his arm with love and care, and when he unwrapped it with pride, it was a loaf of fresh Bakewell bread?

I enjoyed and still like that ad very much.

The reason I like it, is that I understand it and I feel the same about a loaf of fresh, soft ready-to-eat bread.

Whole wheat or white, sliced, plait loaf, pan loaf or tennis roll, burger bun or hot dog bun, they are all a part of our diet and menu. It is the message we get before we head back home: “Darling” (or “mom”) “please buy bread”.

It’s our toast in the morning It soaks up our stew It goes well with pepper pot And in our soups too.

For all kinds of sandwiches And for every hungry need A loaf of fresh bread Is a staple indeed.

Whenever we are travelling to visit relatives overseas, there is usually a suitcase packed with fresh bread and tennis rolls and pastries.

The family in the USA likes to relax and enjoy tennis roll and cheese. It is clean, it tastes

good and it is a little piece of home.

Bread is one of those affordable things that can save us from starving. A loaf can be kept at room temperature for at least three days and it can feed a family or one person for a while. It is food for every parrot, monkey, turtle, duck, chicken, pigeon, rabbit… The ants take care of the crumbs.

Nothing gets wasted from a loaf of bread.

It is so important to our culture and existence that the word ‘bread’ is used to mean all food and livelihood.

We used to recite “The Lord’s Prayer”, every morning in primary school. It begins, “Our Father who art in Heaven.”

Half way through at about the sixth line we say, “Give us this day our daily bread”.

It may sound funny but it is important to note that it is what we humans ask for before forgiveness and deliverance (in the continuation of the Lord’s Prayer).

Have you ever been really

hungry that you feel the insides of your stomach cramping, and in waves it ripples through your system making you nauseous. Your legs get weak. You cannot stand so you gently sit and bow your head to fight the sensation from rising upward?

But it does and your brain is bellowing, “Get food!”

“Get

food!”

Your hands feel lifeless and there is flaming heat in your head. You try to say something but no sound is made. Your eyes get clouded. The heat is rising through your ears and you slide off the

chair and slump to the floor in a faint.

You hear voices as you regain consciousness. Someone threw cold water all over you.

Hands help you to sit up and people are asking. “Are you alright?” “What happened?”

“Can you stand up?”

Then they get quiet as you move your arms in some positive recovery gesture and they hear you say, “I am hungry.”

In my childhood I had a couple fainting episodes. It was not because I did not have food but I did not like to eat food at meal times.

I would put it off until I forgot to eat, hence the fainting.

There are many, many people right around us who are very hungry. It is not only the street vagrants but some of those workers in their nice uniforms who attend to us every day.

That is one of the reasons why I give the checkers at the fast food outlets very good cash tips when I can. They

handle bags of food but they go to work hungry and cannot afford many items they sell.

I am still in the habit of not eating regularly. I try to finish up work before sitting to a meal and sometimes I am walking on the road when my stomach reminds me, “You have not eaten for the day.” It is very bad.

It is recommended by Health specialists that a good balanced meal in the morning gives you needed energy, boosts your metabolism and makes you eat less during the day.

Now do you understand why I love my bread so much?

Cooking takes time and thought. When I have five minutes before the school bus comes, I have my coffee and two slices of bread. When I relax after the children are back home we share tea and tennis rolls. When I am up late and need a snack, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich tastes so good and I wash away the guilt with a tall glas s of water.

Don’t follow my diet! Cook and eat healthy food and fruits.

But, if you have bread in the house, you cannot go hungry. Have you ever tried a four slice sandwich with pineapple jelly, peanut butter, cheese and marmite….?

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A Literary Tradition

Sir Wilson Harris T

heodore Wilson Harris, born March 24, 1921 in New Amsterdam, Berbice on what was then the colony of British Guiana, grew up to become one of the most famed Guyanese writers and one who, in recognition of his outstanding literary career, at 89-years-old was knighted by the British monarch.

The litmus test of young literature undergrads, Harris’ work has been described as challenging and rewarding by critics, and he has been praised for his singularly unique and innovative use of language to express his stories; stories that especially tell of experiences from the Guyana landscapes and the struggles of colonial and post-colonial peoples and their societies.

According to ‘Wilson

Harris in conversation with Michael Gilkes (The Uncompromising Imagination)’: “Language possesses resources which one has to sense as coming not only from within oneself, but from outside, from the land itself, from the rivers, from the forests.

And also from those persons and those cultures that existed in that landscape and have left their trace.”

His works have been the subject of endless essays, interviews and biographies over the years.

Harris arrived in Georgetown and attended Queen’s College (1934-1939) before studying land surveying and working as government land surveyor in 1942. He became senior surveyor in 1955.

It was this career that would place Harris within the natural

Guyanese interior and the Amerindians, its primary society, to inform his experiences and help influence his writings.

During his years as surveyor, Harris would become a regular contributor to the literary journal of the day in British Guiana, writing poems, essays and stories, along with other notable Guyanese literary luminaries such as Ivan Van Sertima, Sidney Singh and Martin Carter.

“Fetish”, (1951) his first publication, was a book of poems under the pseudonym Kona Waruk – a hard-to-ignore possible allusion to an interior location of a similarly sounding name.

He continued his writings for the journal until 1961, after he moved to England in 1959 following the break-up of his first marriage. He later married Scottish writ-

er Margaret Burns who died in January 2010.

Harris published his first and most wellknown novel “Palace of the Peacock” in 1960, breaking onto the British literary scene just one year after he emigrated. This was to be followed by “The Guyana Quartet”, which includes “The Far Journey of Oudin” (1961), “The Whole Armour” (1962), and “The Secret Ladder” (1963). He has written some 23 novels, including his most recent, “The Ghost of Memory” (2006) Harris has also received accolades for his non-fiction and critical writings, leading to honorary doctorates from prestigious international universities. He was also awarded the inaugural Guyana Prize for Literature in 1987 and the Guyana Prize for Literature Special

Award in 2002.

In England, where he continued to write, his fame led to lectures as visiting professor and writer in residence at various leading universities until his retirement.

His son, Professor E. Nigel Harris, is current UWI vice-chancellor.

When Sir Wilson was asked in an interview what he thought his knighthood meant for other Caribbean writers, he replied: “It’s important in the sense that these knighthoods are hardly given to writers. They’re hardly given to conventional writers, and a writer like

myself is hardly given a knighthood. So I feel that this is an encouragement to other writers in the region to persist in their work, even if they feel that what they are doing is not popular, because in the long run it may tell on their behalf. It’s a question of the reality of the arts. The arts have to be pursued irrespective of what people think.

And any Caribbean writer who has been working seriously should continue to do that and leave the rest to be judged by people who appreciate the importance of what they’re doing.” (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

Sharing the Christmas Spirit

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From left are Antia, Roger Gary, Dyonne and Michelle Cole

successful entrepreneur who has not forgotten her roots, overseasbased Guyanese Dyonne Wharton’s aim is making a difference in her homeland, starting this Christmas.

Born and raised in Guyana, Dyonne later migrated to the U.S. where she joined her mother and sister, but her beautiful country of birth was never at the back of her mind.

Dyonne moved into the financial services and private banking industry, but left it to pursue her passion for stylish accessories and jewellery. She brought on Antia McGill, a Jamaican who is well known for her ability to visualise and implement the ultimate ‘head to toe’ style.

“Combining her innate sense of style and creative spirit, she con-

nects with the right pieces that add that special ‘something’ to our collections. We parlayed our innate sense of style, customer service skills and networking capabilities into Les Deux Ms. It evolved from a combination of our seizing an opportunity, a commitment to community and our love of things beautiful, stylish and elegant. Les Duex Ms offers beautiful handmade pieces by artisans who are passionate about their creation. The early stages of entrepreneurship is no walk in the park, we believe in our combination of faith, energy and desire to succeed as a sure fire requirement for battle and we are prepared,” Dyonne said in an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine .

Dyonne, in her role as head of business de-

velopment, combines her natural ability as a people-connector and visionary with years of management experience to move the business forward. Creative development and styling coordinator Antia, and Dyonne’s abilities and skills are a perfect complement as their energies and spiritual connection enable them to focus on expanding Les Deux Ms. Through Les Deux Ms, Dyonne and Antia developed a passion for charitable work. Dyonne recalled being asked to help raise funds for the STEP Program at Columbia University School of Dentistry. She had previously been the president of the STEP parent-teacher association and was known for her tenacity and dedication to the programme.

Recruiting Antia, whose previous fun-

draising experience would prove invaluable, the dynamic duo embarked on an ambitious fundraising effort. Using their new found entrepreneurial skill, they managed to score a more affordable line of jewellery which sold well among the parents and faculty members at Columbia University. Far exceeding their goal, Dyonne and Antia raised enough money to fund an additional year for the STEP Program. They awarded each STEP programme’s graduate that year with a cash gift to go towards college expenses.

Dyonne noted that this experience rekindled the entrepreneurs’ desire to promote education within their community, and was instrumental in helping them visualise their path to self-reliance.

Recently, Dyonne and Antia launched their first annual toy drive, focusing on Dyonne’s homeland.

Dyonne mentioned that Les Deux Ms donated US$1 from each online sale to its toy drive fund.

This charitable effort is in collaboration with the Miss Guyana World Organization and notable Guyanese designers Michelle Cole and Roger Gary. Ruqayyah Boyer, Miss World Guyana 2013, will make the distribution.

“I am very excited about this project.

Dyonne and Antia are

two remarkable women to work with and they have been operating a successful business for years. As a result, they have decided to give back. This is the first time I am collaborating with them but certainly not my last. Both women assisted me with jewellery when I competed in the Miss Universe and Miss World pageants. The presents for the kids are already here so I'm both grateful and excited for the women’s tremendous contribution. I will be distributing toys and treats to kids in Linden and at the Ruimveldt Children’s Home. I’m looking forward to seeing the many smiles when I hand out the toys just in time for Christmas.” Ruqayyah said to Guyana Times Sunday Magazine.

Hoping to expand charity efforts, Dyonne disclosed that plans are already underway to donate toys throughout the Caribbean. Their focus for Christmas 2014 is Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago.

“Our future plans for Les Deux Ms are to grow from a start-up retailer to an established international online company with a New York City based showroom; to be recognised as a provider of unique, affordable, quality jewellery; to launch a Les Deux Ms jewellery collection; and to continue assisting our youths through our philanthropy and educational outreach,” Dyonne outlined.

For more information visit www.lesdeuxms.com (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

CROSSWORD SOLUTION

feature

47

Making Christmas Bright

week ending December 29, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Feed a Child for the Holidays is a vibrant group of humanitarians who enjoy giving back to their communities and spreading Christmas cheer

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stablished in December 2007, Feed a Child for the Holidays is a private, non-profit group dedicated to making a humanitarian effort to share the spirit of Christmas.

The group endeavours to bring gifts, food items, basic necessities, encouragement and love to the less fortunate children in Guyana.

Feed a Child for the Holidays objectives are

Guyana Orphans and Vulnerable Children's Group. This involvement, Schemel said, coupled with their passion for working with children, fuelled the first Feed a Child for the Holidays party and has since been actively spreading Christmas cheer to children.

Inspired by the smiles of children they have reached out to, Schemel said the group

to reach as many children as we can to ensure that they experience the true and real Christmas spirit. That's why it is not just about providing the resources but actually being there with the children. It warms your heart to see smiling and appreciative faces,” expressed the co-director.

She disclosed that the group plans to reach out not only at Christmas.

This year, they were able

The humanitarians of Feed A Child For The Holidays group

Some of the group's members wrapping gifts

to raise awareness of the plight of orphaned children in Guyana and to provide assistance – whether emotional, financial or physical – to under-privileged children, wherever they may be.

The group is made up of young professionals and students: Tannylee Fung, Schemel Patrick, Natasha Backer, Teisha Milner, Keisha Assanah, Rhonda Bourne, Maren Oxford, Dionne Cush and Alana Lowton, who are determined to continue to bring joy and love to children who really need it.

This year, Feed a Child for the Holidays celebrates its seventh year of caring and sharing, and as such, the group reached out to two charitable groups, sharing out goodies just in time for Christmas.

The group presented food supplies and gift donations to the Sophia Sparkle Youth Group, and planned a festive dinner for the children at the Convalescent Home.

Explaining how the group started, in an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, co-director Schemel Patrick recalled that herself and founder Tannylee Fung, were actively involved with thethen Youth Challenge

is determined to continue and expand in their efforts.

“There is nothing more heartening than knowing you assisted in making someone's day better. We're also inspired by the willingness of public spirited individuals to contribute to our many initiatives. It's a joy to be able to assist in one way or the other especially at Christmas.

Christmas is a special time for giving–parties, gifts and love. We try

to acquire a few items to donate to the girls at St. Ann's Orphanage as a back to school gesture.

Schemel noted it was a successful project which they hope to develop.

“Our belief is that the purpose of life is to be useful, to make a difference, and to help wherever we can. Others can do it too. You don't have to be group to be charitable, as an individual you can give back. Charity not only helps the person receiving but it helps to

Schemel (right) presents bags filled with toys to founder of the Sophia Sparkle Youth Group

develop you as an individual and I think that's the greatest gift of all being able to find your true humanity. I therefore urge all young people to become involved, volunteer whenever you can, give where and when you can, and help when you can. There is so much to be had from

just lending a hand. It is a surreal experience!” encouraged Schemel.

Additionally, Schemel is grateful to all those who contributed to the group in spreading Christmas cheer. She encourages everyone to make a humanitarian effort and continue to give in making Christmas a

joyful season for underprivileged children.

As a charitable group, Feed the Child for the Holidays operates largely on donations from public spirited citizens and businesses. To donate, visit ‘Feed a Child for the Holidays’ on Facebook.

(Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

48

Bollywood

week ending December 29, 2013

| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Sussanne once said: can’t Sridevi will always be my imagine life without Hrithik dad’s wife: Arjun Kapoor

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n the wake of the Hrithik-Sussanne split, fans, media and the entire nation are taken aback by the couple's decision. While their's was a fairy tale romance that also inspired the love scene in Hrithik's debut film Kaho Naa Pyaar Hain, everyone thought their marriage was for keeps.

There have been murky rumours of Arjun Rampal being involved in the split and Sussanne has clearly refuted the rumours.

Hrithik even released a statement saying, "Sussanne has decided to separate from me and end our 17-year relationship." Speculations were rife for a while now Both Hrithik and Sussanne have known each other for 17 years.

Their relationship start-

ed over a coffee proposal and here's a look at some of the sweetest things they said to each other before the split.

On the first season of Koffee with Karan where Sussanne made her first TV appearance on the show, where she had gone on to say

that if there was a time when she was not with Hrithik for whatever reason, she couldn't imagine moving on with her life. She further said on the chat show that she couldn't imagine her life without him, and she was too attached. (TOI)

make their relationship status public.

An IBN report says that both Ranbir and Katrina were spotted watching the special

screening of The Wolf Of The Wall Street together in Mumbai. The couple, who usually avoid getting clicked together, did not shy away from the cameras. Interestingly, this is perhaps the first time that they let the media click their photos in the same frame.

This has led to gossipmongers wondering if they are going to make their relationship public.

With Ranbir's cousin sister Kareena spilling the beans about their relationship in a talk show; we sure hope they are considering tying the nuptial knot soon. (TOI)

hen newbie Arjun Kapoor shared the couch with Ranveer Singh on 'Koffee With Karan', there was bound to be gossip and revelations. While Ranveer spoke about his alleged girlfriend Deepika Padukone, Arjun spoke about his relationship with his step mother Sridevi.

Speaking for the first time about his strained relationship with his dad in the past, Arjun admitted that his mother Mona Kapoor was hurt when his father left her to marry Sridevi.

However, he also admitted that he respects Sridevi and how the actress was instrumental in bringing him closer to his father, Boney Kapoor.

He also spoke about how he went with his father and his stepmother for vacations. He felt a bit awkward as their two children also accompanied them. However, he admits that he has

'Ranveer was annoying at Deepika's party'

Ranbir, Katrina finally make their relationship public

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t seems Bollywood's hottest couple Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif have finally decided to throw caution to the wind and

Deepika, Kapil honoured with Indian-of-the-Year awards

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ollywood actress Deepika Padukone and comedian Kapil Sharma have received Indianof-the-Year 2013 awards for their contribution to the entertainment industry.

In an award-giving ceremony held on Friday, a news channel honoured 11 extraordinary Indians across Politics, Sports, Entertainment, Business and Public Service categories.

Deepika received the special achievement award from her father and former badminton star, Prakash Padukone.

She was honoured for constantly reinventing herself as a leading lady with exceptional acting abilities and for delivering a slew of mega hits in 2013, including Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, Chennai Express and Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-leela.

"I have always done what seemed right to me and my parents supported me all throughout. I never sit and analyse before signing a film if it will be a hit or not, rather just go by my heart.

If I like the script, nothing else matters to me. I feel so proud to have received

respect for Sridevi but she will always be his father's wife.

After the death of Mona Kapoor, Sridevi has started taking keen interest on Arjun and his career. She wished luck to Arjun for his debut film Ishaqzaade. (TOI)

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n Saturday night, Worli was the new Juhu as an army of B'town A-listers descended on the lawns of a plush 5-star property as Deepika Padukone raised a toast to herself.

The high of five straight blockbusters was reflected in Deepika's golden Gucci gown. She walked in just before midnight with parents Ujjala and Prakash Padukone and immediately announced, "It's a party not for me, but for the film fraternity who made this extraordinary year possible. I hope there aren't many catfights inside."

Vidhu Vinod Chopra and wife Anupama were the first guests to arrive. Abhay Deol and girlfriend Preeti Desai were the centre of attention till Ranveer Singh entered wearing a rather flashy gold-embroidered tuxedo. Instantly, the press abandoned Abhay for some Ranveer Leela. Fresh from his Paris sojourn, Sanjay Leela Bhansali walked in with Rohit Shetty, while Milan Luthria came face to-face

with Imran Khan and wife Avantika Malik. Bipasha Basu, predictably arrived with beau Harman Baweja who was dumbstruck to be bombarded with questions about why he had disappeared from the big screen. Bips soon disappeared inside, alone!

Farah Khan chose gold too and unabashedly announced that her favorite Dippy act was undoubtedly 'Om Shanti Om'. Karan Johar followed, solo, while Sooraj Barjatya made a rare appearance, but dashed off in a few minutes.

A drowsy Aamir Khan arrived at 1.30 am. Wife Kiran Rao said goodnight around 3 am, so did Gauri Khan.

But their husbands, Shah Rukh and Aamir, partied till morning. SRK got into his Mercedes with an unidentified woman around 5 am. Farhan Akhtar also left around 5.30 am, with wife Adhuna.

Ranveer Singh was his usual boisterous self. A fellow partygoer complained, "He was over-energetic and after a point, it got a little annoying."

Randeep Hooda hung out with Rahul Bose and after a while escorted inebriated female guests out to their cars.

Shahid Kapoor too was a gallant knight on duty till he left with Shabina Khan.

Deepika, we were told, left around 7.30 am. Before that we caught an upcoming star who comes from a wellknown film family and a sexy star wife known for her item numbers, exchange a lingering kiss, before she zoomed off to party at another night club and he went inside to discuss movies with his director friend. (TOI)

Aishwarya on failing B-town marriages: It's unfair to be judgmental

I it (Indian of the Year award) from my father," Deepika said in a statement.

The producer and host of Comedy Nights With Kapil felt honoured to be awarded amidst eminent personalities.

He won CNN-IBN Indian of the Year 2013 - Entertainment.

"It's the year of the common man and I am also one of them. To be awarded amidst such eminent personalities and dignitaries it's a great achievement in itself. I have always believed in working and entertaining the common man and that I think is the success mantra of my life," said Kapil.

He was awarded for creating a successful stand-up comedy show that has universal appeal. (TOI)

n the backdrop of crumbling marriages in Bollywood, actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan feels that it’s unfair to limit and judge relationships.

"I don't think it is fair to get judgmental and limit relationships or strengths or inability to hold themselves or limit it to showbiz. What happens in society is each to his own. What would be fair and respectful is belief in people to allow them to live their lives and finding strength in choices they make," the actress said in response to a query on effects of

showbiz on marital life.

Recently, Hrithik Roshan and his wife of 13-years Sussanne decided to separate. Also, filmmaker Anurag Kashyap and actress wife Kalki Koechlin are taking time off their marriage.

For the actress, her

mother and daughter Aaradhya's eyes are beautiful. "Eyes are windows to the soul," she said.

Aishwarya thinks being Indian is being beautiful.

"We are rooted, consider values in the highest esteem, we are simple people. We are very hard working and we know to retain respect, love and commitment, tradition. Being Indian is being beautiful."

On actors opting go under the knife, she said, "For me it is all natural... thank you parents and God." (TOI)

Hollywood

49

week ending December 29, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Steve Martin apologises Britney Spears felt alienated from fans for racist tweet

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op star Britney Spears says during the tough period of her life she felt alienated from the public.

The 32-year-old singer, who had exhibited erratic behaviour, including shaving her head in 2007, said she was so sick of being constantly followed by the photographers that staying home seemed a better option, reported Contactmusic.

In a candid new documentary 'I Am Britney Jean', which aired on US on December 22, Spears said she felt alienated from her fans during that period.

"But as time passed,

ollywood actor Steve Martin has issued a public apology after posting a racially offensive joke on microblogging site Twitter.

The "Father of the Bride" star was recently making a series of gags about grammar on Twitter when one fan asked him, "Is this how you spell lasonia?"

Martin reportedly replied: "It depends. Are you in an African-American neighbourhood or at an Italian restaurant?" reports femalefirst.co.uk.

This made a number of fans criticise him for the bad joke, and he later deleted the tweet and issued an apology, writing: "I did apologise. But again, a second later I realised what an offensive thing I'd done. Deep bow.

My tweet was highly inappropriate".

(Times of India)

they lightened up and they went away after I wouldn't come out of the house for two years.

It was a trying time," Spears said. "It was kind of confusing for me.

Personally, I'm a shy person and I'm particularly not really made for this industry because I am so shy. It's not something I deal with so well," she added. (Times of India)

Hollywood actress reveals her special India connect Stiller's worst nightmare - dating via social media

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scar nominated actress Kristen Wiig, actress, comedian, and writer who is best known for her work the widely acclaimed comedy flick "Bridesmaids" will be seen next in the Ben Stiller's highly anticipated direction "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty".

The movie which Ben Stiller acts-directs and has produced, follows the exploits of a serial daydreamer played by Ben Stiller who spends more time in his make-believe world than in real life.

Starring opposite him is Kristen Wiig and she has exclusively revealed how she has in real life, explored unchartered territories very similar to Ben in the flick!!! The famous actress confesses that she did something very similar to the movie when she was younger and actually went off for an adventure that was life changing!

"There is something really freeing about having a backpack and everything that you need in it to survive and going see new places and traveling. It is exciting to do it by yourself. For me, traveling by myself was difficult because it can be lonely at times, but just like it is in the movie, you meet amazing people. I did it at a time in my life when I was a lot younger. I was in my early-twenties and yes it was very life changing," says the stunning glam icon.

When asked about where she went, Kristen added, "I went to India for three months and traveled around. I was up North in Dharamsala, a Tibetan village and I did some volunteer work.

I just needed to get out of my everyday life for a lit-

tle bit and explore other things and think about what I wanted to do with my life, all the sort of stuff you think about in your early twenties I guess. I subsequently scared my parents. They were basically nervous for about three months and I feel bad about that."

the power of the private dreams inside our heads . . . until they inspire our reality. That's what happens in Ben Stiller's contemporary rethink of one of the most influential fantasy stories of all time -James Thurber's The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. A stunning story of a man who finds that

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ctor Ben Stiller says that it would be "horrible" to be single at his age.

The 48-year-old, who plays Walter Mitty in his new film "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty", is married to actress Christine Taylor. He says struggling to connect with the world of romance through online dating like his character in the film would be his worst nightmare, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

"It would be challenging for me to be in that situation, being single in your 40s and facing that responsibility - to have to communicate via social media.

You have to put yourself out there; it's expected. 'What's your Facebook, your Twitter?' British newspaper Metro quoted him as saying.

"But what if you are like Walter and are not good at it? I am not good at it.

It would be horrible to be single at this age and have to put your profile up. I

have no idea how to sell myself and I really don't want to," he added. (Times of India)

Celebrities react to Peter O’Toole’s death

of acting talent and film stardom. Requiescat in pace".

Ellen DeGeneres "Hollywood lost an icon yesterday. Peter O'Toole was one of the best. I'm so glad I got to meet him".

With an adventure like this we are sure that Kristen would be very excited for the shooting for the movie, which is so relatable to her!

After bringing to you one of the most breathtakingly spectacular visual feast, the Oscar winning Life Of Pi, Fox Star Studios has yet another Oscar hopeful and epic fantasy story for the movie lovers out there, to open the new year of 2014.

No one really knows

his real life is about to blow his wildly over-active imagination out of the water.

Starring an elite ensemble cast of Ben Stiller, Kirsten Wiig, Sean Pean and others, The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty is all set to hit Indian theatres on 3rd January, one of the first biggies to start the year with.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty opens on 3rd January 2014.

(Times of India)

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ollywood took to micro blogging site Twitter to express their shock and grief at the passing of one of Hollywood's legends, eight time Oscar nominee Peter O'Toole who died on Saturday at the age of 81.

Neil Patrick Harris "So sad to hear about Peter O'Toole passing away". "Lucky to have worked with him for a month in Prague.

Wonderful man, remarkable talent."

Ron Howard "RIP Peter O'Toole.

One of his generation's greatest talents."

Whoopi Goldberg "1 of the Actors I have admired & never got 2meet Peter O' Toole has passed away & got 2 say R.I.P. You were a hell of an actor".

Alec Baldwin "O'Toole. Like Taylor, Brando, Olivier, Joan Crawford, Nicholson, this a rare combination

Ben Stiller "From Lawrence of Arabia to My Favorite Year... and so many others. One of the movie greats is gone. Respect to Peter O'Toole".

Samuel L. Jackson "I met Peter O'Toole backstage at A Soldiers Play! Amazing talent, an Inspiration! RIP." Olivia Wilde "Peter O'Toole was a great (foxy) man and wonderful actor. One great film to watch is The Ruling Class from 1972.

Super weird and funny.

RIP". (Times of India)

50

Sport

week ending December 29, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

New Zealand romp to series victory over Windies

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ew Zealand suffered few alarms as they eased to an eightwicket victory in Hamilton to claim the series 2-0. It was their first series victory over a top-eight nation since they beat the same opposition in 2006. Kane Williamson provided the main contribution, with an elegant 56, while Hamish Rutherford was unbeaten on 48, having been required to fight a little harder.

The winning runs came at 13: 45 hours when Rutherford drove Narsingh Deonarine through the covers, meaning Ross Taylor could not quite score enough in the second innings to become New Zealand’s leading scorer in a calendar year after Williamson had been bowled with six runs required.

The only chance West Indies had of conjuring something remarkable after Friday’s post- tea demise, where they lost 10 wickets in a session, was to grab a couple of quick breakthroughs to create some nerves in the home camp.

However, Rutherford and Peter Fulton saw through the initial stag-

Kane Williamson played confidently in New Zealand’s chase

es, and although Fulton chipped a return catch back to Darren Sammy the West Indies captain’s fourth sharp take of the match - the visitors could not strike in quick succession.

West Indies had lost 16 wickets on the third day in Wellington to lose by an innings.

If one thought their standards couldn’t plummet any further, one was to be proven wrong on the third day in Hamilton.

In far friendlier conditions for batting than

Basin Reserve, their entire second innings lasted less than a session. It began after tea, and ended so swiftly that New Zealand had time left to face a couple of overs in their second small chase of the series.

It was supposed to be a test by spin for New Zealand, and Sunil Narine did as well he could, bowling 42.3 overs, 36 of them on the trot, to take 6-91. Ross Taylor batted through that examination to make his third hundred

of the series and cut New Zealand’s first-innings deficit to 18. Both feats, outstanding as they were, were consigned to the sidelines by the depressingly familiar drama that West Indies served up after tea.

Granted New Zealand’s four-man pace attack, three of them left-armers, were relentless with their tight lines and fuller lengths.

Granted New Zealand came back from their sloppy catching in the first innings with some outstanding grabs. But the pitch was still the same slow one on which the sides had scored 367 and 349.

After such scores, it was effectively a secondinnings shootout. West Indies shot themselves in the foot instead.

It was the same weak-

ness again, an inability to tackle the inswing the

leftarmers were generating. (Cricinfo)

GTA congratulates Vickery on Australian Open qualification

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Sachia Vickery

nergetic 18-yearold Sachia Vickery has again made it into another main draw of a Grand Slam tournament, this time at the 2014 Australian Open.

She fought her way through three days of intense competition to defeat fellow American 18-year-old Victoria Duval in the final in straight sets 6-3, 6-3 on Sunday and in the process grabed a wildcard.

Vickery, who is of Guyanese parentage, has received congratulations from the Guyana Tennis Association (GTA) for her tremendous achievements.

A release from the association on Monday stated, “The Guyana Tennis Association (GTA) would like to extend its warmest congratulations to Ms. Sachia Vickery and her family for yet another

qualification to big stages: the Grand Slam.

“The GTA has been following your every step of the qualification process and you have continued to show exemplary skills and maturity during this tournament. To this end, we know you would give a good account of yourself at the upcoming Grand Slam of Asia (Australian Open).”

The Australian Open will run from January 1326, 2014.

With a spot in the Asian Grand Slam up for grabs, the 195th ranked Vickery showed more fight and determination through the threeday competition, which culminated with the big prize on offer.

Showing early signs of nerves, Vickery held her opening service game timidly while her higher ranked opponent breezed

through her opening service, to even things up at 1-1.

Consequently, Vickery’s nerves to get the better of her in the third game where she immediately dropped serve to fall behind 2-1.

Brimming in confidence, the 165th ranked Duval’s lead was soon short-lived as Vickery gained momentum and confidence after the first change over. She immediately broke her opponent’s serve to bring the match back on serve at 2-2, at which time she subsequently held service to inch ahead 3-2.

Intense pressure was then applied by the young Vickery, whose mother is Guyanese, in breaking down her opponent’s game to cease the opportunity to break.

After the second change of ends, to which there seemed to be no answer to what the lowerranked player was offering, Vickery began to find the going easy and serves began to be a routine as 4-2 soon became 5-2.

With the set slowly inching away, Duval would then stop the bleeding when she held serve to prolong the set at 5-3, but Vickery would soon put an end to any thought of a return.

She began hitting winners and sending down powerful serves to close it out 6-3.

The second set was more competitive, as both players matched each other’s ground strokes and power for power, but it was Vickery’s consistency that proved the deciding factor.

SPorts

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week ending December 29, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Ramdhanis dominate final day “Some careers are on Woodpecker Products annual Christmas badminton…

the line,” says Sammy

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The leading category performers pose with their winnings at the conclusion of the competition on Friday evening

he Woodpecker Products annual Christmas Singles badminton tournament concluded on Friday evening with siblings Priyanna and Narayan Ramdhani winning titles on the final day at the Queens College courts.

Priyanna, a Caribbean gold medallist, defeated Ambika Ramraj 21- 6, 21-9 in the Under-19 Girls final to add to her Under-15 title, while Narayan, a Caribbean and South American bronze medallist, got the better of

Nicholas Ali in the final of the Open Men’s category, 20-22, 21-18, 2115.

The presentation of prizes to the top three finishers in each category was done immediately after the finals by Lance Sanford and Marlyn Sanford, senior badminton players from London visiting Guyana.

Below are the overall results of the tournament: Under-15 Boys’ Singles: (1) Jonathan Mangra (2) Hemraj Beharry (3) Armand Ramdhani and Ransell

Ramsaroop; Under-15 Girls’ Singles: (1) Priyanna Ramdhani, (2) Ambika Ramraj (3) Abosaide Cadogan and Siya Persaud; Under-19 Boys’ Singles: (1) Narayan Ramdhani (2) Noel Shewjattan (3) Jonathan Mangra and Sachin Ramdhani; Under- 19 Girls Singles: (1) Priyanna Ramdhani (2) Ambika Ramraj (3) Althea McDavid; Open Men’s Singles: (1) Narayan Ramdhani (2) Nicholas Ali (3) Christopher Persaud and Noel Shewjattan.

Swann announces retirement

E

Graeme Swann

ngland and Nottinghamshire off-spinner Graeme Swann has announced his immediate retirement from cricket.

The 34-year-old has taken only seven wickets during this winter’s Ashes series defeat and has ruled himself out of the rest of the tour in Australia.

Swann took 255 wickets in 60 Tests - the sixth highest for England.

“This decision has been very difficult seeing as the England team has been my family for seven years now, but I feel it is the right time,” he said.

“I don’t regret a single day of my career. Every high has been celebrated with verve and vigour and every low painfully accepted as a chance to learn and improve.”

Swann’s shock decision comes a week after

England lost the Ashes to Australia following a heavy defeat in Perth to give the home side an unassailable 3-0 series lead with two Tests to play.

His retirement means he will be unavailable for the fourth Test, starting in Melbourne on Boxing Day (Thursday), and further unsettles the England team following the departure of batsman Jonathan Trott with a stress-related illness earlier in the tour.

“I know I’m making the decision for the right reasons,” added Swann.

“My body doesn’t like playing five day cricket anymore, and I don’t feel I can justify my spot in the team in the latter stages of a game, and as a spinner, that’s when you need to come into your own.

“With two games

to go in Australia and then a fiercely competitive summer against Sri Lanka and India I feel that it is a great time for someone else to strap themselves in and hopefully enjoy the ride as much as I have,” he added.

Swann, who was first named in an England squad back in 19992000, finally made his Test debut in 2008 and took four wickets against India in Chennai.

He made a reputation for taking wickets in the first over of a spell and went on to become the sixth-highest wicket-taker in his country’s history during this Ashes series.

Despite struggling with elbow problems in recent years, Swann played in three Ashes series victories and helped England become the number one ranked side in the world in 2011.

He also took 104 wickets in 79 one-day internationals after making his debut against South Africa in Bloemfontein in 2000 at the age of 20 and spent a spell as the top ranked ODI bowler in 2011.

In addition, he helped England clinch their first major global world title at the 2010 World Twenty20 in the Caribbean. (BBC Sport)

arren Sammy “We escaped in has conceded Dunedin by fighting hard with our backs that careers against the wall. could be on the line There’s a lot of work after West Indies’ 2-0 series defeat, into do, we just need to cluding his own posibe more consistent.”

West Indies’ next tion as captain. His team’s hopes disapTest series is against New Zealand in the peared in a session Caribbean more on the third day in Hamilton as they than five months were skittled for away and, given the regression in their 103, and it was far form over the last from a one-off implocouple of months on sion from the West the road, the selecIndies batsmen.

Sammy, as he tors could well deDarren Sammy has throughout, spoke cide a change is needed. honestly and openly Sammy has already been removed while reflecting on another heavy defeat-West Indies’ fourth in five match- from the one-day captain’s role, which es-but there was a hollow look in his now belongs to Dwayne Bravo, aleyes. When asked if he was “angry”, he though he remains the captain of the said he wasn’t that type of person - “I Twenty20 side that will start as defendhave good control over my emotions” - ing champions at the World Twenty20 but whereas in Wellington, he watched in Bangladesh.

“At the end of the day, the selectors his side fold in seamer-friendly conditions that favoured New Zealand, in recommend the captain. If I’m asked to Hamilton, there was little in the sur- do the job I’d still do it. They’ll make face for the pace bowlers. the decision,” Sammy said.

Overall, Shivnarine Chanderpaul At tea on the third day at Seddon and Darren Bravo averaged over 60 Park, there were no such remorsefor the series, and Denesh Ramdin’s ful feelings in the West Indies side. hundred lifted his figure to 38.40, but Although their lead was only 18, they then the numbers slip away. Marlon knew one solid display, leaving a tarSamuels was the major disappoint- get over 200, would have given Sunil ment, averaging 19.50 while Kieran Narine the chance to be a match-winPowell, who had established himself in ner.

“We came here to good batting conthe opener’s position, was 17.33.

“There are tough decisions to be ditions, that’s not a 103-run pitch, but made by the coach and the director credit to McCullum and his boys, they of cricket, some careers are on the had a plan for every batsman and the line, could be mine as well, you never way their bowlers bowled out under know,” Sammy said while he sat along- pressure, we didn’t have a response,” Sammy said. side West Indies’ coach, Ottis Gibson.

“The batting unit needed partner“Watch us play when we play well and people say wow, things are mov- ships, and we were unable to do that. I ing forward, but it’s two steps forward, don’t know what it is, in the end, it’s up then three or four backwards. Before to us as batsmen to get the necessary we went to India, there were six con- runs, even if they’re ugly.” At the mosecutive Test wins. Then, on the tour of ment, West Indies’ batting is more often ugly for the wrong reasons.

India, we got beaten miserably.

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week ending December 29, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guinness Street Football-Georgetown leg…

Queen Street-Tiger Bay crowned champions

By Avenash Ramzan

B

uoyed on by a large band of supporters, Queen Street-Tiger Bay turned in a sterling performance to defeat Stevedore Housing Scheme 2-0 to earn the title of ‘champions’ of the Georgetown leg of the sixth annual Guinness Street Football competition on Saturday evening at the National Park tarmac.

Playing in front of a packed venue, Hope Street-Tiger Bay had earlier needled Albouystown B 1-0 to take the third place playoff.

In the championship game-dubbed a clash of the only two unbeaten teams in the competition-Queen Street-Tiger Bay clearly appeared the hungrier team, constantly creating opportunities and challenging Stevedore’s defence.

After a few close

shaves with the small goal, Queen StreetTiger Bay finally broke the deadlock in the 13th minute through a Leon Fredericks goal to go 1-0 up. The goal visibly shook the confidence of the Stevedore lads and catapulted Queen StreetTiger Bay’s as the latter team started to concentrate on protecting their one goal advantage.

Although Stevedore tried desperately to equalise, they were met with a stern defence that repeatedly denied the challenges they put forward. Any hope they had of rebounding and capping a come-from-behind victory was thwarted in the 27th minute when Alpha Fletchman blasted in Queen Street-Tiger Bay’s second and final goal to seal the match.

For the victory, the champions walked away with Gy$ 500,000 cash, the championship tro-

Guinness Brand Manager, Lee Baptiste, presents the championship trophy and cash incentive to members of the Queen Street-Tiger Bay team in the presence of other officials of Banks DIH Limited and the Petra Organisation (Photos: Avenash Ramzan)

phy and bragging rights, while Stevedore Housing Scheme had to settle for Gy$ 300,000 and the runner-up trophy.

Hope Street-Tiger Bay won the third place playoff. Here the skipper collects the trophy and cash prize from Troy Mendonca (left) of the Petra Organisation

Both teams however, have qualified as Georgetown representatives at the national playoff next year.

In the third place playoff, Hope StreetTiger Bay needled just a solitary goal to get past Albouystown B. That allimportant strike came off the boot of Rensford Coleridge in the fifth minute.

Hope Street-Tiger Bay collected Gy$ 200,000 and a trophy, while Albouystown B received Gy$ 100,000 and a trophy.

In the two exhibition games that preceded that final and third place play off, Guinness Bar edged Globe Yard 3-2 and Oasis Taxi got the better of the Media side 2-0.

Call to revive softball cricket in Barbados

F

ormer parliamentarian Hamilton Lashley believes there is an urgent need for the re- emergence of softball cricket on the island.

In fact, Lashley has gone so far as to suggest that one of the reasons behind Barbados’ failure to produce as many top class cricketers as in years gone by, has been the lack of softball cricket being played.

The former minister pointed to the fact that most of the island’s cricket legends started off by playing softball cricket.

“When you look at the likes of Joel “Big Bird” Garner, Malcolm Marshall, Carlisle Best, they are all cricketers who used to play softball cricket quite frequently,” he told SUNSPORT in an interview recently.

“Softball cricket

Hamilton Lashley

helps to improve a cricketer’s technique in batting, bowling, fielding and wicket-keeping.

“In fact, I? would go so far as to say that softball cricket is the most physically demanding form of cricket to play.”

Lashley explained that because of the lightness of the ball, batsmen, bowlers and field-

ers had to be extremely focused and skilled to perfect their art.

He said that this meant that when those cricketers moved on to “hardball cricket” their techniques had already been sharpened.

“When softball cricket was abundant in Barbados, that was when we were the cricket powerhouse of the region,” Lashley maintained.

“Those were the days of the Shell Shield, when softball cricket could be seen played on every pasture around Barbados.

“At that time we used to have eight and nine players in the West Indies team . . . but now that softball cricket is practically dead here, we are struggling to get three players constantly in the regional side, far less eight or nine,” he said.

Lashley said it was

for reasons such as these that he had tried to rejuvenate the sport through the hosting of the just concluded Joe Connell/ Rosita Browne Softball Competition.

He strongly believes that if softball cricket is regularly played once again, Barbados could see a turnaround in its cricket fortunes.

“We need to bring softball cricket into the primary and secondary schools, and I am calling on the National Sports Council, all sporting agencies and the private sector to support such an initiative.

“The game of softball cricket is on a suicidal path if it is not revived. We can’t allow it to die, because it plays an instrumental part in the development of our young cricketers,” he said. (www.windiescricket.com)

Successful competition

Speaking to the media after the presentation ceremony, representatives of the various stakeholders, who have worked to put together the tournament over the years, all agreed that the Georgetown leg was a huge success.

Guinness Brand Manager, Lee Baptiste, said Banks DIH Limited is satisfied with the outcome of the tournament in terms of the quality of play seen and the large crowd that flocked the various venues.

Banks DIH Limited’s Communications Manager, Troy Peters, echoed similar sentiments, adding that the aim of the concept was to unearth the talents in the streets, and it has

been successful in this regard over the years.

The Petra Organisation has partnered with Banks DIH Limited to stage the tournament, and according to co-director of that body, Troy Mendonca, several other zone competitions will be hosted in early 2014 to determine the teams that will contest the national playoff.

Zone competitions are on stream for Berbice, East Coast Demerara, West Demerara, Linden and Bartica.

The winner of the national playoff in June will earn the right to represent Guyana at the Guinness Caribbean Street Challenge the following month in Trinidad and Tobago.

Gibson, Pybus to... wearing thin especially when it came to the batting performances.

“Batting collapses happen. In our team they happen too often.

It’s a sickening feeling when it happens to your team.”

In the short term Gibson has the limited-overs leg of the New Zealand tour to focus on, which brings with it a change of captain Dwayne Bravo replaces Sammy for the ODIs, but not the T20s - and Gibson hopes for a fresh approach.

“Dwayne brings his own energies,” he said.

“Sometimes what is going on in the Tests can drain the players, it can have a drain on the captain as well. Having a new figurehead in the one-dayers, and some new players, means we aren’t taking too much baggage into the series.”

There is also the

from back page

chance that Gayle will be available for the two Twenty20s that round off the tour next month.

Gayle picked up a hamstring injury during the one-day series in India and was ruled to have not recovered in time for the 50-overs segment of this trip.

He is currently in Sydney, believed to be as part of his rehabilitation programme, and Gibson said the main target for him was the World Twenty20 defence in Bangladesh.

“We’re in communication with him and the people he’s working with in Australia,” Gibson said.

“He’s still injured so it would be an unnecessary risk to fast track him with what lies ahead. The World T20 is coming up - a format where he is king. He should be available for the two T20s.” (Cricinfo)

Sport week ending December 29, 2013

TT cricketers for one-day warm-ups

T

RINIDAD and Tobago’s cricketers will begin their preparations in earnest for the upcoming regional Super 50 tournament and the four-day tournament with three one-day matches to be staged at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port-of-Spain.

The matches which will involve some of the leading players on the Red Force roster will be staged on December 27, 29 and 30 and will get underway at 9.30 am.

Missing from the squads are T&T players who are currently on duty with the West Indies team in New Zealand and they include national cap-

tain and wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin, Dwayne and Darren Bravo, Sunil Narine, Shannon Gabriel and Ravi Rampaul.

Team “A” with Adrian Barath, Jason Mohammed, Derone Davis, Samuel Badree and Kevin Cooper in their line-up will clash with Team “B” which has Evin Lewis, Kjorn and Yannick Ottley, Stephen Katwaroo and Yannick Cariah.

National coach Kelvin Williams will manage the “A” team while his assistant David Williams will perform similar duties with the “B” team.

The teams are as follows: Team A: Adrian

Barath, Justin Guillen, Jason Mohammed, Johnathan Agustus, Vikash Mohan, Adrian Ali, Imran Khan, Derone Davis, Samuel Badree, Navin Stewart, Tevin Robertson, Ricky Jaipaul, Kevon Cooper. Kelvin Williams (Coach), Ronald Rogers (Trainer).

Team B: Evin Lewis, Kjorn Ottley, Ranga Latchana, Petroc Nicholas, Khesan Yannick Ottley, Sherwin Ganga, Steven Katwaroo, Daron Cruickshank, Yannic Cariah, Marlon Richards, Vishal Nipaul, Kissoondath Magram, Nicholas Pooran, David Williams (Coach), Clinton Jeremiah (Trainer).

Reggae Boy returns to...

from back page

covered now, because I went back to Aalesunds last month for the final check-up and they declared me OK to play again."

Morrison got his first taste of competitive football in over six months, when he came on as a late substitute for Portmore United in their Red Stripe Premier League match against August Town on Sunday.

"I am just getting back to match fitness, so I decided to come and play some games

for Portmore and try and help them because they were in a bad situation," Morrison shared.

"At first, that wasn't the plan, to come and play, but I saw the situation, and I love this club. The agreement is just until January, so, hopefully, I will be back overseas January coming."

EFFECTIVE PLAYER

The 29-year-old started his senior club career with Village United, before joining Portmore United in 2004. During his five seasons there, he

helped them to two national league titles.

He went on a trial stint with English team Sheffield United in 2006, and was sent to their feeder team, White Star Woluwe, in Belgium.

He also had a stint in Hungary, before making the move to Norway.

Morrison has now set his sights on a move to Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States come January, but is open to offers from clubs in other countries.

(Jamaica Gleaner)

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| guyanatimeSinternational.com

JCA ponders fitness centre for Sabina Park

T

HE Jamaica C r i c k e t Association (JCA) has announced a plan to build a health and fitness centre at Sabina Park to help improve the fitness of national players.

Addressing reporters and editors of the Jamaica Observer Sport Club on Thursday, newly elected president Wilford 'Billy' Heaven said that there is enough space at Sabina Park to facilitate the setting up of a fully equipped gymnasium.

"We intend to have a well-equipped gym at Sabina Park, as you can see we have the physical space there to build a gym", he said.

"We are looking to renovate that space... we are looking to equip that space."

Heaven, who defeated Milton Henry comfortably at the November 28 polls to take over the reigns of local cricket, said special emphasis will also be placed on nutrition, plus all other areas of relevant development.

"The players are not only going in to run on machines as we are look-

Wilford ‘Billy’ Heaven speaks at the Jamaica Observer Sport Club at the newspaper’s Beechwood Avenue headquarters on Thursday. (PHOTO: NAPHTLI JUNIOR)

ing on nutrition, fitness, alertness, and metal fitness. We are looking to provide counselling for the players as well, because at the end of the day, this thing is building you", he said.

Heaven reiterated that a "fit mind and body will bring you success".

JCA director Dr Akshai Mansingh also emphasised the importance of the health and fitness centre and he addressed the important fitness for cricketers.

"The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has established a standard of fitness which is documented in a manual that says what standard of fitness are expected," he said.

Dr Mansingh added that cricket has a standard of fitness which is different from other sports.

"Cricket is played over six hours... periods of sprinting and periods of non-activities.

The ability to run a certain distance at a certain time which is to measure strength and to sprint a certain distance within a time frame so that we can see the level of the fitness", Dr Mansingh said.

"Cricket comprises specific tests such as flexibility, strength, endurance, aerobics etc..., persons who do meet these criteria must meet the minimum standards", he said.

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Sport

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week ending December 29, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Ravens take second Phillip George title – Pacesetters win third division title

By Treiston Joseph

D

ynas Ravens routed the Colts 78-53 to take the second edition of the Phillip George Legacy memorial championship on Sunday evening at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

The Ravens out ran, out hustled and out rebounded the Colts on their way to the 25- point drubbing of a Colts team that couldn’t sink a shot as they shot less than 30 percent from the field.

Rebounding was the name of the game for the Ravens as they dominated the post with the likes of Ryan Gullen and Akeem “The Dream” Kanhai, who were rebounding machines both on the offensive and defensive glass as the duo claimed a ton of garbage points for the Ravens.

Their guards, Ryan Stephney and Dorian Lewis, constantly pet rated the lanes, dicing up the defense of the Colts, who had a tough time reThe Dynas Ravens players celebrate their second straight win of the Phillip George Legacy tournament (Photos: Treiston Joseph)

Akeem “The Dream” Kanhai heads to rim through contact for a three-point play

bounding the ball.

Colts guard Nikkoloi Smith erupted for a 20 points first quarter performance, but could not sustain the effort as he ended with a game-high 24 points in the loss.

Stephney, who had his jumper working well, dropped a team-high 17 points, while Kanhai, who tormented the post players of the Colts, also ended with 17 points, which helped him to capture the Most Valuable Player award.

Gullen, who before the final won the three-point shootout, ended the night with 10 points, while guard Dominic Vincente had 11 points in the win.

Meanwhile, in the third division final, Pacesetters came out on top with a 63-59 win over the Plaisance Guardians.

Pacesetters played brilliant interior defence, especially with the presence of Joclyn Crawford in the middle, who blocked five shots, altered many and collected 13 re-

bounds.

Crawford’s game-altering plays on the defensive end resulted in guard Ruel Ritch being able to set up the fast break offense effectively in the open court while controlling the game once the pace slowed down.

Ritch ended with a team high 20 points, while Tariq Cave dropped 13 points to bolster the offensive production in the win.

Colwyn Nurse dropped a game-high 22

points in the loss for the Guardians, while Nduka Yorrick had a solid 14-point performance in the blow out.

At the presentation ceremony held immediately after the game, president of the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA), Michael Singh reiterated his commitment to basketball in Georgetown while thanking the teams for their support throughout the tournament.

guyanatimeSinternational.com

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

week ending December 29, 2013

Reggae Boy returns to roots Jason Morrison

Philander on top of the world

S O

ut-of-favour national midfielder, Jason Morrison, is back in Jamaica as he looks to relaunch his career, after parting ways with Norwegian club Aalesunds.

Morrison, who was contracted to Aalesunds until the end of next season, left the club by mutual consent, as he wanted to be among his family while recovering from a knee operation and subsequent blood clot.

"I have been injured with a blood clot since May, so I have been out for the last six months," Morrison informed The Gleaner. "I was there (Norway) for

six months without playing and without family and friends, so I decided to come to an agreement with the club (Aalesunds) to terminate my contract. I wanted to be home with my family while recovering from the injury."

KNEE PROBLEM

Morrison did a minor surgery on his knee in February, but it led to a major problem.

"The doctors said after the surgery there was a high risk of getting a blood clot; and with the long flights to Jamaica and back to Norway," Morrison explained. "I am fully recontinued on page 53

outh Africa fast bowler Vernon Philander has achieved the coveted number-one ranking on the Reliance ICC player rankings for Test bowlers after a stellar performance against India in the Johannesburg Test, which ended in a thrilling draw on Sunday.

Philander had entered the Test trailing team-mate Dale Steyn by four ratings points. While Philander recorded figures of four for 61 and three for 68, Steyn managed just one wicket. The contrasting performances resulted in Philander gaining 13 ratings points and Steyn conceding 13 ratings points.

This swing means Philander now leads Steyn by 22 ratings points and the 28-year-old from Bellville will now start the Durban Test as the number-one ranked bowler in the world for the first time in his career.

Reacting to the news that he is the new num-

PHILANDER... is now the seventh South African bowler to claim the number-one rank

ber-one ranked Test bowler, Philander said: "I am happy with my position as the No.1 ranked Test bowler. It is an honour to have been bowling alongside a champion like Dale.

"It's been a great couple of years for our squad, and I have been fortunate enough to contribute to our success on the

field. What has been the most pleasing though for us has been the all-round contribution from everyone in the squad that has been the main reason for our success over the last few years.

"Needless to say, it is always easier to be at the top of your game and successful when you are part of a winning team. Dale

has been a tireless workhorse for us and continues to consistently put in quality performances for our team, it is no wonder that he was at the top of the bowling ranking for so long."

Philander is now the seventh South Africa bowler to claim the number-one rank after Aubrey Faulkner (1914-1921), Hugh Tayfield (19551958), Peter Pollock (1969), Allan Donald (1998-1999), Shaun Pollock (1999-2003) and Steyn (2008-2013).

Philander has also become the third South Africa bowler after Pollock and Steyn to break the barrier of 900 ratings points, considered a landmark for top bowlers.

Philander's total of 912 ratings points is the joint-sixth best ever, with England's Tony Lock and West Indies paceman Curtly Ambrose, and the best-ever by a South Africa bowler. (Jamaica Observer)

Gibson, Pybus to plot way forward for West Indies in Tests

T

he future of the West Indies Test team will be mapped out early next year with the coach Ottis Gibson and the new director of cricket Richard Pybus set to meet to discuss how to respond to the recent slump in results.

Four of West Indies’ last five Tests have been heavy defeats and without rain in Dunedin it would have been five losses in a row, undoing the strides made over the previous year where the side had strung together six straight Test victories.

Their next Test assignment is not until May when they host New Zealand in a return series, but although Gibson wants to use the gap to make a considered judgement on his team,

Ottis Gibson (right) has said the West Indies team management will not make hasty decisions in view of the recent slump in results

it seems inconceivable that significant changes won’t take place.

Pybus only joined the

WICB in late October, shortly before West Indies went to India, so there has been limited

opportunity for him to work with Gibson.

“We’ve had some discussions already about

where we are and my thoughts on what we need to do to move forward,” Gibson said.

“There’s a meeting pencilled in for us when we get back, including the selectors, to try and plot the way forward.

We have five months before the next Test series which gives us some time.”

West Indies were hampered in New Zealand by the absence of Kemar Roach, due to a shoulder injury, and Chris Gayle, but the discussions between Gibson and Pybus will also need to focus on the status of players such as Ravi Rampaul and Fidel Edwards, who have doubts over their viability for Test cricket, and whether to recall other experienced figures such as Ramnaresh Sarwan

and Dwayne Bravo.

Careers on the line

In the aftermath of the 2-0 loss against New Zealand, which was sealed by a collapse for 103 in the second innings in Hamilton where all 10 wickets fell in a session, Darren Sammy spoke about careers being on the line but Gibson said there will be no hasty decisions.

“When you’ve just lost a series, and the way we’ve lost, emotions run high and people start talking about careers being on the line and it’s a bit premature,” he said.

“We can get home, let the dust settle and assess where we are. We can come up with a plan, but also decide who the right personnel are.”

He did, though, concede that patience was continued on page 52

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