Guyana Times International

INTERNATIONAL

Search for Miss Guyana World 2014 begins Page 43

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

for FRee distribution guyanatimesinternational.com

You can also read Guyana Times daily edition online at www.guyanatimesgy.com ISSUE NO. 168

week ending November 17, 2013

Glenn Lall, Kaieteur News to Pg 3 stand trial in New York libel case

Relatives,friends express shock at businessman's murderous rampage Page 7

Schenectady first in political win

Page 12

Kaieteur News owner and publisher Mohan Lall, aka Glenn Lall

Kaieteur News editor-in-chief Adam Harris

Guyanese-American is top votegetter in City Council race

John Mootooveren

Auditor General’s report erroneous, sloppy on Page 22 pharmaceutical supplies - New GPC

2

week ending november 17, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

NEWS

3

week ending november 17, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

El Dorado gold heist Glenn Lall, Kaieteur News to accused remanded stand trial in New York libel case

N

T

Anil Diaram being escorted to the courtroom

hree men involved in the El Dorado Gold heist made their first court appearance on Wednesday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to the charges against them.

The men charged were Ameerullah Khurchullah and Anil Diaram of Berbice and Kenneth Garraway of Charity, Essequibo.

The trio appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya SewnarineBeharry and were not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that on Friday November 8 at

Port Kaituma, North West District, they stole a quantity of cash and several ounces of gold totalling Gy$ 93 million.

Special Prosecutor attorney Glen Hanuman stated that the general manager of the business orchestrated the crime. He procured Khurchullah and Diaram, whom he knew from before to come from Berbice to Port Kaituma with the third accused, Garraway, three days before the crime.

Khurchullah and Diaram collected the gold and cash and recontinued on page 7

ew York Judge Joan M Kenney absolutely did not rule that “Kaieteur News has every right to publish what it did” and that the newspaper never even disputed claims that the articles were (a) false and (b) defamatory, NEW GPC INC lawyer Ray Beckerman said.

His comment comes in the wake of reports

by Kaieteur News paper and the Capitol News (TV) that the judge ruled that Kaieteur News had every right to publish what it did about the NEW GPC INC and that as a preliminary matter, the pharmaceutical company failed to make any showing that the articles published by Kaieteur News International “constitute fault as judged by, at a minimum, a negligence standard.”

In an invited comment to Guyana Times International, Beckerman said the judge merely ruled that as a media defendant writing on a matter of public interest, Kaieteur News had the right to invoke the First Amendment privilege which would insulate

it from liability unless NEW GPC could show that the paper acted with knowledge of the falsity of the statements, or with reckless disregard for their truth or falsity.

In addition, the judge also ruled that there were triable issues of fact concerning whether Kaieteur News acted with knowledge of the falsity of the statements it made, or was reckless or grossly irresponsible in making them. NEW GPC had asked the court to rule summarily in its favour, on the ground that the news articles were false and defamatory.

False articles

Kaieteur News, in responding to the motion, did not dispute NEW GPC’s claims that the articles were both false and defamatory, Attorney Beckerman said.

He added that Kaieteur News’s sole defence was that as a media defendant writing about a matter of public interest, it was entitled to invoke the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, which meant that it was pro-

Kaieteur News owner and publisher Mohan Lall, aka Glenn Lall

tected by privilege and could only be found liable, even if the statements are in fact false and defamatory, if (a) it knew the statements it had made were false, or (b) it had acted grossly irresponsibly and/ or recklessly.

The court agreed that Kaieteur News was a media defendant entitled to claim privilege, since the articles were about a matter that was of public interest to the Guyanese community in New York, and, therefore, NEW GPC was required to make an additional showing of knowledge of the falsity, or reckless-

ness or gross irresponsibility, before it could collect damages.

The court scheduled a “preliminary conference” for January 9, 2014, at which a schedule will be set for the completion of pre-trial discovery, and for a trial date, further summary judgment motions, and other similar litigation events.

Back in August last year, the NEW GPC filed the lawsuit in New York seeking US$ 1 million in damages. In its writ, the company stated that it was relying “on its good reputation, goodwill and integrity in its business dealings both in Guyana and internationally”, and that was being impugned.

The company had also accused Kaieteur News of waging a campaign designed to destroy the Guyana Times newspaper and defame the reputation of Dr Ranjisinghi Ramroop, chief executive officer of NEW GPC. It had also described as malicious, defamatory, false and libellous, the allegations that the Health Ministry had paid it exorbitant costs for drugs it procured.

4

Views

week ending november 17, 2013

| guyanatimeSinternational.com

INTERNATIONAL To contact: Guyana Times International

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

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

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

EDITORIAL

Partisan politics

I

t is unfortunate that in spite of several pleas from almost every stakeholder, including the international community and the Private Sector Commission (PSC), the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) Bill (AMLCFT) was defeated in the National Assembly by a majority opposition vote last week.

The absence of adequate legislative support had resulted in the country missing an August deadline and the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) granting an extension to November 18. Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall and Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) head Paul Geer have now been tasked with examining the anticipated impact of the failure to pass the legislation on Guyana.

From all indications, Guyana’s representatives will appear before a CFATF plenary next week, and it is expected that the country’s representatives will report that the AMLCFT Bill has not been passed. The government fully understands the many negative implications of the legislation not being passed and certainly has not given up in its continued efforts to place pressure on the opposition parties.

President Donald Ramotar met numerous civil society stakeholders earlier this week for crucial talks. Among them were members of the private sector, bankers and trade unionists, the majority of whom will directly or indirectly be affected by the opposition’s rejection of the bill that sought to upgrade Guyana’s laws against financial crimes.

The PSC must be commended for being so vocal on the issue.

The body has issued several releases and has been engaged in serious lobbying efforts, imploring all sides to act in the nation’s interest. It is always encouraging to see civil society stakeholders taking an active role in matters of national importance.

We were very disappointed that the opposition voted to prevent the PSC’s petition from being presented in Parliament.

This, of course, raises several other questions in relation to the role of the legislature in strengthening democracy. In our view, the PSC’s petition would have given lawmakers an opportunity to hear the concerns of the various constituents in relation to the legislation.

The PSC represents those industries that drive the Guyana economy forward , while providing the bulk of the employment opportunities and include, as outlined in the petition, Guyana’s business community across the country – rice; mining (gold and bauxite); banking and insurance; construction; telecommunications and associated services; domestic aviation; manufacturing; fishing; tourism; and forestry.

Preventing the PSC’s petition from being read, therefore, could be interpreted as an attempt by the opposition to silence this very important stakeholder. This most recent action sends the wrong signal and may even discourage other stakeholders who may have a genuine desire in shaping future debates on national issues.

However, all of the political players are in support of having such legislation in place and from the way it looks, they are still open to discussion on the matter. But it will call for much maturity, flexibility and compromise on everyone’s part to see the successful passage of the bill.

For its part, the Alliance For Change (AFC) has signalled its willingness to support an agreement to take the bill back to the National Assembly. However, it maintains that it will not vote for the legislation to be passed unless steps are taken towards making the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) a reality.

Similarly, Opposition Leader David Granger expressed the willingness of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) to cooperate with its counterparts to bring the bill back before the National Assembly, but he said that it would need to be recommitted to the select committee level for further considerations. It must be noted that to date, we have no idea as to the real concerns of APNU in relation to the bill as it has not made these public.

It is hoped that our politicians will rise above partisan politics and act for the good of the country and its people. The nation expects no less.

More drama! Students of one of the participating schools perform on Wednesday at the National Cultural Centre as part of the ongoing National Drama Festival (Carl Croker photo)

Hajj 2013: A journey of love

M

y name was written.

My invitation was called out by the angels. You are a guest of Allah.

It is time for your pilgrimage.

My baby got sick. I moved residence four days before travel, but my heart beat anxiously, and I packed as lightly as I could, one black and red haversack on my back and one small grey bag in my hand, nothing to check in.

The 21-day journey beckoned. It’s time for changes in your life. We set out.

Labbaik allumma labbaik… Here I am at your service my Lord! Nine and a half hours to London, three and a half hours to Istanbul, three hours to Jeddah Airport waiting, sharing snacks, praying in corners… names of the East came to life as the group of pilgrims under Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) leadership arrived at the Holy City of Mecca to go visit the Holy Kabah for the first time.

The men were in their Ihraam, two pieces of unstitched white cotton and the women prepared in their best and humblest to stand before their Lord, to enter the Holiest place on Earth, to enter the Haram of the Holy Kabah.

We were well advised.

Duaas/ prayers made at the sighting of the Holy Shrine are accepted.

Friends were helping with suggestions and in urgent quietness we entered, joining the throngs already there, and, I looked… I wanted to scream. I wanted to shout.

There it is! There it is! It is the Holy Kabah! Just like in the books. It is that square brick structure draped in black and gold. It is where we are commanded to go around.

It is where our prayers are answered. It is where the prophets have stood and prayed. I was crying through my nose and my eyes and I felt humbled.

Bismillah Allahu Akbar! I raised my hand and shouted.

Bismillah Allahu Akbar!

Each heart has its own sto-

ry to tell. We spent time in Mecca where only Muslims are allowed to enter, walking its streets, being enticed by the bargains of beautiful clothes and jewellery and perfumes and ornaments, being amazed by its brightness, its expansiveness, its beauty, its advancement in architecture and human management as it sits between mountains of dry white stone.

Then we entered Medina.

This was the city which accepted Prophet Mohammad (saw) and the Sahabahs when they had to migrate. The city they lived in, the city they died in.

My visit to the Prophet’s masjid was, to use a cliché, “mind blowing”. The city itself is warm and peaceful. The mountains are red and fertile.

I saw trees and date palm groves and flowers and people everywhere. I felt a happiness and ease I cannot explain.

We waited our turn to go into the masjid to see where the Prophet and the two first caliphs are buried.

There I was, a simple woman from Guyana, standing on the Holy Rawdah giving salaam to the final Messenger of Islam. I cannot really explain how that felt.

From Medina, we went to Mina. There we lived in tents, 150 per tent, sharing facilities with sisters from around the world. We learned to find the bathrooms and wudu areas and sometimes we got lost and then we got found.

From Mina, it was on to Arafah, the place where the final sermon was done by the Prophet (SAW) Arafah is heavenly as it lies encircled by the watching mountains. We prayed in our tents and as the sun cooled, we raised our hands to the heavens and cried in silent beseeching duaas.

From Arafah to the plains of Muzdalifah, lying on the gravel and earth amongst the two and a half million present, looking up to the clear sky and again wrapped by those mountains. I did not sleep that night.

I sat on my folded sheet and watched the buses come and the pilgrims trying to fit into any space they could. Prayers made miracles that night as more hands and hearts and tears were raised to the Heavens.

From Muzdalifah to Mina and then to the stoning of the devil at the Jamrahs.

Nothing prepared me for the walking visits to the jamrahs.

We went as pilgrims to do our pilgrimage, to fulfil the pillar of Islam called the Hajj.

We took each ritual as it was done by those before us and commanded to be done by Almighty Allah.

Between visiting and praying and contemplation and zikr, we got to know the people in our group and around us and we made friends.

As my eight-year-old baby I left at home counted down the days, it was time for the farewell tawaaf, The farewell visit to the Holy Kabah.

It was one of the hardest rituals because of the immense crowd, but it was one of the most heart hurting things to do. We were leaving, not knowing if we would ever see it again. We were leaving truth and peace and history.

It was not easy but we had to say farewell.

In all the pushing and swaying and tumbling and heat, we moved and did our rounds. It was after this that I was given a gift I had so wished for.

I was taken again through the crowds to the Holy Kabah that I may touch its warm bricks with the palm of my bare hand. I touched it! I leaned forward and with both palms pressed to the wall, I prayed, for love and happiness and living the rest of my life more pleasing to Almighty Allah.

As we walked out to the courtyard and gathered around the Big Clock, we realised that our rituals had come to an end.

Our Hajj was complete. Seven ladies and 21 men set out on September 28 as part of the CIOG Hajj group. continued on page 9

news

5

week ending november 17, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Govt to establish unit to tackle financial crimes I n an effort to cushion the impact that might follow due to Guyana’s failure to enact the Anti-Money laundering and Countering The Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, the government has agreed to the creation and operationalisation of a Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), with support from multilateral and bilateral partners.

Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon made this disclosure during his weekly post-Cabinet press conference at the Office of the President on Wednesday.

According to Dr Luncheon, the SOCU will investigate suspected financial transactions suggestive of money laundering and financing of terrorism, in keeping with Guyana’s treaty obligation to the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF).

He disclosed that the SOCU will operate under the purview of the police commissioner. The unit will also be working closely with the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU).

The FIU was established under the AntiMoney Laundering

ry special select committee.

APNU and the Alliance For Change (AFC) members of Parliament used their one-seat majority to vote down the bill.

Granger told Guyana Times International that there are unresolved clauses in the bill to be

Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon

and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act of 2009, with the primary objective to monitor the financial sector.

According to Dr Luncheon, SOCU will raise the bar from monitoring to investigating.

“FIU in its remit obtains information about suspicious financial transactions; there is a statutory obligation for the financial bodies and para-financial bodies to have surveillance by supervisory bodies through which this information is made available to the FIU. They compile that information of suspect financial transactions and that information is

passed on to SOCU,” he explained.

SOCU, armed with that information, would then conduct investigations to determine the nature of the identified financial transaction.

According to Dr Luncheon, the recruitment process for investigators to constitute SOCU will commence shortly, noting that the process is expected to be completed by year- end.

A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) leader David Granger on Tuesday said the coalition is willing to re-examine the money laundering legislation at the level of the parliamenta-

dealt with at the parliamentary committee.

Asked whether Guyana would be able to meet the November 17 deadline; he said CFATF is more concerned about compliance and a legislation that is enforceable.

Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman has

indicated that the AntiMoney Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) Bill can be re- tabled, but stressed the importance of a common understanding between People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/ C), APNU and the AFC parliamentarians.

6

news

week ending november 17, 2013

| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Freed murder accused shot dead

A

28-year-old Albouystown, Georgetown man who was freed on a murder charge in 2012 was shot dead by a lone gunman late Tuesday night in his community.

Dead is Rayburn Harvey of Lot 144 James Street, Albouystown. A close relative told Guyana Times International that Harvey was at a wake in Rasville around 23: 20h when he received a phone call. “Ah coming just now,” were his words to the person on the phone. The miner left the wake on a CG motorcycle with the promise to return but he never did. Harvey had reportedly stopped in the vicinity of the “Island” in Albouystown when he was shot. “As soon as he come off the CG he was riding, a tall, fine Negro man dressed in all back shot him and when Rayburn fell to the ground, the man went over him and fired about six to seven bullets after,” the woman said, recounting what family members were told by the eyewitness, who had run to Harvey’s aid af-

ter the gunman fled the scene. As he bled profusely, the miner begged the eyewitness to call his family members, but, by the time, they arrived at the scene, he had already been rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital. “When we went to the hospital, he was critical but the doctors managed to stabilise him: he went to the theatre breathing, they almost got out all of the bullets except for one to his neck... I left there about three o’clock,” the woman recalled.

Harvey, however, succumbed to his injuries subsequently.The only thing that was missing from his person was his cellular phone. Family members said they were at a loss as to the motive behind the shooting.

Harvey leaves to mourn his wife and one-monthold baby.

Back in March 2012, Justice Franklyn Holder had freed Harvey who was accused of killing Samantha Belle in a robbery/ murder in 2011, after the prosecution had failed to make out a prima facie case against him.

Berserk...

.. businessman The newspapers yesterday (Wednesday) were chock full of reports on the fellow they unanimously dubbed as going "berserk" on Middle Street, Georgetown. He ended up killing four persons before he was taken out. For good reason. The ancient Norse warriors, who were the original "berserkers", worked themselves into a state of rage by eating heavily drugged food – then plunging into battle.

The man was said to be a miner who was high on cocaine – the drug of choice today – and with no apparent reason killed two employees of a taxi service renting his premises.

The other two killed were policemen who responded to the berserker’s onslaught. Well all be spending the next few days speculating as to why a presumably sane businessman from a perfectly respectable business family would commit such a horrendous act.

We’re all used to the stereotypes that crimes of this sort are committed by people from poverty stricken backgrounds and dysfunctional families who’re all "messed up". They take out their frustrations on anyone who comes in their way.

So what do you say about this berserk fella who obviously had it "good"? The point is, anyone could snap and go over the edge – even in the most well adjusted societies.

Imagine the possibilities in a country like Guyana where there are leaders

who perpetually exhort their followers to vent their anger in protests – even to burn buildings and block bridges.

We have leaders who admit it’s illegal to block a bridge and denying vital supplies into interior communities – but yet are on record for not only encouraging it, but facilitating it as well. And they sit in Parliament and make those same laws for the nation. Where are the leaders that teach their followers to control themselves and use the processes of the law to settle differences? We’re sure in the end well find that the berserk mining businessman was frustrated in some way, shape or form.

If he’d been living in a country where people were all encouraged to stick to the straight and narrow, there’s a greater likelihood we wouldn’t have five families in grief tonight.

Yes... the berserkers family’s grieving now also, if you don’t mind.

Now, we aren’t daft enough to suggest that the opposition politicians who’ve been creating mayhem in Guyana since the 1960s are directly responsible for the mayhem in Middle Street. But what we’re saying is that everything happens within a context.

And very sadly the opposition has created a context where frustrations are encouraged to be settled through violence rather than through discussion. For this they must take the blame. .... youths And if we want to be honest, we have to place the Hot Skull youth

gang of Albouystown, Georgetown in the same context of acting outside the law when frustration kicks in.

Everyone knows that Albouystown’s a depressed community... but there’s a whole lotta depressed communities across the country.

Have you noticed that these criminal gangs spring up only where the opposition stirs them up? As far back as the 1960s, wasn’t it the opposition that unleashed the "choke and rob" phenomenon – in the form of youths from Albouystown, mugging People’s progressive Party (PPP) supporters who’d “come to town"?? Trouble is, they spawned a whole new urban sub-culture that’s become self perpetuating.

During their 28 years in the government, what did the People’s National Congress (PNC) do for the youths of that depressed community?

Nothing... nada, zilch. Just waited for another generation to spring up for them to use as cannon fodder in their slow fyaah... mo fyaah in the past decade.

When the effects of the torpedoed Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) Bill (AMLCFT) kicks in, be prepared for more violence springing from the increased frustrations. ... politicians So we return to these politicians who are bent on stirring up the pot of anger in Guyana. Hey... we know that things in Guyana are hard for some people. But how does precipitating a financial squeeze help matters?

news week ending november 17, 2013

7

| guyanatimeSinternational.com

El Dorado gold heist Relatives, friends express shock at accused... businessman's murderous rampage from page 3

turned to the Charity area, via boat, with Garraway.

Hanuman said that the general manager confessed to his early involvement in the crime and led the police to the house of the two Berbicians where millions of dollars and several ounces of gold were found.

Oral and written confessions were collected from all of the defendants. Monies were recovered from all of them and this cooperation led to the police conducting further investigations into other persons who may have been accessories to the crime before or after the fact.

Other charges are likely to come and other persons are likely to be charged.

Also, other articles believed to have been stolen were recovered.

The police are trying to investigate the origin of those articles and the possibility that the same group may be involved in past robberies, and in particular, a robbery/ murder that occurred in the same office involving the same em-

ployee a few years ago.

The prosecuting attorney added that he made an offer for a medical examination to be conducted on the accused since they claimed they were terrorised by the police but the defence opposed.

Khurchulall and Diaram were represented by attorney Tajnarine Ramroop who told the court that neither of his clients were previously convicted and made an application for bail stating that the offence was a bailable one.

Attorney Nigel Hughes, who represented Garrway, told the court that his client is not a willing accomplice since he merely transported the other two accused. Attorney Hughes also made an application for reasonable bail.

Chief Magistrate Sewnarine-Beharry ordered that the accused undergo psychiatric evaluation and they were remanded to prison.

The matter stands adjourned to November 26.

By Vahnu Manikchand

A

fter evicting his reputed wife and his child from his Middle Street property on Monday and subsequently going on a drinking binge, Deryck Kanhai went on his murderous rampage on Tuesday, killing four persons, including two policemen, before lawmen cut him down.

A father of seven, the 52-year-old gold miner, is the owner of the three-storey building located at Lot 315 Middle Street, South Cummingsburg, which also housed two businesses. The fourth of nine children, Kanhai grew up in Bartica but moved to Georgetown along with his family.

Guyana Times International was told that up to recently he was living with a woman and a child they shared; however, no one knows where they are. He also fathered six other children in previous unions; three of them are living in Venezuela while the other three are in the U. S. The man had shared a close relationship with his children despite the

Deryck Kanhai

distance, as they would talk frequently.

Guyana Times International understands that he spoke to his three children in the U. S. on Tuesday morning.

Kanhai is wellknown for his mining operations in the interior. He has a dredge in the Cuyuni area and is currently building a hotel in Bartica. The man’s businesses also include a fuel transport service and a mining materials supply business.

Domestic woes

As Guyanese try to come to grips with the rampage, this publication revisited the scene of the shootout on

Wednesday and was told that Kanhai had actually put the woman he was living with and their child out of the house on Monday.

A source said that this might have triggered the man’s behaviour the following day.

“He was drinking whole day after he put them out, so maybe that triggered him to behave the way he did, but no one knows for sure why he did it,” the person said.

Speaking with this publication, the brother of the businessman, Aubrey Kanhai, expressed his sadness over the entire situation. “I must feel bad, four persons lose their lives and I’m very sorry about that because I know them ain’t do he nothing,” he stated regrettably.

The man reiterated that he knows nothing about what could have caused his brother to do what he did, noting that his brother was fine earlier that day and, at no time prior, showed any signs of depression or worry. He disclosed that he was there at the building, where he also resides, when his brother came out armed; how-

ever, he left shortly after and about five minutes later, he was informed about the shooting, so he rushed back.

Two friends of the businessman described him as a friendly person who likes to ‘gaff’. One of them said that Kanhai was proud of his business and accomplishments, since whenever they talked he would always mention his business operations. The man said Kanhai was a happy person who loved to make jokes.

He noted that he last saw the man about two weeks ago.

“He called out to me and I came over the road to meet him, we hugged, because we haven’t seen each other in a while… so he said you have to come upstairs and I tell him when I get time a day I gon come up and sit down, it didn’t happen.” The friend recounted his reaction to Tuesday’s event.

“When I heard the gunshots, I was at public hospital and I say which jackass is doing things like that around here, then somebody continued on page 21

8

news

week ending november 17, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Caribbean remembers fallen soldiers

T

Members of the diplomatic corps in Guyana paying tribute to the fallen on Sunday

he Caribbean joined the rest of the world in observing Remembrance Day (Armistice Day) Sunday with various activities and events in each country, as they all paid tribute to World Wars I and II victims and other fallen soldiers.

In Guyana, President Donald Ramotar led a large gathering at the Cenotaph in Georgetown, where there was a wreath laying ceremony, two minutes of silence and a march past.

“On this Sunday of Remembrance Day, we meet again to remember all those gallant men and women who gave their lives in two world wars. We are forever in debted to them for their supreme sacrifice in the cause of peace and freedom,” Ramotar said in his Remembrance Day statement.

W Remembrance Day observances in Trinidad (TT Newsday photo)

He added too, “We also recall with gratitude those who, through the years, have made similar personal sacrifices in the continuing struggle for human dignity, social justice, and freedom from all forms of oppression, wherever these exist.”

Meanwhile, in neighbouring Trinidad, there was a Remembrance Day Parade at Memorial Park, Port-of-Spain. It was attended by acting President Timothy Hamel-Smith, Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar; Acting Chief Justice of Trinidad and

Tobago Justice Allan Mendonça; Minister of National Security Gary Griffith; Chief of Defence Staff and Major General Kenrick Maharaj among others.

Similar observances were held in Jamaica, Barbados and other Caribbean states.

Winter crisis possible, says LIAT’s Chairman

L

November

IAT Chairman Dr Jean Holder has admitted a “winter crisis” at the Antiguabased airline is possible.

“I am saying there can be a crisis if we don’t sit down together and sort it out. We have the time to do it. We need not

have a crisis,” he said.

Speaking on a radio programme in Antigua Sunday, Holder called for pilots and other key groups to help prevent a second dose of the extended travel chaos that gripped the Caribbean region for two months

this summer.

“What happened in the summer could happen (again) if LIAT and its pilots and its engineers and its flight ops department and any other relevant department, does not sit down and say ‘we at LIAT are fam-

ily, we cannot allow this to happen,’” said Holder.

President of the Leeward Islands Airline Pilots Association (LIALPA) Carl Burke, less than two weeks ago, told Antiguan media that a second meltdown was brewing at the airline because of unsolved issues.

Asked about the comments, Holder said he wouldn’t say anything “that is going to annoy anybody in any union,” but suggested the airline needs to be united to stave off pending travel chaos.

“It’s not beyond LIAT’s management and LIAT’s pilots and the engineers and so on to sit behind a table and say ‘for God’s sake let us get this right’. Let us not talk about crisis to come…but let us sit around a table and prevent that crisis,” said Holder.

The chairman said the cash-strapped carrier could ill afford another meltdown, but did not reveal the extent of the financial blow suffered from countless flight cancellations during the busy summer period.

“The price that we continued on page 13

By Anu Dev

ell it’s November again, and apart from being the month of my birth, November is also chockfull of other such important events. It’s Remembrance Day on Monday and I remember at QC there’s the Remembrance Day Ceremony where the Youngest Boy and Girl have to march down the aisle to lay wreaths in honour of those who have died for our freedom.

All too often, we forget that nations are built on the sacrifices of the generations who preceded us. And it’s for this reason I’ve always been quite teed off by Guyanese, especially fellow students, who’ve benefited from those sacrifices, yet so casually emigrate and forget their native land.

In Guyana, November is also set aside as “Tourism Month”. Living all my life in Guyana, I guess I’ve never been as appreciative of all the natural beauty and fantastic sights that we have in Guyana as I probably should have been. But to be fair, it’s a little hard to walk around in perpetual awe over the beauty of your surroundings when the person walking right in front of you just dropped their empty Corn Curls bag right onto the street. We really need to cut down on littering – it really is pretty disgraceful – not to mention unhealthy.

But nonetheless, we have a beautiful country. I remember on our fifth form Geography trip down to Lethem. All of us were awestruck by the mountains, the freshness of the air and the all-round good feeling we had just being there. If the Kanuku Mountains left me speechless, then the sunrise in Lethem took my breath away completely. Sure we had to ‘rough it’ and toughen up a bit, but it was worthwhile – I couldn’t ask for a better set of people to endure the 18-hour trip with!

And on my flight back to Trinidad on Monday, looking out of the window, I was awed by how Guyana looked just spread out below us, with its rivers just winding through the forested land. But also how fragile the coast was, protected as it was from the tumultuous Atlantic just by mangrove and that sliver of sea wall.

Guyana has so many beautiful sights to see and places to be – the land itself has done half of the work, all we Guyanese have to do is to market the beauty!

Every year my family took a vacation in another part of Guyana.

Also, being abroad has given me a greater appreciation for Guyanese cooking. We really do have some of the best food in Guyana. And that’s something we really need to emphasise when persons visit Guyana. I do think we should stress our local foods much more – but surely our chefs can be a bit more creative.

We might have to pander a bit to some unadventurous taste buds but I’m sure most tourists really want to experience authentic Guyanese culture.

Then, of course, we’d be perking up our local farmers.

Being away from home has made me miss it of course, and it also allowed me to view Guyana through new eyes when I visit. I’m looking for the changes, for the improvements, I’m more appreciative of this country that I grew up in. And imagine I’ve only been away for two months! I can only imagine what the feeling must be like for Guyanese that visit Guyana after living abroad for years.

After his first visit in seven years, my father kissed the ground on deplaning.

We have a glorious country, full of rich heritage and wonder. So let’s remember that this November, and this Tourism Month, maybe we can do a bit of touring and visit parts of our country that we’ve never visited before.

Happy November!

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

9

week ending november 17, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Modi favoured by Indians globally Dear Editor, This is in reference to your editorial “India Elections” (November 8). I travel to India regularly (and Indian diaspora societies like Fiji, Mauritius, Trinidad, Durban, et cetera as part of my ongoing studies) and keenly follow its political development in my readings as well is in my conversations with academics and politicians.

Everywhere I went, people have been clamouring for political change in India.

In conversations, they told me they are fed up with the ruling poor Congress-led UP government over poor governance and massive corruption.

The opposition BJP is the largest beneficiary of the disenchantment with the Congress. They want change. People are very supportive of Narendra Modi, the charismatic photogenic prime ministerial candidate of the BJP. In my recent travels to Toronto, Fiji, Mauritius, Trinidad, Aruba, England, Holland, Frankfurt, Paris and around the U. S., most of the Indian diaspora express support for Modi. The IndoGuyanese diaspora in the U. S. and Canada also back Modi. And in Guyana, Indo-Guyanese and Indian nationals also favour Modi.

People overwhelmingly feel he will help to transform India, reducing corruption and servicing the needs of the people. Much hope is placed on him also to advocate for the interests of the Indian diaspora.

The Indo-Caribbean diaspora in America

know Modi very well and he knows the diaspora very well having travelled to several countries to meet with the Indian communities.

He was very supportive of Guyanese during the struggle against the dictatorship. He sympathised with us and is familiar with our persecution in Guyana during the dictatorship.

Also, we interacted with him several times when he visited America right after he became chief minister of Gujarat.

He has been one of a few chief ministers of India who interacts with IndoCaribbean people. I met him several times since January 2003 at the annual Pravasi Divas that was initiated by the BJP. Recent polls show Modi as the most popular political leader in India and that he will lead the opposition to victory in the general elections due

by May. The India Today Group-ORG opinion poll in four states holding elections through December predicts victories for Modi (lead campaigner for BJP).

The survey conducted in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Delhi (Mizoram, which also goes to vote, has not been covered in this survey) shows that the BJP is reaping the dividends of better investment in Modi’s leadership.

Not surprisingly, the Congress wants to ban the publication of opinion polls.

The assembly elections in the five states are being seen as the semi-final to the 2014 general elections.

In Delhi, the BJP has an edge over the Congress and all others.

The poll gives BJP 36 seats, Congress 22 and Aam Aadmi Party eight.

In Madhya Pradesh, for example, nearly 60 per cent want the reelection of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who has been at the helm since 2005.

In Chhattisgarh, 56 per cent want to give incumbent Chief Minister Raman Singh a third stint despite conceding that insurgency continues to haunt the state.

Perhaps, Singh’s governance is more reflected in popular schemes, like the one-rupee rice scheme – the precursor of the food security bill.

In Rajasthan, Congress Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s is facing head winds. Fiftyone per cent people want a change of guard here.

Riding on a strong anti-incumbency wave against Gehlot, former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje is set to make a comeback.

But the Congress is proving to be a sore loser in the opinion polls. The party didn’t have much to say about opinion polls when it was in the lead five years ago.

Now that it is facing the Modi machine, Congress wants to shut down polls.

For those of us who understand polling, polls do not influence voters.

Performance and governance shape voters mood. The Indian diaspora cannot wait for Modi to take the helm in India.

Journalists must be allowed to do their job fearlessly Dear Editor, At an international level, reporters are taking the necessary precautions to keep their sources from becoming causalities in ongoing political wars. Many government sources resort to one on one meetings rather than phone calls and emails.

It has been evident in

and expressed legitimate concern over the fear-inspired resignations.

IMAG embraces the view that expressions of fear in the execution of professional journalistic duties are troubling developments in the Guyana media landscape.

This is quite unfor-

signing. Her resignation has been linked to the series of probed articles about the owner/ publisher of a major newspaper in Guyana. The young journalist and news anchor was fearful reporting on matters concerning the publisher – her own email said so.

She felt that any means of exposing him or call-

Guyana’s media outlets that some journalists function in fear of what malicious individuals are capable of. Forefront criminal activities associated with those who spend their time chastising the government has given reporters a legitimate reason to fear.

Just recently, after exposing anti-government forces, a few reporters proceeded to send in their resignations.

The Independent Media Workers Association of Guyana (IMAG) has come forth

tunate considering that the only time Guyana endured such a conflict was during pre 1992, when the country was under the regime of the People’s National Congress (PNC).

As of late, government seems to hold no significance for some.

Journalism has been reduced to a battlefield of name calling and fabrication and any truthful source of exposure quickly resorts to some form of intimidation by the accused.

One reporter, cited fear as her reason for re-

ing upon him to offer explanations would have life threatening repercussions.

I strongly support journalists and the confidentiality that they deserve. They have an obligation to society, and as such they ought to be able to live and function without any fear of consequences at the hands of any one they write or speak about.

These young professionals should be able to undertake their jobs fearlessly.

Sincerely, Faye- Anne Harris

Matters of indiscipline Hajj 2013: A journey of... are hard to overcome Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

from page 4

Early on the morning of Saturday, October 19, we hugged and cried and wished each other “Hajj Mabroor”! May your Hajj be accepted! We left after Fajr that same day to start our journey back to our homes. I am writing this as I sit on the nineand-a-half- hour flight from London to Port of Spain.

It was an experience unlike any other to places, unlike any other and it was a journey of love.

Love my Creator has for me and the two-anda-half million he called from among the billions of the world. Love that I have for Almighty Allah, to obey his commands and try to please Him. Love that increased along the way in respect and tolerance and care

for my fellow humans.

Make your intentions now! I invite the world to the Hajj. I invite my countrymen. I invite my friends and family. Go put your footprints in the sands of Mecca, Medina, Mina, and Muzdalifah.

May Almighty Allah accept our Hajj. I especially want to send duas for Sheikh Moeen Hack and his wife Shalimar and the staff and extended family of CIOG who worked with steadfastness and kindness to make our Hajj a reality and enjoyable and understandable.

To Miss Rita and Sister Naz who unknowingly took away my shoes one night and made me walk the streets of Madina and into the Hyaat, barefoot. Thank

you. And to Isha and the Wahabs and Aliya (My little busy body friend), I love you all. And to the menfolk who stood by us, especially Brother Wazir, may your lives be better and happier after this. Ameen.

And to my brother Hilary whose bags I left on the roof of the Kabah, and Candy who fetched my shoes and herself walked barefoot to Jamrah, and my dear sweet niece Zaki who kept me company most of the time and who could not believe she could wear unironed clothes among strangers for three weeks, I am glad you were all part of my Hajj.

May Almighty Allah be pleased with us all. Ameen.

Dear Editor, The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/ C) recently disclosed their intentions to iron out societal issues, with their main focus on matters of indiscipline.

Addressing such matters is not always an easy task but it is nevertheless a remarkable step to aid in the decrease in corruption.

Too frequently, young boys can be seen idling aimlessly around the streets of the city.

This sometimes is seen as the first step towards criminality, particularly since many of these young boys resort to using drugs and engaging themselves in other unlawful activities.

This act of delinquen-

cy should ideally be addressed immediately and if necessary by tactful or legal force.

Additionally, offering counselling to these individuals can assist in steering them in the right direction; primarily since many of these youths have come from broken homes and have lacked the guidance and attention that they so deserve.

A recent tendency has surfaced where entertainment promoters find it appropriate to host social events at public places such as gas stations which often encroach onto roadways and further obstruct traffic. These events need to be monitored and addressed by the relevant authorities.

During the Linden protest, I must illustrate gratitude to the Buxton community for not engaging in protests and looting activities in support of the Linden crisis.

Not so long ago in Berbice, I witnessed five young masons overindulge their hard earned money in a rumshop.

These are only a few forms of indiscipline that I have encountered over time and sometimes all it calls for is self-realisation and for these matters to be brought to the attention of the individuals guilty of indiscipline.

I look forward to the approaches that PPP/ C will take in addressing matters of societal disciplinary issues.

Sincerely, Janet Rachtoo

10

news

week ending november 17, 2013

| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana and Canada pledge to strengthen bilateral relations

T

he relationship between the governments of Guyana and Canada was highlighted last week during a welcome reception for the new Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr Nicole Giles at her Bel Air residence.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, after extending greetings from President Donald Ramotar, wished the new high commissioner well during her sojourn in Guyana.

He spoke of the thousands of Guyanese and their children who are happy to make Canada their home. “I can sense your eagerness to maintain the momentum of our programme of cooperation, and to seek out new initiatives upon which we can embark.

There will be many

more opportunities for us to elaborate on these, and so I just like to reiterate, on this occasion, the importance with which we view our relations with Canada, as well as the commitment of the government of Guyana to work with you to strengthen these, during your tour of duty,” the prime minister said.

People-to-people links

Dr Giles said the Canada-Guyana bilateral relationship is grounded in robust people-to-people links, shared economic and trade interests, and strong diplomatic and development cooperation, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.

“Guyana has incredible potential and is one

of the strongest economies in the Caribbean.

This is especially true given the rich mineral deposits and prospective discovery of oil.

Canada has sought to develop a partnership with Guyana to support the maximisation of its potential.

I intend to build on the successful collaboration that Canada and Guyana have already established and to seek new areas that are mutually beneficial to our countries,” she stated.

The high commissioner explained that Canada is keen on sharing its experiences in the development of the extractive sector.

“I believe that given Canada’s experience and investments in this sector, it is critical that we

Flashback: Guyana’s President Donald Ramotar welcomes newly-appointed Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr Nicole Giles. In September, Giles presented her letters of credence to Ramotar at the Office of the President

continue to support capacity building, and to offer solutions for challenges that we both face.

A key example is the

area of training for the mining sector, where we support two distinct partnerships involving the Canadian College of North Atlantic: one is with the ministry of natural resources and the Environment to establish the “mining school” in Guyana, the other is with the TVET Council and the Linden Technical Institute to

strengthen training for heavy equipment operation and maintenance.”

Dr Giles added that the intention was to build on the successful collaboration that Canada and Guyana have already established, and to seek new areas that are mutually beneficial to both countries. (Excerpted from Guyana Times)

A letter writer expose Mook Lall and de headitor

W

id all de big noise whah de big Mook was mekkin bout advertisin free fuh de guvament, it tek a letter writer in the Guyana Times to expose he and show how he is a lyin two-face hypocrite, just like de headitor. After all, birds of a feather does flock together, so no wonder de two of dem like Suru and Duru and bamzee and po.

That letter woulda never get publish in the mud paper.

One of dem boys who seh dem is boys who does send out de Mook official photos seh breeze does can’t pass between de Mook and de headitor. Yet de headitor does be shame of some of dem tings whah does come out in de mud paper.

No wonder de headitor does tell everybody that how is de Mook who does want he put in all dem comfufflin lies. But one never far from de other, especially in dem deeds. One of dem boys who seh dem is boys seh dem close like bone in flesh.

A father seh de other day in church that some people sins gon tek long to wash away. Well imagine de Mook and de headitor… even if dem should get born again now, it gon tek eternity to wash way de two of dem sins. It look as if de father was talkin bout de two of dem. But he was friken like dem reporters who friken de Mook to call out he name out in public.

De Mook jump up and seh he willin to publish all guvament ads fuh free. That was Saturday. And then he accuse a minister of only givin one newspaper all de ads.

But in de same article, de minister seh de ads goin to all de papers, but on different days. People know de Mook can’t read, but dem ain’t know he can’t see good too.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling… friend tell friend… mattie tell mattie! De very next day de Mook change he mouth.

But de guvament woulda never tek de offer. Dem know de Mook woulda want tax rebate from de s*ity council and from GEE-RA. That is how de Mook stay.

Nutten is free. Ask dem reporter who friken to report bout he.

Caribbean news week ending november 17, 2013

11

| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Holness outshines Shaw to remain JLP leader - says his victory is a signal to the Jamaican gov’t

A

ndrew Holness Sunday ended all speculation about his leadership of the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), defeating challenger Audley Shaw by close to 700 votes and immediately declaring that his convincing win was a signal to the government that the JLP was ready to re-assume power whenever fresh elections are called.

"Let this be a signal to the People's National Party (PNP) that the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) is rebuilding; that the Jamaica Labour Party is renewing itself; that the Jamaica Labour Party is preparing to be the next government of Jamaica when the elections are called," Holness told a huge crowd of supporters in the National Stadium car park after the election results were announced.

Holness, who has

A victorious Andrew Holness greets supporters after the Jamaica Labour Party elections Sunday (Jamaica Observer photo)

been dubbed 'Prince Andrew' by supporters, polled 2,704 votes to Shaw's 2,012.

Waves of ‘Labourites’, mostly women and youths dressed in green T-shirts bearing Holness's image, created a sea of support right

across the Stadium's huge car park.

They sang and danced throughout the electoral process to loud music blaring from a greencoloured truck, which continually interjected Holness's dancehall favourite, ‘Nah Follow

Nobody’ by Chronixx, while the crowd chanted, "Ah Andrew wi seh".

After casting his vote, Holness told reporters that the day was a happy one for all ‘Labourites’.

"Coming through the crowd, I sensed the jubilation of the dele-

gates, and the average ‘Labourite’. I think that they felt proud that the party could have conducted this landmark election incident-free, and I think that they sense that there is renewal in the offing for the Jamaica Labour Party," he said.

Holness said that the ‘Labourites’ also sensed that, with the settlement of the leadership argument, the party now stands an excellent chance of forming the next government.

He said that the JLP delegates are looking to the future, and want to see a new paradigm emerge in Jamaican politics, adding that whether or not their view is influenced by intellectual assessment of the issues, or layman's intuitiveness, all Jamaicans should agree with them.

Asked whether he felt that he would be the leader to take on this mission, Holness said

that he has committed his entire political life to the process.

Later, after the results were revealed, showing that he had trounced Shaw by 692 votes, Holness congratulated his challenger, first for taking the loss in stride, and the delegates, supporters, the party machinery, and the Electoral Office of Jamaica for the success of the process, which was a first time for the JLP. He acknowledged that he knew that ‘Labourites’ were concerned about the chances of the party reuniting after the tense leadership campaign.

However, he accepted that "unity starts with the leader".

"This leader commits to you, the delegates of the party, that I will do everything within my power to make sure that the party is united," he stated. (Excerpted from Jamaica Observer)

Canada attracting more Caribbean students that route.”

“In England, the fees are quite high and unless your parents are planning for it, it is not going to be financially viable for some people. Canadian universities do offer some scholarships, but they offer them depending on what you present as your qualifications from secondary school so they are going to be looking at that and if you do well at in your CXCs and CAPE, they would offer you scholarships.”

She said that when

Regina Lopes Da Silva, Regional Manager for the Swiss Educational Group (right), telling these Christ Church Foundation students some of the reasons why they should choose Switzerland for tertiary level studies. (Barbados Advocate photo)

C

anada seems to be the first choice among Barbadian students looking to pursue tertiary education overseas.

This is according to Beverly Holder, International College Fair Coordinator and Guidance Counsellor at Harrison College, who spoke with the Barbadian media last week at the fair which was held at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre (LESC).

“You find that the Canadian universities are on a recruiting spree at this stage. They are trying to recruit more international students because it helps their campus to

become richer and deeper,” Holder said.

She added that this year, they had a higher representation of educational institutions from Canada and she believes that this may have something to do with that country being more accessible.

“A lot of students are looking towards Canadian universities and that maybe…because you find that the fees may be a bit cheaper than the USA, and then you do not have to write SATs to go the Canadian universities. For some parents, they also believe that Canada would offer their children a safer environment so they tend to go

parents opt to send their children to study in England, it usually is because there are specific courses that they want to do such as medicine, because in England you can go straight into medicine whereas in Canada and the United States, you have to do four years of pre-med before you can embark on medical studies.

Law is another area of study that students go to England for, because England and Barbados has the same legal system, which would allow stu-

dents to study law there and then come back to Barbados and practise.

This is the 16th year that this fair was organized. There were 45 educational institutions at the two-day event. These ranged from high schools to universities drawn mainly from Canada, but also from the United States, the United Kingdom and the Caribbean. For the first time, they also had an institution from Switzerland–the Swiss Educational Group.

(Barbados Advocate)

12

news

week ending november 17, 2013

| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Schenectady first in political win

Guyanese-American is top votegetter in City Council race

ohn Mootooveren made history Tuesday night when he became the first person of Guyanese descent to be elected to the City Council. But you wouldn't know that when speaking with Mootooveren, a Democrat, after his win.

All he wants to discuss is controlling spending in the budget and rehabilitating neighborhoods — possibly by appealing to the Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority for money.

Mootooveren (pronounced Moo-ta-veer-in)

Council contention in the spring of 2012, and Porterfield was appointed. In November of that year, he ran for his own seat but lost.

This time around Mootooveren was not only elected; he received the most votes in a field of six candidates, including Democratic incumbents Porterfield and Carl Erikson – a victory no doubt solidified by his being the only Democratic candidate endorsed by the Conservative Party.

Mootooveren says his fiscal conservatism brought

J

said his beginnings in the South American country on the Caribbean coast aren't what made him a good candidate or what will influence him once he takes office Jan. 1. "I don't look at it from that aspect," said Mootooveren, 41, who is an accountant.

"I look at it that the voters have made the right choice. They have chosen someone who they think can represent them."

Mootooveren, who moved to Schenectady from New York City in 2001, had to work for his new post. He was em-

John Mootooveren

broiled in a Democratic fight last year when the

party couldn't choose between him and Marion Porterfield to fill Mayor Gary McCarthy's council seat. The undercurrent of the debate was whether it was more important to have a Guyanese-American or African-American on the council. Spurred by thenMayor Al Jurczynski's push to bring Guyanese people up from Queens to invest in property, Schenectady's Guyanese population has continued to grow over the last decade. But Mootooveren backed out of City

that endorsement, but in Schenectady the Conservative Party is also a base of power for the police union.

Despite being the first Guyanese-American elected to City Council, he isn't the first in Schenectady County.

Philip Fields, a Democrat, has represented the city on the County Legislature since 2005. Sid Ramotar, a Republican, became a Glenville Town Board member in 2009. Both men won re-election.

(Taken from timesunion. com)

Demerara Bank reports highest profit of Gy$1.957 billion

D

emerara Bank Limited in Guyana has reported Gy$1.957 billion in before tax profits for the financial year that ended September 30, an increase of 34.5.1 per cent over the previous year.

In a release, the bank said it performed remarkably well in all areas of performance.

Net Profit rose by 24.1 per cent. These significant improvements are reflected in its deposit base, which is at

its highest level, with Gy$41.5 billion, a rise of 18.4 per cent when compared to the past year, while loans and advances grew by 20.5 per cent.

Assets for the financial year totalled Gy$50 billion, compared with Gy$42 billion at the end of September 2012.

Interest earned on income [loans, advances and investments] over the past year totalled Gy$ 2.7 billion, Gy$300 million more than the Gy$2.4 billion earned during the preceding

The Demerara Bank head office in Georgetown, Guyana

year.

As a consequence of the bank’s solid perfor-

mance over the past financial year, shareholders’ earnings per share increased by 24.1 per cent, to Gy$2.88 per share.

The net worth of the bank has increased from Gy$5.6 billion to Gy$6.5

billion, an increase of 16.1 per cent.

The bank, the only 100 per cent Guyaneseowned and the youngest commercial financial institution in the banking sector, has shown great fortitude over its

19 years of existence, the release said.

“The solid performance over the last financial year was also due to the commitment and dedication of the management and staff of the bank. Our major assets are our human resources.

We continue to provide training at all levels at the bank, which will take us to greater heights in the future with an expanded net work of branches.”

Demerara Bank, which was opened in November, 1994, has six branches across the country and has plans to expand its net work, with a new head office in 2014.

Gonsalves wants DR suspended from CARIFORUM for court ruling on Haitians

S

t Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves has called for the suspension of The Dominican Republic from the Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM) as the fallout continues from the constitutional court ruling that could render stateless, thousands of people of Haitian descent living in the Spanish-speaking country.

In a November 11 letter to President Danilo Medina, the St Vincent and the Grenadines prime minister said he had also written to Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro recommending that The Dominican Republic be suspended from the Caracas-led PetroCaribe initiative.

“As you are aware that the 1X Summit of Petrocaribe is scheduled for Caracas on December 16, 2013. If the situation for the citizens-bybirth of The Dominican Republic of Haitian de-

St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves

scent is not favourably altered, I intend to raise the matter forcefully at this summit,” Dr Gonsalves wrote.

The Caribbean Community (Caricom), as well as the Washingtonbased Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), have criticised the ruling made on September 23, with the IACHR saying that it “retroactively modifies legislation

that was in effect from 1929 to 2010, and thus would strip Dominican citizenship from tens of thousands of people born in The Dominican Republic”.

Caricom Secretary General Irwin La Rocque said the ruling “raises a serious question about the status of the numerous…

Dominican Republic nationals of Haitian extract” while St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves in a letter to President Danilo Medina said the court’s decision was “unacceptable in any civilised community”.

The international human rights group, Amnesty International and the Organisation of American States (OAS) have also expressed concern over the ruling and the U. S.- based Council on Hemispheric Affairs (COHA) said the ruling had turned The Dominican Republic into a “ticking time bomb”.

(CMC)

News week ending november 17, 2013

13

| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Winter crisis possible, Canada-based foundation training Guyanese nurses in burn care says LIAT’s... from page 8

paid for the summer was expensive financially, it was also expensive in terms of the perception of LIAT as a service industry, it was expensive in terms of future business,” said Holder.

And although in many cases disappointed customers will not have another option on the many routes that LIAT flies exclusively, Holder admitted customers would be keenly searching for other alternatives.

“When you disappoint people, what you do is you ensure that when they want to have a service again, they will be looking for alternatives to your service because you did not deliver when they needed you.”

A key reason Burke argued a second meltdown is pending is because he believes the airline is facing a shortage of pilots, but Holder argued the fleet transition is simply creating short term issues.

“I would say there is no shortage of pilots in terms of our overall complement,” said Holder, adding that transition

LIAT Chairman Dr Jean Holder (Nations file photo)

difficulties are made worse “when you throw in the pot the fact that the old planes (Dash-8s) continue to break down every other day.”

Holder admitted the airline underestimated the difficulty of transitioning from Dash-8 to ATR aircraft, but said, “LIAT was pressured by the reality that they were flying planes that were breaking down, and there was a real urgency to get those planes out and get the new planes in.” (Antigua Observer)

S

everal Guyanese nurses will be undergoing training in prenatal and burn care at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation starting later this week.

The training will be facilitated by two Guyanaborn overseas-based medical professionals, Registered Nurse Vernie Ally, a certified instructor in neonatal resuscitation, and Dr Peter Akai, a specialist in wound care and infectious diseases.

The programme was organised by the Guyana Burns and Health Care Charitable Foundation, which will be celebrating its 12th anniversary on Monday.

Nurse Ally will be conducting classes for 24 nurses in the areas of foetal monitoring and resuscitation programmes, preparing them for the upcoming online examinations via which they will be given Canadian accreditation.

Ally has facilitated a number of training sessions in Guyana through the foundation, but this is Dr Akai’s first visit since his migration. He will be meeting with local doctors and nurses of the

GPHC’s Burn Care Unit and also reviewing the needs assessments of the hospital.

Dr Akai will be conducting three sessions on the “10 commandments” of wound care for 18 nurses from the medicine programme and three from the Burns Care Unit.

Guyana Burns and Health Care Charitable Foundation President Harry Harakh said the benefits of this training make it worthwhile for nurses, since it will enhance their job performances, saving lives and increasing the hospital’s capacity.

Ally has been a regular volunteer at the foundation, and Dr Akai has been pushing to do something for Guyana, Harakh noted.

He said he was satisfied with the performance of the local Burns Care Unit while acknowledging its shortcomings. “…our commitment is not to the institution, but to the patients who are burnt. When we go in there, we have to know what our options are, we either do nothing or get something done,” he stated.

From left: Nurse Vernie Ally, Guyana Burns and Health Care Charitable Foundation President Harry Harakh and GPHC CEO Michael Khan

The foundation’s president pointed out that it would have to get things done, since it is aiming , one day, “be the best that can be done”, noting that they were not quite there yet.

“I’m comfortable with what we have done so far and happy that we are continuing with our commitment to have the capacity and service of the Burn Unit to be more effective in the outcomes,” he said.

Enhance skills

GPHC Chief Executive Officer Michael Khan expressed joy at the return of the team, noting that whenever they come,

they always engage in work which benefits him and his hospital.

He urged the nurses who will be undergoing the foetal monitoring and resuscitation training to work hard and take advantage of the training.

“The only thing I worry about that is that she (Nurse Ally) is upgrading you and making it easier to get into Canada when the time comes, and that’s my only worry–we can’t afford to lose our nurses to the First World, but, at least, it will enhance your skills which will make you a better nurse,” the GPHC CEO told the nurses.

14

week ending november 17, 2013

| guyanatimeSinternational.com

week ending november 17, 2013

15

| guyanatimeSinternational.com

16

week ending november 17, 2013

| guyanatimeSinternational.com

NEWS

17

week ending november 17, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Middle Street Mayhem Govt, opposition sympathise with relatives of those killed

T

he government and the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) have expressed condolences to the relatives of those killed in the Middle Street, Georgetown shooting by a lone gunman.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds in a statement aired on the National Television Network said Tuesday was “especially a sad day in our nation’s recent history.” “Many of you may have heard by now four persons have been killed by one of our fellow citizens who began shooting at persons in the vicinity and at policemen who confronted him. He was eventually shot fatally by policemen.”

Several persons are currently being treated at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

According to Hinds even as the details of this tragedy are still unfolding, “on behalf of the government of Guyana, I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, neighbours and communities who mourn tonight, I mourn, your government mourns with you.

We have seen, just this week, too many acts of violence, many within families. The quick resort to violence is something to be concerned about and not to be taken lightly or ignored by government or by us as citizens of this nation. Together we must strive to lower the level of frustration and anger within our society. We must remember what it

means to be neighbourly, to be our brother’s keeper lending an ear and a shoulder to those in need, comforting and consoling each other.

We have a duty to ourselves and to our nation to prevent violence in all its forms,” Hinds said.

He added that the Guyana Police Force deserves “our commendations for their valiant efforts to contain the shooting, and our condolences for the lives they lost. Our nation will always be indebted to the servicemen’s families for giving us their sons. I call on all of you, my fellow Guyanese, to keep the families and friends of those who mourn tonight in your thoughts and prayers.”

Meanwhile, APNU also in a statement said it strongly condemns the violence and calls on those responsible for public safety to take all necessary steps to put an end to the upsurge of violent crime that present a challenge to law and order in civil society.

“The partnership extends its sincere sympathy to the relatives and friends of all who lost their lives in the Middle Street killings and the brutal murder yesterday (Monday) in west Ruimveldt.

“APNU takes this opportunity to restate our position that the safety and security of citizens under the current leadership of the minister of home affairs is severely compromised.

“APNU remains committed to working with all the relevant govern-

Citizens congregate near the scene of the shootout between a businessman and police. Four persons were shot dead including two policemen. The gunman was eventually shot dead by police after tear smoke was used in the drama which lasted several hours (Carl Croker and Treiston Joseph photos)

ment agencies to ensure that all Guyanese can enjoy a good life in safe

Guyana Police Force, the tragedy began unfolding just after 13: 30h

sons including a female dispatcher, Vanessa

Police officers take aim at the home of the gunman Deryck Kanhai

and secure communities,” the coalition said in a statement.

According to the

Police in a stand-off with the businessman on Tuesday

with the alleged shooter, who was identified as a miner and licenced firearm holder, Deryck Kanhai apparently going berserk, shooting at least two per-

Williams, who was on duty at the Crown Cabs Taxi Service.

As shots rang out, passersby took cover and police ranks raced to the scene.

Kanhai then retreated into his home above the taxi service. An initial attempt at storming the building was met by a barrage of gunfire.

Two wounded ranks, Lance Corporal Sherwin Pantlitz and Lance Corporal Michael Forde were rushed to the nearby Georgetown Public Hospital where they later succumbed.

The businessman barricaded himself in the property. Police subsequently stormed the building and came under fire.

The ranks returned fire and he was fatally shot, bringing to an end an almost three-hour standoff.

The Guyana Police Force has also expressed sincere condolences to the relatives of the two police ranks and two civilians who lost their lives in the tragic encounter.

A policeman tries desperately to save his colleague Sherwin Pantlitz who died during the shoot-out

18

week ending november 17, 2013

| guyanatimeSinternational.com

NEWS week ending november 17, 2013

19

| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Another hung jury Cargo Industry leaders wrap up talks - Laparkan sees bright future despite challenges for “Picture Boy” – deceased’s relatives slam justice system

By Vahnu Manikchand

F

or the second time in less than a year, Cyon “Picture Boy” Collier will have to be retried after the jury was deadlocked on deciding a verdict. Collier was indicted with the murder of two brothers, 34-year-old Ray “Sugar” Walcott and 31-yearold Carl “Alo” Andrews at Victoria Village, East Coast Demerara, on September 23, 2006.

This trial began on October 18 before Justice Navindra Singh at the High Court during which Senior State Counsel Judith GildarieMursalin called several witnesses to testify against the accused after which she closed her case on Wednesday. The defence’s case was heard on Thursday.

On Friday, the prosecutor and defence attorney Lyndon Amsterdam made closing arguments, and then on Monday, Justice Singh summed up the evidence presented. This process took just over two hours after

which the panel retired to the jury room to deliberate on a verdict.

After spending some four hours in deliberation, jurors returned around 16: 30h to a packed courtroom and informed the presiding judge that they were unable to arrive at a unanimous verdict for both offences.

For Walcott’s case, the jury was equally divided on Collier’s guilt, while eight jurors believed he was guilty and four not guilty in the case of Andrews.

The trial judge subsequently related to Collier that the jury was not able to reach a unanimous verdict; hence, the trial has to be redone. Justice Singh then ordered a retrial in the next criminal assizes, and further remanded the man to prison. This will be the third time Collier will have to undergo a retrial for this double murder. The first trial, which was held in October and ran until December of last year, resulted in a hung jury continued on page 23

A

ir and ocean cargo industry leaders wrapped up three days of discussions on a range of issues which impact the operations of the industry as the Air and Sea Cargo Americas International Congress and Exhibition came to a close.

The industry leaders, drawn from major cargo airlines, airports, sea ports, ocean carriers, freight forwarders and regulators from around the world, agreed that despite the changes in the industry and the moderate recovery from the global recession the outlook for the future of the industry remains “encouraging and we see a bright future in the long term,” said Glen Khan, chairman of Laparkan Shipping.

“It is important however that the major players in the industry work together to overcome the challenges and build strong partnerships that will assure a safe and sustainably viable future for the industry,” Khan said.

He disclosed that Laparkan held bilateral meetings during the conference with a

The Laparkan team at their booth at the exhibition.

number of ocean carriers and airlines aimed at exploring opportunities for strengthening and expanding the company’s services next year. He cited as an example initial discussions with Antillean Marine which will be followed up on Tuesday “to look at strengthening and making more efficient our ocean cargo service delivery to some key destinations including Haiti.”

An important component of the discussions at the meeting Khan said was the United States Federal Maritime Commission’s proposed

changes to ocean transportation intermediary regulations which would improve regulatory effectiveness by reducing regulatory burdens and streamlining processes while at the same time ensuring the laws are enforced. FMC Chairman Mario Cordero was a keynote speaker at the conference.

Laparkan Airways Network Manager John Green described the congress and exhibition as “very successful” noting that it provided an opportunity to market the company’s services to a host of manufacturers, dis-

tributors and other businesses which require air cargo service.

“We also initiated discussions with a number of companies in the industry about working together for mutual benefit and for the benefit of our customers. This is important given the shifts in trading patterns and supply chains,” Green said.

The Laparkan booth at the exhibition was a hive of activity as attendees gathered giveaways and sampled Caribbean style curry and roti wraps and the internationally acclaimed El Dorado rum from Guyana.

20

News

week ending november 17, 2013

| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Auditor General points to overpayments of salaries as major challenge

A

pproximately Gy$ 37.3 million is still to be recovered by government for overpayment of salaries since 2007 to present, the auditor general said in his latest report on the Public Accounts of Guyana.

The report has indicated that overpayment of

salaries remains a major concern and a poor recovery system has resulted in the funds being outstanding. “The slow processing of pay change directives in several ministries and mainly in the regions resulted in overpayment of salaries, including deductions totalling Gy$ 37.389

million still to be recovered for the years 20072012,” the report stated.

It was indicated that ministries, departments and regions continue to experience serious challenges in recovering the sums, mainly because banking institutions require the authorisa-

tion of account holders and statutory agencies.

“The Guyana Revenue Authority and National Insurance Scheme have not fully complied with requests to refund sums overpaid,” the auditor general report pointed out.

The Health Ministry has not been able to recover the outstanding amounts totalling Gy$ 1.6 million, which were overpaid to employees during 2007 and 2011. In 2012, the report said five transactions relating to pay change directives for dismissals and resignations were forwarded subsequent to the deadline, resulting in overpayments of salaries totalling Gy$ 604, 925.

Defence

In its defence, the Health Ministry indicated that letters were issued requesting refunds from the various agencies.

“The National Insurance Scheme requested more information for the year which we were unable to provide because our records were destroyed by the fire in 2009. We had to seek alternative source like the Public Service

Health Minister Dr Bheri Ramsaran

Auditor General Deodat Sharma

Commission for more information,” the subject ministry explained.

The Audit Office recommended that the head of the budget agency of the Health Ministry renews effort to engage deduction agencies, with the hope of recovering the amounts overpaid.

Overpayment to contractors was another issue highlighted by the Audit Office.

According to the report, ministries, departments and regions have been overpaying contractors for projects that were measured.

It comes at a time when these organs are facing serious challenges in the recovery process.

“Some of these ministries and regions continued to have overpayments

on various contracts 2012 and prior years.”

According to the report, the Health Ministry overpaid Gy$ 15.7 million for a single contract.

It was explained that the contract for the construction of an Acute Psychiatric Hospital in Region Six was awarded in 2011 at the cost of Gy$ 112.739 million.

However, by the end of 2011, the contractor received approximately Gy$ 80.168 million, while other amounts totalling Gy$ 11.755 million were paid in 2012. In total, Gy$ 91.923 million was issued for the stalled project.

The auditor general, however, expressed dissatisfaction in a number of areas, pointing out that overpayment remains an issue.

Guyanese shot dead in St Maarten

A

Guyanese man, Rondell Bobb, was shot dead in St Maarten on Saturday, police in the island have confirmed. The shooting took place behind Patricia’s Bar on Sucker Garden Road.

The 23-year-old Bobb also known as “Bobb the Builder”, was shot multiRondell Bobb

ple times in a vehicle.

Bobb is well known in the Sucker Garden area as he builds almost anything.

He was partially handicapped and is also known to be friendly.

Residents in Sucker Garden said they cannot imagine why anyone would shoot and kill Bobb. “This young man was partially handicapped and he was also creative and friendly.”

Some alluded that he must have been in the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong people. Bobb was shot to death inside a vehicle which was parked behind Patricia’s Bar. The vehicle was parked at the car wash located behind the bar.

Relatives of Rondell Bobb are at a loss for words, they confirmed that Bobb does not own

a vehicle and he was in someone’s car when he was shot multiple times.

Some persons said they believe that the shooter, who used a machine gun, was after the second victim who was also inside the vehicle when the shooting took place.

A second person identified as Nino Brown “Thewet” is in critical condition at the St Maarten Medical Centre.

Unconfirmed reports state that Nino recently came out of prison and is said to be a national of St Kitts with ties to the Thewet families on AT Illidge Road.

Police chief Peter de Witte confirmed the shooting Saturday night that left one person dead. De Witte said the shooting took place sometime around 22: 00h behind Patricia’s Bar. Chief Prosecutor Hans Wesslink said he knew of the shooting, but up to Sunday afternoon, he did not have further information.

Press prosecutor Dounia Bennmar said she did not feel comfortable releasing information to the press on the most recent homicide because she is the prosecutor in charge of the investigation.

News week ending november 17, 2013

Simply the truth

By Professor Daizal Samad

T

his new weekly column is meant to explore issues that concern Berbice and Guyana. While we shall focus on specific topical issues in Guyana, readers are assured that the topics shall be interesting and shall relate to all of the citizens of our nation. For what affects one citizen affects all citizens. I also promise that my language shall be clear and simple, like all good language should be.

My opinions will not be guided by self-interest nor governed by a bloated ego. This column shall not be about gossip and who said what to me in private circumstances. And I shall be clear about my sources, without sacrificing confidentiality.

The one ruling principle in this column shall be to write the TRUTH at all times, regardless of the consequences.

And truth always stops being the truth when it is twisted to fit some agenda, whether that agenda be personal or political. This column shall be about important issues affecting real people living real lives. It will deal with ideas as well.

What do real people think about things and issues? What ideas do we have to develop Berbice and all parts of Guyana? How can these be implemented in lasting ways and in ways that give to Guyana and its citizens rather than take from Guyana and Guyanese? How may our leaders lead in better, more efficient and more conscientious ways? How may we as one people put aside our differences and speak with each other in polite tones rather than quarrel endlessly?

How do we heal our past wounds and relieve our current pains? How do we bring up our young to be respectful and thoughtful? How can we educate them not only in academic ways but also in the ways of the world? What examples are we setting for those that are to follow us in a short time? How do we show our young that which they MUST see: their own possibilities and potentials? How do we create a system which yields great teachers and greater learners? How do we treat our talent in ways that make them want to stay and serve their nation while improving themselves and enriching their own lives? How can we assist our farmers to produce more while earning more for themselves? How can we make life better for those that anoint the backbone of our economy with their sweat: sugar cane harvesters? How do we put in place educational and systematic plans to assist our police force to “serve and protect without fear or favour, malice or ill-will”? How do we reward all professions in monetary and other ways? How do we create law and

order out of lawlessness and disorder?

How do we keep our roads, homes, and businesses safe from carelessness and crime? How can we build better schools and better universities that our children may be better individuals and citizens?

How can we become a nation of great sportsmen and women again? How do we arrest the scourge of domestic violence, child abuse and drug abuse?

How do we create a nation in which our most vulnerable – the disabled and aged and weak and wounded – find comfort and safe havens? How do we exploit our enormous resources in sensible and sustainable ways, in order that we care for our environment while caring for ourselves? How can we have better environments that encourage and attract better businessmen and women? In what business and research areas would our nation gain most for the betterment of all? Above all, how can we create one nation under God and with the rule of law and the observance of those laws? A Republic of Guyana in which neighbour lives with neighbour, a nation in which there is respect and tolerance for all religions, and in which we live in harmony and celebrate the success of those near and far from us.

A nation in which racist sentiments are banished from our hearts and our thoughts. A Guyana in which we can all believe, and a nation that believes in each and every one of its law-abiding citizens. One in which each citizen is special and cherished.

These are important questions.

We shall ask them and have them answered or try to answer them. These many questions lie at the heart of development for all regions, and for Guyana as a whole entity.

To be sure, I will voice my opinions.

But my opinions will be informed ones.

I shall not compare Guyana with places to which I have never been or which I know nothing about.

And those opinions will not be based on what I see on television as small pictures – sound bites. My opinions will be based on reason, logic, deep reading, wide experience, and love for this nation.

I shall not speak about what I do not know nor about places that I have not been, nor work that I have not done.

That would be shallow, empty and pretentious.

I would not pretend to be an expert on things about which I have no experience or expertise or knowledge.

And I shall not talk down to people.

If I have to seek opinions on matters, I shall do so from people who know.

And I am aware that there are more people who know more things than I will ever know. But I will call upon socalled ordinary people who know more about pain and suffering than I ever will. And I will ask my many professorial colleagues on five continents to give of their experience and expertise.

This column will be calm and reasonable. And it will never be written in this column foolish things like, “Guyanese must be stupid if...” or “Berbicians are not foolish enough to think that...” That kind of looking down on people will not happen here! The reverse psychology is too primitive.

So I invite Berbice and Guyana to read and respond.

I invite our citizens to read, to speak and to be heard. And feel free to ask questions of me. Be assured you will get a truthful and straight-forward answer!

21

| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Rose Hall Estate workers reject one per cent wage hike – slam GAWU for “selling out”

By Andrew Carmichael

C

ane harvesters attached to the Rose Hall Estate, Providence on the East Bank Berbice, on Wednesday downed tools in protest over a proposed one per cent wage increase and also criticised their union – the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) for being a “sell-out”. The workers represent almost half of the field workers attached to the estate.

They marched from Providence, chanting “One per cent can’t wuk” to New Amsterdam where they staged a picketing exercise in front of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/ C) New Amsterdam office. Police later cordoned off the area and diverted traffic as the workers demonstrated.

“P Gang” representative Carlton Austin told this publication they are dissatisfied with the increase offered to them.

According to him, workers understand that the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo)

Rose Hall Estate workers protesting the one per cent wage hike

might be cash-strapped, but in spite of this, it is still able to pay some of its managers huge salaries.

The workers’ representative added that the company also spent huge sums to pay auditors. He is of the opinion that the workers’ demand for an eight per cent wage increase is reasonable, given the fact that initially they were pushing for a 12 per cent increase.

Inadequate Cane harvester Kurt Matthew Kaiu said the one per cent increase is inadequate, noting that the cost of living increases at a greater rate. “I bought a pound of milk for Gy$ 800 last night and Friday gone I paid Gy$ 760.”

He said like many other workers, he was not satisfied with the representation which they receive from GAWU. According to the cane harvester, some workers are paying union dues although they have not joined the union. “The union wait until the crop finish and then say that wages talk freeze and we have to accept a one per cent increase; that is not fair.”

He argued that GAWU President Komal Chan is a representative of the sugar workers and he is also a PPP/ C parliamentarian; therefore, he cannot adequately represent the workers in their best interest.

from page 7

Relatives, friends express shock at businessman's... say is Deryck… I was shocked and then I wonder is who do him something,” said the man.

A really good man

Another friend of Kanhai said he was a “real good” person and he added that this incident has shaken him. The man, known as Dara, said he last saw Kanhai about six months ago.

He noted that he used to work with the businessman; however, they had a close relationship as he was left to care for the property whenever Kanhai went into the interior.

“When he come out, we does lime together, he does enjoy he self. He gon go out and walk, nobody tell he nothing and he don’t tell nobody anything.

We does have a nice time, especially Christmas time when he does come, he does greet everybody.

Everybody he see, he always get something to give them that was the kind of person he was, this what happen shook everybody,” Dara related.

The owner of Crown Cabs Taxi Service, one of the businesses lo-

cated in the bottom flat of Kanhai’s property, Abdul, told Guyana Times International that he was at the premises, minutes before the shooting started; however, he left to go to the service’s main base on East Street and while there, he heard gunshots. “We heard the shots and then we realised it was coming from here, so we head here and saw a body in front the building.”

The man disclosed that by this time, the police had already arrived on the scene and one was reportedly injured.

Abdul said this incident has shook him up a lot, since he has been operating at the location for close to three years now and nothing like this ever happened; however, he noted that he heard that Kanhai had discharged rounds twice before at the premises, but could not say whether that was true.

The taxi service owner explained that he had only shared a business relationship with Kanhai, and there was nothing personal between them.

Rampage

Kanhai went on a rampage on Tuesday sometime around 13: 30h, shooting the dispatcher of the taxi service, Vanessa Vyphuis, and a resident of the area, Hugh “Bonny” Rowland, who would usually lime at the base. Another taxi driver, Paul Raman, 45, of Vreed-en-Hoop, was also injured. He underwent surgery on Tuesday evening and is currently in the High Dependency Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital.

He then retreated to inside his house where he took cover from the police who came shortly after. A gun battle ensued between him and the police, lasting for more than three hours, during which two police officers lost their lives.

Constable Sherwin Pantlitz, 35, of Diary, West Demerara and Lance Corporal Michael Forde, 24, of A Field Sophia were shot and killed in the line of duty during the standoff.

Kanhai was eventually shot dead by the police who closed in on him sometime around 16: 15h.

22

News

week ending november 17, 2013

| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Statement by NEW GPC INC

Auditor general’s report erroneous, sloppy on pharmaceutical supplies

T

he NEW GPC INC has perused the “Report of the Auditor General” for 2012. Because of the repeated media circuses that have been created in some previous reports in terms of the pharmaceuticals the corporation provides to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and the Ministry of Health (MoH), the NEW GPC would like to clarify a number of completely erroneous statements contained in the report, especially as it relates to lack of documentation or deliveries.

We believe that this is due to sloppy fieldwork by junior officials in the Office of the Auditor General.

The chairman of NEW GPC is particularly disappointed that these statements, which once again tend to paint the corporation in a negative light, have been repeated after similar previous assertions were corrected to the satisfaction of the Office of the Auditor General.

In the course of providing information to a team from the Office of the Auditor General, the NEW GPC chairman had pointed out that if audit checks at the MoH and GPHC found gaps in the latter’s documentation as it relates to transactions with the NEW GPC, the auditors could contact NEW GPC officials to fill the lacuna, as we have done in the past.

Sadly, this was not done, and the corpora-

MoH/GPHC pharmaceuticals and medical supplies at the NEW GPC facility

tion is willing to provide the missing documentation once again.

The NEW GPC would like to state that the auditor general’s report, as it concerns the corporation, appears to have been compiled on the basis of simplistic interactions with junior and non-technical personnel within the MoH and GPHC administrations and does not take full cognisance of the nature of the supply chain process for pharmaceuticals and related products and the environment in which we operate.

The NEW GPC is also concerned that there is still the lingering suggestion that the company has somehow not delivered items ordered several years back, when documentation was provided directly to the Office of the Auditor General to clarify this matter.

The following points

appear to have escaped the auditors from the Office of the Auditor General: (1) Contracts, particularly the larger orders, sometimes overlap from a consumption point of view into the following financial year and, hence, it is not unusual that some items are not collected by the MoH at the end of the fiscal year.

(2) National budgets are approved sometime between March and July and hence the quantities being ordered sometimes cater for this overlap.

(3) The MoH takes in or receives goods based on their own predetermined consumption pattern and that means deliveries are staggered throughout the year.

(4) Staggering or phased delivery is also important and specifically sought when items carry short shelf life. So, for example, if an item has less than a year’s

shelf life, such as diagnostic test kits, it is counterproductive to deliver all of it in one batch unless it can be utilised within that limited timeframe.

(5) Contracts are signed at different times during the year, and so for those signed in the later months, deliveries are actually intended to roll over into the following year.

(6) Bank guarantees are not meant to be valid for the original sum throughout the life of the contract. As deliveries are made, the risk is obviously decreasing and hence a bank guarantee can be, and is, often renewed for a lesser amount.

And with the added emphasis on bank guarantees these days, the NEW GPC sometimes has to provide bank guarantees for stocks that were already delivered or are on hand and

cannot be taken in due to space and other limitations at the MoH. The NEW GPC has never defaulted on any of its contracts to the MoH and GPHC. (7) As a large supplier, there is always some amount of inventory on hand that is pending receipt by MoH personnel.

The media often misinterprets and sometimes deliberately misrepresents the auditor general’s statements and the NEW GPC gets condemnation while the stocks are sitting in the warehouse.

(8) The auditor general seems unaware that the MoH has written to the NEW GPC in the past to cease or delay deliveries on account of their Diamond warehouse transition.

On that score, the NEW GPC is still currently storing a very large volume of items for the MoH and GPHC

which have been recorded as delivered based on the previous regime where the NEW GPC stored pharmaceuticals for them. These should have been removed, and several requests have been made, since the MoH constructed its new warehouse at Diamond.

Despite what was claimed by some, the NEW GPC never received rental for this service.

With this in mind, it is again calling on the MoH and GPHC to remove its goods from the corporation’s warehouses as soon as possible.

There are many instances when the NEW GPC gets paid long after delivery. Curiously, the auditor general’s reports never seems to mention this aspect. There have also been many cases whereby signed contracts are truncated due to lack of funds and the corporation is left holding the stocks.

The NEW GPC would like to reiterate that, if the Office of the Auditor General has concerns now or in the future, the corporation stands ready to provide whatever documentation or explanation is needed to bring clarity to the matter.

And it would appreciate if such clarification could be sought before the annual reports are produced. This is important from the corporation’s perspective given that the media’s concerns are primarily with the NEW GPC contracts.

Guyana seeks closer collaboration with South American countries on mining

T

he government through the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) is committed to exploring ways to improve current mining practices with more efficient and environmentally safe technology.

According to a release, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud on Tuesday made this commitment prior to the screening of a film titled “Amazon Gold”, which highlighted the impact of mercury in gold mining.

The event was organised by the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

WWF Country Manager Patrick Williams, Sarah DuPont

of Amazon Gold and Dr Luis Fernandez, a specialist on the impact of mercury in gold mining also participated.

Minister Persaud called for greater collaboration between South American and Amazon countries in sharing experiences and technologies for suitable and environmentally safe mining practices.

He pointed out that the government has an aggressive stakeholder approach programme in keeping with the new international convention to control mercury emissions which was signed in Japan – the Minamata Convention on Mercury.

The agreement is an international response to the reality that mercury pollution is a global problem that no country can

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud speaking prior to the screening of “Amazon Gold”

address unilaterally.

Recognition He emphasised that the government recognises the environmental and human health risks of mercury use and pollution and supports the implementation of

a global legally binding instrument on mercury that will prohibit its production, export and use through a planned approach.

Guyana’s mining sector is developing rapidly and is poised to develop even further with hydrocarbon exploration, resumption of manganese mining, increased production of bauxite and gold and the opening of new exploration for new minerals and elements such as uranium and elements of rare earth.

Additionally, the government through the education and natural resources and environment ministries has reviewed the evidence on the factors for growth, and as such, recognises strongly the role of improved education in technical train-

ing in the mining sector.

This will be done through the Guyana Mining School and Training Centre Inc (GMSTCI) through a grant agreement between the WWF and the GGMC to develop a curriculum of the mining school.

As such, the ministry is encouraging many miners to use mercury free technology through the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA).

Already, a series of demonstrations were conducted using mercury free technology, which has shown that a higher efficiency rate can be achieved.

Minister Persaud also expressed appreciation to collaborate with WWF to organise a showing of “Amazon Gold” for

Guyana.

Although “Amazon Gold” focuses primarily on the gold mining industry in Peru, similar comparisons could be drawn. Similar to that of the Guyanese mining industry, small scale and artisanal mining is quite prevalent in Peru.

Over the years, the Peruvian government has struggled to curb the high deforestation and degradation rates that were attributed to mining. “Amazon Gold” gives us the opportunity to learn from other South American countries about devastating impacts of mining on the environment.

Guyana can learn and adopt some of the more practical initiatives that are successfully implemented.

news week ending november 17, 2013

23

| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Private sector blasts opposition for blocking anti-laundering petition

T

he Private Sector Commission (PSC) said it is disgusted at the treatment by the combined opposition of its petition to Parliament on the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, and the bill itself.

The PSC said it represents those industries that drive the Guyana economy forward while providing the bulk of the employment opportunities and include, as outlined in the petition, Guyana’s business community across the country, rice, mining (gold and bauxite), banking and insurance, construction, telecommunications and associated services, domestic aviation, manufacturing, fishing, tourism and forestry.

According to the PSC, state ownership of the productive sector of the economy has failed as is evidenced today by sugar, the last remaining industry that remains within state ownership.

“The private sector collectively is one of the most important stake-

APNU MP Carl Greenidge

holders in this country with a legitimate and irrefutable interest in preserving the health and stability of the domestic economy and it is for this reason – to protect against further economic slippage – that the Private Sector Commission petitioned Parliament.”

The PSC said the combined opposition saw it fit, despite the economic importance of this stakeholder, to deny the presentation and reading in Parliament of a petition from the private sector, thereby denying a voice to the very people who drive the economy and employ a high per-

PSC Chairman Ronald Webster

centage of the nation’s citizens.

Inexplicable contempt

“This action reveals an inexplicable contempt for the stakeholders of this country and/ or a lack of understanding of how the economy functions. In a civilised world, on critical matters of economic and national importance, it is mandatory for leaders to rise above this petty and often retrogressive tit for tat disposition.

We expect nothing less from our elected representatives, who must understand that merit is the most important factor for the people of this country.”

The commission said it records its deep disappointment over the actions of Parliament and holds this 10th Parliament accountable for any damage that may accrue to the Guyana economy going forward.

Last Thursday, the joint opposition parliamentary parties used its one-seat majority in the National Assembly to block the presentation of the petition which sought to call on them to give support to the antimoney laundering legislation in the interest of avoiding economic hardships and financial blacklisting.

The petition, which would have been presented by People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/ C) Member of Parliament (MP) Manzoor Nadir, was described as “offensive”, “ vexatious”, “malicious” and “inaccurate” by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) MP Carl Greenidge, who drew first blood by raising a point of order, creating the first challenge to the piloting of the document.

Greenidge argued

that the correct procedures were not followed by the petitioners or Nadir as far as the Standing Orders had allowed for its presentation to the National Assembly.

Greenidge’s contentions

“The assembly will not receive any petition which is not properly and respectfully worded… It shall not contain ironical and nonsensical words that would not be used in debate,” he argued, while quoting Standing Orders 40 (A), 15 and 26.

The APNU shadow finance minister also described the document as “ignorant”. He said it sought to lay blame at the feet of the opposition, having accused it of not making its concerns known in written form to the special select committee within the six months it was at that level.

House Speaker Raphael Trotman tried to advance the petition to the next level by cautioning the opposition about the route it was seeking to pursue on Thursday.

He reminded the Parliament of the precedence that had been set by other opposition members, including Volda Lawrence, who was allowed to bring and present a petition to the Parliament with ease.

Government’s Chief Whip Gail Teixeira expressed her disappointment at attempts by the opposition political parties to muzzle the private sector by seeking to obstruct its presentation to the National Assembly.

She argued buoyantly that the right of all Guyanese to petition their representatives and the Parliament is sacrosanct in any society. The two page petition was signed by PSC Chairman Ronald Webster and the entity’s Governance and Security Sub-Committee Chairman Gerald Gouveia. It details the impact of the non-passage of the anti-money laundering bill on the financial operations, economic standing, remittances, insurance companies, among other agencies of the country.

Guyana-Venezuela fertiliser deal generates positive competition

By Indrawattie Natram

T

housands of farmers throughout Guyana from the various rice growing areas are reaping the benefits of the Venezuela fertiliser deal that was made possible by the Agriculture Ministry through the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) and the Rice Producer’s Association (RPA).

Farmers are indeed thankful to the ministry and the major rice stakeholders for creating such a competitive market, one that has made the price for fertiliser dropped significantly.

They are very much thankful and expressed their gratitude at a farmers’ meeting held last Friday in the GRDB boardroom at Anna

Regina, Essequibo Coast.

One farmer, from West Bury, John Goberdhan said the intervention was a time ly one and has fostered much competition. Goberdhan said fertilisers are now available cheaper than last year. Another farmer from Perservance, Prem Sukhai, said he is happy that an intervention has been made to address their problems. The farmers say often they are being ripped- off by local suppliers of fertiliser and they now feel a comfort receiving representation.

GRDB General Manager Jagnarine Singh called for cooperation from farmers to ensure the smooth flow of fertiliser distribution in the various regions.

He made it known that fertilisers are available at different locations throughout rice growing areas and at a reasonable price.

Same price

Singh said farmers in Essequibo, Demerara and Berbice have to pay the same price, despite more transportation is involved. He explained to farmers at a meeting that the intervention was made to help farmers reduce production cost.

Once production costs remain low, farmers will reap profits, he said, noting that bringing fertiliser from Venezuela to farmers here (in Guyana) is a “risk”, but the GRDB has the farmers’ interest at heart.

RPA General Secretary Dharamkumar

Another hung jury... from page 19

after six hours of deliberation.

Family rage

Meanwhile, this second hung jury was not accepted by the relatives of the deceased. They vented their anger against the justice system which

they said has repeatedly failed to deliver them the justice they are seeking for the loss of not only one but two family members. They are calling for the jury system to be abolished, noting that there is no security in

using it, since the jurors can easily be contacted and bribed.

The relatives further alleged that some of the jurors were paid off on behalf of the accused.

They disclosed that after the decision was made,

Farmers flock the Fairfield bond to purchase their fertiliser

Seeraj said farmers are being supplied with urea and fertiliser at a reduced cost for the current autumn crop. He urged farmers to make the most of the offer and reminded them that their interest will always be protected.

Seeraj, using a practical example, said farm-

ers will be saving Gy$ 1500 per bag of fertiliser purchased, as compared to last year.

According to Region Two GRDB superintendent, Deoram Prahalad, farmers are entitled to one bag of urea/ fertiliser for each acre sown for up to 30 acres, while farmers with acreages above

will not receive an additional amount.

Each farmer is being charged Gy$ 5000 per bag for fertiliser/ urea. The officer said the GRDB Extension Department will be responsible for facilitating the payment of fertiliser made by the farmers and the actual distribution.

a juror was seen showing the relatives of the accused “thumbs up”. “It is disgusting what happened here today. There is no justice for people who don’t have money in this country, all these lawlessness got to stop,” one relative stated.

This is not the first time the family is making such allegations. At the previous trial, they

named four jurors who had connections with the defence attorney.

Collier is also awaiting a retrial for another charge, which had resulted in a hung jury.

In that matter, he is accused of the murder of Chandrapaul “Kero Man” Persaud, a Nonpareil, East Coast Demerara businessman, on September 30, 2006.

He had faced trial for this murder in October of 2011; after the hung jury, presiding judge, Justice Winston Patterson ordered a retrial.

During a robbery at his home, Persaud put up a fight and was shot to death outside his house by one of the three gunmen, who invaded his home.

24

News

week ending november 17, 2013

| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Caricom SG urges review of CSME implementation

C

aricom Secretary General Irwin LaRocque has called for a review of the implementation of the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) and whether the approach to it was adequate to address the immediate concerns of member states.

“Just as we have agreed that the revised treaty must now be reviewed in order to advance our integration arrangements, we have to examine the role of the CSME in addressing the economic challenges of member states. I remain convinced, however, that the CSME is our best option for addressing our economic challenges,” LaRocque said during the opening of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) at the Princess Hotel, Providence, East Bank Demerara last Friday morning.

He said deliberations at the special session on the strategic direction of COTED should be informed by the recent judgement by the Caribbean Court of Justice which has cemented the community’s rules-based system.

According to Secretary General LaRocque, the judgement has far-reaching implications for decision-making and implementation, the nature and effects of community law, obligations of member states and the rights of community nationals. The judgement, he added, engendered confidence in community arrangements.

AFC urges govt to step up fight against TIP

BY SAMUEL SUKHNANDAN

I

Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett

Caricom Secretary General Irwin LaRocque

Collective action

ing every facet of its operations and institutions, noting that heads of government agreed that it was necessary to examine the future direction of the community and to craft the requisite arrangements to govern the agreed structure.

Work has begun on the five-year strategic plan for the community.

The Change Facilitation Team has been canvassing the widest possible range of views. A series of in-country consultations have taken place in 13 member states and one associate member thus far, providing an opportunity for nationals to influence the plan and therefore, the direction of the community. Sustainable economic growth is a recurrent theme in almost all of these consultations.

Rodrigues-Birkett said COTED’s agenda and deliberations must be more strategic as they seek to address the challenges faced by its member states and the work of the preparatory meeting of the COTED must be such as to allow the ministers space for strategic deliberations.

In recognition of the challenges and limitations that faced member states, the secretary general said that the region had to collectively endeavour to put all member states on a sound footing to tackle the hard economic realities. For the community, he said, enhancing competitiveness and expanding trade were crucial elements to propel growth and improve the welfare of the region.

Meanwhile, chair of the meeting, Guyana’s Foreign Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett said the discussions at the session will be an integral element of the community’s agenda for change.

The minister said after 40 years, the integration movement continues to endure, “giving us cause for celebration in the midst of our reflection and introspection.

And as any organisation which wishes to remain relevant to its members, we are engaged in seeking ways to improve the way we do business”.

She said Caricom is in the process of review-

n light of the recent rescue missions for trafficked victims, the Alliance For Change (AFC) is calling on the government to accelerate the fight against Trafficking in Persons (TIP), in particular the apparent sex slave trade.

AFC parliamentarian Cathy Hughes made this call during an interview with Guyana Times International last week Thursday.

Hughes stated her disappointment in the way government has been addressing TIP, but said she is happy about the work being done by the Guyana Women Miners’ Organisation (GWMO).

“I’m disappointed, but not surprised,” she added.

Hughes said that from reports, the GWMO will soon be launching an aggressive public relations campaign to bring awareness to the issues.

The AFC parliamentarian believes that more

AFC MP Cathy Hughes

NGOs and private sector companies should get on board.

“So even if we’re not able to get assistance in terms of establishing a safe house for the victims from the government, I think there are other avenues that we can explore to the end, so it will not be disastrous,” she explained.

Hughes said serious attention must be paid to the issue, if it is to be rooted out permanently.

“Many are women who are lured into the areas where they have little to no contact with their

families and there are horrific instances where their phones have been taken away. More or less, it’s modern day slavery in a kind of way, that is why it is very important and I don’t think we should be wasting time counting how many incidents we’ve had, we need to do something about it.”

The AFC parliamentarian had aired her concerns about the issue and said her party is ready and willing to work to help find a solution, given the increasing number of TIP cases. Hughes stressed that TIP is a matter of concern for all Guyanese, and requires serious attention.

She also reiterated the need for proper accommodation to be made available to victims.

The AFC has also advised government to establish a relationship with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and churches, in the interim, to accommodate these victims who are most times from the interior or gold mining areas.

Bosai, NAACIE agree to seven per cent pay raise for staff

T

he management of Bosai Minerals Group Guyana Incorporated (BMGGI) and the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial, and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) on Friday morning reached an agreement for a seven per cent increase across the board on wages and salaries for employees.

At a simple signing ceremony, held at the Watooka Complex, Mackenzie, Linden, the parties agreed to the increase for employees within the bargaining unit. They also agreed that the wages and salaries agreement will be retroactive from April 1.

Signing on behalf of BMGGI were General Manager George Zhao and Senior Personnel Officer Truedell Marks.

General Secretary Kenneth Joseph, Branch President Linnell Warden, and members Wayne Halley, Neptrid Hercules, and Trevor Henry, and Aggrey Darlington signed on behalf of NAACIE. Last month, BMGGI employees had staged a massive protest outside the north gate of the

NAACIE General Secretary Kenneth Joseph

company, after hearing of a proposed 3.5 per cent increase by the company.

The company had, however, assured employees that negotiations were still ongoing and indicated that the 3.5 per cent increase was still negotiable.

Future developments

Speaking at the signing, Zhao said he was pleased with the negotiations and was looking forward to future developments within the Linden community and improving the working environment at BMGGI. Marks, speaking on behalf of the company, acknowledged that there was “a late start” with negotiations, and not-

ed that the next round of negotiations will commence in April of next year to avoid future hiccups.

Speaking after the signing, Warden noted that the union was satisfied with the increase, but he expected employees to have “mixed feelings”.

Addressing the small gathering at the signing, Joseph said: “It is important that this is one of the agreements that have come out of the negotiations and again, we must compliment Bosai... we hope that workers would be put in a mood to continue production and we wish that the company continues to move from strength to strength.

“We also wish to compliment the company in its efforts to deal positively with the company and we encourage them to continue...,” he said.

Additionally, he noted that the union is in full support of the company’s expansion plans.

Further, he stated that the union was pleased to have moved on from negotiations with BMGGI and was now focusing on other concerns such as the company’s productivity.

News week ending november 17, 2013

Man slits woman’s throat, kills self stairs and that is when my cousin find them,” she recalled.

By Vahnu Manikchand

A

22-year-old man was on Monday afternoon found hanging from the ceiling of his Lot 27 West Ruimveldt home, with his 27-year-old girlfriend lying on a nearby bed with her throat slit.

Dead are Kenroy Crandon of Fyrish, Corentyne, Berbice, and Sheryann Tiwari believed to be from Parika, East Bank Essequibo.

It is believed that the young man murdered the woman before tragically ending his own life.

Guyana Times International understands that Crandon and Tiwari were living together in the upper flat of the house; however, the woman was asked to leave by Crandon’s aunt who is living in the lower flat of the house.

The aunt of the young man, Donna, explained that she was home all day and did not see when Tiwari entered the yard.

“The girl that he murder used to live here and I put her out like the ending of August and I tell him and her too that she is not welcome back here. I was trying to prevent something like this from happening, because they used to abuse each

Strange

Sheryann Tiwari

other,” the aunt noted.

She recalled that around 17: 00h, she and a cousin were sitting talking and the volume of the television was very loud upstairs, forcing her to disconnect the electricity from downstairs.

The woman said that while they were talking, she heard a door slam and something fell on the floor, then there was a sound as though someone was dragging their feet.

According to her, they continued to talk, but about six to seven minutes after “I called for Kenroy, but he didn’t answer so I keep calling. I started to feel like something is not right, so I went outside and looked at the door and it was closed, so we had to pull out a piece of wood from the inside step to go up-

The cousin, who wished to remain anonymous, related to this publication that when he got to the upper flat, the bedroom door was closed, so he decided to climb up and look into the room and saw the woman lying on the bed. “I turn to Donna and tell her ‘I ain’t like what I seeing here’ and she said she want to see, so I push open the door and when we go in, the first thing we see is Kenroy hanging from the roof with he tongue out he mouth and Sheryann on the bed with she clothes on and it full with blood,” the cousin stated.

The aunt explained that she had no idea the woman was in the house and from checks made, it appeared as though she sneaked into the yard while it was raining heavily, since there was a strange umbrella next to the step.

The aunt is baffled as to what could have triggered her nephew to commit such an act and to take his own life. She noted that he was going to bring his two sisters from Berbice to live with him.

25

| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Agriculture Ministry gears up for rainy season – 14 pumps installed at critical areas

T

he Agriculture Ministry has been “upping the ante” with respect to preparation for the December/ January rainy season as plans are apace to have measures in place to safeguard possible impacts the season can incur. Recently, 14 pumps have been installed by the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) at critical areas along coastal regions, so as to ensure maximum drainage capacity.

This move, according to Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy is to further improve the country’s Drainage and Irrigation (D& I) system.

“Our D& I system is presently prepared for different weather patterns. I say that because it is important to have effective drainage to withstand the rainy period and proper irrigation especially for rice and cash crop farmers, and looking at those areas, we are prepared,” he said.

Thus far, the NDIA

Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy

has moved some of its machines to several areas prone to flooding to assist in de-silting of secondary and primary canals, especially in Region Five and along the coast.

The NDIA is currently 90 per cent complete in clearing of primary canals.

“With respect to secondary canals, the NDIA has been mandated to assist the RDC and water users associations, by having excavators de-

ployed to have the canals de-silted and ready for the rainy season,” Minister Ramsammy said.

Minister Ramsammy remains confident that once the rainy period steps in, the NDIA will be ready.

However, challenges still exist with respect to internal drains in the city as it remains in dire need of maintenance.

The internal drains are controlled by the Mayor and City Council (M& CC).

“These drains remain an overwhelming responsibility for the NDIA, as it is severely neglected, despite not falling under the purview of the NDIA... we had little rain yesterday and some parts of the city have been flooded.

That is because the internal drains are clogged up,” he said.

Some of the pumps in the city are non-functional and the NDIA is now in the process of working with the M& CC to ensure that the situation is remedied.

26

NEWS

week ending november 17, 2013

| guyanatimeSinternational.com

First Leguan Nite attracts large crowd

P

resident Donald Ramotar, accompanied by acting Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Irfaan Ali and Guyana Rice Producers Association (GRPA) General Secretary

Dharamkumar Seeraj on sunday evening livened up the inaugural Leguan Nite, singing two songs, one of which was “Leguan Baboo”.

Along the edges of the venue were booths to interest patrons while lucky ticket patrons won various prizes. The Shakti Strings Orchestra entertained the crowd.

Leguan Nite is the brainchild of Minister Irfaan Ali, a native of the island whose idea it is to build a unique tourism product in an area that has made a significant contribution to Guyana’s economy in the productive sector.

A committee was subsequently formed comprising various stakeholders and planning of the event got underway.

Included on the agenda was a pageant contested by nine delegates who appeared before the audience and a panel of judges, introducing themselves, their platforms and proud sponsors.

President Ramotar, who frequented the island in the company of his father on business ventures as a young boy, was pleased with the hosting of an event that is aimed at promoting community-based tourism.

An almost identical event is hosted yearly on the nearby Wakenaam Island, attracting many over the years.

It is an initiative the government continues to encourage in rural areas, particularly those with potential tourism hotspots to adopt, given its appeal to nature lovers from abroad who have grown too accustomed to sand and sea.

Model

The Rew Eco Lodge in

the north Rupununi is a model example of a community-based tourism product managed by residents of the area where fishing, hiking, birding and other adventures are enjoyed by many tourists.

In his address at the opening night, President Ramotar explained the new course on which the economy is heading, and the role the tourism sector is already playing.

He said that with the expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and the construction of the Marriott International Hotel in the making and the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project for cheaper and reliable electricity, the government is intending to expedite the process by which Guyana can further develop.

Challenge

However, he warned that this process is being challenged by the political opposition exploiting its one-seat majority in Parliament. President Ramotar used the occasion to voice his disappointment over the vote against the anti-money laundering amendment bill, and the implications that will follow.

The opportunities Guyana may lose as a result of setbacks in the construction of the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project following the political opposition’s rejection of key pieces of legislation were also highlighted.

Nevertheless, the residents were encouraged to look forward to a bright future and amid problems, and be proud of the contribution the island has been making in the agriculture sector.

week ending november 17, 2013

27

| guyanatimeSinternational.com

28

week ending november 17, 2013 |

guyanatimeSinternational.com

29

30

Feature

week ending november 17, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Internationally-renowned Muslim scholar to visit Guyana

T

he World’s most renowned and respected Muslim scholar, Maulana Shaykh, Dr Hisham Kabbani will soon be visiting Guyana as part of activities organised by the local Muslim community in observance of the Islamic New Year.

The local Muslim community, through The Anna Catherina Islamic Complex and The Guyana United Sadr Islamic Anjuman will host a series of programmes in observance of the commencement of the Islamic New Year 1435AH. The distinguished scholar will visit Guyana from November 27-29, (after visiting neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago).

Maulana Shaykh Hisham Kabbani has dedicated his life to calling people to increase their love of Prophet Muhammad (May God’s blessings and peace be with him).

For over two decades, he has worked tirelessly to validate expressions of love of Allah’s Messenger through mawlid celebrations (birth of the prophet) and gathering of dhikr (devotional act) in the West and the East.

Shaykh Hisham was born in Beirut, Lebanon to the family of the Beloved Prophet, on both his paternal and maternal sides. He has studied Islamic jurisprudence from an early age and has acquired a proficiency in the major schools

of Sunni fiqh. He obtained a degree in chemistry from the American University of Beirut before completing his medical studies in Belgium. His teacher in the science of tasawwuf (Sufism) is Shaykh Nazim Haqqani, the world renowned leader of the Naqshbandi order, known as the “Golden Chain”, who would later became his father-in-law. He also acquired sacred knowledge from his uncles, one was the grand mufti of Lebanon and another was the president of the Association of Islamic Scholars of the Middle East.

Shaykh Hisham has the rare gift of being able to combine the demands of the Shari’ah with the inner certainty of the tariqa (way or path). This characteristic allows him to weave together religious and scientific knowledge and to convey the message of Islam to diverse groups of people in English, French, Arabic, and Turkish.

His message has touched millions of the people all over the world and through his da`wah ( summons), by Allah’s grace, over 15,000 people have accepted Islam in the Americas and Europe.

Peace advocate Maulana Kabbani advocates an understanding of Islam as fundamentally based on peace, tolerance, interreligious cooperation, respect and love. He has counselled and advised Muslim leaders around

Maulana Shaykh, Dr Hisham Kabbani

the world from Afghanistan to the UK to build community resilience against violent extremism.

In 2012, the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre named him one of the top 500 most influential Muslims.

Even at his advanced age, the eminent shaykh continues to travel extensively to speak to ordinary people, kings, presidents, prime ministers and even Prince Charles of England. He has published dozens of books on Islam and Sufism, many of which have been translated into French, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Arabic and Urdu.

Shaykh Kabbani presides over the Institute for Spiritual and Cultural Advancement (ISCA), WORDE, the As-

Sunnah Foundation and eShaykh.com, which provides online guidance in matters of jurisprudence, theology and responding to requests for prayers.

He is also the founder/ chairman of the Islamic Supreme Council of America (ISCA), a non-profit, non-governmental educational organisation dedicated to teaching personal moral excellence.

ISCA has spearheaded a number of peace initiatives, hosted notable conferences, actively engages in inter-religious dialogue, and promotes traditional and moderate Islamic views. ISCA has addressed numerous world bodies such as the United Nations and continues to advise the U. S. Department of State on issues regarding Islam, religious tolerance and terrorism.

Lectures Shaykh Hisham Kabbani has given lectures at many universities, including Yale, Oxford, the University of California at Berkeley, the University of Chicago, Columbia University, the American University, Howard, McGill, Concordia, the School of Oriental and African Studies (University of London) and Rutgers.

He has also been active throughout the world in the field of disaster relief and poverty alleviation. In 2010, he developed a series of water supply projects and relief sup-

ply centres in drought-affected regions of Kenya. He has also worked with local orphanages in Nairobi to provide funding and material assistance.

In 2001 and 2002, Dr Kabbani was recognised as one of the few Muslim scholars at that time to have warned of the threat of violent extremism. His discourses, presentations and dialogues have earned him the enviable respect of leaders and peoples of all faiths.

For the very first time, the people of Guyana will get the opportunity to meet Shaykh Hisham and listen to his words of love, wisdom and sincerity. The visit of the scholar is expected to attract a wide cross-section of people of various religions in addition to delegations from Trinidad and Tobago, Canada, the U. S. and Suriname.

The main programme will be held on Friday, November 29 at 18: 30h at the Anna Catherina Islamic Complex, West Coast Demerara. His eminence will deliver the Friday Juma sermon at the Queenstown Jama Masjid the same day. Other programmes are slated for Peter’s Hall Jama Masjid, East Bank Demerara as well as paying courtesy calls on several government functionaries, opposition leader and members of the diplomatic corps. Timings of these will be announced shortly.

Feature

31

week ending november 17, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

'Caribbean Wives of South Florida' opens in NY

A

new reality show ‘Caribbean Wives of South Florida’ will premiere in New York on November 15.

The show, produced by Maxine Tulloch, president Floridabased Tulloch Media Communications, was influenced by the popularity of American reality TV shows such as ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’, ‘Real Housewives of New Jersey’, among others.

This new series boasts a cast featuring six successful women, three Jamaicans and the others from Grenada and Haiti--Kendra Parker (Jamaica), Carmel Moise (Haiti), Dale Forrester (Grenada), Bridgette Cadet-Young (Haiti), Jeneva Gordon (Jamaica) and Terryann Ramirez (Jamaica).

"The show looks at the triumphs, trials and tribulations of marriage, careers, raising their children and cultural challenges in America.

With roots in Jamaica, Haiti, Grenada, the Dominican Republic, plus husbands linked to Trinidad, Grenada and

Kendra Parker, Carmel Moise , Dale Forrester, Bridgette Cadet-Young, Jeneva Gordon and Terryann Ramirez. (Photo: New York Daily News)

America starring in the pilot, the show aims to join an ever-increasing number of reality shows already on the air," said a report from New York

Daily News.

“Caribbean Wives is unique. It’s different because there is nothing like it—Hollywood wants the high drama,

the fights, the ridiculous conflicts, shock behaviour—we bring none of that to the production,” explained Tulloch.

“Yes, there are con-

flicts, but they are played out differently, the Caribbean way, with class and dignity; our culture dictates how we behave and it

is shown in our production—we are different, America has never seen the Caribbean in its true form. In this production, we expressed the culture as best as possible.”

Tulloch, who is Jamaican, said her aim in producing this show was to achieve respect and recognition for the Caribbean and Caribbean nationals. She added that whenever Americans want to cast or portray a Caribbean character, they turn to an American actor to play the part, and this should not be so.

"Caribbean people are talented in all areas of the arts, science, education, business, sports, military and government, and should be recognized for such… yet Caribbean-American people remain invisible and under-represented in the television entertainment industry,” Tulloch said.

‘The Caribbean Wives of South Florida’ pilot will screen at Hunter College's Kay Playhouse in New York.

(Jamaica Observer)

32

Feature

week ending november 17, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

O

dane Polson, a Jamaican first year student of the University of Technology (UTech), has had to walk the streets of Papine, downtown Kingston and St Catherine, selling chocolate bars with the goal of raising over Ja$500,000 to finance his way through UTech this academic year.

"I have done the mathematics already. There are 365 days in the year and I need over Ja$1,000 to survive per day. So I have set a limit to raise at least Ja$1,500 in profits per day which will equate to over Ja$500,000 to get me through UTech this year," Polson explained.

The 22-year-old graduate of Vere Technical High School has eight Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) passes in mathematics, English language, physics, chemistry, information technology, building technology, technical drawing and social studies.

He also has two passes at the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) level in information technology and communication studies.

His single mother Hazel Kelly, a former accountant, has been unemployed since Polson was enrolled at Glenmuir High School. Given that his mother was unable to finance his tertiary education, Polson said he had to find a solution, which would finance him through UTech, and selling chocolate bars seemed to have been a viable option.

"I have seen the situation with my mother. I know she can't afford to send me to UTech and I don't want to pressure her. So in January I decided to start selling chocolates," the young en-

Odane Polson, first year building technology student at UTech being encouraged by Ronald Thwaites, Jamaica’s minister of education.

(PHOTO: SHERYL BROMFIELD)

trepreneur proudly stated.

"I have been scorned by some of my friends, but after I began to explain the mathematics and outline my ultimate plan from doing this, they began to encourage me," he added.

Challenges, he said, have always been part of his life since childhood, but he always overcomes them.

Polson said he has been seasoned into poverty, but is determined to rise above it.

"I am determined to complete my degree and get a job in the construction industry. I will not give up. I would love if I could get some assistance, but I won't wait, I'm trying to make profits from my chocolate sales, no matter how little it is, and finance some of my costs myself," Polson said.

He added: "I survive because of my determination. I am determined to get a better life and determined to make a better life for my mother." (Excerpted from Jamaica Observer)

feature

33

week ending november 17, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

- says investment worthwhile production. He said in the extension phase of the farm, piggery, cattle rearing and sheep and goats will be added on a large scale, while sweet water shrimp will be introduced.

Plans are also in the pipeline for Samaroo with the construction of a feed mill which would provide local feed for the fishes and animal on the farm. He said as such, he will be soon begin purchasing corn, copra and broken rice for the manufacturing of the feeds.

The farm’s electrical appliances are being powered by Guyana Power and Light.

By Indrawattie Natram

A

fter clearing more than 135 acres of dense forest in the Red Lock area on the Essequibo Coast, today businessman Doodnauth Samaroo is literally reaping the benefits of owning an aquaculture farm.

Samaroo is the owner of his own fish farm, located in the Red Lock Area, a village just before Mainstay/Whyaka, on the Essequibo Coast.

Sunday Times caught up with Mr Samaroo for an interview, and he explained his investment in detail. Unfolding his venture, Samaroo, formerly a local contractor of Hampton Court Village on the Essequibo Coast, said he branched off from the business of house construction to fish farming.

Speaking from his fish farm in Red Lock, Samaroo said the main reason for his move is that he is a "lover of fishes" and he is fascinated with taking care of them.

He related that due to his love for fishes, he was prompted to invest more than $100M on the fish farm project in the dense forest.

Samaroo (R) and Minister Baksh (centre) in discussion

Today I am so proud I made a move," he declared.

He said since he is an established building contractor, he had machin-

"Stepping stone"

Samaroo said the project commenced a year ago with help from the agriculture ministry.

He said he was able to acquire the land, which was at first "dense forest" and waterlogged savannah. The land acquisition, he recalled, was a stepping stone for his fruitful investment.

“I am very thankful for the land. My mind was always on the opening of a fish farm, but land was the problem.

Fish farm owner Doodnauth Samaroo

ery readily available at his disposable, and as such did not hesitate, so clearing and excavation commenced immediately on the land.

After weeks of clearing, the ponds were then dug and the construc-

tion of offices was established.

Record keeping

The ardent businessman said he built offices to accommodate staff so that proper record keeping can be conducted on his farm. At present he noted he has some 32,000 hassar in stock along with fresh sweet water paku.

He projected that within six months he will need more staff as he is looking to expand his farms, with production reaching 500 tons per year. He said his fishes will be exported to overseas markets.

ments were erected in the building with different compartments where fingerlings are grown in fresh water and given oxygen via electrical pumps, before being transferred to the ponds.

He said his farms keenly follow procedures in nurturing the fishes.

The businessman also set up an incubator and hatchery at the farm, in an effort to boost

Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture, Alli Baksh recently visited the fish farm and expressed his satisfaction on the massive development and transformation that is taking place on the farm. Baksh congratulated the businessman for venturing into the fishing business and helping to boost the fishing sector in Guyana.

The minister, accompanied by Samaroo,

Plans

Samaroo said his farm has its own fishing farm where fingerlings (small fishes) are grown, and before he constructed the nursery, he did research on the ideal construction of the building. As such, compart-

Minister Baksh (1st right) inspects the fish farm nursery

Although living with a disability since he was six, Leroy Phillips, who is totally blind, is one of the many significant voices who has travelled far and wide to represent his country and those with disabilities

A

lthough living with a disability since he was six, Leroy Phillips, a broadcaster at NCN and a member of Guyana’s blind cricket team headed by Ganesh Singh, continues to exude optimism and continues to amaze many with his conviction and dedication in never allowing his disability to deter him from doing great things.

One of his recent achievements was visiting Nairobi, Kenya.

It was an unforgettable trip made possible by the Leonard Cheshire Disability’s Young Voices, (LCD/YV) an internation-

Agriculture ministry approved

during his visit inspected several ponds on the 135-acre plot, and expressed his amazement over the rapid transformation. Baksh said he is really impressed with the businessman’s activities, considering that the first time he visited the farm several months ago, Samaroo just had seven ponds.

The minister also viewed the fishes and machinery and equipment available.

Baksh assured Samaroo that technical officers from the Ministry of Agriculture will be sent shortly to advise him on the expansion technically. He advised the businessman to share his experiences with other fish farmers so that they can be motivated by his operations.

Baksh revealed that the Ministry of Agriculture is encouraging persons to get into aquaculture since there is a huge demand on the international market. He noted that once persons venture into the business, the agriculture ministry will support them. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

Leroy poses with a member of Young Voices and displays his Certificate of Participation at Young Voices Global Meeting in Nairobi, Kenya

al movement of more than 1,200 young people worldwide with disabilities.

The organisation speaks out for the rights of people around the world liv-

ing with disabilities.

In an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, the 23-yearold said he is fortunate and thankful to be given numerous opportunities to travel around Guyana and internationally through the Young Voices (Guyana) group.

“Recently, I attended Young Voices Global Meeting 2013 held in Nairobi, Kenya. My experience of being in Nairobi, Kenya, for the four days or so was awesome. While in Nairobi I spent most of my time networking with people from the various parts of Africa and other

continents. I even spent a great deal of time understanding the language.

The Nairobi experience was one to remember for a lifetime. Not very often I hear or know of opportunities like these being offered to people, particularly those living with disabilities.

However, thanks to Leonard Cheshire Disability, these unforgettable opportunities are made possible, especially the Nairobi visit, which was a dream-cometrue experience for me,” he declared.

Leroy stated that his journey took him from Guyana to Trinidad and

then to Miami where he spent about six hours. He then headed to France, an approximately eight-hour flight, and then flew finally to Nairobi, Kenya.

“I was excited to meet other Young Voices members who also had other disabilities, and also to tour the location we were in. I heard about Kenya being a poverty stricken area but the part I stayed apparently was a developed location. I visited a mall similar to the Westgate Mall which is located in Kenya. I was told of other huge buildings in the area. I was lucky to continued on page 35

34

feature

week ending november 17, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Umblita Van Sluytman

Alana Earnest

Morvinia Sobers

Mia Rahaman

Leanna Damond

Meleesa Payne

Jenel Cox

Tamika Henry

Part II

B

eauty pageants have always been hugely popular – as well as controversial. As with anything involving aesthetics, it’s often a subjective experience. Miss Guyana pageants have been no exception.

Guyana Times Sunday Magazine this week looks back at the women of the Miss Guyana Universe pageant who went on to represent their country at Miss Universe over the years. Last week, we looked back at the highs and lows of the Miss Guyana World pageant.

Miss Guyana Universe

Records of a Miss Guyana Universe can arguably be said to have begun in 1956 as a Miss British Guiana Universe, when Rosalind Iva Joan Fung was crowned and sent off to the fifth Miss Universe competition held in the U.S.A where she was unplaced. The 1956 Miss Universe was an unusual pageant when compared to today, since it was a combined Miss USA and Miss Universe pageant, which was won by Miss U.S.A. – won by Miss Iowa.

There was no representative in 1957, but in 1958, a young Clyo Fernandez was Miss British Guiana Universe, who went unplaced in the 1958 Miss Universe, won by Miss Columbia. Fernandez reportedly died in 1998.

No representative of the British colony would take part in the pageant from 1959 to 1962; then in 1963, Gloria Flackman became Miss British Guiana Universe 1963 and travelled to the USA where the pageant would be held until 1971. She too remained unplaced and the event was won by Miss Brazil.

Mary Rande Holl became Miss British Guiana Universe 1964 and was in the USA for the twelfth Miss Universe, which was won by Miss Greece – but not after some drama when Miss Nigeria had to be escorted kicking and screaming from the stage after failing to place in the semis. Rande Holl also failed to place.

The 1965 Miss British Guiana Universe, Cheryl Viola Cheeng, would also not gain a place in the 1965 Miss Universe pageant, but she would see Miss Thailand become the shortest Miss Universe, at just 5’4”.

It was 1966, and British Guiana was now independent Guyana. The first Miss Guyana Universe was Umblita Van Sluytman. Though she did not place in the competition won by Miss Sweden, by virtue of being the country’s first Miss Universe contestant, she

Reigning Miss Guyana Universe Katherina Roshana

remains a familiar name to local pageant followers.

Umblita was one of the very few Guyanese to represent Guyana at both Miss World and Miss Universe pageants. She was also the last Guyanese contestant at a Miss Universe pageant for 33 years.

Like Miss Guyana World, there were dark days for the Miss Guyana Universe pageant in Guyana, until 1999 when Morvinia Sobers became the representative of Guyana’s return to the Miss Universe pageant. However, the country’s fortunes at Miss Universe pageants remained unchanged as Sobers failed to place, and Miss Botswana won the 1999 Miss Universe crown.

There was a three-year hiatus for the Miss Guyana Universe pageant; the country’s return was anything but graceful.

The year 2002 was fraught with controversy for both Miss Guyana Universe and Miss Universe title holders. When Mia Rahaman was announced Miss Guyana Universe 2002, displeased members of the audience staged a walkout, while the last Miss Guyana Universe, Sobers, felt cheated out of protocol that dictated she crown the new queen as the last titleholder. At the Miss Universe pageant, Rahaman failed to place; Miss Russia won the crown but was dethroned some four months later for dereliction of duties and Miss Panama received the coveted title. Rahaman found herself in the headlines again a few years later for importing a controlled substance into Canada.

Odessa Phillips

Kara Lord

Candisie Franklin

Ruqayyah Boyer

Calm appeared to have been restored in 2003 when Leanna Damond was crowned Miss Guyana Universe; she too however, failed to impress at the Miss Universe pageant which was won by Miss Dominican Republic.

Odessa Phillips represented Guyana at the Miss World 2002 and Miss Universe 2004 pageants, placing her among the few who represented Guyana at both international pageants. She did not place at the 2004 Miss Universe pageant, won by Miss Australia.

Linden-born Candisie Franklin became Miss Guyana Universe 2005 and arrived in Thailand to compete in the Miss Universe pageant. Though she too failed to place and it was won by Miss Canada, Candisie went on to earn her law degree and is now governance and compliance officer of Caribbean Governance Consultants Inc. in St Kitts Alana Earnest became the 7th Miss Guyana Universe in 2006, though the Mahdia-grown queen failed to break Guyana’s Miss Universe jinx and Miss Puerto Rico won the contest.

Meleesa Payne represented Guyana at the 2007 Miss Universe pageant and also failed to place at the event won by Miss Japan. Payne remains however, a pageant participant, having recently won the Miss Tropical Paradise title, and continues her professional dancing and fashion designing careers.

There was no Miss Guyana Universe representative at the 2008 Miss Universe pageant, but Jenel Cox became the 2009 Miss Guyana Universe winner.

Though criticised as somewhat brash, she headed to the Bahamas for the 58th Miss Universe pageant. She too failed to make an impact and the crown went to Miss Venezuela.

Tamika Henry and Kara Lord were the 2010 and 2011 Miss Universe contestants respectively, representing Guyana. Both were unable to quench the national thirst for a place in a Miss Universe pageant.

Instead, it was Miss Mexico and Miss Angola at the 2010 and 2011 pageants respectively, who won the crown.

Surinam-born Ruqayyah Boyer is the most recent pageant queen to represent Guyana at both the Miss World and Miss Universe contests. Though she failed to place in the 2012 Miss Universe, the country gained some headlines when she fell during the preliminary evening gown competition. The crown went to Miss U.S.A. At the time of writing, the reigning Miss Guyana Universe, Katherina Roshana, was preparing for the 2013 Miss Universe pageant.

Feature

35

week ending november 17, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

An age-old festival of Indian arts

T

lourful and artistic chariot was drawn from the Better Hope Centre Ground to the Lusignan Tarmac on the East Coast of Demerara and on June 30 from the Enmore junction to the Lusignan tarmac.

Each day the parade culminated with a grand religious and cultural stage programme.

Hundreds of Hare Krishna members accompanied by villagers from adjoining villages paraded along the main East Coast highway.

Special guest of honour was Bhakti Sundar Maharaja from Caracas, Venezuela, accompanied by Ajamil Das from India. Hundreds joined in the procession each day and the evening cultural programme at-

Colourful depictions of Hindu deities on the chariots

he colours, sounds and ethnic diversity have made the annual Ratha Yatra, Festival of the Chariot, a widely anticipated festival of Indian heritage and arts.

This year, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness in Guyana (ISKCON) celebrated its 7th Georgetown Ratha Yatra festival on June 29 and 30. The festival is an age-old festival started in India. Ratha Yatra is a joyous event celebrated for thousands of years in the Indian holy city of Jagannatha Puri, and more recently by Hare Krishna devotees, following in the footsteps of Srila Prabhupadafounder of ISKCON in all major cities around the world.

Today, Hare Krishna devotees hold Ratha Yatra parades in many countries, usually cul-

minating in a “Festival of India” set up in a city park, with festival tents, entertainment stages, free-feast booths, and a variety of cultural artistic displays and exhibits.

The biggest attraction is usually the parade along the streets which includes pulling a huge chariot with deities, chanting and dancing.

The entire festival is performed in a mood of love and devotion that evokes auspiciousness for universal peace, harmony and good will for humanity at large.

A glimpse of Lord Jagannath, Hindu deity, on the chariot is considered to be very auspicious. It is said that a touch of the chariot or the ropes with which it is pulled is considered enough to confer the results of several pious deeds or penance for ages.

On June 29, the co-

tracted over two thousand.

Ratha Yatra has now become a yearly celebration for the past seven years in all three counties of Guyana where many visitors from overseas, local government officials, the business community and the general public attend.

Present at last year’s Georgetown Ratha Yatra was President Donald Ramotar and Prime Minister Sam Hinds.

The theme for this year’s festival was “Combating social and material problems with spirituality.”

ISKCON began in Guyana in the early 1980s and has to date established five centres countrywide.

(Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

One of the chariots during the parade

from page 33

have an informative driver, Hassan, who took me around shopping and visiting various places. The most exciting place was the Giraffe Centre where I got the chance to feed one of them. It was truly a surreal experience.

I stayed at Milele Hotel which was about 10-15 minutes away from the airport. They told me it was a low-risk area because of the recent attack on the Westgate Mall and had to take extra precautions,” Leroy related.

The Young Voices’ member said that it is important for the Leonard Cheshire Disability’s Young Voices to continue its work because of

the support and services it provides for those with disabilities. He also mentioned that learning about the organisation’s development over the years and its significant achievements helped to cement the fact that Young Voices is not only being promoted by voices but by pertinent ideas and strong conviction from all those who have disabilities.

One of the main purposes of being in Nairobi, Leroy recalled, was to formulate a plan that will sustain LCD/YV beyond its current funding. He pointed out that he was floored by the “SOAR” analysis.

The 4-let-

ter acronym stands for Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations, and Results.

The SOAR initiative, according to Leroy, will help Young Voices members to use their resources and time to create a clear path to a brighter future.

“When I was six and had lost my sight, I didn’t think that I would get opportunities to travel and be able to represent my country at international forums. I’m happy and thankful to the Guyana Society for the Blind (GSB), Guyana Blind Cricket, and Young Voices for the work being done for persons with disabilities. These organisations have done a lot for

At the Giraffe Center, Leroy (far right in red shirt) and other members of Young Voices from across the world enjoyed feeding a giraffe

me and others who have disabilities. My encouragement for those with disabilities is to get yourself involved in organisations that will help you develop as an individual.

I have never allowed my

disability to stop me from achieving my dreams. I’m currently part of GSB’s CSEC project and will be sitting my exams next year, and then I want to go on to UG to do a degree in public communica-

tions. The sky is the limit and with the support from the organisations I’m part of and from family and friends, there is no stopping me,” expressed a confident Leroy. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

36

fun time

week ending november 17, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

This week's Crossword

J k es

The lesson

A teacher asked her student, "If I say, 'I am beautiful,' which tense is that?"

The student looked at her for a while then replied, "It is obviously past."

Riddles for kids

Q: What nails do carpenters hate to hit?

A: Fingernails.

Q: Who earns a living by driving his customers away?

A: A taxi driver.

Q: What is a polygon?

A: A dead parrot.

-Q: What do you call an American drawing?

A: A Yankee doodle.

Q: What did the tie say to the hat?

A: You go on ahead and I'll hang around.

Brain cramp

"In Managua, people are cheering in the streets, which are deserted." - CBS reporter during a solar eclipse "An agreement is not an agreement until the parties to the agreement have reached an agreement." - Irish politician on radio "And I can see the strong wind blowing the sun towards us." - Brian Johnson, BBC Radio 3 "Andre Vandapole has four silver medals in cyclocross, and none of them gold." - Phil Liggott, Channel 4 TV

The calling of owls

This week's Puzzle

Each evening bird lover Tom stood in his backyard, hooting like an owl - and one night, an owl called back to him. For a year, the man and his feathered friend hooted back and forth.

Just as he thought he was on the verge of a breakthrough in interspecies communication, his wife had a chat with her next door neighbour.

"My husband spends his nights... calling out to owls," she said.

"That's odd," the neighbour replied. "So does my husband."

Then it dawned on them.

Cooking up a storm

A man was always telling his wife that housekeeping would be a lot easier if she would just organize her time better.

Recently he had a chance to put his theory into practice while his wife was away.

A friend of his popped over one evening to see how he was managing with his wife being away, and he boasted, "I made a cake, frosted it, washed the kitchen windows, cleaned all the cupboards, scrubbed the kitchen floor, walls and ceiling and even had a bath."

Then he added sheepishly, "Don't tell my wife, but when I was making the chocolate frosting, I forgot to turn off the mixer before taking the beaters out of the bowl, so I had to do all the rest."

A better excuse

see solution on page 46

Toby came into the office an hour late for the third time in one week and found his boss waiting for him. "What's the story this time, Toby?" his boss asked sarcastically. "Let's hear a good excuse for a change."

Toby sighed, "Everything went wrong this morning. My wife decided to drive me to the harbour. She got ready in ten minutes, but then the ferry didn't turn up. Rather than let you down, I swam across the river, ran over the mountain, borrowed a bicycle and cycled the 20 miles through the field to this office. " "You'll have to do better than that, Toby," said his boss, disappointed. "No woman can be ready in ten minutes."

37

week ending november 17, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

38 caribbean feature Students helping to improve UWI TT doctor proud of breakthrough discovery B week ending november 17, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

orn and raised in Woodbrook at Hunter Street, Prof Dr Anthony Kalloo attended Woodbrook Presbyterian before moving on to Fatima College.

He taught science, physics and chemistry for one year at St Joseph Convent in Port-of-Spain, but his heart was far from wanting to remain in that profession.

“There were many reasons why I became a doctor. The compassion for others I learned from my mother. Seeing sick relatives and how much they could not depend on the healthcare system. And me just wanting to add more meaning to my life through helping others,” he articulated. Kalloo said after teaching, he began engineering school at UWI St Augustine.

After a few months, however, he realised it was not the ‘thing’ for him. He switched to medicine.

In medical school, he decided to become a gastroenterologist.

He graduated from UWI with a medical degree and later completed his residency in internal medicine at Howard

Dr Anthony Kalloo (Abraham Diaz/ TT Guardian photo)

University Hospital in Washington, DC. Today, Kalloo, 68, is a professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University. He is also the director of the division of gastroenterology and hepatology at Johns Hopkins Hospital for the past nine years.

In his career which spans near 35 years, Kalloo has also been the recipient of many awards and accolades for his contribution to medicine.

Among them were the distinguished educator of the year award from the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and the Caribbean American Heritage Award (CARAH), which he received in 2009 for excellence in medicine.

Notes

He has multiple patents and ideas that are now in practice in gastroenterology and endoscopy, but to date he records his proudest accomplishment as his breakthrough discovery called Notes (Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery).

“This is the concept of doing surgery without incision. If you think about endoscopic surgery, the way it is practised is by making incisions either into the abdominal or chest wall. What we found with laparoscopic surgeries was that if you made smaller incisions, patients recovered faster and they had less pain,” explained Kalloo. continued on page 39

T

he University of the West Indies (UWI) has been benefiting from a campaign run by students on its four campuses in the Caribbean.

The campaign, titled ‘Footprints: Students for Development’, is executed by the UWI Students Today, Alumni Tomorrow (STAT) Vice Chancellor's Ambassador Corps programme.

UWI STAT ambassadors are the Vice Chancellor's student representatives at Cave Hill in Barbados, St Augustine in Trinidad, Mona in Kingston, and the Western Jamaica campus in Montego Bay. Through the annual Footprints campaign, UWI STAT ambassadors raise money which is donated to worthy causes on the campuses.

At last Thursday's launch of the 2013/2014 Footprints campaign at Mona, the ambassador corps handed over a cheque for Ja$30,000 to the campus library.

UWI STAT ambassador Sherry Perrier said the Footprint campaign, which was established in 2005, has been one of the most significant in the history of the UWI. "Footprint: Students for

UWI Vice Chancellor Professor E Nigel Harris (right) examines a display at a booth during last Thursday’s campaign launch of the UWI STAT Footprints campaign to raise funds for the institution.

(Jamaica Observer photo)

Development is currently the first regional student-giving campaign in the history of UWI designed to encourage students' participation in campus development," she told guests at the launch.

She further explained that the Footprints campaign funds raised have gone toward student bursaries as well as improving the main library.

"For the 2013/2014 campaign students will choose any faculty, initiative or service that they would like to see improved and the top choice identified by the majority of the students then becomes the Footprints goal," she said.

Campus Librarian Leona BobbSemple said the initiative has helped the library over the years as this is the second such monetary donation, with the first being Ja$55,000 which, like this, was used to boost the library's book collection.

Bobb-Semple said it has since become a very popular area for students.

Vice-Chancellor Professor E Nigel Harris, in lauding the efforts of the Footprint campaign, said the Ja$30,000 donation is more than the alumni have contributed. (Excerpted from Jamaica Observer)

Feature week ending november 17, 2013

39

| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyanese siblings share experiences of life in Canada, U.S. in new book

C

anada-based Guyanese writer and educator Kennard Ramphal has announced the launch of a book ‘Imprints in Life's Journey’, which was written by him and two of his siblings. The publication, a collection of short stories, would be launched in Toronto on December 1, 2013 at the Windies Restaurant in Scarborough (3330 Lawrence Avenue East, Scarborough at Lawrence and Bellamy).

The book, according to a release from the authors, features stories written by Ken himself, the author of a short story collection ‘Teacher Ram's Fascination with Fire’ and contributor to the Caribbean poetry anthology ‘Roraima’; his sister Barbara Verasami, a retired teacher based in New York city, and his brother Dwarka Ramphal a college professor and Christian pastor in North

Ken Ramphal

Barbara Verasami

Dwarka Ramphal

Carolina, USA. “The majority of the stories are based on experiences in Toronto, New York, and North Carolina, with just one being the story of a young girl's triumph over adversity in Guyana,” the release indicated.

Noting the upcoming book launch, the authors stated that “interested members of the public are invited to at-

tend and hear excerpts from the book and comments by the authors, and of course get their signed copies of ‘Imprints in Life's Journey.’

“Ken considers this to be a unique publication from the Caribbean community in North America, because it is one of the few occasions that siblings have contributed towards a work of literature, and because the focus

is on the immigrant experience in Canada and the United States rather than nostalgia about the life in the Caribbean many years ago,” the release added.

Dwarka's observations as an Guyanese-born pastor working in mainstream North Carolina Christian churched are also very unusual for Caribbean literature.

The stories in the book

detail the often negative experiences of Caribbean immigrants in North America, even in the church. However, they are not stories of defeat, but tales of overcoming adversity in a strange new land, the authors related.

“They make no attempt to sugar coat the immigrant experience in Canada or the United States, with Barbara making stinging observations about hypocrisy in the USA, and Dwarka finding the administrators of the church to be not as Christian as he expected,” the authors emphaised.

“Ken himself produces a vivid story about a man with Alzheimer’s who is placed by his family in strange territory in a Canadian seniors' home, and a fabulous tale of a young Guyanese girl scorched by scandal, but yet able to rise above it through effort of will and heart,” they added.

TT doctor proud of breakthrough...

from page 38

He said the idea of Notes is to do surgery without incision and to do surgery through the natural orifices.

“So as a gastroenterologist, I do a procedure called endoscopy where

The procedure has since been performed on over 3,000 patients worldwide, and Kalloo published a textbook on Notes last year.

(Excerpted from TT Guardian)

I put a tube with a light and I look inside the stomach and intestines, but the difference was that I used that scope to make an incision through the stomach and enter into the peritoneal cavi-

ty where you can do gall bladder removal, removal of the appendix or tubal ligation,” said Kalloo.

He stated for gastroenterologists or endoscopists to make a hole in the intestine was consid-

ered a major complication for the patient because an incision into the intestines can cause leakage of acid into the peritoneal cavity. “No one thought my method was possible or feasible, and

part of my early work I started about 15 years ago was to show that using certain techniques can actually make it feasible and better for the patient with regard to infections,” said Kalloo.

40

Fashion

week ending november 17, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Designer Marcie De Santos

M

arcie De Santos now has her name written among the stars after she was chosen by the Caribbean Export Development Agency (CEDA) to represent Guyana at the prestigious Dominicana Moda in the Dominican Republic.

The Guyanese designer was one of a chosen seven, with the other six hailing from Bahamas, Barbados, Haiti, Trinidad, Jamaica and Dominican Republic.

Dominicana Moda can easily be called the Caribbean’s most international runway presentation, as it has attracted celebrity designers like Ellie Saab and Italian Fashion Mogul Frankie Morello.

At the event, Marcie’s label MARSAE offered casual and semi-casual female collections where bright coloured clothing were made from linens, chiffon and stretch taffeta. The lines of the clothing were relaxed and less structured, and reminded the viewer and wearer of aquamarine Caribbean Sea waters and white sandy beaches.

In a press release, Marcie said that she chose to move away from her usual fabric tones paired with hand painted accents, to offer clients a more ready-to-wear line.

Her decision was based on two factors: cost to the client in these harsh economic times and the fact that brighter colours are trending internationally at present.

Marcie is thankful for the coverage she received at the event and to Caribbean Export for the opportunity of showcasing her collection. She also is grateful to God because since her trip she now has a renewed perspective on fashion after being exposed to the epitome of professionalism.

The fashion veteran looks forward to marketing and selling her new line in chic boutiques across the Caribbean.

She also plans to showcase her best at upcoming regional and international trade and fashions shows.

For more information call 685-4545 or 2170294 or email at marcie.fashion@gmail.com (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

travel & Tourism

S

week ending november 17, 2013

Welcome to Shulinab

Entrance to the village

| guyanatimeSinternational.com

hulinab is an Amerindian community in South Central Rupununi, Region Nine. Also known as Macushi Village, Shulinab is located on the main South Savannah road about 35 miles south of Lethem and about 12 miles southeast of Parikwarinawa village.

Shulinab has a population of approximately 500 people. It has several active organisations and serves as headquarters for the South Central People's Development Association. The recent establishment of the Shulinab Industrial Arts Centre, financed by the New Zealand government, focuses on carpentry and joinery and enables community members to tap into the construction industry and capitalise on the growing market at Lethem and in Brazil.

Farming is a very important activity within the community, and is done along the banks of the Saurab, Shulinab and Sawariwau Rivers. Shulinab has a welcoming community spirit and village members eagerly share their life events, projects and personality with the rest of world.

Breathtaking sunrise

Main benab (left) where all community meetings are held

Houses in Shulinab

41

42

feature

week ending november 17, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Trinidad and Tobago and West Indies spinner Sunil Narine got his most prized wicket Sunday, when he married his childhood sweetheart Nandita Kumar at the Centre of Excellence, Tunapuna. Narine is expected to join the Windies ODI team soon for matches against India. (TT Newsday photo)

feature

43

week ending november 17, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Search for Miss Guyana World 2014 begins

T

he search for the contestant to represent Guyana at Miss Guyana World 2014 has commenced via the launching of the organisation’s new website http://www.missworldguyana.com.

The fully functioning website, which is symbolic of national pride, unity, and empowerment, provides the latest official information on the upcoming Miss Guyana World 2014 pageant.

It includes the online application for the pageant, in addition to very specific pageant details on the format of the show. The website will be regularly updated with exclusive content, features, and links to important information.

The pageant will cater to young women interested in sports and fitness, community development, and expressing various talents.

Franchise holder and Miss Guyana World Committee Chairwoman, Natasha Martindale is focused on improving the pageant process.

Strategic efforts have been made to implement many changes including

Ruqayyah Boyer was Miss Guyana World 2013, who will represent Guyana next year?

the acquisition of talented, vibrant, and young professionals to an already impressive executive team.

The Miss Guyana World website will serve as an interactive information centre for all Guyanese, diaspora, and stakeholders interested in the Miss Guyana World 2014 pageant and community development.

Sponsors spotlight, pageant details, and other related announcements will be consistently updated, especially as pageant deadlines draw near.

Public participation

is encouraged for the many exciting and innovative elements of the show that are being introduced. The website was designed by Fuze Arts and features an elegant, sleek design with an impressive slideshow of scenic Guyana by the talented photographer Ryan Beharry, whose images add a presence of patriotism to the site.

The Miss Guyana World pageant commenced in May 1966 and crowned its first title- holder Umbilita Van Sluytman, who was also known as the Independence Queen and became Guyana’s first placement and semifinalist in the Miss World 1966 pageant.

The Miss World pag ant is the first international pageant that Guyana has achieved repeated successes.

As a result, Guyana is known for having one of the longest consecutive placements in the history of the Miss World pageant. On May 26, Martindale was awarded the franchise from Miss World Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer Julia Morley.

44

week ending november 17, 2013

| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Legal corner

Star of the week

Protecting funds in a bank account

By Richard Kistnen, Esq.

F

or many people, the thought of filing bankruptcy is quickly dispensed with for fear of losing property, including your home, your car and your money.

Fortunately, this fear is inaccurate. Both

federal and state laws create exemptions that protect certain property from the enforcement of judgments – and that is property you keep even in bankruptcy. Federal and state laws differ in what may be protected. New York State is not very generous with

respect to protecting cash. If using the New York State exemptions, you can only protect one thousand dollars if not exempting real property. Further, if you are exempting real property, there is NO money exemption.

This can pose a dif-

ficult problem, especially for persons living on limited means and assistance.

Fortunately, however, there is one way to protect money, even if exempting a homestead. If funds are traceable to an exempt source (such as social security or pension pay-

ments), those funds may be exempted. That is, there should be no fear of keeping these monies in a bank account. I have been told by many individuals that they would deposit such funds in a bank account and quickly remove it. This is inconvenient as cash needs to be kept securely, and you lose the versatility of using a debit/checking account.

As the holiday shopping season approaches, you should not put off thoughts of organizing your finances and obtaining a fresh start.

If you have questions, have them answered by a bankruptcy attorney.

The bankruptcy laws are not intended to make people public charges.

While in some cases, property may have to be turned over to the trustee, many people can file for bankruptcy and obtain a fresh start without losing property, including cash. If you would like to discuss bankruptcy, please call the Law Office of Richard Kistnen, (718) 738-2324.

K

Kris Budhram

ris Kennedy Budhram, originally from Port Mourant, East Berbice, migrated to the USA in 1989. He is a graduate of City College of New York, and currently owns a consulting company that provides IT Services to sections of the dental industry in New York.

Kris made his debut singing Dekta Hai Koi Larkee Haseen from the movie ‘Sanam Teri Kasam’ which was well received by the audience, and this has since started an amazing journey for him.

Many in the entertainment community in New York consider him to be a rising star. He is currently one of the most sought-after performers for Caribbean shows in New York and other parts of the USA. He has performed at some of the biggest shows in the New York tri-state area such as Chutney Glow with Terry Gajraj and Everybody Loves Raymond with current Chutney Soca Monarch Raymond Ramnarain and International dancing sensation, Dheeraj Gayaram.

Kris was awarded the ‘Best New Comer’ at the recently-concluded West Indian Music Awards in New York City. He is expected to officially release his first album in early 2014.

Kris is also a humanitarian as he spends most of his time when he is not at work, helping those in need. From all indications, the fans are excited and can hardly wait to see what’s next from this rising star. He says his beautiful wife Arti, and three lovely daughters are his biggest inspiration.

week ending november 17, 2013

45

| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Announcement “Excuse Me…” health corner

Free Consultation Cancellation of Removal Information

Cancellation of Removal is a form of relief for a person in a deportation case and is available to both permanent residents and nonpermanent residents.

An illegal immigrant can apply for Cancellation of Removal if he or she meets the following requirements: • Applicant must have been present in the U.S. for at least ten years • Applicant must have good moral character • Applicant must have a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse, child or parent who would suffer from the applicant’s removal However, if you are a permanent resident in removal proceedings, you are eligible for Cancellation of Removal if you have been present in the U.S. for seven years and were not arrested and convicted of any crimes within the first five years of continuously living in the U.S. Once you have determined eligibility for Cancellation of Removal, an Immigration Judge will also look at other factors to either grant or deny a petition for Cancellation of Removal. These factors include: • Whether you have served the U.S. Armed Forces • Whether you own assets, such as land, a house or a business • Your value to the community • Your history in legal employment in the U.S. • Evidence that you are restoring your life if you have committed a crime

• The reason(s) you are being deported and the circumstances surrounding your deportation • Instances where you failed to comply with Immigration Laws If the Immigration Judge decides to cancel the removal proceedings, you will be granted legal permanent residence.

What can be done to strengthen a Cancellation of Removal case?

If you think you may be in risk of deportation or removal proceedings in the future, it is wise to establish your credibility with the community and prepare examples that show you are trying to improve your life. For example, you can join a church to demonstrate community involvement or learn English to illustrate that you are attempting to advance yourself.

A person can only petition for Cancellation of Removal once. Therefore, applicants should seek the consultation and assistance of an experienced Immigration Attorney. At Gehi & Associates, we employ five highly skilled attorneys and ten paralegal to help you defend your deportation case. We have been serving the community for almost 15 years and are well-known for taking on complex and difficult immigration cases.

For a free personal initial consultation, contact 718-577-0711 OR 718-263-5999 or info@immigrationquestion.com.

The information provided is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information is intended, but not promised, to be current and complete. Gehi & Associates does not offer any guarantee of case results. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

By Tisha Boston

“E

xcuse me,” an expression commonly used when we pass gas. Passing gas can be socially problematic, but it is important to remember that it is a natural phenomenon. Gas from the digestive tract can be expelled from the body through the mouth, which is called belching (burping), or through the anus. Flatus is intestinal gas that is passed through the anus, and is sometimes colloquially referred to as farting, passing gas or breaking wind. The air that is often expelled from our bodies is primarily composed of carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, and sometimes methane. Flatus, however, tends to have a stronger odor; this is due to small amounts of gases that contain sulfur exiting the body.

Gas is usually caused by swallowing small amounts of air when eating or drinking. It is also formed in the stomach and intestines as food is

broken down. Human digestive enzymes cannot fully digest some carbohydrates (sugars, starches, and fiber). When intestinal bacteria digest foods that the body cannot, they release gasses such as hydrogen sulfide and methane as a byproduct.

Sometimes flatulence (passing gas) may be linked to a medical condition such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) which affects how gas moves through the intestines, due to changes in the digestive tract.

Even though everyone has gas, there are certain activities that may increase one’s tendency towards gas. These include: eating or drinking too fast, smoking, chewing gum, sucking on candy, and drinking carbonated drinks. The amount of gas produced by different foods may vary from person to person. Some examples of gas-producing foods are: • Vegetables such as artichokes, asparagus, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumbers, green peppers, onions, peas,

radishes, and raw potatoes • Beans and other legumes • Fruits such as apricots, bananas, melons, peaches, pears, prunes, and raw apples • Whole grain such as whole wheat and bran • Eggs • Carbonated drinks, fruit drinks, beer, and red wine • Fried and fatty foods • Sugar and sugar substitutes • Sugar-free candies and gums that contain sugar alcohols such as sorbitol, mannitol, and xylitol • Milk and other dairy products • Packaged foods such as bread, cereal, and salad dressing that contain small amounts of lactose (a sugar found in milk).

Therefore, in order to lower one’s tendency towards gas, one would need to minimize actions that increase swallowed air, alter his or her diet, and/or take certain overthe-counter or prescription medications.

Act Now weekly rates are at their lowest

46

feature

week ending november 17, 2013

| guyanatimeSinternational.com

I

Earlier view of the Town Hall with tower. It has been reported that renovating the tower was too costly an exercise for the Town Council

n recent times the more than 140-yearold New Amsterdam Town Hall has seen some refurbishment and renovations in that have also included the removal of most of its historic tower which once rose some 75 feet over the main entrance.

Constructed in the 1860s, the New Amsterdam Town Hall was an imposing Tudor timber building which once supported what has been described as a majestic tower capped by a single storey smaller tower encircled by a widow’s walk (also called “widow’s watch” which is a railed rooftop platform often with a small enclosed cupola (small, most often domelike, structure on top of

The renovated New Amsterdam Town Hall with its signature tower gone

The renovated open gallery on its eastern side

a building) frequently found on 19th-century buildings).

The tower also once boasted large twelvepanelled casement windows with narrow timber hoods, each of which would have been supported by two elaborately carved timber brackets. It also contained an expansive council room and large airy concert hall that was naturally cooled by an open gallery, which made it a popular venue for the town’s cultural activities.

Recent renovations also involved replacing the lower eight-panelled casement windows with more modern windows, and repainting.

However, the open gallery on its eastern side remains.

Keeping a dream alive O

verseas-based Guyanese, Kamil Ali, is living his dreams of being a writer, and he encourages youths to persevere in making their dreams come true.

Kamil was born in Kingston, Georgetown in British Guiana. After attending high school and University of Guyana, he migrated to Canada in the early 80s, and now resides in Ontario with his family.

“I have always been a prolific reader and always kept a dictionary close at hand. I was fortunate to attend Saint Stanislaus College which had a strong influence on my latent talent for writing and brought out the creativity in me. The environment was conducive to the arts. I recalled playing the Bishop in a house-play called ‘The Bishop's Candlestick’.

We also did elocution contests which brought out the poet in me.

“Of note is my fellow classmate, the

late Sir Ian Valz, who made a movie and received knighthood from the queen of The Netherlands. At UG I

was a biology major and chemistry minor for two years before migrating to Canada. I am a financial planner/broker and I

One of his recent works, 'The Initiates'

have an insurance industry designation called CAIB, in addition to Certification in Specialty fields of insurance,” the venerable writer related in an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine .

Kamil’s passion for writing started in high school due to his love for reading. As an ardent reader of mostly books on paranormal, Kamil was inspired to pen “The Appointed Collection”.

He later published “Profound Vers-A-Tales” in which he shares his philosophical ideas.

“In December 2008, I published “Profound Vers-A-Tales”. It contains 12 poems covering a variety of topics. There are storytelling poems dealing with morality and human tragedy and an assortment of philosophical topics. I have recently had my second book published by eTreasures Publishing as an e-book soon to become available in print. It is continued on page 47

Overseas-based Guyanese author Kamil Ali

CROSSWORD SOLUTION

feature week ending november 17, 2013

47

| guyanatimeSinternational.com

A passion for volunteering S

oft-spoken volunteer Shaminee Rohit, affectionately called Shako, has over the years blossomed into a confident young womand who is known for her selfless giving.

At just 13, Shaminee was already very concerned about the lack of reading materials for children, so when Roadside Baptist Church established a small community library in the early 1990s, Shako did not hesitate to offer her service, becoming the centre’s very first volunteer. She would spend two hours after school,

support of Futures Fund/ CIDA, was able to establish a fully organized library, and Shako was back on her feet and ready to undertake the responsibility of the librarian, with no expectation of any remuneration.

Her experience with the small library had prepared her for the task and for interacting with older people. She was also able to motivate her sister to stay on as an assistant and to offer fulltime library service to the public.

Shaminee was first to enrol in a newly in-

Shaminee Jaipersaud

three times weekly, to assist young people with books and homework.

Unfortunately, because of an illness, she was forced to leave school during the first term of fifth form. That, however, did not daunt her passion for volunteering.

She co-opted the support of her sister, Sharo, to fill the gap during her prolonged illness.

Then, in October 1995, Roadside, through

troduced income-generating skills training class in 1995 to pursue training in cake decoration – in which she excelled. Additionally, she has benefitted from other programmes in Indian cuisine, decorative cushion making, and catering at Roadside.

Later, she became the instructor of several other such classes as it was very expensive for the centre to hire ex-

perienced professionals. During that time, Shaminee was preparing for Pitman’s English, typing and shorthand examinations at a private school. Her success in that examination was the catalyst for her enrolling in the London Business English Correspondence where again she excelled.

With the introduction of Information Technology in 1998, through support from the Embassy of Japan, Roadside was eventually able to pay at least one staff and sure enough Shako was that person. To date, she has equipped numerous women and girls with income generating skills.

She presently heads the Information Technology department at the centre where about 80–100 persons are trained annually.

With hard work came blessings.

Shaminee found love at Roadside Baptist. She met her husband, Terry Rohit, who also shares her passion for volunteerism.

He joined the team at the centre in 2001 at the start of a project implemented in collaboration with the Building Community Capacity Project/CIDA. That project targeted out of school youths. It was an income generating skills training project and Terry was employed as the instructor for the Domestic Electrical Installation programme. They couple has been happily married since 2006 and have two beautiful children, Jonathan and Akira.

Seama Balram

Another long stand-

Keeping a dream...

from page 46

called, “The Initiates”.

“It is the first book of ‘The Appointed Collection’ which will consist of five novels, and will encompass the genres of paranormal occult, fantasy, thriller, and indications are trending toward a young adult readership. The second novel of the series is called, “The Order of the Mirror”, which is completed and in the editing stages,” he disclosed.

Kamil believes he is a citizen of the world with universal beliefs. He is on an eternal quest for knowledge and feels an obligation to share his findings for the benefit of anyone willing to acknowledge his offerings.

“Writing is more a

passion than a therapy. I do my writing between four and seven every morning. This is the time when my inspiration is at peak. I am in my zone, without distraction. So what’s next for me? “Gateway to the Dark Site”, the third of the series of The Appointed Collection, should be released about a year after “The Order of the Mirror”. I have also planned, at the recommendation of my wife, to convert “The Beggar”, a poem from “Profound Vers-A-Tales”, to a novel format. I am also a contributing writer for the Indo Caribbean newspapers on topics relating to Guyana,” he outlined.

The writer pointed out that his biggest inspi-

ration has always been his father. Moreover, he is inspired by his drive to accomplish the dreams he had since his teenage years.

“My advice to youths is to believe in yourself before asking people to believe in you. Dare to dream but don't forget to persevere whenever the nagging feeling of selfdoubt wants to creep into your mind. My dream was to become a published author and I made my dream come true,” Kamil declared.

For more information on this Guyanese author visit his website at www. kamiltheauthor.com, there you will find pages filled with inspiration for all ages. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

ing volunteer at Roadside Baptist is Seama Balram. Shortly after her CSEC examinations, Seama pursued training in information technol-

done at Roadside.

After about two years of waiting, she was called to assist in the library.

Shaminee trained her to become a library assis-

Seama Balram

ogy at Roadside and requested to offer her service as a volunteer.

Sadly, due to a lack of funds to reimburse travelling expenses, Seama was put on hold, although she clearly stated in her interview that she was not looking forward to any monetary compensation. She wanted to serve because she was inspired by the work

tant. Today, Seama has the full responsibility of the library where she is now employed fulltime.

The annual subvention from the Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Education, is a great help towards this.

Seama teaches basic keyboarding skills and manages the snackette at Roadside. Over the

years, like Shaminee, Seama has benefited from several training programmes and has assisted diligently with the after-school programmes for orphans and vulnerable children.

“Roadside will miss this dedicated person when she leaves to join her husband abroad.

Yes, she is now married.

It must be noted that Roadside thrives on volunteerism and, over the years, very many have served for short periods but Shako and Seama are our longest serving volunteers– at least five successive years The board of directors and staff of Roadside will like to thank Shako and Seama for their labour of love and wish them continued success,” Yatrawatee Katryan, the centre’s director, expressed.

Roadside Baptist Church Skills Training Centre has always stressed the importance of volunteerism and there are those who, despite challenges, are willingly offering their time and resources in giving back to their community. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

48

Bollywood

week ending november 17, 2013

| guyanatimeSinternational.com

S

hahrukh Khan, who is known for expressing his thoughts on Twitter, took to the micro blogging site to wish his son Aryan ‘happy birthday’.

Aryan turned 16 Tuesday, November 12, and about the same SRK tweeted, “My little son has turned 16 today & I hope he learns fast that tomorrow always comes and today is never yesterday.”

SRK has always been known as a possessive father and in the past, he had expressed concerns for his son.

Shah Rukh Khan was worried that Aryan may not be able to ‘handle himself at a party’.

The worried father shared his woes on his Facebook page: “Is it normal to feel, my son won't be able to handle himself at a party & I should be there disguised as a fly on the wall to look after him.” (TOI)

B

ollywood actors are no longer shying away from television shows. According to reports, the latest to join the brigade is actress/ MP Jaya Bachchan. Like her husband Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya will make her debut in a show co-produced by their production house.

A source said, “While the shooting for Big B's show is on, Jayaji's show is at a nascent stage. It's yet to be decided whether it will be a daily or a weekly one. The show is not a typical saas-bahu drama and she will be seen as a strong personality. The channel and the production house are fiercely guarded about the project.” (TOI)

K

areena Kapoor's romance and marriage with Saif Ali Khan made headlines, but the actress says she prefers to stay away from the limelight.

The 33-year-old actress, who married long-time partner Saif, 43, last year, said she never concentrated on image building and gets completely foxed when people talk about public relation skills.

"I don't know why people feel that I am snooty. I am not a person who has ever given an interview on image building. I have never been that person as I am very confident of what I do. People do PR, but I get completely foxed. I don't know how to do it. I stay away from the limelight as I think my work should speak on my behalf," Kareena said in a recent interview.

Kareena has made a mark in Bollywood by starring in films like ‘Asoka’, ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham’, ‘Chameli’, ‘Omkara’, ‘Jab We Met’ and ‘Talaash’.

The actress said she always nurtured the dream of becoming an actress and her parents, Randhir Kapoor and Babita, supported her decision. She

Ranveer’s Johnny Depp obsession

A

rjun Kapoor has a special nickname for Ranveer Singh and it happens to be Johnny Depp!

Ranveer's fetish for hats seems to be the reason. The ‘Ram-Leela’ actor said, “Arjun keeps teasing me, ‘Baba, you

are the Johnny Depp of India’. He loves taking my case.”

About his obsession for fedoras, he added, “It happened accidentally.

I have been collecting fedoras since I was a kid. I love hats. I love different sh*t. I dislike the preppy stuff—clean shaven, polo T-shirt, loafers etc. I like anything that's distinctive. Besides, I love Johnny Depp. I could count him as one of my favourites.”

Apparently, his most favourite actor happens to be Deepika Padukone.

He joked, “Deepika is my favourite.

Even in Hollywood, it's Deepika Depp or Johnny Padukone.” (TOI)

T

urning to literature for stories will provide a breath of fresh air to Indian cinema, Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan said.

“It is exciting to know that many young filmmakers in Bengal, with new ideas and new vision, are again turning to literature for inspiration. There is expectation for a breath of fresh air and exceptional stories once again, and that shall overwhelm cinema in India,” Bachchan said after inaugurating the Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF) recently.

He said young filmmakers, not just in Bengal, but all over the country may like to symbolically look upon those who make films based on

T

o lend authenticity to the plot of Singh Saab’s ‘The Great’, Sunny Deol shot some crucial scenes with real life criminals in actual lockups located in Daman and Bhopal.

While this is not a first for the actor, he says the experience was unnerving.

“I've shot in real jails earlier too.

added that it was an old thought that women in the Kapoor clan were not allowed to act.

"My parents are very modern. My father is a cosmopolitan person. He always supported the fact that I will be an actress. There is nothing else I would do rather than be an actor. I am passionate about acting. Girls in our family are not allowed to act is quite an outdated thought to have. They did it till my mother, but now no more," she said. (TOI)

It's an eerie experience as there is pain and agony all around. This time, even though I knew that I was there temporarily for the shoot, it was still psychologically disturbing,” said Sunny, who plays an honest IAS officer fighting corruption in this film.

Getting permission to shoot at these locations was not easy. Director Anil Sharma said, “It was quite a process. Identity cards were given to the crew and they were thoroughly frisked before being allowed to enter the jail premises. We even shot in an 'anda' cell, which has very little space. It requires immense patience to shoot in such a cramped location.”

Interestingly, while Sunny did not interact with any of the inmates this time around, he said he did have a conversation with a criminal during a previous shoot. “He told me about how he had murdered a family member in a fit of rage. That moment of anger blinded him and landed him behind bars.

He felt very guilty,” the actor related.

(TOI)

‘I want everyone to be scared of me’ - Sunny Leone

I stories from literature.

Giving the example of late maverick filmmaker Rituparno Ghosh, he said Ghosh gave Bengali cinema a completely new ray of hope and often looked at literary works for motivation.

“His ‘Chokher

Bali’ and ‘Naukadubi’ based on Tagore's fiction are very fine examples. Contemporary writers like Suchitra Bhattacharya and Shirshendu Mukherjee also became a source of inspiration for him,” Bachchan said. (TOI)

ndo-Canadian adult film star-turned-actress Sunny Leone is pretty excited about her film ‘Ragini MMS 2’ and hopes that the audience will be scared of her for the first time in the movie.

"I am very excited about ‘Ragini MMS 2’.

It has been one year we have been shooting the film, the promo, doing different things to release a huge film coming next year in January 2014. I want everyone to be scared of me for the first time," the 32-yearold said.

Directed by Bhushan Patel and produced by Ekta Kapoor, ‘Ragini

MMS 2’ is a sequel to 2011 horror-thriller ‘Ragini MMS’. (TOI)

Hollywood week ending november 17, 2013

‘Press should be avoided like cancer’ - Alec Baldwin

A

ctor Alec Baldwin has spoken out against the press, insisting that it should be avoided like cancer.

The 55-year-old, who has made a documentary about the movie industry called 'Seduced and Abandoned,' said that it is more difficult now than ever to do deal with the media, reported Digital Spy. “Now it's a lot harder to protect yourself. The shell you have to wear to get through this business-I go out the door everyday and I've got the New York Post and Fox News trying to destroy my reputation, making false accusations against me and things like that.

“You look at Leo [DiCaprio] or Russell Crowe or anybody who really is at the top of the pile; they avoid the press as much as possible. You avoid the press, you treat the press like cancer because the press's goal is out to illuminate,” he said in an interview with BBC. Baldwin went on to explain how his relationship with the tabloids has changed since he first found fame.

“The tabloid press was like a little

F

ormer ‘Baywatch’ star Pamela Anderson wants to start a new chapter of her life after rekindling her relationship with her ex-hus-

band Rick Salomon.

The 46-year-old animal rights activist, who chopped off her long locks, unveiled her new pixie cut this week and admitted her dramatic makeover is symbolic of a fresh start, reported Femalefirst.

“I just thought, you know, my hair had had a life. And I wanted to kind of put that behind me and start fresh.

And I thought it'd be good for the marathon. And it was,” she said.

The former Playboy model also proudly showed off the medal she got at ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’, she bagged after completing the New York City Marathon in Central Park last weekend.

“The last five miles were like giving birth. It was like giving birth and then being told to run as you're giving birth.

It was so much pain. My hips! I don't know if women are meant to run, especially after giving birth.” (TOI)

| guyanatimeSinternational.com

J

ulia Roberts has opened up about her private life saying that it's her privilege and honour to cook three meals a day for her family.

The ‘Erin Brockovich’ star told director Ryan Muphy in an interview for Marie Claire, that it's a luxury on a level that she didn't even realize, as it can be relentless for her on some days, the New York Daily News reported.

Roberts said that one has pride in how they take care of their family.

The actress also revealed that she

section of seats in a theatre and the rest was legitimate press, and now it's divided in half. Half the press are malicious and out to destroy you. They want to trip you and when you fall down the stairs, they want to cheer,” he added.

“That's a very, very, very haunting reality for someone in my position to deal with. The way you survive is by avoiding the press. You don't see Leo DiCaprio go on Letterman-he does as much of that as he needs to. The press should be avoided like a disease.” (TOI)

Pamela Anderson says new look symbolises fresh start

49

doesn't feed too much into her fame, and chooses to stay away from Googling herself. (TOI)

ctors Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis are reportedly planning to give a royal touch to their

wedding.

The couple, who is close to Queen Elizabeth's granddaughter Princess Beatrice and her boyfriend Dave Clark, are reportedly eager for a royal affair of their own, after falling in love with Britain, where Kunis recently filmed new movie ‘Jupiter Ascending’.

“They both adored Kate and William's wedding, and wanted to do something similar for themselves.

They don't want a big flashy wedding, but they liked the idea of marrying somewhere historic like a castle,” contactmusic.com quoted a source as saying.

“But then Princess Beatrice suggested the Orangery at Kensington Palace and Mila and Ashton think it's the perfect setting. They want a small ceremony in front of just a few family and friends,” the source added. (TOI)

ctress-fashion designer Ashley Olsen chose to stay away from acting because she was unable to give “100 percent of her time” to the entertainment industry.

The 27-year-old star, who along with her twin sister Mary-Kate first appeared on the US TV aged just nine months in ‘Full House’, was last seen in 2004 movie ‘New York Minute’.

She admitted that she couldn't give her full commitment to the big screen because of her fashion business.

Ashley co-founded four successful lines----The Row, Elizabeth and James, Olsenboye and StyleMint--- with her sister.

“I was reading scripts, and ultimately I just said to the people who are representing me, ‘I need to do things

100 percent. I don't feel like I can give you 100 percent of my time,’” femalefirst.co.uk quoted Ashley as saying.

“There's a lot of compromise in the entertainment industry. I can't sit in this room and audition for this part.”

(TOI)

A A

Nicole Kidman befriends Katie Holmes Blake Lively speaks at the White House N icole Kidman has become friends with Katie Holmes.

The actresses---both exwives of Hollywood star Tom Cruise--have reportedly been in contact by phone and enjoy gossiping with each other about their families and careers.

A source said: “[They had] a really nice conversation. They talked a little about what it was like being married to Tom and have stayed in touch ever since. “'They haven't discussed intimate issues like sex, and mostly chit chat about their kids and what's going on in their lives.”'

Nicole has adopted Isabella, 20, and Connor, 18, with Tom and Sunday, five and Faith, two, with her present husband Keith Urban, while Katie-the ‘Top Gun’ star's third wife---has daughter Suri, seven, with the star, who she split from in June 2012.

The insider said that they would

even consider starring in the same movie together.

They friend added to National Enquirer magazine: “It would blow people's minds to have two of Tom's exes in the same film.” (TOI)

B

lake Lively recently spoke at the White House.

The 26-year-old actress, who

is married to ‘The Proposal’ star Ryan Reynolds, was invited by U.S. first lady Michelle Obama to appear on a starstudded panel alongside film producer Harvey Weinstein, ‘The View’ host Whoopi Goldberg and ‘Skyfall’ star Naomie Harris for a 'Careers In Film Symposium' workshop.

The former ‘Gossip Girl’ star helped to educate a group of high school students visiting Washington D.C. from New York and Boston about what it is like to work in the movie industry, according to EOnline.com.

The blonde beauty looked stunning in an unusual black dress and minimal make-up.

Blake recently confessed she doesn't need to do much to look good and eats chocolate every day. (TOI)

50

Sport

week ending november 17, 2013

| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Trophy Stall, NY Better Hope are softball champs – Trophy Stall Angels cop women’s exhibition contest

By Avenash Ramzan

L

ocal side Trophy Stall and the visiting New York Better Hope softball team emerged champions of the Open and Masters categories respectively on Sunday evening when the curtains came down on the Guyana Softball Cup III at the world famous

Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground, Bourda.

In the Open 20/ 20 final, which was contested by two GT& T 10/ 10 champions, Trophy Stall romped to a commanding nine-wicket win over West Demerara side Wolf’s Warriors, while in the Masters 20/ 20 championship game, New York Better Hope prevailed by five wick-

ets over Industry Super Kings of Guyana.

Batting first in the Open final, Wolf’s Warriors managed what turned out to be a woefully inadequate 126 from 17.3 overs with Ameer Nizamudin hitting 29 (1x4, 2x6s), Greg Singh 28 (1x4) and Azad Azeez 18 (1x6).

Martin Dutchin (314) and Fazal Rafiek

Kavita Yadram was voted MVP of the women’s exhition games

Executives of the GFSCA share a moment with Trophy Stall captain Randy Katwaroo and the massive trophy

(3-15) were the leading wicket-takers for Trophy Stall, who blazed to victory at 130-1 from 15.4 overs.

Rafiek, who was later named MVP and received a gold bracelet compliments of Steve’s Jewellery, led the runchase with an attacking 59, which included five towering sixes and three boundaries. Surujpaul Deosarran, who was named Man-of-theMatch, was also in a destructive mood, hitting three fours and three maximums in a fluent 45 not out.

For the victory,

Trophy Stall collected a huge trophy and Gy$ 800,000, while Wolf’s Warriors had to settle for Gy$ 200,000 and a trophy.

The finalists also received medals for their efforts.

In the Masters final, Industry Super Kings took first strike and posted 117 from 19.3 overs with S. Persaud scoring 23. Ronald Evelyn and Rasheed Gafoor grabbed 3-15 and 2-19 respectively for New York Better Hope, who completed victory at 120-5 from 19.1 overs.

Gus Gordon clobbored

four sixes in a topscore of 47, while K. Sanichar made 28 (1x4). Bowling for Industry Super Kings, David Harper and Gerald Prashed picked up two wickets each.

New York Better Hope carted off the Gy$ 600,000 first prize and a massive trophy, while Industry Super Kings collected Gy$ 150,000 and a trophy. Like the Open category, the teams were also presented with medals, while Jagdesh Persaud of Industry Super Kings copped a gold bracelet for being the MVP of the Masters segment.

Goodluck ahead at GNRA national championship

A

single V-bull separated defending champion Ransford Goodluck from his closest challenger national Vice-captain Dylan Fields after the first day of competition at the Guyana National Rifle Association (GNRA) 2013-2014 national championship, which opened Sunday at the Timehri Rifle ranges.

Goodluck shot two possibles at 300 and 500 yards and was declared winner of the prestigious Valladares Trophy, which was up for grabs for the top shooter at 500 yards in an intense battle in ‘X’ Class on a hot and bright day with subtle changing winds.

The reigning champion recorded an overall day’s aggregate of 132 points with nine V- bulls, three points short from a highest possible score (HPS) of 135 points. He shot possible scores of 35 points and one V-bull points at 300 and 50 points with six V-bulls at 500 yards while recording 47.2 at 900 yards.

Fields was consistent in recording an overall aggregate of 132 points with eight V-bulls with scores of 34.2 at 300, 49.2 at 500 and 49.4 at 900 yards in a head-to-head showdown with the leader.

National captain Mahendra Persaud dropped seven points to be placed in third position.

He shot a possible 35 points with two Vs at 300 yards and recorded 48.4 at 500 yards and 46.2 at 900 yards.

Current Caribbean individual champion Lennox Braithwaite is in fourth spot with 128 points and 10 V-bulls.

He shot 34.2 at 300 yards, 49.5 at 500 yards and 45.3 at 900 yards.

Inspector Dane Blair holds the fifth

Ransford Goodluck

position in “X” Class and sixth overall with 124 points and three V-bulls after he recorded scores of 32.1, 46.1 and 46.2. Lt. Col. Terrance Stuart is the leader in “O” Class with 126 points and eight V-bulls.

He recorded scores of 34.2, 46.4 and 46.2 over the three ranges to stay ahead of newcomer Sherwin Felicien who recorded 31.1, 46.1 and 40 for an overall aggregate of 117 and three V-bulls, while Everall Nelson is third with 95 points with scored of 27-40 and 28.

Defending “O” Class champion Leo Romalho is out of the competition due to injury.

The championship will continue on Saturday with shooting at 500, 600 and 900 yards ranges with a highest possible score of 105 points starting at 10: 00 hours, while on the final day on Sunday the shooters will compete at 300, 600 and 1000 yards for a HPS of 150 points.

The championship is being sponsored by Crown Mining, Queensway and Industrial and Safety Supplies.

SPort week ending november 17, 2013

51

| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Invaders trash Falcons to U.S. bound: Four win 20/20 Championship Guyanese athletes

awarded scholarships

Alita Moore

By Treiston Joseph

I

t was a cold and blustery Sunday, November 3rd, 2013, when the Invaders Cricket Team faced off against the Falcons for the Division IIB 20/20 finals at Roy Wilkins Park.

Invaders won the toss and put Falcons to bat. Falcons lost two early wickets which brought Kishan Persaud and Captain Vick Ramnaraine together.

The pair took Invaders’ bowlers to task, especially Persaud who was severe on anything short or full. He played shots all around the wicket and was the top scorer with 69 runs before he was bowled by Naipaul Bickram.

Ramnaraine made 34 runs and with the addition some lusty hitting from the lower order batsman, the Falcons totaled a score of 170 runs for 7 wickets from

their allotted 20 overs.

Winston Valladares was the pick of the Invaders bowlers with 4 wickets for 24 runs.

Invaders had to score over 8 runs per over under difficult conditions with the sun up and in the batsmen’s eyes.

When Invaders replied, they lost their best batsman Aanand Drickpaul in the first over.

Roy "Saki" Bourne, then joined Paul Valladares and they batted superbly putting on 54 runs before Bourne was bowled by Vick Ramnaraine for 21 runs.

Paul Drickpaul then joined Paul Valladares and the pair took the score to 85 runs at the halfway mark. At the resumption, Paul Valladares was caught behind for a well-played 31 runs which was laced with some lovely pull shots.

Invaders needed

50 runs from the last 5 overs. They reached their target in 18.3 overs with Paul Drickpaul making 44 not out. He played one memorable straight drive which landed on the roof of the bathroom and sent his supporters in to a frenzy.

Melroy was the pick of the Falcons bowlers which 3 wickets for 30 runs. This is one championship Invaders really wanted to win because all of their players are over 45 years old and some of them are over 50 years old.

It didn’t seem possible that the Invaders could have reached another final due to the age of their players. Some teams also referred to them as ‘pensioners’. In the end, experience and the will to win saw them home. Congratulations Invaders. You thoroughly deserve it.

Tendulkar the greatest cricketer in history, says Lara

B

rian Lara believes that Sachin Tendulkar deserves to be remembered as the greatest cricketer in history. The 40-yearold will start his 200th and final Test match in his hometown of Mumbai against West Indies on Thursday.

Tendulkar is the highest runscorer in international cricket, with 15,847 runs in 199 Tests and 18,426 runs in 463 one-day internationals.

“Tendulkar has had the greatest cricket career of anyone who has ever played the game,” said Lara.

Former West Indies batsman Lara, 44, and Tendulkar have similar records, with Test figures showing that Lara averaged just under 53 in his 131 Tests, with

Brian Lara

Tendulkar a fraction over.

Tendulkar, though, will end his career having played 69 more matches than Lara, as he becomes the first man to play 200 Tests.

“The impact he has had on his game, his country, the rest of the

world - is incredible,” added Lara, who scored 11,953 Test runs.

Tendulkar made his international debut aged 16 in November 1989 and last year became the only batsman in the history of the game to reach 100 international centuries.

“His stats speak for themselves,” continued Lara. “I don’t think there is any 16-year-old who is going to embark on the sort of career that Sachin Tendulkar has had and walk away from the game at 40 with such great achievements.

“He’s the Muhammad Ali and the Michael Jordan of cricket. You think of the great boxers and basketball players, but if you were to talk about the game then you would have to talk about Sachin.” (BBC Sport)

F

our of Guyana’s top track prospects: Stephan James, Jevina Straker, Alita Moore and Chavez Ageday have attained scholarships to attend and train at the ASA College in New York, U. S. A. The four athletes have received student visas for the scholarship that will last two years at the college.

However, three of the athletes Straker, Ageday and James will be winging out this morning (Wednesday) at 06: 15 hours to start their scholarship, while Moore will have to travel hopefully in a week’s time.

Moore’s delay is due to her being a member of the Guyana Police Force, and according to a source, some logistics have to be sorted out before she leaves for the scholarship.

While the athletes

Jevina Straker

Stephan James

will be hitting an indoor season as soon as they land in the U. S. A, they will also have to prepare for a tedious two years of academic studies.

James and Ageday have elected to do Information Technology and computer repairs, while Straker will be doing a pharmaceutical course. Moore is scheduled to take on nursing.

Meanwhile, president of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) Aubrey Hutson wished the athletes well, stating that he looks forward to establishing a better relationship with the college for future scholarships.

Hutson also revealed that the college contacted the athletes directly through a mediator in Val Barnwell, while the AAG facilitated the financing of the tickets for the athletes.

Straker is a threetime Carifta gold med-

alist and has had the most success out of the four on the international scene. James would be next as he has been the most consistent of the four while bagging a South American junior and Under-23 bronze medals.

Ageday, despite his well documented struggles on the international scene, finally had some success earlier in the year, winning 100 metres Under-23 bronze medals.

Moore, on the other hand, has been steadily improving and is the only female in Guyana that can boast of beating sprint ace Alisha Fortune (Boyce/ Jefford Classic 2013) who has dominated the female sprints for the last six years. Moore is also a double Inter Guiana Games (IGG) gold medalist, a feat Straker has also accomplished along with James.

52

Sport

week ending november 17, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

West Indies greats hail Chanderpaul on 150th Test

S

t John’s, Antigua – Several legends of West Indies cricket have hailed lefthander Shivnarine Chanderpaul as he prepares to play what will be a West Indies record 150th Test match.

Three West Indies batting greats – Sir Everton

the 200th and final Test match for India’s batting great Sachin Tendulkar.

“It will be a West Indian record and to play 150 Test matches tells you all you need to know about his stamina and longevity. He has not changed his style – which is a very beautiful

Shivnarine Chanderpaul

Weekes, Rohan Kanhai and Desmond Haynes – applauded Chanderpaul and urged him to celebrate the occasion. The match will be played against India at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai and will also be

thing – he has remained a batsman who bats for long periods and always looks to secure his wicket,” said Sir Everton.

“Chanderpaul’s style is unique and quite different to that of most West Indians but he has

done a magnificent job for West Indies cricket. I want to wish him all the very best in this historic match,” added Sir Everton, who played 48 Tests and averaged 58.61 runs per innings.

The 39-year-old Chanderpaul made his Test debut in 1994 against England at Bourda. He enters the historic Test with 10,897 runs at an average of 51.89 and made 28 hundreds and 61 half-centuries.

Only fellow left-hander Brian Lara has scored more runs (11,953) for West Indies.

Kanhai, who played 79 Tests between 1957 and 1974, praised Chanderpaul for his ability to bat for long periods and never get flustered.

“I first saw him playing years ago in Guyana and was always impressed. Back then he was a raw youngster with bundles of talent and immense concentration. He has blossomed to become one of the great cricketers of the world,” Kanhai said.

“He has a unique style of batting and it works well for him. He continues to show he has the great powers of concentration and likes to bat for long periods and the most important

Shivnarine Chanderpaul batting in the nets against Shannon Gabriel

thing is he never gives his wicket away.

“I want to urge the West Indies first four to take a leaf out of Chanderpual’s book and look to bat for a long period. If they do, we will do well, and look to make 350 to 400 runs in first innings.”

Kanhai added: “Sachin Tendulkar will also be playing his 200th Test match and this is another great achievement by another stalwart of our great game – an achievement that will be remembered forever.”

Chanderpaul was named the International Cricket Council’s Player

of the Year in 2008. He has scored 4,161 runs at an average of 70.52 runs per innings in 48 Tests since 2007 including 14 hundreds.

Haynes, who played 116 Tests, praised Chanderpaul’s approach to his batting.

“When he first came into the West Indies team I was still around and I remember seeing a little boy and I was very impressed with his ability. He was someone who was driven and was determined to get better.

He came into Test cricket with a good attitude towards batting – always looking to bat long and

play within his limitation and I was pleased with his progress,” said Haynes.

“A very memorable moment for him was when he batted with Brian Lara when he (Lara) broke Sir Garry Sobers’s record in Antigua.

Not many people remember the role Shiv played on that day but I will always recall how he stayed at the crease and did the perfect job.

“He (Chanderpaul) will be missed when he makes the decision to retire and we have to look at a succession plan for when Shiv goes.”

Over 70 riders confirmed Former champion in the hunt as CCI chess qualifier starts for “Ride for Life”

F

Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony

By Rajiv Bisnauth

O

ver 70 local and overseas cyclists will compete in the seventh annual fivestage cycling event under the theme “Ride for Life”, an initiative of the Ministries of Sport and Health and the National AIDS Programme Secretariat.

Chief organiser, Hassan Mohamed, in an exclusive interview on Tuesday, indicated that 72 cyclists from

Director of Sport Neil Kumar

Chief organiser, Hassan Mohamed

Guyana, along with two Columbians and a Barbadian have confirmed their participation in the gruelling 226 miles, four-day event.

The three foreign riders, Columbians Jaime Ramirez, who is the defending champion, along with fellow countryman Antonio Jose Alacon Gonzalez and Darren Matthews will represent Team Coco. The trio will be joined by local based riders Christopher Holder, Raynauth

Jeffrey, Michael Anthony and Junior Niles as Team Coco’s representatives.

Mohamed told Guyana Times International Sport that while riders from Suriname and the French Guiana have indicated an interest in this year’s race, they are yet to confirm participation. Meanwhile, Mohamed revealed that all the logistical arrangements are already in place for the event.

ormer national senior chess champion Wendell Meusa has entered the fray and is among those seeking to challenge reigning champion Taffin Khan as the 2013 CCI chess championship qualifier tournament got underway on Sunday at the Carifesta Sports Complex.

Meusa became national senior chess champion in 2009 when he defeated twotime senior champion, Berbician Kriskal Persaud.

Meusa did not defend his title afterwards and incumbent Taffin Khan has won three championships consecutively since succeeding Meusa in 2010.

According to the FIDE (World Chess Federation) website, the 25-year-old Meusa holds a rating of 1966, while 21-year-old Khan is rated at 1794.

Three other players along with Meusa,

Wendell Meusa (right) in action against Alex Joseph, while other players engage in battle

namely, Anthony Drayton, Roberto Neto and Chino Chung are on two points each, having won their first two matches at the end of Sunday’s play. Six other players are on one point apiece.

The competition has attracted five junior chess players who are also vying for a place in the senior’s league to challenge reigning champion Khan, who will be defending his ti-

tle later this month.

Rounds four and five will be played on Saturday at the Guyana Legion Building, Carifesta Avenue and the final two rounds are scheduled for Sunday at the Carifesta Sports Complex.

At the end of the tournament, the top seven performers will automatically qualify to enter the 2013 national senior chess championship with Khan.

Sport week ending november 17, 2013

53

| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Jamaica, T&T Sunshine Girls set ready to rumble to start W Cup H against England J OSTS Jamaica and arch-rivals Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) will be aiming for good performances tomorrow night, when they square off in the first of two friendly international football games at Montego Bay Stadium in St James, starting at 8:30 p.m.

"This is the beginning of our 'Road to Russia' 2018 campaign ... this is a chance to test some of our young, local-based players and the US-based players," said Reggae Boyz head coach Winfred Schäfer, during a press conference in Montego Bay on Wednesday.

"Presently, we are looking to build a team for the future with players who are of good character."

Following Friday night's game, which promises to be the first of many games, the Jamaica football Federation (JFF) plans to stage in Montego Bay, the teams will journey

tional football.

"The support we get from this game on Friday night will go

A M A I C A ' S Sunshine Girls are likely to line up against England in the opening match of next year's Netball World Cup (NWC), formerly World Netball Championships.

The matchup is based on a new system that is geared towards increased competitiveness at the tournament, which will take place in August 2015 in Sydney.

"Under the new system, fans will no longer have to wait until the medal games to see the

Winfred Schafer

a long way in determining whether or not it is feasible to stage games here in western Jamaica," said Burrell.

"The Catherine Hall facility is a small facility and even if it is full to capacity, that might not cover the cost of staging the game."

Stephen Hart

to Trinidad for the return contest, at Hasely Crawford Stadium, next Tuesday.

"We are grateful for this opportunity to play these two games against Jamaica ... we are in a rebuilding phase in our programme ..., this should be a good test against a Jamaican team which was recently involved in a competitive World Cup campaign," said Stephen Hart, T&T's head coach.

He added: "We are hoping to put on a good performance that should provide the team with high-quality entertainment."

Testing their mettle

While the Reggae Boyz and the Soca Warriors will be testing their mettle on the lush green Catherine Hall surface, Jamaica Football Federation boss Captain Horace Burrell will be testing the readiness of the west to host interna-

School), Khesanio Hall (St Elizabeth Technical High School) and Adrian Reid (Portmore

SQUADS: J A M A I C A : Richard McCallum (Waterhouse), Jermaine Anderson (Waterhouse), Montrose Phinn, (Harbour View), Kemar Lawrence (Harbour View), Brian Brown (Harbour View), Gariece McPherson (Cavalier SC), Keammar Daley (Tivoli Gardens), Darren Mattocks (Vancouver Whitecaps), Omar Daley (Minnesota United), Alvas Powell (Portland Timbers), Deshorn Brown (Colorado Rapids), Jason Johnson (Houston Dynamo), Michael Seaton (DC United), Je-Vaughn Watson (FC Dallas), Dicoy Williams (Harbour View), Upston Edwards (Portmore United), Ricardo Morris (Portmore United), Jermaine Woozencraft (Montego Bay United), Andrew Vanzie (Portmore United), Insamnia Cohen (Manchester High

United).

T&T: Jan Michael Williams (Central FC), Marvin Phillip (Point Fortin Civic), Justin Hoyte (Milwall), Daneil Cyrus (W Connection), Radanfar Abu Bakr (FC Vostok), Carlyle Mitchell (Vancouver Whitecaps), Aubrey David (Caledonia AIA), Sheldon Bateua (KV Mechelen), Joevin Jones (W Connection), Curtis Gonzales (Defence Force), AndrĂŠ Boucaud (Notts County), Kevan George (Colombus Crew), Keon Daniel (Philadelphia Union), Densill Theobald (Caledonia AIA), Lester Peltier (Caledonia AIA), Ataulla Guerra (Rovaniemen Palloseura), Rundell Winchester (Central FC), Kenwyne Jones (Stoke City/captain).

likes of New Zealand, Australia, England, and Jamaica line up against each other," said Molly Rhone, president of the International Federation of Netball Associations.

The NWC was launched in Sydney, Australia, on Tuesday.

The top four netball nations were on hand and Romelda Aiken represented Netball Jamaica.

TEAMS POOL The top six nations automatically qualify, plus 10 teams selected via regional tourna-

ments. The 16 nations will be divided into four pools of four teams, with the top-ranked one and two teams in the same pool. Similarly, third and fourth, fifth and sixth, and seventh and eighth will be in the same pool.

As of today's ranking, Jamaica (fourth) will be in the same pool as England (third).

It is anticipated that the opening match of the tournament could be between the No 1 and 2 ranked teams, New Zealand and Australia.

54

week ending november 17, 2013

| guyanatimeSinternational.com

guyanatimeSinternational.com

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

week ending november 17, 2013

India v West Indies, 2nd Test, Mumbai…

The final leg of the epic farewell A

fter this match, there will be no switching off the television when he gets out. No Indian fan will wait for the second India wicket to fall. There will be no standing ovations that stretch from the fall of that second wicket to the time he takes strike.

Sections of crowds at grounds won’t take turns in going ‘Sachin, Sachin’.

For after this match, Sachin Tendulkar will never play cricket for India again. So for one last time, it is over to the ground where it all began in 1988, for Bombay against Gujarat in the Ranji Trophy.

Few international cricketers get to say goodbye on their home ground, in front of home fans. In that sense, Tendulkar and Mumbai are fortunate that the parting, in the playing sense, will be at Wankhede Stadium.

Fortunate is a word MS Dhoni has used often of late. He’s been asked numerous times how it was to play with Tendulkar, and he’s said he has been for-

Sachin Tendulkar came in to bat early on day two, India v West Indies, 1st Test, Kolkata, 2nd day, November 7, 2013 (BCCI)

tunate to have done so for close to a decade.

There was a cartoon recently doing the rounds

with Tendulkar cradling some babies - a few of his youngest current India team-mates - while the

rest of the squad stood around as grinning boys. How old, or young, each of them were when Tendulkar debuted for India is a factsheet that gets thrown around a lot. But that Mohammed Shami is younger than Tendulkar’s international career is a fact that seems as astonishing each time you think about it. He’s been a colossal father figure.

All the India players have grown up looking up to the man.

The opponents were hastily arranged for this farewell series and were not expected to play a big role. That is exactly what West Indies did in Kolkata, folding up in three days. The last time they played at Wankhede, they produced an exciting draw with the scores tied. This match will be known in history as Tendulkar’s final game, but West Indies will look to somehow miraculously ending up winning it.

In the spotlight

All these years, Sachin Tendulkar has continued on page 55

Sunshine Girls set to start W Cup against England Captains of the world's top netball teams (from left) Romelda Aiken (Jamaica), Laura Langman (New Zealand), Laura Geitz (Australia), and Stacy Francis (England) pose with the trophy at the launch of the Sydney 2015 Netball World Cup (formerly World Netball Championships), at the AMP Tower, Sydney, Australia, on Tuesday. Contributed photo

by Steve Christo

53 PAGE

More matches, venues for 2014 CPLT20

C

ricket fans across the Caribbean, and possibly North America, could see more matches in the 2014 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Twenty20 Tournament.

Commercial director of the CPL, Jamie Stewart said that given the extra time available for planning, the organisers want to increase the number of matches.

“We had three months to put together the 2013 event. We could have waited until 2014, but we wanted to put out what we had immediately to signal that we were here and will be here to stay for a very long time,” Stewart said.

“This short time, allowed only a certain number of matches, but with ten months to plan the 2014 event from the last day of the 2013 event, we decided to bring more parity to the event in terms of having each team play others the same number of times.”

He said that with extra matches being played, some of the other territories would now get a chance to bid for matches.

“If these countries feel that they can host three successive days of cricket, then they can make a bid to host matches.” He also added that matches being played outside the region could become a reality.

“We cannot rule out anything at this point in time. We have been having consultation with authorities in the US and it is possible that matches could be played there as well.”

“The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) is the only full member of the International

Commercial director of the CPL, Jamie Stewart (Guyana Times file photo)

Cricket Council (ICC) in this half of the world and we see spreading the game to the other parts as important, although we remain the Caribbean Premier League.”

Stewart also added that the tournament may start earlier in 2014 to prevent running into the rain. “We may be looking to start the 2014 tournament in mid-July, as opposed to the end of July as we did in 2013. This would allow for us to finish the tournament before the rain comes down.

“We will be looking to attract some of the top players in the world, and around this time we have about five international teams that are idle; so we are hoping to get some top men coming to play in the CPL. So far, a number of players have expressed interest in coming to the region to play.”

J a m a i c a ’ s Tallawahs won the inaugural tournament when they defeated the Guyana Amazon Warriors by seven wickets in the final in Trinidad and Tobago on August 24. (TT Newsday)

Guyana Times International - (Guyana Office) email: guyanatimesint@gmail.com, Tel: (592) 227-0704, 227-0709, Fax: (592) 225-8696, 227-0685 (NY Office) email: guyanatimesnyint@gmail.com, Tel: 718-658-6804 PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GUYANA TIMES INTERNATIONAL INC.; AVAILABLE AT ALL MAJOR WEST INDIAN STORES.

guyanatimeSinternational.com

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

week ending november 17, 2013

India v West Indies, 2nd Test, Mumbai…

The final leg of the epic farewell A

fter this match, there will be no switching off the television when he gets out. No Indian fan will wait for the second India wicket to fall. There will be no standing ovations that stretch from the fall of that second wicket to the time he takes strike.

Sections of crowds at grounds won’t take turns in going ‘Sachin, Sachin’.

For after this match, Sachin Tendulkar will never play cricket for India again. So for one last time, it is over to the ground where it all began in 1988, for Bombay against Gujarat in the Ranji Trophy.

Few international cricketers get to say goodbye on their home ground, in front of home fans. In that sense, Tendulkar and Mumbai are fortunate that the parting, in the playing sense, will be at Wankhede Stadium.

Fortunate is a word MS Dhoni has used often of late. He’s been asked numerous times how it was to play with Tendulkar, and he’s said he has been for-

Sachin Tendulkar came in to bat early on day two, India v West Indies, 1st Test, Kolkata, 2nd day, November 7, 2013 (BCCI)

tunate to have done so for close to a decade.

There was a cartoon recently doing the rounds

with Tendulkar cradling some babies - a few of his youngest current India team-mates - while the

rest of the squad stood around as grinning boys. How old, or young, each of them were when Tendulkar debuted for India is a factsheet that gets thrown around a lot. But that Mohammed Shami is younger than Tendulkar’s international career is a fact that seems as astonishing each time you think about it. He’s been a colossal father figure.

All the India players have grown up looking up to the man.

The opponents were hastily arranged for this farewell series and were not expected to play a big role. That is exactly what West Indies did in Kolkata, folding up in three days. The last time they played at Wankhede, they produced an exciting draw with the scores tied. This match will be known in history as Tendulkar’s final game, but West Indies will look to somehow miraculously ending up winning it.

In the spotlight

All these years, Sachin Tendulkar has continued on page 55

Sunshine Girls set to start W Cup against England Captains of the world's top netball teams (from left) Romelda Aiken (Jamaica), Laura Langman (New Zealand), Laura Geitz (Australia), and Stacy Francis (England) pose with the trophy at the launch of the Sydney 2015 Netball World Cup (formerly World Netball Championships), at the AMP Tower, Sydney, Australia, on Tuesday. Contributed photo

by Steve Christo

53 PAGE

More matches, venues for 2014 CPLT20

C

ricket fans across the Caribbean, and possibly North America, could see more matches in the 2014 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Twenty20 Tournament.

Commercial director of the CPL, Jamie Stewart said that given the extra time available for planning, the organisers want to increase the number of matches.

“We had three months to put together the 2013 event. We could have waited until 2014, but we wanted to put out what we had immediately to signal that we were here and will be here to stay for a very long time,” Stewart said.

“This short time, allowed only a certain number of matches, but with ten months to plan the 2014 event from the last day of the 2013 event, we decided to bring more parity to the event in terms of having each team play others the same number of times.”

He said that with extra matches being played, some of the other territories would now get a chance to bid for matches.

“If these countries feel that they can host three successive days of cricket, then they can make a bid to host matches.” He also added that matches being played outside the region could become a reality.

“We cannot rule out anything at this point in time. We have been having consultation with authorities in the US and it is possible that matches could be played there as well.”

“The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) is the only full member of the International

Commercial director of the CPL, Jamie Stewart (Guyana Times file photo)

Cricket Council (ICC) in this half of the world and we see spreading the game to the other parts as important, although we remain the Caribbean Premier League.”

Stewart also added that the tournament may start earlier in 2014 to prevent running into the rain. “We may be looking to start the 2014 tournament in mid-July, as opposed to the end of July as we did in 2013. This would allow for us to finish the tournament before the rain comes down.

“We will be looking to attract some of the top players in the world, and around this time we have about five international teams that are idle; so we are hoping to get some top men coming to play in the CPL. So far, a number of players have expressed interest in coming to the region to play.”

J a m a i c a ’ s Tallawahs won the inaugural tournament when they defeated the Guyana Amazon Warriors by seven wickets in the final in Trinidad and Tobago on August 24. (TT Newsday)

Guyana Times International - (Guyana Office) email: guyanatimesint@gmail.com, Tel: (592) 227-0704, 227-0709, Fax: (592) 225-8696, 227-0685 (NY Office) email: guyanatimesnyint@gmail.com, Tel: 718-658-6804 PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GUYANA TIMES INTERNATIONAL INC.; AVAILABLE AT ALL MAJOR WEST INDIAN STORES.