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INTERNATIONAL

Young Chanderpaul in Windies U-19 squad to face Page 55 Bangladesh

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

for FRee distribution guyanatimesinternational.com

ISSUE NO. 159

You can also read Guyana Times daily edition online at www.guyanatimesgy.com week ending september 15, 2013

“Guyana’s housing drive is a success story” – PM Gonsalves - Could be used as a model for the region Page 19

A section of a housing scheme, East Bank Demerara, Guyana

Fly Jamaica begins serving Guyana – North Page 3 America routes

“I want to be part of the economic explosion in Guyana” – Surinamese Page 22 businessman

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NEWS

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Fly Jamaica begins serving Guyana – North America routes F

ly Jamaica says it will begin Guyana-North America flights later this month but will have to transit Jamaica from Georgetown to New York because the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) is yet to approve an exemption application.

Chief Executive Officer, Ronald Reece said there would be direct return flights on the Guyana-Toronto route.

While Fly Jamaica would go direct from New York to Guyana, return flights to New York would have to make a 90-minute stop-over in Jamaica.

The Guyana operation begins on September 26 with a flight from Jamaica and the first flight out of Toronto will

be on October 8. You can visit the airline's website on http://www.fly-jamaica.com/ Reece explained that the reason for passing through Jamaica was because his carrier was still awaiting a response from DOT. “Our licence currently allows us to fly non-stop from JFK to GEO, but we had applied for an exemption from the DOT to operate non-stop back to JFK but we have not heard from them as yet,” said Reece.

Reece explained that the more than one-hourlong wait would be in keeping with requirements by Jamaican and American authorities.

“The Transportation Security Administration and the Jamaican Government require that

all the bags and passengers be screened at the last stop before entering the USA,” he said.

Passengers would not be required to change planes but will have to disembark to allow checks for weapons, drugs and other prohibited weapons.

Asked why should persons travel from Guyana to New York with Fly Jamaica in view of the long transit period,

the CEO sought to justify it by the high quality of the carrier’s in-flight service and the promotion of tourism and other types of business between the two sister Caricom member states.

“This will offer a glimpse of new country through the windows of a plane, encourage enquiring minds to visit that country and Fly Jamaica is hoping to en-

courage tourism between Jamaica and Guyana and both countries have a lot to offer”, he said. Grace Kennedy, Tastee Patties and other Jamaican companies have business interests in Guyana.

Currently, passengers travelling to and from New York with Caribbean Airlines have to wait up to 90 minutes in Trinidad.

In its application for exemption on the Guyana-New York leg, Fly Jamaica has told DOT that the airline has been granted flag carrier status for Guyana.

The Guyanese and Jamaica Civil Aviation Authorities have already granted licenses for that route.

Fly Jamaica is banking on several prece-

dents in which the US has granted permission to foreign carriers to fly direct from a number of third countries in which carriers have not been registered.

Fly Jamaica also says that its application is made in keeping with the public’s interest because there is currently no US or Guyana airline serving the Guyana-New York route. “The national economy of Guyana is heavily dependent on the US market and New York specifically where a large Guyanese community resides. For these reasons, Fly Jamaica is confident that significant demand exists for air transportation between Guyana and New York,” the airline added in its application.

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

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EDITORIAL

New political culture?

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pposition Leader David Granger is reported to have stated that a “new political culture” is needed in Guyana. From his comments, he is evidently reacting to the gridlock that has developed in the National Assembly since the last general elections.

More specifically he suggests that this “new political culture” should engender a “relationship among the three parties in the National Assembly to ensure that the dialogue that takes place is for the benefit of all the people”.

On the surface, there is much that is commendable about Granger’s proposal and we are hoping that when the National Assembly reconvenes in a month’s time we will see whether he is serious. Up to now his actions have belied his asseveration. He mentioned the early initiative of President Donald Ramotar in establishing the “Tripartite Talks Mechanism” in which the leaders of the same three parties he cites met to dialogue on contentious issues.

The record of that mechanism is hardly encouraging on account of the intransigent posture adopted by first the Alliance For Change (AFC) and then Granger’s own A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).

In the first round of substantive talks surrounding budget 2012, the AFC went on a fishing expedition by demanding higher wages for public servants. For this blatant act of playing to the political gallery, he had to be reprimanded by the General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) Lincoln Lewis.

The AFC soon withdrew and when APNU and the president struck a bargain on the equalisation of electricity tariffs for Linden in a quid pro quo for raising the old age pensions, they undercut APNU’s position and forced them into a tactical retreat. APNU and the AFC then inflicted massive cuts on the budget.

For this year’s budget, even though in the interregnum the chief justice had ruled that their prior budget cuts were unconstitutional, the opposition once again eschewed dialogue in the tripartite talks and repeated their cuts.

What became obvious by then was that they were intent on practising a political culture that rejected the supremacy of the constitution, which made a sharp distinction between the functions of the executive and the legislature.

The opposition insisted that they must play a role in crafting the budget which is exclusively an executive function.

As the chief justice ruled, if the executive were to lose this power, how else would it be able to execute the programme on the basis of which it won the executive? The government has consistently invited the opposition to meet with the Finance Ministry’s budget team and to make their proposals, as other social sector representatives do. But this does not satisfy the opposition’s definition of a “new political culture”.

In the last budget process, the APNU representative Carl Greenidge found any number of reasons for not attending the scheduled meetings.

In Granger’s present call for a “new political culture”, he disappointingly once again repeats his call for the opposition to usurp the executive budget-making authority. This time, he insists on the formation of a “tripartite budget committee” in which the three parties can “reach consensus” in crafting the budget. This will not do since it will simply confirm the executive’s abdication of its constitutional mandate.

But beyond the budget process, there was another opportunity for the opposition to demonstrate they were willing to place the best interest of the country before the lure of partisan politics. This opportunity presented itself when the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AMLCT) Bill came before the National Assembly.

The opposition had no substantive objections to any of the clauses in the bill, which had been demanded by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), and which if not passed by last August, would cause our financial instructions to be blacklisted.

The “new political culture” of the opposition caused the bill to lapse. We await its new performative expression.

U.S. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden and staff of the White House, gather for a somber moment of silence in remembrance of those killed on September 9, 2001.

TERI energy specialists return to continue providing technical support

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four-member technical team of specialists headed by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) Associate Director Dr G Rudra Narsimha Rao is in Guyana for three months to spearhead phase two of technical support to the Guyana government in the areas of climate change and energy.

Among the aspects they will

among others.

In the process, the team from Delhi, India will work with agencies such as the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) and the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and the brainstorming of collaboration with government and non-government sectors.

The team met President

mission to Guyana where the focus was on assessing energy initiatives like solar energy for lighting, micro-hydro and improving energy efficiency in the different sectors of Guyana’s economy.

The potential and suitability of biomass gasifiers and the provision of suitable technology were also examined.

TERI, an energy, environ-

President Donald Ramotar and head of the Office of Climate Change Shyam Nokta with a team from The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in Delhi led by Associate Director Dr G Rudra Narsimha Rao

be looking at are; a best practice manual to promote energy management and conservation of rice mills, a technical study to improve sugar production, energy efficiency, investments in the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) and demand management and gasifier technology application for sawmills.

The initiative also includes guidance and recommendations on improving energy efficiency in buildings and street lighting,

Donald Ramotar last week for talks in the company of head of the Office of Climate Change Shyam Nokta.

Engagements between the Guyana government and TERI commenced in 2011 following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at providing support to Guyana’s climate initiatives and the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).

March 2012 marked the first

ment and sustainable development research institute was established in 1974. Nobel Prize laureate and chairman of the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Dr R K Pachauri is the head of the institution.

Late last year, Dr Pachauri was installed chairman of Guyana’s well known international rainforest conservation, research and development centre, Iwokrama.

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Father of slain Meten-Meer-Zorg businessman says actions of perpetrators were well planned

P

olice are continuing their probe into the robbery/murder of Zulfikar Namdar, also called “Vicky”, 27, who was gunned down on Tuesday evening at his home in Meter- MeerZorg.

Over the years, the members of the Namdar family have become well known for their deep and humble devotion to Islam and for making many charitable contributions to various communities on the West Coast and West Bank Demerara.

The young businessman was shot to his neck and chest. This was disclosed by 17- year-old Stephen Mohamed, the shop assistant who was also shot in his upper left leg.

He recounted that after the bandits attacked, the businessman had some money in his hands, as he was serving customers at the time.

Immediately after invading the property, one of the gunmen began inquiring about the victim’s father. One of the bandits then discharged a round, hitting the young man to his neck, but not satisfied, he discharged a few more rounds, with one hitting Mohamed to his leg.

The other bandits who were keeping watch on the road, reportedly entered the shop and collected the money that was in the businessman’s pockets. He had just returned from Georgetown.

Gulzar Namdar, the father of the dead man, said that from the way the men operated during the five-minute ordeal, it seems their action was well planned.

He recalled that he was about to pray when he heard gunshots ringing out, and soon after three of the six men

Dead: Zulfikar Namdar

confronted his wife and started to physically assault her.

Lie or die

He also stated that a few other people were forced to lie face down or die, as threatened by the gunmen. After the attack, he said he realised

that his son was killed.

While the police arrived within minutes and searched the area for the perpetrators, they were not successful, but thought that they arrived and did their job.

In the light of this incident, he referred to the

other killings and called on the home affairs minister and parliamentarians to budget for more money to boost the security sector since he believes that it has a great role to play in securing the nation.

He also noted that the time has come for the country to protect the future businessmen and women, noting that it could only happen with a well-equipped police force.

Region Three Chairman Julius Faerber, who was appalled by the attack, noted that it was only on Tuesday evening that he witnessed the opening of the Region Three House of Justice, where he met the commander and had a discussion on the security sector.

Deal with crime head-on

He said the commander highlighted a few strategies that are

in place to battle crime, but upon reaching home, he received the dreaded news.

He admitted that there is an upsurge in crime in the region and renewed his call for the security sector to deal with the issue head-on.

The regional chairman stated that he is optimistic that the police force will carry out its duties diligently in apprehending the perpetrators for the heinous crime committed on the aggrieved families.

He also urged community members to be alert and be their brothers’ keepers.

After the robbery, the gunmen made good their escape on foot, as they discharged several rounds indiscriminately in the streets.

Zulfikar leaves to mourn his two children, ages five and three; his wife; and parents.

DPP office in Berbice nears completion

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ttorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall on Wednesday

visited and inspected the works being done on a two-storey building in New Amsterdam,

Region Six that will house an office of the director of public prosecutions (DPP) and either

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall meeting with the staff of the Land Registry in New Amsterdam, Region Six, who are housed in the bottom-flat of the High Court

the land or deeds registry.

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and government of Guyana funded project, is part of the Modernisation of Justice Administration System Programme. It costs US$ 20,450,005, and is scheduled to be completed by the end of September.

“It is important that I emphasise that this is the first time in Guyana’s history that a DPP office will be established in Berbice, and I believe that that is a significant accomplishment… it was a promise made in the manifesto of the PPP at the 2011 general elections,” Minister Nandlall said.

He explained that the office in Berbice is being established because the

government has recognised the need to have certain facilities offered by the DPP to Region Six residents.

“Unfortunately, because there is no office of the DPP in Berbice, these documents cannot be served in a timely manner, and as a result, you cannot have the state being represented in Berbice in these matters… so litigants in Berbice are forced to file these types of matters all the way in Georgetown,” the minister stated.

He emphasised that having a DPP office in Berbice would correct these significant deficiencies, but more importantly, it will make it easier for the people of East and West Berbice to exercise their legal right to bail, and their

legal right to challenge any form of etention by the police that they may deem unlawful.

“The establishment of this office is intended to assist the people of Berbice to actually realise those constitutional rights and freedoms,” Minister Nandlall noted.

The minister added that if the DPP decides to appoint permanent staff, they will have adequate space for accommodation.

With regards to the establishment of other similar facilities, Minister Nandlall explained that the office in Berbice would function as a pilot for another that will be opened in Essequibo; however, the establishment of this office would depend on the availability of funds.

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Skeldon factory doing better after upgrade works – Dr Ramsammy upbeat about bigger second crop of the most important indicators for the Skeldon factory is its Tonne of Cane per Tonne of Sugar (TCTS), which is dependent mainly on the factory. Skeldon, he noted, is designed to produce between 10 and 12 tonnes of cane for one tonne of sugar.

“The old factory used to give a TCTS of between 13 and 15 so this

BY: LEANA BRADSHAW

T

he level of sugar production being delivered at the Skeldon Sugar Factory indicates that the upgrade works done on the facility by Bosch Engineering “is bearing fruit”. This was the view expressed by Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy during an interview with the media on Wednesday. He highlighted that the factory is beginning to work as anticipated.

Dr Ramsammy explained that the Skeldon factory has produced an impressive yield thus far, producing more than 2500 tonnes of sugar, with the second crop almost equaling the production of the first crop.

This, he said would take the factory’s total production for the year so far to some 95,000 tonnes.

“We are hoping to reach 155,000 tonnes for this crop and to exceed the 200,000 tonnes

new factory was designed to give more sugar… when Skeldon was first operationalised, it was providing TCTS of above 15, as high as 20”.

Optimistic

He outlined that the average TCTS so far this crop was 12-13, but it is expected to reduce below 12 as operations progress. However, the minister added that, “We

are optimistic that given the right weather conditions, Skeldon will respond in a positive way. The problem we’ve had with Skeldon and throughout the industry is the rainy condition.”

Successful tests

South African firm Bosch Engineering was hired to execute rehabilitative work at the Skeldon factory and had

Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy

target. So in spite of the bad weather we’ve had so far, Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) is hoping that with improved September conditions… and with normal October and November weather, and with the possibility of grinding until Christmas, that we will be able to surpass the 155,000 tonnes for this second crop,” the minister pointed out.

Dr Ramsammy further explained that one

The Skeldon Sugar Factory

conducted a series of successful tests.

The firm was hired to redesign and re-engineer several aspects of the facility, including the re-engineering of the bagasse feed system, redesigning the cane conveyers, drilling of a new well, the replacement of a five mega watt alternator, and the modification of the pump dumpers.

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Tribute paid to Stephen Campbell, other prominent Amerindians

A new home “Home is the nicest word there is.”

– Laura Ingalls Wilder

The gathering at the Umana Yana reflecting on the life of Stephen Campbell and other prominent Amerindians

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he Amerindian Affairs Ministry on Tuesday evening hosted a reflection and exhibition, in honour of the life and contributions of prominent Amerindians and the first indigenous parliamentarian Stephen Campbell.

The ceremony, which was held at the Umana Yana, Kingston, is part of the Amerindian Heritage Month activities being held under the theme “Honouring Our Culture, Advancing Our Future”.

During this tribute, Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai lauded the contributions of Campbell along with former ministers of Amerindian affairs Desrey Fox and Vibert De Souza, along with indigenous advocate Basil Rodrigues.

She urged Guyanese to be acquainted with the level of contributions of these prominent

Amerindians and that “we should not only preserve the culture, but respect and recognise the Amerindians’ contributions to the country’s development”.

“The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs of course will continue to enhance the scholarship programme, and that is why we expect the highest of potential by the students who we assist,” the minister pointed out.

She said that since more opportunities in the education sector are now being provided to indigenous people, they should take advantage of them.

The evening’s activity also included poems, dramatic presentations and indigenous songs paying tribute to the Amerindian advocates.

Amerindians today are represented in all areas of academic disciplines and civil society.

New secondary schools were built in all hinter-

land regions and an increasing number of hinterland children have access to higher education. Amerindians are today more empowered through the opportunities afforded to them.

Stephen Esterban Campbell was born in Moruca on December 26, 1897 to Tiburitio and Maria Campbell. Both of Stephen’s parents died when he was very young and was subsequently raised by his grandmother whom he credited with teaching him the core principles of life; “religion and discipline”.

He attended Santa Rosa Primary School. In 1919, Campbell dedicated his time to teaching basic instructions of literacy to the Wapishianas of the Rupununi.

He was also the founder of the first school in the village of Sawariwau. In 1953, while in the North West District, he worked as an electoral official for

the elections where he served as a presiding officer.

In 1957, Campbell had formally been inducted in the national political life. He joined the National Labour Front (NLF), one of five political parties that competed in the general elections in that year.

He rose to the occasion and defeated his other rivals for the North West District seat and in the process, he was the only man to gain a seat won by the NLF. He was sworn in on September 10, 1957 and at his initial stage of being a legislator, Campbell repeatedly highlighted the need for improved transportation in the remote interior and expansion of agricultural production.

He was also pivotal to the development of improved health facilities in Region One. He died on May 14, 1966.

Linden man in apparent suicide at city hotel – attempt to strangle woman failed

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Linden couple checked into The Shack hotel at Norton Street, Werken-Rust, Georgetown on Wednesday morning, and just over half an hour later, the woman escaped from the room to report that her companion had tried to strangle her.

Shortly after 09:00 hrs, hotel staffers accompanied the woman to Room 12, on the third floor of the edifice, the door was kicked down when the police were summoned; and the man, identified as Egerton Grant, 33, was found motionless in bed.

He is believed to have ingested rat poison after his failed attempt to strangle the woman, whom he had invited to the hotel to resolve their relationship issues.

The body of Grant being removed by undertakers

The couple had reportedly intended to spend the day at the hotel, but things became uncontrollable after

they had a quarrel; and the man, realising that the relationship was in jeopardy, attempted to strangle the woman.

She, however, managed to escape after hitting him in the mid-section, and fled the room to alert hotel staffers of the incident. The police were summoned, and eventually arrived.

The woman was, nevertheless, taken into custody to assist with investigations.

Eyewitnesses said the man’s body also had a cut to the neck, which they believe was self-inflicted.

During a visit to the hotel on Wednesday, a staffer in the bar, located on the ground floor of the three-storey building, said that only the bar was open for business. She admitted that the incident had resulted in management temporarily closing the hotel, since most employees were still in shock.

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By Anu Dev

ell I’ve finally done it. I’ve taken that big step – I’ve enrolled in university. I’m now a med student at UWI Mt Hope, Trinidad.

And I’ve survived my first week here! It’s been a lot to take in adapting to a new country with a culture that’s a bit different from Guyana’s.

Their per capita GNP is three times larger than ours – and it shows! It’s a bit different hearing people all around me speaking in a different accent.

And they have some different names for fruits and even some of the fishes over here, so that’s taking some getting used to. And learning new street names and places – I don’t think I even know all of the street names in Georgetown! I usually just say, “I’m at * insert landmark*”. But I guess the biggest change for me to get used to is the living away from home part. Away from my family, away from the friends I’ve made in Guyana. It’s like starting from scratch – a blank canvas.

After being at the highest level of high school (Upper Six) I’m now starting from the bottom again, except this time I’m in a whole new country.

And it’s the little things that are adding up and becoming the big things. I can’t sleep through my alarm and expect my mom or dad to dash up the stairs to my room to wake me up before I miss the bus. No more just dumping my clothes into my laundry basket and finding them neatly packed away in my drawers.

But there’s that powerful feeling of independence and accomplishment when you manage to wake yourself up on time, when you mange to make your breakfast early enough, when you make it to class five minutes early with your hair neatly combed.

But for the first time, I miss our QC uniform. A little bit. In high school I knew exactly what I’d be wearing the next day. Now I throw open my closet door and hope for something to fall out, neatly pressed and ready for me to wear.

And of course, having lived in Guyana all my life, it’s really different being probably the only Guyanese in year-one of med school – and only one of a handful of Guyanese in med school overall here in Trinidad. I have my Guyana Amazon Warrior flag on my wall though! But thank God for Skype and technology! At least I can still stay connected with my family, see them, and talk to them every day.

But this has just been the first week which has basically been just an orientation week familiarising us with what to expect from our classes and how to get around the massive complex.

Next week the actual work begins.

But Trinidad has been absolutely lovely so far. It’s a nice feeling waking up in the mornings to a view of the mountains from my bedroom window.

And also, I wish the new first-formers in Guyana all the best! They’re about to embark on some of the best years of their lives and they’ve already survived first week which, in some cases, can be one of the biggest hurdles.

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Support for Caricom on punishing Syria without military strikes

Dear Editor, The United States President Barack Obama is dead set on using military strike action against Syrian military installations for the use of chemical weapons two weeks ago and has sought congressional approval for attacking Syria, which has been devastated by two years of civil war.

No doubt, those who used chemical weapons must be punished, but military strikes should not be the only way to punish the perpetrators.

Toward this end, I support the recommendation made by our government and the Caribbean Community (Caricom) to allow the United Nations (UN) to find a way to address the issue. Diplomatic measures should be employed to punish the actors without inflicting

further punishment and suffering on a population via military strikes. We need a peaceful solution to the civil war in Syria. American-led military strikes will kill more people and destroy more infrastructure and will not necessarily destroy chemical weapons and weapons of mass destruction (WMDs).

In addition, there is a possibility of hitting WMD supplies killing many more in the process. And worse, what if in the process of military strikes on Syrian military infrastructure the Bashar al-Assad regime collapses, who will step in to restore order and prevent the rise of Al Qaeda terrorists from taking over?

There is no doubt that WMDs were used in Syria as the UN inspectors and intelli-

gence experts have confirmed.

But it has not been definitively determined who used it and why. The Assad regime had nothing to benefit from using WMDs because it knew it would incur the wrath of the international community.

Thus, it is conceivably possible that WMD was used by forces who want the U.S. to intervene and destroy the Assad military forces. Assad is a dictator who should have been removed from office a long time ago and the Syrian people given a voice on how they are governed. But democratic governance has not been a way of life in Syria or neighbouring countries.

And if the international community is seeking to impose democratic rule in Syria, then the same should be done

in all of the other countries in the region.

Some 1450 lives were lost from the use of chemical weapons on August 21 as compared with some 150,000 who have died during the two years of the civil war and another two million who were displaced living as refugees. Military strikes will not solve the problem of Syria. It will not lead to democratic rule. Syrians need peace and the establishment of a representative government, not more war.

The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has called for fresh talks on Syria, and both Russia and China say they are amenable to a workable solution that does not involve military attacks on Syria. The majority of the G20 countries that met in St Petersberg is also op-

posed to striking Syria and has called for further discussions.

President Obama does not need congressional approval to attack Syria, but wants the blessing of the U.S. Congress for such attacks, just in case something goes wrong, similar to approval for attacks on Afghanistan and Iraq where the U.S. has been in war for 10 years and counting.

The prestige of Obama is on the line and the U.S. Congress will not wish to embarrass the president by voting against his request. But as Caricom has advised, military strikes are not the way to go against Assad. Some other means of punishing those responsible is the right way to handle the situation.

Sincerely, Vishnu Bisram

Domestic violence seems to be defeating us

Dear Editor, It seems as though we are in a crisis. Everyone is pitching in when it comes to combating domestic violence, and in the last month or so, it is like the more we are becoming aware of the scourge, the more it is happening.

Apparently, no one is hitting any right key, and now the American University of Peace Studies is taking a hand. Maybe my little bit will provoke some new and deeper thinking.

I first thought of anger and how deadly deceptive this can be. It simply makes people totally irrational, especially when it reaches what we call the boiling point. William DeFoore, an anger-management

writer, describes anger as a pressure cooker: “We can only apply pressure against our anger for a certain amount of time until it explodes.”

In terms of the body, when we get angry, the heart rate, arterial tension and testosterone production increase, cortisol (the stress hormone) decreases, and the left hemisphere of the brain becomes more stimulated. This is straightforward biology.

In other words, we will do something when we get angry that we would not have normally done.

I think that this is where we need to do some work. It makes a lot of sense to avoid situations that can spur arguments and even practise the slow count to 10 or even the walk-

away thing.

The other thing is the social level and this feeds especially on male egos. Those who experience anger explain its arousal as a result of “what has happened to them” and in most cases the described provocations occur immediately before the anger experience.

Such explanations confirm the illusion that anger has a discrete external cause. The angry persons usually find the cause of their anger in an intentional, personal, and controllable aspect of another person’s behaviour.

This calls for more than the proverbial rain check among the males.

Check the cases of male assault and the reasons are all self-extenua-

PNCR-PPP/C comparison will show the facts Dear Editor, The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) is claiming credit in an area that the party had little or no interest in. It boldly announced that it aided in the development of Amerindian people, during its stint in office, from 1964-1992.

The PNC demitted office in 1992 and this means that in 25 years, nothing visible was done.

Now look where this particular situation is – the actual land demarcation and titling, the Hinterland Scholarship Programme, the Solar Panel Project and the

One Laptop per Family Project.

Today, because of the hard work of the ruling People’s progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/ C) since 1992, Amerindians are enjoying Guyana to the highest level.

We have health facilities and personnel in the interior, input into sports and culture, and even the returning of Indigenous peoples to their villages, to serve, after having been heavily invested in.

Exposing more of the bare-facedness of the PNCR, I have to ask who was responsible for

the near-starvation of Guyana for a very long time? Cost of living was so high, people resorted to all kinds of illegalities and the back-track operation really flourished.

Things like split peas, flour, sardines and even straws for drinking were quite extinct. Someone must now make a table and compare every period and every sector what obtained during the era of the PNCR versus the PPP/ C. The balance sheet will show the reality of how really terrible the PNC was.

Regards, Samuel Gouveia

tion: the women did not cook; she was not faithful; she was flirtatious; she did not listen; or she came back late. Our society has fed the notion that men must regulate women, and even the women have come to accept this.

First we have to

delve into the mind and body and see how these are allowed expressions in society.

That is why we have the conflict of what is legal versus what is immoral and illicit- society condemns what law allows.

One example – noth-

ing is illegal about drinking by females.

But tell that to a man!

So this contradiction must be resolved. The bottom line is that we must curb the scourge and we cannot wait and just theorise.

Yours faithfully, Ursula Scott

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Another 85 Guyanese families get house lots G

uyana’s Central Housing and P l a n n i n g Authority (CHPA) of the housing ministry on Monday continued its housing drive with its second One Stop Shop for the year held in the ministry’s Brickdam compound. Some 85 applicants pulled their lot numbers for plots situated at Zeelugt, Phase 2, East Bank Essequibo.

The 2013 one stop shops are conducted under the theme: “Live the Guyanese dream, home ownership made easier”. Applicants select their house lots, make their payment, and are issued with their allocation letter. At the end of this process, they can have their Agreement of Sale made out and make arrangements to access funds for building their homes.

According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) release, before getting underway with the processing of allocations, Housing Minister Irfaan Ali explained that the previous focus was to consolidate the existing infrastructure in the housing areas to encourage occupancy.

Guyana’s Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali holds the envelope as one applicant draws the number of her new house lot at Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo

Major challenge

He noted that as a result, many housing schemes have seen rapid response to building and construction.

However, the major challenge of electricity supply has seen close

collaboration between the Guyana Power and Light Company and the housing ministry to fast track this aspect. Monday’s One Stop Shop saw the processing of applications made up to, and including 2006.

Government invested Gy$90.5 million in

infrastructure to ensure that the lots are available to benefit 383 persons.

Ali reported that the entire infrastructure has been completed with the exception of electricity, which will be completed early next year, at a cost of Gy$5.160 million.

The total investment will be Gy$95.7 million with an average of Gy$1.75 million per household. Total revenue expected to be garnered by government is Gy$25.5 million, which means that government’s subsidy is Gy$70.2 million or 73.35 per cent.

Ali said too that this displays government’s commitment to providing housing to every segment of society, notwithstanding the difficult political environment that exists in the country. There are plans for a further eight One Stop Shops before the end of the year, to distribute 6000 new house lots. In

September, there will be one for Onderneeming on the Essequibo Coast, while in October, such an exercise will be held for Zeelugt, Phase 3, Lust-en-Rust and Kilcoy/Chesney.

In November, more than 1000 lots will be distributed at the Guyana National Stadium for the Covent Garden Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara.

Three One Stop Shops planned for December will see lots distributed at De Willem and Zeeburg, West Coast Demerara and Providence Phase 3, and Farm Phase 3, East Bank Demerara.

The housing sector has already expended Gy$649.6 million on infrastructural works, which contributed significantly to the development of 2254 new house lots. The ministry distributed 636 house lots, processed 1540 titles and constructed 48 turnkey houses for young professionals.

University of Guyana’s accounts in a mess – UWI auditors find

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ajor financial irregularities have been unearthed at the University of Guyana (UG), Turkeyen Campus following a financial audit conducted by experts from the University of the West Indies (UWI).

In addition to the financial discrepancies, the premier tertiary educational institution has incurred a debt of Gy$482 million. Vice Chancellor Dr Jacob Opadeyi made these disclosures on Tuesday during a press conference at the campus.

Based on the reports submitted from phases one and two of the audit, Dr Opadeyi said the university’s accounting system had collapsed over the years, creating major financial loopholes.

Phase three of the audit was completed last Friday. The report is currently being compiled.

Ghost workers

The vice chancellor said the audit has indicated that there is a total lack of system control in the accounting processes at the university.

It was explained that in December 2012, there were unpresented cheques totalling Gy$19 million, of which Gy$900, 000 is still dated.

It therefore means that cheques were is-

Reconciliation

UG Vice Chancellor Dr Jacob Opadeyi

sued, but staffers failed to uplift their salaries.

“When you are managing a bursary, when you have people not collecting their salaries, within two weeks you must raise and alarm.

The alarm could be, do we have ghost workers?

Why anybody in the current state of Guyana and UG would not collect their salaries?” he asked.

The audit also found 22 other reconciliation differences totalling Gy$8.2 million in cheques, which were drawn during that period August 2012 to December 2012, but were omitted from the general ledger.

A general ledger is a complete record of financial transactions over the life of a company; in this case UG.

As a result, the information presented on the monthly reconciliation of the general account may not be reliable Dr Opadeyi said, noting that the financial documents bear no evidence of review and approval.

“Data can be changed at any time in our accounting system,” he lamented.

It was also pointed out that the Students’ Accounts Management System has major flaws, leaving space for the creation of fictitious figures, noting that there is no audit trail.

“So somebody can just change the student account and we will not know who changed it, when was it changed, why was it changed.

So a student who owes Gy$200, 000, you can go the next day and see you owe zero,” the vice chancellor explained.

The vice chancellor said that he was prompted to conduct an audit into the financial affairs of the university after he observed vivid financial discrepancies shortly after his arrival.

It was based on the findings of the audit, which led to the dismissal of the Bursar John Seeram and the Senior Accountant Hazel Bentick. (Excerpt from Guyana Times)

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10,000 acres of Guyana land for TT farmers - as two countries enter joint farming scheme T

rinidad and Tobago’s Finance Minister Larry Howai on Monday announced in his budget presentation, that 10,000 acres of land in Guyana will be made available for use by local farmers under the terms of a new facility to be administered by the ministry of food production.

The facility is the result of the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Guyana government.

Under the facility, investors will be able to apply to the ministry of food production for licence to use the lands in Guyana.

These applications are to be made in the form of business proposals, which will be evaluated by the ministry. The land must be used for the purposes of food production and to address demand for food locally.

It is expected that the initial amount of land to be made available will be 10,000 acres but this could be increased to 100,000 acres.

In the 2013 Budget, Howai had noted that steps were being taken to establish such a facility.

“The ministry of food production, with agri-

Flashback! This November 2012 photo shows Trinidad and Tobago Food Production Minister Devant Maharaj (fourth from left) and a team from his ministry following a meeting with President Donald Ramotar, Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy and Natural Resources and the Environment Minister Robert Persaud

cultural land becoming less and less available in Trinidad and Tobago, is moving to establish a Food Security Facility with the government of Guyana,” Howai said.

“The Facility would commit both governments to expanding agricultural production in Guyana through the establishment of commercial relationships for funding the establishment of several large agricultural estates in Guyana,” the minister

added.

Win-win situation

Meanwhile, Guyana’s Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy said Monday the investment by TT farmers in food production in Guyana will “be a winwin situation, not only for Trinidad and Tobago, but for Guyana and the entire Caribbean.”

Ramsammy told TT media by telephone from Georgetown, that the provision of arable lands in Guyana is con-

‘Bring down crime’ P

rime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar’s mandate to newly-appointed National Security Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Gary Griffith, is to, “bring crime down; bring it down as fast as you can.” PersadBissessar gave Griffith this mandate last Friday afternoon as he received his instruments of appointment.

At the same time that he was receiving his instruments of appointment, police in central and south Trinidad were probing the unrelated murders of two women, one who was found semi-nude and dead in the forests and the other, who was bludgeoned to death at her home.

Speaking after Griffith was sworn in at the Office of the President in St Ann’s, Persad-Bissessar told reporters, “I told minister (Griffith) you better smile while you’re taking this photo, it might be your last smile.”

Confident that Griffith, who has a military background and a

master’s degree in criminology, can make a dent in the crime situation, Persad-Bissessar said Griffith is versed in many of the projects and plans the government has to deliver in this fiscal year, having also been a security advisor for government over the past three years.

“There are several projects we want to get off the ground and he has the will- power and drive to do it,” she said.

Of his new appointment, Griffith said he has no intention of asking for a honeymoon period. “I do not need a honeymoon.

I am already married. I intend to hit the ground running.”

Stating he has no intention of politicising crime, he urged all political parties and non-governmental organisations to come to the table to tackle the issue of crime and security head on.

He said former security minister Emmanuel George, had left him a good foundation on which to continue building. Knowing most of the lead individuals in the

protective services because of his background, Griffith said, “gives me a head start.”

Asked if he has a crime plan, Griffith said, “We are not going

sistent with the “Jagdeo Initiative” which invites Caricom nationals to invest in agriculture to ensure food security and reduce the region’s high food import bill.

TT’s annual food import bill is pegged at US$4 billion. The areas under discussion, Ramsammy said, are for aqua-culture, and the production of rice, vegetables, and livestock.

TT’s annual fish import bill, he said, is in the region of US$100 million.

Jagdeo Initiative at work

The Jagdeo Initiative takes its name from Guyana’s former President Bharrat Jagdeo, who in 2003 as lead head of government for Agriculture in Caricom, proposed that Guyana will make available lands for farming to any Caricom national willing to invest in food production to create a more competitive and sustainable agricultural sector in the region by 2015. Over the past year,

Ramsammy said that technical teams from TT have visited Guyana to assess the potential and situation on the ground.

What the investors would want to produce, he said, would determine where the investment would be located.

Apart from the production of rice, he said that one or two TT investors are also interested in the production of corn and soya as stock for livestock and poultry feeds.

Because the mechanisms were not in place, he said the investments are still pending. If the region can produce its own corn and soya for stock feeds, he said that the price of poultry and livestock will also reduce.

In the same way the Simpson family of Barbados in 2011 invested initially in 10,000 acres in Guyana, and has this year taken an additional 20,000 acres, Ramsammy said the acreage will be increased incrementally to 100,000 acres for TT investment. The Simpson family investment at Santa Fe in the Rupununi is in rice, cassava, corn and soya. All are for export. (Excerpt from TT Newsday)

- PM Kamla charges TT’s new national security minister to have anti-crime plans based on ideas, hit and hope. It is going to be clinical, based on data, analysing threat assessments and then implementing anti-crime

strategies.”

On how he will deal with rogue police officers, Griffith said policing is a contract of trust between citizens and law enforcement.

If the two cannot trust each other and if it involves putting in place mechanisms to bring back that trust, Griffith said, “then so be it.” (TT Newsday)

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‘Destination Guyana’ continues to gain momentum Read a book...

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G

uyana is attracting increasing attention from its Dutch neighbour, Suriname, as close to 200 tourists have arrived in the country over the last few days.

Last evening another group of 40 Surinamese/ Dutch guests arrived in Guyana as part of a tour group, organised by one of the Tourism Ministry’s partners, Garage Tour Company.

Whether it’s the allure of the food, festivities or simply the fascinating people, the relationship between the two South American neighbours continue to be further cemented as Guyana’s tourism product takes center stage.

A mere two days ago, a contingent of

A group of Surinamese tourists in Guyana

120 Surinamese tourists, comprising of Girl Scouts and visitors arrived in Guyana and will be occupied over the next few days as they participate in scheduled tours and additional cultural activities.

They were part of an excursion organised by the Garage Tour Company of Suriname, and will be experiencing the country’s rich cultural heritage; the many historical sites in Georgetown and the Essequibo Islands, the country’s flora and fauna, the exotic cuisines, along with the pulsating nighttime entertainment.

This particular tour company, owned and operated by Mr. V Premnauth has been

collaborating with the Ministry of Tourism and has been bringing over 40 visitors in Guyana on a weekly basis. Given this reality and the success of past partnerships, Guyana’s Tourism Minister, Irfaan Ali has pledged to further cement this and other such relationships, to quadruple this amount by the end of the year.

With an estimated 2000 Surinamese and Dutch residents crossing Guyana’s borders on a monthly basis, packages and programmes are currently being designed, along with the private sector to increase this already impressive figure.

And with a multiplicity of events looming on the horizon, includ-

ing GuyExpo 2013, Rock Stone Fish festival and Motor Racing, it is anticipated that an influx of visitors from around the world, will visit the country.

The drive to support local businesses has been strengthened by the tourism minister’s pledge to work along with the small hotels in an effort to boost occupancy. Already there have been reports of smaller establishments operating at full capacity.

Earlier last month, the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) welcomed over 300 visitors from Suriname and Holland at Moleson Creek, Region Six, after they disembarked the Canawaima ferry. (GTA)

atiricus always liked books. But from an early age he suspected books didn’t like him. But he persisted.

And he figured he could read most books pretty good – once they were about people. Satiricus liked reading about people. His goal was to read people like a book. So at 11: 00h last Monday, when Education Minister Priya Manickchand called on everyone to read a book, Satiricus decided to read the Jhaat. Like a book.

My life as a Jhaat Me name Rum Jhaat. Ah use to be in the PPEE. But then Ah hang me hat where me hand cyaan reach. And ah had to leave without the hat. Ah get the hat after ah turn lawyer and ah think it gonna make me leader.

Burnham was a lawyer, no? Well, at least ah think it gonna make me rich. And then ah could be leader. So ah use the PPEE name to get all kinda clients from the countryside.

But no matter how hard ah try, no body see me like a big time lawyer. Like the Doods. Is all kinda small cases ah getting. But ah stick it out in the PPEE or else it was gonna be starvation time.

And ah became a drinker.

Also, because ah figure with all them old men around, when the Big Man gone, ah woulda get me chance.

But what mek me real vex was when the Old Lady pick Jagdesh over me for president. The man younger than me!!! OK. So she did bail me out a couple of times when some country people complain to she that ah overcharge them. OK. More than a couple of times. You got to catch you hand when you can catch you hand.

Ah so vex ah wanted to flounce out right away. But ah remember ah coulda get another duty-free car. So ah didn’t move from me PPEE seat until ah get me car and ah sell the other one for a good profit. In the meantime, ah start to carry news to the Americans. What ah didn’t hear, ah mek up. The Americans like juicy gossip.

Then the Americans hook me with The TrotMan. They fund we and lend we a fella doing polling by the name of “Dick”. He tell we that we gonna win the election. And we believe he. Ah buy a new suit for the swearing in.

Ah cuss too bad when all we get was a handful of seats. But at least ah coulda get a new duty free car.

The next election me old buddy Naga Man join we.

And NoGel, who always used to look down he nose at me as a lawyer. Ah could never figure out why he join we.

But now ah know: was to earn US$ 5 million as a spy in we KFC party.

And what hurt me more than anything is he didn’t share a cent with me. So now ah lose corn and husk... because everybody laughing at we.

Is back to hustling clients from the countryside.

The end

Guyana set to host ‘special’ Caribbean Week of Agriculture

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uyana will host from October 5 to 12, the twelfth edition of the region’s premier agriculture event, Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA).

“We are now at the stage of implementation; we went through a lot of time planning because we wanted to make this a special Caribbean Week of Agriculture,” Minister of Agriculture Dr. Leslie Ramsammy said.

There will be 40 science sessions to mark the week-long celebrations, and several workshops including one on monitoring and management pest population under a changing climate, and another on the development of the coconut industry in the Caribbean.

Several meetings are scheduled including with the Council for Trade and Economic Development

(COTED) on Agriculture, Organisation of Eastern Caribbean State (OECS) and Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) Ministers, and Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI).

There will, as well, be forums on Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Food Prices and FAO Food Security Policy, and Agro-tourism among others that will benefit Guyanese farmers, students at the University of Guyana and the Guyana School of Agriculture among others.

Minister Ramsammy said that “these sessions would sometimes be going concurrently. So you will have different rooms with different meetings and farmers and technical people can choose which meeting they are

Minister of Agriculture Dr. Leslie Ramsammy

going to.”

From October 9-12,

an Exhibition and Trade Show will be staged.

Minister Ramsammy said that thus far the ministry has received commitment of participation from 11 exhibitors outside of Guyana.

The exhibition will have some competition for local exhibitors because of the hosting of GuyExpo.

That event however, will wrap up just two days before CWA’s exhibition is scheduled to open and Minister Ramsammy expressed hope that this would allow enough time for the local exhibitors to get involved. He said that the ministry is hoping for at least 20 local exhibitors’ participation.

“So we are expecting a high quality, a big reception for Caribbean Week of Agriculture. Already several ministers from the Caribbean have committed to come. We also are expecting for the first time at a Caribbean

Week of Agriculture visitors from the Pacific; at least three ministers have requested that they might want to come, and the regional director from FAO will be coming to Guyana,” Minister Ramsammy said.

“It is a great time for us, not only to show what we are doing, but for the Caribbean to show how it is securing its food and how we are engaging in using agriculture to address other needs.”

The Caribbean Week of Agriculture brings together stakeholders for activities to promote agriculture and agri-industry via policy dialoguing, learning sessions and an exhibition showcasing the sector.

The 2013 CWA will be held under the theme ‘Linking the Caribbean for Regional Food and Nutrition Security and Rural development.”

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Bronze monument to East Indian immigrants to be built at Palmyra, Berbice T he design of the May 5 Monument, intended to commemorate the arrival of the first East Indian immigrants to Guyana has been selected and the winning entrants were presented with a Gy$ 500,000 cheque

by Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony on Monday.

The winning design crafted by Philbert Gajadhar and Winslow Craig, was one of five entries submitted for judging by a panel which consisted of Tota Mangar, Colonel Linden Ross, Naudia Madhoo, Neaz Subhan and Ivor Thom.

Minister Anthony congratulated the winning duo, who have collaborated on other works, and said that the judging for the designs which had to meet certain criteria was very close. The monument was originally earmarked to be placed at the Highbury Plantation, the first landing spot for East Indian immigrants, however, it was then decided that it should be placed at a location that is more travelled.

Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony hands over the cheque to sculptors Philbert Gajadhar and Winslow Craig as Director of Culture Dr James Rose and Permanent Secretary Alfred King look on

The minister said that after consultations with the Region Six Regional Democratic Council, it was decided that Palmyra, at the head of the junction, east of the Berbice River Bridge was a suitable location.

“The land where we thought would be a good site is owned by GuySuCo, and we have since spoken to them and we are now finalising the

paper work. They have agreed that they would be giving us two acres of land in that area to develop this monument site… suitable landscaping will also be undertaken,” Minister Anthony said.

The monument will be sculpted in bronze, 12 feet high, 12 feet wide, double life size, and mounted on a nine-foot high base.

Describing the sculp-

ture, a model of which was on display, Gajadhar said, “It shows six figures in a forward thrust, it describes the lives of ordinary Indian people in their routine of everyday life with each carrying something of importance.

"Their jahaji bhandal (ship bundle) loaded with food, spices, herbs, clothing, jewellery, their gods etcetera, religious texts, drum, karaahi,(cooking pan) tawa, (flat circular

metal for cooking roti) grass knives (scythe), cutlass and rice plants.

The figures are presented in a straightforward realism with the human factor ever present.

They are being led by Ram and Khan, the first two Indians to set foot in Guyana,” he said.

He said the leading figure gestures “behold”, while the second with hand resting on the shoulder of the first,

looks back urging the others on.

“The relationship of the figures become increasingly complex as the viewer’s eyes move from the base to the heads. The rhythms of the figures are parallel and give a sense of quickening motion which conveys strong emotion,” Gajadhar said.

He added that the monument touches on national and ancestral interests, “containing some of the visual symbols associated with conditions that often beset man and presents to us a segment of reality which ties our own lives to history that is reflected in the immediate drama of contemporary living”.

The monument should be completed within two to three years, once all arrangements are put in place.

During the period 1838 and 1917, 238,000 East Indians came to Guyana as indentured servants.

Approximately 75,000 were repatriated, but the others remained to contribute significantly to the nation’s development.

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Natural Resources Ministry to unveil strategic plan T

he Natural Resources and Environment Ministry is currently in the process of finalising its first strategic plan as it takes into consideration mining, forestry, environmental protection and protected areas management. But even as the ministry adds the finishing touches to this crucial document, it is negotiating with the European Union (EU) on the formulation of a Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA).

In 2003, the EU adopted its FLEGT action plan after considering the increasing public concern with the social, economic and environmental consequences of illegal logging and related trade worldwide.

The establishment of bilateral VPA’s between the EU and timber-producing countries such as Guyana formed a critical part of the action plan.

According to Natural Resources and

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud holding the first meeting with the Multi-stakeholder Group members back in February

Environment Minister Robert Persaud, negotiations on the FLEGT VPA only commenced after widespread consultations with key stakeholders. “We have developed a detailed roadmap with the assistance of local and internation-

al stakeholders and set an ambitious timeline of September for effective implementation,” he reported during the opening ceremony of the 28th Session of the Latin American and Caribbean Forestry Commission (LACFC).

Guyana boasts of having approximately 18.3 million hectares of tropical rainforest, covering approximately 87 per cent of the country’s 21.1 million hectares.

But sustainable economic growth in the forestry sector can be crip-

pled with illegal logging which can also cause social and environmental problems; hence, strong governance, sustainable forest management and forest legality are critical for the industry.

Feasibility study

Simultaneously, the

country is conducting a feasibility study on the benefits to derive from the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) in the mining sector.

According to the natural resources and the environment minister, the initiative will assist Guyana in making informed decisions.

“These along with other programmes such as Independent Forest Monitoring and various certification or accreditation schemes are all new initiatives that we now undertake that need to be cast in a regional context as we seek to build synergies in our approaches.”

In February, a Multistakeholder Group (MSG) was established by the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry. The MSG has the mandate to promote a high-level of transparency within the mining sector, but is instrumental in preparing the country’s candidacy for the EITI global transparency standard.

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Ramotar talks up Guyana’s forest conservation efforts

BY SVETLANA MARSHALL

T

he 28th Session of the Latin American and Caribbean Forestry Commission (LACFC) opened on Monday in Guyana at the Guyana International Conference Centre, with more than 40 regional forestry experts in attendance.

Delivering the feature address, President Donald Ramotar said Guyana continues to play a leading role in the forestry sector as he alluded to the country’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), an initiative implemented by his predecessor Bharrat Jagdeo.

The LCDS is a national framework that utilises one of the first national-scale REDDplus systems in the world that creates an avenue for Guyana to receive financial support for its contribution to reducing emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) as defined in the Bali Action Plan.

“In Guyana, we have taken our work on for-

President Donald Ramotar greeting FAO Assistant Director General Edurado Rojas in the presence of Natural Resources and the Environment Minister Robert Persaud

est beyond the traditional sectors and have been engaged in a globally recognised programme for payments for forestbased services, namely forest carbon.

“Part of this programme includes Guyana’s partnership with the Kingdom of Norway and the establishment of a world-class partnership to demonstrate a workable solution to the global problem of climate change which brings with it severe challenges to sus-

tainable development,” President Ramotar explained.

He said the LCDS has laid a platform for other countries to follow suit by establishing similar initiatives to receive payments for ecosystem services, in particular forest carbon.

Such initiatives can aid in the transformation of economies with financial resources channelled toward sustainable development.

Turning his attention to the more than 40

forest experts from the Caribbean and Latin America, President Ramotar said the forum is an open space for technical discussions to unfold as issues affecting

the regional forest sector are addressed.

He said too that the staging of the 28th Session of the LACFC comes as an opportune time as both the global and regional levels. “At the global level, we have seen increasing emphasis on the role of forest in economic development, with tremendous importance placed on furthering such development in the context of strong environmental management and stewardship.”

At the regional level, the head-of-state said advocacy within the trade and multilateral arena is very evident, noting that Guyana has a strong role in the work of key regional bodies, such as Caricom, the Amazon Corporation Treaty Organisation (ACTO), the Union of

South American Nations (UNASUR), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

Meanwhile, on the local arena, President Ramotar said the forestry sector has made significant contribution to the economy, pointing out that Guyana has recorded consistent growth over the last five years, despite a challenging global economic climate.

At mid-year, the domestic economy continued the trend of uninterrupted positive growth, with real Gross Domestic Product expanding by 3.9 per cent.

According to the president, this trend of success is linked to the implementation of macroeconomic policies and a diverse economic base.

Youths viewing some of the exhibits on display at the Guyana International Conference Centre

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“Guyana’s housing drive is a success story” – PM Gonsalves - Could be used as a model for the region

velopment cooperation does good work, but also there is scope for private sector development and they have the liquidity and there are opportunities, obviously, you will get a greater return than if you leave your money in the bank… the people also from the private sector who are investing, I would like some of them to come to St Vincent to assist with the investment programme for housing,” he stated.

New vision

Minister Ali acknowledged Dr Gonsalves’ role in spearheading a new vision of the region and to leading the whole proHousing Minister Irfaan Ali accompanies St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves on a tour of one of the homes in Eccles

G

uyana’s housing development is an extraordinary one and should be shared with the region, St Vincent Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves said on Tuesday during a tour of the East Bank Demerara corridor to witness the many housing schemes there.“I do not know of any programme of this magnitude anywhere else in the Caribbean; in the Eastern Caribbean and the OECS,” Dr Gonsalves was quoted in a Housing Ministry report as saying.

During the visit to several schemes along the East Bank, including Eccles, Mocha Arcadia and Providence, accompanied by Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali, the Vincentian leader lauded the policies

and initiatives undertaken by the government to make access to housing affordable for its citizens.

Extraordinary

He explained, “We, in St Vincent and the Grenadines, we are reputed to have the best housing programme, but this one, the scale of it, because of the amount of vacant lands you have is extraordinary, and the prices are very good. It is only because of the cross subsidy, the people of Guyana – I don’t know if they fully appreciate what they have here”.

According to Dr Gonsalves, the developmental model being adopted in Guyana also allows for the integration of private sector development, taking into consideration low-middle-income and middle-income

Five ‘Houses of Justice’ launched in Region Three

T

he Home Affairs Ministry on Wednesday officially launched the Houses of Justice project at the West Demerara Secondary School, Region Three. This is the first of 10 such bodies that will be established across Regions Two and Three.

Houses of Justice are multi-agency service centers that will be established in communities and will be geared to address pressing social needs of citizens at the community level; thereby improving access to public service.

It brings together, in its initial stage, six agen-

cies that will be providing vital public services to citizens at the community level; offering much more convenient setting and eliminating the usual hassles people face in acquiring such services.

These agencies are the Guyana Police Force (GPF), General Register Office (GRO), National Insurance Scheme (NIS), Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc., the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security and the Community Policing Secretariat.

Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee continued on page 26

settlements.

Alluding to the significance of this, Prime Minister Gonsalves said, “I like the idea because of the amount of space you have, you can integrate private sector development houses of a bigger kind with the low-middle-income and middle-income houses.

Obviously, when they are integrated, they will give a particular effect; it’s extraordinary and this is a success story that must be told to the region.”

Testimony to his confidence and belief in the model, Dr Gonsalves extended an invitation for local private developers to travel to St Vincent and to work towards further enhancing the housing development there.

“The state-owned housing and land de-

cess of integration.

“I am very delighted that Dr Gonsalves himself is leading this effort at looking at examples within countries and to see how we can apply different examples in the region to further strengthen our programme.

"Many people may not know but Dr Gonsalves has a very, very strong social programme in St Vincent and the Grenadines, and that is one country within the region that has consistently done well and has been able to bridge the income gap, the equality gap very nicely”, Ali said.

As to the outcome of the visit to the various housing developments, Minister Ali expressed gratitude to the St Vincent Prime Minister for opening the way for the sharing of information and possible integration.

"We are looking to collaborate to have a St Vincent investment forum for GuyExpo and this is how the region should work together so that we can ensure that the liquidity and the capital within the region stays within the region so that we can build the region with each other’s strengths,” Ali said.

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Guyana to unveil new strategic plan aimed at increasing literacy rates

BY VAHNU MANIKCHAND

E

d u c a t i o n Minister Priya Manickchand said when it comes to literacy among children, Guyana is not in a “terrible place”.

The minister made the comment on Monday as Guyana joined the rest of the world in observance of International Literacy Day under the theme “Literacies for the 21st Century”.

The ministry in an effort to increase literacy in Guyana, handed out free books to the public on Monday. This was done across the country through the ministry’s “Drop everything and read” and “Give a book” campaigns.

The ministry had asked Guyanese to stop whatever they were doing at 11: 00h on Monday and read for 15 minutes.

The ministry had also encouraged persons to give a book to another as part of the campaign.

Response

For the most part of Monday morning, Manickchand visited several sites around Georgetown where tents

Guyanese browsing through the various books being distributed outside of the Education Ministry

were set up and she met with adults and children, encouraging them to read. Manickchand said the response from the public to the campaign was overwhelming.

She noted that this is

not the end of the ministry’s literacy drive since it will be implementing a new 2014 strategic plan aimed at increasing the country’s literacy rate.

“We are going to be unveiling in 2014, a new

Biker’s murderer may have skipped country - Wanted bulletin issued and father were at home.

Fatal night

H

Randy Jagdeo

Kirk Davis

ours after acting Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell released the identity of the alleged gunman who shot and killed super biker Kirk Davis in Eccles; the police on Monday issued a wanted bulletin for the 28-year-old businessman.

Randy Jagdeo of Lot 159 Third Street, Alexander Village, who allegedly committed the act on September 3, has since been on the run and is believed to have left the country. According to new information reaching Guyana Times

International, moments after the biker’s execution, the businessman was seen at a popular drinking spot on Sherriff Street acting in a normal manner. A close friend of both of the men reportedly approached Jagdeo, informing him of Davis’ demise, thinking that the businessman was not aware.

After receiving word that Jagdeo was the alleged killer, police searched his Alexander Village home with the hope of arresting him, but they were unsuccessful. At the time of the search, Jagdeo’s sister

His wife, who was also shot on the fatal night, remains a patient at a city hospital and is recuperating speedily, but is reportedly fearful for her life. In light of the incident, the immediate family of Jagdeo reportedly visited the woman at the hospital and demanded that she does not make contact with them or even visit the house, claiming that all her rights were gone with the slain biker.

Davis and Jagdeo were good friends and the incident has drawn a lot speculation as to the motive behind the killing. Despite several attempts to apprehend the businessman; his family remains tightlipped, claiming that they have not heard from nor seen him since the shooting.

However, his friends thought that since the sudden passing of the businessman’s mother and brother last year, continued on page 24

strategic action plan where we are going to detail for the population how is it we intend to make literacy programmes accessible to both children in the classroom and people who can-

not be there,” said the minister.

The education minister further stated that she is aware that there some areas that needs to be reviewed in terms of students’ literacy perfor-

mance; however, she noted that Guyana is not in a terrible place as it relates to literacy among children.

She said that she is pleased that persons are willing to participate in making Guyana more literate. “I believe that there is much we can do and much we can be doing from the ministry.

We are not just going to pelt a plan out there, we are going to have particular outcomes that we will look for and we will measure to see if we are getting where we want to from year to year,” Manickchand stated.

The minister encouraged all Guyanese to read as there are a lot of materials available, adding that the Internet can also be used to improve literacy skills. Manikchand is urging parents to encourage their children to read.

“If you have the skills of being able to read then make sure you use it sensibly and wisely. As parents, read to your children and if you cannot read, then sit with them for at least 15 to 20 minutes and let then read to you,” the education minister urged.

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“I want to be part of the economic explosion in Guyana” – Surinamese businessman

G

uyana’s economy is looking more lucrative to foreign investors as their numbers are increasing, this time with another Surinamese businessman taking the plunge in the local mining sector by investing millions of dollars in expanding his mining supplies company.

Located at Forshaw and Oronoque streets in Georgetown, HFD Mining Supplies is a subsidiary of a Surinamebased company specialising in supplying mining equipment throughout South America.

Mining sector

Owner

of

HFD

ing sector each year despite the fluctuation of the gold price; hence, his decision to enter the Guyanese market.

He added that his company is also the supplier of high-quality mining equipment imported from Brazil.

Dawson noted that his venture was made possible with the partnership of three other Surinamese investors.

He pointed out that the products offered by his company are compatibly priced with the local market, while noting that he is not looking for huge turnovers but to serve the needs of the mining sector fairly,

he had his eyes on the Guyana market for some time now, but had to go through all the procedures before he could have set up shop. He noted that finding a suitable location and acquiring property were the two major factors he had to deal with.

Great job

“For businesses like this, we needed a property with a lot of volume, you have to look at the right building for you to set up your business and once you have that, it gets easy because the government is doing a great job for foreign investors,” Dawson stated.

He disclosed that now

The newly-commissioned HFD Mining Supplies store in Queenstown, Georgetown

Mining Supplies, Karel Dawson said he has been exporting high-tech gold detectors to Guyana for years and has observed the growth of the min-

while providing employment for Guyanese in the process.

Dawson, whose Suriname business is 20 years old, noted that

his business is in full swing, he will be looking to open sites in mining areas so that products can be readily available to miners when they

Surinamese businessman Karel Dawson and his wife, Jane (left), along with Natural Resources Minister Robert Persaud, local businessman Captain Gerry Gouveia and other attendees, at the ceremonial ribbon-cutting to open HFD Mining Supplies on Sunday

are in need, rather than having to source them from Georgetown. The businessman noted that while security will remain a concern, businesses always go with risks.

Dawson told the small gathering at the opening ceremony of his company on Sunday that he feels at home when he is in Guyana because of the close relationship and similarities between the two countries.

He noted that his move into the Guyanese market is because of the local economic explosion over the decade.

“What’s happening here is not only an investment for me but a realisation of the dream of being a part of the continued economic explosion taking place in Guyana,” he stated.

He commended the government for the procedures in place, which he said are convenient and efficient.

Attending the opening ceremony was Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud, who expressed his delight in seeing more Surinamese investors entering Guyana’s market.

He advised that Guyana’s private sector reciprocate and also look for opportunities in the neighbouring country.

Persaud said that investments such as this will strengthen the countries’ relationship. “The relationship between Guyana and Suriname is healthy, and it is our intention as the government to ensure that we maintain that good relationship and that at

the end of the day, we make it possible for the business communities or even our political leaders to build on the successes we had so far,” the minister noted.

Expanding sector

He pointed out that Guyana has a dynamic mining sector, which is expanding and growing technologically, thus, the need for better environmental practices.

The minister disclosed that currently, there are 16,000 dredges in Guyana and close to 10,000 licensed operations, which is testimony to the success of the sector.

Minister Persaud urged the businessman to treat Guyanese miners fairly and not exploit them since the success of his business is linked to the miners.

Roraima says it was duped into hiring Lynch

F

ormer Guyanese Beauty Queen Carolan Lynch, who is wanted by the police for further questioning into the murder of her husband, Swiss House Cambio proprietor Farouk Razac, worked with Roraima Airways, Eping Avenue, Bel Air, Georgetown office as a temporary staff, the company said on Monday.

Days after the police issued a second wanted bulletin, Roraima Airways issued a statement saying that the former beauty queen was a temporary staff in a supervisory capacity.

Lynch was hired under the context that the case against her was dismissed and that the company was not aware that there was a current arrest warrant issued for her.

Upon her employment, she

also confirmed with the company’s Human Resources Department that all legal matters against her were dismissed by the High Court.

During the interview as well, her address stated on her application form was confirmed by officials as her current place of abode.

The release stated that in keeping with the role of the Sentence Management Board, whose function and role is related to the rehabilitation of prisoners and their reintegration into society; Roraima Airways embraces the role of the private sector in creating those second chances.

“We therefore, support the work of the Sentence Management Board in this regard as part of our corporate social responsibility,”

Carolan Lynch

the release added.

The board is headed by Captain Gerry Gouveia, who is also the chairman of the Roraima Group of Companies.

When contacted, Gouveia reiterated that the he was not aware that the murder case against the former beauty queen is still pending until he saw a wanted bulletin over the week-end.

He confirmed that Lynch worked for a few months as a temporary staff, noting that she is no longer employed with the company.

The chairman also explained that presently, he is unaware of the woman’s whereabouts, but he would like to urge Lynch to report to the police with immediate effect.

Lynch was charged in May 2007 with the murder of Cambio boss Farouk Razac, who was found dead on the floor of their Eping Avenue, Bel Air home.

Evidence provided to the

investigators stated that upon his discovery, he was bleeding through his nose and mouth and his hands were at his neck. The autopsy confirmed that the businessman was strangled to death.

In 2008, the former beauty queen was discharged after Magistrate Gordon Gilhuys found that a prima facia case was not established. She was later arrested after the initially wanted bulletin was issued.

At the time of the businessman’s murder, his life was insured for US$ 1 million, leaving relatives to believe the former beauty queen killed him for the money. She has since denied all allegations, claiming that she found him lying on the ground and contacted law enforcement officers.

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Guyana, Brazil delegations to meet on major development projects

G

uyanese officials and their Brazilian counterparts are scheduled to meet for another round of talks this month at the level of the GuyanaBrazil Joint Commission on Infrastructure Development as both countries seek to expedite the process of deepening bilateral cooperation.

This was highlighted

by Brazilian Ambassador to Guyana Luiz Seixas De Andrade during a reception to observe the 191st anniversary of the Federative Republic of Brazil, at the Brazilian Embassy last Friday evening.

The joint commission meeting will prioritise the move to pave the long stretch of road from Linden to Lethem, establish a deep water harbour and evaluate the possibilities of a hydro power plant to supply energy to

both countries.

The first meeting of the Working Group on Infrastructural Projects was held in February after a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Guyana’s Foreign Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and Brazil’s External Relations Minister Antonio Patriota that brought it into being in December last year.

The priority areas are what both countries see as prerequisites to the opening up of new avenues to promote investment and build economic and trade relations between the two neighbouring countries.

The fulfillment of a commitment at the level of the working group to conclude proposals in July this year, relevant to implementing the major infrastructural projects was welcomed by President Ramotar.

Deepwater Harbour

Brazilian Ambassador to Guyana Luiz Seixas De Andrade speaking at the 191st anniversary of the Federative Republic of Brazil

“It is envisaged that this enhanced partnership between our two countries will not only increase the prosperity of our two peoples, but would also redound to the benefits of the region as a whole. Our infrastructure projects, while of national significance will form part of the wider South American physical integration programme,”

President Ramotar said at the reception.

Improving the Linden-Lethem Road has been in the making since former Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula Da Silva promised to support the effort when the bridge across the Takutu River separating the two countries was commissioned in 2009.

A deepwater harbour and hydroelectricity were the other priority areas, the two countries had also agreed during bilateral discussions.

Having partnered in military, security, agriculture and aquaculture at the bilateral level and shared the same vision for development at the level of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organisation (ACTO) and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), both countries are optimistic about the future.

Guyana became an associate member of Mercusor, after signing a framework association agreement, and according to the Brazilian ambassador, this step will “certainly open more opportunities for the de-

velopment of Guyana’s trade and economic ties with Brazil and with all other member states of the trading bloc”.

The Guyana government has promised to deepen its involvement in Mercusor, when President Ramotar met South American leaders at a summit in Brasilia last December. Mercusor is a regional trade agreement among Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.

The Guyanese head of state believes the agendas of both Caricom and Mercusor are inseparable and inextricably linked.

Optimistic that Guyana can achieve its development goals through alliances with other countries, President Ramotar is pleased with the significant advances that have been made between Guyana and Brazil within the last few years.

“Learn lessons from our history” – Ramotar urges PYO members

T

he contributions made by the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO) were lauded by President Donald Ramotar during a function to mark the group’s 61st anniversary at Red House, Kingston on Friday.

The head-of-state recounted the history of how the ruling party’s youth arm was founded and the various struggles it faced during the decade, from being banned at one time to the lives such as those of Michael Forde and others lost in the fight for democracy over the past decades.

The PYO’s membership was called on by the president to, “learn lessons from our history, learn your politics, know and understand the machinations of those who oppose development of our country”.

The participants were also urged to volunteer their services in various sectors and to encourage others to do so as it builds character.

The president recalled that on a trip a few weeks ago to Rewa in the Rupununi Savannahs, he encountered several foreigners who were volunteering in some of the communities. He noted that they all came from various nations to serve in Guyana and questioned why more educated Guyanese did not fol-

Dem who nah hear does got to feel

O President Donald Ramotar sticking the Progressive Youth Organisation’s 61st anniversary cake with several members

low these examples.

President Ramotar urged the group’s members to remember, however, that much work needs to be done and said that they must remain vigilant every day as the fight to protect the nation’s democracy was an ongoing one.

The organisation was established in 1952, through a decision at the second party congress of the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP).

This was done according to the president, “So that by time they came in to the party, they would have had political experience and they would have been able to understand political activities and politics itself to do some studying in

that regard”.

The name of the organisation at the time of its founding was the Pioneer Youth League of British Guiana, with Brindley Benn as the secretary. In February 1953, the Pioneer Youth League became an affiliate of the World Federation of Democratic Youth before changing its name to the Progressive Youth Organisation.

Banned

It was recalled by the president, that soon after its founding, the organisation was banned along with several other organisations, but it still sprang up from time to time under names such as the Demerara Youth League and other differ-

ent names to try and carry out its activities. This was a time, the president said, that members of the party were able to move about freely, hence the youth arm had a vital role to play in spreading its messages to supporters.

The period of the 1960s was viewed as another “glorious period for the PYO”, said the president, as it was a fight for political independence.

“We were coming under tremendous attack from the colonial powers that be and the powers of the world at that time.

Because of the cold war and the hysteria created about communism, they did not want to give independence under the PPP,” Ramotar said.

ld people does seh when people nah hear dem got to feel. Well, that is how some people does behave even to this day. Even some countries and guvaments does behave like that. It got some political parties stay like that too.

And some party leaders. Dem does don’t like fuh hear so dem does got to feel. At first, every ting does feel nice and soft. After that is de hard part.

Even Bush and Blair didn’t hear when de rest of de world tell dem not to bomb down Iraq. Now dem feelin it hard everywhere in de Middle East and in dem own backyard. This time dem gon feel it more hard wid Syria.

It got some people like de old Rams and Freddie Kissmansoon who does like de hard part. De Kissman like de hard part so much that he even kiss another man to get it. De two old Rams, however, very happy wid one another. Dem don’t friend out like de Kissman. Dem happy to kiss one another only and just wait fuh de hard part.

No Gel Hugly was one of dem who didn’t like fuh hear and he had to feel it hard. De only ting that feel it good was he bank account. He feel it so hard he had to turn round and bow out. Ducktor Rose and Hardish Singh seh No Gel gon can’t get straight fuh a long time.

Is only now No Gel bowin down and walkin backto-back to Rum Jhaat and Naga Man. Well, Naga Man is a donkey man already. So he gon be waitin fuh No Gel back-to-back to he. After all, is both of dem want to be on top. So Rum Jhaat gon have a lotta climbin to do.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling… friend tell friend… mattie tell mattie! Cat Hugly in de same boat wid No Gel too.

But wid No Gel still back-to-back, it gon tek a while fuh she to feel it hard. He gon tek all de hardness fuh she.

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The search for oil continues - Repsol commences seismic surveys in Kanuku Block

I

Natural Resources and the Environment Minister Robert Persaud listens to an official onboard the Polarcus

n its quest to discover oil in Guyana, Spanish oil exploration giant Repsol has invested US$ 35 million to carry out a 2D and 3D seismic survey in the Kanuku Block.

Seismic vessel, the Polarcus Asima, has been hired by the company to do the surveys.

The vessel which arrived in Guyana last week is outfitted with state-ofthe-art equipment and manned by a crew of 58 competent persons.

During a tour of the vessel on Saturday, Repsol Atlantic Basins Exploration Manager Allan Kean said the company will take advantage of the old data shot in 2008 in the area, merge it with the new data gained and reprocess it altogether to hopefully get the highest imaging resolution possible so that it could identify the location most likely to have oil.

After the final results, Repsol will then decide if it will invest another US$ 200 million to drill a well in the identified area.

Kean stated that it will take about nine months for the final processing of the data, add-

ing that “by the end of next year 2014, we will know what direction we will be taking”.

He said this bit of information will help to make recommendations to the upper hierarchy of Repsol to determine whether to move forward. Repsol will also be receiving daily report on the progress of works from the Polarcus so

was present at the tour, said the initiative is a step closer to discovering oil in Guyana, which studies have shown has a high possibility.

The minister said he is happy that there is now mobilisation of the vessel, which he noted has some of the best technologies in the business. “The key for us is seeing early action be-

be kept.”

He commended the company for moving rapidly in its pursuit, noting that the latest development has come shortly after the company signed another agreement with the Guyana government to commence drilling for oil and gas in the Kanaku Basin offshore Guyana.

Repsol’s new Petroleum Prospecting Licence and its accompanying Production Sharing Agreement signed in May covers an area approximately 6525 square kilometres within the sedimentary basin offshore Guyana, and approximately 100 miles seawards of the mouth of the Berbice River.

At the signing, Repsol representatives had expressed the company’s anxiousness to commence work and had highlighted that the first phase includes the new 2D and 3D marine seismic acquisition, to be followed by an exploration well in the second phase of the licence which has

The Polarcus, which arrived in Guyana last week, will be used to carry out the seismic surveys

that it can monitor developments.

One step closer

Meanwhile, Natural Resources and the Environment Minister Robert Persaud, who

cause with seismic examination and processing of the data, this will then inform whether or not to drill and where are the targets… we hope the time frame will

been granted for an initial period of four years.

In July 2012, Repsol had to halt works at its Jaguar-1 well in the Georgetown Block due to safety issues.

Biker’s murderer may have...

from page 21

he has been distressed.

Both died as a result of heart and kidney complications. They were 48 and 27 years old respectively.

Davis was reportedly there for him during the difficult time and they became close friends.

Davis was one of the bikers who led a procession for Jagdeo’s mother on the day of her funeral.

Prior to his death,

he imported motorcycles from abroad for a living and were seen at various events in the company of Jagdeo. They were described as “inseparable” by some.

On Tuesday evening last, the businessman appeared in front of Davis’ 7th Street, Eccles, East Bank Demerara home in a silver Toyota Premio. Davis reportedly walked towards the

car and went straight into the back passenger’s seat, where an argument started. During the argument, the businessman reportedly took out a .9mm pistol with extended clips and reportedly shot his wife twice, forcing her to give information about the money and the relationship.

He then turned the gun on Davis and allegedly shot him. The mur-

der suspect then left the driver’s seat and walked towards the backdoor of the car, pulled out the biker from the car and continued to shoot him.

The biker’s cousin, who was on the verandah at the time of the shooting, reportedly scaled the fence after the businessman went after him. Davis is expected to be laid to rest on Saturday.

Overcoming adversity

By Jainarine Deonauth

A

dversity defines what we are really made of.

It can make us better or bitter. T D Jakes says, “A setback is a setup for a comeback.” We can overcome adversity and allow it to make us stronger, wiser and more empowered. In other words, adversity helps build character, resourcefulness, courage, perseverance and self-discipline.

Last week Guyana Times carried a very uplifting and inspirational story in relation to a 17-year- old boy who managed to overcome serious adversities and made himself, his family, friends and his community very proud.

After his parents separated, Alex Vimal Kahdhai grew up for a short while in a single parent home.

But not long after, his mother found it difficult to make ends meet and as a result took Alex and his siblings to the Prabhu Sharan Orphanage at Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara. In a quest to become an educated and respected member of society, Alex was subsequently enrolled at the Saraswati Vidya Niketan (SVN) School, at the Grade Eight level.

Alex, like many other children from broken and poverty-stricken homes, had very little in terms of the resources needed to become successful. Many children in his situation would have given up, or turned to drugs and alcohol or engage in a life of crime. But Alex believed in himself, and with hard work and perseverance, he secured 15 subjects, including 12 grade ones, at the recent Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations, placing among the top students in Region Three.

This is quite an accomplishment and those who have supported him and his peers such as the volunteers at the orphanage and his school teachers must be commended for this team effort.

Overwhelmed by his excellent results, Alex had some very positive words of encouragement for his peers, especially those in similar situations. He said, “Anything can be possible as long as you believe you can succeed and it really doesn’t matter where you come from and how hard your life is… you can be successful as long as you work hard, be focused and know your goals.”

An important lesson to be taken from Alex’s situation is that; it is important not to allow our past or current circumstances to dictate our future. Problems and circumstances are normal. Everybody has and will face adversity in life. But it is important that we hold on to our hopes, beliefs and values. We must always envision victory.

Alex’s success story should serve as a reminder that it is necessary that we instil in our children the need to stay focused on their purpose and vision and to never give up. This is what makes it possible to get through any adversity faced in life.

Also, the message that is worth emphasising is the need to be persistent no matter what the situation is.

Typically, losers are those people who didn’t realise how close they were to triumph when they gave up.

There is a story about a man who was stranded in a blizzard. He had walked for miles and gave up. They found him frozen to death 20 yards from shelter.

Further, Alex’s story gives us reason to appreciate how much we have, as one look around the world will show there are millions more who are worse off.

It is therefore important that we fill our hearts with moments of thanks which would then leave little time to complain or play the victim.

There were other success stories at the said orphanage which are worth publicising. For example Priya Mahase, who attained eight subjects at CSEC is a trained medex; Rajendra Singh, who secured four subjects is now a customs clerk; and Sandra Bissoon, who obtained 13 subjects is now an employee at a prominent bank as a teller. Stories such as these, are worth repeating as they serve to inspire and motivate citizens all over the country that no matter what situation one is in, once one is hardworking, dedicated and believes in his/ her dreams, anything is possible.

It is hoped that orphanages such the one that rescued Alex and his siblings (Prabhu Sharan) would continue to get the support of the wider community in carrying out their work. Organisations such as this, are also serving a very important function in Guyana’s developmental efforts, and for this reason, both the government and the private sector must provide the necessary support in helping them make a difference in our country.

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Guyana first C'bean country to ratify ILO domestic workers treaty

G

uyana is the first Caribbean country to have ratified the landmark treaty for domestic workers which came into effect last Thursday.

Labour Minister Dr Nanda Gopaul during an exclusive interview with Guyana Times International indicated that Guyana has signed on to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention 189, landmark treaty for domestic workers.

Number one

Guyana has ranked number one among its Caribbean neighbours to have signed on to the treaty which extends basic labour rights to domestic workers around

the globe.

Currently, there are at least 53 million children worldwide, not including child domestic workers, and this number is increasing steadily in developed and developing countries, 83 per cent of which are women.

Dr Gopaul reiterated that the number adds to an estimated 10.5 million children worldwide, most of them under age, working as domestic workers in people’s homes.

The new convention became binding international law as of September 5. It needed ratification by two ILO member states. This, according to the minister, will set the stage for better workplace benefits

Labour Minister Dr Nanda Gopaul

which would normally be guided by the lawful workplace stipulations.

The minister said only recently, a team of

experts were in Guyana to assist in different areas like being able to prepare regulations for the mining sector as is nec-

essary under the occupational and safety health regulations.

Domestic workers comprise a significant part of the global workforce in informal employment and are among the most vulnerable groups of workers, the ILO has said.

They work for private households, often without clear terms of employment, unregistered in any book, and excluded from the scope of labour legislation.

The ILO said deplorable working conditions, labour exploitation, and abuses of human rights are major problems facing domestic workers.

Equality

To this end, the or-

ganisation undertakes to protect the rights of domestic workers, promote equality of opportunity and treatment, and improve working and living conditions.

Its global strategy consists of strengthening national capacities and institutions, including policy and legislative reforms; promoting the ratification and implementation of the Domestic Workers Convention, 2011 (Number 189) and Recommendation (Number 201); facilitating the organisation of domestic workers and their employers; awareness-raising and advocacy; and development of knowledge-base and policy tools.

Five ‘Houses of...

from page 19

Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee

in his remarks said that this initiative is the first of its kind that has “tremendous social relevance”. He explained that citizens usually clamour for these basic services, which are now being taken to them.

Too often, people are forced to travel back and forth to the city to access services and are sometimes even fleeced by certain individuals who are in positions of authority. This project is aimed at eliminating the everyday frustration in dealing with matters such as registration of births, deaths, and marriages; electricity bills, pension and NIS benefits, and even advisory services from the police and community policing bodies.

Minister Rohee noted that while residents may require a wider range of services than that which will be offered at the Houses of Justice, this must be seen as the first step in the right direction. He said that when the efficacy of this initiative is demonstrated in this pilot stage, it will be expanded to accommodate more stakeholders.

On September 2, the Home Affairs Ministry signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

with the six agencies for the implementation of the Houses of Justice project.

Minister Rohee emphasised the need to ensure sustainability of this project and called on all stakeholders to be tolerant, punctual and understanding so as to make this new initiative work to the benefit of all involved.

He reminded that the Houses of Justice do not associate with judges, magistrates and lawyers; but rather easier access to basic public services/ advice to which citizens are entitled.

Meanwhile, Regional Chairman, Region Three, Julius Faerber expressed his appreciation to the Government for taking this project to the region.

He noted that the Houses of Justice will go a far in dealing with a lot of household problems.

Faerber also stated that the RDC will be working closely with the various agencies to ensure the sustainability of the project.

On September 14, the Houses of Justice project will be launched in Region Two. These will be located at Charity, Dartmouth, Suddie, Aurora, and Kabakaburi.

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Feature

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A

Convoy of yachts graced Guyana’s shores earlier this week, as they made their way from Trinidad and Tobago to French Guiana, as part of the Nereid’s Rally.

As the fleets sailed up the Essequibo River, they were welcomed in grand style at the Hurakabra River Resort, owned and operated by Christopher Nascimento and his wife Gem Nascimento.

According to a Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) release, the welcome activity, sponsored by the tourism ministry was facilitated through an inter-agency collaboration with the Coast Guard, Customs and Immigration, the Guyana Police Force, the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) and other private sector stakeholders.

The joint approach employed is in keeping with Guyana’s acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali’s commitment to ensure that all systems are in place to make the inaugural event a success, with safety, security and ease of access of principal importance.

Yacht industry

He said too that the

ministry’s aim is to use this event to catapult the local yacht industry, and to harness the influx of yachts to develop the necessary infrastructure to further support the

ing town of Bartica, 30 miles from the mouth of the Essequibo and at the centre of the confluence of three great rivers, the Mazaruni, Cuyuni and Essequibo; this is an of-

participation from yacht enthusiasts there.

During the meetings with the yachtees in Trinidad, GTA Marketing Manager Carla Chandra and

the most efficient and straightforward in the Caribbean.

Cruising destination

Cruisers may now sail up the Essequibo River, about a four-hour

As the fleets sailed up the Essequibo River, they were welcomed in grand style at the Hurakabra River Resort (Hurakabra file photo)

industry. As testimony to the stir, the event is creating and the interest of participants, a second convoy is expected in October; this will be led by former international sailor Simon Wall.

When the vessels arrive, they will make their way to the min-

ficial port of entry and welcomes the arrival of cruisers.

Meanwhile, planning for this highly anticipated event began months ago and a team travelled to Trinidad and Tobago, in early August, to promote the event and to encourage maximum

now Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) President Christopher Nascimento, made presentations on Guyana’s tourism product, including visitor tips and travel information such as visa’s and customs clearance, which are to date,

motor sail from the estuary, to clear customs, immigration and health authorities within an hour of checking in by completing the simplest of customs clearance forms to be found at any cruising destination in the Caribbean and South America.

Close to 50 persons attended the session and almost all the participants there expressed excitement at the possibility of sailing into the mighty Essequibo River, which is featured prominently in the third edition of the ‘Chris Doyle Cruising Guide for Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Guyana’.

Doyle, regarded as the guru of pleasure cruising in the Caribbean and North Eastern South America, decided to feature Guyana in his guide.

‘The Doyle Guide’ (www.doyleguides. com) provides full chart and waypoint navigational advice on approaching the Essequibo River and sailing upriver to Bartica and the attractive anchorages in the vicinity off Baganara Island Resort, Hurakabra River Resort and the Shanklands Resort.

These resorts are exceptionally beautiful nature destinations, which offer exceedingly comfortable and well appointed accommodation, jungle walks, birding, beach front dining, well stocked bars, recreation facilities, water sports and dingy docking.

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National exhibition promotes Guyana’s indigenous people

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he Amerindian Craft and Food Exhibition and Cultural Night in Guyana, which ran from September 2 to 5, saw scores of persons in attendance on the final night, ending on a high note.

The event, which was held at the Amerindian Village, Sophia Exhibition Complex, displayed the diversity of the indigenous culture and was part of the planned activities for the 19th Amerindian Heritage Month celebrations.

On sales were a variety of indigenous jewellery, such as beads and necklaces.

The food exhibition afforded Guyanese an opportunity to taste a wide variety of dishes and drinks prepared and used

by Amerindians. This year’s event was said to be the largest as compared to previous years.

The talent show saw electrifying cultural pieces in the form of dances, songs and rituals from Amerindian talent groups from Surama, Karadaranau, Sand Creek, Mainstay, Kwebanna and Barima Wini.

Amerindian Affairs Ministry Liaison Officer Yvonne Pearson, said the

who has been a part of the exhibition since it began, said “It was good on the first day while the second, the third, it wasn’t that good, but tonight has been very good and I can assure that before the end of the night, all my products will be finished.”

Beneficial

Patrons viewing craft items at the Amerindian Craft and Food Exhibition and Cultural Night last Thursday

ministry is pleased with the success of the event and the participation of persons this year, adding that the ministry is looking forward to have greater participation in 2014.

“A lot of effort was put in all the planning, to get the people out here, so we are glad the event is so successful.”

Room for improvement

She stated that the ministry is always open to input on how it can improve its activities, adding that there is always room

for development.

The event received mixed views on the overall response from exhibitors who took part, hailing from Regions One, Two, Four, Five, Six and Nine. Many of the exhibitors noted that being a part of the exhibition over the years has aided them significantly, to financially support their families, adding that they hope the exhibition would have extended into the weekend.

Margerie Rodgrigues of Moruca, Region One,

She added that being a part of the annual event has helped her to send some of her products overseas to be sold and showcased.

Meanwhile, Barbara Thomas of Moruca, Region One, said initially, business was slow, but on the final night, it improved.

Another craftsman, Neville Calistro from

Kabakaburi, who has participated in the event from the inception, added that this year was quite different from the previous years. “The sales and the organising has really changed up, it costs more.”

However, he said the event has helped him to gain more customers over the years.

Some of the exhibitor’s said they believe the event should have been advertised more, positing that it was not enough to market their products.

The month is being observed under the theme: “Honouring Our Culture, Advancing Our Future”.

(Excerpt from Guyana Times)

Members of the audience at the talent show at the Amerindian Craft and Food Exhibition and Cultural Night last Thursday in Guyana

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F

ossil evidence indicates sea turtles shared Earth with dinosaurs more than 210 million years ago, giving sea turtles the title, “dinosaurs of the ocean”. Sea Turtles are the ultimate lesson in ecology – everything is connected due to their inhabiting and using both land and ocean. If sea turtles become extinct, both the marine and land ecosystems will weaken, which will also weaken humans interaction with these systems. For these reasons, sea turtles are worth saving, and the Guyana Marine Turtle Conservation Society works to do just so.

GMTCS history

In 1962, then a PhD student, renowned sea turtle biologist and conservationist Dr Peter Pritchard, undertook studies of biology and conservation of marine turtles at Shell Beach. In the early years, the initiative concentrated on documentation of species, numbers of nesting turtles and their fate and collecting series of voucher specimens, especially skulls, of sea turtles killed by hunters for

This drowned Leatherback turtle, due to a fishing net, was brought ashore by GMTCS rangers, community members and volunteers for an on-site necropsy (a post-mortem performed on animals)

Projects

Recognising the importance of focusing on habitat and ecosystem management for species protection, as well as the need to address sustainable livelihoods for local communities, GMTCS has identified and has been working in sea turtle monitoring and conservation; education and awareness; research, sustainable livelihood development

The satellite tag on this turtle's back tracks where it goes around the world. The information collected helps in better conservation planning and management.

their meat and eggs. But in 1988 it progressed into a successful pilot project, (The Sea Turtle Project) demonstrating that it is possible to bring about major conservation gains and protection of endangered species by working with communities harvesting sea turtles.

Dr Pritchard, along with Audley James, a converted sea turtle hunter, would appeal to fishermen and local residents to stop turtle hunting and egg collecting; in some instances buying eggs and turtles from hunters.

This conservation work continues today, with several members of the James’ family involved, as well as members of the surrounding Santa Rosa, Waramuri and Almond Beach communities. In April 2000, GMTCS was formally established. The co-founders were Dr Peter Pritchard, Audley James and Annette Arjoon, who was hired as project coordinator.

and promoting Shell Beach as a protected area.

Sea turtle monitoring and conservation is accomplished through field camps covering main nesting sites, manned by local and former sea turtle hunters, as a means of gaining an alternative source of income to sea turtle harvesting.

Nightly patrols deter persons from killing sea turtles for meat, and egg poaching.

GMTCS’ efforts are evident through the number of turtles tagged along approximately 3-4km of the 120km beach. In 1965, GMTCS tagged just four Leatherback turtles compared to 2012 where 471 individuals of all four species of marine turtles were tagged. In 2007, nesting activity increased to 2,341 individuals, and this has been the highest number recorded to-date.

Nesting activities still continue to vary, explaining why GMTCS works closely with local fishermen, trawler own-

ers, GDF Coast Guard and the ministry of agriculture’s fisheries department, to help minimise the risk of incidental capture of sea turtles in fishing nets, which is now one of the biggest threats to sea turtles.

GMTCS assisted the formation of four fisheries subcommittees in various sea turtle using communities to address the issue of sea turtle by-catch. A temporary nonetting zone is established yearly around main sea turtle nesting sites during the peak season, in collaboration with Ministry of Agriculture.

Throughout the years, GMTCS has also established environmental camps that bring groups of youths, teachers and parents from schools in the north-western region of Guyana to learn and participate in the conservation efforts. Upon returning to their respective areas, participants have formed environmental clubs, and later hired as sea turtle wardens. They also currently occupy leadership roles in their communities.

Recognising that the success of conservation at Shell Beach will depend on the empowerment of local communities, as well as improving the social condition of local user communities, GMTCS is looking at sustainable economic projects for these communities, which have centred on handicraft, embroidery, organic products and tourism.

As communities in and around Shell Beach have limited options for income generation and thus often turn to other resources, including sea turtle meat for both income and subsistence, in 2004, GMTCS launched North West Organics (NWO), a geographic branding used to market products from user communities along the Waini River in the Shell Beach study area.

Communities of upper, middle and lower Waini, Warapoka and Hossorroro were involved in the harvesting and production of NWO products. This line of products currently includes Crabwood oil, handmade soaps, cassa-

va cassareep and cocoa sticks.

Profits from the sale of North West Organics have already contributed significantly to their development.

GMTCS has also assisted the formation of Moruca Embroidery, a sewing group of women and young girls from the Santa Rosa and Waramuri communities. The group produces hats, bags, pillow cases and tea towels embroidered with local flora and fauna, especially the four species of sea turtles. This project brings an alternative source of income into fishermen’s home.

Shell Beach is recognised nationally as an area warranting protected areas for its ecological and cultural diversity.

After continuous advocacy by GMTCS, the Government of Guyana declared Shell Beach a protected area in October 2011.

Challenges

“Sea turtles continue to be harvested at Shell Beach, and sold in communities, but at a reduced rate. This makes education and awareness and continual engagement with communities a necessity. We have seen that there's more awareness and appreciation of sea turtles, especially among youths in communities. Unfortunately, we have a lack of continuous funding.

Currently, most of our activities are project based, which hampers effective long term planning and sustainability of activities undertaken.

However, GMTCS will con-

tinue to focus on its thematic areas,” biodiversity specialist and GMTCS’ board member Michelle Kalamandeen pointed out.

She noted that with accidental capture by fishing nets the main threat to sea turtles, it is vital to recognise that the sea turtles nesting in Guyana travels throughout the region (some of Guyana’s turtles travel as far as British Columbia and Mexico) and therefore there is need for protection in the ocean as well as the land.

“Everyone has a role to play in sea turtle conservation. Don’t purchase sea turtle products, including their meat, eggs, or items made from their shells or skin. Buy local products that will improve the livelihoods of user communities.

This will help communities bring income into their homes so there is less reliance on sea turtle harvesting. For fishermen, it's important to regularly (3-4 hours) check their nets to ensure sea turtles are not accidentally caught and drowned. Guyana has a major problem with garbage, which often finds its way to Shell Beach. As such, it is important not to dump plastics and garbage into the oceans or on beaches. Leatherbacks can mistake plastic items for jellyfish –a favourite food – which can block air passages and lead to death,” she explained.

Kalamandeen urges all to support the ‘No Netting Zones’ at Shell Beach, which are areas along the beach where peak nesting of sea turtles occur.

On April 18, 2013, GMTCS received the Caribbean Tourism Organization/Travel mole award for Biodiversity Conservation for its outstanding conservation work.

“Tell your friendly sea turtle rangers of sea turtles trapped in nets, or persons hunting sea turtles or poaching their eggs. If you see or find a sea turtle in distress, call 686-8951. Join the Guyana Marine Turtle Conservation Society Facebook page to keep updated on projects and activities you may be able to engage in,” Kalamandeen recommended. (Information by Michelle Kalamandeen)

Newly emerged hatchlings from GMTCS' nursery on Shell Beach.

Rangers will monitor their progress towards the ocean to ensure they are safe from predators such as birds and mammals.

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Artist Hew Locke

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orn in Edinburgh, UK, and raised as a child in Guyana, to a Guyanese sculptor father, Donald Locke, and an English painter mother, Hew Locke has art and multiculturalism running right through him. His work is vibrant, challenging and a real wonder to behold.

Locke was born in 1959, lived from 1966 to 1980 in Guyana and is currently based in London. He obtained a B.A. Fine Art in Falmouth (1988) and an M.A. Sculpture at the Royal College of Art, London (1994). In 2000 he won both a Paul Hamlyn Award and an East International Award.

His work is represented in many notable collections including The Government Art Collection, The Tate Gallery collection, The Arts Council of England collection, The Collection of Eileen and Peter Norton, Santa Monica, The Brooklyn Museum collection, New York, The Arnold Lehman collection, The Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, Kansas City collection, The RSID Museum, Rhode Island, The New Art Gallery Walsall, The Victoria & Albert Museum Drawing Collection, London, The British Museum, London and The Henry Moore Institute, Leeds.

Locke shot to international prominence in 2000 when he was awarded both a Paul Hamlyn Award and the EAST International Award. The same year he created the installation “Hemmed in Two” for the Victoria & Albert Museum. Still one of his most famous works, this sculpture – a fusion of ideas and materials symbolising all at once a boat,

which itself incorporates a figure from “Raft”.

The artist does not have a preferred medium, instead utilising any that supports the message that he is trying to impart. A trained sculptor, he is similarly skilled in painting, drawing, photography, relief, fabric, casting and collage. This work, “I Have Found a Song”, is a book made by Locke in collaboration with Chris SteelePerkins, Paula Rego, Shanti Panchal and Sonia Boyce.

His inspiration is drawn from a wide range of sources including baroque, rococo, Hindu, Islamic and colonial architecture along with fairground and carnival art and cumfa, a local form of voodoo in British Guiana where he grew up.

One of his most recent pieces, ‘Selene’, is a permanent artwork in Carlisle Street, Soho, London, commissioned by the Nadler Soho Hotel.

"Selene" (2013)

and magical protector.

“Selene floats at the centre of a galaxy of stars, offering garlands representing magical potions associated with sleep and love. Referencing Theatre land, I have included belladonna (a plant proposed as being that creating Juliet's deepsleep in ‘Romeo and Juliet’) and pansies (used as a love potion in “A Midsummer’s Night's Dream”). Two different night-blooming flowers known as 'Queen of the Night' - one a type of cactus, the other a type of jasmine - are joined by winged masks of the Greek personification of sleep, Hypnos. She also holds nightblooming dragon fruit flowers, this particular variety is named the 'David Bowie', and references Ziggy Stardust's associations with Soho.” he explained on his website.

As an artist with a diverse cultural background, multiculturalism is a recurrent theme 'Victoria' (2013)

a city, an animal, and a bacterial virus – was one of the most prominent to have been made by a multicultural British artist at the time.

Part boat, part package, part city, part animal, part infestation, “Hemmed in Two” demonstrates the beauty of failure. It is made out of a material that is very useful, an everyday material, and a perishable material.

It is a reflection on the global “commodification” of culture and its history, while the barcodes acknowledge that this piece is itself a commodity which can become cargo or

freight as soon as it leaves the studio. At once shambolic and magnificent, with references to baroque, medieval and Islamic architecture, “Hemmed in Two” grew organically in the way of Kurt Schwitter’s “Merz Barn”. The piece is re-configured for each venue.

Literally built onto an original piece titled “Hemmed In” (1999), “Hemmed In Two” was developed as an intervention into the fabric of the Victoria and Albert Museum, and references the museums’ collection and problematic history.

“Hemmed in Two” incorporates a piece called “Merchandise”,

"The Kingdom of the Blind" (2008)

“Selene is named for the Greek goddess of the moon and of magic. I was commissioned to create a sculpture representing ‘Sleep’. I wanted to make a classical statue with a contemporary twist, and was keen to create a statue of a black woman, rare in London. The statue is informed by Art Nouveau, Victorian fairy paintings (especially those of Atkinson Grimshaw), and by the sight of a group of tall, glamorous drag queens parading down the road in Soho at three o'clock one afternoon. She is a powerful goddess reworked for today’s London - a dream-weaver

in his work. His imagery is punctuated throughout with visual expressions of globalisation, movement of peoples, ships and boats, colonialism, power and trophies.

In recent years, Locke has focused on his fascination and ambivalence around ideas and images of “Britishness” in a global context, such as the royal family. Locke explores global cultural fusions, creating complex sculptural collages with an eclectic range of objects, including mass produced toys, souvenirs and consumer detritus. (Excerpted from www.artfinder.com, www.hewlocke.net)

Travel & Tourism

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ou may know the jaguar as “turtle tiger”, “kaikusi”,” kaigouch”, “baudikoro” or “kinyaridi din” – the large spotted cat leaving hand-sized foot prints in the mud, or “coughing” in the dark of night. Seen by few, feared by many, the jaguar has inspired stories and legends since ancient times; a symbol of strength and beauty.

These elusive beasts are the largest cat in the Americas. Weighing anywhere between 100220 pounds, they stand over 2ft tall and measure about 5ft from nose

Jaguars are very strong swimmers (Photo by Luke Hunter)

Guyana is one of few places where the jaguar thrives (Photo by Steve Winter)

to tail base. Jaguars are solitary, but you may encounter a male and female travelling together during mating or a mother with her cubs that by the time they leave her look fully grown. The typical rosette pattern on a jaguar’s coat is sometimes covered in black, because of a genetic variation called melanism.

But black or patterned, their bulky bodies are easily distinguished from any other animal in Guyana.

Big bodies, of course, need plenty of food.

With the most powerful jaws of all big cats, jaguars can eat anything.

More than 80 species of animals are part of their meat diet. Depending on availability, jaguars may dine on capybara (watrush), peccary (bush hog), or caiman (alligator), but also on fish and armadillos. The bigger prey animals receive a crushing bite at the back of the skull. Unlike the

puma (deer tiger), jaguars will not cover up the dead animal with leaves or branches.

While curious in nature, jaguars prefer to hide from people and will not attack unless they feel threatened.

Naturally, many fear jaguars. The sheer size and power of this big predator makes people feel small and vulnerable. That is why even people that regularly walk through jaguar territory rarely spot them, although surely the jaguars have spotted them.

As much as jaguars tend to avoid people, they do share the same environment and food preferences, and now and then this leads to conflict, especially when jaguars attack livestock or pets. Why jaguars kill cows and other domestic animals is not always clear. The presence of these domestic animals in the jaguar’s natural habitat and their resemblance to natural prey

is an important factor.

But sometimes domestic animals are also easier than other prey, for example when the jaguar is old, injured or has to care for cubs. And where natural prey is scarce, jaguars are left with no alternative.

Conflict with people over domestic animals is one of the main threats to jaguars.

Understandably, people try to protect their livelihoods and they often know no better way than to kill the jaguar, even though this is usually just a temporary solution. It is temporary because other jaguars will then move to occupy that territory and sooner or later might attack unattended livestock.

Another major threat to jaguars is the disappearance of their habitat. Together with the habitat their food disappears, driving jaguars closer to people and their livestock, and causing even more con-

flict.

Once we believed that putting large predators inside protected areas away from people would be the happy ending for all: the animals thrive, and people would no longer have to

fear them. But animals do not understand our borders, and large animals need large spaces. Thus, most protected areas are too small to maintain healthy populations. A new, innovative approach to conservation aims to connect jaguar populations in protected areas through human landscapes by studying how jaguars use these landscapes and by assisting in reducing conflict. Guyana is an official partner in this international effort, led by Panthera- a global organisation devoted to the conservation of the largest and most imperilled wild cat species, to ensure that the jaguar will live in the wild forever.

Why would we want jaguars around at all if they cause harm to our livelihoods?

Because

jaguars help protect our crops from the animals that damage them; jaguars attract tourists; they help keep disease away from the animals we hunt; jaguars help keep our forests healthy, so we can harvest timber; they are part of our history and culture and we want to share this with our children; and jaguars are part of the web of life that we depend upon for our wellbeing.

We can solve conflicts with jaguars, but we cannot reverse extinction or the consequences this has for our health and economy. Notably, Guyana is one of the last places on Earth where the jaguar still thrives.

To read more about jaguars and their conservation, visit www. panthera.org (Submitted

by Panthera)

Jaguar's paw print being measured (Photo by Evi Paemelaere)

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fun time

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This week's Crossword

J k es

Riddles for kids

Q: What is a polygon?

A: A dead parrot!

Q: What kind of bird works at a construction site?

A: The crane!

Q: What dog keeps the best time?

A: A watch dog!

Q: What was the elephant’s favorite sport?

A: Squash Q: How do you keep an elephant from charging?

A: You take away its credit cards!

Misunderstanding

Mrs. Green lived in two story house together with an elderly widow. After not hearing from her for a few days, she got a bit nervous.

“John”, she called to her son “do me a favor and go find out how Old Mrs Robinson is.”

So six year old John went down the stairs and knocked on Mrs. Robinson’s door.

“So how is she?” asked Mrs. Green when John came back up.

“How is she?” repeated John “I’ve never seen her so mad in my life; she said it’s none of your business how old she is.”

Hearing aids

While working in a post office, a lady barged in complaining that she got home to find a note from the mail man saying that he tried to deliver a package but nobody was home.

“My husband was home all day!”, she fumed.

After giving her the package I heard her tell somebody “Oh, I’m so excited, my husband's new hearing aids!”

Excuses, excuses

This week's Puzzle

Jim’s car is swerving all over the road so a cop pulls him over.

“Step out of the car” says the cop, “I am going to need you to take a breathalyzer test.”

“I can’t”, Jim responds “You see I have very bad asthma, that can set off an attack.”

“Alright,” says the cop, “then you’re going to have to take a blood test.”

“Can’t do that either,” Jim responds, “I am a hemophiliac, if a wound is opened, I won’t stop bleeding, and I could bleed to death.”

“Ok,” the cop answers “then I will need a urine sample.”

“Sorry,” says Jim “I also have diabetes, that could push my sugar count really low.”

“Fine, so just come on out, and walk a straight line for me.”

“Can’t do that either” responds Jim. “Why not?” demanded the exasperated cop.

“Well, because I’m drunk!”

Experienced

I was very happy when an acquaintance of mine informed me that she was engaged. Trying to help, I told her that before my marriage, I went for premarital counseling and found it very helpful.

“Oh, we don’t need counseling,” she quickly assured me, “we were both married several times before!”

Can’t recall

see solution on page 46

The neighbors thought it was odd, but 93-yearold Morton was dating again. One Monday morning Morton woke up with a funny feeling that something important happened last night. It was during breakfast, that Morton finally remembered what it was. He had proposed to his date Greta. But what she answered he just couldn’t seem to remember.

Morton picked up the phone and dialed. ”Hi Greta”, said Morton, “I have a funny question for you: do you remember last night when I proposed?” ”Oh my gosh” gushed Greta, “I’m so glad you called, I knew I said yes to somebody but I just couldn’t recall who it was!”

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Caribbean and South Asian cultures showcased in one grand event STORY AND PHOTOS

BY NADIA HUSSEIN

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wo cultures were blended together for one great event in Newmarket last Saturday.

The Caribbean & South Asian Showcase took place at the Newmarket Community Centre featuring the music, art, food, and fashion of both areas.

Throughout the six hour festival, there was plenty of entertainment to enjoy. Attendees were transported to the islands by the sounds of the steel pan.

The ‘SteelBandits’ transitioned seamlessly between their songs. Their set started off with the soca song ‘Bacchanalist’ before going into Bollywood terri-

tory with ‘Kal Ho Na Ho.’ Many patrons moved to the beat in their seats as the group continued with ‘Nah Going Home’ and ‘It’s Carnival.’

The crowd was treated to dancing by the Footsteps Hot Divas consisting of Brianna Bridgemongal, Jasmine Ramcharran, and Selena Ramcharran-Smith.

They put on a high-energy

Members of the ‘SteelBandits’ brought some island vibes to the event with their performance

Patrons check out the jewelry offered by Pritis Fashion, a vendor at the event

performance to the chutney tunes ‘Bacchanal’ and ‘Sawan Ke.’ As well, sisters Alana and Aleah Pitamber were well choreographed to ‘Anarkali Disco Chali.’

Other acts included the popular calypso, reggae, and soca singer MonT-Hama, the soul and jazz stylings of Guyanese singer George St. Kitts, and bhangra and dhol by

the Nachdi Jawani group.

Guests were not only invited to try the cultural foods, from chicken curry to butter chicken, but bring along a non-perishable food item for donation to the Newmarket Food Pantry.

The Caribbean & South Asian Showcase was a free event presented by the Ranji Singh Foundation, which has

a dedicated organizing committee.

“I believe we have a lot to offer in a society where multiculturalism prevails,” the foundation’s president Ranji Singh said. “Our foundation's purpose is, to help neighbours appreciate and celebrate this diversity time after time through events and programs,” he said.

fashion

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ashion designer Wynetta Jones is preparing to launch her most stylish collection ever at the upcoming Guyana Fashion Weekend 2013 (GFW).

Jones is not new to the fashion industry, she has participated in GFW over the years under her label Wynetta Jones Creations.

“I am preparing to launch my new collection ‘Jours Sombres de l'été’ meaning “Dark Days of Summer”. This concept emerged from the unpredictable weather and some unexpected changes life throws your way. Using my knowledge gained at E. R. Burrowes School of Arts, I plan to bring this collection alive by using fabrics such as linen, lace, stretch cotton, cotton, leather.

The colours used in this collection are black, white, green, yellow, and orange. It caters for both ladies and gents,” the designer explained in an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine.

Designer Wynetta Jones

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feature

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he 2012 London Olympics produced many highpoints for the Caribbean—the Jamaican track and field team’s domination of the 100m, TT in the javelin throw—but the most memorable regional victory had to be Grenada’s first Olympic medal thanks to Kirani James’ masterful performance in the 400m.

That gold—and the effect it had on James’ countrymen—is the subject of a new documentary film, ‘Footprints’, by co-producers Simone Princess Donelan and Barry Collymore.

Perhaps best known locally for her role in the long-running soap opera ‘Westwood Park’, Donelan has long preferred working behind the scenes.

Trinidad-born of Grenadian parentage, she had worked with Grenadian producer Collymore on a documentary about the killing of Maurice Bishop. “Barry called me just before the Olympics,” Donelan re-

called, “and explained that there was a big possibility that Kirani James would medal, but that the Grenadian crews weren’t really covering it.”

Donelan, who grew up in Grenada, recognised the potential of the story and went on faith.

She put a small crew together and got on a plane to Grenada.

Keron Lemessy, another Trinidadian, did the sound and the producers hired two more camera operators in Grenada. When it was time for the 400m final, the crew was ready, cameras rolling, just in case James placed in the top three. “You have to remember that things were rough in Grenada then.

Tillman Thomas was in office,” she pointed out.

(Thomas and his party, the NDC, lost every seat in this year’s general election.)

Capturing celebrations

“There was 50 per cent unemployment and crime was high.” James’ win changed the climate.

ple of Gun Battle knew his trials. His mother worked hard and is a big reason behind his success. There were church services before his race and thanksgiving services when he came back home. Grenadian flags were flying everywhere.”

Toronto showing

A scene from the new documentary film, 'Footprints', courtesy Simone Princess Donelan

“There was suddenly an outpouring of love.

People would hug and kiss you on the streets; there were no incidents.

It was such a carnivallike atmosphere. It was magical!”

So magical, in fact, that when the producers saw what they had captured on camera, the trajectory of the story began to shift from being entire-

ly about Kirani James to exploring Grenadians’ celebration of his win.

Donelan maintains that this is part of what makes the film compelling.

“Grenadians took ownership of him. Kirani comes from an area called Gun Battle, in Gouyave, a fishing village on the island’s west coast. The area is poor and a bit run down, but [the people

there] are a proud people. Once, when Kirani was running a race against some older boys and beat them, the boys put their own money together to buy him a pair of shoes.”

The admiration for Kirani James stems from his own humble attitude and “what a beautiful person he is,” according to Donelan. “The peo-

Come next month, the Grenadian flag will be flying high at the CaribbeanTales Market Incubator Programme at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival. “That invitation was what forced us to edit the footage and finish the film,” Donelan admitted.

The hope is for ‘Footprints’ to screen on the film festival circuit, as well as show to schools and general audiences in Grenada. Naturally, Grenadians have a vested interest in seeing the film, but why should everyone else?

“Because,” says Donelan, “who doesn’t love a story about dreams coming true?”

(TT Guardian)

Caribbean News

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Caribbean Airlines’ TT$300 million fuel subsidy removed

C

aribbean Airlines Ltd (CAL) will no longer have the benefit of governmentsubsidised fuel effective October 1. The subsidy for the Tobago air bridge will, however, remain.

In his budget presentation Monday in Parliament, TT’s Finance Minister Larry Howai said the debt-ridden State airline must move towards the adoption of a financially-sound business model for positioning the airline in targeted segments of the global tourism market.

“The new CAL board has completed the first phase of a revised business plan for the airline to achieve financial viability. The subsidy for the Tobago airlift will

remain. These factors have been incorporated into the business plan, which I expect to receive on September 17, 2013,” Howai said.

The fuel subsidy for CAL is estimated to be TT$300 million.

Howai said he had been assured by the board that there will be no impact on ticket prices.

“What is anticipated and consultants have asked us to do, is design our business model around that assumption, so all the procedures and options put in place are designed to be sustainable and viable without a fuel subsidy,” Caribbean Airlines communications director, Clint Williams, told TT media in a brief

JLP will ensure high standards in elections, Holness assures

J

amaica Labour Party (JLP) leader Andrew Holness, said Monday night that measures have been put in place to ensure that the party's electoral process lives up to the highest standards and expectations, if there is a challenge to his leadership.

"I have directed the secretariat to put in place all the necessary measures, to ensure that the process lives up to the highest standards and expectations of the Jamaican people," Holness told Jamaican media after Tuesday night’s standing committee meeting at Belmont Road.

The JLP leader made the comment after the party's standing committee agreed to extend the deadline for the selection of delegates, who can choose a new leader, if necessary, at its upcoming annual conference.

"My greatest wish is that the challenge will come off smoothly and, at the end of the day, it is the party that wins," the opposition leader said.

Holness added that he has taken the view that any challenge to his leadership is such an important event in the life of the party, that the widest number of delegates should be facilitated in the process.

"But, I also have to consider the rules of the party as set out in its constitution, and I believe the standing committee after extensive deliberations came up

JLP leader Andrew Holness (Jamaica Observer photo)

with a solution that extends the democratic rights of the delegates while, at the same time, preserving the rules and spirit of the party's constitution," he added.

The JLP leader also denied a rumour that he failed to meet the constitutional March 31 deadline for registration of constituencies.

"That's not true. I was registered as at March 27 and paid in my cheque at that time," he said.

"Democracy is not a free for all, it must rest first and foremost on the observance of rules and principles, and those seeking leadership must always remember that, in order to preserve democracy, there are rules and regulations that must be observed.

Registration of constituencies within the specified period is a requirement of the constitution," he pointed out.

(Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

telephone interview.

Becoming competitive

“At the end of the day it really does not matter because if the airline finds itself in difficulty, the State as the owner will have to put money in,” former People’s National Movement government minister Conrad Enill said Monday.

He said CAL should be a viable entity because when it was established in 2007, it was set up on the basis to have reduced cost and greater efficiency. If it followed that model faithfully, he said, it would have achieved its objectives and been able to stand on its own.

“CAL today should be a company operating

with a good cost structure so the need for money from the State should not be an issue. In those circumstances what it means, once the subsidy comes out, then the airline should be able to pay for that from internal profits,” he said.

He said the airline will have to be more competitive and get its cost down while delivering a better product to the consumer.

“The consumer has a lot of choices so if prices become uncompetitive it will start to suffer losses,” Enill said.

Economics lecturer at the University of the West Indies, Dr Anthony Birchwood, said he suspected Howai’s announcement came as a

‘...No impact on ticket prices’

The fuel subsidy for CAL is estimated at TT$300 million.

response to arguments from other Caribbean islands that the fuel subsidy was harming regional airline LIAT. “Because of regional integration he has taken a Caricom position. How successful that will be is another question because fuel is a large percentage of an airline’s cost.

Removing that subsidy and then saying there will not be a rise in ticket prices how can that be?

Because it will have to be that you are subsidising the ticket price,” he said.

Howai also announced the introduction of two new airlines to the country, low-cost American-based airline Jet Blue from July 2014 to Trinidad, and Greek airline Apollo Airlines , which will soon launch flights from selected cities in Europe to Tobago.

“I’m not sure what sector these airlines will be competing in but hopefully not directly with CAL, who still has to deal with the burden of Air Jamaica,” he said.

(TT Express)

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45

health corner

week ending september 15, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

What do you know about Celiac Disease?

By Tisha Boston

T

oday, Friday, September 13th is generally conceived as an unlucky day in Western superstition. However, what most of you may not know is that today also happens to be National Celiac Disease Awareness Day. Celiac disease, also known as celiac sprue or gluten-sensitve enteropathy, is a digestive and autoimmune disorder that damages the small intestine and interferes with the absorption of nutrients. Autoimmunity is an immune response against the body’s own cells, tissues, and organs. This reaction is due to gluten, a protein mainly found in wheat, rye, and barley.

When people with celiac disease eat foods containing gluten, the immune system responds by damaging the villi, which are tiny, finger-like projections that line the small intestine. Villi provide increased surface area to absorb nutrients from food through the walls of the small intestine into the bloodstream. In celiac-diseased individuals, when the villi become shortened and gradually flattened out, no matter how much food these persons eat, they will be malnourished. Such intestinal damage results in digestive problems such as abdominal bloating, pain, gas, diarrhea, pale stools, and weight loss.

Poor nutrient absorption as well as inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract brought on by celiac disease can also lead to other health problems; this is referred to as non classic celiac disease. These health problems include low blood count (anemia), low bone mineral density (osteoporosis), itchy skin rashes (dermatitis herpetiformisis), chronic fatigue, joint pain, poor growth, delayed puberty, infertility or recurrent miscarriages, and defects in the enamel of the teeth. Neurological problems also associated with the disease include migraines, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and recurrent seizures (epilepsy).

Diagnosis of celiac disease involves blood tests, and in most cases a biopsy of the small intestine. Celiac disease often goes undiagnosed because the symptoms are nonspecific, meaning that they are common to other disorders as well. Also, some people with celiac disease may show no symptoms at all;

these are said to have silent celiac disease.

A gluten-free diet is a lifetime requirement for people with celiac disease so it is important for such persons to speak to a dietician or a physician who specializes in celiac disease to learn about food selection, label reading, and other strategies to help manage the disease.

Here are some dietary recommendations

* Most of these foods can be found gluten-free.

When in doubt, check with the food manufacturer.

Source: Thompson T. Celiac Disease Nutrition Guide, 2nd ed. Chicago: American Dietetic Association; 2006. Š American Dietetic Association.

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feature

week ending september 15, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Potaro Bridge T

he Montreal Gazette of Nov. 9, 1933 reported under its headline, “Huge Bridge opened. Five Days Cut from Time to Reach Potaro Gold Area” that a new suspension bridge had been constructed over the Garraway River for “the horde of fortune seekers expected to trek across it in search of gold in British Guiana’s hinterland.”

Also known as Garraway Stream Bridge or Denham Bridge, the Potaro Bridge is located at the extreme end of the Bartica-Potaro Road over the Potaro River, some 120 miles from Bartica. Its moniker “Denham Bridge” derives from Sir Edward Denham, at the time Governor Denham of the colony, who declared the bridge

opened November 8, 1933.

It is said to be the only suspension bridge in the country capable of supporting heavy vehicles.

Spanning 333 feet with two steel trusses suspended by steel cables connected to two reinforced concrete towers on each river bank, the Potaro Bridge was designed to carry a live load of 20 tons.

It was constructed by Scottish civil engineer and general contractor John Aldi (he was interred at Bartica’s Sorrow Hill Cemetery).

According to the Montreal Gazette, the scissors used to cut the ribbon to officially declare the bridge open was made from gold from one of the first shipments that came out of the area.

The Denham Bridge that links Mahdia to Bartica by trail (GINA photo)

Demerara Harbour Bridge

T

Preserving our heritage through pictures

he Demerara Harbour Bridge was commissioned on July 2, 1978, two years after its construction had begun on May 29, 1976.It crosses the Demerara River south of Georgetown, from Peter’s Hall, East Bank Demerara to Schoon Ord, West Bank Demerara.

The 6,074-foot (1,851 m) long floating toll bridge was erected after the government of the day decided there was an urgent need to accomodate the increasing trade and business between the capital city and the west bank of the Demerara River.

The idea of a bridge across the Demerara River is said to have been a dream of the late John Cogland, a sea captain who was also a member

of the colonial legislative council. Cogland had proposed the bridging of the two banks of the river as part of a transportation route.

The bridge’s original site was located near Rahaman’s Park.

However, the-then harbour master had second thoughts on the site, coming to the belief that it was too close to the wharf at the Demerara Sugar terminal and would become a “navigational nightmare” for ships arriving at the port.

The new site for the bridge between Bagotstown and Peter’s Hall was eventually agreed upon, though its construction plans had to be tweaked a bit since the river was 770 ft wider there than the earlier proposed site.

CROSSWORD SOLUTION

feature

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week ending september 15, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Fighting against gender inequality, poverty and abuse, a local organisation, with the help of government and dedicated individuals, continues to provide programmes that help vulnerable women and children improve themselves

T

Out-of-school youths benefit from educational programmes at the centre

he monstrous plague of genderbased violence continues to destroy families and leave women in particular, to struggle to meet their everyday needs and those of their children.

The Roadside Baptist Church Skills Training Centre, located in Berbice, has once again collaborated with the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security through the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) to provide much-needed income generating, social and other skills to empower single parents, especially women, and youths for entrepreneurship, the job market and, ultimately, a better quality of life.

For women, the centre offers a 12-hour weekly training in cosmetology and catering, inclusive of cake decoration and garment construction. These four-month courses are scheduled to end by Nov. 21, 2013.

The current third batch of trainees, through

this government-sponsored programme, benefits from educational sessions on sexual and reproductive health, and on entrepreneurship, for a total of 40 hours. The basic business skills complement the income-generating skills to prepare the women to establish and manage their own business.

Additionally, like the past trainees, this present batch will benefit from the Women of Worth (WOW) loan– an incredible programme established by the Ministry of Human Services. The trainees are motivated by past beneficiaries’ accomplishments who benefited from the WOW initiative.

A monthly $4,000 travelling stipend is provided by BIT. This is part of the package provided by the Government of Guyana to ensure every woman benefits from the training provided.

Attendance and punctuality are vital components of the training, as they are necessary for certification by BIT.

Monthly reports as to content covered, attendance registers and competency assessment of each trainee are all submitted to BIT. The centre also targeted out-of-school youths whose training includes Mathematics and English. They benefit from a travelling stipend of $6,000.

This programme presented a major challenge at the centre as there was an influx of youths for training in cosmetology. Catering was the second choice for most of the trainees. However, the centre ensured that those who were willing to work hard received the opportunity to empower themselves.

Participants were reminded that Roadside trains for life, and that attitude, quality and mode of dress are key areas that determine success or failure. Everyone was excited to be able to benefit from this unique opportunity offered to only a limited number of persons– 36 youths and

Youths benefit immensely from awareness sessions held at Upper Corentyne Industrial Training Centre

Sewing classes for single parents and out-of-school students

20 single parents.

The centre is focused on giving youths a second chance for a formal and/or higher education.

Over the years, the literacy one-on-one adult programme has benefited and equipped beneficiaries either for self-gratification, empowering them to assist their chil-

with the Skeldon Sugar Estate, have small businesses or are self-employed.

Roadside is once again proud of their instructors and learners who sat the May/June 2013 examination securing 84.6 percent passes in English A with Grades 1–3 and 75 percent with similar grades

English and Mathematics for their patience and commitment. Most importantly, we thank the honourable Minister of Labour, Human Services and Social Security and the board of directors of BIT for recognising the centre as an institution worthy of implementing such a project, and to

in Mathematics. The instructors, Indrowattie Autar (English) and Darveena Prananand (Mathematics) had quite a challenging task preparing students for CSEC. However, the dedication and methodology of the caring instructors motivated the learners, which notably contributed to their success.

Regular meetings with parents of the learners are part of the package for the remedial, upgrading and CSEC programmes.

“The board and staff take the opportunity to congratulate the students who have done well in the 2013 CSEC examination, and wish them all the best as they pursue their goals. Sincere gratitude is also expressed to the instructors of the CSEC

the coordinator and staff of BIT for their full support. We look forward to their continued support.

We encourage the present batch of trainees to take full advantage of the training and the WOW loan. Roadside also extends congratulations to the single female parents who benefitted from similar programmes and are now enjoying a better quality of life,” the Roadside Baptist Church Skills Training Centre committee stated gratefully in an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine.

Enrolment is currently ongoing for the new batch of the CSEC English and Mathematics programme. For more information on the centre’s programmes call 3384215 or 338-4213.

Catering classes help to empower women to become income generators

dren, or to move on to the upgrading English and Mathematics programme.

The remedial education programme has provided the opportunity for entrance to the Upper Corentyne Industrial Training Centre, admission to a secondary school after a test administered by the Department of Education, Region Six, or for admission to the upgrading English and Mathematics programme in preparation for CSEC if so desired.

This new academic year is no different.

Some from the last group of the remedial education class have moved on to Tagore High School and to the Industrial Training Centre at Kingston, Corriverton. They are some who are working

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Bollywood

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F

ilmmaker Karan Johar, whose new production 'Gori Tere Pyaar Mein' features Imran Khan and Kareena Kapoor, says the duo looks so good together on screen that he wishes the two had exchanged vows off screen.

Both Kareena and Imran are married in real life. While Kareena is married to actor Saif Ali Khan, Imran wed his long-time lady love Avantika.

Talking about Kareena and Imran's pairing in the movie, Karan said: "They both are so gorgeous. How can anyone not be appealed by them? It's just that they have different spouses. I wish Kareena and Imran were mar-

ith all the hoopla surrounding Deepika Padukone's Hollywood debut with 'Fast and Furious 7', it turns out that now the pretty actress might not even do the film.

The actress, who was finalised for the movie while she was in Dubai, has apparently decided to let go of the project due to date issues.

The actress, who was reportedly keen to star in the movie, did try her to best to accommodate her dates for the project. However, since she had work commitments with Bollywood directors, the actress had no option but to bow out of the project.

A report in Midday says that the ried to each other."

Asked if it is even practically possible, he joked about it and said: "Even now it can happen. We can't say anything. Nothing is impossible."

Reacting to Karan's comment, Kareena

asked: "Phir Saif ka kya hoga? (Then what about Saif?)"

This is the second time that Kareena and Imran have been paired. They were earlier seen in romanticcomedy ‘Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu’ (2012). (TOI)

‘Men should learn to respect women’ - Veena Malik

F

ilms and fashion are not the reason behind rising crimes against women in the country, believes actress Veena Malik. "Neither films, nor is modern culture liable to the rising crimes against women. It's the mindset of men. It's absurd to say that if a woman is wearing fashionable clothes then she is inciting a man to rape her. Also, no film preaches to misbehave with women," said the actress.

Expressing her concern over the derogatory status of women in the country, the Pakistani actress said that every man should understand that a woman is also a human being and has the right to live her life in her own way.

She added that, "There should be

a balance behavior between men and women. Every man should learn how to respect a woman. They should be educated about it. Similarly, a woman should know her limit and public behaviour." (TOI)

Akshay Kumar touched by fans who celebrated his birthday

B

ollywood actor Akshay Kumar, who turned 46 on September 9th, was overwhelmed with several birthday wishes.

But he was especially touched by how some fan clubs celebrated his special day at orphanages and by organising blood donation camps.

The actor, who is often called tinsel town's 'khiladi' thanks to the string of action films he

Deepika Padukone out of 'Fast And Furious 7'?

has done in the past, took to Twitter to thank his fans.

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Saying it as many times won't be enough. Blessed to get

so much love... saw so many of you celebrating my birthday as if it was your own, cutting cakes and treating friends.

But what touched me most was how some of you celebrated my birthday at orphanages and even organised blood donation camps. Thank you for making 'Boss Ka Birthday' memorable.

Love you all," he posted on the micro-blogging site. (TOI)

actress was asked to give dates from September 2013 to January 2014.

However, these dates were clashing with her shooting schedule for ‘Happy New Year’ and ‘Ram Leela’. (TOI)

‘Women should carry knife to protect themselves’ - Shilpa Shetty

U

rging women to become "selfreliant", Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty on Saturday recommended them to carry a knife to protect themselves from molesters.

"Some people and molesters have a sick mentality...Police are doing their best to protect us, but how much they would do? Women should be self-reli-

ant and carry a knife when they are in crowd," the actress told reporters when her opinion was sought against the backdrop of recent assaults on women and gang-rapes in the metropolis.

The 38-year-old actor was speaking at Bhaidas Hall in Vile Parle on the sidelines of a programme organised by the city police to create awareness among the Ganesh mandals about the safety and security during the ten-day Ganesh festival starting from Monday.

"We are reading in newspapers about such incidents (assaults on women). I am just fed up and sometimes I feel what kind of society we are living in," she said.

The actor thanked the policemen for their "good work". (TOI)

‘Ranbir Kapoor is the biggest superstar of our country today’, says Abhinav Kashyap

F

ilmmaker Abhinav Kashyap has confessed that he considers Ranbir Kapoor to be the biggest superstar of India right now, asserting that the actor would remain one for the next 15-20 years.

During the song launch of their upcoming rom-com 'Besharam', Kashyap asserted that he was lucky to have worked with Kapoor in the flick.

Kashyap also opened up about the quirky title of his flick.

"There is a very famous saying "Ki duniya maie sabse bada rog ki kya kahenge log." I think the point of the title ‘Besharam’ is not that you become shameless. But it means don't be afraid of what the society will say or the world

will say. If you have your own thought process and point of view, then it doesn't have to be what the world says is right or wrong. I think that's where it comes from." (TOI)

‘My mom keeps telling me to get married’- Randeep Hooda

'Life doesn't stop at box office numbers' - Farhan Akhtar

A

ctor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar, whose last film 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag' reaped gold at the box office, believes life doesn't stop at the box office numbers.

When asked if he is an actor who keeps a track of the numbers that his movies make. He said "Not to the extent

that it drives me crazy.

When you work on your

film, you want it to do well and one barometer of knowing whether your film is doing well or not is the box office. So that's one aspect of it that you like to know. But is your happiness only going to be based on this and life not move on, if you don't get those numbers? You have to move on," said the actor. (TOI)

R

andeep Hooda is enjoying a career high.

However, his mother wants to see her famous son get hitched.

The 37-year-old actor, who reportedly dated a string of women includ-

ing Sushmita Sen andNeetu Chandra in the past, is currently single and has no plans to marry any time soon.

"My mom often tells me to get married, but she gets it now that I don't want to. Like any

other mom she is worried, but she also understands the demands of my profession. I am blessed to have a family like this," Randeep told the media recently.

The ‘Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster’ star considers his family as his biggest critic and counts on them from time to time.

"My family is my biggest critic. Since they come from a non-filmi background they give me an audience's point of view. They have been very supportive of me," he said. (TOI)

Hollywood Kelly Brook's butt inspires women to undergo surgery

K

elly Brook's recent photos of her bikini butt or "bumsie" has apparently inspired many women to seek medical help to make their rear

look just like the model's peachy bum.

Debra Robson, the director of LoveLite, a leading cosmetic clinic, whose demand for its body sculpting treat-

ment-Lipoglaze-have gone up by a staggering 33 percent, said that ever since Brook began flaunting her incredible bottom, women have been coming in for Lipoglaze on the back of their thighs just below their bum, the Daily Star reported.

Robson asserted that many women don't have a definitive curve to their bottom but Lipoglaze can help.

The non-invasive and painless treatment removes unwanted areas of fat from the tummy, arms or thighs.

(TOI)

week ending september 15, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Michael Douglas used to sew his underwear!

A

ctor Michael Douglas has revealed that he used strange precautions when he used to film intimate scenes-he says he used to sew up his underwear.

"I used to sew my underwear up. You know the little gap at the front of your briefs? Just sew that up so nothing can pop out unexpectedly," showbizspy.com quoted the 68-year-old as say-

ing.

The ‘Basic Instinct’ star also said that a sex

A

Liam Hemsworth wants clean break from Miley Cyrus

A

ctor Liam Hemsworth reportedly wants a "clean break" from his fiancée, Miley Cyrus.

The 23-year-old is said to be on the verge of ending their relationship soon following the 20-year-old pop star's raunchy antics on stage at the recently held MTV Video Music Awards, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

A source told Us Magazine.com that Hemsworth is "just weeks away from calling it off permanently. He is over her and wants to make a clean break. No more back and forth."

Cyrus was seen

‘twerking’ with her tongue out and flirting with singer Robin

Thicke on the stage of the awards night held in New York Aug 25. (TOI)

James Franco wishes he was gay

A

ctor James Franco is unfazed by rumours about his sexuality and wishes he was gay.

Franco, 35, known for his role in movies like ‘Spider-Man 3’,’Milk’ and ‘127 Hours’, doesn't take jokes on him being gay as insults, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

"Great! Bring on the gay jokes!

Because these aren't insults at all. I don't even care if people think I'm gay, so it was like, 'Awesome!' I mean, I wish I was ...I wish I was gay," Franco told thedailybeast.com.

The actor has revealed that girls,

who hated him in college, spread the rumour about his sexuality. (TOI)

scene is all about the right preparation and rehearsal.

"Those sex scenes might look like impulse, but I wasn't some sort of rampant exhibitionist. A great sex scene is really an issue of being comfortable with the ladies in front of the camera.

It's all about preparation and rehearsal. You practice, talk it through step by step," Douglas added.

(TOI)

Oprah Winfrey admits to fear of balloons

‘Never had a drink’ - Jennifer Hudson

ctress Jennifer Hudson says she has never consumed alcohol or drugs in her life. This made it hard for her to play a heroin addict in a movie.

The 31-year-old, who is acting as a heroin addict in a new movie ‘The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete’, found it difficult to connect with the role, reported femalefirst.co.uk.

"It terrified me to play that part because I had no reference point. I'm 31 and I've never, ever, ever had a drink or done a drug in my entire life," Manhattan magazine quoted Hudson as saying.

"I stick with Diet Coke and Crystal Light and water," she added. (TOI)

49

O

prah Winfrey has revealed that she is extremely terrified of balloons.

The 59-year-old media mogul told O Magazine that she is ab-

solutely terrified of the sound of balloons popping, as it reminds her of gunfire, asserting that it really freaks her out, the New York Post reported.

In the yet-to-be pub-

lished interview Winfrey admitted that her fear sometimes makes it difficult for her to attend parties.

The talk show host recalled that on her 40th birthday her entire staff decided to surprise her and had filled a room with balloons.

Winfrey said that she had to walk through the balloons and all she could think about was when one of them would pop.

She, however, added that she decided to face her fear and do what was required of her at the time. (TOI)

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Sport

week ending september 15, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

DDL/ GCB Inter-county 50-over competition bowls off on September 21 … final to be played at Albion

D

emerara Distillers Limited (DDL), under their Pepsi brand, in collaboration with the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), launched this year’s Inter-County 50-over round robin competition on Friday at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) pavilion, Shiv Chanderpaul Drive.

The tournament, which gets underway on September 21, forms part of the preparation for the upcoming regional 50-over competition.

It is also being used as a benchmark to select the local squad to participate in the regional competition, slated for January next year.

The three preliminary rounds will be played at the famous Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) while the final is scheduled for

the Albion Community Centre, ground.

Speaking to the media at the launching, GCB President, Drubahadur emphasised the importance of this tournament to Guyana’s preparation for next year’s participation in the tournament.

Further, he stated that this tournament cannot be underestimated, since the best possible team will be selected to represent Guyana.

“Over the years the selectors would have used this competition to select our national team and this year will be no exception, so we hope that these games will give the selectors an opportunity to select the best possible team to represent our country,” Drubahadur said.

The GCB president

said he is happy with the commitment of DDL and the support for the local tournament.

DDL Pepsi brand executive Larry Wills stated that DDL is once again pleased to partner with the GCB in hosting this year’s tournament.

Wills further disclosed that both Pepsi and DDL have strong ties to cricket around the world. He noted that Pepsi continues to sponsor several grassroots programme which are intended to develop cricket at the local level.

Super bonus points

Meanwhile, this year’s tournament will see teams receiving super bonus points. For every team which scores in excess of 300 runs will receive two super bonus points.

In addition the losing

DDL Pepsi Brand Executive Larry Wills hands over the sponsorship package to GCB President Drubahadur. Chairman of the GCB’S competition committee Colin Europe (right) and Chairman of the GCB’s senior selection panel Rayon Griffith look on (Rajiv Bisnauth photo)

team which scores in excess of 300 runs will be awarded one super bonus point while two super bonus points will be awarded to the team that dismisses their opponents below 150 runs.

Fixtures

Round one of the tournament will see a clash between Essequibo and Demerara. Round two is scheduled for Tuesday September 24, between Demerara and

Berbice. The final preliminary round is fixed for Thursday September 26 where Berbice face Essequibo.

The two top teams will clash in the final on September 29.

24 teams to contest Courts Pee Wee competition

T

wenty-four primary schools in Georgetown will contest the fourth annual Courts Pee Wee Under-11 football competition, set

to kick off on September 28 at the Banks DIH ground, Thirst Park.

The tournament, which is a collaborative effort of furniture

and appliance company, Courts (Guyana) Inc., beverage giant Banks DIH Limited and the Petra Organisation, was launched on Wednesday

Officials of Courts (Guyana) Inc, Banks DIH Limited, the Petra Organisation, the Education Ministry and students of some of the participating schools pose with the sponsorship cheque during Wednesday’s launch (Photo: Avenash Ramzan)

afternoon in the lunchroom of Courts’ Main Street outlet, where representatives of the various stakeholders reiterated the importance of investing in grassroots football.

Lead sponsor Courts (Guyana) Inc., has injected Gy$ 3.3 million into the event, which will conclude on November 2 when the final is held at the Banks DIH ground, Thirst Park, the venue for the 70 games of the competition.

The entity’s Managing Director, Clyde de Haas, said the investment in youth football is a clear representation of “bringing value home”, making direct reference to the Courts theme.

He expressed the company’s delight at partnering with other organisations for the development of football at the grassroots level, adding that the competition is growing with each passing year.

Last year’s tourney attracted 16 schools.

Urging the players to “let good sportsmanship prevail”, de Haas announced that the top four schools will receive a 32inch television set each to aid visual sessions in the classroom. In 2012, the four top schools were recipients of a laptop each.

Co- director of the Petra Organisation, Troy Mendonca, said the development of football at the grassroots level will ultimately benefit all levels of the game, hence the decision to focus on the Under-11 division.

Outlining the format, Mendonca stated that the teams will be divided into six groups of four teams, which will contest a round robin. The top two teams from each group, along with the four best third place finishers will advance to the Round of 16, after which the teams will battle for positions 1-16.

Allison Rawlins, rep-

resenting the Education Ministry, said such a tournament would always be endorsed by the ministry, as it provides an avenue for children in the schools system to become well-rounded individuals.

She also used the opportunity to enforce the importance of discipline, urging the students/ players to comply with the rules and regulations of the tournament at all times.

The participating primary schools are defending champions Marian Academy, last- year’s runner-up Tucville Primary, St Agnes, West Ruimveldt, St Margaret’s, St Sidwell’s, South Ruimveldt, North Georgetown, Ketley, St Gabriel’s, F. E. Pollard, Enterprise, St Pius, Sophia, Success, Redeemer, New Guyana School, Green Acres, Stella Maris, St Winifred, Winfer Garden, J. E. Burnham, St Angela’s and East Ruimveldt.

SPort

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LDMAA cops top awards at martial arts competition

Lara, Walsh expected for World Masters F

T

Top performers of the LDMAA international martial arts tournament strike a pose with their medals, trophies and certificates. Miss India Guyana (standing centre) shares the moment

he Little Diamond Martial Arts Academy (LDMAA) hosted its international martial arts tournament recently at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, carting off the lion’s share of the accolades that were at stake.

Fifty-eight competitors from three schools in Guyana and one from Suriname participated in the two-day competition.

The LDMAA, under the stewardship of Shihan Abdool Nazim Yassim, earned 13 first place finishes, 16 runner-up spots and 11 thirds; they also claimed one grand champion trophy.

The LDMAA had students from their Enmore, Covent Garden, Parfaite Harmonie and Wales dojos competing in the tournament.

The Guyana Martial Arts Masters Association (GMAMA) hall-of-fame award went to Parsuram Arjune of Wales, while Omesh Jankie of Covent Garden was voted student-of-the-year. A spe-

cial award went to Marcell Lynda Yassim for her contribution to martial arts over the years, while the founder and master instructor of the year award went to Shihan Abdool Nazim Yassim.

The LDMAA was also voted martial arts school of the year, while Michael Chotoo of Wales copped the parent of the year accolade.

The Shuriken Karate School of Suriname, with six students, won 22 trophies/ medals and was the recipient of two hall of fame awards.

A special award was given to Instructor Shihan Nowieldath Khedoe of Suriname, while his son Lorenzo Khedoe was presented with a student of the year award.

Shihan Nowieldath Khedoe also received his fifth Dan Shin-Kai-Ryu certificate and third Dan certificates in self-defence and mixed martial Arts, while Christopher Norville was also pre-

sented with his fifth Dan Shin-Kai-Ryu certificate.

The LDMAA lost the team championship trophy to Black Hawks Martial Arts Network, while the other competing school was the Harpy Eagle Martial Arts Club.

Also at the tournament, Shihan Nowieldath Khedoe and Marline Younge of the Enmore dojo were presented with LDMAA life members certificates, while Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony, who was present at the championship, received an honourary third Dan black belt and a life member certificate.

The tournament was a collaborative effort by Shihan Abdool Nazim Yassim, the Sport Ministry, National Sports Commission, Macorp, 4R General Store, Survival Supermarket, Rohan’s Auto Sales, Starr Computers, Len’s Craft Optical, Gizmos and Gadgets, Mr Sharma of Enmore and Mr Deokanandan.

Jamaica still have slim World Cup Final chance

A

s Jamaica's World Cup dream suffered a potentially fatal body blow with a 1-1 draw against Costa Rica in their match at the National Stadium Tuesday night, crowd favourite Jermaine 'Tuffy' Anderson had his moment of redemption.

The Waterhouse striker, who was kept out of the team by the previous coaching team, gave Jamaicans something to cheer about in the dying moments when he scored to give the Reggae Boyz hopes of a comeback having entered the field of play in the 68th minute.

But Costa Rica, who scored in the 74th minute through another substitute, Randall Brenes, moved to 15 points in the CONCACAF hexagonal play-offs, and secured qualification along with the USA, who defeated Mexico 2-0 at home to boost their points tally to 16, for a safe passage to the Brazil 2014 World Cup Finals.

Honduras followed up their 2-1 victory over Mexico at the Azteca last Friday with a 2-2 result against Panama at home to move to 11 points, while Panama inched up a place to fourth

on eight points, the same as Mexico.

Jamaica advanced to four points, but remained firmly rooted at the bottom of the six-nation group, but having failed to gather maximum points and with nearest rivals Mexico and Panama doing likewise, the Reggae Boyz were kept on life support, as they still have a mathematical chance of stealing fourth place, should they register maximum points from their two remaining games, and neither Mexico nor Panama score a win in either of their games.

The team that finishes in fourth place will earn another chance at qualification when they engage the winner of the Oceania region, New Zealand, in a home-and-away play-off series in mid November.

Jamaica will oppose the USA on October 11 in Kansas City, and then Honduras at home four days later, while Mexico welcome Panama to the Azteca on October 11, before travelling to the already qualified Costa Rica on October 15, as Panama entertain the US on the same day. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

ans around the world will soon get a chance to see cricket legends such as Inzamam-ul-Haq, Brian Lara, Rahul Dravid, Shoaib Akhtar, Courtney Walsh, Graeme Hick and others in action at the T20 Clobi World Masters of Cricket Tournament in Barbados.

It has been learnt by The Express Tribune that the event will be played from November 1-10 and will be a fournation competition between the West Indies, Pakistan, India and England.

For eligibility, the participants should be aged above 35 before the start of the tournament and they must have represented their respective countries in either Tests or One-Day Internationals.

All players will be required to follow the rules and regulations of their one-year contract in order to avoid legal complications that may lead to the cancellation of contracts.

Pakistan is looking to field a strong line-up that includes 1992 World Cup winning members as well.

The expected squad

Brian Lara

Courtney Walsh

consists of Akhtar, Inzamam, Mohammad Yousuf, Saqlain Mushtaq, Mushtaq Ahmad, Asif Mujtaba, Rava Navedul-Hasan, Rashid Latif, Shabbir Ahmad, Asim Kamal, Yasir Hameed, Arshad Khan, while the quartet of Moin Khan, Waqar Younis, Saeed Anwar and Azhar Mahmood will participate as per their availability.

Meanwhile, the West Indies squad is expected to feature Lara, Carl Hooper, Walsh, Curly Ambrose, Gordon Greenidge, Desmond Haynes, Floyd Reifer, Vasbert Drakes, Courtney Browne, Collis King, Ezra Mosley,

Stuart Williams and Pedro Collins.

India is likely to be represented by Dravid, Robin Singh, Rahul Sanghui, Amay Khurhsiya, Pravin Amre, Narendra Herwani, Harvinder Singh, Viyay Dahiya, Iqbal Saddiqui, Abey Karuilla, Gagan Khoda and Sadagoppan Ramesh.

England is expected to field Paul Collingwood, Hick, Paul Nixon, Gladstone Small, Neil Fairbrother, Phil Defreitas, Devon Malcolm, Dean Headley, John Emburery, Glen Chapple, Mathew Maynard and Chris Schofield in the line- up. (windiescricket)

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IAC honours Guyana’s youngest World Champion

T

he Indian Arrival Committee (IAC) on Saturday afternoon honoured Guyana’s youngest world powerlift ing champion, 18-year-old Gumendra Shewdas, with a monetary award of Gy$ 500,000 and a plaque during a ceremony at the Tej Mohall Shopping Complex in Number 79 Village Corriverton, Berbice.

Also making a presentation to the star lifter at Saturday’s event was the Corriverton branch of the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI). The management and staff of Tej Mohall Shopping Complex also used the opportunity to recognise the monumen-

tal achievement of Shewdas.

Among those in attendance at the event was Natural Resources Minister, Robert Persaud, who is also the patron of the IAC. In brief remarks, he applauded the efforts of the young Berbician.

Agriculture Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, who has parliamentary responsibilities for Region Six, also graced the occasion, along with Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party and former chairman of Region Six, Zulfikar Mustapha.

Region Six chairman David Armogan applauded the IAC for the gesture and noted that other organisations in

Guyana’s youngest world champion in powerlifting, Gumdendra Shewdas (third from right), poses with his cheque and members of the IAC at last Saturday evening’s function

the region will also be honouring the Berbice hero, who has made all Guyanese proud.

The ceremony was also attended by

Shewdas’ immediate family, officials of the IAC and members of the business community in Berbice.

Shewdas, who has

earned the alias “Golden Boy”, returned home a few weeks ago from the World Junior and Sub Junior Powerlifting Championships in

Killeen, Texas, U. S. A, with a gold medal in the 53kg class.

In the process, he became Guyana’s youngest world champion in any sport discipline.

Shewdas’ best squat of 180kg and bench press of 90kg were below U. S. A’s Dalton La Coe’s 182.5kg (squat), 105kg (bench press) heading into the deadlifts, but a huge lift of 205kg on his second attempt thrust the Guyanese into the lead.

With Shewdas holding the psychological advantage, La Coe could only muster a lift of 137.5kg and failed twice at 192.5kg.

Russia’s Alexei Kulakov was third with a total of 412.5kg.

Saqlain “honoured” to work with Windies spinners S

aqlain Mushtaq said he was honoured to be invited to the Caribbean to train the current generation of West Indies spinners.

The former Pakistan offspin master accepted an invitation from the West Indies Cricket Board and has been sharing his wisdom and understanding with current and emerging spinners at the Sagicor West Indies High Performance Centre, which is based on the campus of the University of the West Indies just a few kilometres outside of the Barbados capital of Bridgetown.

“It is a great honour for me because West Indies has such a great history in the game,” he told WICB Media.

“Many legends of the game have come from West Indies. There are many cricketing knights, including Sir Garfield Sobers and Sir Vivian Richards, and there is also one of my great rivals, Brian Lara, so I am very excited about this opportunity.

“When (West Indies coach) Ottis Gibson called, I was more than happy to come to the Caribbean and share what I know with the young players. This is also a beautiful place to be with warm, friendly people.”

The crop of bowlers benefitting from Saqlain’s knowledge includes fellow off-spinner Shane Shillingford, West Indies team-

mates, left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul and leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo.

Saqlain said he was impressed with the players’ passion for the game, the deep interest in the art of spin bowling and their willingness to learn.

“We are working to improve the spin bowling reserves and I have seen a number of young players and a few that have played already for West Indies,” he said.

“There is a lot potential and there are all very talented and there is a lot of passion about the game – and my role is to make them more technically sound and tactically aware.” He added: “We have also had dis-

Former Pakistan spinner Saqlain Mushtaq (right) engages West Indies off-spinner Shane Shillingford in discussion

cussions about how fit the spinner needs to be, how flexible the spinner needs to be, how they should take care of their body in particular their fingers.

“The players seem like they love to bowl spin. They have been bowling a lot of deliveries and they seem like they want to continue way past our cut-off time which is very, very good.”

Saqlain said though West Indies have produced a plethora of quality fast bowlers that have served them exceedingly well in the last 30 years, they have also produced quality spinners.

He hailed legendary fellow off-spinner Lance

Gibbs, the first spinner to capture 300 Test wickets, and noted the achievements of pioneers like Sonny Ramadhin and Alf Valentine, whose names have been immortalised with the naming of the southern end of the Three Ws Oval on the UWI Cave Hill campus.

“The history is there, but looking at this group of players, they have the potential, but they have to work more and hard on perfecting their craft,” he said.

“When I came into the Pakistan team, I had a number of role models, and this spin bowling clinic will help them to improve and learn a few new things.”

He said: “The rela-

tionship between the coach and the player is like body and soul. The coach is the soul and the player is the body. The coach must know the players from inside to out.

“Once the relationship between the coach and the player is strong, then you can get into the work and things will head in the right direction, but it all takes time.”

Saqlain, 36, played 49 Tests and 169 Oneday Internationals for Pakistan between 1995 and 2004.

He will spend three weeks working with the current crop of senior and emerging spin bowlers in the Caribbean. (windiescricket.com)

Sport

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Synthetic track 70 per cent complete – Surface to be laid by November, says Ninvalle

By Rajiv Bisnauth

The rubberised turf for the Synthetic track and field facility at Leonora, West Coast Demerara, has arrived in Guyana and installation should commence shortly with the aim of completion by November month-end.

This is according to Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Sport Ministry, Steve Ninvalle, following a visit to the site on Saturday.

German company, BSW Regupol, is the supplier of the track and is also responsible for its installation.

The installation of the track and line marking is expected to be completed

over a span of five weeks once there is favourable weather condition.

“The turf has been manufactured and is in Guyana. We have written to the German company BSW Regupol and they should be in Guyana very shortly to lay the synthetic materials on the track,” Ninvalle in formed.

He added, “However, the track can only be laid in continuous dry weather, so we were informed by the meteorological office that Guyana should experience some dry weather between midSeptember to mid-November. We have informed BSW Regupol about the weather so they will be here short-

ly.”

Project Manager of Design and Construction Service Limited, Patrick Pitt, said works under Phase II are moving apace. He said that the overall work is approximately 70 percent complete.

“Phase II- Lots 4 and 5- has been terminated with the remaining four in its construction stage.

The remaining sub project is yet to be tendered.

Also the outstanding works under Phase IILot 4 have been evaluated, quantified and retendered. All four Sub Lots have been awarded with Sub Lots 2 and 3 completed and Sub Lots 1 and 4 under construction phase.

WI stars converge on Papua New Guinea

P

apua New Guinea will get a taste of cricket Caribbean style this week when current and former West Indian stars touchdown in Port Moresby to participate in the annual Cricket PNG Don’t Drink and Drive Legends Bash.

West Indies Cricket One-Day international captain, Dwayne Bravo who has signed on as a development mentor and ambassador to Cricket PNG will be joined by Kemar Roach and Richie Richardson for a week of activities the likes of which the nation has never seen before.

In a first for Cricket PNG the Don’t Drink and Drive Legends Bash will be a beach cricket tournament held in the coast village of Hanuabada, due to the ongoing redevelopment of the Amini Park precinct.

Former Australian Test player and current Cricket PNG CEO Greg Campbell says that the impact of the trios visit will be huge.

“Papua New Guinea is a cricket-mad nation and our team has historically always looked up to West Indies cricketers,” said Campbell.

“In fact, the West Indies were the first international team to tour PNG back in 1975 and our cricketers look to emulate their entertaining style of play and their spirit of the game.”

“The atmosphere and excitement in the air that Dwayne Bravo, Kemar Roach and Richie Richardson are coming to town, has been aston-

Kemar Roach

ishing,” he said.

In addition to participating in the beach cricket carnival, the three West Indian greats will be involved in a number of other promotional and development initiatives to kick start Bravo’s Ambassador Role with Cricket PNG. The Ambassador role will see Bravo make sponsored visits across schools, academies and rural communities throughout greater Port Moresby. The objective of these visits will be to assist with junior participation programs and use cricket as a platform to motivate and inspire PNG youth.

Bravo will also act as a mentor to Papua New Guinean cricketers who are beginning to make a genuine impact on the world stage with more than a handful catching the eye of talent scouts within professional T20 franchises around the world.

Campbell says that Bravo’s profile, achievements and experience

will play a crucial role as PNG enter the most important six months in the ICC Associate member’s history.

“We wanted to align our top players with a mentor and a powerful global superstar who could inspire them with his presence and his invaluable international experience and guidance. Dwayne Bravo has achieved incredible heights of success within both West Indies Cricket and on a global scale, and as the current Captain of the West Indies ODI squad, we felt he was the perfect candidate.” (First published on Box Score News)

Ongoing works on Phase II of the Synthetic track and field facility at Leonora, West Coast Demerara, as of last Saturday (Photos Rajiv Bisnauth)

“The outstanding works under Phase II– Lot 5 have been re-evaluated, quantified and submitted to the client into three Sub Lots and Phase II– Lot 6A is in the design stage,” Pitt disclosed.

Meanwhile, Ninvalle

indicated that despite the termination of two lots due to two delinquent contractors, he is satisfied with the progress made thus far.

The project is divided into three Phases and twelve Lots. Phase I consists of one Lot, Phase

II has seven Lots, while Phase III comprises three Lots.

A total of Gy$ 560 million has been spent on the facility thus far.

The estimated cost to complete the entire facility is US$ 5 million.

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South American youth teams named, depart for Peru September 17

By Treiston Joseph

G

uyana’s 31-member contingent for the inaugural South American Youth Championships set to take place in Lima, Peru, from September 20, will be departing on September 17.

The Guyanese will feature in seven sporting disciplines: athletics, badminton, boxing, cycling, swimming, table tennis and weightlifting.

At a press conference on Monday at the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) headquarters, the names were revealed, along with their coaches. Also, GOA president K. A. Juman Yassin noted that the event, which was funded by the GOA in excess of Gy$ 5 million, can be the start of the “Road to Rio” for the athletes on the trip.

“Funding for the team is totally from the GOA; we have not asked any of the association for help with the funding.

The team has about 30 persons and it is hopefully the start of the careers for these young athletes; for some it is the start of the road to Rio and for most it should be start

for the road to Tokyo in 2020,” Yassin told media representatives.

Coach for the athletics team Julian Edmonds commended the GOA for giving the athletes an opportunity to acclimatise.

“We have an experienced team, they all are healthy and preparing for the National Youth Championship so they are fit and I must congratulate the GOA on getting us there early so that we can acclimatise because it is going to be a bit cold over there. And we should be able to put in about five to six training sessions before the games begin,” Edmonds stated.

On the other hand, Yassin pointed out that more needs to be done for boxing, which has brought Guyana’s only medal at the Olympics, national coach Wincel Thomas believes that his team is prepared for the challenge.

“We have two experience boxers on the team and we are now winding down training at the [Andrew] “Sixhead” Lewis gym. We are well prepared and our team should do well,” Thomas

related.

Teams Athletics

Coach: Julian Edmonds, Athletes: Jason Yaw, Tirana Mitchell, Andrea Foster and Dequan Vancooten.

Badminton

Coach: Gokarn Ramdhani , Athletes: Ambika Ramraj and Narayan Ramdhani.

Boxing

Coach: Wincel Thomas, Athletes: Tefon Greene, Travis Fraser, Joel Williamson and Michael April.

Cycling

Coach: William Howard, Athletes: Akeem Arthur, Alonzo Ambrose, Shaquel Agard, Stepano Husbands and Crystal Lambert.

Swimming

Coach: Sean Baksh, Athletes: Hannibal Gaskin, Onika George and Omar Adams.

Table Tennis Coach: Linden Johnson, Athletes: Shemar Britton and Chelsea Edghill.

Weightlifting

Coach: Sean Cozier, Athletes: Sheriah Melville, Darren Williams and Denoila Bristol.

Motie-Kanhai, Chanderpaul, Hetmyer in Windies U-19 squad to face Bangladesh – seven-match series slated for Guyana in October

S

t John’s, ANTIGUA – The West Indies Cricket Board announced on Tuesday the West Indies Under-19 squad to face Bangladesh Under-19 in a sevenmatch One-Day Series, to be played in Guyana in October.

Leading run scorer in the recently concluded Regional Under-19 Tournament, Trinidadian Jeremy Solozano and chief wicket-taker Gudakesh Moti-Kanhai are the leading names in the 17-man squad.

Also in the squad is Grenadian and Windward Island pacer Preston McSween who took the most wickets in the 50-over version of the regional tournament.

The squad consists of six players from Jamaica who won the Regional Under 19 titles this year, claiming both the 3 Day and 50 Over trophies.

The regional junior side will take on the Bangladeshis at three venues – the Guyana National Stadium, Bourda and Everest.

West Indies Under 19 Squad: Fabian Allen (Jamaica), Jofra Archer (Barbados), Tagenarine

Gudakesh Moti-Kanhai

Shimron Hetmyer

Chanderpaul, (Guyana), Bryan Charles (Trinidad & Tobago), Tristan Coleman (Jamaica), Taryck Gabriel (Windward Islands, St Lucia), Shimron Hetmyre (Guyana), Jerome Jones (Barbados), Ray Jordan (Windward Islands, St Vincent), Alzarri Joseph (Leeward Islands, Antigua), Brandon King (Jamaica), Ramaal Lewis (Jamaica), Leroy Lug (Jamaica), Preston McSween (Windward Islands, Grenada),

Marquino Mindley (Jamaica), Gudakesh Moti-Kanhai (Guyana), Jeremy Solozano (Trinidad & Tobago).

Trinidad and Tobago wicketkeeper/ batsman Nicholas Pooran was not considered for selection as he will be with the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force team participating in the Champions League. Should he become available following the Champions League he will join the West Indies Under 19 squad. (WICB)

guyanatimeSinternational.com

Sports is no longer our game, it’s our business

week ending september 15, 2013

Powell fully focused ahead of India tour

Kieran Powell

B

asseterre, SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS - Nevisian and West Indies opening batsman, Kieran Powell is fully focused and ready for the upcoming challenges as he heads off to India with the West Indies A team.

Kieran agreed to an interview late Monday night, even though he was set to catch a boat at 6am the next morning to go over to St Kitts where he was to board a flight to Barbados to join his teammates. The West Indies A team was due to fly out of Barbados on Tuesday evening, en route to India.

In referring to his recent CPL performances, Powell expressed the thought that he was below par. “I was a little rusty for starters as I was just coming off my finger injury. My finger was broken on two separate occasions. However, I got better as the tournament progressed and I managed to end up in the ten top batters,” he said..

When asked about adjusting to the longer versions of the game as he goes off to India, he stated that his plan was simple— to stick to the basics.

“It’s a matter of waiting for the bad balls. The scoring opportunities will come. I just plan to keep it simple,” he said.

Powell who has been selected as captain of the one-day team and vice captain of the four day team, stated that when he was asked to take up the leadership role, he was happy to accept. “They (the selectors) are looking in new directions in terms of leadership and I did not see any harm in giving it a try. Obviously, I have a little more international experience than some of the other guys and I will do my best for the team,” he said.

Powell also explained that he has sought advice from several key individuals as regards to captaincy and other issues. These include Ricky Ponting; Darren Sammy; Marlon Samuels and his dad who has stuck with him through thick and thin.

About his plans for the upcoming tour, Powell who has played in India previously, noted that the surfaces there are slower and lower and has the ball turning from ball one. “ plan to build my innings and spend a lot of time in the middle. I hope to get some big scores and build my confidence”, he stated.

He was quick to point out that he is hoping to be a part of the senior West Indies tour to India which begins just one week after the A team tour concludes and he also plans to be a part of the team for the New Zealand tour which follows.

In terms of countering the spin threat, the confident left-hander indicated that his plan was to get as close to the pitch of the ball as possible and to be aggressive against the spinners. (First published on ZIZ Online)

Windies planning Sachin ‘surprise’ Jamaica still

J

AIPUR: Sachin Tendulkar’s 200th Test is going to be special for more reasons than one. Amid the debate on whether the Little Master should play the milestone match at home or not, visitors West Indies are planning a ‘surprise’ for Sachin.

It’s Saqlain Mushtaq’s doosra! Former Pakistan offspinner Saqlain is training the Caribbean spinners on mastering the art of the doosra ahead of the India tour.

Saqlain’s variety of spin had proved to be Tendulkar’s Achilles heel throughout his career.

And now, through a special camp held at the High Performance Centre in Barbados, the spinners of the likes of Devendra Bishoo, Shane Shillingford, Ashley Nash are learning trade secrets from Saqlain to tackle the Little Master in his milestone match.

Ask Saqlain about his new assignment and he smiles. “Touring India is always a challenge for any team and now that Sachin will be playing his 200th Test, the pressure will be more on the bowlers. At the moment, I’m assessing our spinners keeping all these factors in mind,” Saqlain told TOI from Barbados.

The last time West Indies travelled to India a couple of years back, lack of quality spinners proved costly for Darren

have slim World Cup Final chance

Sachin Tendulkar

Sammy’s men and they are taking lessons from that. “For any bowler playing at the international level, it’s important to be physically and mentally strong.

A batsman like Sachin will test your character and you can’t just give up,” Saqlain felt.

So what’s his advice for the Sunil Narines and Shillingfords?

“Read his body language and have patience. You need to judge him well and while bowling to Sachin, you will have to allow him to go for shots and then you need to counter back. That’s all I will be sharing with these spinners,” Saqlain elaborated.

Saqlain feels, Sachin’s eyesight makes the difference.

And as Saqlain talks about Sachin, he gets nostalgic, going back to the famous Chennai Test

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in 1999 which Pakistan won despite Tendulkar’s magnificent century.

“Woh bahot hi tough match tha. He started off brilliantly and was going great guns. I tried reading his body language and that helped. I could understand that he was planning to come at me hard and there it was, a doosra to send him packing,” Saqlain reminisced.

By his own admission, Sachin was the most dangerous batsman to bowl at, but off the field Saqlain still considers Sachin a ‘dear friend’. But then, Saqlain, who will join Bangladesh team next month as spin coach, won’t be travelling with the West Indies team for his ‘old friend’s’ milestone match. (First published in the Times of India)

Goalscorer Jermaine ‘Tuffy’ Anderson acknowledges the applause of spectators as he exits the field at the end of the game Tuesday night.

(Joseph Wellington/Jamaica Observer photo)

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.