Guyana times international june 7 2018

‘I can’t wait to get started’ Page 52

INTERNATIONAL

…says newlyappointed Golden Jags Head Coach

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Michael Johnson

‘It’s not about race, it’s about fairness’

for FRee distribution guyanatimesinternational.com

You can also read Guyana Times daily edition online at www.guyanatimesgy.com WEEK ENDING JUNE 10, 2018

ISSUE NO. 401

... Jagdeo says as storm brews over GECOM hiring process

PPP GECOM Commissioner Robeson Benn

‘I’ve always wanted to help others’ …says Guyanaborn NYPD officer

Page 22

GECOM Chairman, Justice James Patterson

Rhonda O’ReillyBovell.

See story on page 3

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

Crackdown announced on fake IDs, underage drinking in NY …during summer concert season

Page 5

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NEWS 3

WEEK ENDING JUNE 10 , 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

‘It’s not about race, it’s about fairness’

... Jagdeo says as storm brews over GECOM hiring process

By Ramona Luthi

F

ollowing claims of employment discrimination, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) says it intends to continue their monitoring of the ethnic composition at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and “expose every breach at the entity, so as to ensure free and fair future elections.”

“We will continue watching the issue. We will keep watching it because we believe that that Elections Commission has a critical role to play in the future and we intend to expose every single breach that could lead to the elections not being free and fair,” Opposition Leader, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo said on Thursday during a press conference at his Church Street office.

His comment came on the heels of the recent disclosure by his Party’s Executive Member Dr Roger Luncheon who said that the matter was brought to his attention by several sources who indicated their observations that the People’s National Congress (PNC) Commissioners

at GECOM are allegedly engaged in a process to eliminate candidates for advertised positions at the GECOM Secretariat.

In addition to that, the former Head of the Presidential Secretariat also alleged that the Commissioners were finding extraneous reasons for eliminating top candidates of Indian origin from appointment to positions at the GECOM Secretariat.

Following this, during the Election Commissions statutory meeting earlier this week, the PPP GECOM Commissioners walked out of the meeting after being disallowed by the Commission’s Chairman, James Patterson, from probing the issue.

In a subsequent press conference called by the GECOM Commissioners on the Government’s side, Commissioner Vincent Alexander stressed that the ethnic makeup remained the same as previous election years but he could not provide figures to support that information.

Alexander also told the media that the burden of proof resides with the Opposition.

Later the same day, infor-

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

mation disseminated by the GECOM Chairman indicated that Afro-Guyanese account for 46 per cent of the staff at GECOM, while Indo-Guyanese account 21 per cent, mixed 20 per cent, Amerindians 12 per cent and others one per cent.

At his press conference on Thursday, the Opposition Leader questioned “who is lying” since the comments from both the Commissioner and Chairman of GECOM are contradicting.

“Vincent Alexander said ‘we don’t keep information on ethnicity’ and the same day he said

that, the Chairman of GECOM released to the media, the alleged composition of the staff based on ethnicity. Who is lying?”

Nevertheless, Jagdeo asserted that his Party’s decision to raise the issue of the ethnic composition of staff at GECOM has nothing to do with race but more to do with ensuring equality for Guyanese.

“This is not about a race issue. This is a fairness issue. This is about equity, this is about rights of Guyanese to be treated fairly, equally, and not have …

APNU people in there discriminate against people for political purposes… This is the worry that we have. This is about fairness, about the right to be treated fairly as a Guyanese,” he said.

According to Jagdeo, anyone who is aggrieved should go to the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) to have a full fledged investigation launched.

President David Granger on Wednesday asserted that his Government has nothing to do with the employment process.

The President pulled himself and his Government complete-

ly out of the current controversy surrounding the alleged discrimination in the hiring practices at GECOM. Speaking at the sidelines of an accreditation ceremony at State House, the President said GECOM is independent and has never received any direction from the Executive.

“GECOM is autonomous and the Executive branch of the Government has nothing to do with how it is run… So I am not a party to this process for the selection of persons for GECOM and no member of my Government is party to that process,” he told media operatives on Wednesday.

The President also maintained his belief that the persons being employed at GECOM are the best to do the respective jobs, but added that, “I expect they (GECOM) will be following normal practice and they will get fit and proper persons who are qualified… I am not aware of the procedures, but I expect the procedures would be above board and they would want to get the best person to do the job.”

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Tel no: (592) 223-7230/1, 225-7761.

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EDITORIAL

Multiculturalism and Politics Keeping NCDs on the national An aerial view of the newly rehabilitated Arthur Chung Conference Centre located on the East Coast Demerara, Guyana

T

he PNC-led Government insists that “multiculturalism” is the order of the day; but, upon closer examination, its pronouncements go little farther than glibly announcing that “we’ve arrived from various parts of the globe, bringing our ‘cultures’ with us”.

Its “multicultural policies” go little farther than encouraging us to “express our culture” at various stipulated times of the year. This expression is typically confined to food, music and clothes. Is this what multiculturalism is really all about?

Essentially, the notion of multiculturalism includes three premises. Firstly, that we are each born into a culture. Unlike the other animals, human babies do not revert to instincts for their survival; they have to be taught. What they are taught is their “culture”. While all humans have some physiological needs, such as hunger, sex etc that must be fulfilled, how they are satisfied is culturally determined. The Portuguese may see roast pork as a very good meal, but many Indians will remain hungry if pork is their only choice. All in all, we receive our orientation towards life from the culture into which we are born.

Now, this does not mean that we are so structurally bound that we can’t change our practices. Culture isn’t instinct.

And this brings us to the second point about multiculturalism: the world-views into which we were born may differ from each other, and in some ways these differences may be significant. For instance, we agree with the Government that the political system should deliver the “good life” to us, but do we all agree on what the good life is? If we answer this question honestly, we will find out that this question is the source of much of the disagreements we have in Guyana, political and otherwise.

Some feel this is the problem with multiculturalism; it creates all sorts of divisions. But it is not multiculturalism that creates the divisions – they were already there. Multiculturalism, as a point of fact, offers a perspective on how we should handle a reality that has often been a source of conflict. Namely, that we must accept that our idea of the good life is only that – our idea of the good life. And we ought not to assume that what is the “good” for us is the good for everyone else. None of us has a monopoly on “the Truth” about life. Multiculturalism offers us the view that maybe our lives would be enriched if we were to examine the world-views of others in a non-judgmental fashion.

As humans, we confront the problems of social life in different times, places and circumstances; and our responses, embodied in our various cultures, offer us all a repertoire of options to deal with those problems. As such, multiculturalism suggests that cultural diversity is an asset to the human condition.

The third point about multiculturalism is that it does not hold that any one culture is undifferentiated and monolithic. It starts from our own experience within our own cultural group: there exists at all times a range of expressions and positions on any given issue. We may struggle and dispute with other members of our group as to who is “right” or who is “straying,” but we recognize our commonality.

Multiculturalism, then, accepts pluralism within our cultures; and, in what may be its most important contribution to the modern world, forces us to accept that we should, by extension, accept plurality in our wider national community, and by extension the world.

This does not mean that “everything goes” and that “everyone is right”, but it suggests that, at a minimum, we cannot take dogmatic positions on what ought to be the “correct” response to a particular exigency based only from our own point of view.

Multiculturalism insists that we have to assume that the other person may be right, and that we examine the views of the other seriously and with respect. It suggests that we have to engage in a continuous dialogue with each another to work our way out of our conflicts.

T

development agenda

he issue of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and the impact it is having on countries has always been a matter of concern for governments and international organisations such as the World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations and others. It has always been said that too many people are dying prematurely and urgent actions must be taken to prevent these deaths.

According to the WHO, of all the major health threats that have emerged over the years, none has challenged the very foundations of public health so profoundly as the rise of chronic noncommunicable diseases. Due to poor lifestyle choices; such as tobacco use, alcohol abuse, unhealthy diets, and physical inactivity, NCDs have resulted in large numbers of young people dying. Another significant number have also fallen ill and therefore cannot contribu t e t o their families or the development of their communities in any way.

Heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases, once linked only to affluent societies, have affected, and continue to affect every country in the world; with the poor suffering the most due to the lack of proper medical care and access to drugs etc.

It should be noted that based on a 2017 study, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago were found to have the highest mortality for premature cardiovascular disease and diabetes in the Americas.

For Guyana in particular, this is indeed quite worrisome and must serve as a wake-up call for the authorities to take the issue of fighting NCDs more seriously, as from all indications, efforts in this regard are being weakened or minimized to some extent.

While there have been some positive moves in tackling NCDs in Guyana; such as finalising the Tobacco Control Legislation etc., some experts believe that enough is not being done in the fight against NCDs. Some of the crucial programmes that were previously in place to tackle NCDs appear to have been reduced or totally abandoned. For example, community health fairs and school programmes and other initiatives, which were used to address issues such as positive lifestyles are becoming less visible. Also, the education and awareness campaigns that were very much visible some years ago need to come back on stream. These are all useful strategies in ensuring the message of healthy life-

styles continues to reach everyone in every community across the country.

A new report from the WHO Independent High-level Commission on NCDs launched recently calls for urgent action to address chronic diseases and mental health disorders. It demands high-level political commitment and the immediate scaling up of actions to address the epidemic of NCDs. The report, which was also published simultaneously in the medical journal The Lancet, recognises the need to ensure that health ministries have the influence they require to ensure the issue is backed with the political will and the necessary financial resources it merits.

The Commission’s report makes six useful recommendations which countries, including Guyana, should take seriously in order to make continuous progress as it relates to tackling NCDs; these include: Heads of State and Governments should take responsibility for the NCD agenda, rather than delegating it to ministers of health alone, as it requires collaboration and cooperation across m a n y sectors.

Governments should identify and implement a specific set of priorities within the overall NCD and mental health agenda, based on public health needs.

Governments should reorient health systems to include NCDs prevention and control and mental health services in their universal health coverage policies and plans.

Governments should increase effective regulation, appropriate engagement with the private sector, academia, civil society, and communities.

Governments and the international community should develop a new economic paradigm for funding actions on NCDs and mental health.

Governments need to strengthen accountability to their citizens for action on NCDs and simplify existing international accountability mechanisms.

We had stated before that discussions surrounding NCDs should constantly be kept on the national development agenda where serious efforts are made at all levels to reduce the large numbers of persons suffering or facing death. It is hoped that Governments and international development partners will use this most recent WHO report as a guide in their efforts to effectively address NCDs.

NEWS 5

WEEK ENDING JUNE 10 , 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Crackdown announced on fake IDs, underage …during summer concert season drinking in NY

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ew York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has announced that investigators from the Department of Motor Vehicles along with the State Liquor Authority, State Park Police and local law enforcement are cracking down on underage drinking and the use of fake IDs at venues across the state.

According to a media release from the Governor’s office, since May, DMV has made 78 arrests during five investigations under its Operation Prevent campaign, an ongoing effort to curtail underage drinking that is once again in full swing as the summer concert season gets underway.

"New York is home to some of the best outdoor theaters and concert venues in the Northeast, and by cracking down on irresponsible behavior, we can ensure that concertgoers of all ages remain safe," Governor Cuomo said. "I encourage anyone considering to purchase alcoholic drinks with a fake ID to think twice, as New York's law enforcement agencies continue to crack down on illegal activities across the state."

During the five most recent sweeps, fake identifications from New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Illinois, South Carolina, Connecticut,

Delaware, Maryland and Ontario, Canada were seized, the Governor’s Office reported.

The arrests include: Finger Lakes - 15 arrests On May 25, DMV investigators worked with the New York State Police at Somerton's Public House and Dragonfly Tavern in Rochester. Fifteen people were arrested for using fraudulent identification to try to enter the establishment.

Long Island - 18 arrests On May 26, DMV investigators and Ocean Beach Police conducted Operation Prevent sweeps at The Sandbar, Bocce Beach Bar, Matthew's, CJ's, and Houser's in Ocean Beach.

Eighteen people were arrested and 24 fake IDs were confiscated.

Western New York 43 arrests On My 26, members of DMV's Rochester, Buffalo and Utica field offices worked with the Genesee County Sheriff's Department to conduct an Operation Prevent investigation during the 21 Savage and Post Malone performance at the Darien Lake concert facility. Twenty-four underage concertgoers either possessing alcohol or attempting to purchase alcohol with fraudulent iden-

Father of 3 shot during home invasion

A

The home which was invaded by bandits

father of three is now hospitalised with a gunshot wound, following an early morning attempted robbery on the West Bank of Demerara on Wednesday, by two armed and masked men.

Peter Mangal, a 38-year-old farmer of Lot F Bordeaux, Canal Number One, was shot once to his right arm after two bandits entered his two-storey concrete home.

According to a Police report, Kevin Mangal, 68, the father of the now wounded man, was in the bottom flat of the house when the gunmen pounced on him and dealt him several lashes to his head and body with a handgun.

The men then ordered him to take them upstairs where they demanded cash from Peter

Mangal.

According to a Police statement, “the two men headed upstairs escorting Karan where they met Peter Mangal and they began demanding cash; as a result, Peter began to scuffle with the suspect who was armed with the handgun and he received a gunshot injury to his right arm above his elbow.”

After the shot was fired, the suspects fled the house without taking any valuables.

Moti Mangal, the brother of the now hospitalised man, told Guyana Times International on Wednesday afternoon that the Police went to the house where they dusted for fingerprints.

He said the family was hoping the Police would find the perpetrators.

Investigations are ongoing.

New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

tification were arrested and 24 fake IDs were seized.

On June 3, another Operation Prevent investigation occurred during the Kendrick Lamar performance at Darien Lake. The detail netted 19 arrests and the seizure of 19 fraudulent identifications.

Central New York -­ 2 arrests On June 5, Syracusebased DMV staff worked with the Onondaga County Sheriff's Department to conduct an Operation Prevent

enforcement campaign at the St. Joseph's Health Amphitheater at Lakeview in Geddes during the Dave Matthews Band concert.

Two people were charged, one with using a fake ID and the other with using another person's identification.

According to the Governor’s Office, Operation Prevent investigators will continue to conduct sweeps at venues this summer including the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Jones Beach,

Canalside in Buffalo, CMAC in Canandaigua, and the Lakeview Amphitheater in Syracuse, as well as other events where underage concertgoers are likely to gather. DMV's Division of Field Investigations perform the investigations in partnership with the State Liquor Authority, New York State Park Police and local law enforcement agencies.

Investigators use portable document verification machines to conduct forensic examinations of documents using white light, UV light, and infrared light sources. Patrons under the age of 21 found to be using fake IDs to buy alcohol can be arrested and risk having their license revoked for a minimum of 90 days or up to one year.

Terri Egan, DMV Executive Deputy Commissioner and Acting Chair of the Governor's

Traffic Safety Committee, said, "Our investigators are well trained in detecting fake identifications, and having one from another state or country will not trick them. They work diligently to prevent tragedies by stopping young people from drinking before they are of age, potentially putting themselves and others at risk. We hope this serves as a warning and deters underage drinking, so everyone can have a safe and enjoyable summer."

State Liquor Authority Chairman Vincent Bradley said, "The SLA considers selling alcohol to a minor one of the most serious violations of the ABC Law, and we are committed to partnering with DMV, the State Police and local law enforcement to help keep alcohol out of the hands of underage youth during this summer concert season."

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Oil money could cause corruption to skyrocket in Guyana Dear Editor, I wonder if Guyana would wake up and smell the coffee now that two prominent international experts on political risks have joined me and other patriots in warning that Guyana’s oil bonanza could cause corruption in high places to skyrocket and uproot democracy, independence, and all the principles and values we hold dear.

This week, news broke that Thiago de Aragao, Director of the Latin American Political Risk Analysis, is urging the Government of Guyana to strengthen systems governing the electoral process, taxation and regulation, because if they are not up to standard, Guyana’s democracy can end up being “choked by oil and gas money”.

Referring to petroleum investors’ intentions, Aragao warned: “The business plan is to burn it all”; and to do so, investors will seek to exert influence in every place they can. This echoed my warning early this year that we must guard against this very same thing.

In my letter to the media, published in February 2018, I wrote: “ExxonMobil…put their interests first. It is simply good business sense for them to use all their bargaining power to ensure that the interests of their shareholders and directors come first, and their opportunities for expansion and investment are protected”.

Aragao also warned: “There must be a clear set of rules for taxation in the oil and gas industry, as well as environmental regulation. Otherwise, you are setting yourself up for abuse, and for oil money to rule and lead the way”. I recall that I also warned about ‘hungry-belly’ officials being sucked into corruption by investors.

In a letter published in March 2018, I referred to the proposed Sovereign Wealth Fund to manage Guyana’s oil monies, and warned that it “will definitely fatten the eyes of every corrupt politician and official. Even those who are not yet corrupt will be exposed to enormous temptation…many would be unable to resist”.

I read in a separate news report that another expert, Executive Director of Agency for Security, Energy and the Environment (ASEA) of Mexico, Carlos De Regules, called for a strong, independent regulatory body to monitor the activities of investors, and guarantee environmental protection of Guyana.

He noted that such an environmental body cannot do its job effectively unless it is independent and free from any instance of political interference, and he also commented: “They should also be financially independent, so they can plan for the long term, and have the resources to do so”.

This calls to mind a warning in my letter in March about the Sovereign Wealth Fund: “We have to put powerful transparency and accountability mechanisms in place to protect the Sovereign Wealth Fund (to manage oil revenue) from being subject to wrongdoing and poor investments”.

Like De Regules, I recognise

that political interference would stifle national development. That is why I wrote to the media in March, urging citizens to join me in calling on Government to depoliticize all negotiations involving Guyana’s oil monies, and put negotiation in the hands of an independent, bipartisan body approved by the citizens.

I do not point out these similarities to push myself forward for praise and glory, because I seek praise from God, not Man. Instead, I want to show that Guyanese can sit down right here at home and make rational assessments of national development issues that are on par with the views of international experts.

Let me make it clear also that when I call for checks and balances to be put in place to restrain investors, it does not mean I am against foreign investment. As a committed patriot, I am all for investment and progress, but I realise that Guyana is outgunned by big companies in key areas, so we have to be cautious.

The fact is that developing countries like Guyana simply do not have the background or experience in international financial dealings to negotiate on a level platform with big multinational corporations.

In a nutshell: Guyana’s oil revenue must be put under the supervision and scrutiny of a multi-stakeholder board comprising of independent professionals drawn from civic society. It can include accomplished professionals, religious bodies, the Private Sector Commission, the Chamber of Commerce; and officials from CARICOM or elsewhere, provided they are competent and free from political interference.

A board such as this would more effectively serve as a watchdog against corruption by those in power. This board must be professionally managed according to transparent policies, and the roles and responsibilities of the board must be clearly defined and made public. There must be clear rules governing the acquisition and use of oil revenues, and the board must apply these scrupulously and fairly.

There must also be clear and harsh penalties for wrongdoing, and a suitable time frame for prosecution. I advocate life imprisonment or death for pilfering our oil money, although I know the bleeding hearts among us would disagree.

Finally, I have written before, and I write again, that such a board, or any group of persons who are the people’s caretakers of Guyana’s oil revenue, must be fully accountable to Parliament, auditors and the media; and the details of this accountability must be clearly defined and made public.

Guyana has a lot of foreign-minded people, so maybe more persons would heed these warnings because they come from foreign experts who have basically used elegant, technical terms to make exactly the same points that I and other local observers have been making for a long time now.

Sincerely, Roshan Khan Snr.

Rodney’s ideas and knowledge are not lost Dear Editor, June 13 marks the death anniversary of Guyana’s dear son, Walter Rodney. It is with great sadness that we are not more aware of his great work on the global stage, and more so for bringing a solution for racial unity in Guyana at a time when no one else was able to do so then and now.

Rodney understood and empathized with the poor and disenfranchised of the world, and defined with great detail and intellect how the world system works to keep people in poverty. His brilliance in history and academics as a whole helped Rodney to articulate and clearly identify what is wrong with our society. And he brought forward substantial and viable solutions to those problems we faced then and now.

Rodney was recognized and respected by his peers around the world, and was among the first Guyanese to achieve that great standing that made his country proud, with the exception of the then PNC Government, of course. But it was not only the PNC that feared his brilliance and the force he brings; it was the entire system that thrives on oppressing others for their gains.

During his time in Jamaica, Rodney developed a following among the poor and downtrodden in that country, along with great support and reverence from the Rastafarian community.

In Jamaica, Rodney met with the people of the slums, reasoned with them to understand their struggles, and share his knowledge with the hope of uplifting his people. During his time in there, he wrote “Groundings”, a ground-breaking look at the dynamics between systems of control and poverty.

With pressure from the powers that be, Rodney was forced out of Jamaica, which resulted in the now famous “Rodney riots”, wherein thousands of Jamaicans took to the streets to have their teacher and leader returned to them. This shows the magnitude and power of Rodney’s impact on social consciousness, since he was making an impact on foreign countries like Jamaica, whose people worship their local heroes with zeal; however, they made room for Rodney.

Rodney’s work in his canonizing book “How Europe Underdeveloped Africa” was nothing short of a masterpiece that exposed the inner workings of an evil system designed to keep Africans in severe poverty while Europe and their allies took Africa’s wealth for free. His book made him a marked man, and no place was safe anymore. He was seen as a clear threat, because he shone the light on evil.

What made Rodney different from his counterparts in politics is that he saw capitalism, socialism and communism as systems of oppression in one form or another. And even though his writings would have swayed more towards socialism, it is natural for any critic of capitalism to be seen as a socialist at best. But, at its core, Rodney stood up for justice and fairness for the unfairly treated. This position made him rise to great heights among others who only paid lip service to justice while they continue to exploit the people.

For Rodney, whether a country was capitalist or communist, there was always a core group of individuals who were constantly exploiting the people by stealing the wealth from the many and giving it to the few elites. This fact was evident not only in Guyana, but in almost every former colony in the world, where leaders who rise to power on promises of equality and justice then begin thieving from the poor.

In Guyana, Rodney returned to contribute to his homeland, as he had seen the severity of exploitation of all races in Guyana by the PNC Government led by Burnham. For him, Burnham was a charismatic leader with grandeur and pomp, claiming to be a liberator for the poor when in reality he was no different from the other leaders who paid lip service to poverty while enriching themselves and a few around them.

Rodney understood that racial unity was critical for Guyana to grow and become successful as a nation, and he was the only person positioned with the right message and solution to bring unity. Of course this drove fear into the heart of the PNC, and their natural reaction was to eliminate the competition. The PNC did exactly what every other exploitative regime did, and that was to kill the bringer of truth and righteousness because the bringer exposed their evil acts.

Being a world-renowned historian, Rodney understood that race was by design, and not a natural tendency, and he proved that it was introduced by Europeans as a means of separation and exploitation at the same time. The Europeans knew that, by separating the races, it would be easier to conquer by dividing people and putting them to fight amongst themselves.

Therefore, he set about to debunk the race issue and bring racial unity to Guyana.

His message and action took root in Guyana, and all races in Guyana began to follow his leadership as he pushed to become the first and only leader to bring real national unity to Guyana.

Sadly, Rodney never saw his vision come to life, as he was brutally assassinated by whom many believed to be on the orders of Burnham himself.

This is further assured by the fact that the only person who stood to lose from Rodney’s victory was Burnham and the PNC regime.

The death of Rodney changed Guyana forever, and our beloved country has never recovered from this act of sin committed on Rodney.

We can only now imagine and dream of what Guyana would have become if Rodney was not killed in the name of evil. But his ideas and knowledge are not lost, and his work is studied and shared around the world with reverence, as it is considered a source of change.

We must go back and learn about Rodney, since his words are relevant today like never before, and without his message we will remain lost. Walter Rodney provided a blue print for Guyana’s future, and the time is now for us to rediscover his greatness. May Walter Rodney rise in power always.

Sincerely, Malcolm Watkins

Mae’s teacher adds salt to wound

Dear Editor, Please allow me a space in your newspaper to vent my anger at a Mae’s Secondary School teacher who teaches Social Studies and Business Education. This teacher decided to argue in favour of his place of employment via social media on May 28th.

The incident involved a nine-year-old pupil at the institution being prevented from attending class in full traditional Amerindian wear during a Culture Day. The teacher clearly has limited knowledge of the clothing of our indigenous people. Thus, absolute ignorance! I am deeply sadden by a statement made by the teacher, “…the grass skirt is the female Amerindian wear. Further I say not. Y’all come foh meh now. Cause I find it very stupid that adults thought that the child in the grass skirt would have enjoyed his day at school.” His

piece of argument added more salt to the wound.

Indigenous people place a great amount of importance on body decorations. Men and women would wear different decorations, including headgear, necklaces, bracelets and armbands all made from things found naturally. Most body decorations are worn during special occasions and ceremonies.

It is very fitting that this teacher be disciplined at the earliest. The Amerindian presence in national culture and society is considerable, with a significant impact on national identity, in social existence, and the broad areas of culture. Amerindians must be respected.

Sincerely, Michael Isaac

news 7

WEEK ENDING JUNE 10 , 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Berbice man hammers wife, daughter to death …then hangs self

BY ANDREW CARMICHAEL

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n East Bank Berbice man was on Wednesday morning found hanging from a rafter under an abandoned house at Glasgow Village, moments after he killed his wife and daughter.

The double murder was witnessed by the couple’s 11-year-old son.

Dead are Dindamattie Behari, 37, a housewife; her daughter Surujdai Khan, 20; and their killer, Jainarine Seetaram, 41, also called “Radoo” all of Lot 1078 Glasgow, New Housing Scheme, Greater New Amsterdam, Berbice.

Behari’s body was found in a hammock, while her daughter died on her way to the New Amsterdam Hospital.

A short distance away, Seetaram was found hanging at an abandoned house.

According to the Police, the couple’s 11-year-old son related that about two weeks ago, his father accused his mother of having of an extra-marital affair and they had a misunderstanding over it. The 11-year-old related that he and his sister Surujdai Khan were in the upper flat of the house while his parents were in the lower flat, when he heard his mother telling his father to remove from

Piracy attack: 19-yrold slapped with murder charge

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Alexander Denhart

Nakool Manohar

ust days after a Corentyne, Berbice businessman was charged for allegedly killing a fisherman during the course of a robbery which occurred at sea, a teenager on Wednesday stood before acting Chief Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus slapped with the same charge.

Nineteen-year-old Alexander “Shameface” Denhart, of Lot 79 Village, Berbice, had the indictable charge read to him which stated that he murdered Tilacknauth Mohabir, called “Caiman”, some time between April 27, 2018 and May 3, 2018 at Corentyne, Berbice.

The teen was remanded to prison and was scheduled to make his next court appearance on June 13, 2018 at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court.

Denhart’s accomplice and alleged mastermind of the attack, Nakool Manohar, was last Wednesday also charged for murder.

He was also remand-

ed for two previous charges of robbery on the high seas committed in 2015 and 2016 respectively.

The accused is expected to be back in court shortly to have read to him another murder charge, that of Mahesh Sarjoo, called “Cooba”.

Mohabir’s and Sarjoo’s bodies were the only two that were positively identified by relatives in Suriname after the attack by pirates on four fishing boats at a place called Wia Wia Bank in the Atlantic Ocean.

Reports coming out of Suriname indicated that 20 fishermen were the victims of that attack and 11 were still missing and feared dead.

Meanwhile, one of the two other bodies found was still to be identified, law enforcement was currently awaiting DNA results.

The other body was that of Gowkaran Outar, and was found on the Number 63 Beach. He was identified by a tattoo on his upper body.

Jainarine Seetaram and his wife Dindamattie Behari in happier times

next to her. As a result, he along with his sister went down to the lower flat to see what was happening. When they got downstairs, he saw his father was armed with a wooden handle hammer in his right hand while his mother was sitting in a hammock.

He stated that his father then dealt his mother a lash to her head with the said hammer.

According to the son, the father also attempted to lash him with the same hammer, but he managed to run half a mile to his grandmother Omawattie Behari’s home and related what had occurred.

D i v i s i o n a l Commander, Assistant Commissioner Lyndon Alves told the media that the Police were informed of the incident but by the

time they reached the scene, the suspect had already fled.

The Police in a statement to the media said that the 11-year-old subsequently returned to the home where he saw his mother lying in the hammock motionless with blood about her clothing and body while his sister was on the ground helpless with blood about her clothes and body.

Dindamattie Behari was seen with injuries to the right side of her head and a cut to her throat.

Surujdai was seen with a cut to her forehead.

Meanwhile, according to another eyewitness, the couple was under the house having breakfast when the man attacked his wife with a cutlass and hammer.

One neighbour re-

sponded to the woman’s screams and was told by the attacker that they had disrespected him. He fled the scene when alerted neighbours went to the mother and daughter’s aid.

Ex-Police Officer Trevor Marcus heard the screams and responded.

“As I approached the guy, he ran away. I ran behind him and me and two others did not catch him,” Marcus said.

He said the man ran and crossed a canal and entered the canfield and disappeared.

Meanwhile, about one hour later, a construction worker noticed a man wearing a brightly coloured red shirt hang-

dle shine blade knife with what appeared to be blood stains was seen on the beam from which he was hanging. The couple had been together for 21 years.

Meanwhile, the dead woman’s mother told this publication that her daughter visited her home almost on a daily basis and was very kind to her, even coming to assist her with house chores. She related that her now dead son-in-law worked overseas.

Villagers described the family as being very quiet.

Marcus told this publiucation that earlier in the morning, he walked past the house and saw Seetaram on his bridge and said hello to him and

Dead: Surujdai Khan

ing under an abandoned house.

According to the Police, Seetaram was found under an abandoned house about 400 to 500 meters South-east of the scene with a rope tied around his neck. A wooden han-

he looked his normal jovial self.

Dindamattie Behari is survived by her four siblings.

The bodies are at the Arokium Funeral home awaiting post-mortem examinations.

8 news

WEEK ENDING JUNE 10 , 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Mae’s formally apologises to Indigenous child, parents

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mid public outrage after the Mae’s Schools child was told his Indigenous cultural outfit was “inappropriate”, the school’s administration has issued an apology to the child and his parents to resolve the issue.

The two parties were involved in a third discussion on Wednesday, and the Director of the institution, Stacey French, issued her apology to the parents of Joshua Chacon – Karen Small and Jason Chacon, among a gathering of officials from the Education Ministry and the Social Cohesion Department.

In making her apology, French stated that ultimately what was important was protecting children. Both parents accepted the apology given, while Chacon went on to further state that he would like to see more programmes to bring awareness of culture in

From right: Parents of nine-year-old Joshua Chacon, Jason Chacon and Karen Small with Director of Mae’s Schools Stacey French and Administrator Lucinda Mc Curdy

Guyana.

Also present at Wednesday’s engagement were Education Minister Nicolette Henry; Chief Education Officer Marcel Hutson; Deputy Chief Education Officer Ingrid Trotman; Education Ministry’s Legal Officer, Kelly-

Ann Payne-Hercules and Private School Programme Coordinator of the Department of Social Cohesion, Sharon Patterson.

Hutson stated that to begin resolving the issue, an apology was necessary as well as psycho-social support for the child.

Further, Patterson supported the need for psycho-social support and stated her department’s willingness to also work with the teachers and staff of the school to ensure they have a better understanding of diversity and to enhance their capabilities to deal with

such.

Additionally, Minister Henry said that it was the responsibility of all stakeholders that some positive outcome was gained from the unfortunate situation.

Minister Henry said that had better judgment prevailed, the entire episode could have been avoided. She said that the issue must be dealt with in such a way that when persons look back in retrospect, they must recall that it was resolved amicably and be reminded that there must be tolerance and respect for diversity.

Meanwhile, at the National Toshaos Council (NTC) press conference, which was also held on Wednesday, it was revealed by NTC Vice Chairman Lenox Shuman that the Council was waiting on an invitation to visit the school so as to educate the administrative body and stu-

dents about the culture of the Indigenous people.

This, he said, is to ensure that such an incident is not repeated in the future.

On May 25, the nineyear-old boy was stopped at his school gate since his Culture Day outfit was referred to by the institution as “inappropriate”.

His mother, Karen Small, then posted a picture on social media, which caught the attention of many, who condemned the actions of the school. She related that her child was brought to tears and then expressed loathing for the costume which he once admired. She explained that if the school was sceptical about the type of costume, then a guideline should’ve been disseminated to provide information on what is acceptable.

Land fraud rampant across T&T – Agri Minister (Trinidad Guardian)

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g r i c u l t u r e Minister Clarence Rambharat yesterday admitted that land fraud is rampant in T&T and that as line minister for land, he had to report land fraud to the police for an investigation.

He made the disclosure during his contribution to the Registration of Titles to Land Bill in the Senate “I want to say you just have to Google land fraud in Trinidad and you will see. The Law Association has in fact put out information on land fraud,” he told the House.

“I can tell you Madame President, as a minister, I have referred matters to the Fraud Squad and I have referred matters elsewhere and it deals with fraud. And it is not something that should be taken lightly.”

Rambharat said the Red House was replete with cases where people went into the Search Room and using a razor blade, “cut out deeds from the books.” He said that the state of land administration was highly undesirable and needed to be fixed.

A prime example of where land fraud had been committed, Rambharat said, was with Caroni 1975 Ltd lands.

“You are dealing with a country where you have fraudsters, the impossi-

bility of determining how many times somebody has gone around to people and offered a deed for sale.”

During his contribution, Opposition Senator Gerald Ramdeen asked about Alana Haynes, who wrote the Commissioner of State Lands last August asking for a parcel of land, after she was put out of her home in Morvant by a relative and rendered homeless.

Ramdeen said five weeks after Haynes submitted her letter, she received a response from the commissioner indicating they were prepared to grant her a licence to occupy lands in Arouca as a temporary relief.

Stating this bill will help in the fight against land corruption, Ramdeen said the issuance of such land to Haynes would serve as an injustice to thousands of citizens who have been waiting years to get title for their lands.

“A lot of work is needed in clearing up land fraud,” Ramdeen said.

In a Whatsapp message to the T&T Guardian afterwards, Rambharat said he brought Haynes’ matter to the attention of Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley in an April 2018 report and was awaiting feedback. Asked if the Commissioner of State Lands was asked to submit a report to him, Rambharat did not respond.

WEEK ENDING JUNE 10 , 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

NEWS 9

UG to get modern language lab Court orders State to hand over forensic audit reports GRDB fraud charges

…or charges will be quashed

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Dr Barbara Reynolds and Counsellor and Deputy Chief of Mission, Chen Xilai signing of the MoU on Tuesday

housands of University of Guyana students will soon benefit from the creation of a modern language laboratory at the University’s Turkeyen Campus through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Embassy of The People’s Republic of China and the University.

This MoU provides for a grant valued at G$4.6 million, which will be used to fund the acquisition of furniture, computers, headsets and other items to create a more effective and interactive learning environment conducive to language learning.

This new laboratory will create a more efficient environment than traditional classrooms and will include virtual classroom, newspapers, books, a large library of videos and resources for the students.

Signing on behalf of UG was Deputy Vice Chancellor, Dr Barbara Reynolds with responsibility for Planning and International Engagement at the University of Guyana, while Counsellor and Deputy Chief of Mission Chen

Xilai signed on behalf of the Chinese Embassy.

Dr Reynolds told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that the new laboratory will allow Guyanese students to communicate better with international teachers, students, tourists and other persons in their professional lives.

“The foreign languages programme is critical. We’re looking to reanimate the languages the University has offered. Having a fully functional language lab so that students can go there…and engage, it is a lab to satisfy a particular need,” Dr Reynolds is quoted by the Department of Public Information as saying.

The University of Guyana Currently offers several courses, and up to a Bachelor’s Degree, in Spanish, French, Portuguese and Mandarin.

The creation of this designated lab forms part of a larger strategy by the University for developing, revising, and revamping the language programmes.

The lab is slated to be opened in time for the 2018-2019 Academic Year.

igh Court Judge, Justice Navindra Singh on Tuesday ordered the State to hand over a copy of the Forensic Audit report within five days, otherwise a permanent stay of prosecution will be granted against former Deputy General Manager of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), Madanlall Ramraj.

Back in May 2017, Ramraj along with former GRDB General Manager, Jagnarine Singh, were jointly charged with 17 counts of omitting to enter true entries of over G$4.2 million into the company’s ledger, knowing that it was contrary to standard operating procedures between 2011 and 2012, at the company’s Lot 16-17 Cowan Street, Kingston head office.

However last month, Ramraj moved to the High Court to get “an order for a permanent stay of proceedings, or an order quashing, vacating or setting aside the charges of Fraudulent Omission [case] pending before Georgetown Magistrates’ Court 2 in the Georgetown Magisterial District.”

The application details that the impetus for the stay stems from the “failure of the prosecution to disclose a copy of the Forensic Audit Report on the Guyana Rice Development Board prepared by Nigel Hinds, Forensic Auditor, which formed the basis for certain investigations launched by the Special Organised Crime Unite (SOCU), as a result of which the Applicant was charged for the offence of Fraudulent Omission… to the Applicant or to the legal representative of the Applicant, constitutes a violation of Article 144 of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, more particularly, the right of the Applicant to be afforded facilities for the preparation of his defence and other protections of the law secured under and guaranteed by the said Article 144.”

During Tuesday’s hearing of the fixed date application, Justice Singh after reading all the Affidavits and hearing arguments from the lawyers on both sides, found that the failure by the Prosecution to produce the Forensic Audit report violates the applicant’s rights under Article 144 of the Constitution, that is to say, that an accused person must be afforded adequate facilities for the preparation of his defence.

To this end, the High Court Judge ordered that unless the Forensic Audit Report done by Nigel Hinds is produced by the prosecution to either Ramraj or his legal representatives within five days, a permanent stay will be granted quashing, vacating and setting aside the charges of Fraudulent Omission, contrary to Section 104 of the Criminal Law Offences Act, Chapter 8, for which the Applicant is charged on case jackets numbered 6976, 6977, 6978, 6979, 6980 and 6981 of 2017, pending before Georgetown Magistrates’ Court 2 in the Georgetown Magisterial District.

Ramraj was represented by Attorneys Mohabir Anil Nandlall, Manoj Narayan and Rajendra Jaigobin while the Attorney General was represented by State Counsel Oneka Archer-Caulder.

The matter has been adjourned to June 8.

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 10 , 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

President refuses to budge on Man to spend 22 years Chancellor, CJ appointments behind bars for drowning

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resident David Granger on Wednesday confirmed his unwillingness to confirm the two judges who have been acting in the capacity of Chief Justice and Chancellor respectively since last year, as he declared that he was sticking with his original nominees for those posts even though they have been rejected by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo.

The Guyana Constitution does not allow the President to confirm a substantive Chief Justice or Chancellor without the agreement of the holder of the Office of the Leader of the Opposition.

President Granger on Wednesday continued to pour cold water on the criticism that his Government is facing for its inability to strike a compromise with the Opposition Leader on candidates.

Justice Yvonne Cummings-Edwards

is the current acting Chancellor while Justice Roxane George is acting in the capacity of Chief Justice.

The President’s nominee for the post of Chancellor is Justice Kenneth Benjamin and for Chief Justice, Justice Cummings-

corps.

Asked whether he was inclined to support Justices CummingsEdwards and George to be confirmed as the country’s next Chancellor and Chief Justice respectively, President Granger dodged the question,

I don’t have the authority to go outside of the Constitution … Everything I have done is according to the Constitution. If other people can tell me what part of the Constitution empowers them, I would like to become aware with

wife in bucket

Convicted killer Vindra Siriram

President David Granger (r) and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo during a previous engagement

Edwards.

Jagdeo has hinted several times that he was willing to have dialogue to arrive at a more suitable consensus candidate, who would enjoy the full confidence of the entire Judiciary and political

signalling an outright unwillingness to even entertain the idea.

“I am inclined to support the Constitution.

The Constitution makes it clear, very clear, how the Chancellor has to be appointed.

them myself.”

The Head of State’s comments come on the heels of calls within the Diaspora, the legal fraternity and pressure from the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) to fill the top two posts in the Judiciary, which would restore complete confidence in their remit and the Judiciary’s ability to pilot reforms.

President Granger instead is standing by his nominees Justices Benjamin and Cummings-Edwards – for the substantive posts of Chancellor and Chief Justice respectively.

Asked further if he intended to replace Justice Benjamin with another nominee, Granger responded in the negative.

“I took my time in making that decision, and I am not prepared to throw it out of the window,” he said.

Meanwhile, when asked of his intentions to meet with Jagdeo to discuss the matter, the President said, “I have other business to discuss with him: the appointment of the Chairman of the Public Service Commission and some other Commissions and when Parliament gives me those names, I will put all of those on the agenda for the meeting.”

Guyana’s last Chancellor was Justice Desiree Bernard, who resigned to join the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in 2005 and its last substantive Chief Justice was Justice Carl Singh.

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hirty-five-year-old Vindra Siriram, who was last month found guilty of killing his wife, Shelly Ann Persaud, four years ago, will spend the next 22 years in prison for submerging her head in a five-gallon bucket of water.

Justice James BovellDrakes, who handed down the sentence at the High Court on Monday, encouraged the convicted husband to re-evaluate his conduct to be a better member of society.

The woman’s lifeless body was found at the couple’s Friendship, East Bank Demerara home on June 10, 2014.

The couple shared three children who were present when Persaud and Siriram argued while he was in a drunken state.

His lawyer, Damian Da Silva, in a plea of mitigation had earlier appealed for leniency and stressed that the killing was a oneoff unfortunate incident.

State Prosecutor Seeta Bishundial responded that there were too many similar incidents involving intimate partners. She added that alcoholism and domestic violence had no place in Guyana’s society.

In the probation report which was presented in court, it was observed that Siriram dropped out of school as a teenager and he learnt a trade at 15. It was also reported that he suffered from meningitis when he was very young and was given herbal treatment by his grandmother.

Under examination

by Bishundial, it was found that the probation report did not include how the death affected the young children in addition to several other concerns the

Shelly-Ann Persaud was killed at the hands of her partner in June 2014

State’s Attorney raised.

As such, she declared that the report was not balanced. It was principally based on the evidence of neighbours which seemed to favour Siriram. Bishundial had petitioned the court to consider the gruesome nature of the offence and that the offender had not shown remorse.

Persaud’s sister, Sherry-Ann, who witnessed the accused slapping her sister in front of others, testified before the court. Other witnesses, including the couple’s young daughter, testified that Siriram and Persaud would often fight.

The pathologist testified that there were marks of violence about the body and signs of compression as if someone forced the woman down. The post-mortem examination revealed that she died as a result of drowning and manual strangulation.

However, the convicted man previously told the court that he loved his wife and also wanted to know who killed her, claiming that he was beaten by the Police.

In addition, he stated that a garbage bag was placed over his head and he was forced to sign a caution statement.

Siriram claimed that in fact, on the morning of June 10, 2014 he woke up and found his wife in that position and immediately called out to a neighbour. He maintained this story after he was sentenced.

Siriram was initially indicted for murder, but a jury (10-2) found him guilty of manslaughter early last month.

Persaud, who had known Siriram since she was a teenager, was said to have dropped out of school during the relationship.

WEEK ENDING JUNE 10 , 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Man, reputed wife 2011 Richmond Hill murder: facing trial for murder of uncle

news 11

Decision due soon on US fugitive

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T

Nyron Thakurdyal

en witnesses are slated to testify in the trial related to the December 26, 2014 murder of 39-year-old miner Sunil Ramsundar, which is set to commence at the Demerara High Court. A 12-member jury was on Tuesday empanelled before Justice Sandhill Kissoon at the opening of the June Criminal Assizes in Demerara.

The accused, Vishawantie Ragnauth and Nyron Thakurdyal both denied the murder indictment presented by State Prosecutors Lisa Cave and Orinthia Schmidt. On that fateful Boxing Night, at Patentia, West Bank Demerara, Ramsundar was killed after he allegedly attempted to settle a dispute between his sister, niece and his niece’s reputed husband.

According to Police

Vishawantie Ragnauth

reports in 2014, the incident occurred at about 22:00h where it was alleged that Sunil Ramsundar’s sister was reportedly being assaulted by her daughter Vishawantie and Vishawantie’s reputed husband Thakurdyal.

At that time, reports stated that the now deceased man enquired from his sister why she was crying, and upon learning that the couple had physically assaulted her, the man approached his niece for an explanation. However, this reportedly turned into a heated argument, during which Ramsundar was stabbed about his body.

He collapsed on the spot and was pronounced dead on arrival to the West Demerara Regional Hospital.

The duo is being represented by Attorney Nigel Hughes.

igh Court Judge Jo-Ann Barlow will by June 15, 2018 rule on whether or not a magistrate has authority to hear extradition proceedings involving fugitive Marvin Williams, who is wanted by United States law enforcement for a Queens, New York murder that occurred on December 11, 2011.

Williams, also called “Troy Thomas”, had initially answered to that name at his court arraignment before Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus in March, but he now says his name is Marvin Williams.

Both his attorney, Prithima Kissoon, who stood in place for Williams’ attorney, Nigel Hughes and Solicitor General Kym Kyte, who is representing the respondent, the Attorney General, were at a hearing before Justice Barlow on Monday. Both sides made legal arguments.

The defence team, which includes Hughes, Bernard Da Silva and Darren Wade, contends

Wanted fugitive Marvin Williams, called Troy Thomas

that their client’s name is Marvin Williams and that he is being unlawfully detained. They further noted that him being a citizen of Guyana makes him entitled to the protections as provided in the Constitution of Guyana.

During Monday’s hearing, Attorney Kissoon reiterated that the Fugitive Offender’s Act of 1988 makes provisions that citizens should not be extradited to a third State.

However, Assistant Solicitor General Beverly Bishop said in court that the December 22, 1931 treaty entered into by the United Kingdom and the United States for the mutual extradition of fugitive criminals remained in force.

She cited the current Marcus Bisram case, which suggested that the State has “arrangements” with the US. In responding to the applicant’s submis-

sions, Bishop said that the Public Security Minister’s directive to the Magistrate to proceed “does not infringe on the separation of powers”. Williams was arrested in March 2018 at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, after an intelligence-led operation by ranks of the Guyana Police Force, which commenced on January 31, 2018. An arrest warrant was issued by the US in 2012.

Williams was being hunted by the New York Police Department, and a wanted bulletin was issued for him in connection with the murder of Guyanese Keith Frank after an altercation outside a South Richmond Hill party.

It was disclosed by US law enforcement agents that the suspect had fled the country to Canada within hours of his alleged crime.

Shortly after, the man reportedly travelled to Guyana before the wanted bulletin which was issued by the US had reached Interpol.

12 news

WEEK ENDING JUNE 10 , 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana mulls aerial surveillance for mining areas

…in light of heightened criminal activities

By Bhisham Mohamed

I

n light of the recent robberies committed on two prominent mining camps in Guyana’s interior locations over the past two weeks, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan on Monday said security forces are contemplating the implementation of aerial surveillance in mining areas.

Minister Ramjattan, however, believes that although the idea of implementing the aerial surveillance is a good one, the need for patrols on the ground is also important. He has, however, admitted that there are challenges in the hinterland communities.

In a telephone interview with this publication, the minister explained that the Public Security Ministry is looking at efforts to strengthen surveillance of the “extraordinary” territory involved, and as such, more gun licences are being made available to miners to assist them in protecting their properties.

“There are also some security firms that are contracted by the miners to provide the necessary protection, but I agree (that) the Guyana Police Force’s presence is needed in those mining areas,” the minister told Guyana Times International.

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan

He could not confirm whether those security personnel are trained to deal with situations such as the robbed mining camps had faced.

Challenges

He posited that getting Police officers to a crime scene in hinterland areas is quite a challenge.

“Due to the mountainous terrain, it is sometimes difficult to reach at a location in a timely manner. Most times the use of ATVs are recommended, but in some cases, it’s boat and foot,” he related.

Divisional Commander Kevin Adonis has expressed an opinion similar to the min-

ister’s when referring to the latest robbery committed on the Chinese mining camp.

“The closest Police outpost to the Black Water area is at Eteringbang, and it took a team of Police ranks and soldiers four hours to reach the location. The ranks had to use boats, and then walk some distance. It is not a case that as soon as these crimes are committed, the Police can react right away,” Adonis stated.

Adonis added that the soldiers and Police are doing an exceptional job, considering the challenges. Protecting Guyana’s borders is paramount, he noted, but added that, at the same time, an investigation has been actually launched to determine whether or not the crimes are committed by foreigners.

Also touching on this issue, the Public Security Minister noted that he is awaiting a report from the Commissioner of Police with the findings of an investigation that was launched into the robberies.

“As of now, we are aware that the people who committed the crimes spoke broken English, some Portuguese and some Spanish… This does not mean that they are foreigners… We have some smart Guyanese criminals who would use the little foreign language they know to make it look as if

Commander Kevin Adonis

it is a bunch of foreigners who are trespassing on Guyana’s territory to commit the acts,” Minister Ramjattan said.

He added that law enforcement officers are presently interviewing persons in the area to find out if they had seen any unusual movements by foreigners in the past weeks.

About two weeks ago, four armed men staged a robbery on a mining camp at Baboon Backdam, Cuyuni River, Region Seven, escaping therefrom with millions of dollars’ worth of raw gold and other valuables, including a licensed shotgun.

The bandits were reportedly armed with rifles and shot-

Over 300 Guyanese to face the breadline

…as major shrimp processing company set to close operations

guns, and were clad in dark-coloured clothing. They also spoke a foreign language, allegedly Spanish or Portuguese.

Initial investigations have revealed that about 28 workers attached to Mohamed’s Enterprise were in the mining camp when the men held the camp hostage. The miners were ordered to hand over all the raw gold that was kept in the camp, and all the personal items, including the shotgun.

After committing the robbery, the gunmen disappeared.

On Wednesday last, a group of four armed men — who also reportedly spoke Portuguese, broken English and Spanish — carried out a brazen daylight robbery on the China High Tech Mining Company at Black Water Backdam, Cuyuni River, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

The men, all masked, carted off 50 ounces of raw gold, estimated at G$13 million; US$500, and two GPS systems belonging to the owner of the mining company.

They also took one 12-gauge semi-automatic shotgun with six matching rounds, and one AR rifle along with eight matching rounds, property of Mark’s Interior Communication.

The Police have not as yet arrested anyone in connection with the robberies.

Efforts being made to restore Queen Victoria statue

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ith thousands of former sugar workers continuing to face challenges to find consistent employment, another sector will see some 300 employees without employment as the BEV Enterprises shrimp facility is shutting down operations next month. According to reports, which surfaced on Tuesday, over 100 of the workers could be absorbed into other seafood operations but many of BEV staff remain unsure as to how such an arrangement would be executed.

The majority of the workers are women and they are worried for their future as well as that of their children. However, when Guyana Times International approached them for official comment on Tuesday afternoon, many declined to speak.

Sources told this publication that proprietor and head of BEV Processors Inc, Bruce Vieira, held a recent meeting where he assured workers that they would receive benefits for their years of service.

They were also informed that operations will close by July 15 and the reactions were varied ranging from sheer shock to passive in nature.

“We cannot do nothing more, life goes on,” one woman with 11 years of service told this newspaper.

She said while she was saddened by the “shocking” announcement, the company is a private one and the owner must decide what he wants to do with his business.

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BEV Processors Inc

Another worker described the situation as “hopeless” but stressed that they have no choice other than to seek alternative employment.

Further, a female worker said she had expected to see more involvement from the union representative to advocate on their behalf to bargain for their termination benefits. This newspaper was told that workers are part of Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU).

Vieira was quoted in other sections of the media as saying that he is hopeful if Noble House Seafoods can purchase BEV’s plant and garner shrimp suppliers which can provide employment.

Vieira denied that his decision to leave the industry was due to a deal he has with an oil company,

which needs a sea front property.

When this publication approached the businessman’s office for comment on Tuesday, he declined to speak on the matter.

In 2016 and 2017, over 4000 workers in the sugar industry were retrenched by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) which affected many of the village economies and family members of workers that were dependent on the sugar industry. Many observers have been warning Guyana against placing too much emphasis in the oil sector whilst neglecting other industries, otherwise called the Dutch Disease.

There have been many local companies which are making moves to capitalise on the oil industry.

orkers attached to the High Court were on Tuesday seen working judiciously to restore the historic Queen Victoria statue, which was the subject of recent vandalism. When Guyana Times International visited the monument located in the compound of the Supreme Court, which was renamed the Victoria Law Courts under the former Head of State’s rule, a red liquid substance (suspected to be paint) had been thrown over the marble statue.

The statue was sculpted by Henry Richard HopePinker and commissioned in 1887. However, it was not until 1894 that it was unveiled outside the law courts in Georgetown.

After Guyana gained Independence in 1966 and became a Cooperative Republic in 1970, the statue of Victoria was removed to the Botanical Gardens.

The vandalised Victoria statue

However, in 1990, the statue was restored and re-erected in front of the Supreme Court of Judicature in Georgetown.

Many have condemned the act of vandalism, but some anti-colonial activists are calling for the statue to be removed.

Efforts to contact senior ranks in A Division (Georgetown-East Bank Demerara) were unsuccessful, but this newspaper learnt than a probe will soon be underway to determine the authors of the act. The vandalism to the statue is illegal under the laws of Guyana. According to Chapter 8:02 of the Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act, anyone who unlawfully or maliciously destroys or damages a statue, bust or monument or its surrounding railing or fence is liable to a fine between G$10,000 and g$20,000 or imprisonment for 12 months.

WEEK ENDING JUNE 10 , 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana Police Force collaborates with NGO to tackle societal ills

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Crime Chief Paul Williams, other top officials of the Guyana Police Force and members of Red Thread

op officials from the Guyana Police Force on Monday met with representatives of the NGO Red Thread to discuss the preliminary report of a two-year project which commenced in 2016 with focus on “Engaging communities for improving implementation of Domestic Violence laws�.

The meeting was held at the Kingston, Georgetown Headquarters of the Guyana Police Force, and was attended by Crime Chief Assistant Commissioner Paul Williams, Karen De Souza, and top officials of both the Guyana Police Force and Red Thread.

Discussions dealt with the preliminary report of the project mentioned

above, which targeted Plaisance/Better Hope, La Parfaite Harmonie, Bartica, Lethem and Anna Regina.

During the research done in connection with this project, Police stations within the stated communities had been observed in relation to how members of the Force would deal with domestic violence and related matters.

From the discussion, both positive and negative behaviours and actions would have been observed by the Red Thread representatives.

Officers in attendance pledged to continue working with the group to strengthen their efforts in addressing domestic violence, child abuse, sexual offences and other aspects.

news 13

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 10 , 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Queens-based Guyanese couple charged for welfare fraud

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Queens, New York City, couple has been charged for stealing nearly US$92,000 in welfare food stamps and healthcare benefits by concealing income the couple earned through employment.

The arrest of the husband and wife was announced by New York State Inspector General Catherine Leahy Scott and Queens County District Attorney Richard A Brown.

Dhaneshwar Sukhdeo, 42; and Samantha Sukhdeo, 46; of Lefferts Boulevard, were each arrested and charged with grand larceny in the second degree, welfare fraud in the second degree, conspiracy in the fourth degree and 12 counts each of falsifying business records in the first degree and offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree, all felonies.

The charges alleged that the couple falsified applications for public assistance benefits enabling them to receive US$16,132 in food stamp benefits and US$75,864 in Medicaid

coverage to which they were not entitled.

“Through a brazen fraud, these defendants concealed their employment income so they could steal taxpayer-funded public benefits to which they were not entitled,” Inspector General Leahy Scott said in a release to the media.

“I will continue to use all of the resources at my disposal to protect the integrity of the public benefits system for those who are truly in the most need of financial assistance,” she added.

Meanwhile, District Attorney Brown pointed out that, “Food stamps and Medicaid benefits are intended to help the truly needy. The defendants in this case, however, are alleged to have taken advantage of the system by downplaying their income to collect assistance – making all taxpayers victims of their con.”

According to reports, investigations by Inspector General Leahy Scott found that between 2009 to 2016, the Sukhdeos fraud-

ulently obtained US$91,996 in welfare benefits to which they were not entitled by repeatedly submitting documents falsifying and concealing their household income when applying for food stamps (also known as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programme, or SNAP) and Medicaid coverage.

Medicaid is a joint federal-state programme that provides health coverage for low-income and at-risk individuals. In repeated applications and recertifications for the benefits, the Sukhdeos listed no employment income for Dhaneshwar Sukhdeo, who was indeed receiving income as an electrical contractor.

Altogether, the Sukhdeos received US$75,864.74 in Medicaid and US$16,132 in food stamps to which they were not entitled.

The Sukhdeos were both arraigned on the charges in Queens Criminal Court last month and released on their own recognisance pending their reappearance in court on June 12.

US$150M bond: Deal will have ramifications for Guyana’s oil revenues – Financial Analyst

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inancial analysts are expressing concern over the announcement that the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) has secured a US$150 million (Gy$30 billion) bond to finance its administration of sugar estates.

It is a syndicated loan that will have to be repaid within five years at a rate of 4.75 per cent interest. The consortium of investors behind the bond comprise the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) and the Guyana Bank of Trade and Industry (GBTI).

According to financial analyst Dr Peter Ramsaroop, the repayment of this loan will have ramifications for Guyana’s oil revenues.

He noted that while there has been talk of selling lands to repay the loan, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) is already buried in over G$70 billion in debt. This, Ramsaroop noted, is almost three times the value of the bond.

“The US$150 million also has to be seen in the context of Guyana’s already increasing debt portfolio and diminishing revenue stream. Such a large loan is contingent on the successful turnaround of the now defunct estates,” Dr Ramsaroop has charged.

“It is dependent on a reduced debt portfolio and increased revenue streams—a reduced debt portfolio and increased revenue stream based on oil revenues. This in it-

Financial Analyst Dr Peter Ramsaroop

self poses even more pitfalls,?” he expanded.

Dr Ramsaroop notes that the NIS will be expected to inject billions into the venture to recapitalize the remaining estates: Albion, Blairmont and Uitvlugt. According to Ramsaroop, the decision to arrange the loan should have never been taken in the first place.

“There is also the fact that, to sweeten the pot for the consortium, a Government guarantee has been given. This (is) in addition to the increasing of the debt ceiling in the National Assembly for loans to be guaranteed by Government,” he said.

“While the decisions have already exposed the treasury to billions in further liability, the move has now created a precedent,” Ramsaroop explained. “Precedents then set the stage for future similar transactions.”

Syndicated loan

It was announced a few days ago that NICIL had issued a US$150 million bond facility through Republic Bank’s invest-

ment banking division, in order to raise capital for GuySuCo’s operations.

It was also stated that London House Chambers Attorney Devindra Kissoon had helped arrange the transaction.

The statement had explained: “With the issue, NICIL becomes the first public issuer to raise debt in the local capital markets in over 10 years. The bond is the largest ever bond facility arranged in Guyana, and was oversubscribed by local investors on the first tranche.”

NICIL had also explained that: “the bond will be issued in multiple tranches, with the first tranche of roughly G$17 billion, or US$85 million equivalent, being issued to local investors on Friday, May 25, 2018.”

According to NICIL, the money from the bond will be used towards capital expenditure and general operations for GuySuCo. But even with this US$150 million, there are still plans to raise a whopping US$65 million more to finance the complete revitalisation and recapitalisation process.

In its release, NICIL said it expects to raise the remaining sum, equivalent to G$13.6 billion, within the next few months through a combination of local and regional investors.

“A targeted road show is expected to be launched within the coming weeks that will likely include investor briefings in Trinidad and Jamaica” in order to raise the much

needed funds, the release noted.

Repayment

Questioned during an exclusive interview on the GuySuCo repayment of the bond, SPU head, Colvin Heath-London, insisted that the SPU and GuySuCo were committed to ensuring that all the necessary repayments were made.

He had been adamant that strict adherence to financial best practices would be followed within GuySuCo, to ensure that there was no wastage of revenues secured by the sugar company from its ongoing operations.

But a source close to the SPU revealed that GuySuCo, with financial advice of NICIL and the SPU, would embark on a process that could see the company selling some G$3 billion worth of spare parts that were currently lying in its storage bond.

Also, a proposal has been made to secure another G$10 million by selling scrap metal sourced from around the company’s East Demerara Estates. This publication was told that over the next few months, GuySuCo would embark on the process of selling prime real estate not being utilised.

Some 4600 acres would be up for grabs.

From that alone, it is understood, the SPU and GuySuCo hope to garner a whopping G$50 billion if sold at different intervals. Further, the Unit could seek to secure some G$265 million by selling GuySuCo lands in and around the Wales Estate.

Injured GPL worker pleads for compensation to assist family Injured: Dara Singh

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ara Singh, 41, a contracted linesman attached to the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) company , who suffered an electric shock on May 15, 2018 outside Demico House (opposite the Stabroek Square), is pleading with the power company for proper compensation, since it was while executing the company’s duties he was injured.

According to the man, who is now a paraplegic after the incident, officials from the power company have indicated that they may not be obligated to compensate him for his injuries since he was working for a contractor.

The linesman, who was injured when he and his colleagues were replacing some old power poles, told this newspaper from his hospital bed that the company only signed an agreement to give his wife transportation costs to travel from their Garden of Eden, East Bank Demerara (EBD) home to the hospital. In total, he said she received G$30,000.

“Week before the last they give my wife G$30,000 only; it’s almost four weeks, since I’m in the hospital and I’m not hearing from any of them. It seems like I become invisible, or is because I’m a contract worker, they treating me like this?” Singh questioned as he sat helplessly in a wheelchair.

The father of three related that he was the soul breadwinner for his family and was currently unable to send his children to school following the incident.

“I don’t know what will happen to me now; please I’m begging, the only person I hear from is the company nurse, nobody else. I have my children and they are suffering as a result of this.”

The man indicated that his manager (name withheld) did not even state whether the com-

pany would be assisting his family at this time.

His wife, Maureen Katow-Singh related that her husband was unable to walk and was slowly recovering. The woman said doctors told her that the linesman would have to undergo yet another surgery, since he received first-degree burns to the skull and almost 80 per cent of his body.

“Doctors say he might have another month or two in there; because of how bad he was burn, he have to do more surgery, and I don’t know where I am getting money from?” the worried woman related.

“Every day I have to travel and come to the hospital, since two persons come from the workplace when the accident happen, I ain’t see nobody come back to visit; all I know is they give me G$30,000, but that cannot compensate me and my children.”

Efforts to get a comment from GPL on the matter proved futile.

Singh, who had been working as a linesman for the past 12 years, was at the time of the incident holding wires which suddenly became live with electricity, throwing him a few feet backwards. He reportedly landed on his back with the wires across his stomach.

Singh’s colleagues were able to get the wires off his body, and he was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

The GPL team – about two dozen members – had started working some time about 10:00h on the day of the incident to replace the poles that were beginning to rot.

Power had been cut from the wires that were lying on the ground for some time prior to the incident. One crew member said they reportedly came into contact with a live wire, thus injuring Singh.

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Rice producers’ body urges Govt to lower fuel taxes

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s many producers in the agricultural sector continue to face challenges in sustaining their means of livelihood, the coalition Government is once again being urged to review its tax policies on fuel with a view to easing the “burden” on the productive sector.

This was the call on Wednesday by the Guyana Rice Producers Association (RPA), which reiterated its stance that rising production costs were lowering the earning power of producers.

“We are calling on this Government to reimplement the sliding rate on taxes to cushion the impact of international price increases. To do nothing, but collect exorbitant taxes will stifle production and affect thousands of lives,” the Association observed via a statement.

The RPA posits that farmers, who are currently harvesting, have been experiencing an increase in transportation costs from an average of G$200 to G$800 per bag, because access to their farmlands is poor.

“Many have been forced to use a combination of poor dams and weed-infested waterways and this increase in fuel prices might very well be the proverbial last straw.

Additionally, most farmers are currently involved in land preparation exercise and sowing of their fields and in the latter case, [the] most fuel is being used compared to the crop duration, so the increase is coming at a really bad time for the farmers,” the RPA noted.

As reported, the fuel woes are compounded by challenges of readily accessing fertilisers owing to financial challenges.

Guyana Times International recently reported that many farmers who accessed fertiliser on a credit system with the Guyana Rice

Development Board (GRDB) were defaulting on their loan repayments which were due in part to millers not paying off the producers. Before the cancellation of PetroCaribe (the rice-for-oil) deal by Venezuela in 2015, farmers were obtaining premium rates for their paddy.

The RPA has since said that the “good life” that the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/ AFC) Government promised was wanting, adding that the Administration’s inaction on the matter was not an option.

“We are insisting on an immediate reduction in percentage taxes being collected, and we know that the Government knows that they can still realise the amount budgeted for with a reduction.

We will accept no less,” the RPA stressed.

In April 2017, Mahaica farmers, whose main source of income is rice, along with cash crops, said that the taxation measures were “harsh” to them. The farmers said then that the Government has removed the list of exempted and zero-rated Value Added Tax (VAT) items, causing them to have to increase their cash crop prices, much to the dissatisfaction of their customers. The cost of production, they noted, extended to an increase in payment for fertiliser, insecticide and weedicide.

Given that spare parts and machinery all now attract VAT, that “makes it more difficult for us to make ends meet as a farmer”, this newspaper reported them as saying. The Opposition – the People’s Progressive Party – had made several calls for the removal of taxes and duties on fuel for the industry, and the removal of all taxes and duties on machinery, equipment, and spares.

WEEK ENDING JUNE 10 , 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

ECD four-lane road project set for year-end completion

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he ongoing expansion works on the Public Road along the East Coast of Demerara are progressing well, and it is expected that the four-lane upgrade will be completed by the end of 2018.

This is according to Technical Services Manager attached to the Public Infrastructure Ministry, Nigel Erskine, who is overseeing the project.

The US$50.2 million project has two components. One features a four-lane expansion from Better Hope to Annandale, and then an upgrade to the existing two-lane from Annandale to Belfield.

Erksine told Guyana Times International during a telephone interview that the works on the entire project are about 14.1% completed, with focus on the first phase.

According to Erskine, while the two-year project is scheduled to be completed in September 2019, the aim is to wrap

MPI’s Technical Services Manager, Nigel Erskine

because we’re programming to try to complete the four-lane section before the end of December this year,” Erskine explained.

However, he noted there are some issues that would have to be to be sorted out in order for the works to progress unhindered.

“There are some challenges, and once we are able to address the challenges, such as the relocation of the utilities, we have to relocate vendors at two of the markets, and the other issue (tackled) would be

cessional loan from the China EXIM (ExportImport) Bank to finance the road project in an agreement signed in January last year.

Initially, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government had tried to secure financing for the entire road expansion project, but the money was not readily available; hence the administration had decided to use local funds for preliminary works while it awaited the release of funds from the Chinese to complete the works.

Preliminary works for the four-lane upgrade were completed at the end of 2014. This included widening of the roads and installation of drainage facilities. The project has been divided into seven lots, and awarded to different local contractors.

However, with the China EXIM Bank putting up most of the finances for the road expansion, the contract for the actual road con-

Works ongoing on the East Coast Road Expansion project are on track to meet various deadlines

up works on the fourlane highway by this year end, and then commence work on the twolane next year.

The first phase of the project includes the construction of seven bridges and the extension of 14 culverts. A median along with streetlights will be placed in the centre of four lanes.

“We have started works on two of the seven bridges. Works have started also on some of the culverts, and extensive drain works have been completed. I would say about five kilometres (have been) completed within the four-lane section. We have also done a significant amount of the sub-base and lower base work… All of the work so far is concentrated within the four-lane section,

encumbrances on the reserves. So if those things are sorted out in a timely manner, we should be able to complete (the works by) next year September. But we’re working to try to have those issues resolved, so that we could bring the project in on time,” Erskine explained.

Works on the second phase of the project include widening and upgrading of the twolane from Annandale to Belfield, implementation of sidewalks, and installation of street lights.

According to Erskine, while some days’ work has been lost as a result of the inclement weather, work is generally on schedule to meet the deadline.

Guyana received a US$45.3 million con-

struction was awarded to China Railway First Group for some US$42.7 million. The Chinese construction company reportedly put in the lowest bid of US$46.994.

The PPP/C administration had said it was saving some G$2.8 billion by giving the contract to China Railway First Group.

Upon completing the widening and improvement of the East Coast Demerara Highway, citizens travelling along the East Coast will benefit from reduced travel time and less traffic congestion.

Apart from the road expansion, the residents are also going to benefit from improved drainage, since the East Coast is usually susceptible to floods.

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A mother’s wish …Single mom hoping child would recover following accident which left him bedridden

By Davina Ramdass

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hile most children are preparing to write their end of term examinations as they eagerly await the moment when they are free from school to enjoy their summer vacation, an eight-year-old boy remains bedridden and most likely anxious to run and play the way he once did.

Little Matthew Zaman was a pupil of the La Bonne Intention (LBI) Primary School before he met with an accident just in front of his home, which left him paralysed from his neck down.

The child has not been able to utter a word since his accident and is unable to do anything for himself; something his mother, Bibi Shanaz Khan said he always loved doing.

He was struck by a minibus outside their Lot 20 Felicity, Railway Embankment, East Coast Demerara home on December 18, 2017, while he was playing.

The mother, who was almost brought to tears as she recalled the incident, said she was at work when she heard about her son’s tragedy and immediately rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital. She said to her horror, when she arrived there, her son was motionless.

Little Matthew sustained a fractured skull which resulted in swelling in the brain, damage to his lungs and injury to his spine which hinders his mobility. At just eight years old, the child’s life has come to a drastic point where he is unable to function like a normal child his age.

Breathing only with the help of tubes, due to the damage to his lungs, and feeding only through tubes as well, little Matthew has met a cruel fate.

Recognising this, his mother said she quit her job as a domestic worker to care of her baby. Khan, a mother of eight, said she had no other option but to leave her job.

The child’s mother said this phase of their lives has become very challenging. Matthew’s dad does not play a role in his life after his parents separated when he was just two years old, so his mother is left to grapple with all the expenses of raising her children and caring for Matthew. Khan said she has a 26-year-old daughter, who assists her.

She said the driver of the minibus, who is scheduled for court, has offered help on several occasions as well.

The frustrated mother said after her son’s accident, she did not know what to do and had no idea how she would have managed. While little Matthew was still hospitalised, she said she tried to take a photograph of him so that his relatives could have seen his condition, but was instructed not to by the hospital’s staffers. She said she even had to go to the Hospital’s Public Relations Officer to sign a document saying that she would not publish the child’s picture while he was hospitalised for approximately two months at the nation’s premier medical facility.

After this phase, while still uncertain about who to turn to for help, the boy’s mother said she went to the Imam from a nearby Mosque who later sent someone to her home, whose heart immediately went out to her son.

Members of the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana has played a critical role in giving her a voice to get assistance for her son. As a result of the help she has received from the religious organisation, she said persons have been coming to her home, calling

The dashing young man before the life changing accident

and messaging to give whatever support they can.

The distraught woman however said at this time of the year it aches her the most because her son would usually get decked out for the mosque in observance of Ramadan. “It tears my heart because sometimes I would sit down right by my window and see the little children passing going to church and it reminds me of how I used to dress him up too”.

Almost in tears while still reflecting on her son’s active moments, she told this publication that little Matthew used to suck his fingers and sometimes, with tears streaming down her face, she would put his fingers in his mouth just to get that glimpse of her active child again. Her son, she added, used to talk a lot and was very loving.

While he was still attending school, she explained that he used to sometimes come home without his lunch bag and pencils. She admitted that he was not fond of writing, but had an impressive memory with the undoubtable ability to learn. “I remember sometimes I would tell he a phone number and then like two or three days after if I ask him he can tell me. Even at the shop, he would go and would walk all the aisles to make sure he brings exactly what I told him I wanted,” Khan revisited.

The tired and emotional mother said she is unwilling to give up her fight and is hoping that the faith that she has can be enough to bring back her little boy. She said as she watches him every day, she prays for a miracle so that he can have a normal life again.

She said sometimes her baby does not sleep and just out of concern, she stays awake with him to ensure that he is taken care of properly. The tubes, she said, have to be monitored, since he can become infected by them; as such little Matthew is still being monitored by the Georgetown Public Hospital and being treated with the hope of becoming active again.

The child’s mother is seeking the public’s assistance as she continues the struggle to maintain her child. Persons who are desirous of donating whatever they can to the child’s mother can do so by contacting her on telephone number 592-659-6766.

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 10 , 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

‘I’ve always wanted to help others’ 20-yr-old dies after …says Guyana-born NYPD officer

tractor overturns in rice field

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O’Reilly-Bovell (third from left) stands next to Guyana’s Consul General to New York, Barbara Atherly, and other members of GALEA at a recent Police Headquarters event

Guyanese woman who migrated to the USA at the age of 16, and joined the NYPD six years after moving to America, has been entered into the Hall of Fame at her former college.

The woman, Rhonda O’ReillyBovell, a married mother of two daughters, has been inducted into the Hunter College Alumni Hall of Fame on May 4, 2018.

O’Reilly-Bovell is currently the commanding officer of the 7th Precinct on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, and is also president of the Guyanese American Law Enforcement Association (GALEA).

She now holds an undergraduate degree in Sociology from Hunter College, and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Marist College.

This petite young woman served as a Police Officer in the 100 Precinct before quickly being promoted to sergeant in 2002, and then Lieutenant in 2010 in the 63rd Precinct. She has been described as a hard working immigrant, who climbed the ladder four years ago to become Captain in the 30th Precinct.

Her work ethic propelled her to the rank of Deputy Inspector last year, and she is now one of the top-ranking officers in the NYPD.

O’Reilly-Bovell says she wants youths to know about the programmes the NYPD offers to obtain an education. She is a fitting example of these grants, received when she joined the Cadet Corps while attending Hunter College.

“I chose a career in law enforcement because I wanted to help others. My inspiration comes from my entire family, who supports me 100 percent. My nephew is also a member of the NYPD,” said O’Reilly-Bovell.

She attended East Ruimveldt Secondary School before graduating from the prestigious St. Rose’s High School in Guyana.

he lifeless body of 20-year-old Alvin Dubarai, of Lot 65 Kilmarnock Village, Corentyne, Berbice was found pinned under the tractor he was last seen operating on Monday morning at about 07:00h.

The discovery was made by rice farmer Heera Nauth, also called “Bammer, owner of both the tractor and rice field which Dubarai was plowing. He told this publication that Dubarai appeared to be dead, and only his hands and legs were visible when he was found.

“When the thing happen I was not there; is two tractor I have, he driving one and I driving one. I was at the camp…,”Nauth said.

According to Nauth, when he arrived at Kilmarnock, Corentyne, he saw the overturned tractor and Dubarai pinned under it.

“He already dead.

Then I call some of them boys from out on the road and them come down with boat, and when they see he they say that they have to call the Police, so they went and bring in the Police,” Nauth detailed.

Dead: Alvin Dubarai

Nauth said that when the Police arrived they had to use three tractors to remove the vehicle from off of Dubarai’s body. The body was removed from Nauth’s farm at about 16:00h.

He explained that even if persons were around at the time of the incident, it would have been difficult to save Dubarai’s life, since it took the Police about 30 minutes to remove the machine off him.

Dubarai had been working in the rice fields since the age of 15. He leaves to mourn four siblings. (Andrew Carmichael)

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 10 , 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

GuySuCo mum over status of pension fund …beneficiaries fear being short-changed

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ven as pensioners remain concerned over how much of their pension benefits they will actually get, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and the Agriculture Ministry are mum over the state of the pension fund for unionized workers.

Even as the workers remain in the cold about the status of their pension fund, some have questioned whether they would be treated like the bauxite workers, in Region 10.

A senior manager who is part of the fund told this publication that, in 2002, the then Government had signed an agreement with the two large bauxite unions, providing six weeks’ severance pay for every year of service, with a cap of 104 weeks. Additionally, the Government committed to pay the pension plan deficit and bring up to date outstanding payments for NIS and PAYE. The manager said that almost G$3 billion was paid out by Government to fulfil these obligations.

This newspaper was also told that, separate from the pay out, the Bauxite Industry Pension Plan (BIPP) was wound up and the full benefits were paid to all members of the bauxite industry pension plan.

This is a major concern for another beneficiary of the GuySuCo pension plan

called STEPS (Sugar Trading Enterprise Pension Scheme), which is the largest pension plan in the country. Its officials have said there seems to be no focus on protecting the workers’ benefits and ensuring fair treatment of sugar workers.

Just over 5400 sugar workers were dismissed as Government closed four sugar estates and vested their assets into the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) since the end of 2017.

There is major fear that Government would shortchange the workers, a former

employee told this publication on Saturday.

“Instead of the workers being paid both their contribution and that of GuySuCo, workers are concerned that they may end up with far less than the same treatment enjoyed by the bauxite industry,” a former senior staff stated.

The STEPS Fund has a history of negative figures, but several persons have opined that with the closure of several estates and the downsizing of the industry, there will be an influx of persons into the pension system.

Reports are that the Employees Retirement

Benefits are in negative territory by G$1.1 billion, as opposed to G$2.4 billion in 2014, according to the 2015 financial statements produced by GuySuCo. And according to well-placed sources, the state of the fund has not improved.

A former employee of the Corporation had told this newspaper that Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) pulling out from the fund has added pressure to the fund.

The employee had expressed the view that Government had to be aware of the dilemma. He said this on the basis that there was no likelihood that foreign in-

vestors would have joined the fund, as the Financial Act currently prohibits certain levels of offshore investment.

According to the former employee, there is likelihood that the scheme will lose its viability to provide a pension for those who are already receiving a pension, because of the lack of investment portfolios.

“The pension is already burdened by those already receiving a pension, and it will be exacerbated by the additional people who will now become eligible for pension as a result of being severed from the company,” he added.

While the pension fund had been in trouble before the new Government took office in 2015, there was no move made to stabilise the fund, especially in light of plans to downsize the industry.

When contacted for information on the fund, GuySuCo’s acting Chief Executive Officer Paul Bhim had professed that the fund had a surplus.

However, he was unable to provide details on exactly what the balance of the fund represented.

He had informed this publication that there is usually a three-year valuation exercise done, with the next one due in June 2019. Bhim had revealed, however, that this exercise would be brought forward to this year, due to the massive changes.

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 10 , 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Inmates say Guyana’s prison very dangerous – report

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f recent, pictures and videos of prisoners drinking high-priced liquor have dominated social media. But other prisoners have reported that the local prison environment is actually a dangerous one. Their complaints have been documented in a recent report.

According to the Citizen Security Strengthening Programme (CSSP) prison survey, completed and handed over recently, Guyana’s prison was overwhelmingly perceived as an unsafe environment by the inmates, who complained of being subjected to theft and violence behind prison walls.

“Prison was perceived as an unsafe place by the inmates,” the report states. “Nine out of ten inmates reported feeling less safe in prison than at their home or the place where they had lived before. Six out of ten inmates said that someone has stolen their personal belongings in the prison.

A quarter of the prisoners said that, in the previous six months, they had been attacked or beaten.”

Similarly, the survey found that eight out of ten inmates reported witnessing another inmate being beaten. Additionally, results

showed that inmates’ participation in different kinds of activities in prison was very low.

“Only 21.9 per cent of the inmates participated in entertainment activities, and 28.2 per cent participated in educational activities. To a greater degree, 48.7 per cent participated in sports activities, half of the inmates, 52.3 per cent, participated in the cleaning or maintenance of the prison, and just 47.9 per cent performed some kind of work inside the prison”, the report detailed.

According to the report, robbery and other crimes are committed even behind bars

Positive indicators

But while prison was reported to be physically violent, the report did find some positives within the prison system regarding sexual violence. For instance, the inmates themselves affirmed that there are no major violations to their sexual rights behind bars… a prevalent perception surrounding prisons.

Nine out of ten inmates said that, since being arrested, they had not witnessed another inmate being forced to have sexual intercourse with another person,” the report stated.

“Almost all prisoners said they had not been forced to have sexual intercourse against their

will since they were arrested.”

Besides their right not to be raped, the report also found that the majority of prisoners are afforded the chance to maintain their personal hygiene, and have access to hygienic facilities such as toilets.

According to the report, 75.1 per cent of prisoners said they had the opportunity to have a shower between eight and fourteen times per week. In a similar vein, the majority of inmates, 71.4 per cent, believed that the toilets they used were “clean” or “very clean”.

“Along these lines,

seven out of ten inmates, 71.3 per cent, said they had enough water to drink, although half of the respondents, 50.8 per cent, rated the water they received as “poor” or “very poor”.

A renewed focus on Guyana’s prison system was brought to bear after pictures and a video of partying prisoners had recently come to light.

The video had showed some of the same prisoners featured in photos shared on social media not only drinking alcoholic beverages, but smoking marijuana and counting a significant amount of cash.

In one clip, which has

since gone viral on social media, a prisoner was filmed counting at least 12 single G$5000 bills as he placed them on a plate that was filled with what appeared to be cannabis and other prohibited substances.

Another clip showed the prisoners boasting about the “sweet life” they are enjoying, despite many of these very men awaiting trial for grave breaches of the law, including rape, murder, robbery under arms, simply larceny and gun-related offences.

While this in itself is disturbing, there are those who see the lack of control in the pris-

ons in the context of the 2016 fire that resulted in the deaths of over a dozen prisoners… as well as last year’s jail break and fire that gutted most of the Camp Street prison… and they have called for heads to roll.

Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, has since committed to ensuring technology such as scanners are introduced in the prisons. Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels, had noted that while collusion is likely, the prisons are presently rooting out corrupt officers.

Guyana establishes support group for Venezuelans seeking refuge

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new group, deemed the Venezuela Support Group (VSG), has been established in Guyana to provide advice and assistance to Venezuelans seeking refuge from the deprivations and insecurity currently gripping their homeland.

A release from the Human Rights Association on Saturday stated that the VSG, consisting of eight civic and faith-based organizations, was assembled to establish possible partnerships with the Ministry of Citizenship in regard to the above situation.

The founding members of the VSG include the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA), Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA), Guyana Institute for Transparency Inc (GITI), Moray House Trust, Policy Forum Guyana, Red Thread, Roman Catholic Diocese of Guyana, and the Ursuline Sisters in Guyana.

“Member organizations of the VSG have previously publicly expressed their concerns about the humanitarian aspect of the on-going crisis in Venezuela in press releases, panel discussions and in communication with various Ministries,” the release said.

The VSG was designed to address concerns, some of which include distinguishing humanitarian obligations to the Venezuelan people from political factors that current-

A few of the Venezuelan refugees gladly accepting assistance

ly influence both the internal crisis in Venezuela and Caricom Secretariat’s reluctance to date to formulate specific advice to member States on how to respond to that crisis; and to devise a flexible, evidence-based rather than speculative response appropriate to the relatively small numbers of Venezuelans currently in Guyana.

In addition, the group has committed to respect the fact that Venezuelans in Guyana have documented their wish not to seek formal refugee status, but to seek temporary renewable visas that allow them to earn money while in Guyana.

The initial focus of the VSG would, however, be on ensuring that persons arriving from

that neighbouring country receive information and assistance to secure valid visas to remain in Guyana, and are not exploited financially or abused in other ways.

The Human Rights Association of Guyana made clear it has learnt that “some consideration has been given to permit Venezuelans in Guyana to regularize their situation on the basis of possession of an ID card, rather than a passport.

“Although, to date, there has been no formal announcement by the Government of Guyana on the matter, we welcome this development in general as protecting Venezuelans against exposure to detention, fines and deportation.

Moreover, this step would also

align Guyana with the recent appeal made by the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) for neighbouring countries to adopt flexible arrangements of this nature”.

It was highlighted nonetheless that the humanitarian group is in the process of instituting offices which are slated to be situated opposite the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Brickdam, Georgetown.

The group has boasted that its service is being supported by the UNHCR, which is in the process of establishing a permanent location in Guyana.

According to the release, “The VSG will support the smooth implementation of any new regulations and related policy guidelines through the

following activities; ensure the regulations and the accompanying procedures are known to arriving Venezuelans; provide advice and, where necessary, accompaniment, in the process of regularizing their presence in Guyana; Support Venezuelans in need of assistance to contact family or other persons; Make known social and welfare services which may be accessible to Venezuelans with special needs; Contribute to information-gathering initiatives, especially in interior communities; and Provide opportunities for Venezuelans to communicate with other Venezuelans”.

The group pointed out that it has taken a decision to prioritize the safeguarding of the humanitarian character, in particular insulating it from attempts to politicize it, or from any association with the border issue. It also committed to stand as a focal point through which displaced persons or families can communicate with each other.

Some 25 Venezuelans were recently discovered camping in the open air under very poor conditions in Lethem, Region Nine, and Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge has given full assurance that Guyana would continue to assist the people of Venezuela, who continue to flee their country to escape its economic, social and political crises.

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he talented and beautiful Ashmini Navina Ramnauth was crowned ‘First Princess’ in the Miss India-Guyana 2017 pageant. The 22-year-old is also a former Miss World Guyana top model. She is presently reading for a Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry at the University of Guyana and is hoping to become a medical doctor in the near future. Her hobbies include traditional Indian dancing, modeling and interacting with children, which she uses as a source of happiness and comfort.

This talented model is also engaged in many several efforts to help tackle certain social issues affecting her community. For her work in the area of child neglect she was presented with the beautiful heart award from the GIVE foundation in 2017. “I use pageantry as a platform to bring awareness on social issues affecting our children in society with hopes of reducing them”, she said.

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Karen Abrams

aren Abrams is a woman who deeply loves her family and who has been devoted to the development of Guyana since she first returned to represent Guyana in the Caribbean Basketball championships in 1986, after emigrating in 1984. She finds bias and discrimination at any level abhorrent and believes that Guyana has an opportunity to be a model for the world if citizens in our multi-ethnic society, decide to work together to develop the country.

Karen believes that technology is the path to that development and is confident that those who make the investments [in their children] today will reap the benefits tomorrow. It was along that line that led to Karen and her husband, Leon Christian, founding the Academy of Math, Science and Robotics in their Community.

Remembering what it was like growing up, Karen describes her childhood as being days of endless fun defined by community, sports and reading. It was her love for books that led her to gain a widespread understanding of everything that interested her. She attended the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Primary School and when she wrote her Common Entrance

Exams, she was offered a place at St Roses’ High School. However, she would complete her High School education in the United States after she migrated whilst in fifth form.

Karen says because of her exposure to sports, at an early age in Guyana, she was offered full athletic scholarships to eight Universities throughout the US but settled for Howard University where she graduated with a BBA Degree in Management.

She would later graduate from California State University with a Masters in Marketing.

After graduating from College in 1990, Karen started working at Mindspring Networks where she was exposed to the behind the scenes action of the tech industry. When she joined, Mindspring was just an internet startup company which is now the third largest internet service provider in the US. With all the knowledge she gained about the tech industry, Karen decided to end her career as the company’s Director of Operations and founded the Academy of Math, Science and Robotics with her husband. The aim was to help to expose and prepare youths for opportunities in the tech industry and it also provided the foundation for her own children to build strong STEM foundations.

“I am confident that it was this experience that prepared my own children for Stanford, Cornell and NYU,” she says.

Although she left Guyana in 1984, Karen said she never really left since she came back quite often and sees the establishment of STEM Guyana as one of her many contributions.

“Today I am passionate about STEM because I know that it could play a very important role in changing the lives of many, not only in preparing young people today for the jobs of tomorrow but also in changing their perspectives from

STEM Guyana co-founders at Caleb’s High School Graduation 2018

one of pointing out problems to now taking steps to solve them,” she noted.

The STEM league challenges teams of 5 students to work together to solve problems with code and robots. It is the hope that the experience will strengthen their collaboration, communication and problem solving skills.

Team Guyana building a robot

For Karen, finding a balance between STEM and her personal life is not much of a challenge since an amazing team of volunteers surrounds her and makes the job much easier. First Lady Sandra Granger have played an integral role in advancing STEM Guyana’s work by supporting them in outreaches as well as rais-

ing funds for them to travel overseas to participate in various competitions.

“In addition, the fact that my children are the co-founders of STEMGuyana and have been the key figures involved in designing and executing on many of our programs makes it easier I think. Our entire family is involved in one way or another. It was my husband Leon Christian, who suggested we look at the koker design to come up with ideas for our outstanding 2017 robot,” Karen says.

Presently, the STEM Guyana team is preparing for the robot Olympics in August of this year.

When asked about how she feels to be receiving the Golden Arrow of Achievement, Karen notes that it means a lot but wishes her father was alive to see her receive it since he would be bursting with pride.

She hopes that it makes every one of their critical supporters and volunteers proud because it represents their contributions to the challenging mission.

(Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

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Syeada enjoying the sunshine in the company of a cat

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ot many people can boast of dedicating more than 25 years of their life towards rescuing and caring for animals while fiercely campaigning for legislative changes to better protect animals, but for Syeada Manbodh that is her calling, her passion and her life.

Syeada’s selfless service of providing care, medical treatment and rescuing animals, often at her own expenses, for over quarter of a century has earned her a spot among this year’s Medal of Service National

Awardees. However, she explains that she was extremely afraid of animals while growing up after she witnessed a dog mauling her late brother.

Syeada was born in the town of Bartica and later moved to the City with her parents where she completed her High School education. She would then later move to Canada where she completed a two year technical course in Marketing and Accounting in Toronto.

The Animal Rights Activist returned home in 1993 where she

Syeada with a neighbourhood dog

met a South African woman named Nicole Fitzsimmons that helped her to overcome her fear of animals and that is when she began campaigning and serving them. Fitzsimmons would later return to her home country and Syeada was left with this new passion of helping animals such as dogs, cats, horses, donkeys, monkeys, sloths, iguanas, anteaters, parrots and birds.

She currently runs a Bed and Breakfast, which helps finance her volunteer work but explains that over the year she

would have formed bonds with a number of people who contribute to her work in whatever way they can.

“However, over the

the care they deserve. We need to strive to make people in general more accountable. If you own an animal it is your responsibility to provide care,

voiceless and sees herself as their voice. She says because of that is obligated to respond to their needs regardless of the time of day or night.

Tending to an injured horse

years I have met many awesome people who were helping or wanted to help animals in need. These animal angels reside mainly in the Georgetown area but several live in other towns. That allows us to reach out and have a bigger impact on more animals, both domestic and wildlife,” Syeada notes.

“The problem of “poor care for our animals” is huge, so there is no way even 100 or 500 of us could give all the animals

freedom and love. That includes having your animals spayed or neutered so they do not over produce and create more problems. Animal owners must become part of the solution and not add to the problems,” she says.

Syeada is not married and have no human children but her five female rescue dogs are her everything thing and plays the role of her children. For her there is never a balance when serving animals because they are

Syeada with one of her favourite animals-the Sloth

When asked about how she feels receiving this awards, she said while it is a complete shock, it is not about her rather it is a recognition of everyone on the frontlines of helping animals especially the Guyana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA) “who is doing an amazing job with spaying, rehoming and accepting all cats and dog going into the shelters.”

Syeada is currently working with a small group on a project to improve the animal enclosures at the Guyana Zoo since she enjoys working with the Zoo employees and supervisors. She is also thrilled that government has recognized the importance of animals and hopes they follow up with more and greater efforts to protect all the animals.

“There should be zero tolerance for abuses to all animals including wildlife such as Iguanas, parrots, monkeys, sloths and turtles being sold along our roadways. I would like to see a total ban on the wildlife trade.” (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

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any of us would have come a breathtaking photograph by Amanda Richards but not many of us know who Amanda Raichards is. It is that way because she is not the type of person who would be in your face and prefers to perform “silent service” without any expectation.

notes.

Service have been at the center of Amanda’s life from an early age.

She was always encouraged by her parents and extended family to be a well-rounded and disciplined person. She gained her early education at the St. Agnes Primary school, placed sixth in the country at

Associate of the Institute of Canadian Bankers and holds a Diploma in Marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

Currently, she is the Administrative Manager/Company Secretary of the Farfan & Mendes Group of Companies, and have been with the company for almost 25 years.

With personality and humbleness, one could only imagine what went through her mind when she first saw her name on the list of National Awarders for 2018 or when the calls came in and every time a congratulatory post appeared on social media.

“I was humbled and honored to have been nominated for this award, realizing that although my service to others is done quietly without expectation of benefit or reward, that someone noticed, and took the time to submit my name as someone deserving of such recognition. This award is an indication that I am on the right track, and will encourage me to continue to do what I do, and even more so in the future,” she

the Common Entrance Examinations, and was offered a place at St Rose’s High School. Not only did she excel at her academics but Amanda took part in sports, earning a black belt in karate, and excelling at swimming.

She completed the YMCA 5 Star swimming course at the age of 6, and swam across the Demerara River at age 7. She also competed internationally in Trinidad and won several medals including one gold, and then at the Inter-Guiana Games, winning two gold medals and being judged best swimmer of the tournament.

Additionally, she was recognized with an Honorable Mention for Sportswoman of the Year.

Amanda is also an

In this capacity, and through the generosity and corporate social responsibility policies of the company, Amanda and her team are able to contribute nationwide to deserving charities and causes, national events, youth development, and skills training, as well as to the visual and performing arts, and sponsorship of sports teams and events.

So you see service has always been a part of her live and according to her it will remain. She notes that her upbringing instilled in her the need to help anyone to the best of her abilities. Her life has never been without strong female influences who would have broken barriers and encouraged her to do the same.

“I joined the

Rotaract Club of Georgetown, and served as President before becoming a Charter Member of the Rotary Club of Demerara, the first Rotary Club in Guyana to accept women to membership. I lat-

er served as President of that club and then President of the Rotary eClub of One World, an online Rotary Club based in California. I am still a member of the eClub. Outside of Rotary, I am a past president of the St Rose's Past Pupils' Association, and a current Director of the Institute of Private Enterprise Development,” Amanda related.

Back to her immaculate eye for capturing the perfect shot, Amanda relates that she has not always been interested in photography but got into it because she could not find the right pictures for her son’s school project.

She said she then armed herself with a “point and shoot” camera and start-

ed her photography journey in 2009.

But prior to that she has been the subject of her father’s photography hobby during her childhood, adolescent and early adulthood days.

From 2009 to now, she has not only continued on her photography journey but rather she has distinguished herself from the other by capturing the not necessarily captured.

Amanda enjoys the spontaneity and gets bored taking pictures at formal events, so the next time you see her with her camera in tow then give her a smile, you never know what magic she will create.

(Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

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"I can do anything" - Julie Lewis M.S WEEK ENDING JUNE 10 , 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Julie in her younger days working on a computer

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t a very young age, the mantra “I can do anything” was etched onto the mind of Julie Lewis and she forged ahead with that which resulted in her being among the list of the 2018 recipients for the Medal of Service. Julie is now 53 years old and a seasoned broadcaster but what makes her exceptional is the fact that she has been blind for almost all of her life.

Julie is the ninth of

allowing her the liberty of enjoying a “normal” childhood. She was allowed to play in the yard with the neighbours’ children and he siblings and recalls constantly bumping into them and even walking off bridges into the drains.

“I would get up and get going again. My mother and father never stopped me and I am happy because I was taught to be independent from a young age,” she

“The only reason I haven’t achieved more is because of attitudes and societal challenges. For example at work I know I could’ve been higher up the ladder had I not been blind because I have the qualifications, I have the experience and we still are grappling with people attitudes and people putting themselves in your place and coming up short.” her mother’s 11 children and was diagnosed with congenital cataract just before her first birthday.

She recalls being able to see a few colours and the outline of her parents and siblings’ faces but was never to fully see what they looked like. As Julie aged her sight deteriorated but that did not deter her parents from

related.

When it reached time for Julie to attend school, she was not spared or hidden away because of her condition rather her parents ensured that she attended classes every day. She recalls being in school and not being able to see on the chalkboard or even being able to write but her parents

had no choice and insisted that she remain in the regular school.

Being a Georgetown girl, Julie first attended the St. Stephen’s Primary School but because of the challenges her parents were forced to enroll her in the David Rose School for Handicapped Children (now David Rose Special School) where she was introduced to more intimate teaching sessions and utilized resources available to make learning for a blind person more conducive. For the first time she was able to fully understand how to read and write while being exposed to Braille and Mathematics along with all the other subjects her “normal” counterparts were learning.

In 1977, it was decided that blind students had the abilities to be integrated into the regular classrooms and Julie was the first fully blind person to be placed in a CXC classroom. She was placed at the St Rose’s High along with two other visually impaired students and she was able to attain five passes at

CXC. Surprised at the level of her success, Julie went on to become the first blind person to take on “A Levels” and was even more successful when she wrote History and Literature and even copped top honours in History. In 1994 she

ognized since I would be awarded for anything because as far as I am concerned I was just doing what was expected of me, what I could accomplish and that’s about anything,” Julie said.

Today Julie lives all by herself and cooks

daily. She says she frequents the market where she enjoy a good bargain.

When asked where does she see herself in the next five years Julie said “still here doing what I love.”(Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

Julie with one of the typewriters she started working at GBC

would graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Studies from the University of Guyana.

It was after that her career in the media began. She joined the Guyana Broadcasting Company in October of 1984 and have been there ever since. She started as a reporter and was promoted through the ranks and today she is Senior Announcer/Producer.

Julie noted that had it not been for her blindness then she would have been holding an even higher position.

“The only reason I haven’t achieved more is because of attitudes and societal challenges. For example at work I know I could’ve been higher up the ladder had I not been blind because I have the qualifications, I have the experience and we still are grappling with people attitudes and people putting themselves in your place and coming up short,” she notes.

Nevertheless, according to Julie, she is not the least bothered since she is living the best life doing what she feels is her purpose. Julie said being recognized for her service is one that came as a surprise but is a decision she is pleased with.

“This award is just a big shock. I never gave it a thought that one day I would be rec-

Julie poses in front of her home

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RICHARD S. DAVID LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN FOR DEMOCRATIC DISTRICT LEADER

…pledges to bring more residents and activists into Democratic Party

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ctivist and Community Board Member Richard S. David declared his candidacy to be the next Democratic District Leader in the 31st Assembly District Part B. The neighborhoods include South Ozone Park and Richmond Hill. The position was formerly held by Council Member Ruben Wills and is currently vacant.

The current female co-District Leader is Assembly Member Michele Titus.

“I’m pleased and honored to announce my candidacy for District Leader. This is a great opportunity to grow the Democratic Party in the community by connecting residents and activists with a process they have felt locked out of for decades” said Richard.

“I am energized and excited. I have learned a lot since the last election and I am not going to give up fighting for

my neighbors.”

In 2017, Richard ran for the New York City Council in District 28 and came in second with almost 3,000 votes.

Richard attended public school and started working at age 13. He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Hunter College and earned a Master’s in Public Administration from New York University.

Within the community, Richard has been active in many organizations including serving as a Community Board Member for over 10 years.

He is also a co-founder of the IndoCaribbean Alliance, the largest organization providing services to Guyanese, Trinidadians and all working class New Yorkers.

“It is with great pleasure that I welcome Richard David as co-chair of

the Democratic Party in the district. I look forward to working collaboratively for the betterment of our community and our party” said Assembly Member Michele Titus.

Richard was previously a Vice President at the NYC Economic Development Corporation where he oversaw the construction of cultural facilities, senior centers and other vital community spaces. He was also an Executive Director at the NYC Department of Consumer Affairs overseeing a City-wide program to lower the cost of public transportation by in-

creasing the use of a Federal tax deduction. Richard is currently a Chief of Staff at the NYC Administration for Children’s Services.

A launch event is planned for June 23, 2018 with several elected officials, organizations, community leaders and residents expected to be in attendance.

For more information about the launch or the campaign, please email, call or check any of the following social media pages: Social media, Facebook. com/RichardDavidNYC, Twitter: @ itsrichdavid Paid Advertisement

T&T vigilante victim dies, residents realise error (Trinidad Guardian)

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ropune residents are now said to be showing genuine regret, remorse and sadness for the man they badly beat last week, after they claimed he attempted to lure a fiveyear-old girl away from a nearby playground.

Victim Ashdale Mc Hutchinson, 49, died at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope, at about 11 am on Sunday.

Mc Hutchinson, who lived at Bon Air Gardens, Arouca, with his mother Jeannette, was visiting his sister Anika and cousin Mario in Oropune Gardens last Wednesday, when he was confronted by a mob of residents. They severely beat him and subsequently hog-tied him before calling the police.

Mc Hutchinson was hospitalised since the attack and never regained consciousness.

His sisters Anika, Alisa and Amanda were all overwhelmed with inconsolable grief while at the Forensic Science Centre, St James, for his autopsy yesterday.

“They didn’t have to tie my brother like a hog and kill him just so…for nothing. How could these people live with themselves now?” Anika said.

Mc Hutchinson’s cousin Mario said he invited him over to his house on Wednesday for the Indian Arrival Day holiday so that he could “eat roti and relax.” He said he left to go to a

nearby parlour to purchase a cigarette.

“I was told that he went to the parlour and got none so he must have went somewhere else and I feel that was when he got lost,” Mario told the T&T Guardian.

“I was told that he came across the playground and some children were selling chow and he bought out all the chow and gave it away because that is how he was. He was a kind and generous person.”

In a video of the incident that went viral, moments after Mc Hutchinson was smoked out from nearby bushes and badly beaten by the residents, he was heard begging for his life. The residents had accused him of attempting to lure the child by calling her “cousin” but in the video he tried to defend himself, saying he would usually refer to people he would meet as family.

Sister Amanda confirmed his usually goodnatured greeting to the T&T Guardian yesterday.

“I know my brother, he meant no harm.

He was not a vagrant or piper. He worked very hard for his money at the Macoya Market. He was the sole breadwinner at home too. He took care of his mother,” Amanda said.

Anika also said her brother was robbed, adding she did not believe the alleged paedophile theory being used by the residents to justify the beating.

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or their sterling contribution to national development, each year once the vacancy exists, the President who is also the Chancellor of the Orders of Guyana confers deserving citizens with National Awards. This year, on that list is a record breaking 49 women who are awarded for their excellent dedication towards the development of the nation in their respective fields.

President, David Granger, recently released the list of 96 awardees and leading that list is the Founder of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics – STEM Guyana, Ms. Karen Abrams, medical practitioner, Dr. Holly Patricia Alexander,

Awards of Guyana and a brief history of the various insignia:

Order Excellence of Guyana

The Order of Excellence of Guyana (O.E.) is the highest national award of Guyana and was established in 1970 under the Constitution of the Orders of Guyana it is limited to twenty five living citizens of Guyana.

Order of Roraima of Guyana

The Order of Roraima of Guyana (O.R.) is the second highest National Award of Guyana, and is limited to only thirty five living Guyanese recipients. It was established in 1976 and is awarded to any citizen of Guyana who has given outstanding service to the nation.

It may be awarded to any citizen of Guyana who has "rendered service of an exceptionally

Achievement (A.A.) is the fourth highest award in the Order of

Citizen of foreign nations who are deemed eligible may be honoured as honorary members of the order.

The Cacique's Crown of Honour

The Cacique's Crown of Honour (C.C.H.) is the second highest award in the Order of Service of Guyana. It is limited to fifty citizens of Guyana.

The Military Service Star (M.S.S.) is the highest award presented for military service to officers of the Guyana Defence Force, the Guyana People's Militia and the Guyana National Service. It may be awarded for exceptional service, above and beyond the call of duty or for gallantry in action.

Military Service Medal

hig h quality beyond the normal call of duty in the public service, social and voluntary services, industry or trade unions, or in any other area of public service, or achieved ex-

Service o f Guyana.

It may be awarded also to "any citizen of Guyana who has performed an outstanding and specific act of service or achievement of an exceptional nature, or is given for long and dedicated service of a consistently high standard in responsible offices, local government services, social and voluntary services, industry or trade unions, or in any other area of public service."

The Medal of Service

veteran educator, Ms. Donna Ann Chapman and Optometrist, Ms. Michelle Ming all of whom will receive the Golden Arrow of Achievement.

Also, veteran Presidential Photographer Sandra Prince is on this year’s list and would be receiving the Medal of Service.

So let us take a look at some of the National

Military Service Star

cellence of national or international standing and recognition in the arts, professions, sciences or sport or in any other area of activity."

The Golden Arrow of Achievement

The Golden Arrow of

The Medal of Service (M.S.) is the fifth highest award of the Order of Service of Guyana. It is awarded for ten years of dedicated public service, local government service, service to industry, service to trade unions or other areas of service to the community.

The Military Service Medal (M.S.M.) is presented for military service to members of the Guyana Defence Force, the Guyana People's

Militia and the Guyana National Service. It may be awarded for exceptional service, above and beyond the call of duty or for gallantry in action.

Disciplined Services Star for Distinguished Service The Disciplined Services Star for Distinguished Service (D.S.S.) is the highest award presented to members of the Guyana Police Force, Prison Service, or Fire Brigade.

It is awarded for distinguished service above and beyond the call of duty. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

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By Ravi Dev

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wonder why so many are now expressing outrage at the grotesque treatment meted out to that innocent Amerindian boy, who dared to presume, when asked to show up in his people’s traditional costume, it was meant literally. What the administrators meant, of course, was he should have dressed up in THEIR conception of what was his “native costume”.

But the reaction to

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Scorning the “other” the boy’s costume by a Georgetown elite school goes far beyond just “proper” clothes: it goes to the heart of a process that has been deployed to oppress and subjugate those without power from the moment those Dutch planters showed up on our shores with their African slaves back in the 17th century. The scanty native African garb – quite suitable for their tropical home, mind you;

like the Amerindians’ – was derided as a sign of their “uncivilised” lifestyle. And what was “civilised”? Whatever they, the Europeans chose to do, eat or wear etc.. One anthropologist called this a “white bias” in Guyanese values that obviously persists into the present.

From day one, then, the Indigenous Peoples were deemed “uncivilised”: that they lived in the “jungle” tautologically reinforced

the tag. Africans gradually jettisoned their culture – its products, practices and perspectives — to survive, and adopted those of the Europeans. Yet, when they did so, they were snickered at for trying to be what they could never be: white.

But that did not stop them from trying – into the present. The illegitimate offspring from the rape of African women by white men introduced a new element in the Sisyphean struggle of the non-white to be white: they now formed an intermediate “coloured” strata that was “closer” to the ideal.

They, of course, to solidify their “closeness” to the Europeans, had to also emphasise their distance and difference from the African masses.

They emphasised “proper” dressing– read, as close as they could to the European – and “proper” speaking.

Africans who followed those rules could be coopted into the Coloured strata – and would “marry up”; that is, marry a coloured woman. Burnham was an exemplar of this process.

But the arrival of the Portuguese, the Indians and the Chinese indentureds offered the ordinary Africans an opportunity to “raise” their status by showing how much closer they were to the white

standard in speech, religion etc., to these people who replaced them in the fields at wages they had refused. The Portuguese and Chinese, being smaller in numbers and adept at business, soon worked out a modus vivendi with them after the initial scorn. But the East Indians, arriving in an unbroken stream into the 20th century, became the despised “other” and low man on the totem pole for all the other groups on the coast. They were “coolies” – “pagan”; “dirty”; “scavengers”; miserly”; and of course couldn’t speak or dress “proper”.

Over the years, they had to “civilise” themselves by adopting the white values, now represented by the Coloured and African elite.

In his autobiographical novel “Swarthy Boy”, his lower middle class – but coloured family – warned Mittelholzer not to associate with their Indian Luckhoo neighbours. They were declasse. Two decades later, Cheddi Jagan never forgot the embarrassment his schoolmates inflicted on him when, coming from Port Mourant to Georgetown to attend Queen’s with the children of the elite, the person he boarded with had him cut grass for his cows. I was amazed he repeated this story to me in 1989 at the NY Sheraton at the first

GOPIO meet. Words do hurt – more than stones.

It was the Portuguese who took the lead to “civilise” Amerindians in the interior by introducing them to Christianity, in the form of the early despised Roman Catholicism which they had doggedly established on the coast.

But it is clear that even a genuflection to their “traditional ways” by Amerindians is seen as backsliding backwardness.

I remind these arbiters of propriety of the words of Martin Carter’s – himself an amalgam of Black, White and Amerindian: “I come from the nigger yard of yesterday/ leaping from the oppressors’ hate/ and the scorn of myself;/ from the agony of the dark hut in the shadow/ and the hurt of things; / from the long days of cruelty and the long nights of pain/ down to the wide streets of to-morrow, of the next day/ leaping I come, who cannot see will hear.”

Yes; one day, those who still oppress others through their self-reflexive scorn will one day “hear”.

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172-21 Hillside Avenue, Ste. 207 Jamaica, NY 11432 Phone: 516-259-1829

FB: mizan4congress/ Twitter: mizan4congress Web-site: www.mizan4congress.com

MIZAN CHOUDHURY - CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT (CD) 5 CANDIDATE IT’S TIME FOR CHANGE. A real Democrat for Washington. On June 26, Vote for Change.

Date: Wednesday, May 30, 2018 at 7 PM Location: Mizan For Congress, 127-21 Liberty Avenue, Richmond Hill, NY 11419

M

izan Choudhury is a Technology Manager and manages a group of engineers for a large healthcare industry. Mizan is running for Congress.

CD 5 needs a Congressman who stands up for our whole district – Richmond Hill, Far Rockaway, Ozone Park, Jamaica, Queens Village, Rochdale Village, Valley Stream, Floral Park, Bellerose, and Elmont; across economic strata, across ethnicities, across politics.

Mizan is an immigrant, a self-made person and a loving father. Like millions of Americans, he worked during the day and went to IT school in the evening to live the American dream. He has worked for multiple Fortune 500 companies. Mizan is also a Community Board (CB) Member for CB 13, a community activist, a community leader, a member of the Eleanor Roosevelt Regular Democratic Club, a member of the Lions Club, a business person, and a member of the Queens Chamber of Commerce.

It is time to change, to be bold, visionary, united in the fight for the future of everyone in CD 5. It’s time to put a progressive Democrat in Washington, and return our government to the people. With Mizan’s 18+ years of experience working for Fortune 500 companies in the USA, he knows how to lead. As a parent of 2 young chil-

dren who go to public schools, he knows children are the future, and education is the key to securing our futures. As an activist and community leader, he knows the issues affecting our district – jobs, income, housing, healthcare and education. He is a leader and will fight for us. He wants your votes and to make CD 5 the next technology hub.

Your Issues are our Issues – Job Training (A TechHub and Vocational Institute), Affordable Healthcare, Affordable Housing, Immigration, Reform Criminal Justice System and Gun Control Policies.

JOBS: CD 5 has double the national unemployment rate. Nationally, it is 3.9%; 7.8% to 8.2% in CD 5. Mizan proposes a Tech-Hub with a vocational training institute to create 1000+ jobs and focus on our youths and their future for economic and social prosperity and mobility.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING: Rent and costs of real estate purchase are skyrocketing in Queens and in NYC. More housing units are necessary. Queens/LI should be a place where people of all economic groups and color can live and call home.

IMMIGRATION: An unprecedented attack on legal immigration and immigrants is taking place, and the tone has been set by the person in the highest office of

our country. Immigrants have added value to this country and continue to add value. America has been a nation of immigrants, and all immigrants must feel safe, secured and valued.

AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE: The number of senior citizens is rising in CD 5. We need to provide proper care and place of sanctuary for our senior citizens. Mizan proposes for senior care centers, and affordable healthcare for all.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM REFORM: Mass incarceration is a huge problem for our country. We have 5% of the world’s population but 21% of the world’s prisoners. We need to find ways not to criminalize every conduct; we must invest in people, schools, jobs, housing, and roads, and not on prisons.

GUN CONTROL POLICIES: Guns do not belong in schools. Semi-automatic weapons do not belong to ordinary citizens. Military grade weapons should not be in the hands of ordinary people. Universal background check on gun purchasers should be mandatory.

For more information on Mizan Choudhury and CD 5, please contact Soma Syed at mizan4c@gmail.com.

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 10 , 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

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46

Keep religion out of the schools

WEEK ENDING JUNE 10 , 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

By Ashley Anthony

E

very morning at Queen’s College, I started my day with a recitation of the Lord’s prayer.

A Christian prayer, prior to my attendance at Queen’s College I had not been exposed to. It always bothered me then, and it continues to bother me now that a public school, run by the Government of Guyana, a State which claims to be secular, practiced such a thing.

Personally, I believe that in public schools, there should be a complete separation of religion and education. What aggravates me is that when this is mentioned; Christians recoil, as though you are threatening their religious freedom. The fact that every child, regardless of their own religious beliefs is expected to conform and say a Christian prayer, that alone is infringement on religious freedom. Are our public schools Christian schools?

Do children of all

religious beliefs not attend them?

Why must they forsake what they believe every single morning? Some argue that those who are not Christian do not need to say the prayer, but must at least be reverent.

But how is this fair?

Those children are given no time to say their own prayers publicly, and what I believe this says to a child is that Christianity is more legitimate than your religion. If you don’t understand what I mean by this, think about what would happen if the roles were reversed. How would you feel if you sent your Christian child to a public school, and then they returned and told you that they had been made to recite Islamic or Hindu prayers? Would you not be upset? So why is it acceptable that every child says a Christian prayer? It tells children that your religion is not as important, it is only acceptable to the public on spe-

cial occasions, and that it is abnormal.

Christianity is assumed to be the default, and I think this is honestly despicable.

Just last year, missionaries from the Faithful Word Baptist Church were able to gain access to students at public high schools in Guyana. For some background, the preacher of this group has allegedly prayed for former President of the United States, Barack Obama, to die and go to hell; has a documentary on the ‘truth’ of Hinduism; and has called for a war on the ‘gays’. How on earth is it acceptable to subject Hindu children to listen to a man who degrades and berates their religion in often ‘viral’ rants on YouTube?

How did such a thing even happen? If a radical Imam wished to come speak about how he believes Christians are going to hell, would he be given equal access to the children?

Personally, I believe that we should just keep religion out of schools all together. There were talks of a universal prayer, but I don’t see the need for it.

If you are truly religious, can you not pray at home? Don’t get me wrong, I have absolutely no problem with members of a particular religion practising their religion. My issue derives from when other people are forced to as well. I am all for religious celebrations for Christmas, Easter, Phagwah, Diwali, or Eid in schools. But they should be optional.

In conclusion, no religion can prove itself to be the true religion. We should not treat any as more legitimate than the other, and finally we should operate as though we are the secular State we claim to be. Keep the church out of the State and furthermore, out of the schools.

Marching for human pride

S

atiricus was perturbed.

Even though so many Christian Ministers had warned against it, the gays had gone ahead with their parade. He conceded to himself that nothing outlandish had taken place… but yet, how could he ignore the warnings of these “men of God”? He was caught in a dilemma, because he knew the subject would come up at the Back Street Bar, where he was headed, and his leaders Nagga Man and Rum Jhaat weren’t taking a firm position.

“Hey fellas,” began Satiricus, deciding to seize the bull by its horns. “What you all think about the Gay Pride Parade?”

“Budday, me na know wha’ mek dem Minista a mek

suh much trouble fuh dem people,” said Cappo. “Wha’ dem problem?”

“Well, the Bible says being gay is wrong,” explained Satiricus. “Why should people march in pride for something that’s wrong?”

“Me glad yuh seh dem gay a people,” said Bungi.

“De way dem Minista a carry aan, yuh can t’ink dem a animal!”

“But these gay people are doing things that are illegal in Guyana,” pointed out Satiricus. “Like buggery. We can’t allow that!”

“Don’t be alarmist, Sato,” said Hari in his quiet way.

“Was there any buggery in the Parade?”

“Well…no,” admitted Satiricus. “But there was a lot of hugging going on.”

“Suh abee guh stap people fram huggin’ now?” asked Bungi.

“Listen Sato, even doh you book seh dem a do wrang t’ing,” said Cappo. “Adda book na seh suh!”

“That’s right,” said Hari.

“Over in Pakistan, India and Bangladesh, they have even made it the law that there’s a third sex.”

“An’ if all abee a people, wha’ mek dem gay cyaan do wha’ dem want?” asked Bungi. “If yuh finger get sore, nah tek am and throw way.”

“So people must be allowed to break the law and do whatever they want?” asked Satiricus.

“Check pan dem who a mek de law,” advised Cappo.

“Nah all who guh a church house ah guh fuh pray.”

Reaching out…

Y …or neutralising the Public Service?

our Eyewitness is beginning to see a method to the presumed madness of President Granger painting State House with that lurid PNC green.

Yes! Yes, we know he wanted to mark the building with a distinctive sign, to claim ownership against other challengers — territorial claim and all that; and it was better than him peeing on the sides!! But there are clearly other uses.

Have you noticed, dear reader, that whenever Granger is at odds with a group or wants to court a group’s support, he invites them to State House? And he never takes them inside…he hosts them outside on the lawns, where they can be exposed to the full impact of the ghastly colour. It’s like the bright lights interrogators direct at their victims…after an hour, they’re willing to confess assisting those Saudis to bring down the World Trade Center!! Imaging being subjected to that colour for HOURS!!

The latest to get the treatment was the Public Service Union, some executives of which had been getting a bit restive at Granger’s dismissal of their concerns on salaries etc. Patrick Yard wasn’t there, but that would’ve been like carrying coconuts to Pomeron, wouldn’t it? So, after wining and dining the restive younger Union members (at our expense!), Granger told them to bury the hatchet, and they weren’t “rivals”. It was a Freudian slip.

Fact of the matter is: when Burnham established his dictatorial regime, the PNC party, the Disciplined Forces and the Public Service were the three legs on which it stood. When Corbin manoeuvred Granger into the leadership of the PNC, he didn’t realise his strategic mistake. Granger – always, in his head, the General and Head of the Disciplined Forces — immediately went about neutralising the party and Public Service as threats to his incipient authoritarian regime.

Why’d you think practically every Ministry and Government agency now has a military man in a strategic position? Was it just to brighten up the place with their glinting medals? Naaah!! Think of how the Soviets would similarly place “political commissars” who wielded the real power…which came right from the top. That’s the plan. In this iteration of fulfilling Burnham’s “legacy”, the fulcrum of control will now be totally centralised – in the military leg.

You can’t blame Granger; he doesn’t have Burnham’s gift for the gab, much less his charisma.

All he knows is centralised command and control… and that’s what he’ll use. So, for the Public Service, they’ve been made to come supplicating to Granger – in HIS house!! Granger’s made his point. He won’t allow the tail to wag the dog.

The GPSU is now a “tail” and Granger’s the Top Dog!! Woof!! Woof!! …and teaching Bajans humility Your Eyewitness must confess he felt a frisson of schadenfreude – a tingle of pleasure at another’s misfortune — when he learnt Barbados’ debt load was so high, and its reserves so low, it was forced to stop paying its debt!! Right away its credit rating was downgraded – meaning it will have to pay more to borrow on international markets. If at all!!

The Bajans were already being instructed by the IMF that they had to get off their high horse and deal frontally with their economy, which couldn’t sustain them living so high off the hog.

Now your Eyewitness isn’t a mean fella. But these Bajans really did a number on us Guyanese after Burnham had brought us to our knees. To say they treated us like dirt when we even were IN TRANSIT at their airport would be using a euphemism. They treated us like sh*t! Well, now they’ll find out how it is to have leaders who just screw up and the people have to pay for their sins.

How sweet it is!! …to Region 11 Your Eyewitness just saw pics of the “Independence parade in NY”. Well, it was in BROOKLYN NY. So what happened to all the folks from Richmond Hill who’d been promised “one love forever”??

Splitsville already?? Why??

feature 47

WEEK ENDING JUNE 10 , 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Let’s be…

Y

…who we are

our Eyewitness is pleased as punch that Guyana’s first Gay Pride Parade came off without any confrontation between the LGBT marchers and the Neanderthal Tribe that evidently still survives in Guyana!! Islam takes about the hardest line based on some of the same passages that are cited by the Neanderthals, yet Pakistan, as staunch a Muslim country as could be and created as the land of the “pure” – along with India and Bangladesh, created a “third” gender category to accommodate folks who just don’t fit in with the binary categories!!

What does it say about us?? It sez that there’s a whole lotta hate emanating from the Neanderthal Tribe and it’s swirling out there. It’s the hate of those who don’t conform to THEIR way of seeing the world. And it’s not just seeing – what they see they JUDGE! That way of seeing arises out of a mindset that tells them that there is only ONE way…and that is THEIR way. And this is the mindset that has spawned the Totalitarian horrors of the 20th century.

Did you think, Dear Reader, that it was a coincidence that the Nazi and the Communists, who were sworn enemies of each other – and killed 20 million to prove it! – both condemned homosexuality and killed them off gratuitously??

Why is this so?? Well, when you think about it… gays transgress the totalitarian insistence on cookie-uniformity in every which way, don’t they??

That’s why some folks didn’t get the irony of the Village People in their leather-bound Nazi look when they created and belted out what became the Gay anthem, “The YMCA”!!

It’s a variant of the refusal to accept differences which created the mindset that humiliated that poor Amerindian kid who dared to show up in his native grass skirt. Imagine the pandemonium that would’ve ensued if he’d gone REAL native and not worn underpants!! Your Eyewitness has a simple take on the LGBT phenomenon: It ought NEVER to’ve been a PHENOMENON. It was always there… in all human societies, and that makes it NATURAL. More natural than this Neanderthal tribe that was spawned at one point in time when Victorian morality ruled the day and was imposed on the rest of us at the point of a sword – with the help of their law. Just look at the period when all those laws against sodomy – which now form a coda for the Neanderthals – were placed on the books.

The irony, of course, is that before and after the Victorian era, there were Royals who could swish with the best of them.

As for us in Guyana, let’s get real. Gays aren’t corrupting us…we’ve done pretty well on that front without them, haven’t we? …wary about GECOM and its processes So much attention has been paid daily to “out” fires created by the Administration in every area of national life – firing thousands of workers; challenging Judicial authority; corruption in contracts and projects, etc, etc, – that your Eyewitness wonders if it’s all a grand scam to take attention away from GECOM’s structure and its modus operandi. Therein lies the big prize!!

Let’s start with the Head of GECOM. Why would Granger buck a tradition that’s been working till now – questionably using a technicality – to put his geriatric fella who might or might NOT have been the Chief Justice in Grenada! – in the position. For the same reason Burnham had placed Chief Justice Bollers in the position in the heyday of rigging!!

Then there’s the outmoded method of tabulating the count in our “far flung” polling stations. Why’d you think the Carter Centre’s recommendation for a more modern method hasn’t been introduced??

Ha!!

Your Eyewitness won’t even mention the exCOP who’s now in charge of the Birth registration process!! Rig, baby! Rig!! …real about debt and GuySuCo So just because NICIL issued bonds to ‘recapitalise” GuySuCo, this means the Corporation might survive?

Not if the same lot spends the money!!

R

andy Madray is an international fashion brand based in Guyana. It was founded by Randy Madray at age 19 but Randy started to venture into fashion at the age of 15. The brand is now know across the Caribbean as one of the most sought after pageant wardrobe brands.

Throughout the past five years Randy has worked with pageant contestants and beauty queens from countries such as St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, British Virgin Islands, United States Virgin Islands, Anguilla, St. Maarten, Dominica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Antigua and the United States.

The collection presented shows some of the pageant gowns worn by contestants and queens.

Randy is very excited about is very thankful for all the love and support shown over the years. The 25-year-old Queen's College past student believes that you must have humilty in all that you do but you must also know your worth.

48 Bollywood

WEEK ENDING JUNE 10 , 2018 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Rani Mukerji’s ‘Hichki’ to be screened at Shanghai film fest A A ctress Rani Mukerji starrer Hichki will be screened as part of The Belt and Road Week at the Shanghai International Film Festival. The Bollywood film’s director Siddharth Malhotra says it is an honour and a big opportunity.

“I am absolutely looking forward to presenting Hichki at The Belt and Road Film Week at Shanghai International Film Festival. It’s a huge honour and a big opportunity and I am very grateful that they have included our film,” Malhotra said in a statement. “I am also thrilled and touched at the love and applause Hichki has brought us.

Rani and the kids take most of the credit for its victory on-screen, and I think Hichki will take her to a whole new global audience,” Malhotra added.

Hichki focuses on a determined teacher dealing with Tourette syndrome. The critically acclaimed film is an adaptation of the 2008 film Front of The Class. The American film was adapted from the US-based motivational speaker Brad Cohen’s autobiography, Front of the Class: How Tourette Syndrome Made Me the Teacher I Never Had. Rani Mukerji, who carried Hichki entirely on her shoulders made her comeback on the silver screen with it.

ctor Diana Penty, who is enjoying the successful run of her film Parmanu – The Story of Pokhran at the box office, says she is “extremely critical” of herself as it helps her get better in her craft and learn the nuances of acting. “I’m happy that the film has been well received. It’s a story we couldn’t wait to share with the audience as it is a matter of great pride for

Recently, while speaking to indianexpress.com, Rani Mukerji said this about portraying specially-abled people: “I connect with the specially-abled.

What I love about them is that they are very spirited and confident, unlike how people perceive them to be. They know that there is something that God has taken away from them, but their other senses are way too strong compared to any one of us. That is the core I like to touch emotionally with the characters I play. If you see Michelle McNally, she is very spirited, so is Naina Mathur, and she doesn’t see her disability as a roadblock.

Hichki will be screened on June 16 as part of the festival’s opening day.

Malhotra will interact with members of the audience after the screening.

(Indian Express)

Dancing Uncle Sanjeev Shrivastava: I am just amazed at how social media makes a hero out of people like us

A

passionate dancer who considers Govinda as his idol, Sanjeev Shrivastava became an overnight star after a video of him dancing to his idol’s song “Aap Ke Aa Jane Se” went viral. The professor from Madhya Pradesh, who is yet to come to terms with the sudden stardom, talked to indianexpress.com over the phone.

Shrivastava started by saying that his life has changed for good, but he is yet to understand how it all happened.

“I feel as if God or angel came into my bedroom one night and moved their magic wand over me. And when I woke up the next day, the world became completely new,” he said.

Shrivastava has been receiving praise on social media, as well as from Bollywood celebrities including Arjun Kapoor, Raveena Tandon, Anushka Sharma, Dia Mirza, Divya Dutta and Sandhya Menon.

When asked about the video by indianexpress.com, actor Govinda had said, “More than half a dozen heroes have copied my steps, and nobody has done it so well!”

When told about Govinda’s statement, an emotional Shrivastava thanked us and said, “It’s my fortune that Govinda ji saw my video and said such precious words. I don’t think I want anything else after hearing this.”

When asked if he would want to share the stage with the original ‘street dancer’, the electronics professor said, “I am too common a man to even think about this, I can only dream about it. But if he tells me, or I do get a chance, I would jump at

the offer even in my sleep. That would be truly a dream-come-true moment for me.”

Shrivastava said that his mother was a classical dance teacher, and as a child, he used to make fun of her when she taught young girls at home.

“I don’t know when I fell in love with dance. But I remember there was a function in my society and I registered myself for the dance competition. That was my first stint with dance and I won the competition. That sparked my passion and love, and from 1982 till 1998, I performed at many stage shows. Dance for me is life, and it comes naturally to me,” he said.

The 46-year-old also spoke about how he wanted to take up dance professionally, but never had the confidence.

“During our time, you had to come to Mumbai to become famous and that remained out of the boundary for people like us. So I took up engineering and was working in corporate sector when I wanted to be by my parents’ side. So I took up academics and moved closer home as a professor. There was no social media that time, and I am just amazed at how social media makes a hero out of people like us,” he said.

While he remains the flamboyant performer in his family, his wife, though shy, never fails to give him company on stage.

“It’s enough for me to have her beside me on stage. She gives me much energy,” Shrivastava said.

The professor is also enjoying the attention he is getting in his college. (Indian Express)

every Indian. The best feeling for any actor is his or her film being appreciated and the positive word of mouth that ‘Parmanu…’ has garnered is testament to that,” Diana told IANS in an email interview.

After much delay caused by a lockdown between John Abraham’s production banner JA Entertainment and KriArj Entertainment, Parmanu – The Story Of Pokhran opened on May 25.

Diana is seen as an Army officer in Abhishek Sharma’s Parmanu – The Story of Pokhran, which is based on the series of nuclear tests in Pokhran in 1998. It also features John and Boman Irani.

The Cocktail star was happy to find her own ground in the male-dominated cast.

“When I read the script, I was extremely kicked about being the only woman amongst all the men on the

mission. And I’m grateful to Abhishek (Sharma) for his insistence on having a female character that was subtle yet strong in her own way.

“At no point in the script was she ever portrayed as being weaker than her male counterparts. She was one of the guys and no one ever questioned that,” she said.

The actor says she is “extremely critical of myself”.

“So, I guess that’s only natural. The good thing is that it helps me learn from my performances and better myself with each film. I can only hope that my contribution to Parmanu has made a difference to the film and that my efforts have paid off.”

After making a name for herself as a model, Diana walked into showbiz with Cocktail in 2012.

Despite a successful debut, Diana maintained her distance from the big screen and did her second movie “Happy Bhag Jayegi” in 2016.

Thereafter, she promised her fans that she will not take long breaks, and she has kept her word.

What are her future plans?

“The best way for me has always been to take one day at a time. I love what I do and I only want to keep at it — do more and more work, challenge myself, better my skills, entertain the audience. I love reading scripts and I will continue to do that.

“I read all kinds of scripts – the good ones as well as the not so good ones. It’s a great way to get a sense of different story ideas and concepts. And as always, I will continue to follow my intuition. It has never let me down.”

She will soon be seen in Happy Phirr Bhag Jayegi– a sequel to Happy Bhag Jayegi. Being helmed by Mudassar Aziz, the film will also star Sonakshi Sinha, Piyush Mishra, Ali Fazal and Jassi Gill.

“Happy Phirr Bhag Jayegi is going to be one crazy ride,” she teased.

(Indian Express)

Salman Khan on ‘Race 3’ action: We blew up pretty much everything we bought

S

alman Khan starrer Race 3 is all set to hit the screens on June 15. Just like his last silver screen outing Tiger Zinda Hai, the Sultan of Bollywood has pulled off action sequences with much swag in Race 3 as well. Soon after the release of Race 3’s trailer, it was said that the action sequences of the film are at par with that of Hollywood action movies. Reacting on it, Salman said, “The whole action team that came onboard for Race 3 is brilliant. Tom Struthers, who directed the action scenes of Tiger Zinda Hai and other Hollywood films including Dunkirk, got his whole team and they are number one in their work. Tom and his team were surprised to see that we got to destroy so many cars and we tried all of them on their top speed. The action in Race 3 is not about dinky cars or special effects.

We blew up pretty much everything we bought.”

Talking in detail about what it takes to bring to the screen over the top action scenes perfectly, Salman added, “You need to be very careful of how much you can pull in. It should look believable and genuine. It can’t look farcical and it can’t make you laugh. Also if your physique does not complement the stunts you are pulling off, people will laugh at you.” Salman, also the producer of the film, mentioned that action movies cost a lot of money.

The third instalment of Race has Salman replacing Saif Ali Khan as the lead. In the trailer of the film, he is heard saying that he is the main man of this Race.

During a media interaction, Salman was asked to talk in detail about his character, to which Salman replied, “This

guy (Sikander) has every side. This guy is very sharp, he has got a good humour, he is ruthless and his basic character is that he has suppressed all his emotions and you don’t know what this man is all about till the end of the movie. He has masterminded and planned everything.”

Not just Salman, his co-actors Jacqueline Fernandez and Daisy Shah’s action sequences too have become a talking point. Heaping praise on the two actors, Dabangg Khan said, “All the kicks they have given in the film are lethal.

They have really trained hard for it from stretching, kicking and all that stuff. Watching them fight looks like two men are fighting. Also, their fights have that humour and a bit of sensuality and not just hardcore action, basically, it has everything to it.” (Indian Express)

WEEK ENDING JUNE 10 , 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Kanye West opens up about his mental condition

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apper Kanye West has revealed that he was diagnosed with a mental condition when he was 39. He called it a “superpower”.

“I had never been diagnosed until I was 39,” Kanye, now 40, said during an interview recorded with radio host Big Boy following the 40-year-old rapper’s party for his latest album “YE”, reports people.com. After clarifying that he was diagnosed with a mental condition, Kanye added: “But like I said on the album, it’s not a disability, it’s a superpower.”

Although the musician declined to specify what he had been diagnosed with during the interview, Kanye had already confirmed on his new album that he is bipolar, calling it his “superpower”.

The album’s artwork, which he shot on his way to the listening party, features an image of the mountains with a lime green text overlay reading, “I hate being bipolar it’s awesome.”

In the interview, West also talked about the backlash he got for suggesting slavery is “a choice” during an interview with TMZ. The rapper said he completely redid the interview with TMZ. He added, “It was just too sensitive.”

I

ncredibles 2 hits screens this month and fans are waiting for the long-awaited sequel with baited breath. The sequel follows the family of superheroes (Incredibles) who vanquished the villain Syndrome. The end of Incredibles saw a new villain – the Underminer, and he

The listening party had all his friends and fans includi n g b i g

names like Chris Rock, Kid Cudi, Jonah Hill, 2Chainz and his supportive wife Kim Kardashian West. The album has seven songs which talk about Kanye’s mental condition, his drug addiction and the Triston Thompson scandal among other topics. The lines hinting at the scandal “All the thots on the Christian Mingle that’s what almost got Tristan single” has been creating a lot of buzz of Twitter. (Indian express)

Man Flint, as well as a prime-time adventure cartoon called Johny Quest. There were a bunch of them in the sixties that had that cool, elegant flavor that we wanted to capture.”

The original The Incredibles was set in the 1960s and had various elements of that

“Incredibles 2,” Helen (voice of Holly Hunter) is called on to lead a campaign to bring Supers back, while Bob (voice of Craig T. Nelson) navigates the day-to-day heroics of “normal” life at home with Violet (voice of Sarah Vowell), Dash (voice of Huck Milner) and baby Jack-Jack—

Hollywood 49

Richard Gere on marrying Alejandra Silva: I’m the happiest man in the universe

V

eteran actor Richard Gere says he is “the happiest man in the universe” after marrying his girlfriend Alejandra Silva.

The 68-year-old star, who tied the knot with the Spanish activist in an Indian style wedding in May, shared photographs of their D-day with HELLO! Gere said he found a great life partner in 35-year-old Silva. “I’m the happiest man in the universe. How could I not be? I’m married to a beautiful woman who is smart, sensitive and committed to helping people. She is fun, patient and knows how to forgive. A great cook who makes the best salads in the world!”

“Alejandra meditates. She’s a vegetarian, a great mother and has the touch of an angel. Also she’s Spanish: the land of kings and queens, of Cervantes and Bunuel. You can’t get any better than that,” he told the magazine. Silva said Gere wooed her by sending flowers until

era. But it was also an alternate reality in that there was a lot of futuristic stuff that did not exist back then. In Incredibles 2, we can expect quite a bit of spy-action stuff that Brad was going for.

This time Elastigirl is the one who does the primary superheroic deeds while Mr Incredible stays home with Violet and Dash.

Kajol voices Elastigirl in the Hindi dubbed version of the film.

Here is the official synopsis of the film, “In

whose superpowers are about to be discovered.

Their mission is derailed, however, when a new villain emerges with a brilliant and dangerous plot that threatens everything. But the Parrs don’t shy away from a challenge, especially with Frozone (voice of Samuel L. Jackson) by their side. That’s what makes this family so Incredible.”

Incredibles 2 releases on June 22. (Indian express)

funny, generous man” she has ever met.

“What can I say? I’m so in love. How would you feel if each morning you were asked, ‘What would make you happy today?’ Not a day goes by that he doesn’t mention how important I am to him. I feel very lucky,” she said.

The couple exchanged vows on Gere’s ranch outside New York City. Silva converted to Buddhism and moved to New York. Tents were imported from Jaipur and the venue was decorated with flowers and Tibetan flags before they made their entrance in a tuk-tuk. (Indian express)

Bumblebee’ trailer: This Transformers spinoff film looks promising

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is the antagonist of Incredibles 2.

Brad Bird returns to direct the sequel for the 2004 film. In terms of what inspired Incredibles 2, Bird said that he took inspiration from genres other than comic-book superhero films, even though The Incredibles franchise is essentially a superhero franchise.

“I was inspired by spy series and spy movies,” said Bird.

“James Bond, Mission: Impossible, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Our

she agreed to date him and that, now married, he regularly writes her songs.

The couple met in Positano when the actor stayed over at her family-owned hotel. “A friend introduced us. We looked at each other and felt a very strong connection. We couldn’t stop looking at each other all night, and since then we haven’t been apart,” Silva said.

“I feel like I’m in a true fairytale. Without a doubt, I feel like the luckiest woman in the world,” she added. Silva described Gere as the “most humble, sensitive, affectionate, attentive,

he yellow-black autobot Bumblebee is getting his own movie and the trailer is here.

Following the critical and financial disaster of Transformers: The Last Knight, the future of the Transformers universe is uncertain. However, we are surely getting at least one more Transformers movie, and that is Bumblebee. One of the most popular autobots (probably second most after Optimus Prime), Bumblebee is the embodiment of the adage that states, “Size doesn’t matter.”

The Transformers spinoff film, which is the first live-action film in the franchise that is not directed

by Michael Bay, is set in the 1980s and stars Hailee Steinfeld and John Cena. The film seems to have a much smaller scale considering it is still a Transformers film. Looking at the quality of recent films in the franchise, this may be a blessing in disguise.

Hailee Steinfeld plays the role of Charlie Watson, a teenaged girl who discovers the rundown Volkswagen Beetle that’s actually Bumblebee.

The film appears to be centred on the relationship between Charlie and

Bumblebee. Charlie had previously spoken to Collider.com about the movie and her role. “It’s very character and storyline driven, which is a bit different, but it still has the elements that Transformers fans love and will see in the movie… I play a character named Charlie Watson, who is a mechanic.

She’s in high school. [She’s] incredibly unique and strong and has – something I love about her is that a lot of people tend to underestimate her knowledge and she continuously proves herself and what she knows and creates this incredible relationship with this Transformer,” she said.

Travis Knight, known for Kubo and the Two Strings, directs the film. Here is the official synopsis, “On the run in the year 1987, Bumblebee finds refuge in a junkyard in a small Californian beach town. Charlie (Hailee Steinfeld), on the cusp of turning 18 and trying to find her place in the world, discovers Bumblebee, battle-scarred and broken.

When Charlie revives him, she quickly learns this is no ordinary, yellow VW bug.”

Bumblebee will release on December 21 this year. (Indian express)

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GRFU begins prep for int’l engagements G

uyana’s ruggers will kick off their international engagements for 2018 in the next two months as they prepare for the Casco Games, Americas Rugby Challenge 15s Championships and RAN Sevens Championships.

These tournaments will serve as qualifiers for the 2019 Pan American Games in Peru.

Casco Games

The men’s rugby sevens team form part of the Guyana Olympic Association contingent to the Casco Games. The sevens team are billed to depart July 29 for Barranquilla, Colombia to play in an eight-team championship before returning on August 4.

The shortlisted players, comprising mainly the 2017 finalists who lost to Jamaica, will be without the services of three main players – Rickford Cummings, Dominic Lespierre and Vallon Adams due to work commitments.

GRFU President Peter Greene is expected to serve as Manager of the team. Shortlisted players asked to re-

port to Coach Lawrence Adonis immediately are Dwayne Schroeder (Captain); Richard Staglon (Vice Captain); Claudius Butts; Patrick King; Avery Corbin; Peabo Hamilton; Ronald Mayers; Jamal Angus; Godfrey Broomes; Rondel McArthur; Osei McKenzie; Lancelot Adonis; Ryan Gonsalves and Philip Barrington (Physio).

Vallon Adams, Michael Barrow, Richard Staglon, Rashad Butcher, Kevon David, James Osbourne, Allain Crawford, Shaquan Williams, Akeem Frazier, Lionel Holder, O’neil Charles, and Grantley Williams.

national and potential players of Guyanese heritage not listed and interested in making the team are asked to become registered.

Women’s list: Alana Fraser, Natasha Andrews, Alicia Mentore, Collette Hope, Sasha James, Cloetta Dublin, Shonette McFarlane, Lotoya Cordis, Mandy Browne, Cindy Fraser, Tricia Munroe, Carrin Skeete, Carrin Carter, Ashanti Carrington, Kean Andrews, Nicole Nero, Helen Jervis, Alicia Blackman, Tiffany Pilgrim, Olana Reece, Andrea Lashley, Calanda Morrison, Ronesha Cornelius, Melissa Perry, Tamera Cameron, Sheriah Melville, A Wilson, O Grant and D Josiah.

RAN 7s Championships and Pan Am Qualifiers

Under-18 and Under-20 continue training

Americas Rugby Challenge

Arguably the biggest challenge of their history to date, Guyana will be participating in the newly-formed Americas Rugby Challenge. They will lock horns with the top tier of their group featuring the likes of worldranked USA (15th); Canada (21st); Argentina (8th); Uruguay (18th) and Chile (29th).

Guyana, ranked at 48th, will play Paraguay (40th); Colombia (41st) and Mexico (54th), who were chosen over Trinidad and Tobago (52nd), over one week with a rest period of three days after each game on August 25 and 29 and September 2.

With this in mind,

Flashback! Guyana and Bermuda compete in the RAN U-19 Championships

the National Selectors have released a long list of players from whom the touring party of 29 will be selected. Persons listed are asked to submit passport and registration details to the Union’s Secretary, Petal Adams. Clubs can uplift forms on behalf of their players. Players listed are asked to report to Coach Kenneth Grant Stuart and Assistant Coach Oslen Olivierre.

Unlisted players are welcome to present themselves for training and possible selection.

The shortlisted players are Rondel McArthur, Ryan Gonsalves, Dwayne

Schroeder, Kiefer Lopes, Rickford Cummings, Patrick King, Phibian Joseph, Delroy Gordon, Avery Corbin, Lloyd Anderson, Jason Tyrell, Cloyd Prowell, Lancelot Adonis, Jose Felicien, Sean Phillips, Daniel Anderson, Elwin Chase, Dillon De Abreu, Joshua Griffith, Peabo Hamilton, Joseph Rahaman, Jacques Archibald, Ronald Mayers, Cyon Kitt, Reign Dey, David Grant, Glenroy Poole, Godfrey Broomes, Kevin McKenzie, Kurt Hunte, Jamal Angus, Dillon Downer, Aluko Venture, Osei McKenzie, Ahmad Isaacs, Troynton Braithwaite, Osafo Selman, Lonsdale Browne, Telroy McAlmont, Claudius Butts, Daniel De Abreu,

The 2018 RAN Sevens Championships slated for September 22-23 in Barbados will be attended by both the Male and Female teams.

The GRFU would like the women’s team to commence immediate training under the eyes of Coaches Theodore Henry and Sabola Gray.

Training will also be in preparation for the 2019 Women’s Tens Championships.

Overseas-based former

The national junior teams continue training under the watchful eyes of National Coaches Adonis, Grant Stuart and Olivierre for upcoming international tournaments along with engagements with both Caribbean and South American teams. A domestic league featuring the players is expected to commence in October and conclude in December.

Guyanese boxers shine in Bolivia

…advance to SA Games semi-finals

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wo of Guyana’s fast-rising boxers have proven why they are amongst the best in the nation, as they participated in the 2018 South American Games, in Cochabamba, Bolivia on Sunday evening.

Colin “Superman” Lewis and Keevin Allicock, who often compete against each other on the home turf, found themselves in separate weight classes when they were ready to face off with the seemingly better South American opponents.

The first of the pair to grace the Bolivian ring in the bantamweight class was Allicock, who faced off with Lucas Fernandez of Uruguay. Allicock, who was clearly in control of the match-up from the first bell, connected jab after jab to the Venezuelan, leaving him to use blocks and holds as his only resort. As such, the winner’s announcement was

n o shock to the spectators. The 19-year-old junior sportsman of the year has secured his spot on the Bolivia 2018 podium with at least a bronze medal.

Competing in the light welterweight category, ‘Superman’ Lewis found himself in the ring with Venezuelan Jose Palacios Medina. The intense match-up

saw both parties throwing punch after punch and at the end of their allotted rounds, it was unclear to the boisterous fans who would come out victorious. Eventually, it was the Guyanese superman who was announced as the winner. Like Allicock, Lewis has guaranteed himself a spot on the Bolivian podium.

In the respective semi-finals, Allicock will come up against Carlos Maria Alanis of Argentina while Lewis faces off with John Lennon of Colombia.

Colin “Superman” Lewis

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WEEK ENDING JUNE 10 , 2018| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Windies trio set to headline Canada showpiece

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ORONTO, Canada round and seamer Kesrick Williams (CMC) — West selected in the ninth round.

Indies superstars Opener Johnson Charles, now Chris Gayle, Andre on the fringes of the Windies Russell and Evin Lewis side, was an eighth-round pick. are set to headline the Disgraced former Australia skipinaugural Global T20 per, Steve Smith, will feature for Canada after they the franchise after being selectwere snapped up by ed in the second round.

Vancouver Knights Winnipeg Hawks, meanin Sunday's players while, will have the Bravo draft. brothers, Dwayne and The left-handDarren, in their ranks for ed Gayle, the the campaign. Dwayne, world's leading with 427 wickets in batsman in the T20s, was selected in game's shortthe first round while est form, was a his younger brother first-round pick was a fifth-round for the franchoice. chise.

Dwayne is He is the coming off a suconly player with cessful season in over 10 000 runs the IPL where and has struck he helped Chris Gayle 21 centuries in Chennai Super the format — the Kings to the tilast coming in the tle while, who has not recently-concluded Indian Premier played for West Indies in nearly two League. years following a squabble with Cricket All-rounder Russell, meanwhile, West Indies, is an elegant left-hander one of the most sought-after T20 play- who is relatively new to the global doers, was picked up in the second round. mestic leagues.

The Jamaican is an explosive lower orFellow Trinidad and West Indies der batsman, an effective fast bowler players Lendl Simmons and Rayad and a dynamic fielder.

Emrit, along with former Windies The left-handed Lewis, relative- speedster Fidel Edwards, are also in ly new to international cricket, was the line-up. claimed in the third round. Though not Star West Indies off-spinner Sunil as experienced as Gayle and Russell, Narine will headline the Montreal he has already made his presence felt Tigers squad after being selected in with his power hitting at the top of the the first round. order as one of only four players with The 30-year-old has taken 334 T20 a brace of T20 International hundreds. wickets and remains one of the most Knights also selected West Indies prized assets in the shortest format.

T20 wicketkeeper-batsman Chadwick Fellow Trinidadian Denesh Walton, left-arm pacer Sheldon Ramdin, who has made a recent return Cottrell and talented Bermudian all- to Windies colours in the T20 side, was rounder Kamau Leverock. claimed in the fifth round.

Toronto Nationals will also boast The Global T20 Canada season a star-studded line-up with two-time will run from June 28 to July 15 and T20 World Cup-winning captain, feature six teams. Five squads were Darren Sammy, among those chosen chosen at Sunday's draft while the at the draft. sixth — an All-Stars side comprising The well-travelled all-rounder was Caribbean players exclusively — will the first round pick with big-hitting be announced shortly.

Kieron Pollard picked up in the third

Hafeez cleared after outburst over suspect actions

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ohammad Hafeez will not face any penalty over his outburst in the media against the ICC's process of reviewing suspect actions.

The Pakistan allrounder was given the opportunity to clarify his comments to a three-member PCB disciplinary committee and he said: ""My intention was not to criticise ICC protocols nor did I mention any respected cricket board in my interview. The interview was all about my suggestions to improve the [bowling action test] standards and to remove doubts from the minds of cricket fans. Unfortunately, my comments were misinterpreted and used out of context."

The committee, which included Director Cricket Operations Haroon Rasheed, Media Director Amjad Hussain and General Manager Salman Naseer, accepted his explanation and declared the matter resolved.

Hafeez, 37, had questioned the ICC's methods of finding bowlers with suspect actions last month after he was reported for one, then banned and was finally cleared to bowl again. Having been through such scrutiny for a third time in his career, Hafeez suggested the relative power of cricket boards came into the picture and wondered

Mohammad Hafeez

how umpires could spot the tiniest errors in a bowler's delivery.

He told BBC Urdu that the results of his testing in Loughborough showed that he flexed his elbow only a couple of degrees over the acceptable limit of 15.

"So I have my doubts about this calling system. This is suspicious, why are match referees or on-field umpires not able to see those flexing up to 35, but me with 16 degrees."

The PCB had initially taken no interest in the remarks, but were moved to action once the ICC took notice of them. (ESPNCricinfo)

Arjun Tendulkar breaks into India Under-19 squad A

rjun Tendulkar, the son of Sachin Tendulkar, has been picked in the India Under-19 squad for two four-day matches in Sri Lanka in July.

A left-arm quick, Arjun, had been picked in the Mumbai Under-19 oneday side for the JY Lele invitational tournament in September last year. He

The one-day squad will be led by 16-year-old Uttar Pradesh wicketkeeper-batsman Aryan Juyal, who had played two matches in the 50-over Vijay Hazare Trophy earlier this year and was part of the Under-19 World Cup winning team in January.

Seventeen-year old left-arm spinner from Gujarat Siddharth Desai was Arjun Tendulkar was named in India's U-19 squad on Thursday.

(Reuters photo)

also bowled in the nets in the lead-up to the Lord's Test between England and South Africa in 2017, sending Jonny Bairstow off with an injury scare when he struck him on the toe with a yorker. Arjun also bowled in the India nets during the home series against New Zealand last year.

However, he did not find a place in the one-day squad that will play five games against Sri Lanka. The four-day squad will be captained by 18-yearold Delhi wicketkeeper-batsman Anuj Rawat, who had scored two half-centuries, including one on debut, in as many matches for Delhi during the 2017-18 Ranji Trophy.

picked in both squads. He also made his first-class debut in the 2017-18 season and was named the Man of the Match in his first two matches, taking nine and eight wickets against Kerala and Haryana respectively. He currently has 29 wickets from five firstclass matches and three scalps from as many one-day matches.

Atharwa Taide, also picked in both squads, was the captain of the Vidarbha Under-19 team that won the Cooch Behar Trophy earlier this year.

He led them to their maiden title with a marathon knock of 320 off 483 balls in the final against Madhya Pradesh.

(ESPNCricinfo)

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Guyana names 18-yearold to lead national basketball team

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he Guyana Amateur Remarkably, the team is Basketball Federation being led by its youngest cap(GABF) has called up 13 tain ever. Eighteen-year-old Stanton Rose was selected of their best players to repreto step up to the plate, owsent the nation this weekend in Barbados. The formal aning to his maturity and imnouncement of the team was pressive style of play.

“Across all sports dismade on Tuesday evening at a GABF press conference. ciplines, I don’t think that Guyana has ever had a capInitially, the federation had tain as young as 18 years of shortlisted 22 players and had them go through rigage and I’m saying that he orous training exdeserves the captaincy based on merercises which beit. I spoke to gan on May 27. the person Eventually, who I’ve conthe list was cut down to sidered to be the lucky 13 the best basketball playwho will test er Guyana has their skill ever produced and knowllocally, Lugard edge against the Bajan Mohan, and team. he said age should not be a In anfactor in selectnouncing ing a captain the team, Stanton Rose and I wholhead coach J u n i o r ly agree with Hercules noted that the players are this,” President Nigel Hinds stated rein fine form for the competition. “The garding Rose’s selection.

Upon return to Guyana, the team preparation has been tremendous thus far,” he said. The team is com- will be reviewed and recalls will be prised of Stanton Rose, Anthony Moe, made for the upcoming Caribbean Shane Webster, Timothy Thompson, Championship that is being hosted in Harold Adams, Earlan Glasgow, Suriname. Added to that team, the Kevin Wiggins, Domonique Vincent, James brothers, Delroy and Gordon, Nicholai Smith, Travis Burnett, Chris have already confirmed their particiWilliams, Domair Gladstone and pation.

The female team will compete first Travis Belgrave.

The squad along with Manager and from June 15 to 22 and that will set President of the GABF, Nigel Hinds, the momentum for the men who are and Assistant Manager Dennis Clarke grouped with Grenada, St Lucia, St will travel to Barbados for three friend- Vincent and Suriname. Their compely matches scheduled for June 8, 9 and tition will run from June 22 to July 1.

10 at the Wildey Gymnasium.

Kohli, Harmanpreet, Mandhana win top BCCI awards

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ndia captain Virat Kohli will receive the BCCI's Polly Umrigar award - honouring the best international cricketer - for the fifth time in his career following his consistent performance over the past two seasons.

Also, for the first time ever, the BCCI will recognise the top international women players of the year, at their awards function on June 12 in Bengaluru. Harmanpreet Kaur wins it for 2016-17 and Smriti Mandhana for 2017-18.

The current No.1 ODI batsman in the world, Kohli has been in phenomenal form for the past three years, amassing 2757 runs at an average of 91.90. He also became the first batsman to score four double-centuries in consecutive Test series during this period. The 29-year old went past 5000 runs with his 20th Test ton during the series against Sri Lanka in December 2017. Under Kohli in the last three years, India equalled Australia's record of nine consecutive series wins in Tests. They are also ranked No. 1 in Test cricket.

Harmanpreet has been equally prolific in women's cricket. She played significant roles in India's campaigns at the women's World T20 in 2016 and the Asia Cup win in 2017, but her crowning achievement remains the unbeaten 171 she made against Australia in the World Cup semi-final. It was the second-highest score by an Indian in wom-

Virat Kohli

en's ODIs and it helped her break into the top-10 ODI rankings for batsmen.

Mandhana began the 2017 World Cup with a 90 against England and then struck her second ODI hundred in the series against West Indies. In March 2018, she scored the fastest fifty for India in a T20I, off only 30 balls.

She was also named the Player of the Series when India hostedEngland in April. (ESPNCcricinfo)

‘I can’t wait to get started’ …says newly-appointed Golden Jags Head Coach

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he Guyana Football “I also would like to take Federation (GFF) has anthis opportunity to offer my nounced the appointment of heartfelt thanks and reformer Jamaican international and spect to former interim UEFA Pro Licence holder Michael Coach Wayne Dover for his Johnson as the new Head Coach of ongoing service to football, the Guyana men’s national football and to the many impresteam. sive applicants for the huge With the UEFA Pro Licence interest generated by this and the League role,” Forde said.

Managers Association Johnson Diploma in Football will visManagement, it Guyana Johnson is the shortly most qualified nato meet tional coach in the GFF the history of the t e a m , Golden Jaguars. players, The 44-yearfootball old British nastakeholdtional brings a ers and wealth of prothe nationfessional coachal media, ing and playing and to observe experience to the progress in the role, alongside sparconstruction of kling recommendathe GFF National tions from the English Training Centre Football Association, at Providence. former England Johnson Manager Svenwas part of the Goran Eriksson Jamaican naand the English tional squad Premier League. that com“I just can’t peted at wait to get started the 2000 – I’m really looking CONCACAF forward to the project Gold Cup and the GFF President and boasts a prothe Technical Director fessional playhave set out,” Johnson ing career spansaid. “The attraction ning two decades of the role was the in the English direction of Guyana: Football League The GFF is lookChampionship ing to really make and the English strides: to qualify for Premier League the CONCACAF Gold with clubs such as Cup and to break into Derby County and the FIFA top 100. But Birmingham City. it’s not just about reHis coaching sults, it’s also about career includes helping to grow the successful stints infrastructure of at Cardiff City, the country regardBirmingham ing coach education, City and Notts youth talent, and County. He is the possible links becurrently an amtween our nations – bassador for that’s what’s exciting.”

Derby County, Johnson was the and it is expectstandout candidate ed that this conThe from more than nection will Golden 200 applications rebring benefits for Jaguars’ newlyappointed ceived from all over Guyana, includHead the world. All but ing technical deCoach, one of the shortvelopment exMichael listed candidates changes, player Johnson selected by the scouting, and GFF following a the hosting of rigorous recruitment process training camps and inhad obtained the UEFA Pro Licence – ternational friendlies in England. the highest coaching qualification in “Michael comes with outstanding global football. references from the very highest level “The GFF team is delighted to wel- of the game, including former England come Michael Johnson on board –- the Manager Sven-Goran Eriksson and best qualified national coach in the his- the English FA. He fits perfectly with tory of the Golden Jaguars. With his pro- the profile we were looking for as we fessional expertise and top-level experi- look to build for the future and prepare ence as a player, Michael will set a new young Guyanese talent for success at gold standard for football in Guyana,” international level,” said GFF Technical said GFF President Wayne Forde.

Director Ian Greenwood. “With Michael “The GFF is determined to ele- in charge, we are confident we can qualvate Guyana to the level it belongs – a ify for the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup, Caribbean football powerhouse at the on our way to the 2026 FIFA World top of the regional rankings.

Cup.”

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