Guyana Times International

INTERNATIONAL

Massiah steps down as USA captain Page 50

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ISSUE NO. 162

week ending october 6, 2013

PPP/C not afraid to face the voters – President tells Guyanese Diaspora in New York

See story on page 26

GuyExpo provides a unique opportunity for businesses to expand Page 8

Page 19

Who will win! Eight contestants set to compete for Miss Guyana Universe title

Caribbean Airlines, Fly Jamaica denied permission for direct NY flights Page 24

The eight delegates of the Miss Guyana Universe 2013 pageant with their sponsorship sashes

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3 One dead, Govt gives go-ahead another seriously for SWAT team injured in Linden I NEWS

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accident

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minibus conductor is now dead, while the motorcyclist who struck him down remains in critical condition at the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC) Intensive Care Unit (ICU) following an accident on Tuesday evening.

Dead is Neberne “Challo” Charles of One Mile, Wismar, Linden, who succumbed to head and bodily injuries at the LHC ICU early Wednesday morning.

The accident occurred approximately 21: 45h on Tuesday evening.

According to reports, Charles was at the said time standing along the roadway near a wash bay located at “Sodom Corner”, One Mile, Wismar, Linden and was awaiting a minibus which was being washed at the said time when he was hit from behind by the motorcycle which was driven by Revon

Austin of Canvas City, Wismar.

Austin was reportedly racing along the One Mile Public Roadway with another motorcyclist, when he swerved the motorcycle to avoid hitting a dog which had ran onto the said roadway.

An eyewitness revealed that Charles, after being struck, was flung several yards away upon impact and landed headfirst on a concrete bridge located along the roadway.

Both Charles and Austin were admitted to the LHC ICU on Tuesday evening shortly after the accident, however, Charles, who was a well known minibus conductor in the Linden community, later succumbed to his injuries, while Austin remains in critical condition in the ICU as he also reportedly sustained serious injuries.

n light of the recent increase in criminal activities throughout Guyana, Cabinet on Wednesday gave the greenlight for the establishment of a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit for the Guyana Police Force to strengthen its law enforcement capabilities.

It is envisaged that with a SWAT Unit, the force would be more equipped to make specialised interventions, thereby ensuring law and order is maintained and prospective threats are neutralised.

The Home Affairs Ministry in a statement said it has engaged the services of The Emergence Group (TEG), a Washingtonbased consultancy firm, to obtain the requisite assistance in this initiative.

It further disclosed that the process will commence shortly with an organisational needs assessment to be done by experts from the consultancy firm. The statement added that curriculum development and training, including men-

Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee

toring, will also be undertaken by the consultancy firm.

“The establishment of a SWAT team has received the full support of the leadership of the Guyana Police Force,” the statement highlighted.

Crime Chief Seelall Persaud said the police force, a number of years ago, had proposed the establishment of such a unit and he is elated that it will now become reality. The unit, he said will boost the force’s intelligence and responsive capabilities.

Persaud explained

that before the unit becomes operational, a number of factors have to be taken into consideration, including the identification of a school to train the prospective members, the procurement of equipment required, among other things.

The crime chief added that once these issues are addressed, then the members of the proposed SWAT team will be pulled from the existing police complement.

Opposition Leader, retired Brigadier David Granger disclosed that discussions on the SWAT Unit has been in the making for the past 12 years, and more so, he recalled that a specific team of policemen had been trained by U. S. experts, but were never put into action.

Support

Meanwhile, at recent press conference at his Brickdam office, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee said, “Whether it is a string of incidences, robbery under arms, resulting in deaths or whether it is an individual incident, the Home

Affairs Ministry will always be concerned about those matters, we are not insensitive, we are not numb to such eventualities.”

Rohee said the ministry has been ensuring that adequate resources are presented through the budget to the police force to make sure it has the resources it needs to fulfill its lawful responsibilities.

He said also that the ministry has been making resources available to ensure that the policy of the force, as distinct from the operations, is reflective of central government’s thrust in fighting and detecting crime.

Government has been regularly increasing budgetary allocations to the security sector, and Minister Rohee has been implementing a series of measures to modernise the local service, with a focus of giving it a technological edge.

These interventions aim to address the force’s lingering deficiencies, and improve its capacity to respond to a more sophisticated type of criminal operative.

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

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EDITORIAL

Closing the skies

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he news that the U. S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has denied permission to Caribbean Airlines Limited (CAL) and Fly Jamaica (FJ) to fly directly from Guyana to New York is very disturbing. According to the criteria announced by the DOT, the airlines would have had to show “a need for the service, that there would be a negligible impact on U. S. flag carriers, and the proposed operation is limited in scope” – all of the foregoing operationalised within the overarching goal of serving the U. S. “public interest”.

But if the criteria are applied objectively and impartially, it is clear that there are other considerations that must have influenced the negative decision. If we begin with the first criterion – the “need for the service” – there can be no question that this is satisfied.

The New York-Georgetown route is very heavily patronised.

When the U. S. carrier Delta Airlines plied the route, it routinely racked up a seat occupancy rate exceeding 80 per cent – above the international average, even though several other carriers, including CAL, serviced the route.

This “need for the service” remains extant and will intensify because of the Guyana government’s stimulation of eco-tourism, which draws a large market from the U. S. In terms of the “impact on U. S. flag carriers”, the high seat occupancy of Delta, as well as that of the previous North American Airlines’ guarantees that, if they or any other U. S. carriers were to return to the route, they will certainly not be negatively impacted.

But somewhat ironically, in reference to “negative impact”, the DOT acknowledged that the factor that might have been most material in the decision of Delta to cease servicing the route – fuel subsidies by the government of Trinidad and Tobago to CAL – will be discontinued later this month.

Concerns about “level playing fields” have thus been addressed.

Not incidentally, such concerns had also been raised within the Caribbean Community (Caricom). As far as “limited scope” of the requested direct flights, CAL had always deployed a number of its flights from Georgetown to New York through Piarco.

While this number would have decreased in the short term if DOT permission had been received, it would eventually have returned to its original levels with the return of other carriers.

But it is noteworthy at this point that now that the government of Guyana has designated CAL as its official “flag carrier”, the U. S. is being quite of step with the “open skies” policy it has pushed in the international airline industry. Its draconian decision to foreclose Guyana’s direct flights by CAL between Georgetown and New York goes against the grain of the “free market” approach that is supposed to guide the “open skies” policy.

Another troubling feature of the DOT’s decision is its very restrictive usage of the term “U. S. public interest”. Most of the “public” that fly the New York-Georgetown route are people of Guyanese origin who have overwhelmingly chosen to become naturalised U. S. citizens. They are now being inconvenienced by the DOT by the routing through Piarco where they have to disembark, go through customs and then re-embark on both legs of the trip.

There have been numerous complaints by U. S. citizens of the harassment they have to face because of this procedure.

We hope that the interest of these naturalised U. S. citizens are given equal rights as part of the DOT’s interpretation of “U. S. public interest”.

Finally the DOT’s decision is part of an unfortunate syndrome afflicting the major developed nations, and recently alluded to by President Donald Ramotar at the United Nations, to place barriers in the face of smaller nations to develop institutions that would make them achieve development goals – those same developed countries purport to support.

For instance, there has been a complete abandonment of the practice of “special and differential” (S& D) treatment of small and vulnerable states. Even with their feet broken, they are expected to run the race “equally”.

(From left) St Vincent and the Grenadines’ Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer and Guyana’s Head of State Donald Ramotar share a happy moment during the 68th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York last week. (A&B gov’t photo)

Global hunger down, but millions still chronically hungry – 842 million people undernourished from 2011-13

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ome 842 million people, or roughly one in eight, suffered from chronic hunger from 2011-13, not getting enough food to lead active and healthy lives. So says a report released by the United Nations (UN) food agencies.

The number is down from 868 million reported for the 201012 period, according to the State of Food Insecurity in the World (SOFI 2013), published every year by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the World Food Programme (WFP). The vast majority of hungry people live in developing regions, while 15.7 million live in developed countries.

Differences

Continued economic growth in developing countries has improved incomes and access to food. Recent pick up in agricultural productivity growth, supported by increased public investment and renewed interest of private investors in agriculture, has improved food availability.

In addition, in some countries, remittances from migrants are playing a role in reducing poverty, leading to better diets and progress in food security. They can also contribute to boosting productive investments by smallholder farmers.

Despite the progress made worldwide, marked differences in hunger reduction persist. Sub-Saharan Africa has made only modest progress in recent years and remains the region with the highest prevalence of undernourishment,

with one in four people (24.8 per cent) estimated to be hungry.

No recent progress is observed in Western Asia, while Southern Asia and Northern Africa witnessed slow progress. More substantial reductions in both the number of hungry and prevalence of undernourishment have occurred in most countries of East Asia, Southeastern Asia, and in Latin America.

Since 1990-92, the total number of undernourished people in developing countries has fallen by 17 percent from 995.5 million to 826.6 million.

While uneven, the report stresses that developing regions as a whole have made significant progress towards reaching the target of halving the proportion of hungry people by 2015.

This target was agreed internationally as part of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). If the average annual decline since 1990 continues to 2015, the prevalence of undernourishment will reach a level close to the MDG hunger target.

A more ambitious target set at the 1996 World Food Summit (WFS), to halve the number of hungry people by 2015, remains out of reach at global level, even though 22 countries had already met it by the end of 2012.

FAO, IFAD and WFP urged countries “to make considerable and immediate additional efforts” to meet the MDG and WFS targets.

Final push

“With a final push in the next couple of years, we can

still reach the MDG target,” wrote the heads of FAO, IFAD and WFP, José Graziano da Silva, Kanayo F. Nwanze and Ertharin Cousin, respectively, in their foreword to the report.

They called for nutritionsensitive interventions in agriculture and food systems as a whole, as well as in public health and education, especially for women.

The report underlines that economic growth is key for progress in hunger reduction.

But growth may not lead to more and better jobs and incomes for all, unless policies specifically target the poor, especially those in rural areas. “In poor countries, hunger and poverty reduction will only be achieved with growth that is not only sustained, but also broadly shared,” the report noted.

The UN hunger report not only measures chronic hunger but presents a new suite of indicators for every country to capture the multiple dimensions of food insecurity.

These indicators give a more nuanced picture of food insecurity in a country.

In some countries, for example, the prevalence of hunger can be low, while at the same time under-nutrition rates can be quite high, as exemplified by the proportion of children who are stunted (low height for age) or underweight, whose future health and development are put at risk.

Such distinctions are important to improve the effectiveness of measures to reduce hunger and food insecurity in all its dimension.

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Guyana hosts consultation on Guyana aiming to produce higher quality local products national climate communication plan

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griculture Month was officially launched on Wednesday by Dr Leslie Ramsammy under the theme “Linking the Caribbean for Regional Food and Nutrition Security and Rural Development”.

In observing Agriculture Month, Guyana is joining with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to celebrate World Food Day and the 12th Caribbean Week of Agriculture.

Minister Ramsammy highlighted that over the years, Guyana has hosted Agriculture Month, and it has been successful, not only touching the lives of Guyanese, but persons around the world.

“Guyana is known for its agriculture. We have historical impacts on people around the world.

The best known products in Guyana are in fact our agricultural products and it is not a new thing.

What is new about the impact we have made is that in some areas we are improving our products and in some areas we are adding new products,” pointed out

Agriculture Ministry staff at the launch of Agriculture Month at the ministry on Wednesday

Minister Ramsammy.

He added that the ministry reaffirms the commitment and belief that Guyana will be known for many more things than just sugar, rum and rice. More products will be added so as to produce more in the country for the people.

Most of the products that Guyana has been importing are now produced locally such as broccoli and corn.

Guyana has also been exporting more fruits and vegetables than before.

According to Minister Ramsammy, Guyana is known for being a food secure nation and is

working to ensure that the country produce higher quality agriculture products that are more nutritious.

During Caribbean Week of Agriculture, the ministry will also be signing a number of agreements.

Highlighting that the Jagdeo Initiative will be continued, the minister said the Caribbean needs to know about this flagship programme.

World Food Day is celebrated on October 16 and will be hosted at Mon Repos, with a celebration of a Cassava Festival while Caribbean Week of Agriculture begins on October 6.

s part of Guyana’s international obligations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the country is expected to submit its third national communication document. In light of this, the Office of Climate Change hosted a stakeholder consultation for preparation of the document on Tuesday at the Guyana International Conference Centre (GICC).

Addressing stakeholders at the forum, Office of Climate Change head Shyam Nokta thanked the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) for their support in helping Guyana to satisfy its obligations.

Since signing onto the UNFCCC in 1992, Guyana submitted its national communication plan in 2002 and 2012.

He noted that the document presents an opportunity for Guyana

Office of Climate Change head Shyam Nokta

to outline national steps taken to address climate change.

“This third national communication process is happening at a time when climate change is being underscored as the most important global issue that we are facing today… climate change is like a runaway train and right now this train is only gaining momentum and even if it reduces speed, we are still heading for catastrophe,” Nokta said.

Under the country’s partnership with Norway, Guyana is implementing the second

largest interim REDD+ mechanism, and has successfully recorded three consecutive years of good performance, for which it received funds.

Carbon footprint As such, the audit for the fourth payment has already been completed.

UN Resident Representative Khadija Musa applauded Guyana for its success in reducing carbon through the preservation of its forests.

The national communication documents provide a general status of the key aspects related to climate change in Guyana such as national circumstances, national greenhouse gas inventories, and programmes containing measures to mitigate climate change, among others.

At the recently-concluded UN General Assembly, a call was made by the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to convene a special summit in 2014 with the aim of stimulating greater action on climate change issues.

Man gets 12 years after admitting to father’s murder

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29-year-old man was sentenced to 12 years in prison after he admitted to hacking his father to death. Andrew Gomes was indicted with the murder of his 57-yearold father, Stanislaus Gomes, on November 27, 2008, at their Waikabra, Soesdyke Linden/ Highway home.

On Tuesday, a 12-mixed jury panel was selected before Justice Navindra Singh at the High Court.

The prosecution was led by Senior State Counsel Judith Mursalin and the accused was represented by Attorney Hukumchand Parag. The prosecutor had some four witnesses lined up to testify against the accused.

State’s case

The state’s case is that Gomes hacked his father to death after the man refused to give him Gy$ 200 to buy drugs.

The man was chopped five times about his body and the top of his head was reportedly split in two. After killing his father, Gomes went to neighbours some distance away and told them of his actions.

The first witness, a police officer, testified that when he arrested the accused, he admit-

Gomes was asked whether he had anything to say and told the court, “Ah really sorry for what happen with me and me father. He was really harassing me and it was really an accident.”

Mitigating factors

Convicted: Andrew Gomes

ted to killing his father, saying his father had attacked him and even took the officer to where the cutlass was.

The officer said he had also taken a written statement from the accused; however, before the statement could be admitted, Attorney Hukumchand informed the court that his client wished to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

As such, a charge of manslaughter was read to the accused and he pleaded guilty.

After the facts of the case were read out upon his request, Attorney Hukumchand made a mitigation plea, asking the court to be merciful.

He noted that his client had a rough childhood, since his mother died when he was very young.

Before sentencing,

Justice Singh then proceeded with sentencing; starting with a base of 30 years, he deducted 18 years for mitigating factors – three years were taken off for the guilty plea, five for the time he served while awaiting trial, five for immediately confessing to his crime when he was arrested, and another five years were taken off for the fact that the deceased had initiated the confrontation by attacking his son.

After receiving his sentence, Gomes was escorted out of the courtroom, he waved to everyone, thanking them.

Gomes was on trial in the June session; however, the matter had to be aborted by the presiding judge after a newspaper had reported details of a voir dire (a trial within a trial held in the absence of the jury) and untrue statements allegedly made by the state counsel. That reporter and the newspaper’s editor were both fined for contempt of court.

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Caribbean women, children to benefit from Four Guyanese immigration US$700 million World Bank health funding officers arrested in U.S.

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orld Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim has announced that the lending agency plans to invest at least US$700 million through the end of 2015 to help developing countries, including the Caribbean reach the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) for women and children's health.

Kim said this new funding from the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank Group's fund for the poorest countries, will enable "national scaleups" of successful pilot reproductive, maternal, and child health projects that were made possible by support from the Bank Group's Health Results Innovation Trust Fund (HRITF) and IDA. The announcement follows Kim's September 2012 commitment to help scale up funding for MDGs four and five as part of the UN Secretary General's Every Woman Every Child global partnership.

"We need to inject greater urgency into our collective efforts to save more women and children's lives, and evidence

visa forgery case

A According to the World Bank, the new funding will enable “national scale-ups� of successful pilot reproductive, maternal, and child health projects that were made possible through support from the bank.

shows that results-based financing has significant impact," said Kim in a statement.

"The World Bank Group is committed to using evidence-based approaches to help ensure that every woman and every child can get the affordable, quality health care necessary to survive and live a healthy, productive life," he added.

The US$700 million announcement comes on top of a September 2010 World Bank pledge to provide US$600 million in IDA results-based financing for MDGs four and five by 2015.The World Bank said it has delivered on that pledge

two years ahead of schedule.

"This support has contributed to global declines in maternal and child mortality and expanded access to health care for poor women and children," the statement said.

Through resultsbased financing, the World Bank said it is working with countries to shift the focus from paying for inputs to paying for results.

It said payment to health service providers is explicitly tied to the successful delivery and independent verification of pre-agreed results.

(Excerpted from CMC)

t least four immigration officers stationed at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) are in police custody after they were accused of collecting monies to allow three persons to pass through immigration with forged U. S. visas.

This was confirmed

by Crime Chief Seelall Persaud on Wednesday, who stated that the police are in the process of verifying if the visas were valid.

He said that based on investigations, the persons whose names were submitted to the police were on the manifest to travel out of the country.

Based on the sensitivity of the issue, the police are continuing their investigation with assistance from various stakeholders.

Guyana Times International understands that the three persons were arrested in Suriname while going through the immigration department. The three Guyanese are in the cus-

tody of Surinamese law enforcement authorities and are expected to be extradited shortly.

In addition, it was gathered that four female immigration officers requested Gy$ 60,000 from the three people in exchange for not reporting the matter to authorities.

The money was reportedly paid and the three persons were allowed to pass. The offence was reportedly committed on September 30 at the CJIA. Nevertheless, Persaud stated that the immigration officers are still employed with the Guyana Police Force

since they were hired under the public service regulations, but are being grilled and based on the outcome, a decision will be taken.

He also added that others might or might not be questioned in relation to the incident.

The four women were up to late Wednesday afternoon being interrogated at the Criminal Investigative Department (CID).

This publication understands that the immigration officers are intermittently shuffled between the Central Immigration Office and the CJIA to perform duties.

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GuyExpo provides a unique opportunity for businesses to expand

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NSA McAL Public Relations Officer Darshanie Yusuf said GuyExpo presents businesses an opportunity to enjoy greater recognition, to grow and expand. Speaking at a recent visit at the Sophia Exhibition Complex, Yusuf stated that GuyExpo is a platform which businesses should not miss.

“If you want to get your products known and you wish to get it out there, this is the exact place to come. GuyExpo being the biggest trade show in Guyana is a platform the company will not miss, which is why the company is committed to GuyExpo every year,” Yusuf said.

She said a number of products will be displayed in the ANSA McAL House. The company will also be having a Carib village.

ANSA McAL’s entertainment night is set for Sunday and will fea-

ANSA McAL Public Relations Officer Darshanie Yusuf

ture a top soca artiste.

“It will be filled with fun and lots of energy and will be in partnership with Stag Beer. I hope to see all of you here, hope to see you acting responsible, and let’s celebrate GuyExpo,” Yusuf said.

Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT& T) Marketing Manager Nicola Duggan said, “Like always, persons

can look forward to excellent deals”. She noted that the company sees GuyExpo as an opportunity to give back to persons, noting that handsets will be available from as low as Gy$ 5000, along with other excellent deals.

Top Brandz Managing Director Wayne James made mention of his company being a distributor for over 40 major Jamaica brands, including a grocery and an auto motive division, to name a few.

The company also recently started to import Corona Beer.

This year’s GuyExpo will see delegates from international companies and countries participating in the trade show and exhibition.

These include Argentina, Brazil, China, Suriname, French Guiana, Trinidad and Tobago, St Lucia, the U. S., United Kingdom, Barbados,

St Vincent and the Grenadines, and India.

Demerara Distillers Limited, Banks DIH, ANSA McAL, GT& T, Digicel, E-Networks, Top Brandz, Buddys, Impressions, Caribbean Export Development Agency and Stars Party Rental are a few of the sponsors onboard the event.

This year’s theme is, “Advancing Productivity through Innovation, Modernisation and Expansion”. The event is hosted by the Tourism Ministry in collaboration with the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA).

The GMSA will be celebrating its 50th anniversary, focusing on the manufacturing industry.

The association will utilise GuyExpo to serve as a platform to celebrate their accomplishments and achievements over the past 50 years.

Local miners very receptive to mercury-free technology N atural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud on Saturday visited the operations of Correia Mining Company (CMC) in Olive Creek, Region Seven, where he was given a firsthand look of gold-washing using an Xtruder 255 Shaking Table, a very viable alternative to mercury usage.

This shaking table, which costs US $ 32,000, is considered a gold finishing table and is the final step before smelting.

It allows for 98 per cent recovery, is simple to operate, has the capacity of up to 255 pounds per hour and can recover very fine gold, down to 400 mesh with a minimal water requirement of six to 10 gallons per minute.

Banned

Mercury, a highly toxic chemical element, is banned in many countries, but is still used in Guyana and most of the developing world.

However, the government aims to gradually phase out its use by 2020 as it recognises the environmental and human health risks of mercury.

The Natural Resources Ministry, working closely with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), has been looking at ways in which

Gold washed through the "Shaking Table" process about to be smelted

miners can be further ‘incentivised’ for incorporating mercury-free technologies into their practices.

CMC Mining Operations Director Charles De Freitas explained that the “washing down” process takes about two to two-and-ahalf hours maximum after which it goes straight to the furnace for smelting.

“Mercury is over Gy$ 20,000 per pound so we feel that in the long run this will not only pay for

itself, but is also eliminating all the risks that come with mercury. This is a viable alternative,” De Freitas said.

Minister Persaud disclosed that discussions are ongoing with key stakeholders of the industry on additional incentives other than tax waivers on the importation of such technology.

The GGMC has invested in the procurement of two centrifugal gold recovery systems from South Africa, which is another form of mercu-

ry-free technology.

The minister explained that globally, it is recognised that there will be restrictions in the trade of mercury, and as a result access to the element will become very difficult and even more costly.

As such, the ministry stands ready to work closely with the players of the sector to gradually phase out the use of mercury and the initiative that CMC has taken lends significant impetus in this regard.

Improvising

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By Anu Dev

e can try to be prepared for every eventuality. We can do our best to try to figure out what’s ahead, but the truth is we’re not in charge of our external environment.

We can certainly try to predict how the people around us will act or behave, but we can never be 100 per cent sure. We have to learn to improvise, or at least be open to the concept of having to make the best of what circumstances we’re in.

We have to try to be a bit more flexible, to be willing to accept things for being what they are, instead of how we want them to be. And once we don’t spend time panicking about things not being exactly as we wanted them to be, and instead think up a new plan of action, we might be surprised that the end result might be better than expected.

Unexpected things will always come up and may be in our preparations, we should start preparing ourselves to have to think on the spot or make quick decisions, instead of just preparing for a single event. It’s not the end of the world if you’re missing some ingredients from whatever you planned on cooking, just alter the dish and create something new.

We could go into a classroom to teach a group of kids math, expecting them to be excited and enthusiastic about the subject already, when in reality, they’re all falling asleep at their desks, drooling as they’re anticipating dinner.

So what should that teacher do? Improvise!

Try to MAKE the subject interesting, use videos, visual aids, and relate the subject matter to real life situations.

One of the biggest complaints students in math classes are often times heard repeating is, “When will I ever use this in real life?” As a teacher, you should help them realise the possible ways in which they might actually use trigonometry outside of school. Some kids are more mathsoriented, and naturally have a liking for math, but what about the others? You have to come up with ways to teach the subject so that they’ll actually want to learn it.

And every day we’re thrust into new and unexpected situations. We could show up at a meeting, expecting other people to take charge, but for whatever reason, they just can’t. We could be the ones who step up to the plate. We can adapt to the new role of leader and sometimes we’ll find that it’s a position we thrive in.

And of course there are the little improvisations we make every day.

Singing a song and can’t remember all of the lyrics? Most of us just make up new ones. Do the new lyrics always make perfect sense? No, but they allowed us to finish the song while keeping in tune.

We need to be more willing to accept circumstances for being what they are and adapting to do the best we can. As Gandhi once said, “Be the change you want to see in the world”.

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

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Taking cricket to a higher level An open letter to President Ramotar on the brain drain situation

Dear Editor, Growing up in a countryside school was nice, all because of cricket. We played just about anywhere. We never heard about cricketing programmes. Our interest came from listening to the game via radio, and one thing led to another.

In this era, things are so different and better. Our aspiring cricketers have the opportunity to explore cricket to the fullest. Now there are all kinds of programmes.

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) now seems to have a better understanding as to what Guyana is aiming to do in terms of regulating the game.

Government is now working with the WICB to roll out a school programme that goes just beyond playing cricket in the field. It involves incorporating cricket into

areas of academic studies such as Mathematics, English, Geography and other such subjects.

Many have this idea that it is either cricket (sport on the whole) or studies. This should never be. It can be both.

The President of the WICB Whycliffe Cameron recently said that he was very pleased that international and regional matches have returned to the country. Indeed, the Limacol Caribbean Premiere League (LCPL) was a good fillip in this regard.

I really feel optimistic about this pilot project being offered to Guyana.

So far, a lot of work has been done too.

Minister Dr Frank Anthony apprised the nation of the fact that even textbooks have been developed, and that the programme is going to be a very interesting

one.

There are plans to establish a cricket academy and Guyana has been spending a lot of money in cricketing camps.

Maybe the academy can be for those earmarked for professional sports, of course all contingent upon prowess shown. By this time too, many of these prodigies would have been through their secondary school’s academic programmes.

Things like cricketing camps and academies must be fully regulated.

The government has already tabled the Cricket Administration Bill that is currently before a parliamentary select committee.

If all goes well, this will fulfill the need for good governance of the administration of cricket in Guyana.

Yours sincerely, Colin Cox

The Westgate terrorists should be condemned by all Dear Editor, This letter is in reference to your editorial, “Kenya’s Westgate Mall” (Guyana Times, September 29). Such a heinous killing must be condemned, as also the attack on a church in Peshawar, Pakistan, that killed dozens of worshippers.

At Westgate, people were singled out and killed.

They were separated based on their religion and executed.

Scribes described it as a massacre of Kenyans of Indian origin.

Our fellow Caribbean Community (Caricom) national Ravindra Ramrattan, a Trinidadian, was cut down in the prime of his life.

Ramrattan was in Kenya, working with a non-governmental organisation (NGO) to help alleviate poverty when he was shot in cold blood. He was an unbelievable scholar. He hid in a store and texted his sister that he was safe.

But the killers found him and executed him.

Westgate was Kenya’s worst mass killing based on religious fanaticism. The mall is located in one of the most affluent and cosmopolitan neighbourhoods in Kenya and is a host to several international events. It is in the heart of the Indian diaspora communities in Nairobi, the capital.

Crazed Jihadists took the lives of sever-

al nationalities, but the largest number (at least 30) were of Indian or South Asian descent or from the Indian diaspora.

Kenya is home to a large number of people of Indian descent. The British brought them to build East Africa’s railway network. There were several engineers and who managed the rail stations, as well as worked as rail-guards and engine drivers.

About a century ago, an Indian, Girdhari Lal, set up the Colonial Times newspaper and he advocated for Kenyan independence similar to Jomo Kenyatta.

In time, the Indian diaspora settled around Parklands where Westgate is located and built hospitals, schools and community centres. The Westgate Mall was a hub for the Indian community.

Some 25,000 people

visit the mall on weekends. There is a twostorey Indian-owned Nakumatt grocery store that attracts a lot of shoppers. It was destroyed by the terrorists.

There are also banks, shops, restaurants and a multiplex. When the attack took place, rescue operations were organised from the Oshwal Community Centre, owned by Indians.

Many of the injured, from all ethnic groups, were rushed to the Indian-built hospitals.

The world must rally against such religious extremism. I am so proud of the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) coming out and condemning the terrorists, and others should also do the same. Extremism must not be allowed to go unchecked.

Yours faithfully, Vishnu Bisram

Dear Mr President, Each year I watch about 70 per cent of our young graduates leaving our shores. It is fast becoming a reality that, when businesses are in need for such brain-power, they are forced to look outside of Guyana. The resulting effect of this brain drain is very damaging to our country.

When we are forced to bring in someone to do a job that could have been done by someone locally, we are not only increasing cost to our projects, but most notably, we are exporting our money.

Reasons for people to leave The reasons are many. Our young professionals want to feel safe, want to have a rewarding and challenging job, and most of all be able to have some level of comfort and security.

Our institutions are doing a fair job to equip students with the right knowledge and expertise. However, the problem arises when these students begin their job hunt. For the lucky few who have found jobs, they end up with positions

that are a mis-fit to their level of qualifications and the remuneration is average to below par.

What can be done to curb this problem I believe that if incentives are given to our graduates it will encourage them to stay long enough – or even indefinitely – for them to give back something to Guyana.

The following are some of the incentives I believe will help to curtail the issue of brain drain: • Duty-free concession on the first vehicle purchase.

• Income-tax reductions to those working in the public sector.

• Implementation of qualification-specific minimum salary.

• Access to funding for housing.

• Access to funding for research and development.

• Setting up of a think tank with young professionals allowing their services to the political arena but strictly in a technical manner.

• Increasing patriotism among young profes-

sionals perhaps through reinventing the national service or even having a sort of peace corps initiative.

• Stimulating initiatives that will create scope for young professionals by funding workshops that will empower graduates to become job creators and service providers.

• Greater level of security.

One easy way to do this is by bridging the social gap between the security services and the citizens.

For graduates to remain in Guyana is the highest display of patriotism. I have very high respect for the people who have stayed and are working hard (and honest) to make a life for themselves.

Sometimes it takes little changes to see big results. The task is in the hands of our leaders and policymakers. Mr President, we are counting on you.

Regards, Girendra Persaud Lecturer Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Guyana

10 feature Police still to establish firm leads, “I Believe Campaign” motives into Kitty bar shooting for GuyExpo 2013 launch A A week ending october 6, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

s GuyExpo 2013 nears, the Tourism, Industry and Commerce Ministry is launching an “I Believe Campaign”, aimed at energising the population to believe in the potential of Guyana and to build a nationalistic and patriotic environment.

According to acting Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Irfaan Ali, the “I Believe Campaign” is geared towards promoting and advancing the successes of Guyana’s economy while encouraging all facets of society to believe in the potential that lies ahead.

“The ‘I Believe Campaign’ seeks to reach out to every Guyanese beyond political, ethnic and religious barriers, to come on board through educating ourselves, informing ourselves and communicating with each other, the priorities of Guyana, thus , creating an environment of national ownership in the transformation of our country,” Minister Ali stated.

The campaign aims to create an environ-

The entrance to the Sophia Exhibition Centre being prepared for the hosting of the 2013 GuyExpo trade show

ment in which all of our people can embrace the future, the developmental agenda of Guyana and the aspirations of all Guyanese. The concept stresses the establishment of a positive environment through the enforcement of positive lifestyles, innovative thinking and patriotic positioning of our views.

Developmental ideals

Further , the “I Believe Campaign” will embrace the new developmental ideals in the Amaila Falls hydro project; the state-of-the-art Specialty Hospital; the new Marriott Hotel, bringing world-class ser-

vices to Guyana; and the CJIA expansion project, and the potential that lies in the accomplishment of these projects.

It takes a deeper look into the future – in building bridges with Guyana’s neighbours and benefiting from the potential that exists in their markets, the deepwater harbour, an enhanced Demerara port, and expansion of our physical infrastructure to meet the requirements of our economic and social projections.

The campaign will seek to work with the Small Business Bureau in developing new entrepreneurs, empowering

families and integrating itself within communities.

The “I Believe Campaign” will build trust, consolidate, and work with other nationalistic campaigns, including the “Pick It Up” campaign and the national housing drive; and the University of Guyana and other agencies that seek to promote positive lifestyles and ideals, addressing social ills such as addiction and domestic violence.

“This is a campaign to start believing in ourselves, believing in our country, to encourage us to set aside partisan political views, to separate propaganda and mischief from facts and reality, and to work together as we all believe in the grand future and success of our country,” Ali explained.

The Tourism Industry and Commerce Ministry will also be hosting an “I Believe Concert” to launch the campaign, bringing together local artistes and performers at the Sophia Exhibition Centre, on Friday evening.

This massive event will begin at 21: 00h during the second night of GuyExpo 2013, and promises to be filled with vibrant energy and positive messages.

s investigations continue into the Mambo Bar shooting on Saturday night which left one dead and several injured, the police are still to establish any firm leads or motives for the muder. During the attack, Shelliza Basir-Lall, 33, of Lot 2 Charity, Essequibo Coast, was shot and killed before receiving medical attention, while her husband, Raymond, 36, received injuries, but took self-discharge from the Balwant Singh Hospital on Monday.

Also injured in the attack was Parmanand Persaud, 32, of Lot 27 Block B Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, who sustained one gunshot wound in foot.

The Lalls’ chauffeur Badatunde Nedd, also called “Reggae” of Parika, East Bank Essequibo was shot and admitted in the Intensive Care Unit at Woodlands Hospital.

One day after the shooting, an eyewitness told Guyana Times International that there were other persons in the company of Lall and his friends on the night.

They were on the dance floor and hanging with Lall and the others when the men carried out the attack, the eyewitness said.

Meanwhile, from his home on Monday, Lall recalled that about 23: 00h on the fateful night,

Dead: Shelliza Basir-Lall

he was at the Mambo’s Bar with three friends.

As midnight approached, a white Toyota Carina AT 212 motor car pulled up and two masked men exited and started to shoot.

He added that his wife got up and was running for safety when she was shot.

After a while, police arrived at the scene and cordoned off the area.

This publication understands that at least 19 9mm spent shells were recovered.

Two persons were detained and questioned for the attack, but were reportedly released.

A 19-year-old man was arrested with a 9mm Lugar Pistol during a road block at Mandela Avenue, but a police source confirmed that he was not linked to the crime.

Nevertheless, he will be charged since the gun and 10 matching ammunition discovered in his possession are believed to be illegal.

GPSU maintains call for 25 per cent hike in salaries

T

he Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) has maintained its call for a 25 per cent increase in wages and salaries for public servants this year. The union also declared that it is prepared to initiate any form of industrial action if the demand is not met, even as it called for unity, militancy, solidarity and strength as it wrapped up a two-day conference last Friday.

The 20th biennial conference of the union was held on September 25 to 27 under the theme “Relentlessly Pursuing Good Governance, Decent Work, Social and Economic Justice”.

The conference brought together delegates from Georgetown and the 10 administrative regions of Guyana, who reviewed the biennium, and planned and made recommendations for the union for the next two years, the GPSU said in a statement.

As the highest decision-making forum of the GPSU came to a close last Friday, motions were brought to the floor for discussion and consideration.

These motions included wages and salaries, and meal, uniform and footwear, leave passage allowances.

There were also motions relating to amending the Constitution of Guyana with respect to the Public Service Commission, and amendments to the laws of Guyana (1) 1997 Trade Union Recognition and Certification Act, and (2) the Pensions Act. Contract work in the public service; land for housing, day care and child care facilities and agriculture for public servants; filling vacancies in the public service;, corruption, training and human resources development of public servants; GPSU Sports Complex land; the parity in sta-

tion allowance and the non-payment of the hinterland allowances; parity in conditions and early appointment to the regions; and payment for maternity and/ or sick leave in excess of 28 days for contract workers were also among the motions brought to the floor.

The non-completion of collective bargaining agreements in commissions and agencies was also discussed and strategies developed to have these agreements finalised.

Finally, delegates unanimously agreed that the GPSU condemn the government for breaking the law, flouting the procedures and not honouring its obligations to meet with the bargaining agent of public servants.

Further, delegates called on the government to meet with the union within two weeks at the bargaining table and to conclude such negotiations in a timely manner.

11 PM Gonsalves vows to intensify reparations drive next year S News

week ending october 6, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

t Vincent and the Grenadines’ Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves said he plans to intensify efforts in addressing the issue of reparations for native genocide and slavery when he assumes the chairmanship of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) early in the New Year. “When I take over the chairmanship of Caricom in January, I hope to get letters to Europe,” Gonsalves, told a standing-roomonly town hall meeting in Brooklyn late Saturday.

“We’re going for reparations because of

S

state-sponsored genocide and state-sponsored slavery,” he added. “Europe, by engaging us in this matter, can make us more free,” he continued. “We need reparations, but we need available resources.”

Serious conversation

The Vincentian leader, who has been taking the lead in Caricom on the issue, said efforts at seeking reparations from Europe are “not a conversation about protests. This is a serious conversation to see what is the legacy”, he said. “I’m not a little boy holding up a plac-

St Vincent and the Grenadines’ Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves

ard. I’m the prime minister of an independent country.”

Gonsalves warned that, as the reparations

The Exodus

atiricus was confused.

Once again. Satiricus was a man who believed things ought to go the way it was foretold. There was an order to the universe, was his firm conviction. Now while Satiricus might not be the most pious fella out there, he’d attended his fair share of Sunday school classes and if the truth be told, he’d rather enjoyed the stories.

He especially liked the battle scenes – of which there were more than enough to satisfy his rather gory youthful imagination.

Satiricus had particularly enjoyed the story of Moses. Poor boy discovers his roots and stands up for justice.

He leads his people into the Promised Land, full of milk and honey and all that.

Young Satiricus’ mind had run a bit wild at this point, imagining all the goodies that could’ve been found there.

He didn’t care too much for milk and honey, but imagined that there would be a lot of “sweeties”. Now Satiricus wasn’t so simple to believe that thing would happen exactly the same way as before.

But Jeez! He felt the main storyline ought

to be followed! Here it was Moses had actually left the PPCEE land of milk and honey and departed to KFC – the land of fried chicken and mashed potatoes.

This was backwards!

And he hadn’t taken anyone with him. He’d gone alone. Satiricus had felt Moses must’ve been bribed by Pharaoh Rum Jhaat. And he was sorely disappointed.

But sooner or later, Moses would realise what Rum Jhaat was doing to all his people who’d come into the land of KFC before him.

Satiricus had faith in Moses. Hadn’t Moses heard Comrade Cheddi speak from a burning blacksage bush in Rupununi when no one else heard? So when Satiricus finally heard the news of the Exodus from the KFC – starting from far-off New York, he felt happy.

Surely Moses would be there somewhere with his people – starting the trek back to the Promised Land of milk and honey. But with every passing day, Satiricus’ hopes grew dimmer – even as the Exodus grew. And because Moses wasn’t there, the people were heading for the land of GrainJa, thinking it was the land with grains.

Little did they know that land was ruled by a worse Pharaoh. Why, even over in the land of the sugar cane, the ambitious Charan Rass had joined the Exodus!

And he had announced he was going to “wild up”!! This was just as bad as creating a golden calf! Satiricus wondered when the bolt of lightning would hit Moses? Maybe at the next elections?

issue gains ground, European governments and their “agencies” are already “finding means to divide the repara-

tions movement,” adding that “reparations is for all of us”.

It was mentioned at the recently-held reparations conference in St Vincent that Caricom should mandate reparations education in schools’ curriculum.

Recognition was also given to past reparations initiatives, such as the work done by the Rastafari Movement and some major reparations conferences that have occurred in Nigeria, Washington DC, and Barbados.

Objectives

At the conference, a structure was proposed

for the regional commission. It was agreed that the body would be led by a chairman and three vice chairs with responsibility for certain key tasks.

Professor Hilary Beckles was elected as chairperson of the Caricom Regional Reparations Commission.

Vice chairs are Jomo Thomas, St Vincent and the Grenadines (responsible for inter-governmental relations); Dr Verene Shepherd, Jamaica (research); and Ahmad Zunder, Suriname, (mobilisation).

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news

week ending october 6, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Prominent Berbice doctor killed in road accident

A

prominent New Amsterdam doctor died in a road accident Sunday evening, shortly after witnessing a game of cricket, his favourite pastime. Dr Physal Sattar, 69, of LFS Burnham Street, died at the New Amsterdam Hospital shortly after colliding with a truck on the Number 11 Farm Village Public Road. He was on his way home after attending the cricket match between Berbice and Demerara earlier at the Albion Sports Complex.

Reports are that Sattar attempted to overtake a truck in his car, but instead drove straight under the larger vehicle.

The truck driver, Modhakai Ramsundar,

Dr Physal Sattar

35, was admitted to the same medical institution after sustaining injuries to the chest. His father, Edwin, said he called him shortly after 19: 30h saying that he was involved in an accident.

Noise

“He told me that he was driving when he

heard a noise at the back and the impact caused him to hit the steering wheel. He say that he clutch in and allow the truck to roll and stop,” said the truck driver's father.

Witnesses say that they heard the impact and ran to assist the drivers. Sattar’s car was in the centre of the road, while the truck was a few metres off the road shoulder.

“We had to push the truck to get it in the corner,” one resident, Kushnarine Deonarine said.

He explained that Dr Sattar was removed from his mangled vehicle after several attempts to get the driver’s door open. “When we get him out, we put him to lie down on

the road. He did talking. When I hold up he head, plenty blood running, the skull open and the brains showing,” he said.

Deonarine said it took them more than 30 minutes to find transportation to take the injured doctor to the hospital. “Nobody ent wan carry him. They say the blood would nasty the car. But nobody ent know that is a doctor,” he added.

Dr Sattar was placed in the tray of a pickup and taken to the hospital where doctors tried desperately to save their colleague’s life.

Deep loss

An autopsy performed on the body by government pathologist Dr Vivekanand Bridgemohan revealed

The mangled remains of Dr Physal Sattar’s car

that Dr Sattar died as a result of loss of blood ( haemorrhage) due to grave injuries – several ribs were broken and there was extensive damage to the brain.

Dr Sattar had been practising medicine in New Amsterdam for the past 42 years. He leaves to mourn his wife of 40 years and four children.

Region Six Chairman David Armogan said the loss will be felt by the entire Berbice community. “Every time you call

on him to do community work and medical outreaches, he would readily make himself available. So it is a great loss to the community and I think that the medical community would have also lost a great colleague,” he said.

Friends of the doctor said they were surprised to learn that he was driving at night, since that was an unusual occurrence.

Police are investigating the accident.

Green Jah is a brave man to want a collision wid Donald

I

t comin down to de time when de guvament gettin ready to prepare de budget. And this is always a favourite time fuh some of de parliamentarians. All of dem gon have to seh some ting when de time come fuh de budget debate. No matter what budget matter come up, dem does talk like scientist and accountant.

Most of dem don’t seh nutten of substance and don’t mek sense, but de whole idea is to be in the media next day.

That is exactly how plenty of dem does like to pomp a scene. And some of de media does help dem pomp a scene too. After all, de Kocheur got de biggest soup drinker in exchange fuh publicity. People seh he got de belly fuh it. That is there fuh every body to see. Is any kinda soup fuh some ting in de mud paper. German does run outta soup some days. It must be a world record as to how a crab can eat so mucha crab soup.

When de budget time come, is every body gon hear from Green Jah to Green Bridge. Green Bridge is de man who bruk up de country when he was in de guvament.

But he now got a solution fuh every ting pun this earth, especially de earth in Guyana. According to Green Bridge, he know how to run every ting.

According to de people, Green Bridge only know how to do two tings good: run he mouth and run down every ting else.

As fuh Green Jah, this year he tekkin it to another level. De Stabber seh Green Jah put de guvament pun notice that he gon have a collision wid de prezzi if dem don’t listen to he. Well, Green Jah must be a brave man to want to collide wid Donald.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling… friend tell friend… mattie tell mattie! Watch and see after that collision, Green Jah gon be sorry he didn’t vote fuh de Specialty Hospital in de last budget.

News

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week ending october 6, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

GRA condemns misleading EZjet boss pleads guilty to fraud Kaieteur News report

O

T

he Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) is gravely concerned about a media report that appeared in the Sunday September 29 edition of Kaieteur News entitled “Only 17 lawyers in Guyana authorised to charge fees”.

The genesis of the report is a notice issued by the GRA which carried the names of the latest batch of professionals who were issued with tax practise certificates as recent as September 15.

The GRA finds the article very misleading and mischievous, to say the least, and believes that it was designed to cause confusion, particularly among those professionals who have complied with Section 39 of the Tax Act Chapter 80: 01, and are in possession of their Tax Practice Certificate.

Manipulative

The GRA is appalled at the manipulative use of its notice by the newspaper to contrive an inglorious article for its own ends.

GRA Commissioner General Khurshid Sattaur penned an apology for the embarrassment caused by Kaieteur News abuse of press freedom, to the bitter end of having parts omitted and the remainder twisted to suit the aims of the paper.

The Kaieteur News, rather than taking responsibility for the humiliation it caused, sought to do more harm with its publication of a distorted apology.

The GRA is calling on the Kaieteur News to desist from these unethical practices.

Even more outrageous and erroneous is the contemptuous deduction by the Kaieteur News that because a particular professional’s name did not appear on the list, that person did not pay their tax.

While payment of tax and filing of returns are part of the criteria to obtain a Tax Practice Certificate, one should not make such an assumption, since persons must make an application; and there are a number of reasons why they may not do so.

Notwithstanding, it is an offence under Sub-Section 9 (a) of Section 39 of the Act, Chapter 80: 01 for any person to practice his profession privately for reward without a certificate of practice.

Persons were simply being given a warning not to be found in breach of the Act and encouraged to comply as those

The GRA has condemned the Sunday, September 29 Kaieteur News article titled “Only 17 lawyers in Guyana authorised to charge fees" as misleading

whose names were published.

Official Gazette

The commissioner general is required by the said Act to publish in the official Gazette on March 15 and July 1 of each year, a notice containing the names of all persons to whom certificates were issued for the year.

Additional names would be posted as soon as practicable thereafter.

The first publications of the list of professionals who were issued with tax practice certificates were done on March 16 and 23 in the official Gazette as required by law.

Professionals such as lawyers, doctors, dentists, physiotherapists, veterinary surgeons, engineers, accountants, auditors, surveyors, architects, pharmacists and optometrists (as set out in the First Schedule of the Tax Act, Chapter 80: 01) who are engaged in practice for reward, privately or independently of the state are required to have a tax practice certificate.

However, professional persons employed by the state and who do not in any way engage in private practise are exempt.

Hence, any person who practises as a professional in the course of being wholly employed in the service of another person whose undertaking or business does not comprise the rendering of services of the nature of such practise would not be required to have a certificate, for example, a medical doctor employed solely by a mining company, an accountant employed solely by an engineering firm or an attorney employed solely by an insurance firm.

ne week after giving notice to the West Palm Beach Court, Florida, through his attorney about his intention to change his “not guilty” plea to “guilty”, founder of EZjet, Sonny Ramdeo, on Tuesday admitted to wire fraud to the tune in excess of US$ 20million. The matter is being heard by Judge Kenneth Marra.

The former Windsor Forest, West Coast Demerara resident is expected to be sentenced on January 13, 2014 and will face several charges of wire fraud and money laundering. He can face a maximum of 90 years imprisonment.

Ramdeo introduced EZjet, a low-cost charter company he reportedly founded and operated between New York and Guyana, but was arrested by U. S. federal agents in 2012 after being on the run following his interdiction.

The low-cost charter started in December 2011 amid much pomp and ceremony in Guyana. Upon the introduction of the aircraft, there were questions by

Sonny Ramdeo

key players in the industry about the airline’s sustainability.

Ramdeo told media operatives that monies to sustain the flights were from his savings and mortgage taken on his Florida home. The airline operated the Georgetown/ New York route and later introduced flights to Canada and Trinidad.

However, this new investment might have given the U. S. authorities an edge in locating him. He was under the microscope of the U. S. authorities for a period of time and was reportedly hiding, but FBI

agents monitored his phone calls, and tracked him to a Brooklyn basement where he was staying.

After his arrest earlier in the year, the embattled businessman made an application for bail, but it was denied on the basis that he might flee the jurisdiction.

He was accused of embezzling more than US$ 20 million from a hospital chain and using some of the proceeds to fund the airline over a period of time.

Court documents claimed Ramdeo created a payroll company and made it appear, using fake emails, as if it was a legitimate one with links to another similar establishment, that had been doing business with the hospital chain.

It was reported that Ramdeo instructed staffers to make payments and deposits in a manner and amounts that would not have raised the curiosity of the U. S. authorities.

They are still investigating where the monies that the accountant allegedly stole is hidden.

14

FEATURE

week ending october 6, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

The 144th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi (part one) his weaknesses, particularly his sexual desires, with which he was engaged in an almost lifelong struggle.

By Swami Aksharananda

O

ctober 2 marks the 144th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. This is an event that will be commemorated the world over, though in Guyana, apart from the annual event at the Promenade Gardens by the Indian Commission, little is said or done. This, however, does not mean that Gandhi is not in the news, at least the sensational side of it. In his own lifetime, he has been the centre of a great deal of controversies, and many of his views have been challenged by his own brilliant contemporaries, such as Rabindranath Tagore and Subhash Chandra Bose.

What was outstanding about the discourse he and his contemporaries had was the utter and at times brutal sincerity. Yet, he never crossed the boundary of respect and showed enormous compassion and regard for those with whom he had disagreement.

His life, as he himself claimed often, was an open book and unlike public leaders of our times, there was no demarcation between the public and private. He even slept in the open along with his disciples and co-workers.

I remember well the words

Controversial experiment

Mahatma Gandhi

of a prominent politician and activist who is now a member of parliament when some of his colleagues raised concerns about his conduct.

He declared that no one was concerned about his life behind closed doors. Not so with Gandhi! Yes, even now, we may disagree with Gandhi, but we cannot doubt the honesty and candour with which he discussed even the most intimate details of his personal life and struggles.

In reading about him, what strikes one almost like a bolt was the openness with which he talked and wrote about what he perceived as

His controversial experiments to test the strength of his powers of self-control and celibacy, or brahmacharya in traditional terms, were all done in the open.

His decision to end all sexual relationships with his wife was again discussed among his colleagues and, of course, with his wife.

In the realm of politics, Gandhi’s lasting and perpetually relevant contribution has to do with satyagraha, the pursuit of truth and the struggle against injustice.

Anyone who reads his, “Duty of Disloyalty”, cannot fail to be struck by its potency.

More than 80 years on, one experiences a sense of thrill and exhilaration. The opening salvo in this letter sets the tone for what is arguably one of the greatest documents on resistance to domination.

“There is no half-way house between active loyalty and active disloyalty.” But unlike many crusaders for justice these days, Gandhi was careful to make a distinction between persons and institutions. “You are therefore loyal or disloyal to institutions,”

he wrote.

Corrupt system

Considering the state in colonial India, Gandhi concluded that it could not evoke any loyalty. It was corrupt with inhuman laws.

It was therefore the duty of those who realised the evil nature of the system to be not only disloyal to it, but “to actively and openly preach disloyalty”. He continued, “Loyalty to a state so corrupt is a sin, disloyalty a virtue.”

Further, regarding the corrupt system of government in India at the time, Gandhi stated that the, “purest man entering the system will be affected by it, and will be instrumental in propagating the evil”.

Gandhi was absolutely clear that, “a good man will resist an evil system of administration with his whole soul”.

And at the same time, he continued, equally unequivocally clear and uncompromising, “Violent disobedience deals with men who can be replaced.

It leaves the evil untouched and often accentuates it.”

Civil disobedience

Again, during the 1930-31 civil disobedience campaigns, Gandhi was hauled before the courts for “seditious writing”, but on this occasion, his response to the judgment singu-

larly bold and revolutionary.

Challenging the magistrate’s right to pass judgment, he stated that the people of India owed no mare allegiance to the government of the day, “than does the man in the moon”.

And, he added with his unique style of beauty and simplicity, “Where there is no ground for a bond of affection, it naturally follows that I cannot be guilty of spreading disaffection”.

Gandhi saw that the government of India was a usurper of people’s rights and therefore its laws had “no power arising from the people in whom rests sovereignty”. He challenged the magistrate that he was an arm of the very same executive and, hence, had no jurisdiction over him, and added that it was not for him, “to participate in this farce of a judicial proceeding”.

The magistrate on this occasion was an Indian and so Gandhi concluded with a special appeal to him, “to resign the disreputable connection with a soulless machine that drinks deep of the blood of your people and descending from the throne of the usurper which you now occupy, come and stand by your own in the hour of their need”. (TO BE CONTINUED...)

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week ending october 6, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Rihanna deal yields NCN among several broadcasters millions of dollars likely to face sanctions for Barbados – if necessary documents not submitted to broadcasting authority

P

op star Rihanna has generated more than Bd$20 million in exposure for Barbados over the life of the three-year deal the megastar has with the Barbados Tourism Authority.

Minister of Tourism Richard Sealy quoted the figure over the weekend, as he defended government’s decision to spend millions of dollars on the deal, which was signed with the megastar in 2011. Rihanna is set for her second major concert in Barbados on November 1 as part of her Diamonds world tour.

Sealy commented on the matter at the official opening of a conference on Employee Engagement in the Digital Age-The Role of Communications, hosted by the International Association of Business Communications at the Barbados Hilton. He also gave details about another tourism initiative, the National Tourism Host programme.

Meanwhile, at another event last week, Sealy

G

Rihanna is set for her second major concert in Barbados on November 1 as part of her Diamonds world tour.

revealed that Barbados is seeking to increase its tourism arrivals from Europe, including from the Kingdom of Belgium.

The government minister acknowledged that the number of tourists coming from Belgium was very small, but noted that officials in Barbados had increased their efforts to attract visitors from Continental Europe.

He described Barbados as a quality destination with a full range of hotels, which the rich and famous, as well as those working within a budget, could utilise.

uyana National Broadcasting A u t h o r i t y (GNBA) Chairman Bibi Shaddick said there are currently only three broadcasting entities in the country that are licensed to operate from a list of nine broadcasters.

The delinquent six, she said have outstanding application documents to submit before they can be considered in compliance with the Broadcasting Act, which governs the sector.

As such, broadcasting corporations that are yet to submit their documents to the GNBA in order to be licensed, have up until October 31 to do so.

“Under the law, when people are broadcasting without a licence, there are certain penalties and certain things that have to be done… and this is referred to people so that they understand that this would be put into place,” she stated.

Thus far, television entities that are in full compliance with the law and are licensed, include Television Guyana Inc,

GNBA Chairman Bibi Shaddick

GWTV and Pinnacle Communications, and MTV, while licensed radio entities include Telcor and Cultural Broadcasting Inc and Radio Guyana Inc. “The law says that the percentage for the broadcast fee is suppose to be a percentage set by the minister and a percentage of the gross revenue for the previous year, but we recognise that there is no way that any company could submit to us before September of a year, gross revenues for 2012, so what we used was 2011 instead of 2012,” she said.

Shaddick added that two of Guyana’s lon-

gest serving stations – WRHM and the National Communications Network (NCN) Inc, are among those with outstanding documents, and therefore non-compliant with the law.

Among the other noncompliant broadcasters are STVS, The Learning Channel, NTN, Rambarran Broadcasting Systems, Tarzie Transmission Service and New Guyana Company Limited.

According to Shaddick, both NCN radio and television are non-compliant.

She noted that the entity submitted everything except a notice of

its board of directors.

Shaddick reiterated that non-submission of all documents would mean entities are not operating in accordance with the Broadcasting Act. When the authority began operations in September 2012, letters were sent to approved broadcasters, giving them permission to continue broadcasting until all its arrangements and systems were in place. It then invited broadcasters to apply for new licences.

Shaddick pointed out that the authority has not received any applications from Region 10, but pointed out that there are currently 29 applications for new services.

Among the applications, seven are for television licence, 17 for radio, three for cable and two for Internet Protocol television (IPTV).

GNBA is tasked statutorily with licensing in the broadcast sector and ensuring compliance of broadcasters with the provisions of the Broadcast Act which was passed in 2011.

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GGMC investigating Speaker Trotman not in support of delayed local govt bills miners’ deaths S A

cting commissioner of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) Rickford Veira told a media conference on Monday that the pit collapse which claimed the lives of four miners, could have been avoided.

Veira said the miners were evicted some three weeks ago, after a visit was conducted in the area by GGMC officials.

However, it was reported that the miners went back to the area and recommenced mining.

He added that from preliminary reports, the mining team was engaged in unsafe mining practices, hence, the reason for the recent incident. This is still to be confirmed.

Further, it was reported that the miners came into Guyana illegally through Venezuela and are not in possession of a work permit.

A miner who survived the tragedy is expected to be charged. The GGMC head said that a senior engineer and an occupational health and safety officer have been dispatched to the area to investigate the incident.

M e a n w h i l e , Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud said he is disappointed with what happened; noting that while the GGMC has some general over-

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud

sight of mining operations, the village councils in these areas have full responsibility.

Persaud said this is an issue which his ministry is looking at, because support and proper training will have to be provided in order for them to maintain proper work ethics; particularly as it relates to mining villages.

“I’m hoping that through this mechanism that we can augment and help Amerindian communities to better manage mining operations. We’re very hopeful that this proposal will win some form of support with the various stakeholders,” he added.

He assured that his ministry is making every effort to reduce such incidence, but admitted that this is difficult given the terrain and the

scattered way in which gold mining takes place.

Nevertheless, he said a plan will be introduced shortly.

The incident which occurred at Arau Backdam, Eteringbang, claimed the lives of four Brazilians last Thursday afternoon. The Brazilian nationals Taigo Nunes Pinto, Ronaldo Da Silva Sousa, Joao Nelson Pinto Mands and Joao Gonsalves Martins were killed after a mining pit about 40 feet deep caved in on them.

One of the men, Jose Roberto Diaz, survived the incident and was admitted at a private hospital.

It was reported that after the pit caved in; it took other workers sometime to reach the location where the men were trapped.

At that time, persons thought that it was more or less a recovery mission, but were surprised to have found Diaz alive.

The four men were finally pulled from under the clay and their bodies were transported to the Lyken’s Funeral Home via the Ogle International Airport.

In April of this year, Dennis Anthony Barker, 16, of Lot 550 East Ruimveldt, Georgetown was killed and another person injured when a mining pit caved in on them at Pamela, Mahdia, Region Eight.

peaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman has said that he will be using other methods to have the clerk of the National Assembly send bills to the president and not other government offices. He was at the time responding to questions on the clerk sending the four local government bills passed in the National Assembly to the attorney general’s chambers.

Trotman believes that the bills should have been sent directly to President Donald Ramotar. He said if the president wishes to have further legal advice, then the decision should lie with him whether or not to send the bills to the AG. “That is my personal belief,” the Speaker stressed.

The four local government bills are still sitting in the AG’s chambers under review.

Members of the opposition have slammed this move.

Both the Alliance For Change (AFC) and the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) believe that the bills should not

Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman

have been sent to the AG's chambers.

The Speaker, however, noted that it was common practice to send government bills to the chambers to be tidied up, after which they were sent to the president.

Given the situation facing the 10th Parliament, the Speaker said this practice should cease. Trotman also confirmed that the 21-day period stipulated for the president to give his assent only begins when the bills actually reach the president’s desk.

Essential

The four local government bills, essential for the holding of local government elections, were passed in the National Assembly on August 7.

The House approved the Fiscal Transfers Bill; the Municipal and District Councils (Amendment) Bill; the Local Government (Amendment) Bill; and the Local Government Commission Bill. This was after a 12-year period of attempting to reform the process.

Local Government and Regional Development Minister Ganga Persaud piloted all four of the bills and while government supported the pieces of legislation, it attempted to amend at least two.

The diplomatic community has supported calls for local government elections, which were last held in Guyana 19 years ago.

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Court frees teen in Who will win! Eight contestants set to Corentyne vigilante- compete for Miss Guyana Universe title style killing T

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Zaffar Seetaram

teen who was among several men accused of the vigilante-style killing of Alfred Munroe, also called “Guana Man” of Manchester Village, Corentyne, Berbice on April 9, has been set free.

Zaffar Seetaram, 18, of Rose Hall Town, Corentyne, walked out of the Whim Magistrate’s Court on Monday a free man after Magistrate Rabindranath Singh ruled that there was not sufficient evidence linking him to the crime.

On September 23, Attorney Mursaline Bacchus made a no-case

submission on behalf of Seetaram after the prosecution had closed its case.

The magistrate had set September 30 to make a ruling on the submissions by Bacchus.

Seetaram was remanded along with five others for the vigilantestyle killing of Munroe at Bound Yard, Port Mourant, in April.

Meanwhile, Defence Attorney Rabindranath Singh, who is representing four of the defendants, on Monday made a no-case submission to the court, while Bacchus, who is also representing Randolph Samuel, another accused, is expected to make a petition to the court when the preliminary inquiry (PI) continues on October 7.

Those on trial for the death of Munroe are Randolph Samuel, called “Rudy”, 22; Aris Cecil, 21; Richard Griffith, called “Buck Head”, 19; Michael Lewis, called “Mickey”, 31; and Khruhnaraj Jagdeo, 47, all of Rose Hall Town, Corentyne.

he eight contestants of the Miss Guyana Universe pageant received their sponsorship sashes last Saturday evening. The ceremony was held at the Pegasus Hotel pool- side, where the delegates were sashed by representatives of their sponsors.

Delegate number one, Carlea Chappelle, 19, is sponsored by NABI Constructions while delegate number two, Kenwah Cho Quan Yi, 25, is sponsored by Muzik Club in Canada.

Delegate number three Tiffanie Nieuenkirk, 21, is sponsored by Canadian Jason Schwars while delegate number four Shyon Hoppie, 18, is sponsored

by Shalinsky & Co. Rainbow Fashions is the proud sponsor of delegate number five Ayana Whitehead, 18, while Red Earth Crystal Clear Waters is sponsoring delegate number six, Carla Browne, 19.

Meanwhile, delegate number seven, Katherina Roshana, is proudly sponsored by the NEW GPC INC under its Limacol brand and delegate number eight, Alicia

Miss Guyana Universe 2013 contestant Katherina Roshana (right), sponsored by NEW GPC INC, poses for a photo op. after she was sashed Saturday night at the Pegasus poolside, Georgetown. With Roshana is NEW GPC’s Accounts Officer Chorla Stephney

Best, 23, is being taken care by AU Drilling Inc. In an interview with Guyana Times International, Roshana, who is also the reigning Miss Guyana India Worldwide queen, said she is privileged to be sponsored by a household brand such as Limacol.

The vibrant young lady said she will be representing the brand to her best come October 6, and is encouraging Guyanese to go out and

support the pageant.

She noted that the contestants have been working hard in preparation for the final moment.

NEW GPC Marketing Manager Trevor Bassoo said the company is proud to once again be part of the pageant.

New GPC was involved in the Miss India Worldwide 2012 pageant and the delegate it sponsored won.

“We have high hopes and confidence in Miss

Roshana. We strongly believe she will come out victorious in this competition and go on to represent Guyana and Limacol internationally,” he said.

The NEW GPC INC representative noted that Limacol has been associated with coolness and freshness; hence, with the support of Limacol, Roshana will be the “coolest” delegate in the competition and is bound to emerge victorious.

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Credit bureau will play Berbician wins VIP trip to key role in Guyana’s Beyonce New York concert growth – Canadian envoy

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ew Canadian H i g h Commissioner to Guyana Dr Nicole Giles has underscored the importance of access to credit in Guyana and in the Caribbean, for Canada’s continued investment and development in the region. Dr Giles made this comment last Friday at the launch of Credit Info Guyana Inc at the Georgetown Club.

The Bank of Guyana on August 30 officially presented the Icelandic company with its licence to operate in the country, enabling Guyanese to get easier access to financing.

The granting of the licence followed a lengthy selection process that reviewed four other requests from international operators. The aim of the credit bureau is to enable more reliable, competitive and respon-

sible lending, while protecting borrowers’ rights.

The newly-appointed Canadian high commissioner said access to credit was a key component to establishing a more receptive framework for entrepreneurship and private sector investments, which are essential elements for sustainable economic growth.

“Our development initiatives for the region, and by extension Guyana, have been strategically clustered around this overall goal of enhancing sustainable economic growth.

"We believe that a more integrated Caribbean region will be better positioned to compete in the global economy, contributing to the welfare, prosperity and security of its people,” she stated.

Dr

Milestone Giles

disclosed

A section of the gathering at the launch of the Credit Info Guyana Inc at the Georgetown Club Last Friday

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Canada’s High Commissioner to Guyana Dr Nicole Giles

that Canada is working along with the various governments in the Caribbean to enhance their countries’ operations in areas that will see the economies flourishing.

These areas include public finance management; strong leadership in the public service; a strong and more entrepreneurial private sector; a highly trained workforce, with skills that are needed by the Caribbean Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs); strong rule of law, enforced by an efficient and effective judiciary; and disaster risk management.

In addition, she stated that the establishment of the credit bureau has proved to be a significant milestone for the development of Guyana’s financial sector, which will see businesses benefiting immensely.

ryan Persaud, 21, of Lot 16 B Hampshire, Corentyne, Berbice, is the proud winner of an all expenses VIP trip for two to see international singing sensation Beyonce in New York City later this year.

The young man, who sent almost 450 text messages during the sixweek promotion, was in the company of his girlfriend and other relatives during the final drawing at the Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), Mandela Avenue office on Saturday.

It is most obvious that the young man will take his girlfriend on the trip, providing that they both have U. S. visas. The young man told Guyana Times International that as soon as the promotion commenced, he began sending his entries via telephone number 677 5000.

He added that from the initial stage, he was optimistic of winning the competition but declared that he is not a fan of Beyonce. He also con-

Bryan Persaud displays his winning draw

firmed that he is not the holder of a U. S. visa and intends to apply for one as soon as next week.

Persaud also thanked DDL for affording him the opportunity to win the trip and said he hopes to make the best out of it. He encouraged persons to continue drinking Pepsi and realise their dreams.

DDL Executive Sales Manager Larry Wills expressed satisfaction with the participation in the competition.

They received 15,000 entries, after which 15

persons were shortlisted to be a part of the final draw. Out of the 15 persons, eight were from Berbice, one from Essequibo and six from Georgetown and Demerara.

He explained that persons were selected based on the amount of entries they would have submitted during the promotion. He said over the duration of the competition, more than 200 persons would have received various prizes, ranging from Sony earphones to smart watches, among other fabulous giveaways.

Wills said the promotion does not cover for U. S. visas as this will have to be secured by the winners. He said if by any chance the U. S. embassy refuses to offer a visa to the winner, the offer will go to the next person in line in the final three.

Again, he explained if that person cannot secure a visa, it goes to the other contestant. It will be this way until someone becomes eligible.

Guyana has been moving from strength to strength – PM Hinds

IDB promises financial help in energy sector

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he Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has promised to assist Guyana with technical and financial support in an effort to reform the energy sector.

During a meeting in New York last Friday, IDB President Luis Alberto Moreno told President Donald Ramotar that the lending agency will help Guyana modernise its energy matrix and advance its innovative Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) in an effort to maintain debt sustainability, while providing the desired benefits to Guyana’s economy and its people.

Having acknowledged the pressing need to diversify Guyana’s energy matrix in a way that protects its environment, improves energy

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President Donald Ramotar

sustainability, and lowers total energy costs, the two officials agreed to have technical teams from Guyana and the IDB jointly explore alternative ways to upgrade and diversify the country’s energy matrix.

“They discussed the various development challenges facing Guyana as well as the IDB’s long-term com-

IDB President Luis Alberto Moreno

mitment to support Guyana’s national development strategy,” a release from the IDB said.

The release said that Moreno congratulated President Ramotar on the effective management of fiscal policy by the government of Guyana’s economic team following massive debt forgiveness in 2006.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds listening to concerns raised by an Adventure Village resident

rime Minister Samuel Hinds reminded Essequibo residents about the progress made over the two decades of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/ C) government since a return Guyana to democracy in 1992.

Delivering the main address during an outreach over the weekend at Adventure Village, the prime minister outlined the issues faced by government given the changed dispensation in the National Assembly, and called on residents to be prepared to ensure the current gains achieved by the ruling administration were cemented.

The new parliamentary dispensation was attributed in part to some supporters being

over confident, he said.

He promised that the government will continue its mandate to improve the lives of all Guyanese.

He reminded residents of what he described a “bad period”, of shortages, low wages, poor electricity supplies and high inflation which prevailed during the late 70s up to the early 90s.

These were the conditions that the current government met when it gained power, but now, the lives of Guyanese have improved.

“After 21 years in government, we have to think of where we want to go and how we are going to get there.”

The efforts of the former president Bharrat Jagdeo to push transformative projects such as

the Amaila Falls Hydro Power Project were lauded by Prime Minister Hinds, who also said the need for cheap, reliable electric power was recognised by all.

He explained the details of the project, particularly the benefits which would lead to increased production, cheaper manufacturing costs and more jobs.

The Specialty Hospital and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Expansion Projects have been stalled by the actions of the political opposition, but Prime Minister Hinds noted that government has been continuously working to study and pursue ways to make these stalled transformative projects a reality.

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Granger presses for tri-partite budget committee

US$ 32M generator sets arrive in Guyana

we met with him in a tripartite forum, he never really acceded to some of the demands that we were making.” He said the APNU will be ready very soon for budget consultations.

Budget 2014

APNU Chairman David Granger

By Sabatini Daniels

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Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Chairman David Granger said the government must set up a tripartite budget committee if the three political parties in Parliament are to progress on budgetary 2014 talks.

Speaking at his party’s weekly press briefing last Friday, Granger reminded that in December 2011 he had approached President Donald Ramotar about setting up a tripartite budget committee. He said to date, the committee had not been set up, so he was “not optimistic” about budget talks this year.

“I do believe that if we do not get a favourable response to the request that we made, there will be another collision next year when we come to the budget.” When asked if he thinks such comments could be harmful leading up to budget consultations, Granger said

AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan

what could be harmful is the government not setting up the committee, as that was causing the greatest harm to tripartite budgetary collaboration.

Priorities

He noted that his party’s list of priorities will not be much different from last year, adding that this year it will focus more on education.

Some of the direct issues APNU will be looking to address in next year’s budget are: funding for the University of Guyana and greater expenditure for school infrastructure.

He recalled that many of the opposition parties’ demands last year were not met, noting that this was one of the reasons they were forced to make some cuts to the budget. “You will recall even in the midst of the budget talks Mr [Khemraj] Ramjattan from the Alliance For Change (AFC) and I had sent a joint letter to the president and although

AFC leader Ramjattan last week disclosed that the three political parties will soon meet to commence tripartite budget consultations for Budget 2014, since Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh recently indicated his readiness.

He disclosed that a date will be set shortly for the three parties to meet.

According to Ramjattan, his party had asked that consultations commence since July 1, which is the date budget preparations commence for the coming year, but the invitation did not come. “We are not going to make big bones about that… let’s have at least a continuous engagement so that there can be a win/ win scenario.”

The 2013 budget consultations between the three parties ended on a bad note, since they could not reach consensus. As a result, the opposition parties gutted the budget

by Gy$ 31.4 billion from Gy$ 208.8 billion to Gy$ 177.4 billion.

Two major cuts were monies allocated for the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) Expansion Project and the specialty hospital project. At present, the government is seeking to have the cuts restored.

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The Guyana Power and Light's 8.6-megawatt generators at the John Fernandes in Georgetown

rime Minister Samuel Hinds, along with Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Chief Executive Officer Bharat Dindyal, on Friday visited the John Fernandes Wharf to inspect a US$ 32 million, five-component Wartsila generator set which is expected to be installed at the 26-megawatt Vreeden-Hoop power station by next month-end, and become fully operational

by April 2014.

The engines have a capacity of 8.6 megawatts each and will be contributing to the Demerara system, and eventually, Berbice and part of the East Bank Essequibo system, and will be moving from an 80-megawatt capacity to about 106 megawatts.

“There is where the money goes and what the money is required for, and this money in the first instance should come from the electricity bills that people pay over

the period of time,” said Prime Minister Hinds.

Guyana has always had very good experiences with the Wartsila units.

With these new sets, power generation will be up from 5.5 to 8.7 megawatts, using heavy fuel oil; hence, the Amalia Falls Hydro Power Project is seen as critical to the future of the energy sector, the prime minister stated.

“This is why the Amalia project is needed,” Prime Minister Hinds stressed, and with all things taken into account including, fuel, capital investments and oil, the estimate will be about 23 cents per kilowatt per hour.”

GPL is looking to have electricity delivered at Sophia at 12 cents per kilowatt hour, and after 10 years, to about six cents. By then the cost of the Amaila Falls Hydro Power would have been paid off and generation

down to two cents per hour.

Still hoping

He said that government is still hoping that the Amalia project would become a reality. “... I am not accepting that Amalia is not an immediate reality; I am going to go to the people of Guyana and I’m urging that we make it a referendum issue and go to the people of Guyana about it,” he added.

Reiterating that the issue is not a political one, but a question of getting power at a cheaper cost, the prime minister acknowledged that he was caught flatfooted with the opposition’s reluctance to the project because Amalia was identified during the People’s National Congress (PNC) administration in 1976 as one of the best sites to meet Guyana’s energy needs.

This was also reinstated in another assessment in 1982.

NIS expenditures topped Gy$ 11.33B last year – pensioners roll stood at 43,000 in July

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ational Insurance S c h e m e Chairman, Dr Roger Luncheon said contribution revenue for last year stood at Gy$ 11.32 billion, but the scheme paid out Gy$ 11.33 billion in benefits. He made the disclosure in an address at the scheme’s 44th anniversary celebrations.

Luncheon, who is also head of the Presidential Secretariat, said although the spectre of an imminent dire situation is highly exaggerated, the scheme’s financial viability does evoke apprehension among the informed.

According to him as is known, long-term benefits dominate the benefits

profile with more than 43,000 pensioners receiving payments at July 2013.

He said the aging population and longer longevity has impacted significantly on this growth in benefit expenditure, noting that non-coercive methods in enrolling the self-employed has had inconsequential results in population size over the years. At the end of 2012, the active population of the employed contributors numbered 117,219, while the active population of self-employed contributors was only 8791.

The NIS chairman said the self-employed anomaly is evident in the

face of the size of the parallel economy in Guyana.

“Importantly, the contribution rate has seen occasional annual increases in the last decade.”

In the meanwhile, Luncheon said NIS continued to offer a pension indexed to minimum wages in the public service with a wide range of short-term benefits to contributors and pensioners.

According to Luncheon, nationwide public consultations at that time provided ample evidence of concern among stakeholders. He said a general principled approach must include increased revenue collec-

tion and controlled expenditure growth.

In the 2013 national budget, Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh proposed an increase in the contribution rate for both employed and selfemployed to 14 per cent and 12.5 per cent respectively.

The central government absorbed and subsidised that increase for employed contributors whose incomes were less than Gy$ 50,000. The impact of the contribution rate increase did not significantly reverse the deficit, which was also being negatively influenced by the increasing cost of doing business by

the scheme, Dr Luncheon said.

While as stated before, there is little likelihood of a collapse of the scheme in the short to medium term, the current situation is not sustainable.

The interventions are obvious, but consensus among stakeholders and decision makers is of paramount necessity, he asserted.

The NIS chairman noted that in Barbados, a similar situation attracted such consensus on the way forward, under which their scheme rallied without stakeholders’ discord and divisiveness.

NIS Chairman Dr Roger Luncheon

A parallel in Guyana must provide for a longterm solution that revolves around two main thrusts: significant expansion in population of contributors, and increased contribution rates and managed growth in benefit expenditure, particularly pensions.

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Political stalemate in National Assembly scaring away investors – Chamber head

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e o r g e t o w n Chamber of C o m m e r c e and Industry (GCCI) President Clinton Urling said the ongoing political impasse in the National Assembly is significantly affecting the national economy as it is “scaring away investors”. This, he noted could pose a threat to the local business community.

Urling raised these concerns last Friday evening as the GCCI launched its 2013/ 2014 Business Directory Magazine at the Pegasus Hotel.

He said the uncompromising stance that prevails between government and the combined parliamentary opposition does not bode well for international transactions and can hurt the

country’s international ratings.

“I recently met with an ambassador who is not based in Guyana but has responsibility for Guyana, who said to me that his investors… they’re now reconsidering and would be worried whether to invest in Guyana because of the political uncertainty that exists.”

As such, he charged politicians to explore ways in which they can meet a political consensus and called on civil society to support the chamber in its call for agreement by politicians for projects of national interest.

“I want to urge all the parliamentarians to review legislation that was presented in Parliament, review those legislation

Move swiftly

A section of the gathering at the launch of the 2013/2014 Business Directory Magazine at the Pegasus Hotel

on merit and worthiness and also ensure that it meets the threshold with transparency and accountability,” he said.

He added: “Let’s

get on with the business of local government elections… establishing the Integrity Commission… establishing the Ombudsman

Office… establishing the Procurement Commission… [and] passing and legislating the anti-money laundering and terrorism bills.”

He also urged President Donald Ramotar to move swiftly in assenting to the four local government bills which have been passed in the National Assembly.

Urling also voiced concerns regarding what seems to be an upsurge in widespread criminal activity in the country.

Urling said while many are calling for the resignation of Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, he does not believe such a move will turn around the crime situation.

The Guyana Police Force, he pointed out, should be held responsible, since it is responsible to protect the country’s people.

Ramotar, OAS head discuss Burrowes School of Arts hosts electoral observer mission 34th graduation ceremony

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President Donald Ramotar and Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett engage OAS Secretary General José Miguel Insulza in discussion during their meeting

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rganisation of American States (OAS) Secretary General José Miguel Insulza last Thursday met with President Donald Ramotar in New York, within the framework of the 68th United Nations General Assembly.

During the meeting, the two discussed the importance of the electoral observation missions deployed by the organisation, the impact of climate change, trade policies in member states and the progress towards the Millennium Development Goals, among other issues.

Amid the uncertainty as to when local government elections would be held in Guyana, Ramotar’s discussion with the OAS head could be seen as a positive sign of things to come. Earlier this week, the ruling People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/ C) said it had been readying itself for the “impending” poll.

In a statement arising out of its recent Central

Committee’s meeting, the PPP/ C said much emphasis was placed on putting the party into an election mode, especially in view of impending local government elections.

Local government elections were last held in 1994, but the recent passage of a suite of legislation critical to the holding of the elections under a reformed system has given citizens some hope.

However, since its passage in the National Assembly, the bills have been stuck at the attorney general’s office and up to last week, they had not reached the president for his assent.

Junior Local Government Minister Norman Whittaker said last week that the holding of local government elections remains top on the PPP/ C’s agenda. He pointed out that the Municipal and District Council’s Bill, the Fiscal Transfers Bill, the Local Government Commission Bill and the Local Government (Amendment) Bill,

which were passed in the National Assembly, have been sent to the attorney general’s chambers by the clerk of the National Assembly Sherlock Isaacs.

The OAS has been monitoring national elections in Guyana for quite some time now. In its report following the 2011 general and regional elections, the mission notes the significant preparations made by the Guyana Elections Commission ahead of the election to develop procedures and systems that generated a generally inclusive and clean electoral process.

In particular, the mission commended the efforts to carry out the 2008 house-to-house registration of electors and its resulting enhancement of the credibility of the list of electors and electoral process as a whole.

This improvement over past elections comprises a significant step and was validated by the political parties contesting the presidential race.

he Burrowes School of Arts on Friday hosted its 34th graduation ceremony and art exhibition at the Umana Yana, Kingston in Georgetown. The ceremony saw a total of 33 students graduating.

Four students graduated with diplomas in graphics and textile design, while another four graduated with certificates in textile design, leathercraft, and graphics.

Additionally, 10 students also received beginners certificates and 15 graduated from the art programme.

Delivering the feature address at the graduation, Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony congratulated the students on the hard work they have put in, while encouraging them to put their talents to great use.

“We hope that by graduating out of this institution, it will be putting them on a career where they can go out and make beautiful masterpieces and become masters in their own right in the area of art,” the minister said.

He also commended the teachers for the work they have put into developing the skills of the students.

He noted that the school has been contributing to the development of art in Guyana and the Caribbean by extension.

“The school itself has to undergo changes, because, as an institution,

Samples of the students’ work that were displayed

we cannot be static – we have to be dynamic, we have to take into consideration the contribution of the school towards society,” he said.

The minister said his ministry always looks for ways in which it can develop art in Guyana and has even endeavoured to establish schools that cater for those different art forms.

Anthony noted that creative and artistic people are taken for granted in Guyana, so the ministry is looking at establishing courses that will allow them to obtain degree certificates so that they can be respected as professionals.

The culture minister continued that the ministry is using events such as Carifesta and the Inter-Guianas Festival as venues for exposing artistic tal-

ents.

He pointed out that there was much optimism in the art sector; hence much needs to be done to keep it growing. He ended by telling the graduating students that big things are expected from them.

Meanwhile, the External Examiner’s Report was done by Trinidadian Makemba Kunle, who said that he was very much impressed with the work of the students.

He commended the drawings, ceramics and fabric designs; however, he noted that computer graphics was the art form that took centre stage.

He recommended that the school also implement modelling and sculpture as part of the curriculum, while urging the students to use their skills to create beautiful art pieces.

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Fly Jamaica upbeat about Caribbean Airlines, Guyana-New York route Fly Jamaica denied permission for F direct NY flights ly Jamaica officially began its service in Guyana during the early hours of Friday morning, with the inaugural flight comprising members of the media corps and some 120 private passengers to Jamaica then onward to United States of America.

The Boeing 757200ER aircraft, with a seating configuration of 12 business and 186 economy seats, departed the Cheddi Jagan International Airport at 01: 30h and arrived at the Norman Manley International Airport, Jamaica around 05: 00h, with a connecting flight to New York’s John F Kennedy Airport.

The new airline will create more linkages between Guyana and Jamaica and cheaper airfares to New York.

On Friday morning, the inaugural flight arrived to loud cheers at the CJIA, with the airline’s executives, proudly stating that it will soon become Guyana’s number one carrier. The inaugural flight arrived on schedule, and the airline emphasised that its ontime service will separate it from its competitors.

Tourism market

Acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali, who

Passengers getting ready to board the flight

was present at the ceremony, welcomed the new airline by reiterating that Guyana is a versatile tourism market.

Noting that he is happy Fly Jamaica is flying the route, saying “I think tonight is an excellent time for us to understand regional integration.”

Minister Ali added that Guyana has seen 15 per cent of its visitors coming from Jamaica over the past year, and now that Fly Jamaica has entered the market, that percentage will increase tremendously.

Also speaking at the launching ceremony, Fly Jamaica’s Chief Executive Officer, Guyanese pilot Captain Ronald Reece told the gathering that the airline will create the

much-needed air bridge between Guyana and Jamaica.

He said both Guyana and Jamaica have much to offer, and will now be able to work hand in hand via the direct linkage provided by Fly Jamaica.

Captain Reece added that the carrier will work with local officials to ensure increased tourism, especially in the Guyana market, with the full support of the people of Guyana.

Inaugural flight

To mark the inaugural flight, a number of Jamaican artistes, including Wayne Marshall who serves as an ambassador for the airline, arrived on the first flight to Guyana.

The artistes marked the occasion by offer-

ing their best wishes to the airline through song.

Also adding to the unfolding of the grand occasion, members of the media corps were afforded a complimentary return ticket from Guyana to New York. The occasion was also graced by prominent media personnel from Jamaica as well as other top airline officials.

Fly Jamaica will be operating flights from Georgetown to Jamaica, New York and Toronto.

The carrier intends to launch an aggressive marketing strategy focused heavily on the Guyana market.

Presently, Fly Jamaica Airways offers four weekly non-stop flights between Kingston and New York and vice versa.

CJIA expansion attracts int’l interest – Minister Benn

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everal countries have shown an interest in Guyana’s push to develop a new international airport, Public Works Minister Robeson Benn disclosed.

The minister recently led a small delegation to the 38th International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) General Assembly in Montreal, Canada.

Representatives from Nigeria, Indonesia and other African countries quizzed Minister Benn on the opportunities that could be derived from the project. Indepth discussions were also held with Princess Stella Adaeze-Oduah, Nigeria’s aviation minister.

According to Minister Benn, he along with Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCCA) Director Zulfikar Mohamed and Guyana’s Ambassador to Canada Harrinarine Nawbatt networked with countries currently spending millions of dollars to ei-

Public Works Minister Robeson Benn with Nigeria’s Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Adaeze-Oduah at the 38th ICAO General Assembly in Montreal, Canada

ther upgrade or build new airports. “…. countries like Indonesia, Nigeria, Malaysia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, just to name a few,” he divulged.

The summit, which began on September 24, saw the convergence of over 1400 delegates brainstorming and discussing a range of critical global issues, including how countries and operators will cooperatively manage the projected doubling of air transport traffic expect-

ed by 2030.

“Importantly, the delegates endorsed the revision of global safety and air navigation, affordability and sustainability,” Minister Benn added.

Meanwhile, the unilateral taxes on airfares that were enforced by the U. S. and the United Kingdom created some unease among delegates, with St Vincent leading the charge. The taxes imposed, aviation pundits opined, can be attributed to the signifi-

cant airfare into the region and are a deterrent to the tourism industry.

On the environmental front, international aviation is coming under more scrutiny from ICAO and sister agencies on its impact on the environment.

“ICAO has stressed repeatedly that aviation contributes just two per cent of global manmade greenhouse gas emissions each year and that approximately two thirds of this amount, or 1.3 per cent, are due to international flights,” the public works minister explained.

The ICAO is a specialised agency of the United Nations. It codifies the principles and techniques of international air navigation and fosters the planning and development of international air transport to ensure safe and orderly growth. Its headquarters are located in the Quartier International of Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

A

midst objections from the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) and Airlines for America (A4A) the US Department of Transportation (DOT) on Monday denied applications by Caribbean Airlines and Fly Jamaica to have direct flights from Georgetown to New York.

Both Fly Jamaica and CAL had presented letters with their applications saying that they had been granted flag carrier status by the Guyana Government.

According to the ruling, the DOT said that in considering foreign air carrier requests for extra-bilateral authority it weighs various criteria specific to the type of extra-bilateral request, as well as any other factors that are germane to a particular case.

It said that with respect specifically to requests for extra-bilateral seventh-freedom turnaround service, the department has historically viewed such requests as extraordinary and have granted such authority only when the circumstances presented on the record in individual cases show compelling public interest considerations.

It said against that background, it reviewed the applications of CAL and Fly Jamaica and determined that “we cannot make the necessary public interest finding.”

The ruling stated that in this case, the Open-Skies Agreements that are in place both with Jamaica and with Trinidad and Tobago provide rights for licensed carriers of both countries to conduct fifth-freedom services with full traffic rights on all segments. Such rights are currently being exercised by CAL to transport Georgetown-New York traffic on its existing two flights and Fly Jamaica has begun serv-

ing the Georgetown-New York market on a onestop basis via Kingston, Jamaica.

“In light of these existing Georgetown-New York services and the lack of a showing by the applicants on the record that there is a truly demonstrable need for additional GeorgetownNew York services, we are unable to find that the CAL and Fly Jamaica seventh freedom turnaround proposals satisfy our public interest test for the type of extraordinary authority at issue.

We therefore, deny the applications of CAL and Fly Jamaica,” DOT said in its ruling.

Both CAL and Fly Jamaica would have been seeking direct flight permission to corner more of the market here.

The denial to both would leave Guyanese without a direct flight option to New York. The last such option was provided by Delta Airlines which pulled out of Guyana in May this year without fully explaining why. It was felt in some quarters that Delta believed that it was being unfairly competed against.

The denial of the applications will also mean that Guyanese will have to pay relatively high fares between Guyana and New York. The government may also be further pressed to try to attract a branded American carrier here.

Seventh freedom rights are defined as the right or privilege, in respect of scheduled international air services, granted by one State to another State, of transporting traffic between the territory of the granting State and any third State with no requirement to include on such operation any point in the territory of the recipient State, i.e the service need not connect to or be an extension of any service to/from the home State of the carrier.

FEATURE

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“I feel blessed to have won the title” – Newly crowned Amerindian Heritage queen mediately after being crowned with the first ever traditional crown made from the feathers of four species of bird, including the eagle, Andrews expressed her excitement to have won the title, noting that it was achieved through hard work.

All hail the queen! Newly crowned Miss Amerindian Heritage Analisa Andrews of Moraikobai raises her hands in appreciation OF the crowd, minutes after being announced the winner of the pageant (Carl Croker photo)

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bout 01: 45h on Sunday morning, before a sleepy almost packed National Cultural Centre, Miss Region Five Analisa Andrews, 21, of Moraikabai was crowned Miss Amerindian Heritage 2013 after six hours of exhilarating competition. Andrews, an

queen enjoys delicious servings of crispy fried otocuma (tocuma worms), with thin cassava bread and a cool glass of cassiri. She also enjoys making people laugh, and loves a good game of cricket during her spare time.

The beauty believes that youths have an integral role to play in the de-

Felicity Graciela Calistro, 19, of Kabakaburi, Region Two while Miss Region Three, Letitia Sacajawea Daniels copped the Best Talent Prize.

Gail Robeiro, 20, of St Ignatius Village, Region Nine, took the prize for Best Traditional Outfit.

Hard work

Speaking with Guyana

The 10 delegates after the traditional wear segment

aspiring accountant, won the judges’ hearts as she mesmerised them from the beginning of the competition to the end.

She sealed the deal when she answered the question: “The theme for Amerindian Heritage Month is ‘honouring our culture, advancing our future’; what does this mean to you?”

Proud of tradition

In response, she confidently and eloquently said: “Honouring our culture means to me that I should be proud of my tradition, my culture, my history, my ancestors and even though changes are occurring everyday in our lives, for example, technology, I shouldn’t forget where I came from by always preserving my culture, but at the same time advancing the future - meaning to take my education seriously, and move on.”

The newly-crowned

velopment of their respective communities; hence, she chose “Youth leadership in Amerindian communities” as her platform, which she competently advocated for during the competition.

Coming in as first runner-up was Miss Region Three, Letitia Sacajawea Daniels, 19, of SantaAratak in the Kamuni Creek, while the second runner-up spot was captured by Miss Region Seven, Gleary Williams, 21, who hails from Batavia, in the Lower Cuyuni River, Region Seven.

Copping the third runner-up spot was Miss Region Six, Shevon Hyderkhan, 19, of Siparuta, a tiny village, 53 km down the Corentyne River, and rounding off the top five was Miss Region Eight, Vickiola Aaron, 19, of Paramakatoi.

The Miss Congeniality prize went to Danielle

Times International im-

With a painted smiling face, the newlycrowned queen said nothing comes easily, but at the same time she feels blessed to have won the title which will now give her the leverage to work on her public speaking skills.

The title, she added, not only comes with prestige, but hard work, pointing out that her primary focus will be to promote her culture and more importantly, youth leadership development in Amerindian communities.

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PPP/C not afraid to face the voters – President tells Guyanese Diaspora in NY

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President Donald Ramotar, flanked by Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh, among others, while addressing Guyanese in the New York diaspora recently

resident Donald and First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar were given a standing ovation and warm welcome in Richmond Hill, New York by overseas-based Guyanese last Friday at the Fairfield Pavilion.

While in New York, the president also addressed a large gathering of Guyanese in Brooklyn on Thursday evening at the Woodbine Catering Hall.

Accompanying the president were Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh and Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett.

The president told the large gathering in Queens that he wanted to speak with them candidly about affairs in their homeland.

He outlined a number of projects the government has undertaken since the November 2011 general elections and the obstacles being faced by the government because it lacks a majority to pass bills.

He said the party was ready and not afraid to face the voters, either in local government or general elections.

He said he cannot allow the combined opposition to continue to frustrate the government’s initiatives and development programmes.

President Ramotar noted that the government was promoting Guyana as a tourist hub and tourist arrivals were increasing.

Inadequate air link

Many of those present lamented the lack of direct, non-stop flights from New York, which they claim deter them from regularly visiting Guyana. In response, the president noted that Fly Jamaica has started a service and Travel Span will commence operations soon, adding that Jet Blue and other carriers will hopefully start next year. He also said government was re-engaging Delta to get the airline, which pulled out in May, return to Guyana.

He said that to further boost the aviation sector, Guyana needs a modern airport with a longer runway that will allow bigger jets to land. And he believes that with a modern airport, Guyana can be a hub for flights to South America and elsewhere.

The president blamed

the opposition for the failure of the airport expansion project, as well as the Amaila Falls Hydro Project and the Specialty Hospital, adding that it was also against the Marriott Hotel project, which is needed in Guyana. He said he was determined to develop hydroelectric power in Guyana, as it will provide cheaper electricity to Guyanese.

Asked about the failure of the Skeldon Sugar Factory, the president said it was the engineers from Booker Tate who were to be blamed. “The Chinese builders objected to several aspects of the design and construction, but Booker Tate insisted it should be built to their specification,” he explained.

Corruption and crime

Queried about corruption and crime, Ramotar said he does not dispute that corruption exists, as it does everywhere, but said it is difficult to prove it, and no one has come forward as yet with solid evidence. He said there are many problems with the court system and police investigation of crime and corruption.

The president noted that under the People’s National Congress (PNC), there were hardly any Auditor General reports and whenever, they were done, they showed a lack of accountability on the part of the then government.

He said, on the other hand, since 1992, there have been annual Auditor General reports.

The president also noted that there was a tendering process for public works. “All projects are publicly advertised and opened for public bidding. The bids are publicly opened in front of the media,” said the president.

He concluded by thanking Guyanese for coming to listen to him, and appealed for their support to help transform Guyana into a better nation, declaring the government was eager and willing to work with all.

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Trinidadian youths star in international short film T

r i n i d a d i a n film producer Christopher Din Chong was given the opportunity to produce the docudrama ‘The Singapore Promise’, part of an International Inspirational programme.

The British Council, UK Sport and the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) are partners for the programme and it is governed by a charitable organisation.

International Inspiration was conceived as part of the official London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games initiative, as a legacy promise to enrich the lives of 12 million children in 20 countries through sport.

Football superstar David Beckham is one of the programme’s seven ambassadors.

‘The Singapore Promise’ was made possible through collaborations with Din Chong's organisation - The Forward Ever Foundation that was established to develop film and television projects for youths. Some assistance was also received from C.R.E.A.T.E. Strategies, a full service

Rodney Charles, Trinidad and Tobago's Ambassador to the United Nations (right) and Christopher Anthony Din Chong, Film Producer and Chairman of the Forward Ever Foundation

communication company.

The name "The Singapore Promise" refers to the "promise" made by London in Singapore eight years ago to empower and motivate youths through sport.

The docudrama was screened on July 22 at the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to the United Nations in

New York, USA. The Trinidad and Tobago edition of International Inspiration will be hosted by six persons. Five minute story segments will feature one several sporting areas-track and field, swimming, cycling, table tennis, archery, martial arts.

Each participant will host their own section.

Alette Williams, Forward Ever

Foundation’s public relations officer said: "The film is a short inspirational documentary that seeks to inspire young person’s using athletes with stories about challenges and struggles. It was done in collaboration with persons mandated by the British High Commission."

At the screening in New York Din Chong said: "The mission’s staff said that the docudrama touched on issues that are common to and are dealt with in both countries on a daily basis, such as obesity in children." He said that they also wanted to see more positive films about the youth in Trinidad and Tobago.

Melissa Boissiere, Second Secretary Permanent Mission of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to the United Nations said:"It was indeed a most enlightening and educational experience to view the documentary at the Mission. It showcased a valuable initiative aimed at empowering and improving the lives of the next generation of our country’s leaders."

Key figures in the film

Featured in the film is Shaquille Roberts, who was among 20 young leaders selected from across the globe to bear the Olympic torch for the London Games last year (TT Guardian file photo)

are Shaquille Roberts, who was one of 20 persons who took part in the Torch Relay at the London Olympic Games and Anthony Kipps who was selected to run with the Paralympic Torch during the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

Roberts is the cousin of Olympic gold medalist Keshorn Walcott. Kipps is differently-abled with his right foot being shorter than his left.

The film can be viewed via the internet. (Excerpted from TT Express)

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TCCF celebrates 13 years of service to sick Caribbean kids

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From left: TCCF’s treasurer Harry Bridgemohan, president Jay Brijpaul along with Vanita Ganesh, Andrew Hilton and Javier Cedano, all of The BrijTeam making a contribution of $10,000 to TCCF

he Caribbean C h i l d r e n Foundation (TCCF) is currently celebrating 13 years of helping critically ill Caribbean children to get life-saving and lifealtering medical help, and to mark the occasion, a special event was held Saturday at the Empire Banquet Hall in Toronto.

After mixing, mingling and enjoying a very tasty island-hopping style dinner buffet, TCCF’s president Jay Brijpaul, updated the packed banquet hall on the Foundation’s fund-raising activities and gave a brief history of TCCF, from its humble beginnings to its present status of being one of the most successful Caribbean charities,

dedicated to helping the less fortunate children of the region.

Later in the evening, his real estate organization, The Brij Team REMAX west, also presented a check of Cdn$10,000 to TCCF. ‘Jay,’ as he is popularly known, reiterated that all of the funds collected go directly to the charity.

There is no administration fee.

Since TCCF started in 2000, it has helped over 55 children get the care they need. During this time, the organisation has raised and paid out over Cdn$1 million towards the cause.

Although their primary healthcare partner is the Toronto Hospital for Sick Children, in the past, they have worked with a number of hospi-

tals in Toronto, the USA and even Trinidad and Tobago, to get children to the care they require.

While she could not be present, the Premier of Ontario, Kathleen Wynne, extended on behalf of the government of Ontario, warm greetings to everyone who attend the 13th Anniversary Angel Gala.

She took the opportunity too to express thanks to the evening’s generous sponsors and donors and, indicated her admiration for the team of devoted volunteers, who work tirelessly to help critically ill children in the Englishspeaking Caribbean get medical treatment in Canada.

In his address to the gathering, Director of SickKids International

and Interim Director of the International Patient Program Raymond D. King, said SickKids was very enthusiastic about working in collaboration with TCCF for the advancement of children’s health in the Caribbean.

Children from countries such as Trinidad

and Tobago, Guyana, Jamaica, Barbados and Antigua have received specialized treatment in various medical specialties such as general surgery, orthopedics, urology, cardiology, ETN and plastic surgery.

Also addressing the guests were the Honourable Jean Augustine PC, CMFairness Commissioner of Ontario, Denise Herrera-Jackson, CEO of the Festival Management Committee and producer of the Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival and the Annual Gala to which TCCF is the beneficiary of this year’s fundraising. They both expressed their pride in being associated with TCCF and pledged their continued support for the selfless organization.

In her presentation, vice president of TCCF

Jankie Dolaram, who is also the hospital liaison, thanked all supporters of the charity and conveyed the gratitude of the recipients, who have been helped over the years. Additionally, the Consuls General from Guyana, St Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago were present.

After the formalities, the guests were treated to a spectacular performance of flamenco dancing staged by the Compania Carmen Romero with a live show that included dance, cantes, and flamenco guitarists. The rest of the evening included the presentations of various certificates of appreciation, door prizes and raffle. The evening ended early in the morning with the guests dancing to music by DJ Arjune and D.A.G.

TCCF’s vice president Jankie Dolaram, president Jay Brijpaul and K Persaud of MCPD making a generous donation to TCCF

Guyanese movie ‘Brown Sugar too Bitter For Me’ mesmerises Toronto principal actors Shivraj and Olarte, transported them in time and place to a sugar plantation in Guyana.

The stellar performance of Shivraj as ‘Ram’, the maudlin cane cutter and his optimistic wife ‘Leela’, played

by Olarte, held the audience mesmerized, as they took them on an unbelievable emotional

journey.

The audience laughed, cried, and reflected, as they watched this remarkable film of sacrifice, devotion, and suffering.

The movie was such a revealing and awesome experience that a member of the audience, perhaps filled with nostalgic memories of life on a sugar plantation, re-

torted that “the movie touched my soul”.

‘Brown Sugar too Bitter For Me’ presents storytelling at its finest and was complimented by the music of Terry Gajraj, Anant Hansraj, Nadeer Bacchus, and Princess Anisa. For the West Indian diaspora, this movie bridges the past with the future and will never be forgotten.

Promoter Vashti Doorga, Meena Nandalall, lead actor and director Mahadeo Shivraj and popular bhajan/ghazal singer Bash Nandalall at the Canadian premiere of ‘Brown Sugar too Bitter For Me’ Sunday evening.

O

n Sunday evening, the people of Toronto were treated to an amazing cinematic experience as the Guyanese movie ‘Brown Sugar too Bitter For Me’ held its premiere performance in Canada at The AMC Theater on Interchange way.

D o o r g a

Entertainment, headed

by Vashtie Doorga, presented the movie to viewers, who were spellbound by the presentation. The theater was decorated with sugar cane stalks set to the theme of a sugar plantation on which the movie was based.

In attendance were lead actor and produc-

er/director Mahadeo Shivraj, Executive producer George Subhraj, lead actress Radhika Olarte, and writer and creator of the ‘Brown Sugar too Bitter For Me’, Somnauth Narine.

The movie theater was packed to capacity and the audience were held entranced, as the

Lead actress Radhika Olarte, producer George Subhraj and writer/creator Somnauth Narine. (Photos contributed)

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great! It's a dream come true and I was praying for something like this to happen and that God would send help from somewhere."

Treasurer of the Amy Jacques club Michael Innerarity was equally moved.

"I am really glad with the work that is being done.

This will definitely motivate more members of the community to come out and support our club," he said. "This initiative by the visitors from Canada will go a long way, and definitely, by next week, we will see an influx of persons to our club meetings."

Innerarity added that the centre has been of great benefit to the community and that Sunday’s upgrading will go a long way in ensuring that the work continues.

"Once we are able to engage more people in the community, especially our young people, we will be able to mould their communication and their social skills and that is one of our main goals," he said.

Speaking on behalf of the crew, sub-lieutenant Stephen Boudreau said he was very excited about working in the island and getting the opportunity to experience the Jamaican culture, which is world renowned.

"It's something to definitely experience first-hand and we are happy to lend a helping hand in any way we can. So, when we heard we had an opportunity to

I

Members of the Jamaica Defence Force work alongside sailors from the Royal Canadian Navy to help paint the computer centre and Internet café. (Jamaica Observer photos)

t was a joyous occasion for residents of Jacques Road in Mountain View, Kingston, Jamaica, Sunday, when members of the Royal Canadian Navy docked.

The Canadian sailors, part of the crew of HMCS Preserve, which docked in the Kingston Harbour on the weekend, renovated the Jacques Road Homework Centre as well as a computer centre and Internet café.

The work included painting, installation of windows, doors and bookshelves and electrical wiring at the computer centre.

High Commissioner of Canada to Jamaica Robert Ready, who was instrumental in getting the project done, said it was a very good initiative for Canada and the Canadian Navy to be involved with.

"When our vessels make a stop in port, our crew likes to have a community service project and so, when we heard about this, we worked to identify this project," said the high commissioner. Ready was a part of the work team, which also included volunteers from Youth Opportunities Unlimited, the Jamaica Defence Force and Cuso International, a non-profit development organisation.

He added: "I think it's a great project for the community. It's a community that is obviously proud of itself and this centre has the focus of the community and is about the future of the kids and is providing them with a space to do their lessons and to get on to

President of Jacques Road Parenting Committee and director of Amy Jacques Youth Club AnnMarie Lynch (right) shares a light moment with volunteers from Cuso International.

computers and to become more technologically literate."

Meanwhile, the executive members of the community organisation were elated with the intervention of the Canadians.

"I can't explain how I feel," said Ann Marie Lynch, president of the Jacques Road Parenting Committee and director of the Amy Jacques Youth Club. "I feel

come and to share some of our expertise we were happy to do so," he said.

"Plus," he added, "I wouldn't get to experience this part of Jamaica on my own as a tourist, so it's really a fascinating thing to see how things are, and my mom is a Jamaican so it's really exciting to come here."

(Jamaica Observer)

Guyana represented on World Scout Bureau

S

cout Association of Guyana (SAG) Chief Commissioner Zaida Joaquin was last Friday elected as a member of the InterAmerican Scout Committee (ISC) of the World Scout Bureau, Inter-American region.

Joaquin was Guyana’s first female chief commissioner and now the first SAG member to be elected to the World Scout Bureau.

The Inter-American Scout Region is composed of all the national scout associations that are recognised by the world organisation of the scout

movement located in North America, South America, Central America and the Caribbean.

The ISC is the body that manages and administers the Inter-American Scout Organisation on the basis of objectives, policies and action lines established by the conference. Its purpose is to approve the regional plan; act as an advisory body of the World Scout Committee in matters relating to the Inter-American region; encourage, promote and support the global, regional and sub-regional events carried out in the region; and act on

behalf of the Inter-American Scout Conference, among its sessions.

The committee is composed of 10 elected members in a way that no more than one member of the same national scout organisation is allowed. These members exercise their function on a voluntary manner, for six years, renewing five of them at the conference when it meets every three years.

Joaquin joined the SAG in 1994 as an assistant cub scout leader. She has served as the group scout leader for St Margaret’s Scout Group.

She also served the SAG

as national treasurer, district commissioner, international commissioner, and national training commissioner.

Currently, she holds the position of chief commissioner and is president of the Caribbean Steering Committee. She has participated in various InterAmerican and World Scout conferences and in the World Scout Jamboree 2007.

She has participated in eight Caribbean scout conferences, Caribbean cuborees and jamborees, representing Guyana and the region honourably.

SAG Chief Commissioner Zaida Joaquin

Caribbean News

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Caricom, Spain to cooperate IMF Board clears way for on US$1.1 million citizen Jamaica’s second drawdown security programme of US$19.97 million

Director of the AECID’s Department for Cooperation with Latin America and the Caribbean, Rafael Garranzo García

T

he Caribbean C o m m u n i t y (Caricom) and Spain will collaborate on a citizen security project that will focus on youth and gender issues. The Caricom-Spain Citizen Security Project was signed off on September 25, during discussions between representatives of the Caricom Secretariat and the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation for Development (AECID), to formalise approvals for new regional interventions for the 20132014 period.

The US$1.1 million total investment of the Caricom-Spain Joint Fund in the activities approved for the 2013-2014 cooperation programme will consist of both cash and in-kind contributions of the parties to the joint fund.

The interventions under the project focus on support for the prevention and reduction of

youth on youth violence in schools and communities in five Caricom member states, and support for the implementation of youth entrepreneurship training through the Creative for Employment and Business Opportunity (CEBO) Programme in 10 Caricom member states.

These interventions will be implemented in large part by the Caricom Secretariat and will entail collaboration with national public and private sectors, civil society partners and other stakeholders.

Last Wednesday’s discussions served as a follow up to the second meeting of the Joint Technical Committee to the Joint Fund, which was hosted on September 11 at the embassy of Spain, in Port- of-Spain Trinidad.

There, Spanish high-level officials, led by Rafael Garranzo

Garcia, director of the AECID’s Department for Cooperation with Latin America and the Caribbean (DCALC) in Madrid, and the ambassador of Spain accredited to Caricom, Joaquin de Aristegui, met with senior officials of the Caricom Secretariat.

The Joint Technical Committee, which is established by the addendum to the agreement on Scientific and Technical Cooperation between Caricom and the Kingdom of Spain, is charged with proposing and approving the implementation of regional development programmes and projects, monitoring those programmes and projects, and overseeing the operations of the joint fund.

The second meeting of the Joint Technical Committee also reviewed the progress of current institutional strengthening and economic development projects, and agreed on the systems and resources required for effective management and operations of the joint fund for the current period.

Despite the grave economic and financial crises, which the country has been battling in recent times, the government of Spain has continued to provide important technical and financial assistance for development in the region, a sign of commitment to its engagement with the member states and peoples of Caricom. (Guyana Times)

De Coteau not ready to quit TT politics

D

espite a major health scare last week which left him hospitalised for three days, Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Gender, Youth and Child Development, Clifton De Coteau is not ready to quit politics.

“Now you really want me to dead,” De Coteau told TT media Monday during an interview at his home in Gajadhar Lands, Princes Town.

“I know I have to take it lightly, but while I am at home recuperating, I am still going to try my best to serve my constituents. There is work to be done, you know.”

De Coteau is confident that he will recover fully, and was happy that medical tests done last Wednesday found that there was “no acute

A jovial Minister of Gender Affairs, Clifton De Coteau at his home in Princes Town after he fell ill last week. (TT Newsday photo)

inter-cranial haemorrhage” Preliminary reports had suggested that he had suffered bleeding on the brain De Coteau, who is also the Member of Parliament for Moruga/ Tableland, is now at home recuperating after being discharged on Sunday from the SurgiMed Medical

Centre, San Fernando, where he had been warded since last Wednesday, after falling ill at home.

He was recently appointed to the gender, youth and child development ministry after having served in the ministry of national diversity and social integration.

(Excerpted from TT Newsday)

J

amaica has passed the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) first quarterly review, thereby qualifying for a second drawdown of US$19.97 million under the four-year Extended Fund Facility (EFF).

The IMF’s Executive Board approved the review on September 30, thus paving the way for the receipt of support from other multilateral development partners, including the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) and World Bank, towards the end of this year.

Jamaica’s Finance and Planning Minister Dr Peter Phillips made the disclosure Tuesday in a statement to the House of Representatives.

He said the IMF staff in their report to the board on Jamaica’s economic performance, acknowledged the government of Jamaica’s “financial discipline” and “steadfast implementation of the initial reforms.”

“Despite major challenges, the government of Jamaica comfortably met all the quantitative conditions for the first review and the structural benchmarks as well as

Jamaica’s Finance Minister Dr Peter Phillips (Jamaica Gleaner file photo)

the associated indicative commitments (which) were implemented in a timely manner,” the minister said.

The overall performance followed the country’s successful completion of its own programme targets in March, and follows the implementation of stringent prior actions earlier in the year.

The minister informed that the major challenges in the first quarter of the programme, April to June, stemmed from a weaker than anticipated global and domestic economic environment.

Notwithstanding, the IMF staff in its appraisal concluded that “overall policy implementation

under the programme has been strong and structural reforms are progressing.” Of note, the primary balance and tax revenue targets were attained. At the same time, the Jamaican government was able to meet its programmed commitments with respect to social protection expenditure.

Jamaica’s creditable economic performance was also underscored by the recent upgrade

by Standard and Poor’s, which noted that the Jamaican economy has stabilised and expressed their expectation that the country’s ambitious fiscal targets for this year will be met.

“The government of Jamaica remains fully committed to the specific targets set out in the April 2013 Memorandum of Economic and Financial Policies (MEFP). We look forward to receiving the IMF team in November for the second review.

After the IMF Executive Board gives the necessary approval to the review, the administration intends to lay a similar Ministry Paper in this honourable House,” the minister assured.

(Excerpted from JIS)

‘Highway 2000 could still boost Jamaica’s economy' - NROCC head

J

amaica’s National Road Operating and Constructing Company (NROCC) says Highway 2000 has the potential to add three per cent to the country's GDP in the long term.

That is, of course, dependent on how it can support tourism and manufacturing, and whether Jamaica can position itself as the world's fourth logistics hub.

“The projects are part of a comprehensive plan, which includes the redevelopment of the nation's main arterial roads, and the rehabilitation of the secondary and tertiary road network,” said Ivan Anderson, Managing Director, NROCC. “The plan also includes the completion of the remaining phases of Highway 2000 that will connect the island intricately to the major economic points in order to facilitate the effective movement of goods and services for trade.”

To date, government has completed the Mandela to May Pen and the Portmore legs of the Toll Road, as well as the North Coast Highway

from Negril to Port Antonio, which serves to connect the resort towns along the north coast.

And, the highway to link the country's north and south coasts, including the Mount Rosser bypass, is currently being built.

Speaking to members of the Jamaican Diaspora at the 10th JN Outlook for the Future fora, organised by the Jamaica National Building Society, held in New York and Toronto earlier this month, Anderson explained that the development of the north-south segment of Highway 2000 from Spanish Town to Ocho Rios should cost approximately US$601 million (Ja$61.3 billion).

"The government of Jamaica will provide no loan guarantees, revenue or traffic guarantees, neither will the government provide loans or equity in the project," he said. "The developer will finance the completion of Mount Rosser as part of the concession; and they will refund NROCC for its expenditure of US$120 million (Ja$12.2

billion) to date."

He stated that the north-south segment of the highway will not only allow for connectivity between the north tourism development and the south coast, but provide opportunities for further tourist development along the alignment.

"In addition to the highway, NROCC will also provide five square kilometres of land owned by the government along the alignment to provide for further commercial, hotel and residential development to be undertaken by the developer," said Anderson, who believes that, as a result, there are opportunities for residential development in prime areas, such as Moneague and Golden Grove in St Ann and Ewarton, Spanish Town and Caymanas in St Catherine; as well as agricultural development in places such as Worthy Park, also in St Catherine.

"It's not wealth that developed our roads but roads that developed our wealth," the NROCC managing director added. (Jamaica Observer)

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fun time

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This week's Crossword

J k es

Handy Italian Big Lorenzo, an Italian fella, is bragging to his friends about his sons: "I'ma so prouda my oldest son. He maka fifty thousand dollar evra year. Hesa Engineer!"

"I even more prouda ma second son. He maka five hundred thousand dollar a year. Hesa Doctor!"

"But, I'ma da proudest a ma youngest son. He maka Five million dollar a year. Hesa Sports Mechanic!"

Paolo, his friend asks: "What's a Sports Mechanic?"

Lorenzo replies: "Wella, he can fixa everytin. He fixa da horseraces, he fixa da boxin matcha...�

Three fat raccoons Sounds of crashing and banging in the middle of the night sent a woman and her husband out to our garage. There they spotted three raccoons eating out of the cat dish. They shooed them away and went back to bed.

Later that week they were driving home and the wife noticed three fat raccoons ambling down the road. "Do you think those are the same ones we chased off?" she asked.

"Hard to tell," said her husband. "They were wearing masks."

This week's Puzzle

Wrong boots Did you hear about the teacher who was helping one of her kindergarten students put his boots on?

He asked for help and she could see why. With her pulling and him pushing, the boots still didn't want to go on. When the second boot was on, she had worked up a sweat. She almost whimpered when the little boy said, "Teacher, they're on the wrong feet."

She looked, and sure enough, they were. It wasn't any easier pulling the boots off than it was putting them on. She managed to keep her cool as together they worked to get the boots back on - this time on the right feet.

He then announced, "These aren't my boots."

She bit her tongue rather than get right in his face and scream, "Why didn't you say so?" like she wanted to do. Once again she struggled to help him pull the illfitting boots off.

He then said, "They're my brother's boots. My Mom made me wear them."

She didn't know if she should laugh or cry. She than mustered up the grace to wrestle the boots onto his feet again.

She said, "Now, where are your mittens?"

He said, "I stuffed them in the toes of my boots..."

Guardian angel A man was walking in the street when he heard a voice: "Stop! Stand still! If you take one more step, a brick will fall down on your head and kill you." The man stopped and a big brick fell right in front of him.

The man was astonished. He went on, and after awhile he was going to cross the road. Once again the voice shouted: "Stop! Stand still! If you take one more step a car will run over you and you will die." The man did as he was instructed, and a car came careening around the corner, barely missing him.

"Where are you?" the man asked. "Who are you?"

"I am your guardian angel," the voice answered.

"Oh yeah?" the man asked. "So where the heck were you when I got married?"

Higher power A Sunday school teacher said to her children, "We have been learning how powerful kings and queens were in Bible times. But, there is a higher power. Can anybody tell me what it is?"

One child blurted out, "Aces!"

see solution on page 46

Women talk more A husband looking through the paper came upon a study that said women use more words than men.

It read, "Men use about 15,000 words per day, but women use 30,000."

Excited to prove to his wife that he had been right all along when he accused her of talking too much, he showed her the study results.

The wife thought for a while, then finally she said to her husband, "It's because we have to repeat everything we say."

The husband said "What?"

caribbean News

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Barbados to intensify fight against human trafficking

B

arbados will continue to intensify training for police and immigration officers, as well as co-ordinate a public awareness campaign aimed at educating members of the public on matters related to human trafficking, in its fight against such a crime.

This was the information delivered by Attorney General and Minister of Home Affairs Adriel Brathwaite, as he addressed the opening ceremony of the 34th Annual Crime Stoppers International Conference, which was held at the Hilton Hotel Monday.

Noting the country’s efforts to fight human trafficking to date, the AG revealed that over the past two years, the government of Barbados has responded to threats of transnational crime, with the enactment of legislation and policy guidelines to eliminate such illegal activities. He noted that an example of the work being done was evident when earlier this year, law enforcement officials arrested and

charged several persons who were engaged in human trafficking.

Stressing, however, that there is some concern that Barbados continues to be placed on Tier 2 of the Watch List in the Trafficking in Persons Report published annually by the US State Department, Brathwaite suggested that one of the reasons for this, is that the Transnational Organised Crime Act does not include trafficking at the domestic level.

“Due to the small size of Barbados, it must be acknowledged that the opportunities for moving persons within the country in an organised fashion are extremely limited and therefore, the movement or trafficking of persons as distinct from the exploitation of persons must be recognised,” the AG stated.

“Therefore, the provisions of the Transnational Organised Crime (Prevention and Control) Act, 2011 are on preventing transnational human trafficking. In any event, there are other pieces of legislation under which one can be

charged, if there is domestic trafficking, for example, the Offences against the Person Act,” he further explained.

“I believe Barbados’ retention on the Tier 2 Watch List has much to do with a one size fits all approach by the US authorities and a misunderstanding of our legislative process and domestic laws,” Brathwaite asserted.

Expressing full confidence in the island’s law enforcement agencies to vigorously investigate all cases of human trafficking and to bring the perpetrators to justice, the AG suggested that the establishment of a Sex Crime and Trafficking Unit by the Royal Barbados Police Force in March of this year, will aid in eradicating this type of criminal activity from the country. It is also anticipated that the launch of a public awareness campaign will bring increased awareness of the problem, which will result in more persons reporting suspected cases of human trafficking to authorities. (Barbados Advocate)

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Health feature

week ending october 6, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

“When You Gotta Go, Go!”

By Tisha Boston

H

olding waste material can have adverse effects on your urinary system. There is a reason it’s called waste; your body doesn’t have any use for it and thus, it’s important that it be removed as soon as possible.

Your urinary system consists of two kidneys, two ureters, the bladder, two sphincter muscles, and the urethra.

They all work together to create, store, and carry urine from the body.

Waste products that are left behind in the blood are extracted by the kidneys to form urine.

Your kidneys release the urine as soon as it’s produced through the ureters to your bladder.

Ureters are about 8 to 10 inches long and they empty small amounts of urine into the bladder every 10 to 15 seconds. Your bladder then stores that urine until your brain signals the sphincters (bladder muscles) to relax and allow the urine to exit your bladder through the urethra. This is the way your urinary system normally works. A healthy bladder can hold up to 16 ounces of urine i.e., 2 cups, for 2 to 5 hours. Your bladder functions like a balloon; it expands when it is full and gets smaller when it is empty.

The amount of urine a person gets rid of each day depends on the amount of fluid and food he or she consumes, the

amount of fluid lost through sweat and breathing, and certain types of medications.

When you constantly hold your urine you risk damaging your sphincters muscles, which can lead to incontinence. Incontinence is the unwanted leakage of urine which results when sphincters, responsible for keeping urine from leaking, lose their strength.

In addition, the decreased strength of these bladder muscles puts you at a higher risk of getting a urinary tract infection (UTI) because they can no longer tighten enough to empty your bladder completely. Urination is a way to flush out bacteria and if allowed to accumulate, you are more than likely to develop a UTI. Studies have shown that women are more at risk of developing a UTI because of the unsanitary conditions of most public restrooms that forces them to hold their urine. In relation to men, holding your urine for a long time can cause the urine to track backward up the tube that carries sperm.

This can lead to inflammation right behind the testicles.

Of course there are other causes for problems with the urinary system such as aging, illness or injury, but these are involuntary. Regularly delaying urination is something you are more in control of. Hence, the bottom line is “when you gotta go, go.”

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Partners in Unity encourages women to recognise their empowering values

F

ounded by a group of women, Partners in Unity seeks opportunities to improve the lives of the vulnerable while at the same time empowering themselves.

The organisation was formed in November 2008 by the contestants of the Miss Guyana Renaissance Pageant 2008. In an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, public relations officer, Patricia Helwig, a contestant in the 2008 pageant who was first runner-up, said that the group of women decided to form a non-profit organisation because they “saw the need to empower other women and bring self-worth to those who did not believe in themselves or had low self-esteem.”

She recalled, “We became like sisters and formed a bond and decided the pageant shouldn’t be the end of our relationship. We decided to form this group in 2008.

We formalized it and the Partners in Unity was born. Our focus was to empower women. We

Alpha Children's Home regularly receives supplies from the organisation

found that many women suffer from low selfesteem; even the contestants who entered the pageant didn’t have much confidence in themselves.

Knowing this, we decided it was apt to form this group.”

The PRO stated that the initial objective of the organisation was to help women feel better about themselves, not just as homemakers or

“baby bearers”. They met every third Sunday on a monthly basis for games nights, cooking classes and craft making, among other activities.

Eventually, men were added to the group.

Helwig added that as the group grew the women realised inviting men would make the organisation more effective and so their motto is, ‘Empowering Persons-

Both Men and Women’.

There are currently 15 active group members.

“We then decided that we wanted to give back to society and so partnered with Alpha Children’s Home in Berbice to donate items during August holidays for the children and for the holidays in December. We have helped Alpha in the form of books, clothing, food stuff and toys at

Christmas. We also plan a Christmas concert, among other festivities, for the kids there,” she disclosed.

Moreover, the group has also partnered with the Ivy’s Home for Elderly Women located on Camp Street, where members pamper the women at the home.

Partners in Unity has also donated fans for the home and has provid-

ed delicious meals on a number of occasions.

Recently, a timely donation in the form of cleaning agents and toiletries was made to the Ruimveldt Children’s Home, located in East La Penitence. The charity group is grateful for the assistance received from Pastor Wade Ridley of the Restoration of Life Ministries.

“We are very thankful and will continue to provide services to the needy where necessary.

Giving back has helped us women, and men, to really build our confidence as we play a vital role in giving back to society. We are moved by the children’s stories, some have made us cry, and that is why we are ever more fervent in our endeavours to continue our work. We also invite those who are passionate about helping to partner with us in unity in order to give back to our society,” Helwig declared.

Women and men, interested in joining this organisation can call 227-0646, 645-7758 or 621-0769 for more information.

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Feature

week ending october 6, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyanese Asha Blake: reaching new heights in U.S. media field F ive-time Emmy award winner US-based Guyanese Asha Blake is a former network anchor turned digital media mogul and media consultant to celebrities.

Born in 1961 in Guyana, Blake is the daughter of an education specialist and a teacher. She was raised in Toronto and later in Minnesota, where she received a bachelor’s degree from the University Of Minnesota School Of Journalism.

Blake is a televi-

Asha Blake

sion correspondent for America Now News, former network anchor for ABC/NBC, a producer, CEO of Goldenheart Media, event host, speaker, and a mother.

She has served as a solo anchor for national network news programs, hosted syndicated daytime programming, and co-hosted a national talk show for NBC and ABC.

Jackson, Rosa Parks, Al Gore, as well as celebrities such as Jay Leno, Jude Law and Denzel Washington.

Blake has hosted two nationally syndicated shows: “Smart Gardening” on PBS and “Life Moments”, the nationally syndicated daytime women’s reality program that celebrated great and unbelievable moments in the lives of every kind of women. She has also been actively involved with many charity organizations, including serving as a celebrity ambassador for UNICEF, volunteering for Make a Wish, and supporting Race for a Cure and Meals on Wheels.

Following the 9/11 Attacks, she created and launched a public service website providing a free planning guide to help organize pertinent

In the audio booth for America Now News which airs on Fox network

Over the course of a successful 20-year career in television journalism, Blake conducted thousands of live interviews, covered numerous highprofile court cases, and served as a medical reporter earlier in her career.

She co-hosted the NBC national news program “Later Today” and ABC’s “World News Now”, “World News this Morning”, and “Good Morning America Sunday”, in addition to reporting for ABC’s “World News Tonight with Peter Jennings.”

Her coverage of breaking world events has put her in front of a number of world leaders, including Desmond Tutu, Bill Clinton, Jesse

personal information in the event of an emergency.

In 2010, Blake launched her media company, Goldenheart Media. Headquartered in her hometown of Los Angeles, California, Goldenheart Media is a multimedia powerhouse company specializing in media relations, branding, corporate communications, and messaging and entertainment program development.

Blake is married to former Minnesota Vikings linebacker Mark Dusbabek and has a daughter, Sasha.

Visit www.goldenheartmedia.com for more information on Blake’s work. (Source: guyanesegirlsrock.com)

Arts & Culture

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I

nspired by his rich Amerindian heritage, Victor Captain has proven to be a promising artist who has created celebrated pieces showcasing his colourful culture.

Born Sept. 14, 1991, in the Makushi village of Surama, North Rupununi, Victor attended the primary school in his village and would later participate in the Iwokrama Wildlife Festival in 2001.

He discovered a love of painting and pursued this with the encouragement of Makushi artist and art teacher Anil Roberts. He later met venerable Guyanese artist George Simon at the Bina Hill Institute at Annai in 2009 and Simon’s brother, also an outstanding Guyanese artist, Oswald Hussein in 2010.

"Sun God" (2012)

Victor was privileged to work with Hussein on the design and carving of details of a large totem pole installed at Surama in 2012. He was also supported with paints and canvas by George Simon in February 2012.

His art speaks of myths; and beliefs entwined with the natural world abound in depictions of animal life and village pastimes. Victor’s “Banjo Man”, a Makushi-named tiny river fish, is monumentally depicted by the artist.

His “Monkey Brush” is another nicknamed story about plant and animal life, describing a forest vine whose buds sprout curving tendrils which monkeys pick and scratch themselves with; with splits in the buds or pods also bearing flowers that spin off in the wind.

“Full Moon” shows Makonaima

"Monkey Brush" (2013)

Victor Captain (right) with artists George Simon (left) and Oswald Hussein

watching over his people; his quara (the Makushi word for horse) is painted in undulating, curving lines echoed

"Quara (Horse)" (2013

by an aura of similar pattern; the macaws in “Cacique Crown” provide the feathers for this crown.

“Sun God” tells the story of the chief who could only procreate with his wife in darkness, sending his men to seek some hours of night from the Sun God, who guarded it in the form of an egg, giving it to them with the warning that any harm of their cargo would lose them control of the night.

The egg being dropped and causing twelve hours of darkness every night, the chief’s wife was happy to pick flowers during the day, using their colours to create the animals and birds of the forest.

The artist is currently exhibiting his paintings, along with work done

by Simon and Hussein, at Castellani House, Vlissengen Road. The exhibition, “Silent Witness”, opened September 12 and continues until October 12. (Text by curator Elfrieda Bissember)

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fashion

week ending october 6, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

T

he elegantly redesigned Courtyard and grand tenting of Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Plaza in New York came alive for the launch of “Toast of Brooklyn- A Wine and Food Festival 2013” where collections by Guyanese designers were the evening’s highlight.

Serenaded by the Jeff King Band, guests and celebrities enjoyed an evening of wines and spirits from around the world, and indulged in a delightful fashion display featuring pieces by Guyana Fashion Week 2013 designers Sonia Noel, Gem Fraser and Myrna Patterson.

“Although I could not be there in person, I was very proud GFW was on show in NY at this prestigious event, and the organizers already indicate we are on for next year,” Sonia Noel declared in an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine.

For more on the designs featured this week and tickets for GFW 2013, call 226-3099.

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week ending october 6, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

"C

hange begins with me. I cannot change the world but if each one can reach one, our society will be a caring and peaceful one.” This is the sentiment that guides the lives of a group of energetic young people at the Roadside Baptist Church

of a Woman” because he wanted people to become more aware of abuse and at the same time showcase his talent.

“I had always wanted to be an advocate on social issues. I also wanted to be a part of the fight against violence of all forms. For the past

cally use this technique to help peers develop skills to transition from negative to positive behaviour.

Discussions focus on healthy relationships, developing self-esteem, avoiding substance abuse and managing anger.

These take place in a for-

Interactive group discussions on HIV and violence

Skills Training Centre."

With a goal to improve the quality of life of people of all ethnic groups and religious backgrounds in their community, the youth arm of the centre assiduously work to accomplish this.

One of the approaches Roadside Baptist has

months, I was involved in workshops and training programmes on the prevention of gender-based and other forms of violence, and I’m happy that I managed to grasp some additional knowledge.

With the knowledge gained, I plan to pass it on to others through my music,” he revealed.

Peer educators discussing pertinent issues affecting youths

found to be effective in fighting against genderbased violence and HIV/ AIDS is through peer education by adults and youths. They meet in small groups to have a more personal interaction with persons affected by gender-based violence and HIV/AIDS. In collaboration with USAID/CSDS and the Governance Enhancement Projects, Roadside Baptist selected youths from secondary schools, religious and sports groups across Region Six, and from within the community, to be trained as peer educators in HIV/AIDS and gender-based violence prevention.

Talented Steve Verasa, one of the avid peer educators, shares information through songs in order to reach youths.

Speaking with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, Steve said he was motivated to pen his composition “Struggles

Steve is one of many youths who are passionate about their humanitarian work in saving lives and encouraging youths like themselves to be role models in society.

Roadside found that the age range of 13 to 24 is a crucial period because this is when young people are experimenting and trying to live up to expectations of others, especially their peers.

Peer education, it believes, is also vital because it focuses on saving future generations from the scourge that continues to disintegrate the family unit. Additionally, the peer education component of the organisation encourages abstinence, faithfulness, and HIV testing. It promotes positive living through awareness and "godly fear".

Knowing that people, youths in particular, usually relate to their own age groups, the centre’s peer educators strategi-

mal and informal environment. Formal environments are used based upon invitations by a member of a small group/ organisation. Peer educators, mostly youths, present information through the performing arts, videos, leaflets and brochures. An integral part of their voluntary work is counselling, support, referrals and other services.

Recently, a few of them were of great encouragement to a youth who was hospitalized and had practically given up on life. Their presence at his bedside at the hospital comforted the ailing youth. Follow-up visits and counseling also helped him to continue with his studies and to better face his challenges.

Another instance where the peer educa-

tors were able to help was with a teenager who was suicidal due to many challenges she faced.

With the intervention of the peer educators, she has renewed strength and is now equipped to face these challenges.

Peer education, for

this group of young people, has been a rewarding opportunity to develop leadership skills, gain the respect and confidence of their peers, and improve their own knowledge and skills. The recognition that they gained as role models in society is the

catalyst that helps them to strive daily to live responsibly and to reach out to their peers.

For more information about this group visit Peer Educators, Counsellors on Facebook or www.peereducounselor.webs.com

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K

enzena Romao, though visually impaired for almost 13 years, has never allowed her disability to dampen her spirit.

“I have a passion for teaching,” she revealed in an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine. “I have been teaching for almost 40 years now. I used to teach at commercial schools.

Throughout my teaching career, I have met students who were slow learners, and I was able to help them be successful academically. I credit my grandmother who was very instrumental in instilling in me a love for teaching, and helped me both academically and spiritually.”

For 13 years, Kenzena’s programme, Amazing Grace Mission, has focused on school dropouts and slow learners. A subsidiary of the mission is the New Foundation Initiative, a non-governmental organisation that offers remedial courses for youths and adults. The organisation’s literacy programme includes craft, reading, mathematics

and other subjects.

Kenzena recalled that her mission started as a small Sunday school group at her home and grew into a flourishing organisation, with classes being held at the New Scientific Church on Hadfield Street, Georgetown for the past three years.

“My technique is to separate them into groups, assessing their abilities because each individual is different.

I first want to see how much they know, so I would give them a book to read to determine that. We focus mainly on reading because without this you cannot understand anything else.

Then we move on to writing. That’s why we keep our numbers to a minimum, just over 20 students, to conduct one-onone sessions with them.

This is also more manageable for us,” she noted.

Kenzena’s mission is to integrate school dropouts back into the school system.

She teaches them the alphabet – which they also have to recite backwards – and

Kenzena showcases one of the craft pieces done by her group

challenges them with spelling and math problems. After they have successfully completed the 6-month programme, they are enrolled at St Barnabas Special School.

“These techniques

have been effective because I have personally learnt and developed these over the years of my teaching career. Unfortunately, due to my illness I am not able to do as much as

I use to do, but I don’t allow it to discourage me. For those students who have moved on to St Barnabas, we keep in contact with them to track their progress,” she disclosed.

With regard to the funding of her programmes, the humanitarian said she does not “waste time” running around seeking sponsorship, and so whatever little she has she invests in her students.

She was tired of being pushed around, and decided to just focus on her programme.

“Everything is funded by myself and other members. I’m not going to waste time running behind people to sponsor, and I don’t have to wait on that to help these ones. Back in my days there were some, like my grandmother, who would gather the community children to teach them. They didn’t need sponsorship to do it, and it’s the same thing I’m doing. Also, in my days, the church played an important part in educating children, whether spiritually or academi-

cally. If this continues our society will be a different place,” Kenzena maintained.

She said it has so far been a rewarding life and she is not tired yet.

She believes her calling is a God-given one, and feels very blessed to be able to help others at such an old age. She also noted that her efforts have kept her active – physically and mentally.

“I used to cry a lot when I got ill,” she confessed, “because I couldn’t do as much as I used to, but with encouragement from the children and others, I was able to keep going. I also learnt a lot from teaching these children and it has kept me alive.

And so my encouragement is to never allow a disability to get you down. Rather, use it as a driving force to improve yourself and help others. Pray and have faith. I urge children to read as much as they can, and urge parents to encourage their children to read more. We live by our motto, ‘Read more, learn more, be literate’,” Kenzena declared.

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feature

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G

uyana is a nation that has a colourful history and is home to several cultures.

For this reason, the richness and diversity of our past, it is critical to preserve our heritage. The relevant organisation, The National Trust of Guyana, is a government enterprise whose mandate propels its commit-

which we celebrate and promote education, we wish to consider one of Guyana’s oldest educational institutions, Queen’s College, which, not only has profound standards, but a rich cultural history.

Opened originally as a school for boys, it was called the Queen’s College Grammar School

Older section of the school showing classrooms

ment to the preservation and conservation of historic buildings and sites in Guyana. Therefore we aim to enlighten the public about various events, aspects, symbols, landmarks and structures which has moulded our rich and diverse heritage.

As we close the month of September in

for Boys.

Founded in 1844 by Reverend William Percy Austin, D.D., Bishop of British Guiana, its first assembly consisted of a mere fifteen boys. While Reverend Austin was of an Anglican background, he sought to establish the school with a tolerance for, and interest in, attracting non

– Anglicans. However, due to its associated origin, the school’s first administration consisted only of members of the Church of England.

It was located at the Old Colony House in 1844 - the compound that now houses the Guyana High Courts, previously known as the Victoria Law Courts.

The school moved in 1845 to Main and Quamina (then Murray) streets, with a student body of seventy. Again in 1854 it was relocated to its first formal building at Carmichael and Quamina streets, currently home to Bishops’ High School. Later in 1876 its administration was transferred to the state making it a "colonial institution" and thus given the name "Queen's College".

Before settling at its current location in Thomas Lands, at Camp and Thomas roads, it had also occupied the site at which the Ministry of Health is now housed, on Vlissengen Road and Brickdam.

At the Thomas Lands site, the building was officially opened in 1951, maintaining high standards throughout the years, later to be converted to a co-educational institution in the 1970s.

Unfortunately, fire struck on November 16, 1997, where what was considered the heart of the building, was lost.

The new construction that replaced the section destroyed by fire

This section included the auditorium, staff room, badminton court, table tennis lounge, bicycle shed and canteen.

However, it was not long before arrangements were made to relocate students to ensure their educational instruction. And later, plans moved apace

our historic past, and is merely one which has been partly lost to fire.

Many others are daily being vandalised and over time demolished, and others lost to fires as well. Georgetown, a predominantly wooden city, is one which cannot afford to lose its heritage.

destroyed or damaged due to lack of knowledge or ignorance.

The National Trust of Guyana, which undertakes to promote and safeguard the nation’s heritage, wishes to remind citizens that preservation is a task which requires the cooperation of all Guyanese as our

Queen’s College, Georgetown, Aerial view. Main building is 800 feet long.

to reconstruct the portion lost in the fire. This project was completed and later dedicated on September 19, 2003.

Queen’s College, like many other buildings bears testimony to

Preserving our heritage through pictures

While monuments or structures form part of our heritage, other intangible elements are part of the fabric of our heritage also. This too needs to be maintained; the institution of the school is one such element since this point at which knowledge is imparted, an appreciation and understanding develops. The institution of the school is therefore a pivotal link in the preservation of our heritage, which is otherwise

heritage is conserved for the enjoyment of all.

We urge all Guyanese to embrace Queen’s College’s motto, ‘Fideles ubique utiles’ – “Loyal and useful everywhere”, and encourage the community to take an active role in ensuring the long term survival of Guyana’s patrimony by exercising care and respect at all times when visiting monuments and heritage sites.

(By Bhavanna Gossai, National Trust, 2010)

CROSSWORD SOLUTION

City Hall, British Guiana Circa 1900s

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The Shaping of Guyanese Literature

2012 Guyana Prize for Literature Part I

By Petamber Persaud

T

he 2012 Guyana Prize for Literature (awarded September 2013) in a way fulfils an A. J. Seymour prophecy made more than

sions, relationships and displacement.” Prof Jane Bryce, chairman of the panel of judges, added that “Collected Fictions” “displays a variety of techniques and approaches, some of which were better than others – first person memoirs, satire, humour, bathos,

man of the panel observed, is “a well-written collection where the quality of individual poems varies quite significantly. The task the poet had set himself of writing simply...is in fact a challenge. At its best the simplicity is rare and striking; the tone is

credence – this is one of our own; living within the very space we inhabit, and this is now he/she sees it.

Chaitram Singh, the overseas- based Guyanese, won in the Best First Book of Fiction category with his novel, “The Flour

of prizewinning books as part of the award package.

Until then, I will attempt to reproduce (with the author’s permission) samples of the prizewinning manuscripts and books.

Responses to this au-

able at Guyenterprise Ltd, at Austin’s bookstore and from the editor at the above contacts. This issue of the magazine is dedicated to E. R. Braithwaite.

The magazine also features articles on copyright, law of intellectual property, creative indus-

Left to right: Al Creighton, Secretary of the Guyana Prize for Literature; Chairman of the panel of judges, Professor Jane Bryce; President Donald Ramotar; Professor Jacob Opadeyi, Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana; prize winners: Ruel Johnson, Ian Mc Donald, Cassia Alphonso, Mosa Mathifa Telford and Chaitram Singh.

four decades ago when Seymour, writing on Guyanese Literature, concluded that the eventual winner in the whole affair will always be Guyana, the country.

There are many more layers of meaning to what took place at the recent awarding of the Prize but the focus here will be on the fact that four of the five winners were locally-based Guyanese writers.

Following are the four winners: • Ruel Johnson won the Best Book of Fiction award with his book, “Collected Fictions” • Cassia Alphonso (“Black Cake Mix”) and Ian McDonald (“The Comfort of All Things”) shared the award in the category of Best Book of Poetry.

• Mosa Telford won in the category of drama for her play “Sauda”.

Significantly, “Collected Fictions” was published locally, as was “The Comfort of All Things”. “Collected Fictions” was published by its author, while “The Comfort of All Things” was published by Moray House Trust. The other collection of poems, “Black Cake Mix”, was submitted as a manuscript, and so was Telford’s play “Sauda”.

The winning entries were described as follows: “Collected Fictions” is “a semi-autobiographical collection of short fiction that addresses racial and political ten-

pathos and allegory and an experiment of transcription from technological media.

The collection treats familiar themes such as racial and political tension, relationships and displacement, the effects of emigration with the originality of expression and the consciousness of the writing process… it makes good use of interiority , point of view and good use of linguistic registrar.”

“Black Cake Mix” is a “collection of evocative poems with a wellrealized Creole voice.”

Bryce noted that “the judges acknowledged the distinctive voice and vision that stood out in this year’s submission.

Alphonso’s poetic range includes dramatic monologues, dialogues and first person narratives which form a device in which she clarifies an imaginative world. She tackles big subjects from an original but also acceptable perspective, using words carefully to create rhythm and flow and with an eye on social history. She is concerned about language and the representation of power which means she seeks to allow things to be themselves. She does not use language to contain, reduce or to claim power over others. Alphonso’s poems are real - tangible and material and sensuously enjoyable.”

“The Comfort of All Things” is “an elegiac musings by a mature poet on aging and mortality.” “The Comfort of All Things”, the chair-

truly moving and reflective. The dominant tone is both meditative and joyful. Overall the collection achieves the clarity and timelessness that comes from having put things in a lifelong perspective.”

“Sauda” is “a morality tale about the need for understanding and forgiveness between mothers and daughters, and the difficulties of escaping from a legacy of selfcontempt.” Bryce pointed out that “Sauda” is centred on “a thought provoking subject of a girl who grows up in fear after her mother continually rejects her because of the darkness of her skin; as a result she falls into prostitution. The dramaturgy is strong – the dialogue, characterization, pace and timing all worked, and the way women’s secrets are revealed in the course of the action as suspense and emotional depth…the issues she deals with: women’s sexuality, teenage pregnancy, ingrained racism and prostitution, are contemporary. Despite this, it is a very good attempt to dramatise and portray the hypocrisy of social standards.”

From these observations we are able to see how the locally-based writers have treated issues affecting our society. The focus of the overseas-based writer was also Guyana – writing from afar; and nothing is wrong with writing from a distance, but the writings from within sort of bear more

Convoy”.

What a pity it is difficult to get hold of these books. Now is the time for The Guyana Prize for Literature to add the publication of winning manuscripts and reprint

thor telephone (592) 2260065 or email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com What’s happening: • The Guyana Annual 2012-2013 magazine is now avail-

tries, oral traditions of Guyana, the future of West Indian cricket and the future of books.

• Coming soon: “An Introduction to Guyanese Literature” by Petamber Persaud.

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Abhishek says he never whistled at Aishwarya while wooing her

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ctor Abhishek Bachchan has admitted that his wife Aishwarya Rai is a beautiful woman.

However, he said that he had nev-

er whistled at her, but courted her through his gestures, emotions, and words.

"I am used to people whistling at my wife...see my wife then you will know why I am saying this. I have never whistled at her to woo her...I don't think it's the right thing to do. I courted her through my gesture, emotions and words," said Abhishek.

Interjecting, Aishwarya said: "This is why I am married to him."

Abhishek, who has been married to Aishwarya for seven years now, said she is a wonderful cook and she makes good deserts.

"She cooks really well...in fact she makes good deserts. When we were newly-married, there is a Bengali custom where the girl has to make some sweet and she prepared halwa, which was too good. (TOI)

‘Comedy is fun, not easy’ - Soha Ali Khan

‘My father is my superhero’ - Hrithik Roshan

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ctor Hrithik Roshan, who will be seen as a superhero in his filmmaker father's movie ‘Krrish 3’, says his dad is his superhero.

Hrithik also credited his father with popularising the superhero genre in Bollywood with the ‘Krrish’ franchise, which started with ‘Koi Mil Gaya’.

“I am thankful to my dad. If he didn't exist, there would have been no superhero genre in Indian cinema. He has broken all the barriers and has made it possible. This is because of the power of his conviction. For me, my father is my superhero,” ‛Hrithik told reporters at the launch of ‘Krrish 3’ merchandise.

‘Live-in relationship is for the commitment-phobic’ – Sonam

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ctress Soha Ali Khan, who has been part of intense and dark films in the past, will now be seen in a comedy film ‘War Chhod Na Yaar’. She said comedy is fun, but it's not easy.

"I always thought films I have done are intense and in many of my films either my husband or my boyfriend dies.

I think it's really hard to cry on screen.

I thought of doing a film in which I won't be required to cry.

"I thought it will be easy, but it isn't so. Comedy is fun, but it's not too easy.

Comedy all depends on the comic timing and this you can't learn from anybody. It should come naturally," Soha told IANS. Directed by Faraz Haider 'War

S

Chhod Na Yaar' also features Sharman Joshi and Jaaved Jaaferi. The film is slated for an Oct 11 release. (TOI)

Asked if his own sons looked up to him as their superhero, Hrithik said: "I always hope that they see me as superhero. Being a father is the biggest chance and opportunity to be a superhero in your life." (TOI)

onam Kapoor recently spoke with Indian media about superpowers, spending romantic evenings in Paris and becoming a fashion icon, instead of a bespectacled librarian. The following is an excerpt of that interview: If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

I'd like to have the power to eradicate corruption from our country. I think as an individual, it affects me in more ways than one.

Did you ever imagine that you would become this fashion icon?

Not even in my wildest dream. I was pretty sure that I would end up as a librarian in a university wearing thick glasses; surrounded by loads and loads of books. I'm sure people from my school are still in a state of shock!

What is the most romantic thing a guy has ever done for you?

Well, there was this guy who really had a thing for me. He followed me till Paris! I was travelling at that point and he jumped countries just to get my attention. I think when people really have affections for you, they persist. Later on, we spent a rather romantic evening together. It became quite special. I will never forget it.

Live-in relationships or marriage?

Marriage. I think live-in relations are for people who are not sure, and to an extent commitment phobic. (TOI)

Cancer has an answer, says Manisha Koirala ‘I can never compete with the Khans’ - Ranbir

I

n a joint effort to raise awareness about cancer, Bollywood actress Manisha Koirala and cricketer Yuvraj Singh recently pepped up millions of people affected with the ailment, asserting "if we can, you can".

Rejecting the notion "cancer has no answer", both Koirala and Singh valiantly fought and overcame the life-

threatening disease.

The Bollywood actress and the aggressive left-handed batsman spoke about the traumatic moment when they came to know of their affliction, followed by agonising and tough treatment process, but finally-the victory over cancer.

Koirala, who dislikes the term "cancer survivor" as it sounds "meek", called herself a "cancer crusader".

"A crusader has the attitude, which gives you strength, because that is what you need when you are fighting a disease, which may be cancer or some other thing. There is a stigma that cancer means death. No, it is not so. I know lot of people who got cancer, got treatment and are fine. Let us crusade against any kind of challenges," said the actress. (TOI)

H

appy to experiment with his roles, actor Ranbir Kapoor said he could never be in the same league as the three superstar Khans of the industry-Shah Rukh, Salman and Aamir-as they are the "true superstars".

"I can never compete with the Khans (Shah Rukh, Salman, Aamir)... they are the true superstars," said Ranbir, who was in the city to promote his movie ‘Besharam.’

‘Besharam’, which also features Ranbir's actor parents Rishi and Neetu Kapoor, is directed by Abhinav Kashyap. It shows Ranbir in a new light - a "flamboyant", "loud" and street smart character.

Suniel Shetty gets training from professional shooter

Veena Malik to get bolder for a psycho thriller

V

eena Malik is all set to do a psychological spine chiller, 'Cottage No. 9'.

Director Navin Batra said that, "The plot revolves around a married couple whose relationship gets affected due to one of them suffering from a split personality. Whether it is the husband or the wife with the disorder, (this) will be revealed only in the film."

This is the director's second outing with Veena.

He added that, "Unlike other actresses—who wear hot pants and minis in real life, but turn 'Savitris' before the camera—Veena has no hang ups.

The film has quite a few bold scenes

and since I have worked with her earlier, I know the comfort level she shares with the camera."

The director is yet to zero in on the male lead. (TOI)

"It is a very 'besharam' role...uninhibited role. I took a risk with the role.

As an actor, it is my responsibility to do every genre. I am excited, anxious and nervous," said Ranbir, who will start shooting for Anurag Kashyap's ‘Jagga Jasoos’ next month. (TOI)

A

ctor Suniel Shetty recently visited the shooting range at Mumbai to get training from Delhi based shooter Prithipal Singh

Bedi for the upcoming Bollywood movie ‘Desi Kattey’.

Prithipal, who flew to Mumbai to coach the actor said, "It was great experience training Sunielji. Experience with Sunielji was really good as he himself is a sportsman and was very keen to know about my credentials and about shooting sport. He is a keen learner and he said shooting is like meditation, which is very true. He also wants to set up a small range at his place so he can actively get into the sport. In a day’s training, I made him know about the safety, basics of the shooting sports. Initially he was a bit nervous, but after firing few shots he became confident and went on and on."

Shetty spent almost an hour at the shooting range. (TOI)

Hollywood

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Katie Holmes hires Pamela Anderson to participate in NYC marathon confidence coach to move on

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to raise funds for charity.

The 46-year-old has decided to run the 26-mile road race on November 3 to support her actor friend Sean Penn, reported femalefirst.co.uk.

She hopes to raise $500,000 for Penn's non-profit organisation J/P Haitian Relief Organisation that is dedicated to saving lives and bringing sustainable programmes to the Haitian people following the devastating earthquake of 2010.

Anderson took to Twitter to share the news.

"I'm running the New York Marathon this year and raising funds for the J/P Haitian Relief Organisation," she tweeted.

Among the other celebrities planning to complete the run are supermodel Christy Turlington and reality TV star Bill Rancic. (TOI)

A

The Oscar-winning actor, who regularly commands multi-million dollar pay days for his movies, said money doesn't matter much to him, reported Contactmusic.

"My attitude to money? On a 1980 TV series called 'Bosom Buddies' I made USD 5,000 a week. If I had made that kind of money for the rest of my life I would have been happy, honestly.

But I have been getting ludicrous sums of money for quite some time.

"The best part is not owing money to anyone. Money, though, has never been my driving force. You can live in the biggest and best house in the world, but it can be shit if you are unhappy," he said.

The 57-year-old screen legend has earned critical acclaim for movies such as ‘Forrest Gump’, but he admitted that he isn't worried when one of his films flops because it keeps him grounded. (TOI)

ormer ‘Baywatch’ actress Pamela Anderson will compete at the New York City Marathon

K

atie Holmes, who is struggling to get on with her life after her split form hubby Tom Cruise, has sought professional help in a bid to move on.

The 33-year-old actress has been given sole custody of the couple's sixyear-old daughter, Suri, in the divorce settlement.

A source told Britain's Grazia magazine after splitting from Cruise, Holmes is keen to find her own voice, Radar Online reported.

So she has sought professional help and has employed a confidence coach, who she's been seeing once a week to help her regain who she once was, the source said.

Although Katie has no regrets about the split, insiders said that she is struggling to sleep because she has a lot on her mind at the moment.

The source added that the glow and radiance that defined Holmes postsplit seem to have evaporated.

It's like she's struggling to regain her own identity while balancing work, motherhood and keeping Suri grounded, the source indicated. (TOI)

Tom Hanks doesn't care about money Sean Penn warns Robert Pattinson

ctor Tom Hanks isn't driven by big paydays and would be just as happy earning small salaries like he did in his early career.

Natalie Portman says motherhood tougher than acting

N

atalie Portman has confessed that being a mum to her son, Aleph, is much more hard work than any movie role.

The 'Black Swan' actress told Elle magazine that she has respect for all mothers of the world as they work harder than anybody else, the Mirror reported.

The 32-year-old actress said that she loves being a mother.

She added that she was under the impression that mothers don't work at all.

However, she asserted that she doesn't want a day off from being a mother to her son. (TOI)

Sandra Bullock vows to quit acting for son

S

andra Bullock, who adopted baby Louis in 2010, has revealed that she will quit acting if her

work begins to negatively impact on her young son.

The Oscar-winning star told Vogue magazine that she doesn't want her son to have pressures brought on by what she does, so if she sees whatever she is doing is affecting him negatively, she will pack up and move to Alaska, Contactmusic reported.

Bullock also revealed that recent false speculation suggesting she was dating her married security guard Peter Weireter has also made her question her future in Hollywood.

(TOI)

not to hurt daughter Dylan

S

ean Penn has warned Robert Pattinson about dating his daughter Dylan.

The 53-year old American actor re-

portedly had a sit-down with the 27year old English actor to talk about his budding romance with his 22-year-old daughter, as he fears that the 'Twilight' star was on the rebound, Metro.co.uk reported.

According to The Sun, sources revealed that Sean had a chat with Pattinson "about not getting too heavy with his daughter if he's playing the field, as he doesn't want to see her hurt".

The couple was spotted kissing and cozying up recently, after the 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire' star broke up with Kristen Stewart earlier this year because he was unable to get over her fling with married director Rupert Sanders last July. (TOI)

Why Oprah Winfrey will never marry long-time partner Stedman

O

prah Winfrey has revealed that she will never, ever marry her long-time partner Stedman and would leave earth as a "never-married" woman.

Winfrey, who attended Tina Turner's wedding with German music producer Erwin Bach back in July, said that such a union is just not for her, News.com.au reported.

The talk show queen told Access Hollywood that she thought about hooking up with her beau at Turner's wedding, but then realised that things would not be really different after marriage.

Oprah admitted that if she and Stedman had got married, they proba-

bly wouldn't have lasted.

She said that she doesn't feel capable of handling responsibilities, which come with the word 'wife'.

The 59-year-old added that although Stedman is a traditional man, they have a very untraditional relationship. (TOI)

Pitt buys expensive necklace for Jolie

W

hile Angelina Jolie and the kids were in Australia scouting locations for her movie ‘Unbroken’, Brad Pitt was in Telluride, US, and Toronto in Canada for film festivals, to promote his film ‘12 Years a Slave’, and then he went to England to work on action-drama ‘Fury’, reported showbizspy.com.

They reunited in Hong Kong last weekend and Jolie brought their twins, Knox and Vivienne, to spend time with their father.

The couple then decided to go shopping where Pitt dropped about $300,000 on a diamond necklace for

Jolie plus three watches. (TOI)

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Massiah steps down as USA captain S

teve Massiah has stepped down as USA captain after seven years in the role for his adopted country.

Massiah, 34, made his debut for USA in 2000 after moving from his native Guyana and led USA since the start of the 2006 ICC Americas Division One tournament in Canada following the departure of Richard Staple when USA finished 10th at the 2005 ICC Trophy in Ireland.

“In recent months, I have found myself thinking that it was time for a change at the top, for a new voice to lead our team,” Massiah said in a USACA press release. “I have been honoured and humbled to serve as national captain. At this time I extend my most sincere gratitude and thanks to the selection committee, coaches, administration and teammates for their continued support and trust through the years. I feel that now is the time for someone else to take up the reins and for me to focus on doing the very best that I can to perform in [the World Twenty20 Qualifier].”

Massiah compiled a

matches for USA, the ton against Cayman Islands would be his only one as captain in an official match. He produced steady contributions, with 1575 runs at an average of 40.38 as captain in 50- over cricket for USA, a shade higher than his career 50-over average for USA of 38.34.

Massiah’s best tournament as captain came in 2010 at ICC World Cricket League Division Five in Nepal where he scored four half-centuries in six matches and was the tournament’s leading scorer as USA gained

promotion into Division Four, which they won in Italy later that year.

His other successes include an undefeated championship run in Florida at the 2008 ICC Americas Division One tournament and leading USA to the inaugural ICC Americas Division One Twenty20 championship in Bermuda in 2010 where they defeated Canada in the final by five wickets.

However, there were also some demoralizing losses in his tenure.

As part of USA’s suspension by the ICC in

2007, they were dropped from Division Three to Division Five of the World Cricket League.

When the suspension was lifted, USA entered Division Five in 2008 as one of the favourites and cruised through the group stage undefeated only to suffer a shock upset by 84 runs in the semi-final at the hands of Jersey.

Afghanistan defeated Nepal in the other semi final and beat Jersey in the final to begin their meteoric rise through Associate and Affiliate cricket. (Cricinfo)

DCB launches Over-40 T20 tournament Steve Massiah

33-17 record with four no results while leading USA in 50-over matches and had an 8-6 record as USA’s Twenty20 captain from 2010-2011.

His tenure was marked by a series of peaks and valleys with USA posting impressive victories against higherclass opposition, including wins over Scotland at the 2010 World Twenty20 Qualifier and Canada in the final of

the 2010 ICC Americas Division One Twenty20 championship, balanced out by costly stumbles at crucial moments in World Cup qualification tournaments.

His highest score as a USA player came in his first match as captain, scoring 136 not out in a 106-run win over Cayman Islands in 2006.

Despite scoring several centuries in pretournament warm-up

President of the DCB and proprietor of Raj Singh Insurance Brokers Raj Singh (second left) hands over the sponsorship cheque to DCB administrator Melinda Bishundyal. East Bank Demerara cricket coordinator Deonarayan Debidial (right) and DCB Marketing Manager Ray Persaud display the winner and runner-up trophies

T

he Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) last Thursday launched their inaugural Over-40 T20 competition for sub-association affiliate teams.

Eight teams from across Demerara will be vying for top honors. The format will see two teams from each area (Georgetown, East Bank Demerara, East Coast Demerara and West

Bank Demerara) playing each other once in the preliminary round, scheduled to bowl off on October 25.

The launch was held at the Georgetown Cricket Club pavilion by president of the DCB Raj Singh.

Matches will be played every Friday at 13: 00h for eight weeks and to make the games more interesting, each

player, except the wicketkeeper, is required to bowl two overs.

Meanwhile, it is intended that a strong Demerara team would be selected at the end of the tournament to oppose their counterparts from the other two counties at a later stage.

The tournament will be sponsored by Raj Singh Insurance Brokers and Trophy Stall.

Four Guyanese in WI lawyers cricket squad

F

our Guyanese lawyers were selected to represent the West Indies lawyers cricket team at the upcoming Lawyers’ Cricket World Cup in New Delhi, India, from October 12- 22.

Attorneys Charles Ramson Jr, Timothy Jonas, Sanjeev Datadin and Tejnarine Ramroop are the lawyers from Guyana.

The tournament will see lawyers from India, England, Sri Lanka, Australia and Pakistan competing against their West Indian counterparts.

Eight teams will play in the tournament with each team playing six

Charles Ramson Jr

Sanjeev Datadin

40-over matches. The two top teams from the round robin format will meet in the final, scheduled for October 22.

This will be the fourth lawyers cricket World Cup after tournaments were held

in Hyderabad, India in 2008, Cambridge, England in 2009 and Barbados in 2011.

India are the defending champions, having defeated Sri Lanka A in the final of the last tournament in Barbados.

SPort

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Ageday remains unbeaten in Mackeson Fight Night c/ships

T

he inaugural Mackeson Fight Night continued on Saturday night at the National Cultural Centre tarmac with Marvin Ageday scoring a controversial split decision win over William Hendricks.

Ageday won two of the three rounds even though Hendricks knocked him down in the final round to come

away with the win in the middleweight division, increasing his record to two wins following his win against Kevin Rodney in Linden two weeks ago.

A win on Sunday night can see him topping the division as the open-air event wraps up in Berbice this weekend.

Rodney left the division wide open after he defeated Trevon King, who

had beaten Hendricks by a unanimous decision.

The feature bout between Ageday and Hendricks sparked heated discussions among fight fans. Hendricks did more work in the two last rounds even though he was tattooed with some clean combinations from Ageday.

Seemingly an even contest after two rounds, Hendricks went on the

Marvin Ageday in blue trunks connects with an uppercut against William Hendricks

offensive to gain the advantage.

Then a hard shot connected from Hendricks that put Ageday on the canvas.

In the middleweight division after two cards, Ageday remains unbeaten while King and Rodney have a win and a loss each. Hendricks is yet to record a win ahead of one remaining card in

William Hendricks connects to the mid-section of Marvin Ageday

the Ancient County.

Ron Smith defeated Clifton Graham in the welterweight division while Bert Braithwaite kept his unbeaten record intact with a unanimous decision against Aquincy Harvey in the junior welterweight division.

He is on a collision course with Kurt Kendall, who lost a

unanimous decision to Kelon King.

In the lightweight division, Stephan Gouveia knocked out Kevin Ting-A-Kee. Gouveia is unbeaten in the category while Clairmont Gibson, who outlasted Ting-A-Kee last week, lost a split decision to Anandram Dharamraj.

Gouveia beat Dharamraj last week.

Amateur boxers did Guyana proud in Peru – Ninvalle

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resident of the Guyana Boxing Association, Steve Ninvalle, said he is heartened by the achievements of the four boxers who represented Guyana at the inaugural South American Youth Games in Lima, Peru.

Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, Ninvalle disclosed that the boxers were excellent ambassadors, adding that amateur boxing is on good ground.

“We are elated with what our boxers did in Peru. They have been excellent ambassadors for Guyana,” Ninvalle said.

Junior flyweight Tefon Greene, flyweight Michael April, bantamweight Joel Williamson and welterweight Travis

President of the Guyana Boxing Association Steve Ninvalle (second right) and Technical Director Terrence Poole (right) strike a pose with Guyana’s South American Youth Games medalists; standing second from left: Travis Fraser, Joel Williamson, Tefon Greene and Michael April, with coach Wincell Thomas at extreme left

Fraser were the boxers.

Fraser, who lost to Ruis Sanche of Ecuador in the 69kg final, heads the list with a silver medal. Fraser’s teammates, Greene (49kg), April (52kg) and Williamson

(56kg), copped bronze medals to ensure a 100% medal record for the four boxers.

Meanwhile, Ninvalle said with a collective effort by all, boxing can move to the next level.

He said there are many good boxers, but the government and the business community need to come forward and assist the sport more.

Ninvalle noted that from the GBA’ stand-

point, amateur boxers will be encamped every weekend, with the view to further develop their trade.

The experienced Wincel Thomas who headed the five-member

contingent said in his opinion the team did exceedingly well, but could have done better. He singled out Green’s performance as outstanding while the others definitely gave a good account of themselves.

Guyana was represented by a multi-discipline sport team of 22 members that competed in athletics, badminton, boxing, cycling, swimming, table-tennis and weightlifting.

Guyana gained nine medals overall.

Argentina, Aruba, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Ecuador, Panama, Paraguay, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela and hosts, Peru, participated at the Games.

Farah, Bolt in running for 2013 World Athlete-of-the-Year award

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ritain’s Mo Farah has been shortlisted for the 2013 World Athlete of the Year award, the International Association of Athletics Federations has announced. Farah, 30, became only the second man in history to complete an Olympic and world “double- double” in the distance events in August.

Usain Bolt is also on a 10-strong list after three golds at the World Championships in Moscow.

Triple world champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is the favourite for the women’s award.

As well as completing a 5,000m and 10,000m double at the World Championships in Moscow, Farah also set a new British and European 1500m record in Monaco.

Bolt, 27, won the 100m, 200m and 4x100m titles to become the most successful athlete in World Championships history with a career total of eight gold medals.

Kenyan Wilson Kipsang, who broke the marathon world record by 15 seconds as he claimed the Berlin title last Sunday, is also on the shortlist.

Jamaica’s Fraser-Pryce

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce

dominated in Moscow winning gold in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay.

The women’s list also in-

cludes Ethiopia’s Meseret Defar, who added world 5,000m gold to her Olympic title, and Valerie Adams of New Zealand, who claimed her fourth world title in the women’s shot put.

Three male and three female finalists will be announced by the IAAF following an email poll among members of the “World Athletics Family”, with the winners revealed at the 2013 World Athletics Gala on 16 November.

Men’s shortlist: Mohammed Aman (Ethiopa), Usain Bolt (Jamaica), Bohdan

Bondarenko (Ukraine), Ashton Eaton (USA), Mo Farah (GB), Robert Harting (Germany), Wilson Kipsang (Kenya), Aleksandr Menkov (Russia), LaShawn Merritt (USA), Teddy Tamgho (France).

Women’s shortlist: Valerie Adams (New Zealand), Abeba Aregawi (Sweden), Meseret Defar (Ethiopa), Tirunesh Dibaba (Ethiopa), ShellyAnn Fraser-Pryce (Jamaica), Zuzana Hejnova (Czech Republic), Caterine Ibarguen (Colombia), Sandra Perkovic (Croatia), Brianna Rollins (USA), Svetlana Shkolina (Russia). (BBC Sport)

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Explosive Mumbai thrash Perth, knock out Otago

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umbai Indians boast of some of the biggest hitters in T20 cricket in their line up and they fired in unison to storm into the semi-final of the Champions League, achieving their target in just 13.2 overs on Wednesday.

The target was 150, but in order to topple Otago on net run rate,

they needed to achieve it within 14.2 overs.

The strategy was clear and Dwayne Smith and Rohit Sharma made it look ridiculously simple against a Perth Scorchers attack that failed to contain a determined top order. It meant that the semi-final line-up had three IPL teams in it.

The scenarios were

clearly spelt out for Mumbai ahead of the game as to what they required to keep Otago out of the semi-final race.

It’s common for captains to prefer to chase in such situations and Rohit decided to do just that. The required rate for qualification was over ten an over and Mumbai approached it as a 14-over game.

Sachin Tendulkar was not in the best of form but he was sent to open anyway. There was the possibility that this would be his last T20 match in the event of them failing to qualify.

He fell for a second-ball duck, flicking to deep square leg and there was a hush around the Kotla as he walked back.

Dwayne Smith

continued on page 53

Narine to play for Cobras Blatter hopes Trinidad striker

T

he Cape Cobras have signed West Indian spinner Sunil Narine for the bulk of South Africa’s domestic Twenty20 competition in 2014. Narine will join the Cape Townbased franchise after the Windies’ tour of New Zealand, which will end in mid-January. The Cobras will be without Narine for opening fixtures against the Titans, Lions and Warrriors.

The 25-year-old, however, is expected to debut against the Knights in Bloemfontein on January 17 or the Dolphins in Durban two days later.

He will be the first West Indian to play for the Western Province outfit since batsman Desmond Haynes in 1994 through 1997.

“After reviewing the fixtures and seeing who might be available during the specific period, we decided Sunil would

Sunil Narine

be a good fit. He was the first choice we tried for,” Cobras coach Paul Adams told Cricket365.

“We wanted his mystery, that X-factor. He is the best Twenty20 bowler in the world - and we are happy to have him join the Cobras. He can strike at pressure moments and keep the runrate down.”

Trinidad and Tobago

recruit Narine is the joint leading wicket-taker in ongoing Champions League Twenty20 in India, having secured eight scalps in three matches, including an impressive haul of four for nine against the Sunrisers Hyderabad.

“Sunil will be with us for about five or six matches in the group stages, and hopefully in the semi-finals and final too. He will bring a good dynamic to the team, as one of the world’s best Twenty20 cricketers,” added Cobras CEO Andre Odendaal.

Narine, who has taken two dozen wickets in 18 T20Is at an average of 16.75 and economy rate of 5.94, is currently at the top of the International Cricket Council’s rankings for Twenty20 bowlers, with almost 100 points more than second-placed Saeed Ajmal.

(Cricket 365.com)

recovers from heart attack

B

Akeem Adams

udapest, Hungary - FIFA President Sepp Blatter has joined the growing list of well wishers hoping Trinidad and Tobago National defender Akeem Adams makes a full recovery after suffering a massive heart attack in Hungary Wednesday night.

FIFA Social Media manager Alex Stone has indicated that Blatter was aware of Adam’s sit-

uation and has sent his regards to his family and the Trinidad and Tobago Football fraternity.

“Sending my best wishes for a full recovery to # akeemadams, a 22 year old player of Ferencváros & @ TTFootballAssociation” the post stated in Blatter’s official Twitter account.

Adams, 22, continues to be warded at the ICU of the Varosmajori Heart

Clinic in Hungary after undergoing three surgeries and is now surviving on a mechanical heart due to the severe damage to his heart.

Reports suggest that Adams will require a heart transplant.

Meantime Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) is reporting some positive signs from the footballer.

A media release from the (TTFA) said there was some movement from Adams who plays for Ferencvaros club.

“There was one significant occurrence, as the 22-year-old player was said to have nodded in acknowledgement of his mother’s presence and held her hand for a brief moment on Sunday (yesterday) morning,” the release read.

“He nodded and held on to her hand when she asked ‘Akeem do you know I am here’, and we continue to pray for his recovery,” Adams’s local handler, Dion Sosa, also told TTFA Media.

Sport

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Cricket to take centre stage when Parliament reconvenes – Anthony

By Rajiv Bisnauth

S

port Minister Dr Frank Anthony remains optimistic that the second reading of the Cricket Administration Bill will receive the requisite attention from the National Assembly when parliament reconvenes later this month.

The bill was brought up for discussion in the National Assembly on August 7, but was deferred until the parliamentary recess ends later this month.

“As you know the report has been completed and I hope as soon we resume in parliament this would be one of the things that will go on the parliamentary agenda.

"We have completed all the work in the parliamentary sub-committee and we had it ready to be tabled in parliament itself, but unfortunately on the last day of parliament we had a back agenda and that bill did not come up,”

Dr Frank Anthony

Angela Haniff

Dr Anthony said during an exclusive interview with this publication on Tuesday.

“We hope when parliament resumes we will bring that bill further,” the minister concluded.

The bill seeks to establish the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) and county boards as corporate bodies and was tabled by government in December 2012 in a bid to end the impasse over the game.

In the bill, there are provisions for the drafting of new constitu-

tions for the GCB, the Demerara, Berbice and the Essequibo cricket boards.

Corporate structure

The absence of a corporate structure for the county boards had been exposed when secretary of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) Angela Haniff challenged the validity of the GCB elections of June 10, 2011.

Chief Justice Ian Chang threw out the matter on the ground that all of the associations embroiled in the matter were legal non-

Explosive Mumbai thrash...

from page 52

Smith provided the big hits starting from the second ball of the innings, which he slogged over mid-on before dispatching another over the rope at long-on.

Scorchers had three leftarm spinners in their lineup, including the experienced Brad Hogg, but their one-dimensional spin attack was demolished by a rampaging Smith. Flighted deliveries were slogged and smashed over the covers and anything dropped short was pulled over the legside at breakneck speed. The flatter and quicker deliveries kept him quiet on occasion but Scorchers were guilty of bowling the wrong lengths.

The left-arm seamers, Joel Paris and Jason Behrendorff, came in for similar punishment.

Paris’ first over leaked 19, with an effortless six

by Rohit over fine leg followed by an outside edge past the wicketkeeper.

Hogg bowled two long hops, the first of which was smashed by Smith over deep midwicket. The second was pulled flatter, but Behrendorff timed his jump to perfection at deep square leg to pull off a sharp catch to send back Smith for 48.

Another hush enveloped the ground as Smith walked back but Rohit was in sublime form at the other end. He ensured the run rate stayed around ten an over, slogging the spinners and launching Paris several rows over long-off to speed towards his fifty.

At the end of ten overs, Mumbai raced to 117 for 3 and held the edge.

Kieron Pollard had

moved to a relatively pedestrian 12 off 12 balls but two solid blows in an over off Behrendorff eased any pressure that may have crept up. Tension started to build in the dugout when Pollard was bowled in the 13th over with Mumbai still needing 13 off 11. Ambati Rayudu sealed the win with consecutive sixes and Mumbai qualified with an over to spare.

(Cricinfo)

entities and had been so from the inception.

Therefore, they could not sue or be sued. The bill, tabled by Dr Anthony, seeks to remedy this.

Several amendments have been made to the bill, including changes to provisions that the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) had objected to.

Further, the bill states that the minister, after meaningful consultations with the WICB, shall be responsible for the appointment of a cricket ombudsman, who shall be responsible for the verification of the register of clubs and for performing the functions of a returning officer.

Following the first

election, the bill makes it clear that the minister has no part to play in respect of the holding of subsequent elections of the GCB and the election and appointment of the ombudsman.

The ombudsman, the bill says, shall hold office for a period of three years after he/ she has been elected by a two-thirds majority of the members present and voting at an extraordinary meeting of the GCB. The bill makes provision for the books of the GCB and county boards to be audited and the report shall be laid before the National Assembly within a month of the completion of the audit.

The bodies, not lat-

er than May 31 every year, shall present to the National Sports Commission (NSC) copies of the auditor’s report and the annual report on its work and activities for a period of 12 months preceding the date of the report, and the plan of action and activities of the board for the ensuing 12 months.

Meantime, the constitution of the GCB sets out term limits for the president who shall serve for a period not exceeding three terms. A term is two years. There are no term limits for other executive committee members.

If the bill is passed, fresh elections will have to be held.

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Sport

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T&T top table, reach semis after thumping victory

T

rinidad & Tobago are the only team from outside the three countries that own a stake in the Champions League to be given direct entry to the tournament, a special status they justified by topping the league table after hammering one of the CLT20 favourites, Chennai Super Kings on Wednesday.

The already-qualified Super Kings’ famed batting had a rare off day, and the team were bowled out for only the seventh time in 117 matches. Having been rolled over for 118, Super Kings could not prevent T& T from completing the chase within 17.4 overs, which meant they surrendered the top spot in the group. It left them facing the challenge of breaking Rajasthan Royals’ 12-game winning streak at home in the semi-finals.

It was a day when almost everything went right for T& T, epitomised by the game’s Man-of-the-Match Lendl Simmons.

Simmons came into this match on the back of two ducks but contributed with bat, ball and in the field in T& T’s dominant performance.

Rayad Emrit

Lendl Simmons contributed with bat, ball and in the field (BCCI)

Simmons’ first contribution to the game came in the 9th over, by when Super Kings had got off to a familiar solid start.

M Vijay and Suresh Raina were stroking the ball around and another tall total looked on the cards, but Simmons struck first ball with a loosener well outside off that Vijay inside-edged onto the stumps.

In his next over he had Raina squandering his wicket by helping a gentle leg stump delivery to short fine leg.

Then came the biggest wicket of them all, MS Dhoni’s, just when the Super Kings captain was looking to cut loose. In the 17th over, Dhoni top-edged an attempted big hit and the ball swirled towards Simmons at long-on.

Simmons settled under it but the ball bounced off his palm and onto his neck; he kept his eyes on the ball and grabbed it on the second attempt.

After that, instead of the usual final flourish,

Super Kings made only 16 runs in the concluding three overs.

Simmons had fortune with bat as well, cluelessly edging the first ball of the chase from R Ashwin between the keeper and slip, and surviving a stumping shout after being beaten off the second.

His innings only switched to top gear in the 10th over when Ravindra Jadeja conceded 19 to extend a horrendous run in the tournament.

Simmons was also dropped just before reaching his half-century but a series of brutal hits had already eased T& T towards victory.

There was plenty of support for Simmons:

opener Evin Newis had another good game with the bat to ensure Super Kings didn’t pull off a

heist, Ravi Rampaul began the Super Kings collapse with a screamer to dismiss the consistent Michael Hussey, Sunil Narine was at his miserly best and three Super Kings batsmen were run out as the team collapsed from 78 for 2 to 118 all out.

In the four times they have played the CLT20, T& T have had only one bad campaign - last year when they were knocked out after one loss and a washout in the qualifiers - and this table-topping performance underlined why they are among the best T20 sides in the world. (Cricinfo)

guyanatimeSinternational.com

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week ending october 6, 2013

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