Guyanatime 20 may 2018

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Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 3569

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Sunday, May 20, 2018

Guyana’s public infrastructure below standards – US State Dept

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Botched robbery

Gun found on dead bandit was stolen from security guard P7

Page 3

…urges visitors to avoid using minibuses

…says roads lack maintenance, Police sporadically enforce traffic laws

Bandits invade La Grange family home

Page 11

…escape with cash, jewellery

Govt knows support dwindling amid disaffection – Page 12 Opposition MP

…criticises APNU/AFC for cancelling midnight flag-raising ceremony

Linden-Lethem commuters decry condition of road

Page 10

Local fuel prices spike again P15

Cuyuni mining camp robbery

“Miners are at the mercy of gunmen” – company rep …calls for Joint Services patrol

P17

Accused bandit’s leg amputated following Police chase P14 Highway smash-up

Driver of motorcar P16 succumbs

…brings death toll to 3

…call for urgent Govt intervention

The deplorable condition of the LindenLethem road. In photo, a minibus struggles to navigate the slushy state of the road

Govt has moratorium on remaining oil blocks – Trotman Page 9

…applications from local companies vying with big names

Region 2 RDC not consulted on removal of pedestrian crossings P18 …says dangerous situation created

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SunDAY, may 20, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Sunday, May 20 – 08:30h-10:00h and Monday, May 21 – 09:30h-11:00h.

Guyana’s public infrastructure below standards – US State Dept

...urges visitors to avoid using minibuses

...roads lack maintenance, Police sporadically enforce traffic laws

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

G

uyana’s public infrastructure was put under a microscope

Sunday May 20 – 07:40h-09:10h and Monday, May 21 – 08:35h-10:05h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

scooters, motorcycles and pedestrians.

It even urges drivers to

Parika and Supenaam departure times - 05:00h, 11:00h and 16:00h daily

quate medical care; ambulances are only for transportation. People injured in accidents are often transported by taxi,” the report also states.

Minibuses The report was partic-

WEATHER TODAY

aged. The use of reputable taxis, (such as) those offered through the major hotels and tourist agencies, is preferable, as they are usually safer, more reliable, and affordable.”

When it comes to visitors travelling into the Guyana’s

Light to thundery showers can be expected in the morning and early afternoon, which will continue in the evening. Temperatures will range between 22 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly to North-easterly and Easterly between 1.78 metres and 5.81 metres.

High Tide: 08:03h and 20:48h reaching maximum heights of 2.54 metres and 2.35 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 01:35h and 14:13h reaching minimum heights of 0.81 metre and 0.69 metre respectively.

One of the deplorable roads in Georgetown

in a United States (US) Department of State report, which states that road conditions in Guyana and consequential road safety, are sub-standard.

According to the 2018

beware of stray dogs, sleeping animals and free-range livestock, since all these things “share narrow, poorly maintained roads.” In addition, the report notes the lack of sidewalks.

“Road and driving conditions are poor. Police sporadically enforce local traffic laws, and local drivers often drive recklessly…

Traffic enforcement is rare to non-existent” – US report

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Crime and Safety Report on Guyana released a few days ago, roads are hardly maintained while street lighting is sporadic at best. It also notes that faced with sporadic enforcement of traffic laws from the Police, drivers often drive recklessly.

“Road conditions and road safety standards are below US standards. Roads are rarely maintained, and street lighting is sporadic.

Vehicle accidents are very common, and accidents involving pedestrians are also very common. Traffic enforcement is rare to non-existent,” the report states.

“Traffic accidents are a major concern in Georgetown, with speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol contributing factors. Road and driving conditions are poor. Police sporadically enforce local traffic laws, and local drivers often drive recklessly,” the report added.

The report states that stop signs and traffic signals are often ignored by road users. The report urges drivers to be on the lookout for other cars and trucks, minibuses, horse-drawn carts, bicycles,

“A combination of very aggressive and inexperienced, timid vehicle operators makes driving especially dangerous. Speeding, reckless driving, tailgating, cutting across lanes and stopping quickly without signalling, passing at intersections, and passing on crowded streets are commonplace.”

“Driving at night poses additional concerns due to poor street lighting and road conditions, drivers not lowering high beam lights, livestock, and pedestrians congregating by the roadside,” it states.

Vigilance While the report does note that Guyana is a medium threat location for terrorism and political violence, it does warn US citizens to remain vigilant and always consider security issues when planning activities throughout Guyana.

“Guyana does not have trained medical personnel who routinely respond to accidents, and ambulances generally do not have medical personnel or equipment on board to provide ade-

The report warns that roads in Guyana lack maintenance and frequently feature stray animals

ularly harsh on the use of public transportation in Guyana, specifically discouraging visitors from using minibuses. This would come even as members of the public have been increasingly critical of the unchecked rampage caused by most minibuses.

This ranges from speeding and over packing these minibuses with passengers to loud and sometimes obscene music. Speeding minibuses have also been a common factor in most road accidents, especially those that end in fatalities.

“The use of minibuses by visitors unfamiliar with the country is highly discour-

hinterland, the report warns US citizens to only use well established tour companies in a bid to ensure their safety. Here, they pointed to reports of tourists being targeted.

“Travel to the interior requires planning and caution. Medical and law enforcement resources in many interior locations are significantly less than what is available in the capital.”

It noted that there have been reports of tourists and foreigners being robbed while travelling in the countryside, and there are occasional reports of bandits on rural roads and piracy on the local rivers.

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Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544 223-7230,223-7231,231-0544, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

Editorial

Resuscitating Amaila Hydro?

A

nswering questions posed in the Parliamentary Sectoral Natural Resources Committee, subject Minister of the sector, APNU/AFC Government Minister Raphael Trotman, seemed to breathe new life in the Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Project (AFHEP), which Government had abandoned.

Objectively, few would deny it could be a central cog in our country’s transformation into a “green economy” in Government’s “Green State Development Strategy”; and from all indications, the shelving of AFHEP was more due to denying its conceptualiser, former President Bharat Jagdeo, credit. From that perspective, it was clearly a case of “cutting Guyana’s nose to spite its face”. All Guyana has lost from the project, which would have been on stream by now if the initial plans had been consummated.

Before assuming office, APNU and AFC’s refusal to endorse AFHEP forced the main developer, Sithe Global, to walk away from the project. APNU and AFC claimed they were awaiting an evaluation from the IDB, which was in receipt of US$80 million from Norway that was specifically committed to AFHEP. But with no developer, the IDB declared an investigation was moot. The Government, as it might be doing once again, ducked AFHEP, while seeking to use the US$80 million for other projects.

However, after attending COP25 in Paris, Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, announced, “…the Ministry of Finance and Cabinet considered it the best option for an objective re-assessment (of AFHEP).” If he is to be taken seriously, Minister Trotman should refer to the Report

by Norconsult, an engineering and design consultancy firm out of Norway, which was contracted by the Government of Norway for an “objective and facts-based” assessment, which was released in December 2016.

Just before the report was made public, the Government of Guyana, through Minister David Patterson, issued a statement claiming that the Norconsult consultancy justified Government’s position that the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project was not financially viable for the country, and would be a burden to the people of Guyana.

But when the report was made public, its conclusions and recommendations were the complete opposite, and declared that “the only realistic path” for Guyana moving towards an emission-free electricity sector and achieving its 2025 Green Agenda commitment was to develop its hydropower potential in general, and maintain the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project in particular.

Soon came further confirmation of the Government’s willingness to expose itself to international derision, as it sought to get its hands on the US$80 million lodged with the IDB without committing itself to AFHEP. A year ago, Per Fredrik Pharo, Special Envoy and Director of the Norwegian International Climate and Forest Initiative, was forced to issue a statement bluntly pointing out, “retired Rear Admiral Gary Best (Presidential Advisor on the Environment) presents a number of misleading arguments about the Guyana Norway Agreement.

“The cornerstone of our partnership is the original Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) from 2009. The MoU establishes that results-based funding from Norway is to be used to implement the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), the core of which was forest protection and a renewable energy transition, with the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project at its heart. This is also reflected in our Joint Concept Notes (JCN) from 2012 and 2015.”

The Special Envoy of Norway presented the Government of Norway’s position on AFHEP very clearly: “We strongly defend the right of a government to set the development path of its country. But if that development path were to deviate from that which was the basis for our partnership, then it is not the right of a government to retain the benefits of a partnership based on commitments it no longer intends to fulfil.” In other words, reading between the lines: no AFHEP, no Norway money.

The envoy did say if the Government can present “a concrete, realistic and cost-effective plan for Guyana’s energy transition,” - presumably without AFHEP - Norway would be inclined to support it. One would have to assume that the Government’s volte face is because they could not. They should be big enough to admit they had miscalculated.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex; and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, after their wedding at St George’s Chapel in Windsor, England, on Saturday (Reuters photo)

The ‘massa’ mentality Dear Editor, No other Government has been more dependent on foreign advisors and consultants than this A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration.

While importing expertise in various sectors was necessary to compensate for the lack of ministerial experience after the APNU/ AFC took office in 2015, a troubling pattern has emerged. After three years, the Granger Administration still lacks ministerial experience, and finds it easier to rape the Treasury of billions of dollars to pay foreign consultants and advisors, putting the country deeper and deeper in debt.

Government just borrowed US$20 million to hire more foreign consultants to advise them on the Sovereign Wealth Fund.

With all the retired Police and Army personnel now employed in the upper echelon of this APNU/AFC Administration, a foreign security company was hired at great expense “to correct the errors of over two decades of mismanagement of the security sector,” according to President Granger.

Sadly, the crime rate is now worse than ever, driving fear in our homes and the business community, causing the US State Department to issue a report days ago, and warning that Guyana’s crime threat is at a “critical level”.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan also has a foreign appetite. His slavish adherence to the International Monetary Fund which concludes that the Guyana economy is growing, when in reality, over 25,000 persons have lost their jobs under this uncaring APNU/AFC Government and the ‘good life’ is way beyond the reach

of ordinary Guyanese.

One can understand our Attorney General needing help to fight Government’s cases at the Caribbean Court of Justice, but despite the best legal brains in this country, he too has preference for foreign.

The Granger Administration seems to have inherited a ‘massa’ mentality with a growing fondness and dependency for consultants from western countries.

While there is nothing wrong with seeking the professional services of foreign consultants/advisors, it is the slavish dependency on these foreigners that erodes our independence and gives me cause for concern… especially the one ‘calling the shots’ over at Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU).

In a letter written by Robin Singh in a section of the media, captioned, “The implications of the charges against Brassington and Ashni Singh”, he concludes, “Dr Sam Sittlington has no idea of what Guyana’s economic position was during the post PNC years having arrived post PPP. He must have assumed that Guyana was always economically stable and attractive to investors. Someone needs to educate the good doctor.”

Dr Sam Sittlington is

a financial crime expert and Director of ‘The Fraud Company’ which he owns.

He is paid by the British Government as an Advisor to the Government of Guyana.

His role is to speed-up processing of the more than 300 cases identified by the SOCU stemming from 26 Government-ordered forensic audits.

According to British High Commissioner, Greg Quinn, Sittlington will be providing advice on ongoing probes and will take no direct role in investigations. But is this really so?

In March of last year, Sittlington was seen celebrating in a city night spot with the Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, other Government officials, investigators, and staff of the British High Commission after the arrests of Opposition officials, including former President Bharrat Jagdeo.

When questioned, Ramjattan admitted, “The fact (is) that I had some wine with Sam on Wednesday evening at Oasis because I wanted to thank him for the great work he did at SOCU” (anyone vaguely familiar with the drinking habits of Minister Ramjattan, knows that wine is not his liquor of choice, but that’s another story).

Editor, most Guyanese will recall the infamous role that the British High

Commissioner played during the May 11, 2015 General and Regional Elections, announcing the election results in favour of APNU/AFC long before all the ballots were counted and any official announcement was made by the Guyana Elections Commission.

One wonders what were in the reports that were dispatched to the UK Foreign Office in London, and whether the active participation of Sam Sittlington now is being encouraged to justify those reports that were sent by the High Commissioner prior to the 2015 elections.

I am convinced that the UK Foreign Office may not be aware and will never condone the high level of political interference and intrusion in the affairs of a sovereign nation involving the British High Commissioner and his countryman.

And I urge all Guyanese living in the UK to write their British MPs and the foreign office in London, asking the UK Government to stop their Envoys’ intrusion in our domestic affairs.

So what is the role of Sam Sittlington? Most believe he has now exceeded his official remit and trespassed into operational matters at SOCU. According to Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, “I have information that Mr Sittlington has been on raids with SOCU; he has gone into the premises of nationals of Guyana as part of these raids – being part of operations themselves. So if the British High Commissioner is saying that he has no operational mandate as part of his job, then he will be open (to an investigation)… We have a foreigner here who is trespassing on the rights of Guyanese citizens, tolerated by our Government.” continued on page 5

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You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

Should SOCU and SARA not be called in at City Hall?

Dear Editor, There is something seriously and fundamentally wrong with the accounting and financial management systems of the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown (M&CC), and it needs to be urgently and comprehensively addressed before the municipality is destroyed.

Even though it is clear that the elected Council is not in charge, as it should be; but rather just the Mayor, Finance Chairman, the Town Clerk, and a few other powerful Councillors, all will have to take the blame when the day of reckoning comes.

Almost every conceivable municipal fee has been jacked up, including a special fee which is being applied to both commercial and industrial waste, either solid or liquid; barbers and hairdressers’ licences; property rates (increased by 10 percent), certificate of compliance fees (increased by a whopping 750 %), the illegal container fee is to be increased, market stall rents have spiralled upwards, and

in spite of all of this revenue increase, the city is more broke than ever.

All of this is because council maintains a massive and highly paid staff of over 800 employees, while at the same time retaining a huge cadre of extremely well-paid contractors.

Then there is the scandal of the council deducting National Insurance Scheme, Guyana Revenue Authority and Credit Union contributions from employees’ salaries but not paying these monies over to those entities, which is clearly a violation of the laws of Guyana.

Should SOCU and SARA not be called in?

The Auditor General’s Office has been unable to audit the books for years, because of the disappearance of records, yet it is well known that the council is in a perpetual state of financial crisis, with no proper accountability or transparency for the billions of dollars it received and spent over the last three years.

The members of the Council’s Finance Committee seem to be oper-

The ‘massa’...

Indeed, Dr Sam Sittlington was seen directing activities on at least three SOCU operations that I am aware of: * On February 3 of last year, he was photographed standing in the doorway as agents of SOCU executed a raid on the Guyana Rice Development Board (see photo attached) * Then on March 7, 2017, he was in the same vehicle with the Head of SOCU, former Guyana Defence Force Lieutenant Colonel Sydney James when SOCU arrived at the Office the Leader of the Opposition in Church Street to arrest Jagdeo. * Sittlington was also an unwanted guest in the home of a private businessman who is now afraid to give a statement.

It would appear that Sittlington is a willing participant, dancing to the tune of the APNU/AFC coalition Government with the approval of the High Commissioner, to target former PPP/Civic Ministers and officials.

He sees this as an opportunity to pad his résumé with the arrest and conviction of former Ministers of Government to increase traffic to his website, making his company more marketable.

Despite the lack of evidence, he is willing to recommend frivolous and fabricated charges against Dr Ashni Singh and Winston Brassington, compromising his own professional ethics, hoping somehow, with Government now interfering with the Judiciary, those charges will stick. That will not happen.

There is evidence of

ating in an ivory tower, approving massive expenditure for items that have not been tendered for or undergone competitive bidding, and without contracts being presented to full Council for examination and approval.

Then there is the big scam involving many persons who were granted amnesty, reductions or waivers on interest on rates and taxes owed to the council, but without the requisite approval being given.

Almost every citizen of our capital is aware that the City Council is being mismanaged. Flooding of our city is becoming a norm, due to the drains and canals not being cleaned, with some not being cleaned for years.

Most of the municipality’s buildings are falling, including the main City Hall building, the city abattoir, and all of the markets. But who will bell the cat?

There must be a forensic audit of the Council done now, before everything collapses and disappears.

Sincerely, Mark Roopan

from page 4

wholesale corruption and financial fraud being committed by Government Ministers during the three years of this APNU/AFC Administration, yet he turns a blind eye to the rape of the Treasury and the unconscionable misuse of public funds.

After 2020, Sam Sittlington

may himself be the subject of a criminal investigation along with those he now protects in Government.

Sincerely, Harry Gill PPP/C Member of Parliament

Local Authorities Bill signals strong inconsistency, duplicitous nature of Govt (Pt 1) Dear Editor, The recent tabling of the Local Authorities (Elections) (Amendment) Bill 2018 by Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, signals the strong inconsistency and duplicitous nature of the Coalition Government regarding preparedness for Local Government Elections (LGE).

Speaking at the media briefing held at Herdmanston Lodge on January 08, 2018, Minister Bulkan had indicated that Government had allocated $2.9 billion for the holding of LGE, and had touted that the elections would be held some time before December 2018. Given that, under the Local Government Act, the statutory period for the Elections would soon be due, he posited that the preparation for LGE lies largely with the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

The sudden new amendments which the Government has moved to push in to law contradict the framework, which was

at the time hardly sufficient. At that time, a chairman of GECOM had not yet been selected, and the conundrum of activities that followed toward the unilateral selection utilized vital time for the GECOM to get critical work going.

The new amendments are, at this critical juncture, designed to cause further delays and confuse a system of familiarity, for which both GECOM and citizens will have to be made acquainted. The proposed suggestion of allowing the overseers and the involvement of a designated magistrate to resolve issues of ‘ties’ in Local Government Elections is lawless and wicked. It merely seeks to camouflage the shameless, undemocratic decisions made

by Bulkan, which still have the 2016 elections unfinished.

In the 1994 Local Government Elections there were ties; and GECOM, in keeping with the law, held ‘By-Elections’ to resolve those issues. The Bill that Mr. Bulkan is taking to Parliament manifestly expresses the APNU/

AFC’s intention to take away the citizens ‘rights’ to vote and elect their local representatives under circumstances of ties.

The situation absolutely highlights this coalition Government’s intention to corrupt this country more and more. The Judiciary is an independent ‘arm’ of any good Government, and should not be dragged in to cover up the inefficacies of a GECOM not fully covering its role and purpose.

It is accepted that the Parliament will have full debate on all the matters that go to the National Assembly, and then a decision would be taken. The Cabinet is ‘purely’ political, and the APNU/AFC Cabinet can take its partisan deep-seated party position. The President, however, must recognize that the other two arms of the Government are not political, and must not be allowed to be blind to the PNC’s fantasy. The Judiciary must be allowed to be independent.

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

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Foundation

Adolescent conversations on suicide

Ashley Anthony

W

ith the second season of ‘13 Reasons Why’ released, the topic of suicide will inevitably be brought to the forefront of adolescent conversations. The show itself received serious backlash following its release last year. If you aren’t aware, the show details the life of a high school girl, Hannah Baker, and the self-described reasons for her suicide, which she includes in 13 recorded tapes that she mails to her classmates.

One of the reasons the show was widely criticized was the manner in which it chose to portray her suicide.

In the show, the method is documented in extreme detail, featuring graphic imagery. Mental health experts agree that graphic representations of suicide may be harmful to viewers, especially those who have attempted suicide themselves, or are contemplating suicide. Days after the show’s release in April of last year, two Californian teens, Bella Herndon and Priscilla Chui, took their lives. Their families believe that this is in part due to the fact that the show made them feel as though suicide was a viable option; one which people would understand if they provided good enough

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reasons, with Priscilla’s uncle saying, “I feel as if the show gives only one alternative for cyber bullying and other teenage issues.”

The same relative further said that the scene in which Hannah commits suicide is “very graphic” and can “act as a trigger”. He did, however, explain that Priscilla had been battling with depression for a long time.

Something else, too, that was dangerous about the show was that it did not seem to focus on Hannah’s internal struggle.

Most people who commit suicide have a diagnosable mental illness at the time of their death. The show did not portray her reaction as unhealthy, but rather as understandable; and further, went on to make it seem as though through suicide a person can be avenged -that by committing suicide you can ‘punish’ people who have wronged you.

These criticisms are not to say that suicide should not be talked about. However, they are to say that suicide should be talked about responsibly. Netflix and the producers of the show have appeared to listen, including additional warnings on trig-

gering episodes, and a general warning at the beginning of the second season, where cast members explain that if you have been suffering from depression, are contemplating suicide, or have been sexually assaulted, the show “may not be for you”; and advise that if you should still want to continue watching, you watch with a “trusted adult”.

Personally, I can’t say

h o w much influence media portrayal has on suicide becoming an actuality. There are two types of suicide: impulsive ones, and planned ones. In an article titled “The Role Of Impulsiveness Is One Of The Saddest Things About Suicide”, published on

Business Insider by Corey Adwar, he explains that according to the New England Journal of Medicine, anywhere from a third to eighty percent of suicides are impulsive. He further went on to say that twenty-four percent of people who had nearly succeeded in com- m i t ting suicide said

they made the decision within five minutes, and about seventy said the decision had been made within an hour. The same article then detailed that, “90% of people who survive suicide attempts, including the most lethal types like shooting one’s self in the head, don’t end up killing themselves later.” Even making reference to a study in 1978 of 515

people who were prevented from attempting suicide on the Golden Gate Bridge between 1937 and 1971. The study found that after more than 26 years, 94% were still alive or had died of natural causes. I think in cases where suicide is impulsive, shows like ‘13 Reasons Why’ have far greater impacts.

People who attempt to commit suicide impulsively are described as “indecisive”, and as suicidologist Edwin S. Shneidman put it, “The prototypical psychological picture of a person on the brink of suicide is one who wants to and does not want to. He makes plans for self-destruction and at the same time entertains fantasies of rescue and intervention. It is possible — indeed probably prototypical — for a suicidal individual to cut his throat and to cry for help at the same time.” In such instances, a person is not completely sure that they want to die, but, in the moment, are overwhelmed by negative thoughts which push them to the edge. I think (that) in this case, a triggering scene in a show can be what encourages a person to go through with their attempt.

I think, though, that there is something good to be

said about the show. It has started a discussion -- one about how we should safely discuss and portray suicide in the media, as well as one about what issues teens are facing in schools. It is obvious that people can relate on some level to challenges Hannah faced, and it is important to talk about them.

However, it is even more important to remind teens that these issues are not permanent: that they can be resolved, and that there are people who are willing to support and counsel them.

Guyana remains having one of the highest suicide rates in the world, largely due, I think, to the lack of mental health education (about mental illnesses and the causes and warning signs of suicide), and the lack of safe spaces to discuss issues. Young people can feel isolated; they don’t feel like they can discuss their depression with their parents or relatives (as they won’t be taken seriously), they don’t feel comfortable talking to their teachers, and our schools don’t have counsellors. It is up to us to change the environment, and to break down the walls of stigma surrounding suicide and mental illnesses by discussing them in a safe and responsible manner.

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Botched robbery

Gun found on dead bandit was stolen from security guard

T

hirty-one-yearold Calvin Dover of Lot PP 6 Bent Street, Worthmanville, Georgetown, who was shot and killed during a standoff with Police on Friday, is a known character to the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

This is according to Acting Police Commissioner, Paul Williams during an interview with the media.

The acting Top Cop, who is the substantiate GPF Crime Chief, explained that based on Criminal Investigation Department (CID) records, Dover’s name has been at the central point of discussions from time to time. He was reportedly implicated in several armed robberies.

When asked about the other bandit, Trevor Barrow, who was shot and killed by the businessman as he and Dover attempted to rob him, the Crime Chief noted that he did not have information with respect to his character. He said the Police will run their database to ascertain whether or not Barrow, called “Budda” was implicated in any criminal activity.

Barrow, 26, of Lot 1010 Norton and Cemetery Road, Georgetown, and Calvin Dover had attempted to rob Roy Myers, a businessman, who owns the Les Variety Store on D’Urban and Hardina Streets, Georgetown on Friday morning.

The Police related at about 10:30h, Barrow and

Police, led them to a Bent Street, Georgetown house.

It was reported that while there, the ranks were greeted with rapid gunfire and without hesitation, they returned fire fatally wound-

Dead: Trevor “Budda” Barrow

Dead: Calvin Dover

Dover were armed with a .38 Rossie revolver and a Black Glock 17 pistol respectively when they entered the Les Variety Store.

At the time, the owner was reportedly packing goods to send to his other business at Port Kaituma, North West District (NWD).

The two-armed men, according to initial investigations, demanded that the businessman hand over his cash and jewellery.

He was reportedly wearing a 60 penny-weight gold chain, two gold and diamond finger rings and a gold and diamond hand band. His licensed firearm was also strapped to his right ankle.

The alleged bandits however, attempted to relieve him of the items but upon hearing a loud explosion, Dover ran out but Barrow continued in his quest to rob Myers.

A scuffle ensured between the two men during

which Barrow allegedly whipped out a gun from his pants waist, pointed it at Myers and pulled the trigger. However, the safety on the gun was on and it did not fire. In retaliation, the businessman reached for his firearm and discharged several rounds fatally hitting Barrow.

The Police stated that during the ordeal, a woman, who saw the two-armed men entering the store, immediately stopped a Police patrol in the area and related to the ranks about what she saw.

On arrival at the store, the ranks saw Dover exiting and upon seeing the Police, he discharged several rounds in their direction.

Dover continued to run, and the Police gave chase, but the bandit managed to evade the lawmen.

The ranks then noticed a blood trail and followed it. This, according to the

ing Dover.

Meanwhile, further investigations revealed that at about 01:30h on Friday morning, Odingo Wills, a security officer attached to KGM Security Services

was robbed of one 9mm pistol along with 14 matching rounds.

Police have since confirmed that the firearm was found in Dover’s possession after the shootout.

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Blowing cover…

I

…on our war chest

f anything illustrated the “schupidness” this Government is on, it was reiterated by Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman when he once again claimed “opposition forces” – read his one-time bestie, Christopher Ram – was unpatriotic when they revealed Guyana had stashed away a small piece for defending our rights against Venezuela’s bullyism.

Of course, the matter wasn’t so simple as Trotman was letting on!! After all, if as he admitted, Guyana would need at least the US$12 million it forked out on the CGX case against Suriname, wouldn’t Venezuela know this??

Maduro might’ve been a bus driver, but he and his Government have certainly been embroiled in litigation in international law. They know international lawyers don’t come cheap. Trotman surely had to have a clue as to the hourly rates of the big firms.

Then there was the not-so-small matter of the source and quantum of the “small piece” – which is what Guyanese were most upset about!! OK…you need money for legal fees to settle once and for all the Venezuelan land-grab. But why demand as a bonus just the amount the legal fees will eat up, when you have a billion-barrel oil find on your hands??!! Compared to the bonus other companies – and indeed Exxon itself – paid as bonus for smaller fields, Guyana was short-changed by at least a factor of 30!!

The question is why can’t Trotman admit he was an extremely poor negotiator for Guyana – if he didn’t have his hand under the table?? He now admits he was pressured by the fact that Guyana needed a company of Exxon’s clout to hold off the big-bad Venezuelans who were huffing and puffing at our western borders. He’s conceding Janet Jagan faced the same imperative back in 1999 when she gave the oil giant 600 blocks.

Hey!! There’s nothing to be ashamed about if you need a bruiser in your corner! But in negotiations you just don’t drop your pants to the fellow across the table, just like that!

You have to figure out what kind of hand he was holding, also!! In 2016, Exxon has lost its Arctic reserves (American sanctions against Russia) and Alberta oil sands reserves (environment concerns). Its asset base was precarious – especially after Maduro kicked it out of Venezuela!! Exxon had its own axe to grind against Maduro!!

Trotman should be grateful the oil portfolio was seized by his “Nassau” partner. While some PNC boys have their knives out for him – that’s because of his own ambitions within the PNC. Trotman should know when to hold it…and when to fold it. He should now FOLD IT!!

…on clean-up

If Independence Day is coming up, you can be sure City Hall’s getting ready for its annual clean-up operation. You know…getting another $500 million for starters to spruce up around the Stabroek Market area and doling out the contracts to friends and family. That’s the real clean up!!

Your Eyewitness has been thinking about the OPENESS OF THE THING!! This kind of greed and avarice is something to behold, isn’t it dear reader?

WE know some serous thiefin’s going on…THEY know the thiefin’s going on…but somehow nothing’s done about it!! Fact of the matter is the motive for all the shade thrown by the PNC-AFC combine at the PPP during its turn at the wheel,, wasn’t about corruption per se. It was about they weren’t getting their hands on the big bucks, Well…now we know and it ain’t pretty! It reveals a situation that’s not going to be changed soon. The PNCofficials are convinced whatever Guyana has it’s theirs.

Why then be embarrassed about just taking what’s yours??

…of SARA

All the naysayers who said SARA, under its geriatric head, Clive Thomas, hadn’t done squat about what they’re actually mandated to do – have stolen State assets brought back into Government hands, have to now shut their mouths.

They recovered their laptop that was filched by a bum…didn’t they??

Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com

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SunDAY, may 20, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Govt has moratorium on remaining oil blocks – Trotman

...applications from local companies vying with big names

By Jarryl Bryan

W

ith a number of big names in the oil industry lined up to drill for oil in Guyana’s waters alongside applications from local companies, Government has announced there is a standing moratorium on new oil exploration licences.

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman made this known to the Natural Resources committee of the National Assembly on Friday, when he was called upon to give a report on the sector.

This moratorium does not include United Kingdom-based company Tullow Oil. Tullow is the operator of the Orinduik Block, with a 60 per cent interest; while Eco Atlantic Oil and Gas is its partner with the remaining 40 per cent interest. The block is located in the shallow waters of the prospective Suriname-Guyana basin.

“Tullow submitted its application before elections,” Trotman explained. “The Government considered that we should honour that because the agreement was negotiated prior to the change of Government. We gave the right to Tullow to proceed as they had agreed with the Government previously.”

“Outside of that, we have enforced a solid moratorium.

We want to know we have control and a sense of definition about what it is we are dealing with. 3.2 million barrels of oil is a major volume and billions of US dollars.”

The Minister noted that Government has received

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman, centre, is flanked by his junior Minister Simona Broomes and a staffer of the Ministry, during the meeting with the Natural Resources Committee

applications from French multi-national company Total, Italian company ENI, United States Company Chevron, Spanish company Repsol and even local companies. In addition, Trotman revealed that they are in discussions with Brazilian State-owned oil company Petróleo Brasileiro (Petrobras).

“Government recognises that the time will come when we will have to issue new licences,” he said. “But we intend to do so through the benefit and assistance of an international law firms. So we have worked up a list of law firms that do this.”

Oil companies In a relatively short period of time, Guyana has become a hot bed of oil exploration ac-

tivity. The most popular example of this is ExxonMobil’s affiliate, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited which has to date, made a number of oil discoveries.

This company’s domain is the Stabroek Block, which is 6.6 million acres. While Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited is the operator and holds a 45 per cent interest in the Stabroek Block, Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd holds a 30 per cent interest, and CNOOC Nexen Petroleum Guyana Limited holds a 25 per cent interest.

There is also Ratio Guyana, which is in a joint venture partnership with EEPGL in the Kaieteur Block, offshore Guyana. Ratio Guyana Limited has a 25 per cent stake in the Kaieteur Block. Ratio

Energy Limited has another 25 per cent of the Kaieteur Block while EEPGL has a stake of 50 per cent.

Meanwhile, the Orinduik oil block has been under the administration of Eco Guyana and Tullow since they signed a 10-year Petroleum Prospecting licence and Production Sharing Agreement with Government in 2016. CGX Resources Incorporated, a Canadian oil company, is another major player in the local industry.

CGX’s entire portfolio is focused on Guyana, in both the onshore and offshore basins.

The company has stakes in blocks located offshore and onshore of Corentyne, Berbice and Demerara. The Corentyne licence applies to 1.5 million acres, while the Demerara licence one million acres. Both of these operations are fully owned by CGX. Onshore, the company holds a majority stake in the Berbice Block, through the ON

Energy joint venture, owned 62.5 per cent by CGX Energy and 37.5 per cent by local investors. Following on the heels of the parliamentary Opposition urging Government to auction the remaining oil blocks, something its own Advisor, Dr Jan Mangal had recommended, Government had stated that a process of both direct engagement and select bidding would be used to allocate Guyana’s remaining oil.

Cops urged to learn foreign languages …to boost crime-fighting capacity

W

ith the high influx of foreign nationals in Guyana, especially those from Spanish speaking nations, acting Police Commissioner Paul Williams has called on the ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to develop their skills in the area of foreign languages, to be better able to fight crime.

Williams pointed out that it would be very sad to know that, for example, a Chinese national was complaining to an officer that the person, who robbed him or her, was standing right there, and just because of the language barrier, the service it offers is less ef-

fective.

He said there is a high influx of Chinese, Cubans and Venezuelans into Guyana and pointed out that it is important for Police Officers be able to understand basic words in the certain foreign language.

Williams added that training does not have to be facilitated by the GPF, owing to the fact that “we are now living in a technological age. The ranks or the recruits, they are pretty young and they can even help to develop their capacity through social media and all these things because all these things are very accessible now via the use of phone, Internet

and so on,” he posited.

It is because of this, he said, that in the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Induction courses that Spanish is now being taught.

In addition to this, the crime fighter seized the opportunity to renew his call for officers to treat all persons – irrespective of their race, sex or religion – with respect.

“There should be no discrimination as to sex, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual preferences and relationships. Show respect for all human rights and constitutional rights,” Williams urged.

10 news

SunDAY, may 20, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Linden-Lethem commuters decry condition of road …call for urgent Govt intervention

N

ow that the May/June rainy season is here, bus drivers, truckers and the general public commuting on the Linden-Lethem Road are calling on the Government to urgently intervene to repair certain sections of the road, because those sections are impassable and are resulting in vehicles overturning, among other things.

Road users are contending that the good parts of the Linden/Lethem road are outnumbered by bad sections.

Several of these road users have taken to social media to post photos and complain about the current situation of

A flooded section of the Kurupukari stretch of road

the road.

Sections of the road -- at Fairview in Region Nine and Kurupukari in Region Eight -- are completely impassible, with the greater part of the road at those sections being inundated by heavy rainfall over the past week.

“We have our buses, and we have to spend most of the money we make to maintain the bus because of the road.

Right through we sticking up!

The bridge them a wash away or break down, and we have to pay more money to get people to pull we out,” bus driver Ramroop (only name) said.

The angry man said Government needs to do more

to maintain the road, and added that drivers are not opposed to paying an increase in toll in exchange for better roads.

He explained that because of the impassible state of the road, vehicle owners are being forced to pay as much as $5,000 at Fairview for villagers to use the village truck to pull their vehicles out of the slush. This payment, he contends, is in addition to tolls and maintenance costs.

“By the time we done fix the bus and pay all them money that, we not making any money at all! The Government got to do better than this!

Them ah wait until the road

The Wedding

One of the broken bridges while crossing the Christmas Bridge. He was attempting to manoeuvre lorry GWW 5832 with a load of sawn lumber

The truck overboard at the Christmas Bridge

bad-bad and nothing can’t do and then them come and will try to fix it. We are the one suffering, not them; because them can afford to fly to Lethem, but what about the poor people?” another driver added.

On Saturday, a truck driven by Ricky (only name given) reportedly went overboard

across the Christmas Bridge, but ended up toppling into the creek. Ricky reportedly sustained injuries in that mishap.

Operators also complained that the condition of the trail is made worse by lumber trucks operating during the wet weather.

Efforts to contact Public Infrastructure Minister David

“The Government got to do better than this!

Them ah wait until the road bad- bad and nothing can’t do and then them come and will try to fix it. We are the ones suffering, not them; because them can afford to fly to Lethem, but what about the poor people?” – minibus driver

Patterson for a comment on the issues raised by the drivers proved futile.

Minister Patterson had earlier this month said works would soon commence on the construction of a new, singleor dual-lane fixed bridge of approximately 600 metres length at the Kurupukari ferry.

Currently, persons traversing the Linden/Lethem trail have to cross the Essequibo River at Kurupukari. They use a privately-operated pontoon service to so do. Kurupukari Village is located along the Lethem–Georgetown trail, about five hours from Lethem.

In February of 2017, the Public Infrastructure Ministry had said it was gearing to commence construction of the first phase of the LindenLethem Road project, which will be funded through the United Kingdom Government under its UK Caribbean Infrastructure Partnership Fund (UKCIF) programme.

In September 2015, former UK Prime Minister David Cameron announced a £300 million investment in vital new infrastructure, such as roads, bridges and ports, to help drive economic growth and development across the Caribbean region. Guyana was named among nine Caribbean states to benefit from the grant.

The first phase of the project spans from Linden to Mabura, and covers approximately 122.5 kilometres of road and the construction of the bridge across the Essequibo River at Kurupukari.

Budget 2018 provides $1.5B for hinterland roads rehabilitation as well as the completion of all rollover projects.

S

atiricus was in a mellow mood. His wife had insisted he watch THE WEDDING with her as they had their breakfast. Satiricus didn’t mind weddings in general, and this wedding literally gave him the opportunity to see how “the other half” lived. Or at least how they became hitched up. As he sauntered over to the Back Street Bar, he was still mulling over what all of this meant when a member of the English Royal family could marry a black girl from the US. “Well, na like she wan pore gyaal fram de g’etto, you know!!” said Bungi after Satiricus had unloaded his thoughts to the fellas.

“Budday!!! Even if she na pore, you can imagine wha’ de Queen musse t’ink?” said Cappo.

“Especially when she only became Queen because her uncle wasn’t allowed to marry a divorced white American!!” observed Hari.

“But if the Queen accepted this wedding, don’t you think this means the race thing in England and US isn’t as bad as it’s made out to be?” asked Satiricus earnestly.

“Sato, ole fr’en, na de same t’ing yuh seh when Obama get elect?” said Bungi with a smile.

“An’ look who dem elect afta Obama!!” grinned Cappo.

“C’mon fellas,” protested Satiricus. “You have to admit this is progress.”

“Or this could be the exception that proves the rule!” said Hari. “An’ the rule being people getting’ more racial, all over.”

“Me ‘gree wid you Hari,” said Bungi. “Afta all de skin teeth’ today, yuh guh hear wha’ dem guh she ‘bout abee.”

“And what you think they will say?” asked Satiricus, as he lent over the table.

“De gyaal na do dis an’ she na do da!” said Bungi firmly. “She guh gat fuh prove she-self ev’ry day.”

“Yep! She’ll never be good enough for them,” said Hari sadly. “And she looks like she’s such a nice girl.”

“Leh me tell ayuh somet’ing, me Dady teach me,” said Cappo. “Fish and cast-net nah friend.”

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SunDAY, may 20, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

Bandits invade La Grange family home …escape with cash, jewellery

A Our democracy in danger

By Ryhaan Shah

T

hree weeks ago, I wrote in my column that “with the advent of Internet communications, it would be difficult for Granger to control the media and the message coming out of Guyana as his People’s National Congress (PNC) predecessor Burnham did”. No sooner had I written those words that the proposed regulations for the Cyber Crimes Bill were published.

Clause 18 (1) of the Bill is causing more than a little disquiet since any computerised communication that “brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards the Government” would be considered an act of sedition.

Sedition laws are archaic and went out along with monarchical rule as democratic principles gained a global foothold as the preferred method of organising the governments of modern states. We, the people, are free and even duty-bound to be critical of our duly elected government through freedoms constitutionally established for assembly, speech, written texts, and for the media.

These guaranteed freedoms are the foundation of a democracy and the media’s reporting and commentaries are crucial to holding Government accountable. If these freedoms are absent or are not allowed to function unfettered, then a country falls into the category of being an autocracy or dictatorship.

Computerised communication has opened up new avenues for free expression and most media houses have online publications while some are wholly online outlets.

Rather than welcoming the communications revolution which has transformed the world in beneficial ways, the Granger Government sees it as a problem to be checked.

It is not enough that an additional clause in the Bill explains what does not constitute an offence – “comments expressing disapprobation” of the Government – since the main clause stands and is open to interpretation by a President who has, on occasion, acted on his personal perception of the law, and who also appears hellbent on bringing anyone before the courts for even the most innocuous, offhand remark – but which he deems treasonous.

In this context, Clause 18 (1) of the Cyber Crimes Bill if passed into law would give Granger legislative clout to use against opponents especially given the popularity of social media as the preferred medium of communication for most citizens. The public pushback from various individuals and groups is commendable but that the offending clause is included in the Bill, at all, speaks clearly to the intent of Granger and his Government to suppress our freedom to speak. This is an extremely dangerous move especially given the PNC’s villainous precedent on this particular issue.

Under President Burnham, the free press had to become an underground movement and people everywhere waited to get their hands-on copies of “The Catholic Standard” which bravely kept up its reporting and criticisms of Burnham whenever it managed to get paper to print. On July 14, 1979, Father Bernard Darke was brutally murdered in a case of mistaken identity by Burnham’s thugs from the House of Israel. Burnham was really after silencing the newspaper’s main reporter and editor, Father Andrew Morrison.

One year later, Working People’s Alliance Leader, Dr Walter Rodney was assassinated. This, too, was a murder with the clear intent of silencing a courageous critic of the PNC dictatorship. The Cyber Crimes Bill as it stands is a step in this very direction with Granger clearly attempting to muzzle the press and to make any criticism of him and his Government a criminal offence.

Attorney Anil Nandlall has also pointed to the inherent danger of Clause 17 of the Bill which would target emails that transmit or retransmit messages that are deemed to cause “harm to a person or damage to a computer system”.

Nandlall and the other People’s Progressive Party (PPP) members of the respective Parliamentary Subcommittee, who failed to attend every meeting, bear much responsibility for this fiasco. Perhaps they trusted that the coalition committee members would stick to the agenda to formulate a law that would deal with new criminal offences like computer hacking.

A stern reminder to the PPP: you are dealing with the PNC; they nor their sycophants can be trusted.

While Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes chooses to berate the public for not voicing their objections earlier, she has failed to disclose whether she raised any concerns with her Cabinet colleagues when she read the Bill in 2016, and whether she stands with her AFC colleague, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan who vows to lead the fight to keep the sedition clause intact.

The Cyber Crimes Bill as it stands is a clear and present danger to Guyana’s fledgling democracy and must be revised to reflect a full compliance with and respect for our guaranteed freedoms.

family of four is now traumatised and left asking “why us?” after three armed men invaded their Independence Street, La Grange, West Bank Demerara home.

Reports are the men invaded the home at about 18:30h on Friday evening, tied and beat the family while emptying their house of all cash and valuables.

Police on Saturday said they are investigating a robbery with violence committed on the Persaud family, resulting in them being relieved of over $350,000 in cash and valuables.

Divisional Commander, Anthony Das, told Guyana Times that ranks at the La Grange Police Station received the call and swift response resulted in them apprehending one of the suspects in the La Parfaite Harmonie Housing Scheme.

“We are investigating

the robbery and so far one suspect is in custody… and an ID parade is scheduled for Monday. That is all I can say right now as we are still investigating,” Das told this publication.

According to reports reaching Guyana Times, five persons were at home at the time of the robbery.

When the three armed men confronted the family; Jadesh Persaud, Ravi Persaud, Seeta Ram and

Betty Persaud were initially placed to lay face down on the floor and tied up while the men stripped them of their cash and valuables.

Not satisfied with what they found, the men then took Ram, who is visiting from the United States, to the upper flat of the home and placed a bag over her head while they proceeded to assault her and demanded US currency and jewellery. The entire or-

deal lasted about one hour and after the men cleared out the house, they made good their escape through a gate at the back of the family’s yard and reportedly crossed a trench separating Independence Street from the La Parfaite Harmonie Housing Scheme.

The traumatised family then called the La Grange Police Station while neighbours proceeded to chase after the men. The Police arrived mere minutes and were able to apprehend one of the suspects, who was covered in mud, in the nearby scheme.

The family estimates the loot to be in excess of millions since the men were able to escape with a quantity of gold jewellery, foreign and local currency, cellphones and other valuables.

Police investigation are still ongoing.

12 news

SunDAY, may 20, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Govt knows support dwindling amid disaffection – Opposition MP …criticises APNU/AFC for cancelling midnight flag-raising ceremony

T

he Government is involved in all sorts of gymnastics as it attempts to conceal the fact that its support within some of its key and traditional stronghold communities is dwindling because of disaffection among its supporters and a menu of poor-thought-out and implemented anti-poor policies.

This is according to Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Member of Parliament,

Juan Edghill, who noted that the situation is so dire that the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change coalition Government was forced to abandon the “pomp and ceremony” associated with the hosting of the country’s annual Independence anniversary celebrations at D’Urban Park. He said this was done because it is unable to mobilise and convince Guyanese to congregate for the event in the midst of one of the coun-

try’s hardest economic periods as of late.

Edghill, who was a former Finance Minister under the PPP Government, made the comments on Friday following a walkabout in the city, which was interrupted by a spate of continuous and persistent downpours.

Edghill, asked if he was surprised by Government’s decision not to host the annual midnight flag-raising ceremony at the multibillion-dollar D’Urban Park

facility, responded in the negative.

He said it was clear that the coalition Government is not as popular as it claims because it cannot even attract persons from the South Georgetown communities and other areas such as Sophia, Albouystown and central Georgetown to be present at the event were it to be held.

He criticised the move to abandon the traditional midnight flag-raising event, which has been a staple in the diets and psyches of Guyanese for decades. Edghill was disappointed that the coalition resorted to “renting a crowd of school children” on the same to be part of what may be another lacklustre event at the deteriorating D’Urban Park facility.

Edghill decried the fact

Opposition MP Juan Edghill

that the D’Urban Park facility remains underutilised but fully understood the scepticism on the part of companies and businesses. He explained that this is despite the fact that over $1.4 billion has been spent already on the entire project since its establishment.

The Opposition MP

slammed the Government for its decision to continue to spend millions to repair and “spur up” the park as dismissed the move to only host big flag raising events every five years as a policy.

“Where have all the flowers gone,” Edghill asked as he said that the Government’s dwindling support is linked to its lack of performance. He even suggested that D’Urban Park was the Government’s signature project which represented the ideology of the David Granger Administration.

“It was a hustle from the beginning,” he pressed, as he said that the Social Cohesion Minister should be ashamed of the manner in which activities are being conceptualised to mark Guyana’s 52nd independence anniversary.

(Michael Younge)

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SunDAY, may 20, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Region 3 residents furious over constant ‘blackouts’

R Arrival and Indian connections II

O

ne of the consequences of the peripheralizing and silencing of the Indian presence in the Caribbean has been a lack of knowledge in the other groups about changes that were initiated in that community both indigenously and externally. Consequently, there remains a persistent myth that the Indians in general and Hindus in particular are like the people described by Squire in his poem: “There was an Indian, who had known no change.” Save rather than “straying content along sunlit beaches gathering shells”, the Indians brought from India into the WI linger in fields, where they gather produce.

There were fundamental changes, however, in the way of life (called “Sanaatan Dharma) of the immigrants and their descendants, which was now described as an “ism” – Hinduism. As we wrote last week, some of these changes were engendered by one of the reform movements that Ravi Dev had sprung up in India in the 19th century -- the Arya Samajists.

The latter continued with congregational worship, which was not a feature of “Sanaatan Dharma” through the millenia, but which, interestingly enough, had already been adopted by the Brahmin priests who had arrived as immigrants. A visiting Royal Commission in 1870 noted two temples or “Mandirs,” but within two decades these had multiplied exponentially. In India, there were two types of Hindu priests – both drawn from the Brahmin caste/varna: those (Purohits) who performed the 16 sanskaras or sacraments that mark the life of Hindus even before birth to death; and those who performed the worship rituals in the temples - Pujaris.

In Guyana, these two roles were fused into the person of the “Pandit”, a word which simply meant a learned person.

The Arya Samajists, especially after Professor Bhaskaranand’s work between 1937 and 1945, trenchantly criticised not only the worship of Murtis or images, but also the insistence of the Pandits that they had to be of Brahmin birth. A very fierce battle erupted in the Hindu community, which still redounds into the present And it was into this rather polarised milieu that Swami Purnananda was plunged when he arrived in Guyana in 1953. The institution of the Swami, or “Monk”, had been introduced into Sanaatan Dharma a thousand years before by Adi Shankara, and was adopted from the Buddhists. Before the Buddha, all individuals could “renounce” societal duties in their last stage of life, and retire to the forests. The Buddha introduced the notion that one could become a “renunciate” even from the first stage of life. Shankara organised the Hindu Swamis into ten orders, who could, if they chose, work on behalf of Sanaatan Dharma from “Ashrams”. A Swami could be from any of the four castes/varnas.

At the beginning of the 20th century, one young Bengali renunciant, Swami Pranvananda, formed the Bharat Sevashram Sangh to encourage a more virile Hindu response to British rule, and to also provide social services for the poor.

Unlike the Arya Samaj, which was also founded for similar purposes, Pravananda did not reject Murti worship.

One of his disciples was a school teacher who was ordained as Swami Purnananda. He was sent to Trinidad, along with three other Swamis and an assistant, at the invitation of a Hindu organisation there, and arrived on 31st December 1950. He remained in TT for another two years, and there he launched an Ashram while the others went on to Guyana, made some contacts and returned to India.

Arriving in Guyana in 1953, he quickly organised the “Cove and John Ashram” with a high school by 1957 – one of only two others on the East Coast of Demerara. While he initiated Guyana’s first Swami, in my estimation, his greatest contribution was to reform the local Sanaatan Dharma practices from “within”, so to speak. Without criticising the Brahmin priests, he fundamentally altered the performance of the puja, in which all Hindus could now participate. Much of this change was achieved by the simple expedient of printing, in 1956, a small booklet, “Aum Hindutvam”, in which the mantras for the Havan or offerings to the sacred fire emphasised by the Arya Samaj as “Vedic” and “authentic” – but was combined with the mantras for conducting the worship to the Murtis. Because the text was in Roman script – in addition to Devanagari – worship by Sanataanis could now be conducted by one and all.

While the “Ashram” trained Swamis and not “Pandits”, Swami Purananda’s work marked the beginning of Hindus of any birth being able to become Pandits. This was a revolutionary step in Guyana.

esidents of Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) are calling on the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) to fix the ongoing plague of constant power outages which they have been facing for a number of months.

Frequent power outages are a widespread issue in the region which has resulted in severe damages for residents along the coastal stretch from Patentia to Parika.

Residents who contacted this publication stated that they have complained to the utility but feel their plight is being overlooked by the power company, who they said, seems unable to find a permanent solution to their woes. As of recent times, several villages were left without electricity for prolong hours.

Consequently, many have explained that their household items are being damaged by the inconstant supply of electricity and power surges, which is said to be a recent problem.

Anette (only name given), a resident of New Road, Vreed-en-Hoop explained that she operates a small business, which is dependent on electricity since she retails a variety of perishable items.

“I have two fridge that stop work because of the on and off system that we

have. It’s frustrating because then half of the things I sell need electricity.”

Another Vreed-en-Hoop resident lamented on the fact that their bills are paid on time and that the services should be improved.

“We does pay our bills and this should not be happening because as soon as we don’t pay, they does come and take off the current. GPL should start to fix their problems in there because we are paying our bills,” another angered resident of the same vicinity said.

The concerned residents are calling on the utility company to tend to their problems, which has been unbearable over the past days and also affects thousands of people living in the area.

Duo remanded for home invasion

R

aymond Rodrigues and Patrick Smith were on Friday remanded to prison by Georgetown Magistrate Leron Daly, before whom they appeared to answer to two counts of armed robbery.

The duo pleaded not guilty to both charges.

Police allege that on May

9, 2018, the two men, armed with a gun, invaded a Prince’s Street, Georgetown property and relieved Bidinauth Sooklall of $500,000 in cash, one DVR, one mobile phone, two Seiko watches, and one laptop computer.

Police further allege that, on the same day, the two defendants robbed Giselle Ramos of

three gold chains, one gold earring, one Gold IPhone, and one suitcase of cosmetics. The value of the booty from both robberies was estimated at close to $2 million.

The prosecution’s facts presented to the court detail that at 7:00h on the day in question, the victims were in their bedroom when the two

armed men confronted them.

The couple was subsequently held at gunpoint, bound and robbed. The armed men then fled the scene, but were subsequently arrested, and positively identified by the victims during an identification parade.

The matter will be called again on June 8.

14 news

sunDAY, may 20, 2018| guyanatimesgy.com

Accused bandit’s leg amputated following Police chase …alleged accomplice suffers broken leg

A

n accused bandit had his leg amputated while his alleged accomplice suffered a broken leg after they ended up in an accident after Police gave chase.

The two, who were on a motorcycle, were allegedly trying to evade Police following a spate of robberies on the East Coast of Demerara.

Reports are Mark Fraser and Denis Johnson, of Stevedore Housing Scheme, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, were allegedly responsible for several armed robberies and were trying to elude Police when the incident occurred.

Johnson claimed that he was riding at a slow pace when the Police began to pursue him.

“The moment we riding going down, when we look back, I see two bright lights in meh eyes, so I left puzzled and I go fuh stop to see is who really deh behind we. In the height of the time I feel the Police just, I feel the vehicle

Denis Johnson’s amputated leg

just lick we down. They come from behind and all I could remember is I fly in de air and I wake up in the hospital,” Johnson told Guyana Times.

He said when he finally regained consciousness, he realised he lost one of his legs, which nurses told him he lost at the scene of the accident.

Meanwhile, Fraser told this publication that as a result of the accident, one of his

Mark Fraser’s broken leg

leg was broken.

“Them didn’t say why they were chasing we and then after till the next day when my father came, they tell me that the Police said they find some gun or something like that.

Them didn’t search we”.

But Crime Chief Paul Williams on Friday said he learnt that the men were involved in a series of armed robberies on the East Coast of Demerara.

“That particular after-

noon (three weeks ago) after the Police received some information from persons within that community, as it relates to the suspicion and the activities of those men, the Police decided to challenge them and they decided to ride on the Railway Embankment when Police pursued and the Police was in hot pursuit and as a result of that, they lost control and that’s how the accident occurred. Not the Police hit them down. That’s not what happened. That’s what I learnt”.

Williams said he is aware of the fact that one of the suspects was discharged and apprehended by the Police. He said Fraser’s relatives were directed to the Commander for the Division, to be briefed as to why the specific action was taken against Fraser, who is a teenager, and his friend.

He said if there is enough evidence and if legal advice is given for the duo to be charged, they will be placed before the courts.

Safeguarding life on Earth – Respecting our biodiversity

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n May 22, 2018, we have the opportunity to join with millions of people around the world in celebrating 'International Day for Biological Diversity'. The United Nations first proclaimed this significant day in 1993 and it has since been observed annually. The aim of the day is to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues facing our planet. Each year, a suitable theme is selected.

This year, the celebrations will be held under the theme: "Celebrating 25 Years of Action for Biodiversity". This year marks the 25th anniversary since the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was enacted and highlights progress made in the achievement of its objectives at both national and global levels.

Living in harmony with the nature

History shows, in a country’s quest for development, one of our greatest downfall has often been simply failing to recognise the important connection – even dependence; all humans have on the natural world.

All life is inevitably dependent on the nature’s ecological systems and their processes to provide clean air and water, assisting in food security through pollination services and even controlling the spread of disease vectors.

We need biodiversity…

Statistics show that 31 per cent of the Earth’s land is forested but continues to be under threat due to deforestation. Yet, we know that forests are the lungs of our planet – Earth. They produce oxygen and act as huge carbon sink, a significant link in our fights against climate change. According to a recent study at the North Carolina State University, one large tree is able to supply a day’s supply of oxygen for four people and collectively, trees absorb up to 48 pounds of carbon dioxide per year.

Indigenous peoples have long been acknowledged as important custodians of the land. It is, therefore, important that we acknowledge and incorporate traditional knowledge into the conservation and management strategy for Guyana's natural resources. Visit the project cobra website and follow us on facebook and twitter to learn more about the current Darwin Initiative Project that is working in partnership with the Government and local Indigenous NGOs towards the integration of traditional knowledge into national policy and practice in Guyana.

Statistics show that 31 per cent of the Earth's land is forested but continues to be under threat due to deforestation. Yet, we know that forests are the lungs of our planet – Earth. They produce oxygen and act as huge carbon sink, a significant link in our fights against climate change. According to a recent study at the North Carolina State University, one large tree is able to supply a day's supply of oxygen for four people and collectively, trees absorb up to 48 pounds of carbon dioxide per year.

The average citizen of the world is now coming to learn and appreciate the integral ties man with the Earth and truly appreciate its value.

Traditional knowledge

Recognising the importance of traditional knowledge in biodiversity conservation, there is a project currently being implemented in Guyana entitled: Integrating Traditional Knowledge in National Policy and Practices. This is a UK-funded (a Darwin Initiative) project which brings together several local partners namely: the Indigenous Peoples Affairs Ministry, the Protected Areas Commission, the Environmental Protection Agency and the North Rupununi District Development Board, among others. This project supports Guyana’s obligations under the CBD as Guyana and other signatory countries works towards meeting the CBD Aichi Targets by 2020. In particular, this project addresses Aichi Target 18 which states: “By 2020, the traditional knowledge, innovations and practices of Indigenous and local communities relevant for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, and their customary use of biological resources, are respected, subject to national legislation and relevant international obligations, and fully integrated and reflected in the implementation of the Convention with the full and effective participation of indigenous and local communities, at all relevant levels”.

Several communities have been engaged to date through the project in community workshops and training in participatory videos.

Embracing partnerships

Twenty-five years later, Guyana continues on an upward trajectory towards conservation and sustainable use biodiversity.

This will become even more important as we move towards a green state. Let’s ensure the future of Guyana’s biological wealth and our health by first becoming educated, then taking the necessary action.

Happy International Biodiversity Day! You can share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O ECEA Programme, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN, or email us at: eit.epaguyana@gmail.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

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SunDAY, may 20, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Local fuel prices spike again The sensibility of the Government’s position on Guyana’s unemployment rate – highlighted in the recently concluded Labour Force Survey

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n March 29, 2018, the Georgetown Chambers of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) held its Annual General Meeting, wherein two senior Government Ministers were in attendance. There, the Minister of State delivered the feature address, in which he posited that the private sector businesses should select business models that would employ a greater number of persons as a solution to tackle the high unemployment rate in Guyana. The Minister further noted that: “It is the private sector, it is the GCCI, that will drive this economy. The Government has set the structure and framework within which businesses will flourish; it is the businesses that will generate employment”. These are, of course, well received statements coming from the Minister of State as an official Government position insofar as they relate to the high level of unemployment in Guyana.

This article, however, seeks to evaluate the legitimacy and authenticity of the Government’s take on this by examining the efficacy of the structure and framework that the Minister had alluded to, and to determine how sensible the ideology is to rather suggest to the private sector businesses to adopt business models with Guyana’s unemployment rate in mind. In a strict and prudent business sense, such a suggestion does not synchronize with the fundamental aims and pursuits of businesses in general when adopting a business model. Businesses operating within a fierce competitive environment, and taking into consideration the external volatilities of the global business environment within which they operate, find it imperative to achieve a high level of efficiency and precision; and in doing so, technology is largely a driving force in this regard. This means that business models are designed inevitably to employ only an optimal level of employees. So, to suggest to the private sector that they should select business models with Guyana’s high rate of unemployment in mind, when in reality the central focus of businesses is about precision and efficiency and minimizing operational and administrative costs at all cost, is to present them with an impracticable and unrealistic proposal.

With respect to the bold assertion made by the Honourable Minister: that the Government has set the framework within which businesses will flourish, this assertion is reduced to insignificance, and is by and large weightless when measured against Guyana’s ranking on the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Report 2018, which covered 190 countries in the world. In that report, Guyana is ranked 126 for ease of doing business. Countries like Trinidad &Tobago, Singapore, China, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Panama, Ghana and Uganda are just few that received better rankings compared to Guyana. To lend some bit of context, the World Bank’s annual ‘Doing Business Report’ provides objective measures of business regulations and their enforcement across 190 economies and selected cities at the subnational and regional levels. The report captures several important dimensions of the regulatory environment as they apply to local firms. It provides quantitative indicators on regulation for starting a business, dealing with construction permits, getting electricity, registering property, getting credit, protecting minority investors, paying taxes, trading across borders, enforcing contracts and resolving insolvency.

The report also measures features of labour market regulation.

The full report on Guyana can be accessed here: http://www. doingbusiness.org/~/media/WBG/DoingBusiness/Documents/ Profiles/Country/GUY.pdf.

Turning now to the Guyana Labour Force Survey report, March 2018, which covered the period up to the third quarter of 2017, which highlighted an unemployment rate of 12 percent.

According to the report, the total labour force population for the reporting period was 550,831 persons, of which the participation rate is 56 percent or 308,188 persons; and the employed population is 271,068, giving rise to an employment to population ratio of 49.2 percent. It should be noted, however, that the report did not account for the 10,000 plus sugar workers that became unemployed in 2018, together with the 40,000 plus dependents who would be adversely affected both directly and indirectly as a result of the largest retrenchment in Guyana’s economic history, as was established in previous writings by this author. With the exception of some 1,000 persons who are claimed to be re-hired on a contractual basis with the re-opening of the Enmore Sugar Estate, it would be prudent to adjust these figures, taking into account this current reality facing the Guyanese economy. So, if one were to add 9,000 unemployed sugar workers, plus a conservative 40,000 dependents, that’s 49,000 plus 37,120 persons, which is what the 12 percent unemployment rate is reflective of in the report. One would arrive at a real unemployment rate for 2018 of 27 percent, and not 12 percent. An unemployment rate of 12 percent, and much less an adjusted real unemployment rate of 27 percent for 2018, is regarded as being too high; and as such, stronger policy debates are warranted on how to reduce Guyana’s rate of unemployment, as it is not a good economic indicator for a developing economy especially. It is hoped that this article can stimulate such debates at the level of the nation’s policymakers. *The Author is the holder of a MSc. Degree in Business Management, with concentration in Global Finance, Financial Markets, Institutions & Banking from a UK university of international standing.

(For comments, questions and responses on articles featured in this column, readers can reach the author at jbinsights@outlook.com).

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onsumers will now have to pay more when refilling their fuel tanks since several private service stations have recently increased their price for fuel.

Guyana Times visited a number of service stations in Georgetown on Saturday where the prices displayed were higher than the slight increase two weeks ago.

At Shell gas station, the price of gasoline increased from $230 to $234 while a litre of V-power now costs $240. Over at Rubis gas station, consumers will now have to pay close to $225 per litre for gasoline.

However, at the Stateowned Guyoil service stations, the price for a litre of gasoline remained at $220 per litre.

While persons have shared their displeasure with the increased prices, many public transport drivers have expressed that it

Some of the increased prices that were displayed

will affect them if it continues to escalate.

Several minibus drivers on Saturday said the increase in fuel will ultimately lead to the increase in transportation costs. A route 40 minibus driver told this publication that commuters usually complain when fares increase but they have to understand that the cost

of fuel has increased.

“The thing is that the prices always raising and it’s crazy because we’re still working for the same fare.

Soon it will grow to a big amount with all [of] this increasing and what will happen then?” he questioned.

In September 2017, world market prices for fuel increased due to the hur-

ricane conditions in the southern hemisphere, which resulted in Guyoil adjusting the prices in gasoline, diesel and kerosene to a higher cost.

Again, in February of this year, Guyoil adjusted its prices upwards. The average price of gasoline around the world is US$1.15 per liter.

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SunDAY, may 20, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

Piracy massacre

Highway smash-up

13 to remain in custody as investigation intensifies

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hirteen of the 30 men who were arrested in connection with the recent deadly piracy attack in Surinamese waters will remain in Police custody for the next 30 days as homicide detectives continue their investigations.

Based on reports coming out of the Dutch- speaking country, the court has granted a request by the Police to further detain the men as they conduct a thorough investigation.

In addition, reports are that there is sufficient evidence against the men to warrant institution of charges.

The surviving fishermen, who are cooperating with the Police, have since given the lawmen detailed descriptions of the attackers, some of which fit those who are presently in custody.

Guyana Times was told that one of the men who were arrested with the others was released by the Police after the magistrate concluded that he had been in the “wrong place at the wrong

Suspected pirate Nakool Manohar

time”. He reportedly was in the area making a drop off at the time the suspects were arrested.

However, “Killerman,” who was arrested on May 16 for the attempted murder of a Police informant and the murder of Guyanese businessman Somnath Monohar, remains in custody. He was arrested by law enforcement agents after they had received information from an informant about his whereabouts. The informant who, according to reports, is an enemy to “Killerman”, was shot

to his chest in an attempted execution by the suspect, who reportedly drove off the scene with another man in his vehicle.

They were, however, pursued by Police ranks who were summoned, who subsequently arrested them.

On May 9, it was reported that Monohar’s family allegedly offered US$50,000 as revenge money for his murder. Monohar was killed on March 30 while he and a colleague were standing in front of a relative’s home.

Nevertheless, Nakool Manohar, the brother of the dead man, was fingered in the deadly piracy attacks which have thus far left four dead and 11 still missing.

It was reported that Nakool, who was only recently arraigned on several piracy- related offences and is on remand, was on one of the boats that carried out the attack. The boat, Cristina-1 SK 1221, captained by Ron Drepaul, was identified by one of the survivors.

Drepaul also was recently arrested.

Clothes vendor charged for stealing cellphone

A

clothes vendor was released on $50,000 bail

by Magistrate Leron Daly when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday on a simple larceny charge.

Tevin Payne pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that between May 12 and May 13, 2018, at Yarrow Dam, La Penitence, Georgetown, he stole one Samsung cellphone from

Delicia Brown.

Police Prosecutor Sanj Singh did not object to bail being granted to the accused while informing the court that the matter is still being investigated.

Payne in his defence told the court that he did not steal the phone, stating it was given to him by Brown.

The matter was adjourned until May 28.

Driver of motorcar succumbs

…brings death toll to 3

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lmost one week after that horrific accident occurred at Kuru Kururu, along the Soesdyke/Linden Highway, a third person has succumbed to injuries sustained. This time it is the driver of the motorcar that was involved in the two-vehicle collision.

Shennelle Hughes, 31, of Rohan Housing Scheme and Back Half, Diamond, East Bank Demerara, is the third person to have died in the accident. Her daughter, sixyear-old Arianna Hughes, was the first to have died.

Her death was followed by that of Quinton Odle, 42, of Blankenburg, West Coast Demerara.

Ariana died on Monday last, while Odle took his last breath on Thursday.

Presently, Prem, Lakeram and Rookmin Persaud of Kaneville, East Bank Demerara; and Jada Enmore, 9, and four-yearold Tyrese Authur, remain patients at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

The now dead woman moments after the accident on Sunday last

The dead persons were occupants of motorcar PMM 548, which collided head-on with minibus BHH 8451.

The bus was reportedly heading to Grove, East Bank Demerara while the motorcar was heading to Linden.

Initial investigation revealed that Shennelle Hughes had driven the motor car into a pool of water, causing her to lose control of the vehicle, which swerved into the path of the minibus and resulted in the collision.

Several persons from both vehicles had sustained injuries, and were rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, where they were treated. Those with the more serious injuries were transferred to the GPHC. Three of the eight persons transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital have subsequently succumbed.

A sister of the dead woman, when contacted, refused to offer a comment.

Moruca teen granted bail on attempted murder charge

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ineteen-year-old Chavez Torres of Moruca, North West District (NWD) was on Friday arraigned before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on an attempted murder charge alleging that on May 10, 2018, at Moruca, NWD, with intent to commit murder, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Daryl Gomes.

It has been alleged that,

on the day in question, the victim was in the village when he was confronted by the accused, who dealt him several blows to his head with a hammer.

The victim was hospitalized, and was discharged from a city hospital only a few days ago.

Torres was not required to plead to the indictable offence, but Police Prosecutor Gordon

Mansfield did not object to him being placed on bail. However, he requested that conditions be attached to the granting of bail. One such condition was for the accused to stay more than 50 feet away from the victim.

Torres was placed on bail in the sum of $100, 000, and is expected to make his next court appearance on July 3.

Albouystown man charged for defrauding GRA

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ablo Paul Joseph, 30, of Lot 84 Breda Street, Werk-enRust, Georgetown, was on Friday released on $100,000 bail by Senior Magistrate Leron Daly when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. He was slapped with two counts of fraud.

The court heard that on May 14, 2018, while at Camp Street, Georgetown with intent to defraud, he uttered two forged certificate of vehicle registration for a vehicle bearing registration number (PLL 7715) in favour of Isha Killkenny, proposing to show that same was issued by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).

Facts presented to the court revealed that on the day in question, GRA Clerk Shirmattie Arjune was attending to Joseph when she was given the illegitimate

documents.

Upon checking same, the Clerk noticed that the said vehicle was not registered to Killkenny, but to Lilian Akeung of Lot 117 Cane View Avenue, South Ruimveldt Gardens.

Upon checking the system to authenticate the certificate, the registration and chassis numbers corresponded with vehicle number PRR 6691, a vehicle registered to Yvotte Fiedkou of Lot 221 First Avenue, La Parfaite Harmonie West Bank Demerara.

The vehicle was allegedly stolen in 2014. However, Joseph was also accused of fraudulently imitating the identification mark on motor vehicle PLL 7715 on May 17, 2018.

Joseph denied both charges after it was read to him. The matter was adjourned until June 8.

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SunDAY, may 20, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Cuyuni mining camp robbery

“Miners are at the mercy of gunmen” – company rep …calls for Joint Services patrol

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ollowing a daring attack on a mining camp belonging to Mohammed’s Enterprise, the entity is calling for Government to offer more protection for miners working on Guyana’s border.

Eight foreign language speaking gunmen raided Mohamed’s Enterprise mining camp at Baboon Backdam, Cuyuni River, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), escaping with a large quantity of raw gold and other valuables, including a licensed shot gun.

Speaking with this newspaper on Saturday, a representative of the company said the Police have since arrested two boat operators, who are suspected to have transported the gunmen.

The representative noted that the situation in the interior has become very dangerous and is calling to Government to intervene.

“We need more Joint Services patrol in the area.

Guyanese miners are suffering at the hands of these bandits suspected to be Venezuelans,” the representative said.

He noted that even fuel suppliers are being targeted by the gunmen.

“What they do is they hide in the bushes on the river banks and when they see a boat transporting fuel, they will shoot at it. These are all

foreigners doing this. We are at their mercy in the Cuyuni area.”

He added that as a result of the surge in criminal activity, persons are refusing to go into the area to work.

“Getting workers to work is hard now. People are afraid for their lives. The workers are scared. As such, our company is calling for protection from the Government. Guyanese miners are really suffering a lot. These gunmen are operating with high-powered weapons,” the company’s representative said.

Based on reports received, the bandits were armed with high-powered weapons and were clad in dark-coloured clothing.

Initial investigations revealed that about 28 workers of the mining camp were in the mining camp at between 19:00h and 23:00h on Wednesday night when the

men held the camp hostage.

The miners were ordered to hand over all the raw gold that was kept in the camp and other personal items, including the shot gun. After committing the robbery, the men left. No one was injured during the ordeal.

In April 6, a Dominican Republic national, Pedro Pablo Rosario, a night supervisor at a mining camp, was shot and killed at about 02:00h when a group of armed and masked bandits invaded that mining camp at Black Water Backdam, Cuyuni River, Region Seven.

According to information reaching <<<<<Guyana Times>>>>>, 55-year-old Rosario and four other workers were on duty while other workers were at the dredge, about 30 feet away, when the gunmen pounced on them.

Rosario was reportedly relaxing in a hammock at the

watch camp when one of the bandits confronted him and discharged a round that fatally struck him. The three suspects then went to the dredge area, where they held the workers at gunpoint and removed two gold mats from the sluice box before making good their escape.

This newspaper had reported that the owner of the camp reportedly told investigators that a total of 100 ounces of raw gold were on the mats to settle.

Although a number of per-

“We need more Joint Services patrol in the area. Guyanese miners are suffering at the hands of these bandits suspected to be Venezuelans.” sons were questioned by Police in the matter, no one has been charged.

This most recent robbery comes on the heels of persons operating mining camps in the Cuyuni region complaining bitterly over security threats, particularly from members of the Venezuelabased Sindicato gang.

Over the past months, President David Granger has been visiting frontline communities along the border with Venezuela, and has announced several measures to beef up security in those areas, including an increased presence of Community Policing Group members.

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sunday, may 20, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

Region 2 RDC not consulted on removal of pedestrian crossings …says dangerous situation created

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he Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Two (Pomeroon /Supenaam) is calling on the Public Infrastructure Minister (MPI) and other relevant authorities to revisit the deci-

sion to remove some pedestrian crossings that were placed along the Essequibo Coast public road.

Noting that it had not been consulted about the repainting and removal of ex-

isting pedestrian crossings on that public road, the RDC is expressing great disappointment at the way the project was conducted, and concern about the lack of consultation thereon.

The RDC has said the

pedestrian crossings placed at key areas have been removed. For example, the crossing in Affiance Village next to the busy Imam Bacchus Co. Ltd has been removed. That area, the RDC noted, has a school, super-

market, rice factory, and play park.

The RDC added that there has been one fatal accident involving a car and a pedestrian since the removal of that crossing.

The RDC has said it raised its concern on the matter by way of letter written

to the Public Infrastructure Minister, but to date has not received any response.

Nevertheless, the RDC has said it is calling on the minister to urgently intervene and take appropriate action to correct this dangerous situation created on the Essequibo Coast.

BV teen’s murder

Case still being investigated – Police

A

lthough five months have elapsed since the body of 18-yearold Rainella Benfield was discovered in the Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara (ECD) cemetery, with her face completely disfigured, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) have not given up hope on solving the case.

Crime Chief Paul Williams on Friday told Guyana Times that the investigation into the matter is still open as investigators attempt to solve the case.

Benfield, who was a receptionist attached to Qualfon, of Lot 99 Canterbury Walk, Beterverwagting, ECD, was discovered dead by residents at about 07:00h on December 11, 2017.

Her hands were resting on her chest while the pair of jeans she was wearing was pulled to her knees.

Guyana Times was told that the teen left home on Saturday morning for work and after she did not return home that evening, her relatives were under the impression that she was working overtime. However, much to

Dead: Rainella Benfield

their dismay, they received a call informing them that her body was found in the cemetery.

Investigators are working on the theory that the teen might have been sexually assaulted before her face was bashed in with a heavy object, believed to be a stone. The teen’s relatives were questioned by investigators about her social life and acquaintances. Police have visited the homes of several young men in the area, who are believed to be members of a gang.

Investigations into the brutal murder are ongoing as Police continues in their attempt to gather more information.

Taxi driver gets bail for assaulting sister, daughter

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fifty-two-year-old taxi driver was on Friday released on $100,000 bail by Senior Magistrate Leron Daly on two counts of assault when he made his appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Peter Thompson of D’Urban Street, Lodge, Georgetown, is accused of wounding Rita Howard with intent to disfigure or cause grievous bodily harm on April

30, 2018. In addition, he also allegedly assaulted Prisilla Thompson with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Thompson denied the allegations that were made out against him. Police Prosecutor Sanj Singh did not object for bail to be granted to the accused and as such, he was released on $40,000 and $60,000 bail respectively.

The matter was adjourned until June 15.

sunDAY, may 20, 2018

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GFF discloses additional plans for Providence facility A

s construction works continue at the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) National Training Center at Providence, President of the Federation, Wayne Forde, disclosed that there are now additional plans for the improvement of the facility.

Giving an update on the facility, Forde said, “The facility is going very well. Of course the weather has

GFF President, Wayne Forde

halted the installation of the playing surface.”

He went on to explain that, in a recent visit to the facility, it was discovered that the final levelling was damaged due to the on-

going inclement weather.

This has halted any pending installations at the facility. However, works are scheduled to resume as soon as there is better weather.

According to Forde, within three weeks of the recommencement of those works, the turf should be ready.

Aside from that, Forde disclosed, there are additional plans for the utilization of the facility. “What we’re going to do with Providence, we’ve shifted the focus; the key objective is to bring Providence up to a state that it’s functional for the preparation of the teams,” Forde stated.

He explained that the Federation would usually spend approximately US$2000 for hotels or other accommodations in order to facilitate preparatory camps. However, the Federation plans to cut out that cost by making use of an existing building at Providence.

“The existing building that we inherited with that facility we’re putting some investment into it, modifying it,” he stated. Those modifications would include the installment of dorms, proper washrooms, a kitch-

en area, and a technical department.

Even during the rehabilitation of that building, construction works at the facility would continue as per normal. The GFF is expect-

ing to receive the four aluminum pre-fab stands soon, which have a holding capacity of between 1000 and 1500 persons. However, the key focus at the moment continues to be encampment

facilities. “Ultimately, we want to get to a point where we can host a certain level of games, but the key driver is being able to bring the teams in for encampment,” Forde explained.

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sunDAY, may 20, 2018

Pre-Independence Horse Race Meet postponed

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ans of that very beloved sport touted as the preserve of kings will regrettably have to wait just a little bit longer to witness the much anticipated Pre-Independence Horse Race Meet that was scheduled for today at the Kennard Memorial Turf Club on the Corentyne Coast in Berbice, since rain has forced organisers to reschedule this activity. The decision to postpone was made yesterday, and organiser of the meet, Justice (retd) Cecil Kennard, told this newscast that the weather on the Corentyne Coast in East Berbice has not been favourable of late. As such, he has been left with absolutely no choice other than to postpone the event for a date to be announced in due course.

Fifty horses had been slated to compete at the Kennard Memorial Turf Club at Bush Lot Farm on the Corentyne Coast on Tuesday. Some $2 million in cash prizes had been up for grabs, with the feature attraction on the seven-race card being the H Class and Lower race, which had had a top purse of $240,000; while the 2nd place winner would have received $120,000; third place winner $60,000, and fourth $30,000.

When this meet is eventually staged, it will be run under the rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority.

Contact can be made with Justice (retd) Kennard on 6237609 or 225-4818 for new information on the staging of this event.

Doris to attend NSC Awards

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roy Doris, Guyana’s 2018 Commonwealth gold medallist, will arrive here on Monday in response to the National Sports Commission’s invitation extended to him to visit during the week of Guyana’s 52nd Independence anniversary celebrations.

Apart from a number of scheduled meetings and courtesy calls, Doris will be a special guest at the NSC’s Sports Awards Ceremony and Dinner which will be held on Tuesday at the Savannah Suite of the Pegasus Hotel.

This event will see over 57 individuals, including sportsmen and sportswomen, as well as sports administrators and journalists, being awarded for their outstanding performance in 2017, be it locally, regionally or internationally.

During his sojourn, Doris is scheduled to visit students of the mining town of Linden, Region 10; call on Her Worship the Mayor of Georgetown, and City Councillors; meet the Honourable Dr. George Norton, Minister of Social Cohesion; and call on His Excellency President David Granger.

He would attend the 52nd Flag Raising Ceremony at D’Urban Park, among other engagements. The National Sports Commission (NSC) hereby thanks Corporate Guyana and Government agencies for lending support to make Doris’s visit a reality. Those include: Airline of choice, Fly Jamaica; Princess Ramada Hotel, Kings Jewellery, Ministry of Public Health, and Guyana Carnival, among others.

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VACANCIES E N M O R E / H O P E NEIGHBOURGHOOD DEMOCRATIC COUNCIL. VACANCY ONE OVERSEER VACANCY EXISTS WITHIN THE ENMORE/HOPE NDC FOR AN OVERSER. SEND APPLICATION TO THE ABOVE NDC ON OR BEFORE 28TH MAY, 2018. REQUIREMENT: FIVE (5) CXC SUBJECTS, INCLUDING MATHEMATICS AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE, MUST BE COMPUTER LITERATE. APPLICATION CAN BE SENT TO CHAIRMAN, ENMORE/ HOPE NDC, BEEZIE, ENMORE, EAST COAST DEMERARA. NB: ONLY SHORT LISTED APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED.

sports

21

Narine, Lynn and Uthappa book KKR's playoffs spot I

PBody language isn't as noteworthy in cricket as it is in other sports, like tennis. But Kolkata Knight Riders' body language in the last three games of this season has been worth noticing because it aggressively manifested into determination, and subsequently performance. KKR produced another such spirited display against Sunrisers Hyderabad, beating them by five wickets to book their berth in the playoffs. Three teams - Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab - vie for the only remaining spot going into the final day of regular season.

During their previous game against Rajasthan Royals, captain Dinesh Karthik admonished any fault in the field. Chris Lynn strongly suggested only he wanted to finish off their chase in that game. And Sunil Narine, often the most stoic player on the field, was distraught after he holed out against Sunrisers despite contributing with a 10ball 29 that put KKR well on course for the playoffs.

It was body language that demonstrated not only their need to win, but their will to.

Prasidh Krishna claimed 4 for 30 to help KKR restrict Sunrisers to 172 after a blazing start by Shikhar Dhawan, Sreevats Goswami and Kane Williamson.

Again, Lynn anchored the chase with a 43-ball 55. With the help of cameos from Narine, Robin Uthappa and Dinesh Karthik, KKR never fell behind the chase, consigning Sunrisers to their third straight defeat.

Sunrisers were on the receiving end of a terrific batting performance from Royal Challengers Bangalore in their previous game. When RCB made a strong start,

Prasidh Krishna of Kolkata Kinght Riders celebrates the wicket of Kane Shikhar Dhawan of Sunrisers Hyderabad

they didn't back down thereafter, even if wickets caused by their risky approach threatened to stall their momentum.

Against KKR, Sunrisers started in similar fashion and managed to sustain that tempo, albeit in entirely different batting conditions from the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Shreevats Goswami and Dhawan capitalised on a wayward Powerplay from KKR to score 60 in the period, including a 20-run over from Andre Russell.

Sunrisers' downward spiral saw them slide from 127 for 1 after 12.4 overs to 172 for 9 ESPNcricinfo Ltd Goswami picked out long-on off the bowling of Kuldeep Yadav, but Kane Williamson, in sensational form, didn't let the scoring rate dip. His first ball was a delectable pull through square leg, the only four of his innings. He also struck three sixes: two were whipped over midwicket and one a lap-scoop over fine leg, displaying his ever-improving T20 range.

By the time Williamson was dismissed in the 13th over, Sunrisers were coasting at 128. Then, like the sudden absence of music

SCOREBOARD Sunrisers Hyderabad Innings (20 overs maximum) S Dhawan lbw b Prasidh Krishna 50 SP Goswami † c Russell b Kuldeep Yadav 35 KS Williamson (c) c Russell b Scantlebury-Searles 36 MK Pandey c sub (RK Singh) b Prasidh Krishna 25 YK Pathan c Uthappa b Narine 2 CR Brathwaite c †Karthik b Russell 3 Shakib Al Hasan c Narine b Prasidh Krishna 10 Rashid Khan c †Karthik b Prasidh Krishna 0 B Kumar run out (†Karthik) 0 S Kaul not out 0 Extras 11 (b 4, lb 1, nb 1, w 5) TOTAL 172/9 (20 Overs, RR: 8.6) Did not bat: Sandeep Sharma Fall of wickets: 1-79 (SP Goswami, 8.4 ov), 2-127 (KS Williamson, 12.5 ov), 3-141 (S Dhawan, 15.1 ov), 4-147 (YK Pathan, 16.2 ov), 5-161 (CR Brathwaite, 18.1 ov), 6-168 (MK Pandey, 19.1 ov), 7-172 (Shakib Al Hasan, 19.4 ov), 8-172 (Rashid Khan, 19.5 ov), 9-172 (B Kumar, 19.6 ov) BOWLING: N Rana (1-0-50), M Prasidh Krishna (4-0-

30-4), AD Russell (3-0-311), SP Narine (4-0-23-1), PP Chawla (2-0-19-0), Kuldeep Yadav (4-0-35-1), JPR Scantlebury-Searles (2-0-24-1) Kolkata Knight Riders Innings (target: 173 runs from 20 overs) CA Lynn c Pandey b Kaul 55 SP Narine c Pandey b Shakib Al Hasan 29 RV Uthappa c †Goswami b Brat hwaite 45 KD Karthik (c) † not out 26 AD Russell c Pandey b Kaul 4 N Rana c Kumar b Brathwaite 7 Shubman Gill not out 0 Extras 7 (lb 2, w 5) TOTAL 173-5 (19.4 Overs, RR: 8.79) Did to bat: PP Chawla, JPR Scantlebury-Searles, Kuldeep Yadav, M Prasidh Krishna Fall of wickets: 1-52 (SP Narine, 3.4 ov), 2-119 (CA Lynn, 13.1 ov), 3-149 (RV Uthappa, 16.3 ov), 4-160 (AD Russell, 17.4 ov), 5-172 (N Rana, 19.2 ov) BOWLING: B Kumar (4-0-330), Sandeep Sharma (2-0-300), S Kaul (4-0-26-2), Shakib Al Hasan (3-0-30-1), Rashid Khan (4-0-31-0), CR Brathwaite (2.4-0-21-2)

at a party, Sunrisers just stopped enjoying the night

and their batting turned laborious.

Just four boundaries were struck in the rest of the innings as Sunrisers huffed and puffed to 172 for 9. Four wickets, including a run-out, fell in the final over, bowled

by Prasidh Krishna, who finished with 4 for 30. With just 45 runs in the last 43 balls, Sunrisers didn't have enough. Yet, they did have their highest score of the season.

KKR's batsmen have found their own successful method of pacing an innings.

Narine usually attacks from the outset. Uthappa has continued to stay aggres-

sive at No. 3. Lynn bats around them, while Karthik is tasked with finishing off games.

Saturday night was no different. Narine scored 29 off 10, with four fours and two sixes as KKR pummeled 60 runs in the first five overs. The rest of the innings was all about staying ahead of the chase. Lynn was more circumspect, consuming 43 balls for his 55.

Uthappa was proficient with cross-batted strokes again, but was caught via a top edge for 45. By also keeping Rashid Khan wicketless, KKR ensured they enjoyed their night, music and all.

(ESPN Cricinfo)

22

guyanatimesgy.com

sunDAY, may 20, 2018

GTTA Senior National Championships…

Britton, Greaves soar to U-21 titles – Van Lange cops “C” Class

Jonathan Van Lange (left) returns a serve to Colin Wong in the “C” Class Open final on Saturday at the National Gymnasium (Akeem Greene Photo)

By Akeem Greene

S

hemar Britton, Priscilla Greaves and Jonathan Van Lange were the first set of champions to be crowned when the Guyana Table Tennis Association’s (GTTA’s) Senior National Championships continued on Saturday at the National Gymnasium.

Still bubbling from his experiences at the 21st Commonwealth Games recently held in Australia, Britton swept away the talented Kyle Edghill to win the boys’ 21-and-under title.

The left-handed racket-wielder, widely known for his forearm dominance, came against an opponent with a long history of rivalry, and used finesse along with rapid application of pressure to win straight sets 11-6, 11-7 & 11-6.

Heading into the second set, all of the sprinkling of spectators, many of whom are relatives of players, would have mentally begun engraving Britton’s name on the trophy, but Edghill hit his stride.

He took a 4-1 lead, capitalizing on Britton’s unnecessary rushing of the match. However, his joy was short-lived, as Britton quickly recognised the error of his ways and began taking Edghill wide, while he mixed aggression with some cheeky play. In the precursor to the grand finale, a fired-up Britton made light work of budding prodigy Kaysan Ninavlle, winning their encounter 11-2, 11-6 & 11-3; while Edghil was made to work hard in his clash with Yeudistir

Persaud in a match in which he eventually prevailed 117, 13-11 & 11-8.

For the 21-and-under females, a minimal participation meant it was played on a round-robin finals’ basis, and that opened it to literally becoming a cake-walk for Greaves, as she imposed her superiority on Nevah Clarkston, Thuraia Thomas, Nkechi McRae and Sana Jacques, the final standings finishing in that order.

Meanwhile, 11-year-old Van Lange, who spent most of 2018 watching others walk away with the silverware after some heart-breaking finals, crossed the final hurdle in grand style to win the “C” Class Open title ahead of Colin Wong.

Van Lange defeated his Titans Table Tennis Club mate 11-7, 11-9 & 11-9. The results notwithstanding, it was no easy match for Van Lange, as he was forced to pull all of his tricks out of the proverbial bag and do what he had not done since the season started: hold his nerve and win.

Trading shot for shot in some impressive rallies, Van Lange used his clear advantage, his extended reach in comparison to Wong’s, which essentially tipped the scale when some lopping rallies began to bud.

Their respective semi-final bouts saw Wong clinically defeating Krystian Sahadeo 11-7, 11-6 & 11-4; while Van Lange performed a similar feat against Chad Outar, winning 11-6, 11-4 & 12-10.

Today, The “B” Class and Senior Open Male and Female finals will conclude the 3-day event. Action commences at 10:00h.

23

SunDAY, may 20, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

SUNDAY, MAY 20, 2018

Sports is no longer our game, it’s our business

guyanatimesgy.com

GTTA Senior National Championships…

Pg 22

Britton, Greaves soar to U-21 titles – Van Lange cops “C” Class

Kyle Edghill (right) is outstretched against a clinical Shemar Britton (Akeem Greene photo)

Pre Independence Horse Race Meet postponed Pg 20

Fans were expecting top action but rain has left the Kennard Memorial Turf Club in a less than desirable state

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Independence Magazine

2 Times Independence Magazine

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MAY 20, 2018

Celebrating 52 Years Of Independence

– (From Earliest Times to Independence)

T

hroughout the early part of 1966, preparations for Guyana’s independence celebrations went in full swing. A special committee appointed by the government designed the new coat of arms and selected the Canje pheasant as the national bird.

The design and colours of the new flag, appropriately called “The Golden Arrowhead”, had already been chosen during the period of the PPP government from entries submitted through an international competition. The winning

five-coloured design was submitted by an American, Whitney Smith. The name chosen for the independent nation – Guyana – was also chosen since 1962 by a select committee appointed by the House of Assembly.

The flag of Guyana was designed with a golden arrowhead along its middle to signify Guyana’s journey into the future. The golden arrowhead, with narrow white and black strips along its sides, was set on a green and red background with narrow white and black strips along the sides of the arrowhead.

The five colours were also seen as symbolic to the country various assets: green for the agriculture and forests; gold representing the country’s mineral wealth; red for the zeal of nation-building; black border, depicting the people’s endurance; and white symbolising the natural water potential of the country.

A nation-wide competition, sponsored by the National History and Arts Council, also helped to select the words of the new national anthem. The winning entry, “Green Land of Guyana”,

The Duke of Kent presents the instruments of independence to Prime Minister LFS Burnham, May 26, 1966

was written by Reverend Archibald Luker, and the words were set to music by Cyril G. Potter, a prominent Guyanese educator and musician.

Guyana became an independent nation on Thursday, 26 May 1966, but the independence celebrations began four days before and continued until 29 May. Public buildings and business places were brightly decorated with streamers and buntings bearing the colours of the Guyana flag.

On the evening of 25 May, a grand cultural performance took place at the Queen Elizabeth Park (later to be renamed the National Park). Dignitaries in the audience of thousands included the Duke and Duchess of

new flag, fireworks burst across the sky in various parts of the country.

Then around mid-morning, the State opening of the Parliament of Guyana took place. It was preceded by a military parade accompanied by much pomp and pageantry. Significantly, for this occasion, a portrait of Sir Walter Raleigh decorating the wall of the Parliament chamber was removed and replaced with a portrait of Prime Minister Burnham.

The meeting of Parliament was chaired by the Speaker, Aubrey Alleyne. The Duke of Kent read a throne speech on behalf of the Queen, after which on behalf of the sovereign, Queen Elizabeth, he handed over to Prime

opportunity to point out that the Burnham government was abusing its powers through the extension of the state of emergency beyond the date of independence.

This, he said, was generating fear throughout the country and was detrimental to the struggle for peace and security.

He also highlighted the view that his party was “the victim of repeated constitutional manipulations designed to keep it out of office.” He added, “We are confident that despite these manipulations the People’s Progressive Party can be triumphant at future elections if these are fairly held.”

Later that afternoon, Sir Richard Luyt was sworn in by the Duke of Kent as

Linden Forbes Burnham and Dr Cheddi Jagan

Kent, representing Queen Elizabeth, and representatives of foreign governments.

Then at midnight, the Union Jack, the symbol of British colonial rule for 163 years, was lowered and the new flag of Guyana, the Golden Arrowhead, was raised to the top of the mast. Just before the flag raising ceremony before a huge crowd, Prime Minister Forbes Burnham and Opposition Leader Cheddi Jagan publicly embraced each other, indicating their satisfaction that Guyana had finally won its political independence.

With the raising of the

Minister Burnham the constitutional instruments designating Guyana an independent nation. Immediately after, there were speeches

by Prime Minister Forbes Burnham and Leader of the Opposition Cheddi Jagan.

Burnham, in an appeal to Guyanese nationalism, declared: “The days ahead are going to be difficult.

Tomorrow, no doubt, we as Guyanese will indulge in the usual political conflicts and differences in ideology. But today, to my mind, is above such petty matters. For today Guyana is free.”

In welcoming independence, Dr Jagan seized the

Guyana’s first Governor General at a ceremony in the ballroom of Guyana House, the official residence of the Governor General.

During the period of the independence celebrations, many public events were also held. These included carnival-style parties, exhibitions, float parades and public rallies addressed by Burnham and his ministers.

On achieving independence, Guyana became the 23rd member of the British Commonwealth. (Excerpted from “The Guyana Story – (From Earliest Times to Independence) by Dr Odeen Ishmael. 2005. Guyana.org)

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1

966 was an historic year.

British Guiana was throwing off the shackles of British Colonialism to achieve Independence on May 26, - 900 years, after William of Normandy had invaded England. Relative calm had returned to the nation after the political upheavals of 1962 to 1964, as we now prepared

MAY 20, 2018

renowned (Chronicle) Atlantic Symphony Orchestra off the Kitty foreshore, while 900 school children, together with performers from the Theatre Guild Dance Group – plus musical ensembles - the nation’s major choral groups - Police Male Voice Choir, - Police & other steel bands prepared for a lavish historical Pageant

Times Independence Magazine 3 Celebrating 52 Years Of Independence

braced each other publicly to tumultuous applause...simultaneously a team of GDF Soldiers with Amerindian guides, led by Adrian Thompson raised the flag our Golden Arrowhead on Mt Ayanganna. The flag was also raised at the old Fort Nassau, the ancient capital of Berbice, by a direct descendant of our

achieved much in the field of music, theatre, drama and the arts. Ramblers, Combo 7 and Rhythmaires competed for best string bands, while Kaietuckians, CASSO, Pelcans, Silvertones, and Invaders were the top steelbands.

The ‘Sound of Music’, Dr Zhivago, Agony and Ecstasy - Born Free, A Man for all

Queen Elizabeth meeting with Guyanese during her visit to British Guiana in 1966 just before the country gained independence

to become “One People, One Nation, One Destiny” These ‘prophetic’ words, which became our ‘nation’s motto, first appeared May 1958 during a massive Float Parade in honour of the visit of Princess Margaret. Six floats depicting the ‘Six Peoples’ produced by the Theatre Guild carried this slogan. I portrayed a Chinese ‘coolie’ shopkeeper’, complete with pigtails, while the Chinese Dragon Dancers showcased their culture.

Later that year, in October, Minister Brindley Benn, Minister of Education and Community Development, adopted the May motto, as the slogan for ‘History and Culture Week. There’s much conjecture today in the new millennium whether this ‘Oneness’ has been achieved. February 1966, Queen Elizabeth visited, signifying the beginning of the end of 163 years of British rule.

The Queen attended a Royal Race Meet at Durban Park, and I was particularly pleased when visiting the Legislature, she paused on the balcony to admire briefly my décor on the Demico House façade, which was a ‘striking tribute to the House of Windsor'.

Locally, feverish preparations for the independence celebrations were in full swing. The year before Major Clarence Price had assumed command of the Guyana Defence Force from Col Pope, and the local forces were in continuous ‘drill sessions’ preparing for the ‘pomp and circumstance’planned.

Rudy Bishop formed the

‘Ours The Glory’ to be staged at the Queen Elizabeth Park (later renamed National Park). Cicely Robinson – was the pageant Director.

The Theatre Guild in conjunction with the National History and Arts Council staged ‘Guyana Legend’ written and directed by Ricardo Smith, with original musical compositions by Hugh Sam and Valerie Rodway.

Come May – the celebrations began throughout the week of May 22 to 29th with pageants, concerts, parades, folk singing and dancing; Indian musicians; Chinese dragon dancers; Queh Queh; calypsonians, and steel band tramps – all in a potpourri of frenzied celebration.

Sir Jim Campbell dedicated the Independence Arch on Brickdam near Vlissengen Road – a gift from DEMBA to the people of Guyana. Bookers gift to the nation was the land at Turkeyen where the University of Guyana was subsequently built On the evening of Wednesday May 25th a grand cultural performance at the Queen Elizabeth Park was staged before thousands, including dignitaries, with the Duke and Duchess of Kent representing the Queen. At midnight, Lt Desmond Roberts lowered the Union Jack and our Golden Arrowhead was raised to a stirring gun salute, followed by a spectacular firework display with effigies of Prime Minister Forbes Burnham and the Kaieteur Falls.

Burnham and Jagan em-

former Dutch Settlers and also on Fort Island – the site of the former old capital of Essequibo. The State Banquet followed a special session of the Legislature where a painting of Sir Walter Raleigh was replaced by a portrait of PM Forbes Burnham. Aubrey Percival Alleyne was the Speaker of the House, Sir Richard Luyt, K.C.M.G. the departing Governor General and Hon Rahaman B. Gajraj C.C.E. our Mayor.

Unfortunately I missed most of the official ceremonies as I was preparing for the Float Parade – having 3 Banks/ DIH vehicles to decorate in allnight sessions. I actually witnessed the midnight fireworks from a guava tree in John Carter’s residence at Sandy Babb Street and Vlissengen Road.

The Float Parade was breathtaking – Guyanese celebrating liberation and independence, with a massive tramp east on North road – past the reviewing stand, constructed on the Lama gradient opposite the Bourda Green.

My floats– “Let Freedom reign”, ICEE Delights, and Pepsi Power won first, third and fifth place respectively.

Weiting & Richter’s topical 7UP Dwarfs was second. 1966 was a pivotal year in our history.

The Bank of Guyana was established the previous year, and a National Insurance Scheme implemented. Parade Ground was renamed Independence Park.

Culturally the nation had

Seasons, and Blue Max were the silver screen hits. Radio Stations Radio Demerara and GBS on Hadfield Street were fully operational. The hit songs on the airwaves were Born Free, "Somewhere my Love, Strangers in the Night."

Guyanese icon Dave Martins scored his first breakthrough hit with ‘Honeymooning Couple”

Four years later, the nation became The Co-Operative Republic of Guyana. (Excerpts from an article by Godfrey Chin published in the Guyana Times) For more Nostalgias check out Godfrey’s Nostalgias - de Book - Golden Memories of Guyana 1940 to 1980 now on sale locally. (godchin1@aol. com)

4 Times Independence Magazine

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MAY 20, 2018

Celebrating 52 Years Of Independence

Independence struggle, and to sustain the gains accrued since 1966.

Former President Cheddi Jagan asserted that the reasons for the Independence strug-

gle were "...Because life was hard and conditions were abominable. (Excerpt from the Guyana Chronicle 2003)

Hand in Hand building decorated for the first independence day celebration

“M

ost, if not all buildings were decorated with buntings, colors of the new Guyana flag, and lights. The trees on Main Street and Camp street avenues were all lit up and were like a fairly land. Citizens (including yours truly) strolled through the avenues and window shopped at night just to admire the lights and decorations,” The Duke of Edinburgh was in town for the celebrations as were other foreigners either on official business or otherwise. The Demerara Rowing Club hosted a Regatta in the Demerara River.

Some of us were allowed time off from work to attend (in the Club house of course). It was really a festive time the likes of which I have not seen since, and reminded of the Coronation celebrations in the ‘50s. People were able to put aside their differences, political and otherwise for a while to be unit-

ed in celebrating this significant, historical event.”

These were the fond recollections of a then young Guyanese girl, of Chinese ancestry; now a grown woman and preparing for the country’s 52nd Independence Anniversary, the memories of that auspicious period still had the power to bring a warm smile. Throughout the early part of 1966, preparations for Guyana's independence were in full swing; guests included Dignitaries and the Duke and Duchess of Kent.

Independence is one of the most significant days in this country's history, a history that must never be erased. To even understand this day's significance, we have to indulge and engage ourselves into the past to feel the experiences of previous generations, to understand the reasons for the

Independence heroes

Cheddi Berret Jagan - (March 1918 March 1997) (Executive President of the Republic of Guyana: Oct 9, 1992 - Mar 6, 1997) Jagan was born on March 22, 1918 on the sugar plantation of Port Mourant, Berbice.

His father was a foreman of a work crew on the plantation.

His grandparents had come from India as indentured labourers.

After primary school and two years of secondary school, his father sent him to Queen’s College in the city of Georgetown. He was then fifteen years old. In September

Linden Forbes Burnham and Dr Cheddi Jagan fought for an independent Guyana

1935, Cheddi left for the United States where he did pre-dental

studies at Howard University.

He was able to earn a scholar-

Prime Minister Forbes Burnham is cheered by the large crowd as he leaves the National Park after the flag raising ceremony on May 26, 1966.

ship to pay for his second year at Howard.

In 1938, he entered Northwestern University and embarked on a fouryear dental program graduating in 1942. While studying dentistry he was also doing courses in social studies. He graduated in 1942, with a degree in dental surgery (DDS) and a Bachelor of Sciences degree (B.Sc).

On August 5, 1943 he married a student nurse, Janet Rosenberg before returning home in October that year. Cheddi set up his dental practice with the help of his wife, as dental assistant, his brother, as laboratory assistant, and a cousin. He also spent a great deal of time with the workers and was soon established as a labour leader.

In 1947 Dr. Jagan formally entered the political arena with his election to the National Assembly. In 1950, three years later, he created the People's Progressive Party (PPP). In 1953, the PPP won the first elections held under Universal Adult Suffrage.

However, Britain suspended the Constitution, citing the PPP's pro-communist ideology. The British sent troops and warships to deal with any resistance they might encounter but there were only peaceful demonstrations. Dr. Jagan was imprisoned for six months for not obeying an order limiting his movements.

In 1955 Dr. Jagan was reelected leader of the People's Progressive Party. Between 1953 and 1957, the PPP was split in two factions. Dr. Jagan continued to be leader of the PPP, while the new faction, named the People’s National Congress PNC), was led by Forbes Burnham.

The PPP won the 1957 and 1961 elections becoming the country’s first Premier, and formed the Government. In 1964 the

PPP again won the election with a majority of the votes cast. However, the elections, was held under the system of Proportional Representation, the Government was formed by a Coalition comprising the PNC, led by Burnham and the United Force (UF), led by businessman, Peter D’Aguiar.

Dr. Jagan was leader of the Opposition until 1992, when the PPP won the elections that year. He became President and remained so until his death on March 6, 1997. (GINA) L. F.S. Burnham - (19231985) First Executive President of the Republic of Guyana: (Oct 6, 1980 - Aug 6, 1985) Burnham was born in Kitty, on February 20, 1923. He was the son of James Ethelbert and Rachel Abigail Burnham. He attended the Kitty Methodist School; Central High School, and Queen’s College. His hobbies included cricket, chess and horseback riding.

In 1954 he won the Centenary Exhibition and a Government Junior Scholarship. In 1955 he was awarded the Percival Exhibition. In 1942, Burnham received the highest scholastic award in the country at that time, the British Guiana Scholarship.

This annual award was reserved for the scholar attaining the highest grades at the Senior Cambridge Examinations held locally.

In 1944, Burnham earned the Bachelor of Arts Degree at External Examinations of the University of London. In 1947, he received his Bachelor of Laws (Hons.) degree at the University of London. In 1948 he was admitted to the bar of the Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn, London.

An extemporary scholar, Burnham was noted for his oratory skills. In 1947 Burnham was elected President of the West Indian Students Union in London, a position which

allowed him to participate as a delegate of the Union in the International Union of Students’ Congress in Prague (1947) and Paris (1948) In 1951 he married Sheila Bernice Lataste. They had three daughters: Roxanne, Annabelle, and Francesca.

In 1957 he married Viola Victorine Harper together they had two daughters, Melanie and Ulele. Burnham returned to British Guiana (Guyana) and in 1949, along with Dr. Cheddi Jagan they founded the People’s Progressive Party (PPP). Burnham was Chairman of the Party.

In 1952 Burnham was elected to the Georgetown Town Council. In 1959 he became Mayor of Georgetown, and again in 1964. In 1959, Burnham was elected President of the Bar Association of Guyana. In 1963 and in 1965 he was elected President of the Guyana Labour Union. In 1953 when the PPP Government came to power, Burnham was appointed Minister of Education.

In 1957 he founded his own political Party – the People’s National Congress. This followed the suspension of the British Guiana Constitution by the British Government, and the rift in the PPP. In 1964 the PNC became the major party in a coalition Government with the United Force and Burnham became Premier of British Guiana.

May 26, 1966, Burnham led the country to independence and was the first Prime Minister of Guyana. Guyana became a Republic in 1970. On October 6, 1980 Burnham became Guyana’s first Executive President, a position he held until his death.

On August 6, 1985 Burnham died at the Georgetown Hospital in Guyana after a throat operation. (GINA)

guyanatimesgy.com

G

uyana gained its independence May 26, 1966 from Britain, and is now a sovereign state that has also attained republican status. It is now free to make its own decisions concerning its welfare and its citizens.

Throughout the early part of 1966, preparations for Guyana’s independence celebrations were already being done excitedly. A special committee appointed by the government designed the new Coat-of-Arms and selected the Canje Pheasant as the national bird. The design and colours of the new flag had already been chosen during the period of the PPP government from entries submitted through an international competition.

Being an independent country, certain changes were brought about: the name British Guiana was changed to ‘Guyana’ (chosen since 1962 by a select committee appointed by the House of Assembly); the Union Jack (British flag) was lowered and the Golden Arrowhead, Guyana’s flag was hoisted for the first time; Guyana had its first Prime Minister, Linden Forbes Burnham and its first Guyanese Governor General, Sir David Rose; Guyanese no longer sang the British national anthem, ‘God Save the Queen’ but proudly sang Guyana’s own national anthem, ‘Dear Land of Guyana’; our national symbols came into use for the first time; the British Guiana Volunteer Force became the Guyana Defence Force and at the last parade of the volunteer force held at Eve Leary on Independence Day, Sir Richard Luyt, the Governor General at that time, took the salute.

Guyana’s symbols of nationhood represent the fact that it is a nation which has attained independence. The symbols are: the National Flag (the Golden Arrowhead), the National Coat-of-Arms, the National Pledge, the National Motto and the Arms of the President. Except for the last symbol, all the others came into use on Independence Day, May 26, 1966. Each symbol holds a special significance.

MAY 20, 2018

Times Independence Magazine 5 Celebrating 52 Years Of Independence

The Golden Arrowhead has five colours each having its own meaning. The green background symbolises Guyana’s vast agricultural and forested areas. The gold which forms a golden arrowhead symbolises the country’s mineral wealth and its forward thrust. The red triangle symbolises the zeal and dynamic task of nation building which lies before our nation. The white bordering the flag symbolises Guyana’s many rivers and water potential. The black bordering the red triangle symbolises the strength and endurance of the Guyanese people which will sustain the golden arrow’s forward thrust into the future.

Director of the Flag Centre in Florida, USA, Dr. Whitney Smith designed the Golden Arrowhead. The design was submitted to Dr. Cheddi Jagan, the Premier of British Guiana in 1960, six years before Guyana gained its independence.

Dr. Smith said in a 2011 interview with Encyclopedia Britannica: “Among the flags in my collection that I treasure are the national flag of Guyana, of which I am the designer…”

Each part of the National Coat-of-Arms also has its own significance. Sections of designs submitted by Alvin Bowman, L.R. Borrowes and Stanley Greaves were incorporated into the final design of the Coat-of-Arms. Bowman was given the commission for producing the final design according to the requirements set out by a committee.

The Coat-of-Arms was selected on the recommendation of the National History and Arts Council and approved by the College of Arms in England. The House of Assembly accepted it on February 25, 1966.

The Amerindian headdress on the Coat-of-Arms symbolises that the Amerindians are the indigenous people of the country that is the first ones to live here. The helmet, a monarchial emblem, tells that Guyana was once a monarchy country ruled by a king or queen. The two diamonds at the side of the Amerindian headdress represent the country’s

mineral wealth. The jaguar holding the pick-axe represents labour. The other jaguar holding the stalk of rice and sugarcane symbolises our two main agricultural crops- sugar and rice. The shield signifies protection for the nation. The three blue wavy lines on the shield represent the country’s many rivers. The Victoria Regia Lily on the shield is our National Flower. Robert Schomburgk, a German botanist, discovered it in 1837. The Canje Pheasant or Hoatzin at the bottom of the shield is our National Bird. It is a rare bird which is found principally in this part of the world. It is seen often on the Abary, Mahaica and Mahaicony rivers and especially in the Canje river area and on the banks of the Berbice river. At the bottom of the Coat-of-Arms are the words of our National Motto: “One People, One Nation, One Destiny.”

A nationwide competition, sponsored by the National History and Arts Council, also helped to select the words of the new National Anthem. A generous sum of Gy$500, a significant amount in those days, was given to Reverend A.L. Luker, an Englishman living in Guyana and winner of the selected lyrics for the anthem. R.C.G. Potter, a prominent Guyanese musician and educator, set the poem to music and earned himself a cash prize of Gy$500. The Cyril Potter College of Education is named after him.

These symbols are imperative because they signify that we are an independent nation and show the solidarity we share as a unified country.

6 Times Independence Magazine

MAY 20, 2018

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Celebrating 52 Years Of Independence

Preserving our literary heritage

by

Petamber Persaud

T

he book Down Independence Boulevard and Other Stories is an important addition to the country’s literature because it focuses mainly on the push/pull factors fashioning internal migration with some attention paid to the pull/push factors of external migration and the disillusionment of returning home, all fascinatingly rendered in sixteen linked stories set in Guyana and North America but mainly in Guyana, during the ugly 1960s, from where all the main characters originate, some firstly migrating to safer locations in order to escape from racial animosity, racial discrimination and racial conflagration while others who are unable to deal with those curses, end up in the Diaspora to face similar curses in different guises, forcing at least one man to return to his birthplace where he has invested new monies (in a new building) to make a new start but is disillusioned on discovering he is deceived and cheated out of his investment and dream by a sister (and her husband) whose action is influenced by a society darkened by despotism and corruption.

However, not all of the stories are about racial disintegration; some are about

universal theme of man/ woman relationship told in a different tone, adding some humour (dark humour) and balance to the book saddled with sadness, offering little or no redemption. For instance, in ‘Why men leave’, set on Independence Day, two men – Jack, the taxidriver and Ram, the jailer – conspire to liberate themselves from their nagging/ dominating wives by flying out of the country simultaneously, to disappear without a trace. In ‘the last straw’, a woman takes revenge on her husband (and his family who treats her like a slave) a meticulous man who is proud of his moustache and appearance, by cutting off the right handlebar of his moustache, putting it in his lunch kit and then moving out.

Down Independence

Boulevard and Other Stories is a sad book where characters habour hopes of seeing a better Guyana, devoid of race baiting and racial incitement but time and again these hopes are tested and dashed when challenged by events like the Black Friday strikes and riots of 1962 and the Wismar Massacre of May 1964.

Early stories like ‘Black Friday’ and ‘Sounds in the Night’ set the tone of the collection. In ‘Black Friday’, Old Man Augusto Dias loses everything even the opportunity to return to his ancestral home, Madeira, forcing his descendants take refuge in the Diaspora. This first story also introduces two other main characters Ecliffe Van Sertima and Ian Veira protesting against the Government and even-

tually taking refuge in the Diaspora.

‘Sounds in the Night’ paints the harrowing story of the Wismar Massacre.

Lata and her husband, Rahim, recount their personal horror (and the horror of fellow Indians) starting on Sunday May 24, 1964, and how with the help of a Black family, they manage to escape on a refugee boat to Georgetown eventually making Independence Boulevard their home.

In ‘A House is not a Home’, a mixed race couple, Muniram and Cassandra, having fled from Endeavour – a predominately Indian village - are now contemplating taking refuge in Buxton, a predominately Black village or moving to the Diaspora but met with opposition from Rahim who was adamant about leaving his home or his country.

The title story ‘Down Independence Boulevard’ displays two links in the collection – the road from which all the main characters ‘originated’ – and the taxi driver, Jack Yusuff who turns up in many of the story, sometimes late.

The collection closes with ‘Eulogy’ and ‘You can never go home’. In ‘Eulogy’, set in Canada, Ian watches a DVD he has paid to be made of some of his colleagues he has managed to get together in order to celebrate his death.

After the viewing, Ian walks out into heavily falling snow and heads for a lake in the park…. In ‘You can never go home’, Cassandra buys her husband, Muniram, a oneway ticket to Guyana where he is disillusioned on discovering that the house he has sent money to his sister to build was just a photograph of somebody else’s.

The linked stories sustained interest throughout the reading through suspense, delve use of language and attention to details.

Moreover, it is useful to note that writing from afar allows the writer more freedom to recreate the past, filling out missing pieces in our history.

Down Independence Boulevard and Other Stories coming shortly after his two novels, Racing with the Rain and Junta, solidifies the author’s position as a convincing and credible writer of historical fiction.

Responses to this author telephone (592) 226-0065 or email: oraltradition2002@ yahoo.com

What’s happening:

Check out Guyana Book Foundation, 66 New Garden & Anaira Streets, ‘Matching Fund Project’ between May 2 and July 20, 2018, for all levels of books at concessionary price. For further information, please call 227-4942.

Arise, Guyana When Freedom waved her banner bright On Ayanganna’s verdant height, A Nation’s glad triumphant song Reverb’rant rose full, loud and long; Guyana, fair Guyana, Be true to your higher destiny.

With valiant will and purpose keen A Nation strove in faith serene, Bold Cuffy’s dream of Sixty-three Today’s a sheer reality, Guyana, fair Guyana, Be true to your nobler destiny.

Arise! Guyana’s sons, Arise!

May you be steeled by action wise, Guard well our sacred heritage That it may thrive from age to age.

Guyana, blessed Guyana, Be proud of your glorious destiny.

By Valerie Rodway

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MAY 20, 2018

Times Independence Magazine 7 Celebrating 52 Years Of Independence

A

s we celebrate tion of the People’s Guyana’s 52nd Progressive Party Independence (PPP) in 1950. The Anniversary, let us ‘concept of a strugreflect on how the gle to free British journey began.

Guiana of colonialism probaCertainly the seeds of seeking bly had its origin in Cheddi an end to colonialism must have Jagan’s studbeen planted in the ies, while a hard days of slavstudent in the USA, of ery and indentureship when life was the writings unbelievably diffiof Jawaharlal cult and the reason Nehru and for the crushing opM a h a t m a pression and cruelty Gandhi. At that was easy to define. time, India was Billions of words on a course aimed have been written at complete inabout slavery, the middependence from dle passage, the unbearBritish rule. The struggle inspired many in the able cruelty of the slave masters and the many uprisings British, Dutch, French and Belgium colonies in all parts of against slavery. These were dealt with in ways which are almost the world to follow suit.

The young couple that As early as 1945 Cheddi beyond belief. Cheddi Jagan in fought for a free Guyana his book “The West on Trial” Jagan, in an article wrote: “It Janet and Cheddi Jagan writes about the prisoners in the therefore behoves the working class people to get control of Berbice uprising: “...53 of the defendants were condemned to death. Next day, government through their Constitutional bal15 of them were burnt to death over a slow fire lots in our forthcoming election, with a view toand 16 were broken on the rob rock. The re- wards complete independence.”

And after the PPP was founded, in its first maining 22 persons were hanged...”

After slavery was abolished, indentured Manifesto, the Party declared: “The People's labourers for the many sugar estates were Progressive Party recognising that the final brought to this country. Their conditions were abolition of exploitation and oppression, of ecoslightly better than the slaves. Dr. Jagan in nomic crises and unemployment and wars will his book quotes Elizabeth Caesar, a labour- only be achieved by the socialist reorganisaer of Pln. Vreed-en-Hoop: “...the Coolies were tion of society, pledges itself to the task of winlocked up in the sick house and next morning ning a free and independent Guianese society they were flogged with a cat-o’-nine tails; the in which security, plenty, peace and freedom manager was in the house, and they flogged shall be the heritage of all.”

Thus began the struggle in the then British the people under his house; they were tied to

An article published in 'The Times' on Guyana's independence and Dr Cheddi Jagan

the post of the gallery... I cannot tell how many licks; he gave them enough. I saw blood. When they were flogged at the manager’s house they rubbed salt pickle on their backs.”

With these experiences and much more, the spirit of resistance against those who caused the sufferings was inlaid and would later be expressed in a desire ‘to be free of such exploitation.

Guyana’s history shows that the very beginning of the recognition of the need to be independent of Britain began with the forma-

Guiana for independence. Somewhere in the psyche of the onetime slaves and indentured workers lay the elements of resistance to those who brought about the misery of their forefathers. It took time for most Guyanese to accept the idea that Guyana could be a free and independent nation.

Many scoffed at the advocacy, by the PPP, of independence from Britain. British Guiana is too small to be independent they said. There was talk of an amalgamation of the three Guianas - British, Dutch and French - into one

Janet Jagan fighting for a free Guyana

country.

Conservatives and recipients of favoured positions from the British, the business and religious community (Christian), were against such an “outrageous” idea. There was, indeed, a lot of opposition to the concept of independence. The PPP pursued its objective through the years. Former allies fell out and I can recall, would only support independence if Jagan were not at the head of government. The Cold War, too, had its negative effects which led to political interference and a nation in dire conflict.

Despite the long and difficult struggle for

independence, which many countries also experienced, Guyana became a free and independent nation and proudly took its place in the United Nations and other organisations, like the Non-Aligned Movement, the OAS, etc.

All Guyanese can be proud that we have overcome oppression, exploitation and attempts at a dictatorship. Guyana is a democracy that upholds all the finest principles of a democratic state. We have our problems, serious problems, but they will be overcome. Unity is the password to our future. (Excerpts from An article written by the late and former President Janet Jagan )

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Celebrating 52 Years Of Independence

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o u n t Ayanganna is a sandstone tepui in western Guyana that stands 2,041 metres (6,696 feet) in the Cuyuni/ Mazaruni Region and is a part of the Pakaraima Mountain Range in western Guyana. It is from the Ayanganna Mountain that the mighty Potaro River is said to be born.

Flagraising on Mount Ayanganna has become a tradition since mountaineer Adrian Thompson led the climb to its summit at Guyana’s first Independence.

Ayanganna

Ascending the summit of MountAyanganna with assistants from Chinoweing Village (Smithsoinan Inst.) Photo by Bruce Hoffman.

As the Golden Arrowhead was being raised for the first time at what is now the National Park in Georgetown, Guyana’s flag was being planted on the summit of Mount Ayanganna, from which the GDF’s Camp Ayanganna takes its name.

There have been several new discoveries of new frog and snake species on the mountain. The GDF has named its main base ‘Camp Ayanganna’ after the mountain.

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Times Independence Magazine

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Independence Day

Times Independence Magazine 11 Celebrating 52 Years Of Independence

M

ay 26th is coming soon and it is time to be prepared for family and friends. In honor of our country we all like to show the meaning of this glorious day in our homes.

Making a nice atmosphere with some specific Independence Day Decorating ideas will remind us of that great day in our country’s history.

Ingredients You'll need 3 x these ingredients for six sponges 125g butter , softened, plus a little extra for greasing 225g plain flour 150g golden caster sugar 3 medium eggs (very important to use the correct size)

1 tsp baking powder pinch of salt 1 tsp vanilla extract edible food colouring - red, yellow, green (options vary) For the icing 1 tsp vanilla extract 3 x 250g tubs cream cheese or mascarpone 350g icing sugar

Method Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Grease 2 x 20cm round sandwich tins and line the bases with baking parchment. Tip all the sponge ingredients, apart from the food colouring, into a mixing bowl, then beat with an electric whisk u n t i l

the tins and bowls thoroughly, and start again from step 1 – this time using another 2 colours. Repeat one more time to get 6 sponges, all of different colours. Leave them all to cool.

smooth.

Working quickly, weigh the mixture into another bowl to work out the total weight, then weigh exactly half the mixture back into the mixing bowl. Pick 2 of your colours and stir a little into each mix.

Keep going until you are happy with the colour – the colour of the batter now will be very similar to the finished cake, so be brave! Scrape the different batters into the tins, trying to spread and smooth as much as possible – but try not to waste a drop of the batter – a rubber spatula will help you. Bake on the same oven shelf for 12 mins until a skewer poked into the middle comes out clean.

Gently turn the cakes out onto a wire rack to cool. Wash

To make the icing, very briefly beat the vanilla and cream cheese

or mascarpone with an electric whisk until smooth.

Sift in the icing sugar and gently fold in with a spatula.

Be careful – the more you work it, the runnier it will get, increasing the chance of splitting.

Smear a little icing on your cake stand or plate – just a splodge to stick the first sponge. Start with the red, then spread with some icing right to the very edge. Repeat, sandwiching on top the orange, yellow, green, blue and finally purple sponges. Spread the remaining icing thickly all over the sides and top of the cake. For more tips and expert advice on how to create the perfect rainbow cake, check out our tips, below. (Recipe from

Using multi coloured or patterned throw pillows can also add a pop of colour to your home, this also requires little effort and a touch of imagination.

Decorating with balloons is easy and requires just a bit of creativity. Use a simple balloon centerpiece to create the right mood.

Spruce up your entertaining space with multi coloured curtains.

The choice of colour varies according to the occasion.

This inexpensive decorating idea can be tailored to suit any occasion. If you are unable to find a multi-coloured pattern that suits you, run a few different coloured curtains together!

Multi-coloured rugs/carpets can also add a touch of flair to your home or entertaining space. You can choose rustic or contemporary area rugs to match your style and budget.

BBC Good Food magazine)

Color Blocking is a trend that is gaining momentum. When planning for your get together, choose the appropriate coloured cutlery, glassware and table scape decorations. You are sure to wow your guests with your creativity

12 Times Independence Magazine

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Celebrating 52 Years Of Independence

ACROSS

1 Cast a ballot 6 Perimeters

11 City in New York

16 "-- the raven . . ."

21 Popped up 22 Stirring

23 Rain forest parrot 24 Loan-sharking

25 Dangerous woman

26 Take delight in 27 Ad

28 Fable guru

29 Dawn goddess

30 Gauzy fabric

32 Play possum

34 Aloha token

36 One of ten

37 Type of appeal

39 Some singles

41 Go formal

43 Joins hands

45 Woodwind instruments

47 Officer wannabe

49 Mall stand

51 Learned one 54 Overzealous

55 Firm up

56 Rara - 60 Kind of gallery

61 Thief's need

62 Kind of threat

64 Festive night

65 Range sizes

66 Ancient Scots

67 Coffee source

68 Big Bird pal

70 Basketball hoop

71 Team cheer

73 Cigar-smoking George

74 Rusted away

75 Ms. Lanchester

77 Genie's abode

78 City conduits

79 Refuge abroad

80 Tucker of music

82 Move crabwise

83 Rock band Pink - 84 Shaggy flowers

87 Ring-shaped cake

88 Cops, to a felon

89 Job opening

93 Steel girders (hyph.)

94 Dizzy

95 Price-fixing group

97 Stretchy bandage

98 Vicar's residence 99 Epics

100 Lop off branches 101 Unqualified

103 PC button

104 Easy-care fabric

106 Ducklike birds

107 Kind of cracker

108 Mets' former ballpark

110 Fourth-down option

111 Gone amok

112 Keeps digging

113 Genghis Khan followers

115 Great destruction

116 Antlered animal

117 Complete debacle

120 Pantyhose color 122 Stockpile

124 Like khaki

128 HMO staffers

129 Kiel conjunction

131 Third dimension

133 Made beef jerky

135 Ms. Merkel 136 Flawless

138 From the beginning (2 wds.)

140 Check for fraud

142 "-- vincit amor"

144 Pageant crown

145 Cabinet post

146 Shorthand pro

147 Formation flyers 148 Western 149 Disgorge

150 Cuts back on 151 Moderated

DOWN

1 Bouquet holders

2 Sky hunter

3 Weightlifter's pride

4 Language suffix

5 Slight damage 6 Previous

7 -- on (ponders) 8 Mallet

9 Be very frugal

10 Part of SASE

11 Called strikes

12 Bull's-eye locale

13 PC screen images 14 Trippet

72

15 Wanted GI 73 16 Bobwhites 74 17 Function

76 18 Deposes

78

19 Crowd in

79

20 Media excesses

81

31 WWII craft (hyph.)

82

33 A funny Murphy

83

35 Pierre's school

84

38 Pioneer Daniel - 85 40 Meager 86

42 Coils of yarn

87

44 FBI acronym

88

46 Type of wine

90

48 "Sesame Street" topic

91

50 Pandora's boxful

92

51 Tire in the trunk

52 -- B. DeMille

53 Does damage

54 Short summary

55 Unisex garb 57 Peddles

58 Leafy vines

59 Far from posh

61 Terra - 62 Captain Nemo creator

63 Demolition - 66 Earnestly hopes 67 Muscular

69 Lines on a map

Radius companions 94 Red gem No-goodnik

95 Hunker down Overact 96 Enticements Cartographer's book 99 Wind-driven spray Objects to

100 Walt Kelly strip Raise spirits

102 Sealed a package Readied the bow 105 Protective garment Where Khartoum is 106 Feel envious Terrarium plants

107 Crystal-filled rock Small coins

109 Happy sighs Disconcert 111 Affinity Therefore

112 Crunchy snacks Intolerant person 114 Telescope lens -- couture

115 -- rancheros Machine-shop tool 116 Kind of biology Barracuda habitat 117 Corn-chip name Payment details

118 Gandhi setting

119

121 123 125 126 127 130 132 134 137 139 141 143

Circle the words listed below in this special Independence Day word search

WORD GAME TODAY'S WORD -- HESITANT (HESITANT: HEZ-ih-tent: Slow to act, speak or decide.)

Average mark 38 words Time limit 60 minutes

haste hasten hate heat hint east saint

sane sate satin seat sent shin shine

sine site snit stain stat state statin

words in HESITANT? stein stent stet stint inset instate taint

this tine tinea tint titan tithe anise

ante anti ashen atheist neat

RULES OF THE GAME: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of "s," such as "bats" or "dies," are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a "d" or an "s" may not be used. For example, if "bake" is used, "baked" or "bakes" are not allowed, but "bake" and "baking" are admissible. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.

See Solution on Pg 14

Word Search

KATHLEEN SAXE

Can you find more

What a standee would like (2 wds.)

Hacienda brick More peculiar Viking letters Pastis flavor Greeted a shepherd Cartoon chipmunk Diary lock Venetian magistrate How -- things?

Vacuum part Ms. Hagen of films Give -- -- break

GOLDEN ARROWHEAD NATIONHOOD FIREWORKS PRESIDENT

JAGUAR INDEPENDENCE PLEDGE MOTTO

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Times Independence Magazine 13

14 Times Independence Magazine

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Celebrating 52 Years Of Independence

Salman Khan shines in black in the new still from 'Race 3'

S

alman Khan's upcoming film 'Race 3' has created a good amount of buzz among the audience. The trailer of the film was recently released and it received a good response from all the Salman Khan fans. Now the makers of the film are all set to release the first song titled 'Hiriye' from the film.

The teaser of the song was released earlier in the day and it showed glimpses of Jacqueline’s pole-dancing skills as well as her romance with Salman Khan. Now Salman Khan has shared one more still from the film.

Salman shared the photo along with a witty caption. He wrote "Buss mood Kiya tweet karneka. Toh Yeh raha Mera tweet ."

Earlier even before the release of 'Race 3' trailer, Salman Khan trolled his fans by posting trailers of the previous installments of the 'Race' franchise. 'Hiriye' is crooned by Deep Money & Neha Bhasin. The music is composed by Meet Bros and the lyrics are penned by Kumaar. The full song will be out tomorrow.

Directed by Remo D'Souza the action flick also stars Bobby Deol, Saqib Saleem, Anil Kapoor and Daisy Shah. 'Race 3' is all set for an Eid release on June 15, 2018.

The much-awaited 'Race 3' trailer is out and has been hailed by the fans of the franchise. Headed by Salman Khan, the huge star cast of the film includes his son Bobby

Deol along with Jacqueline Fernandez, Daisy Shah, Anil Kapoor and Saqib Saleem. And guess who has already declared it a blockbuster. Its none other than the veteran actor Dharmendra who wished the team, "Love and luck to everyone who has participated in the RACE A BLOCKBUSTER!!!" along with a rare picture of himself from his younger days. Well, with Dharam paji backing the film, 'Race 3' team can already be assured of its success. (TOI)

C

hrissy Teigen is now a mom of two! The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model surprised fans when she took to Twitter on Wednesday, May 16 to announce that she had given birth to her second child with John Legend.

"Somebody's herrrrrre!" she tweeted with a series of baby bottle emojis, indicating that the baby boy has greeted the world. Her baby daddy appeared to be as ex-

M

cited as she was because he retweeted the post.

The news sure came as a surprise to her followers, as she was expected to give birth in June instead of May. Many immediately responded to the tweet with congratulatory messages, with "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" star Brielle Biermann replying, "OMFGGGG!!!!!! Taurus baby!! Congratulations."

The couple did not share any more details about

uch to the surprise of her fans, actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan joined Instagram on the day of her appearance at the Cannes Film Festival this year.

However, another A-lister is still missing from the social media and that is Kareena Kapoor Khan. But the lady when enquired about the same reportedly gave a straight 'No' to the idea. According to the reports, Bebo made it clear that she is a very private person and would never like to share her pictures and videos herself. She has however asserted that though she is not there online but still her life is on the web and she likes it that way.

Kareena Kapoor Khan is never off the headlines. The actor, who is currently on a promotional spree for her upcoming film titled ‘Veere Di Wedding’, recently attended an event in Delhi. She was one of the panelists for discussing ways to eliminate preventable neonatal deaths. Kareena professed that she chose to be part of the event on the Mother’s day because her son Taimur is cherishing a father’s day with his dad Saif Ali Khan.

She accredited a major part of her being to Saif.

Kareena, who is also a UNICEF Goodwill Advocate, voiced her views on the significance of girl education and how a family can play a prominent role in it. She opined that she has herself been extremely lucky. She said that post her childbirth, she was very tired and while everyone has a notion of putting the child on the mother’s breast, she thought the same. She further added that with her eyes half shut, she asked Saif to give Taimur the kangaroo love. She gave a shoutout to all the fathers who support and understand the concern of a newborn’s health.

She was all praise for Saif Ali Khan.

Kareena even spoke about them spending quality time with Taimur amidst their busy shooting schedules. She averred that Taimur loves her

their family's newest member, who joins their 2-yearold daughter Luna Simone Stephens.

Chrissy announced that she and her singer husband were expecting second child in November last year. The cookbook author shared a cute video of Luna pointing at her stomach and proclaiming, "BB!" She captioned the post, "It's John's!"

During her appearance on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show", Chrissy revealed that the couple still had not decided on a name for their baby boy. "Boy names are really tough, I don't even think he will have a middle name because we can't even think of a first name," she shared, before Ellen DeGeneres jokingly suggested "Urban Legend" as the name for the baby. Late last month, the "Lip Sync Battle" host hosted a baby shower which was attended by the likes of Kim Kardashian, Kanye West as well as Kris Jenner. They dined on cakes, Shack Shack burgers and drinks. Chrissy and John tied the knot in September 2013 in Lake Como, Italy. ( Ace Showbiz)

warmth and cuddles, while Saif often plays cricket with him. She added that while she is busy shooting, Saif assigns most of his time to Taimur and now, when Saif is busy shooting for the last three-and-a-half months, so she is always around Taimur.

While Kareena didn’t cease to make public appearances during her pregnancy, she already became a star amongst her fans.

Although the ‘Veere Di Wedding’ star hasn’t taken away the appreciation from Saif, she continues to be vocal about his parenting skills. She said that it takes two to tango and that’s why they do share responsibilities. But she also mentioned that even though a father can’t do what a mother can, he still has a lot to bring to the parenting table. And now that she is too lucky to have Saif, she wants to utilize it to the fullest.

Produced by Rhea Kapoor, Ekta Kapoor, and Nikhil Dwivedi, 'Veere Di Wedding' is slated to release on June 1, 2018. (TOI)

Crossword Solution

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