Guyanatime 28 january 2018

LOOK INSIDE !

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

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 3463

Sunday, January 28, 2017

Sugar devastation wider than thought Page 3

...private cane farmers, over 2000 workers forgotten

Govt used GAWU as PR stunt – Jagdeo

...says sugar workers free to call Page 7 for Union leader's removal Banks DIH moving towards solar power Page 11

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Education Ministry P guard attacked, robbed 2

PPP advisor balks at split severance for sugar workers P16

P17 CJIA expansion 75-80% complete – Patterson

Economic outlook

Falling growth projections P10 linked to lack of investments - Opposition

Chairman and Managing Director of Banks DIH Limited, Clifford Reis addressing hundreds of shareholders on Saturday at the company’s Annual General Meeting

India’s 69th Republic Day

Guyana, India pledge to further strengthen ties Page 9

Govt receives huge interest to address energy P16 demand – Harmon

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news

SUnDAY, january 28, 2018 guyanatimesGY.com

Education Ministry guard attacked, robbed

A

security guard stationed at the Education Ministry’s building that houses the Department of Culture, Youth and Sport in Berbice was on Saturday tied up and robbed.

The 37-year-old man is employed with Integrated

Security Service which is contracted by Government to secure public buildings.

Reports are at about 03:15h on Saturday morning; Gansham Rai was in the guard hut, at the Vrymen’s Erven, New Amsterdam location, when a man pointed a gun at him. In an effort to

subdue the guard, the bandits took Rai’s shirt and tied his hands behind his back.

According to Rai, there were three men: one armed with a gun and the other two with cutlasses. He said the men demanded he hand over his phone. The bandits also relieved him of $1200, a

knife and a flashlight.

After relieving Rai of the items, one of the men proceeded into a classroom on the lower flat of the school. As the men were ransacking the classroom which stored materials for the school’s workshop programme, Rai managed to

free himself.

The Police was called but by time they arrived, the men had already escaped.

The cutlasses were found in the classroom.

An investigation has been launched.

news

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Sunday, January 28 – a night retraction at 02:30h and a day retraction from 14:00h-15:30h and Monday, January 29 – a night retraction at 03:30h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Sunday, January 28 – 13:30h-15:00h and Monday, January 29 – 14:25h-15:55h.

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

WEATHER TODAY Light cloudy skies with light showers can be expected throughout the day, while light cloudy skies are expected in the evening.

Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly between 3.57 metres and 5.36 metres.

High Tide: 01:38h and 14:00h reaching maximum heights of 2.37 metres and 2.53 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 07:29h and 20:08h reaching minimum heights of 0.84 metre and 0.64 metre respectively.

SATURDAY, january 27, 2018

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SunDAY, january 28, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Sugar devastation wider than thought ...private farmers, over 2000 workers forgotten

W

hile the plight of the 5700 sugar workers, who were unilaterally fired by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) just before Christmas of 2016 and Christmas of 2017 has finally percolated to the consciousness of the average Guyanese because of the added indignity of the Government refusing to pay their severance, an even more severe predicament has struck the more than 2000 workers along with private cane farmers at Wales, East Demerara Estates (Enmore/LBI), Rose Hall and Skeldon.

These workers had been employed for decades by the private cane farmers and are as dependent on the income from this source for their livelihood – meagre as it was – just as the cane workers employed by GuySuCo. Unfortunately, their working arrangements were much more informal since they were not covered by the union contracts negotiated by sugar unions. For instance, they are not eligible for any severance pay as that owing to the fired GuySuCo workers and therefore face a gloomier future.

The private farmers in and of themselves have made massive investments and at Wales contributed up to 40 per cent of the tonnage of cane when that estate was operating. The Government had promised since the closure at the end of 2016 to construct a road to transport farmers’ cane to Uitvlugt more than 20 miles away, but that never materialised.

In the meantime, much of the cane has been abandoned by the farmers since it is not economical to ship the cane on the deplorable dams. The workers have obviously not been “required” and have not received any income in over a year.

Over at Skeldon, farmers were supposed to provide up to 30 per cent of the canes according to the original modernisation plan, but

A tractor carrying sugar cane on the West Bank of Demerara

even though this was never realized, the acreage is still significant and the commensurate workforce, very large. To keep Rose Hall active, private farmers as far away as East Bank Berbice, produced and shipped cane to the factories. The workers there are in the same boat as their colleagues at Wales.

On the East Coast of Demerara, the sugar lands behind many of the historic villages such as Buxton/ Friendship employed scores of workers on the plots cultivated by private cane farmers who shipped the cane to Enmore factory, now shuttered. While the Government has spent large sums of money to make some lands cultivable, they have refused to address the plight of these now redundant cane farmers and workers. The workers say Government is digging a hole to fill another hole, but they have lost a bird in the hand.

Guyana Times spoke to these workers in each of the locales after a number of them approached it and their fears for their future was palpable. They are pleading that the politicians and trade unions also address their plight.

In May, Government announced plans to close the Enmore and Rose Hall Sugar Estates, sell the Skeldon Sugar Factory, reduce the annual production of sugar, and take on the responsibility of managing the

drainage and irrigation services offered by GuySuCo. This move has seen some 4763 sugar workers being placed on the breadline.

There have been countrywide protest actions since the announcement, calling for the closures to be reversed as well as for the retrenched workers to be paid their full severance.

According to the Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act, redundant workers are to be paid severance upon termination of their employment.

The law state, “On termination of his employment, an employee whose severance or redundancy has completed one year or more years of continuous employment with allowance, an employer shall be entitled to be paid by such employee a severance or redundancy allowance…”

However, the workers from Enmore, Rose Hall and Skeldon estates were dismissed on December 31, 2017, without being paid their severance.

After months of saying that there was no money to pay the displaced workers their entitled severance, President David Granger just over two weeks ago announced that some $2 billion has been earmarked to pay redundant sugar workers 50 per cent of their severance by the end of January, while the remaining monies will be paid in the second half of the year.

But this move came in for much criticism with stakeholders, including the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), saying it is a flagrant breach of the labour laws. Government subsequently announced last week that those redundant workers entitled to $500,000 and less will receive their full severance.

On Friday last, various Government Ministers including Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo visited the now closed estates to address the fired workers and where met with protest at the three estates.

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SunDAY, january 28, 2018

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

US Immigration deal?

T

he US immigration laws have taken centre stage in the American political upheaval presently being experienced under President Donald Trump’s presidency.

There were some who had hoped that Trump’s hardline nativist rhetoric during the US presidential campaign was merely playing to the gallery to mobilise the significant bloc of Republicans who felt strongly on the issue.

But here it is, one year after he was sworn in, the Government was allowed to be shut down partially for three days because Trump would not change his position to find a common ground with the Democrats in the Senate, whose support he needed.

Last Thursday, however, the White House issued another plan on immigration, which many believe is more reasonable and which may be passed into law. Because immigration to the US has been such a central feature in the lives of ordinary Guyanese, to an extent it would be difficult to find a family that does not have relatives in that country.

The details of the plan – which is going to be issued officially tomorrow -- are of great interest to them. It should also be of great interest to the political directorate, since the US immigration laws, including the breaching of them, have provided a safety valve for releasing social tensions here from building up to an explosive point to threaten the Government.

Basically, the new plan proposed by the Trump Administration addresses four fundamental issues: securing the border with Mexico; ending extended-family migration, also called “chain migration”; cancelling the visa lottery; and providing a permanent solution on DACA, which has allowed some who illegally entered the United States as minors to avoid deportation and be eligible for work permits.

Trump insists that the 2000-mile wall he wants to erect on the Mexican border will be built, but appears reconciled to the idea that Mexico will not pay for it. He is therefore proposing that the Democrats in Congress, who are more accommodating on immigration issues, agree to fund the wall in exchange for agreeing to his proposals – especially on the so-called “Dreamers”.

To be fair on Trump, the new plan varies significantly from its last iteration, which had caused the Democrats to dig their heels in and precipitate the shutdown. This wall therefore depends on the attractiveness of the other three prongs of the Plan.

The 50,000 visas issued annually via a lottery were never significant, excepting to some African countries to begin with; and there is no groundswell of support for it in the US, so it is quite “passable”.

On the “Dreamers,” or DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), Trump has upped the number from the 700,000 immigrants who have applied by an additional 1.1 million who could have qualified but have not yet applied.

This is considered extremely generous.

The ending of “family” sponsorship would be the most significant change for Guyanese and the rest of the world, since it presently provides the majority of the almost one million legal visas that are issued annually by the US. In the new proposal, one would be able to sponsor one’s spouse or child under eighteen, but that would be it.

While this sounds, and actually is draconian, because those already sponsored and in the pipeline would be allowed in, the Democrats might go along. The new criteria would be along the lines of the Canadian system, which offers “points” for skills or qualities that would help to develop the US economically or otherwise. Not many would disagree with this move, but it would put a huge dent into immigration from Guyana.

The other aspects of the proposal would tighten up on enforcing the law, with automatic deportations without hearings for those who overstay their visa terms.

Many Guyanese who have benefited from the recent extremely generous visitor visa acceptance policy of the local US Embassy routinely overstay for months and work; they would be affected. Similarly, those who are part of the remaining 10 million “illegals” can expect more “roundups”.

Members of the ICC Dance Group entertained the gathering with a cultural performance during a reception held on Friday evening at the Marriott Hotel to commemorate the 69th Republic Anniversary of India

Unfair treatment of the Rupununi Mining Association

Dear Editor, Due to the ongoing dispute between the small miners of Rupununi, Mining District 6, and Romanex Guyana Exploration Ltd, the small miners have merged to form the Rupununi Mining Association, so that we can have one voice. Mining activities in Marudi Mountain is at a standstill, since the displaced miners are out of work.

Romanex has acquired the rights for the concession for decades now, but have not started any mining.

Since the apparent abandonment, the small miners in the area started working two mountains that contain gold; and that gold is found in the rocks, which means that it has to be processed with crushers.

There are currently 70 crushers working, each employing a minimum of 5 persons who all have families. Therefore, thousands of people directly and indi-

rectly are now depending on that place to earn their daily bread.

Romanex has promised them that if they move the landing to another location, the company would allow the people to work. As such, with great effort, the landing was moved to a new location; and up to this date, Romanex has not allowed the people to recommence working.

President Granger himself had promised the people that he would see to it that they would work (this is recorded in video).

The Minister of Natural Resources himself made promises to take action in favour of the small miners.

Many GGMC officials and others have visited the area and made promises, and it is now over 2 years that people are waiting and suffering.

Some persons have already lost their proprieties to the bank, because they are unable to pay their

loans. Many people have sold whatever little they had in order to invest in mining at Marudi, and now the equipment is deteriorating and they are becoming frustrated and desperate.

The way I see this situation is that we are at a breaking point now, and everyone is getting desperate.

There are talks of rioting against the company in order to recommence working.

It was published in the Kaieteur News last week Saturday that the Government had given access to land to the small miners and the Guyana Women Miners Organization, but those lands do not have any sort of gold potential; that seems more like a joke to us.

The only place that has gold potential is on the two mountains. As such, we are requesting one mountain be given to us and the other be given to Romanex, in order for everyone to earn a living.

Romanex owners are calling the small miners ‘savages’ and ‘hungry belly’ and other names to that effect; and as I have mentioned before, these people have really been stretched out, and they are at breaking point now.

The miners have decided that if they cannot get the appropriate approval from the Government by the end of the new week, they will go ahead and start back working with or without approval! They said, “We have families, and we have to eat and to live. It is over two years now, and we are holding up ‘we side’, but all we getting from the Government is ‘nuff sweet talk.”

We are kindly seeking Governmental intervention before the situation gets out of control.

Sincerely, Marlon Johnson, President, Rupununi Mining Association

My terrible experience at Skeldon Public Hospital Dear Editor, This week I had the misfortune of being forced to use the services (so-called, but quite absent) of the Skeldon Public Hospital, which resonated with other negative reports of poor, inhumane (mis)treatment at other public hospitals.

My family doctor insisted that I go there immediately for oxygen and X-ray, before proceeding by ambulance to the Woodlands Hospital in Georgetown for specialist attention.

My family accordingly called for the ambulance at-

tached to the Skeldon Public Hospital, which is a stone’s throw away from our residence. I soon realised that it was a mere building with the mis-nomer of a hospital. This completely negative impression is based on the very arrogant, non-empathetic attitude of the staff and the virtual absence of basic amenities. The staff were like inanimate fixtures attached like posts to the building, devoid of any humane quality, professional pride, or sense of being of service to the poor souls who are forced to seek their un-

willing help.

First of all, the ambulance arrived and waited for me. It was still facing my house, instead of the road.

The doors were open to the opposite side of the steps, so I had to walk around to ascend the vehicle, while the driver and attendant were still standing nonchalantly outside. It took about five minutes before we could leave my yard; I got the feeling that I could have walked across to the hospital in less time.

As we arrived with the ambulance at the hospital, it

took several minutes before the doctor moved from his ‘gaffing’ with others standing around him to come in and arrogantly ask me what was wrong.

In the meantime, I noticed two other patients waiting on the beds in the waiting room, being completely ignored while wreathing in obvious discomfort.

After some perfunctory processes, I was put into a wheelchair to be pushed across the compound to another building that housed the X-ray unit. 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

Impossible to cap – Guyana’s huge oil discovery Dear Editor, We don’t need to hear about the personal sacrifices of politicians during past political campaigns, or the hardships of being a leader, especially when such inflated speech is used as a means to defend the worst contract ever agreed upon in the annals of the world, if opportunity losses to Guyana are computed on a per capita basis in the Production Sharing Agreement between Guyana on one side and ExxonMobil, Hess, and CNOOC on the other side.

What we really heard is a hot air blast of arrogance, verbosity, and self-glorification from one of Guyana’s most skillful communicators.

Simply put, the oil find in Guyana is so huge that even extreme incompetence and mismanagement will not substantially militate against the spouting flow of wealth and value that will occur in Guyana from 2020, and continue for the long term.

Using the WorldAtlas. com oil data table dated January 11, 2018, I have modified their ranking by including Guyana’s oil reserve on a per capita basis

in a quest for crude.

Michael Fitzsimmons, in his January 26, 2018 article for Seeking Alpha (a crowdsourced content service for financial markets), highlighted the following: 1. Exxon has made six discoveries in the deep-water offshore of Guyana.

2. Associated recoverable reserves are now up to 3.2 billion barrels of oil equivalent (BOE).

3. To put that into perspective, that’s 200,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day

ten billion BOE. ExxonMobil is the single largest publicly traded oil corporation in the world, with a market cap of just under US$380billion; and more significantly for Guyana, ExxonMobil is a quintessential United States Corporation -- the country that by a substantial gap is the world’s top military superpower.

Sincerely, Nigel Hinds

My terrible experience...

for comparison against the world’s top twenty countries with the largest proven oil reserves: On January 17, 2018, a Bloomberg article noted:

The world’s hottest offshore prospect for oil companies is off the coast of Guyana, where a string of major discoveries has drawn hundreds of millions of dollars

Blame game in 21st century Dear Editor, Day after day, we witnessed the incompetent, the inconceivable and the irrational; but yet, to unveil passion and purpose to those in charge, they have all shown their true colours in powers.

The baby boomers and traditionalists endured the wrath of the terrible dictator during the sixties and seventies, except for the chosen few. Needless to say how much, since space and time costs money. The dictator ran for twenty-eight years, while the PPP were the Opposition. They saw the atrocities that plagued the nation with corruption, racism and mental starvation, to name a few, and pledged to fight against such regime.

It came with a cost: alienation, retrenchment, unemployment, food rationing, and the list goes on and on.

The Opposition came to power and intentionally started off in good faith, but again, power heads became very complacent and drifted from the axiom of freedom and dwelt in the doldrums of ignorance. The core and crust of the initial belief system they fought for was maybe a farce, we may never know. Those who hail the

(BOE/D) for 43 years.

4. Exxon needed a big reserves replacement after de-booking massive oil sands reserves last year. It found them.

It is well known within the oil industry that corporations tend to be conservative on their estimated recoverable oil reserves. In addition to the foregoing, exploration in Guyana’s offshore is in an early stage, and it is much more probable than possible that Guyana’s recoverable oil reserve will exceed the

flags of peace, freedom and equality know too well how distant away we still are.

In the 21st century, we still have in our midst the Elections Commission Chairman lying on his resume (Judge or acting judge) claims he doesn’t remember.

In the 21st century, we have a Minister of Education who told the nation that she has a doctorate, when in fact she’ s still to attain such. Might be fair to say I’m in my 3rd year medicine practice and issue her Gramazone instead of Razadyne for her dementia. I’m not qualified yet, that’s how come I made mistake with the medication.

I should have retained the real doctor, Dr Roopnaraine.

In the 21st century, watch the entourage that David Granger sent to meet and greet the sugar workers in Enmore. God help us all.

Sincerely, Harry B Ontario, Canada

The ride in the wheelchair pushed by a hefty, aggressive attendant reminded me of the taxi and minibus drivers on the public road, rough and hitting every hump and obstacle on the way to the X-ray unit, where the X-ray technician was already loudly complaining about having to wait after 4.00 pm to attend to me.

She roughly and rudely went through the motions of taking the X-ray with equipment that looked so dirty and unkempt that I felt uncomfortable to touch it, as I was nonchalantly barked at by the attendant to do and wait for the result, which in any case I was not allowed to take with me to the specialist in Georgetown!

I naturally wondered what was the use of taking the X-ray!

The ambulance was then ready to take me to Georgetown. As I re-entered it, I was told by the attendant that I had to lie

down on the ugly, dirty, metallic ‘bench-bed’ for the ride to Georgetown. The siren of the ambulance was perfunctorily put on, and it added considerably to the feeling of riding in a rickety old truck.

When I asked the attendant if she was not going to put on the oxygen, she blandly told me that there was no oxygen! I could not fathom the absence of oxygen in an ambulance taking a patient with a suspected heart condition from Skeldon to Georgetown. I felt there was no need for the ambulance, so I directed that it be stopped so that I could join my family who were following the ambulance in my car, and we continued on the way to Georgetown in the better comfort and speed of my car.

As we arrived at the Woodlands Hospital, the entire experience of getting me ensconced was so diametrically opposite to what I had experienced

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at the Skeldon Public Hospital that I now feel obliged to report it publicly, with my personal recommendation that the Government should seriously consider shutting this and possibly all other public hospitals which, from previous widespread reports, are no different from the Skeldon Public Hospital. The taxpayers’ money thus saved can be put to better use.

Sick people, no matter how poor they are, should not have to endure such uncouth public service behaviour for a virtual non-service.

The Government owes all its citizens, rich and poor, corrective action, or let the private hospitals take over for stipends paid to them from the savings of shutting down the so-called public hospitals, as is the case in more progressive countries.

Sincerely, Nowrang Persaud

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Foundation

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F

Anu Dev

amily”-a word that’s casually thrown about; taken for granted really, used flippantly without knowing the exact meaning. It’s not given the importance it deserves; and by extension, the family members are probably not getting enough importance either.

Being away almost five years has certainly focused my mind on family and what it means!!

How many of you parents take the time to connect with your children and find out how their day wnt? How many of you parents take the time to find out about all of those little things in your daughter or son’s life? And how many kids take the time to find out how was their mom or dad’s day at work?

The values we learn from our families are the ones that mould us; the ones that shape us as individuals. In high school,

Family ties“To put the world right in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must first put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must first cultivate our personal life; we must first set our hearts right.” - Confucius when our teacher taught us the proverb “The hand that rocks the cradle rules the World”, I always used to think it was terribly clichéd, and so I disregarded it. But I realise now that, hackneyed though the adage may be, it still holds a simple truth: the institution of the family -- in which the mother is the touchstone -has great power. But with that great power comes great responsibility. And it is not just the mother’s hand that should ‘rock’ the cradle; fathers, we know, are just as important.

I have noticed a strange phenomenon developing in our society: Parents are refusing to be parents; they want to be “friends” with their children. My parents have a rule: they are friendly with their children, but they’re not our friends! I commend that rule to parents out there. It works. Children don’t take too kindly to their friends

telling them what to do, so “friend-parents” shouldn’t be surprised when they’re ignored!!

Parents also need to make sure that they are fulfilling their responsibility to their children by ensuring that they’re a part of their childhood. If you’ve ever had those moments when you look at your kid and you realise you don’t really know your own child, you’re clearly doing something wrong. And you can connect only when you share experiences with them. If your child is expected to learn their key values from you, what do you expect them to learn if you’re not interested in teaching them anything? And remember: you teach values by doing, not just speaking!

If you don’t do that, don’t be surprised that while you’re connected by the strongest bond ever – blood -- you’re further apart than if you were just, say, co-workers.

The family, then, needs to go back to what it was intended to be -- an institution to provide care and teaching of the fundamental values to the next generation. If those values are not set when young, little change can be expected later.

Of course that’s not to say all families are ‘dysfunctional’, and that all family members are strangers. It’s just that we might be headed for that, with everyone getting more and more caught up in their own busy lifestyles, and each person looking out only for #1.

So, friends, take the time to connect with your family members. Don’t lock yourself away in your room all day, while you’re on Facebook connecting with people from across the world, when you can’t connect with family in your own house. They can’t “unfriend” you!

Raising your kids with respect: How to teach your child to care for the world around them

By Pam Myers, BSEd

O

ne of the biggest challenges modern parents face is instilling respect in their children. This isn’t an issue in which you can just tell your child, “Respect is important, so be respectful.” No, the development of respect in a child goes much deeper than words. Respect essentially means placing value in someone or something and responding in kind. When you value your friends, for example, you treat them kindly. When you value your local community, you avoid littering. Although respect is a concept that can be difficult to understand, it’s important to help your child learn to grasp what it means to be respectful. Because of this, it’s important that parents understand what it takes to help a child develop respect for other people, for themselves and for the world around them.

When your child was born, you were probably so excited that you read baby books, scoured baby naming websites and debated for hours over what colour to paint your nursery. Once your little one was born, you may have been so busy changing diapers and trying to get some sleep, you didn’t think until much later about the importance of teaching your child values such as respect.

For some parents, respect isn’t an issue they consider until their child is well into their teenage years or going through a rebellious phase. Unfortunately, at this point, it’s almost too late to squash disrespect. Before your child begins going through hard times, make sure you start thinking about ways you can help them understand the value and the meaning of respect.

Demonstrate respect

Children learn most frequently through imitation. Your kids will learn to demonstrate and mimic your behaviour early in life. If you treat the people around you with respect, your kids will pick up on that. If, however, you talk down to other people or ignore their opinions and insight, your children will choose those behaviours to imitate.

While no parent is perfect, make sure you spend some time considering what your behaviour says about you.

Are you argumentative? Are you rude? Are you pushy and mean? Do you go out of your way to help others? Do you clean up after yourself? Do you avoid littering? There are many ways you can demonstrate respect in everyday life, so don’t be afraid to ask yourself the hard questions about how you’re doing.

Talk about respect

Explain to your kids what respect is. Even from a young age, your children can explore the idea. This can be something as simple as talking about the importance of sharing toys or not taking something from another child. It could be more complex, like explaining why your child should be polite or kind to other people. When you open up the discussion on respect, your kids will feel more comfortable exploring this topic with you. Most importantly, they’ll be able to ask you questions about what it truly means to demonstrate respect to others.

Give real-life examples of respect

Make sure you give your child plenty of examples of what respect looks like. Many people grow up thinking they understand respect, yet they know little about the concept.

Do your kids know what respect looks like? If they don’t, try to discuss real examples with them. You don’t have to make anything up. Just point out examples of respect and disrespect as you go about your day. Before you know it, they’ll understand exactly what you’re talking about.

While parenting is tough, it’s important that you face the hard issues head-on. Respect is one of those tough topics. Every parent wants what’s best for their child, so make sure you focus on developing respect early on. This will help prepare your child not only for survival in school but for flourishing in the workplace as well. (childdevelopmentinfo.com )

news

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SunDAY, january 28, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Govt used GAWU as PR stunt – Jagdeo

...says sugar workers free to call for Union leader’s removal …PPP supports Union’s struggle, not individual personality

P

GAWU President Komal Chand

eople’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo, is debunking reports that there is bad blood between his Party and the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU). At the same time, however, recent statements from Union officials are cause for concern.

In the aftermath of a meeting between the Union and the Government, GAWU President Komal Chand was quoted affirming his pleasure with the meeting’s outcome but this has since promoted calls from sugar workers for Chand to resign. According to sugar workers, Chand and more so GAWU, in their view did not make adequate representation on their behalf.

Commenting into the issue during a press conference, Jagdeo on Saturday affirmed that while the Union went into the meeting and got nothing, the Government got an opportunity at public pelations (PR).

“GAWU has struggled a very long time. And I’ve always supported their struggle. And GAWU will be there

in the forefront of the struggle for workers’ rights in the future. The PPP will always support their struggle,” he related, during his press conference. “I don’t know about any conflict and this contrived thing. I saw Chronicle (newspapers) has been pushing this thing about a conflict between the PPP and GAWU. In fact, they had a headline to that effect.

There’s nothing of the sort.”

“What I can say is that the same support we share with the Union, I will not defend individuals,” Jagdeo continued. “The sugar work-

“The sugar workers’ pay their dues, they determine their leadership, they’re free to elect their leaders and they’re free to call for their removal anytime.

That is not the PPP business.

Some newspaper article was sold by some as the PPP’s position” – Jagdeo ers’ pay their dues, they determine their leadership, they’re free to elect their leaders and they’re free to call for their removal anytime. That is not the PPP business. Some newspaper article was sold by some as

Protests from sugar workers placed on the proverbial breadline

certainly important ground rule that we dialogue, that we talk and try to find an answer for the way forward. We are pleased. From GAWU, we are very pleased and it

PPP General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo

the PPP’s position.”

PR stunt

Armed with a release from the Department of Public Information (DPI) in which Chand was quoted expressing satisfaction with the Government’s stance, Jagdeo read excerpts of the release.

The release quotes Chand as saying at the conclusion of the meeting: “We have listened and we are satisfied that you (Government) are concerned with the issues. We are ready to work along with the Government to explore the options and we are going to give our best to see the situation out. You are right that there are no winners in this and we are willing… We are certainly pleased with this meeting. This is the first meeting [for the year] we have been able to have with the Government and we believe that the meeting took place in a positive atmosphere and we recognise that the Government itself pays attention and I think that it is a good beginning. That is

spells out that the future (engagements) is in the interest of the workers, the industry and the country.”

“I just read a part of the press release. Do I have a concern about the Government using the Union for PR purposes, the answer is yes,” Jagdeo said. “The Government got a huge PR

thing out of this. Listen what they said.

After more than two hours of discussions, the parties were able to find common ground and the unions agreed to fully cooperate with the Government to find a solution which can benefit all stakeholders.” turn to page 10

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SunDAY, january 28, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

‘Maths Camp’ attracts 1200 students

O

ver one thousand students turned out to the newly introduced Maths Camp. The camp, which is aimed at improving the performance of children at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) is being held at three locations; West Ruimveldt Primary, FE Pollard Primary and North Georgetown Primary.

The classes will be held on Saturday mornings from 09:00h-12:00h until March 24 when the assessment is conducted.

On Saturday, the Education Ministry said some 1200 students are participating in the programme.

The main purpose of the programme, the Ministry noted, is to discuss difficult mathematical topics and concepts

Some of the Grade Six students who are participating in Maths Camp

and to share effective methods to address same with emphasis on problem-solving techniques.

The initiative is expected to see Maths coordina-

tors and monitors along with teachers from the various schools organising and being actively involved in this exercise.

The camp was introduced

after the Ministry realised the majority of students writing the Mathematics examination faced considerable weakness in the subject area.

The intervention entailed a number of aspects such as training for teachers in content and methodology, and over 1000 teachers were trained in this regard.

The camp also presents the opportunity for parents to assist and learn strategies to help teachers; thereby bringing by a more collective impact.

Over the years, students have been struggling in this subject area and this camp is said to serve as another intervention of the Education Ministry to improve performance at the Grade Six levels.

Look back…

O …in anger at all killings

n the day before the 10th anniversary of the Lusignan massacre, when 11 men, women and children were massacred by the Fineman gang operating from neighbouring Buxton, President Granger called once again for an inquiry into the killings of what he calls “the troubles”, between 2002 and 2008.

Whether or not such an inquiry ever takes place, Guyanese cannot let such a day go as low-keyed as on the 26th of January this year.

Have we become so jaded that we do not recall the memory of the guts of those poor children spilling out of their bellies when they were pulled out from under their beds and shot in cold blood? What kind of people are we that this barbarism is already forgotten, as are the other two massacres that were conducted at Bartica and Lindo Creek later that year? Thirty-three persons were massacred before most of Fineman’s gang were killed in a shootout with our armed forces.

At the trial of some surviving gang members, there were admissions of the gang’s culpability.

The question to be asked in the present is: Why are there some in our midst who talk of “troubles” and killings by phantom squads and Police squads, but never mention the slaughter of these innocents?

And why does Granger want the inquiry to only begin in 2002? Didn’t the killings start with the protests by his PNC after they refused to accept they lost the 1997 elections? Who were the persons described by Eusi Kwayana as “political sophisticates” who were behind the “freedom fighters” of whom Fineman was a member?

But we know that from the beatings and arson of anyone looking like a “PPP supporter” during the PNC protests came the killings of thirty businessmen in 1998. Enemies were defined and marked as outside the pale, who could therefore be killed with impunity. The wages of voting for the PPP were death. The bottom line is that all the persons who were killed in Lusignan were also from the PPP “tribe”. Fineman Rawlins might have wanted revenge for the kidnapping of his childmother, but if everyone, including the President, is claiming a drug war was taking place, the question has to be asked: Why only people looking like “PPP supporters” were executed at Lusignan? Were they supporters of the Drug Lords?

Today, your Eyewitness wonders what has been the fate of those wives, husbands, and especially the children who survived that fateful day when 20 gunmen from their neighbouring village burst into their homes and committed that mayhem.

And why is it the President feels the conditions for history to repeat itself are being created?

…at God and sugar

Your Eyewitness now knows he’s heard it all. AFC Chairman Ramjattan went out with a band of Ministers from his APNU/AFC coalition to give comfort to the hundreds of sugar workers of Enmore, whom they fired just before Christmas. Your Eyewitness had thought it was callous of the Government to wield their axe at that special religious time of the year. But now he knows why.

According to Ramjattan, seems it was God who wanted the estates to be shuttered!! Your Eyewitness is sure Ramjattan has some direct pipeline to God to lay the responsibility on Him…but all he can say is the Big Fella certainly moves in mysterious ways!! Hasn’t the Government claimed it was those dastardly PPP types who’d caused the estates to be closed down because of their greed and avarice? But if Ramjattan’s to be believed (and he wouldn’t tell lies on God, would he?)

God must’ve put them up to it!

And here your Eyewitness thought the PPP were communist unbelievers!!

…at sugar land

Now that sugar workers have gotten their marching orders, like the freed slaves of yore, we hear that after the “valuation” exercise, some lands will be leased to them.

But, by then, will they be around to take up the offer?

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

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SunDAY, january 28, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

India’s 69th Republic Day

Guyana, India pledge to further strengthen ties Diplomat, the areas of cooperation between the two countries are based solely on priorities defined by policymakers in Guyana.

To this end, he highlighted ongoing developmental projects such as by-pass Road between East Coast Demerara and East Bank Demerara, Upgrading of the three primary hospitals, supply of an ocean-going passenger ferry, procurement of pumps and the setting up of an IT Centre at the University of Guyana.

However, he noted that while these projects have seen progress over the past year, trade between the two countries does not en-

joy the same.

“The total trade between India and Guyana is hovering around US$35 million during the recent years, which is far below potential and we are striving hard to enhance the bilateral trade engagement and also investment opportunities in Guyana in the fields such as agriculture, education, mining, renewable energy, etc,” the High Commissioner noted.

N e v e r t h e l e s s , Mahalingam said both India and Guyana are committed to promote universal peace, equitable economic development and peaceful solution to the problems being faced by

the humanity.

Additionally, in observance of the Republic anniversary on Friday, the Indian Mission here hosted a flag raising ceremony in the morning at the Indian Cultural Centre where High Commissioner Mahalingam read a statement from India’s President Shri Ram Nath Kovind.

Reflecting on the progress of the country, Kovind said the country must strive to build the edifice of a better India, where each and every citizen can realise their full potential so that the country can reach its deserved pedestal in the 21st century.

Dancers from the Indian Cultural Centre performs at the reception hosted at the Marriott Hotel, on Friday evening

A

s Guyana joined in on celebrations to commemorate the 69th Republic Day anniversary of India, the two countries have committed to further strengthen already strong ties which have seen cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, agriculture and capacity building. Going forward, however, the two States expressed eagerness over the collaboration in emerging sectors, Information specifically and Communication Technology (ICT) and renewable energy.

During a reception held on Friday evening at the Marriott Hotel, Indian High Commissioner V e n k a t a c h a l a m Mahalingam posited that this year the two countries will be celebrating 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, and India has been paying keen interest to Guyana’s commitment towards solving the environmental issues and climate change through its “Green Economy” initiative.

In response, President David Granger said Guyana looks forward to intensifying its cooperation with India in order to advance its green development agenda. heartened “We are

by India’s offer to develop Guyana’s renewable energy resources in accord with our ‘Green State

Development Strategy.’

Guyana welcomes India’s offer to assist in reforming the sugar industry and to enhance trade, investment and collaboration in the fields of agriculture, education, mining and renewable energy, among others.”

According to the Head of State, the GuyanaIndia relations are founded, unshakably, on mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, mutual non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, cooperation for mutual benefit, respect for treaties and international law and the maintenance of international peace and security – principles expressed universally in the Sanskrit words ‘panch sheel’, meaning ‘five virtues.’

“India continues to contribute to Guyana’s economic development. Our two Republics have signed agreements for development projects in the fields of education, drainage and irrigation, health-care, information communications technology and transportation, among others. The threat of climate change is real for low-lying coastal states. Guyana, although, a negligible contributor to global carbon emissions, remains committed to working with countries such as India to find solutions to this global threat.

The two states have been

bound by ties of blood and history for nearly one hundred and fifty years since May 5, 1838, when Indian indentured immigrants first began to arrive in British Guiana,” President Granger said.

M e a n w h i l e , High Commissioner Mahalingam noted that having enjoyed excellent relations both in bilateral and multi-lateral fronts, ties between Guyana and India have been guided by shared commonalities in terms of the same colonial past and freedom struggle, and both being multi-racial and multi-cultural societies.

According to the Indian

A section of the gathering including People’s Progressive Party members at the reception held at the Marriott Hotel to commemorate the 69th Republic anniversary of India

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SunDAY, january 28, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Economic outlook

Falling growth projections linked to lack of investments – Opposition

W

hile Finance Minister Winston Jordan has laid the blame for the slide of Guyana’s economic growth projections at the feet of falling gold declarations, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo is of the view that lack of new investments remains a key factor in the slide.

During a press conference on Saturday, Jagdeo lambasted the Government not only for the sliding economic performance, but also for the fact that in its almost three years in Government, the coalition has done the very things it criticised the PPP for doing.

“A lot of the previous investments that were made

kept the growth rate up. But since this Government took office, it has not brought in a single new major investment. ExxonMobil came here under the PPP, now they’re messing up the whole future; because the renegotiation they had, I am stunned that they would do something of this nature,” Jagdeo declared, “Every single thing they criticised us for, they’ve gone outlandishly and done worse… from settlement of cases to corruption (to) no regard for procedure and no tendering system. Wanton waste, bad contracts, secrecy in Government…the incompetence is unbelievable,” he bemoaned.

In light of all this, Jagdeo

expressed fear that the numbers may continue to slide. He noted that when oil production commences in 2020, the growth rate will increase. By this time, however, the Economist noted that the damage would already have been done to labour-intensive industries.

“By that time, maybe 30,000 to 40,000 of our people would be without a job, because all the labour-intensive sectors have been killed.

Over 25,000 people (have been) without jobs since this Government took office. The private people who have had to lay off, if you aggregate the numbers, it is close to 10,000,” he expressed.

Slide According to Minister

Jordan, Guyana recorded some 653,754 ounces of gold in 2017. This indicates that that gold declaration fell short of the projected 720,000 ounces, something that may have an impact on overall economic performance. Indeed, Jordan linked the performances of other sectors with the situation.

“It will have an impact on the growth, with both sugar and gold not coming in on target. It means we will have to revise last year’s growth rate even further, and it will put some strain on the growth for 2018,” Jordan stated.

Sugar output in Guyana fell by nearly a quarter from last year, with close to 140,000 metric tonnes being produced in 2017, which is the lowest in 27 years.

The decline happened at a time when the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) is preparing to permanently close three of its six estates, having fired about 4673 of its 15,000-member workforce.

Other workers numbering close to 1000 could also be laid off this year, as the Government embarks on its downsizing initiative.

Jordan said the economy was expected to grow by 2.9 per cent, failing to meet the revised growth projection of 3.1 per cent for 2017.

The initial projected growth of the economy was 3.8 per cent, but this was revised by midyear to 3.1 per cent after the economy grew by only by 2.2 per cent in July of 2017.

Making reference to gold, the Minister said there were several impediments that led to a fall in gold declaration. He said that accessibility for miners was one of the major factors. Nevertheless, Jordan said he is confident that the country’s gold production would climb again this year, due to good prices and improved access.

God and sugar S

atiricus was anxious to get over to the Back Street Bar. It wasn’t as if he badly needed a beer – even though the day was unbearably humid and hot – but, once again, he figured he had the ammo to finally defend his leaders of the KFC – Nagga Man and Rum Jhaat. In this new year, he would be third time lucky!

“I hope you fella will now stop cussing out Nagga Man and Rum Jhaat for the sugar firings,” he blurted out as soon as he’d taken the obligatory swig of his beer.

“An’ wha’ mek abee sh’ud do da?” asked Cappo mildly.

“Didn’t you read Rum Jhaat explain the whole thing?” asked Satiricus with some annoyance. “It’s because God wanted it so.” His friends around the table all swiveled around and looked at him in disbelief.

“Yuh mean ah Gaad wuk dat Nagga Man guvment knack aff 5700 people?” asked Bungi indignantly.

“Well, think about it,” said Satiricus. “Don’t you believe everything is in God’s hands?”

“So when Hitler killed off six million Jews, that was also God’s work?” asked Hari as he leaned over the table and looked hard at Satiricus.

“C’mon fellas,” pleaded Satiricus. “That’s not fair!”

“Budday! Na de same t’ing?” asked Cappo. “If ev’ryt’ing ah Gaad wuk, and yuh cyaan blame de guvment fuh wha happen to abee suga worka, how yuh guh blame Hitla?”

“Well maybe what Rum Jhaat meant is those sugar estates were meant to be closed,” suggested Satiricus. “Their time was up.”

“Sato, lemme aks yuh somet’ing, ole fr’en,” said Bungi softly. “If Gaad a do ev’ryt’ing, wha’ mek Rum Jhaat an’ Nagga Man and all a dem in guvment a collect dem fat salary?”

“Well, I didn’t think of that,” Satiricus confessed after some reflection.

“Well, Sato,” said Cappo. “Jus’ like how Gaad gi’e abee brain fuh pick sense fram nansense, E gi’e Rum Jhaat an’ Nagga Man sense too.”

“It’s just that Nagga Man and Rum Jhaat use their brains to fill their own pockets!” said Hari with a grin.

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SunDAY, january 28, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

Banks DIH moving towards solar power …to cut electricity costs

I Securing our insecurity

By Ryhaan Shah

E

veryone would agree that the security sector has been in urgent need of reform, and that for decades. The British are probably being a bit tongue-in-cheek when they hope that their current recommendations for security sector reform in Guyana will not be “sitting on the shelf gathering dust”.

These latest recommendations from British expert Lt Col (Rtd) Russell Combe follow previous reports, such as the International Council of Jurists’ in 1965, and the Disciplined Forces Commission Report of 2003. Both of these reports, which provided strategies for professionalising the security sector at the respective times, have been gathering dust.

Granger said that when offered assistance from the UK Government, he suggested security sector reform. “That’s all I asked for,” he said. With him being a military man, he has a keen personal interest in the development of this sector, and questions have been raised about the many military personnel now appointed to administrative positions in the public service.

The increased militarisation of the Coalition Government is viewed as part of Granger’s programme to return Guyana to Burnhamism. As PNC leader, he heads a party that has boasted publicly about the armed forces being its “kith and kin”, which places the forces’ primary loyalty to party, and not country. This was evident as far back as the 1960s, when the Commissioners’ Report on the Wismar Massacre noted the lack of Police presence and intervention during the 1964 assault on Indian Guyanese by PNC supporters.

The GDF’s allegiance to the PNC has never been in question, and the army’s formation in 1965 was geared in great part to protecting the Burnham dictatorship at a time when the Government practised open thuggery on Opposition forces and condoned assaults on Indian Guyanese.

The army was pivotal to the electoral rigging that kept Burnham in power, so Granger’s announced restructuring of the army is hardly surprising, since it appears that the PNC’s electoral fraud will be a feature of the next general elections.

As a career soldier in the GDF, Granger was a loyal servant to the ethos of the Burnham era, and even as he accepted Combe’s recommendations, his remarks about the need for reform in the security sector were wholly disingenuous.

He referred to the “escalation in narcotics trafficking, which brought with it a horrific spate of violence” at the turn of the century, and referred to the surge in execution killings and the surge in the corruption of the security forces.

Conveniently absent from his remarks was the ethnic violence against Indian Guyanese at that time, which was openly supported by the PNC and its supporters in their cry of “African marginalisation”.

This was the violence that sparked the terror which escalated and spawned a lawlessness which did spread to include other crimes, such as drugs warfare and extra-judicial killings.

The PPP/C Government was pushed to the brink to restore order, especially given the armed forces’ loyalty to the Opposition PNC. The truth is that the armed forces have been corrupt since the 1960s, and the major corruption derives from their partisan political loyalty and their usefulness to the PNC as a political tool when the party is both in and out of Government.

This corruption consumes them, and a recent letter to the press by Taajnauth Jadunauth of Enmore highlighted the daily double standards practised by police across Guyana, which allow, for example, noise nuisances and illegal car tints that openly favour “kith and kin” above law and order.

There is no level playing field in law enforcement, and there has not been since the 1960s. Any recommendations that start off on the false premise that Police corruption is a recent phenomenon and that racial bias is not routinely practised by the armed forces in the execution of their duties will not be effective in changing the corrupt culture of the sector, since it would be ignoring major root causes of Guyana’s security issues.

Another root cause of crime, as Combe pointed out, is economics. Here, again, Granger showed a decided lack of sincerity in touting Combe’s recommendations, since his Government is wholly responsible for continuing to fire sugar workers without any regard for their future financial security.

The causal link between economics and crime is so fundamental that no political leader can claim to be truly concerned about reforming their country’s security sector while brutally throwing thousands out of work.

If any of Combe’s recommended modules on security sector reform is introduced, it would only be because they suit the PNC’s agenda, and the UK could find itself colluding with the Granger Government in securing Guyana’s continued insecurity.

n order to cut costs and preserve the environment, Banks DIH Limited will be investing heavily in the acquisition of solar energy panels for its operations, according to its Chairman and Managing Director, Clifford Reis.

Reis made this announcement at the Company’s 62nd Annual General Meeting on Saturday at Thirst Park, Georgetown.

“Our focus for the new financial year (2018) will be further investments in solar energy, an initiative which was tested and introduced in 2017 at our Main Street Qik Serv Restaurant…

Your company operates within the principles of sustainability, so as to ensure the health and safety of its employees, and to reduce the impact to the environment… Our plans to invest in solar energy panels as an alternative energy source is intended to save costs and preserve our environment,” Reis told stakeholders.

According to the Chairman, the company registered an after-tax profit of $4.243 billion for 2017.

This result was produced because the company’s trading profit rose in 2017 by 22.3% over the previous year, although after-tax profit fell by 9.76% over the period, because of a one-off gain in 2016, according to the Annual Report.

Reis told shareholders that the Group’s net asset value per share has increased from $31.72 to $34.33, representing an 8 per cent increase. Because of that, the company has decided to increase its dividend proposal to shareholders to $1.04, resulting in an overall cost of $884 million.

The chairman noted that the company’s improved results were made possible by an increase in sales of malt products, aerated and liquor beverages, along with food products. He added that the company also benefited from the reduction in prices paid for several key raw and packaging materials, inclusive of sugar.

He also related that the company was able to extend its distribution warehouse by 15,900 square feet in the brewery.

“Additionally, my fellow shareholders, the services offered by our sales and marketing team were further enhanced through the introduction of handheld devices for the Preselling Department. This innovation has resulted in cost savings, better management of products and services, and a more satisfied customer base in terms of time saved between the placement and the filling of orders,” Reis noted.

The Banks Chairman and Managing Director also stated in his report that the implementation of the Environmental Levy of $10 per container on all non-returnable glass and PET containers had helped to re-

Chairman of the Banks DIH Group, Clifford Reis, with students from the four schools

A section of shareholders at the AMG on Saturday

duce consumer spending, which ultimately affected retail sales.

In addition to that, Reis said the company weathered the effects of an artificial increase in foreign exchange rates, which affected the acquisition costs for raw and packaging materials, plant and machinery spares, and

capital equipment; in addition to foreign exchange and payment for goods and services.

As it relates to the company’s legal challenge with the Guyana Revenue Authority, Reis told stakeholders that the matter is still pending before the Court.

He explained that on 1st April 2016, the GRA consented to a substantial tax write-off for a local manufacturing company, Demerara Distillers Limited; and acting on legal advice, Banks DIH wrote the GRA, claiming that it was entitled under Article 149 (D) of the Constitution to be treated equally by the State.

“The Guyana Revenue Authority did not respond favourably, and as a result, Banks DIH Limited acted on legal advice and pursued legal action against the GRA and the Attorney-General, claiming that Banks DIH Ltd is entitled to have the GRA treat its liability for consumption tax for the years 2001-2006, and its liability for excise tax for the years 2007-16, equally or materially in a manner that the GRA treated the local manufacturing company’s liability for the same period,” Reis told stakeholders.

Banks DIH filed a $28 billion legal challenge to reclaim overpaid consumption taxes between 2001 and 2006l and is claiming that it paid $12.8 billion in consumption tax, but that $9.09 billion of that amount was overpaid. The payment of the total amount was made between 2001 and 2006.

At the company’s AGM, Banks DIH also awarded employees for their outstanding service, and donated cheques to the Hope Secondary, Vreed-enHoop Primary, St Agnes Primary and the Kuru Kuru Cooperative College.

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SunDAY, january 28, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Jagdeo demands CoI into crime wave era ...says will uncover political authors behind gangs …urges extensive terms of reference

N

ot only is Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo open to a Commission of Inquiry into the crime spree that occurred under his presidency, he is in fact urging that Government launch the inquiry and uncover the political authors responsible.

At a press conference on Saturday, Jagdeo called out Government on the question of the CoI, but he noted that if this CoI is to be launched, it must be with impartial and reputable adjudicators.

Jagdeo also questioned the President’s delay in launching the CoI, considering that a number of other CoIs were ordered. He stressed that there were

When he was Opposition Leader, President David Granger had tabled a motion for a CoI into extra-judicial killings. Three years after becoming President, however, Guyana still awaits this CoI

persistent reports of certain politicians visiting certain villages and orchestrating efforts to frustrate the work of the Joint Services.

“You notice they have an approach to inquiries; they do not like… The CoI into sugar? They threw that away... The (CoI into assassination of) Walter Rodney? They didn’t like that because the findings were adverse. You want to bet if the findings for this one are adverse, then they will throw it away? So let’s have this CoI by all means, but let us have proper terms of reference and let us have credible commissioners, not the Paul Slowe type. Then you will see how

During the crime wave, joint police/army patrols were a regular feature

politically inspired many of the killings were in that period,” Jagdeo posited.

Intelligence reports

The former President stressed that no criminal would receive political support from the PPP, a reference to a longstanding claim that certain politicians of the day had backed the criminals.

He also noted that members of his former administration would be willing to

assist the CoI with any specific information they may have.

But Jagdeo expressed fears that intelligence reports from that period may have been tampered with by now.

On Friday, Minister of State Joseph Harmon hinted that a CoI may be launched into extra- judicial killings that occurred during the period 2002 to 2008. Harmon posited that the Coroner’s Inquest

Act requires an inquest be held for any unnatural death. Harmon noted that, at some point in time, relatives of the deceased have to get closure.

When in Opposition, Granger had tabled a motion for an inquiry into killings during that era.

As President, he is yet to order such an inquiry.

According to Harmon, however, the President is still committed to probing these killings.

13 Medical outreach charity launched U news

SunDAY, january 28, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Seeds of ethnic conflict

C

ommendably, there are a significant number of commentators who have realized that a majoritarian system of democracy presents severe challenges in a society that is riven by groups that approach each other in numbers. Even in comparatively homogenous societies, there is the obvious question of legitimacy of the government formed when almost half of the populace did not vote for it.

When those groups identify themselves, and are identified by others ethnically -- as in Guyana -- the question of legitimacy becomes even more contested. It is not just a matter of political or economic “interests” at stake, but a question of self-worth embedded in identity. “Our” government is defended for reasons that pay scant regard to rationality – and so also are condemnations of “their” government.

Such governments therefore have to be very vigilant about the adverse effects of their policies on groups outside of their ethnic Ravi Dev base, since it is also a matter of ‘honour”, “pride”, and even survival of the group. It was for this reason that I was quite pleased when the APNU/AFC coalition manifesto committed itself to a proposal I had made decades ago – issuing “ethnic impact statements”.

My argument was: if governments explicitly perform this exercise BEFORE any policy is implemented, there can be debate and discussion, especially ahead of effects impacting negatively on the “out” group, which can then be addressed. There may very well be valid political or economic reasons for the action, and the emotional impact can be mediated and possibly moderated through engagements that acknowledge the group’s fears. This becomes even more necessary when, as with the APNU/AFC government, the challenge of legitimacy was acknowledged and they boasted their coalition Accord between the PNC-dominated APNU and AFC conferred the necessary “multi-ethnic” legitimacy.

But the composition of the Cabinet announced soon after the elections sent disturbing signals in the Indian-Guyanese “out” group. This was strengthened when eventually 16 of 17 Permanent Secretaries were revealed to be African-Guyanese.

While it is “traditional” for parties to place their supporters in decision-making positions in government, the removal of a wide swath of predominantly Indian Guyanese officials who had been appointed by the PPP and replaced by African Guyanese was, not surprisingly, perceived as “vindictive” by the former community.

Then came the firing of 5700 mostly Indian Guyanese sugar workers, against the recommendation of the Government’s own CoI. In 1992, we had supported the PPP because they had been historically rigged out of office by the PNC following their ouster after CIA-fostered riots and British electoral “innovations”, but also because the PPP had promised an inclusive government if they won. The “Civic” component with Sam Hinds clearly did not satisfy the PNC, and they launched a strident campaign against several policies and initiatives of the PPP government as being biased against African Guyanese. The Government was accused of engaging in “ethnic cleansing” of the Public Service, even though the PPP had staunched the mass dismissals of public servants initiated by Desmond Hoyte at the instruction of the IMF. As early as 1995, at a conference in T&T on “Youths and Violence in the Caribbean”, I predicted violence would erupt from the African Guyanese community because of their conviction of being excluded from the ‘national patrimony”. This was reported back in Guyana with some indignation, since at the time I had been appointed to the Race Relations Task Force. But the PNC had rejected this body as a source of mediating their ethnic complaints because of Bishop Randolph George being chosen as Chairman.

I concluded that when political activists in the African Guyanese community evaluated their “social facilitation factors” – dominance of the Police and Army (leader of the PNC, Mr Desmond Hoyte referred to them as “kith and kin”); the Civil Service; and most importantly “lumpen elements” in the capital city of Georgetown, where the Government offices were located -- violence would be seen as a most viable option. So said, so done; starting from 1998 and ending in 2008 – a period President Granger euphemistically refers to as “the Troubles”.

The question regarding whether the increasingly polarized, ethnically-defined crisis in the Indian Guyanese community will erupt into violence depends on how their political leaders assess their “social facilitation factors” – especially the power resources available to them versus the “social control factors” – civil retribution and “official” sanctions that will be unleashed.

nder the premise of being dedicated to providing medical services, The Save-A-Life Inc was on Saturday officially launched.

The charitable foundation will utilise the volunteer work of predominantly medical practitioners to venture into rural, unserved areas in order to provide comprehensive medical care and services.

“Three months ago, she (Dr Bemaul) called me to assist in forming a legal charitable organisation to continue to do medical outreaches and here we are today,” were the words of Mohamed Karimullah, a Director of the organisation. In highlighting reasons for creating the foundation, Karimullah stated that, “There are people who do not access community health centres for various reasons such as prejudice, cultural stigma, poverty, old age, disability and lack of some form of support.”

The charity’s mission is to enhance quality of life through adequate healthcare and non-medical char-

ities in a sustained manner through collaborating with governmental and non-governmental organisations.

According to Dr Kamela Bemaul-Sukhu, another Director of the charity, the launch was held in order to create awareness of the or-

ganisation, announce their intentions, attract volunteers and inspire donations/ funding.

The Save-A-Life Inc aims to attract medical and non-medical volunteers who will assist in the outreaches. They plan to set up “sat-

ellite groups” in different areas of the country, which will create a list of patients who are in need of the organisation’s help, so that the outreaches can be more effective. Dr Bemaul has expressed intentions of going into areas such as East Berbice, Madhia, Islands on the Essequibo River, Georgetown orphanages and The Palms.

Apart from the donations and funding they are hoping to receive, the charity has outlined a number of fundraising activities to allocate monies for their outreaches. In fact, two of those fundraisers have already been held in the forms of a take-away lunch and car wash. Dr Kamela Bemaul-Sukhu, Mohamed Karimullah, Devindra Sukhu, Dr Philicia Findlay and Dr Navindranauth Rambarran all make up the Board of Directors for the charity. They strongly believe in selfless service and guarantee that all funds and donations are directly put towards providing care and supplies for their future patients.

Govt used GAWU as...

But Jagdeo questioned what this solution was, noting that the Union has not clarified this.

However, since GAWU subsequently stated that it did not agree with the part payment of severance, Jagdeo questioned what this common ground could be.

The General Secretary made it clear that he had an issue with the Chand’s quote, as revealed by the DPI. “I have issue when the President (of GAWU) says…

(DPI quotes). What’s the future engagement? Hiring back the 7000 workers?

Paying them their severance? Getting the subsidies and land for them? Getting more training, loans for them? What’s this agreement? That bothers me.

How can you find them genuine when they just sent home 7000 of your members?

But this didn’t come from GAWU. I believe GAWU as a Union has been fighting a very long time.”

He added that he has personal issues with these sorts of statements since “it means that all that has gone before, you find them still a good partner to talk with when they decimated half your membership? What is it if not a PR exercise? We’re not going to show up for a meeting to satisfy Granger’s PR when they don’t mean anything. That is what happened here.”

Jagdeo stressed that the party will continue to support the Union, whose executives included “good, strong, young, bright leaders”. He noted that this cadre of leaders have a bright future and will play a part in keeping GAWU relevant.

Asked directly whether there was a rift between the party and Chand, he em-

phasised that the party had none.

Betrayal

Guyana Times had spoken with several workers

in the sugar belt, and they say they felt betrayed when GAWU agreed to accept that only some sugar workers, who were dismissed, would get their full severance at

from page 7

the end of January.

According to the workers the Union’s intervention in severance was unnecessary since that is determined by law.

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New maternity ward Younge’s Take for NA Hospital New blood, old guards and the PPP

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The ceremonial sod turning by Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence, along with Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan. Also in photo are regional and health officials

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acilities at the New Amsterdam Hospital are soon to be up-

graded. This is according to Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence, who made this

announcement at the signing of the contract for construction of a new maternity

wing at that medical facility. The $192 million contract which has been awarded to S and K Construction and Consultancy Service General Supplies will see a one-flat building being constructed fully equipped with the technology that is now being used in maternity and delivery rooms.

These include: two operating theatres, four delivery rooms, 100 beds, parking facilities, viewing areas for visitors, and sterling nursing and doctors’ rest rooms.

The state-of-the-art one-storey maternity wing will also have a post-anesthetic unit and a neonatal intensive care unit, scheduled to be completed by the end of 2019.

Speaking at the event last week, the Public Health Minister said the aim of this venture is to ensure that more obstetrical and gynaecological services are offered through consultants, an adequate amount of paediatric doctors is available, and there is more space for private conversations with women and girls about family planning.

This initiative, she said, is in keeping with Government’s mandate to modernise and upgrade the regional hospitals to provide vital medical services.

The new facility is a collaborative effort between the ministries of Public Health and Communities.

Region Six Chairman, David Armogan, told the gathering that there will no longer be complaints of inadequate space, as is the case at the present maternity unit.

Meanwhile, efforts are also underway to improve the working conditions for staff, and to provide new services along with an additional complement of technical and supporting staff at the hospital.

Minister Lawrence noted that the Accident and Emergency Unit (A&E) at the New Amsterdam Hospital will be expanded this year to improve the delivery of healthcare services to patients.

Future plans for the Region Six health sector, to be completed in 2018, include the construction of a theatre at the Skeldon Hospital and the provision of an out-patient building, doctors’ quarters and maternity ward for the New Amsterdam Hospital.

t’s close to 68 years since the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) entered the field of politics formally in this country after some of its core members had served passionately in the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) which was founded back in 1945.

The Party, since then, has fought aggressively for the development of this country on several fronts as it pushed for Guyana’s right to solely determine the collective future of its people. It supported strongly an end to colonialism and direct foreign rule. This resulted in the PPP also working earnestly with independent groups and other political allies here to secure Guyana’s independence from the British Michael Younge and to establish a system of socialist-democratic rule.

Since Guyana gained that independence in 1966, the Party transformed itself and its style of politics. The Party under the leadership of Dr Cheddi Jagan and his wife, Janet Jagan, demonstrated political maturity, agility and the highest levels of patriotism during the early 1960s and 1970s. It toiled and worked for the disadvantaged and its leaders were often told of the need to adapt to the changing local, regional and international political environment in order to remain relevant and in sync with the mood of the masses and their struggles.

Dr Jagan, in particular, held no brief for politicians or comrades who were more interested in their ‘big titles and designations’ than the problems facing the poor and ordinary classes of people. Jagan was humble and understood his own political limitations. He knew that he appealed to a certain demographic and ethnic enclave of people and he was unapologetic about it because he felt that they were his core constituency.

Up until 1997, Dr Jagan took a backseat in many areas allowing the new blood in his party to take up important and senior ministerial, governmental and party appointments while he served as the ‘old guard’. He never believed in standing in the way of the PPP’s progress and was many times prepared to step aside, if the Party’s membership ever lost confidence in his abilities. He was prepared to work along with and guide young people as he knew that the survival of the PPP did not depend on him alone but on him knowing when and how to bow out.

The biggest problem facing the PPP since the last elections, is the fact that some of the old guards from Dr Jagan’s era of politics refuse to set aside, sit back and guide, or even make room for newer blood and young people. They believe that their years of service in the party and their relationships with some its leaders including the Jagans have guaranteed them the right to occupy critical positions in and outside of the party for life even though some of them have outlived their political usefulness and are being constantly outfoxed because they are not au fait with the new trends and under currents sweeping the political scene.

Some of these old guards are willing to hold the PPP hostage because of they can only achieve relevance by holding onto party power. They do not see the hurt and damage being done to the party as use their voting power and links in the party to dismiss new and transformative methods of executing political tasks. The old guards, while respected, must give way to the young so that they can continue the struggle, make mistakes and move the PPP forward.

Bharrat Jagdeo and the crop of young PPP leaders including many who served as Ministers over the last 17 years have not done a bad job despite the perception painted by the People’s National Congress/A Partnership for National Unity and now APNU/Alliance For Change coalition alliance. Unless the old guard adopt positions where they mentor, train and guide the young PPP politicians, there can be no continuity and party will always appear wise but weak and fragile.

The some of the old guards cannot fight or strike. Wise men do not win political wars, these days. Abled bodied, versatile, youthful and energetic youths can seal the deal. They have the political venom needed to paralyse any opponent and win back the seat of power. They only need some of those who have fought and are tired to relax, retire and support them.

This is no country for old men… and the coalition is learning that daily too.

The PPP has come a long way since it was founded back in 1954; the four founding members in 1943, composing the PAC (Political Affairs Committee) – Cheddi, Janet, Jocelyn Hubbard, Ashton Chase; the grabbing of the recently returned young lawyer, LFS Burnham, to be Chairman of the newly founded (in 1950) PPP; the formation in 1990 of the PPP/ Civic when it appeared that there might be a return to fair and free elections, adding and combining new non-PPP persons (patriotic and not anti-PPP) with those who had stuck with Cheddi and the PPP during the years after 1964.

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SunDAY, january 28, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

North Pakaraima residents benefit from introductory lapidary course Sovereign Wealth Fund: a proposed framework for Guyana’s Petroleum Sector (Part 3)

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The Institutional and Governance Structure

n last week’s edition, a brief history was presented on the origins of SWFs, along with a definition and the purpose of establishing a SWF, having regard to its role in a country’s economy. Also, a list of the world’s top five SWFs, measured in terms of asset size, was presented, with the Norwegian SWF being the largest, reaching close to one trillion U.S. dollars. Today’s article deals with the institutional and governance structures of SWFs. Firstly, with respect to the objectives and governance structures of SWFs, it must be recognized that the policy objectives of SWFs vary, depending on the broad macrofiscal objectives that they aim to address.

As such, the organizational structure needs to have a clear separation of responsibilities and authority. Thus a well-defined structure builds a decision-making hierarchy that limits risks viz-à-viz ensuring the integrity of, and effective control over, SWF management activities (IMF Working Paper, 2013).

The institutional frameworks of SWFs differ from one country to another. Irrespective of the governance framework, in order to minimize potential political influence that could hinder the achievement of its policy objectives, the operational management should be conducted on an independent basis. The “manager model” and the “investment company model” are the two dominant forms of institutional setup.

Citing IMF Working Papers (2008 & 2013), the legal owner of the pool of assets constituting the SWF (usually the Ministry of Finance) gives an investment mandate to an asset manager – that is, in the manager model. Within this model, there are three main sub- categories: 1. The Central Bank manages the assets under a mandate given by the Ministry of Finance (e.g., Botswana, Chile and Norway). In this case, the Central Bank may choose to use one or more external (private) funds for parts of the portfolio.

2. A separate fund management entity, owned by the Government, is set up to manage assets under a mandate given by the Ministry of Finance, such as the Government Investment Corporation (GIC) of Singapore. In this case, the manager may also have other asset management mandates from the public sector. For example, the GIC manages parts of the reserves of the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

3. The Ministry of Finance gives mandates directly to one or more external (private) fund managers. This model is generally not recommended, since awarding contracts to external fund managers is in itself an investment decision that should be carried out at arm’s length from a political body; and the evaluation, monitoring, and termination of management contracts require specialized skills, more likely to be found in a dedicated investment organization. However, for countries with severe human capital constraints, it can be the only feasible solution.

In the second model; that is, the investment company model, the Government establishes an investment company that in turn owns the assets of the fund. This model is usually employed when the investment strategy implies more concentrated investments and active ownership in individual companies (Temasek, Singapore), or the fund has a development objective in addition to a financial return objective.

In the organizational structure of SWFs, it is important to distinguish between governing and supervisory bodies. The governing bodies constitute a system of asset management responsibilities. The authority to invest is delegated from the top entity of the governance system down through the various governing bodies to the individual managers of assets. The delegation implies a gradual increase in the granularity of regulations pertaining to responsibilities as we move down the ladder of the organizational system. The role of the supervisory body is to verify the supervised unit is acting in accordance with the regulations set by the governing body immediately above it in the governance structure.

It is also helpful to distinguish between those bodies that are internal and external to the organization. The table below illustrates the SWF government structure:

Notwithstanding the divergence in the governance models of SWFs, inter alia, due to differences in political institutions, there are some common principles that should be considered essential to any well-governed SWF. To this end, it must be recognized that the principal aim in the establishment of a governance structure for the SWF is that the bodies established to manage the assets of the SWF are essentially trustees on behalf of the people of the country. Therefore, one of the fundamental concerns is to establish a structure that would underpin the legitimacy of the SWF’s operations, and ensure that the decisions taken in the management of the SWF reflect the best interest of the owners of its assets. (To be continued next week).

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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ome 20 persons from Monkey Mountain, Tuseneng, Kurukabaru, Kato, and Mikwak recently benefited from a two-week introductory course in lapidary.

Participants were trained to recognise and gather quality semi-precious stones and more importantly, how to test the various stones to determine their properties and history.

The job of a lapidary or stone cutter has to do with the engraving, cutting, or polishing of stones and gems, many of which are found in Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni). The Government allocated the sum of $10 million in the 2018 Budget to establish a lapidary workshop in Monkey Mountain.

In an interview with the Department of Public Information, Minister within the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry, Valerie Garrido-Lowe, said the resi-

Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe

dents of the North Pakaraima communities are very enthusiastic about the project.

Apart from the introductory course, Minister GarridoLowe explained that participants will be trained in jewellery making. Craftsmen and women will also benefit, as they will have to produce unique craft cases out of tibi-

siri, nibi, wood and spun cotton, to display the different pieces of jewellery.

The Minister explained that the residents are in the process of designing the workshop, and identifying the land for its construction.

Once the facility is completed, the Ministry will seek to procure the modern equipment

to cut the stones.

According to Minister Garrido-Lowe, the polished stones will be sold locally in support of the local jewellers.

Additionally, when the project is fully on stream, persons overseas will be able to order their pieces online. She said that the Ministry will be working closely with the Business Minister Dominic Gaskin in that regard.

Another positive offshoot from this economic venture is tourism. Visitors will be taken on semi-precious stone hunting and gathering trips and will be taught how to recognise quality stones. They will also be able to order customised pieces.

This project will create employment for at least 20 persons in each of the five communities that will be involved, and an additional 10 in Monkey Mountain itself.

GTT celebrates 27th anniversary

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TT commenced its services to the Guyanese public 27 years ago today and it has been leading in the telecommunication technology sector since its entrance to the Guyana market.

The anniversary celebration is being marked by several exciting promotions to ensure its customers share in the celebration.

Among the several promotions is a “Saleabration offer” of five selected handsets at special prices from as low as $14,499 and includes 4GB data, 200 SMS and 100 minutes to call local, US and Canada.

Twenty-seven thousand loyal GTT customers will also receive special handset offers for them and someone special to them.

For new customers there are also ways to celebrate.

Every purchase of a SIM with a monthly bundle, a handset with a monthly bundle or sign up for blaze or DSL gets you an entry coupon to win an all-inclusive GTT Mash Package to revel with GTT on Mash Day. “During the 27 years, GTT has delivered innovative telecommunications to Guyana. We are proud to be an integral part of the community and culture of our people. Whether it is by being the first high-speed Internet provider, and the first mobile services provider, by providing the digital backbone of e-commerce, or by being the leader in the fibre-optic technology, we are committed to the development of our country across the consumer and business landscape,” CEO, Justin Nedd said.

As part of the anniversary CSR initiative, the company will present footwear to children in several children’s homes. During the next few days, customers

visiting the branded stores will be able get a piece of the birthday cake.

In addition, seven lucky customers who correctly answer questions in our Facebook trivia can also win costumes for them and their besties to be a part of GTT/

Pulse Entertainment Mash Band.

As a staff initiative, the company in partnership with Rotary Club of Georgetown Central and the Georgetown Dental School extended free dental care to 120 staff over the last few days.

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SunDAY, january 28, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

PPP advisor balks at split severance for sugar workers

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ugar workers now on the breadline with a promise of severance payment coming to them in tranches should take no comfort from this fragmented offer, and must in fact demand their just dues promptly, whether through their parliamentary representatives or by considering taking to the streets -- a language the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC)led coalition Government “understands all too well.”

This is according to Economic Advisor to the Political Opposition, Dr Peter Ramsaroop, who has said he believes those are the only feasible options available to the more-than 4,000 persons that were recently laid off by GuySuCo; and more recently those notified of imminent retrenchment as a result of the coalition Government’s decision to close another set of working sugar estates

Wales workers

The economic advisor, in an interview over the weekend, expanded on the troubling state of affairs in the Guyana sugar belt. He reminded that just after coming into office more than two years ago, this Government announced plans to close the Wales Estate, and dismissed hundreds of workers at the end of 2016 with a promise of GuySuCo and/or Government finding gainful employment for those dis-

Economic Advisor Peter Ramsaroop

missed.

“When they announced that they would close Wales, there was the promise of diversification of the fields into more productive sectors, suggesting aquaculture, an initiative that was stillborn from its inception”, he noted.

According to Dr Ramsaroop, not only are those families struggling now more than ever in this “January hard guava season, but they are still to receive what was promised…

Hundreds laid off in Wales are still to be paid the other half that was promised.

“Which of those dismissed workers from the Wales Estate have been able to successfully enter into subsistence farming or

was able to secure any kind of employment through mechanisms offered by Government?” Ramsaroop questioned.

“Sugar workers in Berbice must pay heed to these recent developments, and be reminded of this when listening to the bogus promises being made by this Government,” Ramsaroop cautioned, Ramsaroop is adamant that sugar workers should consider taking to the streets to demand the timely payment of their dues, since he is of the conviction that the explanations handed down by those in high office do not hold water.

Government, over the weekend, fielded a high-level delegation led by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Cabinet Minister Khemraj Ramjattan and Cathy Hughes—all members of the Alliance for Change faction of the coalition Government. Their overtures, according to Ramsaroop, were rightly rebuffed, as he pointed to the hundreds of protestors that greeted the Government delegation, “protesting the mismanagement of the industry, which has now led to the lives of thousands of Guyanese being disrupted.”

Ramsaroop, who once served as the Chief Executive Officer of the AFC before mounting the PPP’s platform in 2011, posited, “One must go back in

history when slavery was abolished and indentured labourers were brought in to save the sugar industry.”

Appalling

He noted thus, “This Government’s callous actions in dramatically lay-

ing off thousands of sugar workers can be seen by some as an attempt by the historian Granger to redress historical grudge... ” Ramsaroop said, too, “It is appalling that the international communi-

ty can just sit back and be spectators at this ‘economic destruction’ of an entire section of our society. We must stand up at all costs and stop this madness, where our people are being made to suffer.”

Govt receives huge interest to address energy demand – Harmon

…GPL to meet businessman over wind turbine project

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ddressing Guyana’s energy sufficiency is an important part of the Government’s agenda. The delegation headed to India for the Guyana-India Joint Commission and the InterMinisterial Consultations is expected to place special emphasis on solar energy possibilities, according to Minister of State Joseph Harmon.

Speaking at his post-Cabinet press briefing on Friday, Minister Harmon related that the Government has been receiving an influx of proposals for addressing Guyana’s energy demand, and he added that those proposals are being examined carefully.

“As recent as this week, I met with some representatives of a major company that deals with solar energy, and you will see in our delegation to India that there is an emphasis on solar energy, particularly in countries where you have a lot of sunshine,”

An artist’s impression of the 25MW Wind Farm at Hope Beach, East Coast Demerara

he noted.

“This is an area which we are proceeding to examine carefully in addition to our reliance on hydro and wind.

Those are areas which we are paying careful attention to, because we believe that the energy sufficiency in this country is an important matter for us, not only for domestic consumption, but also for industrial use and for the development of this country,”

Harmon added.

Additionally, Minister Harmon said there are a number of private energy projects, as he referred to the recent installation of a US$75,000 wind turbine by businessman Hareshnarine Sugrim at Line Path, Skeldon Corentyne.

The wind turbine is the first of its kind in Guyana, and Sugrim undertook the project to power his hotel. turn to page 17

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CJIA expansion 75-80% complete – Patterson

President David Granger along with Minister of State Joseph Harmon being led on a tour by Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson at the CJIA

D

uring a visit to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) by President David Granger and his Cabinet on Saturday, Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson announced that the airport expansion project is between 75 and 80 per cent complete.

Minister Patterson extended the invitation to the President and Cabinet to visit the airport and to have a firsthand look at the progress being made in relation to the expansion and modernisation project. During the visit, Minister Patterson explained that the project is between 75-80 per cent complete and the purpose of the visit was to get feedback from the President and Cabinet before the final stage of completion and opening.

President David Granger said that there is a major absence of adequate infrastructure resulting in bothersome experiences for persons willing to visit. He pointed out that the lack of direct flights is one of the major concerns for visitors. Hence, he

From the time he land to the time he is in the taxi going to Georgetown, we need efficiency Mr Ghir so by the time someone lands here they can be on their way our ensuring that the security checks are in place,” Granger charged.

The President also noted that plans are in the pipeline to upgrade all regional aerodromes and outfit them with all the facilities to accommodate larger flights.

He used the opportunity to also express gratitude to the Chinese Government for the collaboration on the project.

“This is the entry point for a modern state. It is very important to our development and just Tuesday Cabinet was discussing infrastructure to attract tour-

ists and now that we are embarking on a new industry, the petroleum industry, many people would want to come here and it is very important that they should be able to come into Guyana in a modern airport,” he noted.

Meanwhile, Project Manager Carmichael Thorne noted that to date, they have expended US$114 million, with plans to spend US$27 million for 2018 and five per cent of the contract sum is being retained for the defects period in 2019.

He added that insufficient parking, overcrowding on the terminals and a too small runway were just some of the reasons for undertaking the project.

In 2012, the then

People’s Progressive Party Government had secured a US$138 million loan from the China Exim (ExportImport) Bank to fund the expansion and modernisation project, for which the Guyanese Government has injected some US$12 million.

The project began in 2013. After taking office in 2015, the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change Government had initially put the project on hold.

However, after much discussion the project recommenced with a downgrade to the expansion plan.

The facility is expected to be fully completed by December.

Govt receives huge interest...

One of the almost complete jet bridges at the airport

A complete conveyor belt system at the airport

praised the modernisation of the facility, noting that it is a stepping-stone in the right direction.

“This is not an ornamental project and it is very functional and it is central to the development of our country. It is the gateway to the green state and it must show the character of the country and it must also promise to not only move people from the Caribbean to Guyana

but to other parts of South America,” the President said.

Additionally, Granger called on the management of the airport to ensure, once completed, that efficiency is of paramount importance.

“In due course, we should be able to time the arrival of a visitor and in other terms we should ensure that a visitor spends no longer than 10 minutes in this airport.

The turbine is expected to produce more power than needed, and the businessman is hoping that the Guyana Power and Light Company enters into an agreement to add it to the national grid.

Harmon noted that conversation between GPL and Sugrim is currently ongoing, and he said Government realizes that it has to move at a fast pace to address the energy needs.

“There’s a project on the Corentyne that is being done by a private businessman -- this is the wind

turbine. I understand that it is ready to be launched, and (would) provide more power than the operator requires for his own use, and I think he (is) now seeking some engagement with the Guyana Power and Light to see if some of that power can be added to the grid.

That is the conversation that is ongoing,” Harmon noted.

Foreign Affair Minister Carl Greenidge is heading a delegation to India for a series of engagements from January 29 to February 3.

The team includes Natural Resources Minister

from page 16

Raphael Trotman. While in India, Greenidge is expected to sign and ratify the Framework Agreement on the establishment of the International Solar Alliance, a platform through which sun-rich countries collectively address common challenges related to the use of solar energy.

This will serve to advance Guyana’s efforts to establish a “Green Economy”, including through its renewable energy sector, as well as further solidify the bond between the two countries.

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guyanatimesgy.com

Around the World

Top Republican quits over sex claims

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S casino mogul Steve Wynn has resigned as finance chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC) amid sexual harassment allegations.

A Wall Street Journal report on Friday alleged that the 76-year-old billionaire harassed massage therapists and forced one staff member to have sex with him. Wynn has denied wrongdoing, calling the stories “preposterous”. RNC chair Ronna McDaniel told US media she had accepted his resignation.

Wynn has blamed his exwife, whom he is fighting in court, for the “slander”.

“The instigation of these accusations is the continued work of my ex-wife Elaine Wynn, with whom I am involved in a terrible and nasty lawsuit,” the billionaire said in a statement that his public relations team sent to the BBC on Friday.

According to the Wall

US casino mogul Steve Wynn

Street Journal, which said it had interviewed dozens of people who worked with Wynn, he is accused of engaging in a pattern of abuse in which he often harassed massage therapists while alone in his private office.

The gambling industry

giant paid $7.5m (£5.2m) to one manicurist who alleged she had been forced into sex

by Wynn, the paper claims citing court documents.

Female employees would fake appointments in order to avoid seeing him, or enlist others to pretend to be their

assistants in order to avoid being alone with him.

Some would even hide in bathrooms or closets if they heard he was coming to their salon, the paper claimed.

Wynn is also a Republican Party donor and fundraiser.

After harassment allegations were made against Hollywood executive producer Harvey Weinstein last year, McDaniel and other leading Republicans called for the Democratic Party to return his donations.

Now some Democrats are asking if the same rules should apply regarding allegations against Wynn.

The Democratic National Committee has attacked the RNC for remaining silent.

In an October statement, McDaniel wrote: “If Democrats and the DNC truly stand up for women like they say they do, then returning this dirty money should be a no brainer.” (BBC)

Gunmen kill 14 at Brazilian night club

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unmen have stormed a nightclub in northeast Brazil, killing at least 14 people.

Three cars of attackers swooped in on the venue, located on the outskirts of Fortaleza, during the early hours of Saturday morning.

Two minors are among the dead and several people were taken to hospital, including a 12-year-old boy.

Local media said the at-

tackers were part of a criminal gang involved in drug trafficking.

The security secretary for Ceara state, Andre Costa, confirmed the deaths at the Forro do Gago club in a press conference.

"There is no reason for panic and fear," Mr Costa was quoted by the Globo news network as saying.

"It is a one-off event, as occurs all over the world, with

An abandoned and burnt car thought to belong to the attackers

50 or 60 deaths," he said, adding that the police could not have done anything to stop it.

Last year, there were 5,114 murders in Ceara, a 50% rise from 2016. It was the highest toll since the state started releasing the data in 2013.

A 2015 nightclub shooting, which killed 11 people, mostly teenagers, was previously Ceara's deadliest mass shooting on record. (BBC)

Kabul attack: Taliban kill 95 with ambulance bomb

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suicide bombing has killed at least 95 people and injured 158 others in the centre of Afghanistan's capital, Kabul, officials say.

Attackers drove an ambulance laden with explosives past a Police checkpoint in a secure zone, home to Government offices and foreign embassies.

The target is believed to have been an interior ministry building, but many people were hit while walking by.

The Taliban have said they carried out the attack, the deadliest for months. A week ago, Taliban militants killed 22 people in a luxury Kabul hotel.

Witnesses say the area - also home to offices of the European Union, a hospital and a shopping zone known as Chicken Street

- was crowded with people when the bomb exploded on Saturday at about 12:15 local time (08:45 GMT).

Nasrat Rahimi, deputy spokesperson for the Interior Ministry, said the attacker got through a security checkpoint after telling police he was taking a patient to nearby Jamhuriat hospital.

He detonated the bomb at a second checkpoint, said Rahimi.

The BBC's Zia Shahreyar, speaking from the scene, says it is not easy to get through the checkpoints.

Cars are searched and drivers' identities checked.

He adds that questions will be asked about how the attacker got through.

The International Committee of the Red Cross said the use of an ambulance was "harrowing". (BBC)

Colombia bomb attack kills 5 Police

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n early morning bomb attack outside a Police station in Colombia’s coastal city of Barranquilla killed at least five police officers and wounded 42 on Saturday, authorities said.

The attack targeted the officers as they gathered in the San Jose neighborhood to receive their orders for the day in what police denounced as an “act of barbarity.”

A reward of 50 million pesos (about $18,000) was offered for information leading to the perpetrators. We think it could be retaliation by these groups who have recently been greatly impacted,” metropolitan police commander Brigadier General Mariano de la Cruz Botero said in comments broadcast

by Caracol Radio, referring to crime gangs active in the port city.

Botero said one person had

been arrested in connection with the bombing, and that police suspect others were involved. The person in custody could be the individual who placed and then triggered the device, he said.

President Juan Manuel Santos sent his condolences to the families of those killed and injured, and said on Twitter that the government would not rest until those responsible were brought to justice.

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto also tweeted his condolences.

Colombia has myriad crime gangs, some which operate across large swaths of rural territory and others in major cities. Many are involved in the production and trafficking of cocaine, largely to the United States and Europe, as well as extortion and other crimes.

(Reuters)

sunDAY, january 28, 2018

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India win dramatic final Test

…hold onto No 1 ranking

S

uperb seam bowling allowed India to rip through South Africa’s batting line-up and seal a 63-run consolation victory on day four of the third and final test at the Wanderers on Saturday.

Chasing 241 for victory on a wicket with pace, bounce and prodigious lateral movement, South Africa were on top at 124 for one, but lost their last nine wickets for just 53 runs as India roared back into the contest.

Dean Elgar (86 not out) and Hashim Amla (52) had given South Africa hope with a 119-run second wicket stand. However, South Africa lost their way following Amla’s dismissal 20 minutes before tea, with four batsmen out for ducks.

The wickets were shared between the excel-

held on to their number one ranking which was under threat from South Africa who are currently ranked

SCOREBOARD

Hashim Amla had to resort to evasive action against the bouncers en route to his second halfcentury of the match ©BCCI

lent Mohammed Shami (528), Ishant Sharma (2-31), Jasprit Bumrah (2-57) and

Trini trio may never represent Windies again – Cameron

C

ricket West Indies President Dave Cameron has warned Darren Bravo, Sunil Narine, and Kieron Pollard they may never play for West Indies again, following their reluctance to represent the regional side at the upcoming ICC World Cup Qualifiers in Zimbabwe. CWI said on Thursday that the Trinidadian trio had snubbed offers to be included in the 15man squad for the all-important March 4-25 tournament, where West Indies will be vying for one of the remaining two spots at the 2019 World Cup in England. Instead, the three players opted to fulfill their commitments in the Pakistan Super League, which bowls off February 22 and runs parallel to the qualifiers. Speaking to TVJ Sports, also on Thursday, Cameron said CWI would "probably" review the trio's involvement in West Indies cricket.

"We asked them to do the math and balance, give us an opportunity and play for us this time," the Jamaican administrator said. "We were very disappointed about it (players' decision), and the board, in its wisdom, feels that after this World Cup the qualifiers - we'll probably not invite those players to be a part of Cricket West Indies

number two.

The six-match One Day International Series begins on February 1. (Reuters)

Bhuvneshwar Kumar (1-39).

South African claim the series 2-1 after victories in

Cape Town and Pretoria.

India have avoided whitewash and as such have

India 1st Innings 187 South Africa 1st Innings 194 India 2nd Innings 247 South Africa 2nd Innings (target: 241 runs) AK Markram c †Patel b Mohammed Shami 4 D Elgar not out 86 HM Amla c Pandya b Sharma 52 AB de Villiers c Rahane b Bumrah 6 F du Plessis* b Sharma 2 Q de Kock† lbw b Bumrah 0 VD Philander b Mohammed Shami 10 AL Phehlukwayo b Mohammed Shami 0 K Rabada c Pujara b Kumar 0

M Morkel b Mohammed Shami 0 L Ngidi c sub (Karthik) b Mohammed Shami 4 Extras (b-7, w-6) 13 Total (All out; 73.3 Overs) 177 Fall of wickets: 1-5 (AK Markram, 1.6 ov), 2-124 (HM Amla, 52.4 ov), 3-131 (AB de Villiers, 55.6 ov), 4-144 (F du Plessis, 60.6 ov), 5-145 (Q de Kock, 63.1 ov), 6-157 (VD Philander, 67.3 ov), 7-157 (AL Phehlukwayo, 67.6 ov), 8-160 (K Rabada, 68.6 ov), 9-161 (M Morkel, 69.5 ov), 10-177 (L Ngidi, 73.3 ov) Bowling Kumar 18-4-39- 1, Mohammed Shami 12.32-28-5, Bumrah 21-3-572 (w-1), Sharma 16-3-31-2, HH Pandya 6-1-15-0 (w-1)

P&P Insurance Pistol Shoot

set for February T

CWI President Dave Cameron

going forward."

Cameron's provocative comments are likely to cause yet another ripple through the regional game, especially following on from the fiasco involving Bravo, which led to the player's exclusion from the Windies side.

The left-hander has not played since November 2016 when he was sent home ahead of the Tri-Nations Series in Zimbabwe for an ill-advised Twitter rant aimed at Cameron, who had earlier criticised his form.

Bravo was subsequently barred from selection, pending an apology. CWI announced last July that a resolution had been reached, paving the way for his return to the squad. (Jamaica Gleaner)

he Guyana Sport Shooting Federation (GSSF) will shoot off their first event of 2018 in February at the Timehri Rifle Ranges with the staging of the third annual P&P Insurance Brokers & Consultants Limited Pistol Shoot.

At the small ceremony at P&P Insurance Brokers and Consultants Ltd.’s office located at Lot 35 North and King Streets, Georgetown, Treasurer of the Federation, Ray Beharry in accepting the kind sponsorship, conveyed thanks to the longstanding Insurance Brokers.

The recent ceremony was highlighted by commitment from P&P Insurance Director Vikash Panday who said his company stands committed to continued support of the Federation and sport shooting in spite of the slow economic conditions that presently exist.

The Match is open to all experienced Practical Pistol Shooters of Guyana and advised competitors to pre-register. President of the GSSF Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon noted that the match will

From left Vikash Panday, Director of P&P Insurance Brokers and Consultants Ltd. hands over sponsorship to GSSF Treasurer, Ray Beharry in the presence of P&P’s Executives Dhavina Bhalgobin (left) and Melinda Sammy Ali (right)

usher in the New Year of practical pistol matches; as local pistol aces compete in the first competition for the GSSF’s calendar year.

She noted that for January, members have thus far completed two practice sessions at the GDF Range to help sharpen shooting skills and training. A lot of focus was given on training in this regard and the usual monthly safety shooting course duly com-

pleted.

Competitors in the upcoming Match will be separated into two divisions based on their firearm setup: Production Division (for out of the factory firearms) and Limited Division (where some add-ons and higher end aftermarket parts are allowed.)

Chairman of the Practical Shooting Committee and Match Director David Dharry, noted with sponsor-

ship from P&P Insurance Brokers & Consultants Limited, prizes for the Top Three Overall Shooters in each division will be up for grabs. The Federation expressed appreciation to Chief Executive Officer, Bishwa Panday and P&P Insurance, who un-hesitatingly came on board to support the sport shooting fraternity for the third year making this an official event on the shooting Calendar.

20

guyanatimesGY.com

sunDAY, january 28, 2018

Jeffrey, Seebarran

top drivers at GT Motorsports awards Top drivers of the 2017 season pose with their plaques (Photos: Ackeem Thomas)

G

T Motorsports Gokart facility which is being used as a breeding ground for the next generation of racers held its award ceremony for 2017’s top performers at their Albert and Thomas Land location on Friday evening.

Plaques were presented to the top three drivers of the seven categories of racing at the GT Motorsports’ marquee event, the Georgetown Grand Prix.

Kristian Jeffrey, with six wins and one third place finish, was named champion driver of the Shifter Pro Cup. Jeffrey topped the charts with 189 points.

Fellow Guyanese Elliott Vieira came in second with 138 points, followed by Canadian Darryl Timmers third with 131.

Mikhail Persaud, with eight wins in the season, was the champion driver of the highly competitive 125cc Junior category, chalking up 272 points.

Rayden Persaud, with four victories, was second overall with 239 points, followed by John Phang with 205.

The champion driver of the 125cc Senior was Matthew Phang, who tallied 148 points, finishing

and four second place finishes against his name.

The promising Jeremy Tenpow was the lone driver to accumulate more than 300 points for the season, ending as the top driver of the Sunburst Kids Cup 60cc with 306 points. Like Baksh, Tenpow had nine wins, as well as three second finishes and a third place.

Nathan Rahaman came in second with 254 points (three wins, five second place finishes and three

and four third. *Special appreciation* The racers aside, several other persons were recognised for their contributions to GT Motorsports and the sport in general. They included Kevin Jeffrey, Stanley Ming, Ray Rahaman, Rameez Mohamed, Sunil Persaud, Harold Hopkinson, all the marshalls, sponsors and the club with the most racers on the podium in 2017- Pure Racing.

Easy Cup Light top performer Raymond Seebarran

the season with three top podium spots. Trinidad and Tobago’s Bridget Singh got the most victories in this category (four), but had to settle for second spot with 115 points, followed closely

by Denzel Hopkinson with 109.

With six wins, Shan Seejattan was a runaway winner of the Easy Cup Heavy, accumulating 186 points. His nearest rival, Haniff Mohamed, had exactly half that amount, while Raymond Seeabarran came in third with 65 points. Seebarran, however, topped the Easy Cup Light category, gathering six po-

dium spots- three first, two second and a third. His 172 points were 17 more than second place Mohamed, while Ralph Persaud took third with 147 points. The indomitable Raymond Baksh emerged with the joint-most wins by a single driver across all categories in 2017, copping first place in nine of the 12 races in the Easy Cup Rookie.

He raced up 273 points, comfortably ahead of Ralph Persaud with 184 points and two wins, and Dharmendra Dharmo, who impressed with a third place finish overall, managing 154 points and a win

Sunburst Kids Cup 60cc champion Jeremy Tenpow

third), while the only female driver in the category, Paide Mendonca, was third overall with 234 points. Paige managed two wins, three second

Founder Vishok Persaud, who chaired the formal aspect of the ceremony told the gathering, which included racers, parents, mar-

ing that his charges took an early lead and played well in the first half; however he also acknowledged that the team’s concentration waned in the second half and they fell away from his initial

g a m e plan and tactics.

This is something he said that

shalls, sponsors, well-wishers and friends, that their efforts in 2017 has made GT Motorsports one big family.

He reflected that it was the likes of Stanley Ming and Kevin Jeffrey, who gave him the push to go ahead with the construction of the facility after there were so initial doubts. Persaud thanked the racers and sponsors for a great year of racing, noting that bigger things are in store for 2018.

The sponsors were STAG Beer, Exxon Mobil, Bounty Farm Ltd., Monster Energy, All in One Distributors, Sunburst Orange Juice, Rent-A-Tent, Cyril’s Taxi Service, Fly Jamaica, Optique Vision Care, King’s Jewellery World, Karcher, Prem’s Electrical, Truck Masters, Secure Innovations and Concepts, Auto Toy Store, BM Soat, Industrial Supply of Guyana, Marics Company Ltd., Superbet, Ray’s Auto Sales, Zoon, Hero Motorcorp, Hand in Hand Insurance, Readymixx Concrete, RidO-Pes, Scotiabank, Toucan Distributors, Windjammers, Ticketmaster Travel Agency, Japarts and Nexus Machining.

“I am passing on my knowledge” – Parris

By Michelangelo Jacobus

A

former Milo Schools Football champion and current Golden Jaguars player Ralph Parris who is currently at home recuperating from a knee injury has taken up a new role on the local football scene; coaching a relatively young Business School side in the sixth edition of the Petra Organised Milo Schools Football tournament.

Playing in their first game of the tournament on Saturday at the Ministry of Education ground against the Buxton Youth Development side, the youngsters from Business School took an early 2-1 lead in the first half and looked to be definite winners. However, football is an unpredictable and wild-

ly beautiful game and the Buxton team pulled themselves together in the second half and looked a truly dangerous opponent; the equalized and then took a 3-2 lead which they maintained to come out as winners.

Speaking to Guyana Times Sport in his new capacity as coach, Parris who was a winner of the same tournament with Chase Academic Foundation, noted “it’s all about giving back to the youngsters. As a former youth player and a winner of this tournament, I will try my best to pass on whatever knowledge I have gained during my days as a youth player.”

“Here is where I emerged as a player and I’m here to work with these youngsters, I’m trying to help

them just as I was helped by others in the past.”

Despite starting out in the tournament with a loss; Parris revealed that he had a lot of positives to take away from the game not-

Former Milo champion and current Golden Jaguar Ralph Parris has taken up responsibility as the coach of the Business School team

he would be working on as prior to the opening game he only had two training sessions with the team.

“I’ll definitely be working in the next couple of weeks before our next game with the guys; there are a few areas that we need to work on. In the coming games we will be coming out to play harder and better football.”

The tournament which has seen Chase’s Academy Foundation winning the title for three consecutive years has this year once again partnered with the Ministry of Public Health.

The key component of the partnership will see the promotion of the issue of gender-based violence in an effort to raise public awareness.

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The teams participating are; Cotton Field, Bush Lot, Reliance Masters and Reliance Sports Club.

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Rovindra Parsram

…Competition begins February 4

E

d Caesar was returned unopposed for the third consecutive year as President of the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPLF) when the body held its AGM on Saturday in the auditorium of the Kuru Kuru Cooperative College, D’Urban Backlands Georgetown.

Also re-elected was General Secretary, Andrea Smith, Andrew Austin (Treasurer) and Committee Member, Earwyn Smith.

According to a press release, the changes include: Nadina

Taharally replacing Gordon Spencer as Vice President and Osmond Mack being replaced by Runita White as PRO/ Organizing Secretary.

Spencer and Mack did not seek re-election.

The two new Committee Members include: Martin Webster and David Gomes.

Meanwhile, in Caesar’s Presidential address, he urged all in attendance to observe fairness, transparency, and utmost accountability in promoting and par-

Nadine Taharally is the new Vice

President of the GAPF ticipatthem. The highing in the sport. light of the He spoke encouraging- AGM was the fily of the federation’s nal ratification now proactive stance on of the federation’s all matters anti- doping constitution. and urges all athletes In presenting to become acutely its proposed calaware of all endar for the year that is re- 2018, the federaq u i r e tion is off to an efo f ficient start with the

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el and former Guyana youth players Rovindra Parasram, Nathan Persaud among others will be on show. According to organizer Travis Simon, the day promises to be thrilling and he is thanking the sides in anticipation for their participation. The players will be using colour clothing since it is a white hardball festival. Meanwhile, Simon stated that the fourteam twenty/20 competition is expected to resume next weekend where players will continue to make big impressions.

Caesar returns as GAPLF boss, Taharally elected Vice President

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21

Ed Caesar

hosting of the Novices/ Juniors Powerlifting Championship on Sunday February 4 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Weigh- in begins at 07:00h and lifting starts at 09:00h (for Flight A). Admission remains $500.

Lewis keen to play leading role in Super50 G uyana Jaguars 50 Overs selectee Ramaal Lewis said he’s looking to play a role in the team’s Regional Super 50 title quest and plans to give his best once afforded the opportunity.

The former West Indies Under-19 Captain was among six new faces added to the Jaguars limited overs team, following their resounding title defence in the 2017-18 Regional 4-Day Championships.

The all-rounder told Guyana Times Sport following his selection that it was good to be called up to represent his franchise team in their pursuit of a title which they have been looking to recapture after more than a decade.

“It feels good you know, I have been putting in the work from since I came here. I wanted to represent this country bad. I never got to play any fourday game but now I got selected in the one-day team I'm happy to see my hard work paying off,” said the all-rounder in his deep Jamaican accent.

Speaking about his regime, the Jamaicanb o r n

Ramaal Lewis

Lewis s a i d that he has never let the hard time dampen his spirits as he always keeps himself fit and focus by training with his team on a daily basis.

“Definitely I would give a 100% at all times, whenever I touch the field to represent the Jaguars once I put in my all and give a 100% a mean I will help the team in many different ways as an all-rounder,” he added.

He continued, “With the help of the almighty God and hard work even when I didn't have a chance in the 4-days I continued to work hard on my game and physically. It’s all about the work that I put in keeping myself in good shape for whenever the opportunity comes, I’ll grab it with both hands.”

Concluding his interview, Guyana’s newest utility player was backing the Jaguars team to give a good account of themselves during the Super50.

He pointed out that it was the team’s exceptional balance of youth and experience which he thinks will give them the edge over rival franchise teams.

“It's a good strong balanced squad; most of the players coming out of the 4-day are in good form.

The batters who have got runs and bowlers who took wickets and even the others who didn't participate in the 4-day, I'm sure we are ready based on the work that we put in even while the 4-day was taking place,” ended Lewis.

The Jaguars completed their solitary practice match on Friday at Providence with Ramaal claiming two wickets for the national XI who wrapped up a comfortable win over the Rest team. Ramaal and the Jaguar will wing out early Sunday morning for Antigua with the start of the competition set to get underway from January 30.

Guyana and English county Kent will lock horns on January 31 at the Sir Viv Richards Ground, Antigua in Group B.

22

guyanatimesgy.com

sunDAY, january 28, 2018

Chase blows away Carmel 12-0 Milo Schools Football Tournament 2018

C

hase Academic Foundation began their quest for a fourth consecutive Milo Schools Football title with a twelve-goal hammering of Carmel Secondary on the opening day of the tournament on Saturday at the Ministry of Education Ground, Carifesta Avenue.

The under-18 competi-

tion which is held in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health under the theme “there is no excuse for violence,” saw the formidable defending champion who are coached by National player Vurlon Mills hardly making wrong steps in the one-sided encounter.

Captain, Jeremy Garrett led with two goals in the sec-

ond and 49th minute while Malachi Adonis (22nd & 24th) and Stephan Rudd (42nd & 65th) also supported with a brace each.

At halftime is was already 6-0 and with the assistance of an own goal, Chase continued to soar ahead.

Also etching their names in the drubbing were Randel Peters (21st), Nicholas

McArthur (29th), Isiash Jack (52nd), Kevin Padmore (62nd) and Marcus Wilson (64th).

Earlier, Buxton Youth Development and St Roses High were on the winning end on the busy opening day.

Buxton fended off Business School 4-2 with Shemar Kingston netting a double (27th & 70th), Shamar

Indian Premier League Player Auction 2018…

Gayle, Root, Malinga unsold …Stokes biggest buy on day 1

C

hris Gayle and Lasith Malinga, arguably the highest-profile overseas batsman and bowler in seasons past, went unsold on day one of the IPL 2018 auction in Bengaluru on Saturday. Gayle had set his base price at INR 2 crore (USD 312,500 approx) and Malinga at INR 1 crore (USD 156,000 approx), numbers that were breached several times in the sale of other players during the day.

England captain Joe Root, who has never been part of the IPL previously, also went unsold - there had been questions asked ahead of the auction on whether the England players would be bought at the auction, given their availability issues. Unsold players could be called back into the auction on day two, if requested by any franchise.

Another England player had no problems going for big bucks, though. Allrounder Ben Stokes was the biggest buy in the first round of bidding, going from a base price of INR 2 crore to INR 12.5 crore (USD 1.95m approx) to Rajasthan Royals b a c k from their two-

Chris Gayle had set his base price at INR 2 crore (USD 312,500 approx)

year suspension for their role in the spot-fixing scandal of 2013. Questions remain over whether he will play in the IPL at all, though, as he faces charges of affray - if he is ruled out before the tournament begins, the IPL will allow Royals a replacement player.

Jofra Archer, the man from Barbados who is waiting to become eligible to play for England, attracted as much attention at the auction as he is doing on the field at the Big Bash League. Delhi Daredevils, Chennai Super Kings - also back from their suspension Kings XI Punjab, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royals all bid for him, meaning his base price of INR 40 lakh ballooned 18 times to INR 7.2 crore (USD 1.13m approx) before he was secured

by Royals. Archer has been "in the spotlight for his fiery pace and dead-eye fielding for Hobart Hurricanes down under.

India opener Shikhar Dhawan was the first player bought at the auction, by Sunrisers, his old franchise using a RTM to snap him up after extensive bidding. He was sold for INR 5.2 crore (USD 812,500 approx) after Kings XI Punjab offered the first bid of the morning with INR 2 crore. That set the tone for a frenetic day of bidding from Kings XI, whom bid more than

any other franchise as well as missed on more players than any other franchise due to the oth-

e r s ' RTMs. At one point during the day, Kings XI made the winning bid five times in a row.

Offspinner R Ashwin became the day's first million-dollar player, goThe Australia opener Chris Lynn ing for INR 7.6 crore was one of the most expensive (USD 1.1875 milbuys from the first day of the IPL lion approx) to Kings auction going to KKR for $1.5M XI - Super Kings KL Rahul became the could not use a RTM on him given they had al- most expensive India playready retained three capped er of the day, going for INR India players in MS Dhoni, 11 crore (USD 1.7m approx) Suresh Raina and Ravindra to - yet again - Kings XI. His opening partner in Tests, M Jadeja before the auction.

Malinga aside, there Vijay, did not get any bid at were several high-profile all.

Rahul was soon joined by fast bowlers who went unsold in the afternoon: Ishant his Karnataka team-mate Sharma, Mitchell Johnson, Manish Pandey at the top of Mitchell McClenaghan, the Indian podium; Pandey Josh Hazlewood and Tim became the joint-most-expensive Indian player as Southee.

The No. 1 ranked his base price of INR 1 crore Twenty20 bowl- swelled more than ten times, er in the world, bought by Sunrisers for INR New Zealand leg- 11 crore (USD 1.7m approx).

The afternoon session spinner Ish Sodhi, went unsold. began with a big surprise, Afghanistan leg- with India wicketkeeper spinner Rashid Khan Parthiv Patel going unsold. more than doubled Sanju Samson was a surhis 2017 price of INR prise topper in the wicket4 crore, getting offered keepers bracket - and the INR 9 crore (USD 1.4m ap- fourth-most-expensive India prox) from Kings XI only to player overall behind Rahul, be snapped up on a RTM by Pandey and Krunal - going to Royals for INR 8 crore Sunrisers.

For the first time in (USD 1.25m approx). RCB 11 seasons of the IPL, off- snapped up South Africa's spinner Harbhajan Singh Quinton de Kock for a relwill not be turning out for ative steal: INR 2.8 crore Mumbai; he went to CSK at (USD 437,000 approx). As his base price of INR 2 crore expected, RCB used a RTM on legspinner Yuzvendra (USD 312,000 approx).

It was believed Chahal - the league's spinner Daredevils and Kings XI top-performing would bid for Gautam in 2016 - taking him off Gambhir, in order to give Daredevils for INR 6 crore themselves a solid captain- (USD 937,000 approx).

Today is day two of the cy option, and so it was.

The two faced off before most anticipated auction in Daredevils picked him up the tournament’s history.

(ESPN Cricinfo) for INR 2.8 crore (USD 437,000 approx).

Those who came out to the day’s play were intrigued by all the action

Singh (52nd) and Shamar Scott (66th).

For the opposition Jermaine Padmore slotted in the 7th and 15th while Akeem Forde (21st) and Shane France (45th) helped St. Roses get the better of Cummings Lodge.

Today South Ruimveldt battle Charlestown from noon after which Masters Academy face Queenstown Secondary from 13:30h.

Curtains will be drawn on the day’s proceedings when Sir Leon Lesson clash with Uitivulgt Secondary from 15:00h.

Teams will be hoping to secure the first place prize of $500,000 which goes towards a school project.

Second to fourth, will receive $300,000, $200,000 and $100,000 respectively which also go towards school projects.

Test of Endurance heads to South Dakota

Starting line! A large turnout of drivers is expected today as they gear up for a packed 2018 calendar

T

he Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club (GMR&SC) will have their first event of the year when they host the Endurance Meet at the South Dakota Circuit today from 13:00h.

In the first class, cars up to 1500cc will be considered eligible, with the second class being from 1501 to 1600cc. The third class will see cars in the 1601-2000cc class with the unlimited class featuring cars over 2000cc.

Bikes will run in one class and teams will be charged $5,000 to register.

Points will be awarded to individual drivers and will range from first to tenth, with first place being awarded 25 points, second place 18, third place 15, fourth place 12; fifth place 10, sixth place gets eight, seventh gets six, eighth gets four, ninth gets two and tenth gets one.

The same will be applied for mechanics as the end of the 2018 year will feature a champion mechanic.

After a competitors meeting it was decided that the club will ditch the manual ‘hand timing’ system and utilize the same transponder system that circuit racing uses.

Cyril Angoy has been appointed the Clerk of the Course for this event with cars being gridded based on how they signed up for the event.

Each team will comprise two members with drivers doing a maximum of one and a half hour and a minimum of half an hour.

The Endurance championship will be followed by a local drag race meet on February 11 with the club’s Annual General Meeting set for the 16th. Admission to the venue is free.

guyanatimesgy.com

sunDAY, january 28, 2018

23

Dey rides to glory in season opener

By Michelangelo Jacobus

C

ompeting in his first race as a senior cyclist, PSL’s Curtis Dey overcame a strong field of Guyana’s most renowned cyclists at the inner circuit of the National Park to win the 25th annual Ricks and Sari Schoolboys and Invitational 35-lap feature race.

Dey who speaking to Guyana Times Sport after his victory said that he didn’t expect to win but for the duration of the race he held his own with the pack and worked along with teammate Romello Crawford.

However, Dey pointed out that while Crawford is the better sprinter; he noted that Crawford didn’t make a move on the back stretch so he took the initiative and sprinted across the finish line. The youngster was ec-

The overall winners of the 25th Annual Ricks and Sari Cycling Meet

static upon winning his race ahead of the likes of Paul DeNobrega and Jamual John among others.

Dey finished first in a time of one hour 12 minutes 51.31s and was followed by Crawford, Orville Hinds,

Junior Niles, Kemuel Moses and Andre Greene.

For the duration of the race DeNobrega and Briton John were the leaders; however, a puncture put a halt to DeNobrega’s charge for victory and severely dented

his chance for a win in the season opener.

Meanwhile, last year’s best senior cyclist John said that he was still getting back into shape on the circuit and pointed out that this was just a warm up of

sorts.

Kennard Lovell took home the Veteran’s Over-50 title ahead of Gary Benjamin while Junior Niles started 2018 as the top Under-50 veteran cyclist.

In the 12-14-years Boys/Girls three-lap event, Jonathan Ramsuchit took top honours while Brian DeNobrega and Steve Bimson settled for second and third place in that order. In the juvenile category Briton John finished the 10lap race in a winning time of 23:25.41s ahead of second placed Adealie Hodge and third placed Ralph Seenarine.

Shane Browne copped the top Mountain Bikers’

spot ahead of Ozia McAulay to round things off.

The top three finishers in every category were presented with trophies while the winners walked away with hampers courtesy of the sponsor; Ricks and Sari.

The cyclists will now turn their attention to today’s Guyana Cycling Federation’s (GCF) first ‘Points’ race of the year.

The action will begin from 08:30h at the National Sports Commission (NSC) on Homestretch Avenue before proceeding to Long Creek on the Linden/ Soesdyke Highway before returning to the point of origin for the finish.

Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” West Dem Zone

Showstoppers start title defence perfectly

T

he annual West Demerara/East Bank Demerara Zone Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Football Championships got underway Friday night with a humongous viewership at the Pouderoyen Tarmac.

The stardom of the twelve exciting matches was twotime defending champions Pouderoyen Showstoppers defeating Admiral United on the bank of a Stephon Jupiter goal in the 12th minute.

Most of the other matches were closely knitted with penalties or a one goal margin being the deciding factor.

Boom Bang won 3-2 on sudden death penalty kicks after their match with Young Ballers ended in a goalless stalemate. Likewise, Ballers Empire came tumbling via 0-1 loss on penalty kicks to Asylum Youths. The same went for Bagotville All-Stars and Nismes Ballers with the latter winning 1-0.

Some sharp shooting occurred for West Side Ballers when Quessey Alleyne scored the lone goal in the 14th minute in their clash with Jetty Ballers.

Heartbreak came in the clash of two East Bank teams when Amos Ramsay scored a Guinness Goal (counts as two in the final 3 minutes) for Mocha in the 18th which erased the lead

Green willing to “step aside” …as GRFU heads to poll today

P The top street football teams in the West Demerara/East Bank Demerara Zone got down to business on Friday evening at the Pouderoyen Tarmac

Domini Garnett provided in the 5th for Agricola.

More so, Up Like-7 went up one against Patentia Money Team and never came down after Shane Webster scored in the 6th.

Dream Team lived up to their name edging Front Line Ballers 1-0 with Kester Alleyne (2nd minute) being the deciding factor. Keevin Duke helped Police ‘B’ get the better of ESPN when he scored in the 7th minute while Veterans got the better of Zeelugt FC, winning 1-0 on penalty kicks due to scores being unmoved at the final whistle.

Harmony Ballers ‘A’ also could not find a goal in their clash with Facebook Ballers but won 1-0 on the sudden

death spot kicks and Darrel Abrams strike in the 11th helped Rising Stars defeat Zeelugt Warriors 1-0.

The tournament which is in collaboration with Colours Boutique will see the winning team take home $400,000 and the championship trophy, while the runner-up will receive $200,000 and the corresponding accolade. The third and fourth placed finishers will receive $150,000 and $100,000 respectively along with trophies.

Action continues on Wednesday evening at the same venue with Harmony Warriors facing Police ‘A’ from 19:00h; half an hour later Gold Getters will be in action against Parafaite

Hard Ball. From 20:00h Cayenne Massive meet Gas Team then Hustlers engage Brothers United from 20:30h followed by Boom Bang and West Side Ballers at 21:00h.

Up next will be Young Ballers and Jetty Ballers from 21:30h then Mocha and Ballers Empire from 22:00h.

Asylum Youths will then play Agricola from 22:30h.

High octane action is expected when Terror Squad meets Torture Squad 23:00h while Up Like Seven battle Nismes Ballers from 23:30h.

The final two matches of the night pits ESPN against Front Line Ballers from midnight followed by Police ‘B’ and Dream Team.

resident of the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) Peter Green is willing to hang up his hat as and let someone else take over the reign of the Union when they host their Annual General Meeting (AGM) and elections today at the National Racquet Centre from 11:00h.

The current executive tenure of two years came to end and according to Green who has been in the position since 2013 his commitment will remain to the sport whether he is at head or not.

“If someone else wants to come on board and I feel they can do the job for the next two years I have no hesitation in stepping down and working in another capacity. But make no mistake I am fully committed to rugby and I can serve in another capacity given my experience but it all depends who we decide to lead,” he told Guyana Times Sport in a recent interview.

He added, “I personally

am looking to find someone who can head the GRFU in terms of fulfilling my short falls in terms of garnering finances and perhaps I need a rest. I am not sure if will return as president.”

At the last elections in September 2015, Green returned unopposed as president while John Lewis, the former senior vice-president has been replaced by Joshua Griffith. Elwin Chase was elected to serve as junior vice-president, replacing Alwin Etwah. Petal Adams replaced long-serving member Terrence Grant as secretary and Keith White was named treasurer, after Roger Pereira declined re-election.

Ryan Dey (Assistant secretary/treasurer), Esan Griffith (Public Relations Officer) and Shane GrantStewart (Match secretary) were the other elected members while Daniel Anderson, Sabola Gray and Delroy Gordon were the committee members. (Akeem Greene)

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

SUNDAY, JANUARY 28, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

Dey rides to glory

Pg 23

in season opener

A jubilant Curtis Dey raises his arms in celebration as he crosses the finish line ahead of Romello Crawford to take the 25th Annual Ricks & Sari Cycling meet (Michelangelo Jacobus Photo)

Milo Schools Football Tournament 2018 Pg 22

12-0

Chase blows away Carmel

A Chase Academic Foundation mid-fielder (green bib) about to power through Carmel Secondary players

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January 28, 2018

Star Times Hollywood:

Princess Page 14 Eugenie reveals her stunning engagement ring in official photos FREE DISTRIBUTION

Eye on KarasabaiKezee Ecolodge welcomes you Page 5

Remembering Mahatma Gandhi on his 70th death anniversary Page 2

2 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

JANUARY 28, 2018

Feature

G

uyana will join India and the rest of the world in remembering Mahatma Gandhi on his 70th death anniversary, which will be commemorated on Tuesday, January 30th.

He was the leader of India’s non-violent independence movement against British rule and in South Africa who advocated for the civil rights of Indians.

Revered the world over for his nonviolent philosophy of passive resistance, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was known to his many followers as Mahatma, or “the great-souled one.”

He began his activism as an Indian immigrant in South Africa in the early 1900s, and in the years following World War I became the leading figure in India’s struggle to gain independence from Great Britain. Known for his ascetic lifestyle–he often dressed only in a loincloth and shawl– and devout Hindu faith, Gandhi was imprisoned several times during his pursuit of non-cooperation, and undertook a number of hunger strikes to protest the oppression of India’s poorest classes, among other injustices. After Partition in 1947, he continued to work toward peace between Hindus and Muslims.

Gandhi was shot to death in Delhi in January 1948 by a Hindu fundamentalist.

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869, at Porbandar, in the present-day Indian state of Gujarat. His father was the dewan (chief minister) of Porbandar; his deeply religious mother was a devoted practitioner of Vaishnavism

Gandhi during his last fast at Birla House, Delhi. (1948). (Getty Images.)

(worship of the Hindu god Vishnu), influenced by Jainism, an ascetic religion governed by tenets of self-discipline and nonviolence. At the age of 19, Mohandas left home to study law in London at the Inner Temple, one of the city’s four law colleges.

Upon returning to India in mid-1891, he set up a law practice in Bombay, but met with little success. He soon accepted a position with an Indian firm that sent him to its office in South Africa, along with his wife, Kasturbai, and their children. He arrived in South Africa in 1893 and immediately became an activist after being kicked off a train; On 7 June 1893, Gandhi –

a young practicing lawyer – was thrown off a train in South Africa for refusing to comply with the racial segregation rules of travel. Gandhi remained in South Africa for nearly 20 years.

Did You Know?

In the famous Salt March of April-May 1930, thousands of Indians followed Gandhi from Ahmadabad to the Arabian Sea. The march resulted in the arrest of nearly 60,000 people, including Gandhi himself.

Gandhi was appalled by the discrimination he experienced as an Indian immigrant in South Africa. When a European magistrate in Durban asked him to take

off his turban, he refused and left the courtroom. On a train voyage to Pretoria, he was thrown out of a firstclass railway compartment and beaten up by a white stagecoach driver after refusing to give up his seat for a European passenger. That train journey served as a turning point for Gandhi, and he soon began developing and teaching the concept of satyagraha (“truth and firmness”), or passive resistance, as a way of non-cooperation with authorities.

The birth of passive resistance In 1906, after the Transvaal government passed an ordinance regarding the registration of its Indian population, Gandhi led a campaign of civil disobedience that would last for the next eight years. During its final phase in 1913, hundreds of Indians living in South Africa, including women, went to jail, and thousands of striking Indian miners were imprisoned, flogged and even shot. Finally, under pressure from the British and Indian governments, the government of South Africa accepted a compromise negotiated by Gandhi and General Jan Christian Smuts, which included important concessions such as the recognition of Indian marriages and the abolition of the existing poll tax for Indians.

In July 1914, Gandhi left South Africa to return to India. He supported the British war effort in World War I but remained critical of colonial authorities for measures he felt were unjust.

In 1919, Gandhi launched an

Gandhi’s funeral procession shows a naval guard escorting the coffin. (Getty Images)

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was known to his many followers as Mahatma, or “the great-souled one.”

organized campaign of passive resistance in response to Parliament’s passage of the Rowlatt Acts, which gave colonial authorities emergency powers to suppress subversive activities.

He backed off after violence broke out–including the massacre by British-led soldiers of some 400 Indians attending a meeting at Amritsar– but only temporarily, and by 1920 he was the most visible figure in the movement for Indian independence.

Leader of a movement As part of his nonviolent non-cooperation campaign for home rule, Gandhi stressed the importance of economic independence for India.

He particularly advocated the manufacture of khaddar, or homespun cloth, in order to replace imported textiles from Britain. Gandhi’s eloquence and embrace of an ascetic lifestyle based on prayer, fasting and meditation earned him the reverence of his followers, who called him Mahatma (Sanskrit for “the great-souled one”). Invested with all the authority of the Indian National Congress (INC or Congress Party), Gandhi turned the independence movement into a massive organization, leading boycotts of British manufacturers and institutions representing British influence in India, including legislatures and schools.

After sporadic violence broke out, Gandhi announced the end of the resistance movement, to the dismay of his followers. British authorities arrested Gandhi in March 1922 and tried him for sedition; he was sentenced to six years in prison but was released in 1924 after undergoing an operation for appendicitis. He refrained from active participation in politics for the next several years, but in 1930 launched a new civil disobedience campaign against the colonial government’s tax on salt, which greatly affected Indian’s poorest citizens.

A divided movement In 1931, after British authorities made some concessions, Gandhi again called off the resistance movement and agreed to represent the Congress Party at the Round Table Conference in London.

Meanwhile, some of his party colleagues–particularly Mohammed Ali Jinnah, a leading voice for India’s Muslim minority–grew frustrated with Gandhi’s methods, and what they saw as a lack of concrete gains.

Arrested upon his return by a newly aggressive colonial government, Gandhi began a series of hunger strikes in protest of the treatment of India’s so-called “untouchables” (the poorer classes), whom he renamed Harijans, or “children of God.” The fasting caused an uproar among his followers and resulted in swift reforms by the Hindu community and the government.

In 1934, Gandhi announced his retirement from politics in, as well as his resignation from the Congress Party, in order to concentrate his efforts on working within rural communities. Drawn back into the political fray by the outbreak of World War II, Gandhi again took control of the INC, demanding a British withdrawal from India in return for Indian cooperation with the war effort.

Instead, British forces imprisoned the entire Congress leadership, bringing AngloIndian relations to a new low point.

Partition and death of Gandhi After the Labor Party took power in Britain in 1947, negotiations over Indian home rule began between the British, the Congress Party and the Muslim League (now led by Jinnah). Later that year, Britain granted India its independence but split the country into two dominions: India and Pakistan. Gandhi strongly opposed Partition, but he agreed to it in hopes that after independence Hindus and Muslims could achieve peace internally.

Amid the massive riots that followed Partition, Gandhi urged Hindus and Muslims to live peacefully together, and undertook a hunger strike until riots in Calcutta ceased.

In January 1948, Gandhi carried out yet another fast, this time to bring about peace in the city of Delhi.

On January 30, 12 days after that fast ended, Gandhi was on his way to an evening prayer meeting in Delhi when he was shot to death by Nathuram Godse, a Hindu fanatic enraged by Mahatma’s efforts to negotiate with Jinnah and other Muslims.

The next day, roughly 1 million people followed the procession as Gandhi’s body was carried in state through the streets of the city and cremated on the banks of the holy Jumna River. (http:// www.history.com) (excerpts from the Hindustan Times)

guyanatimesgy.com

JANUARY 28, 2018

Sunday Times Magazine

3

Feature

By Utamu Belle

D

id you know that you can make a vase or a tissue holder using old, wooden clothes pins?

How about making stylish jewellery from cocrite or coconut shells? Were you even aware that decorative wall packets can be made from plastic spoons, forks and knives? Or how about fashionable hats made of old newspapers? Well, these are just a few products made by the creative hands of Lindener, Mrs Shirley Williams, affectionately called 'Miss Shirley' by residents in the Linden community.

For decades, Miss Shirley, a resident of Half Mile, Wismar in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) has been using her gifted hands to create ideal food and decorative designs, and also imparting her knowledge to numerous generations of men and women. It is her belief that ordinary things can be transformed from trash to treasure. "I use the coconut husks in the cake decoration area", she excitingly told the Sunday Times Magazine.

"When you finish squeezing out the milk, you wash it out and you dry it. Then you get the dye and you dye it in whatever colour and you decorate the cake stand with it", she continued. According to Miss Shirley, this adds a beautiful grass- like effect to your cake designs, as she explained that the coconut husk can also be used to make wine. She further explained that her interest began with cake decorating in the 1960's, at the age of 19, after seeing her aunt mixing icing with a fork. That interest would lead her down a path of cake decorating and creativity.

Early beginnings

"I started icing cake when I got my first son...

When I got my lil’ small

One of the finished craft pieces

change, I would go and buy my icing sugar and every week I would keep practicing...until I know to icing the cake, but not in the right way", she admitted. But patience, perseverance and persistence would keep her connected to the craft she had grown to love. "At that time, I couldn't afford to go and pay for the classes. I had a friend, she decided to go and do the classes, and she bought some thimbles for me. So she used to ice the cake and I would bake it". Miss Shirley would later have the prestigious opportunity of being part of a group which visited schools in the community conducting icing and pottery classes.

"I said, 'you know what, I ain't putting my hands in no mud! I gonna do the icing'". Following the untimely death of her teacher, she explained that she took the

An array of finished products

leading role of teaching the class. "I end up teaching the classes because I had more ideas about it. Then I started doing wedding work and bridal cakes." She later started her own 'sharing the knowledge' classes after forming a group in the 1980's.

"We started with a group. 'You teach me, I teach you'. Sharing the knowledge...until I started going to the church and gathering the young people. Anywhere I go and the young people there I would gather them and teach them what I know", Miss Shirley added. By then, her group started to gain momentum, organizing its own local exhibitions. "What we used to do, like every month, or like how Valentine's day coming up, we would make different things and we go on the road and carry out exhibits to sell.

This created a window of opportunities, and then the group was invited to be a part of what became the first national exhibition at the World Food Day event in 1999. She recalled that the group put on one of the largest exhibitions of craft at the time, and was recognised and interviewed by various agencies. This exposure garnered more opportunities, which ultimately led to the formation of her very first registered group, the 'Blooming Developers' in 2001. The group specialised in delicacies such as meat, fish, rice, cake and pastries, in addition to art and craft, tie dye, fabric painting and floral designs. It was operated out of a makeshift room at the side of her home, which was constructed from scraps of wood and cardboard along with vinyl which was placed over the sand. A year later, the all-female group, which consisted of about 25 members, would then move to include males who were passionate about creating with

their hands.

The structure was later upgraded and the group was formally registered in 2003. Miss Shirley's operation was first to pilot a government voucher system at the time, which allowed participants to learn whatever trade they were interested in. Apart from that, she continued to impart her knowledge, through volunteer classes at various schools. This, she noted, came with its fair share of challenges. "You find that the children want to learn but they don't have the finance. Nevertheless, I used to do what I can and make sure that they get what they want", she explained.

Success stories

She recalls the success story of a female student with whom she worked to get her grade up, even after teachers had given up hope. This, she noted was achieved through timely intervention. Miss Shirley en-

The creative Miss Shirley Williams

courages people to focus on using their hands to create economic stability. "Yes, education is very important in your life. You know to read and write these days and you hardly getting a job.

Moreover, with the situation in the country today, you need to learn to do something with your hands. Even if you're a nurse or a teacher, you know you would get that money monthly. But by the time you get that money and pay your bills, money done. But if you're doing something with your hands, you always have something.

A cake fashioned and designed like the Coat of Arms

Your hands never out of money as long as you're doing something with it", she advised.

Legacy

Over the course of her career, Miss Shirley has participated in several expositions and has received numerous awards and certificates. These days, Miss Shirley, now 76, is not as actively involved in catering and decorating. But her legacy lives on in the lives she's changed through her work. She works along with some of them to this day and they assist her in getting the work done, whenever the need arises. "I get the recipe book and I train people. And when I finish training them I take one of the best out of the set and put them to be teachers", she explained, noting that she gets a feeling of fulfilment from the many success stories of students who have ventured out and created their own businesses. She explained, "I have two young women.

They came to classes from school, and when they left they went right into their own business. I have a couple of them abroad that doing their own businesses", she noted. "I don't mind helping people. But they got to help themselves.

Everything has a season now. If you have a trade and it is not working for you, you could use your hands for something else and get a dollar...,� Miss Shirley advised. She added that her interest, to this day, lies with assisting younger folks develop a sense of creativity.

Miss Shirley surrounded by some of her creations

4

Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

JANUARY 28, 2018

Feature

M

any families in Guyana have at least one pet, while some have several. Pets, whether dogs, cats, birds or in some cases even snakes, serve many beneficial purposes. The fortunate ones are even integrated into the family to the extent that they dwell in the homes of their caregivers. Decades of studies point to the curative effects of our animal friends; in many parts of the world, pets are used for many other purposes aside from companionship; they are used to treat the mentally ill, to assist the differently- abled , to soothe the elderly, and most always, they offer unconditional love.

Undoubtedly, caring for a pet can be a very demanding task, requiring a significant amount of money, time and energy. Unfortunately, for some owners, the responsibility becomes overwhelming and quite often the animals are abused, abandoned or neglected.

Despite the giving and loving nature of many of these animals, not all owners appreciate or even understand that they are deserving of as much love as any other family member.

Thankfully, there are institutions like the GSPCA to intercede on behalf of mistreated and forgotten animals. Many Guyanese pet owners today utilise the services of the GSPCA on a daily basis and benefit from the many, low cost services available.

Formerly known as the British Guiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the institution was established in 1903 by a group of expatriate vol-

unteers after witnessing the ill treatment and suffering meted out to animals everyday in the streets of Georgetown. After independence in 1966 the name was changed to The Guyana Society for the Prevention of

Cruelty investigation Persons witnessing acts of cruelty should call the Clinic or come in during the working hours and make a report. These reports will be investigated to the best of our abilities

Boarding At present, they provide low cost boarding services to members of the public for their dogs. Interested persons should make contact with the office to find out the necessary boarding require-

Pets come in all sizes and species

Cruelty to Animals.

In 2000 the old clinic was replaced with a new and modern building, which is equipped with Boarding facilities, a Surgical room, (2) treatment rooms, a recovery room, Shelter facilities where animals awaiting adoption are housed, a waiting area and an office. It also has a fairly large yard area for exercise purposes for the animals.

Today, the GSPCA continues to be committed to providing low cost health care to pet owners, educating the public on responsible care and treatment of pets, providing shelter to unwanted animals, providing humane euthanasia to injured and sick animals both within and outside the clinic and advocating for spaying and neutering to control the pet population and reduce instance of unwanted animals being strayed.

The humanitarian work of the institution should not be underestimated as they

offer a wide range of services including; Vaccinations GSPCA also provides low cost vaccination services to persons with puppies 6 weeks and older or adult dogs.

Deworming Deworming can be done from as early as 2 weeks of age, depending on the recommendation of the veterinarian. For animals under six weeks of age, persons can uplift the dewormer from the Clinic; and for animals 6 weeks and older, the weight of the animal is needed to determine the correct amount of deworming to be given.

Treatment of minor injuries and illnesses The Clinic tries to provide low cost treatment options for injured and ill animals in catering to the general public’s needs. In instances where the Clinic is unable to provide treatment the relevant persons/ clinics are referenced.

and cases filed with the police when necessary.

ments.

Humane euthanasia

Sadly, many times there is need for the Clinic to provide humane euthanasia services to members of the public for a number of reasons. These services are provided free of cost where possible and some instances, a small charge is required.

Rehoming The Society's shelter facilitates adoption for persons interested in providing homes for abandoned and unwanted cats and dogs of all ages Volunteering Persons interested in becoming either a volunteer or member of the Society can download and print the relevant forms online or come into GSPCA’s office and collect them.

GSPCA receiving a donation last year from Hotspotgy

guyanatimesgy.com

JANUARY 28, 2018

Sunday Times Magazine 5

Feature

Kezee Ecolodge now opened to welcome visitors (Candace Phillips photo)

T

he villagers of Karasabai in Region 9 (Upper Takatu/ Upper Essequibo) are now more prepared to welcome visitors with the opening of the highly anticipated Kezee Ecolodge. For residents and the members of the Tourism Committee, the event was the culmination of years of hard work.

Kezee Ecolodge is the product of a five year journey which started when the village was the recip-

ient of a grant under the Amerindian Development Fund. This fund is managed by the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs and United Nations Development Programme.

It was indeed an afternoon of anticipation and elation, which solidifies the village's desire to further develop their tourism product. Villagers turned out in their numbers for the official opening last week, which was head-

The elusive Sun Parakeet (Rupununi Wildlife photo)

ed by the Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples Affairs (MOIPA), Hon. Valerie Garrido Lowe.

Also present at the proceedings were Regional Chairman, Bryan Allicock, representatives from MOIPA, Guyana Tourism Authority, Guyana Livestock Development Authority, Conservation International Guyana and Visit Rupununi, among other well-wishers.

C o n s e r v a t i o n International Guyana and Visit Rupununi developed a closer partnership with the village in October 2016, when together they embarked on several working sessions which led to the creation of a tourism master plan which was completed in July 2017. The master plan will serve as a guide and monitoring mechanism for the village to develop and diversify its product offering.

Home to the Macushi people, Karasabai with a population of 1200, is the exclusive home of the Sun Parakeets in Guyana as

A culture group performs at the opening of the Kezee Ecolodge (Candace Phillips photo)

A view of the Eco Lodge (Candace Phillips photo)

such it is one of the main birding destinations in the country (the Sun Parakeet is an endemic bird of the Rupununi) Due to its uniqueness, many birdwatchers travel to this village for their elusive shot of this bird. While visitors spend just a few hours to catch a glimpse of this spectacular bird, the newly opened Eco Lodge is equipped to accommodate four persons and hammock space; the main idea is to provide comfortable lodging for overnight guests.

Tourism promotion remains a main focus which is used as a way of generating income for families, especially women.

In an effort to curb the poaching of these birds, the village officials and conservationists encourage youths to become involved as one of the ways of safeguarding wildlife.

There are many other activities to enjoy when visiting the village includ-

Craft items on display at the Eco Lodge (Candace Phillips photo)

Welcome to Karasabai (Diego Calderon photo)

ing hiking; Karasabai is positioned in the valley, surrounded by mountains, which makes the location ideal for this activity. In addition, guides also offer trips along the Ireng River. This picturesque village is quite developed with nursery and primary

schools, several churches, an Administrative Center and other guest houses located within the village. In addition, there is an active women’s group and culture group. (Cover photo: Bird watching at Karasabai, Visit Rupununi)

6 Sunday Times Magazine

JANUARY 28, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

Literary Corner

Preserving our literary heritage by Petamber Persaud

N

o, I did not grow up ‘stupidy’ under the Union Jack. But I did acquire and have lived with many misconceptions in my formative years. Those misconceptions I called ‘beliefs’ (due to a limited vocabulary) because I believed particular bits of information, sold to me, to be facts. And to sort of giving validation to those beliefs was the awareness that they were shared by my contemporaries of that era. Those beliefs stayed with me until a little bit more information and growing pains (days of the wile cane, kneeling on paddy, standing on bench with dunce cap on…) brought elucidation.

For instance, I was under the impression that the only literature was English Literature. That changed early in my life when libraries and bookstores became a significant part of my education. There was a library at the primary school and also at the secondary school I attended, so I was into books very early in life.

Then from touring billboards of cinemas after weekly visits to the National Library, I came into contact with Michael Ford Bookstore and my first set of non-English literature. And what an amazing encounter it was – powerful writing, excellent storytelling.

At the moment I am rereading selected stories from “Great Soviet Short Stories”; here is the opening paragraph of its introduction: “Consciousness of our own vitality is the one yardstick we press against our literature… insisting that reality be the final measure both of it and of us. The more we are aware of the energy moving in us, the more we require our literature to present an understanding of it; the more nearly our literature is, the more nearly we understand ourselves”.

For another instance, I was under the impression that the greatest boxer, Mohamed Ali, was a Guyanese.

Everybody was talking about him like he was a son of the soil. Grownups and children were engaged in “fly like a butterfly and sting like a bee” and “rope a dope” etc.

Another belief was that all toothpaste was ‘Colgate’; that was the only brand we had and used for a long, long time. So, all toothpaste was Colgate until new brands came into our consciousness and fancy.

when you smile...

(May) Maybe if I ask your dad and mom (June) They'll let me take you to the Junior Prom (July) Like a firecracker all aglow (August) When you're on the beach you steal the show...

(September) Light the candles at your Sweet Sixteen (October) Romeo and Juliet on Halloween (November) I'll give thanks that you belong to me (December) You're the present 'neath my Christmas tree...

All alcohol was rum – gin was rum to me, and so was vodka, and brandy etc… Whiskey was a cowboy rum (in Western movies); this was so for a long, long time until I tasted the difference, some of which I liked straight or on the rocks.

Another quick example was green tea – Red Rose green tea was all we used (when it was not bush tea) for a long, long time. So all tea was green tea…

Even some songs I believed to be Guyanese like “Suhaniraat” and “January girls”.

Fast forward to January 2018, when I am singing along to “January girls” and “Calendar girl”, stopping in midstride to go online to ‘check them out’.

Calendar Girl by Neil Sedaka 1961 I love, I love, I love my calendar girl Yeah, sweet calendar girl I love, I love, I love my calendar girl Each and every day of the year (January) You start the year off fine (February) You're my little valentine (March) I'm gonna march you down the aisle (April) You're the Easter Bunny

January Girls by Lord Kitchener 1956 January girls I think are the best January girls are better than the rest...

February girls are very hard to please And like to have their men bowing to their knees And as the March winds blow the girls are just the same They drink you like a fish and give eight false names...

August September and October, it will be Virgo, Scorpio and Libra, Well the girls that were born under these three signs, They like the English weather change their minds, Especially those born under Scorpio, They just tell you yes and then they change to no,...

Well November and December don't trust their sight, They like angels in the day and devils at night...

Another January song is “Auld lang sine” – the song nobody knows.

That song remained a Guyanese song until I discovered Robert Burns visited Guyana in the novel, “Illustrious Exile” written by Andrew O. Lindsay, enhancing the mystique of the song.

Those three songs have seeped into the Guyanese psyche and into our literature so much so that they may pass as Guyanese creations.

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

You may write me down in history With your bitter, twisted lies, You may tread me in the very dirt But still, like dust, I'll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?

Why are you beset with gloom?

'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns, With the certainty of tides, Just like hopes springing high, Still I'll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?

Bowed head and lowered eyes?

Shoulders falling down like teardrops.

Weakened by my soulful cries.

Does my haughtiness offend you?

Don't you take it awful hard 'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines Diggin' in my own back yard.

You may shoot me with your words, You may cut me with your eyes, You may kill me with your hatefulness, But still, like air, I'll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?

Does it come as a surprise That I dance like I've got diamonds At the meeting of my thighs?

A

traveler had hired a donkey to carry him to a distant part of the country. The owner of the donkey went with the traveler, walking beside him to drive the donkey and point out the way.

The road led across a treeless plain where the sun beat down fiercely. So intense did the heat become, that the traveler at last decided to stop for a rest, and as there was no other shade to be found, the traveler sat down in the shadow of the donkey.

Now the heat had affected the driver as much as it had the traveler, and even more, for he had been walking. Wishing also to rest in the shade cast by the donkey, he began to quarrel with the traveler, saying he had hired the donkey and not the shadow it cast.

The two soon started to fight, and while they were fighting, the donkey got away.

Moral: In quarreling about the shadow we often lose the substance. (An Aesop fable)

Notice to Readers

If you have a poem and/or short story you would like to publish on our Literary Corner page, please email to guyanatimes@gmail.com. Kindly include your correct name and a contact number in your email. If you have any questions, please call 223-7230 or 223-7231.

Out of the huts of history's shame I rise Up from a past that's rooted in pain I rise I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide, Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.

Leaving behind nights of terror and fear I rise Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear I rise Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave.

I rise I rise I rise.

Poem by Maya Angelou

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JANUARY 28, 2018

Sunday Times Magazine 7

Feature

Understanding the earliest inhabitants

Present-day Warau fisher family (Photo from Annette & Dave Martins - Is We Own on Facebook)

T

here is a well-known saying that goes something like this: “Until lions tell their own stories, tales of the hunt shall always glorify the hunter.”

Unlike our knowledge of other nations’ history, little knowledge of the prehistoric story of our first peoples is known or understood among Guyanese, often leading to discrimination and stereotyping.

However, the indefatigable efforts of Jennifer Wishart and others, seek to ensure that Guyana’s indigenous history has its own narrators. Sunday Times Magazine presents the text of “The Prehistoric Warau of Guyana” (1994) by Jennifer E. Wishart More than 7,000 years ago, when the sea was farther inland than it is today, the Warau lived along the edge of the swamps where the waters of the ocean met with the waters of the rivers.

They ate shellfish which fed off of the roots of the mangrove trees (Rhizophora mangle). Because their diet comprised mainly shellfish, and they lived this way for thousands of years, their refuse heaps, of various sizes, are found along the northwest coast of Guyana. We call these refuse heaps, shell mounds.

The Walter Roth Museum has excavated many of these shell mounds. The artefacts recovered from these excavations tell us how the Warau lived between 7,000 and 4,000 years ago.

Postholes in the refuse tell us that the prehistoric Warau lived in rectangular houses, which were probably thatched with the leaves of the ité palm.

They used beeswax torches for light. The women collected the chewed out honeycombs and boiled them to separate the wax from other unwanted materials. Before the wax cooled, it was formed into lumps, and then pressed into rolls from 30 to 90 centimetres long, and about three to five centimetres thick, like very long candles without wicks.

Strands of ité fibre were wrapped around the rolls and tied, to form external wicks. The wicks were coated with melted wax and the upper end trimmed to complete the abehe, as it is known in the language of the Warau.

The ité palm, also known as the “tree of life”, provided flour for bread. When felled, a large trough was cut into its trunk and the inside pounded with a wedgeshaped pestle to reduce the mush or pulp. This mush was then squeezed to extract

the liquid. Recovery of a basketry awl suggests that the aruhuba (matapi) may have been used for this purpose.

The liquid was then strained through ite leaves into small containers, maybe calabashes, and left to settle, after which the liquid was poured off to reveal the flour.

The larvae of the Rhyncophorus beetle, mo arani, which lays its eggs in the pith of the fallen trunk, provided fats.

From the nearby brackish-water swamps, the Warau gathered protein in the form of shellfish such as crabs, oysters and the Zebra nerite (Puperita pupa). The nerites were put into calabashes of water, and stones, heated in the fire, were dropped into the calabashes until the nerites were boiled into a soup broth, aho.

Animals were hunted with spears and bows and arrows, and fish were caught using line sinkers and cadels.

Women wore bead aprons made from grass seeds, while men wore a loin cloth from the bark of the kakaralli tree (Eschweilera spp.). With a stone bark beater, they beat the bark of the tree until it opened up into thin leaves from which the loin cloth was made. Some Warau today use these leaves to roll cigarettes in times of short-

Warau shield wrestling game circa 1913

age. Necklaces made from animal teeth were also worn.

Body paint, made from annato (Bixa orellana) mixed with oil from the crabwood tree (Carapa guianensis), protected their bodies from insect pests.

When a Warau died, he was wrapped in his ité hammock and placed in his dwelling with his head towards the West - the Land of the Dead. In Warau belief, there is a ‘light’ shaman, bahanarautu, who travels to the House of Smoke in the East, and a ‘dark’ shaman who is in contact with the spirit of the West, hoarautu. Hoarautu feeds on the blood and flesh of human beings.

Around 5,300 years ago, the Warau invented the dugout canoe on Haimarakabra creek, a tributary of the Moruka river. Stone from the Aruka river was taken to Haimarakabra where it was chipped into the desired tool shapes. These blanks were then taken to Warapoko creek where they were ground and sharpened on the boulders there, to form proper tools.

These tools were then taken back to Haimarakabra where they were used to

shape canoes from the numerous Mora trees (Mora excels), which once grew there.

The dugout canoe was the earliest seaworthy vessel. With its invention, it was possible for the islands of the Caribbean to be peopled.

Artifacts found in Cuba date at around 5,000 years ago.

Warau means “tribesman” or “kin”. So Warau living at Waramuri, Warapoko and Warapana may have been related. Fish traps drawn on the rocks at Waraputa Falls on the

Essequibo river also appear on the rocks at Warapoko on the Waini river.

Warauan, which is spoken only by the Warau, is the most ancient of the tribal languages of Guyana. Unlike the Arawakan (Arawak, Wapisiana) and Cariban (Carib, Akawaio, Arekuna, Waiwai, Makusi, Patamona) languages, its source cannot be traced and the nearest language to it is Timucua, a now extinct language of Florida, in the United States.

Rhynchophorus beetle larvae provided 'fats' for the Warau

8 Sunday Times Magazine

JANUARY 28, 2018

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Travel and Tourism

Aishalton Petroglyphs (National Trust)

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ishalton is about 110 kilometres south of Lethem, which is the main town of the region and can only be reached by 4-wheel drive vehicle or truck. In dry weather the journey takes about 5 hours, while in the wet season the road is often almost impassable.

Home to the Wapishana peoples, Aishalton is an Amerindian village situated in the Rupununi Savannah of southern Guyana, in the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo Region (Region 9). In 2002, an official census recorded a population of 1,063 people in the village, making it the second most highly populated village in the Region (after Lethem), and the most populated village in the southern sub-district.

The main religion in the village is Christianity, with the majority of inhabitants identifying as Roman Catholics and smaller numbers as Pentecostal Christians, Seventh-day Adventists and Anglicans. A very small number of people belong to Hindu and Muslim faiths. The principal economic activities in the village are farming, fishing, and forestry.

Makatau Mountain, which is situated approximately 3 km outside Aishalton village, is one of Guyana’s most well-known archaeological sites. It is particularly well known for the numerous petroglyphs (known locally as “timehri”) that are found on Makatau and on rock-formations in the surrounding area. In the

1970s, the Guyanese anthropologist, Denis Williams, undertook a detailed archaeological study of the area.

Aishalton Petroglyphs are scattered across the Aishalton district in the Rupununi, Savannah.

Aishalton is one of the most populated settlements in the Upper Takutu-Rupununi region and serves as the administrative centre of the southern sub-district.

Makatau Mountain, located some 3 kilometres (1.7 miles) from central Aishalton is one of the country’s most famous archaeological sites.

Thousands of these petroglyphs which were pre-dated to 5000 BC illustrate the relationship the first people bore with their surrounding environment and with wild life.

Local cuisine is reflective of traditional Wapishana culture. Cassava is the main staple used in cooking, and is used to make cassava bread, a marinating sauce called cassareep, farine (similar to cous-cous), and an alcoholic drink called parakari. The production of parakari involves a complicated process with thirty different stages, and the use of a sophisticated fermentation technology.

The fermentation of parakari involves the use of an amylolytic mold (Rhizopus), and it is the only known fermented drink to be produced by the indigenous peoples of the Americas that involves the use of an amylolytic process.

(Photos by Girendra Persaud and Visit Rupununi)

A village with stunning mountain views

A picturesque vantage point

Aishalton- (Photo credit Visit Rupununi)

Big smiles from the residents

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JANUARY 28, 2018

Sunday Times Magazine 9

Health

Germs are everywhere – including your home! Bacteria, viruses and molds are crafty at finding hospitable environments to hang out in. Learn the unexpected places germs are hiding in your home and what you can do to fight back.

Bathroom Towel

When you use your towel to dry off, you dampen it, not to mention the millions of skin cells you shed into the towel's fibers.

Bacteria feed on skin cells and thrive in wet, dark environments, so a towel is the perfect breeding ground. Keep these germs from taking over by washing your towels twice a week.

Computer Keyboard

Tap Water

Kitchen Sponge

The moist nooks and crannies of a wet sponge are a hotbed Potable water isn't always bacteria-free. Tap water can contain for germs and probably the most contaminated place in your bacteria that may cause infections or other symptoms. A water filter is house. Moist spaces are the perfect breeding ground for a simple, safe solution that you can get on any budget. bacteria and fungus. Your sponge isn't just moist; it's also used to wipe up kitchen spills and messes. Keep your sponge safe by keeping it as dry as possible and microwaving it for a few minutes every day. Even then, sponges need to be replaced monthly.

Spice Rack

Even though many spices have natural sanitizing properties, Even if you're the only one using your computer keyboard, spice racks are actually one of the greatest harbors for germs in the Scarves it's still needs to be cleaned on a regular basis because your kitchen, due to the handling of spices immediately after touching Because scarves are often dropped on the ground, they can hands can carry all sorts of germs. Clean your keyboard using a raw meat. Wipe down your spice rack for protection against germs. carry far more germs than items of clothing that you may wash disinfecting wipe every time you shut down your computer. more often. Make sure to wash your scarf after wearing it three to four times.

M

ost of us know how important it is to look after our teeth, but do you know what the different types of teeth are and how we use them? Teeth don't just help you bite and chew; they play an important role in speaking and support many aspects of your facial structure. There are four kinds of teeth in your mouth, according to Everyday Health, and each performs a slightly different function. Then there are three rarer formations that can occur in a growing jaw.

Incisors At the front of the mouth are eight thin, straight teeth called incisors – four at the top and four at the bottom – which bite into the food you eat and help you pronounce words as you speak.

Incisors also support the lips.

Canines On each side of the upper and lower incisors is a single canine tooth, making four in total. Dentists call these slightly pointed teeth cuspids, and like incisors, they cut or shear food and support the lips. Another

function of the canines is to help guide all the teeth into place when the upper and lower jaw come together.

Premolars Behind the canines are the premolars, or, as dentists call them, the bicuspids. Premolars have a flat-

tened top, and are used to chew food and maintain the height of the face. There are eight premolars in an adult's mouth: four on the top and four on the bottom.

Molars Next to the premolars are the molars. These are your

widest, flattest teeth, and there are 12 altogether: six in the upper jaw and six in the lower. The American Dental Association (ADA) depicts wisdom teeth as the four molars at the back of both the lower and upper jaws, and they're the last to erupt during young adulthood.

Cleaning wisdom teeth can be difficult because they are so far back in the mouth, but slim toothbrushes can help.

Like premolars, molars are used for chewing food and to maintain the height of the face. Lower molars have two roots, while upper molars have three.

Supernumerary Teeth Sometimes teeth develop outside of their normal process, and one example of this is supernumerary teeth. The normal tooth count in the adult mouth is 32, but more can appear; these are called supernumerary teeth. The University of Missouri Kansas City School of Dentistry suggests the most common type of supernumerary tooth is an extra incisor located between

Television Remote

Unless everyone washes his or her hands each and every time they touch it, the remote is a breeding ground for germs. Take a not-too-moist disinfecting cleaning cloth to all remotes and phones and everyone should wash their hands or use alcoholbased sanitizers before (and after) touching them. two central incisors, also known as a mesioden. The second-most common supernumerary tooth is an extra molar tooth, called a paramolar. It's also possible to develop supernumerary canine teeth.

Natal Teeth Natal teeth are teeth that are present at birth, which occurs once in every 2,000 to 3,000 births, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Also called fetal teeth, natal teeth usually appear in the lower gum. Because they often have weak or nonexistent roots, natal teeth fall

out easily, so doctors often advise having them removed to avoid the risk of inhaling the tooth. Natal teeth can also irritate or injure the baby's tongue or the mother while nursing. The presence of natal teeth is usually an isolated incident, but they can be a symptom of other medical conditions as well.

It's essential to look after all types of teeth well and have regular dental checkups. With a full set of healthy teeth, people can eat and speak properly and maintain their confident smiles.

10 Sunday Times Magazine

January 28, 2018

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Sunday Times Magazine 11

12 Sunday Times Magazine

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JANUARY 28, 2018

Puzzles

Crossword

ACROSS 1 At close quarters 5 Banking nos.

10 Stand behind 14 Suit material 19 Fluff, as hair

20 --Shire of filmdom 21 People devourers 23 Racetracks, e.g.

24 Freeway cloggers 25 Photographer Ansel -- 26 West African nation

27 Nurses' helpers 28 Type of dressing 30 Nerdy guy 32 Take -- -- 33 Branch of geometry 34 Shy (hyph.)

36 Team setback 38 Nectar gatherer 40 ER personnel

41 Slackened off 42 Tentlike dwelling 43 Glues together 45 Bombay nanny

49 DJ's platters 50 Mild-mannered 51 "The Mummy's --" 52 Macho motorcycles 56 Picks out 58 Stadium fillers 59 Toadies' responses 60 Green-egg layers 61 "For unto us a child is born" source 62 Advantage 63 Lifts a barbell 64 Museum contents 65 Lead to the altar 66 Young beef 67 Gets bare on top 68 Refrain 71 Sapporo sash 72 Hong -- 73 Seductive women 74 Be next to 75 Early phonograph 78 Geodesic structures 79 Once was (3 wds.)

83 Uh-uhs NAHS 84 Daffodil starters 85 Pole on a ship 86 Bikini half

87 Price-fixing group 90 Vitamin lead-in 91 Quite similar 92 Courage 94 911 responder 95 Bellydance props 96 Water pipe 97 Cast 98 Upscale singer?

100 Trend indicators 101 Steadfast 102 Grandstand cry 103 "Baseball Tonight" network 104 Made top honors 105 Haunches 106 Beluga product 107 Made cheddar better 108 Seaweed 110 Margarita ingredient 111 Loses a coat 113 Haw's partner 116 Electric fish

117 Flimsy, as an excuse 118 Keep one's -- -- out 123 Boitano's jumps 125 Take -- -- the chin

127 Batik workers 129 Hitherto 130 Fills the hull 131 Treats an icy road 133 Privileged few 135 Carve a canyon 136 Relish tray item 137 Coat racks 138 Lou Grant portrayer 139 Microwaves 140 Discolor 141 Wagner's earth goddess 142 Valerie Harper sitcom 143 Indigo plant DOWN Prefix with logical 1 2 Gnawed away 3 For -- -- (cheap) 4 Save from disaster

5 -- -- standstill 6 Golf course gofers 7 Like some bathtubs 8 Counted the minutes 9 Info request encl.

10 Peat source 11 Horrified

Rearrange the letters in the correct order to make a word

12 Some hermits 13 Vegas game 14 Lathered 15 Fiendish 16 Tracking system 17 Senator-astronaut 18 Slalom runs 19 Wilson predecessor 22 Doc, in old slang 29 Toast word 31 Rhythm and -- 35 Cookbook amts.

37 Mork's planet 39 Tackles' neighbors 42 Sudden urges 43 Lies by the pool 44 Haggard novel 45 "I Robot" writer 46 Iron-rich range 47 Visigoth king 48 Beneficiary 50 Heavy hammer 51 Cowboys' charges 53 Bradley or Sharif 54 Meditation guide 55 Former JFK arrivals 57 Low-lying island 58 Hail a cab

59 Pound sounds 62 Elizabeth of "La Bamba" 63 "Bond, -- Bond" 66 Tennessee gridders

67 Fictional deer 68 Trucker, often 69 Cabinet dept.

70 Slugger Mel -- 72 Ancient cosmetic 73 Electrical units 74 Mighty -- -- oak 76 Explosive ltrs.

77 Charlotte of "Bananas" 78 Blunts 79 Go -- -- smoke 80 Rectangular 81 Just look 82 Pulled down 84 Physique 85 Milk option 87 Grant territory 88 Writer Kingsley -- 89 Party-thrower's plea 90 Fracas 91 Seniors' org.

92 Channels 2-13 93 Region 95 Yma Sumac, for one

96 Silent performer 97 Babies do it 99 Santa -- winds 100 Flyleaf 101 Seethed 102 Numskull 105 Tire support 106 Sweltered 109 Diminish 110 Came to earth 111 Soft wool 112 Venus' sister 113 Moon rings 114 Elevate 115 Kind of coverage 117 Solitude enjoyer 118 -- corgi WELSH 119 "Late Show" feature 120 Japanese mushroom 121 Alpine refrain 122 Pasture grazers 124 Name in jeans 126 Scale button 128 Wine label info 132 FICA funds it 134 Historical period See Solution on Pg 13

KATHLEEN SAXE

WORD GAME TODAY'S WORD -- CENSORED (CENSORED: SEN-serd: Examined and suppressed what is considered objectionable.)

Average mark 43 words Time limit 60 minutes Can you find 68 or more words in CENSORED? cede cense censer censor cero code coed cone cord core corn credo

creed crone encode encore endorse erne erode erose need nerd node noes

nose scend scene scone score scorn scree screed screen scrod secern second

seconder seed seen seer send sender senor sere sneer snore sonde sone

sore once redo redoes redone reed rend resend rode rose decor deer

dense denser doer does done donee dose drone

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.

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Sunday Times Magazine 13

JANUARY 28, 2018

Tech

I

n a move that could revolutionise the way we buy groceries, Amazon has opened a supermarket with no checkout operators or self-service tills. Long queues formed outside the Amazon Go store in Seattle before it opened its doors to the public on Monday.

It uses hundreds of ceiling-mounted cameras and electronic sensors to identify each customer and track the items they select.

Purchases are billed to customers' credit cards when they leave the store. Upon entering the store, shoppers walk through gates similar to those in the London underground, swiping their smartphones loaded with the Amazon Go app.

Then they are free to put any of the sandwiches, salads, drinks and biscuits on the shelves straight into their shopping bags.

There's no need for a trolley or basket, since

you won't be unpacking it again at the till.

In fact, unless you need to be ID-checked for an alcohol purchase, there's also no need for any human interaction at all.

With the help of sensors on the shelves, items are added to customers' Amazon Go account as they pick them up - and delete any they put back. An electronic receipt is issued as they exit.

The store opened to employees of the online retail giant in December 2016 and had been expected to allow the public in more quickly. But there were some teething problems with correctly identifying shoppers of similar body types - and children moving items to the wrong places on shelves, according to an Amazon insider.

Grab-and-go shopping has been the "future of retail" for some time now. But now

Apple's HomePod is finally hitting shelves

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pple's long-awaited smart speaker is finally hitting shelves.

Apple has begun accepting pre-orders for the HomePod, and it will be available Feb. 9, the company announced. The release dates apply to the U.S., U.K. and Australia. The speaker will be sold this spring in France and Germany, two of Siri's primary markets.

Apple's HomePod was unveiled last year and is widely seen as Siri's answer to Amazon's Alexa, al-

though Apple has emphasized the high-fidelity music capabilities of the speaker.

After Alexa dominated the holiday season, there will be extra pressure on Apple.

Although Amazon rarely discloses exact sales, the ecommerce company has said that its Echoes were among the top-selling products across any category during the holidays.

The $349 7-inch tall speaker will also promote some of Apple's most important new initiatives. For

Crossword Solution

one, it will be a conduit for Apple Music, part of Apple's fast-growing and ambitious services division.

Apple's chief competitor in streaming music — Spotify — is expected to go public this year. Apple will have to prove it still has the muscle that launched the iPod to popularity.

The speaker also shows off Apple's cross-device compatibility with accessories like iPhones and AirPods, a major selling point of its sticky ecosystem. Plus, the artificial intelligence in the device will reflect on Apple's in-house chip business. The HomePod has an A8 chip.

Apple also played up its privacy features, addressing the U.S. technology sector's increased scrutiny over consumer protection. "[Only after 'Hey Siri' is recognized locally on the device will any information be sent to Apple servers, encrypted and sent using an anonymous Siri identifier," Apple said in its announcement.Like Amazon's Echo speakers, HomePod will offer new opportunities for owners of smart home devices thanks to HomeKit, the portal that Apple developers use to connect "smart" home devices to the iPhone ecosystem. (CNBC)

Aside from the technology, the shop is a conventional food store

Amazon believes its time has come - or at least that it is ready for real-world testing. They're calling it "Just walk out" and while they won't spill the beans on just how it works, they say it uses "computer vision, deep learning algorithms and sensor fusion, much like you'd find in a self-driving car".

You scan a QR code as you enter. After that, your phone can go back in your pocket.

Hundreds of infra-red ceiling cameras have been trained (with Amazon employees as guinea pigs) over the past year to differentiate between customers as they move around the store, and between items for sale, even those with similar appearances, such as different flavours of the same canned drink.

There are weight sensors on the shelves to help indicate if an item has been taken or put back. And some items carry a visual dot code, like a bar code, to help cameras iden-

A

tify them.

Amazon isn't offering any information on how accurate the system is. However, one journalist attempted to shoplift some cans of soft drink - but the system spotted it and added them on his bill. As yet the company has no plans to introduce the technology to the hundreds of Whole Foods stores.

However, retailers know that the faster customers can make their purchases, the more likely they are to return. Making the dreaded supermarket queue a thing of the past will give any retailer a huge advantage over its competitors. The Seattle store is not Amazon's first foray into bricks and mortar retailing. In 2015 the firm opened its first physical bookshop, also in Seattle where the company is based. There are now 13 in the US - as well as dozens of temporary pop-up outlets. (BBC)

Facebook engineer has invented a new unit of time called a

flick.

The flick has been designed to help developers keep video effects in sync, according to a description on the code-sharing site GitHub.

sion and other media. Flicks give programmers a way to measure the time between media frames without using fractions.

Matt Hammond, lead research engineer at BBC Research and Development, said this can reduce errors

A flick, derived from "frametick", is 1/705,600,000 of a second - the next unit of time after a nanosecond.

A researcher at Oxford University said the flick wouldn't have much general impact but may help create better virtual reality experiences.

Flicks are defined in the programming language C++, which is used to generate visual effects for film, televi-

such as stutters in graphics.

"When the numbers used are not integers, errors can gradually creep into computer calculations. These errors can build up over time, eventually causing inaccuracies that become noticeable," he said.

Flick's creator, Christopher Horvath, publicly shared his idea on Facebook in early 2017, according to the GitHub de-

scription. He then made modifications to the new measurement based on feedback from comments. The Oxford University researcher, who asked not to be identified, said that flicks may help virtual reality developers deal with latency, or delay.

"Very often in academic literature, you have this notion of presence and immersion," he told the BBC. "Immersion is the engagement you feel with a computer game. Presence is the notion of your brain feeling that you are there.

"Presence is very, very easy to break. I think perhaps a very fixed way of describing these time steps allows for developers to have a bit more flexibility in dealing with latency issues and making sure videos stay in sync."

A flick is not the first unit of time designed by a major corporation. Swatch introduced Internet Time in 1998, which divides the day into 1,000 ".beats". The measurement equal to one minute 26.4 seconds - was designed to eliminate the need for time zones.

It has not caught on globally.

(BBC)

14 Sunday Times Magazine

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Bollywood/Hollywood

Deepika Padukone visits Siddhivinayak Temple ahead of ‘Padmaavat’ release

D

eepika Padukone is a regular at the much revered Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai ahead of the release of her films. This time too, the diva made sure to seek Lord Ganesha's blessings as her much-talked-about film ‘Padmaavat’ finally hit theatres on January 25, 2016.

Dressed in a simple white kurta, Deepika was escorted to the temple amid tight security.

Meanwhile coming as good news for team ‘Padmaavat’, the Supreme Court last Tuesday, rejected Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan government’s plea to modify the court's earlier order which had paved the way for the film's nationwide release, saying people must understand

B

that orders of the apex court have to be "abided with".

The film, also starring Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh, was slated for release on December 1, 2017, but was postponed as the makers could not obtain a

certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) then.

'Padmaavat' is based on the 16th century epic poem 'Padmavat' by Malik Muhammad Jayasi. (Times of India)

Sanjay Dutt’s daughter Trishala is the queen of Instagram

T

rishala Dutt, who is Sanjay and Richa Sharma’s daughter, lives in the US. The 29-year-old, however, makes her presence felt through her Instagram account. In an earlier interview, Sanjay Dutt talked about Trishala’s Bollywood dreams and why he didn’t want his daughter to join the film industry. He said, “I’ve invested a lot of time and energy to put her in a good college and she has done very well. She has specialised in forensic science... And I think that’s the great thing to do.”

Trishala, who is Sanjay and Richa Sharma’s daughter, lives in the US. (Hindustan Times)

Varun Dhawan's 'October' coming in April

uckingham Palace recently announced that Princess Eugenie is set to marry her long-term boyfriend Jack Brooksbank.

The pair got engaged earlier this month in Nicaragua.

The Royal Family's Twitter account confirmed the happy news with a loved-up photo of the couple.

The statement from the palace reads, "The Duke and Duchess of York are delighted to announce the engagement of Princess Eugenie to Mr Jack Brooksbank.

"Her Royal Highness and Mr Brooksbank became engaged in Nicaragua earlier this month. "The wedding will take place in the Autumn of 2018 at George's Chapel in Windsor, with further details to be announced in due course."

Jack Brooksbank's family also released a brief statement, "We could not be more delighted with the

news of the engagement.

We are completely over the moon and are very excited for them both." Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York and Princess Eugenie's mother shared a series of really cute quotes on social media. Not long after the official announcement, the happy couple shared some official photos and we got a glimpse at the gorgeous engagement ring.

The unusual ring con-

tains a padparadscha, a mix of red and yellow sapphire, surrounded by diamonds on a gold band.

Discussing the bling, James Constantinou, founder of Prestige Pawnbrokers and star of channel 4’s Posh Pawn, said: 'Like her mother, the Duchess of York, and indeed Princess Diana, Eugenie's ring has a centre oval precious gemstone and this one certainly has not disappointed. (Glamour)

#MeTooK12 Is Opening the Door for Students to Talk About Sexual Assault

S

ince the explosive reports of sexual misconduct against Harvey Weinstein, the #MeToo movement has shed light on the rampant sexual misconduct that permeates our culture. Countless women have stepped forward to accuse powerful men of sexual harassment and assault, everywhere from Hollywood to Silicon Valley to Washington, DC. Through a new offshoot of the #MeToo movement, called #MeTooK12, girls who have faced sexual harassment or assault in school are coming forward with their stories. They echo the stories we've been hearing from grown women for weeks, except that this time, the assault is happening in classrooms, cafeterias, and school hallways. The people being accused are classmates, teachers, and school administrators.

Often, the girls say they reported the misconduct, but there were no repercus-

sions, which reflect research into the harassment in schools. According to the American Association of University Women, data from the U.S. Department of Education shows that 67 percent of public schools in the U.S. reported zero incidents of sexual harassment of gender-based bullying during the 2013-2014 school year. But many other reports show that sexual harassment and bullying are way more common than that—AAUW research found that more than half of girls have experienced some form of sexual harassment in school.

So, two takeaways: First: A lot of kids are experiencing sexual harassment in school.

Second: They're not being taken seriously by teachers, counselors, and school administrators—the very adults who are supposed to protect them. When schools fail to respond to allegations, they're essentially teaching girls that sexual misconduct is OK.. (Glamour)

E

A

fter ruling box-office with 'Judwaa 2' and 'Badrinath ki Dulhania', actor Varun Dhawan is all set to continue his golden run with Shoojit Sircar's 'October'. The actor is going all out in expressing his excitement for his upcoming film and his social media accounts are proof of that. The actor took to Twitter to post a calendar comprising on-location photos of the film. He wrote, "This year #October is

coming April and will stay with you forever #October13thApril #octoberinapril.

Set to a breezy background score, the video gives us glimpses of lush-green mountains of Himachal Pradesh and Sircar's favourite bylanes of Delhi, as we hear Varun Dhawan's voice announcing - "this year October is coming in April". The movie is slated to hit theatres on April 13. (Times of India)

d Sheeran announced on Instagram last weekend that he and girlfriend Cherry Seaborne are engaged. The singer, 26, posted a sweet photo to reveal the news, writing "Got myself a fiancé just before new year. We are very happy and in love, and our cats are chuffed as well xx."

According to the BBC, while Sheeran and Seaborn only officially started dating in 2015, the couple has known each other for years, meeting when they were students.

In an interview last January with British radio host Zane Lowe on Apple-produced music industry news show Beats 1, Sheeran disclosed how happy he was in his rela-

tionship with Seaborn, and explained how perfectly everything had aligned in his life at that point, thanks in big part, the singer explains, to his time off from performing. "This has been the first time I've ever actually had the time to fall in love properly," Sheeran said. "I've always got into relationships

very passionately, but then I...go on tour for 18 months and everything will [be ruined]."

Fortunately, time off from his career ended with both an incredible year on the Billboard charts, and a "perfect" relationship.

(Glamour)

guyanatimesgy.com

JANUARY 28, 2018

Sunday Times Magazine 15

16 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

JANUARY 28, 2018

Fun Times

Archie

ARIES A trip will prove eye-open(March 21- ing. Imitate what you see to April 19) discover a better way to live your life. A change of pace and some indulgent relaxation should be included in your day.

Jog your memory to come TAURUS up with a solution that will (April 20- help you get back on course.

May 20) Connecting with old friends and relatives will spark renewed interest in something you enjoy.

A conservative approach to

GEMINI spending will help you avoid (May 28- a stressful situation. Changes June 20) should be budgeted carefully,

and time and money spent on personal improvements cautiously and responsibly meted out.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Dilbert

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Peanuts SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Emotions will be difficult to contain. Do your best to channel your energy into something positive that will promote comfort and joy. Be open to trying new things.

Don't limit what you can do for others. Reach out and offer friendship, hands-on assistance and emotional support. Your genuine desire to help will be impressive and appreciated.

Make positive changes at home or to your lifestyle. Aim to achieve stability and security without going into battle. Walk away from discord and toward those who share your concerns.

An emotional incident will arise if you disagree with an older friend or relative.

Listen patiently, but don't let a difference of opinion come between you and a loved one.

A change in the way you handle your finances or deal with secret information may not be in your best interest.

Consider the consequences of your actions before you proceed.

Bring about the changes you want to see happen. An energetic approach to improving your living arrangements or surroundings will give you a sense of peace and satisfaction.

Before deciding to change

CAPRICORN your direction or take on a new (Dec. 22- title, do your due diligence.

Jan. 19) Knowledge is key to averting a

Calvin and Hobbes

mistake that could result from relying on emotion instead of intelligence.

AQUARIUS Plan a social event or get (Jan. 20- together with people who Feb. 19) share one of your interests or

hobbies. A romantic or kind gesture will improve your relationship with someone special.

PISCES Domestic issues are best (Feb. 20- handled in a positive manMar. 20) ner. Criticism will not help you win favors or acceptance. Productive change and thoughtful actions will bring concrete results.