Guyanatime 29 april 2018

LOOK INSIDE !

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

Issue No. 3548

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Sunday, April 29, 2018

PRICE

New fiscal laws

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Draft National Payment System Bill contains stiff penalties Page 3

- imprisonment, fines for unlicensed service providers

Increase in domestic violence

Page 13

7 women killed, 3 brutalised by partners for 2018 Armed bandits storm Quick action averts fire at Public Health Uitvlugt pharmacy Page 9

…escape with over $1M

Ministry

$120 vat included

Page 10

Linden P7 security guard raped while on duty at primary school

Countrywide ban on P15 plastic bags by 2021

Guava tree showdown lands neighbours in court P11

Police ‘A’ P17 Division hosts career day for youths

Major upgrades for wharves and stellings – Patterson P16 …no mention of Charity wharf

Opposition reaches P14 out to fired Wales sugar workers Opposition Leader and General Secretary of the party, Bharrat Jagdeo addressed candidates at the annual Region Nine People's Progressive Party Regional Conference on Saturday at St Ignatius Benab in Central Rupununi

Gunmen rob New Amsterdam lotto shop Page 5

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news

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

New fiscal laws

Draft National Payment System Bill contains stiff penalties

Sunday, April 29 – a night-time retraction at 04:30h and a daytime retraction at 14:30h-16:00h and Monday, April 30 – 05:00h-06:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

…imprisonment, fines for unlicensed service providers

Sunday, April 29 – 16:05h-17:35h and Monday, April 30 – 16:45h-18:15h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Thundery to light rain showers can be expected throughout the day and into the evening hours, with intermittent drizzly conditions between showers. Temperatures will range between 22 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly to North-easterly between 2.23 metres and 6.25 metres.

High Tide: 04:00h and 16:21h reaching maximum heights of 2.73 metres and 2.69 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 09:56h and 22:10h reaching minimum heights of 0.47 metres and 0.55 metre respectively.

A model of how the system would work

By Jarryl Bryan

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SATURDAY, April 28, 2018

LOTTERY NUMBERS H

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26 Bonus Ball

FREE TICKET

DAILY MILLIONS 02 03 09 10 22 LUCKY 3 6 9 2

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ith a view of ending the opportunities for bandits to prey on bank customers leaving financial institutions, Government at the last sitting of the National Assembly brought a draft National Payments System Bill to the floor for its first reading.

The Bill, in fact, contains provisions for persons to use “electronic money” through SIM cards and software accepted as a means of payment. There are also provisions for presenting cheques in electronic form.

There are also penalties, which range from a fine of $500,000 and two years’ imprisonment if convicted as an individual, to a $2 million fine as a body corporate.

Part 12, Section 51 speaks to various offences and penalties designed to keep the payment system running smoothly.

The penalties apply to Sections seven and eight (attaining a licence before providing payment system or service). The Act states that banks, as direct participants in the system, do not have to acquire a licence.

The same applies for money transfer service providers.

However, section three (a) adds that they must comply with all other requirements of the Act. The penalties also apply to Section 13, which prohibits transferring licences, as well as Section 23, which mandates compliance with the Anti-Money

Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) laws.

In Section 32, operators are also prohibited from outsourcing its services without the bank’s approval. In Section 33, they also have to seek approval in order to use agents. And then there are those who refuse to comply with any order issued by the Bank of Guyana as an administrative measure.

According to Section 50 (4), “a person who fails to comply with an order issued, pay a fine imposed or otherwise comply with administrative measures taken by the bank in accordance with this section commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction as specified in Section 51.”

Strategy

A National Payment System (NPS) is an infrastructure that provides the economy with the channels or circuits for processing the payments resulting from the many different types economic transactions that take place daily.

The Bank of Guyana (BoG) was tasked with leading the development and implementation of a strategic approach to advance the development of Guyana’s NPS, by establishing the parameters to guide policy and set priorities.

After widespread consultations with stakeholders, Central Bank, with assistance from the World Bank, last year commenced putting together a fouryear comprehensive plan

that would see the strategic transformation of the local payment system from paper-based mechanisms to electronic payments.

The National Payment System Strategy (20172021) was handed over to Government last month.

This is a developmental plan that envisions a “robust, sound, efficient and inclusive National Payment System (NPS) that meets the current and future needs of the economy, support financial activity and financial sector development, advances the use of electronic payments, contributes to financial risk mitigation, achieves compatibility with international systems, and adheres to the relevant international standards, guidelines and codes.”

The 59-page strategy and action plan is centred around nine pillars of a conceptual framework developed by the Work Bank on National Payment System.

These include: legal frame-

work, large value payments, retail payments, Government transactions, securities depository, clearing and settlement, money markets, international remittances, oversight and cooperation.

It is understood that this strategy will aim to establish legal clarity and certainty to cover several areas, such as electronic funds transfer, e-money and cheque truncation. Additionally, steps will be made towards enhancing the efficiency of payment processing and the reduction of settlement times for both retail and large value transactions.

The strengthening of risk management and mitigation across the national payments system and the expansion of the accessibility of electronic payment access networks will also be under focus.

One of the stated goals was for Central Bank to seek to attract higher rates of electronic payment acceptance by vendors, merchants and other providers of goods and services, as well as advance the migration of Government to electronic payments for both the collection and disbursement of funds. Another goal is driving down remittance costs.

Back in 2016, Governor of the Bank of Guyana, Dr Gobind Ganga, had announced that Guyana could be saving as much as $6 million annually with a modernised payment system that makes optimum use of electronic payments.

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

Editorial

A retrograde Act

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t is unquestioned that the phenomenal changes wrought by the communications revolution necessitate that jurisdictions update their laws to take account of their impact on society. As such, across the world there have been, for instance, legislation to deal with 21st century “Cybercrime” in its multifarious manifestations. Thus when, in August 2016, the Government laid its “Cybercrime Bill, No 17 of 2016”, and moved that it proceed immediately to a Special Select Committee, it was welcomed by all.

In presenting the Bill to the House, Attorney General Basil Williams said the legislation addressed the creation of offences of cybercrimes and provided for penalties, investigations and prosecution of such offences. More specifically, it catered for, inter alia: illegal interception; illegal data interference of data transmission; illegal acquisition of data; illegal system interference; unauthorised receiving or granting of access to computer data; computer related forgery; computer related fraud; offences affecting critical infrastructure; identity related offences; child pornography; child luring, and violation of privacy among a slew of other offences.

The Select Committee included, from the Government benches, AG Basil Williams; Khemraj Ramjattan, Minister of Public Security; Nicolette Henry, Minister of Education; Michael Carrington and Audwin Rutherford; and from the Opposition side, Chief Whip Gail Teixeira; former Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee; former AG Anil Nandlall; and Gillian Persaud. But almost two years later, when the Bill was returned to the House for its debate and vote, a tsunami of protests has erupted over one of its clauses, which deal with the “Offences of Sedition”.

Clause 18 (1) states: “A person commits an offence of sedition if the person, whether in or out of Guyana, intentionally publishes, transmits or circulates by use of a computer system, a statement or words, either spoken or written, a text, video, image, sign, visible representation that (a) brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards the Government established by the laws of Guyana.” The Bill specifies: “A person who commits an offence under subsection (1) shall be liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for five years.”

Even a layperson can appreciate the dangers posed to a citizen criticising the Government or its policies.

In a classic example of circular reasoning, while the Bill explains, “comments expressing disapprobation of the measures of the Government with a view to obtain their alteration by lawful means,” is not an offence, such comments must be made “without, exciting or attempting to excite hatred, contempt or disaffection”.

Apprised of concerns on Art 18 (1) of the Bill, the AG reportedly asserted, “There is nothing wrong with the provision…the Opposition was part of the Committee… (and) sedition is already part of the law.”

The Opposition members should explain why they did not object to the clause on sedition at the committee stage; to assert they did not attend meetings is simply to acknowledge a dereliction of their duty to their constituents.

Sedition was established as far back as 1606 by the infamous Star Chamber with “seditious libel”. Truth was no defence, while intention was irrelevant, as was the actual harm (reputational or otherwise) done by the libel.

Punishments for the crime included imprisonment and the loss of the offenders’ ears. As with most Common Law offences, a major problem was in the impreciseness of the charge because of the subjectivity of the elements. We are witnessing this danger in our courts right now.

Sedition was introduced by England in its colonies to stifle opposition to its totalitarian colonial rule. But even England removed the law against sedition in 2009. The then Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Justice, Claire Ward, explained: “Sedition and seditious and defamatory libel are arcane offences - from a bygone era when freedom of expression wasn’t seen as the right it is today…Freedom of speech is now seen as the touchstone of democracy, and the ability of individuals to criticise the state is crucial to maintaining freedom”.

Guyana can do no less.

Even though the weather posed a challenge, an aspiring doctor, nurse, pilot and air hostess stand proudly for a photo opportunity as they display their uniforms with pride after participating in the 4th annual Guyana Police Force ‘A’ Division Youths Groups’ Career Day which was held at the Police Sports Club Ground on Saturday (Dexter Ceres photo)

Optics and reality of workers

Dear Editor, On Friday, 27th April 2018, I was on a Caribbean Airlines flight from Guyana to Toronto, and had lots of time to read the day’s newspapers. Of particular interest to me was the anonymous letter in another section of the media, titled “Skeldon Estate management must be complimented for ‘walking the talk’.”

This letter poignantly contrasts the erstwhile anachronistic exclusivity of the Senior Staff Compound with the recent inclusivity which allows rank and file members of the community and their children full use of all the facilities, subject of course to security and cost recovery controls.

The current adminis-

trators of Skeldon Estate have obviously taken several bold and imaginative steps to turn around the idle, cost-incurring assets of the Senior Staff Compound to at least a break-even and potentially profit-making entity, while preserving its unique historical and cultural heritage. It is already public knowledge that the compound’s facilities are available for controlled use at affordable cost.

The sight of families and children enjoying the swimming pool, the benabs, the swings and rides, the cricket and lawn tennis facilities, the club etc; as well as the beautiful, restful, relaxing ambience are all joys to behold.

Additionally, the many vacant staff houses are

also available for rental, instead of being left to idly rot.

It is also public knowledge that efforts are underway to preserve the old factory, sugar-transport railway, cane-growing infrastructures, and natural bird-watching potential etc.

As an interesting aside, I cannot help adding the fact that I personally get goose pimples recalling my boyhood days at Blairmont Estate, where I grew up in an overcrowded, flea-and-mosquito-infested, ground-floored logie which was contiguous to the manicured lushgreen lawns of the exclusive expatriate Senior Staff Compound.

Contrast that scene with the fortuitous occur-

rence years afterwards, when I won a Bookers cadetship which led to my moving into the relative palatial senior staff house named “Ituni House”, standing virtually on the spot where the logie in which I grew up had been located. Ironically, the previous occupant of “Ituni House” was Mr E. B. John, who himself was a Bookers Cadet, and whom I succeeded after he graciously mentored me as a cadet and younger Personnel Management professional in the heady days of Guyanization of the sugar industry. We have certainly come a long way!

Sincerely, Nowrang Persaud

Questions for GuySuCo Dear Editor, Below are some questions for the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).

1. What is the last year of audited accounts and has this been made a public record?

2. Has GuySuCo’s procurement procedures being complied with?

3. Has GuySuCo disposed of any of its assets and have these been based on public tenders and valuations. How much has been raised and how does this compare with the valuation.

Is this information a public record?

4. Is GuySuCo up to date with its remittance of PAYE and NIS deductions and obligations 5. Are all severance payments up to date?

6. Will Government make whole the GuySuCo pension plan deficit and will those workers be guaranteed their full pension benefits?

7. Is there a business plan that is being followed and is this a public record?

8. How many acres of land does GuySuCo own?

How much is leased?

9. What percentage of the land owned or leased to GuySuCo is been utilised.

10. What is the total funds provided to GuySuCo since the People’s Progressive Party left office?

11. Who has responsibility for accounting for the proper use of the monies lent to GuySuCo? 12. Will the G$30 billion be repaid by GuySuCo or Government?

13. Is there a business plan that shows that these funds will be repaid? Has

this been laid in Parliament and made a public record?

14. Is Government giving a guarantee to the lenders of the G$30 billion and who will be responsible for ensuring that the funds are properly accounted for.

15. Would it be cheaper for Government to borrow the money directly and lend GuySuCo, thus ensuring lower borrowing costs and full transparency and accountability?

Sincerely, Name withheld

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Border security

Govt looking to buy more aircraft for GDF

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he Government is making moves to replenish its fleet of aircraft, with plans on the table to buy a number of refurbished, fixed-wing aircraft to be used by the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).

During a post-Cabinet press briefing, Minister of State Joseph Harmon revealed that Government is looking to purchase two skyvans. In addition, the State is also looking to acquire two Islander aircraft.

When asked, Harmon noted they would serve a variety of functions. According to the Minister, these range from the aircraft performing search and rescue operations to delivering items to border troops.

“They are fixed-wing aircraft. They are two Skyvans and two Islanders. These aircrafts actually serve Guyana; serve the conditions under which we have to fly in Guyana, extremely well. The GDF have a competency in both the Islander and the Skyvan because they operat-

A Skyvan aircraft

ed these machines for many, many years.”

“In fact, we still have one of the Islanders flying. But we want to ensure that we can provide safe aircraft for our soldiers. In some cases where we have to do search and rescue, when we have to deliver items to our borders troops that we are in a position to do so and do so efficiently.”

It was revealed that the GDF had requested some $484.2 million for these aircraft when Government tabled supplementary estimates for current and capital expenditure. Over $200 mil-

lion from its 2018 capital programme was supposed to meet initial payments.

Additional sums are expected to be used to close the deals. Their request came under the Agency head of Defence and Security Support.

Authorities have been frank that Guyana’s aviation capacity is in need of a boost.

Aviation sector

At a press conference last year, Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Egbert Field, had lamented the deterioration of the Defence

Gunmen rob New Amsterdam lotto shop

The lottery shop the couple operates

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wo gunmen pounced on the NB Sukra Lottery Shop at Lot 25 Main and Charles Place, New Amsterdam Berbice on Saturday at about 19:25h; and after brutalising their victims, escaped with two cellphones, a GTT Top-Up machine with $32,000 worth of credit, and an undisclosed sum of other cash.

Twenty-year-old Nareesha Khan and her 22-year-old husband Faraz Khan had reportedly closed the business place, and were standing in front of the premises when the men pounced on them.

Guyana Times was told that the men pulled out a firearm and discharged three rounds in the air to

subdue their victims. They then reportedly braced Nareesha Khan to the wall and dealt her several blows to the head as they demanded cash. One of the men also lashed Faraz to his face as they confiscated his bag containing cash and other valuables. The men then made good their escape.

Following the incident, the Police arrived on scene and recovered three .38 spent shells. The couple were rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital where they were treated.

No arrest has as yet been made, but Police investigations continue.

Force’s helicopters, noting that the situation has not been rectified for years.

“An important element of search and rescue which is a helicopter in the event of a crash, I don’t know why the GDF equipment was allowed to deteriorate to the point where they do not have a serviceable helicopter for search and rescue, which is the Bell 412 helicopter,” he had said.

In a letter to the media, one operator had highlighted some of the deficiencies in the sector. Roraima Airways CEO, Captain Gerry Gouveia had zeroed in on problems such as the lack of effective search-and-rescue operations.

In recommendations accompanying his criticisms, Gouveia had urged the authorities to boost Guyana’s

national rescue capability by acquiring an appropriate/ suitable helicopter to execute timely and safe extractions from the jungle if the need arises.

It is understood that besides one Bell helicopter that was out of commission, the GDF air corps boasts a smaller Bell 206. It also has two Skyvan 8R-GRR models, a Cessna and a Harbin aircraft.

Security

Besides search and rescue, there is also a security element. In 2017, there were back-to-back discoveries of illegal aircraft and airstrips in Guyana’s hinterland regions. This had prompted Government to announce it was formulating a National Border Security Plan.

Besides the use of satellite imagery, high-tech aircraft field sensors, and an integrated network of spies to address national security issues affecting Guyana, the general objective was to increase aerial capacity.

Last year, a twin-engine Beechcraft aircraft was discovered in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo). It was registered to Banco Brandesco –one of Brazil’s largest banks. No trace of narcotics was found on the plane, but identification cards of Venezuelan and Brazilian nationals were discovered on board. An illegal airstrip was also unearthed in Rupununi, Region Nine by members of the Guyana Defence Force on August 5, 2017.

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37 persons trained in oil-spill response M

inister of State Joseph Harmon on Saturday said Guyanese can be assured there are strong measures in place to protect their shoreline in the unlikely event of an oil spill. He was at the time speaking at the closing ceremony of the Oil-Spill Response Training Course, which was held at the Splashmins Resort, Linden/ Soesdyke Highway. This training course marks the culmination of the Incident Command System (ICS) Workshop for Oil-related Disaster Preparedness, which commenced on Monday last.

Minister Harmon explained that while an oil spill is unlikely to occur, this exercise is a necessary part of ensuring that the country is prepared for all eventualities as the oil and gas sector is developed. It brought together important stakeholders such as

the fact that we are preparing for it, we are prepositioning equipment, we are training people and we’re putting them in various parts of the country, speaks to our ability to plan for these events,”

A participant demonstrating response methods during the oil spill response exhibition at Splashmin’s Resort on Saturday

the Guyana Energy Agency; the Ministries of Natural Resources, Legal Affairs, Public Infrastructure, Agriculture, Public Health and Foreign Affairs; the Guyana Defence Force; the Guyana Marine Conservation Society; the

Guyana Revenue Authority; the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission; and the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority along with ExxonMobil.

“I trust that we will never have to get to this point [the point of an oil spill], but

the Minister said. The workshop was organised by the Natural Resources Ministry in collaboration with the Civil Defence Commission and ExxonMobil, which provided the instructors. A to-

tal of 37 participants undertook to workshop and were awarded with certificates after they gave a practical demonstration of the skills and training they received over the past few days.

QC students call for major rehabilitation of school S

tudents and teachers of Guyana’s premier learning high school are contending that some of the schools’ facilities are in a deplorable state.

Queen’s College (QC), a prominent learning institution, which churns out outstanding students at the Caribbean Secondary Examination Council (CSEC) examinations, is said to be in need of a facelift to its archaic structures.

Guyana Times was informed that some of the

structural components of the institution require rehabilitations so as to make it conducive for academic purposes. Presently, one of the main concerns is the condition of the Science laboratories, which have been described as “grimy”.

Sources at the school have revealed that with respect to the quality of students that are produced every year, the institution requires at least one state-of-the-art laboratory.

“Structurally, we think that the lab should be done over. In terms of the quality of students and the calibre of the examination practical component, we definitely need a state-of-the-art lab because this is not conducive to lab experiments,” a source stated.

It was revealed that in the past, moderators dispatched to the school would comment on the state of the laboratories which are being utilised by the students.

“It’s not that we are totally responsible for the practical part. We have an external moderator that has to come to check how the labs were conducted. Every year they come to check how we’re conducting our labs and they’re always comments about how they thought the lab was much better than it is.”

While it was stated that they try to make do with the necessary resources that are available in the laboratories, the walls and other sections are unadorned with

diagrams due to the fact that the walls are gradually crumbling.

“We’re not complaining about the facilities, but we know that it can be better so that the lives of the children can be made easier because many times their spirits are daunted when they come to the lab. It’s not really an excitement to come to the lab because it’s a bit outdated.”

Additionally, the school field is invaded with shrubs and unwanted bushes for the past three years which makes it impossible for the athletes to train. As such, the inter-house sports are usually held at the Guyana Cricket Board (GCC) ground.

“Most of our exceptional athletes have been missing their field for the last three years. We had to have sports at GCC rather than use our field,” they stated.

For the vast number of subjects that are being offered by the institution along with the growing population, additionally classrooms are also a necessity.

Meanwhile, this publication was told that majority of the support that the institution has received over the years was from the alumni chapters, which are located in different parts of the world. The refurbishment of computer labs and supplying of equipment in the past are courtesy of these chapters which have been listed as the driving forces behind the functioning of the school.

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Linden security guard raped while on duty at nursery school

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57-year-old female security guard attached to the Linden Security Services was allegedly raped while on duty at a nursery school in Mackenzie, Linden, Region 10.

Reports are that the mother of two had made a security check of the premises at about 02:30h. She reportedly told investigators that after making the check, a male approached and started banging on the door of the guard hut in which she was housed at the time.

She said she refused to open the door, but the man removed a few louvre panes from the hut and entered. He then held on to her and sexually assaulted her.

“When I look around to look at him, he chucked my face in front and tell me not to look”, the woman said.

She said the perpetrator appeared to be a young man in his late twenties or early thirties.

After committing the act, the man escaped with her cellular phone.

The traumatised woman told this publication she related what had occurred to a visiting security sergeant from the guard service, and asked that a report be made at the Linden Police Station. She said the Police arrived and took her to the Linden Hospital Complex, where a medical examination was conducted.

The woman said she was granted seven days’ paid leave by the security company to deal with the trauma, and was informed that she would be placed at another location.

According to the victim, she has been a security guard since 1994, but has worked with this security company since it took over from Home Safe Security on February 1.

She is admonishing managers of security firms to pay more attention to the welfare of their female employees. According to her, there have been complaints from female guards regarding men visiting sites and making inappropriate sexual advances to female guards. She noted that requests has also been made for male guards to work alongside their female counterparts, or for more than one person to be on site, but these calls have gone unheeded.

Manganese mining to boost development in Region 1 – Trotman

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atural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman has assured residents of Matthew’s Ridge they will see a boost in infrastructural and other developments with the return of mining in the community.

“The road is going to be improved. We’re going to have to refurbish the hospital, we’re going to have to do work on other facilities,” he declared. “This entire sub-region is going to be lifted up!” Minister Trotman said during a public meeting in the community on Saturday.

The return of manganese mining is expected to see some 600 persons in the community and wider region benefiting from employment

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when production begins in the second quarter of 2019.

Authorities of Region One and General Manager of the Guyana Manganese Inc (GMI) were also present at the meeting.

Matthew’s Ridge resident Clarice Mendonza has said she would like to see the company assist in development of the community’s health, education and agriculture sectors.

Manganese mining began in the regional sub-district some 50 years ago under Reunion Manganese Inc. The community of Matthew’s Ridge thrived, and was earmarked by former President Forbes Burnham to be another capital city.

However, under the previous administration, Matthew’s Ridge was neglected.

General Manager of GMI, Xiaohua Xhang, through a translator, declared the construction phase is slated for the middle of 2018. Some 1500 jobs are expected to be created during this phase, which would see the necessary infrastructure being built for the production of manganese.

GMI is investing US$100 million to build the manganese project. Some half a million tons of manganese concentrate is expected to be produced over the next 13 years of the mine’s life, Zhang said.

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SunDAY, april 29, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

Nismes fatal accident

Goed Fortuin taxi driver to pay motorcyclist's family

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velaw Anderson, the 46-year-old taxi driver from Goed Fortuin, West Bank Demerara (WBD), who is accused of causing the death of 29-yearold motorcyclist and father of one, Corwin Anderson, on April 23, 2017, has opted to settle the matter with the victim’s family. This was related through his Attorney Pamela De Santos who informed the Wales Magistrate’s Court earlier this month that her client has come to an agreement with Corwin Anderson’s relatives.

Presiding Magistrate Rushell Liverpool reminded the Attorney that a letter must be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) after the agreement has been finalised. As such, De Santos gave all assurances that a copy of the agreement letter will be submitted to the Police Prosecutor. The matter was adjourned to June 21, for

Deceased: Corwin Anderson

report as Anderson’s pending case continues at the Wales Magistrate’s Court.

Corwin, who was a former resident

of Bagotville, WBD, was killed at about 06:00h on April 23, 2017 on the Nismes Public Road, West Bank Demerara.

It was reported that Ivelaw’s PTT 6297 motorcar allegedly collided with Corwin’s motorcycle, sending his body flying several feet away from the point of impact.

In September last year, Ivelaw Anderson appeared at the Wales Magistrate’s Court where he entered a not guilty plea in a barely audible tone.

The not guilty plea meant he denied he drove in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the Corwin’s death.

The injured motorcyclist bled profusely before he was rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The driver of the motorcar sustained minor injuries.

Ivelaw, who is a father of six and a mechanic, was released on $300,000 bail.

Another nail…

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…in democracy’s coffin

ou’ve got to hand it to the PNC: they’re leaving no stone unturned in their drive to reinstitute over Guyana the dictatorship first established by Forbes Burnham. But then, the present leader of the PNC – David Granger -- did say publicly and repeatedly that his mission is to continue the “legacy” of the PNC’s “founder-leader”. And like Burnham, he does seem to like covering his excesses with legal fig leaves.

This time, it’s through reaffirming the ancient common law charge of “sedition” and seditious libel via the supposedly 21st century “Cybercrime” Bill just laid in the House. This charge goes all the way back to 1275, when – as the saying goes – if the King speaks, no dog barks. The statute outlawed “any false news or tales whereby discord or occasion of discord or slander may grow between the king and his people or the great men of the realm.” Violations were punished by the King’s council sitting in the “starred chamber”.

By 1606, Coke of the infamous “Star Chamber” made the tort into a crime, both against private persons and the Government. Truth was not a defence, as was the case under the 1275 statute, and led to the maxim “the greater the truth the greater the libel.” The point being the “peace in the realm” by not questioning actions of the ruler trumped all individual rights.

But what makes it really bare-faced of the PNC government to try to slip this ancient law through the back door is that even England, where the law originated, abolished it in 2009 on the ground that it violated the modern right of citizens to freedom of expression. Now, if the citizens are trying to overthrow the Government, that’s a horse of another colour; not the Trojan Horse for persecution Basil Williams just hauled into the House.

In the US, for instance, all the way back in 1918, after the end of WWI, they explicitly restricted sedition to “wartime”, and in fact made it specifically against acts of “aiding and abetting” the enemy. But here, Basil Williams, harking to his master’s voice, says we’re not to worry, even though the Bill insists: “A person commits an offence of sedition if the person… transmits or circulates by use of a computer system or any other means, a statement or words…that bring or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards the Government established by law in Guyana”!!!

Now, if this becomes the lay of the land, your Eyewitness could be charged right NOW. You did feel that frisson of “disaffection towards the Government” after reading the above, didn’t you?

…against financial probity

When, in 2012, the PPP arranged a Chinese loan of US$130 million for CJIA’s modernisation after their VP’s visit, the Opposition severely criticised the Government. The AFC even suggested the expansion was totally frivolous and should be abandoned. After they took over in 2015, however, the Government did a complete volte face and totally embraced the project. It soon became clear why.

The PPP had a very comprehensive plan, which included both lengthening the runways and completely redoing the terminal buildings to First World standards.

Most noticeable were the eight boarding bridges directly to the planes. But the PNC government increased the contract to US$150 million – WHILE REDUCING ALL FACETS OF THE ORIGINAL PLAN!! The number of gates, for instance, has been reduced from 8 to 4; shops will now be outside the terminal, and will have to be constructed by the owners!!

Yet Minister Patterson insists the Government is getting “value for money”!! The question is: Compared to what??

The ants-nest Durban Park Stadium?? Whose pockets are being filled?

…on multi-religious commitment

The state-run Chronic announced that when the first phase of the CJIA expansion is completed – the departures area - Caribbean Airways will “christen” the facilities.

But will it then be “halaal”??

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

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SunDAY, april 29, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Diamond-Ogle bypass road

Preparatory works commence – WSG Head T

he much-anticipated bypass road linking the East Bank Demerara corridor to its East Coast counterpart is well underway.

Civil works have commenced, according to Head of the Public Infrastructure Ministry’s Works Services Group (WSG), Geoffrey Vaughn, who has said engineers from the India-based consultancy firm RITES Limited have already started preparatory works.

In an interview with Guyana Times, Vaughn explained that consultants from the company arrived in Guyana about two weeks ago, and have since been holding meetings with stakeholders and looking at the alignment before redesigning the project.

“Remember, this project was initially a (Ministry of) Housing project and they would have done (the de-

sign) based on the housing sector. You’re now looking at it as a major carriageway, so it’s obvious that the consultants would have to review all of that. The design criteria will be different, so that’s what the Indian contractors would be doing, as well as re-looking at the alignment which we have done,” he noted.

Vaughn said the Indian consultants and the MPI engineering team have commenced surveying works, and have done a walkthrough of the area (backlands) through which the road will be cut.

Vaughn noted that there is a buzz of excitement about this project since it would provide a much-needed alternative than travelling through the usually congested Georgetown.

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson revealed early last week,

WSG Head, Geoffrey Vaughn

during a local radio programme, that the bypass road would also be connected to key communities in Georgetown and along the East Bank of Demerara.

“We (will) have connections, starting at South Ruimveldt and North Ruimveldt; the next one

Armed bandits storm Uitvlugt pharmacy

…escape with over $1M

T

wo armed bandits stormed the pharmacy operated by 55-year-old Tularam Tiwari at his Uitvlugt Front, West Coast Demerara residence on Friday at about 19:45h, and carted off more than $1 million.

Guyana Times understands that Tiwari was alone in the pharmacy when the bandits entered. One of the “identifiable” men had a firearm, which he pointed at the pharmacist, demanding that he open the

grill door that leads to the back of the counter.

Tiwari complied with this request, and upon gaining access behind the counter, the second suspect also drew a gun from his waist and pointed it at Tiwari.

The suspects then demanded that Tiwari hand over all the cash and valuables in his possession, and he again complied. This newspaper was told that a total of $1,065,000 cash was given to the bandits.

After collecting the money, the armed men pushed Tiwari into a room located east of the pharmacy, and closed the door.

The pharmacist remained in the room for about five minutes before coming out. By that time, however, the bandits had already fled.

The matter has since been reported, and an investigation has been launched. As of press time on Saturday, no arrests were made.

would be at Houston, the third would be at Mocha, and then all the way up to Diamond. So those five villages or wards will connect directly to (the bypass road) and the first phase will carry you all the way up to Diamond/Grove. So therefore persons can have an alternative coming in,” Patterson noted.

The Public Infrastructure Minister went on to say that Government is also looking at extending the bypass road from Diamond all the way up to the Linden/ Soesdyke Highway, but that would be at some time in the future. He said preparations to have a feasibility study done have already started.

Back in 2016, Finance Minister Winston Jordan

signed a US$50 million loan with the Export-Import (EXIM) Bank of India for the construction of a 20 kilometre road from Ogle, on the East Coast of Demerara, to Diamond, on the East Bank of Demerara.

Since the Indian Government is funding the project, it is required that the contracts be awarded to companies from that country. As such, RITES Limited was selected to conduct the study and design the bypass road.

The feasibility study is expected to last for a period of between 10 months and one year, after which works will commence on hiring a contractor for the construction phase.

However, during an in-

terview earlier this year, Minister Jordan had told Guyana Times that he does not foresee this project being fully completed before 2020.

In an effort to reduce traffic congestion for commuters on the East Bank of Demerara, which leads to the country’s main port of entry – the Cheddi Jagan International Airport -- the previous People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) regime had been working on constructing an ‘East Coast to East Bank’ bypass road, and had sought funding from the Indian Government in 2015.

The following year, after there was change in the administration of Government, Minister Jordan had signed off on the loan.

10 news

SunDAY, april 29, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Quick action averts fire at Public Health Ministry

F

irefights on Saturday morning rushed to the Public Health Ministry’s (MoPH’s) compound in Upper Brickdam,

Georgetown after a fan in an outdoor washroom of a building in that compound overheated and burst into flames at about 06:00h.

Bitter sugar ending

S

The scorched washroom area

Information reaching Guyana Times suggest that a driver had gone into the MoPH compound to collect a vehicle when he noticed smoke emanating from the bathroom area.

With the assistance of a

security guard, he opened the washroom and doused the flames with water. The Fire Service was immediately summoned.

Fire Prevention Officer Andrew Holder said the Fire Service reached the building quickly, and after examining the area, they discovered that a ventilation fan which had been left on overnight was the cause of the fire.

“Involved was an extractor fan. Apparently the fan was left with the switch on throughout the night, and sometime this morning (Saturday morning) the fan overheated.

A breakdown in the wiring occurred, and that installation was eventually burnt and (fire) caught on to the ceiling, which was PVC,” Holder explained.

Holder said no serious damage occurred, except to the ventilation fan.

Nevertheless, the investigation is ongoing. turn to page 15

atiricus was looking forward to the coming week.

It was the merry month of May, and it was made merrier for Satiricus because it had two public holidays when he and the fellas could make merry. Even though he hadn’t ever joined in on the Labour Day March, he decided to wear his red shirt to the Back Street Bar just to get a rise out of the fellas who’d be waiting for him there.

“Eh, eh!! Like yuh run out a shut, or wha’?” shouted Bungi on espying Satiricus sauntering down to their table.

“Naah! I’m just trying to get into the Labour Day mood early,” said Satiricus as he eased into his seat.

“You!! Lay-ba Day!!” Cappo hooted. “Since w’en yuh eva lay-ba?”

“It’s not easy lifting up these beer bottles every day, you know!!” grinned Satiricus.

“But seriously, fellas,” said Hari. “I think we should all go to the Labour March in town this year.”

“Well, me and Cappo guh go beca’se abee wa’n fuh sapport abee canecutta friends who get knack aff,” said Bungi. “Wha’ yuh gu guh fa?”

“This might just be the last year we’ll get to see sugar workers in town,” said Hari seriously. “By this time next year, I think the entire industry will be gone.”

“Hey!! We don’t know about that!” protested Satiricus, who didn’t like the way the gyaaf was going.

“Sato,” said Bungi. “Pick sense fram nansense. Me t’ink Hari rite!”

“An’ yuh leadah Nagga Man an’ Rum Jhaat ca’se all dis,” Cappo interjected bitterly.

“That’s not fair!” said Satiricus. “They didn’t know the Pee ‘n See woulda do that.”

“Nah because daag ah play wid yuh he nah guh bite yuh,” said Bungi. “Especially w’en de bad daag bin jus’ want yuh food.”

“But Nagga Man and Rum Jhaat couldn’t do anything,” said Satiricus pleadingly.

“W’en wan man mek ‘eself suga-cane, he mattie does suck am,” said Cappo.

“So I have some advice for your leaders, Sato,” said Hari.

“What’s that?” asked satiricus.

“When man done suck suga-cane, he does dash peeling pan ground!” said Hari with a grin.

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SunDAY, april 29, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

Guava tree showdown lands neighbours in court

W

The win-win solution

By Ryhaan Shah

T

here are real fears that Guyana is descending rapidly into another of its dark hours, last experienced during the previous People’s National Congress (PNC) dictatorship.

There seems to be, as then, an alignment of political interests, local and international, that might well work to leverage the PNC back into power, which will surely spread the darkness into 2020 and beyond.

It is no secret that Guyana’s third political force is the international community and the country’s dependency on foreign aid makes it a ready pawn to be meddled with as they see fit. There were politicians willing to ally themselves with the PNC in order to bring that minority party back into power in 2015 and the Granger Government’s absolute refusal to consider any renegotiation of the contract signed with ExxonMobil, which is wholly disadvantageous to Guyana’s interests, presents a strong public perception that any current meddling is being dictated by the need to control our oil reserves.

In 1964, when Premier Cheddi Jagan was ousted from office through CIA-funded violence against People’s Progressive Party (PPP) supporters, there was only a fledgling civil society, and a press that was controlled by the colonials. Those media outlets protected the urban business class who were mostly aligned against Indian interests and their upward mobility, politically, economically, and socially.

The in-coming US-backed dictator Forbes Burnham allowed no press freedom, used violence against his political enemies, and controlled the Judiciary. But times have changed. There is now an active civil society that includes a host of local critics and international agencies like Transparency International who will not be easily silenced if democratic freedoms in Guyana are threatened.

Press freedoms can still be curtailed by firing critics of the State as the “Chronicle” did recently but with the advent of Internet communications, it would be difficult for Granger to control the media and the message coming out of Guyana, as his PNC predecessor Burnham did.

Regarding Guyana’s current situation vis-à-vis the oil: While giant international corporations wish to exploit this find, this surely should not entail support for a corrupt government.

Where there should have been an equitable and just agreement with the Guyana Government, the ExxonMobil contract, instead, is considered part of the widespread corruption being openly practised by the Granger Administration.

The shrinking economy stands as evidence of their ineptness at macro-economics and high finance, and as testament to racist economic policies which target the Indian Guyanese community, such as the rash move to close sugar estates without any proper economic strategy in place.

It is also very likely that Guyana will succumb to the Dutch Disease in short order come 2020 and the first barrelling of the oil if this sector is to be managed by a re-elected PNC Government.

The US spent much energy and financial resources to restore democracy to Guyana in 1992. Granted the PPP/Civic Government were no angels, but Guyana recorded real economic growth under their management even though their time in office was marred by continuous unrest fuelled by PNC protests and terrorism, neither of which favoured social stability and investor confidence.

Given another chance to show itself worthy of governing, all the PNC can offer as a blueprint for the future is Burnham’s failed policies which only resulted in despair, hopelessness, and complete economic ruination. It is in no one’s interest – including the international community’s – to have Guyana slide backwards into that dark past.

Like political parties everywhere, the PPP works to secure its own interests – just look at the Republicans in the US – but there is no reason why those interests cannot be aligned to those of the international community and the entire Guyanese populace, especially if a solid commitment to constitutional reform with an eye to establishing shared or inclusive governance post 2020 is secured. Surely, every political party accepts that this is the winwin solution for Guyana.

Granger’s unilateral appointment of the Guyana Elections Commission chair raises real fears that the PNC intends to rig the 2020 elections in order to retain power. These fears are rooted in the precedence set by the Burnham dictatorship; and the Granger Government’s rather brazen flouting of the rule of law suggests that it is being assured of continued support from powerful backers – just as Burnham was.

The Government’s racism, corruption and incompetence are surely not what the forgers of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change coalition signed on for or, maybe, even expected. Come 2020, therefore, Guyanese of every colour, creed and political persuasion must know that they will be able to vote in elections that will be free, fair and transparent. Failing this, Guyana will be doomed to darkness again.

ales Magistrate Rushell Liverpool has released 65-year-old Rosemary Bobb on a warning for her admitted unsavoury conduct over the unauthorised cutting of her overgrown guava tree at Stanleytown, West Bank Demerara.

The showdown unfolded on April 9, 2018 when her neighbour, Kieth Scotland, trimmed Bobb's tree after his complaints to the elderly woman went unheeded.

During her appearance at the Wales Magistrate’s Court earlier this month, the pensioner claimed that before the heated verbal exchange, she did promise Scotland that she would eventually trim her guava tree, as it was hanging in his yard. The 65-year-old told the court that after he complained again, she told him that she could not cut the tree at that time, since it was bearing fruit.

"I know the tree went in the yard, but I tell he that cutting a bearing tree is like cutting a pregnant woman," she stressed.

Having pleaded guilty to the abusive language offence, the woman also explained to

Magistrate Liverpool that it was after her reluctance to trim the hanging sections in Scotland's yard that she noticed him cutting her tree on

April 9, which angered her.

"I see he cutting me tree and I cursed him," Bobb told the magistrate.

After releasing the pension-

er on the warning, Magistrate Liverpool told the Stanleytown resident that she should report such matters to Police, as against taking her own action.

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SunDAY, april 29, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Increase in domestic violence

7 women killed, 3 brutalised by partners for 2018 Just nineteen days after that murder, 21-year-old Lorinda Thomas of Baramita, North West District (NWD), a young mother of one, succumbed days after her reputed husband, Dhanraj Theophilus, dealt her a severe beating.

Jagan and WI Pan Africanism

W

e noted CLR James saw Cheddi Jagan’s vacillation, in 1958, and refusal to clearly state his personal position – as the leader of the PPP -- on the WI Federation as trying to have it both ways: maintaining the support of his mainly Indian base while signalling he was “principled” for not accepting a toothless British WI Federation. In his 1956 address to his rump PPP, he accepted Burnham had taken most African support after the 1955 split.

But we want to suggest Jagan’s seeming vacillation arose out of his acceptance of a premise by the leaders of the West Indian islands – including Burnham: that it was an act of “betrayal” for Indians to be concerned their interests might be swamped in such a federation, where the overwhelming majority would be of African heritage.

For Jagan, the “Simonpure” Marxist, according to James, the betrayal was one of their “class interest” over race/ethnic/communal Ravi Dev interests, and as such was indefensible. Two decades later, when he raised the issue of “racial discrimination” against Indians since 1964 while discussing a coalition with the PNC, Jagan was speechless when Burnham enquired slyly, “What is the socialist content of race, Comrade?”

But for the leaders of the Caribbean, the “betrayal” stemmed from another source – one which still animates them in the 21st century: that the West Indies are part of the PanAfrican nation; and, as such, groups such as Indians should concede supremacy to “African” concerns. The irony, of course, is CLR James and Burnham, along with some others, such as Manley of Jamaica, also defined themselves as “Marxists”, but they still accepted the Indian “betrayal” thesis based on race/ ethnicity.

In Jagan’s defence, the reality is from the last decades of the 19th century, “the Negro Question/ Problem” had been on the agenda of all “progressive” thought because of the patent lack of progress for that group after the end of slavery in the British colonies (1838) and the US (1865). There was – and still isn’t – a comparable analysis of the “Indian Question in the WI”. WEB Du Bois (1868-1963), for instance, had set the ball rolling for Africans and participated in the First PanAfrican Conference in London in July 1900, organised not so incidentally by a Trinidadian, Henry Sylvester. Marcus Garvey (1887-1940) had launched his own Pan African “United Negro Improvement Association” (UNIA) in 1917.

Du Bois drafted the Conference’s “Address to the Nations of the World”, which declared: “The problem of the Twentieth Century is the problem of the colour-line”. Three years later, he was to explain this meant, “the relation of the darker to the lighter races of men in Asia and Africa, in America and the islands of the sea”. In 1933, Du Bois, who had moved to the left, wrote the seminal: ‘Marxism and the Negro Problem’.

By then the Marxist CLR James would have moved from TT to England, and by 1938 had written “The Black Jacobins” to address the “negro problem” from a mobilisation standpoint.

His TT childhood friend, Malcolm Nurse, would have become George Padmore, who joined the Communist International (Comintern) and in 1929 moved to Moscow. He quit in 1934 in disgust with what he considered Stalin’s equivocation on “the negro Question”, and returned to London.

In 1945, he, Guyanese Ras Makkonnen, WEB Du Bois, Moody of the League of Coloured People (LCP) et al convened the third Pan African Congress in Manchester, England, which was attended by Eric Williams, Grantley Adams, W Arthur Lewis, along with Kwame Nkrumah, Jomo Kenyatta – all of whom went on to leadership positions in their homelands with the ideas of that Pan African Congress to guide them. Burnham, in London from 1945, was a member of the LCP, which was given the task of circulating the papers of the Pan African Congress.

Jagan never appreciated this Pan African background of WI leaders, and very poignantly -- when in 1957 he and Burnham attended Ghana’s Independence celebration -- he strenuously attempted to have a meeting with Nkrumah and the WI leaders to breach their divide. The meeting never came off, but on his return he discovered one was convened by Padmore, by now PM Nkrumah’s assistant, with Burnham, Manley, Adams, CLR James and Patrick Solomon and other WI leaders.

Pledging their support, they convinced Burnham to come out in an anti-communist line against Cheddi Jagan, whom they feared would create an “Indian state” in the West Indies.

Burnham did so declare on his return to Guyana, and was ensconced in power in 1964.

WI leaders turned a blind eye to his excesses against Guyanese Indians for over two decades.

J

Cristina Totaram

ust four months into 2018, and seven women have died at the hands of their partners while three more have been brutalised as domestic violence in Guyana continues to rise.

As the country is rocked by an increase of brutal violence against women, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan said it is not something that can just be tackled from a law enforcement perspective; rather, it requires intensified inter-agency collaboration.

“There is a lot of socioeconomic and

And just three days ago, 42-year-old Dianne Hernandez was hanged by her husband of four years in their Good Intent, West Bank Demerara (WBD) home. The man, who later slit his throat, killed his dogs and torched his house following the murder, succumbed on Thursday.

Three other women also almost met their demise at the hands of their partners.

Thirty-two-year-old Sally Khan was tied up and severely beaten by her husband when she went to his Peter’s Hall home to pick up her two children.

Darmattie Persaud

The young woman was beaten after a night of drinking with relatives, and was left lying unconscious at the corner of a road. However, days after she continued to feel pain, she was rushed to a health centre, where she succumbed.

Rosemary Rudder, 32 of Eccles, East Bank Demerara, tragically met her demise on March 31 after her lover strangled her during a scuffle in his Westminister, West Bank Demerara home, after which he turned himself in to the Police.

She reportedly barged in on her lov-

Diane Hernandez

Cristina Totaram was burned about her body with an electric iron and brutalised by her husband.

And just one day ago, 38-year-old Onica Kingston of Wismar, Linden, a mother of three, had to be rushed to the Linden hospital with first and second degree burns about her body. Those burns were inflicted on her by her husband, who threw a hot liquid on her. The woman is said to be battling for her life.

Since the nine reported incidents, ac-

Onica King

non-law enforcement policies that will have to take care of that. Better parenting, schooling, the religious communities, have to deal with that. Law enforcement has to do when the law is broken, but, as a Government, we have an obligation to ensure prevention; but it is a very difficult thing to prevent when someone (is) feeling angry for whatever reason,” Ramjattan said.

“I don’t know what we can do, or how

Onica Kingston

er and another woman, which resulted in a scuffle between herself and the man.

However, in the process, the woman fell to the floor, and an autopsy later showed that she was strangled to death.

Shortly afterwards, former captain of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Orwain Sandy, gunned down his reputed wife, Reona Payne, a 32-year-old mother of three, following a heated argument re-

Rosemaray Rudder

we can legislate against that. It is an extraordinarily difficult thing. What we have to do is to develop the community, ensure better education; but, there again, the officer (Orwain Sandy) that did what he did was an educated fella,” he added.

Minister Ramjattan said a lot of the issues that lead to domestic violence include socialization, or the lack of it. He added that there ought to be closer collaboration with the religious leaders, educational institutions, and parents, to ensure better development.

Twenty-six-year-old Stacy Singh, a mother of two small children, and originally from Guyana, was stabbed repeatedly in the back until dead, and left facedown in her Richmond Hill home on 103rd Ave, near 113th St, on New Year’s Day by her husband, Vinny Loknath.

Loknath, 46, committed suicide just after 11:00h in Forest Park, about 1 1/2 miles from the murder scene, sources said. He was found hanging from a tree in the park.

Reona Payne

tivists around Guyana have risen up, calling for domestic violence to be addressed urgently. Speaking on the issue, Wintress White of the Red Thread noted that the issue has taken a “callous” turn.

According to the Red Thread activist, more needs to be done to fight the issue, as the current actions being taken are not working.

The Red Thread member called for more community awareness programmes to be launched urgently, and for the Police

Sally Khan

portedly over infidelity.

The two were travelling in a car at First Street, Alexander Village when the woman exited the vehicle in hot pursuit

by Sandy, who whipped out his service pistol and shot her. When the woman fell, he shot her 13 more times.

On April 13th, 36-year-old Onica King, a Guyanese mother of three, who was living in Barbados, was stabbed to death by her husband, who currently is still on the run.

The nail technician’s bloodied body was reportedly discovered by her children.

Darmattie Persaud, a 23-year-old mother of two, was stabbed to death by her abusive husband, who later committed suicide. The incident occurred on April 19 in front of the couple’s Mahaica home.

Stacy Singh

to become more vigilant when domestic violence matters are reported.

The Guyana Stop Violence organisation will be hosting the largest Domestic Violence Prevention march and rally to raise awareness on this issue.

The march, which will commence at Brickdam, will conclude at the Square of the Revolution. (Lakhram Bhagirat and Kizzy Coleman)

14 news

sunDAY, april 29, 2018| guyanatimesgy.com

Opposition reaches out to fired Wales sugar workers …calls on Govt to assist affected families

By Rupadai Seenaraine

O

ver 100 sugar workers who were rendered jobless upon the closure of the Wales Sugar Estate were assisted by the Opposition People’s Progressive Party on Saturday.

The fired sugar workers received grocery hampers as a measure of lending support in times of despair.

The affected workers were visited by Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira and Opposition Members of Parliament, Bishop Juan Edghill and Anil Nandlall, who expressed that this is the party’s approach in providing support to the former sugar workers in their difficult times.

Bishop Juan Edghill noted that while the workers are willing to work, they are unable to do so due to the fact that they have been terminated from their service to the sugar industry.

He said to the gathering of sugar workers, “You want to work. You were working.

The reason why you’re here today is because you’re un-

Beyond Earth Day Together we can #EndPlasticPollution

O

“

f all the waste we generate, plastic bags are perhaps the greatest symbol of our throwaway society. They are used, then forgotten, and they leave a terrible legacy”- Zac Goldsmith.

The EPA kick-started Earth Day 2018 celebrations targeting this truth through a reusable bag initiative. Seven major supermarkets came on board with the EPA to minimize the amount of single-use plastic bags being used by customers. Customers at Massy, Bounty, DSL, Budget, Survival, Real Value and Mattai’s supermarkets were able to get reusable shopping bags with their purchases. The first twenty customers who took their own reusable bags to each of those stores were also able to receive special prizes for their decision to join the campaign against plastic pollution.

A section of some of the affected sugar workers and their families who gathered at the meeting

able to work because your services have been terminated. This is an act of solidarity. We are standing with you in an act of solidarity in your time of need, in your time of difficulty [and] because of all that is happening.”

Also speaking to the gathering was the Opposition Chief Whip, who explained that proposals were made to the Government in the past to have mechanisms in place to assist persons in obtaining employment in another trade. However, there has been no effective action on the part of the administration to address this issue.

Some of the requests also included to have the lands available for the workers to

utilise. Additionally, calls were also made to give the workers their complete severance that they were entitled to, rather than a portion of it.

“We (the Opposition) have called for a number of things for the Government to do for months now. It has fallen on deaf ears. We have called for land to be distributed. We have called for the workers to get all of their severance pay. We have called for to Government to give help on your electricity bill and water bill as we did when we were in Government to the bauxite workers when they were going through difficult times. We have called for training,” Teixeira asserted. turn to page 17

At the official Earth Day opening ceremony, conducted by the Department of Environment in collaboration with the EPA, we were reminded of the relevance of this campaign for our nation, even from the voices of children. Government ministers and international leaders voiced their commitment to protecting our waters, land, biodiversity; and safeguarding human health. So why stop now? Can we envision a green state without thinking about plastic pollution?

The journey ahead

The drive to choose reusable over disposable did not end on April 22, but will continue until this problem is fully arrested. This goal, which has seen success in both developed and developing nations, is certainly attainable in our beautiful country. But how do we get to the pinnacle of success? This journey to end plastic pollution will require a strong political will under a global framework to regulate plastic pollution.

• Citizens must be educated and mobilised to take personal responsibility for the plastic pollution that each one of us generates by choosing to refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle and remove plastics.

• Be actively engaged in consultations for decision-making; and we must work with universities, school teachers and organisations and networks to build an effective platform to End Plastic Pollution by developing resources that others can use, and build partnerships.

• We must promote the work that our city and local government are doing to tackle plastic pollution. Journalists must be empowered to report on the problem and its emerging solutions.

How to make earth day everyday

If you feel compelled to join the fight to drastically reduce plastic pollution, you will first need to know where you stand now. Do you know how many plastic items you have been buying and discarding? You can try to calculate your total yearly consumption of plastic products. That is the first step to make a plan to reduce your plastics pollution footprint. You can start thinking of items typically discarded after 30 days of the original purchase date. You may also want to evaluate your use and disposal of more long-term items made of plastic.

These might include consumer electronics, vehicles, furniture, construction material, and clothing.

After you know where you stand, you can try a simple 5R plan to reach your goal. The first R would be to Reduce your consumption of plastics. This includes refusing plastic items you feel are not necessary. You can also reuse some of the plastic items you already have. Try some upcycling or repurposing to keep something out of the trash. Another option is to recycle the plastic you do use,, and making sure you are doing so properly. The final R is removal of plastic that is already in the environment. As you put more and more of these actions into practice, you will discover that they become habitual and second nature. They will also bring you satisfaction. After all, you will not only be contributing to the solution of a serious planetary problem, but you will also be creating a better living environment for yourself and others. Once you adopt these practices into your life, you will truly be a part of the campaign to end plastic pollution!

Please remember your other earth-friendly actions; choose sustainable energy options such as renewable energy; conserve our water resources, and do not discharge any dangerous substances into waterways; ensure that your The Agency also extends gratwaste is disposed of in the right way; buy local produce and avoid unnecessary packaging; itude to the Management and contribute to the upkeep of a green space; ditch staff of Massy, Bounty, DSL, your motor vehicle for short distances; and parBudget, Survival, Real Value ticipate in community projects for environmen- and Mattai’s supermarkets for tal protection, or join an environmental club.

The EPA extends congratulations to our six (6) Radio quiz winners: 1. Gillian Phillips; 2. Mary Sunich; 3. Uttamkumar Isurdeen; 4. Cora Hamer; 5. Sharon Harris; and 6. Monifa Gillis.

embracing the challenge to choose reusable over disposal. We encourage you to continue to find creative ways of rewarding your customers for wise environmental action.

You can also share with us your plans to go plastic free. Earth Day, Everyday.

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

15 Countrywide ban on plastic bags by 2021 news

SunDAY, april 29, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Is Guyana really and truly unlikely to experience an oil spill? (Part 3) - the 5 – 10% probability (risk) of an oil spill is very materially real, and the cost could be economically devastating to Guyana

L

ast week’s article extended on the discussion to the extent where a framework of the cost components of a potential oil spill were outlined. This framework was premised upon the lessons learned in hindsight of previous oil spills in other parts of the world where oil exploration activities were carried out, especially in a similar deep-water exploration – as is the case in Guyana. For ease of reference, some of the major cost items identified were: cleanup costs, litigation costs, and there are broader and more impactful social and economic costs.

Social costs could be enormous. For example, the average social cost of the Deepwater Horizon of the Exxon Valdez was about US$15 - US$20 billion, and possibly even US$40 - $60 billion up to 2010, according to Cohen (2010), who authored a research paper which was premised upon a study done on the taxonomy of oil spill costs, a paper published by Resources for the Future, Washington D.C. Incidentally, parallel to this oil spill series featured under this column, of which the first article was published on April 15, 2018 and today’s is the third, this author noted with interest that an oil spill response workshop was held sometime early last week, and another such event was scheduled to take place on April 26, 2018, at the Splashmin’s Resort, for the members of the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan Committee and other stakeholders. This, of course, is a commendable initiative, and the participation of ExxonMobil is also well received in the positive. What was difficult to fathom, however, were the statements made by the Country Manager of Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited, wherein it was posited that the oil finds will benefit the country to improve the quality of life, but it cannot be at any cost to ExxonMobil, because they are doing everything that they can to ensure an oil spill is prevented. So what if it does occur, which is very materially possible. Whose cost will it be? Now, the man on the street would say -- to analyze this statement in ‘Guyanese dialect’ – let’s make sense out of nonsense. Put differently, a professional analyst would say let us examine the sensibility of such a statement, holistically and in a scholarly manner. The sections that follow seek to do so.

Firstly, the author notes the claim which the oil exploration companies made, which was also echoed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), stating that they have extensive preventative measures in place where any potential oil spill is concerned. This therefore means effectively that the local authorities and ultimately the Government of Guyana (GoG) bought this statement at face value. It is something as critical as this that the GoG ought to have solicited the service of an independent international consultant to conduct an independent assessment of these self-claimed extensive preventative measures for an oil spill and advise the GoG and the people of Guyana in this regard accordingly. To take something at face value, especially of this high national importance, from the very stakeholders involved, who will naturally seek to protect their own interest, and not conduct any kind of independent evaluation is absolutely nonsensical, an assertion any sound minded intellectual person would endorse. And, regardless of how small the risk is of an oil spill occurring, it does not negate the materiality of such an occurrence.

With that in mind, within the framework established from previous oil spills to compute a potential cost;, that is, using costing information from the Exxon Valdez and the BP oil spills, the average cost of an oil spill cleanup is about US$18 per gallon, which means that one barrel of oil -- which is usually 42 gallons -- would cost (42x18) US$756 per barrel. So, in the event there is a spill equivalent to the magnitude of the one that occurred in the Gulf of Mexico, which was a spillage of 4.2 million barrels, then the cleanup cost alone for Guyana would be US$3.175 billion dollars. Then you have to add to that litigation costs, which would far exceed that should it adversely affect Guyana’s neighbouring countries. Then you have to factor in the social and economic costs to Guyana, wherein a worst case scenario would virtually wipe out the entire fishing industry, causing the nation to lose US$80 million in export earnings from fish and shrimp annually, it will directly affect the employment of approximately 2000 plus employees from the commercial fishing industry in Guyana etc. In essence, a large scale oil spill could cost Guyana in excess of US$4 – 5 billion, and this would absorb and even exceed almost all of the revenues Guyana is poised to earn from oil, depending on the magnitude of potential damages.

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).

…EPA to submit Cabinet memorandum

By Jarryl Bryan

G

overnment is making serious moves towards a ban on the use of plastic bags in Guyana, a move that, while it may have a blow-back effect on businesses, can move Guyana ahead in its environment protection plans.

According to Minister of State Joseph Harmon at a post-Cabinet press conference on Friday, the ending of the use of plastic bags across Guyana is on the Government’s agenda. He explained that plastic is a problem across the world and Guyana, for its part, was not exempted from the consequences of this pollution.

“Cabinet agreed that the matter had to be addressed if we were truly committed to the tenets of our green state development strategy… It was further agreed that the Government would adapt and institute measures to minimise the use of plastic and propose appropriate legislation to give effect to these measures,” the Minister explained.

Plastic bag pollution at its worst; but the days of single use plastic could be numbered

According to Harmon, a Cabinet memorandum was prepared by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This memorandum, he noted, is slated to be examined by Cabinet within a week. He explained that the memorandum details the phasing out of plastic. Providing a timeline, Harmon was optimistic that the ban could be pulled off by the year 2021.

“The intention is not going to be immediate, but they are basically going to get people, over time, to wean themselves off of plastics. There are six supermarkets that have indicated willingness to work with the EPA that they start to

Quick action averts... from page 10

On November 4, 2009, a fire set by arsonists gutted the Health Ministry Complex on Brickdam and destroyed the entire building.

Arsonist Colin Jones was charged with the burning of the ministry and was found guilty.

Jones, with alleged accomplices Randy Mars, Basil Morgan, Anthony Watson and Jahfar Simpson, were jointly accused of the November 2009 arson.

Jones, according to Police reports, was a member of

a heavily-armed ‘terrorist’ gang that in November 2009 carried out a series of shock attacks that left one person dead and two Policemen nursing gunshot wounds.

That gang of men had opened fire on the Brickdam Police Station, and had attempted to burn down the Georgetown Supreme Court and the Richard Ishmael Secondary School.

As a result of that November 2009 fire, more than 200 persons were dislocated, and the entire ministry was destroyed.

reduce… the use of plastic bags.”

“The important thing is that it’s these single use plastics, the things that you use one time and then throw it away, it’s the single use plastics that are initially targeted. The six supermarkets that came on board, we want to commend them on their initiative,” he said.

It had recently been announced that the EPA would be partnering with supermarkets in Georgetown to minimise the use of plastic bags, as part of Earth Day 2018. Guyana Times was informed of this partnership by the Director within Technical Secretariat, Sharifah Razack.

The Director had noted that six major supermarkets in Georgetown, as well

as their subsidiaries, have expressed their willingness to participate in the drive to reduce the usage of plastic bags.

Those supermarkets include Bounty, Mathais, Survival, Budget, Distribution Services Limited (DSL) and Massy.

It is understood that these supermarkets will use boxes, reusable bags and biodegradable bags to pack their customers’ goods. They are also urging persons to walk with their bags, so as to curb the plastic situation in Guyana.

Pollution

The implementation of this new initiative comes at a time when Guyana happens to be one of the countries in the Caribbean that is mostly affected by plastic pollutants.

In Guyana, plastic articles, specifically plastic bags have been the reason for clogged drains, trenches and canals and often times result in flooding over the years. As though a precursor to banning plastic, the Government took a decision to place a ban on Styrofoam back in 2016, after much contention.

16 news Major upgrades for wharves and stellings – Patterson SunDAY, april 29, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

…no mention of Charity wharf

C

itizens who rely heavily on ferry services will soon benefit from improved facilities as rehabilitation works are set to commence shortly on stellings and wharfs across the country.

This is according to Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson who made this announcement recently during a live local radio programme. He said the project will include the preparation of detailed designs and cost estimates for the rehabilitation of sea defences and ancillary waterfront development.

Minister Patterson noted that the stellings will be designed into a modern market-like environment, while noting that these upgrades are necessary, especially for persons using this facility to ply their trade.

However, despite a report presented by the engineer of the Public Infrastructure Ministry claiming that the

Charity Market Centre Wharf have sunk more than six inches and poses a serious risk to life and limb, there was no mention of works to be done at that facility.

In his 2018 Budget speech last year, Finance Minister Winston Jordan had announced that $250 million was allocated to upgrade the Bartica and Leguan stellings.

Additionally, it was also revealed at the Public Infrastructure Ministry’s end of year review that studies for the rehabilitation of the Parika, Supenaam and Wakenaam stellings would be undertaken.

A total of $534 million was allotted in the 2017 Budget to the department, and $240 million will be used on vessels, while $294.2 million will aid in upgrading stellings.

Another $20.0 million was allotted for the construction of two water taxis.

Some $130 million will be used to extend the cur-

rent narrow driveway of the Supenaam stelling to permit easier passage of long-based trucks. The entire driveway will also be asphalted.

In July 2016, the MV Sabanto had collided with the floatation unit and cluster piles causing extensive damage to the Supenaam stelling.

Subsequently, rehabilitation works were executed by the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation to the tune of $17 million.

Additional works were executed to the Supenaam stelling, including rehabilitation to the side loading system where three piles were replaced, re-installation of defective galvanised safety rails and lamp poles, and recasting of defective curb walls.

Sections of the driveway are to be covered with asphalt.

The sum of $20 million will be used on the Morawhanna stelling which will see some rehabilitation works, including works on the bond and

One of the stellings expected to be rehabilitated soon

wharf, and the fender system will be reconstructed. “This facility was last rehabilitated in December 2005.

Some $10 million will be spent on rehabilitating the New Amsterdam and Rosignol stellings. Areas to be addressed include the lavatory block for staff and passengers, office space, lunch room and a few deck planks.

Further, rehabilitation works will commence on the dilapidated Mazaruni dockyard. The entire docking facility and workshop would be rehabilitated at a total cost of approximately $50 million.

The contract for the rehabilitation of the goods wharf has been awarded to M Sukhai Contracting Service to the tune of $58.9 million.

Meanwhile, for vessels, general docking and rehabilitation of the MV Sabanto and MV Kanawan were executed

by EC Vieira to the tune of $77.5 million and $76.9 million respectively.

Other vessels docked include the MV Makouria, MB Sandaka, MV Lady Northcote and MV Malali among others.

news

17

SunDAY, april 29, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Police ‘A’ Division hosts career day for youths dren and teenagers attended the fair throughout the day and interacted with the exhibitors.

Most of the younger ones

were dressed as their professions, such as Police Officers, doctors and nurses, and lawyers, displaying their aspiring career paths.

Opposition reaches out... from page 14

Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton (seated centre); A Division Commander Leslie James; and Chairperson, Inspector Blair flocked by some of the children who participated in the career fair

D

espite the inclement weather, Police youth clubs from across the country assembled at the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) Sports Club ground, Eve Leary, on Saturday for the annual A Division (GeorgetownEast Bank Demerara) career fair.

The annual career fair was an all-day event, held under the theme “Instilling a growth mindset, your career our mission, catch the career bug.”

The fair kicked off with performances from children across the country. There were skits, dances, recitals

and charges from A Division Commander Leslie James and Social Cohesion Minister with responsibilities for youth and sport, Dr George Norton, who declared the event open.

While delivering brief remarks, Norton commended the efforts of the GPF, more specifically the Divisional Commander, and his ranks as well as stakeholders for staging the event.

Further, he explained that events such as these seek to develop and mould youth to become leaders of the future. According to Minister Norton, the fair also

provides a forum for children across the country to interact and form a network with each other.

Meanwhile, Commander James also noted that many of the children attending the career fair were at an important stage of their lives where decisions will influence the kind of persons they become.

“In A Division, we are continuing with these types of programmes in the hopes that the children will walk away with brochures, walk away with new information, walk away with the understanding that if you want to become a professional as part

of a professional organisation, then there is a road you need to walk and education is the key to getting there,” he stated.

He also urged they pay close attention to their parents, teachers and those who give them guidance in order that they may be able to make a contribution towards the building of Guyana.

James is encouraging his fellow Divisional Commanders to host similar initiatives that would see the Police Force strengthening and rebuilding its relationship with the public.

Meanwhile, scores of chil-

Recently, Teixeira revealed that some $30 billion was allocated towards training in sewing and catering for 20 women for a period of four days.

She commented by saying, “This was a total waste of money. We’re demanding accountability. We’re also demanding that the $100 million training programmes be reallocated to help the sugar workers find other skills, other training and access to small funds to be able to get involved with other kind of activities.”

She noted that the unemployment of the 10,000 workers after the closure of the several estates across Guyana has resulted in an extreme impact on the country. Additionally, the lives of the workers have been greatly affected, especially the

women and those that have to provide for their families without the possession of an income.

“What this Government has done to the sugar workers and all workers of the country is something that no Government has done and that is, destroying an industry and sending home thousands of workers. The impact is enormous on the country,” she stated.

The Opposition has stated that they will continue to support the former sugar workers of all the estates that were closed.

Some Venezuelans who migrated back to Guyana in light of the economic crisis were also assisted with hampers during Saturday’s proceedings, while relief was also given to former Skeldon sugar workers a few weeks ago.

18

sunday, april 29, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

sunDAY, april 29, 2018

Mahaica satisfied with turnout at Goodwill trials P

resident of the Dolphin Speed Swim Club, Paul Mahaica, has declared himself impressed with the number of young swimmers who have shown up to secure their spot in this year’s Goodwill Games contingent; and he has described the increased amount of youngsters showing interest in swimming competitively as a good and satisfactory development.

“What has happened (is that) from last year to now we started training… harder, and we are getting more participation,” he explained. “As you can see, the pool is filled on the very first day.”

He described it as a good indication for the Goodwill Games this year, and expressed hope that the number of participants would continue to grow as the competition draws closer.

Mahaica is optimistic about Guyana’s chances at this year’s Goodwill Games. He has said the Guyanese contingent will have the ability to place higher than the third position which they secured in 2017.

The team trials, being held at the National Aquatic Centre at Liliendaal, ECD kicked off on Friday afternoon with over 100 young swimmers in the pool.

So far, the team trials

have seen impressive performances from youngsters like Leon Seaton Jr., Lian Winter and Amber De Goeas. They are all vying for a spot on the 40-member team -- ranging from 8-and-under to 17 -- which will travel to Barbados this August.

The trials will conclude today with a prize-giving ceremony.

Paul Mahaica

19

20 Rohit’s masterful 50 seals comfortable MI win M guyanatimesGY.com

sunDAY, april 29, 2018

umbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma promoted himself to No. 3 to guide his team to a comfortably finished eight-wicket win against Chennai Super Kings, after walking in with a required rate of ten per over on a two-paced pitch.

Rohit pieced together a well-paced unbeaten half-century where he first took the pressure off a struggling Evin Lewis and then spearheaded the completion in Hardik Pandya's company.

Earlier in the game, Mumbai had fought back from an expensive start at the hands of the tournament-leader for runs, Ambati Rayudu, and Suresh Raina, who had set Super Kings up for a massive total at 91 for 1 in ten overs.

The innings had then spiralled downwards and even a late flourish from Raina, who was unbeaten on 75, couldn't get them enough on the evening.

Mumbai had persisted with more or less the same team for each of their six games before Saturday. When they did decide to make changes, it didn't seem like too much would change.

There was a good chance that the replacements - JP Duminy for Kieron Pollard and Ben Cutting for Mustafizur Rahman - wouldn't have prominent roles to play if a successful top order remained as it was.

It was doubly true for Cutting, who, despite replacing a specialist bowler, bowled only one over.

Mayank Markande and Krunal Pandya of Mumbai Indians celebrate the wicket of Shane Watson

Super Kings batsmen Rayudu and Raina took him for fourteen in that and it was the over when they completed fifty runs for the second wicket.

Shane Watson had fallen to Pawan Negi in the first over against Royal Challengers on Wednesday. Mumbai waited till the fifth over to bring on their leftarm spinner, but Krunal Pandya's introduction worked immediately as he induced a slice from Watson on the slog sweep.

Before that, there was bounce early on that Jasprit Bumrah used to subdue Rayudu. He was

replaced by Hardik Pandya from that end, perhaps in a bid to preserve him for MS Dhoni and Dwayne Bravo later in the innings. Before the game, Hardik had gone at an economy of 10.4 in Powerplays in the IPL and gave a boundary every 3 balls. In the absence of Mustafizur, it looked like he was doing much better than par. But Rayudu made 10 off his last two balls of the Powerplay and suddenly Super Kings had another good first-six with 51 on the board.

Raina looked more fluent than he has all season at the other end,

after kickstarting his innings with a slog over deep midwicket off his second ball. Mumbai went with the short ball against him. At one point, they had short third man, gully, and backward point in place but the lines weren't right. Raina had two boundaries past short fine, and made a comfortable six runs off three balls square on the off side. The rest of the time, he monopolised his favoured areas on the leg side, making 38 of his 75 at long-on and deep midwicket.

However, he seemed to lose his way. His scoring rate through the middle-overs fell to 138 after the high of 182 at the end of the tenth over. This struggle coincided with a slow overall pace from the Super Kings through that period, before McClenaghan culled a big end with the wickets of Dhoni and Bravo in the space of three balls. Having been 91 for 1 at the end of ten overs, Super Kings finished with 169 for 5. Bumrah and McClenaghan conceded only 51 between them in eight overs.

Evin Lewis was dismissed for a duck by Deepak Chahar when these teams last played, but he only faced on ball from him on the night. Any prospect of further exposure against the seamer was avoided when the bowler walked off with an injury in the fifth over.

Still, the opener struggled, even as partner Suryakumar Yadav continued to put his rich form to use. When their lopsided opening stand of 69 ended through

a brilliant take from Ravindra Jadeja at deep midwicket, Lewis was on 21 off 26. Although a couple of swats against Imran Tahir got his scoring rate up, Lewis' stay was a troubled one.

It was balanced for by Rohit, whose innings was built upon a few key moments.

His one-handed six at long-off, off Watson's first ball in the 14th over, was the beginning of the phase where the required rate fell below nine. A couple of balls later, he showed that he would control the rest of the chase, getting down to scoop a full ball over fine leg for another six.

All of his boundaries from that point onwards showed a tremendous awareness of the field. A pull over square leg off Bravo, a lofted drive against Watson in the 18th set up for the big 19th over, with Mumbai needing 22 off 12.

At this juncture, Dhoni chose to change Bravo, whose 17th had gone for five, and handed the ball to Shardul Thakur. The bowler nailed only one yorker in that over, the one that got Rohit back on strike. His attempted yorkers then flew over point, two went over square leg and a the changeup length ball was expertly dabbed between short third man and point.

With that 17-run over, during which he brought up his fifty, Rohit made sure Mumbai didn't finish the weekend at the bottom of the table.

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sports

Lady Jags produce second draw L

ady Jags, Guyana’s national senior women’s team, held their own and had a 2-2 draw in their second match against Suriname as competition in Group E of the CFU Women’s Challenge Series heats up at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Trinidad and Tobago.

The spirited match, held in front of a small but supportive crowd and captained

by Alison Heydorn, saw the Guyanese team creating multiple scoring opportunities, even amidst injuries sustained by some players.

Jags had an early start in the match when one of the team’s debutantes, midfielder Tiandi Smith, scored in the 21st minute. However, Suriname made a comeback on the brink of half time with a goal in the 45th minute.

During the second held, Brittany Persaud gave Guyana the lead in the 56th minute, but Suriname

The Lady Jags prior to kick off against Suriname

quickly capitalized on their chance to score and equalized with a goal in the 65th minute.

In an invited comment following the match, Head Coach of the “Lady Jags”, Dr. Ivan Joseph, said the team was able to experiment with some players to aid evaluation.

“We started a couple of different players in a few positions, and we were able to evaluate and assess and

DDL, Archery Guyana forge partnership – Guyana preparing to host 1st Level 1 Archery Coaching Clinic

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21

Ryan McKinnon and Larry Wills of DDL share a photo following the sealing of their sponsorship deal for the clinic

A

rchery Guyana is currently on the path to host Guyana’s first ever Level 1 Archery Coaching Course, following the recent backing by beverage company Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL).

Having successfully collaborated with World Archery Americas, Archery Guyana was able to make arrangements for renowned international coach Phillip Graves to come to Guyana to conduct this 8-day Level 1 Archery Coaching Course.

Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) recently came on board as a sponsor of the water refreshments for the intense eight-day course. Thanks were extended on Friday afternoon at the official handing-over ceremony held at the company’s main office at Diamond,

East Bank Demerara.

Archery Guyana member Ryan McKinnon met with Larry Wills, the Marketing Manager of DDL, as the two paved a way forward.

Archery Guyana also acknowledges the unhesitating support of DDL over the years, and thanks Ms Sharda Veeren-Chand for making this much-needed contribution possible.

Participants include members from Archery Guyana and other sports personnel from Regions 1, 3, 8 and 9, who have already started arriving in Georgetown after collaboration with the National Sports Commission (NSC) ahead of the clinic, which commences this weekend.

The clinic will commence from Sunday at the National Racquet Center from 8:00h.

learn more about them. I thought Tiandi did a nice job; she was involved in the first goal, and put up a couple of opportunities. Lakeshia Pearson continues to be a dangerous threat down the wing, and Siacy (Horicia) Adams came in the last fifteen minutes of the game and really held her own, and I thought she was a bright spot,” Dr Joseph said.

In summarizing the match, Dr. Joseph said fo-

cusing on the process not the outcome is important.

“Several players have displayed their ability to play at this level. We’ve been able to blend and gel as a unit; and finally, and most importantly, we are able to see the level of competition and develop a game plan that will enable us to ensure our success during our qualifiers in May. I’m pleased at where we are at this stage of our training camp,” he de-

clared.

As Guyana prepares for its final match of the tournament -- against Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday (today) -- Dr. Joseph says a different match approach will be taken with the “Soca Princesses” to that employed with Grenada and Suriname. However, the focus remains the same: assessing players towards building a stronger unit.

22

guyanatimesgy.com

sunDAY, april 29, 2018

Sinclair named RHTY&SC Cricketer of the Year B

Kevin Sinclair

erbice Under-19 Captain and national junior cricketer Kevin Sinclair will be named Cricketer of the Year when Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation, the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS, hosts its 28th Annual Awards Ceremony at the St. Francis Training Centre today.

His national Under-19 team mate K e v l o n Anderson would receive the runner-up award in what would be the biggest sports award programme in Guyana.

C l u b Secretary/ CEO Hilbert Foster has

said all plan are in place for a highly successful event, and has said the planning committee, consisting of himself, Vice President Mark Papannah and Asst Secretary Simon Naidu, is working very hard to make the event a success.

President David Granger, Patron of the Club, would be unable to attend due to pressing national duties, but would be sending a representative.

The President has also donated $1 million towards assisting the Club to fulfill its list of activities for 2018, especially its Patron’s Fund.

Under the Patron’s Fund, the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club assists less fortunate youths and clubs with financial grants. Vice President Mark Papannah disclosed that the Club would be honouring a total of 60 members, Police Officers, Teachers, Retired Educators and students, while donations

would be made to dozens of schools, cricket clubs, and also to a young cricketer under the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club’s Dare to Dream programme.

The Club last Thursday received several donations for the Awards Ceremony.

Long time sponsor Kings Jewellery World handed over a West Indian Cricket Medallion towards the player who would receive the Benefit Year Award, while VNet Communication contributed a large amount of souvenir school bags for the club’s Say No/Say Yes Programme. Other donors included De Sinco Trading, Fitness Express, Dr. Phillip Da Silva, Paul Persaud, Jumbo Jet, Impressions, Gizmos & Gadgets, National Sports Commission, Ricky Deonarine of 4R Bearings, and ANSA McAL. Dr. Barton Scotland, Speaker of the National Assembly, has donated trophies for the top two awards and a large quantity of

VNet Communications representative Manisha Mohamed makes a donation to RHTY&SC Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster (left)

medals. Bakewell donated a quantity of souvenir clocks, while Mr. Patrick Sukhlall of Impressions contributed souvenir cups towards the hosting of the Club’s biggest ever sports awards programme.

Foster has hailed the co-operation of corporate Guyana, and has said the membership of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports

Club deserves to be honoured as they are the ones who worked tireless to make sure that the Club retains its status in Guyana.

Among those to be honoured are Shemaine Campbelle, Jeremy Sandia, Jonathan Rampersaud, Mahendra Gopilall, Shabika Gajnabi, Erva Giddings and Mariam Samaroo.

guyanatimesgy.com

sunDAY, april 29, 2018

Unity Cup Softball to be played nationwide T

he Unity Cup tournament, which will determine the national champions in four categories -- males open; female; under fifteen, and over 40 masters -- starts next weekend.

Incentives as well as appropriate trophies and medals would be up for winners. A new format will be introduced for sporting fans in the one ball which will have incentives as well.

Each day of cricket will have its fair share of one ball, and each day a winner will move on to the next round after clashing with the other winners.

Each region will produce a

winner, and those winners will play against each other at various stages of the other cricket. The overall winner will be known as the king or queen of the one ball.

The other games will see the four categories of the regions coming against each other to claim the title of national champion. The organizers noted that even though the tournament is not the richest, it is the prestige that is at stake, as each region will want to produce the best team in the country.

The under-fifteen will be contested between schools, and the representatives of each area are eager to get started. There are a number of schools which have already indicated their willingness to participate, and efforts by the reps to get the grounds in order to have the best games are commendable.

The female and the

male open will be contested in the 10/10 format, and the masters in the 20/20 format.

The one ball new creative game is designed to give the fans a chance to feel how it is out in the middle. It will be contested between two individuals, and no other player will be on the field.

Individuals can enter at the venues and the reps can guide them on the rules. The champion will be determined when the last man is left standing.

Any individual male or female can enter.

Softball cricket has taken a dive in recent years, and this tournament is geared to resuscitate the game and to ensure its viability from here on. Any team can register in any zone.

Teams can contact representatives for more details on playing conditions and other concerns. In case reps are unavailable, teams are advised to call Mortimer Denny on tel numbers -6873326; 442-1562; he can address all concerns in the rep’s absence.

Players are urged to respect each decision of the umpires at all times, and there will be no recourse for this.

Discipline must be maintained, and each umpire will be graded during the tournament. Teams are urged to give feedback to the reps on all games, to dispel any doubts.

The representatives of the various areas are as follows: West Demerara: Ravendra Ramgobin: 268-1372; Premnauth Bimchan: 670-9982; Rawle Higgins: 667-6374; East Bank Demerara/ Georgetown: Nadir Baksh: 672-0378; Lower East Coast Demerara up to Enmore: Rafman Ally: 654-2233; Darmin Ramnarine: 642-3165.

Upper East Coast: Herman Persaud: 6433033; Linden: Mortimer Denny: 687-3326; 4421562; Berbice: David Lukenauth; The Essequibo Board has not yet indicated its participation, therefore no representative has been named. Discussions are ongoing.

23

CB/DMLAS/NSC/NSSCL

Parika Salem thrash Vergenoegen to win East Bank Essequibo Zone Finals

T

Waszim Mohamed

he 2017/2018 National Secondary School Cricket League, sponsored by the Guyana Cricket Board, the Demerara Mutual Life Assurance Society Limited, and the National Sport Commission (GCB/ DMLAS/NSC), continued with the East Bank Essequibo Zone Finals.

The victorious team, Parika Salem, did well to emerge winners of Friday’s bout played at the Tuschen Ground, East Bank Essequibo. After winning the toss and electing to bowl Vergenoegen kept their opponents to 229 for 8 off the allotted 30 overs.

All-rounder Travis Christian highlighted the innings for Parika with his unbeaten 89, while fellow utility player Wazim Mohamed stroked 61. Avinash Persaud

took 3 for 42 bowling for Vergenoegen.

In reply, Vergenoegen could only manage a meagre 60 off 13.3 of their allotted 30 overs. Amos Baird who made 18 was the only Vergenoegen batsman to demonstrate some level of resistance with the bat.

Mohamed returned with his off-spin to stun the opposition with figures of 7 for 16 from 6 overs, inclusive of a maiden in which he got the distinct honour of taking a helmet trick.

Christian, meanwhile, grabbed 2 for 22 from 6 overs with his pace, as Parika Salem notched up an impressive 169-run win.

On Monday, 30 April, 2018, Parika Salem will meet Leguan Secondary at the Tuschen Ground, while Chase Academy will compete with Christ Church at the GNIC ground to determine the North Georgetown Zone champions. Both matches will commence from 10:00 hours.

SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2018

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Lady Jags Pg 21

produce second draw Three of the debutantes: Aneesa O' Brien (third from left),Lakeisha Pearson (13) and Rylee Traicoff (22)

Unity Cup Softball Pg 23

to be played nationwide Some big hits and thrilling action is anticipated in the tournament

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Celebrating 180 years of Indian Immigration

of East Indian Arrival

G

uyanese, will on Saturday, May 5, 2018 observe East Indian Arrival Day ; an occasion commemorating the 180th anniversary of their arrival, bringing with them their ancient customs, food and culture from India.

Under a system of agreement, an order in the Council of Britain was passed on July 12, 1838 making provision for indentured immigrants to travel to Guyana for a term of five years.

On January 13, 1838 the Whitby left the shores of India with 249 immigrants on board and arrived in Guyana on the 5th May 1838 after a voyage of 112 days. Five immigrants died during the voyage. The

the way. Next ship was the ‘Success’, which arrived on July 21, 1845 with 231 passengers, 14 died on the way.

Next was the ‘Nester’, which arrived on December 26, 1845 with 233 persons and brought 500 bags of rice.

On February 2, 1846 ‘Manchester’ then the ‘Thetis’ followed by the ‘Tamerlane’ the ‘Martin Luther’ and ‘Troy” in succession, then the ‘John Wickliffe’, the ‘Bussorary Merchant’, the ‘Aurora’, ‘Lady Mekennaway’ and lastly the ‘SS Ganges’, which docked in Georgetown on April 18, 1917. Bringing that period, 79 years- 238,979 indentured labourers journeyed from India to Guyana to work under colonial ad-

factor to unity was that everyone came with an inter-faith mind of mainly Hindus and Muslims and there was also a belief that the caste system has been lost through the crossing of ‘Kaala’ Pani (Black Water).

Through the years the community spirit has manifested itself in various situations-forming groups singing Ramayan, Bhajanas reading of the Holy Quran and observing the various festivals and holi days etc.

The plantation owners and the colonial administration feared the unity of the workers and used several techniques to destroy it.

By January 1830, there was evidence that the Indian labourers were being mis-

A European indentured ‘indented’ contract. The jagged indented top indicates this is the bottom half of the indenture contract

Whitby proceeded first to Berbice and landed 164 passengers at Hilbury, East Bank Berbice, nearly 12 miles from New Amsterdam.

East of the capital, the same day it returned to Vreed-en-hoop, West Demerara and landed 80 passengers. Out of the 244 immigrants that came with the Whitby they were 233 men, 5 women and 6 children. The first man to step on shore in Berbice was Anant Ram while in Demerara the first man to disembark was Nutha Khan.

On January 29, 1838, the Hesperus sailed from Calcutta sixteen days later than the Whitby, with 165 persons on board. It arrived at Port Georgetown on the night of May 5th 1838, 13 immigrants died during the voyage including two persons who fell over-board.

Out of the 152 immigrants that came on board the Hesperus, were 135 men, 6 women and 11 children.

On January 26, 1845 ‘Lord Hunger’ left Calcutta with 162 passengers on board, the ship arrived in Georgetown on May 4, 1845, and ten persons died on

ministration. They were distributed to various locations on the coastland of Guyana.

The plantation system and conditions were not favourable at all. The immigrants worked from sunrise to sunset and were so poorly paid that they were just able to exist. They slaved and provided luxurious living for their masters. They brought with them a rich culture and heritage together with a language.

The indentured immigrants were disciplined and found satisfaction in honest and productive work. They were kind, hospitable and generous and they lived contented lives. They made tremendous sacrifices so that their descendants would be able to enjoy a better standard of living.

The foremost characteristic of the struggle of the East Indian immigrants against indenture and plantation system was their unity. Their unity had been forged on shipboard. Those who came on the same ship were considered as ship brothers and sisters“Jahaji”.

A further contributing

treated. Far more significant were the uprisings, which frequently led to tragic deaths of immigrant workers protesting illegal wages, bad conditions and the exploitation of their women.

There were eight main disturbances on sugar plantations leading to shooting by colonial police from Devonshire Castle in 1872 to 1948 at Enmore. At Vreed-en-hoop, West Bank Demerara an English nurse Betsy Ann testified that

The immigrant ship Hesperus

she had witnessed the flogging of immigrants with the cat-o-nine tails, and another woman Elizabeth Caesar witnessed the flogging of immigrants under the manager’s house after which, salt pickle was rubbed on to their backs.

Figures show that one out of every five immigrants was brought before the courts; not for offences of a criminal nature but for resistance to a plantation system, which was supported by the judiciary and colonial administration.

There were no trade unions until recent times.

The East Indians have contributed in a significant way to build Guyana’s economic and social structures.

It was indeed the unity of principle and action among East Indians that brought overwhelming success to our dear land of Guyana.

(Adapted from an article by Shan Razak; 2013 Guyana Times newspaper) Origin of indentureship Most of us know that ‘Arrival Day’ is about the ‘arrival’ of ‘indentured servants’ to labour on the sugar plantations after the abolition of slavery - first the Portuguese (1935), West Indian Africans (1835), Indians (1838), and, finally, the Chinese (1853).

But exactly what is an ‘indentured servant’? It is actually one of a series of arrangements in which indi-

viduals were pressured by various devices - which were enacted into ‘law’ - to provide their labour under controlled and specified conditions.

‘Indentured labour’ was but one of various guises under which individuals across the globe were conscripted to provide labour in the development of the ‘capitalist’ mode of production that developed as Europe began to exploit the worlds it had ‘discovered’ – and more germanely, conquered – after 1492. There were indentured labourers from Europe starting from the 17th century long before the Indians from India.

Indian indentureship In India, which the British East India Company conquered between 1657 and 1818, the British passed laws that changed the rules on land taxes and crops that should be cultivated.

Consequently, millions died from famine and pushed off the land to become the excess labour that could be exported to other parts of the empire as needed.

Under the new racism, Indians were also lower intrinsically to whites.

Indentured Indian labour was first used within India in the tea plantations of Assam, and then to the newly acquired French islands of Reunion and Mauritius.

After the abolition of African slavery in the British

Empire in 1834, rather than moving to ‘free labour’, as was promised, they introduced ‘unfree’ indentured labour by law. The contracts of the indentureds were structured to keep them bound to their employer so that if they were not in the fields, they had to be either in jail or hospital. Infractions of their contract were subjected to criminal penalties, and these were applied liberally.

In Fiji, the descendants of the Indian indentureds call themselves ‘GIRMITIYA’ people of the agreement by which they were bound to the new world.

The indenture contracts formed a partnership between the traveller and the ‘master’ to exchange years of service for a promise of future compensation like acres of land, livestock, clothing, room and boarding during the time of service.

The terms of this contract were between servant Patrick Larkin and Master Thomas Blood.

The Indian Indenture contract

Below is an example from Mauritius of the indenture contract that Indians were made to sign before embarking on the ship for the colonies at the beginning of indentureship. The terms were to be copied by all the countries such as Guyana and Trinidad, which received indentured labour later. (Cover photo: On the way to work (no date)

East Indian lodgings

Times Indian Arrival Magazine

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3

Celebrating 180 years of Indian Immigration An Indentureship Story

By L akhram B hagirat

P

o n g a v a n u m Munsammy or w as she is lovingly known is a 91-year-old former estate worker, who even in her old age, enjoys an active life and is dependent on no one. Auntie Chalma came into the

Magazine caught up with Auntie Chalma at her Lot 21 Leonora Pasture home, she was sitting on the bridge, over the small gutter, overlooking the road and “taking breeze”.

At 91, most elderly people would complain about constant aches, pains and

Atlantic breeze, she related how different it was while growing up in the early 1900s. Taking me back to a different era, she beautifully explained how her father and mother were hardworking and respected people within the Indian community and how she and her siblings fought internal battles to

Auntie Chalma and her best friends

spotlight a few years ago when she was honoured as the oldest surviving worker of the Leonora Sugar Estate and since then, she has enjoyed national recognition.

Born on February 17, 1927 to indentured immigrants Andikan and Chinganie at Leonora Pasture, West Coast Demerara, Auntie Chalma remembers growing up in a logie with her two siblings and their parents. When the Sunday

lack of mobility but that is not the case with Auntie Chalma; she is still able to move briskly, tend to her flower garden and make meals for herself.

She lives alone and despite her daughter, Golin Singh, living in the same yard Auntie Chalma insists on doing everything for herself, as long as she is able to.

Chatting with Auntie Chalma with our backs to the setting sun and faces caressed by the soft

Auntie Chalma’s beloved garden

prove their how hardworking they were.

Auntie Chalma explained that because of her old age she is unable to hear properly and urged me to speak louder. She began sharing her story even without my prompting.

She explained that while growing up, there was the unmatched level of camaraderie among everyone within the then tiny village of Leonora.

“When me bin a lil gyal

when anybody got dead here nobody does go wuk.

Them does stay home and take care of the dead and same thing with wedding but today everybody ah do dem own thing and nah talk to mattie (one another),” she said Struggles Auntie Chalma’s life, like most people in the early 1900s, was categorized by constant struggles.

At 12 years old, during the Great Depression following the First World War, life became so tough that her parents began looking for a suitor for her. It was then she was introduced to the only man she ever loved Munsammy called Tambie. Mere months after they were married and embarked on a new chapter and moved Cane Grove on the East Coast of Demerara.

Tragedy would force Auntie Chalma and Tambie to move back to Leonora after their first born mysteriously died and they were unable to cope.

When they returned they set up their life once again and she then birthed six children and now lives to see four generations.

Taking us back to her earlier life, Auntie Chalma says she worked hard to provide for her children. Golin explains that her mother worked hard and they were able to buy cattle but as life was getting better for them, their life took an unexpected turn.

Tambie became an alcoholic and began selling out their tools and other thing just to get money for him to buy alcohol. He would soon pass away and Auntie Chalma worked tirelessly to provide for her children.

“Dem days lang time bin hard, everybody bin a wuk and plant and suh not like now.”

Golin explains that her mother enjoys the life she currently lives but adds that she is slowly losing some of the memories she had.

Auntie Chalma begins everyday by waking up at the crack of dawn, picks flowers from her bountiful garden, showers and

Auntie Chalma's 84th birthday

goes to her altar where she thanks god for every moment she gets. She enjoys practicing Hinduism and goes to Mandir every Sunday morning.

Now Auntie Chalma just takes everyday as it comes and enjoys every moment.

“Ayo young people got to live together more and nah be selfish.”

Auntie Chalma and her daughter Golin

4 Times Indian Arrival Magazine

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Celebrating 180 years of Indian Immigration

takes us back in time

W

hile growing up we heard many stories of how life on the plantations was for our fore parents; we shared with our elders the customs passed on by their parents and we listened keenly to the struggles they went through, so that we can now live a free life.

For the younger generation, that freedom is taken for granted and the struggles not really appreciated because all we did was hear about them, we never felt nor witnessed the whippings and constant abuse at the hands of the colonial masters.

In effort to educate the

younger generation and also highlight the struggles of the indentured workers, Kishore Seunarine birthed the idea of “Echos from the Plantation.” The movie came about in 2014 when, the director made a research presentation at his office as a speech and one year later he used that

speech as an opening monologue for a play staged by Nirvana Humanitarian Foundation INC USA. While performing the monologue both in NYC and Toronto, Sewnarine noticed tears in the eyes of the audience as they related to the story. After the production, many asked if he can record the monolog and post it up to YouTube.

While it caught his ears, it did not satisfy his artistic desire. He had been acting since 1977 and to slap together a YouTube video with stock footage from the internet was not sounding good to him. As such, he committed to making a movie.

He began writing the script in 2016 and the scenes were shot it in 2017.

The scenes were shot in Berbice, Demerara and Essequibo. In one of the scenes, the village of India was built from scratch in Perseverance Estate on the Essequibo coast.

The logie and slave ship were also built at Bola Sawmill in Hubu. The primary reason for this production is to celebrate/ commemorate the 180th anniversary of the arrival of Indians in Guyana.

Because of that intention, the movie focuses on the first batch of Indians only.

There are many other elements of the Indian history in Guyana, but many of

Mr. Kishore Seunarine birthed the idea of “Echos from the Plantation”

those elements happened later in the saga.

Plot

The movie is centered around a Guyanese American young lady who returns home to visit her grandfather ; the story unfolds from there . The cast of the film is primarily young people of all ethnicities.

“The young ones are the ones who are responding in a positive manner. They are inspired. Some of these traditions are family traits that came down and when they came in the 1800 they were coming with the caste

system and they (Colonial Masters) selected the workers from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar is because these were agriculture workers and the British selected the agriculture workers to plant sugar cane,” he said.

“Echos from the plantation”- a movie that portrays the livelihood on Indians on the Sugar Plantation was released on Saturday at the Nirvana Humanitarian Foundation at Metem-Mere-Zorg, West Coast Demerara for the commemoration 180th Anniversary of the arrival of East Indians to Guyana.

Times Indian Arrival Magazine

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5

Celebrating 180 years of Indian Immigration

"Arrival" is not

By Ravi Dev

O

n May 5th, the nation commemorates Indian Arrival Day. The holiday is officially designated “Arrival Day”, putatively to recognize all the other immigrant groups that were brought by the planters to labour on the sugar plantations after the abolition of slavery. These groups would then include the Portuguese and Chinese as well as Indians but there has not been any noticeable participation by the descendants of these industrious and hardy pioneers since the holiday was ushered in back in 2004.

In 2016, President Granger – leader of the PNC-led coalition announced that the Arrival day of the immigrants other than Indians would also be recognized – but not as Public Holidays.

In the run-up of the ef-

Landed At Demerara, Guyana, South America, East Indian Immigrants, Engraving 1884. (Getty Images)

sion that resulted in the undercutting of the bargaining power for their labour?

Whether the group that was used as scabs were Indians or Portuguese (as I have ar-

alisation of Republican status. “Holocaust Day”, which has been proposed by ACDA as a holiday (and supported by the Select Committee on Holiday in 2004) is meant,

Group of Coolie Immigrants – British Guiana. No date (Raphael Tuck & Sons, England)

forts to have the day officially recognised, we had predicted this outcome not merely because May 5th was the specific day Indians arrived in Guyana -Portuguese landed on May 3rd and Chinese on January 12th - but because the latter two groups, especially the Portuguese, never demonstrated any collective inclination to remind themselves or the nation that they had arrived as immigrants to this nation. Whatever the reasons for this self-induced amnesia, it may be time for the government to alter the omnibus appellation that probably forcibly reminds these communities of a circumstance they would rather not deal with. Trinidad also initially ushered in an “Arrival Day” holiday but soon changed it to “Indian Arrival Day” without raising any fuss.

But whether we call the holiday “Indian Arrival Day” or “Arrival Day”, there is still the objection originally raised by ACDA and some others as to why should Africans celebrate an occa-

gued) to break their seminal 1847 strike, the argument needs to be addressed.

There are several ripostes apart from pointing out that because of the loss of preferential prices from England in 1846, if wages were not cut the entire industry would have had to be shuttered and hydrologically the Guyanese coast would have ceased to be viable. Sugar planters were not in any position to give the old wages and this was the case in all the islands and is why some many Barbadians and other small islanders migrated as indentureds to Guiana after the abolition of slavery.

Firstly, the occasion is not mandated to be “celebrated” but to be “commemorated”. This is not an idle semantic distinction.

Occasions are commemorated in a manner intended to inculcate some value into the participants, related to the occasion. It is from this perspective that we have been criticising some events in Mashramani, which we feel do not serve to promote the values necessary for the authentic re-

I am sure, to commemorate and not celebrate one of the greatest tragedies in the history of the world – the uncountable deaths of so many Africans during the Middle Passage. I believe that the way that ACDA has been commemorating the event over the past few years is most touching and appropriate and inculcating a palpable ethos of overcoming in the African Guyanese community.

The arrival of Indians – especially because of their relatively large numbers and the decision of most of them to remain - has impacted on the rest of Guyanese society in profound ways and other groups can reflect on these to commemorate Indian Arrival Day. In the economic realm, apart from the early undercutting of wages, the Indian’s immigrant drive for material accumulation has been transmitted to their descendants and has influenced how they exploit economic opportunities in the present. This is not unique: when African Guyanese emigrate to the US, they exhibit these same

immigrant values and stand out in their new communities. Maybe the same resolve and wherewithal can be reinforced right here through activities and events on Indian Arrival Day. A similar argument can be made for dealing with the political consequences of the demographic changes precipitated by Indian Arrival - about

which ACDA has been very vociferous in highlighting..

But there is a deeper level at which the whole society might deal with the question of arrival. After all, every group that now inhabits this land of many waters came from somewhere else.

It is taught to us from our earliest lessons in Primary School – but we seem to for-

get as soon as the school doors close – that even the Amerindians came across the Bering Straits. So in the most mundane geographical sense, we all arrived by merely setting foot on this land. We have posited before, however, that “arrival” can also be looked at from an aspirational perspective: arrival becomes not a “where” but a “what”. What is it that each one of us, individually, sectionally and collectively want to become? When we have achieved that, then and only then we would have “arrived”.

As a start, I believe that we all want to live in dignity and in peace. On May 5th, let us therefore at least spare a thought as to what we can do as citizens and as groups to create the conditions in this land of immense possibilities to move us closer to that goal. Arrival can thus become a notion that can bring us together rather than divide us as it does presently.

6 Times Indian Arrival Magazine

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Celebrating 180 years of Indian Immigration

by

Petamber Persaud

(excerpt of an interview with Harry Hergash, Georgetown, Guyana, September 2013.

Hergash was among the first batch of students of the University of Guyana.

He was taught Hindi by his parents then studied the language at the Hindu College, Cove and John.

Hergash’s publications include, ‘A Collection of Indian-Guyanese Words & Phrases and their meanings’) PP I’d like to start this discourse by quoting a few words of commendation

by Harry Persaud and cited in the book: ‘Words are essential symbols expressing multiple experiences, values and customs in the daily lives of a people, hence, we come to know the construct of a culture and its reality by its language usage’.

There is a whole lot being said in these few words. But I know you have your own reasons for writing this book....Let’s hear those reasons.

HH Yes, there are several reasons but the driving force to a large extent is tied up with what Dr Persaud said there in his commentary on the book. I believe language is an essential part of a people’s cultural heritage and in Guyana as far as I know the Indian ancestral language or if I may say languages because there was more than one language brought to Guyana PP Namely.

HH Like Bhojpuri, Bengali...Also if we look at the Southern languages – we have Telegu PP I hear of a Madrasi language; how does that fit into the picture, if it’s a language?

HH My feeling is that Telegu and Madrasi are southern languages which fall within Dravidian group of languages - there were called Madrasi because in those days Madras was a Presidency under the British and the people from South India came from the [state] Madrasi Presidency; today Madras is a state in South India but in those days it was a presidency - the British had three presidencies around that time so I think it was an all encompassing term for the languages.

PP Oh, here’s something of interest – my wife comes from a Madrasi lineage and she still uses some of the more colourful words HH That’s interesting, now that you mentioned this, allow me to jump ahead - I am doing something else looking at [the novel] ‘Hendree’s Cure’ with the permission of the author, Moses Nagamootoo.

To tie that with the impetus for writing this book – the words and phrases and the language have been in a decline to an extent where I have to say the Indian ancestral language is in danger of becoming extinct.

PP There are still a handful of speakers here….

HH Which you may be able to count on the fingers of one hand. But such speakers are mostly overseas. In the case of the South Indian languages, they are almost completely gone. Just a few words existing and those few words are not as well established into the Guyanese creolese

as the North Indian dialects. Incidentally several of the languages that came were grouped together and called Hindustani; it wasn’t called Hindi or Bhojpuri as we are now hearing from scholars. Bhojpuri was only one of the many dialects that came from North India Now you would know from history that the North Indians were the majority of recruits who came [to Guyana as indentured labourers] so it is not surprising that their words and phrases have dominated the scene. Now there is a danger in that although some words like mamu and cha cha have a greater usage in the wider society their usage within the Indian community is dying out.

PP Danger? I’d look at it as fortunate - if the wider society is using some of those words (and many such words are in currency in the foods and songs we consume) But let’s take a closer look at this decline.

Allow me to return to the text, page 12 ‘However, in their [Indian immigrants] struggle for survival and acceptance, they were unable to unsure the continuity of their ancestral languages/dialects’. Were there other subtle factors that caused the decline?

HH There are a number of factors and it is interesting and I am hoping in the near future to ventilate my thoughts on that.

But one of the reasons is the snobbery associated with the use of the English Language and the looking down upon the Indians who could not speak proper English – that was a major factor.

I remember when I was studying Hindi...

PP In Guyana?

HH Yes, Hindi was being taught in the temples in the evening and many people passing on the road would make noise and mockery. But there were far more compelling reasons, for instance, the language did not have currency to be accepted in society, and social mobility depended on the use of English.

PP So there was nothing to gain by retaining such a language?.....

HH Another example could be found in that the dialects that came were not literary languages, there were not written and at the time the Brahmins were the educated class and they perpetuated Sanskrit and not Bhojpuri ...

PP Let me get this right before moving on. I am under the impression that all the languages came out of Urdu.

HH Urdu is a combination of languages.

It is a beautiful language. In fact, Bollywood uses Urdu, the songs are generally Urdu.

PP We have touched on the decline of those languages and dialects. Let’s now look at the continuance or areas where language has survived.

HH The survival is in doubt except if there is an attempt to perpetuate it.

PP How can we do this?

HH I really don’t know. What I do know is that the language has survived in Suriname and to a certain extent in Trinidad. And there could be a revival in Guyana ....

PP Before we continue – is it important for the language to have a revival, is it important for the language to survive.

HH I think and I may be a bit

controversial here, I think, in the future, that India and China will be two of the major powers of the world. And I know that India is involved on many fronts in Guyana. So it would seem to me, wise, not only from a cultural heritage point of view but from an economic standpoint to perpetuate the language.

I know in Canada, in the provinces which are having a lot of trade with China, and in other parts of North America, Chinese language is gaining prominence.

So it seems to me because of the global importance of those two superpowers will play in the future, I think it is advisable to know something of those two languages.

PP Let’s focus on the book and the Hindi language. Let’s look at the more entertaining part of the book – the glossary - at some words that have gained currency in the mainstream, mindful of something you wrote under the heading ‘a historical perspective’ and I quote, ‘Some African friends of my parents and my paternal and maternal grandparents also knew and spoke Hindi’.

HH Let me start with one that is used and misused by almost everyone in Guyana – ‘aapan jaat’ which is used now to mean – voting for your own kind or race.

PP I know what ‘jaat’ means so it was puzzling to me its place in the combination.

So let’s hear what the complete phrase means.

HH I touched a bit on Bhojpuri and a bit on Standard Hindi which is the grammatical Hindi. In Hindi ‘your’ would be ‘aapan’; the difference in Bhojpuri will be ‘apan’ – so the last ‘a’ is placed before the ‘n’ while in Hindi, it goes to the end. ‘Apna’ is Hindi, ‘apan’ is Bhojpuri. Now that is ‘your’. ‘Jaat’ refers to your community, loosely it has becomes race. Although that is not the strict translation of ‘jaat’; a whole lot of people will take objection to the use of ‘jaat’. The problem with the word ‘jaat’ in particular is that if it is not pronounced correctly, then it has an indelicate meaning which I would not want to use publicly.

Now this is an interesting piece because very often people would say it doesn’t really matter how you transliterate a word when you write the Hindi version in English but it does matter...for instance, in Creolese, there is a tendency to drop the ‘h’...now if you add the ‘h’ to ‘jaat’, it gives a completely different meaning than ‘community’ or if you want to say ‘race’.....

There is also the difference between the short ‘a’ and the long ‘a’. Let’s look at ‘bal’ as oppose to ‘baal’. If your say ‘bal’, it comes out as ‘strength’ but if we say ‘baal’, it’s ‘hair’. In the Hanuman Chalisa, which is one of the religious books, there is a request: give knowledge, strength; now if you change ‘bal’ to ‘baal’, then you’d be asking the Lord or Deity for ‘hair’ .....

Responses to this author telephone (592) 226-0065 or email: oraltradition2002@ yahoo.com What’s happening: Check out the Guyana Book Foundation, 66 New Garden & Anaira Streets, ‘Matching Fund Project’ between May 2 and July 20, 2018, for all levels of books at concessionary price. For further information, please call 227-4942.

Notice to Readers

From across the seas, they came.

Britain colonising India, transporting her chains from Chota Nagpur and the Ganges Plain.

Westwards came the Whitby, The Hesperus, the Island-bound Fatel Rozack.

Wooden missions of imperialist design.

Human victims of her Majesty's victory.

They came in fleets.

They came in droves like cattle brown like cattle, eyes limpid, like cattle.

Some came with dreams of milk-and-honey riches, fleeing famine and death: dancing girls, Rajput soldiers, determined, tall, escaping penalty of pride.

Stolen wives, afraid and despondent, crossing black waters, Brahmin, Chammar, alike, hearts brimful of hope.

I saw them dying at streetcorners, alone, hungry for a crumb of British bread, and a healing hand's mighty touch.

I recall my grandfather' s haunting gaze; my eye sweeps over history to my children, unborn I recall the piracy of innocence, light snuffed like a candle in their eyes.

I alone today am alive.

I remember logies, barrackrooms, ranges, nigga-yards. My grandmother worked in the field.

Honourable mention.

Creole gang, child labour.

Second prize.

I recall Lallabhagie, Leonora's strong children, and Enmore, bitter, determined.

Remember one-third quota, coolie woman.

Was your blood spilled so I might reject my history?“ forget tears among the paddy fields.

At the horizon's edge, I hear voices crying in the wind. Cuffy shouting: "Remember 1763!" John Smith "If I am a man of God, let me join with suffering."

Akkarra "I too had a vision."

Des Voeux cried, "I wrote the queen a letter, for the whimpering of coolies in logies would not let me rest."

The cry of coolies echoed round the land.

They came, in droves, at his office door beseeching him to ease their yoke.

Crosby struck in rage against planters, in vain. Stripped of rights, he heard the cry of coolies continue.

Commissioners came, capital spectacles in British frames consulting managers about costs of immigration.

The commissioners left, fifty-dollar bounty remained.

Dreams of a cow and endless calves, and endless reality in chains.

Mahadai Das

If you have a poem and/or short story you would like to publish on our Literary Corner page, please email to timessundaymag@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.

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Celebrating 180 years of Indian Immigration

Kavita with her brothers

By Akeem Greene

W

e are quite certain that most persons are aware of the correlation between the Yadram name and cricket in Guyana, and now at the Windies youth level. However, many may not be unaware of the contributions of Kavita Yadram towards the development of the sport.

According to Kavita, “cricket runs in the blood” as grandfathers Shaeed and Jaimangal all played for Enterprise- the community of residence- and then followed her father Seemangal and his brothers Khandi and Latchman, who is now a National Under-15 coach. Her mother Shameiza is also an avid supporter of the game.

Her younger brothers Kamesh and Bhaskar both went unto play for Guyana at the youth level, with the 18 year-old Bhaskar going even further, by playing at the First-Class level and also for the

ed to try bowling to them then I started to ask for my batting”, Kavita recollected.

“Kamesh, I think he is more technically correct when playing his shots and playing his game in general but Bhaskar Yadram is more of the power hitter”, she added.

The big turning point came when the wrote the National Grade Six Assessment Examination and gained a spot at Bladen Hall Multilateral, which had a female team ; Kavita was soon appointed captain and won numerous wind ball competitions.

Making the bold step to play with the leather ball, the all-rounder joined the Police Sports Club and it was no looking back. Called to play for her East Coast Association team, she secured a spot on Demerara Under-19 and the national team as the Vice-captain in 2011 and the senior team two years later.

“I think there are only a few words that can describe the feeling of playing for Guyana and those words are amaz-

Winning takes a team effort

Windies Youth team at the ICC World Cup, earlier this year.

It was clearly not surprising that the 24 year-old had a genetic fondness for the sport, for which she represented the country at both youth and senior level.

“It started as my brothers trained in our yard and had little or no one to field and throw back the ball which they would ask me to do for them. From that I start-

ing, proud, special and fantastic”, she conveyed.

Sailing on the high of playing regional cricket, which allowed her to be imprinted with the picturesque views of Caribbean neighbours and which exposed her to different cultures, she also managed to earn player-of-the match in 2014 , with a top score of 55 against St Lucia in Dominica.

However, it was not always high-fives and smiles. “2016 was not my best year. I

was training and putting in so much work but was just not getting the result I was looking for”.

When moments of defeat loomed, Kavita said it was her parents who kept her and brothers afloat.

“I must say thanks to God for giving us such loving, caring and humble parents. They played a big part in our game where they will leave their jobs to come out and support us whenever we are playing and always try their best to get whatever gears we need”.

“They would always sit with us at home and talk to us on discipline towards the game and other people, also my dad would sit and draw out the field, showing us how to set the field when bowling or when we would be the captain of a side. We always look at our parents as our first role model. My parents are one in a million God has given to us and we love them dearly.”

Jovial Enterprise

The Enterprise Busta Sports Club is always an electric atmosphere when cricket is being played, it could be simple as softball but the community comes out in full support.

“Life in enterprise is just cheerful, joyous and very welcoming. Enterprise is a cricketing community where every corner in the village you go you will see someone with a bat and ball playing cricket in the streets. We love cricket in Enterprise and we are very proud of our cricketers that came out from our village.”

Off Field action

After playing her last regional tour-

nament in 2016 on home soil, a new chapter, which is still being written, started .

She got married to Hansraj Sookdeo and soon after brought into the world, Vihaan Sookdeo, what is hoped to be another cricket star.

Instead of suiting up with bat and pad, her new tool, is a pen, inking the future of country’s cricket in her role as the Technical Development Officer of the Guyana Cricket Board, a job she fully enjoys.

Kavita Yadram

“I enjoy administrating cricket and getting involved with the youths in primary and secondary schools and dealing with the players. I always tell myself after playing cricket I want to do or be something within cricket, which I am grateful I got that opportunity to do so and I grabbed it with both hands.”

The Administrator ended by giving a word of advice to other females who may want pilot a similar path.

“I would like to say to all you women out there who may or may not want to be involved in sports is go for what you want to achieve in your life and always remember the sky is the limit. You must work hard to achieve your goals in life no matter what your choice may be”.

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Celebrating 180 years of Indian Immigration

T

wo hundred and fifty labourers had sailed from Kolkata (then Calcutta) India on The Whitby to arrive in British Guiana on May 5, 1838. Four died along the 96-day journey. Highbury, their first point of entry, is a small village at the culmination of an annual trek by those commemorating the arrival of East Indians in Guyana.

According to some accounts, many of those who returned to India after their indentureship period at Highbury had ended, returned with substantial wealth; paving the way for the Indian indentureship era in Guyanese history, and, according to most scholars, saving the colony from ruin and abandonment.

After the labour vacuum left by freed slaves began to have a disastrous effect on colonial industry, particularly the sugar industry, the owners of Plantation Highbury along with a few others including John Gladstone, from Liverpool, England, sent to India for workers to tend their investments.

Henry Davidson, Aeneas Barkly, whose only surviving son Henry Barkly would become the 4th governor of British Guiana

(1849-1853), and D.C. Cameron, were the British owners of the plantation. Aeneas Barkly died during the apprenticeship period, and his son Henry took over his father’s affairs.

One hundred and seventeen labourers, including 11 females, arrived at Plantation Highbury on the East bank of the Berbice River to begin their period of indenture on the colony. Their indentures were dated from Dec. 29, 1837.

According to some accounts, by January 1839, a visit by a Justice Macleod to Plantation Highbury found that 15 males and two females had since died, and some 10-15 were on the “sick list”. The surviving labourers were described as “cheerful and contented”. By November 1839, mortality rates at the plantation included 17 males and one female, with 12 on the sick list.

Others had run away several times, despite reports of the good treatment of coolies on the plantation.

Official colony records stated that 22 persons from the original first batch had died on Plantation Highbury, either from drowning, excessive drinking, dysentery or gangrene, to name a few, while two had run away.

Colony records also note that the Highbury Pln labourers reared the most livestock than anywhere else on the colony; both for their own food and to sell.

In January 1843, Davidson wrote to Lord Stanley that “the first-class ship “Louisa

Baille”” was returning to India with a batch of former indentured workers from Highbury estate. This was after a flurry of letters from colony governor Henry Light to Lord Stanley in England, conveying the increasing uneasiness of the workers who were still in the colony awaiting their journey back home after serving out their contracts.

Colony records estimate that 81 Highbury labourers returned to India on the “Louisa Baille”, while nine chose to remain on the colony. There were also eight women, seven boys and two girls on the return trip, of which all but two children were born on the colony. Between the 81 labourers, the group was returning with some $8,536, while four of the nine remaining had no savings at the time.

But Plantation Highbury was not the original name of the estate, nor were its British owners its original landlords. The estate initially belonged to the Berbice Association, a Dutch association formed in 1720 similar to the East India Company (of Hindustan) to expand cultivation within the colony and which was a substantial slave owner on the colony.

The Berbice Association, though with allegiance to Holland, were proprietors who governed the territory and could sell lands, described as lots or grants, to private owners willing to establish plantations. The association also retained lands on which they established what they called “model estates”.

These model estates, known as “Society’s ground” or “Society’s Plantations”, are also referred to as “Colony Estates” on some maps.

When the colony was captured by the British, there were four such estates under the association, and an agreement was made between the two sides that these were to be treated as private rather than government property.

These four estates were called Dageraad, St Jan, Dankbaarheid and Sandvoort, and remained association property until November 1818 when they were sold to Cameron, Davidson and Barkly, partners of the English company Davidson’s, Barkly & Co. The partners in this purchase then divided the properties among themselves. Cameron, along with a friend, took Sandvoort, then a large coffee estate in Canje. Sandvoort would later be divided into two; of which one half was converted into a sugar estate named “Lochaber” after the Scottish headquarters of the Camerons.

The other three plantations remained with Barkly and Davidson, though

Dageraad, a sugar plantation, after a period was handed over to the government as a leper asylum or colony.

St Jan, originally a coffee plantation, and Dankbaarheid , a sugar estate, were united and renamed Highbury, after Barkly’s place, Highbury Grove, in Middlesex (then an English county) near London.

In addition, according to the book

slaves. Between 1853 and 1880, writes Walton Look Lai in his book “The Chinese in the West Indies, 1806-1995: A Documentary History”, Highbury Plantation also indentured Chinese workers.

“Frustrated Peasants, Marginalized Workers: Free African Villages in Guyana”

by Wazir Mohamed, sometime between 1847 -1848, 100 acres of Crown Land in Highbury were communally purchased by former

that the construction of the Indian Arrival Day monument, in the pipeline, should be sited at Highbury, where the first batch of Indian immigrants actually arrived, instead of Palmyra.

Position of Arrival Day monument

One note of unease from some members of the East Indian Community is the fact

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9

Celebrating 180 years of Indian Immigration Labour Movement

Establishment and early years of Man Power Citizens’ Association

I

n the sugar belt of colonial Guyana, the Man Power Citizens' Association (MPCA) was formed under the leadership of Ayube Edun, a goldsmith and publisher of the Guiana Review newspaper, and Mr C.R. Jacob, a successful merchant and member of the existing Legislative Council. Its general secretary was Harri Barron. All three of these people had certain prominence in the struggle for greater political rights for East Indians, and Jacob was not only a merchant but also president of the East Indian Association.

The MPCA was officially registered on November 5, 1937, and it concentrated its energies on organizing primarily among workers in the sugar industry. At the same time, the British Guiana Workers League also solicited members within the industry with emphasis on factory and clerical workers.

The sugar strikes of the early and middle 1930s occurred without there being in existence any organized union to direct them. Although, as we have seen, the British Guiana Labour Union had some influence, it had little formal organization outside the city of Georgetown.

Not until 1936 was the Man Power Citizens’ Association (MPCA), which concentrated its principal attention, at least in the beginning, on organizing the sugar workers, established. The MPCA grew rapidly. By 1939, it claimed 10,000 members and 20,000 by 1943. When a new wave of strikes broke out in 1938, the MPCA became involved in negotiating an end to them, although it had not formally called any of the walkouts. The Sugar Producers’ Association denounced the MPCA for making the workers “more and more truculent."58 Ashton Chase wrote of the MPCA: "The brilliant start was due to the absolute confidence which the sugar workers reposed in the inspiring leadership of Mr. Ayube M. Edun, the founder/president. . . . Previous to its formation, Mr. Edun had established himself as an undoubted champion of the rights of sugar workers by pungent articles in the ‘Guyana Review’ and later in the ‘Labour Advocate’ of which he was the editor and pro¬prietor.”59 Chase also noted: The Sugar Workers saw in the MPCA their long awaited saviour. ... In comparison with the other Unions it was a giant among pygmies. . . . Two contributing factors to this were firstly, the fact that it was operating in an industry that then and even now is the mainstay of the economy. ...

Secondly, the rate of subscription was nominal. . . . This reflected a poor financial status and the Union's inability to even make a pretense at servicing branches.

With all its large membership it was not until 1953 that its bank balance reached the $ 1,000 mark and then only after overseas assistance had been received.60

The Turbulent History of Organized Labor in Guyana—Part I

The most important strike in this period was that on Plantation Leonora, which broke out in February 1939.

Although the MPCA leaders sought to intervene, the plantation management refused to allow them to come on-to the plantation grounds. Police who were called to “protect" the plantation ended up firing on the crowd, killing four and wounding several others. Finally, Ayube Edun was able to talk with the strikers at a nearby Hindu temple, and the following day the workers returned to their jobs.

The tragic results of the Leonora strike perhaps helped convince the Sugar Producers’ Association to change its strategy. On May 2, 1939, the SPA agreed to recognize the MPCA “for purposes of collective bargain-ing, giving it the right to negotiate in any case of dispute, and to hold meetings on the plantations." After this decision, the Man Power Citizens’ Association grew rapidly and for several years was the genuine representative of the country’s sugar workers.

Pay day on Sugar Estate, Demerara.

No date. (R.P. Kaps Jeweller, Georgetown)

a virtually closed shop arrangement with the former. It also had a collective agreement with the Board of Control of the Mahaicony Abery Development Scheme, a semiofficial government rice growing enterprise. It like-wise had union members in the government’s Public Works Department, although those workers had recently established their own un-ion, and the MPCA members had been transferred

for a wage increase and improvements in working conditions.

Subsequently, without any major conflict, the second bauxite company, the Berbice Bauxite Company, also recognized the MPCA as the bargaining agent for its employees. Some time later, through a friendly arrangement with the national leadership of the MPCA, its bauxite miners’ locals broke away to form their own

Cultivating sugar cane circa 1900

Ashton Chase observed. “The MPCA started off on the same plane as its predecessors. Its first objects showed that it was established to represent the cause of its members and endeavour to obtain their just, equitable, economic, political and social rights from the state and their employers.”62 Although the membership of the MPCA was concentrated to a large degree among the East Indian sugar workers, in its early years it also organized a number of other groups. By 1949 it had collective contracts with both the Demerara and Berbice bauxite firms, most of whose employees were of African descent—and had

Plantation Barracks for the East IndianDemerara American Caribbean Line Cruise

to a new Sawmill Workers Union, headed

by Theophilus Lee.63 The MPCA's penetration of the two bauxite companies came as the culmination of a struggle of the workers in the Demerara Company to establish a union.

Starting in 1942, the British Guiana Labour Union had sought to establish a branch there but faced strong resistance from the employer, and. as a result of a strike in 1944, its local there had disappeared.

The bauxite workers then turned to the Man Power Citizens’ Association to help them establish a local union. It also met strong employer resistance, but after a partial strike in December 1946 and the intervention of the government Labour Department, an agreement was signed between the Demerara Company and the MPCA in December 1946.

However, this did not end company resistance to the union. Several local union leaders were dismissed by the company, precipitating a further strike in April 1947, which was not finally settled until October of that year, when a new collective agreement was signed between the MPCA and the company, providing

independent union.

As the country’s largest union, the MPCA in its early years won the friendly attention of many middle-class people who had sympathy for organized labor. These included Cheddi Jagan, who joined the union soon after returning home from studying in the United States and who in 1945 became treasurer of the MPCA. However, he was removed from that post within a year, for reasons that we shall note subsequently. ( Excerpts from A History of Organized Labor in the English-speaking West IndiesBy Robert J. Alexander, Eldon M. Parker, The Leonora Incident of 1939 by Tota Mangar) Logies at Leonora Estate

(Photo credit- National Trust Guyana)

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Times Indian Arrival Magazine 11

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Celebrating 180 years of Indian Immigration

Ingredients

Masala Chicken Recipe

M

asala Chicken is a traditional non-vegetarian recipe, which is a delectable blend of aromatic spices and tender chicken. This North Indian chicken recipe is perfect for special occasions and can be served with rice, butter or naan .

1 1/4 kilograms washed & dried chicken 3 cup sliced onion 2 cup minced tomato 1 cup finely chopped coriander leaves 1 tablespoon garlic flakes 1 teaspoon cumin seeds 1 tablespoon chilli powder 1/2 teaspoon powdered turmeric 1/2 cup grated coconut 5 tablespoon refined oil 1/2 cup curry leaves 1 teaspoon salt 2 inches ginger 3/4 teaspoon mustard seeds 1 teaspoon peppercorns 3 tablespoon coriander powder 3/4 cup water 1 1/2 tablespoon poppy seeds

C

Keep this cleaned chicken aside and make a paste of 2 pieces of ginger, garlic, mustard seeds, cumin seeds, and black peppercorn. Then take chilli powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder and a quarter cup of water. Grind them all and make a paste of it. Now grind together grated fresh coconut and poppy seeds and make a fine paste of them.

Step 1 Masala Chicken is one of the most delicious non-veg preparations. Made with some easily available ingredients. It might look difficult to prepare, but we have found the easiest recipe to prepare this amazing delicacy. Here’s how you can cook it, in the restaurant style at the convenience of your home. Soak the chicken pieces in some lukewarm water with a small pinch of salt, this will reduce the time required to cook the chicken and will make the pieces soft & tender.

Step 2 Then clean and rinse the pieces properly.

Step 3 Heat oil in a pressure cooker, fry onions till they turn golden brown. Then add curry leaves and salt, mix in the ginger-garlic spice paste and fry for three minutes. Now add chilli-corianderturmeric powder paste. Mix thoroughly and add the chicken pieces. Fry for five minutes.

Step 4 Add tomatoes and fry for another five minutes with one and a half cups of water and cook for about 10-15 minutes. When the chicken is tender, mix in the coconut-poppy seed paste and cook over medium heat for five minutes.Finally, add coriander leaves, mix well and remove from heat.

Serve it hot with butter naan and raita. (recipes.

timesofindia.com)

ommon in Bangladesh, Indian and Pakistan cuisines, Garam Masala is a general purpose, spicy warm (but not necessarily hot) Indian seasoning. It is a traditional ingredient in Indian dahl, kormas, curries, flavouring meat, samosas and tandoori.

The warm spice originated in Northern India and is also known as ‘masala curry’ or ‘masala curry powder’.

Garam Masala is a very popular Indian spice blend. The Hindi garam – meaning “hot” – and masala – meaning “spice” – is a blend of fragrant spices. Garam does not refer to the spiciness of the blend, but instead to the intensity of the spices and the warming properties in raising the metabolism.

Spices used in garam masala recipes vary from region to region. Personal taste also plays a huge part in how it is made. The most common ingredients include white and black peppercorns, malibar leaves, cloves, cumin seeds, black cumin, green, brown and black cardamom, star anise, nutmeg, long pepper (referred to as pippali) and coriander seeds.

There are many versions of garam masala, but no combination is considered “more

authentic” than another.

In Northwest India, garam masala normally includes cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, mace, cassia and nutmeg. Sometimes black pepper is added if the blend is going to be used straight away; adding black pepper will affect the flavour of the garam masala if it is stored.

The blend is made simply by combining and grinding all the spices together, but not roasting them.

Some regions grind the spices with vinegar, water or coconut milk to make a paste. Some blend the spices with herbs, while others add onion, garlic or even nuts. In some instances, one single flavour is emphasised if it is going to be used in a certain dish. Garam masala is sometimes roasted before it is used, as this releases the aromas and flavours of the spices.

Although not a huge amount is known about the history of garam masala, it is a spice that is widely used and appreciated. In Guyana, it is no different. Based on tradition we inherited from our Indian ancestors that curry without masala is no curry at all, the garam masala has been a ‘must’ item for every Guyanese spice rack.

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Celebrating 180 years of Indian Immigration ACROSS Peru's capital Leaped Free-floating -- -splicing Yemen's gulf Latin dance (hyph.)

-- del Fuego Luau strings Teen outcast Package tour features Microscope parts Office fill-in He had a locker (2 wds.)

Take the podium J.R. attire Flounder cousins Dentist's advice Panorama GP group Like some excuses Tackle Military addr.

Mouse catchers Planks "Stormy Weather" singer Big green parrot Gore or Nielsen Evidence Style More jolly Wk. day Famous last word Lady's title Double-deck game Kind of muffin Young wolf Driver's choice Faced on Minotaur's island Spider Spinks' defeater Always, to Byron Blows away Frau's abode Devious Hwys.

Get lumpy Kilt patterns Film director Spike -Fork over In a -- (briefly) Humble Make rough Gas guzzlers Senorita's aunt And others (abbr.)

Sirius (2 wds.)

Full of cargo -- shui 502, in Rome Bedding plants More desolate -- blanche Batman's -- City Peculiar Small combos Temporary wheels Come afterward Owed right now Butter maker

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115 Refute

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120 Lost traction

121 Open wide 123 Prosper

125 Lumpy fruit

126 In -- veritas

127 Desk drawer item

128 Ribs or needles

129 Do a kitchen chore

130 Squint at 131 Nostrum

132 One of the Gallos

133 Mayberry kid

DOWN

1 Terra firma 2 Inkling

3 Griffin of game shows

4 Gump and Rooney

5 Erudite person 6 Called

7 Hourly fees 8 Experts

9 Boston Bruins' org.

10 Pit stop buy

11 Finally (2 wds.)

12 Counts calories

13 Descartes' name

14 Form 1040 sender

15 Pompeii art

16 Likes and dislikes

17 Rainspouts

18 Just scrapes by 72

19 Jules Verne captain 73

20 "PTI" channel

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45 Hitchcock or Nobel 86

46 Long John Silver

47 Trawler nets

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50 Surfer slang

51 Famous Teddy

52 Grassy field

54 "Quo --?"

55 Beijing name

56 "-- take forever!"

59 Waiters' offerings

60 Dernier - 61 Stock

63 Not legit

64 Pass by quickly 65 Traverse

67 Treat a muscle pull 68 Warned

70 Rocker -- John

87 Tori Spelling's dad Beach

90 Equine mother Bled, as a color

91 Refuges More appealing

92 JFK regulators Solemn promise

94 Hymn of praise Skin soother 95 Dark Holds off for 96 -- Rica Ends a PC session (2 wds.)

98 Cigar box Apiece

100 Siamese, now Renoir models

101 Most spacious Forever, to Keats 103 Wish Threshold

104 Appetizer stick Tavern brews

105 Drives dangerously Scam

108 Consumer voice Stockholm carrier

KATHLEEN SAXE

WORD GAME TODAY'S WORD -- DECIMAL (DECIMAL: DES-ih-mul: Numbered or proceeding by tens.)

Average mark 45 words Time limit 60 minutes Can you find 59 or more words in DECIMAL? TODAY'S WORD -- DECIMAL dace dale dame deal decal declaim deli dial dice diel

dime email calm came camel clad claim clam clime iced

idea ideal idle mace made maid mail male malice mead

meal medal media medial medic medical meld melic mica mice

mild mile aced acid acme aide ailed aimed amice amid

lace lade laic laid lame lead lice lied lime

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.

109 Gave out sparingly

110 Oregon Trail town

111 Safari sight

112 Party-thrower's plea

113 Newsman -- Abel

114 Fork feature 115 Pedestal

116 Part of GTO

117 Tide type 118 Bombay attire

119 Squirrel's abode

122 Go on the - 124 Yonder damsel See Solution on Pg 13

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Celebrating 180 years of Indian Immigration

“Mohammedan priest” in British Guiana circa 1900s dressed in what appears to be the Patiala salwar kameez (Photo: Stark’s Guide and History of British Guiana)

East Indian women (no date) (From an article by Gaiutra Bahadur, “Coolie Women Are in Demand Here”, vqronline. org; Spring 2011 issue)

B

y the time East Indian indentured labourers arrived in British Guiana in the 19th century, Indian fashion had already begun to be influenced by the-then British rulers of India.

According to fashion historian Toolika Gupta, writing for the BBC News, the outward propriety of Victorian England,uncomfortable with the bare-breasted look of Hindu women in their saris of earlier times, led to a blouse being worn underneath, though in southern India, even in colonial times, some did not cover their upper body.

In fact, she writes, it was the wife of Satyendranath Tagore (the famous Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore’s brother) who popularised the modern sari [with its draping and inner piece, called a “choli” or “ravika”], after she was reportedly refused entry to clubs for wearing the sari fabric over her breasts.

It is this British enforced design and draping that remains an emblem of Indian sari culture both in the north and south of India

East Indian girl (no date) (From an article by Gaiutra Bahadur, “Coolie Women Are in Demand Here”, vqronline.org; Spring 2011 issue)

Guiana indentured immigrants began wearing western/British clothing altogether.

Among Indian men, the dhoti was at the time the traditional mode of dress. About four to six feet long, white or in colour, the dhoti was worn long or short.

It was worn for centuries among Indian men, with many regional variations. In the southern part of India, men would pull up the dhoti

shalwar) is said to come from the Persian word for “pants”, while the kameez may have derived from the Latin word camisia, which in turn became Arabic qamīs (Urdu kamis) then “chemise” in English.

The salwar kameez also comes with the dupatta (often loosely worn scarf or shawl) which today, Hindu women view either as necessary to cover their heads when at a temple or among

traditional outfit but with more pleats and a “big fall” at the back.

The other type of salwar kameez is called the Anarkali, which for women, is a kurti or kurta (a loose fitting dress, shirt or tunic that falls just above or somewhere below the knee) worn with the slim fitting spiral-bottomed pants of the Churidar.

In older times, kurtas were first designed for

Portrait of a young woman in traditional Indian clothing. British Guiana 1921

Crossword Solution

today,which was brought over to British Guiana during indentureship.

It would be hard to imagine the British freely allowing women without the undershirt of their sari to make the journey and arrive in British Guiana in such ‘impropriety’.

Anglicizing, which included discarding the caste system by rounding up all women, children and men regardless of caste, had begun from the time they arrived at the British Guiana immigration depot at Garden Reach, Kolkata.

Gupta observes also that, “At the height of the Victorian era the British and Indian fashions rather resemble each other…”

It would not be long after, with the Christianisation of many Hindus and Muslims, that many other British

Indentured East Indians in various apparel (no date) (From the Asian American Writers’ Workshop website)

and pleat the top around the waist, where it ended just below the knees.

Among the Muslims, it was the influence of the 16th and 17th century Mughal empire that “gave birth to garments like the salwar kameez ” today, Gupta notes, as Muslim women covered themselves and often wore divided garments.

The salwar kameez also spelled shalwar kameez has also become emblematic of India, especially the North of India, in the region of Punjab where it is known also as the “Punjabi suit”.

The word salwar (or

elders, or simply a fashion accessory. Muslim women may wear their hijab with the outfit.

There are several kinds of salwar kameez: the traditional salwar kameez is the baggy style pants and full sleeve tunic, while the Churidar salwar kameez is more shape-fitting in the legs, with an ankle closing and a longer length to create a “spiral shape look” at the bottom.

The Patiala salwar kameez began as a male garment for the Patiala maharaja but was later copied by women. It is similar to the

men to wear with pyjamas (a loose trouser tied at the waist) and kurtis were designed for women to wear with loose pants. Nowadays ladies also wear kurtas.

Today, the kurta is considered longer, and usually falls below the knees, while the kurti is short, the length ranging from below the waist to the thigh.

Guyanese Hindus and Muslims especially, have continued wearing these traditional fashions over the centuries, while also taking their cue from international contemporary Hindu and Muslim fashions.

14 Times Indian Arrival Magazine

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Celebrating 180 years of Indian Immigration

Prince Louis: Surprise choice for royal baby name

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ollywood actor Shakti Kapoor says his daughter and actress Shraddha Kapoor will marry a man of her own choice. Shakti spoke at the teaser launch of his film The Journey of Karma on Thursday.

Asked about Shraddha’s wedding plans, Shakti said, “Every father wants that his daughter to get married in a good and respected family. I wish that she grows in her personal and professional life, but I think as a parent, you have to give some kind of liberty to your children because now that period is gone when parents used to marry their children (to a person) of their choice. Now, we have to ask them about their choices in terms of everything, including their life partners. She is right now very busy in her career, but whenever she will tell us about her marriage plans, she will marry a man of her own choice and we don’t have any objection with that.”

As a father, Shakti is happy that Shraddha, who will next be seen in Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal’s biopic, is working hard to take on challenging roles. “In today’s time, every actor is taking challenges in his career. If you see actors right from Ranbir Kapoor and Farhan Akhtar, all are doing really good in biopics in which they have worked. Every actor is working hard in the film industry. Now Shraddha will play the character of Saina Nehwal. She has trained with Saina in Hyderabad and now, she is continuing her training. Apart from that, she will also head to Abu Dhabi to shoot for Saaho along with Prabhas. She

is also working with Rajkummar Rao in Stree a n d Batti Gul Meter Chalu... So, I am really happy that she is working in every genre of films at this point in her career.”

On his own journey in the film industry, Shakti said, “My journey in film industry has been really good and children are also doing really well in their life. I think God has been really kind and it is also blessing of the audience.”

Shakti, who is also close to the Dutt family, is happy to see the teaser of Rajkumar Hirani’s Sanju, starring Ranbir. He said, “I think the teaser of ‘Sanju’ is extraordinary.

I think it’s one of the finest teasers that I have seen. Ranbir Kapoor is looking and acting crazily close to Sanjay Dutt in the teaser. My real name is Sunil Kapoor but Mr. Sunil Dutt named me Shakti Kapoor. So, I am close to Dutt family.” (Hindustantimes)

he Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have named their third child Louis Arthur Charles, a choice that confounded expectations.

Prince Louis (pronounced Loo-ee) is fifth in line to the British throne, after grandfather Prince Charles, father Prince William and his two older siblings.

"The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted to announce that they have named their son Louis Arthur Charles," Kensington Palace said in a statement. "The baby will be known as His Royal Highness Prince Louis of Cambridge.

The name does not have a strong British royal pedigree, being more commonly associated with kings of France.

But there is a significant family connection -- and one that is tinged with tragedy.

Louis was the name of Earl Mountbatten of Burma, the uncle of Queen Elizabeth's husband, the Duke of Edinburgh. After serving with distinction in World War II, Louis Mountbatten became the last Viceroy of India, the head of the British colonial administration in India. He was killed by a bomb placed in his fishing boat by the Irish Republican Army in 1979.

The newest arrival to the royal fami-

ly was born on Monday and weighed eight pounds and seven ounces (3.8 kilograms).

Britain's Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, with their newborn baby son .

Louis is a younger brother to Prince George, 4, and Princess Charlotte, 2, and is

Queen Elizabeth II's sixth great-grandchild.

His birth was also a significant moment for Charlotte, the first princess who will not be overtaken in the line of succession by her younger brother. Before the 2013 Succession to the Crown Act, the newborn prince would have jumped above his older sister in the line for the throne.

But the act means that a female's claim to the royal throne can no longer be diminished by a younger brother.(CNN)

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kshay Kumar is indeed the master of the number game. After keeping his box office charm intact, the actor has achieved a milestone in online auction as well for used clothes or memorabilia.

Actually, Akshay is raising money for an NGO called Janice’s Trust that works for animal rescue, and for that he put up the naval uniform he wore in the film Rustom for online auction.

The bidding started at Rs 20,000, but soon gathered pace as bidders from many cities began taking interest in the product.

The super-stardom of Akshay Kumar also came handy because the auction saw a shoot-up in offered price after tweets by the 50-year-old actor and his wife, Twinkle Khanna.

At the time of the publishing of this report, the highest bid has already crossed the Rs 30 lakh mark.

Moneycontrol.com quoted Komal Hiranandani, founder of the site SaltScout. com as saying, “Interestingly most queries and highest bids came from smaller cities like Bharatpur and others.” The bidding will close at 9:30 PM on May 26.

Rustom, which was loosely based on a true story, released on August 12, 2016, and went on to win the box office with a kitty of more than Rs 124 crore.

However, this isn’t the only item on offer.

The site also offers Hrithik Roshan’s Krrish jacket and Anushka Sharma’s Ae Dil Hai Mushkil kurta. (Hindustantimes)

ollywood actor Priyanka Chopra has confirmed that she won’t be the bridesmaid for her dear friend and actor Meghan Markle’s wedding to Britain’s Prince Harry.

However, she will be attending the royal wedding; Prince Harry is sixth-in-line to British throne.

During an interview to People magazine, she said, “No, I am not the bridesmaid. Four of my friends are getting married in a span of a year... I’m very upset.”

Recently, it was confirmed that she figures on Meghan’s guest list for her royal wedding scheduled for May 11.

The wedding ceremony will take place in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.

Further talking about her friend, she said, “ I’m super excited about her and her big day. It’s not just going to be life-changing for both of them, it’s life-changing for the world that needs to see strong women as icons, and I think Meghan has the potential to be that.”

Later, when she was

asked about her wedding gift for Markle on Good Morning America, Priyanka said, “Can I tell you? I’ve been struggling with that myself.

You just have to think about the person you’re getting a gift for because really, what do give a princess? I’m stuck with that.”

Recently, Priyanka Chopra penned an essay on Markle in the Time magazine as she featured in the Time’s 100 Most Influential People list. She wrote, “With her, what you see is real, and what you get is a relat-

able young woman with her heart and mind in the right place. Her compassion, evident in the causes she supports, and her drive to break down stereotypes — obvious in her actions — will connect her to a generation in much need of kindness.”

Meghan will be the second American to join the British monarchy after socialite Wallis Simpson -who married King Edward VIII after he abdicated, and like Markle had once divorced prior to marrying royalty. (Hindustantimes)

Madhuri Dixit to start shooting with Alia Bhatt , Varun Dhawan for Kalank

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adhuri Dixit-Nene is excited to start working on Karan Johar-produced Kalank. She will start shooting for the film on Friday. Kalank will see an ensemble cast that also includes Sanjay Dutt, Varun Dhawan, Alia Bhatt, Sonakshi Sinha and Aditya Roy Kapur.

“I am excited to start the shoot for Kalank today. It’s my second association with Karan Johar after Bucket List and it’s been a lovely journey so far. Can’t wait to begin this one,”

Madhuri said in a statement to IANS. Abhishek Varman will direct the “epic drama”, which will hit the screens on April 19, 2019.

The announcement of the project was made by all the stars on social media.

Alia and Varun are also shooting for the film.

Alia too shared a picture on her Instagram story which read ‘Day 5 #Kalank’. Varun too has have been sharing his training g videos for the very film.

Madhuri is also busy with her maiden

Marathi film Bucket List, shooting for Indra Kumar’s Total Dhamaal opposite Anil Kapoor and looking into her first production “15th August”.

Kalank is said to be a dream project of Karan Johar which was conceptualised by him and his late father Yash Johar fifteen years ago. The film is being produced by Karan, Sajid Nadiadwala, Hiroo Yash Johar and Apoorva Mehta. It has been co-produced by Fox Star Studios.

Helmed by 2 States fame Abhishek Varman,

the movie is an epic drama set in the period of 1940s. Talking about it, Karan earlier shared, “Kalank has been an emotional journey for me.

It is a gem of an idea that I had nearly 15 years ago and a film that was in a pre-production stage helmed by my father. I am now proud to pass it onto the extremely capable and visionary hands of director Abhishek Varman. Kalank has a beautifully structured story by Shibani Bathija and an exceptionally fluid narrative and screenplay by Abhishek.”(Indian Express)

guyanatimesgy.com

Times Indian Arrival Magazine 15

16 Times Indian Arrival Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

Celebrating 180 years of Indian Immigration

Archie

A little romance, a change of heart and new beginnings (March 21- look promising. Distance yourApril 19) self from anyone who is too controlling or possessive. A fresh start will boost your morale.

ARIES

Taking a short trip or atTAURUS tending a trade show or semi(April 20- nar will be uplifting and will May 20) help you decide what sort of changes you can make to improve your life.

Spend time nurturing im-

GEMINI portant relationships or taking (MAY 28- better care of your health or June 20) physical appearance. A change will give you the boost you need to try something new.

Engaging in some family fun or getting involved in an (June 21- event that you feel passionate July 22) about should be on the docket. Share your intentions and enjoy doing something special with a loved one.

CANCER

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Dilbert

Emotions will take control if you or someone close to you is indulgent. Don't get involved, meddle in someone else's affairs or be too open about your personal secrets.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

You can make a difference if you follow your heart and initiate conversations with loved ones and people who need your help. Your insight and reflection will lead to a workable solution

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Something will bring back memories that can help you avoid making the same mistake twice. Be open to suggestions, but not willing to hand control over to someone you don't fully trust.

Put more energy into your SCORPIO personal relationships. Make (Oct. 24plans to do something enjoyNov. 22)

Peanuts

able with the one you love. A day trip or family gathering is encouraged.

Take care of unfinished SAGITTARIUS business, responsibilities or (Nov. 23promises you made to someone Dec. 21) who depends on you. Staying on top of your bills, investments and any legal matters is a must.

Calvin and Hobbes

Walk away from unpreCAPRICORN dictable people and situations.

(Dec. 22- Don't get involved in someJan. 19) thing that can label you or put you in harm's way. Only trust what you know to be factual.

Money will come from an AQUARIUS unexpected source. An in(Jan. 20- heritance, windfall or gift Feb. 19) must be handled carefully, or a penalty will be inflicted.

Don't accept a gift that has strings attached.

PISCES Discuss your feelings.

(Feb. 20- A kind or romantic gesture Mar. 20) will help you get your way. A change of heart will lead to a new beginning and added benefits.