Guyanatime 4 february 2018

LOOK INSIDE !

Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana Issue No. 3471

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THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Sunday, February 4, 2017

PRICE

Lindo Creek massacre

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Human rights body urges independent, impartial probe into entire crime spree – says Govt already prejudiced process

$120 vat included

See stories on pages 9 and 10

Parfaite P13 Harmonie Health Centre neglect continues …Minister Cummings slams officials for misinformation

– CoI has taken on a ‘Kangaroo trial’ appearance – political analyst

Deadly Saturday: 3 die, 20 injured in separate accidents

Dead: Alana Ramsarran-DaSilva

Hundreds P16 attend Education Ministry’s Maths Camp Dead: Winston Williams

Kitty residents agree to pay new garbage collection fees P16

See stories on pages 5 and 7

Boy, 12, accidentally Wales father shoots 10-year-old of 4 pleads for friend severance pay Bharrat Jagdeo named patron of World Development Forum 1 year later

CANU swoops down on P2 executed businessman's son-in-law …unearths cocaine

Page 14

Page 2

Page 3

…calls for more support for developing countries to adapt

Police hunting serial robber after Diamond robbery P15

Banks DIH Linden branch records increased profit

P18

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news

SUnDAY, february 4, 2018 guyanatimesGY.com

CANU swoops down on executed businessman’s son-in-law …unearths cocaine

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n 18-hour long operation conducted on a house at Blue Sackie Drive, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, by members of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) has led to the arrest of the son-in-law of a popular businessman, who was gunned down in 2002.

According to reports received, drug enforcement officers unearthed 514g of cocaine during their operation. However, there were reportedly traces of cocaine residue discovered in various parts of the house.

Guyana Times was told that based on evidence at the scene, the 40-year-old man who is the son-in-law of executed businessman Errol “Taps” Butcher attempted to flush the illicit

drug down the toilet.

As such, ranks were able to break the PVC pipe leading to the septic tank and retrieved a small quantity of the suspected drug.

Additional information received revealed that the CANU ranks also seized several vehicles belonging to the alleged drug trafficker. The man, who is originally from Albouystown, Georgetown, recently moved into the house with his wife and five children.

Guyana Times could not verify if the man’s wife and children were at home during the raid which started at about 15:00h on Friday and ended on Saturday. CANU has been monitoring the man’s movement for quite some time, this newspaper was

told.

He is expected to be charged shortly. In the past week, a Craig Street, Campbellville, Georgetown couple was taken into custody following the discovery of over one kilogram of cocaine in their home.

It was reported that ranks of the drug enforcement unit swopped down on the property on Tuesday where they conducted a search during which the cocaine was discovered.

Upon the discovery, the owners of the home, Andre Gomes, also called “Zipper” and his wife were arrested and are expected to be charged shortly. In addition, a quantity of cash, jewellery and other valuables were seized by the CANU ranks.

Boy, 12, accidentally shoots 10-yearold friend

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A portion of the cocaine that was discovered at the suspect’s house

Gomes was later charged and remanded to prison until February 13.

10-year-old pupil of Monkey Mountain Primary School is now nursing gunshot wound to his abdomen following a shooting incident at Taruka Village, Region 8, on Thursday afternoon.

Reports are that the 10-year-old boy and his 12-year-old friend were playing with a shotgun owned by the latter’s relatives when the firearm accidentally went off.

Upon hearing the gunshot, the elders in the house went to check on the children, and they realised that the 10-year-old boy was bleeding. Further checks revealed that he was shot. He was rushed to the Monkey Mountain Health Centre, where he was treated and is in a stable condition.

The matter was reported, and a team of Police ranks travelled in to the mountainous area to probe the incident. The 12-yearold shooter has since gone into hiding.

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BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Sunday, February 4 – 08:30h-10:00h and Monday, February 5 – 09:00h-10:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Sunday, February 4 – 07:10h-08:40h and Monday, February 5 – 07:55h-09:25h.

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

WEATHER TODAY Light rain showers can be expected throughout the day, with partly cloudy skies in the evening.

Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees Celsius and 27 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-easterly to East North-easterly between 4.02 metres and 5.36 metres.

High Tide: 07:13h and 19:32h reaching maximum heights of 2.65 metres and 2.64 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 00:47h and 13:05h reaching minimum heights of 0.51 metre and 0.58 metres respectively.

SATURDAY, february 3, 2018

LOTTERY NUMBERS D

06 07 10

15 06 20

17 Bonus Ball

FREE TICKET

DAILY MILLIONS 2 05 11 13 22 LUCKY 3 0 2 1

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Afternoon Draw DRAW DE LINE

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Evening Draw

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DISCLAIMER: WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ERRORS IN PUBLICATION. PLEASE CALL THE HOTLINE FOR CONFIRMATION - TEL: 225-8902

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SunDAY, february 4, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Climate change

Bharrat Jagdeo named patron of World Development Forum …calls for more support for developing countries to adapt

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lmost two years ago, Guyana was one of many countries which signed onto the Paris Accord – a worldwide commitment to address climate change and limit the rise of global warming, within a certain timeframe. There are concerns, however, that since this accord was signed, the momentum has been slowing down.

Giving his keynote address to the World Sustainable Development Forum (WSDF) hosted in Mexico City, former President and current Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo raised concerns about this development.

Jagdeo was named Patron-in-Chief of the twoday forum, which featured presentations by politicians from around the world and even Hollywood stars Arnold Schwarzenegger and Leonardo Di Caprio, a noted climate change advocate.

Following this commendation, Jagdeo indicated in his remarks that the WSDF is being convened at a time when there is loss of political momentum from the high note of Paris 2015.

“We need to push for the implementation of the Paris Agreement and to raise both the level of ambition and financing to support implementation,” the former Head of State informed the gathering.

Jagdeo, who has been recognised globally for his climate change advocacy in and out of office, pointed out that the discussion is undergoing a paradigm shift. He noted that the discussion is shifting from one of cost of implementation to one of opportunity and where there is a significant role for the Private Sector.

He also observed that a unified approach for all countries, especially developing countries, is lacking. Jagdeo added that this would be an approach

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo shares the panel with other distinguished participants of the WSDF

where support is needed to assist them for both climate adaptation and mitigation.

SDGs

The United Nations (UN) has classified combating climate change as Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 13. In relation to this goal, Jagdeo explained that in addition to building momentum for action on climate change, there is need for broader awareness and action involving not only governments but also the Private Sector, academia and civil society.

The forum was hosted with sponsorship from the Leonardo Di Caprio Foundation, the United States Energy Association among others.

The theme of the forum was “Implementing the Paris Agreement and the SDGs”. There were several parallel sessions, focusing on issues related to youth; gender; the role of business; cities and local governments; the role of the media; and knowledge organisations and civil society.

Critical issues such as energy transformation, The Leadership Challenge on climate change and the role of key stakeholders such, as businesses and civil society, were addressed.

Besides his keynote address, Jagdeo was an in-

tegral participant in the Leadership Challenge section of the forum. He shared the panel with Japan’s former Prime Minister, Yukio Hatoyama; former President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso; and Dr Brian Baird, a former member of the United States House of Representatives.

GMSA President Shyam Nokta

Also in attendance at the forum was former Adviser to the President on Climate Change and current

Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) President, Shyam Nokta. Nokta, who is also a member of the WSDF International Advisory Board, participated in several of the sessions.

Nokta participated in several sessions including a key one on ambition and the Paris Agreement, where he used the opportunity to highlight the Guyana Norway Forest Partnership and the importance of forests in achieving climate change goals.

The WSDF is expected to be an annual event to help raise awareness and push for action from countries on climate change and sustainable development. Leading CEOs and representatives from international organisations such as the United Nations, businesses, academia and civil society were also part of the two-day event.

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SunDAY, february 4, 2018

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

Editorial

Threatening democracy in Guyana

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oday, in Guyana, even as there is growing trepidation over the modus operandi of the Government -- which can only be describes as “unilateralism” -- there has been a loss of focus to rectify the political institutional arrangements that have permitted this development. In 1992, we boasted rightfully that “free and fair” elections had been returned to Guyana, and had ushered in the dawning of the age of democracy into Guyana.

But “democracy”, like most value concepts, can only be appreciated within its historical context and development: we must always keep in mind the historical specificity of institutions. The political institutions of Guyana were directly imposed on Guyana by the European colonial powers, primarily Britain. There, the development of the democratic idea went hand in hand with the development of Liberalism, and for most Britishers the two were coterminous, especially during the phase of struggling for constitutional government.

They are not coterminous, and the famous distinction by F.A. Hayek is apropos: “Liberalism is concerned with the functions of government and particularly with the limitation of all its powers. Democracy is concerned with the question of who is to direct Government. Liberalism requires that all power, and therefore also that of the majority, be limited. Democracy came to regard current majority opinion as the only criterion of the legitimacy of the powers of government.”

As we attempt to institutionalise democracy, which the British insisted should be practised by Guyanese, it would do us well to keep in mind the distinction occasioned by the exigencies of the British experience.

Burnham, in the post-Independence period, had insisted on centralising power in an “Executive Presidency”, which on paper gave him more authority that even the US President. It would appear he agreed with Thomas Hobbes’s early formulation that all powers of the state ought to be conferred into the person of the monarch, who would govern the “Leviathan”. Burnham, however, used this power so arbitrarily and brutally that by 1992 there was an almost universal acceptance that the Constitution – which authoritatively codifies the institutional arrangements for the country’s governance – needed to be modified to “improve democratic governance.”

The budding constitutional consultations were unfortunately overtaken by protests and violence following the 1997 elections, the results of which the PNC refused to accept. In a peace brokered by CARICOM, the Herdmanston Accord mandated constitutional change be instituted to ensure, in effect, that the Liberal perspective on democracy – limitation of the powers of the majority to prevent the “tyranny of the majority” -- be given institutional substance.

The powers of the presidency were in fact reduced in changes enacted in 2000, and the National Assembly was given greater oversight powers over the Executive via newly formed four “Sectoral Committees”, which included members of the Opposition, which could occupy the rotating chairs.

All of the changes were geared at reducing unilateralism in a Westminster-patterned governmental structure in which the Executive was in total control of the Legislature and in effect degutted the principle of “Separation of Powers” of government on which the Liberal control of the majority is effectuated. In England, the system which allows the “other side to be heard” (auditor et altera pars) works because of the strength of unwritten conventions that are as powerful as their unwritten constitution. In Guyana, some of the changes to curb unilateralism in the Executive and to allow the Opposition “to be heard” were to effectively introduce what is called a “minority veto” in explicitly defined consociational polities.

For instance, the Opposition Leader has to agree to the appointment of the Chancellor and Chief Justice of the Judiciary. This is very critical, since with a fused Executive and Legislature, the Judiciary becomes the only bastion against majority tyranny at best, and dictatorship at worst.

In the democratic aspect of elections, the president was supposed to select the GECOM Chair from a list proffered by the Opposition Leader.

That the President has vitiated these two Liberal democratic innovations is alarming.

Niasha Beckles of St Johns College took to the stage in all bloom as she displayed “Guyana our ultimate tourist destination” designed

by Neilson Nurse during the regional Children’s Mashramani Competition at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on Friday

Lack of knowledge by M&CC

Dear Editor, Clearly, there is a complete lack of understanding by the administrative and political heads of the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown as to the role and responsibilities of the Georgetown Municipality, particularly as it relates to their legal obligations and duties to the citizens of our capital city.

It is extremely disconcerting to realize that senior municipal officials do not realize that they are not the owners of city reserves, of green spaces, of playfields and other open spaces in Georgetown; but rather are merely custodians of reserves and open spaces in our capital. The covenants

on the deeds of these open spaces and reserves are very clear in their delineation of what they are to be used for.

The filing of an appeal by the Town Clerk against the recent ruling by a judge on the controversial Bel Air Park Playground, which blocks the municipality from selling or leasing the reserved community lands to a private developer, shows the level of arrogance and lack of knowledge by the Council on these matters.

But what is just as distressing is the flagrant disregard and disrespect by officials of the Council for their subject minister and ministry and Central

Government.

Examples of this include their disregard for the Minister’s instructions with regard to the proscribed parking meter fiasco when the Minister ordered the suspension of the Georgetown parking meter by-laws for three months and was forced to obtain the assistance of the Public Security Minister, who had to advise the Commissioner of Police to ensure that citizens and their vehicles would receive the protection of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to prevent them and/or their vehicles from being unduly hindered or restrained in any way whatsoever by the City Council and/or its agents.

In the Bel Air Park area, despite the residents appealing to the Minister of Communities for his intervention to stop the City Council from continuing land clearing works on their playground, those works continue around the clock, which can only be considered a violation of a recent court ruling. The Council, through its two favourite contractors, who did not have to bid for this project, continue to destroy that playground, bulldozing trees which nests endangered species, and killing wildlife under the guise of playground maintenance.

Sincerely, Jermain Johnson

Where are our human resource management leaders?

Dear Editor, When I reflect on the constant edifying public interventions of our Guyanese professionals in virtually all fields: Accounting, Auditing, Economics, Engineering, Education, Finance, Health, Law, Religion, Trade, Trade Unionism, Tourism etc, I cannot help wondering why our currently active professionals and leaders in HRM are ‘missing in action’!...... and I am convinced that there are a plethora of HRM problems and issues in both the private and public sectors that need ventilation, intervention, and corrective action.

The latest “PEOPLE MANAGEMENT” publi-

cation of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development contains a lead article titled: “Change will keep coming,” in which it advises as follows: “As a profession, we are the experts on people, work and change. HRM will find itself increasingly at the forefront of the debate about technology in the workplace and the future of work. We need to think about how to shape jobs to get the best out of people, as well as understand the opportunities presented by emerging technologies. We also need to understand how technology is affecting our processes across the employee life cycle, and how we use data

about people responsibly and critically.”

At this juncture, I am reminded of the pioneering work done by our HRM gurus like Dr Bertram Collins and the indefatigable Harold B. Davis (Snr.).

Some older colleagues might recall Mr Davis’s initiatives like the popular Saturday Morning ‘BREAKFAST SESSIONS’ on various aspects of General and Human Resources Management at the Pegasus Hotel, and his establishment of the Guyana Institute of Management (GIM) which helped with the development of a cadre of HRM professionals who soon became highly respected ‘change agents’ and prac-

titioners within and outside Guyana.

Can we not at least try to get together for collaborative development of ourselves and our profession?

I know some people might question why I am not personally intervening in these respects. I really wish I could, but that is not feasible, having regard to my nomadic lifestyle in and out of Guyana, and my being in the countryside when at home.

I do sincerely and humbly suggest that some relevant action be taken by our better-placed colleagues.

Sincerely, Nowrang Persaud

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SunDAY, february 4, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

Pensioner, pedestrian die in separate Berbice accidents

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ixty-eight-year-old Winston Williams of Lot 6 Campbell Street, Williamsburg, Corentyne was on Saturday killed on the Corentyne Public Road after a speeding car struck him at about 06:30h as he was riding his cycle across the road.

According to reports, motorcar HC 3825 was proceeding west along the southern side of the road allegedly at a fast rate when it collided with Williams, sending him cartwheeling several feet into the air. The car then mowed down the uprights from a bus shed and a bridge alongside the road as it plunged into a nearby trench after uprooting an advertising signboard.

Picked up in an unconscious state and rushed to the Port Mourant Hospital, Williams was pronounced dead on arriv-

Dead: Winston Williams

al.

His daughter told Guyana Times that when she arrived on the scene after receiving the news, her father was already dead. “Well, when I get on the scene, I see a crowd and my father lying dead in a pool of blood,” she stated.

According to the devastated woman, her father’s

Why have Education Ministry officials turned their backs on NAMS?

Dear Editor, It is with great concern and deep-seated frustration that I pen this letter to ascertain why officials at the Ministry of Education have turned their backs on the current state of affairs at the New Amsterdam Multilateral School, hereinafter referred to as NAMS. This school has often been associated with academic excellence, was once ranked third (3rd) in the country based on CXC and CAPE results, and is recognized both locally and regionally in the areas of Sports and Theater Arts.

However, the image of this school has been tarnished by the poor quality of leadership. Under current management, the following issues have occurred: (1) drastic drop in student population (moving from over 900 students at one point to about 400 students presently). (2) An increase in the number of transfers requested by parents for students to attend other schools in the region. (3) A drastic drop in results at the CXC and CAPE examinations.

The school has also been embroiled in many scandals involving issues related to pecuniary abnormalities, and the recent issue of racism has caused six (6)

teachers to request transfers.

The issues have inevitability eroded staff morale and have affected their ability to deliver the curriculum to students who are in their care.

Investigation after investigation has been done

by Ministry of Education officials. An investigation was even conducted by the Ministry of Social Cohesion.

The findings from these investigations have highlighted poor quality of leadership.

In point of fact, based on findings from a recent investigation, an administrative transfer letter was issued to the DHM (ag) to take up a substantive post in another school.

However, that transfer was countermanded by the Chief Education Officer. This decision has left a corrosive taste in the mouths of many teachers and parents.

I am requesting that swift action be taken, and that the HM and DHM (Ag) be removed from this school, so that it can once again live up to its motto, “Progress through Cooperation”. It is time for change!

In conclusion, I urge Ministry of Education officials to consider the importance of the phrase, “No School Left Behind!”

Sincerely, Orlando Fraser

limbs and neck were broken. “Everything break up; he break up real bad.

He couldn’t have survived that,” she told this publication.

Guyana Times was told that Williams had left home to make a purchase on the Corentyne Public Road, and was returning home when the accident occurred.

He leaves to mourn his wife and nine children, along with other relatives, including an identical twin.

The driver of the motorcar, a 47-year-old resident of South Ruimveldt Gardens in Georgetown, underwent a breathalyzer test which found no trace of alcohol in his system.

He has, however, been detained by Police to assist with their investigations.

Meanwhile, 50-yearold Vishnu Deonarine of Plantation Hope on the

West Coast of Berbice was struck down on the Bath Public Road, WCB at about 20:30h on Friday.

This newspaper was told that motorcar PSS 918 was heading east along the northern side of the roadway when the 58-year-old driver was allegedly blinded by the bright headlights of another vehicle that was proceeding in the opposite direction. As such, the driver struck Deonarine, who was walking on the road.

This newspaper was told that the impact sent Deonarine pitching through the air, landing some 20 feet away on the parapet.

The car subsequently came to a halt 30 feet from the impact.

Deonarine’s body was reportedly left lying on the parapet for close to three hours before it was

The car in the trench after it struck the pensioner

removed by a hearse and taken to the hospital to be certified as dead. This is because when the ambulance from the Fort Wellington Hospital was called, there was no driver available.

Action taken by GuySuCo

Dear Editor, Kindly publish this article highlighting the dictatorial action taken by GuySuCo regarding the requirements for the purpose of submitting overseas junior staff life certificate for their monthly pension payment.

From the inception, all that was required when filling the overseas life certificate was to have it fully notarised by a notary, attesting that the pensioner is

living. It must be stamped with the notary stamp as the basic requirement stated on the life certificate.

Please note that GuySuCo is now asking for both the notary seal and stamp on the life certificate before it is accepted as proof for the pension payment. As it is, the notary has only the notary stamp, and that’s all that’s required over in the US. I am a notary as well, and I do have my stamp, which I use all the time.

Editor, this is absurd, this is total harassment, as GuySuCo wants to stop the pension payout. They have already created havoc on the sugar workers, now they are going after the pensioner, who has contributed in monetary terms to the pension scheme.

Sincerely, Albert Persaud Overseas pensioner

Deonarine had lived alone, and had made a living by attending to villagers’ farms and stocks.

As police investigate this accident, the driver has been taken into custody.

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SunDAY, february 4, 2018

Page

Foundation

Bottoming out with Bottoms up

Because alcohol is encouraged by our culture, we get the idea that it isn’t dangerous. However, alcohol is the most potent and most toxic of the legal psychoactive drugs – Beverly A Potter and Sebastian Orfali

T

Anu Dev

he odds of alcohol being present in a big way at a teen party are pretty much as high as the odds of the WICB making another brainless selection decision. Very high.

It’s no secret that the young people of our country are already competent connoisseurs of alcohol despite their ‘tender’ years. On average, three out of every five adolescents might be able to rattle off the finer points about having Tequila versus a shot of Grey Goose – a talent, I am told, that comes only with experience.

And this is not just the case in Guyana; we’re following a worldwide trend, which makes the situation much more alarming: And it’s driven by huge amounts of advertising that target the youthful demographic to “normalise” drinking.

Studies show that youths who drink before the age of 15 are four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence and two and a half times more likely to have

guyanatimesgy.com

“rum till I die” as their mantra, than those who wait until the age of 21.

Though it’s now clear that alcohol wreaks havoc on our innards (not to mention our minds) and kills us slowly, everybody drinks!

It’s cool. And if slow, voluntary death isn’t motivation enough to ease off the alcohol, there’s always the comforting thought that we’ll get so drunk that we’ll attempt to fly, profess undying love for Kanye West or do something just as dim-witted that we won’t have done if we were in our right minds.

Why then, do they do it?

Many people drink to relieve stress, remove inhibitions, to just ‘fit in’ or because they claim to enjoy the taste.

Whatever the reason for teens drinking, these reasons may be highly correlated to the fact that for most teen drinkers, their parents drink, or are OK with drinking. The child then grows up believing that this is the acceptable thing to do. In some

cases, the parents themselves encourage their child to drink.

One could look at the implications of alcohol consumption from both social and health standpoints.

Socially, especially in Guyana, many people drink until they’re drunk. In essence, it is the drunkenness that’s offensive since, if the person wasn’t drunk it would have been the same as dealing with a person drinking water. It’s when the person is in that drunken state that they cannot fully control their mental faculties, emotions and actions. Domestic violence and suicide are both highly correlated with alcohol abuse.

It appears then, drunkenness is the problem; not the drinking. In societies such as in Italy, where despite the fact that the children are exposed to drinking at a young age, they have very low instances of

drunkenness. This is because their society frowns upon DRUNKENESS. They are socialised to drink if they want, but in MODERATION. Ironically, it is in the countries that strongly castigate drinking as a sin that though they have a fraction of their population avoiding alcohol like the plague, there are also those individuals who drink (and since they’re already frowned upon for drinking), they feel that they might as well go the whole hog and get totally “wasted”.

Where do we stand, Guyana? Will we accept drinking in moderation where we avoid the nasty aspect of alcohol abuse - drunkenness? Or will we continue to forbid drinking totally and produce a segregated society with veritable saints and devilish alcoholics?

For me, after reviewing the damage excessive alcohol does to our internal organs, I’ve decided not to take the plunge. While I have no aspirations to sainthood, I rather want to keep my liver and sanity into adulthood.

Teenage drinking

Understanding the dangers and talking to your child

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ore than half of American youths ages 12 to 20 have tried alcohol. Girls are nearly as likely as boys to experiment with drinking.

Underage and binge drinking is risky and can lead to car accidents, violent behaviour, alcohol poisoning, and other health problems.

Drinking at a young age greatly increases the risk of developing alcohol problems later in life. Talking to kids early and openly about the risks of drinking can help reduce their chances of becoming problem drinkers.

Early age alcohol use

Today, the average age an American girl has her first drink is 13; for a boy,

it’s 11. In the US and many other countries, underage drinking is a widespread problem with often serious consequences. Young people who drink are more likely to be the victims of violent crime, to be involved in alcohol-related traffic accidents, and to have depression and anxiety. Other risky behaviours are also linked to early drinking. Young people who start using alcohol before age 21 are more likely to: • Be involved in violent behaviours • Attempt suicide • Engage in unprotected sex or have multiple sex partners • Develop alcohol problems in later life • Early age alcohol use Kids are experimenting with alcohol at earli-

er ages than ever before. A national survey found that slightly more than half of young adults in the US between the ages of 12 and 20 have consumed alcohol at least once. Some researchers speculate that teens are more vulnerable to addiction because the pleasure centre of the brain matures before the part of the brain responsible for impulse control and executive decision making. In other words, teenagers’ capacity for pleasure reaches adult proportions well before their capacity for sound decision making does.

In past generations, boys were much more likely than girls to experiment with alcohol in their teens,

but girls are catching up.

In 2009, 58 per cent of all males ages 12 and older were current drinkers, higher than the rate for females (47 per cent). But in the youngest group (ages 12 to 17), the percentage of current drinkers was nearly the same (15 per cent of boys, 14 per cent of girls).

While many young people will independently cut down on their drinking or stop drinking altogether as they reach their mid-20s and assume the responsibilities of being an employee, spouse, or parent, the risks of early age drinking remain. People who have their first drink at age 14 or younger are six times more likely to develop alcohol problems than those who don’t try alcohol until the legal drinking age. (helpguide.org) TO BE CONTINUED

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SunDAY, february 4, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

1 dead, 20 injured in WBD 2-vehicle smash-up T wenty-five-year-old Alana Ramsarran-Da Silva of La Parfaite Harmonie, WBD is now dead, and 20 others are nursing serious injuries following a smash-up involving a minibus and a motorcar that occurred on the La Parfaite Harmonie Access Road, West Bank Demerara (WBD) just after 07:00h on Saturday.

Guyana Times understands that RamsarranDaSilva was driving motor car PWW 972 proceeding

west while minibus BTT 3118 was heading in an easterly direction with 20 occupants, including the driver, 42-year-old Ramkumar Persaud, called “Crosseye,” of Westminster, WBD. The bus driver claimed that as he was heading out of the Access Road, the car was travelling in the opposition direction, and it allegedly swerved into his path, resulting in a head-on collision. Both vehicles were badly damaged.

The driver of the motor-

Members of the public assisting the driver and a passenger

Dead: Alana Ramsarran-DaSilva

car reportedly died on the way to the hospital without regaining consciousness.

She was pronounced dead on arrival by doctors at the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH).

Meanwhile, all 20 occupants in the minibus were injured, with four of them being listed as critical. The driver sustained broken limbs.

Among those injured are: 36-year-old Roneta Paul, 50-year-old Fizan Mohammed, 24-year-old Safraz Mohammed, and 32-year-old Anita Mohan, all of Retch-door-zee, WBD. Additionally, 59-year-old Alvin Edmond and his wife Rhonda Edmond of Schoonard; Leon La Rose, 30, of Onderneeming, WBD,

and Alisha Allicock also of Onderneeming, were injured in the accident.

They were all rushed to the WDRH, where this newspaper caught up with the family members of the bus driver.

His wife, Patsy Ram, related that she received a call at about 07:30h, informing her about the accident. She said that she and other family members rushed to the scene, but by that time everyone had already been transported to the hospital.

The worried woman explained that some of the passengers who were in the bus are in serious condition.

Ram noted that eyewitnesses told the family that the bus toppled four times before coming to a halt on its side.

“Them people had to raise up the bus and cut the seat all to tek out de passengers them… Somebody de pin down in de bus and they couldn’t come out, so they had to cut the bus fuh get them out,” the worried woman related.

Some of the occupants with severe injuries have since been transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) for further treatment.

Meanwhile, persons, who converged at the scene

Some of the injured passengers from the minibus lie on the roadway awaiting medical assistance after being pulled from the wreckage

of the accident alleged that the driver of the car was earlier seen at a party in Pouderoyen, WBD. Guyana Times was told that Ramsarran-DaSilva, a mother of one, sustained broken limbs, broken ribs and a broken neck.

This publication understands that the woman’s

husband flew in from neighbouring Brazil on Saturday morning after receiving news of her death. Efforts to contact the family members were futile. She leaves to mourn her eight-year-old daughter, husband and parents, along with other family and friends.

(Yanalla Dalrymple)

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SunDAY, february 4, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

Different strokes…

W …for farming

ales Estate was closed down in December 2016.

1700 persons were thrown onto the streets… even though the Government/GuySuCo insisted that 300+ of them should go to Uitvlugt, 22 miles away, to cut cane. They’re still fighting for their severance pay that’s legally owed to them. The Govt disputes this and the matter is in court.

At the time the estate was closed, representatives of the workers and several civil society groups had suggested to the Government that it lease the land to the workers and facilitate their transition to cash crop farmers.

The Government turned a deaf ear in addition to a Nelson’s Eye to the now fired sugar workers’ plight --which has become a crisis a year later. In that year, the Government fired another 4000 workers from Enmore, Rose Hall and Skeldon. To that 5700 jobless add another approximately 2000 workers who supplied labour on private cane farmers’ holdings that supplied cane to the closed factories. The Government also refused to transition these workers into farming, even though the drained and irrigated lands were also reverting to “bush”.

But while these 7700 persons -- who could’ve easily been transformed into farmers because they’re experienced working in the fields -- were being made destitute, the Government, interestingly, was working overtime to facilitate farming elsewhere. In December 2016, as Wales was being closed, the Government plunked in US$3.8 million (GY$760 million) into the Caribbean Development Bank to receive a US$10.4 million (GY$2.1 billion) loan/grant to encourage farming in 4 villages. The Government said it would throw in another US$2 million or GY$400 million, bringing the pot to $2.5 billion!!

The villages chosen were Buxton and BV on the East Coast; Ithaca on the West Bank of Berbice, and Mocha, East Bank Demerara. It should surprise no one that those villages are populated by PNC supporters!! Since 2016, the Government has been working diligently to organise the 1200 farmers they claim reside in these village into coops to farm the “2500 acres of abandoned lands” there.

That is: the Government will plunk in $1million/acre to reclaim abandoned lands, when over 25,000 drained and irrigated lands are being abandoned!! Not to mention the aforementioned 7700 fired workers!!

Now your Eyewitness isn’t unsympathetic to the needs of the PNC villages…but Jeez! – can’t the largess be spread around a bit more equitably? And it’s not that those villages have not been helped before. Take Buxton. Wasn’t it helped during the 28 years of PNC rule, 1964-1992? Then, in 2003, wasn’t it one of the “depressed” villages helped out by the Hoyte/Jagdeo 2002 dialogue? And in 2010, didn’t the PPP clear canals, clear 600 acres land, gave scholarships to the GSA, provide seeds, etc to farmers?

Shouldn’t all horses be led to water?

…on crime CoIs

During the troubles, there were a host of massacres, and not only the three frequently mentioned – Lusignan, Bartica and Lindo Creek. If we go by the definition and account in an APNU 2013 column, “…the murder of four or more victims at one location within one event,” there were the 2002 Kitty Nathoo Bar (4 persons); the Feb 2006 Agricola-Eccles massacre (8 persons); April 2006 LBI massacre (4); Aug 2006 Bagotstown/Eccles (8). But the burning issue is: what’s behind these massacres!

So why did the PNC start with Lindo Creek, the last massacre? The one-man CoI said the mother of a Lindo Creek Massacre victim wrote a letter? Well, your Eyewitness salutes the mother, but he believes that for Justice to maintain her reputation of being blind (as in being impartial) she has to perform her mission according to objective criteria -- and start at the beginning.

The CoIs should begin with the background that created the mindset to the commission of the massacres – the PNC post 1997 protests!

…for City Hall

Imagine, the Mandarins of City Hall want to seize a city playground to convert into an exclusive housing compound for themselves, and the citizens of Georgetown aren’t storming the barricades.

So venality is OK when it’s our own?

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

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SunDAY, february 4, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Lindo Creek massacre

CoI has taken on a ‘Kangaroo trial’ appearance – political analyst …questions appointment of Govt Minister’s father as lone Commissioner

W

ith the appointment of a sitting Government Minister’s father as the lone Commissioner for the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) to be conducted into the Lindo Creek massacre of 2008, the inquiry has now taken on a “Kangaroo” trial appearance.

This is according to economist and political analyst Sase Singh, and is in reference to a juridical proceeding that does not follow accepted standards of justice.

According to Singh, who is a former executive member of the Alliance For Change,

Students robbed by gunmen at food shop

S

everal students of the South Ruimveldt Secondary School were on Friday held and gunpoint and robbed of their cash and mobile phones among other items while purchasing snacks at a nearby food shop.

Reports are that at about 12:15h on Friday, the students walked across to the food shop located at Macaw Lane, South Ruimveldt when the two men rode up on two separate pedal cycles and entered the shop.

Upon entry, one of the men whipped out a handgun, and he brandished it at the children while his accomplice relieved the students of their cash and other valuables. The men then escaped on their pedal cycles.

Upon receiving the report of the robbery, the Police searched a house in the same street, but came up empty-handed. The Police have taken statements from the victims, who are still traumatized, and from eyewitnesses.

No arrests have been made, but Police continue their hunt for the two men.

handpicking a commissioner with close ties to a serving member of the current Government is sending the wrong impression.

Retired Justice Donald Trotman, 80, took the oath of office before Chief Magistrate Ann Mc Lennan in the presence of Minister of State Joseph Harmon on Wednesday. Following the ceremony, he promised to conduct the inquiry with fairness and impartiality.

He is the father of Natural Resources Minister and Alliance For Change (AFC) Chairman Raphael Trotman.

Previously, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had urged the coalition Government to seek reputable and independent Commissioners for its inquiry.

Singh explained there is a perception that current President David Granger partook in certain activities back in 1973 - activities that a properly constituted CoI would unravel. While calls for an extended CoI have seen the Government being hesitant, Singh questioned the rationale behind choosing re-

Political Analyst Sase Singh

tired Justice Donald Trotman to head this CoI. “Who we choose to do this CoI have to be independent people. Now perception is everything in politics. So you chose the father of a serving Minister to do the job? Yeah, right,” he continued. “(And) what about the period of ‘Mo fiya, slow fiyah’ under (former Opposition Leaders Robert Corbin and (Hugh Desmond) Hoyte?

GIHA (Guyana Indian Heritage Association) has compiled a whole compendium of evidence highlighting violence against the

Justice (Retired) Donald Trotman

Guyanese people. Does Mr Granger care?”

According to Singh, ethnic mistrust has proliferated among Guyanese for much too long. He noted the need to resolve this distrust so that Guyanese can move forward as a multi-ethnic and religious country.

“The APNU/AFC, in the 2015 campaign, said that they plan to replace political hostility with unity,” Singh reminded. “Is this Lindo Creek CoI going to carve out that unity? If the intentions are national unity, then let

us go for national unity. For 60 years, not 6 years, Guyana has been disunified politically. So how (do we) assess such a problem?

“We identify issues, take appropriate political actions, and resolve the challenges in a time-driven framework… healing the nation and contributing to social cohesion in a focused manner. This kneejerk, piece-meal CoI is not going to eradicate 60 years of distrust.”

Rationale

When asked why the Government has only moved to start with the Lindo Creek massacre but not those that took place in Lusignan and Bartica, Minister of State Joseph Harmon had tried to downplay the issue. To defend the Government’s position, Harmon claimed that the massacre was still fresh in people’s minds.

He explained that the CoI would also have the benefit of researchers. While the Commission will have its own staff, staff working for Government are also engaged in researching other local

massacres.

During it being a separate event, President David Granger also sought to defend the reason behind launching a CoI into the Lindo Creek massacre. While he acknowledged that there have been over eight massacres, Granger expressed the view that “this particular one hurt families directly. These are eight persons, people that were not involved or not even being suspected of being involved in any form of terrorism or wrongdoing.”

Describing the incident as a “massacre of the innocence”, the Head of State had rejected suggestions to go several years before 2008, when other major criminal activities had plagued the country.

Sometime between June 12 and 24, 2008, miners Cecil Arokium, Dax Arokium, Compton Speirs, Horace Drakes, Clifton Wong, Lancelot Lee, Bonny Harry and Nigel Torres were shot and killed, and their bodies burnt at the Upper Berbice River mining camp which was being operated by Leonard Arokium.

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SunDAY, february 4, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Human rights body calls for review of Lindo Creek CoI – urges independent, impartial probe into entire crime spree – says Govt has already prejudiced the process

T

he Guyana Peace Council, a human rights advocate body, has called for a review of the recently established Lindo Creek Commission of Inquiry (CoI). The body is contending that long before a single witness has been called, the CoI has already started off on the wrong foot.

The Council expressed concern in a statement that the very fact that retired Justice Donald Trotman, father of Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman, has been appointed the sole Commissioner is suspicious and clouded by the perception of politics.

As if this is not enough, the Council noted that statements attributed to President David Granger and Minister of State Joseph Harmon are highly prejudicial in nature. They therefore questioned the real motive behind the tax funded CoI. “We hold sacred the values of finding the truth, promoting reconciliation and healing among our people.

So any attempt in that direction done with sincerity should be embraced,” the organisation said. “However,

The Commissioner appointed, the entity noted, is the father of a sitting member of Granger’s Cabinet and also the Leader of the Alliance For Change, and also a past PNC oper-

lace. The Council expressed fear that tensions which exist will be exacerbated.

“It is not too late to rework this approach and for us to benefit from an independent and impar-

Former Police Service Commission Chairman, Omesh Satyanand, represented the Guyana Peace Council at the First Caribbean Peace Conference

ative where accusations have been made of contact with the “Buxton Freedom Fighters.”

“The Commissioner is (also) domiciled in a village on the East Coast of Demerara where during that troubled period there was much focus and attention. How does his interac-

Any Commission of Inquiry paid for by taxpayers’ money must deliver justice to the citizens of Guyana and must not be used to gain political advantage” – Guyana Peace Council we find it unusual that such an important Commission of Inquiry has not benefited from the involvement of all stakeholders to ensure a national embrace but it is presently situated as a partisan political witch-hunting adventure.”

hind starting inquiries into the period from Lindo Creek, when it was actually the culmination of mass killings. According to the Council, unanswered questions like this and the ab-

tion with the rumours, spitpress and reactions and defences of citizens in this area, influence his objectivity and what influence will it bear on the outcome?” the Council questioned.

The Council also questioned the rationale be-

sence of a mother commission covering the entire period create suspicions among citizens.

“It is clear that we are starting on the wrong foot.

We do not believe that any useful purpose can be served by proceeding in this direction.”

“The naming by the President of the period as the “Jagdeo era killings” is highly prejudicial and damning. It is language that is divisive. Any Commission of Inquiry paid for by taxpayers’ money must deliver justice to the citizens of Guyana and must not be used to gain political advantage.”

According to the Peace Council, the actions of the coalition Administration are an exercise of bad faith and are likely to promote distrust among Guyanese, rather than unify the popu-

tial Commission where the Terms of Reference are known and embraced by all and the selection of a minimum of three Commissioners are above board,” the Council advised.

Retired Justice Trotman, 80, took the oath of office before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the presence of Minister of State Joseph Harmon on Wednesday last. Following the ceremony, he promised to conduct the inquiry with fairness and impartiality.

However, his close ties to a sitting Minister run counter to what one could expect from a standard, impartial CoI. Previously, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had urged the coalition Government to seek reputable and independent Commissioners for its inquiry.

Severance S

atiricus was slowly wending his way to the Back Street Bar when he ran into Kurpat, who had just collected his severance pay after the Government closed the sugar estate where he had worked for nine years. Kurpat was very glum. He’d been a “security guard” – which was the same as the “watchman” he used to be before they changed his title. He reminded Satiricus they hadn’t changed his wages after the change of title, and his severance pay sucked. Satiricus insisted he take a beer with the fellas.

“Kurpat!!” exclaimed Cappo, when he espied Kurpat coming towards their table. “Laang time me na see yuh, Budday!!!”

“Well, yuh bin a live life in Landan in Nyu Yark,” said Kurpat sourly. “Yuh know dem fyaah all abee, right?”

“Abee know,” interjected Bungi. “Good t’ing Cappo tek me fuh buil’ house when ‘e come back fram Nyu Yark.” ”But didn’t they just pay out severance pay?” asked Hari. “Why so glum?”

“Hari, yuh know wha’ ‘severance” mean?” asked Kurpat.

“Yeah. When yuh chop off something,” Hari answered. “Like when you “sever” a man hand with a cutlass!”

“Well, da wha’ dem do abee,” said Kurpat bitterly. “An’ yuh know how much dem gi’e me fuh chap me aff from me wuk?”

“Yes, if you don’t mind,” said Satiricus. “How do they calculate severance? I hear it’s a big amount!”

“Big?? Big?? Budday, da wha’ dem seh,” said Kurpat. “Waan week pay fuh de fus’ five year, an’ two week fuh de nex’ five year.”

“Suh since yuh wuk nine year pan de estate, yuh get 13 week basic pay, right?” asked Cappo. “None ovah-time.”

“Suh imagine me get t’ree mont’ watchman pay fuh min’ me and me fam’ly fuh de res’ a abee life,” said Kurpat bitterly. “$129,000!”

“What will you do, Kurpat?” asked Satiricus anxiously.

“Wha’ me can do?” Kurpat asked with a shrug.

“Tek out me pickney dem fram school; look fuh wan nex’ watchman jab, an’ wait fuh 2020.”

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SunDAY, february 4, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

Investigating the terror

By Ryhaan Shah

T

he Commission of Inquiry into the violence of 2002-2009 “will ensure that the culprits are brought to justice,” said President David Granger in referring to the kidnappings and murders that, he added, were fuelled in part by drugs warfare during that crime spree.

Neither Granger nor any PNC member ever admits that “the troubles” included ethnic violence against Indian Guyanese, just as they never acknowledge the ethnic atrocities of the Wismar Massacre, for instance, despite the findings of the CoI into those disturbances and killings of May 1964.

Their denial could well derive from a consciousness of guilt, but with Minister Joseph Harmon, promising that through this Inquiry “you will see how politically inspired many of the killings were in that period… that they got political support, the criminals,” said there is every hope that the Commissioners’ conclusions would leave no doubt as to what occurred, and who was responsible.

The GIHA (Guyana Indian Heritage Association) Crime Report chronicled and analysed one year of the violence, between February 2002 and February 2003, starting with the jailbreak on Republic Day 2002 which triggered the violence that followed.

The daily attacks compiled in the Report were gathered from news reports with dates, times, places and names of victims, and are substantiated by historical, political and economic analyses done by Swami Aksharananda, Mr Ravi Dev, Dr Ramesh Gampat, Dr Somdat Mahabir, and others.

Most of the terror that year was centred in Buxton, and most of the victims were Indian Guyanese villagers on the East Coast. The political/ethnic nature of the attacks was no secret, and the African Guyanese terrorists proudly proclaimed themselves Freedom Fighters, even as they appeared on television embracing their AK-47s and vowing to fight against what they termed “African marginalisation” by the PPP/C Administration.

They received tacit support from the PNC, and the Stabroek News editorial of October 14, 2002 referred to PNC Leader Desmond Hoyte’s speech in Buxton: “He [Hoyte] failed to use the opportunity … to impress upon its [Buxton’s] law abiding citizens and others who have gone the opposite way that law and order is the foundation of any system of administration, and that the banditry that was taking place within their sight had to stop …. Secondly, his statement that Buxton is not harbouring criminals is not grounded in reality.

Buxton is harbouring criminals.”

The Executive Summary of the GIHA Crime Report notes that of the total murders committed during the year under study, 30 were Indian Guyanese civilians and police, all gunned down by African Guyanese terrorists.

The killings included those of Detective Sergeant Harry Kooseram on April 15, 2002, at 7am; of Ramdeo and Sita Persaud of Annandale on May 11, 2002 at 7.30pm; and of Haroon Rasheed, who was doused with kerosene and set alight at his Non Pareil home on August 27, 2002 by a gang of African Guyanese youths. He died five days later.

And who can forget the cultural rape of Anita Singh, who had her long hair hacked off with a knife by an African Guyanese bandit on August 4, 2002 at her Melanie Damishana home, as he said: “Ah doing this because ah don’t like coolie.”

While some of the attacks were Black-on-Black violence -police killings, vigilante justice, drug warfare -- the majority of the assaults, kidnappings, robberies and rapes were ethnically directed atrocities.

There were 10 kidnappings involving 18 people, all Indian Guyanese. Of these, two were killed, six escaped, nine were released, and the fate of one young carpenter -- Sadesh Sahadeo -- is still unknown. An estimated $85 million was paid out in ransom to the kidnappers, who were all African Guyanese.

The total transfer of wealth to the bandits amounted to $176.8 million, of which $149.9 million was taken from Indian Guyanese.

As much as this Inquiry is welcome, Granger would be well advised to extend the period under investigation to include the post elections’ violence of 1997. The ugly scenes of African Guyanese women beating white dolls as they “wuk pon she”, she being President Janet Jagan; the ethnic atrocities of January 12, 1998, well annotated in the GIFT (Guyana Indian Foundation Trust) Report; and the PNC “slow fyah mo fyah” campaign and street protests created an environment of fear, violence and lawlessness which fuelled the terror that gripped the country from 2002 onward.

If the Commissioners empanelled for the inquiry into this period of the violence are credible, they will receive copies of the GIHA Crime Report to assist them in their deliberations with the hope that a fair and just conclusion will see both the instigators and perpetrators brought to justice.

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SunDAY, february 4, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Threat to rice in Berbice

“We can not allow 2000 acres of rice to damage” – Chairman W

eeks after being deprived of vital irrigation to farmlands, some 2000 acres of farmland in areas along the East Coast of Berbice, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) remain in danger of depletion due to discontinued access to a canal that is managed by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo). Guyana Times reported the plight of 20 farmers in Bolam and Palmyra, Berbice who noted the urgent need of water for their rice fields, which are cracking after GuySuCo shut off the water supply.

The farmers indicated that were relying on rainfall to start the crop but after the change in season, the canal which normally supplies to

them was closed and this prompted much concern.

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder in an invited comment on Saturday

“I don’t think anybody in their right senses would allow 2000 acres of rice to go under” – Region Six Chairman briefly stated that he was aware of the situation and referred this newspaper to a Government official in the region. However Guyana Times was able to ascertain that GuySuCo and the

National Drainage and Irrigation (NDIA) have been engaging in discussions to work out which entity will assume responsibility for drainage works following the closure of the Rose Hall Estate.

According to information received, one of the strategic pumps that operates at that entity is reportedly not operational following Rose Hall’s closure.

“NDIA would need to take over these pumps at some point but this hasn’t happened as yet. GuySuCo was offering a lot of services and irrigation to the communities and now that they are shut, NDIA and GuySuCo have been having these discussions over the

past few weeks,” a senior official in the region disclosed on Saturday.

According to reports, officials at GuySuCo contend there is an area along the canal that is blocked with weeds. Guyana Times was however told by several farmers that they have an arrangement where they paid the Sugar Corporation $500 per acre to have water supplied to them. When contacted for comment, Region Six Regional Chairman David Armogan told this publication that the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) is prepared to assist GuySuCo in alleviating the situation but observed that the pumps fall under the management of the Sugar Corporation.

“I am very concerned about the situation because as far as I can remember, GuySuCo used to provide water for those farmers in the number 19 – Palmyra

Region Six Chairman David Armogan

areas – that is the primary source of irrigation water, there’s no other irrigation system that presently exists.

If GuySuCo does not supply them with water, it means that they cannot plant,” Armogan pointed out.

The regional official add-

ed that he is collaborating with GuySuCo in an aim the resolve the depleted water supply. “They are moving to resolve but there is an area that is blocked and I don’t think they will be able to pump the water to reach there quickly. We got to put an excavator there quickly to clear the area so once the pumping starts; we can get the water flowing into the number 19 area,” he stressed. “I don’t think anybody in their right senses would allow 2000 acres of rice to go under; the rice is now under threat but in the event that the farmers don’t get water, then it would be damaged,” Armogan further noted. On Saturday, Guyana Times reported that the farmers decried the millions of dollars they invested going into the current crop which started late December in the height of the rainy season.

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SunDAY, february 4, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Parfaite Harmonie Health Centre neglect continues …Minister Cummings slams officials for misinformation

D The PNC and Crime Inquiries

L

ast month, I wrote about the 20th anniversary of the Ethnic Riots of Jan 12, 1998. I referred to a very polemical letter I had written a week after the tragic event, “The accord rewards the PNC for jettisoning the rule of law”. The PNC had refused to accept the internationally certified results of the December 1997 elections that gave victory to the PPP. In the wake of its protests demanding the resignation of President Janet Jagan, more than 200 Indian Guyanese were beaten on that day in the streets of Georgetown. The intent was to demand the politicians examine the fundamental contradictions that provoked such eruptions from our people, than just use “Inquiries” to cast blame, as the present PNC CoIs are meant to do.

“The PNC went into the elections under some misguided notion that they could wean away enough votes (with the help of the micro parties), from the PPP to win the elections Ravi Dev outright. (When they lost), they proceeded to do what the PNC can do best - destablizing the PPP. Seeking exparte injunctions, staging marches, closing down businesses and governmental offices, appealing to “kith and kin” in the disciplined forces, they were bent on forcing the PPP to conclude, as they had in 1964, that they could not govern the country, and for the PNC to step into their shoes.

In tandem with these activities, they made escalating demands, as will all bullies when they see their victim backing down. The PPP has gone beyond what even the PNC had been asking for. For instance, the proposals for constitutional reforms and a truncated term of office were suggested by the PPP on its own, according to Mr Ralph Ramkarran of the PPP. The PPP misjudges the PNC...the PNC will be satisfied with nothing less than total power. It is not interested with sharing power with the PPP, which Mr Ramkarran informs us is implied by its offer of constitutional reform. Hoyte was following his mentor Burnham in absolutely rejecting this option. As soon as the CARICOM team had departed, Hoyte, while addressing his “Religious Rally,” declared that he would accept nothing less than the PPP out of office. The PNC can, and will, manufacture any number of reasons to abrogate the Accord during the “Forensic Audit” phase.

And it is because of this dichotomy between what is said and what is meant by the PNC that this Accord and any other initiative will eventually founder. For we are further nurturing the cynicism created during the PNC’s dictatorship, which surrounds our political processes and institutions. We are perpetuating the morally debilitating practice wherein we knew the dictator was lying, the dictator knew he was lying, but we all pretended we were dealing with the truth. Pretty soon, very few of us could even distinguish the lies from the few truths that might have come our way. Truth became whatever the dictator said was true.

Guyana will never be capable of sustained development (in its wider sense) unless we destroy this culture of lying and make-believe, and the participants in the political process are seen as legitimate by all Guyanese. This condition does not now exist. If we cannot deal with truth, however harsh it may be, then we will always be interacting with each other with distrust and suspicion. There have been several commentators who have lauded President Mandela and the post-apartheid South African accommodations which have allowed that country to move forward.

None of these accommodations and progress, however, would have been possible without the establishment of their Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Its work has not been to settle scores, but to bare to all peoples the past of the present players. South Africans can then, in reconciliation, put that past behind, make choices -- political and otherwise -- and have confidence in the system.

For the overwhelming number of Indians in Guyana, they have no confidence in the PNC because of that Party’s sordid record during its illegal dictatorship. Murders, rapes, discrimination, theft, lootings, and riggings by individuals who today cant and carp of “forensic audits” leave a bitterness in mouths that amounts at times to nausea. These cannot be swept under, or brokered away, by any “Accord”, especially after January 12th. Guyana will see no real progress without a Truth and Reconciliation Commission.”

In the midst of the present PNC “Crime CoIs,” we repeat our warning.

rug shortage, poor water supply, and a bushy compound are just some of the issues residents of the La Parfaite Harmonie Housing Scheme have been forced to endure for the past four months, when accessing medical services at the La Parfaite Harmonie Health Centre.

The regional administration is being accused of neglecting the medical facility since the last time it was cleared in September 2017, when this publication reported on the insanitary conditions: where the washroom had no doors, no proper flowing water, continued shortage of drugs, rude nurses, and grass as tall as 4 feet in some sections of the compound.

Regional Executive Officer Dennis Jaikarran

Some of the issues were rectified to facilitate a visit from Junior Public Health Minister Dr Karen Cummings a few days after the issues were revealed. During her visit, the Minister praised the Regional Administration for maintaining the facility in spite of unsanitary conditions.

However, since the weeding for that visit, the compound is yet to be cleared again, and the grass is over four feet tall at this point.

On Friday, Guyana Times visited the La Parfaite Harmonie Health Centre, and was informed that the nurses would arrive at work for 09:00hrs, as opposed to 08:00h, like other health centres.

This newspaper was also told that residents have on numerous occasions been refused treatment due to the lack of drugs and vaccinations for babies. In addition to drugs and medical supplies, the washrooms in the facility are not working. A source related that nurses would have to fetch water from a pipe at the front of the health facility to flush the toilet.

When contacted, Minister Cummings told this publication that her officers informed her that the facility is in pristine condition, and she said that at no time was she made aware of the overgrown bushes. The minister related that it is tough for the Ministry to be aware of the issues plaguing the health care system, since they rely on the officers to report these matters.

“We have these officers stationed, and we are relying on them to tell us when something is wrong. The last I spoke to our officers in the Region, they did not relate that information to me, because I asked about it. I will have to contact the DREO (Deputy Regional Executive

Harmonie and Tuschen Housing Schemes managed by the local organs.

“For a number of years now, these schemes (La Parfaite Harmonie and

The La Parfaite Harmonie Health Centre

Officer) and the REO (Regional Executive Officer) for them to explain what it going on. It is absolutely wrong for them to be telling us everything is okay when it is not,” Minister Cummings noted.

“I have to visit the West Demerara (Regional) Hospital next week or the following week, and I will be meeting with them to address this issue once again. The last time I went there, I observed the place was clean and I commended them, but I don’t know what is going on with them. They are boasting about 100 per cent works completed and then we are getting these reports,” she added.

In relation to the issue of drug shortage, the minister explained that the region has the supplies but quite often there would be delays in delivering the drugs and supplies to the facilities, and that is something the ministry is to address.

“For the first time, we have has tenders for drugs for 2018, and that is before the beginning of the year; so we have enough drugs, but we are just working on the delivery of those supplies,” she explained.

The Regional Administration is contend-

ing that it is not responsible for the Parfaite Harmonie Housing Scheme, since it is still under the control of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA).

However, REO Dennis Jaikarran had earlier told

Junior Public Health Minister, Dr Karen Cummings

Guyana Times that the Malgre Tout/Meer-Zorgen Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) would assist in clearing the compound of the health care facility.

Taking over schemes

On Thursday, Jaikarran said the Regional Administration is currently negotiating with the CH&PA to have the La Parfaite

The standpipe from which nurses have to fetch water to flush the toilets

Tuschen Housing Scheme) have been established, and it has been recognised that there is a need for improved infrastructural work. So, if these schemes are handed over, (they) can be covered under the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs),” Jaikaran said during an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI).

He explained that because the schemes do not fall under the purview of the Regional Administration, the administration is unable to provide critical maintenance of the communities. Additionally, he noted that when the schemes are handed over, residents would be in a better position, since they would be able to pay their rates and taxes and have services delivered through the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils.

(Lakhram Bhagirat)

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sunDAY, february 4, 2018| guyanatimesgy.com

1 year later

Younge’s Take Wales father of 4 pleads Fair journalism for severance pay

By Shemuel Fanfair

O

ne year later and workers attached to Wales Sugar Estate, who refused work at Uitvlugt, are increasing their calls for severance pay on the belief that they could use the money to enter new business ventures to provide for themselves and their families. More than that, they have expressed much anger at the fact that they have been waiting since before the West Bank Demerara entity closed its doors on December 31, 2016, while workers at East Demerara and Berbice received their entitled termination benefits within weeks

Former cane harvester and father of four, Stanley Felix

of closure.

Skull City area, Patentia

squatting resident,

Stanley Felix, had 16 years 10 months of service with the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) before he was retrenched in 2016. Speaking with the father of four at a recent job fair to attract dismissed Wales workers and their family members at Patentia last week, the cane harvester in a somber tone, told Guyana Times of the plight that he and his colleagues are facing over the lack of finding consistent employment.

“It really affecting me family real bad because over a year now, me an really working, me an got no job, me an got no income nowhere, me an got no family to give me nothing and I

would glad if the President or the Minister them could look into this matter and see exactly what going on with the people in Region Three.

I wish if they could give people them money, so they can do something to elevate themselves,” Felix stressed.

The father of four, who has three school aged children, explained that not having employment is greatly affecting his ability to upkeep the education of his offspring; one of whom attends the L’Aventure Secondary in Canal Number One, another at Goed Fortuin Primary and the other at Patentia Secondary. Felix said his financial challenges will increased when his youngest starts school this September. Their ages are 14, 13, nine and three.

“I waiting on my severance since the estate close down in 2016 to now and now is 2018 and I can’t get no proper answer and people who come redundant after we and done get their severance already,” he remarked.

In providing further insight into his plight, the cane harvester explained that at present, the mother of his children is the principle breadwinner, but noted that her earnings at the fisheries are small. According to Felix, his financial situation is affecting his position as a man in the family, a contention which has been shared by other sugar workers.

“It making me feel real bad because for a woman working and a man not working, is really shameful on a man... all of this come because of the closure of the Wales Estate. Since I born, and grow is Wales Estate I know,” Felix told Guyana Times.

“My father worked there and get pension and bring me up from right there so I don’t know if the Government could see what they could do. I want them pay people their severance because people job become redundant and the union and GuySuCo have an agreement, so they should give people them money,” he added. He also noted that he feels disadvantaged in seeking alternative employment as cane harvesting is all he has known.

Several Wales workers and other supporters protested the President’s Office and the High Court on Thursday last demanding their severance. Along with their union, they also called on the Chief Justice to have the matter assigned to a Judge; some 10 months after the Union’s lawyer filed the case. The Wales Estate closure was seen as a cost-saving measure due to billions of dollars that were allocated to the declining sugar industry and nearly 4000 workers from Enmore, Rose Hall and Skeldon were similarly dismissed late last year, as part of moves which Government said would “reorganise” the industry.

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ver the past two weeks, there has been a lot of controversy surrounding an exclusive article published by Guyana Times which highlighted the views of scores of sugar workers and probably hundreds across the sugar belt about the leadership being currently provided by the President of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), Komal Chand.

The workers had called for his resignation as they felt that the Union, under Chand’s leadership, could have much more to advance their cause and force the Government to reconsider if not the closure of sugar estates, the manner in which the entire process was going to be rolled out.

The workers, whose names and designations at various estates were interviewed, had requested Michael Younge anonymity out of fear of being victimiSed or discriminated against by either the political bosses at the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) or the coalition Government.

The bottom line was these workers believed that GAWU needed more decisive, youthful, visionary and pragmatic leadership. Anyone who argues that they were out of line must do some serious introspection as GAWU’s own rules and regulations allow them to express freely their views as the entity is a democratic one and none of its leaders are indispensible. As a matter of fact, this is not the first time the workers have called for Chand to resign during his tenure as President. The workers have called for several other union representatives and executives to resign from time to time depending on the quality of representation they received and the outcomes secured in the past.

Soon after the publication of the workers views, the Union’s President went on the defensive and launched a campaign aimed at maligning this newspaper and questioning whether the views shared by the workers were authentic. Chand switched gears when engaging journalists, while becoming very rash and hasty while responding to legitimate questions. At one point, he alleged that the journalists here had a personal vendetta against him and that the newspaper was on a campaign to remove him from GAWU’s helm.

As expected, the political opportunists fanned the flames lit by irresponsibly Chand. The situation had morphed into one where the coalition’s public relations pundits and sympathetic columnists began insinuating that the article was concocted on the instruction of People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo. And when the PPP GS criticised after the publication of our article, some aspects of Chand’s comments after GAWU’s engagement with the Government, public debate started.

Firstly, it is important to point out that this newspaper does not take instructions from politicians about what issues it must cover or what form that coverage must take. While there may be a few isolated instances where politicians on both sides of the divide might request coverage of stories beneficial in some way to them, it is the editorial board of this newspaper that makes the final call on what is published.

We have always believed in balance, accuracy, truth and accountability. Guyana Times is never used as a weapon but a tool for highlighting the issues affecting people from all walks of life so that their leaders could respond appropriately.

Mr Chand, therefore, should be the last politician or union leader to allege discrimination in coverage or that this newspaper is on a campaign for his removal.

The fact is, GAWU and Chand has benefited from the most positive coverage than any other union on the past eight years. Chand would be dishonest were he to not admit that it was this newspaper that broke the major stories about the closures of estates and the downsizing of the industry. He ought to be ashamed for attempting to impugn the character of the journalists who work with the Guyana Times. If the PPP has concerns about his handling of the sugar debacle then that is a matter for him to address with the leadership of the party in which he serves as a parliamentarian. This newspaper is independent and will continue to stand beside the people. If the workers were to criticise Mr Chand, we would report it again without any apologies because we believe in fair journalism.

While Mr Chand’s career in the fields of labour and unionism is no doubt remarkable, he is not above the law nor untouchable. And though he may enjoy the support of some of his colleagues in and outside of the PPP, he cannot seriously think that he can be President of GAWU for life. No one will doubt Mr Chand’s sincerity or commitment to the cause of workers but his most recent outburst did him the most injustice. It exposed his personal insecurities about the security of tenure of his job. Guyana Times should stand by every article it has published on the crisis facing the sugar industry and will regret any attempt by Chand to malign its character.

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SunDAY, february 4, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Police hunting serial robber after Diamond robbery Sovereign Wealth Fund: a Proposed Framework for Guyana’s Petroleum Sector (Part 4)

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The legal framework

he effective management of SWFs is underpinned by a robust legal framework with respect to ensuring a sound institutional and governance arrangement. The legal framework should, among other things, (1) provide clearly for the legal form and structure of the SWF and its relationship with other state agencies; (2) be consistent with the broader legal framework governing Government’s budgetary processes; (3) ensure legal soundness of the SWF and its transactions; (4) support its effective operation and the achievement of its stated policy objective (s), which should be economic and financial in nature and; (5) promote effective governance, accountability and transparency.

It should be noted that there is a wide variety of legal frameworks; however, generally, SWFs are established (1) as separate legal entities under law with legal identities and full capacity to act; (2) take the form of state-owned corporations also with distinct legal persona; or (3) as a pool of assets owned by the state or Central Bank, without a separate legal entity. While all of these forms are compatible with recognized practices and principles, the legal basis for the SWF must clearly establish which form the SWF has.

There is also a wide variety when it comes to the degree of granularity of primary legislation. This will partly reflect different traditions and/or constitutional requirements across countries.

Some countries have very short primary legislation but more granular secondary legislation. There are also differences with respect to how much delegation of authority laws in different countries provide for. Again, many levels of granularity may be compatible with recognized international practices. But it is essential that the overall legal framework provides for real delegation from owner to manager, and that it grants the operational manager independence within the guidelines set by the owner (IMF Working Paper, 2013, Pg.9).

In practice, different legal forms may have implications for both the tax position and immunity of investments. Investments through Central Banks are normally protected by sovereign immunity, and may also enjoy tax privileges in recipient countries. Taxation of investments through corporate structures may depend on the extent to which these investments are viewed as an integrated part of Government’s financial management. Taxation treatment of SWF investment can also depend on provisions in bilateral tax agreements (for example, Norway has negotiated tax exemptions for its SWF investments in several bilateral tax treaties).

Funding and Withdrawal Rules

Funding and withdrawal rules are specific to the type of SWF, and are set out in legislation. Withdrawal rules for these funds take into account future estimated obligations. Except under exceptional conditions, funds cannot be withdrawn; and require, for instance, targeted levels of the fund to be exceeded as well as parliamentary approval. Funding and withdrawal rules for other SWFs are usually tied to the source of funds. For example, fiscal stabilization funds are typically funded from revenue contingent deposit rules (i.e., exceeding a target), and withdrawal rules are typically crafted to meet budget deficits. Reserve investment corporations are typically funded in relation to reserve adequacy requirements, and some funds have established asset trust contracts with sponsors that change periodically. Other differences in the rules exist: some funds keep capital and returns, while others pay our targeted annual dividends to the owner; some can invest directly in specific local investment projects, though respondents note that such transactions are reflected in the budget and are compliant with local and international government statistical rules (where indicated).

Basic Principles of Risk Management – adopted from IMF Working Papers (2008 & 2013)

Fiduciary Responsibility: The investment manager needs to be conscious at all times of its fiduciary responsibility to the fund’s owner in safeguarding the fund’s interests and reputation.

Risk Tolerance: The investment manager needs to have a clear understanding of the fund owner’s risk tolerance, and act accordingly in discharging its investment responsibilities.

Risk Conscious Culture: The Investment manager needs to promote a risk conscience culture within the organization, with senior management setting the tone.

Risk Ownership: The ownership of risk should be clearly established within the investment management entity and between the fund’s manager and owner.

Risk Governance: There needs to be a well-defined governance structure for risk management within the investment management entity for the fund.

Risk Identification and Assessment: All material risks for the fund must be identified, assessed and accepted through structured and systematic processes prior to investment.

Diversification of Risks: Risks should be diversified systematically, to limit concentration of exposures and reduce over reliance on individual systems, processes, providers and people.

Checks and Balances: Investment and operational processes should have in-built checks and balances, with clear segregation of responsibilities, to minimize errors, avoid conflict of interest, and reduce possibility for collusion.

Risk Measurement: All material risks for the fund should be measured, either quantitatively or qualitatively, without overreliance on any single metric, and be monitored with appropriate frequency.

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

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anks in A Division (GeorgetownEast Bank Demerara) are on the hunt for a serial robber who on Saturday pounced on a woman at a shop in Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD). The incident occurred at about 12:30h.

According to reports, the 47-yearold of victim, a secretary of Section ‘C’ Block ‘Y’ Golden Grove, EBD, went to a bank at Diamond Public Road on Saturday morning and withdrew a sum of money.

She left the bank in her motorcar and proceeded to Fourth Avenue Diamond, where she paid her employees and had $50,000 remaining, which she secured in her brown shoulder bag.

The woman then drove to a supermarket in the scheme and picked up some items to purchase. However, as she made her way to the cashier to make the payments, the suspect brandishing a handgun, confronted her and relieved her of the shoulder bag.

The perpetrator then made good his escape in an awaiting silver grey 212 motor car. The handbag contained $50,000 cash, one Samsung cellular phone valued $58,000 and other documents.

The robbery was captured on surveillance cameras in the supermarket and as such, the Police was able to identify the suspect. Further investigations revealed that the suspect has been charged with several armed rob-

beries and was recently granted his pre-trial liberty by the court.

The Police Force claims that efforts to apprehend perpetrators of criminal activities are often in vain since the courts would usually grant serious crime offenders bail. This, according various hierarchy of the Force, continues to be a major challenge faced by the law enforcement agency and is also a serious deterrent to its efforts in crime fighting.

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SunDAY, february 4, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

Kitty residents agree to pay Mining pollution threatening new garbage collection fees local rivers – PFG

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he ongoing series of garbage consultations continued at Kitty Market, Georgetown on Friday, and residents there were in agreement with the proposed new fee for collecting their garbage.

The exercise was aimed at receiving feedback and suggestions from Georgetown residents in regard to paying a $200 fee for the collection of garbage.

Present at the meeting were the following M&CC representatives: Solid Waste Director Walter Narine and Councillors Linda GomesHaley, Jameel Rasul and Khame Sharma. Similarly to the previous consultations, there was not a large turnout of residents, but those present did not fail to share their views on the matter.

Addressing the audience, Solid Waste Director Narine recounted the Mayor and City Council’s (M&CC) financial constraints and the need for more money to offset the costs of garbage disposal.

Narine explained that the Council is paying at least $787 to remove one garbage bin from a home.

“A lot of folks are not even paying $787 in rates and taxes,” he told the gathering.

However, residents raised concerns about littering, late garbage pickups by contractors, and the contractors refusing to pick up tree trimmings and non-household waste.

In sharing solutions for

combating the problem, one resident passionately expressed that the M&CC needs to introduce a new company to the monopoly.

“Just like how we’re liberalising with the phones, we need to do that with garbage,” he stated.

Another resident also called for stricter enforcement of laws regarding littering, “You have the laws of the city in your hands; use (them),” he said.

Eventually, almost all of the residents agreed that they would not mind paying a fee to have their garbage disposed of. “One or two hundred is a small price to pay,” they expressed.

The series of garbage consultation is as a result of Town Clerk Royston King trying to prematurely implement a $200 fee for the collection of garbage in the City, in order to accumulate much needed revenue for the City Council. He was prevented from doing this by Georgetown Mayor Patricia

Chase Green, who instructed him to hold at least one consultation with residents before he could bring the matter to be voted on by full Council.

The first consultation was held on January 18 at City Hall. The following consultations were held at Agricola, East Ruimveldt and Albouystown. So far, the proposition has garnered mixed responses from the Georgetown residents.

In September 2017, a fee for the collection of commercial waste was implemented. Small businesses were required to pay $5000 per month, while medium businesses were to pay $8000 per month. Large business, however, were required to pay the largest figure -$12,000 per month -- for their waste collection.

Last year, the council found themselves in major debt, and had to be bailed out by Central Government to the sum of $475,635, 245.

here is urgent need for action to be taken at both community and national levels to protect Guyana’s major rivers.

This is according to the Policy Forum Guyana (PFG), which on Saturday stated that rivers such as Potaro, Cuyuni, Mazaruni and Puruni need immediate intervention to stop further destruction caused by mining pollution.

Describing the once pristine rivers as being “reduced to chains of toxic, sediment-choked muddy pools winding through a blighted landscape”, the PFG has been making an effort to unite various communities to combat the worsening issue caused by reckless mining.

Since launching a rally last July for their “Keep the Rivers Alive” campaign, PFG have commenced a training workshop which aims to protect Guyana’s historic rivers from mining pollution.

Beginning last week in Kamarang, Upper Mazaruni, and based on water monitoring techniques developed by the Global Rivers Environmental Education Network, young people from the Mazaruni communities of Paruima, Waramadong, Kako, Kamarang, Jawalla and Imbaimadai have been educated in ways to develop plans to protect water quality on a sustainable basis.

A section of the Potaro River

However, the Forum has also stated that without national regulatory and policy frameworks purposefully countering the decades of regulatory abuses ramped up by widespread mechanized mining, strengthening community capacity to combat the negative effects of mining pollution will prove to be futile.

PFG hope their campaign will attract the attention of the Government to publicize and enforce a set of non-negotiable environmental standards applicable to all mining operations of any size; and also hope that these new policies would then lay a foundation for addressing the emerging hazard posed by industrial-scale agriculture to the Ireng and Takutu rivers.

Hundreds attend Education Ministry’s Maths Camp

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ith the National Grade Six Assessments (NGSA) coming up in March, the Education Ministry (MoE) has, with collaboration, started a “Maths Camp” aimed at educating students scheduled to write the exam in various areas of Mathematics.

Since commencement of that camp last week, the turnout has been successful, and hundreds of students have been attracted, the MoE has said on Saturday.

Some 300 children from

Students, parents and teachers at the “Maths Camp”

12 schools are at the F.E. Pollard Primary School, and 600 more are at the North Georgetown Primary. Their

teachers and parents are here to assist with the exercise.

The camps will continue until March 24.

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SunDAY, february 4, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

UGSS condemns hike in administrative fees GACF raising funds for …willing to pursue legal methods to reverse decision

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he University of Guyana Students’ Society (UGSS) has slammed the institution’s latest increase in fees; a move they are determined to oppose through any legal method at their disposal. According to a statement from the UGSS, complaints were made that some of the students of the university were paying more than what was required for supplemental examinations.

The body explained that a letter was then sent by the UGSS expressing their disagreement with the administration and the Vice Chancellor, Registrar and other officers who were involved in this matter. It was after this act, the body said, that the student council was first informed that there was an intention to raise the fees on January 8.

Revealing that they demanded clarification on the fee hike, the society explained that they only approved one request by the administration for the increase in tuitions fees; and that was for three consecutive academic years. This was to be implemented in the 2017-2018 academic year, with the fees projected to rise from 18 per cent for new students and 15 per cent for continuing students, along with 10 per cent in the following years.

President of the UGSS, Norwell Hinds, expressed in

a letter that was sent to the Registrar of the University, Dr Nigel Gravesande, that there should be a consultation among the students of the institution since the additional costs can financially affect them. Two meetings were orchestrated with Dr Gravesande and members of the student council on January 11 and 28 with the main purpose of discussing these issues.

“We believe that there is need for more consultation with students and notice of new fee structure prior to the beginning of the academic year in which students might have already committed themselves financially,” Hinds noted.

He explained that routine student letters and re-sit fees will now be $5000 and $6000 respectively where previously there were no charges. This, he noted, will affect more 1100 students on the campuses.

On February 1, the general student body was made aware of this decision after a Student Records Management System (SRMS) message was sent to them.

This was the first official notice that was sent to the current students informing them of the escalation in administrative fees.

In some areas, the approved new rates are increased by 100 per cent and in others, it is greater. There

are cases where some services were free but now, according to the approved new rates; a fee is being charged for thesis research, student letters and re-sit examinations. The new fees will be implemented by March 1.

In addition, there will be a 100 per cent increase in the cost of appeals, something expected to seriously affect access to justice. Hinds argued that issue needs to be ventilated through greater consultation and consideration and therefore he recommended extended consultations and information sessions with students in partnership with the UGSS. This will not be the first time that UG’s administration has hiked fees for services without any form of consultations with students.

And while the prevailing argument from the administration is that they are cashstrapped, UG has been the recipient of large budgetary allocations.

In 2016, some $2.9 billion was allocated by Central Government towards education sector improvement, which according to the budget estimates had encompassed the UG. This followed other allocations towards the institution such as $208.5 milliom, which was meant for construction and maintenance spanning from 2015 to 2016.

educational projects

Some of the prizes that were donated to the GACF

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n order to help children, acquire a better education, the Give Another Chance Foundation (GACF) organised a raffle drawing on Saturday to raise funds for future projects.

The event was conducted by members of the organisation at Brickdam with the purpose of creating new community programmes from the proceeds received.

Trustee of the Foundation, Lyndell DanzieBlack, stated that the GACF does fundraising activities which materialise into projects to help children from an educational standpoint.

This enables them to access better education, which is a necessity.

“The aim of the organi-

sation is to help young people in developing their education, we believe strongly in education so that is one of the objectives of the organisation. It helps school dropouts to get back into the education system and it also helps those who are already in education, who can’t afford to do lessons and after school activities, to help them along in their exams.

One of our objectives is to assist and provide that,” she explained.

The members expressed their sincere gratitude to the Private Sector companies and persons who donated the prizes and the persons that participated, making the raffle drawing process a success.

18 news

sunday, february 4, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

Banks DIH Linden branch records increased profit

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everage giant Banks DIH Limited continues to record increased profits at its branch in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara- Berbice), the latest sales report of that entity recording $1.1billion.

The Linden branch and its Manager, Shondell Easton, have again come in for high praise when on Friday the company hosted its 62nd Annual General Meeting at Linden, under the theme ‘Foundation of Growth’. Easton was praised for continuing to generate and increase sales, contributing to major profits for the company over the years.

In her report, the branch

manager disclosed the Branch’s total sales of one billion, seventy-eight million, fifty-nine thousand, nine hundred and seven dollars ($1,078,059,907), which represents a 2.4 per cent overall increase, in addition to physical case sales of 936,914, representing an increase of 3.4 per cent.

Chairman of Banks DIH, Clifford Reis, in his address to scores of shareholders who attended the meeting, praised Easton’s hard work and success, noting that 737 thousand cases of products were sold.

“She sold 1.1 billion... she has moved the profit after-tax from $12 mil-

lion to $17 million. She improved it by 47 per cent...

Congratulations from the Board of Directors for your contribution to the company’s development, and (to) your staff for supporting you,” Reis said.

He added that based on the report, Linden should now be referred to as a “thriving town”.

Reis went on to detail the company’s successes and challenges over the past year, and shared plans for future development. He also stressed the importance of having the right people and ensuring that operational efficiencies are in place in moving the company forward. He also highlighted the important relationship the company shares with communities and schools.

As customary, the company presented cheques to schools in the community. This year, the Christiansburg Primary and Republic Avenue Nursery schools were recipients.

A section of the gathering at the shareholders meeting in Linden

The company further reaffirmed its commitment to the development of sports and academics. Reis announced that the company has named Linden Star athlete DeShanna Skeete a Brand Ambassador. He said Skeete will advertise non-alcoholic beverages, focusing more on the company’s “water line”.

Skeete was also present-

ed with a brand new IPad, which Reis noted would assist in her becoming a top world athlete.

The company also presented the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) with a sponsorship cheque. Winners of the UDFA GT Beer Cup Tournament were also presented with cash prizes and trophies. The Botofago foot-

ball club was awarded $1.2 million and the winner’s trophy for securing first place, while the Netrockers football club received $600,000 and a trophy for placing 2nd in the tournament. The Eagles United football club received $300,000 for third place, and Silver Shottas football club received $150,000 in cash for securing fourth place.

Tuschen man remanded on carjacking, unlawful escape charges

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eon Allister Fraser, who eluded ranks at the Leonora Police Station last year after being held on a carjacking charge, was late last week remanded to prison by West Demerara Magistrate Rochelle Liverpool. When Fraser made his court appearance, Police Prosecutor Sergeant Campbell informed the court that the 21-year-old man is being investigated for similar matters in Demerara and the capital city, Georgetown.

Fraser of Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) denied that between

September 6 and 7 2017, he stole from Allwyn Lewis a silver-grey Totoya motorcar bearing registration plates PSS 641, valued over $2,000,000 at Tuschen.

Although he was said to have fled the Leonora Police Station on October 7, 2017, Fraser similarly denied that he escaped lawful custody while being held for simple larceny. Both of his not guilty pleas were entered when he appeared at the Wales Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.

Guyana Times was told that another accused at a previous appearance at the

Leonora Magistrate’s Court had pled guilty to Fraser’s carjacking even though the young man was accused of assault and damage to property (a vehicle) only. On Thursday, that accused denied that there was an arrangement between himself and Fraser, after which Fraser was arraigned on the larceny charge. His larceny and unlawful escape charges were adjourned and transferred to the Leonora Magistrate’s Court for February 12 for statements and fixtures.

Over the last several months, there have been several carjacking and the

Leon Fraser

Police have amped up a campaign to curb the illegal practice. Fraser was nabbed on December 14, 2017 at a road-block near the Demerara Harbour Bridge when he was pointed out as the suspect who was wanted in connection with the simple larceny of two motor cars. It was reported that his escape on October 7 last year was due to what was determined to be the criminal negligence of a rank at the Leonora Police Station.

sunDAY, february 4, 2018

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Trans-Tasman T20 Tri-Series…

In all, Chris Lynn hit seven boundaries (4x6; 6x1) from 33 balls (© Getty Images )

Stanlake, Lynn hand Australia crushing win A

ustralia launched the inaugural T20 Triseries with an emphatic curtain-raising victory over New Zealand at Sydney, hunting down a rain-reduced

SCOREBOARD New Zealand Innings (20 overs maximum) MJ Guptill b Stanlake 5 C Munro c †Carey b Stanlake 3 KS Williamson* c Warner b Tye 8 TC Bruce c Richardson b Stanlake 3 LRPL Taylor c †Carey b Agar 24 TA Blundell† c Richardson b Zampa 14 C de Grandhomme not out 38 MJ Santner c Warner b Tye 1 TG Southee c Stoinis b Tye 9 IS Sodhi b Tye 0 Extras (b-2, lb-4, w-6) 12 Total (For 9 wickets; 20 Overs) 117 Did not bat: TA Boult Fall of wickets: 1-11 (C Munro, 1.1 ov), 2-11 (MJ Guptill, 1.2 ov), 3-16 (TC Bruce, 3.2 ov), 4-34 (KS Williamson, 7.2 ov), 5-60 (TA Blundell, 12.1 ov), 6-90 (LRPL Taylor, 15.6 ov), 7-92 (MJ Santner, 17.2 ov), 8-114 (TG Southee, 19.2

ov), 9-117 (IS Sodhi, 19.6 ov) Bowling Richardson 4-0-280 (w-2), Stanlake 4-0-15-3, Agar 4-0-22-1 (w-1), Tye 4-023-4 (w-2), Zampa 3-0-21-1 (w-1), Stoinis 1-0-2-0 Australia Innings (target: 95 runs from 15 overs) DA Warner* c Bruce b Boult 6 DJM Short c Taylor b Southee 4 CA Lynn c Sodhi b Boult 44 GJ Maxwell not out 40 AT Carey† not out 0 Extras (w-2) 2 Total (For 3 wickets; 11.3 Overs) 96 Did not bat: MP Stoinis, AC Agar, AJ Tye, A Zampa, KW Richardson, B Stanlake Fall of wickets: 1-10 (DJM Short, 1.5 ov), 2-10 (DA Warner, 2.1 ov), 3-87 (CA Lynn, 10.6 ov) Bowling Boult 3-0-14-2, Southee 2.3-0-27-1 (w-2), Santner 2-0-20-0, Sodhi 3-0-24-0, de Grandhomme 1-0-11-0

target of 95 in 11.3 overs, after their bowlers had proven too aggressive and constraining for their meek opposition.

Despite a top-order wobble, in which David Warner and the debutant D'Arcy Short fell inside the first three overs, the belligerent power of Chris Lynn and Glenn Maxwell soon assumed utter control of Australia's chase.

With a series of scything blows, particularly through the covers, Lynn set the initial tempo, en route to 44 from 33 balls, while Maxwell soon found his own range with a ramped four over the keeper's head followed by a planted front-foot six off the medium pace of Colin de Grandhomme.

Lynn picked up his solitary six of the night when he belted Mitchell Santner on the up through midwicket, but he eventually fell in pursuit of his second when, with eight runs required for victory, he scuffed a pull to backward square leg off a Trent Boult bouncer.

It barely delayed the inevitable, however. Maxwell flipped another four off his hip in Tim Southee's subsequent over, then launched the winning boundary high over the bowler's head two balls later, to finish unbeaten on 40 from 24 balls.

Australia's victory, however, was set up by the beanpole seamer, Billy Stanlake, whose cloud-snagging height, fierce pace and pinpoint accuracy justified Warner's decision to bowl first, as he wrecked New Zealand's top order with three wickets in the space of his first eight balls.

At 3 for 16, New Zealand were shell-shocked, and their

boundary of the Powerplay was a slashed cut from Ross Taylor that would have been gobbled by a second slip, and Australia soon had their fourth when tentative rearguard from Kane Williamson was sawn off by that habitual partnership-breaker Andrew Tye. The second ball of his spell was back of a length, and looped off a leading edge to

Billy Stanlake struck with each of his first two balls ©Getty Images

response to adversity was to go even further into that shell. Their second and final

David Warner in the covers.

Australia scarcely broke sweat in consolidating their

dominance thereafter. The spinners Ashton Agar and Adam Zampa joined Tye in choking the middle overs, and Tom Blundell was the next to snap, galloping down the wicket to a Zampa legbreak and holing out to long-off as he was deceived in flight.

With New Zealand going nowhere at 6 for 92, Tye returned for the death and mopped up their resistance.

With his knuckle-ball a permanent and illegible threat, Santner mowed to deep midwicket, before Tim Southee and Ish Sodhi holed in in the final over of the innings - Southee at least connected for one massive six over midwicket off Richardson to show some late resistance. De Grandhomme was left high and dry on 38 not out from 24, a lone battler in a flaccid team performance.

A steady downfall during the interval caused an hour's delay and a slight recalculation of Australia's initial target of 118, but it made little difference to the destiny of the game.

Australia will be back in action on Wednesday when they take on England in Hobart. Each team will play each other twice before the top two teams meet in the February 21 final.

GFF Elite League resumes February 11 Everest surrender to Police – Johnson takes 4 T N GCA/ NBS 2nd Division 40-Overs…

he Guyana Football Federation’s senior league known as the ‘GFF Elite League’ is scheduled to recommence on Sunday February 11, 2018.

This follows a break from the tournament to facilitate the GFF’s Super 16 Yearend Classic, which concluded on January 1, 2018 and the GFF’s Transfer Window, which ended on January 31, 2018 respectively.

President of the GFF, Wayne Forde, said the second half of the tournament promises to be even more exciting than the last: “The movement of several top players during the January transfer window is a good indication of what is to be expected. With t h e CONCACAF League o f Nations commencing in September this year, it is important that our local boys get the game time n e c e s sary to prepare them for National duties.”

Fixtures will be released at a later date.

ational pacer, Raun Johnson was on target on Saturday when he bagged a four-wicket haul to give Police Sports Club a comfortable 61-run victory against Everest Cricket Club at Eve Leary.

As cricket resumes in the city, Johnson who played two First Class matches for Guyana in 2014 took 4 for 44 as the visitors were bowled out for 93 in 22 overs in the New Building Society sponsored Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) organized 40-overs competition.

F o r Everest, Denesh

Mangal top scored with 35 (4x4; 6x2) and was supported by Dwayne Adams with 24 (4x1; 6x2) in their quest for 155 from 40 overs. Johnson was supported

by Jason Heyliger with 3 for 23 and Vishal Jaigobin 3 for 3.

Earlier, Police SC won the toss and were bowled out in just 29.2 of their allotted 40 overs with seasoned left-arm spinner Javed Rasheed bamboozling the batsmen with 4 for 20 from 7.2 steady overs while Richie Looknauth supported with 3 for 39.

However, Police’s target was built around a robust 82 from Alex Algoo who blasted eight sixes and carved out four fours in his well complied match-winning innings. With no other batsman reaching double figures, the game was wide open when the home side folded for 154 without batting out their 40 overs but Johnson and company proved too much for the Everest lads.

Raun Johnson

20

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sunDAY, february 4, 2018

ICC Under-19 World Cup 2018, New Zealand…

Kalra leads India to

World Cup glory I ndia sauntered to a record fourth Under-19 World Cup title in front of a partisan crowd of 4000 odd at Bay Oval, to finish an unbeaten campaign that had begun against Australia at the same venue three weeks ago. The margin of victory then was 100 runs, and it was comprehensive in the grand final as well - eight wickets.

To win the tournament, India pulled off their second highest successful chase in U-19 World Cups, after the 226 to beat Australia in Townsville in 2012. Unmukt Chand had led that chase with a sublime century, and on Saturday another Delhi boy, Manjot Kalra, reprised the feat. In the tournament opener against Australia, Kalra had missed his century by 14 runs in an effort to hit out; he was unbeaten on 101 off 102 balls in the final.

Kalra, driven by instinct and hand-eye coordination, powered India along with fellow opener Prithvi Shaw, after a short rain delay four overs into the chase. It began with a free-hit which he biffed for six, and the high notes came when he took Jack Edwards for three boundaries in the 11th over.

When Will Sutherland got one to move away and bowl Shaw for 29, India were 71

for 1.

Australia's relief was short lived, as they watched the in-form Shubman Gill - averaging over 100 in Youth ODIs and having

eight fours and three sixes. Wicketkeeper-batsman Harvik Desai chipped in with a spunky 47 and it was his sliced four over backward point that trig-

maintain pressure in the middle overs. In the final, he made a telling contribution - 10-0-36-2.

Nathan McSweeney's dismissal for 23 was partic-

Jonathan Merlo top scored for Australia with a polished innings of 76 (© AFP)

made six successive 50plus scores - play three exquisite cover drives within five minutes of his arrival at the crease. Kalra went on to bring up a 47-ball half-century. The signs were ominous for Australia there on and Kalra finished with a strike rate of nearly 100, having struck

gered manic celebrations in the Indian camp.

However, to say India's win was down to just their batting would not do justice to left-arm spinner Shiva Singh. Despite not having taken a wicket in the tournament, Shiva had kept his spot because of his economy and ability to

ularly significant because Australia were just starting to accelerate going into the last 10 overs of their innings. Looking to nudge the ball on the leg side, McSweeney was deceived in flight and lobbed a simple return catch. In his next over, Shiva removed Will Sutherland with an

arm ball that held its line to flick the ins i d e edge to the wicketkeeper.

The catch was the start o f a turnaround for Desai, who had earlier missed two half-chances off Australia's openers.

Max Bryant, who had tallied just 93 runs in five innings coming into the final, looked in sparkling touch until he slapped Ishan Porel's short ball straight to Abhishek Sharma at cover point to give India an opening. Edwards carried on, hitting Shivam Mavi for backto-back boundaries in the seventh over to sustain Australia's aggression. With Australia having raised their fifty in the 10th over Manjot Kalra was the fifth batsman and the pitch to score a hundred in an Under-19 holding no deWorld Cup final (ICC photo) mons, Edwards and Jason Sangha had an opportunity to press on.

(ESPN Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

Action heats up in GUMDAC Badminton tourney T

he GUMDAC 5th Annual Open Doubles Badminton Tournament kicked off last Friday at the National Gymnasium with some top performances from Guyana’s best racquet wielders.

In the Men’s Open Doubles, Nicholas Bullen and Veerendra Bhagwandin defeated the pair of Sekher Mallampati and Isaac Mallampati:, two sets 21-11, 21-14. Open Men’s Double saw Jonathan Mangra and Ronald Chang Yuen whipping the Under-13

Champions Matthew Beharry and Vikash Mootoo: 21-8, 21-8.

The Open Men’s doubles quarter-finals witnessed veteran William Holder and Haymant Ramdhani beating off the likes of Akili Haynes and Russian Based Chet Bowling in an exciting three setter: 21-16, 18-21, 16-21 Ernesto Choo-AFat and Javid Rahaman beat Nicholas Bullen and Veerendra Bhagwandin two sets; 21-11, 21-15, while Darrell Carpenay and Marlon Chung whipped

Gokarn Ramdhani and Dr. Nicholas Waldron: 21-9, 2116 Darrell Carpenay and Chung then got the better of Ernesto Choo-A-Fat and his partner Javid Rahaman: 2422, 21-8 in the Semis of the Men’s Double.

The ladies category:

Open ladies doubles round robin: Priyanna Ramdhani & Shivannie Persaud defeated Jayde DaSilva & Deandrea Assing: 21-4, 21-6

Ayanna WickhamWatson & Emelia Ramdhani defeated Jayde DaSilva & Deandrea Assing: 21-6, 21-2 Open ladies doubles finals: Priyanna Ramdhani & Shivannie Persaud defeated Ayanna Wickham-Watson & Emelia Ramdhani: 21-15, 21-15.

See full results of the respective finals, that were played on Saturday at the National Gymnasium, in a subsequent edition of the Guyana Times.

Australia Under-19s (Young Cricketers) Innings (50 overs maximum) J Edwards c Nagarkoti b Por el 28 M Bryant c Abhishek Sharma b Porel 14 JJS Sangha* c †Desai b Nagarkoti 13 J Merlo c Shiva Singh b Roy 76 P Uppal c & b Roy 34 NA McSweeney c & b Shiva Sin gh 23 W Sutherland c †Desai b Shiva Singh 5 BJ Holt† run out (Shiva Singh/†Desai) 13 Z Evans b Nagarkoti 1 R Hadley c †Desai b Shivam Ma vi 1 L Pope not out 0 Extras (lb-1, w-7) 8 Total (All out; 47.2 Overs) 216 Fall of wickets: 1-32 (M Bryant, 5.1 ov), 2-52 (J Edwards, 9.6 ov), 3-59 (JJS Sangha, 11.4 ov), 4-134 (P Uppal, 28.5 ov), 5-183 (NA McSweeney, 39.2 ov), 6-191 (W Sutherland, 41.3 ov), 7-212 (J Merlo, 45.3 ov), 8-214 (Z Evans, 46.1 ov),

9-216 (BJ Holt, 46.3 ov), 10216 (R Hadley, 47.2 ov) Bowling Shivam Mavi 8.21-46-1 (w-2), Porel 7-1-302 (w-2), Shiva Singh 10-036-2, Nagarkoti 9-0-41-2 (w-3), Abhishek Sharma 6-0-30-0, Roy 7-0-32-2 India Under-19s Innings (target: 217 runs from 50 overs) PP Shaw* b Sutherland 29 Manjot Kalra not out 101 Shubman Gill b Uppal 31 HM Desai† not out 47 Extras (lb-1, nb-1, w-10) 12 Total (For 2 wickets; 38.5 Overs) 220 Did not bat: R Parag, Abhishek Sharma, AS Roy, KL Nagarkoti, Shivam Mavi, Shiva Singh, IC Porel Fall of wickets: 1-71 (PP Shaw, 11.4 ov), 2-131 (Shubman Gill, 21.2 ov) Bowling Hadley 7-0-37-0 (w-3), Evans 5-1-30-0 (w-2, nb-1), Sutherland 6.5-0-361 (w-3), Edwards 1-0-15-0, Pope 5-0-42-0, Merlo 4-021-0 (w-1), Uppal 10-0-38-1

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Mohamed leads Everest Masters to 2-0 series sweep

E

verest Cricket Club Master’s Team wrapped up their short tour of Suriname with a close four-run win over Snellen Park on Sunday in Paramaribo in the second and final t20 match.

Snellen Park won the toss and like good hosts, invited Everest masters to take first strike on a pitch that proved to be difficult for stroke making.

After grafting, Everest Masters reached 79 for 8 from their 20 overs with Saheed Mohamed battling for 28 not out while Imtiaz Sadik 13 and Rakesh Gangaram 10 were the only other batsmen reaching double figures.

Bharat Dilshan was on target snaring 3 for 20 from 4 overs for the hosts who could not handle the pitch nor the opposition bowl-

ing.

In the final over, Snellen Park fell four runs short when they were bundled out for 75 in 19.5 overs. Kamo Hardat top scored with 23 while Mohamed came back with the ball to collect 2 for 12.

Once again, he found admirable support from Gangaram (2 for 18) and Imtiaz Sadik (2 for 16).

Mohamed was named man of the match.

Everest Masters were presented with two victory trophies compliments of the Suriname Cricket Board.

The visitors won the first T20 match on Saturday easily by nine wickets as they are in preparation mode ahead of their tour to Holland later in 2018.

Captain of Everest Masters Rajesh Singh poses with the symbols of his team’s dominance on tour of the Dutch nation

GFF seeking partnership with Government – presents 5-year strategic plan

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GFF’s President Wayne Forde (4th from right) presents Dr George Norton with the Federation’s five-year plan, as representatives of both sides look on

P

resident Wayne Forde led a delegation last Thursday that met with Minister of Social Cohesion, George Norton, to present the GFF’s 2018 calendar of activities and briefed him on upcoming developmental plans of the Federation.

According to a press release from the sport’s governing body locally, the key items discussed at the meeting held at the Ministry’s Boardroom was a pitch for the Minister’s support in bringing together the relevant Governmental agencies and stakeholders to facilitate the launching of a first ever GFF/FIFA/ GOG National Primary and

Secondary School Football League.

The project, which is expected to be funded by FIFA to the tune of USD$250,000, is a landmark initiative that will be positioned as part of the national youth programme. To this end, GFF’s Technical Director Ian Greenwood and School’s Development Officer, Seon Bristol, outlined the key features of the programme to the Minister, according to the release.

Additionally, Forde in his presentation shared the GFF’s strategic fiveyear plan and outlined the Federation’s desire to partner with the Government of Guyana (GoG). A key

feature of this partnership was Government’s support for the GFF Elite League through the provision of employment opportunities for players. This, it was stated, will contribute to the greater development of the players by providing them with a livelihood through skill acquisition and increased earning capacity, which will ultimately be beneficial for the country.

Among the other issues discussed, were GFF’s interest in partnering with the GoG in the development of community grounds across the country, including school grounds, and exploring opportunities to use football as a vehicle for the

dissemination of social cohesion messages.

The Minister, in response, congratulated the GFF on the initiatives tabled and progress made to date relative to national football development. He committed to providing material support to the initiatives tabled including the areas of ground development administered by the National Democratic Council, facilitating tax concessions on identified needs, using football as a medium to promote social cohesion, and engaging stakeholders to achieve the issues discussed.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Forde presented the GFF’s Annual Report

and Audited Financial Report along with some FIFA memorabilia to Dr Norton.

Among the other GFF personnel in attendance were First Vice President Brigadier (ret.) Bruce Lovell, Executive Committee Members Dion Inniss and Keith Ojeer, General Secretary Acting Rennella Bourne and Communication and Public Relations Officer, Debra Francis. The Ministry was represented

by Melissa Dow-Richardson, Assistant Director of Sport (Policy), Brian Smith – Assistant Director of Sport (Administration) and Natasha Singh-Lewis, Technical Officer.

22

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sunDAY, february 4, 2018

Milo Schools Football Tournament 2018…

Ann’s Grove swamps Dolphin – Bishops’ held by Pure Masters

A

nn’s Grove Secondary School played a perfect match to defeat Dolphin Secondary 4-0 when the sixth annual Milo Schools Football Tournament continued on Saturday at the Ministry of Education, Carifesta Avenue.

Leading the charge for the East Coast of Demerara unit were Kenaz DeCamb with a goal in the 45th minute, Romario London (52th), Ingram Rahaman (56th) and Carlos Cole (67th).

Meanwhile, what was poised to be a classic encounter between The Bishops’

High School (BHS) and Pure Masters only disappointed since neither of the teams found goal but the back and forth exchanges provided wholesome entertainment.

BHS forwards Tyresse Souvenir and Darin Chan showcased dexterity with the bat but their numerous shots on goal were kept at bay by steely defending.

The only disappointment of the day was Queen’s College failing to show a face at the venue to face former champions Lodge Secondary, giving the latter a walk over win.

Today, Annandale

4-0

Secondary and Friendship Secondary clash from noon followed by top Linden side Christianburg Secondary against Vergenogen Secondary from 13:30h.

It then sets the tone for 2017 runners-up Morgan Learning Centre and School of the Nations from 15:00h.

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

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

Tyresse Souvenir (centre) of BHS battles through the ‘crowd’ for ball possession (Akeem Greene photo)

Triple Crown spectators will win big – Nissan Tiida among raffle prizes

T

he nation’s first ever Triple Crown is set to run off on February 18, March 4 and April 1 with over $20M up for grabs and the organizers have an-

nounced that a grand raffle has been added to mainly give turfites some fabulous prizes.

Huge giveaways to spectators are not strange to

events organized by the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee (JJTRC) and the historic Triple Crown is no exception.

The committee have un-

veiled the multimillion dollar raffle where a lucky person will drive away with a 2011 Nissan Tiida Sedan motorcar. Tickets will be on sale nationwide with other

GCB/ Dave West Indian Imports U-15 Inter-County Tournament

Key matches kickstart opening round T

he 2018 Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)/ Dave West Indian Imports U15 inter-county tournament bowls off today with two mouthwatering encounters.

The opening round of the round-robin competition will see home team Demerara taking on Essequibo at Lusignan Ground on the East Coast of Demerara and defending champions Berbice squaring off with the GCB’s President’s XI at the iconic Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC), Bourda.

All teams will be looking for the all-important opening round win which could give them momentum going forward in the tournament where they are required to play each other once before the top two team clash in the February 10 final.

Both matches will begin at 09:30h.

Teams: Demerara; Mavindra Dindyal, Nicholas Rajpat, Zachary Jodha, Rivaldo Phillips, Rommel Datterdeen, Chandrapaul Rajpat, Shemar Yearwood, Krishna Singh, Inderjeet Nanan , Alex Alli, Taddeus Lovell, Shafeek Khan,

Part of the gripping action in 2017 at the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary

Daruus Andrews, Vishal Persaud.

Latchman Yadram (Coach), Dhanpaul (Manager)

Berbice; Rampertab Ramnauth, Vettorie Latchman, Mahendra Gopilall, Tomani Caesar,

Zeynul Ramsammy, Antoine Alexander, Jonathon Rampersaud, Darius Joseph, Jeremy Joseph, Isia Thorne, Pavanand Ganesh, Boodram Lakeraj, Matthew Pottaya, Latchman Dhanna.

Lakram Lathman (Manager), Leslie Solomon (Coach) Essequibo; Ranaldo Scouten, Mahendra Basdeo, Rayan Atkinson, Davindra Ramdahin, Ramesh Ramnarine, Jarrad Allicock, Rickey Persaud, Adarsh Ramdial, Steven Corbin, Ken George, Gladewin Tr. Twan, Dwayne Fredericks, Reynard Ramroop, Jonathon Lynch.

Vickram Ramnarine (Manager), Forbes Daniel (Coach) President XI; Terrence Softeigh, Avick Ramdial, Tomesh Kellewan, Hemendra Goordial, Vikash Singh, Tameshwar Mahadeo, Saffie Shazad, Shreedat Roopnarine, Rudra Goderdhan, Sanjay Persaud, Shaahid Viera, Ajay Gainda, Yohence Anjoy, Chad Tulesh Shivrattan, Aaron Persaud.

Yatesh Dhanpaul (Manager), Julian Moore (Coach)

The inaugural Triple Crown just got bigger with the announcement of the grand raffle

prizes up for grabs including a 125 CC motorcycle, one Samsung 40" SMART television, two Samsung mobile phones, one gas stove, one microwave oven and one refrigerator.

Raffle tickets will be available at the Linden/ Soesdyke junction, Jumbo Jet Auto Sales locations at Eccles East Bank Demerara, 92 Smyth street Georgetown, Croal street Georgetown, Chester and Bush Lot villages West Coast Berbice, BM Soat Auto Sales on Croal street, Punai Pharmacy at Rose Hall Town, at Arabian Nights Sport Bar at Number 22 Village Hope Town, Discount Store on Regent street Georgetown or from committee members Chandu Ramkissoon, Alan Podmore, Nikita Ross or Nasrudeen Mohamed.

The first leg takes place

at the Rising Sun Turf Club on February 18 where seven events are carded for the day in total. These include the ‘C’ Class and Lower covering a distance of 1200m for a top prize of $1,000,000; ‘F’ Class and Lower and the ‘E’ Class Non-Earners (last Start); three-year old Guyana Bred; ‘H1’ and Lower; ‘J&K’ and Lower; and the ‘L’ and Lower all running for 1200m except the ‘K’ Class NonEarners (last start) who are set to cover a distance of 1100m.

The second stanza is a copy of the first leg and is set to run off on March 4 at the same venue while the final leg which is the critical stanza is slated for the Port Mourant Turf Club on Easter Sunday April 1.

The closing date for entries is Sunday February 11.

guyanatimesgy.com

sunDAY, february 4, 2018

23

CWI/Regional Super50 Cup 2018…

“Looking to minimise mistakes” – Crandon – unbeaten Jaguars tackle unbeaten hosts today

A

head of today’s crucial topof-the-table clash against the Leewards Hurricanes, Jaguars Coach Esuan Crandon said emphasis will be placed on reducing in-match errors as they progress in the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Regional Super50 Cup in Antigua.

Crandon told Guyana Times Sport on Saturday that due to the 30 extras leaked in the previous match versus the United States of America (USA), 21 being wides; it was crucial for the Jaguars to shake off any signs of sloppiness as they prepare to tackle much more dangerous and experienced teams in the future.

“We plan to minimize extras, especially in low-scoring affairs you don’t want to gift the opposition extras. It’s something we have spoken about even after the second game, it’s all about being discipline in the nets and try to be accurate and minimize the wides. There’s only so much we can do so when they’re on the field they have to execute,” said the Coach.

While the Guyana franchise side have managed to replicate their seemingly unbeatable form which they carried from the 4-Dayers, they tackle a unit which has not lost a game either and recently hammered a star-studded Jamaican Scorpions Side featuring; Chris Gayle, Rovman Powell, Chadwick Walton, Andre Russell and others.

“They’re unbeaten, we’re unbeaten as well, we have not played

All eyes will be on Shimron Hetmyer for another Man of the Match performance for the Jaguars today at the Coolidge Cricket Ground (CWI Media photo)

a day/night as yet we will have to make adjustments, and we will have individual plans in place for them. We have studied their past two games, they’re playing at home and they know the conditions better than us; but it’s about assessing the conditions and we’re expecting a keenly competitive game, hopefully we can put it together and win this one.”

15

While Guyana got away versus Kent and America, the Leewards are much more deadly and have matched the Jaguars’ performances by winning both of their games played against USA and the Scorpions. Both team have nine points however, the Hurricanes have the slightly better net run rate to sit in the number one spot in Group B. With West Indies veteran bats-

man Marlon Samuels thumping a hundred in the last match coupled with knocks from Montcin Hodge, Test opener Kieran Powell, West Indies A all-rounder Rakeem Cornwall and out-of-favor Windies wicket-keeper/batsman Devon Thomas, all who make up the Hurricanes batting core; will play key role in their third day/night game at the Coolidge Cricket Ground this time against a lethal Jaguars bowling line up.

Guyana will rely on Shimron Hetmyer who clobbered a 69-ball ton in their comfortable eight-wicket win against the USA, along with skipper Leon Johnson who got a half-century in the last game; inform opener Chandrapaul Hemraj who is yet to fire and Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

Meanwhile, Crandon confirmed that veteran Chanderpaul who scored a match-winning half-century in the first game against Kent but was forced to retired hurt in game two after suffering some cramps, was declared fit for today’s big match after assessment from the team’s physiotherapist.

Also, all-rounder Romario Shepherd who missed the Jaguars’ second victory with a stiff hamstring is also cleared for selection today which gives the visitors a full squad to select their best combination.

However, the Jaguars will lose the services of Test all-rounder Raymon Reifer after today’s third round due to Windies “A”

Marlon Samuels led the Hurricanes batting with a commanding century against Jamaica Scorpions in their last game (CWI Media photo)

Team commitments who will be replaced with seasoned all-rounder Chris Barnwell who recently regained some form on the domestic scene.

The other match of the day is also a Group B match between Kent and Scorpions at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground from 09:00h who will both be gunning for an opening win after suffering in the previous rounds while the feature game of the day bowls off from 14:00h. (Clifton Ross)

GTTA/ Mash Cadet & Junior Championships

T

he Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) is set to kick start their 2018 calendar of activities with the commencement of the National Sports Commission (NSC sponsored Mashramani Cadet and Junior Table Tennis championships, scheduled for February 1619 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH). The tournament comes on board after a two-year hiatus and based on discussions with the NSC’s Director of Sports Christopher Jones, the two entities agreed and saw the need for the reintroduction of the championships.

Jones committed his organization’s support to providing funding to the key event which formed part of the GTTA’s do-

events to heat up CASH mestic calendar of events for many years and for which many of Guyana top racquet wielders stake their claim for domestic supremacy.

The championships will see 15 categories being contested in the flowing divisions: Boys’ 18 Yrs. and Under Singles; Girls 18 Yrs. and Under Singles; Boys’ 15 Yrs. and Under Singles; Girls’ 15 Yrs. and Under Singles; Boys’ 13 Yrs. and Under Singles; Girls’ 13 Yrs. and Under Singles; Boys’ 11 Yrs. and Under Singles; Girls’ 11 Yrs. and Under Singles; Boys’ 9 Yrs. and Under Singles; Girls’ 9 Yrs. and Under Singles; Novices Girls Singles; Novices Boys Singles; Girls Doubles Juniors; Boy Doubles Juniors and Mixed Doubles Juniors.

Winners runners-up and semi-finalists will be awarded with trophies of gold, silver and

The junior cadet action will be the first focus of the Guyana Table Tennis Association for 2018

bronze. Players interested in participating in the championships

are ask to contact national Coach and GTTA general Secretary

Linden Johnson or GTTA Hon Treasurer Mrs Deirdre.

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

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

Pg 19

Pg 22

Ann’s Grove swamps Dolphin

4-0

– Bishops’ held by Pure Masters

Darin Chan (yellow bib) of The Bishops’ High School in a tight battle for ball possession on Saturday at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue (Akeem Greene photo)

GFF Elite League resumes February 11 The Guyana Defence Force (green) had a dream run in the first half of the Elite League

ICC Under-19 World Cup 2018, New Zealand…

Pg 20

Kalra leads India to

World Cup glory India played unbeaten throughout to win their fourth title in clinical fashion on Saturday (ICC photo)

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February 4, 2018

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FEBRUARY 4,2018

Feature

G

olda Clementson was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer. She decided to visit the doctor after noticing that something was wrong with her body. “One day at work I spoke to a friend who encouraged me to visit the doctor,” she explained. After the visit, Golda was given the bad news by her physician. She explained “He then told me that something was wrong. But I wasn’t surprised as I knew that something must be wrong.”

While she noted that since her diagnosis it has been an uphill battle, the Cancer Survivor is encouraging everyone to get in the habit of checking with the doctors. She said, “Do not be afraid to make a visit.

Second thing is observe your body, what it is telling you.

Get a close connection with your body so you will not miss the signs. Develop the attitude of making checks.”

Anna De Morias, 53 years of age was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer,

Cancer Survivors band together (from left ) Anna De Morias, Thirteen year old Shelly Debideen, Marcel Bourne and Maureen Stuart

which progressed to stage four. She was diagnosed in 2008 in the right breast and developed cancer in her left breast in 2015.

Alluding to how she felt after hearing her diagnosis, Anna said, “I saw death when I was diagnosed in 2008. My whole world crushed, but I was brave

Cancer Survivor , Golda Clementson

enough to tell the doctor to take off the breast right away.” She explained too, that it was through her own vigilance that she was able to detect that something else was wrong, the second time around. “The second time I was in Georgetown and I just felt a pain in my breast that was making me uncomfortable. I decided to go to the doctor. I told him about the pain and we did an examination.” She maintained that this has saved her life.

Anna was told by the doctors that she had six months to live, but that did not stop her from fighting and believing that she would get better. She also attributes her recovery to the tremendous support she received. “I had tremendous support from the husband and my entire family. I could tell anybody I had a lot of support, my family, my husband was there for me in every situation.”

Anna is encouraging others to seek medical help and to take care of their bodies.

She reminded persons to listen to what their bodies are telling them, and attributes her survival to her own persistence . She explained, “If I didn’t take that pain seriously what would have happened? Right away you should go to GPHC; they have the best care there in the Oncology department.

Do not take any chances get up and get right away.”

Anna also encouraged men and women to choose their diet wisely and advised them to “cut out those things that are unhealthy”. “We have to be very careful with how we eat,” she shared.

She said too that surviving the disease has caused her to have a different outlook on life. “You have to learn to forgive,” Anna said. Anna now supports other victims and survivors through several support groups.

Marcel Bourne was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2015. She explained to the Guyana Times Sunday

Magazine that one morning, she came out of the bathroom and conducted a breast selfexamination and she felt the lump. “I visited the doctor and explained what she I going through and had a mammogram. At first I was told it was fatty tissue. As time went by, I took another opinion at the GPHC; then I was directed to have a biopsy done,” Marcel explained.

She then discussed the diagnosis wither family and explored all the options, eventually deciding to remove her breasts.

“When I read the results I cried. Although I didn’t question, why me? When I started Chemo it was hard.

It wasn’t easy but the nurses and doctors were like a family,” Anna added.

She said too that she had a very good support system, in her children and friends.

She is also reminding persons to be vigilant with their health. “I want to encourage everyone to check themselves. This morning I met a man with Breast cancer. It was shocking as I didn’t know men get Breast Cancer,” she said.

Meanwhile, Maureen Stuart was diagnosed with stage one breast cancer, in 2017. Her Biopsy report showed that it was Cancer.

“My options were very open, before I did the surgery after I recognised the lump,” Marcel explained.

According to the breast cancer survivor, she had been experiencing on going issues for some years, but after noticing different changes, she went for further check ups. She maintained that something was not quite right and then was diagnosed. Because of this, she is encouraging others to pay close attention to their body.

She said, “Be persistent and even if you have to go for a second opinion.”

Marcel said too that her battle with the disease has changed her life, especially

her eating habits “I want to tell others who are experiencing some discomfort, always check your body from top to bottom, if you find anything abnormal, go check. If you know that something is wrong , be persistent,” Marcel emphasised.

Thirteen year old Shelly Debideen was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer at the tender age of nine. Shelly, now age thirteen, is indeed a fighter. She shared her experience with the Guyana Times Sunday Magazine.

“I experienced swelling in my tummy and fever; I visited the doctor many times without a diagnosis.

At the time I had entered Grade 6 and I was forced to stay home from classes,” Shelly said.

The teenager was first diagnosed in Region 1(Barima Waini) and later referred to Georgetown.

She said too that her treatment was not too hard. “It was not too bad but, I would never want to pass through it again, I experienced hair loss, nausea and muscle pains,” she shared. Shelly bravely recalled that she felt scared when she first heard her diagnosis, but credits her family support for her strength to fight the disease.

She is now encouraging persons to never give up. “Many people die from Cancer but you have to get up and try for yourself,” Shelly stated. The teenager now volunteers at various cancer outreaches.

GPHC Oncologist Dr. Latoya Gooding explained that, while cancer awareness activities often advocate screenings, their intended target audience is not usually children.

Shelly’s case is rare – she was the first such case diagnosed in Guyana – but cancer in children is not. Among the children living with cancers in Guyana, leukemia is the most common diagnosis.

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Feature

Cancer mortality in Guyana

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ccording to the Ministry of Public Health’s data, Guyana ranks highest with cancer-related mortality rate of 46.9 percent and a mortality rate of 21.0 per 100,000 persons, when compared to the Caribbean Region. In fact, in Guyana, cervical cancer alone kills an estimated 100 women every year, making it the leading cause of cancer mortality among local women.

The global state of affairs is farther reaching with some 530,000 new cases of cervical cancer detected annually and killing approximately 266,000 women or 50.2 per cent of the total cancer victims.

According to the publication ‘ A Profile of Cancer in Guyana – 20032012’, Data from most of the developing world is severely lacking in quality and completeness, thereby posing a major challenge for individual countries to effectively plan and implement prevention and control programmes.

According to the report, the notification of Cancer is not mandatory in Guyana; most data

is collected by staff of the Guyana Cancer Registry, with a few institutions reporting data to the registry. Many of the risk factors identified for cancers are smoking, physical inactivity, dietary patterns, reproductive behaviours and infectious agents.

During the observance of World Cancer Day, the Public Health Ministry usually collaborates with a number of Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) and the private sector to host cervical cancer screenings through Visual Inspection using Acetic Acid (VIA) method and sensitisation sessions.

Cervical cancer, a cancer arising from the cervix, is linked to several risk factors, mainly the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), chlamydia infection, early sexual activity and multiple sexual partners.

Ministry of Public Health medical outreaches have been conducted in several areas over the years including, Orealla, Region Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne); Kabacaburi, Region Two (Pomeroon/ Supenaam) and Sophia,

Dr. William Adu-Krow, PAHO/WHO Guyana Representative

Region Four (Demerara/ among many others.

The Ministry is finalising a comprehensive cancer prevention and control programme for the country. This will aid in ensuring that common risk factors for cancers, such as tobacco and alcohol use, physical inactivity and unhealthy diets are addressed.

When the Ministry of Public Health released a Cancer Surveillance Report in 2015 which

highlighted the recorded state of cancer over the period 2003-2012, it was revealed that in excess of 6,000 individuals were diagnosed with cancer.

It was reported, then, that while on a global scale lung cancer was deemed the leading cause of cancer deaths; in Guyana breast cancer was responsible for the highest number of cancer related fatalities.

Cervical cancer has reportedly since taken the

lead.

The Cancer Surveillance Report had revealed that there were 1,090 cases of breast cancer over the period under consideration in the report. Following the prevalence of breast cancer was cancer of the cervix which accounts for 1,014 cases; prostate (865 cases); colo-rectal (440 cases); uterus (325 cases); stomach (240 cases); lung (233 cases); liver (219 cases); ovary (212 cases)

and lymphoma (136 cases).

Data out of the Cancer Registry, drawn from both public and private medical institutions, suggest that since access to treatment has been near non-existent more than half of those inflicted with the disease died.

Dr. William AduKrow, PAHO/WHO Guyana Representative stated that Cancer is the leading cause of death in the Americas. He said that in 2012, cancer accounted for 1.3 million deaths, 47% of which occurred in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).

The number of cancer deaths in the Americas is projected to increase from 1.3 million to 2.1 million between 2012 and 2030.

Meanwhile, the overall cancer mortality rate in LAC is 107/100,000 and within the region the highest rates are observed in Uruguay, Barbados, Peru, Argentina and Chile, with the exception of Guyana. The most common cancers in the Region include: stomach, prostate, lung and colorectal cancers in men; and cervical, breast, stomach and colorectal cancers in women.

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Sunday Times Magazine

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Feature

therapy. “These patients come to us in later stages, maybe after a year when we cannot save them. Do not let anyone distract you from the normal course of treatment.”

In expounding on the seriousness of the disease, in all of its forms, he emphasized that cancer is not the disease or affrication of certain people “Cancer is like a monster which can show up and anytime, anywhere, any race. No one is immune.

The community as a large has to join hands. The government, corporate Guyana and health care organizations need to join hands and beat this monster.

Otherwise it is very difficult,” Dr. Ghazi stated.

High Risk Populations

I

The team at the Cancer Institute of Guyana

n the Caribbean and South America there are 96,000 women who die every year from breast cancer and 36,000 who die of cervical cancer.

According to the Cancer Institute's Outreach Director, Dr. Syed Ghazi, because of that these high numbers, a myriad of programmes have been adapted and are being implemented in partnership with Regional and International Organisations.

“We are partnering with other Cancer Organisations in the Caribbean Region; it is a health Caribbean coalition. Under a Grant from Australia, we are running campaigns in Guyana.

Every year we choose cer-

tain regions and screen at least 1000 women. Last year we were in the top three recognized institutions who were successfully implementing this campaign,” Dr. Ghazi explained. He emphasized too that the main purpose and target is to eliminate cervical cancer by 2025.

Partnerships

Dr. Ghazi also praised the work and collaboration with the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). He said, “The good thing is whatever disadvantages we have, we have team work. I appreciate the Ministry of Health and the GPHC for always cooperating.” He emphasized too

Dr. Ghazi and Dr Sayan Chakraborty standing next to the Brachytherapy machine

that the Institute’s work does not cease when a programmes end, but rather it’s a continuous process. In fact, he divulged that members will be venturing on February 15, 16 and 18 to Madhia, to facilitate screening and a general outreach.

“That is how it is done, cooperation and partnerships.

These things are necessary to fight this disease,” Dr. Ghazi stressed.

More importantly, he explained that the Institute offers treatment to patients who could not afford it; as a result there are now a large number of survivors.

He said, “The patients come from various groups. It gives us a certain pride that we are making a difference”

Cervical Cancer Awareness

Alluding to the success of the recently concluded Cervical Cancer Awareness Month in January, the Institute’s Outreach Director said that there was a great response from the public. He revealed that during the just concluded campaign, four hundred patients were screened at the Cancer Institute.

“The idea of creating awareness besides seminars and such is to offer something to the community. We are doing real things through donor agencies locally and abroad and we do not let anyone go without treatment,” he said as he revealed too that the Institute is the only Centre offering radiation therapy.

Importance of Treatment

He expressed concern over the taboos out there that radiation therapy kills a person. “I have given this message often and I think it is reaching people. People now understand that the chemo and radiation therapy are targeted to the abnormal cancer cells and not the normal cells. If you were to choose between death and life, you would choose life.”

Dr. Ghazi maintained that the side effects for this kind of treatment is similar to some other medication, as soon as you stop taking the medication, the side effects go away. He had strong words for those persons who are creating a scare and persuading persons not to take the chemo

ready too late then. Regular checkups are prescribed.”

According to Dr. Ghazi, a woman over forty years should get a mammogram and should not question the need to have this procedure done. Similarly, women should have their regular pap smears. He said too that screening for Prostate Cancer in men starts at fifty years but in Afro Guyanese population, the screening starts five years before that.

He is therefore encouraging men and women utilise the free services at the various Health Centers across the country.

Dr. Ghazi also pointed to the many benefits of a healthy diet and lifestyle choices. “Diet is very important; people should watch what they consume, primarily junk food. It’s a big factor not only for Cancer but Diabetes and Hypertension,” he stressed.

The Director is therefore encouraging the population to make their lives green.

He said, “Guyana has been blessed with a wide variety of fresh vegetables that everyone should consume more. Try to make your life green, green is good” Dr. Ghazi reminded that there is an

The Cancer Institute's Outreach Director pointed out that every cancer has risk factors for example; cervical cancer is more susceptible in women who have had multiple pregnancies, multiple partners, and engaged in early sexual activity. Based on these factors and the previous history, Officials then determine which communities or parts of the community are more susceptible or at risk for certain kinds of Cancers.

He explained, “Prostate Cancer in America is most common in Afro Guyanese population. This is where we are making a difference, by continuously doing things and campaigning for early screening. Now we see a lot of women coming for screeni n g , breast c a n cer and cervical canallcer.

I also see s o m e Dr Syed Mujahid Ghazi m e n , though they are few, we are try- out war on the dreaded dising to break that ice. I hope ease. He stated “Cancer is a that soon we will also see monster and there is a war. more men visiting the in- This is a terror which is stitution. It is not at an slipping in our populations alarming rate but Prostate without us even knowing it.” He therefore urged evCancer is common in men.” eryone to declare a war on Cancer. He also noted that Early Detection saves Lives He also advocated for for the efforts to be a sucpersons to understand how cess there must be the necvital early detection is in essary partnerships and the fight against cancer and collaboration with Health in the bid to reduce mor- Officials and Corporate tality associated with the Guyana. “More collaboradisease. “The problem is if tion is needed to ensure you don’t get screened you that a wider percentage of might miss something that the population can access is there. Screening doesn’t health care. We need to mean that you come to the put funds into programmes Centre when you get signs that save lives.” he encourand symptoms. It is al- aged.

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Feature

Participants of the Cancer Survivor/ Patient & Spouse Workshop sponsored by Giving Hope Foundation - Guyana, H.E.R.O.C, Sar & B Nonprofit Foundation, Guyana Premier & Ministry of Public Health - Guyana therapy,” the Foundation’s President explained. She emphaised too that this type of support is vital, as this patient now has a 100 percent chance of walking away from the disease.

Reaching out to communities

Dr. Gooding interacts with a participant during one their Outreach activities

T

he Giving Hope Foundation is striving to ensure that cancer patients get the necessary information and support they deserve in their fight against all forms of the dreaded disease. According to the President of the Giving Hope Foundation, Dr. Latoya Gooding, this can only be achieved through collaboration with the Ministry of Health , other agencies and businesses ; the local nonprofit organization has made it their goal to reduce the incidence of late stage diagnosis of cancer by 50% by the year 2020.

The Foundation’s President explained to the Guyana Times Sunday Magazine that only a few weeks ago, they hosted their inaugural Cancer Survivor/Patient and Spouse Workshop, at the Grand Coastal Hotel, on the East Coast of Demerara. This initiative was a success and attracted wide participation.

“It was the first initiative and we had a good turnout and response; we were actually catering for twenty five couples and we got thirty-eight,” Dr. Gooding happily announced, as she explained that survivors

were encouraged to invite a member of their support group (husband, mother, friend etc.) She explained too that it was quite encouraging to see the number of husbands who also attended the workshop. One of the key aspects of the activity, she added, was the presentation on Psychology and Surviving, by the visiting Psychologist, Dr. Will Campbell. “To me this was very impressive,” Dr. Gooding stated.

In keeping with the Foundation’s objective of decreasing the instances of late stage diagnosis of Cancer; members of the Foundation have been organising free community outreaches across the country. “In 2016 we hosted outreaches every month, and in October of that year we had four,” Dr. Gooding added. Subsequent to these activities, the Foundation then collaborated with the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) to reach more communities countywide. She said, “We already had two outreaches for the

President of the Giving Hope Foundation, Dr. Latoya Gooding addresses participants of the workshop

tion, pap smear or even prostate exam. That is something that we are very proud to say that we have initiated.”

She emphasised too that members of the Foundation use the initiative to reach as many members of the population as they can, and share

ent day, we only now we are seeing more participation from men,” the Giving Hope Foundation President added.

She explained too that representatives from the Ministry of Health are also very supportive when it comes to encouraging com-

Support System

Alluding to the impact of the inaugural Workshop, she revealed that a Whatsapp Support group has already been formed and there are plans on stream to organsie a formal group, which will allow survivors the opportunity to exchange ideas and communicate with each other. With regards to accessing treatment and the sharing of ideas and experiences, Dr. Gooding noted that the idea of having the support group meet on a regular basis is indeed a positive step.

“We had a thirty-two year old patient who was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and she did not want the chemo. She already underwent a mastectomy in November. I sat her down and realised that listening to me was not enough; it was then that I called another cancer patient who just finished her last round of chemo and they spoke for a while; it is like a ‘buddy system’. When she left she was more convinced to start her

importance of collaboration, she explained that the Foundation has received tremendous support for these and other initiatives from corporate Guyana, particularly from the Beharry Group of Companies, CIDI and Ansa Macal among many others. While she expressed gratitude to these companies, she also encouraged others to come on board. “We have had good response from several companies, who have been very supportive; however we are hoping that others get on board. It is a complex collaboration,” Dr. Gooding stated.

Partnerships

Scenes from one of the Cancer Outreach Activities which was organised by Giving Hope Foundation along with other collaborating agencies

year in New Amsterdam and last Saturday, we held it at our Head Office in Ketley Street.” During these activities, persons are screened for breast cancer, cervical cancer and prostate cancer, in addition other health care services which are offered, including testing blood pressure and blood sugar levels.

While the Foundation hopes that such activities will encourage more persons to get screened, Dr. Gooding also explained that, so far, there has been good response. She said, “People are now turning out who have never had a breast examina-

information which can be vital to their survival. “The reason why we have these outreaches is that we don’t want to sit here and wait for persons to come, we want to go out and reach them. There are many reasons why persons are hesitant to participate in such an initiative for whatever reasons.” Dr. Gooding added.

With regards to the cases of cancer in men, Dr. Gooding noted that while there are cases of Prostate and Colon Cancer, there are also cases of Lung Cancer, which are “underdiagnosed”.

“Since we started our outreaches from October 2016 to pres-

munity involvement in the outreaches. “When we chose an area, we create a flyer and get in contact with the Ministry of Health representative in the community.

Most times we check before and interact with community members with the aim of sensitising them and encouraging them to participate,” she highlighted.

One of the main aspects of the activity, she added, is the ‘Sensitisation Talk’, where participants are educated on signs and symptoms, risk factors and treatment available in the public and private health care systems.

In expounding on the

Alluding to upcoming initiatives for World Cancer Day, which is being observed today, the Foundation’s President revealed that they will be collaborating with the Ministry of Health to participate in the Teal Walk, which is being held at the Parade Ground and which is set to commence at 6:00h. “This is in observance of cervical cancer; the awareness month ends on World Cancer Day,” Dr. Gooding noted.

In addition, Dr. Gooding is also the Assistant National Director on the Miss Earth Guyana Planning Committee and is working closely with the National Franchise Director, Dave Lalltoo, Managing Executive, Dr. Omesh Balmacoon and the Events Coordinator, Mr. Myron Stephens to coordinate the upcoming Pageant which will be held in April, 2018. The Pageant, which was last held in 2010, is being staged under the ownership of Guyana Premier.

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FEBRUARY 4,2018

guyanatimesgy.com

Literary Corner

Preserving our literary heritage

By Petamber Persaud

A

lthough this book is a memoir, set during the late 1970s and running into 1980, in Mahaica – a rural village in Guyana – it is written in such a way redirecting our attention to social issues still traumatizing and influencing our responses in the 21st Century. Some of those issues include racial animosity and racial harmony, the role of the family, the death and dearth of community spirit in action, growing pains, dealing with sickness and death, the influence of superstition, the use of storytelling and folklore, overcoming fear, reaching for the stars - to be precise, parents and guardians steering their charges in that direction. The book also touches on internal and regional migration and re-settlement. Unlike many other local books, this one treats the subject of regional migration and re-settlement in some details by showing how the author’s ancestry in form of her grandfather came from the island of St Vincent to Guyana and was part of a movement forming a new village, River View Housing Scheme.

In order to get to the above setting of the story, the reader must first deal with the title which as intriguing as well as a drawing card, skillfully crafted – who is this Belle and what is this belle ringing about, from what platform is this belle been rung, and how we are to listen to this bell - is the bell a bell of alarm, bell

of information, bell of youth crying for attention or a combination of all the above.

The book’s 178 pages are divided into five lengthy chapters which portray minute details of the people, places, events, emotions, actions and responses, some aspects of the books are very revolting in the depiction of sickness and death while other aspects are humourous like the grandfather almost starting a race war over seeking compensation for the lost of the author’s plait which was cut off by a fellow schoolmate. More pronounced than the other two aspects are pleasurable moments like freedom to enjoy and bask in a darkened night when there is a ‘blackout’ power outage, and to be on one’s own, to make choices, to aim for the stars, away from stars pointed out by guardians, to be able to dabble in the arts. All of the above situations are juxtaposed into those five chapters as the author chronicles the most memorable four years of her ‘tweenaged’ life.

This memoir unfolds in chronological order starting on the 10th birthday of the author when the grandmother reveals to her how her biological mother was killed while trying to help her biological grandfather.

These were poignant moments when the author draws closer to her surrogate ‘mummy’ and ‘daddy’ so it was difficult for the author to witness and not be traumatized by first the sickness and death of her ‘daddy’ and later her ‘mummy’. But those challenges only served

Riding the Storm

The winds howled and the sky grew dark.

The storm hit and we were the mark.

The winds blew with exceeding force.

The storm would set our lives off course.

I begged this storm to not strike us, please.

For this storm was truly a terrible disease.

It hits with sudden force and there is no protection.

It is not choosy in making its selection.

to mould the author’s character into the person she envisioned for herself – a person free to choose the arts over science.

That was not however the final liberation of the author; she had to start anew – leaving the rural scene to live in the city with her father and his new wife, something she never wanted.

This is an extraordinary book, a book in which the author draws on all her

A

BOY was stung by a Nettle.

He ran home and told his Mother, saying, "Although it hurts me very much, I only touched it gently." "That was just why it stung you," said his Mother.

Notice to Readers

skills and talents and accomplishments as an educator of many decades, a model, an artist, and a dramatist, to accomplish such a feat. But as she confessed after working in the other art forms, she wanted to try her hand at writing a book and she successes handsomely with Mahaica Belle Rings.

Responses to this author please telephone 226-0065 of email: oraltradition2002@ yahoo.com

Once chosen by this storm, there is no going back.

Your life will continually follow the treatment track.

Treatment is a battle with more than one side-effect.

And there is no guarantee of which plan will be correct.

The storm will ravage psyches of kids and spouses.

And lives will forever be changed inside those houses.

Hospitals, doctors, and prescriptions become a way of life.

And you will need to learn to handle emotional strife.

As the storm passes, rays of hope will appear.

But the threat of ensuing storms remain with those that are dear.

The sun will shine and life will be good.

Yet, the fear of wind and rain is always understood.

"The next time you touch a Nettle, grasp it boldly, and it will be soft as silk to your hand, and not in the least hurt you."

Moral of the Story : Whatever you do, do with all your might

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.

Living with breast cancer is like riding the storm.

Fear of recurrence is ever the norm.

One feels blessed with each day of life.

Now truly knowing the importance of being a mother and a wife.

Only God knows if the skies will remain blue.

Faith in Him must always shine through.

Life must be lived with joy in mind.

And pray that your body's cells will always remain kind.

Michael McHugh

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edge of environmental issues. The winner of the International Segment will serve as the Ambassador to environmental protection campaigns worldwide. Now on its

Miss Earth Guyana Committee members (from Left) Mr. Myron Stephens (Events Coordinator), Mr. Dave Lalltoo (National Director), Dr. Latoya Gooding (Assistant National Director) and Dr. Omesh Balmacoon (Managing Executive)

M

iss Earth Guyana, which is set to be held in April 2018, is an annual national pageant to determine Guyana’s representative for the international segment, Miss Earth; this event is an environmental themed beauty pageant that promotes environmental awareness and focuses mainly on the 'Beauties With a Cause' concept. This platform gives each participating beauty the opportunity to choose an issue plaguing the environment, which is close to their hearts, in an effort to bring about an active change to it. Miss Earth is one of the three largest pageants in the world.

However, even before the contestants have qualified the local Organsiers have revealed that this year’s Pageant has at its heart, a cause dear to all. Members of the Committee, Mr. Myron Stephens (Events Coordinator), Mr. Dave Lalltoo (National Director), Dr. Latoya Gooding (Assistant National Director) and Dr. Omesh Balmacoon (Managing Executive) were all too eager to share this information with the Guyana Times Sunday Magazine.

“The main part of the Pageant is called ‘Beauties for a Cause’. Contestants chose a particular platform, for instance, water pollution; they identify an issue and see how they can make the change. They actually have the opportunity to go out there and implement active change. This is something we are very passionate about,” Dr. Balmacoon explained.

Alluding to the connection between the Miss Guyana Earth Pageant and the fight against cancer, the Managing Executive added, “We know that ninety-five per cent of all cancers are caused by environmental factors, so we are hoping that for this year at least, we can incorporate this aspect. At the same time, while the girls will be raising awareness about other issues, they will also be raising awareness about Cancer.”

Meanwhile, the National Director Mr.

Dave Lalltoo emphasised one of the main reasons the Committee became involved in the Miss Earth Pageant, was the ‘Beauties for a cause’ platform. “We don’t want to get involved in something that, in the end, will bear no fruit. We can use that cause to help Guyana,” he said.

More importantly, Mr. Lalltoo revealed that eighty per cent of their earnings go towards assisting underprivileged children and disadvantaged communities. It was this drive to make a difference, that lead to the collaboration with the Giving Hope Foundation. He explained, “So we wanted to give back to Guyana and Dr. Gooding came into the picture and she had a bigger cause, and we will be looking at Cancers and the environment and incorporating the two agencies. We are looking at big things for Miss Earth.”

“It’s all about the environment and raising awareness about issues affecting the environment. What Miss Earth does, it gets straight to the issues and gives young women the opportunity to be advocates for the Environment,” the National Director added.

Alluding to the correlation between the Pageant and raising awareness about Cancer, Dr. Gooding emphasised that the contestants will be given the chance to “make something happen”. “Ninety-five per cent of all cancers are caused by environmental factors. If we make healthier choices we can be able to decrease our risk of developing Cancer,” she reminded. Application for the Pageant closes on Feb 22nd; the Committee members are urging young ladies to become involved and embrace the opportunity to participate in the truly “authentic Guyanese product”.

Apart from a strong emphasis on environmental protection programs, Miss Earth also aims to showcase and promote various tourist destinations. Every year, 80 to 90 candidates from all over the world compete on beauty and knowl-

17th year, Miss Earth continues to build its reputation as the most relevant and worthwhile beauty event in the world, setting a legacy of beauty and responsibility.

8 Sunday Times Magazine

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Travel and Tourism

W

hile accessing this spectacular waterfall is challenging, one explorer, Tal Ely journeyed to Guyana and visited the falls last year, and detailed his amazing adventure, on Lonely Planet website (the largest travel guide book publisher in the world). “I heard of the name from a local guide, he was the one who offered me the

a voyage of a unique quality, one that made Guyana a different country for me.” He wrote, as he avidly described the warm and friendly nature of the villagers and the impact of the first glimpse of the waterfall. He explained, “No words can describe the arrival to the falls. I have been to the bottom of the Kaieteur gorge as well, and the mere distance

The outstanding Oshi Falls

Members of the “Lost Worlds” Expedition at Oshi Falls (From Left): Monty Halls, Bosie Vincent and Patrick Greaves. ( photo by wondermondo)

hike to the hidden gem, the hardly visited Oshi Falls. The villagers are kind and inviting, curious and respectful, quiet and peaceful. This was

you arrive in Oshi to where the waters crash is far closer, which gives an entirely different sensation, a true feel of the raw power, as if entering a storm.”

T h e Río Oshi (also spelled Ushi, Utshi or Uitshi) makes a dramatic plunge into a broad ampitheater deep in the Guyanese jungle. The waterfall, commonly known

as King George Falls or King George VI Falls, was first reported by Danish scientist Paul A. Zaul in 1938 in a book called, “To the Lost World,’ describing his adventures in the spectacular highlands of Guyana, Venezuela and Brazil. Later he became a prominent author, writing many articles to geography magazines and taking great pictures of the natural world.

Oshi Falls it is located on the Kamarang River in southern Guyana. It is estimated that the falls is roughly 524 feet in height, however, according to experts, it is possible that the falls could approach 700 feet. The spectacular wa-

terfall is considered as the 19th highest waterfall in the world. According to the World Waterfall Database, this “world class waterfall” has great potential.

A few years ago an expedition succeeded in reaching the falls. It was organized by a team of explorers and companies, including Bosie Vincent, Patrick Greaves and broadcast production company "Electric Sky Productions", with the participation of Monty Halls and Leo Houlding. The aim of expedition was to produce a new "Discovery" channel series named "Lost Worlds" depicting some of the least explored areas of the world.

Vicinities of Oshi Falls defi-

nitely fall into this category.

Patrick Greaves wrote: "The area was absolutely incredible, truly untouched.

However, the falls were far more challenging than we initially predicted. The area around the base simulated conditions close to a hurricane and were truly ferocious and the rock which formed the waterfall was new to even the climbers, like shale rock it was thin and broke away easily. This made climbing extremely dangerous and eventually we abandoned this attempt and instead descended down from the top in order to see what life lived around the cliff."

Story about Shea Rock: The story about the big, black, round rock in the old, old days

T

he Shea Rock is a mountain peak in South Rupununi, Guyana.

There are many stories that surround this unique rock formation. It has historically been a sacred place for the Wapishiana nation. The early settlers in the area coined the name the “Shea” (or “Swelling” when translated to modern English) rock. Visitors and locals alike can join the annual South Rupununi Safari for the opportunity to visit this historic attraction.

People said that there was a young boy who lived with his parents. One day he became sick. His parents tried everything they could to cure him and he never got

well. Instead his illness got worse; his body swelled and swelled each day. When his mother saw her son’s condition she was so helpless she started to cry for her son. She said “Son I have tried all my best, I don’t know what more to do.” She went on crying.

Maybe I will ask you to burst. Just as she said that she slowly saw the sick boy BURST out. So that is how the boy vanished from his mother’s sight to be that big black rock which remains in Shea village. The original name was sheaaan tau or sheaa tau which really means swollen rock. (Story courtesy Visit Rupununi Guyana) Shea Rock is a 676 ft / 206 m mountain

peak in Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo, Guyana. Based on peakery data, it ranks as the 41st highest mountain in Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo and the 138th highest mountain in Guyana. The nearest peaks are

Wiwitau Mountain, Kalishadaker Mountain, Tamboro Mountain, Kuddewaitau Mountain, Darukoban Mountain, and Makawatta Mountain. (Photos by Kyle Joseph)

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Sunday Times Magazine

9

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FEBRUARY 4, 2018

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Sunday Times Magazine 11

Home & Cooking

Recipe of the week

Ingredients:

4 ripe (yellow) plantains ½ yellow onion, diced 4 heads of green onions, finely chopped with white and green parts separated 3 baby bell peppers, cut into circles 2 cloves of garlic, grated or crushed

3 sprigs of thyme, leaves removed from the stems 1 large tomato, diced 2 tbsp oil 1 tsp, plus a pinch of salt A small pinch of black pepper

Crushed velvet is one of the most dramatic and bold options when it comes to fabrics. Here are some ideas on how to make the crushed velvet look work for your space.

If you're wondering what "crushed velvet" means, it refers to a type of velvet material with an irregular pattern of nap going in different directions. If you run your hand on this type of velvet, it will appear lighter or darker due to the way the light reflects off the uneven nap.

Method:

Peel and dice plantains into 1 inch pieces.

Add plantains to a pot suitable for boiling and cover with water. Add 1 tsp salt and boil on medium heat until cooked (about 10 minutes) Next, warm the oil in a large skillet on medium heat, then cook onions, tomatoes, bell peppers, and the white parts of the green onions. Add a pinch of salt and black pepper to the seasoning as they cook.

When the tomatoes cook down and are mushy, add the garlic, followed by the cooked plantains.

SautĂŠ for 5 minutes constantly turning to avoid burning Then add the green parts of the green onions and the fresh thyme leaves.

Toss and serve Notes: If your plantains are really ripe keep an eye on them while boiling or they will get too soft.

Boil plantains uncovered to keep it from boiling over and causing a huge mess.

Use baby bell peppers in this dish because they can be easily cut into tiny circles, but you can use regular bell peppers.

Don't add the garlic in with all of the seasoning in the beginning to prevent it from burning.

If using a cast iron skillet, always use medium heat or you will burn the plantains. (https://metemgee.com)

Greatest Cooking Tips

If you're fully onboard with the velvet trend, there's nothing stopping you from having all-velvet furniture. Purple, gold, yellow and blue colours paired with velvet, metallic and lacquered highgloss materials create a living room design that's as visually compelling as it is luxurious.

To get rid fruit stains on your fingers, rub them with a fresh, peeled potato or white vinegar.

If your milk fresh for longer and stop it from going off, try adding a pinch of salt to the bottle when you first open it.

When making a soup, sauce, or casserole that ends up too fatty or greasy, drop in an ice cube, the ice will attract the fat, which you can then scoop out.

Home Help

Keep air pure with houseplants. Research from NASA and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America suggests that palms, ferns, Chrysanthemums and similar plants remove up to 87% of indoor pollutants.

To remove ring around the collar, draw over the stain with a piece of white chalk. Let it soak up the grease for a few minutes, then dust off excess chalk and launder as usual.

To help old wooden drawers (without runners) open and close smoothly, rub a candle on the tracks.

If you're a neutral lover until the end, texture is key to keeping your spaces from feeling stale. A sophisticated headboard upholstered in a gorgeous crushed velvet fabric makes a luxurious statement in this neutral master bedroom.

12 Sunday Times Magazine

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FEBRUARY 4,2018

Puzzles

Crossword

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ACROSS

89 "Othello" villain William Butler - 93 Eye cosmetics Pulitzer poet Conrad

94 Wicket toppers Dapper

95 Flip-flops Macho type (hyph.)

97 State VIP Up -- -- (stumped)

98 Texas athlete Moccasin, maybe

99 Mars a car Is entitled to 100 Ism 1836 battle site

101 Longest French river Bicycle part

103 RR terminal Kitchen gadget

104 Ocean crossing Alan Ladd film

106 Georgetown gridders Beau

107 Red-letter name Old-world trade org.

108 Injection Laissez- - 110 Ink partners Foul-smelling 111 Wet "His Master's Voice" co.

112 Bright with light ER staffers 113 New-car option

Like khaki 115 Magnate Rodeo mount

116 Washer cycle Greasy spoon

117 Kind of shower Rendezvous

120 -- Hall & John Oates Avoid cancellation 122 Orchard Mimicry

124 Beatles' meter maid Inbox filler

128 Lend a hand Glues on

129 Former JFK arrival Between

131 Low ground Lands in "la mer" 133 Beethoven dedicatee

Cook in a wok

135 "-- appetit!"

A Wright brother 136 UFO movie (hyph.)

Helen, in Spanish

138 Calculator preceders Elegant

140 Cider source Vocalist -- Sumac 142 Spoil Aviator

144 Quebec school Morning - 145 Appraised Suds 146 Like chiffon

Kayak's kin

147 Woodworking tools Nth deg.

148 Shankar's strings Tropical fruit

149 Nitrogen compound Ore deposits

150 Broom -- (comics witch) Shrink in fear 151 Yeasayer Perchance

Steakhouse order DOWN Wooded valleys 1 Fishtailed Blackouts

2 Chloroform kin Japanese canine

3 Flowering palm tree Suppress

4 Tie-dyed garment Light bender 5 Ego Clingmans Dome range

6 Wants strongly Nervous swallows

7 Like cornstalks (3 wds.)

Elvis' disputed middle name 8 Isak's real name

Puzzle

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Just scrape by Foam-ball brand Springtime activity Exclaiming over Barter Spike TV, once North Sea tributary Luau site "Xanadu" rockers Kiwi language Revival shouts Vikings Dogpatch resident Minnesota town -- action suit Hush money Tourist staple Finds new tenants Hirt and Gore Bedroom community Racehorse, slangily Net Really the pits Monsieur's daughter Moves like a butterfly Single-handed Hair curlers Binding

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Mind's-eye view Yard tools A moon of Jupiter

Team practice activity

Round dwellings Pesky insects Chops down Biscayne Bay city Zodiac sign Running mates Prompting Bet acceptor Blunts Maine campus town Bolshoi rival Considerably Urges along Lower prices Hazy Tavern sign (2 wds.)

Turf warriors In front Tums target Bridge maven Plain as day Hit on the head Irksome Toboggans

99 Does batik

100 "Juke Box Baby" singer

102 Basket-maker's twig

105 Fiery gems 106 Flings

107 Pantyhose brand 109 Prehistoric

111 Autumn diversion

112 Jet set destination

114 Less difficult 115 Reinforced

116 Turned over and over

117 First and third

118 Designer Nina - 119 -- box

121 Fine violin

123 Ward off

125 Balearic resort isle

126 -- down (got quiet) 127 Restless

130 O'Hara estate

132 Greasy-spoon fare

134 Coup d'- 137 Sunshine st.

139 Loud thud

141 Honor society letter

143 Big fuss See Solution on Pg 13

KATHLEEN SAXE

WORD GAME TODAY'S WORD -- EULOGIZED (EULOGIZED: YOO-lih-jized: Praised highly in speech or writing.)

Average mark 26 words Time limit 40 minutes Can you find 33 or more words in EULOGIZED?

pepo peso poor pope pore pose

poser prep prod prop prose redo

rode rodeo rood rope rose odor

oops oppose sopped sore sped spoor

spore epos doer does door dope

dose drop droop

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

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FEBRUARY 4,2018

Sunday Times Magazine 13

Health

A

ccording to a study conducted by Harvard University, dietary habits can promote cancer or protect against it. Although the link between cancer and diet is just as mysterious as the disease itself, much research has pointed toward certain foods and nutrients

Processed meat

Processed Meat is any meat that has been smoked or fermented or includes added salt and nitrites to enhance flavor. The connection between processed meat and cancer is consistent, says Dr. Giovannucci. For instance, about 30 prospective stud-

he says. "Some cancers develop over many decades, and you may need to increase dietary antioxidants in your early years to see a benefit."

There are a wide variety of high-antioxidant foods, however researchers suggest focusing on bright colors, such as dark green, orange, purple, and red fruits and vegetables—for instance, spinach, carrots, and tomatoes.

Glycemic index

Carbohydrates have a Jekyll-and-Hyde role with cancer: they can be good or bad depending on the source.

Glycemic index (GI), a measure of how fast carbohydrates turn into sugar in the blood, helps us tell the good from the bad.

A study of 3,100 peothat may help prevent—or, conversely, contribute to— certain types of cancer. The study surmised that while there are factors you can't change that increase your cancer risk, such as genetics and environment, there are others you can control. In fact, estimates suggest that less than 30% of a person's lifetime risk of getting cancer results from uncontrollable factors. The rest you have the power to change, including your diet.

It is important for us to keep in mind that most research only points to associations between diet and cancer, and not necessarily a cause-and-effect relationship. "It not 100% certain that consuming more or less of certain foods or nutrients will guarantee cancer protection," says Dr. Edward Giovannucci of Harvard's T.H. Chan School of Public Health. "But science has found that certain dietary habits tend to have a greater influence." During the study four areas stood out.

milligrams (mg) or more per day—may be linked to a higher risk of prostate cancer.

Another way to look at diet's role in cancer prevention is in terms of weight management. Modifying your diet can

In India, turmeric is extremely popular in Ayurvedic medicine and cooking. The country produces roughly 80 percent of the turmeric eaten around the world, according to Sheila Dillon, of BBCs the Food Programme.

Rates of cancer are “surprisingly low in many countries that cook with turmeric,” said Dr Michael Mosley, a former general practitioner and current presenter of BBC Two’s Trust Me I’m A Doctor.

In India today, turmeric–or haldi, as it is known there– is still taught to children as the first antiseptic

keep your weight under control, which offers even more protection. A 2014 study in The Lancet found that a higher body mass index increases the risk of developing some of the most common cancers. Scientists discovered that among five million people studied, gain of 34 pounds was linked with a 10% or higher risk for colon,

one should put on a wound.

One study of 100 participants at University College London demonstrated that regularly consuming just 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder significantly affects the expression of the SLC6A15 gene, which is involved in three types of disease: depression and anxiety, asthma, eczema and cancer.

When they compared these men with others who did not meet these standards, the researchers discovered that men could avert or delay 67% of cancer deaths and prevent 63% of new malignancies each year. In terms of specific cancers, men could reduce incidence of bladder cancer by 62%, prostate cancer by 40%, and kidney cancer by 36%.

A Taste for Turmeric

Antioxidants

Crossword Solution

ple, presented at the 2016 Experimental Biology forum, found that consuming foods with a high GI (70 or higher on the 100-point GI scale) was associated with an 88% greater risk for prostate cancer.

High-GI items include sugarsweetened soft drinks, fruit juices, and processed foods like pizza.

On the flip side, eating lower-GI foods like legumes (beans, lentils, and peas) was linked with a 32% lower risk of both prostate and colorectal cancers. Another study, published March 2015 in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, linked a highGI diet with lung cancer, the second most common cancer among men. The study showed an almost 50% increase in risk among people with the highest GI diet compared with those with the lowest.

Cancer prevention is often a matter of lifestyle

While diet and weight loss are central for cancer prevention, combining a good diet with other healthy habits can further lower your risk, according to a study in the May 2016 issue of JAMA Oncology.

Harvard researchers examined four main lifestyle areas that are associated with health status: smoking, drinking, weight, and exercise.

They looked at 46,000 men over 26 years and classified about 12,000 as a low-risk group because they engaged in defined healthy behavior in all four areas—they did not smoke, drank moderate amounts of alcohol (no more than two servings per day), had a body mass index of 18.5 to 27.5, and engaged in 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week.

Weight gain and cancer

ies of colorectal cancer—the third most diagnosed cancer in men—found that eating around 50 grams a day of processed meat (about 2 ounces) is associated with about a 20% increase in colorectal cancer risk. The risk factors are similar for red meat, too.

"The exact mechanism is unclear, but it may be related to the added nitrates in processed meat and the heme iron inherently found in red meat," says Dr. Giovannucci.

Antioxidants no doubt are important for cancer prevention, as they help neutralize free radicals that can damage cells. But the larger question is whether taking more through your diet or supplements further reduces your risk.

So far the research to support the more-is-better approach has not been impressive, says Dr. Walter Willett of the T.H. Chan School of Public Health. "We don't yet know how long you would need to take extra antioxidants for a benefit to be seen,"

gallbladder, kidney, and liver cancers. The connection?

Experts say body fat produces hormones and inflammatory proteins that can promote tumor cell growth.

Calcium

Some evidence suggests higher calcium intake can lower the risk for cancer, especially colorectal cancer.

Researchers believe calcium binds to bile acids and fatty acids in the gastrointestinal tract. This acts as a shield to protect cells from the damaging stomach acids. However, other research has shown that extra calcium—2,000

14 Sunday Times Magazine

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FEBRUARY 4,2018

Bollywood/Hollywood

Padmaavat: Deepika Padukone Detectives Clarify Why Robert Wagner Is a Person of Interest ecstatic on receiving note in Natalie Wood's Death from Amitabh Bachchan

A

W

fter 48 Hours revealed Robert Wagner is a person of interest in Natalie Wood's mysterious death, the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department clarified the announcement.

Back in 2011, when Wood's case was re-opened, the LASD Homicide Detectives held a press conference where it was announced Wagner was not a suspect. According to a new bureau statement obtained

by E! News, the department received "more than 100 tips" after the conference, and the detectives "followed up on every single one."

"This resulted in several new witness statements and information more than 30 years after the drowning death of Natalie Wood," part of the statement read. "For the first time, we have witness statements that portray a new sequence of events on the boat that night."

"A witness provided details about hearing yelling and crashing sounds coming from the couple's stateroom," the statement read.

"Shortly afterwards, separate witnesses identified a man and a woman arguing on the back of the boat. The witnesses believed that the voices belonged to Natalie Wood and Robert Wagner."

However, not all of the

hile Deepika Padukone has captivated a lot many from the film industry with her eccentric performance as Rani Padmavati in Padmaavat, the one accolade that stood out for her was from ‘baba’ Amitabh Bachchan.

The Shahenshah of Bollywood wrote a handwritten letter to Deepika expressing how much he loved her performance in the movie.

Sharing the note on social media, she wrote, “there are awards...there are rewards...& then there is THIS! Thank You Baba... @amitabhbachchan”.

Deepika’s much-awaited film Padmaavat released on January 25 and crossed Rs 100 crore-mark at the box office within four days.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s magnum-opus currently stands at Rs 166 crore.

Padmaavat also stars Shahid Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, Jim Sarbh, Aditi Rao Hydari and Raza Murad.

T

his is the second time when Shah Rukh Khan is working with Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma in the same film. They have previously worked in late Yash Chopra’s swan song Jab Tak Hai Jaan.

Katrina Kaif is very fond of Shah Rukh Khan, and it was visible again when she reached the sets of Khan’s forthcoming film, Zero. She posted a picture on Instagram from the sets of director Aanand L Rai’s film and wrote, “The best chauffeur limousine u can order, back together again with @iamsrk @anushkasharma. courtesy the incredible @aanandlrai #zero.”

This is the second time when Shah Rukh Khan is working with Katrina Kaif

and Anushka Sharma in the same film.

They have previously worked in late Yash Chopra’s swan song Jab Tak Hai Jaan.

It was previously reported that Katrina plays a movie star in the film, and that Shah Rukh’s character is her biggest fan. “I play an actress in the film, but I don’t play myself. I’m not Katrina Kaif in the film,” Katrina Kaif said to an English daily a few weeks back.

The teaser of Zero was released on the first day of 2018. It showed Shah Rukh essaying a vertically challenged man, dancing away at a party. The teaser ends with a dialogue in which he talks about people call him a “zero” and how he amplifies the lives of others if he stands behind them.

Akshay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor urge donations for safe menstruation for all

A

ctors Akshay Kumar and Sonam Kapoor, who play lead roles in Padman -- a film highlighting awareness on menstrual hygiene -- have collaborated for a video #AbSamjhautaNahin - The Shopping List, stressing on how the silence around menstruation needs to be broken.

The video, by Culture Machine’s digital channel Blush along with ITC’s Vivel, is a spoken word piece listing alternatives to sanitary pads that women in most parts of the country resort to during periods -- and they range from old and dirty rags to unsafe objects like ash, coconut husk and hay.

It concludes with Akshay and Sonam urging viewers to donate a minimum of Rs 400 to The Vatsalya Foundation in order to facilitate a year-round availability of sanitary pads to women in various parts of the country.

Akshay said in a statement, “The sense

of shame around menstruation is compounded by lack of hygiene products. This can make life difficult for women and girls, who often miss work or school when they’re having their periods. Through the video, we wish to bring out things in the open, so the chance for their being taboos and stigmas kind of starts to dissipate.”

Sonam added, “Due to the secrecy surrounding menstruation, many disadvantaged women and girls end up using unhygienic material which result in serious infections. Through the video, we wish to educate citizens of the country and break the culture of silence around menstruation”.”

With the funds raised through this video, Sakhi Pads will be purchased and distributed to underprivileged women, said Swathi Mukherjee, Director, The Vatsalya Foundation.

witness accounts aligned with what the bureau previously heard.

"As you may recall, Natalie Wood was later reported missing from the boat," the statement continued. "The statements from these new witnesses differ from the original version of events as related by previous witnesses, including the individuals on the boat."

In addition, the detectives clarified that the case is still not ruled a homicide. They also added, "We ask that anyone with firsthand knowledge or any information about the death

of Natalie Wood to call the LASD Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500."

It's important to note that Wagner has been labeled a person of interest in the case, not a suspect. A sheriff's spokesperson told E! News the then-husband of Wood has "always been considered a ‘person of interest.'"

"Actor Robert Wagner, her husband at the time of her death, has always been considered a 'Person of Interest' in the investigation, which remains open," the spokesperson said via a statement.

Why Justin Timberlake Owes His Super Bowl LII Halftime Performance to Michael Jackson

W

hen Justin Timberlake takes the stage in Minneapolis for the Pepsi Super Bowl LII Halftime Show, as with most things in his career, he has one very important person to thank: Michael Jackson.

In fact, every music superstar who's been drafted to take the stage for what is arguably one of the biggest concerts in the entire world since the King of Pop brought the Rose Bowl to its feet on January 31 at Super

Bowl XXVII owes Jackson a debt of gratitude.

Why, you ask? Because 25 years ago, MJ single-handled turned the halftime show into a thing, a spectacle capable of drawing in more viewers than the game itself.

Without him, the Super Bowl would merely be an opportunity to see some neat new commercials punctuated by an arduous and entirely too long game of keep away.

Jennifer Lopez Addresses Sexual Harassment Accusations Against Guess' Paul Marciano

J

ennifer Lopez is speaking out after Guess co-founder Paul Marciano faced sexual harassment claims that he ultimately denies.

Just one day after celebrating the fashion brand's new Spring 2018 campaign, the singer and actress is making it clear that she doesn't support inappropriate behavior.

"My position on these issues is well known, as I have been very vocal about them.

I do not condone any acts of sexual harassment, violation, or misconduct," Jennifer said in a statement to E! News. Any accusations should be fully and thoroughly investigated. I will continue to support our rights as women."

The message comes after former Guess model Kate Upton tweeted vague accusations about Paul on Wednesday night.

"It's disappointing that such an iconic women's brand @GUESS is still empowering Paul Marciano as their creative director #metoo," Kate wrote on Twitter.

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FEBRUARY 4,2018

Sunday Times Magazine 15

16 Sunday Times Magazine

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FEBRUARY 4,2018

Fun Times

Archie

Get together with old friends. You'll be offered in(March 21formation that can help you April 19) make a decision regarding your future. Celebrate your plans with a loved one.

ARIES

You'll

be

mystified

by

TAURUS someone's charm. Take a step (April 20- back and focus on the facts, May 20) not on the promises being made. Control your emotions and keep your money locked up.

Your ability to manipulate GEMINI situations will come in handy.

(MAY 28- Don't give others a chance to June 20) dissect what you say. Rely on others' gullibility to help you outmaneuver rivals and spin things in your favor.

You'll have trouble making a choice when it comes to finan(June 21- cial, medical or legal matters.

July 22) Try not to let your emotions or someone else's opinions interfere with what's best for you.

CANCER

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Dilbert

If you cultivate a good rapport with a loved one, you will be able to turn your intentions into a reality.

Romance should be a priority as you make long-range plans.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Check out the online job market and you'll find something of interest. A change looks promising if you have the qualifications and experience for a position that offers more pay.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Share your time and passions with someone close to you. Whether you spend time with children or a loved one, make the most of your day by offering your undivided attention, affection and loyalty.

SCORPIO The past will come back to (Oct. 24- haunt you if you have left reNov. 22) lationships, situations or goals

Peanuts

unfinished. Revisit where you left off and tidy up loose ends.

Use your intelligence and SAGITTARIUS strength to get what you (Nov. 23want.

Do your own thing to Dec. 21) gain respect and recognition.

Romance will improve your personal life.

Calvin and Hobbes

Don't let temptation get CAPRICORN the better of you. Say no (Dec. 22- to anyone who is pushing Jan. 19) something without giving you the facts and figures or the lowdown on what's expected of you in return.

A partnership needs to be

AQUARIUS built on solid ground. If you or (Jan. 20- someone else is uncertain, it's Feb. 19) probably best to walk away. A secret endeavor will turn into a fiasco.

Help is on the way, but bePISCES (Feb. 20- fore you accept it, find out what's Mar. 20) expected of you in return. Don't let anger or stubbornness stand between you and the achievement of a personal goal.

February 4, 2018

Star Times Bollywood:

Padmaavat: Page 14 Deepika Padukone ecstatic on receiving note from Amitabh Bachchan FREE DISTRIBUTION

2 Sunday Times Magazine

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FEBRUARY 4,2018

Feature

G

olda Clementson was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer. She decided to visit the doctor after noticing that something was wrong with her body. “One day at work I spoke to a friend who encouraged me to visit the doctor,” she explained. After the visit, Golda was given the bad news by her physician. She explained “He then told me that something was wrong. But I wasn’t surprised as I knew that something must be wrong.”

While she noted that since her diagnosis it has been an uphill battle, the Cancer Survivor is encouraging everyone to get in the habit of checking with the doctors. She said, “Do not be afraid to make a visit.

Second thing is observe your body, what it is telling you.

Get a close connection with your body so you will not miss the signs. Develop the attitude of making checks.”

Anna De Morias, 53 years of age was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer,

Cancer Survivors band together (from left ) Anna De Morias, Thirteen year old Shelly Debideen, Marcel Bourne and Maureen Stuart

which progressed to stage four. She was diagnosed in 2008 in the right breast and developed cancer in her left breast in 2015.

Alluding to how she felt after hearing her diagnosis, Anna said, “I saw death when I was diagnosed in 2008. My whole world crushed, but I was brave

Cancer Survivor , Golda Clementson

enough to tell the doctor to take off the breast right away.” She explained too, that it was through her own vigilance that she was able to detect that something else was wrong, the second time around. “The second time I was in Georgetown and I just felt a pain in my breast that was making me uncomfortable. I decided to go to the doctor. I told him about the pain and we did an examination.” She maintained that this has saved her life.

Anna was told by the doctors that she had six months to live, but that did not stop her from fighting and believing that she would get better. She also attributes her recovery to the tremendous support she received. “I had tremendous support from the husband and my entire family. I could tell anybody I had a lot of support, my family, my husband was there for me in every situation.”

Anna is encouraging others to seek medical help and to take care of their bodies.

She reminded persons to listen to what their bodies are telling them, and attributes her survival to her own persistence . She explained, “If I didn’t take that pain seriously what would have happened? Right away you should go to GPHC; they have the best care there in the Oncology department.

Do not take any chances get up and get right away.”

Anna also encouraged men and women to choose their diet wisely and advised them to “cut out those things that are unhealthy”. “We have to be very careful with how we eat,” she shared.

She said too that surviving the disease has caused her to have a different outlook on life. “You have to learn to forgive,” Anna said. Anna now supports other victims and survivors through several support groups.

Marcel Bourne was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2015. She explained to the Guyana Times Sunday

Magazine that one morning, she came out of the bathroom and conducted a breast selfexamination and she felt the lump. “I visited the doctor and explained what she I going through and had a mammogram. At first I was told it was fatty tissue. As time went by, I took another opinion at the GPHC; then I was directed to have a biopsy done,” Marcel explained.

She then discussed the diagnosis wither family and explored all the options, eventually deciding to remove her breasts.

“When I read the results I cried. Although I didn’t question, why me? When I started Chemo it was hard.

It wasn’t easy but the nurses and doctors were like a family,” Anna added.

She said too that she had a very good support system, in her children and friends.

She is also reminding persons to be vigilant with their health. “I want to encourage everyone to check themselves. This morning I met a man with Breast cancer. It was shocking as I didn’t know men get Breast Cancer,” she said.

Meanwhile, Maureen Stuart was diagnosed with stage one breast cancer, in 2017. Her Biopsy report showed that it was Cancer.

“My options were very open, before I did the surgery after I recognised the lump,” Marcel explained.

According to the breast cancer survivor, she had been experiencing on going issues for some years, but after noticing different changes, she went for further check ups. She maintained that something was not quite right and then was diagnosed. Because of this, she is encouraging others to pay close attention to their body.

She said, “Be persistent and even if you have to go for a second opinion.”

Marcel said too that her battle with the disease has changed her life, especially

her eating habits “I want to tell others who are experiencing some discomfort, always check your body from top to bottom, if you find anything abnormal, go check. If you know that something is wrong , be persistent,” Marcel emphasised.

Thirteen year old Shelly Debideen was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer at the tender age of nine. Shelly, now age thirteen, is indeed a fighter. She shared her experience with the Guyana Times Sunday Magazine.

“I experienced swelling in my tummy and fever; I visited the doctor many times without a diagnosis.

At the time I had entered Grade 6 and I was forced to stay home from classes,” Shelly said.

The teenager was first diagnosed in Region 1(Barima Waini) and later referred to Georgetown.

She said too that her treatment was not too hard. “It was not too bad but, I would never want to pass through it again, I experienced hair loss, nausea and muscle pains,” she shared. Shelly bravely recalled that she felt scared when she first heard her diagnosis, but credits her family support for her strength to fight the disease.

She is now encouraging persons to never give up. “Many people die from Cancer but you have to get up and try for yourself,” Shelly stated. The teenager now volunteers at various cancer outreaches.

GPHC Oncologist Dr. Latoya Gooding explained that, while cancer awareness activities often advocate screenings, their intended target audience is not usually children.

Shelly’s case is rare – she was the first such case diagnosed in Guyana – but cancer in children is not. Among the children living with cancers in Guyana, leukemia is the most common diagnosis.

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FEBRUARY 4,2018

Sunday Times Magazine

3

Feature

Cancer mortality in Guyana

A

ccording to the Ministry of Public Health’s data, Guyana ranks highest with cancer-related mortality rate of 46.9 percent and a mortality rate of 21.0 per 100,000 persons, when compared to the Caribbean Region. In fact, in Guyana, cervical cancer alone kills an estimated 100 women every year, making it the leading cause of cancer mortality among local women.

The global state of affairs is farther reaching with some 530,000 new cases of cervical cancer detected annually and killing approximately 266,000 women or 50.2 per cent of the total cancer victims.

According to the publication ‘ A Profile of Cancer in Guyana – 20032012’, Data from most of the developing world is severely lacking in quality and completeness, thereby posing a major challenge for individual countries to effectively plan and implement prevention and control programmes.

According to the report, the notification of Cancer is not mandatory in Guyana; most data

is collected by staff of the Guyana Cancer Registry, with a few institutions reporting data to the registry. Many of the risk factors identified for cancers are smoking, physical inactivity, dietary patterns, reproductive behaviours and infectious agents.

During the observance of World Cancer Day, the Public Health Ministry usually collaborates with a number of Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) and the private sector to host cervical cancer screenings through Visual Inspection using Acetic Acid (VIA) method and sensitisation sessions.

Cervical cancer, a cancer arising from the cervix, is linked to several risk factors, mainly the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), chlamydia infection, early sexual activity and multiple sexual partners.

Ministry of Public Health medical outreaches have been conducted in several areas over the years including, Orealla, Region Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne); Kabacaburi, Region Two (Pomeroon/ Supenaam) and Sophia,

Dr. William Adu-Krow, PAHO/WHO Guyana Representative

Region Four (Demerara/ among many others.

The Ministry is finalising a comprehensive cancer prevention and control programme for the country. This will aid in ensuring that common risk factors for cancers, such as tobacco and alcohol use, physical inactivity and unhealthy diets are addressed.

When the Ministry of Public Health released a Cancer Surveillance Report in 2015 which

highlighted the recorded state of cancer over the period 2003-2012, it was revealed that in excess of 6,000 individuals were diagnosed with cancer.

It was reported, then, that while on a global scale lung cancer was deemed the leading cause of cancer deaths; in Guyana breast cancer was responsible for the highest number of cancer related fatalities.

Cervical cancer has reportedly since taken the

lead.

The Cancer Surveillance Report had revealed that there were 1,090 cases of breast cancer over the period under consideration in the report. Following the prevalence of breast cancer was cancer of the cervix which accounts for 1,014 cases; prostate (865 cases); colo-rectal (440 cases); uterus (325 cases); stomach (240 cases); lung (233 cases); liver (219 cases); ovary (212 cases)

and lymphoma (136 cases).

Data out of the Cancer Registry, drawn from both public and private medical institutions, suggest that since access to treatment has been near non-existent more than half of those inflicted with the disease died.

Dr. William AduKrow, PAHO/WHO Guyana Representative stated that Cancer is the leading cause of death in the Americas. He said that in 2012, cancer accounted for 1.3 million deaths, 47% of which occurred in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).

The number of cancer deaths in the Americas is projected to increase from 1.3 million to 2.1 million between 2012 and 2030.

Meanwhile, the overall cancer mortality rate in LAC is 107/100,000 and within the region the highest rates are observed in Uruguay, Barbados, Peru, Argentina and Chile, with the exception of Guyana. The most common cancers in the Region include: stomach, prostate, lung and colorectal cancers in men; and cervical, breast, stomach and colorectal cancers in women.

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Sunday Times Magazine

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Feature

therapy. “These patients come to us in later stages, maybe after a year when we cannot save them. Do not let anyone distract you from the normal course of treatment.”

In expounding on the seriousness of the disease, in all of its forms, he emphasized that cancer is not the disease or affrication of certain people “Cancer is like a monster which can show up and anytime, anywhere, any race. No one is immune.

The community as a large has to join hands. The government, corporate Guyana and health care organizations need to join hands and beat this monster.

Otherwise it is very difficult,” Dr. Ghazi stated.

High Risk Populations

I

The team at the Cancer Institute of Guyana

n the Caribbean and South America there are 96,000 women who die every year from breast cancer and 36,000 who die of cervical cancer.

According to the Cancer Institute's Outreach Director, Dr. Syed Ghazi, because of that these high numbers, a myriad of programmes have been adapted and are being implemented in partnership with Regional and International Organisations.

“We are partnering with other Cancer Organisations in the Caribbean Region; it is a health Caribbean coalition. Under a Grant from Australia, we are running campaigns in Guyana.

Every year we choose cer-

tain regions and screen at least 1000 women. Last year we were in the top three recognized institutions who were successfully implementing this campaign,” Dr. Ghazi explained. He emphasized too that the main purpose and target is to eliminate cervical cancer by 2025.

Partnerships

Dr. Ghazi also praised the work and collaboration with the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). He said, “The good thing is whatever disadvantages we have, we have team work. I appreciate the Ministry of Health and the GPHC for always cooperating.” He emphasized too

Dr. Ghazi and Dr Sayan Chakraborty standing next to the Brachytherapy machine

that the Institute’s work does not cease when a programmes end, but rather it’s a continuous process. In fact, he divulged that members will be venturing on February 15, 16 and 18 to Madhia, to facilitate screening and a general outreach.

“That is how it is done, cooperation and partnerships.

These things are necessary to fight this disease,” Dr. Ghazi stressed.

More importantly, he explained that the Institute offers treatment to patients who could not afford it; as a result there are now a large number of survivors.

He said, “The patients come from various groups. It gives us a certain pride that we are making a difference”

Cervical Cancer Awareness

Alluding to the success of the recently concluded Cervical Cancer Awareness Month in January, the Institute’s Outreach Director said that there was a great response from the public. He revealed that during the just concluded campaign, four hundred patients were screened at the Cancer Institute.

“The idea of creating awareness besides seminars and such is to offer something to the community. We are doing real things through donor agencies locally and abroad and we do not let anyone go without treatment,” he said as he revealed too that the Institute is the only Centre offering radiation therapy.

Importance of Treatment

He expressed concern over the taboos out there that radiation therapy kills a person. “I have given this message often and I think it is reaching people. People now understand that the chemo and radiation therapy are targeted to the abnormal cancer cells and not the normal cells. If you were to choose between death and life, you would choose life.”

Dr. Ghazi maintained that the side effects for this kind of treatment is similar to some other medication, as soon as you stop taking the medication, the side effects go away. He had strong words for those persons who are creating a scare and persuading persons not to take the chemo

ready too late then. Regular checkups are prescribed.”

According to Dr. Ghazi, a woman over forty years should get a mammogram and should not question the need to have this procedure done. Similarly, women should have their regular pap smears. He said too that screening for Prostate Cancer in men starts at fifty years but in Afro Guyanese population, the screening starts five years before that.

He is therefore encouraging men and women utilise the free services at the various Health Centers across the country.

Dr. Ghazi also pointed to the many benefits of a healthy diet and lifestyle choices. “Diet is very important; people should watch what they consume, primarily junk food. It’s a big factor not only for Cancer but Diabetes and Hypertension,” he stressed.

The Director is therefore encouraging the population to make their lives green.

He said, “Guyana has been blessed with a wide variety of fresh vegetables that everyone should consume more. Try to make your life green, green is good” Dr. Ghazi reminded that there is an

The Cancer Institute's Outreach Director pointed out that every cancer has risk factors for example; cervical cancer is more susceptible in women who have had multiple pregnancies, multiple partners, and engaged in early sexual activity. Based on these factors and the previous history, Officials then determine which communities or parts of the community are more susceptible or at risk for certain kinds of Cancers.

He explained, “Prostate Cancer in America is most common in Afro Guyanese population. This is where we are making a difference, by continuously doing things and campaigning for early screening. Now we see a lot of women coming for screeni n g , breast c a n cer and cervical canallcer.

I also see s o m e Dr Syed Mujahid Ghazi m e n , though they are few, we are try- out war on the dreaded dising to break that ice. I hope ease. He stated “Cancer is a that soon we will also see monster and there is a war. more men visiting the in- This is a terror which is stitution. It is not at an slipping in our populations alarming rate but Prostate without us even knowing it.” He therefore urged evCancer is common in men.” eryone to declare a war on Cancer. He also noted that Early Detection saves Lives He also advocated for for the efforts to be a sucpersons to understand how cess there must be the necvital early detection is in essary partnerships and the fight against cancer and collaboration with Health in the bid to reduce mor- Officials and Corporate tality associated with the Guyana. “More collaboradisease. “The problem is if tion is needed to ensure you don’t get screened you that a wider percentage of might miss something that the population can access is there. Screening doesn’t health care. We need to mean that you come to the put funds into programmes Centre when you get signs that save lives.” he encourand symptoms. It is al- aged.

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Feature

Participants of the Cancer Survivor/ Patient & Spouse Workshop sponsored by Giving Hope Foundation - Guyana, H.E.R.O.C, Sar & B Nonprofit Foundation, Guyana Premier & Ministry of Public Health - Guyana therapy,” the Foundation’s President explained. She emphaised too that this type of support is vital, as this patient now has a 100 percent chance of walking away from the disease.

Reaching out to communities

Dr. Gooding interacts with a participant during one their Outreach activities

T

he Giving Hope Foundation is striving to ensure that cancer patients get the necessary information and support they deserve in their fight against all forms of the dreaded disease. According to the President of the Giving Hope Foundation, Dr. Latoya Gooding, this can only be achieved through collaboration with the Ministry of Health , other agencies and businesses ; the local nonprofit organization has made it their goal to reduce the incidence of late stage diagnosis of cancer by 50% by the year 2020.

The Foundation’s President explained to the Guyana Times Sunday Magazine that only a few weeks ago, they hosted their inaugural Cancer Survivor/Patient and Spouse Workshop, at the Grand Coastal Hotel, on the East Coast of Demerara. This initiative was a success and attracted wide participation.

“It was the first initiative and we had a good turnout and response; we were actually catering for twenty five couples and we got thirty-eight,” Dr. Gooding happily announced, as she explained that survivors

were encouraged to invite a member of their support group (husband, mother, friend etc.) She explained too that it was quite encouraging to see the number of husbands who also attended the workshop. One of the key aspects of the activity, she added, was the presentation on Psychology and Surviving, by the visiting Psychologist, Dr. Will Campbell. “To me this was very impressive,” Dr. Gooding stated.

In keeping with the Foundation’s objective of decreasing the instances of late stage diagnosis of Cancer; members of the Foundation have been organising free community outreaches across the country. “In 2016 we hosted outreaches every month, and in October of that year we had four,” Dr. Gooding added. Subsequent to these activities, the Foundation then collaborated with the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) to reach more communities countywide. She said, “We already had two outreaches for the

President of the Giving Hope Foundation, Dr. Latoya Gooding addresses participants of the workshop

tion, pap smear or even prostate exam. That is something that we are very proud to say that we have initiated.”

She emphasised too that members of the Foundation use the initiative to reach as many members of the population as they can, and share

ent day, we only now we are seeing more participation from men,” the Giving Hope Foundation President added.

She explained too that representatives from the Ministry of Health are also very supportive when it comes to encouraging com-

Support System

Alluding to the impact of the inaugural Workshop, she revealed that a Whatsapp Support group has already been formed and there are plans on stream to organsie a formal group, which will allow survivors the opportunity to exchange ideas and communicate with each other. With regards to accessing treatment and the sharing of ideas and experiences, Dr. Gooding noted that the idea of having the support group meet on a regular basis is indeed a positive step.

“We had a thirty-two year old patient who was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and she did not want the chemo. She already underwent a mastectomy in November. I sat her down and realised that listening to me was not enough; it was then that I called another cancer patient who just finished her last round of chemo and they spoke for a while; it is like a ‘buddy system’. When she left she was more convinced to start her

importance of collaboration, she explained that the Foundation has received tremendous support for these and other initiatives from corporate Guyana, particularly from the Beharry Group of Companies, CIDI and Ansa Macal among many others. While she expressed gratitude to these companies, she also encouraged others to come on board. “We have had good response from several companies, who have been very supportive; however we are hoping that others get on board. It is a complex collaboration,” Dr. Gooding stated.

Partnerships

Scenes from one of the Cancer Outreach Activities which was organised by Giving Hope Foundation along with other collaborating agencies

year in New Amsterdam and last Saturday, we held it at our Head Office in Ketley Street.” During these activities, persons are screened for breast cancer, cervical cancer and prostate cancer, in addition other health care services which are offered, including testing blood pressure and blood sugar levels.

While the Foundation hopes that such activities will encourage more persons to get screened, Dr. Gooding also explained that, so far, there has been good response. She said, “People are now turning out who have never had a breast examina-

information which can be vital to their survival. “The reason why we have these outreaches is that we don’t want to sit here and wait for persons to come, we want to go out and reach them. There are many reasons why persons are hesitant to participate in such an initiative for whatever reasons.” Dr. Gooding added.

With regards to the cases of cancer in men, Dr. Gooding noted that while there are cases of Prostate and Colon Cancer, there are also cases of Lung Cancer, which are “underdiagnosed”.

“Since we started our outreaches from October 2016 to pres-

munity involvement in the outreaches. “When we chose an area, we create a flyer and get in contact with the Ministry of Health representative in the community.

Most times we check before and interact with community members with the aim of sensitising them and encouraging them to participate,” she highlighted.

One of the main aspects of the activity, she added, is the ‘Sensitisation Talk’, where participants are educated on signs and symptoms, risk factors and treatment available in the public and private health care systems.

In expounding on the

Alluding to upcoming initiatives for World Cancer Day, which is being observed today, the Foundation’s President revealed that they will be collaborating with the Ministry of Health to participate in the Teal Walk, which is being held at the Parade Ground and which is set to commence at 6:00h. “This is in observance of cervical cancer; the awareness month ends on World Cancer Day,” Dr. Gooding noted.

In addition, Dr. Gooding is also the Assistant National Director on the Miss Earth Guyana Planning Committee and is working closely with the National Franchise Director, Dave Lalltoo, Managing Executive, Dr. Omesh Balmacoon and the Events Coordinator, Mr. Myron Stephens to coordinate the upcoming Pageant which will be held in April, 2018. The Pageant, which was last held in 2010, is being staged under the ownership of Guyana Premier.

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Literary Corner

Preserving our literary heritage

By Petamber Persaud

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lthough this book is a memoir, set during the late 1970s and running into 1980, in Mahaica – a rural village in Guyana – it is written in such a way redirecting our attention to social issues still traumatizing and influencing our responses in the 21st Century. Some of those issues include racial animosity and racial harmony, the role of the family, the death and dearth of community spirit in action, growing pains, dealing with sickness and death, the influence of superstition, the use of storytelling and folklore, overcoming fear, reaching for the stars - to be precise, parents and guardians steering their charges in that direction. The book also touches on internal and regional migration and re-settlement. Unlike many other local books, this one treats the subject of regional migration and re-settlement in some details by showing how the author’s ancestry in form of her grandfather came from the island of St Vincent to Guyana and was part of a movement forming a new village, River View Housing Scheme.

In order to get to the above setting of the story, the reader must first deal with the title which as intriguing as well as a drawing card, skillfully crafted – who is this Belle and what is this belle ringing about, from what platform is this belle been rung, and how we are to listen to this bell - is the bell a bell of alarm, bell

of information, bell of youth crying for attention or a combination of all the above.

The book’s 178 pages are divided into five lengthy chapters which portray minute details of the people, places, events, emotions, actions and responses, some aspects of the books are very revolting in the depiction of sickness and death while other aspects are humourous like the grandfather almost starting a race war over seeking compensation for the lost of the author’s plait which was cut off by a fellow schoolmate. More pronounced than the other two aspects are pleasurable moments like freedom to enjoy and bask in a darkened night when there is a ‘blackout’ power outage, and to be on one’s own, to make choices, to aim for the stars, away from stars pointed out by guardians, to be able to dabble in the arts. All of the above situations are juxtaposed into those five chapters as the author chronicles the most memorable four years of her ‘tweenaged’ life.

This memoir unfolds in chronological order starting on the 10th birthday of the author when the grandmother reveals to her how her biological mother was killed while trying to help her biological grandfather.

These were poignant moments when the author draws closer to her surrogate ‘mummy’ and ‘daddy’ so it was difficult for the author to witness and not be traumatized by first the sickness and death of her ‘daddy’ and later her ‘mummy’. But those challenges only served

Riding the Storm

The winds howled and the sky grew dark.

The storm hit and we were the mark.

The winds blew with exceeding force.

The storm would set our lives off course.

I begged this storm to not strike us, please.

For this storm was truly a terrible disease.

It hits with sudden force and there is no protection.

It is not choosy in making its selection.

to mould the author’s character into the person she envisioned for herself – a person free to choose the arts over science.

That was not however the final liberation of the author; she had to start anew – leaving the rural scene to live in the city with her father and his new wife, something she never wanted.

This is an extraordinary book, a book in which the author draws on all her

A

BOY was stung by a Nettle.

He ran home and told his Mother, saying, "Although it hurts me very much, I only touched it gently." "That was just why it stung you," said his Mother.

Notice to Readers

skills and talents and accomplishments as an educator of many decades, a model, an artist, and a dramatist, to accomplish such a feat. But as she confessed after working in the other art forms, she wanted to try her hand at writing a book and she successes handsomely with Mahaica Belle Rings.

Responses to this author please telephone 226-0065 of email: oraltradition2002@ yahoo.com

Once chosen by this storm, there is no going back.

Your life will continually follow the treatment track.

Treatment is a battle with more than one side-effect.

And there is no guarantee of which plan will be correct.

The storm will ravage psyches of kids and spouses.

And lives will forever be changed inside those houses.

Hospitals, doctors, and prescriptions become a way of life.

And you will need to learn to handle emotional strife.

As the storm passes, rays of hope will appear.

But the threat of ensuing storms remain with those that are dear.

The sun will shine and life will be good.

Yet, the fear of wind and rain is always understood.

"The next time you touch a Nettle, grasp it boldly, and it will be soft as silk to your hand, and not in the least hurt you."

Moral of the Story : Whatever you do, do with all your might

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.

Living with breast cancer is like riding the storm.

Fear of recurrence is ever the norm.

One feels blessed with each day of life.

Now truly knowing the importance of being a mother and a wife.

Only God knows if the skies will remain blue.

Faith in Him must always shine through.

Life must be lived with joy in mind.

And pray that your body's cells will always remain kind.

Michael McHugh

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edge of environmental issues. The winner of the International Segment will serve as the Ambassador to environmental protection campaigns worldwide. Now on its

Miss Earth Guyana Committee members (from Left) Mr. Myron Stephens (Events Coordinator), Mr. Dave Lalltoo (National Director), Dr. Latoya Gooding (Assistant National Director) and Dr. Omesh Balmacoon (Managing Executive)

M

iss Earth Guyana, which is set to be held in April 2018, is an annual national pageant to determine Guyana’s representative for the international segment, Miss Earth; this event is an environmental themed beauty pageant that promotes environmental awareness and focuses mainly on the 'Beauties With a Cause' concept. This platform gives each participating beauty the opportunity to choose an issue plaguing the environment, which is close to their hearts, in an effort to bring about an active change to it. Miss Earth is one of the three largest pageants in the world.

However, even before the contestants have qualified the local Organsiers have revealed that this year’s Pageant has at its heart, a cause dear to all. Members of the Committee, Mr. Myron Stephens (Events Coordinator), Mr. Dave Lalltoo (National Director), Dr. Latoya Gooding (Assistant National Director) and Dr. Omesh Balmacoon (Managing Executive) were all too eager to share this information with the Guyana Times Sunday Magazine.

“The main part of the Pageant is called ‘Beauties for a Cause’. Contestants chose a particular platform, for instance, water pollution; they identify an issue and see how they can make the change. They actually have the opportunity to go out there and implement active change. This is something we are very passionate about,” Dr. Balmacoon explained.

Alluding to the connection between the Miss Guyana Earth Pageant and the fight against cancer, the Managing Executive added, “We know that ninety-five per cent of all cancers are caused by environmental factors, so we are hoping that for this year at least, we can incorporate this aspect. At the same time, while the girls will be raising awareness about other issues, they will also be raising awareness about Cancer.”

Meanwhile, the National Director Mr.

Dave Lalltoo emphasised one of the main reasons the Committee became involved in the Miss Earth Pageant, was the ‘Beauties for a cause’ platform. “We don’t want to get involved in something that, in the end, will bear no fruit. We can use that cause to help Guyana,” he said.

More importantly, Mr. Lalltoo revealed that eighty per cent of their earnings go towards assisting underprivileged children and disadvantaged communities. It was this drive to make a difference, that lead to the collaboration with the Giving Hope Foundation. He explained, “So we wanted to give back to Guyana and Dr. Gooding came into the picture and she had a bigger cause, and we will be looking at Cancers and the environment and incorporating the two agencies. We are looking at big things for Miss Earth.”

“It’s all about the environment and raising awareness about issues affecting the environment. What Miss Earth does, it gets straight to the issues and gives young women the opportunity to be advocates for the Environment,” the National Director added.

Alluding to the correlation between the Pageant and raising awareness about Cancer, Dr. Gooding emphasised that the contestants will be given the chance to “make something happen”. “Ninety-five per cent of all cancers are caused by environmental factors. If we make healthier choices we can be able to decrease our risk of developing Cancer,” she reminded. Application for the Pageant closes on Feb 22nd; the Committee members are urging young ladies to become involved and embrace the opportunity to participate in the truly “authentic Guyanese product”.

Apart from a strong emphasis on environmental protection programs, Miss Earth also aims to showcase and promote various tourist destinations. Every year, 80 to 90 candidates from all over the world compete on beauty and knowl-

17th year, Miss Earth continues to build its reputation as the most relevant and worthwhile beauty event in the world, setting a legacy of beauty and responsibility.

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Travel and Tourism

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hile accessing this spectacular waterfall is challenging, one explorer, Tal Ely journeyed to Guyana and visited the falls last year, and detailed his amazing adventure, on Lonely Planet website (the largest travel guide book publisher in the world). “I heard of the name from a local guide, he was the one who offered me the

a voyage of a unique quality, one that made Guyana a different country for me.” He wrote, as he avidly described the warm and friendly nature of the villagers and the impact of the first glimpse of the waterfall. He explained, “No words can describe the arrival to the falls. I have been to the bottom of the Kaieteur gorge as well, and the mere distance

The outstanding Oshi Falls

Members of the “Lost Worlds” Expedition at Oshi Falls (From Left): Monty Halls, Bosie Vincent and Patrick Greaves. ( photo by wondermondo)

hike to the hidden gem, the hardly visited Oshi Falls. The villagers are kind and inviting, curious and respectful, quiet and peaceful. This was

you arrive in Oshi to where the waters crash is far closer, which gives an entirely different sensation, a true feel of the raw power, as if entering a storm.”

T h e Río Oshi (also spelled Ushi, Utshi or Uitshi) makes a dramatic plunge into a broad ampitheater deep in the Guyanese jungle. The waterfall, commonly known

as King George Falls or King George VI Falls, was first reported by Danish scientist Paul A. Zaul in 1938 in a book called, “To the Lost World,’ describing his adventures in the spectacular highlands of Guyana, Venezuela and Brazil. Later he became a prominent author, writing many articles to geography magazines and taking great pictures of the natural world.

Oshi Falls it is located on the Kamarang River in southern Guyana. It is estimated that the falls is roughly 524 feet in height, however, according to experts, it is possible that the falls could approach 700 feet. The spectacular wa-

terfall is considered as the 19th highest waterfall in the world. According to the World Waterfall Database, this “world class waterfall” has great potential.

A few years ago an expedition succeeded in reaching the falls. It was organized by a team of explorers and companies, including Bosie Vincent, Patrick Greaves and broadcast production company "Electric Sky Productions", with the participation of Monty Halls and Leo Houlding. The aim of expedition was to produce a new "Discovery" channel series named "Lost Worlds" depicting some of the least explored areas of the world.

Vicinities of Oshi Falls defi-

nitely fall into this category.

Patrick Greaves wrote: "The area was absolutely incredible, truly untouched.

However, the falls were far more challenging than we initially predicted. The area around the base simulated conditions close to a hurricane and were truly ferocious and the rock which formed the waterfall was new to even the climbers, like shale rock it was thin and broke away easily. This made climbing extremely dangerous and eventually we abandoned this attempt and instead descended down from the top in order to see what life lived around the cliff."

Story about Shea Rock: The story about the big, black, round rock in the old, old days

T

he Shea Rock is a mountain peak in South Rupununi, Guyana.

There are many stories that surround this unique rock formation. It has historically been a sacred place for the Wapishiana nation. The early settlers in the area coined the name the “Shea” (or “Swelling” when translated to modern English) rock. Visitors and locals alike can join the annual South Rupununi Safari for the opportunity to visit this historic attraction.

People said that there was a young boy who lived with his parents. One day he became sick. His parents tried everything they could to cure him and he never got

well. Instead his illness got worse; his body swelled and swelled each day. When his mother saw her son’s condition she was so helpless she started to cry for her son. She said “Son I have tried all my best, I don’t know what more to do.” She went on crying.

Maybe I will ask you to burst. Just as she said that she slowly saw the sick boy BURST out. So that is how the boy vanished from his mother’s sight to be that big black rock which remains in Shea village. The original name was sheaaan tau or sheaa tau which really means swollen rock. (Story courtesy Visit Rupununi Guyana) Shea Rock is a 676 ft / 206 m mountain

peak in Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo, Guyana. Based on peakery data, it ranks as the 41st highest mountain in Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo and the 138th highest mountain in Guyana. The nearest peaks are

Wiwitau Mountain, Kalishadaker Mountain, Tamboro Mountain, Kuddewaitau Mountain, Darukoban Mountain, and Makawatta Mountain. (Photos by Kyle Joseph)

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Sunday Times Magazine 11

Home & Cooking

Recipe of the week

Ingredients:

4 ripe (yellow) plantains ½ yellow onion, diced 4 heads of green onions, finely chopped with white and green parts separated 3 baby bell peppers, cut into circles 2 cloves of garlic, grated or crushed

3 sprigs of thyme, leaves removed from the stems 1 large tomato, diced 2 tbsp oil 1 tsp, plus a pinch of salt A small pinch of black pepper

Crushed velvet is one of the most dramatic and bold options when it comes to fabrics. Here are some ideas on how to make the crushed velvet look work for your space.

If you're wondering what "crushed velvet" means, it refers to a type of velvet material with an irregular pattern of nap going in different directions. If you run your hand on this type of velvet, it will appear lighter or darker due to the way the light reflects off the uneven nap.

Method:

Peel and dice plantains into 1 inch pieces.

Add plantains to a pot suitable for boiling and cover with water. Add 1 tsp salt and boil on medium heat until cooked (about 10 minutes) Next, warm the oil in a large skillet on medium heat, then cook onions, tomatoes, bell peppers, and the white parts of the green onions. Add a pinch of salt and black pepper to the seasoning as they cook.

When the tomatoes cook down and are mushy, add the garlic, followed by the cooked plantains.

SautĂŠ for 5 minutes constantly turning to avoid burning Then add the green parts of the green onions and the fresh thyme leaves.

Toss and serve Notes: If your plantains are really ripe keep an eye on them while boiling or they will get too soft.

Boil plantains uncovered to keep it from boiling over and causing a huge mess.

Use baby bell peppers in this dish because they can be easily cut into tiny circles, but you can use regular bell peppers.

Don't add the garlic in with all of the seasoning in the beginning to prevent it from burning.

If using a cast iron skillet, always use medium heat or you will burn the plantains. (https://metemgee.com)

Greatest Cooking Tips

If you're fully onboard with the velvet trend, there's nothing stopping you from having all-velvet furniture. Purple, gold, yellow and blue colours paired with velvet, metallic and lacquered highgloss materials create a living room design that's as visually compelling as it is luxurious.

To get rid fruit stains on your fingers, rub them with a fresh, peeled potato or white vinegar.

If your milk fresh for longer and stop it from going off, try adding a pinch of salt to the bottle when you first open it.

When making a soup, sauce, or casserole that ends up too fatty or greasy, drop in an ice cube, the ice will attract the fat, which you can then scoop out.

Home Help

Keep air pure with houseplants. Research from NASA and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America suggests that palms, ferns, Chrysanthemums and similar plants remove up to 87% of indoor pollutants.

To remove ring around the collar, draw over the stain with a piece of white chalk. Let it soak up the grease for a few minutes, then dust off excess chalk and launder as usual.

To help old wooden drawers (without runners) open and close smoothly, rub a candle on the tracks.

If you're a neutral lover until the end, texture is key to keeping your spaces from feeling stale. A sophisticated headboard upholstered in a gorgeous crushed velvet fabric makes a luxurious statement in this neutral master bedroom.

12 Sunday Times Magazine

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FEBRUARY 4,2018

Puzzles

Crossword

1

6 11

16

21

22

23

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26

27 28

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30 32

34

36

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39

41

43

45 47

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80 82

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ACROSS

89 "Othello" villain William Butler - 93 Eye cosmetics Pulitzer poet Conrad

94 Wicket toppers Dapper

95 Flip-flops Macho type (hyph.)

97 State VIP Up -- -- (stumped)

98 Texas athlete Moccasin, maybe

99 Mars a car Is entitled to 100 Ism 1836 battle site

101 Longest French river Bicycle part

103 RR terminal Kitchen gadget

104 Ocean crossing Alan Ladd film

106 Georgetown gridders Beau

107 Red-letter name Old-world trade org.

108 Injection Laissez- - 110 Ink partners Foul-smelling 111 Wet "His Master's Voice" co.

112 Bright with light ER staffers

113 New-car option Like khaki 115 Magnate Rodeo mount

116 Washer cycle Greasy spoon

117 Kind of shower Rendezvous

120 -- Hall & John Oates Avoid cancellation 122 Orchard Mimicry

124 Beatles' meter maid Inbox filler

128 Lend a hand Glues on Former JFK arrival

129 Between

131 Low ground Lands in "la mer"

133 Beethoven dedicatee Cook in a wok

135 "-- appetit!"

A Wright brother

136 UFO movie (hyph.)

Helen, in Spanish

138 Calculator preceders Elegant

140 Cider source Vocalist -- Sumac 142 Spoil Aviator

144 Quebec school Morning - 145 Appraised Suds

146 Like chiffon Kayak's kin

147 Woodworking tools Nth deg.

148 Shankar's strings Tropical fruit

149 Nitrogen compound Ore deposits

150 Broom -- (comics witch) Shrink in fear 151 Yeasayer Perchance

Steakhouse order DOWN Wooded valleys 1 Fishtailed Blackouts

2 Chloroform kin Japanese canine

3 Flowering palm tree Suppress

4 Tie-dyed garment Light bender 5 Ego Clingmans Dome range

6 Wants strongly Nervous swallows

7 Like cornstalks (3 wds.)

Elvis' disputed middle name 8 Isak's real name

Puzzle

9

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12 13

14

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19 20

31

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Just scrape by Foam-ball brand Springtime activity Exclaiming over Barter Spike TV, once North Sea tributary Luau site "Xanadu" rockers Kiwi language Revival shouts Vikings Dogpatch resident Minnesota town -- action suit Hush money Tourist staple Finds new tenants Hirt and Gore Bedroom community Racehorse, slangily Net Really the pits Monsieur's daughter Moves like a butterfly Single-handed Hair curlers Binding

58 59 61

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76 78

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81 82

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94 95 96

Mind's-eye view Yard tools A moon of Jupiter

Team practice activity

Round dwellings Pesky insects Chops down Biscayne Bay city Zodiac sign Running mates Prompting Bet acceptor Blunts Maine campus town Bolshoi rival Considerably Urges along Lower prices Hazy Tavern sign (2 wds.)

Turf warriors In front Tums target Bridge maven Plain as day Hit on the head Irksome Toboggans

99 Does batik

100 "Juke Box Baby" singer

102 Basket-maker's twig

105 Fiery gems 106 Flings

107 Pantyhose brand 109 Prehistoric

111 Autumn diversion

112 Jet set destination

114 Less difficult 115 Reinforced

116 Turned over and over

117 First and third

118 Designer Nina - 119 -- box

121 Fine violin

123 Ward off

125 Balearic resort isle

126 -- down (got quiet) 127 Restless

130 O'Hara estate

132 Greasy-spoon fare

134 Coup d'- 137 Sunshine st.

139 Loud thud

141 Honor society letter

143 Big fuss See Solution on Pg 13

KATHLEEN SAXE

WORD GAME TODAY'S WORD -- EULOGIZED (EULOGIZED: YOO-lih-jized: Praised highly in speech or writing.)

Average mark 26 words Time limit 40 minutes Can you find 33 or more words in EULOGIZED?

pepo peso poor pope pore pose

poser prep prod prop prose redo

rode rodeo rood rope rose odor

oops oppose sopped sore sped spoor

spore epos doer does door dope

dose drop droop

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

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FEBRUARY 4,2018

Sunday Times Magazine 13

Health

A

ccording to a study conducted by Harvard University, dietary habits can promote cancer or protect against it. Although the link between cancer and diet is just as mysterious as the disease itself, much research has pointed toward certain foods and nutrients

Processed meat

Processed Meat is any meat that has been smoked or fermented or includes added salt and nitrites to enhance flavor. The connection between processed meat and cancer is consistent, says Dr. Giovannucci. For instance, about 30 prospective stud-

he says. "Some cancers develop over many decades, and you may need to increase dietary antioxidants in your early years to see a benefit."

There are a wide variety of high-antioxidant foods, however researchers suggest focusing on bright colors, such as dark green, orange, purple, and red fruits and vegetables—for instance, spinach, carrots, and tomatoes.

Glycemic index

Carbohydrates have a Jekyll-and-Hyde role with cancer: they can be good or bad depending on the source.

Glycemic index (GI), a measure of how fast carbohydrates turn into sugar in the blood, helps us tell the good from the bad.

A study of 3,100 peothat may help prevent—or, conversely, contribute to— certain types of cancer. The study surmised that while there are factors you can't change that increase your cancer risk, such as genetics and environment, there are others you can control. In fact, estimates suggest that less than 30% of a person's lifetime risk of getting cancer results from uncontrollable factors. The rest you have the power to change, including your diet.

It is important for us to keep in mind that most research only points to associations between diet and cancer, and not necessarily a cause-and-effect relationship. "It not 100% certain that consuming more or less of certain foods or nutrients will guarantee cancer protection," says Dr. Edward Giovannucci of Harvard's T.H. Chan School of Public Health. "But science has found that certain dietary habits tend to have a greater influence." During the study four areas stood out.

milligrams (mg) or more per day—may be linked to a higher risk of prostate cancer.

Another way to look at diet's role in cancer prevention is in terms of weight management. Modifying your diet can

In India, turmeric is extremely popular in Ayurvedic medicine and cooking. The country produces roughly 80 percent of the turmeric eaten around the world, according to Sheila Dillon, of BBCs the Food Programme.

Rates of cancer are “surprisingly low in many countries that cook with turmeric,” said Dr Michael Mosley, a former general practitioner and current presenter of BBC Two’s Trust Me I’m A Doctor.

In India today, turmeric–or haldi, as it is known there– is still taught to children as the first antiseptic

keep your weight under control, which offers even more protection. A 2014 study in The Lancet found that a higher body mass index increases the risk of developing some of the most common cancers. Scientists discovered that among five million people studied, gain of 34 pounds was linked with a 10% or higher risk for colon,

one should put on a wound.

One study of 100 participants at University College London demonstrated that regularly consuming just 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder significantly affects the expression of the SLC6A15 gene, which is involved in three types of disease: depression and anxiety, asthma, eczema and cancer.

When they compared these men with others who did not meet these standards, the researchers discovered that men could avert or delay 67% of cancer deaths and prevent 63% of new malignancies each year. In terms of specific cancers, men could reduce incidence of bladder cancer by 62%, prostate cancer by 40%, and kidney cancer by 36%.

A Taste for Turmeric

Antioxidants

Crossword Solution

ple, presented at the 2016 Experimental Biology forum, found that consuming foods with a high GI (70 or higher on the 100-point GI scale) was associated with an 88% greater risk for prostate cancer.

High-GI items include sugarsweetened soft drinks, fruit juices, and processed foods like pizza.

On the flip side, eating lower-GI foods like legumes (beans, lentils, and peas) was linked with a 32% lower risk of both prostate and colorectal cancers. Another study, published March 2015 in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, linked a highGI diet with lung cancer, the second most common cancer among men. The study showed an almost 50% increase in risk among people with the highest GI diet compared with those with the lowest.

Cancer prevention is often a matter of lifestyle

While diet and weight loss are central for cancer prevention, combining a good diet with other healthy habits can further lower your risk, according to a study in the May 2016 issue of JAMA Oncology.

Harvard researchers examined four main lifestyle areas that are associated with health status: smoking, drinking, weight, and exercise.

They looked at 46,000 men over 26 years and classified about 12,000 as a low-risk group because they engaged in defined healthy behavior in all four areas—they did not smoke, drank moderate amounts of alcohol (no more than two servings per day), had a body mass index of 18.5 to 27.5, and engaged in 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week.

Weight gain and cancer

ies of colorectal cancer—the third most diagnosed cancer in men—found that eating around 50 grams a day of processed meat (about 2 ounces) is associated with about a 20% increase in colorectal cancer risk. The risk factors are similar for red meat, too.

"The exact mechanism is unclear, but it may be related to the added nitrates in processed meat and the heme iron inherently found in red meat," says Dr. Giovannucci.

Antioxidants no doubt are important for cancer prevention, as they help neutralize free radicals that can damage cells. But the larger question is whether taking more through your diet or supplements further reduces your risk.

So far the research to support the more-is-better approach has not been impressive, says Dr. Walter Willett of the T.H. Chan School of Public Health. "We don't yet know how long you would need to take extra antioxidants for a benefit to be seen,"

gallbladder, kidney, and liver cancers. The connection?

Experts say body fat produces hormones and inflammatory proteins that can promote tumor cell growth.

Calcium

Some evidence suggests higher calcium intake can lower the risk for cancer, especially colorectal cancer.

Researchers believe calcium binds to bile acids and fatty acids in the gastrointestinal tract. This acts as a shield to protect cells from the damaging stomach acids. However, other research has shown that extra calcium—2,000

14 Sunday Times Magazine

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FEBRUARY 4,2018

Bollywood/Hollywood

Padmaavat: Deepika Padukone Detectives Clarify Why Robert Wagner Is a Person of Interest ecstatic on receiving note in Natalie Wood's Death from Amitabh Bachchan

A

W

fter 48 Hours revealed Robert Wagner is a person of interest in Natalie Wood's mysterious death, the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department clarified the announcement.

Back in 2011, when Wood's case was re-opened, the LASD Homicide Detectives held a press conference where it was announced Wagner was not a suspect. According to a new bureau statement obtained

by E! News, the department received "more than 100 tips" after the conference, and the detectives "followed up on every single one."

"This resulted in several new witness statements and information more than 30 years after the drowning death of Natalie Wood," part of the statement read. "For the first time, we have witness statements that portray a new sequence of events on the boat that night."

"A witness provided details about hearing yelling and crashing sounds coming from the couple's stateroom," the statement read.

"Shortly afterwards, separate witnesses identified a man and a woman arguing on the back of the boat. The witnesses believed that the voices belonged to Natalie Wood and Robert Wagner."

However, not all of the

hile Deepika Padukone has captivated a lot many from the film industry with her eccentric performance as Rani Padmavati in Padmaavat, the one accolade that stood out for her was from ‘baba’ Amitabh Bachchan.

The Shahenshah of Bollywood wrote a handwritten letter to Deepika expressing how much he loved her performance in the movie.

Sharing the note on social media, she wrote, “there are awards...there are rewards...& then there is THIS! Thank You Baba... @amitabhbachchan”.

Deepika’s much-awaited film Padmaavat released on January 25 and crossed Rs 100 crore-mark at the box office within four days.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s magnum-opus currently stands at Rs 166 crore.

Padmaavat also stars Shahid Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, Jim Sarbh, Aditi Rao Hydari and Raza Murad.

T

his is the second time when Shah Rukh Khan is working with Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma in the same film. They have previously worked in late Yash Chopra’s swan song Jab Tak Hai Jaan.

Katrina Kaif is very fond of Shah Rukh Khan, and it was visible again when she reached the sets of Khan’s forthcoming film, Zero. She posted a picture on Instagram from the sets of director Aanand L Rai’s film and wrote, “The best chauffeur limousine u can order, back together again with @iamsrk @anushkasharma. courtesy the incredible @aanandlrai #zero.”

This is the second time when Shah Rukh Khan is working with Katrina Kaif

and Anushka Sharma in the same film.

They have previously worked in late Yash Chopra’s swan song Jab Tak Hai Jaan.

It was previously reported that Katrina plays a movie star in the film, and that Shah Rukh’s character is her biggest fan. “I play an actress in the film, but I don’t play myself. I’m not Katrina Kaif in the film,” Katrina Kaif said to an English daily a few weeks back.

The teaser of Zero was released on the first day of 2018. It showed Shah Rukh essaying a vertically challenged man, dancing away at a party. The teaser ends with a dialogue in which he talks about people call him a “zero” and how he amplifies the lives of others if he stands behind them.

Akshay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor urge donations for safe menstruation for all

A

ctors Akshay Kumar and Sonam Kapoor, who play lead roles in Padman -- a film highlighting awareness on menstrual hygiene -- have collaborated for a video #AbSamjhautaNahin - The Shopping List, stressing on how the silence around menstruation needs to be broken.

The video, by Culture Machine’s digital channel Blush along with ITC’s Vivel, is a spoken word piece listing alternatives to sanitary pads that women in most parts of the country resort to during periods -- and they range from old and dirty rags to unsafe objects like ash, coconut husk and hay.

It concludes with Akshay and Sonam urging viewers to donate a minimum of Rs 400 to The Vatsalya Foundation in order to facilitate a year-round availability of sanitary pads to women in various parts of the country.

Akshay said in a statement, “The sense

of shame around menstruation is compounded by lack of hygiene products. This can make life difficult for women and girls, who often miss work or school when they’re having their periods. Through the video, we wish to bring out things in the open, so the chance for their being taboos and stigmas kind of starts to dissipate.”

Sonam added, “Due to the secrecy surrounding menstruation, many disadvantaged women and girls end up using unhygienic material which result in serious infections. Through the video, we wish to educate citizens of the country and break the culture of silence around menstruation”.”

With the funds raised through this video, Sakhi Pads will be purchased and distributed to underprivileged women, said Swathi Mukherjee, Director, The Vatsalya Foundation.

witness accounts aligned with what the bureau previously heard.

"As you may recall, Natalie Wood was later reported missing from the boat," the statement continued. "The statements from these new witnesses differ from the original version of events as related by previous witnesses, including the individuals on the boat."

In addition, the detectives clarified that the case is still not ruled a homicide. They also added, "We ask that anyone with firsthand knowledge or any information about the death

of Natalie Wood to call the LASD Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500."

It's important to note that Wagner has been labeled a person of interest in the case, not a suspect. A sheriff's spokesperson told E! News the then-husband of Wood has "always been considered a ‘person of interest.'"

"Actor Robert Wagner, her husband at the time of her death, has always been considered a 'Person of Interest' in the investigation, which remains open," the spokesperson said via a statement.

Why Justin Timberlake Owes His Super Bowl LII Halftime Performance to Michael Jackson

W

hen Justin Timberlake takes the stage in Minneapolis for the Pepsi Super Bowl LII Halftime Show, as with most things in his career, he has one very important person to thank: Michael Jackson.

In fact, every music superstar who's been drafted to take the stage for what is arguably one of the biggest concerts in the entire world since the King of Pop brought the Rose Bowl to its feet on January 31 at Super

Bowl XXVII owes Jackson a debt of gratitude.

Why, you ask? Because 25 years ago, MJ single-handled turned the halftime show into a thing, a spectacle capable of drawing in more viewers than the game itself.

Without him, the Super Bowl would merely be an opportunity to see some neat new commercials punctuated by an arduous and entirely too long game of keep away.

Jennifer Lopez Addresses Sexual Harassment Accusations Against Guess' Paul Marciano

J

ennifer Lopez is speaking out after Guess co-founder Paul Marciano faced sexual harassment claims that he ultimately denies.

Just one day after celebrating the fashion brand's new Spring 2018 campaign, the singer and actress is making it clear that she doesn't support inappropriate behavior.

"My position on these issues is well known, as I have been very vocal about them.

I do not condone any acts of sexual harassment, violation, or misconduct," Jennifer said in a statement to E! News. Any accusations should be fully and thoroughly investigated. I will continue to support our rights as women."

The message comes after former Guess model Kate Upton tweeted vague accusations about Paul on Wednesday night.

"It's disappointing that such an iconic women's brand @GUESS is still empowering Paul Marciano as their creative director #metoo," Kate wrote on Twitter.

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FEBRUARY 4,2018

Sunday Times Magazine 15

16 Sunday Times Magazine

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FEBRUARY 4,2018

Fun Times

Archie

Get together with old friends. You'll be offered in(March 21formation that can help you April 19) make a decision regarding your future. Celebrate your plans with a loved one.

ARIES

You'll

be

mystified

by

TAURUS someone's charm. Take a step (April 20- back and focus on the facts, May 20) not on the promises being made. Control your emotions and keep your money locked up.

Your ability to manipulate GEMINI situations will come in handy.

(MAY 28- Don't give others a chance to June 20) dissect what you say. Rely on others' gullibility to help you outmaneuver rivals and spin things in your favor.

You'll have trouble making a choice when it comes to finan(June 21- cial, medical or legal matters.

July 22) Try not to let your emotions or someone else's opinions interfere with what's best for you.

CANCER

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Dilbert

If you cultivate a good rapport with a loved one, you will be able to turn your intentions into a reality.

Romance should be a priority as you make long-range plans.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Check out the online job market and you'll find something of interest. A change looks promising if you have the qualifications and experience for a position that offers more pay.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Share your time and passions with someone close to you. Whether you spend time with children or a loved one, make the most of your day by offering your undivided attention, affection and loyalty.

SCORPIO The past will come back to (Oct. 24- haunt you if you have left reNov. 22) lationships, situations or goals

Peanuts

unfinished. Revisit where you left off and tidy up loose ends.

Use your intelligence and SAGITTARIUS strength to get what you (Nov. 23want.

Do your own thing to Dec. 21) gain respect and recognition.

Romance will improve your personal life.

Calvin and Hobbes

Don't let temptation get CAPRICORN the better of you. Say no (Dec. 22- to anyone who is pushing Jan. 19) something without giving you the facts and figures or the lowdown on what's expected of you in return.

A partnership needs to be

AQUARIUS built on solid ground. If you or (Jan. 20- someone else is uncertain, it's Feb. 19) probably best to walk away. A secret endeavor will turn into a fiasco.

Help is on the way, but bePISCES (Feb. 20- fore you accept it, find out what's Mar. 20) expected of you in return. Don't let anger or stubbornness stand between you and the achievement of a personal goal.