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More “aggressive strategy” needed to curb high-profile crimes ISSUE NO. 292

WEEK ENDING May 8, 2016

See story on page 3

…Private Sector seeks audience with President on crime wave Government and Opposition MPs clashed on Wednesday over breach of privileges and the current crime situation gripping the country.

Showdown in Parliament …Several MPs file complaints against each other over breach of privileges

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A miracle: 15-year-old who suffered severe burns on the road to recovery

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lmost three years ago, a then 12-yearold boy was admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) with deep flash burns to 36 per cent of his body.

Bhojpaul Ramjas had been beaten by some older boys who bullied him into climbing a light pole where his body touched a live electri-

cal wire. The injuries he suffered were extreme; he was burnt down to his bones in some areas of his body.

This publication understands that the young boy was treated at the hospital and then sent home to recover after several months.

Unfortunately, as a result of inadequate home care and lack of local medical

Bhojpaul Ramjas

treatment Bhojpaul had recurring infections which was “eating away” at his fragile body.

So, the young boy who was uncertain of his future lay bedridden awaiting either a miracle or death. He continued to suffer so when his aunt from the United States visited and saw his condition and pain, she started a campaign to help

the young man.

This publication was told that the SHEA Charity was contacted on September 8, last year, and the organisation immediately began working in conjunction with the child’s aunt, Camille Ragnauth, to find treatment services to save his life.

“Several hospitals responded to our recontinued on page 3

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A miracle: 15-yearold who suffered...

from page 2

quest for treatment, but most of them required upfront payment which was estimated at well over $300,000.

We then started an online crowdfunding campaign to help offset some of the expenses.

Fortunately, through much networking we were able to find a hospital to accept the child on a probono basis,” said the SHEA Charity.

In less than one month Bhojpaul’s treatment services had been facilitated; secure medical visas, travel arrangements, housing, and meals.

Through the online fundraiser USD $7,000.00 was raised in cash which paid

for most of these fees with the exception of his medical cost.

In March this year, Bhojpaul returned to Guyana a “brand new person.”

“He is well on his way to recovery as he is now pain free and able to walk; something that he was not able to do for approximately three years.

His return travel to Guyana was sponsored by the Shri Devi Mandir Global Humanitarian Foundation of New York, led by Pandit Tillack Seerattan”.

“The Mandir has also pledged to cover his travel costs for a follow-up visit to the US in August of 2016,” the SHEA Charity also stated.

More “aggressive strategy” needed to curb high-profile crimes …Private Sector seeks audience with President on crime wave

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n light of crime spiraling out of control in Guyana, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) has penned a letter to President David Granger in an attempt to have this situation addressed urgently by the relevant authorities.

According to the PSC and other members of the business community, they are deeply disturbed about the current crime rate in the country, especially with a month of festivities slated for the Golden Jubilee which is hoped to attract the Diaspora and others to participate in the celebrations.

“This situation is also steadily eroding investor confidence. The PSC

President David Granger

has met twice with the Honourable Minister of Public Security and with the Commissioner

of Police to no avail. We firmly believe that the citizens of this country can no longer live in fear

of their lives and a more aggressive strategy is needed to curb the high profile crimes which are headlined daily,” the letter to the President stated.

The PSC emphasised that it is of the view that there is dire need of an approach which is focused on the prevention of crime in Guyana and that this approach must be communicated widely.

“We are cognisant of the fact that the current crime situation is not a recent phenomenon.

We also recognise that the ability of our Police Force to solve crimes has improved…we are therefore seeking an urgent audience with you,” the letter added.

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INTERNATIONAL To contact: Guyana Times International

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

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EDITORIAL

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Crimes and celebrations

t would not be hyperbolic to state that over the last two weeks, most Guyanese feel their country is under siege from emboldened criminal elements. It started with the invasion by armed bandits into the grilled home of an elderly rice farming couple; the Munirs, of Good Hope, East Bank Essequibo.

Huddled in their second line of defence, their grilled bedroom, they were not spared by the thwarted bandits who descended into animalistic fury when they doused the home with gasoline and burnt the couple to death. Thousands of rice farmers across Guyana who also deal with large quantities of cash at harvest time, trembled in fear in empathy with the couple.

Across in Georgetown, another Essequibian, Mahendra Persaud, travelled to purchase stocks for his family’s store in Wakenaam. He was trailed by bandits on an infamous CG and as he exited from a store he was accosted by one of the bandits who grabbed his bag. When he resisted, he was shot and for good measure, run over by another accomplice in a car. He died and thousands of rural businessmen who have to visit Georgetown for similar purposes, trembled in fear in empathy with the young businessman.

Last Thursday night, four armed bandits invaded the Alesie Rice Mill at Ruimzigt on the West Coast of Demerara, owned by one of the largest millers and exporters of rice in Guyana. They pistol-whipped the guard, torched their way into the safe and escaped with Gy$4 million. Millers across Guyana trembled in fear in empathy with Mr Doerga.

Last weekend, an armed invasion in the Corentyne was launched against five individuals plucking chicken painstakingly reared over the past months for market. They were robbed of Gy$1 million and a quantity of jewels while one person was shot.

Thousands of poultry farmers across Guyana trembled in fear in empathy with Vanisha Srikissoon and her workers.

But the most brazen and chilling criminal action was the invasion by four armed men in the wee hours of Friday morning of the Ramada Princess Casino at Providence, East Bank Demerara, just hundreds of yards from the Providence Police Station. While Police responded to the criminal assault, three of the bandits escaped while the fourth was captured through his own ineptitude.

In several of the above-mentioned crimes of armed robbery, affected persons complained bitterly about the ineffectual Police response that did not include roadblocks. In the case of the Ramada assault, on December 4, 2014, the Providence Police had a dry run when Sterling Products suffered an identical armed invasion. Corporate Guyana trembled in fear in empathy with the owners of Ramada.

As benumbed citizens grope for answers, they are faced with what they consider to be a very anomalous response by a Government that came into office on a strong law and order platform.

The presence of Brigadier David Granger as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Disciplined Forces advised by a Navy Commodore (rtd), a Major General (rtd), a Commissioner of Police (rtd) and several other senior members of the Disciplined Forces, had led those citizens to expect the law and order promises would be kept.

But what they see is a Government evidently consumed by the Jubilee Bash to commemorate the 50th Independence Anniversary. In fact, when asked by the Berbice Chambers of Commerce to visit and listen to their concerns on crime, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan replied he was “too busy with Jubilee preparations”.

This is by any account a most callous response to citizens, only matched by the Agriculture Minister’s refusal to meet with the 1700 sugar workers of Wales Estate, affected by the closure of the factory.

One irony in the focus on “independence celebrations” at the expense of pressing challenges faced by citizens is the question, “what independence”? The other is the crime upsurge, especially the Ramada invasion, will deter most of the expected international visitors for the jubilee celebrations.

The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) lights up the City with their fiftyfoot flag draped along the center which forms part of the decorated building in keeping with the country’s Jubilee Celebrations.

World Press Freedom Day: Governments urged to encourage free media

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t a time when concerns abound about the administration’s interference in the work of the press, governments across the world are being urged to encourage free and independent media on the observation of World Press Freedom Day. The United Nations Secretary General Ban Kimoon noted that a free, independent and safe media environment is essential and for this reason, he remains very concerned about the increasingly restrictive environment which media workers in many countries have to endure.

He lamented too that even in this day, journalists are threatened, harassed, obstructed and even killed in the pursuit of information: “Constraints on freedom of expression place shackles on progress itself. On this World Press Freedom Day, I urge all governments, politicians, businesses and citizens to commit to nurturing and protecting an independent, free media.

Without this fundamental right, people are less free and less empowered. With it, we can work together for a world of dignity and opportunity for all.”

In the context of Guyana, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo has been criticised by the United States’ Department of State over his attempts to suppress the media in 2015.

The records show that in August 2015, the prime minister issued a directive that all headlines in the stateowned print media be first scrutinised and approved by his office before they are published. The directive was a response to a headline criticising government.

Director of Public

Information Imran Khan, during the 2016 Budget debates, declared on his Facebook page that the Government Information Agency (GINA) was only required to cover the affairs of the sitting government.

President David Granger later stated that GINA has a responsibility to provide coverage on all arms of government, including the legislative which includes the Parliamentary Opposition during National Assembly sittings.

Further, during the same debates, the PM who is also a trained journalist and who often portrays himself as a bastion of Press Freedom, reproached a young Guyana Chronicle reporter over an article which criticised the government.

The Guyana Press Association (GPA) had also only recently written government over concerns of political interference in the State– owned media.

In fact, the leaked letter singled out the prime minister and the director of Public Information as among government officials who continue to censor state media.

Nagamootoo has since refuted those claims.

Against this backdrop, the GPA in its message to the nation on this World Press Freedom Day, welcomed commitments by President Granger to ensure a conducive media environment especially in the publicly-funded Guyana Chronicle and National Communications Network (NCN) and GINA. The GPA went on to urge journalists to take advantage of Guyana’s Access to Information regimen by putting it to the test to release major aspects of otherwise confidential decision-making by the government regard-

less of which party is in power.

“This will allow us as media practitioners to fulfil a major aspect of our role in imparting information to the wider public to aid them in rational decision-making that can collectively impact on the social, economic, political and cultural development of Guyana,” the GPA stated.

Meanwhile, the United Nations noted that this year, World Press Freedom Day coincided with three important milestones.

It is the 250th anniversary of the world’s first freedom of information law, covering both modern-day Sweden and Finland, and it is the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Windhoek Declaration of press freedom principles. Finally, 2016 is also the first year of implementing the Sustainable Development Goals.

It noted that press freedom and the free flow of information are therefore necessary not only to inform citizens about the Goals, but to enable them to hold their leaders accountable for fulfilling the pledges they have made.

“The media – including, and increasingly, new online media – serve as our eyes and ears. We all benefit from the information they provide,” the UN Chief acknowledged.

Moreover, the Inter American Press Association (IAPA) is asking that journalists issue tweets with the hashtag #wpfd2016 in an effort to call for access to public information.

In its list of suggested tweets, the IAPA is basically raising awareness on the need for transparency, accountability and free access to public information.

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Order must be maintained - Mayor tells irate Stabroek Market vendors

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espite opposition from vendors, who ply their trade in the historic Stabroek Market Square, the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) on Sunday morning moved in and dismantled some 130 stalls, some of which were at that location for almost 30 years.

The council had informed the vendors last week that they would be required to move and even set up a “temporary” location south of Parliament Buildings on Hadfield Street. The council said this move is part of its efforts to “clean up” the area and restore it to its former glory.

Some vendors reluctantly moved their merchandises prior to the exercise, while a few refused to move, expressing concerns about the new location at which they are being placed.

They are of the view the new vending area will not attract much business.

Some vendors expressed the concern that government has taken this decision as it seeks to “nice up” the city for foreigners, but totally ignoring the plight of Guyanese who ply their

The cleared Stabroek Market Square

trade outside Stabroek Market, many of them being single-parents.

Many vendors accused government of only enticing them to vote for the coalition, and now they are casting them away and seeking to satisfy the desires of foreigners who were not here to vote for the coalition at elections.

One vendor accused the coalition of duping them with pre-election promises and now that they have won, those promises are abandoned.

However, City Mayor Patricia Chase-Green shrugged off the ven-

dors’ claims that the Administration is backpedalling on its campaign promises and stated that, while they may have voted for the coalition, there must be order.

Meanwhile, ChaseGreen made it clear that outside the market can no longer accommodate the vendors and held strong to her position that the area must be restored, noting that the area “looks like a shanty town”.

“Our market has its history and the building opposite the market has its history. And so we have got to maintain

our heritage. We have just cleared a part and you are able to view the beauty of the market,” she said.

She said for years the area has been an eyesore to many locals and foreigners, while persons were being robbed in that area, which was extremely congested.

The M&CC is planning to allow some vendors to return to the area, while others may have to stay away permanently. But, the process through which the vendors will be selected to return is yet to be announced.

Harmon encourages Guyanese abroad to return ‘home’

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tate Minister Joseph Harmon has once again sounded a call for Guyanese in the diaspora to return home to play a major part in the development of the country.

He was at the time delivering the feature address to a large gathering on Saturday at the Signature Grand in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, during Guyana’s 50th Independence Gala.

In talking up the pomp and ceremony expected for the mega celebrations, Harmon urged those in the diaspora to return home to take part in the festivities and contribute to the country’s development under the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/ AFC) rule.

According to a statement from his office, the Independence Gala was hosted by the South Florida Guyanese Association Inc in collaboration with Joy Agness Events & Guyana Sports Development Association Inc where a number of prominent Guyanese who have made significant contributions to development

State Minister, Joseph Harmon

of the country were honoured, including Fashion Designer Sonia Noel, Captain Gerald Gouveia, and Larry London.

Meanwhile, President and CEO of Joy Agness Events Joy Agness said she is excited to be a part of Guyana’s celebrations.

She pointed out that, “A Golden Jubilee is a momentous occasion. I am filled with immense pride to see the intense enthusiasm of Guyanese in the diaspora in celebrating our 50th Independence, not only in Florida but the entire USA and Canada…”

Minister Harmon says he was extremely impressed by the work of the organisers as he recognised that Guyana is still very close to their hearts.

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My vision for Guyana is for national unity Dear Editor, One reason to write a letter to the press is to flush from the deep thickets of the self, some thoughts and feelings you didn’t know were in you as you try to document your understanding of the world. Your ardent wish every time you start to write that letter, is that the reader comprehends what you have written.

But I cannot take responsibility for the low comprehension skills of Vishnu Bisram as he missed completely the intent and objective of my letter to the press on rural Guyana v urban Guyana with respect to the formation of the new ERC. My letter is there for the records so I have no intention of wasting the editor’s time or humouring Bisram’s ignorance by regurgitating that letter. What I do have is some clarification for the reading public to put to rest Bisram’s attempt at falsehoods.

1. I was an AFC member who was on the 2011 list of candidates.

2. I resigned from the AFC in 2014 and politely decline that my name should be considered for the 2015 list of candidates because of professional reasons that had nothing to do with Guyana or Guyanese politics.

3. I used my presence on social media and in the local media to help the APNUAFC campaign in 2015 but what I did not do was return to Guyana anytime between December 2011 and February 2016.

4. Choosing between a Ramotar and a Granger is a very easy choice and if the circumstances were the same I would have no difficulty choosing a Granger over a Ramotar.

However if the choice was a Ramkarran v a Granger, that is a very different choice that may deserve a very different response.

My support is not bequeathed based on race but on whom I see will be better for Guyana.

5. I was very careful in crafting my letter to ensure I compared and contrasted rural v urban and used as my examples the rural Hindus and rural youths.

I could have very well used rural Afro-Guyanese or rural women as my examples but as my letter clearly spelt out, there were space constraints.

If Bisram would have read my letter carefully, he would have noted I mentioned representation for Buxton and Victoria in equal strength to Albion and Enmore.

My sole intent was representation for rural Guyana. I clearly do not need Bisram to put words into my mouth or ink in my pen.

6. My letter was not a complaint or to blame anyone or any government but an observation. I have since been advised it is being considered at the highest levels and that is all that matters to me, that rural Guyana is given greater consideration into the appointment of the next ERC. 7. When called upon to support one or the other in May 2015, I supported Team Granger

and that is my democratic right.

I would be the first one to state that many policy and political mistakes were made since May 2015 and for those who have eyes they will see that my column in the Kaieteur News called the “Voice of the Liberal Democrats” has given the government credit where it deserves and called it out when necessary.

Isn’t this what citizens ought to do, hold their government accountable rather than metamorphosing into pandering sycophants of a political party because of ethnic insecurity or personal loyalty to politician X or Y? 8. Bisram accused me of holding government positions. What has he been smoking lately? I do not hold any government of Guyana position officially or unofficially, do not serve on any boards and the one act I did for this government was to write a column for the Guyana Chronicle called “Straight Talk” for a few months. And if I serve the Government of Guyana, so what, isn’t that what Guyanese ought to be doing – serving their people at any conceivable level?

So Bisram owes the foundation of truth an apology for abusing that truth with so many manufactured falsehoods in his letter to the Guyana Times. One of the first things any PhD student does is use every opportunity to verify the accuracy of the information at his disposal. From Bisram’s writing, it is clear he is yet to join the programme.

But I did find one nugget of agreement with Bisram, which was “The few MPs who truly cared about rural life were Ravi Dev (ROAR) and Veerasammy Rammayah (AFC) and that is because they lived in the rural community.”

It is a fact that it was credible rural leaders like Dr Rammayah who orchestrated the swing vote for the APNUAFC Coalition to be in power today and President Granger understood that reality. That is why he overruled the Gang of 6 in the AFC by appointing Dr Rammayah as the REO of Region 6.

If Bisram wants to write a letter replete with falsehood, who am I to stop him? But in future, it would be advisable that we operate in mutually exclusive circles since his vision for Guyana has very little in common with my vision for Guyana.

He is all about a narrow agenda of Indo-Guyanese domination; I am all about a broad agenda of national unity and leveraging the talent of all our people to lift all boats. We clearly are not in the same class.

Bisram should learn this quote carefully in spite of his comprehension challenge, “it is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak (or in his case write) and remove all doubts”.

I do not intend to continue this debate with Bisram and therefore this is my last letter on this topic.

Regards Sase Singh

The national security portfolio should not be placed in the hands of Ramjattan Dear Editor, For the past two months or more, there hasn’t been a day where the crime situation in Guyana has not dominated the headlines of the more popular dailies.

One has to be real naive not to observe that violent crime is on the rise, and that there is no evident macroplan to counter this.

The noticeable absence of any type of proactive approach seems to be a motivation for anyone with a gun to get into the business of armed robbery.

I am forced to deduce that this is all happening as a consequence of the lack of visionary leadership at both the Ministry of Public Security and the Guyana Police Force.

This situation is further compounded with the tragic conditions prevailing at the Georgetown Prisons, which also falls under the ambit of the Minister of Public Security.

Minister Ramjattan is obviously out

of his depth at this Ministry, and his Commissioner is like Alice in Wonderland.

While I understand the provisions of the Cummingsburg Accord, President Granger, I urge you to consider removing both Ramjattan and the Commissioner of Police from their respective appointments, before the crime situation escalates to a catastrophe and brings your government down.

While Ramjattan may be a clever lawyer, Public Security is definitely not his forte.

Ramjattan is a round peg in a square hole at the Public Security Ministry, unable to fill the requirements of his portfolio. He should be reshuffled to a ministry for which his qualifications make him suitable.

This is my humble advice as a worried citizen.

George Gomes Lieutenant Colonel (retired)

Corruption has increased under coalition Govt

Dear Editor, Ever since the AFC/APNU coalition replaced the PPP in government last year May, people feel there has been an increase in corruption. Scholars define corruption as an abuse of trust given by the electorate to a government or its officials.

In short, corruption is dishonest governance and/or illicit behaviour by people in government. It includes acts of shady deals, weak enforcement of laws and rules of governance, lapse in ethics, and pursuing policies that result in self-gains and that unnecessarily targets supporters of other parties.

There are no shortage of these behavioural traits from APNU/AFC officials betraying the trust of the electorate.

The PPP/C was accused of corruption by the then opposition APNU/AFC and many PPP/C supporters revolted and became attracted to appeals from APNU/AFC for good governance.

Former supporters of PPP felt it was time to punish the PPP for its arrogant behaviour on corruption allegations, and they voted out the PPP/C over the corruption issue. But now, those very former PPP supporters (who supported APNU/AFC) are saying APNU/AFC has turned out to be more corrupt than PPP/C expressing regret for putting AFC-PNC into government.

The AFC/APNU promised during the election campaign to reduce powers of the national government and the President and empower local governments. The opposite has happened with local government organs being abused and rendered powerless, and the coalition has refused to decrease its power.

The APNU/AFC promised during the campaign to install a new constitution approved by the polity within a year; there is not likely to be a new constitution.

Then opposition APNU/AFC accused the ruling PPP/C of rewarding themselves with high salaries at the expense of the working class, and the coalition promised to lower salaries of parliament and ministers and to increase wages of government workers and sugar workers. Instead, immediately after the AFC/ APNU (PNC) came into government, they doubled their own salaries. Government workers got a measly 10 per cent increase, well short of the 50 per cent that was promised. Sugar workers got virtually no increase in their income.

Also, the coalition promised during the campaign that no sugar worker would be fired and no sugar estate would be closed. Less than a year later in office, two sugar estates were closed and almost 3000 workers fired.

The coalition promised during the campaign there would be no recrimination against

PPP supporters or anyone on account of their race. Instead, thousands of Indo-Guyanese and Amerindians were fired or replaced by PNC supporters.

While in opposition, APNU/AFC promised rice farmers to double the price being offered for paddy. Rice farmers naturally voted for the coalition for the doubling of rice price from $4500 to $9000. Right after they were installed into government by the ABC countries, the coalition said rice price is not their business, telling the farmers they were on their own — rice farmer saw paddy price drop to a tenth of what it was under the PPP/C. While in opposition, APNU/AFC accused the PPP of being in bed with big businesses and giving sweat-heart deals to friends. The coalition promised to end that practice of favouritism. Instead, those big businesses that gave over a billion dollars in campaign contributions to the APNU/AFC have seen their taxes slashed by tens of billions of dollars – the country has been cheated of revenues in favour of the corrupt businessmen and their lackeys in government.

The APNU/AFC is now owned and controlled by big businesses many of whose CEOs have been appointed as Directors of government corporations and/or board members and/ or as advisors of the government.

Ministers are going on foreign trips without any specific purpose in greater frequency than occurred under the PPP/C government. One Minister made a secret trip to China for which there was no financial gain.

Former Presidents Donald Ramotar and Bharrat Jagdeo were condemned by the then opposition APNU/AFC of making numerous trips abroad. David Granger has made more trips abroad in one year than Ramotar made in three-and-a-half years and double what Jagdeo made in one year during his 12 years in office.

The coalition promised to end crimes.

Instead, it has closed its eyes to crime as business persons not supportive of the government have been attacked by kick down door bandits.

Those businessmen who were supportive of the APNU/AFC campaign are being protected for now. But others are targets.

Since the change in government, the country has been inundated with nefarious activities of one kind or another under this government – there are complaints of the requirement of paying a bribe to government officials to get things done. The government lacks credibility.

Nothing has really changed since the change in government. The only change is corruption has worsened.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

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Princess Casino robbery: Showdown in Parliament MPs file complaints against Police secure court order …Several each other over breach of privileges to further detain suspects

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he Guyana Police Force on Tuesday moved to the High Court and was successful in securing an order to further detain the three suspects held for the early Friday morning robbery at the Ramada Princess Hotel and Casino, Providence, East Bank Demerara.

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum told Guyana Times International that the High Court granted the order for the suspects to be detained for another 72 hours as investigations into the daring robbery and shooting continued.

Those in custody are Wayne Griffith, one of the bandits who was found hiding in a stockroom at the hotel following the robbery; Andrew Blackman, a security guard at Princess Casino who is said to be the mastermind of the robbery and Junior Stewart of Thomas Street, Kitty, Georgetown, who was arrested on Sunday evening with over Gy$900,000, after Police swooped down on his sister’s house at Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara.

Reports are that Blackman has since admitted to being one of the two persons who plotted the crime.

Pandemonium broke out at the gambling facility on April 30, after four gunmen stormed the casino about 03:45h and discharged several rounds as they relieved patrons and staff of cash and other valuables.

During the shooting, Eon Garraway

was shot to his left hand; James Gregory, to his left foot; Orlando Knights, to his left hand and Udairan Sookraj, to his right hand. They were all admitted to a city hospital.

Melissa Ferguson, Jermaine Mason and Roshel Fraser were also assaulted.

Based on reports, after the men entered the facility, they held a security guard at gunpoint and took away his shotgun and several rounds of ammunition.

The men then ordered everyone to lie on the ground and escorted the security guard to the cashier’s cage where they relieved the cashier of an undisclosed sum of foreign and local currency.

By this time, the Police were alerted about the robbery and responded promptly.

As they arrived at the scene, they were confronted by the armed men, which resulted in an exchange of gunfire.

During the exchange, Police Lance Corporal Andrew Richardson was shot to his abdomen. He was admitted to a city hospital and underwent emergency surgery.

It was reported that the car used in the robbery was hijacked at Brush Dam, Buxton, East Coast Demerara.

The car has since been impounded as Police continue their investigations.

CGX optimistic about drilling in Guyana despite difficulties in 2015

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espite facing difficulties in 2015, CGX Energy Inc is very optimistic about exploration and development drilling in Guyana and is looking forward to a stronger 2016.

In a release, the Company explained that its business plan was significantly impacted by the prevalence of low international oil prices and a global downswing in exploration budgets.

Notwithstanding these difficulties, the company said it was successful in its ability to dramatically cut costs, deal with its significant payables and move towards monetising some of its non-core assets.

CGX Energy is a Canadian-based oil and gas exploration company focused on the exploration of oil in the GuyanaSuriname Basin.

The company is currently drilling in the Corentyne Block in Berbice.

Of all the companies operating in the country, CGX Energy is said to be the most exposed. The company’s entire portfolio is focused on Guyana, in both the onshore and offshore basins.

Onshore, the company holds a majority stake in the Berbice Block, through the ON Energy joint venture, owned 62.5 per cent

by CGX Energy and 37.5 per cent by local investors.

However, exploration results on the block have been disappointing, with three dry holes drilled in

2005. Moving offshore, it has a 100 per cent stake in three offshore blocks, Corentyne, Corentyne Annex and Pomeroon.

In 2012, CGX participated in two offshore wells – the Eagle-1 well was drilled on the Corentyne Licence and the Jaguar-1 well was drilled on the Georgetown Licence. The Eagle-1 well had oil and gas, and the Jaguar-1 well sampled light oil in two zones. Both wells were abandoned. Eagle-1 as a dry hole and Jaguar-1 for safety concerns.

he National Assembly on Wednesday witnessed a showdown between Government Ministers and Opposition Members when one motion was moved for a Member of Parliament (MP) on the government’s side and two motions moved for two Opposition MPs to be sent to the Privileges Committee.

Speaker of the House, Dr Barton Scotland said that he has received several complaints of breaches of privileges which were submitted by MPs from both sides of the National Assembly against each other.

He noted that the submissions of complaints may or may not warrant sanctions by him and that he will review and treat with all complaints he is in receipt of.

People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Chief Whip Gail Teixeira in a letter penned to the Speaker requested that Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman apologise over statements made during the consideration of this year’s National Budget.

Teixeira stated that the figures quoted by the Minister which indicate that the country has no productive forests remaining would negatively affect Guyana’s relations with Norway.

She maintained that such utterances/ statements by the Natural Resources Minister are palpably misleading.

In her letter, the PPP Chief Whip provided figures that had been obtained from the website of the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) which proved otherwise in relation to Minister Trotman’s claim(s).

Meanwhile, in defence of his statement, the Natural Resources Minister declared that the figures he mentioned were “accurate” and that he would be

happy to defend the Government’s position on the issue and show the relevant documentation.

However, Teixeira requested that Minister Trotman be sent to the Privileges Committee for repeating that sentiment holding firm to the fact that the statements aired by him were contradictory of what is on the GFC’s website.

In light of this, the Natural Resources Minister responded by requesting that Teixeira instead be the one that is sent to the Privileges Committee.

Meanwhile, former Finance Minister and PPP MP, Juan Edghill has been sent to the Privileges Committee following a motion tabled

by Government MP, Charrandass Persaud in relation to what he deemed “inaccurate statements” made in the National Assembly in December, last.

The motion alleges that Edghill’s statement which calculated that increase in salaries for Government Minister totaled over GYD $200M per year was inaccurate.

According to Persaud, these inaccurate figures effectively violate the privileges of the National Assembly and “has brought the House into disrepute.”

The motion he presented to the House on Wednesday was seconded by Government MP Jermaine Figueira.

Speaker Dr Barton Scotland in his response to the matter stated that he is in receipt of the complaint and that the matter would now be sent to the Privileges Committee.

This was done without the PPP MP, Edghill, being granted the opportunity to render an explanation in his defence.

8 NEWS

WEEK ENDING MAY 8, 2016 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

GPF reports 19% decrease NCN Director quits over in serious crimes

By Devina Samaroo

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riminal raids three times a week, heightened Police patrols and greater presence in neighbourhoods, intensified training among Police ranks, and the resuscitation of social programmes, are all components of a crime prevention strategy that contributed to the overall 19 per cent reduction in serious crimes at the end of April, relative to the same period last year.

Senior Police officials are staunchly dismissing the widespread perception that criminal elements are becoming emboldened and that crime is spiralling out of control.

They are contending that the public perception on the crime situation is a sheer misrepresentation and that a simple glance at the statistics will prove this.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) reported that there was a nine per cent reduction in murder; a nine per cent decrease in gun related robberies; eight per cent decrease in armed robberies where other instruments other than a gun were used by perpetrators; 38 per cent decrease in robberies with violence; 38 per cent decrease in robberies with aggravation; 18 per cent decrease in rape and 22 per cent decrease in break and enter and larceny.

According to the Police, this represents a 32 per cent decrease against those reported in March this year.

Crime in Berbice

A s s i s t a n t

Commander of B Division (Berbice) Ian Amsterdam, during an interview with Guyana Times also dismissed concerns raised by the local business community about the increasing crime wave in the Ancient County.

He reported that Berbice recorded 21 serious crimes, down from 34 in March, 33 in February

and 41 in January.

Amsterdam maintained the regional crime plan is “definitely working”, adding that the local Police will be doubling their efforts to continue to arrest the situation.

These efforts, he said, includes working on more intelligence gathering, conducting raids in areas where criminal elements are suspected to be harbouring, and increasing patrols.

Particularly, he said much focus is being placed on clamping down on the criminal safe havens located

in Rose Hall, Rosignol, Corriverton and New Amsterdam.

The Assistant Commander noted too that while the ranks are working with limited resources, they are doing the best they can to keep the crime situation under control.

Wrong perception

Overlooking the fact that over six families

were terrorised, robbed and in some instances killed within a space of one week in Berbice, Amsterdam said persons are peddling the wrong perception about the crime rate in the country.

Referring to the contentions made by the two leading Chambers of Commerce in Berbice, the Assistant Commander posited the bodies are spreading the wrong perception about crime.

“The Chambers didn’t speak to me. If they had spoken to me, I would have said that this is the wrong time to say that

crime is on the increase.

Maybe a month or two ago, they could have said that, but the very month that they speak is the very month that crime went down,” he stated, noting that people will believe the misinformation and disregard the statistics.

Social media users, commuters, vendors, and students alike have all raised their concerns about the noticeable upsurge in the crime situation in the country.

From the daring casino robbery to the horrific death of the two rice stalwarts in Essequibo, persons are growing more and more fearful of the roaming criminal elements.

The Berbice Chambers have criticised the Government, and in so doing received criticisms from the Government on the issue of crime in the nation.

The Chambers lambasted Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan for not getting a handle on the crime situation and more particularly, for putting the golden jubilee celebrations as top priority on his agenda.

“Government seems powerless, ineffectual, and out of their league in fighting crime. It is extremely disappointing as the coalition campaigned very strongly on this issue and we were all optimistic with all the military, ex-commissioners and other `experts’ at their disposal and now we have a situation in Berbice that is far worse than we have ever experienced. Everyone seems to be a sitting duck, as continued on page 10

appointment of Lennox Cornette

NCN Board Member, Imran Khan

New NCN CEO, Lennox Cornette

mran Khan has tendered his resignation as a Director of the National Communications Network (NCN) Inc over the appointment of the media entity’s new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Lennox Cornette.

Khan’s resignation was submitted to Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo on Tuesday, the same day Cornette reported for duty.

His decision to part ways with the State media company comes after a majority of the NCN Board rejected his call to rescind the appointment of Cornette, who had admitted to forging the signature of late Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) Manager, Terry Holder, while he worked at that Company.

In a statement, Khan said he could not associate his name with such an appointment.

“I, therefore, am of the conviction that continuing as a Director is untenable.

Regrettably, I view the decision of the Board to proceed with the appointment in light of the available information as reckless and imprudent,” he stated.

Last week, Khan wrote the Prime Minister requesting the appointment of the Chairman of the NCN Board, Bish Panday be revoked over the decision to appoint Cornette.

Panday then wrote to the Prime Minister and declared that Khan was unqualified to judge his competence.

During an interview with Guyana Times International, Panday had explained that the NCN Board of Directors unanimously agreed to Cornette’s appointment during a meeting on April 7.

However, later in the evening, Khan had raised concerns regarding the appointment of Cornette.

Panday explained that the “concern” was investigated, the findings were brought up for discussion and thereafter, all but one member gave approval for Cornette to be appointed the new NCN CEO. “One objected and the others agreed; I can’t go with the one that objected. He objected after the event, he did not object before the man was appointed and if one Director objected and seven Directors said ‘yes’, I can’t go with the one who objected,” Panday explained.

Notably, Khan is said to have recommended that veteran broadcast journalist Enrico Woolford be appointed as the NCN CEO. M e a n w h i l e , Cornette is a former journalist who is now a communications consultant and preacher.

He holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the Australian Institute of Business; a Bachelor in Social Sciences, (majoring in Mass Communications); a Diploma in Public Communication, and certificates in planning promotion from Bailbrook College, England.

I

NEWS 9

WEEK ENDING MAY 8, 2016| guyanatimeSinternational.com

“I saw no headless body” – Pathologist tells Prison Inquiry

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hief Government Pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh said he saw no headless body after the March 3 deadly riot, which claimed the lives of 17 inmates. The Government Pathologist made these statements in his testimony to the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the prison deaths on Tuesday.

He explained that a post-mortem examination on the bodies of the dead prisoners revealed that prisoners died mainly as a result of burns and smoke inhalation.

However, upon further examination of the bodies, the evidence pointed

to blunt trauma meaning that some may have been hit with a solid object. These revelations come in stark contrast to the testimony of some prisoners and members of the Fire Service who had previously told Commissioners that they had seen a headless body.

“I’m sorry; I’ve never seen that body…all the heads were intact; if there was the headless corpse, the family would have complained. If you check the reports, there is nothing like a headless body,” stressed Dr Singh.

Commission Counsel

Auto dealer slapped with manslaughter charge, released on Gy$500,000 bail

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n auto dealer charged for allegedly shooting his acquaintance was on Monday released on Gy$500,000 bail when he made his appearance at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court.

Sean Stoll, 36, was not required to plea to the indictable charge which alleged that on April 29, at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, he unlawfully killed Nafasie Edghill.

According to the prosecution’s case, on the day in question, the accused, Edghill and three other men were in a car when they reportedly went to the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) compound to locate another man who owed one of them money.

It was reported that Edghill and Stoll began tantalising each other and later got involved in a playful scuffle. During the scuffle, a round went off and Edghill fell to the ground, clutching his abdomen.

The 29-year-old gold miner of Castello Housing Scheme, Georgetown, succumbed while receiving treatment at a private city hospital.

Stoll was represented by Attorney Nigel Hughes who asked for his client to be released on bail because he is not a flight risk. He added that Stoll has an unblemished record and has since provided the Police with a statement.

Hughes told the court that the circumstances surrounding Edghill’s demise are very unfortunate. The lawyer said that his client and the now dead man had been close friends for over a decade.

Hughes stated that

Sean Stoll

on the fatal evening, the two friends were travelling to NAREI when they became involved in a scuffle.

According to Hughes, Edghill grabbed his client and in the process was injured when his own gun went off.

The Attorney related that both men are licensed firearm holders.

However, Hughes’s bail application was met with objection from Police Prosecutor, Sergeant Althea Solomon. Solomon asked the court to deny the accused his pre-trial liberty citing the prevalence and nature of the offence.

He also pointed out that should the accused be released on bail, there is a likelihood that he might tamper with the prosecution’s witnesses.

The Prosecutor indicated that Police investigations are still ongoing in the matter.

But Solomon’s objections were overruled by Magistrate Zamilla AllySeepaul who granted Stoll bail with conditions attached. The accused was ordered to lodge his passport and report to the Sparendaam Police Station every Friday.

The matter was adjourned until June 23.

Excellence Dazzle then asked the Pathologist about the version of events which stated that one inmate had his intestines protruding out of his body. It was suggested that this may have been as a result of either a “striking” or “stabbing” injury.

The Pathologist, however, stated that a lack of knowledge of forensics and bones may be responsible for such a “mistake” being made.

He further explained that the abdominal area where the intestines are situated is “the thinnest part” of the body and as such, the skin would burn off and the intestines would later protrude as long as the person was not directly in the fire. This aspect of his testimony corroborates that of the investigation by the Guyana

Fire Service which noted that the “flash over” effect incinerates flammable items in an enclosed space.

Also in his testimony, the Pathologist described the factors under which two inmates would have suffered blunt trauma.

“The cause of that could be several, including falling, cuffing, kicking, falling, lashing – I couldn’t say which one,” Dr Singh testified.

He further explained that because of how badly the bodies were burnt, certain determinations could not be made. The CoI heard that some of

the bodies had 90-95 per cent burns and many were identified by their tattoos since the ink penetrates different layers of the skin.

Under cross-examination by the Attorney representing the Joint Services, Eusi Anderson, Dr Singh admitted that there were limitations within the toxicology department as well as the X-ray, forensic dentistry and imagery departments. Dr Singh also conceded that the bodies were not tested for poisoning and, as such, it could not be ruled out.

Chief Fire Officer

Marlon Gentle had told Commissioners last month that the inmate who had his intestines protruding could not have died from the prison fire. Prisoner Steve Bacchus had also told the CoI that while searching for his friend Germaine Otto, he saw a single burnt skull that was severed from the prisoner’s body on a mattress. Bacchus later realised that Otto was dead.

It was on March 3 that the rioting caused the deaths of 17 inmates.

The hearings continue this morning.

10 NEWS

WEEK ENDING MAY 8 , 2016 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

How can they do this to us! – Stabroek Market vendors protest removal

Vendors protest the action of the City Council to remove them.

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lmost a dozen Police Officers took up combat positions at the Ministry of the Presidency’s Shiv Chanderpaul drive office on Tuesday, as they sought to ward off a group of angry vendors, who were relentless in their efforts to speak with President David Granger or someone close to him who could relay their plight.

The group of mostly women marched along Regent Street, after making several unsuccessful stops to get an idea of what really needed to be done to get their businesses back up and running. Their first stop at

the office of Town Clerk Royston King yielded little or no result, since, up until the time of the protest, no positive word was forthcoming.

The vendors, some of whom have been in the business for decades, were removed from the outskirts of the Stabroek Market area, to facilitate a massive clean-up campaign. But the vendors, who were quite raucous, said they have been deceived by a system they trust. They casted blame on the Town Clerk, who they said, has no plans for them.

“They invited us to a meeting, but when the people come out of the

meeting, they could not tell us anything. They said to give them three days to sort this out. But I just want to know, three days? How can they take three days. What will happen to us, we will have no job”, one vendor named Odessa told Guyana Times International on Tuesday.

“How can they do this to us? Royston King deceived us. I am a cosmetologist and I have a threeyear-old daughter. Most of the people out here have children to take care of. We don’t have anybody to brace us. We want to see the President… Those big ones have their lives already set out for them.

It is us the small man, that have to try to make a life for ourselves… Mr Granger got four more years, four more years in there to do nonsense. If he wants to go back in there, he got to help us,” another young mother told this publication.

“Last year, time like this, we were protesting to get Carol Sooba out, for him to get in. But look is same thing, same thing.

No difference. He tell us he got a place for us to sell, but I want to know where this place is. Up to

area. He told this newspaper that the gates of the premises were always secured with padlocks. He said too that the Council was at the time preparing to clear up the area so that vendors could be able to access it.

In a release from the Town Council sometime later, it was noted that the area identified as the relocation for the vendors could be ready in a matter of days.

According to the release, the Town Clerk said the city has already

dors to ply their trade.”

Around 10:00h on Tuesday morning, members of the Municipality’s City Constabulary also carried out a special exercise within the market area. The Town Clerk said this was “aimed at ridding the location of loiters and other individuals who have no business at the facility since they are often times impeding the way of citizens who come to do business.”

At least five trucks were filled with rubbish when the Engineer’s

The crowd being warded off by Police

now I aint see no place for us to sell,” another man said.

The vendors were reportedly told that they would be moved to an area South of Parliament Buildings.

However, when Guyana Times International showed up there on Tuesday, the gate was heavily padlocked. At the time the Town Clerk, accompanied by senior police ranks had come and peruse the

spoken to the owner of the private land and everything stands “as per agreement.”

“We have secured permission from a private business owner to use the land for a specified period to relocate vendors who ply their trade,” King said. He noted that preparatory work is ongoing at the location, “and it is expected that in another few days, this location will be ready for the ven-

Department and Constabulary ranks oversaw the removal of waste in, between and around stalls located under the canopy, East of the market. The Town Clerk is adamant that the “Council’s administration is intensely focused on restoring the health and integrity of this historic structure and its immediate periphery; including the Stabroek Market Square.”

GPF reports 19% decrease...

from page 8

it seems every day a business is held up and residents beaten and robbed in their homes, this coupled with the depressed business environment, makes it exceedingly burdensome for businesses and ordinary citizens to cope.

President Granger and the government has miserably failed the people of this country to provide protection and security”, the Chambers said in a joint statement.

They noted, however, that the only exception is the Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum, who has to be commended for his efforts in tackling crime.

Lashing back at the Chambers, the Police Association of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) declared that the organisations are ungrateful and irresponsible.

Training

Meanwhile, the GPF boasted of the continuous exposure of its ranks to training; both locally and internationally.

There are currently 12 Assistant Superintendents of Police attached to the Dade County Police in Miami for a period of three weeks on training. This initiative will expose them to a First

World approach on designing tactics and delivering on frontline functions.

For the year alone, 33 members of the Force received training overseas in various aspects of law enforcement, inclusive of a three-month course in cybercrime in India, a three-month course in Advanced Fingerprint Technology in India, and an Advanced Crime Scene Investigation Course in Russia.

Locally, 34 new entrants to the Crime Investigation Department completed a six-week training programme.

This adds to 24 ranks who completed an Intelligence Gathering and Analysis Course, and 35 who attended a programme on National Protocols for Child Advocacy Centres.

Additionally, the Police Divisional Detective Officers and their second in command as well as the Officers at the CID Headquarters were trained by trainers developed by the Justice Education Society of Canada in Major Crimes Case Management and Investigation.

Furthermore, it noted that 60 new recruits have graduated from the Felix Austin Police College, adding to the 287 who graduated in February.

NEWS 11

WEEK ENDING MAY 8 , 2016| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Different strokes…

…for broadcasters ome folks just don’t know when to keep their mouths shut. But then again, it might be that endemic condition called “logorrhoea” – otherwise known as “verbal diarrhoea”. Like this Tony Vieira fella – born with a silver spoon in his mouth into the only plantation owning Guyanese family – who became their prodigal son. While his cousins showed aptitude and gravitated into law and the professions, Tony had to be sent into the cane fields.

His big mouth was seen as an asset as a “driver” of sugar workers.

At a time when TV was banned by the PNC in Guyana – the only country in the Western Hemisphere to suffer that fate – Tony Vieira was allowed to open up a TV station from the old “Big Manager” house he inherited at Versailles. With this TV “monopoly” having a captive audience, he stole content from US satellites and sold it to Guyanese who had to buy his “black box”! That’s right – this man sold stolen copyrighted products and made out like the bandit he was – off the sweat of ordinary Guyanese who earned a pittance in the “Burnham years”.

And he called himself an “entrepreneur”!! In another era, fellas like him and Blackbeard were called “pirates”. Come to think of it, they’re still called “pirates”!! Nuh? But with the passing of his benefactor and the entree of real entrepreneurs like CN Sharma into TV broadcasting, Vieira faced competition for the first time. And folded like a limp noodle!!

Sold off his TV and fled to Florida… where, he obviously also couldn’t survive without the help of a “godfather”. He turned up back in Guyana like the proverbial bad penny. And just couldn’t believe his old TV was now a success! Hell hath no fury like a fella who’s proven to be a fraud! So out he came swinging at the new owner.

In the professions, they say “those who can’t… teach”. Well it seems in broadcasting “those who can’t… sit on regulatory Boards”. So as an old PNC man, Vieira was appointed on Broadcasting Board.

With his logorrhoea in full flow, he went out of his way to – what else? – rip into the owner of TVG! Without even appraising himself of the facts, he pre-empted those authorised to speak on such matters and blurted out, “He ain’t gon see a licence for 2016.”

Never mind his TV friends who owed license fees to the tune of $121 milion – unlike TVG which owes nothing – were to be given an amnesty!! Like Vieira, they can only survive with a free pass.

Vieira’s motto is “Survival of the weakest – once they’re friends!” …for Ogle aircraft owners For some reason, President Granger’s very insistent that Ogle International Airport (OIA) be renamed “Eugene F Correia Airport”. Pressie first made the proposal last September when he launched the latest aircraft of the Correia Group. And therein lies the rub why subsequently the name change was opposed by a majority of the aircraft owners that operate out of Ogle.

Now OIA is run as a Private Public Partnership where the Correia Group are the major private investor. Even before the renaming suggestion, the other private aircraft owners had complained bitterly that the Correia Group was running OIA like their private fiefdom. They wrote, “The Correia Group controls the Airport and has increased the cost of fuel; monopolised ground handling and other services and arbitrarily terminated tenancy contracts with the apparent aim of forcing us out.”

Now imagine the advantage that’ll be conferred on the Correia Group when the airport becomes “CORREIA international Airport”.

And folks have to choose between a “Correia Airline” and the “others!!” …for input into state media Reacting to some trenchant criticism of the degeneration of the political culture of the AFC by WPA’s David Hinds (wasn’t it degenerate to begin with?) Ramjattan outed Hinds writing, “Editorial columns of the state-owned newspaper.”

Ramjattan just re-affirmed his degeneracy by not mentioning Nagamootoo censoring those editorials!

S

US missionaries murdered in Jamaica (Jamaica Observer)

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o l i c e Commissioner Dr Carl Williams on Monday disclosed that Jamaica is receiving help from the United States to track down the killers of two American missionaries whose bodies were found in a remote part of Boscobel, St Mary, between Saturday and Sunday.

Police report that 48-year-old Randy Hentzel and 53-yearold Harold Nichols rented motorcycles in Ocho Rios, St Ann, and went on a trail on Saturday.

Residents later stumbled upon Hentzel’s body after 12:00 pm, face down with the hands bound.

Nichols’ body was found sometime after 2:00 pm on Sunday with his head bashed in.

“A high-level investigation has been launched into this matter. Residents have pledged to co-operate fully with the authorities to ensure the perpetrators of this atrocious crime are sought and prosecuted,” Commissioner Williams told journalists on Monday during a hastily called press conference at his office, adding that “expert” investigators have been assigned to the case.

While Williams did not state specifically who the expert investigators were, Joshua Polacheck, the counselor for public affairs at the US Embassy

Dead: Randy Hentzel and Harold Nichols

in Kingston, told the Jamaica Observer on Monday night that they would likely be law enforcement officers from multiple US agencies in Jamaica, among them the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the US Marshals Service; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

At his press conference, the police commissioner said that investigators were still ascertaining the basic facts of the case. “Our investigators are on the ground doing their canvassing as we speak…,” he added.

The commissioner said that, while no motive has been established for the killings, he is assuring the nation and the international community that the perpetrators will be brought to justice.

“Yesterday, I called the United States ambassador to Jamaica to update him on the in-

vestigation and to assure him that we are doing everything possible to identify the criminals responsible for these brutal acts,” said Williams. “…We know that the nation has high expectations of the police and we are doing everything possible to solve this case and all the other cases of murder that we are investigating right now,” the police chief said.

In the meantime, Williams said he was not being pressured by US authorities, even as criticisms mount from the international community over the matter.

“When I spoke to the ambassador yesterday he was very understanding of the situation that we are in, and he offered to give us help to solve this case and I accepted the help, and we will move to ensure that in whatever ways that we can avail ourselves of the help, we will,” said

Williams.

As to whether the case has taken priority over local cases, Williams said: “We should do this in most cases but we can’t.

We are doing this in this particular case because I know that it is generating a lot of interest overseas.

And while we are able to handle the situation here, when it goes overseas, it’s a completely different matter. Jamaica is going to be in the spotlight and as such, I think we have a responsibility to update everyone.

It has generated a great deal more interest than would a local case and we have to respond accordingly.”

Meanwhile, yesterday the police said that the results of the autopsies done to determine the cause of death of the two missionaries showed that Hentzel died of a gunshot wound while Nichols’ body had a gunshot and chop wounds.

12 NEWS

WEEK ENDING MAY 8, 2016 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Unions call for Govt to rescind decision to close Wales, LBI Estates

By Eddy Layne

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rade unions rallying for the first time in almost 30 years under one banner, have called on the oneyear-old A Partnership for National Unit/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition government to abandon its plans to close at least two sugar estates by the end of this year thereby placing hundreds of workers on the breadline.

The government, through the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) has announced highly unpopular plans to close the Wales Sugar Estate, West Bank Demerara and the La Bonne Intention Estate, East Coast Demerara by the end of 2016.

The plan according to the government, is to make GuySuCo more viable.

However, the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) and the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) on Sunday, at their first joint May Day Rally since 1988, approved a motion which called on the government and GuySuCo to abandon the decision to close the two estates.

The motion also called on government not to privatise part or all of the sugar industry, while at the same time urged the administration to provide adequate financial support to enable the industry to overcome its current challenges.

It also mandated GTUC and FITUG to engage with

General Secretary of GTUC, Lincoln Lewis

government and stakeholders on matters relative to the turnaround.

Komal Chand, President of Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), a member of FITUG, and the leading sugar workers union, addressing the rally highlighted the plight of persons linked to the Wales Sugar Estate who could be rendered jobless very soon, thus facing even greater hardships.

“The closure decision is a step in the wrong direction especially in the absence of any impact assessment and in view of the Sugar CoI’s explicit recommendation that no estate be closed,” Chand stated.

He urged that a similar assessment be done with respect to the present operations at LBI Estate, arguing that the impact on workers there will be devastating.

The veteran trade unionist believes strongly that chal-

GAWU President, Komal Chand

lenges facing the sugar industry can be overcome.

“We believe the challenges the industry faces are not insurmountable. Sugar’s success will redound to the benefit of our economy and assure the employment of thousands of Guyanese,” he stated.

Chand singled out GuySuCo’s ability to grow a sufficient quantity of goodquality canes a key factor for success of the industry.

“We have adequate land for that. And, given today’s trends, with good management, a satisfied labour force and innovations, the industry can certainly regain its profitable status in a short while,” he noted.

Meanwhile, General Secretary of GTUC Lincoln Lewis bemoaned government’s failure to consult with unions and other stakeholders to flesh out the impact of the economic wellbeing of those involved as well as the country.

Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo

“Since the government is talking about social inclusion, national unity and inclusionary democracy, Wales provides the ideal opportunity to effectively commence dialogue and engagement to realise what the government says it wants for the society,” he said.

He also lambasted the government for blaming the closure of the LBI Estate on the failures of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration to properly manage the industry.

“To respond that the process of closure started under the Bharrat Jagdeo administration when that administration is known for its mismanagement of the industry and the attendant problems suffered today, this government should have known better,” he affirmed.

However, a visibly upset Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo said trade union-

ists were not seeing the “bigger picture”, when it comes to government’s handling of the sugar industry.

“What is being said is part of the story because our commitment to make the sugar industry viable is sincere… not a single advocate and lover of the sugar workers came here to say that over the last years before we came into the government, GuySuCo was put into Gy$82 billion debt,” Nagamootoo stated.

Despite Lewis’ concerns that government was hiding behind “mismanagement” of the past administration, the prime minister went on to highlight the shortcomings of the previous government as the reasons for the current state of the industry.

He said that over the years, some Gy$47 billion was spent on a white elephant in the case of the Skeldon Estate for a factory and another Gy$17 billion as a bailout to the industry.

The prime minister also highlighted the monies his government has already pumped into the industry, noting that already for the first quarter of the year, Gy$3 billion was advanced to the industry.

The Wales Estate currently employs about 1700 workers while the LBI Estate has some 800 and while some of them will be transferred to the Uitvlugt and Enmore Estates respectively, hundreds could join the thousands of Guyanese who are already unemployed.

Major breakthrough in Parika Professor Ivelaw Griffith is UG’s new Vice Chancellor businessman’s murder -Alleged “hitman” identified as deportee

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he man who was detained by Police in connection with the murder of Parika fuel dealer Seeram Singh’s was positively identified by an eyewitness, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum has confirmed.

Blanhum was quoted

by Guyana Times as saying that during an identification parade (ID) on Tuesday, the man was positively identified.

The Crime Chief said a test was conducted on the suspect’s clothing and gunpowder residue was found.

The suspect, who was arrested on Sunday evening in Parika, will be charged with the capital offence by the end of the week. A woman, said to be an ex-lover of the now dead businessman, was arrested earlier, but it was unclear if she was released.

INews understands that the woman allegedly contracted the gunman to execute the businessman and to make it

Dead: Seeram Singh

look like a robbery after he (Singh) broke off the relationship and began dating someone else.

Singh, 52, of Lot 40 Parika Outfall, East Bank Essequibo, was stabbed to his abdomen and shot twice – to his head and his hip.

The bullet to his head was at close range and may have been the fatal shot. According to information, the man was talking to someone on his mobile phone when he was attacked and stabbed.

In an attempt to raise an alarm, the injured man ran towards a shop, but the gunman gave chase and caught up with him. A scuffle ensued and it was then the suspect discharged two rounds at Singh. As the businessman fell, the gunman relieved him of two gold chains and escaped.

Singh was rushed to the Leonora Cottage Hospital, West Coast Demerara, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

T

he University of Guyana has announced the appointment of its new Vice Chancellor, Professor Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith.

He will be the University of Guyana’s 10th Vice Chancellor.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the University stated that Professor Griffith was selected after an exhaustive national, regional and international search; shortlisting of three candidates and evaluation based on a series of lectures, the candidates’ credentials and an interview by the Search Committee appointed by the UG Council.

Griffith, who has the honour of being the first person in the history of the University of Guyana to graduate with Distinction in Political Science in 1980, has an outstanding record as a scholar, academic leader and teacher.

Professor Griffith has held a number of leadership posts, including at Fort Valley State University in Georgia (2013-2015); Provost and Senior Vice President at York College in New York (2007-

New UG Vice Chancellor, Professor Ivelaw Griffith

2013); Provost at Radford University in Virginia (2006-2007); Dean of the Honours College at Florida International University (2001-2006) and Budget Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Florida International University (1998-2001).

The new Vice Chancellor has been a visiting scholar at the Perry Centre for Hemispheric Defence Studies in Washington DC, the Royal Military College in Canada and the George Marshall European Centre for Security Studies in Germany.

UG statement added, “He was one of 45 experts commissioned by the OAS Secretary General to review hemispheric drug pol-

icies and practices and offer anti-drug scenarios. For his exceptional work in his field of expertise, he was awarded the 2015 William J Perry Award named in honour of former United States Defence Secretary, Dr William J Perry.”

In addition to his Bachelor of Social Science (Political Science, with Distinction) degree from the University of Guyana, he also secured a Diploma in Communications from UG. Moreover, he holds a Master of Arts degree from Long Island University in New York and a Master of Philosophy and PhD in Political Science from the City University of New York Graduate School.

Further, he completed the programme in Educational Leadership at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Chancellor Nigel Harris said “the University of Guyana welcomes Professor Ivelaw Griffith whose scholarly achievements and leadership experience are well suited to the central role he must play in transforming the institution”.

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River 4 S

atiricus knew slowly but surely Guyana was catching up with America. In culture we now had “summer” vacations, Halloween costume parties, and Thanksgiving Dinners – complete with turkeys, didn’t we? All of this was added to the American soul music we always had, of course. “But, thankfully,” thought Satiricus, “They’ve dumped that whining Jim Reeves music I hate so much.”

“In politics, we’d passed the US. We now had a President – but with scads more powers than the US. And he had four Vice Presidents, to their one,” smirked Satiricus to no one in particular. Economically, Satiricus felt sorry for the Americans. “Even our security guards take home $35,000 every month! Cousin Michael is a Bank Manager in NY and he just makes less than half of that with his $15,000 per month.”

Satiricus didn’t know why people carried on about Guyana dollar and US dollar. “Jeez! We’re not a colony of America, or anything like that. Are we?”

But Satiricus in his reflective moments – which were thankfully not too often – admitted there was one area we just couldn’t seem to catch up with the Americans.

“Hey! People aren’t all saints,” Satiricus earnestly told his friend Cappo as they bent their elbows at the Back Street Bar. “Every country has to have their good people who

saved and bad people who stole. And America just got better bad people!”

“They even made movies about their bad people – just to rub it in. My father used to talk about Al Capone with awe,” said Satiricus.

“And remember me an you see “The Godfather”?” replied Cappo. “Me wanda wha mek Guyanese na mek affer people cyaan refuse.”

“But at long last here’s proof we’re making progress on this front,” Satiricus told his friend Cappo “Did you see the movie ‘Ocean’s 11’ Cappo?” asked Satiricus.

“Budday! Three times!” grinned Cappo. “Dat Julia Roberts a wan prappa nice gyaal! She a wan Hindu, yuh know!”

“Yeah…yeah,..That’s not what I’m talking about though. Ocean 11 show how real high class US criminal operate.” said Satiricus firmly.

“Yes, Sato…when dem raab dem three Casino dat was prappa sma’t!” Cappo agreed. Then his face changed as he realised where Satiricus was going with this. “Yuh mean….?”

“That’s right!” said Satiricus as he banged the table.

“The Americans may have their “Ocean 11”…but we now have our “River 4, boy!! And that’s only because we only have one Casino to rob. “ “Me cyaan wait till abee get three Casino,” said Cappo breathlessly.

Ungrateful… …to the Police? he Police Association (PA) – claiming to represent the largest number of police ranks and officers – says the Berbice Chambers of Commerce (BCC) are “ungrateful”.

The BCC had criticised Minister of National Security Khemraj Ramjattan on several fronts including refusing to meet them because he was “too busy” with Jubilee preparations. The BCC’s overall concern was the crime-wave in Berbice.

The Police Association believes the BCC are “ungrateful” to them and Minister Ramjattan. Now both the Association and Minister are paid from the public purse – into which Berbice puts a whole lot more money than is spent back in their Ancient County. So if anyone should be grateful it’d be the Policemen and the Minister, nuh?

But it’s clear the Policemen don’t think paying taxes to pay their wages is sufficient to earn their goodwill. They harrumphed, “over the last five years” unlike other groups in other parts of the country, the BCC haven’t been coughing up for projects organised by the police. Maybe like Police BBQ’s?

Well now we know what it takes for the Police not to call you “ungrateful”!!

Ramjattan had also consistently berated policemen for using “too much violence” and the BCC suggested he might’ve sent the wrong signal to bandits. Not so!! We now have a kinder gentler force! As for being “ungrateful” to Minister Ramjattan, the PA compared the situation in 2014 when a LAPOP poll showed the police force was “the least trusted organisation in Guyana”.

“Today”, the PA trumpeted, “this has all changed in a very positive way and certainly Minister Khemraj Ramjattan’s initiatives have contributed significantly to this current development.”

Can you believe this? The Police are supposed to have their ears to the ground and know what’s going on in society, and THIS is what they hear? That the Police is NOT the “least trusted organisation” any longer?

So who’s replaced them? The government?

This is what the vaunted “intelligence led policing” produced? No wonder bandits launch attacks on businesses next to police stations – like the invasions of Sterling Products and Ramada next to Providence Station! Some intelligence!

And what exactly are these “initiatives” of Ramjattan that produced a “turnaround” in the fight against crime? The 2:am curfew? Maybe if the curfew wasn’t on, the “insider” wouldn’t have told the bandits that the attack would be best after that time – since the Casino wouldn’t have too many patrons then. The “dog and pony” unit? We’re still waiting.

And whatever happened to “Operation Dragnet” – incidentally introduced by President Granger and not Ramjattan? Wasn’t this supposed to eliminate both “internal and external threats”?

Maybe Ramjattan can induce “Operation Castnet”?? …to sugar workers Unlike what we hear about elephants, most people have short memories. Take this PNC-led government – of which President Granger’s leader, as he reminded the nation at the party’s annual meet last week. Back in the seventies they imposed a levy on every ton of sugar shipped out of this country and in this way, drained billions of dollars from the industry.

That could’ve gone into refurbishing the already old factories and such like.

Rather, the money was frittered away on Hydro in Mazaruni, glass factory, bicycle factory, etc. All of which never saw the light of day. So now sugar’s fallen on hard times, all the PNC-led APNU/AFC coalition can do is to tell sugar workers “tough luck”!! On its closure of Wales it couldn’t refurbish for Gy$1.7 billion and save 1700 jobs but could write off Gy$3 billion taxes for a company that uses sugar’s by-product, molasses.

Isn’t it ingratitude when the goose that laid the golden egg doesn’t get sauce like the gander? …to Prison CoI Trying to speed up the Prison CoI, its Chairman caused Lawyer Lalloo to storm out when his speeches were cut short. And still Pressie’s impatient!

The old song says, “If you can’t please everyone, you might as well please yourself”!

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Inmates robbed infirmary during riots – CoI hears

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he Commission of Inquiry into the deadly Camp Street Prison riots heard late last week that Camp Street Prison infirmary was robbed and vandalised during the riot.

Chief Prison Officer – Medex Patricia Anderson, who joined the service in 2008, was questioned on the state of the infirmary at the end of the March 4 rioting, which contin-

ued after 17 inmates had lost their lives the previous day.

Former Director of Prisons and CoI Commissioner Dale Erskine asked the witness if the facility was intact.

“No sir, it was vandalised by the prisoners… we lose drugs, equipment, instruments,” testified Anderson.

The CoI sought to as-

certain the current state of her department following the robbery. “We have some amount of instruments replaced and we have some amount of drugs but there is still the fear of the staff,” the Medex responded.

“Whilst going up to the infirmary division, prisoners were shouting what they plan to do – kill medical staff that day (March 4),” the witness testified.

Members of the Commission: Dale Erskine, Retired Justice James Patterson and Merle Mendonca

Anderson stated further that the staff are currently working two shifts of 12 hours each, up from the normal three shifts which covered 8 hours each.

She also stated that on average, the infirmary would have up to “40 inmates” being attended to.

When questioned

by Commissioners, the Medex also revealed that there is no permanent Psychiatric specialist at the Camp Street Prison.

Chairman Retired Justice James Patterson then expressed worry over the prison not having a permanent Psychiatric Nurse and/or Doctor stationed at the penitentiary to address the problems associated with mental health.

Meanwhile, President David Granger in the most recent TV edition

of Public Interest opined that the Camp Street Prison Inquiry has been going on too long and is of the view that it should be brought to end as soon as possible.

After the riots, Camp Street prisoners met with Public Security Minister Kemraj Ramjattan and Minister of State Joseph Harmon to address the needs and conditions of the inmates – a move which met with some criticism.

The President later gave the greenlight for the three-member CoI to be convened to ascertain the circumstances which led to the deaths of the inmates.

The final witnesses are expected to testify this week at the Ministry of the Presidency’s Department of Public Service on Waterloo Street.

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Linden driver killed after Gy$700M Mahdia internal road swerving from child on highway work to begin shortly

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Linden man was killed Monday following a motor vehicular accident at Bamia, Soesdyke/ Linden Highway, East Bank Demerara, when he swerved from hitting a child but his vehicle ended up toppling several times.

Dead is Rawle Adams, 45, also known as “Banks”, a security guard at Bosai Minerals Group Guyana Incorporated (BMGGI) and of Lot 33 Constabulary Compound, Mackenzie.

Dead: Rawle Adams

This newspaper was told that Adams’ stepson Hoshaiah, 15, and his son Nehemiah, 5,

The damaged car following the accident

also were injured in the accident. They are being treated at the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC).

Reports are that at about 14:15h on Monday, Adams was driving in a southerly direction with his two sons when he lost control of the car PSS 9432 when he swerved from hitting a child, causing the car to topple several times before coming to a halt.

According to a female relative of the deceased, Adams was driving a friend’s car at the time. Another close relative indicated that Adams along with the two children had travelled to Silverhill along the Linden Highway earlier in the day to attend to his stepson’s “school project”. It was while returning home that tragedy struck.

“He still had the folder in his hand,” the relative related, referring to the older teen. The relative said she was informed that Adams, who had decided to take his five-year-old for a “drive” swerved along the roadway to avoid hitting a child.

Adams was an active cricketer and footballer in Linden.

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esidents of PotaroSiparuni, Region Eight will soon benefit from improved infrastructure as the Regional Administration will embark on several major developmental projects. These include upgrades, repairs and construction of new and existing infrastructure.

The Region’s main administrative centre, Mahdia is slated to become a town later this year.

Region Eight’s Deputy Regional Executive Officer (DREO), Gavin Gounga, was quoted by GINA as saying; “we are doing roads, buildings for the health sector,

building for the admin (administrative staff); we are putting extension to our secondary schools and also repairs to our health posts, and building new health facilities around the region.”

In addition to these new projects, several roll-over infrastructural works will be completed. These include the Gy$700M Mahdia internal road project.

“We have the Tumong Bridge, North Pakaraimas, a school at Micobie, starting shortly and a few roads. The roads around Mahdia, are a roll-over project that is from the National Tender Board which

is over Gy$700M to do the internal roads of Mahdia…(this) is to commence shortly,” Gounga explained.

According to GINA, these projects are being funded through a budgetary allocation of approximately Gy$1.4B. Region Eight is primarily known for its mining activities, but will be moving into agriculture through a budgetary allocation for agriculture diversification to the tune of Gy$33.4 million. Irish potatoes, rice and tomatoes are some of the crops residents will be cultivating shortly.

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Police to seek designated area Barticians express for prisoners on Essequibo frustration after recently Ferry – Commander upgraded road “washed away”

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A prisoner chatting with a civilian on the ferry

ollowing concerns expressed by some passengers travelling with the Essequibo ferry service, who feel threatened by the decision of the Guyana Police Force to have prisoners sit with civilians when being transported to and from court in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Police Commander of G Division (Essequibo coastIslands), Superintendent Kevin Adonis said a request will be made to the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) for a designated area to be made available on the ferries for the transport of prisoners.

It was reported recently that prisoners were placed in seats next to civilians.

Passengers related that the

prisoners entered the vessel with shackles on their feet and were placed to sit next to them. This caused much concern among some passengers, who told this publication they saw this move as a “security risk”.

During interviews with this newspaper, some passengers suggested that a section on the ferry be reserved for the prisoners when they are being transported to and from court.

They have even suggested that the Guyana Prison Service provide special vehicles – Police or river taxis – to transport prisoners, or even have that area barred off.

H o w e v e r , Superintendent Adonis said that an alternative will be sought in partner-

ship with the T&HD. “What we have to do is to talk to the transport administration to have a designated area when we are having a large amount of prisoners to transport,” Adonis noted.

“We have to speak to the transport administration (T&HD) when we transporting prisoners, where to have them, because it is a passenger ferry and we have to place them (prisoners) in an area where they will have seats and so on, we can’t place them downstairs where the vehicles would be,” he explained.

The Commander also urged persons using the ferries not to become alarmed since the persons being transported are some who may be on remand for minor offences.

“We don’t have no harden criminals, we don’t have any high profile,” he assured.

He also assured that the inmates are usually escorted by armed Policemen and urged civilians who may feel uncomfortable to exercise better judgement and not sit in close proximity to the prisoners.

Rohee says Guyanese workers are facing difficult times

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midst heckling and booing during his address at the Labour Day celebrations on Sunday, General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Clement Rohee expressed dissatisfaction at the treatment being meted out to Guyanese workers by government, saying Guyanese are embarrassed.

Rohee stated that despite the many promises made by government before, and even after taking office, Guyanese are yet to see them being implemented.

“Our country seems to be at the cross-roads,” he told the hundreds of workers gathered at the National Park, adding that development has been at a standstill.

“In the meantime, the working people wait in vain for the good life in the promised land whether these will be fulfilled in heaven or on earth.

The country’s economy is at a tailspin.

Foreign direct investments have dried up, exports are plummeting, and jobs for young people have become extremely difficult to come by. Guyanese are demanding good governance. They are embarrassed and enraged at the treatment being meted out to them… and treatment by whom? Treatment by the Government of Guyana,” he declared.

He related that on the occasion of Labour Day 2016, he has reflected on how far Guyana has come in terms of development. However, it is a somewhat mute celebration since recently a number of troubling developments have arisen: “We are pleased to celebrate with Guyanese and all working people the holiday of workers. The Parliamentary Opposition participates in this May Day parade with mixed feelings. On one hand, we are pleased to be in the midst of the Guyanese working people. Our party represent-

PPP General Secretary, Clement Rohee

ing the parliamentary Opposition does all for the rights of the working people. We have travelled a long way since then, the distance we have travelled is the same distance the nation has travelled. Our past, present and future is inexplicably bound up with the Guyanese working people.

“On the other hand, we participate in May Day 2016 at a time when the working people – be they in the service sector or productive sector – are confronted with so many troubles, so many worries and distresses, that they are finding it difficult to make ends meet.

‘Woe be unto us’ is the cry from many corners of Guyana. Working families and single-parents have fallen on hard times, they are actually crying out for help.”

He urged Government to deliver on its manifesto promises of increased salaries for government workers, especially to teachers, nurses and members of the disciplined services, as they are a vital part of the Guyanese work force.

Rohee also reminded workers of the plight faced by the sugar workers of Wales and LBI Sugar estates which are scheduled to cease operations.

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imply traversing the main access road to their homes is wreaking havoc and making life uncomfortable for several Bartica residents who now have to concentrate on not breaking a limb or destroying their vehicles every time they use the trail.

The roadway leads into a “government compound” which is located at Seventh Avenue (between First Street and Third Street), below the Telecoms’ Hill.

The roadway has been in a terrible state for more than four years until recently, when it was upgraded prior to the Local Government Elections (LGE) which was held on March 18.

Residents explained that the road was widened and a drain dug but it was not properly done.

“We asked them to redo the drain as that was supposed to help drain the water so it would not affect the roadway but they didn’t,” one woman related to Guyana Times International.

Impassable roads in Bartica

While thankful for the upgrades, the residents did indicate that the work was substandard and it needed to be rectified before the rainy season started.

“Don’t get me wrong.

We are grateful they did some work as we have been asking for better access for almost five years now and nothing was ever done. However even though we don’t expect paved roads and concrete drains, time and care should be taken to do a little better job so that situation does not get worse,” one resident noted.

Owing to the heavy

downpours over the past few days, the entire road was washed away and now there are “alligator ponds” decorating the slushy trail. “It is becoming impassable as each day goes by,” residents complained.

In a Facebook post, a resident noted that “it is difficult to walk in and out, and now even the cars and other vehicles that used to go right down to the back (of the street) no longer want to do so as the ruts are getting deeper each day.”

The post continued, “All that was needed was for the drain initially dug at the side to be done properly so that the water coming off the hill would not flow over and onto the road – 10 minutes of work. Instead, now it will take a day or two to repair this (if it gets done) plus a couple loads of sand…”

Notably, there are other roads across the region in similar conditions, which are now becoming impassable owing to the rainy season.

Residents are calling on the relevant authorities to address the situation with urgency.

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Private Sector calls on Govt TVG has paid its licence to reconsider renaming fees on time – Management of Ogle Int’l Airport …slams “loudmouth Vieira” for

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he Private Sector Commission (PSC) has added its voice to the growing condemnation against President David Granger over his recommendation that the Ogle International Airport be renamed

Tuesday, the PSC said the renaming of the airport in favour of a former public official of the same name as that of the Chairman of the Ogle Airport Inc will add to the already filled vessel of complaints regarding anti-

concerned and to complete the promised audit and review.

Last year when the issue first surfaced, President Granger met with a group representing the private operators who have expressed worry over the

Ogle International Airport

and hopes that it reconsiders the proposal in face of concerns raised by most operators.

A proposal by the Head of State to rename the airport after Guyana’s first Public Transport Minister, Eugene Correia, continues to face resistance, with the PSC being the latest to speak on the issue.

In a statement on

competitive behaviour of the Board of Ogle Airport Inc. The PSC said the operators publicly and privately have expressed opposition and dissatisfaction with the renaming of the airport and the PSC now urges the Government to consider carefully the views of the majority of operators at Ogle Airport in the interest of all

name change. It was the President who had suggested the name change just after taking office.

That proposal met strong objections from most of the airline operators who work out of the Ogle Airport.

They have pointed to the fact that one of the airlines at Ogle, Trans Guyana, is owned by the Correia Group and continued on page 28

wild statements

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he Management of TVG Ch 28 reacted sharply to the statement in other sections of the press attributed to Tony Vieira at a press conference by the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) on the status of the broadcasting licence to the corporation.

They said “the loudmouth as usual was just mouthing off” to speak conclusively on a subject he does not have the authority to do so. Claiming that TVG might not have submitted its financials for 2013 and 2014, Vieira alluded to the owner of the station, Dr Bobby Ramroop, and said crudely, “He ain’t gon see a licence for 2016.”

At the Press Conference, the Finance Committee Chairman of GNBA, Vic Insanally revealed that only “three or four” TV broadcasters had paid their annual Gy$2.5 million annual fees, adding that a total of Gy$121 million was outstanding – some going back to 2013.

In its statement, management of TVG stated emphatically that the corporation was one of the broadcasters that paid their fees on time and it “now calls on Vieira to reveal the names of those who have defaulted to the tune of Gy$121 million and are not threatened with losing their licences.”

The company revealed that financials were previously submitted to the GNBA and they would be resubmitting them to their new location. These were requested to determine whether the licence fee should be three per cent of the revenues, if that amount exceeds Gy$2.5 million, which they did not.

Tony Vieira

The management of TVG also noted “we read that an amnesty will be declared for defaulters and once again defaulters will be rewarded, therefore providing a perverse incentive for companies not to perform in accordance to the law.”

The company stated that Vieira was not only speaking out of turn, but had a clear conflict of interest that disqualified him from pronouncing on the status of TVG. He once owned the station which he sold to Dr Ramroop and has an outstanding matter before the courts pursuant to that sale.

Vieira allegedly operated an illegal radio station, the assets of which were seized by the National Frequency Management Unit (NFMU) some time ago.

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Indian women & Indentureship II

By Anu Dev

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They came in ships/From far across the seas/ …They came At least with hope in their heart. On the platter of the plantocracy They were offered disease and death – Mahadai Das

his Thursday, the 178th Anniversary of that first landing of indentured labourers from India will be commemorated.

One aspect of the entire Indian indentureship experience that hasn’t received its fair share of attention has been that of female indentureds.

This omission spills over into the present in which Indian-Guyanese women continue to be generally treated as objects and even then, in footnotes. As a backdrop to considering the latter situation from an Indian female’s perspective, this week I will continue to examine its antecedents during indentureship.

Arriving in Port Georgetown after a voyage of three months, the women were dispatched to the sugar plantations along with the men. Because the planters wanted the indentureds to produce sugar, as with the African slaves, they also wanted them to reproduce – children. This would lessen the expense of shipping them all the way

from India. So we see throughout the indentureship period between 1838 and 1917, planters pleading with the Indian colonial authorities to ship in more women beyond the one-third minimum.

Indian women were therefore in great demand in Guyana and this led to an early re-appraisal of their value by themselves as compared to their previous situation in India.

Of the “one-third” women quota, less than half were married – and as we pointed out, some achieved this status at the depots while waiting for their ships to Guyana.

So the Guyanese Indian womanindentured was, in the main, a single woman for a variety of reasons.

A number were young widows, some with children like the grandmothers of Cheddi Jagan, while others would have been “put out” of their homes or ran away from oppressive situations. The historical record is heavy with planter requests for women of “good character”.

While there would have been some

women sent over by the recruiters (“arkatis”) from “the streets”, it is a sign of the times (to this time) that a single woman on her own without a man has to prove she is not “loose”.

On the other hand, single men, who were the vast majority of indentured labourers, were never called “loose”.

Another reason for women’s poor reputation was their small numbers which led to men fighting viciously over them and “wife murders” were rampant because of suspected or real “infidelities”. Many could have been women not willing to put up with abusive relationships. Some overseers also used their position to extract sexual favours from female indentureds and this was a spark that led to several protests on the sugar plantations.

Apart from female scarcity obliterating caste distinctions in marriage, women with children were now not rejected any longer.

My maternal great grandfathers on both sides of my family married women with children. In one

case, one from an agricultural caste arrived with a child, married a Brahmin with whom she had two children (Sharmas) and then married a Muslim immigrant after the first husband died. She then returned to India after her second husband passed away and the children were adults. Phoolkoerie was an independent woman.

But indentured women still had to work in the cane fields – even during pregnancy – while not demanded, because of low wages, did so to help maintain their families. If the woman did not show up to work, money was deducted from the husband wages: shifting the task of “persuading” the woman to work to the husband.

But it was women who played a key role to allow the Indians whose indenture had expired to achieve economic independence.

They planted the “home garden” and “minded” the cows that could be sold to generate an additional income.

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Workers reunite in historic May Day parade B y D evina S amaroo

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eavy downpours on an early Sunday morning did noth-

ing to stop scores of workers from leaving the comfort of their homes to participate in the historic Labour Day Rally,

during which the two main trade union bodies finally put aside their differences and gyrated in one accord through the streets

GAWU workers marching on Sunday

GTU members along the parade route

of Georgetown to soca and chutney tunes – a Guyanese pastime.

Unity messages were aplenty, with trade union leaders echoing all too famil-

iar sentiments: the need to combine forces and use one resounding voice to call attention to the desperate need for better recognition, value and honour for the working class people in society.

Decked in red, with umbrellas in hand and colourful banners held high, hundreds of workers gathered at Parade Ground where the march commenced, before making their way onto Main Street then onto the Avenue of the Republic, straight into D’urban Street and then all the way to the National Park for the unity rally, where Government Ministers and representatives of the parliamentary Opposition were also present.

Kenneth Joseph, General Secretary of both the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) and the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) told the media that it is quite satisfying that there is at last unity among the trade unions.

“This is what we were fighting for all the time. We always knew that the workers of the country were never disunited, there was disunity among the labour leaders… Now the two labour organisations can meet and discuss matters of interest to the entire nation,” he stated.

Guyana Labour Union (GLU) President Carvil Duncan, whose long serving position has disgruntled some workers, expressed hope of seeing a united movement going forward in addressing workers’ issues and upholding workers’ rights.

Long-standing President of the Guyana Public Service

Union (GPSU) Patrick Yarde noted that Labour Day is an important day in the life of any conscientious worker.

“Labour Day should be a kind of beacon for solidarity of our working people. It is a day when they should all forget differences and strive for the alternative which is unity among working people. Today is also a day when we reflect on the challenges ahead and there are many challenges ahead and we have got to find ways of overcoming them. We believe power resides in the people and the majority of people are workers and therefore the only thing preventing us from ceasing control of our destiny is disunity, which we must correct,” he stated.

Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) President Mark Lytle boasted of his organisation’s contingent being the largest participants in the road march, however, he lamented that despite this fact, teachers are still not being given the priority they deserve.

“We’ve always been a Union that celebrates Labour Day but we are of course disappointed that many of the issues we’ve had haven’t been resolved, but we are confident that with a showing like this today, it will also indicate to our employers and Government that you will have to address our issues,” he posited.

M e a n w h i l e , Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Junior Social Protection Minister with responsibility for labour Keith Scott, along with other Government members participated in the parade.

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US$5M funding secured to boost Guyana’s maternal health programmes

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uyana has secured a US$5 million grant from the Inter-American Development (IDB) to execute a series of programmes aimed at strengthening the country’s maternal health and neonatal services.

Health Minister Dr George Norton disclosed during a recent interview with Guyana Times International that the plan was already approved and the programmes, which will be executed over a period of five years, will be commencing shortly.

Currently, he explained that while the government has secured funding, it still has to submit a written document of proposed initiatives which will be embarked upon.

Providing a brief insight to some of those areas to be addressed, the minister said the significant factor is to ensure that the maternal and neonatal services offered across the country get up to standard.

“We are dealing with improvement in health indicators, challenges remaining in maternal and neonatal health, access and use of maternal and neonatal health servic-

ber of cases of maternal and neonatal deaths were avoidable.

According to Dr Persaud, the situation where infants and mothers have been dying after being treated or having come through labour in perfect health has not gone unnoticed and as Health Minister, Dr George Norton

es, we are looking at the quality of reproductive and neonatal health services, and other areas,” he stated.

Earlier in the year, the Health Minister had noted that major emphasis will be placed on maternal health in 2016. He said making health institutions baby-friendly and training more midwives and other health professionals are aspects of a new outlook for maternal health, given the cases of maternal and infant mortality that were recorded the previous year.

Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Shamdeo Persaud also spoke at length about government’s plan to improve the maternal and neonatal healthcare services in the country.

In fact, he admitted that a considerable num-

such, it is their priority to avert further cases from occurring and restore trust in medical personnel.

He added that much emphasis would be placed on training doctors and nurses on a nationwide level so they are better equipped with the knowl-

edge and skills to care for newborns and mothers.

Further, the ministry will aim to improve the physical condition of all health facilities so deliveries are done in clean and safe surroundings being comfortable for both mothers and newborns during their time at the

institution. This, he said, will go a far way in preventing mothers or newborns from picking up any infection or medical condition as a result of their hospital environment.

At the end of 2015, there had been 17 reported maternal deaths from hospitals across Guyana.

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Jagdeo meets with eminent ACP decision-makers

O

pposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo met with influential leaders and eminent decision-makers from the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States and the European Union (EU) to discuss the legacy and future prospects of the ACP-EU Partnership, among other issues.

Under the theme ‘From Lomé to Cotonou Post-2020: a changing perspective in the ACPEU relationship’, the High Level event aimed for a fruitful exchange of views in order to evaluate experience and debate options for ACPEU relations beyond 2020, when the current Cotonou Partnership Agreement is due to come to an end.

Jagdeo, a former President of Guyana and a member of the

Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jgdeo and other members of the ACP Eminent Persons Group

ACP Eminent Persons Group, was part of a panel debate that included a number of influential figures.

He addressed the valuable nature of the partnership between EU and ACP, as underpinned by the Lomé Convention and the Cotonou Agreement.

The Lomé Convention is a trade and aid agreement between the European Economic Community (EEC) and 71 ACP countries, first signed in February 1975 in Lomé, Togo.

The Cotonou Agreement is a treaty between the European Union and the ACP countries. It was signed in June 2000 in Cotonou, Benin’s largest city, by 78 ACP countries (Cuba did not sign), and the then fifteen Member States of the European Union.

Jagdeo pointed out that for many ACP countries the EU had been the largest source of development funding. However, he stressed that many elements of that partnership did not work because they were asymmetrically determined by the EU without a full understanding of the realities of many member states of the ACP, partic-

ularly the island states.

At the meeting, the Opposition Leader also explored the evolving challenges to any future partnership beyond 2020 when the Cotonou agreement ends.

He outlined too the key elements of the work of the Eminent Persons Group of which he is the Vice Chairman. Jagdeo stressed the necessity of the Heads of State and Government examining the report in their upcoming meeting in Papua New Guinea so as to approve the key framework to guide the negotiations with the EU for the post2020 relationship.

The longstanding partnership brings together 78 African, Caribbean and Pacific countries and the 28 Member States of the EU under a comprehensive cooperation agreement, covering trade, political dialogue and development cooperation.

The event was coorganised by the ACP Secretariat and the European Commission.

It represents a first opportunity to jointly discuss the ACP-EU relationship at this level since internal processes for reflection on the topic were launched by both sides.

Private Sector calls on Govt to reconsider...

from page 22

that group’s owner is already the Chairman of the Airport.

The operators believe that adding the Correia name to the airport could give the company a bigger advantage in the busy local aviation sector.

Just recently, the President raised the issue again during his Public Interest television programme and referred to operators who opposed the name change as “petty minded people.”

These operators, the PSC said, have publicly and privately expressed their opposition and dissatisfaction with the re-naming of the airport.

“We urge the Government to consider carefully the views of the majority of operators at Ogle Airport in the interest of all concerned and to complete the promised audit and review,” the Commission said in a statement.

On his weekly television programme

“The Public Interest”, last week, President Granger slammed aircraft operators for their delay in renaming the Airport. He said their behaviour of those operators is small minded.

Executive Director of Roraima Airways (RA) Gerry Gouveia however lashed back at the Head of State, saying that he was baffled by his insistence and determination to rename the entity against the wishes of the majority.

A few months ago, the President suggested the idea of renaming the airport as Eugene Correia International Airport but this did not sit well with some of the private aircraft owners who objected to the proposal.

These include Air Services Limited, and Roraima Airways, who were more concerned with mending some of the issues plaguing the airport and to holistically develop Guyana’s aviation sector.

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The Shaping of Guyanese Literature

By Petamber Persaud

T

o those in the know, it would be a repetition; good in that it acts for emphasis – repetition is a way of highlighting this slight (it was no slight of the hand, it was heavy handling) and will also serve to act as check and balance in season/s of gross disrespect.

To those who do not know, it would be difficult to understand how such a wrong could be committed against a people for so long – the stifling/marginalizing of the voice of Guyanese of Indian ancestry. To those who do not know, it would come as a surprise to learn that some of the people responsible were/are the custodians of our literature; wellknown people to whom were entrusted the development of our literature, a Guyanese literature inclusive of all voices – the Indigenous voice, the African voice, the Portuguese voice, the Chinese voice, the woman’s voice and the Indian voice, especially the Indian Women’svoice.

We all know by now one side of the story is not the only and satisfactory side; the true and full story – yet we fail to question the text.

And in so doing, we persist in exhibiting grave tolerance in the face of this imbalance, giving credence to the wrong.

Sometimes, however, the situation turns into a blessing as in the case of what happened after the first anthology of poetry was published minus the voice of Guyanese of Indian ancestry.

In 1931, Norman E. Cameron published the country’s first anthology of poems titled, “Guianese Poetry: Covering the Hundred Years’ Period, 1831 – 1931”.

In 1831, the administration of Berbice and EssequiboDemerara were combined to form the colony of British Guiana.

Indians were brought here as early as 1838. In that hundred year’s period, Cameron couldn’t find any poem written

by Guyanese of Indian ancestry good enough to be included among his selected esteemed men and two women.

Cameron was aware of the Indian presence because some Indians were actively involved on the literary scene.

For example, Peter Ruhomon was a founder/member of the British

One of Guyana's poet, Janet Naidu

Guiana Literary Society launched by Cameron in 1930, which included Rev. Dingwall and Rev. Pollard. Peter Ruhomon was also part of another literary group of that period which included Ramcharitar-Lalla, which may have fallen under the umbrella of the British Guiana Union of Cultural Clubs.

The Indian intellectuals of the day found this sin of omission and sin of commission most distasteful, and within a short period effected a reply to this slight, giving birth to the first anthology of poetry by Guyanese of Indian ancestry.

That first collection of poetry, “An Anthology of Local Indian Verse”, was compiled by C. E. J. Ramcharitar-Lalla and published in 1934. This book contains 21 poems written by five writers, all from the county of Berbice; some of the poems written were since 1901, all of which point to two realities.

One, that there was some amount of writing

by Indians going on in Berbice and two, there was some amount of collaborating among those writers.

There were a number of commonalities shared among those five writers. First and foremost, and very important at that time, was the fact they were all Christians or bore ‘Christian-looking’ first names. Secondly, they spent their formative years in a world controlled by a sugar plantation mentality, and the pervading influence of the church.

Thirdly, their poetry was influenced by the English traditional forms and bore little evidence of “the distinctive lilt and metre of Indian poetry”. And finally, they were all aware of what was happening in India, England, and other parts of the world.

H o w e v e r ,

Ramcharitar-Lalla was gracious in his response to Cameron.

In his own words, Ramcharitar-Lalla gave reasons for compiling the collection:“It is but nearly a century since our forefathers first landed in the Colony, yet the progress made in the various walks of life is remarkable. This attempt, therefore, is not only intended to provide a selection of Verse, but also to bring together a few Indians to work to a common end.”

Even the Rev. H. Hector Chick, who was the president of the East Indians Young Men’s Association, writing the foreword in November 1934 was gracious in

Guyanese writer, Cyril Dabydeen

his comment:“May this Anthology become the harbinger of new developments in East Indian intellectual activities.

If there is a song in the weaving canes, or a

message of the Eternal in the rice-fields, may it not be lost in the noise of wrangling in the market place and the jingle of money.”

(And I concede that Cameron’s publication remains an excellent source document on Guyanese poetry.A work that was expanded by Seymour, a work that we may wait until the end of the next hundred years’ period in 2031 for an update on Guyanese poetry.)

RamcharitarLalla’s contribution to the shaping of Guyanese literature is immeasurable. He is the father of Indian poetry in Guyana. And the publication of the “Anthology of Local Indian Verse” in 1934 launched the

Indian poetic tradition in Guyana.

Responses to this author telephone (592) 2260065 or email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com What’s happening: Coming soon: “Made in Guyana” a new book

by Petamber Persaud.

‘Made in Guyana’ is a pocketbook bursting with a wealth of information and pictures on people, places and events, and on things made in Guyana.

Look out also for “… History of Cricket in Guyana, 1865-1897”

by Clem Seecharan; “Children of Watooka” by Steve Connolly; “Guyana at 50”, among others.(Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

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G

uyanese, will on Thursday,May 5, 2016 observe Indian Arrival Day. A day commemorating the 178th anniversary of their arrival, bringing with them their ancient customs, food and culture from India.

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

On January 13, 1838 the Whitby left the shores of India with 249 immigrants on board and arrived in British Guiana on the May 5, 1838 after a voyage of 112 days. Five immigrants died during the voyage. The Whitby proceeded first to Berbice and landed 164 passengers at Highbury, East Bank Berbice, nearly 12 miles from New Amsterdam.

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

East Indian lodgings

Khan.

On January 29, 1838, the Hesperus sailed from Calcuttasixteen days later than the Whitby, with 165 persons on board. It arrived at Port Georgetown on the night of May 5th 1838, 13 immigrants died during the voyage including two persons who fell over-board. Out of the 152 immigrants that came on board the Hesperus, were 135 men, 6 women and 11 children.

On January 26, 1845 Lord Hunger left Calcutta with 162 passengers on board, the ship arrived in Georgetown on May 4, 1845, and ten persons died on the way. Next ship was the Success, which arrived July 21, 1845 with

231 passengers, 14 died on the way. Next was the Nester, which arrived on December 26, 1845 with 233 persons and brought 500 bags of rice.

On February 2, 1846 the Manchester then the Thetis followed by the Tamerlane the Martin Luther and Troy in succession; then the John Wickliffe, the Bussorary Merchant, the Aurora, Lady Mekennaway, and lastly the SSGanges, which docked in Georgetown on April 18, 1917, bringing that period: 79 years, 238,979 indentured labourers journeyed from India to Guyana to work under colonial administration. They were distributed to various locations on the

coastland of Guyana.

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

The indentured immigrants were disciplined and found satisfaction in honest and productive work. They were kind, hospitable and generous and they lived contented lives.

They made tremendous sacrifices so that their descendants would be able to enjoy a better standard of living.

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

A further contributing factor to unity was that everyone came with an in-

ter-faith mind of mainly Hindus and Muslims and there was also a belief that the caste system has been lost through the crossing of ‘Kaala’ Pani (Black Water). Through the years the community spirit has manifested itself in various situations-forming groups singing Ramayan, Bhajanas reading of the Holy Quran and observing the various festivals and holi days etc.

The plantation owners and the colonial administration feared the unity of the workers and used several techniques to destroy it. By January 1830, there was evidence that the Indian labourers were being mistreated. Far more significant were the uprisings, which frequently led to tragic deaths of immigrant workers protesting illegal wages, bad conditions and the exploitation of their women.

There were eight main disturbances on sugar plantations leading to shooting by colonial police from Devonshire Castle in 1872 to 1948 at Enmore.

At Vreed-en-hoop, West Bank Demerara an English nurse Betsy Ann testified that she had witnessed the flogging of immigrants with the cat-o-nine tails, and another woman Elizabeth Caesar witnessed the flogging of immigrants under the manager’s house after which, salt pickle was rubbed on to their backs.

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

There were no trade

unions until recent times.

The East Indians have contributed in a significant way to build Guyana’s economic and social structures. It was indeed the unity of principle and action among East Indians that brought overwhelming success to our dear land of Guyana.(Adapted

from an article by Shan Razak. Guyana Times 2013)

(Cover photos: center Family group of indentured immigrants.

Clockwise from top left Cheddi Jagan (1918 -1997). A Guyanese politician who was first elected Chief Minister in 1953 and later Premier of British Guiana from 1961 to 1964, prior to independence. He later served as President of Guyana from 1992 to 1997, Clara Ramdeholl (1909-1939).

Among the first qualified Indo-Guyanese female barristers from British Guiana, she was called to the bar in 1939. A church dedicated to her memory, the Ramdeholl Memorial Church, is featured in the New Amsterdam Heritage Trail, Rohan Kanhai (Born 1935). The first cricketer of East Indian descent to captain the West Indies cricket team in the 1973 five-Test series against Australia, Nadira and Indranie Shah Dance Troupe. The dance group was founded in 1979 by the late Indranie Shah Lennartson and her sister Nadira Shah Berry to sustain Indian dance traditions, Evelyn Ada Luckhoo.

The first female lawyer of Indian descent in Guyana, she qualified as a solicitor in 1949 and Shivnarine Chanderpaul (Born 1974).

Guyanese cricketer and former captain of the West Indies cricket team.)

(Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

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Elton ‘Coolie Bully’ Dharry

the Giftland Mall.

During this time, Dharry was able to rake in the WBC CABOFE Bantamweight belt, the IBF Inter-Continental Bantamweight and the Guyana Bantamweight belts.

Back home! Dharry with students of the Richmond Hill Primary School

By Avenash Ramzan

“A

t the sound of the bell…Round Number One!” As announcer Basil Bradshaw retreats to ring side and the bell tolls, Elton “Coolie Bully” Dharry charges out of the blue corner, and dances his way into Selwyn Lett’s quarter.

His eyes focused on his opponent; gloves waiting; brain ticking! He follows his opponent’s every move like a hungry lion waiting to pounce on his prey. Suddenly, he finds an opening!

Out comes the right hook; the left jab follows; a right upper cut rocks the chin of Lett, who is forced to stay upright by bracing against the ropes. As the punches continue to gush like water from a broken main, the ropes no longer offer comfort for Lett.

The canvas provides the only respite as he lay sprawled and battered.

Fight over! One minute, 55 seconds. That’s all it took for Dharry to solidify his already extending reputation as the real “Coolie Bully.”

That was February 2012, and since then the U.S.A-based pugilist has stormed his way to an unbeaten run, and is now on the cusp of a world title in May this year. With every trip to the ‘square jungle’, the chiselled athlete seems intent on living up to his alias.

“My trainer, Patrick Forde – probably one of the greatest Guyanese fighters – told me that there were a few guys before me who were the Coolie Bullies, but when he saw me in the ring sparring and fighting, he said ‘man you’re the real Coolie Bully.’ So that name just got stuck on me,” the 30-year-old Dharry divulged during an interview with Sunday Times Magazine.

Formative years

Born Dec. 1, 1985in Essequibo – on the island

of Leguan to be specific, Elton Felix Dharry, grew up indulging in the things every country boy has grown accustomed to: playing cricket, climbing trees, and of course getting in trouble with the fairer sex.

He received his early education at Richmond Hill Primary School, before his entire family (mother, father and five other siblings) migrated to the United States of America.

A whole new lifestyle beckoned: the freedom of roaming the streets of Leguan without fear was abruptly transformed into a battle for survival on the dangerous corridors of Brooklyn.

Within months, the diminutive lad was no longer wielding the coconut branch bat, but folding his fists, trying hard to battle his way out of whatever trouble may have descended upon him, whether at school or on the way home.

“First, my father was a major boxing fan. The neighbourhood I grew up in in Brooklyn wasn’t the easiest of places to grow up in. You had a lot of fights there, so you had to find a way of surviving.

But I wanted to do it [get involved in boxing]. My dad was a big fan so that prompted me, along with the environment,” he reflected.

“It was something I wanted to get involved in.

I saw some fights and I wasn’t so impressed. I told myself I could do better so I decided to get involved [in 2002].”

After a short span as an amateur, Dharry graduated into the realm of professional boxing in 2004, and chalked up a unanimous decision win over Guyanese Mark Fernandes, knocking him down three times in the six-round fight at the headquarters of boxing in Guyana, the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

A draw against Manual Sarabia was followed by four consecutive defeats at the hands of Jose Albuquerque, Cesar Grajeda, Leo Santa Cruz

and Sergio Herrera, as Dharry’s young career took a nose dive.

“I started off my career really good, but then a lot of stuff went wrong, I made a lot of mistakes… but now I’m working really hard to clean things up: training harder, more focused now. I wasn’t doing the things I should have been doing…the things I needed to do to stay on top of my game. You know, I was young then, but now it’s different…I’ve learnt from those days and better off now,” he admitted.

A second win came against Guyanese Orland “Pocket Rogers” Rogers, but it was defeat again for Dharry as Isander Beauchamp gained a unanimous decision on Sept. 11, 2009.

Six months later, a refreshed Dharry pulverised debutant Wilmut Hutson at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, to initiate a 17-match winning streak that continued in February this year with a knockdown of Venezuela’s Felix Machado on the “Hostile Territory” card at

Now with a record of 20 wins (13 KOs), five losses and a draw, he is currently gearing up for arguably the most important fight of his career – a shot at the Commonwealth title in May. Should Dharry suc-

ceed, it would be a fitting reward for the country boy who has dedicated his life to an art form that is not traditionally practiced by persons of his ancestry.

(Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

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Observing 50 years of Independence

By Ravi Dev

Independence Era

W

ith the split of the PPP in 1955 by Forbes Burnham, the rump PPP led by Cheddi Jagan became in effect a party with Indians forming its overwhelming support base.

The departure of many of the African leadership such a Sydney King (Eusi

The 1961 elections were also won by Cheddi Jagan's PPP against the PNC of Burnham and a new "anti-communist" party the United Force (UF) led by the businessman Peter D'Aguiar. He was supported by several members of the Indian business class. When the promised independence was not granted by Britain - on the insistence of the US - to the PPP because of

Many East Indian fled racial violence and discrimination, migrating north to the USA, Canada or England especially, as well as the Caribbean

GDF soldiers transporting ballot boxes to be counted in the 1973 elections

Kwayana) after the 1957 elections - exacerbated the ethnic orientation in membership.

objections to Jagan's supposed "communist" ideology, the CIA sponsored widespread burning and

looting of Indian businesses in GEORGETOWN, on Feb 16 1962 thereafter called Black Friday.

It then Instigated an 80day strike by the Public

Service that paralysed the government and in which many Indians were beaten in Georgetown.

Unsuccessful in changing the British and US' stance, the PPP called a massive strike in the sugar belt through GAWU, comprised almost entirely of Indian Sugar Workers. When this 1964 strike ended, one hundred and seventy six persons had been murdered; thousands beaten and made homeless; millions (billions in today’s terms) of dollars of property destroyed, and the many parts of the country such as what was to be later called "Linden", became "ethnically cleansed".

GAWU did not receive recognition, independent was granted to the PNCUP coalition : the war had been for naught. It was Dr. Jagan’s last hurrah for twenty-eight years.

Post Independence riggings

In 1968, , the PNC, without the help of the UF, introduced the rigging of Guyana’s general elections on a regular, almost institutionalised basis, to neutralise the numerical advantage of the Indians and the PPP. The introduction of “overseas voting” was the first of many ploys, such as proxy voting, postal voting served to give the PNC a "majority" on its own.

In the 1973 elections, a new technique in rigging was introduced. PM Burnham assigned to the GDF the task of ensur-

ing the “orderly conduct” of the 1973 elections and transporting ballot boxes to GDF Headquarters in Georgetown for the ballots to be counted. In 1974, Dr Ganraj Kumar , leader of the Liberator Party received, anonymously, a document, “The supervision and Control of Ballot Boxes on Election Day, 16th July 1973”, which detailed the instructions.

Dr. Kumar released the document to the media and was charged with “seditious libel” but when the case was finally called in 1977, the Chief-of- staff denied ever receiving such instructions! Dr Gunraj was eventually hounded out of Guyana and forced to settle in Canada.

The elections of 1980, in which the Liberator Party contested, and 1985 when the Democratic Labour Party contested, were also rigged in what was now "routine" operations. The DLM was founded by Paul Nehru Tenassee, who received wide support in the Indian community, which was beginning to question the efficacy and strategy of the PPP, which had offered the PNC "critical support". While because of the electoral rigging it can never be known for certain,

Assassinations

On 4thOctober 1971, the lull in political violence that the PNC boasted they had ushered in upon taking office was broken by the attempted assassination of a po-

litical opponent to the administration – University of Guyana lecturer, Dr. Joshua Ramsammy.

Guyana had crossed a crucial line. Many had felt that the violence of the 60’s was an aberration, and was stirred up by the Western powers. This assassination attempt, however, was directed at the opposition, most likely by Government forces.

The assassination had a chilling effect on the opposition especially other Indians. Ramsammy was not PPP, but a member of a Marxist, Universitybased group – Movement Against Oppression (MAO). The PNC was signalling that it was not going to tolerate any opposition - period. Two PPP activists were killed in Berbice when they attempted to prevent the army personnel from seizing ballot boxes in 1973.

Other political killings where there were government cover-ups included those ofEducationMinister Vincent Teekah defector from the PPP (24th 1979), Ohene Koama WPA activist (Nov. 18th1979), WPA activist Edward Dublin (28Feb 1980), and Dr. Walter Rodney Leader of the WPA (13thJune 1980) Andrew Morrison, editor of the Catholic Church’s newspaper, recounts a conversation between Burnham and Pat Carmichael (Executive Chairman of GNEC in the 1980’s) where Carmichael implicitly criticised ocialism in pointing out that the Indians on the Corentyne looked prosperous but they were not ocialists.

Burnham agreed then added, “if push come to shove, I’ll shoot the lot”.

The Indian population took this threat seriously especially after frequent army exercises that involved “army occupation of government buildings, armyblockades.

Deployment of troops to rural areas, and a show of force by troops in full battle dress patrolling the streets.”

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B

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

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

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

It is this British enforced design and draping that remains an emblem of Indian sari culture both in the north and south of India today,which was brought over to British Guiana during indentureship.

It would be hard to imagine the British freely allowing women without the undershirt of their sari to make the journey and

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

arrive in British Guiana in such ‘impropriety’.

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

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

It would not be long after, with the Christianisation of many Hindus and Muslims, that many other British Guiana indentured immigrants began wearing western/ British clothing altogether.

Among Indian men, the dhoti was at the time the traditional mode of dress.

About four to six feet long, white or in colour, the dhoti was worn long or short.

It was worn for centuries among Indian men, with many regional variations. In the southern part of India, men would pull up the dhoti and pleat the top around the waist, where it ended just below the knees.

Among the Muslims, it was the influence of the 16th and 17th century Mughal empire that “gave birth to garments like the

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

salwar kameez ” today, Gupta notes, as Muslim women covered themselves and often wore divided garments.

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

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

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

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

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

The Patiala salwar kameez began as a male garment for the Patiala maharaja but was later copied by women. It is similar to the traditional outfit but with more pleats and a “big fall” at the back.

The other type of salwar kameez is called the Anarkali, which for women, is a kurti or kurta (a loose fitting dress, shirt or tunic that falls just above

or somewhere below the knee) worn with the slim fitting spiral-bottomed pants of the Churidar.

In older times, kurtas were first designed for men to wear with pyjamas (a loose trouser tied at the waist) and kurtis were designed for women to wear with loose pants.

Nowadays ladies also wear kurtas.

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

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

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This week's Crossword

C

Shivnarine Chanderpaul, born Aug. 16, 1974

This week's Puzzle

see solution on page 47

ricket in British Guiana is considered to have been introduced by the British colonisers in the early 19th century, and learnt by its non-white inhabitants simply by watching them play.

Soon, playing cricket among the colony’s “blacks and coloureds” developed, based at first along racial groups.

According to Clem Seecharan in “Joseph Ruhomon's India: The Progress of Her People at Home and Abroad, and how those in British Guiana may improve themselves”, by the 1890s British Guiana was “a watershed in Indo-Guyanese history” and the sport of cricket became a passion for East Indian youths, among others, on the colonial estates.

Joseph Ruhomon was one of the first British Guiana East Indian intellectuals; he had hoped to encourage an awareness of East Indian identity and pride among the former indentured labourers and their descendants at the time – though cricket was not exactly what he had in mind then.

But it was material progress among East Indians, Seecharan writes, which encouraged the passion for the sport of cricket in British Guiana, “shaped by life and labour on the estates.”

It was pointed out that from the 1890s, the ascendance to fame in English cricket of Indian cricketer Prince Ranjitsinhi may have played a part in encouraging British Guiana East Indians to take up and develop the sport, seeing in him a role model and something for their aspirations.

The first organized Indo-Guianese cricket club was formed in

1895 and known as the Asiatic Cricket Club, with F.E. Jaundoo, an interpreter, its first captain. The club played, and won, its first match at Parade Ground, Eve Leary on Boxing Day of 1895 against a local Portuguese team.

The triumphant team is said to have had Hindu, Muslim and Christian East Indian players, “of north Indian and Tamil ancestry.”

The club was the pioneer East Indian sports organization, which subsequently led to the British Guiana East Indian Cricket Club or East Indian Club, established in 1914. Its founder, J.A. Veerasawmy, was a lawyer and in 1910 became the first East Indian to represent British Guiana in intercolonial cricket.

Along with the right handed batsman Charlie Pooran, R.B. Rohoman, a bowler, and Chatterpaul “Doosha” Persaud, Veerasawmy helped bring IndoGuyanese cricketers into the public spotlight.

The East Indian Club opened Dec. 13, 1915 in Queenstown, Georgetown and a pavilion was also built.

Just five days later it hosted its first match, attended by the-then Governor Egerton.

It wasn’t until 1971 that the club changed its name to Everest Cricket Club. By that time it had been moved to its present Camp Road and Carifesta Ave location, having opened April 30, 1928 by then Governor Cecil Rodwell.

Writing in his 2009 book “Cricket and Indian Identity in Colonial Guyana 1890s1960s: from Ranji to Rohan Seecharan”, Seecharan suggests that among the East

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WEEK ENDING MAY 8, 2016| guyanatimeSinternational.com

The art of henna was brought to these shores with the customs of early indentured labourers, to remain an integral part of that heritage today

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he art of henna has been practiced for more than 5,000 years in India, Pakistan, Africa and the Middle East. Some historians even say it is more than 9,000 years old. The English name “henna” comes from Arabic hinnā Henna art, also known as mehndi in Hindi or Urdu,involves putting henna paste made from the henna plant on the body, and is said to have first been practiced because of its ability to cool the skin in the very hot, arid climate conditions people of the desert regions faced.

People of this region would daub the paste on their palms and soles of feet, and experience the cooling effect as long as the henna remained on their skin.

Noticing that when the paste faded it left behind the patterns of being rubbed on the skin, it wasn’t long after perhaps that some creative individual decided to begin making decorative patterns as well, on the hands and feet.

Among Muslims of the Middle East, in Islamic literature, the Prophet Muhammad used henna to dye his beard, and administered its use to the sick.

In Hindu culture, mehndi is applied for important festivals and occasions.

From this age-old tradition, Muslim and Hindu East Indian indentured labourers brought the art of henna, or mehndi, to British Guiana where their descendants continue to uphold this ancient art form.

One such keeper of tradition is Narissa Sawh of Enmore, East Coast Demerara, who has proudly made henna art a part of her life, with her talent

for creative designs not only on persons but also on glassware, candles, chair cushions and t-shirts. She has also created henna inspired designs on wedding cakes and cupcakes.

Narissa has ample experience with brides, creating a dazzlingly array of amazing designs for wedding ceremonies here.A mehndi ceremony is an important pre-wedding ritual, observed in India and many Arabic nations.

At the ceremony, the bride-to-be adorns her hands and feet with henna designs. The groom may also apply a bit of mehendi on his hands as well as feet. This ceremony is not just about adornment however, it has a sacred relevance for both Hindus and Muslims.

According to some, among these religions, mehndi represents the bond of matrimony and is therefore considered a sign of good luck. It signifies the love and affection between the couple and their families.It is also considered a symbol of fertility.

Narissa discovered a love and talent for mehndi when she saw a henna design on a good friend.

What intrigued her most

was that the design was done entirely “free handed”, with no stencil.

Previously, she had seen stencilled henna designs which did not impress her as needing a special skill. This free hand design however, made her want to learn more.

She soon bought her first henna cones and began teaching herself the art, all the while watching other henna artists at work. As the name suggests, henna cones are cones into which the henna paste is placed then squeezed, similar to piping a cake, to form, in Narissa’s case,free-handed designs.

It wasn’t long after that her newly found skills encouraged her to begin putting together her own ideas in her designs. She began decorating her friends and family with her henna designs and they quickly encouraged her to go further with her talents.

“I started doing henna for friends and family.

After sometime, they told me I had enough practice and I should start doing it as a business. I was very much hesitant, worried if people will actually like my work. But when I started doing it, the compliments never stopped.

The encouraging words from people just kept me going,” she revealed in an interview with Sunday Times Magazine.

She also credits her mother for her creative streak. “I've been doing henna for about three years now. It wasn't something I started when I was little....but I must thank my mother for making me a part of her creative adventure. She does cakes, floral arrangements, sewing, hand decorated cushion patterns etc. And I was always around helping here and there. So from a young age I had a thing for designing and being creative. But it took me a while to find that one thing that actually interested me more in the designing field,” she recalled.

With its introduction to the West, mehndi has become popular among nonHindus and non-Muslims as well, and as Narissa mentioned, no longer requires only a special occasion to be applied.

“I do henna for all occasions,” she pointed out,“mostly weddings; and this includes people from all backgrounds here in Guyana: Hindus, Muslims and even Christians.

Henna has become more widespread as a fashion trend. You don't even need an occasion to put henna on. I also design tokens or favours, and various gift items like candles, canvas paintings, picture frames, vases etc. I also do henna patterns on cakes!”

“The Henna patterns I would do for brides are

very intricate designs, and simple designs for regular people. The Hindus mostly prefer very intricate and detailed designs. Muslims prefer bold designs, and Christians prefer more modern and contemporary designs done with glitter and rhinestones rather than the traditional henna,” she disclosed.

While henna patterns can be done on both males and females, Narissa noted that as a Muslim she does not work with males.

“Whenever they request henna designs, I just tell them I don't do henna on males and they understand that, because that's the level of respect we as women are treated with in Islam. We don't allow contact with the opposite gender,” she stated.

Narissa believes that everyone is creative in their own unique way, and many times all that is needed is something to spark their creativeness.

For her journey she is grateful: “All thanks to my Maker for inspiring me to do what I do today, and my family and all my fans on social media for their support. I always try my best to please my clients, especially my brides. I have met a lot of wonderful people and made a lot of friendships along the way.

It’s one of the things I love most about what I do.”

For more on her henna designs, visit her Facebook page, Narissa's Henna Designs where you can also book an appointment; she also offers her clients their own in-home service.

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f the 239,000 Indian immigrants who arrived in British Guiana to work on the sugar plantations, about 10 per cent were Muslims. These paintings give tribute to the teachings of the Koran that brought their faith out of Indentureship unbroken.

Paintings by Bernadette Persaud

“MOSQUE AT CHATEAU MARGOT” (1995) Acrylic on canvas - 33'' x 70''; Artist's Collection This painting fuses details of the Mosque with the architecture of sky, moon, stars and trees.

The verse is taken from Surah LXXVI and it translates: “Hath there come upon man (ever) any period of time in which he was a thing unremembered”

“THE LOTUS OF BLISS” (1993) Oil on canvas - 43'' x 70''; Artist's Collection “Lo! Those who believe and do good works, theirs will be gardens underneath which rivers flow..."

This painting represents the Garden of Bliss/ Paradise, underneath which the rivers flow - rivers filled with Lotus flowers, infinitely blossoming and echoing the motifs of infinitely blossoming stars.

The fragment of Arabic is taken from Surah LXXXV and translates, “mansions of stars”.

WEEK ENDING MAY 8, 2016 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

''... for everything in the sky, the “IN THE NAME OF ALLAH THE BENEFICENT, earth and in-between has been THE MERCIFUL” (1995) Acrylic on created for man by God...” canvas - 33'' x 70''; Artist’s Collection

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Providence Mandir central-plan; main entrance (National Trust)

By Lennox J Hernandez

K

arna Bahadur Singh, in his book Temples and Mosques: An Illustrated Study of East Indian Places of Worship in Guyana (1980) noted of the first temples and mosques (late 19th century) in British Guiana:“… in the authentic rendering of traditional architectural forms, they exhibit the impulse to concretise visually the ancestral landscape.”

This is in complete contrast to his comments on the temples and mosques built during the first half of the 20th century. These, he says, “exhibit a marked discontinuity with ancestral India in their architectural features, while displaying many of the indigenous features of colonial architecture.”

This radical re-formatting of the Indian Sacred Architecture came about as a result of some degree of crosscultural changes during those years, which included less use of East Indian languages and dress, while the adoption of the English language, western clothing and education, became widespread.

Architecture is not immune to such crosscultural exchanges when a displaced group tries to cope with a new prevailing socio-cultural context, or when a conquering people set about dominating the indigenous peoples.

Moghul Architecture, typified by the Taj Mahal in Agra, India, is an example of the latter.

In colonial Guyana, the unique hybrid Hindu Sacred Architecture developed during the early 20th century, following the simple shrine-type temples of the late 19th century, exemplifies the former.

This cross-cultur-

al Sacred Architecture reached its architectural high point during the 1920s to 1940s.

Firstly, copying the pattern of colonial domestic housing and Christian church architecture, the linear Mandir came into being; secondly, still using extant local housing elements, but less Christian church elements, the central-plan Mandir appeared.

Two important buildings of the linear type (perhaps the only ones existing) are the Fort Canje Mandir (Berbice)and the Albouystown Mandir (Georgetown),while the classical example of the central-plan type is the Providence Mandir (EBD).

The Fort Canje Mandir and the Albouystown Mandir reflect the socio-cultural demands of their day.

They both resemble a Christian church in their general form and layout, and also exhibit architectural elements of the colonial style buildings of the period including, highly ornate decorations and fretwork, coloured glass windows and a balustraded covered entrance porch.

Fort Canje Mandir

The Fort Canje Mandir is a relatively small timber structure, about 9 metres (30 feet) wide or just over, and of single storey on low stilts. The building is entered via a covered balustraded porch at the northern end through two double doors at the ends of the wall.

Entering the right hand (west) door leads one into the congregation space of the Hindu section, whilst entering the left hand (east) door leads one into the Christian space, separated from the former by a simple balustraded handrail.

The garba griha (the sanctum or holy of ho-

lies) for Hindu worship is located at the southern end of the building and not under the tower (sikhara) as is the case in typical Hindu temple architecture.

Another interesting feature of the building is the slightly outward curve of the southern

wall where the garba griha is. This curved wall is reminiscent of the apse of medieval churches where the altar is located. The building has two gable roofs, one over the main body of the structure and another slightly lower, over the porch: that over the

Albouystown Mandir – front

porch is set at two different pitches on each side.

This re-arrangement of Hindu temple elements, the use of

Christian church form, and the use of colonial style architectural decorations, make this structure unique in World Architecture.

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WEEK ENDING MAY 8, 2016 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

What Is Home?

By Ryhaan Shah

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verywhere, peoples of the world put down roots and claim a place on the earth as home and homeland.

It is, as we say, that their navel string is buried there and thisties them forever to their land and their birth.

But can we call Guyana home, even after 178 years, and especially in face of the continuing migration to North American shores because of the hostility and open violence that Indians have faced since we first arrived?

The racial/political violence is not only a matter of historical record but is an experience that has touched the lives of just about every Indian Guyanese family. We all have stories of survival, and they are not only stories of physical but also of cultural threats.

exotica.

Once our song and dance are over, we are expected to return to the margins of society, and the posturing is accepted evenin a world where peoples’ culture, race and ethnicity are protected by laws and international conventions. In Guyana’s context, they appearnothing but a necessary lie that soothes the conscience of a world which still holds to old, familiar prejudices.

For the Indian to gain acceptance, she is expected to negate her ethnic and cultural identities in favour of her Guyanese citizenship alone. Acceptance, then, comes at the price of cultural loss and physical extinction both of which go against every human instinct of survival.

The United States, under the flag of American citizenship, has room for every ethnic group Group of East Indian migrants

We live in a country where it is a commonly held notion that to declare yourself Indian promotes division and is at odds with being a Guyanese citizen. This even against the backdrop of politically correct speech and posturing of the richness of the country’s ethnic diversity, our contribution to that wealth hardly ever extending beyond a measure of tolerance for our

including its many First Nations, Italians, Mexicans, Irish, Jews, Africans, Chinese, etc.

This is a readily accepted concept of nationhood – that of emphasizing inclusivity rather than assimilation - especially for the West which has been peopled largely by Asian, African and European immigrants.

That the Indian is still viewed as an alien, out-

sider, and latecomer in our national landscape where the Euro/Afro presence, religion and culture are the status quo seems then a conscious and deliberate act. It provides advantages for those in quest of political power, and social status for those who present themselves as a cultural elite in the best manner of Naipaul’s mimic men.

Suffice it to say that the earliest jahajis rejected the idea of religious conversion and cultural assimilation, feeling themselves proud and seeing themselves as whole and in no need of change or improvement. They were never fragments of the past left derelict on a far shore but always felt tethered to History and to a solid world of values, beliefs and customs that were and are still theirs.

Their New World experience presented challenges butit also afforded them a renewal of faith in all that they held to be true about themselves and the world.

Derek Walcott’s view of the Caribbean as a place of fragmentation and forgetting never applied to them and his idea, as written in “The Antilles”, that Caribbean peoples are striving for a homogeneity which would erase all distinctions and distinctiveness denies the groups who have settled here their separate histories and sense of themselves.

The African population in Guyana remembers and recounts their history of slavery and the terror and savagery that their foreparents suffered.

They always note that their suffering was like no other and that this alone places themon a different footing from other groups.

New arrivals at Immigration Depot

Indian indenture is also a story of horror but the jahajis came with their religions, foods, dress, habits and values which provided them with a comfort and security that helped themto survive the worst. They never felt disconnected or severed from the whole.

Indeed, ourcustoms and beliefs are always living testaments – evolving as they have been here in the West - and are never monuments to a dead past.

That different groups arrived at different points in our country’s history and have their distinctnarratives does not make for a dissonant nationalism but rather creates opportunities for the respect and understanding that should derive from maturity and from the security of our uniqueand beloved selves.

That Indians are still recognizable as a distinct ethnic group after 178 years is in itself remarkable and deserving of celebration by everyone.

Ours is a story of sacrifice, survival and overcoming. But that is not to say that the struggle is over and that the question posed in the headline has no poignancy. When the earliest jahajis settled here, they connected us to a past, and gave us this present and a future. For their sake and in honour of their struggle and survival, we cannot simply give up.

The story of identity and Self, and of a people under siege has been told by novelists and poets through the centuries and I have selected some verses from our own Mahadai Das, Martin Carter and others that weave together thatGuyana story.

There is no better place to start than with V.S. Naipaul’s words in “A Way in the World”: “But we go back and back, forever; we go back all of us to the very beginning; in our blood and bone and brain we carry the memories of thousands of beings.”

Naipaul’s sentiments are not unlike those of the Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish. They see themselves as exiles who found their home in their writing.

Darwish’s poetry speaks to a history of exile and of the identity of his displaced people. With all its stirrings of memory and myth, it reso-

nates with the Indian in Guyana who inhabits a sense of exile even as she lives within the boundaries of a country that she should call home except that it does not afford her the security, andthe claims of acceptance that give definition to the word“home”.

Home then becomes an elusive idea and the migration northward is a continuation of our journey out of India. The migration, the sense of exile would cease, however, if the idea of “home” and “homeland” was to ever become reconciled into a safe and settled reality.

Darwish, in his poem “The Raven’s Ink” states: “We are the descendants of the beginning.” He echoes Naipaul’s sentiments. Even with lines of defiance, poetry offers solace and comfort. It soothes the soul and can inspire us to be our best selves.

From “A Rhyme for the Odes” by Mahmoud Darwish No one led me to myself. I am the guide, the guide to myself between the sea and the desert. I was born of my language on the route to India tucked between two small tribes. Above them was the ancient religions’ moon and the impossible peace …

Who am I? This is the others’ question.

It doesn’t have an answer.

I am my language I am the ode …two odes…ten. This is my language I am my language. I am what the words said: Be… From “The Skeleton” by Rabindranath Tagore My true identity Cannot be measured by flesh …

For in the lotus of manifest form I’ve drunk the honey of the formless, in the bosom of suffering found the dwelling of joy, heard within me the voice of eternal silence, seen the way of stars through the dark empty spaces.

From “Being Always” by Martin Carter Being, always to arrange myself in the world,

and the world in myself, I try to do both. How both are done is difficult. Why, I have to ask, do I have to arrange anything when every thing is already arranged By love’s and death’s inscrutable laws….

From “For a Version of I Ching ” by Jorge Luis Borges … He who believes He’s left home already has come back.

Nothing dismisses us.

Nothing leaves.

From “Four Quartets” by T.S. Eliot We shall not cease from exploration And the end of all our exploring Will be to arrive where we started And know the place for the first time.

Through the unknown, remembered gate When the last of earth left to discover Is that which was the beginning …

From “Return Me to the Fire” by Mahadai Das If I should ever die Return me to the fire If I should live again Return me to myself …

From “Gitanjali” by Rabindranath Tagore 69. The same stream of life that runs through my veins night and day runs through the world and dances in rhythmic measures.

It is the same life that shoots in joy through the dust of the earth in numberless blades of grass and breaks into tumultuous waves of leaves and flowers ….

I feel my limbs are made glorious by the touch of this world of life.

And my pride is from the life-throb of ages dancing in my blood this moment.

70. Is it beyond thee to be glad with the gladness of this rhythm? To be tossed and lost and broken in the whirl of this fearful joy?

All things rush on, they stop not, they look not behind, no power can hold them back, they rush on….

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Cricket and the East Indian...

Indians, cricket and politics would take on an almost interdependent relationship, variously punctuating victories and consoling defeats during the turbulent 1950s while fighting for political independence and against racial sentiment.

In a 2011 article in Cricket Country, Rohan Kallicharan, son of Indo-Guianese cricket legend Alvin Kallicharan, stated “It [the dropping of Alvin Kallicharan from the West Indies team] left a bitter taste in the mouth of many, particularly the Indo-Caribbean (Asian) communities of Guyana and Trinidad.”

One “less likeable, but

equally plausible opinion, was that senior figures within West Indian cricket wanted a side made up solely of black West Indian cricketers, “ he noted.

“One also has to consider the socio-political influences of the time, especially in Guyana, home to a large Indo-Caribbean population. They felt that they were being victimised by the government, dictatorship as some saw it, of Linden Forbes Burnham. So when they suddenly had no Indians in the Test side, question and opinion was inevitable, and many believed there to be an agenda around race. The dropping of Alvin Kallicharran, howev-

er, was widely considered to be a slight to the Indian community, and I know of many who found it difficult to support the West Indies with none their own players present.”

Many Guyanese East Indians have since staked a claim to cricketing fame, playing in both local and international games. Cricketers such as Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ramnarine Sarwan have become world renown, along the way helping to encourage the sense of East Indian identity and pride Ruhomon, almost a century earlier, had hoped his people would achieve.

Alvin Kallicharan, born March 21, 1949

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By Baytoram Ramharack

B

alram Singh Rai remains an iconic figure for many Guyanese. And, for good reasons. His name is often invoked by an older generation of Guyanese, many of whom commonly refer to him as “Bal”.

Rai, whose grandparents migrated from India to British Guiana, played a major role in the political events of the 1950s and 1960s that laid the foundation for Guyana's political independence from Britain.

Rai was born February 8, 1921 to Ramlachan and Radha Rai of Beterverwagting Village, East Coast Demerara. Historical records (Emigration Pass) reveal that Rai’s father, a Rajput, was recruited from the village of Majholia, located in the province of Bihar.

He departed India on the Forth, which left the port of Kolkata on July 19, 1901. He was indentured on Plantation Lusignan on the East Coast of Demerara. His mother, Radha, who was 3 years old when she was recruited in 1892, was taken to Demerara on the vessel Elbe in 1893 along with her mother.

She was recruited from Lucknow District

in the province of Uttar Pradesh, and was indentured to Plantation Lusignan, the same estate where Rai’s father was indentured in 1901.

Rai's political ideology was largely shaped by his involvement in the Hindu Arya Samaj movement and as a London-educated barrister. He served the PPP government in two official positions: Minister of Community Development and Education (1959-61) and Minister of Home Affairs (1961-62). He was expelled from the PPP because he questioned the results of the fraudulent election for the Party Chairman in 1962. He later formed the Justice Party and made an unsuccessful bid in the 1964 general elections.

Rai is credited for having the foresight to predict the dangers of Jagan’s imposition of a communist vision upon the Guyanese people, as well as the problem of escalating ethnic antagonism.

Rai's political role in Guyana must be seen as a significant pre-independence contribution. It was significant, considering the persistent ethnic conflict in Guyana, and his actions should be examined in the backdrop

Balram Singh Rai when he was Home Affairs minister (1961-1962)

of the intense struggle for Guyana's independence in the 1960s.

Clearly, while his actions as a government minister in the PPP administration reflected that of a nationalistic Guyanese, his positions defined him as an Indian social and political reformer.

Ralph Ramkarran noted that together with Ashton Chase and Eusi Kwayana, “Rai is the

only other towering political figure who is still alive today from the 1947 era when he supported Cheddi Jagan in his successful contest for a seat in the legislature.”

Although Rai opposed the PPP at the elections in 1953, he supported the PPP in the 1957 election. During the 1957 election, he and Kwayana contested the seat for the Central Demerara constituen-

cy and Rai won. Rai later emerged as a prominent and well respected member of the legislature, until he decided to challenge Brindley Benn (Jagan’s choice), for the post of Chairman at the PPP’s Congress in 1962. At that time, the Chairman was the next most powerful position after Leader, the post held by Jagan.

The campaign against Rai mounted by the PPP leadership became increasingly bitter and divisive. When Rai brought this matter to the attention of Fenton Ramsahoye, then Attorney General, Fenton responded by saying “the PPP works in devious ways.”

Rai was expelled from the PPP for refusing to withdraw his remarks that the election was fraudulent. Rai was not going to be bullied or become a Communist as Janet and Cheddi Jagan would have wished.

One notable action deserves mention.

On February 16, 1962 (“Black Friday”), when British Guiana was in the midst of anti-budget demonstrations, led

by Mr. Burnham and Mr. D’ Aguiar, Home Affairs Minister Rai single-handedly manned

the volatile situation in Georgetown as every other PPP minister, including the Jagans, went into hiding.

Rai countermanded the order by the police commissioner who issued an order to police officers to shoot protestors if necessary. If this situation had prevailed, the British colony would have quickly descended into a state of civil war and the colony would have reverted to British rule.

An important fact about Rai is that despite many efforts to seek his pension, given his years of service as a parliamentarian, none was forthcoming from the Guyana government. He remains Guyana’s only parliamentarian never to receive compensation for his services to the nation.

Forbes Burnham extended several lucrative job offers to Rai. Rai, however, sensing the direction in which Guyana was headed under Burnham, refused to accept any of them. In 1970, Rai, along with his wife and two young children, departed Guyana for London. He would never return to Guyana.

Rai celebrated his 95th birthday this year.

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A time to remember, resolve, regroup

By Ashook Ramsaran

T

he journey in 1838 from Kolkata to Highbury followed the journeys of so many others from Africa and elsewhere, but was the beginning of wholesale Indian labour as a commodity for profit, and led to a new era in Guyana and the Caribbean region.

We have come to pay homage and commemorate an historic event which took place [178] years ago, and recognize the journeys, hardships, travails and perseverance of a people – while looking at a today and tomorrow that can take lessons from that history of not so long ago. While acknowledging that past, we can triumph by bold leaps and decisions; same as those who came to this land with just a promise and with lots of hope and determination.

Our ancestors came here partially by choice, many forced, but resolved and persevered under very difficult and harrowing conditions. That shared experience, that saga of shared history, fostered an unusual kindred spirit of resolve, togetherness and kinship – a triumph over obstacles and difficulties with dreams and aspirations of a destiny intertwined by history and fate.

We pay homage to those who came before us – from Kolkata, Madras, Madeira, Macao, Gambia and Congo. We have roots in India, Africa, China, Portugal and the Americas, yet we have nurtured stronger roots here, moulded in this land, from whence the descendants have gone to other lands and established themselves with remarkable successes. Such is the special nature of a Guyanese – making it better with each journey, looking for opportunities and excelling in pursuits I trace my own roots to my great grandfather Pooriya who arrived here in 1853 and settled in Tuschen De Vrinden, and my great grandmother Radhah who arrived here in 1860. They married and raised a family that went on to settle in Berbice, with now many in USA, Canada and UK. We are all products of this land of many waters and opportunities – that we shall never forget.

Migration to Guyana – pre-colonial and during colonial times – was based on human beings used as commodity for profit – arriving in ships but left in the same boat, not as strangers but as remnants of labour for profit.

The world has changed immensely from the days

Ashook Ramsaran

of rock writing to present day robotics, from the days of sailing ships to cyberspace and supersonics – and the Indian diaspora has also grown more prominent in almost all countries with remarkable strides and achievements in all segments of society in many developed and developing countries: presidents, prime ministers, cabinet ministers, entrepreneurs, best legal minds, the judiciary, novelists, writers, Nobel laureates, scientists, software and internet breakthroughs, space exploration, yoga and wellness, cricketers, distillers and adaptation of music and foods.

The descendants of Indian labourers have advanced and triumphed in every part of the world – and Guyana is one

of those examples. In Guyana, we were thrown together while being used as labour for profit, yet we managed to establish a nation born of necessity, born of diversity yet unified in the continuing quest with determination for prosperity and progress in a national agenda of shared destiny – a single nation with diverse ethnic origin but common national spirit and singular national agenda.

Messy at times, traumatic and heart wrenching – yet the larger goal of national loyalty takes precedence for the common good, common future and mutual benefits as a people of a nation knitted together in unison with shared dreams, aspirations and hopes for a better day each and every day. It is the totality of a people; we must take pride and courage in that fact. It is a work in progress for nation building, Guyana being a relatively young nation with a unique history.

History has thrown us together and history would look kindly on the success of the human spirit that is triumphant in a shared destiny. Our paths met – actually we were thrown together - we stayed put, remained intact and we have forged a new path for our shared destiny.

By the way, some in several countries of the colonial past have taken that word in the literal sense, unfortunately.

Together, we have weathered the storms of slavery, indentureship and colonialism to emerge with common and shared aspirations and energy to mould a new nation. We are of the salt and sugar of Guyana.

Moulded by common

aspirations of survival and success, a shared experience and shared purpose are the ingredients for a common destiny.

Each of us adds to the fabric and successes of the nation, not take away from it - to form a special mosaic and envy of so many other countries.

We are a special people thrown together by the winds and whims of history but with a unique experience that can guide us better than the winds of the Atlantic, which flapped the sails of our journeys. Acknowledging

has dealt us a hand and our fates are inextricably intertwined for better or for worse – shared history and shared struggles but with shared destiny.

Divorce is not an option.

Embrace, engage and enhance the kinship and partnership among people and see it bear fruits for generations to come.

Not many of us can be like Gandhi, King, Mandela, Jagan, Carter or Braithwaite – but surely we can learn from them and from their ideals of brotherhood for a better today and tomorrow. “A

Indian Arrival Monument, Georgetown

the past without being mired in its intricacies is paramount for a better future as Nelson Mandela knew very well. When we look back too much, our eyes are not focused on the road ahead, we stumble and we lose momentum and direction.

We have successfully bridged the Berbice and the Demerara – yet some differences remain among us and it will take statesmanship and objective minds to do so – indeed, I dare say a bridge not too far. We are kindred spirits with a shared destiny which can triumph obstacles, hurdles and sometimes unknown hardships lurking around the corner.

Like it or not, history

mind is a terrible thing to waste”, it is said. Good, honest, determined, courageous minds are our greatest assets. Let’s use them wisely – with respect, trust and dignity, in harmony.

A special pride and honour have been bestowed on the descendants of those who arrived in Guyana from other lands – which has emerged towards to a special duty and obligation to make their dreams and aspirations bear the fruits of kindred spirits. We are resilient people and we can do it. (From his speech at the 177th anniversary of Indian Arrival Day celebration activities in Guyana)

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The pitfalls of new housing

By Leyland Chitlall Roopnaraine

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he entire land development and home building process in Guyana is poorly evaluated and planned. First, there is little foresight for the inevitable social concomitants that accompanies population increase.

There is sickness, yet no new hospital or increase in medical staff; the need for schools, adjustments for recreation (parks) and crime (more police officers) are not undertaken.

There are sewer/septic hurdles together with garbage, transportation and a litany of issues associated with housing.

Worst of all, today, witnesses the proliferation of ‘black tanks’ on trestles. This lopsided system of household water supply is both unhealthy and costly. There is run-offs from the roof containing an array of unsafe substances such as bird droppings and airborne spores.

Simply put, better pumps with stronger pipes and efficient design will save people an astronomical sum. Instead, across the

country, is the emergence of taxi services and ‘rum shops’ that mushroom overnight! A clear product of the current poorly accessed housing impact on the environment.

During the Elections campaign last May, President Granger aptly pointed out that lands the (then) PPP gov’t was handing out were not house lots. In effect, what was given to the proletariat (a term the late Cheddi Jagan perpetually used, referring to the ‘ordinary man’) were pieces of cow pasture and cane lands.

Nothing has changed. In regards to the preparation of house lots, the mere leveling of the land is flawed

as the topsoil gets mixed with the under soil. Small wonder, therefore, that it is hard to grow plants in new housing developments. No studies on the level of the water table to access the need for the type of building material that will hold up heavy structures. High water tables, an attribute of rural coastlines, implies relatively lighter structures.

Tensile strengths of steel, compressibility/stress tests of concrete, porosity of soil etc. are all factors that directly affect construction. The makeup of structures also must be factored in as certain quality of construction material, coupled with ar-

chitectural flaws and substandard building techniques all contribute to the durability of the building.

In loam soil areas, structures above a certain weight will eventually sink or lean, hence the need for material assessment and maximum weight and height. In this regards zoning laws need to be instituted giving rise to enclosed square footage ratios vs the land area FAR (Floor Area Ratio).

Zoning laws goes further to regulate the quality of life: a salient example is the interjection of businesses (e.g. tire and oil change service, welding and metal fabricating) in

fully residential areas.

Sad to say that Guyana is in the Jurassic age in accepting this concoction and passes it for suburban planning. Even the two Pradovilles have their deficiencies in water and electric design.

It may be superfluous to add that housing projects have not fulfilled the vast demand for housing. Houses continue to be erected in haphazard fashion, without correlation to neighboring villages regarding linking of basic utilities like water, electric, transportation etc. The capital and suburbs are home to more than half the population; indications are Georgetown will become even more densely populated. With more people occupying the same area there is need for multifamily houses, catering for those who want to “save up” to buy. These must be legal to rent Vis a Vis the apartments fabricated by homeowners where a few separating walls evolves into a rental income. Fire codes, such as water sprinklers, flame resistant wiring, metal

water pipes (PVC melts at 160degrees) in commercial and multi-family units are non-existent.

In conclusion, the epidemic of inadequate housing is steeply rooted in poor mortgage/loan process. It must be legislated that at least 20% of Bank assets should be ploughed into the housing sector; there is sufficient liquidity in the banking system to effect this. Previous administrations failed to institute this and other regulations that would have enabled working families to own properties.

Guyana can step into the field with a ‘win-win’ program. Loans will be given in priority to those who can produce their tax filing documents. In this way lenders are assured that there is sound, verifiable income and the gov’t is content that taxes are being paid. The sad reality is that the housing process is burning down and the housing authorities are arguing with the firemen.

(Mr. Roopnaraine is a Licensed Real Estate Broker & home builder in NewYork)

The Government is the problem, not the sugar industry

By Dr. Dev Rawana

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he central issue in this article is whether the APNU + AFC coalition should continue to own and control the sugar industry through the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO) at a loss or hand it over to private investors. Since 1976, the PNC administration nationalized the private Booker Sugar Estates for the political purpose to create jobs and not for profit maximization. Most of the brown sugar is marketed to the European Union, U.S.A. and CARICOM countries at prevailing international market prices. As a small producer in the world market, GUYSUCO is a price taker. As expected over the years, the market price fluctuates as determined by the world demand and supply.

In fact, there has been a

long–term secular decline in the world price of landbased commodities, especially sugar as consumers switch to cheaper beet sugar substitutes or have become more health conscious and subsequently lower their demand for sugar. Now, the profitability of the industry is being squeezed from two sides: a) falling world prices and, b) rising average production costs of imported inputs. The then political PNC leaders were aware of the rising production costs arising from obsolete machines and outdated field practices in the harvesting of sugar cane. Instead of ploughing back excess sugar funds in years of bountiful crops to modernize the sugar factories, the PNC administration funded non-sugar enterprises such as the Linden Bauxite communities, Kimbia Projects and the Public Sector to the

CROSSWORD SOLUTION

tune of $ G16 Billion over the period 1976-1992. The APNU+ AFC’s allegation that the PPP failed to refurbish the sugar industry is untrue. The investment negligence began with the PNC nationalization in 1976 and the resultant unilateral decision of the coalition government to phase out the industry in 2016 under the pretext of substantial losses. If the private sector was to own and manage the industry, then the rising production costs would have been minimized by developing sugar derivatives and linkages with the rest of the economy, varying from molasses to alcohol beverages. Further economies of scale can be realized by creating local demand for sugar by developing cereal and dairy related products. Why? The private sector is driven by profit motives, an outcome that is contrary to government bureaucrats who are only interested in preserving their self- interest of corruption and mismanagement of state assets.

The PPP administration (1992-2015) acknowledged the pivotal role of the sugar industry in the local and national economy, despite the absence of investments and the modernization of buildings and plants which were inherited from the previous administration.

At the national level, the industry accounted for about 20% of the nation’s value of final goods and services, 40% of agricultural production, and employs between 18,000 to 20,000 workers across its eight sugar factories. Hence, in its attempt to rationalize the industry as an efficient producer in the world market, the PPP modernized the Skeldon estate and initiated annual subsidies to ailing factories with the long-term aim of privatization and the initiation of a sound private sector industrial policy. However, like the PNC, the PPP didn’t privatize the industry and thus GUYSUCO continues to mismanage the industry. So, over the years, the government

(28 years of PNC and 23 years of PPP) has reduced the ability of private sector to become viable as an efficient producer in the world market for agricultural commodities. While CARICOM countries have either abandoned or privatized the sugar industries, the Guyana government firmly centralized its power over ordinary commodities that the private sector can efficiently produce.

Nevertheless, in its 2015 electoral campaign, the APNU+ AFC reiterated its commitment to work in partnership with the private sector to make the industry once again viable in the world market. But in less than one year in power, the APNU +AFC announced the closure of the Wales sugar estate that would result in the loss of about 1700 jobs in communities that are already experiencing high rural poverty.

Instead of introducing policies to combat rising crimes and afford protection to the rural communities, APNU+ AFC coali-

tion is actively engaged competing with the private sector in the censoring of the media, harvesting cane and producing sugar. This is not the type of government envisioned by the Guyanese electorate. GUYSUCO is perceived as the political arm of the government. Its closure of the sugar estate is unplanned and uneconomical for two main reasons: a) That the central government continues to offer support to the stateowned industry for a period of three years until the privatization is complete, as concluded by the Commissioner of Inquiry, and b) the private sector needs to grow, become viable and breakaway from the prolonged period of state dependency that lasted for more than five decades. The closing of the Wales estate is not an option. The coalition government must be sensitive to the needs of the working class, initiate direct consultations with the communities and other key stakeholders to include both unions (GAWU and NAACIE). The sugar workers are not only requesting that the coalition government retracts its unilateral decision to close the Wales sugar estate but are demanding their constitutional rights to organize and engage in the development of the economy pursuant to Article 38.

It is the current political leaders who are directly accountable for their misguided policies that would eventually lead to the collapse of the sugar industry unless the industry is privatized.

48 Bollywood

WEEK ENDING MAY 8, 2016 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Shah Rukh Khan is a huge, Love you forever: Karan Singh Grover humble star: Waluscha De Sousa to Bipasha Basu

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ctor Karan Singh Grover, who has tied the knot with actress Bipasha Basu, says that he will love her forever.

Karan, who got married twice earlier, and Bipasha got married on April 30. The “Hate Story 3” star took to Instagram, where he

shared a cute moment from their wedding.

In the photograph, Karan is seen giving a peck on Bipasha’s cheek.

“I must’ve have been a saint in my previous birth to deserve such a beautiful, loving, caring bride. Every moment spent with you is bliss.

I love you forever and a

day,” Karan captioned the image.

The couple’s wedding reception, which was held here on the same day, saw the who’s who of tinsel town gracing the event.

The reception was attended by Bollywood A-listers like Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan.

The reception, held at St. Regis hotel in South Mumbai, was also attended by other celebrities like Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Sonam Kapoor, Preity Zinta, Malaika Arora, Genelia and Riteish Deshmukh, Sanjay Dutt and Ranbir Kapoor among others.

(Indian express)

Prakash Raj is a powerhouse performer: Taapsee

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ctress Taapsee Pannu finds actor Prakash Raj a powerhouse performer. The two worked in Telugu films like “Mr. Perfect” and “Vastadu Naa Raju”.

And now, she will be seen as the lead actress in his Hindi directorial debut. Prakash Raj is making a remake of a Malayalam movie “Salt and

Pepper” where he has signed Taapsee, Ali Fazal, Nana Patekar and Shriya Saran.

Taapsee said in a statement: “I have known Prakash sir for sometime now. He is a powerhouse performer. I’ve known him off screen as well.

He is an extremely caring person. I’m looking forward to it (movie).” (Indian express)

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he picked up the role of Shah Rukh Khan’s wife in “Fan” to debut in Bollywood, and modelturned-actress Waluscha De Sousa says she was left impressed that despite scaling heights in stardom the superstar is so “humble”.

She also shared that working with

Bollywood’s ‘Baadshah’ has been an enriching experience for her.

“It is a wonderful experience. I mean he (SRK) is so hardworking and so passionate about what he does and through it all he is such a huge star but so humble,” Waluscha told IANS over phone from Mumbai.

After sashaying on the ramp as a model and then putting her professional life on the back burner for her family, Waluscha decided to take the leap into Hindi filmdom with “Fan”.

Directed by Maneesh Sharma and produced

by Yash Raj Films, the movie, which released on April 15, featured Shah Rukh in a double role — one as a superstar and other his look-alike fan Gaurav.

Waluscha plays SRK’s real wife Gauri Khan on the silver screen. Waluscha also shared that working with the whole team is a “great memory” for her.

The 31-year-old added: “It is a great pleasure and for me, it was a huge learning experience to be on the set with him (SRK)”. (Indian express)

Randeep Hooda brilliant in ‘Sarbjit’: Johnny Lever

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ctor Johnny Lever has lauded Randeep Hooda’s “brilliant” acting skills in Omung Kumar’s upcoming directorial “Sarbjit”.

“Sarbjit” is a biopic on Sarabjit Singh, an Indian farmer who was convicted of terrorism and spying in Pakistan.

He was attacked by inmates at a Lahore prison and killed in April 2013.

Randeep will be seen essaying Sarabjit Singh’s character.

Johnny took to Twitter to praise the “Kick” star.

“Watched the promo of

‘Sarbjit’. Randeep Hooda shows his brilliant acting.

I can’t wait to see,” Johnny tweeted.

Randeep re-tweeted his message and thanked Johnny for praising him.

The biopic, which also stars Richa Chadha, will be narrated through the perspective of the victim’s sister Dalbir Kaur, played by Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.

(Indian express)

Shah Rukh Khan, AbRam practise dance moves for KKR match

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uperstar Shah Rukh Khan will be seen shaking a leg with “little” AbRam for his IPL team, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) match here on Wednesday against Kings XI Punjab. Shah Rukh took to Twitter on Wednesday, where he shared that he and his two-year-old son are practising their dance moves.

“Practising our dance

Lata Mangeshkar gifts Rishi Kapoor Sai Baba idol

moves little AbRam and me as we prepare for our first match in Kolkata. Ami Kolkata here we come…

See you all at the Garden,” the “Chennai Express” star tweeted on Wednesday.

SRK, who was seen in Maneesh Sharma’s directorial “Fan”, will next be seen in Rahul Dholakia’s film “Raees”, which is now slated to release on January 26, 2017. (Indian express)

Bipasha Basu credits ‘brilliant start’ in films to Abbas-Mustan, Hussain Burmawala

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eteran actor Rishi Kapoor has thanked melody queen Lata Mangeshkar for gifting him a Sai Baba idol.

The 63-year-old actor took to Twitter, where he also shared a photograph of the idol, which he will cherish forever.

“Lata Mangeshkar…

Thank you Lataji for “Babas

Blessings” as a gift. Will cherish forever. A place in my heart and Temple!” Rishi tweeted on Wednesday.

“Dhanyawad Rishi ji. Baba ke aap bhakt hain , Baba ki kripa hamesha aap sab pe rahegi ye mujhe vishwas hai.

(Thank you Rishiji. You are a devotee of Baba. Baba’s blessings will always be on you.)”

(Indian express)

ctress Bipasha Basu, who made her debut with the 2001 film “Ajnabee”, has credited filmmakers Abbas-Mustan and their brother Hussain Burmawala for her “brilliant start” in the Hindi film industry.

The “Raaz” actress took to instagram and shared a photograph from her wedding reception held on April 30 here.

In the photograph Bipasha is seen posing with her actor-husband Karan Singh Grover, Abbas-Mustan and Hussain Burmawala, who

were synchronized in white.

“Hussain Bhai, the reason am here today. I love them and owe my brilliant start in this business to them entirely,” Bipasha captioned the image. The “Jism” actress also mentioned that the filmmaker trio and Karan

matched the theme.

Bipasha and Karan’s wedding reception was attended by a string of stars including Bollywood A-listers like Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan. (Indian express)

Hollywood 49

WEEK ENDING MAY 8, 2016| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Eddie Murphy Freida Pinto to promote women empowerment at Cannes welcomes ninth U child

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ddie Murphy and Australian model girlfriend Paige Butcher have welcomed a baby daughter, the couple’s first child together and the actor’s ninth.

The 54-year-old actor’s Australian model girlfriend Paige Butcher, 36, gave birth to their daughter Izzy Oona Murphy – the couple’s first child together yesterday, reported Entertainment Tonight.

Izzy weighed 7 lbs 15oz and was 19.5 inches long and Eddie’s representative said, “Both mother and daughter are doing well.”

The “Shrek” star already has five children, Bria, 25, Miles, 22, Shayne, 21, Zola, 15, and Bella, 13, with ex-wife Nicole Murphey, whom he split from in 2006 after 22 years of marriage.

The “Beverly Hills Cop” star also has son Eric, 26, with Paulette McNeely, son Christian, 25, with Tamara Hood, and eightyear-old daughter Angel with former Spice Girl singer Mel B. (Indian Express)

S-based Indian actress Freida Pinto will reportedly attend the upcoming 69th Cannes International Film Festival to launch the first project of nonprofit production company called We Do It Together, which focuses on women empowerment in the entertainment industry.

Freida is one of the members of the advisory board which also includes stars like Jessica Chastain, Juliette Binoche, singer Queen Latifah, and film director Catherine Hardwicke.

Other members are director Hany Abu-Assad; actress Zhang Ziyi; director Amma Asante; director Marielle Heller; director Katia Lund; director

Malgorzata Szumowska; actress Alysia Reiner; National Humanities Medal honoree Henry Louis Gates; and director Haifaa Al-Mansour.

The Cannes International Film Festival is scheduled to be held from May 11-May 21, 2016.

According to sources,

the “Slumdog Millionaire” star will be a part of the prestigious gala on May 15 to announce the first project of the company.

The all-female production company We Do It Together (WDIT) aims to produce films and TV that boost the empowerment of women. The company also hopes to partner with male and female industry professionals to create a slate of gender-led projects, and to generate opportunities for women.

The organisation also participated at the United Nations’ Third Annual Power of Collaboration Global Summit in February. Freida’s upcoming projects include “Jungle Book: Origins” and “Yamasong: March of the Hollows”. (Indian Express)

A virtual reality film on ‘Frozen’ fans want Elsa to have a girlfriend Anne Frank in works “F

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virtual reality film will recreate the secret annex where Anne Frank and her family hid during the Nazi persecution.

Producer Jonah Hirsch and filmmaker Danny Abrahms are creating the new film “Anne”, which, through virtual reality technology, will recreate history and go back to the early 1940s, giving audiences the feel of being in the secret annex with Frank, reported the Entertainment Weekly.

“To experience this film will be to immerse oneself into a place and time, to move about a room, amongst the people, and sense the mo-

ment in a way never possible before (virtual reality),” Abrahms, who will write and direct the film, said.

Anne Frank is one of the most discussed Jewish victims of the Holocaust. Her diary, published as “The Diary of a Young Girl”, gives vivid description about their life in hiding dur-

ing the German occupation of the Netherlands in World War II. Frank’s diary, which chronicles her life from 12 June 1942 until 1 August 1944, has already been a subject of many films and plays.

She is believed to have died in a concentration camp at the age of 15 in 1945. (Indian Express)

rozen” fans have requested Disney to give Queen Elsa a girlfriend after it was revealed that the studio did not use any LGBT characters in their 2015 films at all.

Disney, Paramount and Warner Bros. all received failing grades on GLAAD’s annual LGBT report card, while Lionsgate, Sony, Universal and Fox received “Adequate” marks, reported Ace Showbiz.

Twitter users spoke their preference by using the hashtag #GiveElsaAGirlfriend.

Singer Manika also showed her support for the campaign, writing, “#GiveElsaAGirlfriend yes please I volunteer!”

GLAAD, a media monitoring organisation

founded by LGBT people, called on Disney to include gay characters in upcoming “Star Wars Episode VIII”.

“As sci-fi projects have the special opportunity to create unique worlds whose advanced

societies can serve as a commentary on our own, the most obvious place where Disney could include LGBT characters is in the upcoming eighth Star Wars film,” the report said. (Indian Express)

Amber Rose gets her own chat show Drew Barrymore praises

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upermodel Amber Rose has landed her own talk show, which will premiere this summer. The show will feature Rose interviewing celebrities about a number of topics including pop culture, relationships, motherhood, race and entrepreneurship.

The 32-year-old entrepreneur and model, who has

three-year-old son Sebastian with former husband Wiz Khalifa, has signed a deal with VH1 to host a weekly chat show, reported Female First. She tweeted, “Uhh Ohh Muva has a Talk Show on @ vh1 Produced by @DrPhil I finally have a voice and your going love what I have 2 say (sic).” (Indian Express)

Kylie Jenner’s Met Gala dress made her bleed

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eality TV star Kylie Jenner suffered at the 2016 Met Gala by wearing a dress which made her legs bleed. The 18-yearold model made her first ever appearance at the Met Gala in New York wearing a silver, jewelled Balmain gown with sheer panels teamed with a black bob-style haircut.

While Jenner’s dress won over critics and was in keeping with the Manus x MAChina: Fashion in an Age of Technology theme, the heavily-beaded outfit left her with nasty cuts on her legs, which drew blood. “When your dress made you bleed and your feet are purple (sic)”, she writes on Snapchat. (Indian

Express)

daughters for improving her behaviour

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ctress Drew Barrymore says she is the person she has always dreamed of becoming thanks to her two daughters.

The 41-year-old “Blended” star didn’t have the greatest upbringing and landed in rehab at the age of 14. She also spent 18 months in an institution for the mentally ill.

But, thankfully she says her kids Olive, three, and Frankie, two, are showing no signs of becoming troubled teens, and in fact they’ve really helped mum grow up, reported Extra.

“My daughters have made me behave as the person I always dreamed to be,” she said noting her destructive behavioural patterns seem to be gone for good.

“It’s like, I would always climb that mountain and I would fail time and time again have a reaction that didn’t make me feel proud of myself or, you know, you’re just growing, trying to be the best person you can be.

“Somehow my daughters have just pushed me over and I still fail all the time and I just get home at night and I’m like, ‘I didn’t lose it, I somehow took the high road ’cause you forced me to’.”

Barrymore shares her two little girls with estranged husband Will Kopelman, who the star split from earlier this year. (Indian Express)

50 sport

WEEK ENDING MAY 8, 2016 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Huge wins for Bishops’ and RHTY&SC, Beharry’s St Rose’s highlight 5th round 5-over cricket to start soon

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Action from some of the games on Sunday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall

he National School Basketball F e s t i v a l , Georgetown & East Coast Regionals’ continued on May 1st, 2016 with fifth round action at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall and saw some exciting and competitive action overall.

The Bishops’ High School trounced Tutorial High 16-2.

Sileena Arjune scored 6 points and Kesann Charles scored 4 points to lead Bishops to victory. Mary Grant scored Tutorial’s only two points.

Marian Academy defeated President’s College 12-8.

Jada Mohan scored 4 points

male under 16 category, saw Marian Academy defeating President’s College 23-15. Jordan Alphonso led all scorers with 14 points, 6 Rebounds and 3 Steals, while Josiah Daniels had 4 points for Marian Academy.

Akeem Grandon top scored for President’s College with 10 points and 4 rebounds.

The most competitive basketball of the day was played in the male under 19 catego-

Flashback! Representatives of the Beharry Group and the RHTY&SC display the banner at the launch of the competition in 2015

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The National Basketball Festival is seeing a high display of skills in both male and female categories

and added 5 steals while Georginna Vyphuis contributed 4 points and had 7 rebounds for Marian Academy.

Glaudia Garraway led all scorers with 6 points for President’s College.

St Roses High steam

rolled St Stanislaus College 16-2.

Jada Amerally and Ashley Khan both scored 6 points for St Roses High while Natesha Seymour was the lone scorer for St Stanislaus College.

The lone game in the

ry. In the opening game Tutorial High defeated St Stanislaus College 4535.

Manesseh Murray led the way for Tutorial with 12 points, while Denzil Logan added 10 points, and Tariq Nelson contributing 8 points with 10 rebounds.

Kadeem Bowen scored 14 points for St Stanislaus.

In the other game, President’s College defeated The Bishops’ High 41-34 behind Jahleel Duke 15 points and Kadeem Peterkin’s 12 points.

Timothy Thompson had 15 points, and Mikhail Broomes scored 9 points for Bishops’ High.

The final game of the day saw Georgetown Technical Institute (GTU) defeated St. Roses High 46-25 in a blow-out victory; with Nathan Saul scoring 14 points while Kerwin Griffith adding 10 points. Patrice Agrippa scored 9 points, and Anfernee Jervis added 6 points for St. Roses.

Action continues Thursday, May 5th in the Girl’s category at Marian Academy from 14:45h, with Tutorial High Vs Charlestown in the opener, Bishops High Vs Queens College, St Roses Vs President’s College and Marian Academy Vs Saints Stanislaus.

The Tournament is sponsored by Digicel, Edward B. Beharry and Company Ltd and Banks DIH LTD through the Powerade Sports beverage.

he Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC), M.S and the Edward B. Beharry and Company Limited would shortly be unveiling the second edition of their joint ‘Say No to Drugs, Crime and Suicide and Yes to Education, Sports and Life Campaign.’

The 2016 edition would target youths in Regions Five and Six and would have the ‘B’ Division of the Guyana Police Force and the Region Six Department of the Ministry of Education as partners.

As part of an expanded programme for 2016, a five-over ‘Say No to Suicide’ cricket tournament would be organised for 40 teams across Berbice. The Ancient County would be divided into four sub-divisions – West Berbice, New Amsterdam/Canje, Lower Corentyne and Upper Corentyne.

Ten teams would come from each sub-division and they would play each other in a one day tournament before moving on to the grand finals. The top three teams from each zone would move on to the finals, where the winning team would receive a winner’s prize of Gy$150,000 and a trophy, the losing finalist Gy$75,000 and trophy and the third place Gy$25,000 and trophy.

The winner of each zone would carry home a prize package of Gy$15,000.

RHTY&SC Secretary/ CEO, Hilbert Foster, stated that the tournament would be used by the organisers to promote the ‘Say No and Say Yes’ messages to numerous villages across the county, and as such each zones would be given a theme to be promoted.

West Berbice’s theme shall be ‘Say No to Suicide’, New

Amsterdam/Canje – ‘Say No to Drugs’, Lower Corentyne – ‘Say No to Crime’ and Central/ Upper Corentyne – ‘Say Yes to Life, Education and Sports.’

A senior officer of the Guyana Police Force would address teams before the start of each zone tournament and the grand finals. Clubs taking part in the tournament would also be provided with posters and youth information booklets for them to promote the messages in their respective areas.

Teams in the tournament would only be allowed to play two first division players who have played a combined four matches in 2015 and 2016, while players who are debarred from playing second division by the Berbice Cricket Board would not be allowed to play.

Bowlers would only be allowed to bowl one over per game, while only two players would be allowed out of the 30yard circle in the first over. For the remaining four overs, a maximum of four fielders would be allowed out of the circle.

In an effort to create excitement for spectators, the organisers would also award a six for any boundary scored off a free hit, while eight runs would be given for a six hit off a free hit.

Matches that are tied would be decided on a Super Over. The organisers would provide umpires for the tournament, music set/PA System for every venue and balls for the finals.

The RHTY&SC, M.S would like to extend an official invitation to clubs across Berbice to enter the competition on a come first basis.

Notably, teams would also have to submit a 15man squad and clearly state their two first division players.

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National U-21 hockey team in final prep for Pan Am

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ess than three weeks remain before the Guyana’s national Under-21 boys hockey team make their first competition appearance against highly rated Chile on May 20 in the 2016 Pan American Junior Championship, being staged in Toronto, Canada.

The team has been preparing for over one year under the guidance of national Men’s coach Robert Fernandes and is optimistic of a good showing at the Pan American event.

Fernandes is pleased with the effort and progress made by the players in the past several months, although he indicated that there still needs to be some improvement in certain aspects of the game. Fernandes will focus on set pieces and defensive structure in the final weeks of preparation along with exposing the players to match practices.

The Head Coach was

Meshach Sargeant attacks the GCC goal area

high in praise of Physical Trainer, Barrington Brown, who has been working with the team for the past four months and whom he credits for the team’s high fitness level.

This will factor heavily in a tournament such as this, especially when they face big hockey nations that are likely to put pressure on the Guyanese for long spells during the match.

Several players on the squad have gained valuable international experience, having competed in the Pan American Challenge in Peru last year where Guyana turned in several fine performances, narrowly missing out a podium finish on penalties.

Among the more experienced players will be 19-year-old hockey phenomenon, Aroydy Branford, who is currently playing hockey in the United Kingdom and will join the team one week before the trip.

While a great deal of expectations will no doubt be placed on the shoulders of Branford, Fernandes indicated that his absence has made room for other players to step up during training matches and play more influential roles in the team.

One possible setback in the team’s participation has been a clash in the schedule of the tournament with CXC examinations. The Guyana Hockey Board, however, has been receiving kind support from the Ministry of Education in arranging for three players to write their exams at the University of Toronto, thus enabling them to participate in the tournament.

Three of the team’s key starting players are affected by this scheduling and while their academics remains everyone’s priority, it would indeed be a shame for them to lose the opportunity to compete in the once in a lifetime

event.

This will be Guyana’s fourth appearance at this competition with its best ever finish being sixth place in 1988 where the team narrowly missed the semi-finals.

According to President of the Guyana Hockey

Board, Philip Fernandes, this current team is as well prepared as any he has ever seen out of Guyana.

Fernandes indicated that the players have been training together as a squad for a longer time than in the past and for the first time, there are several players who have already had international competition experience.

In addition, Fernandes was high in praise for the national coach and management team whom he says has already showed their competence by solid results in the recent past with the senior men’s team.

Guyana finds itself in Pool B with Canada, Chile

and Mexico, while Pool A comprises Argentina, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and the U.S.A. Argentina is the strong favourite, having never lost the championship in all of its 10 years, while Canada and Chile have the next best records of medal finishes.

Guyana makes its opening appearance against Chile on May 20, then face Mexico the following day and Canada on the 23rd.

The tournament will run from May 20-28 with all matches being played at the University of Toronto. Matches will be streamed live on the Pan American website at www. panamhockey.org.

Two gold medals for Guyana at boxing championships

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ost Guyana won two of three gold medals up for grabs, but it was a St Lucian who stole the show during the Tri-Nations Caribbean Schoolboys and Juniors Boxing Championships, which concluded at the weekend at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Welterweight Nathan Ferirre from St Lucia was named the best junior boxer of the tournament and there was little surprise bearing in mind the dominance he showed.

When the tournament got underway on Friday, the St Lucian stopped Guyana’s Joshua Corbin in the second round and repeated the performance against Jamaica’s Jerome Ennis on Saturday. Ennis had defeated Guyana’s Quincy Moore on the opening night.

Meanwhile, Guyana’s Christopher Moore and Akiel Mounter won gold medals in the international contests. Moore defeated Daniel Hyman of Jamaica on Friday before going on to dispose of St

Lucia’s Kareem Boyce on Saturday.

Mounter was declared a unanimous decision winner over Taj Brown of St Lucia on Friday and then proceeded to defeat countryman Michael Edwards on points. Shaquancy Wright was adjudged best boxer in the schoolboy championship.

Akea Lamzion was the best girl boxer after outpointing Rondesa Bagot on Friday night and benefitting from a walk-over against Rianna Rogers on Saturday evening.

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Bolt to compete Proposed women's T20 league pleases Taylor on home soil

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Jamaica's sprint star, Usain Bolt

INGSTON, Jamaica, CMCThe world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt, has announced his intention to run on home soil for the first time in about two years.

The 100 and 200m world record holder says he is eager to compete in Jamaica at the inaugural Racers Grand Prix, scheduled for the National Stadium on June 11.

“I am really proud of the effort being made to put on a meet, the first actual track club in Jamaica to do that,” Bolt told journalists at the club’s silent auction at the Jamaica Pegasus on Sunday.

“I am very proud of my coach (Glen Mills) for making this move and I know it is going to be a great meet”.

Bolt is expected to be joined by compatriots Asafa Powell, Yohan Blake, Warren Weir, Hansle Parchment and world 100 metres hurdles champion Danielle Williams.

Overseas stars who have confirmed their participation include reigning 400 metres world champion Wayde van Niekerk, along with Americans Lashawn Merritt and Jason Richardson and Trinidad and Tobago’s Kelly Ann Baptise.

“So far I know that there will be a lot of high calibre athletes coming to put on a good event [and] I will be there,” said Bolt, who has not competed since winning the world title in Beijing last year.

“I haven’t run in Jamaica for a couple

years now, so I am looking forward to it and people should definitely come out and support because it will be good”.

The six times Olympic gold medalist will launch a new season by competing in the Cayman Invitational on May 14.

“I am in good nick, training hard. My time trials are going well, my coach is happy, so everything is going well, and I am just looking forward to my first meet in Cayman,” said Bolt.

“It is all about going there and executing right now and then everything should be fine from there. I am just going to take my time and work my way up and try to make sure everything is on point, try to stay injury free and just put in the work.”

Team Fernandes/Ramchand showed Endurance at South Dakota

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Captain of the West Indies women's team, Stafanie Taylor

aptain of the West Indies women's team Stafanie Taylor believes it's great the recent announcement that the England and Wales Cricket Board is to stage a women's Twenty20 tournament this summer The ECB Women's Super League, the tournament is set to attract a number of top international women's cricketers with Jamaican batting all-rounder Taylor one of two West Indies players earmarked.

The other is fellow batting all-rounder, Barbadian Diandra Dottin.

"The Australian Women's Big Bash League was a great start for women's cricket, and now that there is another set to start in England it is even better," said Taylor.

New opportunities

"It says women's cricket is heading into the right direction, and the hope is that next there will be a Women's IPL (Indian Premier League)," she said.

Guyana’s U-16 CBC squad to be named early

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he Guyana Amateur B a s k e t b a l l F e d e r a t i o n (GABF) in collaboration with Youth Basketball Guyana, will be naming the male and female

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Ramchand in celebration mode (File Photo)

he pair of Adrian Fernandes and Anand Ramchand braved the test of the Guyana Motor Racing &Sports Club (GMR&SC) Endurance race meet on Sunday at the South Dakota Circuit, Timehri to secure the top podium finish.

At the end of the grueling race of the 100 laps, the duo clocked a combined time of 2:40:12.205 and reaching the finish line eight laps ahead of their closest competitors.

Ramchand who participated in the 1500 – 1600cc category came in as repeat champion having won the event last year. His partner in 2015 was Rameez Mohammed.

In second place, was the team of Mohan Ramkawall and Narendra Mangar who finished 92 laps at a time

of 2:41:36.272 in the Enduro unlimited.

Rounding off the top three was team Sean Bacchus and Ramana Lalchan who completed 89 laps in 2:40:28.631.

Davin Pandy and Arshaad Hassan drove in fourth with a time of 2:40:42.988 completing 83 laps in the 1500 cc and under category. With the exception of Bacchus and Lalchan, all the other drivers in the top four were the top racers in their group.

In the 1601-2000 cc category, Rohshan Ali and Shan Seejatan were the only team and were adjudged the winners of their group despite only completing 19 laps.

The next event on the GMR&SC calendar of events at the South Dakota Circuit will the in the International “King of Dragz” meet on May 15.

The ECB Women's Super League, according to its organisers, is designed to create "new opportunities, a new narrative for the game, and new role models."

It will be staged over two weeks between July 30 and August 14 and will feature six teams.

"I hope it will have a similar impact as the Women's Big Bash League, which gave new exposure to the women's game," said Taylor.

"This is especially given the fact that women don't play that much amount of cricket on a yearly basis.

"It would also, in a similar light, be good to see one day, us here in the Caribbean have a women's league version of the Caribbean Premier League."

Taylor and Dottin played lead roles in the West Indies winning the recent ICC Women's World Twenty20 in India.

It was the first time West Indies Women were winning a global world title. (Taken from The STAR)

Nigel Hinds

national squads for the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Under-16 championships one month in advance of the tournament.

With the National School Basketball Festival (NSBF) Regional Conferences currently in progress, GABF President Nigel Hinds noted that the Federation

is keen to give those players a chance to play before calling them away for national duty.

“We will name the squad three weeks to a month before the championship. With the youth tournament that is going on we don’t want them distracted from what we will be doing during that period they are together,” Hinds stated.

Chris Bowman, the Director of Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG), is confident that both the YBG and GABF can work together to produce the best teams for the tournament.

“We have a great deal of players to look at from Linden, Berbice and Georgetown and it is just to bring them out in time so that they can get accustomed to playing with each other, but it is important to know that our core athletes are constantly playing basketball and that I think will aid in how good both the male and female teams are,”

Bowman highlighted.

In addition, Hinds pointed that the GABF is also in the process of identifying a few overseasbased Guyanese players to be a part of the national squad that is expected to be named in June.

Meanwhile, President of the CBC, Glyne Clarke, expressed his satisfaction that the CBC Championships is being held in Guyana, stress-

Chris Bowman

ing that the event will rejuvenate the sport locally, which happens to be one of the original pioneers for basketball in the Caribbean.

The Male Championship will begin on July 3 and the Female championship on July 12 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall in Georgetown.

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Flame lands in troubled Brazil for 94-day relay to Games B

R A S I L I A , (Reuters) – President Dilma Rousseff lit the Olympic torch in Brazil’s capital yesterday and pledged that political turmoil engulfing her nation would not harm the first Games to be held in South America.

The Olympic flame was flown into Brasilia on Tuesday to start a three-month relay through more than 300 towns and cities that will end with the opening of the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro’s Maracaná stadium on Aug. 5.

A smiling Rousseff waved to crowds as she lit a green cauldron with the Olympic flame on the ramp of Brasilia’s modernistic Planalto presidential palace.

The president, who is facing impeachment proceedings, will likely be removed from office before the opening ceremony in Rio. “Even though we are living through a truly critical period in our

Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff (R) lights a cauldron with the Olympic Flame next to Fabiana Claudino, captain of the Brazilian volleyball team, during the Olympic Flame torch relay at Planalto Palace in Brasilia, Brazil, yesterday. REUTERS/UESLEI MARCELINO

history and the history of our democracy, Brazil will know how to offer athletes and visitors the best welcome at the Olympics,” she said.

Rousseff said the sports facilities in Rio and the security measures to protect athletes, tourists and visiting heads of state were ready.

Brazil has scrambled

to prepare for its second global sports event in two years in the midst of the worst recession since the 1930s and a massive corruption scandal that shook the political establishment and fueled demands for Rousseff’s removal.

Brazil is also fighting an outbreak of the mosquito-borne Zika virus that threatens to keep some

athletes and tourists away from Rio. The Olympic flame, burning inside four golden lamps, arrived in Brasilia aboard a LATAM Airlines jetliner that was escorted inside Brazil’s airspace by two Brazilian Air Force F-5 fighters.

The torch left the presidential palace carried by Fabiana

Claudino, who led Brazil’s female volleyball team to a gold medal in the 2012 Games.

Hundreds of cheering Brazilians lined the streets at the start of the relay and an Air Force aerobatics team swooped over central Brasilia.

Some 12,000 torch bearers will carry the flame across South America’s largest country. In Brasilia, they will include a refugee from the Syrian civil war, 12-year-old Hanan Daqqah, who arrived in Brazil with her family in 2015.

Torch bearer Gerard Moss, a Swiss-Brazilian aviator and environmentalist, said the Games could help to calm political tempers.

“What Brazil most needs now is unity, the very symbol of the Olympics,” he said before his turn in the relay. “This is an opportunity to reduce tensions between our political parties and get on with the rebuilding our econ-

omy.”

While torch bearers carried the flame around Brasilia on Tuesday, a senate committee debated whether to put Rousseff on trial on charges of breaking budget laws, filed by the lower house of Congress two weeks ago.

Rousseff is likely to be suspended next week when the Senate votes on opening the impeachment trial. Vice President Michel Temer would replace her during a trial of up to 180 days, and guide the country to elections in 2018 if she is removed from office.

Officials in her government admit her ouster is imminent.

Rousseff said she hoped the Games would bring goodwill to her troubled country. “We will infect our country with the Olympic spirit,” she said. (Reporting

by Anthony Boadle and Lisandra Paraguassú; Editing

by Jeffrey Benkoe and Alistair Bell)

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