Guyana Times Daily August 26, 2018

LOOK INSIDE !

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

Issue No. 3670

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Sunday, August 26, 2018

PRICE

Mother stabs 3-year-old son to death

$120 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Gunmen rob Stabroek P11 Market vendor

Page 3

…one shot during arrest

Supply Health Centre construction halted

22 Cuban trained P13 Guyanese doctors return home

Page 7

– as concerns expressed over safety, structural integrity – contractor ignored previous cease work order

Buxton teacher dies after car slams into lorry

Page 2

200 children of Page 12 dismissed East Canje sugar workers get free school supplies

A mother’s P10 prayer answered …daughter to get corrective surgery soon …as US$40,000 equipment to be donated to GPHC Salary increase

Teachers P15 deserve every cent of proposed figure – Opposition MP

US Senator John McCain dies P6

Back-to-school preparations: Over 300 children from across Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) were treated to a grand outreach hosted by Digicel Guyana on Saturday. The event saw those in attendance being treated to free school supplies, dental services, haircuts and a day of fun activities. In centre photo, students of Kwakwani and Ituni received supplies from Minister within the Communities Ministry, Valerie Adams-Patterson-Yearwood

US$460M pre-contract cost

$230M spent on drilling, remainder on seismic surveys, experts – ExxonMobil

Page 9

Man fined $75,000 for smuggling P8 prohibited items into Police Headquarters

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NEWS

SUnDAY, august 26, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

Buxton teacher dies after car slams into lorry

N

ursery teacher James,

school Carlotta called

Abigail, of Lot 27, Middle Walk, Buxton, East Coast Demerara, died after the

car she was driving, PHH 67, slammed into the back of a lorry along the Good

Hope Public Road, ECD at about 02:00h on Saturday.

The driver of motor lorry GPP 143, a 31-yearold resident of Mahaicony, ECD, reportedly told investigators that he had slowed down the vehicle and had indicated he was about to turn south across the Good Hope public road when the car being driven by the 45-year-old James, proceeding east along the northern side of the Good Hope road behind the motor lorry, ran into his rear.

Initially pinned in her vehicle, James was subsequently removed therefrom, placed in a Police pickup, and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

James’s niece, Melissa Younge, said she was returning from the airport at about 02:07h and was stopped by the Police at Good Hope. She exited the minibus in which she was travelling and discovered

Dead: Carlotta James

her aunt’s car plastered to the back of a truck.

“We went to see if she was in the vehicle but the car was empty, and I saw the blood and the damages and her wig. A guy told me that he was from Golden Grove and he was passing and he saw the accident, so he went to render assistance. He said she was holding his hand and staring at him, but he don’t know is who she was, so he couldn’t contact nobody.

“The Police (were) there and I gave him the information and I called my other aunts and told them what (had) happened, and I went home,” Younge detailed.

She said her aunt had left earlier in the day to go to the Dorcas Club Nursery at Plaisance, ECD, where she had been head teacher, and she cannot tell where else her aunt had gone afterwards.

“I didn’t go to the hospital, I saw a guy with the Police and I was looking for her bag and so on. The truck driver was about to tell me what (had) happened and the Police told him to ‘Shut up,” she added.

The Police have said the lorry driver was subjected to a breathalyser test and it is certain he was not under the influence. He is presently in Police custody assisting with investigations.

news

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SUnDAY, august 26, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Sunday, August 26 – a night retraction at 04:30h and a day retraction from 14:30-16:00h and Monday, August 27 – 05:00h-06:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Sunday, August 26 – 16:30h-18:00h and Monday, August 27 – 05:00h-06:30h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Sunny intervals with light cloudy skies can be expected throughout the day, with clear to partly cloudy skies in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 21 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East to East North-easterly and North-easterly between 1.34 metres and 4.91 metres.

High Tide: 04:23h and 16:44h reaching maximum heights of 2.58 metres and 2.55 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 10:19h and 22:33h reaching minimum heights of 0.62 metres and 0.64 metres respectively.

Mother stabs 3-yearold son to death

By Lakhram Bhagirat

A

fter years of mistreating and neglecting her children, a 26-yearold mother of two has fatally stabbed her three-year-old son because she reportedly had a dream that she would die on Saturday.

The infant Ramdeo Ferreira of Lot 585-Fifteenth Street, Foulis, East Coast Demerara is now dead following an ordeal that, according to the Police report, began at about 09:45h on Saturday when this mother began pursuing her hapless infant in the yard with a knife in her hand.

A few minutes later, ranks at the Enmore Police Outpost received a report that the child had been stabbed by his mother; and when they arrived

lated that his wife’s erratic behaviour intensified on Tuesday night.

“Since Tuesday night like she start trip out, and she talking all kind of thing and making plenty noise. I went to the Enmore Police Station and report it, and them never come! The neighbours all report it, but (Police) nah come! Them only come after she done kill the boy!

That was she favourite one. Just this morning (Saturday) he was telling me ‘Daddy, bye-bye’, when I was going to work,” the man said amidst his tears.

Neighbours became aware of the incident after the eldest son, four-yearold Sukhdeo Ferreira, ran over to a relative to inform them about what had transpired. Mahadeo’s niece, Chandrawatie Veira, was

“Since Tuesday night like she start trip out and she talking all kind of thing and making plenty noise. I went to the Enmore Police Station and report it and them never come.

The neighbours all report it but them nah come. Them only come after she done kill the boy. That was she favourite one. Just this morning (Saturday) he was telling me ‘daddy bye bye’ when I was going to work” – father

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on the scene, they found the child lying unconscious in a pool of blood with suspected stab wounds to his neck and back.

Police rushed the threeyear-old to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), but he died at about noon (12:00h) while receiving medical treatment.

The mother has since been taken into custody, and is said to be cooperating with investigators.

Guyana Times understands that she has since told investigators that she had had a dream that she would die on Saturday, and she did not want to leave her favourite child behind, so she decided to kill him.

The child’s father, 50-year-old Shamlall Mahadeo, has said he was at work when he received news about what had happened; and rushed back home only to find a pool of blood on the bed and everyone missing.

He said his wife would usually neglect the children when he is at work, and they would have constant arguments over the children’s welfare.

The grieving man re-

the one to whom he related the incident.

“The big one now he was afraid, and he decided to run out now and run with a rush and run straight to me and tell me that he mommy jook up he brother and that he bleeding and he deh pon the bed,” the woman related.

She said that at this time she began panicking and raised an alarm. She said the Police were contacted, and nobody entered the house until the Police arrived.

“We go behind the Police, and when we go the child was already like half dead, really helpless. He wasn’t even crying, he eye wasn’t even opened; he was really helpless. She was standing up there and he deh pon the bed in a pool of blood, and like she don’t know what going on.

“She refused to hold the child in the Police vehicle when they take he to carry he at the hospital,” Veira said.

Veira told Guyana Times that the woman had used a “dull knife without handle” to stab the toddler.

The house in which the family lived

Neglect

Veira said her uncle has been with his wife for over five years, and the woman never really cared for the children. She said the boys would quite often be seen playing on the road clad only in their underwear.

“This morning (Saturday), before everything happened, I was sitting on this chair eating when I see she. The whole place open, and I see she run out the yard, running on the road with a speed, the children screaming behind she and running…If the lil boy didn’t come out and talk, we won’t know,” Veira related.

The constant neglect of the boys led Veira to call the Child Care and Protection Agency to intervene, and the officers had visited the home, but no one was at home. According to neighbours, the CPA officers never returned.

Regret

Another neighbour has said her only regret is not breaking down the door to the house and attempting to rescue the younger Ferreira.

She said that after the older Ferreira sibling had raised the alarm, everyone was afraid to go into the house, because they feared that the woman would have been armed.

“It is sad, because things could have happened and not (reach to a stage as bad) as this. I heard the Child Protection was supposed to come in, but everybody just dragging them foot, and I hope when them see this, then them can take action. If everybody formed a group and go in and saved the child then he could have been saved. That is my only regret,” the neighbour said.

“The saddest part is when she stabbed that child

he couldn’t have scream.

When I heard the lil boy come and say, ‘Mommy stab me brother and blood coming out,’ I holler from over here, and I said, ‘Brenda you killed that child? You killed that child?’ and it is just shocking,” the woman added while attempting to hold back the tears.

She said the mother of the children woman is afraid of her, since she would quite often threaten to call the Police when the neglect became overbearing. She said sometimes the children would be home alone during the nights, and at 02:00h they would be walking the road searching for their parents.

The woman added that as recently as Friday night, the suspect was having one of her episodes, and she spend the better part of the night and into Saturday morning banging on the walls and galvanized zinc sheets. The Police were summoned, but the woman continued her erratic behaviour.

Mental illness

Initial reports suggest that the suspect is mentally challenged, and this may have led to her murdering her child. But according to her husband, his wife was never diagnosed with any form of mental illness.

He said his wife’s behaviour was always the same, and she would have been to doctors, but was never diagnosed.

For now, the woman is in Police custody at the Beterverwagting Station, and a post mortem examination is expected to be conducted on young Ferreira’s body on Monday. The child was supposed to begin his nursery education in September and was very excited at the prospect of joining his brother at school.

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guyanatimesgy.com

SUnDAY, august 26, 2018

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

Editorial

Not all the facts to CODEL L

ast week, Guyana received an official 25-member delegation from the US, which included a Congressional Delegation (CODEL) of nine, headed by the Chairman of the very influential House Judiciary Committee. The other members included a number of military individuals with a nexus to Congress, and also staffers and family members.

This was the largest CODEL to visit Guyana, and it is a solid signal that Guyana is in the US radar.

Before leaving on a private trip to the US, which caused him to miss the CODEL, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, in his weekly column, alluded to the visit as the “Episodic Return of America”. He elaborated: “There have been previous episodic decades that could give justification for this negative nationalism (of the US being “a blood-sucking empire descending on Guyana”), going back to the late 1950s when the then British colony became a pawn in the Cold War. She was subsequently converted into a laboratory for every conceivable ideological stratagem of American imperialism, which has since been well documented. The role of an American company in voter registration for the 1968 elections had spawned a legacy of electoral malpractices, once described by Lord Avesbury, head of a UK Observers’ Mission, as “Something to Remember”.”

What needs to be emphasised, however, is that the “Cold War” is long over, and the Manichean thinking induced by communistic ideologies should now be jettisoned. For instance, the same “American imperialism” Nagamootoo flagellated facilitated the extraordinary success of the “Far Eastern Tigers”, which even Communist China has had to emulate. A social-economic and political system that can address Guyana’s peculiar challenges should now be adopted utilising the proven success of an appropriately regulated free enterprise system. This imperative is particularly necessary since Guyana is on the cusp of being a very significant oil producer that will generate very massive revenue streams compared to those of the previous hundreds of years.

But such a system can only work if it is acceptable to the majority of the Guyanese people, which then makes its ultimate success dependent on a political modus vivendi between the present PNC-led Government and the Opposition PPP to devise such a plan. It should be noted that only a single seat (5000 votes) separates the two political forces. It is for this reason that it was quite unfortunate that the CODEL was unable to meet the Political Opposition, as it did under similar circumstances in Albania last year.

In addition to a geographic overview, a strategic outline and an economic overview of Guyana, President David Granger offered a “political overview” to the delegation.

He claimed, “Guyana is a very stable country, law-abiding country, and our National Assembly functions, our judiciary functions independently, and also the executive branch.

So those three branches are separate, and the executive does not interfere in the judiciary or the autonomous commissions, like the Guyana Elections Commission, the Judicial Service Commission and so on. So I think, from the point of view of governance, we were able to explain that Guyana is a stable, well-governed state.”

While it is expected that the President would not criticise his own administration, even some of the members of his governing coalition have expressed reservations at one time or another with every element of his hagiographic account. By claiming, for instance that “the three branches (of Government) are separate” the CODEL would be excused for analogising their independent Legislature (which they represent) from ours, which is totally controlled by the Executive. The Ministers of Government appointed by the President, for example, are Members of Parliament.

For the President to tell the CODEL that “the executive does not interfere in the judiciary or the autonomous commissions, like the Guyana Elections Commission, the Judicial Service Commission, and so on”, is quite risible, to say the least. While it is likely the Opposition might also have been self-laudatory, by meeting them, CODEL would have been able to piece together a more nuanced narrative to further their “fact-finding mission”.

Massy employees on Saturday volunteered their time to rehabilitate and beautify the surroundings of the David Rose School. In photo, volunteers are seen painting the benches and restoring the basketball court (Dexter Ceres)

GECOM’s current employment approach must be remedied Dear Editor, The recently published Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) advertisements of vacancies for temporary and field staff, in the local media, makes for very interesting reading. These advertisements signal that GECOM will be employing: Presiding Officers; Assistant Presiding Officers; Poll Clerks; Ballot Clerks and Information Clerks.

Significantly, the closing date for applications is stated as August 23, 2018.

Not so long ago, very serious and significant questions were raised by public commentators and citizens at large in relation to the need to address a balancing of the GECOM staff composition in the interest of transparency. The many allegations against the GECOM Secretariat were neither insignificant nor shallow, and there is an urgent need to advance mechanisms that would realise much-needed public confidence.

Coupled with the almost laughable and extremely short timelines of GECOM’s public notices, answers to legitimate queries have been complex, deficient, and very slow in coming.

Under this imposed Chairman, the situation seems to be further denigrating into the abyss of lowness, as it continuously draws too

many negative and impassioned comments from observers regarding the way they are handling and processing applications for employment at the Elections Commission.

It would be recalled that, only recently, the Chairman, Justice (Rt’d) James Patterson, expressed satisfaction with the work of the secretariat’s staff, although nothing much was said about how he plans to deal with the many known problems created by the same composition in the past. He also publicly admitted the need for a more transparent and objective approach by providing employment statistics of the Commission, which confirmed a glaring ethnic imbalance. This was done when he brazenly rejected a request from another GECOM Commissioner for the issue to be examined.

I am in receipt of genuine documents which confirm the blatantly discriminatory, vindictive, and biased measures already applied under the responsibility of this Chairman in processing of the applications for the recruitment of trainers.

More than 100 applicants were denied opportunity to get selected in the process, although the other GECOM Commissioners were assured that all the applicants would be called for training and

then be given an opportunity to write an examination for possible recruitment/employment. This, by itself, has tarnished the opportunity for the Chairman to indicate an objective measure of balance.

Notably, Section 17 (2) of the Election Laws (Amendment) Act, No. 15 of 2000, provides that: ‘The Commission shall be responsible for appointing, on such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Commission, such permanent and temporary staff to the offices of the Commission as are considered by the Commission to be necessary for the discharge of its functions under the Constitution and any written law.’

From the foregoing, it is rational that: 1. The Commission (and not the Secretariat) is thus directly responsible for the appointment of all staff, rather than being responsible for the appointment of senior officials who then ’usurp’ the responsibility for the appointment process of staff falling under their responsibility. In clear words, the responsibility for all appointments, both by law and the practical interpretation thereof by officials, rests with the Commissioners themselves.

2. The Commission’s actions when appointing staff are governed by their gener-

al constitutional obligation under Section 162 (1) of the Constitution to: “act with impartiality and fairness in the execution of its duties”.

It is therefore reasonable to conclude that the Commission is directly responsible for the recruitment and appointment of all staff, and needs to pursue this responsibility fairly and with maximum transparency and accountability.

It cannot be denied that the absence of a public recruitment policy and the failure of GECOM to develop a set of objective staff selection criteria contribute towards a negative and biased view of the organisation. When made public, as it should be, these criteria will make the process less ambiguous, and provide an employment opportunity for all interested stakeholders.

It will also realise an expanded pool of persons with the necessary experience to ensure the balance necessary and availability of the skill sets required. The current approach must be remedied, as it leads to a lack of consistency in the entire selection process.

The measures employed under this GECOM must seek to make positive its current image by demonstrating transparency and fairness!

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

“How not to be corrupt”

Dear Editor, I have read with keen interest and saw the Evening News and I am convinced that the malicious and vitriolic attack on Gobin Harbhajan is meant to silence him in his fight against corruption perpetrated by officials and other members of the Alliance For Change (AFC). However, he would not have been the first AFC member to experience this dirty display of venomous discharge, others were described as ‘rogues’.

However, it is the first time the AFC has dispensed any sort of decorum, tact or diplomacy

in dealing with members who have dared to expose cronyism and corruption which have infested the party, more so after the coalition assumed office in 2015. Since then, we have seen the exodus of many high-ranking members and the disintegration of the AFC’s Canada Chapter all due to the fact that the AFC leaders have miserably failed to live up to their founding principles and their promise to eradicate corruption.

AFC’s Abel Seetaram’s attempt at the Region Six Agriculture Expo to besmirch the character of Harbhajan and to tempt him to act outside

of the law failed miserably.

This personal attack on Harbhajan by the cohorts of AFC officials started a long time ago and much effort was expended by this same group to ensure that Harbhajan did not become a member of the National Executive of the AFC since that would have given him more power to fight corruption, but they underestimated the tenacity of the man.

When a person is totally committed to a cause, corrupt people will be unable to disrupt him from that anti-corruption crusade he has undertaken.

The Prime Minister’s re-

gional office is an important one in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and it is the only ray of light through which people can get things done in Region Six which has become so depressed economically and socially and the regional representative has impartially and objectively carried out his functions, never seeking personal favours and gains. It is time that AFC officials and their cohorts take a page from Harbhajan’s book on “how not to be corrupt”.

Yours sincerely, Rohit Persaud

guyanatimesgy.com

SunDAY, august 26, 2018

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

How can we believe the Council is so bankrupt?

Dear Editor, The responses given by the Town Clerk of Georgetown to the most recent strike action taken by the workers under the leadership of the Guyana Labour Union (GLU) is nothing short of alarming.

It is clear that the Town Clerk is completely unaware or is proud to ignore the laws of Guyana. He indicated with pride that the Council has consciously decided to undertake the practice of paying the employees whilst withholding the deductions made from them and which he is obligated to remit to the Guyana Revenue Authority, the National Insurance Scheme, the credit unions, etc; be-

cause the Council does not have enough money. Can someone tell the Town Clerk that this practice is not only callous and reprehensible but totally illegal.

If the Council is indeed as impoverished as he claims, why then are they paying him in lieu of a large chunk of his accumulated vacation leave that he has refused to take over the years. Is that not just simply unfair.

Was the Council not as impecunious when he and the Mayor and their delegations travelled around the world first class, staying at the finest hotels and dining at the ritziest restaurants and not achieving or bringing anything back for the city?

If the Council was as insolvent as he claims, why did the Council purchase expensive sport utility vehicles for their bigwigs, provide them with chauffeurs, bodyguards, personal assistants, etc.

How can we believe that the Council is so bankrupt as they claim to be, when they have contracted out most of their services for hundreds of millions of dollars each month without subscribing to tender board procedures, instead of allowing the workers to do their jobs.

But the most unsettling of all is his claim that the strike was orchestrated at this time of their anniversary celebrations by the Union

to embarrass the Council. Is this gentleman for real? Is he equating the plight of the workers, including significant financial and medical risks due to piling up medical bills and no insurance coverage and facing tax penalties due to nonpayment of the PAYE contributions to some vacuous celebration?

Is it not just insensate to have a city week of celebrations when municipal workers are perishing, craving and emaciated?

By the way, where is the other so-called union, are they in hiding or enjoying the festivities?

Sincerely, James Mc Onnell

Doctorate for Chanderpaul long overdue Dear Editor, The University of the West Indies has done right in honouring cricketer Shivnarine Chanderpaul with a (honorary) doctorate for his achievements and contributions in the game and for making the Region stand out in matches when he was a member of the team. He played extremely well. It is a deserving honour for a son of the Region.

The doctorate should have been conferred a long time ago.

Chanderpaul was unceremoniously dropped from the West Indies team in 2015 although he performed better than most of the batting team at the time. When

he was forced out of the team, he was just 86 runs short of equalling Brian Lara’s test record of the most runs scored by a West Indian. Chanderpaul was the most consistent batsman in the history of West Indies cricket. He could be depended upon to save a match, and he did so countless times for whichever team he played for in first class cricket. People everywhere label him “dependable” or “Mr consistent”.

Chanderpaul – though now 44 as of last August 16 – has been sadly missed by the West Indies test team since 2015. The team has performed terribly over the last three years without his

presence.

Through Chanderpaul, Guyana and or West Indies has accrued country or regional recognition. Chanderpaul is known worldwide and people admire him for his contributions to the game of cricket.

I tend to travel extensively and whenever I did so, especially in faraway places like South Asia, Australia, New Zealand, England, Singapore, Malaysia and Fiji, to associate my home country, Chanderpaul’s name pops us. Guyana and the West Indies is better known through the name of this legendary son Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

And when I am travelling

within the West Indies region, when the names of great cricketers are mentioned, Chanderpaul is among them. Many call him “Tiger”. No one has been given greater admiration for his patience in batting at the crease, for he hardly ever threw away his wicket.

With our leading university honouring Chanderpaul, the Government of Guyana and the West Indies Cricket Board should also consider honouring this iconic son for his 25 years of service to the Region.

Yours faithfully, Vishnu Bisram

Carib Beer should sensitise staff about gender-based violence Dear Editor, The Caribbean Voice (www.caribvoice.org) joins with other non-government organisations (NGO) and women’s rights organisations in calling upon Carib Beer to go beyond a public apology in expressing their contribution for the awful ad that was both offensive and insensitive to women and gender-based violence victims and activists in Guyana and the rest of the Caribbean.

We call upon Carib Beer and all companies regionally to take steps to sensitise all staff about gender-based violence. In the context of Guyana, TCV has already held sensitisation workshops with a few companies while a number of others have also requested such workshops. We also call upon Carib Beer to concretely support the efforts of activists regionally to address gender-based violence via support of training and sensitisation efforts.

In this latter regard, Carib Beer should consider coming on board the annual anti-violence candlelight vigil, which focuses on various forms of violence including domestic violence and related issues such as suicide, sexual abuse, child abuse and elderly abuse and which does not require any significant financial layout. Set for September 9 this year, this vigil is on the verge of becoming a Region wide event, with St Vincent and Trinidad and Tobago coming on board this year and plans on stream to reach out to other Caribbean nations to join in from next year.

Details of this vigil are available at – http://caribvoice.org/voices-against-violence.html – and we can be reached at caribvoice@aol. com or via our domestic violence outreach coordinator, Livasti Bhooplall, on telephone number 644-5901.

Sincerely, The Caribbean Voice

Only a fraction of Guyanese get into crime (part 1) Dear Editor, I would like to dwell on a letter which captions “Give ghetto youths a ladder to climb out of that despair “by Dr Mark Devonish so as to put the murderous crime situation that has engulfed this country into perspective. The world needs to be informed that in this country, hardhearted bandits chronically kick down the doors of helpless citizens to gain access to their homes to brutalise, rob and murder them. Of course, such a problem tarnishes our national image, divides Guyanese and destroys our economy. So, there is nothing good about crime. Also, I would like to remind Dr Devonish that the majority of Guyanese never fall into crime, even though Guyana is poverty-stricken and most communities can be described as ghetto-like.

If anything, poverty should at least instinctively drive Guyanese into survival mode to unite as one, to work hard, to make sacrifices, to penny- pinch, to show empathy and to respect others but never to engage in inhumanity.

And most Guyanese have been doing exactly this. I remember how my family made our meals without oil and various necessary ingredients to cut cost and to save money for our house rent which was our priority.

Also, I remember walking miles and miles to and from my school even in bad weather so that I could hold onto money to buy school supplies etc. And in spite of having very little, we tried our best to save for a rainy

day.

In short, we handle poverty though thrifty means, personal sacrifice and hard work. Such values enable us to survive on our own sweat and I am extremely proud of this. So Dr Devonish, even if we did not raid trash cans like you did, it does not mean that our lives are great.

We also never entertained the idea of doing anything criminal because we are cultured to see crime as inhumane and shameful. These are part of our value system that steers us away from crime. And in the face of our difficulties, I am understandably angry that we also become victims of brutal criminals who are nothing but lawless bullies.

This then sparks all sorts of logical questions, including why is it that only some Guyanese fall into crime and the majority of us don’t, even though we are all sailing in rough waters?

And the answer primarily lies in the differences in our values, not poverty. Examples of this analysis are practically seen everywhere in this country. Editor, just look around you and you will see that most Guyanese lives in poverty but only a fraction get into crime and destroy this country. Any behaviourists would agree that human behaviours are driven by good and bad moral values. Good moral values entail: respecting others, working hard for success and living off of one’s own sweat. Bad moral values are the opposite.

Sincerely, Annie Baliram

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news

SUnDAY, august 26, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

Banks DIH rewards employees’ children for outstanding performances at NGSA

B

anks DIH Limited on Saturday rewarded 25 of its employees’ and shareholders’ children who were successful at this year’s National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA).

The children were awarded bursaries towards their future endeavours during the presentation ceremony which was held at the company’s Sports Club, Thirst Park, Georgetown.

Delivering remarks at the event, Communications Manager of Banks DIH, Troy Peters, congratulated the students for their accomplishment. He also urged them to continue to strive

Senior executives of Banks DIH joined by the NGSA bursary awardees

for excellence.

While echoing the same

sentiments as Peters, Comanaging Director of Banks

DIH, George McDonald also encouraged the children to

remain enthusiastic in their academic pursuits.

Moreover, the company’s brew master, Matthew Kendall, took the opportunity to remind this year’s awardees that the bursary awards ceremony is the company’s commitment to its social responsibility.

Among the awardees were Nia Pemberton, Sadelle Britton, Jorrel Payne, Latavia Darrell, Ziquan Grant, Kymani Jabbar, Ramual Dindyal, Duke Gittens, Daria Clement, Duel Booker, Brianna Hendricks, Shania Duguid, Akeelah Niles, Alliya Stewart and Naomi

Smith; all of whom are children of individuals employed with Banks DIH. Adding to that were a number of students who are the children of stakeholders, comprising of Quacy Isaacs, Kazaquah Uzzi, Juan Ferrieira, Angelina Dhoray, Nicholas Parmesar, Saeed Osman, Brandon McKoy, Rashilo Cornelius, Brianna Dey and Kunal Challu.

These students are all off to pursue their secondary education at the respective schools awarded based on their performance at the NGSA.

Massy restores David Rose School US Senator John McCain dies

The volunteers working to restore the facilities at the David Rose School on Saturday

V

olunteerism from Massy Industries Guyana employees has resulted in the rehabilitation and restoration of some facilities at the David Rose School for the Handicapped at Thomas Lands, Georgetown.

The activities were carried out mainly by staff members of the company throughout the week, culminating with the final touches on Saturday. Some of the

works which were done included the construction of a stairway and adjoining catwalk, painting of the basketball court, the rehabilitation and painting of benches and other facilities in the playground and land clearing to remove overgrown vegetation.

Additionally, books which were acquired during a book drive were also donated to the students.

Country Manager at

Massy Industries, Deo Persaud, asserted that the educational institution and the company would’ve celebrated their 50th anniversary this year. Consequently, that was the sole rationale behind the project.

“Massy started life in Guyana in 1968, the same year as David Rose and we’re happy to sort of twin with them as part of our community outreach and giving back to the society.”

Persaud further explained that there was much need for a restoration exercise, giving the fact that the outdoor areas and some sections of the building were in an unsatisfactory state.

The facilities will be maintained by the company.

Teachers of the school expressed their gratitude to the company, underscoring how important this project was to the well-being of the students.

S

US Senator John McCain

enator John McCain, the Vietnam war hero turned senator and presidential candidate, has died aged 81.

McCain died on Saturday surrounded by his family, according to a short statement released by his office.

He was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour in July 2017 and had been undergoing medical treatment.

His family announced McCain, who left Washington in December, had decided to stop treatment on Friday.

McCain's daughter Meghan said the task of her lifetime would now be "to live up to his example, his expectations, and his love".

"The days and years to come will not be the same without my dad - but they will be good days, filled with life and love, because of the example he lived for us," she wrote in a statement shared on Twitter.

The six-term senator and 2008 Republican presidential nominee was diagnosed after doctors discovered his tumour during surgery to remove a blood clot from above his left eye last July.

The son and grandson of Navy admirals, McCain was a fighter pilot during the Vietnam War. When his plane was shot down, he spent more than five years

as a prisoner of war.

While in the custody of his captors, he suffered torture that left him with lasting disabilities.

Tributes began to pour in for McCain as soon as the news of his death was announced.

Donald Trump, whom McCain has strongly criticised, tweeted: "My deepest sympathies and respect go out to the family of Senator John McCain. Our hearts and prayers are with you!"

Sarah Palin, who was McCain's running mate during his 2008 bid for president, said the world had lost "an American original", sharing a picture of herself with the man she called her friend.

Barack Obama, the Democrat who beat McCain to the presidency, said despite their differences, they shared "a fidelity to something higher - the ideals for which generations of Americans and immigrants alike have fought, marched and sacrificed.

"Few of us have been tested the way John once was, ore required to show the kind of courage that he did," Obama said. "But all of us can aspire to put the courage to put the greater good above our own.

"At John's best, he showed us what that means." (BBC)

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SUnDAY, august 26, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Supply Health Centre construction halted – as concerns expressed over safety, structural integrity – contractor ignored previous cease work order

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oncerns over the quality of the work and the actions of a contractor have brought the construction of the Supply Health Centre, East Bank Demerara to a screeching halt by Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) authorities.

The issue came up at the Regional Democratic Council’s (RDC) monthly meeting earlier this week.

At the meeting, Regional Executive Officer (REO) for Region Four, Pauline Lucas, revealed several unsavoury details about the project.

According to the region’s Public Relations Department, one of the details she revealed is that the contractor, Navin and Sons, was ordered by the Clerk of Works to cease casting the foundation of the centre.

“However, the contractor ignored the directive and proceeded to cast the foundation while erecting columns within a day of casting the foundation, thus further fuelling grave concerns. He indicated that he was given approval to proceed by the engineer,” an of-

Regional Executive Officer for Region Four, Pauline Lucas

ficial from the department revealed.

According to a report that was submitted by the Clerk of Works, the contractor failed to comply with a number of requirements for the project. Among the requirements ignored by the contractor was one for the complete removal of tree roots and debris from the site.

But according to the REO, it was discovered that the casting of the flooring

was done without the removal of a major tree stump.

This, she noted, places the strength and quality of the building in serious question.

Lucas has since summoned the engineer responsible for the project, to a meeting with regional officials.

“I held a meeting with our Senior Engineer Elon Austin, the contractor in question and the engineer and no plausible answers can be provided for the contractor actions. So I have written the Ministry of Communities asking for advice because the public’s health is of grave and pivotal importance. We cannot construct a building and in a few years’ time; it’s falling to pieces because there were several defective and poor works done,” she said.

“We as a region have a responsibility to the public because taxpayers’ money must and has to be spent properly, thus ensuring that they get value for money and under my watch I will continue to strive for that,” she declared, going on to express disappointment over the work she noted flouts

basic construction related guidelines.

It is understood that with the halt of construction, an independent firm will be contracted to conduct testing of the foundation’s strength after a minimum of 28 days post-casting. It is these tests, she noted, which will ultimately determine if works can continue.

Meanwhile, Regional Chairman Geneviève Allen told the meeting that while

she did not examine the report, she did realise that something was not right and therefore sought to have the REO explain in detail what transpired with regards to the Supply Health Centre.

“I saw both letters but didn’t get to go through them in detail including the report, but I am glad that the Clerk (REO) sought to explain it to this meeting so that you Councillors can better understand what is happening within the region and some of the chal-

lenges that the region faces while executing projects and programmes for the public,” Allen said.

Apart from having independent tests done, the REO also said she is awaiting instruction from the Communities Ministry, before proceeding on any particular course of action. She also lauded the vigilance of the Clerk of Works and credited their impromptu visits to ongoing projects in an impromptu manner with flagging the errors in the construction.

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SUnDAY, august 26, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

Man fined $75,000 for smuggling prohibited items into Police Headquarters

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ionel Carew was on Friday fined $75,000 by Georgetown Magistrate Leron Daly, before whom he admitted to smuggling prohibited items into the Eve Leary lockups.

Carew admitted that on August 20, 2018, while he was in custody at the time, he smuggled two Blu cellphones into the holding facility at Police Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown.

After considering that he did not waste the court’s time, Magistrate Daly fined him $75,000. Failure to pay the fine will result in him serving 12 months’ imprisonment.

Over the past months,

persons are finding more creative ways and methods to smuggle contraband items into prisons and Police lockups countrywide.

Only recently, a search conducted at the New Amsterdam Prison unearthed a number of contraband and other prohibited items.

According to information received, the raid was conducted by ranks of the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) and Guyana Police Force (GPF). Five grams of marijuana, five cellular phones, and a number of improvised weapons, lighters and phone chargers were discovered during that search.

Less than one month ago, officers had reported unearthing some 146 Ziploc bags containing marijuana and more than forty prohibited items from the Prison during an impromptu search of the penal facility.

Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels, had informed that 146 Ziploc bags of narcotics, amounting to 292 grams; six cell phones, 12 phone chargers, five packets of cigarettes, eight improvised weapons, three SIM cards and seven lighters were discovered.

A raid conducted recently at the Lusignan Prison uncovered another set of illegal items, which included sy-

ringes with needles, six bottles of pepper sauce, six earphones, a number of razor blades, 17 chargers, 24 lighters, five cellular phones, 10 improvised weapons, eight metal spoons, two pairs of scissors, one plastic knife, two nail clippers, four bottles of oil with suspected cannabis seeds, three mirrors, one wrist watch, one pack of cards, one memory card, and a quantity of wire and Ziploc bags.

Just one month before, a similar routine search had removed a number of knives, scissors and blades from that penitentiary.

Son charged for assaulting mother T axi driver Dwayne Lynch, who reportedly assaulted his elderly mother Coreen Hilliman on August 20 at their Lot 3521 Stevedore Housing Scheme, Georgetown home, found himself before Georgetown Magistrate Leron Daly facing three charges.

The first charge alleged that Lynch used abusive language towards his mother, thereby causing a breach of peace.

The second charge alleged that on the same day and at the same location, the father of two unlawfully and maliciously damaged one ward-

robe glass valued $17,000, property of Hilliman.

The third charge alleged that the 41-year-old assaulted his mother on August 20 at their home.

Police Prosecutor Sanj Singh did not object to Lynch being placed on bail, but asked that he also be placed

on a bond to keep the peace.

Singh further informed the court that this was not the first time that Lynch’s mother was making a report against him.

He was placed on $10,000 bail for each offence, and the matters will continue on August 27.

Fixing…

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…what ain’t broken

ne of the unintended benefits of the return of the PNC to Government is that the political vocabulary of our people has been enlarged. We now know, for instance, more than we ever thought possible about the word “or” when PNC leader David Granger offered us his “perception” on interpreting the phrase “or any other fit and proper person”. He insisted that it didn’t mean anyone other than a Judge – as indicated in the first section - could be the Chair of GECOM! The semantics of Guyanese politics were well explained in “Alice in Wonderland” - that profoundly philosophical inquiry by Lewis Carroll into the surreal.

“When I use a word,” Humpty Dumpty said in rather a scornful tone, “it means just what I choose it to mean— neither more nor less.” “The question is,” said Alice, “whether you can make words mean so many different things.” “The question is,” said Humpty Dumpty, “which is to be master—that’s all.” And, as we found out in the Case of the GECOM Chair and so many other instances, the PNC leader is “master” of Guyana.

So we arrive at this new word that’s been circulating now that the Local Government Elections (LGE) are nigh upon us – “gerrymandering”. What it means is that under claims of ensuring that certain groups aren’t underrepresented in the constituency system of voting, the boundaries of the constituency are adjusted. The simplest one is to ensure that each constituency has a similar number of voters who will select a candidate, to give effect to the “one man; one vote” requirement of democracy.

Or, more commonly in the US, to ensure that minorities like African Americans are empowered to create constituencies where they are a majority, and so can send their choice to Congress. Very early on, however, in the US, where the system originated, politicians – such as “Gerry”, the fella who gave his name to the phenomenon - saw the opportunity to redraw constituency boundaries to ensure THEIR supporters have a majority!! Thus giving the word its rather shady connotation!! And of course, this brings us to Guyana, where the PNC’s shady reputation on elections is legendary!!

Bulkan just increased the number of constituencies from 71 to 80 for the LGE, plus the Municipality of Mahdia.

Now we know that Mahdia is PNC-dominated, and we can extrapolate what those 9 new constituencies would be!! It’s always possible that Bulkan may be trying to correct representational anomalies – after all, miracles are possible! – but with the PNC’s rigging record, wouldn’t it have been better for the matter to have been discussed by a bi-partisan Parliamentary Committee?

But that wouldn’t guarantee a PNC electoral advantage, would it?

…thrown out

The PNC was returned to office with the support of the AFC and via one major theme – that the PPP was corrupt and they’d “siphoned off billions and billions” into their pockets. Right after they slid into office in May 2015, by July they had instituted 24 charges against Minister Jennifer Westford and her aide, Cummings, for a whopping claim of $600 million “theft”!! And boy, did they push for the case to go forward, so that they’d be vindicated and folks would forget about their 50% pay hike for themselves and their betrayal of their supporters!

It’s now clear that the doubts in the DPP’s office which resulted in prosecutors being appointed more than a year later in Aug 2016 -- were quite justified.

After exactly two years in the Courts, the charges were dismissed on two grounds. Firstly, that no evidence was produced that the theft actually took place - since it couldn’t be shown that they received any money!! And secondly…that the charge itself – Larceny by a Public Officer – didn’t apply!!

It was just pure PNC spite!!

…or excusing SOCU?

The British High Commish criticised the Public Prosecutors’ Office once again by insisting that they aren’t following up on SOCU’s “well investigated” cases.

Does Police Legal Advisor Justice Claudette Singh have to refute this once again?

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

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SUnDAY, august 26, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

US$460M pre-contract cost

$230M spent on drilling, remainder on seismic surveys, experts – ExxonMobil

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sso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) has come out with one of their most detailed breakdowns of the US$460 million in expenses incurred that will have to be repaid.

According to the company, which is the local subsidiary of oil giant ExxonMobil, the price tag encompasses US$230 million they spent drilling the Liza 1 well, as well as early drill costs for follow on wells.

“Approximately $140 million was spent on several seismic surveys, the biggest being the 17,000-square kilometre shot in 2015 over the Stabroek Block. This was ExxonMobil’s largest proprietary seismic campaign,” the company revealed in a statement on the matter.

“It was required,” they continued. “Because no 3D data existed for the block previously... the seismic data is what helped us figure out where to drill the wells. Approximately US$25 million (was also spent on) overhead costs, including rentals and training payments.”

Finally, the company noted that approximately

Exxon’s operation in the Stabroek block

US$65 million was spent on geology and geoscience experts, as well as engineering teams, to plan and design the drilling campaign… a campaign the company pointed out led to “one of the most important oil fields of the past decade.”

According to Annex C of the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) Guyana signed with Exxon, pre-contract cost “shall include four hundred and sixty million, two hundred and thirty seven thousand and nine hundred and eighteen United States Dollars (US$460,237,918) in respect of all such costs incurred under the 1999 Petroleum Agreement pri-

or to the year ended 2015.”

In a report done on the oil sector last year, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had urged the Guyana Government to start as soon as possible auditing all exploration and development costs that was being racked up by ExxonMobil.

Government has since set up a unit at the Guyana Revenue Authority, though it is unclear if such an audit is underway.

In May 2015, Exxon confirmed its significant oil discovery at its Liza 1 exploration well, where more than 295 feet of high-quality oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs was encountered. Exxon’s

oil find in Guyana has attracted international attention, with a number of seminars being held over time.

Drilling on Payara began on November 12, 2016,

with initial total depth reached on December 2, 2016. In January of 2017, the oil giant had announced it had struck oil in its Payara-1 well, targeting the same type of reservoirs as the well’s Liza counterpart.

Before that, the company had announced that it made its third significant discovery in its drilling explorations offshore Guyana. Its partner, Hess Corporation, had noted that the Liza 3 exploratory well’s net value could be US$6.2 billion based on calculations from the Bank of Montreal (BMO) Capital Markets.

In late June 2016, Exxon’s drilling results at Liza 2 revealed more

than 58 metres of oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs in Upper Cretaceous formations. The well was drilled to 5475 metres at 1692 metres water depth.

Drilling results confirmed recoverable resources to be between 800 million and 1.4 billion barrels of oil equivalent. Data from the Liza 2 well test is being assessed.

Work has been ongoing to build Guyana’s institutions and systems, although Government has faced criticism for the pace of this progress. In addition, assistance is being provided by the IMF to boost Guyana’s administrative capacity to handle the expected inflow of revenue.

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SUnDAY, august 26, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

A mother’s prayer answered

…daughter to get corrective surgery soon …as US$40,000 equipment to be donated to GPHC

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he prayer of a mother to see her daughter walk normally is soon to be realised following an intervention by a US-based Guyanese through a Guyanese US-based chapter in Georgia.

Overseas based Guyanese Dr Slater Jeffery has stepped forward to champion the cause of 15-year-old Shebena Belle, who was born with a disability that has prevented her from walking properly.

Giving an insight into the project, Dr Jeffery disclosed that in 2016 he was visiting Guyana on a mission to secure pigeon peas seeds. During his visit to Bare Root, East Coast Demerara, while visiting a farm he had an accidental meeting with Shebena.

Having undergone a heart transplant, he decided this year to make a meaningful contribution to the life of Shebena Belle, as he recognised he was privileged to be alive. He said he wanted to contribute to someone’s life in an equally mean-

Shebena Belle smiles as she anticipates her successful surgery in 2019

ingful way.

Dr Jeffery has said that since arriving in Guyana, he and the Belle family have met

on several occasions, with both the Orthopaedic (bone specialist) surgeon and Health and Educational Relief (HERO) officials to decide on the best way for the surgery.

He disclosed that the visiting surgeon is Dr Claude B. Scott, noting that the local surgeon would be Dr A. Watson, who is the Orthopaedic surgeon at GPHC. It was pointed out that for Shebana to have the surgery done successfully, a number of specialised tools would be needed, which the GPHC did not have. Dr Jeffery said he and the team have already secured the equipment, which includes a CR machine which costs some US$40,000. He assured the family that regardless of what it takes, he is prepared and committed to ensure that young Shebena would be able to benefit from the surgery.

He revealed that the Bladen Hall Multilateral third former was assured that the surgery would be done in Guyana

and would take place in March 2019.

Dr Jeffery declared that a team of persons would be here in Guyana to ensure that the surgery is completed adding that they are currently working on securing the expenses needed for the equipment. He noted that the equipment would be donated to the GPHC, thus making it easy for other persons plagued with similar challenges to have same surgically corrected. He said that he is happy that they would be giving the machine to the hospital, noting that after visiting the hospital he was made aware that at least 100 persons are in need of similar surgeries.

Expressing confidence that Shebana would walk normally after the surgery, the visiting US based Guyanese said that the team of doctors that would be working on Shebana are experts who have had a very long history of performing such successful surgeries.

Continued on page 11

He’s baaack!

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atiricus was happy his leader Nagga Man was back in Guyana, all “fit”. He knew the fellas at the Back Street Bar didn’t think him “proper,” or had him high on their hit parade. But Satiricus admired Nagga Man, if for no other reason than he’d imbibed in every rum shop – before they were called “bars” -in Guyana. To do that and still remain “fit” deserved respect!

“Budday, is de cuttas Nagga Man like fuh eat w’en ya drink!” volunteered Cappo, after Satiricus had expressed his opinion upon joining them.

“Yes, me hear Nagga Man too like ‘e fry po’k, when ya drink,” confirmed Bungi.

“So how does that work?” inquired Hari with interest.

“Well, de po’k ile does line ‘e stomick,” explained Cappo, “and de likker cyaan eat ‘e livva out.”

“So how come YOU don’t eat pork cutters?”

Satiricus wanted to know. “You only eat fried Banga Mary!”

“Me relig’on na mek me eat po’k,” said Cappo, with a virtuous look on his face.

“But Sato, tell me something,” said Hari. “What the Chronic got against Nagga Man?” “What you mean?” answered Satiricus. “He’s their boss!”

“Well their headline announcing his return, was ‘He’s back’!!” ” said Hari, as both Cappo and Bungi guffawed loudly when he stretched out the “baaack”.

“What’s wrong with that?” asked Satiricus in confusion.

“Budday you na bin see all dem friken pitcha wid Freddy Krueger?” asked Cappo.

“And wid ev’ry new pitcha, dem does announce, ‘He’s baaack!!’ fu fri’ken abee mo’!” interjected Bungi with glee. “Da man face prappa swingy an’ ugly!!”

“They even had a song for Freddy,” said Hari, as he belted it out, “One, two, Freddy's coming for you/ Three, four, Better lock your door/ Five, six, grab a crucifix/ Seven, eight, You better stay awake/ Nine, ten, HE’S BACK AGAIN!!!”

“So you think those fellas at Chronic mocking Nagga Man?” asked Satiricus in concern. “His face isn’t THAT swingy.”

“Me t’ink ‘e days done, an’ even dem Chranic bais na respeck Nagga Man now,” said Cappo. “’E jus’ a wan C’rismuss blow-blow now!” concluded Bungi.

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SUnDAY, august 26, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

Gunmen rob Stabroek Market vendor …one shot during arrest

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wo men gun-butted and robbed a female vendor outside the Stabroek Market at about 05:50h on Saturday; but swift action by

an off-duty Policeman who was in a Route 42 minibus resulted in one of the perpetrators eventually being apprehended, and even sustaining

gunshot injury after a scuffle with one member of a party of Policemen who effected his arrest.

The off-duty Policeman reportedly heard screams of “Thief!” while he was in the

Govt approves appointment of 7 new diplomats

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abinet has approved the appointment of seven senior diplomats in an effort to strengthen relationships with those nations.

Cabinet has approved the appointment of Sandra Lang Linkensederova as Non-Resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Designate of the Czech Republic to Guyana. She will replace Jiri Havlik, whose term of service has ended. Diplomatic relations between Guyana and the Czech Republic were established on January 1, 1993.

Collaboration between the two countries often occurs at the multilateral level through international bodies such as the United Nations and the European Union. In an effort to enhance relations between the two countries, Guyana and the Czech Republic signed cooperation agreements on culture, science and trade. Linkensederova will be based in Brazil.

Nicolai Prytz, NonResident Ambassador Designate of the Kingdom of Denmark will replace Kim Højlund Christensen, whose term of service has concluded. Prytz will also reside in Brazil.

Diplomatic relations between Guyana and Denmark were established on November 16, 1979. Guyana has benefited from bilateral assistance in the areas of agriculture, civil aviation and education.

Additionally, Abena Poku Adompim Busia will serve as High Commissioner Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Designate

of the Republic of Ghana to Guyana.

Currently, Busia is chair of the Women and Gender Studies Department and an associate professor at Rutgers University in New Jersey. She is also Board Chair of the African Women’s Development Fund-USA. Guyana and Ghana formally established diplomatic relations on May 14, 1979.

Cabinet also approved the appointment of Her Excellency Hayriye Nurdan Erpulat Altuntas as Non-Resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Designate of the Republic of Turkey. Diplomatic relations between Guyana and Turkey were established on May 2, 1973. Ambassador Designate Erpulat Altuntas will reside in Caracas, Venezuela.

Stefan Mera, Non-resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Designate of Romania will succeed Marinel Ioana. He joined the Romanian Foreign Service in 1992 after serving as a translator and Literature teacher. He will be based in Brazil.

Stanislav Vidovi?’s appointment as Non-resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Designate of the Republic of Slovenia was approved. Vidovi? will reside in Washington, DC, USA. Cabinet also approved the appointment of Alfreda Chielkwa Kansembe Mwamba as High Commissioner Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Designate of the Republic of Zambia. In 2017, Mwamba

A mother’s prayer...

Shebana’s mother, Abena Belle said that she is very relieved with the assistance being given. She said her husband played an exceptional role noting that many times from birth he carried his daughter in his hands or on his back as he has supported her wholeheartedly morally. “It is the support and help of the father that has kept us going since her birth because he refuses to give up and gives Shebena the support she needs,” the mother said.

Meanwhile, an evidently happy Shebana said that while the disability affects her to some extent she is more interested in the prospect of walking normally for the first time in her life. She said that her greatest challenge is being able to traverse a number of stairways noting that this is very difficult especially during her days at school adding, that while she tries to cope with it limits her socialisation and involvement in things at school. She however noted that in terms of discrimination she doesn’t encounter such because her colleagues at school recognises that despite

From page 10

her physical disability her performance academically is at a high standard.

She revealed that she does not feel uncomfortable on anyway declaring that she has a long list of friends and while during her primary school days many persons may have discriminated in some way to her the experience at secondary school is completely different.

“I don’t see myself being different but I know that my feet are somewhat different, but I don’t allow it to affect me in any way,” she said.

A very emotional Shebena in expressing her thanks to Dr Jeffrey was moved to tears stating that the thought of being able to walk properly for the first time in her life as certainly made her every emotional. “I am very thankful right now and I would like to say that you all don’t have an idea of how much you folks have touched me as I feel so overwhelmed right now as this is a dream come through and I pray that God will bless each one of you,” a teary eye Shebena Belle said.

was appointed Ambassador to Brazil. She previously held a number of positions in the Zambian Government, such as Deputy Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister within the Home Affairs Ministry, among others.

The Stabroek Market

bus which was still at the Route 42 Park in the vicinity of the Stabroek Market, and he sprang into action.

The cop saw one of the suspects, whom he described as a known character, entering a

motorcar which was parked a short distance away; and when the known character was being whisked away from the scene, the Policeman followed the vehicle to its destination in Leopold Street, Georgetown,

where the two characters reportedly exited the car and proceeded inside a house.

The Policeman then went to the Brickdam Police Station and filed a report. He was later accompanied by other ranks to the Leopold Street house, but only the known character was there. In the process of being arrested, that suspect grabbed a Policeman’s firearm, and in his efforts to disarm the cop, a round was discharged and he was struck to his upper right thigh.

The suspect was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was treated and admitted. He is presently under Police guard at the medical facility.

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SUnDAY, august 26, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

200 children of dismissed East Canje sugar workers get free school supplies

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he East Berbice Sugar Workers Relief Committee (EBSWRC) has provided school bags and other school essentials to 200 children of dismissed workers, who were attached to the former Rose Hall Sugar Estate which was closed

by Government in December 2017.

Children of workers, who were dismissed from the Rose Hall Sugar Estate received their school supplies on Saturday afternoon. Last week, Workers Relief Committee provided the same supplies to 150 students from the Corriverton Primary, Skeldon Primary and Messiah Primary.

Over 2000 workers at the Skeldon Estate were sent home when Government closed that estate in December 2017.

Speaking to the children and their parents at the Rose Hall Primary School, Regional Vice Chairman Dennis DeRoop explained that the Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) administration has always been superlative of the former sugar workers and their families, more

Some of the children receiving their bags filled with school essentials

so the children.

“At the Regional Democratic Council, you are always in our hearts. There is no RDC meeting that we have every month that we don’t mention something that is happening in East Canje,” DeRoop said.

DeRoop, who is also a part of the East Berbice Sugar Workers Relief Committee said that apart from the school bag distribution, the RDC has put other measures in place to provide some measure of relief to the families of the former workers.

“We implemented a 30-seat-

er bus to take the secondary school children from Canje to New Amsterdam but we recognised that the one bus is inadequate for all the children so we are trying to implement a second one from the reopening next week,” DeRoop said to a thunderous applause.

Following the closure of the Skeldon and the Rose Hall Estates in December 2017, the East Berbice Sugar Workers Relief Committee was formed.

One of its first projects was the supply of hot meals at schools on the Upper Corentyne.

WPO awards Industry top NGSA students

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The 15 recipients of the WPO bursary along with Member of Parliament, Bhagmattie Veersammy on Saturday

he People’s Progressive Party/Women’s Progressive Organisation on Saturday awarded 15 students of Industry, East Coast Demerara, who performed exceptionally well at the 2018 National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA).

The event, which has been hosted for the past six years, seeks to show appreciation for, and act as a motivator, for the students of the area to excel.

Some of the recipients of the

bursary were Davin Balgobin, Premraj Singh, Nadia De Santos, Shaahid Haniff, Saif Khan, Kerrie Singh, Kimberly Mohamed, Samicah Persaud, Sophia Bahadur, Ambika Behari and Alex Bento. Thes students were all presented with trophies and other tokens which were donated by persons in the said community.

Delivering her feature address was Devia Jagoo, who was one of the first recipients of the bursary. She expressed

gratitude to the WPO for their generosity before encouraging the students to focus on their education as they progress onwards.

Melissa Sawh, also a recipient of the award, also spoke at the event where she gave the young students a ‘pep talk’ on how to continue to excel. “For you to become successful, it depends on yourself.”

She also congratulated the students and encouraged them to continue to pursue greatness.

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SUnDAY, august 26, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

22 Cuban trained Guyanese doctors return home Identity and (lack of) Cohesion

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hree years down the line, the PNC-led Government still insists “Social Cohesion” is its official goal, even as it has been most partisan in its actions– from unilaterally shutting down the sugar estates to blanking the Opposition from the US Congressional Delegation (CODEL). Unsurprisingly, there have been complaints by citizens, who are worried about the end game.

Intuitively, they accept that “cohesion” cannot be a “bad thing”. The Jubilee Independence Commemoration poignantly brought to the fore rueful thoughts about “what could have been” if we had not been as divided as we’ve been.

Guyanese do not need experts in sociology or politics to also apprehend that while social cohesion is a desirable state of affairs, there are no silver bullets to getting there. In other words, they understand efforts must take place simultaneously in a whole number of dimensions – at a minimum including social, Ravi Dev political, economic and cultural ones. All of which the PNC-led Government studiously avoids.

Starting with the last, the cultural problematic is fundamental, because it plays such a key role in forming our individual and collective identities, and hence our perspectives.

When we were brought to labour in the plantations, the Europeans – in our case, first the Dutch and then the English – invented both “race” and “culture” to “keep us in our place”.

Which is to say, subservient and second class at best. The Africans were described as “savages” who had no “culture”, and as such, their “bestial practices” were to be extirpated as a salutary practice. They were to be “thankful” and grateful for being “exposed to civilised culture”.

The problem, however, is that when one is imitating a “standard” that is intrinsically yoked to the physical characteristics of “race”, it becomes absolutely impossible to ever reach that standard. Even those “Coloureds” who, because of the rape of African women had “half” or “three- quarters” white “blood”, could never become completely “civilised”. This did not stop many from feverishly trying, even into the present.

But this one-sided clash of the dominant “white European” culture with the “African” did produce a hybrid culture – called “Creole” – that was the lived experience of the ordinary African, who stubbornly retained aspects of ancestral culture.

Persons become individuals with distinct identities through their own experiences and inculcated beliefs to form their memories that act as narratives of their “selves”. But man, unlike other animals, is enmeshed in social relations in which his identity develops; and in turn, those social relations are generally mediated by cultural norms in both the public and private spheres. In a society that is culturally homogenous, these are quite integrated; but if the public and private cultures are different and clash, as with ordinary Africans, this can cause dissonances for the individual. Granger’s denunciation of “Guinness Bars” recently illustrated this disjuncture.

For ordinary freed Africans, this strain to emulate white/ European culture was much greater than the Coloureds’, since the latter were seen by others as an intermediate group. The Africans were relegated to the lowest strata, and could move up only by becoming educated, acting “proper” in imitating white behaviour, and marrying “fairer” to join the coloured.

This constructed identity out of the values and beliefs of the culture form the framework for the individual’s interpretation and organisation of new experiences. This would become very relevant when new immigrants would be introduced into the society to provide cheap labour on the sugar plantations. And form a new basis of comparison.

It is of more than passing interest that when the Portuguese from Madeira were brought as indentured servants, they were not then, nor later, classified as “European” – even though they were phenotypically that. They were “Portuguese” to the British, and seen by the freed African people and later indentureds as such – never white, notwithstanding the pretensions of the ones who later moved up the economic and social ladder.

While they imitated the ruling British/European lifestyle, their Catholic variant of Christianity also served to distinguish them culturally. Many of the ones in the lower economic oracles intermarried with Africans and adopted Creole Culture. There were very few men among the Chinese who were brought as indentured labourers, and most intermarried with locals and adopted Creole Culture even while contributing their cuisine to the new land.

All of them, including lower strata Africans, were to evaluate the “heathen” Indian Indentureds as the new lowest man on the totem pole. Their success creates severe cognitive dissonances that lead to dangerous scapegoating – and lack of cohesion. (To be continued.)

The newly trained doctors taking the Hippocratic Oath to uphold the ethical standards of the profession at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Saturday

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wenty-two doctors will be the newest addition to Guyana’s public health sector. The newly trained doctors completed their scholarship in the medical field in Cuba.

At a graduation ceremony held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) on Saturday, the doctors – eleven of whom were Guyanese, ten from the Caribbean and one Malaysian – received their certification and undertook the Hippocratic Oath under the guidance of the Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud. They will now be able to practice in Guyana as part of their internship.

Speaking at the event, Guyana’s Ambassador to Cuba, Halim Majeed, advised the graduates that this is the beginning to other such accomplishments which will be achieved in the future. They were urged to maintain a noteworthy professional outlook when serving patients.

Ambassador Majeed later stated that with the input of the Cuban Government, it will foster development in the health sector across the Caribbean region.

“We are on the threshold of a national renaissance and so the national interest must be out preponderating concerns. We are emerging from the dungeons of economic insecurity. We are building capacity in several areas of national development,” the Guyanese Ambassador said.

Meanwhile, advisor with the Department of Public Service, Vincent Alexander delivered the feature address, in which he also underscored the benefits of the relationship which has been forged with Cuba. He said in this way, Guyana has acquired the opportunity to produce professionals in the field but they must be able to perform to the best of their abilities.

“You have to take responsibility for what you do, and take responsibility to continue to ensure that you learn. You are really now on the learning curve.

You are at the stage where there is so much more to be

learnt,” he said to the doctors.

The new doctors were also charged by the Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr Karen Boyle who reiterated the importance of responsibility and the need for focused individuals when

dealing with all types of patients.

“I urge you to be engaged. I’m taking about being physical, emotionally and mentally engaged.

When you come to work, please show up. Be fully focused.”

With the return of Ambassador Majeed to Cuba, it was revealed that 13 more students will be accompanying him. Presently, there are 62 Guyanese students pursuing careers in the medical field in the Spanish-speaking country.

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Salary increases

Teachers deserve every cent of proposed figure – Opposition MP

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pposition Member of Parliament, Juan Edghill was on Saturday applauded by teachers as he said they deserve every cent of the increase being proposed. His statement was made on the lawns of the Caricom General Insurance Company in Ruimzeigt, West Coast Demerara, during a backpack distribution exercise.

“I believe our teachers need every cent that they can get to make their lives better.

I will add (to) that sentence, I believe our teachers are deserving,” he said.

Juan Edghill is flanked by a few happy recipients of school bags, along with executives from the Region Three PSA

The MP, whose first job was a teacher, said he is cognisant of the fact that teachers are some of the hardest workers and the parents of

all the children they teach.

“Teachers are a very special kind or a special breed.

Everybody’s children are there children.”

Further, Edghill pointed out, “I would want to ask all of Guyana even when we are having an impending crisis, if I have to give solidarity anywhere, it would be solidarity with the teachers of Guyana because they deserve it.”

Edghill’s statement comes at a time where over 7000 teachers are slated to go on strike on Monday.

On Friday last, the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) did not attend the conciliation talks between the Social Cohesion Ministry’s Department of Labour, and the Education Ministry since they received a late invitation.

GTU President Mark Lyte has since signalled that the teachers’ strike is on as they continue to lobby for their increase in wages of 40 per cent on the 2015 salary, and five per cent with each year that came after until 2020.

Meanwhile, the 500 school bags, worth over $1.5 million, were handed over to children from nine different schools by the Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) on behalf of the Private Sector Association (PSA).

Edghill praised the Association for its tremendous effort and said it is evident that the region’s PSA is not just living for themselves but for others.

“Don’t just take it for granted what is happening here this afternoon (Saturday) because this is not just about getting a bag or a bag pack to go to school. This is about giving our children hope,” the MP encouraged. As such, he urged the recipients to be inspired and to take advantage of what is being given to them.

Meanwhile, President of the region’s PSA, Radesh Rameshwar, shared that he believes education is the greatest asset.

“The Association recognises the importance of education for we all know that the greatest asset that could be given to a child is education and not a Nike boots or a LA gear shoe or sneakers or whatever it is… education is the only legal way out of poverty and by making these contributions today the Region Three Private Sector Association is laying the foundation for the reduction of poverty in Region Three,” Rameshwar stated.

The nine schools which benefited from backpacks were Patentia Primary, Upper and Lower Bonasika, Kawal Primary, Vive La Force Primary, Wales Primary, Parika Back Primary, Vreeden-Hoop Primary, Den Amstel Primary and Wakenaam Secondary.

The Region Three PSA was founded in 2016 and has since funded several projects, including the rehabilitation of the Bonasika Computer Lab, where for the first time children have access to the Internet.

World Humanitarian Day

"A

round the world, conflict is forcing record numbers of people from their homes, with over 65 million people now displaced. Children are recruited by armed groups and used to fight. Women are abused and humiliated. As humanitarian workers deliver aid and medical workers provide for those in need, they are all too often targeted or treated as threats." — UN Secretary-General António Guterres Did you know there is a relationship between conflicts and the environment? Yes, there is a close connection between environment and conflicts. In Guyana, we don’t have to look very far, as we are all aware of the pervasive border conflicts over natural resources. Sometimes we underestimate the value of clean air, water, land, wildlife and other natural resources, but these are ever so often sources of contention. In this regard, World Humanitarian Day seeks to bring attention to the millions of people around the world affected by armed conflicts every day, and those who risk their lives to bring relief.

Background

The terrorist attack which hit the United Nations’ Headquarters in Baghdad in 2003, killing 22 people, including Sergio Vieira de Mello, UN’s top representative in Iraq; prompted the UN General Assembly to adopt a resolution 5 years later, designating August 19 as World Humanitarian Day. While this is just one day, we can’t ignore the plight of millions of people around the world. This day seeks to raise awareness on these issues in an effort to expedite the necessary interventions.

How is this relevant to the environment?

You would all agree that crises can lead to conflicts, and conflicts can lead to crises. However, in the midst of all of this, there are thousands of persons who risk their lives to bring some relief to those in conflicts. According to the UN, over 4000 aid workers have been killed, injured, detained or kidnapped. During crises, people struggle for the basic needs of food, water, fresh air and shelter, and of course other services such as education, jobs, entertainment etc. are limited or lacking. Many persons have to leave their homes and countries in pursuit of safety and survival.

Therefore, during crises, not only are resources lacking, but there also arise issues of pollution and poor environmental management. There is the risk of increase pests and diseases. Poor sanitation and hygiene due to lack of basic amenities are also the cause of several indirect deaths due to conflicts.

Let’s not take the job of aid workers for granted, as they risk their lives to bring relief of food, clothing, medical services etc to those desperately in need. If we want to achievement environmental sustainability globally and a Green Economy nationally, we must guard against these conflicts, and appreciate humanitarian efforts.

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

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17 Guyanese awarded Chevening scholarships A review of the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF’s) Country Report on Guyana for the fiscal year ended 2017

…298 persons applied

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nder Article IV of the IMF’s Articles of Agreement, the IMF is mandated to hold bilateral discussions with member countries annually. Today’s article seeks to extrapolate and review the findings and recommendations of that report for Guyana for the fiscal year ended 2017.

The IMF report acknowledged that economic growth slowed in 2017, albeit Guyana’s macroeconomic outlook remains favourable.

This premise is largely underpinned by the impending oil production in 2020. As such, the report posited that the extractive industries and public investment will be key drivers of economic growth over the medium term. It was also emphasised that strengthening private sector confidence, reducing the cost of doing business, and advancing productivity-enhancing reforms are essential for the sustainability of growth in the short term, and for realising the full benefits of oil, once it materialises.

A comprehensive set of recommendations was presented, but space precludes a detailed review and discussion of these in a single article. However, the author shall examine a few of the recommendations highlighted therein for now.

To this end, the author examines hereunder two of these recommendations: Reducing cost of doing business, and strengthening private sector confidence.

Now, when we speak of confidence in an economy, there are different dimensions in relation to this notion, in that there is private sector confidence and also consumer confidence; and, of course, foreign investors’ confidence.

Firstly, consumer confidence is an important factor in the overall economic development of an economy. In fact, economic development is driven by consumer demand, and not only on the basis of low inflation or macroeconomic stability. Therefore, the level of consumer confidence about future levels of income and job prospects determines the rate of savings, spending and investing, borrowing, and the level of tax revenue in the economy as well.

Theoretically, an optimistic outlook on the economy increases consumers’ confidence in regard to their personal financial situation, which may increase the level of consumers’ expenditure within an economy. Hence this in turn leads to higher demand, which ultimately spurs economic growth (Sergeant et al, 2011).

It is against this background that policymakers should seek to create an environment in which consumer confidence is optimal.

Having the right mix of fiscal and monetary policies aimed at encouraging investment and generating sustainable employment is deemed critical. Such policies should therefore consider the following: (1) The level of taxation – higher taxes reduce disposable income, which in turn affects the level of spending in the economy – that is, it constrains spending.

(2) Adequate regulation and supervision of the financial sector to ensure stability in the banking system. This has implications for the level of investment and savings.

(3) The level of debt – unsustainable debt levels will influence future fiscal policy, often leading to higher taxes and cuts in government spending. This, in turn, will have a negative impact on economic growth.

(4) Inflation and interest rates -- inflation should be kept at a rate which does not significantly erode purchasing power, while interest rates should not make the cost of borrowing too high, as this can dampen investment and expenditure.

It is important to also have, in addition to these, effective management of fiscal resources, and measures should be put in place to mitigate external shocks and improve resilience (Sergeant et al, 2011).

Turning now to the private sector and development – in developing countries, the private sector drives the economic growth that is needed to alleviate poverty. Therefore, more can be done to create the right incentives and policy frameworks for doing business to contribute to economic development. With the right incentives, businesses can drive low carbon growth through green investments (ODI, 2010). Empirical evidence confirms that a good investment climate and open and competitive markets can help to ensure a good development impact, but these are rare in developing countries like Guyana.

Research has found that in developing countries there is a great deal of government intervention in the market; for example, through industrial policies that often distort the markets. The Overseas Development Institute has thus argued that the time is now ripe for a new type of industrial policy – moving away from picking winners, offering subsidies and import protection. Rather, the intelligent and carefully prioritised government policy is to encourage and facilitate private sector development in promising high growth sectors, and in a market friendly manner. In so doing, the ODI (2010) has presented some practical proposals premised on extensive field work: (1) Consult business to identify growth sectors that could be transformative – enabling economies to move from low skilled commodity-based industries to sectors with more scope for technological progress and the building of human capital.

(2) Help these sectors grow by identifying, again consultation with business, priorities for reform.

(3) Work with business to encourage business models that are pro-development.

In conclusion, it is becoming increasingly recognised that the private sector has an important role to play in low carbon growth in developing countries; but can only achieve such potentials when the right policy frameworks are in place.

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

The 2018/2019 Chevening scholarship recipients

By Jarryl Bryan

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ut of a staggering 298 applications, 17 Chevening scholarship recipients were chosen and will depart these shores for higher education opportunities in the United Kingdom and the chance to meaningfully contribute to Guyana upon their return.

The students were on Friday evening treated to a reception at the British High Commissioner’s residence. There, they also mingled with past scholars.

Jermaine Grant, who at one time studied in the areas of International Diplomacy and Security, spoke about the experience.

“The scholarship has allowed me to develop professionally and academically,” he related. “So based on my areas of study, which is international security and diplomacy, I currently work with an international organisation.”

“My area of education has afforded me the opportunity to apply my knowledge in day-to-day policy development, helping governments develop policies and capacity development in the areas of development and sustainable work in their day-to-day activities in bettering the lives of people.”

Dr Quincy Jones, meanwhile, puts what he learnt to use in delivering health care to the people of Region Four.

He is the Regional Health Officer (RHO) for Demerara/ Mahaica with oversight of dozens of health facilities and a former recipient of the Chevening Scholarship.

Dr Jones revealed that even as a child he wanted to study in the UK. Noting that the experience was “more than he hoped for”, the RHO promised that he would pull on his experience to improve the Guyanese experience.

“I plan on taking every bit I learnt at LSE from being just a resident in the UK for that one year and experiencing their health system first hand to just fulfil article 24 and 25 of the Constitution, which in sum-

mary states that health care and social services is a right to all Guyanese and each citizen should do their part to fulfil that mandate,” Jones said.

National development

Speaking on the awarding of the scholarships earlier on Friday, UK High Commissioner Greg Quinn spoke of the growth of the programme from the time he arrived to take up his post in 2015.

“When I arrived here in 2015, we awarded two scholarships. And we’re now up to 17. So, the number of scholarships has gone up. But the competitiveness of those scholarships has also gone up, in terms of the number of applications but also the quality.”

“To get a scholarship now, you really have to be at the top of that 300 odd people.

It’s a difficult process. I know its nerve wrecking for people to be interviewed for it. I

think the benefits are worth it. But along with the numbers, the quality of applications has really gone up.”

He also laid out the expectations for those who complete their studies; that is to return and contribute to Guyana. While Quinn noted that the majority of recipients do come back, he expressed regret that there is a minority who chose personal job opportunities abroad over developing their countries.

Asked whether they are considering tightening up to ensure everyone comes back, the High Commissioner noted that it is unrealistic when it comes to enforcement. According to Quinn, much reliance is placed on the interview process to screen out self-serving applicants.

“There are some who haven’t come back or have come back and then left, which is unfortunate. The whole purpose of us spend-

ing this money is for people to come back to their countries of origins and develop them. We’re not paying for someone to get a Masters (Degree) to then get a high paying job in London or Washington.”

This year’s beneficiaries are Mikhail Amsterdam, Kemptorne Daly, Zylenna Darson, Cilandell Glen, Makini Hackett, Gregory Harris, Nichole Haynes, Sonya Lord, Maria Paul, Gavinash Persaud, Yolander Persaud, Nicholas Peters, Sachin Ramsarran, Dave Saran, Deron Saul, Stacy Weaver, Monique Williams and Adoniyah Benjamin.

The scholarship is a fully funded one, which the UK Government extends to several countries. Awardees spend a year in some of the UK’s most prestigious universities, completing a post graduate master’s programme. The total cost for the 17 scholarships is $128 million.

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Golden Jags Head Coach positive about team’s future The Golden Jaguars team and the Guyana Football Federation’s technical staff in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

“I

t’s been an excellent two weeks. We’ve had fun, we’ve had laughter, moments of pain, moments of frustration; but all in all, it’s been an absolutely wonderful camp.”

Those were the sentiments of Golden Jaguars Head Coach Michael Johnson at the conclusion of the Guyana Football Federation’s inaugural ‘Train and Play’ camp in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The training camp, which mostly catered to Under 23 players, offered the athletes an opportunity to display their talents in hopes

– as the ‘Train and Play’ camp concludes of being scouted by the GFF”s technical staff ahead of Guyana’s participation in the CONCACAF Nations League, which will kick off at the Leonora Track and Field Facility on September 6 with Guyana taking on Barbados.

The Brazil “Train and Play” Camp also afforded the new staff -- the largest that has ever been pulled together by the GFF -- the chance to bond ahead of what will be an exciting period of history, according to Johnson, with commencement of Project 100 which is cracking the under-100 FIFA Ranking.

The former Jamaican

player underscored the fact that a stronger relationship has been established among both team and staff, with a thorough appreciation of how they are going to work.

“Where we go from here is to keep the connections open and keep moving things forward. We’re going to be in Guyana in a matter of five days, so it’s a great opportunity again to get to connect with the staff, connect with the players, and continue the process.

“Our job’s not just about the first men’s senior starting team, it’s also about the development of the younger

players and the coaches,” he offered.

Given the fact that no Guyanese team has ever qualified for a major tournament, the head coach is of the opinion that the upcoming competition needs a positive approach.

“Very positive. I know that we’ve never qualified for a major tournament, but I really have a strong belief in the team, the staff, and everybody connected; that we’re in for some exciting times. Having worked with the 23s and seen some of the players that can breach that group, as well as having seen

some of the names on that first squad that we’re picking, it’s really exciting, and I can’t wait to get to work.

“What we are promising is a team that would be representative of Guyana; a team that’s going to play with vibrancy, fluidity, and most importantly give 100% towards the country,” Johnson said.

Once again, Johnson has taken the opportunity to appeal to stakeholders for their support, “The businesses, the Government, the fans: we can’t do this on our own; we need businesses to reach out and sponsor areas of the

GFF’s programme, which would really help drive things forward.”

Johnson went on to note that the team’s efforts will be great repayment for those who take the time to invest.

He said. “I think with that there will be opportunities when we grow, the businesses (who partner with the team) will grow with us as well. What we really would like is (for) people to be on the journey with us from now. Who really and truly believes in what we are trying to do? If you do believe, then come on board,” he appealed.

Softball action rolls Guyana trounce Barbados in key match-up on to Parika today T G WINDIES Under-19 One-day Championship…

uyana defied a destructive spell from Shemar Persaud to earn a crucial, three-wicket victory over Barbados in a low-scoring contest in the WINDIES Under-19 Oneday Championship on Saturday.

At Park Hill, Persaud grabbed 5-19 from 9.5 overs, as the Guyanese, chasing 81 for victory, ran into trouble, after an opening stand of 43 between Sachin Singh and Joshua Persaud.

Left-arm spinner Camarie Boyce supported with 2-29 from 10 overs, as Guyana slumped to 70 for seven in the 26th over before holding their nerve to cross the finish line with 121 balls remaining.

Earlier, no Barbados batsman reached 20 and they were dismissed for 80 in 25 overs with Joshua Jones and Kevin Sinclair taking three wickets apiece.

In another showdown, half-centuries from Cephas Cooper and Navin Bidaisee in a hundred-run, opening standing led Trinidad & Tobago to a crushing, 10-wicket win over Canada, while Jamaica overcame a half-century blitz from Zawandi White to grab a seven-wicket victory over Leeward Islands in the fifth round of matches.

Playing at Park Hill, Cooper

slammed nine fours in the top score of 71 not out from 92 balls, and Bidaisee collected 10 fours and one six in 67 not out from 97 balls, as T&T successfully chased 156 to win without losing a wicket and with 112 balls remaining.

Kavian Naresh had struck three fours and one six in 50 from 57 balls to lead the Canadians to 155 all out in 37.1 overs, after they chose to bat.

Naresh shared two vitals stands with Harkaran Mann and Raqib Shamsudeen, but Jayden Seales captured 4-40 from 10 overs, and Avinash Mahabirsingh and Joshua James took three wickets apiece to undermine Canada’s batting.

At the Arnos Vale Sports Complex, White struck six fours and one six in 51 from 56 balls, but Leewards were bowled out for 108 in 39.5 overs.

The Jamaicans reached their target with 141 balls remaining thanks to steady knocks of 33 from Bryan Brown and 26 from Andre McCarthy.

Guyana will look to fortify their bid for a fifth straight title when they face T&T at Arnos Vale, Barbados face Jamaica at Sion Hill and Canada meet hosts Windwards at Park Hill.

Sachin Singh

hree teams will do battle today in the Back to Eden/Permaul’s Trading/ Khan’s Trading and Trophy Stallsponsored softball tournament as the excitement shifts to the Parika Salem Community ground from 10:00h.

Organised by the Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA), the tournament will see hosts Parika Defenders taking the tournament to Success Masters in the opening encounter from 10:00h in the masters’ over-45 category.

The second game of the day will see Parika Defenders getting back into action against Narine Masters from 13:00h.

Last week, when the teams converged at the Malteenoes Sports Club ground on Thomas Lands, Wellman Masters and Success Masters came out on top.

In the first game, Wellman defeated Narine Masters by the huge margin of 79 runs, thanks to their batsmen and a five-wicket haul from Ganesh Sookdeo. Wellman took first strike, and after 20 overs, were sitting comfortably on 202 for 6. Wayne Jones top scored with 53 not out.

Basil Persaud weighed in 110

werewith 37, Dinesh Vivikanand 27, and Nandram Samlall 26, all contributing to the winning total as only R. Seedat with 3/32 looked threatening.

Narine Masters then found the going tough and were bowled out for 123 after 16.5 overs, with Sookdeo bagging 5/20. Suresh Ramesh made a fighting 31, and was supported by Lionel Persaud, who made 30.

In the second encounter of the hot day, Success Masters were successful against Tropical Springs, beating them by 4 wickets.

Tropical Springs batted first and made a respectable 152 all out from their 20 overs, with Sahadeo Budhu stroking 49, Rafeek Ali 44, and Aaron Benjamin getting 25.

In the bowling department, Mark Fung was on target with 3/12 and Sham Boodram 2/20.

Success Masters then made light work of the run chase, getting to 153 for 6. Hakeem Majeed made 41, Baldeo Muller 34 and Suraj Singh 24.

The tournament is being played in three categories: Masters over 50, Masters Over-45 and Female Open. It is heading for an exciting finish within the coming weeks.

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SUnDAY, august 26, 2018

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2018…

Tridents seeking home advantage against sizzling TKR B

arbados Tridents will be heading home to the Kensington Oval Ground as they bowl off their leg of home game versus the fiery Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) when Match 18 of the Hero CPL 2018 gets underway from 18:00h on Sunday, August 26.

With the Barbados Tridents losing out to the Trinbago Knight Riders in 4 out of their last 5 encounters, the home team will be looking for sweet revenge. However, so far in the 2018 season, the Trinbago Knight riders have been in scintillating form chasing down huge totals. , In their last encounter with the Jamaica Tallawahs, the Bravo brothers led their home team to a shocking victory with combined scores of 86 runs from 36 balls, while the dangerous duo of New Zealanders Colin Munroe and Brendon Mc Cullum have been in rampaging batting form to date.

Jason Holder’s Barbados Tridents will look to take advantage of the home crowd at the Oval, especially after

conditions to get the better of the champs.

TKR have showed their power in the batting but with the likes of Sunil Narine, Ali Khan, Kharry Pierre, Javon Searles and others who have been playing their roles well, the defending champs will want to have a better bowling perfromances against the dangerous Tridents line-up.

The Tridents linger in 5th place while the defending champs sit pretty in number one position following the upset loss the Guyana Amazon Warriors suffered on Friday night at

winning 2 of three matches. Aussie import, all-rounder Steve

Smith has proven to be a great addition to the team as the former skipper has been finding his form with the bat while he has rolled back the years to produce a match-winning result for his team recently.

With opener Dwayne Smith hitting form and hostile bowling from Pakistan’s Wahab Riaz along with his fellow pacers in Raymon Reifer, Mohammed Irfan and Holder; who have been amongst the wickets will need to utilize the familiar

the hands of the St Lucia Stars.

Tridents expected Playing XI: Jason Holder (C), Raymon Reifer, Wahab Riaz, Ashley Nurse, Mohammad Irfan, Dwayne Smith, Martin Guptill, Hashim Amla, Steven Smith, Nicholas Pooran and Shai Hope Expected Playing XI: Darren Bravo (C), Denesh Ramdin, Kevon Cooper, Shannon Gabriel, Fawad Ahmed, Chris Lynn, Colin Munro, Sunil Narine, Brendon McCullum, Dwayne Bravo and Hamza Tariq.

West Indies to play India in Florida in 2019

Fort Lauderhill Ground

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est Indies are planning to host India in Florida next July, immediately after the 2019 World Cup, as part of a longterm strategy to play a minimum of two T20Is in North America every year until 2022.

"There's full board support as part of our strategic plan over the next five years to bring regular games into the Americas," Cricket West Indies CEO Jonny Grave told ESPNcricinfo during the Caribbean Premier League matches in Florida. "So not always talking about USA, we're talking about Canada and other parts to try to grow the sport. The whole ICC strategic plan is around growing the game and we're huge advocates of Associate cricket.

"We want to grow the game. We're big advocates of playing in the Olympics even though one might argue that's quite complicated because effectively we'd be playing as the separate sovereign countries of the West Indies - but we don't have a problem with that."

Since the USA Cricket Board is yet to be fully ratified, Grave said CWI will seek the ICC's permission directly to host the matches. They are expected to be prime-time affairs, starting as late as 9pm in Florida in order to accommodate Indian television market, while also ensuring the comfort of the people coming to the stadium.

The T20Is between India and West Indies from two years ago were played at 10.30 am under heat that Grave felt was "unbearable".

"That would be our aim," Grave said.

"Clearly we have to discuss that with sponsors and broadcast partners, but realistically when you're playing India in the Caribbean you have to play either very late at night or very early in the day. If you're playing India, the passion of the India fans, they'll turn up whether you play at 11am or 9pm at night."

England are touring the Caribbean from January to March 2019 and sources in Florida suggest they may also play some T20Is at Central Broward stadium. Grave, however, wasn't very keen on relocating these matches.

"England fans love coming to the Caribbean," he said. "Even though we have a big England tour of three Test matches, five ODIs and three T20Is, that would be a big decision to take matches out of the region, whereas the traveling India fan is [coming from the USA] and it's a growing market so it's less of a risk to our region to have the England games in the Caribbean and the India matches [in Florida]."

India will start their 2019 tour with T20Is at Central Broward Regional Park in Lauderhill, before travelling to the Caribbean to play ODIs and Tests. According to the FTP, New Zealand (2020), South Africa (2020) and Pakistan (2021) are also scheduled to tour the region while India will visit again in 2022. Bangladesh have already come and gone.

The PCB and CWI had tentatively agreed to play T20Is in Florida after the West Indies toured Pakistan this past April, but Grave said finding a window outside the FTP has been difficult. When asked if a tri-series in Florida would be possible involving Pakistan and India, he said that playing that many matches at the same venue could be problematic.

Mid-week games scheduled in Lauderhill have had notoriously poor attendance. When Sri Lanka and New Zealand played the first T20Is on US soil in May 2010, the series, originally scheduled for three games, was reduced to a two-match weekend only affair since only 200 tickets were sold for a fixture on a Thursday.

However, Grave indicated that in the future West Indies would be open to playing T20Is against Canada or USA on weekdays as buildup to matches against Full Member sides on weekends.

Meanwhile, CWI extended an annual invitation for USA and Canada to play in the Regional Super50 competition, which begins in October, with Grave also hoping the women's teams from both countries would be open to playing domestic cricket in the West Indies.

"We're not here to make a fast buck, that's probably the bottom line," he said. "This isn't just about economics. This is a five-year plan and in five years we think we can start to make a difference to support USA and Canada and that's just the next two best teams in the Americas.

"We want to develop cricket in the whole region, but the next two sides have the ability to break into the 16-team T20 World Cup. Through CPL, playing in our Under-19 tournament, the Super50 and making sure this stadium maintains its status as an international ground can only help USA Cricket. We've been pretty vocal and been big advocates about how good the quality of the cricket was in the World Cup Qualifiers and how we need to expand the game and not shrink the game." CWI had also played a part in helping Canada run their Global T20 tournament in June and July. (ESPNCricinfo)

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sports

21

Ramdhani settles for silver at CAREBACO seniors – Guyana brings home 4 medals

A

first-time outing for six of Guyana’s senior badminton players has proven to be a great learning experience, as the team finished its week-long CAREBACO International 2018 competition with two bronze and two silver medals.

Playing at the Ring Sports Centre in neighbouring Suriname, the competition was more than just a one-match affair for the Guyanese athletes, who were required to play almost seven matches per day, running more than 10 miles on court.

Despite being the underdogs in the competition, the Guyanese athletes proved it was not the dogs in the fight, but the fight in the dogs that mattered, copping spots in four of the six semifinal matches.

Priyanna Ramdhani was the first to step into the semifinal round against Jamaica’s Number 1 player Katherine Wynter. Despite being just 16 years old, Priyanna played evenly with her older opponent, and went on to defeat her (24-22, 10-21, 21-14) for a spot in the final round.

The following evening, Priyanna was locked in a three-set thriller for the gold medal. Opposing the Barbadian Tamisha Williams, the Guyanese lost the first set 21-17, but managed to make a daring comeback to win the second set 17-21. By this time, both the players and the onlookers knew that the final set would be the ultimate decider.

Unfortunately, Priyanna fell short to the Barbadian 18-21, but the silver medal was already hers.

In the women’s doubles, Priyanna teamed up with Chequeda De Boulet of Trinidad and Tobago and

The winning trio! Narayan Ramdhani, Priyanna Ramdhani and Johnathan Mangra showcase their medals

made easy work of semi- final opponents, the Surinamese pair of Imani Mangroe & Mary-Ann Zhong, whom they routed 17-21, 21-16, 21-7.

However, the Guyanese and her playing partner were not aware of the bigger challenge ahead in the form of Tamisha Williams & Monyata Riviera. They lost their final matchup 21-15, 2114, but still took home the silver medal.

Priyanna and her older brother Narayan were the ideal pair to represent Guyana in the mixed doubles category, a job that they did excellently. Shockingly defeating higher ranked pairs,

the duo stormed into the semifinal, but were unable to play on. They lost to the experienced, No.1 seeded players Dakeil Thorpe and Tamisha Williams of Barbados 21-17, 17-21, 22-20. However, their performance was worthy of a bronze medal.

Guyana’s final podium position came from the combined efforts of Jonathan Mangra and Narayan Ramdhani in the men’s doubles segment. The duo made it as far as the semifinal, but suffered their first defeat at the hands of Dylan Darmohoetomo & Gilmar Jones of Suriname 2-15, 21-8 which would eliminate them

from the competition, but not without them receiving the bronze medal.

The CAREBACO Regional Under 11, 13, 15 and 17 Championships will get underway this week with Guyana being represented by 5 athletes.

Priyanna Ramdhani will again go for the gold in the Under 17 group with Isaac Mallampati on the male side of the same grouping. In the Under15, Vikash Motoo and Matthew Beharry will battle for supremacy, while Mishka Beharry will be the lone Guyanese competitor in the Under 11 group.

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2018…

Tallawahs secure De Grandhomme as Wasim replacement

N

ew Zealand all-rounder Colin De Grandhomme will dawn the Jamaica Tallawahs colours, being named as a replacement for Pakistan’s Imad Wasim for the remainder of the 2018 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

Wasim, the Pakistani spinning all-rounder and a key member of the franchise over the past few seasons, will be returning home as he prepares for the national team’s training camp ahead of the upcoming Asia Cup. De Grandhomme has played 10 Tests, 19 ODIs and 19 T20 Internationals for his country, and has had recent successful T20 stints playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the

IPL. The burly Zimbabwe-born player will enter the CPL for the first time with some decent form under his belt, having represented the Birmingham Bears in the ongoing Vitality T20 Blast.

A powerful striker of the ball in the middle-order, the Kiwi notched up good scores of 63*, 49*, 38* and 31, while his experience playing all formats of cricket on the international arena could add an invaluable boost to the former champs’ squad as they seek to make strides going forward following a mixed run playing in Florida.

The Tallawahs are currently third in the Hero CPL table, having won three of their five matches so far in the 2018 season.

Meanwhile, the top four teams at the end of the group stage will make it into the knockout phase of the tournament, with the final taking place at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad on 16 September.

22

guyanatimesgy.com

SUnDAY, august 26, 2018

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2018…

Tallawahs blast redemption score Stars need 98 from 45 balls with the skipper Kieron

Pollard in the middle on 20 along with Ross Taylor (4).

SCOREBOARD

A

n excellent batting display by the Jamaica Tallawahs top order pushed them to a total beyond 200 runs when they took on the hapless St Lucia Stars on Friday night at the Darren Sammy Stadium.

Tallawahs, recovering from three consecutive defeats in Florida posted 204-5 batting first. They were led

by Rovman Powell’s exciting innings of 64, which featured in a 100-run partnership with Kennar Lewis (33) to set a challenging target for the home side.

Glen Phillips (17) and Johnson Charles (34) scored at a high strike rate to get

the Tallawahs started before the former was dismissed.

After hitting five fours and a maximum in 23 balls, Charles held out to Fletcher off a Qais Ahmad-delivery and Tallawahs were 56-2.

Lewis scored at a runa-ball up until his dismissal to give Kesrick Williams his second wicket. Williams then added Andre Russell’s (5) wicket to his collection, which started with Phillips.

The Jamaicans were not out of fire power yet, as the runs continued to flow with the arrival of David Miller who had a disappointing show in the final over against the Tridents

in the previous match. He slammed three sixes and two fours in his 13-ball 32.

Even though Powell didn’t last to the end, his contribution of five sixes and two boundaries from 37 balls had already sustained the pace toward a terrific total to defend.

Williams had 3 – 34 while Ahmad and Obed McCoy claimed a wicket each.

In reply, Stars got off to a shaky start losing opener Mark Chapman (4) and Rahkeem Cornwall (2) quite quickly. Andre Fletcher (21) was the next to fall with the score on 52 while the experienced David Warner went hard at the Tallawahs’ attack scoring 42 from 26, stitched up with five fours and a six.

Up to press time, the

Jamaica Tallawahs Innings (20 overs maximum) GD Phillips †c Warner b Williams 17 J Charles c Simmons b Qais Ahmad 34 K Lewis c †Fletcher b Williams 33 R Powell c Warner b McCoy 64 AD Russell (c) c Sammy b Williams 5 DA Miller not out 32 LRPL Taylor not out 4 Extras: (lb 3, nb 3, w 9) 15 Total: (5 Wickets, 20 Overs, RR: 10.2) 204 Did not bat: A Zampa, Imad Wasim, S Badree, O Thomas Fall of wickets: 1-34 (GD Phillips, 3.4 ov), 2-56 (J Charles, 6.1 ov), 3-156 (K Lewis, 16.1 ov), 4-162 (AD Russell, 16.6 ov), 5-164 (R Powell, 17.2 ov) Bowling: MJ McClenaghan 4-0-43-0, MS Chapman 2-025-0, KOK Williams 4-0-343, Qais Ahmad 2-0-21-1, RRS

Cornwall 1-0-9-0, KA Pollard 3-0-38-0, OC McCoy 4-0-31-1

St Lucia Stars Innings (target: 205 runs from 20 overs) MS Chapman c Zampa b Thomas 4 ADS Fletcher † c Russell b Powell 21 RRS Cornwall c Russell b Imad Wasim 2 DA Warner not out 36 KA Pollard (c) not out 12 Extras: (b 5, w 6) 11 Total: (3 Wickets, 10.2 Overs, RR: 8.32) 86 Yet to bat: LMP Simmons, DJG Sammy, Qais Ahmad, MJ McClenaghan, KOK Williams, OC McCoy Fall of wickets: 1-5 (MS Chapman, 0.2 ov), 2-8 (RRS Cornwall, 1.2 ov), 3-52 (ADS Fletcher, 7.1 ov) Bowling: O Thomas 1-0-8-1, Imad Wasim 3-0-19-1, S Badree 3-026-0, AD Russell 1-0-4-0, R Powell 2-0-19-1, A Zampa 0.2-0-5-0

guyanatimesgy.com

SUnDAY, august 26, 2018

23

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2018…

King, Thomas rescue the Patriots S

olid batting performances from Brandon King and Devon Thomas saved the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots (SKNP) from what looked like certain defeat at the hands of the Barbados Tridents (BT) on Saturday evening at the Kensington Oval, Barbados.

The Bajans lost the toss and were sent in to bat.

They got to 147 – 6 in their allotted overs, but it proved futile as the opposition persevered to achieve the target with 7 balls to spare, as SKNP registered a six-wicket win.

SKNP had a nightmare start, losing Chris Gayle on the first ball of the chase, then

Devon Thomas

Evin Lewis (1) two overs later to Mohammad Irfan, both caught behind by Nicholas Pooran. Patriots slumped to 7 – 2.

Then King a n d

Thomas made their stand, staging a cautious recovery that propelled their side to victory. They crawled to 100 in the 14th over, but had settled enough and had ample resources in the dugout to pursue the target.

King’s 60 included five maximums and four

boundaries with a strike rate of over 120, while Thomas’s well played innings of 32 was cut short when he was bowled by Wahab Riaz. His innings was laced with three sixes and two fours.

SCOREBOARD

Barbados Tridents Innings (20 overs maximum) DR Smith c Lewis b Cutting 20 MJ Guptill run out (Devcich) 19 JO Holder (c) c Lewis b Devcich 54 SD Hope c Cooper b Devcich 26 N Pooran † c Cooper b Cutting 8 SPD Smith c Lamichhane b Cottrell 4 AR Nurse not out 5 RL Chase not out 0 Extras: (lb 7, w 4) 11 Total: (6 Wickets, 20 Overs, RR: 7.35) 147 Did not bat: RA Reifer, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Irfan Fall of wickets: 1-39 (MJ Guptill, 7.3 ov), 2-39 (DR Smith, 7.4 ov), 3-126 (SD Hope, 17.2 ov), 4-126 (JO Holder, 17.3 ov), 5-138 (SPD Smith, 18.3 ov), 6-140 (N Pooran, 19.2 ov) Bowling: SS Cottrell 4-0-21-1, AP Devcich 4-0-25-2, CR Brathwaite 4-0-33-0, S Lamichhane 4-043-0, BCJ Cutting 4-0-18-2

St Kitts and Nevis Patriots Innings (target: 148 runs from 20 overs) CH Gayle (c) c †Pooran b Mohammad Irfan 0 E Lewis c †Pooran b Mohammad Irfan 1 BA King c Chase b Nurse 60 DC Thomas † b Wahab Riaz 32 BCJ Cutting not out 29 TLW Cooper not out 13 Extras: (b 1, lb 2, w 10) 13 Total: (4 wickets, 18.5 Overs, RR: 7.85) 148 Did not bat: AP Devcich, Mahmudullah, CR Brathwaite, S Lamichhane, SS Cottrell Fall of wickets: 1-0 (CH Gayle, 0.1 ov), 2-7 (E Lewis, 2.4 ov), 3-95 (DC Thomas, 12.4 ov), 4-121 (BA King, 15.1 ov) Bowling: Mohammad Irfan 4-3-1-2, JO Holder 4-0-38-0, Wahab Riaz 3.5-0-17-1, SPD Smith 2-0-37-0, RA Reifer 2-024-0, AR Nurse 3-0-28-1

B e n Cutting and Tom Cooper then pushed the Patriots over the line, remaining unbeaten on 29 and 13 respectively. Mention must be made of Irfan’s magnificent spell of 2 – 1 from four overs, three of which were maidens.

Earlier, Tridents’ top order stuck it out, with Jason Holder (54) top scoring, while Shai Hope was the next significant contributor with 26. Dwayne Smith (20) and Martin Guptil (19) got quick starts trying

to see off the new ball, but their time in the middle was brief.

Pooran (8) and Steve Smith (4) were removed before settling, as the Tridents’ run rate slowed down as the overs ran out.

Cutting and Anton Devcich grabbed two wickets each, while Sheldon Cottrell had one.

Jason Holder

SUNDAY, AUGUST 26, 2018

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2018…

King, Thomas

rescue the Patriots Pg 23 Brandon King

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2018…

Tallawahs blast redemption score Pg 22

Rovman Powell

David Miller

GUYANA TIMES - www.guyanatimesgy.com, email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, NEWS HOTLINE: 231-8063 EDITORIAL: 223-7230, 223-7231, 231-0544, 225-7761 SPORT: sport@guyanatimesgy.com SALES AND MARKETING: 231-8064 - lezas@guyanatimesgy.com - PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GUYANA TIMES INC.

August 26, 2018

Star Times Bollywood: Hollywood:

Amitabh Bachchan donates Rs 51 lakhs and his personal Page 14 belongings towards Kerala flood relief

Page 2 Page 3

2 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

AUGUST 26 , 2018

Feature

By Lakhram Bhagirat

D

aniel Boodhoo is a quiet, reserved and respectful young man and a teacher’s dream student. He does what is expected of him and questions his teachers if he does not understand a topic and for some of his teachers it came as no surprise when he secured five Grade Ones, two Grade Twos and a Grade Four at the CSEC level.

I first encountered Daniel when I joined the teaching staff at the Vreed en Hoop Secondary School and he always stood out amongst the boys in his class. His personality was dominant and his questions were sometimes never ending. While he was in Third Form, I taught him Integrated Science and when he sat the National Grade Nine Assessment, he was awarded the most outstanding Science stu-

dent. Now he is the school’s top performer, gaining Grade One passes in Agricultural Science, Food and Nutrition, Human and Social Biology, Integrated Science, Mathematics; Grade Two in English A, Social Studies and a Grade Four in Family and Resource Management (Home Management).

“I was surprised to see that I do so good. I worked very hard though but I don’t like the Grade Four that I get in Management. It was hard work and the teachers at school worked hard with us and I am thankful for them,” he said.

Daniel’s life has been and remains a challenging one. At the age of nine, he lost both parents and ever since then the challenges have been far too numerous to remembers. He tells me, even though he does not talk much about it, his father Chandra Boodhoo,

first died due to kidney issues and a mere five months after his mother, Sushila Devi, died due to heart r e l a t e d problems.

A f t e r both his parents died, being the youngest, Daniel began living with his sister Tasha Boodhoo in the Jetty Squatting Area, West C o a s t Demerara.

He explained that because his sister works he would have

to do most of the chores before he goes to school and after he returns home.

He attended the Vreed-enHoop Primary School and gained 417 marks when he sat the National Grade Six Assessment examinations and was awarded a place at Vreede n - H o o p Secondary School.

“It was more tough for me after my parents died.

They didn’t have any sick but they died just

like that. I had to live with my big sister and I didn’t get as much as they would have given to me but I improvised. My sister worked hard to make sure that would get the text book and so but sometimes I would have to wait until we get enough money to buy more.”

However, when Daniel started secondary school, a woman by the name of Angie (only name given) began paying for all his school supplies to ease the pressure on his sister. He said that he is forever grateful to her for that support throughout his secondary school life.

I asked Daniel what is next for him and he calmly told me “more CXC.” I was somewhat baffled when he told me that and as I pressed on further, he related that he is currently seeking entry into another secondary school to

write Chemistry, Biology and Physics as he intends to pursue a career in the medical field.

“I went into the Ministry (Department of Education, Region Three) to see the school I could enter to do back the three science subjects and I will be getting some help from Miss Angie and some other people. I want to do the three subjects and then CAPE after that I will go to UG to do medicine.”

For now, he is awaiting a call from the Department of Education to tell him whether he gained a place at the West Demerara Secondary School or Stewartville Secondary to complete the remaining subjects.

Daniel remains optimistic about his future despite the challenges and hopes to serve all the people who stood by him to help him achieve his dreams.

guyanatimesgy.com

AUGUST 26 , 2018

Sunday Times Magazine

3

Feature

requested to be placed back in Fourth Form and the Officer granted that request. She attended her first class at Corentyne Comprehensive High on October 31, 2016.

Speaking about the treatment she received at the school, Viroshni related that it was exceptional since everyone was not bothered about her having a child and they treated her as one of their own.

She said that attending school would not have been possible without the help of the MMP Foundation who sponsored her education.

Viroshni found it a bit difficult balancing the school work and caring for her son but noted that her

By Lakhram Bhagirat

“G

etting to go back to school was really tough because I had my son and I had to divide my time between him and studying for exams. So when I saw that I did so good I was happy because it was really hard and the hard work and sacrifices did pay off,” says Viroshni Mithuram.

Viroshni is 18 years old and sat the 2018 CSEC examinations where she gained passes in 10 subjects (4 Grade 1s and 6 Grade 2s). But Viroshni’s situation is different from many of those who sat this year’s CSEC examinations as she is the mother of an almost three year old.

She was a student at the JC Chandisingh Secondary School in Region 6 (East Berbice-Corentyne) and while in Fourth Form she fell deeply in love, dropped out of school and got married. The marriage would only last a few weeks but by that time, she was already pregnant. Viroshni did not even contemplate an abortion and would later give birth to her son, Asir Tikka, who is almost three years old now.

After her marriage ended and subsequent childbirth, Viroshni took up employment at the Nand Persaud International Communications Center as a telemarketer. She spend six months there and during that time her Supervisor, Trainer and the Human Resources Manager were so impressed but her abilities that they began urging her to go back to school and complete her education.

“The Human Resource Manager and Trainer told me to go back to school because that it’s not a problem and then I decided to think about it. I went and asked my cousin and they

Viroshni and her son Asir

said that I could go and my Trainer said it doesn’t matter if I have child that I can go back to school and that I should leave the job and I did,” she said.

After she left her job, Viroshni said that she wanted a new start to her school life so she opted to enroll at the Corentyne Comprehensive High School instead of her former Secondary School.

She met with the Head Teacher, whom she described as very friendly, and was advised to contact the Regional Department of Education for approval.

With optimism and a pep in her step, Viroshni contacted the Education Department only to be met with what she described a “discrimination.”

“I called Sir Deno (only name given) at the Regional Education Department and he turned me down. He said

that I am involved in big people activities and that I can’t go back to school and I should go private. He was discouraging me and I had a bad impression of him. I called the Trainer at NPIC and I told her what he said and she was shocked and she told me to go to the Ministry of Education and I went.” ‘ When she visited the Ministry’s Brickdam Office, Viroshni met with one of the Officers who questioned her as to why she wanted to go back to school and the reason for leaving in the first instance.

“I told her I have a son and she said okay. She asked where is the father and I said I don’t know and she said that hope this does not happen again and she wrote the paper up and signed me up for school.”

Viroshni said that she

parents would have assisted tremendously.

“I want to say to all the young girls out there that if you make a mistake don’t get d o w n c o u r a g e .

Make sure y o u Viroshni Mithuram

finish your education and make yourself somebody.

Do your best and watch everything fall into place.”

For now, she is contemplating a Degree in Public Management.

4

Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

AUGUST 26 , 2018

Feature

L

Leah with her parents Ignatius and Wendy Hernandez

eah Stephani Hernandez is a quiet 16-year-old from

the village of Yarrowkabra located along the LindenSoesdyke Highway. She as-

pires to join the media fraternity where she plans to use her pen to highlight issues and tap into the power of the fourth estate to effect change and bring about awareness.

Leah is currently a work study student with the Guyana Times.

Leah recently sat the Caribbean Examination Council’s Secondary School Exams where she gained Grade One to Three passes in the 15 subjects she wrote.

She explains to me that she wrote Mathematics in 2014 and gained a Grade Two and opted not to rewrite it; rather she focused on the other 14 subjects. She obtained Grade Ones in EDPM, English A, English B, Human and Social Biology, Information Technology, Office Administration, Principles of Accounts, Principles of Business; Grade Twos in Social Studies, Integrated Science, Food and Nutrition, Agricultural Science; and Grade Threes

Leah Stephan Hernandez

opted for a private school.

She initially attended Achievers Academy but wanted to be challenged more so she enrolled at Camille's Institute for

From a young age, Leah knew of the sacrifices her parents made to ensure she had the best possible education. Her father, Ignatius Hernandez, would work two jobs while her mother Wendy Hernandez dedicated her time to caring for the family. So, while there no pressure for her to excel, she knew that she had to do her best to show her parents that their sacrifices were not in vain.

The challenge of writing 14 subjects at one time caught up with Leah since she had to forgo church on Sundays and time with family. She had to attend classes from Monday to Saturday and would use every spare moment to go through her school notes. There was also the challenge of access to the Internet. She explains that because of the absence of phone lines in her village, she would have to purchase a lot of phone cards to activate mobile data plans to

Business and Science Studies where she completed her secondary education.

“I was in the general stream pursuing 15 subjects, combination of business and science subjects. During my time at Camille's I was given the opportunity to become a part of the debating team and I was also elected to be a part of the Prefect Body in Form Four and moved on to be elected Head Prefect in Form Five. That taught and helped me develop leadership qualities and responsibilities,” she said.

access the Internet in order to complete some assignments.

“There was also the challenge of doing 15 subjects and having to find time to study for all.

Preparing for CSEC entailed me being at home going through my notes and I would try to understand everything along with extensive research when I wasn't clear on a topic.”

Leah plans to take a break before heading off the either the University of Guyana or University of the West Indies to read for her Degree in Communication Studies.

Leah at her Primary School Graduation

in Chemistry and Biology.

Leah explains that she is the youngest of three children and for her growing up was unlike any other since she became

A young Leah Hernandez

involved in a number of activities from a young age.

Her parents encouraged her to read and write as well as got her involved in the church. As she grew up, Leah devoted more time to studying and got the encouragement to pursue her dreams.

Now she has her eyes set on a career in the media, she is leaving no stone unturned to achieve that.

She attended the Kuru Kuru Primary School and gained a place at Diamond Secondary School after she sat the National Grade Six Assessment but because of the distance, her parents

guyanatimesgy.com

AUGUST 26 , 2018

Sunday Times Magazine 5

Feature

Carlos Eduardo Ricci

Q

uite often we do not hear foreigners saying they are thankful for the opportunities offered

by Guyana but for 16 year old Carlos Eduardo Ricci he will forever remain grateful for the opportunities he was afforded in Guyana.

Carlos was born in Brazil to a Guyanese mother and Brazilian father. He spent the first five years of his life in Brazil and after his parents separated, he moved to Guyana with his mother. They made St Ignatius Village, Region 9 (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) their home and since then he has been trying to integrate.

“When I moved here it was kind of difficult because coming from Brazil. It was a whole different country and they spoke a different language. I learnt English

and fell in love with the language and I am now fluent in both. I try to do my best to show how grateful I am to this country and all I was able to do here. I am really thankful to Guyana,” he said.

He recently completed gained 14 passes at the CSEC examinations and was awarded the top performer spot in his Region.

He gained Grade One passes in Human and Social Biology, Physical Education and Sport; Grade Two in Agricultural Science, Biology, Caribbean History, English A, Geography, Industrial Technology, Information Technology, Integrated Science, Mathematics, Physics, Social Studies; and a grade Three in Chemistry.

The St Ignatius Secondary student said

that growing up in his village was a fun experience.

He speaks about the level of comradery among the villagers and the generous nature of the residents. He said throughout his school life he was always curious about learning and it excited him to venture into different topics. However, he notes that during Secondary School a lot of his classmates were disinterested in their school work and it made focusing in class somewhat difficult due to the constant interruptions.

When it came to CSEC, Carlos was determined to write as much subjects as possible because he felt that he had the capacity to do so. However, many persons were aimed at discouraging him since they felt that he would not be able to withstand the pressure.

“I believed in myself and wrote those subjects and I passed all of them. I did not get the grades I want but I still did very good.”

In terms of preparing for examinations, Carlos said that he understood the importance of CSEC but said that he could not devote all his time to studying. He participated in revision at school but that was as far as his studying went .

“I came home and I never picked up the book. I knew what I needed to. I thought

Carlos and some of his classmates

it was useless for me because I knew it. I knew it (CSEC) was important but not to the point where I had to wake up late in the night or early in the morning and hurt up meh head. I knew that I came five years in

school, I learned and I was ready. There was no need for me to be hurrying to get a book,” Carlos said.

Carlos is now gearing up to move to Georgetown to begin his studies at the Georgetown Technical

Institute as he begins pursuing his dream career in the ICT field. He hopes to become a programmer in the near future since computers fascinates him.

6 Sunday Times Magazine

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AUGUST 26 , 2018

Feature

never below 80.

When he entered secondary school, he tried to do the same but that proved to be a bit more challenging.

Nevertheless he persisted and continued the streak.

“Secondary school how-

By Lakhram Bhagirat

A

mother always tries her best to let her children live the best life possible without revealing the struggles she goes through to give them that life, and that is exactly what Satram Mohamed’s mother did for him. For that, he says he owes every success in his life to her.

Satram, a student of West Demerara Secondary School (WDSS), recently sat 15 subjects at the Caribbean Secondary Examinations Council (CSEC) exam and gained Grades One to Three passes in all. His performance was so exceptional that he was awarded the top performer spot at WDSS. The 17-year-old is from the village of La Grange, on the West Bank of Demerara and would have attended the La Grange Primary School during his early years. He wrote the National Grade Six Assessment and gained a spot at WDSS. He explained that throughout his early educational life, he was a high flier but that never got to his head and he remained humble.

Going back to growing up, Satram tells me that it was a fun experience. He would spend his afternoons riding on the narrow street and his father would take him fishing. One of his favourite things to do was to visit their relatives who lived far away. However, his parents would later separate and Satram, his

Bs in the remaining core subjects and that was the second highest for West Dem. The top student, Anjalie Ramraj, had attained an A and three Bs as well. However, she scored

Satram and his mother Mohanie Makoon

mom Mohanie Makoon and brother would move to his maternal grandparents to live.

He is very coy when it comes to talking about his family life and how it would have affected or motivated him. “My parents are separated and currently I'm living with my mom, brother and grandparents. My mother gave me all the support I needed to be who I am today and I would like to thank her for that.” That’s

all he tells me and I don’t push it.

His younger brother, Shivesh Mohamed is now a Fourth Form student at Queen’s College and he hopes his performance can motivate his brother to do far better than he did.

Redirecting me to his education, Satram tells me that during his years at La Grange Primary, he always strived to maintain the first position in class and noted that his percentage was

Satram and some of his friends

ever, was much tougher. Form One and Two, I was never actually serious about studying and books.

Third Form I started being more serious and in the National Grade Nine Assessment I attained one A in Mathematics and three

0.5 more of a mark than I did.”

After he completed Third Form, he was places in the Sciences stream and hit the ground running. His biggest enemy was managing his time properly and battling the School Based

Assessment (SBA) component of CSEC. But studying has never been a strong suit of him and despite that he recalls investing the time to study earlier.

“It was actually easier for me in that way because it wasn't a lot of pressure on me for any last minute studying. I must thank Sir Harrinarine, the Headmaster, for that advice and everything else he had done.

He was my Mathematics and Principles of Accounts teacher,” Satram said.

When I asked him, why 15 subjects? His response was one that didn’t quite surprise me since he said that he had no exact reason. Like many teenagers, Satram too was unsure of the career path so he wanted to be prepared for any eventuality and felt that he needed to write more subjects and he was fully supported by both his teachers and family.

Now that CSEC is over, Satram is working temporarily but has his eyes set on the field of geology. He hopes to become a Geologist but later on wants to venture into the field of Oceanography.

He is basking in the glory of his success and taking life in stride. He remains thankful to those who support him and urges everyone to follow their passion since following his passion led him to being his school’s top performer.

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Sunday Times Magazine 7

Feature

D

Begum Shafrana Baksh

uring Secondary School most people would have an intended career and shape their studies in that path but for Begum Shafrana Baksh she needed to be well rounded so she can function in any field. It is for that very reason that she wrote 16 CSEC subjects and secured 15 Grade Ones and a Grade 2.

Begum was named as number 12 amongst the country’s top 20 at this year CSEC Examinations.

For that, the Anna Regina Secondary student, said she is elated and that she would not have been there without the support of her teachers, parents and grandparents.

She attained Grade 1

S

passes in EDPM, English B, Mathematics, Office Administration, Social Studies, Economics, Human and Social Biology, Integrated Science, Caribbean History, Principles of Business, Geography, Agricultural Science, Physical Education and Sport, Information Technology, English A; and a Grade 2 in Spanish.

The 17-year-old lives with her mother and maternal grandparents in Sparta Village along the Essequibo Coast. Her mother and father separated almost three years ago and she explains that this would have some amount of impact on her.

Begum attended Fisher Primary School and was

ecuring 15 passes at the Caribbean Secondary Examination Certificate level is not an easy task and requires dedication and commitment, according to 17-year-old Derianna Williams.

Derianna, a student of the Three Miles Secondary School in Region 7 (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) secured Grade 1 passes in EDPM, English A, Mathematics; Grade Two in Agricultural Science, Biology, Food and Nutrition, Human and Social Biology, Information Technology, Integrated Science, Principles of Business; and Grade Three in Chemistry, English B, Physics and Social Studies.

Growing up Derianna was always a quiet person and to this date she remains that way. She attended the St Johns Baptist Primary School and then secured a place at the Three Miles Secondary School. She was given a Hinterland Scholarship and continued her studies at the Three Miles Secondary.

Derianna explains that she had very little challenges while studying and noted that she always believed in herself even when everything seemed to be going haywire. She chose to write 15 subjects because she wanted to outshine her sister

valedictorian when she graduated.

Throughout school, she was a high flier and said that there was not much pressure on her to perform exceptionally well but she always aimed for the best.

“Growing up I struggled a bit because you know my parents were going through a rough divorce and they weren’t always on terms but I managed. From Form 1 to 3 was kind of okay and so

on. As I came down to Form 3 and the divorce, it was a bit too hectic and my grandparents were always there for us. They were supporting me and although these things were happening they always assured me that it will be fine and even my father was there. It was difficult but as time passed it didn’t bother me that much.”

She said that coming down to CSEC time that was when the pressure be-

gan mounting since her stream in school only offered 10 subjects and she wanted more. So she attended a lot of “off timetable” classes and that took up much of her free time. She explains that she would attend classes every day of the week and sometimes until 20:00h.

“I didn’t have much time to myself but I had the support and I just went for it. I started off with just a few subjects and it kept adding

on. I want to be well rounded and I want to be so many things that I feel that I needed me to be prepared for everything,” Begum said.

Begum initially wanted to get into Law but now she has her eyes set on the Marketing world. For now, she is taking a break from studying and will be helping her sister prepare for CSEC. After that, the duo would begin their university studies.

Begum and her siblings

Derianna Williams

who gained 11 passes when she wrote CSEC a few years back.

“In Secondary School it wasn’t that hard because I would always do my work and make sure everything is done in time. I had the help of my big sister and when it was time to prepare for CXC I just put my best foot forward. I would stay up late with my mom and sister and they would help me study,” she said.

Derianna now intends to pursue a career in the medical field and is hoping that she could get a scholarship to study Medicine in China or Cuba.

She says that by becoming a doctor she can better serve her country and its people.

“Medicine is my passion. I wrote all that subjects because I want to bel well rounded but also I want to become the best doctor possible. I like helping people and medicine would help me to do that. If I get the scholarship it would be easier because it would ease the burden of having to pay for Medical School.”

For now, Derianna is at home and enjoying a break from studying. She says that the break is much needed and the real would commence in a few months.

8 Sunday Times Magazine

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Literary Corner

Preserving our literary heritage

by

Petamber Persaud

I

n her eighth book, Carmen Barclay Subryan has pushed the boundaries of her writing to another level after

safely (writing about what she knows) and successfully canvassing through the genre of historical fiction mainly with her trilogy – Black- Water Woman, Black- Water People and

BlackWater Children wherein she reconstructed the birth, boom and travails of the bauxite mining township of Linden, a history that is intricately interwoven with the history of

her family, the Allicock family, by now trying her hand at auto fiction, sticking her nose in local socio-political issues and sticking her neck out by offering suggestions on fixing the fractured system.

That this is a work of auto fiction is confirmed in the foreword written by Juliet Emmanuel ‘Life? Are there any answers to the cobbled together incidents that compose it? Is this the ultimate fiction?’ and in the prologue by the author as she employs her alter ego, Doreen, to tell the story.

It would be useful before going into the book to examine its title, Stepping on Cracks, which is taken from a children’s game with the complete first line/stanza: ‘Step on a crack, break your mother’s back’. The author uses this symbolically in reference to a recent visit to her motherland, Guyana, with the intention of relocating but discovers many cracks in the system (poor race relations, inadequate health care, poor infrastructure, insufficient job creation, unsatisfactorily reading, comprehension and expression skills etc) which she knows will break a lot of hearts for these many cracks in the system were disheartening.

However, she is quick to clear any misconception about her writing ‘that pointing our issues in the country comes from a place of deep caring’.

The book is divided into two contrasting parts consisting of chapters one to six where she remembers and looks forward to enjoying some of those good old days and chapters seven to twelve consisting of reasons why she could not come back home including detailed accounts of jealousy and envy among people, infrastructure problems, race relations and aftermath of racial conflagration in the 60s, some of it, she says, will make your stomach churn with bile of anger and distaste.

A fourth novel about Guyana was never on the cards. And Subryan gives reasons how the book was birthed, evolved and finally published. She was retired from Howard University after teaching there for forty-one years so she wanted some time ‘to decompress’ while hoping for the opportunity to share her knowledge with students in Linden and to ‘focus on reading’. But writing was in her blood and because of her training as an English major and Journalism minor,

Notice to Readers

she always carries around notepads which on this visit she filled to overflowing.

In her new book, Stepping on Cracks: Reflections on my Homeland, Subryan confesses she wanted to prove Thomas Wolfe wrong in that she could go back home again but discovers after an explorative five plus months

in the land of her birth, she could not go back home while rediscovering that her real home was where the heart is, in Maryland, USA. Responses to this author telephone (592) 226-0065 or email: oraltradition2002@ yahoo.com Teenaged mother Viroshni Mithuram excels at CSEC

Ho! we were strong, we were swift, we were brave.

Youth was a challenge, and Life was a fight.

All that was best in us gladly we gave, Sprang from the rally, and leapt for the height.

Smiling is Love in a foam of Spring flowers: Harden our hearts to him -- on let us press!

Oh, what a triumph and pride shall be ours!

See where it beacons, the star of success!

Cares seem to crowd on us -- so much to do; New fields to conquer, and time's on the wing.

Grey hairs are showing, a wrinkle or two; Somehow our footstep is losing its spring.

Pleasure's forsaken us, Love ceased to smile; Youth has been funeralled; Age travels fast.

Sometimes we wonder: is it worth while?

There! we have gained to the summit at last.

Aye, we have triumphed! Now must we haste, Revel in victory . . . why! what is wrong?

Life's choicest vintage is flat to the taste -Are we too late? Have we laboured too long?

Wealth, power, fame we hold . . . ah! but the truth: Would we not give this vain glory of ours For one mad, glad year of glorious youth, Life in the Springtide, and Love in the flowers.

By Robert William Service

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

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AUGUST 26 , 2018

Sunday Times Magazine

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AUGUST 26 , 2018

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Sunday Times Magazine 11

Home & Cooking

K

eeping your kitchen clean throughout the week is simple enough, even though it might not be your favorite chore. But every once in a while, your kitchen needs a more thorough cleaning. Cabinet doors, floors, and both your large and small appliances can get greasy and grimy over time, but cleaning them doesn’t have to take all day! In fact, some of those jobs can be downright simple if you know the best way to do them!

• • • • • • • •

Ingredients

2 cups all purpose flour 2 tsp baking powder 1 ½ tsp baking soda 1 tsp salt 2 tsp cinnamon 2 cups sugar 1 1/4 cups canola oil 4 eggs

• 2 cups finely grated carrots • 1 cup crushed pineapple, drained well Cream Cheese Frosting • 2 sticks or 1 cup butter softened • 2 -8 oz package cream cheese, softened • 6 cups confectioners’ sugar • ½ tsp pure vanilla extract • Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. To make the cake, preheat oven to 350 degrees 2. In a large bowl mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon.

3. Add sugar, oil and eggs to flour mixture and mix well to combine.

4. Next add carrots and pineapple and stir vigorously but do not beat.

5. Line 2 muffin pans with cupcake liners. Using a spoon fill each cupcake wrapper ¾ full with cake batter.

6. Place in heat oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the top springs back when touched. Remove from oven and place on a rack to cool.

7. To make the frosting place butter and cream cheese in a large bowl and beat on high with an electric mixer for 5 minutes until fluffy. Add vanilla and mix.

8. Next add confectioners’ sugar and beat on low until combined, then beat on high for 5 minutes until light and fluffy.

9. To frost cupcake, use an offset spatula to spread a generous amount of frosting on each cupcake. (Jehan Powell)

Wooden Cabinets Kitchen cabinets attract oil and grease like magnets, and it can be messy and time-consuming to wipe away all that nasty buildup. Mix one part coconut oil with two parts baking soda and apply to cabinets.

Pots & Pans We’ve all done it! Forgotten about something we’re cooking on the stove and the next thing we know our pan has a layer of burnt-on crud that looks like it’s NEVER coming off! Not so. There are many effective ways to return your pans to their original glory. Sprinkle a cup or two of baking soda in the bottom of the scorched pan and add just enough water to cover. Simmer for 15 minutes to 1/2 hour, repeating if necessary. The most crusted on black burned mess will fall right off leaving a sparkling pan.

Ingredients

• 4 cups water • 2 tbsp dried sorrel • 1 cup lemon juice • 1 cup sugar • 2 cans Canada Dry Mandarin Orange Sparkling Seltzer Water

Instructions

1. Place water and sorrel in a small pot and bring to a boil. Boil for 15 minutes; you can boil it for longer and allow it to steep if you prefer a stronger sorrel flavor.

2. Remove from heat and strain, reserving the liquid. Discard the sorrel. Stir in sugar and allow to cool completely.

Add lemon juice and cold seltzer then place in the fridge to chill.

Cutting Boards Keeping white plastic cutting boards WHITE is an problem that plagued me for years until I tried this simple method using the power of lemons! Lemon juice contains a compound that increases sensitivity to light, and when combined with the power of sunshine, you can literally bleach stains away in hours without scrubbing!

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AUGUST 26 , 2018

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Puzzles

ACROSS Beat or throb Pond growth "Fernando" band Plant kingdom Jung's inner self Boast about Slouch Of durable wood Retreads Persona non -Result of action Tolerate Type style The fabulous Garbo Metro haze More timid Bluepoint sources (2 wds.)

37 Mex. miss

39 Peyton's brother 41 Visit

42 Hobo's ride?

43 Like so

44 Claws badly 46 Tizzy

50 Vote against

51 Subarctic tribe

52 Tap a baseball

53 USC rival 57 Falls

59 Period of time 60 Rapidity

61 Heat, as tea water

62 Shipmate of Spock

63 Keep time

64 Wines or cities

65 Pipe fitting

66 Delicate hues

67 Speaker's platform

68 Night followers 69 Breezy

72 Dog days in Dijon

73 Contract proviso

74 Map-reading aids

75 Adds the audio

76 Try twice as hard 79 Misty-eyed

80 Is more popular

84 Ph.D. exam

85 Swamp chorus 86 Hoarfrost

87 London lav

88 Just as soon

91 Clumps of dirt

92 Sushi ingredient

93 Farsi speaker

95 Cotton Belt st.

96 Sheer fabric 97 Devious

98 First coat, often

99 Select the best

1

6

11

15

20

21 22

24 25

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27 28

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101 Che's compadre

102 Paris hub

103 Ride's cost (2 wds.)

104 Swimming-pool loc.

105 Not sunny-side up

106 Skip past

107 Kangaroo pouch

108 Latin I verb

109 Chatty pets

111 Have a yen for

112 Cubicle fillers

114 Maple juice

117 List ender

118 Graceful wrap

119 Bargain shrewdly (hyph.)

124 Protozoan (var.)

126 "-- cost you"

128 Gladiator's place

130 Walked unsteadily

131 Polygraph flunkers 132 Yes-man

134 Get hitched quick

136 Zipping through 137 Heron

138 Joined together

139 Buenos --, Argentina

140 Vicar's residence

141 Borneo's archipelago

142 Hubble component

143 Desperado's fear

144 Risk a ticket

DOWN 1 Terrace 2 Like-mindedness

3 Old Italian coins

4 Upriver spawner

5 Less trouble

6 Arith. mean

7 For the most part

8 Museum workers

9 Gambling stakes

10 Coup d'- 11 Say please

12 Wild parties

13 China neighbor

14 Hunter's buy

15 Trilobite, now 16 Slat

17 Gives a thumbs-up

18 Ms. Zellweger

19 Maestro Previn

23 Beauty contests 30 Nook 32 Pale

36 Dressmaker's cut

38 Wish undone

40 Troubadour prop

43 Sink feature 44 Requirements

45 Deli order

46 In less time 47 Plexiglas

KATHLEEN SAXE

WORD GAME TODAY'S WORD -- NARCOSIS

(NARCOSIS: nar-KO-sis: A deep stupor produced by a drug or other chemicals.)

Average mark 23 words Time limit 35 minutes Can you find 30 or

more

words in NARCOSIS? naris acorn across arson rain rani roan rosin cairn caisson

casino coin coir corn crass cross oasis orca sans sari

scan scar scion scorn soar sonar sonic sora icon iron

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

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64 67

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Righted a wrong Golf stroke No. crunchers Silo companions Film director Joel -Cheery tune Foe opposite Natural elevs.

Like some chances Opry greeting Mind Trouser purchases Hollow Hauls without lifting Burlap fiber Weightlifter's pride "-- it or lose it!"

Ski pull (hyph.)

Crystal-filled rock Landfill Circus crowd noise

78 Suffix for "forfeit"

103 Quartet member

79 Billy Goats Gruff foe 106 Galley mover

80 Insincerely nice

107 Mariachi wear

81 Pack animals

110 On the rise

82 Company avoiders

111 Thoreau memoir

83 Evening gala 112 Benefactors 85 Circular

113 Cooks clams

86 Feel sure of

114 Hawthorne town

88 Suggestive

115 Pablo's girl

89 Baking-powder ingredient

116 One of a strand

90 Greenish mineral 118 Quench

91 Secret messages

119 Sun, in combos

92 Plaid garment

120 Brief summation

93 April 15 org.

121 Skirt cut (hyph.)

94 Crawling with

122 Tightly packed 96 Liveliness 123 Bordered

97 Court summons

125 La -- tar pits

98 Wrinkle up

127 File or chisel 100 Flee

129 Enjoy, as benefits

101 Basin in a church

133 Fabric meas.

102 "-- vincit amor"

135 Vane dir.

See Solution on Pg 14

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AUGUST 26 , 2018

Sunday Times Magazine 13

Tech

A

fter weeks of teases, Nikon unveiled its brand new fullframe mirrorless cameras on Thursday. The Z7 (US$3,399.95) and the Z6 (US$1,995.95) represent the company’s most serious effort yet to branch out from its tried and true DSLR business and challenge Sony in the mirrorless market.

The two cameras share an identical design but differ in megapixel count and other areas like number of focus points and ISO range.

They are basically a tit-fortat response to Sony’s A7III and A7RIII, and Nikon is aggressively going several steps beyond what Canon has attempted with mirrorless cameras. The Z7 is a pro-level camera to the point that some people will inevi-

tably face a tough decision between it and Nikon’s stillhard-to-find D850. They took a long time to get here — probably too long — but

C

hinese smartphone maker Huawei says the Australian government has banned it from providing 5G technology for the country's wireless networks. It said fellow communications firm ZTE had also been banned, both reportedly because of national security concerns.

"This is a extremely disappointing result for consumers," the company said on Twitter.

Faster data download and upload speeds are promised with 5G, which is the next stage of mobile internet connectivity. Wider coverage and more stable connections than current 4G technology are also highlighted as benefits.

Several countries are preparing for the roll-out of 5G mobile networks, although analysts say few will launch 5G services before 2020.

Huawei is the world's biggest producer of telecoms equipment. It also ranks second in global smartphone sales, behind Samsung and ahead of Apple. In

T

he Colombian government has started to use drones to destroy the plants that produce cocaine.

Small aircraft loaded with herbicide are being sent to search for illegal fields of coca.

President Iván Duque has favoured the use of the unmanned aircraft to ensure that damage to neighbouring crops is kept to a minimum.

Critics have warned that the approach may be a technological fix to a problem that needs a political solution.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Colombian authorities had partnered with drone company Fumi Drones SAS to provide unmanned aircraft as well as to train police.

German Huertas, the drone company's director of operations, said the drones had eliminated about 90% of the coca on each acre (0.4 hectare) targeted during tests in the country's Narino province.

The trial has involved the deployment of 10 drones, each weighing 23kg (51lb) and carrying the plantkilling chemical glyphosate. The measures form part of President Duque's push to eradicate cocaine production in Colombia.

In June, the US Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) released

Nikon seems to be bringing the goods.

The Z7, coming on September 27, has a 45.7-megapixel sensor, 493

July, a UK security committee warned that it had "only limited assurance" that Huawei's telecoms kit posed no threat to national security.

The UK's cyber-defence watchdog the National Cyber Security Centre - has also warned that the use of ZTE's equipment and services could pose a national security risk.

On Thursday, the Australian government said national security regulations that were typically applied to telecoms firms would be extended to equipment suppliers. Companies that were "likely to be subject to extrajudicial directions from a foreign government" could present a security risk, it said.

The United States has previously banned Huawei from bidding for government contracts because of fears over espionage. ZTE has also had its activity restricted in the US. Under Chinese law, companies must co-operate with the intelligence services.

Analysts therefore warn that equipment

figures indicating coca growth in the country had reached an all-time high, with an 11% increase from 465,000 acres in 2016, to 516,000 acres in 2017.

At the time, ONDCP deputy director Jim Carroll said: "President Trump's message to Colombia is clear: the record growth in cocaine production must be reversed."

Mr Duque's predecessor, Juan Manuel Santos, suspended aerial fu-

focus points, and 64-25600 ISO. The Z6 will follow in “late November” with a 24.5-megapixel sensor, 273 focus points, and 100-51200 ISO. The cameras bring with them an all-new Z mount system that will debut with a 24-70mm f/4 “kit” lens.

With the lens bundled, the Z7 will run $3,999.95, with the Z6 at $2,599.95. The lens runs $999.95 on its own and has a minimum focus distance of under 12 inches across its zoom range.

A 35mm f/1.8 prime (US$845.95) will be available at launch as well.

There’s also a 50mm f/1.8 prime ($599.95) coming in October that Nikon tells me has astounded some of its engineers with sharpness and edge-to-edge clarity. (The

Verge)

produced by firms such as Huawei and ZTE could be compromised.

China's foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said Australia should not "use various excuses to artificially erect barriers". It called on Australia to "abandon ideological prejudices and provide a fair competitive environment for Chinese companies".

Huawei has defended the security of its products. (BBC)

migation using glyphosate in 2015, following warnings by the World Health Organization (WHO) that the chemical could be linked to cancer. A report from the United Nations (UN) and the WHO in 2016 went against this finding, concluding that glyphosate was "unlikely to pose a carcinogenic risk to humans from exposure through the diet".

Following the ONDCP's report, the outgoing Mr Santos approved the use of drones to find and destroy coca crops.

He said that because of the height of the operations the unmanned aircraft would "simulate ground, not aerial, fumigation".

In recent years there has been a surge in initiatives to use drones to combat criminal activity. Unmanned aircraft have previously been used to track wildlife and identify poachers across reserves in South Africa, while a Moroccan start-up is currently trialling the use of autonomous drones to scan for illegal fishing in the Seychelles.

Drones have also been used on the other side of the drug trade.

Unmanned aircraft have been filmed delivering illicit substances to prisoners in UK jails, and in 2017 US border patrol agents intercepted a methamphetamine shipment that had been dropped using a drone. (BBC)

S

ony on Thursday announced it's bringing its refreshed Aibo robot dog to the US. The new gadget will be able to use sophisticated cameras and sensors to map your house, so it can easily move around and go to its charging station on its own.

It will also recognize up to 100 faces and remember past interactions with people.

But those new features won't come cheap: a bundle package for the robot dog will cost $2,899. Presales start in September, with deliveries in time for the holidays. The new dog will be on exhibit to the US public in one place only before it goes on sale: At Sony Square in Manhattan from Friday to October 14.

Sony's Aibo is among a growing trend of nostalgia tech, with many companies breathing new life into decades-old devices. Their hope

A

ndroid tablets may not have the best run of late, but they’re not dead yet — at least, not if Lenovo has anything to say about it, with the company announcing no less than five new Android tablets to replace last year’s lineup.

The new models are divided into three groups: the budget E series, which comes in seven-, eight-, and 10-inch models, the midrange M10, and the more premium P10 (both of which are 10-inch models).

None of these tablets are exactly lining up to blow anyone’s mind with wildly powerful specs, but they’re

is to invite back old customers and generate new money from those discontinued products. Nintendo has been particularly successful at dusting off and repackaging its old intellectual property by creating mini versions of its former consoles, such as the NES Classic Edition.

Nokia, too, has reintroduced its 3310 feature phone and once-popular banana phone, but both have resulted more in buzz than sales.

Following these retrotech efforts, Sony brought back the Aibo after it stopped selling the robot dog in 2006.

The Aibo was first killed off during Sony's leaner years, with the company needing to prune its less successful projects. The Aibo's revival comes as Sony has been enjoying an upswing in its business, with profits rebounding thanks to strong PlayStation sales. (CNET)

all more designed as family devices, not productivity powerhouses. Fortunately, the prices reflect that, too.

The Lenovo Tab E7 is the cheapest, starting at $69.99 when it releases in October exclusively at walmart.com.

The Tab E8 is next cheapest at $99.99, available now at Walmart, while the Tab E10 will cost $129.99 when it launches in October.

As for the more powerful Tab M10 and Tab P10, Lenovo hasn’t given any release date or pricing information yet, but promises preorders available later in the winter. (The Verge)

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Bollywood/Hollywood

A

s the rain-battered Kerala continues to battle floods, megastar Amitabh Bachchan has made a donation of Rs. 51 lakh to the relief organisations working towards the welfare of victims.

The Sholay star has contributed towards relief work being coordinated by sound designer Resul Pookutty for Kerala Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund.

Not just money, the 75-year-old also gave away some of his personal belongings to the flood-ravaged state.

A source close to Pookutty informed that senior Bachchan has not only donated Rs. 51 lakhs cash but also sent six cartons of his personal clothing, in-

cluding around 80 jackets, 25 pants, 20 shirts, and scarves. The actor has also donated around 40 shoes.

Apart from him, many other Bollywood celebrities including Shah Rukh Khan, Sushant Singh Rajput, Hrithik Roshan among others, have extended their support, urging people to come forward and help the

people of Kerala.

As many as 357 people have lost their lives so far, with the state incurring a loss of Rs 19,512 crore due to the deluge. Rescue and relief operations in the state have been stepped up to evacuate the stranded people from affected areas. (Indian Express)

M

usic producerturned-television presenter Simon Cowell on Wednesday (Aug 22) was honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles.

Cowell's famous friends, including Heidi Klum and singer Kelly Clarkson, turned

out to support the America's Got Talent judge and executive producer at the ceremony on Hollywood Boulevard.

Clarkson, who was the winning contestant on the first season of American Idol, the show that made Cowell a household name, praised Cowell for championing "au-

thenticity."

"He appreciates you being yourself and that's very rare.

In this industry I think people just want you to fit into something, some kind of category so they can sell it, and I think his thing that his is so talented at is finding just authentic people that have a raw talent and are really themselves," she said.

"I think that is something that should be applauded, praised in this industry especially," added Clarkson.

Addressing fans and colleagues, Cowell said being famous was a "blast."

"If anyone says fame is a bad thing, I don't know what you're talking about, it's the best thing in the world," he said.

"Thank you all of you for turning up and making this happen, it means an awful lot to me," he added.

Cowell found fame in the United States with 2002 American Idol when he began an eight-year run as the acerbic judge on the Fox singing competition. (Reuters)

"#Queen broke the record of being number 1 in 86 countries. Thank Jesus and thank you to my fans.”

Minaj also claimed she spoke with Scott, tweeting, “He knows he doesn’t have the #1 album this week.”

However, at the 2018

MTV Video Music Awards on Monday, Scott took to the stage, proudly declaring that Astroworld was no. 1, which many thought might be a dig at Minaj. He also traveled to Toronto, Canada, the next day to perform with Drake, another artist who is sometimes at odds with the "Barbie Dreams" rapper.

Minaj also blasted Scott and Jenner on Tuesday’s episode of Queen Radio on Apple Music’s Beats 1.

As for Grande and Minaj, who have collaborated on several songs together, they were thick as thieves at the VMAs, with Grande even helping her friend with the train on her see-through dress as she walked onto the awards show stage.

(ETOnline)

A

A

kshay Kumar and Salman Khan have made it to the top 10 of the annual Forbes’ list of the world’s best-paid male actors of 2018. The Gold actor ranks at number seven with earnings of 40.5 million dollars, while Salman, by earning 38.5 million dollars, has scored the ninth position.

The list is topped by Hollywood star George Clooney who has earned an estimated 239 million dollars between June 2017 and June 2018, marking the highest earnings of his 35-year long career in film and television, Forbes said.

Akshay had two releases this year – Padman and Gold. Both the films were declared hits minting a lot of money at the box office. While Padman earned a total amount of Rs 104.90 crore in the domestic market, Gold, which released on August 15, is still enjoying a successful run at the theaters. It has pocketed Rs 71.30 crore in its kitty so far. Salman Khan’s Race 3 also entered the 100-crore club with a collection of Rs 166.40 crore.

Forbes describes Salman as, “This Bollywood mainstay continues to produce and star in hits such as Tiger Zinda Hai, cashing in on backend profits. Coupled with a slew of endorsements from Suzuki motorcycles to Chlormint gum, he remains one of India’s top earners.” For Akshay, the magazine writes, “One of Bollywood’s leading men has transitioned to socially-conscious roles, such as Toilet, a comedy supporting government campaigns to improve sanitation, and Padman, about a guy hoping to provide in-

expensive sanitary pads to rural communities. He still mints millions from backend profits and endorsing some 20 brands, including Tata and Eveready.”

George Clooney, who hasn’t starred in a Hollywood movie since 2016 crime thriller Money Monster, sold the Casamigos tequila company he co-founded to British spirits company Diageo in June 2017. His on-andoff screen earnings eclipsed Dwayne The Rock Johnson, who came in at No.2 with an estimated $124 million thanks to Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and other projects.

Iron Man star Robert Downey Jr. was third on the list, with an estimated $81 million, followed by Avengers: Infinity War actor Chris Hemsworth with $64.5 million.

The top 10 actors earned some $784 million collectively, according to Forbes, once again dwarfing the top 10 women who earned a cumulative $186 million in the same period. Scarlett Johansson topped the annual list released last week with $40.5 million in pre-tax earnings.

Forbes attributed part of the gender gap to the dominance of superhero and action movies that tend to have more parts for men and earn hundreds of millions of dollars at the box office.

Forbes compiled its 2018 list estimating pre-tax earnings from June 2017-June 2018, before deducting fees for managers, based on data from Nielsen, movie database IMDB, and interviews with industry experts and celebrities themselves. (Indian Express)

riana Grande has decided to “sweeten” the on-going shade between Nicki Minaj and Travis Scott.

On Wednesday, the “R.E.M.” singer performed for fans at a listening session for her new album, Sweetener, in Chicago.

While there, her famed manager, Scooter Braun, took the stage to praise Grande and declare that her album would “100 percent” make it to no. 1 that week. This led to the 25-year-old pop star seemingly taking a little dig at Scott, whose album, Astroworld, is currently no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 200 chart.

“We have three days left, you don’t know what Travis could pull,” she said in a series of videos and recollections from fans at the event.

In addition to Grande's little dig, Minaj -- who released her album, Queen, last week -- has been relentless in her attacks on Scott and how he came to have the top-selling album.

It all started earlier this week when Minaj took to Twitter to shade Scott, accusing him of using girlfriend Kylie Jenner's fame to promote his new music. She also had a problem with him selling merchandise and tickets for his upcoming tour with album downloads and having those count as album sales.

“I put my blood sweat and tears into writing a dope album only for Travis Scott to have Kylie Jenner post a tour pass telling ppl to come see her and Stormi. lol. I’m actually laughing," she tweeted.

Crossword Solution

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Sunday Times Magazine 15

16 Sunday Times Magazine

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Fun Times

Archie

Don't share personal information regarding your assets, (March 21- debts, or passwords. Take betApril 19) ter care of your health and nurture relationships that are currently difficult. Communication will help clear up a misunderstanding.

ARIES

Size up your relationships TAURUS and decide the best course (April 20- of action. Walk away from May 20) temptation and stick with the people offering greater stability and security. Make wise choices.

If you are too trusting, GEMINI someone will take advantage (MAY 28of you. Emotional blackmail June 20) will be used to convince you to put someone else ahead of your best interests. Know when to say no.

Concentrate on what you know you can do. Expanding (June 21- your skills and building closJuly 22) er relationships with people who share your passion will encourage personal growth and greater alliances.

CANCER

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Dilbert

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Peanuts

Don't let a last-minute change of plans disrupt your day. Focus on personal improvements instead of trying to convince others to do things your way. Happiness lies within.

A day spent with friends and relatives will turn out to be informative. Finding out more about your lineage or cultural background will spark new ideas for future endeavours.

Taking care of your personal responsibilities will help ward off an argument with someone eager to complain. Get your chores out of the way before you head out with friends.

Make changes at home that SCORPIO will add to your comfort. Don't (Oct. 24- worry about what others think Nov. 22) or say, it's you who must be happy with the environment you live in.

SAGITTARIUS Emotional manipulation (Nov. 23- will not help matters. Whether Dec. 21) it's you or someone else who is the culprit, being honest about the way you feel will be necessary if you are going to get along.

Time is money, and getting CAPRICORN things done should be your top (Dec. 22- priority. If you wheel and deal Jan. 19) and make lifestyle changes, you will enrich your existence.

Calvin and Hobbes It's all about you, your relationships, and what AQUARIUS makes you happy, so don't (Jan. 20- give in to temptation or let Feb. 19) someone who is out of control dictate how you live your life.

Emotions will surface PISCES (Feb. 20- and should be handled apMar. 20) propriately. A moneymaking opportunity will develop if you get together with an old friend or former colleague.