Magazine - Sunday, April 7, 2019

April 7, 2019

TIMES HOLLYWOOD:

Beyoncé to design clothing and shoes for Adidas Page 14

FREE DISTRIBUTION

2 Sunday Times Magazine

APRIL 7, 2019

guyanatimesgy.com

Miss Earth Guyana

M

y village -- Scottsburg, Corriverton, Berbice has always been known for the most adventurous bunch of children with great imagination and energy who can light up the community. One of my major challenges while growing up was me understanding why I can’t be like the boys.

I was never the girl who liked pink or dolls or even wearing clothes; my mom actually needed to convince me that I was not like the boys who can be seen around the yard in little to no clothing. I was able to overcome this challenge when I started seeing the changes in my body and was not exactly comfortable with the boys from the village noticing these changes.

I am always the “bright” girl in the class, who never tried to get 80 per cent and 90 per cent, but was always in that line-up. In secondary school, I came to the realisation that I was capable of doing big things if I remained focused and actually took the time to study. In 2009, I wrote CXC and was one of the top students graduating from Skeldon High School.

My A Levels years were my most difficult education-wise thus far since I had to

T

he Miss Earth Guyana Pageant is the local competition that mirrors the principles and philosophies of the international Miss Earth competition.

The contest sees delegates from over 100 different countries as it motivates young women of all walks of life to use their talents and voices in the attempt to raise awareness about the necessity of protecting and preserving the environment.

The pageant places primary focus on its Beauty For A Cause concept; the backbone of any delegate’s participation that

travel for 40-50 minutes from Skeldon to New Amsterdam, then back home daily.

Nevertheless, I was successful at the journey and went on to complete my degree in social work at the University of Guyana, Tain Campus after completing the Diploma at the Turkeyen Campus.

I am currently pursuing my Master's in Psychology through the University of Greenwich.

Pageantry has never fascinated me until I lost a bet with my late best friend. At that time I was still very boyish, couldn’t walk in heels, liked baggy clothing and was very much into reading thriller/scary novels at the top of very tall trees. Losing the bet meant that I had to enter the Miss Skeldon High Pageant, which I won, and went on to the Miss Berbice, Miss Region 6, Miss Jamzone, Miss Universe, Miss Global International, Miss Bartica Regatta, Miss Caribbean Culture, Miss Black San’ International Pageants, all of which I have either won or placed in the top three.

I would like to be known as not only the beauty ambassador that represented her town and country, but who also represent-

ed the Earth. The Miss Earth Pageant is a search among the most beautiful women of the earth to serve as a role model dedicated to upholding advocacy to preserve and restore Mother Earth.

My Beauty With A Cause project is Iplant. It is focused on sustainability, healthy living and a beautiful Guyana. I was exposed to a community where most of the households had their own little kitchen garden and that is why it was always easy to find, share, and purchase healthy foods.

Iplant offers a plan of action directed at ensuring a continued situation where the people of Guyana at all times have access to enough food that is affordable, safe, healthy, and culturally acceptable while meeting specific dietary needs, is obtained in a dignified manner, and produced in ways that are environmentally sound and socially just.

And, of course, this will contribute to beautifying Guyana, since Iplant doesn’t only focus on fruits and vegetables but also flow-

details a national project that she would have been working on. This project should have seen implementation before participation on the international stage and must be characterised by long-term feasibility and capacity to call to action persons not just from her own country but from all around the globe.

Miss Earth Guyana saw its return to the local scene in 2019 after an absence of some three years and is currently owned by local business Guyana Premier.

In a bid to change the pageant landscape and reinvent attitudes towards pag-

eantry in Guyana, the franchise holders took the prospect of Miss Earth as an opportunity to do just this. It was simple as the pageant not only focused on the young women who made pageantry popular in the first place, but also their causes and their motivation to protect the environment. With the Guyanese franchise available, Guyana Premier acted quickly to take up the challenge and thus far, has seen favour.

Miss Earth Guyana is currently managed by its own organisation comprising its National Franchise Director

ers. There are three main processes to make Iplant a success: resources, visuals, and making planting habitual.

Winning the pageant will allow me the resources, exposure, and manpower to execute this project. Being crowned Miss Earth Guyana will help to advance Iplant by ensuring everyone who is involved in this project benefits. Other environmental concerns that I would like to battle if I win Miss Earth Guyana 2019 involve clean-up campaigns, recycling, restoring, protecting the mangroves, and educational workshops.

I will plant. Will you plant? We all should plant!

Dave Lalltoo; Managing Director, Dr Omesh Balmacoon and Account Manager Francina Lanferman-Duncan. Working closely with the team also is their Artistic Director, Meleesa Payne, who oversees training for the delegates of the pageant in terms of modelling, choreography, visuals and poise.

As soon as the Miss Earth Guyana franchise was obtained, Miss Earth Guyana 2018 was launched and applications opened. After much publicity, over 50 applications were received but only 15 were shortlisted based on the criteria set out by the international body.

Finally, eight finalists were inaugurated into the competition and in June 2018, Xamiera Kippins was crowned as Miss Earth Guyana 2018. She went on to represent the country in November in the Philippines at the 2018 edition of the Miss Earth Competition. There she shone bright, copping the gold medal for her national costume designed by Randy Madray depicting the Ole Higue, as well as the silver medal for her talent piece -- a contemporary dance to This Bitter Earth.

Continuing this momentum, Guyana Premier has once again launched the competition pledging to be bigger and better in 2019.

On March 30, 2019, in fine style, nine new delegates were sashed under the theme “Celebrating Guyana’s Flora” as the race towards Miss Earth Guyana 2019 began. The coronation of the 2019 earth warrior will be held on June 15 at the National Cultural Centre.

guyanatimesgy.com

APRIL 7, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine

3

Miss Earth Guyana

By Lakhram Bhagirat

B

eauty contests are often frowned upon as they set a certain “unachievable” standard to be considered beautiful. But as the times evolve so do these pageants, with it being all about the message and not so much the physical appearance of the contestants.

One such pageant that is all about the message and making an impact is the Miss Earth Pageant. Since its establishment, the pageant has provided an avenue for the girls to commit to the preservation of the environment through various projects aimed at tackling the global warming epidemic.

Being in a pageant by itself is a challenge but to bring about awareness and influence change while addressing issues that threaten the survival of human beings is monumental. It goes to show that some pageants are not only about beauty, rather it is about service to the community and being a role model to those who intend on doing the same. It shows that you can make a difference and influence a generation to become aware of the issues around us.

It was these very reasons that led Amelia Bakhsh to where she is right now.

The bubbly 21-year-old has always dreamt of being a part of the pageant world, but knew that she would find it clashing with her studies so she chose to hit the books and rest the heels. Now, that she is not hitting the books as hard as she used to, Amelia has the time to sashay over into the pageant world in order to fulfil a deep desire.

Over the next months, you will see her face quite often as she was just recently revealed as one of the contestants vying for the Miss Earth Guyana crown and a chance to represent the world’s number one ecotourism destination on the big stage sometime later this year.

Amelia, a teacher by profession, grew up on the East Coast of Demerara in the village

of Good Hope. Coming from a family meant that her childhood was fun filled with lots of stories to tell.

She credits the different personalities in her family for shaping her into the person she is today.

Education has always been at the forefront of Amelia's life and it is something she treasures. It

large

is her belief that hard work leads to the accomplishment of all goals hence her reason for pushing harder than normal. While a student at St Joseph High School, Amelia loved Mathematics and one can imagine how crushed she was when she failed the pre-CSEC trial examination.

“I never gave up hope. I joined the Add Math class, which was out of the curriculum. I'd come into school extra early and give up lunchtime; however, my teacher at the time didn’t believe I'd pass. Although the SBA was really difficult; I was determined more than ever to at least prove him wrong. Coming down to the end, we had a new teacher and this one was more inspirational. I passed with a Grade 3 and a distinction in CSEC Math,” she recalled.

“A year later I went on to being a Math teacher and majored in same. CPCE was definitely a challenge, since I had classes after work. But my colleagues and I worked hard together towards the common goal. All the group study and peer teaching, I finally graduated with credit.”

Amelia’s passion for nature and keeping the environment healthy led her to join the movement with the Miss Earth Guyana Pageant, since she sees it as an opportunity to not only boost her confidence and self-esteem, but to also make a positive contribution in society through

her Beauty With A Cause Project. The Miss Earth Guyana Pageant organises and participates in a variety of environmental and educational projects with the aim of educating the public and encouraging them to preserve and protect the environment.

Amelia’s Beauty With A Cause Project is the 4R PLUS initiative. The core of this initiative is to reduce, reuse, recycle and respect; preserve, learn, unite and push. self-awareness. It aims at bringing youths together so that they can promote environmental sustainability while learning and becoming self-aware; thus improving their mental health.

“I foresee the assistance given to construct an official 4R PLUS Centre, made partially with recycled materials. Here, persons will be able to meet and discuss new projects in keeping the environment clean as well as keeping workshops and classes to teach persons of the importance of environmental perseverance,” she explained.

In order for her to achieve her goals, Amelia knows that there are several steps to be taken. She chose this project because it brings together both her dedication to nature and her students. If she gains the title, Amelia plans to expand her project from the community level to a more national platform.

“Everyone deserves some amount of support, but I believe I should be rooted for because Miss Earth Guyana organisation has already given me opportunities to make a difference with my project. 4R PLUS has already been implemented in Stewartville Secondary School where students are recycling bottles and even brought from home to be used in the project instead of disposing of it with other garbage. They have taken on leadership roles and there has been a dramatic improvement in their behaviour. I can't wait to work hard on a project like this during my reign. “ With her mother as her role model, Amelia is bound for greatness. She is passionate about everything she does.

4

Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

APRIL 7, 2019

Miss Earth Guyana

M

angroves are a group of trees and shrubs that live in the coastal intertidal zone, with about 80 different species of mangrove trees. All of these trees grow in areas with low-oxygen soil, where slow-moving waters allow fine sediments to accumulate. Mangrove forests only grow at tropical and subtropical latitudes near the Equator because they cannot withstand freezing temperatures.

Many mangrove forests can be recognised by their dense tangle of prop roots that make the trees appear to be standing on stilts above the water. This tangle of roots allows the trees to handle the daily rise and fall

of tides, which means that most mangroves get flooded at least twice per day. The roots also slow the movement of tidal waters, causing sediments to settle out of the water and build up the muddy bottom.

Mangrove forests stabilise the coastline, reducing erosion from storm surges, currents, waves, and tides.

The intricate root system of mangroves also makes these forests attractive to fish and other organisms seeking food and shelter from predators.

Armed with that knowledge, 19-year-old Maricia Meusa is now on a mission to further raise awareness on the preservation of Guyana’s mangrove forests

as her platform in the Miss Earth Guyana Pageant.

This beauty is not afraid to get into the mud to advance her cause.

Hailing from the city, Maricia has always lived her best life while being truly authentic. She is not afraid to embrace her failures, but uses them to learn and fuel the drive of achieving better. Asked if she was previously interested in pageantry, Maricia related that it never got her gears going until she entered the Miss Youth Ambassador Pageant in 2016.

During that competition, she was adjudged the first runner-up and since then it has fuelled her to go on to greater things. She notes

T

he Miss Earth Pageant is an International environmental event to promote environmental awareness. The pageant is a search for the most beautiful women of the Earth to serve as a role model dedicated to upholding advocacy to preserve and restore Mother

that the Miss Earth Pageant is not like any other pageant, rather it is a pageant with a cause. For her, the Miss Earth Pageant focuses on bettering the environment and helps young ladies who have a desire to make their environment cleaner, greener and safer.

“The destroying of mangroves has been a major issue in our country and certain parts of the world, without knowing the benefits. Mangroves are there for many reasons – not just protecting us from the sea but also trapping waste originating from land and so much more. I chose this project, because over the passing years, mangroves have been destroyed knowing that our

country is below sea level and I've always wanted to be involved in restoring our country to a greener and safer nation.”

Maricia is forging full steam ahead to achieve her

goals. She is ready to take the competition by storm and cannot wait to get her hands dirty as she makes Guyana more mangrove conscious.

Earth. The winner of Miss Earth will serve as the Ambassador to environmental protection campaigns worldwide.

It is that very cause of promoting environmental awareness that led Cintiana Harry to the local leg of the competition. No stranger to beauty pageants, the bubbly 26-year-old says she is ready to school Guyana on the 5Rs needed to tackle pollution. She is ready to do so through her Beauty With A Cause Project -- Recycle4US. “It is important that we apply in our daily lives the 5Rs: reduce, reuse, recycle, rethink and respect. My project will be done at my school and in my community, both in recycling and upcycling. I have planned a project at my school where we will be planting trees and using bottles to be creative for the environment. In my community, I will be doing a campaign clean-up and will rebuild a sanitation facility where people can place their garbage until the NDC (Neighbourhood Democratic Council) ready to collect it,” she said.

Currently, Cintiana is a typist clerk at the JC Chandisingh School.

If given the opportunity to serve as Guyana’s ambassador to the international stage, Cintiana

sees this as an opportunity to not only win the competition, but also to network and further advance her agenda of environmental preservation.

“My first step (in implementing my Beauty With A Cause Project) is to establish a coordinating committee. Second, approach local businesses for funding. Third, have fundraising activities. Then, start my programme and activities on small scale. I believe in togetherness, community spirit and education. I will advocate for a green Guyana through my Beauty for a Cause: Recycle4US.” Coming from humble beginnings, Cintiana has never taken anything for granted. Her father sold ground provisions at the Rose Hall and Port Mourant Markets to ensure that the family was taken care of and he later evolved his business to sell a wide range of stationery and everyday items.

“My parents taught me to be my own person at an early age. They instilled values such as culture, respect, courtesy, financial management, and cleanliness.

My fond memories were listening to stories about my parents, how life was back in the days and how

hard it was for them; which made me realise that I have it all: a proper education, even books to help me through.”

Like many parents, Cintiana’s father was not pleased about her decision to enter into the world of pageantry, but he is now coming around.

Since she was a child, she has been following the life of former Miss World and now mega-successful Bollywood actress Aishwariya Rai-Bachan.

It was Rai-Bachan who influenced her to follow the fashion world and gave her the confidence that it required.

In 2018, Cintiana entered the Miss Berbice Pageant and emerged as the first runnerup and copped several awards, including Miss Impression, Best Swimsuit Body, Best Costume and Best Gown.

Now she is ready to take Guyana, if she wins the title, to unprecedented heights at the international leg of the Miss Earth Pageant.

“I am the choice for Guyana, since I can be the catalyst of change in our environmental arena. With my Beauty for a Cause Project, I will be able to reshape our society's core values and traditions to promote environmental-led communities and educational systems.”

guyanatimesgy.com

APRIL 7, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine 5

Miss Earth Guyana

F

rom a very young age we learn about the types of pollution and how they affect our daily lives as well as how they threaten the very existence of the human species. We learn that land pollution is the deterioration of the earth’s surfaces through the direct or indirect misuse of land resources by man. With the effects of global warming and climate change now more than evident, more emphasis is being placed on the preservation of Earth.

It is not often that we see a beauty pageant with its sole focus being earth’s preservation and not physical beauty. The Miss Earth Pageant is one such pageant and it is inspiring girls with a passion for environmental conservation to jump in and give it a shot.

One such girl is 23-year-old Kataina Phillips, who was recently revealed as one of the finalists for the Miss Earth

M

iss Earth is an annual international environment-themed beauty pageant promoting environmental awareness.

Along with Miss World, Miss Universe, and Miss International, this pageant is one of the Big Four international beauty pageants – the most coveted titles when it comes to international pageant competitions. The reigning titleholders dedicate their year to promoting specific projects and often address issues concerning the environment and other global issues through school tours, treeplanting activities, street campaigns, coastal clean-ups, speaking engagements, shopping mall tours, media guesting, environmental fairs, storytelling programmes to children,

eco-fashion shows, and other environmental activities.

For her entry into the local leg of the pageant, 19-yearold Sunita Sears is going to be heavily focused on educating the population about her campaign ‘REDUCE’. The Renew Environmental Discipline to Unify Communities Effectively (REDUCE) initiative aims to educate persons on the importance of maintaining our environment for a cleaner, greener country. This will be done mainly through education on pollution in its varying forms, and its impact on environmental and social health as well as the image of the community.

It is a known fact that Guyana is a victim of land and water pollution by plastics, and by extension, air pollution. With great emphasis being placed on addressing this, proper education on the disposal of non-biodegradable wastes is necessary as is the management of such waste products through the Reduce, Reuse and Recycle initiative.

Though the entire community will be impacted, the focus is mainly on the young people of Sunita’s community of Bare Root on the East Coast of Demerara.

It is understood that in Guyana, the older generation are somewhat stuck in their traditional ways of disposal which include: dumping of garbage in waterways which lead directly to the rivers and the ocean; dumping of garbage on vacant land and government reserves; and burning of garbage in large heaps, all of which have negative impacts on our environment.

“As a result, reaching the younger generation with my platform would mean I have a positive impact on the way forward to manage the community. The younger generation will put into practice the proper way of management and disposal which will further influence the older generation to get it the right way. Also, the younger generation will further train their children in the right

Guyana competition.

As part of her Beauty With A Cause campaign, Kataina came up with the Protecting Our Planet Against Land Pollution (POPALP) initiative.

“Land pollution is one of the major pollutions our planet faces and it’s increasing daily. With my project, I intend to bring awareness to all so as to reduce this problem significantly.

Because my Beauty With a Cause focuses on land pollution, I believe it’s one of the most accessible areas we can target when dealing with environmental issues. Hence, it’ll be a great project for the organisation to work with.

Since I’m already aware of what my goals are for this project and what I want to achieve, my next step will be defining the work. I’ll then create a plan to work with. And lastly, execute my project,” she informed.

way. I firmly believe that a truly natural and clean environment enhances the aesthetic beauty of the community as well as promote a healthy environment where all, both young and old, can work and play,” Sunita stated.

She is going to embark on a massive education drive to push her project since it is one

She notes that land pollution is one of the major issues our environment is greatly affected by and after doing some research, she decided on the POPALP project, which aims to help reduce the problem and possibly eliminate same in the near future.

Kataina has some knowledge of the pageant world, having been crowned Miss Earth Mahaicony in 2014.

“Winning the Miss Earth title would give me an even larger platform, which mean it’ll be my responsibility to help bring awareness to all about environmental issues and ways we can find solutions. With the project I’ve decided to work with, I’ll be able to have the entire country as well as other countries playing their part in protecting and caring for Planet Earth,” she declared.

that she takes pride in. if given the chance, the aspiring physician’s associate will serve in the best interest of the environment. She developed this project on account of the fact that many of the youths are not aware of recycling initiatives and how they can impact their lives.

6 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

APRIL 7, 2019

Miss Earth Guyana

S

elena Guyadeen is a feisty 19 year old from Goed Fortuin on the West Bank of Demerara with a passion for promoting a harmonious environment. She believes that for far too long there has been this disconnect between the environment and people and is here to encourage them to reconnect through her platform as part of the Miss Earth Guyana Pageant.

The Sunday Times Magazine recently has a chat with Miss Guyadeen and here is how that conversation went: STM: Have you always been interested in pageantry?

SG: I would say yes. When I was in my early teens I always imagined participating in modelling and pageantry.

STM: Why the Miss Earth Pageant?

SG: I chose it because I realise we as humans cause so many harms to our environment and Earth itself unknowingly and sometimes we know, but don't ever pay any attention. If I could change this, I would do my very best. I believe in being the change you desire to see.

STM: What do you know about the Miss Earth Pageant?

SG:I know that the Miss Earth Pageant is a worldwide pageant whereby females from all across the

P

ageantry has always been a dream of Phelicia Adams, and it is something that she constantly talks about, so when she was afforded the opportunity to join the Miss Earth Guyana Pageant, she jumped at the chance. The pageant allows her to pur-

sue two things near and dear to her: her love for nature and pageantry.

She grew up in Parika on the East Bank of Essequibo, where her love for nature developed. Growing up around nature made Phelicia aware of what is needed to be done to preserve what we have

and how we can advance the green agenda. “In my childhood days, I was always a lover of sports especially cricket, football and running. Being the only sister to two brothers from my mother, I was considered a tom-boy growing up. I occupied my childhood days

globe from age 18-28 can participate.

Miss Earth origin is located in the Philippines every year, each country participating Miss Earth winner goes to the Philippines or either Oceania to participate for the Miss Earth worldwide crown. Miss Earth Organisation is not only an organisation but is like a family. Young women who participate are in safe hands and from there they become more confident such as myself.

STM: Tell us about your Beauty With A Cause Project.

SG: Disharmony of the environment - Harmony between the environment and humans is too corrupt and a balance needs to be struck. Disharmony of environment is quite common. Have you seen deforestation in Guyana?

Have you seen the garbage in Guyana?

I think you see it every day. And I know we hardly take care of our environment and we need to change that.

Maybe a year won't do much, but it will be a start.

STM: What steps would be required for you to achieve the goals of your Beauty with a Cause?

SG: Firstly, I'll need a team to cooperate and communicate with me and mostly the citizens of Guyana. A team that will help me seek out help from our

with lots of outdoor activities and quality time with family. Even though living in a single-parent home was challenging, I still knew how to get up every day and give thanks for my life and I always knew that God has great plans for me and my family,� she related.

STM: Why the Miss Earth Pageant?

PA: As an ambassador who believes in being the change. It would be an honour to recreate Guyana in a new picture as well as to showcase to the world all the wonders that Guyana has to offer, since I believe it's my duty as a woman to love and care for the earth. The Miss Earth Guyana Pageant will give me the opportunity to empower young people like myself for betterment.

STM: Tell us about your Beauty with a Cause Project?

PA: My Beauty for a Cause Project focuses on Re-create under the theme "Recycle, Reduce, Reuse and Educate for a sustainable and green Guyana.

The initiative aims on promoting an eco-friendly environment through beautification of communities and educating the youths of today on the importance of implementing the 5RS in their everyday life. The steps that are required to achieve my Beauty with a Cause are togetherness, respect, commu-

fellow Guyanese. The rest is still yet to be discussed.

STM: Why did you choose this project?

SG: Because nature can survive without humans, but humans cannot survive without nature. And this being the reason why I made it my duty to be an ambassador to save Earth, so that our upcoming generation won't have to suffer for our deeds when we could change it.

STM: Why should you become the next Miss Earth Guyana?

SG: I not only have the qualities in bettering my beautiful Guyana but to also help my fellow Guyanese to learn about protecting our earth. We cannot just sit and expect stuff to be done for Mother Earth, but to also get up and help in doing so and not just by giving orders. I choose to participate because I read about it and then wondered to myself if so many young females could do it, why can't a normal girl do it.

STM: Is there anything else we should know about you?

SG: Yes. That I believe if I could make it this far, other girls out there in Guyana could do it too. All it takes is a bit of courage and the rest is up to you.

Besides I'm always here for help.

nities' outreach constantly with community members and team work.

STM: How do you see the Miss Earth Guyana organisation advancing your Beauty with a Cause?

PA: The Miss Earth Guyana organisation will advance my project because it does not only educate young people about environmental protection, but impacts for a change in which we all can see benefits for our communities.

STM: Why did you choose this project?

PA: I live in an area where things are available for young people to occupy their time, and knowing for

a fact that most depressed areas don't have such resources, it hurts my heart.

So I decided to take on this major project, because I see it as one that will impact the lives of young people and communities. My project strives for betterment.

STM: Why should you be the next Miss Earth Guyana?

PA: As an ambassador who believes in being the change, it would be an honor to recreate Guyana in a new picture as well as to showcase to the world all the wonders that Guyana has to offer. I believe it's my duty as a woman to love and care for the Earth.

guyanatimesgy.com

APRIL 7, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine 7

Miss Earth Guyana

A

fter being voted the most elegant contestant in the 2017 Miss Tourism Bolivar in Venezuela, 19 year old Annessa Van Sluytman is here to make her mark in the Miss Earth Guyana Pageant as she vie for the coveted title to represent Guyana on the big stage.

She hails from Industry on the East Coast of Demerara.

Growing up with two brothers meant that Annessa was somewhat of a tomboy as she did almost everything her brothers did. Education has been something treasured

by Annessa and her family.

She is currently a business management and marketing student at the Nations University in Georgetown.

With a rich history of pageantry running through her blood, Annessa is here to dominate and not be underestimated.

The Sunday Times Magazine recently posed some questions to Miss Van Sluytman and this is how it unfolded: STM: Why the Miss Earth pageant and what knowledge do you have of the platform?

When I was a kid I always dreamt to be in a pageant. I grew up with that dream inside of me and it became my passion, my ambition and my love for nature drove me to participate in Miss Earth

Guyana. The Miss Earth pageant is an international environmental-themed beauty pageant promoting environmental awareness. Along with Miss World, Miss Universe, and Miss International, this pageant is one of the Big Four international beauty pageants – the most coveted beauty titles when it comes to international pageant competitions. The reigning titleholders dedicate their year to promote specific projects and often address issues concerning the environment and other global issues.

STM: Tell us about your Beauty With A Cause project.

To use rice hulls (rice husks) in the construction of wood laminate floors in order to decrease their polluting effect on the environment and also to reduce the need for wood from trees. I believe that this has application in Guyana where rice husks are seen as a waste product from rice mills and where it is disposed of by burning mostly. It is also left in big piles be-

hind the rice mills and not only does it look untidy but also pollutes and can cause breathing problems for anyone coming near it. The technology of using the rice hulls in laminate floor construction already exists and introducing it to Guyana would greatly reduce the pollution from rice hulls and also decrease the demand for hardwoods from trees in the forest.

This also saves the trees and allows for another way to protect the environment.

STM: What steps would be required for you to achieve the goals of your beauty for a cause?

• Identify a problem area. In this case a rice mill.

• Visit the area and carry out reconnaissance activity.

• Quantify the waste material coming out of the facility.

Set up a process • design and a costing for the project.

• Seek help in the form of a Government grant in order to buy the machinery and set up a facility to do the recycling.

STM: Why did you choose this project?

I chose this project because I think that my country needs a change why it is preferable to pollute the environment instead of using it for a good? My purpose is to change that, our country needs a change for save the environment.

STM: How do you see the Miss Earth Guyana organization advancing your beauty for a cause?

The Miss Earth organization provides me with the media platform that I need in order to spread my message of recycling the rice hulls. I think that it's a unique idea and the

fact that I am a beauty pageant contestant and not an environmentalist or an

Engineer will attract attention to my cause. People will see the value of my idea after the publicity that the pageant offers me gets their attention initially. If I win I would have more platforms to expand my project much more and to be known internationally which would give me a great opportunities to turn this project into something extraordinary and create awareness of the pollution that affect the environment and our health.

Also create awareness about water pollution and the pollution of streets that affects us all in our day to day.

Who is your role model?

My mother, she is strong, fighter, cheerful and very persistent with what she wants and for me she is my example to follow with all the goals that I set out to do.

Why Guyana should root for you?

Sadly Guyana has never won the international crown of Miss Earth. I bring something new and different in this contest and I know that if we work together with the goal of bringing the crown home I will leave our country in high, a wonderful country full of diversity and I completely believe that I have that diversity, beauty and intelligence to represent Guyana and win the crown in the international pageant.

8 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

APRIL 7, 2019

Travel and Tourism

Explore Georgetown Guyana’s capital city, home to around 240,000 people, certainly has its charms.

Its British and Dutch heritage has resulted in some beautiful colonial buildings, even if many are crumbling. Mix in a strong Caribbean influence, and you have a pleasant melting pot of culture. Sights are low-key but include the dazzling white St George’s Cathedral, one of the largest wooden structures in the world. Friendly manatees hang out in the ponds in the botanical gardens and National Park, taking grass from visitors.

Marvel at Kaieteur Falls

Five times higher than Niagara Falls, and said to be the world's largest single drop waterfall by the volume of water flowing over it, this is one of the great wonders of the world. The beauty of the setting, the lack of visitors, and the power of the water all helps.

There are several viewpoints to admire the falls, but make sure you explore the surrounding area and its unique microclimate too. Look for the tiny golden frogs in the leaves of the giant tank bromeliads, and seek out the beautiful Guianan cock of the rocks.

This little-visited South American country is stuffed full of amazing wildlife, waterfalls and wild experiences, as Wanderlust's editor-in-chief Lyn Hughes discovers...

Birding All that forest and water has resulted in Guyana boasting over 900 species of birds.

If you’re really lucky you may get to see the largest raptor in the Americas, the harpy eagle.

Sometimes referred to as the “flying wolf”, this huge eagle can carry off sloths and monkeys in its claws, which are the size of a grizzly bears.

But the most recognisable bird, which just about every visitor wants to see is the Guianan cock of the rock. The males are a striking orange in colour, with a half-moon crest on their head, and feathery tendrils from their body. They are best spotted at leks, the parade grounds they use for displaying themselves to females in a bid to capture her interest. Kaieteur Falls and Iwokrama have well established ones where you have a good chance of a sighting.

Stay in a community-owned lodge Guyana is a shining example of how community-owned lodges can work, with several Amerindian communities now running successful places to stay. The result is that jobs are created, money goes into the community for education and healthcare, and traditional culture is conserved, as is wildlife, which is fiercely protected rather than being hunted. For the visitor, they are getting an immersive experience and unique insight into a culture. So a win-win all round.

Good examples to stay at include the Rewa and Surama Eco-Lodges, both of which offer excellent river and land-based excursions in search of unique flora and fauna.

Ogle giant river otters Over the years, you may have seen film footage of a remarkable lady in South America who was raising orphaned giant river otter cubs. If so, it was almost certainly the late Diane McTurk, and filmed at Karanambu, her family ranch in the Rupununi. Indeed any footage of giant river otters by the BBC and other crews may well have been filmed here. Diana went on to build an eco lodge to host visitors and help fund conservation.

Although Diana passed away in 2016, her family continue with the lodge and with the work to protect otters, including any orphans. Boat trips explore ox-bow lakes which are home to river otters and myriad species of birds. Monkeys and sloths are frequently seen in the trees, while anteaters roam the open savannah and you may be lucky enough to see one on a morning game drive.

Walk the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway The million-acre Iwokrama Reserve protects one of the last pristine rainforests in the world. Not surprisingly, it has a rich diversity of flora and fauna, with around 200 species of mammal, and 500 birds calling it home, as well as black caiman, giant river otters and jaguars. The Iwokrama Canopy Walkway gives a unique perspective of the forest, and can be visited (with guides) at all times of day and night.

Munch on a meal at Backyard Café Chef Delven Adams lived and worked in the US until coming back and turning a hobby into Georgetown’s hippest and most magical restaurant that really is in his backyard. You have to pre-book, and there is no menu - rather you discuss what you like and what might be available with Delven.

While you can just have a meal, for the full experience we recommend taking a market tour with Delven first, shopping for fresh fish, sampling fruit along the way, sipping on fresh coconut milk, and meeting many of the local characters. Then enjoy the freshly cooked results of the shopping expedition, savouring beautiful dishes crammed with flavour. (Wanderlust)

guyanatimesgy.com

APRIL 7, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine

9

Feature

By Dr. Vishnu Bisram

D

harma and P l a n t a t i o n H i n d u i s m : Explorations and Reflections of an Indian Guyanese Hindu (2019), written by Dr. Ramesh Gampat, helps us to understand Hindu Dharma as it is practiced in Guyana and by extension Hindu Guyanese communities in other parts of the globe (Hindu Guyanese diaspora). The examination of what is believed and practiced led the author to the conclusion that some aspects The Guyanese brand of Hinduism does not square up with Sanatana Dharma or Vedānta. It is a refreshing perspective of Hinduism. Dr. Gampat major thesis that permeates the entire book is that the brand of Hinduism practiced in Guyana is not consistent with Sanatana Dharma.

Dr. Gampat is a former economist attached to the United Nations and has spent considerable number of years abroad advising countries on economic and human development. One would never tell that man

Book Review

who is a scholar in economics would demonstrate such a comprehensive grasp of Hinduism, the Dharmic tradition of his ancestors and of himself.

The book is original, comprehensive and a timely discussion of the Guyanese brand of Hinduism. The book offers primarily factual information on Hindu practices and commentaries of the views of the author on these practices.

The arguments are well articulated, and evidence documented, supported by anecdotal and empirical evidence.

It is an important academic treatise, a kind of encyclopedia Hindu practices and beliefs, complemented by definitions of Hindi and Sanskrit terms that are commonly used in Guyana and worldwide.

The book is staggeringly comprehensive. It includes virtually all that is practiced in Hinduism in Guyana and more. One cannot think of what is left out. But one must not get carried away that everyone practices Hinduism in the manner described.

Almost everyone, however, depends on the pandit’s worldview of Hinduism and his instructions to engage in rituals and other practices.

Dr. Gampat defines important terms and concepts including plantation Hinduism” – the kind of Hinduism practiced on the plantation that came from India and evolved over time into commerce between pandits and ordinary Hindus and between ordinary Hindus and gods. He takes issue with the kind of liturgies being uttered by the pandits in mandirs and at pujas at home or in Ramayana and bhagwat discourses in Guyana and its Hindu Diaspora because of inadequate knowledge and training of pundits to deliver expert liturgies. He contends that pandits tend to preach and encourage others to follow what is actually not in the scriptures or what they themselves do not practice. He acclaims that yajman become too dependent on the pandits or purohits who exploit them commercially.”

There is no evidence in

the book of any bias against any particular individual or against pandits. Dr. Gampat is not against pandits; he simply wants them to become better educated and knowledgeable about their religion since they are the leaders and have to guide others.

He writes at length about the devotional “bhakti” tradition. He also addresses illiteracy among Hindus and how the faith accommodates women, low-caste men and illiterates. He critiqued Dr. CheddiJagan, the Indian political leader, for embracing Marxism as his faith, to the detriment of Hindus and other Indians. Jagan had a lot of influence on Hindus but not on Hinduism. Hindus considered Jagan as their God even though Jagan did not believe in a God. Jagan used the pandits for his own political ends that were detrimental to Hindus and Indians. The author also made references to the persecution of Hindus (Indians in general) by the Forbes Burnham dictatorship. And he notes that in spite of repressive colonial rule, missionary activity, and Burnhamism, Hinduism has survived.

The book does a fantastic job at shedding light on some of the main aspects of Hinduism which readers take for granted but about which people need to be reminded. Major topics addressed are: Indian immigration, name origins, festivals (Diwali/Divali and Holi/Phagwah), religious gurus (some of who

exploit the uninformed and ignorant which the author condemns), caste system, practices in the Hindu Guyanese diaspora, Hindu philosophy, kharma, dharma, murti pooja, sanskars, rituals (Pinda) after death, Burnhamism and discrimination against Indians, and identity, among others. Two chapters examine the proselytization efforts of Christian Missionaries.

He also tackled the division in Hinduism between the Sanatanists and Arya Samajists.

One may consider the book a history of Hinduism in Guyana, but the author makes ample use of politics, economics, sociology, and anthropology to clearly bring out his points and in enabling readers to understand the state of Hinduism going back several decades.

The multi-disciplinary approach adds variety and color but also helps the reader to understand the issues. Gampat’s book helps us to understand some of the vast number of spiritual texts used by religious minded Hindu Guyanese and spiritual leaders when performing kathas or pujas.

I am impressed by the

vast amount information, views and research included in this book. The good news is as that the book is written in three parts.

Each part can be read independently of the other. It is a great book. It is an erudite comprehensive analysis of Hinduism in Guyana, none like it has ever been written in the west or even in India.

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in understanding Hinduism as practiced not only in Guyana, but around the greater Caribbean region, USA, Canada, UK, Holland, and parts of India.

Even those who are wellversed with the concepts of Hinduism may take something or other from the book. It is impossible not to admire a book that strides so intrepidly into such a controversial area, to seek to right the practices of Hinduism and to encourage pandits to become better in that profession. Anyone who reads the book will have a deeper understanding of Hinduism and why Caribbean Hindus accept certain beliefs and practices. It will also force pandits to become more learned.

10 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

APRIL 7, 2019

Health

E

A

utism spectrum disorder is a developmental disorder that affects the way someone interacts and communicates with other people. It is also characterized by repetitive behaviors. It is called a spectrum disorder because each person with autism is affected differently. Along the spectrum there are different symptoms that vary in severity that people on the spectrum present. A person can be diagnosed with mild, moderate or severe autism. Boys are four times more likely to have ASD than girls.

What causes ASD? There is no single cause of ASD. If a relative in the family has autism it is likely that a child can be born with or develop the condition during the early years as a toddler.

an exceptional ability to record and retain minute details.

2. Autism only affects children.

No! A child with autism grows up to become an adult with autism. Contrary to what some people believe, a person cannot “grow out” of autism.

3. There must be some medical test and a cure for autism.

No! There is no medical test available that can detect autism, neither is there a cure. The best hope for children with autism is early diagnosis and early intervention.

4. Autism is contagious.

No! Autism is not contagious. Do not be afraid to befriend and love someone with autism.

5. People with autism look different.

Unlike cerebral palsy and other men-

ndometrial cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the uterus. The uterus is the hollow, pear-shaped pelvic organ in women where fetal development occurs.

Endometrial cancer begins in the layer of cells that form the lining (endometrium) of the uterus. Endometrial cancer is sometimes called uterine cancer.

Other types of cancer can form in the uterus, including uterine sarcoma, but they are much less common than endometrial cancer.

Endometrial cancer is often detected at an early stage because it frequently produces abnormal vaginal bleeding, which prompts women to see their doctors. If endometrial cancer is discovered early, removing the uterus surgically often cures endometrial cancer.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of endometrial cancer may include: • Vaginal bleeding after menopause • Bleeding between periods • An abnormal, watery or bloodtinged discharge from your vagina • Pelvic pain

Causes

Doctors don't know what causes endometrial cancer. What's known is that something occurs to create a genetic mutation within cells in the endometrium — the lining of the uterus.

The genetic mutation turns normal, healthy cells into abnormal cells.

Healthy cells grow and multiply at a set rate, eventually dying at a set time.

Abnormal cells grow and multiply out of control, and they don't die at a set time.

The accumulating abnormal cells form a mass (tumor). Cancer cells invade nearby tissues and can separate from an initial tumor to spread elsewhere in the body (metastasize).

Risk factors

Signs and Symptoms of Autism Here are just a few symptoms of ASD • Poor eye contact • Stimming (hand flapping, rocking back and forth) • Difficulty having conversations • Difficulty understanding language • Inability to cope with a change in routine • Eating the same foods • Always engaging in the same type of play • Playing inappropriately with toys.

• May be non-verbal • May talk about the same thing over and over again • May become upset with minor changes in the environment.

Debunking the Myths 1. Autism is the same as retardation.

No! Many people on the spectrum have normal to high IQs. Many of them succeed in math, music, art etc. They have

tal disorders, people on the spectrum look as normal as anyone else. Autism has no “look.”

6. All children with autism have to go to a special school.

No! Children with mild to moderate autism can go to a mainstream school and excel with the right type of support from their parents and a teacher who is trained to work with children on the spectrum.

7. Corporal punishment will help the child learn.

No. People on the spectrum interpret things differently. They will not be able to make a clear connection between “licks” and what is expected of them and their ability to understand and perform desired tasks.

8. Vaccinations cause autism.

No! There is no link between vaccines and ASD. If your child has any of the symptoms stated above, you can schedule an appointment to have your child screened at The Step by Step School (223-7837), or alternatively, by Rosanne Farley (6224201).

Factors that increase the risk of endometrial cancer include: Changes in the balance of female hormones in the body.w Your ovaries make two main female hormones — estrogen and progesterone. Fluctuations in the balance of these hormones cause changes in your endometrium.

A disease or condition that increases the amount of estrogen, but not the level of progesterone, in your body can increase your risk of endometrial cancer.

Examples include irregular ovulation patterns, such as those that can occur in women with polycystic ovary syndrome, obesity and diabetes. Taking hormones after menopause that contain estrogen but not progesterone increases the risk of endometrial cancer.

A rare type of ovarian tumor that secretes estrogen also can increase the risk of endometrial cancer.

More years of menstruation.

Starting menstruation at an early age — before age 12 — or beginning menopause later increases the risk of endometrial cancer. The more periods you've had, the more exposure your endometrium has had to estrogen.

Never having been pregnant. Women who have never been pregnant have a higher risk of endometrial cancer than do women who have had at least one pregnancy.

Older age. As you get older, your risk of endometrial cancer increases.

Endometrial cancer occurs most often in women who have undergone menopause.

Obesity. Being obese increases your risk of endometrial cancer. This may occur because excess body fat alters your body's balance of hormones.

Hormone therapy for breast cancer. Women with breast cancer who take the hormone therapy drug tamoxifen

have an increased risk of developing endometrial cancer. If you're taking tamoxifen, discuss this risk with your doctor.

For most women, the benefits of tamoxifen outweigh the small risk of endometrial cancer.

An inherited colon cancer syndrome. Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) is a syndrome that increases the risk of colon cancer and other cancers, including endometrial cancer. HNPCC occurs because of a gene mutation passed from parents to children. If a family member has been diagnosed with HNPCC, discuss your risk of the genetic syndrome with your doctor. If you've been diagnosed with HNPCC, ask your doctor what cancer screening tests you should undergo.

Prevention

To reduce your risk of endometrial cancer, you may wish to: Talk to your doctor about the risks of hormone therapy after menopause. If you're considering hormone replacement therapy to help control menopause symptoms, talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits. Unless you've undergone a hysterectomy, replacing estrogen alone after menopause may increase your risk of endometrial cancer. Taking a combination of estrogen and progestin can reduce this risk. Hormone therapy carries other risks, such as a possible increase in the risk of breast cancer, so weigh the benefits and risks with your doctor.

Consider taking birth control pills.

Using oral contraceptives for at least one year may reduce endometrial cancer risk. The risk reduction is thought to last for several years after you stop taking oral contraceptives. Oral contraceptives have side effects, though, so discuss the benefits and risks with your doctor.

Maintain a healthy weight. Obesity increases the risk of endometrial cancer, so work to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. If you need to lose weight, increase your physical activity and reduce the number of calories you eat each day.

Exercise most days of the week.

Exercise may reduce your risk of endometrial cancer. Add physical activity into your daily routine. Try to exercise 30 minutes most days of the week. If you can exercise more, that's even better.

Treatment

Your options for treating your endometrial cancer will depend on the characteristics of your cancer, such as the stage, your general health and your preferences.

Surgery

Surgery to remove the uterus is recommended for most women with endometrial cancer. Most women with endometrial cancer undergo a procedure to remove the uterus (hysterectomy), as well as to remove the fallopian tubes and ovaries (salpingo-oophorectomy). A hysterectomy makes it impossible for you to have children in the future. Also, once your ovaries are removed, you'll experience menopause, if you haven't already.

Radiation

Radiation therapy uses powerful energy beams, such as X-rays and protons, to kill cancer cells. In some instances, your doctor may recommend radiation to reduce your risk of a cancer recurrence after surgery. In certain situations, radiation therapy may also be recommended before surgery, to shrink a tumor and make it easier to remove.

Hormone therapy

Hormone therapy involves taking medications that affect hormone levels in the body. Hormone therapy may be an option if you have advanced endometrial cancer that has spread beyond the uterus. (Mayo Clinic)

guyanatimesgy.com

APRIL 7, 2019

Ingredients

• 12 oz tomato paste • 2 cups beef broth • 12 oz chopped tomato • 15 oz black beans, • 15 oz red kidney bean, • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, optional CORNBREAD DUMPLINGS • 1 cup cornmeal • 1 cup flour • 1 teaspoon baking powder • 1 pinch salt • 2 eggs • ¼ cup honey • ½ cup buttermilk

Preparation

3. Add the tomato paste and cook until the tomato paste gets dark and starts sticking to the bottom slightly. Add in the canned diced tomatoes, broth, black beans, kidney beans, and apple cider vinegar (optional). Stir until all is well incorporated. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low to a simmer, 4. Scoop and shape the cornbread batter into golf ball sized dumplings and place in the simmering chili.

5. Put a lid on the Chili and steam/ simmer the dumplings 20 minutes or until the dumplings are cooked through. Serve with cheddar cheese, sour cream, and sliced scallions. (Tasty)

• 2 lb ground beef (or any meat of choice) • 2 tablespoons kosher salt • 1 tablespoon black pepper • 1 tablespoon ground cumin (geera) • 1 tablespoon chilli powder • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika, ground • 1 teaspoon cayenne • 1 large onion, chopped • 1 red bell pepper, chopped • 6 cloves garlic, minced • 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, chopped 1. In a large bowl, mix the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, and salt. Mix and make a little well in the center then add the milk, eggs, honey into the well, beat the eggs and liquid first, and then combine with the rest of the dry ingredients. Set aside until chili is almost finished.

2. In a large pot at medium high heat, add ground meat, season with salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, cayenne, and cook until it is a deep brown color.

Add the onion, red bell peppers garlic, and chopped chipotles, and a pinch of salt. Cook until caramelized and soft, about 10 minutes.

Ingredients

• 14 oz canned pink salmon, bones and skin removed • 2 tsp crushed garlic • 1 tbsp finely chopped parsley • 1 tsp lemon juice • 1/2 of wiri wiri

Sunday Times Magazine 11

Home & Cooking

Lush Leaves

Fill any underused nook or corner with a big, ol' houseplant and it can instantly become the personality-packed focal point of the room. Tuck the pot in a cute basket for an extra punch.

Better Flow

It’s not as much about where you put your furniture as it is about the types of pieces you choose. Try to include at least one round piece, such as a coffee table, that people can walk around without bumping their knees and also add a few armchairs and a versatile piece like a garden stool that can be used as a stool to sit on or as a table for a drink.

pepper, seed removed and finely chopped(any hot pepper will do) • 1/4 cup finely chopped onion • 1/4 cup plain bread crumbs • 1/2 tsp salt • 1 egg beaten

Instructions

1. Place salmon in a bowl and break apart with a fork into small pieces. Add garlic, parsley, lemon juice, pepper (optional but highly recommended), onions, bread crumbs and salt and mix well. Add egg and mix well.

2. Next using a 1/4 cup measuring cup, scoop salmon filling and form into shape with your hands. Repeat until all the mixture is used.

3. In a heavy bottom frying pan over medium, add oil, about an inch deep. When the oil is hot add the salmon croquettes and fry until golden brown on all sides, flipping to make sure both sides are cooked. Place on a plate lined with paper towel to cool.

(Jehan Can Cook)

Velvet Sofa

Make the living room feel airer (and infinitely bigger) by replacing a bulky sectional with pretty seating. Besides, what feels more luxe than velvet?

12 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

APRIL 7, 2019

Puzzles

ACROSS

86 Oater challenge 1 Go back over

87 Limestone rock formation 7 Cousteau invention

88 D-sharp alias (hyph.)

12 Bundle of grain

89 Prehistoric plant-eater 17 Nostalgic soft drink brand 92 "From -- -- Eternity" 21 Beehive

93 Nearly all 22 Poe's middle name

94 Clink glasses 23 Pitcher -- Martinez

95 "Make" or "break" 24 Lena of filmdom

96 Diamond stat 25 Minor accident

97 Huck's father 26 Skeptically (5 wds.)

98 Push rudely 29 Elev.

99 Solar plexus 30 Fuses

100 Exert a calming influence 32 Fictional governess

102 Outfit 33 Near-homer

105 Flour holders 34 Gloom's partner

106 Devious 36 Spa facility

107 Tillers 37 Dauntless

110 Horde members 38 Robert Urich TV role

111 Rose fruit 39 See eye to eye

112 Calendar rows 41 Portland hrs.

114 Charles Lamb's pen name 42 In order

115 Hamburger extra 43 Attacked

116 Team 44 Consume

117 Burdensome 46 Volcano goddess

119 Naval off.

47 Shallow dish

120 Kind of fight (hyph.)

48 Insect resin

123 Frostings 50 Parody

125 Inner portion of an egg 51 Smudge

126 Traditional saying 52 Vacation spot

127 Brown bag contents 53 Cruise-ship deck

128 Act the snitch 57 Mr. Spock's mother

129 Rightmost column 59 Summer annual (2 wds.)

130 Gulf nation 61 Where Ephesus was

131 Knight's gloves

62 Mounds

132 Wiped out data

63 Lower jaw DOWN 64 Row on a chessboard

1 Marriott competitor 65 Ankle opposites

2 Afterword (var.)

66 Tolstoy heroine

3 Some books (2 wds.)

67 Quick-witted

4 Open-wide word

68 Not genuine

5 Mex. matrons

70 Scold

6 Flu shots

71 Busy place, slangily

7 Carpenter's sweepings

72 Accepts an invitation 8 Patron

73 "Wellaway!"

9 Infra opposite

74 Bikini halves

10 Words from Scrooge 75 Fidel's friend

11 Literary compilation 78 Courage under fire

12 Nimbly

80 Garlic juicer 13 Eavesdropped

81 Form an opinion

14 Adams or Brickell 82 Platte River tribe

15 Comic-strip prince 83 Sorry

16 Nature trail

85 La -- tar pits

KATHLEEN SAXE

WORD GAME

TODAY'S WORD -- ECONOMICS (ECONOMICS: ek-uh-NOM-iks: The social science dealing with production, distribution and consumption of goods.)

Average mark 32 words Time limit 45 minutes Can you find 43 or more words in ECONOMICS?

cisco coco coin come comic concise cone conic conies cosine cosmic omen once oscine nice

nose noise noisome noose nose mesic mice mien mince mine monies mono moon moose icon

income scenic scion sconce scone secco semi since sine some sone sonic soon

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.

17 Snooping around

18 Fly by

19 Heaped up

20 Entomb

27 Crystal-filled rock 28 Jacques, in song 31 Not get renewed

35 Hubbies

37 Role for Phil Silvers

38 Hut

40 Mild oaths

42 Atlas abbr.

43 Rattle 45 Earth-conscious org.

46 A Beatle

47 Spring bloom 48 Capital of Bolivia (2 wds.)

49 PABA part 51 Like a neat lawn

52 Fake bullet

53 Burglar's "key"

54 Campers' need (2 wds.)

55 Morse signal 56 Western treaty gp.

58 PBS funder

59 Ally opposites 60 Gator cousins

61 Rainbow goddess 63 Boo and hiss

65 Pow! 67 -- & the Gang 68 Skirt feature

69 Possesses

70 Pilot et al 72 Overabundance

73 -- we all!

74 Shaggy animal

76 Shade-loving plant

77 Bar legally

79 "... to buy -- -- pig"

80 Not poetry

81 Trounce 82 Rower's need

83 Sleep phenomenon 84 Sci-fi saucer

85 Cochise's warrior 86 Take a chance

87 Bandmate of Mick

89 Derrick arms 90 Bakery fixtures

91 Uses hair rollers 92 Cinemax rival 94 "-- Night Football" 96 Chicago columnist 98 Reeked 99 More mature 100 Gumshoes 101 Laugh syllable 102 Circus shooter 103 Oval-nest builder 104 Fills the shelves 105 Commanded 106 Lead astray 108 Join the crowd 109 Mouthed off 110 Godzilla's target 111 Be contingent on 112 Treat unfairly 113 Hotel offering 116 Did the crawl 117 Water, in Baja 118 Injury memento 121 Keats offering 122 HS math 124 Give -- -- whirl

See Solution on page 14

guyanatimesgy.com

APRIL 7, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine 13

Tech

O

fficials investigating the deadly crash of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 have said that the plane suffered from “repetitive uncommanded nose-down” prior to crashing, in an apparent reference to the Boeing aircraft’s controversial automated flight control system. Officials also said that the plane had not been damaged by a foreign object, and stressed that the plane’s pilots followed the correct procedures, but could not prevent the 737 Max 8 from crashing.

“The preliminary report clearly showed that the Ethiopian Airlines Pilots who were commanding Flight ET 302/10 March have followed the Boeing recommended and FAA approved emergency procedures to handle the most difficult emergency situation created on the airplane,” reads a statement from Ethiopian Airlines. “Despite their hard work and full compliance with the emergency procedures, it was very unfortunate that they could not recover the airplane from the persistence (of) nose diving.”

Ethiopian officials have asked Boeing to review the 737 Max’s flight control system as a result. A full report into the crash of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 will be released in about one year.

By ruling out other causes suggests that investigators are zeroing in on the controversial automated flight control system as the primary cause of the March 10th crash that killed all 157 people on board. The same anti-stall software has been cited as contributing to the October 29th crash of another Boeing 737 Max airplane, Lion Air Flight 610, which also killed everyone on board.

Not only was the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System, or MCAS, engaged on the Boeing 737 Max

jet that crashed minutes after take-off in Ethiopia, but it re-engaged up to four times, according to The Guardian. The system automatically points the nose of the aircraft down to prevent a perceived stall-out. In the case of Lion Air 610, a faulty sensor sent the signal that the plane was climbing too steep and in danger of stalling.

These are the only two accidents involving the new Boeing 737 Max series of aircraft, which was first introduced in 2017.

Since the crash of Ethiopian Airlines 302, more than 300 Boeing 737 Max passenger jets have been grounded worldwide.

Boeing began rolling out an update to its MCAS software soon after the Lion Air crash. But the company said the update was delayed. Boeing had hoped to submit the update to the Federal Aviation Administration last week. The FAA must approve the new software and training procedures before the Max can return to commercial flight. The update could come, according to The Wall Street Journal, with final FAA testing to take an additional six weeks. Overseas regulators could take even longer to review and certify the fix.

Meanwhile, lawmakers and prosecutors in Washington, DC, are trying to determine if there was any wrongdoing in the approval and certification of Boeing’s MCAS software.

The Senate Commerce Committee is investigating whistleblower allegations about improper training and certification for FAA safety inspectors. Subpoenas have been issued in a criminal investigation into the FAA’s certification process, which reportedly was mostly outsourced to Boeing engineers. (The Verge)

A

mazon plans to launch a constellation of 3,236 satellites into low Earth orbit in order to provide internet to “unserved and underserved communities around the world.” The so-called Project Kuiper initiative first came to light after GeekWire spotted that Kuiper Systems LLC recently made three sets of filings with the ITU, the international organization in charge of coordinating satellite orbits.

Amazon confirmed that Kuiper Systems is one of its projects.

Amazon is the latest in a string of companies with plans to use a network of thousands of satellites to offer broadband around the world. Unlike traditional satellite internet, these plans involve the use of satellites in low Earth orbit, which can be operated cheaply and with lower latencies. SpaceX has plans to launch as many as 12,000 satellites as part of its Starlink constellation, One Web wants to launch 650 satellites, and Facebook is also developing an internet satellite of its own.

Project Kuiper will consist of satellites at three different altitudes: there will be 784 satellites at 367 miles, 1,296 satellites at 379 miles, and 1,156 satellites at 391 miles.

These satellites will offer internet in areas ranging from 56 degrees north (roughly in line with the middle of Scotland) down to 56 degrees south (which is below the southernmost tip of South America). This area, theoretically, covers over 95 percent of Earth’s population.

When contacted for comment, a spokesperson from Amazon said: “Project Kuiper is a new initiative to launch a constellation of Low Earth Orbit

W

hatsApp Business, a version of the messaging app that lets small businesses connect with their customers, is now rolling out worldwide on iOS. The free app launched on iOS last month but only in a limited number of countries.

WhatsApp Business has been available on

A

tiny robotic spacecraft from Israel just inserted itself into orbit around the Moon in a critical maneuver that sets the vehicle up for a landing on the lunar surface next week. If the touchdown is successful, the spacecraft will become the first private vehicle to land on the Moon.

The lander now speeding around the Moon is Beresheet, which is built and operated by Israeli nonprofit SpaceIL. On February 21st, Beresheet launched to space

on top of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, which deployed the lander in a wide orbit around Earth. Since then, the spacecraft has been periodically igniting its engine and stretching its orbital path around the planet, sending itself toward the Moon. So far, the lander has traveled more than 3.4 million miles through space and completed around 12 orbits. It’s also taken a few snapshots of Earth and itself along the way. (The Verge)

satellites that will provide low-latency, highspeed broadband connectivity to unserved and underserved communities around the world. This is a long-term project that envisions serving tens of millions of people who lack basic access to broadband internet. We look forward to partnering on this initiative with companies that share this common vision.”

Amazon has yet to announce whether it intends to build its own satellites or buy them from a third party. It also has yet to make a decision about how it will launch them into orbit. Although Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos has his own spaceflight company called Blue Origin, an Amazon spokesperson confirmed to GeekWire that “[Amazon] will of course look at all options.”

The project will also require a network of Earth stations for the satellites to communicate with. Last year, Amazon launched AWS Ground Station, a cloud computing service that will enable space-to-ground communications.

There’s no time frame for when Amazon’s satellites might be sent into orbit, but it will need to receive the Federal Communications Commission’s approval before it can do so.

The FCC will consider issues such as orbital congestion as well as Amazon’s plans for decommissioning its satellites at the end of its operation. Orbital debris has become an increasingly large concern; last year, NASA recommended that 99 out of every 100 satellites from these mega constellations will need to be deorbited once their missions are over to prevent the space around the Earth from filling up with dangerous junk. (The Verge)

Android since last year.

Unlike the standard WhatsApp messaging app, WhatsApp Business lets business owners set up a profile to share company details like their email or store address, and also have access to greetings and away messages to manage interactions with customers (who contact them using the standard WhatsApp client). WhatsApp’s web interface is also supported by the app.

The WhatsApp Business app should not be confused with the WhatsApp Business API, a paid service designed for much larger companies.

The API allows businesses to send out notifications like boarding passes and receipts, as well as respond to customer queries. It’s currently one of the few ways WhatsApp monetizes itself directly.

The WhatsApp Business App is available now in Brazil, Germany, Indonesia, India, Mexico, the UK, and the US, and will be coming out across the rest of the world in the coming weeks. (The Verge)

14 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

APRIL 7, 2019

Bollywood/Hollywood

B

ollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Zero may have been panned by critics and proved to be a box office flop but the film will be the closing movie of the Beijing International Film Festival.

The festival, which will run from April 13 to April 20, will open with The Composer, a forthcoming Chinese-Kazakh co-production, as its opening title.

The decision to programme Zero in such a prominent slot underlines the growing success which Indian films are enjoying with Chinese audiences, reports variety.com.

Directed by Aanand L. Rai, the Hindi language film released in December last year.

It features SRK as a person with dwarfism in a love triangle with a scientist with cerebral palsy (actress Anushka Sharma) and a

F

ormer actor Mayoori Kango, who is best remembered for her film Papa Kehte Hain featuring the runaway hit Ghar Se Nikelte Hi, is now among the top executives in Google India. She has been appointed as industry head - agency business at Google India recently.

Mayoori quit acting in early 2000s to pursue a career in the corporate world.

She will lead agency partnerships with Dan and Publicis at Google.

According to media reports, Mayoori started her corporate career with New York City-based digital agency called 360i where she worked as an associate media manager from 2004 to 2012. She then worked as the managing director of Performics. Resultrix, part of the French company Publicis Groupe.

B

ritney Spears‘ friends and family are helping her get stronger amid her mental health struggles.

After it was reported Wednesday that the 37-year-old pop star checked herself into a mental health facility to cope with her father’s illness, her sister Jamie Lynn Spears, boyfriend Sam Asghari, and ex-husband Kevin Federline, publicly shared words of support.

Jamie Lynn, who is nine years younger than her big sister, shared a throwback photo of herself as a child and a teenaged Spears on her Instagram.

“Yup, she rode the bus home with me after my first day of school, cuz she’s the fn best,” Jamie Lynn, 28, wrote, adding the hashtag #WCW for “Woman Crush Wednesday.”

Asghari, who has been dating Spears for more than two years, reposted the singer’s Instagram message, which read “Fall in love with taking care of yourself, mind, body,

famous actress (Katrina Kaif).

The Composer is the first movie to emerge from a cooperation agreement between China and Kazakhstan under Chinese President Xi Jinping’s infrastructurebuilding project, the Belt and Road Initiative.

Directed by Kazakhstan’s Xirzat Yahup, it describes the life of a Chinese composer stranded in Almaty in the 1940s who strikes up a friendship with a Kazakh composer.

The festival line-up is a mix of Hollywood blockbusters (including all five “Jason Bourne” films and all four “Mad Max” titles); homage to filmmakers, including Akira Kurosawa and Alfonso Cuaron (with screenings of “Gravity” and “Children of Men”); and lesser-known works from countries including Indonesia and India. (Hindustan Times)

She has also worked as an associate director with Digitas.

Previously, she was also associated with Zenith as their Chief Digital Officer.

Mayoori started her Bollywood career at the young age of 15 with the National Film Award-winning movie, Naseem. She has worked with actors like Rani Mukerji, Ajay Devgn, Arshad Warsi, Anupam Kher, Shakti Kapoor, Bobby Deol, Chandrachur Singh and Jugal Hansraj with films including Papa Kehte Hain, Hogi Pyaar Ki Jeet, Badal, Betaabi and Papa the Great. She also worked on the small screen for some time with Kaahin Kissii Roz, Kittie Party, Kkusum and Kya Hadsaa Kya Haqeeqat, among a few others.

She is now living in India, having returned from the US in 2009. (Hindustan Times)

B

ey is the new Yeezy. Adidas has signed Beyoncé as its new creative partner, the brand announced on Thursday.

As part of the deal, the 37-year-old pop star will be developing allnew line of products for the athletic giant ranging from performance to lifestyle, which will include shoes and clothing.

Adidas also plans to relaunch the musician’s own brand, Ivy Park, which initially launched with Topshop in 2016. Beyoncé will retain full ownership of the label, as well as debut a program aimed at empowering the next generation of athletes and creatives “driving positive change in the world through

L

aw & Order: SVU and NBC made TV history with the season 21 renewal.

The series starring and executive produced by Mariska Hargitay is now the longest-running primetime live-action series in TV history.

With the renewal, SVU beats Gunsmoke, which ran for 20 seasons between 1955-1975, and the Law & Order mothership series, which ran from 19902010.

Hargitay has been with the show since the beginning as compassionate detective-turned-lieutenant Olivia Benson. Of course she'll be back for the landmark season.

"I'm deeply proud to be a part of this groundbreaking show, and humbled to make television history today," Hargitay, who has also directed numerous episodes, said in a statement. "The longevity and continued success of SVU is a testament not only to the show's powerful storytelling and ability to connect with viewers, but to its necessity. We have told important stories for 20 years, and we will continue to tell them."

Paul Telegdy and George Cheeks, co-chairment of NBC Entertainment, announced the renewal.

"We tip our cap to Dick Wolf, Mariska Hargitay and the amazing cast and crew of SVU, who now all go into the record book," Telegdy and Cheeks said in a joint statement. "This incredible run is an example of what happens when producers, writers and actors all come together and create a show that, year after year, speaks to its audience in a powerful way. We couldn't be more proud of this remarkable achievement."

The series currently stars Harigtay as Lt. Olivia Benson, Ice T as Sgt. Odafin "Fin" Tutuola, Kelli Giddish as Det. Amanda Rollins, Peter Scanavino as Det. Sonny Carisi and Philip Winchester as Asst. District Attorney Peter Stone.

sport.”

“This is the partnership of a lifetime for me,” the Grammy winner said in a press release announcing the partnership.

“Adidas has had tremendous success in pushing creative boundaries. We share a philosophy that puts creativity, growth and social responsibility at the forefront of business.

I look forward to re-launching and expanding Ivy Park on a truly global scale with a proven, dynamic leader.”

While no photos of the collaboration have been released just yet, the forthcoming pieces are practically guaranteed to give Kanye West’s Adidas designs a run for their money. (Page Six)

Hargitay was nominated for eight Emmys so far, winning in 2006. She won a Golden Globe for her work in 2005. Inspired by the series, she created The Joyful Heart Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting survivors, ending domestic violence and helping change response to sexual violence.

The organization is currently committed to ending the backlog of untested rape kits, the quest was spotlighted in Hargitay's documentary I Am Evidence.

The announcement gives no indication the upcoming season will be the last.

Hargitay previously told E! News she has thought of the ideal ending for Benson— and Wolf knows it— but she's not done yet.

(E! News)

Crossword Solution

spirit.”

“It isn’t weakness, It’s a sign of absolute strength, people should only be inspired by this, at least I am,” he captioned the photo.

Federline, who was married to Spears from 2004 to 2007 and has two children with the pop star, did not comment on social media, but showed his support by releasing a statement through his attorney, Mark Vincent Kaplan.

“Kevin commends Britney for recognizing that she needs to take a step back and that she is taking the reasonable steps to dealing with her situation in a responsible way,” Kaplan told Entertainment Tonight.

“He wishes everyone well.”

A source told Page Six about Spears’ health, “Britney hasn’t been drinking or doing drugs or anything, she just has some very difficult emotional and mental health issues. She’s gone away to try to deal with her issues before they get worse.” (Page Six)

guyanatimesgy.com

APRIL 7, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine 15

16 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

APRIL 7, 2019

Fun Times

Archie

Before you make a change, be sure you have what it (March 21takes to succeed. The propApril 19) er qualifications, drive and physical stamina will be required if you want to reach your goal.

ARIES

Look for an opportunity TAURUS and turn it into something (April 20- life-changing. You don't need May 20) to wait around for someone else to make the first move.

Follow your heart and make things happen.

GEMINI (MAY 28June 20)

Find out what's expected of you before you enter into a joint venture or offer to help someone. Don't let anyone take advantage of you, your skills or your generosity.

You may not like change, but it can be necessary to (June 21- make progress, so be open July 22) to new possibilities and see what transpires. Love, romance and personal growth await you.

CANCER

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Dilbert

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Concentrate on what's important. Refuse to let emotional drama dictate your actions and lead to regrettable choices. If you learn from your mistakes, you will be able to put your energy to good use.

You've got the moves, so don't hesitate. Attend events that will inspire you to expand your mind. Romance should be a priority, so don't go solo -- take along a loved one or someone you're interested in.

Sensibility will help you LIBRA make wise choices. Money (Sept. 23matters should be handled Oct. 23) practically. Think big, but stick to your budget and be realistic. Reason and moderation are recommended.

Peanuts

Share the things that SCORPIO make you happy with a loved (Oct. 24- one to find creative, spiritual Nov. 22) and emotional motivation. A promise will lead to a bright future.

Trust in yourself, not in SAGITTARIUS someone who is being over(Nov. 23Dec. 21) ly nice to get something from you. Choose friends wisely and know when to walk away from a manipulative or indulgent person.

Calvin and Hobbes

Make domestic changes CAPRICORN that suit your needs. Surround (Dec. 22- yourself with good people and Jan. 19) a happy environment if you want to find the motivation to succeed and live a more fulfilling life.

Make changes for the AQUARIUS right reasons, not just be(Jan. 20- cause someone else is doing Feb. 19) something. Time and money should be put into things that make you happy, not into someone else's dreams.

Slow down and think PISCES (Feb. 20- matters through carefully.

Mar. 20) The right choice can lead to a better future, so don't let anyone push you in the wrong direction.