Sunday, September 16, 2018

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THE BEACON OF TRUTH

GuySuCo runs out of funds Issue No. 3688

Sunday, September 16, 2018

Page 3

...unable to pay sugar workers weekly wages

APNU, AFC agree to split vote at upcoming LGE – sources Page 11

Mahaicony vendors outraged over market facilities

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Gun-toting P8 bandits rob housekeeper Ready or P14 not: Govt eyes yearend deadline for regional flags

Page 9

Death of toddler

Charges likely for shop owner who sold 9-year-old rat poison P2 …PME inconclusive

Lima Sands residents decry shoddy roadworks

…call for Govt’s intervention P17

Uniformed P12 Police cannot make random stops – Bar Association Who will lift it in the end? As the Guyana Amazon Warriors and the Trinbago Knight Riders prepare to clash tonight, captains of the respective teams, Chris Green (left) and Dwayne Bravo share a light moment with the new trophy which will be carried home by the Hero Caribbean Premier League 2018 champion (John Ramsingh Photo)

Berbice man busted with over 35kg ganja Page 11

More political parties approved for LGE 2018 Page 10

…1700 polling stations to be operational

2 women P7 nabbed after CJIA cocaine bust

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news

SUnDAY, september 16, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

Death of toddler

Charges likely for shop owner who sold 9-year-old rat poison …PM inconclusive

A

s Police continue to probe the death of an infant who suc-

cumbed after ingesting carbon tablets (rat poison), Director of the Child Care

and Protection Agency (CC&PA), Ann Greene, has disclosed that charges are likely for the shop owner who sold the tablets to the nine-year-old brother, who

left the tablets in the reach of the child; as well as his mother, who left the two children unattended.

Greene made this statement during an interview

with this publication on Saturday, even as she noted that the nine-year-old has to undergo a mental evaluation and counselling, since he is being blamed for the death of the baby.

“There is enough evidence there that I don’t see why they can’t charge (the shop owner)… As far as we see it, there is evidence to charge the woman, yes, and the mother for neglect,” she explained.

According to Greene, the mother was irresponsible when she left the nine-year-old boy to care for the one-year-old toddler.

Greene reminded that it was a child matter, which ought to be handled with caution because of the impact it can have on the boy’s future.

Although the nine-yearold boy is presently in the care of CC&PA, Greene disclosed, it is likely that the child would be removed from the home he was in and be placed with his grandmother, with whom he lived before his baby brother was born.

In addition, she noted, “He has to get a lot of support, he is traumatised; (so) we are going to provide that (counselling). We are going to have him screened physiologically, and so he is going through that process;

we will have him screened by the physiologist”.

Meanwhile, Police Public Relations Officer Jairam Ramlakhan informed that the boys’ mother was released from custody on Friday, after being questioned. He said statements were also taken from the shop owner who sold the tablets to the child.

Ramlakhan disclosed that the Police are continuing to investigate the case, and would be seeking legal advice in the matter.

A post-mortem examination (PME) conducted on the year-old infant

by Pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh on Friday at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) mortuary has been inconclusive about his death. turn to page 9

news

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SUnDAY, september 16, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Sunday, September 16 – 09:30h-11:00h and Monday, September 17 – 10:30h-12:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Sunday, September 16 – 08:25h-09:55h and Monday, September 17 – 09:35h-11:05h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Light to thunder rain showers can be expected throughout the day, while thunder to partly cloudy skies are expected in the evening. Tempered will range between 22 degrees Celsius to 30 degrees.

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

High Tides: 08:51h and 20:07h reaching a maximum height of 2.26 metres at each scheduled high tide.

Low Tide: 02:20h and 14:39h reaching minimum heights of 0.82 metres and 1.01 metres respectively.

SATURDAY, september 15, 2018

LOTTERY NUMBERS F

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...unable to pay sugar workers weekly wages

BY Shemuel Fanfair

A

s the financial challenges of the cashstrapped Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) abound, thousands of workers across the sugar belt were startled to discover that their salaries were not paid for the week ending September 14, 2018.

Well-placed sources told Guyana Times that the entity simply ran out of money to meet its financial obligations; so much so that workers who were dependent on their Friday pay were left wondering when they will be able to provide for their families. It was explained that situation was similar for sugar workers across the Berbice Estates of Albion and Blairmont and at Uitvlugt which is the lone West Demerara Estate, since Wales ended operations nearly two years ago.

“Some people when they turn up at the bank for salaries; they didn’t get pay... some people live from pay cheque to pay cheque,” a senior official in Berbice confirmed on Saturday.

Information coming out of Uitvlugt suggested that workers there encountered similar circumstances as they expected their salaries to be paid on time.

“No sugar worker get paid; everybody depending on it because they get pay on a weekly basis. We don’t know until further notice,” an Uitvlugt official disclosed.

On Saturday, Guyana

The Uitvlugt Estate (Agriculture Ministry photo)

Times made several attempts to get official word from GuySuCo Finance Director, Paul Bhim, on when workers will be paid their salaries but all telephone calls to him went unanswered. However, another senior GuySuCo official claimed that the workers could be paid later in the new week.

It is understood that sugar workers have been receiving their salaries at commercial banks rather than at pay offices to which they were accustomed in the past.

GuySuCo effected the change in June 2018 but some workers raised concerns over inconvenience and fears of being robbed.

GuySuCo has been undertaking several austerity measures to alleviate its cashstrapped status. After the closure of Wales in December 2016, the Rose Hall Estate in Berbice and the East Demerara (Enmore) Estate shuttered as official operations at those two entities ended by December 2017.

These left thousands of workers jobless. The numbers revealed that 1851 workers were terminated from

Police hunting Linden man over murder

DAILY MILLIONS

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GuySuCo runs out of funds

12 20 21 SUPER PAY DAY

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

P

olice have launched a manhunt for a Silver City, Wismar, Linden resident known as “Fifty”, in connection with the murder of 55-year-old Leroy Barron, an unemployed resident of Lot 59 Old Kara Kara, Mackenzie, Linden.

According to Police, the incident occurred at about 11:00h on Friday at Co-op Crescent, Mackenzie.

Initial investigations revealed that there was an argument between Barron, who was known to do odd

jobs around the Mackenzie Market and the suspect, during which the suspect allegedly armed himself with a piece of wood and dealt the victim a severe beating before fleeing the scene.

The victim was later taken to the Linden Hospital Complex in an unconscious state where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The body is presently at the Wismar Hospital Mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination.

Skeldon while Rose Hall Estate accounted for 1181 workers being severed. There were also 1480 from the East Demerara Sugar Estate losing employment under the cost-cutting decisions.

However, a small percentage of these workers were rehired under the Special Purposes Unit (SPU) as that entity kept the estates running in a bid to secure private investors. The SPU is a unit of the Finance Ministry that was crafted to oversee and manage the divestment of the nation’s “closed” Estates.

While these cost-saving initiatives were viewed as necessary by Government from a fiscal perspective; the parliamentary Opposition in addition to other stakeholders and observers strongly condemned the move, having posited that the Administration should have first assessed the impact of closures.

Patientia is a community in the Wales environs that continues to be affected by the Estate’s closure.

Some of the dismissed sugar workers at that estate continue to survive without their severance payments as they refused to take up work at the Uitvlugt Estate, which is some 22 miles from their original place of employment.

Meanwhile, many former sugar workers attached to the Skeldon, East Demerara and Rose Hall estates were only paid half of their halfyear severance payments.

Government had acquired $1.931 billion in an effort to provide 50 per cent of severance packages to the fired workers. President David Granger speaking in Berbice on Wednesday said his Administration has been forced to pump billions of Guyana dollars to bail out the sugar industry and has to expend more to pay the workers in full. Some $609 million was paid out to Skeldon workers while $705 million was paid to Rose Hall workers, while $815 million was paid to East Demerara workers and $150 million to the Wales workers.

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guyanatimesgy.com

SUnDAY, september 16, 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

Education Month opportunity

S

eptember in Guyana traditionally ushers in commemoration events on “Indigenous Heritage” and “Education” by the Government. The latter event usually centres on some aspect of the education curriculum that the Ministry wishes to emphasise. A month ago, one official had signalled they would host a three-day exposition at D’Urban Park to tout the necessity for our students to become more au fait with “STEAMS”. The business community would be roped in to lend their cheque books to the effort.

A decade ago, there was a big hue and cry that our students were being left behind because the rest of the world had moved on to concentrate on “STEM” subjects – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics – while we were still stuck at the verities of the colonial “3Rs” – Reading, ‘Riting, and “Rithmetic. “STEM” is now the buzzword of every official in the Education sector, and several initiatives have been launched.

The most pertinent was the establishment of two additional “vocational” schools in the secondary division -at Leonora and Mahaicony -- by the previous administration.

These were presumably to signal a commitment to the “technology” and “engineering” components of STEM. But since then, the performances of our secondary school student body in Science (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) and mathematics -- as measured at the SCEC and CAPE examinations -- have remained nondescript at best, even though only the “brightest” students are steered in this direction. More depressingly, the “technical” schools are still treated as a dumping ground for those students who are not “bright” enough for the academic streams.

The PNC-led APNU-AFC coalition Government threw itself enthusiastically into supporting STEM in schools. However, a private initiative, “STEM Guyana”, was launched with the blessings of First Lady Sandra Granger, which focused on “robotics and computer coding”. They have interacted with a number of schools across Guyana outside the direct direction or involvement of the Ministry of Education. They sent a team to the Global Robotics Championship in Washington DC last year, where they performed credibly. Earlier this year, at a programme introducing STEM Guyana activities to the Bartica and Three Miles (Wismar) Secondary schools, Chief Education Officer Marcel Hudson indicated that the shift to STEM involved a change in teaching methodology, as well as the substantive content of the curriculum.

He declared, “As we prepare new generations to live well in a changing world, we recognise that learning by doing is an essential part of education for sustainability. For too long, our children have not been doing well in the classroom because learning would have been reduced to just ‘chalk and talk’, and now we are moving beyond that, because we recognise the importance of our children actively engaging in the process of education delivery.”

It would appear that the Education Ministry might be open to the new hands-on approach to teaching STEM, but has not officially integrated it in its national curriculum. Yet, against that background, the ministry evidently saw fit to expand “STEM” to “STEAMS” in the school curriculum with the addition of two new subject areas – “A” for “Art” and “S” for “Spirituality”.

One of the conceptualisers of the expansion offered the rationale for the move: “As a rounded person, you need to be someone who is educated, someone with a sense of purpose and morality, and that falls under Spirituality. It is striking a balance between lifestyle, health and education.”

This unveiling of STEAMS was, however, cancelled with no official announcement issued until a few days ago. But if STEAMS represented a paradigm shift in the delivery of education in Guyana for the 21st century, if not for the new millennium, surely the excuse offered that the Ministry could not deal with the teachers’ strike and simultaneously put on the three-day exhibition does not say much for the Government’s commitment to conducting a root-and-branch reform of our schools’ curriculum.

But all is not lost: September still has two weeks to go. The Education Ministry should immediately initiate a national conversation about STEMS versus STEAMS.

Hundreds of visitors travelled up the Kamuni Creek to participate in Santa Aratak’s Village Day on Saturday, as Guyana celebrates Amerindian Heritage Month. In photo, a cultural group from the village performs a traditional dance

In support of a National Health Insurance initiative

Dear Editor, My fellow alumnus of the University of Guyana, now residing in the UK, Dr Mark Devonish, has recently advanced some very apposite points about cardiologists and the practice of cardiology in Guyana. His expressed goal is “patient information!”

I will now provide, apropos, patient and personal information for Mark and the general public.

In 2004/2005, the Government of Guyana (taxpayers) spent US$500,000 to send 10 Guyanese patients overseas for cardiac treatment. This averaged US$50,000 per patient.

For a country like ours, this was an unsustainable situation. This led, in 2006, to the birth of the Caribbean Heart Institute (CHI), which is a public-private partnership with the Government of Guyana and the Board of Directors of CHI. The cost of treatment has been continuously revised to its current position, where we can now provide care for 100 patients instead of 10 patients (2004/2005) for the same cost.

Practice Privileges

A long time ago, I decided to live and practise in Guyana and the Caribbean, and consequently did not pursue residence in North America and the UK, even though I have done advanced studies in Canada and the USA. Guyana and the Caribbean need their own citizens to develop their systems, and I am proud to be a part of this pioneering brigade. Since returning to Guyana, I have been able to provide care to patients not only in Guyana, but

also in Trinidad, Jamaica, Bahamas, Tortola, St. Lucia, Grenada, Antigua, Suriname, St. Vincent, Barbados and Cayman Islands.

Surgical Backup

Dr Devonish observes that coronary angiograms and other coronary interventions should have a backup team of surgeons around. In resource-rich communities abroad, this is feasible. In Guyana, there is a paucity of personnel and equipment to facilitate this on every occasion.

We are forced to work with limited capabilities until Government/private entities can provide them.

With our “oil rich” economy on the horizon, we will be able to match overseas standards.

There are three (3) cardiac catheterisation facilities in Guyana, and my work is mainly done at two (2) of these. A single surgery team in the city is sufficient backup. We do have, visiting every month, a cardiac surgery team from New York that provides heart surgery for those needing it. Without early angiograms and angioplasty, people will suffer unnecessarily. I am good at it; my team is good at it; and our patients survive now, when previously they had no option.

The written guidelines for Cardiology do not consider cardiac care in the developing (Third) world; therefore, we have to blaze our own paths, and adjust according to our needs and resources.

Careful patient selection, improved techniques, and team growth minimise complications and adverse out-

comes. We have never had a complication which required surgical rescue.

Statistics

In July 2017, I presented data of our program in Trinidad at the Caribbean Cardiac Society meeting. It showed that before implementing the new treatment protocols, there was a 28 percent rate of death for heart attack patients and an average of 8.8 days of hospital stay. After implementing the new protocols, which include angiograms, angioplasty and stenting, there was a drop in death to 2.4 percent, and hospital stay was reduced to 4.6 days. This represents a 10-fold reduction in death rates, and halving of hospital stay. If one considers that it costs US$2000-US$6000 per day to treat a hospitalised cardiac patient, this translates to savings of US$8000--US$24000 per patient.

The following represents data for the first 6 months of 2018, prorated for the entire 2018.

My team and I would have had approximately 8500 patient visits for clinics, admissions and inpatient consultations over one year for the two facilities I cover. Out of this, there are 382 angiograms (4.5 percent) and 270 angioplasty with stenting (3.2 percent). This represents a very small percentage of cardiac patients receiving invasive care. There are many more patients who should have the benefit of an angiogram with proper revascularisation (stent or bypass surgery), but, for various reasons, they are unable to get this level of care. Most

of the complex and difficult cases are planned to occur when the surgical team is on ground or arriving.

Angiogram and angioplasty with stenting are not the first choice of investigation and treatment. Several non-invasive methods are available and utilised to manage patients before any invasive procedures are done. These would include ECG, echocardiograms, stress testing, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, holter monitoring and sleep studies.

Clinical audits of outcomes are mainly done by the Libin Cardiovascular Institute, University of Calgary, who also assisted in development of treatment protocols, training, research and infrastructure development specific for our needs and resources. Additionally, real-time consultations are done with colleagues in Trinidad when necessary. Pre-surgical assessments are done by the surgical team based in New York. My results are comparable to regional and international standards because I was properly trained by world class teachers, professors and proctors.

Since returning to Guyana, I have been able to do the first implantation of an intracardiac defibrillator, first cardiac resynchronisation device, first implantable loop recorder, first pacemaker lead extractions, first radiofrequency ablation for atrioventricular node re-entrant tachycardia, first ablation for Wolff-ParkinsonWhite Syndrome, first ablation for concealed retrograde accessory pathway. continue on page 5

guyanatimesgy.com

SunDAY, september 16, 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

GECOM’s constitutional obligation is to act with impartiality Dear Editor, The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is correctly being bombarded internationally and on the local front with respect to the unclear approach used to select temporary and permanent staff.

This in addition to President Granger’s recent disclosure that the tried and proved ‘Carter Formula’ has lost its relevance is a conjured assassination plot on democracy and the freedoms of all Guyanese.

The endless criticisms have been justified and merited, especially from the perspective of the apparent lack of concern being displayed by the leaders of the organisation. These have been prejudicial at best, and strongly in conflict with the neutrality mechanisms in

place to discharge the intended responsibilities, roles and functions of the organisation.

As the entity responsible for the administration and conduct of elections in Guyana, the constitutional obligation and core role of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) in the execution of its functions is to act with impartiality and fairness in the execution of its duties under Section (162 (1) [b], Constitution (Amendment) Act).

It is not as if GECOM has been without many known problems which are still expected to be remedied; there are indeed many.

Further, the concerns have become more glaring based on the links with, as well as the relationship of, persons internal and external to the

organisation who are culpable of fraudulent operational practices. Their influence over, and connection with, election works and results affirm that the likes of such elements MUST be permanently divorced from any functional or oversight activity of the commission.

The Auditor General’s recent report bears rich testimony to excessive and indecent practices by some involved in GECOM’s works.

What complicates matters further, and creates an untrustworthy conundrum, is the almost immediate posture taken by the new Chairman of the Commission in the face of much public complaints and evidence from the reports of the Auditor General.

In fact, since the imposition of Justice (R’td) James

Bringing illegal stops, detention to a screeching halt

Dear Editor, The record-breaking use of expletives by Attorneyat-Law Ryan Crawford should not be the main focus on the incident which took place on the ECD Public Road, and so detract from the casus belli which provoked the outburst.

It is interesting to read of a similar incident which is related by another Attorney-at-Law and a sitting Member of Parliament, Mr Charrandass Persaud.

In a letter to the media, he said, “On Friday, August 24, 2018, about 8.50pm, I was stopped at Vigilance at a “roadblock”. No ‘goodnight’, no ‘please’ was offered to me. I was told to produce my driver’s licence. I must let the public know this because it is our right. A policeman must tell you why he has stopped you. I asked the rank why he stopped me and he simply said he wanted to see my driver’s licence. I refused to give it to him.”

He was taken to the Vigilance, where he was released after it was ascertained that he was an MP. However, when one views the video taken by the policeman, it should be noted that the videoing began as Crawford’s car was approaching. This would seem to suggest an act of premeditation. There is a clear intent to make a post on Facebook should the outcome of the stop escalate into something negative. This is evidenced by the fact that he immediately made the post of FB to garner ‘likes’ and elicit comments. Many persons seek fame in this regard.

As a responsible officer, he should explain why he was bent on having a video done while stopping a vehicle for a ‘routine’ search.

He should also explain why

he took the evidence he collected ‘illegally’ immediately to FB, rather than reporting it to his superiors and allowing them to take the necessary action.

It is also evident that the ‘calm and cool’ disposition of the traffic Police is clearly as a result of the fact that he was doing a recording of the event.

In the case of Persaud, the Police had acted in their usual aggressive, rude and uncouth manner, since no recording was being done.

Again, this would assume that it was the ‘game plan’ in Mr Crawford’s case that the provocation bear fruit, and it did. The Police officer received lots of ‘likes’ on FB. Mr Crawford gave sound legal reasoning, which is backed by what the Acting Commissioner of Police Mr David Ramnarine had clearly pronounced on in August 2016. He made it clear that the Guyana Police Force has zero tolerance for ranks that set up roadblocks or randomly stop private vehicles without authorisation, and that they can do so only if an offence has been committed; and that ‘willy-nilly’ stops must be discontinued.

Mr Crawford made it clear to the Police officer that there must be reasonable suspicion that an offence is being committed, and it is clear that there was no ‘reasonable suspicion’.

Moreover, our Constitution, in Article 149 (1) and (2), made it clear that no person shall be deprived of his freedom of movement throughout Guyana unless by lawful detention, and since there was no ‘reasonable suspicion’ to detain Mr Crawford, it can be concluded that his constitutional rights have

been violated, regardless of how brief it was.

Mr Ramnarine had further stated that some Police would take advantage of ‘soft and weak’ persons and demand money from them if their documents are not in order. Definitely, Mr Crawford cannot be categorised as ‘soft and weak’!

I am sure the multitude of persons illegally stopped by the Police daily have the ‘know-how’ to react in this manner, and would have wanted to act like Mr Crawford, but desisted for various reasons, fear being paramount. But it is hoped that this much-publicised incident would bring the gravity of these illegal stops and detentions to a screeching halt, and Police Commissioner Mr Leslie James will ensure that this is done, to avoid a similar or worse occurrence.

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf RDC Councillor, Region Six

Patterson as Chairman of GECOM, the nation is yet to witness any meaningful approach to create or encourage any firm balance and neutral stance required to realise and set at ease the associated concerns. On the contrary, there have been praises emanating from the Chairman of the performances of the incumbent persons, which almost further challenges the Auditor General to take additional independent actions.

The threats to the nation are therefore being amplified under the outlined framework, which also defeats the constitutional intent of having a chairman for the institution who has the “qualities of, or has been, a Judge”.

Had it not been for other extant counter-measures,

such as counting the votes at the places of poll, the current approach and signals would suggest in-chamber decisions being made even before the first vote is cast, or witness called.

President Granger, after having reneged on the customary approach of selecting the Chairman of GECOM, has now become the leading advocate against the use of the ‘Carter Formula,’ which essentially brought democracy to this country. The methods have been acceptable, agreed and constitutionally enshrined approach for the regulation of elections for over 25 years.

The recommended changes in the composition and method of selection of the members of the Elections Commission are another deflection; bent on distracting

the necessary and required focus of addressing other critical and problematic areas.

The suggestion that related selection issues can be treated similar to other constitutional commissions lends the establishment of a ‘paper tiger’ position similar to the treatment given by this Government to other commissions. Full autonomy and no less equal balance than is offered by the current Carter Charter must be a determinant.

One cannot help but observe that there is now a trend emerging from the Coalition Leadership of imposing on citizens many legally challengeable decisions.

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

In support of a National...

As the Head of Cardiology, I was instrumental in opening the first Cardiac ICU in the public sector (GPHC), and also the Cardiac ICU at Woodlands Hospital. I have established protocols for the treatment of heart attack (acute coronary syndrome), heart failure, and cardiac arrhythmias based on our resources. I lead the initiative to ensure that every patient admitted to GPHC with a heart attack can have free angiogram and stenting without delay, once they meet clinical criteria. I have competent, young, dedicated and enthusiastic healthcare professionals who make up my teams, working with the singular goal of improving Healthcare in Guyana.

Challenges

Obviously, there is much room to grow and improve our national healthcare delivery systems. Patient and care-giver education is critical in prevention, early detection, and intervention to manage cardiovascular health. It is also true that cost is a major determining factor in seeking and pro-

viding healthcare. For this reason, I am a strong supporter for a National Health Insurance initiative to be developed in Guyana. This is what we should be debating, instead of petty personal grouses. Every citizen should have the right to the highest quality of care available without fear of discrimination, loss of dignity, or bankruptcy, regardless of gender, social status, financial means, ethnicity, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or any other criterion used to divide us. For this

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to occur, we would need every Guyanese and many non-Guyanese on board.

Until that goal is achieved, there would be much discussion, some heated and contentious; but, hopefully, we would find consensus to benefit all Guyanese.

Yours truly, Dr Mahendra Carpen; MBBS, DM, FACP, FESC, FACC (Interventional Cardiologist and Cardiac Electrophysiologist)

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SUnDAY, september 16, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

Region 1 hosts mini STEAMS Fair

Students and parents interacting at one of the booths (Education Ministry photo)

T

he Education D e p a r t m e n t of Region One (Barima-Waini) hosted a mini Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and

Mathematics (STEAMS) Fair and Exhibition on Saturday on the lawns of the Education Department in Mabaruma to officially begin activities in obser-

vance of Education Month 2018, celebrated under the theme “Education for a Good Life – Through Innovation and STEAMS”.

In delivering remarks

at the event, Assistant Chief Education OfficerPrimary (ACEO-P) Owen Pollard reminded the gathering of students, teachers and parents that without an effective education system a country cannot progress.

Pollard said it is towards this end that the Education Ministry (MoE) will leave no stone unturned to educate the nation’s children in keeping with modern methodologies and concepts. With a focus on the theme, Pollard said it is imperative that an education system in the 21st century produces children who are able to function in the wider world.

He is quoted by the Department of Public Information as saying that, “as a country we need scientists and other technically savvy citizens

Regional Chairman Brentnol Ashley

to guarantee Guyana taking its rightful place in the world”.

Brentnol Ashley, Regional Chairman for Region One, said making education a priority irrespective of any prevailing circumstances is a mantra his region reverences highly. He said, “Children will have the opportunity to unravel the skills they have within,” Ashley quipped.

Further, he noted that it is important to ensure that every child has an opportunity to maximise their potential and leaders should assist in ensuring such opportunities are provided.

The Regional Chairman told the gathering that his region will be expending more monies for the continued development of education in BarimaWaini. “Education is everyone’s business, unless we take ownership of education and place emphasis on its importance much will not be achieved, for a society to be transformed education has to take its

rightful place”.

Meanwhile, District Education Officer (Region One), Marti DeSouza was in a celebratory mood because his region in keeping with the theme this year, established their first smart classroom.

According to DeSouza, this technology will substitute for a teacher who might be absent since children from another school can be taught by another teacher from a separate school.

The use of the smart classroom was demonstrated at the exhibition whereby students were given a Mathematics lesson on subtraction with regrouping.

The schools participating were Mabaruma, Hosororo, Wauna, Aruka and Barbina Primary schools and North West Secondary.

Following the opening of the Fair, the Welfare Department presented school supplies, inclusive of bags, footwear and exercise books to a number of students.

Santa Aratak celebrates Amerindian Heritage Month

H

undreds of visitors from across Guyana and some from overseas braved the sunny weather and travelled up the Kamuni Creek on Saturday, to participate in Santa Aratak’s Village Day. The Village Council of Santa Aratak opened the day’s activities with a formal cultural programme, at the community’s multi-purpose hall. This was followed later by several sport competitions and displays of the community’s heritage sites.

The welcome and opening remarks were delivered

by Toshao Williams. “Santa Aratak is a peaceful settlement of Indigenous people from the Arawak nation

Some of the Indigenous handicraft on display

and we are always happy and excited during this time because people of all walks come and enjoy our culture, our way of life.

We welcome you with open arms. I encourage you all to make lasting memories here and when you go back

home spread the word of our beauty and encourage more people to come next year,” Williams is quoted by the Department of Public Information as saying.

The celebrations continue today.

7 2 women nabbed after CJIA cocaine bust T news

wo females are currently in custody after one of them was busted with cocaine at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) in the wee hours of Saturday morning.

The suspected cocaine mule has been identified has Shellon Yolanda Barrow of Lot 135 Victoria Street, Albouystown, Georgetown.

The discovery was made

SUnDAY, september 16, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Suspected cocaine mule Shellon Yolanda Barrow

sometime at 00:29h by ranks of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU). At the time, Barrow was an outgoing passenger on a flight destined for Jamaica.

According to CANU, the suspect was attempting to board the flight with the suspected cocaine concealed in a false wall of her hard cover carry-on suitcase. After the substance was extracted, it was weighed and amounted to 1.638 kilogram of cocaine.

Barrow was taken into custody. Meanwhile, further investigations have resulted in CANU ranks taking another female into custody for questioning regarding her role in the illegal act.

This incident comes

on the heels of Guyanese Alicia Coppin admitting to ranks from the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) at the JFK International Airport in New York on Tuesday that she had inserting a quantity of the narcotics into her vaginal cavity and swallowed another amount. to reports, According

Coppin was seen acting in a suspicious manner, and DEA agents proceeded to question her and conduct a search during which, she made the confession. An X-ray examination was then performed on the woman confirming her claim. Coppin was later taken to a medical facility, where she excreted the drugs, the

amount of which has not been disclosed.

Meanwhile only last Sunday, another New Yorkbound Guyanese, hairdresser Karen Stuffle, was busted

by CANU ranks at the CJIA with 100 cocaine pellets, totalling 1.42 kilograms, stashed in her vagina and stomach.

She was subsequently sentenced in a local court to four years imprisonment and fined $2.3 million for attempting to smuggle cocaine into the USA. In fact, after admitting to the offence on Thursday, the 48-year-old Stuffle told the court she had been paid some US$400 to traffic the narcotics, and her airfare had also been paid in full.

8 news

SUnDAY, september 16, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

Subryanville manslaughter

Magistrate recuses herself from case …after relatives contact her

S

enior Magistrate Fabayo Azore has recused herself from conducting the preliminary inquiry into the shooting death of taxi driver Jason De Florimonte, who was reportedly shot and killed by his businessman neighbour in August.

On Friday, she informed her courtroom that one of the parties involved in the matter had approached her concerning the case, and she would be sending the matter back to the Chief Magistrate in order for her to reassign it to another court.

Even though she did not disclose whether she had been approached by relatives of the victim or the accused, the magistrate noted that she “doesn’t want anyone to tell her how to do her job.”

Dead: Jason De Florimonte

The preliminary inquiry into the alleged manslaughter of Jason De Florimonte had been set to begin on Friday morning before Magistrate Azore. The ac-

cused, Erwin Bacchus, has been ordered to make his next court appearance on September 17 (tomorrow).

Bacchus, owner of the Tourist Villa Hotel in Subryanville, who allegedly shot and killed De Florimonte, is on $1.5 million bail.

During his first appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, defence attorneys Nigel Hughes and Glenn Hanoman had told Magistrate Ann McLennan that their client was acting in self-defence on the day of the incident.

Hughes had disclosed that Bacchus had fired two warning shots before shooting De Florimonte, who had armed himself with a knife and rolling pin and was attacking the hotel owner’s

handyman.

As such, the accused Bacchus had been granted bail, one condition for which was that he was required to lodge his passport with the court and report weekly to the Kitty Police Station.

RECAP

On the day of the shooting, 30-year-old Jason De Florimonte of Lot 96 Fifth Avenue Subryanville, Georgetown had reportedly been assaulting his girlfriend in front of his home when the hotel’s handyman intervened.

This allegedly had angered the now dead De Florimonte, who pursued the handyman to the hotel, but was reportedly shot by Bacchus, who went to the rescue of his employee.

Gun-toting bandits rob housekeeper A Campbellville Housing Scheme, Georgetown, woman is now counting her losses after she was attacked and robbed by two gun-toting bandits after leaving a supermarket on Sheriff Street on Friday afternoon.

The 52-year-old was robbed at about 15:00h while heading East onto Fourth Street, Campbellville.

According to Police, the victim had just left a supermarket on Sheriff Street and headed East

onto Fourth Street, Campbellville then turned onto Stone Avenue when

she noticed two males on a bicycle ride up to her from behind and dismount.

One of them drew a black handgun from his pants waist and pointed it at her and demanded her handbag. In fear, the woman dropped the bag, and the perpetrators picked it up and escaped West along Forth Street.

The women’s handbag valued at $4500, contained her Galaxy J7 cellphone valued $75,000, $12,000 cash and documents.

The matter was reported to the Police and an investigation is in progress.

Lies, damned lies…

Y

…and Ramjattan

our Eyewitness was intrigued by the headline in the Chronic – “Ramjattan allays security fears of Chinese business community”. Now, he’d been reading almost every day of another “break and enter” of a Chinese business…and not only in Georgetown, but all over our fair land. He’d wondered if the Chinese were now seen by the burglary fraternity as the “easy marks” of Guyana. One Chinese business had been robbed four times in as many months!

Not so long ago, when the “troubles” (as labelled by Granger) were in their full swing, the target of choice had been the Indian business community. They’d been robbed – and dozens kidnapped, killed, or given a sound gun-whipping for good measure. The official explanation offered then was that Indians weren’t being targeted… they were simply seen as “having the money”! It was the local variation of the answer by a bank robber who was asked why he robbed banks. “That’s where the money is!” he answered.

So, are the Chinese businesses now seen as “where the money is”? It’s a fact that in quite a lot of locales across the country, they’ve replaced the Indian “mom-and-pop” groceries with new, large and highly visible supermarkets.

They’re also open during all sorts of late hours to harvest as much cash as possible, and as such, it would appear there might be some validity to the claim by the Chinese business community that they’re being targeted.

But yet, the headline blared: “Ramjattan allays security fears of Chinese business community”!! Now, the word “allay” means ‘to dispel”, and your Eyewitness wondered how the heck Ramjattan was able to effectuate this legerdemain of removing the fears of the Chinese business community!! Did he hand out machine guns to them?

Did he tell them about his 2am curfew? Was he going to hook them up to his special Quick Response hookup, and deploy his SWAT team at the first buzz of the alarm?

So, your Eyewitness delved into the article for answers.

Seems Ramjattan had resorted to the tactic he’d introduced the moment he was made Public Security Minister – take cover under statistical and semantic contortions!! What he told the Chinese Ambassador was, “The crime statistics and the motives of those caught do not suggest any such profiling (of being targeted). Those (Chinese) who are victims are generally as a result of opportunistic criminals who prey on those who may not have been alert and (are) vulnerable”!!!

And this “allayed” the fears of the Chinese businesses?

All their fears disappeared as soon as they were told

by Ramjattan they’re burgled at random, and not “targeted”??

So what to make of the Police Statistics claiming that “break and enter” had DECREASED by 5 percent??!!

…and Arbitration

Your Eyewitness had warned about getting complacent after the GTU forced the Govt to accept binding arbitration, didn’t he? It’s not that he’s clairvoyant; it’s just that he’s been around the PNC for a bit. And you can’t teach old dogs new tricks. Once it became clear the “fix” wasn’t in on giving salary increases in exchange for votes in 2020, he knew the PNC was going to play hardball.

So, imagine, after the GTU had objected to the Government appointing Keith Scott as “Conciliator” -since he collects a paycheck from the said Government every month -- the Government goes and nominates two other employees for the Arbitration Panel chair -- Dereck Cummings, PS at the Public Telecommunications Ministry; and Glendon Harris, Human Resources Manager at the GRA!!! So, their mouths (and consciences) aren’t muzzled like Scott’s??

The GTU, on the other hand, proposed Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rashleigh Jackson; Former Government Minister Jeffrey Thomas; and Aubrey Armstrong, the 1999 arbitrator on the GPSU’s salary demands.

Imagine, these PNC-friends are unacceptable!!

…and Parking Meters

So we’re now told the Cabinet will now be considering the amended Parking Meter Contract. Which part of the contract being “void ab initio” don’t they get?

Can’t Basil Williams explain even this?

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

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SUnDAY, september 16, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Mahaicony vendors outraged over market facilities ly for the woman them to use because we got to use the washroom during the day,” Charles added.

Another vendor, Bibi Sookhoo, said she has been at the market for over 30 years and reiterated the need for a washroom facility. She said that there was once a washroom but due to the lack of maintenance on the part of the NDC, the washroom collapsed.

“We is woman and we need to have the washroom

Vendor Bibi Sookhoo

them nah do nothing. We just fed up in this place,” the woman related.

Additionally, the vendors stated that business in the area is far from desirable. They feel if the facilities are improved, then business would be improved. They are also calling on the NDC to place much more interest in the market since the revenue they generate is more than enough to execute the repairs.

Avril Abrams, 66, said over the 30 years she has been vending at the market, there has never been any substantial repairs to the facility.

She said the standards of the market continue to decrease and persons at the NDC makes development even more difficult since they are very confrontational when approached.

“We does can’t tell them nothing because everybody got some attitude and then we can’t get nothing done.

Right now we need them to do better and make this market more good than it was. We got to get the toilet and that is a start,” she said.

The vendors are contemplating approaching the NDC a final time to make sure that their concerns are heard and if that approach fails, they are prepared to take it to the Communities Minister to have their concerns addressed. (Lakhram Bhagirat)

A section of overgrown grass and some amount of garbage

Patricia Charles at her stall

endors at the Mahaicony Market, Region Five (MahaicaBerbice), are outraged over the conditions of the facilities at the market and are calling on the authorities to ensure the market is outfitted since they are paying for those facilities and services.

The vendors said the market lacks sanitary facilities and they are left to clean the spaces between their stalls themselves. They are saying that despite making several complaints to the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), action is yet to be taken and they are hoping that the Communities Ministry could intervene and remedy their situation.

the back and we does got to end up picking it up because

here. The market need it because we does have to do we business all over the place or sometimes we have to go back home to use the toilet. We really need to have the washroom here,” she explained.

Sookhoo said stallholders are required to pay $100 per day to vend at the market and the cleaners would refuse to clean up the garbage as well as maintain the cleanliness of the area.

“The grass at the back of the stall is big and we does have to weed it by we self and then we does got to pick up the garbage. We does put the garbage in our garbage bag and then we got people from the road who does dump at

Charges likely for shop...

V

On Saturday when Guyana Times visited the market, vendor Patricia Charles said she has been vending at the Mahaicony Market for over 23 years and the condition of the municipal facility continues to decline.

“The problem is that the Mahaicony Market don’t have a toilet for the women them to use around here. We suffer a lot and we having people looking into certain things and they are not doing their jobs,” she said.

“Every time we raise the problems with the NDC, them always promise to do something about it but for years them nah do nothing. I just want them to make sure that we get a toilet, especial-

Police have disclosed that the contents from the toddler’s stomach have been collected for further testing to determine the cause of his death.

Meanwhile, Greene explained to this newspaper on Friday that, based on their investigations, the nineyear-old boy did not intentionally kill his brother. She related that the boy in fact bought the tablets to get rid of rats in the home after he overheard his mother and stepfather arguing about the presence of the pest in their Lot 18 La Grange,

West Bank Demerara home.

Inquires made by the CC&PA revealed that the child asked one of his school friends for money to purchase the tablets, and later arrived at home with same, which he placed on a low table.

He subsequently went to prepare tea, and in his absence, the one-year-old child consumed the tablet.

“He came home and put it on a low table, and then he went to make tea for him(self) and his brother. The little one went to the table and got it, and started to eat it.

from page 2

By time he noticed and he looked, the child had eaten a greater part of the thing, and he raised an alarm and woke up his mother, and they took the child to the hospital,” Greene explained.

Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan on Thursday confirmed reports that the young child was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital by his mother after she observed he was vomiting on Wednesday. Reports state that the child would usually be left in the care of his nine-year-old brother on numerous occasions.

10 news

SUnDAY, september 16, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

More political parties approved for LGE 2018

…but less individual candidates, compared to 2016 …1700 polling stations expected to be operational

By Jarryl Bryan

W

ith 56 days to go before Local Government Elections (LGE), the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has received and approved a total of 62 symbols from groups and individuals contesting in the elections.

GECOM has confirmed it is in receipt of symbols from seven political parties, an increase compared to the three from 2016 that contested. In an interview with Guyana Times, the Commission’s Public Relations Officer, Yolanda Warde explained that they also have symbols from voluntary groups and independents.

“We have received seven from political parties, 21 from voluntary groups and 34 from individual candidates. However, one person withdrew. So we are now left with 61 symbols,” she explained.

She also noted that the withdrawal came from an individual contestant, leaving 33 individual candidates in the race. Warde also revealed that approximately 1700 polling stations are operational for this year’s LGE; an increase compared to the 1562 that opened in 2016. In terms of staff, she acknowledged that more polling day workers are needed.

“Hiring has not ideally happened as yet. As you know we are in the process of training polling day staff.

Last week, in about 20 loca-

GECOM Public Relations Officer Yolanda Warde

tions in Georgetown, 65 persons were being trained in each location.”

“As of Saturday, we will be going on the West Bank in Region Three [Essequibo Islands-West Demerara] and we will be having training every weekend over the next few weeks. But the actual number we’re looking to recruit is just about 8000 persons for polling day,” she revealed.

Voter turnout

Back in 2016, over 500,000 Guyanese were registered to vote at the LGE. However, substantially less than this number actually voted. The PRO was asked about projected voter turnout and what GECOM is doing to get more people involved in their civic duty.

“We have been active in

our civic and voter education,” she explained. “We have been utilising both print and electronic media to channel that information.

You would notice that every week, in the past nine to 10 weeks, we have been publishing a weekly column in the daily newspapers.”

“And the information is for preparing not just the electors but also the candidates. That very information has been translated into flyers and has been disseminated at the regional level.

So there is information out there and as we get closer to elections we will be boosting up that campaign.”

Warde explained that the initial focus of education would have been on the candidates. But she noted that once nominations day is completed and the lists are approved, the focus of GECOM’s education campaign will shift to the electors.

“Information such as their eligibility to vote, how to vote, why they must vote, it is important that we do that and we will embark on (disseminating) that,” she further explained.

Warde also noted that the issue of spoilt ballots is being looked at the level of the Commission. In fact, she stated that tips on how to reduce this problem is being incorporated into the training of staff.

How it works

With LGE expected on November 12, nomination

day is set for September 21. At nomination day, any group, party or individual candidate that did not have their symbol approved will be barred from contesting.

LGE will be held in all municipalities and Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) in Guyana using a mixed electoral system of Proportional Representation (PR) and First Past the Post (FPTP).

The PR electoral system is one in which parties’ gain seats in proportion to the number of votes cast for them in a municipality or NDC. For someone to be elected under the Proportional Representation system, they must be on a party list or voluntary group list. Individuals cannot contest as the PR system.

Meanwhile, the FPTP system is one in which an individual gains control by the number of cast for him or her. These candidates can come from a party, voluntary group or as an independent.

Fifty per cent of Councillors for each municipality and NDC are elected through the Proportional Representation component, while the other half comes from FPTP component of the electoral system.

Under the FPTP system, an individual candidate can contest for only one seat in a single constituency in which he or she is registered and resides. Candidates can only be nominated for one group for the PR and FPTP list.

Our Year!!!

S

atiricus was grinning from ear to ear as he ambled towards the Back Street Bar. His Warriors had pushed politics from his table at the bar; and cricket, glorious cricket it was!! The fellas wouldn’t get any opportunity to tantalise HIM today!! He wouldn’t even have to defend Rum Jhaat’s ridiculous statement on bandits NOT targeting” Chinese supermarkets! Happy days were here again!!

“Bai, me prappa glad Trinidad beat dem Patriat,” smiled Bungi as they each started on their first cold one of the day.

“Yuh like Trinidad?” Cappo asked his friend in surprise.

“Like yuh fuget how dem insult abee all dem time?”

“Me na fuget,” responded Bungi. “But dis a abee time fuh get revenge. And da wha’ mek me glad dem win!”

“But they’re playing in their home town, you know,” pointed out Hari. “They’ll be getting all that energy from the Trini posse!”

“They can even bring in Jesse James and HIS posse,” said Satiricus. “THEY CAN’T AMBUSH US! This is our year, my friends!”

“But I want to be the devil’s advocate, fellas,” said Hari. “Since we beat them twice this season, won’t the law of average be against us this time?”

“Like yuh t’ink dem bais a play cricket like w’en yuh t’row dice, or wha’?” asked Cappo a bit testily. “Ev’ry time yuh play, a wan new game!”

“Well, the Trinis will also be more motivated, won’t they?” asked Satiricus, a bit hesitantly.

“Sato, me fr’en, abee Warriah beat dem Trini two time dis seazin,” said Bungi. “Like yuh fu’get abee cou’da win four time befo’?”

“THAT should be motivation enough!” conceded Hari.

“My friends, you know I’m not a superstitious fella,” said Satiricus. “But this time I can’t leave anything to chance.”

All eyes swivelled towards Satiricus. “You mean…?” asked Hari.

“Yes!” confirmed Satiricus as he stuck out his tongue for the fellas to confirm. “I’m putting my black tongue on our boys!!”

“Not’ing can stap abee fram bringin’ hope de prize this year!!” said Cappo, as they clinked bottles all around.

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SUnDAY, september 16, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

APNU, AFC agree to split vote at upcoming LGE – sources …by competing independently in order to stifle PPP

By Michael Younge

T

op executives from the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) have allegedly agreed to split the electoral votes at the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE) by competing independently in order to out manoeuvre and out-campaign the Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP), and secure a larger portion of the seats.

The agreement was arrived at when a clandestine meeting was hosted in August this year at the Georgetown Club that saw chosen representatives of the two parties attending.

That meeting did not involve the wider APNU and AFC representatives that had been selected by their parties to represent their interest at the talks aimed at securing a coalition alliance to compete in the LGE polls.

“So this group engineered the collapse of the formal talks and made matters complicated so that there could be no coalition alliance to compete in the LGE. In other words, an out-

side deal was engineered by the smaller group that met at Georgetown Club to discuss the more serious politics ahead of the elections…” a source close to both parties told Guyana Times on Saturday morning.

Asked why competing independently was necessary when it was pellucid that the coalition appeared stronger if united, the source said that it was felt that if the two separated and campaigned independently in different areas they could lock the PPP out and convince voters as well as their traditional base to vote for the parties on the basis of loyalty and race.

“The AFC didn’t just want to test its political acumen. It felt that IndoGuyanese would not support the coalition as it was because of some of the policy measures implemented since it took office. One of the members said clearly that the PPP would whitewash the coalition in key constituencies because of the voters in Regions Five [Mahaica-Berbice] and Six [East Berbice-Corentyne] had lost all confidence in the coalition especially the AFC

Berbice man busted with over 35kg ganja

The back seat of the vehicle with several bags containing the suspected cannabis

Cannabis tightly wrapped in bags and place into the trunk of vehicle

A

West Bank Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) man was on Friday evening busted with over 35 kilograms of marijuana.

Reports are the 29-yearold man of Blairmont, West Bank Berbice, who was driving a black Toyota Fielder wagon was stopped during a mass patrol in the vicin-

ity of D’Edward Village, West Bank Berbice at about 19:00h.

According to Police reports, the marijuana was unearthed during a search of the vehicle.

Following the discovery, the man was taken into custody.

He is being processed for court this week.

which is now been touted as a ‘Judas’ and a party which betrayed t h e m ” , the source said.

But also the two parties would rejuvenate their ranks if it was thought that it was competing and reinventing itself ahead of the 2020 elections because it had learnt its lessons from the failure of the coalition in key areas.

“In the end, if the AFC and APNU managed to field enough candidates who were successful, the

PPP could not get the lion’s share of the votes since it is felt that it does not have enough finances or resources to mount a full-out assault on the coalition,” the source said.

In other words, the strategy of divide and rule or divide and conqueror would be implemented.

“That’s the reason for the reconfiguration of sev-

eral of those LGE areas…

It is not a coincidence.

That’s why these elections must take place without any external interference or eyes. The APNU and AFC intend on winning even if it means employing less than transparent and lawful tactics. Bulkan (Ronald) knows this,” the source advanced.

The source also stressed that the APNU and AFC were very concerned that the PPP seems more focused and dedicated towards improving its gains recorded back in March 2016 and if the party was successful to do so again, it could create more problems for the coalition ahead of 2020 elections.

It was alleged that AFC Chairman Raphael Trotman, PNCR General Secretary Amna Ally and APNU’s General Secretary Joseph Harmon as well as AFC’s David Patterson were either all part of the clandestine meeting or were briefed on the plan.

On Saturday, efforts to reach all of the above-mentioned politicians proved futile as their mobile phones went unanswered and calls were not immediately returned so as to ascertain the level of accuracy or truthfulness of the accounts given by the source who has been reliable over the past few years.

12 news

SUnDAY, september 16, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Guyana ACCA students possess knowledge to pass exams ...but lack required examination techniques – official ...students concerned over only 50% pass rate cussions at the council level; we have already contacted the tutors [but] one of the things we have to also look at is pricing,” Ramdeo noted.

He called on managers at local companies to give their workers study time and financial incentives to complete the programme as the accounting qualification is seen as an asset to the workplace. He noted that companies in Jamaica

ACCA’s Europe and Americas Change Lead, Dorothy Wood speaking to members gathered, advocates and students at Cara Lodge, Georgetown

F

ollowing queries by students over the 50 per cent pass rate of candidates who sat the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) examinations, the body’s Europe and Americas Change Lead, Dorothy Wood observed that while Guyanese students are equipped with the relevant knowledge the field requires, some local candidates lack examination techniques. The official made these comments at the recently held ACCA Education Conference at Cara Lodge in Georgetown, where a gathering of members, advocates and students were told of the modifications to the ACCA programme in terms of qualifications.

“In Guyana, it is not the knowledge that is lacking; it is the exam skills to ap-

ply the knowledge within the exam and that’s why I’ve been working so very closely with the tutors in Guyana to try and show them how to better help and support students to apply the knowledge in an examination through exam conditions,” Wood assured.

This was in response to questions posed which highlighted that many students of high intellect would not pass the ACCA’s exams.

Wood while taking many of the comments and suggestions on board said the ACCA will not lower the standard of the examination.

Speaking on the content of the courses, the official highlighted that questions will be placed on a workplace style scenario. There will be analysis of strengths and weakness, opportuni-

ties and threats. Wood also related that there will be sources for guiding exam changes, stakeholder surveys; research and insights and focus of standards, regulation and legislation and international financial reporting.

Following the information-driven discourse, the attendees called on the ACCA to forge more collaboration with the ICAG (Institute of Chartered Accountants in Guyana) to correct the gaps that persist in the ability of students to attain at least 50 per cent.

Education Manager at the ACCA, Haimchan Ramdeo responded that the United Kingdom-based institution is in collaboration with tutors and stakeholder bodies to improve the 50 per cent pass rate.

“We are engaging in dis-

and Trinidad would give their workers incentives to study. Ramdeo further highlighted that ACCA has been working with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), the Auditor General’s Office and ICAG to advance the ACCA programme locally.

National Accreditation Council Executive Director Deborah Jack spoke on the importance of service providers of ACCA to be reg-

istered with the body. Jack told the gathering that when one successfully attains an ACCA qualification, the Accreditation Council has to calculate qualification equivalencies.

The ACCA which has 208,000 members worldwide, is the body for professional accountants who seek careers in accountancy, finance and management.

(Shemuel Fanfair)

Uniformed Police cannot make random stops – Bar Association

T

he Guyana Bar Association has weighed in on the video making its rounds on social media of Attorney Ryan Crawford’s exchange with a Police Officer; reminding the public of its rights when stopped by Police.

According to the Association, a motorist can only be stopped by a uniformed officer because of an offence committed before they were stopped. In addition, officers must identify themselves and inform the motorist of this offence.

“We take this opportunity to inform the general public that a motorist can only be stopped by a uniformed Police Officer for due cause if he has formed the reasonable suspicion in his mind that an offence has been committed.

That is, the Police Officer must have formed a reason-

Attorney Ryan Crawford

able suspicion in his mind of an offence prior to stopping the motorist.”

According to the Association, the officer is under a duty to identify himself and inform the motorist of the alleged offence. This is also in keeping with the Police Force’s published guidelines, the Bar Association stated, adding that a motorist is entitled to know the name, rank and identification number of the Police Officer and must comply with all lawful directions of the officer, the aforesaid duty being already discharged.

They also stressed that all members of the Association are expected to conduct themselves in a befitting and ethical manner. Relating that the video was brought to its attention, the Association shied away from commenting directly on the incident in which the lawyer used expletives while addressing the officer before driving away.

“The matter is under investigation and therefore (we) refrain at this time from making any comment thereon. We trust that the said investigation will include the circumstances surrounding

the recording, publication and sharing of the video.”

“We also put the general public on notice that the sharing and posting of such recordings on social media or in any such domain could give rise to the issue of the publication and sensationalism of obscene material for which they could be held liable.”

Reports are that the incident occurred at Mahaicony on the East Coast of Demerara after a video surfaced on social media of a man questioning the Police Officer who pulled him over.

He was later identified as Attorney Ryan Crawford and was operating a silver car with registration plates PNN 8482.

The Police Officer, who recorded the video, stated on tape that the vehicle was pulled over because he could not see the driver.

Nevertheless, Crawford insisted that that was not an offence. Throughout the exchange, Crawford could be seen lecturing the officer on his rights as a commuter and the correct procedure when stopping a vehicle.

Requests for his documents and for him to roll up his window were, however, not complied with. At the ending of the clip, Crawford drove off from the scene.

The matter has attracted the attention of many Guyanese and has significantly divided opinion.

While some have expressed the need for more becoming behaviour, many have expressed frustration at constant random stops from Police ranks on the roadways.

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SUnDAY, september 16, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Lindeners participate in "Green conversation" POLITICAL HINDU: The “mixing politics with religion” challenge

I

have proposed the notion of “Hindu politics”, which immediately raises the “mixing politics with religion” objection.

While Gandhi notably pointed out that those who say religion should not be mixed with politics know neither politics nor religion, it is rather trite to point out that “Hinduism” has been defined as a RELIGION by our persecutors. It is now seen (even by its adherents) as such, and in the milieu in which we operate, it is dogmatically asserted that such a mixing is taboo. That environment, however, has been shaped by the archetypal religion Christianity, which was “secularised” during the European Enlightenment. It therefore does not have to justify all its beliefs that are now pushed by supposedly Ravi Dev neutral STATE institutions – political, social, cultural, economic etc.

The irony, of course, is that Hindus actually practise “Sanaatan Dharma” -- which by definition and performativity is “secular” in its deepest sense. But if Hindus were to enter politics or try to form a political front explicitly along its tenets, we would be denounced as “fundamentalists”, “medieval” and backward. The Hindu’s major challenge is to demonstrate the secular nature and practices of Sanaatan Dharma – to its own adherents more than anyone else.

On a personal note, I can remember my reflexive recoil when I returned to the Caribbean in 1989, after my sojourn in New York, to enter politics as an “Indian”. A Trinidadian friend who had studied at Benares Hindu University asked me, “Why not as a Hindu”? The recoil was not only caused by the thought of breaking the “religion-politics” taboo…but to do so with a religion that was seen as irremediably “backward”. Hindus had been conscripted by a “modernity” that was monopolised by the West.

I went on to eventually form what was the first explicitly “Indian” political party in Guyana – ROAR Guyana Movement -- which was itself denounced as “racist” for challenging the norm of the nation-state that insists on one hegemonic culture, notwithstanding politicians paying lip service to “multiculturalism”. In the Caribbean, the hegemonic culture is an African-European “Creole” melange undergirded by Christianity, and Indian/Hindus are not accepted as legitimate contenders for power in any arena of national life.

But how can Hindus address this challenge? I believe we are at a historic juncture, where the time is ripe for such a challenge by those of us who practise Sanataan Dharma. The Liberal political project of democracy – which came out of the European Enlightenment struggle against Christian theocracy – is in crisis because its contradictions have been exposed by the demands of the values of that same democracy. I do not have to elaborate on this statement, since the evidence abounds around us; and its proponents have been forced to assert themselves in defence of the beliefs of Christianity, which provides the scaffolding for Liberalism and its stranglehold on “modernity”.

But this challenge was addressed over fifty years ago in Bharat by a practitioner of Sanaatan Dharma, Deen Dayal Upadhya, but was hidden under a bushel because of the dominance of Enlightenment prejudices in the ruling class of Bharat. In four simple lectures, he propounded his theses of “Integral Humanism”, which is based on our ancient insight that man cannot be sustained by bread alone: the four ends of human life – the chaturvidha purush arthas” of kama, artha, dharma and moksha -- must all be given their due emphasis in undertakings at all levels of society.

From a standpoint of fulfilling the imperatives of democracy, Deen Dayalji’s theses show that the procedural aspect of the ballot – one man, one vote – is hollow when its substantive aspects since the development of the integral man are ignored. The notion of the principles of “Dharma” guiding the physical needs (kama) and the psychological needs (artha) of man towards his ultimate fulfilment (moksha) can be basis of the Hindu secularisation of politics for the 21st century World Enlightenment.

We have to pick up the utterances of Rishi Deen Dayalji, and as he advised, interrogate the contributions of the European Enlightenment and also our own ancient teachings, then apply those that make sense to the new times, places and circumstances that confront the world.

“Modernity,” which was ushered in and appropriated by the European Enlightenment, would now be shared or even surpassed by a post-modern; indeed, Sanaathan or eternal, world view.

Lindeners on Friday took advantage of participating in “Green conversations” – a partnered initiative by agencies including the World Wildlife Federation, the University of Guyana, the United Nations Environmental Programme, Conservation International, and the Government of Guyana Green State Development Strategy, among several other agencies.

The initiative allows for open, nonpartisan spaces to engage in conversations that allows citizens to participate in the national conversation about securing a sustainable future for Guyana.

It was centred around the theme, “Oil Revenues for

Social Development and Environmental Management (Sovereign Wealth Fund)”.

The ‘Green conversation’ initiative forms the first of a second series of talks conducted in Guyana, with Linden joining in. Various agencies were available for a panel discussion, led by Professor Gary Dirks of the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability at the Arizona State University, who led talks on development and sustainability. Present were representatives of the Linden Youth Group, Linden Mayor and Town Council, Region 10 (Upper Demerara- Berbice) Democratic Council among others.

Sustainable Development Coordinator within the

Department of Environment, Ian Daniels, said the initiative is an awareness session which allows for Guyanese to share their thoughts and to ask questions regarding a green economy and green state. Participants were allowed the opportunity to partake in an interactive session with panellists, including Dirks, Staydon Payne of the Linden Chamber, Environmental Engineer Samuel Wright, Regional Vice Chairman Elroy Adolph and Kenisha Mcturk of the Linden Youth Leaders.

Dirks, who is also a member of the Science Advisory Board at Conservation International, noted that it is important to understand that the world is going green and

how Guyana will participate in that green development as he explained that the future is about sustainability.

He pointed out that Guyanese now have to be much more careful about how “we utilise our water and food systems explaining that systems such as transportation and urbanisation need to change and develop…”We need to behave responsibly.”

Participants when given the opportunity to ask questions were interested in what is in the green economy for the ‘small man’ and how they can benefit, factors driving the ‘conversations’, how the effectiveness of the discussions can be measured, and youths were interested in opportunities in the green economy.

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SUnDAY, september 16, 2018| guyanatimesgy.com

Ready or not: Govt eyes yearend deadline for regional flags

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entral Government has given regions until this year end to conclude consultations, raise whatever issues they may have and suggest alternatives, after which the flags for each region will be adopted.

This was communicated

by Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan on the sidelines of an event on Friday.

Bulkan informed Guyana Times that Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) has indicated acceptance of the proposed renaming as Rupununi.

“It is part and parcel of a menu of measures that will allow for personal identification with our regions and to foster pride. There is a great degree of push back on the part of a number of our Regional Democratic Councils, in relation to this initiative of the Central Government. As it relates to the renaming of our regions, it arises from recognition by

The proposed regional flags

the Administration that our regions continue to be referred to as a number and not their names.”

“The reason for this, is it is considered that the names of our regions are too long and probably a shorter name will lend to it being more user friendly. Again, the rationale is it is difficult for humans to form an emotional attachment with a

number. So we feel that for regional empowerment and pride, persons need to refer to their regions by a name and not a number.”

Bulkan explained that it was a matter of regional pride. According to the Minister, citizens cannot form emotional connections… with numbers.

Asked for an update on the consultations that were sup-

posed to be carried out, he noted that other regions will need time, when it comes to both a name change and a flag.

“They do have a little bit more time. We’re giving them up to the end of this year, because specimens of each of the regional flags have been given to the regions. In the absence of their proposing or suggesting an alternative, in all likelihood we will proceed in the near future with adopting those flags as the regional flags.”

Back in 2016, a decision to give each region its own flag was announced by the Government. At the time, it was noted that the initiative was part of a wider effort to promote the decentralisation of the 10 regions.

The proposal has met with stout resistance from some regional officials.

There have also been delays in holding consultations on the proposal.

More than ever before, we should celebrate International Coastal Clean Up

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t the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), we believe that the environment is everyone’s business. When it comes to plastic pollution, this motto holds true. This weekend, the international community will celebrate International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Day. An annual event each September 15th, ICC is committed to educating citizens of all ages on pollution in our oceans, and encourages service projects throughout the world wherein citizens go out and help pick up marine debris.

International Coastal Cleanup Day began more than 30 years ago through the efforts of Ocean Conservancy. Currently, more than 100 countries participate each year by organising cleanup events in their regions.

A Citizen-Science Approach

continued on page 15

However, International Coastal Cleanup Day goes beyond just picking up litter. Ocean Conservancy takes a citizen-science approach wherein volunteers are given a sheet to record different types of marine litter they pick up. This information is then entered into the Ocean Conservancy’s Trash Information and Data for Education and Solution (TIDES) database. Collecting this information significantly influences policies to address trash in the ocean by taking the first step of analysing the trash problem.

Furthermore, Ocean Conservancy is committed to fighting for trashfree seas, and for ending the flow of trash at the source. The organisation encourages volunteers to continue this efforts beyond the annual celebratory day; takes responsibility for beginning the cleanup in their communities; provides on their website support for how to plan a cleanup; and addresses questions and gives support for before, during and after the cleanup. This data is then analysed and used to influence policy on plastic waste within the region and on the international level.

Local cleanup efforts

Annually, the Environmental Protection Agency, in collaboration with its partners, organises coastal cleanups throughout Guyana. The following agencies will be joining the cleanup efforts: the Caribbean Youth Environment Network (CYEN); the Guyana Youth Environment Network (GYEN); the Rotaract Club of the University of Guyana and the Rotaract Club of Georgetown; Leo Club of Stabroek; other groups, environmental clubs, and individuals who want to make a difference. Additionally, data from last year’s coastal cleanup in Guyana shows that volunteers found up to 1,501 pieces of glass and 1,978 plastic bottles. Internationally, the Ocean Conservancy recorded 2,127,565 cigarette butts and 1,024, 470 plastic bottles.

Single-use Plastics

Most of what is found during coastal cleanups constitute single-use plastics. These are plastics used once and then thrown out. Some common single-use plastics are plastic bags, straws, water bottles, and most food packaging. Globally, we produce hundreds of millions of tons of plastic every year, most of which cannot be recycled.

Given the nature of plastic, most plastics are not biodegradable; which means that they will not decompose into a natural substance like soil, but instead would degrade into tiny pieces after many years. This is particularly dangerous, because plastics are being found in marine food webs, and this can have a direct effect on human health.

How does this affect you?

Domestically, Guyana banned importation of Styrofoam in 2016, and is currently working on a feasibility study to implement a ban on single-use plastic products by 2020. As a coastal country, the preservation of the coastline is important, with over 90 percent of Guyanese living along the coast. Although International Coastal Day comes around once a year, citizens are encouraged to conduct clean-ups in their communities year-round, and they can receive guidance on how to organise this effort on the Ocean Conservancy website.

Coastal Cleanup efforts go a long way in bringing awareness to the issue, and show that small efforts can many times have an impact. Furthermore, education is the first step; we can be mindful of our use of single-use plastics by avoiding the use of straws, plastic bags, utensils, and can use a reusable water bottle instead of purchasing bottled water. As a country, we can invest in recycling facilities, and start composting projects that would allow farmers to use leftover scraps for their gardens. The waste issue calls for us all to be more innovative and creative in our approach. It calls on many sectors to get involved.

Sources Guyana Chronicles (2016) http://guyanachronicle.com/2016/03/04/ styrofoam-ban-in-effect-from-month-end Ocean Conservancy https://oceanconservancy.org/blog/2018/09/12/suitscience-behind-international-coastal-cleanup/ Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/ wp/2016/01/20/by-2050-there-will-beYou 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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SUnDAY, september 16, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Mazaruni Prison expansion on schedule – Prisons Director

What the rate of inflation does not tell you about rising cost of living

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oday’s article is particularly inspired by the ongoing negotiations between the Guyana Teachers’ Union and the Government of Guyana through the Education Ministry – with respect to the issue of salary increases for the teachers.

The position of the national discussion and debates surrounding this matter is that teachers need a livable wage/salary.

The problem that is unique to Guyana, however, is that there is a lack of data compilation on a Cost of Living Index in particular – which should be an important data and/or indicator in order to guide or inform economic policy-making. For example, such data should be an important benchmark to set the level of minimum wage in Guyana – despite the fact that the Government really cannot directly control the drivers of rising cost of living.

That said, the minimum wage in Guyana is $60,000.

Nonetheless, using [2017] GDP per capita [income], which is about US$4,800, this works out to about US$400 per capita income on a monthly basis, which is equivalent to Gy$80,000.

This can be interpreted as such: the average person in Guyana earns between $80,000 and $100,000 per month. Using this figure as a good benchmark, the table below shows the average cost of living expenditure per person (exclusive of rent if a person has to live out of a rented apartment, an expense a lot of persons do incur): It should be noted that the above expenses are very conservative, because what if a person has to rent an apartment?

The average rent is about $30,000. Other considerations or assumptions that were excluded from the above list are: electricity expenses tend to fluctuate, and there are unforeseen expenses as well. Notwithstanding, in applying the above illustrated average expenses of $69,500 to the average person’s income of about $80,000, it gives rise to a surplus for savings of $10,500. Clearly, a person under these conditional and practical assumptions cannot afford to do anything else; not even having access to credit.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) – the measure of Inflation Inflation can be defined as a sustained or continuous rise in the general price level; or, alternatively, as a sustained or continuous fall in the value of money. Given this definition, several things should be noted. Firstly, inflation refers to the movement in the general level of prices. It does not refer to changes in one price relative to other prices. Such changes are common, even when the overall level of prices is stable.

Secondly, the prices are those of goods and services, not assets. And thirdly, the rise in the price level must be somewhat substantial and continue over a period longer than a day, week or month (Labonte, 2011).

The CPI is used for three basic purposes: 1. It is a measure of inflation experienced by consumers, and an important indicator of the condition of the economy.

2. It can be used to adjust other economic data for changes in price levels, and to convert into inflation – free dollars. For example, retail sales and income data are “deflated” to assess their “real” movements over time. Another example is to estimate changes in the purchasing power of a dollar.

3. Various government income programmes, such as Social Security, use the CPI to adjust payments or income eligibility levels.

While the CPI is used to calculate cost-of-living adjustments (COLA), the CPI in and of itself is not a cost-of-living index. It does not take into account changes in buying patterns that consumers make to adjust to relative price changes. Consumers usually react to relative price changes -- for example, beef prices rising more than the price for chicken -- by substituting less expensive alternatives for the more expensive commodities; that is, substituting chicken for beef. The CPI does not reflect short-run adjustments made in response to price changes as a cost-of-living index would.

Though the CPI can be used to “deflate” government revenue data, it should not be used to adjust government expenditure data for the effects of inflation. (To be continued next week).

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

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orks ongoing to expand the Mazaruni Prison into a stateof-the-art facility to accept more inmates from the coast is on schedule, acting Director of Prisons Galdwin Samuels said.

“Based on the schedule, [the contractors] are on target in terms of where they expect to be at this point.

Work is still being done on the foundation of the building because it is massive works that have to be done in order to facilitate the structure that would be going down there,” Samuels noted in a recent interview with Guyana Times.

Following the July 2017 jailbreak and fire which destroyed the Camp Street Prison in Georgetown, Government revealed plans to expand the Mazaruni Prison – a project that will cost some $2 billion but aims to streamline the local prison system as well as reduce the overpopulation at the penitentiaries on the coast.

Apart from a new wing to accommodate an additional 400 prisoners, these works will also see the expansion of offices, inmate living facilities, staff and family living facilities, training facilities, as well as the construction of a school, daycare centre and places of worship at the Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) prison.

Last December, the contracts for the project was awarded to A Nazir and Sons Contracting ($28.1 million) and R Kissoon Contracting Services Limited ($30.4 million).

Ready or not: Govt... from page 14

In addition, the Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) was not enamoured with the idea.

The Party had declared that the Golden Arrowhead is the constitutional flag of Guyana, adding that any other flag imposed will be contrary to the country’s Constitution. In addition, the party had noted that most residents would prefer jobs, enhanced public security, money in their pockets, better roads, improved potable water supply and efficient garbage collection over flags.

“Rather than seeking to change things that obtained under the PPP/C and to make things look different under the (A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change) APNU/ AFC, the Granger coalition Administration should change their racial and political discriminatory and witch-hunting practices, as well as their wasteful spending and focus on improving the economic and social well-being of all Guyanese,” the party had stated.

An artist's impression of the new wing at the Mazaruni Prison to accommodate additional prisoners

However, despite the Prisons Director saying the works are on target, the 2018 mid-year report released last month revealed that construction works at the Mazaruni Prison were delayed for the first half of the year.

The report blamed overtopping of the Mazaruni River which resulted in delayed mobilisation of the contractor.

“Works are anticipated to intensify throughout the second half (of 2018) and into 2019,” the report also adds.

The sloth of implementing this project has, however, had an effect on overall spending.

For instance, the mid-year report noted that only $21 million was actually spent; out of the $1.5 billion allocated to the Prison Service from the 2018 National Budget.

The expansion of the Mazaruni Prison was first floated around following the March 2016 riots at the Georgetown Prisons during which some 17 inmates were killed and several others along with prison staff were injured in a fire.

A subsequent probe was launched and found, among various issues, significant overcrowding at the facility and one of the recommendations made was to build another prison outside of the city.

However, Government maintained that such a move is unfeasible and instead set aside $369 million in the 2017 Budget for the expansion of the Region Seven penitentiary to offset the overcrowding at the urban prisons but the contract was not awarded until last December, five months after

the July 9, 2017, prison fire at the Camp Street penitentiary.

Prisoners had set that facility on fire, occasioning its complete destruction except for a newly built brick building which is still standing intact. The act was said to be a distraction for the escape of a few inmates, including convicted murderers Mark Royden Durant, also called “Royden Williams”; Uree Varswyck: Stafrei Hopkinson Alexander and Cobena Stephens – all deemed armed and dangerous. That incident also resulted in the death of prison officer Odinga Wickham, who lost his life after he was shot by prisoners during the prison break.

Following that incident, over 1000 prisoners housed at the Georgetown penitentiary were displaced. While some were moved to Mazaruni or granted early release or bail, others had remained at the Lusignan Prison, on the East Coast of Demerara, under strained circumstances. It was then that another contingent escaped. Since these two jailbreaks, all but two prison escapees – Paul Goriah and Cobena Stephens – have either been recaptured or killed.

Meanwhile, the midyear report also states that Government will be tendering for designs for a new prison at Georgetown by year end.

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SUnDAY, september 16, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Essequibo Coast residents complain of non-functional street lights

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nlit streetlights on the Essequibo Coast along with the prevalence of blackouts over the past months have added to the woes of Essequibians, who have blamed the increased criminal activities to the lack of proper lighting.

Guyana Times was informed by residents that they are at their wits’ end over the numerous streetlights, which have not been working for the past six months.

A resident of Anna Regina outlined to this pub-

lication that nonfunctional lights spans from the village of Three Friends to Walton Hall. He added that there were indications that other sections of Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) were faced with the same situation.

Mohammed Fazar, another resident stated that he has been appealing on numerous occasions for increased security in the communities, especially at desolate locations where robberies occur.

According to him, the lights are in working or-

der but due to the amount of power being generated by the power stations, it is insufficient to power the streetlights as well.

“We hear that they can’t generate enough (electricity) for some of the streetlights and to service the coast and to get all the engines up and running so they have to just supply the homes. They tell us that when they get the maximum power in the grid, then they can restore back all the lights but it’s too much to wait so long.”

It was noted that this is-

sue has been the root cause for robberies on the roadway since many persons are traversing the areas in the dark.

“Is a big area that don’t have power so when people walking, they getting robbed.

It happening a lot to many

people. Then when we have blackout, the entire place have no lights so if you go out, the place is so dark that you can get robbed and nobody around here would know,” another resident added.

Concerns were also raised

over students who have to use the stretch of roadway to return home after lessons.

In many instances, a resident noted bandits are lurking along the unlit path and thus, relieving the children of their belongings.

Lima Sands residents decry shoddy road works … call for Govt intervention

Sections of the Lima Sands road which was recently rehabilitated

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esidents of the Lima Sands area in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) are appealing to the Public Infrastructure Ministry to address the inferior works, which were done to the road and cannot stand the test of time.

Baffled at the current state of the road, several res-

idents indicated that within a one-week period, numerous potholes appeared, and the shoulders continue to fall apart constantly on the only path that leads to the main road. Contractors reportedly used loam and stones to build the network which is deteriorating rapidly.

The community is located off the Essequibo Coast Public Road and as such, teachers and students would travel several miles to access the only nursery and primary school on the main road.

Persons would also utilise the same route to seek medical facilities. This publication as told that transportation is very costly since only few vehicle operators transport service to the area, owing to the high cost of maintenance.

One mother noted that while the school bus service is a blessing to the community, the service is sometimes interrupted due to the deplorable state of the road.

Calls were made for authorities to inspect the shoddy works which were done and moreover, to fix the potholes on the road.

On Saturday, World Scout Day was observed and the Fort Wellington Police Scout Group was out early engaging in a clean-up exercise. The more than 100 children of all ages were supervised by ranks from the Fort Wellington Police Station as they cleaned. The children are engaged in a number of activities and would meet on Saturdays

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SUnDAY, september 16, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

New M&CC revenue system to be ready by month end …as training of staff wraps up

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ity Hall is seeking to implement a new revenue collection system for vendors to deposit their rental fees which is expected to be ready by the end of September.

Public Relations Officer (PRO) at the Mayor and City Council (M&CC), Debra Lewis, told Guyana Times the training was ongoing to reclassify employees to fit the new positions which would now be available.

When the last training sessions are concluded, and the shifts are confirmed, they

Bourda Market

will be able to commence this innovative operation.

“We’re still in terms of working out the shift sys-

tem and in terms of the employees because the revenue collectors still have to be classified into issuers and

438,000 children in need of assistance across Region – UNICEF

…concerns raised about violence, discrimination

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he number of migrant children escaping the Venezuelan disaster has been growing significantly and according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), that number has reached 438,000.

The organisation documented that these children are living in hordes and are in need protection and access to basic services. Some of the countries which have been receiving large influxes include sections of Latin America and the Caribbean which constitutes Guyana, Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Peru and Trinidad.

Requests are being made for the respective Governments to collaborate with non-governmental organisations (NGO) and the United Nations (UN) partners to find solutions to common challenges posed by the widespread situation.

UNICEF is concerned about reports of xenophobia, discrimination and violence inflicted against Venezuelan children and families in host communities.

María Cristina Perceval, UNICEF Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean said, “It is imperative that Governments, NGOs and UN partners in the region continue work-

ing together to protect the rights of all migrant children. Children are children first and foremost, regardless of their migration status, and we hope that host and transit communities will show solidarity and support for uprooted children.”

Some migrants, including unaccompanied and separated children, pregnant

women, nursing mothers as well as Indigenous populations are said to be at increased risk from violence, discrimination, trafficking, abuse and sexual exploitation.

These risks are exacerbated when regular and safe channels for children and families to migrate are restricted and when border control and surveillance

measures focus on repression. Consequently, dangerous informal migratory routes are the only medium for the refugees.

“It is important to remember that human rights standards call for states to allow children entry as a precondition for carrying out initial protection assessment procedures,” explained Perceval.

“Even when they are unaccompanied and without official documentation, they should be immediately directed to specialised personnel, who can assess their protection needs,” she added.

UNICEF has launched a regional response to support migrant children and families from Venezuela while in transit and upon reaching their destination. This involves working with partners to ensure access to safe drinking water and sanitation, education and health services. Temporary learning spaces for migrant children are also being established in the region as well as supporting protection and psychosocial services.

The agency is also currently working with governments in transit and host countries to uphold the rights of migrant children.

verifiers and so on. We’re still working that out and we’re hoping that by the end of the month, we’ll be able to warrant off,” she said.

The announcement to introduce the new system was made in June after the Council believed that it would improve transparency and accountability of the collection process.

Accounting Manager of the Council, John Douglas, had given a highlight of some of the mechanisms that would be put in place to facilitate the new system.

Currently, revenue collectors from the market section would act on behalf of the Council to manoeuvre around the vendors and apply the charges on behalf of the Council and collect the revenues based on what was owed.

However, the new operations would entail reclassify-

ing the roles of the revenue collectors to cashiers, issuers and verifiers. Cashiers would be present at the booths while the issuers and verifiers would be dispatched into the markets.

“An issuer would come towards a vendor. They would assess the goods that are on the ground and they would write what is called a ‘slip’.

The vendor would be given that slip and the vendor is expected to take that slip towards the cashier booth and make his or her payments,” Douglas had explained.

“The verifier comes a little while after on the ground to ensure that the vendor had paid at the cashier booth and the correct amount has been paid for,” he later added.

This system would drive a more efficient procedure of obtaining dues from the vendors. The monies would

also be obtained in a fashion that is also safer for persons to deposit their cash.

Presently, a new database has also been created specifically for this purpose and it is a 24-hour system.

Lewis informed that one more field test is expected to be conducted after which the new system will be implemented.

“We already have the booth and the mechanisms which is the computer systems. Those are already in place. Everything is in place but it’s just to work out the mode as it relates to the employees. All of them have to be au fait with it so we have to do a test-run which will be part of the training. We took them to the site and that was done sometime last week. We will do another run and by then, we should be ready.”

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Matthews backing Windies women ahead of

South Africa clash

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est Indies Women’s all-rounder Hayley Matthews has said team members are looking to utilise their knowledge of the Caribbean as they prepare to face South Africa in the Sandals International Home Series, which bowls off today at the Kensington Oval in Barbados.

The Sandals Series opens with three ODIs which form part of the third round of the ICC Women’s Championship. The two teams will be looking to climb out of the bottom half of the points table, where Windies Women are sixth on six points and South Africa Women are seventh on four points.

Matthews, who spoke to the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Media on the eve of the first match on her home ground, said she is happy to be playing her first match for the Windies at home.

“I’m really happy to play in front of the home crowd. Coming out and being able to play in front of friends and family is always important, and something you want to do. It’s about turning that so-called pressure into motivation and helping it to push us to do better on the field”.

With just two ODIs to prove their superiority after winning against the South Africans during their last series, the opener said it was important for them to replicate similar results. “Well, we know South Africa are a

very good team. Last time we played them at home we had a 2-1 victory, but we’re playing on home soil and we know the pitches better than anyone”.

The Windies ladies have a strong side, with a number of seasoned players, like Guyanese Shemaine Campbelle, skipper Stafanie Taylor, Merissa Aguilleira, Anisa Mohammed and others. Matthews says she believes that once the ladies can execute their plans properly, they should have a great home series.

“It’s a matter of being consistent and executing, not slipping up. We’ve been putting in hard work, and once we execute we can do well. We know they have a lot of very good players, but they have a lot of new players; so, hopefully, we can capitalise on their inexperience.”

The 20-year-old said her goals from a more personal perspective are to score runs and take wickets for her side. “For me, as an all-rounder, I’m looking to do well with bat or ball. I’m looking to get a hundred, or maybe 2 or 3 in front of a home crowd, and I just want to contribute with the ball,” she ended.

Meanwhile, the 1st ICC Women’s Championship One-Day International match will bowl off at the Kensington Oval, Barbados from 9:30h. (Clifton Ross) WINDIES WOMEN: Stafanie Taylor (captain), Merissa Aguilleira, Shemaine Campbelle, Shamilia Connell, Deandra Dottin, Afy Fletcher, Qiana Joseph, Kycia Knight, Hayley Matthews, Natasha Mclean, Anisa Mohammed, Chedean Nation, Shakera Selman

SOUTH AFRICA WOMEN: Dané van Niekerk (captain), Chloe Tryon (vice-captain), Laura Wolvaardt, Lizelle Lee, Suné Luus, Mignon du Preez, Marizanne Kapp, Raisibe Ntozakhe, Masabata Klaas, Zintle Mali, Faye Tunnicliffe, Robyn Searle, Tumi Sekhukhune, Saarah Smith

SCHEDULE OF MATCHES

SEPTEMBER Sun 16 1st ICC Women’s Championship One-day International – Kensington Oval, Barbados (9:30 am start)

Wed 19 2nd IWC ODI – Kensington Oval (9:30 am) Sat 22 3rd IWC ODI – Kensington Oval (2 pm) Mon 24 1st Twenty20 International – Kensington Oval (1:30 pm) 2nd T20I – Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad (7 pm) Fri 28 Sun 30 3rd T20I – Brian Lara Cricket Academy (4 pm) OCTOBER 4th T20I – Brian Lara Cricket Academy (7 pm) Wed 3 5th T20I – Brian Lara Cricket Academy (7 pm) Sat 6

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SUnDAY, september 16, 2018

New Board of Directors elected for Archery Guyana – Khan, Persaud-McKinnon, Hing to lead

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new body of directors Archery Training Camp and In regard to Heritage Directors has been elected to lead Coaching Seminar funded by Games, Archery Tournament, then comArchery Guyana Inc Pan-Am Sports and coordinat- Archery Guyana, for the past m e n c e d into its next period, follow- ed by World Archery Americas 3 years, proudly hosted the under the ing Tuesday’s Annual General in collaboration with the national archery competition duly elected Returning Officer, Meeting (AGM) held at the Colombian Olympic Committee for the Ministry of Indigenous Attorney-at-Law and Honorary National Resource Centre on in Medellin, Colombia.

Affairs’ Heritage Games during Counsel to Japan, Kashir Woolford Avenue.

The Camp and Seminar, Heritage Month in September. Khan, who officially released Vidushi Persaud- which followed on the heels of This year, it was reported, the following information afMcKinnon, elected Secretary- the World Archery Americas Archery Guyana was again in- ter the democratic and transGeneral at this AGM, deliv- General Assembly and the con- vited to do so, September 22- parent electoral process in the ered a comprehensive report clusion of the Pan American 23, with the usual 2-day tour- presence of an independent obto the membership, givserver from the ing a brief background National Sports of Archery Guyana Commission, Mr. Inc, from its establishSeon Erskine. ment in August 2014 Members had to the end of the reto cast a secret porting period of 30th vote for the posiAugust, 2018. She retion of Treasurer, ported on the status of with two strong the new website; memcontenders locked bership; and the World in a close vote: Mr. Archery Level 1 Coach Robert Singh and Training Course, which Mr. Nicholas Hing. was deemed a historic Sincere gratisuccess, with participatude was expressed tion from Regions 1, 4, to the various per7, 8 and 9. sons who assistNineteen particied in one way or pants duly completed Newly elected President of Archery Guyana Mohamed Gamal Khan giving a passionate the other for 2018: that course and were commitment to the membership. Flanked on his right is Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon and on The Honourable awarded certificates. his left Nicholas Hing Minister George They have since reNorton, Minister turned to the various regions and Parapan Championships, nament with participants from of Social Cohesion; Director of of their domicile to commence were conducted by top level indigenous communities and Sport Mr Christopher Jones; coaching so as to start the next experts in various fields of the members of the general public.

National Sports Commission; phase to move Archery to a sport, and attended by a total The Heritage Games will President of the GSSF, Mr. National Sport in Guyana. of 32 archers and 39 coaches take the usual barebow for- Ryan McKinnon; Infotrans Persaud-McKinnon also re- from 22 countries. This train- mat to remain traditional, in Guyana Inc; Neutrino Inc; Mr. flected on the exciting news, in ing camp and seminar were a keeping with the heritage cel- Julius Simon; Commissioner May this year at the Official boost for Archery Guyana’s de- ebrations, and will feature this General Mr Godfrey Statia, the Opening Ceremony, when velopment programme. year an Olympic Recurve Bow Guyana Revenue Authority; Mr. Director of Sport Christopher Display by the duly certified Harryram Parmesar, Parmesar Jones announced that discuscoaches from the regions. It is Accounting Firm; Members Practice Sessions sions were being held in regard Indoor and outdoor prac- also envisaged that Archery and the Board of the Guyana to the inclusion of Archery in tice sessions were reported on Guyana will soon start a Para- Sport Shooting Foundation; the annual National Schools as continuing with the kind Archery Programme. This is an Demerara Distillers Ltd; Championships; and as such, permission of the NSC and area Archery Guyana will ex- Mr Shameer Mohamed; the coordinating and collaborat- the Ministry, at the National plore to ensure that all persons Management of Ocean Spray ing with Archery Guyana to Gymnasium on Mandela with disabilities are also given Hotel, Mr Mark Singh; the ensure this programme hap- Avenue and at the Carifesta an opportunity to participate in Management of Carib Foods; pens is part of the National Sports Complex Ground on an Olympic sport.

Demerara Distillers Limited; Sports Commission’s work pro- Carifesta Avenue. Collaboration Mr Ramesh Ghir; Guyana Fundraisers: gramme.

Tourism Authority; Dr Pravesh with International Bodies was Archery Guyana, from time Harry; Mr Balkarran Sukhu; It was also reported that reported on, such as World Archery Guyana has since Archery where Archery Guyana to time, seeks to host fund- Riverview Welding and Marine submitted to the NSC a list of was shortlisted as eligible to re- raising events. For the past 2 Supplies; Mr Robert Singh; Mr schools where various certi- ceive level 1 equipment donat- years, Archery Guyana assist- L.P. Shivraj; Massy Industries; fied coaches have been work- ed from WA, and have since re- ed with the Archery Fundraiser New GPC Inc; Guyana Times; at St Joseph Mercy Hospital Mr Ray Beharry; members of ing, and their contact details. ceived a Level 1 Kit. International events were also Collaboration contin- Christmas Fair. On the last oc- Archery Guyana, and the mereported on, such as the re- ues also with World Archery casion, its entire proceeds were dia. cent World Archery Americas’ Americas, where local activi- donated to assist with the buildThe Financial Report was General Assembly 2018, held in ties continue to be published ing of a Home for the Elderly. presented to the membership, Medellin, Colombia on August in the monthly bulletins which and was duly approved. Two 18, 2018, and at which Guyana are shared internationally. NSC – National Sports Commission motions were unanimously The National Sports passed: to retain external auwas for the first time represent- This year, through the repreed. sentations of World Archery, Commission has been very sup- ditor Mr Harryram Parmesar The national pistol shoot- Archery Guyana received from portive of Archery Guyana in so from the Parmesar Audit Firm, er also reported that new club Easton and Hoyt donations of many ways, with access to the and to adopt the amended Treasurer Nicholas Hing re- some equipment to assist with various sporting facilities. The Constitution. elections for the new Board of cently returned from an its development work.

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Williams and Ramos to be kept apart at Australian Open

Serena Williams and Carlos Ramos argued it out last weekend in Melbourne

S

erena Williams and Carlos Ramos, the umpire whom she accused of sexism in the wake of the US Open final last Saturday, are likely to be kept apart at the Australian Open.

The decision was made for reasons of common sense, rather than because of any specific demands from the 23-times grand slam champion.

In her outburst during the final against Naomi Osaka, who went on to win the title, Williams called Ramos a thief and a liar, and told him: “You will never do another one of my matches.”

Ramos is employed by the International Tennis Federation, and does not work on the WTA Tour, so the first chance he and Serena would have to meet again would be in Melbourne in January. Given what happened at Flushing Meadows, when it comes to assigning officials to Williams’s matches, discretion is likely to be the better part of valour.

Tennis Australia, which runs the Australian Open, would not be drawn on what it would do should Williams officially request Ramos not umpire any of her matches, and the Williams camp did not respond when asked if she would make such a request. But Richard Ings, a former professional umpire, said umpires would usually take the lead when it comes to managing awkward situations.

“Say an umpire has a tough match with a player,” he told the Observer. “The player is angry, blames the umpire, says, ‘You will never work a match again’. It is obvious that if the umpire does that player in the next match or next week, there will be a problem. So the umpire will simply take a break from umpiring that player.

“When the pro umpire arrives at a tournament, they update the supervisor if there are any players they are having a break from -- maybe none, or one or two, whatever -- and the supervisor schedules other qualified umpires that week for those matches.”

In the final against Osaka, Williams was warned for coaching after Patrick Mouratoglou was seen making hand signals in her direction. Williams angrily denied she would ever cheat. When she was docked a point for smashing her racket a few games later, she berated the umpire and accused him of being a thief because he “stole a point”. Ramos then penalised her a game for verbal abuse.

On-court coaching – where a coach can come on to court once per set – is allowed on the WTA Tour, but not at the grand slams. Coaching from the stands is banned at all times; but many, including Billie Jean King, have suggested that coaching should be allowed, because it happens all the time.

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Road to Guyana Open Golf tournament good, says Tiwari

Haresh “Pandit” Tiwari about to play a stroke during Saturday’s Silica Sand Golf tournament (Clifton Ross Photo)

L

ocal pro golfer Haresh “Pandit” Tiwari says the fraternity has been on the right path leading up to November’s Guyana Open Championships, as well as the forthcoming Suriname Invitational.

Saturday’s tournament, sponsored by Silica Sands, a long-time supporter of the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC), has been the second annual tournament in celebration of the remarkable academic achievements of Kayshav Tiwari, son of the “Pandit”, and one who has been among the top performers at the recent CXC exams.

Taking some time off from one of his holes, “Pandit” told Guyana Times Sport he has been touched by the turnout from his colleagues, and pleased to be involved in the festivities leading up to the major upcoming events.

“I’m very happy to be a part of the upcoming events leading up to the Guyana Open, and Silica Sands are happy to be a part of this tournament. We hope everyone enjoys the day of golf,” the Pandit expressed.

Among those who competed in the quest

for Best Gross and Best Net in categories A, B, & C, the Greens were filled with players the likes of 8-time defending Guyana Open Champion Avinash Persaud, Guillermo Escarraga, Mahesh Shivraj, Clifford Reis, Patrick Prasad, Mike Mangal, LGC President Aleem Hussain, and others.

Regarding the turnout, the seasoned golfer said it was great to see the golfers coming out every week to polish their skills.

He also said it was the hunger and anticipation ahead of the Suriname and Guyana Open which has led to the golfers’ continuous support.

“The turnout was excellent, you can’t ask for more. These golfers are hungry ahead of these tournaments, not only the Suriname Open, but the Guyana Open; and we’re happy that so many of them turned out today,” he declared.

The tournament offered some more fine-tuning ahead of the upcoming trip to Suriname, slated for October 5-7. That would be followed by the Open in November 3-4. (Clifton Ross)

on 223-7230-1 Phone: 223-7230 GFF Elite League III...

(Ext 55) EXT: 55

Double header begins today

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he Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF’s) Elite League III will continue today, Sunday 16th September, with a double-header at the GFC ground. The first match, Fruta Conquerors vs GDF FC, will commence at 18:30h; while the second match, Western Tigers opposing Den Amstel in the main event of the night, will begin at 20:30h.

Two nights of double-headers to be staged at the GFC will follow these encounters. On Wednesday, September 19, GDF will play the Cougars at 19:00h, and Western Tigers will oppose Victoria Kings in the penultimate match at 21:00h.

The final two matches would be staged on Friday, September 21, at 19:00h, when

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223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

Remaining fixtures in the GFF Elite League III

Milerock clash in all-out war with Den Amstel and the Conquerors go up against Western Tigers in the mother of all matches at 21:00h.

The GFF Elite League is the senior league of the GFF, and aims to provide a platform for consistent, competitive football. It is divided into two rounds, the first of which began in November 2017.

Admission to matches costs just five hundred Guyana dollars, and all women -- and children under 12 years old -- will be admitted free of cost.

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guyanatimesgy.com

SUnDAY, september 16, 2018

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2018…

Injuries, playing conditions, expectations aside

- top teams ready for battle!

W

i t h both

to go,” Bravo declared.

The Warriors’ teams oozing confidence camp has been without ahead of today’s deciding medium-pacer Keemo matchup, captains of the fiPaul, who is recovering nal two teams in the Hero from an injury. Warriors’ Caribbean Premier League captain shared, “I’m pretty sure 2018, Chris Green and that we have a fully fit squad. I Dwayne Bravo, have dethink they’re still sweaty on the clared their sides ready, roarfitness of Keemo. But other than ing and rearing for the thrill- Guyana Amazon Warriors Captain Chris Green and Trinbago Knight Riders Captain Dwayne Bravo as they addressed the media on Saturday that, no injury clouds for me as ing encounter this evening. yet; so that’s great.”

“From our side of things The highly anticipated clash where the drama will play out, has a sur- have to adapt to that on the night,” Chris we’re really excited! We also come in with face very similar to the one at Providence in Green’s declared. will bowl off at 17hrs today, and by the look a bit of momentum at the back end as well. Guyana, but it has proven to be a bit slow On the topic of final eleven and injured of things, both teams are gunning for the We’re all really looking forward to the to start. However, both captains are positive players, Dwayne Bravo told media opera- new trophy. clash,” Guyana Amazon Warriors captain, that their players would be able to manage tives that he is unsure about Sunil Narine’s “To have the opportunity to defend our Chris Green, has stated. both batting and bowling there. condition, his having played their qualifier trophy is a great result for us despite how Trinbago Knight Riders’ captain, “It’s nothing that the local players are match against St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots the game goes tomorrow,” DJ Bravo has Dwayne Bravo, had this to say: “I think only not accustomed to! So I think the wicket to- with an injured shoulder. said. the two best teams remain, and the fans are morrow is going to be similar, slowish but a “Everyone back home in Guyana has “To play a game and bowl the way he did going to get a very good cricket game. For good one,” DJ Bravo has stated. on a very bad shoulder shows his class and been really supportive throughout the tourus, there’s nothing about preparation. We “Even the international players have the commitment he has for the team. We nament, and we know how much our success played last night (Friday) and it was a good played the best part of 10 or 11 games here have a very good medical team, the doctor means to them. If all goes well and our way, win, so we just want to take that momen- in the CPL, and know what each game’s con- and the physio are going to do everything in then we get to hold the trophy up at the end tum into the game tomorrow (today).” ditions are going to hold for them. We just their powers to make sure he’s up and ready of the night,” Chris Green has stated in opThe Brian Lara Cricket Stadium pitch, timism.

President’s Cup to distribute

Softball action returns to $10M in cash and prizes Everest and MSC today

From second left, CNG’s Treasurer Tanuja Raikha, Nerissa Gopaul (Secretary), Steven Cheefoon, Andre James, Jevaughn Stephen (President), Marise Jordan; Sales Manager of Top Brandz at the launch of the President’s Cup

T

he Rising Sun Turf club will be a hive of activity on September 20 as they open their doors to horse racing enthusiasts for the Annual President’s Cup horse race meet which is a collaborative effort between the Rising Sun Turf Club and the Caribbean Nations Group (CNG).

The staple competition offers a day full of thrills and chills at the turf, as the usual suspects will compete in seven events for cash prizes to the tune of $10 M. The event is being primarily sponsored by Top Brandz under their Budweiser, Bud Light and Corona brands.

Operating under the theme, ‘Green State Challenge’ which is in accordance with the Head of State, Brigadier Ret’d David Granger’s vision for a better Guyana. The gates to the highly anticipated horse meet will open at from 10:00hrs at the Rising Sun while the first race will run off at 13:00hrs.

Speaking on the event, Vice-president of the CNG Steven Cheefoon disclosed that the he is expecting the meet to receive a large turnout, owing to the scores of horse rac-

ing fans in West Coast Berbice. He further stated, “What we are doing is trying to have Guyana Bred horses run for big money too.”

On Top Brandz’ behalf, Sales Manager Marise Jordan noted that her team is elated to be a part of such an event.

The feature event of the day’s activities will be opened to all Guyanese bred horses over the distance of five and half furlongs for the top prize of $1million whilst second will receive $500,000, third $250,000 and fourth $125,000.

The E Class and Lower event will attract a top purse of $500,000 while the J3 and Lower will see the winner sprinting away with $350,000, the L Class Open -$300,000, L Class Maiden-$250,000, two-year Guyana bred Maiden- $200,000 and the L Non Earners in 2018 - $50,000.

The races will gallop off under rules and regulations of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority. In addition, the event is sure to have entertainment for the entire family inclusive of a Kids corner.

Regal Masters; one of the most decorated softball teams in Guyana

A

fter a brief break for various reasons, the Back to Eden, Permaul Trading, Khan’s Trading and Trophy Stallsponsored softball tournament will resume today, Sunday September 13, 2018, with two matches being played at the Malteenoes Sports Club ground on Thomas Lands, and the two other matches at the iconic Everest Cricket Club on Carifesta Avenue in the open and masters category.

The first match at Everest Cricket Club will see the Regal Masters battle it out with Success Masters at 10:00am. The second match will then follow, with Regal Masters taking on Tropical Springs at 13:00h. The

last two matches of the competition will see Beach Night clashing with Success at 10:00am, and Spikeland Challengers in the penultimate match of the day face off with S.V.C at 13:00h at the Malteenoes Sports Club ground.

The competition is organised by the Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA), and also features teams in the Masters’ over-50 category and Female Open. The Format is round robin.

For further information; teams may contact Wayne Jones on 650-1790, Anil Beharry on 623-6875 or Jailall Deodass on 615-8644.

guyanatimesgy.com

SUnDAY, september 16, 2018

23

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2018…

T

Summer’s biggest party ends with Warriors-TKR tussle for Hero CPL 2018 title

wo experienced and skilful old rivals will engage in competition today for one last time this season when the Guyana Amazon Warriors, chasing their elusive dream, confront defending champs Trinbago Knight Riders in a season-ending battle for the coveted Hero CPL 2018 Championship title and accompanying bragging rights.

The action, expected to be scintillating, bowls off at 17:00h at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago.

Defending champs TKR, showing remarkable grit and determination, clawed their way back into the finals after the Warriors had handed them back-toback losses at the Providence Stadium in Guyana. They defied the odds to beat the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots on Friday night at the Brian Lara Academy and set up a match that could possibly see them retaining their title at home.

But the Trinbago Knight Riders could just as well find themselves surrendering the title to the Guyana Amazon Warriors, who seemingly have their number heading into this encounter.

With a few days off to rest and assess the conditions in Trinidad, the Warriors -now in the finals for the 4th time -- are more dangerous than ever. Their ruthless disposing of the champs during the knockout stages has exhibited a settled resolve to emerge victorious, and they will rely on their young crop of power-hitters to inflict more damage on the competition.

Much will revolve around leading run-scorer Shimron Hetmyer, who has been in blazing form with a hundred and a few fifties under his belt. Currently playing his first full Hero CPL season for the Warriors, the left-hander is the X-factor in this game, especially with his role in the two losses.

Sherfane Rutherford has stepped up in a major way, and has become the Warriors’ go-to pinch-hitter in a crisis. His six sixes against TKR will still be fresh in their memories come Sunday.

Apart from the two Guyanese, the seniors in Luke Ronchi, Chadwick Walton, Jason Mohammed and Sohail Tanvir will

have to maintain their batting form. Tanvir, with his six off Bravo in the previous encounter, has blasted Guyana into the finals.

Colin Munro, the Trinbago left-hander, is the leading run-getter with a whopping 499 runs; while Hetmyer follows not too far behind with 425 runs, making either batsman capable of ending the tournament as leading overall run-scorer.

The Warriors will be backing their world-class battery of bowlers, mostly their spinners, who have played key roles throughout the tournament.

Captain Chris Green, leg-spinner Imran Tahir, and possibly any of the options, including Devendra Bishoo and Veerasammy Permaul, could slot it nicely in the attack, if needed.

TKR have confirmed that Sunil Narine could be out of the finals, while the Warriors might have to play without Keemo Paul.

The change in venue to their home turf would have the Champs booming with confidence despite losing to the Warriors in Guyana. The Patriots discovered on Friday that the TKR were too much to handle in their backyard.

Aussie leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed is the leading wicket-taker with 21 scalps; while

Tahir, with 16, will certainly prove a challenge at Tarouba. Most of the TKR batsmen have been clicking in match-winning ways, but their last game on Friday saw meagre knocks of 20 apiece from a few of their batters playing big roles.

TKR will back Ahmed for luck, while pacer Ali Khan, spinner Kharry Pierre and Skipper Dwayne Bravo himself will be crucial with the ball. The sides are evenly balanced on paper, and both units will have much to prove, as they have faced off before in the past for high stakes. These considerations have set a scene for possibly one of the most intriguing finals in Hero CPL history to be played today. (Clifton Ross)

UG Trojans ready for 2nd Cyril Bonar Memorial T/20 Cricket Competition

W

ith just under five days remaining, the University of Guyana Cricket Team are tirelessly preparing for the 2nd Cyril Bonar Memorial T/20 Cricket Competition, to be held at the DR Snelle Park in Paramaribo, Suriname between September 22nd and 23rd as they depart the shores of Guyana on Thursday September 20, 2018.

The matches are sched-

uled to be played on September 22, 2018 from 9:30 am to midnight; and September 23, 2018 from 9:30 am to 10:00 pm. Guyana’s very own Tremayne Smartt, part of the current West Indies Women’s T/20 World Championship Team, is expected to be there. Smartt, a right-arm medium bowler, has an impressive economy rate of 5.51 and best bowling figures of 3/9 at the T/20 level.

Coach of the UG Trojans, Kenroy Joseph, when asked about the preparation for the upcoming tournament, said,“Thus far, things are going great. We are mostly pushing for optimum fitness level, because I’ve decided to use the fast pace approach”.

When asked by <<<Guyana Times Sport>>> what the fast paced approach is, Joseph responded by saying, “Well, this simply means we will be trying to beat teams

The squad that will take part in the 2nd Cyril Bonar Memorial T/20 Cricket Competition

by manipulating our field placement in a quick manner. Fielders should be moving around quickly, not giving the batsman any chance to think. Also, when batting, we plan on limiting the dot ball ratio by running a lot of singles and twos”.

Joseph also stated that in terms of preparation, it has been tough, since the weather hasn’t been favourable to the team, thus hindering the pitch preparation. But

he relayed that that hasn’t stopped them, since they are targeting their fitness so as to make amends for the lost time.

In his closing statements, Joseph also said that despite the team’s preparation, there have been a few setbacks, as pacer Ray Newton has a slight ankle injury and Ershad Ali has a cut on his hand. But Kenroy reassured Guyana Times that it is nothing to worry

about, as both Newton and Ali are resting and doing rehab and will be ready for the tour.

The squad participating in the 2nd Cyril Bonar Memorial T/20 Cricket competition is made up of D Dodson (Capt) L Austin, O Danhram, E Ali, D George, S Dhania, R Newton, D Heywood, G Matthew, P Persaud, M Persaud, N Bollers and K Greene.

(Timothy Jaikarran)

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2018

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2018…

Summer’s biggest party ends

Pg 23

with Warriors, TKR tussle for Hero CPL 2018 title

Will the Guyana Amazon Warriors celebrate in similar fashion on Sunday night, but with the 2018 Hero CPL title?

New Board of Directors elected for Archery Guyana – Khan, Persaud-McKinnon, Hing to lead

Pg 20

Newly elected Board of Directors seated pose with some of the attendees at the AGM 2018

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.

September 16, 2018

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John Legend's EGOT win makes history Page 14

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Fort Islandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dutch Heritage Museum (Subhash Haimraj photo)

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2 Sunday Times Magazine Feature

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SEPTEMBER 16, 2018

“T

o see her after she was raped and the trauma she was going through makes my heart hurt and it is something I can never get over. I am trying to be there for her but she looks a bit dazed most time but we will get over it in time,” says Joylyn Shepherd.

Ms Shepherd is a 43-year-old mother of two and just a month ago, a close relative of her was brutally raped during a burglary.

Because of the covenants governing the identities of rape victims, we are unable to identify Ms Shepherd’s relative that was abused. The perpetrator is out on bail and the family is now living in fear of a reoccurrence or even worse threat to life and limb.

She said that to be raped means to be broken in uncountable ways and invaded in all forms. That is what tend to break down victims resulting in their silence and cases going unreported. And if victims report rape then they are more than often shamed by society.

“After this incident then the reality hit home about the way we deal with rape and the people who are raped. This incident happened after there was plenty rape in the area and nobody cared enough to raise some awareness. I don’t want this to happen to anyone else again so that is why I am on this mis-

sion to raise awareness,” she said.

Ms Shepherd is currently raising awareness by reaching out to Organizations advocating for better representation of the issues that women are faced by.

Additionally, she is going on educational campaigns to speak with women and young girls about the effects of sexual assault as well as picketing the Magistrate’s Court where the case is ongoing.

“My end game is to ensure that we have an educated population where more people are aware of what it is when someone is raped. I want to create a safe space for women and girls who are victims of abuse in all forms, so that they know that they are cared for and loved,” Ms Shepherd explained.

In 2015, rape rate for Guyana was 41.9 cases per 100,000 population.

Though Guyana rape rate fluctuated substantially in recent years, it tended to increase through 2010 - 2015 period ending at 41.9 cases per 100,000 population in 2015. Earlier this year, the Guyana Police Force recorded an increase in the number of rape cases.

Ms Shepherd said that the statistics is what troubles her and that she has sat silent for far too long. She explains that her she only became fully aware of the issues at hand when it hit too close to home when her family member was assaulted.

“I have my eyes set on the future goals and I will ensure that it is achieved.

I want to make sure that when I am finished that every girl knows that they should not be violated by anyone. Women are not to be raped. They are to be loved for, cared for and allowed to fulfil their dreams.”

guyanatimesgy.com

SEPTEMBER 16, 2018

Sunday Times Magazine

3

Feature

sociated with Stargardt disease is caused by the death of photoreceptor cells in the central portion of the retina called the macula.

The macula is responsible for sharp central v i -

By Lakhram Bhagirat

“I

was scared because I didn’t know what is happening and what will happen. When they told me that I may lose my sight, I was depressed and I was about seven years old at that time.

Just in Grade Two and I was s h a m e because I didn’t want my friends to laugh at me…” the now 17-year-old Anjalie Sookra tells me.

Anjalie was diagnosed with Stargardt’s disease after her parents discovered she had problems with her vision.

Stargardt disease is the most common form of inherited juvenile macular degen-

eration.

The progressive vision loss as-

sion — for tasks like reading, watching television, and looking at faces.

According to experts, visual awareness may decrease slowly at first, accelerate, and then level off. Stargardt disease

is usually inherited as an autosomal recessive trait.

It is inherited when both parents, called carriers, have one gene for the disease paired with one normal gene. There is currently no treatment available for the disease.

Now that we have a fair idea of Analia’s condition, let us get to know her and how she overcame and continues to overcome obstacles in her everyday life. She hails from the East Berbice village of Tain and is the first child of her parents Pradeep and Mohini Sookra.

She explains that that her childhood was one that was “normal” with lots of fun and friends but she always knew that something was wrong with her sight.

“While growing up and playing with my friends and so on, I always know that there is something with my eyes because I would always have to hold the book close to my eyes and sit in front of the class. But then at that

age I thought it was all normal because but after I went to the doctor I know I was different,” she explained.

Anjalie attended Tain Primary and while there, she said the challenges in in gaining a proper education were plenty. She would always have to sit in front of the class as well as had a lot of difficulties reading, hence resulting in her not being able to perform well academically.

“I was an average student in school because of my sight. I know I had the potential to do better but I am satisfied with my performance.”

After completing the National Grade Six

Assessment, Anjalie gained a place at Berbice High School and started a new chapter of her life. Adjusting to the pressures of secondary school as well as growing up was one she took in stride. She explained that while she is unaware of any teasing, she made some close friends.

“I made some very good friends and they helped me with my studying as school work. They never treated me any different and I am happy for that.”

Anjalie sat this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate examination and gained Grade One to Three passes in nine continued on page 4

4

Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

SEPTEMBER 16, 2018

Feature

T

ragedy struck the Sukhnandan family Thursday night when two of their seven children were involved in an accident. Their six-yearold boy, Sunil Sukhnandan immediately died after the accident while their 17-year-old daughter, Venesha Sukhnandan is still battling for her life at the Georgetown Public

Hospital.

The family of 9 lives in a small shack on the Ogle Sea Dam, East Coast Demerara and have been

living there for over three years. Head of the household, Sohan Sukhnandan, told the Sunday Magazine that he would have applied for a house lot and even went to meet with President David Granger for them to get a house and land.

“I meet with the President and them give we a paper and tell we to hold on and right now we

waiting on them so we can move out from here and have a better life,” he said.

Prior to moving to the squatting area, Sohan and

his family lived with an aunt in the nearby village of Industry. However, while he would go off to work his aunt would constantly verbally abuse his wife Radika Narine and their children.

“You know when people get old how them does get and she (my aunt) would beat up them children with bottle and so.

One day we get in an argument and we decide to move out and come here.

But we really wish we can move from here and get we own place,” he explained.

The family have no access to electricity and potable water. The condition is very unsanitary since they live close to a koker, where fishermen would moor their boats and offload their catch.

The family also would use water from the Atlantic Ocean for their daily activities and in some cases cooking. When there are spring tides they would also be susceptible to flooding.

“The place too small fuh all a we and we want a big one and where we can get we own current and water and so. I hope that somebody can help we get a house and so we can move.

For the children sake.”

The mother of the family said that rearing a family in that condition is not ideal. She too is hoping that they would get a

place to move to. She said that her husband would work on the boats while she would sell fish and shrimp.

Additionally, she said that one of her daughters is differently abled and that their present condition is not ideal for her development.

“We have the other girl in there and she would walk on she knees and the place is not nice for she.

Because she does have to stay in one place and so.

It is tough man,” Narine said.

For now, the family is focused on taking care of their child in the hospital as well as mourning the loss of their son. They are also hoping that justice will be served so that they could rest assured that they did everything in their power to honour their deceased child.

Visuallyimpaired...

from page 3

subjects. When I asked her how she was able to accomplish this, Anjalie told me that it was with extremely hard work as well as determination.

“I used to study hard and make sure that I understand everything that I was taught. I also had my friends and parents who helped me a lot. I am glad with the subjects that I passed and am now able to follow my dreams,” Anjalie said.

Now Anjalie is a student at the University of Guyana’s Tain Campus pur-

suing her studies in social work. She explains that she chose that field because she wants to help people who are in similar positions as she is.

She says her condition not only limits her learning capabilities but her mobility as well.

“I wish I can drive so it would ease the burden on my parents. They don’t want me to go anywhere on my own and they would take me everywhere. I wish that there would be a little more independence.”

guyanatimesgy.com

SEPTEMBER 16, 2018

Sunday Times Magazine 5

Feature

By Shemuel Fanfair

A

s time goes by, how can a mother stand to bear the burden to daily care for her once sprightly and promising son without harbouring feelings of great dismay over the fact that at present, he cannot respond audibly whenever she speaks to him? This is the battlefield of emotions Lot 22 Goed Fortuin, West Bank Demerara, mother of five Sharon Davidson faces, two years after her son; Shamar Henry, was struck down three houses away from their family home.

On May 29, 2016 Henry, as positive as any child

shower her son, feed him and then prepare meals for the rest of the family. The mother noted that she has to feed him again at 11:30h, 16:00h and 20:00h in all liquids since he is fed through a feeding tube.

“Every day is one thing.

He uses a pack of 10 pampers a day because he urinates a lot and I don’t want him to get anymore rashes because I have to spend a lot of money buying different creams to stop the itching,” she told Sunday Times Magazine.

Davidson recalled vividly that it was a Sunday afternoon around 15:15h when her son was struck by the speeding car. Just be-

to this publication, her eyes seemed filled with sadness as she stared at her son, recalling the horrific events of May 2016. Even now, these feelings remain persistent in her thoughts as she tries to see the light of a better day.

“Many days I want to holler and scream… to see how he deh but I thank God he alive and is a 100 per cent better than how he was before…he didn’t have any medical problem before… he would always be running and jumping up in the yard when the day came,” Davidson said with a restrained smile.

He was first taken to the West Demerara Regional

Sharon Davidson looks to her youngest child, Shamar Henry, who has not spoken and walked since his May 2016 accident

pealed his one-year prison term. He was earlier found guilty and sentenced to 12 months jail by former Wales Magistrate Clive Nurse at the conclusion of trial.

When it comes to her financial state, the woman indicated that she can barely make ends meet as she spends around $25,000 a month in pampers and thousands more in milk, anti-itch medication and vitamins. She had stopped his therapy sessions due to financial constraints but hopes to have him back in therapy by June which will cost $4000 for eight days.

Davidson said she gets $8000 in public assistance and $16,000 in child support from the teen’s father.

The lad’s mother holding some of his medications

could be, was on the cusp of his 13th birthday. However, his life and the lives of his family members would never be the same after Henry was one of two persons who was struck by a motorcar operated by Donald Downer, who was said to be speeding at the time of the accident.

Both lives were altered as the other individual involved in the accident -Wazir Ali, lost a leg; but for Shamar, he never regained his mobility or his speech after the accident on that fateful day.

Speaking with Sunday Times Magazine, his mother, Sharon, said above all, she wishes that her now 15-year-old son -- who is her youngest child -- would look up and speak to her.

Davidson pointed out that she is thankful that he can now move his head and blink his eyes.

Her day starts out about 05:00h everyday and the first thing she does is make porridge for Shamar.

Thereafter, Davidson would

fore the accident, a group of friends called her son out to play a game of football and she said she was lying in bed when she heard people calling out that Shamar was hit. Rushing over to the scene, she noted the fears that filled her mind when Shamar was lying on the Goed Fortuin Public Road in his older brother’s arms.

At this point, all she could do was frantically stop an approaching taxi to get help as she was only concerned with saving her injured son’s life.

After Downer’s speeding vehicle struck both pedestrians, the lad suffered from four fractures to his skull and internal injuries.

“The driver leave and go away and he is a pastor.

He left and go to the station but he didn’t render any assistance. I was right here on this bed when I hear people shouting Shamar, Shamar.

We get and car and rush he to hospital… then I ask what happened,” the woman remembered.

But as she was speaking

Hospital but his condition was so severe that he was referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital. Shamar’s mother said a Cuban doctor’s preliminary assessment was that her son could be brain dead which made her want to scream to the top of her lungs but she nevertheless persevered with hope that things would improve.

She recalled that when she first brought him home, Shamar was severely underweight and would wear pampers fit for a two year old. She said the biggest part of his feet were his knees and even today, he does not have the body mass as he once did.

“I feel bad because it’s my son and all the fatigue and strain left on me. The man who hit him down never gave me any compensation,” she said, adding that her faith was especially challenged because of this.

Davidson noted too that she would sometimes see Downer in a nearby supermarket as he reportedly ap-

The mother noted too that she can’t work anywhere but she supplements her income by selling at a small shop in front of her yard with her daughter.

Davidson takes Shamar to the West Demerara Hospital to get treatment for seizures and according to her, a doctor explained that it goes off like if wires are sparking in Shamar’s brain. But all is not lost as the woman is hopeful for a turnaround in her son’s situation.

“I am hoping and praying that he’s able to walk and talk and gets healed physically and mentally…

If I had money I would have gone out of the country to seek help but all in all, God

has to be the final help. God got to help he; man could only suggest this and that,” she said.

“It’s a terrible strain and a loss because I want to hear his voice. Sometimes I stand up, fed up and talk to him and I ask him if he understand me and he winks his eye but I am hoping that he will walk and talk but everything takes time,” she stressed.

The mother said her second born son was in a recent car accident at Handin-Hand in Vreed-en-Hoop where his shoulder was broken but he is recuperating. Sharon Davidson can be reached on mobile number 681-1404.

6 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

SEPTEMBER 16, 2018

Literary Corner

Preserving our literary heritage

by

Petamber Persaud

T

here are many endearing characteristics of the Indigenous People of Guyana. Some of those features are captured in ‘Encyclopaedia of the Guyanese Amerindians (Including other South American Native Terms, Issues and Events)’ compiled by Lal Balkaran. Most fascinating for me are the legend, folklore and myth, notwithstanding the other interesting features of the people.

Here are a few samples:

A Creation Story.

Amalivaca and his brother, Vochi, created the world according to Carib folklore.

But the legend bears more on Amalivaca who was sent to earth to restore peace and harmony which was disrupted by their father while attempting to be like a human being singing and dancing.

The Origin of Pain and Suffering

It is said that Yurokon went to a party with her child where she was served pepperpot that was extremely peppery. In order to ease

the burning in her mouth, she went to drink water from a nearby creek. Returning, she discovered someone had thrown her child into the pot. Consequently, Yurokon put a curse on the tribe that would see the men hunting the hard way and the women having pain in childbirth, and their offspring suffering many diseases.

How So

The Origin of Fruits and Vegetables

‘A tapir once found the mythical tree that bore a variety of fruits and vegetables’ on which he fattened himself while the Amerindians were starving.

They tried but failed to uncover the secret of the tapir. However a forest spirit named Tamosi appeared and advised the people ‘to cut the tree down and distribute its parts to everyone who planted them from which spring cassava, sweet potatoes, corn, bananas, papayas and a variety of tropical fruits’.

Stories

There are many entertaining ‘just/how so’ stories like how the frog comes to be croaking from the forks of trees, how alligator got its scale, how come birds got their colours, how come owl likes darkness, and how come kiskadee got the white bandage on its head.

That’s about legend, folklore and myth of the Indigenous peoples but what are the facts about these peoples? According to the introduction to the book ‘Amerindian culture… is a process of accommodation with nature…they never hoard… nothing is wasted…their concern for ecology and the environment and the balance of nature is part of their belief system…ecology is woven seemingly into the fabric of their culture’.

O t h e r facts can be found in sections of the book marked ‘Time Chart of Amerindian R e l a t e d Events’ showing ‘chronologically all major Indianrelated events in Guyana … from 18000BC right down to 2001 AD’; ‘Map of Guyana showing distribution of the current nine Amerindian Tribes’ which are Ackawaois, Arawaks, Arekunas, Caribs, Makushi, Patamona, Wai Wai, Wapishanas, and Warrau; ‘Map of Guyana showing distribution of some extinct Amerindian tribes’; ‘Amerindian villages in Guyana’ numbering 131; Amerindian population in Guyana between 1891 – 1968’.

Some of those facts are substantiated through the profiles of men and women who contributed to the well being of the indigenous people and the shaping of their way of life like Gravesande, Schomburgks brothers, Brett, Hilhouse, Waterton, Cary Elwes, MacLintock, Peberdy, McKenna, Brett, Im Thurn, Roth Melvilles, Ogilvie, Hart, Stephen Campbell, John Bennett, Basil Rodrigues, Guy Marco, George Simon, Stephanie Correia, David Campbell, Jean La Rose among others.

There are many books attesting to the above facts like ‘British Policy Towards the Amerindians in British Guiana, 1803-1873’ by Mary N. Menezes, ‘The Animism and Folklore of the Guiana Indians’ by Walter Roth, ‘Canoe and Camp Life in British Guiana’ by Barrington Brown, ‘Indian Notices’ by William Hilhouse, ‘The Marches of El Dorado’ by Michael Swan, ‘Wanderings in South America’ by Charles Waterton, ‘Uncle Basil: An Arawak Biography’

Notice to Readers

by Justin Greene-Roesel, among others.

Under ‘expectations’, the compiler hoped that this work makes an ‘important contribution to global culture in general and …a greater understanding of Guyanese Amerindians’.

Which brings us to the main reason for the making of this book which is to serve as a guide to ‘[s]how the broad historical, anthropological and geographical setting of…indigenous peoples’ and to ‘profile the events, people and issues that have shaped their lives over the years’.

An ‘Encyclopaedia of the Guyanese Amerindians (Including other South American Native Terms, Issues and Events)’ is ‘a retitling and updated edition’

to ‘A Dictionary of Guyanese Amerindians (and other South American Native Terms): An A-Z Guide to their Anthropology, Cosmology, Culture, Exploration, History, Geography, Legend, Folklore and Myth’. This encyclopaedia did just what it set out to do and for this it is a commendable work.

Responses to this author telephone (592) 226-0065 or email: oraltradition2002@ yahoo.com

What’s happening:

New Arrivals: Monsoon on the Fingers of God (poetry) by Sasenarine Persaud; Red Hibiscus (novel) by Scott Ting-A-Kee; Aftermath of Empire: The Novels of Roy A. K. Heath (literary criticism) by Ameena Gafoor.

The Sound of Trees I wonder about the trees.

Why do we wish to bear Forever the noise of these More than another noise So close to our dwelling place?

We suffer them by the day Till we lose all measure of pace, And fixity in our joys, And acquire a listening air.

They are that that talks of going But never gets away; And that talks no less for knowing, As it grows wiser and older, That now it means to stay.

My feet tug at the floor And my head sways to my shoulder Sometimes when I watch trees sway, From the window or the door.

I shall set forth for somewhere, I shall make the reckless choice Some day when they are in voice And tossing so as to scare The white clouds over them on.

I shall have less to say, But I shall be gone.

BY ROBERT FROST

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.

guyanatimesgy.com

SEPTEMBER 16, 2018

Sunday Times Magazine

7

8 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

SEPTEMBER 16 , 2018

Feature

Guyana, the land of many waters, has undergone years of transformation so here is a look back in the past.

Passengers boarding a British Guiana Airways plane

An aerial view of the Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s College during the 1950s

An aerial view of Linden

The Demerara Harbour Bridge under construction

Water Street, Georgetown 1920s

Flasback to the days of Public Transportation System

The Strand, New Amsterdam in the 1950s

Wismar, Linden back in the day

guyanatimesgy.com

SEPTEMBER 16 , 2018

Sunday Times Magazine 9

Health

P

Overview

rostate cancer is cancer that occurs in the prostate — a small walnutshaped gland in men that produces the seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in men. Usually prostate cancer grows slowly and is initially confined to the prostate gland, where it may not cause serious harm. However, while some types of prostate cancer grow slowly and may need minimal or even no treatment, other types are aggressive and can spread quickly.

Prostate cancer that's detected early — when it's still confined to the prostate gland— has a better chance of successful treatment

Symptoms

Prostate cancer may cause no signs or symptoms in its early stages.

Prostate cancer that's more advanced may cause signs and symptoms such as: • Trouble urinating • Decreased force in the stream of urine • Blood in semen • Discomfort in the pelvic area • Bone pain • Erectile dysfunction

Causes

It's not clear what causes prostate cancer.

Doctors know that prostate cancer begins when some cells in your prostate become abnormal. Mutations in the abnormal cells' DNA cause the cells to grow and divide more rapidly than normal cells do.

The abnormal cells continue living, when other cells would die. The accumulating abnormal cells form a tumor that can grow to invade nearby tissue. Some abnormal cells can also break off and spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body.

Risk factors

Factors that can increase your risk of prostate cancer include: • Age. Your risk of prostate cancer increases as you age.

• Race. For reasons not yet determined, black men carry a greater risk of prostate cancer than do men of other races. In black men, prostate cancer is also more likely to be aggressive or advanced.

• Family history. If men in your family have had

prostate cancer, your risk may be increased. Also, if you have a family history of genes that increase the risk of breast cancer (BRCA1 or BRCA2) or a very strong family history of breast cancer, your risk of prostate cancer may be higher.

• Obesity. Obese men diagnosed with prostate cancer may be more likely to have advanced disease that's more difficult to treat.

Complications

Complications of prostate cancer and its treatments include: • Cancer that spreads (metastasizes). Prostate cancer can spread to nearby organs, such as your bladder, or travel through your bloodstream or lymphatic system to your bones or other organs.

Prostate cancer that spreads to the bones can cause pain and broken bones. Once prostate cancer has spread to other areas of the body, it may still respond to treatment and may be controlled, but it's unlikely to be cured.

• Incontinence. Both prostate cancer and its treatment can cause urinary incontinence. Treatment for incontinence depends on the type you have, how severe it is and the likelihood it will improve over time. Treatment options may include medications, catheters and surgery.

• Erectile dysfunction.

Erectile dysfunction can result from prostate cancer or its treatment, including surgery, radiation or hormone treatments. Medications, vacuum devices that assist in achieving erection and surgery are available to treat erectile dysfunction.

Prevention

You can reduce your risk of prostate cancer if you: • Choose a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables.

Avoid high-fat foods and instead focus on choosing a variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Fruits and vegetables contain many vitamins and nutrients that can contribute to your health.

Whether you can prevent prostate cancer through diet has yet to be conclusively proved. But eating a healthy diet with a variety of fruits and vegetables can improve your overall health.

• Choose healthy foods over supplements. No studies have shown that supplements play a role in reducing your risk of prostate cancer.

Instead, choose foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals so that you can maintain healthy levels of vitamins in your body.

• Exercise most days of the week. Exercise improves your overall health, helps you maintain your weight and im-

proves your mood. There is some evidence that men who don't exercise have higher PSA levels, while men who exercise may have a lower risk of prostate cancer.

Try to exercise most days of the week. If you're new to exercise, start slow and work your way up to more exercise time each day.

• Maintain a healthy

weight. If your current weight is healthy, work to maintain it by exercising most days of the week. If you need to lose weight, add more exercise and reduce the number of calories

you eat each day. Ask your doctor for help creating a plan for healthy weight loss.

• Talk to your doctor about increased risk of prostate cancer. Men with a high risk of prostate cancer may consider medications or other treatments to reduce their risk. Some studies suggest that taking 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, including finasteride (Propecia, Proscar) and dutasteride (Avodart), may reduce the overall risk of developing prostate cancer. These drugs are used to control prostate gland enlargement and hair loss in men.

However, some evidence indicates that men taking these medications may have an increased risk of getting a more serious form of prostate cancer (high-grade prostate cancer). If you're concerned about your risk of developing prostate cancer, talk with your doctor. (Mayo Clinic)

10 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

SEPTEMBER 16, 2018

Fashion

Every day we are faced with the choice of what we wear, how do we wear it and what do we wear it with. To make life easier we have gathered some easy tips from celebrity stylists who have been solving fashion conundrums for years.

Show Some Loyalty

A great-fitting dress or pair of pants from a line one season may mean similar success the next, as shown

by Kate Middleton. Designers, especially higher-end ones like Middleton's fave Temerley London, tend to size their clothes based on a regular fit model.

Show Skin Strategically

Looking truly sexy involves knowing what to bare-and what to keep under wraps.

Otherwise, where's the mystery? "Choose one-only one-body part and show it off," advises Jen Rade, stylist to Angelina Jolie. "If it's cleavage, don't show your legs. If it's your legs, stay covered on top."

Accessorize With Brights

If you've got a closet full of neutrals-be they navy, black, camel, or gray-add energy with boldly hued shoes and bags.

Not only is a ruby red satchel more lively than ho-hum black, but it's also surprisingly versatile. Feeling really brave?

Wear a neutral base with shoes and a bag in two different complementary colors.

guyanatimesgy.com

SEPTEMBER 16, 2018

Sunday Times Magazine 11

Home & Cooking

Ingredients • • • • • • • • •

Rice Stuffing Ingredients: 1 tsp olive oil 1 tbsp butter 1 cup Caribbean pumpkin or butternut squash, cut into 1 inch pieces ½ onion, finely diced 1 tsp crushed garlic 1 tsp grated ginger 1 tsp thyme, finely chopped ½ tsp black pepper 1 tsp chicken bouillon powder

• •

1 scallion, finely chopped 1 – 6.9 oz box Zatarain’s

Yellow Rice (or any yellow rice) • 2 ¼ cups water • • • • • • •

Other ingredients: 4 chicken breasts ½ tsp onion powder ½ tsp garlic powder ½ tsp black pepper 1 tsp salt 1 tbsp olive oil 1 tsp butter

Instructions 1. To make the pumpkin rice stuffing: 2. Add oil and butter to a pot over medium heat. When the butter has melted, add pumpkin, onion, garlic, ginger and thyme and cook for about 5 minutes.

3. Next add Zatarian’s yellow rice mix, scallion, black pepper, bouillon powder and water and stir to combine.

4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cover the pot. Cook covered for 20-25 minutes until the rice is tender. Set aside.

5. Place chicken breast flat on a cutting board and place your hand firmly on top. Starting on the thin end, slice through the chicken breast until you’ve reached the other side. Be sure not to cut all the way through to the other side. This technique is how to butterfly chicken breast.

6. Season the chicken breasts with onion powder, garlic, black pepper and salt.

7. To stuff the chicken breast, open the flap that you created with the cut and place a heaping spoonful of mixture. Cover with the flap and secure the ends using toothpicks. Repeat process with the remaining chicken breast and pumpkin rice.

8. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

9. In a large oven safe skillet, add butter and oil over high heat. Once the butter has melted, add chicken breast to the pan and cook until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side.

10. Place in preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes.

11. Remove from pan and allow to cool before serving. (Jehann Powell – Jehann Can Cook)

Ingredients

• 2 cups orange soda(preferably Fanta) • 2 cups Sprite • 1/4 cup grenadine syrup* • 4 dashes Angustora Bitters • Sliced orange • Sliced cucumber

Instructions

1. Pour all ingredients into a pitcher and stir to combine. Serve over ice with slices of lemon and cucumber.

(Jehann Powell – Jehann Can Cook)

We've pulled together some of our best household cleaning tips and tricks to help you get a spotless home for a fraction of the price. Plenty of natural, cheap, quick, helpful and cheerful cleaning tips - using everything from tin foil to vinegar and lemons - that should save you time and money when you clean your home.

Reuse cleaning sponges – just microwave them clean It can feel like you're constantly buying new packs of kitchen and bathroom cleaning sponges, and not only do the costs add up, but it's not great for the environment to keep throwing dirty ones away.

Get more use from your cleaning sponges by giving them a quick one or two-minute blast in the microwave on a high setting. This will kill off bacteria.

Use baby oil to remove fingerprints from stainless steel Baby oil isn't just for smoothing and soothing skin - it's actually a whiz at lifting grease too. If the hood of your cooker, or other stainless-steel appliances, are grubby with finger marks, pop a small amount of baby oil on to a clean, microfibre cloth and give them a wipe.

12 Sunday Times Magazine

SEPTEMBER 16, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

Puzzles

ACROSS

116 Insect resins Speaker brand 117 Vex Kind of turf

118 Grabbed a bite Lit incense to

120 Poet's contraction Downy fruit 122 Core Strong as -- - 123 Banish, as doubts Bit of holly

124 Lover of Rowena Cheese often grated

128 551, to Ovid Boxer -- Griffith 129 Daughter of Hyperion Green mineral 130 "The Telltale Heart" penner Helmet topper 131 Weathervane dir.

Never praised

132 Funny Imogene -Famed violin

133 A Bobbsey twin Lawless 135 Padded Recede

137 Gaggle of geese "Hasta --, amigo!"

139 This, to Caesar Kindhearted

140 Hand out Draw, in a way 142 Bear in Barcelona Lady in an apron 144 Used a coupon Fleming or McEwan

148 Best possible In the altogether 150 Rendezvous Slicker

153 African village Fiesta cheer

155 German import Rabbit's foot

156 Prickly pear Tijuana "Mrs." 157 Inedible oranges Plundered

158 Wake up Thunderstruck 159 1492 vessel Coal scuttles

160 Early Teutons Bumblers

161 Get cozy Compost

162 Lent a hand Dens

163 Europe-Asia range Sock it -- --! DOWN Wheels for baby 1 Tijuana locale Says "yeth"

2 -- -- even keel Clump of fluff

3 Fountain treat Put into words 4 Put forth effort Halted

5 It paves the way Shiva's wife

6 Alter genes Stuck at home, maybe

7 Certain moratorium Go team!

8 Basketball hoop Cays

9 Ess molding

47 Highland youth 10 Resort island

49 Not a repro.

11 Oxford tutor

51 May birthstone 12 Mantra chants 53 Roman officer

13 Fidel's brother 54 Brand of spandex 14 Indifference

56 Split to join

15 Mark a page (hyph.) 59 Renoir models 16 Pancho Villa's coin 61 Recollecting

17 911 responder

63 Boring

18 Lifesaver, at times (2 wds.)

64 Shake hands with 19 Eau --, Wisconsin

65 Blow away 20 Waffled

67 Muralist -- Rivera 30 Vampire repellent

68 Soccer goal

32 Yuppie wheels

69 Hot spells (2 wds.)

34 Snarling sound

70 Ice floe dweller 38 Equal, in combos

73 Fit in with

39 Hang in folds

75 When mammoths 41 Tie-dye cousin 77 roamed (2 wds.)

42 Shopping havens

81

112 In good order 43 Over

82 113 Mgmt.

44 Slacks material

84

115 De Gaulle's hat 46 Hair goo

1

5

10

16

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 29 31

33 35

36

37

40

41 42

45

46

48 50 52

54 55 57 58

59

60

62

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67 69

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72

74 76

78

79

80

83

85

88

89 90 93

95

97

98

100

101

106

108

110

KATHLEEN SAXE

WORD GAME TODAY'S WORD -- REOCCUPY REOCCUPY: ree-OK-yoo-pye: To retake possession or control of.)

Average mark 20 words Time limit 30 minutes Can you find 27 or more words in REOCCUPY?

recopy recoup rope ropy roue ecru euro occupy occur

cero cope copy core coup coupe coyer crop croup

cure pore pour prey puce pure pyre yore your

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.

Citrus coolers Very hesitant TV knob Illustrations Antler Get smart with Mugger Liquefy "Cheers!" in Baja Hangar occupant Fries and slaw Luau dish Pretty soon Tortilla in India "The", to Wolfgang Uniform trim Popped up Tendon Cousteau's domain Aloha token Lighter fluids

85 Dalai Lama's city 122 Vets' concern 86 Fishtailed 123 Scribbled

87 Dairy aisle buy

124 Chinese book of augury (2 wds.)

91 Tip of a pen

125 Black magic

92 Nerdy one

126 Agree to

93 Worn out

127 Singer Sheena - 94 Plays unfairly

130 Polite word

95 Sporty wheels

134 TLC provider

96 Cousteau's summer 136 "All That Jazz" man

99 Secluded valley 137 Charlatan 102 Per

138 Mr. Reeves

103 Running mates

140 Pandora's boxful

104 Chalet features

141 Young falcon

105 Archeology find

143 Gumbo ingredient

107 Tropical vine

145 -- Woods

109 Nobelist -- Bohr

146 Ms. Ferber

111 Ad award

147 Clock's front

114 Extreme degree

149 Contented murmur 117 Fragment

151 Barracks off.

119 Geological periods 152 Util. bill See Solution

121 "Road movie" locale on Pg 14 154 Louis XIV, e.g.

guyanatimesgy.com

SEPTEMBER 16, 2018

Sunday Times Magazine 13

Tech

L

T

he OnePlus 6 is one of the best Android flagship phones with a headphone jack, but its eventual successor — expected to be called the OnePlus 6T — won’t have one, according to OnePlus’ co-founder Carl Pei. In an interview with TechRadar, Pei said the decision was justified. “We found 59% of our community already owned wireless headphones earlier this year - and that was before we launched our Bullets Wireless headphones,” he

said.

It’s not that OnePlus’ reasoning is to go on a crusade against the headphone jack. The company wants to deliver an optimal set of features, and Pei thinks that it’s worth removing the 3.5mm audio jack in favor of something better: battery life. “By removing the jack we’ve freed up more space, allowing us to put more new technology into the product,” he said.

To soften the blow, OnePlus is offering alterna-

tives in the form of USB-C headphones, if you must have wired headphones with the upcoming OnePlus 6T. Of course, you’ll be occupying the only available port on the phone, which is far from ideal if you’re low on a charge, even with the promise of better battery life. With OnePlus bowing out on headphone jacks, Samsung and LG remain as the last two globally known manufacturers with flagship phones that still have headphone jacks. (The Verge)

G announced that it will hold an event on October 3rd to introduce the V40 ThinQ, its next flagship phone and, remarkably, LG’s fourth flagship this year. The event invitation is adorned with the phrase “take five,” which is a little depressing as a product tagline. (It reads a little like, “it took five tries to nail this.”) But it actually seems to be teasing a new feature: the phone is expected to include a total of five cameras.

If that happens, the V40 might be the first smartphone to include five cameras — presumably, that’d be two on the front and three on the back. While that combination would be new, those setups aren’t unprecedented. Huawei included a triple-camera system on the P20 Pro earlier this year, and several companies have included dual-camera systems on the front. This number of cameras allows for some fancy processing effects, but mostly, it just

offers different zoom capabilities.

LG has tried to set its V-series of phones apart by targeting them at people who are looking to create various types of media.

While that message has muddied over time, the additional cameras could start to restore the line’s focus.

That said, LG still has an uphill journey to make this phone stand out. Its last V-series phone, the V35 ThinQ, was quickly forgotten after launching in June, and it had few distinctions

iPhone XR, XS, XS Max: Apple's three new iPhones start at $749, $999, $1,099

T

P

olar announced two new workout trackers Thursday: the more expensive Vantage V and the cheaper Vantage M companion.

The Vantage V costs $499.90 and includes a new optical heart rate sensor with nine LEDs along two different wavelengths (green and red). This, the company says, should make its heart rate readings more accurate.

The biggest addition to the watch is its power measurements for running. This is a relatively new metric, but you might recognize it because of products like Stryd. It essentially measures a wearer’s work output, similar to how cyclists measure their watts generated. Runners likely will appreciate this for training purposes. It doesn’t support LTE, although it does have a built-in GPS. It charges over a custom charger and should last for 40 hours of sports activity time, Polar says. It’s also water and

swim-proof. The watch features a 1.2-inch, 240 x 240 touchscreen that’ll turn off once wearers enter their workout mode. It’s available in white, black, and orange.

The cheaper Vantage M costs $279.90 and features a lot of the same technology, except for the touchscreen and running power detection.

Unlike on the Vantage V, you can actually change the bands on the Vantage M. The watch also doesn’t include one of Polar’s signature software features, “recovery mode,” which analyzes wearers’ previous workouts to determine how long they’ll need to recover. Both watches are available for preorder today through Polar’s website and will ship in October.

(The Verge)

from LG’s G7, which went on sale around the same time.

Now, we’re at least a few months out from LG’s last flagship phone launch, but it’s not clear if LG plans to introduce something hugely different.

The V40 is expected to have a Snapdragon 845 processor and a quad DAC — both things are present in LG’s last flagships — though it’s rumored to jump up to a 6.3-inch display with a notch, which would be new. (The Verge)

he iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR, Apple's new iPhones for 2018, are officially here. While the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max have virtually the same guts, just in two different sizes, the iPhone XR introduces a profound shift in Apple's strategy by folding its "bargain" phone into the premium iPhone mix.

Apple has dabbled in cheaper iPhones before, with the iPhone SE and iPhone 5C, but their designs stood apart from the mainstream iPhones, and didn't last. Here, the cheaper iPhone XR shares the design and many of the same specs as the toptier iPhones. It comes in bright colors and has some slimmed-down features, like a smaller battery than the new iPhone XSes. The

D

yson is back with some updates to its three-year-old robot vacuum, the 360 Eye. The 360 Heurist was announced in Beijing on Friday, and it brings new features like a quad-core 1.4GHz processor and eight LEDs around the top camera to help guide it in dark rooms, according to Engadget.

The new processor is said to be 20 times faster than its predecessor, which helps the machine pick up 60 percent more details about its environment.

This, in turn, is supposed to

pricing is the most attractive for iPhone loyalists.

Although there's nothing "budget" about the iPhone XR's $749 starting price, people looking for a new iPhone this year could easily gravitate to the relatively cheaper, more colorful XR. This reveal of Apple's 2018-2019 lineup is a big

moment for the tech giant, which shook up its iPhone range in 2017 when it introduced the iPhone X, iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, effectively killing any chance of a future iPhone 9 and turning its whole iPhone naming scheme on its head.

At a time when phones are becoming more and more expensive, Apple's

help the robot avoid bumping into furniture by 50 percent. In addition to a higher nylon bristle count, Dyson also claims the vacuum has 20 percent more suction power than the original 360 Eye, although both use the same 78,000 rpm Dyson V2 digital motor.

There are three suction power settings, so the runtime varies from 40 to 80 minutes. Like its predeces-

sor, the robot can be controlled via a companion app, but the 360 Heurist

has also added voice assistant capabilities. In China, it can be controlled via the Tmall Genie, Alibaba’s

decision to embrace the new "X" family is important because it cements a new strategy for Apple, one that will continue to set the pace for phone makers as we move toward 2019.

These new iPhones for 2018 will need to impress buyers if Apple has any desire to nudge Chinese brand Huawei -- which outsold iPhones last quarter -- and regain its seat as the world's second-largest phone maker, after No. 1 Samsung.

Keep reading for all the new iPhone specs. In the meantime, preorders for the iPhone XS and XS Max begin this Friday, Sept. 14, with the phones going on sale next Friday, Sept. 21.

The iPhone XR preorders begin Oct. 19 and it goes on sale Oct. 26. (CNET)

competitor to the Echo.

So far, it’s set to launch in China in November for 5,490 yuan (about $800). There’s no word yet on whether it’ll be available globally.

Right now, it looks like Dyson has stopped offering the old model on its website, and it’s only available through other shops like Best Buy or eBay. Maybe it’s a sign of what’s to come.

(The Verge)

14 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

SEPTEMBER 16, 2018

Bollywood/Hollywood

J

ohn Legend made history twice over the weekend.

The singer-actor won an Emmy at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards on Sunday in Los Angeles, along with Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice for producing the best variety special winner, "Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert."

At 39, Legend is one of

the youngest EGOT winners and also became the first African-American man to snag that honor.

"EGOT" stands for the big four awards in the entertainment industry: Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony.

Legend has racked up 10 Grammys, starting with a best new arti s t win in 2006.

In 2015 his

song "Glory" featured in the film "Selma" won an Oscar, and he received a Tony in 2017 for his role as a co-producer for the Broadway production of "Jitney."

Legend, who also played the title role in the NBC musical special, celebrated his win on social media. "Before tonight, only 12 people had won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony in competitive categories," the caption on a photo of Legend, Webber and Rice on Instagram read.

"Sirs Andrew Lloyd Webber, Tim Rice and I joined that group when we won an Emmy for our production of their legendary show Jesus Christ Superstar. So happy to be part of this team. So honored they trusted me to play Jesus Christ. So amazed to be in such rarefied air."

His wife, model and TV personality Chrissy Teigen, celebrated with a photo of her kissing Legend and a video of the performer putting his latest trophy on the top shelf of a display of awards. (CNN)

I

f Karan Johar had to make a sequel of his debut Kuch Kuch Hota Hai today, who will he cast? That was a questions that was posed to the filmmaker during his radio show, Calling Karan. The filmmaker answered he would cast actors Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Janhvi Kapoor in it.

The 1998 film Kuch Kuch Hota Hai featured Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol and Rani Mukerji. The film not only became a hit but is considered a cult classic. Alia was launched in Bollywood by Karan with

his film Student of the Year in 2012. Janhvi also made her acting debut with a film, Dhadak, backed by Karan’s Dharma Productions. Both the female actors are a part of his next directorial, Takht. Ranbir was directed by Karan in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and has starred in films such as Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani and Wake Up Sid produced by his banner.

His next Brahmastra, also starring Alia, has also been co-produced by Karan.

Earlier, in an interview, Karan had said that Ranbir is his favourite actor. “My

all-time favourite actor will be Ranbir because he’s just phenomenal. I’m excited to have worked with him, I’m excited to work with him for Brahmastra,” he added.

He had also mentioned other young actors whose careers he is watching closely.

“I would say Kiara Advani is a girl that I’ve discovered as an amazing acting resource.

I really think that Ishaan Khatter is very talented.

I’m really excited to see how Janhvi (Kapoor) and Sara (Ali Khan)’s careers unfold,” he had said. (Hindustan Times)

tioned the video. “Nobody can make you feel like you cheated yourself or you don’t deserve to be where you at when you KNOW YOU WORKED YOURSELF TO THE TOP !!! THANK YOU BARDIGANG !YOU BEEN HERE SINCE THE GET GO!” Next, Cardi shared a list of 2018’s best-selling rap albums. Her “Invasion of Privacy” record is listed at No. 3 with 1.5 million sales.

“NUMBERS DONT F–KIN LIE,” she wrote.

While addressing her ongoing feud with Cardi on her

“Queen Radio” show, Minaj claimed Cardi “built her career off of sympathy and payola.” The diss came after Cardi threw her shoe at Minaj at a NYFW event. A source told Page Six of the scuffle, “Cardi was escorted out…She has a knot on her forehead from getting hit.”

Cardi may be ready to move on, however, as a source told Page Six that she’s set to release new music next week that’s “definitely not a diss track.” (Page Six)

Actor Imran Khan debuts as a director with this short film

A

ctor Preeti Jhangiani, best remembered for her roles in films Mohabbatein and Awara Paagal Deewana, has filed a police complaint after her seven-year old son was allegedly slapped and threatened by her neighbour, according to a report in Spotboye.

Here’s how things happened: Preeti’s son, Jayveer and his younger brother along with other boys in the neighbourhood where playing football, when the kids got involved in an argument and began fighting. On hearing about the ruckus, the elder neighbour, whose grandson was also part of the group, rushed downstairs. Things got a little ugly after the man raised his voice at Preeti’s son and even slapped him. When mothers’ of other children got involved, he

abused them as well.

Spotboye quoted the actor as saying: “He abused not only my son but also the other mothers in the building and told them to ‘shut their trap’.

He went on to say, ‘I don’t talk to women’ before calling the watchman.”

According to the report, Aishwarya Rai’s brother’s family also lives there. In fact, Shrima, Aishwarya’s sister-in-law, tried to intervene to calm the person in question down but he reported asked her “keep quiet” and “mind her own business”.

Preeti is married to actor Parvin Dabas, who has starred in films like Khosla Ka Ghosla and My Name Is Khan. The two married in 2008 and have two boys together. (Hindustan Times)

Crossword Solution

C

J

aane Tu... Ya Jaane Na actor Imran Khan has donned the director’s hat for the first time for a short film titled Mission Mars: Keep Walking India. Mission Mars: Keep Walking India is a part of Johnnie Walker The Journey campaign. Imran has written the film, which is produced

by Dharma 2.0 (a venture by Dharma Productions).

“It has been an enriching experience writing and directing this tribute to India’s commitment to progress, and for this to be backed by Johnnie Walker - The Journey and Dharma 2.0 made it even more special,” Imran said in a statement.

“Mission Mars has made all of us so proud, and I have tried to encapsulate the spirit of all those who made this achievement possible,” he added. Inspired from events about the story of India’s rover successfully orbiting Mars and on the eve of its fourth anniversary, Johnnie Walker The Journey is launching the film which celebrates the country’s technological progress. The film stars Prakash Belawadi, Abhishek Saha and Sonali Sachdev. (Hindustan Times)

ardi B won’t stand for Nicki Minaj‘s accusations that she paid radio stations to air her music to become successful, a concept known as “payola.”

The “I Like It” rapper shared video from her first tour on Instagram Wednesday, explaining that only hard work got her to where she is today.

“7/29/2016! NO LABEL ,NO RADIO PLAY,FRESH OUT OF LOVE AND HIP HOP,ONLY 200K IN MY BANK ACCOUNT ,MY FIRST TOUR !!!” she cap-

M

ac Miller's friend knew the rapper was in a desperate state when he made the call to paramedics after finding Mac's body.

In the heavily redacted 911 call -- obtained by TMZ -- a male caller can be heard pleading with the operator to get a unit to Mac's home as soon as possible. At one point, the caller begs, "Please hurry."

Later on in the audio, you can hear the caller hysterically crying, and then the call is dropped.

We broke the story ... Mac was pronounced dead at his San Fernando Valley home last Friday from an apparent overdose.

Cops found a tiny amount of white powder in the house, but believe the place was wiped

clean of any drugs or paraphernalia. Law enforcement sources tell us it appeared Mac had been dead for hours before his body was discovered.

The rapper's cause of death remains a mystery as toxicology tests are pending.

His body was put on a plane Wednesday en route to his hometown of Pittsburgh for his funeral. We're told there will be a Jewish service for him at a chapel in the city later in the week. He was 26. (TMZ)

guyanatimesgy.com

SEPTEMBER 16, 2018

Sunday Times Magazine 15

16 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

SEPTEMBER 16, 2018

Fun Times

Archie

ARIES (March 21April 19)

Don't be fooled by someone withholding information. Do your own research and don't rely on anyone else to take care of your responsibilities. Listen carefully to avoid making a mistake.

Spend time with friends TAURUS or relatives. Love, romance (April 20- and socializing should be on May 20) your agenda. The information you discover will push you to make a positive lifestyle adjustment. Romance is on the rise.

Follow your own path. Put GEMINI your energy into what's im(MAY 28portant. Taking a day trip or June 20) attending a retreat will make you more aware of changes that could improve your life.

Interaction will spark new ideas. The people you encoun(June 21- ter or spend time with will July 22) inspire you to try something different. Changes at home or to your lifestyle will promote new beginnings.

CANCER

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Dilbert

Trust in yourself and your abilities. If you let someone meddle in your affairs, you will be led astray. Children or a loved one will cause confusion or withhold important information.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Socialize to gather valuable information. Someone's weakness will give you an opportunity. Be forthright to avoid any repercussions.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Before you make a move or speak up about your feelings, you should mull over what you really want. Don't limit what you can do just because someone opposes you.

Think before you take a leap SCORPIO (Oct. 24- of faith. An unexpected change Nov. 22) shouldn't set you off; it should be

Peanuts

considered a warning.

SAGITTARIUS Don't share too much infor(Nov. 23- mation. Someone is waiting to Dec. 21) take advantage of your trusting nature. Listen more and reveal less to avoid being misconstrued. Stick close to home.

Calvin and Hobbes

Home improvement projCAPRICORN ects should be started. If you (Dec. 22- do the work yourself, you'll Jan. 19) be satisfied with the results.

Working with someone you love will lead to a better future.

Don't take a chance.

AQUARIUS Overdoing it in any way will (Jan. 20- be your downfall. Caution, Feb. 19) moderation and a carefully considered plan are in your best interest.

An emotional situation PISCES (Feb. 20- can be worked out if you comMar. 20) promise. Take care of your health and don't take risks that could disrupt your ability to succeed. Caution will be required.