Sunday Times Magazine August 26, 2018

August 26, 2018

Star Times Bollywood: Hollywood:

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

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Feature

By Lakhram Bhagirat

D

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

He explained that because his sister works he would have

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

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

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

They didn’t have any sick but they died just

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Feature

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

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

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

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

By Lakhram Bhagirat

“G

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

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

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

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

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

Viroshni and her son Asir

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Viroshni said that she

parents would have assisted tremendously.

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

Make sure y o u Viroshni Mithuram

finish your education and make yourself somebody.

Do your best and watch everything fall into place.”

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

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Feature

L

Leah with her parents Ignatius and Wendy Hernandez

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

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

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

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

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

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

Leah Stephan Hernandez

opted for a private school.

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

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

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

Business and Science Studies where she completed her secondary education.

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

access the Internet in order to complete some assignments.

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

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

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

Leah at her Primary School Graduation

in Chemistry and Biology.

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

A young Leah Hernandez

involved in a number of activities from a young age.

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

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

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

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Sunday Times Magazine 5

Feature

Carlos Eduardo Ricci

Q

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The St Ignatius Secondary student said

that growing up in his village was a fun experience.

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

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

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

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

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

Carlos and some of his classmates

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

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

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

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

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Feature

never below 80.

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

Nevertheless he persisted and continued the streak.

“Secondary school how-

By Lakhram Bhagirat

A

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

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

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

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

Satram and his mother Mohanie Makoon

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

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

all he tells me and I don’t push it.

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

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

Satram and some of his friends

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

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

0.5 more of a mark than I did.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Feature

D

Begum Shafrana Baksh

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

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

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

She attained Grade 1

S

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

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

Begum attended Fisher Primary School and was

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

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

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

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

valedictorian when she graduated.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Begum and her siblings

Derianna Williams

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Literary Corner

Preserving our literary heritage

by

Petamber Persaud

I

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Notice to Readers

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

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

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

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

Youth was a challenge, and Life was a fight.

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

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

Oh, what a triumph and pride shall be ours!

See where it beacons, the star of success!

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

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

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

Sometimes we wonder: is it worth while?

There! we have gained to the summit at last.

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

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

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

By Robert William Service

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

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Sunday Times Magazine 11

Home & Cooking

K

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

• • • • • • • •

Ingredients

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

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

Instructions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ingredients

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

Instructions

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

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

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

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

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Puzzles

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

37 Mex. miss

39 Peyton's brother 41 Visit

42 Hobo's ride?

43 Like so

44 Claws badly 46 Tizzy

50 Vote against

51 Subarctic tribe

52 Tap a baseball

53 USC rival 57 Falls

59 Period of time 60 Rapidity

61 Heat, as tea water

62 Shipmate of Spock

63 Keep time

64 Wines or cities

65 Pipe fitting

66 Delicate hues

67 Speaker's platform

68 Night followers 69 Breezy

72 Dog days in Dijon

73 Contract proviso

74 Map-reading aids

75 Adds the audio

76 Try twice as hard 79 Misty-eyed

80 Is more popular

84 Ph.D. exam

85 Swamp chorus 86 Hoarfrost

87 London lav

88 Just as soon

91 Clumps of dirt

92 Sushi ingredient

93 Farsi speaker

95 Cotton Belt st.

96 Sheer fabric 97 Devious

98 First coat, often

99 Select the best

1

6

11

15

20

21 22

24 25

26

27 28

29

31

33

34

35

101 Che's compadre

102 Paris hub

103 Ride's cost (2 wds.)

104 Swimming-pool loc.

105 Not sunny-side up

106 Skip past

107 Kangaroo pouch

108 Latin I verb

109 Chatty pets

111 Have a yen for

112 Cubicle fillers

114 Maple juice

117 List ender

118 Graceful wrap

119 Bargain shrewdly (hyph.)

124 Protozoan (var.)

126 "-- cost you"

128 Gladiator's place

130 Walked unsteadily

131 Polygraph flunkers 132 Yes-man

134 Get hitched quick

136 Zipping through 137 Heron

138 Joined together

139 Buenos --, Argentina

140 Vicar's residence

141 Borneo's archipelago

142 Hubble component

143 Desperado's fear

144 Risk a ticket

DOWN 1 Terrace 2 Like-mindedness

3 Old Italian coins

4 Upriver spawner

5 Less trouble

6 Arith. mean

7 For the most part

8 Museum workers

9 Gambling stakes

10 Coup d'- 11 Say please

12 Wild parties

13 China neighbor

14 Hunter's buy

15 Trilobite, now 16 Slat

17 Gives a thumbs-up

18 Ms. Zellweger

19 Maestro Previn

23 Beauty contests 30 Nook 32 Pale

36 Dressmaker's cut

38 Wish undone

40 Troubadour prop

43 Sink feature 44 Requirements

45 Deli order

46 In less time 47 Plexiglas

KATHLEEN SAXE

WORD GAME TODAY'S WORD -- NARCOSIS

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

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

more

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

casino coin coir corn crass cross oasis orca sans sari

scan scar scion scorn soar sonar sonic sora icon iron

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

48

49

51

52

54

55

56

58

59

60 63

64 67

68

69

70

71

73

74

75

77

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

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

Ski pull (hyph.)

Crystal-filled rock Landfill Circus crowd noise

78 Suffix for "forfeit"

103 Quartet member

79 Billy Goats Gruff foe 106 Galley mover

80 Insincerely nice

107 Mariachi wear

81 Pack animals

110 On the rise

82 Company avoiders

111 Thoreau memoir

83 Evening gala 112 Benefactors 85 Circular

113 Cooks clams

86 Feel sure of

114 Hawthorne town

88 Suggestive

115 Pablo's girl

89 Baking-powder ingredient

116 One of a strand

90 Greenish mineral 118 Quench

91 Secret messages

119 Sun, in combos

92 Plaid garment

120 Brief summation

93 April 15 org.

121 Skirt cut (hyph.)

94 Crawling with

122 Tightly packed 96 Liveliness 123 Bordered

97 Court summons

125 La -- tar pits

98 Wrinkle up

127 File or chisel 100 Flee

129 Enjoy, as benefits

101 Basin in a church

133 Fabric meas.

102 "-- vincit amor"

135 Vane dir.

See Solution on Pg 14

guyanatimesgy.com

AUGUST 26 , 2018

Sunday Times Magazine 13

Tech

A

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

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

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

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

C

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

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

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

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

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

T

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nikon seems to be bringing the goods.

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

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

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

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

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

Analysts therefore warn that equipment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Verge)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

S

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

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

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

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

A

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

14 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

AUGUST 26 , 2018

Bollywood/Hollywood

A

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

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

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

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

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

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

people of Kerala.

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

M

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

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

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

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

thenticity."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

However, at the 2018

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

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

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

(ETOnline)

A

A

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Crossword Solution

guyanatimesgy.com

AUGUST 26 , 2018

Sunday Times Magazine 15

16 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

AUGUST 26 , 2018

Fun Times

Archie

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

ARIES

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

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

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

CANCER

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Dilbert

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Peanuts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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