Sunday Times magazine 18 February 2018

February 18, 2018

Star Times Bollywood:

Priyanka Chopra sues Nirav Modi for non-payment of dues

Page 14

FREE DISTRIBUTION

Gong Xi Fa Cai

Dexter Ceres photo

2 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

FEBRUARY 18, 2018

Feature

A

O

n the occasion of celebrating the Chinese Spring Festival, I wish everyone a Happy New Year along with good health, prosperity, a happy family and all the best in the new year.

Time passes very quickly. But the successful events of last year are still fresh in our memories.

In 2017, China successfully held the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party. 452 major political parties in 165 countries sent their regards, including PNC, AFC, and PPP of Guyana. This congress depicted the grand blueprint of building a modern socialist country in two stages. In the first stage from 2020 to 2035, we will build on the foundation created by the moderately prosperous society with a further 15 years of hard work to see that socialist modernization is basically realized. In the second stage from 2035 to the middle of the 21st century, we will, building on having basically achieved modernization, work hard for a further 15 years and develop China into a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious, and beautiful.

In 2017, the first the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation was attended by heads of state and government from 29 countries as well as over 1,500 representatives from more than 130 countries and 70 international organizations. The Belt and Road Initiative has reached over 270 cooperation outcomes, sounding the trumpet of promoting the Belt and Road international cooperation and jointly creating the Community of a Shared Future for Mankind.

In 2017, the Communist Party of China in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-Level Meeting attracted leaders of nearly 300 political parties and political organizations from over 120 countries, including representatives from PNC, AFC, and PPP. This is the first time that leaders of political parties in the world have conducted such an indepth and open dialogue on the subject of creating a Community of Shared Futures for Mankind and building a better world. It demonstrates the willingness of the CPC to share governance experiences and pursue common progress with political parties

Cui Jianchun Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Cooperative Republic of Guyana

around the world.

In 2017, China's economy continued to make outstanding progress. Our GDP surpassed 12 trillion USD for the first time, with a growth rate of 6.9%, contributing to 30% of world economic growth. More than 13 million jobs were created and more than 10 million poor people in rural areas were lifted out of poverty and by 2020 the poverty remaining for our 33 million citizens, will be eradicated. This is the solemn commitment of the CPC to the Chinese people and also a great contribution to human progress. We also adopted unprecedented policy and measures on environmental protection to build a more beautiful China. There is significantly less haze and more blue skies in Beijing, the living environment of residents has improved in leaps and bounds.

The year 2017 also witnessed continuous development of China-Guyana relations. The seminar and the performance for celebrating the 45th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Guyana were successful. On the basis of full exchange and communication with the Guyanese government, the Embassy put forward the 5IT Initiative, which consists of cooperation in infrastructure, investment, ICT, value-added industries, integration, thoughts, training, technology, trade and tourism. I want to thank His Excellency President Granger for naming it the "Jianchun Initiative" after my name. Key coop-

eration projects such as the renovation and expansion of Cheddi Jagan International Airport, the expansion of east coast Demerara road, the Arthur Chung Conference Center are proceeding smoothly. China donated engineering equipment to the Guyana Defense Force, police equipment and supplies to the Guyana Police Force and medical equipment to Georgetown Public Hospital. We invited 90 Guyanese officials and technical personnel to China for training in fields such as ICT, agriculture, forestry and public health. We provided training courses on aquaculture technology in Guyana and funded more than 30 people to China for educational scholarships.

About 500 students studied at the Confucius Institute at University of Guyana.

In addition,China Medical Brigade, Chinese enterprises and Chinese here have actively carried out public welfare undertakings. The above mentioned work has fully demonstrated the friendship between the Chinese government and people towards the Guyanese, winning the vigorous support from both the Guyanese government and people from all walks of life.

On January 12 this year, His Excellency President Granger, Prime Minister Nagamootoo and other honorable ministers attended the ceremony marking the 165th anniversary of the arrival of the Chinese held at the Windsor Forest Primary School, fully demonstrating the recognition of Chinese’s

contribution to the economic and social development of Guyana and the importance attached by the Guyanese to the China-Guyana friendly relations. I would like to take this opportunity to extend my heart-felt thanks to His Excellency President Granger and all the friends who have long been committed to the practical cooperation and friendship between China and Guyana.

The year 2018 is the start of the comprehensive implementation of the spirit of the 19th CPC National Congress, the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening up making it a crucial year for building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and implementing the 13th "FiveYear Plan". It is also the fifth anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative. The first China International Import Exposition to inaugurate in Shanghai this November, is a major move by the Chinese government to firmly support trade liberalization and economic globalization. We will fully support the Guyanese delegation in taking advantage of this opportunity to promote Guyana and its products to China and the world, allowing for more Guyanese products to be sold to the largest consumer market in the world. Moreover, China is going to actively prepare for the 2019 Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.

We will be ready to assist the high-level Guyanese delegation to attend this forum.

The Second Ministerial Meeting of the ChinaCELAC Forum concluded not long ago, China and LAC adopted the “Declaration of Santiago”, “CELAC And China Joint Plan Of Action For Cooperation On Priority Areas (2019-2021) ” and "Special Declaration On The Belt And Road Initiative", pushing China-LAC relations into a new era. Against this background, the prospect of joint development and all-round cooperation between China and Guyana is desirable. We are willing to work hand in hand with all sectors of Guyana to promote the synergy of the Belt and Road initiative with Guyana’s development strategies, constantly strengthen the traditional friendship between the two countries, expanding pragmatic cooperation and pushing our bilateral relations to a new level.

ccording to the Chinese Zodiac, 2018 is the year of the Dog and its characteristic word is ACTION! The year of the Earth Dog 2018 comes just after the Year of the Rooster (2017) and before the year of the Pig (2019) Chinese New Year of the Dog 2018 begins on Friday, the 16th of February and ends on 2019 Lunar New Year’s Eve on Feb. 4. The Dog occupies the eleventh position in the 12-year cycle of Chinese zodiac. You are a ‘Dog’ in Chinese zodiac if you are born in one of these years: 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, and 2018.

The Chinese New Year is an annual celebration marking the start of the New Year according to the Chinese lunisolar calendar.

The New Year always falls in the months of January or February. The Chinese Zodiac, known as Sheng Xiao, is based on a 12-year cycle, each year relating to an animal sign. The animal signs are the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep monkey, rooster, dog and pig. However, each zodiac year is not just associated with an animal sign, but also one of five elements: Gold (Metal), Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth…the year of 2018 meets element of Earth, so 2018 is a Earth Dog Year.

According to Chinese Astrology, 2018 is a very good year regarding the financial aspects, but a little difficult from a health point of view. Actually, in the year of the dog, all zod i a c signs

people traditionally wear red clothes and give children “lucky money” concealed in red envelopes. Red symbolizes fire, which, according to legend, can drive away bad luck. The fireworks that shower the festivities are rooted in a similar ancient custom. Long ago, people in China lit bamboo stalks, believing the crackling flames would frighten evil spirits.

In Guyana, everyone joins in to celebrate the Chinese New Year at a grand fair, usually held at the National Park tarmac.

The climax of that event is the launch of lanterns into the evening sky. In China, the New Year atmosphere is brought to an anti-climax 15 days away when the Festival of Lanterns sets in.

It is an occasion of lantern shows and folk dances. One typical food enjoyed around this time is the Tang Yuandumplings made of sweet rice rolled into balls and stuffed with either sweet or spice fillings.

The Lantern Festival marks the end of the New Year season and afterwards life goes on as per normal.

Another tradition is the lighting of firecrackers.

These are an important element and are traditionally let off to frighten away ghosts so the New Year could start free of them.

Legend has it that long ago there was a monster that terrorised people. However, it was afraid of loud noises, bright lights and the colour red. At midnight on the last day of the old year, these things are used to frighten away the monster for the whole year. The Chinese New

will want to pay special attention to their health. Year 2018 is the ideal time to start eating healthy, doing sports and getting rid of bad habits.

Also known as the Spring Festival, the Chinese New Year in pre-modern times signaled to farmers in China to begin preparation for the sowing of their fields.

At the Chinese New Year,

Year h a s b e e n celebrated for 3,000 years.

Festivities include the lion and dragon dances and parades with traditional costumes.

Years of the Dog include 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, and 2030... The Dog occupies the eleventh position in the Chinese zodiac, after the Rooster, and before the Pig.

guyanatimesgy.com

FEBRUARY 18, 2018

Sunday Times Magazine

3

Feature

G

uyana was the first English speaking Caribbean country to establish diplomatic relations with China, in 1972. One year later Guyana opened the doors to its Embassy in the capital city of Beijing.

This year, China and Guyana will commemorate the 46th Anniversary of diplomatic relationship, which is considered milestone in the bilateral relationship between the two countries. During this period, the two countries have fostered strengthened and have achieved new accomplishments.

China is the second largest trading partner of Latin America and the Caribbean, which is also a major destination for outbound Chinese investment, second only to Asia.

China’s direct investment in Latin America and the Caribbean has exceeded US$150 billion.

Although 2018 will mark the 46th anniversary of diplomatic ties, the relationship between Guyana and China began as early as 1853. Chinese citizens from Guangdong province migrated to Guyana (then British Guiana), to assist with alleviating labour shortages across the country. Many of the descendants of these immigrants became influential members of Guyanese society, such that in 1970, Mr Arthur Chung, a man ofChinese descent, was appointed as Guyana’s

first President. He was the first ethnic Chinese to be head of state of a nonAsian country.

Over the years the relationship between the two countries has continued to grow and strengthen.

As such, Guyana is committed to redoubling its partnership with China in the international arena, to mitigate the modern scourges of poverty, underdevelopment, inequality, terrorism, transnational organized crime, and, in particular, the effects of climate change.

Investment and Cooperation

Guyana has witnessed a series of benefits through its increased cooperation with China politically, economically and culturally.

Tangible improvements are being seen in such areas as transportation, infrastructure, information technology, health and security. Guyana has benefitted significantly from increased Chinese investment and the trade volume between both countries has tripled within the last decade. The recent discovery of oil serves to compliment the country’s core industries including forestry, mining, energy, agriculture, construction and manufactured goods. All of these assets continue to make Guyana a lucrative investment destination for Chinese companies.

The two nations remain further committed

Celebrations on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties between PRC and Guyana in 2017

to a series of wide-ranging initiatives through the China-CELAC Forum, the principal vehicle for China-Caribbean cooperation. Guyana is the only English-speaking Caribbean nation that is located on the South American continent. As such, this country serves as a natural bridge between the Caribbean and South America and is home to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) headquarters. With China becoming an increasingly more influential partner in the region, it stands to reason that its partnership with Guyana will

continue to be one of strategic importance. The future remains bright and both countries will embrace the next 45 years of diplomatic relations with confidence and optimism.

According to a draft Policy paper by the Chinese Government, China sees itself as brining development opportunities to the rest of the world. It is estimated that in the next five years, China will import US$8 trillion of goods, invest US$750 billion overseas, and Chinese tourists will make 700 million outbound visits. All this will present an even bigger market, more capital,

a greater variety of products and more valuable cooperation opportunities to countries around the world, including Guyana.

While enjoying deep diplomatic relations, China and Guyana hold similar views and have consistently echoed and supported each other’s positions, be it on key international issues such as UN reform, climate change, sustainable development, regional integration and cooperation between China and the Caribbean.

Over the years, the strong, comprehensive programme of bilateral cooperation has resulted in Guyana benefiting from the services of the Chinese medical doctors and technicians, the donation of equipment to the health sector, the educational work of the Confucius Institute, the support given to the Bertram Collins College of the Public Service, the donation of scientific equipment to the tune of $50 million to the Cyril Potter College of Education, infrastructural support for the expansion and renovation of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), the widening of the East Coast Demerara Public Road, and the donation of vehicles and other equipment to the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Defence Force.

One Belt one Road Initiative

Celebrations on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties between PRC and Guyana in 2017

Latin America is driving faster on the path toward deeper involvement in and with China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), this time with the Caribbean on board.

This development occurred during the recent 2nd Ministerial Forum

between China and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac) held in Santiago, the Chilean capital, on Jan- 23.

Held under the theme ‘Celac-China: Working for More Development, Innovation and Cooperation for Our Peoples’, the meeting brought together 31 of the 33 member-states of the group of continental and island states, big and small, to facilitate a joint approach to the BRI. The Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road were launched in 2013 with routes from China through Asia and linking to Europe and Africa. But Latin America soon indicated interest, as did several other regions.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the region was a natural fit for the initiative, which China has leveraged to deepen economic and financial cooperation with developing nations. The “One Belt, One Road” initiative, proposed in 2013

by Chinese President Xi Jinping, promotes expanding links between Asia, Africa and Europe, with billions of dollars in infrastructure investment.

The 1st Celac-China ministerial forum was held in Beijing in January 2015 and in the three years since much has happened to open a new Silk Road to Latin America – and now the Caribbean, as well.

CELAC, founded in 2010 and launched in 2011, is a key regional grouping established to facilitate closer, deeper and stronger regional integration between its 33 member-states.

4

Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

FEBRUARY 18, 2018

Feature

Arthur Chung

Marjorie Kirkpatrick

A

s one of the six ethnic groups, the Chinese community has contributed to an integral part of Guyana’s history. The Chinese who arrived as indentured immigrants to Guyana in 1853 have since made their mark in the medical field, commerce, mining, politics, music and education. For the entire period of 1853 to 1879, a total of 13,541 Chinese landed in Guyana.

Engrained neatly in the fabric of the Guyanese Society are contributions by Chinese that include the tasty cuisine that continues to be popular in Guyana, folklore and the language which continues to be spoken , and is even taught at the Confucius Institute.

Arthur Chung- President of Guyana When Guyana became a republic under the leadership of Forbes Burnham in 1970, the National Assembly elected Chung as the country's first President; he took office on March 17, 1970.

Arthur Chung was born at Windsor Forest, West Coast Demerara, Guyana. He was educated at Windsor Forest, Blankenburg and Modern High School. Before civic service Chung was an apprentice surveyor and sworn land surveyor. In the early 1940s Chung entered the Middle Temple of London, England and qualified as a barrister in 1947.

He returned to Guyana and was later appointed an acting magistrate. In 1954, he became a magistrate and in 1960 a senior magistrate. He also served as Registrar of Deeds and of the Supreme Court.

He then became a puisne judge and finally an Appeal Court Judge in 1963.

Hon. Arthur Chung was married in 1954 to Ms. Doreen Pamela NgSee-Quan, with whom he had one daughter and one son.

Jonathan Foo- Cricketer Jonathan Foo is among a rare breed of West Indies cricketers with Chinese descent, who was on September 11, 1990, in Port Mourant, Berbice. The young Guyanese all-rounder hails from a region which has produced

Jonathan FooCricketer

household names such as Alvin Kallicharran and Rohan Kanhai.

He was one of the stars to emerge from the inaugural Caribbean T2, and helped Guyana snatch victo-

ry in the nail-biting final against Barbados, hitting a 17-ball 42 under immense pressure.

Robert Victor Evan Wong- politician, civil engineer, businessman, rancher Robert Victor Evan Wong (July 4, 1895 - October 19, 1952) was a politician, civil engineer, rancher and businessman, elected to the British Guiana legislature in 1926 and 1934, and appointed to its Executive Council in 1928.

He is notable for being the first Chinese-Guianese member of both the British Guiana Legislative and Executive Councils.

Wong was born in Georgetown, British Guiana, and was the eldest son of a wealthy Chinese merchant.

He studied engineering and economics at the University of Bristol, receiving a B.Sc. degree in 1917 in England.

In 1926, at age 31, Wong won election to the British Guiana Court of Policy from the Essequibo Islands.

Wong had been identified as the first person of East Asian descent elected to a national legislature in the Americas. His subsequent ap-

Robert Victor Evan Wong

pointment to the Executive Council was also a first for a West Indian Chinese. As a legislator, Wong was a principal proponent of the introduction of personal income taxation.

He won election to a subsequent term on the Legislative Council in 1934 under a slogan reflecting his initials: Right Vanquishes Every Wrong.

Wong was co-founder and President of the Durban Race ; he died on October 19, 1952.

Trev Sue-A-Quan – Research Engineer, Author Trevelyan A. Sue-A-Quan was born in November 1943 in Georgetown, Guyana. He is the great-grandson of an indentured labourer who had embarked with his wife and son aboard the ship Corona at Canton. They arrived at Georgetown in February 1874 after 78 days at sea. The family was allotted to La Grange sugar cane plantation on the West Bank of the Demerara River. Many of the Chinese immigrants and their second generation descendants became shopkeepers, including Soo Samkuan the author's grandfather. In the process of cultural assimilation his name became transformed into

ministrator, was Chief Medical Officer and President of the Guyana Cancer Society and became the best-known name in medicine and public health in the country. He was also the head of former Guyana Agency for Health, Education & Food Sciences (GAHEF) and was also columnist Charles John Ethelwood FungA-Fatt, CCH, 24th June 1920 – 29th December 2001 An attorney-at-law, built a strong reputation in New Amsterdam, Berbice, becoming a Town Councillor and Mayor there and later served as a Judge of the High Court, Justice of Appeal and Police Complaints Authority.

Trev Sue-A-Quan

Henry Sue-A-Quan thus initiating the distinctive family surname.

Trev attended Queen's College in Georgetown and attained B.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in Chemical Engineering at the University of Birmingham, England. He immigrated to Canada in 1969 but then pursued a career opportunity with a major oil company in Chicago where he was engaged in research in petroleum processing and fossil fuel utilization.

The interest in Trev's family history came from a curiosity about the circumstances that caused his great-grandfather to leave his native land. Almost 20 years after obtaining a copy of his ancestor's contract of indenture Trev has applied his training in analytical research to compile this comprehensive account of the experiences of the first Chinese immigrants in Guyana.

Trev Sue-A-Quan is the Author of Cane Reapers and Cane Ripples Marjorie Kirkpatrick- Author, Historian Born in Guyana and of Chinese descent, Mrs. Kirkpatrick nee’ TingA-Kee, was, for a number of years, Deputy President of the Chinese Association of Guyana, a task she performed with distinction until her retirement in 2014.

Proud of her heritage, Mrs. Kirkpatrick served the SinoGuyanese community with pride and in 2012, authored her second book, “The Way We Were – Memories of a Childhood in British Guiana”. In her publication, she chronicles the Chinese experience in then colonial British Guiana, recounting and capturing vividly the intrigues of her life as a third- generation Chinese girl growing up in the plural society of British Guiana in the 1940s.

Marjorie was the wife of Mr. Dougal Kirkpatrick, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Professional Guard Service, a premier security service in Guyana. She is also survived by three offspring: Melanie Mc Turk; Dougal I. Keith Kirkpatrick and Sean Maurice Kirkpatrick; daughter-in-law, Leana Kirkpatrick and two grandchildren: Dougal Michael and Stephanie Mc Turk.

Dr. Walter Chin- Pediatrician , Physician Dr Walter Augustus Chin, CCH, 12th December 1932 – 4th July 2004, an eminent pediatrician and physician and an accomplished ad-

plishment.

Godfrey Chin, social historian, writer In addition to being an avid historian, Godfrey Chin was also a photographer, author of the book Nostalgia and interior decorator in Guyana and the United States.

Several extracts of his works were also published in a local Newspaper.

He re-migrated to Guyana after living in New York and Florida for 27 years. Godfrey’s last major project was decorating Georgetown Club for Old Year’s Night 2011; he passed away in 2012.

In recent years, through various exhibitions, he presented classic photos of Guyana’s history,

Dr Ray Luck, distinguished international Pianist Guyanese Dr. Ray Luck CCH, has distinguished himself in the field of piano for decades in all parts of the world. He studied music with Millicent Joseph and Ruby MacGregor while attending Queen’s College. He received the LRSM and FTCL diplomas before going to study at the Royal College of Music in London, then subsequently won First Prizes in Piano and Chamber Music from Paris’s Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique, and later graduated from Indiana University at Bloomington, USA Dr. Walter Chin

from cinemas, Old Georgetown, to sporting events; he also produced a book of those pictures, chronicling Guyana’s history from 1940-1980.

Dr Ray Luck

with the D. Mus Degree. He performed in recitals in several music capitals, such as New York’s Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, Paris’s Théâtre des ChampsElysées, and London’s Royal Albert Hall. Concert tours have taken him to Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Caribbean, including a unique visit to Masakanyari, the village of the Wai-Wai in Guyana’s rainforest.

After a distinguished teaching career at Randolph College in Virginia, he was appointed the Charles A. Dana professor emeritus of music in 2002. Professional teaching awards include the Master Teacher Certificate from the American Music Teachers National Association and three Fulbright Senior fellowships to the Caribbean, Greece, and Canada.

In 1992, Ray Luck was awarded the Government of Guyana’s Cacique Crown of Honour in recognition of outstanding music accom-

Vivian Lee Vivian Lee was a well-known Guyanese entrepreneur in the world of entertainment, advertising, and broadcasting, who passed away on August 16th, 2012 in Richmond, B.C. He was the son of Lee Yew, an immigrant from Canton, China and the former Adelaide DeFreitas.

As a creative entrepreneur Lee was involved in television, promoting stage shows, advertisement, songwriting and radio as early as the late 1940’s. He owned a record shop and ran the Ace Records label based in the capital of Georgetown.

Lee was also a master on the soccer field and played for the Guyanese National Team. continued on page 7

Vivian Lee

guyanatimesgy.com

FEBRUARY 18, 2018

Sunday Times Magazine 5

Feature

T

here are many reasons why people might start to trace their ancestors. It could be that they are trying to find out something about a grandparent, an interest in history or (most likely) just a curiosity about who their ancestors were and whether they had had inherited any characteristics or skills.

For many people, however, it is not until they start working on their family his-

was a young boy visiting the Chinese Association as a family. While there, he and his family became interested in the displays of other family trees. He said, “…we hunted, searching for familiar names, I think that this was when my father began to take an interest in finding out more about our roots.”

Interesting facts

While there are many benefits of tracing family genealogy, for the Lam’s, one

cestors who lived in China.

However, he acknowledged that this may become challenging as time elapses.

“Time is not on our side, and as more time passes, the likelihood of finding that information dwindle,” Michael said.

Challenges

According to Mr. Lam, one of the “problematic aspects” of the journey has been access to information, since the family has had to

part of our everyday life, but finding out much of the ancestral tree on both the maternal and paternal side has given a sense of “being”. But I am Guyanese, I know where I belong; what the names in the tree gives me is a sense of who I am, of where I’ve come from.”

Sense of Identity

He further explained that while the benefits of such an undertaking are, in the end, purely personal, he

Michael’s ancestry is from two ethnicities, Chinese and Portuguese, this is be reflected in his full ancestral chart

tory that they realise just how it can have very positive effects on their lives and how they feel about themselves.

Genealogy can certainly mean different things to different people. For Guyanese Michael Lam, he inherited the interest of uncovering his familial roots from his father, Mr. Christoper Lam, who he said has spent many years collecting the information, and putting it into various forms.

“It is from him that I inherited the interest in our roots, but neither of us has had the time to find out much more than names, the stories still elude us. Much of the information is the product of hard work by Trev Sue-a-Quan and Margery Kirkpatrick, both of whom did extensive research and documentation on the history of Chinese in Guyana, producing several books on the subject,” Mr. Lam explained to the Guyana Times Sunday Magazine.

He further explained that the journey began when he

of the most resounding results has been finding the name of the person who migrated to Guyana from China, the first of the family to live on Guyana’s (British Guiana’s) soil. This Michael explained was “one of the most significant and interesting things.” The family also discovered that their ancestors lived at Victoria Village on the East Coast of Demerara. He added, “My father himself was born in Queenstown, Essequibo Coast, and my siblings and I were born in Georgetown.

Typically, the families tended to be large, with the number of children ranging from 7 to 12; our current generation has sadly broken that trend with small numbers of children per person.”

Alluding to the progress made thus far, he noted that while his family has been able to trace their history back six to seven generations on the paternal side, his hopes are that the next generation would take up the mantle and perhaps find out more about their an-

comb through paper-records and not digital files. He added, “There is a lot of legwork involved in seeking out birth records, baptism and marriage records, and if we go farther back it would entail shipping manifests etc.”

In describing the process further Michael also told the Guyana Times Sunday Magazine that, despite this, he and his father have made concerted efforts to find ways to keep the records while adding to them. Both he and his father have used several programmes to gather and store the information uncovered. “I think the next step for me would be to try at some point to branch out online to resources such as Ancestry.com,” he added.

In pointing to the many benefits of learning about his family’s history and lineage, Michael emphasised that he now has a better sense of “being”. He explained, “As a youngster, I was only concerned with our nuclear family and the extended ones such as aunts, uncles, cousins who were

now has an enhanced sense of identity which came from understanding his descendants , knowing where he came from and who to identify with . “It gives me an

Paternal grandparents, George and Louraine Lam

Identity, a place and a people from which I descended and can now identify with, while still knowing that who I am is not defined by it, but it may help shape who I can be,” Michael stated.

For anyone thinking about embarking on such a journey, Michael advises to start with a basic family tree including parents and grandparents. He explained, “Start asking questions from there. Because of our immigrant past and the strong role religion played in many of our ancestral groupings, the Post Office and the Churches are often the best and more accessible resources.”

Michael C. Lam is a Guyanese photographer. His influences include the work of Ansel Adams, Hiroshi Sugimoto and Darren Moore. He holds a degree in Biology from the University of Guyana, was the Bronze medallist in the 2012 and 2017 Guyana Visual Arts Competition and Exhibition, short-listed in the 2014 edition of the same. Other than having his entries in all three competitions displayed in the exhibition portion, he co-exhibited with fellow photographer Nikhil

Ramkarran in the National Gallery at Castellani House in 2012 at an exhibition titled “Coastal Wanderings”.

His current Oniabo collection was previewed through a slide-show presentation at Moray House in October of 2014.

In June 2016, his work was chosen as part of a curated Exhibition titled VISIONS at Fitzgerald House, Georgetown, Guyana, alongside 16 other photographers; it was curated by Karran Sahadeo.

From July to September 2016, three pieces from his Oniabo collection was chosen as part of a Curated Exhibition titled Un | Fixed Homeland at Aljira, Newark New Jersey. Michael’s pieces were exhibited alongside 12 other artists of Guyanese descent from across the diaspora. One piece was selected for the 2017 curated exhibition Liminal Space, at the Caribbean Cultural Centre African Diaspora Institute (CCCADI) in New York (June to November); his pieces were exhibited alongside 15 other artists of Guyanese descent from across the diaspora, but primarily from the New York area.

A photo of Michael’s parents Christopher and Noelma Lam, from their 45th wedding anniversary

6 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

FEBRUARY 18, 2018

Feature

Celebrating the

A

lso known as the Spring Festival, the Chinese New Year in pre-modern times signalled to farmers in China to begin preparation for the sowing of their fields.

At the Chinese New Year, people traditionally wear red clothes and give children “lucky money” concealed in red envelopes. Red symbolizes fire, which, according to legend, can drive away bad luck.

The fireworks that shower the festivities are rooted in a similar ancient custom.

Long ago, people in China lit bamboo stalks, believing the crackling flames would frighten evil spirits.

In Guyana, many families with Chinese heritage also celebrate the occasion and would also join the Diplomatic Community in their festivities.

The Lantern Festival marks the end of the New Year season and afterwards life goes on as per normal.

Another tradition is the lighting of firecrackers.

These are an important element and are traditionally let off to frighten away ghosts so the New Year could start free of them.

Legend has it that long ago there was a monster that terrorised people. However,

Enjoying a Reunion Dinner

Scenes from a past event hosted by the Chinese Association of Guyana to commemorate Chinese New Year

it was afraid of loud noises, bright lights and the colour red. At midnight on the last day of the old year, these things are used to frighten away the monster for the whole year.

A special treat around this time are the dumplingshaped like Yuanbao, gold coins representing prosperity.

Pre-Chinese New Year Preparations (February

8–14, 2018)

Laba Festival Some Chinese start to celebrate and prepare for New Year as early as month 12 day 8 of the lunar calendar. This is a festival called Laba Làbā /laa-baa/ '12th lunar month' + '8'). It's January 24 in 2018.

Cleaning the House

Persons also clean their houses before Chinese New Year

From the 23rd of the 12th lunar month (February 8, 2018), Chinese people carry out a thorough cleaning of their houses. The cleaning is called "sweeping the dust", and represents a wish to put away old things, bid farewell to the old year, and welcome the New Year.

New Year Shopping

People buy New Year food and snacks, New Year decorations, and clothes for New Year before New Year’s Eve. Chinese New Year, like Christmas in China, is a shopping boom time.

Chinese people may be thrifty most of the time, but they seem quite generous in their spending during their traditional festivals. For example, they buy everyone new clothes for the festival, whether they need them or not. There are New Year

street markets on the days before the festival.

New Year's Eve Activities (February 15, 2018)

Putting Up New Year Decorations Although some people decorate their houses several days before the festival, most people do it on New Year's Eve. Houses are decorated with red lanterns, red couplets, New Year paintings, and red lanterns. 2018 is a year of the Dog, so dog images will appear on decorations.

Chinese New Year decorations are more complex in rural areas where people not only wish good luck for their family, but also for their livestock. Hence, people not only decorated their houses, but also the places where their livestock live.

Chinese New Year Eve dinner The New Year's Eve Feast is a "must do" dinner with all family members reuniting. Chinese try very hard to make this family event, often traveling long distances. This is the main reason for the huge travel stress throughout China.

People from north and south China eat different foods on this special occasion, and many New Year foods are symbolic. In northern China a traditional dish for the feast is jiaozi (dumplings).

They are shaped like old Chinese ingots, symbolizing wealth. Southern Chinese eat niangao (sticky rice cake) on this special day, because niangao sounds like "yearly higher", symbolizing improvement.

The Chinese New Year has been celebrated for 3,000 years. Festivities include the lion and dragon dances and parades with traditional costumes.

Setting Off Firecrackers and Fireworks The moment New Year arrives there is a cacaphony of fireworks and firecrackers all around, even in rural China. Families stay up for this joyful moment.

The tradition is to set off one string of small firecrackers first, followed by three big firecrackers, which symbolize "sounding out" the old year and "sounding in" the new year. The louder the three firecrackers, the better and luckier it’s believed it will be for business and farming in the coming year.

guyanatimesgy.com

FEBRUARY 18, 2018

Sunday Times Magazine 7

Feature

T

he evolution of traditional Chinese Medicine closely followed the development of Chinese society, economy, science and culture. Traditional Chinese medicine developed over a long period, starting more than 5000 years ago, during the Neolithic Age. The use of traditional medicine has been instrumental in enabling the Chinese to combat disease, promote health and achieve prosperity for many millennia.

One important aspect was the use of Herbal Decoctions, which are a type of traditional Chinese remedy made by boiling various substances, primarily herbs, in water to extract the medicinal properties. Legend has it that the process of decocting herbs was invented by Yi Yin, a renowned Prime Minister said to have lived during the King Tang reign of the

ence also featured prominent speakers from Hong Kong, the Chinese mainland, Korea and Macau, to share views on products quality control, pharmacology, commercialisation, as well as sharing of successful

Shang Dynasty (c.16th Century BC). He was aid to be an excellent chef who also had a deep understanding of medicine. It is said that Yi Yin invented the first medicinal decoctions by simmering together several culinary flavourings such as cinnamon, ginger, licorice, jujube and peony. Although the story of Yi Yin is just a legend, the invention of herbal decoctions was an historical inevitability. Herbal decoctions represent the merging of medical and technological progress, and the emergence of the practice greatly accelerated the development of traditional Chinese medicine.

There are many other aspects to traditional Chinese medicine.

Commonly used herbs incude Ginseng, Ginkgo, Mushrooms, Cinnamon, Ginger, and Licorice a m o n g many others.

The International Conference of the Modernization of Chinese Medicine & Health Products (ICMCM) 2017 was held on 17-18 August at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. This annual conference was built on Hong Kong’s unique status as a place where Eastern and Western influences have given rise to respect for and knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that is backed up by world-class medical facilities and top-notch academic research.

The theme of the keynote presentation was “International Standardisation of TCM”.

Standardisation is important for the globalisation of TCM and is a critical process in its increasing modernisation. The confer-

cases.

Director, Prof. Pang-Chui Shaw, was invited to give a presentation on the topic of “Recent advances in molecular authentication of Chinese medicinal material products”.

Over the past few years, as TCM has become more popular, scientists have collected evidence that at least some chemical components of herbs and materials used in TCM are effective. According to a Reuters report, in 2015, a study found that the chemical tetrandrine, found in the stephania root, known in Chinese as hanfangji and used as an anti-inflammatory remedy, can help ward off the Ebola virus. Last year, a study found that TCM helped reduce

angina, or chest pain in test subjects.

“In my opinion, tetrandrine is now one of the most promising candidates that could be used to inhibit Ebola virus infection,” said Norbert Klugbauer, a pharmacologist and microbiologist at Germany’s University of Freiburg who also worked on the study published in the journal Science.

In 2008, a group of researchers found that 1,235 chemical components in TCMs were either included or structurally similar to those in the Comprehensive M e d i c i n a l Chemistry database for approved chemical agents. “All of these findings suggest that TCM, at least in part, has a scientific basis,” those researchers wrote in 2008.

Traditional Chinese medicine has also received a vote of confidence from the World Health Organization; the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2014–2023 was developed and launched in response to the World Health Assembly resolution on traditional medicine (WHA62.13).

The strategy aims to support Member States in developing proactive policies and implementing action plans that will strengthen the role traditional medicine plays in keeping populations healthy.

from page 4

Even though Lee, born in 1919, wasn’t the first Guyanese in the record business he left his mark on many parts of national culture.

Singer Johnny Braff, who also had some success away from home, was the main artist on Ace Records. In 1966, Guyana obtained independence from Britain and as any experienced producer would do, Vivian Lee released a Johnny Braff album with the celebratory songs. Ace Records released around 50 titles spread out between 78’s, 45’s and albums. Lee was also behind one of the first Guyanese movies entitled “If Wishes Were Horses” featuring comedian Habeeb Khan. Both GEMS and Ace Records managed to record original material by legendary calypso artists Lord Melody and Mighty Sparrow(Excerpts from an interview with Vivian Lee published on othersounds.com) Martha nee Fung Kee Fung was one of the earliest female business owners in Guyana (1800s).

She became a landed proprietor who owned many businesses including a rice mill. She bought

two abandonedww sugar estates Waller’s Delight and Ruimzight at Windsor Forest which she rented to tenants to plant rice. Martha Street in Windsor Forrest is named for her.

Sarah Lam-a-Poo born in 1870, was the grandmother of Errol “Ping” Gillette, Guyana’s first Ombudsman after independence. She went into business as a young woman making Chinese cakes and Minshee, a seasoning produced from beans in her home.

Asin Ho a Shoo has the distinction of being one of Guyana’s first medical doctors in the first decade of the 20th century. She entered the University of Edinburgh, 1906 to study in the field of Medicine. In 1912 she was a Licentiate of the Royal College of Surgeons at University of Dublin.

She went on to obtain a Diploma in Public Health from the University of Dublin and become a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons.

Asin’s daughter Gem Ho a Hing became a Junior

Champion at Wimbledon, the only Guyanese to play there. Born in 1921, Gem was by far the shortestworld class tennis player of her generation, and perhaps of all time, standing well under five feet.

Her height was 4 feet 9 1/2 inches (1.46 metres). Crowds inevitably cheered for the tiny Chinese

Asin’s daughter Gem

girl with British citizenship. Gem never won a major or reached the world’s top ten. What she did capture was many hearts. Gem’s last performance at Wimbledon came in 1957, when she bowed out to eventual champion Althea Gibson.

Cheu Leen Ho a Shoo, another first generation Guyanese Chinese, who married Robert Evan Wong, in 1941 was appointed by the then Government as a Member of the Board of Governors for Bishops’ High School, her old alma mater.

Rosalind Fung/Lee was Miss Guyana in 1956 and also won the contest among the three Guianas.

This earned her the right to represent the three countries at the Miss Universe contest in Hollywood.

Doreen Chow Wah/Lee became the West Indies Table Tennis champion in 1970 and with Denise Osman won the ladies Doubles Championship 1967-1972.

An even more amazing achievement went to Ada Akai who became Deputy Head Mistress of the then all boys Queen’s College in 1974, an “almost unheard of feat at

Doreen Chow Wah/Lee that time in the country’s history”, Debbie Fung was not only a lecturer at the University of Guyana but was the Ladies Singles Lawn Tennis Champion in 1984 and with her sister Caryll won the Ladies Doubles Championship in 1974, 1975, 1980 and 1983-1985 while another, Diane Lee was Sportswoman of the year 1986.

8 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

FEBRUARY 18, 2018

Travel and Tourism

A breath-taking view of the Kamuni Creek (Martei Korley photo)

T

he Kamuni Creek (Kamuni Creek) is a stream found in in Demerara River. It is located at an elevation of 2 meters above sea level. Kamuni Creek is also known as Kamuni River, which cuts across the left bank of the Demerara River and is flanked on both sides by amazing greenery and rich vegetation .

The Hopetown settlement at Kamuni Creek (a creek more well-known for the present-day Santa Mission and Santa Aratak villages) began in 1865 as an effort by colonial authorities to induce Chinese indentured labourers to remain in British Guiana after their contracts were up.

Many had heard of the Chinese in Trinidad accumulating wealth from engaging in rice cultivation and commerce there, and saw no prospects for this in British Guiana. A Christian missionary in British Guiana known as O Tye Kim (Wu-Tai-Kam), recognised the dissatisfaction among them and devised a plan to encourage them to stay.

O Tye Kim’s solution was to establish a “Christian Chinese settlement” not only to spread Christianity but also to create a place where the former indentured labourers could work and live independently to accumulate their wealth and improve their future prospects.

He petitioned then Governor Hincks for a free land grant at Camoonie (Kamuni) Creek- approximately 30 miles up the Demerara River, and a small loan to establish the settlement on the left bank of the creek, a tributary of the Demerara River.

Enthusiastic about the idea, Governor Hincks granted the request and the petition was carried in 1865.

Immediately, some 25 settlers were taken to the area, and by the end of the year there were about 70 Chinese settlers.

Some historians put the original settlers at 12, with about 170 by year end.

The decline of the settlement came soon after. In 1866, just a year after the settlement was created, allegations of improprieties by O Tye Kim arose with regard to the settlement’s accounts and his own financial enterprises.

In 1972 it was agreed by Dr. Alan John Knight, then Bishop of Guyana, who was also the Archbishop of the West Indies, that the land should be leased for 99 years to the Chinese Association.

At its peak in 1874, Hopetown is said to have a population of about 800 Chinese. By 1891 that number was reduced to 240; by 1901 it had dwindled to 198, mostly the old and infirm.

A Chinese immigrant family (no date). The Chinese immigrants are said to have originated mainly from areas such as Hong Kong, Canton, Amoy and Whampoa

Travelling up the Kamuni Creek

Sky at Kamuni Creek (Girendra Persaud Photo)

An early Chinese Settlement

guyanatimesgy.com

FEBRUARY 18, 2018

Sunday Times Magazine 9

Literary Corner

Preserving our literary heritage

Black History Month Series: part two

Beryl Adams-Haynes

By Petamber Persaud

T

here are as many ways to celebrate as there are appropriate ways to celebrate.

The tenor of Black History Month should be celebrated with books especially with books on the history of places, peoples and events. Starting with books on places, here’s a glimpse of three villages.

The History of Victoria Village by William N. Arno, first published in 1966, reprinted by the Guyana Heritage Society 2000.

The book, ‘History of Victoria Village’, a slim publication, written by William N. Arno, tells the inspiring story of how a group of recently emancipated Africans pooled their resources together in order to make an unprecedented purchase of a sizable village on the East Coast of Demerara. The purchase was one aspect of that inspiring story. The other aspect was that those ‘intrepid’ ex-slaves were able draft rules and regulations to preserve their investment.

According to the book, in November of 1839, eighty three persons including two women bought

Parable of a Chinese farmer

A

what was then Plantation Northbrook for the sum of 30 thousand guilders ($10, 284, 63c.). It is mentioned here and in other places that two women were involved in that transaction but the list of names revealed there were more than two female who were involved.

Plaisance: From Emancipation to Independence and Beyond, by Beryl AdamsHaynes Georgetown, Guyana, July 2010.

The idea of writing a history on Plaisance came to the author some years after she re-migrated and discovered by chance that Plaisance was bought by emancipated Africans. The research stages were not easy; she moved from the national archives to the national library to sourcing information from London and the internet. It took some six years before it finally came to fruition.

The author said, ‘When I set out to write the history of Plaisance, I didn’t set out to do this [showing the book], I set out to write a few pages, a twenty-fivepage document perhaps for my own satisfaction but it took on new dimensions and has taken off in way beyond my expectations’.

Some sixty-five persons were involved in the purchase.

To the Youths of Agricola

by Muriel Doreen Branche and Jennifer Branche, published 2016.

This book is made up of thirteen chapters, an introduction and a biographical page on the two authors. The text is supported by illustrations and photographs. All of the above serving to unfold the his-

Chinese farmer gets a horse, which soon runs away.

A neighbor says, "That's bad news." The farmer replies, "Good news, bad news, who can say?"

The horse comes back and brings another horse with him. Good news, you might say. The farmer gives the second horse to his son, who rides it, then is thrown and badly breaks his leg.

"So sorry for your bad news," says the concerned neighbor. "Good news, bad news, who can say?" the farmer replies.

In a week or so, the emperor's men come and take every able-bodied young man to fight in a war. The farmer's son is spared.

tory Agricola from birth to its rise and decline with the aim for redemption.

Agricola bounded by Houston to the north and Rome to the south started after the emancipation of enslaved Africans. The actually genesis is traced to a time when Richard Michael Jones, owner of Plantations Rome, Huston, La Bonne Mere and Hope, who was more liberal than other plantation own-

founders were enamored by ‘the feats of the Roman conqueror, Gnaeus Julius Agricola…who was instrumental in the Roman conquest of Britain’. This last explanation bears some credence because the streets bear the names outstanding characters in Roman History – Remus, Romulus, Caesar, Cato and Titus.

The community spirit at the time was the hallmark for growth and sustained

Bert Carter with Doreen Branche

the governor of the colony staying in the ‘Great House’ while repairs were being effected to his official residence. Another claim of the book was that the founding fathers – John Figaro, Chandler and Hercules were visionaries whose visions were supported by the members of the fledging community who were industrious and cooperative

and whose industry produced newly dug canals and freshly built dams for the health and economic wellbeing of all. But with time, there were many changes, not all to the good, heralding a decline.

Responses to this author please telephone 2260065 of email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com

Poem ers sold plot of land to the freed Africans. The village was sometimes referred to as ‘Jonestown’ and at other times loosely called ‘Rome’.

But the word Agricola comes from Latin meaning agriculture or farmer. Another origin story is offered that the village

development.

Agricola was once a gated community when crime was ‘virtually non-existent’, when Agricola was a peaceful and a hospitable place ‘deemed to be suitable for entertaining and accommodating dignities’, with no lesser person than

Good news, of course.

Moral of the Story : It's easy to understand why the ancient story of the Chinese farmer resonates now, in times that seem way too full of bad news.

The tale of the farmer is said to be Taoist. Taoist (pronounced Dow-ist) theology emphasizes themes such as naturalness, peace, effortless action, detachment and receptiveness.

The farmer's tale captures many of those. In short, it reminds people that it's best not to get too upset -- or attached -- to what happens to us. Even something that seems dark and confounding can turn out to be an opportunity, when looked on in hindsight.

Notice to Readers

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.

10 Sunday Times Magazine

FEBRUARY 18, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

guyanatimesgy.com

FEBRUARY 18, 2018

Sunday Times Magazine 11

Home & Cooking

Recipe

Ingredients Jiaozi dough: 3 cups all-purpose flour up to 1 1/4 cups cold water 1/4 teaspoon salt Filling: 1 cup ground pork or beef 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon Chinese rice wine or dry sherry 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper, or to taste 3 TB sesame oil 1/2 green onion (spring onion), finely minced 1 1/2 cups finely shredded cabbage 4 tablespoons shredded bamboo shoots 2 slices fresh ginger, finely minced 1 clove garlic, peeled and finely minced

M

ore and more people are adding home offices, libraries and quiet rooms to their homes — but that doesn't mean the design has to be sleepy. All of these spaces are vibrant and inspiring, making it a room someone would seek out — not avoid.

Directions

1. Stir the salt into the flour. Slowly stir in the cold water, adding as much as is necessary to form a smooth dough. Knead the dough into a smooth ball. Cover the dough and let it rest for at least 30 minutes.

2. While the dough is resting, prepare the filling ingredients. Add the soy sauce, salt, rice wine and white pepper to the meat, stirring in only one direction.Add the remaining ingredients, stirring in the same direction, and mix well.

3. To make the dumpling dough: knead the dough until it forms a smooth ball. Divide the dough into 60 pieces. Roll each piece out into a circle about 3-inches in diameter.

4. Place a small portion (about 1 level tablespoon) of the filling into the middle of each wrapper.

Wet the edges of the dumpling with water. Fold the dough over the filling into a half moon shape and pinch the edges to seal. Continue with the remainder of the dumplings.

5. To cook, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add half the dumplings, giving them a gentle stir so they don't stick together. Bring the water to a boil, and add 1/2 cup of cold water. Cover and repeat. When the dumplings come to a boil for a third time, they are ready. Drain and remove. If desired, they can be pan-fried at this point.

Greatest Cooking Tips • Inexpensive and unprocessed foods like beans, rice, nuts and grains are far healthier than processed foods.

• Keep a well-stocked pantry with lentils, dried pasta, canned or semi-dried tomatoes to throw together for a quick meal.

• Instead of thickening sauces with flour, you can use a variety of things such as tomato paste, agar agar or instant potato powder • Prepare for the week ahead by cooking in batches (www.goodhousekeeping.com)

Home Help

• Slip a pillowcase over ceiling fan blades, one at a time, then wipe. Dust falls into the pillowcase, not on your furniture and floors.

• To clean popcorn ceilings, roll a damp paint roller over the ceiling to pick up dust and cobwebs • Spot-clean fabrics with baby wipes. They contain very little moisture, have gentle cleaning agents, and dry quickly.(don't confuse them with cleaning wipes, which might contain bleach or other harmful chemicals) • To remove dust and dirt buildup from woodwork and leave it looking shiny, wipe down using a mix of 1 part lemon oil to 1 part white vinegar.

Infuse with inspiration Color has the power to get your creative juices flowing and improve your mood (a must when work is involved) A bold piece of art will do the trick!

Keep the backdrop white Keep your space all white.

You can switch in new pillows, patterns and accent colours as you desire.

A pop of colour

This gorgeous home office idea uses neutral furniture and a bright pop of color to create a fun space you'll love to work at home in

12 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

FEBRUARY 18, 2018

Puzzles

Crossword

ACROSS

115 Walkman brand

1 Bakers' meas.

116 Phoenician deity

5 Slackened off

117 Pungent veggie

10 Not as busy

118 Author -- Wallace 16 Relieve

120 Dips in gravy

21 "Oops!" (hyph.)

122 Vaudeville family

22 Disturb a sleeper

123 Goat meat

23 Soft wool

124 Jotted down

24 Refrain from 128 Microscopic

25 Libertine

129 -- Enterprise

26 Ocean fish

130 Sine -- non

27 Egyptian god (hyph.)

131 Actress -- Williams

28 Krishna's lover

132 "Exodus" novelist

29 Prognosticate

133 Delivery truck

31 Folk-song mule

135 Make muffins 33 Canyon 137 Linger

35 June bug

139 Caesar's 1550

36 More accurate

140 Ballerina painter

37 Wearing something

142 Tavern fare

40 Bruce -- of Kung Fu 144 Aardvark

41 "Show Boat" composer 148 Moray pursuer

42 Diamond - 150 Hindu incarnation

45 Soyuz destination

153 -- Carlo

46 "The Raven" poet

155 Joyful shout

48 Part of AARP 156 Drizzling

50 Miss Del Rio

157 Gourd-shaped rattle

52 Fill the lungs

158 Tikal builders

54 Clinton, Gore, etc.

159 Ponce de - 55 "Take -- -- from me"

160 Fridge sticks

57 Casserole cover 161 Dismount

58 Aquarium scavenger

162 Pull -- -- one (try to cheat)

59 Mellow

163 Splinter group

60 Wax-coated cheese DOWN

62 -- New Guinea

1 Racing world 66 Gusto

2 Frighten a fly

67 Zodiac twins

3 Serve the coffee 69 Emergency

4 Piece of paper

71 Germany's Helmut - 5 Take up, as a cause

72 Athletic contest (2 wds.)

6 Battery terminals

74 Singer -- Torme

7 More achy

76 Sri - 8 Joule fraction

78 Even if, informally

9 Algerian governors

79 Rough shelters

10 Petite 80 Comparison

11 Moon buggy

83 Like an ogre

12 Prospector's find

85 Plied a gondola

13 Aileron site

88 Sherlock's lady friend 14 Register (var.)

89 Pharaohs' amulets

15 Laughed heartily

90 Beyond rad

16 Farm unit

93 Hostile forces

17 Grassy field

95 Relax, as rules

18 Roofer's need

97 Spike TV, once

19 On terra firma 98 Sneakier 20 Pines

100 Metal in bronze

30 Flatfish

101 Paramecium, e.g.

32 Crack pilots

106 Chapeau's place

34 Earth sci.

108 Woolen caps

38 A Knute successor

110 Foundation garment 39 Hinder

112 Ms. Korbut

41 Brownie creator

113 Goddesses' statues

42 Composer Franz --

Word Search

43 -- sanctum

44 Dalai Lama's city

46 Pumpkin seed 47 Portent 49 Neatly

51 Back talk

53 Eighth letters

54 Pocket change

56 "El Condor --"

59 Female ruffs

61 Vietnam's Ho Chi - 63 Writer Chaim - 64 Yeah (hyph.)

65 At -- -- for words

67 Prime meridian std.

68 Turkish inns

69 Genetic engineering topic

70 Travel on powder 73 Accolades

75 Tropical resin

77 Hersey's bell town

81 Author Anais --

82 Thousand bucks

84 QB's goal (2 wds.)

85 Page or LuPone

86 Held title to

87 Adagio cousin

91 Diamond org.

92 Peacock spots 93 Hitherto

94 Uses an aerosol

95 Cotton pod

96 Riviera summer

99 Psyche's beloved

102 Vitamin amts.

103 Martini garnish

104 Put in -- -- word for

105 Au pair

107 Fitzgerald and Raines

109 Relaxed sort (2 wds.)

111 Nigerian people

114 Fix the table

117 Midwest airport

119 "-- Only Just Begun"

121 Bounding main

122 Furnace need

123 Most terse

124 -- uno 125 Nightmare

126 Comic-strip toiler

127 Explorer Vasco -- - 130 Australian airline

134 Kind of blockade

136 Jeweler's measure

137 -- Tucker of country

138 Ketch cousins 140 Teetotalers

141 Rani's garment

143 Mme. Bovary

145 Quaker pronoun

146 Job rights agcy.

147 Landlord's income

149 U2 producer

151 License plate

152 Fritz's sigh 154 Lummox See Solution on Pg 13

KATHLEEN SAXE

WORD GAME TODAY'S WORD -- DILATORY (DILATORY: DIL-uh-tor-ee: Tending to postpone or delay.)

Average mark 47 words Time limit 60 minutes Can you find 70 or more words in DILATORY? daily droit lira tail told raid dairy idly load tailor trail rail dart idol lord tardily tray ratio dial idolatry adit tardy triad rialto diary idyl adroit taro trial riot dirt iota adroitly tidal trio road dirty lady airy tidy trod roil doily laid alit tiro troy roily dolt lair alto toad tyro royal dory laity arid toady oily yard dray lard aroid today oral drily liar arty toil radio 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.

guyanatimesgy.com

FEBRUARY 18, 2018

Sunday Times Magazine 13

Tech

T

he dream of flying taxis whizzing through the skies above our cities may be closer to reality than you think.

Chinese company Ehang recently offered a glimpse of what could lie ahead, releasing its first video of passengers climbing aboard its autonomous drones and taking off with the push of a button.

It's one of a bunch of companies racing to bring their different versions of comput-

This is a different game from helicopters. Smaller, electric-powered aircraft are changing the shape of flying.

Rather than traditional gas-driven engines and large propellers or rotors for forward and vertical flight, new designs spread out the work across many small electric motors. They're giant, people-carrying versions of the small remote-controlled drones that have become hugely popular with consum-

The modified sunglasses are connected to an internal database of suspects

P

er-controlled airborne taxis to market. The contenders include big plane makers like Boeing (BA) and lesser-known startups.

Ehang says it first managed to carry passengers in its drones back in 2015 and has since racked up at least 40 successful journeys. It hadn't shared footage of the flights publicly until this week.

Its video suggests the Chinese start up is ahead of companies in the U.S. and Europe in the push to develop a new generation of aircraft that could potentially ferry people across cites, from one rooftop to another.

ers around the world.

Ehang created a buzz at the CES tech conference in Las Vegas in 2016 where it showed off a prototype of its passenger drone, the 184. But it says the technology has come a long way since then.

While other startups may have also carried out manned flight tests, no one is doing it on "this level," Derrick Xiong, Ehang's co-founder and chief marketing officer, told CNN in an interview.

Ehang claims the 184 is the world's first passenger drone capable of reaching speeds of more than 80 miles per hour. (CNN Tech)

China’s answer to Amazon Go aims to conquer with facial recognition

L

ong-waited Amazon Go opened its door to the public in Seattle last week and there has been overall positive feedback.

However, unmanned stores are definitely not a new concept for China’s tech-savvy consumers. Since May 2017, when Alibaba launched its

first unmanned store with the focus word “new retail”, a flurry of Chinese tech companies has created their own versions of unmanned stores with Shanghai becoming an important base.

BIU, Suning’s second big data-driven unmanned store, opened its doors in

Crossword Solution

Shanghai on in 2017, following the opening and trial of the first Nanjing-based store in August. Powered by facial recognition, the store held public events to both promote and test their systems.

Targeting Shanghai’s affluent and trendy consumers, BIU is one of the 4 new retail visiting spots in the region, along with 2017-opened Starbucks Roastery famous for its AR game, unmanned convenience store Bingobox, and Hema Supermarkets, which combines a supermarket, warehouse, and restaurant.

Thirteen out of 20 Alibaba’s Hema stores are based in Shanghai.

Since last year, Suning has aggressively developed their unmanned store project. BIU has so far been piloted in 5 different cities across the mainland. While Suning 4-stories home appliance retailers are easily seen throughout the country, their Shanghai BIU location is their first unmanned store to rely on facial recognition. (technode. com)

olice in China have begun using sunglasses equipped with facial recognition technology to identify suspected criminals.

The glasses are connected to an internal database of suspects, meaning officers can quickly scan crowds while looking for fugitives.

But critics fear the technology will give even more power to the government.

The sunglasses have already helped police capture seven suspects, according to Chinese state media.

Police used the new equipment at a busy train station in the central city of Zhengzhou to identify the suspects.

The seven people who were apprehended are accused of crimes ranging from hit-andruns to human trafficking.

The technology allows police officers to take a photograph of a suspicious individ-

ual and then compare it to pictures stored in an internal database. If there is a match, information such as the person's name and address will then be sent to the officer.But there are fears that China's authoritarian leaders will use the sunglasses to track political dissidents or profile ethnic minorities.

China is a world leader in facial recognition technology and regularly reminds its citizens that such equipment will make it almost impossible to evade the authorities.

The country has been building what it calls "the world's biggest camera surveillance network".

An estimated 170 million CCTV cameras are already in place and some 400 million new ones are expected be installed in the next three years. Many of the cameras use artificial intelligence, including facial recognition technology. (BBC Technology)

Tech TIP Save printer paper

• This one's easy: Every time you print a noncritical document, print it "2-up," meaning two pages shrunk down to fit on a single page (book-style). Look for this setting in the print dialog.

Likewise, if your printer supports automatic duplex printing, take advantage of it. You'll get documents printed on both sides of the sheet instead of just one.

(Mix in 2-up printing and you can get four pages for the price of one!)

Finally, ask yourself if you really need a hard copy at all. The best way to save paper is to "print" your documents as PDF files, which you can then store electronically. This capability is built into most software; just select "save as PDF" as your preferred printer.

Be safer behind the wheel • Mount your phone on your dashboard. That'll at least keep it up near eye level, far better than glancing down at your cupholder, passenger seat or wherever you typically keep it. It'll also simplify screen-taps, even though you shouldn't be tapping while driving.

• Enable "car mode."

Your phone is smart enough to automatically detect when you're driving and au-

tomatically respond accordingly to incoming text messages. That leaves you free to focus on the road.

Put down your phone

• Make no mistake, phones are incredible tools, but they're sucking up all our spare time -- they may be reducing the time we spend with our friends.

(They may also be making us sick: There's some evidence that excessive phone

use can cause anxiety and depression.)

Be nicer online • We all know how toxic the internet can be.

The question is, are you part of the problem? No author, no video blogger and certainly no fellow commenter deserves to be called fat, crazy, stupid or worse just because you have a difference of opinion -- or even if he or she gets something wrong. If you must weigh in, think before you type.

14 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

FEBRUARY 18, 2018

Bollywood/Hollywood

Priyanka Chopra sues Nirav Modi for non-payment of dues

P

Priyanka Chopra and Sidharth Malhotra were appointed as ambassadors for Nirav Modi Jewels

riyanka Chopra, who was appointed as the global ambassador by luxury diamond jeweller Nirav Modi, has dragged the diamantaire to court for non-payment of dues. The Quantico actor has accused Modi of not paying her for the diamond ad campaign.

Modi, who ventured late into the business, gained a reputation as India’s top

O

nir, the National Award winning director of I Am, is back with his romantic film, Kuch Bheege Alfaaz. Set in Kolkata, the film explores the possibility of love between an RJ and a chance listener.

Directed by Onir, the film starring Zain Khan Durrani and Geetanjali Thapa, tries to understand the ‘language of love’. Kuch Bheege Alfaaz brings together two people who speak different languages yet are on the same wavelength.

Onir explains why the film appealed to him. He says, “When I read the script, it took me back to the ‘90s. It wasn’t the world of WhatsApp, Tinder or Facebook. Those were the days when you would spend nights inside chat rooms.

Also, I had never done this

jeweller to the Bollywood A-listers and even to Hollywood biggies including Kate Winslet and Dakota Johnson who walked the red carpet in diamonds from his eponymous brand.

Chopra has already cut off ties with Nirav Modi. She and her team have blamed him for non-payments for their endorsement deals, suggest reports.

"My association with Nirav Modi is like a meeting of minds in many ways. We are both fiercely proud of our heritage and are united by the idea of bringing a modern India to the global forefront. His jewels are one of a kind and effortless, with an understated elegance," the actress had said in a statement at the time of the appointment as an ambassador.

The news came in after India's second largest state-owned Punjab National Bank (PNB) discovered a $1.77 billion (Rs 11,400 crore) fraud at a single Mumbai branch. PNB named three diamond firms who have benefitted from the fraud -- Diamonds R Us, Solar Exports, and Stellar Diamonds. It may be noted that Nirav Modi and his family members are partners in all the aforementioned companies.

Kuch Bheege Alfaaz features Zain Khan Durrani and Geetanjali Thapa in lead roles

kind of romantic film.”

He adds, “It’s a film that will make you smile. You’ll relive your moments of love.

Celebrating inner beauty is also a very important part of the film. I grew up in a family where my sister and brother were fair. People would ask me ‘what happened to you’. I wanted to incorporate those experiences in a story.”

It took Onir six years to direct a film (Shab, 2017) after the much acclaimed I Am, and now this is his second film in seven months. “I kept developing stories in that period. I started shooting Kuch Bheege Alfaaz a week after the release of

Shab.”

So, what kind of emotions he wants to evoke with Kuch Bheege Alfaaz. “As a person, I am in a happier space now. I want my films to reflect my inner being,” says Onir.

Zain Khan Durrani, who loves poetry in real life as well, is playing the night time radio host in the film.

He says, “I am playing an RJ whose show is called Kuch Bheege Alfaaz. My character goes around the city, talks to people and understands their story. He doesn’t reveal his identity and prefers to remain anonymous.”

Bollywood franchises get star power boost

F

ranchise films seem to have become a tried and tested formula for filmmakers, with every one of them doing well at the box office. To bring some novelty into this familiar framework, it seems that franchise owners are replacing one big name with another in the lead role.

After two successful films in the Murder series starring Emraan Hashmi, the audience was equally receptive to Randeep Hooda in the third film. Arshad Warsi delivered a sterling performance in Jolly LLB, but then the sequel had Akshay Kumar, and became a much bigger hit.

Dhoom is a classic case of a film franchise that has created a buzz with different actors each time.

This year, we see quite a few such instances.

Actor Sanjay Dutt has replaced Randeep Hooda as the gangster in Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster 3, out on July 27. Dutt has opted out of the comedy series Dhamaal, making way for Ajay Devgn and Anil Kapoor in Total Dhamaal, out on December 7. In the action thriller Race 3, this year’s big

Eid release, Salman Khan has replaced Saif Ali Khan.

Bollywood insiders feel that a new lead actor energises a franchise. Remo D’Souza, who is directing Race 3, says, “There are franchises that have a different lead actor in every film — and they work. I think by roping in Salman, we have only upped the market value of the Race franchise, and we have Anil Kapoor for the recall value.”

Explaining that these cast changes are a twoway process, producer Prernaa Arora says, “Each actor weighs what’s important for their career, and if they’re not getting that kind of value in a [franchise] film, they may opt out. Also, if the actor doesn’t have dates and the producer can’t wait, a franchise has to pick the next best option.”

The impact on the box office is, in fact, greater with a new lead. Rahul Mittra, producer of Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster 3, says, “Big names matter in terms of initial pull and, then, if you can retain the core of the franchise in terms of story and continuity, the audience gets drawn into that world.”

N

o matter your opinion on the directing career of Clint Eastwood, it’s impossible not to admire the pace he keeps.

At 87 years old, he’s shown no sign of slowing down, essentially putting out a film every other year. It’s not the yearly pace of fellow octogenarian Woody Allen, but it’s not far off. With a new movie opening this week in The 15:17 to Paris, it seems only appropriate to talk about Eastwood a bit, specifically Eastwood the director. He’s an Oscar winner, after all, so even his newest seems like little more than popcorn entertainment, he’s certainly capable of more than one sort of movie.

His new film, obviously, is The 15:17 to Paris. Based on a true story, this is the long-is plot description that IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes has: “In the early evening of August 21, 2015, the world watched in stunned silence as the media reported a thwarted terrorist attack on Thalys train #9364 bound for Paris–an attempt prevented by three courageous young Americans traveling through Europe.

The film follows the course of the friends’ lives, from the struggles of childhood

through finding their footing in life, to the series of unlikely events leading up to the attack.

Throughout the harrowing ordeal, their friendship never wavers, making it their greatest weapon and allowing them to save the lives of the more than 500 passengers on board.”

The three men in question are Anthony Sadler, Alek Skarlatos, and Spencer Stone, who all play themselves here. That meta bit adds another layer on to what otherwise might be another action drama from Eastwood. Dorothy Blyskal wrote the screenplay, based on the book by Sadler, Skarlatos, Stone, and Jeffrey E. Stern, while Eastwood directs. Professional actors in the cast include P.J. Byrne, Jenna Fischer, Judy Greer,

Tony Hale, Thomas Lennon, and Jaleel White, among others, while longtime Eastwood collaborator Tom Stern is behind the camera.

Eastwood is an A-list filmmaker, if sometimes a very inconsistent one. His best work, like the Academy Award winners Million Dollar Baby and Unforgiven, have the feel of classic cinema. Other times, he can be guilty of prestige fare that never seems to have a point, like with J. Edgar, for example. Eastwood is thought to be in a bit of a funk these days, though his last film Sully was tremendous, and your mileage may vary with American Sniper.

Depending on what the reception to The 15:17 to Paris ends up being, we may be seeing a late career resurgence for the director.

In the actionpacked spy flick, JLaw plays ex-Ballerina, Dominika Egorova

J

ennifer Lawrence is back on the big screen this spring with her highly anticipated thriller, Red Sparrow, and if you've watched the trailer you'll know exactly why we're excited for its release.

In the action-packed spy flick, JLaw plays ex-Ballerina, Dominika Egorova, who is recruited to 'Sparrow School' - a Russian intelligence service where she is trained to use her body as a weapon. However, things take a dark twist when her first mission,

targeting a CIA agent, threatens to unravel the security of Russia and the US. "She's forced into a program against her will and trained in espionage," the Oscarwinning actress explains. "She turns the tables, her mind is fascinating."

She continues: "She's ten steps ahead of everybody who's trying to use her."

The movie, which has been directed by Francis Lawrence, hits cinemas on 1 March.

We are counting down the days!

A

fter calling it quits on their relationship back in March 2017, a source confirmed to The Sun that the couple has rekindled their romance, saying: "They’re back on. Katy wants to make things work this time around. She tried, but she couldn’t cut him off.

She cares too much about him. This time, they’re keeping things low key – but they’re back together."

Rumours that Katy and Orlando were back on started last month after they were spotted by a fan having breakfast at luxury resort, Amilla Fushi, in the

Maldives... Orlando then shared a photo of himself at the same resort, wearing a very similar shirt to the one in the fan's post - do you need any more proof?

The pair previously dated for just under a year. In

February, a spokesman for the couple released a statement to US Weekly. It read: “Before rumours or falsifications get out of hand we can confirm that Orlando and Katy are taking respectful, loving space at this time."

guyanatimesgy.com

FEBRUARY 18, 2018

Sunday Times Magazine 15

16 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

FEBRUARY 18, 2018

Fun Times

Archie

The pressure is on, and your emotions are skyrock(March 21eting. Channel your energy April 19) into something that will encourage better cash flow, less stress and more time to enjoy life.

ARIES

Take care of your responTAURUS sibilities and refuse to take (April 20- on demands that are too May 20) much for you. Set boundaries that will deter others from taking advantage of you.

Put in the time and pump GEMINI up the energy. Bring about (MAY 28- positive changes at home that June 20) will help you channel your efforts into something that will add comfort and convenience to your life.

Don't hide your emotions.

Share the way you feel with (June 21- friends, relatives and loved July 22) ones. The response you get from others will be telling and will help you make an important decision.

CANCER

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Dilbert

Peanuts

Get involved in activities that will challenge you and make you aware of how lucky you are. Simplify your lifestyle and ease your stress. Practice moderation and avoid regret.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Do whatever it takes to stabilize personal relationships that affect your home life. Achieving balance and equality should be your goal.

A romantic gesture is encouraged.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Don't stifle your emotions.

The only way to make a troubling situation better is to discuss your concerns. Find out where you stand, and accept the inevitable.

Use your energy wisely. A SCORPIO (Oct. 24- physical activity will bring out Nov. 22) the best in you. Staying fit and enjoying friendly competition will do you good. Romance is highlighted.

If you want to avoid someSAGITTARIUS one interfering in your af(Nov. 23fairs, keep personal inforDec. 21) mation well hidden. Make a point to listen and observe more while saying less to gain clarity and insight.

Calvin and Hobbes

You'll come up with a good CAPRICORN plan that will help you ex(Dec. 22- pand your interests and talJan. 19) ents. Explore new ways to turn your skills into financial gains. Walk away from unpredictable individuals.

Only offer what you can.

AQUARIUS Talking big may draw crowds (Jan. 20- and attention, but if you canFeb. 19) not follow through, it will not help your reputation, status or chance to advance.

Discipline will serve you PISCES (Feb. 20- well when it comes to strivMar. 20) ing to maintain an appearance that pleases you. Proper exercise and diet will pay off and help you build greater confidence.