Sunday Times Magazine, May 20, 2018

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Independence Magazine

2 Times Independence Magazine

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MAY 20, 2018

Celebrating 52 Years Of Independence

– (From Earliest Times to Independence)

T

hroughout the early part of 1966, preparations for Guyana’s celebrations independence went in full swing. A special committee appointed by the government designed the new coat of arms and selected the Canje pheasant as the national bird.

The design and colours of the new flag, appropriately called “The Golden Arrowhead”, had already been chosen during the period of the PPP government from entries submitted through an international competition. The winning

five-coloured design was submitted by an American, Whitney Smith. The name chosen for the independent nation – Guyana – was also chosen since 1962 by a select committee appointed by the House of Assembly.

The flag of Guyana was designed with a golden arrowhead along its middle to signify Guyana’s journey into the future. The golden arrowhead, with narrow white and black strips along its sides, was set on a green and red background with narrow white and black strips along the sides of the arrowhead.

The five colours were also seen as symbolic to the country various assets: green for the agriculture and forests; gold representing the country’s mineral wealth; red for the zeal of nation-building; black border, depicting the people’s endurance; and white symbolising the natural water potential of the country.

A nation-wide competition, sponsored by the National History and Arts Council, also helped to select the words of the new national anthem. The winning entry, “Green Land of Guyana”,

The Duke of Kent presents the instruments of independence to Prime Minister LFS Burnham, May 26, 1966

was written by Reverend Archibald Luker, and the words were set to music by Cyril G. Potter, a prominent Guyanese educator and musician.

Guyana became an independent nation on Thursday, 26 May 1966, but the independence celebrations began four days before and continued until 29 May. Public buildings and business places were brightly decorated with streamers and buntings bearing the colours of the Guyana flag.

On the evening of 25 May, a grand cultural performance took place at the Queen Elizabeth Park (later to be renamed the National Park). Dignitaries in the audience of thousands included the Duke and Duchess of

new flag, fireworks burst across the sky in various parts of the country.

Then around mid-morning, the State opening of the Parliament of Guyana took place. It was preceded by a military parade accompanied by much pomp and pageantry. Significantly, for this occasion, a portrait of Sir Walter Raleigh decorating the wall of the Parliament chamber was removed and replaced with a portrait of Prime Minister Burnham.

The meeting of Parliament was chaired by the Speaker, Aubrey Alleyne. The Duke of Kent read a throne speech on behalf of the Queen, after which on behalf of the sovereign, Queen Elizabeth, he handed over to Prime

opportunity to point out that the Burnham government was abusing its powers through the extension of the state of emergency beyond the date of independence.

This, he said, was generating fear throughout the country and was detrimental to the struggle for peace and security.

He also highlighted the view that his party was “the victim of repeated constitutional manipulations designed to keep it out of office.” He added, “We are confident that despite these manipulations the People’s Progressive Party can be triumphant at future elections if these are fairly held.”

Later that afternoon, Sir Richard Luyt was sworn in by the Duke of Kent as

Linden Forbes Burnham and Dr Cheddi Jagan

Kent, representing Queen Elizabeth, and representatives of foreign governments.

Then at midnight, the Union Jack, the symbol of British colonial rule for 163 years, was lowered and the new flag of Guyana, the Golden Arrowhead, was raised to the top of the mast. Just before the flag raising ceremony before a huge crowd, Prime Minister Forbes Burnham and Opposition Leader Cheddi Jagan publicly embraced each other, indicating their satisfaction that Guyana had finally won its political independence.

With the raising of the

Minister Burnham the constitutional instruments designating Guyana an independent nation. Immediately after, there were speeches

by Prime Minister Forbes Burnham and Leader of the Opposition Cheddi Jagan.

Burnham, in an appeal to Guyanese nationalism, declared: “The days ahead are going to be difficult.

Tomorrow, no doubt, we as Guyanese will indulge in the usual political conflicts and differences in ideology. But today, to my mind, is above such petty matters. For today Guyana is free.”

In welcoming independence, Dr Jagan seized the

Guyana’s first Governor General at a ceremony in the ballroom of Guyana House, the official residence of the Governor General.

During the period of the independence celebrations, many public events were also held. These included carnival-style parties, exhibitions, float parades and public rallies addressed by Burnham and his ministers.

On achieving independence, Guyana became the 23rd member of the British Commonwealth. (Excerpted from “The Guyana Story – (From Earliest Times to Independence) by Dr Odeen Ishmael. 2005. Guyana.org)

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966 was an historic year.

British Guiana was throwing off the shackles of British Colonialism to achieve Independence on May 26, - 900 years, after William of Normandy had invaded England. Relative calm had returned to the nation after the political upheavals of 1962 to 1964, as we now prepared

MAY 20, 2018

renowned (Chronicle) Atlantic Symphony Orchestra off the Kitty foreshore, while 900 school children, together with performers from the Theatre Guild Dance Group – plus musical ensembles - the nation’s major choral groups - Police Male Voice Choir, - Police & other steel bands prepared for a lavish historical Pageant

Times Independence Magazine 3 Celebrating 52 Years Of Independence

braced each other publicly to tumultuous applause...simultaneously a team of GDF Soldiers with Amerindian guides, led by Adrian Thompson raised the flag our Golden Arrowhead on Mt Ayanganna. The flag was also raised at the old Fort Nassau, the ancient capital of Berbice, by a direct descendant of our

achieved much in the field of music, theatre, drama and the arts. Ramblers, Combo 7 and Rhythmaires competed for best string bands, while Kaietuckians, CASSO, Pelcans, Silvertones, and Invaders were the top steelbands.

The ‘Sound of Music’, Dr Zhivago, Agony and Ecstasy - Born Free, A Man for all

Queen Elizabeth meeting with Guyanese during her visit to British Guiana in 1966 just before the country gained independence

to become “One People, One Nation, One Destiny” These ‘prophetic’ words, which became our ‘nation’s motto, first appeared May 1958 during a massive Float Parade in honour of the visit of Princess Margaret. Six floats depicting the ‘Six Peoples’ produced by the Theatre Guild carried this slogan. I portrayed a Chinese ‘coolie’ shopkeeper’, complete with pigtails, while the Chinese Dragon Dancers showcased their culture.

Later that year, in October, Minister Brindley Benn, Minister of Education and Community Development, adopted the May motto, as the slogan for ‘History and Culture Week. There’s much conjecture today in the new millennium whether this ‘Oneness’ has been achieved. February 1966, Queen Elizabeth visited, signifying the beginning of the end of 163 years of British rule.

The Queen attended a Royal Race Meet at Durban Park, and I was particularly pleased when visiting the Legislature, she paused on the balcony to admire briefly my décor on the Demico House façade, which was a ‘striking tribute to the House of Windsor'.

Locally, feverish preparations for the independence celebrations were in full swing. The year before Major Clarence Price had assumed command of the Guyana Defence Force from Col Pope, and the local forces were in continuous ‘drill sessions’ preparing for the ‘pomp and circumstance’planned.

Rudy Bishop formed the

‘Ours The Glory’ to be staged at the Queen Elizabeth Park (later renamed National Park). Cicely Robinson – was the pageant Director.

The Theatre Guild in conjunction with the National History and Arts Council staged ‘Guyana Legend’ written and directed by Ricardo Smith, with original musical compositions by Hugh Sam and Valerie Rodway.

Come May – the celebrations began throughout the week of May 22 to 29th with pageants, concerts, parades, folk singing and dancing; Indian musicians; Chinese dragon dancers; Queh Queh; calypsonians, and steel band tramps – all in a potpourri of frenzied celebration.

Sir Jim Campbell dedicated the Independence Arch on Brickdam near Vlissengen Road – a gift from DEMBA to the people of Guyana. Bookers gift to the nation was the land at Turkeyen where the University of Guyana was subsequently built On the evening of Wednesday May 25th a grand cultural performance at the Queen Elizabeth Park was staged before thousands, including dignitaries, with the Duke and Duchess of Kent representing the Queen. At midnight, Lt Desmond Roberts lowered the Union Jack and our Golden Arrowhead was raised to a stirring gun salute, followed by a spectacular firework display with effigies of Prime Minister Forbes Burnham and the Kaieteur Falls.

Burnham and Jagan em-

former Dutch Settlers and also on Fort Island – the site of the former old capital of Essequibo. The State Banquet followed a special session of the Legislature where a painting of Sir Walter Raleigh was replaced by a portrait of PM Forbes Burnham. Aubrey Percival Alleyne was the Speaker of the House, Sir Richard Luyt, K.C.M.G. the departing Governor General and Hon Rahaman B. Gajraj C.C.E. our Mayor.

Unfortunately I missed most of the official ceremonies as I was preparing for the Float Parade – having 3 Banks/ DIH vehicles to decorate in allnight sessions. I actually witnessed the midnight fireworks from a guava tree in John Carter’s residence at Sandy Babb Street and Vlissengen Road.

The Float Parade was breathtaking – Guyanese celebrating liberation and independence, with a massive tramp east on North road – past the reviewing stand, constructed on the Lama gradient opposite the Bourda Green.

My floats– “Let Freedom reign”, ICEE Delights, and Pepsi Power won first, third and fifth place respectively.

Weiting & Richter’s topical 7UP Dwarfs was second. 1966 was a pivotal year in our history.

The Bank of Guyana was established the previous year, and a National Insurance Scheme implemented. Parade Ground was renamed Independence Park.

Culturally the nation had

Seasons, and Blue Max were the silver screen hits. Radio Stations Radio Demerara and GBS on Hadfield Street were fully operational. The hit songs on the airwaves were Born Free, "Somewhere my Love, Strangers in the Night."

Guyanese icon Dave Martins scored his first breakthrough hit with ‘Honeymooning Couple”

Four years later, the nation became The Co-Operative Republic of Guyana. (Excerpts from an article by Godfrey Chin published in the Guyana Times) For more Nostalgias check out Godfrey’s Nostalgias - de Book - Golden Memories of Guyana 1940 to 1980 now on sale locally. (godchin1@aol. com)

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Celebrating 52 Years Of Independence

Independence struggle, and to sustain the gains accrued since 1966.

Former President Cheddi Jagan asserted that the reasons for the Independence strug-

gle were "...Because life was hard and conditions were abominable. (Excerpt from the Guyana Chronicle 2003)

Hand in Hand building decorated for the first independence day celebration

“M

ost, if not all buildings were decorated with buntings, colors of the new Guyana flag, and lights. The trees on Main Street and Camp street avenues were all lit up and were like a fairly land. Citizens (including yours truly) strolled through the avenues and window shopped at night just to admire the lights and decorations,” The Duke of Edinburgh was in town for the celebrations as were other foreigners either on official business or otherwise. The Demerara Rowing Club hosted a Regatta in the Demerara River.

Some of us were allowed time off from work to attend (in the Club house of course). It was really a festive time the likes of which I have not seen since, and reminded of the Coronation celebrations in the ‘50s. People were able to put aside their differences, political and otherwise for a while to be unit-

ed in celebrating this significant, historical event.”

These were the fond recollections of a then young Guyanese girl, of Chinese ancestry; now a grown woman and preparing for the country’s 52nd Independence Anniversary, the memories of that auspicious period still had the power to bring a warm smile. Throughout the early part of 1966, preparations for Guyana's independence were in full swing; guests included Dignitaries and the Duke and Duchess of Kent.

Independence is one of the most significant days in this country's history, a history that must never be erased. To even understand this day's significance, we have to indulge and engage ourselves into the past to feel the experiences of previous generations, to understand the reasons for the

Independence heroes

Cheddi Berret Jagan - (March 1918 March 1997) (Executive President of the Republic of Guyana: Oct 9, 1992 - Mar 6, 1997) Jagan was born on March 22, 1918 on the sugar plantation of Port Mourant, Berbice.

His father was a foreman of a work crew on the plantation.

His grandparents had come from India as indentured labourers.

After primary school and two years of secondary school, his father sent him to Queen’s College in the city of Georgetown. He was then fifteen years old. In September

Linden Forbes Burnham and Dr Cheddi Jagan fought for an independent Guyana

1935, Cheddi left for the United States where he did pre-dental

studies at Howard University.

He was able to earn a scholar-

Prime Minister Forbes Burnham is cheered by the large crowd as he leaves the National Park after the flag raising ceremony on May 26, 1966.

ship to pay for his second year at Howard.

In 1938, he entered Northwestern University and embarked on a fouryear dental program graduating in 1942. While studying dentistry he was also doing courses in social studies. He graduated in 1942, with a degree in dental surgery (DDS) and a Bachelor of Sciences degree (B.Sc).

On August 5, 1943 he married a student nurse, Janet Rosenberg before returning home in October that year. Cheddi set up his dental practice with the help of his wife, as dental assistant, his brother, as laboratory assistant, and a cousin. He also spent a great deal of time with the workers and was soon established as a labour leader.

In 1947 Dr. Jagan formally entered the political arena with his election to the National Assembly. In 1950, three years later, he created the People's Progressive Party (PPP). In 1953, the PPP won the first elections held under Universal Adult Suffrage.

However, Britain suspended the Constitution, citing the PPP's pro-communist ideology. The British sent troops and warships to deal with any resistance they might encounter but there were only peaceful demonstrations. Dr. Jagan was imprisoned for six months for not obeying an order limiting his movements.

In 1955 Dr. Jagan was reelected leader of the People's Progressive Party. Between 1953 and 1957, the PPP was split in two factions. Dr. Jagan continued to be leader of the PPP, while the new faction, named the People’s National Congress PNC), was led by Forbes Burnham.

The PPP won the 1957 and 1961 elections becoming the country’s first Premier, and formed the Government. In 1964 the

PPP again won the election with a majority of the votes cast. However, the elections, was held under the system of Proportional Representation, the Government was formed by a Coalition comprising the PNC, led by Burnham and the United Force (UF), led by businessman, Peter D’Aguiar.

Dr. Jagan was leader of the Opposition until 1992, when the PPP won the elections that year. He became President and remained so until his death on March 6, 1997. (GINA) L. F.S. Burnham - (19231985) First Executive President of the Republic of Guyana: (Oct 6, 1980 - Aug 6, 1985) Burnham was born in Kitty, on February 20, 1923. He was the son of James Ethelbert and Rachel Abigail Burnham. He attended the Kitty Methodist School; Central High School, and Queen’s College. His hobbies included cricket, chess and horseback riding.

In 1954 he won the Centenary Exhibition and a Government Junior Scholarship. In 1955 he was awarded the Percival Exhibition. In 1942, Burnham received the highest scholastic award in the country at that time, the British Guiana Scholarship.

This annual award was reserved for the scholar attaining the highest grades at the Senior Cambridge Examinations held locally.

In 1944, Burnham earned the Bachelor of Arts Degree at External Examinations of the University of London. In 1947, he received his Bachelor of Laws (Hons.) degree at the University of London. In 1948 he was admitted to the bar of the Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn, London.

An extemporary scholar, Burnham was noted for his oratory skills. In 1947 Burnham was elected President of the West Indian Students Union in London, a position which

allowed him to participate as a delegate of the Union in the International Union of Students’ Congress in Prague (1947) and Paris (1948) In 1951 he married Sheila Bernice Lataste. They had three daughters: Roxanne, Annabelle, and Francesca.

In 1957 he married Viola Victorine Harper together they had two daughters, Melanie and Ulele. Burnham returned to British Guiana (Guyana) and in 1949, along with Dr. Cheddi Jagan they founded the People’s Progressive Party (PPP). Burnham was Chairman of the Party.

In 1952 Burnham was elected to the Georgetown Town Council. In 1959 he became Mayor of Georgetown, and again in 1964. In 1959, Burnham was elected President of the Bar Association of Guyana. In 1963 and in 1965 he was elected President of the Guyana Labour Union. In 1953 when the PPP Government came to power, Burnham was appointed Minister of Education.

In 1957 he founded his own political Party – the People’s National Congress. This followed the suspension of the British Guiana Constitution by the British Government, and the rift in the PPP. In 1964 the PNC became the major party in a coalition Government with the United Force and Burnham became Premier of British Guiana.

May 26, 1966, Burnham led the country to independence and was the first Prime Minister of Guyana. Guyana became a Republic in 1970. On October 6, 1980 Burnham became Guyana’s first Executive President, a position he held until his death.

On August 6, 1985 Burnham died at the Georgetown Hospital in Guyana after a throat operation. (GINA)

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G

uyana gained its independence May 26, 1966 from Britain, and is now a sovereign state that has also attained republican status. It is now free to make its own decisions concerning its welfare and its citizens.

Throughout the early part of 1966, preparations for Guyana’s independence celebrations were already being done excitedly. A special committee appointed by the government designed the new Coat-of-Arms and selected the Canje Pheasant as the national bird. The design and colours of the new flag had already been chosen during the period of the PPP government from entries submitted through an international competition.

Being an independent country, certain changes were brought about: the name British Guiana was changed to ‘Guyana’ (chosen since 1962 by a select committee appointed by the House of Assembly); the Union Jack (British flag) was lowered and the Golden Arrowhead, Guyana’s flag was hoisted for the first time; Guyana had its first Prime Minister, Linden Forbes Burnham and its first Guyanese Governor General, Sir David Rose; Guyanese no longer sang the British national anthem, ‘God Save the Queen’ but proudly sang Guyana’s own national anthem, ‘Dear Land of Guyana’; our national symbols came into use for the first time; the British Guiana Volunteer Force became the Guyana Defence Force and at the last parade of the volunteer force held at Eve Leary on Independence Day, Sir Richard Luyt, the Governor General at that time, took the salute.

Guyana’s symbols of nationhood represent the fact that it is a nation which has attained independence. The symbols are: the National Flag (the Golden Arrowhead), the National Coat-of-Arms, the National Pledge, the National Motto and the Arms of the President. Except for the last symbol, all the others came into use on Independence Day, May 26, 1966. Each symbol holds a special significance.

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Times Independence Magazine 5 Celebrating 52 Years Of Independence

The Golden Arrowhead has five colours each having its own meaning. The green background symbolises Guyana’s vast agricultural and forested areas. The gold which forms a golden arrowhead symbolises the country’s mineral wealth and its forward thrust. The red triangle symbolises the zeal and dynamic task of nation building which lies before our nation. The white bordering the flag symbolises Guyana’s many rivers and water potential. The black bordering the red triangle symbolises the strength and endurance of the Guyanese people which will sustain the golden arrow’s forward thrust into the future.

Director of the Flag Centre in Florida, USA, Dr. Whitney Smith designed the Golden Arrowhead. The design was submitted to Dr. Cheddi Jagan, the Premier of British Guiana in 1960, six years before Guyana gained its independence.

Dr. Smith said in a 2011 interview with Encyclopedia Britannica: “Among the flags in my collection that I treasure are the national flag of Guyana, of which I am the designer…”

Each part of the National Coat-of-Arms also has its own significance. Sections of designs submitted by Alvin Bowman, L.R. Borrowes and Stanley Greaves were incorporated into the final design of the Coat-of-Arms. Bowman was given the commission for producing the final design according to the requirements set out by a committee.

The Coat-of-Arms was selected on the recommendation of the National History and Arts Council and approved by the College of Arms in England. The House of Assembly accepted it on February 25, 1966.

The Amerindian headdress on the Coat-of-Arms symbolises that the Amerindians are the indigenous people of the country that is the first ones to live here. The helmet, a monarchial emblem, tells that Guyana was once a monarchy country ruled by a king or queen. The two diamonds at the side of the Amerindian headdress represent the country’s

mineral wealth. The jaguar holding the pick-axe represents labour. The other jaguar holding the stalk of rice and sugarcane symbolises our two main agricultural crops- sugar and rice. The shield signifies protection for the nation. The three blue wavy lines on the shield represent the country’s many rivers. The Victoria Regia Lily on the shield is our National Flower. Robert Schomburgk, a German botanist, discovered it in 1837. The Canje Pheasant or Hoatzin at the bottom of the shield is our National Bird. It is a rare bird which is found principally in this part of the world. It is seen often on the Abary, Mahaica and Mahaicony rivers and especially in the Canje river area and on the banks of the Berbice river. At the bottom of the Coat-of-Arms are the words of our National Motto: “One People, One Nation, One Destiny.”

A nationwide competition, sponsored by the National History and Arts Council, also helped to select the words of the new National Anthem. A generous sum of Gy$500, a significant amount in those days, was given to Reverend A.L. Luker, an Englishman living in Guyana and winner of the selected lyrics for the anthem. R.C.G. Potter, a prominent Guyanese musician and educator, set the poem to music and earned himself a cash prize of Gy$500. The Cyril Potter College of Education is named after him.

These symbols are imperative because they signify that we are an independent nation and show the solidarity we share as a unified country.

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Celebrating 52 Years Of Independence

Preserving our literary heritage

by

Petamber Persaud

T

he book Down Independence Boulevard and Other Stories is an important addition to the country’s literature because it focuses mainly on the push/pull factors fashioning internal migration with some attention paid to the pull/push factors of external migration and the disillusionment of returning home, all fascinatingly rendered in sixteen linked stories set in Guyana and North America but mainly in Guyana, during the ugly 1960s, from where all the main characters originate, some firstly migrating to safer locations in order to escape from racial animosity, racial discrimination and racial conflagration while others who are unable to deal with those curses, end up in the Diaspora to face similar curses in different guises, forcing at least one man to return to his birthplace where he has invested new monies (in a new building) to make a new start but is disillusioned on discovering he is deceived and cheated out of his investment and dream by a sister (and her husband) whose action is influenced by a society darkened by despotism and corruption.

However, not all of the stories are about racial disintegration; some are about

universal theme of man/ woman relationship told in a different tone, adding some humour (dark humour) and balance to the book saddled with sadness, offering little or no redemption. For instance, in ‘Why men leave’, set on Independence Day, two men – Jack, the taxidriver and Ram, the jailer – conspire to liberate themselves from their nagging/ dominating wives by flying out of the country simultaneously, to disappear without a trace. In ‘the last straw’, a woman takes revenge on her husband (and his family who treats her like a slave) a meticulous man who is proud of his moustache and appearance, by cutting off the right handlebar of his moustache, putting it in his lunch kit and then moving out.

Down Independence

Boulevard and Other Stories is a sad book where characters habour hopes of seeing a better Guyana, devoid of race baiting and racial incitement but time and again these hopes are tested and dashed when challenged by events like the Black Friday strikes and riots of 1962 and the Wismar Massacre of May 1964.

Early stories like ‘Black Friday’ and ‘Sounds in the Night’ set the tone of the collection. In ‘Black Friday’, Old Man Augusto Dias loses everything even the opportunity to return to his ancestral home, Madeira, forcing his descendants take refuge in the Diaspora. This first story also introduces two other main characters Ecliffe Van Sertima and Ian Veira protesting against the Government and even-

tually taking refuge in the Diaspora.

‘Sounds in the Night’ paints the harrowing story of the Wismar Massacre.

Lata and her husband, Rahim, recount their personal horror (and the horror of fellow Indians) starting on Sunday May 24, 1964, and how with the help of a Black family, they manage to escape on a refugee boat to Georgetown eventually making Independence Boulevard their home.

In ‘A House is not a Home’, a mixed race couple, Muniram and Cassandra, having fled from Endeavour – a predominately Indian village - are now contemplating taking refuge in Buxton, a predominately Black village or moving to the Diaspora but met with opposition from Rahim who was adamant about leaving his home or his country.

The title story ‘Down Independence Boulevard’ displays two links in the collection – the road from which all the main characters ‘originated’ – and the taxi driver, Jack Yusuff who turns up in many of the story, sometimes late.

The collection closes with ‘Eulogy’ and ‘You can never go home’. In ‘Eulogy’, set in Canada, Ian watches a DVD he has paid to be made of some of his colleagues he has managed to get together in order to celebrate his death.

After the viewing, Ian walks out into heavily falling snow and heads for a lake in the park…. In ‘You can never go home’, Cassandra buys her husband, Muniram, a oneway ticket to Guyana where he is disillusioned on discovering that the house he has sent money to his sister to build was just a photograph of somebody else’s.

The linked stories sustained interest throughout the reading through suspense, delve use of language and attention to details.

Moreover, it is useful to note that writing from afar allows the writer more freedom to recreate the past, filling out missing pieces in our history.

Down Independence Boulevard and Other Stories coming shortly after his two novels, Racing with the Rain and Junta, solidifies the author’s position as a convincing and credible writer of historical fiction.

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

What’s happening:

Check out Guyana Book Foundation, 66 New Garden & Anaira Streets, ‘Matching Fund Project’ between May 2 and July 20, 2018, for all levels of books at concessionary price. For further information, please call 227-4942.

Arise, Guyana When Freedom waved her banner bright On Ayanganna’s verdant height, A Nation’s glad triumphant song Reverb’rant rose full, loud and long; Guyana, fair Guyana, Be true to your higher destiny.

With valiant will and purpose keen A Nation strove in faith serene, Bold Cuffy’s dream of Sixty-three Today’s a sheer reality, Guyana, fair Guyana, Be true to your nobler destiny.

Arise! Guyana’s sons, Arise!

May you be steeled by action wise, Guard well our sacred heritage That it may thrive from age to age.

Guyana, blessed Guyana, Be proud of your glorious destiny.

By Valerie Rodway

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Times Independence Magazine 7 Celebrating 52 Years Of Independence

A

s we celebrate tion of the People’s Guyana’s 52nd Progressive Party Independence (PPP) in 1950. The Anniversary, let us ‘concept of a strugreflect on how the gle to free British journey began.

Guiana of colonialism probaCertainly the seeds of seeking bly had its origin in Cheddi an end to colonialism must have Jagan’s studbeen planted in the ies, while a hard days of slavstudent in ery and indenturethe USA, of ship when life was the writings unbelievably diffiof Jawaharlal cult and the reason Nehru and for the crushing opM a h a t m a pression and cruelty Gandhi. At that was easy to define. time, India was Billions of words on a course aimed have been written at complete inabout slavery, the middependence from dle passage, the unbearBritish rule. The struggle inspired many in the able cruelty of the slave masters and the many uprisings British, Dutch, French and Belgium colonies in all parts of against slavery. These were dealt with in ways which are almost the world to follow suit.

The young couple that As early as 1945 Cheddi beyond belief. Cheddi Jagan in fought for a free Guyana his book “The West on Trial” Jagan, in an article wrote: “It Janet and Cheddi Jagan writes about the prisoners in the therefore behoves the working class people to get control of Berbice uprising: “...53 of the defendants were condemned to death. Next day, government through their Constitutional bal15 of them were burnt to death over a slow fire lots in our forthcoming election, with a view toand 16 were broken on the rob rock. The re- wards complete independence.”

And after the PPP was founded, in its first maining 22 persons were hanged...”

After slavery was abolished, indentured Manifesto, the Party declared: “The People's labourers for the many sugar estates were Progressive Party recognising that the final brought to this country. Their conditions were abolition of exploitation and oppression, of ecoslightly better than the slaves. Dr. Jagan in nomic crises and unemployment and wars will his book quotes Elizabeth Caesar, a labour- only be achieved by the socialist reorganisaer of Pln. Vreed-en-Hoop: “...the Coolies were tion of society, pledges itself to the task of winlocked up in the sick house and next morning ning a free and independent Guianese society they were flogged with a cat-o’-nine tails; the in which security, plenty, peace and freedom manager was in the house, and they flogged shall be the heritage of all.”

Thus began the struggle in the then British the people under his house; they were tied to

An article published in 'The Times' on Guyana's independence and Dr Cheddi Jagan

the post of the gallery... I cannot tell how many licks; he gave them enough. I saw blood. When they were flogged at the manager’s house they rubbed salt pickle on their backs.”

With these experiences and much more, the spirit of resistance against those who caused the sufferings was inlaid and would later be expressed in a desire ‘to be free of such exploitation.

Guyana’s history shows that the very beginning of the recognition of the need to be independent of Britain began with the forma-

Guiana for independence. Somewhere in the psyche of the onetime slaves and indentured workers lay the elements of resistance to those who brought about the misery of their forefathers. It took time for most Guyanese to accept the idea that Guyana could be a free and independent nation.

Many scoffed at the advocacy, by the PPP, of independence from Britain. British Guiana is too small to be independent they said. There was talk of an amalgamation of the three Guianas - British, Dutch and French - into one

Janet Jagan fighting for a free Guyana

country.

Conservatives and recipients of favoured positions from the British, the business and religious community (Christian), were against such an “outrageous” idea. There was, indeed, a lot of opposition to the concept of independence. The PPP pursued its objective through the years. Former allies fell out and I can recall, would only support independence if Jagan were not at the head of government. The Cold War, too, had its negative effects which led to political interference and a nation in dire conflict.

Despite the long and difficult struggle for

independence, which many countries also experienced, Guyana became a free and independent nation and proudly took its place in the United Nations and other organisations, like the Non-Aligned Movement, the OAS, etc.

All Guyanese can be proud that we have overcome oppression, exploitation and attempts at a dictatorship. Guyana is a democracy that upholds all the finest principles of a democratic state. We have our problems, serious problems, but they will be overcome. Unity is the password to our future. (Excerpts from An article written by the late and former President Janet Jagan )

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Celebrating 52 Years Of Independence

M

o u n t Ayanganna is a sandstone tepui in western Guyana that stands 2,041 metres (6,696 feet) in the Cuyuni/ Mazaruni Region and is a part of the Pakaraima Mountain Range in western Guyana. It is from the Ayanganna Mountain that the mighty Potaro River is said to be born.

Flagraising on Mount Ayanganna has become a tradition since mountaineer Adrian Thompson led the climb to its summit at Guyana’s first Independence.

Ayanganna

Ascending the summit of MountAyanganna with assistants from Chinoweing Village (Smithsoinan Inst.) Photo by Bruce Hoffman.

As the Golden Arrowhead was being raised for the first time at what is now the National Park in Georgetown, Guyana’s flag was being planted on the summit of Mount Ayanganna, from which the GDF’s Camp Ayanganna takes its name.

There have been several new discoveries of new frog and snake species on the mountain. The GDF has named its main base ‘Camp Ayanganna’ after the mountain.

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MAY 20, 2018

Times Independence Magazine

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MAY 20, 2018

Independence Day

Times Independence Magazine 11 Celebrating 52 Years Of Independence

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ay 26th is coming soon and it is time to be prepared for family and friends. In honor of our country we all like to show the meaning of this glorious day in our homes.

Making a nice atmosphere with some specific Independence Day Decorating ideas will remind us of that great day in our country’s history.

Ingredients You'll need 3 x these ingredients for six sponges 125g butter , softened, plus a little extra for greasing 225g plain flour 150g golden caster sugar 3 medium eggs (very important to use the correct size)

1 tsp baking powder pinch of salt 1 tsp vanilla extract edible food colouring - red, yellow, green (options vary) For the icing 1 tsp vanilla extract 3 x 250g tubs cream cheese or mascarpone 350g icing sugar

Method Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Grease 2 x 20cm round sandwich tins and line the bases with baking parchment. Tip all the sponge ingredients, apart from the food colouring, into a mixing bowl, then beat with an electric whisk u n t i l

the tins and bowls thoroughly, and start again from step 1 – this time using another 2 colours. Repeat one more time to get 6 sponges, all of different colours. Leave them all to cool.

smooth.

Working quickly, weigh the mixture into another bowl to work out the total weight, then weigh exactly half the mixture back into the mixing bowl. Pick 2 of your colours and stir a little into each mix.

Keep going until you are happy with the colour – the colour of the batter now will be very similar to the finished cake, so be brave! Scrape the different batters into the tins, trying to spread and smooth as much as possible – but try not to waste a drop of the batter – a rubber spatula will help you. Bake on the same oven shelf for 12 mins until a skewer poked into the middle comes out clean.

Gently turn the cakes out onto a wire rack to cool. Wash

To make the icing, very briefly beat the vanilla and cream cheese

or mascarpone with an electric whisk until smooth.

Sift in the icing sugar and gently fold in with a spatula.

Be careful – the more you work it, the runnier it will get, increasing the chance of splitting.

Smear a little icing on your cake stand or plate – just a splodge to stick the first sponge. Start with the red, then spread with some icing right to the very edge. Repeat, sandwiching on top the orange, yellow, green, blue and finally purple sponges. Spread the remaining icing thickly all over the sides and top of the cake. For more tips and expert advice on how to create the perfect rainbow cake, check out our tips, below. (Recipe from

Using multi coloured or patterned throw pillows can also add a pop of colour to your home, this also requires little effort and a touch of imagination.

Decorating with balloons is easy and requires just a bit of creativity. Use a simple balloon centerpiece to create the right mood.

Spruce up your entertaining space with multi coloured curtains.

The choice of colour varies according to the occasion.

This inexpensive decorating idea can be tailored to suit any occasion. If you are unable to find a multi-coloured pattern that suits you, run a few different coloured curtains together!

Multi-coloured rugs/carpets can also add a touch of flair to your home or entertaining space. You can choose rustic or contemporary area rugs to match your style and budget.

BBC Good Food magazine)

Color Blocking is a trend that is gaining momentum. When planning for your get together, choose the appropriate coloured cutlery, glassware and table scape decorations. You are sure to wow your guests with your creativity

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MAY 20, 2018

Celebrating 52 Years Of Independence

ACROSS

1 Cast a ballot 6 Perimeters

11 City in New York

16 "-- the raven . . ."

21 Popped up 22 Stirring

23 Rain forest parrot 24 Loan-sharking

25 Dangerous woman

26 Take delight in 27 Ad

28 Fable guru

29 Dawn goddess

30 Gauzy fabric

32 Play possum

34 Aloha token

36 One of ten

37 Type of appeal

39 Some singles

41 Go formal

43 Joins hands

45 Woodwind instruments

47 Officer wannabe

49 Mall stand

51 Learned one 54 Overzealous

55 Firm up

56 Rara - 60 Kind of gallery

61 Thief's need

62 Kind of threat

64 Festive night

65 Range sizes

66 Ancient Scots

67 Coffee source

68 Big Bird pal

70 Basketball hoop

71 Team cheer

73 Cigar-smoking George

74 Rusted away

75 Ms. Lanchester

77 Genie's abode

78 City conduits

79 Refuge abroad

80 Tucker of music

82 Move crabwise

83 Rock band Pink - 84 Shaggy flowers

87 Ring-shaped cake

88 Cops, to a felon

89 Job opening

93 Steel girders (hyph.)

94 Dizzy

95 Price-fixing group

97 Stretchy bandage

98 Vicar's residence 99 Epics

100 Lop off branches 101 Unqualified

103 PC button

104 Easy-care fabric

106 Ducklike birds

107 Kind of cracker

108 Mets' former ballpark

110 Fourth-down option

111 Gone amok

112 Keeps digging

113 Genghis Khan followers

115 Great destruction

116 Antlered animal

117 Complete debacle

120 Pantyhose color 122 Stockpile

124 Like khaki

128 HMO staffers

129 Kiel conjunction

131 Third dimension

133 Made beef jerky

135 Ms. Merkel 136 Flawless

138 From the beginning (2 wds.)

140 Check for fraud

142 "-- vincit amor"

144 Pageant crown

145 Cabinet post

146 Shorthand pro

147 Formation flyers 148 Western 149 Disgorge

150 Cuts back on 151 Moderated

DOWN

1 Bouquet holders

2 Sky hunter

3 Weightlifter's pride

4 Language suffix

5 Slight damage 6 Previous

7 -- on (ponders) 8 Mallet

9 Be very frugal

10 Part of SASE

11 Called strikes

12 Bull's-eye locale

13 PC screen images 14 Trippet

72

15 Wanted GI 73 16 Bobwhites 74 17 Function

76 18 Deposes

78

19 Crowd in

79

20 Media excesses

81

31 WWII craft (hyph.)

82

33 A funny Murphy

83

35 Pierre's school

84

38 Pioneer Daniel - 85 40 Meager 86

42 Coils of yarn

87

44 FBI acronym

88

46 Type of wine

90

48 "Sesame Street" topic

91

50 Pandora's boxful

92

51 Tire in the trunk

52 -- B. DeMille

53 Does damage

54 Short summary

55 Unisex garb 57 Peddles

58 Leafy vines

59 Far from posh

61 Terra - 62 Captain Nemo creator

63 Demolition - 66 Earnestly hopes 67 Muscular

69 Lines on a map

Radius companions 94 Red gem No-goodnik

95 Hunker down Overact 96 Enticements Cartographer's book 99 Wind-driven spray Objects to

100 Walt Kelly strip Raise spirits

102 Sealed a package Readied the bow 105 Protective garment Where Khartoum is 106 Feel envious Terrarium plants

107 Crystal-filled rock Small coins

109 Happy sighs Disconcert 111 Affinity Therefore

112 Crunchy snacks Intolerant person 114 Telescope lens -- couture

115 -- rancheros Machine-shop tool 116 Kind of biology Barracuda habitat 117 Corn-chip name Payment details

118 Gandhi setting

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121 123 125 126 127 130 132 134 137 139 141 143

Circle the words listed below in this special Independence Day word search

WORD GAME TODAY'S WORD -- HESITANT (HESITANT: HEZ-ih-tent: Slow to act, speak or decide.)

Average mark 38 words Time limit 60 minutes

haste hasten hate heat hint east saint

sane sate satin seat sent shin shine

sine site snit stain stat state statin

words in HESITANT? stein stent stet stint inset instate taint

this tine tinea tint titan tithe anise

ante anti ashen atheist neat

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.

See Solution on Pg 14

Word Search

KATHLEEN SAXE

Can you find more

What a standee would like (2 wds.)

Hacienda brick More peculiar Viking letters Pastis flavor Greeted a shepherd Cartoon chipmunk Diary lock Venetian magistrate How -- things?

Vacuum part Ms. Hagen of films Give -- -- break

GOLDEN ARROWHEAD NATIONHOOD FIREWORKS PRESIDENT

JAGUAR INDEPENDENCE PLEDGE MOTTO

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MAY 20, 2018

Celebrating 52 Years Of Independence

Salman Khan shines in black in the new still from 'Race 3'

S

alman Khan's upcoming film 'Race 3' has created a good amount of buzz among the audience. The trailer of the film was recently released and it received a good response from all the Salman Khan fans. Now the makers of the film are all set to release the first song titled 'Hiriye' from the film.

The teaser of the song was released earlier in the day and it showed glimpses of Jacqueline’s pole-dancing skills as well as her romance with Salman Khan. Now Salman Khan has shared one more still from the film.

Salman shared the photo along with a witty caption. He wrote "Buss mood Kiya tweet karneka. Toh Yeh raha Mera tweet ."

Earlier even before the release of 'Race 3' trailer, Salman Khan trolled his fans by posting trailers of the previous installments of the 'Race' franchise. 'Hiriye' is crooned by Deep Money & Neha Bhasin. The music is composed by Meet Bros and the lyrics are penned by Kumaar. The full song will be out tomorrow.

Directed by Remo D'Souza the action flick also stars Bobby Deol, Saqib Saleem, Anil Kapoor and Daisy Shah. 'Race 3' is all set for an Eid release on June 15, 2018.

The much-awaited 'Race 3' trailer is out and has been hailed by the fans of the franchise. Headed by Salman Khan, the huge star cast of the film includes his son Bobby

Deol along with Jacqueline Fernandez, Daisy Shah, Anil Kapoor and Saqib Saleem. And guess who has already declared it a blockbuster. Its none other than the veteran actor Dharmendra who wished the team, "Love and luck to everyone who has participated in the RACE A BLOCKBUSTER!!!" along with a rare picture of himself from his younger days. Well, with Dharam paji backing the film, 'Race 3' team can already be assured of its success. (TOI)

C

hrissy Teigen is now a mom of two! The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model surprised fans when she took to Twitter on Wednesday, May 16 to announce that she had given birth to her second child with John Legend.

"Somebody's herrrrrre!" she tweeted with a series of baby bottle emojis, indicating that the baby boy has greeted the world. Her baby daddy appeared to be as ex-

M

cited as she was because he retweeted the post.

The news sure came as a surprise to her followers, as she was expected to give birth in June instead of May. Many immediately responded to the tweet with congratulatory messages, with "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" star Brielle Biermann replying, "OMFGGGG!!!!!! Taurus baby!! Congratulations."

The couple did not share any more details about

uch to the surprise of her fans, actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan joined Instagram on the day of her appearance at the Cannes Film Festival this year.

However, another A-lister is still missing from the social media and that is Kareena Kapoor Khan. But the lady when enquired about the same reportedly gave a straight 'No' to the idea. According to the reports, Bebo made it clear that she is a very private person and would never like to share her pictures and videos herself. She has however asserted that though she is not there online but still her life is on the web and she likes it that way.

Kareena Kapoor Khan is never off the headlines. The actor, who is currently on a promotional spree for her upcoming film titled ‘Veere Di Wedding’, recently attended an event in Delhi. She was one of the panelists for discussing ways to eliminate preventable neonatal deaths. Kareena professed that she chose to be part of the event on the Mother’s day because her son Taimur is cherishing a father’s day with his dad Saif Ali Khan.

She accredited a major part of her being to Saif.

Kareena, who is also a UNICEF Goodwill Advocate, voiced her views on the significance of girl education and how a family can play a prominent role in it. She opined that she has herself been extremely lucky. She said that post her childbirth, she was very tired and while everyone has a notion of putting the child on the mother’s breast, she thought the same. She further added that with her eyes half shut, she asked Saif to give Taimur the kangaroo love. She gave a shoutout to all the fathers who support and understand the concern of a newborn’s health.

She was all praise for Saif Ali Khan.

Kareena even spoke about them spending quality time with Taimur amidst their busy shooting schedules. She averred that Taimur loves her

their family's newest member, who joins their 2-yearold daughter Luna Simone Stephens.

Chrissy announced that she and her singer husband were expecting second child in November last year. The cookbook author shared a cute video of Luna pointing at her stomach and proclaiming, "BB!" She captioned the post, "It's John's!"

During her appearance on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show", Chrissy revealed that the couple still had not decided on a name for their baby boy. "Boy names are really tough, I don't even think he will have a middle name because we can't even think of a first name," she shared, before Ellen DeGeneres jokingly suggested "Urban Legend" as the name for the baby. Late last month, the "Lip Sync Battle" host hosted a baby shower which was attended by the likes of Kim Kardashian, Kanye West as well as Kris Jenner. They dined on cakes, Shack Shack burgers and drinks. Chrissy and John tied the knot in September 2013 in Lake Como, Italy. ( Ace Showbiz)

warmth and cuddles, while Saif often plays cricket with him. She added that while she is busy shooting, Saif assigns most of his time to Taimur and now, when Saif is busy shooting for the last three-and-a-half months, so she is always around Taimur.

While Kareena didn’t cease to make public appearances during her pregnancy, she already became a star amongst her fans.

Although the ‘Veere Di Wedding’ star hasn’t taken away the appreciation from Saif, she continues to be vocal about his parenting skills. She said that it takes two to tango and that’s why they do share responsibilities. But she also mentioned that even though a father can’t do what a mother can, he still has a lot to bring to the parenting table. And now that she is too lucky to have Saif, she wants to utilize it to the fullest.

Produced by Rhea Kapoor, Ekta Kapoor, and Nikhil Dwivedi, 'Veere Di Wedding' is slated to release on June 1, 2018. (TOI)

Crossword Solution

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