Sunday times magazine march 4, 2018

March 4, 2018

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MARCH 4, 2018

International Women's Day 2018

#PressforProgress

International Women's Day 2018

I

nternational Women’s Day is a worldwide event that celebrates women’s achievements – from the political to the social – while calling for gender equality.

It has been observed since the early 1900s and is now recognised each year on March 8. It is not affiliated with any one group, but brings together governments, women's organisations, corporations and charities. The day is marked around the world with arts performances, talks, rallies, networking events, conferences and marches.

The theme for International Women’s Day, 8 March, is “Time is Now: Rural and urban activists transforming women’s lives”.

This year, International Women’s Day comes on the heels of unprecedented global movement for women’s rights, equality and justice.

Sexual harassment, violence and discrimination against women has captured headlines and public discourse,

Argentina; and many others, on issues ranging from equal pay to women’s political representation.

International Women’s Day 2018 is an opportunity to transform this momentum into action, to empower women in all settings, rural and urban, and celebrate the activists who are working relentlessly to claim women’s rights and realize their full potential.

Echoing the priority theme of the upcoming 62nd session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, International Women’s Day will also draw attention to the rights and

of development, because of deep seated gender inequalities and discrimination, rural women fare worse than rural men or urban women. For instance, less than 20 per cent of landholders worldwide are women, and while the global pay gap between men and women stand at 23 per cent, in rural areas, it can be as high as 40 per cent. They lack infrastructure and services, decent work and social protection, and are left more vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

Making the promise of the Sustainable Development Goals a real-

Rural women and their organizations represent an enormous potential, and they are on the move to claim their rights and improve their livelihoods and wellbeing. They are using innovative agricultural methods, setting up successful businesses and acquiring new skills, pursuing their legal entitlements and running for office. Recently, as hundreds of courageous women from the film, theatre and art industry in the USA started speaking against sexual harassment and assault by powerful men in the industry, they found a powerful ally in Alianza Nacional

An early International Women's Day event

propelled by a rising determination for change.

People around the world are mobilizing for a future that is more equal. This has taken the form of global marches and campaigns, including #MeToo in the United States of America and its counterparts in other countries, protest-

ing against sexual harassment and violence, such as #YoTambien in Mexico, Spain, South America and beyond, #QuellaVoltaChe in Italy, #BalanceTonPorc in France and #Ana_kaman in the Arab States; “Ni Una Menos” (‘not one less’), a campaign against femicide that originated in

Chronology 1909 The first National Woman's Day was observed in the United States on 28 February.

The Socialist Party of America designated this day in honour of the 1908 garment workers' strike in New York, where women protested against working conditions.

1910 The Socialist International, meeting in Copenhagen, established a Women's Day, international in character, to honour the movement for women's rights and to build support for achieving universal suffrage for women. The proposal was greeted with unanimous approval by the conference of over 100 women from 17 countries, which included the first three women elected to the Finnish Parliament. No fixed date was selected for the observance.

1911 As a result of the Copenhagen initiative, International Women's Day was marked for the first time (19 March) in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland, where more than one million women and men attended rallies. In addition to the right to vote and to hold public office, they demanded women's rights to work, to vocational training and to an end to discrimination on the job.

1913-1914 International Women's Day also became a mechanism for protesting World War I. As part of the peace movement, Russian women observed their first International Women's Day on the last Sunday in February. Elsewhere in Europe, on or around 8 March of the following year, women held rallies either to protest the war or to express solidarity with other activists.

1917 Against the backdrop of the war, women in Russia again chose to protest and strike for "Bread and Peace" on the last Sunday in February (which fell on 8 March on the Gregorian calendar). Four days later, the Czar abdicated and the provisional Government granted women the right to vote.

1975 During International Women's Year, the United Nations began celebrating International Women's Day on 8 March.

1995 The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a historic roadmap signed by 189 governments, focused on 12 critical areas of concern, and envisioned a world where each woman and girl can exercise her choices, such as participating in politics, getting an education, having an income, and living in societies free from violence and discrimination.

2014 The 58th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW58) – the annual gathering of States to address critical issues related to gender equality and women’s rights — focused on “Challenges and achievements in the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals for women and girls”. UN entities and accredited NGOs from around the world took stock of progress and remaining challenges towards meeting the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The MDGs have played an important role in galvanizing attention on and resources for gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Guyana

activism of rural women, who make up over a quarter of the world population and majority of the 43 per cent of women in the global agricultural labour force.

According to the United Nations ( UN) “ They till the lands and plant seeds to feed nations, ensure food security for their communities and build climate resilience. Yet, on almost every measure

ity, to leave no one behind, needs urgent action in rural areas to ensure an adequate standard of living, a life free of violence and harmful practices for rural women, as well as their access to land and productive assets, food security and nutrition, decent work, education and health, including their sexual and reproductive health and rights.

de Campesinas, the national farmworker women’s organization, no stranger to the abuse of power.

On 8 March, join activists around the world and UN Women to seize the moment, celebrate, take action and transform women’s lives everywhere. The time is NOW. (Cover photo: Fruit Vendor 2017 by Betsy Karim)

Women in Indonesia Marching for women’s rights; Women around the world stand at the forefront of rising movements to defend and protect the health of water, land, air and diverse communities.

Sunday Times Magazine 3 International Women's Day 2018 #PressforProgress

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March 4, 2018

…Empowering women, changing lives

T

he f

theme o r

International Women’s Day, to be celebrated on 8 March, is “Time is Now: Rural and urban activists trans-

ful enterprise which includes over fifty women.

Ms. Albert, however, was quick to explain to the Guyana Times Sunday Magazine that the benefits of the initiative also extends to beneficiaries beyond the Region Nine community. The group’s mission contin-

Ms. Analise Edwards dispalying the products from the Moco Moco Community

forming women’s lives”. The occasion serves as an opportunity to transform momentum into action, to empower women in all settings, rural and urban, and celebrate the activists who are working relentlessly to claim women’s rights and realise their full potential.

For the members of the Wowetta Women’s AgroProcessors their journey to becoming a selfsustaining group has been marked by determination and resilience. According to the Manager of the agricultural initiative, Ms. Grace Albert, the project has resulted in the remarkable transformation of the livelihoods of the women in the community.

What began as a voluntary enterprise in 2007, with a few members, has now morphed into a success-

ues to be creating incomegenerating employment for women in particular in Wowetta, alt hough they have expanded their focus also to youths.

Farine produced by the factory

Wowetta products on Display

Successful Enterprise

The village, which borders the Iwokrama International Rainforest Protected area, is the site of a modern, multimilliondollar cassava processing and farine storage facility, where up to 10,000 pounds of farine can be stored, thanks to a collaborative effort of CIDA, CI, CUSO and other stakeholders. The facility provides paid employment for more than fifty women, youths, elderly persons and cassava farmers across the Rupununi. While the beneficiaries are primarily women, Ms. Albert pointed out that the men in the community are also involved in the enterprise. “We tried to include all of the women in the decision making process. The aim was to have all women involved not just financial members.

Eventually they brought their husbands, so we also embrace the men.” The benefits of the group also extend to single mothers in the community, she added.

Grace explained that the Group is run by a committee, and the workers rotate, five to seven at a time, to produce farine, sweet cassava flour, cassava bread, cassareep and tapioca on a weekly basis. “The workers would rotate their shifts and they would then get a break s o

that they would also have time for their families,” she noted. Although this initiative is a success, the women in the area also tried other enterprises including agro processing, medicinal soaps and oils. She also acknowledged the growth of the business. “As time went by we had the capital to attract other stakeholders and we were then able to benefit from training, capacity building and exposure,” Grace said.

Empowering Women

Eventually, the Wowetta Women’s Agro-Processors became part of a wider group, the Women Agroprocessors Development Network (WADN), which was established in 2011 with the support of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) to accelerate the individual small ventures located in Regions 1, 2 and 9 with the intention of ensuring that the group members improve their entrepreneurial skills.

According to Ms. Albert , the involvement in this wider group has allowed the members of the Wowetta Women’s Agro-Processors Group to network and to showcase their skills regionally and internationally. She explained, “Our group is actually one of the founding members. We have built a network since becoming a part of this group and we have travelled to different countries including Suriname, Barbados,

A n t i g u a , Trinidad, Washington and China.”

She also emphasised that while the wider group is comprised of more members, the women all have a chance to represent Guyana and their communities based on their skills and strengths.

They are also active in representi n g their communities at several shows throughout the year which are hosted in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, CI, and New GMC among other agencies.

“Since the formation of the group, we have seen an improvement in the exposure; in addition, livelihoods have also improved. Women in the community now have permanent jobs and they should be appreciated for the roles they play in the region,” Grace added.

While she acknowledged that the success of the Wowetta Women’s AgroProcessors Group required commitment and dedication, Ms. Albert is encouraging other women and young girls to work towards realising their potential.

Ms.Grace Albert Operations Manager for the factory

She explained, “We all should feel equal as we all have the potential. Even though we are not all educated we should not be selfish and to keep our knowledge. Instead, we should embrace each other so that we can all reach our potential.” More importantly, Ms. Albert emphasised that it is also important to change perceptions and to embrace and encourage the single parent women in the communities. “This group has played a critical role in empowering women,” She stressed.

The Wowetta Women’s Agro-Processors also works closely with the Moco Moco Women’s Group. “We help each other and share our knowledge,” she added.

4 Sunday Times Magazine #PressforProgress

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MARCH 4, 2018

International Women's Day 2018

-empowering Guyanese women across the world

T

he Women of Kaieteur, which was launched in 2016, is a global empowerment network designed to create a platform for women to encourage, inspire, collaborate and celebrate each other, while raising money to support women and girls in less developed countries. According to its founding member, Ms. Roianne Nedd the initiative was born of the need to do more to progress gender equality in Guyana. Nedd, a Guyanese, is a Chartered Accountant and Gender Specialist with the UK Government. She has been involved in Gender Policy for the last 10 years.

In addition to heading the Group’s altruistic works, Ms. Nedd is also a published Author.

In December 2016, she published ‘50 Women: 50 Years’; the main aim of the book, she explained, was to highlight the stories of ordinary women who are the unsung heroes in Guyana and who do extraordinary things. “Women’s role in Guyanese society is extremely low key, and as a

girl, I didn’t hear enough stories about phenomenal women, so I wanted to create a publication that we could use a fundraising vehicle as well as inspiring and educating girls from Guyana and of Guyanese parentage,” Nedd explained.

One of the main aims of the Women of Kaieteur is to raise the voices of women while raising funds to achieve sustainable change. According to Ms. Nedd, the biggest success story in terms of raising the voices of Guyanese women has been through the book. She explained, “It is why we continue to look at literary projects as the way to share stories with the rest of the world. The book has been purchased from readers in Europe, America, and London and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. We have also had feedback that older Guyanese women who left Guyana decades ago have used the book to reconnect with Guyana and to teach their grandchildren especially granddaughters

Recipents of hampers at Christmas

about Guyana.”

She pointed out that the Women of Kaieteur members are also able to connect via their facebook page, the group, and their membership database that

Ms. Nedd and guests at the launch of Women of Kaieteur in London

enables them to send regular newsletters and information to members.

The Group currently has Guyanese and non-Guyanese and male and female members from across the

Caribbean, Europe, and North America. “We want to continue expanding,” Nedd emphasised.

Extraordinary women

Alluding to the journey towards the book’s completion, she acknowledged that the research from the book and the conversations with Guyanese women from across the world were both cathartic and life-affirming. “As I sat with the team here and read the inspirational quotes from these women, we were struck by just how amazing some of these ordinary women’s lives were, and it gave us the impetus to continue this journey,” she said.

One of the key goals during the book’s launch a few years ago, Nedd reminded, was to get a copy of 50 Women:50 Years into every secondary school in Guyana to provide girls with access to information about role models and to help raise their aspiration. While this aspiration has been a work in progress, the Author explained that it has been challenging finding ways to get the books to the schools and to make the right connections via the Ministry of Education. She said, “We are still aiming to achieve this, but we think we need a more structured plan to make it happen and we need help on the ground in Guyana.”

With regards to the Women of Kaieteur’s future plans, Ms. Nedd revealed that several initiatives are in the pipeline, including recognising phenomenal mothers for Mother’s Day in May, repeating their Educational Grants Program, which

involves sending school supplies to Guyana for the September term , the Christmas Assistance Program ; members send toys to Guyana and provide grocery vouchers for families in need, which are delivered through their corporate partner Tons of Fun Party Service in Guyana.

“We also want to launch a project to give away free sanitary and hygiene products to women as we know these products can be expensive and as they are a necessity, it can be tough for women or for a house full of girls and women to cope with this additional expense each month,” she continued.

In addition, Nedd also pointed to the release of another publication which will focus on Guyanese women building on the success of 50 women 50 years.

She noted, “We recognise that there are more significant issues that need tackling. We also have some other projects that we introduced last year that we want to replicate.”

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the Women of Kaieteur’s founding member conveyed a strong message to the Nation’s women and girls. She said, “You can and will overcome any challenges that you encounter. And the darkest days shine the brightest light on your blessings”.

Ms.Nedd reminded that the Women of Kaieteur are available to provide moral support if needed.

The group can be contacted through their Facebook page or via their email at womenofkaiateur@gmail. com.

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W

omen from across Guyana will be participating in the 2018 Ms. Earth Pageant which is slated for April 2018.

From all indications, this is indeed a pageant with a difference. The contestants, who will be gathered from across the country will be given the chance to raise awareness, not only about the environment but health related issues that follow. Under the ownership of Guyana Premier and its new National Franchise Director, Mr. Dave Lalltoo, the pageant is expected to see new levels of competition and hopefully mark the initiation of the journey to bring us home a long desired international crown.

The Miss Earth Guyana pageant is the local precursor pageant for the international Miss Earth Pageant which is among the top three in the world. It has reached a point in popularity that over one hundred countries are scheduled to take part this year. According to the Pageant’s Managing Director, Dr. Omesh Balmacoon, one of the main reasons it has grown is because of the fact that it focuses primarily on raising awareness about the environment and our planet through its "Beauties for a Cause" segment.

As the pageant builds momentum, the contestants are preparing for the grand Miss Earth Guyana Grand Gala Dinner and Sashing Ceremony, which will be held at the Aracari Hotel and Resort on Saturday, 10th March, 2018.

During a recent interview with the Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, Dr. Balmacoon also revealed that guests at the event will be treated to 100% Guyanese Talent.

“There are twelve semifinalists in total. It will be a night to remember,” he announced.

The last Miss Earth Guyana pageant was held in 2010 when Soyini Fraser was crowned as queen but a representative was sent up for the international pageant as recent as 2014.

It was local belle, Stacy Ramcharran who took

Sunday Times Magazine 5 International Women's Day 2018 #PressforProgress March 4, 2018

the crown back then, but after the franchise was lost one year later, it was not possible to choose another girl. As such she remains the reigning Miss Earth Guyana; that is until the grand coronation of Miss Earth Guyana 2018.

Miss Earth Guyana 2018 and her court will benefit from a prize package of over one million dollars in cash and other prizes. The corona-

will be presented to the public at the sashing ceremony.

Contestants Meet Prudence Lam, 19, Linden

I think it is perfection at its best. Hence, I'm very passionate about the environment (the trees, the animals, everything!) I believe that they all should be treat-

close to my heart.

Meet Luann Onika Ray Pellew, 24, Georgetown

I want to be the next Miss Earth Guyana because representing my country and having a voice to what is happening in my environment matters.

It is not just about winning the Miss Earth Guyana title but what comes with it. I'd get to become an ambassador for my country and at the end of it all, I get to address what the real issues are and help to solve them in any way necessary.

ity.

I know that as Miss Earth Guyana 2018 I, Xamiera Kippins can paint Guyana in a new light as well as make those who know not of who we are or what we have to offer as a country, aware or our potential.

I believe in the power of a beauty queen.

Despite the name, beauty comes second. I am an advovate. An advocate for change and betterment in all aspects of life, to make our world a more peaceful place.

I love Guyana and with humility, perseverance and a firm understanding of hard work as well as team work, I believe that I can do this.

Meet Xamiera Kippins, 23, West Bank Demerara

I view being an ambassador for Guyana to the rest of the world as a tremendous responsibil-

Prudence Lam

tion night is scheduled for April 28th, 2018.

This year’s event is sponsored by DemBake, Caribbean Wind and Sun, Aracari Hotel And Resort,

ed with love and care, so it would give me great joy to be an advocate for it.

For most of my life, I've been a very shy and

Luann Pellew

Guyana Premier, GHF, Precise Printing, and Commonwealth Youth Peace Ambassadors Network. To secure tickets, interested persons can call (592) 612 0247, 653 0436, 697 5127, 668 1753, or 662 6236.

The three contestants who have already been revealed are Prudence Lam, Onika Ray Pellew and Xamiera Kippins.

The remaining beaties

timid person and for years I've desperately tried to avoid any situation that would put me in the limelight. But I realized that that is me 'acting small' and I Will never reach my full potential by just doing that.

So I know that this pageant is the perfect opportunity for me to build my confidence and grow personally while helping something I hold very

Xamiera Kippins

6 Sunday Times Magazine #PressforProgress

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MARCH 4, 2018

International Women's Day 2018

Preserving our literary heritage

by

t o d o -

Petamber Persaud

P

ulling the Punches: Defeating Domestic Violence by Luke Daniels is a hard-hitting book that does not bob and weave but deliberately aims at and takes potshots at every sordid realities of this issue, stepping on stumblingblock toes of our civilization that spawned patriarchy, a system of monstrous proportion limiting lives from the cradle to the grave, infringing on basis human rights, stealing the joy of living by imposing oppression in its various manifestations, ingraining themselves into norms of society as we accept violence meted out ‘just for your good/just a slap/just words’, minimizing the violence and prolonging the hurt, wrecking a toll on future generations as violence become a learned behaviour, resulting in immeasurable economic, social and mental health cost. These ‘revelations’ are brutal but there is a redeeming factor: there is a beginning and there must be an end.

How will it end?

Accepting, admitting, and coming to grips with the realities, saying no to all forms of violence, unlearning violent traits in the individuals and removing oppressive systems especially statesponsored oppression imposed upon society.

In this book, Pulling the punches: Defeating Domestic Violence, Daniels bares all, even sharing his story to add credence to some areas of concern, as if validation is necessary for this most pressing and depressing societal malady.

Although this is a selfhelp book aimed at perpetrators/survivors (man, woman, and state), it offers guidance to anyone concerned about the use of violence and to practitioners in the field of domestic violence.

The book is prepared in six progressive/graduating chapters from the root of domestic violence to the rooting out of this scourge, mindful that the full and true solution rests in self-realization and ‘repentance’ leading to release/salvation. Each chapter is important to the whole as each chapter looks at a key ‘awareness-raising’ issue to fully grasp and grapple with the problem in order to equip ourselves with the appropriate attitude and tools to effective put an end

Spotlight on W

OMEN ACROSS BORDERS is an anthology featuring captivating and empowering stories from women residing in different parts of the world. It depicts that no matter where you are from, we all encounter challenges.

These amazing women are from various backgrounds, ethnicities, nationalities and careers but have a common fibre which is love for people. These women have expressed how their passion in fulfilling purpose in their respective lives, led them to contributing significantly to humanity. Inspiring journeys of eight phenomenal women from across borders. The book was launched on march 1st on Amazon.

The Miss Earth Guyana Organisation‘s Assistant National Franchise Director, Dr. Latoya Gooding also contributed a chapter in the book. The publication featured stories from eight phenomenal women including Dr. Jackie Evan Philips, Dr. Sonia Noel, Roshini Bodhoo Persaud, Tavie Hunt, Dr. Desiree Florimonte , Jacqui Phillips and Alize Utteryn.

mestic violence. A word of caution: change in individuals and in systems comes at different pace and the use of violence is a choice.

In chapter one, the focus is on the birth, evolution and entrenchment of a patriarchal society that spawned the socialization of violence, breeding the oppression of both male and female pointing to three contributing factors namely where perpetrators were hit/abuse as children, where sexist attitudes still exist and control/dominating patterns are practiced. Perpetuating these ills is one sordid side of the gloomy picture but condoning these ills is worse.

And according to the book, ‘real solutions involve out-

lawing all forms of violence and teaching an ethos of non-violence’.

In chapter two, labeled ‘Men’s Liberation’, the focus is on the confusion about men’s oppression in a society where men are deemed the chief perpetrators in the oppression of women. This is what the book offers on the confusion: ‘[w]ith the oppression of men there is no one group, but the society as a whole does the oppressing, through its customs, culture and institutions. Chief among these latter are the army, police, prison and economic system’. Further, men are stereotyped to be superior – strong and indestructible – from youth where they are given ‘an arsenal of war toys’ and told ‘big boys don’t cry’, internalizing unhealed hurt, growing into the next sphere of providers to ‘bring home the bacon’ and even in sport of boxing which is a ‘hurt business’ and then having to deal with the fear of same-sex relationships and homophobia.

Chapter three labeled ‘Women’s Liberation’ looks at some of the factors contributing to oppression of women and how it is condoned in name of religion, tradition, custom, culture.

Some other factors include politics, education, equalpay discrimination, sexism and pornography, a multibillion dollars industry controlled mostly by men. It is worthy to note that one of the ‘key places we learn sexism is in the home. Gender socialization begins from the moment babies are put into blue or pink and it continues for most of our lives’.

Under the subsection

‘language and liberation’ it is stated that language has always been used as a ‘tool of oppression’ and similarly, ‘sexist language is used as a tool to undermine women’ excluding them from ‘historical (after all it is his-story we are talking about) accounts’.

Chapter four, labeled ‘Giving up Addictions’, focuses on mind-altering substances: ‘That licit drug company are allowed to peddle their poison freely is a disgrace that can only be seen as a dereliction of duty by governments to protect its citizens from ill health, misery and early death’.

Another major form of addiction is gambling especially as it is seen as not hurting anyone.

Chapters five –

‘Parenting for Change’ and six – ‘Building loving relationships’ ought to go hand in hand because of the commonalities found in both areas. The underlining factor in both areas is the need for a non-oppressive environment where hurt can be healed, where lives would not be limited and where growth and development is possible.

In Pulling the punches: Defeating Domestic Violence, there are numerous repetitions and overlapping, all designed to keep the issue in focus as a work in progress. This book is recommended reading for every strata of Guyanese society.

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

What Do You Do? And when your conscience assails your deeds What do you do?

Do you buy peace of mind For a few cents?

Or do you in solitude reflect Awake your heart to consciousness And turn your heart to the cries of the poor And be reborn to try and wipe away the tears From the eyes of those in grief and poverty?

By Krishna Nand Prasad 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.

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Sunday Times Magazine 7 International Women's Day 2018 #PressforProgress March 4, 2018

Ms. Roianne Nedd- Author, Activist Roianne Nedd has written and published six books, ranging from selfhelp to fictional accounts of women and their journeys all her books serve the common purpose of empowering women through story-telling and sharing. Recognising that change begins at “home” Roianne founded Women of Kaieteur – a social enterprise mainly focused on empowering women and girls in Guyana through education and enterprise.

In December 2016 she published a book about ordinary Guyanese women doing extraordinary things and in commemoration of Guyana's 50th year of Independence. It is called ‘50 Women:50 Years’

“Our purpose is to empower and uplift women through a range of channels whilst raising funds for women and girls in the developing world starting with Guyana,” she said.

Ms. Nedd added “I have a restless desire to change the world and an unwavering belief that I will achieve this dream. Born in Georgetown, Guyana in a society that prioritised men over women I found my rebellious streak. Schooled in both Guyana and the UK, being successful wasn’t a choice… I am unapologetic about my focus on female empowerment and my interest in the experiences of women of colour. This is my purpose.”

Mrs. Jayaa Pooran- Quality/Safety Officer, Air Services Limited Jayaa Pooran originally hails from Bara Bara Mahaicony Creek. She grew up in Bara Bara Mahaicony Creek where she enjoyed the outdoor life, particularly catching fish, swimming and climbing trees. Ms. Pooran attended the Karamat Primary School until 1994 before moving to Georgetown. She continued her Primary Education at Success Primary School before graduating from Annandale Secondary School in 1999.

After graduating, she ventured to the world of work where she was able to further her education in computer classes and then Business Management. In 2002 she was employed with Air Services Limited as a Trainee Technical Records Officer.

Today, Jayaa boasts sixteen year experience in the aviation industry.

She is currently employed with Air Services Limited as a Senior Quality/ Safety Officer, passing invaluable knowledge and experiences to her

colleagues. She is the mother of 2 children, ages 3 and 6.

Her main duties at ASL are performing oversight functions and compliance monitoring for Air Services Limited Flight and Maintenance Departments ensuring that all policies and procedures prescribed in the respective manuals are strictly adhered to and good aviation standards are being practiced.

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Ms. Pooran took the opportunity to convey a message to women and girls everywhere. She said, “Today’s woman is no longer a dependent soul; she is Independent and self-reliant in every respect and is capable of doing everything. Let’s recognise the importance of their existence and motivate them for the future achievements. Stop believing women, start living; living your life on your terms, the time is now!!”

Sarifari Persaud- Veteran Exam invigilator 81 year old Sarifari Persaud, Supervisor at Enmore Primary will be celebrating her 46th year as an invigilator. The elderly woman who commenced invigilating in 1972 what was then dubbed the Common Entrance Examinations.

However, over the years the name has officially changed and despite the many other changes Ms Persaud has been a fixed face at the exams.

She said that she enjoys invigilating as it has and continues to give her a great sense of joy and pride.

Regional Education Officer, Ms Tiffany Favourite-Harvey and Education Officer attached to Region Four, Ms. Stembiso Grant hailed the performance and years of service provided by Ms Persaud. They dubbed

her contributions to ensuring that the quality and integrity of the exams remained unchallenged over the years. “This woman despite her age continues to be very effective and proficient in ensuring that the exams are held at a very high standards and that is what we are very grateful and thankful door,” Ms Grant said.

Ms Harvey congratulated Ms Persaud noting that she has been there from the start. “This is a woman who has ensured that her services are required and sought after by the region because she has been doing a remarkable a job and we are indebted to her for that level of services,” Ms Favourite - Harvey noted.

Yvonne Pearson – MP, Indigenous Leader Yvonne Fredericks grew up in Abrams Creek, Pomeroon River and was the third of five children. Her father, Fred Fredericks, a well-known teacher and senior official of the United Force party. Of Carib ancestry , she is one of the most knowledgeable indigenous leaders in Guyana. She has dedicated her whole life to the fight for indigenous rights. Person served as the Advisor to former Minister of Amerindian Affairs [now the Indigenous People’s Affairs], Pauline Sukhai. She has made significant

contributions to her Mainstay community and Amerindians countrywide.

She served as Toshao of her village for several years, Chairperson of the National Toshaos Council where she was elected by her peers, Member of the Indigenous Peoples Commission and she also served as President of the Amerindian People’s Association. Ms. Pearson, a mother of five, continues to be a strong advocate for Amerindian people and for Guyana.

Dr. Paloma Mohamed – Author, Behavioural Scientist Dr. Paloma Mohamed is one of the most prolific academics (communication and behavioural studies) and creative writers (playwright, script-writer and poet) in the region. A key figure in Guyana’s culture and academe, she has been producing creative work since the age of 13, and has, to date, won the Guyana Prize on three occasions (1998, 2000 and 2008). She is recognized as one of the most influential figures in the Guyanese and Caribbean cultural landscape.

Dr. Paloma Mohamed is a behavioural scientist who was educated at the University of Guyana, Harvard University and the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine. Her area of specialization is social and behavioural change specifically how communicative and cultural aspects of life are implicated in change. Recently she has opened up a new area of research in social media and change as well as destructive health behaviors. She has

written and edited 11 books in addition to publishing in several academic journals.

She has won several local and international awards for her writing and mentoring work in education and culture including a Presidential Medal of Service in 2012 and the City of New York Award for Culture in 2013.

She became the first woman Caribbean Laureate for Excellence in Arts and Letters in 2015 and was again recognized for her work in education and culture with a National Arrow of Achievement in May 2015. She currently teaches research methods and health behavior at the University of Guyana.

In terms of service she has served on numerous national and international bodies. She is currently chair of the Theatre Guild of Guyana, Founding Director of CineGuyana, Moray House Trust and Healing Arts Inc.

Karen de Souza – Activist Karen de Souza is a women’s and children’s rights activist from Guyana.

She is the co-founder of Red Thread, an advocacy organization which provides service and support, education, and advocacy for victims of rape and domestic and other forms of violence and for the lowest-waged sectors of women.

Ms de Souza and Red Thread also conduct research and have contributed to the drafting of laws and training for judicial officers to support protection of women and children and victims of human trafficking. They also participate in national, international and regional agency programmes on areas of interest, as well as taking education directly to the people.

Since co-founding Red Thread in 1986, Ms de Souza has worked tirelessly for the organisation and in an entirely voluntary capacity. Her leadership has enabled the provision of services like face-to-face counselling in a dropin centre for women and children and survivors of rape and abuse, and enabled the rescue of victims of domestic violence. Ms de Souza is also a pioneer in public education. She has scripted and produced videos and dramatic performances on the subjects of domestic and sexual abuse. These programmes have been disseminated widely through the country.

8 Sunday Times Magazine #PressforProgress

International Women's Day 2018

T Guyanese designer Tricia Thomas

Ms. Tricia Thomas in one of her designs

MARCH 4, 2018

wenty year old Tricia Thomas has always had an obsession with fashion. During a recent interview with the Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, the budding Guyanese fashion designer revealed that she was always fascinated by the fashion trends of television stars and singers.

“I started sketching and sewing little pieces for my dolls in hope that when I got older I would be able to make them for myself,” she explained.

Alluding to the motivation behind her design style, Thomas said that she remains focused on designing ready-to-wear clothing for the entertainment industry which is driven by her enthusiasm and the ever growing fashion industry both locally and internationally.

According to the young Designer, her client base continues to grow, which has been

fuelled by her participation in the Rae Monae fashion show in December 2016. With regards to the obstacles she has faced, Ms. Thomas revealed that funding remains a big challenge. “At the moment the obstacle I'm currently facing is funding to produce more designs and having clients to be satisfied with the cost for high fashion clothing. I'm doing fashion designing part time,” she revealed.

With a never failing love for the fashion industry, Thomas is currently working on developing her brand, Exotic Findz.

The 20 year- old grew up with her parents and four other siblings (three older brothers and one younger sister).

“I’m inspired by the way Marjorie Harvey and Beyonce rock fashionable clothing and their persistence in being successful,” she added.

guyanatimesgy.com

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Sunday Times Magazine 9 International Women's Day 2018 #PressforProgress March 4, 2018

on, chicken or lower fat dairy as well as plenty of salad, or choose wholegrain toast topped with baked beans.

Mid-afternoon Satisfy that sweet craving and the need for energy with fruit. A handful of dried fruit combined with unsalted nuts or seeds provides protein and healthy fats to keep you satisfied till supper.

Swap your chocolate or cereal bar for a handful of dried apple rings with a few almonds or walnuts. Dried

W

omen have different daily nutritional requirements to men and, below, a leading nutritionist has offered guidance and recipe ideas for women seeking a balanced diet for good health. But what exactly is meant by a 'balanced diet'?

A balanced diet is defined as different types of foods we should be eating and in what proportions. These include some simple rules to follow like getting a minimum of

a colourful variety of vegetables or salad, drizzle with a dressing made from linseed or rapeseed oil and add meat, fish or beans with brown rice, quinoa or wholemeal pasta.

(BBC) The research for this article was compiled by nutritional therapist Kerry Torrens.

A registered Nutritional Therapist, Kerry Torrens is a contributing author to a number of nutritional and cookery publications including BBC Good Food

sardines as well as nuts, seeds and their oils. Your body can use these healthy fats along with protein overnight for regeneration and repair, important for maintaining healthy skin and hair.

Fill half your plate with

magazine. Kerry is a member of the The Royal Society of Medicine, Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC), British Association for Applied Nutrition and Nutritional Therapy (BANT).

Breakfast

ing or gaining weight.

The RIs for fat, saturates, sugars and salt are all maximum amounts, while those for carbs and protein are figures you should aim to meet each day. There is no RI for fibre, although health experts suggest we have 30g a day.

Breakfast Kick-start your metabolism by including protein at breakfast, choose from eggs, salmon, lean ham or dairy. We burn more calo-

an important contribution towards your daily intake and it plays a key role in maintaining a healthy weight.

Mid-morning snack Many people find eating little and often helps them manage their blood sugar levels. This doesn't mean they eat more but instead spread their day's intake evenly throughout the day.

Make every snack count with nourishing options that supply both the 'pick me up' you need while topping up your

Lunch

fruit is four times as sweet as its fresh equivalent, which is great if you've got an exercise class or a gym session planned for the afternoon.

Combining dried fruit with nuts helps stabilise the release of their sugars keeping you energised for lon-

Dinner

five fruit and veg a day, including whole grains and choosing more fish, poultry, beans and pulses, less red meat and opting for lower fat, lower sugar dairy foods.

But that's not the whole story. How much should you be eating and is there an ideal time to eat protein, carbs or fats?

Reference Intakes (RI) Nutritional needs vary depending on sex, size, age and activity levels so use this chart as a general guide only. The chart shows the Reference Intakes (RI) or daily amounts recommended for an average, moderately active adult to achieve a healthy, balanced diet for maintaining rather than los-

ger. Alternatively stock your fridge with plenty of low-calorie nibbles like cherry tomatoes, apples and vegetable cruditĂŠs that will prevent you reaching for the biscuit tin when you fancy something sweet or crunchy.

Dinner Don't curfew carbs.

They're low in fat, fibre-rich and help you relax in the evening. Combine them with some healthy essential fats, the ones you find in oily fish like salmon, mackerel and

ries digesting protein rather than carbs so, by making your breakfast a protein one, you'll be revving up your metabolism and because protein keeps you fuller for longer, you'll eat fewer calories the rest of the day.

A protein breakfast needn't take any longer to prepare. Top your morning toast with a scrambled egg, a slice of smoked salmon or some lean ham and when you do have a little more time, enjoy an omelette or frittata.

Whatever you do, don't skip breakfast as this sets your blood sugar off on a roller-coaster that means you'll end up choosing the wrong foods later in the day.

Remember breakfast makes

five-a-day.

Swap your morning biscuits for oatcakes spread with peanut or almond nut butter and a banana, or have a tasty dip with veggie sticks.

Lunch Make lunch a mix of lean protein and starchy carbs.

Carb-rich foods supply energy and without them you're more likely to suffer that classic mid-afternoon slump.

The key is to choose carbs that produce a steady rise in blood sugar, which means passing on the sugary 'white' foods and going for high-fibre wholegrains that help you manage those afternoon munchies.

Opt for an open rye-bread sandwich topped with salm-

10 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

MARCH 4, 2018

Travel & Tourism

Masekenari Sunrise

T

he Konashen Amerindian District contains one community populated primarily by the WaiWai people. Masekenari, which means “mosquito place” in the Wai- wai language, was established in 2000 when flooding forced the community to move from its previous location at Akotopono 6 km north – east of the present community of Masekenari. The village has approximately 224 residents .The Wai- wai people have a rich culture and history and continue to maintain their cultural heritage and practices.

The Konashen Amerindian district is also known as the “Community Owned Conservation Area (COCA). The Wai- Wai people have absolute title to

sustainable economic strategy based on eco-tourism, research and traditional crafts. The paramount aim of the people is the preservation of their culture.

The Amerindian population of Guyana consists of nine major ethnic groups, including the Akawaios, Arawaks, Arekunas, Caribs, Makushis, Patamonas, Wapishanas, Warraus and the Wai-Wais. The Wai Wais are mainly found in the hinterland or the interior region. They are the smallest indigenous grouping in Guyana .

The explorer, Sir Robert Schomburgk, may have been the first non- Indian to have contact with the Wai-Wai in December 1837. He found one village on a

A cultural group from the Wai Wai community preparing to perform the traditional dance

their land and have an elected Village Council. The community is equipped with a Primary School, COCA office/ Village Office, Church buildings, Teachers Quarters, Health post Community benab, rest house, and women’s training centre, and a Village kitchen.

In 2007, during the second Latin American Parks Congress, the Wai Wai peoples of Guyana declared their land a “Community Owned Conservation Area” The tribe has banned mining and logging from their land in the tropical forest in remote southern Guyana near the Brazil border. They have pledged to pursue a

tributary of the Essequibo River, along with two others on the Mapuera River in Brazil. Schomburgk describes the Wai-Wai as: "Of medium height, their skin lighter than that of Tarumas, in their general appearance and language they resemble the Makuskis a good deal…”

During the early 20th century, some of the Wai Wai in Brazil moved further north. It is speculated that this is because of

the influenza epidemic that nearly exterminated the Taruma tribe.

From 1933 to 1938, the Wai Wai people moved deeper in Guyana's interior. The villagers also have access to the internet allowing them to set up a hub, which is equipped with computers and which will assist them to manage their community. Other ICT developments in Masekenari include the installa-

tion of a Band VSAT system with Wi-Fi capability. The new system has unlimited capacity and ‘No data cap’ usage. It can also withstand severe weather conditions, and it allows the residents to communicate with anyone at any time, whether in drought or flood. It will provide the Masekenari residents with a fast path to modern healthcare, education, and security.

guyanatimesgy.com

MARCH 4, 2018

Sunday Times Magazine 11

Home & Cooking

11 Bedroom Updates for a Better Night's Sleep

Recipe

Many factors — from caffeine consumption to exercise — can affect how well you sleep, but you can make a big impact by simply creating an environment that's conducive to slumber. Try some (or all) of these easy updates in your bedroom to kick-start a more restful year.

One humble skillet has four jobs in this easy weeknight meal: it sears, sautes, simmers and steams. The clean-up is minimal!

Ingredients 1/4 cup all-purpose flour Salt and freshly cracked black pepper Four 6-ounce boneless, skinless chicken breasts 4 tablespoons vegetable oil One 8-ounce container sliced mushrooms Directions Whisk together the flour, 1 tablespoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a pie plate or shallow dish. Coat both sides of the chicken breasts in the flour. Shake off any excess and set aside.

Heat 3 tablespoons of oil in a large, heavybottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook, undisturbed, until deeply golden, about 3 minutes. Turn the chicken and cook, undisturbed, until the other side is deeply golden brown, about 3 minutes. Remove the chicken to a plate. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the skillet. Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until they begin to brown and release their liquid, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and

Common-Sense Cooking Tips When you're caught up in a new recipe, it's easy to forget even the most obvious cooking tricks and tips. But memorize these, and you'll always have success in the kitchen.

Dry Off Herbs and Veggies Right After You Buy Them

Lots of supermarket produce gets misted and sprayed until it’s way too wet. And soggy leaves rot quickly, especially in sealed produce bags.

After unpacking your root vegetables and herbs, un-bunch them, trim off wet tops or roots, and then gently pat dry (with lettuces, shake off the excess liquid). Wrap the produce in a single layer of paper towel before re-bagging to keep it perky.

Crack Eggs Into a Separate Bowl First

Murphy's Law says that when you're breaking a bunch of eggs for an omelet, the shell from one will fall into the bowl (or worse, a bad egg will contaminate them all). To isolate the damage, break each egg into a small bowl or cup before transferring it to your mixing bowl.

2 cloves garlic, minced 4 ounces cream cheese, cut into chunks 1 cup milk One 10-ounce package of baby spinach (about 8 cups) Warm egg noodles, for serving (optional)

Banish Electronics

By now, we've all heard that electronics are disruptive to sleep. Watching TV, checking emails or scrolling through social media feeds before bedtime keeps your brain alert, and the blue light emitted by screens inhibits production of melatonin, the hormone that regulates your sleep/wake cycles. Sleep.org (powered by the National Sleep Foundation) recommends keeping all electronics outside of the bedroom and giving yourself at least 30 minutes of screen-free time before bedtime.

cook, stirring, until the garlic is fragrant, about 30 seconds.

Add the cream cheese and stir until melted.

Then pour in the milk. Use a wooden spoon to scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Season with salt and pepper.

Add the chicken back to the skillet, cover and cook, turning about halfway through, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken reaches 165 degrees F, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a serving platter filled with warm noodles. Add the spinach to the skillet, cover and cook until wilted, about 5 minutes. Stir to combine and season with salt and pepper. Pour the creamy spinach sauce over the chicken and noodles.

Cut Up Butter Before Baking With It

If your recipe calls for soft, room-temperature butter, cutting it into smaller pieces will help soften it faster. On the other hand, many recipes, like those for pie crusts, call for rockhard ice-cold butter.

Cut the butter into little cubes, spread them out on a plate, and pop the plate in the freezer.

Choose Calming Colours Colour has a powerful effect on mood and energy, and the right hues can transform your bedroom into a relaxing retreat. Earthy browns, watery blues and soft greens are some of the most comforting shades, but there's no one-size-fits-all rule here. Whatever makes you feel happy and relaxed will help you unwind at the end of the day. Start with new bedding or a fresh coat of paint on the walls and see what a difference it makes.

Grate Food the Long Way

When using a hand-held box grater, hold the ingredient lengthwise or at a slight angle, so more of the surface is grated with each swipe. This creates longer and prettier shavings. This technique also helps you grate more at once, making the chore go faster. (Remember to protect your fingers with a kitchen towel.)

Salt as You Go — and Taste Before Serving

Even some of the best cooks forget this one: Add salt to a dish as you cook, sprinkling carefully to make sure each of the ingredients is evenly seasoned. And make sure to taste a dish before you bring it to the table. If the food needs seasoning, add salt little by little, tasting after each addition to get it just right. Too little salt is fixable; too much can make your masterpiece inedible.

Upgrade Your Pillows

Here's a trick from Sleep.org to help you determine if your pillows need replacing: If they don't spring back after you fold them in half, it's time to let them go. Consider how you sleep when buying new pillows: Back sleepers should choose thin pillows that cradle the neck. Stomach sleepers need the thinnest pillows available, or even no pillows. Side sleepers should opt for firm pillows with gussetting, or extra paneling on the sides.

12 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

MARCH 4, 2018

Puzzles

Crossword

ACROSS

93 "Murder, -- Wrote"

1 Lake underlay

94 Venice "taxi"

5 Streak of dirt

95 Torcher's misdeed

11 -- oneself (went)

96 Yard tools

17 "Excuse me!"

97 Alloy components

21 Hagar's daughter

99 Amtrak et al.

22 Pre-cable hookup

100 More gloomy

23 Keep on repeating

101 Grade school break 24 Sweet

102 Luigi's romance

25 Mayberry moppet

103 Not hungry

26 Mrs. George Burns

104 Penn and O'Casey

27 Long overcoat

105 "Snow" veggie

28 PC screens

106 Farm enclosure

29 Muscular (hyph.)

107 Sighed with delight

31 Sorts socks

109 Longbow's sound

33 Interstellar clouds 110 Endures 35 Couples

112 More bleak

36 Express doubts

115 Gladiator's place

37 Some hermits

116 Of the sky

38 Mach 1 exceeder of yore 120 Superboy's girlfriend

41 D.C. gun lobby

121 Put on a sari 42 Subsides 123 Yeast

43 Blue-gray bird

125 While away

44 Watch innards

126 Former science magazine

48 Rio Grande town

127 Stem from 50 Vouchers

128 Least humid 51 Prickle 129 Murmurs

52 Old firearm

130 Not fem.

53 Make -- -- buck 131 Reach

54 Kettle handles 132 Investments

55 Report for work (2 wds.)

133 Swiss painter Paul - 57 Night before

DOWN

58 Volcanic rock 1 Victuals

59 -- up (dress to the nines) 2 Easy stride

60 Safe house

3 Indigo dye

61 Russian pancake

4 Give forth

62 Hematite

5 Tall cactus

63 Squeaking noise

6 Yucatan city

64 Flood stopper

7 Europe-Asia divider

65 Audience accolade

8 Part of OED

66 Routine trips (2 wds.)

9 Moo goo -- pan

68 Funny fellow

10 Oxygen and sulfur 69 Lean-to

11 Caesar's false friend

70 Turning points

12 Lamprey hunter

71 Rolling stone

13 Miss Trueheart of the comics

72 Mid-Atlantic st.

14 Autumn mo.

73 Kiosk buy, briefly

15 Popular candy bar (2 wds.)

74 Thug, slangily

16 Yellow Sea land

75 Rain forest parrots 17 Blames

78 Hyundai competitor 18 Pitch

79 Lb. and oz.

19 Wonder Woman's friend 80 Embellishing 20 Predicament 84 Harebrained

30 Ring-shaped cake

85 U-235 phenomenon

32 Iowa college town

87 Multiply

34 Air rifle (2 wds.)

88 Keane of "Family Circus" 36 Newspaper type

89 Bank conveniences

37 Hip-length garment (2 wds.)

90 Genuine

38 Downhill race

91 Used galoshes

39 Jungle jaunt

92 Transparent mineral

40 Go places

Colouring Fun

75 Swamp vapor

42 Egg beater

108 "-- Gabler"

76 Ball game opener

43 Large brown beetle (2 wds.)

109 Fountain of Rome

77 Awoke (2 wds.)

45 Cub Scout leaders

110 River embankment

78 Type of spirit

46 Bounce back

111 Popsicle holder

79 Deep distress

47 Dictation pros

112 Latch onto

80 Warmth of feeling

49 NASA counterpart 113 Hero of Hindu epics

81 Hieroglyphic birds 114 Bed-and-breakfasts

50 Homes for hombres

82 Most congenial

51 Reality finders

115 Samoa's capital 83 Slick

52 With, to Fritz

116 Coral islets

85 Dorsal - 54 Good, in Granada

117 Teen fave

86 A Gershwin

55 Lapel ornament

118 Shampoo additive

87 Acid opposites

56 Bear - 119 -- -majeste

90 Coast Guard alert

59 Roots around 122 Sculpture or music 91 Twisted 60 Beldam

124 Pause fillers

92 Comfy shoe 61 Salty

63 Russell -- of "Gladiator" 94 Flash

95 Portrayer of a TV doctor (2 wds.)

64 -- ammoniac

96 Track prelims 65 Sweeping

98 Semitic language

67 Kublai and Genghis

100 Vanilla source

68 Minks and stoats

101 Feels bitter

70 Like baked apples

103 Black-footed critter

72 Conflict

104 Norway neighbor

73 Atlas abbr.

105 Most faded 74 Verdant See Solution on Pg 13

KATHLEEN SAXE

WORD GAME TODAY'S WORD -- HARLEQUIN (HARLEQUIN: HAR-lih-kwin: A character in comedy and pantomime.)

Average mark 42 words Time limit 60 minutes Can you find 63 or more words in HARLEQUIN?

hail hailer hair hale hare haul hauler heal hear heir hernia

hire hula hurl alien anile rail rain rale rani real rein

renal rhea rhinal rile ruin rule rune lain lair lane lean

learn liar lien lieu line linear liner lira lire lunar lune

lure earl earn elan equal quail quale quire ulna unreal urea

urinal urine inhale inhaler inure nail near neural

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

MARCH 4, 2018

Sunday Times Magazine 13

Tech

5G is helping make Pyeongchang the most high-tech Olympics ever

T

he world’s biggest mobile technology show bears a fitting title: Mobile World Congress.

Hosted in Barcelona every year, it brings together manufacturers, distributors, carriers, marketers, designers, and engineers from all around to present

every major manufacturer promising to sprinkle machine-learning magic onto their devices. Dual cameras are also increasingly popping up on the front of phones as well as the back, while the iPhone X’s highly recognizable notched display is also being imitated.

M

ajor companies like Samsung and Intel are showing off their technology, including selfdriving cars, virtual-reality viewing stations and super-fast video streaming.

At the helm of it all is 5G, the wireless network technology that mobile carriers around the world have been racing to adopt.

Pyeongchang, a previously little known city of just 44,000 people, has emerged as a vital testing ground.

Intel (INTC) and South Korean mobile carrier KT (KT) are using it as the tech industry's largest 5G showcase yet.

Smartphone users have been "promised a lot of things previously for 5G," said Peter Liu, a Singaporebased analyst at research firm Gartner. "We want to see how much can be really achieved in the commercial environment." Intel is hoping to dazzle fans with the technology by offering new ways of watching Olympic athletes. It's set up 5G stations to track cross-country skiers, deployed dozens of cameras inside an ice arena,

Nokia Smart Phone unveiled at WMC

didn’t have a new flagship phone, LG rebadged its old flagship phone, and Motorola and HTC had no phones to show at all. The traditional deluge of new super-specced phones just wasn’t here as it usually is. But that didn’t make a boring show — far from their latest work and plant the seeds for future collaboration. For us, it’s also the stage for a week’s worth of new Android phone launches. This year’s event was held from Feb 26, 2018 – Mar 1, 2018.

In 2018, the growing theme is AI, with almost

it. Nokia reached back into the archives to revive another classic, Google’s hardware partners presented their first Android Go devices, and the pervasive buzzwords of 5G and AI were everywhere. There were even some cool laptops to look at.(BBC Tech)

Samsung’s new Galaxy S9 generation is sure to dominate MWC 2018, but there’ll be plenty more news made over the week that the show runs.

Mobile World Congress 2018: what happened?

Maybe it’s best to start with what didn’t happen: Huawei

Control AI now or brace for nightmare future, experts warn

R and made this the first Winter Olympics to be broadcast live in virtual reality.

"We're getting closer and closer to the athletes," said Rob Topol, general manager of Intel's 5G business.

"Viewers can control the time, target, even the angle of what they're viewing." The frustration of watching a delayed live-stream should be gone, too. 5G networks are still being developed, but the technology is expected to eventually be at least 10 times faster than 4G. Intel is using all that firepower for the Games to roll out 4K and even some 8K video, which offer image quality many times higher than that of HD. (CNN Tech)

ogue states, criminals and terrorists could use artificial intelligence to wreak havoc around the world, according to a new report.

More than two dozen experts from top universities and research organizations in the US and the UK wrote the alarming report about the malicious use of AI, which was published recently by Cambridge University. "For many decades hype outstripped fact in terms of AI and machine learning. No longer," said Seán Ó hÉigeartaigh, a Cambridge academic who is one of the authors.

The report warns that artificial intelligence could usher in a new wave of cyberattacks in which computers use speech technology to impersonate targets or carry out "superhuman hacking" by taking control of drones, driverless vehicles or even autonomous weapons systems on the battlefield.

Some of the predictions sound like dystopian nightmares taken straight from a Hollywood movie or an episode of "Black Mirror."

The report is the latest in a series of warnings about the potential consequences of the rapid development of artificial intelligence. Russian President Vladimir Putin predicted last September that whoever becomes the leader in AI will become the ruler of the world.

Shortly after that, Tesla (TSLA) CEO Elon Musk issued a dire warning, suggesting the race between different countries for AI superiority could cause a new world war.

Crossword Solution

L

eaked images supposedly show Fitbit’s next smartwatch. The device has a sleek design and will reportedly be aimed at female consumers. According to Wareable, it’ll run on Fitbit OS, will be water resistant up to 50 meters, and has the ability to monitor sleep apnea through a SpO2 sensor. However, it won’t have GPS. Fitbit CEO James Park previously mentioned during an investor call that the company plans to launch a smartwatch with “mass appeal,” and this might be it.

The device will be a suc-

cessor to the Blaze, though it’s not clear if it will be called the Blaze 2 or given a different name altogether. Renders show a watchface with rose gold, silver, or black accents, and different

strap options including what look like plastic and fabric designs in silver, black, purple, and coral. Fitbit’s new device also bears a resemblance to the Pebble Time Steel watch.

Sources aware of Fitbit’s plans said that the company “wants this to be something that will appeal to a larger, more general smartwatch audience.”

This follows the recent announcement of Fitbit’s Adidas-branded edition of the Ionic watch, priced at $330. It’s being positioned as a direct competitor to Apple Watch’s Nike edition, which starts at $329.

There’s no word on when Fitbit’s new watch will be released or how much it will cost, though it will reportedly be cheaper than the Ionic.

(CNET)

14 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

MARCH 4, 2018

Bollywood/Hollywood

Sridevi Kapoor death: Tragedy shines light on Bollywood pressures

Kenyan film school takes on Hollywood for an Oscar

W

T

he death of Bollywood superstar Sridevi has led to a wave of speculation - some of it unsavoury. But the sad news has also encouraged some industry insiders to speak out about the disturbing pressures that women and outsiders face in India's so-called dream factory as Sudha G Tilak reports.

Bollywood stars often refer to the Hindi movie industry rooted in Mumbai as "one big family", but the cracks in this large creative community are increasingly becoming too large to ignore. The tragic death of Sridevi has prompted an outpouring on Indian social media over the pressures on the industry's leading women and the murkiness behind their success.

It has also exposed the plight of many hopefuls who pursue a path to Mumbai with dreams of making it big in Bollywood.The burden to defy age and look youthful and the haste to hide ugly scandals that embody campaigns such as #MeToo are not the issues of Hollywood alone.

"Bollywood is probably worse with its history of its patriarchal mindset and the exploitative nature of young women more than men," says a young Bollywood actor on condition of anonymity.

Over the last two decades gossip websites have been leaking information about romances, break-ups, problems with drink and substance abuse and criminal acts involving the industry's stars.

After it emerged that Sridevi's death was due to "accidental drowning", veteran Bollywood actress Simi Garewal tweeted about the "uncanny similarities in the death of #Sridevi and Whitney Houston".Houston died in her hotel room on 11 February 2012 when she accidentally drowned due to the effects of cocaine use and heart disease, an autopsy concluded.

A disturbing tally of at least 16 actresses and nine actors have taken their own lives

in India, often reportedly due to being unable to bear the demands of the film industry, deal with heartbreaks or because of depression.

Bollywood's demands for big ticket box office success, the pressure on its stars to appear visibly attractive and exposure to social media scrutiny have tested those at the top of the profession, too.

Successful Indian actress Deepika Padukone has publicly admitted to suffering depression in this environment.

'A nightmare' Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma, who directed Sridevi in Telugu language blockbusters, also spoke out on social media in an effort to convey how unhappy the Bollywood legend was in real life. "[Sridevi] went through so much in her life," he said, adding: "Due to her early career entry as a child artiste, life never gave her time to grow up at a normal pace.

"More than the external peace, her internal mental state was of a high degree of concern and this forced her to look at her own self.

"The uncertainty of the future, the ugly turns and twists in her private life left deep scars in the superstar's sensitive mind and thereafter she was never at peace," Varma wrote on Facebook.

Speaking to journalist Vir Sanghvi last year, Sridevi recalled how she had to acclimatise to the Bollywood way of working.

She told him that while working in the south Indian film industry she would start shooting at 06:00, but in Mumbai she would wait for Bollywood actors to turn up on set well into the late afternoon, making her feel "restless".She recalled how the promotions for her first movie in Bollywood "felt like a nightmare" and how she was "very, very uncomfortable" with the scrutiny of Bollywood's paparazzi. (BBC)

hen the Oscar winners are announced this weekend, it won't only be Hollywood superstars who will be waiting anxiously.

There will also be eight graduates from a film college in Kenya nervously awaiting the results. These graduates of the Africa Digital Media Institute (ADMI) in Nairobi were part of the team making a movie nominated in the category of best short live action film.

The film, called Watu Wote (or All of Us), tells the story of a terror attack on a bus in Kenya by militant group Al-Shabaab in 2015, in which Muslim passengers protected Christians.

"I was at work when I got a call telling me we had been nominated," says 22-yearold ADMI graduate Claire Njoki, who helped to design and build the film's set.

"My mum was the first person I told and we cried together. I felt so good that we were able to tell that story about Kenya, it is every filmmaker's dream to reach the Oscars."

The short history of ADMI could itself be a script

The Oscar-chasing film school wants Kenyan youngsters to tell their own stories on the big screen

for a feelgood film. The film school's founder, Wilfred Kiumi, grew up in a slum in Nairobi and developed a love of film after his uncle took him to a governmentfunded cinema.

He worked in a barbershop to make enough money to go to college. But his ambition was to set up a film school which would give Kenyan students the full range of skills needed to succeed in the industry.

"At first people thought I was joking when I said I was trying to set up a school, but the more I talked to people about it the more they en-

couraged me and connected me to others who could help," he says.

Six years ago this month, the college welcomed its first intake of only five students.

Today, it has 350 students at a purpose-built campus in Narobi's Central Business District, complete with well-stocked graphic design and animation labs, sound studios and post-production labs. They study a two-year diploma which includes training in film and TV production, graphic design, journalism, sound engineering and animation, and an internship.

Brad Pitt may join Leonardo DiCaprio In ‘Once Upon A Time In Hollywood’

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uentin Tarantino has set Brad Pitt to star with Leonardo DiCaprio in his upcoming film, and the filmmaker has chosen a title. Tarantino’s ninth film is Once Upon A Time In Hollywood. Pic is set for August 9, 2019 release worldwide. Per Sony, Tarantino describes the film as “a story that takes place in Los Angeles in 1969, at the height of hippy Hollywood. The two lead characters are Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio), former star of a western TV series, and his longtime stunt double Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt). Both are struggling to make it in a Hollywood they don’t recognize anymore. But Rick has a very famous next-

door neighbor…Sharon Tate.”

It wasn’t clear if Tarantino was providing an homage to Sergio Leone and his films Once Upon A Time In America and Once Upon A Time In The West, but it sounds like it. Tarantino’s pal Robert Rodriguez has used the term for his film Once Upon A Time In Mexico. Sony Pictures acquired the film after Tarantino was forced to pull it away from The Weinstein Company because of the company’s woes.

As Deadline broke last year, Tarantino has asked Oscar-nominated I, Tonya star Margot Robbie to play Tate, who was murdered by Charles Manson’s crazy cult members.

Tarantino had been talking to both DiCaprio and Pitt, as well as Tom Cruise for those two key roles. Just as he reteamed with DiCaprio after Django Unchained, Tarantino reunites with Pitt after the WWII pic Inglourious Basterds, which got eight Oscar noms. Pitt just finished the James Gray-directed Ad Astra.

Oscars 2018: final presenters include Dave Chappelle, Sandra Bullock & Lupita Nyong’o

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oing by the trailer and songs, 'Dil Juunglee' starring Saqib Saleem and Taapsee Pannu looks like a refreshing take on friendships and love.

The makers on Thursday released a new song 'Dil Jaane Na', which is a very easybreezy song and will remind you of his su-

perhit track, 'Dil Dooba Dooba' in some parts. Sung by Mohit Chauhan and Neeti Mohan, the song is written by Abhiruchi Chand and music is composed by Abhishek Arora. 'Dil Juunglee' is Aleya Sen’s directorial debut. It is also the first film of Saqib and Taapsee as a pair.

O

scars 2018 producers Michael De Luca and Jennifer Todd today announced the final slate of Oscars presenters for the 90th Oscars® telecast.

Hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, the Oscars will air live today, March 4 8e|5p on ABC, abc.com or the ABC app.

The additional presenters, including past Oscar® winners and nominees, are Emily Blunt, Sandra Bullock, Dave Chappelle, Eugenio Derbez, Ansel Elgort, Jane Fonda,

Jodie Foster, Eiza González, Ashley Judd, Nicole Kidman, Matthew McConaughey, Helen Mirren, Rita Moreno, Lupita Nyong’o and Christopher Walken.

“These actors have embodied some of the most heroic, aspirational and indelible characters ever brought to the screen,” said De Luca and Todd. “In so doing, they’ve not only entertained the world, but illuminated the full range of the human experience.”

guyanatimesgy.com

MARCH 4, 2018

Sunday Times Magazine 15

16 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

MARCH 4, 2018

Fun Times

Archie

Your personal relationARIES ships must be handled with (March 21- diplomacy. Be willing to lisApril 19) ten to people and assess situations before you say something or take action. It's in your best interest to get along with others.

Don't feel that you must TAURUS make a sudden decision, (April 20- change or move just beMay 20) cause someone else does.

Participate in events that include relatives to discover more about your ancestry.

Not everyone will be hapGEMINI py with the changes you (MAY 28- make, but keep moving forJune 20) ward if you are pleased.

Energy spent on self-improvement will pay off and attract praise from someone who counts.

You are best off ironing out any emotional issues that sur(June 21- face before things escalate into July 22) a feud. Refuse to let an outsider interfere in your personal life.

CANCER

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Dilbert

Peanuts

Impulsive actions should be avoided. Look carefully at every situation you face. Ask those affected by your decisions to make suggestions or offer preferences if you want to face less disapproval.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

A change in your financial situation is apparent and dependent on your spending habits and ability to budget. Impulse-buying should be stifled before you end up in debt.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Impulsive actions should be avoided. Look carefully at every situation you face. Ask those affected by your decisions to make suggestions or offer preferences if you want to face less disapproval.

Listen and learn. Now is SCORPIO (Oct. 24- not the time to retaliate. Walk Nov. 22) away from situations that don't feel right. Focus on being the best you can be and spending time with the ones you love.

Protect your reputation.

SAGITTARIUS Someone will try to make (Nov. 23you look bad or use perDec. 21) sonal information against you. Walk away from anyone who tries to manipulate you.

Calvin and Hobbes

Listen carefully and be reCAPRICORN luctant to make an abrupt move (Dec. 22- just because someone is implorJan. 19) ing you to make a change. Aim for greater stability instead of disrupting what you've worked so hard to achieve.

Don't spend what you AQUARIUS don't have. Going into debt (Jan. 20- to impress someone or while Feb. 19) investing in something risky should be avoided. Keep your money in a safe place.

Take hold of whatever situPISCES (Feb. 20- ation you face. Don't cave unMar. 20) der pressure or give in to someone trying to manipulate you.

Be your own master and strive for personal gain.