Issuu

hen Hashim Alli and Melicia Partab, co-founders of Indo-Modern wear brand Nachle Designs, decided to get married, they roped in designer Jason Shurland to put together their outfits. The couple wanted “a royal look” with all the glamour of Bollywood, but one that considered the fact that the wedding would be according to Muslim rites. They also wanted to push the boundaries of fashion, to demonstrate that Black (and, well, gold) could also make for a stunning wedding. Taking inspiration from the Arabic world, Shurland created just the look the couple were looking for, as seen here. If you are one for details, consider this: Mel’s dress was hand sewn using 30 yards of fabric, plus 20 yards of crinoline (kankan) and another 10 yards for the lining. The trimmings of gold stems and leaves were meant to represent how the couple have grown in love over the years. Hashim’s headpiece, featuring mirror work and a feather, was an Alladin inspiration. Melicia wore her own jewellery, with the headpiece made of wire and pearls. (Shameer Hescott photo)

Chronicle Pepperpot August 7, 2016

The dress code debate - What’s hot, what’s not

“It is a relic of our colonialist past which, like colonialism itself, should remain in the past.”

By Subraj Singh

ate last month, a group of six people assembled themselves at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court in Georgetown and dedicated their entire morning to peacefully protesting the dress codes (not laws, but rules) that have been described by President Granger himself as being “backward” and “archaic.” Long before that description was offered by President Granger, there were many people, particularly those who have to conduct business with the many government agencies that strictly adhere to dress codes, who recognized such rules to be anti-progressive and nothing more than mere hand-downs from the colonial age that were allowed to continue to flourish and hamper the lives of the Guyanese people in more ways than one. The six who took part in the protests are the tiniest of fractions of the whole that wish to see the removal of the rules masquerading in the minds of the Guyanese populace, because of how long they have been in existence, as “laws.” These rules serve to label the clothing being afforded by poor Guyanese as “improper” and such rules contradict the logical choices of attire chosen by Guyanese who recognize the country as a tropical one set close to the equator where it is simply not feasible to be in long trousers and long-sleeved shirts all day if one is to be comfortable enough to accomplish the tasks he/she has to do in a day. Such rules are, in fact, incredibly sexist in the way they dictate the ways in which the body of a woman must be covered, and highlight the great divide represented in how those of the upper class are allowed entry (regardless of whether their outfits are sleeveless or short) into institutions where the poor are denied access if they wear clothing that are sleeveless or short. Dress codes stifle the freedom of expression of individual Guyanese and are nothing but another meaningless hindrance faced by the Guyanese people on a daily basis. It is a relic of our colonialist past which, like colonialism itself, should remain in the past. As I walked around Georgetown with the other protesters under the blistering Guyanese sun, many facets of our society were revealed and many of our challenges and problems came creeping out of the shadows. As we walked from the High Court to the National Library to the First Lady’s Office to the Ministry of Education and the other places where dress codes are enforced, I realized that the dress code is merely symptomatic – and was reflecting the many other, deeper, more complex issues that are allowed to fester in the Guyanese society. For example, it is now more obvious than ever that sexism is alive and runs rampant in Georgetown. Most of the protesters were women. Many of the people we ran into on the streets were women. Most of the people who were in favour of abolishing the dress codes were wom-

en. Most of the people who wanted to keep the dress codes were men. At the Berbice bus park, opposite the High Court, we encountered a group of men who began an argument, the core of which was basically that dress codes are progressive and should not be removed because women might want to wear clothes exposing their midriffs and shoulders. When asked what the problem with that was, some of the men tried to argue that such clothes can cause men to become aroused, which could lead to an escalation in the interaction between men and women wearing outfits baring their shoulders or midriffs. Note how the essence of the argument being put forward by the men is built on patriarchy and sexism: The men believe that dress codes force women to be “properly” covered and that this is a good thing because it prevents them from being sexually aroused by the women. Conversing with the men was basically a lesson in how sexism works: Women must be governed, controlled, forced to where what the system tells them to wear because men cannot control their impulses at the sight of a woman who bares her midriff. Things between the men and the protesters escalated when one of the men, who had to be physically restrained by his friends, started shouting that women should not wear “men’s clothes” such as, according to him, pants. Clearly the conversation on dress codes managed to unearth quite a few sexist ideologies that morning. It is obvious that some men view the dress code as a way of further controlling women. The dress codes, therefore, is another cog in the great machine of patriarchy that keeps on turning, ceaselessly, in Guyana. It is important to note that the protesters encountered another bunch of taxi drivers on Main Street whose views were completely opposite to those encountered earlier. They

supported the repeal of dress codes and offered their own stories of how dress codes hindered themselves and people they know, including women. Whenever we came across people who supported the dress code, the protesters would try to ask why those people were in support of it. One of the dominant reasons was the belief that if dress codes are dissolved, there would be some sort of moral degradation where people would start strolling into buildings in a semi-nude or mostly-nude state. This argument is interesting because, as pointed out by activist, Sherlina Nageer, on the day of the protest, it seems as though people who adhere to that type of thinking are refusing to give enough credit to their Guyanese brothers and sisters. If the dress codes are repealed, then is it realistic to expect people to start going into buildings in such a state of indecency that is expected to be, in some way, harmful to society? Are we, as a nation, lacking the common sense that tells us that we must wear clothes in order to go into buildings? The people who say that removing dress codes will lead to moral degradation and people entering buildings in their underwear does not seem to think that a great majority of the Guyanese population has the common sense or societal instinct which says that we must wear clothes. Clearly, Guyanese people do not think much of each other if this is what they expect their brothers and sisters to immediately start doing if the dress code system collapsed. Not only is this insulting to us all, but it also highlights the kinds of arguments that are being offered in favour of keeping the dress codes: Nonsensical arguments. The Guyana Revenue Authority has recently rescinded its ► Continued on page III

Chronicle Pepperpot August 7, 2016

(Protesters at the Land and Registries Building Photo Credit: Sherlina Nageer)

III

(Protesters at the Guyana Revenue Authority, where they went to thank the GRA for relaxing their dress code policy. Photo Credit: Sherlina Nageer) visitors are or are not allowed to wear are completely absent ► From page III and, even so, when the unsuspecting person arrives they are turned away based on rules that are not publicly viewable. dress code. Have there been ANY examples of people going When we got to State House, at the office of the First there in a manner of extreme indecency to pay their taxes? The Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger, we realized that there was a great answer to that question is a resounding no. irony in play. The First Lady has popularised the sleeveless Even the second most popular reason (that dress codes dress and has helped to return it to a place of prominence have been there for a long time, that they are a tradition and, among those who are gifted with the knowledge of fashion. therefore, must not be removed) for not abolishing the dress Yet, visitors are not allowed to wear sleeveless clothing when code is not rooted in logic. Should we keep something in place visiting the office of the First Lady – a law laid down by the only because it has been there for a while? With such mental- security guards apparently, as there is no visible sign of what ity roaming our streets, how are we, as a nation, supposed to one should and should not wear. Is this hypocrisy or classism, progress and move forward? where only people belonging to the upper classes, the elites, People came forward and through them we heard stories that get to flout rules that condemn and crush the poorer people? we ourselves knew and we learned of stories that were entirely Isn’t the tenet of equality being destroyed in cases where cernew to us. We learned of people who lived out of the city, from tain types of people or people from certain sections of society as far as Berbice, coming to town to transact business only to do not necessarily have to conform to rules that the rest of us be turned away because they were wearing clothing that was have to go up against? deemed improper and did not adhere to the dress codes. Imagine From the interactions gleaned on that occasion, it is being that person and having to travel all the way back to Berbice obvious that dress codes are both symbols of and catawithout completing the task you came for. This can result in a loss lysts for many things in our society that are negative and of time and money, something that does not seem to be a concern hold us back from progressing. If the President himself for proponents of the dress codes. believes in the pointlessness of dress codes, then what There was an even more terrifying story, for example, of does it say about our society when society itself refuses institutions where security guards are renting jackets out to to acknowledge this, and the fact that there is no solid visitors that they deem to be improperly dressed. Why should reason for keeping such codes in place? It is known that anyone have to pay money when the clothes they wear are our country does not like the concept of change. Some perfectly respectable and decent? The dress codes allow for a necessary changes took years of activism to arrive in Guyfurther fleecing of the Guyanese people while exposing them ana. Hopefully, the people of Guyana recognize that dress to health risks that I am sure comes with wearing a jacket that codes should not fall into this category, where nothing is has been worn by the many other people who were forced into done about it for even more years, and that it should be it. Then there are cases where sign boards, highlighting what removed immediately.

(Signs such as these are found at all over Georgetown, showcasing the message that the President has referred to as “backwards” and “archaic.” Photo Credit: Akola Thompson)

Chronicle Pepperpot August 7, 2016

By Subraj Singh

Rowling, Tiffany and Thorne’s

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

ike many people born in the late eighties and early nineties, I am a self-professed Harry Potter nerd. Yes, I have read all the Harry Potter novels and all the spin-off works. I have seen all the movies. I was at Austin’s Bookstore at the front of the crowd that filled the place waiting to collect my pre-ordered copy of Deathly Hallows almost a decade ago. I am on J.K. Rowling’s Pottermore site where I took the Sorting Hat quiz and was placed in Ravenclaw house. So, it should not be surprising then that, like all Harry Potter fans, I was excited to hear that an eight book was being released, and that it would be in the form of a play – focusing on the main characters (Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Draco) and their children, twenty years after the Battle of Hogwarts that took place in the seventh book. So after almost a decade, what is important to know is whether the new Harry Potter book lives up to all the hype and manages to be as wonderfully written as its predecessors. The short answer, shockingly, is no. There was a lot of potential for greatness, but it eventually falls short. Harry’s son, Albus, goes to Hogwarts and is sorted into Slytherin where he befriends Draco’s son, Scorpius. Both boys’ relationships with their respective fathers are tenuous and frayed and this fuels a chain of events that leads to time-travel, where a host of characters found in the previous books are met once more, and death, lessons on family and friendship, and a massive reveal about Lord Voldemort himself ensues. For these reasons, and because the play presents and uses the core characters we grew up caring so much about, the book ensures that it is not entirely disliked by fans. We do enjoy seeing the gang back together once more, we do enjoy seeing the characters we have lost, and we do enjoy being in that world of magic again. However, it is not possible to simply ignore the flaws of the play. The play-form relies heavily on dialogue and while there are moments in the book that are well written and pull on the reader’s heartstrings, there are many other places where the dialogue is awkward and not as sharp as it should have been. Then there’s the convoluted plot, which eventually ties itself up so neatly in the end that the sheer almost-perfection with which everything is resolved gives us a contrived ending that is obviously, and not subtly, contrived. Sometimes the characters feel different from the way they were presented in the books as children. But isn’t this to be expected? Twenty years have passed, and people change. The characters have changed. Maybe that highlights one of the problems that people who read the books as children seem to be having with the play, when they claim dislike for it and disregard it “fan fiction.” We read the play as adults and, sometimes, we forget that J.K. Rowling wrote for children. Is the play written for children then? It is possible that the answer to this question is one which explains why adults all over the world are complaining about the book. However, as previously mentioned, it is not all bad and there are some really good moments in the text. It deserves a read by all true fans of the wizarding world.

Chronicle Pepperpot August 7, 2016

Pay Attention to ADHD

Hello Everyone, I hope this week has treated you well. I’d like to write about a disorder that I’ve recently seen to be misunderstood and wrongfully diagnosed in Guyana. I’d like to talk about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) which is a cluster of behavioural symptoms such as hyperactivity or over excitement, inattentiveness and impulsiveness. Inattention means that interest is lost quickly while doing a task and the individual tends to move on to something else. Hyperactivity refers to physical activity such as running, jumping and an overall inability to sit still. Impulsivity consists of reckless and impatient behaviour. These can also cause additional issues such as high anxiety, depression levels and lack of sleep. It is usually first noticed and diagnosed very young, usually between the ages of 6-12 years old. One can develop ADHD as an adult but that is quite rare. The disorder is more common in boys than girls and can occur in those of any academic ability. However, it is more common among those with learning difficulties/disabilities. ADHD is a lifelong condition. However, children may grow out of the majority of the symptoms, especially hyperactivity. If the inattention and lack of focus is severe, it tends to remain throughout adulthood. Diagnosing ADHD can be difficult as it is quite normal for children to be physically excited, restless, imaginative, inattentive and even disobedient. So how would you know if your child has a problem? Symptoms of ADHD will fall under two categories: “Inattentiveness” and “hyperactivity and impulsiveness.” It is important to note this because some individuals may have issues with one and not the other. For example, a child would have serious problems with inattentiveness and learning while at school but is not over active or excited at all.

Those who suffer from inattentiveness will experience difficulty paying attention to one task for long periods of time, get easily distracted, often forget and lose things, make careless mistakes, have difficulty following rules and instructions and have an overall short attention span. Those who suffer from hyperactivity and impulsiveness find it hard to sit still and are almost constantly fidgeting. They are unable to concentrate at the task at hand, impatient, have difficulty socialising and playing group activities, talk excessively, have little or no sense of danger, and tend to suffer from lack of sleep. Other signs may be delays in speech and motor development, poor handwriting and language skills, low mood, poor self-image, mood swings, and irritability. These symptoms must be present for more than 6 months at a time. Adults who have ADHD will also experience the above as well as drug use/abuse, issues with the law and personal relationships as well as trouble seeking/ keeping employment. Adults with ADHD can also suffer from other disorders simultaneously such as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder and various personality disorders. WHAT CAN CAUSE ADHD? It is unfortunate that the exact cause of ADHD has still not been identified but like any other disorder, there are many factors that have been associated with it. Numerous causes have to do with the family and pregnancy/ birthing process. For example, those with a family history of diagnosed ADHD are more likely to develop it. Infections as well as alcohol, tobacco or illicit drugs during pregnancy are also causal factors. The child is more at risk if there is a premature birth or being underweight at birth, early infections such as measles,

or brain trauma/injury. Extreme neglect and abuse can also increase the risk of developing ADHD. HOW DO YOU TREAT ADHD? If you feel that your child (or you) might be suffering from ADHD, it is important to do your research. You should compare their behaviour to the symptoms list yes, but also visit their school/ teachers as well as parents of homes they have visited to find out what their behaviour is like in other settings. If this results in a higher possibility of the disorder then take them to your nearest mental health clinic and share your concerns. Although there is no cure for ADHD, the disorder is managed with counselling, independently for the child as well as family sessions, social skills training, educational support and medication (when extreme and necessary). Regular physical exercise is also an effective add on treatment. Finally, diet can play a role in worsening symptoms- consuming a lot of refined sugar for example. Due to its prominence, I would recommend that all parents, nannies, teachers, social workers – any one that works predominately with children get educated on identifying, diagnosing and treating symptoms of ADHD. I would like to add in that ADHD has been commonly used as an excuse for challenging and unruly behaviour. This should not be so. It is important to know the difference – does your child need professional help or does he/she just need manners? Thank you for reading and please send in any topics to caitlinvieira@gmail.com. Also remember the group meetings you can attend. Woodlands Hospital: Outpatient Department Drug and Alcohol group meetings - Mondays 4:15 Good mental health group meetings- Wednesdays 4:15 Say Yes to Life and No to Drugs! Always!

Chronicle Pepperpot August 7, 2016

The effects of fluoride

luoride is a naturally occurring element that prevents tooth decay when ingested systemically or applied topically. Researchers believe that there are several mechanisms by which fluoride achieves its anticarious effect. It reduces the solubility of enamel in acid by converting hydroxyapatite into less soluble fluoroapatie; it may exert an influence directly on dental plaque, reducing the ability of plaque organisms to produce acid; and it promotes the remineralization of tooth enamel in areas that have been decalcified by acids. Most likely, fluoride works by a combination of these effects. But the remineralization effect of fluoDr. BERTRAND ride is of prime importance, because it results in R. STUART, DDS. a reversal of the early caries process and it gives rise to enamel more resistant to decay. In 1914 fluoride was added to toothpaste but became more widespread when it was recommended by the American Dental Association in the 1950s. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has proclaimed community water fluoridation as one of the 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century. Most States in the USA have fluoride in their drinking water. However, relatively recently there has been some reconsideration among the scientific community about this material. Fluoride, in various forms, is still the most popular active ingredient in toothpaste although Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) typically label sodium fluoride as “toxic by ingestion, inhalation and skin contact” and that PPE (personal protective equipment) for handling should include safety glasses and gloves. The United States FDA (Food and Drug administration) has required that all fluoride toothpastes sold in the U.S. carry a poison warning on the label. The warning caution toothpaste users to: “Keep out of the reach of children under 6 years of age. If more than used for brushing is accidentally swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.” A journal article in the Journal of Dental Research suggests that a potentially fatal dose of fluoride is 5mg per kilogram of bodyweight. This is the “minimum dose that could cause toxic signs and symptoms, including death, and that should trigger immediate therapeutic intervention and hospitalization…This does not mean that doses lower than 5 mg F/ kg should be regarded as innocuous.” As common sense might indicate, death isn’t the only concern with fluoride toothpaste. Other potential problems include gastric problems and fluorosis (characterized by white streaks on teeth). The question you may now ask yourself, “Does fluoridated toothpaste do more harm than good?” The answer to that question is “No, once the toothpaste you choose to use has the ADA seal of acceptance.” Dentists and consumers have long recognized the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance as an important symbol of a dental product’s safety and effectiveness. This author is a member of the American Dental Association and relates closely with current research and development in every sphere of dentistry. Therefore, as a consumer, you must understand that in order for fluoride toothpaste to get an ADA seal of acceptance, it must meet ADA’s requirements for safety and effectiveness in reducing tooth decay. The manufacturer must provide clinical studies in humans, laboratory studies to determine the amount of available fluoride, the amount of fluoride released in one minute, and the amount of fluoride absorption in normal and weakened tooth enamel. Such tests are conducted in ADA’s laboratory. With that being said, the seal is your assurance that the fluoridated toothpaste has met the ADA criteria for safety and effectiveness.

Chronicle Pepperpot August 7, 2016

VII

Judge’s misdirection of jury…

Convicted robber freed on appeal T HE Appellant, Mohamed Khalil, had been convicted for robbery with aggravation on the evidence mainly of the visual identification of a single witness, Mungia. The witness claimed that Khalil had run five yards in front of her from a distance of twenty yards away, where the alleged robbery had taken place. The witness had been shown the appellant at the Police station and there she pointed him out as the robber. No identification parade was conducted and the explanation by the police for not doing so was that the name of the robber was given. This was clearly in conflict with Mungia’s evidence. The appellant’s defence an oath consisted of an alibi. The Court of Appeal, constituted by Chancellor E. V. Luckhoo, G. L. B. Persaud and Victor Crane, Justices of Appeal held the following: (1) That there were two issues namely: (a) Was there a necessity for the police in the circumstances of this case to hold an identification parade? (b) Was the summing up of the trial judge ample, fair, proper and adequate?

who was on that day, assaulted and robbed in his store at about 10.30 a.m. by two East Indian boys whom he did not recognize or know. He shouted “Thief,” and people came; they shouted, but the intruders escaped. The attack on Badrie must have been swift and sudden, for although he came face to face and to grips with his assailants, he confessed his inability to identify anyone. This day was a “rainy” one. Mungia saw two persons running out of Badrie’s yard; they ran past her at a distance of five yards; she gave a statement to the police the same day. In evidence, in answer to the, appellant she said: “I did not tell the police your name. I gave a description of the person I saw.” The police arrested the appellant on 14th December and took him to the station. Gordon Howard, a detective corporal, told him that it was reported that on 10th December he, in company with another East Indian boy, robbed Badrie of $30. He cautioned and the appellant said, “Nah me”. The day after the appellant was arrested Mungia was taken to the police

(2) That identification ought to have been held to ensure the ability of the witness to recognise the suspect so that any suspicion of unfairness or risk of erroneous identification would have been excluded. Identification must be sufficiently positive and not be grounded on mere similarity or resemblance. (3) That when, at the police station, the police brought the appellant out for the witness to see him this amounted to a dock identification as it may have tended to suggest to the witness that the prisoner was believed by the authorities to be the culprit. (4) That a witness’ identification of a person should as far as possible be unaided and that nothing should be done to influence or affect the recollection of a witness and thus destroy the value of his/her evidence of identity. (5) That, in the circumstances, the jury ought not to have been left to consider whether it was reasonable of the police to decide whether or not to hold an identification parade. It ought to have been pointed out by the trial judge, to the jury, the circumstances under which the identification was made and the weakness in it. The trial judge’s summing-up was not sufficiently fair and the jury was misdirected on a number of occasions. The Appeal was allowed, and the conviction was set aside. The Appellant Khalil appeared in person, at the trial, while Acting DPP Mr. G. H. R. Jackman appeared for the State. In his Judgment Chancellor Luckhoo said: The jury found the appellant guilty of the offence of Robbery with aggravation. He was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment and to receive a whipping of six strokes. On 14th March, 1975, this court heard his appeal and little difficulty in quashing the conviction and sentence. The conviction rested wholly on the visual identification of a single witness, one Mungia. The appellant had at all material times strenuously denied any involvement in the crime. His defence on oath consisted of an alibi. On 10th December , 1973 Mungia, was selling ice-blocks at a school some 20 yards from a store owned by one Badrie

station. She said this in evidence, as recorded: “On 15. 12. 73, I went to Providence Police station. I saw the accused there. The police brought him out to me. “In his presence I told the Police, ‘That is the boy I saw running out of Badrie’s yard.’ “He said that it was not he, but it was somebody else.” Immediately the question arises: Why did the police not hold an identification parade , but instead presented the appellant alone to Mungia for her to say whether he was the one of the boys she saw running out of Badrie’s yard? Cpl. Howard said he did not think it was wise to place the appellant on an identification parade “because the name was mentioned to him” but the appellant’s name could not have been mentioned to him by Mungia because she said she did not “tell” the police the appellant’s name but only gave a “description” of the person she saw. She said further that, “When the (appellant) was coming out of the yard I did not know his name ... I had given the police a statement on 10th December, 1973, the same day the story happened In that statement I did not mention his name because I did not know it then.” In these circumstances, there was every reason why an identification parade should have been held. By the very token that Mungia was taken to the station to see whether the person at the station was the person she had seen running away, the desirability and, indeed, necessity of having a parade should have commended itself to the police. The attempt at an excuse hazarded by Cpl. Howard

By George Barclay - that he did not think it was “wise” to do so because the “name” was given to him – should have been rejected out of hand. How could it be “wise” to have a “one-man parade and not a “proper” parade to test the witness in a fair way? If a potential witness is shown the person to be identified singly in circumstances to indicate, as in this case, that the police suspect that person, the witness would be much more likely, however fair and careful he might be, to assent to the view that the man he was shown corresponded to his recollection, and when this happens courts, will, in the absence of other evidence, be inclined to set aside a conviction as being unjust and unsafe.” Chancellor Luckhoo noted that the law does not require a judge in this kind of case to give a specific warning about the dangers of convicting on visual identification. He added that a judge must be fair and in cases in which guilt turns upon visual identification by one or more witnesses, it is likely that the summing-up would not be fair if it failed to point out the circumstances in which such identification was made and the weaknesses in it. The Chancellor cited Lord Morris of Both-y-Gest, in Arthurs v. Attorney – General for Northern Ireland (1970) 55 Cr. App.R 161 at p. 167, in dealing with the question as to whether the particular summing-up was fair and ample, said (p,168): “It is the aim of all to strive to reduce to a minimum the risks of the conviction of one who is innocent. A judge will have this aim constantly in mind during his conduct of a trial and in his direction to the jury. “It is manifest that in cases where the vital issue is whether the identification of the accused is certain and reliable, the judge must direct the jury with great care. “However, careful is his general direction as to the onus of proof the judge will feel it necessary to deal specifically with all the matters relating to identification. “A summing-up that fails to give adequate direction or which in the circumstances and in relation to the facts of a particular case, fails carefully to alert them to the risks of convicting an innocent person, might in any event be held to be defective and to warn the use by the Court of Criminal Appeal (Northern Ireland) of certain of its ample powers. “A summing-up does not follow a stereotyped pattern. “It need contain no set form of words. Each case has its own features and a summing-up must be related to those features and to the problems of the particular case. A judge will invite the jury to give due consideration to the special issues which are presented by the evidence. He will be guided by his duty as well as by his desire to ensure, so far as he could ensure, that no innocent man is convicted.” The Chancellor then said: “In this case not only were the police remiss in not holding an identification parade, but the trial judge had misdirected the jury on a number of occasions which would justify quashing of the conviction and sentence which this Court was forced to do on 14th March, 1975.” Justices of Appeal Persaud and Crane concurred.

VIII

Chronicle Pepperpot August 7, 2016

Buenos Aires to the rescue

By Neil Marks

UMAN World, perhaps the most iconic work of art produced by a Guyanese, was put on show from May 11 for an exhibition to mark Guyana’s 50th Independence Anni-

versary. The Dennis Williams painting (152 x 132 cm), representing the exodus of Caribbean people to London and the industrial world that engulfed them, was repatriated from England, and gave birth to the national collection

in the 1950s. For the two-and-a-half months it was part of the Golden Jubilee exhibition, titled “From Colony to Nation”, the untrained eye might not have picked up that there was something wrong with the state of Human World. But the masterpiece, revered as the only work of art in the Caribbean to make it on the cover of TIME magazine, is in urgent need of repair. And it’s not the only one! Some 55 other artwork and paintings in the National Collection are in dire need of restoration as well! “One painting, ‘Bird Island’ - which won the na-

- Argentina helping with major art restoration project

tional award, and which I have always boasted about - is cracked up! So cracked up, it’s worse than Haiti!” shrieked the artist, Bernadette Persaud back in May, 2014. FAMILIAR STORY Phillip Gajadar, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Art Gallery, is familiar with the horror story of the national collection. In 2014, he assessed the collection and found that there were 27 works of art which needed urgent attention. Since then, 29 other pieces were added to the priority list for restoration. “A great deal of the deterioration in the organic materials comes from insects, mold and micro-organisms,” he stated in a “condition report” sent to Dr Frank Anthony, then Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport. In an interview with the Sunday Chronicle recently, Gajadar said the deterioration came about due to “sheer neglect.” For example, there is a particular worm which burrows through wood, and leaves what locals call “granny sugar.” “If you have a piece of wood and you notice ‘granny sugar’,” he said, “then you can deal with it right away; it would take years for the entire stretcher to be eaten away. So, if the collection had been closely monitored, then it would not have been in this state today.” Gajadar, a reputable artist himself, does not profess to be a conservator, but with the training and experience he has, he has been used to do some amount of restoration. POOR STORAGE He said that “very, very” poor storage exposed the collection to an environment that caused the damage. “It is true we don’t have the knowledge and the Denis Williams’ Human World

► Continued on page XI

Chronicle Pepperpot August 7, 2016

Minister of Education. Speaking to the Sunday Chronicle, he said that the national art collection captures how “complex, rich and diverse our identity is.” The move to secure an international partner for the art restoration project is critical, he said, as the country needs all the partners it can get “to see how best we could strategise, particularly on cultural heritage perseveration, which is expensive, and for which we don’t have the expertise to perpetuate.” Human World and other works in the national collection are no longer on show, the exhibition having ended, and would be placed back in storage. Hopefully, the Argentines would come in time to save them from further deterioration, so that what they represent could be preserved. “The artworks make it clear that our visual thinkers have been major contributors to the shaping of Guyana, proposing and given expression to values and ideas which help to direct and shape our development,” said Alim Hosein, Chairman of the Board of Castellani House in his introduction to the “From Colony to Nation” exhibition. “In many instances, they were ahead of our politicians in understanding who we are and where we should be directing our energies.”

Argentina’s Ambassador to Guyana, Luis Martino, gestures during a press brief at his residence, July 7, 2016. (Samuel Maugh photo) ► From page X expertise, but continuous monitoring and simple housekeeping,” he said, “could have done a lot.” The collection is stored at Castellani House, a colonial heritage building now 133 years old, which was renamed after its Maltese architect, César Castelanni in 1993, and designated the National Art Gallery. Ohene Koama, Curator (ag) of the Gallery, in a recent interview, pointed out that before the Gallery was established, the artworks were moved from place to place, until they came to be housed in the three storage rooms on the upper flat of the main building of Castellani House. He said that when Gajadar examined approximately 200 pieces from those rooms back in 2014, several types of damage were noted, from surface cracking/flaking, brittle corners, termite eaten edges to broken and chipped edges, and even punctures. Now, the Department of Culture of the Ministry of Education has solicited the help of the Argentinian government in the restoration of the artworks, noting that some of the pieces are “endangered”. “Unfortunately, Guyana does not at this time possess the necessary technical competence to combat the infestation,” said Dr James Rose, Director of Culture, in a project proposal dated March 16, 2015, and seen by the Sunday Chronicle. “The DOC (Department of Culture) is seeking to source necessary technical competence through some form of bilateral arrangement with Argentina,” Dr Rose said in the proposal. That bilateral arrangement is still being worked out. SOON COME When Argentina’s Ambassador to Guyana, Luis Martino, hosted the local media at his house on July 07 last, he said that a group of experts in the restoration of artworks are soon to come to Guyana to proceed on the “long road” to “restore and bring back to life” the national collection. Being frank, he said the question of the restoration of artwork is “no easy thing” and the “restoration of a masterpiece can take months, depending on the damage of each.” But the Argentinian government is actively pursuing Guyana’s request to decide on the best team to send. They are looking at Guyana’s submission, and would first have to make an assessment on the ground to determine the amount of work to be done. “Our underlying vision here is that we are talking about the heritage of a nation; to put back so many pieces to life (would be difficult) but we will accomplish the project,” the Ambassador stated. The Argentine authorities are in discussion with Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM), which recently restored damaged artworks before they were returned to Ecuador. According to Ambassador Martino, it is not definite that a team from UNSAM will be used for the Guyana arts restoration project, or whether another team will be chosen. “We are waiting,” he stated. EAGER TO START The Ministry of Education is eager for the project to get underway. “Art is a critical component of our national tangible cultural heritage and it helps to both form and reinforce our national identity,” said Ruel Johnson, cultural policy adviser to the

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Chronicle Pepperpot August 7, 2016

Notes from Caribbean Linked IV…

A lesson on patience and other things

A maddening combination of way-too-loud and overlapping conversations, fussy children, and overall circus-like confusion steadily chipped away at the tolerance I thought I had for dealing with airport woes. As I type this (on Monday August 1), I’m struggling to pull my thoughts together into something even remotely coherent. Chaos, both internal and external, would be an understatement. The excitement that initially filled my stomach with wonderful but slightly violent butterflies was soon threatened by frustration. Almost three hours after I got to Timehri for a 4 a.m. check in on a 6 a.m. flight, everyone was told that the flight was delayed until 6:45 a.m. A second delay followed shortly after and the reason was chalked up to us missing our boarding time, although we were waiting unattended until about 30 minutes before the final call. Eventually, through the whisperings of upset passengers, we heard the pilot needed his rest. This was completely understandable but there was no airline staff member anywhere to make this announcement. In fact, our only flight updates came from a monitor mounted on the wall, while our lounge-mates traveling with the other airlines had the luxury of an actual person updating them about the delays and diversions. What a treat! There I was thinking that although I was scheduled to land in Aruba at 10:00 a.m., I would’ve cleared customs and immigration by noon, the latest. This would’ve given me more than enough time to get settled in and mingle with the other participants of the fourth installation of Caribbean Linked (CLIV). I had it all planned out in my head, a clear idea of how the day would go. Evidently, I needed a reminder that the world doesn’t quite work that way. I took that as a cue to relax, release any preconceived ideas of how things would go and be open to the spontaneity of the next three weeks. And so I clung to that mantra for the remainder of our

Caribbean Linked logo

16-hour delay. Fast-forward two days later and I’m still struggling to catch my breath. But I take comfort in the fact that I’m probably not the only one in this residency going through the days in a zombie-like trance. So much has happened in such a short space of time that I’m not even sure my brain has fully processed everything as yet. After landing in Aruba at 1:00 a.m. on Tuesday, I was immediately struck by the architecture of the buildings on the island. There was no question in my mind that these were people who took pride in design elements and principles. Vivid colours were everywhere. And although it was obvious that they weren’t afraid of trying what others might refer to as “unusual” colour combinations, they weren’t the least bit tacky. Everything was just effortlessly beautiful. That same night I met independent artist Robin de Vogel, the vibrant and fun-loving pow-

A few CLIV participants walked through the Peace Labyrinth after visiting the nearby Alto Vista Chapel

► Continued on page XIII

Chronicle Pepperpot August 7, 2016

Artists Travis Geertruida (left) and Oneika Russell (right) danced through exhaustion of the previous hours (Photo credit: Nowé H. Harris-Smith) ► From page XII erhouse who would be shouldering a significant amount of the administrative tasks during this residency. She, along with her sister and CLIV participant, Laura de Vogel, drove in the dead of night for what must have felt like the millionth time that day, to pick me up from the airport. Although we were communicating online weeks prior, we had never physically met before that night. But that didn’t matter to the person I saw running towards me with outstretched arms. It felt like a warm and much-needed reunion after the day I had. Immediately, it was clear to me that there were no strangers here. This was reinforced yet again when their mom, Edith de Vogel-Mensonides, welcomed me into their beautiful home to spend the night before I moved across to Ateliers ‘89. What followed next seemed like a haze of memories each melting into the other in strange and psychedelic ways. In addition to feeling as though I was a day behind the entire world after my airport dilemma, it became impossible at times to the place certain events that had happened with the correct days. Eventually I stopped trying. I was just extremely grateful to be present and in the moment with such an amazing group of creatives. Whether it was an island tour that stretched on for hours or a trip to the Aloe Farm with a host who was genuinely and refreshingly passionate about his work, there was an incredible energy we all felt and shared. For me, being here reiterated the value of initiatives like Caribbean Linked in a region that is desperately lacking the infrastructure to support cultural exchange between regional territories. More importantly, the organizers recognized the need for this and have been actively working, gathering resources and building networks so that we may all benefit from this collective experience.

aribbean Linked is a regional art residency and exhibition organized by Ateliers ’89 Foundation in collaboration with ARC Inc. and The Fresh Milk Art Platform Inc with support from Mondriaan Fonds and Stichting DOEN. In the fourth installment since it’s launch in 2012, ten artists from the region were invited to participate including Frances Gallardo (Puerto Rico), Travis Geertruida (Curaçao), Charlie Godet Thomas (Bermuda), Nowé H. Harris-Smith (The Bahamas), Dominique Hunter (Guyana), Tessa Mars (Haiti), Oneika Russell (Jamaica), Shanice Smith (Trinidad), Simon Tatum (The Cayman Islands) and Laura de Vogel (Aruba). Also invited were master artist Humberto Diaz (Cuba), writer and co-founder of Moko Magazine David Knight Jr. (US Virgin Islands), specially invited curators María Elena Ortiz (associate curator at the Perez Art Museum Miami, PAMM) and Pablo Léon de la Barra (curator at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum for the Latin American phase of the Guggenheim UBS MAP Global Art Initiative. Caribbean Linked IV runs from August 1 to August 24 and will be spearheaded by Robin de Vogel (Aruba) and Katherine Kennedy (Barbados).

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POST-LIBERALIZATION CONSUMER CHALLENGES THE Bill liberalizing the Telecommunications Industry was recently passed by Parliament leaving a post-liberalization scenario in which a great deal of debris has to be cleared. Achieving success in liberalization depends upon the quick clearing of this debris. The first debris that has to be cleared, that is the first challenge that has to be met, is the monopoly company Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT), opening a new front and saying that the Government of Guyana has to honour the Monopoly Contract and presumably paying them a large sum of money. The Contract they are referring to is the one made in 1990 giving them a monopoly of the country's telephone service, which contract was renewed in 2010. The Contract of 1990 gave GTT a monopoly but the company also had to perform certain things as consideration for the monopoly. One of the main things it had to do was provide 15,000 land lines per year to the Guyanese public and install landline services in certain Interior locations. These

PAT DIAL Interior services have become even more important with the developing mining industry. The company did not perform this important obligation. Non-performance of this and other obligations would seem to consumer people to neutralize the contractual claim ATN/GTT is bringing on the Government. Outside of the Contract, GTT was responsible for other obligations, among the more important being the payment of Income Taxes. The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) had claimed Income Taxes for the socalled Advisory Fees of 6% of gross revenues which GTT

made a private contract to pay over to its principal Atlantic Telenetwork (ATN). To stymie payment, GTT, in usual style, invoked the Courts, well aware of the length of time the Court system takes to resolve matters. But at the same time, ATN in its annual filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States of America recognized the possible liability of US$33.2 million or $6.9 billion owed to the GRA and the Government of Guyana. The GRA needs to pursue this claim to recover its $6.9 billion before the Statute of Limitations overtakes it. Shortly after GTT was established, both the Guyana Consumers Association and the Public Utilities Commission demanded that the Company did its accounting in the normal way, and they have been making this demand to the present time. GTT lumps together all income and expenditure so there is no possibility of properly gauging segmental income and expenditure. This system could lead to fraud and corruption and prevents the PUC or the

Government of Guyana from having knowledge of the Company's finances and could provide a cover for GTT's transfers to its principal ATN. This failure to disaggregate its accounts would result in one being uncertain of the veracity of monetary claims. This system of lumping all income and expenditure together has led to the concealment of income as was shown by the GCA, when, by Tariff1/2014, GTT was demanding enormous landline rate increases. The GCA showed where the US$60 Million spent to establish the cellular phone system was generated by the landline and so was the approximately US$30.millions spent on the undersea cable, or when the fibre optic and copper lines belonging to the landline segment had been used to transmit Internet and Mobile traffic without any costing or accounting notice. This failure by GTT to disag-

CONCERNS:

gregate its accounts puts any monetary claims by GTT into the category of the subjective and must be balanced against all the omissions and lapses of the company. For some years now, GTT, a locally registered company, has been transferring income-bearing assets paid for with funds generated in Guyana to other countries and out of the company's hands. One of the most valuable assets so treated is the undersea cable costing US$30 million which was transferred to a company in the Virgin Islands without payment. This kind of activity must be taken into account as against claims made by GTT. Customer Deposits is another issue that must be settled in this post-liberalization era. GTT has collected hundreds of millions of dollars

in customer deposits and has used this money for its own purposes without paying the customer his interest of 8%. During the 25 years GTT has been collecting these deposits some customers have died or have emigrated without receiving any of the money due to them. Such monies must be deposited with the Public Trustee. Present customers must now begin to receive their interest! There are other issues of this nature we intended to mention as well discussion on the structures to effectuate the regime of liberalization but will have to defer these so as not to exceed our space limit. In parenthesis, the material in this article has been presented in memorandums and letters to the PUC over a period by the GCA.

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Chronicle Pepperpot August 7, 2016

My interactions with Forbes Burnham President Forbes Burnham died on August 6, 1985. To mark the 31st death anniversary, Francis Quamina Farrier reflects on his interactions with Burnham. I need to commence this feature, making it pellucid, that there are many others who knew Guyana's first executive president, Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham,

much better than I did. This is also to say that in this feature, I am simply sharing some of what I know of that "Man of the People" from my very few, but memo-

rable personal encounters with him. As a young producer at the Films Division of the Ministry of Information, I had some close encounters

Forbes Burnham with Prime Minister/President Forbes Burnham. In those early years, the Ministry of Information and adjacent Film Division, was located on Brickdam in Georgetown. The building was one of those iconic wooden structures, which our capital city is well-known for. It was previously the property of the Vieira Family. The Family Patriarch was “Bulla” Vieira, the grandfather of Tony Vieira, the previous Owner and Publisher of "The Evening News." I was invited by Minister of Information, Elvin McDavid, to join the Film Division of the Ministry of Information in the early 1970s, after a successful copy writing

career at the International Advertising Agency, Lonsdale Hands, which was located at the top floor of the Bank of Guyana. I had already won a number of writing prizes, such as the First Road Safety Week Schools Essay-Writing Competition ( over sixty five years ago); also the First and Third Prizes at the play writing competition, organized by the Government Information Agency, for Guyana's Independence in 1966. During that period, I had also published my first play; "The Plight of the Wright", a copy of which I presented to Prime Minister Burnham at his office, which was at the north western end of the

Public Buildings, overlooking Brickdam. Although Prime Minster Burnham had already written the Foreword to the book, I must admit that I was somewhat nervous, and found it a bit difficult to contain my composure as I presented the book to him, as a camera flashed once, then twice. That was long before there was video. The photograph was even in black-and-white. The presentation was arranged by Frank Pilgrim, who, at the time, was the Public Relations Officer of Prime Minister Burnham. A few years later, I was invited by then Minister of Information, Elvin McDavid, to join the Films Division of the Ministry of Information, which I ready accepted. However, I had one outstanding set-back, if you will. I was not a member of the ruling People's National Congress, or any other political party, for that matter. As such, being a free thinker, I was able to bring to the various Film Features which I produced, a measure of objectivity. Looking back over the decades, I have to admit that with my inexperience o f f i l m p ro d u c t i o n a t that time, some of my productions were sheer crap; but there were a few which I am still very proud of: for example, "College in the Forest", a film documentary showing ► Continued

on page XXII

Forbes Burnham enjoys a skit performed by the PSU Drama Group, which pokes fun at him

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St. Denys using peanuts to transform village economy F arming is one of the main economic activities in St. Denys, an Amerindian community situated in Region Two. For years, the community has been processing cassava into delectable cassava bread but other crops are sold fresh. The community is hoping to change this shortly. St. Denys is a beneficiary of a $5M grant funding from the Government of Guyana to transform their village economy. The processing of peanuts to make value added products and the expansion of cassava production are included in their Community Development Plan. The community, through its farmers group, has engaged the services of the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) to ensure the crops are produced using good farming practices. The group, headed by Mr. Jorge Fredericks, comprises both male and female farmers. Family members of the farmers also provide a helping hand on the farm since their livelihoods depend on the success of the projects. The peanut crop at St. Denys is seven-weeks old. NAREI assisted farmers to identify and prepare the land for cultivation. Through self-help and the use of machinery, the farmers were able to clear the jungle-like plot and till the soil. The craftsmanship of community members were also put to the test. A wooden tool was made to provide uniformed bore holes and accurately spaced plants. The seeds were placed in the holes to germinate. These were then watered regularly to keep the soil moist until the plants begin to flower. The soil was allowed to dry between watering until the plants were established. This was done since too much watering can result can result in the growth of empty pods. The peanut plant grows best in loose sandy soil under warm-weather conditions. This leguminous crop requires adequate moisture for good yield. Depending on the variety, it grows from six to 30 inches in height. Some plants grow upright while others spread. The plant protrudes two sets of opposite leaves on each stem and self-pollinating flowers. The flowers grow on extended, pea-like stems just above the soil and after pollination they dip and push into the ground to develop pegs- the seed pods called peanuts. The crop takes about four months to harvest. Farmers are advised to mulch around the plants to keep the soil surface from crusting and becoming hard. This is to ensure pegs get to penetrate the soil. In addition, the farmers need to keep the planting beds weed free and the soil loose. Importantly, mulching around peanuts will make harvesting easier.

Peanut at pegging stage

Mr. Jorge Fredericks posing with the handmade spacing tool The community embarked on the peanut project with the dream of producing peanut punch, peanut butter and other related products for the local market. They are presently trying to source an appropriate affordable machine to process the peanuts. Once, the processor is installed in the village, this may very well be the last crop of peanuts they sell fresh.

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‘A glimpse of what is possible’ - The First Lady, a tech pro, and a humanitarian discuss empowering people and communities

By Neil Marks NE woman wanted a pregnant cow so she could start selling milk and then raise more cows to supplement the income her husband would get from his on and off job at the sugar estate. Another woman wanted a sewing machine, and yet another wanted her yard fenced so she could start a kitchen garden to support her family. Sandra Shivdat did her rounds, asking family and friends for contributions, so she could get what the three women, and many others, needed. But there was a bargain involved: The women would get what they needed if they kept their children in school. That was in 2005 when Mrs Shivdat returned to Guyana for just about the fourth time since she migrated in 1983. She had heard of the unprecedented level of rainfall which flooded and devastated the country’s coastland – the tiny strip along the Atlantic coast where most people live and where most economic activity is concentrated. Sandra wanted to help and arrived in February, when the waters had receded, and headed straight to her hometown of Lusignan, East Coast Demerara, to see what help she could give. An aunt told her that the people in the neighbouring village of Good Hope could do with some help. She developed a form – where she would write down names and addresses and the needs of people- and headed out. With her brother, she visited 25 homes and pledged to provide their immediate needs, food and water being the most important, and told them she would return to help them further. Back in the U.S., she wrote 25 letters to the families she had visited, but got only five replies. There

could be any amount of reasons why the others didn’t write back, but then one reason hit home: Perhaps they just didn’t know how to. It was an entirely plausible reasoning; she knew that many of the women could not read or write and their children were not going to school. On her next trip back here, she set about determining what she could do. By that time, she was expanding her network, adding more friends and family to the list of persons who were willing to offer donations. And so, the cow and the sewing machine were bought, and the other woman’s yard was also fenced. Using her own money and that of others who contributed, the families she initially contacted were still being provided with food items, and the children had everything they needed to stay in school – including uniform, bags and books. On every visit, there was always a need to fill. The Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Food for the Poor was working in the area as well, but would only build houses for those who had legal documents showing ownership of the lands they were on. The families were allocated lands by the Ministry of Housing, but they could not afford to pay. Mrs Shivdat was able to gather enough money to pay for the land for five families so they could benefit from the houses being built by Food for the Poor. Initially, every time Mrs Shivdat would return home (now making four trips a year), she would check the children’s schoolbooks and report cards, to see how they were doing, and to see if indeed the children were going to school. It wasn’t on just a few occasions that she had cause to reprimand the parents when she noticed a high level of absenteeism. In some cases, she found that the mothers were taking

President David Granger is seen interacting with children when he visited last December. (Ministry of the Presidency photo

the children out of school so they could work and provide for the family. So Mrs Shivdat decided that she needed to do something else. There are many ways to get out of poverty and she thought that education had to be one of the best ways to do so. She decided to register the Lusignan–Good Hope Learning Centre as a charity in the U.S. so she could provide further help. She asked the then government for a piece of land to build a centre, which would cater for the needs of out of school youths and those in school who needed remedial classes, particularly in reading. She didn’t get the plot where she wanted nor at the price she wanted. She was sold a plot in the “high income” area of Lusignan, paying US$2, 500. The Centre opened its doors in 2009. Out of school youths are taught during the day and those in school are taught reading after school. The mission was a simple one for Mrs Shivdat, “fighting poverty through education,” and she walked from house to house, trying to convince the parents to send their children to the centre. But once the Centre was opened, it wasn’t just teaching the children to read. They came with a “basket of problems” including abuse, and in some cases, direct opposition to schooling by some fathers. In one case, Mrs Shivdat met a 13 - year - old girl who was taken out of school. The father wouldn’t let her go to school, because he figured it was only a few more years before she would be married off. She convinced the father that he wouldn’t have any additional expenses if he let the girl go back to school. The father agreed, and the girl was enrolled at a private school, with all her expenses taken care of by the Centre. But the father would become irritated at nights when the lights were kept on as she studied, so the girl, determined to study, would go to her grandmother’s house. Her mother and grandmother were both supportive of her schooling. The girl wrote the CXC exams usually taken by those leaving secondary school, and she was successful. She now works as a receptionist at a hotel, and was recently married, with plans to attend the University of Guyana. Mrs Shivdat has faced a litany of problems as she runs the Centre. She has even been threatened with a cutlass by one father whose child was attending the Centre. It was the work of the Centre and the great lengths it goes to in order to help the underprivileged and vulnerable that captivated First Lady Sandra Granger and her husband, President David Granger – two years before they had those titles, that is. L a s t D e c e m b e r, M r Granger fulfilled a promise to help the Centre and presented a cheque for $2 million. “I am very happy with the results that have been coming out of this Learning Centre year after year... as far as I am concerned, this Learning CenThe start of the robotics cam

Chronicle Pepperpot August 7, 2016

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Mrs Sandra Shivdat, First Lady Sandra Granger, and Karen Abrams at the Grand Coastal Hotel, July 27, 2016. (Samuel Maughn photo) tre is helping you to help yourself," the President said then. “It’s more than just a Centre for children. It’s a safe space in the community,” said the First Lady, in an interview she shared with Mrs Shivdat, who immediately recalled a moment when she had to literally lock two children in the centre to save them from an abusive father who came to get them in a fit of rage. “She is not only dealing with kids and their illiteracy but what impacts on their lives - the kind of environment (they live in), the challenges they face,” the First Lady said of Mrs Shivdat. She added: “Sandra and Freddie (Mr Shivdat) (are)… social workers in the community. “I was there when people would come to them with their difficulties, bringing the children with their problems. They were actively engaged to take children out of danger.” The First Lady was blown away by the “marvellous” work of the Centre.

mp at the Lusignan-Good Hope Centre last Tuesday

As mentioned at the outset, the Centre has sought to help the women of the community empower themselves and help their families. “…for me, everything has to happen in a holistic manner. You can’t just throw a plaster on one sore and expect the body to heal. And when I see something like that (what the Learning Centre has been doing to help, not just children, but their parents, especially mothers) I am captured,” the First Lady stated. As a result, the First Lady has been actively helping the Centre. Once there is an activity, she would call up the Centre to see if the mothers in the area would like to get involved. And so, when there was a training programme on how to care for the elderly, the women of the area signed up and will soon receive training in First Aid. The idea was that the women could use the training, with their certificates, to find employment; it should be noted that for some of the women, it would be the first time they are having something called a “certificate” with their name written on it to find employment as caregivers. “We teach women to earn enough money, to be independent, to recognise that they can do things for themselves and when they do that, all the statistics in the world say, if a woman advances economically, the entire family advances with her,” the First Lady said. Thus, the First Lady’s goal to empower women through her “Self-reliance and Success in Business” workshops has benefited the women of the Lusignan Good-Hope learning Centre. And there are many other ways the First Lady has sought to help the Centre. This week, that interest resulted in the children of the Centre benefitting from sessions in 4 Lego Mindstorm Robotics programming. That happened because the First Lady had learnt of the three Guyanese siblings from Georgia who were making the headlines in every major U.S. news network for creating a mobile app to help document Police brutality in the United States. She engaged their mother, Karen Abrams, in a discussion of how they could help Guyana and the idea of summer camps in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) came up. Time passed, and the First Lady wrote Mrs Abrams to ask for an “update.” “Karen kind of excited me when she came up with this

idea, because I immediately thought of the many children who are illiterate…but a computer and robotics do not rely on knowing A-Z - it relies on how your mind works and that is the excitement for me,” the First Lady related, with Karen Abrams next to her side in the same interview shared with Mrs Shivdat. She said education doesn’t have to take place in a formal classroom and that the kids many dismissed as “the throw away kids” can be “caught by this idea that they can figure out something.” When she got the First Lady’s email, Mrs Abrams got down to work, raising funds mainly through online platforms, such as Facebook and GoFundMe, and local sponsors. In all, some US$10, 000 was raised to hold a series of camps in Guyana, including the Lusignan Centre. Mrs Abrams said 17 robots were bought, and it is intended that all of them would be leased so that there could be a continuation of the programme through various STEM clubs across the country. “…you have kids who feel they are in a dead-end street; there are adults who feel that way too…(but) you can just give them a glimpse of what is possible,” said the First Lady. Mrs Abrams said she would like to see a lot more Guyanese children exposed to technology, “to give them the opportunity to say I like it or don’t like it.” She noted that because of the robust technology drive in Estonia, three of their nationals, together with a Swede and Dane created Skype, which was bought by Microsoft in 2011 for US$8.5 billion. “If we have one kid who creates something amazing, that would be awesomeness,” Mrs Abrams said, noting that results may not come “today, but maybe in 10-15 years.” “We are really looking to spread a vison to inspire and to create opportunities,” she stated. Mrs Shivdat adds about the work she is doing: “Our goal is to empower women, young girls, to know that they can stand up and make a life for themselves; there are ways and education is one of those ways.” The First Lady said she will continue to help centres like that run by Mrs Shivdat and initiatives such as those of Mrs Abrams, because, at the end of the day, all the efforts are intended to empower people and communities.

Chronicle Pepperpot August 7, 2016

Samburu women live with lions

A male-dominated culture has meant that Samburu women rarely get a say in how their society handles big cats, but one project is trying to change that Samburu women

At the Mama Simba school (Credit: Tyrel Bernardini)

(BBC Earth) Lionesses have a lot of power in lion society. The females typically work together to hunt down prey, and form crèches to look after their cubs. This cooperative behaviour brings in lots of food, and ensure that plenty of lion cubs survive to adulthood. The female lions' empowerment stands in stark contrast to the human societies that live alongside the lions in Kenya's Samburu National Reserve. There, as in many other cultures throughout history, women have been discouraged from taking control – in part due to a male-dominated culture. As it happens, lions – despite the lionesses' efforts – are vulnerable to extinction. So what might happen if we took a leaf out of the lions' book and began to allow women to make more decisions? One Kenyan lion conservation organisation, Ewaso Lions, decided to find out. Ewaso Lions helps local communities find ways to coexist with wildlife. This is crucial, because one of the greatest threats to lions is humans killing them. As some of Samburu's lions live outside formally protected areas, they often come into contact with the Samburu livestock. In retaliation for cattle killed by lions, the Samburu sometimes hunt the lions. The Mama Simba project began when local women went to Ewaso Lions asking to be educated. Mama Simba means "the Mother of Lions" in Maa, the local language. "The women had seen how warriors in their community were being engaged in conservation through another of Ewaso Lions's projects," says Heather Gurd, conservation manager at Ewaso Lions. "They were adamant that they could do just as good a job as the warriors if only they were given the chance." Samburu women actually spend a great deal of time in wildlife areas whilst they collect firewood, fetch water and look after livestock. This means they often come into contact with animals like lions. Yet before this project, the women were rarely actively included in conservation activities. Ewaso Lions is educating the Samburu women in basic literacy, numeracy, and wildlife conservation. They also train them in beaded art craft, so that they can diversify their income and not depend solely on livestock. Since Mama Simba was launched in 2013, over 300 Samburu women have participated in the programme. There is a core group of 19 who spread the word. A Samburu woman making a beaded lion (Credit: Ewaso Lions) A Samburu woman making a beaded lion (Credit: Ewaso Lions) "Empowerment means that women are given a chance to lead, like men do," says Ntomuson Lelengeju, a Mama Simba participant. "Women and men are now getting equal opportunities in terms of resource sharing," says Noldonyo Letabare, who also takes part. As well as benefiting the women, the project should also help the lions. To achieve this, the women are trained in how to better protect their livestock enclosures from predators. They also learn how to identify carnivore tracks, and tell Ewaso Lions about lion sightings and any conflicts that arise. It is too soon to tell whether this new project has benefited the lion population. But there is evidence that people's attitudes towards lions are becoming more positive. "I have changed as a result of the Mama Simba programme," says Lelengeju. "I now cannot accept people to kill lions." "Since joining the programme I have learned to love lions, unlike before," says Letabare. "We have seen a real change in the confidence and enthusiasm that the ladies have," says Shivani Bhalla, executive director of Ewaso Lions. "They were once very quiet and shy, never speaking up at any community meetings or talking about wildlife. Now they are vocal about conservation."

Chronicle Pepperpot August 7, 2016 BROADCAST TIMES:

THIS WEEK’S PREVIEW: August 8-15.2016 Every fowl feed pon he own craw. Ignatius Thomas should take heed when dealing with his son, Ryan. Devine is assisting her stepmother, Monica, to make her wedding cake but all is not well. Why is her father, Lawrence so upset? Ignatius is not happy that Ryan is getting married to Devine. Will he stop the wedding? The Village Council is getting ahead with environmental works and the Senior Citizens sub-committee headed by Cecil is meeting. Lucille is determined to get involved even though she is not a member, but with Sister Patsy on board, will there be fireworks? Don’t miss this week’s episode. You can also listen on www.merundoi.org

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My interactions with Forbes Burnham ► From page XVI the construction of the Kuru Kuru Cooperative college, which is located about a mile off the Soesdyke/Linden Highway. That documentary contained scenes from the unveiling of the corner stone, at which Prime Minister Burnham officiated, lots of work-in-progress - the plumbers, electricians, carpenters, painters, the lot - and all the way to its completion. Another film documentary of which I am really proud, was entitled, "The First Village", which documented the history of Victoria Village on the East Coast Demerara. It contained many scenes and villagers of the past which are no longer around. Then there was the documentary, "Man of the People" which featured President Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham. I was shocked when I was given that assignment, since, as I mentioned previously, I am not a "party man". I was also known to make some rather controversial statements - on the job. For example, at one of our Monday morning weekly briefings, I asked; "Is the Prime Minister a tailor?" When the head of the department, Mr R.L. Young, asked what I meant, I responded that we are always showing the Prime Minister with scissors in hand, cutting ribbons when any newly constructed building was being declared open. On another occasion I stated clearly that I knew Guyana better than the Prime Minister. Shocking! However, having been part of advanced teams to many rural and hinterland communities, and seeing the people acting quite normal and then seeing the ► Contiuned on page XXIV

Chronicle Pepperpot August 7, 2016 Presenting a copy of my play, “The Plight of the Wright,” to Prime Minister Burnham on December 6, 1969

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My interactions with ... ◄ From page XXII transformation of those people when the Head of State arrived, I realized that Mr Burnham was not seeing the communities he visited, as they really were. That reminds me of a colonial Governor of British Guiana, Sir Gordon Lethem - after whom LETHEM in Region #9 was named - who used to don simple clothing and take walks around the city at nights, incognito, to get a true feeling of the society. My frank statements about Mr Burnham earned me the reputation of a maverick very early on, and it grew over the years, not necessarily to my advantage. I am well aware that, over the decades, many benefits were withheld from me because of my decision never to join a political party- any political party.

I know for sure that as a young professional, my “brazen” behaviour was known to President Forbes Burnham. He cultivated the reputation of being a Leader who knew everyone, and knew everything that was happening in the country. So when I got the assignment to produce a documentary on his life, I was shocked. From the commencement, I had decided to display Mr Burnham, not as a politician, but as a regular individual, a Man of the People, which was the title of the documentary. It was a great challenge. After completing the script, which included a scene of him swimming at the Luckhoo Swimming pool, I had to present myself at The Residence on Vlissengen Road, to, as it were, defend my “dissertation,” if you will. After a few potent questions, I received a “pass” by Mr Burnham. The session had commenced with me being offered a drink of my choice. I settled for a glass of red wine. That was one of the very few occasions that I ever got that close

Chronicle Pepperpot August 7, 2016 to President Forbes Burnham; just the two of us in a room together, discussing the merits of the script of an important Film Documentary of a Head of State. That session lasted about half an hour. At the end, I felt a sense of relief and achievement; my documentary script was approved by the Powerful man who was the subject of the production. There was an incident when Mr Burnham jokingly embarrassed me. It was a Sunday morning. I had gone to the Bourda Market to make some purchases for my then very pregnant wife, Patricia. It was her first pregnancy. On making my exit on to Robb Street, I ran smack into a crowd. President Burnham was selling the PNC newspaper, "The New Nation." I could not escape. I saw him and realized that he saw me. I took out a precious one dollar note, paid the seller the 10 cents for the New Nation, collected the paper and began to move off. As I did, I heard the voice of the Prime Minister with an indignant tone, "One Dollar! Just one dollar, from our Poet and Playwright!" Realizing that it was myself that he was referring to, I glanced back and saw his right hand, uplifted, and casually waving my precious red one dollar bill aloft. I immediately reduced my five foot, nine inch height, bending my knees and my back, and disappeared beyond the crowd. There was a period when I did some voluntary service for the Public Service Union at the invitation of the General Secretary, Mr Patrick Yarde. During those years, the Public Service Drama Group, which I founded, did lots of skits and short plays at various events, including the National Drama Festivals. One of its presentations was at a function on the Roof Garden of the Bank of Guyana. We did two skits; one was a satirical item poking fun at the two main political Parties - the PPP and the PNC. The President himself was a “victim” of that skit in which we spoke of "Ban ham" and "Burn ham". I can tell you that Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, who was seated in the front row, took it all in with grace, and laughed loudly. Later, he congratulated the Group for a job well done. Sometime later, the PSU Drama Group invited him to be our guest at a function at the Critchlow Labour College on Woolford Avenue in Georgetown. He accepted, and spent over half an hour interacting with us. There is another incident which I would like to share. The Prime Minister was hosting Artists and Writers at a reception at the Carnegie School of Home Economics on High Street in Georgetown. There was a young fellow who we all realized had “crashed” the event. As Mr Burnham made his rounds shaking hands and engaging in small talk with us, he came upon the “crasher.” “Are you are writer?” Mr Burnham asked the now trembling young fellow, who stammered out, "Yes, Comrade Leader." "But you don't look mad!" was the Prime Minister's sharp response. It was obvious to the rest of us that Mr Burnham had recognized the fellow as being a “crasher” and a fraudster. On the occasion of Guyana's 10th Republic Anniversary in February 1980, I was in England studying at the University of Middlexex, and was invited by the Guyana High Commission in London, to produce a Cultural Show at the Commonwealth Institute, to celebrate the occasion. Some of the entertainers included Norman Beaton, actor, Doris Harper-Wills, dancer, Sol Ray, singer, and Ramjohn Holder, singer and actor. Two months later in April, 1980, President Forbes Burnham, while on his way to Zimbabwe for that country's Independence Celebrations, had to spend a few hours at the In-Transit Lounge of the Heathrow International Airport. I was instructed by the Guyana High Commission in London, to meet with the Head of State. There were quite a number of other persons there. When I was presented to the President, he expressed interest to know from me how the Republic show went. I told him that it was well received by the audience. He then thanked me and told me to "Keep out of trouble." I did not actually rub shoulders with the late President, on the very last occasion I saw him alive, but I always remember two things of that occasion. It was at the renaming of Murray Street in Georgetown. The new name was going to be "Quamina". I was previously invited by the City Council, to write a poem, which I did. Someone else recited it at the ceremony. It is a well-known fact that President Burnham was unable to complete his Feature Address at that renaming street ceremony, because he was losing his voice. When he returned to his seat, which was at the center of the street, (I was on the western carriage way near the Bishops' High School fence), I vividly recall him taking out a large cigar and after lighting it, puffing smoke rings to his delight. I will also remember the “cow boy” boots which he was wearing that last Saturday evening of his life; it was “spit-and-polish” and shine like glass. His death was less than forty eight hours away. There was a very short note in the newspapers that the President was going to have a "minor surgery" to his throat at the Georgetown Public Hospital. The nation was shocked at the news that followed - the Founder Leader and President had died.

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Lipstick Chronicles…

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10 interesting and strange facts about lipstick

Whether you slick it on every day or just when you’re going out on the town, lipstick — and the act of wearing it — is grand tradition dating back thousands of years. Read on for some really crazy facts about this pout-making product that may make you take pause the next time you pucker up. Women in ancient Mesopotamia wore lipstick The first manmade lipsticks appeared about five thousand years ago when women apparently ground down precious gems and used the dust to colour their lips. In prehistoric times, evidence shows that women may have used fruit juices to stain their lips. Some lip products have a fishy ingredient Lipsticks can contain castor oil or even fish scales, which supposedly give our pouts an unsmearable shine. But these ingredients aren’t as unsavoury as what women in the Middle Ages used for lipstick: Many concocted lip stain from sheep fat and mashed red roots. Lipstick was once a cause for annulment In Europe’s Dark and Middle Ages, wearing lipstick became a calling card for prostitutes and lower class women. This stigma endured over many centuries: In the 1700s, the British parliament declared that men could annul their marriages if they suspected a woman lured them into matrimony by wearing lipstick (and blush), as if makeup was a kind of witchcraft. One of our presidents was a big lipstick fan. According to some reports, George Washington would occasionally wear lipstick. (If you look at paintings of him, his lips do look quite colorful) Lipstick was part of the women’s lib movement At the 1912 New York suffragette parade, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Charlotte Perkins Gilman sported lipstick to signify women’s emancipation. So, yeah, wearing lipstick is actually an act of feminism. The early 1900s was a big time for lipstick innovation Maurice Levy created the modern lipstick tube, which raised and lowered the product, in 1915, while the swivel tube debuted a few years later in 1923. In 1930, Max Factor Company unveiled the very first lip gloss. Lipstick almost got banned in New York In the 1920s, the New York Board of Health actually considered banning lipstick due to a concern that the product could poison a man if he kissed a woman wearing it. Though, considering that some lipsticks contain lead, maybe this worry wasn’t completely unfounded… Men love it when we wear lipstick A University of Manchester study found that men’s eyes linger longer on a woman with painted lips. According to the researchers’ data, men spent an average of 7.3 seconds staring at women wearing red lipstick, 6.7 seconds at women wearing pink lipstick, and only 2.2 seconds at women sporting bare lips. Interesting. And women really love to wear it Every year, between 800 and 900 million lipsticks are sold worldwide. European women, however, seem to love their lipsticks the most — 300 million tubes are sold in Europe alone." (Citation: http://stylecaster.com/beauty/lipstick-facts/)

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Fun holiday activities for the kids Short Story… The Shell-Shocked

Turtle By Artie Knapp

“Well, I must admit it was amazing to see; but it did bounce off of you, Owen. Why are you so afraid now?”

he was being held by his sister. Owen had jumped right into Shany’s arms upon hearing a loud thump!

“Where there’s one, there’s bound to be another,” said Owen. “Maybe next time, the lightning bolt doesn’t bounce off me! Then I’m a goner!”

“What is it now, Owen?” asked Shany.

“Look, Owen, if we don’t find a pond soon, we’re both going to be goners. And besides, the chances of you getting struck by lightning again are probably one in a million.” “Yeah; which means it could happen,” said Owen. “Right; and I am going to be ‘Miss Turtle USA’,” said Shany. “You’re going to have to trust me, Owen. Since you were the last egg to hatch, I have to look after you. That’s the rules! You’re after all, my baby brother.” “You hatched forty seconds before I did,” said Owen. “What makes you so grown up?” “I’m not all grown up. But like it or not, I am still your older sister. And unlike you, I’m not afraid of everything under the sun.” Shany laughed… and laughed …and laughed some more. She laughed so hard her shell nearly fell off. But even Shany’s laughter wasn’t enough to get Owen out of his shell. “Nice try. But I’m still not risking it,” said Owen. As Owen made his stance clear to Shany, a little turtle named Roxie walked up to ask for directions.

“Hello! I hope I’m not disturbing you, but could “OWEN, you’ve got to come out so we can you please tell me where to find Pike Lake?” get a move on!” Owen had experienced lightning firsthand, Even though Owen knew his sister was but he had never felt electricity like this To Owen, Roxie was the most right, he was still too scared to come out before. beautiful thing he had ever seen. And for the of his shell. You see, Owen was a baby first time since the big storm, Owen didn’t turtle who had recently experienced his feel afraid. Without hesitation, Owen popped first thunderstorm. And ever since then, out of his shell to offer Roxie assistance, Owen was afraid of everything! And when I but then felt too shy to say anything to her. say everything, I mean everything: Chirping Shany pointed to where she believed Pike crickets, little field mice, the moonlight; Lake to be, and asked Roxie if she wanted even the slightest bit of wind rattled Owen’s help finding it. Roxie appreciated Shany’s shell. The lightning bolts and thunder from offer, but said she was battling a cold, and the storm still haunted his dreams. Just didn’t want to get them sick too. thinking about it made Owen tremble! “Of all the eggs that mamma laid, we’re still “It shouldn’t be too hard to find,” said Roxie. the only two who haven’t reached water “Thanks for your help, and I hope we’ll meet again, some day.” yet,” said Owen’s sister, Shany. “I’m sorry, but I just can’t do it,” said Owen. “Come on, Owen! You can, too! This is just something you have to face. There’s going to be tougher things in life to deal with than just a little storm.”

As Roxie walked away, Owen felt empty. Even though Owen hadn’t said a single word to Roxie, he knew he had to see her again. And that thought alone turned Owen’s emptiness into joy!

“You see, Shany, I’m not afraid; I’m out of “Just a little storm! You call that a little my shell, and nothing will ever scare me storm? The lightning bounced off my shell, again,” said Owen gleefully. for crying out loud!” But before Owen could utter another word,

“Oh, I just heard the most awful sound in the world. The sound of thunder! Another storm must be on the way.” A couple of giggles, followed by a loud ornery laugh could be heard close by! It wasn’t thunder that had frightened Owen; a little squirrel pounding rocks against a tree was what had scared him. “Kid, are you sure you’re a turtle and not a chicken?” asked the squirrel. “Don’t tease my little brother,” said Shany. “There’s nothing wrong with being afraid.” “What? I heard you laughing at him earlier too,” said the squirrel. “Yeah, but I only tried to get him out of his shell,” said Shany. “I didn’t try to scare him.” “Well, I’m not afraid of storms, and all I have is a bushy little tail,” said the squirrel. “Why, if I had a shell like his, I wouldn’t be afraid of anything.” “I saw you running away from a stray cat yesterday,” said Shany. “Yeah; so what!” said the squirrel. “You were scared to death of that cat, but that cat didn’t scare me.” “What are you saying?” asked the squirrel. “Everybody gets scared sometimes. Why is my brother being afraid of thunderstorms any different from your being afraid of a cat?” The squirrel knew that Shany had made a good point, so he just shook his head and darted out of sight. “Wow! Thank you,” said Owen. “You really are a great older sister.” “As I said before, Owen, that’s my job.” “You know, sis, I’ve learned something today; I may not like thunderstorms, but being afraid of them isn’t something to be ashamed of.” “That’s right, little brother. courage to know that.”

And it takes

As Owen and Shany journeyed to find Pike Lake, Owen felt proud about having gained the courage to finally leave his shell. Throughout his life, Owen would encounter many thunderstorms, to be sure, but none were as scary as the first one. That’s because Owen never looked at them the same way again! And oh, how he loved telling his grandchildren about the summer lightning bouncing off his shell! But don’t take my word for it; just ask Roxie. THE END

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Fun holiday activities for the kids ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS T

rees are certainly one of the most fascinating things on our planet. Joyce Kilmer, struck by the wonder of a tree, came to the conclusion that it had to be made by God. Besides being beautiful, trees stand tall in keeping our environment in balance. Trees take in much of the harmful carbon dioxide in our atmosphere and use it in the process of photosynthesis to make food for themselves. This process of trapping carbon dioxide may be referred to as carbon sequestration where the trees act as ‘carbon sinks.’ As carbon sinks trees play a major role in combatting climate change. Guyana’s approach to development takes into consideration the value of trees in combatting climate change. As such, our country is committed to sound management of our forests to prevent deforestation, while at the same time, it encourages green or environmentally friendly economic development. Trees are not only carbon sinks, buy they also are the lungs of the earth, steadily releasing oxygen as a byproduct of photosynthesis. Without trees enough oxygen would not be available for people and other creatures to use. Trees invite wildlife and are a safe haven for many types of birds, insects and other animals. Trees also aid in preventing erosion, cooling the atmosphere and are a source of food and natural medicines. Today is a great day to start thinking about planting a tree. Here are a few tree-planting tips:

Share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O EIT Division, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN, or email us at: eit.epaguyana@gmail.com or you can contact the Agency on 225-5467-9.

Bright Painted Flowers Welcome the summer with pretty flowers made from toilet-paper tubes. What you'll need: • Empty toilet-paper tubes • Ruler • Pencil • Kid-friendly scissors • Bamboo skewers • Paint • Paintbrush • Green card stock • Glue • Tissue paper • 1. Draw a ring 2 inches from the end of the tube. Repeat at other end. From each ring, draw lines every ½-inch. Snip along each line to make petals. 2. Fold the petals back to create a flower. Paint the flower and bamboo skewers; let dry. Cut out green leaves and glue to the skewers. 3. Push the skewer through one end of the flower's centre until it just touches the other end. Crumple an 8-inch square of tissue paper and glue in the centre.

CUTE BUG CATCHER Craft this cute bug catcher to corral summer bugs or other creepy-crawlies so you can give them a closer look. What You’ll Need: • Scissors, ruler • 6½-inch square of black fiberglass insect screening • Wire cutters • 22-gauge lime-green wire • Empty plastic mayonnaise jar • Paintbrush • Acrylic paints: Black, orange, yellow • Wood cutouts: Two 1⅜ x 2⅝-inch ovals; one 1⅜ x 2½-inch teardrop • Brush-on glitter paint: Black, orange, yellow • White crafts glue • Two 10-millimeter oval wiggle eyes • Hot-glue gun, glue sticks INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Cut a 6½-inch-diameter circle from insect screening. 2. Use wire cutters to cut a 24-inch length of wire. Weave the wire through the screening about 1-inch from the edge, making the stitches about ½-inch long. 3. Place the screen on top of the jar, and tighten the wire around the jar rim. Twist the wire ends together to secure. Coil the ends. 4. Paint both sides of the wood ovals black, the rounded third of the teardrop orange, and the remaining two-thirds of the teardrop yellow to make the lightning bug wings and body. Let dry. 5. Paint one side of all three wood pieces with the corresponding colour of glitter paint. Let dry. 6. Use crafts glue to attach the wings to the body, glitter sides up. Glue wiggle eyes over the edge of the orange head. With an adult's help, hot-glue the lightning bug to the jar's side.

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Bollywood Movie Review…

Budhia Singh

- Born to Run

oumendra Padhi’s “Budhia Singh Born to Run” is based on the reallife story of a five-year-old who was hailed as India’s youngest marathoner and a sporting prodigy. Born into poverty in the eastern state of Odisha, the scrawny kid was touted as the next big thing in Indian sport after he ran marathon after marathon without ever seeming to tire.

elentlessly pushed by his coach Biranchi Das (Manoj Bajpayee), Singh becomes something of a show animal and less of a serious sportsperson, a tragedy the film captures honestly. Child actor Mayur Patole plays the role of the wunderkind, who has as much sass as he does stamina. When Das first comes across Singh, the boy has just slammed a glass bottle on the head of a man to whom he was sold by his poverty-stricken mother. Das, who runs a residential judo school, takes him home and feeds him, but the latter is hardly grateful. One day, Das punishes the boy for misbehaving by asking him to run around the courtyard till he is asked to stop. Five hours later, Singh is still running, almost as if on autopilot. A shrewd man, Das realises he has a potential star on his hands. Against the well-meaning advice of his wife (Shruti Marathe), he pushes the kid, feeding him protein shakes and making him run long distances until he becomes a local celebrity. But not everyone is happy. The state’s child welfare commission, fuelled in part by old political rivalries, is critical of his coaching tactics, while Budhia Singh’s parents want their share of their son’s fame and money. Padhi faithfully chronicles all these events, sticking to the main narrative of Singh, Das and their relationship. The sequence where the boy runs a distance of 65 kilometres from Odisha’s capital Bhubaneswar to the coastal city of Puri is shot wonderfully and speaks volumes of a culture which still treats sports as entertainment and little else. As Singh trudges along in 50 degree Celsius heat, there are sadhus standing at the edge of the road to bless him, women decked out in their finery and vendors selling food and toys as people wait for this five-year old to perform a seemingly impossible task. But where Padhi fails in his chronicle of a fallen sports hero is when he describes Das as the sole reason for Singh’s success and their separation as the reason for the child’s downfall. Das’ methods are at best questionable, and you are left wondering if he is using Singh for his own gains. Yet, in the epilogue, Padhi claims Singh could have become Olympian if he had stayed with his coach. This glitch aside, “Budhia Singh - Born to Run” is an honest and sincere attempt at a sports biopic - a rarity in Bollywood, which tends towards melodrama and obscures reality even when it comes to telling real-life stories. For that alone, Padhi’s effort is commendable.

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ARIES - Unforeseen changes can force you to loosen your grip on your schedule. Go ahead and seek solace in your imagination, but if you choose to postpone fulfilling a promise, don't confuse your impractical fantasies with your mundane obligations. Logical Mercury in your 6th House of Logistics is influenced by otherworldly Neptune today, so manage your time as effectively as possible. Keeping one foot on the ground allows you to accomplish your goals and still manage to indulge your dreams. TAURUS - What you lose in mental clarity today is made up in artistic potential. Your rationality is diffused while cerebral Mercury opposes nebulous Neptune, so writing technical manuals or detailed emails is challenging. Make time to enrich your soul by listening to music or relaxing in nature. Keeping your options open can be a viable strategy, but narrowing your field of vision gives you much-needed peace and quiet. Lao Tzu wrote, "To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders." GEMINI - It seems like a perfect day to kick back and let your mind wander wherever it wants to go. Mischievous Mercury's opposition to surreal Neptune sets the stage for storytelling, daydreaming and other forms of mental escape. Avoid concrete planning or initiating conversations if logic is required. Minor irritations at home can surface now, but practicing compassion and forgiveness is a better use of your time than trying to take corrective action for something that's gone wrong. Take the high road; it's far less crowded. Cancer - Although you can see a domestic issue from all angles today, a sticky dispute conflict could still sidetrack your day. After putting in quite a bit of effort to sort it all out, you might discover that most of the disagreement originated from a simple misunderstanding. But an in-depth discussion only makes the situation worse if everyone is operating off of different assumptions. Frequently, the biggest snag in communication is that people don't listen to understand, they listen to reply. Open your mind before you open your mouth. LEO - You're finally ready to tackle a longstanding financial issue today, only to realize the problem isn't as bad as you thought. Unfortunately, trickster Mercury's opposition to fuzzy Neptune can delude you into believing nearly anything that resonates with your fantasies. You could even mislead yourself into imagining an improved fiscal situation. Don't turn your cash flow upside down by making a decision about a major purchase; instead, list the pros and cons about each option while postponing your final choice until tomorrow when you can hear yourself think. VIRGO - Ironically, facts range from fuzzy to fantastic now, which can lead you to erroneous conclusions. Paradoxically, analytical Mercury empowers you to focus your logic like a laser beam. However, the Winged Messenger is in a tug-of-war with delusional Neptune today, making it impossible to discern useful data from an incoming deluge of unverifiable information. Rather than making yourself crazy with frustration, grab this opportunity to explore your imagination and indulge your fantasies. Your regularly scheduled program of reality will return tomorrow. LIBRA - You may be confused by your lack of priorities today as thoughtful Mercury opposes ephemeral Neptune in your 6th House of Daily Routine. Retreating from the public spotlight seems like your most sensible option while several planets congregate in your 12th House of Privacy. Nevertheless, the future is pulling at you from several different directions now, obscuring your final destination. Thankfully, you can probably get away with declaring a one-day amnesty from responsibility as long as you promise to finish your work upon your return. One step backward, two steps forward. SCORPIO - Your dreams must be placed on the back burner today so you can direct your energy toward the outside world. Pressure to renew a commitment or change direction is likely as the illuminating Sun's presence in your 10th House of Career is intensified by powerful Pluto. However, your current hypersensitivity can overrule common sense as you try to meet other people's expectations now. No matter what anyone says, listen to your inner voice for the advice you need. As Sufi poet Rumi wrote, "Look for the answer inside your question." SAGITTARIUS - You long to take spiritual refuge from the demands of life today. Messenger Mercury's opposition to metaphysical Neptune in your 4th House of Roots tempts you to escape into your imagination. However, it's nearly impossible to remain objective when every word is so loaded with illusions and emotions. While this planetary combination is wonderful for creative expression and compassionate conversation, it tends to dissipate facts in the presence of dreams. Remember the success of Walt Disney who said, "Fantasy and reality often overlap." CAPRICORN - You want everyone to see your fair and balanced approach to resolving interpersonal differences. Unfortunately, the power of your beliefs distorts your objectivity now as relentless Pluto in your 1st House of Self is bent out of shape by the dramatic Leo Sun. But it's easier to bury your agenda than to acknowledge it. Nevertheless, what's left unsaid can tilt a conversation in the wrong direction. Although coming clean might feel uncomfortable at first, pushing through your resistance and being honest from the start brings you the respect you seek. AQUARIUS - Your defences soften in the presence of other people's weaknesses because you have compassion for their plight today. Wanting to help someone in need is admirable, but the sharp analytical lens of cerebral Mercury in precise Virgo is diffused by its opposition to surreal Neptune. This confusing yet imaginative aspect challenges you to discern the truth from fiction. Make sure you understand the underlying message by repeating key components of any discussion and asking for verification along the way. No question is too dumb when there's so much at stake. PISCES - Pisces Delving into the details of relationships can be a tedious process, yet it's essential work for cultivating your compassion. While it's true that love sometimes flows along with the magic of silent understanding, words are ultimately the best means for establishing deep connections. Pillow talk is the upside of chatty Mercury's opposition to dreamy Neptune today. But confusion is also possible if you don't double-check your impressions to make sure that everyone is on the same page. Don't naively assume that your interpretation matches anyone else's until you validate your instincts.

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Chronicle Pepperpot August 7, 2016

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Adolf Hitler comedy included on German Oscar shortlist (BBC) A satirical comedy about Adolf Hitler is one of eight titles that Germany is considering as its submission for next year's foreign language film Oscar. Look Who's Back (Er Ist Wieder Da) imagines Hitler waking up in modern-day Berlin and getting his own TV show. Based on a novel by the author Timur Vermes, the film was a box-office hit when it came out in Germany last year and was subsequently bought by Netflix. Germany's submission will be chosen by an independent jury on 25 August. The last German film to win the foreign film Oscar was The Lives of Others (Das Leben der Anderen) in 2007. Downfall (Der Untergang), a film about Hitler's final days, was nominated for the award two years earlier. Other films Germany is considering for the 2016 award include Toni Erdmann, a comedy about a father-daughter relationship that was well received at this year's Cannes Film Festival. Look Who's Back is one of four titles on the shortlist about Nazis, with others including a new version of The Diary of Anne Frank and a film about the German prosecutor Fritz Bauer.

Oliver Masucci, pictured with director David Wnendt (right), plays Hitler in Look Who's Back

Bridget Jones: New diary to be published in October (BBC) A fourth book detailing the trials and tribulations of Bridget Jones is to be published in October. Bridget Jones's Baby: The Diaries by Helen Fielding will come out a month after a new film, titled Bridget Jones's Baby, hits cinemas. Both follow the character's "somewhat bumpy journey into motherhood" after she gets pregnant, and the "terribly awkward" question of who the father is. Bridget first appeared in a column in The Independent newspaper in 1995. A book version of the fictional diaries became a best-seller the following year, and was followed by two

more full novels and two films. The most recent book, Mad About The Boy, came out in 2013 and revealed Bridget had married Mark Darcy and had produced two children - but Darcy was killed off in the interim between the second and third books. Publisher Jonathan Cape said the new book would be set after the events in 1999's The Edge of Reason but before Mad About The Boy. Fielding said: "At heart Bridget Jones is about the gap between how we all feel we're expected to be and how we actually are and - as Bridget discovers with her

somewhat bumpy pregnancy - how we expect life to turn out and how it actually does. The upcoming film, which is released on 16 September, will see Renee Zellweger return to the title role. In the movie, Bridget becomes pregnant but does not know whether the father is Darcy, played by Colin Firth, or American billionaire Jack Qwant, played by Patrick Dempsey. Hugh Grant, who played a love interest in the previous films, is not thought to feature this time. The screenplay has been co-written by Emma Thompson, who also appears as a midwife.

The new book and upcoming film starring Renee Zellweger follow's Bridget's "somewhat bumpy pregancy"

Superman comic debut fetches almost $1m (BBC) A rare copy of the comic in which Superman made his debut has been sold at auction for $956,000 (£728,000). Action Comics No 1 cost 10 cents when it first went on sale in 1938. The copy sold by Dallas-based Heritage Auctions is one of about 100 originals known to still exist. Its condition was rated 5.5 out of 10. But it is far from the most expensive comic ever sold - a nine out of 10-rated copy of the same edition fetched $3.2m (£1.9m) in 2014. Heritage said the copy sold on Thursday came from the collection of an unnamed East Coast comic book fan who had bought it in the 1990s for $26,000 (£19,800). After his appearance in Action Comics No 1, Superman soon became a hit and was given his own dedicated comic in 1939.