Caribbean Times International

Guyana’s remigrant housing drive attracts overwhelming response

Media Fear and Intimidation

The simultaneous resignations of three reporters from the Guyana Times newspaper following the refusal of one of them to read a story involving the proprietor of the Kaieteur News (KN), as an anchor on the affiliated Evening News of TV-G, raises the issue of fear that has been generated in the hearts of many by Glenn Lall and his newspaper. It is now clear that the fear of being harmed by Lall has now spread into the journalistic fraternity, which is supposed to investigate entities and individuals who exert such a chilling effect on such a wide swathe of society.

The launching of the newspaper in 2008 earned the ire of the Kaieteur News and its owner, who up to then had been very supportive of the incumbent government and its officials. The announced strategy of the newspaper, to adopt a "developmentalist" approach to its reporting, which rejected a reflexive antagonistic approach to the government in the quest to further human development in Guyana, must have stirred fears of the Kaieteur News' viability. This was made clearer when early on, the Guyana Times, garnered wide acceptance, even though it also eschewed the sensationalistic approach of the KN.

Using its well-honed techniques of yellow journalism, however, the latter went after the Guyana Times, accusing it of benefitting from "favours" from the government. One of those was the receipt of advertisements from the government of which the KN had a monopoly when it's older rival Stabroek News did not receive such ads and was forced to protest. The KN, during that period, reaped the benefits of its monopoly and never once displayed support for the SN's complaint. It fact it derided that newspaper.

But with the three private papers sharing the government ads with the state-owned Guyana Chronicle, the KN yet kept up its vendetta against the Guyana Times, its owner and soon, the other companies owned by the latter. When the government did not relent in its policy of encouraging a widening of the media space, the government itself became the target of the KN's yellow journalism. A campaign to expose "government corruption" soon became a weapon to settle scores with anyone who dared to disagree with Glenn Lall.

Lall's reputation also intimidated many of his victims from responding. In a cable from the local U.S. Embassy's Political Officer to the U.S. State Department, as revealed by WikiLeaks, Lall had been described as having a "sketchy past" with ties to the criminal "underworld", and engaging in backtracking or "alien smuggling". It was revealed that he regularly passed on information about his friends and acquaintances in the business world to the U.S. Embassy, accusing them of criminal activities. His visa had been revoked in 2006 and it is surmised he engaged in such "snitching" to have his visa renewed, which it eventually was.

In the wake the recent efforts of the CFAFT to have Guyana comply with its international proposals to curb the international flow of funds from illegal activities by passing the Anti Money Laundering and Countering Funding of Terrorism Bill (AML/CFT), Guyana Times and it's affiliated media outlets decided to conduct a series of investigative journalistic pieces about the practices of Glenn Lall as alleged by the U.S. Embassy.

This investigation into Lall's public reputation began as far back as the early nineties when he was allegedly involved in the killing of an individual in Agricola. Numerous stories of his backtracking activities which breached the vaunted Homeland Security, which the U.S. threw up in after 2001, surfaced. It was also alleged that he was the real owner of a Georgetown Shopping Mall, hidden by a wall of frontmen and paper corporations, which suggested a massive money laundering operation by Lall.

The fear by the reporters of Glenn Lall is real and was also expressed by others who have remained with the company. If the journalistic fraternity of Guyana is to be taken seriously it must not back away from investigating the source of this fear. The Guyana Times remains committed to its duty.

TT has highest cancer mortality rate in the Caribbean

Trinidad and Tobago is one of three countries with the highest cancer mortality rates in the Americas, according to a new report from the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO).

Cuba and Argentina fill out the top three, based on data provided to PAHO/WHO by its member countries.

The PAHO report shows that Latin America and the Caribbean account for approximately 50 percent of cancer deaths in the Americas, although they account for 63 percent of the hemisphere’s population.

Overall, cancer is

holding steady as the second-leading cause of death in the Americas, claiming an estimated 1.3 million lives each year, according to ‘Cancer in the Americas: Country Profiles, 2013’, released this week at the 5th International Cancer Control Congress (Nov. 3–6) in Lima, Peru.

Although cancer mortality rates vary for men and women, it is typically higher in men, driven by high rates of lung and prostate cancers.

In Latin American and Caribbean men, the majority of cancer deaths are due to prostate cancer, followed by lung,

stomach and colorectal cancers; and in women, breast cancer, followed by stomach, lung, cervical and colorectal cancers.

“The large number of deaths from breast and cervical cancer in Latin America and the Caribbean is very disconcerting, since cervical cancer is largely preventable, and breast cancer can be detected early and treated successfully,’’ said Silvana Luciani, PAHO/WHO advisor on cancer prevention and control.

‘’This points to the need to improve screening and treatment, espe-

cially for women in rural and remote areas, where access to health services is especially limited.”

Obesity, another important cancer risk factor, is highest in English-speaking Caribbean countries, notably Bahamas, Belize, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Cancer deaths overall are declining in nine countries: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Venezuela and the United States.

Mexico, Nicaragua and El Salvador have the lowest cancer mortality rates.

The report is based on recent data compiled by PAHO/WHO about cancer mortality, risk factors, and cancer policies and services in the countries of North, South and Central America and the Caribbean. For each country, data are presented for leading cancer types (ranked by mortality); trends in cancer deaths from 2000 to 2010; main cancer risk factors (tobacco, alcohol, diet, physical inactivity, obesity); key socio-demographic factors; and health sector plans, policies and services for cancer.

“The idea is to provide

key information that can help countries monitor progress in cancer control and assess areas of need," said Luciani. “This report contributes significantly to the evidence base for cancer policymaking and health care.”

The report is part of PAHO/WHO’s efforts to support member countries as they address the growing epidemic of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). PAHO/WHO is also working with countries and partner organisations to develop and implement comprehensive cancer control programs. (TT Guardian)

LIAT flights disrupted after pilot strike

LIAT has been in discussion with the Leeward Islands Airline Pilots’ Association (LIALPA), following industrial action Tuesday morning, which left several passengers stranded throughout the regional network, after pilots did not report for duty. Only a limited number of flights were able to operate from Antigua, Barbados, and Trinidad. The company

said, in a statement, it was not provided with the required notification of industrial action as required under its agreement with the pilots.

LIAT said customers affected by the disruptions who wish to re-book will be allowed to do so without charge for a period of one week from the date of their originally scheduled travel.

Following the one-

week grace period, passengers will be required to pay applicable fare and change fees when re-booking.

Passengers who are unable to travel as planned due to the work stoppage will be issued a full credit for future travel at their request. Terms and conditions apply, the airline said.

Jamaica passes Defamation Act

Jamaica’s House of Representatives Tuesday passed the Defamation Act, 2013, which is aimed at addressing inadequacies in the present libel legislation.

Attorney General, Patrick Atkinson,

echoed the general sentiment in both Houses of Parliament, that the gestation period of the Act was “too long a wait”, in piloting the Bill.

“The Bill has taken over six years from conception to fruition: A gestation period of so many years places too much time and labour for its delivery,” Atkinson said, noting that the consensus was “clear”, that the defamation legislation

was in need of modernization.

The Act was conceived during the previous Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) administration with strong support from then Prime Minister Bruce Golding, who appointed a committee chaired by former parliamentarian and legal luminary, Hugh Small to review the laws.

The Small Committee submitted its report in

February, 2008, after which a joint select committee of Parliament was appointed to review its recommendations.

The Bill, which Atkinson said should be implemented soon as it has already been passed by the Senate, repeals the Defamation Act and the Libel and Slander Act and makes new provisions for dealing with defamation. (Jamaica Observer)

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EDITORIAL

Much attention is paid to overt and heinous wrongdoings, such as violence, cruelty and greed with all their tragic effects, and too little attention is given to the passive transgressions, particularly the downright laziness of some youths. This apathy in the long run can have devastating effects on society.

Laziness is a dependency culture, with drastic consequences, and this is why solutions must be identified to solve the dilemma of dependency on others in today’s youth.

In this situation, the very well-to-do have to be very careful.

Irresponsible youth EPA, UNDP working to mainstream biodiversity conservation into mining

The question to address then is what is causing this dependency in the society’s youth. Many children grow up slovenly and lazy, because they have learned the patterns from their parents. This happens when cajoling parents give in to the wants of toddlers.

Moreover, housemaids or nannies are extremely depended on in terms of household chores, which should be divided among all members of the household. Housemaids should not be hired to do everything for particular households, but rather to help out in households, where both parents are working and have no time to contribute to housework.

Many maids these days have become the slave of teenagers, who are too lazy to get themselves even their own glass of water. Does the reliance of some youth on everyone but themselves guide them towards the responsibility and independency aimed at by their society? Parents provide everything for their children, ranging from allowances, which are received by the children, with no contribution to the household on their behalf whatsoever, to the housing provided for them even sometimes after marriage, to the wanted goods and services given to them blindly with no bargain in terms of chores.

Children have no incentive to work hard for what they want, as everything is easily given to them on a silver platter. This results in their lives being all about luxuries and cash. Money will never help children become more self-sufficient.

One proposed solution to this problem is presenting an overview on how allowances should be earned–through chores and voluntary work. Not everything should be provided by parents to their children. Maids should be hired part-time as to teach the youth a sense of responsibility.

The lack of independence in today’s youth should be taken into consideration, and though there is no solution written in stone to address the problem as it varies among youths, parents must not allow their actions to slide.

In addressing the problem, parents must first identify what they would want their children to be, strive to know their strengths, and work concertedly to address their weaknesses.

Excessive pandering to the whims of the child is not a demonstration of love, but a hindrance in getting the child to understand the values of contentment, responsibility and hard work to improve their current station.

The failure to address this problem in the home results in its manifestation in the workplace where young workers hardly report for work on time, see wise upbraiding as an offence, and generally fail to acknowledge that hard work brings success.

Success is always on their minds, but if they lack vision, creativity, the spirit of hard work, and responsibility, they will quickly become frustrated when challenged, and when their parents cannot help anymore or ceased supporting their indolent behaviour, the possibility exists that they can become menaces to society.

Children must know that not everything they ask for will be given. Real love for the child is demonstrated by pointing out their weaknesses, working to address them and helping the child to become a creative, productive and responsible member of society.

It is never too late for parents to imbue these values in their children–the useless pampering must stop, and as long as the child is within legal age, the buck stops at the parents.

Parents must act now before it is too late, to provide children with the tools to develop a vision of what they want in life and to work to achieve it.

- as Guyana stands to lose US$20 million of forest funds

The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) continue to work on developing a proposal to mainstream biodiversity conservation into the mining sector.

This comes at a time when mining is listed as the leading driver of deforestation in Guyana, accounting for 94 percent of all the deforested area for 2012. The current legislative measures and practices are being examined, with the primary objective to incorporate biodiversity concerns, ahead of the commencement of a second phase, which will see the materialisation of pilot activities to reforest degraded areas.

“Guyana has, over the past years, developed a robust mechanism that governs forest utilisation at the level of forest concessions. Among some of the mechanisms are… the National Log Tracking System, the Codes for Practice for Timber Harvesting and Processing, and the Guidelines for Annual and Management Planning,” the natural resources and environment ministry said in a press release.

It was further noted that these codes of practice and systems have been developed with strong legislative guidance, including the National Forest Plan and Policy 2011 and the Forest Act 2009. Additionally, a new programme for independent assessment on legality and sustainable forest management, which included independent forest monitoring, has concluded that local systems

are effective in ensuring sustainable forest management (SFM).

Additionally, the Guyana Forestry Commission is taking active steps to engage and build capacity at the stakeholder level to effectively execute SFM.

Accelerated deforestation

“This was advanced in a number of programmes, including the establishment and operating of the Forestry Training Centre, which provides training to large and small operators in the forest sector. This model is being replicated for the mining sector to build the capacity of stakeholders,” the ministry pointed out.

Mining activities continue to destroy the country’s pristine forests. Guyana stands to lose US$20 million under the Norway-Guyana conservation agreement owing to a 0.025 percent increase in deforestation. This is according to the third National Deforestation Report, which was completed in October under the Monitoring Reporting and Verification (MRV) System for REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation Plus).

The Norwegian government agreed to pay Guyana up to US$250 million over the five-year period spanning 2010 to 2015, if it maintains a deforestation rate below 0.070 percent. The report indicates that Guyana lost an estimated 14,655 hectares of forest between January 2012 and December 2012, with a total deforestation rate of 0.079 percent, surpassing the threshold.

In other words, annual deforestation due to mining has increased to 13,516 hectares from 9891 hectares, a “meagre” 3600 hectares as against 18.5 million hectares, the natural resources ministry said. “This is approximately 93 per cent of all recorded deforestation in 2012. It should be noted that the driver of mining accounted for 1434 hectares of infrastructure development in the hinterland, which is part of the total 13,516 hectares.”

The ministry stated that ongoing programmes and interventions are being implemented to improve the REDD+ model. The implementation of the ministry’s Draft Strategic Framework 2013-2018 and the mandates of the committees that are implementing the recommendations of the Sustainable Land Use Committee (SLUC) are among programmes also on the table to tackle the issue of deforestation.

At the national level, the government spearheaded the passage of the Protected Areas Act 2011, and the subsequent creation of the Shell Beach and Kanuku Mountains Protected Areas. With this important step, government, for the first time in Guyana’s history, created a national system of protected areas, which, together with the Community Conservation Area in Konashen, accounts for almost nine per cent of Guyana.

“This is a major step in ensuring that important areas of forest and biodiversity are maintained for both current and future generations,” the ministry posited. (Guyana Times)

Jamaica, Japan pledge to strengthen ties

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller Tuesday signed a joint statement with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, promising a strengthening of bilateral ties between the two countries.

At the same time, ambassadors representing both countries signed an agreement of technological co-operation as Jamaica and Japan prepare to celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations next year.

The documents were signed at Abe's official residence in Tokyo.

The joint statement promised stronger bilateral relationships through shared prosperity, peace and sustainable growth; consolidation of a mutually beneficial and sustainable economic relationship; mutual respect and understanding through dialogue, exchange, and trade; and a strengthening of co-operation on Caribbean and global issues.

It followed a meeting by Simpson Miller and Tsunekazu Takeda, president of the Japanese Olympic Committee, who is spearheading Tokyo's much anticipated staging of the 2020 Olympic Games. Billboards around the capital are testament to the anxiety with which most Japanese await those games.

Earlier, both prime ministers and their delegates were locked in a private meeting.

"Our discussions highlighted the bonds not only between Jamaica and Japan, but also between Japan and the Caribbean community," Simpson Miller told the media after the meeting. "We renewed our commitment with Japan on a bilateral, regional and multilateral level."

Simpson Miller also expressed hope that the partnership will yield increased trade between the two countries

and investment from Japanese firms in Jamaica.

She extended an invitation to Abe to visit Jamaica, saying that such a decision will help to lure Japanese visitors to the Caribbean nation.

Abe, in his address, commented on Jamaica's achievements in sports, referencing performances by Jamaican sprint sensation Usain Bolt, among other athletes.

"Usain Bolt and the Jamaican delegation will play a great role in the games," he said as he emphasised the "historical" nature of the Jamaican prime minister's visit at this time.

Next year, Japan will also celebrate 20 years of working dialogue with the Caribbean Community (Caricom).

"We look forward to further promote the co-operation between Japan and Caricom...and the development of bilateral relationships with Jamaica through politics, the economy, human exchange, sports and tourism," he said. (Jamaica Observer)

Freedom oF the press under attack in Guyana

Guyana Times/ TVG reporters resign

Areporter employed with the Guyana Times/ TVG Inc. resigned on Tuesday in Guyana, stirring a heated debate within the media fraternity in the country. The reporter, Leana Bradshaw, cited fear for her safety in light of the recent series of articles and reports carried by the newspaper and the Evening News, which is aired on TVG, about Kaieteur News owner and publisher, Mohan Lall, aka Glenn Lall.

Two other female reporters also resigned, apparently in sympathy for their colleague’s fear. The resignations were also submitted Tuesday to the newspaper’s management following an editorial meeting involving reporters and staff.

Guyana Times is part of a media group, which also includes Television Guyana Inc

(TVG) Channel 28 and Radio Guyana Inc (RGI). The newspaper reported that ever since it commenced operations in 2008, it has been the target of a series of attacks by other sections of the country’s private media, in particular the Kaieteur News.

These attacks, according to Guyana Times, have more recently become even more pronounced in the wake of the publication of a series of investigative, explosive articles surrounding Lall, especially as it concerns the 2006 murder of five of Kaieteur News’ pressmen in which it was mentioned that there is "no statute of limitations on murder".

Reports indicated that on Sunday, the reporter had initially met with an editor and explained that she had serious fears and res-

ervations reading a story about Lall on television, as she believed she could be identified and targeted, being one of the news anchors for the television station’s newscast.

Later that afternoon, when the reporter was told to read the story, she demurred and subsequently without the knowledge and approval of the editor, proceeded

to excise the story about Lall from the newscast for the Sunday Evening News.

“I am of the view that reading such articles puts my life at risk, as persons can associate the content with me, contrary to the newspaper reports where no bylines are given or faces shown,” Bradshaw said in an email communication to the editor.

So great was her fear of retaliation from Lall that Bradshaw told her editor that she was willing to voice the script as long as her face was not shown on television. This was confirmed by one of her colleagues who quit in sympathy.

Bradshaw’s stance showed she had no substantive problem with the script, but reacted out of fear.

That expression of fear was repeated at an editorial meeting and

– fear Glenn

Lall’s retaliation

was further supported by one of the other reporters who quit.

The management of Guyana Times/TVG said it regretted the decision taken by the reporters and wishes them well for the future.

“It is indeed a sad day when journalists have to operate in fear of certain personalities because they dare to investigate them and make public their findings,” Guyana Times/TVG/ RGI General Manager Daniel Singh said.

“Journalists ought to be able to do their jobs without any fear of consequences at the hands of those whom they publish stories about,” he added.

Singh explained that, even after her complaints, one of the editors of the media group met with Bradshaw and assured her of the company’s support, as well

as for other staff members who feel threatened.

The editor also held similar discussions with all three of the reporters, minutes before they left the office, following their resignations.

The management of Guyana Times TVG/RGI has since said that it is in the process of bolstering security for its staff in view of this recent development.

“I am of the view that reading such articles puts my life at risk, as persons can associate the content with me, contrary to the newspaper reports where no by-lines are given or faces shown” – Leana Bradshaw

Guyana gov’t advertises new Demerara river bridge project

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds said the Guyana government is advertising for expression of interest for the construction of the new bridge across the Demerara river to link Regions Three and Four.

The prime minister told media operatives that government continues to takes steps to have a new bridge, noting that the public works ministry has been putting out tenders for contractors.

Public Works Minister Robeson Benn said the initiative is a step by step process and will take time for the

guyana’s Prime minister samuel Hinds

sake of clarity. “It is a pre-feasibility study that has identified a number of loca-

tions for the bridge; the study is intended to be a guide. The final feasibility study itself and to identify resources and agencies and financial structure that should be brought into the construction process,” he added.

The minister said these spots will be evaluated, perhaps with another couple of sites in the feasibility study.

“We have advertised for express of interest and some forms came in on that and we have to develop on that interest from there,” Benn stated.

In September, Demerara Harbour

PPP/C deeply concerned about court’s gag on Guyana Times newspaper

The ruling People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) said it is deeply concerned about Justice Roxanne George-Wiltshire gag order on the Guyana Times newspaper regarding reporting issues pertaining to the operations of Guyana Stores from the company’s audited financial statements. Noting that some of the matters are not even relevant to a case pending in the court, the PPP/C said the information which the newspaper is prohibited from publishing con-

cerns the proceeds from a sale of a state asset, Guyana Stores Limited, which are therefore public funds.

“The information which was published is extracted from annual reports of the former state corporation, which by law, are public documents and therefore, the information are matters to which the public is entitled,” the party noted.

“Therefore, we support the attorney general’s contention that the order of the learned judge may be an abuse of press

freedom and is in violation of the Constitution of Guyana,” the PPP/C contended, adding that as a party which has fought so many battles and contributed to so many advances in the pursuit of freedom of the press, “we view this as a most retrograde step.

We call upon all concerned to do that which is necessary to reverse it. We may not agree with many of what the press publishes; but we must respect their right to publish it, once it is lawful for them to do so.”

Bridge (DHB) General Manager Rolston Adams said a prefeasibility study was completed for the construction of the new bridge.

The study, he said will assist greatly in the reduction of traffic congestion on the East Bank corridor.

Adams said a general study was conducted which looked at all the different types of bridges that could be constructed, but government is

looking to build a fixed structure.

Some of the locations looked at were the existing location where the bridge is, one at New Hope, East Bank Demerara and the third site is at Versailles in Houston.

He explained that suggestions in relation to the study were given to a consultant and feedback should be available by month-end.

This report will

then be handed over to Minister Benn, after which it will be sent to Cabinet for approval.

The current Harbour Bridge is a 6074-foot long floating toll bridge. It was commissioned on July 2, 1978.

The bridge crosses the Demerara River, four miles south of Georgetown, from Peter’s Hall, East Bank Demerara to Schoonord, West Bank Demerara. (Guyana Times)

Minister forecasts Gy$32.5 billion investment for Guyana’s tourism sector

Acting Tourism, Industry and Commerce

Minister Irfaan Ali said in the coming years, some Gy$32.5 billion will be invested in Guyana’s tourism sector. Ali made the announcement while addressing the launch of Tourism Awareness Month last week at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.

Ali, delivering the feature address, said the tourism sector is poised for major expansion, outlining some future plans such as the upcoming launch of a direct flight service to the U.S. on December 4, the construction of a new golf course on the LindenSoesdyke Highway, a five-star rated revolving restaurant, two new hotels in Georgetown and several ecotourism resorts under construction.

These represent about Gy$32.5 billion in investments in the sector, in addition to the Marriott Hotel.

Ali said too that there was also more interest from Latin and South American countries in the tourism sec-

guyana’s acting tourism minister irfaan ali and tourism and Hospitality association of guyana representative andrea de caires, cutting a cake at the launch of

tor, and in order to capitalise on this, there must be investments in human capital, and in new and improved infrastructure for the tourism sector. As part of this effort, it was announced that a National Institute of Hospitality will be built in a joint effort between government and the Caribbean Development

Bank (CDB).

Tourism Awareness Month 2013 is being held under the theme, “Communication and Information Sharing for Tourism Development”. According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) report, the sector currently generates billions of dollars while providing jobs for

approximately 10,000 people, but the quality of what is offered locally needs to be improved if the industry is to achieve greater heights, according to the minister.

CTO lauds Guyana

The minister, who described the formal launch of the month at the Guyana International Conference Centre as a “bitter-sweet” occasion, said the most recent figures from the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO), praised Guyana for its progress, and cited an increase of 13.5 per cent in visitors.

He acknowledged that much more needs to be done, and outlined several of the challenges facing the sector. He said while Guyanese can celebrate their country’s tourism product, “we have to be clear about what we are offering, especially in the eco-tourism sector”.

Citing the efforts and marketing of honey produced by the single mothers group attached to the Mangrove Project at Cove and John, East Coast Demerara, the minister said it was an example of what was possible locally. (GINA)

Jamaica Labour Party ready for Sunday’s leadership election

The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Monday signed off on its 2013 delegates' list, paving the way for this weekend's leadership election, scheduled for the National Arena in Kingston on Sunday.

Both JLP Chairman Robert Montague and General Secretary Dr Horace Chang confirmed Monday night that the delegates' list, with just over 5,100 names, has now been verified by the Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) and signed off on by representatives of both Andrew Holness's Team JLP and the contending Team Audley Shaw.

The delegates' list includes approximately 4,850 persons representing the party's four area councils, as well as at least 250 persons representing the affiliates and members of the central executive. The four affiliates are the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union, which has 100 delegates; and three others with 40 delegates each—Generation 2000, the Women's Freedom Movement and Young Jamaica--as well as 30

members of the central executive.

Monday night, Montague warned Labourites that they should not expect the usual partying atmosphere which characterises the annual conferences of both political parties, but a formal election based on the rules of the EOJ.

Montague also told members and supporters of the 70-year-old political party that the wearing of party T-shirts bearing the pictures of candidates will not be allowed.

"There will be nothing but voting. No buses in the parking lots. Delegates will be searched and

checked and given their IDs. They will vote in the arena, alphabetically, and leave the Arena. At about 4:00 pm the results will be ready and will be announced from a platform in the parking lot," Montague told Jamaican reporters.

He said that MPs and caretakers have been advised that only delegates should be allowed on vehicles transporting them to the Arena.

He said that there will be strong police security, and the voting process will follow the same features as in polling stations during national elections. No reporters or photographers will be al-

TT investing to build health tourism

The TT government has identified the health tourism sector as a niche for potential growth and is implementing strategies for promoting and developing products and services. Given its close proximity to the U.S., the potential for health tourism industry in TT is certain, with an estimated 40 million U.S. residents lacking medical insurance. To capitalise on this market, a plan is being develop to expand the existing market and promote medical tourism.

lowed inside the Arena during the process.

Montague also explained that voting will take place between 8:00 am and 1:00 pm, based on the list, which is now in the hands of the EOJ. Delegates will be provided with photographic identification and other valid identification requirements of the EOJ election process.

Montague said that reports that the issue of Team Audley Shaw supporter Daryl Vaz being left off the list has been resolved. He explained that Vaz, Ruddy Spencer and a number of other persons were affected by the fact that a digit was left off the access number made available by the electoral office.

Monday night, Dr Chang said that both sides had signed off on the list and given their approval.

"It was a very involved process but, at the end of the day, we have been able to settle all the issues brought by both sides. We expect a free and fair exercise this Sunday," Chang said. (Excerpted from Jamaica Observer)

Currently, TT only attracts patients and visitors from neighbouring Caribbean territories. But foreign investors should remember it’s a three-hour flight from Miami and a 4 1/2hour flight from New York. Government’s plan is to make the country a prime destination for U.S. medical tourists and investors.

Under the project ‘Strengthening the Competitiveness of Services in TT’, CTA Economic & Export Analysts Ltd has prepared a Draft Strategy for Medical Tourism. It is being undertaken through funding by the Commonwealth Secretariat on behalf of the TT Coalition of Services Industries (TTCSI).

According to the draft strategy, there are numerous opportunities for growing this unique segment of the services sector. There is excess capacity in TT’s health system. The country’s ten private hospitals have 39,000 beds, with 31,000 being used per year. The overall objective of the strategy is to increase the number of foreign patients visiting TT by 6,500, which would contribute an ad-

ditional US$37 million to services exports and the economy as a whole after three years and then grow at a rate of 20 per cent per year thereafter.

To build momentum for foreign direct investment in health care in TT, several new developments and facilities upgrades are under way. Investors are now being sought for leisure attractions on Trinidad’s northwest coast with the Chaguaramas Development Authority (CDA) working to turn more than 14,000 acres into one of the most inviting tourist destinations in the region. The CDA is inviting investors to design, build, finance and operate these recreational facilities.

Under construction is a new, state-of-theart National Oncology Centre, which will be a model for health tourism in the Caribbean and serve as the main treatment center for cancer in the country. The new oncology center, which will open in November 2014, will offer world-class cancer treatment and diagnostic technologies such as the CyberKnife, PET/CT and nuclear imaging, as well as a full pharmacy service and a state laboratory. The health ministry is developing a subspecialty cadre of doctors to offer specialised services. Additional projects include development of a new National Centre for NonCommunicable Diseases, a construction upgrade at the Mt Hope Women’s Hospital to house outpatient clinics and refurbished operating theaters, and improvements to Port-of-Spain General Hospital and Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex at Mt Hope. (Excerpted from TT Guardian)

CJIA runway expansion begins in Guyana

Despite political opposition to Guyana’s Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) expansion project, works commenced on the runway some two weeks ago, the airport said Monday evening.

According to the CJIA, the contractor China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) is “tackling a trial section in the Timehri North area (beyond the localiser)”.

“I know we had some hiccups, but I am happy to see works have commenced for this transformational project,” Public Works Minister Robeson Benn told CHEC technicians during a visit to the site on October 31. At the time of the visit, CHEC’s engineers were in the process of removing the soft soil (peat) and backfilling the area with sand.

When completed, the runway will be able to accommodate Boeing 747-400 aircraft.

The entire Gy$5.6

billion allocated to the transport sector programme was slashed by the parliamentary opposition during the consideration of the 2013 national budget estimates, despite the pleas of the government about the benefits that a modern airport will bring to the country. Of the amount, Gy$5.3 billion was budgeted for the upgrade, expansion and modernisation of the CJIA through the construction of a new terminal building, aprons, air-bridges, taxiways, and the extension of the runway by a further 3500 feet.

Benn had told a news conference back in July that US$20 million was earmarked for CHEC and work is ongoing; however, the heavy earth moving and other works have not yet started.

Critical project

“It’s either we let the money go down the line and forget about it or do it, but the question is whether Guyana needs the project or not,”

Minister Benn said.

He posited that the project has to go ahead.

“We cannot stop the engineering refinement, and when we get the goahead, we are now doing all those things,” he said.

The US$150 million project is funded by the government of China through the China Exim Bank. Minister Benn said the budget cut has

delayed the taking of certain steps between the company and Guyana, in terms of payments and signing of agreements.

The upgrade and expansion project comprises a new terminal building measuring 16,000 square metres, that will have eight passenger boarding bridges, two elevators; and CCTV and departures control systems. The project also

involves the extension of the airport’s main runway by 3500ft to a final length of 10,500ft, and the construction of eight international parking positions including a dedicated position for cargo aircraft.

The governments of Guyana and China inked the framework agreement on October 31, 2012 for a US$130 million (RMB 825 million)

loan from the Chinese Exim Bank to fund construction of the project. Once completed, it would ensure that the CJIA is able to meet service projected traffic for several years and become a hub for regional and continental traffic, with a state-of-the-art airport. Meanwhile, Minister Benn has reportedly instructed his engineers to carry out tests on the soil (peat) found in the area. Peat is an important source of fuel in certain parts of the world.

“Data has shown that over time, the formation of peat is often the first step in the geological formation of other fossil fuels such as lignite, which is considered the lowest rank of coal. It is mined in Bulgaria, Greece, Germany, Poland, Serbia, Russia, the United States, India, Australia, and many other parts of Europe and it is used almost exclusively as a fuel for steamelectric power generation,” CJIA said in the release.

Over 400,000 Jamaicans benefit from PATH

The Programme of Advancement through Health and Education (PATH) is said to have benefitted the lives of over 400,000 Jamaicans since its inception in 2002. This according to the Director of Social Security at the ministry of labour and social security, Denzil Thorpe.

A conditional cash transfer programme, funded by the government of Jamaica and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), PATH provides assistance to the most

needy, by way of cash grants.

Thorpe, said in a recent interview that PATH offers an array of benefits to children from birth to completion of secondary school; senior citizens 60 years and over, who are not in receipt of a pension; persons with disabilities; pregnant and lactating women; and poor adults, between the ages of 18 to 59 years, who are duly registered.

“To qualify for the programme, an applicant must satisfy the eligibility criteria, by verifying

that he/she is a member of a needy family. This is done through the application of a proxy means test. The applicant is interviewed, and an application is completed with the help of a representative from the ministry,” he said.

To fully complete the application process, applicants are asked to provide personal data pertaining to his/her family, including levels of education attained, as well as the family’s access to basic social amenities.

“On the basis of the information submitted, and the application of the electronic Beneficiary Identification System (BIS), families, who meet the established criteria are selected. Information provided at the interview is later verified by a home visit, after which qualified applicants are

registered to begin receiving payments,” he said.

Thorpe informed that bi-monthly payments are made to compliant beneficiaries by one of two modes, either by a cheque or by cash card. Cheque payments are made through the islandwide network of post offices and postal agencies.

Between December 2002 and August 2008, the value of the PATH grants was standardised for all categories of beneficiaries, however, in December 2008, a system of differentiated benefits

was introduced for children receiving education grants, to encourage school attendance and school retention at the secondary level. These benefits were revised on August 15, 2013. He explained that boys in grades one to six receive Ja$950.00 per month, while girls in the same category receive Ja$865.00. Boys in grades seven to nine receive Ja$1,240.00, while girls receive Ja$1,125.00. Boys in grades 10 to 13 receive Ja$1,455.00, and girls receive Ja$1,325.00. (Excerpted from JIS)

Scotia is the Caribbean’s Bank of the Year

Scotiabank has been named Bank of the Year in the Caribbean by LatinFinance for its strength in the region.

“We are pleased to be named Bank of the Year in the Caribbean by LatinFinance,” said Bruce Bowen, Scotiabank Senior Vice-President for the Caribbean Region.

“Scotiabank has had a presence in the Caribbean for almost 125 years and today we have the largest presence of any financial services company in the region. We have built our success by staying focused on our customers to help them “discover what’s possible” while investing in our people and supporting our communities across the Caribbean.”

The winner is chosen by LatinFinance editors by weighing financial data and market opinion including those of analyst and rating agencies between July 2012 and June 2013. Banks are judged in the following categories: financial strength, including capitalisation and liquidity; strategy and adaptation with economic and regulatory changes in the countries where it operates; growth including acquisitions and capital markets activity; and the market perception of the brand and public transparency.

“In the case of Bank of the Year in the Caribbean, we recognise that the period was a challenging one for the region and its banks,” said Taimur

Ahmad, Editor-in-Chief of LatinFinance.

“Scotiabank stood out for its large regional footprint, sound risk management practices, and range of services which leaves the Bank well placed to profit under unstable economic activity. Scotiabank is also widely praised by analysts and other experts we surveyed researching this category.”

Scotiabank has been widely recognised in 2013 for its strength and stability as well as the products and services it offers. The Bank was named World’s Best Consumer Internet Bank in North America, Latin America and the Caribbean

PNM wins St Joseph seat in Trinidad

The People’s National Movement (PNM) candidate Terrence Deyalsingh was Monday night declared the winner of the St Joseph byelection in Trinidad, but only after the country was taken to a nail-biting finish for what was expected to be the last election in a historic year.

Deyalsingh’s nearest rival was the United National Congress (UNC)’s Ian Alleyne who, at some points in the night, appeared in the lead. The Independent Liberal Party (ILP)’s Om Lalla managed the third largest share of votes but was not really in the contest.

Neither was the Democratic National Assembly’s (DNA) Michael Lopez and independent candidate Errol Fabien.

Preliminary figures released by the Elections and Boundaries Commission Monday night in a press release indicated the PNM won 6,356 votes (about 45 per cent), the UNC 5,577 (39 percent) and the ILP 1,976 (14 percent). Though Lalla looked set to keep his deposit, the figures suggested the ILP’s presence in the election race had more of an impact in terms of the splitting of votes.

Fabien was projected to have received 300 votes and the DNA’s Lopez got five votes, meaning they

were poised to lose their deposits.

Voter turnout was projected at 53 percent or 14,214 of the 26,891 persons who were eligible to vote, including 121 special voters. This appeared to be down from the turnout for the 2010 general election where the St Joseph turnout was 71.87 percent.

PNM political leader Dr Keith Rowley described the results as a “PNM win”.

“Victory is ours,” he said to the media at a briefing at the PNM campaign office, Mt Hope Road, Mt Hope, flanked by Deyalsingh and PNM chairman Franklin Khan.

“The members of the population have shown that they choose PNM. We as a country must be very pleased that they–through the EBC–have conducted a free and fair election.”

Rowley renewed his call for a general election.

“Call a general election as soon as possible,” he said. “This government has no mandate to continue to operate.”

Deyalsingh said his first act after being sworn in would be to request the mobile phone numbers of all government ministers in order to deliver projects at St Joseph.

(Excerpted from TT Newsday)

WPO in Guyana mourns passing of Anoopwattie Vereen

The Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO) in Guyana said the news of the death of Mrs Anoopwattie Vereen was truly shocking. “No one expected that when she took ill on Friday 18th, that she would not have recovered. So it was natural that all her friends and family breathed a sigh of relief when she showed sign of recovery which unfortunately did not last,” WPO said in a statement.

In reflecting on the life of Vereen, the WPO said she was a remarkable woman, noting that one cannot help but appreciate what a loving and caring person she was.

“The village of Helena No. Two and the envi-

anoopwattie vereen

rons of Mahaica are still in shock. Ms Vereen was the chairperson of the NDC [Neighbourhood Democratic Council], a justice of the peace and commissioner of affidavits who whether night and day was at the beck and call of those who needed help. She was on the local board of guard-

ians and made it her duty to ensure that all who needed help were given.”

The children who needed lessons flocked to her bottom-house classes, because her results were also excellent, the WPO said, adding that the young people whom she encouraged to become involved in the Rising Star cultural group benefited from her experience and patience.

“The WPO group in Mahaica, which she led for more than 14 years grew from strength to strength not only in numbers but in exposure and confidence.

She was in the PPP Central Committee, as well as the WPO Central Committee and secretariat.

She traversed the

Cannabis among local names, brands Jamaica safeguards in pact with Switzerland

‘Jamaica’, ‘Blue Mountain Coffee’, ‘Cannabis Sativa’ (ganja); ‘Jamaica Rum’, ‘Jamaican Patties’, ‘Boston Jerk’, ‘Jamaican Ginger’ and ‘Trelawny Yellow Yam’ are among names and brands that Jamaica is moving to protect against misuse or false use.

dication used in translation or accompanied by such expressions as ‘kind’, ‘type’, ‘style’, ‘imitation’, ‘comparable to’ or other similar expressions,” the document said.

length and breadth of Guyana to train women on local government issues through the National Democratic Institute.

“She was a teacher by profession and served in the capacity of headmistress of her school. Ms Vereen was a great country and western singer and was not shy when called upon to give a rendition.

She was also involved in the Mandir of her community,” the WPO said.

It added that Vereen had four biological children but “was a mother to all the children she taught and mentored… Guyana has lost a wonderful daughter who served her homeland with dignity, patience, commitment and courage.”

The island recently inked a history-making bilateral agreement with Switzerland on the protection of geographical indications at the 51st General Assembly of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) in Geneva. The Jamaica Protection of Geographical Indications Act of 2004 defines “geographical indication” as a good originating in the territory of a country, or a region or locality in that territory, where a given quality, reputation or other characteristic of the good is essentially attributable to its geographical origin.

“These agreements mutually recognise and protect geographical indications in order to facilitate and promote trade with each other, for products and services identified with such designations,” according to the signatory documents.

“This recently signed agreement protects designations regarding products and services originating in Jamaica and Switzerland, including the name ‘Jamaica/ Jamaican’ and the names of official Jamaican territories such as counties and parishes, and ‘Switzerland/Swiss’ and the names of the Swiss cantons. This also applies to geographical in-

The signatories undertook to provide interested parties with the legal means, which include providing, in their national laws, for adequate and effective means to prevent the use of the designations for identical/comparative products and services not originated in the territories, or the use in a manner misleading to the public, including the use of graphic symbols which could cause confusion.

The Jamaica Intellectual Property Office and the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property are the authorities designated to act as contact points between both countries on any matter covered by this new bilateral pact, which must be ratified by the governments of both sides in order for it to come into force.

Some other protected designations of Jamaica include Jamaican High Mountain Coffee, Catherine’s Peak water, Jamaican Roots wine, Jamaican Jerk, Walkerswood Jerk, Jamaican Allspice, St Andrew Thyme, Jamaica Logwood Honey, Lucea Yam, Jamaica Scotch Bonnet Pepper, Manchester Peppermint, St Elizabeth Escallion, St Elizabeth Thyme, Middle Quarters Shrimps, and Jamaican Pimento. (Excerpted from Jamaica Observer)

Guyana’s remigrant housing drive attracts overwhelming response

Housing Minister

Irfaan Ali has disclosed that works on the remigrant scheme in Guyana are moving apace highlighting that applications have been received. Speaking to media operatives last week at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, where the ministry held a one stop shop exercise, Ali said initially his ministry was targeting 1000 persons, but it now has in excess of 2, 500 applications.

He said most of the major infrastructural works for the scheme has been completed, including the laying of pipelines. The ministry is now engaging the Guyana Power and Light to complete the electricity installation. When this is done and along with the completion of the Providence well, the remigrant scheme will be fully serviced.

The minister stated that to boost occupancy in the scheme, the ministry is working on constructing homes, adding that in another six to seven months about 80 to 100 homes will

be built.

“The scheme is right on target and we are hoping that a higher level of occupancy can be achieved within the next 12 to 16 months.” The housing minister said recently a number of applicants have complained that they are having difficulties transferring their money to Guyana, owing to the present stalemate with the anti-money laundering bill, since some banking institutions have already introduced penalties.

The Remigrant

Housing Scheme is located north of the Mocha Road, about one mile east of the Providence Police Station compound, East Bank Demerara.

Most applications are made via the Internet and the applicants have to be Guyanese over 21 years of age who do not own their homes. The minister had stated that the lots range from 6000 to 9000 square feet, with prices between Gy$4.5 million and Gy$7 million.

Ali stated that the ministry was ready to

Mexican hotel chain to open 140room resort in Jamaica next month

Jamaica's hotel room

stock will receive a boost next month, when Karisma Hotels and Resorts opens its 140-room Azul Sensatori Jamaica, in the resort town of Negril.

The property, which was formerly Beaches Sandy Bay, was acquired in October 2012 by the Mexican outfit Karisma Hotels and Resorts, and months later opened as Seashore Bay Beach Resort.

It was however closed in May this year to facilitate a multi-million-dollar renovation exercise.

But Rinaldo Fernandez, senior vicepresident of the Travel Club Division, Karisma Hotels and Resorts, said that the resort will be re-opened on December 15 as the Azul Sensatori Jamaica.

"It will be a gourmet all-inclusive. All the restaurants will be a la carte and will have their own theme...so we will be taking the all-inclusive to a different level," said Fernandez.

The Negril property is Karisma's first expansion outside Mexico, although the brand enjoys

worldwide recognition for its exclusive "gourmet-inclusive" service.

"Jamaica is the fourth largest market in the Caribbean in terms of the inflow of tourists, and of all the areas in Jamaica, Negril is the fastest growing tourist area and it probably has one of the most beautiful beaches that I have seen. It is just spectacular," Fernandez later told Jamaican media.

The facility will cater to singles, couples and families. (Jamaica Observer)

- alarming 2, 500 applications submitted

The project is a collaborative effort of the ministry’s Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) and the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB), aimed at providing affordable, sustainable housing in Region Nine.

Equal opportunity

The president lauded the project as a great beginning, noting that it will expand from village to village until everyone in the hinterland has a better quality of life.

take its game to the next level, adding that the next phase of development will take it into the Diamond Housing Scheme.

Hinterland housing drive

Meanwhile, as part of the country’s ongoing housing programme, President Donald Ramotar handed over the keys to a number of houses to residents of the North Rupununi District, Region Nine last Friday. This was done under an initiative spearheaded by Guyana’s housing ministry through its second Low Income Settlement Programme (LIS- 2).

Under the programme, the roofs of some houses were also refurbished.

The communities which benefited are Kwatamang, Katoka, Massarra, Central Annai and Apoteri. In Kwatamang, some 35 households benefited: 23 from roof replacements and 12 for houses while in Katoka, 10 household benefited from roof replacements and 12 houses were built. In Massarra, seven roof replacements were completed, but seven of the 12 homes are completed thus far.

The four roof top replacements in Central Annai were completed; however, two of 12 houses are completed. Meanwhile, in Apoteri, six of 12 roof replacements are completed and nine of 11 houses are under construction. Sixty per cent of labour for the project was provided by beneficiaries while it provided employment opportunities for 40 per cent of residents.

Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai said the project mirrors an approach which the government promotes, which is, equal housing for all Guyanese.

Some 209 houses are expected to be covered under the housing programme.

Among them are 122 full houses, measuring 20 by 25 feet and 86 thatch roofs are identified to be replaced with zinc sheets.

Some Gy$200 million has been budgeted for the hinterland housing programme and will complement the investments made to bring potable water into the communities.

Also last Thursday, 23 households in White Water, Region One received keys to their new homes while 27 others had their roofs refurbished. In Region One, the communities which benefited were White Water, Manawarin and Oronoque. (Excerpted from Guyana Times)

Caribbean experts say Myrie ruling is a turning point for regional integration

Almost a month after the Trinidadbased Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) ruled that Barbados had breached the rights of a Jamaican national when she sought entry into the country in 2011, regional stakeholders say the judgment represents a turning point for the regional integration movement.

The CCJ was established in 2001 to replace the London-based Privy Council as the region’s final court, but while many Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries are signatories to its original jurisdiction, only Barbados, Guyana and Belize are signatories to the appellate jurisdiction of the court that also serves as an international tribunal interpreting the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas that governs the integration movement.

At a panel discussion at the Cave Hill campus of the University of the West Indies last week, panellists examined the implications of the CCJ ruling in the Shanique Myrie case in which Barbados was also or-

dered to pay BDS$75,000 in compensation.

Barbados’ Attorney General Adriel Brathwaite said that while the introduction of free movement within Caricom though noble is not properly thought out.

Highlighting Barbados' concerns, he said there were not enough structures in place to ensure free movement work and if the region doesn't get it right, there will be chaos.

“We're faced with a situation where we are concerned about wheth-

er or not we have the capacity not only to provide housing for all of our people, but for those of us, those people from the region who we would love to come to live with us.

“But we can't invite people to come and live with us and then we have six and eight people living in a room, sharing one bathroom etc., (these) kind of stories you hear from time to time.

“We have the whole issue of education. We, to the best of my knowledge are about three secondary schools behind

where we would like to be and probably three or four junior schools from where we would like to be. If we want to invite our brothers and sisters, we want to ensure that they also have access to education,” he said.

Brathwaite insisted there's nothing earth shattering about the Myrie judgement and that Bridgetown has already made moves to retrain its border personnel in keeping with the CCJ ruling.

But Dr Tennyson Joseph, the head of the Department of Government, Sociology and Social Work at UWI said the Myrie ruling has forced the region to rethink the concept of sovereignty.

He said the region's current economic troubles have also led some governments to look inward, moving away from the vision of deeper integration articulated by the framers of the “Time for Action” report who laid the foundation for strengthening of Caricom and the integration movement. (Excerpted from Caribbean News)

APNU not rethinking position on Guyana’s money laundering bill

The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) said it remains firm on its position, not to support the passage of Guyana’s Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) Bill. This was disclosed by APNU’s leader David Granger during a media conference last Friday.

Granger confirmed that come later this week, his party will not be supporting the amendments to the bill, due to their absence in the entire process and the need for it to be properly done.

He said that the coalition has no-confidence in the amendments made to the bill and its readiness for final reading set for November 7.

The opposition leader reiterated that government had the bill for four years and was looking to have it passed through the National Assembly in a mere four months. He noted that it is 21 days since Parliament reconvened on October 10 and there has not been a single sitting, while accus-

ing the government of wasting time.

“I do not think that the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force or the other financial institutions are going to be moved simply by the passage of a law, they look at enforcement and they have crticised Guyana over the last four years,” he asserted. The opposition leader also noted that the taskforce has even moved to send a team to Guyana and has noted that the Financial Intelligence Unit has failed to provide a report or moved to prosecute persons found in breach of the law.

Granger noted that the government should return the bill to the parliamentary select committee, where it spent the last few months so that the amendments can be completed. He also expressed a belief that it will be difficult to make amendments to the bill, on the floor. He also stated that the Alliance For Change’s (AFC) support for the bill, is not a concern for APNU. (Guyana Times)

New Port-of-Spain Mayor plans to continue predecessor’s works

Calling himself a servant of the people, newly-appointed mayor of Port-ofSpain Raymond Tim Kee has promised to pursue and continue the work started by former mayor Louis Lee Sing. He made the promise minutes after taking the oath of office at City Hall, Port-ofSpain, last Friday. “I am not about breaking down the old and starting new,” Tim Kee, the president of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation, added. He said he would study Lee Sing’s plans with the view of pursuing them efficiently.

“The vision we hold is the same, that is making the city of Port-of-Spain a true capital city, not only in Trinidad but in the Caribbean,” he said. He called on citizens to be the change they wanted to see in the country and said the entire country needed to do better as a people. “For the next three years I commit myself to service. Mayor is a lofty title. I prefer servant or facilitator,” he added. He called on residents of Port-of-Spain to stand with him to build a better city.

Keron Valentine was re-elected as deputy mayor and received loud applause from approving residents. Lee Sing, who received a standing ovation from councillors and Opposition leader Dr Keith Rowley, said he

21,000 Guyanese obtained U.S. visas in past year

Approximately 35,000 U.S. visa applications in Guyana have been processed in the past year, U.S. Ambassador to that country D Brent Hardt disclosed. He said Guyanese interest in acquiring visas has increased radically over the years.

“There has been a dramatic increase in the number of Guyanese interested in travelling to the United States, we think that is a good thing, and we welcome tourism,” he posited during a recent interview with Guyanese media.

incident of visa fraud.

persons were allowed to pass.

Meanwhile, on October 17, two Colombian nationals appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts after being charged with forgery.

Twenty-seven-yearold Samir Edwardo Garcia Salazar of 1414019 Bogotá, Colombia and Jamie Enrique Mereses, 52, of 18 Fifteen Street, Bogotá, appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman.

looked back on his term as mayor with chuckles. “I was crazy enough to believe that in the time I gave myself I could achieve what I set out to achieve,” he said.

Lee Sing, who was no stranger to controversy or critics during his 39-month term as mayor, said he was sure bloggers would miss having him to ridicule, abuse and curse on a regular basis. He said members of the government’s Cabinet did not understand the role of the city. “During our term in office we had a Cabinet of ministers who always trampled on the affairs of the city,” Lee Sing said.

Councillors for the various Port-of-Spain

corporations are Wendell Stephen: St James West; Jameel Bisnath: St James East; June Durham: Woodbrook; Keron Valentine: Portof-Spain North; Darryl Rajpaul: Belmont East; Farai Hove Masaisai: Belmont North and West; Dada Gabriel: Port-ofSpain South; Nedra McClean: East Dry River; Ashtine Thomason: St Ann’s River South; Keno Romeo: St Ann’s River Central; Hillan Morean: St Ann’s River North and Jennel Young: Belmont South.

Aldermen are Raymond Tim Kee, Aasha Permanand, Rono Callender and James Chin Ching. (TT Guardian)

Jamaica passes legislation allowing it to comply with UN Security resolutions

The Senate has approved legislation allowing Jamaica to fulfill its commitments to the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF).

The United Nations Security Council Implementation Act 2013 also allows Jamaica to put into practice declarations passed by the UN Security Council under Chapter VII of its Charter, which deals specifically with the maintenance of international peace and security.

Justice Minister Mark Golding said the bill is the third of a trilogy of legislation that have been brought to Parliament recently, seeking to address the requirements of the CFATF, a regional organisation committed to

combating money laundering and terrorism in the wider Caribbean.

The others are the amendments to the Terrorism Prevention Act, and the amendments to the Proceeds of Crime Act, which deals with money laundering.

Golding said resolutions passed under Chapter VII of the UN Charter were binding on all UN member states and must be implemented.

Failure by a member state to implement the resolutions can render that state liable to criticism or the imposition of sanctions by the Security Council, as well as expose the state to similar treatment from multilateral institutions or at the bilateral level.

“The resolutions may

contain measures, inclduing sanctions designed to either maintain or restore international peace and security,” Golding said.

Examples of countryspecific resolutions include those imposed on Libya, Iran, Syria, and the Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea. Subject specific resolutions may deal with issues such as the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

Leader of Opposition Business in the Senate, Arthur Williams, said the Bill had the full support of the Opposition, as it now “provides the proper legislative framework” for Jamaica to implement recommendations made by the UN Security Council. (Excerpted from JIS)

According to the U.S. ambassador, approximately 21,000 of the 35,000 applications were approved. In wake of the recent visa fraud, Ambassador Hardt said applying to the U. S. embassy should be the only way of acquiring a visa, noting that the online application has made the process less tedious.

He said the embassy has increased staffing to meet the demand of Guyanese.

He briefly disclosed that the U.S. embassy is investigating the recent

On September 30, approximately four immigration officers stationed at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) were taken into custody after being accused of collecting monies to allow three persons to pass through immigration with forged U.S. visas.

It was reported that the four female immigration officers requested Gy$60,000 from the three people in exchange for not reporting the matter to authorities.

The money was reportedly paid and the three

Salazar and Mereses, with the help of a translator, pleaded not guilty to the charges which stated that between February 17 and March 21, 2012 at Georgetown, with intent to defraud, they conspired with person (s) unknown and forged two Republic of Guyana business visas, numbers 270 and 272 dated February 17, 2012 purporting to show that the same was issued by the Central Immigration and Passport Office knowing it to be false. They were granted bail in the sum of Gy$100,000 each. (Guyana Times)

New Canadian, Russian flights boost Jamaica’s tourist arrivals

There has been a boost in visitor arrivals to Jamaica with the advent of Air Canada Rouge, making its inaugural flight into Montego Bay last Friday, and Air Transero 747 adding more seats from Russia.

The two aircraft landed at the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay with just under 600 passengers who were met by officials from the tourism sector and presented with gifts to the welcoming sound of reggae music played by mento bands.

According to Deputy Director of Tourism and Marketing Sandra Scott, the tourism fraternity was very excited as the 2013/2014 season promises to be one of the best ever.

"With two large aircraft bringing maximum

passengers to Montego Bay, today is truly an exciting day for tourism in Jamaica and we are very happy about that. Air Canada will be com-

ing to Jamaica on a daily basis from Toronto and Transero will be bringing passengers to our country every 10 days out of Moscow," Scott told JIS

News last Friday. She said that Air Transero is connecting Jamaica with Eastern Europe and the flights are expected to be always full as "the

Russians love Jamaica".

Meanwhile, Chief Promotional Officer for Montego Bay Jamaica (MBJ) Airports Limited, Elizabeth Brown Scotton, said the arrival of the two major carriers into Montego Bay represents very exciting times for the airport.

"Air Canada Rouge aircraft normally see a 14 per cent increase in capacity and we are going to see a 50 per cent overall increase coming in from Canada as a result of Air Canada's operations into Jamaica and into Montego Bay. At the same time, we see a Russian flight (Transero), with their brand new 747 aircraft arriving, increasing capacity by an additional 140 seats; this is truly very exciting days for us," Brown Scotton said.

"We are going to see very significant growth coming into this market. We have new Air Trans service coming from Chicago Midway. We have new service coming from Frontier Airlines, from Denver. There will be new markets that we have never seen into Jamaica for many years, and a very significant hub into the United States.

"We have new services with increased capacity coming out of the United Kingdom, particularly from Thompson, which is going to operate the new 787 Boeing Dreamliner Aircraft from the UK. We have really high hopes for a strong winter tourist season and strong growth and strong success for our hotels, our operators and all the people who are so dependent on tourism," Brown Scotton said.

She pointed to a very strong winter tourist season with positive outcomes for all concerned.

Caribbean teenage pregnancies on the rise - UN report

Anew United Nations report has spotlighted what it describes as the high rates of teenage pregnancies in the Caribbean and other developing countries.

The report, released in New York last week, called on governments to help girls achieve their full potential through education and adequate health services.

“The State of World Population 2013,” produced by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), notes that out of the 7.3 million births, 2 million are to girls who are 14 or younger, many of whom suffer “grave long-term health and social consequences from pregnancy.”

The report says that an estimated 70,000 adolescents in developing countries die each year from complications during pregnancy and childbirth.

“Too often, society blames only the girl for getting pregnant,” said UNFPA executive director Babatunde Osotimehin.

“The reality is that adolescent pregnancy is most often not the result of a deliberate choice but rather the absence of choices, and of circumstances beyond a girl's

control,” he added. “It is a consequence of little or no access to school, employment, quality information and health care.”

In the Caribbean, the countries with the highest rate of teen pregnancy are Belize, Guyana, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The report seeks to offer a new perspective on teenage pregnancy, looking not only at girls' behaviour as a cause of early pregnancy but also at the actions of their families, communities and governments.

In addition, it says a country's economy is also affected by teenage pregnancies as adolescent mothers are prevented from entering the workforce.

Besides funding, the report stresses that, in order to tackle teenage pregnancy, “countries must adopt a holistic approach, which does not dwell on changing girls' behaviour but seeks to change attitudes in society so girls are encouraged to stay in school, child marriage is banned, girls have access to sexual and reproductive health including contraception, and young mothers have better support systems.”

(CaribbeanNews)

Over 100 graduate from President’s College in Guyana

President’s College (PC) in Guyana last Friday held its 23rd annual graduation and 28th anniversary ceremony at the college’s Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara tarmac, honouring over 100 students who performed well at the 2013 Caribbean Secondary Examination Council (CSEC) and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE).

This year, the college recorded an 84.5 per cent pass rate at CSEC, and 94.7 per cent passes at CAPE, a significant improvement when compared to previous years, the Government Information Agency

(GINA) reported.

During an address to the students, Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh stated that while the school performed exceptionally well, the students must continue to work hard in order to achieve greater success.

“Our country has invested much in you and indeed much is expected of you…there is much hard work and service ahead of you…your country needs you,” he told the students.

Education Minister Priya Manickchand expressed satisfaction with the school’s performance, noting that it has improved significantly over the years.

“The education system has transformed in terms of access and government is now looking at the quality of education delivered. We used to talk about ac-

cess, now we talk about how we can achieve quality education, which also involves teacher training,” she noted. Receiving awards

were Shalita Appadu, who copped first place at CAPE and the country with six grade ones and one grade two, followed by Aarif Baksh with one

grade one, four grade twos and one grade three, and Kevin Garbaran, one grade one, three grade twos and two grade threes.

Meanwhile, for the CSEC, Melissa Asregado placed first with 11 grade ones and one grade two; Edrianna Stephen second, with 10 grade ones and two grade twos; and Kerrie Hooper, third, with eight grade ones, four grade twos and one grade three.

Students also received prizes for placing first, second and third in their respective classes and also certificates for participating in the President’s Youth Award Programme (PYARG).

Professor Archibald McDonald inducted as 13th principal of UWI Mona

University of the West Indies (UWI) Pro-Vice

Chancellor Professor Archibald McDonald has been formally inducted as the 13th principal of the institution's oldest campus, Mona, Jamaica. He was installed during a ceremony at the institution last Tuesday, presided over by UWI

Chancellor Sir George Alleyne, and witnessed

by a wide cross-section of government, diplomatic, and academic officials from across the region.

Professor McDonald succeeds Professor Gordon Shirley, to whom he was vice-principal. After serving for six years, Professor Shirley demitted office earlier this year, following his secondment to the Port Authority of Jamaica as president and chief executive officer.

In addition to being vice-principal, Professor McDonald also served as head of the Department of Surgery, and dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences at the Mona campus.

An accomplished surgeon, Professor McDonald has had a distinguished pioneering career in the area of trauma and emergency medicine. His work in these areas, as well as

TT women top police graduation

Among the 153 recruits who graduated into the TT Police Service last week, women police officers stood out most at the awards ceremony, with 12 out of the 15 top graduate trophies being handed over to the new women police constables.

The highest award, “the Commissioner of Police” trophy, which was handed over by Minister of National Security Gary Griffith to the most outstanding recruit of the batch, went to WPC Corban.

The Police Academy passing-out parade took place last Friday afternoon at the Police Academy Barracks in St James, Port-of-Spain and was attended by several senior police officers including Acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams, Deputy Police Commissioner Mervyn Richardson, Assistant Commissioner Stephen Ramsubhag, Senior Superintendent Deodat Dulalchan, and ASP Joanne Archie, among other dignitaries.

Of the 153 graduates, 70 were women and 83 were men.

In delivering the feature address, Griffith congratulated the men and

women for their achievement after six months of rigorous training. He said being a police officer in TT was a noble profession and offered congratulations to everyone, especially those who were awarded for their hard work.

Griffith said the new police officers were needed, as there was currently a “shortage of police.”

He said it was because of this that the Police Service has had to “improvise” and was conducting so many joint patrols in recent memory with members of the Defence Force. However, he said this

is why the new recruits were needed as the continued use of the soldiers “would inevitably affect the duty that the soldiers would need to perform,” which would in turn have a trickle- down effect on other law enforcement agencies, all the way to the Coast Guard.

Griffith also reminded the new officers to remember that no matter if they were on duty or off, they would always be police officers.

“Remember, you are not only a police officer when in uniform, but everyday,” he said.

hospital emergency services, university administration, and medical education, have had an indelible impact throughout Jamaica and the wider Caribbean. He will have as his vice-principal, Professor Ishen-Kumba Kahwa.

In his inaugural address, Professor McDonald said he was "truly honoured" and "immensely humbled" to be

appointed principal.

He acknowledged the "laudable contributions" of his immediate predecessors, Professors Sir Kenneth Hall, Gordon Shirley, and Elsa LeoRhynie, each of whom, he said "crafted unique styles in educational leadership that are worthy of emulation".

"I am extremely humbled to have been asked to step into the ranks of

these incredible trailblazers who have made significant contributions to tertiary education and the development of the Jamaican society. All three of my predecessors have created a longlasting legacy of transformative leadership at the university and it is this legacy that I am humbled to now follow," Professor McDonald stated. (Excerpted from JIS)

Families of slain Guyanese pressmen demand justice

- as Glenn Lall remains silent

The families of the six Kaieteur News pressmen who were gunned down in cold blood at the newspaper’s printing press back in August 2006 are disappointed that they have not heard from the police despite a series of recent articles in the media.

Guyana Times and the Evening News have been carrying a series of investigative pieces on the mass murder which occurred on the evening of August 8, 2006. “We glad that Guyana Times and Evening News remember us. That day come and gone and nobody get time with us. We nah gat anybody to go to. The police nah say

nothing to us in a long time. De government ain’t even doin anything. We don’t know what they afraid of,” one family member said.

The police are also yet to confirm whether or not the matter is considered closed as far as investigations are concerned.

Recently, the family

members also cried foul over the money “supposedly” raised for them in the wake of the killings.

The owner and publisher of the muckraking, opposition-aligned Kaieteur News, Mohan Lall, aka Glenn Lall, had embarked on a fundraising effort, reportedly to assist the family members of the victims

in the wake of the shooting incident. But it is alleged that not all of the millions of dollars raised were used for that purpose. And even now, no one knows for sure the total amount of money collected by Lall, who continues to be silent despite many calls for him to come clean with the families.

Millions of dollars were reportedly raised, but the amount of funds handed out for relief to the family members did not add up, said one relative.

The relative begged that her identity not be revealed publicly, visibly afraid for her safety, as well as her children’s. The family members of those killed also say they have been waiting for answers from Lall, but none have been forthcoming.

There has been widespread speculation that the slain pressmen were collateral damage for a

deal gone sour.

When pressed as to why they expect answers from Lall and not the police, one family member said, “Everybody in Guyana know the truth. Even the police know the truth. But we still nah get justice yet. The workmen dem dead and gone and nobody remember we. But that is life.”

The killings occurred during a period of unprecedented crime in Guyana from 2000 to 2006, which sent shockwaves throughout the nation.

Seven years ago, the Kaieteur News printery at Eccles, East Bank Demerara, came under attack by gunmen, who are believed to be connected to Lall.

Chetram Persaud, of 76 CC Eccles, East Bank Demerara; Eion Wegman, 47, of 51 Fourth Street, Alberttown, Georgetown; Richard Stewart, 24, of 239 Lamaha Park, East La

Penitence, Georgetown; Mark Maikoo, 22, of 5 Yarrow Dam, La Penitence, Georgetown, and Shazeem Mohamed of 267 BB Eccles, East Bank Demerara, were shot point-blank and killed.

Another worker, Wordsworth Grey, of 31 Norton Street, Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara, was shot dead shortly before the killers stormed the printery.

Senior pressman Ramchand Harripersaud and security guard Julian De Grace were the only survivors of the bloodshed.

One of the most intriguing developments coming out of the crime wave was the alleged connection between many of the notorious criminals and Lall.

More than 200 persons were killed in cold blood and to this day, there are more questions than answers.

Grenada and St Lucia collaborate on Eastern Caribbean energy

The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States

(OECS) in collaboration with the governments of Grenada and St Lucia and the World Bank will host the official launch of the Eastern Caribbean Energy Regulatory Authority (ECERA) Project in early November.

OECS Director of Economic Affairs Randy Cato told Caribbean media that the project will attract energy sector policy makers from across the OECS, renewable energy project developers and private sector representatives including electricity consumers.

“The key objectives of the launch are to give visibility and awareness to the ECERA Project, including the objectives and benefits of the ECERA to the development of the energy sector, foster information sharing as well as begin the process of sensitizing the populace about the ECERA Project and

project

the ECERA as an institution and act as a vehicle to promote greater participation of the other OECS countries in the ECERA project.” Cato explained that the broad objective of the project is to establish and put into operation a regional approach to the development of the electricity sector in the participating OECS countries by supporting the establishment of the ECERA to serve as many OECS Member States as possible.

“The ECERA Project will be implemented in two phases, the first of which involves the establishment of ECERA, while the second involves the operating of ECERA as a legal entity.

ECERA will broadly be responsible for regulatory oversight of the electricity suppliers, including utilities and independent power producers,” he said.

(CaribbeanNews)

Antigua and Barbuda begin preparations for general election

The Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC) says it has registered over 48,000 persons under its mass voter re-registration exercise over the weekend, as the country prepares for a general election which Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer said would be held within the next four months.

ABEC said that the St Georges constituency had the highest number of registered persons with a figure of 4, 593 and that the total number of people registered during the re-registration exercise totaled 48, 109. The preliminary voters list would be issued within a two-week period and would “be made available to the public for 30 days in which time it can be scrutinised. At the end of that period, the claims and objections phase will begin.

General election is constitutionally due in March 2014, but the prime minister in an address over the weekend, said that “within four months you would have exercised your right to choose a government that would continue to keep the flag of Antigua and Barbuda flying high”.

The last general election was held in March 2009 and the ruling United Progressive Party (UPP), which has been in power since 2004, is hoping to improve on its slender victory when it won nine of the 16 seats at stake.

The main challenge to the UPP will come from the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ALP) that suffered it’s first electoral defeat in 2004 after nearly 30 years in power.

(Caribbean News)

Caricom accredits Israel’s firstever ambassador to the region

Caribbean Community (Caricom)

Secretary General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque on Tuesday said he looked forward to the development of a more structured and formal mechanism for cooperation between Israel and Caricom.

He made this statement during a ceremony at the Caricom Secretariat headquarters, Turkeyen, Guyana, where ambassador to Caricom from Israel Amiram Magid presented his credentials. Ambassador Magid is the first Israeli ambassador to Caricom.

In his remarks, Ambassador LaRocque said he was convinced that the new ambassador’s record as a fully engaged and diligent diplomat will serve to further enhance relations between Israel and Caricom.

caricom secretary general, irwin larocque and israeli ambassador amiram magid raise their glasses in a toast after the newly-appointed israeli ambassador presented his letters of credence during a ceremony at the caricom secretariat

“Caricom has much to gain and learn from Israel and, as in any meaningful partnership, I am sure that Israel has much to learn from the Caribbean Community,” he said. According to the secretary general, there were two important areas in which Caricom could benefit from a strengthened relationship at the region-

al level: protected agriculture and water management. He said Caricom welcomed the opportunity to begin discussions in that regard. Ambassador LaRocque thanked the Israeli ambassador for his country’s contribution to the permanent memorial for the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic

Slave trade being spearheaded by Caricom. He also used the opportunity to draw the new ambassador’s attention to what he referred to as a call being sounded by the region’s leaders for attention to be paid to the issue of reparations for the consequences of slavery.

Other priority areas outlined by the secretary general included issues of non-communicable diseases, the Arms Trade Treaty, and the inclusion of disabled persons on the post-2015 Development Agenda.

The Israeli ambassador said his country has always sought partnership and cooperation with all nations. He said as a small modern state, his country understood the needs of the Caricom member states and “stands ready to share its experience with them.”

TT authorities probe death of prisoner at Arouca station

An autopsy Monday on the body of a 30-year-old prisoner who was found dead in the holding cells of the Arouca Police Station in Trinidad on Saturday night revealed he died as a result of blunt force trauma.

TT media reported that an investigator from the Homicide Investigations Bureau will be appointed to

probe the circumstances surrounding Kevin Anthony Singh’s death and whether the blunt force trauma injuries were self-inflicted or he was beaten by persons unknown.

The autopsy was carried out by government pathologist Dr Hughvon des Vignes. Singh’s relatives were Monday still in a state of disbelief at his death, but remained

adamant, Singh never had suicidal tendencies and as such, they believe he was murdered. They also believe police at Arouca Police Station are not telling the truth and described the death of their relative as ‘a cover up’.

However, the police are maintaining Singh inflicted the injuries on himself by banging his head repeatedly against

Ja$680 million water project for Western Hanover in Jamaica

Jamaica’s State Minister in the Water Ministry, Ian Hayles, says rural communities in Western Hanover will benefit from a recent approval of a Ja$680-million water improvement project.

"The Ja$680 million will cover every nook and cranny of Hanover. Nothing will be left out," Hayles told reporters recently.

According to Hayles, communities that are expected to benefit include Dry Hill, Kew, Canon, Middlesex, Blenheim, Rock Spring, Kendal, Cesnock, North Hill, Clifton and Askenish.

The project, which is expected to pump water from the coastal main to inland rural communities, includes the changing out of inefficient National Water Commission (NWC) pumps across the constituency.

Hayles, who is also the Member of

Parliament (MP) for Western Hanover, was responding to criticism made by councillor of the Riverside Division, Lester Crooks (PNP), during a Parish Council meeting three weeks ago.

Crooks had suggested that as a junior minister in the ministry of water, Hayles should be doing more to deal with water challenges facing Hanover residents.

"We have an MP who is in the ministry of water. You need to do something about it man. A your parish. You represent the parish...," Crooks said at the meeting.

However, Hayles said that at an NWC K-factor meeting held at Global Villa in the parish - which he claimed Crooks had attended--the Ja$680-million project was announced to deal with water problems in rural communities. The project was

going through the procurement process, following which work is expected to commence sometime in November, Hayles said.

The State Minister also said that with an ongoing US$1.8 million laying of pipelines in Lucea, the parish is expected to benefit from improvement in supply from the Great River Treatment Plant. This will provide some five million gallons of water. He said that would allow the Logwood System in Western Hanover to focus on providing more water to the tourist resort area, Negril.

Hayles said all is being done to have water conditions in the parish improved, as shortly an announcement will be made concerning the construction of two new hotels in the parish along with expected expansion of the Grand Palladium Hotel. (Jamaica Observer)

the metal bars of the cell where he was kept after being detained for larceny of a car.

According to police reports, Singh of Las Lomas No 1 was detained last Friday, as a suspect in the larceny of a car. Relatives said at about 8 pm on Saturday, they re-

ceived a phone call from officers at the Las Lomas Police Post stating they had been contacted by officials stationed at the Arouca Police Station, asking for the immediate presence of Singh’s family at the latter police station.

The family complied

with the request and made arrangements to go to the police station. When they arrived about an hour later, they were told by officers Singh was dead. Contacted for comment, Acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams said a First Division Officer will be appointed to probe the death of Singh and added the Police Complaints Authority has already been furnished with a police report on the death of the prisoner. He said the PCA will be provided with other information which will form part of the investigation. (TT Newsday)

Barbadians find jobs in Canada Jamaican

Thirteen

Barbadians were scheduled to leave the island Wednesday to take up jobs in Alberta, Canada.

They are the first set of workers who will be employed on twoyear contracts with a popular fast food chain in Canada. The opportunity was facilitated by the Diamond Global Recruitment Group, the Barbados Liaison Service and the

National Employment Bureau (NEB) of the ministry of labour, social security and human resource development. Meanwhile, opportunities continue to arise for people desirous of working in Canada. The NEB is recruiting Barbadians for positions in the hotel, fast food and vehicle maintenance sectors. Short and long term contracts are available in the hotel sector for cafeteria at-

tendants, second cooks, stewards, banquet servers, bartenders, in-room dining servers, housekeepers and male spa attendants.

In the fast food category, jobs are available for food counter attendants and maintenance/janitorial staff, while in vehicle maintenance, there are vacancies for forklift drivers, lube technicians and agricultural mechanics. (BGIS)

TT, Venezuela to crackdown on million-dollar sex trade

There is a multi-million dollar sex slave trade taking place between Trinidad and Tobago (TT) and South America, where persons are being held against their will, forced into prostitution and threatened with death. This was disclosed last week by TT and Venezuela ministers, who met to discuss initiatives to crack down on the illegal trafficking of humans, drugs and guns and protecting the borders of both countries.

TT's National Security Minister Gary Griffith and Justice Minister Emmanuel George engaged in two hours of talks with the Venezuelan team–People’s Power for Defence Minister, Admiralin-Chief Carmen Teresas Melendez-Rivas and Interior Relations, Justice and Peace Minister, Major Miguel Rodriguez Torres.

The meeting took place at the Justice Ministry’s office at Tower C of the International Waterfront Complex, Port-of-Spain.

Prostitution

At a news conference following the meeting,

both Griffith and Torres, when questioned, disclosed that humans were being trafficked into the country for prostitution.

Griffith said there were 14 cases where people were trafficked from Venezuela, Colombia and Guyana.

Questioned on whether people from Trinidad were trafficked to Venezuela, Torres said there were cases of Trinidadians being forced to work in ice cream companies for low wages to the point of slavery.

“In Venezuela, we have seen some incidents where Trinidad and Tobago citizens arrive who basically work in ice cream distribution companies in Venezuela without knowing the language and without documents, undocumented workers for very, very low pay, and work there many hours almost under conditions of slavery. We’ve been talking with the ministries, once we have appropriate information and studies, we will forward them to the ministry of foreign affairs in Trinidad and Tobago,” he said.

Inhumane work

He said the Venezuelan authorities are aware of Venezuelans being brought to the country under false pretences and being forced into prostitution and inhumane work.

Both Torres and Griffith disclosed that the human trafficking ring was on the rise.

As such, a representative from TT’s human trafficking unit will visit Venezuela and assist in the joint crackdown operation.

Griffith said Venezuela was used as a transshipment point where Colombians, guns and drugs were trafficked to TT. He said the trade was on the rise and efforts will be intensified to clamp down on it and, in doing this, the illegal entry of drugs and guns will also be curbed as they are all coming in on the same vessels.

The minister said through joint collaborative work and the sharing of intelligence, TT’s law enforcement and Venezuela’s national guard will crack this slave trade. (Excerpted from TT Express)

gov’t launches Ja$250 million school sport infrastructure improvement project

The government of Jamaica has signed an agreement that will see Ja$250 million being pumped into the infrastructural development of 23 high school and community based sporting facilities across the island.

The high school sports infrastructure improvement programme is being facilitated through the collaboration of the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), the ministries of education, agriculture and local government. The project will see schools in the parishes of Kingston and St Andrew, St Catherine, Portland, St James, St Elizabeth, Westmoreland, Clarendon, St Thomas and Trelawny benefitting over the next two years from improvement in their sporting facilities

The programme

The Tobago House of Assembly (THA) is seeking to extend its court action against the central government of Trinidad and Tobago for encroaching on its reforestation programme to other areas including community development, education, CEPEP and fishing. It is also seeking the court’s interpretation of the Assembly’s involvement in the Green Fund and its authority over Tobago’s forests.

Chief Secretary Orville London said he had met with the Assembly’s attorneys last week to discuss the “cynical encroachment on the authority of the Assembly”. He said the

will be funded by the Sports Development Foundation (SDF) which will provide Ja$100 million, and the European Union sugar transformation programme, that will provide another Ja$150 million.

Minister with responsibility for sport in the OPM Natalie NeitaHeadley, signed the official agreement at a launching and commitment ceremony recently at the Vere Technical High School in Clarendon.

She noted that under the first phase of the project, the ministry of agriculture will be facilitating the development of sporting facilities in 13 schools which fall in areas under the EU sugar transformation programme.

Neita-Headley said the global acclaim that Jamaica is currently

encroachment included the ministry of Tobago development organising its own programme

receiving for its athletic prowess, is just recognition for the hard work of its athletes. She noted however, that it was a process that started within the school and community infrastructure.

“It started at the grass roots, in community leagues kicking football with juice boxes, on the street corners in communities without playgrounds, at schools with dirt tracks.”

Neita-Headley informed that following consultations with the ministry of education, ISSA and the council of principals, the decision was made to choose five from among the top 10 performing schools and five from the bottom 10, that would benefit from the programme. (Excerpted from Jamaica Observer)

in the communities, the promised spending of TT$8 million in educational activities in Tobago and the transfer of the Tobago CEPEP allocation in the 2014 budget to the national CEPEP.

He said the Assembly has also had challenges regarding appointments to State Boards and agencies, the latest being its nomination to the Appeals Board of the Town and Country Planning Division. He added that his information was that the Tobago nomination went to Cabinet but “it didn’t come out so it’s obvious that once again we have been blanked.” (TT Newsday)

New tax measures in Grenada to increase revenue

The Grenada government has announced new tax measures it said would help provide much needed revenue and urged the private sector not to use the measure to lay off workers. Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell in a nationwide radio and television broadcast last week said his administration had agreed that people earning more than EC$60,000 annually would now pay tax of 30 per cent.

Mitchell, who is also finance minister, said also that those earning between EC$30,000 to EC$36 000 would now pay 15 per cent. He said the implementation of new tax measures is necessary as his government puts structures in place to increase revenue. “Government will also reduce the income tax rate by half to 15 per cent for persons earning less than EC$60,000 per year. The rate of 30 per cent will remain for persons earning more than EC$60,000 per year,” he said.

The prime minister

called on banks to be sensitive as the government knows that lowering the income tax threshold will affect some persons who have obligations with financial institutions.

“The banks have assured government that it will work with its customers where necessary. I hereby make a similar appeal to our credit unions,” he said, while voicing concern about the possibility of job layoffs.

“I hereby make a special appeal to all employers, especially in the private sector, to ex-

ercise restraint in this very difficult period. Retrenchment must be a last resort. We ask that you make a special effort to avoid further layoffs at this time,” he said, as he called on trade unions to exercise restraint in respect of wage demands in government and in the private sector. Mitchell, who also announced that adjustments will be made to property taxes, issued a warning to delinquent taxpayers.

“No country can run without taxes. No government can provide services without taxes.

Throughout our consultations over the past few weeks, there have been consistent calls for government to ensure that everyone pays their fair share. As a consequence, there will be new policies to deal with persons who are not paying their fair share of taxes. Already, Inland Revenue has identified the top 100 tax delinquents and they are being pursued for their taxes owed to the state. This is not simply a fiscal issue. It is a moral issue,” he said.

Eleven bid for TT’s energy blocks

TT’s Energy Minister Kevin Ramnarine has disclosed that there could be another onshore bid round in the near future. He made the disclosure last week following the close of the 2013 Onshore Bid Round at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Port-of-Spain.

Speaking after the ceremony with reporters, Ramnarine said most of the available land acreage had been “soaked up” in this bid round. However, he said this did not eliminate the possibility of another onshore bid round in the future. Ramnarine said there were “very interesting prospects” in the Central Range block, particularly in the Biche/Charuma area.

“We’ll be talking with Petrotrin to see how we could move very quickly to drill that,” he stated.

On the bid round, Ramnarine said a total of 11 bids were received for the Ortoire, Rio Claro and St Mary’s blocks last week. A and V Oil and Gas, Lease Operators Ltd, Glint Energy, Range Resources and Trinty Exploration and Production were the companies offering bids for these blocks.

Ramnarine said the bids will be evaluated and a decision on the successful bids will be made in December. He also expressed satisfaction that domestic oil production appears set to register an increase, albeit marginal, for the first time since 2006. Ramnarine said domestic oil production for the first ten months of this year (January to October) averaged 81,500 barrels of

Richmond Hill Guyanese raise funds for mayoral candidate

Guyanese-Americans and South Asians from the greater Richmond Hill area of Queens recently organised a fundraising dinner for Democrat mayoral candidate Bill DeBalsio, an ItalianAmerican. Some prominent Guyanese community leaders and elders turned out for the event.

The dinner banquet was held at the Guyaneseowned Dave Catering Hall in Richmond Hill. Organisers say close to US$175,000 was collected to help the candidate with his expenses for the campaign.

The candidate’s wife, Chirlane, graced the event with prominent Caribbean-American politician Una Clarke,

who along with community political leaders like Kawal Totaram, facilitated the event.

The amount of money raised is reportedly the largest sum collected by DeBlasio’s campaign since he launched

his candidacy some six months ago.

There are a few Guyanese and other West Indians who work for, or serve as advisors for the campaign. Guyanese political analyst Vishnu Bisram is a registered volunteer and also mans phone banks for the campaign through the Teachers Union.

Chirlane DeBlasio and Una Clarke expressed their gratitude to the Richmond Hill community for raising the funds. They assured Guyanese and others that they will not forget the community. With city matching grants of six to one, as much as US$ 1 million could be granted to the campaign.

Jamaican cop, sister charged with cabbie's beheading for court Nov

Apoliceman and his sister who have been charged with the 2012 gruesome murder of a taxi operator in St Ann, Jamaica is set to be called up in the St Ann Circuit Court on November 19.

Constable Jeffrey Peart, who was stationed in Negril, Westmoreland, and his sister Roxanne Peart are jointly charged with the murder of 47-yearold taxi driver Delroy Frame, whose headless body was discovered in a gully in Wild Cane near Cave Valley in May 2012.

When the two appeared before the St Ann Circuit Court last Thursday prosecutors revealed that the lawyers representing both accused were absent and that they requested that the matter be set for November 19.

Jeffrey Peart is represented by attorney

Lambert Johnson, while Roxanne is represented by Hebert McKenzie. Justice Courtney Daye who is currently presiding over the St Ann Circuit remanded the police officer until the next court date while his sister's Ja$500,000 bail was extended.

Allegations against the siblings are that they devised and executed a plan to kill Frame. It is alleged that Peart's sister hired Frame to take her from Hanover to Wild Cane, a community where the policeman previously resided, as part of a plot to lure him to the area where her brother was waiting.

She was not pointed out in an identification parade following her arrest. However, the trace of her phone calls placed her in the Wild Cane area and indicated that she was in contact with both Peart and Frame.

The headless body of

19

Frame, who was from Logwood Hanover, was found in a gully in the Wild Cane area and his burnt out car was found less than a mile away in the White Sand district on Saturday May 19, 2012. Frame was reportedly a complainant and witness in a corruption case against the policeman who, prior to May 19 was before the court in Westmoreland on corruption charges.

Following his arrest last year, Peart, then 24, denied being in the parish at the time of the killing, although police reported that an eyewitness saw him in the community. Additionally, it is alleged that a trace of his cell phone placed him in the area. Three spent shells from Peart's licensed firearm were allegedly found some distance away from Frame's burnt-out car. (Jamaica Observer)

oil per day (bopd).

He said the data available to him shows this figure will reach 82,000 bopd by year’s end. Ramnarine also expressed optimism that gas production was also on the increase and for the close of the Deepwater Bid Round on January 31, 2014. He said in that bid round, there has been a total of 14 bids for the six blocks offered. (TT Newsday)

Guyana’s representative in this year’s Miss Universe pageant, Katherina Roshana, continues to win hearts and be an ambassador of goodwill for her country. In the national costume competition, Roshana, in her plumed outfit of wonder representing the Bird of the Rock (aka Cock of the Rock), was a sight to behold, thanks to Derek Moore’s artistry and vision.

When she appeared on stage, the thousands in attendance applauded.

With a glowing smile, Roshana, who is sponsored by Limacol/NEW GPC INC, worked the audience– displaying her poise and grace. The Bird of the Rock is only found in the Kaieteur Falls highlands. The legendary bird is non-migratory, and cannot be domesticated or

transferred anywhere else. The beauty queen expressed gratitude to

Couture; Derek Moore; Richard Younge; Ronnie Morris; Sonia Noel; the Apsara Entertainment Group; the media; her

fans, and the persons who have made her trip and pageant experience what it is and provided their support.

Toronto’s Ryerson film students in TT

Eight fourth-year students from Canada’s Ryerson University, who are pursuing degrees in Radio and Television production arrived in Trinidad last week for ten days to produce a video for ‘The World I See’.

‘The World I See’ is a programme that showcases the cultural vibrancy of various cities around the world. Focusing on the areas of food, local nightlife, and hidden gems, the programme will explore local hot spots that aren’t “world-famous” or coined tourist destinations.

The show will comprise of two male and one female host. Each will individually explore three areas, giving the audience a unique perspective on why these areas contribute to the cultural vibrancy of the Islands. 'The World I See' features three cultural areas: Food, Local Nightlife, and Hidden Gems. During the Food segment, one of the male hosts will enter a restaurant and work as an employee. He will cook the food, attempt to sell it, and feast. In his struggle, he will learn about the food he is cooking, its origination, and how it became a local favourite.

During the Local Nightlife Segment, the second male host will explore the culture of nightlife. He will go out with a local and learn about the unique cultural diversi-

ty Trinidad has to offer. During the Hidden Gems segment, the female host will explore scenic destinations that contribute to the appeal of these destinations. A segment will be shot in Tobago.

The objectives for the show are to promote tourism of local areas and destinations, to explore and experience local festivities, and to educate the audience of the cultural diversity of the world while entertaining them. When visiting local sites, the objective is to give exposure that wouldn’t occur otherwise. Through the hosts’ engagement and actions, the audience will see what the first person experience is like, and it is through the hosts’ creative participation they will learn about the culture being presented to them.

The students met with Council General Dr Vidya Gyan-Tota Maharaj at the TT Embassy in Toronto. The Embassy was instrumental in getting assistance from the ministries of tourism and foreign affairs. The University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) later became involved with a view of deepening collaboration with Ryerson.

The students upon their arrival visited Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Dookeran at his constituency office in Tunapuna, last week. (TT Newsday)

Guyana’s Public Works Minister Robeson Benn and Minister in the Finance Ministry, Juan Edghill were recently honoured for their role in the Women in Aviation stamp launch on October 9 as part of World Postal Day observances.

That event saw Guyana’s first female commercial pilots Beverly Drake and Cheryl Pickering-Moore getting postal stamps in their honour from the Guyana Post Office Corporation.

The ministers were presented with plaques showcasing the first day covers of the stamps by Attorney Everette Richards, who represented the stamp honou-

rees. They both expressed delight at recognition of

their efforts in making the stamp launch a reality.

Pickering-Moore and Drake were among the eight Guyanese women

pioneers in the aviation industry who were honoured recently for their bravery in breaking the gender barrier in professional aviation in the 1960s.

The two women made history as a result of their commitment and dedication in the industry and their faces are now featured on Gy$20 and Gy$80 stamps, which were revealed during the tribute ceremony, as the first stamps in a series to honour the group.

The other six women to be similarly honoured are: Feriel Ally, Barbara Adams, Williette Gardener, and Sandra Persaud. (GINA)

Reggae artiste advocates help for homeless people in Jamaica

Jamaican reggae artiste Wayne Marshall is asking regular Jamaicans and the government to be more considerate about the welfare of the numerous homeless children and adults lurking in the corners of the city of Kingston.

According to the artiste, who is now signed to Ziggy, Stephen, Julian and Damian Marley's Ghetto Youth International record label, it is a sad feeling to see the growing number of homeless Jamaicans.

"As a Jamaican, it's a horrible feeling that so many people are on the corners begging. I always give them a little of what I have when I can. I even know some of them on a first-name basis because I interact with them," the artiste said.

prevent or facilitate the growth in number of the homeless.

Marshall is, therefore, appealing to adults to carefully plan how they will finance having a family.

"The fathers and mothers have a role to play. These homeless kids have or had parents at some point. Parents must now gauge themselves on how much children you can manage -

one man have four kids and don't know how he will support them. There is also an issue of teenage pregnancy, which might be a cause as well," he said.

In 2011, the Jamaica Social Investment Fund donated Ja$65 million for the building of a shelter for the homeless at a location identified on King Street, downtown Kingston.

Former mayor of

Kingston Desmond McKenzie had made the announcement at the launch of The Salvation Army's 2011 Kettle Appeal at Scotiabank's downtown head office. McKenzie had estimated that there were about 1,500 homeless persons in Kingston and St Andrew and that 600 of that number were located downtown Kingston. (Excerpted from Jamaica Observer)

Wayne Marshall is also asking that other Jamaicans extend more courtesy to the homeless, saying that if they had another avenue to survive, they wouldn't be sleeping on the streets.

recommending that the government address the issue before it reaches a level that is almost impossible to contain.

The artiste identified the family as the element which can either

The artiste is also

Guyanese celebrate Diwali with diyas, sweetmeats galore

Guyanese on Sunday celebrated the festival of light with the lighting of diyas and the sharing of sweet meats. Many houses were lit with rows of diyas as early as 17:30h as the celebration of the festival unfolded. For some families, lakshmi puja was performed before the lighting ceremony. Diyas were lit in rows creating vivid magical scenes.

Throughout various villages and streets in Georgetown, persons were seen with trays of diyas decorating their homes.

In Essequibo, particularly on the quiet Island of Wakenaam, Hindus beautifully decorated their homes with hundreds of diyas and fairy lights. Persons also practised the custom of sharing sweatmeats.

Meanwhile, patrons turned out in their numbers much earlier than usual at the La Bonne Intention (LBI) Community Centre ground Saturday evening for the highly-anticipated annual grand Diwali Motorcade.

The presence of

Bollywood singer Jeffrey Iqbal in the lineup of artistes may have been a contributor to the large turnout which was evident long before the parade of floats started entering the ground.

President Donald Ramotar was present along with First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar and Prime Minister Samuel Hinds to catch the performances, as the brightly lit Diwali floats made their way into the LBI ground.

Prizes

Floats participated in the small and large category, and were judged by a panel that included Culture, Youth

and Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony and Philbert Gajadar.

In the end, the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO) was adjudged the overall best float.

The Better Hope Mandir copped the first prize for the large category, while in the small float category, the Success Mandir came in first. In the commercial category, the winning prize went to Edward B Beharry and for the most creative, Rosignol Sanatan Dharma (small) and the Golden Om Mandir (large).

As a show of appreciation, the organis-

ing body for the annual event, the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, handed out gifts to the first- time participants.

President Ramotar, who hosted a cultural event, Monday evening to commemorate the religious holiday, said in his remarks at the motorcade, that Diwali has a wealth of relevant messages.

“It is as you know, the victory of good over evil, the victory of light over darkness, the victory of knowledge over ignorance and these are all things that we have been working for,” President Ramotar said. (Guyana Times)

TT’s Divali Nagar 2013 - a rich showcase of Indian culture

The spectacular Divali Nagar in Trinidad and Tobago ended last Friday with a stunning display not only of the fireworks but of TT’s diverse heritage, as thousands from all walks of life crowded into the Chaguanas site, to lap up what is one the year’s richest offerings of Indian culture.

The Endeavour Nagar site, as it does every year, drew people from every background, eager to take in the festive air and the hours-long show of song, dance and worship.

Not the least of the attractions was the lengthy and seemingly more complicated fireworks display by FireOne Fireworks FX, a gift that the company has offered to patrons and the National Council of Indian Culture (NCIC) for years.

Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar caused a stir. Her arrival was marked by cheers and swarming patrons, all trying to glimpse the PM in her elaborately brocaded yellow sari.

This year’s closing guest of honour was Indian Union Minister for Culture, Chandresh Kumari, who commended the NCIC and the people of Trinidad and Tobago for keeping Indian culture alive in the Caribbean.

With the NCIC celebrating its golden jubilee in 2014, chairman Deokinanan Sharma said planning for an even better show will start early next year.

The NCIC and East Indian culture have come far, Sharma said in his remarks, with the council having been started “at a time when East Indian culture was given little heed” and was “discriminated against by the powers that be”.

The festivities were endless and apart from the food, prayer, dance and song, many expressed appreciation for the exhibitions on this year’s theme, “Shree Krishna: Purna Avatar (Perfect Avatar)”.

The exhibition, which included statues, depictions on paper and text, was created by the Nagar’s main decorator for the past 15 years, Indian artist Baba Mourya. (Excerpted from TT Express)

Reepu Daman Persaud Foundation helps scores of young Guyanese upgrade their education

The late Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud always emphasized the importance of children and young people pursuing

2006, the Reepu Daman Persaud Foundation was launched to coincide with his 70th birthday. Under the foundation, assistance is

that her father believed strongly in education and the development of youths, and this gave birth to the foundation.

“We started at our

education to the highest levels. Through the Reepu Daman Persaud Foundation, the pandit’s goal of aiding deserving students to help them realize their full potential is being achieved.

Pandit Persaud, who was also a politician, guru to many; president and founder of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha and one who served for 41 years as a parliamentarian, believed that all young people need to equip themselves with all the necessary education and skills, so that they could effectively contribute towards their community and country, as well as their personal enhancement.

On January 16,

provided in the form of tuition fees and related expenses for University of Guyana students; one-year scholarships for students studying at the Dharmic Rama Krishna Primary School and bursaries to children across the country to assist with educational expenses.

To date, more than 35 students of the Dharmic Rama Krishna Primary School have had one year tuition fees paid for by the foundation. In addition, 75 bursaries have been given to children from Berbice, West Coast and East Coast Demerara.

In an interview, the late pandit’s daughter, Dr Vindhya Vasini Persaud pointed out

Dharmic Rama Krishna School by giving scholarships to children at all levels, once they would

have some sort of assessment. The scholarships were given based on academic merit as well as a needs-based requirement.

We have expanded this across the country. We asked our various branches countrywide to identify deserving children to help them financially and even help them further to university,” Dr Persaud explained.

"The foundation has also given a full fouryear scholarship to Vickram Deonarine of Essequibo to pursue a civil engineering degree at UG. It is also bearing the cost of his accommodation on campus. Vickram will graduate this month. Another student whose fees were borne by the foundation was successful in obtaining his accountancy

diploma at UG.

Two full-time musicians, who have played for the popular Zee TV show “Sa Re Ga Ma”, have been brought in from India to provide free training at our Dharmic Kendra. We have also started classes in East Coast at the Strathaven Mandir, and after Diwali we will expand the classes to Parika, West Coast Demerara and Berbice. Our aim is making our programme accessible and open to anyone. Any child who has that natural ability or inclination can benefit from it also,” she outlined.

The foundation also emphasizes the importance of blending extracurricular activities with academics.

Persaud pointed out that more parents are realizing the programme is not just about dancing but is a discipline.

“We are also working to partner very soon with an institute in India so that Indian music exams can be written (in Guyana). Also, if we find very talented students and we feel they can benefit from overseas training, it is our hope we can have that funding available,” she disclosed.

The foundation is sustained by the contributions from the children, godchildren, relatives and friends of Persaud, and is governed by a board of trustees. (Excerpted from Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

Nakhuda traces Indian roots in ‘Bengal to Barbados’

Unlike the East Indians who came to Guyana from as early as 1838, and to TT and other Caribbean islands from 1845, those who came to Barbados from the 1900s were not indentured labourers; they came “accidentally,” of their own volition.

This was revealed by author Sabir Nakhuda in his fascinating book on the 100-year history of East Indian migration to Barbados: ‘Bengal to Barbados’. The book chronicles the activities of East Indians who eventually made Barbados their new home.

“All of these different groups or individuals who came to Barbados, came ‘accidentally.’ They never intended to come to Barbados. They were going to other places,” he said in a recent interview with TT media.

He said Beshart Ali Dewan, from West Bengal, was the first East Indian to come to Barbados in 1910.

Nakhuda said the second East Indian immigrant to Barbados came from Gujarat in 1929; the third came in 1932 from Hyderabad, Sindh (once a province in India, now part of Pakistan). He said Ali Dewan initially came to Trinidad because his father-in-law lived there. After some months he decided to go to Barbados, where he became an itinerant trader, selling textiles and jewelry.

Nakhuda said the Gujarati initially went to cut lumber in Brazil; he had reached as far as what was known as French Guiana, then went on to British Guiana. He said the Gujarati started to do trade selling coconuts and char-

coal to Barbadians from a schooner. After three trips, he decided to make Barbados his home. Nakhuda said

the Hyderabad native went to meet his brother-in-law in Bermuda. They talked about settling down to open busi-

ness somewhere in the Caribbean and they both decided to go to Barbados.

Nakhuda said there were no more than 3,000 East Indians in Barbados, including Muslims, Sindhis, South Indians and some Indo-Trinidadians and Guyanese. Nakhuda said the East Indians in Barbados still retained contact with India; no Indian home in Barbados would be unaware of their family in India. He said their lifestyle, dietary habits and culture were very different from Indo-Trinidadians and Indo-Guyanese.

Nakhuda himself was born in Gujarat, India, in December 1947 and came to Barbados at age ten. He, and other members of the East Indian groups, converse fluently in regional dialects from India as well as English.

He said intermarriages and arranged marriages did occur between the major East Indian groups, following traditions in India. Nakhuda said, however, that most of the Muslims would marry within the Gujarati community, because most of the Gujaratis were Muslims. He said the South Indians did the same; there were few instances of Hindu girls marrying Muslim boys. East Indians also sometimes intermarried with the rest of the Barbados population.

Nakhuda said integration was taking place among the East Indian population in Barbados, albeit at a slower pace. He said this was because the community was small and more conservative than other East Indian communities in the Caribbean. (TT Guardian)

Canada-based anthropologist showcases Jamaica’s dreadlocks culture in documentary

AFrench anthropologist is producing a documentary on the history and symbolic power of the dreadlocks hairstyle.

Dr Linda Aïnouche, who lives in Canada, says she is in the advance stages of the project, titled ‘Dreadlocks Story’.

It looks at, among other things, similarities between African and East Indian culture in Jamaica.

According to Ainouche, ‘Dreadlocks Story’ also addresses the understated impact East Indians have on Rastafarians.

"Hairstyle is one of the most universal and unavoidable forms of body art. And, one of the most interesting and commonly misunderstood hairstyles is matted hair," she explained.

"Through the hairstyle, the audience learn about

Indian legacy, Hindu heritage in Jamaica and its influence on the Rastafari movement."

Aïnouche interviewed several well-known personalities for ‘Dreadlocks Story’ including David Hinds, lead singer of British reggae band Steel Pulse; Helene Lee, French author of the book ‘The First Rasta’ (about Rastafarian founder Leonard Howell);

Verene Shepherd, social history professor at the University of The West Indies, and Laxmi Mansingh, author of ‘Home Away From Home’, a book about the East Indian in Jamaica.

Aïnouche is a freelance research anthropologist with expertise in 'cultural heritage and inter-cultural relationships'.

She says although

‘Dreadlocks Story’ is an independent project, it got invaluable support from the Institute of Jamaica, Liberty Hall Museum and the National Museum of Jamaica, as well as academia in France, India and the United States.

Footage for ‘Dreadlocks Story’ has been filmed in Jamaica and France. There are plans to film in India this month and December.

It is expected to be released in 2014.

The dreadlocked hairstyle became internationally famous during the 1970s due through the emergence of reggae star Bob Marley.

While it was largely dismissed by conservative Jamaicans back then, it has become universally accepted with celebrities, politicians and sports figures wearing locks. (Jamaica Observer)

Caribbean forms Film Commissioners Association

There is strength in numbers.

With that in mind, Guadeloupe, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, the British Virgin Islands and Belize recently joined with Trinidad and Tobago in forming the first Caribbean Film Commissioners Association (CFCA).

The film commissioners from the above territories were brought together for the UNESCO/ Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival conference Cameras for Diversity for a Culture of Peace, which took place in Portof-Spain from September 25-27. The commissioners signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to create the new organisation for the benefit of the film industry in the region.

Goals listed in the MOU include: organising training for members and industry professionals within member countries to create a high standard of quality in the region; providing marketing and promotion for the Caribbean as a region, in the areas of film locations and tradeshows, a production guide, and participation in international conferences.

“The CFCA is the only body, within the Caribbean region, with

Home for Diwali

By Anu Dev

“As truth be told, homecoming never gets old” – Hlovate

Ihadn’t fully realised just how much I missed home until it dawned on me that the reason I was in a fantastically upbeat mood all of last week was because I was going home for the weekend. For a while I worried that maybe I was getting used to the Trini food!

certified and trained film commissioners from over 15 Caribbean countries and states,” the MOU states.

"The association hopes, in addition, to “provide leadership on policy development issues affecting the Audiovisual sector in the Caribbean, such as incentives, and infrastructural developments within our respective territories and at the regional level for increasing employment and attracting investment,” the MOU continues. Another of the association’s objectives is to advocate for the development of film commissions in territories currently without them.

Research into the industry is also another CFCA objective; the organisation hopes to inventory the filmmaking resources and infrastructure in the region, in areas such as the number of screens, national productions and box office revenues.

Charter members of the organisation are Tony Coco-Viloin of the Guadeloupe Film Commission, founding President; Carla Foderingham of the Trinidad and Tobago Film Company, first vicepresident; Kim-Marie Spence of the Jamaica Film Commission, second vice-president; Nigel Miguel of the Belize Film Commission, secretary;

Rhodni Skelton of the British Virgin Islands Film Commision, Public Relations director; and Ellis Perez of the Dominican Republic Film Commission.

The CFCA intends to boost South-South co-operation within the industry, Foderingham said, highlighting the possibilities of using Caricom’s CSME for the movement of highly skilled personnel to work across the region.

Skelton said via email, “The CFCA was established after many years of intra-Caribbean dialogue to address the areas and issues specifically related to the Caribbean film industry. We recognise and acknowledge the uniqueness of the film industry of each island (and) country but find that there are many commonalities that bind our individual film industries together.

“We aim to address training, certification, film incentives, facilitate co-productions within the region, marketing and much more within the Caribbean, while addressing the need to establish industry standards for Film Commissions, and for above and below the line crew in the region.”

(Excerpted from TT Newsday)

Diwali has always been one of the festivals that’s important to my family and me, so I was thrilled that I got to spend Diwali at home, my first year away. For me, Diwali is inextricably linked with my childhood memories and good times. Peaceful times. This is the perfect break to give me some time to decompress from the rigours of med school life. And, of course, it’s just the best thing in the world to eat my mom’s cooking again. (Well, an uncle did drop off a “care package” of mom’s home cooking a few weeks ago – but that quickly became a distant memory!).

I visited the Leonora Market Saturday and I was pleased to see that Diwali preparations seemed to be in full-swing. I saw a lot of smiling old faces. There were vendors selling diyas literally a foot away from each other. I guess it doesn’t get more competitive than that! And of course there are enough fireworks being sold to light up the sky for possibly the rest of the year. But surprisingly I didn’t really hear too many Diwali bhajans being played.

But Diwali was definitely in the air. As my dad drove into the village from the airport Friday night, we had to take a different route, since the Dharmic Diwali West Coast Motorcade and programme was winding down in fine style at the end of Uitvlugt. I know I’ve been in a ‘Diwali-mood’ for the past week. “Diwali ayaa re”, anyone?

I was looking forward to the whole experience of cooking Diwali sweets, lighting up the diyas and of course singing Diwali bhajans. I was especially looking forward to the cooking (and the eating that follows, if you don’t mind!). And just soaking up my home vibes.

And by the happiest of serendipities, my birthday happened to be Saturday – the day before Diwali. So it’s beyond incredible that I got to turn 18 at home. My family’s planning, my school’s schedule and the date for Diwali were all aligned! I’m finally an adult! But if the truth be told, I haven’t gotten any blindingly spectacular epiphanies about adulthood yet.

I’m just relieved that I’ve successfully ploughed through the first two months of living on my own. But while I was in Guyana I had planned to enjoy and savour every second of my time at home. It really did feel good to be home. “Home sweet home” is not just a cliché…it says it all.

Veteran actors Hema Malini and Dharmendra's younger daughter Ahana Deol will marry Delhi-based businessman Vaibhav Vora on February 2, 2014, but the actress is unwilling to spill any more details on the wedding.

"We have not decided as yet whether we will hold the ceremony here or in Delhi. As of now, we cannot reveal anything," Hema told IANS. The couple got engaged in June this year

at Hema's Juhu residence. The engagement was held in a very traditional manner and took place in the presence of the two families.

Ahana had reportedly met Vaibhav during her sister Esha Deol's wedding last year. Esha is married to Mumbaibased businessman Bharat Takhtani.

Apart from being a trained Odissi dancer, Ahana is also interested in designing. (TOI)

‘Deepika looks the best with me’ - Ranveer Singh

The sizzling chemistry between Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh, the lead pair of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's ‘Ram-Leela’, is hard to miss. In a candid chat, the actors talk about what makes them tick as costars and friends. The following is an excerpted from TOI.

How do you find each other as co-stars and friends?

Deepika: Be it as a friend or a costar, Ranveer doesn't hold back in terms of support and enthusiasm. It is nice to see someone who is unapologetic about the way he is. He is refreshingly lovable.

Ranveer: As a co-star, Deepika is very focused, professional and disciplined. As a friend, she is someone you'd love to hang out with. She likes to let her hair down and have fun. Were you both comfortable shooting the intimate scenes?

Deepika: As actors, we prepared and approached the intimate scenes like any other scene. There was no extra preparation or discussion.

Ranveer: I don't have any inhibi-

tions in life, either as a person or as a performer, which works to my advantage. When you are doing a passionate love story, what drives the narrative forward is the palpable chemistry between the two lead characters. You don't have to gear yourself to make that happen... it's either there or not there.

Who does Deepika look the best with on screen?

Ranveer: Me!

And, who does Ranveer look good with?

Deepika: Arjun Kapoor!

‘Haven't found the special one yet’ - Priyanka Chopra

Actress Priyanka Chopra says she has not found the "special one" yet, with whom she would like to get married. "I am not getting married anytime soon. I haven't yet found the special one with whom I would like to settle down," Priyanka said.

Her younger brother Siddharth Chopra recently got engaged and is

‘I

likely to tie the knot with his sweetheart of the

past three years, Kanika Mathur in 2014.

"It was my brother's decision and we all support him. I know what you are planning to ask... So before you complete the question let me clarify that I am not getting married. Fortunately, I don't have any pressure from my family to get married," she added. (TOI)

see the next SRK in my son AbRam’ - Shah Rukh Khan

King Khan, who is ruling the Bollywood industry, says he sees the next Shah Rukh Khan in his son AbRam.

When asked who in the young set of actors has the capability to be the next Shah Rukh Khan, he said: "I see the next SRK in AbRam, but it will take time."

He said he has dedicated this year for small things and little happiness.

"Each year, we run after to achieve something big, may it be big films, awards...I know it is all important and it’s been 22 years and I have decided to focus on small things. In the race of catching big things, we miss small

Kareena not worried about husband's intimate scenes on-screen

Actress Kareena Kapoor Khan says she does not mind actorhusband Saif Ali Khan getting intimate with other heroines on-screen.

"We do not feel insecure. This is my professional life and my personal life has got nothing to do with it (professional life) at all. They are two separate areas of my life. There is no insecurity that I feel (when Saif gets intimate with any heroine). He is an actor and that is his job," Kareena said.

"He should get intimate with other actresses. If it is a romantic song, he should look like a romantic hero. He should look good all the time (with his co-stars). I want him to do that and vice versa," she added.

According to Kareena, Sonakshi is the best co-star of Saif in ‘Bullett Raja.’ "I hope ‘Bullett Raja’ does well. He should work with everybody and all films should do well. Whenever his film is releasing he should look good with that particular heroine," she further stated. (TOI)

When Ranbir Kapoor refused to act with Shah Rukh Khan

Though Ranbir Kapoor's last movie ‘Besharam’ didn't fare well at the box-office, the young actor had allegedly refused to act in a movie with superstar Shah Rukh Khan.

A Mid-Day report said that Karan Johar had made an offer to Ranbir to do a film with none other than SRK. However, Ranbir refused

as he did not want to be a part of two-hero project.

The report further stated that after delivering three super-hit films, Ranbir believed that he can carry a movie on his own shoulders, and does not need support of other male actors.

The actor is also busy shooting with his other films like ‘Bombay Velvet’, ‘Jagga Jasoos’ and ‘Roy.’ (TOI)

‘Never thought Arjun Kapoor would become an actor’ - Deepika

Deepika Padukone, who is busy promoting ‘Ramleela’, has wrapped up Homi Adajania's English film ‘Finding Fanny Fernandes’ in which she stars opposite Arjun Kapoor.

"It's done, it's finished. I have finished shooting for it. It's called 'Finding Fanny Fernandes'. It's an English film set in Goa and I just came back two days ago, it's already done," the 27-year-old said.

Talking about the ex-

Rani

things," SRK said.

"This year, I want to spend time with my children. I look forward to spending quality time with my children. They are growing older and getting busy in their own lives, so I am trying to get into it. So, I have dedicated this year for small little happiness," he added.

The actor who has achieved everything in life says on the professional front he has not achieved everything.

"On the professional front, I have not achieved everything. There is a long way to go. I try to get better with my each film and I will continue to do that till my last breath." (TOI)

perience of working with Arjun, Deepika said it was a bit strange for her.

"For me it's a little strange to be working with him, I have known him for many years. I have known him since when he was a fat kid, he was part of a group of friends and I never thought he would become an actor.

"So it's a little surreal, I am extremely proud and I feel very happy for him. The fact that he has got into such good shape, that his first film ('Ishaqzaade') did so well... He is growing with every film. It was surreal, but also fun," she added. (TOI)

Mukerji bonds with Aditya Chopra’s family on Diwali

Actress Rani Mukherji, who according to rumours is married to Aditya Chopra, was allegedly celebrating Diwali at Aditya Chopra's residence with the rest of the Chopra family.

The pretty actress was enthusiastically participating in all rituals, and was seen bursting crackers with family members. According to media reports, the Bong beauty was also seen interacting with guests and family friends Karan Johar, Jimmy Sheirgill, Poonam Dhillon and Vaibhavi Merchant.

Though Rani looked very much like a part of the Chopra family, she wasn't seen with Aditya Chopra. Aditya is very camera shy and avoids being

Eva Mendes and Ryan Gosling still very much in love

Actress Eva Mendes has slammed reports that her relationship with actor Ryan Gosling is in trouble. She says it's false.

If recent reports were anything to go by, the couple was close to calling it quits, but the 39-yearold has confirmed that she and Gosling are still very much in love, reported contactmusic.com.

"The whole story is completely false," said Mendes' representative. Mendes and Gosling

went public with their romance in September 2011. (TOI)

Kate Hudson helps Lea Michele get through after Cory’s death

Lea Michele credits Kate Hudson for helping her get through the weeks after Cory Monteith's death.

The ‘Glee’ actress, whose co-star and boyfriend of one year died from an overdose in his hotel room in Vancouver, Canada, in July, revealed the ‘Something Borrowed’ star, 34, immediately opened her Los Angeles home and took care of Lea and her family after hearing of the actor's tragic death.

The 27-year-old star told the December issue of Elle magazine: ''I called her and said, I don't know where I'm going to go because my

house is swarmed [with reporters]. She was like, 'Oh, you're going to stay at my house.' Like it was nothing.

''She let my family stay there, and any of my friends. She made sure that in the refrigerator were my favourite juices. I'll never really be able to thank her, truly,

for what she did for me.''

The actresses bonded when Kate, who has two sons, Ryder, nine, and Bingham, two, guest starred on the FOX series for six episodes last year.

Lea is still coming to terms with Cory's death and hopes to help people by being open about the situation.

She said: ''It's very hard and you have to be very strong to come out of this alive, but I think by doing the best for myself, by showing that you don't have to lose yourself, maybe someone else will feel some sort of strength or comfort.'' (TOI)

Richards refuses to keep custody of Sheen's sons

Actress Denise Richards has reportedly refused to take care of her exhusband Charlie Sheen's four-year-old twins, claiming they are violent towards her daughters and dogs.

The 42-year-old was granted temporary custody of Sheen and Brooke Mueller's sons---Bob and Max---in May until the end of this year after their mother's drug use spiralled out of control.

The actress, who has two daughters--Sam, nine and Lola,

eight with Sheen---as well as two-year-old adopted daughter Eloise, wrote a distressing letter to the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), blaming Mueller for her sons' bad behaviour.

A source told tmz.com that Richards said the boys often go into a "zombie-like state" and gave details about their violent behaviour, including one incident that saw Bob throw a toy at Sam's face forcing Richards to take her to the doctor.

The former ‘Bond’ girl also claimed that Bob and Max have even harmed other children and slapped their teachers in school. (TOI)

Blake Lively denies having any fitness routine

Blake Lively has revealed that she has no fitness routine.

When asked if she follows a fitness routine, Lively said, "None!"

The 26-year-old actress told Vogue Paris that she is lucky to have an active lifestyle and doesn't need a trainer or even pay attention to what she eats, People Magazine reported.

The ‘Gossip Girl’ star added that she can't start her day without a cup of hot milk chocolate or finish without crunching a few dark chocolate squares, as its good for her morale. (TOI)

Ashton Kutcher is eager to mentor young people.

The 35-year-old actor, who is dating ‘Black Swan’ star Mila Kunis, has signed up to Popexpert.com, a website offering users the opportunity to video chat with professionals from different industries and gain insight for their own well-being and success.

A source told E!

News: ''Ashton is passionate about giving back and being a mentor to young people. It's a cause that is very impor-

tant to him.''

The ‘Two And A Half Men’ star goes by his real name Christopher Kutcher on the site and users will be charged just $5 to chat with the actor for one-hour for the first session and $10 for any additional sessions. But the site currently says he has no upcoming availability and users requesting time must sign up for the waiting list.

(TOI)

Kristen Bell feared loving dogs more than own child

Kristen Bell has confessed that before the birth of her baby girl, Lincoln, she worried that she wouldn't be able to love her own child as much as her dogs.

The ‘House of Lies’ star told Flare Magazine that she didn't really feel connected to her daughter during the entire pregnancy, People

Magazine reported.

The 33-year-old actress, however, asserted that within 24 hours of her daughter's birth, her hormones reset and they reprogrammed her feelings about Lincoln, making her more protective of her.

Bell has two pups, Lola and Mr. Shakes, with actor hubby Dax Shepherd. (TOI)

‘Didn't want to be lesbian’ - Portia De Rossi

Australian-American actress Portia De Rossi says she never wanted to be a lesbian and once thought being gay was "strange".

The 40-year-old, just celebrated her fifth wedding anniversary with TV personality Ellen DeGeneres, also admitted that she thought lesbians "hated men", reported radaronline.com.

"I just didn't want to be a lesbian. I'd never met one for a start and I just thought they were strange, they hated men and they were very serious," De Rossi said in an interview.

"I had these ridiculous images in my head and there were no out celebrities or politicians or anybody that I could look to and go, 'Oh, I could be like that.'

"There was nobody that I could say, 'I could date her and I want to be like her.' I just kind of thought I don't want to live like this. I don't have to, I don't need to, I just shut down the emotional life," she added.

But things began to turn around after she met DeGeneres backstage at an awards show in 2004. She came out as gay a year later.

"For me, being honest about who I was, coming out, being gay, starting to date, that was a huge turning point for me, because I realised without changing my life, there was no point in changing the way that I ate," the ‘Arrested Development’ star said.

De Rossi and DeGeneres got married on Aug 16, 2008. (TOI)

Demi in India for spiritual meet

It's an ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ moment for Demi Moore as her dragged-on-forever divorce with Ashton Kutcher finally inches towards a closure. The glamorous Hollywood star is currently in India, doing some soul-searching or so it seems. This week, the star was spotted in McLeodganj, Himachal Pradesh, taking a leisurely stroll down the scenic paths. She is said to be in India

to attend a spiritual conference, 'Craving, Desire and Addiction', in which the Dalai Lama is also a speaker.

Moore, pictured walking along with a couple of spiritual leaders and monks, was dressed completely in black and sported oversized shades and boots. And the session she attended at the conference was on 'The Role of Dopamine' in the Addicted Human Brain! (TOI)

Over the years, the tourism ministry of Guyana has been placing a lot of emphasis on domestic tourism, and in this regard, it has implemented several initiatives such as the Wakenaam Nite, Essequibo Nite, and several expos.

In expanding on the ‘Nite’ initiative, the ministry last Wednesday launched the Leguan Nite, to allow individuals to visit and explore the island and see what it has to offer.

At the ceremony at the Tourism Ministry’s South Road Office, Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Indranauth Haralsingh said the event, which is expected to have a greater outcome than Wakenaam Nite is scheduled for November 9 at the Greens Park ground, Blenheim.

Leguan is a small island in the Essequibo River, with a primarily rice farming and cattle rearing community, and is home to approximately 4000 people.

The event is expected to attract a large crowd, because it will serve as an open exhibition to the Region Three

island.

It will offer a tour of the island, along with a visit to the beach, which can be used as family time to relax or play a game of cricket or volleyball while allowing visitors to experience life on the island, which includes rice farming, cow milking and fishing, along with other daily routines. Overnight camping will also be facilitated at the community centre ground

and in the school’s compounds.

“We continue in our efforts to promote domestic tourism and afford all Guyanese the opportunity to see their country and experience the various cultural nuances that define each community,” Haralsingh said.

The main attraction of the event, however, is the pageant which consists of five segments and will see nine young

The young women were at the launch of Leguan Nite and highlighted their platforms: pollution, peer pressure, domestic violence, teenage pregnancy, juvenile delinquency, women empowerment, rights of a child, child abuse and unemployment.

Entertainment for the evening will also be

provided by the Shakti Strings Orchestra along with local dancers and singers. Local delicacies such as duck, chicken, and iguana curries and coconut choka will be on sale while there will be lots of games and fun activities for children.

Transportation to the island is by boat, and speed boats are expected to work 24 hours on the day of the event to accommodate passengers travelling to fro.

The ferry will also be making its usual trips to and from the island; however the ministry is working to have an additional trip added onto the ferry’s schedule for the day. The Leguan Cultural Committee, which has organised the event with the ministry has secured sponsorship from Banks DIH, Gizmos and Gadgets, the Guyana Chronicle and residents from the island. (GINA)

Ne-Yo, R Kelly concert in Trinidad draws 5000

It was a night of sweet soca and R&B in an intimate setting for the grown and sexy— or at least that was the intent. On Saturday, RedLight Concert Series debuted their inaugural event with performances by Bunji Garlin, FayAnn Lyons and the Viking Family, Machel Montano and HD, R&B prince Ne-Yo and the Pied Piper of R&B R Kelly at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Trinidad.

The concert started promptly at 8 pm, much to the appreciation of the more than 5,000 patrons, as host Jason Williams came on and introduced the Viking Family as the opening act.

Patrons who bought Redlight Lounge and Black Diamond (VVIP and VIP) tickets received the red carpet treatment on arrival, which included a stemmed rose for each lady before being escorted to their seat.

The show opened with Bunji and FayAnn performing their numerous hits such as “Tabanca,”

“We Doing this Owah,” “Heavy-T Bumper” and “Differentology.”

“I know allyuh came to see Ne-Yo and allyuh came to see R Kelly, but at the end of the day we representing Trinidad and Tobago,” FayAnn said to screaming fans.

She then went on to cover a few popular reggae and R&B songs such as “Rockaway” by Beres Hammond and “One Drop” by Taurus Riley, as well as Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” and “Locked Out of Heaven” by Bruno Mars. Both performances included B-Boy dancers. To the delight of the fans, the raspy-voiced singer belted out her version of Mars’ hit “When I was Your Man,” dedicating it to the men and, at one point, singing directly to her husband Bunji at the end. The Viking Family closed off their segment with Bunji’s Hot 97’s Battle of the Beats winning song “Differentology.”

Ne-Yo hit the stage a few minutes later with

his band and fans stood up and danced for his entire set. The R&B crooner opened with “Let’s Go,” performing with seven back-up dancers. Unfortunately, it began to rain before NeYo got into his third song. VIP patrons were sitting in the open air while the general admission patrons were able to stay dry in the covered stands. Ne-Yo continued his set with popular hits such as “Mad,” “Ms. Independent” and “Sexy Love.” His trip to the Caribbean seemed well spent as he made several friends whom he invited to perform with him on stage after he sang his first reggae song “You Girl,” featuring Shaggy (who was not present). He brought out dancehall star Popcaan and local artiste Kes as he danced in the background. NeYo had time to take a little “wine” with Kes during “Wotless” and be stripped by a female back-up dancer during “Lazy Love.” (TT Newsday)

Guyanese puppeteer ‘Ole Man Pappie’ receives esteem, recognition in NY

Guyanese artist, puppeteer and arts lecturer Michael Khan, also known as ‘Ole Man Pappie’, was recently awarded notable certificates by the Guyana Cultural Association and the state of New York for his significant contribution in preserving Guyana’s cultural heritage.

In an interview with Guyanese media, the artist noted that the Guyana Cultural Association Folk Festival Award (GCA) ceremony, an annual event in Brooklyn, NY, on Aug 28, 2013, presented awards acknowledging individuals for their work in preserving and promoting Guyanese culture and heritage.

The award Khan received from GCA was in recognition of his creativity, outstanding work and contribution to

the revival of oral traditions, folk tales, myths and legends; presenting Guyanese oral traditions through puppetry, song, dance and dramatic story telling and propagating cultural legends and customs to school age audiences.

Additionally, he received a City Council Citation from the city of New York which described him as an “outstanding citizen, one which is worthy of the esteem of both community and the great city of New York.” Khan mentioned the Guyanese folk characters Ole Man Pappie and Janie Gyal played a very integral part in early village life.

He added that those living on the low coastal plain from Crabwood Creek to Essequibo, had interactions with both village characters, especially Ole Man Pappie when the children

would taunt him with the rhyme, “Ole Man Pappie teef fowl egg, Go in de shop and buy Jill bread.” Also, some may recall Ramjohn Holder’s song, “Janie Gyal”. Janie Gyal is a village charac-

ter who considers herself the village beauty queen and herbalist.

Janie Gyal, with the help of Ole Man Pappie, was always looking for a husband from village to village but never found

one that suited her taste.

The women in the villages would try to keep their husbands away from Janie Gyal as much as possible and would tell her, “Lang, lang time Janie Gyal, Awe nah guh backdam, Cum leh we guh backdam, Janie gyal, cum leh we go backdam.”

The research on these two village characters came about with the Inter-American Development Bank cultural grant, of which Khan is a recipient and earned his study leave at the University of Guyana.

The artist wanted to revive these characters to encourage younger generations to learn about their Guyanese heritage and build appreciation for their rich culture.

“This was unexpected and I felt like I didn’t deserve to be awarded since

what I’m doing comes from my heart, especially where children are involved. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to share the folk tales and toys we grew up playing with, and that of our ancestors.

Guyana’s tangible and intangible cultural heritage is indeed dying and I am committed to share our rich diverse culture with the children and people of Guyana and the world at large,” Khan remarked on receiving the awards.

At the GCA award ceremony in NY, Khan disclosed that Ole Man Pappie and Janie Gyal, played by his assistant Natasha Azeez, were the most featured village characters at the Guyana Folk Festival. They were also in charge of the children’s village. (Excerpted from Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

Isis Metoo is the reigning Miss West Indian Canadian 2013, who impressed the judges with her talented vocal performance of Adele's ‘Skyfall’, her stunning evening gown and brilliant response during the Q&A segment. This West Indian beauty was born in Trinidad on October 15, 1983.

She is a member of the Samsara Dance Group, which won the ‘Best Soca Group Dance’ award at Wi Can Dance Competition 2013. The group also opened for Ravi B & Karma during the Easter weekend concert last year and has performed at various charity events for Sears Glam Campaign and Sears Children Cancer Society.

Metoo hails from a family that has in the past 16 years been engaged in various activities that reaches out to persons with disabilities. This, she described as the “most rewarding and life changing experience that has shaped her into the person she is today.”

She will go on to represent the Miss West Indian Canadian Pageant in 2013-2014, attending various charity events until it's time for her to crown the next queen in 2014.

Shiv the survivor

By scott oliveR

As one of crick-

et’s iconic players takes his final cricketing curtain call in Mumbai later this month, another of its great survivors, another enduringly boyish member of Test cricket’s exclusive 10,000-run club, will be watching from the opposing ranks, doubtless demonstrating the stickability that has been the hallmark of his batting down the years.

Shiv Chanderpaul’s career is a model of the adaptability and durability required to survive in the international arena. Indeed, his is already the third-longest Test career in West Indian history, behind only George Headley (who joins Sachin Tendulkar as one of only five men to have played Tests in four separate decades) and Garry Sobers, and by the time he steps out in Kolkata for the first Test, it will be the 20th longest of all.

For Chanderpaul, the ability to survive was developed in his formative years in rural Guyana.

“You learn to be tough in country cricket. We used to play ‘friendlies’ between ourselves, and you always want to bat first. You always say, ‘I’m first, I’m first’. The only way the oth-

ers would get batting is if they get you out. You try everything to stay in. There are times when you’re out and you say you’re not out.”

The singled-mindedness is perhaps apt for someone who hails from Unity Village. Disputes over whether or not he was out never stopped the flow of bowling.

“The guys from the village would come out and just be throwing balls at me all day long,” Chanderpaul recalls with a gleeful smile.

Long hours

Four times he has batted undefeated for 1000 minutes, while he is the only man to have faced 1000 consecutive deliveries in Tests without being dismissed.

Notwithstanding a glorious 69-ball hundred against Australia in 2003, he is, to invert a line that could be used about any number of his teammates, generally there for a long time, not

a good time.

“It’s the way I prepare myself: going in the nets and batting for hours and hours.

Thinking about the game–which goes for two-hour sessions, maybe two and a half– I prepare that way in the nets.”

For the first major step up of his career, into the Guyana team, Chandarpaul owes a

all these things, and some people from my club helped me. I lived way up in the country and had to come to Georgetown to play cricket. My club president found some people to sponsor me, to pay for my transportation to come down to play. But not everyone got help. How were the players going to play if there’s no money there?” The

– Shivnarine Chanderpaul is among the last of the cricketers around from the 1990s

port of people in Unity Village, Chanderpaul was soon playing with the big boys. It wasn’t so easy at the grass roots.

“People from Guyana or Trinidad would leave for the USA or Canada to play cricket, because there was contracts there, and when they got back the local board members would say, ‘These guys are not in-

debt to the generosity of his club.

“Guys would turn up for their country, maybe play trial games, and wouldn’t get paid. So I had to find ways to pay

span of Chanderpaul’s career––he debuted in March 1994––almost exactly coincides with the decline of West Indies. Support Thanks to the sup-

terested in playing cricket’. I was thinking: Why are you saying that?

The guys are breaking their contract and coming back home to play, and you saying they’re

not interested in playing cricket! Right away that shows they’re committed. You’re not paying them a single cent to stay home and play, so they have to go overseas. They have to survive.”

Nevertheless, Chanderpaul is equally adamant that the good times are on their way back, with T20 sparking the revival-not just through the inspiration provided by West Indies’ World Twenty20 win in Sri Lanka last year, but the establishment of the Caribbean Premier League and its implications for the talented young players and cricketing ecology of his region.

“Cricket’s still the most popular sport in the Caribbean and now that we’ve started the CPL, which went well this year, it will be for a long time in the future. This is what people in the Caribbean have been waiting for. I guess more kids are going to be interested in the game and more parents are going to be interested in bringing their kids back into cricket. We have a few sponsors now, some money’s coming into the game, the players are going to be happy and cricket’s going to be booming again.” (Excerpted from Cricinfo)

Young Guyanese outshine overseas-based golfers to clinch Guyana Open title

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

Eighteen-year-old Avinda Kishore made a stunning comeback on the final day to clinch top honours in the Championship Flight (0-9 handicap) on Sunday when the Digicel Guyana Open golf tournament concluded at the Lusignan Golf Course, East Coast Demerara.

The indomitable Christine Sukhram maintained her stranglehold on the Ladies Flight (0-36), landing her eighth consecutive Guyana Open title, while Roy Cummings and Esau Shamshudin won the B Flight (10-18) and C Flight (19-28) respectively.

At the end of the first day on Saturday, Kishore was nowhere in the reckoning, as his brother and defending champion Avinash Persaud and New York’s Jaipaul Suknanan shared the top spot on gross 75 and Mike Mangal next with gross 76.

The championship came down to a three-way battle among Kishore, Persaud and Patrick Prashad, but it was the young Kishore, who held his nerves to win by the slim margin of two shots. He finished with gross 151, while Prashad took second spot ahead of Persaud on a countback after both ended with gross 152.

Prashad had the best net (137) in the Championship Flight, with Mangal (138) and Kishore (141) occupying second and third respectively.

Meanwhile, the 24-year-old Sukhram was unstoppable in the Ladies’ flight, carting off yet another title she has made her own since 2006. She had a net 136, winning by quite a distance from Shanella Webster (144) and Joann Deo (150). Sukhram also recorded the best gross of 156, leaving Deo (194)

However, “Ganguly”, as Kishore is popularly known, played brilliantly on the final day to cop his maiden Guyana Open title with Suknanan and Mangal failing to build on their momentum from the opening day.

and Webster (210) to settle for second and third respectively.

In the B Flight, Cummings managed gross 162 to win ahead

the C Flight on a countback against K.M. Chung of Suriname. Both ended with gross 187, while Paton George took third.

Apart from receiving

of Lakram Ramsundar (170) and Colin Ming (173). Cummings also had the best net (140), with Jerome Khan (142) and Mike Guyadin (142) rounding out the top three.

Shamshudin copped

George had the best net of 147, with Shamshudin again pipping Chung for second spot after both ended with 149.

At the presentation ceremony which followed, Kishore and Sukhram, both of Lusignan, were presented with the Guyana Open trophies and the Digicel Red Jacket.

The Lusignan Golf Club also used the opportunity to induct former Guyana and West Indies batsman and cricket administrator, Joe Solomon, as a life member of the club. At 84, Solomon was the oldest player to participate in the two-day tournament.

Speaking on behalf of Digicel, head of marketing in Guyana, Jacqueline James, expressed her company’s delight to partner with the Lusignan Golf Club for the first time sponsoring the Guyana Open.

She made a commitment to the 2014 tournament, noting that Digicel is enthused by the high number of young players who competed in the championship. The tournament attracted 74 golfers from Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Canada and the U.S.A., and was the largest-ever in over three decades of its existence.

one year free membership from the Lusignan Golf Club, the two champions were rewarded for their efforts by fellow villager Lakram Ramsundar, who has committed to sponsoring the airfare for Kishore to play in any Open tournament overseas, while Sukhram received a cash award.

(Guyana Times)

30 sport

Several former Guyanese cricketers cop OSCL awards

By RavendRa Madholall

Several former Guyanese cricketers copped awards at the 18th annual Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL) presentation ceremony held Saturday evening at the East Town Banquet Hall, Scarborough.

Leading the line was Eyaaz Mohamed, who was adjudged Most Valuable Player (MVP) after his outstanding batting performance for the victorious Cricketer’s Cove in the grand final played recently against East Coast Cricket Club. He took home a trophy for his unbeaten 79 while his teammate Troy Gobin was given a prize for his match-winning 93. Mohamed represented Guyana under-19 team in 1997 while Gobin donned the national colours in 1990 and 1991.

Other ex-Guyanese youth cricketers who were the recipients of trophies too for their spectacular contributions this year were Rems’ Rovendra Mandolall for his 88 and East Coast’s Krishna Deosaran, who was chosen as the MVP in the final for his side

while he accumulated 326 runs in the East Division Conference A. Mandolall played for Guyana under-19 team in 1994 and 1995 while Deosaran featured three consecutive years ranging from 2004-2006. Fast bowler Trevon Garraway was the other cricketer who would have played for Guyana but at the senior and first-class level. He represented GT Banas in Canada this season, playing for the East Division and was also part of OSCL Jaguars

side for the Guyana Independence Cup game against OSCL Kaieteur.

In the inaugural ten-over Division, Better Hope Sports Club emerged as champion having defeated Caribbean Sensation in the final while Rems got the better GT Banas in the consolation playoff. In the regular season champion, Conference A, Rems were the top team in the East Division while in the Conference B, Grove Sensation was the winner. At West End, Matrix Sports Club

was the champion team. East Coast Cricket Club topped the East Division champion after beating arch-rivals Caribbean Sensation while Cricketer’s Cove and Strikers Sports Club were the winner and runners-up respectively at West End.

Other outstanding awards went to Caribbean Sensation’s batsmen Suresh Persaud and Anand Balwant for making 399 runs and 326 runs apiece in the East Division while Kumar Doodnauth of Cricketer’s

TT’s Njisane writes history in Manchester

Olympian Njisane

Phillip created history when he became the first ever TT cyclist to earn a medal at a UCI World Cup, as he took silver in the men’s sprint event on the final day of the world meet in Manchester, England, Sunday.

In the end, after a brilliant run which saw him twice defeat the likes of Briton Matthew Crampton in the process, the 22-year-old Olympic keirin finalist eventually finished behind the familiar face of Germany’s finest sprint cyclist, Robert Forstemann in the final.

Forstemann won the event with two straight wins against Phillip in the final. Prior to the title sprints, Phillip was nearly flawless with his successes over Crampton, after defeating Michael D’Almeida of France in two straight rides in the quarterfinal, and Valentin Savitsky (Russia) in the preliminary event. He qualified with the third fastest time.

It was a big boost from Phillip’s 12th placed finish in the second round of one of his favoured events, the kierin, after taking fourth in the second of two heats, on Saturday.

His performance summoned praise from Minister of Sport Anil Roberts, who said his steady incline in the sport continued to put TT on

the world map.

“Once again, Njisane has proven to himself and the world that he is a force to be reckoned with. His performance at the 2012 Olympic Games was his introduction. Now he’s a headline act,” said Roberts.

The minister added, “Congratulations to the young man and his team on this achievement for Trinidad and Tobago. Cycling is definitely one of the podium sports being targeted for the 2016

Olympics and with the construction of the Velodrome in Couva proceeding at a good pace, we can expect to produce more world class cyclists and even bid to host a World Cup event in the near future.”

TT’s other representative Varun Maharajh took a 17th placed overall finish in the omnium event. He, however, clocked two personal best times in the omnium 4k individual pursuit (4:52.818) and the omnium 1k time trial (1:07.807). (TT Guardian)

year and all received prizes.

Guest speaker Kenny Girdharry, a former president of the league, was also in attendance and stated that the growth of the league and participation of the teams has demonstrated the commitment of the executives.

Cove led the way for the West Division aggregating 286 runs.

Mahendra Nauth scored 285 runs for Annandale and Abdul Samad made 251 runs for Masters also in the West Division. Rems’ Pradeep Singh led the way for the most wickets (22) in the East Division while Inul Rudolph collected 20 wickets in the West division Conference B.

Notably, Riaz Ali of Lions; Lalchan Shivraj of Rems and Gavin Singh of BetterHope Sports grabbed hat-tricks this

Manager of the champion side Cricketer’s Cove Rambo Purnwasi during an exclusive interview just after the formal presentation of prizes, highlighted the efforts his team put in to win the title for three successive years and also for winning the West End Division for four straight years.

Some of the sponsors were Shiv Misir, a Broker, MVA, ABR, Twilight and Starlite Family restaurants, Paradise Travel, Dundee Private Investors INC, Norman Sue Bakery LTD, Ian Kirby (Scotia Bank), Rems Employment Agency, Paragon Linen, Hollis Wealth Financial Advisor, TDMJ Accounting and Bookkeeping Services, Bobby Photography, Active Green Ross, among others.

Trinidad’s football association raises TT$72,300 for Akeem

akeem adams

The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) will contribute TT$72,300 to Akeem Adams on behalf of the Heart of a Warrior fund from income generated at the recent friendly international match between Trinidad and Tobago and New Zealand at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.

Following a meeting of the TTFA headquarters at the Hasely Crawford Stadium last week, the Local Organising Committee for the match revealed sales from the I Support Akeem shirts, produced by Native Spirit, generated a total of TT$50,000.

The final attendance was 10,166 including 446 persons that purchased special Akeem Adams Section tickets. From each Akeem Adams ticket, TT$50 will be directed to assist Akeem and his family.

TTFA president Raymond Tim Kee said he is pleased the TTFA could make such a contribution to the ailing player who is still recovering from a serious heart attack suffered just over a month ago.

“We made a commitment to the cause and have been able to make a substantial contribution towards the fund from proceeds realised from the New Zealand match. It is our hope that young Akeem and his family will benefit in some way from this contribution and know that we will continue to do what we can to assist in his recovery,” Tim Kee stated.

The TTFA is encouraging fans to donate to the Akeem Adams Royal Bank account in which the TTFA will make a direct deposit of the earnings from the recent match. (TT Newsday)

More gold for Jamaica’s Alia Atkinson

Jamaica's Alia Atkinson won her third consecutive 100 breaststroke gold medal on the FINA World Cup tour Tuesday in Singapore.

In another dazzling display of explosive speed, Atkinson again easily dominated her competition. Reacting fastest to the gun in .63 of a second, she went out like a rocket, and was ahead of the field at the 50-metre mark by over a second with her split of 29.89. Atkinson was once again flirting with the world record pace set by Lithuanian Ruta Meilutyt of 29.56.

Atkinson, who has the record in all breaststroke events for Jamaica, came

back the fastest as well with a split of 33.59 seconds to win in a time of 1:03.48 minutes.

Her nearest competitor was Japan's Mio Motegi, who ended in 1:05.29 minutes.

Atkinson was not among the medals in the 200 individual medley, placing sixth in 2:09.31 minutes. The event was won by Hungarian World Cup tour leader and world record holder Katinka Hosszu in 2:05.33 minutes. She was followed home by Australians Emily Seebohm and Alicia Coutts in 2:07.10 and 2:07.32 minutes, respectively.

Atkinson has so far won 17 medals on the tours, hav-

ing copped gold medals in the 100m and 50m breaststroke, and bronze in the 100m individual medley at the Eindhoven meet; silver and gold in the 100m and 50m breaststroke, respectively, and bronze in the 100m individual medley at the Berlin meet; silver medals in the 100m and 50m breaststroke, and bronze in the 100m individual medley at Moscow; gold and silver in the 100m and 50m breaststroke, respectively, and gold in the 100m individual medley in Dubai; gold and silver again in the 100m and 50m breaststroke and bronze in the 100m individual medley in Doha. (Jamaica Observer)

TT’s Bovell swims to silver in 100m IM

Trinidad and Tobago’s George Bovell III returned to medal winning form after he got silver in the men’s 100-metre individual medley final when the FINA World Cup Swimming Championship resumed with the sixth-leg at the Singapore Sports

Mitchell Larkin (52.96) and Tommaso D’Orsogna (53.87), Brazilian Henrique Rodrigues (54.71), China’s Zheng Chaio Ye (55.43) and hometown entrant, Zhen Wen Quah (55.77).

In the heats, Bovell who also earned silver in 51.69 seconds last year behind Australian

53.46 and was joined in the final from his heat by Wang (54.00), Rodrigues (54.35) and Quah (55.21). D’Orsogna topped heat two in 55.30 ahead of Ye (55.42)

Earlier on, Bovell just missed a first ever medal in the 50m breaststroke by .02 hundredths of a second when he was

School Swimming Pool, Tuesday following a two-week break.

The 30-year-old Bovell touched the wall in 51.75 seconds to trail Russian sensation, Vladimir Morozov (51.36), while China’s Shun Wang got bronze in 52.96. The medal won was the ninth (one gold, two silver and six bronze) by Bovell this year, adding to the 16 won last year (nine gold and seven silver) and carried his overall tally to 25 from 27 finals in two years of World Cup competition. The other finishers in the final were Australians

Kenneth To (51.50) while South Africa’s Darian Townsend (53.32) got bronze won heat three in 53.99 ahead of Larkin (54.48) to be the second and fifth fastest qualifiers respectively for the final. They were followed home in their heat by Japanese duo Yuki Shirai (55.84) and Takeharu Fujimori (56.11), and the quartet of local swimmers’ Arren Quek (57.25), Kai Quan Yeo (57.48), Darren Fang Yue Lim (57.94) and Malcolm Wei Yang Low (1:00.46). Morozov was the top qualifier with fourth heat winning time of

Chris Gayle returns to Sunfoil Dolphins for South Africa’s Ram Slam

West Indies opening batsman Chris Gayle will return to Sunfoil Dolphins for the Ram Slam T20 competition in South Africa 2013-2014.

Gayle is back in the squad for the new season after reportedly signing for R1 million for the 2011-2012 season, but leaving with an injury and without playing a single match.

"I am really excited to have joined the Sunfoil Dolphins for their 2014 Ram Slam T20 campaign," said Gayle.

"I feel there's some unfinished business for me as I didn't get to play for them back in 2012 due to injury."

The Jamaican cricketer is regarded as the most feared batsman in the T20 format, smashing more hundreds and sixes than any other batsman.

He becomes the second overseas profes-

fourth in the final in a new personal best and national record time of 26.86.

South African Roland Schoeman took gold in 25.68 well ahead of Australian Christian Sprenger (26.24) while Brazilian Felipe Lima pipped Bovell for bronze, in 26.84.

The other finishers in the final were Brazil’s Raphael De Oliveira Rodrigues (26.96), Hungary’s Daniel Gyurta (27.03), Germany’s Hendrik Feldwehr (27.11) and Japan’s Kazuki Kohinata (28.01). (Excerpted from TT Guardian)

sional to join Sunfoil Dolphins after Graham Onions.

"They've got a great list of players, so hopefully we'll be in contention at the business end of the tournament," said Gayle.

"I am very much looking forward to working with Lance Klusener (head coach) and the rest of the guys."

Tournament organiser KwaZulu Natal

Cricket is excited about Gayle's acquisition.

"It is exciting to have Chris join the Sunfoil Dolphins for the T20 competition. He is a truly world-class performer and a cricketing superstar," said Jesse Chellan, CEO of KZNCU.

"Together with Graham Onions, he becomes our second overseas professional for this competition." (Jamaica Observer)

Eighteen-year-old Avinda Kishore made a stunning comeback on the final day to clinch top honours in the Championship Flight (0-9 handicap) on Sunday when the Digicel Guyana Open golf tournament concluded at the Lusignan Golf Course, East Coast Demerara.

The indomitable Christine Sukhram maintained her stranglehold on the Ladies Flight (0-36), landing her eighth consecutive Guyana Open title... (see full story on page 29)