Guyana Times International - Week ending July 21, 2013

Packed programme planned for PPP/C’s 30th Congress

The People's Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) will be holding its 30th Congress from August 2nd to 4th, 2013 under the theme - 'Strengthen the Party, Build Unity and Advance Democracy'.

On Tuesday, the PPP/C held a press briefing at Freedom House in New Amsterdam to enlighten the Berbice public about the upcoming event which promises to be a democratic process that will aid in directing the PPP/C towards improved governance.

At the congress, members will exercise their right to express their views internally and make suggestions which will be open for discussion and consideration. There will be discussions on matters that were documented by the Central Committee, after a comprehensive report by the General Secretary, President Donald Ramotar.

Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee, who is also the Chairman of the PPP/C

National Congress Committee, along with Executive Secretary, Zulfikar Mustapha, Berbice Supervisor, Harrinarine Baldeo and

at 1:00 pm there will be a public session where reputable persons and the media will be invited for an opening declaration, which will be

in five workshops which will also focus on economic, political and government matters along with the international situation and for the

the work and future of the PPP/C. At the end of the sessions, reports will be issued to the plenary for discussions.

On Sunday, there

Chairperson of the local Congress Committee, Faizal Jafarally were present at the briefing to share some of the main activities that will take place at the congress.

Activities

On Friday August 2,

followed by the official business session of the congress, involving delegates and observers and will close with the report of the general secretary.

On Saturday, the report of the general secretary will be discussed

first time, parliament and elections will be examined.

Youth forum

There will also be a youth forum that will address issues on youths in the party and the young people will also gather to discuss

will be discussions on amendments to the constitution and programmes of the party, a political declaration and a democratic election of a new 35-member Central Committee.

A commemorative service would also be

held in remembrance of Balram Kandhai, who was shot and killed on the final day of the last congress held in Berbice.

Briefing media

A small team has been assigned to disseminate information to the media on the events at the congress, so as to ensure that there is accuracy in reporting by sections of the print and electronic media.

Minister Rohee said: "At the end of the three days, the newly elected Central Committee will evaluate the work of the congress and determine whether or not a statement would be issued to the press."

It was revealed that security would be beefed up throughout the three days to ensure the safety of the approximately 1,300 persons, including those from the interior, diaspora, fraternal parties and guests, who are expected to be in attendance.

The venue for the 30th Congress is the J.C. Chandisingh Secondary School at Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice.

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EDITORIAL

Migration and development

There was a low-profile meeting last week in Georgetown, of the Caribbean Community/ Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (Caricom/ ECLAC)- sponsored Caribbean Forum on Population, Migration and Development.

Linking the issues of migration and development, they issued a raft of proposals titled “The Road Map for Population, Migration and Development beyond 2014”. They included a wide range of development goals: “to reduce poverty and inequality, promote and protect the rights of vulnerable groups, including older persons, adolescents and youth, and persons with disabilities; achieving gender equality, equity and empowerment of women; and achieving universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights.”

But it is our belief that while the abovementioned issues are at the centre of so many other national development plans, there is not enough focus in a structured manner, on the last proposal which seemed to have been inserted almost as a throwaway line: “managing migration for development to maximise the benefits and reduce the negative impacts”.

In the Caribbean, migration has been one of the primary responses by the populace in the face of economic hardships. In addition to the structural momentum that such a long historical response develops, the present downturn in the economies of several Caricom territories will certainly give it a new impetus.

While there is a stubborn view that migration is a negative phenomenon – apart from the reduction in demands for a piece of a fixed pie – it has gradually dawned in policy circles that there are also many positives.

However, for migration to become an effective tool for development in labour-sending countries such as the Caribbean, it is necessary to design the right complementary policies and programmes, including those relating to social protection.

A few years ago, the then United Nations (UN) secretary general described international migration as a “positive force for development if buttressed by the right policies”.

Migration has the potential to deliver many positive benefits for development and poverty reduction and contribute to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and beyond.

In an increasingly globalised and integrated world, it is not only capital among the three factors of production that has become fungible across borders: labour has always followed in capital’s wake – even though not in the same direction. As particular countries developed for whatever confluences of circumstances beyond capital infusion, people in search of a better life followed.

The move abroad is invariably economically beneficial for most migrant workers and their families, even though their social and political situation might be problematical. However, it is now universally acknowledged that those migrants also have a great positive impact on their “home” economy – especially through remittances.

Remittances to labour-exporting countries represent a key source of foreign exchange for the host government and, in addition, can provide valuable lifelines to recipient families and communities. Guyana alone receives about US$ 400 million annually, while the Caribbean as a whole – especially Haiti and Jamaica (US$ 2 billion each) which have much larger expatriate communities – receives billions.

The combined flows make remittances larger than foreign direct investment flows and twice as large as official aid received by developing countries. Their impact is also more significant, since their distributive effects vary significantly. Remittances fundamentally differ from other financial flows in that they are based on social ties and networks of responsibility and affection.

Remittances are a financial manifestation of a complex network of relationships that are established between migrants, their families, and communities of origin. I

n the Caribbean as a whole, for instance, anecdotal evidence suggests that much of the spurt in housing is assisted by remittances.

On the other hand, there are unintended consequences, such as a “dependency syndrome” created in those who receive remittances especially and do not have an incentive to enter the workforce. The old “brain drain” dilemma posed by migration can also be reversed by inducing expatriates to return with their skills, as exemplified in the ongoing “diaspora project”. Migration, we can conclude, is integrally linked to development.

Linden Highway – ‘Silica City’

This area is now being targeted by Government and the Private Sector for massive housing development in the coming years

Govt has placed increased emphasis on strengthening public administration – Dr Singh

Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh said the Donald Ramotar-led administration has placed increased emphasis on strengthening public administration with a focus on key results. Dr Singh made the statement at the opening of a training and discussion workshop on strategic planning, targeting permanent secretaries, deputy permanent secretaries, and regional executive officers and their deputies. The sessions also included the director of public prosecution (DPP), director general of foreign affairs and secretary of the Public Service Commission.

The finance minister said every sector has legitimate needs for expanded services and investment requiring budgetary allocations. “You would never get everything you requested since the reality is resources must be allocated across a competitively demanding scale of worthy needs,” Dr Singh remarked.

He noted that most permanent secretaries manage more than one programmes and several sub-programmes and are forced to identify the most effective use of resources and ensure these are managed as efficiently as possible.

Dr Singh stressed that allocations must be aligned along priority areas even where there is no indication as to which priority is more pressing in order to achieve objectives of the sector as a whole.

“Every day, you confront

Finance minister dr ashni Singh

questions like these and must find answers. Given this reality at the macro and the agency level, it is absolutely imperative that we manage within a strategic framework which identifies what key objectives are and indications of target and what it would costs in a medium-term expenditure framework,” the minister said.

He stated that only then can state administrators provide a coherent roadmap that can be use to navigate their daily decision.

“Given the realities of the current environment, this need is not one that can be ignored. Today, more than ever people are better informed. Technology allows access to information and instant debate on issues. So you exist in an environment where your

sectors are subject to close examination of public and parliamentary scrutiny,” Dr Singh pointed out.

Programme budgeting

The 2003 Fiscal Management and Accountability Act stipulated that the budget of the agency must be accompanied by programme performance statements which will go to Parliament along with the budget request for approval. Dr Singh disclosed that over the years, there has been improvement to the framework for the identification of performance indicators, establishment of systems to capture data and to measures performance against indicators and define targets.

Budget Director Sonya Roopnauth said the session was intended to be a capacity- building exercise since the ministry sees training events as critical to empowering the senior leadership cadre of the public service.

Facilitator Dr Frederic Martin said that the concept of strategic planning is the starting point in any exercise in results-based management, including budgeting and programming issues.

“There must be a midterm to long-term vision to know where we are going as a country, ministry, sector, region and institution. It is an important moment because we realise that all sectors need to have strategic planning as a reference point and a document to be used which is necessary to guide daily action,” Dr Martin related.

The sacrifices of the Ballot Box martyrs must never be forgotten – Rohee

On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Ballot Box Martyrs, the ruling People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) held a road march and wreath-laying ceremony on Tuesday to honour the fallen comrades who had paid the ultimate price in defence of democracy.

Bholanauth Parmanand, 45, and Jagan Ramessar, 17, were shot dead by members of the Guyana Defence Force on the evening of the general elections on July 16th, 1973, outside of the polling station at Number 63 Village, Corentyne, while demanding that PPP votes be counted at the place of poll or a party agent be allowed to accompany the ballot boxes to wherever the military personnel were taking them.

Wreath-laying ceremony

A formal wreath-laying ceremony was held at the Number 65 cemetery and party members paid homage by the graves of the fallen comrades, which was followed by a road march to the memorial site at Number 63

Village, by PPP/C leaders, members and supporters on Tuesday.

PPP/C Member of Parliament, Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo, who was in the gathering when the horrific event took place, urged the fair-sized crowd to hold onto the events of the past and learn the lessons of the dark days in the history of Guyana.

“Crooked as barbed wire”

He said: "These two young men gave their lives for what we take for granted. Comrades before 1992, whenever the polls close after voting, the ballot boxes were taken to Camp Ayanganna where magic happened and all the PPP votes were changed to PNC votes. Elections in Guyana were crooked as barbed wire."

Mahadeo, also lamented that if the nation ignores the events of the past, it would be a grave injustice to the martyrs.

The MP then castigated the opposition political parties for trying to hinder progress in Guyana while seeking to regain power.

"All progressive things are being object-

ed to because power is sweet and they want to get back into government. Comrades, we don't want our children to experience the horrors of the past; we want progress to continue," he declared.

Executive Secretary of the PPP/C, Mr. Zulfikar Mustapha, in his address, encouraged the gathering to maintain their support for the ruling party and ignore the pleas of the opposition, who are seen as a threat to democracy.

"We have taken the sacrifices of the martyrs for granted, to the extent

called on the PPP/C supporters to redouble their efforts and rededicate themselves to protect and advance their democracy.

"We must not take democracy for granted because the dark forces are always striving to deny us of our fundamental rights," he stressed.

where the naysayers and doomsayers are coming around and trying to fool our people, but comrades we must stand firm. The martyrs were in the prime of their lives and because they stood for their rights, they were killed”, he lamented.

Mustapha, then

Meanwhile, member of the Central and Executive Committee of the PPP/C, Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee in delivering stirring remarks to the gathering, spoke of the days when elections in Guyana were heavily rigged and the army was used as a weapon to oppress the nation in the interest of the People's National Congress (PNC).

"There were there to defend their votes, they did not want their votes to be stolen. The comrades had no guns or pieces of wood in their hands, they had no weapon; all they did was to form a human barricade to prevent the ballot boxes from moving but then the army came to disperse the crowd by firing shots," he recalled.

The minister concluded his remarks by calling on the PPP/C supporters to acknowledge the sacrifices of the martyrs as part of a struggle to maintain democracy in Guyana.

"They are the kind of heroes we must worship, they gave their lives so that today we can freely elect a government of our choice," he maintained.

In paying tribute to the martyrs, Minister Rohee reflected on the events that led to their slaying.

TIP Ministerial Task Force completes three-day outreach to Imbaimadai

Ateam of four representatives from the Ministerial Task Force on Trafficking in Persons (MTFTIP) visited the Imbaimadai community in Region 7, as well as surrounding areas, from June 14-17, 2013.

The aim of the visit was to conduct monitoring exercises, training and awareness activities, along with listening to and considering the concerns raised by villagers in relation to trafficking in persons and child labour.

The team engaged shop owners, convened meetings and conducted focus group discussions with residents from Imbaimadai, Kambaru

Creek, Chai Chai Falls, Partang, Fort Knox and Jawalla.

In an attempt to the educate the participants and deter them from participating in, or allowing themselves to be exposed to perpetrators, the team engaged them on the effects of trafficking in persons on the lives of those exposed to the scourge, sharing practical examples, and explaining the consequences and legal ramifications for perpetrating or supporting the crime.

The team also distributed flyers and other informative materials to the meetings’ participants and other persons living and working in the area. Focus was placed

on key features of the Combating Trafficking in Persons Act No. 2 of 2005 with the aim of educating participants of the various provisions and prescriptions in the law. Participants at the meeting generally listened attentively and displayed gratitude for the information received. They were also presented with tokens of appreciation for their cooperation.

The Government of Guyana says it stands committed to the fight against trafficking in persons in Guyana and calls upon all stakeholders to join in the fight against trafficking in persons.

Man, 50, accused of raping girl, 10

Aprison officer in Berbice was on Tuesday arrested for allegedly molesting a 10-year- old relative. The 50-year-old officer was accused of molesting the child since she was seven years old, but the alleged molestation was only brought to light on July 10. Guyana Times International understands that the victim was last molested on June 29.

According to information received, the child was staying with her aunt who is the reputed wife of the suspect and while the aunt is asleep, the suspect would have sex with the victim during the night.

The victim reportedly complained to her aunt on several occasions but when confronted, he denied ever committing the act.

However, the victim’s parents told investigators that their daughter would stay by the aunt in order to attend school, but would visit their home to spend the holiday during the August vacation.

While at her parents’ house, her mother reportedly overheard a conversation between the victim and her sister which prompted her to confront the child on the issue.

The child immediately opened up to her mother about the sexual molestation over the past

three years and was taken to the Fort Wellington Police Station where a report was made.

Based on the seriousness of the allegation, the child was escorted to the Fort Wellington Public Hospital where she was medically examined and a certificate was obtained.

The doctor reportedly confirmed the allegation made by the child.

On Tuesday, the suspect who was in hiding reported to the Albion Police Station and denied the allegation, but refused to give a written statement.

He was arrested and remains in custody pending further investigation.

'A Gift of Life' programme making a huge difference

Earlier this week, Alex, accompanied by his mother arrived in New York from Haiti. Alex is soon expected to undergo heart surgery.

As is well known, Rotarians are dedicated to making a difference in the lives of others around the world; and when you put the concept of helping others ahead of helping yourself, anything is possi-

ble, hence the direct involvement of Rotarians in this endeavour.

The Gift of Life program was founded by Rotary District 7250. The program has helped over 15000 children from 68 countries on 5 continents undergo successful life saving operations, and hopefully Alex will become another success story.

President Joe Iaboni, Karran

Rupansingh, Rick Chetram and Rudy Harrygin were at the JFK airport to give Alex and his mom a warm welcome.

Special thanks to Ricky Lowe of the NYPD for volunteering part of his vacation time to transport Alex and his mom from JFK to the Ronald McDonald house by LIJ where they will be staying.

Guyana to host Caribbean teachers’ conference in August

The upcoming 36th biennial Caribbean Union of Teachers (CUT) conference slated to take place in Guyana from August 4-9 will address several burning issues confronting teachers, not only in Guyana but across the Caribbean region.

According to Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) President Colin Bynoe, plans are apace for the hosting of the conference, which will address issues such as violence against teachers, in-

creased wages, marking of school based assessments, among other issues.

Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday, Bynoe said violence against teachers, which remains a major issue, will be raised during the conference, with the aim of finding solutions to the problem.

CUT President Marvin Andall, a Grenadian by birth, will be delivering the keynote address, while President Donald Ramotar, Human Services and

Social Security Minister Jenifer Webster will also address the occasion.

Education Minister Priya Manickchand is expected to address the award ceremony and banquet to be held on the last day of the weeklong event.

Delegates are expected to arrive in Guyana on August 3 and the following day there will be a church service to commence activities.

On Monday, August 5, there will be a women’s session followed by the formal opening in the

The power of the internet

By Anu Dev

afternoon.

Delegates will go into the business sessions the following day, which will continue until the conference ends.

An estimated 500 persons are expected to visit Guyana during the conference.

Those also attending include CUT General Secretary Adolph Cameron, the first, second and third vice presidents, trustees and the assistant secretary of the regional teachers’ body, along with teachers from across all the Caribbean territories.

Focus will also be paid on promoting destination Guyana, as several activities are planned to take place during the course of the conference. A massive Guyana Night is also on the programme, where various aspects of Guyana’s culture, food, dances and songs will be showcased. Several other cultural performances and events are planned for the conference.

A number of companies have already joined the GTU and the Education Ministry in a bid to make the conference a success. The GTU so far is pleased with the support it has been getting from the private sector and the Education Ministry as the time moves closer to the date of the highly anticipated event.

The conference will be observed under the theme “Improving the professional status of teachers in the Caribbean”. It will provide an opportunity for representatives of all CUT members to meet and strengthen their bonds of solidarity.

Delegates to the conference will also have an opportunity to select an executive to run the affairs of the CUT for the next biennium conference.

“Technology is neither good nor bad, nor even neutral. Technology is one part of the complex of relationships that people form with each other and the world around them; it simply cannot be understood outside of that concept.” –Samuel Collins.

In today’s world, to get a message heard halfway across the world you just need to tap at a couple of buttons without ever having to vibrate your vocal cords. It literally opened up whole new worlds: we can now reconnect with people we haven’t seen in years or connect with others we may never, ever see.

But with every message we send, every picture we post, every thought we share with the world around us, we’re opening up ourselves to the world. And we’re creating impressions. We’re letting everyone in. We’re putting ourselves out there for the world to applaud us, appreciate us, to critique us, to judge us –and perchance to condemn us.

And at every stage of our lives we’re at different stages of maturity – or immaturity. Every day, we (hopefully) grow a little, learn a little bit more and gain a bit more experience.

So something I might feel confident about blithely posting on a social media site today, I might cringe with embarrassment about next year. Or some thoughtless comment I might have made for the world to see might offend my future boss, or co-workers.

It’s a delicate balance trying to maintain links with the people around you without putting too much of yourself out there.

It’s just too easy to share every detail of your life on the Internet. Tons of people are taking pictures of their food and sharing them on Instagram every second of the day. People are also posting insightful status updates such as “Eating roti”. Food photography seems extremely difficult. It’s definitely harder to get flattering lighting for a plate of curry than for a person’s profile.

All of these things can be great for letting people know about what we’re doing every day, keeping everyone updated, but it probably should be used in moderation. It gets to be a bit much overwhelming even. Do you have to let everyone see what you’ve eaten every day? Do you have to tell everyone that you’ve just made a baloney sandwich? It’s getting so much easier to infringe on everyone’s personal space. Maybe you should send someone a message on Skype before you randomly call them. They could still be in their pyjamas or in the middle of something important.

It’s a bit like stumbling into someone’s house and expecting them to entertain you with absolutely no warning.

It’s a new world out there. With every software update, with every launch of some new social media platform, we have to adjust to this new way for us to share what’s going on with our lives.

So before you open yourself to the world and share every titbit about your life, think about the number of people your message might actually be reaching.

It’s probably a lot more than you originally envisioned. Censor yourself a little bit – not that you shouldn’t have freedom of speech, but you should probably be more aware of your “time and place and circumstances”. “Prudence” is a good watchword.

The Internet is giving us great power, and with great power comes great responsibility, so use the Internet (and the power it give us) responsibly.

Softball cricket should be encouraged

Dear Editor, The just concluded ad-hoc over-40 softball cricket tournament caught my attention. Now why can’t there be a few more tournaments like this one? Matches are quickly completed. In addition, softball cricket is safe and all that the players need are playing suits and a bat. There should be more softball cricket in Guyana. It is funfilled and would provide a nice form of recreation for the family.

In Canada, the Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL) is plan-

ning to send a team to Guyana for the tournament called the “Guyana Softball Cup 2013”. This tournament is scheduled to run from November 8-10, 2013. It seems as though we are not on top of things here. I would have expected a few more games, so that we can put together a good team. I also hope for some media reporting, even up to some live commentary.

Locally, we have the Guyana Softball League (GSL) and it used to organise many tournaments countrywide. I am so sorry that there

is no more of the GT& T 10/ 10 competition, but I am sure that with some extra effort, this competition can have new sponsors and supporters. Hundreds of teams used to take part. We cannot allow this kind of start to fall away. The games used to attract vast crowds too. I recall also a 10/ 10 tournament held in Essequibo, that had some 64 teams competing. We can do with a lot of softball cricket in Guyana. We can do also with the presence of many former players.

Yours respectfully, Amar Khaleed

Building monuments should not be about politics

Dear Editor,

The entire Linden protest scenario is something that has left an ugly mark in Guyana’s history. I just wish that it never happened. Now that it is over and government is seeking to make good on the Linden Commission of Inquiry (CoI) recommendations, I say that we first clear this and other matters.

So I am not sure if this setting up of a monument park by the Region 10 Democratic Council (RDC) to hon-

our the three shooting victims during that protest is justified. We can learn some vital lessons from what took place. I believe in peaceful negotiations and never in the destruction of anything. Linden, right now has a lot of rebuilding to do. The town needs its school that was burnt down. It is now working towards a new building. This is wasted money. There are complaints too about ambulance and hospital service, and here too,

money could have been more freely available, but it has to go elsewhere. I am cautioning that this monument park can very well lead to all kinds of politicisation.

When it comes to the idea of monuments, I am thinking of the host of businessmen who were recently killed in Guyana. What if someone conjures up the idea of building monuments for them too? History must be recorded.

Yours respectfully, Yollande Morrison

UG should stop the talk and start the work

Dear Editor,

This developing University of Guyana (UG) situation seems to be all talk and nothing else. I am reading and hearing about alleged corruption and the sale of examination papers. I have actually heard that some lecturers give out the examination questions and students prepare the answers long in advance. It seems that the more there are discussions, the more things are coming to the fore, almost like spinning in a ditch.

Now the talk has shifted to private sector executives and the UG vice chancellor expressing a desire for the complete overhaul of this tertiary institution. The saying now is that the business community is articulating a desire to see the local university be recognised as a hub for national research and development.

This is most grandiose but I have a big caution. We must dream

big, but we have to start small and move one step at-a-time. We are talking too many things at the same time and this lack of single mindedness is redounding into nothing visible in terms of even making a start.

Let me repeat some simple things that need addressing and that were highlighted in the press by various letter writers – a car park for shuttle operators, a permanent fix for the access road, police patrol for the safety of late students and lecturers, more power outlets in the library and campus as a whole, and a more affordable canteen service.

These things do not call for too much brain power, but if we cannot get these off the ground, then at the higher level of administration and lecturing, we will continue to decline. I know of many recent graduates who cannot access their grades online all because the process that started over fours ago

The cassava drive is truly on

Dear Editor,

It is good to know that the locally produced farine is gaining popularity with its own niche market outside of its traditional users. I always thought that we needed to push more of our local specialties. In this vein, government in sensing an economic pull is set to build a full phased factory operation for the processing of this item made from cassava.

If all goes well, this will take place later in the year, with the first facility to be installed in Region Nine.

This is something to really look forward to. This translates into more cassava production, as manual effort in making the farine, even now, is sometimes a deterrent in any cassava drive.

In fact, cassava is the third largest source of food carbohydrates in the tropics, after rice and maize. Cassava is

also a major staple food in the developing world, providing a basic diet for over half a billion people. It is one of the most drought-tolerant crops, capable of growing on marginal soils.

Guyana then has no excuse in terms of investing in this crop. So whether it is for farine or not, just plain cassava, cooked and eaten, is a positive step.

Many hinterland residents depend on cassava, not only for food, but for a livelihood. I am really buoyed by this idea and initiative from the Agriculture Ministry. It makes so much sense to set up the facility, since labour will not be a problem anymore.

The Guyana farine, produced almost exclusively in the hinterland, is becoming very popular outside of the country.

Brazil produces it own farine, but still the local one is be-

coming a niche market there. What is also very heartening is that the local product is now gaining attention in the Caribbean market.

This then means that we have to be ready for the semi-industrialisation of the cassava industry in order to seize the market. It is common knowledge that farine production is traditionally done by indigenous women, who use their hands to harvest, clean, peel and squeeze the tuber to make the product. The Agriculture Ministry has already assisted several communities by providing grinders to ease this physical task, but this must be built upon, and the ultimate is the factory.

We need to think big – produce plenty, provide quality stuff, and then sell both locally and overseas

Yours truly, Maria Isabella

has been left in limbo. People go to the computer centre and wait way beyond nine and there is no one to even open the building. Even a cake shop in the community runs with some kind of regularity and consistency.

I am highlighting these blunders because they all add up and if they are not addressed, no matter what happens, UG will fall apart eventually. We have too many leakages, and we need to fix these before we can think of advancing.

This talk from the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) that seeks to “emphasise that the university should be transformed into a centre for producing a competent and qualified, skilled labour force that meets the needs of Guyana’s rapidly evolving private sector” seems to be all talk indeed.

Yours faithfully, Kean Morrison

Top Cop warns police will take tougher action against traffic offenders

By: Whitney Persaud

Declaring that the traffic situation in Guyana is terrible, acting Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell said the force will be taking firm actions against reckless and drunk drivers. He was at the time addressing the force’s annual awards ceremony at the Tactical Services Unit Drill Square, Eve Leary, Georgetown. Brumell said there has been a 30 per cent increase in accidents and deaths this year. The annual awards ceremo-

ny for the Guyana Police Force began in 1990 and has trended until now.

Officers would usually receive sizeable amount of cash incentives and commendations for their hard work all year round. A number of ranks and community policing groups were also awarded.

Last year, there were some 43 fatal accidents and 45 deaths; this year for the same period, 56 accidents and 59 deaths have been recorded.

The commissioner said that the force will be taking strict actions against traffic offenders

so as to lessen the number of road fatalities and accidents caused by reckless and drunk drivers.

“People won’t always be satisfied with what we are doing and there will always be encumbrances and people call it harassment when the ranks decide to do their jobs, but with this hike in accidents and deaths, I have already informed the traffic chief and ranks that we must be rigid,” Brumell said.

The commissioner warned that strict enforcement will be meted out to those persons who are engaged illegally or add to the increasing number of deaths and accidents.

“When you do this, you hear harassment, if that’s the way then we will bring it, but we are not calling it harassment, we are calling it firm investigation and interrogation… the situation on the road is terrible,” the commissioner said.

Firm investigation

Meanwhile, turning his attention to the crime situation, Brumell acknowledged that crime is

high, but in most of the gun-related robberies, there is the element of an inside link.

Speaking to the recent hike in gun-related robberies and specifically the Akbar Auto Sales incident, Brumell said investigations have most times

urged business owners and managers to be more aware of the happenings in the work place.

Inclusive effort

He contended that crime is an issue around the world and it cannot be stopped, but the Guyana Police Force can imple-

to render their support as the force cannot do everything on its own.

Brumell urged the ranks to be professional at all times, noting that it is always wise not to use more force than necessary.

The commissioner

proven that someone from within the organisation initiated the robbery.

He said that a number of these criminals might have been in collusion with staff members, and

ment strategies to suppress crimes. He said although the force is the leading crime fighting agency in the country, the citizenry and business community are expected

charged the officers to keep up the good work and stick to firm investigative work and interrogation techniques when carrying out their responsibilities.

Six TT cops to face trial for 2011 shooting deaths

Six TT police officers, including an acting sergeant, Monday were committed to stand trial for the murders of Abigail Johnson, Alana Duncan and Kerron “Fingers” Eccles, all of whom were killed in a police encounter in 2011. Monday, Senior Princes Town Magistrate Debra Quintyne ruled that the prosecution, led by Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Roger Gaspard, SC and Gilbert Peterson, SC, had made out a prima facie case against acting sergeant Khemraj Sahadeo and constables Renaldo Reviero, Glenn Singh, Roger Nicholas, Safraz Juman and Antonio Ramadin for the deaths of the three Moruga residents. Her ruling comes days before the second anniversary of the deaths of Johnson, Duncan and Eccles in Barrackpore on July 22, 2011. This is the first time in local history that six serving members of the TT Police Service will go on trial for murder. Quintyne, who overruled a no case submission by attorney Israel Khan SC, assisted by at-

torney Ulric Skerritt and instructed by attorney Celeste St Louis, told the officers they were committed to stand trial at the next sitting of the San Fernando Assizes. They appeared sombre as Quintyne delivered her near hour-long ruling, recounting the testimony of WPC Nicole Clement, who was initially jointly charged with the six officers for the murders, and other witnesses, including ballistic and forensic experts.

Clement turned State witness against her male colleagues. She was granted immunity after Gaspard dropped the

murder charges against her. She now faces a charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice. Clement was among 37 witnesses testifying in the matter which began before Quintyne last year. After Monday’s ruling, relatives of Johnson, Duncan and Eccles said: “God don’t sleep.” On the opposite side, relatives of the officers left the courtroom in tears. Earlier, a woman police officer was also seen wiping away tears as Quintyne read the committal order to the six officers, all of whom are members of the San Fernando Robbery Squad. (Excerpt from TT Guardian)

13 new archaeological sites discovered in Region Nine

Archaeologist attached to the Boise State University, Dr Mark Plew on Tuesday disclosed that 13 new archaeological sites have been found in the Rupununi Savannah, Region Nine. At the time, Dr Plew was delivering the feature presentation during a public lecture organised by the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry and the Walter Roth Museum of Anthology at the Umana Yana, Kingston.

Dr Plew disclosed that the discoveries were made in the past weeks during a field visit to the Karanambo Ranch, Region Nine.

According to the archaeologist, previous surveys only produced four or five sites at once as he tagged the latter

the most successful in recent times.

On the 13 sites, several habitats or villages were discovered. “So we found habitation sites where in the past they would have had structures and pottery. So these people were cooking,” Dr Plew explained.

However, the most shocking of the 13 sites was the discovery of a huge plot of land where people were making stone tools. “So there were stone hoes and stone knives, we have never found anything like this in the Rupununi and as large as those. Some of them were three or four times the size of the Umana Yana, really large area and the raw material is really dense, it’s really a lot of it, so there were a lot of activities. I have never seen

anything like that,” he further explained.

According to the archaeologist, the stone tools and habitats date

TT’s indigenous people want gov’t to relocate Parliament

Members of the Santa Rosa First Peoples’ Indigenous Community have asked the government of Trinidad and Tobago to consider relocating the seat of Parliament in Port-ofSpain as a mark of reverence to the remains of their ancestral spirits, says Carib Chief Ricardo Bharath-Hernandez.

However, he said if this is not possible, some attempt should be made during the current reconstruction exercise to preserve the remains of the First People’s ancestors, at the site of the Red House, for descendants as well as members of the international community.

Bharath-Hernandez expressed hope that the Red House could further be developed as a heritage site “for the remains that are found there.”

“The bones must be dealt with in a special way,” he said.

Bharath-Hernandez

was among a group of First Peoples’ descendants who performed what he called a “Purablaka” spiritual ceremony at the Red House, Saturday, “in the name of the departed.”

He said the one-hour long ceremony marked the first phase of a twopart ritual, which is expected to be performed “more extensively” by a Shaman of High Priest of the community in October. BharathHernandez said the person is likely to be sourced from the mainlands of Venezuela or Suriname.

Acknowledging that the government has been more sensitive to matters involving the indigenous peoples, the Carib Chief said, however, that the process of drawing greater national attention to their plight was “going slowly.”

“It is not going at a pace we would like and deserve some more meaningful attention,” he said.

Bharath-Hernandez

said the government has already given the First Peoples’ a 25-acre plot of land, along the Blanchisseuse Road, Arima, for the development of an indigenous Amerindian village.

Saying that the land was being surveyed, Bharath-Hernandez said issues relating to comprehensive development plan and cost of the project, still needed to be addressed.

“We do not want handouts from the government,” he said.

“What we want is an industry so that the people can benefit from it. Not a little bit here and there.”

When completed, Bharath-Hernandez said, the village will contain a cassava and craft factories. Tours are also expected to be conducted at the site.

“All activities will be geared towards sustainable development,” he added. (Excerpt from TT Newsday)

back to 300 years ago.

The recent discoveries will now be housed at the Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology at the

Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry, Main Street facility. In addition to the recent discoveries, the

Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology trained seven students, with two persons from Georgetown and the remaining five from the Rupununi Savannah.

Trevon Baird, an aspiring archaeologist who is among the recently trained, said his journey to the Rupununi was truly fulfilling. “At lot of things have been learnt in terms of survey methods, identifying artifacts and all these things empower us to tell people about the vast archaeological sites.”

In 1974, the Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology was established from a collection of the late Guyanese anthropologist Dr Denis Williams. It was the first museum of anthropology in the English-speaking Caribbean.

Caribbean on show through films in Toronto this summer

The best of Caribbean film is set to be shared with the world this summer through the 8th annual CaribbeanTales Toronto Film Showcase.

The festival will showcase 10 feature-length and 20 short films in official competition, along with many others covering all genres and themes. The line-up of events, running August 17th to September 14th at both Harbourfront Centre and the Canadian National Exhibition, is supported by the government of Trinidad and Tobago.

“The Consulate General is delighted to be a sponsor of an event that provides international exposure to the large reservoir of Caribbean talent within the film industry,” said Venessa RamhitRamroop, representing Dr. Vidhya Gyan TotaMaharaj, TT’s Consul General to Toronto.

“We will continue to support CaribbeanTales’ drive to raise the international profile of Caribbean film, support the growth of a vibrant film and television industry, and promote the Caribbean as an ideal production location,” Ramhit-Ramroop added.

The founder and CEO of the CaribbeanTales group of companies, Frances Anne Solomon, said the Caribbean region is developing an infrastructure to tell its own stories.

“The quality of work

that is starting to come out of our region is extraordinary and it’s unique,” said Solomon, who is of Trinidadian descent. She went on to reveal that, “every year when I go to choose films for this festival, the quality has just leapt by like 3, 4, 500 per cent each and every year so it’s a very exciting movement to be a part of.”

There are five centerpiece films this year, including ‘Kingston Paradise,’ which is produced by well-known Jamaican documentarian Mary Wells as the opening screening. The film is about a Jamaican street hustler who devises a daring but not so clever plan to steal a fancy sports car. Afterwards, things rapidly go downhill and he just might have to change in order to fulfill his dreams.

The month will be about more than movies as a five-day incubator will provide networking

opportunities and training for Caribbean filmmakers.

“We have to understand that we must create our own industry,” said incubator co-manager Nicole Brooks. “We have to start realizing that our stories are valid, not only for ourselves but for the world and that we can be lucrative.”

Furthermore, a Video On Demand channel called CaribbeanTalesTV will be unveiled on September 3 after a year in development.

“This is like Caribbean Netflix,” said Solomon. “It’s a place where everybody in the world can go and find Caribbean films and pay money and watch them.”

As Ramhit-Ramroop added, “This is what the Caribbean Tales Toronto Film Showcase is all about … bringing the best of the Caribbean to the world, and the interest of the world to the Caribbean.”

Bad weather blamed for plane incident in Guyana’s interior

Around a dozen persons were on Monday morning injured in Guyana when an Air Services Limited Cessna Caravan plane crashed in the vicinity of the manganese company in Matthews Ridge, North West District. Some eight persons have been hospitalised. The injured persons, including the pilot of the aircraft, Feriel Ally, were air-dashed to the city by a Trans Guyana aircraft and taken to several private medical institutions in the city. The injured persons were identified as Esther Williams and her baby, Jonel Williams; Alona Massay; Naline Dellon; Wesley Johnson; Shellon Williams; Urmella Rajesh; and Dexter Benjamin. The

other passengers were Lloyd Thomas, Christina Mangru, Clinton Campbell, Troy Henry, and Ulan Benjamin.

According to reports, the aircraft was carrying 12 passengers at the time of the accident, which occurred about a quarter of a mile from the airstrip. Information reaching this newspaper also revealed that at the time

of the crash, the airstrip was covered in heavy fog, which posed a challenge to the pilot in landing the aircraft. It reportedly circled three times and then disappeared.

Transport Minister Robeson Benn said the accident occurred about 08: 00h in close proximity to the Matthews Ridge Airstrip. “Initial reports are that... even

though, the plane was cleared to land or had reports of fair weather in the area… the weather seemed to have closed in just before the plane was

turn trip. He said about 08:00h, he saw the aircraft approaching the airstrip, but, owing to the heavy fog, it circled about three times and

the scene only to see the wrecked single-engine aircraft among the bushes. “People were bleeding and crying out for pain, as public-spirited citi-

landing,” he told reporters. The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) is investigating the accident.

An eyewitness, Dwayne Smith told reporters that he was at the airstrip waiting on the plane to go back to the city on the re-

then disappeared.

At that point, Smith thought that the pilot had decided to return to Georgetown, but a few moments later, the person managing the operation at the facility received a phone call that the aircraft had crashed.

Upon hearing this, Smith said they rushed to

zens assisted them out of the aircraft… the pilot was covered in blood, but they were quickly loaded into a vehicle owned by Krishna and taken to the Matthews Ridge hospital, which is approximately 10 minutes drive,” Smith said.

(Excerpt from Guyana Times)

Wild animals caught alive can be accommodated at Zoological Park - Minister Persaud

By Samuel Sukhnandan

Natural Resources and Environment

Minister Robert Persaud said because of Guyana’s vast terrain, large cats and other animals can indeed pose a threat to citizens. Persaud’s comments come in light of concerns raised by citizens of North Ruimveldt, Georgetown where a jaguar has been roaming.

Persaud told Guyana Times International on

the jaguar is the third largest feline after the tiger and lion. while dense rainforest is its preferred habitat, the jaguar will range across a variety of forested and open terrains. it is strongly associated with the presence of water and is notable, along with the tiger, as a feline that enjoys swimming

Tuesday that people are usually encouraged to capture these animals, once they pose a threat to a community.

When this newspaper contacted the National Parks Commission (NPC) to report the incident in North Ruimveldt on Tuesday, an official confirmed that there is no mechanism in place to deal with such situations, but volunteered to assist.

A senior NPC official said in such cases, the Wildlife Department is usually called in to assist, although this is not one of its responsibilities.

An official of the Wildlife Department lat-

er confirmed this to be true, but stated that at some point, a unit must be set up to deal with such matters, given the frequents reports of wild animals causing damage and posing a threat to many villages. Do not kill animals

Minister Persaud said while citizens are encouraged to trap these animals, they are also warned not to kill them. According to him, once the animal is caught alive, it can be accommodated at the Zoological Park. Persaud said persons should not, however, allow themselves to be attacked or their property damaged.

Private Sector lobbies political parties to support hydro power project

Amid the uncertainty over the fate of two pieces of legislation key to the advancement of the Amaila Falls Hydro Power Project, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) on Tuesday urged both government and opposition to work together to have them passed. Government has tabled amendments to the hydroelectricity act and a motion to increase the debt ceiling – both critical to the project.

In a statement, the umbrella business grouping said the Amaila Falls Hydroelectric project has reached the stage where two critical pieces of legislation require parliamentary approval for the advancement of the proj-

ect and to obtain InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) approval for the IDB portion of the project funding: the Guarantee of Loans (Public Corporations and Companies) Act and the Hydro-Electric Power (Amendment) Bill 2013.

The latter piece of legislation, the PSC said, which creates a protected area for biodiversity conservation, is a prerequisite for IDB board approval of the project.

“July 30 is, we understand, the deadline by which final project documentation must be available for submission ahead of the October meeting of the board.”

“The Private Sector Commission wishes to stress the critical importance of moving the Amaila Falls project forward as swiftly as possible. Competitive energy pricing is essential to attract new investment in the economy particular for diversification and value-added industries that will reduce dependence on the vagaries of commodity priced exports such as sugar, gold and bauxite.”

Paramount priority

The commission said with rising fossil fuel prices, less expensive, alternative renewable energy sources such as hydroelectricity is crucial

to the survival of many businesses, especially those in the manufacturing sector where growth is stymied by existing energy prices, “and we are appealing to all the parties responsible for the passage of the necessary legislation to have the national interest as a paramount priority”.

According to the PSC, from the data it has gathered on the true cost for generating and distributing electricity, it is important that the public and all the parties involved be aware of the certain consequences if the Amaila Falls project is not approved this year.

Major investment

The PSC said if the project does not go ahead this year, the cost of attempting it in the future would rise significantly and potential investors in other areas for major investment would be unwilling to take investment risks.

In addition to these consequences, all other large public-private partnerships projects would be put at risk, since its failure would lead to a lack of confidence in the country’s ability to realise these projects.

GECOM says No to renewing Boodoo’s contract

- established procedures were not followed – Commissioner Jaya Manickchand

By Michael younge

Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM)

Chairman Dr Steve Surujbally on Tuesday afternoon broke a tie which existed among commissioners after he voted against the reappointment of Gocool Boodoo as the entity’s chief elections officer.

The decision made by the constitutional body now paves the way for GECOM to advertise and recruit a new substantive chief election officer as soon as possible, bringing to an end several weeks of dialogue, deadlock and controversy over the issue.

Surujbally reportedly asked the commissioners to vote either “yes” or “no” on the matter of Boodoo’s reappointment, but several commissioners opted to offer for the record the reasons why they voted the way

they did, before stating whether they were for or against his reappointment.

Closure

GECOM Public Relations Officer Vishnu Persaud, when interviewed on Tuesday evening, told Guyana Times International that the matter was brought to a closure as there was “nothing prohibiting the commission” from voting on the issue following the move by the acting chief justice to discharge the case brought by Boodoo.

Boodoo had moved to the High Court to challenge any attempt by GECOM to vote against his bid for reappointment as he had a legitimate expectation, but the case was dismissed on technicalities.

“The way is clear now for the commission to advertise the post... as soon as tomorrow a letter could be dispatched to Boodoo informing him

of the official decision on his reappointment,” Persaud said.

He emphasised that the next step would be for the commissioners to draft the new terms of reference for the position of chief elections officer. This, he said, was a critical pillar in the scheme of things relating to the recruitment of the new officer.

Challenge Asked whether

Boodoo could still challenge the matter in the courts, Persaud stated that “that was his constitutional right”. He also explained that nothing prohibits the commission from continuing its work in the meantime.

Commissioners Sandra Jones, who filled the void that was left when opposition-member Robert Williams died, Vincent Alexander and Charles Corbin vot-

ed against Boodoo’s appointment.

When contacted, Dr Surujbally declined to comment, since he was driving at the moment. He pointed this publication in the direction of Persaud who was authorised to speak to the media on the issue.

Commissioner Jaya Manickchand, who along with Commissioners Dr Keshav ‘Bud’ Mangal and Mahmood Shaw voted in favour of Boodoo’s reappointment, did not feel that the matter was dealt with fairly from the onset.

Manickchand, an attorney, when contacted, said she is concerned that justice has not been served in the case of Boodoo’s request to be reappointed as chief elections officer.

She disclosed that at no time was Boodoo ever appraised during his 13year stint at the constitutional body. She said

surprisingly despite requests made for any information that could prove him unworthy of reappointment, such as warning letters and disciplinary memorandums, none were provided.

“I don’t believe the commission as a whole dealt with the entire proceedings of the Gocool Boodoo matter fairly. The established protocols were not followed... He was never appraised... and never given a hearing,” she explained.

Manikchand said she found it surprising that Commissioner Alexander would seek to make comments which sought to undermine the reputation of Boodoo, while publicly accusing him of deliberately changing formulas and other malpractice at this point of time, since Alexander, as far as she knew, never brought the matter to the commission’s attention after the 2011 elections.

Wild animals caught alive can be accommodated at...

“As a former minister of agriculture, I would recall that farmers themselves complaining about losing large numbers of livestock, be it sheep, goat and even cows. So we are aware of it and certainly, we try to encourage people to do trapping and work with the Zoological Park,” the minister added.

Persaud told this publication that Guyana has started a relationship with an overseas non-governmental organisation to develop a strategy to protect jaguars, working with

people in the mining, forestry and agriculture sectors. This is to prevent the animal from becoming an endangered species.

“But it’s one thing for us to sit and theorise... and people out there would tell you that camps were attacked, they saw traces of a jaguar or some other animal and that puts them at danger... but we try to work and give advice and certainly, we have a country, where 88 per cent of our land space is covered with tropical rainforest,” Persaud acknowledged.

The jaguar in North Ruimveldt was spotted this weekend at the back of the area; residents are fearful of using the backdam that links that community to Sophia. One resident, Collin Daniels said between Saturday and Sunday, he spotted the animal while using the backdam and he informed his neighbours about it.

“They got a lot of little children that use the dam, but presently because school close it ain’t that busy.... but you never know if by the time school

re-opens, if the animal will attack someone... but we have to be sceptical at least at nights,” Daniels

said. He estimates that the jaguar is about three feet in length and two and a

half feet in height. This is not the first time that the animal was spotted by residents.

Plan presented to modernise zoological park in Georgetown

Based on a number of consultations with regional and international partners, the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry along with several bodies drafted a master plan for the restoration, modernisation and upgrade of the zoological park of Guyana.

On Tuesday evening, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud, speaking at the event hosted to launch the master plan for the zoo under the Three Parks Initiative, said government has been struggling to upgrade and modernise the zoological and other parks around the country.

Under this initiative, the minister said it is his hope that through direct and indirect influences, the plan would move forward.

Persaud said government has invested some Gy$ 150 million for the development of the zoological park, which has been neglected over the years.

“Financial resources would not be enough we have so far and funding is still needed,” the minister

told this publication during a separate interview, but noted that the deputy Mexican ambassador has given her assurance that the Mexican government will assist Guyana in this regard.

The minister admitted that while monies have already been injected into the project and a lot more is still needed, the ministry has not gone on a “funding spree”, but rather will be hosting consultations to educate and showcase the master plan.

According to him, through these consultations, stakeholders can now be part of the initiative by signing on and having ownership and shares at the zoological

park.

Protected Areas Commission (PAC)

Commissioner Damian Fernandes said the aim is to connect the country’s interior and bring it to the people. He said the zoological park is very important and management is committed to developing and upgrading the facilities on a “step by step basis” through the newlydeveloped master plan.

The zoological park when completely modernised will have a coastal wetland for aquatic animals, a savannah area for the deer, tapirs and other related animals, mountainous highland for the small cats and rainforest for the harpy eagles.

Queenstown mosque opens for Ramadan

The historic Queenstown mosque has reopened its doors to worshippers for the month of Ramadan, although the new building is just about 60 per cent completed. This is according to one of the members of the board of trustees, Amnat Baksh.

“Construction has ceased for the month of Ramadan, but we have not officially opened as yet. We are using it for prayer sessions for the month of Ramadan, because as you can see the prayer areas are usable,” he said in an interview with Guyana Times International

He explained that the old mosque was a central mosque and the old building could not have been repaired, so the structure was condemned by the City Council, since the lumber had started to rot and was termite infested.

Baksh said further “a bigger mosque was needed, since the previous structure could not cater for the rapid growth of the Muslim community”, so the decision was made to demolish the old building and rebuild.

“We decided to build the biggest one that we can get, so that future generations will be able to benefit from it ... rather than adding to a structure, which will change the feature of the building,” the trustee explained.

The Queenstown Jama Masjid was dismantled in early 2007. Before it was demolished, there were calls for it to be preserved as part of the country’s architectural heritage.

The entrance of the new mosque is at Church Street and the front of the mosque is slanted to the east, as the building is obliquely set on the lot to ensure worshippers, when praying, turn towards Mecca where the Kaaba – the house of God – is located.

There are two towers – minarets – at the top of the structure (from which the call to prayers is sounded).

“There will also be a dome at the top of the mosque,” mosque secretary Muntaz Ali, another member of the board of trustees, noted. He revealed that the board of trustees include the Imam of the masjid, Shaheed Mohamad, himself, Amnat Baksh, and Shahabudeen Ahmad, the other members are deceased and are yet to

be replaced.

Accommodation

The construction of the mosque began about two years ago, and when completed, it will have the capacity to accommodate approximately 1000 persons. The building is 120 feet by 80 feet, and the funds for its construction were donated by the Muslim community in Guyana and overseas.

This publication was told that the males and females will worship separately with the ground floor being used by the men and the top floor being used by the women. The original mosque, Queenstown Jama Masjid, was built more than 100 years ago and was one of the first to be built by Muslims in Guyana and the first built in Georgetown, back in 1895.

The newly-constructed three-storey building will house a section for worshipping and a teaching complex, while the ground floor will be used for medical outreaches.

Guyana participates in Caricom-Singapore high-level meeting

Foreign Affairs

Minister Carolyn RodriguesBirkett, along with foreign ministers of Caricom member states and Caricom Secretary General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, is currently in Singapore at a Caricom-Singapore high-level ministerial exchange under the theme “Governing in a complex world”. The exchange is being held over the period July 15 to 19.

There has been a significant increase in engagement and cooperation between the Caribbean Community and Singapore and the high-level exchange will provide the opportunity to discuss the strengthening of these relations as well as to share experiences on methods to better manage common and complex challenges facing small states, a release from the Foreign Affairs Ministry said.

Apart from discussions with their colleague, the foreign min-

ister and other officials of the Singapore government and the ministers will also visit several locations including the Singapore Aviation Academy, the Singapore Air Traffic Control Centre, Infocomm Development

Guyana renews bilateral ties with France

Prime Minister

Samuel Hinds and Agriculture

Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy, who is performing the duties of foreign affairs minister, joined French Ambassador to Guyana Joel Godeau Monday evening at the reception in honour of France’s National Day – La Fête Nationale (Bastille Day) on Sunday.

Speaking at the event held at Duke Lodge, Kingston, Prime Minister Hinds, on behalf of the government and people of Guyana, extended best wishes to France. “In celebrating the country’s history, the government of Guyana wishes to applaud the accomplishments of the leading player in the development of the 21st century. The government has made contributions to Guyana in the economic programme and police cooperation,” Hinds said.

Authority of Singapore as well as the Urban Redevelopment Authority City Gallery.

The governments of Guyana and Singapore established diplomatic relations on September 19, 2002 and enjoy close collab-

oration at the international level in fora such as the United Nations, the Commonwealth, the World Trade Organisation and the Non- Aligned Movement.

In recent years, Guyana has benefited from several offers of training, particularly in the areas of aviation, agriculture and information technology from Singapore. The two countries are exploring enhanced cooperation in the areas of technical assistance and capacity building.

Agriculture Ministry moves to resuscitate Tapakuma cassava industry

“I am confident that France will continue to make meaningful contributions to Guyana. We’re looking forward to strengthening that bilateral relation,” Prime Minister Hinds stated.

French Ambassador Godeau also spoke of the relationship between the two countries, and noted that France shares a common geographic space and environment with Guyana.

The French diplomat highlighted the cooperation of the French and Guyanese police forces, and expressed satisfaction in this regard. He added that the training sessions done by the French will be continuous, as more local police officers and firefighters will benefit.

He lauded the two countries’ bilateral rela-

He highlighted the relationship shared by the two nations over the years, especially France’s contributions to Guyana’s military, and welcomed the visit of the French army which has strengthened the bilateral relationship with regards to environment and security, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.

tionship which he hopes will deepen in the future. This celebration was also attended by French and Guyanese officials and citizens, as well as members of the diplomatic corps.

Bastille Day is considered the beginning of the French Revolution. The capture of the Bastille Prison, a symbol of the Ancien Régime, on July 14, 1789, marked the end of King Louis XVI’s absolute and arbitrary power and the transformation of France’s revolution in the name of Liberté, Égalité, and Fraternité (Liberty, Equality and Fraternity). Bastille Day is celebrated as the day France took its first steps to becoming the First Republic of France in 1792.

There are popular celebrations in the streets of France along with political events, military parades, public speeches and fireworks.

Every town in France and its colonies commemorate Bastille Day, with excitement and pride.

The Agriculture Ministry will be providing technical support to the Amerindian community of Tapakuma on the Essequibo Coast as it seeks to resuscitate the cassava processing facility there which has been out of operation for the past three years.

Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy made the announcement when he visited the cassava processing facility on Monday.

Dr Ramsammy, speaking to the media and toshao of the village Doreen Jacobus, said the ministry is working with major partners, including the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and the National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) to put the cassava processing facility at Tapakuma back in operation.

The minister said the

processing facility has been out of operation for too long, and with it being operationalised, the community could earn, as well as provide, employment for residents.

The minister said the ministry has recognised the demand for valueadded cassava products such as farine, casareep, cassava bread and cake on the international market, and as such, it is aiming to get the industry back on track.

Additionally, Dr Ramsammy said once the factory resumes operation, 5000 pounds of processed cassava will be produced. A team from the ministry will be working with the community to introduce new varieties of cassava sticks.

Meanwhile, Toshao Doreen Jacobus, responding to the minister, said the factory, once back in operation, will require solar dryer equipment. She said the

dryer will boost the production of cassava products.

The factory was in operation since 1992; however, it closed in 2011 due to a lack of funds.

She said since that time, the cassava industry declined significantly in her village. The toshao said her village council is willing to work with the ministry to reopen the factory. When the factory was in operation it produced cassava biscuit, bread, casareep and starch. The minister and his team had a tour of the facility where he got a firsthand view of the equipment.

The minister was accompanied by Permanent Secretary George Jarvis, NAREI head Dr Oudho Homenauth, IICA representative Wilmot Garnet, Regional Vice Chairman Vishnu Samaroo, New GMC General Manager Nizam Hassan and other officials.

Hydro project closer to reality

- Guyanese to benefit from lower electricity tariffs

Guyanese can expect a decrease in the overall tariff that they have to pay for electricity while enjoying an improved level of service from the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc once the Amaila Falls Hydro Power Project comes on stream in 2017. This is according the company’s chairman Winston Brassington who said that the project financing is in its final stages of approval.

Brassington also serves as the technical team leader on the project, which promises to supply Guyanese with an improved supply of electricity with the use of clean energy generated from a renewable resource.

Brassington said the project would result in GPL saving significantly as he pointed out that currently it costs the company between 18 and 20 U. S. cents per kilowatt hour to generate electricity using heavy

fuel oil, and 30 U. S. cents with the use of diesel.

Hydro power

He explained that with the advent of hydropower, this cost would be reduced significantly which would see consumers benefiting from lower electricity bills while confirming that GPL would no longer need operating subsidies from the central government.

Brassington explained further that currently the real cost inclusive of generation, losses, selling and distribution stood at approximately 40 U. S. cents per kWh.

However, tariffs paid by customers are only 30 U. S. cents per kWh. “So our selling price today is subsidised. Last year, GPL lost about Gy$ 7 billion; we received Gy$ 6 billion in a subsidy from the government. This project will allow us to remove the subsidy and additionally will allow us to lower our tariffs to consumers,” Brassington

emphasised.

Inclusive discussions

“We really need this project,” he continued, stating that all the parties have been involved in far reaching analysis of the risks associated with every level of the project implementation as this was critical to the overall execution of the project and its success.

“It is set up in such a way that each party carries a certain amount of risk,” he noted, explain-

Caribbean Airlines crash report to be submitted month-end

Almost two years after a Boeing 737-800 aircraft belonging to Caribbean Airlines Limited (CAL) crash landed at Guyana’s Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), the final report on the crash is expected to be submitted by month-end.

the one in Guyana is still to be completed.

He said that the investigations into the July 30, 2011 crash was completed in a short time compared to those for other major crashes.

The aircraft, on the day of the accident overshot the runway, and stopped short of a ra-

According to Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) Director Zulfikar Mohammed at a recent press conference, there were some delays with respect to the investigations conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) as it was engaged in other investigations.

He praised the investigative team for the timely completion of the report, noting that an investigation into a plane crash in Jamaica which occurred one year before

vine with its nose cone segment breaking off. The crash was deemed “a miracle landing” since all 163 people aboard, including the six crew members, survived.

Weeks after the accident, the airline said the co-pilot had resigned and the captain of the aircraft was now employed in another department of the airline, pending the release of the official report.

The injured persons were compensated after consultation with their

insurance companies. There were also four lawsuits filed in the U. S. against CAL in connection with the incident.

Officials had stated that the sums involved were in the vicinity of several thousands of U.S. dollars.

Preliminary findings by investigators on the crash suggested that there might have been an error on the part of the pilot, rather than mechanical or other system malfunction. It was later reported that the cockpit crew of Flight 523 reported no problems with the twin-engine Boeing aircraft to air traffic controllers on approach.

It is believed that the plane landed too fast and too far down the airstrip.

Caribbean Airlines Flight 523 overran runway six at the CJIA, and several of the passengers aboard were injured.

The aircraft, a Boeing 737-8BK, had flown from the John F Kennedy Airport, New York to Georgetown, with a stopover at the Piarco International Airport, Port of Spain, Trinidad.

After touching down on a rainy day, the plane crashed through the perimeter fence. The aircraft went over a road before stopping 100 metres away from the airstrip and breaking into two.

ies, we have been able to get a thousand gigawatt hours (gWh) per annum,” Brassington disclosed.

“In a project like this, there are a lot of risks from beginning to end,” he asserted during the interview. Some are insurable and some are not.

Lenders, particularly the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), have also had extensive due diligence.

ing further that even government and one of the private owners will have to share the geotechnical risk associated with the project.

After the project is built, the other risk is the water risk which could arise if there is not enough water to keep the hydro project functioning at maximum capacity. Two technical studies have already been done on this issue. “Based on the results of those stud-

He did not rule out too that there may be a need to generate electricity with the use of fossil fuels even when the hydro project comes on stream, as he explained that as demand grows, there may need to have more power generated from other sources.

Electricity transmission

The GPL board chairman explained that the project would see some 165 mega watts of electricity installed at the generation point which would then be transmitted to Linden and

Sophia. Brassington also gave the overall cost of the project straight to the point when it enters into commercial operations at approximately US$ 840 million. It would also see Guyana paying over a 20-year period, an average of US$ 100 million per annum, following which the country will own the project outright. This would result in saving of US$ 200 million, which would have gone to pay escalating and fluctuating fuel bills. So in rough terms, we will pay approximately US$ 100 million per annum to save some US$ 200 million in fuel for over 1000gWh per annum from the hydro project.

Brassington reiterated that the project’s scope includes the access roads, the hydro project itself, and some 270 kilometres of transmission lines from the hydro plant to Sophia and Linden.

Sugar industry can be fixed – Private Sector … says problems lie in structure

Private Sector Commission (PSC) Chairman Ronald Webster believes that the failure of the sugar industry against the present backdrop of falling commodity prices for gold and other products can have serious detrimental consequences on the local economy and necessitates prompt and objective remedial action.

During recent remarks on the state of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), Webster said he is convinced that many of the initiatives taken over the years have been very good. However, he is of the opinion that the matters are rooted in the structure of the organisation and many of these initiatives have not been taken within the context of the structure that created the problem in the first place.

“In effect, what we end up doing, is fixing the symptoms rather than the underlying problem. The organisation cannot improve productivity by giving incentives and preaching teamwork without effective leadership, management, and rules,”

Webster remarked.

Downward spiral

He pointed out that the result would eventually be a downward spiral in productivity and a drain on the economy.

According to Webster, one solution would be to privatise one or two sugar estates and employ the same practices used in the successful privatisation of the bauxite industry.

Webster stressed that failure to put in place the systems to address the ailing industry and the continued overdependence on commodity price-based exports can prove costly in the longterm.

However, President Donald Ramotar said many of the challenges confronting the industry

are beyond the control of the administration, pointing to the change of sugar prices and investments which have not been as successful as expected, such as the Skeldon Modernisation Project.

Ramotar recently reiterated calls for the resuscitation of the ailing sector, stating that consideration may be given to employing co-ops as a means of altering the fortunes of the sugar industry should the idea resonate well with stakeholders.

He said the sugar industry paved the way for the country’s development, pointing out that most of the exiting industries today have benefited from the success-

Plenty busein goin on

Buse-in one another is a common ting wid plenty people. But Freddie Kissmansoon get de record fuh bein de best buser-upper in de whole country.

Whenever he buse-in, it does be just like when a woman buse-in she neighbour fuh tekkin way she man. No neighbour ain’t gon ever tek way de Man Kisser fuh nuttin though. So buse-in gon never come from he neighbour fuh that.

De Man Kisser does buse yuh from how yuh mother mek you to how yuh gon look in yuh grave. Never mind he never see some of de people he does buse. And never mind half of what he say don’t mek sense, and de other half does be mek up stories. Buse-in is buse-in, and de Man Kisser does buse even when people not buse-in back.

Now Rush Khan rush in and buse de guvament bout labour laws and minimum wage. Then he rush in again and buse a man who get rob and still in de hospital. De man get shoot in he head, so he might not even hear what Rush Khan buse-in bout. But Rush Khan don’t mind that. He jusy like to buse… ask he workers dem!

De guvament and de opposition does also buse out one another. And nowadays students does buse out teachers. De other day, a man slap he wife fuh de same buse- in, but he end up in court and he learn to do de opposite of buse-in – beggin.

Stony Virus always buse-in some body too. He gettin just like de Man Kisser – buse-in everybody. Stony Virus even turn round and buse de man who bail he out when he was broke. Is de same man buy out he TV station, plus pay he out de court money.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling… friend tell friend… mattie tell mattie! Well, old people seh after one time is another time… is another big buse out start up wid Suspenders Ram and de Stabber. And dem two was like Jack and Jill!

Sugar industry

from page 22

can be... es of the sugar industry, whether through managerial skills, finances or other categories of work.

“Many of the top organisations have their beginnings in the sugar industry,” he said, underscoring that the industry still has a significant role to play in the development of Guyana.

In June, Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy announced that the “the glory days” of sugar was not over and vowed that the corporation would see better days.

Dr Ramsammy said the industry had to be brought out of its deathbed in the 1980s, and government succeeded in bringing it back to life. He had expressed optimism early in the year that the sugar industry was still in a position to reach its production target of between 250,000 and 265,000 tonnes.

Triangular love affair ends in jealous lover stabbing rival to death

Another triangular love affair ended brutal last Friday evening when a father of two stabbed his reputed wife’s lover to death at a small village on the Soesdyke/ Linden Highway. The incident occurred at about 19: 30h in a place commonly referred to as Ideal Road.

The dead miner was identified as Kevin Harrison, 26, of Ideal Road, Soesdyke-Linden Highway and formerly of Soesdyke Public Road, East Bank Demerara. He was stabbed at least four times to his back by his fiancés estranged children's father during a confrontation at the woman’s home in the same village.

Heated argument

According to information, Ofeta Hinckson and Harrison were confronted by the suspect, Rudolph Singh at a shop in the neighbourhood. A heated argument ensured among the three people followed by a scuffle.

The woman reportedly left the shop, but was followed by the suspect who was in an angry state and more so, he was armed with 22 cutlass. Upon realising that Singh went behind the woman, Morrison followed closely.

As he approached the house, he heard arguments and suddenly saw Singh attempting to

chop the woman but he intervened, took away the cutlass and a scramble started between the two men.

Unknowingly, the suspect had a knife tuck away in his pocket which he subsequently pulled and stabbed the man to his back. Morrison was reportedly fell to the ground died almost instantaneously.

Speaking with Guyana Times International, Hinckson explained that she and Singh separated a while ago and then she started to befriend Harrison. They were together for the past seven years and their union brought forth two children who witnessed the murder. Few drinks

The aggrieved woman added that on the night

of the fatal stabbing, her fiancé (Harrison) visited her and they decided to go to the shop to take a few drinks. As they, were there, her childrens father who normally visits to bring things for his children appeared and an argument started among them.

The woman further stated that after the session at the shop, she left for home, but was followed by her reputed husband.

While at home, another argument started and he was about to chop her when Harrison intervened, she added. Hinckson went on to say that the angry suspect slammed her fiancé into the walls of the house, but he managed to take away the cutlass and threw it to her.

Soon after, she disclosed she heard her fiancé calling out to her saying “babes I get stab” and fell to the ground. Singh, upon realising that the man was injured, escaped from the scene. The woman telephoned the police who visited the scene and took possession of the suspected murder weapon. The police are still hunting for the suspect who is believed to be hiding in Linden. When this publication visited the scene on Saturday, the dead man’s mother, Shirley Harrison said she last heard from her son on Thursday evening. She explained that he would normally work in the interior and only came out a few days ago.

High level Caribbean delegation for China business visit

Top private sector executives in the tourism and investment industries in collaboration with Caribbean governments, have accepted an invitation to participate in a 10-day trade mission to four cities in China. The trip is set for September 14 to 23 and is being planned by Peter Zhang and Li Li of the Chinese American Business Development Centre (CABDC).

The trip comes on the heels of the Avalon Invest Caribbean Now Forum in New York City organised by U. S.based Guyanese journalist Felicia Persaud, who serves as chief marketing officer of Hard Beat Communications.

Trade CABDC has been leading trade missions for U. S. companies to China for the past 10 years while Hard Beat’s Invest Caribbean Now forum is in its third year.

The planned trip to Beijing, Shannxi, Zhejiang and Guangdong comes on the heels of Chinese President Xi Jinpings first visit to Trinidad during May where he pledged more than US$ 3 billion in loans to 10 Caribbean nations and Costa Rica on June 2.

The 2013 Caribbean/ China Trade Mission is designed to help Caribbean premiers, ministers of governments, investment agencies and C-level private sector business leaders, meet with top Chinese officials from varied ministries, such as tourism and finance.

The tour would also facilitate engagements with C-level company executives, including from the China Import Export Bank, to promote direct in-country investment opportunities and company products and services.

It is aimed at estab-

lishing strategic connections, strengthening existing relations, exploring opportunities for joint ventures, sourcing potential suppliers, extending friendships and creating relationships for return visits to the Caribbean region.

The mission will provide Caribbean governments and business lead-

ers with new access and close-up insight into the dynamic Chinese market, including its scale, diversity, and potential.

By 2020, China will surpass the U. S. in middle-class consumption and as quickly China is emerging as a new market for Caribbean real estate and products like tourism, analysts have

predicted.

Acclaim

Citing statistics that said up to 100 million Chinese will be travelling abroad by 2015, Li said the time was ripe for the Caribbean to tap into this key demographic, especially since the Chinese consumer is industrious and has spending power and “the Caribbean has garnered critical acclaim as a mecca for tourism with significant investments in that and related sectors”.

Persaud is encouraging Caribbean governments to do more to market the diverse investment stories of the region to the right people since the region is relevant.

She stated that the Caribbean region remains relevant, since 11 nations have been listed in the top 100 “ease of doing business” survey when there were only seven for Latin America and eight for Africa.

Govt discusses development plans with Region Nine officials

Indigenous leaders from Region Nine were assured of government’s commitment to further develop the lives of hinterland residents when they met with Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud at the St Ignatius Benab on July 12. Accompanied by senior officials of the ministry’s various sub-agencies, Minister Persaud told the more than 50 toshaos and village representatives that the workshop was aimed at informing residents about the developments earmarked for Region

Nine, and the need to work together to take their communities forward along the path of sustainable development, especially as it relates to mining and natural resources.

Unique model

Minister Persaud said Region Nine presents, “A unique model

as a region with diverse resources and a blend of conservation areas that allow us to have an opportunity to show how we can use a community with two protected areas to further develop it with the full involvement of all stakeholders.”

He stressed that government will build on issues of concern raised by indigenous residents as they craft developmental policies. He noted that issues such as the fate of the Iwokrama Conservation Project have been noted, and informed participants that government has already spent over US$ 900,000 (close to G$ 200 million) to ensure its continued operation, “This alone, is one clear indication that government is committed to the project”.

The concerns of Aishalton and Marudi Mountain residents about mining in their community have also been noted and will be addressed in a timely manner, the minister added.

Among the developments that will bring about massive changes in the lives of residents, Minister Persaud said, is the all-weather road from Lethem to Linden, which will be constructed with technical and financial assistance from neighbouring Brazil.

Development must always be in keeping with the expectations of the communities, government and other stakeholders, taking into consideration the environmental and economic needs, the minister reminded attendees, he said.

During the interactive sessions, residents were informed that government is cognisant of the conflict in land usage that can potentially occur, hence the formation of the Land Use Policy Document, which will be used to guide land development throughout Guyana.

Minister Persaud also informed attendees, that government has moved towards having indigenous representatives on all of the boards of his ministry’s subagencies.

This move is to ensure that there is broadbased representation and that concerns of the various indigenous communities could be taken into account during the decision-making process, Minister Persaud said.

Monument fuh so...

Satiricus was inspired. Every country has to have heroes and martyrs. And after a lull of so many years, almost every day heroes were being discovered. And why not? We Guyanese were certainly full of heroes, among other things. But what really moved Satiricus almost to tears was that the discovery of heroes did not end with just some platitude or other.

People, left right and centre were constructing monuments to their heroes. That’s right. People were shelling our hardearned bucks to construct monuments just so the rest of benighted souls like Satiricus would never forget just who had sacrificed so much that he could enjoy the good things of life.

Satiricus sniffled and wiped his nose. Take the monument at Buxton erected just a couple of years ago. The government had acted rather silly and just rebuilt the old village landmark of Tipperary Hall. Who the heck cared about Tipperary Hall? It was just an old building where almost every event of importance had been commemorated since the village had been purchased after the abolition of slavery. Who cared about that? What was memorable about that? What kind of sacrifice was that?? Now consider the new monument, constructed just across from Tipperary Hall – just to remind all the ignorant folks in the government what real heroism was all about. These were the heroes who had killed dozens of policemen and even more civilians, terrorised large sections of the village, raped and impregnated several of the young women, robbed others of millions of dollars and other such noble deeds. All for the “freedom” of their people.

Satiricus learnt after the monument was constructed as to what a great sacrifice these young men had made. They had such great futures ahead of them, when they would’ve been released from Georgetown’s Camp Street jail. But they sacrificed all of that when they broke out on Republic Day. The symbolism wasn’t lost on Satiricus, who wiped another tear from his eye.

Then there was the new monument built at the bridge at Linden where those three young men had been shot. The organising members of Parliament had admitted they were illegally blocking a bridge through which supplies passed to the entire interior population. They knew those people would suffer. They stoically held back their tears for that suffering when they gave their testimony. But hey!!! thought Satiricus, heroes gotta do what heroes gotta do.

And the billions that went up in smoke? Well, when you’re a hero, you can’t make an omelette without breaking some shells. Or burning some schools or offices.

By now Satiricus was weeping openly. He wished he could be a hero.

Guyana seeking to deepen relations with South American counterparts

President Donald Ramotar said even though Guyana remains committed to the Caribbean Community (Caricom), it recognises the common aspiration to deepen integration with South American countries. Speaking at the 45th Summit of the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) in Montevideo, Uruguay, where Guyana was accepted as an associate member of the organisation, Ramotar said the new-found partnership is another step in that direction.

“It is my belief that the bridge between the South and the Caribbean is getting stronger as both Guyana and Suriname are members of Caricom, Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) and now associate members of MERCOSUR.

“Let me also underscore Mr President, (José Mujica) that this membership by Guyana is not just a mere indication of our interest in trade matters, even though I will be extremely pleased to see an increase in mutually beneficial trade, but a political statement that Guyana, small as we are, recognises the importance of integration in all its forms for the upliftment of our people.

“For too long we have shared one continent yet knew little of each other as evidenced by this being my first visit to this beautiful country. Needless to say, I have had to travel north, and flew back over my country to get here.”

President Ramotar

also used the opportunity to condemn the way in which the aircraft taking Bolivian President Evo Morales home was forced to land in Vienna, Austria and then searched. “This outrageous act which, among other things, represents an erosion in international relations, must be condemned by all of us. I wish to express my solidarity with President Morales and the government and people of Bolivia and demand an apology from those responsible.

Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and her counterparts from Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Venezuela, last Thursday signed a framework agreement paving the way for Guyana to join MERCOSUR as an associate member.

A Foreign Affairs Ministry release stated that the initiative arose out of the decision taken by the Council of Ministers at the MERCOSUR summit held in Brasilia in December 2012 to foster and strengthen the relationship between MERCOSUR and Guyana.

Among the areas covered by the framework association agreement are: political, economic, trade, productive development, cultural and other cooperation issues.

Following the signing of the agreement, Rodrigues-Birkett thanked her colleague foreign ministers for welcoming Guyana into the MERCOSUR family.

Star of the week

GAlana Benjamin

uyana Times International ran into this stunningly gorgeous, international model at GUYEXPO 2013 (NY) a few days ago. Daughter of a proud Guyanese mother, the Trinidad and Tobago born model was part of the dynamic lineup of Guyanese designers; Sonia Noel and Gem Fraser, who jointly staged a high-octane fashion show in support of GUYEXPO 2013 on Saturday, June 29th, at the Queens College campus.

Alana ripped the runway alongside Miss Guyana World 2012, Arti Cameron, and other models including Marieme Diop of Senegal, and Delven Adams of Guyana.

This beauty is no stranger to causes in-

volving Guyana (Guyana being her mother's homeland), she has modeled designs by Michelle Cole, Roger Gary, and Sonia Noel at the recently held Guyana 47th Independence Day anniversary celebrations at the Brooklyn Borough Hall, NYC.

Alana is not only a fashion model, but she has also been involved in multiple hair shows in the United States.

Asked how she maintains her stunning physique, Alana switched on her 100-watt smile, revealing that her physical conditioning is directly related to the hard work she puts in as a member of the Unity Community Center of Camden, New Jersey, where she participates in both martial arts and African dancing.

The aspiring

Having already completed a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, this talented humanitarian is well on her way to achieving success!!! She is inspired and supported by her caring mother, Sandra London, who hails from Pike

wants to work with troubled teens and hopes to one day open a pre-school.

Substance abuse: Excess iron in the body

By Tisha BosTon

Many of you have heard the saying, “too much of anything is bad for you.” For those of you who beg to differ, let’s consider the role of iron in the body. Iron is an essential nutrient required for the body to function effectively. It is needed to make hemoglobin that is responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body via bloodstream. The body cannot produce iron and there-

fore can only acquire it through external means such as by food consumption and blood transfusions. Iron is commonly found in seafood, red meat, liver, beans, chick peas, dried fruits like prunes and raisins, and dark leafy vegetables. Excess iron in the body negatively affects the way we grow, develop, and function. Iron can build up to toxic levels causing damage to the kidneys and liver. Symptoms of iron

toxicity include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Too much iron can also increase the risk of cancer, arthritis, cataracts, diabetes, osteoporosis, and heart disease. Significant iron overload is known as hemochromatosis and it is hereditary. Women are at a lower risk of accumulating excess iron because of the blood they lose during their menstrual cycle. This implies that blood donations are an excellent way of reducing excess iron in the body, in addition to dietary regulation. Although iron is an essential nutrient, our body only needs tiny amounts of it to function and thus, the real question becomes how much iron does our body really need?

The chart below provides the answer. . The daily recommendation for iron is higher in women than that of men because women tend to lose more iron. These groups of women include pregnant women, women with heavy menstrual losses, and teenage girls.

We can get enough iron from our diet, so take caution when using iron supplements, birth control pills that contain iron such as Junel Fe, and vitamin C supplements which increase the absorption of iron for too much of anything will cause more harm to the body, than good.

Guyanese elected secretary of Caribbean accountancy institute

Former Institute of Chartered Accountants of Guyana (ICAG) President Khalil Alli has been elected secretary of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of the Caribbean (ICAC). Alli is a partner with the firm of Jack A Alli, Sons & Company and served as president of the local arm of the accounting institute from 2008 to 2011.

Alli told the Guyanese media on Tuesday that he was optimistic about the new post and looked forward to serving with pride and professionalism.

The senior accountant noted that his task would be to promote the practice of sound accounting, while maintaining highly professional and good work ethics in all territories.

Alli said the ICAC is responsible for ensuring national chartered ac-

PM

counting institutes comply with international standards in accounting and auditing. “I will use the opportunity to maintain the already high standards of accounting carried out in Guyana and in ICAC member states, while pushing for more opportunities,” he stated.

The accounting professional told reporters that while the board of the ICAC meets every four months, the executive who entails the secretary, the president, vice president and treasurer meets more regularly to carry out the main functions of the organisation.

This is aimed at keeping the affairs of the institute in compliance with international standards and professionals, fully up to date with changes taking place.

Alli qualified as a chartered accountant while working with

Portia wants

the London headquarters of UK and global accounting powerhouse Pricewaterhouse Coopers. He studied economics at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels at the London School of Economics. He joined the ICAC Board as alternate director for Guyana in 2008 and has been a director since 2011. He has also served as the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) representative on the ICAC board since 2008.

Meanwhile, Frank Myers, an assurance partner with KPMG Eastern Caribbean, was elected president of the regional accountancy body. Myers, who was first appointed to the ICAC Board in 2001, has been playing a key role in the development of the accountancy profession regionally and internationally. (Guyana Times)

more

women involved in agriculture

Prime Minister Portia SimpsonMiller has urged Jamaican women to increase their participation and assertiveness in the economic development of their country.

She issued the call in an address read by Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce Sharon Ffolkes Abrahams, at the recent Supporting Economic Empowerment and Development in the Caribbean and Pacific (SEED CAP) forum at the Half Moon Conference Centre in Montego Bay.

Also urging more women to become in-

volved in agriculture in particular, SimpsonMiller observed the link between gender, nutrition and food security, and poverty.

"It is imperative that we design and implement strategies to increase the involvement of women in agriculture; to diversify their roles and to give greater recognition to their contribution to the sector," the prime minister said.

Noting that women in the Caribbean and sister states of the Pacific islands, play important roles in household food security as income earners, nurturers and managers of natural resources, she said this is why

women must play a pivotal role in the eradication of poverty, the elimination of food insecurity, and the promotion of proper nutrition. She observed that women are excelling in important agricultural roles as veterinarians, farm managers and educators. (JIS)

Empowering youths to be leaders

The Caribbean Youth Environment Network (CYEN), a nonprofit, civil society, charitable body, focuses its resources on empowering young people and their communities to develop programmes and or actions to address socio-economic and environmental issues.

The CYEN programme aims at addressing issues like poverty alleviation and youth employment, health and HIV/AIDS, climatic changes and global warming, impact of natural disasters/hazards, improvement in potable water, conservation and waste management and other natural resource management issues.

Viewing youth as an important and critical development resource, CYEN is dedicated to developing strategies to engage and facilitate youth participation in the development process. It provides a youth environment and development network in the region responsible for creating an appropriate space for young people to participate in the design, development, implementation and promotion of new, progressive, equitable, innovative and sustainable environmental, economic and social development policies and programmes across the wider Caribbean.

CYEN is an associate member of the International Students Movement of the United Nations (ISMUN), and is officially recognised by the Secretariat of

the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification and Drought (UNCCD) as a member of RIOD. The network is a member organisation of the Caribbean Network for Integrated Rural Development (CNIRD) and an affiliate partner of the Caribbean Conservation Association (CCA).

Beyond this, CYEN has a consultative relationship with the Caribbean Policy Development Centre (CPDC), and is a lead agency in the execution of the annual International Coastal Cleanup that is coordinated by Ocean Conservancy.

CYEN Guyana Public Relations Officer, Ruqayyah Boyer, speaking with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine stated that the organisation has had enormous influence in the lives of young Guyanese. She pointed out that it has been

formed locally, geared at empowering youths and their communities and to develop programmes and actions to address socio-economic and environmental issues.

Boyer noted that CYEN views youth as an important and critical development resource; and that the organisation is dedicated to developing strategies to engage and facilitate participation of youth in the development process.

The PRO said the organisation partners with more than twenty-nine organisations, and with more than three hundred individual members across eighteen Caribbean territories, inclusive of Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, the British Virgin Islands, the Dominican Republic, the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis,

scholarships for youths to attend leadership and other training courses. Beyond this, the network has been actively involved in advocacy, environmental education, and public awareness programmes. CYEN frequently represents the position of Caribbean youth at regional and international meetings.

“For the year 2013, the entity has hosted a career day exhibition at the University of Guyana; re-launched CYEN Guyana at the

St, Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad & Tobago. Affiliate diaspora members reside in Bermuda, Britain, Canada and the USA.

Boyer also mentioned that since its establishment in 1992, the network has coordinated or participated in a number of activities and projects at the national, regional and international levels.

Significantly, the network has frequently sourced and financed short-term training

Making music

Award winning singer/songwriter Maiko Watson brings a fresh take on soul music. The Guyanese artiste’s sweet vibes have earned her numerous awards and this has motivated her to continue to up her game in the music industry.

Watson left Guyana when she was just a few months old. Growing up, as she continually learnt about her heritage she appreciated it even more. At age 13, she first returned to her homeland. Here she had many fond memories of meeting her cousins, since she and her sister did not have much of an extended family in Canada.

“We clicked with our cousins immediately and were playing as if we had known each other our whole lives. It felt that way meeting all of our family in Guyana. It was a very warm and welcoming feeling,” she reminisced in an interview with Guyana Times

University of Guyana in March; conducted the first virtual TUNZA youth consultation on water cooperation; and in March month spearheaded the ‘Action Learning Network’ (ALN) hosted by the Volunteerism Support Platform. There was a ceremonial treeplanting exercise conducted in the Botanical Garden to commemorate International Day of Forests. CYEN celebrated Earth Hour under the

theme ‘Our Earth, Our Future’ with a video production,” Boyer outlined.

Boyer added that in April, CYEN conducted a workshop on intellectual property rights and environmental creations in Guyana at the Education Lecture Theatre (ELT) of the University of Guyana and was also engaged in bird-watching activities in recognition of International Migratory Species Day.

When asked her reasons for joining the network, the reigning Miss Guyana World 2013 stated, “Due to my social interests in the environment and also apart from the issue of gender based violence (human rights), I've always believed that as ambassador we should be concerned about the way our environment is being threatened and issues relating to global warming. As such, I decided to enrol in this endeavour and to do my part in my capacity as Miss Universe/World Guyana to effect change wherever I see it necessary in this realm. I think that as role models we should lead by example.”

CYEN Guyana future projects, according to Boyer, will include workshops on leadership and organisational skills, importance of volunteerism, and travel collaboration and exchange with CYEN Team Suriname.

For more information on the organisation visit Caribbean Youth Environment Network –Guyana on Facebook.

Overseas-based Guyanese

Sunday Magazine

Watson has been singing for as long as she can remember. She began writing songs over instrumental music at age twelve. She earned her first moment in the spotlight while still in her teens, beating out over four thousand young women to become a member of “Sugar Jones”, a girl group spawned from reality TV show “Popstars”. “Sugar Jones” debut album went platinum and had two top ten singles on the Canadian Charts.

Subsequently, Watson won a radio contest and had the chance to write and produce her first solo album, which she released independently. The artiste said it was something she dreamt about for a long time.

“It came to the point where I realised that there was nothing else I wanted to do. I was in university but I couldn't focus because music was al-

ways in the back of my mind. I was always writing, meeting with different producers, and trying to get my foot in the door. I decided to take a year off school to pursue music fulltime, and that's when things really started happening for me,” she recalled.

Her debut album, “Sweet Vibration” took home Best Urban Album at the breakout West Awards. Whether performing with a band or minimal instrumentation, her radiant sultry voice shines through- delivering a powerful, earthy, organic sound that sets her apart from the rest.

Influenced by artists such as Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Sade, David Bowie and Bjork, Watson fuses elements of disco, du-wop, jazz and rock, creating a sense of nostalgia while remaining well ahead of her time. A dynamic performer who has been on the

Guyanese-born doctor receives prestigious Canadian award

Overseas-based

Guyanese Dr Narendra Singh, a pioneer in paediatrics locally and internationally, has been awarded for his significant contributions in providing outstanding patient care.

He has been awarded the Prix d’excellence/Specialist of the Year, which was established to recognise Fellows of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in good standing, who have made significant contributions in providing outstanding patient care to their patients and the community in which they practice.

The nominee must be a role model for excellence in patient care, and this is what Dr Singh has proven to be.

Dr Singh is the chief of paediatrics at Humber River Hospital in Toronto and associate professor in Paediatrics at McMaster University. He also practices as a paediatric intensivist in Texas.

He completed his paediatric residency at the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, and continued his training in paediatric critical care at the Hospital for Sick Children and the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.

The notable doctor has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications, abstracts and presentations. He is also the author of a practical reference book, “Manual of Pediatric Critical Care”. He has been the recipient of many teaching awards from the University of Western Ontario, and more recently from the University of Toronto.

The doctor has developed and expanded the outpatient programme at Humber River Hospital to ensure that children in that community can receive specialised care closer to home.

Of note, Dr Singh is the founder and president of the charity, Guyana Help the Kids. The charity’s primary goal is to advance the health of children in Guyana through provision of needed technology and the education of health care providers. He is also the founder and volunteer programme director of the first paediatric postgraduate residency programme in Guyana.

Speaking in an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, the paediatrician stated while working in paediatrics in Trinidad, he developed an interest in Neonatology, a sub-specialty of paediatrics.

“This is a very technical field, and I do enjoy the technical and procedural aspects to medicine. I later specialised in paediatric critical care which allows me to be procedure-oriented, but from babies to adolescents. I enjoy the in-

Making music

stage since elementary school, she puts her heart and soul into every show and knows how to rock a crowd.

Her music has continued to spread steadily across the globe, being featured on a number of blogs throughout North America, the UK, France, and has been widely downloaded via torrent. Highlights included being featured on BET's Soul Session, The Paul Miller Soul Show on BBC and CBC, as well as placing songs on MuchMusic's Degrassi and the UK-based Soul Unsigned: The 2010 Summer Session compilation.

Watson has visited Guyana about three times, and has had the chance “to jam” with some of the musicians at the Sidewalk Cafe. She mentioned that she sings a lot of jazz music in Canada and “it was nice to have the chance to play those standards in Guyana.”

“Life inspires me- the hardships

teraction with the paediatric patients. I do also enjoy teaching both medical students and residents,” the doctor revealed.

His biggest success, he pointed out, has been helping to develop the neonatal and paediatric programme in Guyana and the founding of the Canadian registered charity, Guyana Help The Kids, which in another interview he disclosed came about after realising that while paediatric training was coming along, local technology was lagging behind.

The charity began fundraising to purchase up to date equipment for neonatal and paediatric services that included IV pumps, warmers and incubators. He expressed his gratitude to local Guyanese doctor Madan Rambaran for his vision, and Michael Khan, chief executive officer of Georgetown Public Hospital, for his cooperation in the venture.

“Dr Leif Nelin and all the volunteers for Nationwide Children’s Hospital have contributed immensely to its success to date. Dr Andrea Hunter and Dr Julie Johnston from Canada have both been catalysts for the success of our paediatric residency programme. I would also like to acknowledge the tireless work of the board of Guyana Help The Kids,” he acknowledged.

Currently in Toronto, the doctor is working with his community hospital to improve access to general paediatrics and all of the paediatric sub-specialties.

In Guyana, he has been working with local health care

providers to decrease the infant mortality through training of doctors and nurses and concurrently providing them with the necessary technology.

The programme, begun last October, has so far seen some seven Guyanese doctors in training to become paediatricians.

Speaking in an Ontario Medical Association Doctor Spotlight interview online, Dr

try, hospital and the university, he offered his services and was asked to prepare a residency programme through the university, to train local physicians to become paediatricians.

He noted too that the plan is to every year double or triple the number of “paediatric complements” here in Guyana.

“I’m focused on helping Guyana to provide the best

Singh recalled that at a purely social trip back to Guyana, in which he discovered that his childhood home was no longer there after being demolished, he toured the paediatric facilities of the public hospital and realised there was high mortality, and much improvement was needed for the facility.

After meeting with local health care stakeholders that included the health minis-

possible paediatric care it can. This will be done by the local doctors and nurses within a few years. I have been very impressed by the enthusiasm and dedication of the doctors and nurses in Guyana,” he noted.

The pioneering doctor, who left his homeland when he was 14 years old, has also received a teaching award from the University of Western Ontario and the University of Toronto.

and the triumphs. Everything. I take the everyday circumstances and try to make something beautiful out of them. What motivates me is making music that makes people feel good. That gives people comfort when dealing with life. My advice to the youths

out there is if music is your dream, be prepared to work hard, because this industry is very competitive and challenging. If you have access to the internet, then try to get your music online. YouTube is another great way of getting discovered as an artist. Keep

hustling and keep your eyes open to the possibilities. Above all, know who you are and never compromise your integrity for anyone,” she encouraged.

Watson continues to write and perform and is currently working on her second solo album.

This week's Crossword

J kes

Riddles for kids

Why did the chicken cross the basketball court?

- He heard the referee call a fowl

Why don't cats play poker in the jungle?

-Too many cheetahs

Why was the computer so tired when it got home?

-Because it had a hard drive!

What has to be broken before it can be used?

-An egg

Fishing secret

Two experienced fishermen went ice fishing. They chopped holes in the ice about twenty-five feet apart, put worms on their hooks, dropped their lines in the water, and hardly got a nibble. This went on for several hours, but no luck.

Mid afternoon, a schoolboy arrived. He walked confidently onto the ice, chopped his hole between those of the two men, and caught fish after fish.

The men were amazed, and finally one approached the boy and asked, "Tell me, young man, what is your secret?"

The boy replied, "Mmmm yymmm mmms wmmm."

"What's that?" asked the man. "Say it again, please."

The boy said, "Mmmm yymmm mmms wmmm."

The man said, "I'm sorry, I just can't understand you. Would you speak a little more clearly?"

At that, the boy cupped his palms, spit out a large amount of substance into them, and said clearly, "Keep your worms warm."

Served by weight

A man and his wife went out to dinner to a casual dining restaurant.

For dinner, they had ordered the chicken tenders plate.

This week's Puzzle

When it arrived, the woman stopped the waitress. "Why do I have only 4 pieces when my husband has 5?"

"The dinners are served by weight," replied the server.

"Weight?" asked the surprised woman. "No one weighed me when we came in!"

Friendly customer service

The manager of a restaurant called his waitresses together for a meeting prior to the opening of the day’s business.

"Ladies," he began, "I want you to all look your best today. Greet every customer with a smile and a kind word."

"What's up?" asked one of the women. "Bunch of big shots coming in today?"

"No, the meat's tough today."

Rejected greeting card ideas

OUTSIDE: As the days go by, I think of how lucky I am

INSIDE: that you’re not here to ruin it for me.

OUTSIDE: Looking back over the years that we’ve been together, I can’t help but wonder:

INSIDE: What was I thinking?

OUTSIDE: I’ve always wanted to have someone to hold, someone to love.

INSIDE: After having met you, I’ve changed my mind.

I'm the boss

The company boss was complaining in a staff meeting that he wasn’t getting any respect. Later that morning he went to a local sign shop and bought a small sign that read:

"I’m the Boss!"

He then taped it to his office door.

Later that day when he returned from lunch, he found that someone had taped a note to the sign that said:

"Your wife called, she wants her sign back!"

Arts & Culture

Raimund Angelo Rausch is the newest trending artist on the local art scene. His pieces are vibrant and speak of his everyday experience with life.

Speaking with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, the artist said during his childhood days, he was always intrigued by the drawings by one of his good friends. His friend was always sketching superheroes and preparing show cards for his mother, a nursery school teacher.

“So one day, long after my constant box figure sketches, I got the comic book “Ghost Rider- A Spirit Reborn” and I tried my hands at a portrait: the character’s famous skull engulfed in flames. Let’s just

say it was accepted by everyone. But that’s how it all started,” he reminisced.

The self-taught artist pointed out that his inspiration comes from “simply someone...something, or being engaged in a casual conversation which may initiate an image, or good music, which hits those very nerve endings that emit a jagged feeling upon your skin, and not forgetting poetry.”

Deciding to take up his art more seriously, Rausch entered his pieces at the recently held Kiss My Art exhibition, which is his first art showing.

“It was my first exhibition and I’m humbled and thankful for the opportunity given to me by those wonderful young ladies of REDEntertainment -

Chelsea, Saskia and Kristina!” he exclaimed.

Those studying Rausch’s art would notice a recurring line of beautiful women painted in vivid colours. These, he pointed out, are based on the theme of women’s empowerment. Growing up with three sisters, and being the only brother, he is amazed by their strength, which inspires his paintings. His mother and grandmothers are also the baseline of most of his pieces.

Rausch’s paintings exude his nostalgic feelings: images that remind him of “what it was like”, whether photographs, paintings or drawings, his fears and every feeling he has encountered.

The artist described his art

as being “contemporary art with a bit of abstract entwined within it.” The abstract, he noted, is to add suspense to his pieces.

In outlining his plans for his art, Rausch said, “I do have a few things planned for the future, but as they say, things can change within an instant. However, I can only say that I do hope as time elapses, the public is appreciative of my work, enabling me to, maybe, exhibit in galleries. And I hope that people accept my pieces into their homes too, both locally and internationally, young and old. I shall work each day to augment my skills, build and explore my thoughts.”

He added, “Art is therapeutic to me; it is a coherent interpretation of my thoughts, it enables me to be lost mentally, which I’m sure most artists will agree with me.”

For more information on the artist, email him at raimund.angelo@gmail.com or check out Raimund Angelo Rausch on Facebook.

Dderek moore continues to make his mark on fashion with new collection

erek Moore’s newest collection, Signature, was a notable feature at the recently launched and newly-formed Guyana Fashion Designers Council fashion event, held at the Umana Yana.

The veteran designer told Guyana Times Sunday Magazine that his collection showcases his ability to pay attention to details, consequently creating a “signature” look.

The collection has more than 20 designs offering a distinct look for the urbane man and chic woman.

“My next project is the Miss Guyana Universe beauty pageant. This is where you will get to see another side of my creative mind,” he disclosed.

Guyana Fashion Weekend for August 4 launch

The sixth edition of the Guyana Fashion Weekend (GFW) is set to take centre stage when it is launched on August 4 at the Herdmanston Lodge in an evening of jazz, fashion and art.

The GFW 2013 designers and models will be introduced to the public in a special choreographed display put together by a very professional team.

Food art at its best will be introduced by Kester Robinson, who attended Carnegie and was the first runner-up in ‘Cutting Style’ a few years ago at Duke Lodge.

The culinary and visual arts will be a big part of GFW this year. The work of well-known Guyanese artist Merlene Ellis and the ceramic vase collection of young Andy Cummings will be exhibited.

The launch promises to be an elegant affair in a creative atmosphere that will set the pace for the other GFW events to follow.

The upcoming GFW, slated for October 22-27, serves as part of the organisers’ ongoing commitment to effectively advance creativity and technology in the industry, while fortifying regional alliances in the pursuit of integrated systems by implementing inter national best practices.

The GFW executive, which compris es dynamic and hard-working members, be lieves the fash ion industry is an area of im mense creative and financial po tential, a vision endorsed by the

government’s mandate to promote economic diversification and encourage sustainable development initiatives.

On this note, GFW begins the second phase of its action plan, having charged itself back in 2007 with the mission of activating the fashion fraternity in Guyana, all in an effort, to identify the economic potential and viability of the local fashion industry.

The new

objective is to continue developing the GFW by firstly transforming the event to a weeklong activity, to facilitate economic development, entrepreneurial opportunities, and fashion sector industrial growth. These goals would be pursued through activities aimed at increasing the visibility of fashion commerce, nurturing local talent, and creating new outlets for accessing intra-regional and international markets. The executive of this non-profit organisation is well-equipped to deliver efficient and professional leadership in the execution of its mission.

The GFW will continue to provide the strategic and essential platform, pivotal in the branding of the unique Caribbean style, while creating opportunities for cross sector cooperation through corporate investment and partnerships.

Hermanus H Post and Plantation Le Resouvenir

Part III

(ContInued from July 7)

The missionary

John Wray’s arrival to fulfil Post’s desire to have the slaves taught religious education and to read and write brought much censure from other plantation owners who felt that it would lead to revolt.

They accused Post of creating “anarchy, chaos and discontent among the slaves” that would lead to “destruction” of the colony. The planters insisted that if they were teaching the slaves religion, they should teach them “their duties to their masters”.

Newspaper articles also arose that warned of the dire consequences of teaching slaves to read.

But Post, his health deteriorating, refused to listen to the protestations and instead sought to have more missionaries appointed to other places in the colony. Post did have some supporters of his cause who also wrote to overseas missionaries and to the colonial council insisting that there would be no endangerment to the colony.

Post also offered land in the city to build a chapel but colonial authorities “refused to cooperate.”

On Le Resouvenir, religious services were

initially conducted in a shed, but after a steady increase of worshippers over a year, Post decided to build a chapel on the plantation. In September 1808, the Bethel Chapel was completed and inaugurated, "crowded with people of various colours” said to number around 600.

A house for the missionary building was completed the following year on the plantation. However further expansions would be stymied by Post’s creditors demanding their payments or he would face bankruptcy.

One of the situations Post found himself in was that his plantation did not prosper as well as the surrounding plantations, and one reason suggested was that the better treatment and living conditions of the slaves on his plantation played a role.

After four consecutive years of cotton crop harvest failures, Post had been forced to ask for credit to maintain the plantation and the mission.

Despite these financial difficulties, in October 1808, the first group of children were baptised at Bethel Chapel, and on December 26 that same year, 13 women and seven men took confession, to the tearful delight of

Hermanus Post, according to Wray.

But by early 1809, Post’s health began deteriorating rapidly. He was suffering from severe asthmatic conditions and was always in much pain. He soon developed increasingly painful gout and became unable to use his hands and feet. Restricted to his bed, he died April 29, 1809.

Wray described the grief of the plantation

population:

On April the 29th, about half after eight o'clock in the evening, he fell asleep in Jesus. The poor negroes spent most of the night in weeping for him, exclaiming, "Oh, my massa, my massa!" A more Affecting scene was, perhaps, never presented. I suppose there were more than 500 negroes of his own, and from other estates, lamenting Their loss. Mr. Purkis and the manager went among

the negro-houses, to request them to be still, but in vain. They continued to weep aloud, exclaiming, "My massa, my massa! - My tatta, my tatta '! - I was much affected with the language of one poor woman. She said she had [lived] 20 years on the estate, - Not able to do any work, but her massa had Given her everything to make her comfortable.

The London Missionary Service carried an obituary for Post in its Annual Report of 1809, describing him as important to the teaching of religion on the colony and calling him a “generous benefactor”.

Tragically, after Post’s death, Le Resouvenir went under the management of Johannes van der Haas, and the treatment of the slaves quickly deteriorated. The whip became enforced and slaves made to work on Saturdays and Sundays when previously Post had given them those days off. (TO BE CONTINUED)

HH Post was buried Sunday, April 30 at 5 o'clock in the afternoon in the cemetery on his plantation, under a large mango tree. He was carried by eight slaves of whom some were baptized. Despite the heavy rain, there was a large number of "people of different colour” present. There were some songs sung and Wray held a brief sermon. Then on Sunday, May 14, Wray held a special funeral sermon. Wray had wished Post be buried in the chapel but Post had refused because he (Post) felt it could be considered as pride or self-glorification.

Crane Pond

A natural aquatic sanctuary

Crane Pond is located not far from Karanambu Ranch, Rupununi; its visual spectacle is equalled only by the diverse chatter of its various avian and aquatic inhabitants, making the area one of the impressive features of the Rupununi region.

For birding enthusiasts, excellent bird watching is available at Crane Pond. Hundreds of boisterous ibis, anhinga, heron and egret birds can be seen roosting, which is a highlight on the trip to the pond. There is also the beautiful spread of Victoria Amazonica flowers on the water that increases the beauty of this natural water feature.

Boating on the pond offers an unparalleled opportunity to observe upclose the unique ecosystem existing there. The view from the pond provides an amazing backdrop of hills, mountains, and savannah. That makes the area for tourists to experience the biodiversity at Crane Pond a treat when visiting the Karanambu Ranch.(Cover Jabiru stork feeding at Crane Pond)

Why John-Bipasha didn’t remain friends?

John Abraham and Bipasha Basu have had a much-publicised split, which is common knowledge now. While Bipasha was open about John cheating on her while they were together, John has always been mum about their past. However, lot of time has passed since they separated and both seemed to have moved on in life.

But it is strange that when most young couples these days, be it celebs or non-celebs, maintain healthy friendship even after splitting, these two haven't done the same. In fact, there have been rumours of both avoiding each other in public.

It is heard that John,

who walked in a restaurant bar recently, froze on seeing his ex. Apparently, Bipasha was sitting with her friends when John entered. Sources say that around the same time John got a call, but the hunk left the place on the pretext of bad network and nev-

er returned. "Their relationship was for about eight long years, and then they had a live in. Probably that is the reason for bitterness to be so bad and feelings so deep that they couldn't continue to be friends,"

TOI quoted a source as saying. (TOI)

woman behind Ranveer’s success

Although she comes from a film family, Sonam Kapoor is determined to make her own identity without any help from her actorfilmmaker father Anil Kapoor as she feels that scope for growth under a banyan tree is bleak.

"I feel there's very little that can grow under a banyan tree. So, I have tried to create my own path and I have very successfully done it - whether it's through my fashion or movies I choose,"

Actress Shruti Haasan, who plays a prostitute in her upcoming release "D-Day", shot some bold scenes with Arjun Rampal for the film. She asserts that sensuality is a key element of her character, and says it hasn't been used just for titillation.

"I'm playing a prostitute in the film and sensuality is a key element. We've not done it for tit-

Though Bollywood has a few actor-turned-singers, no one has made a mark in the west for their singing abilities the way Priyanka Chopra now has. She is a name people in the west are familiar with, as international singer, rapper and record producer Pitbull is featured in her second single, ‘Exotic’. However, Priyanka is now back in Bollywood.

She was recently asked about her father’s recent death to which she replied, “it is a topic which is extremely personal for me. I guard my personal life and my family life ferociously. That’s the one part of me that I would always like to keep to myself and would like not to share with anyone.”

Behind every successful man there is a woman, they say and it stands quite true for actor Ranveer Singh as well.

The 28-year-old who is three-filmold in the industry and has four big films in his kitty, names none other than his manager for his success.

"She is responsible for my success. She is my boss. I wake up in the morning as per her direction and do whatever she says. Her name is Susaine Rodriguez. She is the woman behind everything," said the actor at the success party of his recent release "Lootera". (TOI)

said the 28-year-old in a group interview.

In her six years in the industry, with 11 films and hits like

illation or unnecessary scandalising. The character is like that," the

"Raanjhanaa" to her credit, Sonam has avoided taking a piggy-back ride on her dad's strong shoulders.

"Very thoughtfully I tried not to do much with my father. It's a very selfish decision, as I just wanted my own identity. So even when 'Aisha' was produced, my sister (Rhea) produced it. It was her first film. I never asked my father to do this for me. I think I have a man's ego in a lot of ways," she said. (TOI)

27-year-old actress said in an interview.

"If you do it in a wrong way, then the audience and actors both don't like it as the conviction is lost. It's very much integral to the character (in the film). As an actor, I feel we get to express all the emotions, and sensuality is a part of human emotion so it’s very important," she added. (TOI)

When asked if she would be you open to the songs from her music album being used in any of her films, she said, “my songs can be used in movies, I don’t mind that.” (Hindustan

Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor did a puja in their new home, a stone's throw away from their current residence, be-

Throughout her illness, while Manisha Koirala was in the US, one person constantly in touch with her was Tabu.

And even after her return to Mumbai, Tabu went over to Manisha's home to spend time with her. Manya's infectious energy made Tabu very happy to see her friend in cheerful spirits.

Apart from discussing gym routines and organic food shopping, the

fore their marriage on October 16 last year.

In fact, the sangeet ceremony was held on the terrace of their new abode. However,

‘Saifeena’ will shift out of their current residence and into the new one only in 2014, Indian media have reported. With both maintaining very tight shooting schedules, they hardly have time to supervise the interiors of their new apartment. One of the most respected interior designers in India has been hired to do up the place. But Saif also wants to be there when key decisions are being made. So, work has been progressing at a slower pace. (TOI)

Amanist’ rather than an activist.

Besides her repertoire of several award-winning films like ‘Parineeta’, ‘Paa’ and ‘No One Killed Jessica’, Vidya's humanitarian efforts are wellknown.

The National Award winner has been instrumental in campaigning for child nutrition and education and women's empowerment. She has been appointed by the Indian government as the brand ambassador in the drive to improve sanitary conditions in the country.

"My work is an extension of my beliefs. I don't think I am an activist at all. I am an actor first and I try using that to leverage attention to some of the causes I am associated with. I think I am a humanist," said Vidya. (TOI)

Demi Lovato not attracted to Ryan Gosling or Channing Tatum

Think you know everything about Demi Lovato? Well, think again. Because the 20-year-old beauty recently penned an article for ‘BuzzFeed’ appropriately titled, ‘16 Signs You're Becoming Demi Lovato’, in which she reveals her affinity for scrunchies, her obsession with Kelly Clarkson and the fact that she's not particularly attracted to Ryan Gosling or Channing Tatum.

Demi begins by revealing her favorite Disney princess is Cinderella before admitting she doesn't regularly swoon over Gosling or Tatum. “I'm not particularly in love with either one [Ryan Gosling or Channing Tatum]. To me

they're still kind of pretty boys," she writes.

"I just don't think they're just the most attractive men in the world. …

I'm a really big fan of Mickey Mouse; he's provided me with a lot." (E!Online)

Singer-actress

Selena Gomez says she was never too conscious about being in the public eye when she started dating during her teenage years.

The 20-year-old has been popular since she was 10, when she made her debut with children TV series "Barney and Friends". Later, she got into some high profile relations with singers Nick Jonas and Justin Bieber. However, maintaining secrecy about her re-

lations was never on her mind during her teens.

"I can't be afraid to live my life. I had my first 'boyfriend' (Nick), which wasn't really a boyfriend, at 14, 15," Observer magazine quoted Gomez as saying.

"You're young and you don't know how to be. You don't think, 'Now I have a boyfriend - let's keep it super-private and low key', because that's not what you're thinking about," she added.

She said it was all about feeling the moment, rather than think about privacy.

"You're thinking about, 'Oh my God, we're holding hands!' You're just thinking about stuff like that," she said. (TOI)

Oprah will be Lindsay’s mentor, says mum Dina Lohan

Lindsay Lohan has signed on to work with Oprah Winfrey's network for a short reality series about her recovery - a move Dina Lohan says will surely work in helping the embattled actress rebuild her life.

The 'Parent Trap' actress will also do an exclusive interview with Winfrey, the New York Daily News reported.

Dina shared her excitement to E! News over the upcoming eightpart reality series about her daughter that Winfrey's OWN network is behind.

The actress has been spending time in a rehab facility since May, participating in a 90-day court-ordered treat-

ment program for her drug and alcohol related issues.

Lohan was ordered to rehab as part of a plea deal stemming from charges following a 2012 car accident. (TOI)

Cory Monteith was back on beer before death

‘Glee’ star Cory Monteith was spotted 'drinking alcohol' just days before he died, it has been revealed.

The 31-year-old, who was found dead in a hotel room in Vancouver on Saturday, was spotted drinking in the city a week ago, just three months after a stint in rehab, the Mirror reported.

According to reports in the US, the late Canadian actor had three beers as he joked with friends.

Pathologists were focusing on the actor's final weeks as his autopsy was carried out on Monday. (TOI)

Does Ryan Reynolds believe in the supernatural?

Ryan Reynold’s latest film ‘R.I.P.D.’ (which hits theaters this Friday) follows the story of a murdered cop who attempts to find his murderer after joining a team of undead police officers working for the ‘Rest in Peace Department’, but the star admits he doesn't actually believe in the afterlife, well, not completely, according to a E!News report.

"I don't know, it's tough. I mean, I think people can leave a lot

of energy behind when they're disturbed in some way and I think that can kind of surface in some particular way," Reynolds told E! News during the film's press junket.

"I don't think that when I finally close my eyes to this crazy show, that I'm gonna step into something else as Ryan Reynolds in another form, I just think it just all circles back," E!News quoted Reynolds as saying. (E!Online)

Pitt enjoys booze-fuelled time under advice of Jolie

Brad Pitt reportedly enjoyed an alcohol-filled weekend in France and Italy after being suggest-

ed to take a break by fiancé Angelina Jolie.

Jolie apparently wanted Pitt to relax after dealing with the stress of her recent double mastectomy. A source told the Sun that the 38-year-old actress figured that Pitt needed to let his hair down after a stressful few months, so she told him to go and have a boozy week with his mates and get it out of his system. The Hollywood hunk stayed at a house in southern France that's owned by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen. Pitt's vacation also included a three night-stay at George Clooney's luxury villa in Italy. In the past fortnight, he has also been on benders with U2's Bono and Larry Mullen. (TOI)

50 Sport Feature

The folly of omitting Shivnarine Chanderpaul

“Chanderpaul in one-day cricket? He’s too old, man! Brethren, he doesn’t score fast enough, he needs 150 overs! He’s been in so many losses man! Brotha, we’ve got to move on from him!” In the above few lines lies a modern-day cricket mystery that I struggle to comprehend.

The West Indies’ oneday international cricket team of 2013 is the personification of the phrase ‘all flash and little substance’. Blessed with a galaxy of stars of the Twenty20 arena, it’s a group that would command an IPL owner’s highest bids with ease and, given 20 overs of operation, would most likely deliver breathtaking results.

Sadly for them, T20s and ODIs are entirely different endeavours.

On the spectrum of cricket formats, ODIs are thought to be in the middle while T20s and Tests lie at their respective extremes. A closer consideration, though, gives a better idea of things as ODI cricket is closer to Test cricket in nature than T20.

Batsmen are required

to build innings in ODIs, hence the format necessitates patience, soundness of technique, deep consideration, concentration, and conditional awareness.

In T20s, a ‘whambamthank- you-ma’am’ 50 in no time at all is a gamechanger, but in ODIs, its effect is not quite as prolific – a steady and calculated approach bears greater fruit in a 50-over war of attrition, as the value of an innings lies not just in the shots and runs, but also in the negotiation of bowlers, spells, fielding restrictions and playing conditions.

In the West Indies’ set-up, the vast majority of batsmen either completely lack or inexplicably suppress the rare talent of building an innings.

It is a talent that Shivnarine Chanderpaul, an evergreen batsman of close to 300 ODIs who has been producing runs across formats despite approaching the age of 40, has bursting forth from his antiglare eye patches. It is a gift that the powers that be in West Indies team selection are willfully blind

to and, as collapses continue to litter modernday West Indies cricket history, it is a boon that has been simply deserted.

Recent history bears testament to the need for a Chanderpaul-like presence.

Throughout the course of the Champions Trophy, when Chris Gayle or Marlon Samuels failed to provide a platform for an innings, the team’s batting would generally be lost at sea. In the just concluded tri-series with India and Sri Lanka,

fireworks in Jamaica only temporarily hid the batting unit’s frailties, as the team eventually failed to make their own home series final.

Fast forward to Sunday, when Pakistan surgically dismantled the West Indies batting approach on a mine field in Providence, Guyana, and you could see the tumour just grow.

After pinpointing the ineptitude of the West Indies batsmen against pressure, and recognising the gaping need for an anchor man, Pakistan simply did what their team has the ability to do –they bowled a consistent and threatening line and length to allow the mentally fragile batsmen to whither in the South American heat. If only there were a stabiliser, a thorn in opposition’s side, a Trott-like gnat to hover annoyingly despite the predator’s fiercest swipes.

If only substance had not been jettisoned for

style and if only conditional awareness had come into play when the squad was being picked to select a player, any player, who could dig deep and tackle the demons of the pitch and the opposition. Chanderpaul is renowned for prizing his wicket like no other – more often than not, he would have found a way to tough things out.

Those who support Chanderpaul completely understand the argument against his inclusion. Quite frankly, though, it doesn’t hold when compared with the need that exists. Across the cricketing world, ODI nations have their best Test batsmen in their line-ups because they recognise that the format requires a chutzpah that great Test batsmen possess.

From Amla to Trott to Misbah, there is the knowledge that you need a backbone in an ODI batting lineup, regardless of the lack of glamour. Unless anoth-

er batsman in the current lineup steps up to do the dirty work, the selectors have to plug the enormous hole in their order.

Chanderpaul never retired from ODI cricket – he was a victim of a post-World Cup 2011 purge that placed the blame at his feet for the team’s unsuccessful campaign. He was a scapegoat, and he was thrown away in ODIs for the wrong reasons.

Chanderpaul is often described as a ‘crab’ at the crease. Crabs don’t make great entertainers. They don’t drive with elegance or pull with panache. They claw. They scratch. They exist in perpetual commotion with themselves, lacking suave but forever battling against all challenges. For the West Indies, there needs to be a survivor among the showmen; not only to see out the difficulties, but to help them develop strong shells of their own. (Cricinfo)

Limacol CPL tickets for Guyana matches on sale

these cheerful cricket fans display their lcPl tickets after purchesing them at the local ticketing office on Friday afternoon

Fans interested in attending matches at the Guyana National Stadium during the inaugural Limacol Caribbean Premier League (CPL) will not have to worry too much about any exorbitant costs of tickets. Ticket prices were released on Friday and will be sold at rock-bottom prices. Tickets prices for Guyana’s Amazon Warriors first two games on July 31 and August 2 against Trinidad and Tobago’s Red Steel and Jamaica’s Tallawahs are: South West Stand (Green Stand) – Gy$ 2500 ( US$ 12.50); North West Stand ( Red Stand) – Gy$ 2000 ( US$ 10);

South Stand (Orange Stand) - Gy$ 2000 ( US$ 10) and Grass Mound/ Party Stand Gy$ 1500 ( US$ 7.50). Both games start at 20: 00hrs. Meanwhile, ticket prices for the double header on August 4 are: South West Stand (Green Stand) - Gy$ 3500 ( US$ 17.50); North West Stand ( Red Stand) – Gy$ 3000 ( US$ 15); South Stand (Orange Stand) -Gy$ 3000 ( US$ 15) and Grass Mound/ Party Stand - Gy$ 2000 ( US$ 10).

Tickets are available at LCPL ticket office, former Del Casa building, Middle Street, Georgetown from Monday to Saturday from 09: 00h to 18: 00h and on Sunday from 10: 00h to 14: 00h leading up to the event.

Tickets are also available at Courts on Main Street and Diamond Public Road locations and Digicel, Avenue of the Republic, Georgetown, New Amsterdam, Rose Hall, Corriverton, Parika and Anna Regina locations and will be available during normal working hours.

Antigua Hawksbills will play Jamaica Tallawahs from 15: 00h while Guyana Amazon Warriors will clash with St. Lucia Zouks in the feature game from 20: 00hrs.

Bravo salutes Guyanese cricket fans

B y A ven A sh R A mz A n

West Indies

One-Day International ( ODI) captain Dwayne Bravo heaped praise on Guyanese fans following the conclusion of the first two ODIs against Pakistan on Tuesday, noting that “Guyanese love their cricket.”

A sold out crowd at the Guyana National Stadium on Sunday witnessed the West Indies go down to Pakistan by a massive margin of 126 runs, but an almost-capacity stadium cheered on the Caribbean lads on Tuesday as they rebounded to level the five-match series 1-1 with a 37-run win.

Speaking at a postmatch press conference on Tuesday afternoon, allrounder Bravo acknowledged the support of the Guyanese cricket enthusiasts, who got a taste of international cricket for the first time in two years.

Biggest fan base

“I think throughout the Caribbean Guyana will be West Indies biggest fan base, and obviously after the first game they were very disappointed because we had a large turnout and we lost the game. When we were driving out [after the game on Sunday] there were some boos and some disrespectful words were said, but I think the fans really, really felt it and we as play-

ers understand the reason why they did that,” Bravo related.

The skipper pointed out that his players were well aware that it would take nothing less than a victory to reconnect with the fans after Sunday’s debacle, and they were determined to make amends in game two.

He said, “Now we came out today [Tuesday] and win this game, all the love is back with us again. We understand and we take all the criticisms when we lose and we don’t do well, but we know we’re just one win away to get back all the love again. Thanks to the Guyanese fans for coming out for both games. It was a full house and I think we couldn’t have done it without their support.”

A majestic all-round performance from

Shahid Afridi, who blasted 76 off 55 balls and later bagged the second best ODI figures of all times, 7-12, powered Pakistan to victory in the opening game on Sunday; West Indies were then bundled out for an embarrassing 98 in pursuit of 225.

However, the roles were reversed on Tuesday as West Indies, led by Sunil Narine’s 4- 26, levelled the series after posting 232-8 before restricting Pakistan to 195.

Bravo said they were happy to bat first on Tuesday, as that was their plan upfront, regardless of the weather conditions.

They got their wish when Pakistan’s cap-

tain Misbah ul-Haq opted to bowl first upon winning the toss, probably with the aim of exploiting whatever moisture there was from an early morning shower.

“I wanted a change. I wanted to bat first so the batsmen can go in there and free themselves and bat without any scoreboard pressure, and I think the change of momentum actually worked for us,” Bravo pointed out.

“We loss Chris [Gayle] early but that innings that my younger brother [Darren Bravo] played with Johnson Charles I think laid the foundation for us. We know we bat very deep, we have a good lower-order batting line-up, but it was not a 260 wicket. Our aim was to try and get around 235, and we knew we have the bowling attack to shift the Pakistan team, and we

knew the wicket would have played slower and lower as the game progressed. It was a total team effort; it took a lot of character and a lot of heart to bounce back after losing three games on the trot.”

Despite the victory, Bravo is keeping his feet grounded, adding that a tough three matches await them in St Lucia, the first of which bowls off on Friday.

Sprint legends clash over Tyson Gay and Asafa Powell

Former world 200 metre champion

Ato Boldon says he has sympathy with athletes who fail drug tests because of supplements. But former 100 metre Olympic and world champion Donovan Bailey insists there can be no excuses for athletes who take banned substances.

After sprinters Tyson Gay and Asafa Powell tested positive for banned drugs, Boldon said: “An athlete does not have a degree in pharmacology.”

But Bailey said: “Athletes must know what is on the ‘banned’ list.”

The Canadian added it could be time to consider life bans for those caught taking banned substances.

Bailey, who will be a BBC Radio 5 live summariser for the Anniversary Games and World Championships, said: “Ultimately it could be the new false start rule – it doesn’t matter who you are, if you false start out of the blocks, you’re out.”

It is not known which substance Gay, the fastest man in the world this year after running 9.75 seconds, has tested positive for. That information should be made public once the result of the American’s B sample is known.

Powell, who has clocked 9.88 this year, was tested at the Jamaican trials in June and returned an adverse finding for oxilof rine (methylsynephrine), a stimulant that boosts fatburning.

Boldon said it was important to make a distinction between blooddoping and “people trying to push the envelope with their supplements”. The former Trinidad and Tobago athlete added:

“An athlete is trusting of the person he is buying the supplements from, or the coach, or whoever is providing these supplements. “When you listen

to Tyson, he is saying he put his faith in someone and they let him down.”

Bailey, who won Olympic and world 100 metre gold medals and has held the 100 metre world record, has a zerotolerance policy on drugtaking.

The 45-year-old said: “Every single athlete is given a banned list and they should look carefully down it. “When money is involved, you are going to have cheats, people who push the envelope. We are in a sport where one thousandth of a second can be the difference between success and failure.

“Athletes who take drugs tend to be insecure. They don’t believe they have the physical and/ or mental capacity to do great things so they take another route – the pharmaceutical route, if you like.”

On Gay claiming he was let down by someone he trusted, Bailey added: “You don’t go to an athletics meeting to watch the trainer, coach or masseur run a race.

Limacol CPL can produce new generation of players, says Windies coach

The man who masterminded West Indies’ triumph at last year’s Twenty20 World Cup says he has high hopes that the Limacol Caribbean Premier League can produce a generation of players ready for the demands of international cricket.

Speaking during a recent media conference in Trinidad for the just concluded Tri- Nation Series, West Indies coach Ottis Gibson lauded the inaugural Twenty20 tournament, noting that it had the potential to develop the type of qualities integral to success at the highest level.

The onus is 100 per cent on the athlete to take responsibility for any substances going into their body.”

Boldon suggested

stimulants and supplements are here to stay and said it was naive to think they could be banned.

He added: “I think the problem is in trying to push the envelope and get to the edge, several of the top names in the sport are falling over the edge.”

Lord Sebastian Coe reacted to the positive tests by insisting that athletics will intensify the fight against drugtaking.

Lord Coe, vice-president of the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) and chairman of the British Olympic Association, said: “The most important thing for me is that the testing system is working.

“For the sake of clean athletes, it is very important we do not flinch in our efforts.

“This is not a war we can afford to lose and it is important for any athlete to know that if they want to risk cheating that they are going to get caught.”

(BBC Sport)

produce people that can get used to fierce competition.”

The six players identified by Gibson are all regional franchise players for the Limacol CPL, which opens at Kensington Oval in Barbados on July 30 with what is expected to be a spectacular opening ceremony, followed by the first game between Barbados Tridents and St Lucia Zouks.

“It will help our T20 cricket because you have seen that about eight or nine of our guys are IPL stars,” Gibson said.

“Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels, Dwayne Bravo, Darren Sammy, Kieron Pollard and Sunil Narine are all IPL superstars and we hope that the CPL, while producing more superstars, can

All told, 24 matches will be played across the six franchise countries of Barbados, Guyana, Antigua, Jamaica, St Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago, before the tournament winds up at Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad with the final on August 24.

With an impressive array of regional and international stars decorating each side, heated rivalry is expected throughout the Limacol CPL, and Gibson said this type of competition could only serve as a boost for West Indies cricket.

“The one thing [I saw] watching the IPL this year is fierce competition. International sport is all about fierce competition, so hopefully the LCPL will produce more guys that are able to handle the pressure of that competition,” said Gibson.

“Hopefully that is what the LCPL will do for West Indies cricket, as well as making a lot of [players] very comfortable financially.”

Some of the biggest stars in international cricket – including Australian Ricky Ponting, Bangladeshi Shakib al Hasan, New Zealand’s Ross Taylor and Sri Lankan icon Muttiah Muralitharan – are among 90 players contracted to play in the CPL, with each franchise team comprising 15 players. (CPL)

World youth best for Jamaican boys in medley relay

AJamaican crossing the finish line in first place has been a common sight at these championships, so it made sense that they did so one last time in the final event of the day, the boys’ Medley Relay. As soon as the baton was handed to second-leg runner Michael O’Hara –winner of the 200m final earlier in the day – there was no looking back for the Jamaican team.

He handed over to Okeen Williams, the 400m hurdler who fell in Sunday’s final, before Martin Manley – the individual 400m champion – took up the running on the final leg.

Despite a strong challenge from Ryan Clark on the last leg for the USA, Manley held on to the lead and crossed the

line in 1: 49.28 to break the World youth best.

It was only the second time ever at the World Youth Championships that USA had been beaten in the boys’ Medley Relay, with Jamaica taking their first ever gold medal in the event.

USA took silver in 1: 50.14, their secondfastest ever clocking for the event after the former World youth best of 1: 49.47 they set in Lille two years ago. In third, Japan improved on the national youth best they set to win silver in Lille, clocking 1: 50.52 for the bronze medal.

The girls’ Medley Relay was even more decisive as the USA enjoyed a clear run to gold, following the semi final disqualification of de fending champions

Jamaica. Each of the U. S. team had won medals earlier in the championships, with 100m Hurdles silver medallist Dior Hall handing over to 100m champion Ky Westbrook. Their lead was already significant when Raevyn Rogers, bronze medallist in the 800m earlier in the day, ran the 300m leg to give 400m silver medallist Olivia Baker a sizeable lead.

Baker cruised around a lap of the track to bring home the gold in 2: 05.15, USA’s seventh title in this event at the World Youth Championships.

The British Virgin Islands were surprise silver medallists in 2: 07.40 while Japan passed China in the homestraight to take bronze in 2: 07.61. (IAAF)

Youngest player in Limacol CPL out to prove his worth

Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago – Most 17-year-olds in Trinidad and Tobago are either preparing for, or hoping to soon celebrate the completion of A level exams; others are considering which university to attend, while some youngsters’ concept of forward planning consists of organising whatever fete is scheduled for Friday night.

Seventeen-year-old Nicholas Pooran however, doesn’t have time to think about any of these things as he is too busy working on achieving some major career breakthroughs. One of these is representing his country’s team at the inaugural Limacol Caribbean Premier League alongside cricket talents such as fellow Trinidadian Dwayne Bravo and franchise player Ross Taylor.

“Any 17-year-old who has been given an opportunity such as this would grasp it with both hands and that’s what I plan to do,” says the ambitious young wicketkeeper batsman.

Truth be told, Pooran is always ready to make Trinidad and

Tobago proud, whether it is playing against other West Indian players like Chris Gayle or his fellow countryman Kieron Pollard.

The Limacol CPL is Pooran’s opportunity to make his mark on the cricket arena under the watchful eyes of people around the region and the world.

Although he is the youngest player in the tournament, Pooran is no stranger to regional competition. He has represented his country in the Regional Under-15, Under-17

and Under-19 competitions and was also a member of the Trinidad and Tobago school boys’ Under-18 squad which won the International School Cricket Premier League Twenty20 competition.

He also emerged from the 2012 Under-19 competition in Barbados as the leading glove man, snaring 14 dismissals in five matches during the three-day format.

More importantly, Pooran announced his arrival on the senior stage earlier this year with a handsome unbeaten 33 on Regional Super50 debut for Trinidad and Tobago in a 14- run victory over Windward Islands, and while he had only meagre returns in his remaining three games, his promise remained evident.

Commenting on this remarkable young man, David Williams, assistant coach for the Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel team noted, “… he is a tremendous player. He is also a very young man, so I think we would want to watch him closely, and make sure he does the right things. With that tal-

ent, (I am sure) he has places to go.”

This Naparima College student, who plays for Clarke Road United in the domestic Premier League, understands the expectations that he has to live up to and does not plan to disappoint.

“I want to prove to

people that the selectors have made a right decision in picking me.”

Pooran’s first opportunity to play will come on July 31 when the Red Steel face the Guyana Amazon Warriors at Providence Stadium.

The inaugural Limacol Caribbean Premiere League be-

gins on July 30 with 24 matches to be played across six Caribbean countries: Antigua, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, St Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago.

The Queen’s Park Oval will host seven matches, including the two semi-final and final matches. (CPL)

Confident Guyana U-19 team depart for regional tourney, hunt 13th title

By Rajiv Bisnauth

The last time

Guyana won the Regional Under-19 Championship was 2007 when the tournament was held in Basseterre, the St Kitts capital. On that occasion the national team was led by Malteenoes all-rounder Steven Jacobs. Now, six years later, the tournament returns to a familiar hunting ground where the Guyanese also celebrated championship honours in 1993 and 2007.

The 14-man squad is led by Shawn Perreira, along with manager David Black and coach Adrian Amsterdam, departed Guyana on

Wednesday, confident of doing well at the upcoming tournament which is in its 46th edition.

In an invited comment before the team departed the Windjammer Hotel for the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Amsterdam said that despite the inadequate preparation, the team is confident of doing well, adding that the team would be going all out to win the title.

“We are upbeat, despite the lack of preparation,” said Amsterdam.

“The advantage we have this year is that the team has ten players who played in last year’s tournament, so the experience at this level is there and add to that we have Chanderpaul

(Tagnarine) who has played for Guyana at the highest level, so we have a team that is capable of winning”.

The West Indies Cricket Board’s premier regional youth tournament will commence on Friday. The three day format consists of five rounds of matches.

The six traditional regional teams: Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Leeward Islands, Trinidad and Tobago and Windward Islands will be joined by the ICC Americas Under- 20 team for the 50-over leg which commences on August 10 until August 20.

The full tournament will consist of 36 matches (15 three-day and 21

50-over) played over 12 rounds.

The regional youth tournament dates back to 1968 when it was contested under the British American Tobacco Series. It has been the main scouting ground for the region’s finest talent that go on to grace the international stage in West Indies se-

nior colours.

Most of the current Windies players found their footing in the regional under-19 tournament before going on to represent the Caribbean in Test, One-Day and Twenty20 International cricket.

The squad reads: Shawn Pereira (Captain), Brian

Sattaur, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Shimron Hetemyer, Kamesh Yadram (Vice Captain), Ricardo Adams, Akshay Homraj, Denesh Mangal, Gudakesh Motie-Kanhai, Vishal Narayan, Steven Sankar, Herry Green, Dexter George and Romario Shepherd- De Jonge.

“Chanderpaul in one-day cricket? He’s too old, man! Brethren, he doesn’t score fast enough, he needs 150 overs! He’s been in so many losses man! Brotha, we’ve got to move on from him!” In the above few lines lies a modern-day cricket mystery that I struggle to comprehend.

The West Indies’ one-day international cricket team of 2013 is the personification of the phrase ‘all flash and little substance’. Blessed with a galaxy of stars of the Twenty20 arena, it’s a group that would command an IPL owner’s highest bids with ease and, given 20 overs of operation, would most likely deliver breathtaking results. Sadly for them, T20s and ODIs are entirely different endeavours.

On the spectrum of cricket formats, ODIs are thought to be in the middle while T20s and Tests lie at their respective extremes.