Princess Fun City turns 1, launches 3D theatres Portuguese becoming integral part of curriculum Bandits rob Mon Repos Lucky Dollar Store
Infant kidnapped in Berbice Hotel Tower closes, workers protest nonpayment
To mark the first anniversary of the Princess Fun City within the Princess Casino, Providence, East Bank Demerara, the company launched two3D theatres on Friday with the inaugural viewing of “Godzilla” and “X-Men: Days of Future Past”.
The 3D theatres, the first of its kind in Guyana, were welcomed with open arms by the Tourism Ministry.
Speaking at the launch on Friday evening, acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali told the gathering that while Guyana has the hotels to accommodate a high number of tourists, there is need for entertainment.
Ali added that of recent, there has been an influx of
visitors attending a number of conferences here and they look forward for high quality entertainment spots.
He said with the introduction of the 3D theatres, it will not only satisfy their need but will boost the Tourism Sector.
The Minister reiterated the local Tourism Sector is on the rise and the new investment, along with the Marriott Hotel will aid in stimulating economic growth.
He congratulated the casino on the opening of the theatres, which he described as “second to none”.
Princess Fun City General Manager Eray Kannaz told the special invitees that technology is im-
proving and progressing, and as predicted by scientists, the world must be a part of that growth that creates inspiration and imagination for its young people.
New world
He noted that movies are not only moving objects or pictures on a silver screen, but the creation of a new world using digital technology.
“At Princess International, our first aim is to be a part of that society regardless of borders
and nation to take social responsibility to contribute to Guyana’s economy,” Kannaz added.
He explained that the theatres are now equipped with the latest 2D and 3D visual and audio systems. Some 98 per cent of the movie theatres in the world, he posited, have already upgrade to digital, noting that as of now, Guyanese can stand proud among those nation.
“You’re going to be amazed; these movies will give you a thrill. It’s not just sitting there with images and pictures; this is experiencing another world.”
Meanwhile, special invitees and members of the media were treated to free showings of the recently launched movie “Godzilla”. It was indeed an exciting moment for the children in attendance and even the adults, looking at a 3D movie for the first time.
In addition, Minister Ali also participated in cutting the cake to mark the first anniversary of Princess Fun City. He was assisted by the company’s Executive Assistant Natalie Seecharan. Among the special invitees were acting Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud and former Georgetown Chambers of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) President Clinton Urling.
Sunday Times Editor: Tajeram Mohabir
Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134
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After independence 48 years ago, our political leaders were somewhat equivocal about the role of “businesses” in our economy. Not surprisingly, in light of three centuries of being sucked dry by that institution, independence brought much experimentation with alternative means of developing the economy. When those failed rather disastrously, by 1989, it was conceded somewhat sheepishly that “business would be the engine of growth henceforth in our economy”.
Over the last 22 years under the PPP/C Government we have had steady but not spectacular growth under this model. However, there is the example of sustained double-digit growth rates in a host of countries during that time. This offers hope that we too, could extricate ourselves from the economic basement into which the PNC’s experiments had plunged us. Since 2008, however, the inbuilt cycles of the businesscentred growth model, however, delivered a prolonged slump in Europe and the US that has affected all countries, including Guyana.
In a recent global Deloitte CEO survey, 87 per cent of CEOs said they face deeper and faster cycles in their businesses than ever before, with each subsequent revolution accelerating. This introduces a heightened range of economic risks and degrees of complexity that our businesses and political directorate must grapple with if our growth rate is to be maintained, much less increased.
The most volatile external factor is technology and this is expected to be the primary driver of change in organisations over the next three-five years. Technological advancements have driven a sudden convergence of digital, mobile and social spheres, resulting in a new dynamic in stakeholder relationships by connecting customers, employees and partners in new ways to organisations and to each other.
Companies looking to operate in Guyana cannot be guaranteed long-term certainty or a high degree of predictability as Guyana offers unique challenges. The Opposition along with its partners in the media have contributed to the perception of Guyana as a risky destination for business. The tenuous legislative framework in our country, exemplified by the Opposition’s refusal to follow the advice of even external neutral agencies and signing the Anti-Money Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AMLCFT) Bill Amendments, is a case in point.
There was also the threat by the Opposition to revisit contracts signed by the present Government with Sithe Global on the Amalia Falls Hydro Electric Project. Such uncertainty makes strategic business decisions difficult in Guyana.
If Guyana is ever to be truly independent it has to guarantee the good life – promised in 1966 – to its citizens. The lack of solid, modern infrastructure remains a significant barrier for Guyanese operations beyond socio-economic and political complexities. Guyana’s required infrastructure capital since independence far exceeds the past and current spending. This substantial spending shortfall, which the Opposition has refused to accept, can only come from borrowing.
They keep harping on the absolute amounts to be borrowed, refusing to accept that the growing economy can service this higher level of debt. And that future higher income flows will also help in that respect. Strategy is about making choices and is to be distinguished from short term tactics.
The complex operating environment in which Guyanese companies operate results in choices that are difficult to make. This necessitates a deep understanding of the factors that influence profitability, as well as the factors affecting the company’s reputation and relationship with stakeholders. Adopting a structured approach to making choices at a corporate and business unit level is necessary.
Poor strategy is often characterised by the failure to make choices and we can see this in the Opposition’s actions over the past two years. Asking the right questions allows companies and the political class to successively focus on key aspects of our high-level and operational strategies which collectively form the basis for long-term strategic planning and short-term prioritisation.
The Opposition must allow businesses to deliver real Independence to Guyana.
Dear Editor,
Indian arrival was observed in Guyana on May 5 and will be celebrated in Trinidad and Tobago on May 30. The event was also celebrated in Florida and New York on the weekend of May 3 with cultural variety concerts.
Other Caribbean societies like St Vincent, Jamaica and Guadeloupe will celebrate the arrival of Indians, although the celebrations will not be as elaborate as those in Trinidad and Guyana. In both societies, Indian arrival is a national holiday to celebrate the achievements and the contributions of Indians to their respective society.
It was quite a struggle to get Indian Arrival Day in Guyana and Trinidad recognised as a holiday, as even the Indian leadership opposed those of us who made the case for recognition with a holiday.
Indians have left an indelible imprint and influence on Caribbean societies and their Diaspora (North America and England). So it is appropriate to celebrate their arrival in the Caribbean where they are in significant numbers and from there to wherever they migrated and settled (like Florida and New York).
Indians are present in almost every Caribbean society, but only in a few
societies they came as indentured servants (like Dominica, Grenada, St Lucia, St Vincent, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad, Belize, etc). Wherever they have settled, they have made enormous contributions to the society in various fields including cuisine, culture, engineering, law, medicine, etc.
Their contributions to their adopted societies have been on the basis of great personal sacrifice. Their accomplishments and achievements have come about in spite of great adversity, including racial victimisation and discrimination. They have struggled against tremendous odds, of one kind or another, to become successful in life.
Their contributions have become invaluable to the growth and development of their societies, not to mention they have enriched their homeland with huge amounts of taxes from their labour and businesses. And their presence has added to the cultural mosaic of their respective society.
The region deservedly needs an Indian Arrival Day, especially that there is a day to honour African people – Emancipation Day. Indians are an integral part of the diverse Caribbean and they have
contributed to the economic, social and political fabric of their society.
Thus, it is fitting to celebrate the Indian presence in the Caribbean and for the region to recognise the contributions made by Indians in various spheres of life. Indian Arrival Day is a day of reflection of the presence of Indians in a multi-ethnic society. It honours the hard work and sacrifices made by Indian indentured servants who have built a life for their descendants in a new land distant from their motherland of India.
They have handed down a rich treasure of cultural values and traditions including dance, cuisine, religion, culture, folklore, etc. Caribbean society is influenced by Indian culture manifested in music, food, clothing, technology and fashion.
The Indians arrived penniless and with little material possessions. They worked in slave like conditions – servile and demeaning – on the sugar plantations producing wealth for the European planters and worked their way out of bondage.
Today, the descendants of indentured servants are in virtually every profession, in every field of national life and endeavour. Some have even served in the highest positions of societies as Prime Ministers,
Presidents, Judges, etc.
But one should not forget that Indians have had to struggle for recognition and retention of their culture, especially in those societies where they were marginalised or oppressed as occurred under the authoritarian years of the apartheid-like PNC Government.
The minority dictatorship ruled them through electoral frauds and attempted to deculturise them. But they managed to survive the genocidal onslaught of dictators. Their cultural retention is an important achievement in their collective history as they overcame their masters and oppressors.
With the restoration of democracy in Guyana in 1992, came change in the socio-cultural dynamic. Ditto the assumption of office by the UNC in Trinidad in 1995 and again in 2010. With the assumption of office by Indian political parties, there has been an increase in the support for Indian culture. But more needs to be done to salute the contributions of ancestors who have made it possible for the Indian cultural presence in the Caribbean and North America.
Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram
Dear Editor,
The President’s refusal to assent to the Local Government (Amendment) Bill should not hold up the hosting of Local Government Elections. All that is required now is for the President to instruct the Attorney General to move the case to the Judiciary.
There, the court can decide whether certain functions conferred to the Local Government Commission exceeds the constitutional authority of Article 78A, thus making Local Government (Amendment) Bill No 12 of 2012 “null, void and of no effect” as articulated by the Attorney General.
No amount of political grandstanding, rhetoric and declarations in the press will resolve this issue, as we approach a year since Parliament approved the four Local Government Reform Bills. If the President and his Government are serious about determining the legislation’s constitutionality, then move to the courts quickly for resolving, once and for all, the essential legal questions.
Notwithstanding the need to clarify the Bill’s constitutionality, there is no compelling reason to delay establishing and announcing a date for holding Local Government Elections. The Government must act now.
I say this not only because I agree with the statement that “three-quarters of a loaf is better than none,” as advanced by Opposition Parliamentarian Khemraj Ramjattan, but also because the disputable issues do not affect the hosting and execution of local elec-
tions.
In fact, while we wait for a ruling on the outstanding Bill’s constitutionality, the Government and parliamentary Opposition can agree, in terms of mutual national interests, to proceed with the elections under the old laws where the powers still reside with the Minister of Local Government instead of the Local Government Commission. A healthy dose of political maturity and political will from our elected policymakers can facilitate this process quickly.
I have seen in the press and in other public forums the belief of some that the contested pending bill is the one containing the provisions establishing the Local Government Commission’s roles and functions. I wish to reiterate that this is not so.
The Local Government Commission Act was passed and assented to last year by the National Assembly and the President, respectively, and the structure and roles of the Commission have been elucidated. Among its many powers is the Local Government Commission’s responsibility to “deal with all matters relating to staffing of local government organs” including “employment, transfer, discipline and dismissal of staff” and approving “remuneration, superannuation, training, leave and promotion of staff”.
What the outstanding bill seeks to do is confer additional powers onto the Commission. Moreover, once the Minister of Local Government signs the commencement order, then the
nomination process of commissioners under the Local Government Commission Act would begin.
I personally have an issue with either the Minister of Local Government or the Local Government Commission deciding on who gets to run the administrative affairs of the municipalities around the country. That responsibility should be left to those elected authorities, who are closest to the citizens, and which, in this case, would be the elected mayor and councillors.
The buck should stop with the Mayor, in particular. This is what local selfgovernment is all about: the ability of local authorities to regulate and manage a substantial share of public affairs under their own responsibility and in the local population’s interests. Powers given to our municipalities should be full and exclusive, allowing discretion for them, as far as possible.
One pragmatically cannot expect to hold our mayors and councillors responsible for the overall interests of their respective areas and communities and then deny them the right to decide who gets to execute policy on their behalf. Thus, the Minister or the LGC should only have a supervisory role in this process.
However, that is a discussion for another time. At the moment we have sufficient laws to work with and it is time for the Minister to call a date for Local Government Elections.
Sincerely,
Clinton Urling Blue CAPS
After a long wait, an elevator will be installed at Lefferts
Dear Editor,
After much awaited time, the elevator will be installed at Lefferts Boulevard/Liberty Avenue, a train stop and improvement along the Liberty Avenue A line.
We have waited 24 years (American Disability Act 1990) and with continued support from the Richmond Hill Economic Development Council (RHEDC), we were able to get a firm commitment from the MTA announcing that there will be a presentation on the installing of
the elevator. This will be held on May 29 at the Liberty Palace, 130-11 Liberty Avenue, Richmond Hill, NY 11419 at 19:00h.
People with disabilities will be guaranteed fair and equal access to all public services. The disabled, who are often isolated and their mobility restricted, will not be the only beneficiaries.
People with baby carriages, as well as those with luggage, will also benefit. This renovation will greatly increase train ac-
Victimised by the Regional
Dear Editor,
As I sat on my verandah, I saw a contractor resurfacing the street leading to the Anna Regina Multilateral School, which was filled with potholes. He started the grading and preparation of the street from the end of my car entrance leaving a multitude of holes going to the main public road which covered the total area of my yard leading from east to west linking the highway.
I asked someone involved in the resurfacing of the street why he had left the portion in front my car entrance leading to the main public road. He told me that he was instructed to leave that portion. I feel this was blatantly done by the Regional Administration to affect me and my family because I have outspokenly commented in the media on the magnitude of mismanagement in Region Two.
Similarly, in the administration, the political henchmen have resorted to not only attack those who criticise it, but also put pressure on those who have been courageous enough to expose wrong doing.
The casualties are the fearless people who have been victimised in this re-
gion. With this tactic being used, it has brought Essequibians to a new stage in the struggle for genuine representation. The people now realise that it is not possible to work with the Regional Administration of this region so long as certain political figure heads control the state apparatus.
At the political and grassroots level, they lack popular support and will rely increasingly on pressuring citizens. They fashion closer ties with contractors to accelerate policies of victimisation.
Essequibians have to embark on a civil resistance and non-cooperation, as Dr Cheddi Jagan taught us, against our own if they try to pressure and victimise us. We are all taxpayers and we should receive the same fair treatment when a road is being built. It is wrong to penalise a man for his political belief.
In fact, conditions should now develop under which one can evolve from consensus without pressure which forces anyone to defend his personal political choice. I have argued at several forums and at different times in the PPP/C that economic and social progress are not
sustainable, or even possible, without democracy. While I recognise that democracy is not everything, without it we could hardly achieve anything. I still hold very strongly to this point of view. No one can deny that I played a leading role in the great struggle for a return to democratic rule in Guyana and should not be pressured and victimised by the Regional Administration.
Yours faithfully,
Mohamed Khan
cessibility for residents of our community, while also providing more neighbouring residents access to the shops on Liberty Avenue.
We encourage all businesses and residents to attend this meeting to understand the process and stay connected with all the organizations who will be connected to this major project.
Sincerely,
Vishnu Mahadeo RHEDC President/ Executive Director
n May 26, 1966 our country became an independent nation.
I was not even a gleam in my father’s eye! It was a great day for all Guyana, one of the most significant dates in our history.
On Independence Day, we got our very own Coat of Arms, our National Flag, National Bird and all of the other symbols that signalled the start of a new era for our fledgling state. We were finally masters of our fate and captains of our destiny and all that.
Apparently the celebrations began four days before the 26th and all the way until the 29th. And there was good reason for the extended celebrations. There’s something so very special about having your independence – whether it’s independence as a nation, or independence as an individual. And it was something that had been dreamt about for three centuries, through the vicissitudes of slavery and indentureship
Without fail, any narrative includes the hero/her-
“I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will” − Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre
oine being given advice by some wise, wizened figure. And independence was a narrative – one overcoming and redemption against unimaginable hardships and exploitation. Oftentimes, this advice is something along the lines of, “With great power comes great responsibility”. And that can be directly applied to independence. Independence IS Power. With independence you have power to make your own decisions, to make your own choices, to decide your next steps all on your very own.
But sadly it is also ruefully accepted that, “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely”. If being an independent entity is somewhat like having absolute power over your future decisions, there's always the chance that we might lead ourselves or our
country down corrupt paths with rather disastrous consequences.
And that’s where the great responsibility part comes in. You have a responsibility to yourself to be the best version of yourself. You have a responsibility to do right by your country. And if you’re in a leadership position, you’re responsible for putting your people first. Selfless service should be expected from our leaders and politicians.
After all, they’re the ones making decisions about our country’s future. It’s a pity really when so many of them turn out to be self-serving and only concerned with furthering their own interests.
But we’re a country full of free-thinking individuals – independent, free and intelligent – and young. So we don’t necessarily
have to carry the baggage of history unquestioningly on our backs. We have the right to vote, so when the time comes, let’s make sure that we exercise that right and choose leaders that will do right by us and our country.
48 years ago, our future was spread out in front of us. People danced in the streets as the Union Jack was lowered and the Golden Arrowhead was raised. We had a vision for a happy and prosperous Guyana. So let’s remind ourselves about that future this Independence Day.
And let’s do our part as independent individuals to be better citizens, to help each other and to give our country a chance at a bright future.
People get the leaders they deserve.
Happy Independence Day!
How to help your child or teen deal with peer pressure, exclusion and cliques
BY Sara Bean
When we think of peer pressure, we typically have a picture in our minds of a child handing your child a cigarette, a joint, or a beer and saying something like, “Come on, just try it.” But at times peer pressure can be felt without a single word being spoken, like when a clique excludes others or rolls their eyes at the (in their opinion) “uncool” kids who walk by.
“It’s most helpful to focus on the behaviour of your child’s friends, or more importantly, your child’s behaviour when she is with these friends.”
Here are a few of the top peer pressure situations, with ways you can help your child or teen handle them:
Drugs, tobacco, alcohol, and partying
The average age American children take their first drink is 11 for boys and 13 for girls. Drugs are rampant in our communities today – not just marijuana, but also bath salts, meth, K2 (aka “spice” or synthetic marijuana), and prescription medications. This is not to say all children will follow this pattern of alcohol use or get into drugs, but chances are, your child will come into contact with another child who has knowledge of these things and may even be using one or more. As a parent, being involved and communicating with your child about drugs and alcohol is of vital importance.
What you can do: As a school counsellor, I always say that you really can’t start talking with your children about these things too early. It’s important that you discuss your rules and values pertaining to drugs, alcohol, and tobacco, but also help him come up with several options to escape the situation if he’s being pressured to try something. For example, you might role play with your middle schooler and teach him to say a strong and direct “No.” He could also suggest a different activity, change the subject, or leave the situation by walking
away. I’ve also heard a lot of parents talking about the “noquestions-asked” pick-up. That’s when you tell your child that if he calls you to leave a party or a bad situation, you will go and get him with no consequences and no questions asked. This is something that each parent and family has to decide if it’s right for them. If this works for your family, it can be very effective.
My child’s personality is changing – for the worse! Children who hang out together tend to adopt the same types of attitudes, likes, dislikes, and values – and in fact, research has shown that people tend to mimic the behaviour of others in order to fit in into a group. This can be distressing if your formerly sweet child is rolling her eyes at you and responding with, “Whatevs” to everything you say. If she’s becoming defiant, aggressive or disrespectful, you’ll want to address this behaviour and nip it in the bud before it continues to escalate. An important thing to note here is that teens and tweens start to become more peer-focused and less familyfocused. They want to spend more time with their friends and might confide in them more often than family. Also, adolescence is where most of the task of “individuation” really takes place: this is the process of coming to understand and know oneself as your own person. This means children start to want more choices, more freedom – and at times more privacy and distance from their family. Peers become the centre of their universe, and with their natural desire for a sense of belonging, teens can be extremely susceptible to peer pressure. Another factor that makes them susceptible is the still-developing teen brain, which has not yet become a master of decision-making and self-management! This means that they don’t always have the thinking skills and self-control skills it takes to resist peer pressure. (Empowering Parents)
The Education Ministry on Friday launched a Portuguese training programme for teachers that will be implemented into the foreign language curriculum in 21 secondary schools.
The programme will run for approximately 12 weeks and is designed in three phases, the first of which will cover all of the topics while the other two will be used as interactive and revision sessions for the participants.
This programme will see 36 teachers being trained in this area.
These sessions, which will commence in two weeks, will be held at the National Centre for Educational Resources Development (NCERD), twice weekly. After each phase of the programme, the participants will undergo an assessment which will aid the administrators in identifying weaknesses and strengths.
These individuals, after being trained, will be the first to prepare the initial batch of students in the Caribbean to sit the subject at the Caribbean Secondary Examination Certificate (CSEC) examinations.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, which was held at the Theatre Guild, Deputy Chief Education Officer Doodmattie Singh highlighted that the Ministry last year introduced Portuguese into six schools, but this was limited to Central Georgetown because of the lack of trained professionals to deliver the curriculum.
However, this will no longer be a challenge due to the
implementation of this programme. In 2013, the language subject was introduced to Queen’s College, the Bishops’ High, St Stanislaus College, St Roses High, Saint Joseph High and North Georgetown Secondary. It will now be expanded to Regions Three, Four, Five, Eight, Nine and 10.
Willingness
The schools targeted in these regions are Region Three, Zeeburg and West Demerara Secondary; Region Four, Hope, Annandale, Diamond Secondary and President’s College; Region Five, Rosignol and Bygeval Secondary; Region Eight, Mahdia Secondary; Region Nine, St Ignatius Secondary; and Region 10, MacKenzie Secondary. The students of Grades Seven and Eight and in some cases Nine will be exposed to this new language.
Also sharing his views was Principal of West Demerara Secondary School, Region Three, Harry Narine, who expressed happiness that his school was one of two which were chosen in the region. He said that his staff are willing to be trained and will cooperate fully to ensure that this programme is a success.
Speaking at the launch, Education Minister Priya Manickchand said: “We at the Ministry of Education are very conscious that we have a huge responsibility to make sure we meet the needs of Guyana today, as well as prepare our young people to meet the needs of Guyana tomorrow,” the Minister said.
She said that just after nine months of introducing this language into those six schools, she was surprised at the reception from the students as she recalled being greeted by a few students
in the language and could not understand what they were saying.
The Minister said that despite the criticisms, it can be proudly said that the Education Sector in Guyana is at its best stage ever, while at the same time noting that there is still room for improvement.
Minister Manickchand acknowledged that there has been a lot of improvement in the sector in terms of institutional work. She noted that teachers only receive a certificate from institutions acknowledging the fact that they are trained, but now they are able to acquire an Associate Degree.
She also noted that most of the teachers who will be graduating in the next batch will be holders of a degree, adding to the capacity of their institutions. The Minister also touched on the fact that there are still some teachers who are not trained, but are in the education system. She noted that the Ministry will be ensuring that these persons are given a period of time to further develop themselves or corrective actions will be taken.
The introduction of this language to Guyanese will not only build the self- confidence of the persons persuing their studies in this area, but will also expand their job opportunities. It will also strengthen Guyana’s relationship with Portuguese-speaking countries such as one of its closest neighbours, Brazil.
Police at C Division are hunting for two men who committed a robbery on the Lucky Dollar Store at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, carting off close to $2 million on Saturday morning.
According to information received, the two men entered the store under the pretext of conducting business, during which they held up a cashier at gun point, demanding she hand over the money earned for the day.
At the time, according to a Police source, the woman had close to $2 million that she collected from business transactions.
One of the men was armed with a hand gun while the other was armed with a knife. After relieving the cashier of the money, they made good their escape.
There were also other customers and staff members in the store at the time of the robbery.
Crime Chief Leslie James confirmed that no one was injured in the process while noting that the gunman did not discharge any rounds. He said that an investigation has been launched into the robbery.
Guyana Times was told that on Saturdays, the
area where the store is located is normally busy, due to the market, thus the brazen daylight robbery was indeed a shocker. The cashier, a female, is still traumatised, but reportedly told investigators that the robbers did not have on masks.
Attempts to get a comment from a representative of the store proved futile.
After the robbery, this newspaper was told that business stopped for the day to facilitate a Police investigation.
Earlier in the year, a security guard stationed at a Lucky Dollar Store at Rose Hall was killed after burglars invaded the store during a robbery. Chandraban Persaud, 55, of 135 Whim Village, Corentyne, was bound and gagged behind the store.
According to reports, bandits entered the yard through the back gate of the compound and pounced on the unsuspecting security guard. They bound and gagged him, and he reportedly died of suffocation. The robbers then gained entry to the building by breaking the concrete ventilator at the side of the structure.
MTrust on Friday hosted a lively conversation between Rahul
and Brendan de Caires.
The event sponsored by Demerara Bank Limited, began with a stirring musical performance by the Buxton Fusion School of Music.
Buxton Fusion is dedicated to preserving the oral culture in Guyana. Their music draws on African drumming patterns and incorporates Indian rhythms. Seven members (six children and one adult) performed on this occasion, with a mixture of singing and drumming. The band is
available for hire and can be contacted via Deo Persaud on telephone number 624 1234.
Bhattacharya is best known locally as the author of The Sly Company of People Who Care, a novel about Guyana, published three years ago to international acclaim.
He is also a journalist
and his first book (in 2005), Pundits from Pakistan, was a cricket travelogue. Brendan de Caires was born in Guyana and now lives in Toronto. He has worked as an editor and periodically reviews writing for various journals. Brendan asked Rahul about the nature and depth of his affinity with
Guyana and noted that long before the novel, a scene in Rawalpindi had reminded Rahul of Port Mourant (the tiniest of sugarcane villages [that] produced seven Test players). The conversation considered different eras of West Indies cricket, the nuances of Guyanese creole, and insights that foreign observers can bring to a society.
Rahul recounted the experience of watching Shivnarine Chanderpaul bat on wet sand – one of the homegrown techniques which shaped his style as a professional player – during his current visit to Guyana, and explained a parallel he had drawn between the batting of Virender Sehwag and Rohan Kanhai.
...on SC
Lalloo “Suspenders” Ram, doesn’t believe efforts to expand the ranks of “Senior Counsels” – SCs – in the legal profession are warranted. Now he might have a point, but your Eyewitness does echo the Bard to exclaim, “Methinks the wanker doth protest too much!!” The “pot salt” took over 1300 words (thank God for “word count”!!) to complain that the second oldest profession has many other problems and issues that should be placed ahead.
Well, hey! Did he ever think that maybe appointing more SCs may help solve some of those problems? Of course he did!! Senior Counsels set examples for the young’uns to imitate. But because Suspenders could be disqualified by whatever criteria are eventually decided on for the selection process – blinds him to that possibility. And why he could be disqualified? Well duh!!! You’ll have to have some sort of “seniority” to be a Senior Counsel, don’t you think? And even though Suspenders’ pushing 70, having just entered the bar, he won’t even get into the yard, much less the front door.
Suspenders is right to point out that SCs can charge higher fees. But why does he have to imply that’s somehow disreputable? Why do bookkeepers insist on calling themselves “accountants”? ?? Damn right – it’s because they could demand big bucks!! Well, it’s the same process in the legal profession, no? The Committee’ll review the lawyers’ portfolio and decide whether the quality of work justifies the elevation in title. And in fees.
And Suspenders doesn’t think there’s anything inherently wrong about higher fees, does he? After all, he slogged through law school – with kids who could’ve been his grandchildren – for what??? He suffered embarrassment for years as he was shown up by these kids, for what? The bigger bucks, of course!
And the status: he could call himself “lawyer”!! But now he’s mortified that fellas, who could be his grandchildren, would now not just be a lawyer – which is bad enough –but be “Senior” lawyers! He’ll be back to square one.
But seriously, folks. What’s so wrong about having Senior Counsels? Every profession rewards performance and skill: doctors become “consultants” and canecutters become “firemen”: they get to burn cane. Sure the legal profession has many problems. But why does conferring silk on a few deserving lawyers detract from those problems? Look at the last batch who became SCs in 1996. Didn’t they raise the bar in law? (Pun intended, thank you.)
With Lalloo Ram, it’s just a severe case of sour grapes. You remember the moral of that story, don’t you? Any fool can despise what he can’t get.
Tomorrow’s going to be another anniversary of Guyana’s independence. And the PNC/APNU just can’t stand it that they don’t have their hands on the national purse. So they bad mouth Guyana to the tons of youths who weren’t around at Independence. Sour grapes!!!
Those youths still know the PNC squandered that independence making us into beggars wandering the world like gypsies looking for handouts. They’ve read the history. Everybody can go to school now – and the schools aren’t leaking and the teachers aren’t selling “sweeties” to make ends meet.
And just like the old days, when they had their sidekick UF with the anti-communist D’Aguiar to offer them cover, there’s now the AFC with the dyspeptic duo of Ramjattan and Nagamootoo (if it sounds like a hick lawyer team, it is) as the fig leaf. And they’re guaranteeing Guyana has no real independence by blocking all developmental projects, through their veto.
And for good measure, to ensure remittances dry up by blocking AMLCTF amendments. They should know that in the end the fox always gets it in his end.
...in Africa
Those who had raped, plundered and pillaged Africa now have their Quislings in the MuckrakerKN taking their doo-doo and rubbing it on China’s behind. Nasty!!!
Close to two years after the inking of the August 21, 2012 Agreement, which brought an end to the deadly protest over a proposed hike in electricity tariffs in the mining town of Linden, little progress has been made.
Speaking with Guyana Times, Region 10 Chairman Sharma Solomon said in a letter addressed to President Donald Ramotar, the Office of the President was reminded of key aspects of the agreement.
In the letter, he addressed the issue of the technical team set up to investigate the electricity situation in Linden, the Economic Committee and the programme which was agreed to by both parties to sustain economic development in
the town; a dish and transmitter for the establishment of a television station to be handed over to the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) and the Regional Land Selection Committee, which has so far been established. In recent months, there have been no re-engagements between the Government and the region.
Despite the challenges being faced, the region remains committed to the cause, Solomon said. With support from regional officials, the RDC is addressing issues that it can facilitate, he told this publication.
“The region is at the moment working to promote an economic agenda, however, we again remain committed to having the Government in this matter, but nevertheless the region as part of its constitutional mandate is pursuing economic programmes,” he explained.
In accordance with the August Agreement, the region is moving to employ the system of Land Selection and Land Management. The Land Selection Committee is currently working along with the Land and Surveys Commission to address issues affecting the region. Meanwhile, while the region has acquired the dish, it has not yet received the transmitter.
On August 21, 2012, the Donald Ramotar Administration and Region 10 agreed to establish a Technical Committee to investigate the electricity situation in Linden. Under the Terms of Reference (ToR), it states that the Technical Committee would be tasked with the responsibility of reviewing the existing provision and consumption of electricity in the mining town, including the history, the costs, the tariff structure and the subsidies.
Study
Part of the work also includes a study of the region’s economic circumstances and its ability to facilitate an increased cost of electricity, consideration of the advantages and disadvantages of
the integration of supply of electricity in Linden on the national grid and recommendations, among other duties.
However, failure by both parties to agree on the membership of the committee is hindering the activation of the committee. This comes after both the Government and the region have agreed to “cooperate to ensure that all documents, persons and resources required are provided to the Technical Team.”
The aim of the Economic Committee is to examine all studies, plans, sectors and their sources, in addition to new human and material resources that would aid in the crafting of a sustainable development plan for the region.
Meanwhile, Presidential Advisor on Governance Gail Texiera said the Government had responded to Sharma’s letter, pointing out several inaccuracies and misrepresentations to him.
She also noted that Sharma had postponed several meetings on the agreement, and that aside, he was aware that Cabinet Secretary, Roger Dr Luncheon, who is the Government’s focal point on the agreement, was ill, and as a result would have contributed to some delays in the discussions.
AGuyanese woman is reportedly evading French law enforcement officers after she allegedly kidnapped her nineyear-old son from his father since December 2013.
The child, Travis Nesmon, formerly of Martinique, was last seen in November when he left the island to visit his mother Theresa Geneva Guilford, also called “Nicole”, in French Guiana.
According to information received, the woman and her husband Mehdy Nesmon had a court battle over the child, but the father won full custody.
Not to be inconsiderate, he agreed for visitation rights so that the child can get to see his mother periodically.
Mehdy told Guyana Times that after the court ruled in favour of him, he allowed his son to visit his mother in French Guiana.
The man said his son left the island in November to spend
Christmas with his mom.
It was agreed that after the holidays, she would return the child to his father, but she left the country with the child.
Mehdy said after a while he did not hear from the woman, so he attempted to contact her via telephone, but was not successful.
He reportedly left the island and travelled to French Guiana where he visited the woman’s house, but it was tightly secured and there was no sign of her, nor his son.
Mehdy has since reported the matter to the French authorities who have been on the lookout for the woman and the child.
He thought that the woman was in Guyana and was staying with her relatives at Number 5 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, but a check at a house there for her proved futile.
The devastated father has reportedly contacted the French Embassy and Consulate in Guyana, who are pursuing the matter. He is urging the woman to return his child, and if that is done, he will drop all the charges against her.
Guyana Times understands that once the woman is arrested, the possibility exists that she might be extradited to French Guiana where she will be charged for kidnapping of a minor. Anyone with information on the child is asked to contact the nearest Police station.
Atlantic Hotel Inc (AHI) and Republic Bank Limited have announced the completion of the financial arrangements by Republic Bank for a syndicated borrowing of US$27 million in debt financing for AHI.
The two entities in a release said the money will be spent on the construction of the Marriott operated hotel and the shell of an Entertainment Complex.
Republic Bank, on behalf of its consortium of lenders, has received its approvals and the transaction is expected to be concluded shortly.
The principal investors in AHI (Marriott Hotel Guyana project and Entertainment Complex) are the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) and the British Virgin Islands (BVI) registered, ACE Square
Investments Limited.
ACE Square Investments Limited will acquire 67 per cent of the equity of AHI for US$8 million.
As required under the Hotel Management Agreement between Marriott and AHI, Marriott has consented to the transfer of the controlling interest of AHI from NICIL to ACE Square Investments Limited.
Ace Square Management Limited, an affiliated company of ACE Square Investments Limited, has been selected to operate the Entertainment Complex and secure the outfitting cost, estimated at a minimum of US$4 million.
Additionally, Ace Square Management Limited will guarantee a minimum financial performance of the Entertainment Complex, consistent with the feasibility study conducted by
HVS International (dated October 31, 2012).
Ace Square Management Limited’s beneficial shareholders are the same as ACE Square Investments Limited. The beneficial owners of the shares in ACE Square Investments Limited, and the owners of the shares in ACE Square Investments Limited, through a BVI registered holding company, Big Splendor Limited, are Hong Kong businessmen, Victor How Chung Chan and Xu Han.
Investment interests
Victor Chan has diverse and substantial investment interests both in Hong Kong and China. He is an Executive Director of the REXLOT Group and is the single largest shareholder and founder and Director of the REX Resources Group.
The REXLOT Group is
Satiricus was intrigued. Here was Elton John – writing as “EB John – once again commenting sagely on matters Guyanese. His friends had snickered when he’d told them the great, gay British rock star was absolutely fascinated by our dear Mudland. Satiricus has patiently explained that so many great British persons had Guyanese roots. Hadn’t the father of the British PM Gladstone owned Vreed-en-Hoop? Wasn’t the descendant of Quintin Hogg, who gave his name to Hogg Island, Lord Hailsham?
Satiricus had sucked his teeth long and hard at his friends’ ignorance. “So what’s the “B” for?” Suresh had challenged.
Satiricus had leant over and informed Suresh knowingly: “B?? That stands for what fellas like Elton John do, stupid!!!”
Suresh had answered, “Oh!”
the leading lottery system and distribution company in China and has extensive operations in China’s lottery market, through its local subsidiaries and international joint ventures. The group is listed on the main board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange with a market capitalisation of over HK$8 billion (some US$1 billion).
The REX Resources Group is principally engaged in gold, coal, rare earth and other metal, mining exploration and development, both in China and internationally.
Chan is also the leading investor and shareholder of China Gamma Group. The Group is listed on the main board of Hong Kong Stock Exchange, with a market capitalisation of over HK$600 million (some US$77 million). Chan founded REXCAPITAL Partners in 1994, a private investment group with over HK$1billion in financial investments.
Han is a long-standing business associate of Chan and holds graduate degrees from prominent US and Hong Kong universities. Additionally, Han has over 30 years of global experience in both the public and private sectors, such as finance, gaming, and mining.
But now Satiricus considered the sage advice Elton was giving to those people who wanted to become Senior Counsel. Elton felt they should have their stories written so everyone could know of their legal acumen. Satiricus was excited. Why! As soon as the announcement was written, the name of his favourite lawyer, Huge NoGel was on everybody’s lips.
So what if that ex-President Jagdesh had declared NoGel would never make SC? It was clear that he didn’t know about the stupendous legal qualities of NoGel. Elton’s suggestion would take care of that problem. Satiricus immediately began composing a poem to NoGel’s legal acumen. Right off the bat he was the godson of exex President Hyte. And Hyte had been a lawyer in ex-ex-ex President Burnham’s firm. But Hyte was made SC not for that but for his legal acumen.
Hyte had made NoGel’s father SC. Not because they were best friends but because of NoGel’s father’s legal acumen. With legal pedigree like that, how could NoGel not be made SC? Satiricus conceded that NoGel hadn’t particularly distinguished himself at Saints and later law schools. But what did that matter? “Look what he had done in law...or more to the point, look what he had done to the law,” muttered Satiricus.
Who else could enter a murder crime scene – in Buxton, of all places – remove and keep evidence for days – and still not be charged by the Police? “NoGel had to know the law to break it and still get away with it!” said Satiricus in awe.
Then there was his permanent retainer by the biggest drug lord of Guyana – Brammer. “Well even the Godfather needed a consigliere, no?” argued Satiricus to himself. “What better vote of confidence in his legal acumen?”
And more importantly, he could then defend for free – all the smaller drug dealers, who dealt retail for NoGel’s boss of bosses. “What was more honourable than pro bono work by lawyers?” thought Satiricus angrily. He wasn’t even going to mention NoGel’s working both sides against the middle in that Hydro case. That was what legal acumen was all about!!!
For the sake of the law, NoGel had made the ultimate sacrifice. It takes a thief to catch a thief, no?
In my many talks and addresses over the last five years or so in Guyana, there has been one theme that kept coming up in different ways. That theme is exploring ways to establish effective and lasting linkages between various socioeducational bodies, including the University of Guyana Berbice Campus (UGBC), law enforcement agencies, the private sector, the education sector, the agriculture sector, religious and charitable bodies, and so on.
From the time I was asked to assume the position of Director of UGBC, my over-riding philosophy was to broaden the scope of positive influence and cooperation between this university campus and the Berbice community and all of Guyana that pays for it to exist.
This meant working closely with just about every segment of the society. Unlike the larger campus and many other universities I could name, the few staff at UGBC that actually cared attempted consciously to have an immediate and lasting impact on the real lives of real people. The young lecturers and technicians rose to the challenge; the older ones tended to squat.
This philosophy of being responsible and answerable to taxpayers meant that we had to seek concrete ways to make a positive impact on all levels of education: from kindergarten to primary to secondary. We reached out our hands in assistance to Cyril Potter College of Education and the Felix Austin Police College.
We worked with the private sector as well as with individual farmers, banks, health bodies, religious bodies and state enterprises. We worked with officers of the law, several of whom have distinguished themselves by protecting and serving with honour.
One of our failures in Guyana is that we tend to think in compartmentalised ways. Matters of primary education are kept apart from secondary education; teacher education is kept apart from university-
level education; and agricultural experiments are kept within the walls of campuses and apart from those who may gain most from these experiments.
Health care and health-care delivery is kept apart; banking is a thing by itself; the private sector has its thing; and so on. The thinking is compartmentalised and territorialised. And of course, the Police seem to be apart from all of us.
And yet, Community Police and formal officers of the law are all members of our society. They belong to us as much as we belong to them. They are sons and daughters, fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters. When cut, they bleed – like us.
The time has come for us to think in more imaginative ways; the time has come for us to open our own areas to others and to find ways to contribute to areas other than our own, to find spaces where we can all work for the betterment of all.
For, in the final analysis, we are all involved in one primary task: and that task is the creation or re-creation of a civic society where each citizen is law abiding and caring of his neighbour, where each schoolchild is as our own children, where each officer of the law speaks with the voice of all law-abiding citizens.
The Community Police is an important part of this equation between society and those who serve and protect. Teachers and nurses are also mothers and fathers and daughters and sons.
We hear much about how
much they must do and how much more they must do to serve. We seldom hear about how we too may serve them. And no matter how willing and how well we are willing to serve and no matter how much we love what we do, we get tired from lack of appreciation and some kind of recognition. When we get tired, we slow down or stop. The whole country loses.
It is the same with all sectors. We also make the mistake that all rewards are monetary rewards. Monetary reward is good, and it should be given for excellence. Yet, my own experience has been that a word of thanks and a small gesture of appreciation refreshes the motivation to do more and do better for greater numbers of people.
First though, we need to see that all things are connected in some way. Second, we need to find objective ways to measure excellence. Can we begin by defining what we mean by excellence?
As the Custom Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) intensifies its investigations into the discovery of 2.2 kilograms of cocaine onboard a BW 606 flight on Friday, two persons are expected to face criminal charges.
The two men, who are both employees of the Timehri Handling Service (THS), are expected to make a court appearance on Monday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
Initially, four persons were taken into custody following the discovery, but after intense grilling by members of the drug enforcement unit, two were released.
According to information received, the two who remain in custody would have been working in collusion to facilitate shipment of the illegal drugs to Toronto, Canada. Sources confirmed that there is enough evi-
dence to charge the men. Guyana Times understands that the men were seen around the aircraft prior to the discovery. This information was conveyed to the investigators by a member of a security firm who has been monitoring the young men’s movements on and off the tarmac.
This publication was reliably informed moments after the bust that the men were taken into custody based on the observation. Several other leads are being pursued as investigations continue.
According to information received, 2.2 kilograms of cocaine were found in the aft hold (the belly) of a BW 606 aircraft by the airline security during a routine search about 13:00h on the day in question.
Meanwhile, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) in a release said as
the Police intensify their investigations into the 2.2 kilogrammes of cocaine found on the BW 606 aircraft on Friday, there is strong evidence to suggest that staff from more than one agency were working in collusion to facilitate this illegal activity.
Several leads are being pursued and charges are expected to be laid shortly, the CJIA said.
The aircraft, based on information received, stopped at the CJIA about 12:11h from Port of Spain, while on its way to Toronto, Canada.
After landing at the CJIA, the baggage was off-loaded from the aft hold and it was during a sweep of the hold as per Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), the drug was discovered. The airline security immediately summoned members of CANU and the Police Narcotics Branch, and an investigation was launched.
Prime Ministerdesignate Narendra Modi and Pakistan
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will discuss setting up a secret diplomatic channel to manage any crisis that may erupt between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, official sources have told The Hindu.
The two leaders, who are scheduled to meet for the first time on Tuesday, will also discuss using backchannel diplomacy to address sensitive issues such as cross-border terrorism.
Islamabad announced on Saturday that Sharif would travel to New Delhi for the
swearing-in of India’s new Prime Minister, in response to an unprecedented invitation from Modi to leaders of
the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation states. It also announced the release of 150
men, held after straying into Pakistani waters, as a goodwill gesture. The Pakistani Prime
discuss the issue, an official source familiar with the talks said.
Friday’s attack on the Indian consulate in Herat in north-western Afghanistan strengthened Sharif’s belief that a personal meeting with Modi was important to pre-empt future terrorismrelated crises, the source said.
Minister is also expected to invite Modi to visit Pakistan.
Sharif’s acceptance of the invitation followed two days of discussion with his aides, as well as Pakistan’s powerful military.
Shahbaz Sharif, Chief Minister of Pakistan’s Punjab province and Sharif’s brother, also met with Pakistan’s military chief, General Raheel Sharif, to
Prime Minister Singh and President Pervez Musharraf had begun using secret diplomacy in 2005, using retired diplomats Satinder Lambah and Tariq Aziz to explore a resolution of the Kashmir dispute.
The Hindu had first revealed that the two diplomats had come close to an agreement, but the mechanism fell into disuse after General Musharraf was swept out of power.
Kashmir is not expected to be addressed in Tuesday’s discussions. (www.thehindu.com)
Murder accused Kwabena Barker, also known “Alex Barker”, was on Wednesday released after a jury found him not guilty of the murder of his ex-wife and proprietrix of Alpha Hotel Roselaine Pearl Hall.
It was alleged that between January 30 and March 13, 2008 at Yarrowkabra, Barker murdered Hall.
Hall, a US citizen, disappeared on January 30, 2008, reportedly after leaving a hairdressing salon in the city. Six weeks later her decomposed remains were found near Yarrowkabra, off the Soesdyke/ Linden Highway.
The decomposed remains of a female, wrapped in blue tarpaulin, was discovered in the vicinity of Yarrowkabra on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway dressed in clothing identified as those worn by the missing Alpha Hotel owner, Roselaine Pearl Hall, the day she was last seen. The body was discovered by workers in the area about one and a half miles off the Linden Highway.
Ironically, Hall had come to Guyana to manage the guest house business owned by her father Byron Dick after he was gunned down outside his home in 2003. Dick was the original owner of all of the Alpha Hotel outlets.
At the preliminary inquiry at the magistrates’ courts a couple years ago, many questions were raised about the involvement of the husband Romeo Rockerfella in the murder.
Hall had filed for divorce shortly before she was murdered and Rockerfella stood to, and did, inherit a large share of Hall’s estate of over $80 million.
At the trial in the High Court, Justice William Ramlall found after conducting a “voir dire” (or a trial
within a trial) that the state had not satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the caution statement taken from Barker should be admitted into evidence.
Attorney representing Barker, Charles S Ramson Jr, said that “the exclusion of the caution statement in this case was critical”. Ramson Jr went on to say that in charging and prosecuting Barker alone for this murder, a very unusual situation had occurred.
“The prosecution wanted us to believe part of the statement, that is, that Barker was involved in the plan to commission of this murder but disbelieve the other part that Rockerfella was the mastermind of this plan.” It was revealed at the preliminary inquiry that Rockerfella had been questioned by the Police and released without charge.
After the exclusion of the caution statement, the State submitted that it had no further evidence and Ramson Jr made a no-case submission and the jury returned a not guilty verdict.
The case had attracted the attention of the FBI, as Hall was a US citizen and samples of the body had been sent for DNA identification. That evidence, however, had never been tendered by the State in the preliminary inquiry.
Forty Hotel Tower
workers on Saturday took to the streets in front of the establishment protesting the decision by the company to abruptly close its operations, and for not paying them.
“We want we money, all of we money...lock out with no pay,” the workers shouted in protest, calling the action by the hotel’s management an injustice.
Speaking to Guyana Times, Clerical and Commercial Workers Union (CCWU) representative Lynette Taylor said the employees were summoned to a meeting on Friday afternoon, where they were told that the entity will be closed and they would not be paid.
“He just tell us he ain’t got money to pay us and he closing the door for six weeks.... I don’t know if that’s in the law, but that don’t work here in Guyana... I working here 22 years now and I want my money,” an angry Taylor said.
According to the union representative, the new management of the hotel seems to be uncertain about the future of the establishment.
She said on several occasions, the manager, whom she referred to as “Mario”, gave conflicting reports on
the way forward.
Meanwhile, the manager of the company’s flagship Flame Restaurant, Theresa DaSilva related that the union had instructed the workers to return to work on Saturday; however, when they reported for work, the doors were “chained”.
“What this administration wants us to do, you can’t terminate my service just like that because of a blackout situation... we need to be paid,” said the manager, pointing out that there was no advance notice of the closure.
Another staff member who spoke with Guyana Times on the condition of anonymity, said when she approached one of the hotel’s manager about her salary, she was told, “I gon try and see wuh I could do fuh yuh.”
“We are going to stand up here every God day until we get our money,” the woman insisted, adding: “We can’t go and tell Courts and GPL, Hotel Tower lock up the door and they knock me off and I ain’t get money.”
Amid the protest outside the building, Guyana Times attempted to go inside to get a comment from management, but was put out by a security guard.
President Donald Ramotar and four Ministers of Government were among other Guyanese recognised by the Guyana-Cuba Friendship Association for fostering relations between the two countries, at the Guyana-Cuba Friendship Association’s launch this evening at the Cuban Embassy on High Street.
President Ramotar received a token of appreciation, while Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, Health Minister Dr Bheri Ramsaran (in absentia) and Public Service Minister, Dr Jennifer Westford were also presented tokens.
President Ramotar recalled that it was the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) that first estab -
lished relations with Cuba, when the country was seen as an outcast, years before diplomatic relationship was established between Guyana and Cuba in 1972.
“When we came under enormous pressure (to remove the PPP government from office in the 1960s,) when there was horrible destabilisation of our countries, when racial riots were instigated and the anti-communist reached its height, it was via Cuba that we got oil from the Soviet Union,” he stated.
Ramotar said it was the PPP that was instrumental in forming the GuyanaCuba Friendship Society to popularise and decriminalise the mentality that people had of Guyana.
Regional policymakers and other high-level officials will gather in St George’s, Grenada, on Monday for a discourse that is aimed at placing the spotlight on the value of statistics to regional development.
Top Government officials and other regional and international stakeholders will participate in a highlevel advocacy forum on statistics that ultimately aims to position statistics as a critical component of decision-making and citizen empowerment.
It also aims to call attention to the necessity for investment in the field.
The forum is organised by the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Secretariat. It is supported by international and regional development partners such as the Partnership in Statistics for Development in the TwentyFirst Century (PARIS21), the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Barbados, and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).
The sec ond of its kind, the forum is an ticipated to be an in tense one-day activity. It will begin with a keynote address by Grenada's Prime Minister, Dr Keith Mitchell
and a feature address by CDB Operations Officer, Social Sector Division, McDonald Thomas.
Other speakers at the opening session will be Caricom Secretariat, Programme Director for Statistics, Dr Philomen Harrison; Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD),
Mohamedou; UNDP Regional Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean Chief Crispin Gregoire; and European Union (EU) Delegation, head of cooperation, Ewout Sandker.
Following the opening session, panel discussions will be held to explore issues such as Government investment in statistics; the status of statistics, including challenges in the field, strategy and initiatives; and how the community could move forward to anchor statistics in its development programmes.
The data revolution and what it means for the sustainability of Caricom member states will also be discussed. That discourse would be set against the background of a report from a high-level panel of eminent persons on the post-2015 Development Agenda. That report called for a data revolution for sustainable development with a new international initiative to improve the quality of statistics and information available to citizens. It also focused on the need to take advantage of new technology, crowd sourcing and improved connectivity to empower people with information to achieve goals.
relate.
Opposition Leader David Granger would have achieved much more if he had brought a more comprehensive and genuine motion before the 65-seat legislature to address the public’s concerns about Police excess and reported acts of torture.
Granger’s motion, which calls on President Donald Ramotar to establish a Commission of Inquiry into “widespread” reports of torture, is seeking to limit the investigation to 2006-2013. The motion fails to establish any real cause for the inquiry because of its failure to show how “widespread” these acts of torture have been.
It is clear that Granger’s motion is aimed at seeking political mileage from the suffering and frustration faced by victims of alleged acts of Police torture and excess. The experiences, whether real or exaggerated by these victims, should not be used as a means of mustering political support.
One must question whether Granger is genuinely concerned about reforming the Police Force, because it was his party that rejected the comprehensive proposals brought by Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee to address this very issue.
Strangely, Granger did not see the need to expand the period of the probe as an act of winning unanimous support from Government for the proposed inquiry. As a historian, one would expect that the Opposition Leader would see the need for addressing the issue of torture in a holistic manner.
Is he willing to deny the charges that Police excesses and “widespread” reports of torture were at the highest peak in the 1980s and under the rulership of his mentor, former President Forbes Burnham. Or is he of the opinion that reported acts before the 2006 to 2013 period are of a lesser importance in arriving at the truth?
Granger must have been advised that there are remedies and institutions that are capable of investigating and punishing, those officers who are allegedly involved. A simple challenge in the courts would result in relief, especially if the situation is as widespread and glaring as he sought to
This is not the way to effect change with a dynamic and complex law enforcement agency like the Guyana Police Force. Undermining the integrity of the entire force because of isolated incidents of torture or Police excess and the sometimes one-sided and scandalous reports which appear in the media, is ill-advised.
Granger ought to have played an integral role in providing more support for the troubled Police Force and should re-issue a call for the recommendations of the 2003 Discipline Forces Commission to be stringently implemented and adhered to.
The Opposition Leader should have been advised to make a team of legal counsels available through his political party to fight for justice for the very same men whose names he called in parliament. He would have shamed the Police and exposed the extent of their inadequacies and would have also forced the Government to act. He would have gained the support of the masses and would have extracted more political blood from the ruling party.
He could utilise some of the monies that would come from the sale of land belonging to the party to represent these citizens whose constitutional rights are being violated. Or the high powered legal team that represents him would take the moral high ground and offer their services free of charge in the name of “social justice and human rights”.
Granger’s motion has been unmasked and he has set his political party against the Police. President Donald Ramotar is not likely to support the motion and will surely not cause an Inquiry to be established unless the terms of reference are changed and the scope as well as period for investigation widened.
Granger has lost another political battle because of poor advice, a poor motion and a lack of desire to compromise in the interest of those who he appeared to be trying to represent.
His association now with endemic failure in achieving change through the National Assembly is clean and clear as day.
A22-year-old mother of a nine-day-old baby boy is at wits end after her child was kidnapped on Saturday.
The mother Sandra McLean, called “Pinky”, had given birth to her third child and was making preparations for the child’s Ninth-Day celebrations in keeping with Hindu rite.
The child’s father Ravikan Bisnauth has not seen his son as yet, in keeping with religious beliefs, and was eagerly anticipating the moment when he could finally cuddle his son and start bonding with him. He was in a state of shock on learning of the kidnapping.
The birth of the child has not yet been registered, nor has an official name been given to him, but he was called “Avinash” and “Avi”.
His mother was with the kidnapper, a woman whose name was given as Bibi Khan, at the Port Mourant Market.
Khan reportedly told McLean she wanted hasser and insisted that she go and buy it for her while she (Khan) keeps the baby.
The mother returned after purchasing the fish, but did not see Khan nor her baby.
She searched the entire market frantically to locate the woman and her child, but to no avail.
Weeping uncontrollably, the young mother told Guyana Times that she got to know Khan while experiencing labour pains a few days ago.
She said it all started on May 14 when she was at the Skeldon hospital.
While there, McLean said she saw a woman in “khemar”, who was enquiring for someone named “Sandra”, but amid the pain, she even forgot her own name, even her call name “Pinky”.
The mother said she did not see the woman again, but saw her when she gave birth on May 16.
Mclean said Khan came over to her bed and said she likes her baby and wanted to lift and play with him, but said before she does that, she has to “buy” the baby as is traditional. She then placed the money under the baby’s blanket and proceeded to lift the baby and play with him.
The young mother said Khan told her that the baby was very lucky and repeated it several times, but she did not become suspicious, as she trusted the woman.
Home visit
According to Mclean, she did not see Khan again until Friday when the woman showed up at her Number 60 Village home and again requested to play with her baby.
This time, the mother said, Khan paid $5000 to again “buy” the baby and she declined, but the woman persisted, saying she will not play with the child until she (McLean) accepted the money.
At this point, the mother said the woman told her family that her name is Bibi Khan and she is from Nikerie, in neighbouring Suriname,
The Friendship Society which in later years floundered was two years ago replaced by the Guyana-Cuba Friendship Association.
Today, the two countries have over 40 years of the relationship between them built on the solid foundation of dynamic political dialogue, warm mutual respect and productive cooperation.
A visit by former President Bharrat Jagdeo to Cuba and meeting with former Cuban Leader Fidel Castro led to the signing of a bilateral agreement for Guyanese to pursue scholarship
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studies in Cuba and return as professionals in the fields of medicine, engineering and agriculture.
Cuban Ambassador Julio Gonzalez spoke of Cuba’s struggles, its historic partnership with Guyana and on the eve of Guyana’s 48th Independence Anniversary, the Ambassador pledged the continued support to Guyana on behalf of his Government.
Ambassador Gonzalez expressed Cuba’s willingness to strengthen the bond of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
and was staying at a hotel in Skeldon.
McLean related that Khan told her family she bought a lot of stuff for the baby. “A whole suitcase,” Mclean related.
The woman then left but returned on Saturday morning and hurriedly asked the mother to dress the baby for the NinthDay celebrations, indicating that she is going to buy some things for the infant.
The young mother said Khan showed so much care for her baby that she decided to go with her.
They proceeded to Rose Hall Town where she went to Imran and Son General Store, but when they got there, Khan asked the mother to wait outside as she has some business to transact.
According to McLean, when the woman came
out a few minutes later, she told her that she got through and again told her that her baby was “lucky”.
This newspaper enquiredfrom the proprietor of the store and was told that the woman did enter
the premises, but looked around and left.
They then went to a Chinese store, but Khan refused to enter, and asked the mother to go in and see what she wanted, while she keeps the baby.
The mother related the she noticed that the woman’s demeanour changed and she seemed edgy and impatient.
The young mother related that the woman then asked her to buy her some hasser, while she waits outside with her baby and she did, but when she returned, the woman was nowhere to be found.
McLean said she searched the entire market and after she could not locate the woman nor her child, she went back to Imran and Son General Store, and was provided with an image of the woman taken from their
surveillance camera.
The matter has been reported to the Whim Police Station and an investigation has been launched.
McLean said she believes that the woman wore the Khemar to disguise herself. The kidnapper is believed to be in her 50s and wears glasses.
The young mother is fearful that the child might end up in the hands of an “obeah” practitioner.
As word spread of the kidnapping, there were several reported sightings of the woman with the baby, but up to press time, no major breakthrough was made.
The family is asking for anyone with informati on on the woman to contact the nearest Police station.
President Donald Ramotar has hailed the opening of the Confucius Institute at the University of Guyana as another example of the close and valued relationship between Guyana and China.
The President noted that the relationship has been productive in politics, engineering, economics and culture.
Explaining that the new facility will serve to inform Guyanese, the President said that the theme of enlightenment holds special significance for Guyana, as it did in the time of the renowned philosopher and teacher whom it is named after.
“The historians tell us that Confucius lived in a society characterised by warfare and politics of fierce rivalry, sounds familiar? But on many occasions, his wisdom, diplomacy and moral influence managed to prevail in conflicts and disputes.”
The teaching of Confucius can educate the world about relations between nations and can counsel in human and international relations, President Ramotar added.
He recalled that from the first arrival of Chinese indentured labourers in 1853,
when they were recognised as hardworking, adaptable people and civilised, it was the beginning of a rich contribution to Guyanese nationhood.
He added that Guyana has had a long history of distinguished Guyanese of Chinese lineage such as its first President Arthur Chung and Parliamentarian and Educator Rudy Luck.
the university contains four courses, comprising a three-year programme.
Fully accredited
and Confucius Classrooms around the world.
It also provides resources to Confucius Institutes and Confucius Classrooms in support of teaching and learning Chinese language and culture. It is the official Chinese language teaching and cultural centre, as well as Chinese-related information centre in Guyana.
Contributions to the business sector were noted by the President as was the fact that they provided UG’s first two scholarships for students.
With regards to politics, he noted that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government has always had a close relationship with the country’s Communist Party. In brief remarks, the
Chinese Ambassador Zhang Limin said the institute will serve to inform and promote his country’s culture, and thanked all of those who made it a reality. The Ambassador also handed over a quantity of books to the institute.
Chinese Director, Professor Jan Yuhua and UG’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Jacob Opadeyi made remarks at the launch.
There were cultural performances and a Taichi display by students, Crystal Crawford, Subraj Singh, Keiona Callait, Nadine Jalill and Mariah Perry.
The programme offered through a new faculty of
The programme is fully accredited and is available as part of the degree programme, he added. There are currently 272 students enrolled and this number exceeded what was initially expected due to the trend of less persons electing to study foreign languages.
This has put great pressure on available classroom space and the lecturers. These include Chinese Director Ma Toa, Tie Zhiya and Peng Zhe, who conduct classes in languages and the Taichi Martial Art. In addition to attracting immigration officers and members of the public service, Chinese nationals who speak other dialects and wish to learn standard Mandarin are taking up studies.
The Confucius Institute is a joint venture with UG, Dalian University of Foreign Languages and Hanban. The latter, Hanban, the Office of Chinese Language Council International, is affiliated with the Chinese Education Ministry and serves as the Confucius Institute headquarters. It sponsors Confucius Institutes
By January of 2012, there were 322 Confucius Institutes and 500 Confucius Classrooms in 105 countries/regions.
Confucius (551-479 BC) was a Chinese teacher, editor, politician, and philosopher of the Spring and Autumn period of Chinese history.
The philosophy of Confucius emphasised personal and governmental morality, correctness of social relationships, justice and sincerity. His followers competed successfully with many other schools during the Hundred Schools of Thought era, only to be suppressed in favour of the
Legalists during the Qin Dynasty.
Following the victory of Han over Chu after the collapse of Qin, Confucius’s thoughts received official sanction and were further developed into a system known as Confucianism.
There should be no attempt to legalise the use of marijuana in Guyana given the negative and debilitating impact such a decision could have on the country’s socio-economic development.
Guyana and any move to legalise the herb would be detrimental to Guyana.
He explained that 23 out of 25 persons at the rehabilitation centre are there because they are addicted to marijuana and crack-cocaine.
He further explained that the addiction to these substances is an across the board problem affecting a lot of Guyanese.
“When these men come here is after they would have lost everything to drug and alcohol abuse, everything, their homes, their wives and their children, everything… that is when they realise that they have a problem and need help, if they don’t recognise they have a problem and need help, then we can’t help them, they must be willing,” contended the
This is the view of Narcotics Anonymous Chief Counsellor Steve Sookraj, who has endorsed the position adopted by the Government of Guyana on the mounting calls for the drug to be legalised in Guyana and the Caribbean.
Sookraj’s stance is in sharp contrast with the views of several scholars and professionals, who believe that there is much benefit that could be derived from the legislation of the drug.
As a matter of fact, Caricom has initiated dialogue and a Special Committee to look at the matter with a view of understanding the impact such a move could have on the region.
But the Chief Counsellor is standing his ground as he called on local and regional legislators and governments to think about the concomitant challenges that could be faced if marijuana was made legal.
“So, they legalise it and say this man is only allowed to smoke at x time; when he gets home, what happens when the child sees that? Are those the types of role models we want for our younger generation?” Sookraj asked, adding: “If the child see’s the father smoking, more than likely the child is going to smoke too.”
Speaking with Guyana Time at his Kingston, Georgetown office, Sookraj explained that marijuana continues to be one of the leading cause of addictions in
The report finds that marijuana is “gaining global prominence” as a medicinal substance and called on regional governments to immediately allow its use, but with prescription.
Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee in January had restated that the Government has zero-tolerance with respect to marijuana legalisation.
He said the administration will continue to pursue persons found with the illicit drug in their possession because of the fact that it is still illegal in Guyana.
“It remains illegal here and up until those change, we will actively pursue those who cultivate and supply it.”
Chief Counsellor. Recently, regional researchers have found that decriminalising marijuana and exploring its use for medicinal purposes could aid in boosting the region’s sluggish economy.
Competitive advantage
The experts said the Caribbean already has a competitive advantage with marijuana cultivation, noting that Jamaicans have piloted the way forward with the launching of a company that produces therapeutic and cosmetic products derived from the marijuana plant.
Jamaica’s Health Minister recently stated he was “fully on board” with plans to implement the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes.
In September 2013, St Vincent Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves had written, calling on Caricom for a discussion on the medicinal and other uses of marijuana.
The report from the Cannabis Reform Collaborative, which began reviewing drug laws in the British island territory in December, concluded that prosecutions for non-violent offenses related to marijuana are overwhelming the criminal justice system and disproportionately target non-white and immigrant populations.
It called for phasing out penalties for marijuana possession and eventual legalisation for people 21 and older.
CAPRICORN
(Dec. 22Jan. 19)
You are due for a change of pace. Find a challenge that is uncharacteristic of you, and take part. Your enthusiasm will ensure that you have a wonderful time.
(Jan. 20Feb. 19)
(Feb.20March 20)
Don’t let the upheaval around you dominate your mood. You will be faulted if you take sides, so remain neutral. Pleasurable distractions will be the best way to resolve discord. Any opportunity that allows you to use your vivid imagination must be seized. Your unconventional outlook and myriad of creative skills will result in increased recognition.
(March 21-April 19)
Don’t hide your feelings. If you value the friends and relatives in your life, let them know what is on your mind. Show your true colors and work hard to resolve past issues.
(April 20May 20)
Friends or relatives will provide you with important information. Your employment opportunities are greater than ever, but you will have to keep your emotions under control if you want to get ahead.
(May 21June 20)
Negative feedback may daunt you. If you know in your heart that what you are doing is right, don’t be dissuaded by pessimism. Do what works best for you.
By Bernice Bede Osol
(June 21July 22)
It’s not much fun to sit on the outside looking in. Find an organization or group that inspires you, and join in. It’s a great way to start meaningful friendships.
(July 23Aug. 22)
It’s time to do something that pleases you. Let the people who demand the most fumble along without you, and you will be more appreciated in the future.
(Aug. 23Sept. 22)
Fulfill your curiosity about unusual places, people and cultures. Read up on areas of interest, or consider attending a cultural event. The more you see, the more you’ll discover. Consider altering your lifestyle.
(Sept. 23Oct. 23)
Remember, there are people in your life who look up to you. Abandon any bad habits that may influence others. Your self-image will improve if you devote time to making positive changes.
(Oct. 24Nov. 22)
Your concern for others is greatly admired. Now is the right time to go full speed ahead toward your dreams. Your tenacity and hard work will lead to victory.
(Nov. 23Dec. 21)
Elderly relatives will appreciate any time you can spare. A visit from you could make someone’s day. A conscious effort to do something good will bring you peace and satisfaction.
Gareth Bale helped Real Madrid make history and achieve "La Decima" as they finally overwhelmed arch-rivals Atletico Madrid in a compelling Champions League final in Lisbon.
The emphatic scoreline after extra-time does no justice to the drama that unfolded at Estadio da Luz as Atletico stood moments from winning the trophy for the first time only to end exhausted and well beaten.
Diego Godin capitalised on an error from Real's veteran goalkeeper
Iker Casillas to give Diego Simeone's newly-crowned La Liga champions a firsthalf lead, one they protected with fierce intensity until 90 seconds from the end of five minutes of stoppage time when Sergio Ramos headed in Luka Modric's corner.
Atletico wilted visibly after that and Real ruthlessly completed the job of becoming the first club to claim the trophy 10 times in the added period.
Bale, who had wasted earlier chances, headed in from an acute angle after goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois blocked Angel Di Maria's
shot with 11 minutes left. This was effectively the match-winning moment.
The Welshman kept going despite not being at his best and this was the sort of contribution that he and Real had in mind when he made his £86m move from Tottenham last summer.
Substitute Marcelo
added a third with a shot Courtois should have saved before Cristiano Ronaldo salvaged something from a disappointing personal performance, scoring his 17th goal of this Champions League campaign from the penalty spot after he was fouled by Gabi.
It was all too much for the combustible Simeone, the game ending amid chaotic scenes when he raced on to the pitch to confront Real's Raphael Varane.
In contrast, the calm figure of Real coach Carlo Ancelotti was able to enjoy his own place in history alongside Bob Paisley, joining the former Liverpool manager as the only men to win the trophy three times as a coach having previously secured the crown twice with AC Milan, and twice as a player. (BBC Sport)
Dall the contro-
first time it will be played under international quality floodlights.
and for the
Beharry further indicated that all arrangements are already in place for to-
day’s event, which is been held as part of the county’s 48th Independence celebrations.
Four exciting matches are planned for the day with Berbice ‘A’ taking on Berbice ‘B’ from 11:00 hours in the first game.
Three hours later, the Georgetown Cricket Association will play BK East Coast Jaguars. The winners will battle in the final from 19:00 hours under lights for bragging rights, trophies and cash incentives.
Prior to the final, Oldenhoff Carriers and D’Edward of West Berbice will clash in the lone softball match.
Proceeds from the competition, which is a collaborative effort of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) and the Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Development Association, will go towards charitable organisations, such as cricket clubs, orphanages, schools and health-related activities, among others.
B y R ajiv B isnauth
Over 70 of the country’s top horses will be in action today when the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), stages its grand horse race meet at the Rising Sun Turf Club, Arima Park, West Coast Berbice.
The meet will be held in collaboration with Rising Sun Turf Club and is part of the country’s 48 Independence anniversary celebrations.
According to coordinator, Dennis DeRoop, 73 entries are confirmed for the seven-race card. Some of the top jockeys from Canada, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, U.S.A. and Barbados are expected to compete with their local counterparts from noon.
The organisers have also added a substantial amount of cash and other attractions to the day’s activities, totalling over $6 million.
The ‘A’ Class event will be the feature race over 1400 metres and will see the horses gallopping for a first prize of $1 million.
There is a newly introduced event for horses classified D3 and Lower for a winning take of $500,000 and trophy over 1400 metres.
The Three-year-old Guyana and West Indiesbred animals will be racing for a top prize of $400,000 over 1400 metres.
Incentive for the winner in the F1 and Lower 1400 metres event is also worth
$400,000.
The G3 Class 1100 metres race will see the winner taking away the $300,000 first prize and trophy.
Racing fans will see the top ‘I’ Class horses racing over 1100 metres for a top prize of $200,000 and trophy, while the J1 Class horses will sprint over 1100 metres for a winner’s prize of $180,000 and trophy.
Battle of equals
Meanwhile, Score’s Even will return to competitive racing and will do battle with seven other animals in the feature race.
Jack in my Style, California Strike, Got To Go, Run Nana Run, Treacle, Rock Movie Star and Toro Rosso are the other animals listed to participate alongside Score’s Even.
Score’s Even from the DeRoop’s racing stable was denied entry in last month’s Guyana Cup Fever, which had subsequently led to a legal challenge mounted by its owner, Dennis DeRoop.
DeRoop had moved to the courts to challenge a decision made by the Guyana Cup Fever organisers to disqualify Score’s Even from participating in the event, after they had refused to register the horse, claiming that the event is not for ‘A’ Class animals.
More so, the principal concerns that led to the decision to debar Score’s Even from participating in the Guyana Cup Fever, was the fact that other horse owners had threatened to opt out of the race meet, citing unfair competition, because of the pedigree and experience of Score’s Even.
Race time is noon and admission to the venue is $1000 for adults. Parking is free, while programmes cost $200 each. The race meet will be run under the rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority, according to the organisers.
Meanwhile, Trophy Stall of Bourda Market, Hadi’s City Mall and 241 South Road and Bourda Street, on Friday donated the Champion Jockey, Stable and Trainer trophies.
Chennai Super Kings had already qualified for the playoffs but following three consecutive defeats the fight for second place got tougher. Having failed to defend 185 in their previous game against Sunrisers, MS Dhoni decided that chasing was the way forward. Dhoni was an integral part of the chase, finishing the formalities with an unbeaten 49 while Faf du Plessis was the mainstay with 54.
The electric start provided by Super Kings openers du Plessis and Dwayne Smith cut the target down to size very early on. Super Kings rocketed to 53 in the Powerplay, with both batsmen taking 18 off a Mitchell Starc over as the captain Virat Kohli shuffled his bowlers to restrict the openers. Smith fell to a soft dismissal in the fifth over, but with a strong platform in place, Super Kings could afford to build steadily and look
Bangalore T20 innings (20 overs maximum)
RR Rossouw b Nehra 1
YV Takawale† lbw b Ashwin 19
VH Zol b Sharma 13
V Kohli* b Nehra 73
Yuvraj Singh c Raina b Jadeja 25
AB de Villiers b Nehra 10
S Rana not out 5
MA Starc not out 2
Extras: (lb-2, w-4) 6
Total: (6 wickets; 20 overs) 154
Fall of wickets: 1-2 (Rossouw, 0.5 ov), 2-31 (Takawale, 4.5 ov), 3-33 (Zol, 5.4 ov), 4-88 (Yuvraj Singh, 13.6 ov), 5-130 (de Villiers, 17.4 ov), 6-150 (Kohli, 19.2 ov)
for singles instead.
At one stage, Super Kings had gone 38 balls without a boundary as Royal Challengers spinners bowled with greater control. But it didn’t disturb Super Kings’ flow as they were always comfortably placed to chase the target. Dhoni broke the boundary drought when he swept Yuzvendra Chahal down to fine leg.
NBoth Dhoni and du Plessis enjoyed reprieves though. Du Plessis, on 33, went down the track to Chahal and the ball brushed his glove and then lobbed off the pads before wicketkeeper Yogesh Takawale claimed the catch. The fielders were confident but the umpire turned down the appeal.
Extras: (b-4, w-1) 5
Total: (2 wickets; 17.4 overs) 160 Fall of wickets: 1-57 (Smith, 4.2 ov), 2-85 (Raina, 9.3 ov) Bowling: SB Jakati 3.4-0-410, R Rampaul 2-0-21-1, MA Starc 3-0-33-0 (1-w), YS Chahal 4-0-24-0, S Rana 1-0-7-0, Yuvraj Singh 4-0-30-1
Bowling: A Nehra 4-0-33-3 (1w), S Badree 3-0-29-0, R Ashwin 4-0-33-1, MM Sharma 3-0-161, SK Raina 4-0-27-0 (1-w), RA Jadeja 2-0-14-1 (2-w) Chennai T20 innings (target: 155 runs from 20 overs) DR Smith c Kohli b Rampaul 34 F du Plessis not out 54 SK Raina st †Takawale b Yuvraj Singh 18 MS Dhoni*†not out 49
Takawale had himself to blame though when he missed an easy stumping off Dhoni, on 15, as the ball slipped between his legs and rolled for four byes. Dhoni took 22 off that over from Yuvraj Singh, hitting two towering sixes and after that, Super Kings knocked off the remaining 22 off just 10 balls.
Royal Challengers in the end were short by plenty. They dropped an out-of-sorts Chris Gayle and went with the experimental opening duo
of Rilee Rossouw and Yogesh Takawale. The ploy didn’t work as Royal Challengers lost their top three for 33 and it was down to Kohli and Yuvraj to practically build from the start. Yuvraj made a start, got to 25 before he holed out to deep midwicket.
Kohli went on to score his second fifty of the tournament, but unfortunately for Royal Challengers, he found his touch a bit too late in the competition. (Cricinfo)
o level of commendation is high enough for the National Basketball Association (NBA) in the United States for dealing swiftly and condignly with Donald Sterling,owner of the Los Angeles Clippers basketball team,for his despicable racist comments. Within days of the airing of the recording,NBA Commissioner Adam Silver had launched an investigation, and once the voice on the recording was determined to be that of Sterling,Silver imposed the most draconian penalty under the NBA’s constitution.
In the recording posted on a website, Sterling questioned his girlfriend’s association with minorities and asked her not to broadcast her association with black people or bring black people to his games.
The NBA did not only ban Sterling for life,but went even further and fined him a mammoth US$2.5 million, thereby underscoring its abhorrence of the kind of views which,unfortunately,some Americans still hold. Further, Silver has since announced that the league’s board of governors will vote to remove Sterling as owner of the team,as outlined by the NBA constitution. According to reports,most of the league have come forward to publicly support Silver,which means that he should have no problem getting the three-fourths majority vote—or 22 team owners— at which point Sterling will be FORCED to sell. Several celebrities, including Oprah Winfield,Floyd Mayweather Jnr.,Oscar De La Hoya, and “Magic” Johnson have already indicated their interest in acquiring the Clippers.
Incidentally, Sterling,a property owner,was sued by the U.S.government in 2003 for discrimination in housing. The lawsuit in federal court in Los Angeles accused him of telling his staff to rent to Asian tenants,but not to black or Hispanic people.
What is particularly disturbing about Sterling’s comments,is the fact that the Clippers team comprise predominantly African-Americans who, by dint of their performances, would have contributed to the team’s rise in value from $12 million in 1981,when Sterling bought the team,to $575 million by January 2014; this is manifested by a surge in the Clippers’ popularity in recent years.
Additionally,TV ratings for Clippers’ games on Prime Ticket,the American regional sports network, surged by 55% last year and commanded the fifth biggest audiences in the NBA. Moreover,the Clippers have registered the two best regular-season performances in franchise history over the last two years. It is therefore very easy for one to imagine how demoralising and devastating Sterling’s remarks have been for the team.
Sterling’s behaviour also reveals that the US still continues to grapple with its past of slavery, racial discrimination and segregation,despite the enormous progress made in race relations. As President Obama,himself a living testimony to such progress, said in his reaction to the controversy: “ The United States continues to wrestle with the legacy of race and slavery and segregation,that’s still there,the vestiges of discrimination.” He added, “We’ve made enormous strides,but you’re going to continue to see this percolate up every so often.”
The latest development in the controversy,is that the NBA has formally charged Sterling with damaging the league with racist comments and has scheduled a hearing for June3, subsequent to which team owners could vote to remove him as owner of the Clippers.
Specifically,according to the NBA,Sterling’s remarks have undermined the NBA’s efforts to promote diversity and inclusion; damaged its relationship with fans; harmed NBA owners,players and Clippers personnel,and impaired the league’s relationship with marketing and merchandising partners,as well as with government and community leaders.
Whatever the outcome, the NBA’s swift,condign response and that of other decent,right-thinking individuals, would have sent a powerful message to Sterling and others of his ilk, that there is no place for racial bigotry in sport,nor in any other field of endeavour,for that matter.
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There were 321 runs in 34.2 overs, and it was hard to say by the end of it if there had been more runs off the middle of the bat or its edges. There were dropped catches, run-outs, run-outs arising from dropped catches, and, in the middle of all this, a mad dash to make up a netrun-rate deficit. For most part, the match had been a comedy of errors, but by the time it ended, it was a genuine Twenty20 classic.
Kolkata Knight Riders needed to chase 161 to beat Sunrisers Hyderabad. They needed to do it in 15.2 overs to pip Chennai Super Kings off second place, and get two shots at reaching the final. When Yusuf Pathan walked in, they needed 106 from 47 balls. He was dropped before he had scored a run. He was dropped again when he was on 15. Neither was a difficult chance. And then, out of nowhere, it all came together for him. Till today, Adam Gilchrist had held the record for the fastest IPL fifty. It had come off 17 balls. When Yusuf mowed Dale Steyn over deep midwicket for the fifth six of his innings, he had reached 50 in 15 balls. He took 26 off that over - 4, 6, 6, 4, 4,
Hyderabad T20 innings (20 overs maximum)
DA Warner b Morkel 4
S Dhawan run out
(Pandey/†Uthappa) 29
NV Ojha† c & b ten
Doeschate 26
Y Venugopal Rao run out
(Pandey/†Uthappa) 27
DJG Sammy*c Shakib Al Hasan
b Vinay Kumar 29
S Anirudha st †Uthappa
b Shakib Al Hasan 3
JO Holder run out (†Uthappa/ Vinay Kumar) 16
KV Sharma not out 5
Parvez Rasool not out 0
Extras: (lb-13, w-8) 21
Total: (7 wickets; 20 overs) 160
Fall of wickets: 1-5 (Warner, 0.2 ov), 2-69 (Ojha, 7.6 ov), 3-89 (Dhawan, 12.2 ov), 4-121 (Venugopal Rao, 14.6 ov), 5-127 (Anirudha, 16.3 ov), 6-155 (Holder, 19.3 ov), 7-155 (Sammy, 19.4 ov)
Bowling: M Morkel 4-1-321 (2-w), R Vinay Kumar 4-032-1 (1-w), SP Narine 4-0-19-
0, UT Yadav 3-0-32-0 (1-w), RN ten Doeschate 1-0-7-1, Shakib Al Hasan 4-1-25-1
Kolkata T20 innings (target: 161 runs from 20 overs)
RV
The Running Brave Athletic Club recently returned from the Hampton International Games, which was held in Trinidad last weekend, with 18 medals to boast about.
The club, which has some of the top junior athletes in the country, captured seven gold medals, seven silver medals and four bronze medals.
Some of the top per-
formances included Avon Samuels, who outclassed the field in the Girl’s Under-16 400 metres, trumping the field by approximately 15 meteres to win in 55.77s.
Jevina Sampson was also among the winners, taking the Girl’s Under-18 400 metres in 55.72s, while her clubmate Natricia Hooper, who also took silver in the triple jump, finished second with a time of 57.25s.
Natrena Hooper trumped her little sister Natricia to win gold in the triple jump with a leap of 12.12 metres, while the smaller Hooper recorded a distance of 11.79 metres.
Meanwhile, the club’s next outing will be at the Inter Guiana Games trials scheduled to be held today at the Guyana Defence Force ground, Camp Ayanganna.
Weeks of training and verbal exchanges will boil down to actions on the field when a pumped up Media XI face the Georgetown Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association (GCU&SA) in a feature 20/20 game at the world famous Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground, Bourda.
Both skippers- Calvin Roberts of the Media XI and GCU&SA’s Arleigh Rutherford- on Saturday afternoon boasted of their respective team’s readiness for the highly anticipated encounter, which will bowl off at 10:00 hours.
Roberts said his players are fully focussed on the task ahead, following intense training under the expert guidance of former First-Class batsman and England ODI player, Monte Lynch.
The Media captain pointed out that Lynch was able to work on several areas with the players, mainly batting and fielding drills.
Roberts said the Media lads will be coming full throttle at the umpires and scorers, promising nothing less than a victory on Monday.
Rutherford echoed similar sentiments, adding that his players have been hard at training over the past two weeks, fine-tuning several aspects of their game.
He highlighted that allround strength of the team, boasting a blend of solid batsmen, capable fast bowlers and quality spinners.
Admission to the venue is free and members of the public are invited to witness the game.
The Media fraternity wishes to thank Lifetime Realty,
Trophy Stall, P&P Insurance Brokers, Western Union, Christopher Matthias and the management of Georgetown Cricket Club for their tangible support in making the match a reality.
The Media squad reads: Calvin Roberts, John Ramsingh, Sean Devers, Daniel Singh, Ravi Persaud, Avenash Ramzan, Rajiv Bisnauth, Esan Griffith, Duncan Saul, Clifton Ross, Ishaka Jackman, Kizan Brummell, Reuben Stoby and Keon Blade.
The GCS&UA reads: Delvin Austin, Ryan Banwarie, Shannon Crawford, Nigel Duguid, Zaheer Mohamed, Javed Persaud, Daniel Richmond, Trevor Ritney, Arleigh Rutherford, Colin Stuart, Mikoowanyah Yosef-Yisrael, Hortence Isaacs and Edward Bowen.
Melanie A and Beterverwagting A will be vying for one remaining spot on the national playoff when they contest the highly anticipated final of the East Coast leg of the Guinness Greatest of the Streets football at the Haslington Market Square Tarmac.
In the first semi-final, played in front of another large crowd on Wednesday night, Melanie A defeated last year’s runnersup Victoria Church Yard United 2-0, while semi-final two produced a solitary goal with Beterverwagting B needling Melanie B 1-0.
Apart from being $400,000 richer by virtue of winning the competition, the teams are fully aware that victory will also guarantee them a spot against seven other teams from Georgetown and Linden in the national playoff this weekend.
The winner of the national playoff will be Guyana’s representative at the Guinness Caribbean Street Challenge on June 6-8 in Trinidad and Tobago.
It is against this background that the teams are slated to bring their A game on what would be the final night of the East Coast
Players battle for possession during one of the semi-finals on Wednesday last champions Eagles, runnerup Retrieve Unknowns and winner of the third place playoff, Scheme.
competition. The organisers would also hope to once again attract the same level of crowd support they’ve had so far, with patrons flocking the venue to witness the 16 teams in action.
The champion team from tonight will join Georgetown zone champions Queen Street- Tiger Bay, runner-up Stevedore Housing Scheme, third place finisher Hope StreetTiger Bay and fourth place Albouystown B.
The Linden teams are
The Inter Guiana Games (IGG) track and field trials will be held today at the Guyana Defence Force ground, Camp Ayanganna, from 10:00 hours.
The meet will be used to select the team to compete at the IGG, which is set for later this year on home soil after being contested in Suriname for the past two years.
Some of Guyana’s top juniors will feature in the event as they look to repre-
sent their country at the trination event, which is set to be even more intriguing this year with the possibility of French Guiana re-entering the fold.
Juniors such as Carifta triple gold medalist Cassey George is expected to participate along with Carifta 400 metres bronze medalist Jason Yaw.
The first two finishers in each event will likely qualify for the team which will have both male and female aspects to it.
Organisers of the Independence 10/10 softball cricket festival were forced to shelve today’s grand day/night event after the Guyana Police Force refused to give the necessary permission for the event.
Guyana Times Sport was informed on Saturday by chief coordinator Abel Seetaram that the police have cited the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) grand horse race meet, which is also scheduled for today, the reason permission was not granted.
However, the organisers are not too happy with the police’s last minute decision. They indicated that they will incur a great degree of losses as a result of the last minute refusal by the police force to provide security for the event.
To this end, the organisers have decided to re-
schedule the event for June 1 at the Number Five Community Centre ground, West Berbice.
According to the coordinators of the event, the competition will see over $200,000 up for grabs and is open to teams across Guyana. The one-day tournament will be played on a knockout format with the quarter-finals, semis and final being played under floodlights.
It was also disclosed that spectators can expect lots of side attractions, including cheer leaders, one-manband, dancers, tassa and African drumming, steel pan music and much more. There will be cash and trophies for the winning team, runner-up, third place and the man-of-the-series. The man-of-the-match in the final, best bowler and best batsman will also receive trophies.
OThe meet will be held in collaboration with Rising Sun Turf Club and is part of the country’s 48 Independence anniversary celebrations. According to coordinator, Dennis DeRoop, 73 entries are confirmed for the seven-race card. Some of the top jockeys from Canada, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, U.S.A. and Barbados are expected to compete with their local counterparts from noon.
After
A cheque valued $60,000 was
to the organisers by Administrative Assistant of the BBCI, Bibi F. Alli.
In photo, Alli presents the cheque to a representative of the organising team, Shabeer Baksh.