Guyana Times International

uyanese artiste and entertainer Lisa Punch was warmly welcomed by President Donald Ramotar when she paid a courtesy call on him on Wednesday at the Office of the President, GINA said. She was accompanied by her parents and Manager Mary Brown. Punch described her meeting with the president as very fruitful and encouraging. She said that she was inspired by President Ramotar to continue representing Guyana and making all Guyanese proud. Punch recently participated in US television network, ABC’s reality show `Rising Star’ and sang at the recent Guyana Festival.

Govt blasts UG’s Vice Chancellor for threats to “shut down” university

“He should ask the Opposition why they cut the budgetary allocation for student loans” – Finance Minister

inance Minister Dr Ashni

FSingh has dismissed threats by University of Guyana (UG) Vice Chancellor, Dr Jacob Opadeyi to shutdown the university as reckless and premature.

Dr Opadeyi at a press briefing on Wednesday warned that if the Finance Ministry does not signal its approval for the disbursement of student loans, the university will temporarily freeze operations.

“I believe the Vice Chancellor should know the matter is currently engaging the consideration of the Cabinet. Instead of making reckless and irresponsible threats, the Vice Chancellor would be better advised to ask the Opposition why they cut the budgetary allocation for student loans in the 2014 Budget,” Dr Singh said.

During the consideration of the 2014 National Budget, the Gy$450 million which was budgeted by Government for the Student Loan Fund was disapproved after it was lumped with items the Opposition deemed objectionable.

By June, the Finance Minister had moved to the House with a Statement of Excess on the Current and Capital Estimates totalling

Gy$4.5 billion for the period ended June 16. This sum had included Gy$225 million for the Student Loan Fund.

But his decision to spend the disapproved funds has now landed him before the Committee of Privileges.

A high level of uncertainty surrounding students’ ability to access loans currently exists, even as the Loans’ Department remains mum on the situation. Dr Opadeyi said the nonresponsiveness from the Loans Department and by extension the Finance Ministry could trigger a total shutdown on both campuses at Turkeyen and Tain, as he alluded to Plan B.

“We will close down UG for

a year, because if we have no student who can pay fees, then we will have no student to teach and then we will have the liabilities of lecturers who will have to receive salaries every month. So it will just be useful to just shut down for six months or three months,” he said.

The Vice Chancellor told the press briefing at the Education Theatre, Turkeyen Campus in the presence of the Registrar Vincent Alexander, Bursar Holda Poonai and acting University of Guyana Student Society (UGSS) President Joshua Griffith, that this is the next best alternative.

He made this announcement during a press confer-

ence at the Education Lecture Theatre, Turkeyen Campus in the presence of the Registrar Vincent Alexander, Bursar Holda Poonai and the acting Student Society President Joshua Griffith.

The Vice Chancellor explained that when contacted on Wednesday about 13:30h, the Student Loans Office was unable to give definitive answers, saying that it was awaiting instructions from the Finance Ministry.

“I am the CEO”

According to him, if a favourable response is not given by the second week of the new Academic Year 2014/2015, the university will be closed, until

funding can be made available to students. Questioned whether the “Plan B” was in keeping with the initial “Plan B” agreed upon by the Council, Dr Opadeyi in response said, “I am the CEO.”

Although 40 per cent of the student population acquired loans in the last academic year, this per centage is expected to skyrocket with the increase in tuition fees that will take full effect come September. Based on this analysis, the Vice Chancellor said it will not be financially viable to operate the university with just those students who can afford to pay cash. “This is not a cake shop,” he lamented.

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EDITORIAL

When elephants fight

There is an old African saying that whether elephants fight or make love, the grass suffers. When applied to the international state system, fights or alliances between the “big” powers are usually to the detriment of smaller nations. However, in the present face-off between the Western and Russian elephants, there might be an opportunity for some smaller nations to improve their condition.

It started with Russia taking sides with separatists in Ukraine seeking to resume their unification that was sundered only a couple of decades ago. In the larger scheme of global affairs, this was not surprising since during the long period of unity as the USSR, there had been a heavy influx of ethnic Russians into the Ukraine.

In the Eastern part of that country abutting Russia, as in the Crimea, they were actually the majority – hence the referendum during the Ukraine turmoil, which successfully reincorporated it back into Russia.

Even though, the Cold War between the US and the USSR was supposed to have ended with the dissolution of the latter; tensions had remained as Russia under Putin sought to reassert itself – at least with the countries along its borders. The US had pushed its allies in the European Union to take a harder line against Russia as the situation in the Ukraine “deteriorated”.

After Ukranian separatists downed a South Korean passenger jet last month, evidently using Russian-supplied surface-toair missiles, the EU decided to make amends and squeeze the Russians by cutting off Russian Banks’ access to their capital markets, trade in arms and technologies in deep-water and Arctic oil drilling. The US, in what was a clearly orchestrated move, “followed suit” by also denying the Russian banks access to its financial institutions. These sanctions were to last for “three months”.

From the onset of the imposition of these sanctions, there were questions about their blowback on the economies of the EU and the US, since their trade in the restricted areas with Russia was very significant.

However, what was unexpected was that Russia would in turn, impose its own sanctions – which it did last week by banning for 12 months, the importation of foodstuff such as beef, pork, fruits and vegetables, poultry, fish, cheese, milk and dairy products, not only from the US and the EU but also some of their closest allies such as Canada and Australia. It also prohibited use of its airspace to flights from these countries.

Apart from the shock of the Russian move, the actual cut-off in imports has already began to bite the EU’s economy, especially its agriculturally dependent southern members, which never fully recovered from the 2009 financial meltdown that plunged them into a recession. But there will be three further damaging repercussions from the Russian gambit.

Firstly, the surplus created in the food-producing EU countries will soon drive down prices for the banned items and the rest of the world will benefit, while they will suffer.

Secondly and more significantly, most of the smaller and not so small countries that will pick up the slack to supply Russia with the banned items, should be able to maintain these markets and deepen their productive capacities. Latin America will definitely benefit and if Guyanese poultry producers had used their decade-old tariff-protected status to become more efficient rather than making monopoly profits, they could have also enjoyed this new opportunity.

Lastly, Russia will also be using the opportunity to incentivise its local producers which could not compete with the entrenched and more efficient producers in the west when its markets were “liberalised”. All of these moves will have profound effects in the evolving world order.

Jamzone beauties

A US Congresswoman's charge

Take on mantle of national leadership and excellence, Yvette Clarke tells NCU graduates

MANDEVILLE, Manchester: United States Congresswoman Yvette Diane Clarke delivered a clear message to over 900 graduates of the Mandeville-based Northern Caribbean University (NCU) on Sunday.

Clarke told those who will enter the job market soon, that the challenges of the new millennium were considerable, and suggested that they had a responsibility to make a difference to the development of the nation, as a path was paved for them to be able to access the opportunities.

"To the young scholars here present today, note that you have been uniquely educated and positioned to take on the mantle of the next generation of national leadership and excellence. This day, highly anticipated, never ever to be duplicated, worthy to be celebrated, was but a dream of our predecessors. Your presence here today was pre-determined by a people whose wealth was immaterial but whose faith was worth more than gold," she said.

Clarke was speaking at the

first of two commencement ceremonies at NCU where she was conferred with the Honorary Doctor of Public Service.

Her understanding of national issues stems from her Jamaican and American heritage, and as such she identified herself as a "Jamerican".

Clarke's mother Una ST Clarke was born and raised in St Elizabeth and is a former City Council member in the United States.

"Prior to being elected to the US House of Representatives, Clarke served on the New York City Council representing the 40th District in Brooklyn. She succeeded her pioneering mother, making them the first mother-daughter succession in the history of the Council," said her profile.

Sporadically interspersing her presentation with Jamaican creole, she urged the graduates to lend their expertise to impacting serious issues which remain unresolved not only in Jamaica but globally.

Clarke noted a system of injustice of income inequality within and between nations and the impact of global cli-

mate change on Small Island Developing States among the concerns that she felt needed to be addressed.

For her part, she said that as a leader of the Caribbean Congress in the United States House of Representatives she has worked to strengthen and build upon the connections and linkages that bind the United States and Jamaica.

She said that the persons in the Caribbean caucus also feel a special responsibility to reform the United States Immigration Laws.

Clarke said that there are millions of first and second generation immigrants and their descendants who are interested in investing in Jamaica and that interest should be developed into action.

Other honorees at the graduation at the Northern Caribbean University were businessman Antony Keith Edmund Hart who was the recipient for the Honorary Doctor of Commerce, and retired ministers Cecil Roy Perry and William A Kirlew; the Honorary Doctor of Religion and Theology Degree.

Guyana, US finalise agreement on LEAD Project

BY MICHAEL YOUNGE

After months of stalemate and controversy, the Government of Guyana has finally agreed to the full implementation of the International Republican Institute (IRI) managed USAID Leadership Education and Democracy (LEAD) Project.

Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon, speaking during a joint press conference with the US Charge de Affairs Bryan Hunt, said that a mutually acceptable agreement has been reached, which puts to rest the concerns Government had over the initial design and implementation of the project.

He said Government was keen, from the outset, on ensuring that Guyana and Guyanese were not robbed of the opportunity to exploit the benefits that could be derived from the project.

Dr Luncheon advised that discussions have led to the development of a regime of measures that removed the ambiguity and uncertainty that loomed over the intentions of part of the project.

Robust governance

Asked by Guyana Times International whether Government was still “iffy” about the involvement of the

IRI given its own track-record in other democracies, Dr Luncheon said Government had done all that it could have done to ensure that enough governance mechanisms were in place via the project’s content and implementation phases to avoid the surfacing of any negative concerns.

“A fairly well established process contributes enormously towards allaying fear from one side and concerns about the use of fear on the other side. We are in a situation where you might say the proof of the pudding is in the eating, but we have a robust

regime of governance mechanisms by which this project would be judged, evaluated and monitored,” he insisted.

Hidden agenda?

Hunt dispelled the perception of many that the US had some hidden agenda behind implementing the project, which was marred by controversy since its announcement.

“The LEAD Project will be able to stand as a model of collaboration and innovative development assistance for democratic governance…. The programme can now embark on its important work of facilitating conversations and undertaking activities that will hopefully yield to consensus and collaboration between all stakeholders that serve Guyana’s national interest.”

“It will provide tools, international expertise and opportunities to help facilitate conversations on activities of national interest,” he said.

Hunt went at length to explain to media operatives that the project would not engage or provide assistance to political parties and their representatives in any shape or form. “While we may engage with people that have roles in Guyana’s political parties, our intention is not to provide support or direct engagement under LEAD with political parties,” he said.

- two Guyanese crew members missing;

two rescued Surinamese fuel tanker sinks off Corentyne Coast

The Guyanese captain of a Surinamese-owned fuel tanker vessel is missing, but two crew members were rescued by a Venezuelan fishing vessel that responded to a distress call Tuesday afternoon, sources said.

"There were four crew members on board; two were rescued while the other two are missing. Search and rescue efforts are ongoing to locate the two missing crew members," said Guyana's Maritime Administration (MARAD) in a statement.

Feared drowned is Captain Rickram.

MARAD said that about 9 O'clock Tuesday night the Guyana-

registered Motor Tanker Swift Dolphin reportedly capsized off the coast in the vicinity of the mouth of the Corentyne River. It was proceeding from Paramaribo, Suriname to Georgetown, Guyana.

Other sources said the ill-fated vessel, MV Swift Dolphin, sank about 30 miles off the Corentyne Coast.

The captain and crew are all Guyanese. Sources said that the two crew members were still aboard the Venezuelan trawler that responded to the distress call. One of the crew members goes by the name, Leon.

A Guyanese cargo boat was Wednesday afternoon sailing to the area where MT Swift Dolphin sank.

Police charge Queens-based Guyanese man for allegedly stabbing wife to death

Police have charged a man in connection with the death of a 23-year old woman.

According to New York police, US-based Guyanese Nazir Khan stabbed his wife Amarita Khan, also from Guyana, to death on Hone Avenue in the Bronx last Saturday evening.

Police say they found Khan's wife unresponsive with multiple knife wounds on her body.

Khan was arrested at the scene. He is facing murder, man -

slaughter, and criminal possession of a weapon charges.

Both Khan and his wife live in Queens and people who knew them are shocked by what happened.

"That's a very good guy, yeah. I can't understand what really went wrong," one neighbor said. "He a nice, quiet nice guy and that's about it. I have no complaints about that guy."

Neighbors in Jamaica say the couple had two children.

EU to provide new funding to counter organised crime and drug trafficking in the Caribbean

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM:

The European Commission will provide additional funding for the Airport Communication Project (AIRCOP) to disrupt the illegal networks that are disseminating drugs and other illicit products through smarter, more effective, well-connected and intelligence led counter-narcotic activities of participating airports. Its purpose is to strengthen detection, interdiction and intelligence capacities in several countries in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.

European Commissioner for Development, Andris

Piebalgs, said: "Organised crime, drug trafficking and the damage that they bring are a global problem that requires a strong and coordinated response. Criminal organisations are responding to the success of coordinated law-enforcement agency efforts, with new smuggling methods. Therefore it is important to continue our collective efforts to counter drug trafficking and protect people in the European Union and countries where illicit products are produced and transported.”

The AIRCOP programme has established Joint Airport Interdiction Task Forces (JAITF) in participating

international airports and connected them to international law enforcement databases and communication net-

works to promote intelligence and information sharing between services at national and international level. This includes encouraging real time transmission of information when illicit shipments are intercepted, as well as an intelligence-led approach to countering drug trafficking. The project also organises national and regional trainings as well as joint operations.

So far, thanks to the AIRCOP project more than 355 kg of cocaine were seized, as well as 127 kg of methamphetamine, 1120 kg of cannabis, 4 kg of heroin, 1400 kg of counterfeit drugs and 450 kg of ivory; 112 people were arrested.

Trafficking in drugs is one of the major sources of revenue of organised crime. Not only is it a threat to public health, but it also poses a serious threat to peace and stability, undermines economic and social development, and contributes to crime and insecurity.

Along the so-called cocaine route, from the countries in the Andes through the transit countries in Central America, the Caribbean, West, South and North Africa, to Europe, the drug trade feeds into and supports organised crime in all its aspects; exacerbating extreme violence, instability and the chronic weakening of state institutions.

The AIRCOP project was launched in 2010 and so far the European Commission has contributed almost €8 million. The newly announced funding of €3 million is for the third phase of the project, which will last until the end of 2016. The programme is implemented by The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL).

The Latin America and Caribbean countries currently participating are the Dominican Republic, and Panama. (Caribbean News Now)

Mining auction, lottery are fair game

The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) said that the current auction and lottery of mining blocks is fair and transparent and clarified that every effort was made to ensure that lots with Geological Surveys information are

equally shared for both the lottery and auction.

Small miners have complained that all of the mineral-rich lands are being snapped up by medium- and large-scale miners at the current auction and they are left with next-to-nothing blocks during the lottery

phase of the exercise.

But in a statement issued on Wednesday, the GGMC said that the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) has been actively pursuing the early allocation of new mining lands via the process of lottery

and auction.

This, the Commission said, has led to the ongoing lottery and auction being held with each having 1000 blocks of land, 1200 acres in size, that will be allocated; a total of 2000 blocks and 2,400,000 acres.

Further, the GGMC said the hosting of the auction and lottery is done to ensure that mining lands are continuously made available to miners so that gold declaration levels can be maintained to promote the development of the sector and the country.

“These auctions and

lotteries are a common occurrence and are done under the Closed Area Committee Regulations which was enacted to ensure that the process of allocation of cancelled lands is as transparent and fair as possible.

According to the GGMC, a minimum starting bid of Gy$60,000 is set for every block, but bidders are then free to competitively bid for a block based on the potential that the block has.

The reason that the blocks are being placed on auction is due to the high cost associated with exploration and geological surveys and the auctions offset some of those costs.

“For the auction and lottery this year, every effort was made to ensure that all stakeholders can have access to lands.

“Each of the 2000 blocks was numbered and every even-numbered block was placed in the auction and oddnumbered blocks in the

lottery.

“This mechanism ensured that not all blocks with geological information would have been auctioned and gone to the highest bidder. Therefore, blocks with geological information would be scattered within the auction areas and within the lottery areas, thus giving all persons equal opportunity to access those lands,” the GGMC explained.

The Commission said it is cognisant of the fact that persons with financial means would be able to bid higher than others.

However, this is to be expected given the nature of an auction.

“It would be unfair to state that the auction was geared towards the large miners when every effort was made to ensure that small miners have equal opportunity in accessing land. In a similar vein to the auction, the Commission will be holding a lottery on August 18.

No change of heart concerning Local Govt elections

Dear Editor,

Let there be no confusion, the Leader of the Opposition, Brigadier David Granger never said that he has had a change of heart concern-

ing the holding of Local Government Elections, as reported by one section of the media. The Leader of the Opposition and A Partnership for National

Unity are resolute in our stand that after almost two decades the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration must set a date as soon as possible for Local

Government Elections to be held.

The PPP/C has prompted the motion of no-confidence and it is something that is definitely urgent and some-

thing that needs to be attended to. This however does not create for us a preference or any change of heart.

Local democracy and the constitutional right

of the people to elect their leaders at the municipal and neighbourhood level must be upheld. Sincerely, Office of the Leader of the Opposition

Fishing and logging in Guyana

Dear Editor,

I wish to state openly that I am a great respecter of the Chinese people and of China. I believe that China will be a great world super power and that this era belongs to the Chinese. I see India as the next, then Brazil.

I believe and advise our Government to be careful in that the Chinese, due to their population, are extremely aggressive, and while humane, have enormous needs to satisfy. They have massive hunger for raw products and resources to satisfy their industries, diet and ambition.

Licence for fishing: it is

said that the Government of Guyana is considering providing this licence. It is one I disagree with. The Government of Guyana is saying the licence is for fishing of certain species of fish that we do not use. It will be impossible to monitor their factory ships, in large-scale harvesting, and maybe in devastation of the marine creature in the ocean.

I can actually image their ships scooping all living creatures floating, swimming, under the oceans and even resting on the sea beds, and then processing them by freezing and instant canning. The filth and waste is always

dumped in the oceans.

They will take the ones we usually use and the ones we do not. They have already proved that they cannot be trusted to keep their word, nor follow protocols established.

I do not mean they are bad people, but just that they have such an enormous need due to their population and its constant growth, and they do largescale exports of food and non-food items.

In the end, the licence fees will do little or nothing for us. We must protect our resources for future generations, and if any, encourage the Chinese to open up factories in Guyana, for

processing of products, not for the exporting of our raw materials, be it fish, meat, farm products, logs, whatever. Let them open factories in Guyana and process them for exports, called value added products.

The Government of Guyana has to be very careful, while we are in need of finance, and international friendship and support, we cannot fritter away our resources. We have ourselves to think of and our future generations. If the Government of the day wastes away our resources, they will be cursed in generations to come.

Logging: it is done for two things basically – for

profitability and for looking after their interest, while providing some services, aid and loans to help the nations whose resources are depleted.

If the Government cannot place the mechanisms and control in place, then the combined Opposition has to, and I will encourage them, even support them. They will always find ways to circumvent the laws.

I repeat that I have nothing against the Chinese people. I have no complaints with their business acumen, investment potential and opportunities, as they see opportunities in areas and things many Guyanese or

Caribbean people tend to frown on. I respect them for this. The discipline and dedication in their business should be sources of inspiration to us.

I am warning the Government of Guyana, and I can warn them, as they are my Government, and hence, servants of the people of Guyana that voted in Guyana. Do not waste away our resources with people who have enormous appetites for food, any kind, and hunger for resources, our precious and dear resources, which we need for many generations to come!

Sincerely, Roshan Khan

Despite setbacks Guyana’s economy continues to perform well

Dear Editor,

As our country makes rapid strides in its economic development, more overseas-based Guyanese and foreigners are also making visits to the “Land of Many Waters,” or to the “Land of the Mythical City of Manoa Del Dorado.”

Foreigners are attracted by the good prospects of investment – our country is endowed with an abundance of natural resources – as well as with the awesome natural beauty, including the stupendous Kaieteur Falls.

Despite the utterances of socialist rhetoric sometimes, Guyana hasn’t got a “control and command” economy any more. Its growth is guided by sound economic principles of the free enterprise system where market forces, for the most part, dictate supply and demand.

To the ordinary Guyanese, this is perhaps best reflected in the operations of the airline industry. For example, when there is more than one international airline carriers, prices tend to drop sharply.

When Dynamic Airlines began its inaugural flight a few months ago, it announced that the economy return airfare would be $499 and that pressured Vision-Travel Span to lower their fare to $499 for a while.

Prior to Dynamic Airline inauguration of re-

turn flights to Guyana, the cost for economy return airfare was about $680 and even more. Unfortunately, that competition didn’t last too long.

Dynamic Air encountered logistical problems and had to suspend operations until August 2014 just after a few flights. The immediate impact has been a steep rise in airfares to over $600. The price movement in the airline industry clearly illustrates the importance of competition in a free enterprise system.

It’s because of the free market system that Guyana has been making such good progress, averaging about five per cent annual growth rate over the last decade. The economic system has brought into existence an ever expanding middle class, which further propels growth.

Studies elsewhere have shown that the middle class is the engine of economic growth. New fourlane roads are being constructed, new sea defences, new bridges, new schools, new hotels and houses are being built, and new businesses are being established.

Over the 20-year history of the “Freedom Index,” Guyana has advanced “its economic freedom score by 10 points.” This overall increase has been achieved by enhancements in seven of the 10 economic free-

doms, notably the management of public spending, freedom from corruption, and monetary freedom.” Guyana’s economy is the 121st freest in the 2014 Index. There is still much more work to be done here.

And yes, “Guyana is and remains the best performing economy in the Caribbean, outshining every single economy in the Region,” despite the tremendous loss over the past decades of skilled manpower due to net migration.

But economic growth does not suggest an elimination of poverty and unemployment (which is at 11 per cent). There are still pockets of poverty in various regions. It is estimated that over 20 per cent of the Guyanese population live below the poverty level.

The Government has a social impact amelioration programme to neutralise the harsh effects of poverty and it has also been increasing spending on the social services. The low inflation rate of 2.4 per cent also helps to ease the pressure. It’s true that the cost of living is high and many lower income families find it hard to balance their budgets.

And many can only accomplish this task with the remittances they receive from relatives overseas. It has been estimated that Guyanese remit over US$300 million annually to Guyana. The injection of this sum plays a huge part

in the country’s economic growth, too.

Detractors of the Government point to a few apparent negative offshoots of development, that is, the prevalence of corruption, drugs and crime. However, it must be recognised that these negative forces have to be reduced and controlled.

When important funds are siphoned off into the pockets of racketeers, this does not only divert resources from much needed projects and causes (hurt-

ing especially the poor segments of the population), but also, taints the image of the country. Crime terrorises people; makes them anxious about their physical safety; and discourages investment and tourism.

Drug trafficking has become a huge problem in Guyana. There have been several drug busts in Guyana and also at the high seas. In a 2012 report, it was stated that 103.6kg of cocaine (valued at $93 million) and 111.5kg of

cannabis (valued at $20 million) were seized by the Guyana authorities. One of those measures, according to Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, that could reduce the drug trade is the implementation of the “AntiMoney Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Bill.” Rohee claims that drug trafficking is linked to money laundering, drug running, etc.”

Respectfully, Dr Tara Singh

PM Kamla agrees to 3 amendments to controversial bill

Despite the lack of support from Congress of the People (COP) MPs—Winston Dookeran and Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan— the Government’s controversial Constitution (Amendment) Bill was passed with amendments in the Lower House at 4.04 am yesterday and is expected to be debated in the Senate later this month.

The Government only requires one Independent senator’s vote for the bill to be passed in the Senate. This was indicated yesterday by government officials after marathon debate on the bill and its contentious runoff poll proposal. Debate began at 10.30 am Monday and ended early yesterday morning, with the two COP MPs breaking People’s Partnership (PP) ranks in voting against the bill.

Winding up debate around 3 am yesterday, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said Senate debate will provide a built-in delay on the bill and further consultation, including checks and balances.

“So it’s not all done today. Senate will take up the next step and the debate will continue. First

the Lower House will decide on this, secondly the Senate will decide and thirdly the people will decide,” the PM added.

Persad-Bissessar added three amendments to the bills to cover concerns expressed in the debate. PP officials said the Senate debate may be around August 26, allowing time for more discussions, and the Senate will debate other bills next Tuesday. Speaking around 5 am yesterday, Attorney General Anand Ramlogan said Government only required the vote of one Independent senator in

the Senate to pass the bill, adding he believed Government will obtain the necessary support.

Yesterday, People’s National Movement (PNM) Senate leader Camille Robinson-Regis said:

“We will continue to oppose the bill in the Senate. We noticed one amendment was made— on the appointment of a leader whose party has won 21 seats—which was what we had sought to prevent, any sleight of hand. “However, we are still concerned the Constitutional Reform Committee asked that

ple’s wishes.”

Amendments

• Make it clear the President has power to appoint as prime minister the leader of the party with 21 and more seats after election.

• Allow a threeday timeframe for the Elections and Boundaries Commission to eliminate mischief and verify signatures in applications to recall MPs.

• Limit the number of recalls in a constituency.

suggesting joint select committee consultations but was “disappointed” and would seek an audience with the PM on it in the future.

nothing be done until public comment was received and this still needs to be done since people didn’t get to examine the bills.

“Also, we are concerned the CRC recommended T&T should retain the first-pastthe-post system and Government has moved away from the report.” Robinson-Regis added: “We trust the Independents will do their duty and vote in accordance with the peo-

Former COP leader Dookeran, speaking around 9.30 pm on Monday, said he was “tormented” on his choice as he felt the runoff poll was troubling and if he voted for it, his major concern was he would be voting against proportional representation, which he favoured.

Dookeran said he could not wait for the Prime Minister’s promised PR bill, since he would be buying “cat in bag.” He felt the runoff would deny access to democratic rights and was the most dangerous part of the proposal. He said he told Cabinet colleagues of his concerns in a five-page document

PNM MPs encouraged, applauded and thumped their desks in approval as Dookeran spoke, urging him to “take back the COP.” Speaking after 2 am, Seepersad-Bachan, while congratulating the PM and Ramadhar for taking steps towards reform, said more consultations were necessary and the runoff poll would get rid of third parties. She said it was a direct counter to the PR system and asked what was wrong with saying the PP had erred and would return to consultation. She also received PNM support. Douglas, at 2.30 am, congratulated the PM for allowing a conscience vote but proposed putting “the whole thing on hold” or removing the anxiety-causing runoff proposal. He too urged more consultation, saying people needed to understand the issues, or would become suspicious, and should be involved in lawmaking.

St Vincent PM rejects Economic Citizenship Programme

KINGSTOWN, St Vincent:

Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, is adamant that his administration would not allow a citizenship by investment programme (CIP) in that country. He described the initiative as superficially attractive and expressed doubt about due diligence being conducted by countries offering that path to citizenship, according to a report published by CMC.

Gonsalves told CMC that the downside outweighs whatever money collected as due diligence would be an issue, one OECS country has already taken the lead and others coming later are unlikely to get the same results.

St Kitts and Nevis has generated billions in investment through its CIP established in 1984 and amended in 2006 to include money paid into the Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation (SIDF). The country’s real estate investment option costs US$400,000 per single applicant while the SIDF requires US$250,000 per single applicant. Several local attorneys, accountants

and businesspeople are accredited to offer a service under the CIP but the process is completed by the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) in the Office of the Prime Minister.

Dominica has a decades-old CIP that requires US$100,000 per single applicant.

Antigua and Barbuda recently issued its first passport under the CIP.

The Antigua and Barbuda programme mirrors the St Kitts and Nevis CIP in some respects: There is a National Development Fund option for US$250,000; a real estate investment option of US$400,000 and then there is a minimum investment of US$1.5 million directly into an eli-

gible business as a sole investor or a joint investment involving at least two persons in an eligible business totaling at least US$5,000,000 and each of those persons individually invest US$400,000.

Saint Lucia’s government is also exploring its options for a CIP.

St Vincent and the Grenadines faces the same persistent challenges as other countries in the OECS, including a highly indebted economy, low productivity, the constant threat of natural disasters and the need to attract direct foreign investment. But apart from expressing his disdain for the CIP, Gonsalves publicly cast doubts on existing due diligence practices in the region, according to the CMC report.

Caribbean countries are not the only ones offering CIPs. The United States and Canada also do the same. The US offers a path to citizenship for a US$1 million investment in a US business employing at least ten people or US$500,000 in designated economically depressed areas. The investor can apply for residence in two years and citizenship in five. (Caribbean News)

Guyanese diplomats briefed on country’s foreign policy push

The biennial Conference of the Heads of Guyana’s Missions overseas opened on Monday at the Guyana International Conference Centre with President Donald Ramotar calling on them to be “advance scouts” for Guyana’s development.

The President also commended their work in representing Guyana in the international community.

According to a release from the Foreign Affairs Ministry, President Donald Ramotar in his discussions with the heads spoke at length on specific global developments which struck at the heart of international relations.

Key among these was what the President described as “the dreaded situation facing the Palestinian people and the unspeakable atrocities committed against them on a daily basis.”

President Ramotar referred to the recent attacks on Gaza which have not spared innocent lives of children, women, the elderly, sick

and maimed. He said this action was a stain against humanity and one of the worst committed against unarmed civilians. According to the release, the President reiterated that the Government of Guyana was in total solidarity with the Palestinian people who deserved the right to a homeland and an end to occupation. He saluted their heroism in facing a powerful army.

Touching on other conflict areas in the Middle East, in particular the instability in Iraq, Libya and Syria, President Ramotar commented on the growth

of extremism and the fact that events in those and other affected countries demonstrated that the imposition of any system from outside causes internal problems. Even if this helped in the change of governments, it did not contribute to the building of democratic societies. He opined that the principle of self-determination was the best guide.

With regard to the situation in the Ukraine, President Ramotar pointed out that it was necessary for both sides to engage in dialogue towards a resolution of the issue. In terms of the

dispute over the South China Sea, the President said that a peaceful solution is needed to be found through dialogue and by observing international law.

Touching on the influence of China in the world, the President paid recognition to that country’s ability to provide much needed assistance to many developing countries. He lauded the establishment of a development bank by the BRICS nations recently at their Summit in Brasilia, which offered another source of financing.

President Ramotar

informed the conference that with regard to Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, the Government will continue to ensure that unresolved issues pertaining to its borders were addressed within the context of international law and the peaceful settlement of disputes.

On Guyana’s foreign policy focus, the President said his Government will continue to preserve and extend the country’s relations with its traditional partners Canada, the US and Europe, and also expand relations

with developing countries and promote SouthSouth cooperation.

In addressing diplomatic representation, he alluded to Caricom’s call for exploring shared diplomatic space and said that Guyana should take advantage of this.

The President also acknowledged the Diaspora as a valuable asset in the development process and encouraged the Foreign Ministry and its representatives abroad to concretise policies aimed at tapping the resources and skills of the Diaspora. The Heads of Mission were fully briefed on the political and economic situation in the country.

President Ramotar encouraged the Heads of Mission to see themselves not only as executing foreign policy but also contributing to its formulation.

He further urged them to be greater “advance scouts” for Guyana’s development thrust and to continue their commendable work in representing Guyana in the international community.

Jamaica rethinks ganja laws

- No more arrests for small amounts of weed

Kingston, Jamaica:

Security Minister Peter Bunting last night announced that cops can no longer arrest people for possession of a small amount of ganja but must, instead, serve them with summonses.

The announcement came just minutes after the constabulary announced that six cops had been suspended and interdicted for their role in the beating death of 31-year-old Mario Deane.

Bunting, in a release to the media, said he was in receipt of a memorandum from the Attorney General’s Chambers, and after discussions with Acting Police Commissioner Glenmore Hinds, it was determined that the constabulary will apply the following guidelines to people charged with minor offences, such as possession of small quantities of ganja:

• Proceed by way of summons where a justice of the peace (JP) is available;

• If a JP is not available, or if the offender is unable to provide identification, or is unable to be identified by other means, he/she may be taken to a police station until identification can be verified. Once identification is verified, the person should be granted bail on his/her own recognisance; and

• If the offender is being investigated for other serious offences, persons

will be given bail with conditions, or be remanded in custody.

Bunting said the Government was committed to making the necessary policy and legislative changes to avoid the recurrence of such a tragedy.

He said he was expecting a report from Hinds by Monday on new procedures for the care and protection of persons in police custody. Bunting had issued a directive demanding the report from the Police High Command last Thursday, hours after Deane had died in the Cornwall Regional Hospital.

The suspended cops were not named, but a release from the police force’s Corporate Communications Unit stated that they were two corporals, a constable and three district constables.

A cop is paid 75 per cent of his/her salary when he/she is interdict-

ed.

Deane was arrested for possession of a ganja ‘spliff’ by cops in Montego Bay, St James last week Sunday, and was taken to the Barnett Street Police Station.

His bail was denied by a female cop after he allegedly expressed his dislike for the police.

A friend who had gone to the police station to bail him was instructed to return at 5:00 pm but grew suspicious and returned to the station at 3:00 pm, only to be informed that Deane had been taken to hospital.

He fell into a coma, never regained consciousness, and succumbed to his injuries while the nation was celebrating 52 years of Independence. The police had reported that Deane was allegedly beaten by prisoners in his cell, but the dead man’s family and community members accused the cops of lying and changing their story.

(Jamaica Observer)

Dominica police questioned after prisoner found dead in cell

ROSEAU, DOMINICA:

Four police officers are being questioned in relation to the death of Joshua Etienne, whose body was found in his cell at a police station in Portsmouth, north of here on August 5.

The four officers were detained last week after an autopsy was done on the body of Etienne, who had been arrested on August 4, for the alleged possession of ammunition.

Lawyers for the four unidentified police officers, who left the police station late on Sunday night, would not comment on the situation regarding their clients given the fact that the men had been in police custody for more than 72 hours.

Last week, Police Commissioner Daniel

Carbon described the death of the man in police custody as a “very serious incident” and “a homicide”.

“This incident where Joshua Etienne was found dead has always been treated as a very serious incident. From the offset of the investigations, we’ve been treating it as a homicide,” he said on the state-owned

DBS radio, adding “I can assure the general public that there is going to be no cover up, the investigation is going to very transparent.”

“The investigation is well advanced and I have no doubt the officers, who the investigations have identified as the perpetrators of this crime, will face justice.” (CMC)

Caricom hails Jamaica on 52nd Independence Anniversary

Caricom Secretary General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque has lauded Jamaica’s resilience and fortitude in addressing fiscal and economic challenges, as he extended congratulations on the country’s 52nd Independence Anniversary.

In his congratulatory message to Jamaica’s Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, Ambassador LaRocque also praised the country’s wealth of high achievers whose contribution, he noted, gives great cause for the theme of this year’s celebrations “This

is Jamaica, my Jamaica” to be celebrated with pride.

Jamaica observed its 52nd Independence Anniversary on Wednesday August 6.

This is the full text of the congratulatory message from Caricom Secretary General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque to SimpsonMiller.

“It is my distinct pleasure on behalf of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) to extend to you and to the people of Jamaica, heartfelt congratulations on the celebration of Jamaica’s 52nd Anniversary as an Independent nation.

“Such a celebration is all the more laudatory in the particular developmental context, as Jamaica has displayed resilience and fortitude in addressing the fiscal and economic challenges currently permeating the international and regional environment. It is to the credit of your Government that Jamaica has been able to continue on its path of economic transformation, notwithstanding these constraints to development. The community looks forward to the country’s further progress in the social and economic spheres as it proudly celebrates 52 years of triumphant freedom.

“I join with the Caribbean Community in extending best wishes for the continued advancement of Jamaica and the well-being of its people.”

“The theme chosen to commemorate Jamaica’s 52nd Independence Anniversary, ‘This is Jamaica, my Jamaica’, is fitting as it encourages and challenges the people of Jamaica to unite in pursuit of common goals for the benefit of the country they all share. Jamaica has a lot to be proud of on this 52nd Independence Anniversary. Jamaica has produced many sons and daughters whose successes have left an indelible mark on Jamaica, the Region and the world. These include poets, folklorists, writers, statesmen and stateswomen, educators, sportsmen and sportswomen, artistes and jurists. These notable persons also have inspired countless aspirants in Jamaica and beyond its shores to pursue excellence. Indeed, Jamaica has a wealth of high achievers whose contribution to the nation gives great cause for the theme of ‘This is Jamaica, my Jamaica’ to be celebrated with great pride.

Six years on, Vincentians await completion of Argyle International Airport

KINGSTOWN, ST. VINCENT:

Six years after the government announced plans to construct an international airport, St. Vincent and the Grenadines is getting ready to open the Argyle International Airport despite several missed completion dates.

However, the government is still in need of cash to finish the project, even though the Ralph Gonsalves government had secured the US$80 million that the International Airport Development Company (IADC) said last year it needed to complete the project.

The government says it is still awaiting the US$9.25 million from the sale of land to two developers in Canouan as well as the disbursement of the final EC$10 million of an EC$40 million loan from the Venezuelabased ALBA bank.

But, despite the setbacks, the government is confident that the EC$700 million (One EC dollar = US$0.37 cents) airport expected to become operation by mid 2015, will help boost the local economy, particularly the tourism and agricultural sectors.

Jamaicans

“We have had a problem where we have markets in the United States of American but we do not have the means of getting the fish to the U.S. markets in a timely manner when the fish is still fresh,” said Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Saboto Caesar, noting that the new airport, being build on St. Vincent’s east coast, will help to solve that problem.

“We want the private sector to come on board with their part in tourism, with agriculture. I continue to mention that many of our farmers in St. Vincent and the Grenadines will be benefitting significantly from the Argyle International Airport,” he said, as Cabinet ministers toured the facility last week.

Tourism, Sports, and Culture Minister, Cecil “Ces” McKie, said the international airport will open up new possibilities “for persons throughout the length and breadth of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, home and aboard.

“Possibilities in the sporting sector, in the tourism sector, in the agricultural sector, culture. The number of opportunities that are available, I want

us to enhance our positioning to capitalise on these opportunities, not just within the facility itself but also in the surrounding communities,” McKie said.

At the same time, tourism officials, based on feedback from visitors, have been urging artisan to produce smaller craft items.

“But we have to encourage them to increase their production quality and quantity so that we can have these items available to the visitors when they come in,” McKie said, noting that he is certain the hospitality industry will also benefit from the new facility.

“We are working steadfastly to complete this international airport — well I say substantial completion of this airport project — by December this year,” said Rudolph Matthias, chief executive officer of the International Airport Development Company (IADC).

Bradley Francis, chief executive officer of Franco Construction, the firm constructing the terminal building, said work commenced in January and his firm has sought an extension of the completion deadline because some changes were made to the design.

need to place more emphasis on financing education – Thwaites

KINGSTON, JAMAICA: Education

Minister Ronnie Thwaites says that education in Jamaica does not receive the level of priory it should from the general population.

The minister speaking at the Jamaica Observer Monday Exchange on funding for tertiary education said some 3,000 students last year could not get assis- tance from the Students'

TT monitoring ports to isolate Ebola virus

PORT-OFSPAIN, TRINIDAD:

Body temperature scanners will be placed at ports of entry in Trinidad and Tobago in a bid to detect and isolate anyone arriving in the country carrying the Ebola virus.

The Health Ministry’s decision to introduce the scanners is a step being taken in some parts of West Africa where the outbreak started and is quickly spreading.

The outbreak, which started in March, is the most lethal recorded.

The Ministry of Health has advised against non-essential travel to Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia. Travellers arriving from countries where Ebola was endemic are also under heightened surveillance.

The ministry said its public health emergency plans were being reviewed and updated in light of the public health concerns.

If a suspected case of Ebola were to be reported in T&T, the ministry would carry out its contingency plan ensuring

that patients are cared for in a way that reduces the potential for the disease to spread.

Health care workers are to use special personal protective equipment and patients are to be sent to designated facilities for isolation, according to the ministry’s plan.

President of the Thoracic Society of T&T Professor Terrence Seemungal commended the ministry’s effort to ensure international best practices were followed at ports of entry.

In a statement on Monday, he referred to a new study which concluded that the Ebola virus was not “spread either by coughing or sneezing.”

Th study found that “Ebola is not an airborne virus but rather is transmitted via contact with bodily fluids, such as blood, saliva, stool, urine, semen, sweat and soiled linen used by a patient.”

Seemungal explained that Ebola viruses consisted of several different virus strains, some of which caused human disease.

“Those endemic to Africa cause fever with severe bleeding with frequent fatal outcome in humans, great apes and several species of primates.”

Fruit bats, he added, were considered to be the natural reservoir for Ebola virus in Africa.

(Trinidad Guardian)

Loan Bureau (SLB) due to a lack of guarantors.

"State agencies cannot be expected to cover the full burden of tertiary education. People have to start saving; we have to get into that culture, said the Education Minister.

He added that 15,000 Jamaicans have applied for loans through SLB this year with 9,000 being returning students. (Jamaica Observer)

QC Student tops CSEC exams

By Vahnu Manikchand and nafeeza yahya

Queen’s College took back the mantle this year as its students secured most of the top positions at this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) examinations.

The results were announced on Tuesday by Education Minister Priya Manickchand as she revealed the top 52 students who secured 11 or more Grade Ones.

Securing the top spot with 19 Grade Ones and One Grade Two, is Elisa Hamilton of Queen’s College. She was followed by Skeldon Line Path Secondary School

student Bharti Bhoge and fellow QC student Larissa Wiltshire with a tie of 17 Grade Ones.

Hamilton is currently vacationing overseas; however this publication contacted her parents who were not surprised but were nevertheless

elated with their daughter’s performance. Her father Lennox Hamilton said that he suspected Larissa did well since Monday night after the school requested that he and his wife be present at the press conference for the announcement of

the results.

He noted that they did not go but stayed home and watched it while messaging Elisa, who was also watching the live streaming online. “We were texting throughout the press conference and when we

and during that time she was very traumatised as her mom was murdered. She nevertheless continued her studies and emerged victorious. Seventeen-yearold Tressyia Ketwaroo, Bhoge’s study partner and close friend also of Line Path Secondary secured 16 grade ones and one grade two to earn the number 4 spot in the country.

heard her results, I probably jumped to the roof. I was so elated and sent her a message but she already knew and said how delighted she was,” the father recalled.

According to Hamilton, the 16-yearold is a perfectionist and would have probably preferred 20 Grade Ones instead. He disclosed that Elisa has always been an overachiever and maintained good grades throughout her secondary school years.

The father said that Elisa is planning to follow the footsteps of her brother, who is a doc-

tor; as such, she will be pursuing a career in the medical field. But for now, she will be doing A Levels at QC in September while keeping her eyes out for an expected scholarship to study abroad.

Line Path

Sixteen-year-old Bharti Bhoge of Line Path Secondary secured 17 grade ones. Bhoge is currently in the United States of America on vacation with her father and siblings. When the news was conveyed to her she could not believe. She attributed her success to hard work and dedication according to her uncle who described her as a “book worm,” always studying and reading. Her efforts earned her the number two spot in the country as the second overall top student.

Her Uncle Rabindranauth Bisnauth said Bhoge lost her mother in 2010

Like her friend, she too knew she was going to do well but never expected to do so well. She related that they were looking at the television and when her name was announced by the Minister the entire household erupted with screams and tears of joy, her mom ran around the entire house before lifting her up and holding her in her arms.

The confident young lady said the results did not come as a surprise as she always strove to do the impossible. She is encouraging students who will be sitting the exams in the future to believe in themselves and read a lot.

“Many persons would not believe that Berbice can produce top in the country, but we did it, we are among the top”, she posited. She related that of the 18 subjects that she wrote she took up five business subjects off her own. She attributed her success to lots of reading and is very thankful for the support she received from her family and teachers as without their support, she could not have achieved the level of success she did. Etwaroo is aspiring to become a surgeon and will start making preparations to commence studying shortly. Meanwhile, Wiltshire, who was placed third, along with fellow QC student Lisa John are also said to be overseas. John was awarded the fifth spot with 16 Grade Ones and One Grade Two. The sixth spot was taken by Walica Deokinanan of the Saraswati Vidya

Remigrating teachers want job back … Guyana Govt mulls how to deal with breached contracts

BY ALEXIS RODNEY

Teachers who would have breached their contracts with the Government to pursue lucrative offers overseas could be considered for re-employment, Education Minister Priya Manickchand has said.

She told this publication that with a number of trained teachers returning to Guyana, her Ministry is currently working around a system which could enable them to continue teaching.

Hundreds of Guyanese teachers had taken up lucrative offers in countries such as The Bahamas, Botswana, The Turks and Caicos Islands and other Caribbean countries. However, a number of them have been returning in recent times and Government sees this as an opportunity to capitalise on their skills. The school system in Guyana is still short of qualified teachers and only recently Government has been considering hiring foreigners to teach Mathematics and Science.

Currently, the Education Ministry allows teachers who have breached their contracts, to make payments in the event they wish to return. “What we know is that teachers are re-migrating. And what is under active consideration is how we are going to deal with their contracts,” Manickchand said.

Speaking exclusively to this publication on Tuesday, the Education Minister said she is aware of close to 10 individuals who have indicated their interest in returning to the education system in the country. These are teachers who had passed through the training offered by the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), and who had left the jurisdiction without permission from the Ministry or the Teaching Service Commission (TSC).

“The rule is, you have to pay it off before you can begin teaching again”, she told this publication, while noting that the Ministry is also seeking out ways through which those rules could be relaxed, without jeopardising agree-

Many teachers, she said, are lobbying to honour this commitment while they teach. “They are asking for many things like, “please allow me to pay as I teach”, Manickchand reported.

Asked what is being done to prevent teachers from leaving the country, Manickchand explained that contracts are signed, while passports and other travel documents are stamped. She said however, that unlike previous years, fewer teachers are leaving the country.

She recalled that many Guyanese educators had left home when countries like Belize, The Bahamas and Botswana were in desperate need of teachers. That situation has improved, she noted.

Earlier in this year, questions were raised over the millions of dollars being spent on salaries for teachers, who in the past, were known to have left the teaching service. Manickchand had told the National Assembly, that although the situation was obviously a huge issue in the past, her Ministry had put measures in place to address the problem.

Guyana govt considering snap elections

People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) General Secretary Clement Rohee on Monday told the media that Government has “snap elections as one of its cards” while hinting that it might pull this card out before the debates on the Opposition’s no-confidence motion begins.

According to Rohee, in light of the no-confidence motion, the only option left with Government now is setting a date for snap elections.

“(Snap elections) remain an option under active consideration… We have that card in our hands that we can pull out on the table at any given point in time,” he said.

Questioned about some of the factors that Government will consider in calling the elections, the General Secretary said they are looking at some political and other factors, which he refused to divulge.

On the other hand, the General Secretary noted that he has been working along with the Guyana Elections Commission to iron out whatever issues

they have hanging in the air about the Guyana Elections Commission’s (GECOM) readiness and preparedness to host the elections.

He said that there has been an exchange of correspondence between himself and GECOM’s CEO Keith Lowenfield, noting that the relationship is likely to intensify over the next few days.

Rohee explained that given the dynamics of politics, GECOM’s involvement and the fact that PPP/C is the ruling party, they will leave no stone unturned to ensure that all preparations are made in the event general election is called, given the party’s experience of

witnessing the People’s National Congress’s (PNC) hand in rigging elections.

“We have a lot of experience on the role and place of GECOM in elections and we intend to invoke all the experiences, all the knowledge we have to ensure that these elections are above par,” he stated.

The General Secretary added that his party is also keeping watch on the reforms that GECOM is making, stating that they welcome any administrative or internal measures that are aimed at enhancing the process of free and fair elections in Guyana.

Rohee, in his statement, disclosed that in light of the no-confidence motion, the party’s Central Executive Committee met last week and one of the main topics on the agenda was the strengthening of the party’s electoral machinery while at the same time ensuring that both the National Register of Registrants (NRR) and the Preliminary List of Electors (PLE) are thoroughly checked by party activists.

Corpse of headless infant found, tomb vandalised

The decapitated corpse of a threemonth-old baby who was laid to rest two months ago was found outside of his tomb in a clump of bushes nearby.

The corpse was with the head and right hand. According to Fareena Ali, the mother of the deceased, the discovery was made by a relative who received a phone call about the tomb being broken.

“My uncle and some family visited the cemetery at around 20:00h and saw that [the] tomb was broken and the baby was missing, they search but it was too dark to see anything so they left and went back in the morning.”

Ali explained they were in Canje Creek when they received the news and when they got out of the area, it was after midnight, so they waited until dawn to visit the burial ground.

Upon arrival, both parents were at a loss for words and were inconsolable after they saw the mutilated body of their only son.

“When I reach the burial ground and see me son without his head, I was speechless,

them,” the grieving mother said in tears.

The infant, Yadram Rameschant called “Sanjay” of Betsy Ground Canje, died on June 22 at the Georgetown Hospital from pneumonia.

He was given a normal burial according to Hindu rites on June 25 and was dressed in a white kurta, gold jewellery with money next to him.

The mother explained that the infant

I freeze, all the life was drained out of my body. Whoever did this does not have a heart, they have no feelings and if they believe they hurt us, God will deal with

was found in his vest, diapers and all the jewellery and money he was buried with, but the kurta was missing.

The Police are investigating the matter.

APNU says campaigning machinery well oiled

With the advent of General and Regional Elections a distinct possibility in early 2015, the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) is insisting that its campaigning machinery is well oiled and hard at work, but refused to say how it will fund the operation.

Party leader, retired Brigadier David Granger on Monday refused to state explicitly whether the party was financially sound to campaign for elections.

Granger said the APNU “will continue to campaign and will continue to campaign to raise money in so doing” in response to questions posed by this publication on whether the party was financially able to commence campaigning.

Granger further posited that the APNU has commenced campaigning for polls, but the initial phases had been for Local Government Elections.

He said that given the new developments in the parliamentary

PNcr leader David Granger

sphere, the party will be using the momentum from Local Government Elections campaigning to campaign for General and Regional Elections.

Granger, who is also the leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), the largest party in the APNU coalition, had told this newspaper earlier this year that the PNCR was enjoying a “healthy financial status” going into the next General Election.

“We have regular general Councils, which means transporting delegates from all over the

country, we have employees, we pay our bills and wages, so I would consider our financial status to be healthy,” Granger said confidently.

Questions arose recently over the party’s financial status after talks got underway about its plans to sell parcels of land from its large Sophia Headquarters estate. Reports are that the party has tied up an agreement with a major company to sell the property for close to Gy$80 million. Reports are too that the party had exhausted all of its funds during the 2011 General Election.

The Alliance For Change (AFC) has submitted a motion of noconfidence against the Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration led by President Donald Ramotar. However, as of Sunday, the National Assembly proceeded into parliamentary recess and the motion will not be debated or placed on the Order Paper until the House resumes sittings in October.

QC Student tops CSEC...

Niketan, who secured 15 Grade Ones, two Grade Twos and one Grade Three. Speaking to this newspaper, Deokinanan said that she is very pleased with her performance and was dumbfounded when she was told the news by her teacher. She said that she had to make some sacrifices while preparing for exams and had to stay at home studying most of the time, but it does not matter since it has paid off in the end. Deokinanan has already begun CAPE classes at SVN.

The seventh position was taken by another QC student. With 15 Grade Ones and two Grade Twos, Varsha Boodram was very excited about her results since she did not quite expect this as some of the subjects were very challenging. The 17-year-old is planning to return to QC to do CAPE.

Taking the number 8 spot is Natasha Alladin of JC ChandiSingh Secondary. She secured 15 grade ones. When this publication visited the young lady, she was extremely happy about placing among the top performers. She explained that she was in the science stream but took on some busi-

lisa John

ness subjects as well. “I wanted the experience in the different fields so I wrote some business subjects as well. I love challenges”. The future Cardiologist thanked God, her family, teachers and friends for the support. Alladin said, the most challenging aspect of her studies was waking up in the wee hours in the morning to study. She explained that the examinations were a bit challenging but the long hours of studies paid off.

The ninth and 10th spots were awarded to QC duo, Aliyyah Abdul Kadir and Sarah Hack respectively. Kadir obtained 15 Grade Ones and was not surprised with her results. She said that she had worked hard and expected to do well, but even as she received the news of her results, it was surreal.

The aspiring doctor is looking to further her studies in the medical field abroad and is currently making preparations to do so. Queen’s College also obtained eight of the 10 spots of the country’s top performers at CAPE.

Region Two Across in Essequibo, Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary School has once again emerged as the top school for the Region Two. Bibi Areefa Mohamed of ARMS secured passes in 19 subjects with 13 grade ones and six grade twos. The Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary School also has three other students in the top 25 of the country.

Kadir said her intensive study regimes were instrumental in her studies. She will be attending Bishops to do her CAPE subjects since she is aspiring to be a lawyer and only that school offers the programme. Hack, on the other hand, secured 14 Grade Ones and two Grade Twos. The 16-year-old said that she was surprised with her results as she did not expect to do this well. She disclosed that she had heard the day before that she had done well but did not believe until it was announced by the Minister.

Former Guyanese diplomat launches book

Former Guyana Foreign Affairs

Minister Samuel Rudolph “Rudy” Insanally launched his second book “Dancing between the Raindrops- a Dispatch from A Small State Diplomat” on Tuesday at the Pegasus Hotel.

In the presence of President Donald Ramotar, Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, the Director of the Latin American-Caribbean Centre UWI Annette Insanally and Diplomats from across the Region, the retired diplomat disclosed that the book chronicles his life from the time he was recruited into the world of International Relations.

With a strong background in French and Spanish, Insanally began his Diplomatic Career as a Counsellor at Guyana Embassy to the United States at a time when Guyana gained its Independence, a position he held until 1969 before becoming the Guyana’s charge d’affaires in Venezuela in 1970.

Although reading only three chapters of the book, President Ramotar said he was blown away by the series of events captured in the book.

Before a small audience, the President said Insanally’s ability to articulate must be applauded, positing that the book is easy to read. According to the President, other distinguished citizens of Guyana should replicate the acts of the Former UN General Assembly President, not only in his writings but also in his diplomatic posture.

He recalled listening to Insanally addressing the National Assembly as the Foreign Affairs Minister, pointing out the fact as he was never heckled as he delivered eloquent presentations which spoke volume.

“They were always in depth and to the point,” President Ramotar recalled.

Insanally who served Guyana in various capacities in the diplomatic arena, described the title

as a reflection of the efforts of the local Foreign Service in the years after independence, which saw them doing a lot with limited resources. “We felt as if we were always under pressure and going from one thing to another”.

He then gave a short lecture on “Diplomacy, past, present and future” where he noted the changing protocols and move from Eurocentralism, to a more incorporated world view, with civil society and private sector representatives taking center stage amongst world leaders. He noted that new technologies, terrorism, unconventional warfare and the possibility of a third world, meant that increased diplomacy that takes account of new and emerging technologies, such as social media, was essential to ensure world peace, in the future.

Minister RodriguesBirkett in her presentation during the launch described Insanally as one of Guyana’s finest diplomats. According to her, the book would now be used as a guide to the diplomatic community.

In his earlier diplomatic postings Insanally in 1972 served as Guyana’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations before being appointed Ambassador to Venezuela with additional accreditation for Colombia, Ecuador and Peru from 1972 to 1978. He also served as the Permanent Representative to the European Economic Community and Ambassador to Belgium and although he resided in Brussels, he was Ambassador to Austria, Norway and Sweden. Additionally, he served as Guyana’s Political Division Head, Ambassador to Colombia, the President of the 48th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (19931994), Chancellor of the University of Guyana (1994-2001) and Guyana’ Foreign Affairs Minister (2001-2008).

CUSTOMER ADVISORY FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

VISION AIRLINES & TRAVELSPAN OPERATES CONTINUOUS FLIGHTS.

Vision Airline and TravelSpan extend their sincere and heartfelt apology and regret the extensive delays have caused over last weekend.

This unforeseen and debilitating delay was due to 2 of its aircrafts having mechanical simultaneously.

Our dedicated and back up aircraft’s are back in the air and has resumed services, and been operating back to back flights flying passengers from Guyana to JFK New York and back from August 10th thru August 14.

Vision Airlines has assured that passenger safety and satisfactions is their # 1 goal and that all flights going forward will be on schedule.

We have worked with affected passengers since the first delay, we have given out meal vouchers at the airports where passenger were already checked in, we have placed out of town passenger into hotels, we are additionally extending stays on trip for those that can at no cost to passengers based on space availability, and in more severe cases we have been processing refunds for affected passengers that can no longer travel or choose not to travel.

Our offices are open, and we ask all passengers to check with our local TravelSpan offices in New York or Guyana updated Vision Airline schedule.

Guyana’s ‘Generation Next’ concert wows large audience

The curtain came down on the inaugural Guyana Festival on Sunday evening with the grand “Generation Next” concert that saw thousands in attendance, dancing to the vibes of the various genres of music dished out by pure Guyanese artistes.

The night can only be dubbed as “magnificent” since those who flocked the event definitely got their money’s worth. From old folk songs to reggae and soca to culture and dancehall, the young, old and not so old thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

The concert started with Guyanese music icon, Sammy Baksh and his band serenading the crowd with some music of yesteryear, which undoubtedly brought back memories to the older folks who were at the venue.

He dished out several classic pieces which set the tone for a fabulous event.

While some patrons were swaying to the magical voice of Baksh

and his band, some were busy visiting the booths that were within proximity.

After a splendid performance from the member of the “old school”, another icon Terry Gajraj, took the stage by storm after dominating the “Night of the Legends Concert” the previous night. With style and hype, he had the crown singing along as he belched out the best of Guyana’s folk songs.

Surprisingly enough, the younger people in the audience knew the words. It was indeed a wonderful atmosphere

that brought out the unity among the people through music. The venue was electrifying as “Terry G” performed.

The crowd went into full party mode when the Heatwave Band took to the stage, creating a whirlwind with the energetic performances by the members led by Jackie Hanover and Calvin Burnette. Their performances sent all those present into a frenzy with some of the most popular soca music.

As usual, the Heatwave Band caters for all with the aim of

creating the right atmosphere. From there on, the night was fantastic as the other performers kept the stadium alive with their steamy performances.

Another performer who brought the audience to their feet reigning Carib Soca Monarch, Kwasi “Ace” Edmondson, who dished out several of his top tunes which had the crowd going.

The audience, however, went into an uproar as Charmaine Blackman took to the stage with her tune “Give Them More Fuh Talk”.

She delivered as ex-

pected and the crowd was behind her 100 per cent. Leaving no stone unturned, she showed that indeed, the next generation is ready to take on the world with their superb musical talents.

By this time, time was ticking away and so were patrons, but those who stayed witnessed mind-blowing performances by First Born and Alabama.

“Lisa Punch”, who was a contestant on the ABC Network’s singing competition Rising Star, created quite a stir as she took to the stage just

before midnight. Singing songs she performed in the competition, the crowd went wild, cheering and screaming in delight.

In a designer outfit, she looked absolutely stunning as the lights on the stage did justice to her presentation. With close to 20 minutes on stage, she delivered as expected. As she performed, she intermittently thanked the Guyanese populace for the tremendous support she received during the competition.

The final act of the evening was that of X2 member, Jumo “Rubber Waist” Primo. With his energy, he brought the house down. He dished out some of his recent hits as well as some that were sung by X2. Without a doubt, he was having a grand time on stage and had the crowd on their feet as they partied to sweet soca music. The seasoned performer also dished out a few dancehall songs.

There were also saucy performances by reigning Chutney King Pooran Seeraj, Rajesh Dubraj, Vanilla, Jonathan “Lil Red” King, Geneses and Roger Bowen, among others.

The main aim of the “Generation Next” concert was to provide a platform to showcase local talents to the rest of the world. Now, with the successful hosting of the inaugural Guyana Festival, there might be plans to take it to another level in 2015.

Govt to formally discuss no-confidence motion next week

BY MICHAEL YOUNGE

Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon has confirmed that Government has not yet held, what he calls, “formal” discussions on the no-confidence motion tabled by the Alliance For Change (AFC) that could trigger early General and Regional elections by January 2015.

Dr Luncheon, speaking during an interview with Guyana Times International on

Wednesday, said that informal discussions were held and Government members sought to offer various perspectives on the motion which the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) says it will support when tabled in Parliament.

“No, it wasn’t discussed at Cabinet this week. I suspect, it will be but the swirling views that are in the media from media and from politicians, I suspect that Cabinet would defer a substantive review after there has been a compilation of all

of those views,” he said.

Dr Luncheon noted that every day, there is an emergence of new positions by various political actors which are proving interesting to Government.

“What started out as a no-confidence motion has morphed into different possibilities… I am not even certain in my mind, listening to what is being said in the media and what is being attributed to David Granger and Nagamootoo, there

seems that there is indeed “some consolidated view” of what this noconfidence motion is all about,” he opined. He said it is clear that the “goal posts are changing” as he readily opined that there is no doubt in Government’s mind that the Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman would see the motion as admissible and acceptable, given his track record as well as rulings on contentious issues such as these.

The Cabinet is likely to discuss the motion next week and will decide on what is the most suitable course of action.

The ruling political party’s General Secretary Clement Rohee has already told media operatives that there are a number of options available to Government to deal with the vote of no-confidence and that they were under consideration and being given due credence.

Auditions for movie ‘Upriver’ to commence soon

The upcoming Guyanese movie, Upriver, was officially launched at the opening of the inaugural Guyana Festival last Friday.

The movie, which is currently in preproduction, will be released in 2015. The Dramatic Arts Academy (DAA), the banner under which the movie will be produced, is extremely grateful to acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali for the opportunity afforded for the launch.

Also, the DAA

would like to thank Impressions for realising the booth. Hundreds of patrons, both local and overseas, flocked the Upriver tent and from feedback received, they were enthralled by the promotional video. They lauded the noticeably different approach to local film making and commended the effort. Patrons clearly could not hide their excitement for the release of the movie. President Donald Ramotar graced the tent and interacted with the staff. He also commended the effort

and extended best wishes for its production.

Some 300 persons of all ages and from all backgrounds took the opportunity to register for auditions which will be held soon in various parts of the country.

Over 120 persons, including three foreign actors, will comprise the cast with 90 per cent of the

movie being filmed in the interior. Online auditions would be facilitated shortly at www. uprivergy.com.

Written by Neaz Subhan, winner of the best playwright title for “When Chocolate Melts” in the 2013 National Drama festival, Upriver with its captivating story-line, is set deep in the heart of Guyana’s forests and would present a thrilling and chilling rollercoaster ride through this vastness.

In addition to the entertaining adventure

it will capture, Upriver will present Guyana’s eco-tourism in a format that is captivating to an international audience. Guyana’s natural beauty through its pristine forests, breathtaking and iconic waterfalls, rolling savannahs, majestic mountains and flora and fauna, has always been magnetic to those with cameras.

The numerous images captured have been mind-blowing and over the years have propelled unprecedented interest. Filmmakers, especially, cannot re-

sist this enticing attraction to enthusiastically present the astounding cuts to viewers around the world. Documentaries produced by international film entities have proven this. The marketing influence of films needs no convincing. It can propel Guyana to become a major international filming location with resounding economic opportunities. Guyana has the potential, both in its beauty and the talent of its people.

4 dead in interior accidents in Guyana

Four persons, all males, are dead following separate incidents in the interior on Sunday and Monday. According to Police, two of the men died on Sunday while the other two died on Monday. Reports revealed that miners Clifton Rodrigues, 55, of Aishalton and Leon Mootoo, 20, of Berbice, both lost their lives after the mining pit they were working in caved in, trapping them.

The pit is located

at Marudi Mountain, Aishalton, Region Nine.

The bodies of the two miners were subsequently retrieved and the Police are currently investigating the incident.

Meanwhile, around 05:30h on Monday, a man was found in an unconscious state at the Baramita Health Centre. He later succumbed while being treated at the medical institution.

The Police in a release said the man is believed to be Ryan Kawall of

Mosquito Hall, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara; however, they are yet to confirm these reports. Investigations are continuing.

Also on Monday, sometime around 13:00h, Richard Kanhai, 19, of Pomeroon, Essequibo, was killed after a tree fell and pinned him. This incident took place somewhere in the Arakaka Backdam, North West District. The Police are also investigation this incident.

New Deputy Chief Election Officer appointed

Vishnu Persaud was on Wednesday sworn in as the Deputy Chief Elections Officer/Deputy Commissioner of National Registration (DCEO/ DCNR) following the approval for his appointment to the twin position by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

In a release, GECOM said Persaud’s appointment resulted from a transparent recruitment process which involved (i) advertising the vacant position, (ii) receiving applications and shortlisting suitable candidates, and (iii)

the conduct of interviews by a panel comprising the GECOM Chairman, four Commissioners and the Chief Election Officer.

Prior to this appointment, Persaud had served as GECOM’s Public Relations Officer since November 2001. Persaud also served GECOM in the capacity of Scribe to the Commission from 2004 to April this year, and as Personal Assistant to the Chairman from 2002 up to his current appointment.

Further, Persaud has been integrally involved in GECOM’s Public Education campaigns and

in promoting the image of GECOM.

Persaud holds a Diploma in Public Relations from the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) and a Level 5 Certificate in Elections Management from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), both being educational institutions in the United Kingdom.

In terms of international exposure, Persaud participated in numerous overseas training sessions and seminars and also observed several elections overseas.

Bai Shan Lin pegs investment in Guyana at US$160M

Embattled Chinese firm Bai Shan Lin said it has invested over US$160 million in Guyana since it set up shop in the country even as it dismisses allegations that it was shipping out logs illegally.

In response to a series of Kaieteur News articles on its operations, the Chinese company said it is being suggested that the Government of Guyana “has handed us the country’s forests and has allowed us to operate unregulated by the

laws, which govern the sector. This claim is inaccurate,” the company said.

The company said the newspaper drew the attention of the public to the scale of their operations and to the quantity of logs being extracted and exported. Bai Shan Lin said it began operating in Guyana since 2007. Over the period 2011–2013, it applied through the Guyana Forestry Commission forest allocation process and was granted two

State Forest Exploratory Permits (344,849 hectares).

Involvement

“We wish to note that these applications were made for areas which were publicly advertised by the GFC. Additionally, the company has established, following discussions with and approval by the GFC, cooperation agreements with local companies currently involved in the forest sector (Joint continued on page 23

Former MP says change in Guyana’s foreign policy approach needed

Former People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) General Secretary and Cuffy 250 member Aubrey Norton is contending that the Government needs to embrace a new approach to foreign policy, making room for the inclusion of the political Opposition to improve the economic state of its people, especially those of African heritage.

The former Member of Parliament (MP) was at the time addressing members of the African community on the topic: “Foreign Policy and One Party Government since Independence”, at an event to mark the first anniversary of the es-

tablishment of the Cuffy 250, an organisation which seeks to address the state of Africans in Guyana.

To a packed audience at the Critchlow Labour College in Georgetown on Sunday, Norton, speaking alongside a number of African elites, told the gathering that for far too long the Governments under both the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) and the People’s National Congress (PNC) have failed to include the Opposition in the process. He spoke of the efforts of former Presidents Hugh Desmond Hoyte and Dr Cheddi Jagan to reform foreign policy during

their tenure in office.

“Desmond Hoyte decided that he was going to change the foreign policy in Guyana. And in changing the foreign policy in Guyana,

he did make the statement that the economy is an overriding challenge, and he brought to mind pursuing economic development. So in that idea, one saw

essentially through foreign policy the country was pursuing economic development diplomacy, which at large had put Guyana’s economic interest first.”

Norton said it was with that concept in mind that it was again changed in1992. “The first is Dr Cheddi Jagan’s humanitarian order, which in his opinion, had some relevance but was rooted in the new international economic order in the 1970s,” Norton explained.

During the last couple of years, Norton posited that Guyana has failed to clearly define a foreign policy position.

According to him, Guyana needs to sit

down and analyse the situation and come up with new proposals for its foreign policy.

Meanwhile, one-time Finance Minister under the PNC administration and current A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament (MP) Carl Greenidge, spoke to the issue of economic policy in Guyana since independence.

He pointed out that Africans have had numerous challenges in areas of acquiring employment, among other things. He also made a call for AfricanGuyanese to make the best of their opportunities to rise above the economic challenges faced.

African communities must take greater responsibility for development of their communities – Alexander

University of Guyana (UG) Registrar Vincent Alexander has called for a revival of values and entrepreneurship in Afro-Guyanese communities. Alexander made the comment while addressing CUFFY 250 Second Annual Forum held at the Critchlow Labour College on Sunday. In keeping with the theme, “Guyana Approaching 50 and Beyond: Whither Independence?”

Alexander told the audience that Afro-Guyanese should revitalise the values and beliefs that allowed their foreparents to survive beyond Emancipation.

Driven by the in-

nate desire to be freed from European enslavement, Africans engaged in passive and active rebellions. The 1763 Rebellion in Berbice, the 1823 Rebellion in East Demerara and the 1834 Essequibo Rebellion were among the revolts that unfolded in Guyana in the lead up to total Emancipation on August 1, 1838.

But the acquisition of “Emancipation” was not simply enough for the Africans, in 1839, 83 ex-slaves pooled their resources and bought Plantation Northbrook, currently known as Victoria, as they signalled their Independence.

It was the beginning

registrar

Vincent Alexander

of the Village Movement which resulted in the establishment of key institutions and organisations.

According to Alexander, AfroGuyanese should regain

that level of independence which has been lost, charting a path for greater development. He added there is need for the revitalisation of an institution that would allow Afro-Guyanese to exercise their sovereignty as an individual and at a communal level.

Quoting former President Linden Forbes Burnham, Alexander said: “It is in your hands. Freedom belongs to us. Rise up in consciousness.”

In keeping with the theme, Alexander also alluded to the Nation State, saying that though it has the ultimate authority; it should not be in contravention of the rights of

individuals or communities.

“There are things that people should be allowed to do for themselves. There are things that communities should be allowed to do by themselves unimpeded and unaffected by the State,” he posited. Cuffy 250 is a body concerned about the erosion of the national compact and the effect of this erosion on the ability of the poor and their communities to advance their socio-economic and cultural development.

Miss World Guyana to be coached by Philippines company

World Guyana

BY INDRAWATTIE NATRAM

Miss World Guyana Rafieya Husain has achieved yet another milestone in her pageantry career, this time she will be coached by renowned Philippines pageant company Gouldian. This disclosure was made on the Missology Guyana website. According to Husain’s

mother, Salena Khan, the latest development is a great “push” for the Guyanese queen as it will assist her in getting closer to realising her dream.

Husain, who copped the Miss World Guyana title on May 26 at the National Culture Centre, will receive training by Gouldian, a pageant training company in the Philippines with re-

continued on page 26

Ghana to import timber from Guyana

Ghana’s Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Barbara Serwaa Asamoah, has indicated that her Government will soon commence the importation of timber from Guyana and Cameroon.

Serwaa Asamoah disclosed this at the Fifth Edition of National Forest Forum-Ghana (NFF-G) in Dodowa on Friday. She said timber products on the domestic market were not adequate. The forum, which was attended by Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), policymakers and traditional leaders from the 10 regions under the theme: “Deepening Ghana’s Country Dialogue-Contribution to

sustainable forest management” was organised by NFF-G to grant stakeholders the platform to dialogue on ways of sustaining Ghana’s natural resources.

There is a high demand for timber products in the country, but the current timber production capacity is extremely low and if the Government fails to bring in additional supplies, illegal chainsaw activities could increase tremendously, according to the Deputy Minister.

“The trees we have in our forest are just small. Most of the mahogany and other tree species are gradually finishing, if we do not feed employers within the industry, they will lay off their em-

there is a high demand for timber products in Ghana

ployees,” she said.

According to her, Government was currently holding talks with countries such as Cameroon and Guyana to see how best they

could reduce taxes on timber that might be imported from those countries. “We are also negotiating with the Finance Ministry for the go-ahead to start the importation.”

Serwaa Asamoah added that Government had adopted the implementation of the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA), with the introduction of the

public procurement policy.

She said only legally acquired timber will now be used for all Government projects. However, she mentioned that “Government is the lead developer in the timber industry and if it acquires all its timber from legal sources, it will go a long way to halt illegal lumbering and help the local timber industry”.

Speaking in an interview with BUSINESS GUIDE on the sidelines of the forum, she noted that the VPA will go a long way to halt the smuggling of timber from Ghana to its neighbouring countries such as Togo and Burkina Faso. (Ghanaweb.com)

What the people say about Guyana Festival

Ramnaresh

Sarwan

– Professional Cricketer

“It is pretty unique, obviously it’s different from GuyExpo and stuff because it has the sports aspect of it… years ago with the GuyExpo and Building Expo, there was [sic] no sports in it. It’s a great vision, I think we must commend Minister Ali for his effort in envisioning something like this, especially having the past and present sportsmen taking part in such a pulsating cricket match.”

Jomo Primo – Recording Artiste

“I personally think Guyana Festival is a very good initiative. The opening was great, it was well executed, everything that they said they would have done,

they did. What I would love to see is more of these things happening so that local artistes can get more exposure and all these things. I think it’s really good for the local talent core. I really hope they record and showcase this to the world so people can see the abundance of talent that Guyana has. A lot of Guyanese outside of Guyana don’t know their own artistes. I hope when I sit down on a flight, I can see Guyana Festival as part of the calendar of activities for summer in Guyana.”

Joana – American Tourist

“The festival is really fun; it’s good to see all of the different cultures that contributed to Guyana’s History. I saw it advertising everywhere and I came, I wouldn’t miss it. I would love to be here next year if they have it again. And I must add, I think the food is really good, looks delicious.”

Looknauth Persaud – Businessman (Kings Jewellery World)

“I think it’s a great project, I think it’s something we needed a long time ago. Hopefully, we can continue this again. I think it is something

we can do in more parts of Guyana. My disappointment is that more entrepreneurs didn’t take the advantage to come out and showcase their works. It would do great for Guyana; it’s a pity that we don’t have more flights coming to Guyana. If we had more flights, this ground would have been filled with foreigners.”

Nikoya Allen – Patron

“They should have had more steel pan music and stuff but I think it’s really good. I came all the way from Ann’s Grove and I am really looking forward to enjoying this.

Brittany Hamilton – Exhibitor

“I think it’s a really good initiative, I completely endorse it. We have had a good turnout. It’s definitely a family-oriented event and I think the organisers

must be commended; it really was a great success.”

Damian Lewis – Private Sector Employee

“I like the initiative. They are a few things I see that I am disappointed with. Definitely, imaging is one of them. When you look at the advertising material; you expect the image, the material to be all Guyanese, because we are after all showcasing Guyana. Despite that, the exhibits are marvellous, the novelties that make Guyana, truly Guyana is here, everything is here, so that’s good. The local artistes, the shows, it’s really good. I am going to go look for some roti and curry, and enjoy the show now.”

Lisa Punch –

Singer/Songwriter

“Well first let me say that I’m very happy to

be a part of the initiative. I think it’s good that they’re doing something like this for Guyanese and not just the concerts, the arts and the craft are being exhibited. I think it’s a really good festival.”

Mahendra Nagamootoo – Cricketer

“It’s great, I think the festival is wonderful, the turnout everything is great. I think it should be taken to other parts of the country like Albion and so forth. All in all, I think the Minister and his team did a really good job setting up the event, it’s really great.”

Calvin Burnett – Local Performer

“Well, I think it’s a

good venture, we are showcasing Guyana and all that Guyana has to offer. Guyanese came out and supported and that is good. I would definitely recommend this as an annual something because you know Jamaica has Sound Fest, so this can be our own annual thing.”

Lennox Cush – Professional Cricketer

“I feel it should be an annual event; it came off as a bang this year. It could only do well for Guyana and our togetherness as a unit.”

Tennecia DeFreitas – Singer

“It represents an amazing opportunity for young Guyanese. It’s a big festival for all of Guyana, it kind of reminds me of Mashramani where all of Guyana just comes out and celebrate.”

Guyana’s private sector in “wait and see mode”

- as Opposition parties prepare to table no-confidence motion

Leading private sector officials said they are prepared to “wait and see” the outcome of a proposed no-confidence motion against the Donald Ramotar Administration, although warning that early elections would slow down economic growth.

Last week, the Alliance For Change (AFC) submitted the motion which was presented by Moses Nagamootoo to Clerk of the National Assembly Sherlock Isaacs.

No decision has been made as to whether the motion will be debated before the end of the parliamentary recess, which commenced on Sunday. The AFC has been promised support by the A Partnership For National Unity (APNU).

However, while the private sector officials remain adamant that elections will have a negative impact on the business sector, they said they are also aware that democracy must run its course.

“No-confidence motion and snap elections are a part of that course then the elections must be held,” Private Sector Commission Secretary Ramesh Dookhoo said.

Speaking to this publication in an interview last Thursday, Dookhoo, who is also President of the Caribbean Association of Industry and Commerce (CAIC), said elections are an integral part of any democratic regime and therefore they must be held.

He said that if the proposed vote of no-confidence by the AFC is carried successfully in the National Assembly, then it is not for any private sector body to say elections cannot be held at any specific time.

“If it has to happen, it will happen, the process of democracy must take place… no one can stop it.”

Further, the CAIC President acknowledged the expected slump in

business for the sector, but noted that this must not be considered as a reason for elections not to be held.

He said that the process of democracy has to “prevail”. When initial talks of the no-confidence motion had surfaced, the PSC had expressed mixed emotions about the advent of elections in Guyana. The body had insisted that instead of the bickering between the political parties, Guyana’s interest should be paramount.

Unfortunate

“It will be very unfortunate if such a motion is passed as it would signal political instability to our foreign investors, financiers, customers and suppliers. This will further increase the political risk premium added to the cost of capital when overseas funding is sought by private entities and can negatively impact our economy,” the PSC said in a statement.

According to the PSC, for progress to be made in a dispensation where a minority Government and a majority Opposition exist, the political culture should consist of discourse and compromise on issues of national interest and development.

LIAT reorganises commercial structure to increase revenue generation

LIAT has announced changes to its commercial structure in order to bring a much sharper focus on revenue generation.

Lloyd Carswell, an internationally experienced Chief Commercial Officer is being appointed in this role on an interim basis for three to four months.

Reporting to him will be an interim Director of Commercial Operations (DCO) with responsibility for

Revenue Management, Network Planning and Scheduling, Distribution, and Global Sales, and a Director of Commercial Delivery (DCD) with responsibility for Sales and Marketing, Customer Experience and Cargo.

The DCO will be based in Antigua and the DCD in Barbados.

These changes will entail the move of six positions from Barbados to Antigua, although only five of these positions are currently oc-

GGMC to review procurement methods

The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) Board of Directors will be looking to review the process that it utilises to award contracts to bidders.

This revelation was made by GGMC Chairman Clinton Williams, who told Guyana Times International that “some flaws” have been found in the process.

He pointed out that a meeting was going to be held with all of the Commissioners in an effort to iron out the issue and will be looking to “review the entire system”.

The GGMC Chairman said the contract was awarded by the Commission as a body and upon review of the contract being awarded, “we found some flaws”.

In a subsequent release from his office, Williams said “the submitted bids were evaluated and a recommen-

dation was made to the Board for approval. However, given the nature and scope of the project, the Board at the request of Minister Persaud is currently reviewing the recommendations and a decision will be forthcoming in the immediate future.”

The GGMC is expected to spend at least Gy$600 million to rehabilitate the building at 44 High Street, Werken-Rust, Georgetown, where the now obsolete

Guyana Broadcasting Corporation’s (GBC) studios were once located.

However, the Government has since signalled its intention to investigate the recent awarding of a contract by the GGMC to a contractor, which has been a source of contention.

This is according to the Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon, when he was questioned by reporters last Wednesday at his weekly post-Cabinet press briefing.

According to the Cabinet Secretary, “there had been strenuous objections to the award of a contract purported to have been made by the GGMC”, or one of its Board members.

He explained that the matter was brought to the attention of the Cabinet by one of the members, and as such, Government will investigate the issue.

Brazilian diplomat dies in twovehicle collision in Guyana – three others injured

ABrazilian diplomat in Guyana was on Saturday morning killed while several others suffered injuries following a twovehicle collision on the Takutu Bridge, Lethem, Region Nine.

The incident occurred about 07:20h.

The dead Brazilian diplomat was identified as Theotonio Santa Cruz Oliveria, 61. His assistant Grace Nicholson and a woman identified as Caslin Thakurdeen

were also injured in the accident.

This newspaper understands that one other person who was driving the taxi that collided with the diplomat’s vehicle was also hospitalised.

A Police source told this publication that the diplomat was heading to Brazil while the taxi was travelling to Lethem. Both vehicles were on the bridge and were severely damaged.

While information is sketchy, it is believed

that the diplomat’s vehicle came into contact with the taxi after the driver failed to change lanes. He was reportedly the front-seat passenger and suffered lacerations to the head and other injuries to the body. The diplomat, along with others, was taken to the Lethem Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The others were treated and immediately whisked away to Boa Vista.

Fourth Guyana debt arrangement written off under PetroCaribe deal

cupied by LIAT staff in Barbados.

The roles of Sales and Marketing, Customer Experience, and Cargo, under the leadership of Leesa Parris-Rudder, will remain in Barbados. Total staff numbers in these roles are 275 who work throughout the Region.

In order to strengthen the airline’s airport delivery organisation, a new role of Customer Service Manager is being created. This role will be based in Barbados.

Guyana’s Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, said that under the PetroCaribe deal with Venezuela, the fourth debt compensation arrangement has been written off by Venezuela for rice supplied to the neighbouring country. Responding to questions about the future of the PetroCaribe deal at a press briefing on Saturday, the Finance Minister said thus far, the deal has worked well for Guyana.

“I would say PetroCaribe has worked

well for Guyana, we have been extremely prudent in how we manage that mechanism, as you know in Guyana the project has not only resulted in making available financing through our oil purchases from Venezuela, but very importantly has provided a market for rice produced in Guyana,” he explained.

When asked, whether the Administration is concerned about the PetroCaribe deal given the political situation in Venezuela, Singh said the Government remains

hopeful that Venezuela recognises the significance of the deal and its benefits for both nations.

While acknowledging Venezuela as an important partner under the PetroCaribe deal, Dr Singh said the Administration continues to seek out other viable markets for its rice.

PetroCaribe is an alliance of many Caribbean states with Venezuela to purchase oil on conditions of preferential payment. The alliance was launched on June 29, 2005, in Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela.

Americas competitiveness forum to held in TT

The Permanent Council of the Organisation of American States (OAS) last Wednesday received the Planning and Sustainable Development Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Bhoendradatt Tewarie, who spoke about preparations for the VIII Americas Competitiveness Forum to be held in his country in October.

Also at the meeting, the delegation of Peru presented a report on the conclusion of the First Inter-American Meeting of Presidents of Legislative Powers of the region, held in Lima, Peru last month.

In his speech, Minister Tewarie referred to the preparations and logistics of the VIII Americas Competitiveness Forum which will have as its central theme “The Human Imagination at Work: Driving Competitiveness, Powering Innovation”, and will be held in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, from October 8 to 10.

Minister Tewarie stressed that the forum

“gives representatives of Government an opportunity to engage each other on matters of common interest in the Americas, gives business leaders the opportunity not just to interact and to interface, but actually to create business opportunities, and more than that, it gives academics and NGOs an opportunity to lend their own perspectives on the big issues of the day”.

The OAS Assistant Secretary General Albert Ramdin said the forum is an opportunity for dialogue with the private sector, which plays “a key role in sustainable development” and he in-

vited the countries of the region to strengthen collaboration between the private and public sectors.

Ambassador Ramdin also praised the preparatory work done by Trinidad and Tobago, a country which he described as one of the leading economies of the Caribbean and the Western Hemisphere, and highlighted its leadership in promoting economic development policies, innovation and creativity.

For his part, the Minister, Alternate Representative of Peru, Raúl Salazar, presented a report on the results of the First Inter-American Meeting of Speakers of Legislative Branches of the region, which was held in Lima on July 18.

The Peruvian diplomat stressed that the event was attended by representatives of the highest level of the legislatures of 26 member countries and nine parliamentary networks, as well as the OAS Secretary General José Miguel Insulza and the former President of Costa Rica Laura Chinchilla, among others.

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Bai Shan Lin pegs investment in Guyana ...

Ventures).” Bai Shan Lin said, noting the area size under these agreements total to 274,053 hectares.

In some cases, “our joint venture partners, were not meeting the maximum sustainable level of harvest that was allocated by the GFC. Some of them were indebted even to the GFC. Through the various partnership arrangements, our company has invested substantial financial and capital resources into these operations. This investment includes road construction and rehabilitation, harvesting and trucking equipment, and human resources,” Bai Shan Lin said. The company noted too that currently it employs close to 200 local Guyanese in various areas of operation, including in harvesting, heavy-duty equipment operation, field teams and administrative personnel.

Intention Additionally, the company said it has always been its intention to process logs in Guyana.

It said by 2008, they applied to the Government of Guyana through Go-Invest and other agencies to lease lands to set up a factory to process logs and engage in value-added production, such as the making of furniture, craft and hardwood flooring.

Bai Shan Lin said for strategic reasons, it would have preferred lands closer to port Georgetown, but the Government insisted that the factory be set up in Region 10 to provide employment to the people of Linden.

“Our company commits to fulfilling its social responsibility to the people of Linden and its environs. Specialist engineers in China drew up the layout and design of this factory in the beginning stages of our company’s engagement in Guyana. The estimated cost of setting it up is in excess of US$80 million. We began clearing the lands but encountered difficulties with the administration of Region 10. Objections were made about processing

100,000m³logs per year.”

Investment

The Chinese firm said it has already expended approximately US$30 million to purchase equipment, conduct sitepreparation works, and recruit specialist engineers for this factory, and other development aspects, but have been unable to commence construction because of the difficulties referred to, among others.

The company said there are several other areas of economic activity in Guyana that needs investment. “Our company will continue to look at investment opportunities in Guyana that will contribute to the economic development of the country following all required national laws and policies. We are prepared to inject the necessary capital and skills to make this a reality. It is regrettable that these efforts are not being represented in a fair manner and the genuine actions by the company to contribute positively to Guyana’s development have been misrepresented.”

Guyana Elections Commission Chairman dismisses accusations of bias - challenges govt

Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Dr Steve Surujbally has dismissed accusation of partiality made by People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament Manzoor Nadir.

Nadir, who is a former Government Minister had accused the Chairman of GECOM of being in cahoots with the Opposition parties to have elections held at an early date. It was reported that Nadir during a radio interview had stated that the Chairman was being propelled by an Opposition agenda in his preparations for the hosting of elections in Guyana.

In adhering to that particular agenda, Nadir said Dr Surujbally had ignored legitimate concerns of the Commission that would have been brought to the fore by PPP/C Commissioners on the board. Nadir is quoted as saying “Surujbally and the Opposition are preparing for a national election because they feel that the no-confidence motion will succeed… all plans are for national elections and I would say to Steve directly: you are preparing for national elections because you are driven by Opposition agenda.”

When contacted by this publication last

MP to show the

Thursday, Dr Surjubally pointed out that GECOM was constitutionally mandated to prepare for elections and each year it has done so. He said that the accusations levelled against him are “interesting.”

He further explained that the statements made by Nadir are somewhat disappointing, noting that he is unaware of the reasons that would lead the former Minister to make such a statement in the public domain.

The Chairman pointed out that over the last 13 years that he has held the portfolio as Chairman of GECOM, he has been accused at one time or another of being linked to either the Government or a political Opposition, but in each time his impartiality was proven. He opined that he has since seen such criticisms as a part of the job and do

evidence

not make a big issue of it. He said that “political elements should have over the years, because of track record, matured enough to cease such slander; they all know it’s not true. But I am not holding my breath on things to change; instead I’ve put on armour…”

On that note, Dr Surujbally challenged Nadir to produce evidence of the assertions that were made against him. He said that if Nadir can produce evidence of him voting in favour of any given political party at any time, then his accusations may have some validity.

In response to accusations that the entity was in fact making preparations for General and Regional Elections and not Local Government polls, as it would have the public believe, Dr Surujbally said that this was not the case.

PNCR launches Forbes Burnham Research Institute

As part of the activities to commemorate the 29th death anniversary of People’s National Congress (PNC) founding leader Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, the party last Wednesday launched the Forbes Burnham Research Institute (FBRI).

Speaking at the launch, former Minister in the Burnham Administration, Jeffrey Thomas, said it was important that the Institute not only note the ideas of Burnham, but also implement them.

Thomas has been charged with overseeing the development of the Institute.

He said the Institution would build on the vision of Burnham, recognising his approach to Guyana’s development, explore op-

tions which are necessary to solve national problems and ensure that there is a scholarly scrutiny of Burnham’s legacy.

The former Government Minister said: “This Institute will not only focus on areas of research relevant and essential to the development of the party. In pursuit of its objective, it will collaborate with oth-

er appropriate institutions in Guyana, the rest of the Region and indeed around the World.”

The FBRI will focus on identifying important issues and develop plans and proposals for their mitigation or resolution. The FBRI is intended to be multidisciplinary in nature and seek to utilise ideas and methods in other intellectual areas of endeavour, which will benefit both the PNCR and the society at large. The launch was followed by an exhibition held at the National Congress of Women headquarters, Public Road, Kitty, Georgetown. The exhibition featured photographs of Guyana’s first Executive President Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham and books on his works and speeches.

Remains of Jonestown victims found in US funeral home

The unclaimed, cremated remains of nine victims of a 1978 mass cult suicidemurder in Jonestown, Guyana, have turned up in a closed funeral home in Delaware, USA.

Officials with the state Division of Forensic Science are working to identify all remains and to notify relatives after they were discovered last week.

The remains were discovered at the abandoned Minus Funeral Home in Dover, Delaware by the building’s new owner who called in authorities.

The building is owned by a bank.

The division last week responded to a request to check the former funeral home after 38 containers of remains were discovered inside.

A Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security spokeswoman told Mail Online that they had identified the remains as Jonestown cult members by cross-checking paperwork that was found with the remains with other official records.

Dover Police officers identified other areas of interest on the property, according to an official release. These were areas of loosely compacted soil.

Dead bodies littered

the ground in Jonestown, Guyana on November 18, 1978 after a mass suicide of People’s Temple cult followers, led by Jim Jones.

During the excavation, an arrowhead, two animal bones, oyster shells and charcoals were found.

Several bronze gravesite markers for deceased veterans who served in World War I through the Vietnam War were also found in the former funeral home.

These markers will be presented to family members if they can be located or returned to the Veterans Administration.

Thirty-three containers were marked and identified. They spanned a period from about 1970 to the 1990s and included the Jonestown remains.

It is unclear how the Jonestown remains ended up being left behind at the Minus Funeral Home but a spokeswoman said there was nothing improper about how the remains had been stored and they were simply unclaimed.

Bodies of the 911 Jonestown massacre victims were brought to Dover Air Force Base, home to the US military’s largest mortuary.

More than 900 adults

and children died after drinking cyanide-laced punch on November 18, 1978 at Jonestown, Guyana. Among the dead were more than 270 children.

Dead bodies of cult followers littered the ground outside the People’s Temple, led by Jim Jones.

It was the single largest loss of American civilian life in a deliberate act before September 11.

Jones headed a religious movement called the People’s Temple Agricultural Project from the early 1960s in the US before leading a mass migration to Guyana, a former British colony, in the mid-1970s to establish a utopian communi-

Guyana increasing rice exports - Govt

looking at securing new markets

Agriculture Minister

Dr Leslie Ramsammy said at the end of July, Guyana had exported close to 250,000 tonnes of rice, and if exports continue at this rate (as is expected), the month of August would be one of the largest export months.

At present, several shipments are being loaded. Last year was seen as the biggest export year ever with a total of 395,000 tonnes

“We are sending to new destinations, and I expect that we will [reach] the 300,000 tonnes mark at the end of August,” Minister Ramsammy said.

Some of these destinations include: Panama, which is now buying a significant amount (in the 10s of thousands) instead of the traditional two containers. Haiti increased its imports from Guyana and so have many other Caribbean countries.

Meanwhile, some of

the European markets which Guyana had voluntarily given up in the past are now being recovered. In this regard, Spain, Portugal and Holland are buying more rice from Guyana, while Italy, which has always purchased a small amount, has increased its imports as well.

In the meantime, the Agriculture Ministry is exploring possible markets in other countries.

Minister Ramsammy said that over the next several weeks, he will be visiting various places in Central America and Africa to further negotiations, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.

ty.

However, the paradise that Jones had promised quickly turned sour as hard labour and hours of lectures and classes on socialism were enforced. Jones’s readings which viewed America as a capitalist monster were broadcast day and night from the commune’s towers.

The land agreed upon for Jonestown with the People’s National Congress Government had poor soil leading to low food supplies and sickness.

Members who acted out of line were kept in a six by four box and children were forced to spend the night at the bottom of a well. Those who tried

to escape were drugged and armed guards patrolled the grounds.

In 1977, Jonestown defectors and concerned relatives begin petitioning the US Government to investigation the goings-on in Guyana. They made public details of abuse and alleged crimes taking place in Jonestown.

In 1978, Jim Jones’s physical health was deteriorating rapidly through sickness and years of drug abuse. In turn, he was becoming deranged and deeply paranoid over conspiracy theories and the number of people he believed were out to get him from the CIA to the US Post Office.

The same year, a delegation went to visit Jonestown, led by Congressman Leo Ryan. After visiting the compound with staff and journalists, he left with a number of defectors.

Ryan along with four others were killed after being shot by members of the People’s Temple, who ambushed them on the Port Kaituma airstrip.

Soon afterwards, Jones gathered a meeting of all members while his assistants prepared a vat of Flavor-Aid laced with cyanide and other drugs.

The Temple had stored pounds of cyanide for months after Jones had got a jeweller’s licence which reportedly said he was using the deadly chemical to clean gold.

As Temple members lined up to take the poison, it began to take effect within minutes. It is unclear whether many thought it was a dressrehearsal as had happened in the past on socalled ‘White Nights’. Jones died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Only five people who were intended to be poisoned survived either by hiding, pretending to be dead or escaping into the jungle. (Taken from Mail Online)

Diplomats in Guyana gets tour of East Bank housing development Project

Several high-ranking diplomats were on Saturday given a tour of the Government’s hallmark East Bank Housing Development Project, which has seen billions of dollars invested over the past few years.

The tour was organised by the Housing and Water Ministry in collaboration with the Central Housing and Planning Authority.

The diplomats were from the US, Venezuela, Kuwait, Suriname, Brazil, the UK and Barbados. They visited Eccles and New Providence and inspected the area where the Ministry plans to lay a road that would link the East Bank corridor to the East Coast.

Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali, speaking with this publication during the tour, said it was aimed at ensuring that diplomats and other representatives were kept abreast with the significant

transformation that was taking place locally, as far as housing development is concerned.

He said it was important that they were given a first-hand visit to the various housing areas to see the work that is being done and the impact that prudent Government policies and project implementation have on the end product.

Ali said he was very satisfied with the progress made thus far.

He gave the diplomats an update on the Young Professionals Project,

which was conceived in 2012. Construction started in 2013 and was completed within the same year.

The Minister said the construction took a period of six months, during which approximately 300 persons were employed. The houses are 1600 square feet with three bedrooms and two baths, along with a kitchen and living room.

According to Minister Ali, some Gy$600 million was invested by the private sector in the project.

He further related that the Eccles area has been sub-divided with over 350 acres of land with 300 acres for housing and 50 for the industrial aspect.

Thousands of Guyanese have already benefited significantly under the East Bank Development Project, and this year, scores have become first-time homeowners as the Government continues to roll out One Stop Shops and other initiatives.

Mid-Year report…

Guyana’s export revenues pegged at Gy$109B

Guyana has earned over Gy$100 billion in exports so far for this year, Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh has announced in his Mid-Year Report. The figure, however, reflects a 10.3 per cent decline.

Dr Singh said overall receipts from exports fell by 10.3 per cent to US$534.2 million (G$109,884,232,785) in the first half of 2014 compared to the corresponding period in 2013.

He said too that excluding gold, total exports grew by 4.3 per cent to US$307.5 million (G$63,252,342,907) in the first half of 2014.

Sugar exports returned US$34.4 million in earnings; a 26.4 per cent increase compared to the June 2013 level, attributed to an 80.3 per cent increase in export volume to 69,687 tonnes.

Rice Rice export earnings increased to US$95.6 million, 14.9 per cent higher than at June 2013 due to a 30.7 per cent increase in export volume to 186,000 tonnes, outweighing the 12.1 percent contraction in ex-

port prices to US$514 per tonne. Timber export earnings rose to US$21.3 million, a 31.3 per cent increase due to an increase in export volume, reflecting an expansion in plywood exports.

Bauxite

Bauxite export receipts declined marginally by 2.9 per cent to US$66.9 million due mainly to a 6.4 per cent contraction in export volume to 855,877 tonnes.

In addition, other exports contracted by 10 per cent to US$89.3 million, primarily on account of a decline in fish and shrimp exports. However, the first half of 2014 also witnessed a 24.6 per cent contraction in gold exports earnings to US$226.7 million, associated with a 10.1 per cent decline in export volume to 182,411 ounces, coupled with a 16.1 per cent contraction in average export prices to US$1,243 per ounce lower imports of consumption.

Capital goods

Intermediate and capital goods led to a contraction in merchandise imports of 7.5 per cent to US$839 million. Imports

of consumption goods declined by 7.2 per cent to US$186.9 million. Under the intermediate category, imports contracted by 3.3 per cent to US$476.1 million, mainly due to a decline in chemicals and consumables for capital equipment, outweighing the increase in imports of fuel and lubricants, and other intermediate goods and food for in-

termediate use. Imports of capital goods declined by 17.7 per cent to US$171.9 million, with some moderation in the importation of agriculture, industrial and building machinery.

Fisheries

Meanwhile, amid persistent attacks on fishermen by armed sea pirates, Dr Singh announced that there has

been a significant decline in production for the first half of the year so far with no prospects of the sector achieving the target set out earlier this year.

The Minister said despite the introduction of improved management and monitoring techniques in the fishing industry, first-half production was 25.5 per cent below 2013 levels.

“Even with an improved performance in the second half, an overall decline in growth is expected and the budget target of 2.2 per cent growth has to be revised to a whole year contraction of eight per cent relative to 2013 output levels.”

Forestry

On the other hand, the forestry sector recorded robust growth of 38.1 per cent, supported by the introduction of new incentives to harvesters and sustained demand from the construction sector and furniture manufacturing sub-sector. As a consequence, the growth target has been revised upwards significantly from the budgeted 3.3 per cent

to 15 per cent growth for 2014.

Mining, quarrying

The performance of the mining and quarrying sector in recent years has been significantly driven by the record performances of the gold industry and to a lesser extent that of bauxite. At the half-year, the sector had recorded a decline of 17.2 per cent in gold declarations and a three per cent decline in the contribution of bauxite.

Consequently, projected end-of-year gold declarations have been revised downwards to 450,000 ounces or a 6.5 per cent decline, while bauxite value- added production is projected to contract by 6.1 per cent.

With anticipated increased demand for quarry products in the second half of the year, the production of ‘other mining products’ is expected to rebound and return a marginally lower 5.5 per cent growth.

The overall sector performance for 2014 has been accordingly revised downwards from the budget target of 2.8 per cent growth to a contraction of 5.1 per cent.

Open vending of pornography creating headache for Guyanese authorities

By Tajeram mohaBir

It has been described as “cancerous”, “a new form of crack cocaine” that helps stain the moral fabric of society.

From the open vending on the pavements of the busy Regent Street, Stabroek Market areas and Water Street in Guyana’s capital city –Georgetown - to mobile units on the Essequibo Coast, and “underground” shops in Linden and Berbice, pornographic DVDs can be had for any buyer who is willing to pay more for the “tempting” commodity.

According to some consumers, they have to “have a look” to feel comfortable – caught in the throes of an addiction more insidious than crack cocaine.

One vendor on the Essequibo Coast, when asked why he engages in the illegality, told this publication it is better than “thieving”, and all he does is supply the demand of consumers.

“I am in business and I want to have DVD in all areas and pornography is on the demand,” he said. This newspa-

per was told that while grown men and women and even young girls buy the DVDs, the majority of buyers are young males.

These DVDs are downloaded from the Internet or are bought from vendors in Georgetown by sellers in the different regions.

This publication observed that some vendors who did not have the obscene DVDs openly displayed on their stalls had them stashed in boxes nearby. This is to avoid being caught by Police openly vending pornographic material, as only recently several vendors who were busted were charged and placed before the court. But the crack-

down did not deter the Georgetown vendors, all it did was to force some of them to exercise greater caution when selling their goods: being on the lookout constantly and only selling the DVDs upon request, if they were convinced the person seeking porn was a genuine customer.

Not enough

From all indications, if the illegal trade is to stop, it will not be enough for the Police to charge the guilty vendors, they need to find the DVD suppliers and charge them as well.

Religious leaders, parents and teachers who spoke with this newspaper said the earnings from the illegal trade can be compared

to “blood money” as the porn DVDs does more harm than good to the consumer.

The vending of pornographic materials in Guyana is illegal under the Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act, Chapter 8:02 — Indecency and Obscenity.

That section of the act states, inter alia, that anyone, “Who for the purposes or by way of trade, or for distribution or public exhibition, makes, or produces, or has in his possession, or imports, conveys, or exports, or causes to be imported, conveyed, or exported, or in any manner whatsoever puts into circulation, any obscene writing, drawing, print, painting, printed matter, picture, poster, emblem, photograph, cinematograph film, or any other obscene object; or carries on or takes part in a business, whether public or private, concerned with any of those obscene matters or things, or deals in any of them in any manner whatsoever… shall be liable to a fine of not less than Gy$25,000 nor Gy$50,000 or to imprisonment for 12 months”.

Miss World Guyana to be coached by...

nowned experts in pageant leadership.

Rafieya will represent Guyana on the international stage for the annual Miss World Pageant slated for London on December 14.

The queen is expected to receive specialised pageant training from August 26 to September 6 in Manila, Philippines.

Miss World Guyana in her grooming for the pageant will be given one-on-one training and will have the opportunity to interact with former winners and other beauty queens.

The pageant trainers are expected to provide proprietary coaching techniques that will enable Rafieya to enhance her overall approach and technique in mastering the critical processes and demands of the pageant.

Gouldian is one of many expert presenters on the international roster of presenters and leaders in pageantry preparation for the 2014 session, in which over 120 outstanding, beautiful women between the ages of 17-24 are given an opportunity to represent their country at the Miss World event.

The company aims

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to give young women the opportunity to learn what it takes to succeed as a titleholder, while gaining valuable life skills that transcend the world of pageantry.

Miss World is the largest and longest running international beauty pageant. Launched in 1951, it has become one of the world’s most watched annual events worldwide with a viewing audience of over one billion people.

It is the only pageant that has a Beauty with a Purpose competition, which is the name of a special annual award programme that singles out and recognises the Miss World contestant who has shown, through charitable works, to have made a real difference in the lives of the people of her country.

The World Guyana organiser focuses on raising money for charities and mirroring the role and spirit of Miss World at a national level. Under new directorship since 2013, Miss World Guyana holds its annual pageant to identify young Guyanese women who exemplify beauty, talent, intelligence and compassion.

Travel & Tourism

Located in Region Three along the Kamuni Creek, a trip to Santa Mission would help you reconnect with the colourful traditions of the indigenous people.

Santa Mission exudes calm and serenity. People move about quietly, there is no noise - even among the children. The sand is white and the water is black, perfectly chilled for a swim on a hot day. The people are friendly and appear to live in harmony with nature.

Other activities include fishing and caiman spotting, nature walks, bird watching, canoeing, wandering around the village observing the way of life there, and buying creative craft items from the craft centre.

Santa Mission is an Amerindian village founded since 1858. Macaws are seen flying overhead, and for those who want to take a nature walk into the jungle may be privileged to see the blue and gold macaws in flight or a howler monkey.

Residents of the community use solar panels to get energy for their generators. They have a centre that is used for community events. A craft shop, which resembles the Umana Yana, houses craft work from the women in the community.

Life is simple and relaxing in Santa Mission. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

30 Arts & culture

Guyanese artist

Merlene Ellis brings to life rich slices of her Guyanese experience. Practiced in various media such as pastels, acrylic and oils (brush and palette knife), her work shows maturity and depth of expression. The National Gallery of Art has acquired her work as one of Guyana’s noted female artists.

Ellis was born March 15, 1966 and

obtained her GCE ‘O’ Level qualification in art in the early 1980s. She then served as an auto-electrician at the Guyana National Trading Corporation from 1984, and later on studied welding at the Guyana Technical Institute.

In 1988, she enrolled part-time at the Burrowes School of Art for four months, studying painting with local artist and tu-

tor George Simon. In 1989, she joined the Guyana Women Artists’ Association and began exhibiting regularly with various art groups.

In 1996, Ellis held her first solo exhibition and represented Guyana at various regional art exhibitions. She won the gold and bronze medals for the National Watercolour competition in 1999. Her paintings are part of the National

Collection of Guyana, in institutional collections and private collections locally, regionally and internationally.

Castellani House’s curator Elfrieda Bissember described the artist as “accomplished, confident and delightful”.

“After years of producing accomplished paintings, pleasing and impressive in their well-captured detail, she is so confident that

she can now be reductive, moving slowly on in a journey towards minimalist renderings, along the way enjoy-

ing and exulting in the freedom to choose what she presents to her audience,” Bissember noted.

Additionally, Bissember said, enjoyment and freedom are transferred from the artist to audience through her work. She also stated that the artist’s impressive and commendable career, unorthodox in its beginning, has been characterized by professionalism in her dedication, organisation and hard work which combined with undoubted talent, have produced prize winning work. (Photos courtesy: Castellani

Basketry has been practiced for thousands of years by Amerindian communities, and provides a mean of income. Crafts produced from basketry serve as functional pieces, but the intricate processes are remarkable.

The most common materials used in basketry are tibisiri, from the Ité palm (scientific name Mauritia flexuosa), manicole (scientific name Prestoea tenuiramosa) and Kokerite (scientific name ,Attalea regia.). The cassava squeezer or matapi (Karinya) is differentiated into component parts by the Arawaks (Lokono) - head, mouth, body and ankle.

A miniature form of the matapi is employed for squeezing oil from the crabwood nut (scientific name ,Carapa guianensis) and form kokerite seeds. In the preparation of the cassava sifter, two varies of sifters are usually made, one for personal use and one for sale or barter. The tibisiri strands are the ones employed in this manufacturing process. One set of three is plaited into another set of three, placed at right angles to

form the foundation. Fans are invariable plaited by the men, though only employed by the women for fanning fire and smoothing cassava cakes on the griddle. Some Lokono (Arawaks) believe that if a woman uses the fan to fan herself she will lose flesh and waste away.

Warishis (Knapsacks) or shoulder baskets are built on an open or close work rectangular foundation. It is subsequently attached to a light but strong flame, out of which the projecting strands are plaited together to form the sides. The pattern of the mesh may or may not be iden-

tical throughout the foundation.

Cover basketry refers to the plait-work built over and around certain vessels and other implements for the purpose of transportation, protection and decoration. These types of basketry are rarely met with today.

The rectangle trays are with straight vertical rims are all plaited in close work, and are mainly employed for collecting cassava flour after passing through the sifter, but they can also be put to other uses when necessary. The strands are plaited in such a manner to form a vertical laminated edging.

The unenclosed oval base baskets include two series, on which the strands run parallel with the length of the basket in a twisted fashion and another in which the strands are crossed and form pentagons. These basket types are employed to catch fish in small streams; they consist of a more cylindrical body. The body and tail are manufactured by means of a ring on which the wraps are fixed. (Information provided by Walter Roth Museum).

The Guyana Legion is guided by its motto, ‘Lest we Forget’, which aims to ensure the memory of the gallant men and women who suffered and died for their country remains in the minds of all Guyanese.

The organisation was established April 23, 1926, as the British Guiana Ex-Servicemen’s Association, after three years of informal meetings. It was formally founded and registered, and its name subsequently changed to British Guiana Legion, and after independence in 1966, to the Guyana Legion.

The Legion’s objectives

The Legion’s declared policy from the start has been “non-sectarian and non-political, with respect to its aims, objectives and activities.” It seeks to promote unity among veterans, fostering the spirit of comradeship and ensuring social and economic well-being and welfare of the members especially the aged, disabled and the destitute. The Legion, the retired Col. Said, is to assist ex-servicemen and ex-servicewomen, and the widows, children and

dependents of those who have served. It assists, promotes and sustains spiritual, educational, cultural, social and economical development amongst members.

Funds raised or contributed from any source for the welfare of ex-servicemen and women, or the widows, children and dependents of those who have served are utilised for that purpose and not devoted to any other; provided always that reasonable administrative expenses properly incurred in promoting the objects of The Legion shall be deemed to be included in that purpose.

Captain Coghlan’s dream Irish-born Captain John Patrick Coghlan MC, who served as Guyana Legion president for two periods, 1942 to 1943 and 1948 to 1952, was a World War One veteran serving as Judge Advocate of the British West Indies Regiment. He held the Military Cross (MC).

A man of great vision and faith in the development of the then British Guiana, it was his initiative and commitment to the cause of ex-servicemen that resulted in the Legion’s acquisition of its own property for its headquarters, Carifesta Avenue, Thomas Lands.

Coghlan was given a mandate by his colleagues to acquire suitable premises for meetings, and a place to be used as the Legion’s main base of administrative operations. At that time the Legion occupied rented premises at South Road, Bourda. As head of a select com-

mittee, Coghlan was able to interest local business firms and others to contribute towards the headquarters project and, with government’s assistance, one of his most cherished dreams for his fellow veterans manifested itself in 1948 in the form of the site and building which now houses the Legion’s headquarters.

The Guyana Legion Headquarters building was named ‘Coghlan House’ following a motion at the half-yearly general meeting in August 2009. The sign board outside the building was formally unveiled November 8, 2009, by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds.

The Poppy Appeal

The ‘poppy’ had its origin in Flanders Field during World War One. It was first worn in 1921 as a symbol to remember those who made the supreme sacrifice during World War One. It was later adopted as a symbol of remembrance for World War Two.

In Guyana, we have come to regard the poppy as something to be worn during Remembrance Week in November and an Armistice Day Parade. The poppy is now seen as a symbol of remembrance for all who served in the wars that followed the Great Wars, such as those in Vietnam, Korea, Malaysia, Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Many young Guyanese volunteered to serve in World Wars One and Two and paid the supreme sacrifice: their lives. Some Guyanese

have served more recently in foreign armies in these recent wars. There are also service men and women of the GDF who served in Guyana and overseas. While we traditionally remember the fallen in both World Wars, Remembrance Day is observed at the anniversary of the armistice of World War One, the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918, the First World War ended.

In Guyana today, government officials, members of the Disciplined Services, members of the Diplomatic Corps and other Guyanese would gather at the Cenotaph in Georgetown to pay tribute to the fallen heroes of World Wars One and Two during a solemn service at the memorial site. The event is conducted each year at the site, the monument which was erected in memory of the fallen soldiers in the vicinity of the National Library, Main and Church Streets. The monument commemorates the struggle of Guyanese soldiers who fought between the years of 1914 to1918 and 1938 to 1945 in the West Indies component of the British Army.

Let us never forget those who have served our country and who are still with us and need our help. Contributions can be made to the Guyana Legion office on Carifesta Avenue, Thomas Lands. (Guyana Time Sunday Magazine)

Vacation

By Anu Dev

“In matters of healing the body or the mind, vacation is a true genius!

“What I did for my August vacation” –come September, the composition title that pretty much every school-child will expect to be asked to write on. It’s a wonder we don’t write one during the holidays preemptively so we can just lay back and relax when that assignment is given. On second thought, I know why. How many children ever actually do school-work while on vacation? There’s a reason that there’s a collective chortle at the Headteacher’s exhortation in her end-of-year speech to “crack open” our books during the summer.

I’ve never really seen the point of those essays though. They’re basically mostly just you listing off the things you did during the summer. “This vacation I visited the ______________ with my __________ and ______. It was very ____________. But the most fun was when we [insert thrilling anecdote]. I also ____________ and learnt how to swim.”

And so it goes as primary school children try to build up their essays to the required length – 250 words, I think? There’re only so many ways you can creatively list off all of your summer escapades. Besides, most of us are just so sorry the vacation’s over, we’re only fuzzily focusing on our work anyway. We’re mostly hankering back to those lazy “summer” days.

I mean sure, you usually fill your friends in on what you’ve been up to, but it’s not in perfect grammar and stilted English – it’s usually a loud babble of voices all speaking at once. I’ve always wished that one of my teachers could come up with a more creative topic to kick off the school year. Or a more creative way. There’s something called “Digital Humanities” that just hit the English Graduate Programmes in the US – it utilises all the new media and electronic techniques available now to create narratives. Maybe it’ll percolate back into the Caribbean soon??

But maybe in time I’ll grow nostalgic about those essays, as I’m already preemptively growing nostalgic about “August vacations”. I’ve been informed that adults don’t get three-month holidays just like that, to lounge about. (My Dad – and certainly not my Mom – never had a “nine to five” job…until last year!!!) Even though I know it’s not practical to have the entire world just vacationing about for three months, it would be kind of nice, wouldn’t it? Everyone needs a vacation (and then a vacation from your vacation). Vacations are important. They’re the light at the end of the tunnel during an extra hard sustained period of school or work.

Vacations don’t have to be jet-setting to far-off countries – you could just relax and unwind at home. Like after our gruelling exams, all my friends and I had on our minds for after the exams was to sleep – no extravagant plans, just sleep. But then instead of sleeping, we stayed up into the wee hours of the morning catching up on all the shows and movies we’d missed out on, so I’m not sure if this is the best example of using your vacation to relax.

But anyway, the nice thing about vacations is that you can spend them how you want, you’re not chained to a desk working anymore – the shackles are off. Sleep or don’t sleep. Save up your money and then spend it on travelling, if that’s your thing. Catch up on that new book that you’ve been trying to read or binge-watch all the seasons of that TV show you’ve been dying to watch. Meet new people, meet old people, visit your friends and family. Do whatever’s your cup of tea. Drink tea even, if you’re into that.

So for everyone still on holiday, “Happy vacationing!” and for those of you whose vacations are already over, I hope you had a pleasant holiday.

The tuition hike at UGBC is unnecessary. We have said this before, and we shall keep saying it.

If from 2009 to 2012 we could have had a surplus at the Campus even while we extended facilities (a new building, new air-conditioned office spaces, new basic medical station, new computer centres, etc), then we need not look for further proof.

This was the result of good management, looking for innovative ways to save the taxpayers’ money, financial honesty, and reaching out to the community. But enough of the place!

Let us talk about the impact of tuition increase on “ordinary” Berbicians. One student – let’s call him Navin – has already quit. He cannot afford to pay the increase.

Navin lives at “top side” and works hard for a living. He has a wife and children. He skimped and saved. The children had to eat. He and his wife had to eat. He had to pay for transportation to go to Tain. The strain was great. But now the pressure of the new tuition increase has broken Navin.

He was forced to quit and there is no looking forward to earning a degree which could have given him a good job and provided a future for his family. He is finished.

This is the impact on an “ordi-

Simply the truth

nary” Berbician. I would bet and win that at no point while the big folks were gyaaffin and agreeing on tuition hikes (in the Education Lecture Theatre where they are destroying education), at no point did the impact on “ordinary” young individual Guyanese come up.

Especially not Berbicians! At no point!

For them, Berbice is just a place somewhere outside Georgetown where they go to once in a blue moon to make sure that we Berbician non-entities not behaving too badly. Is like when overseers come down to look at the cane-cutters.

They enjoy our hospitality though, and we are happy to serve

The T&T Film Festival (TTFF) has announced the first section of its programme of films for its 2014 edition, the Caribbean features section. Twenty featurelength films—ten fiction films and ten documentaries—will screen in this section at this year’s festival, which runs from September 16–30.

A release from the TTFF said the 20 films come from eight Caribbean countries: Barbados, Cuba, Curaçao, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Puerto Rico and T&T. They reflect a range of genres and thematic concerns.

“Our Caribbean section this year seems stronger and more diverse in subject and style than ever,” said Annabelle Alcazar, TTFF

them food and drink since we are good servants. But for them, the individual lives of individual UGBC students are just abstractions. These lives do not matter to those people. Not because they are thoughtless and uncaring people necessarily, but because our students are not in their minds.

Students living far away from the Tain Campus have it hard. Now our masters have made it harder and impossible for people like Navin. We dread to think of the impact this tuition hike would have on Berbicians who live in Region Five. People who also work for a living!

The cost for transport alone is Gy$60,000 a month. Let us not even bother about the perils of females travelling late at night. No one cares. I wonder if any of the Berbice Campus lecturers and “administrators” kicked up a storm?

Even if they kicked up a cowardly drizzle, I would have some respect for them. Maybe we are being harsh, but I really have no respect for self-serving people and cowards.

We worked hard to rebuild the reputation of the Berbice Campus. We served our students as much as we served our fellow Berbicians and fellow Guyanese. Dr Jagan would have liked it. This was from 2008 to 2012. It has all come apart.

Caribbean features

Films marked with an asterisk (*) are in competition.

Go to www.ttfilmfestival.com/caribbean-features for the synopses and trailers of all films.

Narrative selections

• 200 Cartas, directed by Bruno Irizarry, Puerto Rico, 2013, T&T premiere

programme director. “We feel it represents a true reflection of our region.”

Eleven of the films will be in official competition, for one or more of three awards: Best Narrative Feature, Best Documentary Feature and Best T&T Feature. Several will also compete for the inaugural Amnesty International Human Rights Prize.

Still to be announced are the closing night film, the section of Caribbean short and medium-length films, the panorama section of feature-length films (films from world cinema), and the experimental films playing in the New Media section.

Already announced as the opening film is Pan! Our Music Odyssey, a T&T docudrama, which will have its world premiere.

Full line-up of

• Behaviour Ernesto, directed by Daranas Serrano, Cuba, 2014, T&T premiere*

• Cows Wearing Glasses, directed by Alex Santiago Pérez, Puerto Rico, 2014, Caribbean premiere*

• Giraffes, directed by Kiki Álvarez, Cuba, 2013, T&T premiere*

Europe in the summer

- Jamaican artistes flock festivals on the continent

KINGSTON, JAMAICA:

Europe is the bubbling epicentre for reggae music this summer.

As Europeans take full advantage of the warmer weather, Jamaican acts are front and centre at many of the reggae festivals now underway on that continent.

Perhaps the busiest act this season is fastrising roots reggae act Chronixx, who has 17 stops in the European leg of his Dread and Terrible tour.

But Chronixx is not alone, as many other local acts are making it onto the roster for festivals not only being staged in the traditional European reggae markets such as Germany, the United Kingdom and France, but in Austria, The Netherlands, Slovakia, Poland and Denmark, which are welcoming reggae acts to their shore in increasing numbers.

This weekend, Germany plays host to two festivals featuring reggae artistes from Jamaica with Beenie Man, Cobra, Romain Virgo and Rootz

BEENIE mAN... one on the few dancehall acts on the European festivals and JImmy clIFF... advertised for festivals in spain, slovakia, Germany and France

Underground advertised for those gigs.

At the same time, a slew of locals are also on stage at Reggae Sundance over in The Netherlands. That stage will feature John Holt, Luciano, Shaggy Tarrus Riley, Busy Signal, Big Youth, Tanya Stephens, Jesse Royal, Kabaka Pyramid, Iba Mahr among others.

Next week is a strong week for the local acts with festivals in Germany, France, Austria, Poland and the UK.

Among the acts billed for the Chiemsee Summer Festival in Germany are Shaggy, Jimmy Cliff, Max

• Haiti Bride, directed by Robert Yao Ramesar, T&T/Haiti, 2014, world premiere*

• Keeping Up with the Joneses, directed by Rommel Hall, Barbados, 2014, T&T premiere

• Sensei Redemption, directed by German Gruber, Curaçao, 2014, international premiere*

• A Story About Wendy 2, directed by Sean Hodgkinson, T&T, 2014, Caribbean premiere

• Two Smart, directed by Shakirah Bourne and Ricky Redman, Barbados, 2014, international premiere

• Wake, directed by José María Cabral, Dominican Republic, 2013, T&T premiere

Romeo, Luciano, Tanya Stephens, Chronixx and Gyptian. Cliff, Luciano, Anthony B and Droop Lion are also advertised to lead Jamaica's charge at the No Logo Festival in France from this coming Wednesday to Friday. Busy Signal and Romain Virgo are among those on the Hill Vibes Reggae Festival in Austria on Thursday.

The four-day Ostrada Reggae Festival will see the likes of Chronixx, The Skatelites and Rootz Underground taking to the stage.

Over in the UK, Cocoa Tea, The Mighty Diamonds and Bushman are just a few of the local acts on the One Love

Documentary selections

• The Abominable Crime, directed by Micah Fink, 2013, Jamaica/USA*

• Art Connect, directed by Miquel Galofré, 2014, T&T, world premiere*

• Blanco, directed by Melvin Durán, Dominican Republic, 2014, T&T premiere*

• Hotel Nueva, Isla directed by Irene Gutiérrez Torres and Javier Labrador Deulofeu, Cuba, 2014, Caribbean premiere*

• Legends of Ska: Cool & Copasetic, directed by Brad Klein, Jamaica/USA, 2014, Caribbean premiere

• Mala Mala, directed by Dan

Satiricus was distraught. He’d always had a soft spot for RoopNaRain. Hey! The man was a true intellectual. He was made for the Ivory Tower. While his buddy Rod Knee went grubbing over in Darkest Africa, he’d holed up at Cambridge swotting at Shakespeare. To be or not to be??? Hell!! RoopNaRain had decided to be with Granger and the old nemesis Peean-See.. and was now caught between a rock and a hard place.

Everyone and their uncle had washed their mouths on poor RoopNaRain for holding hands with the Pee-an-See. “But what’s an intellectual to do??” said Satiricus to the fellas at the back street bar. “Guyanese don’t exactly put a high premium on quick quotes from the Bard. A guy’s got to

Festival.

One of the most anticipated European Reggae festivals, Rototom Sunsplash in Spain has one of the biggest Jamaican contingents for the event which runs from August 16-23.

This bill sees acts such as The Jolly Boys, Dubtonic Kru, Sean Paul, Junior Kelly and Jah 9 joining Jimmy Cliff, Anthony B, Romain Virgo, Beenie Man, Kabaka Pyramid, Chronixx, Busy Signal and Mikey General set to take that stage.

Poland is the next stop for the majority of local acts for the Regalowisko, Bielawa Reggae Festival from August 21-23. Anthony B, John Holt, Junior Kelly Jesse Royal and Jah 9 are among those down to perform.

Slovakia will play host to Dubtonic Kru, Jimmy Cliff, Chronixx and more that same weekend.

The major festivals wrap up at the end of August with the Scandinavia Reggae Festival from August 29-30, which should see local acts including Tanya Stephens and Busy Signal taking to the stage.

from page 33

Sickles and Antonio Santini, Puerto Rico, 2014, Caribbean premiere*

• The Mountain, directed by Tabaré Blanchard and Iván Herrera, Dominican Republic, 2013, T&T premiere*

• The Price of Memory, directed by Karen Marks Mafundikwa, Jamaica, 2014, T&T premiere*

• They Are We, directed by Emma Christopher, Cuba/Sierra Leone/Australia, 2014, Caribbean premiere*

• You and Me, directed by Natalia Cabral and Oriol Estrada Dominican Republic, 2013, Caribbean premiere* (TT Guardian)

Pomposity…

…in TIGI

If there ever was a bunch of stuck-up, self important wankers, it’s the motley crew in the local Transparency International. The pompous species is perfectly exemplified by its President Anand Goolsarran. That’s the fella who became Auditor General only because his boss Farnum begged Hoyte to “take pity”. Has he ever acknowledged Farnum?? He’s criticised the present Auditor General (AG) mercilessly for not being “qualified”. Yet when he wanted to qualify himself on the job and pursue a Masters Degree abroad, he recommended a stand-in with the same qualifications as the now “unqualified” AG.

And repeated the ploy with another similarly “unqualified” assistant when he wanted to take in some big US bucks at the UN – leveraging the Masters the Government had allowed him to earn. So when the sanctimonious “Mr Transparency” Goolsarran needs to feather his nest, “unqualified” AG’s are OK!! But not otherwise.

Anyhow it seems the meretricious hypocrite wrote the Commissioner of Information, Charles Ramson, SC, for some information. In his inestimable style, Mr Ramson pointed out that as an organisation so aware of public affairs, surely TIGI’s aware that the Opposition had excised the budgeted funding the Commission of Information.

And displaying his common touch, that makes his erudition stand out even brighter, the former Attorney General, pithily summarised the reason for his inability to fill TI’s request by quoting the Mighty Sparrow: “No money, No love”!!

Whereupon in its column provided by the Stabber, TIGI responded huffily, “The Commissioner has trivialised TIGI’s request in quoting the Mighty Sparrow, “no money, no love”. The Mighty Sparrow is an entertainer but TIGI is not in the business of entertaining.” Really?? They could’ve fooled this Eyewitness!! What else but “laughable” is Goolsarran’s and the rest of the wankers’ protestations that they aren’t “political”!!! Like the Pope’s not Catholic!!

But what’s even more troubling is Goolsarran’s insistence of “paper credentials” as a measure for competence. In the entire history of the Caribbean, have there more perceptive commentators on our reality than calypsonians?? Ahhhh…would TIGI be as “entertaining” as the King of Kaiso!! By speaking truth to power! They would’ve at least earned some credibility.

From “Federation” in 1959 through “Neurosis of the Rich” to “This Is Madness” in 1995, Sparrow helped shape our consciousness more that the poseurs of TIGI ever will.

From “This is Madness” we remind Goolsarran’s Opposition cohorts (including Nagamootoo’s recent call) of Sparrow’s question:

“Why have we cast aside intelligence and abandoned commonsense with unprecedented violence for which there is no known defence??”

…in Speaker Trotman

Never mind he’s an interested party. The latest comments of Speaker Trotman about the courts “interfering” in the “business of Parliament” has to make one wonder who taught this fella Constitutional Law.

make a living, no”

“That’s what ‘working girls’ over by the Cathedral say!!” piped up Suresh.

“Still doesn’t make it right.”

“Wha yuh prablem wid de girls by de Cathedral, Suresh?” asked Cappo. “If deh gat fuh do the thing, na bettah dem get money??”

“And if RoopNaRain got to quote people, he might as well get paid for it!!” laughed Hari. “But is what the problem, Sato??”

“Fellas, read the paper. That WAPA chap Oh-Gun said all their party people got to break ranks with Peean-See and vote to fund the Rod Knee Commission. Is what that gon do to RoopNaRain??”

“Sato, is what yuh does tek worries fa?” smiled Cappo. “Me bet yuh

RoopNaRain nah gon change he vote!”

“But Rod Knee was his buddy!!” protested Satiricus. “That was one of the reasons I liked him. Even though he was a great intellectual, he was willing to be friends with a man who went to Darkest Africa and grounded with his brothers in the slums of Jamaica.”

“Sato my friend, you have to learn something,” said Teacher Samad, who’d been listening as usual to the conversation, quietly. “In politics, just like in prostitution, once you’ve become someone’s b*tch, you can’t back out. And in 2011, RoopNaRain, became Granger’s b*tch!”

“Oh,” said Satiricus, as he shook his head in understanding. “Poor RoopNaRain!! How low has the mighty fallen.”

The article in the Muckraker sets up Trotman’s ignorant intervention by claiming: “Prior to the Tenth Parliament, there was only one legal challenge to the National Assembly. It was in 1965. The then Chief Justice, Harold Bollers, was very strong in condemning what he considered to be the interference of the courts in parliamentary business.”

Sure. And for his comment giving Burnham free rein to do as he pleased in Parliament, Bollers was appointed to head the Elections Commission. Which then allowed the budding dictator to change the electoral rules to rig the 1968 elections. He became known as Burnham’s “toothless poodle”.

Presumably, that’s what Trotman wants Chief Justice Ian Chang to be for him. And go along with his contention that Parliament’s a “club” that can set its own rules. But what if the rules violate the Constitution, wanker??

Even Parliament is under the Constitution. Thank God!!

Hailed as Britain's first black bandleader, Kenrick Reginald Hymans-Johnson was a long way from home, performing his signature ‘fluid and flexible’ dance moves that earned him the name “SnakeHips”, and a place in the history of black entertainers breaking down barriers of colour in England during the early 20th century.

Born in Georgetown September 10, 1914, in what was then British Guiana, Kenrick Johnson was born into the Johnson family, considered one of the colony’s elite; his father was a well-known and respected doctor in the city.

After attaining a place at Queen’s College, the colony’s premier school where he excelled in academics, music and sports, (he played cricket and football) he was sent to England in 1929 to further his studies. At 15, he enrolled in the prestigious William Borlase School in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, a school that featured much of the entertainment arts like music, dance and theatre in its curriculum.

While his family expected him to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a doctor, Johnson’s passion was for music and dance, an enthusiasm that began in British Guiana from the colony’s thriving music scene of the time. At Marlow, that passion flourished, as did his interest in dance, which he began studying.

When acclaimed American choreographer Buddy Bradley arrived in England to train

MIt has been reported over the years that the cellar of the rebuilt café du Paris, which once housed the bandstand, now houses the ghost of Ken Johnson. staff members say they have seen “a handsome young immaculately-dressed black man appear out of nowhere and vanish”

British dance star of the time, Jessie Matthews, Johnson began dance training under Bradley. Bradley himself was recommended to train Matthews by Hollywood star Fred Astaire, whom Bradley had coached.

to swing music, a new American trend. But viewing an orchestra gig in Harlem, by famed American swing musicians Cab Calloway and Fletcher Henderson, inspired Johnson to form his own orchestra band, moving him away from film.

Johnson returned to England in 1935, and in 1936, Leslie Thompson, leader of a band called Emperors of Jazz, asked Johnson to be the band’s “dummy conductor” because Thompson wanted a compelling personality fronting the band as it played, and Johnson’s dance style suited this concept.

It is said that Johnson’s supple sixfoot four-inch frame that moved sinuously and smoothly was what earned him the name “SnakeHips”. Indeed, there are also reports that while he was considered such a refined, well-spoken young man, immaculate in his white

The arrangement with Thompson did not last long however, and Johnson went on to form his own band with some members of Thompson’s band, calling it ‘Ken Johnson and the Rhythm Swingers’. Later, in 1937, he invited some West Indian musicians into his or-

Johnson’s memorial plaque at

Johnson completed school in 1931, and by 1934 he was in the US, appearing as a dancer in the 1934 film ‘Oh Daddy’ and in Hollywood cabarets, being introduced

suit with a flower in his lapel when the music started, he was often asked to tone down his performance - a precursor to Elvis Presley some suggest.

eet Sonia GoddingTogobo, Guyaneseborn documentarian, director and filmmaker, currently based in the UK. First migrating to Canada at age two, Sonia graduated from Archbishop Denis O’Connor Catholic High School in Ontario. Sonia has worked in broadcast television for the last decade with broadcast credits in Canada and England. She has also produced short films in both Haiti and Ghana. In 2001, after graduating from Humber’s Film and Television program, Sonia went on to work in numerous post production houses before settling at Nelvana - North America’s largest animation distributor. While at Nelvana, she in-

chestra, and four new players joined the band.

Ken Johnson and the Rhythm Swingers played at London's Old Florida Club to rave reviews, and by 1940 it

dependently worked on short films, music videos and documentaries. Favouring the lat-

shaft and exploded over the band’s stage area where Johnson and saxophonist David Williams were the two band members to be killed, and guitarist Joey Deniz among the more than 60 injured.

Ken Johnson’s funeral was well attended by members of the music fraternity, his Marlow alumni, a student from British Guiana who was also a member of the colony’s cricket team, and several other West Indians of London. His mother was unable to attend but gave her permission to have the funeral in England.

was considered among the top swing bands in the country. It was renamed that same year to the West Indian Orchestra, and shifted its venue to regular performances at the Café du Paris, a London West End nightclub. Johnson became a well-known personality, attaining a fan base through BBC radio broadcasts.

On March 8, 1941, during the height of the London blitz by German air raids of the Second World War, the Café du Paris, located underground and considered safe from the bombs, was hit. Ken Johnson and his West Indian Orchestra were at the second verse of a requested song when the glass ceiling came down amid a flash of bright light to leave a scene of death and destruction.

Ken “SnakeHips” Johnson was among the more than 30 persons who died that night; he was just 26 years old.

It would be revealed later that the bomb came through an air

ter, Sonia worked her way up to associate editor on CBC’s A Deathly Silence and WTSN Profile series before moving on to Canada’s pioneering music channel – MuchMusic in 2003. There, she edited a variety of the channel’s programs including an hour special on the crisis in Darfur with George Stroumboulopoulos and the Sri Lanka and Indonesia tsunamis.

In 2005, Sonia worked on SunTV’s Echo – the channel’s premiere multi-ethnic biography series that highlighted diverse trailblazing Torontionians. In 2006, she crossed the big pond and moved to London where she

Receiving his mother’s approval for her son’s final resting place, the William Borlase School’s chapel holds Johnson’s ashes after his funeral at Golders Green. His old school also honoured him May 6, 1998 with a blue memorial plaque, and offers the ‘Ken “Snakehips” Johnson Prize for improvised music’ on its Prize Day.

The West Indian Orchestra is now known as the first regular black band of any size in England, and the BBC radio broadcasts have today, become the only sources of Johnson’s repertoire since the band recorded only 16 songs through the BBC.

After the war, West Indian immigration to England brought many gifted West Indian musicians to enrich British music genres, but Guyanese Ken “SnakeHips” Johnson remains the pioneering black West Indian entertainer, who paved the way for others to follow.

(Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

worked in entertainment and factual programming for a variety of production companies and networks including Channel 4 and BBC. In 2007, she shot and edited her first documentary “We Had a Dream”, in Accra, Ghana. Later that year, she also shot her second film, Adopted ID, about a transracially adopted Canadian who returns to Haiti in search of her biological family. This is Sonia’s first feature length documentary which was released in 2011. Sonia is also the co-founder of SunStar Worldwide – a media and personal development company. (www.guyanesegirlsrock.com)

This week's Crossword

This week's Puzzle

J kes

One wish

An angel appears at a faculty meeting and tells the dean, “In return for your unselfish and exemplary behaviour, the Lord will reward you with your choice of infinite wealth, wisdom, or beauty.”

“Give me infinite wisdom!” declares the dean, without hesitation.

“Done!” says the angel before disappearing in a cloud of smoke.

All heads now turn to the dean, who sits surrounded by a faint halo of light.

“Well,” says a colleague, “say something brilliant.”

The dean stands and, with the poise of Socrates, opines, “I should have taken the money.”

Rockstar life

The band Kings of Leon cut short a concert after pigeons bombarded them with poop.

Bass player Jared Followill couldn’t say how many birds there were.

"The last thing I was going to do was look up," he told CNN.

Getting help

An explorer in the Amazon suddenly finds himself surrounded by a hundred natives. Panicking, he mumbles, “Oh, God, I’m screwed.”

The sky darkens, and a voice booms out, “No, you are not screwed. Pick up that stone at your feet and slay the chief with it.”

The explorer picks up the stone and does just that. He looks up from the chief’s lifeless body in time to see the natives angrily lift their spears.

Just then the voice booms out again: “Okay … now you’re screwed.”

St. George and the dragon

A tramp knocks on the door of an inn known as St. George and the Dragon. The landlady answers. "Could you give a poor man something to eat?" asks the tramp.

"No!" yells the woman, slamming the door in his face.

A few minutes later, he knocks again.

"Now what do you want?" the woman asks.

"Could I have a few words with George?"

Family Matters

"Why doesn’t your mother like me?" a woman asks her boyfriend.

"Don’t take it personally," he assures her. "She’s never liked anyone I’ve dated. I once dated someone exactly like her, and that didn’t work out at all."

"What happened?"

"My father couldn’t stand her."

Flawed flattery

Teeing off on the 12th hole at a golf resort, we stopped to buy cold drinks from the young woman driving the beverage cart. As my buddy reached for his wallet, he said to her, "You’re in great shape. You must work out a lot."

Flattered, she gave him a big smile. "Thank you."

The next day a different young woman was driving the cart.

"Watch this," I whispered. I walked up to her and said, "Wow, you must work out a lot."

"Yeah," she replied. "You should try it."

Exciting palindromes

The topic for my ninth-grade class was palindromes, words or sentences that are the same read forward and backward.

I asked the question "What is the first thing Adam said to Eve?"

I was expecting the answer "Madam, I’m Adam," but one student had a better reply: "Wow."

Christmas Eve service

Just as I began my Christmas Eve service, the electricity in the church failed. The ushers and I found some candles and placed them around the sanctuary. Then I re-entered the pulpit, shuffled my notes, and muttered, "Now, where was I?"

A tired voice called out, "Right near the end!"

Jennifer Bisram is a TV Reporter for WSVN, CH7 in Miami, Fl. Before her move to Miami, she worked at WOFL, the FOX affiliate in Orlando, Fl. At FOX Orlando, the reporter was one of the station’s main journalists who covered the controversial Trayvon Martin/ George Zimmerman case. Her extensive and exclusive reporting, earned her a segment there called The 10 P.M. Interview.

During her stint at WOFL, Jennifer also covered sports, politics, featured events and the everyday news-makers. The powerful storyteller has often been credited by viewers for telling people stories that touched their lives.

Jennifer moved to Central Florida from the Big Apple. Born in Brooklyn, New York, to Guyanese parents, Jennifer began her career when she was only 15 years-old, writing po-

etry in her bedroom and by the following year several of her poems were published in the Anthology of Poetry for Young Americans. It was then that she decided to take her writing to higher heights. She started interning at local newspapers to get experience and exposure.

Her first newspaper internship was at The Chief Civil Service Newspaper at age 16 and by her freshman year at college she penned piec-

es at some of the city’s largest newspapers like NY Newsday and the NY Amsterdam News.

Jennifer, “nosy by nature”, as she often refers to why she opted for reporting, channelled into television right after graduating from the City University of New York’s Queens College. She began her reporting role at News55 on Long Island and quickly moved on to the News12 Network (Connecticut, New Jersey and Westchester) – where

she reported for nearly five years.

The Emmy-nominated journalist also worked for the CW affiliate in NYC, PIX11 News, as a reporter and assignment editor; the Food Network as a producer and NY1 News as a writer.

With more than a decade dedicated to news, in addition to covering the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, the Orlando Magic and

Dwight Howard trade, the 2012 presidential election and polling problems in Central Florida, she’s covered stories of sorts like the terrorist attacks of 9/11, Miracle on the Hudson, Bernie Madoff’s Ponzi scheme, NY Giants Super Bowl XLII victory and the MTV Video Music Awards. Jennifer is always looking for a great story to tell. (www.guyanesegirlsrock.com)

UWI offers Degree in Sign Language

KINGSTON, JAMAICA

:

Persons who are interested in learning sign language will be able to sign their way to a first degree next academic year at the University of the West Indies, Mona.

Applications are now open in the Department of Language, Linguistics and Philosophy for a Bachelor of Arts in Caribbean sign language, with classes set to start in September.

The programme will be offered on both a fulland part-time basis over three and five years, respectively, and will see students from countries like Jamaica, where the government subsidises the costs of degree programmes, paying Ja$259,901 this academic year for fees. Students

from non-sponsoring countries of the UWI will pay Ja$433,126 for fees this year.

Dr Keren Cumberbatch, lecturer in the department and the only person in the world with a linguistics PhD with focus on Caribbean sign language, said diploma and BA programmes were introduced in 2006, but it was only extended to a select group of people who were referred by the Jamaica Association for the Deaf.

The first two members of the BA group will graduate in November.

She said the priority now is to prepare professionals who can communicate in sign language.

"We know that there is a gap in interpreters, so we decided to focus on preparing persons

who would be working with the deaf rather than trying to prepare just a few interpreters," Cumberbatch said.

She added: "So we said, let's continue to focus on preparing doctors, dentists, nurses and social workers and so on, so that when the

deaf go to the dentist, the dentist can sign."

Meanwhile, Cumberbatch has sought to justify the need for a Caribbean sign language degree programme.

ARTIFICIAL LANGUAGE

"Signed English and signed language are two

very different things. Signed English is an artificial language that follows English structure, and it was created for educational purposes to help teach the deaf English," she pointed out.

"Sign languages around the world all have their own grammars. When I use the term 'Caribbean sign language', I mean all the languages that are linked in the

Anglophone Caribbean that have all the same mother sign language, which is American sign language, that is, a deaf person from Trinidad can sign with a person from Jamaica and they will understand each other most of the time," she explained. Cumberbatch said that 15 to 20 students would be an ideal number to kick off the academic year. (Jamaica Gleaner)

Barbados nursing students should be accommodated

BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS:

The Barbados Community College (BCC) continually opens its doors and facilities to visiting students, while the opposite is not always the case for Barbadian nursing students wishing to study abroad.

On Monday, in an interview with The Barbados Advocate, the Registrar, Sydney Arthur said that though Barbados makes the accommodation for foreign students, some international countries are using laws as a way to refrain from accepting nursing students from Barbados, but he is hopeful that in time, they, along with the countries of the region, would accept Barbados’ nursing students.

He told the newspaper that one “factor impacting our ability to send nurses abroad is the laws that you find in those cosmopolitan countries”.

Making his comment at the BCC Division of Health Sciences Duke University Orientation Programme, he stated, “…It is relatively easy for Duke students to come here and go into the [Queen Elizabeth] Hospital (QEH); not only Duke students, but all through the year we get requests from students in the UK who want to come over and do a practicum in the QEH in ob-

stetrics or Accident and Emergency or Intensive Care or whatever, and we accommodate them, our system accommodates them.”

He cried, “…Now for Barbados, for Barbadian students to achieve that overseas it is very problematic and it is not for the lack of trying. I have approached a number of universities in the UK and Canada and the US with a view of getting our students to spend some time over there and the university itself usually is very willing to do but the law, because of the potential for liability, if anything happens to the patient and so.”

The Registrar asserted, “I think it is just a cop-out myself. I think we get persons coming here who do not do any hands on. They just observe.”

However, stressing that the exchange is a critical component of studying: “...I think it is very important for them to do so because this gaining all the experience in Barbados to me is very narrow,” he pledged, “…Anyway, I will continue to try and hopefully one of these days some of our students will be able to go overseas.”

And as such, he said that going forward, there are also looking into the region as an alternative for study abroad as well. (Barbados Advocate)

Economists say Browne’s trip to Italy could be fruitful

ST JOHN’S, ANTIGUA:

According to a regional economist, Antigua’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne’s current trip to Italy to secure investors may yet yield positive results.

Browne is reportedly in Italy seeking investors for Antigua & Barbuda. However, multiple publications, including The New York Times and Reuters, have stated that the Italian economy is experiencing its third recession since 2008.

Economist McCarthy Marie of Dominica noted that while the Italian economy is in a state of recession, there may still be investors looking for financeable projects.

“Just because the country is in a recession doesn’t mean that every potential investor has no money, so the two things don’t really add up together,” he said.

“Point of fact, specifically because they are in a recession, the investors over there who have money to invest might want to invest elsewhere because the economy is not buoyant.”

He further noted

that it is too soon to say whether Browne’s move was a wise one as there are other factors to be considered.

“I’ll assume he didn’t just pack his bags and go over there looking for people,” he reasoned. “He’d have had some preliminary contacts who said yes, there’s a possibility that we can do something; come over, let’s talk.

“So without more information about what kind of investment he’s seeking and what the Italian investors are interested in, it would be impossible to say whether that is wise or unwise.”

Marie said Antigua and the rest of the

Caribbean must look for new and creative ways to generate revenue, as it is now seeing serious competition in the tourism arena.

“The world is changing all the time and we have to refocus our attention on what kinds of usage we can offer … in terms of offering investment in particular areas that are better suited (here) than elsewhere,” he said.

Prime Minister Browne and his team are on a four-day expedition to Italy, where they will meet with potential investors in a number of areas, including highend hotel development and renewable energy.

(Antigua Observer)

JLP calls for boost to cruise shipping sector

Kingston Jamaica: Opposition spokesperson on tourism and cruise shipping, Shahine Robinson, has called for a stakeholders' team to be established to address the problems affecting Jamaica's cruise shipping sector.

Robinson urged Minister of Tourism Dr Wykeham McNeill, in a news release last Friday, to pull together a stakeholders' team to boost berthing capacity and cruise ship arrivals; balance the cruise ship traffic spread across the resort towns; and make the resort towns more attractive.

She suggested that the team should focus on aggressively courting major cruise lines; balance the cruise ship-

ping traffic to include Port Antonio, which has massive potential for exclusive boutique tourism, and make the resort towns too attractive to be ignored by visitors.

Robinson said that, currently, there is a "gross lack of direction" from the government on cruise shipping. She pointed out that her concerns have come on the heels of recent announcements by the world's largest cruise operator, Carnival Cruise Lines, of its intent to develop a US$70 million cruise ship port in Tortuga, Haiti, and its scheduled opening of a another port in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.

She also expressed serious concern that as of May next year,

Carnival Breeze, one of the largest ships built for Carnival, will no longer call at Ocho Rios. She said this will result in a fall-off of approximately 100,000 visitors per year, job losses and a decline in business.

Robinson also reiterated the point she had made in her recent sectoral debate contribution, that cruise shipping was being treated like the "stepchild" of the tourism sector, although it offers many opportunities for growth.

She noted that Jamaica's cruise ship arrivals last year were down by 4.2 per cent over 2012, with Ocho Rios down by 3.2 per cent and Montego Bay down by an "alarming" 29.8 per cent. (Jamaica Observer)

BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS:

Barbados’ sports tourism niche is reaping success for the island as a destination, and the country’s minister of tourism and international transport, Richard Sealy, is promising more developments in this area.

He gave this vote of confidence in the island’s tourism product while participating in the Cabinet Diaspora discussion on the final day of the Barbados Network Consultation 2014 - Third Diaspora Conference.

Acknowledging that the tendency was to appeal to tourists in the older demographic and project Barbados as a leisure destination, Sealy said that much had been done to change that concept through the development of niche areas.

“The sports tourism niche is quite active in Barbados with over 60 disciplines of sports being practiced here… and the sports tourism fusion has worked extremely well for us, and we think that we have only just begun.

“Traditionally, cricket, golf, team hockey and

master’s football have worked well, but we are also talking to some of the other sporting disciplines. So, I think the sports tourism fusion is huge and its connection with community tourism would obviously appeal to a younger demographic,” he underlined.

The Tourism Minister said the decision to make Barbados “the motors sports mecca” of the Caribbean, coupled with the further expansion of the Bushy Park facility, would “take sports tourism to another level”.

Turning his attention to festivals, Sealy said beyond Crop Over, the island has a legitimate gospel festival, a very popular reggae fes-

tival, the Holders Season and the Barbados Food, Wine and Rum Festival.

The tourism minister said the Barbados Food, Wine and Rum Festival, now in its fifth year, was poised to become one of the most significant festivals of Barbados.

“The patrons, the foodies and the participants are convinced that we are on to something very special here, and we will continue to develop that. So, I think that the festivals and the sports tourism fusion are all aimed at diversifying our product offerings, [moving] away from this idea that we are simply a leisure spot for those who are in the evening years of their lives,” he emphasised. (BGIS)

Born to parents Patricia Bhagrat and Edward Bruce, Kevin Bhagrat is the youngest of four siblings. He sees himself as a sincere, genuine, compassionate, self-empowered and innovative individual with a passion for the fashion industry. A student and model, Kevin enjoys extracurricular activities such as indoor and outdoor sports, a good game of dominoes, playing video games as well as watching television shows and movies. Kevin is great at building harmonious and long lasting friendships with new individuals and is always willing to try new things and being adventurous. He is and has always been an advocate for self-empowerment and always tries to exemplify and radiate self-empowerment himself. He stated that the greatest discovery one can make is to find out that we, as mere human beings, can change and shape our future by merely changing our attitudes. The self-empowerment advocate has been modelling for several years now. His experiences include Guyana Fashion Week, which is hosted by Guyana's most iconic fashion designer Sonia Noel. He has also done several fashion shows in various parts of Guyana. He stated that his most memorable experience is when he was selected as Mr Guyana United Nations 2013 to represent Guyana at the United Nations Pageant, which was held in Miami, Florida, at the Sukee Resort and Casino. He said that his role model is his mother, since she has played both a mother and father figure to him throughout his life. His mother has taught him many valuable life lessons, which has made him a very strong, ambitious, positive, loving and compassionate individual. Currently, Kevin is vying for the Mr Guyana International crown, which will be held on October 18, 2014, in Korea. His expectation upon completion of the competition “is not only to have won the grand title but also to have become a better young man in every area of life”. Additionally, he hopes to have made an impact on spreading awareness about his platform, Suicide in Guyana, and letting his fellow young men know that there is an alternative to suicide being the way out. Kevin hopes to fulfil this by hosting seminars/workshops where he will be able to educate young men about suicide and explore ways in which they can avoid it or get out of such a situation. His message to his fellow young men is to always remember that they are in charge of their future and can have a bright/successful one by always being positive. He wants to reiterate also that we must be the change we want see. For more information on Kevin, other candidates and the competition, visit Mr Guyana International on Facebook.

Trini Carnival fever in Zimbabwe

PORT-OFSPAIN, TRINIDAD:

Twenty-five years after Brother Valentino’s Stay Up Zimbabwe was played on local airwaves, the people of Zimbabwe heard his song for the first time, in May. When apartheid controlled and stifled Rhodesia (as Zimbabwe was then called, after a Cecil Rhodes’ British South African Country), Valentino recorded the world event as his responsibility as the Griot—the storyteller.

But more importantly, when he wrote the song during the time of the strengthened awareness of black power, it was meant to uplift the downtrodden, as a lyrical threat to racial prejudice.

When Valentino performed the song before those who attended T&T night at the Harare International Festival organised by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, not only did it bring back memories of a time of challenge and struggle but an awe that someone in a country thousands of miles away, across the Atlantic Ocean, actually recorded

the spirit of the people.

“They were touched to know someone understood the struggle, revered their freedom fighters,” said Tuco president and rapso pioneer Lutalo Masimba, also known as Brother Resistance, who was part of the T&T contingent that participated in the festival.

Through Brother Resistance’s eyes, he saw more than just a team of masqueraders and musicians showing off their talents in another country.

“It was completing the circle of the African experience in T&T,” he said.

Carnival was welcomed in its traditional form—from moko jumbie to fancy sailor and there was a musical exchange for Republic Bank Exodus.

“It was also a personal fulfilment. All my life’s work has been powered and directed by Africa,” he said. “I had the opportunity to perform and share my vibration. The reaction was great. The way how they responded to the mas and the music, it was really amazing.”

“The Brazilians were also there,” Brother Resistance said. “They

brought their samba but it didn’t match up what we were doing. We were sold out on Trinidad night. Nothing compared to Exodus, Valentino and Senor Gomez dancing the mas on Trinidad night.”

About 18 nations— including Malawi, Botswana, Italy and Egypt—participated in the international festival, with each country hosting its own night of

entertainment before the actual Carnival parade which is now in its second year.

The T&T contingent was co-ordinated by Dare2discover which is led by Wendy Wiltshire. With her working experience in the African continent, she has been able to combine her knowledge with her love for T&T culture (from a North Stand patron to seasoned masquerader)

to be the link between the two countries. She had done this in 2011 when she offered Bela Bela, South Africa a taste of what T&T had to offer.

Bela-Bela is a small township in South Africa’s Limpopo province and is a tourist attraction in its own right.

In 2012, the organisers Wiltshire with her Dare2Discover team targeted 2,500 people to par-

ticipate in the Carnival, with T&T bringing 1,000 costumes, a steel band and 100 international guests and officials.

For this trip, High Commissioner to South Africa Harry Partap contacted her, seeking her advice to prepare a team to visit for the Carnival. The contingent, who included Minister of the Arts and Multiculturalism Dr Lincoln Douglas and National Carnival Commission CEO Michael Guyadeen, also spent time in South Africa in celebration of the 20th anniversary of diplomatic ties with T&T.

Still on a high from the visit, Brother Resistance said he was glad to be part of a mission to share T&T’s culture. Wiltshire said there are some immediate returns. For example, she said, a contingent from Zimbabwe and South Africa visited for the Emancipation celebrations looking at possible partnerships in marketing T&T as tourist destination – although not necessarily for Carnival season. The connection, she said, was one reward that was fulfilling.

Nagaman and Rum Jhaat talk a piece of dem mind

Old people seh when a man gotta few drinks in he head he does talk a piece of he mind. Or some times he does talk he mind in pieces till he talk out he whole mind. Most times by de time he done, he does fall to pieces and then fall down.

Well, that is whah happen to de Nagga man de other day. A reporter on he day-off, who was not too far from Nagga in one of dem regular Nagga-style bottom house rum shop down de road, see Nagga man tekkin a few – which turn out to be more than just a few within only a few minutes.

But that was early in de day, so de reporter thought it mighta been de Nagga man birthday. When he try to find out from de barman if was Nagga birthday, de barman seh, well if that was so, it mean that de Nagga man got birthday every day.

When Rum Jhaat walk in a few minutes later, de reporter tell he pardna that it definitely musbe Rum Jhaat birthday, because is only when a man celebratin birthday that he does be allowed to do certain tings, like drop he pants and so on.

That is when de reporter and he pardna conclude that this ‘drop-pants’ behaviour is like a KFC party trademark behaviour, given whah de man from Essequibo Coast do de other day right pun de public road fuh all to see.

Just that both Rum Jhaat and de Essequibo man ain’t got nutten much fuh any body see. And as dem talk out dem mind, de Nagga man and Rum Jhaat decide that since de Pee-P-P ain’t had confidence in dem and kick dem out, is time fuh dem to do de same ting back to de Pee-P-P.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! And that was how de no-confidence motion was born…right down in a rum shop wid two drunk men.

The death of Oscarwinning actor Robin Williams shocked many persons the world over, and Jamaica is no different. Since news of William's death broke on Monday, many Jamaicans have been offering glowing tributes to an actor whose illustrious career saw him venturing to the island for the movie, Club Paradise.

In an official statement sent to The Gleaner, The Jamaica Film Commission expressed sadness at the actor's death. "The Jamaican film industry is saddened to hear of the sudden passing of comic and actor, Robin Williams. Williams has worked with members of the Jamaican industry from as far back as 1985 when he, along with Peter O'Toole and Jimmy Cliff, co-starred in the movie, Club Paradise," the statement said. It went on to offer condolences to the Williams' family and friends.

Club Paradise is an American comedy shot in Jamaica and released in 1985. Its plot

surrounds the adventures of a retired firefighter (Williams) who decides to live it up in the Caribbean. Williams crosses paths with a musician known as Ernest Reed (played by Cliff), and together, they form Club Paradise, which they market as an upscale resort location. Much of the comedic value in the movie comes from the unsuspecting tourists who suffer various misfortunes during their stay at Club Paradise.

Premiere destination

The film showcases

Jamaica as a premiere location and also utilised a host of local talent. Jimmy Cliff not only co-starred in the film, but was also the man responsible for producing a number of songs on the soundtrack, including Club Paradise, American Plan, Third World People and You Can't Keep a Good Man Down.

Other Jamaican artistes whose work featured on the soundtrack include Bob Marley and Yellowman, with Trinidadian Mighty Sparrow making a contribution, as well.

Jamaicans Earl 'China' Smith, Cathy Levy, Louise Bennett-Coverley and Leonie Forbes were also part of the cast.

In an interview with The Gleaner, Forbes recalled Williams as "... such a charming, warm and open young gentleman who really made everyone feel welcome and comfortable."

"I was really shocked when I heard the news on Monday and, I'm sad to see him go at such a young age. The industry has lost a huge talent. Condolences to his family," Forbes said.

Williams' Jamaican connections did not end with Club Paradise, as he returned to the island in 2007 for the film, License to Wed, starring Mandy Moore and John Krasinski.

He died on Monday at his residence in the San Franciso area of California, at 63 yearsold. Yesterday, the sheriff's office confirmed that he committed suicide by using his belt to hang himself. Williams' body was found by his personal assistant. (Jamaica Gleaner)

Vincent Roth, son of Walter Roth, reported his discovery of what he described as a “stone-age bead factory” on the Mahaica River, some made of clay and stones like agate, jasper and quartz. At a well-known archaeological site called Recht-door-zee on the west bank of Demerara, stone beads of various

rock material such as amethyst have also been uncovered, along with various other bead pieces left in various stages of completion.

While bead aprons were usually the only item of clothing worn by the early tribes in addition to arm and legs bands and necklaces, bead aprons in intricate designs are often

worn by many tribes in Guyana today for ceremonial and celebratory purposes, and are adorned with the colourful beads woven in a unique way.

The bead or seed apron is a covering of small glass beads or seeds of different colours and is worn by the women. The beads or seeds are strung on cot-

ton thread and are often formed into figures that represent the flowers, fruits and animals found locally.

Before the arrival of the Europeans, glass beads were unknown to the Amerindians. Consequently, when

the Europeans arrived to trade, among other things, glass beads, the indigenous tribes considered the beads extremely rare and valuable.

The beaded aprons are usually designed to be almost square, with the upper part slightly narrower than the lower part. Fringe work sometimes decorated with feathers is another feature found on aprons.

The technique used to make a bead apron involves using a bent rod tied two centimetres above its ends to a straight crosspiece. Next a length of medium sized cotton string is tied to the upper part of the bent rod to form a tier. After this cotton is

passed over and under both the tier and crosspiece to form the main weaving area which is divided up into several sections of four strands each. It is on to these strands that the beads or seeds along with cotton are woven, sometimes in intricate patterns and designs.

The Waiwai bead or seed “hip covers” or aprons for young girls are worn only after puberty.

These intricately bead aprons among many other decorative ornaments can be viewed at the Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology on Main Street. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

The Shaping of guyaneSe LiTeraTure

By PetamBer Persaud

Extract of an interview with David Hinds, Georgetown, Guyana, 2013. Professor Hinds lectures at Arizona State University and is a rights activist.

PP: Let’s take a closer look at what you describe as “a lull”. Why the lull if we are now

they no longer respond and give back to that society. So there has been a disconnect between the black elite and the black masses…

PP: Rodney mentioned in “The groundings with my brothers” that some of this talented tenth have sold their souls….

DH: Yes. But I think part of what we are see-

a small movement - the 1823 Movement, you will see the 1763 Movementthese are small steps being taken. So the answer to your question who is carrying the fight, I would say a kind of collation between what Clive Thomas called the poor and the powerless and those of us who take the time ever so often to look out of our windows and see what’s happening down there and say let’s go down there…

PP: … like what you do…

DH: Well, yes, in some ways I try to do that.

PP: And we must not forget Brother Eusi.

DH: He has been a tremendous example to persons like myself. And I would like to say in a direct answer to what you’re saying is what you are seeing now Kwayanite/Rodney movement taking roots again – Kwayana is about concreteness, something is happening here people are crying out, what do you do about it. Rodney is saying don’t wait for us to come and do something for you, do for yourself. That type of philosophy is what you see pushing the small steps.

PP: Is this philosophy of helping yourself being peddled?

better placed in society to influence change?

DH: Because of what Du Bois meant when he talked about “the talented tenth”... when this talented tenth are well placed in society, they would be in a better position to serve the community. But what we are seeing is that the contemporary talented tenth, that once they began to do well, once they get onto Wall Street, once they get into the halls of power, they then become alienated, if you will, from the rest of the black community, they go into exile so

ing in this new movement, which I call a human rights movement, is that the black movements are grounded in the notion of human rights, part of it is sparked by frustration that some of us who have come out of exile… and walk the streets and pavements among the people and we see the tears of African people, we see the frustration of African people, we are then moved from a humanist standpoint to say wait that is where I came from and I have to do something to correct this condition. So you will see

tion and thereby can begin to do something to repair it, once you begin to do something to repair it, then you begin to put pressure on those who have the power. They will say these people are not only crying out but they are also making

steps, taking steps on their own like their ancestors who did not wait on the white abolitionist movements (they were black abolitionist movements too at the time of slavery, they did not wait for the abolitionists to come, in fact, the

black abolitionist movements were joined by the while abolitionist movements.)

However, there is this notion that you cannot solve all the problems because a lot of your problems are structural and they need structure and policy approaches. But you can begin to make small contributions –you can begin to talk about discipline, you can begin to talk about education, you can do something about education, you can begin to talk how you should not spend more than you earn, you can begin to talk how to can make what you earn work for you and your family and your wider community. Those are some of the things you can begin to do, you don’t have to wait on somebody to come and tell you these things.

PP: Let’s go back to this lull you mentioned – can you pinpoint where and when this “disconnect” started?

To be continued

Responses to this author telephone (592) 2260065 or email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com

DH: Yes.

Self-sufficiency and self-reliance has always been the bedrock of the ideology pushing Black Nationalism and Black Liberation. Like I said, we have moved away slightly from that but somehow we are beginning to gain some traction here and in the Caribbean and in the rest of the African Diaspora in saying to African people that governments are important, the larger institutions of society are important but it is only you in your collective effort can draw attention to your situa-

Gwyneth Paltrow living across street from Chris Martin

US President Barack Obama is calling Robin Williams ‘one of a kind’ who shared his talent ‘freely and generously with those who needed it most.’

lives as an alien but he ended up touching every element of the human spirit,’ referring to Williams’ late 1970s role in the TV show ‘Mork and Mindy.’

The President said the actor was generous with his comic talents for those who needed it, including troops abroad.

Actress Gwyneth

a few blocks and a short walk away, reported the New York Post.

“Chris can often be seen strolling or jogging around the area on his own, or surfing in Montauk with his and Gwyneth’s kids Apple, 10, and Moses, 8,” a neighbour said.

Obama said in a statement issued on Monday night that Robin Williams ‘arrived in our

Robin Williams was pronounced dead at his home in California on Monday and officials said it appeared to be a suicide.

The statement said: “The Obama family offers our condolences to Robin’s family, his friends, and everyone who found their voice and their verse thanks to Robin Williams.” (Indian Express)

Courteney Cox to marry in Ireland

Courteney Cox and fiance Johnny McDaid reportedly want to get married at the end of the year at Ashford Castle in Galway, Ireland.

The ‘Cougar Town’ actress has her heart set on tying the knot with McDaid at Ashford Castle in Lough Corrib, Galway, after falling in

love with the medieval building whilst visiting the Snow Patrol rocker’s family in Derry, Northern Ireland, recently, reported Contactmusic.

“Johnny took Courteney to Ireland to meet his family and they fell in love with Ashford Castle. They want to get married there at the end of the year and have a big

bash in LA on a Malibu beach afterwards,” a source said.

McDaid, 38, popped the question to the former ‘Friends’ star, 50 in June after just six months of dating.

Cox and McDaid were first spotted together in December when they attended the actress’ close friend Jennifer Aniston’s holiday party in Los Angeles.

Meanwhile, Cox finalised her divorce from her ex-husband David Arquette in May last year, but the exlovers remain on good terms and share custody of their 10-year-old daughter Coco. (Indian Express)

Kaley Cuoco feels she looks like Justin Bieber

‘Big Bang Theory’ star Kaley Cuoco feels that her pixie haircut is similar to Justin Bieber’s. The 28-year-old actress, who chopped off her hair recently, feels blessed after getting the new look, reported Ace Showbiz.

“I was swishing my hair to the left so much, I was like, ‘Do I look like Justin Bieber?!’ I feel liberated. It’s like I needed to find myself again. It’s the best decision I’ve ever made,” she said. Asked about her pregnancy plan,

Dthe 28-year-old actress, who got married to professional tennis player Ryan Sweeting in 2013, said, “I can’t wait, he (Ryan) can’t wait. I feel like I’m meant to be a mom.”

aniel Radcliffe says he is not easily satisfied with his work although it earns him big bucks.

The ‘Harry Potter’ depicter in the hit wizard movie franchise recently criticised his own performance in the sixth movie, reported Ace Showbiz.

Kaley will return to small screen in the eighth season of ‘The Big Bang Theory’ this fall. She also will grace big screen in upcoming movie ‘The Wedding Ringer’. (Indian Express)

“The moments I’m not as proud of, mistakes other actors get to make in rehearsal rooms or at drama school, are all on film for everyone to see.

“I never liked watching myself on film but I do make myself sit through it. I think it comes from not actually realising I didn’t have to go to my own premieres and watch the film – that’s something I’ve only just realised you don’t have to do. I always went along and sat with everyone else watching the movie,” he said. (Indian Express)

Paltrow is reportedly living in an apartment near to her former husband’s house. Martin has rented the mansion of Los

Angeles Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak, who has a 4,000-square-foot place off Old Montauk Highway, while Paltrow’s home is just

Despite the separate addresses, they were spotted together many a times. The couple announced their split in March after 10 years of marriage. (Indian Express)

Marilyn Monroe biopic gets green light

Abiopic on the life of Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe is currently being developed by Lifetime. Tentatively titled ‘Marilyn’, the film hails from Asylum Entertainment, the company behind ‘The Kennedys’ miniseries, which also touched upon Marilyn’s story, reported Deadline.

The bombshell, whose life was intertwined with those of John F Kennedy and Robert Kennedy, was played in the mini by Charlotte Sullivan.

‘Marilyn’ has been penned by ‘The Kennedys’ writer Stephen Kronish based on the book ‘The Secret

‘Marilyn’ will follow last year’s ‘The Anna Nicole Story’ and two other biopics of female entertainers who faced an untimely death that are in productionfilms about Aaliyah and Whitney Houston. (Indian Express)

Shooting ‘Scandal’ during pregnancy was tough: Kerry Washington

Actress Kerry Washington has revealed that her pregnancy made working on the hit TV series ‘Scandal’ challenging.

The 37-year-old star, who gave birth to her first child with husband Nnamdi Asomugha in April, said she struggled to cope with the physical challenges of her role of Olivia Pope during the third season of the drama, said The Hollywood Reporter.

All of last season was a challenge for me, on a few levels. For one thing, I was going through this amazing physical transition, this physical journey of having a baby, that my character was not going through. And I work very physically. What I do is often grounded in the body.

“That meant I had to figure out how to be this woman while my instrument was changing and evolving every day. It was like seeing the keys on a piano jump around on a daily basis. It was

tough for me to even maintain Olivia’s walk because of the changes,” Washington said.

The actress, however, credits her pregnancy for making her a better actress.

“The season really broke me. I’m a Type A actor who likes to have it all figured out going in, but suddenly I had no idea where this woman was going to go next. I had to jump in without everything being perfect.

“I felt like I had been in control playing the character, but it all got taken away from me last season. That meant my acting toolbox had to be upgraded. I had to trade in my screwdriver and hammer for a Black and Decker power tool,” she said. (Indian Express)

‘I don’t look back’ - Katie Holmes on divorce from Tom Cruise

‘The Giver’ star Katie Holmes has said her divorce from actor Tom Cruise is a thing of past and she does not think about it now.

Holmes, 35, who has a two-year-old daughter Suri with Cruise, 52, got divorced from him in 2012. The ‘Batman Begins’ actress says she is happy and comfortable with the space she is in right now, reported the Huffington Post.

“You know what? I never really look back. I just approach life (taking) it one day at a time. I’m really excited about where I am right now. I’ve had some

really wonderful creative experiences. I’m just really grateful,” she said. (Indian Express)

Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan on Tuesday joined other Bollywood celebrities to mourn the untimely death of Oscarwinning actor Robin Williams.

The ‘Good Will Hunting’ star, 63, was found dead on Monday of an apparent suicide.

Hailing his stage performances as the best ones, Amitabh Bachchan tweeted, “Lost in person Robin Williams… his versatility extraordinary, his best though to me was his stage standup solo performances!!”

Shah Rukh Khan called Williams ‘his captain, referring to the actor’s inspiring role in film ‘Dead Poets Society’ (1989) while quoting Oscar Wilde.

Earlier in the day, other celebrities like Kamal Haasan, Arjun Kapoor, Abhishek Bachchan, Shabana Azmi, Abhay Deol, Farah Khan, Shekhar Kapur took to the micro-blogging site to express their sadness over Williams’ demise.

Haasan, whose ‘Chachi 420′ was said to be inspired by Williams

‘Mrs Doubtfire’, said, “If the alleged story about his suicide is true then I dislike him for ending his life before his due date of expiry. That’s a cop out that I don’t expect of an artist of his calibre. Same applies to my Indian idol Guru Dutt”.

Abhishek remembered him for his funny antics in films and wrote, “Oh captain, my… Terrible news about the passing of one of my favourite actors. Mr Robin Williams. This is the 1st time he made anyone cry.”

Azmi and Abhay call his death a major loss to the films.

“Robin Williams. What a loss! You leave behind a vaccum difficult to fill but your remarkable body of work will continue to inspire. RIP,” Shabana tweeted. Abhay said, “Philip

Bollywood actors Suniel Shetty and Sohail Khan have praised the beauty of Kashmir, terming it as ‘stunning’. The actors and said they would like to shoot their films here rather than “wasting” money anywhere in foreign countries.

“This place is most beautiful. It is undoubtedly stunning and unbelievable. We would want to come here and shoot our films,” Shetty,

flanked by Khan, told reporters here late last evening. Shetty said he believes there would be a long line of filmmakers wanting to shoot in Kashmir by the end of this year.

Khan said a lot of movies were shot in Kashmir in the recent past and the trend would continue.

Shetty said the people of Kashmir want to live a natural and peaceful life as they were doing in the past.

Seymour Hoffman, Zohra Sehgal, Robin Williams. The world’s a better place because they lived. RIP.”

“RIP Robin Williams. You will always remain in my memory as Mrs Doubtfire… Hope you find happiness up there you mad genius…,” Arjun posted.

“Robin Williams… This seems like a personal loss… What a sad start to the day… So much to learn, much to mourn… #RIPRobinWilliams,” Richa Chadha tweeted.

Shekhar Kapur questions the alleged suicide committed by the actor.

“The man that brought us so much laughter and joy committed suicide? Who knows the internal conflicts of the creative mind #RIPRobinWilliams,” he tweeted. (Indian Express)

Bosco and Caesar, renowned Bollywood choreographers, have launched Bosco Caesar Dance Academy in Brampton, popularly known as ‘Mini India’, to promote Bollywood industry in Canada.

“The Academy will offer its top students an opportunity to work in Bollywood in India,” Bosco Martis and Caesar Gonsalves told PTI after the inauguration.

The Academy would organise crash courses in Bollywood, semi-classical, fusion and contemporary Western dance like hip-hop, jazz, funk, street, they said.

Susan Fennell, Brampton Mayor, who also participated in the maiden dance class along with others, said it was a great honour for the City of Brampton to have this Academy and it would go a long way in promoting Bollywood industry in Canada.

Bosco and Caesar have been a part of the Indian film industry for over 14 years and have choreographed more than 300 songs and music videos.

They have worked with Bollywood A-listers like Amitabh Bachchan,

and Kareena Kapoor.

The duo have worked in films like ‘3 Idiots’, ‘Paa’, ‘Zindagi Milegi Na Dobara’, ‘Rowdy Rathore’, ‘Partner’, ‘Desi Boyz’ and recently released films like ‘Gunday’, ‘Hasee Toh Phasee’ and ‘Holiday’.

The academy is a joint venture of Bosco Caesar Dance Company (BCDC) and White Turtle Entertainment and would offer Indo-Canadians and others a career in performing arts by providing them a concrete dance base. (Indian Express)

‘Proud to be 33, married and working with big stars’ - Kareena Kapoor

Married actresses not getting good roles is a thing of past in Bollywood, according to Kareena Khan, who says her career did not suffer any setback after she tied the knot with Saif Ali Khan, and she still gets to work with top stars like Aamir, Salman Khan and Ajay Devgn.

“The people of Kashmir do not expect anything from anyone. They want to get back to a natural and peaceful life that they always lived,” he said.

“They can stand on their own and believe this can bring about a change. What we need to do is tell the country and express our feelings of what we saw here and bring Kashmir back to its glory,” he added. (Indian Express)

‘My wedding? Ask me after 10 years’ - Esha Gupta

She made for a beautiful contemporary looking bride when she walked the BMW India Bridal Fashion Week (IBFW) ramp for designer Jyotsna Tiwari, but in real life, ‘Raaz 3′ actress Esha Gupta still needs a decade to decide when she’ll get married.

The model-turnedactress was in the capital last Sunday night; and when asked about her wedding plans, the 28-year-old said: “Oh my god! Ask me that about ten years from now. Get my elder sister married before me.”

traditional Indian,” she said.

The actress, who is looking forward to working in an Indo-British production, did her share of work as a model in the capital before making it big in the film world.

The 33-year-old actress married Saif in 2012, and right after the wedding she starred opposite Aamir Khan in ‘Talaash’, did an item number in Salmanstarrer ‘Dabangg 2′ and was part of Prakash Jha’s ‘Satyagraha’ with Amitabh Bachchan and Ajay Devgn.

Kareena will be next seen in ‘Singham Returns’ opposite Devgn and has also signed a film with Salman titled ‘Bajrangi Baijaan’.

“I am happy and proud that even after

marriage I am working with Ajay and Salman… getting offered big-budget commercial films. Being married is not a crime and it has nothing to do with my career. Hindi movies are changing. Today it’s all about good actors, not about young and old. I am happy to be married and 33,” Kareena told PTI.

The actress, whose upcoming film ‘Singham Returns’ will hit theatres this Friday, says she has been keeping so busy after marriage especially for the last few months that her husband has

been complaining that he doesn’t get to spend enough time with her because of her tight schedule.

“I am busier after marriage. I have been so busy for the last five months that Saif is like ‘I am not getting enough time with my wife’. So, I have decided that after this I am going to take a break for one and half months and travel with him,” she said. In her 14-year-long career, Kareena has worked in both commercial films like ‘Bodyguard’, ‘Kabhi Khushi abhi Gham’, ‘Jab We Met’, as well as off-beat movies including ‘Dev’, ‘Chameli’, ‘Omkara’ among others. When asked which of films excite her more, Kareena said, “I am a commercial actress. It is a part of me. I am both a star and an actress” (Indian Express)

their own lives, develop their own enterprises and help grow India’s economy,” said Priyanka, the UNICEF India goodwill ambassador.

Esha loved the contemporary yet traditional voluminous gown that she wore as the showstopper but what would she want to wear for her own wedding day?

Returning to the ramp in Delhi and that too as a showstopper turned out to be “special” for Esha.

“Well, I’ll be able to know it ten years down the line. I like this creation by Jyotsna and something like this could definitely work for one of the functions, but for my wedding day, it will be

“I’m thankful that Jyotsna took me as her showstopper. I look different and feel beautiful,” said the actress, who was glad to be presented in a “not sexy, but sweet, young and innocent” look. (Indian Express)

Actress Priyanka Chopra says that “girls have the ability to transform their own lives and help grow India’s economy”. She feels that they should be given more opportunities to make a mark.

“Girls have the ability to transform

Building Young Futures aims to unlock the potential of young people from disadvantaged communities.

The 32-year-old, who had been supporting UNICEF’s adolescent work in the country for eight years, met young women Sunday in Chandrapur to mark International Youth Day – Aug 12and to witness how their lives are being transformed through the Building Young Futures programme, which is run in partnership with Barclays, said a statement.

The actress-singer feels that it is giving the girls vital skills and support they need to shape their future.

(Indian Express)

“I hope to get West Indies cricket back on top” - Lloyd

Convenor of the new West Indies selection panel, Clive Lloyd, believes the thinking of batsmen will need to improve if the regional team is to regain its place in world cricket.

Speaking days after it was officially announced that he would occupy the post of the six-member panel for the next two years, Lloyd said it's his belief that the region still has an abundance of talent.

However, he says unless players can properly study and analyse batting situations then positive results will continue to prove elusive.

"If you notice almost every time there is a close game we get beaten," said Lloyd.

"Our thinking has got to be a lot better and we are hoping to inject this into our play and into the young players that are coming through.

"We have some good bowlers around the place, but our batting has not been up to par, especially in Test cricket," said Lloyd.

clive lloyd

"I want to see people bat ugly. It's not every day that you are going to be able to drive it around.

"You've got to be able to battle your way out of situations."

Lloyd, who captained the West Indies to double-winning World Cup success in the late 1970s, also explained his mantra of getting batsmen to "love to bat" for long periods.

"We should not be bowled out in two sessions in a Test match, or be beaten in two and half days in a Test match. I think we are much better than that," he said.

The 69-year-old

Lloyd, who will have Courtney Walsh, Eldine Baptiste, Courtney Browne and West Indies coach, Ottis Gibson, as voting panel members, also hopes to leave a lasting impression in what could be his last role for the West Indies.

"This is probably my last innings and I hope to get West Indies cricket back on top," said Lloyd.

The selection panel is completed by captains of the respective West Indies Test, one-day and Twenty20 teams.

Lloyd, whose first job was to select the recent West Indies one-day team for the upcoming Bangladesh home series, said he wanted "to thank the outgoing selectors for what they did".

"It is not an easy job and I was chairman of cricket when they were selected," he said.

The outgoing selectors are Clyde Butts and Robert Haynes. The two were part of the previous three-man panel, with Browne being the other member. (Jamaica Gleaner)

Saint Lucian-born footballer signs two-year deal with English Premier League club

BIRMINGHAM,

ENGLAND: Saint Lucianborn footballer Janoi Donacien, who turns 21 in November 2014, signed a new two-year deal in July with the Premier League club Aston Villa that he joined in 2009.

Donacien had moved to Luton in the United Kingdom with his parents in 2001 and, just two years ago, through the intervention of the Saint Lucian Overseas Mission in the UK, he was given the right to live and work in the country where he has grown up.

He is a central defender, and having followed the likes of Gabriel Agbonlahor, Gareth Barry, and Gary Cahill through the AVFC’s highly acclaimed youth system at Bodymoor Heath, Janoi Donacien featured in Villa winning the Barclays Premier Reserve League South title in 2011-12.

Twelve months later, he was an integral part of the team that triumphed in the NextGen

Series European competition, alongside the likes of Callum Robinson, Jack Grealish and Samir Carruthers.

He is now keen to follow the lead of Robinson, Grealish and Carruthers by earning a taste of first team football. In 2013-14, manager Paul Lambert named him on the bench for the FA Cup clash against Sheffield United, and the Barclays Premier League game against Sunderland.

“I am so happy that the club has given me an opportunity to sign for another two years,” said Janoi. “This is the right club for me to keep

on progressing. I had a discussion with the manager at the end of the season and he said that hopefully I would be looking to progress at the club.

“There are a lot of top players at this club who I am hoping to learn from. Hopefully I can get a good pre-season under my belt, get a good run-out and continue my progress. I have been on the fringes of the first team, which was good for my progression. All of the senior lads have been very helpful and it is good to have people encourage you.”

(Caribbean News)

Jody Brown: The baby-faced assassin of ‘Young Girlz’

WEST BAY, GRAND

CAYMAN:

She is the darling of the CONCACAF Female Under-15 tournament here in the Cayman Islands.

Despite being only 12 years old, she is a lethal goalscoring machine.

Jody Brown has been deemed the baby face assassin from Ocho Rios.

Standing at just five feet and weighing just 85 pounds, Jody's T-shirt can barely fit on her slender shoulders. She may be small in frame, but she sure has a big heart, speed to burn and a natural knack for scoring goals.

Having hit four goals in Jamaica's 9-0 hammering of Anguilla, Jody told the Jamaica

Observer that she is enjoying every moment of her experience here.

"I feel good. I am excited," said the shy 12-year-old Lime Hall Primary School student, who recently passed her G-Sat exams for Ocho Rios High School.

Brown, who scored the most goals in the Under-15 Parish League, is a big follower of Brazilian star Neymar and forced her way into coach Xavier Gilbert's starting line-up for the crucial game against Costa Rica on Monday night.

"Jody is a very promising player. She is very good in front of goal and just have a knack for finishing and is an important member of the team," Gilbert pointed

out.

"That's how good she is... but she is so young that I have to try and mould her so I don't want to pressure her at this tender age because I want her to enjoy the game as much as possible," he added.

Gilbert, the sports coordinator of Excelsior High School and coach of Waterhouse women's team, believes Jamaica has unearthed a gem.

"She knows when to take one or two touches and is not a player that goes for power. She always tries to place the ball just wide of the goalkeeper.

"When I saw her in the National Under-15 competition, I noticed that and she managed to score 20 goals and was the leading goalscorer," said Gilbert. Naturally, comparisons are drawn. Gilbert claims Jody reminds him of a young Venecia Reid, who is now one of Jamaica's top women footballers.

"She is just a real good finisher. Once she gets the ball she will find the back of the net," Gilbert reiterated. (Jamaica Observer)

Appleton Estate has special prize for Tallawahs

KINGSTON, JAMAICA:

Joy

Spence, Master Blender of J Wray & Nephew Limited, has promised that if the Jamaica Tallawahs retain their Caribbean Premier League (CPL) title this season, she will craft a special blend of Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum for each member of the 15-player team.

If Spence's wish comes to fruition, this would mean that each Jamaica Tallawahs player would have a special blend of Appleton Estate

Jamaica Rum that no other person in the world possesses.

Cecil Smith, Group Brand Manager for Rums at J Wray & Nephew Limited believes that the Jamaica Tallawahs have what it takes to rule the region as CPL champions once more.

"The Jamaica Tallawahs continue to make us proud game by game, so we decided to give the team an added incentive as the season comes to a close. An Appleton Estate special blend crafted by Joy

Spence contains rare and special marques of rum that only the respective blend contains. This is a priceless gift that we know will make our Tallawahs work even harder to cop the coveted CPL title a second season in a row," Smith said.

Currently, the Jamaica Tallawahs must win two play-off matches in order to advance to the final. If they defeat the Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel today (Wednesday), they will then go on to play

El Dorado sending two lucky Guyanese to Limacol CPL final

the Guyana Amazon Warriors tomorrow (Thursday).

For the remainder of the CPL, J Wray & Nephew Limited has its ongoing Make It A Double promotional campaign for Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum, where consumers can benefit from discounted product prices at select retail outlets. In addition to this, the company has launched a 200ml size for its Appleton Estate Reserve to coincide with its CPL activations.

(Jamaica Observer)

Man-of-the-Match Morgan seals Beefy’s Bash win – Piers Morgan XI (181/4) beat Brian Lara XI (177-7) by six wickets with one ball remaining

Piers Morgan was the unlikely hero as his side shocked a team captained by West Indies legend, Brian Lara, to win the ‘Beefy’s Bash’ charity Twenty20 match as part of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League (CPL) in St Kitts.

In an entertaining match organised by Sir Ian Botham and played in front of a capacity crowd at Warner Park on Tuesday night, Morgan starred with bat and ball. In what must surely be his greatest sporting achievement, the broadcaster dismissed double-world record holder Lara for a duck, caught at mid-wicket. As if that wasn’t enough, he then smashed the former West Indies captain for a six and a four in the final over of his side’s run chase to

seal a thrilling victory, by six wickets, with one ball to spare.

The teams were formed of a mixture of cricketing legends such as Lara, Graeme Swann, Darren Gough, Ian Bishop, Tom Moody, Roger Harper and Matthew Maynard, celebrities Piers Morgan and Marcus Mumford, lead singer of folk-rock giants, Mumford and Sons, politicians, cricket administrators and local players. Fans were treated to spectacular entertainment and comedy, with practical jokers Gough and Danny Morrison playing up to the crowd.

Former England spinner, Swann, playing for the first time since retiring from all cricket in the middle of last year’s Ashes series, performed well

with both bat and ball for Team Lara, helping local batsman Shane Jeffers to add 100 for the sixth wicket, and drying up the runs when he bowled. Britain’s Grammy award winner, Mumford, wasn’t so lucky, as his lively medium pace was dispatched to all parts of the ground. At one point, he even resorted to pleading for mercy from Jeffers, but to no avail.

Former Glamorgan and England batsman, Matthew Maynard, coach of the St Lucia Zouks in the CPL, rolled back the years for Team Morgan with some clean hitting, but when he was dismissed with a few overs remaining, the responsibility fell to Morgan and Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel coach, Simon Helmot, to help his team get near the target. Lara brought himself on to bowl for the final over, but Morgan was to be the star, sealing a Man of the Match performance with a boundary which sparked jubilant celebrations from the former newspaper editor.

The ever-modest Morgan was keen to play down his achievements: “I got Brian Lara for a duck, then slapped him for a six and a four in the last over to win the game…and the Man of Match award. No big deal! Seriously though, for a club cricketer like me, playing in

front of a crowd like this with some of the world’s most legendary players is a dream come true.”

Proceeds from Beefy’s Bash will go to Special Olympics St Kitts and Nevis, St Kitts and Nevis Association of Persons with Disabilities and the Creative Youth Academy.

George Pile of Lot 6 Hyde Park, Timehri, and his guest Ritudeo Ramgulam are off to see the final of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League (CPL), compliments of El Dorado Rum, the Official Spirit of the T20 tournament.

Pile and Ramgulam will join 12 other winners from around the Caribbean who entered the El Dorado “Play De Winnin’ Shot” Promotion. Consumers of El Dorado in Trinidad, Barbados, Antigua, St Lucia, Grenada and St Kitts were asked to remove the specially placed CPL stickers from the bottle and place them into entry boxes around the country for a chance to win hundreds of prizes.

Pile was selected at the final drawing held on August 8 and will hopefully get a chance to cheer the Guyana Amazon Warriors on in the final in what is slated to be the Biggest Party in Sport.

The lucky winner will receive two airline tickets, accommodation at the St Kitts Marriott Resort and The Royal Beach Casino, two cricket tickets and spending money. They will depart Guyana on Friday.

A very excited Pile noted, “I was surprised and happy that I won the trip. I have never travelled to St Kitts before so I am looking forward to the opportunity.”

Maria Munroe, Brand Manager of Demerara Distillers Limited, congratulated the winners and noted that El Dorado was very pleased to be a major partner of the Limacol CPLT20. “El Dorado is already established around the globe as the World’s Best Rum and we are extremely happy to be able to give cricketing fans from around the Caribbean a chance to see some of the world’s greatest players competing in the Biggest Party in Sport,” Munroe noted.

Russell's heroics give Tallawahs semi-final win over Red Steel

–

Jamaica Tallawahs (158-6) beat Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel (155-6) by 4 wickets with 2

Abrilliant late order batting performance from Andre Russell secured victory for the Jamaica Tallawahs in the first play-off in this year’s Limacol Caribbean Premier League. It looked as if the Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel had done enough to win this game, but Russell’s arrival at the crease changed all of that. The Tallawahs were five wickets down and needing 12 runs an over when Russell came in to bat. Thanks to his efforts, the Jamaicans won the game with two balls to spare.

A fantastic innings from Ross Taylor meant that the Red Steel had a decent total, but with Samuel Badree ruled out with injury, they would have to defend it without their best bowler. Taylor was well supported by Darren Bravo, and they would have won easily if it had not been for the Russell fireworks.

The Red Steel innings began slowly as three wickets inside the Powerplay left them struggling for momentum. Kevin O’Brien was the first man to go, edging the ball to first slip. After an excellent run of form in the middle of the tournament, the Irishman has struggled. His 11 runs here was

his highest score in four innings. The Red Steel took a gamble with Nasir Jamshed who had not played since the Trinidad & Tobago side’s second match. He replaced Javon Searles, but the change did not work as the Pakistani player pulled a ball from David Bernard in to the hands of Nkrumah Bonner on the square leg boundary. Just three balls later, Evin Lewis repeated the trick, departing in exactly the same fashion as his teammate.

Taylor and Bravo went about steadying the ship, and they took the score from 36 to 146. The partnership could have been broken with the score on 87 when Taylor skied a ball from Andre Russell, but Nikita Miller and Bernard collided as both went to take the catch. Neither man was hurt, but the chance was gone.

Taylor made the most of his luck as he went on to score 70 runs from just 44 balls in a partnership of over 100 runs with the younger Bravo brother.

Taylor accelerated after the chance was put down, scoring another 43 runs off 17 balls to really make the Tallawahs pay for their poor fielding.

When Taylor fell slogging into the legside, it slowed things down

again for the Red Steel. Darren Bravo went in the same over to leave two new batsmen at the crease for the last seven balls of the innings. It was therefore not surprising that they only managed a run a ball from that point until the end of the innings.

A middling score meant that the Red Steel bowlers would have their work cut out, especially with Badree missing. They got off to the best possible start when Chris Gayle was dismissed LBW for just a single by Shannon Gabriel. The replays showed Gayle was unlucky to go as the ball had pitched outside leg stump.

The rate continued to rise as the Tallawahs also lost early wickets. After Gayle had gone, the Jamaicans lost the wickets of Chadwick Walton and Adam Voges, both men making single figures. As in the last match, Bonner was the only member of the top order who found a way to make a score of any substance. The man who was picking up the other end was Sulieman Benn. He mixed his pace well and his three wickets were well deserved.

Bonner was run out for 39 and the game looked like it was over, although Andre Russell did not want to give up. He blasted the ball from

Taylor looks to soar at West Virginia

KINGSTON,

JAMAICA: ALPHA Academy's outstanding high jumper, KristaGay Taylor, will leave Jamaica today to take up a four-year track and field scholarship at West Virginia University in the United States. Taylor, the National

Junior champion, won the Championships of Americas title at the Penn Relays in Philadelphia.

Taylor, who just completed sixth form, had her best season in the event this year, as at the National Championships, she put herself in the record

books after clearing a personal best 1.82 metres, a mark she equalled at the World Junior Championships in Eugene, Oregon, where she reached the final of the event.

Taylor will be coached by former national junior representative, Shelly Ann Gallimore, who is in

the moment he arrived in the middle. He was particularly harsh on Jason Mohammed. The off spinner was in the side as a replacement for Badree, but he could not come close to matching the man he was deputising for. Russell went to his fifty with a shot that broke his bat, off just 22 deliveries. Russell rode his luck, but when Evin Lewis put him down in the 19th, it looked like it was the Jamaicans night.

In combination with Rusty Theron, he just refused to give up. Russell finished on 62 not out, but it was Theron who hit the winning runs, a flat six over extra cover that saw his side through to the second playoff game tomorrow night.

Mickey Arthur, Jamaica Tallawahs coach, said; “Ten overs into our innings, I really didn’t think we would do it, but with two overs to go, I was very confident. Andre Russell was our last hope – he has won three matches for us in the tournament and he was brilliant again tonight.

“I am still waiting for us to put together a complete performance –we bowled well to begin with today and again in the final three overs, but we need to concentrate in the field for the full

her sixth year at that institution and who coaches both the horizontal and vertical jumps.

Taylor, who has 10 CXC passes, will be pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education.

"I want to progress as much as possible in my high jump, and I also want to achieve a Bachelor's degree, and I am confident in achieving both goals. Although I got several other offers from other colleges, I chose West Virginia because I did my research and found out that Gallimore is an excellent coach and the school has a very good jumps programme," said Taylor.

She will be the second student-athlete from Alpha attending that institution on a track and field scholarship in recent times, following in the footsteps of sprint-hurdler Chene Townsend, who recently graduated with her Bachelor's degree.

(Jamaica Gleaner)

twenty. In terms of our batting tomorrow, we really need our top order to begin performing and not just rely on Chris Gayle and Andre Russell.” Man of the Match for the Jamaica Tallawahs, Andre Russell, said; “When we were six wickets down, we were in a bit of trouble and the run rate was rising, but hitting a boundary straight away right out of the middle got me going nicely. This gives us a lot of confidence for tomorrow’s match and all the hard work in the nets paid off for me today.”

Simon Helmot, Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel coach, said; “I am obviously so disappointed with the result as I feel we had a great opportunity to get to the semi-final. The last two overs cost us dearly with the dropped catches and the misfields, but in many ways we played well throughout the game and the tournament as a whole. We were just not quite precise enough when bowling to Andre Russell and his amazing innings took the game away from us.

The Tallawahs now play Guyana Amazon Warriors in Semi-final 2 today (Thursday) with the winner meeting Barbados Tridents in the final on Saturday.

Asafa strikes first win since return

Former men's 100m World Record holder Asafa Powell won his first race since his return to competition this year following a drug ban after he topped a modest 100m field at an IAAF World Challenge meeting Grande Premio Brasil Caixa Governo do Pará on Sunday.

In only his third race since his return, Powell clocked a season's best 10.02 seconds (0.6m/s) to beat Americans Marvin Bracey (10.14 seconds) and Dentarius Locke (10.17 seconds).

Earlier in the season, after pulling out of the JAAA National Senior Championships in mid-June and an IAAF Diamond League meeting in Paris, Powell had run 10.30 seconds at a meeting in Switzerland, then ran 10.15 seconds a few days later at another meet in Europe, losing on both occasions. Meanwhile, three-time National Senior Champion Damar Forbes was fourth with a best jump of 7.55m behind three Brazilians as Mauro Vinicius daSilva won with 7.74m.

Fernandes to miss Senior Caribbean Squash Championships

– National Champs Alex Arjoon and Mary Fung A Fat to participate

The Guyana Squash Association has named its team to participate in the Caribbean Senior Squash Championships scheduled to be held in Bridgetown, Barbados from August 16 – 23, 2014.

The men’s team will be spearheaded by National Champion Alex Arjoon and includes Sunil Seth- 2013 Caribbean Individual runner-up, former Caribbean Champion Richard Chin, Jason Ray Khalil, Robert Mc David and Nicholas Narain.

The women’s team will be led by 2014 National Champion Mary Fung A Fat and includes Ashley De Groot, Akeila Wiltshire, Larissa Wiltshire, Victoria Arjoon and Tiffany Soloman.

The veteran’s team includes 2013 Caribbean Over 50 Champion Brendon Mounter, Ramon Chan A Sue and Dennis Dias.

Chanderpaul is MVP of Regional U-19 three-day tourney

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

Guyana’s opening batsman Tagenarine Chanderpaul was crowned Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the three-day version of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional Under-19 competition on Wednesday evening when the presentation ceremony was held at the main pavillion of the GCC ground, Bourda.

At a simple presentation ceremony organised by the Guyana Cricket Board, the left-handed batsman, the son of prolific West Indies middle-order batsman and former captain Shivnarine Chanderpaul, was recognised for his brilliant 132 not out, which was crucial in Guyana defeating Trinidad and Tobago by an innings and 41 runs and lifting the title for the first time since 2007.

Guyana will be defending the Men’s, Women’s and Overall Team titles which they won in Guyana last year.

The women’s team will be without the services of defending Caribbean Champion and World ranked No 19 Nicolette Fernandes who has to play a mandatory World Squash Association event in Hong Kong and Ashley Khalil who is unavailable.

Manager of the team is former Caribbean Over 40 Champion Alwyn Callender.

Shivnarine was on hand to witness his son collect the award, an accolade he also won in his final year at the youth level more than two decades ago. This is incidentally Tagenarine’s last year at the youth level, and he amassed 247 runs, one short of the leading run scorer Kacey Carty of the Leeward Islands.

Young Chanderpaul has also chalked up 233 runs from six innings in the 50-over tournament, including 103 not out against Barbados on Wednesday at the National Stadium, and he would look to add to that tally on Friday when the Guyanese face the

Windward Islands in the limited overs final at the Everest ground.

Carty was given an award for scoring the most runs, while Chad Williams of Barbados was the highest wicket-taker with 26 victims. Leniko Boucher of Barbados with six catches and five stumpings had the most dismissals by a wicketkeeper, while the most promising fast bowler was Alzarri Joseph of the Leeward Islands.

Guyana’s captain Brian Sattaur was presented with the three-day trophy, while the match officials, namely Umpires and Match Referees, were given medals and plaques for their contribu-

tions towards the smooth running of the tournament.

Delivering remarks at the ceremony, President of the Guyana Cricket Board, Drubahadur, lauded the Government of Guyana and the West Indies Cricket Board for agreeing to have the tournament hosted in Guyana, after the third and final Test match between West Indies and New Zealand was pulled from Guyana owing to administrative issues.

He told the players that cricket is not just a sport, but can be a career, as he urged them to make maximum use of the opportunities being afforded to them.