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ARCHIVES FOR OCTOBER 22, 2009

President Jagdeo attends launch of world-class Biomaterials Research Programme at Trent University
- Top Guyanese-born Research Scientist Dr. Suresh Narine recruited to lead new programme
From Mark Ramotar in Ontario, Canada
PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday attended the official launch of the Centre of Knowledge in the Environment at Trent University in Canada, a function that featured celebratory funding announcements for the creation of a new world-class Trent Biomaterials Research Programme to be led by Canadian-based Guyanese Dr. Suresh Narine, a pioneer and leader in this emerging field.

The groundbreaking laboratory and research programme at the prestigious Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada will focus on the utilisation of plant oils (lipids) to create new biomaterials.

“Our research offers an alternative solution – to employ agriculture (fats and oils) to create renewable feed stocks that then can be converted using science to create materials more environmentally benign and more in sync with the natural carbon cycle to abate and combat climate change,” said Dr. Narine, who was recruited to Trent from the University of Alberta – another Canadian university.

“On behalf of my team of researchers and Trent University, I would like to offer our deep appreciation to all of our generous founding partners and funders for their financial commitment that will place Trent’s Biomaterials Research Programme among one of the top facilities of its kind in the world,” Dr. Narine stated.

President Jagdeo, in concluding remarks at the launching ceremony yesterday morning, lauded the Trent University - especially Dr. Narine for his dedication, commitment and vision - and extend congratulations and best wishes to him and his highly talented multi-ethnic and multi-cultural team of researchers (Organic Chemists, Materials Physicists, and Polymer Chemists) working on the biomaterials programme.

Mr. Jagdeo also recalled how extremely pleased he was when, a few years ago, Dr. Narine returned to Guyana to serve as the Executive Director of Guyana’s Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST), where he managed to, in a short time, infused enthusiasm and hope in that Institute.

The Guyanese head of state, who is currently on a brief visit to Canada where he has been invited to – among other things - deliver lectures and make keynote addresses at three Canadian Universities (Trent - last evening, and York and University of Toronto - today) as part of his internationally-recognised and committed efforts to drum-up support for the fight against climate change, spent the entire day at the sprawling and scenic campus at Trent.

Noting how pleased he was to have been invited by the University to attend, participate and share in this special day, Mr. Jagdeo said the University can take a lead role in helping to find urgent solutions to globally catastrophic problems we are expected to face in the very near future, and some of which we are already facing at the moment.

President Jagdeo, accompanied by Guyana’s Consul General in Toronto Mr. Danny Doobay and Head of Guyana’s Private Sector Commission Captain Gerry Gouveia, were among those given a guided tour of the laboratories – which will be used to develop new biomaterials, bio-chemicals and bio-products from natural oils.

The tour was conducted by Dr. Narine who fielded questions – several of which came from the President himself.

To date, Cdn$3M has been raised to bring Dr. Narine and his team of researchers to Trent and to set up the new lab, which, according to him, will be “the best built lab in the world for lipid and biomaterials research.”

Founding partners and funders include:

** Elevance Renewable Sciences Inc., Bolingbrook, Illinois - Cdn$1M

** Ontario Soybean Growers - Cdn$500,000

** Anonymous philanthropist to establish the Biomaterials Innovation Fund - Cdn$500,000

** Greater Peterborough Innovation Cluster and the Community Adjustment Fund - Cdn$500,000

** Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

“The commercialisation potential of Trent’s Biomaterials Research Programme is impressive and matched only by its many ecological benefits including reclaiming carbons, adding value to agricultural commodities, creating sustainable products and abating climate change,” said Dr. Steven E. Franklin, president and vice-chancellor of Trent University.

“Trent is very grateful to all of the founding partners and investors for their significant and generous gifts that will generate groundbreaking new research with an international impact,” he said.

Biomaterials represent a multi-disciplinary approach to the development of new and functional, environmentally-responsible materials from renewable, sustainable agricultural feedstock, using: synthetic organic chemistry; microbial and enzymatic modification; materials chemistry and physics; and polymers physics.

The resulting products include: healthy, functional foods and food matrices; functional, toxin-free polymers; functional waxes and greases; lubricants with specialized functionalities; cosmetics; and fuels.

Within the Biomaterials Research Laboratory at Trent, Dr. Narine and his team will study the synthesis, structure, and functionality of biomaterials from lipid feedstock. Phase 1 of 2 phases is complete, with Phase 2 slated for completion in September 2010.

When completed, Dr. Narine said the Trent Biomaterials Research Programme will be among the top one percent of laboratories in the world focussed on lipid bio-products and their structure-function relationships.

An internationally-renowned expert in the field of Biomaterials, Dr. Narine has spent the last decade dedicated to discovering ways to create the same materials we know and rely on, like plastics, and used in a range of products from colostomy bags to car bumpers, from better, more environmentally-friendly agricultural oilseed crops such as soy beans and canola. In a world of finite fossil oil resources, it is a field that is gaining urgency and momentum.

The traditional thinking about product life cycle is being transformed by Dr. Narine’s pioneering biomaterials research. The “cradle to grave” model will be replaced by “cradle to cradle” zero waste models, with the innate capability of biomaterials products assuming a new functionality at end of life, even if it is as compost enriching soil.

A Trent University alumnus, Dr. Narine, who is originally from Guyana, completed both his B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Peterborough, Canada.

In Alberta, he was one of four Alberta Value Added Corporation Chairs with the University of Alberta, where he built the Alberta Lipid Utilisation Research Programme, focused on the utilisation of fats and oils for the production of industrial materials, high value edible applications, and cosmetic ingredients.

As an NSERC Industrial Chair in Lipid Utilisation, Dr. Narine also built the world’s leading agri-food materials science lab and plant facility and, among other feats, developed the technology to convert canola oil and other vegetable oils to biodegradable plastics.

For his work, Dr. Narine is regarded as a pioneer of bioenergy and agro-energy in Guyana and the Caribbean

US18.8M rice export deal with Venezuela clinched
By Tajeram Mohabir
GUYANA yesterday sealed a US$ 18.8 M (G$ 3.7 bilion) deal with neighbouring Venezuela for that country to import some 50,000 tonnes of local cargo rice.

Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) General Manager, Mr. Jagnarine Singh signed the multi-million dollar agreement with Head of a Venezuelan, Colonel Rodolfo Marco at a press briefing convened at the Ministry of Agriculture.

The historic occasion was witnessed by Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud, Venezuelan Ambassador to Guyana, Mr. Dario Morandy, Rice Producers Association (RPA) General Secretary, Mr. Dharamkumar Seeraj and other officials from both countries.

Persaud pointed out that initially 10,000 tonnes of white rice and 40,000 tonnes of paddy will be exported to Venezuela and the GRDB has been tasked with facilitating the trade.

The minister said the export price for paddy will be US$ 330 per metric tonne both costs and freight and white rice five percent broken at US$ 560.

“These two prices represent a very substantial percentage above what wee see taking place in the market from export and if we look at the trend.

“I must say that we are very appreciative of President Chavez’s Government of Venezuela for entering into this agreement, it is the first agreement we have of this kind and perhaps the first time we will be exporting rice to Venezuela.

He said once the agreement has been finalised, the two countries will be looking to explore trade is other areas apart from rice.

“Within the context of the agreement…within five days or there about…by Sunday or Monday a three person delegation will come from Caracas to inspect and as it were to look at all the other considerations so that we can commence export.

“The aim is to have the first shipment leaving Guyana in the first week of November and there will be about 10 shipments with the last shipment being in the last week of February,” the minister disclosed.

These arrangements, he said will not preclude other agreements the two governments many wish to enter.

Persaud told reporters that Colonel Torrez has requested of commodities that Venezuela might have and interest of importing.

“It all part of a thrust of looking at new markets and opportunities for the sector and moreso for our farmers,” he said.

Seeraj viewed the agreement as a beginning of an arrangement that will see farmers getting a better deal within the entire process of producing and marketing rice.

He said there has been a problem here in the past where local exporters seem to have lost the will to market rice and basically reduced themselves to being price takers in the industry.

“The significance of this arrangement is that the Ministry of Agriculture and indeed the Government of Guyana through the GRDB has initiated an arrangement that is intended to bring about some protection to the farmers, because I am certain that the participating exporters in this arrangement will have to agree to pass on the benefits of this agreement to the farmers so that they can enjoy better price for their produce,” the RPA General Secretary said.

Torrez said the Venezuelan Government is pleased to be importing rice from Guyana and lauded Minister Persaud for his role in the agreement.

Ambassador Morandy said the agreement marks a historic moment for both countries and Venezuelans back home will be looking forward to enjoying the local staple.

International scene with respect to climate change is mixed
-as December Copenhagen meeting looms closer
By Priya Nauth
CABINET has observed that currently the “scene internationally with the climate change negotiation is mixed” as the December Copenhagen meeting looms closer.

This is according to Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS) Dr. Roger Luncheon at his weekly post-Cabinet meeting at the Office of the President, Shiv Chanderpaul Drive, Georgetown.

Cabinet met last Monday and the Cabinet Secretary said, “The December date for the conference of the parties for the framework convention is looming and a single most important decision for humanity is anticipated to be made at that planned meeting.”

“The scene internationally, right now, with the climate change negotiation is mixed,” the HPS observed.

However, Dr. Luncheon noted that the scientific and the technical evidence is not an issue anymore as the “world is utterly convinced of the existence of climate change and its causes”.

“It is really the ‘political will’ to make commitments on the necessary levels of cuts in emission and on the level of financial commitment and support for mitigation and adaptation. These are the two areas where difficulties continue to bedeviled progress,” the HPS pointed out.

He added: “Avoided deforestation initiative by President Bharrat Jagdeo and its strategic tool - the REDD (Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation) and the REDD plus, in the international arena, they both have received better treatment.”

He said that REDD is on the table for Copenhagen where “it is expected an irreversible framework would be agreed upon to be a part of any agreement on climate change”.

“We cannot dismiss the fact that progress right now is not smooth and much questions are there about the commitments of the major stakeholders to having a result that is predictable,” Dr. Luncheon stressed.

He said the last two meetings would “set the tone and give rise to a reasonable level of expectations” on what would come out of the Copenhagen meeting exhorting, “Right now, the view by the government is that it is mixed”.

Guyana’s historic and ambitious Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) aims to transform the national economy to mesh with a new global regime.

The climate change policy under the theme ‘Transforming the Economy Whilst Combating Climate Change’ had engaged widespread national consultations over a three months period.

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) is moving to forge a successor to the current Kyoto Protocol that is to be endorsed in Copenhagen in December and President Bharrat Jagdeo has been leading the Guyana lobby for forest preservation to be a central plank of that new convention and the Government aims to table the plan at the December summit for inclusion in the new climate change regime.

Guyana’s strategy is based on avoiding deforestation and preserving its standing forests in exchange for payment for this service in the cause of climate change from the international community.

PAHO launches Knowledge Centre at UG
By Telesha Persaud
THE Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) yesterday launched a Knowledge Centre at the University of Guyana (UG), Turkeyen Campus to help boost the research capacity at the institution.

The launching ceremony took place at university’s library.

The centre has been in existence at PAHO’s office on Brickdam for the past 17 years but after an analysis of its utilisation was done it was found that it was being used mainly by students of UG.

Hence, PAHO saw the need to find a location for the centre that would make it more accessible to the students.

“FOR too long we have been told that persons cannot do research because of the lack of access to relevant material and, here today, we are assured that this can no longer be an excuse in the area of health sciences because we have almost the entire world available to us.”

Those were the words of University of Guyana Registrar Mr. Vincent Alexander during his address yesterday at the launching of a Knowledge Centre by the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) at the University’s library, Turkeyen Campus, East Coast Demerara.

Alexander described this initiative as another step in the collaborative relationship between UG and the United Nations (UN) community.

He said UG recognises that the electronic media, which will be used primarily in the centre, will allow for infinite access to information across the globe.

Alexander pointed out that the launch of the Knowledge Centre would help to enhance the university’s standards and its ultimate aim which includes securing the advancement of knowledge and the diffusion and extension of arts, sciences and learning throughout Guyana.

“This centre has come at a very critical time in the life of the university which is trying to make more use of the electronic media.”

In this regard, Alexander recalled that only recently, the institution sought to launch an online registration programme.

According to him, the individual who will be working in the Centre, previously worked at UG as a Senior Library Assistant but has since been promoted as the Documentations Officer.

Dr Kathleen Israel, PAHO Representative, Guyana, said she views this launch as another way of strengthening the partnership that PAHO has with the university.

According to her, one of the things that encouraged PAHO in this regard is the United Nations International Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF) documentation centre.

“We thought this is ideal and, sometime in the future, this kind of arrangement for the strengthening of a UN knowledge centre at UG could be considered. So we think that UNICEF, which was the forerunner and PAHO coming now, could form the nucleus of something bigger, better and richer under the umbrella of the United Nations’ system in Guyana. This could be the beginning of something good,” she stated.

According to Israel, PAHO will be monitoring the operations of the documentation centre and will be looking at its utilization, the benefits that could accrue to users as well as the value of the service being provided with a view to documenting it as a potential ‘best practice.’

According to her, the documentation centers have always been located at the PAHO country offices and some were moved to hospital settings noting that this is the first time it is being housed in a University.

While thanking UG for its willingness to engage with PAHO, Israel said the movement from their office to the university allows them to improve their services, streamline the publications, periodicals and journals, and enhance the electronic modes of acquiring and accessing information.

“The services which we offer are an improvement to what have been available to users in the past. We’re constantly seeking ways of improving the scientific information as well as to make available on a more general scale the scientific public health information that is produced by PAHO and other agencies in the UN.”

Israel mentioned, too, that PAHO has also been engaging with the Ministry of Health, the National Library and other agencies, in the establishment of a health library.

She said this will allow for a repository of health information specific to Guyana so that users anywhere in the world can access information about the Country while Guyana can likewise access information from other members in the virtual library network.

According to her, there are about 2000 publications, periodicals and journals in the documentation centre.

Israel pointed out that the thrust of the centre is to move away from a paper to an electronic source of knowledge.

She also stressed that there are some rules that had to be developed for the use of the Centre but that it is hoped that the operators would not be too stringent so as to deter users.

“But certainly we would want the body of knowledge that is kept in the Centre to be available to all users so if we do not introduce some procedures and policies, then that will not be the case,” Dr. Israel exhorted

Israel therefore urged students and members of the public to respect the rules and procedures so that the pool of journals and books can continue to be available to all users.

She also mentioned that new and emerging health issues and information would be available to the centre as they become available.

“We need to make sure that the knowledge is up to date so that users will not be shortchanged. There are also international health regulations coming on stream and we would like to know that the public has access to this information,” she said.

GUYSUCO reiterates three percent wages hike offer
-GAWU says it is unacceptable
THE Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) yesterday reiterated it cannot pay workers more than three per cent increase in wages and salaries for 2009.

The Corporation restated the position at the resumption of second conciliatory meeting with the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) on the matter at the LBI training centre.

GuySuCo last week Tuesday withdrew from a planned wages and salaries negotiation with GAWU at the LBI Estate, after a section of workers down tools in protest of its wages offer for 2009 among other issues.

Their action led to some 88 per cent of the sugar workers countrywide embarking on industrial action the following day. These workers have since resumed duties.

GAWU President Komal Chand told the Guyana Chronicle that the corporation said given its current financial position it cannot pay workers more three per cent.

GuySuCo Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Errol Hanoman at a recent press briefing said the situation facing the Company is grim, pointing out that in 2008, it suffered a loss of $4 billion and owed its bankers $3 billion.

“At the end of September 2009, we owed the banks just under $5 billion and our losses for this year are projected at $2.5 billion.

“As of December 31, 2008, the amount owed to creditors stood at $2.6 billion and, as of September 30 this year, $1.8 billion,” Hanoman disclosed

Chand said he is aware of the corporation’s financial position and the efforts being made to turn around the industry from the past few years of decline.

On this point, he said the union is willing to compromise on its 15 per cent demand hike on wages and salaries but three per cent is unacceptable.

The top GAWU official also said that successful turn around of the industry depends on the workers and for this reason they must be reasonably compensated in order to be motivated to give of their best.

GuySuCo Chief Finance Controller, Mr. Paul Bhim had disclosed that a one per cent increase in wages and salaries will cost the Company $150M.

But GAWU General Secretary, Mr. Seepaul Narine contended that while this is true, in the broader context it is more a public deception as the availability of work determines production costs.
The negotiation resumes on Friday. (TAJERAM MOHABIR)

$600M Georgetown water treatment plants nearly complete
GUYANA Water Inc. (GWI) Project Manager, Capital Investment and Planning Department, Mr. Ramchand Jailal said Tuesday, that, despite a procurement setback, the construction of the Central Ruimveldt and Sophia iron removal treatment plants in Georgetown are 90 per cent complete.

He said both projects are progressing and are expected to be finished ahead of the December deadline, according to an assurance from the contractor.

Jailal said, although there are no problems locally, an issue arose to procure some inputs, such and aerators, pipes, pumps and valves, which were not available here and had to be sourced abroad.

He said a container has since arrived but that would not result in the completion of the factories as testing has to be done once the plants are complete and operators trained before the projects, costing $600M, are handed over to GWI.

Jailal said the plants will significantly improve quality in the city, with on site sodium hypochlorite systems which would purify the water.

He said the factories will utilise a gravity filtration and backwash process, which uses less energy than other GWI facilities countrywide.

The jobs were to have been completed in August by the Trinidad Company, UEM which sub-contracted Guyanese Nabbi and Sons.

At least 41,000 residents in Central Ruimveldt and Sophia will benefit from the joint undertaking by GWI and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

The two factories will have the capacity to produce up to 12 million litres of purified water daily, for users in Central, East and West Ruimveldt, Shirley Field-Ridley Square, Roxanne Burnham Gardens, Tucville, South Ruimveldt Gardens, Lamaha Gardens, Sections ‘K’ and ‘M’ Campbellville and Prashad Nagar, all in Greater Georgetown. (MICHEL OUTRIDGE)

We must stop the carnage on the roads
They had a good time because the drinks flowed plentifully, but no-one thought it fit to tell the driver that he should abstain from alcohol because he would have been endangering their lives. It was party time and no-one wanted to cause offence and create rifts in relationships, so the driver, while not quite inebriated, had consumed enough alcohol to impair his judgement

While negotiating a bend in the road he lost control of the vehicle and slammed into a utility pole. There were only two survivors – a father who had lost his entire family and his legs and, ironically, the driver.

A young son of very wealthy parents who was provided everything he desired that money could buy, and who was allowed to do anything he wished without parental guidance and restraint, picked up the family’s vehicle one day and went on a joyride with his friends.

None of them possessed a driver’s license but the young man in question regularly went driving, racing through the streets of his community, to the great annoyance of neighbours.

One day he took a turn too fast and ploughed into a yard, instantly killing the three children of the home, who were playing in what should have been the safest place – the driveway of their yard.

A poor old couple had an only son, whom they had sacrificed much to provide an education. The young man wanted to become a doctor and he worked hard to achieve that eventuality, passing his exams with outstanding grades, until he was finally in sight of attaining his objective.

One day the son of a wealthy and influential father, who was drag racing on the highway, crashed his high-powered vehicle into the car in which the young man was travelling and destroyed forever his life and the wonderful future of service to mankind he was well on the way to achieving; as well as the dreams and the pride of his old parents, leaving them desolate and bereft of any support in their old age.

Another wealthy young man, drunk and speeding, decapitated a little girl and simultaneously killed her cousin, both of whom were on their way to Masjid. He then sped away, leaving a devastated grandmother who would forever bear the guilt of the loss of her grandchildren, because they were in her care when they were killed.

On Wednesday five-year old Akeem Hinds succumbed to injuries he received when the car in which he was travelling, along with other family members, careened off the Soesdyke/Linden Highway near Bamia. Akeem’s uncle also died in the crash, and other family members were injured.

The above are a miniscule number in the death-roll of victims of vehicular accidents, and the numbers keep climbing steeply.

From Tracor, which was initiated by then Police Commissioner Laurie Lewis, to current times, many initiatives have been implemented and much money has been invested into attempts at making our roadways safe, but the carnage continues. It seems to be beyond officialdom to contain and curb the lawlessness on Guyana’s highways, despite the many and diverse mechanisms implemented toward ending this pandemic of murder by vehicle.

The victims are not only those who die, but those who remain alive to pick up the pieces of their lives once more.

The Mothers in Black have made representation and have achieved much by way of legislations passed for more punitive measures against defaulters, but since their militancy has decreased it seems that road accidents have increased in tandem, but it is the citizens who need to take back our roadways from the killers behind wheels.

Unless and until the full force of the law is felt by those who make killing machines of their vehicles by driving indiscriminately on our roadways, the tears of the nation will continue to flow for their loved ones.

STANDARDS CORNER
Furniture Manufacturing
The quality of furniture is very dependent on the quality of materials used and the workmanship employed during the manufacturing process. Furniture must be of good quality otherwise their imperfections and defects will quickly show during usage. Further, these products are very expensive and consumers expect that they will get extensive usage from them, so the structural integrity of furniture must be sound to withstand continuous use.

The materials used in manufacturing furniture must be of an acceptable quality and meet certain important requirements which are set out in a Code of Practice for the Manufacture of furniture GCP 14:2005. Upon approval, the draft Caricom Standard for wooden furniture which is currently at the public comments stage will also address some specific requirements for furniture manufacturing.

Quality
Certainly, in order to have quality finish products quality raw materials must be used in the manufacture of the products. Therefore, all lumber and other materials should be free from rot, insect holes, open knots cracks and other common defects. It is often the practice of some unscrupulous manufacturers to use defective materials and use finishing materials to conceal these defects. Whenever this is done it is the end user/ consumer who looses because they have purchased a rapidly deteriorating or easily weakened pieces of furniture.

A good quality piece of wooden furniture must be made of sound lumber that satisfies the moisture requirements. Lumber must be bright i.e. free from discolouration, and it must be square edged and thoroughly seasoned.

Moisture Content
In Guyana, the lumber used for furniture manufacture is oftentimes air dried, but more and more, manufacturers are having their wood kiln dried. Wood used in furniture manufacture must meet stipulated moisture content to prevent splits, cracks, joint separations and warpage. The acceptable range for moisture content as set out in the Code of practice is between 8 and 12%.

Workmanship
Joints should be closely fitted. Dripping glue and fillers must not be evident. Doors should swing easily, drawers should run smoothly on draw slides, and interiors should be well sanded and finished. Spaces should be even and uniform.

Finish
All edges should be ‘broken’ and softened. There should be no pointed corners. The interiors of all storage furniture should be sanded smoothly and sealed against snags, to protect delicate fabrics. Good finish depends on thorough preparation of lumber.

All dents and defects should be removed before final sanding and all sharp edges must be sanded and moulded.

Surfaces should have a three (3) coat finish. Each seal coat must be sanded.

Manufacturers and dealers of furniture should take the necessary steps to acquire the available furniture standards from the GNBS and familiarize themselves with the requirements therein, to ensure that good quality pieces of furniture are manufactured for sale to consumers.

For further information on this subject, please contact the Guyana National Bureau of Standards on Telephone Numbers: 219-0069, 219-0066 219-0065 or 219-0064.

Pandora 10
Obama ignites the flame of light, love and prosperity
- Guyana’s warmongers ignite the flame of “slo fiah, mo fiah”
Opposition Leader, Robert Corbin, was invited to participate in the function, named the “Rashtra Jyoti” (lighting of a symbolic national diya), held at the Promenade by the Indian Arrival Committee (IAC), and sponsored by the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T).

He never turned up. What a glorious opportunity he missed to bond with Guyanese of Indian descent, especially from the Hindu community. Robert Williams’ delivery touched the heart. The tranquil, beautiful ambience provided a perfect opportunity for a shared experience of camaraderie between Guyanese of every culture, because this holy festival of the Hindus was the perfect platform to promote healing of our national wounds.

Instead, Corbin chose to shun the Hindu community of this nation. Yet he wonders why the average Indian Guyanese distrusts him. Among many negatives, he has no magnanimity of spirit, so essential for bridging the divides in the nation.

But this ideal is certainly not on his agenda, as all his actions and his utterances have proven. The rare occasion he has reached out to the collective Indian community was palpably superficial, because he can only hold on to the remnants of his supporters by inciting hatred in their hearts – and supporting an Indian initiative; moreso a Hindu initiative, is not on his agenda, because he has to propitiate his support base – such as Kean Gibson, et al.

On the other hand, the leaders of three of the most powerful nations in the world have embraced the Hindu citizens of their land and their culture, because they are astute enough, and humane enough, to recognise that the universe is configured of a diversity of peoples and cultures, and in the unity and appreciation of that diversity lies the strength of their respective nations.

The respect they have accorded the Hindu communities of their respective countries should set an example for leaders in third-world states to follow, especially in places like Trinidad & Tobago and Guyana.

American President Barack Obama, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, by their magnanimous actions in according respect to their Hindu citizens, have won the loyalty and respect – and the financial support and votes of their Hindu communities for all time to come.

They have not only lit their national diyas, but the light that will transform their nations into havens of cordiality and progressive actions.

Here in Guyana flames are being lit – at the Ministry of Health, with fire starters razing public structures, business and residential buildings in quick succession, leaving Guyanese entrepreneurs and their employees – some of whom are the supporters of the architects of the X-13 Plan and the “Slo’ fiah, mo fiah” strategies, bereft of jobs and agonized at the loss of the acquisitions after lifelong strivings and struggles.

Recently the Hindu community in Alexander Village, was able to celebrate Diwali for the first time in eleven years.

This community was a statistic in the campaign to derail the PPP-administration post-1997 elections, when PPP supporters were being robbed, assaulted, raped and slaughtered like animals in their homes and at places where they had to pursue their various activities. Police were also being targeted, with many policemen killed, even in police stations. Large sections of the city went up in flames as the Opposition succeeded in making the nation ungovernable, as they successful did in the 60’s to force a PPP-Government out of office.

The government was unable to protect its supporters, because it was powerless against the destructive forces, which was aided and abetted by the CARICOM bloc, which forced a truncation of the PPP administration.

When fire struck on Regent Street the first time those who know the history of this country know well who were the architects of this latest plan fostering mayhem and murder. Revelations of witnesses after the second Regent Street fire solidified this belief.

Adam Harris wrote that Indians see Roger Khan as their saviour and spoke of the division in this country; but the division is not of race against race. It is the division of the dark forces of evil as opposed to those who have provided some degree of protection for a helpless and vulnerable section of the Guyanese community – and criminals who discover the path of easy wealth-acquisition are like rabid animals that taste blood. They become ravenous, and then they do not care whose blood they consume, even if it is the blood of members of their own pack.

An opposition cabal that drapes the body of a notorious murderer and thief like Linden (Blackie) London with the National Flag would obviously see killers of innocent and helpless persons, once they further their cause and agenda, as “innocent young men.”

Today the flames of “slo’ fiah, mo fiah” are not only burning the hopes of PPP supporters to ashes, they are also consuming the dreams and aspirations of their own supporters.

Vigorous efforts being pursued to increase rice industry’s efficiency
THE letter in the Kaieteur news issue of October 20, 2009 has allowed Mr. Jinnah Rahaman to once again exhibit his ignorance of developments within the rice industry.

I would like to start by addressing the content of the letter and then attempt to edify Mr. Rahaman of the changes that have taken place in the rice industry whilst he was languishing in foreign lands.

The rice sector of Guyana has many challenges indeed, but efforts at both the national and sectoral levels are being vigorously pursued to increase industry efficiency and enhance its competitiveness. Therefore I agree with him and the President of the RPA that enough is not done in the marketing of Guyana’s rice at the time when our preferences to the once protective market is being eroded. But he needs to note that since the divestment of state owned rice mills, government’s role in the marketing of rice was reduced and was confined to the facilitation and document preparation. Marketing was done by the private sector and because of their failure the government will have to fill the void.

Secondly, the meeting last crop with the Commercial Attaché of the Venezuelan Embassy in Guyana was organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after a request was made by the Minister of Agriculture. The scheduling of this meeting was done at short notice and after calling some of the millers/exporters. Mr. Doerga was the one in close proximity and attended on their behalf of the exporters. At that time, Mr. Rahaman was not yet executing his mischievous agenda. The meeting was attended by the following: Dr. Dindyal Permaul, Permanaent Secretary of Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Nigel Dharamlall, Chairman GRDB, myself (Jagnarine Singh), representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Mr. Doerga.

On the issue of the purchase of the Laser Land Leveller, this is an area where the government, GRDB and its partners will continue in its unstinting efforts to address the area where proper management, strategic intervention, and efficient husbandry can reduce losses and enhance profitability. The more I read into the letter of Mr. Rahaman, the more I am aware that he is ignorant of the basics of rice cultivation and production.

Mr. Rahaman, ask any farmer what are the benefits of a level field, they will list a volume.

I wish to list a few for your edification: water use and fertiliser efficiency is enhanced, weed control is improved, establishment of a more uniform plant stand, etc. This ultimately will increase the yields and returns to the farmer. I would like to inform him that after the demonstration at the Burma Rice Research Station, farmers were requesting that government purchase one for each region where rice is cultivated. This is another strategic intervention to complement all the others in areas of enhanced research capabilities, reduced yield gap, vertical and horizontal diversification, institutional strengthening, infrastructural enhancement in drying and storage, port development and continued and improved D&I services.

A point to note is that this year rice production will be the highest in Guyana’s history. Isn’t this a sign of much progress and the results of strategic planning and action? While the detractors and mischief makers are using the media to execute their agenda, the farmers and millers are busy proving them wrong.

I wish not comment about the current court matter to which Mr. Rahaman alluded because one should know that discussing a matter that is engaging the Honourable Court is sub-judice. But here again ignorance must have overcome sanity and common sense.

This part will help Mr. Rahaman to “catch-up” on developments of the rice industry when he was enjoying “life in London”.

Guyana Rice Board (GRB) was the sole entity responsible for the marketing of rice in the seventies up to the mid eighties. They had all the large mills in Guyana and production of the numerous small rice mills had to be turned over to these entities for sale. This was considered the dark days for rice farmers, where the inspectors of GRB were called “rice police”. GRB was responsible for supply inputs, and as reported by the farmers, negotiations with the officials of GRB were best done by female members of their families. As a farmer you need a special permit to have more that a bag of rice at your home, and when it was customary that the small rice farmers will “toll mill” their paddy and keep enough rice for their family until the next crop. There was one case when a rice miller, Hakim, took some time to open the gate of his mill and one of the “rice police” fired a shot into the mill, hitting one of his sons. The Hakim’s family thereafter obtained political asylum in Canada.

In 1985, in an effort to give jobs to it members, the PNC dissolved the GRB and replaced it with three entities; National and Paddy Grading Centre (NPRGC), Guyana Rice Marketing and Milling Authority (GRMMA) and Guyana Rice Export Board (GREB). GREB was responsible for the marketing of Guyana’s rice with the General Manager of this entity making frequent trips overseas to sell rice. The effectiveness of this can be measured with export sales for the six-year period 1985-1991 averaging 47,400 tonnes, the lowest annual amounts being 29,339 tonnes and the highest being 68,897 tonnes.

After the colossal failure of these interventions and the government’s adoption of the Structural Adjustment Programme, the state-owned rice mills were divested and the services of the rice industry were left for the private sector to fill.

After the new government was installed in 1992, rice was once again in its rightful place with the government immediately addressing the limitation in the production sector. Massive amounts were spent rehabilitating the drainage and irrigation infrastructure that was abandoned by the previous administration.

The government also embarked on a consultative process of the merging of the remnants of the three rice entities and this is now history with the formation of the now Guyana Rice Development Board. The stakeholders were quick to raise their objections to the establishment of an entity similar to the old GRB, as they did not want a repeat of the dark days.

GRDB role were regulatory and provision of support services. Support services in the areas of technology transfer, varietal development, quality management, market facilitation and legal representation for rice farmers. Regulatory measures in the areas of manufacturing and exports of rice. Marketing was done by the private sector and as the stakeholders were enjoying a “good” returns to their investment, the need for more government involvement was not welcomed.

Today, with some issues to be addressed, we have seen many so-called messiahs emerging from the cracks. Where were these peoples when the dogs were turned on protesting rice farmers? When they were imprisoned for speaking about their rights and demanding their rights? When a special permit was compulsory to have more than a bag of rice at our homes to celebrate any festivity or even to feed the family? When female members of our families were preyed upon by rice officials and other government officials because we needed government’s help and service over which they presided like Colossus.

Mr. Rahaman and all the other detractors, we at GRDB have an open door policy and are willing to accept any constructive ideas that can help to enhance the development of the sector.

I would advise them to come and see copies of the programme that the GRDB is executing, some are; the Rice Sector Strategic Plan, EU feasibility study, Rice Competitiveness Project, etc. We are anxiously awaiting your contributions.
JAGNARINE SINGH B.Sc, M.Sc
General Manager
Guyana Rice Development Board
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Time to look into the mirror
THERE is a serious disregard of laws and standards, as well as a lack of a sense of individual responsibility in Guyana. Recently writers talked about people building on government lands, filling in drains and encroaching on roads. Add containers left at roadsides without visible lights, vandalism, theft of utility services, noise nuisance, garbage dumping, bribery, corruption, Tax evasion or non-payment. Coupled with incompetence and political opportunism these are the real reasons for our lack of real progress.

Both those responsible to prevent these situations and those that perpetrate them are equally guilty. It is time to look in the mirror and not just at a particular political party or leader only.
N. AUGUSTUS.
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Only mothers know the pangs of childbirth
OPENING the newspapers was most painful and truly sad. After our early morning routine of prayers and exercise, we stopped to open the newspapers, and were taken back by the drowning of two handsome little boys of Linden, Akemo Fredericks and Andre Fredericks.

As we read on, my wife and I hugged and cried for the loss of the beautiful youthful lives that could have done so much for country in time to come. We looked at the photograph of the anguish of the pains of the mother and cried more. In what way can a person give sympathy for such monumental loss, especially when her husband died by drowning in the not too distant past.

Being parents ourselves and having beautiful and handsome children, we could understand and imagine what the mother is going through.

The mother clutched and pressed the lower part of her tummy in anguish. I saw many instances where children died, but especially when they die unnaturally, or murdered in heinous sways, the clutching of the lower part of the tummy by the mother.

Only mothers know the pangs of childbirth: the weight of the ‘universe’ she carried for nine months. I truly can understand why women hold that lower part of their stomach which houses the divine womb, in which the sperm and the egg fertilises to create life. When one of her children dies, she firmly hugs that part of the body, for it is by her womb that god creates, life emits and the earth survives. In the year 2004, I wrote a piece in the newspapers in honour of my beloved mother Hajin Latifan Khan and all mothers for my usual mother’s day publication in the press. This particular one I titled as inspired ‘HEAVEN’S CHILD.’ See how it feels:

HEAVEN’S CHILD
Who is Heaven Child?
Heaven’s Child is
One who grasps the hand of God to build!
One that fulfills her destiny as called.
One whose legacy is the prophecy of the creation of life
One who understands the finer mysteries of the creative powers of her womb
One who utilizes her creative instincts, her creative juices to rejuvenate……………to complete God’s Mission of Replenishing the Earth.
Heaven’s Child is the majesty of Mother’s Heart
Heaven’s child is the forgiving hand of mother’s love.
Mother is the Heaven’s child, who bears those nine months in pleasurable pain.
When flesh tears to fulfill God’s Creative powers; the wailing; the screaming; the hours of labour; the gnashing of teeth; the fainting upon fainting; and travails upon travails to produce the offspring’s, her joy in pleasure and pain, her child! Her Son! Her daughter! For whom she will give her life to save ….. to educate, to achieve…………surely Heavens Child is Mother’s Love………………..The Master stroke of the Living Creator, Lord of the Worlds.
With All My Love.
May God give the mother the beautiful children peace and comfort.
HAJI ROSHAN KHAN
Chief Servant & President, Guyana Islamic Forum for Education, Peace and Religious Solidarity.
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There should be an investigation into salary overpayment issue
I am a very humble teacher but it is with the evidence of disregard shown by the Audit Department of Region Two and the administration of the said Region that I pen this letter to make the public aware of my situation and also seek to have my name cleared from the Audit report of 2006 which stated that I was “Over Paid An Extra Month Salary In 2006” while I was attached to the Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary school.

Just over two months I received a call from a Senior Personnel Officer from the Administrative Office of the Regional Democratic Council Region Two informing me that the Audit Report for the year 2006 revealed that I was over paid an “Extra Months Salary” which was deposited into my bank account. Further, she was in quest of meeting with me to make arrangements for the repayment of the said money.

After processing this information I informed the said Officer that the period in questioning I was only physically in Region Two since I was officially attached to North West Secondary School, Region One but was seconded to Johanna Cecelia Community High School and was on further secondment to Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary School. She was further informed that I was still being paid (cash payment) by the administration of Region One, hence my name should not have surfaced on any financial document in Region Two as it relates to salaries for 2006.

Since this was in my interest, and after weeks of waiting and assurance that the issue will be investigated, I decided to call the said Officer and the Audit Officer to get an update on the issue. On not receiving the information I expected I informed both officers that I will be visiting their office with the media.

To my surprise less than 30 minutes later that day I received a call from the Senior Personnel Officer stating that they checked the pay sheets for 2006 and had visited the Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary School and verified that I was not paid by the Region. She further informed me that the case was closed and the administration, along with the Audit Office will formally write apologising for any inconvenience caused.

After another wait, I decided to visit the Officers and requested to see the source documents that they used to arrive at their conclusion and also to possibly receive the letter that was promised. Yet another surprise, as much as I was told the case was closed, it was only on my visit to the Office that the Chief Accountant in the region was made aware of the situation. Consequently, I was made another promise after we together checked and verified the “Payment Ledger” which stated that the last time I was paid in the Region was September of 2000. The Officers along with the Chief Accountant stated that they will meet with the Regional Executive Officer to deliberate on the issue after which I will hear from them before the end of August.

Sad to say I am still awaiting the promised response from the administration. My wish at this point is for them to deal with this issue with the same amount of enthusiasm displayed when they first contacted me seeking repayment of the money. I also wish that a formal investigation will be launched so that this issue will be quickly resolved preventing the recurrence of my name on any other audit reports.
S. BLACKMAN
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Freedom is one’s ability to do as one pleases
I commend the Pope for making it easier for disaffected Anglicans who feel their church has become too liberal to convert to Roman Catholicism.

Radical Anglicans who support women bishops and the evil of homosexuality misinterpret the bible and are guided by a false sense of freedom. They seek not God but their own selfish desires of power and lust.

Freedom does not rest in one’s ability to do as one pleases. "Ye shall be as gods." This promise is quite clearly behind modernity's radical demand for freedom. Such anarchical freedom does not redeem, but makes man a miscarried creature, a pointless being. Those who live like this very soon clash with others who want to live the same way. The inevitable consequence of this selfish concept of freedom is violence and the mutual destruction of freedom and life. This is the direction in which the world-wide Anglican communion is now headed.

Traditionalist should take heart. They are always welcome back to the fullness of truth that resides, with all its pristine beauty and splendour, inside the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church is the only church today that can be traced directly back to Christ, the Messianic King, whose coming was foretold in Jewish Scripture. I encourage Anglican traditionalists and all others tossed about by the waves of false doctrines to climb aboard the baroque of Peter for it will be their only safe haven in these troubling times.
PAUL KOKOSKI
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How ironic Freddie labels this government a dictatorship
IT seems Freddie has once again landed himself in hot water for attempting to cloud the facts while simultaneously presenting lies and half truths. The issue in question is his theft of literature from the national library. This is a criminal act which Freddie perpetrated ages ago, he acknowledged the act but is seemingly unrepentant for it.

In fact it seems that he has developed a fan base, some labeling him a role model for youngsters, would they have done the same if he had done that at one of the Ivy leagues? The fact is, theft was committed regardless of the motive and this is what ought to be understood; no one should justify theft.

So Freddie in his usual style of attacking the messenger instead of the message took umbrage at what Mr. Hemraj Muniram wrote regarding this act. In turn Freddie took offence and started to denigrate Mr. Munniram personally, suggesting among other things that he was a homosexual.

Mr. Munniram debunked everything in Freddie’s response, and be sure that Freddie is not done here. In fact he has threatened to sue Stabroek News for publishing Mr. Munniram’s letter, how ironic the very Freddie Kissoon who labels this government an elected dictatorship is now trying to muzzle the press.
I guess the hens have come home to roost.
DAVE MARTINDALE
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Politics of legitimacy is needed to win hearts
PLEASE allow me to respond to GHK Lall’s article “The main opposition has to conduct a full scale reinvention of itself” (SN Oct. 21). I’ll start by highlighting some of Lall’s main points.

(1) Lall claims that there is no opposition today.

(2) The opposition now occupies a ‘sorry place’ in Guyanese politics.

(3) “The opposition has been tepid and patently artificial on the supremely burning issue on matters of race.”

(4) A revolutionary approach should be adopted by the opposition.

These are all interesting points and they deserve real attention.

Let us begin with the first two points, namely that the opposition in Guyana is asleep. While this is an interesting point it is not quite accurate. The joint opposition has been hard at work. The reason why it has not ignited is simple. Basically, the parties in the joint opposition do not have any experience in electoral politics.

The WPA has never really been a good party in terms of mounting a sustained campaign aimed at getting votes. It is also an urban party anchored by a few intellectuals. There is no mass base.

The PNC spent the first few decades in forms of politics that did not require it to worry about getting votes the right way. Its experience in competitive electoral process is rather shallow. On top of that, the recent elections for the PNC leadership caused a good deal of splitting within the party.

The AFC has done well for itself in a short time but has made huge errors. The most significant blunder is that it has exchanged vows with the PNC, and this, during a time when members of the PNC itself are disgruntled with Mr. Corbin’s leadership. This is why I previously wrote that the AFC is in a pickle, an argument I still maintain.

The AFC is also an urban based party led by two lawyers from Georgetown. These gentlemen are not full time politicians; they deal with the interest of the people on a part-time basis. They have to depend on letter writers and Kaieteur News columnists to carry – if not coin their message for them. This leadership by proxy will not work.

Let us now turn to the question of race raised by Mr. Lall. Frankly, the point is confusing. Lall wants the opposition parties to play up race a lot more, but counsels against violence. I wonder if he realizes that there is a real relationship between racialising politics and political violence. Lall should explain himself.

Finally, Lall calls for a more revolutionary kind of opposition politics. He includes in this a battle for hearts and minds. What Lall needs to keep in mind is that winning hearts and minds must be based on a politics of legitimacy. At the moment this is lacking. The AFC has lost a lot of legitimacy on account of its intimate relations with the PNC. The PNC was already operating from a low legitimacy base before its leadership contest, and the contest simply made it worse. The WPA did a long time ago what the AFC has now done, that is, cave into PNC pressure.
RANDY PERSAUD
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Freddie gets a taste of his own medicine
GUYANA owes Mr. Hemraj Muniram a big thank you and so I want to say thanks Mr. Hemraj. For some time now Freddie’s name has been associated with stealing books. If I recall correctly he has a name Big Coat Kisson because someone said he used to take books without proper payments from bookstores in Canada. That was published right in the newspapers in Guyana and the man never denied it. Recently Freddie even before Mr. Hermaj’s letter was published said that even if he stole books so what? Mr. Hemraj is in a good position to state what he did because he worked at the library when Freddie used to frequent the place and we know now that the matter was in court and Freddie was charged.

I read Freddie’s threatening letter to Anand Persaud because he did not want Mr. Hemraj’s letter to be published. Even that letter has lies in it. Freddie tried to thrown off Anand by saying that Stabroek can go and check the newspapers in 1973 and 1974 when he now says the thefts happened in 1970 when he was 17 years old. So in addition to stealing the books, he now lied about that fact.

Freddie is well known for personally attacking anyone who is associated with the PPP but turns around now and claim that his writing cannot be compared to Mr. Hemraj. He is correct in only one way. Mr. Hemraj’s letter is purely factual because he is referring to a court case where charges were brought against Freddie. Freddie attacks people in the worst ways imaginable without any regards to facts. He simply engages in verbal assault.

Now we see that Freddie has some supporters. Malcom Harripaul is one of them. He was fired from the Fraud Squad in Guyana for reasons known to the Government of Guyana. The other supporter is a guy by the name of Balwant Persaud. His name is linked to a visa scam in which many claimed that Balwant cheated them large amounts of money. He was taken to court earlier this year. The story was carried by Kaieteur News. Now we are seeing the friends of Freddie. They all have something in common.
LORRAINE EDWARDS

Sixth DMW Indoor hockey festival launched
… eight foreign teams expected to invade Guyana
By Calvin Roberts
THE sixth annual Guyana Hockey Board (GHB)-organised Diamond Mineral Water (DMW) Carib Beer-sponsored International Indoor hockey festival was launched at a simple ceremony held in the pavilion of the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) yesterday.

President of the GHB, Philip Fernandes thanked the sponsors for coming on board with the tournament once again and stated that the GHB is equally delighted to be associated with both sponsors.

“Diamond Mineral Water has become a mainstay beverage in hockey and this tournament rests on the tongues of hockey players across the region for its reputation of good quality hockey and enjoyable social activities and with that we want to thank Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) for being a superb partner in building this tournament into what it has become.

The veterans’ competition which was introduced in 2006 brought with it another quality beverage, this time Carib Beer. There is something about Carib Beer that veteran hockey players seem to love and this too has been a perfect fit,” said Fernandes.

Gratitude was expressed to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport (MCYS) and the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) for making the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) venue available for the tournament which will run from December 3 to 6.

According to Fernandes, the unavailability of an artificial surface makes it critical for the tournament to be played at a quality indoor facility and the CASH is a standout for such.

He also congratulated the Guyana Police Force (GPF) for their tremendous services rendered at past tournaments and look forward to having the same professional service from Guyana’s main security company once again, even though there have never been any unpleasant incidents in the past.

Promotions and publicity of the tournament are already featured on the Pan American website since June, and will be done on radio, television and newspaper advertisements will commence from the second week in November.

DDL’s DMW brand executive Alexis Crawford expressed her employers’ delight at being associated with the tournament once again without hesitation and wished both the GHB and the players all the best in this year’s tournament.

Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Ansa McAl Limited, Darshannie Yussuf, said her company has recognised the potential of the GHB and the hockey fraternity and while Carib Beer sets high standards, she urged the GHB to continue that trend in this tournament.

Guyana’s GCC Tigers and Everest Hikers are the defending champions in the women’s and men’s category which carries first-place prizes of US$500 and US$1 000 respectively while Carib Fatima of Trinidad and Tobago are the defending champions in the Veterans’ category which has a first prize of US$500.

All first-placed teams in the four-day tournament which has free admission to the venue on the first two days and an admission fee of G$100 and G$300 on Saturday and Sunday the final two days, will also receive trophies.

An organising committee, comprising mainly of GHB’s top brass executives including Fernandes and his two vice-presidents in Ivor Thompson and Rowel Davson along with Troy Peters, a past president and the man who was instrumental in the organising of the first festival back in 2004, has been charged with overseeing the successful hosting of this year’s tournament.

Second Champions League semi-final…
Caribbean flair takes on South African efficiency today
By Jamie Alter
THIS is a clash of Caribbean flair versus South African utility. Trinidad & Tobago have without a doubt been the team to follow in the competition, blending an accomplished exuberance with a ballistic approach with the bat to stunning effect.

Attempting to stop their four-win streak are the Cape Cobras, who topped their group by beating Bangalore and Otago and held their nerve to down Victoria on a dramatic day even as two key players opted out.

They haven't been nearly as devastating as T&T, even showing signs of susceptibility in their last game, but the Cobras are a quality side.

At a time when West Indian cricket is going through turmoil, a band of merry marauders have given Caribbean cricket fans much to be proud of.

Daren Ganga's team have taken Twenty20 cricket in India by storm, but few should be surprised by their success: three regional one-day titles and the Stanford 20/20 prize testify to their limited-overs prowess.

Cobras, be warned, T&T coach Kelvin Williams has said that the best was yet to come.

In a tournament that has veered from one opposite to the other there has been one constant: T&T will dazzle. Arguably the most balanced side, T&T boast powerful batsmen (Kieron Pollard, Lendl Simmons, William Perkins, Adrian Barath), crafty medium-pacers (Dwayne Bravo, Ravi Rampaul), and two effective spinners (Dave Mohammed, Sherwin Ganga).

Under a cool leader in Daren Ganga, a comfortable unit that has prepared very well for the Champions League has been unstoppable.

The Cobras haven't been blessed with a torrent of runs from Herschelle Gibbs or the middle order and have had to rely on Andrew Puttick, the only centurion of the competition, JP Duminy and Henry Davids, the only batsmen to cross 50.

The manner in which they capitulated to Delhi on a low surface is worrying given it was their last chance ahead of the semi-final, but the Cobras will back their strong batting line-up. They need Gibbs to fire alongside the captain Puttick, and for Charl Langeveldt to return to full fitness.

The advantage for T&T is familiarity with the conditions. They have played three times under the Hyderabad lights and will know, to a large extent, what to expect from the pitch and the conditions.

The Cobras, on the other hand, have only played in Hyderabad once during this tournament and that too at a 16:00 start. The surfaces used here have been hard and batsmen-friendly with little assistance for the spinners. Win toss, bat first is the way to go. (Cricinfo)

Dowlin, Barnwell hit half-centuries in second practice game
By Calvin Roberts
WEST Indies middle-order batsman Travis Dowlin and national all-rounder Christopher Barnwell struck half-centuries as Assad Fudadin’s XI defeated Steven Jacob’s XI in the second practice game at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground, Bourda yesterday.

A heartening sight at the venue was the arrival of the dependable West Indies middle order batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who arrived in the country the previous night and made his presence felt yesterday.

Fudadin’s XI took first strike and scored 207-9 at the end of 40 overs, thanks to Dowlin’s 70 which was decorated with six fours and one six and Barnwell’s even 50 (3x4, 1x6), while West Indies lower order batsman Royston Crandon blazed his way to a pugnacious 41.

National fast bowlers Esaun Crandon (3-25) and Brandon Bess with 2-30 were the principal wicket-takers for Jacob’s XI, who were bowled out for 176 from 38.3 overs in reply, with Leon Johnson 34 (2x4), Shemroy Barrington 26 (4x4) and Richard Ramdeen and Gajanand Singh 24 each being the leading batsmen.

Bowling for Fudadin’s XI, Dillon Heyliger who got the prized wicket of Chanderpaul (2) ended with 3-36 and Royston Crandon 2-41.

In Fudadin’s XI innings, Dowlin struck a delivery just short of a good length from Bess through point for four, after seeing his partner Sewnarine Chattergoon (0) dismissed off the first delivery of the match, caught by Johnson at point off Esaun Crandon.

The in-form Narsingh Deonarine (8) tickled the elder Crandon off his legs for four before he was caught by Barrington at backward point off the same bowler, but Dowlin, who was joined by Royston Crandon, continued to soldier on for his team with two more fours off Dion Ferrier.

His partner Royston Crandon joined in the act by hitting Trevon Garraway back over his head for six, followed by an audacious drive along the ground for four off successive deliveries and another off Bess through point, before he was caught by wicketkeeper Derwin Christian off Bess for his 41 at 68-3 in the 13th over.

At this stage, Dowlin was joined by Barnwell and they went into overdrive as they took the attack to Jacobs’ XI, with Barnwell hitting Mahendra Nagamootoo to wide mid-on for four, followed by an outside edge off Jacobs and past Christian en route to the vacant third-man region for another boundary.

He opened his shoulders and struck Jacobs over midwicket for a maximum and after seeing Dowlin drive Ferrier through extra cover for four, followed by a six over long on off the same bowler, Barnwell in his attempt to clear long-on picked out Barrington off Esaun Crandon.

As the overs became less and less for his team Dowlin attempted to up the scoring rate. He pulled Jacobs (1-34) to midwicket, but picked out Ferrier. Then Garraway knocked back the off stump of Devendra Bishoo (1) off the final delivery of the innings and Fudadin’s XI had reached a formidable 207-9.

When Jacobs’ XI began their reply, they got a solid start from Ramdeen and Barrington who added 47 for the first wicket from 6.1 overs, with both openers displaying a no-nonsense attitude towards Barnwell (1-23) and Heyliger.

Twice Heyliger over-pitched the ball and on both occasions, Barrington obliged by punching him back along the ground for four while Ramdeen cashed in with boundaries off both bowlers, before he was caught by Royston Crandon off Barnwell for 24.

Barrington followed soon after when he was run-out attempting a cheeky single to short third man, after pulling Barnwell to long leg for four, two deliveries earlier, to leave his team on 69-2 at the end of nine overs.

Johnson, who came to the wicket at the demise of Ramdeen and signalled his intentions with a four through extra cover off Deonarine, was joined by Chanderpaul but his more illustrious partner, who had a successful stint with English County side Durham, did not last long as he got an edge through to wicketkeeper Delbert Hicks off Heyliger.

Singh drove Heyliger who was guilty of over-pitching the ball to the deep cover boundary for four before he picked out Barnwell at point, cutting at a Royston Crandon delivery - one that was too close for the shot.

Johnson also fell to Crandon, caught by Hicks in his attempt to cut at 132-5 in the 26th over. When Jacobs got an outside edge past Hicks off Royston Crandon for four in his 18, Jonathan Foo 16 (2x4) and Christian who holed out to Deonarine at long-on off Bishoo were dismissed, their team were in an uncomfortable position at 163-8, all three falling at the same score.

Deonarine wrapped things up with the wicket of Nagamootoo who was caught by Dowlin, who held four catches at a solitary slip position the previous day, at midwicket to hand his team a comfortable 31-run victory.

The squad will be engaged in a Twenty20 simulation match at the Everest Cricket Club ground from 13:30 h today, after which the 14-man squad to represent Guyana in the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) four-team Twenty20 Festival, which takes place tomorrow and Saturday, will be named.

‘Tiger’ is here

THE ‘Tiger’ is here!!! Guyana and West Indies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul is caught by photographer Carl Croker in deep conversation with former national wicketkeeper/batsman Sheik Mohammed at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground yesterday. Chanderpaul arrived in the country on Tuesday and is expected to turn out for the Guyana team when the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) two-day fundraising Twenty/20 festival bowls off tomorrow at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

Warner launches NSW Blues into Champions League final
AN explosive innings from David Warner saw New South Wales Blues seal their place in the inaugural Champions League final with a 79-run win over Victoria, yesterday in Hyderabad.

Set 170 to win, Victoria were reduced to 6-3 inside three overs in Delhi.

Moises Henriques (3-11) impressed with the ball as Victoria finished on 90-9, well short of their victory target.

Warner's swashbuckling 25-ball 48 was the highlight of the Blues innings, with Phil Hughes (35) and Simon Katich (26) also punishing Victoria's bowlers.

Katich's side will play either Trinidad and Tobago or South Africa's Cape Cobras, who play the second semi-final today, in tomorrow's final in Hyderabad.

After winning the toss and electing to bat on a slow surface at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium, the Blues began in spectacular fashion as Warner and Hughes piled into Victorian fast bowlers Shane Harwood and Peter Siddle.

Warner was particularly brutal on anything short, punching a series of magnificent aerial straight drives as the Blues raced to 62 from just 41 deliveries.

But the 22-year-old fell two short of a deserved half-century when indecisive running saw the left-hander run-out off the final ball of the seventh over.

Opening partner Hughes continued the onslaught, assisted by Daniel Smith (20), before he became the first of Clint McKay's three dismissals in the 10th over.

Katich then maintained the elevated run rate as the Blues finished on 169-7 from their 20 overs.

With a pitch partial to turn, Katich promoted Nathan Hauritz to take the new ball alongside fast bowler Brett Lee.

And the off-spinner struck twice in his first over, removing Rob Quiney and Brad Hodge before Aiden Blizzard lobbed a simple catch off Lee to Katich at mid-off to leave the Bushrangers innings in tatters.

Australia big-hitters David Hussey (16) and Cameron White (11) attempted to resuscitate the innings, but both men fell to all-rounder Henriques, ending any hopes of a remarkable comeback.

Only four Bushrangers players managed to reach double figures, with wicketkeeper Matthew Wade top-scoring with 23, while Hauritz and Lee ended with two wickets each. (BBC Sport)

Lumumba gives reason for Alpha United’s absence from NAMILCO tourney
PRESIDENT of the Alpha United Football Club, Odinga Lumumba, yesterday gave a reason for his club’s non-participation in this year’s Fruta Conquerors/NAMILCO football tournament.

Addressing members of the media at his Duke Street, Kingston office yesterday, Lumumba said he is of the opinion that the organisers as well as the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) and the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) are all disrespectful.

Asked to explain, the Presidential Adviser on Empowerment said Alpha United are the tournament’s defending champions and as such, one cannot draw them to play one of the stronger teams (Pele) in the tournament in a first-round fixture, “we have to play a weaker team because we are the defending champions.”

He further went on to explain that prior to receiving the fixtures there was no tournament briefing and the club was never informed by the GFA or GFF about the tournament. Neither was the club in receipt of the tournament rules and regulations.

The vociferous politician said Alpha United has put time and effort to be who they are at the moment.

According to Lumumba, when his club hosted its fundraising tournament last year, they were asked to pay a levy fee of $500 000 which is not being asked by the GFF for the NAMILCO tournament and this he sees as unfair.

“This is discrimination. I personally think this is discrimination in football - other clubs getting lower levy fees - but I’m not blaming NAMILCO and I’m not blaming Fruta Conquerors, but I’m blaming the GFF and the GFA.

He also questioned the motive behind the GFF selecting seven of the clubs’ players to represent Guyana next week in Suriname when the very players were scheduled to play tomorrow if the club had decided to participate in the NAMILCO tournament.

“Our players were supposed to play Friday and they have to represent Guyana next week in Suriname. Explain that ignorance and foolishness. This all part of conspiracy to undermine Alpha United,” Lumumba stated.

According to the outspoken politician, he never saw the tournament’s official drawing or the drawing for the GFF’s Super League.

Asked what is next for Alpha United, Lumumba said the first thing is to complete the GFF’s Super League then go abroad to compete in a goodwill tournament prior to the annual Kashif and Shanghai tournament.

He said the seven players selected by the GFF are available for training with the national squad but their participation hinges on the GFF providing insurance coverage as well as providing football boots for them to play with.

“We cannot have players playing for a country and not providing insurance coverage. Suppose they get involved in an accident what will happen to the players’ families. Then they (GFF) are offering US$12 per day as a stipend. I don’t have a problem with the players accepting that amount, but I think they should be offered more.

“When the GFF officials go abroad on duties, they receive in the vicinity of US$ 400 per day, so if the players accept the US$12 per day, it’s up to them,” stated Lumumba, adding “another thing is the boots problem. Last year we held a tournament and the funds garnered from that were used to purchase boots for our players, so you can’t want our players to use their personal boots to represent Guyana.”

Asked if NAMILCO approaches him personally to plead with him for his team to participate in the tournament, what would be his reaction, Lumumba replied, “Once they approach me in a professional manner I might reconsider my position.”

Clarke's back will always be a worry - Nielsen
TIM Nielsen, Australia's coach, believes there are no guarantees over Michael Clarke's troublesome back in the long-term and he won't be rushed into the one-day squad in India.

Clarke, who missed the Champions Trophy with the injury, said this week his progress was slow and steady. He has not been picked for the limited-overs tour with the team management preferring him to concentrate on being ready for the opening West Indies Test next month.

Nielsen expects the problem will continue to hamper Clarke, Australia's Test and one-day deputy and Twenty20 leader. "I don't think we can ever guarantee that (his back will be fine), the issues are with discs and things with his back, so I'm not sure they're ever going to be 100% perfect,'' Nielsen told AAP.

"He'll have to manage it and he basically gets daily treatment on his back and his body when he's away and playing and travelling, as do most of the blokes."

He said it was important Clarke was at full fitness before he returned. "There's no point bringing him back half-baked and hoping we can nurse him through," Nielsen said, "because there's nothing surer that it'd be a recipe for disaster for him.''

Australia need Clarke's experience as they continue their rebuild and aim for some confidence-boosting success over West Indies and Pakistan in the Test arena this summer. The team is plotting its way back after a 2-1 loss to England in the Ashes, a journey which started well with a win in the Champions League.

However, Australia's schedule remains packed and the Australians won't have a break until the middle of next year, increasing the likelihood of Clarke missing more matches.

"We're hopeful if we get him enough time to make sure he comes back 100% fit, or as good as he can possibly be, then that'll minimise the chances of it flaring up quickly,''

Nielsen said. "We hope we can come home from India in a month and we'll see him smiling up there in Brisbane and ready to go for the first match as good as he can possibly be.''

Clarke's new role as Twenty20 captain makes it harder for him to be rested during the packed schedule.

"He's not an old man," Nielsen said, "so we've got to be very careful that we don't flog him to death as a 28-year-old as he is now.” (Cricinfo)

Ponting says Aussies not underestimating India –
AUSTRALIAN captain Ricky Ponting has said it would be wrong to pick favourites before their seven-match ODI series gets under way in India on October 25.

Though Australia have the momentum in their favour, following their Champions Trophy victory in South Africa, Ponting expected the home side to give them a fight.

"India is a very good and strong one-day team and we are not underestimating them. We are the number one and two teams in the world and it all points to an entertaining and good contest over the next few weeks," he said in Mumbai a day after the team landed.

"We have always enjoyed playing in India and against India. Our rivalry over the last few years has been growing and it’s good for the world game."

Both teams arrived in South Africa with series wins under their belt but left the country with contrasting results. Australia had drubbed England 6-1 after losing the Ashes and went on to retain the Champions Trophy.

India won the tri-series in Sri Lanka but failed to reach the semi-finals in South Africa. They were without the services of two key batsmen in Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh due to injury, but both have returned for the ODIs to bolster the side.

Ponting said his team will have to keep in mind that India are a stronger outfit now and stay on top of their game.

"We have played some excellent one-day cricket over the last few months beginning from the England tour and in the Champions Trophy," Ponting said. "We need to keep improving and need to be at our best right through the series."

Australia won their last bilateral series outing in India in 2007 but two key players from that series - Michael Clarke and Andrew Symonds - are missing, for different reasons. Clarke could join the tour midway if his sore back recovers but Ponting said it was a good opportunity for the less-experienced players to step up. The team has one rookie in Victorian left-arm spinner Jon Holland, already in India for the Champions League.

"We have got a lot of young players, young as far as experience goes, who are finding their feet in international cricket. We have played some good one-day cricket over the last few months and they have grown in confidence from that. This series offers them a different set of challenges."

One of those challenges, he said, will be tackling the spinners especially since many members of the team don't have enough time to acclimatise. He said the Victoria and New South Wales players for the Champions League have a head start.

"It's good they have got used to the conditions but, on the other hand, it would have been nice to have them in the group a little bit sooner," he said.

"The challenge will be how our middle order batsmen cope up with playing spin bowling over the next few weeks. Michael Hussey has played a lot of cricket here. Shane Watson and Tim Paine play spin well." (Cricinfo)
The first ODI is in Vadodara on Sunday.

Russian Valuev slams 'idiot' Haye
WBA heavyweight champion Nikolay Valuev has dismissed opponent David Haye as just "another idiot" after the British boxer's latest publicity stunt.

Haye has been involved in a number of incidents poking fun at Valuev and the Klitschko brothers, once wearing a T-shirt with a photo of them decapitated.

"I cannot take him seriously," said Valuev, who fights Haye on November 7.

"When I heard about the T-shirts of the Klitschkos (Vitali and Wladimir), I thought 'Oh my God, another idiot'."

Haye was last week involved in a farcical press conference which saw him 'fight' a man dressed as a goblin, meant to be Valuev, before punching the head off a cardboard model of the Russian.

The 29-year-old Briton, who fights Valuev in Nuremberg, also called the 7ft giant a "circus show freak" while later mocking his personal hygiene.

"He can say whatever he likes - it will not get him my title," added 36-year-old Valuev.

And Valuev's promoter Kalle Sauerland admitted to being mildly amused by Haye's antics.

"Haye's behaviour is very strange and not normal at all," he said. "I think one German phrase sums it up well: '1 000 volts, but no light'."

Valuev, who has lost just once in 52 fights and has 34 knockouts, is nine inches taller and approximately 90lb heavier than his opponent.

Haye has lost once in 23 fights and is aiming to become Britain's first heavyweight world champion since Lennox Lewis retired in 2003. (BBC Sport)

Hatton ponders Mayweather rematch
RICKY Hatton has said he could be tempted into a return to boxing by a re-match with Floyd Mayweather, the man who ended his unbeaten record in 2007.

The 31-year-old has not fought since losing to Manny Pacquiao in May.

"If I decide to come back it would need to be a fight to excite me. One person on my hit-list is Floyd Mayweather," Hatton told BBC Radio Stoke.

"I'd rather get back in the ring with him, have a go and get knocked out again because I can say that I tried."

He continued: "I thought I was hard done by to lose in the first fight. The referee didn't let me impose my style on him.

"I'd rather go in there and find out whether it is just me feeling sorry for myself or whether I was actually treated a bit harshly.

"That's what being a champion fighter is all about. Normally you would run a mile against people that have just knocked you out, but I want to get in there again with him if I decide to come back."

Hatton has been busy promoting his own fights since his devastating defeat to Pacquaio, including a world title bout for his brother, Matthew, which is taking place in Stoke-on-Trent on November 13.

He remains unsure whether he will retire but has not ruled out a return to the ring.

"It's only been six months since the Pacquaio fight. I'm just sitting back and having a rest, and waiting for my feet to start tapping again," added Hatton.

"Once I've had a good rest and I've recharged my batteries, I might give it another go, possibly after Christmas or in the new year.

"At the moment I've got no plans to come back, but you need to have the hunger to come back. I'm sure it will and I'm sure I'll give it another go.” (BBC Sport)