Make celebrations more representative of all who came...
exhorts Acting President Samuel Hinds
By Priya Nauth
THOUSANDS of Guyanese, many in their traditional Indian wear, gathered yesterday at the Joe Vieira Park, West Bank Demerara, for a grand cultural programme and fun day to commemorate the 170th anniversary of the arrival of Indians in Guyana.

The programme, organised by the Indian Religious Cultural and Social Organisation (IRSCO) offered classical and filmi dances from various troupes, singing and poetry reading, as well as, tassa drumming competition.

You may note that although May 5 is the day that the two ships arrived in Guyana bringing the first immigrant from India, the government has consciously named this Arrival Day, to reflect and encourage the participation of all of our people who had arrived here in this new land of Guyana,” Acting President and Prime Minister Mr. Samuel Hinds said in his feature address.

He encouraged all stakeholders to make sure the celebrations become more representative of all who came, encouraging all Guyanese to participate.

Lots of Indian delicacies were on sale; various booths featured relevant displays and there were ferris wheels and merry-go-rounds for the children.

The crowds were also regaled with performances by the Indian Cultural Centre and other dance troupes; singing and chanting by the Iskon Hare Krishna Group and inspirational messages by the Raj Yoga Centre.

Prime Minister Hinds observed that the first immigrants had to be very daring and adventurous people to risk crossing the oceans to come to this new land.

When the immigrants came to this country, they found the conditions were harsh and the work was dehumanizing, he noted.

Hinds pointed out that the various cultures, religious practices and beliefs the immigrants brought somewhat comforted them in the new land.

He said over these years the immigrants from India and also all the others who came to Guyana have now made this land their own.

It is our challenge to keep on working to develop this country so we can have a steadily more prosperous and enjoyable life here,” Hinds exhorted.

Just as our foreparents have brought about the developments we have today… there is a challenge for us to be like them and make our own savings and sacrifices for a better tomorrow for all of us,” he posited.

He said some of the difficulties facing us in Guyana today and the rest of the world include the rising cost of fuel as a result of all sorts of things in world.

Indian High Commissioner to Guyana Mr. Subit Kumar Madal, in brief remarks, said that it is a privilege to see the striving culture exhibited by participants at the fair.

I could see the pride you have in the achievements of your ancestry and cultural inheritance…,” he observed.

The High Commissioner noted that India also shares in this pride.

But the journey is not yet over and the rest of the world is watching with admiration and expectations, he said.

500 per cent staff increase at EDWC
To enhance monitoring capacity during mid-year rains
By Tajeram Mohabir
AGRICULTURE Minister Robert Persaud said an additional 160 persons will be employed to enhance the monitoring capacity of the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) during the mid-year rainy period.

Speaking at a recent press briefing at his ministry, Persaud pointed out that the additional staff will supplement the 32 already on board.

He stressed that three hydraulic excavators on pontoons are currently being used for the construction of a new sluice door and the installation of a lifting mechanism at Kofi. The machines are also being used to empolder six miles of embankment between Flagstaff and Annandale.

In addition, they were used for the construction of 200 feet revetment at Shanks on the EDWC embankment, as well as the clearing and excavation of 10.5 miles of waterways in the conservancy.

Meanwhile, the ministry has also made several interventions to minimize the impact of flooding in the upper reaches of the Mahaica/Mahaicony creeks.

The minister noted some of the measures that have been taken, including the clearing of 10 miles of the Mahaica/Mahaicony creeks, the extension of flood embankment from Mahaicony to Abary, the excavation of drainage channels, raising of embankments at Perth, Baiboo, Wash Clothes, Strath and Campbell, and repairs to drainage structures at Payo, Pandit Canal and Handsome Tree.

Currently, 12 miles of drainage channels within the MARDS Scheme on the right bank of the Mahaicony River are being cleared, as well as 40 miles within the Mahaica/Mahaicony areas.

The minister explained that it would be difficult to prevent flooding in the upper reaches of the Mahaica/Mahaicony creeks, as there are no major flood control structures in place.

The only source of drainage for those areas is gravity flow through the rivers.

However, the minister said that phase two of the MMA project will address this situation, and efforts are being made to have the Japanese government fund this initiative.

Late last year, heavy build-up of water in those two areas reached close to nine inches.

National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr. Lionel Wordsworth at a recent media briefing, told reporters its fleet of 28 excavators has been deployed to Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six and Ten and the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) to undertake critical work.

Wordsworth said NDIA has created a communication network to enhance monitoring of drainage structures the in the above mentioned regions and the EDWC.

The Ministry of Agriculture, in preparation for the rainy weather, is providing maintenance for drainage pumps and canals in affected regions, and Wordsworth said the construction and repair of earthen embankments, desilting of outfall channels, rehabilitation of intake structures and clearing of waterways are also being done.

To date, $85M has been spent in Region Two; $87M in Region Three; $90M in Region Four; $48.3M in Region Five; $82M in Region Six and $26M in Region 10.

Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud Friday last assured farmers and residents that all systems are in place to avert flooding during the mid-year rainy season.

He stressed that currently 44 pumps are in operation round-the-clock along the East Coast Demerara which, in the past, has been vulnerable to floods.

In addition, Mr. Persaud said defective sluices are being repaired and those in a state of ruin will be recommissioned.

According to him, the many interventions being made are intended to avoid, if not prevent, inundation and he appealed to the public to cease disposal of refuse in the drainage and irrigation (D&I) systems.

He also asked that any flood, negligence of koker attendants, default or vandalism of the D&I network be reported to the Ministry of Agriculture on telephone numbers 227-5049, 225-8310 or 225-5005.

Guyana will not endorse CET waiver for rice for Jamaica
This first crop to be bigger than ever
By Tajeram Mohabir
AGRICULTURE Minister Robert Persaud says Guyana will not endorse any waiver of CARICOM’s Common External Tariff (CET) for Jamaica to import rice from outside the region if there is no proper justification of the move.

Persaud made the announcement at a recent press briefing held at his ministry when he also reiterated that there is no shortage on the local market.

He pointed out that the position of Guyana’s sister CARICOM member state could harmfully affect the local industry as countries such as the United States heavily subsidize their operations.

The Jamaican government has indicated that it will approach CARICOM to have the CET waived because local exporters are reluctant to enter into long term contracts with Jamaican importers who fear their supplies would not be met.

The Jamaicans have announced that they will import some 30,000 tonnes of rice from an extra-regional market.

But Persaud reassured that there is no shortage in supply in relation to what is the average demand in Jamaica, and he suspects the issue is one more related to pricing rather than supply.

According to the minister, there is an adequate supply in Guyana and it is up to the Jamaican buyers and local suppliers to work out the details.

He also noted that government cannot instruct local exporters to sell their rice at a given price and disclosed that several companies including Nand Persaud and Company, Golden Fleece Investment, Mahaicony Rice Mills, Demerara Import and Export, and CARICOM Rice Mills have already signed contracts to supply Jamaica.

Last year Guyana exported close to 52,000 tonnes of rice to Jamaica, and Persaud said this crop an estimated 30,000 tonnes will be shipped to the island.

He stressed that to date contracts have been inked for Guyana to supply more than 15,000 tonnes, and of that amount, some 4,000 tonnes was exported to that country last month.

“I don’t mind rice from the U.S. or any other country entering the market, but the relevant CET must apply…we can sell our rice elsewhere but we have an obligation to CARICOM and as part of honouring that obligation, we have to ensure that the CET remains in place so that we can competitively sell our rice within CARICOM,” he said.

He noted that so far, close to 60 per cent of the first crop has been harvested and efforts are being made to get all the paddy out of the field before the mid-year rainy season steps in.

Persaud pointed out that this crop will be one of the biggest first crops, much bigger that the second crop last year, as in excess of 30,000 acres of new rice lands have been cultivated.

He said his ministry has received reports that there is some amount of smuggling taking place, and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has been alerted to keep an eye out for any illegal activity.

“We are also using our field officers to be on the look out; we have some information and we are following up that information; there might be small quantities which are being pilfered,” the minister presumed.

He pointed out that before the commodity is exported, it has to be cleared for quality and all relevant documents have to be verified by the Guyana Rice Development Board.

Rampersaud Tiwari, Auntie Comesee among Guyana Awards (Canada) winners
THE Guyana Awards Council (Canada) has announced the ten winners of the prestigious Guyana Awards (Canada) to be presented at the upcoming Guyana Awards Gala on Saturday May 24 at the Delta Toronto East. Scarborough.

The winners are:
* Lifetime Achievement – Rampersaud Tiwari

* Culture - Pauline Thomas (Auntie Comesee)

* Academic Excellence - Dr. Jamal Dean

* Community Service (Individual) – Desmond and Joan DeBarros

* Leadership - Harry Harakh

* Special Achievement – Dr. Vernon Singhroy

* Business Excellence - Dwarka Persaud

* Community Service (Organization) – St. Stanislaus College Alumni Association of Toronto

* Youth – Vanessa Rambihar

* Exemplary Service Award – Dr. Roy Ropwsell.

A release coming out of the Office of the Consulate General of the Republic of Guyana in Canada, stated that the winners were selected by an independent panel of eminent judges, comprised of Judge Vibert Lamkin - former Judge of the Ontario Court of Justice; Gale Lee – Programme Manager for Asia and the Caribbean; CESO and former Acting Ambassador to Brussels; Ken Singh; President Air Cargo and Member of the Advisory Council, New York University.

The Guyana Awards (Canada) wishes to acknowledge the outstanding achievements of distinguished individuals and organisations in the Guyanese community, and their sterling contributions towards the promotion and development of Guyana, Guyanese heritage and culture. It noted that the high calibre of this year’s awardees will, no doubt, instill a greater sense of pride in the Guyanese-Canadian community, and provide positive role models for our youth

The premier event in the Guyanese community in Toronto, this year’s Guyana Awards Gala commences at 18:00 h on Saturday, May 24, with a cocktail reception, followed by dinner and presentation of the Awards, culminating with dancing to the inimitable sounds of Byron Lee and the Dragonaires.

CHANGING DYNAMICS IN THE LABOUR MOVEMENT
There is a tendency to downplay the importance of ideology especially in the context of globalization. The thinking behind this perception is that the role of labour is becoming increasingly insignificant, given the impact of technology, in particular information and communication technology which, it is argued, is transforming the nature and role of labour in the production process. Some even spoke of the ‘disappearance’ of the working class as a consequence of the corporate nature of the production process.

Nothing could be further from the truth. The truth of the matter is that the class character of production and the production process have not changed even though it can be argued that the rate of exploitation of labour through the extraction of surplus value is not as pronounced as it was during the early days of the industrial revolution.

There is in fact a close correlation between class and ideology. A society in which the ruling party embraces a working class ideology is more inclined to adopt and implement programmes and policies that benefit the working people. Conversely, a country in which the propertied class or the monied class occupy the seat of power is more inclined to pursue and promote a policy in which the rich benefits.

Guyana, under the PPP/C administration, is perhaps a good example of this fact. Under the previous PNC administration, the working people and their trade unions were virtually emasculated and played a peripheral role in the affairs of the state. There was a deliberate attempt to marginalize the role of unions, in particular those that were perceived to be unsupportive of the administration.

I recall vividly the days when workers were coerced under the threat of dismissal to participate in rallies and May Day activities organized ostensibly by the Trade Union Council, but with the full involvement of the Ministry of National Mobilization. For those who may not remember, the Ministry of National Mobilization was fused with that of the Office of the General Secretary of the PNC which had as its main objective that of mobilizing people to attend Party activities and rallies in order to create the façade of ‘popular’ support for the ruling party.

Those were the days when trade unions were expected and coerced to pledge loyalty to the PNC. Those unions which refused to do so were victimized and harassed. A number of ‘paper’ unions were created to deny the more militant unions representation in the Trade Union Council. Regrettably, the pattern of representation has not changed in any fundamental way, with the smaller unions given disproportionate representation in the executive of the Trade Union Movement. The main sugar union, the Guyana Agricultural and General Worker's Union (GAWU), was denied representation commensurate with its numerical strength, despite the fact that it is the single largest union in the country. It is not by accident that the Union was never in its long and militant history given an opportunity to be at the helm of the TUC, even though its membership is substantially more than the combined strength of some of the more established unions.

It is this stubborn refusal by the TUC to democratize the labour union that is responsible for the schism that now obtains in the labour movement. The Federation of Independent Trade Unions (FITUG) made up of some of the largest and most militant trade unions, including the Guyana Agricultural and General Worker’s Union, the Clerical and Commercial Worker’s Union, the National Association of Clerical, Commercial and Industrial Employees and the Guyana Labour Union, has opted to have its own May Day rally as a form of protest over the undemocratic nature of the TUC and its leadership.

This is not to say that the dynamics of the labour union are not undergoing some significant changes. The working class is today becoming increasingly aware of the fact that the TUC is not living up to its expectations as an effective umbrella body. Perhaps the most telling manifestation of this reality is the breaking of ranks by the Guyana Labour Union, former affiliate of the PNC and which until recently had as its honorary president the leader of that Party. Today, the GLU, one of the oldest unions in Guyana, is now part of the FITUG and has openly distanced itself from the PNC.

In a sense, history was created this May Day when for the first time in decades the TUC May Day Rally took place outside of the National Park. It is indeed indicative of the changing mood of the labour movement that saw for the first time a rally organized by FITUG taking place at the National Park, which was seen at one time as the exclusive preserve of the TUC. The fact that the FITUG rally was well attended by a wide cross-section of the working class is further proof that the working people are becoming increasingly intolerant of unions that are weak and unresponsive to their class interests.

The situation is made even more difficult by the pro-working class character of the ruling PPP/C administration which has been doing everything possible to upgrade the living and working conditions of the working people, despite the harsh economic realities both internationally and locally.

As mentioned earlier, the face and character of the labour movement is undergoing some significant changes. A new trade union dynamism is taking place in which the working people are asserting themselves in ways that could leave some of the traditional unions behind.

On Freedom of Expression and the selectively convenient conscience
THE headline on the front page of the “Catholic Standard” of 10th January 1982 reads: GRAVE PRESSURE ON PRINTER TO STOP PRINTING STANDARD.”

This was during the period when the PNC government controlled every export item through its several institutions, and newsprint was only obtainable through the Guyana National Trading Corporation (GNTC).

The article outlined the pressure being brought to bear on the printer to stop printing the “Catholic Standard” and states in the concluding paragraphs as follows:

&When in mid-1978 Angal’s Printery agreed to print the Standard, after the Guyana National Newspapers had refused to print it any longer, Angal’s was a thriving job-printing business. Now it has no paper to fill the many orders it receives, while other printers continue to receive their quotas.

&The pressure put on Angal’s is yet another attempt to suppress the Standard. The denial of the facilities of the government-owned printery, which had been afforded by the “Chronicle” for many years before it was acquired by the government, caused a reduction in the size of the paper.

&Difficulty in obtaining bond paper caused a reduction in the number of pages.

&Now pressure is being brought to stop the printing of the paper altogether.”

The atrocities committed against the Mirror newspaper and independent journalists by the PNC government, as well as other opponents, which included imprisonment and murder, is well-documented and needs no elucidation within this limited space.

Members of the Roman Catholic fraternity, the “Catholic Standard” and the “Stabroek News” once represented the voice of truth and reason. They fought relentlessly, at great risk to their operatives, for the restoration of democracy in this country and once advocated uncompromising adherence to law and order. 

Their advocacy for truth and justice was once impeccably unprejudicial; but today Catholic priests and editors of the “Stabroek News” have become vocal, and have even teamed up with opportunistic forces to support someone who continuously breaks the law, someone who continually distorts the truth, someone who uses the medium he owns to viciously malign all and sundry, someone who fabricates “proof,” – all under the guise of freedom of expression. 

Under the laws of Guyana, anyone who threatens a person with physical injury is guilty of threatening behaviour; anyone who threatens a person in such a manner that can cause, or is likely to cause a breach of the peace is also guilty of an offence; anyone who issues a threat to another person so as to cause that person reasonable fear or the apprehension of the infliction of a battery is guilty of an assault.

If that person is a president or a king then it becomes a treasonable offence – punishable by death.

Even touching someone without his or her consent is considered battery – an offence punishable by law.

The President interacts with the citizens of this country in close encounters – even to hugging and touching. 

But for him to continue to do so without fear of imminent danger, which is ever-existent, given the support to lawless behaviour by irresponsible elements – and the encouragement this elicits in ignorant minds, there has to be the recognition within the public arena that there are consequences to threatening the person of the President, or encouraging others to do so, or else absolute anarchy will prevail – with all its inherent dangers.

From murdering a minister of the Government to assassinating a president is just a step away, and there is constant strategizing by evil forces to topple this Government, by fair means or foul.

Rwanda is one case in point that is a glaring example of what unchecked excesses in the media can provoke. 

During the elections of l992, right here in Guyana, two radio announcers erroneously announced over the airwaves that ballot boxes were being stolen and as a result caused countrywide riots and a storming of the elections office. 

They almost succeeded in their intent to derail the first free-and-fair elections after decades in this country.

Mr. C.N. Sharma can, with some degree of reason, argue that he curtailed the call and chastised the caller for threatening the person and the life of the President of Guyana.

But that same argument convicts him for re-broadcasting that threat – not once, which again could be termed a mistake to the credulous, but several times, for which offence only a fool or an opportunist with an agenda can absolve him. 

I once lauded and supported Mr. C.N. Sharma, because when he established CNS 12 he had pioneered many laudable things and changed the equation in the electronic medium to include programmes more pertinent to the interests of Guyanese. 

I also know of many good things Mr. Sharma and Mrs Savitri Singh have done in their personal capacities to assist people in need. 

Rescuing the musicians from the Jeetendra tour and supporting them for weeks when their promoter abandoned them is a case in point.

However, since he decided to enter politics, Mr. Sharma has allowed himself to be used by anyone with a beef, disregarding the credibility factor, and has thus caused much anguish to many innocent persons. 

Many times he has also exploited circumstances and situations that are subject to the gravitational pull of the psycho-socio and economic dynamics of any society and has exacerbated the situation until it assumed, or was catalysed through his histrionics, into catastrophic proportions.

Like many Guyanese, I once had great respect and liking for Mr. C.N. Sharma, but this has eroded over the years because his sincerity has become open to question, and one wonders if he genuinely cares about the people he purports to assist or if his once genuine caring has become subsumed by his political aspirations, which seem, evidentially, to be the equation within the motivational framework guiding his current actions.

He admits to knowing that threatening the life of anyone is an offence, and while he may argue that he was not responsible for the first call, he is absolutely culpable for the subsequent re-broadcasts; which makes him guilty of threatening the life of the President of the Republic of Guyana – which is a treasonable offence punishable by death. In another jurisdiction Mr. Sharma would have been instantly arrested and put on trial.

Instead he was courteously invited by the Office of the President to discuss the matter, which he rejected, with the sanction of the courts at that; so a matter that could have been amicably resolved snowballed into a public fracas.

This continuum of open breaches of the law was subsequently supported by opportunistic public figures who have appointed themselves the conscience of the nation and this begs the question: Is the President of Guyana not allowed the right of any ordinary citizen of this country to be protected by the laws of the land?

For all of those who argue that this sanction of Channel 6 is too harsh for a threat that could very well catalyze an attempt on the President’s life if allowed unchecked and unpunished, what would be your reaction if the President is actually harmed because a serious message has not been sent that the laws of the land are applicable to all and that threatening someone’s life – President or pauper, is an offence punishable by law?

One media operative who spoke against Sharma’s actions, although his cleverly constructed diatribes against the PPP/Civic Government is legend, has a personal axe to grind against Sharma, because even while he criticizes Sharma, he attacks other programmes that defend the Government and its functionaries against just such irresponsible accusations that are aired on CNS 6 and other television stations.

However, another ferocious critic of the Government, Opposition M.P. Anthony Vieira, should be commended for his objective position and for putting the entire charade in the right perspective, especially given the fact that Vieira has himself used excessive language and pontificated on erroneous assumptions against the Government in the past.

The fact is that Vieira has successfully and amicably interacted in joint initiatives with those he has often judged and misjudged toward the promotion of good governance through the parliamentary committees, and it redounds to his credit that he can be fair in his analysis when he is in possession of all the facts.

Kudos to him because he has proven that he is no yes-man.

The President acted as a statesman should. He rapped Sharma on the knuckles and absolved him from facing the full force of the law.

However, in considering that Mr. Sharma is using the President’s magnanimous ruling as an excuse to grandstand, as he is wont to do, along with his many cohorts in the opposition, which includes a hostile press body, the President should withdraw his ruling in the interest of peace in the nation, and for the sake of the CNS 6 employees, whose livelihoods have been jeopardized through no fault of their own, and let an objective court – possibly the Caribbean Court of Justice, deal with what is perceived as a seditious act, because in these prevailing times, even the lawmakers have become the lawbreakers - witness many in the legal fraternity - and parliamentarians, who make the laws in Guyana, but who are openly supportive of illegal actions and criminal elements in the society, as well as others who make open prejudicial rulings and who consequently cannot be trusted to be objective in the course of administering their professional responsibilities.

I am defending neither the President nor the Government. I hold brief for neither, but I am concerned about the downward spiral of my country into amoral and immoral – even subversive and unpatriotic behaviour, because the one irrefutable fact that is evident from this entire episode is that ours has become a very lawless society, and that the fallout from such lawlessness is corroding the soul of the nation.
Parvati Persaud-Edwards

Dr Ramsammy’s appointment no surprise
It is no surprise to me that Minister of Health, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, has been appointed President of the World Health Assembly. This is an outstanding achievement for the Minister that is well deserved and will open new horizons for the health sector.

It is my firm belief that the Minister would succeed in his new portfolio and perform excellently like every other position or responsibility that he has been given.

In Guyana, the evidence of Minister Ramsammy’s dedication and commitment to the health sector is evident to all.

Health care in Guyana has never seen such tremendous development and this is because of the unwavering commitment by this man, through the Government, to ensure the people are offered the best health care.

Ramsammy is a true son of the soil and it is commendable that his work is not only recognised in Guyana but the world over. Guyanese should be proud to know that such an extraordinary hard-working and qualified Guyanese is being honoured to hold such an important position.

I am quite confident that there is a brighter future waiting to unfold in the health sector.
ROSANNE DAVID

The labeller has the problem
Here is one person who has so much confidence in herself.

I call her “Enlightened”.

Many of us are distressed by the labels placed upon us for reasons over which we have nor had any control. I am talking about “blackman” and “coolie” in general. If one were to do a brief analysis of the issue, it would very quickly become apparent that it is the “labeller” that has a problem. The labeller is a narrow minded, one-tracked semi-illiterate who can only detect differences between himself and others. The differences, the labeller interprets as threats to his/her identity and status. His anemic personality forces the labeller to automatically be on the offensive for no other reason than his own insecurity. The response, unfortunately, is manifested in derogatory verbiage. Of course it does escalate from time to time into physical encounters. Sadly, this perceived attack by the “other” kind is even capitalised by unscrupulous leaders into organised campaigns against the “other” kind, regardless of the consequence to the nation.

Then there are those of us who are not comfortable with whom we are, to begin with. I am fortunate to experience life in North America and bear witness to the extremes to which our (specifically referring to Guyanese) people go to disguise their origin. Lest I appear to want to ridicule my fellow Guyanese, I will desist from describing some of the laughable techniques that they employ to effect the transformation to the Caucasian group. Mother Nature must be cracking up. 

But back to Ms. Enlightened. I compliment her and her associates who find strength in the recognition and acceptance of our people. For my part, I say, “Call me by any name that your intellect permits. It would not offend me in the least”.
RN

We need proof, Mr. McAllister
In response to James .K. McAllister letter, captioned "Dr. Misir attempts to distort the facts on marginalisation" dated May 05.08.

For you to attack letter writers and Government about African Guyanese 

Marginalisation, you must first state the facts.

McAllister, you have access to such proof, so why not lay it out in the media-- where, why, when and how African Guyanese are being marginalised?

We need proof and facts to agree with you and others on the subject of African Guyanese marginalisation.

Then and only then it can be agreed upon that Government is marginalising African Guyanese.

You, like many others, keep saying over and over again that the PPP/C Government is marginalising African Guyanese.

Present the facts and proof and all relevant information and inform the nation that this ruling PPP/C Government is marginalising African Guyanese.

Until then, I, like Misir and many others, will never believe Government is marginalising African Guyanese.

We will continue to believe that you and many others are just trying to stir racial strife where there is none for your very own personal greed.

Looking forward for your stated facts, proof and information McAllister.
T. KING

What utter nonsense
In Berbice, the annual journey to Highbury on the East Bank of the Berbice River had been done on the holiday (May 5) itself. This year the organisers sought to do things differently, to suit their own purposes.

This time around, the Highbury celebrations were brought forward to Sunday, May 4 — a day before, to make way for the big event that would’ve been held the following day at the Albion Sports Complex on the Corentyne. So I ask the question: when really did East Indians arrive at Plantation Highbury? Was it May 4 or May 5? If so, then why are the organisers trying to rewrite and change and alter the history?

Are they aware of what they are doing? How can they put the Albion frolic and fete before this most important visit to where hundreds of our forefathers arrived on May 5, 1838? If they had wanted it so, then they should have planned the Albion event on May 4 and allow people to really and truly travel on the day itself to Highbury and not a day earlier. History should not be changed--- ever! What has happened on a specific day should remain at that!

In doing so, then we all might as well go and celebrate Christmas on December 24, Phagwah a day earlier, Diwali a day earlier, Eid a day earlier, and so on.

Furthermore, we have people saying ‘High-Berry’ and ‘Hiberry’ and all sorts of nonsensical pronunciations of the place, and I am talking about the organisers themselves. Another thing: is it Carifesta ‘X’ (as in the letter in the alphabet)? If so, could someone announce when saying ‘Carifesta 10 (Ten)’ was replaced by ‘Carifesta X’ (and saying the letter of the alphabet)? We have news lunatics on you-know-where in Berbice saying ‘X’ instead of the numeral ‘ten’.
Leon J. Suseran

NAWIRA Women’s 15s rugby…
Guyana maul Cayman Islands 41-0, T&T edge Jamaica 12-10
By Michael DaSilva
GUYANA’S women’s ruggers mauled their counterparts from the Cayman Islands 41-0 on the opening day of the North American West Indies Rugby Association’s (NAWIRA) Women’s 15s World Cup Qualifier at the National Park yesterday.

The local ladies, who average 25 years of age, registered 27 points in the first session of play and a further 14 in the second half.

Careen Skeete opened Guyana’s scoring in the 7th minute with a try that was converted by Angela Lashley.

Latoya Hamilton then made it 12-0 with a try that was not converted. However, 11 minutes later, Lashley recorded a penalty.

One minute later, Desaun Josiah scored a try which was not converted, and a further eight minutes later, Abigale Tinnis scored a try that was converted by Lashley to give the locals a healthy 27-0 lead at the interval.

Guyana’s team captain Abiola Gray then made it 32-0 in the 48th minute and Lashley converted, taking the score to 34-0.

Lashley subsequently recorded a try in the 78th minute which Colette Hope converted to win the game for the hosts with the score at 41-0.

In the opening game of the series, Trinidad and Tobago edged Jamaica 12-10 in a keenly contested game which saw Trinidad’s Daicoa Gilroy and Kaydian Gale score tries for the losing teams while Marlin Blackford and Dalia Jordon-Brown registered tries for the victors while Juliana Straker converted Blackford’s try.

In the feature match of the day’s two-game card, the Guyanese who have been playing 15s rugby for the past two to three years completely outplayed their opponents in the first segment of play, recording a massive 27 points, but the visitors, with their backs to the Atlantic breeze were more purposeful in the second session and while failing to score a single point in the session, restricted the hosts from piling up a larger number of points.

One of the most outstanding players for Guyana was Abigale Tinnis who received the ball from a scrum which Guyana dominated and made a solo run from the centre of the field for approximately 40 yards and recorded a try which Lashley, another outstanding local yesterday, converted.

The Cayman Islands, who are playing 15s rugby competitively for the first time, began the second session more purposefully and restrained the Guyanese from increasing the score, but midway the session, the locals found their rhythm and extended the score before going on to win by a very large margin.

The Guyanese were clearly playing an open game while the visitors were playing a calculated one, but were unable to cope with the speed of the opposition.

In the Trinidad versus Jamaica affair, the game saw both teams enjoy equal ball possession, but the Jamaicans were leading for most of the game and it was not until the final five to eight minutes that Trinidad fought real hard and were compensated with a victory.

The Guyanese will next play Trinidad and Tobago tomorrow starting at 16:00 h in the feature game of a double-header card while from 14:00 h Cayman Islands will tackle Jamaica.

On Saturday, Guyana will face Jamaica in the feature game from 16:00 h and from 14:00 h, Trinidad will face Cayman Islands.

Brathwaite takes top prize following run spree
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad CMC – Prolific right-handed opening batsman Kraigg Brathwaite was named as the Most Valuable Player at the just concluded CLICO International Under-15 Championship.

The 15-year-old Barbadian opener, a student of Combermere School, was the toast at the gala presentation function held at Pier One in Chaguaramas on Sunday.

The well-mannered and disciplined Brathwaite tallied 538 runs in the two phases of the series, including 82 which helped the West Indies beat Pakistan by 89 runs in the league final at the Queen’s Park Oval.

The win helped the West Indies youth cricketers to successfully defend their World Under-15 title.

Also in winners’ row was impressive Jamaica and West Indies all-rounder Ramon Senior, who copped the prize for the top bowler in series with the most wickets and the best average.

Senior bagged 11 wickets in the series including four for 24 in the final, which earned him the Man-of-the-Match award. He ended with an average of 10.36.

Senior also won the award for the most catches (8) in the tournament, including two brilliant catches in the final.

Pakistani batsman Muhammad Babar won the prize for the Best Batsman and Most Runs (331) in the league championship, while his countryman Faizan Khan was named Best Wicketkeeper. Khan figured in 17 dismissals including 10 catches and seven stumpings.

Arthurton urges WICB to keep U-15 team together
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – Former West Indies left-handed middle-order batsman and coach of current regional Under-15 team, Keith Arthurton, has called on the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) to keep the side together for further development programmes.

The buoyant Arthurton was still basking in West Indies’ win over Pakistan by 89 runs in the final of the CLICO International Under-15 Championship at the Queen’s Park Oval Sunday.

“I believe that these players are the best talent at present at Under-15 level in the Caribbean,” Arthurton said.

“I hope that the West Indies Cricket Board will keep them together for further development at the Under-17 and U-19 levels.

“They played like true champions. The batting was disciplined, the fielding was very good and the bowlers bowled the correct line and put the ball in the right places.”

West Indies, behind solid all-round performances, had also reached the final of the knockout phase of the tournament a fortnight ago before losing to Pakistan.

The last time a similar tournament was played eight years ago in England, West Indies defeated Pakistan in the final which was played at Lord’s.

Assistant coach Kenny Benjamin said the players had stuck to their game plan well and deserved the victory.

“The players executed the game plan to perfection. They lifted their game and once they played to their true potential, it was very difficult to beat them,” Benjamin, the former Windies Test player, pointed out.

“I thought that after the knock-out final against Pakistan in St Kitts, the team worked very hard in the league championship and this is just reward for their hard and dedicated work.”

Chattergoon spins Albion to victory with five for 12
… wins also for RHTWSB, Port Mourant & Scotsburg
By Vemen Walter
WEST Indies opening batsman Sewnarine Chattergoon produced a splendid spell of leg-spin bowling to inspire Albion Community Centre to a 27-run victory over West Berbice last Saturday, in the opening round of the 2008 Busta Champion of Champions knockout 50 overs first division cricket competition.

Chattergoon grabbed excellent figures of five for 12 to send West Berbice packing for 98 all out in 44 overs, replying to the modest 125 all out in 29.3 of their allotted 50 overs, made by Albion.

Also recording wins were Rose Hall Town Windies Sports Bar (RHTWSB), Port Mourant and Scotsburg United.

Rose Hall Town disposed of Police by 123 runs, Port Mourant defeated Police by five wickets while there was also a five-wicket upset triumph for Scotsburg United at the expense of Young Warriors.

Apart from Chattergoon, there was also a five-wicket haul for former Guyana Under-19 leg-spinner Abel Fudadin. His Rose Hall Town team mate Andre Percival was the only batsman to reach the half-century mark, hitting seven fours and two sixes in an unbeaten 63.

At Bush Lot in West Berbice, Albion, sent in to bat, were led to their eventual total mainly through knocks of 25 from Jonathan Foo and 22 each from Manoj Pooranauth and Sewnarine Chattergoon.

Jermaine Reynolds captured three for 70 and fellow pacer Keon Joseph two for 16.

West Berbice in reply, struggled throughout their innings, with only Chrisindat Ramoo (25) and Carlston Nurse (24) offering some amount of resistance to the Albion spinners.

Chattergoon was well supported by off-spinner Sahadeo Somai with two for six.

Over at the Area ‘H’ Ground, in Rose Hall Town, the home team won the toss and batted in a match cut short by four overs per side. They posted a formidable 261 for 7 in their allotment of 46 overs.

Assisting the left-handed Percival were opener Delbert Hicks with 42, and 34 each from Renwrick Batson and Jason Sinclair.

Fast bowler Jevauahn Stephens bagged two for 44 and off-spinner Zaheer Moakan two for 25 for Police.

The lawmen responded with 138 all out in 37.3 overs with Zaheer Moakan returning with the bat to top score with 36 and his brother Imran 31.

Fudadin snared five for 16, off-spinner Troy Matheison two for 10 and medium pacer Batson two for 25, bowling for Rose Hall Town.

Across at Port Mourant, Bermine, asked to bat, were restricted to 186 for nine at the expiration of their 50 overs.

Julian Moore led the way with 34, Jamally Odle 28 and Steve Sinclair 27 not out.

Pacer Yougindra Harrinarine was the pick of the Port Mourant bowlers picking up four for 33 and he was backed up by off-spinner Rajendra Bolo, two for 28.

Port Mourant replied with 189 for five in 41.1 overs, thanks to knocks of 46 and 44 not out from Bejai Singh and Roopnarine Ramgobin respectively.

Poorandeo Debdyal also chipped in with 34.

Left-arm spinner Trinson Carmichael took three for 43.

At Scotsburg, Young Warriors, taking first strike in a 45 overs contest, were dismissed for 130 in 39.2 overs.

Former Guyana player Damoudar Daesrath made (42) as off-spinners Imran Jaferally and James Hart pocketed four for 12 and two for 7 respectively.

Scotsburg United reached 131 for five in reply, having used up 32 overs.

Peter Grimes blasted three fours and an equal number of sixes in 34, while Anthony Bramble contributed 29.

Off-spinner Balram Samaroo had three for 36, in Young Warriors’ effort with the ball.

Second-round action will see Rose Hall Town doing battle with Scotsburg United at the Area ‘H’ Ground and Albion being at home to Port Mourant.

Both matches will be played at a date to be announced shortly.

The competition, which attracts the top eight teams in the Ancient County, is being organised by the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) and is sponsored by the Guyana Beverages Company for the fifth consecutive year.

WIPA Caribbean Club cricket ...
Wanderers back on track after beating GCC
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – W Connection Wanderers cricket club put their first-match loss against Clico Preysal behind them, to easily overcome Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) by eight wickets in the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) Caribbean Club championships, on Sunday evening.

Batting first, GCC scored 136 for nine off 20 overs and Wanderers replied with 138 for two off 17 overs in the Group A fixture at Guaracara Park.

Set a challenging target off 137 runs for victory at 6.85 runs per over, Wanderers started off in fine fashion with William Perkins and Kieran Powell plundering the bowling to all parts of the ground.

Severe on anything short or off-line, the Wanderers duo posted an opening association of 88 runs from just 70 balls to take the game away from the Guyanese.

Perkins, who is very adept to this abbreviated form of the game, scored 38 runs off 39 balls with one four and a six. Powell fell soon after for 31 at a run a ball with one four and a six also.

Barbadian Kenroy Williams then scored an unbeaten 30 off just 19 balls with four fours and a six to tighten Preysal’s grip on the game and Nicholas Ramjass contributed 17 not out off 12 balls.

Earlier, GCC after winning the toss and batting, declined badly from a strong position.

The openers Vishal Singh and Wasim Haslim posted 83 runs for the first wicket off 68 balls.

However, the introduction of leg-spinner Sanjeev Gooljar led to a collapse that saw nine wickets fall for just 53 runs.

Haslim was the first to go for 26 off 24 balls and he was followed by Singh, who made 47 off 44 balls with five fours.

Gooljar, who carried away the man-of-the-match award, finished with three wickets for 10 runs, while Williams took two wickets for 23 runs and Atiba Alert snared two for 26 runs.

Wanderers now have one win and a loss in the series and will now have to hope that Clico Preysal can do them a favour by beating GCC, when they clash in the fi