TOWARDS THE 'CRIME SUMMIT'
Police, Army Chiefs wind up meeting in Georgetown
Analysis by Rickey Singh
THIS Easter weekend coincides with a new series of "special" meetings focused on crime and security, made necessary by rampant criminality in too many CARICOM jurisdictions and the dire warnings of challenges facing the criminal justice system.

Concluding today (Good Friday) will be a three-day "extraordinary joint meeting" in Guyana of the Caribbean Community's Standing Committees of Police and Military Chiefs that started on Wednesday, ahead of a special session of CARICOM's Council of Ministers responsible for National Security and Law Enforcement.

These meetings are in preparation for a "special summit" of the Community's Heads of Government next month in Port-of-Spain at which will be discussed a proposed "Strategy and Action Plan" with a stated objective to "stem the rising tide of violent criminality".

That was the pledge made by the Community leaders at their recent two-day Inter-Sessional Meeting in The Bahamas.

Not known is what precisely they have requested of the region's Police Commissioners and Military Chiefs to help make useful the scheduled meeting of Ministers for National Security and Law Enforcement.

This observation is not to be expediently confused as a suggestion to place in the public domain sensitive security intelligence.

Rather, it is the noted absence, from a bland official announcement, which failed to provide even minimum basic information for the public to appreciate what new initiatives CARICOM's political directorate really plan to pursue next month in Port-of-Spain that have hitherto escaped their work agendas over the past seven years.

That, incidentally, is the period extending from the 2001 cataclysmic terrorists attacks on the USA and the rampaging criminality in our region that has resulted in thousands of gun-related murdered victims, including the recent mind-boggling massacres of innocent people at Lusignan and Bartica in Guyana in the worse manifestations of domestic terrorism in this region.

Stakeholders' concerns
The Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police (ACCP) has been sharing ideas and good practices during their annual conferences. From what is known, however, the ACCP seems to be missing in action when it comes to their inputs in decisions by the region's political directorate.

One of the concerns of some stakeholder representatives of the private sector and civil society organisations is what data exist on the population of criminal deportees who are often quickly linked to violent criminality in a number of CARICOM countries.

Instead of recurring speculations, it is felt that there should be information on how many of the deportees have actually been linked to criminal gangs; the spate of murders, kidnappings for ransom and armed robberies, as well as what's being done to promote their rehabilitation and a positive lifestyle.

There are citizens, traumatised by the upsurge in criminal violence, who think that blaming criminal deportees may also be an excuse of convenience for failures by law enforcement agencies to successfully hunt down home-grown and flourishing criminals engaged in gun-running, narco-trafficking and ruthless acts of multiple murders.

Then there is the dreaded phenomenon of state witnesses in murder and other serious criminal cases being killed, either prior to testifying in court cases, or shortly afterwards, while others are often terrorised into expediently suffer from amnesia, in the face of an effective criminal justice protection programme in any CARICOM state.

We hear a lot of talk about CARICOM-USA cooperation to enhance crime and security arrangements.

But there is also a perception within CARICOM that a significant segment of our governments' crime and security programmes are often more driven by Washington's concerns, with an emphasis on its own national interest, than what originates in the region in support of our own priorities.

We now await the outcome of the forthcoming special CARICOM Summit on crime and security in Port-of-Spain to learn what new "strategy and action-plan" will unfold.

Guyanese lament ‘agonizing’ delay at Piarco airport
- affected passengers include wife, infant son of West Indies cricketer Shiv Chanderpaul
By Wendella Davidson
SEVERAL local and overseas-based Guyanese returning for the current holiday season, including the wife and recently-born son of celebrated West Indies cricketer Shivnarine Chanderpaul, were forced to spend several ‘agonising’ hours at the Piarco International Airport, Trinidad, on Wednesday night.

This was despite passengers travelling aboard Caribbean Airlines (CAL) flight BW 483 from Miami International Airport and BW521 which departed the John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, with an initial 22:45 hrs arrival in their homeland, were forewarned of an almost nine-hour wait as Intransit passengers at Piarco Airport, Trinidad.

And, if the agony of arriving at the Cheddi Jagan International at 03:15 hrs, instead of the 22:45 hrs, was not enough, some passengers - including Mrs. Amy Chanderpaul and son Bradley Noel, who were travelling First Class -- were without some of their luggage when the aircraft eventually arrived here.

The situation, including an earlier one at Piarco Airport where the mother was left with no water to mix her baby’s formula, despite efforts to source some, reduced her to tears.

“After all of this, I now have no clothes nor additional feed for my baby. This bag has my stuff. My baby’s bag with his things, as well as a baby chair, did not come,” Mrs. Chanderpaul told this reporter who had gone to the airport to meet a friend and was also caught in the melee.

The baby, whose father was visibly disturbed over the incident, was overheard crying incessantly over his father’s cellular phone when the mother called him from the Piarco airport.

Kudos are, however, in order for the CAL customer service agent who manned the office Wednesday night, and an aircraft engineer, who tried their utmost to assist the young mother from this end.

According to CAL passenger, Darrel Saul, an announcement sometime after 21:00 hrs that boarding would commence, caused a fresh gush of adrenalin to surge among the passengers, but their hopes were all to be dashed when sometime after the airplane was airborne, the captain informed them of hearing a noise in the cabin, which he said precluded him from clearly hearing the Air Traffic Controllers.

And, after circling for a while, the craft returned to the Piarco aircraft terminal, where passengers were told to disembark so as to facilitate a thorough check by engineers on the ground, Saul related to the Guyana Chronicle.

The wait, however, seemed endless in the absence of information which came only after some passengers started to become irritated.

The news, though not the most welcome, was that the engineers were still conducting checks and would continue to update passengers.

Saul, who has been travelling between Guyana and the United States since migrating over 13 years ago, said the Piarco Airport terminal was “extremely cold” Wednesday night, and even told some of the passengers, who had by then become ‘one big family’, that he never fathomed that one day he would have been in a Caribbean country and yearn for a blanket and scarf.

He said, too, that the restlessness of some of the passengers, in particular the children, had become evident as they began arguing with some security staff, who subsequently told them that the tentative time for boarding was 02:00 hrs.

The young man said, too, that as the time elapsed, he and some others asked to leave the terminal to purchase food outside but were told they couldn’t as they had already checked in and granting them permission to leave would have constituted a breach of security.

However, efforts by some passengers to find a CAL customer service agent or supervisor so as to elicit information on a likely time that the problem would be fixed proved to be a ‘hard task’.

It was not until one passenger began video-taping the entire episode, for which Saul was wrongly accused, that they were eventually served with a box of juice, some cookies and chips and a blanket.

“At that stage, I started getting worried that it was a done deal and the plane and passengers would have had to remain on the ground in Trinidad,” Saul said, adding: “All’s well that ends well.”

He surmised that there is need for better communication, and for CAL customer service agents in Trinidad to be more passenger-friendly.

Meanwhile, the CAL Customer Service Agent at the airport profusely apologised on behalf of the airline to Shivnarine Chanderpaul for the inconvenience and embarrassment caused to his family.

Joint Services patrol unearth illegal firearms at Mazaruni
THE thrust of ‘Operation Restore Order’ is being maintained as Joint Services patrols and other targeted operations continue across the country.

According to a report by the police at About 12:00 hours last Wednesday ranks of a Joint Services patrol in the Warrudi, Mazaruni area, conducted a search on a shop where an unlicensed 9mm pistol was found wrapped in plastic and buried behind the building, while a male employee was found in possession of an unlicensed .38 Taurus Special Revolver. Matching rounds for both firearms were also found.

Two men have been arrested and are in police custody assisting with the investigations.

In addition, the Joint Services have responded to a report received that there was a shooting incident at about 18:30 hours on Wednesday also in the Aranka/Aurora area at Cuyuni/Mazaruni.
However, according to the police no further information is presently available on the reported shooting.

Crackdown on repackaged, improperly labelled products
THE Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board said its inspectors have seized a number of repackaged and improperly labelled products from a number of premises on the East Coast Demerara during a recent crackdown.

According to a release, the products seized during inspections on Monday and Tuesday, were from both unlicensed and licensed vendors.

Among the latter the statement singled out, was Mr. James Ally's Medic Aid Pharmacy of 39 Logwood, East Coast Demerara.

It disclosed that some of the products seized include Grassknife, Karatine, Roundup, Dragnet, 2, 4-D, Monocrotophos, Malathion, Drexel Diazinon, Glyphosate, Diazinon, Cutlish, Weedkiller, Farmizone along with a substantial amount of undetermined products stored in drink and pharmaceutical bottles.

The release added that a number of labels were seized for these products.

“Some of the chemicals that were repackaged are Igran, Round-Up, S-Metalchlor, and Merlin. These chemicals are only imported by the Guyana Sugar Corporation who has been informed of this development,” the statement clarified.

According to the release, the use of drink and other kind of bottles is a breach of the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Act 2000 (No 13 of 2000), its associated regulations plus the offering for sale of pesticides and toxic chemicals without a vending license.

“The Board wishes to take this opportunity to reiterate that it is an offence punishable by law to offer for sale chemicals not properly packaged and unlicensed.”

The Board is also calling on members of the public to notify the authorities at 220-8880 / 8838 of such illegal activities, the statement appealed.

It warned that the use of sub-standard formulations can result in not only ineffective pest control operation, but may also lead to the development of pest resistance to pesticides.

“Sub-standard formulations may contain chemicals, which can increase the toxicity of the pesticides to mammals and other non-target species, including humans,” the statement stressed.

They may also contain degradation products, some of which are known to be more toxic than parent compounds, it added.

Moraikobai all set for Carifesta X 
THE Ministry of Amerindian Affairs yesterday made its third visit to the Moraikobai village to check on the progress of preparation for the village’s participation in the tenth Caribbean Festival of Arts (Carifesta) X scheduled to be held from August 22 to 31 at various venues.

Moraikobai is one of the many villages chosen to participate in the 10-day event and has been tasked to prepare the raw materials to construct a replica Arawak village at the Sophia Exhibition Centre in Georgetown.

The ' Amerindian Village ' will comprise one main benab that will be built approximately 100 feet in length by 60 feet in width.   Eight smaller benabs representing the different Amerindian tribes in Guyana will be situated around the main benab.

Toshao Colin Andrews took representatives of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs including Community Development Officer Clive Patterson and Public Works Engineer attached to the project David Murell to check on the finishing materials prepared by the residents.

Several of the materials were gathered from the Little Abary areas and around the village. These include the dalibana leaves, and the manicole and baroda trees.

At the village they witnessed the prepared leaves plaited and dried and the mucru strips and manicole rods ready to be used after four weeks of preparation.

Toshao Andrews said he is happy that all preparations have been completed especially the gathering of the materials.   He expressed thanks to the residents who have been working tirelessly to have all the materials prepared and cured.

The team witnessed several residents putting their final touches to some of the materials for example the wooden titles.

Residents demonstrated how some of the materials were prepared and the visiting team expressed satisfaction with the level of preparedness of the village.

Andrews gave assurance that his village is ready to start the construction of the main benab since all the materials are cured.

Residents of the village will also showcase their talents in handicrafts, popular Amerindian cuisine and entertainment.

Several of the residents said that they are happy that their village has been given the opportunity to participate in the event.

They said it is an opportunity for them to showcase the beauty of their village and to highlight their skills and talents and open new markets for their products as well.

Moraikobai was chosen to build the benab for the ‘Amerindian Village’ in Georgetown because of its location, residents’ expertise and accessibility to raw materials.

Moraikobai is located 85 miles up the Mahaicony River, Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice) and 46 miles off the Linden Highway. It is one of the more developed Amerindian villages found in Guyana. The village has access to education, health care, electricity, potable water, and telephone services.

Carifesta returns to Guyana after 36 years. This regional festival was first held in Georgetown, Guyana in 1972, attracting artistes from over 30 Caribbean and Latin American countries. It is a festival of ethnic and racial diversity which is celebrated through the culinary, literary, the performing, and the visual arts and fashion. (GINA)

Increasing ties between World Bank/ILO-Zoellick
WORLD BANK President Robert B. Zoellick recently cited increasing ties with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) pursuit of “an inclusive and sustainable globalization” and a broad range of other issues of joint concern including job creation and other elements of the ILO’s Decent Work Agenda.

In an address to the ILO’s governing body, his first to a UN specialised agency since becoming President of the World Bank, Mr. Zoellick said his organisation, the ILO and other international agencies should intensify efforts to forge a globalization that can “help to overcome poverty, to enhance growth with care for the environment and to create individual opportunity and hope”.

“We welcome your experience and insight” he said, noting that the World Bank’s agenda “connects quite well with the Decent Work Agenda”. He also said the Bank was “very pleased …to try to build a closer working relationship with the ILO across an agenda that also involves other partners” and to promote cooperation with the ILO’s tripartite constituents in what Governing Body Chairman H.E. Mr. Dayan Jayatilleka of Sri Lanka called “partnership through dialogue”.

Mr. Zoellick cited a number of areas of joint concern to the Bank and the ILO including developing skills, helping workers adjust to change and expanding efforts on gender issues. He also said the Bank and the ILO were managing joint projects including the Better Work initiative for improving working conditions, the Youth Employment Network, projects with the ILO and UNICEF against child labour and cooperation in the fields of migration and microfinance.

Discussing the logic of an inclusive and sustainable globalization he said, “In effect, what we are trying to do at the World Bank is something very similar to what you are doing at the ILO. We are trying to develop a new multilateralism for changed circumstances we are trying to make multilateralism work in a different environment.”

“We have a vision of an inclusive and sustainable globalization”, he said. “What this comes down to, at the end of the day, is people. It’s trying to improve the lot of people across the globe. And that requires quality jobs, it requires better social conditions, and it requires opportunities for individual development in achieving aspirations…We can’t leave people behind.”

In his introduction of Mr. Zoellick to the governing body, ILO Director-General Juan Somavia cited increased cooperation between the ILO and World Bank, and noted that the ILO tripartite members could provide a “vital conduit” for extending efforts to create jobs and reduce poverty at all levels of the world of work.

Citing increasing global economic turbulence, Mr. Somavia said “social dialogue is particularly important in difficult times and a key component in finding solutions”. He said tripartism could help bring together governments, workers and employers as a “social capital” for addressing the challenges of globalization and decent work.

“We have a lot going and I think we can do a lot more together”, Mr. Somavia said.

In comments from the Governing Body, the spokesperson of the workers’ group, Sir Roy Trotman stressed the importance of respect for the rights to freedom of association and recalled that “all international policies should be directed to meet the needs of working men and women”. He voiced concerns that the current financial crisis could have dire consequences for workers, the working poor, as well as progress towards the Millennium Development Goals of halving poverty by 2015. He also said that the Bank needed “a major rethink about the employing workers indicator of its annual Doing Business Report, which raises policy coherence issues central to the ILO’s mandate on labour standards, social protection and social dialogue.

The spokesperson of the employers’ group, Daniel Funes de Rioja cited the close relations between his group and the Bank, adding that employer sought “labour market policies that are inclusive and that aim to provide protection to all in the workplace-not just a few in the formal economy but also those in the informal economy-and promoting productive employment and sustainable enterprises”. He also cited the Doing Business Reports which he said employers in all regions regard as a useful tool in initiating dialogue on reforming legislative frameworks.

The presentation was followed by a discussion on the impact of the global credit crunch on economic prospects and job creation for 2008, as well as policies to promote multilateral cooperation and decent work.

Fugitive Terrence Sugrim seeking to quash extradition to U.S.
Certiorari hearing continues on Wednesday
By George Barclay
LAST Wednesday, Justice Jainarayan Singh, continued hearing a Notice of Motion that seeks to make absolute, a nisi order that called on the Minister of Home Affairs to show cause why the orders to proceed against fugitive Terrence Sugrim should not be quashed.

But the Attorney General for the State is contending that in response to the request from the United States, Sugrim was properly committed to be extradited.

Attorney General Doodnauth Singh, S.C., who began addressing the Court on behalf of the Respondent, was still on his feet at the time of adjournment and will resume when the hearing continues on Wednesday at 10.30 hrs.

The Attorney General spent much of his time citing cases to show that the Minister of Home Affairs acted legally and responsibly when he decided to issue the said authorities to proceed to the Magistrate on July 6, 2007 and August 21, 2007, to commence proceedings for the extradition of Terrence Sugrim to the United States of America.

Following the hearing of the inquiry by Magistrate Hazel Octave-Hamilton, she dispatched a letter to the Home Affairs Minister which read:

“I hereby give you notice as required by section 16 of the Fugitive Offenders Act, 1988 that I have today ordered the committal of Terrence Sugrim, also known as Terrence Emanuel Sugrim and Lugard Thompson, and Lugard Winter Thompson and Raoul Lucas on the Georgetown Prison to await extradition to the United States of America to be tried for counts one, three and four of Indictment No. CR07 137 for the offence of conspiracy to distribute four kilogrammes or more of cocaine intending and knowing that the cocaine will be unlawfully imported into the United States in violation of Title 2, United States Code Sections 952, 959, 960 and 963 against the laws of the United States of America.”

The Applicant, who denied the name Terrence Sugrim, described himself as Roy Alverez, a businessman.

In his affidavit in support of his application, the Applicant who is represented by a battery of lawyers headed by Mr. Rex Mc Kay, S.C. stated that on July 6 and August 24, 2007, the Hon. Minister of Home Affairs Mr. Clement Rohee, purporting to act under Section 12 (1) of the Act issued two Authorities to proceed to the Magistrate in response to requests made by the United States of America for the extradition from Guyana to that country, of a person named Terrence Sugrim.

That affidavit added: “That to the best of my knowledge, information and belief when the Minister received the said requests for extradition they were not accompanied by evidence sufficient to justify the arrest of a person if that person were accused of committing in Guyana an offence corresponding to the offence for which he is accused of committing in the territory of a requesting State”.

The Applicant went on to allege that he was committed to custody of the Keeper of the Georgetown Prison to await extradition to the United States without being afforded an opportunity to lead a defence to the application for an order of Committal for extradition.

The Applicant is saying that relative to an application for a writ of certiorari filed on September 12, 2007, Justice Rishi Persaud made an order Nisi of Certiorari for the Minister of Home Affairs to show cause why the said orders to proceed should not be made absolute.

When the hearing resumes on Wednesday, the Attorney General will continue his arguments to justify that Sugrim was properly committed to be extradited to the United States of America.

Guyana to participate in Young Leaders in Agriculture forum
THE First Forum for Young Leaders in Agriculture in the Americas will take place from March 24 to 29 at the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) Headquarters in Costa Rica.

According to a release, Guyana will be represented at the Young Leaders Forum by Dr. Devon Dublin and Mr. Selwyn Anthony and ninety participants from 34 countries are expected to participate.

The opening ceremony of the Forum will be attended by the Minister of Agriculture of Costa Rica, Javier Flores Galarza, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture of Guatemala, Mario Aldana and representatives from IICA which include the Ambassadors of Member Countries of IICA posted to Costa Rica, as well as the Ambassador of Spain in Costa Rica, an associate member of IICA.

The release noted that the Young Leaders will receive training in topics such as value-based leadership, systematic thinking and the use of the Agro-Matrix tool, and conflict resolution. It is expected that at the end of the week, participants will have explored the various scenarios for the future of agricultural policy, production and trade. They will also have reinforced their overall view of agriculture and rural life in the context of a globalized world and they will have shared knowledge and lessons learnt with other Young Leaders.

It added that on March 29, they will seal their commitment to sustainable development and rural life in the Hemisphere in what will be called the “2008 Declaration of Young Leades in the Americas.”

Phagwah has religious and secular application - PNCR
AS the Party which was instrumental in making the celebration of religious holidays a reality, the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) takes great pleasure in joining the Hindu community in Guyana and the rest of the world in celebrating the Festival of Phagwah. The significance of this festival resides in the fact that it has both a religious as well as a secular application.  In its religious context it represents the triumph of good over evil, whereas in its secular connotation it depicts a joyous and colourful celebration of our one humanity.

While the PNCR cannot in all good conscience say that there is irreversible evil in our land, the Party must point out that developments over the last decade would give any right thinking Guyanese good reason to pause and ask the question: in what direction is the nation headed? For we have seen over this period a number of negative developments, such as bad administration, intolerance, poor economic management, violence, the scourge of drugs and the lamentable state of our youth and the elderly.

The Party, however, believes that the myriad problems, political, social and economic in nature can be overcome if the entire nation is united in purpose and guided by a vision that there is yet time to rebuild our country, heal the nation, and put it on an irreversible course to measurable development and tangible social and economic progress.

Mindful of the prospect of such a bright future the PNCR urges all Guyanese to join in the colourful and joyous celebration that the spring festival of Phagwah represents in its secular context.

Markets open for the holidays
THE Mayor and City Council said it wishes to notify the public that all of its markets will be opened from 07.00 hours to 14.00 hours from March 20 to Monday, March 24, 2008.
This is in an effort to facilitate the request of stallholders in these municipal business accommodations.
The Council said it wishes to assure all citizens that its Constabulary will provide the appropriate security arrangements in and around these markets during the period.

Alcoholism and unfaithfulness key reasons for domestic violence - Region 3 Chairman
“Alcoholism and unfaithfulness are two key reasons for violence within homes,” so said Region 3 (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) Chairman Julius Faerber, while declaring open a two-day workshop on domestic violence recently.

Stressing that alcohol dulls the senses, Faerber said that abstinence could pave the way for a much longer life.

On the other hand, more attention must be given to moral values since structured inequity between man and woman within the society and home have resulted in abuse of women.

Noting that domestic violence occurs in every community, Faerber posited that both men and women are traumatised and added that the workshop is timely in view of the recent ‘Stamp It Out’ consultations being held across the regions.

He further noted that even though domestic violence occurs mainly within the privacy of the home and often remains hidden from the public eye, it is a basic right for all individuals to enjoy a violence-free life.

He expressed hope that at the end of the workshop participants would be equipped with the necessary skills to address the problem.

Faerber said that cultural studies suggest that violence rates are lower for those societies which openly discourage the use of violence.

The two-day workshop conducted by Help and Shelter in collaboration with the United Nations Fund For Women (UNIFEM) and the Women’s Affairs Bureau (WAB) is being held at the Best/Klien Pouderoyen Neighbourhood Democratic Council’s office, Phoenix Park, West Bank Demerara.

Muhammad’s life was one of trials and tribulations - President Jagdeo
MUSLIMS and non-Muslims should not only follow the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad closely, but should emulate his teachings in everyday life.

This was the charge of President Bharrat Jagdeo when he joined Muslims at the Central Islamic Organisation (CIOG) yesterday for the service to mark the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad –Youman Nabi.

According to President Jagdeo, the Prophet’s life was a history of trials and tribulations, but his personal story is one of achievements.

The Head of State noted that the Prophet’s life laid down principles and codes by which Muslims should live.

On the occasion of Youman Nabi, Muslims are taught extensively about the work and life of the Prophet and the lessons of the Quran – the Holy Book of Islam.

In this context, the Head of State pointed out that it is an opportune time for everyone to assess how they have used the teachings of Islam to improve their personal lives, as well as the society at large.

The President also highlighted the need for academic and spiritual empowerment referring to the ignorance portrayed by some intellectuals who spread prejudice and racism among society.

“Education is vital since it provides us with an opportunity to think for ourselves thereby we can exercise good judgment. Those educated sometimes try to divide our society by spreading prejudice and racism among people and if we allow such to occur, we will forever be enslaved,” President Jagdeo said.

According to the Head of State, such an aspiration can be achieved if every citizen plays his or her part by embracing the teachings and emulating them which to some extent he said have declined.

Youman Nabi is the occasion where Muslims throughout the world commemorate the birth anniversary of the final Prophet to mankind, Prophet Muhammad, who was sent as a mercy to the entire world with a message of mercy. His coming was foretold by his predecessors like the Prophet Jesus among others.
(Sarada Singh)

Use Phagwah as a focus for unity - IAC
THE Indian Arrival Committee (IAC) extends Phagwah (Holi) greetings to all the citizens of Guyana, especially those belonging to the Indo-Guyanese communities and more so to those who are guided by the philosophical teaching of Sanatan Dharma.

Phagwah or Holi is a festival of Bharat (India) that has roots in antiquity and celebrates the coming of a new spring season and the dawning of a new year. The exuberance of this festival reflects the collective hope of the people for progress and prosperity and the concomitant betterment of their lives.

Even though the cultural landscape in Bharat had changed from time to time from the introduction of the Negroids followed by the proto-Australoids, Dravidians, Mongoloids, Caucasians, Persians, Greeks, Shakas, Kushanas, Huns, Arabs, Turks, Mghans, Mughals and Europeans, the festival of Holi emerged, survived and flourish in Bharat the world’s first melting pot.

Holi was brought to British Guiana by Hindus who arrived here as indentured labourers to work on the sugar plantation 167 years ago and was sustained by the majority of the approximately 239,000 Bharatiyas who arrived on these shores between 1838 and 1917.

Phagwah was transplanted from a large sub-continent characterised by four seasons of spring, summer, autumn and winter; to Guyana a small South American land of dry and rainy seasons and even though global warming is creating climate havoc, the symbolism of Holi must not be lost.

IAC, therefore, calls upon all the citizens of this multi-cultural land of Guyana to regard the great festival of Phagwah or Holi, which celebrates life and hope regardless of demography or geography always as a focus for national unity.

Nominal fee for vehicles entering Botanic gardens on Easter Monday
THE National Parks Commission is advising patrons who enter the Botanic Garden with vehicles (buses, cars, and motor cycles) on Easter Monday (March 24, 2008) that a nominal fee will be charged by the commission.

Monies collected will be used to offset expenses incurred in cleaning the Gardens of usually heavy garbage and debris left in the aftermath of kite-flying and picnicking activities associated with Easter Monday in Georgetown.

Garbage bags would be distributed free of cost to groups entering the Park, with the view that they will be collected periodically during that day to ease the mammoth clean up exercise.

Entrance to the Gardens will be the Western Main Gate on Vlissengen Road, exit will be at the Eastern Gate.

Similar fees will be charged at the National Park by the duty authorized franchisee, entrance will be the Carifesta Avenue gate and exit will be at Albert Street gate.

Admission to the Joe Vieira Park will be free between 06:00 h and 08:00 h. However, vending of beverages is prohibited except by the duly authorized franchisee.

Let Phagwah celebrations bring our people closer--Mayor green
JOYOUS Phagwah greetings, to my Hindu brothers and sisters and indeed all Guyanese. This is a very special occasion, in the Hindu calendar of events, where purity of heart and spirit and the attitude of giving are emphasized.

I hope and pray that, as you celebrate the purity of your incentives would be reflected in our local communities and the general environment. Our years must be clean and tidy free from overgrowths and accumulations of rubbish and other things. There should be a general sense of neighborliness and goodness, to work together for the common good of all.