Year: 2011

TT journalist crowned Miss Jamzone International

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BY BHISHAM MOHAMED  Before a massive crowd of more than 20,000 people at the Splashmin’s Fun Park and Resort on Sunday, August 21, 19-year-old Miss Trinidad and Tobago, Davia Chambers, walked away with not only the coveted title of Miss Jamzone International 2011, but with a whopping US$10,000, among other prizes. She shared the spotlight with Miss Venezuela, as they both were named Miss Congeniality. The radiant Chambers outshone nine other delegates to cop the top prize. During the grand finale, the journalist and anchor competed in the national costume,…

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The Berbice Titans should be commended for the way they played

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Dear Editor, When it comes to cricket, Guyanese are generally diehard fans. The recent Jamzone Master’s Cup saw many of us supporting the Jamzone All Stars because that team featured the powerful Chris Gayle and other West Indies stars. I am also a fan of Chris Gayle, so when his team got knocked out in the semi-final, I did not bother to buy a ticket for the final. Nevertheless, I saw the match the next day on television, and I was impressed with the professionalism and commitment the Berbice Titans…

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Another remarkable undertaking for hinterland students

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Dear Editor, I believe that education is very important to every child, and that is why the government has devoted a lot of resources to provide quality education to every student in Guyana. Based on my own knowledge of what is happening in the education sector, it is my view that significant strides were made to transform education delivery in Guyana. I am pleased that five students from Region Two who successfully passed the National Grade Six Assessment Examinations (NGSE) were awarded hinterland scholarships through the Amerindian Affairs Ministry’s Hinterland…

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Jamzone is an entertainment event, not a political or opinionated moral issue

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Dear Editor, It is quite amusing that Aubrey Norton is having a headache over one of the Jamzone shows in which Mavado and Vybz Kartel will be performing, on August 19, 2011, when there are youths and even adults in Guyana indulging in the culture of same reggae and dancehall artistes’ music almost every day. I have read his article, titled “Why is taxpayers’ money being used to promote entertainment which glorifies lawlessness and distracts the youths” in the Stabroek News of Thursday 18th, and I was very disturbed about…

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Rebuild the railways that were scrapped

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Dear Editor, I was very elated when I read in the news about the plan to have railways between Guyana and Brazil. This shows that the authorities are serious about transforming Guyana into being a modern country. When we look around the world, most developed countries have railways. As a matter of fact, the railway is one of their main modes of transportation, and Europe is a perfect example of this. Being born in Guyana, I have no experience using trains. I should mention, though, that Guyana was the first…

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Fulfilling IYPAD

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President Bharrat Jagdeo’s approval of a grant of Gy$10 million to the African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) to support that organisation’s activities to mark the occasion of the International Year for People of African Descent (IYPAD) offers an opportunity to reflect on the commemorated event in our country. Back in 2009, the UN had designated this year as IYPAD in acknowledgement of the historical injustices that had been inflicted on African peoples, and on the need for the world to attempt rectification in the present. At the launching of…

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Opposition wants GECOM to be more open on poll plans

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Opposition political parties are urging the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to be more open about preparations for the upcoming general elections. GECOM, however, has said that its senior functionaries are well aware of their responsibilities, and are committed to discharging those without fear or bias. At its weekly press conference on Wednesday, August 24, the Alliance For Change (AFC) called on GECOM to be more open and public with information on the status of its readiness to conduct elections. The party believes that its recommended approach would enhance public confidence…

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Big groups shun APNU

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The recently formed political coalition A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has acknowledged its failure to attract any new large groups. At a news conference on Thursday, August 18, APNU member Dr Rupert Roopnaraine said while they would like to see large groups coming on board, the partnership will not discriminate against smaller parties. “Our preference would be really for substantial organisations to come in; but, frankly, we are not in a very discriminatory mood,” he said in response to a related question, noting that the partnership would prefer for…

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Enmore family charged for cocaine in kunds

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BY BHISHAM MOHAMED  Leonard and Indranie Bacchus and their 15-year-old son were remanded to prison by Magistrate Sherdell Isaacs-Marcus when they appeared in that Vigilance Magistrate’s Court on Monday, August 22 in connection with last week’s huge cocaine bust at Enmore, East Coast Demerara. They were arraigned on one count of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, and one count of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking. They all pleaded not guilty to the charges, which stated that, on August 16 at Enmore, they had in their…

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Caribbean legislators welcome new U.S. immigration policy

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After many decades of constant bad news about deportation of illegal Caribbean and other immigrants from the “Land of Many Opportunities,” Caribbean legislators in the United States have wholeheartedly embraced President Barack Obama’s bombshell announcement to suspend deportation proceedings against illegal but law-abiding immigrants. In a major policy shift announced on Thursday, August 18, the White House said it would instead focus federal resources on booting out convicted criminals and others who pose a threat to public safety or national security. It said undocumented law-abiding Caribbean and other immigrants facing…

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