Month: June 2012

Handicraft for empowerment – A dynamic woman triumphs over challenges

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By Venessa Deosaran When faced with challenges, designer and craftswoman Esther Benjamin knows the remedy: determination and being proactive are what she knows. Benjamin, originally from Georgetown, moved to Linden with her family at age 7. She worked with a bauxite mining company for more than two decades in Linden, but after she was laid off, Benjamin was confronted with how she would now make a livelihood. She had to find a means of survival, and so she was prompted to take classes in catering, tie-dye and batik. Developing herself…

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Sixty years of superlative service

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Queen Elizabeth II celebrates six decades in the supreme role of British sovereign “By the sudden death of my dear father I am called to assume the duties and responsibilities of sovereignty. My heart is too full for me to say more to you today than I shall always work, as my father did throughout his reign, to advance the happiness and prosperity of my peoples, spread as they are all the world over.” With this statement to the Lords of the Council for the formal Accession ceremony held Feb.…

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The magic and the mystery of the jaguar

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By Matt Hallett Pair of jaguars on the Iwokrama road (Photo by David Fernandes) Seeing a jaguar in the wild is a privilege that few people get to experience.  Looking into the yellowish eyes of a finely tuned predator in its natural environment is an experience of a lifetime.  You immediately get the sense that you don’t see the jaguar.  The jaguar allows you to see it.  Even hearing a jaguar is an event. Experiencing that guttural pant is something that you carry with you long after you hear it.…

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NEW GPC denounces “process of disinformation”

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“Campaign to destroy the company will not succeed” – Dr Ramroop Chairman of the New Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation (NEW GPC) Dr Ranjisinghi Ramroop came out swinging against the Kaieteur News for what he deemed to be “a vicious process of disinformation against NEW GPC”. He vowed, however that “the campaign to destroy the company will not succeed.” Taking on the Kaieteur News specifically, which had blared on its front page “Importers cry foul at US6.5 million secret pharmaceutical award to Ramroop’s NEW GPC”, Dr Ramroop declared, “Let me explain to…

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Parents, community leaders protest library closures in Queens

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By North American Correspondent Parents of Guyanese students and community leaders joined others in Queens to protest the planned closures and reduction of hours of operations of public libraries.  In order to close a budget gap, the Mayor’s Office plans to close several libraries and or reduce hours of service. Parents and Guyanese community leaders have urged elected officials to take steps to discourage the Mayor from taking such extreme actions.  Advocates are also pushing the City Council members and the mayor to restore other related deep cuts to day…

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Government battles to recoup US$2M owed by Guyana Stores

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– shareholders express concern about the entity’s operation The trial continued on Friday on the legal action brought by government against the Guyana Stores Limited (GSL) majority shareholder, Royal Investments Inc to recoup outstanding sums following the privatisation of the company. The legal action for non-payment of US$2 million plus interest dates back to the privatisation of GSL in October 2000, almost 12 years ago.  Under the terms of the privatisation agreement, the balance on the purchase price of US$2 million was due by September 2002.  However, Royal Investments Inc,…

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Guyanese heart surgeon honoured in Toronto

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By North American Correspondent Well known Canadian-based Guyanese cardiologist Dr Vivian Rambihar was honoured last week in Toronto for his work in medicine.  The Guyanese heart specialist was recognised along with popular hip-hop artist K’naan, Member of Parliament Olivia Chow, and wrestling legend Tiger Jeet Singh who were chosen among the Top 25 Canadian Immigrants for 2012. Dr Rambihar was also honoured earlier in May 2012 by the Queen’s College Alumni Association of New York for his exemplary global contribution in health and medicine. The former Guyana scholar who attended…

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Religious service opens Enmore Martyrs’ Day observances

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President Donald Ramotar and Prime Minister Samuel Hinds on Sunday joined relatives and residents of Enmore at the Enmore Shiv Mandir, East Coast Demerara to begin the commemoration of the Enmore Martyrs. Enmore Martyrs’ Day is in remembrance of the five sugar workers who were shot and killed on June 16, 1948, by colonial police while they were demonstrating for better working conditions. President Ramotar said that Enmore Martyrs’ Day has become one of the most important days in the history of Guyana for several reasons, the Government Information Agency…

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Trotman hails China’s ‘no strings attached’ approach to aid

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Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman has hailed China’s no-strings-attached approach to the provision of aid to this country, saying while other countries tie certain conditions to aid, Beijing does not. Trotman made the comments following a courtesy visit by Communist Party of China (CPC) Tianjin Municipal Committee Secretary Zhang Gaoli to his office on Monday. The top Chinese official was accompanied by a delegation of 18 other officials. The delegation also met with President Donald Ramotar. Following the meeting, Trotman told the media that Guyana and China have…

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Rohee urges police to do more to address domestic, youth violence

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Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee last Friday urged members of the Guyana Police Force to do more at their respective divisions to address the growing concerns of domestic abuse and youths in violent crimes. Rohee at the time was delivering the feature address at the conclusion of a Junior Officers’ course at the Police Officers’ Mess Annexe, Eve Leary. The minister, who has been outspoken about the shortcomings of the force, said recently crime was on the increase and requires the urgent attention of members of the force. Among the…

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