May 2013 – Page 15 – Guyana Times International

“I am no thief” – UGSS president

May 10, 2013May 10, 2013 TIMES INT'L

By Whitney Persaud – University of Guyana Students Society (UGSS) President Ganesh Mahipaul said as audits into the loans he took from the society progress, he is optimistic that his name will be cleared from any misappropriations. “The constitution is old and speaks about borrowing money… this incident has assassinated my character significantly, but it gives the UGSS an opportunity to ensure proper and amended regulations are instituted in the financial legislation of its constitution,” Mahipaul stated. During a telephone interview with Guyana Times International, Mahipaul, who is out of…

Religious leaders demand apology from Kaieteur News, Freddie Kissoon – following India’s protest of controversial Gandhi article

May 10, 2013 TIMES INT'L

Several leading members of the religious community have expressed outrage and condemned the publication of an article in the Kaieteur News, written by controversial columnist Freddie Kissoon, which painted an unflattering picture of Mahatma Gandhi’s sexuality. The ire of the religious community comes in the wake of the Indian government formally protesting the publication of the article and the Kaieteur News reportedly taking a hardnosed stance and refusing to apologise for its publication. A senior member of a leading Islamic organisation called on the Kaieteur News to apologise forthwith, pointing…

European tour operators wrap up ‘fam trip’ to Guyana

May 10, 2013 TIMES INT'L

The British High Commission on Monday evening hosted a debriefing session and reception for a group of European tour operators who have just completed a familiarisation (fam) trip to Guyana. Several additional distributors will now be selling Destination Guyana following this trip. The familiarisation trip is the most proactive, cost- effective method of marketing Destination Guyana, and helps to expand sales and distribution. The fam trip was organised by Wilderness Explorers, in collaboration with the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) and Caribbean Airlines. The event was hosted at the British High…

How sweet it is!

May 10, 2013 TIMES INT'L

Life in Guyana Back in the (colonial) day, when you wanted to say someone had it real good, you’d say, “You got life in London!” Well, according to the Latin American Public Opinion Project (LAPOP), people might now be saying, “You got life in Guyana!” A researcher from the University of Connecticut conducted research in 24 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean involving 38,631 persons as to how they felt about their lives. Happy or unhappy? Turns out that 70.7 per cent of Guyanese are happy with their lives…

The Sunday seawall lime in Georgetown

May 10, 2013 TIMES INT'L

Dear Editor, It appears that the Sunday seawall lime has become ingrained into Guyana’s cultural landscape. In fact, the way this is coming over is that even Mother Nature has offended the frequenters of this Sunday lime. Street parties can be a good way for residents to meet and socialise. This can actually turn out to be one of the rocks on which our communities can develop. The events can be held anytime, not only for national celebration days. Most people attend, from all ages and backgrounds, and the events…

Helping local boxers ply their trade is the way to go

May 10, 2013 TIMES INT'L

Dear Editor, I am happy for the six boxers who will be placed on stipendiary allowances. This means that they will be able to do so much more in terms of pursuing their careers in the pugilistic arts. Now Gy$ 25,000 is not a super investment, but it is a good start. I challenge boxing enthusiasts to show me evidence of this kind of arrangement prior to now. At best, many entities would allow for some time off if they have in their employment any sporting prodigy. In the case…

Specialty Hospital is a much-needed institution

May 10, 2013 TIMES INT'L

Dear Editor, There is no surgeon’s fee for a kidney transplant at a private hospital, but is it really a case of all that glitters is not gold? At this particular hospital, the cost comes up to some US$20,000 (Gy$4 million). Isn’t this tantamount to saying that only the rich can be accommodated where specialty care is concerned? This leads me directly to the Specialty Hospital that was in the making. Death, diseases, and sicknesses have no respect for anyone, and with the Specialty Hospital, Guyana would have really come…

Green’s deception has not changed since the days of PNC

May 10, 2013 TIMES INT'L

Dear Editor, For too long the Mayor and City Council (M& CC), the Georgetown issues and other related matters have been causing some major distractions and upheaval in Guyana. In August 2011, then President Bharrat Jagdeo had to intervene to bailout the M& CC, relieve the municipality of financial woes, and enable it to meet outstanding liabilities, including wages owed to staff and for garbage collection. In fact, this intervention happened more than once. Now it seems as if another major crisis is on. Or should I ask when has…

A momentous occasion

May 10, 2013 TIMES INT'L

“Can a man still be brave if he’s afraid? That is the only time a man can be brave” – George R R Martin Sunday marked the 175th anniversary of Indians arriving in Guyana. 175 years since the first batches of Indians arrived on the shores of Guyana aboard the ‘Whitby’ and the ‘Hesperus’. And in Grade Two, around this time, our project was to make a model of either the Whitby or the Hesperus. I remember those days (not so very long ago) when my dad and I would…

EU expert to help find solution to overtopping

May 10, 2013 TIMES INT'L

The European Union (EU) on Wednesday expressed grave concerns over the persistent overtopping along the Rupert Craig Highway and has extended the mission of an expert to assess the situation and provide the government with concrete recommendations to deal with the issue. “The European Union, like the entire Guyanese population, is gravely concerned at the recent overtopping of the sea defences that resulted in flooding to parts of the coastland and various wards of the city of Georgetown,” the EU delegation said in a statement. In swift reaction, the EU…