2014 – Page 62 – Guyana Times International

A tribute to a Santa Rosa legend

January 10, 2014 TIMES INT'L

By Regina Rodrigues This is a tribute to my mother Martina Rodrigues- a notable individual in Santa Rosa who is remembered for her significant contribution to the academic development of her village. Born at Cabucalli, Santa Rosa in Moruca on Nov. 11, 1916 to Georgina and Emmanuel Ferreira, Martina Rodrigues was one of six children. She married Eleutherio Esteban Rodrigues at the age of 16 on July 24, 1932. Martina was the mother of seven children but two died as infants. Of the remaining children, two live in Guyana…

A natural tradition for a modern business

January 10, 2014January 10, 2014 TIMES INT'L

Guyana is blessed with an abundance of majestic coconut trees, and their coconuts’ uses are vast and varied over millennia; popularly known for their beautifying properties. The oldest fossils known of the modern coconut date from what is known as the Eocene period of Earth’s history, which dates from around 37 to 55 million years ago, and were found in Australia and India. The coconut tree is a member of the palm family, and the coconuts are commonly used in arts and crafts, foods, medicines, oils, condiments and for religious…

2925 child abuse cases reported in 2013

January 10, 2014 TIMES INT'L

The Human Services and Social Security Ministry has reported that the Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA) received 2925 cases of child abuse in 2013, all of which were investigated and addressed. The ministry also registered and licensed more than 200 day care facilities throughout the country, placing 207 children in foster homes, 212 in state residential care and 600 in privately run homes and orphanages. Towards child protection, the Mahaica Children’s Home was commissioned for girls who have been victims of sexual abuse and incest. The new building was…

Guyanese couple return home to open multi-million dollar hotel

January 10, 2014 TIMES INT'L

President Donald Ramotar and acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali on Sunday declared opened the Park Vue Hotel, a multimillion-dollar facility situated at Farm, East Bank Demerara. Dignitaries including government ministers, Private Sector Commission (PSC) Chairman Ronald Webster, Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) President Kit Nascimento and Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) President Clinton Urling were given a tour of the 52-room hotel, which has a boutique, restaurant, lounge and bar. Praise However, before they toured the modern facility, government officials and representatives from the private sector…

Inspired By Guyanese

January 10, 2014 TIMES INT'L

By Petamber Persaud ‘De Tiga’ by Indrawati Flaks With the continued attention on the cricket career of and recent upsurge of interest in Shivnarine Chanderpaul, breaking records and reaching new milestones, here is a tribute to ‘de tiga’. This story was written by Indrawati Flaks and first published in The Guyana Annual 2007-2008 issue of the magazine. Flaks is a writer of short fiction and poetry for children. The Guyana Annual, formerly published as the Chronicle Christmas Annual, was launched in December 1915. “Is de Tiga! Watch…

The simple life at Surama

January 10, 2014 TIMES INT'L

Surama village is a small Amerindian community of the Makushi people living in the north Rupununi, Region Nine. The word Surama, originally “Shuramata”, means the place of spoiled Bar-B-Que (or where Bar-B-Que spoiled). The name was derived during a tribal conflict between the Makushi and Carib many years ago. The village is situated in five square miles of savannah land, surrounded by forest, hills and mountains of the Pakariama mountain range. The life of the people is in the art and understanding of how to live with nature. It is…

2013 was a challenging year for President Ramotar

January 10, 2014 TIMES INT'L

The year just gone by was one of numerous challenges for President Donald Ramotar, particularly in the face of an uncompromising political opposition, but there were some accomplishments as well. He scored big at the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) 30th congress, winning the majority 886 votes, topping the list of the Party’s Central Committee. The year 2013 commenced with the headof-state making major announcements, chief among which was a feasibility study for a new Demerara River crossing, in light of the heavy volume of traffic burdening the age-old infrastructure. The…

Finance Minister says standard of living continues to improve in Guyana

January 10, 2014 TIMES INT'L

The standard of living in Guyana continues to be improved significantly while the levels of poverty are on the decline as the country’s economy continues to register strong economic growth despite the challenges posed by an unstable political environment and other extraneous financial challenges. This is the position of Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, who explained that the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration is extremely proud of the gains made, but has certainly not lost sight of the “struggle” to continuously develop Guyana’s economy. Dr Singh was speaking during…

Man urges magistrate to hurry up with sentencing

January 10, 2014 TIMES INT'L

A man who appeared to be of unsound mind appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday before Magistrate Faith McGusty charged with simple larceny. Andrew Gonsalves stood next to the docks charged with stealing a BlackBerry Curve on December 31, 2013 at Wellington Street, Georgetown. The phone belonged to Darran Singh. Gonsalves pleaded guilty to the charge and when asked for an explanation he told the court “wrong place, wrong time”. The man became increasing impatient as the magistrate was deciding his sentence and urged the magistrate to dispatch…

Trinidadian charged for cocaine trafficking

January 10, 2014 TIMES INT'L

The Trinidadian national who was pulled off a flight on Monday after cocaine was discovered in his suitcases at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on Tuesday was arraigned at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts for cocaine trafficking. Edward Jones, a Trinidadian based in Canada, pleaded not guilty to the charge of possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry. Police said Jones was taken off a Caribbean Airlines flight bound for Canada by ranks of the Police Anti-Narcotics Branch after they found…