Tribute to a cultural promoter who passed away in New York

Dear Editor, Ajit Praimsingh, a cultural (music) promoter of Indo-Caribbean events passed away in New York where he was undergoing medical treatment. Praimsingh lived in Trinidad, but he has been well known by the Guyanese community, especially singers, in New York. Guyanese in New York have all expressed shock over his passing. I know him well and we would meet regularly in New York and Trinidad whenever I visit for Indian cultural celebrations, especially chutney finals, Indian Arrival celebrations and Classical Singing competitions. I saw him at the classical competition…

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More Guyanese women need to become involved in decision-making – social activist

Social activist, Dr Dawn Stewart, who once worked side by side with the late Dr Faith Harding, will soon be launching a campaign called Guyanese Women Roundtable (GWR), with the aim of having more women involved in politics. According to Dr Stewart, the campaign was designed to have more women involved in the welfare of Guyana’s electoral system. It was pointed out that the 10th Parliament has only 20 female representatives. “I often wonder who pushes the issues that affect the lives of women, thus affecting the life of children…

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Opposition’s leadership legitimacy crisis

The upcoming elections have uncovered an intriguing contrast in the choice of Presidential Candidates by the parliamentary parties, leading to a dangerous disinformation campaign by the Opposition. In the People’s National Congress-Reform (PNCR), their leader, who is traditionally their Presidential Candidate, was to be elected last August at Congress Place in Sophia. The Chairman of Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), PNCR member Sharma Solomon described the rigging of the election. Instructed to select delegates from Linden based on specified boundaries, Solomon complied. However, as he later explained: “Subsequently and without consultation…

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Indo-Caribbean group lobbies President Obama on Relief Programmes

On February 4, 2015, DRUM – South Asian Organizing Center organizer Rishi Singh and other activists from the United We Dream coalition met with President Obama to affirm the importance of relief programmes such as DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) and DAPA (Deferred Action for Parents), their implementation, and also to push for relief for those who are currently excluded from the President’s Executive Action. The programmes provide temporary relief from deportation (deferred action) and work authorization to unauthorized parents of U.S. citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA), or…

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An interview with Mahadeo Shivraj – NY-based Guyanese actor and filmmaker

By Jihan Ramroop Born and grew up in: Georgetown, Guyana Films: 83 Million Gees, Till I Find a Place, A Jasmine for a Gardener, Brown Sugar Too Bitter For Me 1. Where did you go to school? In Georgetown. I went to Central Prep and then I went to South Georgetown Government Secondary School. 2. When did you realize you wanted to be an actor? That is a question I get all the time and… I don’t know if the age is correct or not. But, I remember I used…

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10% cut in power charges nothing to do with elections, says Brassington

The  10 percent reduction in electricity charges by Guyana Power and Light (GPL) company will result in its customers being able to hold on to an additional Gy$3B annually, in disposable income. Head of State, President Donald Ramotar on Monday during the commissioning of the power company’s Vreed-en-Hoop plant, its latest installation, announced that GPL will be reducing its rates by 10 percent. Chairman of the Board of Directors, Winston Brassington and Chief Executive Officer Bharat Dindyal met with media operatives on Tuesday at the entity’s Duke Street, Kingston head…

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APNU promises ‘package of surprises’ at campaign launch

By Gomatie Gangadin The main Opposition – A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) said it was excited and ready for the launching of its elections campaign later this month, promising a package of surprise new candidates and other major announcements. This is according to General Secretary Joseph Harmon who on Wednesday told this publication that the party is in full swing with preparations for its February 20 elections campaign launch. He noted that even as he was speaking, the party was meeting and fine-tuning details so that the campaign can…

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Man held for Patricia Sanasie’s execution

– NY-based husband says he does not know anything about his wife’s killing Two weeks after Patricia Sanasie, wife of popular city businessman Deokaran Ram Sanasie, was gunned down in front of her home in Atlantic Gardens, East Coast Demerara, the Police have arrested a man who matched the description given to them. The suspect was picked up on Norton Street, Georgetown on Saturday. He is presently being grilled by investigators at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID). He is expected to be placed on an identification parade at which the…

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Final wish granted: US Embassy in G/town grants visa to sister of dying man

According to reports coming out of Guyana, a Guyanese man’s last wish to see his sister before  he dies, is inching towards becoming a reality after the US Embassy in Georgetown granted the woman a visitor’s visa after first denying her request. The man, 25 year old Christopher Robinson who lives in Brooklyn New York, is terminally ill with a rare form of cancer. His Doctors have given him just weeks more to live and have moved him to a hospice to make his final days more comfortable. Days after…

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APNU has awakened from slumber to cast aspersions

Dear Editor, It’s official that the silly season has commenced with the announcement of Elections – the latest was a call from the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) Councilor Leslie Gonsalves to test the bauxite exported by RUSAL for gold and rare earth minerals. Let us be logical. If there was indeed any traces of gold or rare earth minerals within the area where RUSAL is currently operating, the company would not have gotten an opportunity to even harvest it much less export it. This…

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