Month: June 2017

Decision to downsize sugar industry was “necessary” – Granger

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In providing more reasons why the Government has moved to begin downsizing the sugar industry in Guyana, President David Granger maintains that it is a necessary decision and his Administration is trying its utmost to “limit the damage” in executing this process. The Head of State was adamant that widespread consultation had taken place at all levels of society to include the input of all stakeholders before the white paper on sugar was presented to the National Assembly by Agriculture Minister Noel Holder. “As far as the sugar industry is…

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Next stop for “City Hall in Your Borough” is Queens

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Mayor Bill de Blasio and Queens Borough President Melinda Katz earlier this week announced “City Hall in Your Borough” will land in Queens on Monday, July 17. This will be the initiative’s third stop, following Staten Island and the Bronx. According to a media statement from the Mayor’s office, Mayor de Blasio, deputy mayors, and senior Administration officials will run the city from Queens Borough Hall for a week to focus on the borough’s people and their concerns. The week will include a cabinet meeting, resource fair and town hall,…

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South Ozone Park entrepreneur Omar Nooredeen honoured

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…for providing outstanding customer service SOUTH OZONE PARK, New York – As a business leader and involved citizen in the South Ozone Park area, Allstate exclusive agency owner Omar Nooredeen of Nooredeen Agency has been designated an Allstate Premier Agency for 2017. The Allstate Premier Agency designation is bestowed upon 26 percent of Allstate’s nearly 10,000 agency owners across the country. The Premier Agency designation is awarded to Allstate agency owners who have demonstrated excellence in delivering an accessible, knowledgeable and personal customer experience while achieving outstanding business results. “Omar…

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Political witch-hunt!

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– Jagdeo accuses SOCU of targeting former gov’t officials Recent news about the Special Organised Crime Unit’s (SOCU) intention to have two former senior functionaries, one being a minister of the previous Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government taken for questioning in connection with the findings of a forensic audit into the management of National Industrial & Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) has not gone unnoticed by the opposition. In fact, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo on Tuesday claimed that SOCU has now been converted into a Peoples National Congress (PNC) outfit with…

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Fathers define their roles

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By Utamu Belle One of my fondest childhood memories of my father, which will remain with me forever, is him carrying me on his shoulders to watch the fireworks display to ring in the new year. I am usually overwhelmed when I get nostalgic about my father, because I realised that spending quality time with him was one of the things that brought joy to my little heart. Today, we celebrate the unconditional love of all fathers, whether biological or adoptive. Sunday Times Magazine interviewed two hardworking fathers in Linden…

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Capturing the Essence of Fatherhood

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Through their art, Shimuel Jones and Michael Griffith capture the meaning of fatherhood, saying that fathers should not only be financial providers, but also nurturers. Shimuel Jones is a Guyanese artist noted for possessing immense skill in painting, drawing or sculpting. His thought-provoking piece “Father and Son” depicts a son embraced by his father. “What is most significant about this painting is the book that the child is holding.  As a father, it is important to not only be a monetary provider, but someone who nurtures the mind of his…

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The ‘Superdad’ from Essequibo

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A single-parent, amputee and toy maker, Richard Moshette is defying all odds to care for his three children Two years ago, Richard Moshette made a life-changing decision to amputate his right leg, due to diabetes. This “difficult decision” was made to ensure he would live to care for his three sons, but losing his leg was not Richard’s only heartrending loss. In an interview with Sunday Times Magazine, Richard disclosed that after he was diagnosed with diabetes, and had to later amputate his leg, his wife left him after 13…

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Parabara

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Parabara is a small indigenous community located in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), along the scenic Kuyuwini River. The village was founded in 1969 and was occupied by six households. Now, the village is populated by persons who have migrated from different communities, amounting to about 23 households. The residents’ first language is Wai-Wai; second, Wapishana; and third, English. Major economic activities in this quiet and scenic village are farming, fishing and hunting. A primary school, ‘health hut’, church, ‘rest house’ and village office are Parabara’s main buildings. (Village information…

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‘The Father of Trade Unionism’

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Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow [often referred to as the “Father of Trade Unionism”] was born in Georgetown on December 18, 1884. His father, James Nathaniel Critchlow, had emigrated from Barbados and was employed as a wharf foreman by the Booker Group of Companies, while his mother Julia Elizabeth Critchlow, née Daniels, was originally from the Essequibo coast. Young Hubert Critchlow attended the Bedford Wesleyan Primary School, but left when he was 13 years old, after his father died. He had reached up to Standard 4 (equivalent to Grade 6 in [today’s]…

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West Indian History and Literature by Frank Birbalsingh

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By Petamber Persaud Frank Birbalsingh is not contented to rest on his laurels in any area of his expertise, including deserved labels/titles such as ‘literary critic’, ‘prolific book reviewer’, ‘exceptional anthologist’, ‘cricket historian’, ‘oral historian’, ‘specialist of West Indian and Indo-Caribbean literature’ and ‘author’. His achievements include massive, and oftentimes, ground-breaking scholarly works like “Jahaji Bhai: An Anthology of Indo-Caribbean Literature” (1988); “Indenture and Exile: The Indo-Caribbean Experience” (1989); “Indo-Caribbean Resistance” (1993); “Jahaji: An Anthology of Indo-Caribbean Fiction” (2002); “Passion and Exile: Essays in Caribbean Literature” (1988); “Frontiers of Caribbean…

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