By Ashley Anthony In the past, I have spoken about the argument of extra-curricular activities vs extra subjects, stressing that the two are not mutually exclusive. I implored that certain minimum standards should be met, after which no child should be limited in any area. I still believe this to be true, however, I feel the need to speak of the importance of encouraging children to engage in extra-curricular activities, even those they might be bad at. Guyanese, I believe, have this mentality that you should do what you’re good…
Read MoreYear: 2017
Warwick University honours Guyanese Yesu Persaud
The University of Warwick in England on Monday honoured former Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) Chairman Yesu Persaud for his stellar contribution to the development of global education and unveiled a brand-new state-of-the-art lecture theatre bearing his name. The simple reception was held in the Demerara Bank auditorium on Monday, and esteemed Guyanese scholars and Warwick University representatives showered Persaud with praise for his contribution towards the advancement of education, both globally and locally. Guyanese scholar, Professor David Dabydeen, of the Office of the President at the University of Warwick, said…
Read MoreThe significance of Diwali
By Anu Dev “Diwali – A festival full of sweet memories, sky full of fireworks, mouth full of sweets, house full of diyas, and heart full of enjoyment.” I just returned from a visit to Divali Nagar in Trinidad. It was the perfect way to relax after some very stressful Ob/Gyn finals, thank you!! Divali has always been one of my favourite festivals. And I guess what has always been its most attractive feature has been the air of tranquility that lingers in my memories as I remember my mom…
Read MoreBoning up…
…on oil US Ambassador Perry Halloway offered an excellent bit of advice to those Guyanese commenting on our incipient “Oil Industry”: just “bone up” on it before mouthing off. Of course, being a diplomat (a career one at that, and not one of those “political appointees”) he didn’t put it so bluntly. But he obviously knows of what he speaks, since he spent all of his previous stints in drug infested Latin American capitals. At the time of his posting (2014), drugs would’ve been the only substance making Guyana show…
Read MoreOut of the mouth…
…of the big enchilada Readers would know what they say about “Freudian slips”! You know the truth, your listeners know the truth…but you can’t utter it for fear of embarrassing yourself. So you open your mouth to tell the concocted tale, and out jumps the truth! Oooops!! Freudian slip!! So the Administration knew from day one since they stepped into the Government they’ve been staggering from one disaster to another. We can start with the appointment of Ministers, when after berating the PPP for years about having a top heavy…
Read More‘Please help us rebuild our lives’
…Dominica’s Housing Minister appeals Dominica’s Minister for Housing, Lands and Water Resource Management, Reginald Austrie has appealed to Caribbean States to assist the island, as its people continue to rebuild their lives following the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Maria. On September 19, the ferocious storm made landfall as a Category Five Hurricane with winds of 160 miles per hour (260 kilometres per hour), killing 15 as it ploughed through the country, damaging the infrastructure and water systems. Minister Austrie, in an address at the opening of the Caribbean Water…
Read MoreThe fight against a debilitating disease
Lymphatic filariasis patients offer advice on coping and surviving the disease By Indrawattie Natram Several filariasis patients in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) are offering words of advice and encouragement to fellow infected individuals to remain positive despite having to live with this debilitating disease. Vibert Munroe, 69, a rice farmer of Richmond Village said he “inherited” the disease from his mother at the age of 16. Munroe has severely suffered from the disease, which is also commonly known as elephantiasis. Despite painful and profound disfiguration, Munroe has managed to live a…
Read MoreThe early period of road and railway transport
In October 1845, a management committee was appointed to supervise the construction of the project. Eventually, a bill proposing the construction of the railway was passed by the Court of Policy in July 1846. Then in March 1847, Frederick Catherwood began his task of building the railway. For the Georgetown’s terminus, the Demerara Railway Company purchased an area at the junction of Main and Lamaha Streets in the city. Here, in August 1847 work commenced on the building of a large railway station with workshops, coal sheds and large water…
Read MoreTalk on…
…on food There’s been a lot of talk about food recently in Guyana. Could it be because hunger stalks the land? People talk about what they don’t get, don’t they? We don’t talk about the air here, do we? But we would if we had the pollution of, say, Mexico City!! So back to the food talk. Or is it because of Diwali? Your Eyewitness just learnt Diwali began an autumn post-harvest festival!! Food! Pressie went up to Linden and preached a new message: “Food it is; not bauxite and…
Read MoreApoteri: Where Culture and Nature Abound
Apoteri is located at the confluence of the Rupununi and Essequibo rivers, about two and a half hours, during high water season, from the administrative centre of Annai. The village is the most remote of the North Rupununi communities. Apoteri is an old Carib village known since the days of Schomburgk and Im Thurn. It was a stopping point for travellers exploring Guyana’s hinterland in the early 1800s. The name Apoteri comes from the Arawak name of a tree. The history and development of Apoteri village is closely tied to…
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