Defying stereotypes in tassa drumming By Rupa Seenaraine When one hears the mention of tassa drummers, their mind immediately rushes to primarily men. It is one of the many stereotypes buried within society, which chooses to hide women from these roles. This is not the same for Chandni Jaimangal, an 18-year-old who is passionate about tassa drumming and plays for one of the most popular groups – the Dynamic Tassa Tro up. During a recent interview with the Sunday Times Magazine, she related that this journey began about one year…
Read MoreMonth: May 2019
Indian Arrival: Silencing and Erasure
By Ravi Dev Guyana’s Indian Arrival Day should remind us of leaders in the Caribbean in general, and those in Guyana in particular, who are refusing to acknowledge the legitimacy of the descendants of the indentured Indians as a Caribbean people, entitled to the patrimony of their respective countries as citizens of those countries. Early on politically, there was their refusal to acknowledge as rational and valid the concerns of the Indians of Guyana about being swamped in a Federation of the West Indies, which those same leaders had worked…
Read MoreGreatness lies within Shabika Gajnabi
By Brandon Corlette At age 18, Guyana’s Under 19 female captain, Shabika Gajnabi remains on the radar for selection in West Indies Women’s team. In 2018, she gained selection in the West Indies Women’s training squad ahead of the Stand-alone ICC Women’s World T20. She continued her outstanding performances at both the junior and senior levels for Guyana and she is in the current training squad that will tour Ireland and England in May/June 2019. Born on July 14, 2000, Shabika Gajnabi hails from the humble village of Chesney…
Read MoreLinden Block 42 residents voice concerns over land issues
Residents of Block 42, a developing community in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), have voiced numerous concerns regarding land access and ownership with Indigenous Peoples Affairs Minister, Sydney Allicock. Issues such as the occupation of lands and its allocation as well as concerns regarding land titles were raised with the Minister during a recent visit to the Speightland community situated at Mackenzie, Linden. Residents of Block 42, who attended the meeting, said they were fearful that the untitled lands that they occupy might be taken away by persons as was…
Read MoreCelebrarting 181 Years of Indian Arrival to Guyana
Guyanese, will on Sunday, May 5, 2019 observe East Indian Arrival Day ; an occasion commemorating the 181st anniversary of their arrival, bringing with them their ancient customs, food and culture from India. Under a system of agreement, an order in the Council of Britain was passed on July 12, 1838 making provision for indentured immigrants to travel to Guyana for a term of five years. On January 13, 1838 the Whitby left the shores of India with 249 immigrants on board and arrived in Guyana on the 5th May…
Read MorePUC commissioners sworn in
The Public Utilities Commission (PUC), on Wednesday, achieved its full complement as two new commissioners – Dr. Leyland Lucas and Verlyn Klass were sworn in before President David Granger. The commissioners were sworn in before Minister of State, Dawn Hastings-Williams, Minister of Business, Haimraj Rajkumar and fellow members of the PUC. During brief remarks, President Granger stated that the commission is “the guardian of the public interest” and is vital to protecting the public interest by ensuring the reliable delivery of public services such as water electricity and telecommunications.” The…
Read MoreCops face court for demanding money from TIP victims
…one charged for rape Three Police Officers appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Wednesday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts after they were charged with demanding money from three Venezuelan women. It is alleged that 30-year-old Corwyn Mingo of Lot 188 Section C Enterprise, East Coast Demerara (ECD) between June 1 and June 30, 2018 at Makari Top, Mazaruni River, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) engaged in sexual activity with a Venezuelan female without her consent. It is also alleged on the same day, 34-year-old Ceon Jones of Crane Housing Scheme, West…
Read MoreMiner found not guilty of killing friend
Both tears of joy and sadness erupted in the courtroom of Justice Navindra Singh on Wednesday after a 26-year-old miner, Trevor Williams, was set free following a unanimous not guilty verdict returned by a 12-member jury on a manslaughter charge at the Demerara High Court. The former accused faced the indictment which detailed that between June 4-5, 2013, at Bruck-up Landing, North West District, Region One (Barima-Waini), he unlawfully killed Randy Raphael. The accused pleaded not guilty to the offence. Back in April of 2013, Williams was charged with murder…
Read MoreCDC opens oil spill planning and readiness assessment workshop
The Civil Defence Commission (CDC) on Wednesday opened an oil spill planning and readiness assessment workshop aimed at finalising the Contingency Planning and Implementation of the Oil Pollution Preparedness Response and Cooperation (OPRC) Convention for key public and private players in the local oil and gas sector. The workshop was held at the Roraima Duke Lodge. This is the second workshop to be held; the first being in March at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre (ACCC) to provide stakeholders with a detailed understanding of the National Oil Spill Response Contingency…
Read MorePresident says steps will be taken to restore image of SOCU
…following damning fraud findings President David Granger on Wednesday said there would be no dismantling of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), although an audit has found a slew of financial irregularities and internal fraud at the agency. An audit was ordered into the operations of SOCU by Police Commissioner Leslie James in February following claims of grave mismanagement, which included the misuse of its operational fund. On Wednesday, the President gave his reassurance that steps would be taken to restore the image of the Unit. In that regard, he…
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