Culturepulse April 2014 by david kalloo

Issue 23

April 2014

Cathedral SOSâ&#x20AC;ŚTT$51 still needed

Your First Kiss... was is memorable for you?

Nasser Khan's Book earns prestigious award

Suicide on the rise again at Orange France

Your support helps us Gro Welcome to another issue of Culturepulse magazine. It seems only yesterday when we started life as a magazine featuring Digicel winner Erica Samuel’s back in November 2011. The magazine started out as a newsletter called Culture Scene before assuming its current name. It has grown from a handful of close friends from my university days and is now circulated to over 4500 people through direct email, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter to the Caribbean, Canada, USA, Malawi, New Zealand, France, Italy, Kenya South Africa and London.

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Special thanks also to Erica WilliamsConnell whose support has given the magazine a wider coverage through her work with the Eric William Memorial Trust. Other contributors who continue to lend their support through articles and photography includes: Akilah Holder (Trinidad Express), Chris Boothman (photography), David Wears (Trinidad Guardian), Michelle Assantewa, Nichola MacDonald, Soshina Stephen, David Rudder, Jimmy Kainja (Malawi) Ra Hendricks, Juanita Cox-Westmass, Juliet Davey, Donald Chambers (photography), Soca News and Dorothy Scott.

The magazine originally embarked on focussing its efforts on the various cultures in London, however, it has veered towards highlighting the Caribbean diaspora. Since August 2013 we have been featuring in every issue an individual from the Diaspora that has made significant contributions to society, not just in their Diaspora home but also in their country of origin. The November 2013 issue was dedicated to Jessica Huntley who along with her husband Eric Huntley and their publishing house Bogle L’Overture championed writers from Caribbean and African heritage.

Without the dedication and contribution of all these individuals Culturepulse could not have spread its wings in the way the publication has expanded. We look forward to their continued support and to our readers for your support and feedback that has loaned to making Culturepulse better with each issue.

David Kalloo Editor

Culturepulse success rest with those who have supported the magazine from its inception and continue to make contributions to help steer the magazine into the future. People such as Ansel Wong, Mas Assassin who have guided the magazine from the beginning and still make valuable contributions to the content. Our support in Trinidad is backed by Nasser Khan who has recently published “Shell Trinidad Through The Years, 1913-2013” a book commemorating Shell’s 100 years in Trinidad and Tobago.

Cover photo courtesy Newsday Culturepulse is produced in collaboration with cashewmedia and securisit Ltd. For further information please contact us at:culturepulse@hotmail.co.uk or 07920752131 visit www.issuu.com/culturepulse to view back issues of the magazine

Trinidad book wins prestigious award Caribbean Advertising Federation (CAF) President, Renae Quinton, Managing Director of EVillages in Barbados, officially announced the winners of the organisation’s American Advertising Awards, formerly known as the ADDY Awards.

Copies of the book are earmarked for all high schools throughout Trinidad and Tobago, copies of which have been distributed to NALIS, UTT and other organisations. Shell Through the Years, 1913 – 2013. This valuable historic publication is a commemorative book in celebration of Shell’s 100 hundred consecutive years in Trinidad and Tobago.

The American Advertising Federation (AAF) hosts the advertising industry’s most comprehensive and prestigious competition recognising creative excellence in advertising. The competition is comprised of three tiers starting with local competitions such as CAF which includes entries from across the Caribbean. Winners in the local CAF competition move on to compete with other winners from the 4thDistrict which includes the entire state of Florida. Winning entries then move to the final tier to compete for top honours in the National American Advertising Awards.

Left to right: Dr. Glenroy Taitt, Head West Indiana & Special Collection (WISC) Division, Keeno Gonzales, Library Assistant, WISC Division, Jennifer Joseph, Campus Librarian, Alma Jordan Library, UWI, Kathy Ragoobarsingh, Manager/Director, HR, Shell Trinidad Ltd., and Nasser Khan, Researcher/Author.

This year, a record 769 entries were judged, giving the CAF the most entries in the 4th District for the second year in a row. Entries were submitted by 45 different companies and organisations representing Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, US Virgin Islands, Curacao, Grand Cayman, Belize and St. Lucia. Trinidad and Tobago picked up the Silver ADDY Award for its book, Shell Through the Years, 1913 – 2013 by Writerresearcher Nasser Khan which was designed and published by Safari Publications Co. Ltd.

Gesture Control Systems Land Rover has just unveiled a a swipe action. There are concerns too, regarding the ‘gesture control system’ from Roderick Murray-Smith, a professor of computing science at Glasgow University and who has worked at Mercedes-Benz previously. He said: “Gesture recognition is relatively easy to install but its use has to be carefully tuned for cars. If you wave your hand in annoyance at a car going by and suddenly the music’s blasting at you, it could be both distracting and dangerous.” A Jaguar Land Rover spokesman said: “For safety reasons some functions will be hardwired with switches, but many others could be operated by ‘gesture control.’

pioneering feature at the New York motor show recently. The new technology called ‘Gesture’ will allow drivers to operate lights, windows, indicators and even opening your car with just a gesture. Car manufacturers are working on the ‘gesture control system’ with the intention of reducing the amount of fumbling required when operating dashboard controls. The new technology works by using cameras in the cabin to capture a driver’s movements. Sensors and software interprets specific hand movements and then carries out the operation. The new technology could see cars without door handles. The sensors will detect the approaching driver who with a pre-set gesture, such as a swipe ‘gesture’ would activate the door’s mechanism.

How far into the future we are from general use of ‘gesture control systems’ in most vehicles is not apparent however, judging from the speed at which we are consuming digital technology the system may be with us far quicker than we might imagine.

According to the research technology director at Jaguar Land Rover some cars already have the ‘gesture’ system for example the Mercedes SL can be bought with the system that allows you to waggle your foot under the rear of the car to open the boot, handy if you are carrying luggage and having to set it down to fumble for your keys. The new Ford Kuga also has an option for ‘gesture’ which allows the windows to be raised or lowered with

David Kalloo

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception SOS…TT$51still needed The Cathedral was completed in 1850 after the foundations stone was laid in 1816. Most of the walls comprise of stone from the Laventille Hills Quarry and its yellow brick stock was imported from Europe. The clerestory windows, roof rafters and beams were fashioned from tropical hardwood. The fund raising mass at Westminster Cathedral was arranged by His Excellency Garvin Nicholas to highlight the plight and urgency of funds needed to facilitate the restoration of the Cathedral. Archdiocese of Port of Spain Father Emmanuel H. Pierre in his address to the congregation said “the cost for the restoration is $TT71m.” To date $20m has been raised leaving a further $51 million to be raised in order to realise the completion of the project.

On Thursday 27th March 2014 history was created in London as Archbishop Joseph Harris of Port of Spain became the first Archbishop of Trinidad and Tobago to celebrate Mass at the Westminster Cathedral in London. The occasion, though historic in every sense, had a far more reaching message to fellow Trinbagonians in the Diaspora. It was an urgent appeal to raise funds to aid the restoration of one of Trinidad and Tobago’s iconic landmarks, the 160 year old Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, in Port of Spain. It is one of the oldest church in the English speaking Caribbean. The Cathedral stands as a historic and treasured cultural landmark and serves as an important cultural and social asset to the city’s landscape. In 2010 after Easter mass, Archbishop Harris closed the Cathedral as a safety measure and embarked on emergency restoration work in order that the city does not lose one of its foremost architectural structures. 8

For any Trinidad and Tobago national, it must have been heart breaking to learn of the advanced state of deterioration that has befallen the Cathedral. So much so, that the crypt where the late Archbishop Pantin was laid to rest was submerged in water and had to be pumped out. Archbishop Harris in true Trinidadian humour decreed that "if the situation continues, bury me in my swimsuit." His words, though jocose conveyed a powerful message to the severity of which such a historic and cultural piece of architecture was allowed to deteriorate.

architecture from falling into ruins. It is welcoming news that with the money raised thus far, the north aisle is nearing completion and work has commenced on the south and centre aisles. Interior walls have been gutted and as work progresses from aisle to aisle, the decorative mouldings, architraves, sills and clerestory windows are all being repaired for the respective aisle.

,Archbishop Harris reminded the congregation that the Lent was a season “to cultivate good habits which would help them to become better people” urging that it was not a time of just giving up things but “a time to do things.” There is a great message between the lines from Archbishop Harris, Trinidad and Tobago as a nation needs to cultivate the habit of looking after our national treasures and preserving its historic sites and

The Archbishop’s Appeal

Donations to the Archbishop’s Appeal can be made at any bank within Trinidad and Tobago. International Bank drafts and cheques can be sent to:

27 Maraval Road, Queen’s Park West, Port of Spain, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Please make payments to: RC ABP POS/ Archbishop’s Appeal Tel: 1-868622 2691 / Email: appealfunding@rcpos.org www.appealtnt.org

Archbishop Harris, H.E T&T High Commissioner to London Garvin Nicholas, Cardinal Nichols and Father 9 Pierre at Westminster Cathedral, London

London buses go cash£ess this summer

Transport for London has announced that from July 2014 all London busses will become cashless. A spokesperson for TfL said “cash fares, because of Oyster cards fell to less than 1% compared to 20% of journeys being paid by cash 10 years ago.” The move is set to save TfL in excess of £130m.

Caroline Pidgeon, the Lib Dem London Assembly member, though welcoming of the new changes said, “Ending cash fares might make sense on many bus routes, but I think a case for ending them on nighttime bus routes has yet to be made.” London buses already accept payment via contactless debit cards on many of its routes.

Concerns for vulnerable people travelling at night and what impact it would have on those not being able to top up their oyster cards and in some cases where there is a lack of access for customers to do so.

TfL already have in place refreshed guidance for its 24,500 bus drivers to ensure a ‘consistent approach’ is taken when dealing with vulnerable passengers.

TfL said there is the introduction of the new ‘one more journey’ feature on Oyster cards that will allow passengers with less than the single fare (currently £1.45) to make one more journey before they can add credit to their card.

For further information on bus and tube travel across London, visit www.tfl.gov.uk

Suicide on the rise again at Orange France Orange France employs around 100,000 people but the company has admitted that it plans cut its workforce. It has not given or hinted where these cuts will be made, neither the timescale for which it intends to do so. A French union spokesperson said “there is a dramatic worsening of morale within the company” once again signifying that the spate of deaths has a direct link to the number of suicides.

A shocking trend of suicides has ripped through the French telecom firm Orange in France. The company is said to be on serious alert after at least 10 of its employees have killed themselves since the beginning of 2014. Orange France has set up its own stress and mental health watchdog to monitor the situation in the wake of the current developments. Speaking on French radio, the French health minister, Marisol Touraine said, “The new deaths are worrying. The company has taken the necessary measures…we cannot leave the situation as it is.”

A report published in 2010 by the works inspectorate revealed a “climate of management harassment that had psychologically weakened staff and affected their mental health.” Work related stress and management bullying is not a new phenomenon. However, it appears that the pattern at Orange France is a new development. There has been no official report documenting habitual suicides within a single company as is seen at Orange France.

During the period 2008 to 2009 the company saw a wave of suicides where some 35 employees killed themselves in what was suggested as work related incidents. The former boss of Orange France, Didier Lombard was forced to resign then after an investigation. Mr Lombard’s resignation came after he was accused of “installing brutal management methods.”

The high number of deaths at the company and the resurfacing of the trend is frightfully worrying Orange admitted. “These situations remind us to be vigilant and question the efficiency of numerous measures that were put in place for the past few years.” Orange France mediator JeanFrançois Colin said there are discussions with staff representatives to talk about preventative measures for those employees at risk.

According to a published report in 2000 it alleged that Mr Lombard had expressed plans to cut up to 22,000 jobs “one way or the other.” Police investigations are ongoing into whether Mr Lombard’s actions had caused the deaths of the company’s employees. The incidents affecting Orange France so far, has not filtered through to UK arm of Orange. No officials from Orange UK were available for comment, however, an employee at its Paddington office said, “This is not a 9 to 5 job. I come in at 9 in the morning and don’t leave until midnight sometimes.”

David Kalloo

Jazzmo'thology's presents WESTLEY JOSEPH & SOOTHSAYERS! on Sunday 27 April! Compère : Glynis LeFlore + DJ Lady D

JAMMIN' @ Club 414, Brixton, boasts superb live entertainment on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month in this Jazz hub in Coldharbour Lane, SW9 Tony Rémy's spellbinding set 2 weeks ago will be succeeded by the lyrically conscious, deep and spiritual Afrobeat sound of Soothsayers led by drummer Westley Joseph.

Originality is the key to the continuing success and longevity of these gifted sound artistes. Soothsayers: Westley Joseph, drums Idris Rahman, sax Robin Hopcroft, trumpet Patrick Hatchet, guitar Kodjovi Kush, bass Undoubtedly, top of their long list of excellent credits is the recent hit musical FELA! at the Southbank's National Theatre, which recounted the story of Africa's late, revered icon! JAMMIN' @ Club 414, Brixton, welcomes the ultimate Afrobeat sensation! Don't miss the vibe!

Admission: £10.00 Showtime: 8.00p.m. Club 414, Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, London SW9 8LF Website: www.club414.org Photo ID Required!

Put Your Business Here Competitive advertising rates when you advertise with Culturepulse. For more information about our rates, please contact a member of our team at: culturepulse@hotmail.co.uk or call:

07920752131

‘Exploring the Diaspora’

Books of Africa / Jazzmo’thology Press Statement Celebrating Sidney Bechet

Books of Africa is launching the English edition of Daniel-Sidney Bechet’s book, Sidney Bechet, My Father on Sunday 4 May 6.00pm at the Hippodrome, Leicester Square, followed by a concert of Sidney Bechet’s original music performed by Daniel accompanied by the dynamic quartet of Ewan Bleach, soprano saxophone, Al MacSween, piano, Trevor Edwards, trombone and Mark Lewandowski, double bass, produced by Jazzmo'thology. Sidney Bechet was born in New Orleans in May 1897 and is acknowledged as the greatest of the early masters of Jazz, up there with Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington. He is acknowledged as the greatest ever player of the soprano saxophone and he also played the clarinet. He toured widely in the US and Europe and finally settled in Paris where he found himself amongst many of the most revered names of 20th Century art. Literature and music. During his short stay in England in 1919 he played before King George V and Queen Mary. Some of his compositions such as Petite Fleur are jazz classics. Where better in London to stage the launch of the book than the Hippodrome in the heart of the West End which opened its doors to the public in 1900 as the Royal Philharmonic Hall? Sidney Bechet, My Father, tells the life story of this visionary saxophonist and clarinettist as witnessed by his son, Daniel-Sidney Bechet who was only five when his father died but whose whole life has been spent promoting his father’s memory. He has become an accomplished Jazz musician himself. His book also records his life and gives us his own take on the world of Jazz. A copy of the CD ‘Homage’ containing some of Bechet’s famous compositions is included in the book! Daniel will be playing some of his father’s work in the Matcham Room Theatre of the Hippodrome Casino. The launch will honour this pioneer of the American diaspora who was born on May 14 1897 and died on May 14 1959 in France, his beloved adopted country! The panel will include the author, Daniel-Sidney Bechet; Howard Rye, co-author of ‘Blues & Gospel Records 1890-1943’, and of ‘Black Europe’, two volumes and 44 CDs published in 2013 documenting the sounds and images of the African diaspora in Europe up to the mid-1920s; Alyn Shipton, well known broadcaster on BBC Radio 3; Bonnie Greer, Chicago born author, playwright and broadcasterand Amandla Thomas-Johnson, publisher at Karia Press.

Tickets: £10.00 in advance from the Hippodrome Box Office: hippodromecasino.com or call 020 7769 8888 (£15.00 on the door!) A limited number of tickets for the Balcony will be on sale on the night @ £10.00.' Daniel and the Quintet will also be at Rebecca’s, Leytonstone Monday 5 May at 7.30

For more information: booksofafrica@gmail.com 020 8693 6426 or 07474 646030 14

www.booksofafrica.com or jazzmothology@gmail.com 07931 263 617

Your first kiss…

guy was looking for something he had lost.” The baptism of your first kiss is remembered fondly however, when it goes terribly wrong it doesn’t in anyway deter the first-timer from getting it right the second time round.

Do you remember your first kiss, and if so was it a beautiful experience or something from a horror story you’d prefer not to store in your memory filing cabinet? For most people it seems, their first encounter has been a memorable one. When the question was posed during a survey, people were reluctant at to share this intimate moment but many shared the moment with Culturepulse.

Kissing is not universal to humans as many animal species such as horses, birds and monkeys indulge in the act of kissing in some form or fashion. Often this is seen as grooming, which ties in with some societies where kissing is determined as a ‘cultural form of grooming.’ In many societies too, kissing is forbidden and in others affectionate kissing is not publicly expressed but practised in privacy.

What was particularly interesting about this survey was the fact that many people shared their first kiss at quite a young age, some as early as 10 and others didn’t savour the experience well into their twenties. A lot of first-time kissers also had no idea of how or what to expect as one person said, “it was certainly memorable, we were both inexperienced but we got better as it progressed." To another it went horribly wrong describing her first time encounter “It was like the

Some experts say kissing evolved from sniffing, where it is believed that it was the way in which they learnt about each other. According to researchers, kissing is an act believed to have begun in India. Vedic Sanskrit text from ancient India dating 15

back to the 2nd Century points to this. The Kama Sutra dedicates an entire chapter to kissing and an epic poem called the Mahabharata, written sometime in 1000 years BCE includes a line, “She set her mouth to my mouth and made a noise that produced pleasure in me.” Just the words alone here can arouse sensual pulses in you and set your desire racing.

Sheril Kirshenbaun author of The Science of Kissing, the ancient Greeks used kissing as a way to communicate status, rank and loyalty among men in military court setting - a way to express hierarchy. Many of these traditions still exists in the modern world through religion and other rituals. Nyrop, however, describes kissing as such that it is "a rich promise that bestows an intoxicating feeling of infinite happiness." His description echoes that of the poem Mahabharata, in which it describes the action as one that produces pleasure.

There is no evidence to support that kissing began in India, however, it is believed that before then romantic kissing was unknown in the rest of the world and, it may have been brought to Europe by Alexander the Great.

It is without wonder that most people, regardless of the inexperience of their firsttime kiss, always remember the moment with a blush or hint of excitement. Two people who had never been kissed before on experiencing their first kiss said, "It was the most beautiful experience, really perfect! Especially, since it was the first time for both of us."

The anthropologist Kristoffer Nyrop suggest that the Greeks learned about erotic kissing from the Indians. Kissing became widespread by the Romans they expressed kissing in many forms and to convey different meaning. Kissing on the hand (osculum) conveyed a greeting as well as a kiss on the lips (basium). Deep passionate kiss (savolium) expressed as a substitute for and complement to penetrative intercourse.

While the Romans is charged with popularising kissing, several Popes had tried to ban romantic kissing or ‘soul kiss’ which is also known today as French kissing. Pope Clement in 1312 saw kissing as an intent to fornicate and considered it a mortal sin. Kissing scenes in Hollywood movies that were shown in Japan during the occupation after WWII were ‘carefully deleted.’

Kissing can have many sentiments including love, passion, affection, respect, greeting, friendship or peace. In many customs men greet each other with a kiss on both cheek and even on the lips, in others, a kiss on the back of the hand to greet a mademoiselle. A kiss in situations can also symbolise a ritual, indicating devotion, respect or sacrament. Kissing on the lips as we have come to know, however, signifies a physical expression of affection. According to

The thrill of a first kiss according to a relationship counsellor “is a communication with bodies” it is an action that bridges two people and produces pleasure for both people. Anthropologist 16

Helen Fisher describes kissing as a ‘mate assessment tool’ so your first kiss would tell you a lot about the person, if only for a brief moment, depending on the length of the kiss. Fisher says, “Out of the 12 cranial nerves, five of them are picking up data from around the mouth…and when you are kissing somebody, you can really hear them and see them and feel them. It’s a profound advertisement of who you are, what you want and what you can give.” Professor of evolutionary psychology at the State University New York concurs that: “At the moment of a kiss, there are hard-wired mechanisms that health, reproductive and genetic compatibility…therefore, what happens during that first kiss can be a make-orbreak proposition.”

Some tips for first-time kissing. Make sure your mouth is clean and not harbour tomorrow’s dinner Turn your head so your nose doesn’t bump into your partner’s nose Go gently, and don’t bite Breathe through your nose Make it fun- relax, don’t tense your body Start with small kisses with touching and caressing it will instinctively guide you. Close your eyes, the real sensation begins when you just hear and taste. The tongue is very sensitive surface so don’t bite

Your first kiss is special, you may not have paid much attention to it or, you may have planned the perfect time and place to execute that first pleasure of romantic attachment that increases feel-good chemicals in your body. For many of us the moment may also be unexpected and surprising. However, it is clear that kissing unleashes a beautiful passion inside us. Kissing a most amazing experience especially with the person you love and it reduces stress and increases relationship satisfaction.

David Kalloo

Top 10 Trinidad Carnival moments. question on the lips of his followers...is he really back?

Trinidad carnival may be a distant memory for many of you, however as Notting Hill Carnival approaches we share with you MasMan's 10 carnival moments from Trinidad carnival 2014.

5: All stars win band of the year. Not since the 1963 when Silver stars steelband won band of the year with Gulliver’s Travels has a pan side won the band of the year title. Was it a real victory or did the side win by the fault as other bands were disqualified? Or was the NCC making a statement on behalf of MAS? Let’s see if MAS bands will lift their game next year.

1: Bunji Garlin , Arguably the best Soca tune of 2013 Differentology propelled Bunji into 2014 with carnival 2014 with the classic Carnival Tabanca and a classy videomentary to go with it. Followed up with the monster hit truck on the road, and the internationally acclaimed TUN UP RE-MIX , as the Viking still ascends we can only watch and admire.

6: Birdsong come last in panorama finals: Led by Andy Narel, birdsong played a tune that while it was written for pan seemed more like jazz than calypso. And while all the music oficinardos sang praise on the song the judges thought otherwise. Much to the disgust of music and pan lovers who feel the art of pan cannot progress if music cannot be explored...

2: Mr Killa , Rolley Polley was without a doubt the ‘BIG TUNE’ of carnival 2014 and Mr Killa one of the busiest artiste of the year. Newspaper articles describe how the tune empowered big girls to go out and celebrate their plus sizes. Rolley Polley was not just another power soca track it’s a motivator, a fresh breeze and a Trans- island classic.

7: The Socadrome: Led by Tribe And Bliss band leader Dean Akin, Harts Yuma Tribe and Bliss opted out of crossing the world famous savannah stage and created their own rival stage at the Jean Piere complex coined the socadrome no doubt after Brazil's Sambadrome (how’s that for imagination?) while claims of the venture a success, an empty complex reflected a different reality.

3: The return of the Mighty Sparrow. The death of the Mighty Sparrow has been falsely announced so many times that even he sang a song about it. So when it was announced that he was dead last year only to find out he was in a coma his fans waited and prayed that the legend would see another carnival and, he did. Carnival 2014 saw Sparrow return in better shape than he has been in years. And he also enjoyed honors, accolades and the admiration of the masses as the government paid all his medical expenses. The bird is far from dead but like the phoenix he gave us some real fire this year.

8: Kerwin wins Groovy Monarch. Machel Montano lost his grip on the groovy monarch title to Kerwin Dubois, a man who in my opinion is the personification of the genre. Dangerous was one of the biggest hits of 2014. 9: Anti government calypso: The Calypso Monarch final was like an anti Kamla government rally as almost every calypsoian sang against the government in one way or the next. The calypsoian is said to be an accurate gauge on the feelings of the masses, and from the sound of it, the current regime is going to need a miracle in the next election.

4: Minshall returns: While Peter Minshall never truly turned his back on MAS entirely, the costumes he designed for Tony Hall's band did mark the return of Minshal’s work on the streets, making a statement; leaving the 18

Migrants’ rights

Top 10 Trinidad Carnival moments.

10: Chromematics last carnival wrap up: After 3 summarizing kind of love in the verses of his music Trinidadian Rapper aka ‘Mr. don't care’ has recorded his last kind of love carnival rap up, and is real real boi!

The National Union of Teachers has joined the Education International delegation calling for the protection of migrants’ rights. At the 2013 UN Headquarters in New York the Education International and the International Migration and Development called for the ‘protection and promotion of migrant worker’s rights.’ The hearing was attended by some 440 organisations including trade unions, migrant diaspora, academics and member states.

It constantly baffles me how every year, the powers that be; always announce that this carnival was not only a success but also the best carnival yet. For that to happen it would mean in my opinion, that there were more visitors than the years before, the music was better than before , the mas was more spectacular than any preceding year, and the society benefited greatly from it all. This was simply not the case, adult mas on Tuesday was weak, pitifully so. The North Stand and the new Socadrome were empty monuments to how boring the 'greatest show on earth' has become.

The EI delegation said that “Despite their well-documented positive contribution to society, migrant workers are quite often victims of discrimination, abuse and violation of their rights.” Migrant workers are also victims of inequality, exploitation and xenophobia. The delegation recognises that reversing these issues can be problematic and requires ‘courageous politic action’ in order to promote ethical employment and recruitment policies and practices.

While commercialism of carnival increases, vendors report drop in sales. Panorama actually competes for an audience with the lime on the 'greens' (another commercial venture) as even a swimming pool was added in the hope of making more money this year while the competition went on. The King and Queen of carnival competition was far from being one of the best years as the big mas simply failed to provide anything outstanding enough that history will recall as iconic or truly memorable.

The Chairperson for the Council of Global Unions and General Secretary of Building and Wood Workers International, Ambet Yuson expressed the importance of addressing the ‘migrant issues in all sectors’ and keeping migration governance within the UN system.

As for soca…when the hardest working man in soca today, Machel Montano says power soca is dying you know it’s in trouble. There is an ebb and flow to carnival and every year does not surpass the one before it, but when the brightest star in the soca universe says ideas are getting scarce it is time to re evaluate this so called success.

Jan Eliasson, UN Deputy Secretary General said: “The Interactive Hearings would contribute to a five-year action agenda, with benchmarks and indicators.” Until then there can only be the hope that those in the corridors of power can implement the change needed to protect a workforce that is the engine room of every major city in the world.

David Kalloo

Did You Know? Did you know? is a new column that throws little bits of information at our readers. The information is gathered and brought to you as an information service.

Did you know that Heathrow airport is the worst airport for delays. One in every four flights departing from the London airport is delayed by up to 15 minutes or more, a report from the Civil Aviation Authority claims. According to Flightinfo.com Malaysia Airlines is the least punctual operating out of the airport with delays on average of up to 27 minutes.

Did you know that El Salvador has been called the land of Volcano? There are at least 20 volcanoes in El Salvador many of which are still active. It has a population of 6,267,000 and there are 38, 000 Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Did you know a global health assessment found an 82% jump in obesity between 1990 and 2010? Excess body weight causes more than three times as many deaths as malnutrition. Although not getting enough food is still problematic in many lands, in real sense, we have gone from a world 20 years ago where people were not getting enough to eat to a world where too much food and unhealthy food – even in developing countries is making us sick.

Did you know that there are three different types of tears? 1: Basal tears; Tear glands constantly produce this clear liquid to protect and lubricate our eyes. It also improves our eyesight, when we blink, this fluid is spread over the eyes. 2: Reflex Tears; These flood our eyes when an irritating substance or particles gets into them. Reflex tears are also associated with actions such as yawning and laughing.

Did you know a study suggests that a third of South African women use skin bleaching soaps and creams to lighten the colour of their skin. Such skin-lighteners are dangerous, and several countries have banned them. Some dangers from using such products are skin cancer, kidney damage, depression, anxiety, rashes and scarring.

3: Emotional Tears; Human’s shed these tears when we feel a strong emotion. They contain a 24%higher protein concentration than reflex tears. Did you know that the American clothing brand Betabrand only use women with Phd qualifications in their advertising campaigns? The online clothing company said their designers have ‘cooked up a collection of smart fashions…so why not display them on women with really big brains.’

Did you know that Pope Clement in 1312 tried to ban kissing? The Pope saw kissing as an intent to fornicate and considered it a mortal sin.

Compiled by David Kalloo

HALF OF A YELLOW SUN is an epic love-story weaving together the lives of four people swept up in the turbulence of war, produced by Andrea Calderwood of Slate Films (The Last King of Scotland). Based on the award-winning best seller by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, HALF OF A YELLOW SUN is the feature film debut from London based Nigerian playwright, novelist and screenwriter Biyi Bandele. Starring Oscar-nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years A Slave), BAFTA-winner Thandie Newton (Crash), BAFTAnominee (Birdsong), Anika Noni Rose (Dreamgirls) and John Boyega (Attack the Block). Olanna (Thandie Newton) and Kainene (Anika Noni Rose) are glamorous twins from a wealthy Nigerian family. Returning to a privileged city life in newly independent 1960s Nigeria after their expensive English education, the two women make very different choices. Olanna shocks her family by going to live with her lover, the “revolutionary professor” Odenigbo (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and his devoted houseboy Ugwu (John Boyega) in the dusty university town of Nsukka; Kainene turns out to be a fiercely successful businesswoman when she takes over the family interests, and surprises herself when she falls in love with Richard (Joseph Mawle), an English writer.

Tribute to Dame Jocelyn Barrow OBE as DJB, is undoubtedly an inspiration, role model, mentor and black icon.

In the

tradition of featuring a Caribbean individual in the Diaspora it is an honour to pay tribute to a daughter of the Caribbean, Dame Jocelyn Barrow OBE.

Her career and achievements read like a weighty tome that reflects the enormity of the contributions she has made and continue to make to British society and to the development of black and minority ethnic communities all over Europe.

Dame Jocelyn Barrow was born in Trinidad and married to a Jamaican, she dedicates her time between the two countries along with her ongoing work here in the UK. Ansel Wong pays tribute to this exceptional Caribbean daughter. This is an excerpt from a tribute delivered at The Royal Commonwealth Club in

There is literally not enough time to enumerate all her achievements, the accolades she received, the organisations that she molded and led, the many black individuals that owe much to her for their own development and successes and the contributions she has made to the fashioning of survival strategies for the defence and development of the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s black communities. Dame Barrow is an astute and proactive senior executive with experience and expertise in a variety of related professions and with a particular interest in community involvement. DJB was a founding member and General Secretary of the Campaign Against Racial Discrimination (CARD), the organisation responsible for the Race Relations legislation of 1968. Her equal opportunities and educational expertise is reflected in her many Government appointments to a variety of organisations and statutory bodies.

September 2012. It is most appropriate that we pay homage

to Dame Jocelyn as she has helped shape so many important milestones in the development of British society and championed the demands of our communities as a voice speaking direct to the establishment and on behalf of our communities.

In 1972, Dame Jocelyn was awarded the OBE for work in the field of education and community relations. In 1992, she received the Dame of The British Empire title for work in broadcasting and her contribution to the work of the European Union. She has an exemplary and unrivalled record of public service; being the foremost individual of minority ethnic origin involved in British society and at the cutting edge of key initiatives. Some of

Dame Jocelyn Barrow, affectionately known to her close friends and associates

Governor of the British Film Institute, appointment by the Secretary of State for the Department of Heritage

these notable achievements include involvement in the production of two seminal educational reports – The Swann Rampton Report and Two Kingdoms, an Inquiry into educational underachievement in the London Borough of Brent.

Chairman of the Independent Inquiry set up on behalf of the Council for Legal Education and Inns of Court Law School on the professional education of barristers

Dame Barrow set up the Lord Pitt Foundation to assist young people from Afro-Caribbean and other ethnic minority groups to stay on at school, as well as to further their education beyond school age, including postgraduate study at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.

Chair of the Mayor of London’s Commission on African & Asian Heritage

Isn’t that impressive? But that isn’t all. Where she gets the time to do all of this befuddles me. And yet, she has more of her time given to working with community organisations as a Patron or Trustee.

She was appointed as the first black woman Governor of the BBC by Royal Consent; re-appointed on three occasions one of the longest-ever serving Governors of the BBC in the capacity of a Senior Ordinary Governor.

Just listen to this. She is a Patron or Trustee of the following: One World Broadcasting

DJB has been an inspiration for many in her community, advising and mentoring young professionals and acting as a Patron for many Third Sector organisations. She has been a major player in the Horniman Museum, Caribbean Women’s Education and Development Federation (CWEDF), African Caribbean Health Education, The Caribbean Communications Project and African-Caribbean Positive Image Foundation (ACPIF), to name a few.

National Museums Merseyside

and

Galleries

Black Liners The Black Women’s Promotions Group Talawa Theatre Company The Voice Charity The Horniman Museum Caribbean Women’s Education Development Federation (CWEDF)

When I said that she has an unparalleled list of engagement at all levels of society, it is not an idle boast. In addition to the above, let me just list some of the royal, ministerial and corporate appointments she held:

and

African Caribbean Health Education African-Caribbean Foundation (ACPIF) Empire

Positive

Image

Commonwealth

Museum

(Bristol)

Member of the Parole Board, a Home Office appointment.

And for such an exemplary commitment to service, she was awarded the OBE, The Outstanding Black Woman, International Women’s Awards, USA and The Public Figure for Outstanding Achievement awarded by the 100 Black Men of London

Director of The Voice Communications Group, proprietor of two national newspapers, ‘The Voice’ and ‘The Weekly Journal’Member of the Economic and Social Committee of the European Union (appointed by the Prime Minister); 23

Arthur Napoleon Raymond Robinson Arthur Napoleon Raymond Robinson (16 December 1926 – 9 April 2014) (known as A.N. R.(or Ray) Robinson), SC, OCC,TC was born in Calder Hall, Tobago and was the third President of Trinidad and Tobago, serving from 19 March 1997 to 17 March 2003. He was also Trinidad and Tobago’s third Prime Minister, serving in that capacity from 18 December 1986 to 17 December 1991. He is internationally recognized for his proposal that eventually led to the founding of the International Criminal Court.

Jamaat al Muslimeen coup attempt

President Robinson was the first active politician to be elected to the Presidency, and was the first presidential candidate who was not elected unopposed (the Opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) nominated Justice Anthony Lucky as its candidate for President). President Robinson sparked controversy in his term in office when he refused to appoint certain senators recommended by the Prime Minister Basdeo Pandey following the elections in 2000 and in 2001 when he appointed the Leader of the Opposition Patrick Manning to the position of Prime Minister after a tied election.

In June 2009, Robinson revealed he can hardly see or hear, and has great difficulty in walking. Robinson collapsed at the Church of the Assumption on 18 February 2010. He was taken to St Clair Medical Centre where he was warded at the Intensive Care Unit.

During the 1990 coup dˊétat attempt by Jamaat al Muslimeen the Prime Minister Robinson and much of his Cabinet were held hostage for six days by gunmen under the leadership of Yasin Abu Bakr. When instructed to order the army to stop firing on the Red House (the seat of Parliament where they were held hostage) Robinson instead instructed them to @Attack with full force”, an action that earned him a severe beating from his captors and shot in the leg. In 1989, during the 44th Session of the UN General Assembly, he proposed the creation of a permanent international court to deal with transnational drug trade. This eventually led to the inauguration of the International Criminal Court in 2002, commissioned to hear cases against humanity. He has received many honours for his achievement.

Honours In May 2011 for his great service to his country, the airport in Tobago was renamed The ANR Robinson International Airport, replacing the name Crown Point International Airport. November 2011 he was the recipient of Tobago’s highest award, the Tobago Medal of Honour.

Political life

He is an Honorary Councillor of the World Future Council.

Robinson was elected to the Federal Parliament of the defunct Caribbean Federation in 1958 and to the Trinidad and Tobago Parliament as a representative for Tobago in 1961. He served as the first Minister of Finance of Trinidad and Tobago after Independence and later as Minister of Foreign Affairs.

During the investiture of President Thomas Boni Yayi of Benin as a titled Yoruba chieftan on 20 December 2008, the reigning Ooni of Ile-Ife, Nigeria, Olubuse II, referred to President Robinson and his wife as previous recipients of the same royal honour.

Trinidad and Tobago. His party, the DAC (and later the NAR), controlled the THA from

Arthur Napoleon Raymond Robinson 16 December 1926 – 9 April 2014

1980 until 2001, when the PNM gained control of the body.

Sharon Felix

Intelligence gathering and technology intelligence gathering goes and the extent of the data that it collects on individuals and organisations. And, the information and statistics relating to data is not accessible to the public.

Since the first text message was sent via a computer to a mobile phone on the vodafone network by British engineer, Neil Papworth with the message "Merry Christmas" the service has come a long way since then. More than 20 years on, up to 18 billion text messages are sent each day in the UK according to Ofcom.

How do you balance security and intelligence gathering surveillance and freedom of information. According to Emma Shaw, Chairman of the Security

Text messages has become a source of intelligence gathering by the National Security Agency (NSA) in America. The agency collects and stores up to 200 million text messages a day to which the UK spy agency GCHQ has access to the database. This information had been secret until the leak by Edward Snowden.

Institute: "The balance between keeping society safe and being too intrusive in relation to surveillance is never going to be without tension." Surveillance gathering now goes beyond phone tapping and covert operations of sitting in parked vans with darkened windows. Every electronic device and social network sites are valuable source of intelligence gathering. From your simple Oyster card to the sophistication of satellites hundreds of miles above the earth provide intelligence that was never before possible. We are no longer 'sleepwalking into a surveillance society' but woken up in it.

A more obvious source of intelligence gathering is CCTV. According to the British Security Industry Authority (BSIA) there are over '5.9 million closed circuit television cameras in sensitive locations' including schools, care homes and hospitals.

While the debate goes on about freedom of speech and the invasion of privacy, almost 65% of the British public want to see more CCTV in their local area. Whatever the debates regarding intrusion and freedom, intelligence gathering is vital for the protection of our interest and safety both on a national level and globally.

Since 9/11 the growth and development of technology for surveillance gathering programs have multiplied tenfold in the context of preventing terrorism acts. Using programs such as Dishfire and Prism which has helped in preventing 'up to 50' potential terrorist attacks on the UK mainland alone.

David Kalloo

One major factor in the UK is the treat of eroding fundamental human rights as far as

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