Pepperpot 01 24 2016

► Page XVI

II

Chronicle Pepperpot January 24, 2016

Free As a Bird

“Look…duck!” d bow-man shout-out, an soon-as d words leff d man mout? Mr. Bullet-proof raise he gun, aim-it, an shoot dat bird out-d-sky; den he jus pick-it-up dash-itdown-pon-d-groun an dat-was-dat....wen we ready-fuh-go an Bullet-proof mek to get-in-d-boat? bow-man seh: “Look man, you leaving your duck.”

“I don’t want it,” bullet-proof seh.

Ah showin-yuh – ah neva in mih life see any-baddy look at anudda-baddy – so scarnful-like, ysight? ...is so dat Amerindian bow-man lookin at Bullet-proof dat day wen e say – “If you know you don’t want to eat it…why you shoot it?” ...is all-a-dat mek I-man try fuh put-up wid dem macaw rassing-up d sourie-nut in my tree...cause it look like das d rule fuh live by in d bush…call it – “peaceful co-existence.”

Sum-time in dis place, ah does even fine mihself talkinout-loud to dead-people like mih gran-mudda ...d only mudda ah eva know – from a baby. My mudda dead wen she did

(Continued)

gettin me...ah does fine mihself beggin mih daddy pa-don. My faduh guh to e grave tryin to ova-stan why, afta d edication he did ready to sacrifice to give me ah preffa live in d bush like dis – but daddy… …if you didn have me an granny an Eunice to worry bout ah know…dis woulda-be you life2 – if yuh only coulda- get to know it? yuh-woulda caan help lovin-it like me.

Dis is d life fuh a man like you, daddy...like me....better-yet, if yuh could-fine a woman WIT BELLY? Buh – das-anodda story – doan leh mih go dere – doan leh mih stray-way 2far cause is 2much 2much 2much ah got in my mine – People aall-ways does tellin me ah shouldn live alone heah…it ain safe; ah does tell dem – hear...listen-mih… even-wen I doan see one livin human-baddy, ah does still get d feelin dat d-I ain alone…ah gat company…ah safe. Mussy mih ancestors – aall dem long-time man-an-oman...tun-maroon hun-dreads-a-years before-me who had to keep-gettin-up tru dis bush...es-cape-in d cruelty-o-slavery pon-d ole-time plantation – If you does talkin-out-loud to yuhself? is not spirit yuh gat to worry bout – is living people – dem dat does quick to seh: “Who, he? Doan worry with he...HE MAD!” Well, dis a nice kinda madness…alone in d bush wit d unseen ones – d wild ones like coduri...beliticaroo...towa-towa...kiska-dee...

hanna-quah...guana an a-kuri, sally-penter an sloth…all manna bird an animal – some wid names I doan even know (ah does call dem my I-dren). Dey doan judge d-I. In dey own way, dem wud ansa me wen ah talkin to dem....is just we…me mih-mine an dem – is like yuh hangin-out an gyaffin wit God, man. Ah useta believe dat dem bird-watcher was a buncha idle white- people wid 2much money an time pon dey-hand…ah now ova-stan ...dis kinda-mad-ness is aall-rite wit me.

D onliest bird ah caaan-staaan is duh dam chicken-hawk – okay, “he not got pot” neida, buh wen he gon deh tiefin my fowl-dem one by one? ah gotta draw d line some-way, rite?... cause I doan-in-ten to co-exist-peaceful wid no blasted chicken-hawk! D oddaday dis one tek-off wit a fowl-cock...two days afta dat he come back fuh d-hen-just-hatch-sum-chicken.

He-so-bare-face...he-does-siddown day-in-day-out pon-dat kabukalli or-dat tatabu-tree rite ova-dere…jus watching me… waiting to mek moves pon my dam fowls....An dat sucka fass?

Man, dat sunufa-so-an-so like grease-lite-nin.

A-day-ah-say: okay Mista Chicken-Hawk: …is me an you to-day. you settin-up yuh wabunny fuh me fowls…I gon ► Continued on page VIII

Chronicle Pepperpot January 24, 2016

I

III

It’s who you are…

t is said that it takes a village to educate a child. Maggie knew this to be true, for she had gotten more than her share of edification, becoming the darling of several village communities in her neck of the woods.

She was an inveterate reader, greedy for knowledge, especially of the outside world, as she constantly referred to matters non-Guyanese. She was naturally bright and with Catholic priest Father O’Hara’s daily dose of spiritual and worldly teachings, she became the most erudite villager at age 10.

Brightness turned into excellence, then brilliance. Many saw it as genetic since her mother had an IQ that had astounded teachers throughout her school life.

Maggie was no ‘child of the forest.’ Neither was she a ‘buck girl’ as some Guyanese disparagingly refer to the Amerindian female. She was born to be a scholar. And her priestly father made her believe in herself more and more each day.

Her peers called her a tomboy, but she didn’t mind. Her mentor had convinced her that that moniker was more an honour than a tease. However he warned her not to be too ostentatious in her exploits since some boys could not handle being bested by girls.

She knew without a doubt that she would never have reached the heights she had already attained if it were not for the paternal devotion of her god-father. She wished he were a real relative. He was so knowledgeable, so perfect.

She had never seen her father. Her mother avoided any mention of him. According to her, he was a non-factor as was evidenced by the vacant line, where father’s name should have been on her birth certificate.

Over the years she had learned that biological parents were responsible for birth. However, those who fostered one’s personal growth were the real mothers and fathers. She was a case in point.

Maggie was the pied piper of her village. She loved all kinds of music – steel band and string band, contemporary and classical. All the kids followed her around as she sang lustily and played air guitar in their imaginary band, at times accompanied by her singing dog, Ginger.

No one bothered Maggie. She was an ‘untouchable.’

Several warp-minded ones eyed her with lascivious intent, but they tried nothing. They knew they would suffer extreme bodily harm, and therefore smothered their unhealthy thoughts.

It was now time for Maggie to go to Georgetown to attend Queen’s College. At first she was terrified when she saw where she had to live – a three-room structure in a massive tenement yard with a standpipe in the centre, where world news and much more private exploits were discussed in lurid details.

She now had to share space with her cousins and others – the Rodrigues family of twelve, in Albouys Street, next yard to the famous YMCA that kept churning out a stream of top-class boxers.

Terror turned to respect and acceptance, and within days she had bonded with kids of every concoction and faith, envying their carefree attitude, their ragged clothes, and mostly, their wholesome dignity.

She soon learnt that children in the area spent a lot of time playing in the yards, streets and gutters.

Godfrey Wray It was like a release, a sanctuary on the outside, well rid of the feeling of claustrophobia. Those ‘pickneys’ embraced this freedom, so aware that cramped conditions were fraught with volatility. A persistent cough could earn a serious reproof; a suck-teeth, an immediate; and heaven forbid a fart.

In those days, every senior female was addressed as ‘auntie’ and those adopted relatives had the right to administer punishment, if necessary. Parents never queried.

But the person to fear was the grandmother. Granny or Mama was always the indomitable matriarch, instilling discipline with quick hands, a fiery tongue, and cutting looks. And if you thought belts were made to hold up pants and squeeze in waists, then you were a moron.

At an early age, errant children learned that those leather belts had a more practical use – to whip all parts of their body.

It would be safe to say that nobody in Albouystown had ever heard of corporal punishment and its legal hoopla. There existed a simple credo - Do something in the eyes of the elders and you get whipped. And don’t entertain the thought of seeking a policeman’s help. He might add a few lashes of his own.

Many persons admit they are better citizens because of the tough homemade discipline.

And somehow, every grandmother seemed to have a sonar system more accurate than anything science has so far produced. One penetrating look would reveal what one was up to or had already done.

Years later, after she had successfully completed her Master’s programme, Maggie bumped into one of the Rodrigues girls – one of the brightest of the lot. Already a mother of three, she was sitting astride a motor scooter, both arms encircled with bangles and other bands of gold, her neck festooned with countless chains.

“Still living by the YM?” Maggie asked “Where else I gon go?” the young lady (Gladys) asked.

“Wake up girl. Don’t squander your life away in that place,” Maggie remonstrated.

“Don’t forget you used to live there too,” Gladys reminded her.

Maggie rejoined, “There is a world beyond this hopelessness. You didn’t dictate where you wanted to be born, but you sure can move in the direction you want to go. It’s not where you come from, it’s who you are. Wake up Gladys.”

IV

United World College scholarships available

F

our scholarships are available for Guyanese students to study in Norway, Singapore, China and Costa Rica through United World College (UWC).

The deadline to apply is 18th February 2016. The scholarships are needs-based and some can cover all expenses.

Selected students would live in highly diverse campus environments, share a room with students from three-four other countries and study the engaging International Baccalaureate Curriculum.

This is an international high-school leaving qualification which is accepted for entry to the world’s top universities. Selection is based on potential and commitment to make positive change, not on grades alone. The core selection criteria are active commitment, social competence, resilience, personal responsibility and integrity.

This is the second time the UWC National Committee is running a scholarship programme for Guyana. Last year four students were selected and are now studying at UWC. Kyle Joseph is in Canada, Merissa Peterson is in the USA, Saif Panday is in Singapore and Stephon Roberts is in China. More information is available at www.uwcguyana.org.

Students are asked to either uplift applications from their school Head Teacher at their various schools or send an email to uwcguyana@gmail.com for an electronic copy of the application.

UWC has existed since 1962 and Nelson Mandela was former president of the board-his own children were educated at the UWC in Swaziland during apartheid. Guyanese students who will be aged 16 or above in September and are motivated to challenge themselves and make a difference to the world, are urged to apply. All information is available at www.uwcguyana.org and on Facebook. Funding is also being sought to fund short-listed applicants from the interior to attend interview, two sets of plane tickets and one partial scholarship. For further information on the scholarships, persons can contact UWC Guyana Chairperson Arlene Wrong-Chaturia on 696-5066, UWC Guyana Vice Chairperson Jubilante Cutting on 626-6736 and UWC Guyana Volunteer Ellie Price on 672-6505.

Chronicle Pepperpot January 24, 2016

Testimonies from the 2015 UWC Awardees Kyle Joseph, Pearson College, Year One: “The past 4 months year at Pearson have been an exciting, challenging, and life changing experience.

I've engaged in so many activities and new sports and found I was good at things I never thought of. Being such close friends with persons from all around the world is enlightening and has broadened my perspectives. UWC has definitely made me a better person and now let's me challenge myself in all that I do”.

Kyle Joseph Stephon Roberts, UWC-Changshu, China Year One: “My experience for the past three months was very interesting.

I'm still getting use to people staring at me with dropped jaws or asking to take my photo. I have met brilliant students from about 60 different countries and I have challenged myself by attempting a lot of new things. My perspective has been broadened from too many late night discussions. I have also been able to travel to different parts of China and appreciate/respect the rich culture. My classes have been an experience in itself since everyone in the class learnt different ways of doing and or saying the same thing or sometimes have a different perspective. My extracurricular Stephon Roberts activities reflect my interest so I find them exciting”.

Saif Panday, UWCSEA- Singapore: “I've been in Singapore for six months and feel as if I've grown so much. As each day goes by, I am provided with so many opportunities. UWC allows me to see the world from the lenses of so many different people who come from all parts of the world. Imagine having lunch with a Kenyan, Nigerian, Hungarian and Vietnamese and dinner with an Israeli, Turk and Pakistani. One thing I will forever remember about being here is the amazing people, insightful discussions and engaging activities.

Before coming here I wanted to change the world, six months later, I know I will change the world and I'm given the necessary tools to do so as each day goes by!”

Merissa Peterson UWCUSA, Year One: UWC life has started and thus far has been an amazing adventure with people from all around the world, an average of more than 70 different countries represented. All have their own unique cultures and tradition that I have the privilege to learn about every day. It’s been six months already and so much has happened. Everyday a mystery is waiting to be discovered. UWC has changed my life in ways I would've never imagined.

Saif Panday,

Merissa Peterson

Chronicle Pepperpot January 24, 2016

V

Professional Art Practices

Introducing yourself to the public

L

ast week I emphasized the importance of writing and listed a few examples of when writing becomes pivotal in your career as an artist. It cannot be stressed enough that you will most likely spend just as much time (and possibly more) pounding away on the buttons of your keyboard as you will spend pulling brush strokes on the surface of your canvas. Writing plays a transformative role in the lives of creative individuals across the board. That is the reality of contemporary artists looking to capitalize on opportunities, promote their work and expand their network for a more global reach.

Having discussed the weight of writing in the previous article, I think it is time to move on to the next crucial stage of your career as a creative practitioner, introducing yourself to the public.

Making an introduction may seem simple enough but I have witnessed too many young artists rob themselves of opportunities simply because they introduced themselves the wrong way. And by introduction I don’t necessarily mean wiping your sweaty palm before shaking the hand of a critic, curator or potential collector, although that does help. Let’s be honest, no one likes clammy palms. The introduction I’m referring to is not limited to just rubbing shoulders with art pioneers on opening nights or waving at them from across the street. In fact, I’m referring to the smaller, less obvious introductions that we tend to underestimate. These include everything from the WordArt text splashed across the front of your business card, to your poor attempt at covering the watermark of the stock image you hijacked online. All of those seemingly unimportant details that you tend to dismiss as “minor” ultimately shape a person’s perception of you and very often determine whether or not they see value in a continued relationship.

It is important that we recognize the changing times brought with it a huge shift in the way we acquaint ourselves with John Public. Making an introduction now as opposed to twenty years ago is wildly different. We have to consider the advancement of technology, and the introduction of social media and its effect on ever-changing social etiquette. Every

Facebook status update is an introduction to the first time viewer of your profile, in much the same way that handing someone a business card with questionable text and images is an introduction to who you are and what you do. The constant bombardment of new information and technology has made us a little too comfortable. And as a result we have become complacent with the professional image we are trying to project to our audience.

When making an introduction it is important to keep in mind that you are presenting three key images: your physical image, your work’s image and your online image. While no one likes to admit it, we are all judgmental and borderline superficial. If you’re shaking your head at this point and trying to convince yourself otherwise, then you are in denial.

Try as we might, we just can’t help but “size up” someone during our initial introduction. Humans are visual creatures by nature and we’ve been taught to have an opinion about everything. Technology has only exacerbated this. So it makes sense that we have opinions about a person’s appearance.

We pick apart everything from the person’s dress, to their personal hygiene (or lack thereof) and body language, all before they are even given an opportunity to speak.

Society has taught us that it’s rude to say these things out loud to said person, so we keep those thoughts to ourselves and let them marinate in our brain juice. How many times have you caught yourself saying, “He coulda really tek two minutes fuh press that shirt though.” These things happen to the best of us and soon after we scold ourselves for allowing those thoughts to run amok in our head. So you can see how important it is to remember that every person you meet will be paying close attention to the way you present yourself.

I’m not saying that you need to subscribe to Western beauty ideals. But I think there are basic things that you would do well to keep in check if you are serious about taking your artwork beyond the four walls of your bedroom.

The next key image you’re introducing to John Public is your work. I think most art professionals would agree that it’s improper to stop them in the middle of their busy schedule for an impromptu visit and review of your artwork. If there’s a list of “How to lose someone’s interest immediately” I

think this would be at the top. No one likes to feel forced into situations, especially by someone they don’t know. If you would like to meet with an art professional to discuss your work, call their office and make an appointment. Have respect for that person’s time. The last thing you want is for them to refer to you as “the nuisance” every time your name is mentioned.

Let us imagine that you have successfully managed to arrange a meeting at your studio/home with an art professional. Please keep in mind that it is completely unnecessary to show them your high school sketches because you want them to know that you’ve been doing art for a long time.

Newsflash: everyone was required to do art in high school at some point. Save the teenage doodles for your golden years when you’re reminiscing on how far you’ve come since those cringe-worthy sketches. Instead, display only what you consider to be your best and strongest pieces in a well-lit, spacious and obstacle-free environment.

The third introduction happens via your web presence. I can understand that the option to choose any imaginable grouping of words as your email address is enough to excite the strangest parts of your brain.

However, your emails will most likely get marked as “Spam” if it is a variant of sexygullygoddess@yahoo. com or freeworldboss_gazatilidead@yahoo.com. Now if you already have one such address that you absolutely refuse to give up, then that’s fine. Save that for your peers and opt for a smarter email address that you can use for professional correspondence, without fear of being judged (e.g. yourname@yahoo.com). This brings me to the next and perhaps most popular online platform that has the power to help or harm your image - Facebook.

If you refer interested persons to your Facebook page because you don’t have a website, then try to keep the page as professional as possible. That means no online “cuss outs”, no vulgar videos or half-naked photographs of yourself showing your “gains.”

The focus of the page should be your work or things related to the making of your work. If for some reason you simply cannot sacrifice your double digit “likes” for a boring, professional page then create another account/page so that you can direct persons there instead. The same can be applied for any other social media platform including Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr etc. Managing multiple social media accounts can be overwhelming which is why most persons might prefer to have one primary account, and this is understandable.

However, try to limit sharing personal pictures of your loved ones, your pets or your Aruba trip back in 2012. You don’t want viewers to have to sift through a ton of unrelated posts before they finally get to see your artwork. Unless they’re particularly “fass,” they will lose interest before they even get halfway. Instead, work on creating an online presence that is simple as well as easy to navigate visually and otherwise.

Now might seem a bit late for introductions for those who would have already gotten off on the wrong foot, but there is no time like the present to work on re-introducing yourself to everyone. I’m not saying that you need to undergo a dramatic transformation and become someone else. But take time to consider the points previously raised and envision how they can work together to ensure a more impactful presence in your own social circles.

Dominique Hunter is an independent visual artist who recently graduated from the Barbados Community College with a Bachelor of Fine Art (First Class Honours).

VI

Chronicle Pepperpot January 24, 2016

Signs of depression - And why depression is so common Hey Everyone, In the last few weeks I explained signs of having a drug problem, where to go for help and barriers (with solutions) one can face before and during recovery.

In the next few weeks I will do the same format for depression.

As I mentioned before, the first step is always recognising and admitting there is a problem. Everyone has disappointments and setbacks in life which occasionally leads to sadness, anger, isolation, over drinking/drug use and just generally bad days- that’s a part of life. However, how can you tell if that sadness is more serious and requires professional help? What is depression?

Depression is a common and serious medical illness that has a negative impact on your thoughts, feelings and actions. If you are unsure whether you are one of the millions of individuals (worldwide) with depression, please answer the following questions.

1. Do you wake up feeling sad/depressed?

2. Is it hard for you to get out of bed?

3. Does this feeling persist throughout the day?

4. Is it hard for you to be around other people?

5. Have your sleep patterns changed? (Increased or decreased?)

6. Have your eating patterns changed? (Increased or decreased?)

7. Have you lost interest in activities you once loved?

8. Has your alcohol/drug use increased?

9. Do you get angry or irritated easily?

10. Is it difficult for you to concentrate and/or do the work you’re supposed to do?

If the answer is yes to more than five of these questions and has been so for more than two weeks, you are likely to be depressed and I would strongly advise you to see a mental health professional.

According to the World Health Organization, there are 350 million people suffering from depression globally.

I asked Dr Bhiro Harry from GPHC if he could give an average the amount of Guyanese suffering from depression. He said there is no data available but it’s too many. He continued to say that depression knocks on your door; before you can even decide whether you’re going to answer, you realise it’s already inside and there to stay unless one is willing to get the proper care. It crawls into your system.

I, myself, recently had an experience that produced clarity on the subject.

I went to Bartica for work last weekend. The mental health team opened a mental health unit in Bartica Hospital, saw patients and trained medical professionals in an effort to increase their ability to diagnose and treat psychiatric disorders, such as depression.

I left the day before my team did and travelled back by boat. I arrived at the dock early so I had to wait about an hour and fifteen minutes for the boat to fill up so we can leave. This caused me to be very frustrated before the trip even began. The water and ride was very rough as it was late afternoon and therefore the boat had to go slower which meant it became dark quite quickly into the ride. The water from the sides of the boat kept splashing in so the side partisans of the boat had to come down. It was pitch black in the boat that was hitting the water very hard with each wave. I was now scared and it was both physically and mentally painful.

There were plenty of people around but no one could see my pain and frustration nor did I feel comfortable telling them about it.

It was a dreadful experience and sadly, this is what a depressed individual feels like every day- sad, frustrated, angry, hurt (physically and mentally), isolated and so on.

It is important to note that depression looks different in men and women. A man suffering from depression is likely to be angry, violent, abusing alcohol/drugs and partaking in reckless behaviour. A woman suffering from depression is more likely to seem sad, isolated, sleep a lot, over eat and gain weight. Most importantly, depression is one of the leading risk factors of suicide. Although women are twice as likely to develop depression, men are more likely to attempt suicide while experiencing it.

Why is depression so common? What are common causes of it?

- Family history of mental illness - Family problems - Childhood traumas - History of being abused - Poverty/ unemployment - Lack of social support - Financial issues - Physical health problems - Daily stressors - Alcohol/ drug abuse What do a lot of those factors have in common? They are all prevalent issues in Guyana which means Guyanese, much like substance abuse, are vulnerable to depression. This means you are definitely not alone and should not be afraid or ashamed to ask for help. It is also important for one to identify the main cause(s) of their depression as this can help determine the right treatment.

The simple recognition and acceptance of depression and its causes can be overwhelming but it does not mean you are a weak person. Isolation fuels depression so simply reaching out to others is the first and most important step.

When we say yes to life- we say yes to all life experiences. It is important to understand that at times this will include a world of pain but there is always a way through. Hope shouldn’t be lost as depression is treatable. Next week, I will write about where to go for help if you feel depressed.

Say Yes to Life and No to Drugs! Always!

Suicide Prevention Helpline numbers: 223-0001, 223-0009, 623-4444, 600-7896 ****************************** Keep writing in at caitlinvieira@gmail.com or drop it off in the box at Chronicle Head office on Lama Avenue.

Chronicle Pepperpot January 24, 2016

VII

Failure to observe Rules of Court

Petition of Declaration of Title dismissed

I

N July 1997, a petition of Declaration of Title was filed by a lawyer on authorisation by Appellant Gladston Watson.

The following year the Appellant retained an additional Counsel to assist.

In December 2001, without first filing a notice of change of attorney or of an additional attorney, Benjamin Gibson, another attorney appeared before the Commissioner of Titles and presented the Appellant’s case.

The issue was whether Benjamin Gibson had the authority to represent the Appellant.

Of course he did not and the Court of Appeal constituted by their Lordships (Singh, Kissoon and Chang , JJ. A) dismissed the appeal on the grounds that there was no evidence that the Appellant ever authorised Benjamin Gibson to act on his behalf and therefore Gibson could not be considered his legal representative under the Rules of Court.

Mr. L. Amsterdam appeared for the Respondent.

Justice of Appeal Nandram Kissoon who delivered the judgment of the Court said, “Once again, Mr Benjamin Gibson, attorney-at-law has filed a notice of appeal without first obtaining an authority to attorney from his client.

“The petition was commenced on behalf of the Appellant/Petitioner by Mr. Winston Moore, then attorney-at –law, who was authorised so to do on the 21st July 1997.

“On the 18th day of May, 1998, the Petitioner employed Mr. Martyn Zephyr, attorney-at-law, as an additional attorney to do all acts and things necessary in connection with the petition.

“On the 3rd December, 2001 without first filing a notice of change of attorney –at-law or to act as additional attorney-at-law for the Petitioner Mr. Gibson appeared

before the Commissioner of Title and presented the case for the Petitioner. It is a known practice in this country that an Attorney-at- law , not on the Court without being authorised to act by the authorised attorney-at-law or without a notice of change of attorney-at law.

“The attorney-at-law on record is solely responsible for all acts done in the cause unless permitted by the Court to withdraw his appearance.

“It is imperative that at the filing of a cause an attorney-at law must file an authority signed by the person whom he represents appointing him as attorney-at-law. If, however, that is not practicable, for example his client is out of the jurisdiction or too ill to attend his chambers or for any other reason, the writ may be accepted by the registrar on the written undertaking that the authority will be filed within a time limited by the Registrar.

This principle applies to both attorneys-at-law for the Plaintiff and Defendant.

“An authority to attorney-at-law continues until the determination of the action in the High Court or on appeal provided it is the desire of the litigant for the attorney-at-law to conduct his case.

Order 6 Rule 1 provides: ‘Every solicitor who shall be engaged in any action shall be bound to conduct the same if desired

by the Plaintiff/ or Defendant , as the case may be , for whom he shall be engaged , unless allowed by the Court or a judge to cease from acting therein , until the final determination of the action whether in the court of first instance on appeal.’

“The attorneys on record

were not authorised by the Court to discontinue their appearance and were therefore responsible to act on behalf of their client and to make any claims or demand in writing made by or on behalf of any party to the cause or matter.

“There is a great responsibility placed on the shoulders of an attorney-at-law retained and authorised by a litigant not only to his client but to the court so that the litigant may not at any time deny that he has retained an attorney-at-law if that attorney-at-law was authorised in writing.

“When a person engages the services of an attorney-at-law by signing the authority as becomes the agent and legal representative of that client unless he is discharged by the client or permission is given to him by the Court to withdrawn his appearance.

“It is the authority signed by the party to an action that gives authority to an attorney-at-law.

“In the case of Mahabeer v. Singh [1966] 9WIR 475 a Barrister gave an undertaking

as to damages and was granted an injunction on behalf of a litigant. Subsequently, the injunction was discharged as the Barrister acted without an authority and he was not instructed by a solicitor.

“Luckhoo, JA stated at page 482: “In a case of this kind (except where the client is acting on his own) as soon as it was decided that litigation would ensue, the intervention of a solicitor would become necessary. He (the solicitor) must first appear on the scene, be duly appointed to act and be on the record.”

He continued: If a Bar-

George Barclay rister attempts in any way to act on his own he would be intermeddling without justification; he should not even draw up affidavits (as was done for the purpose of the interim jurisdiction) or give advice except a solicitor be on record.”

“The profession has now been fused, as a result, an attorney-at-law acts as both solicitor and barrister and must therefore be authorised to act.

“Although Mr. Benmamin Gibson was not autho-

rised by the Appellant to act on his behalf, the acts of Mr. Gibson could have been ratified by his client by filing an authority and ratification of all acts done by him.

“This however, was not done. Any acts of ratification must be done within the time prescribed by 02, r3N (1) of the Court of Appeal Rules, Cap 3 01. “ For the above reasons the appeal is (Georgearclay@ GuyanaChronicle.com)

VIII

Free As a Bird ► From page II

wabunny fuh you 2bro…right heah! right heah! (A wabunny is wuh dem hunt-man does set up in a tree to ketch wile animal like labba pona-nite-time in d bush; dey does bill-a-lill platform in d tree an siddown dere wit d gun and d torch-lite; sum-adem does even-kerry d fry-fish-n- bake – ready fuh wait how-eva long it gon tek fuh d labba or sum animal to come-feed unda d sourie or any-odda tree) So – is hole day he-d-mista-chicken-hawk a-wabunny pon-d-tatabu-tree; an is me set-up mih own wabunny fuh he...siddown rite-dere pon d edge-a-mih kitchen-floor. My cabin ain got door or side – is jus a tatch-roof an a floorin mek wit baramali-wood-skin...it low-near-d-groun. So…is d chicken-hawk up-pon he-wabunny in d-tatabu-tree an is me trow-back-pon-mine watchin-he wit mih bow-an-arrow nearby; ah ready-like- freddie....

Eh-eh! is wuh-appon deh? mussy doze-off- ah-doze-off or wuh?... cause when dat son-of-a-gun swoop-down – WHAM!? – ah didn ready-fuh-he...ah jump-up-surprise… ah trip-an-fall-down...ah leggo one-confuse-arrow – BLAM! but I-man LATE-LIKA-RASS an dat dam-chickenhawk gone long, man, he laaang gone. He jus keep-gettingup wit my fowl man, an leff-mih-so. Ah sprawl-off pon d ground, screamin to d topa-mih- lungs...vex – vex baaaad wit-mih-self. Ah had no rite to loss concen-trayshun like dat; mussy-doze-off I doze-off or sum-ting. Dis time? up pon-d-simarupa tree? if you hear dat ruck-shun mockin-bird how he screamin… enjoyin-e-laugh pon me. Ah seh to mihself – 2slow 2slow…2slow bro – yuh gettin ole or wuh? An dat was d day ah decide to fuhget d dam bow-an-arrow an ah in-vess in a bush-masta-gun.

Dis place heah got bird like bush – ah like dat – ah like talk to dem...trow boil-rice pon d grass fuh dem an jus siddown watchin dem play an listenin dem sing; is amazin-ow dem sessions could drive dem bird-catcher crazy...is cause dey caan touch… only watch an wish....ah ovastan dey does mek two, three, hundred U.S. dollars fuh one maccaw when dey stuff d poor birds in a chokey cage an send dem to America or whey-eva. An doan talk bout dem singin towa-towa – rite heah in Guyana, in-a GT ? ah hear dem cud get tens-a-tousands mekkin bet-pon-dem-bird whistlin-skill. Bird-catchin is serious money-mekkin-biz-ness in dis country.

But wen dey come-in heah wit d cage an d callin-bird ah does say: NOT HERE! an ah does get d same reaction ev-ry time – “But is us, man, is U.S.” meaning UNITED STATES DOLLARS! An my ansa does neva change – An is me, man, is M. E. meaning MY ENVIRONMENT! and ah still sehin: NOT HERE! Dat is when dey gon start grumblin-an-walkin-way down d hill to d riva....NOT IN D RIVA IN FRONT OF MY PLACE I-DUH, ah does tell dem.

“But this river belongs to everybody, man! You can’t be playing boss for the river too...”

An dat is when ah tellin dem strait…dis riva in front my place is d birds own...is aall dem birds dat livin roun-heah an does visit me up-heah?... is dey own....ah will all-waysplay-boss fuh dis hole space to mek sure dem birds feel safe. Das wen dey gon ask to borrow my boat...is how ah

Chronicle Pepperpot January 24, 2016 can refuse eh? Dis here is d bush. Dey callin it rain-foress now, but is still d same ole bush; an is bush-custom to len people yuh boat. It got plenty boat dat people borrow does get leff rite heah pon my landin till d owna come to collec-it or sum-baddy else gon need-a-boat to go-up or down-d riva an kerry-it-back. So – is how I gon say no eh?

If ah say so, dey gon steal-away-wid- it any-way; dey gon paddle up-riva or down – not faraway (ah doan ave no control ova dat)… dey gon leff d callin-bird dere in dat cage in d tree-top wid some glue-stick-pon–d-branch to ketch dat poor-bird-relative wen it come to ketch-a-lillgyaff. An-is-jus-like-dat – jus-so anodda bird gon loss it free-dom.

NOT ME! NOT HERE! No bird ain suppose to be in no cage. Ev-ry bird got a rite to be free… free as any man or oman. Wen sum-body seh to you: “Man, you a bird,” dey meanin dat dey jus caan kech-up wid yuh. BIRD AIN GOT NO RITE TO LOCK-UP IN NO CAGE. ...is my philosophyah talkin bout. My choice! A man, like a bird got a rite to free to be whey-eva he wanto-be; an if he ain troublin or hurtin nobody? he got a rite to be whey he choose …to do wuh he waan do. I-man does do all in my powa to stay faraway from BABYLON, as mih Rasta brothers does say… is so brudder Martin Carter did vision it (Jah rest he soul wen he did describe d Cuyuni “far from the noise of language where gods still brood on thrones of rock”....dat is where I-man livin … far from nuff tacky-talky an crap like wuh-appon to me today. Das why wen ev-ry-baddy cuttin an runnin-way from Guyana cause dem caan-stan-d-pressuh I-man reason laang-ago – not-me I ain goin no way; I ain gon cut-an-run cause ah-know ah caan bun – mussy in-a GT, buh na heah-in-a d bush. Ah cud settle-down heah ...be happy...call it home; cause like we people in Somalia say in dey proverb: “where I make a living, there is my home.”

My home is in d Guyana bush man…d rain-foress is whey ah choose to be...to stay – not heah…dis heah gon suck d life outa me; dis heah is death! But watch…look at me today…in dis place…dis…dis – IS WUH I-MAN DOIN HEAH?

Chronicle Pepperpot January 24, 2016

IX

INTERNET EXPLORER USERS 'AT RISK' AS TECH SUPPORT ENDS

Microsoft has ended technical support and security updates for older versions of its Internet Explorer browser. The changes, which will affect versions 8, 9 and 10 of the browser, were announced in August 2014.

Some estimate that these older browsers account for more than 20% of web traffic while Computerworld claims that only 55% of IE users are using the latest version. Browsers are often targeted by hackers and experts predict a crop of attacks.

Beginning January 12, 2016, only the most current version of Internet Explorer available for a supported operating system will receive technical support and security updates.

Users who fail to upgrade to the latest version of IE or to Edge-

the Windows 10 browser will be at risk of harmful viruses, spyware and other malicious software that can steal or damage business data, according to Microsoft.

Many software vendors no longer support older versions of Internet Explorer, the company also pointed out. For business customers using legacy Web applications that work on older versions of Internet Explorer, Microsoft is offering Enterprise Mode, which will enable them to work with IE 11.

Microsoft also is offering premium support options for enterprise customers that urgently need to upgrade to IE 11 from older browsers.

ZAP YOUR WAY WITH VIBRATING YOGA PANTS Using vibrating sensors, Nadi pants try to guide you into the correct position for the perfect yoga pose. Taking a yoga class for the first time can be intimidating, and learning the correct form for yoga positions while breathing properly is harder than it sounds.

Fashion tech company Wearable Experiments hopes to take the guesswork out of doing the perfect downward facing dog with its Nadi smart fitness pants.

The pants release gentle haptic vibrations throughout the fabric to guide the wearer to the correct form and posture for yoga poses.

The Nadi pants have a companion app to show the areas on the body that need to be adjusted. The frequency and intensity of each vibration alters with body angle and position. The correct poses are also shown within the app.

It's unclear how gentle the pants are when zapping your legs into the right positions to attain yoga enlightenment. Here's hoping the vibrations aren't too intense. The app will be available for Apple iOS and Google Android devices later this year. No word yet on sizes, styles or price.

Vibrating yoga pants aren't the only fashion-forward gear from Wearable Experiments. In 2013, the company developed the Navigate Jacket to guide you around a city via an accompanying phone app that stores destinations and directions. You type in an address, and the jacket's built-in sensors tap you on the shoulder when you should change direction.

Last year, the company created the Foxtel Alert Shirt that allows wearers to feel the same sensations as their favourite athlete. When you select which team or athlete you'll be watching, you can feel sensations like heart rate. Real-time sports data is transmitted to the app and then to the electronics within the jersey.

SKYPE TO PUNCH UP ITS MOBILE APP WITH GROUP CHATS The company is marking the 10th anniversary of its video call feature by updating its app for iOS, Android and Windows 10 Mobile.

Skype will add group chats to its mobile app to mark the 10th anniversary of offering video calls.

The Microsoft-owned company said the new feature will show up "in the coming weeks" on its app for iOS, Android and Windows 10 Mobile. Skype didn't say how many people will be able to share a video call on the mobile app, though its desktop version allows for 10 participants. Also unstated is the specific date for the feature's arrival.

The company isn't exactly ahead of the curve on this release. Some rivals already offer it, including Google Hangouts since 2011 and the Oovoo messaging app.

Q & A of the week: What are Web Browsers? Browsers are application program that provides a way to look at and interact with all the information on the World Wide Web. The word "browser" seems to have originated prior to the Web as a generic term for user interfaces that let you browse (navigate through and read) text files online.

The first Web browser, called World-Wide-Web, was created in 1990. That browser's name was changed to Nexus to avoid confusion with the developing information space known as the World Wide Web. The first Web browser with a graphical user interface was Mosaic, which appeared in 1993. Many of the user interface features in Mosaic went into Netscape Navigator. Microsoft followed with its Internet Explorer (IE).

X

Chronicle Pepperpot January 24, 2016

From rags to riches - Guyanese people escapes poverty and now run successful real estate business

C

By Shauna Jemmott all it cliché, but the “rags to riches” line fits perfectly for Elisabeth and Colin Knights.

Having experienced serious challenges of poverty and other social difficulties, the couple now runs a successful

real estate business in the US as they seek to “give back to Guyana.”

At times, both in Guyana and after migrating, they were somewhat cashstrapped, but struggled to victory, each carrying multiple jobs with prosperity in their spirits.

The young married couple stopped d by the office

of the Sunday Chronicle and talked with us about their struggles, and how they managed to run their own multi-million dollar enterprise.

“It’s a story about how we moved from rags to riches,” Elisabeth told Chronicle.

An inspirational tale indeed and one told intentionally with the purpose of motivat-

ing Guyanese, young and out of that bracket, that no matter how deep in the wilderness of poverty they are, to have faith and work hard at attaining their dreams.

“There is a hope of success no matter where you come from,” Elisabeth says. Coming out of poor background did not stop the Knights from dreaming.

Building Aklipse Asset Management Inc. was just one goal beyond their point of victory.

Appearing quite unexceptional, they walked into our office, accompanied by Elisabeth’s mom, a Security Officer, for the interview just after Christmas 2015.

Elisabeth came out of a single parent household where her mom worked various jobs to make ends meet and educate her two children.

Colin grew up in a poor household with his family in the East Ruimveldy Squatting area, but migrated to the USA as a child with his family, and was beaten many times by financial challenges. They shared first the homes of relatives but were asked to move out before they even had a place to go.

The two met each other at a barbecue when Colin, already a US citizen, visited Guyana more than ten years ago.

They said it was “love at first sight” as neither of the two really wanted to attend

the event, but were left astonished at the first sight of each other, believing deep within that they had found eternal love.

While Elisabeth said everything around her froze as she saw Colin approaching her, he said she was the only one he could see in the moment as she stepped beyond the gate and into the crowded place. It was after she disappeared behind a tree that he knew he had to find her and began a frantic search for the gem he knew already that he wanted to make his wife. She saw the man approaching and she said “everything else froze” for the moment he was walking towards her.

In a thought that it had to be him, he broke the silence with an introduction, and they talked as if they were long-time friends catching up.

He returned to the USA and with their communication over the months establishing a deeper love, he returned months after, and they travelled to the Bahamas and tied the knot and she moved with him Miami. It all happened in 2005.

Understanding what a hard life is, Elisabeth said the two had already established that they were together to prosper, and she almost immediately enrolled in school while her husband undertook jobs in construction with a

great interest in architecture.

“I never wanted somebody rich, but I wanted somebody with ambition (and) I always wanted somebody that could be my best friend,” she states, adding “we shared a passion to strive for the best (and) to ensure that we escape poverty.”

Before leaving Guyana she had started reading for a Diploma in Business at Critchlow Labour College, so in the USA she pursued studies in Business Administration.

Within the first year of studies, her performance placed her on the President’s List of Honor students at the university and she gained instant membership to the United States National Society of Collegiate Scholars. She later became Vice President of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. While she continued her studies, the couple began building Aklipse, their real estate business.

He had already been a qualified contractor/architect working three jobs, and she a university student carrying multiple jobs.

The Knights’ said the small amount of cash they owned was not enough to secure a loan but with every “no” on a loan application motivat► Continued on page XI

Chronicle Pepperpot January 24, 2016

XI

From rags to riches ◄ From page X ed them to strive harder.

They purchased their first building, reconstructed it and sold it and the river of prosperity began to flow. Their business continued with them purchasing, redesigning and re-selling, and renting, and within the last two years they sold forty-two (45) homes, and have a “significant rental portfolio” throughout Georgia and Miami, Florida.

Their Veterans Housing Associate programme is one committed to providing housing for US military veterans. “…we value the risk our men and women who pledge to protect and serve take to selflessly protect us.

“Sadly, many of our veterans after returning home are faced with the dilemma of not having a place where they can truly have that sense we all long for, home.

“Along with providing housing for our men and women of service based on our ability, we also make donation contributions of both labor and financial contributions to many other Veterans related organizations for which we choose to humbly remain private about. Nonetheless, our message to our veteran community is clear, should you need housing assistance we are here to make that possible.”

Their business also caters specifically for Caribbean and Guyanese people who have migrated or plan to migrate to the USA, with special payment plans and affordable costs. For more information individuals can visit http://www.aklipse.com/.

The Knights are encouraging Guyanese, especially the poorer class of people, to work towards accomplishing their goals. They are currently seeking avenues to give back to Guyana, their home country, contributing to the change and the much talked about “good life for all”.

Colin and Elisabeth

XII

Chronicle Pepperpot January 24, 2016

Chronicle Pepperpot January 24, 2016

XIII

Getting rid of stomach fat A s a fitness trainer the most frequent question I am asked is: “How can I get rid of stomach fat?” Besides the numerous health setbacks having the extra bulge can cause, it is also an unpleasant sight. If you have a lot of excess fat around your waistline, even if you’re not very heavy, then you should take some steps to get rid of it.

Many times it’s our own unhealthy lifestyle that causes that extra bulge and the good news is we can get rid of it by practicing a few simple steps every day. Overweight does not necessarily equal unhealthy.

There are actually plenty of overweight people who are in excellent health.

Conversely, many normal weight people have the metabolic problems associated with obesity.

That’s because the fat under the skin is actually not that big of a problem (at least not from a health standpoint. It’s more of a cosmetic problem).

It’s the fat in the abdominal cavity - the belly fat that causes the biggest issues.

Belly fat is usually estimated by measuring the circumference around your waist. This can easily be done at home with a simple tape measure.

Anything above 40 inches (102 cm) in men and 35 inches (88 cm) in women, is known as abdominal obesity.

There are actually a few proven strategies that have been shown to target the fat in the belly area more than other areas of the body.

Here are 6 evidence-based ways to lose belly fat.

1. Don’t Eat Sugar and Avoid Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Added sugar is extremely unhealthy.

Studies show that it has uniquely harmful effects on metabolic health.

Sugar is half glucose, half of the fructose can only be metabolized by the liver in any significant amount.

When you eat a lot of refined sugar, the liver gets flooded with fructose, and is forced to turn it all into fat.

Liquid sugar is even worse in this regard. Liquid calories don’t get “registered” by the brain in the same way as solid calories, so when you drink sugar-sweetened beverages, you end up eating more total calories.

Make a decision to minimize the amount of sugar in your diet, and consider completely eliminating sugary drinks.

This includes sugar-sweetened beverages, fruit juices, various sports drinks, as well as coffees and teas with sugar added to them.

Keep in mind that none of this applies to whole fruit, which are extremely healthy and have plenty of fiber that mitigates the negative effects of fructose.

The amount of fructose you get from fruit is negligible compared to what you get from a diet high in refined sugar.

Btw… if you want to cut back on refined sugar, then you must start reading labels. Even foods marketed as health foods can contain huge amounts of sugar.

Excess sugar consumption may be the primary driver of belly fat accumulation, especially sugary beverages like soft drinks and fruit juices.

stant results - a major difference on the scale is often seen within a few days.

There are also studies comparing low-carb and low-fat diets, showing that low-carb diets specifically target the fat in the belly, and around the organs and liver.

What this means is that a particularly high proportion of the fat lost on a low-carb diet is the dangerous and disease promoting abdominal fat.

Just avoiding the refined carbs (white breads, pastas, etc) should be sufficient, especially if you keep your protein high.

However, if you need to lose weight fast, then consider dropping your carbs down to 50 grams per day. This will put your body into ketosis, killing your appetite and making your body start burning primarily fats for fuel.

Studies have shown that low-carb diets are particularly effective at getting rid of the fat in the belly area, around the organs a in the liver.

3. Aerobic Exercise is Very Effective at Reducing Belly Fat Exercise is important for various reasons.

It is among the best things you can do if you want to live a long, healthy life and avoid disease.

Getting into all of the amazing health benefits of exercise is beyond the scope of this article, but exercise does appears to be effective at reducing belly fat.

However, keep in mind that I’m not talking about abdominal exercises here. Spot reduction (losing fat in one spot) is not possible, and doing endless amounts of crunches will not make you lose fat from the belly.

That being said, other types of exercise can be very effective.

Aerobic exercise (like walking, running, zumba, swimming, etc.) has been shown to cause major reductions in belly fat in numerous studies.

Exercise can be very effective if you are trying to lose belly fat.

Finally, it is also, important to keep track of what you eat .It doesn’t mean you need to weigh and measure everything for the rest of your life, but doing it every now and then for a few days in a row can help you realize where you need to make changes.

I personally do this every month. I weigh and measure everything I eat to see what my current diet is looking like. Then I know exactly where to make adjustments in order to get closer to my goals.

2. Cut Carbs from Your Diet Even though unhealthy, carb restriction is a very effective way to lose fat.

This is supported by numerous studies, when people cut carbs, their appetite goes down and they lose weight.

Low-carb diets also lead to quick reductions in water weight, which gives people near-in-

Noshavyah King (Certified Personal Trainer, aerobics instructor, Sports and Conditioning Coach and Zumba Instructor) Owner of Genesis Fitness Express Located at Transport Sports Club

XIV

Chronicle Pepperpot January 24, 2016

Chronicle Pepperpot January 24, 2016

XV

Styles for Plus-size women The styles on this page are by MARSAE by Marcie De Santos. Model: Latoya Taiwo.

XVI

Chronicle Pepperpot January 24, 2016

From farmhand to agri scientist

RAMNARACE SUKHNA - The man behind Guyana’s Spices project

By Telesha Ramnarine AS a child growing up, Ramnarace Sukhna, known as Ryan, had no idea that the time he spent helping on his parents’ farm would lead to him pursuing a lifelong career in agriculture.

Today, he is one of the leading men in the development of spices in Guyana, more specifically, turmeric, ginger, black pepper and nutmeg.

His parents, Churchill and Indardai Sukhna, planted rice and other crops to help make ends meet for the family. In fact, in those days, there were hardly any alternatives to farming. So the family made good with what was available.

Little did they realise that such humble beginnings would impact Ramnarace’s life to the point where he is now a Research Scientist at

the National Agricultural, Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara.

But Ramnarace did not just work on his parents’ farm. He also helped out on the farm belonging to the community ashram he attended. “I attended the ashram in my community and every afternoon we had to go to the garden. It was part and parcel of attending the ashram. Those

were poor days so we had to work in the garden to help the ashram carry out its functions,” he related.

Ramnarace, 36, was born and raised at Cane Grove, East Coast Demerara, and he attended Cane Grove Primary and Secondary Schools. Just after completing his CXC, he taught Geography and Agricultural Science at the said secondary school.

He then moved on to the Guyana School of Agriculture where he did a two-year course in agriculture.

Right after this, he gained employment as a supervisor at the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo). It was during his two year stint at GuySuCo that he received a scholarship to Cuba.

“I applied and was successful. So I went and spent six years at the Ciego De Avila University. I did a BSC in Agronomy; general agriculture. I also speak fluent Spanish as many of the courses were in that language.”

After being named the best graduating student for Guyana, Ramnarace returned to Guyana and served the government for five years at NAREI. Here, he worked hard on the development on spices in Guyana so that local farmers could benefit from this market.

“We use a lot of spices locally most of which would have had to be imported from different countries. So we were thinking that instead of us importing, we can have our own people here bene-

fit from it. So I kick-started that programme in 2008 and it has been quite successful so far.

It has climbed different heights.”

About the spices, Ramnarace said: “These have been propagated throughout the country.

I have done experiments throughout the country and I could safely say now that we are on a semi-commercial scale so to speak.

“We would process what would have come out from the plantations and then we would sell it to Edward B. Beharry. He is one of the premier spice persons in the country.

In the past, he imported stuff from India, so the government spoke to him about the possibility of him taking the materials from people right here.

“Here in Guyana, it’s our culture to utilize a lot of spices. So it dawned upon us that the farmers’ right here can capitalize on this market.”

After serving the government for five years, Ramnarace was granted another scholarship, this time to India. He left to pursue a Masters’ Degree in Plantation Crops and Spices at the Kerala Agricultural University. “I graduated with honours again and ever since I came back, I continued to take the spices to a higher level.”

Ramnarace said in their bid to expand the market in Guyana, a turmeric factory will be commissioned during this year in Region One (Bari-

maWaini). The project is about 60 percent completed.

“Agriculture has always been in me, perhaps because of my humble beginnings. And it has always been my objective to contribute to the development of this country. The Government helped me so much and I wanted to give back as much as I could.”

Ramnarace Sukha, while

Chronicle Pepperpot January 24, 2016

XVII

A Region One woman stands in front of the Tumeric factory at Hosoro. The factory is expected to process turmeric from farmers in Region One – a project supervised by Mr Sukha.

Ramnarace Sukha and his wife, Shivanie.

e studying in India

XVIII

Chronicle Pepperpot January 24, 2016

Search on for NEW Miss Guyana World

F

INAL arrangements are being made for the staging of Miss Guyana World 2016 in the month of May, to coincide with the country’s 50th highly anticipated Independence anniversary celebrations.

Miss World Guyana committee member Michelle Cole has confirmed that the national pageant will be staged seven months before the international Miss World

contest to allow the local queen ample time to prepare for the competition for the coveted Miss World crown in Sanya, China.

Cole told Guyana Chronicle in an interview Monday that that the application process will be closed this week and the committee is also soliciting judges for the competition.

Miss World Guyana is seeking ten beauties with a

Michelle Cole (Delano Williams photo) purpose to represent each region throughout the country.

Though a region’s representative does not necessarily have to reside in that region, the committee has decided to select the number of contestants that reflect Guyana’s administrative regions.

Miss World Guyana campaigns for a beauty with a purpose, and its Queen must be passionate about their cause – which must have a focus on children. The committee has been getting quite a few applications through its website at www.missworldguyana.org.

Cole said, “It’s not just about the fashion event. Beauty with a purpose is the most important part of the competition. Beauty with a purpose is what Miss World does every year.” She added that a fitness competition, talent segment and fashion contest complete the fast track events into the finals of the competition.

Miss World Guyana is searching for “a girl who is dedicated, who cares about children, and who wants to make a difference in the lives of young people.”

(Shauna Jemmott)

Reigning Miss Guyana World Lisa Punch is pictured at Kaieteur Falls in a Michelle Cole design. (Phillip Williams photo)

Chronicle Pepperpot January 24, 2016

Dentist-patient relationship

A

dental appointment is often ing on in the environment when awaiting an experience patients would or receiving treatment. Sounds of mirth rather avoid. Some 75% of or gossip from the staff are quite likely to patients experience a degree be interpreted as an uncaring or slovenly of anxiety before the encoun- attitude. The patient is at the surgery for ter and 5 – 10% are so distraught that they treatment and expects to be seen promptwould avoid it. Such anxily and efficiently ety can be reduced someby staff members what by the establishment that are always of a good dentist-patient courteous, happy, relationship. friendly and helpIt is the duty of the ful. He or she will practitioner to achieve the have little, if any, best professional relationreal sympathy for ship possible with the pathe dentist who is tient. Indeed, in general tired or irritable. practice, such a relationInterestingly, the ship is the foundation of majority of patients’ success. Of the 50% or complaints about so of the population who dentist relate again fail to seek regular dental to poor social skills care, about one-half do so rather than lack of because of fear and at least professional skills. half of those who do attend Furthermore, other leave their dentists, do so healthcare profesbecause of dissatisfaction sionals not infreor dislike. Patients often quently complain Dr. BERTRAND judge the dentist on the bathat dentists appear R. STUART, DDS. sis of the emotional support not to be particularand alleviation of his or her ly approachable or technical competence. Social skills are clearly sympathetic. important for the dentist.

Those who are dissatisfied for any reason are less likely to keep appointments or to arA recent survey of patients’ attitudes rive on time any may by their attitudes arouse confirmed the importance of the dentist’s negative feelings in the dentist. This can make social skills in formulating their opinions. it difficulty for the dentist to approach the Paramount appear to be the dentist’s ability: relationship in a positive spirit – and a vicious circle can result. a) to recognize and manage anxiety in Anticipation of discomfort presumed the patient. to be associated with a dental visit precedes the visit by minutes, hours, days and b) to establish and maintain rapport, and c) to provide information and explanations about various procedures, possible complications, etc.

Patients comprise, of course, a heterogeneous group and it was apparent from the results of the above survey that the dentist’s social skills were more important to many more women and to irregular attendees and those receiving treatment on the health service than to men, regular attendees and those having private treatment. These last groups in general wanted professional skills most. Nevertheless, people tend to judge their dentist to a large extent by social skills both within and outside the surgery. A dentist who is polite and smartly turned out, befitting his role generally, has an easier relationship with his patient than does one who is unkempt or rude. Rightly or wrongly, patients tend to expect and demand the former presentation.

People are acutely aware of what is go-

even longer. Anxiety will be heightened as patients approach and enter surgery, especially when they meet the sounds and smells they associate with dentistry. The anxiety and apprehension results in a release of adrenaline and other hormones with a subsequent feeling of pounding of the heart and pulse, perhaps cold sweating in the palms, a feeling of nausea, dry mouth and an urge to urinate and/or defecate. Studies have proven that all these discomforts do not necessarily happen if your dentist is friendly, affable and understanding.

XIX

XX

Chronicle Pepperpot January 24, 2016

Chronicle Pepperpot January 24, 2016

XXI

XXII

Chronicle Pepperpot January 24, 2016

The Styrofoam Ban – freeing our environment

O

from a stranglehold

n January 01, 2016, Guyana implemented a ban on the importation of expanded polystyrene which is commonly known by its brand name, Styrofoam. The ban is specific to products used by food services providers such as; food containers and plates, hot and cold beverage cups, meat and vegetable trays,

egg cartons and other products made of expanded polystyrene used for selling or providing food.

These non degradable materials end up on the street corner and because of their light weight are blown into the water ways, clogging drains, choking animals and robbing the country of its brilliance and beauty.

The move to ban this product it not one of an un-

precedented nature, in fact, the petroleum-based plastic has gained a lot of negative attention in recent years around the world, prompting bans in many cities such as New York and Washington DC in the United States and even cities like Toronto in Canada and Muntinlupa in the Philippines. Haiti our sister CARICOM country has even taken this step. Guyana, like many countries around the world realized the importance of having a more environmentally sustainable economy for a better quality of life.

THE ENVIRONMENT CRIES OUT! Some may argue that Styrofoam keeps our food and beverage hot without burning our hands, but plastic foam – more commonly known as Styrofoam – is one of the most harmful materials around when it comes to the environment. Take a look around and you would notice that Styrofoam is a plague to our environment, floating like carcasses in our drains, canals and waterways and wreaking havoc. Like “pick-pocket” bandits, with no good intentions Styrofoam in its many shapes and forms is seen mingling and lingering amongst busy shoppers and vendors in our market places. This culprit harms our health each time we invite it into our homes

► Contiuned on page XXIII

Chronicle Pepperpot January 24, 2016

The Styrofoam Ban ◄ From page XXII for a quick lunch or dinner, and harming our wildlife every time we let them go. We all dream of having a better life and sharing our beautiful country with the rest of the world but how can this be achieved, when cleaning the city alone costs us millions of dollars and even then many garbage heaps still dot our city as an eyesore to us and others who come to our shores.

Like a stranglehold, Styrofoam latches itself around the neck of the environment, shortening its breath and its cries going fainter with each passing day. It is cheaper to use Styrofoam some might say, but can we truly put a price tag on the services that our environment provides everyday day or to fix the damages we

XXIII have created? Like a mother the environment gives selflessly asking for nothing in return, but love and care.

We cannot continue to turn a blind eye to the needs of the environment and only focus on self gratification, balance must be struck between our needs and that of the environment. Surely, banning Styrofoam is not the answer to all our environmental problems but it is a beginning, taking us one step closer to achieving good environmental conservation, protection and management practices for a greater Guyana.

Share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O EIT Division, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN, or email us at: eit.epaguyana@gmail.com or you can contact the Agency on 225-5467-9.

XXIV

Chronicle Pepperpot January 24, 2016

TALES FROM WAY BACK WHEN (A look at some of the stories that made the news “back-in-the-day with Clifford Stanley)

THE WATCHMAN WAS THE THIEF (Guiana Graphic November 6, 1959) A watchman is to watch the thief but who is to watch the watchman? This question has often been asked and it was proven that some watchmen need watching. It was the case of a watchman employed at the Hollywood cinema to watch and see that no one steals the patron’s bicycles. But Walter London turned out to be the thief himself. The front wheel on his bicycle was not in good condition so when he saw a bicycle with an almost new wheel, he decided to make a switch.

But as soon as Edward Braithwaite picked up his bicycle in the garage after the show, he at once noticed that the front wheel was not his. And he called on the watchman.

London was most sympathetic. He passionately condemned all bicycle thieves and wished that they were all caught and jailed. But he could offer no concrete help for he had seen no one tampering with the bicycles that night.

That was Monday night. Two nights later, Braithwaite, who had in the meantime reported the theft to the Police, decided to do some checks on his own.

And he returned to the cinema. There he spotted a bicycle with the stolen wheel.

He at once seized the bicycle and took it to the Police Station. And there later that night watchman London presented himself to claim the bicycle.

At first he insisted that he had bought the wheel from an unknown man. But under persistent questioning he broke down and confessed that he was the thief.

So London, like any other bicycle thief, was jailed for three months by Magistrate Frank Vieira; after all, the sentence was in keeping with London’s own philosophy that all bicycle thieves should be jailed.

POW! RIGHT ON CAP’S NOGGIN

By The Orderly (Guiana Graphic Newspapers December 2, 1959) His name is Elisha but he is no prophet. He is a seaman and seamen the world over are known for their philandering habits, for even if his vessel is only a punt, he is the Captain of the punt.

And as any seaman will tell you for every love he has, the Skipper has two.

His loves even though they are not spread around the ports of the world are as many as the loves of the great Horatio himself.

Naturally, a man as prolific as Elisha must sooner or later find himself in trouble with his many ladies.

That he did too.

Elisha’s trouble was young and vibrant Joan.

For she found herself in the category of woman scorned.

And that is a bit surprising when it is mentioned that Cap is no longer a young boy.

For he announced with understanding pride that he was just one year short of his three scores.

According to Joan who in years could easily be the skipper’s daughter her trouble started after she had given birth to her baby.

For it was after that day with no apparent reason that Elisha started to give her the cold shoulder.

Until one day when she went looking for him and found him reclining on the front steps of another one of his lady loves. She wanted to speak to the Skipper she told Magistrate Arthur Chung.

But the Skipper was too taken up with the business on hand.

In fact Elisha was quite upset about the intrusion. ► Continued on page XXV

Chronicle Pepperpot January 24, 2016

POW! RIGHT ... ◄ From page XXIV He showed his disapproval with his fists.

Naturally Joan did not take it like that.

A bottle was handy and with this she dealt him a telling blow upon the Skipper’s noggin.

All this Joan admitted when she and Elisha appeared before the Court charged with assaulting each other.

Not only did he plead not guilty but he walked with Counsel to defend him.

So now as Joan finished telling her story, the lawyer rose to cross examine.

“He left you for another lady,” counsel suggested from the outset to build up his defence of a woman scorned.

“After I get a baby....” she was highly annoyed.

“Did he leave you for another woman?”

“I don’t know what other lady you talking about,” Joan snapped.

“Didn’t you meet him sitting on the steps of the house of this other woman?” counsel stuck to his line of cross-examination.

“I didn’t know is who steps.”

“And when you went in you called on him as Cap?” “I don’t call him Cap” Joan said triumphantly ‘ “I always call him Mr Elisha.”

“Lady you were living with him and you always called him Mister,” Mr Chung broke his silence to enquire.

Joan did not reply.

“Didn’t he tell you that he did not want to speak to you?” asked the Captain’s lawyer.

“Never did.”

“And then you followed him to the restaurant?”

“Never did.”

“And then you cuffed him in the mouth?”

“Never did,” was Joan’s stock reply.

“And after your uncle pulled you away you left and returned with a bottle and struck him on the head with it,” the lawyer suggested.

“The bottle was right there on the road,” Joan admitted , “and I strike him because he was beating me.”

“And then you ran?”

“Yes I run.”

“Into an unknown yard.”

“No, I know the yard.”

“And because you didn’t know the yard,” continued the lawyer ignoring Joan’s denial,” you ran into a zinc paling,” he concluded triumphantly.

Now it was for the Skipper to tell his side of the affair and with a manly swagger, Elisha walked around to the witness box.

“How old are you?” was the first question his counsel asked him.

“Fifty nine,” was the proud answer and the lawyer left him there to continue his tale.

“We used to be friendly,” Cap admitted, “but I leave her for another woman in the yard,” he admitted.

“She come in the yard and say: Cap I want to talk to you.”

I was lying on the steps,” Elisha explained to Mr Chung.

“I tell her not now, anytime but not now.”

“With that she up and tear down me shirt.”

“I then leave and go to the Blue Skies Restaurant,” Elisha went on.

“She follow me and give me one cuff in me face.”

“I leave and go and stand up by the tailor shop and she come with a bottle and knock me on me head,” the old Skipper complained.

“After that she run and I run after she.”

“But then she run in de yard and I hear the impact as she run into de paling,” Elisha told Mr Chung.

“So you are saying that she is jealous?” counsel chimed in.

“Because of the other girl ah speaking to,” Elisha said with a touch of pride.

“But ah use to give she a small piece and because ah stop, she vex.”

That was the story of Elisha and Joan.

So the Skipper was found not guilty and Joan who had admitted using the bottle, had to pay $7.50.

As they strolled out of the Court, Joan alone and unaccompanied, Cap was in the smiling and happy company of no less than four of his lady friends.

(Clifford Stanley can be reached to discuss any of the foregoing articles at cliffantony@gmail.com or cell phone # 694 0913)

XXV

XXVI

Chronicle Pepperpot January 24, 2016

Chronicle Pepperpot January 24, 2016

XXVII

XXVIII

Chronicle Pepperpot January 24, 2016

Chronicle Pepperpot January 24, 2016

XXIX

XXX

CXC

Chronicle Pepperpot January 24, 2016

English

Chronicle Pepperpot January 24, 2016

Bollywood wakes up to real life in 2016 (REUTERS) BOLLYWOOD, that perpetual dream peddler, is

waking up to the allure of real-life stories. An Indian villager stuck in a Pakistani jail, a brave flight attendant, India’s cricket team captain, a wrestler who pushed his daughters to greatness – expect to watch films like these in theatres this year.

The first is Raja Krishna Menon’s “Airlift,” which opened in cinemas on Friday. It chronicles the airlifting of 170,000 Indians from Kuwait during the Gulf War in 1990. It was the largest human evacuation in history.

A profusion of viewing options in recent years, from satellite and cable TV to online options has enhanced the taste of the Indian palate. Whereas movie fans at one time were limited in what they could easily see, they now can watch a variety of films and genres from India and abroad. Bollywood producers have responded accordingly.

“There is so much good material all around. It makes sense to tap that,” said Vikram Malhotra, whose Abundantia Entertainment co-produced “Airlift”. “When Raja came to me with his script, I knew immediately that this was a film that had to be made.”

In 2016, Bollywood will release biopics of cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni, former captain Mohammad Azharuddin, and wrestler

Mahavir Phogat who coached his daughters to wrestling glory. Aamir Khan plays Phogat in “Dangal“, which is slated for a Christmas release.

Bollywood wasn’t always enamoured with real life. Its heroes were all-conquering, leading ladies dancing in chiffon saris in sub-zero temperatures, and 45-year-old actors playing college students.

But much has changed over the past few years, especially after the success of films such as “The Dirty Picture” — based on the life of a soft-porn actress — and “No One Killed Jessica“, about the Jessica Lal murder case.

“A ‘Mangal Pandey‘ (biopic on the soldier who started a mutiny against British rule) didn’t work ten years ago. But a ‘Dangal’ will.

It was the same Aamir Khan, but the audiences have changed,” trade analyst Vajir Singh said.

“A lot of young stars also want to do films that give them creative satisfaction. So a Varun Dhawan will do a ‘Badlapur‘, but also a ‘Dilwale‘. That has meant that studios are also open to greenlighting such films,” Singh said.

Another reason for the glut of real-life stories could be that Bollywood is running out of ideas. The last two years have seen big-ticket movies flounder at the box office despite sticking to the action, romance and comedy formula that has long been a staple for Hindi movies whereas films like “Bhaag Milkha Bhaag” and “Mary Kom” have worked.

Ad director Ram Madhvani makes his Bollywood debut in February with “Neerja“, the true story of a 22-year-old flight attendant who died saving passengers during the 1983 hijacking of a Pan Am aircraft. Director Omung Kumar will direct former Miss WorldAishwarya Rai Bachchan in his May release “Sarabjit“, the story of an Indian man who was accused of being a spy by Pakistan and died in prison there in 2013.

Sushant Singh Rajput plays India’s one-day cricket captain Dhoni in a biopic directed by Neeraj Pandey. Emraan Hashmi plays former cricket captain Azharuddin in Anthony D’Souza’s “Azhar“.

Both films will open in cinemas in the second half of 2016.

“There is something about real-life stories that is challenging, but is also immensely satisfying,” said Rajkumar Hirani, one of India’s most successful film-makers.

Hirani’s next project is a movie about actor Sanjay Dutt, whose five-year prison term for firearms offences ends in 2016.

“I have been wanting to make this film for a while, but it takes a lot of preparation and work,” said Hirani. “We hope to go on the floors (by the) middle of this year.”

Bollywood tends to take cinematic liberties even with films inspired by real-life events. Hirani said it doesn’t matter as long as the film doesn’t veer too far away from its subject.

Film-makers can rarely resist the temptation to insert a songand-dance sequence in films.Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra‘s biopic of athlete Milkha Singh showed him dancing on a beach in Australia, while Omung Kumar‘s retelling of boxer Mary Kom‘s life added events that didn’t happen.

“We don’t want to compromise on authenticity, of course,” said Malhotra, co-producer of “Airlift”. “But a little cinematic liberty in the interest of cinema is par for the course.”

XXXI

Silence is golden for big Hollywood stars on Oscar boycott (REUTERS) WILL Smith and Spike Lee may be shunning the Oscars party next month but while the absence from the contest of actors of color for a second year has sparked hand-wringing in Hollywood, few other celebrities plan to follow their lead.

A week after nominations were announced for the highest honors in show business, only four stars - Smith, Lee, director Michael Moore, and Jada Pinkett-Smith - have announced their intention to stay away from the Feb. 28 ceremony in protest over long-running lack of diversity in the movie industry.

Be it concern over causing offence, opting to lobby for change behind the scenes, or a chance to attend the world's biggest showcase, big stars among 2016 nominees have been largely silent.

Others, like Oscar winners George Clooney and Lupita Nyong'o, have called for change but have signaled no intention to stay at home.

"I think a lot of people in the industry know that the real problem is with movie studios and agencies. It's not the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences," said Variety reporter Tim Gray, who has covered the Oscars for more than 30 years.

Of the class of 2016, Mark Ruffalo, supporting actor nominee for Catholic Church abuse probe film "Spotlight," said on Thursday that while he supported calls for diversity, "I will be going to the Oscars in support of the victims of clergy sexual abuse and good journalism."

Brie Larson, a first time Oscar nominee for her role in abduction drama "Room," on Wednesday shared her Hollywood Reporter magazine cover with Twitter's #Oscarssowhite feed. "This is a conversation that deserves attention," added Larson, 26, but said nothing to suggest she would boycott the ceremony.

While Chris Rock has come under pressure from some

black celebrities to step down as Oscars host, the acerbic black comedian may feel he can do more good by remaining in the game.

"I think this is a great opportunity to reach a worldwide audience and talk about this issue," Gray said.

Some Latino groups, whose movie talent is also vastly under-represented historically during awards season, don't support a boycott.

"Many of the actors who can barely get a role are not about to bite the hand that feeds them," said Felix Sanchez, chairman of the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts.

African American Film Critics Association president Gil Robertson opposed a boycott, calling the Oscars a well-respected institution that does a lot of good work.

And double Oscar winner Dustin Hoffman suggested that the United States has bigger issues to tackle. Hoffman told the BBC "there's a bigger problem with young black individuals being killed on our street by police."

Bennet sisters don swords in 'Pride and Prejudice and Zombies' (REUTERS) JANE Austen's classic tale "Pride and Prejudice" gets a somewhat different makeover for cinema screens this winter with heroine Elizabeth Bennet armed with a sword and fighting zombies.

"Downton Abbey" and "Cinderella" actress Lily James plays the much-loved character in "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies", where a new enemy adds to the story of love amid the social classes in 19th century England.

"Well, I think it's like Shakespeare, you do it a million different ways and it still stands because it's such a timeless classic and beautiful piece of writing," James said at the film's premiere in Los Angeles on Thursday night.

"I think it's the same with this. I think actually it survives being butchered, it survives the zombies and the story and the love story all stay true and potent."

Charles Dance portrays Mr Bennet in the movie with actresses Bella Heathcote, Suki Waterhouse, Ellie Bamber and Millie Brady playing Elizabeth's sisters.

"The Bennet sisters were like Spice Girls with swords. We were so kick ass," James said. "The women pull the shots in this movie. It's all about girl power and it was really fun."

The film is based on the book of the same name published in 2009.

"Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" is set for release from February.

Disney pushes next 'Star Wars' movie release to December 2017

(REUTERS) FANS of the blockbuster "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" will have to wait two more years for the next installment as Walt Disney Co. on Wednesday pushed back the release of "Star Wars: Episode VIII" by seven months.

"Episode VIII," written and directed by Rian Johnson, will now be released on Dec. 15, 2017, rather than the previously scheduled May 26, 2017, date.

Hollywood blockbusters released during the summer months have drawn in the biggest audiences in recent years but Disney noted the success of "The Force Awakens," which was released worldwide last month.

"The Force Awakens" already has become the highest-grossing release in North America with $861 million and the third-biggest global release in history, taking in $1.88 billion at the box office to date.

"Episode VIII" will start filming in London in February and is expected to continue the tale of new characters Rey (Daisy Ridley), Finn (John Boyega), Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) and the villainous Kylo Ren (Adam Driver).

Franchise veterans Carrie Fisher (General Leia) and Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) also are expected to return, although Disney did not comment on casting.

"Star Wars: Rogue One," a stand-alone story set in the world of "Star Wars" with new characters, will be released this December.

Disney said it will put the fifth installment of its popular "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise, starring Johnny Depp, in the May 2017 slot previously occupied by "Episode VIII." The franchise has grossed $3.7 billion worldwide to date.

Cast member Lily James poses at the premiere of "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" in Los Angeles, California January 21, 2016. (REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni)

Cast members Daisy Ridley and John Boyega (2nd R) pose for pictures with Star Wars characters BB-8 (R) and R2-D2 (L) at the China Premiere of the film "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" in Shanghai, China, December 27, 2015. (REUTERS/Aly Song)