Pepperpot 11 10 2015

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Chronicle Pepperpot October 11, 2015

The Undead

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By Maureen Rampertab ROM morn to night, death rides on a pale horse, an emissary of fate, for into this world we come, and we go, leaving our name, our footprints and our legacy.

But stories are told of restless souls, haunting specters, wandering, lost and confused because of their unexpected end.

Such tales are often spoken of by morticians because of their close, working encounters with the dead.

And for Arnold, the mortician, it was a night like every other night at the morgue, cold and silent. He worked deftly, in his own leisurely way, preparing the dead and securing them in the vaults until it was time for their final journey.

The world was not their home, anymore, lying there on the slabs in eternal sleep.

But questions are always asked about death, because of strong and different religious faiths and beliefs.

Arnold was a man with a strong, Christian faith, but he never stopped wondering about death that seemed premature.

“Is it all in God’s plans or is the Devil trying to disrupt the work of God?”

“We may never know.” He surmised as he pulled off the white sheet from a body that was brought in two days ago.

The facial features were hardly recognizable for it had lain about two weeks in a shallow grave covered with shrubs. The pathologist who performed the autopsy had determined the body was that of a female in her late twenties, who had died from a single stab wound to the heart.

“A young life, interrupted,” he voiced, quietly, “May your soul rest in peace, dear.”

The night wore on and close to midnight when his shift would have ended, he felt a strong, unearthly presence. He had steeled his mind to be strong for the twelve odd years he worked at the funeral parlour to deal with strange encounters. Many times on the night shift, he would hear shuffling feet, low voices or crying, but never once did he exhibit fear, for such a reaction would be a disruption to his work.

Tonight, something was different.

The chilling cold and a deep moaning cry forced him to turn from the slab he was cleaning, snapping the locks on his closed mind and he saw, standing in a corner of the room, a beautiful young woman, deep grief on her face.

If he was not awake, Arnold would have thought he was dreaming, that a young woman had walked in from

maureen.rampertab@gmail.com

A story of obsession, murder and a haunted soul

the streets, so alive she seemed in a white floral dress, but the haunting look in her cold, black eyes and the colourless lips would have changed that thought anyway.

He did not blink much, nor said a word, just stood there, watching her. She was not looking at him, but at the vault where laid the remains of the young woman found in a shallow grave, a woman not yet ► From page II

Chronicle Pepperpot October 11, 2015

The Undead ► Continued on page III

identified.

Now he knew what she looked like, her deep grief sending a chill to his bones, for she had died a brutal death, by cruel hands.

“I wonder who she is.”

The thought just left his mind and she turned as though she had heard the unspoken words. He held his breath as she looked

and looking at Arnold’s face, he joked, “Wah happen man, like yuh see a ghost?”

She was still there, not vanished, but the assistant could not see her, something that surprised Arnold and he questioned himself.

“Why am I seeing her?”

He had trouble sleeping that night, the haunted,

at him, deep darkness in her eyes, her expression, he could not now read for she was an entity not of this world. But she did not move, seeming lost, an aggrieved soul, not understanding what happened to her.

The clock struck midnight, a startling sound, that pierced the deathly silence in the morgue; but Arnold did not succumb to fear for he was feeling a sense of sympathy for her.

“I should not, though.”

He warned himself, “For she is not of this world.”

Yet there was something about her that seemed so real as though she was not dead.

The door opened as an assistant came in to relieve him from his shift

grieved look on her face, replaying in his mind and putting down the book he was trying to read, he thought, “Her family needs to claim her body and give her a decent funeral so her soul can ascend to Heaven, while investigators try to find her killer.”

The discovery of her body by a hunter had featured in all the newspapers and on the news channels, but no one had yet contacted the police nor the funeral parlour.

“How has no one missed her as yet?” he wondered.

The fact that she was murdered meant the killer had probably planned it so no one would miss her for a while and by then it would be too late to identify the body. It all seemed

possible. but the police had no facts nor a suspect to support that theory.

“I hope answers can be found,” was his worrying thought, “or her soul may wander aimlessly.”

The mortician’s eyes closed in sleep, as a haunted soul waited for answers and an obsessive killer miles away, drank a toast to her picture on the wall, missing her, but pleased he had gotten away with the

perfect crime.

“You will now, belong to no one.” He said, as he poured another drink and lifted his hand, “Only to me.”

Arnold returned to duty in the afternoon, hoping the police had word on the killer or a relative had called, but nothing had happened, except for two young accident victims brought in early that morning.

“Anything unusual during the night?” he asked casually.

“Nope, all quiet, everyone was sleeping,” the young assistant laughed, always jesting.

Arnold shook his head resignedly and continued his work in the morgue, glancing at the vault where the young woman’s body

laid but her ghostly figure was not there.

“Maybe she has gone to do her own investigating,” he assumed, to lighten his mood as he worked.

The clock ticked and as the night grew older, the cold and silence in the morgue, slowly deepened and Arnold heard an icy whisper saying just a name, “Dianne.”

He turned around and saw her by the vault, an edge of desperation in that whisper, wanting him to know who she was, “Help me.”

“How do I do that?” he wondered and as though she had red his thoughts again, a sudden tiredness overcame him and he fell into a doze, dreaming.

He saw himself on a computer, creating an image of her and posting it on the social media, as missing. Then he was on a bus travelling, out of town, to a small secluded area and walking along a dirt road, he came to a modest house, painted in white and peach. No one was

III home, but the interior was neat and undisturbed, as though her departure was planned, like a vacation.

“Clever.” Arnold mused and as he walked about, his eyes kept being drawn to the off-white sofa.

“Something happened here, something bad.” He expressed, a little fear creeping in his mind and suddenly, he seemed to be in an audience as a scene played out in front of him.

She came out of the bedroom, her hair wet, having just taken a bath, and relaxed on the sofa, closing her eyes. A dark figure who had hidden himself in the house, stepped out quietly, a knife in his hand. He stood over her and feeling the presence she opened her eyes but a little too late, as he plunged the knife into her heart.

The shocking scene jolted Arnold out of his dream and he sat up dazed.

Now he understood why he was seeing her, and no one else, for she wanted someone to help her family to find her and to help her find her killer.

The sympathy in Arnold’s heart for her deepened, “A beautiful life

destroyed by evil.”

He nodded, so she could understand he knew what she wanted and slowly her ghostly form faded away.

“I can’t believe this,” he said to himself as he left work that night, “That I’m actually helping a ghost.”

As he turned the corner, he encountered a group of boys who were always hanging around, making wicked jokes, smoking and interfering with passerbys.

Often he had spoken to them to stop misbehaving but tonight they seemed to be in a more troublesome mood and prevented him from passing.

“Come on boys, I had a hard night, okay.”

They laughed, a crazed sound of wild youths and pushed him roughly and he almost lost his balance.

A cold hand grabbed his wrist and before his eyes, he saw the young boys being hit and flung in all directions by an entity they could not see.

“Damn,” he remarked incredulously as she turned and walked back into the morgue, a no nonsense look on her face. “Now that, I can live with.”

To be continued

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Chronicle Pepperpot October 11, 2015

‘The Story of my Experiments with Truth’

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HAT else can be said, what else is there to be written about Gandhi.

Almost a century and a half after his birth, the life and work of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi continue to be analyzed by the academic and layman, the skeptic and the believer, looking at every facet of his life, his challenges and experiments with fanaticism, religious bigotry, intolerance, superstition, patriotism, injustice and oppression, among other issues.

Almost a century and a half after his birth, the life and work of the Mahatma continue to be celebrated worldwide. Almost a century and a half after his birth, the life and work of the great soul continue to inspire people worldwide. Among the admirers of his work are Dr. King, President Obama, Lech Walesa, Mandela, Sung San Suu Kyi and Einstein. Over seventy countries have erected statues in his honour…

At a recent commemoration in Guyana of Gandhi’s 146th birth anniversary, staged by the High Commission of India on October 2, 2015, many of the tributes underlined the fact that Gandhi belongs to the world. Gandhi belongs to the world and Gandhi belongs to Guyana.

Gandhi belongs to Guyana in many ways. He belongs to Guyana through the 239, 000 indentured Indian labourers who were brought to Guyana from India between 1838 and 1917. He belongs to Guyana through those people and their descendants. He belongs to Guyana through his friend C. F. Andrews, who was a friend of Guyana. He belongs to Guyana inspiring men like Dr. W. H. Wharton (first Indian doctor), Thomas Flood, Francis Kawall, Peter and Joseph Ruhomon, among others, inspiring the establishment of movements like the East Indian Institute, the British Guiana East Indian Association, the Indian National Congress and publications like ‘Indian Opinion’.

And most of all, he belongs to Guyana because it was his effort that brought an end to the indenturship scheme.

What else can be written on Gandhi. His reading material was examined, including all the books that had an influence on him. And he read avidly and the list of books was long and impressive. Almost all of his writings has and continue to be analyzed with critical appreciation.

Almost all of his correspondences were published, some warranting scholarship. Among his approaches to life was his modus operandi – writing letters, different types of letters to suit the occasion. Here, I would like to look at one of his letters found in his book, ‘The Story of my Experiments with Truth’, (the Mahadev Desai translation). This book,

covering the period from his birth in 1869 to 1921, is fascinating, totally absorbing and is an experiment (in reading and writing). I have read many autobiographies and reread a few, but Gandhi’s would not let me go because it is so innocent, so sincerely written in a most engaging manner. I like the way it was written – short chapters pregnant with meaning.

Early in the book, on page 23/24, I was touched by a letter he wrote to his father. I was touched and perplexed

apology to his father. In the letter, he asked for ‘adequate punishment’ and requested his father not to punish himself for the son’s offence. He watched his father reading the letter and ‘pearl-drops trickled down his cheeks’, a father in agony, those pearl-drops of love cleansed the son’s heart.

‘This sort of sublime forgiveness was not natural to my father…he was so wonderfully peaceful…I know that my confession made my father feel absolutely safe about me, and increased his affection for me beyond measure’. It is amazing what was achieved through this confession/ apology letter.

Gandhi was a letter writer par excellence. And this inspired Bechu of Enmore Estate in Guyana to write letters to the press in a similar vein, trying to right wrongs, giving voice to the disenfranchised human suffering under inhumane conditions on the sugar plantation.

He loved to write and he was a master of the craft of penmanship, knowing that ‘good handwriting is a necessary part of education’.

It was as if he adopted the words of the English Essayist, Francis Bacon, who wrote this on the subject studies, ‘Reading Maketh a Full Man; Conference a Ready Man; Writing an Exact Man’.

Mohandas K. Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, Gujarat, India. He was shy at school, shying away from sports and games but managed to win prizes and scholarships. His formative days and adulthood were fraught with challenges, all of which he overcame mostly by experimenting with each subject/issue. He experimented with frugality and economy, social norms, Eastern thoughts and Western philosophy, discrimination, nutrition, cooking, hygiene, caring for the sick/elderly, language, religion, and the environment, all of which helped him in his season of discovery, eking out the truth for himself and plotting the way forward.

Books played a major role in his life – ‘[m]y books and my lessons were my sole companions’. His The monument of Mahatma Gandhi in the autobiography and other writings have influenced Promenade Gardens ‘The Shaping of Indo-Guyanese Imagination’ (Clem Seecharan) aiding in the shaping of Guyanese literature. by this gesture, dwelling on the whole episode because it showed since then, early in his life, he was experimenting Responses to this author telephone (592) 226-0065 or with the truth, falsehood, apology (saying sorry) and repenemail: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com tance. It bothered him committing two acts of stealing, not What’s happening: the thought of been found out, resolving not to steal again.

The 2016 Commonwealth Short Story Prize is now But there ‘could not be a cleansing without a clean confesopen for entry; please go to the sion’. So he deliberated and wrote a letter of confession and website for more information.

Chronicle Pepperpot October 11, 2015

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East Coast fish vendor loses ring finger in robbery

Indira Ramgobind displaying her shot off ring finger

- struggles to move on

T

rying to make an honest living is proving too difficult for a mother of four having endured two armed robberies, with the latest causing her to lose her ring finger.

Indira Ramgobind of Track ‘A’ Coldingen, East Coast Demerara is a fish vendor who attempted to carry on her business using a donkey cart accompanied by her husband, Shaeed Ibrahim.

and robbed.

The 50-year-old woman told this newspaper that it was the first time they went to sell fish in the Non Pareil area and they had only made one sale of $1,000 but had an additional $3000 when she was robbed.

She explained that they were moving along on the donkey driven cart which was led by her husband while, she was sitting at the back in the tray when she encountered a young man on a bicycle.

The woman added that she thought he asked them

put his hand in her pocket and took out the money she had and left.

The fish vendor stated that when the bandit started to shoot, her husband tried to act by arming himself with a chopper but the robber continued shooting but residents heard the gunshots.

As a crowd grew the lone gunman jumped on his bicycle and fled the scene.

Ramgobind said she was first taken to Vigilance Police Station then to Dr. Leslie Carter after which

Indira Ramgobind’s left hand without a finger

She was shot and injured when a lone gunman robbed them of their sales of $4,000 and a gold ring, her wedding band.

It happened on September 1, 2015 while, the couple had left their home at about 07:30 hrs. They were selling fish at Back Street, Non Pareil, a short distance from their home when they were attacked

to stop but he did not and he came up to her and started to shoot without saying anything.

The robber just pulled out a gun and began discharging bullets indiscriminately at her and she put up her hand to shield her head when he shot out her ring finger.

She started to bleed profusely and the bandit

she was referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where she underwent a surgical operation.

She explained that a re-attachment was not successful as such she has lost some feeling to that hand and her remaining fingers as well.

Ramgobind remarked that she may never re-

gain the full use of that hand and the incident has left her very tramautised and they have not returned to selling fish since.

She said, “What will I do for a living now?

We had that donkey and cart and decided to use it to sell fish and look what happened.

How do I move on from here?”

A week before that incident, Ramgobind told this publication that she was robbed at her home while she was alone some men came in her bedroom and placed a knife to her neck and demanded she hand over the “box money.”

She stated that she had collected $100,000 and had some other money at home which amounted to $230,000 - all of which was taken.

The woman noted that she is very afraid to go out and vend since the robberies, moreso the recent one she is unsure how she will make a living.

Ramgobind used to sell fish one-day per week at

Mon Repos Market, also on East Coast Demerara.

She disclosed that after the robbery she visited the Vigilance Police Station where she was taken on an identification parade where eight young men were displayed.

Ramgobind said she did not recognise any of them as the gunman who shot and robbed her.

(Michel Outridge)

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Couple struggles to rebuild after house collapsed

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HE wooden house S h e l l y Beckles and her husband occupied collapsed two Wednesdays ago displacing the couple; the re-building process is quite an uphill task.

The mother of one said she visited the Guyana Relief Council (GRC) in an effort to seek aid but she was told that her house did not collapse because of a natural disaster and so she could not be helped.

Beckles said she went to Ministry of Social Protection and spoke to Minister Volda Lawrence, who has pledged to offer support in re-building her house. For that commitment, she is grateful.

For now, Beckles has her eyes of “a start;” she just needs to see something happen, and she is optimistic she will succeed in rebuilding her house and until that happens she will not rest.

She currently lives in a shack at Durban Backlands, behind her de-

stroyed house, which fell off its stilts and crashed to the ground leaving her injured and with little of her material possessions.

Beckles told the Chronicle that she was resting in bed, home alone at about 14:00 hrs, when she suddenly heard a cracking sound and felt the house quivering.

And before she realised what was happening, her house came crashing down. She fell off the bed and was initially trapped under some debris.

Beckles said that when

neighbours saw what had happened, they came to render assistance, and she was rescued and taken to safety.

“I am still in disbelief, because the house was not very old and shaky, and suddenly it fell from its pillars to the ground just so, plunging myself and husband in distress.”

She related that she and her husband have been occupying their house at that location for the past 18 years.

Beckles said she is very thankful she had survived the ordeal with only minor injuries, even though she now walks with a limp.

Chronicle Pepperpot October 11, 2015 Shelly Beckles at her collapsed house

She expressed deep gratitude to her neighbours for reaching out to her and her husband apart from coming to her rescue, and she explained that her neighbours have even been providing meals for her and her husband since Wednesday, because all her household appliances, including her stove, were damaged beyond repair.

Beckles said she had nowhere to go, and so she teamed up with her carpenter husband, to construct a shack made out of plastics, tarpaulin and wood so they could

have shelter in the meantime.

“It is very difficult to start all over again; it’s like I have nothing and I have to begin from scratch,” she told the Guyana Chronicle.

The housewife is determined to be back in a decent house soon and welcomes any form of assistance. She can be contacted on 684-5453.

Beckles told this publication that she is however, pleased and thankful to her many neighbours who came forward and offered meals and showed kindness.

(Michel Outridge) The destroyed house

Chronicle Pepperpot October 11, 2015

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Chronicle Pepperpot October 11, 2015

Chronicle Pepperpot October 11, 2015

Playin' Around

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’VE been talking with a woman off and on since May. We started strong, then she pulled away.

I found out afterwards she was sleeping with someone else, so we didn't talk for a few months.

Later, after talking and texting a few days, she calls me and wants to spend the day together "just as friends." We go out to eat, do a little window shopping and go back to my place. She is suddenly all over me.

We kiss and explore one another's bodies, yet in the back of my mind I'm thinking things are not right. So we don't go all the way. A few hours later her mom texts asking where she is, so she says she's going home to check on things and should be back for the night soon.

We kiss and she leaves. She says she would take me with her, but her son is home and she wants him to have a heads-up that she is dating again before he meets me.

She's afraid he might flip out.

At home she texts me. Everything is fine, but her son is back from spending time with his dad so she's staying there. We make plans to meet the next day.

Next morning, an hour before we are supposed to get together, she texts. She can't make it. I ask why and she gives a legitimate answer. I ask when we can see each other as friends again and tell her I meant everything I said the night before. She says she has no idea, don't push, let me sort things out. She doesn't talk to me the rest of the day.

The friend who introduced us happens to come by. She asks about this woman and says, be careful. Don't put your heart in it, she says, because less than two weeks ago she was talking to another man.

After work, I text to wish her a good night at work because she works third shift. She replies she's just pulling into the parking lot. I say okay. I know she's really busy when she first clocks in. It's been hours and I've heard nothing back. I feel played again.

I don't understand how you can tell someone you love them and want to spend time with them one night, then the next morning say, don't push. Another friend who knows the situation says it seems like she clicks with me, but it scares her and she doesn't know how to react.

I don't know. My head says no, but my heart says yes. I don't want to be made a fool of, but I fall so easily for her.

Rod

R

********** od, this woman clicks so well with you she doesn't know what to do about it. What kind of gibberish is that? She appears to be a woman who goes from man to man to man, a woman who radiates sexuality like sunshine.

A person like her is too damaged to know what love is. When you are too drunk to drive, you are too drunk to sign a contract, do math or perform surgery. When you don't understand what love is, you are too muddled to tell anyone you love them.

We don't doubt you have feelings for her, wherever they reside, in your brain, your heart or your pants. But she is so damaged she sleeps with multiple men and jerks you around.

Yet you believe her when she says she loves you. If two weeks from now she said she loves you, be prepared in four weeks to hear that she is sleeping with someone else.

You can't make her normal, but she can pull you off normal. She can damage you to the point where you don't know what love is either.

Wayne & Tamara Send letters to: DirectAnswers@WayneAndTamara.com

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Chronicle Pepperpot October 11, 2015

ARIES - There’s a major focus on work and you’ll be eager to play an active part. While Mars in Virgo encourages you to put your best foot forward, it might not be so easy when Neptune’s influence comes into play, especially early in the week. Clarity will begin to dawn once Mercury turns direct on Friday. Sunday brings a fabulous opportunity to make a bold move. It also offers a chance to take your business or a key ambition to the next level.

TAURUS - You could be pushed into making a decision early on, but avoid doing so unless you’re absolutely sure it’s right. Research your options and bide your time for a few more days. Venus dancing into Virgo adds extra sparkle to your romance zone, bringing more opportunities to find that special person or enjoy creative pastimes. Issues associated with lifestyle and health also clear up as Mercury pushes ahead on Friday. An unexpected offer might be too good to pass up!

GEMINI - The week begins on an intense note that could affect a budding romance or your performance in a creative or entrepreneurial project. You may feel pressured, but try to avoid making decisions until you’re sure you’re on the right track. You’ll soon notice a difference once Mercury forges ahead on Friday. There may be a chance of a small windfall over the weekend that would make you smile. If you’ve been dabbling in real estate, a lucrative deal may be struck.

CANCER - You may feel a greater responsibility to get ahead now that Saturn is moving through your work and lifestyle sector. This means you’ll likely be putting more pressure on yourself. Don’t forget to schedule in plenty of leisure time and the chance to relax to avoid burnout. Also avoid signing anything of importance on or around Tuesday, because things may not be what they seem. Later, a fabulous Jupiter alignment could coincide with an offer that’s everything you’ve wanted and more!

LEO - Go easy with your finances, especially in the early part of the week.

And take extra care of your credit cards and personal data. If you need to make a major purchase, keep receipts and any associated paperwork, as there’s the potential for a mishap. At the same time, Jupiter’s presence in your financial sector boosts opportunities to expand your income and enhance business success. There’s an especially powerful alignment over the weekend, which could bring exciting deals or offers your way.

VIRGO - It can be easy to get in a muddle this week, as there is the potential for mixed messages and general misunderstandings. But there’s also a lot that’s exciting and upbeat happening for you in the days ahead. Venus dances back into Virgo on Thursday, making you an attractive option. Money matters will be less subject to delays and frustration once Mercury turns direct on Friday.

You can go ahead and purchase those big-ticket items. Finally, you may benefit romantically and financially over the weekend.

LIBRA - You may feel put upon by family members and pressured into taking a course of action that irks you. A touch of diplomacy can help swing things your way. Later, you’ll find that delays begin to melt away fairly rapidly as Mercury pushes forward, leaving you able to get on with plans and projects that have been on the back burner. If you get an intuitive hunch to go somewhere or connect with someone over the weekend, follow it up. It could be worthwhile.

SCORPIO - It’s that time of year when you need to take time out to relax and enjoy life a little. Take stock of all you’ve achieved and look ahead to your goals and plans for the next twelve months. Be sure to leave plenty of opportunity for socialising and leisure, as there’s a powerful lineup that encourages you to meet with others, network, and become part of your community. If an exceptional invitation or offer comes your way this weekend, you might benefit greatly by accepting.

SAGITTARIUS - The desire to succeed could take on a whole new meaning this week as Mars moves deeper into your career sector. There’s also an exciting aspect involving Jupiter, which could see you latch on to a brilliant idea and eager to take it further. This might involve a business plan or an insight into your career or industry that could see you doing very well further down the line. Avoid making any impulsive moves, however. It’s best to take baby steps right now.

CAPRICORN - Avoid making important decisions early in the week, as you may lack critical information. Research your options and you’ll make a wise choice. Romance may show up when you’re on a trip or in an academic setting.

Even so, it could take some time to develop into a close, intimate relationship.

The weekend brings some exciting times as you have a chance to put a plan to the test. You may be catapulted to a new level of success as a result.

AQUARIUS - Go easy with money matters early on, as there’s a potential for mistakes. If you’re thinking of purchasing a big-ticket item, hold back for a few days and look into your reasons for wanting it in the first place. You might be able to save some cash. Travel plans look promising, too, especially once Mercury turns direct. The chance of a relaxing break could do you a world of good. Later, an intuitive idea could help enhance your income and take it to a new level.

PISCES - Others may be only too willing to offer practical advice this week, especially if they think you’re heading in the wrong direction. They may be right, but they might not understand exactly what you have in mind. Avoid making decisive moves until later in the week. Finances look set to improve as Mercury pushes ahead on Friday. Now you can go ahead and purchase big-ticket items or close lucrative deals. The weekend could bring a rather unforgettable encounter.

Chronicle Pepperpot October 11, 2015

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Guyanese helps to keep New York fit

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eing a self-motivator is the number one tip for adopting and maintaining a healthy lifestyle and staying physically fit.

With your heart into it, lots of water, a daily 30-minute walk and a rainbow meal you can construct wellness and a fine physique.

At least that’s the mantra of US-based Guyanese Fitness Instructor Sherlon Noble.

The 35-year-old athlete said those people who find it

difficult to stay fit and well should look deeper.

“Follow your heart and don't give up. It may seem impossible at times but that's when u dig deeper and you discover the greatness you have within."

Noble, originally a resident of Airy Hall Mahaicony migrated to St. Maarten, then the United States some years now, where he discovered a deeper love for being fit and healthy, and though he holds a degree in Hospitality and Tourism from St. Francis College in Brooklyn New

Working it out

York, he bumped into fitness destiny while taking a walk one day.

“In my free time I would run and go to the gym do my stuff alone, until people started to notice and ask for my opinion.”

He said with the increasing number of people seeking

him as a fitness consultant, he decided to study in fitness and health and began his career.

“I have a weakness for health, so why not get involved help people stay in shape. Being in New York City, information is not always free so I decided

Sherlon Noble I'll study it for a while then execute what I learnt for a fee.”

Currently, he is a Fitness Instructor/Personal Trainer

at High Definition Fitness Centre, as a guide and help for “individuals who are interested in being more healthy or more fit or flexible physically. This includes weight loss and building muscles.”

He said he trains both sexes from age 18 upward, and the duration of training is based on individual needs and goals.

He too is inspired by self and other persons who are motivators.

“My inspiration is the man in the mirror and anyone who I see is making something from nothing.”

Storytelling

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Chronicle Pepperpot October 11, 2015

with Ole’ Man Pappie & friends

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EARNING is fun and that’s exactly what Ole’ Man Pappie (Michael Khan) and Janie Gyal Natasha Azeez) are doing at ‘Storytelling with Ole’ Man Pappie & Friends’ at the Botanical Gardens band stand. This event began on Sunday September 27, 2015 and will run for the four Sundays in October. Admission is free from 15:00hrs to 18:00hrs (3:00pm – 6:00pm).

In a collaborative effort with the Protected Areas Commission, Ole’ Man Pappie and friends will be telling stories, using traditional Guyanese artifacts as a means to educate the public and safeguarding Guyana’s intangible cultural heritage. Persons are encouraged to bring out the family for an afternoon of relaxation while reliving the golden memories of yesteryear. Artifacts such as the coal pot, gas lamp, matar and pistle, puknee, matapee, milk

can, saucepan, posy, flambo, flat iron, dutch bottles, salt jars, tuma pot, and more.

There will be dramatic performances and dance to ignite learning. In addition this event will also seek to promote family art and craft. Families are invited to participate by just being in attendance. Paints, brushes, paper, beads and all other materials will be provided.

On the other hand, as we have just observed and celebrated Indigenous Heritage month and Education month, the team, in collaboration with the Walter Roth Museum, Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth & Sport and Ansa McAl have just concluded four weeks of ‘Amerindian Tales, Myths & Legends of Guyana” .

Over the past four weeks, approximately 1,500 students were in attendance from schools throughout Georgetown, greater Georgetown, East Coast Demerara and teacher/ students of Cyril Potter College of

Education, where they witnessed live demonstrations of traditional Amerindian basketry weaving, making of cassava bread and art and craft. The students and teachers were also exposed to traditional Amerindian artifacts such as, the tuma Pot, matapee, rain stick, war club, sifter, fossilized skull, an authentic Amerindian chief hat, petroglyphs and more. Additionally, the audience was entertained with traditional Amerindian dances by the St. Cuthbert’s Mission Pakuri dancers from Region 10.

Some of the other activities Ole’ Man Pappie and Janie Gyal have done include, Saturdays with Brer Anansi and friends at the National Library, Moonlight Storynight at the Promenade garden, Storytelling using puppetry in schools, Global Day of Play ► Continued on page XIII

Ole’ Man Pappie using some traditional Guyanese artifacts through storytelling

Pakuri Dancers from St. Cuthbert’s Mission Region# 10 (Photo: Natasha Azeez)

Chronicle Pepperpot October 11, 2015

XIII

Cassava bread making demonstration (Photo: Natasha Azeez)

Storytelling with De Baccoo (Marionette puppet) at Unity Lancaster Nursery school Region #5 (Photo: Natasha Azeez)

Storytelling â–ş From page XII (reliving traditional Guyanese games), Amerindian Tales, Myths & Legends of Guyana. We also participated in Guyana festival, Guyana Folk festival (New York) CARIFESTA XI & CARIFESTA XII, Inter-Guianas Cultural Festival, GGMC Porknocker exhibition (Gold Bush Folklore), storytelling at the Palms, Senior citizens celebration at the National library, International Literacy Day, also the Child protection Agency Funday where we offered art and craft making and storytelling, among others.

FuFu making demonstration on Saturdays with Brer Anansi & Friends at the National Library (Photo: Natasha Azeez)

Storytelling at Child Protection Agency Funday (Photo: Natasha Azeez) Moonlight Storynight 2013 at the Promenade Gardens (Photo: Natasha Azeez)

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Chronicle Pepperpot October 11, 2015

Google Lets You Translate Text in 90 Languages within Android Apps Like LinkedIn and WhatsApp With the release of Android’s latest operating system, Marshmallow, tons of new functionality is going to be introduced over the next few weeks.

One of the more interesting new features rolling out now is the ability to translate text within popular Android apps like WhatsApp. That’s pretty huge if you only speak English and your friend only speaks Hindi, for example.

Google announced the new feature last Tuesday, which lets developers bake Google Translate right into their apps with a text-selection behavior. It’s pretty sweet and I’m sure that we’ll see more apps rolling out with the functionality. We shall wait for this new feature in our new-improved “sweet”-the marshmallow.

Microsoft's first laptop ever: meet the Surface Book Pro 4 The world’s first tab-top?

Microsoft made a surprising announcement last Tuesday- launching their first laptop ever. And honestly, it's not just any laptop. The new Surface Book comes packing a punch with some of the fastest hardware you will find on a portable PC and shall I say, a drool-inducing design that appears as functional as it is beautiful.

The Surface Book sports a 13.5-inch display (227 DPI, 3000 x 2000 resolution), a 6th-gen Intel Core Core i5 or i7 processor, 8GB or 16GB RAM, a GeForce GPU featuring GDDR5 RAM, up to 1TB storage.

The Book has a machined magnesium body, weighs 3.34 pounds, is 0.90” thick and is supposed to last for 12 hours, claiming that its battery won't lose any charge at all while in standby.

Microsoft claims the Surface Book is "pound-for-pound" the fastest 13-inch laptop ever made, making it twice as fast as the MacBook Pro. Microsoft is calling it the "ultimate" laptop. But wait... although the Surface Book is meant to be used as a laptop first (strong hinge and all), it's also a convertible, so you can pull it off its

base and act as a tablet. When detached, the OS seamlessly transitions while the dedicated GPU remains on the keyboard base. You can also flip the screen, attach it again and put it down, for using it as tablet + pen mode. The Surface Pen comes as part of the package.

Back to laptop mode, Microsoft was adamant in describing the backlit keyboard on the Surface Book as one of the best keyboards you'll ever type on, bringing back memories about how they've been making keyboard for 15 years in creating the MS Natural Keyboard.

They said it's also very quiet-as if mechanical keyboard owners care. The track-pad is made of glass with five points of touch sensitivity, it better be good.

The keyboard base also houses two USB 3.0 ports and an SD card

slot. Other standard connectivity includes a headset jack, Mini DisplayPort, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, a 5.0MP front-facing camera, 8.0MP rear-facing camera with autofocus capable of 1080p video recording and front-facing stereo speakers with Dolby audio.

The Surface Book will be up for pre-order starting tomorrow and will start shipping October 26 with prices starting at $1,499 (maxed out model is expected at $2,700). Kind-a hot...eh!

Chronicle Pepperpot October 11, 2015 ► From page XXIV

3-D-printer changed a 4-year-old's heart and life

Mia Gonzalez spent the first 3½ years of her life missing out. She had to skip day care and dance classes because she constantly had colds and pneumonia.

When Mia could go out and play, she was easily winded and took multiple asthma medications to try to help her breathing.

After about 10 hospital stays, doctors realized that Mia had a malformation in her aorta, the vessel that pumps blood from the heart. The 4-year-old would need an operation to close off the part of her aorta that was putting pressure on her windpipe and making it hard to breathe, swallow and get rid of phlegm when she got a cold. Earlier this year, the hospital got a 3-D printer that makes exact replicas of organs that doctors can use to plan surgery, and even do practice operations. The printer uses images from patients' MRI or CT scan images as a template and lays down layers of rubber or plastic.-they did such with her heart!

The printer and software usually cost in the range of US$100,000, which is less than a CT scan or MRI setup in most countries. Interest in the technology will continue to grow as research shows how using simulat-

Facebook plans satellite ‘in 2016' Facebook is to launch a satellite that will provide internet access to remote parts of Africa, the social network's founder Mark Zuckerberg has announced.

In partnership with French-based provider Eutelsat, Facebook hopes the first satellite will be launched in 2016. The project is part of Facebook's Internet.org project, which has come under fierce criticism in some countries.

In some areas, particularly India, businesses reacted angrily to the plans saying it gave Facebook, and its partners, an unfair advantage in developing internet markets.

Several companies already provide internet-by-satellite, but it is a costly option beyond the reach of most people in the developing world-Facebook is trying to mitigate such with this project…hopefully.

ed organs leads to better surgical outcomes and shorter operating times.

Four months later, the surgery seems like ancient history to Mia. She has forgotten all about her surgical scar, although she has had some minor colds, none has landed her in the hospital. A month later, she was even able to participate in her dance recital.

Thanks to “medical technology” this little girl can now “live a life”.

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Jazbaa:

(India Today) Sanjay Gupta's Jazbaa has had the audience's attention since the day the film was announced. And it was revealed that this was the film Aishwarya Rai Bachchan had chosen to return to the

big screen with. However, Jazbaa is a lukewarm comeback for Rai Bachchan. The day the trailer released, people had their doubts about the film, and the film's release just justified those doubts. But more

on that later.

Advocate Anuradha Verma (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan) is a single mother, whose daughter Sanaya â–ş Continued

on page XIX

Chronicle Pepperpot October 11, 2015

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s green return gift to Bollywood

Chronicle Pepperpot October 11, 2015

Jazbaa: â–ş From

on page XVIII

is kidnapped from school.

Not delving into the shoddy security of the school, Anuradha receives a call from a 'Private Number' after the police reach her house for their investigation. Not surprisingly, Verma is given an address and a task. Police officer Yohan (Irrfan) is suspended on corruption charges. He requests his school buddy Anu to fight for him. But of course, the task given by the kidnapper

keeps her busy. She has to fight the case of a rapist and murderer inside the courtroom to ensure her daughter is safe. Thus begins the (over)emotional ride called Jazbaa.

Aishwarya's Anuradha is sincere and believable as both the lawyer whose sole aim in life is to win her case, and as the grieving mother.

As Sanaya's mother, Aishwarya is extremely melodramatic and OTT, though.

Sanjay Gupta makes good use of the camera to focus on Ash's arresting eyes. As

Yohan, the cop-off-duty, Irrfan tries and stays true to his role. The dialogues he is made to mouth, though, are downright painful. And physically so. Sample this: "Neend mashooka ki tarah hoti hai, waqt na do to rooth ke chali jaati hai aur phir manana mushkil hota hai".

The 'rishton mein bharosa aur mobile mein network' one has been dissected to the core right when the trailer was released, so not going there again.

The filmmakers deserve a standing ovation for get-

ting together a strong supporting cast comprising veterans like Shabana Azmi and Jackie Shroff. Shabana is convincing in her role of Garima Choudhary; Jackie's accent puts one off.

Siddhanth Kapoor's fewminute-long role is commendable. Chandan Roy Sanyal gets his killer act bang on.

The problem with Jaz-

XIX baa lies in the overdose of melodrama and dialogues that make your ears bleed.

The story isn't really anything to be praised here given that the film is an official remake of the Korean thriller Seven Days. The amount of green that is used in Jazbaa can make anyone crave for anything not-green by the time he or she exits the theatre.

One aspect that works in favour of the film is its runtime. In two hours, Jazbaa does raise some pertinent

questions about the way justice is (un)delivered in the country. The music doesn't bother. The ghazal Jaane Tere Shehar Ka stands out among the rest.

In all, Jazbaa is not quite the re-entry to Bollywood Aishwarya's fans had been expecting. But she does do a largely good job of nailing her mother-in-distress act... when not screaming her lungs out or weeping her eyes out, that is. Watch Jazbaa for the performances.

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THIS WEEK’S PREVIEW: Oct. 12-18, 2015 EVERY bush a man night time. Why are Jennifer and Philip afraid?

What is wrong with Baby Abigail? Philip is distraught and Jennifer is screaming at the top of her voice.

It’s Sgt Murray’s birthday but there is no happy celebration for him!

The news that Coretta brings to Jennifer causes her to create another scheme to snare Philip.

Finally, Mohan reports to the station for questioning in the killing of Stanley. Will he be charged for this murder?

Don’t miss this week’s episode.

Chronicle Pepperpot October 11, 2015

Chronicle Pepperpot October 11, 2015

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Chronicle Pepperpot October 11, 2015

Traits Mo Managem - Upsetting the status quo

Natasha Harper (Makeup by Clinton Duncan)

By Shauna Jemmott Photos by Traits Model Management

R

iding high on fashion waves with models blazing New York catwalks in big name designer clothing, Georgetown’s Traits Model Management has launched above hurdles and is making a name for itself as well as its models.

In just a year since the agency’s launch, four of its twenty models have made it internationally to high profiled fashion shows at the New York Fashion Week (NYFW) last month.

Showstopper Delicia Archer landed a contract with New York’s Aim Model Management, graced pages in British Vogue in a Malan Breton gown, and secured the coveted

Tiffani Bonner (Makeup by Clinton Duncan)

Tariq Dakhil Xameira Kippins (Makeup by Clinton Duncan)

Chronicle Pepperpot October 11, 2015

odel ment

others from New York Fashion Week are expected to blend their creations with Guyana’s leading designers to make the show a truly international and colourful one.

Traits’ Guyana-based Managing Director Oronde George said a top-of-the line show is also scheduled for October 29 at Aura Lounge where the fashions of Mwanza Glenn, Kesha Edwards, Randy Madray, That Look, Street Stylz boutique and Veron Kee Fashions will be on showcase.

He gave credit to the work of Harper at the BVI show which he said was responsible for the New York fashion networking. The BVI show was their first assignment, and their journey already shows that they are headed for the skies.

Though Traits targets every level - local, regional and international – on the fashion market, they have been catching the eyes of the international seekers.

“In terms of jobs, we’ve been getting more traffic internationally,” he stated.

XXIII “The level that we want to go to, I don’t think the local fashion market would embrace it,” he further stated.

Locally, the agency has done shows, commercials, posters, charity, clean-up campaigns and health assignments, including a domestic violence walk across the Demerara Harbor Bridge with Roger Gary.

The agency is inviting hopefuls with an interest in commercial, editorial, runway, pageantry or other modelling for casting.

He said that fashion has moved away from the concept of models being only pretty face girls, but instead they are seeking males and females ages 16 to 24 with that outstanding look.

“It’s not about looking for a commercially beautiful woman, it’s about uniqueness.”

“We are very meticulous about what we do and we only want do the best of anything,” he said.

‘Cosmo Girl ‘ spot in Cosmo Magazine for being the only black model in the world selected by designer Anne Bowen to model her Spring Summer creations this year. She was also spotted in Glamor, another popular fashion and beauty magazine, and selected by several big name designers to showcase their garb.

Kanye West “Yeezy” showcase which created a stir and controversy because the designer just showed up with his pieces, also featured the Guyanese girl. And according to Manager Orande George, she was properly compensated for her debut appearance.

Natasha Harper, the agency’s first signed model was also present. Though Harper was recalled to British Virgin Islands (BVI) Fashion week this year again, she chose to refuse because bigger callings were on the other side of the world for her. New York Fashion Week (NYFW) designers loved her too and she landed several jobs.

Kimberly Sattaur and reigning Miss Guyana Talented Teen Reesa Sooklall also did a lot of high profile fashion shows.

Traits Model Management, with which the models are contracted, boasts of its accomplishments and announced that an international fashion gala awards is organized for December in Guyana to honor the accomplishments of designers and models.

Renowned overseas designer Roger Gary and several

Mercene DeAbreu (sitting) and Shameka Jones.

(Photo and Makeup by Clinton Duncan)

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Chronicle Pepperpot October 11, 2015

Rio de Janeiro:

Beguiling, beautiful and brutal (BBC News) BEGUILING, beautiful and brutal.

Rio de Janeiro is all of the above.

Perhaps it's the physical nature of the "Marvelous City" that everything seems to be so close together - the ugly and the serene, rich and poor, violent and peace-

ful.

The death of 17-yearold Eduardo Felipe Victor dos Santos might have gone down as one more barely noticed statistic in the long-running war between Rio's military police and the city's many drugs gangs.

At Eduardo's funeral in the sprawling Sao Joao Ba-

tisita cemetery, just a stone's throw from the upmarket air-conditioned shopping centres and tourist hotspots, mourners had arrived on buses from Providencia favela - or shanty town - where Eduardo lived and died.

The air was heavy with emotion, the dead youth's mother and grandmother inLarge crowds followed Eduardo Victor’s coffin to his funeral service on Wednesday consolable as they watched his coffin being slid into a small space in the cemetery wall.

A family friend made a brief but impassioned speech, saying that had it not been for images taken furtively on a mobile phone, by someone who witnessed Eduardo's death, the shocking truth

Eduardo Felipe Santos Victor lived in the Providencia favela, or shanty town (pictured)

might never have come out.

The widely shared footage clearly shows a group of armed policemen standing over the youth's heavily bloodstained body.

One of the officers calmly places a gun on the floor and then into Eduardo's hand. The officer then fires the pistol into the air twice, presumably

to give the impression that Eduardo had shot at police before being killed.

The five-man police team has since been arrested and Rio's high profile chief of security, Jose Mariâ–ş Continued

on page XXV

Chronicle Pepperpot October 11, 2015

Rio de Janeiro ... â–ş From page XXIV

ano Beltrame, has vowed that any rogue officers will be dismissed and prosecuted.

TRIGGER HAPPY? When I recently asked Mr Beltrame if Rio had a problem with officers who "shoot first and ask questions later", his denial was emphatic.

"That's not true. If you look, we have figures that show the number of police killings, and those are falling," the secretary told me in his downtown Rio office.

But he added: "Yes, we used to have 'cops who kill', but today you can only say that in a few cases."

Human rights groups like Amnesty International dispute the official explanation. In a recent report, Amnesty accused Rio's military police of being "trigger happy" and said that more than 1,500 murders in the city over the last five years were committed by on-duty police officers.

Whether deliberately targeted or killed in crossfire, the fact that hundreds of people die every year at the hands of Rio's police is arguably another sign that the so called "pacification" policy in the city's favelas is fast unravelling.

With more than 50,000 violent deaths every year, Brazil has one of the highest murder rates in the world.

About half of those killed are young black men and, according to the Institute of Public Security, many cities including Rio have seen a big increase this year in the number of people killed "as a result of policy activity".

Many Brazilians say you can't look at what is happening in a huge, diverse country through the prism of one city alone.

ALL EYES ON RIO That is a fair point, but it's a matter of fact that there's huge international focus on Rio these days because of its international reputation, last year's World Cup and the forthcoming Olympic Games.

So, given the recent figures, does Mr Beltrame envisage serious security problems in Rio between now and the Games?

"I obviously don't have a crystal ball, so I can't guess what's going to happen," is his first answer, but then he expands.

"Actually, I think it's the opposite. We're going to have a very peaceful Olympics Games, like many of the events we organised before. But the Olympics are not my main worry.

My main concern is the people of Rio that don't want and can't carry on with this amount of guns around."

That last point is significant. Mr Beltrame occupies a powerful and high-profile position, but says he has no political ambitions and so feels free to speak his mind.

He clearly thinks there are too many guns in circulation in the city, fuelling the drugs wars between the numerous gangs (three distinctive "big" gangs identified by him) and police.

"It can't go on like this," says the secretary, who advocates much tougher gun control and a serious debate about the legalisation of drugs.

POLICE TARGETED The focus this week may have been on another troubled young man who died at the hands of police, arguably when he could and should have been detained alive, whether or not he was involved in selling drugs in his favela.

But Rio's security forces, too, are frequently the victims of violent crime, retribution and murder.

Earlier this week, a policeman on the outskirts of the city was tortured to death, his body dragged through the streets behind a horse.

There have been numerous kidnappings of officers from their cars and homes, and living in the communities where they work is often not an option for policemen and women concerned about their families' safety.

Rio de Janeiro is still one of the world's great cities and, as was the case with the World Cup, it will probably get its act together in time to put on a great Olympic Games.

But with less than a year to go before those Games arrive, these stories - of police violence and impunity, of murder committed against the police, and of heavily armed gangs controlling favelas - are not images of a city at peace with itself.

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Chronicle Pepperpot October 11, 2015

Informal oral care

By Dr. Bertrand R. Stuart DDS FORMAL care services rely on informal care-givers to ensure good health. For example, dentists rely on patients to restrict their children’s diet and to teach them the importance of oral hygiene during the socialization process. If lay members of society did not form their own care networks, the dental profession would be overwhelmed by disease.

Dr. BERTRAND R. STUART, DDS.

The importance of this is illustrated by the attempts to encourage self-care, as shown by the publication of self-care advice to the

public on prevention of dental disease. This advice is summarized as: - Reduce the consumption and especially the frequency of intake of sugar-containing food and drink.

- Clean the teeth thoroughly twice every day with fluoride toothpaste.

- Have an oral examination by a dentist at least once a year.

These are explicit attempts to encourage the

informal oral care system. The emphasis is upon individuals developing control over aspects of their diet and oral hygiene. There is evidence that populations are improving their oral hygiene activity, with most people in industrialized countries brushing their teeth one or two times a day. As people develop these informal health care skills, their understanding and practice of what is appropriate behavior in terms of diet and oral hygiene may affect their relationship with formal health care workers. â–ş Continued on page XXVII

Chronicle Pepperpot October 11, 2015 ► From page XXVI There could be both positive and negative effects of their increased self control. If people feel confident about their personal knowledge and skills, then they might develop a greater sense of competence. However, at the same time, they might not readily accept the value of what a dentist says. On the one hand, the informal dental health workers are expected to accept responsibility for personal oral health and know when they should access the formal care system, but on the other hand, they are expected to be passive when meeting the professional. This has been described as a “double-blind”.

In general, studies of the dentist-patient relationship have not considered this “double- blind” in detail. Research has been mainly concerned with variations in the behavior, feelings and attitudes of patients as these relate to their management. One outcome of the finding is that informal health participants may have particular ideas about the management of symptoms is the discovery in many surveys of what has been termed the ‘clinical iceberg’. When people are asked to keep

diaries of their dental health symptoms, many more symptoms are recorded in the diaries than are actually reported to the formal health care system.

Thus, health professionals see only a small part of the existing illness. Just as only a small part of the iceberg is visible above the surface of the water. There is a large discrepancy between the need for dental care and the demand for formal health care services. Self-care is used to treat symptoms.

A gradient of the likelihood of symptom experience leading to a consultation has also been established. People are much more likely to consult if they have a major disabling or threatening symptom, such as a severe toothache, than if they feel the symptom is more minor, such as spitting blood. Spitting blood is painless but it generally requires the person to undergo one or more extractions as

XXVII the support component of the teeth are already destroyed.

On the other hand, a toothache may require a mere filling or root canal therapy as treatment.

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“Idea of India” debate rages after man killed over beef rumours (Reuters) The murder of a Muslim man over rumours he consumed beef has fuelled a fierce debate over India’s rising intolerance towards religious minorities, with President Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday calling for a tradition of tolerance to be defended.

Since Mohammed Akhlaq was beaten to death in his home in Uttar Pradesh last week, politicians from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party, ministers among them, have made statements seemingly in defence of the Hindu mob that killed him.

Cows are considered holy by many, but not all, Hindus, who form a majority of India’s population of 1.2 billion, and beef is eaten by some of the country’s minority Muslims and Christians, as well as many lower-caste Hindus.

India is the world’s largest exporter of beef and its fifth biggest consumer, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government wants a nationwide ban on cow slaughter and the beef trade, which is run mostly by Muslims.

Akhlaq’s murder has brought to the fore tension over whether India should drop its pluralistic ideals and adopt a Hindu-first identity.

In a rare televised speech from the presidential palace,

Relatives of Mohammad Akhlaq mourn after he was killed by a mob on Monday night, at his residence in Dadri town, in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India, September 29, 2015. REUTERS/Stringer

Chronicle Pepperpot October 11, 2015 Mukherjee addressed an event attended by Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who has previously spoken in favour of a nationwide ban on cattle slaughter. On Tuesday, Singh called for calm.

“Throughout the years, this civilisation celebrated diversity, promoted and advocated tolerance,” said Mukherjee, a constitutional figurehead with a largely ceremonial role. “We cannot allow the core values of our civilisation to be wasted.”

Modi has been criticized for not publicly commenting on the controversy, but seven days after the murder, the home ministry said perpetrators of violence would be punished.

Author Nayantara Sehgal, the niece of the first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, on Tuesday returned a 1986 prize she had received from India’s national academy of letters, to protest against what she called the rising dominance and intolerance of Hindu nationalism.

Former foreign secretary Shyam Saran also weighed in, with an article saying the lynching and other incidents were worrying signs that the “idea of India” was diminishing.

This week, in Delhi and the southern state of Kerala, where beef is widely eaten, groups of young people held beef-eating “picnics” to protest against the imposition of food prohibitions.

Modi’s government has clamped down on the illegal trade of cattle with Muslim-majority neighbour Bangladesh, and two states ruled by his party have tightened laws to protect cows.

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Media savvy Islamic State presents grave concern for U.S. at home, admiral says (Reuters) A recruiting push by Islamic State militants via thousands of Twitter accounts and other social media postings remains one of the biggest threats facing the United States, a high-level U.S. military official said on Wednesday.

Admiral Bill Gortney, commander of U.S. Northern Command and the North American Aerospace Defense Command, said he was particularly concerned about radicalized youth in the United States who were “in receive mode” but not communicating back.

U.S. authorities could potentially track recruits who communicate with Islamic State recruiters, but it was tougher to identify potential recruits, such as the shooter who killed five servicemen in Tennessee in July, Gortney told an event hosted by the Atlantic Council think-tank.

Gortney said heightened security at military bases around the United States – now at the highest level in nearly four years – would likely remain in effect for “quite some time,” given the government’s inability to predict when or where such attacks could occur.

“It’s going to be a long slog,” Gortney said, adding that the United States need to counter Islamic State’s narrative. “It’s

a war of words. … We have to go after and break this pattern of radicalization.”

Gortney said the U.S. government was doing a comprehensive review of its efforts to counter Islamic State’s recruitment drive, but the fight needed to be led at the local level by parents, communities and schools, not the military.

Gortney ordered increased security in May, affecting everything from recruiting stations to National Guard posts and military bases and camps in the continental United States, Alaska and U.S. territory in the Caribbean.

The move came after two men opened fire outside an exhibit of caricatures of the Prophet Mohammad in Garland, Texas; they were shot dead by police. The two were later found to have had contact with militants, including a British man linked to Syria-based Islamic State rebels.

Investigators believe the Garland attackers and the Tennessee shooter principally radicalized themselves through Internet contacts, and were not directly ordered or encouraged to carry out the attack by Islamic State leaders.

Gortney said his staff was working with the intelligence community to understand when the threat level could be lowered, but warned it would be a “glacial” process.

(A computer screenshot shows the U.S. Central Command Twitter feed after it was apparently hacked by people claiming to be Islamic State sympathizers January 12, 2015. REUTERS/Staff )

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Chronicle Pepperpot October 11, 2015

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Merundoi teams help to tackle chronic diseases

M

erundoi Incorporated continues its commitment to addressing social issues through the use of ‘Edutainment’ (Education through entertainment).

In addition to its very popular Radio Serial Drama ‘Merundoi’, the NGO also conducts, quite effectively, Street/Forum Theatre which aims to highlight social issues through a well structured learning experience featuring dramatizations (modelling) followed by reinforcement (of the message). Merundoi Incorporated has under its belt the longest running Radio Drama in the Caribbean and the organization continues to collaborate with private agencies as well as public institutions including line Ministries to achieve its objectives. In the most recent series of Street/Forum Theatre performances, Merundoi was invited by the Ministry of Public Health to collaborate in educating In School Youth about physical and mental health issues dealing with varying themes. The main theme of reinforcement however, was to help the students make better choices, decisions, and to be able to solve problems more effectively.

The group, comprising Merundoi team and staff of the Ministry of Public Health, visited Regions 10, 3, and 5 respectively from September 21st to 23rd, 2015 during the week celebrating International Day of Peace, to perform two plays; ‘Breaking Free’ (focused on Domestic Violence), and ‘Wakeup call’ (focused on healthy physical lifestyles). The target groups fell between age 13-16yrs. Visits were made to Lichas Hall (Region 10) where several schools were represented, including Patentia Secondary School and Uitvlugt Secondary School (Region 3), followed by Bush Lot Secondary School and Rosignol Secondary School.

The team received a rapturous welcome and during the presentations received feedback from the students. The design of the Street/Forum Theatre activity in this instance focused on the voice of the youth and by the feedback received, it was clear the forum was effective in educating them and providing for them a forum to voice their views and concerns on Domestic Violence and healthy lifestyles while they learn to make better decisions in life.

Merundoi will continue to serve the public through its popular Radio Drama (now in the climax of its fourth season) and Street/Forum theatre as well as through our other activities, including Listening and Discussion Groups (LDGs) and public education in general. The company is grateful to its donors, the European Union, Global Fund and corporate sponsors which include Republic Bank Limited, Edward Beharry & Co. Ltd., Spads Incorporated and Guyana Lottery Company. The organization ‘soft launched’ a new website in August and will be having an official launch event on November 15 (also streaming from any mobile device). You can listen to your favourite episodes online at ( www.merundoi.org.gy) or share your views on Facebook.

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Chronicle Pepperpot October 11, 2015

Remembering distinguished educator Anoopwattie Veeren

T

By Telesha Vidya Ramnarine EACHER Anoopwattie Veeren was a beloved mom, grandmother, and teacher who touched the lives of many in different generations as she served in Guyana’s education system for some 53 years.

It is for this reason that her sudden death on Sunday, November 1, 2013, drove a hole in the hearts of many.

She was the very essence of a good teacher and she always believed that to succeed in the field, one has to love the children they are teaching and view them as their own. That is what she had told the Guyana Chronicle in an interview just

months before her untimely passing.

Ms. Veeren, informally called ‘Anoops’, was admitted to the Balwant Singh Hospital after she found herself with symptoms of what appeared to be flu. When she visited the hospital, she chatted as normal with others and even filled out her forms for admission.

“We didn’t think she would be admitted. She worked up to the day before she decided to go to the hospital. We definitely didn’t see this coming. It was a big blow to us,” her daughter Marci Veeren told this newspaper last Thursday.

The family was in shock. Marci knew her mother as someone was always so active and independent, and furthermore, suffered from no serious illness. She believes that it was

her four grandchildren that were really affected by their grandmother’s death.

Ms. Veeren was indeed very close to her grandchildren and could not stop talking about them during her interview with the Chronicle. She had insisted that their photos be carried along with hers for the previous article.

Marci recalls that it was only until Ms. Veeren’s funeral that the family came to appreciate how many lives were touched by her mother. Many wrote letters expressing themselves to the family.

Ms. Veeren served Guyana’s education system for some 53 years.

Ms. Veeren, who would have been 70 years by now, started her teaching career at the Helena Primary School at Mahaica, East Coast Demerara, when she was only 15 years old; and believe it or not, this is the only school at which she has ever taught! She spent 40 years teaching at this school which she herself attended as a child.

Who could have foretold when her mother dropped a five-year-old Anoopwattie there, that she would be integrally involved in the affairs of that institution for the next 50 years?

“I never left, basically because the school was located a street away from my home. So I bypassed promotions, and my juniors went off ahead of me, because I didn’t want to move.

I waited when the opportunities arrived at that same school,” she recalled in our interview.

So, from being an ordinary teacher, she progressed to becoming a senior mistress, then deputy headmistress, then finally headmistress. She retired as a graduate headmistress in 2000.

Even though it was mandatory for her to retire at the age of 55, it did not prevent her from tutoring on a private basis, holding, in the afternoons, classes for students of various schools.

Teaching at 15?

What made it possible for someone to teach at the age of 15 back in Ms. Veeren’s days?

“Teaching at such a young age was possible at that time because, when you finished school, you wrote the School Leaving Exams; and once you passed it, the headmistress made a little class with whoever passed, and have them study for the pupil/teacher appointment.” Once the individual passed the pupil/teacher exam, he/she was immediately appointed as a teacher, with the condition that he/she writes this exam each year for four years. “This then entitled you to enter training college. It was equivalent to four subjects GCE; and after college for two years, you came out as a Grade One trained teacher.”

Having succeeded at that level, Ms. Veeren next attended the University of Guyana, and progressed all the more in her teaching career, obtaining several awards for her work. She received a Teacher of the Year award from the Ministry of Education in 1989; the Woman of Distinc► Continued on page XXXIII

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Veeren gives a present to one of her grandchildren tion Award from the Baha’i Movement in 1999; and the Guyana Teachers Union Award for long, dedicated and conscientious service in 2001.

She was also honoured, in May 2011, for great service in education, and leadership roles in humanitarian work, by the S&S Supermarket on behalf of the people of Mahaica in May 2011.

Ms. Veeren had married Leo Jerome Veeren (now deceased) who had lived one street away from where she was living, and spent 23 years of her life with him. They parented four children; and later, they welcomed four grandchildren.

Apart from teaching part time, at the time of her death, she was a member of the Teaching Service Commission, where, she was responsible for the appointment of teachers, having a say in hiring, firing, and disciplining.

She was also a Justice of the Peace, Commissioner of Oaths to Affidavits, the Chairperson of the Mahaica People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Group, Chairperson of the Mahaica Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO), Central Committee Member of the WPO, and Education Secretary of the Regional Body of Region Four B of the PPP. She was also the Chairlady of the Unity / Vereeniging Neighbourhood Democratic Council.

THE GREATEST SECRET A good teacher is not necessarily one who gets a child to pass an exam. For example, Ms. Veeren has observed that some teachers looked for the brighter children and focused their attention on them. “But you need to go down to the level of the others. You must first find out where the child is, and go down to his/her level and then bring him/her up. You must pay attention to your weaker children; and I think that is the greatest secret in teaching,” she said.

She had observed that a good teacher must be patient, love the children under his/her care, and view them as if they are his/her own children. “When a child comes to school, he/she might come with an empty stomach from a home that was full of war and quarrel. You have to find out the background of the child. Most children who misbehave in school are those without parents, who were left with a grandparent who can’t control them.”

Ms. Veeren recalled that she always wanted to become a teacher, and succeeded at it because she loved children. “And that’s what kept me in teaching. It wasn’t the money. I see children as precious commodities. Children are a blessing, and when we are blessed with them, we should ensure that we make every sacrifice to give them the best healthcare, the best education, and the best of love and attention. Then and only then can we retire in happiness and contentment. For as we begin to fade away along the journey of life, we will be able to look back in admiration at the blooms we have left behind,” she expressed.

She recalled how fortunate she was to have had good role models as teachers such as her headmaster, Mr. Matadin Ragu, and other teachers like Mr. Majeed Mohammed.

A good role model herself to younger teachers and students, Ms. Veeren said there was nothing as good as when she observed her students doing well in school. “When the results come out and you see how happy the children and their parents are, you feel as though you have all the wealth in the world.”

Ms. Veeren married the late Leo Jerome Veeren, who had lived one street away from where she was living, and spent 23 years of her life with him. They parented four children, Carla, Sharda, Marci and Ricardo; and later, five grandchildren, Noel, Arianne, Shane, Shaya and Leo. She never met Leo.

With her three daughters

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Baylor University rescinds honorary degree awarded to

BILL COSBY (Reuters) Baylor University, the world's largest Baptist university, has decided to rescind the honorary degree it awarded to comedian Bill Cosby in 2003, saying on Friday "acts of interpersonal and sexual violence" run counter to the school's values.

Baylor is one of several universities to cut ties with Cosby in the past year after more than 50 women have come forward with allegations against him, including drugging, sexual assault and rape.

Most of the incidents date back decades, putting them outside the statute of limitations for legal action.

Cosby has denied the allegations.

"Baylor University is working to confront the scourge of interpersonal and sexual violence wherever it occurs," the school said in a statement.

Baylor's Board of Regents made the decision on Thursday to rescind the

doctor of humane letters.

The university, which prides itself on providing a Christian education, awarded the degree in 2003 when it was facing a crisis after one of the school's men basketball players was arrested for murdering a teammate.

After that, the men's team was rocked with charges of violating NCAA rules.

In September 2003 Cosby donned the university's colors and put on a free performance for about 20,000 people in which he dispensed advice on dealing with loss that was peppered with jokes.

Troubles have returned to the school in the central Texas city of Waco this year when a Baylor football player was sentenced by a Texas judge in August to six months in jail and 10 years’ probation for sexually assaulting another student in 2013.

The school has faced criticism for trying to play

‘Steve Jobs’ ► From page XLIV with this talent that has no business being this nice - one of themes we explore."

Unlike Boyle, the film portrays Jobs as contentious, arrogant, stubborn, isolated, troubled, charismatic, witty and often misunderstood.

In heated, passionate and spirited conversations, Jobs is seen struggling to find a balance between his talents and being a nice guy. He makes diva-like demands on long-suffering colleagues for his product launches. He has no qualms about delivering pointed threats or even rejecting his five-year-old daughter as she stands in front of him.

The film's structure mirrors Jobs' frenetic energy as it jumps between the three product launches without actually showing their debuts, leaping from one fast-paced conversation to another.

"Steve Jobs" has been well received by critics, with The New York Times calling it "a rich and potent document of the times."

down the incident and has started an independent investigation of how it managed the incident.

XLIII Bill Cosby

Selena Gomez

says suffered from lupus, underwent chemotherapy

(Reuters) Pop singer and actress Selena Gomez has revealed in an interview that she was diagnosed with the autoimmune disease lupus, which led to her canceling the end of her tour in 2013, but that the disease is now in remission.

"I was diagnosed with lupus, and I’ve been through chemotherapy," Gomez, 23, told Billboard magazine. "That’s what my break was really about. I could’ve had a stroke," she said.

Gomez canceled concerts in Russia and Australia saying at the time that she needed "to spend some time on myself."

The move, followed by a stint at an Arizo-

na rehabilitation facility, generated tabloid rumors of struggles with pills, alcohol, or even difficulties over her breakup with pop star Justin Bieber, which Gomez told Billboard angered her.

"I wanted so badly to say, 'You guys have no idea. I’m in chemotherapy," she told the magazine in its new issue which was out on Thursday.

"But I was angry I even felt the need to say that. It's awful walking into a restaurant and having the whole room look at you, knowing what they’re saying. I locked myself away until I was confident and comfortable again."

Gomez gained fame as a Disney Channel

actress in her teens on "The Wizards of Waverly Place," before launching a music career with hits such as "Love You Like A Love Song."

"It's so disappointing that I’ve become a tabloid story. It took away everything I loved about this business," she added.

Gomez, whose new album "Revival" debuts on Friday, said she is staying healthy now through "diet, routine and medication," as well as by surrounding herself with supportive friends.

Some 1.5 million Americans suffer from lupus, according to the Lupus Foundation of America. The disease mainly strikes females between the ages of 15 and 44 years old.

‘Steve Jobs’ takes big screen deep-dive into the man behind Apple "It's like, five minutes before a launch, everyone goes to a bar and gets drunk and tells me what they really think," Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, played by Michael Fassbender, says with exasperation in a new biographical film.

The phrase sets the tone for Oscar-winning screenwriter Aaron Sorkin's "Steve Jobs," a dialogue-heavy reimagining of one of technology's most revered figures in the moments leading up to three product launches: 1984's Macintosh, 1988's NeXT cube and 1998's iMac. The film, directed by Oscar winner Danny Boyle and opening in New York and Los Angeles on Friday and across the U.S. next week, explores Jobs through four of his key relationships - with Apple's marketing head Joanna Hoffman (Kate Winslet), fellow Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak (Seth Rogen), Apple CEO John Sculley (Jeff Daniels) and Jobs' eldest daughter, Lisa.

Seen across the years, the behind-the-scenes moments aim to shed light on Jobs the man, wheth-

Actor Michael Fassbender gives an interview before a screening of the film ‘Steve Jobs’ at the New York Film Festival in New York, United States, October 3, 2015. (REUTERS/DOMINICK/REUTERS)

er it's his warm relationship with "work wife" Hoffman, being a protective older brother-type to Wozniak or seeking a pat on the back from father-figure Sculley.

Coming four years after Jobs died at age 56 from cancer, the film is the third film on him, following 2013's "Jobs" starring Ashton Kutcher and this year's Alex Gibney's documentary "Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine."

It looks at the much-revered technology entrepreneur from yet another angle. Sorkin adapted his screenplay in part from Pulitzer-winning Walter Isaacson's book: "Steve Jobs."

Introducing Boyle at a Los Angeles screening on Thursday, Sorkin enthused "you're never going to meet someone ► Continued on page XLIII