Pepperpot 2015 5 31

There is much to celebrate for Prime Minister Nagamootoo and his lovely wife Sita

► Page XX

- following the recent elections victory and 44th wedding anniversary Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and his lovely wife Mrs Sita Nagamootoo

DWAYNE HACKETT Man with a passion for photography

Photographer Dwayne Hackett

► Page XXVII

GUYANA PLACES 2ND among 13 of Caribbean’s finest public speakers ► Page XVIII

Toastmaster Anita Ramprasad

Guyanese songbird ‘Shelly G’

‘Shelly G’ is full of rich, intoxicating ‘Guyanese flava’

- ‘That unique Guyanese sound’ keeps coming continuously ► VIII Page

SURIDA

NAGREADI

- A beautiful, multi-talented young woman blazing the trail to be Guyana’s next icon in the Radio Industry! ► Page XL

Produced and Edited by Mark Ramotar | Graphic and Layout Design by Duane Prnce

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Chronicle Pepperpot May 31, 2015

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By Maureen Rampertab

earl was her birthstone yet she loved red.

Chris smiled, pleased as he took out the gift bag from between his clothes in the wardrobe. Today was his mother’s birthday and he had brought a special gift for her, two days ago.

It was something he knew she would love, something that would have been beyond him, hadn’t he won on Easter day, a prize money in the kite flying competition.

He had crafted a unique kite and won something for the first time in his life, a win that was for her. But she did not take the money, telling him he had earned it, for his time and dedication in building the kite.

He had hugged her for being such an understanding mother and for everything else.

The gift, though beautiful was nothing compared to her worth, for as a young mother who had gone through so many struggles in her life, but stood strong and dedicated to her three children, she deserved all the gifts and flowers in the world.

For mother ’s day, a most beautiful occasion, he had bought for her, a bouquet of flowers, from a part of the prize money.

Chris was only eleven, yet he understood as her oldest child, the struggles in her life, since his father left. How many nights from seven years old, hadn’t he heard her crying, softly, but in the morning there was always a smile for her children, a smile to tell them, everything would be fine.

Chris opened his bedroom door quietly and went to the kitchen, where she was busy with breakfast. She was a teacher so on working days, in the morning, she was always in a rush to prepare breakfast and lunch.

“Mom,” he called her.

She looked up and seeing him, she smiled, “Hey, you’re a little early. Can you open that tin of tuna for me?”

“Sure” he answered but he did not move and turning from the stove, a little worry crossed her face, “Are you okay?”

He raised the gift bag in his hand and smiling, he said, “Happy Birthday, Mom.” “Oh!” she exclaimed, surprised, “This is so nice.”

She hugged him and taking the bag, she asked curiously, “What do you have here?”

“Open it.” He urged her.

She unwrapped the gift slowly and for a long moment, she did not say anything, then she looked at her son, tears in her eyes.

“This is so beautiful.”

It was a pair of red shoes.

“Do you like it?” he asked, a little anxiously.

“You know I do,” she said, “But why the shoes?”

“So you can dance again.”

She looked at him, a flicker of pain flashing across her face and she said quietly, “You know I have no one to dance with now.”

“Someone can come along.” He said, a positive note in his voice but the flicker of pain in his expression, she saw.

She hugged him and mother and son stood there for a moment in each other ’s embrace, pain in their hearts from the absence of a husband a n d f a t h e r. H e h a d walked out on them, his priorities in life having changed and never looked back, breaking his promises and vows. Times had become hard for her but she did not give up, battling on with a little help from family and the church.

maureen.rampertab@gmail.com

She Wore Red

Today, she could afford to rent a comfortable, two bedroom bottom flat as she awaited the processing of her appli► Continued on page III

Chronicle Pepperpot May 31, 2015

III

She Wore Red ► From page II cation for a house lot that would give her a chance to own her own house. She still had a long way to go as she continued working and striving to lay a solid foundation for her children.

Chris had known she would be happy with the gift because she loved to dance but since his father had left, she had stopped dancing.

Red was her favouritecolour and knowing she had a red dress she hadn’t worn yet that her sister had given her for Christmas, he had looked around until he saw the perfect pair in the show case of an exclusive boutique.

It cost more than the money he had and two days later, after borrowing some money from his grandmother, he went to the boutique but almost lost the shoes.

A tall gentleman was about to buy it, “For my sister’s birthday” he was telling the sales girl.

“Sorry sir,” Chris had said without hesitation, “But that’s my mother’s shoes.”

The man had looked at him curiously, “Really son? I thought these shoes were for sale”.

He looked at the salesgirl, puzzled, “Are they not?”

“Yes, sir,” she answered.

“No,” Chris had said, almost frantically, “I built a kite and flew it in a competition to win money to buy these shoes for my mother’s birthday, so she can dance again.”

The man had looked at the boy for a long moment, at the slight tremor on his lips, the money in his trembling hands and shaking his

head resignedly, he had handed him the shoes saying, “Your mother is a lucky woman, to have a son like you.”

As Chris rode to school that morning, he wondered, “Now who can I get to dance with her?”

Since his father had walked away, she had shown no special interest in anyone.

“Maybe she’s scared to trust another man,” he surmised, added to the fact that she was a mother of three.

“Not everyone wants a mother with three children,” he had overheard her telling his grandmother one day.

“There must be someone,” Chris thought to himself, “Who is loving and kind.”

The days that followed were a little out of the norm from school, basketball practice and church for the young boy, for every good looking gentleman he saw, he wondered if they were single and if they could be someone his mother would like.

One afternoon as he was shooting hoops, he paused and chided himself, “This is crazy, what am I thinking?”

He tried to push the thought at the back of his mind, as his mother continued to work to provide for her family.

Many times she had questioned God, “Why this pain and suffering?”

No answers, not a hint of something good that could change her life for the better but she never lost hope, no matter there was no music to the song in her heart, at least she had richness and that was her children.

“One day I’ll see the colours of the rainbow,” she comforted herself, “One day.”

It was almost four months since her birthday and one afternoon, on the basketball court, Chris fell and hurt his ankle. She rushed him to the hospital, praying in her mind, “Oh please God, don’t let this be bad.”

The x-ray showed it was just a hairline fracture and she sighed deeply in relief, “Thank you dear Lord.”

She was walking back from the Hospital’s dispensary after collecting some medication for Chris when someone called her name.

“Jennifer.”

She turned around and saw it was one of the young doctors, not someone she knew but he knew her name.

“Yes?” “Don’t you remember me?” he asked, a courteous smile on his face.

She looked at him, tall with casual good looks, not sure for a moment then it dawned on her, after he hinted, “High school” and she gasped,“On my goodness, Dylan, it’s you!”

He nodded, laughing a little at the surprised look on her face, “It’s been some time.”

“I know,” she said, pleased at meeting an old school friend.

“When you went away to Cuba to study, we lost contact.” “ I t ’s g r e a t s e e i n g

you again,” he said and looking at Chris, he asked, “Your son?”

“Yes,” she answered with pride, touching her son’s shoulder.

Chris could hardly believe it.

It was the gentleman from the store, where he had bought the shoes.

“Is she dancing now?” he asked Chris.

Jennifer looked puzzled as Chris shook his head and Dylan explained.

“I was at the store when he bought the red shoes for you so you can dance again.”

“Oh,” Jennifer exclaimed softly, looking a little uncomfortable.

“She stopped dancing since my father left,” Chris said, trying to make something happen here.

Jennifer looked at her son, surprised, “Chris you don’t have to….”

“What happened?”

Dylan asked.

Jennifer shook her

head a little, not wanting to talk about her failed marriage, “It’s a long story, really you wouldn’t want to…”

“I’d love to,” he interrupted her, “we were best friends.”

She smiled wryly,“I have to go.”

She assisted Chris to his feet and as she turned to leave, Dylan asked, “Over dinner, maybe, Saturday night?”

She hesitated and Chris pinched her arm, whispering, “Say yes, mom.”

She couldn’t help smiling at her son’s request and after a short moment, she nodded, “Okay.”

“Great.” Dylan said.

The wish in the boy’s heart was that the young doctor was the right one for his mother, the one thing that was missing from her life.

Now she would wear red and dance if there be music to the song in her heart.

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Chronicle Pepperpot May 31, 2015

GO-INVEST STRENGTHENING OPERATIONS - to build on 2014 successes

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By Tajeram Mohabir NTENT on building on successes achieved in 2014, Go-Invest, Guyana’s premier investment agency, will be establishing a Research and Development department to further strengthen its work, as the agency moves to forge closer relations with the private sector and to more aggressively promote investment opportunities in Guyana abroad.

Go-Invest Chief Executive Officer Mr Keith Burrowes told the Chronicle that the Research and Development department will act both as an intelligence unit and an advisory arm of the agency.

The primary task of the department will be to collect information from the various government ministries and agencies, analyse project proposals, examine market trends in the region and further afield, and provide up-to-date information to potential investors.

For example, an investor wanting to open an ethanol operation here will benefit from information on the potential benefits of opening such an Go-Invest will be establishing a Research and Development department to further strengthen its work

establishment.

From the information gathered, the department will prepare reports on investment opportunities in Guyana, and make same readily available to local and overseas entrepreneurs.

CLOSE COLLABORATION The department will see Go-Invest working closely with the different government agencies, and experts in these agencies would be called on to participate in interviewing investors.

Burrowes said that, over the years, persons have been visiting Go-Invest for services the agency does not provide. Now, instead of turning those persons away, Go-Invest will keep a register of them, call the relevant agency where they can be assisted, and provide them letters to take to those organisations.

This, Burrowes said, will be done to ensure persons are not pushed around.

The investment agency is hoping to implement a mechanism by which it would have monthly â–ş Continued on page V

CEO of Go-Invest, Mr Keith Burrowes

Chronicle Pepperpot May 31, 2015

V

► From page IV meetings with key government agencies and the private sector, to discuss issues affecting investors.

Go-Invest has not been without challenges.

Many local entrepreneurs believe they cannot benefit from the agency, and the agency is channeling a significant amount of energy to dispel this perception, Burrowes said.

OUTREACH To promote its work locally, more particularly among the youths of the population, Go-Invest will be reaching out to students of the University of Guyana and students leaving secondary school.

Those outreaches, the Go-Invest CEO said, are to stimulate students’ interest in business, and to inform them of areas of investment available and concessions to be had.

Similar sessions will be held with small and micro-enterprises. Go-Invest is also currently in the process of reviewing investment concessions being offered to promote and encourage investment in Guyana. This will see the country’s principal investment agency working closely with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).

Naturally, when a concession is granted, it reduces the revenue accruable by GRA. Go-Invest intends to implement a tool-devised collaboration with the Ministry of Finance to recoup, within a reasonable time, sums that would have been lost through concessions.

According to Burrowes, Go-Invest is also looking to implement a system of credit rating for big companies wanting to invest locally.

The agency, he said, will be insisting that companies wanting to invest locally provide audited statements covering the last two years of their operations. Greater attention would also be paid to the viability of projects in which they want to invest.

While some would say this would cause unnecessary delays, Burrowes said it is a vital function of Go-Invest, and that is what taxpayers pay them to do - to, among other things, scrutinise projects to ensure their viability and soundness.

This necessary work, he said, will not cause any delay, but will be executed with efficiency.

NOT AT FAULT Burrowes said that, with the exception of March, Go-Invest is not to be blamed for delays. He pointed out that, on many occasions, critical information had not been furnished to the agency on time.

Investors will now be required to sign a letter indicating when they would provide all necessary information to Go-Invest, following their formal meeting with officials there. As part of a promotional drive, the investment agency is working to develop a website which, apart from English, would be available in Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch and French. A standard application is being developed so that investors can express their interest online.

Staffers of Go-Invest are also being trained in these languages so as to ensure that the agency’s operation is not affected by language barrier.

DOWNSTREAM PROJECTS Burrowes has said that, given the high hopes of Guyana striking oil in commercial quantity, Go-Invest is attuning itself to focus on down-

To promote its work among the youths in the population, Go-Invest will be reaching out to students of the University of Guyana stream projects. Only last week, ExxonMobil Corporation announced a significant oil discovery on the Stabroek Block, located approximately 120 miles offshore Guyana. The prospect of finding oil in commercial quantity remains high, and Guyana will be hoping to hit the jackpot. If it does, through prudent management, the ‘black gold’ would significantly transform the economy and the lives of Guyanese.

The investment agency is also looking to promote Guyana as a hub for back-office services.

Through this venture, large companies establishing operations here can contract out the management of their finances to local audit firms.

This, he said, is an area in which Guyana has a lot of scope. He also pointed out that other areas are being examined, but he declined to elaborate.

The year 2014 was a bright one for Guyana in terms of investments. The country was able to attract some $196 billion in investments from 234 projects, and to create some 15,868 jobs.

According to Go-Invest, of the 234 projects, 162 were piloted by local businesses, while the remainder were drawn from foreign direct investment.

AREAS OF INVESTMENTS The areas that attracted the investments were agriculture, energy, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), light manufacturing, mining, services, tourism, and wood products.

Investments in locally proposed projects totalled some $107.5 billion, and created some 7,254 jobs, while proposed foreign direct investment

amounted to $88.4 billion.

Burrowes said the successes achieved last year were due to more aggressive marketing of Guyana.

He pointed out that the marketing and promotional campaigns will this year intensify both locally and overseas.

Go-Invest was established as a semi-autonomous body under the Public Corporations Act in 1994.

It comes under the direct purview of the Office of the President (now renamed Ministry of the Presidency).

The CEO answers to a Board of Directors comprised of representatives of both the private and public sectors.

Go-Invest is divided into two divisions: one responsible for investment facilitation and promotion, and the other for export promotion.

With these divisions, Go-Invest offers a full complement of services to local and foreign investors and exporters.

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Chronicle Pepperpot May 31, 2015

NAMILCO brings international specialists to assist local bakeries

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By Alex Wayne

HILE other manufacturers are intent on making profits a priority, the National Milling Company of Guyana Inc (NAMILCO) is more concerned with satisfying consumers’ needs and providing quality products to their clientele.

Namilco accordingly hosted a two-day seminar, dubbed ‘Future in Baking’, at Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara, to effectively educate local bakers on the importance of product presentation, quality, and new innovative ways of securing profits, while at the same time providing customers with the highest quality products. This seminar was opened by its CEO, Mr Burt Sukhai.

The services of international specialists Didier Rosada (Red Brick Consulting) and Miguel Galdos of the Engrain Entity were solicited to educate local bakeries on strategies to improve quality of the products they produce, thus keeping their customers satisfied. Detailed classroom sessions and practical theories to ensure bakers become acquainted with new and easy methods of meeting and securing customers’ interests were presented during the seminar.

In the first segment of the event, Presenter Miguel Galdos detailed, in his introduction to bakers, that only two baking processes were possible -- the straight dough and indirect dough formulas. He explained that the main difference in each process was the fermentation time, which impacted the quality of the products.

Fermentation in the baking field refers to the conversion of sugars into alcohol and carbon dioxide under the effect of (commercially or naturally occurring) bacteria.

Touching on the effects of fermentation, he emphasized that production of carbon dioxide (CO2) assures the proper rising of the dough and texture of the finished product. While he noted that the alcohol helps with aroma and flavour, he explained that acidity increases the strength of the dough and secures better shelf life of products, in that it lessens staling and molding.

The straight dough process is elaborated in only one step and with only one fermentation time. The advantage this creates is that it assures very short baking time. It however has a few drawbacks, in that best results are obtained with strong ‘high gluten flour’ with a lot of additives, which is more expensive. Products from this sort of flour have little flavour development and very short shelf life, resulting in low quality final products.

With the Indirect Dough Process, according to Mr Galdos, the total flour from the formula is mixed in two steps. That is, a percentage of the flour is mixed with water yeast and salt, and the dough is then allowed to ferment under controlled conditions. This process is known as ‘Preferment’.

Preferment, of course, has its advantages, in that ► Continued on page XXIV

Local bakers simply drooled in anticipation as the delicious bread types began to take form under the expert hands of the presenters

Enthusiastic local bakers make record of notable points delivered by the two overseas presenters

Mr Affeeze Khan addresses the gathering

Chronicle Pepperpot May 31, 2015

VII

It happened in 1976…

Full Court erred in construction of language, sets aside magistrate’s ruling - Appellate Court restores magistrate’s decision

By George Barclay IN 1976, an alleged error in the construction of language ended with the Full Court wrongly setting aside a magistrate’s guilty decision in an unlawful assault case, and finding the respondent Hardatt, also known as ‘Ghandie’, not guilty.

The State appealed to the Guyana Court of Appeal. That appellate Court, finding that the trouble arose through construction of language that led to the wrong interpretation, set aside the ruling of the Full Court and ordered that the decision of the magistrate be restored.

The facts disclosed that the respondent was charged with the offence of unlawfully assaulting one Mari Muthoo so as to cause him actual bodily harm. During the course of the trial, the magistrate admitted in evidence the medical report of a registered medical practitioner issued within forty-eight hours of his examination of the injuries found on Mari Muthoo.

In order to rebut the story of Maria Muthoo that the assault on him was unprovoked, counsel for the respondent Hardatt tendered in evidence a document from the same doctor, which purported to be a report made by that doctor and issued within forty-eight hours of his examination of injuries found on the respondent.

Proceedings were never instituted against Mari Muthoo.

The magistrate ruled that the document was inadmissible, because the injuries sustained by the respondent were not the subject of a prosecution

for a criminal offence, and were thus not caught within the ambit of Section 43 (4) of the Evidence Act, Chapter 5:03. The magistrate therefore excluded from his consideration the contents of that report, and found the respondent guilty.

On appeal to the Full Court, it was held that the document was within the ambit of Section 43 (4), and the appeal was allowed and the conviction and order set aside. The State appealed this decision of

fore be given their ordinary natural meaning.

(3) That although the court has the power to develop the Common Law in certain cases, this was not a case which would justify a judicial extension.

(4) That since the respondent’s injuries were not the subject of a prosecution for criminal offence, the respondent’s medical was inadmissible; and accordingly, the judgment and order of the Full Court would be set aside and the

the Full Court to the Court of Appeal.

That court held: (1) That only a document purporting to be a Post-Mortem report of a duly registered medical practitioner, and a document purporting to be a report made by a duly registered medical practitioner within 48 hours of his examination of any injury or condition of a person, and which said injury or condition is the subject of a prosecution for a criminal offence, can be admitted in evidence under Section 43 (4) of the Evidence Act Chapter 5:03.

Accordingly, the ruling of the learned magistrate was right.

(2) That there is no ambiguity or lack of clarity in the words used in Section 43 (4), which must there-

decision of the magistrate restored.

The Guyana Court of Appeal, constituted by Justices of Appeal Mr. Victor Crane, Mr. Ronald Luckhoo and Mr. Dhan Jhappan, ruled, as they allowed the appeal and restored the Magistrate’s decision.

The appeal was brought

by DC 7294 Henry Chester against the decision of the Full Court setting aside the conviction and order by the magistrate of the respondent Hardatt, aka Ghandie. Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. G.H.R. George Jackman, S.C., appeared for the appellant, while Mr. K.A. Juman-Yassin represented the respondent.

Justice of Appeal R.H. Luckhoo, who delivered the judgment of the Court,

said: “The only point which calls for consideration in this appeal is one of construction of the language used in Section 43 (4) of the Evidence Act, Chapter 5:03 with respect to the admissibility in evidence of a document purporting to be a report made by a duly registered medical practitioner.

“The facts giving rise to this appeal are briefly these: The respondent was charged with the offence of having, on the 30th June, 1973, at Leonora, West Coast Demerara, unlawfully assaulted Mari Muthoo so as to cause him actual bodily harm, contrary to Section 30 (a) of the Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act, Chapter 8:02.

During the course of the trial, the magistrate admitted in evidence the medical report of Dr.Sahai, a registered medical practitioner, issued by him within 48 hours of his examination of the injuries found on Mari Muthoo.

“During cross-examination of Sergeant of Police Primo, a witness for the prosecution, counsel for the respondent caused to be tendered in evidence through that witness a document, also uplifted by the police from the same doctor, which purported to be a report made by that doctor and issued within 48 hours of his examination of injuries found on the respondent.

“The object of the defence was to show that, far from the story of Mari Muthoo of an unprovoked assault on him being true, it was Mari Muthoo and his family who had unlawfully assaulted the respondent.

“Neither the police nor the respondent instituted

George Barclay

proceedings against Mari Muthoo for any assault alleged to have been committed by him on the respondent. This document, tendered under cross-examination, was admitted by the magistrate in evidence and marked as Ex. ‘B’.

“The respondent was found guilty, and in his reasons for decision, the magistrate said, with respect to this latter medical report, EX. ‘B’, that it was inadmissible, as the injuries sustained by the respondent were not the subject of a prosecution for a criminal offence, and thus the document was not one caught within the ambit of the provisions of Section 43 (4) of the Evidence Act, Chapter 5:03.

The magistrate, therefore, excluded from his consideration the contents of Ex. ‘B’.”

According to Justice of Appeal Luchoo in the Full Court, on appeal, the learned judges there disagreed with the view taken by the magistrate, and held that he had misdirected himself when he stated that the medical report, Ex. ’B’ was inadmissible.

The Full Court came to the conclusion that it was admissible in evidence under the section of the act, and that the exclusion by the magistrate from his consideration of the medical report relating to the injuries which the doctor had found on examination of the respondent amounted to a grave miscarriage of justice, rendering the entire

trial a nullity.

“The appeal was accordingly allowed by the Full Court, and the conviction and order of the magistrate set aside.

“It is our view that the section under review is a statutory exception to the hearsay rule. At common law, a medical certificate was inadmissible to prove the facts stated in it, as the best evidence of those facts was the oral statement on oath of the person who gave the certificate. [See Richards vs. Sanders and Sons (1912) 5 BGWCC 352 C.A] “As a general rule, hearsay evidence is not admissible. It is not given on oath, and cannot be subjected to the tests and safeguards provided by cross-examination, which alone can either confirm and enhance its cogency and value, or expose it as unworthy of credence and devoid of any probative value.”

In conclusion, the judgment added, “We regret we have to differ from the learned judges of the Full Court in their construction of the sentence under review. The appeal is allowed, the judgment and the order of the Full Court are set aside, and the decision and the order of conviction made by the learned magistrate are restored, save that we propose to set aside the penalty imposed and to substitute a reprimand and discharge in its place.”

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Chronicle Pepperpot May 31, 2015

Guyanese songbird ‘Shelly G’ - ‘That unique Guyanese sound’ keeps coming continuously

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By Alex Wayne

OT, tantalizing, sexy, electrifying, dynamic, explosive, and numerous other words can be used to describe the stage performance of this young and oh-so-talented Guyanese-born-and-bred singer, songwriter and dancer Shelon Garraway, more popularly known as ‘Shelly G’.

Shelly aspires to become a successful singer and songwriter, and that is what actually fuels her driving ambition,

although most of those who have been fortunate to see her in action think she has ‘already arrived’.

Shelly has been singing since the age of six, but in church and in her school dorms. She eventually auditioned on a talent exclusive show, and earned herself a lead recording roll at Dynamix Recording Studios.

She does it all, being versatile in everything, including Soca, Dancehall, Reggae, Chutney, R&B and Soul. To get a taste of her ‘intoxicating flava’, just check the music on her albums, available at http://www.shellygonline.com.

Recording music over the past ten years had been an excit-

‘Shelly G’ is full of rich, intoxicating ‘Guyanese flava’

‘Shelly G’ is a saucy songbird who will definitely take Guyana places

Hot and captivating are words that can best be used to describe this local songbird

ing journey for Shelly G, who has already tabled hits with the likes of international entertainer ‘Luciano’, Guyana’s reggae ambassadors ‘First Born’, the talented ‘Fojo’, and top-notch icons like ‘Jah Cure’, Rudy Corbin, JB, and Chutney sensation ‘De Hitman’ of Trinidad. She has also recorded a mixed tape, dubbed ‘My Name Is’, with twenty-one songs as she tries to take her music to a higher level by integrating Hip Hop and R&B with a rich West Indian Soca and Dancehall groove.

She has also been the opening act for lots of international artists on tour to Guyana, among whom have been ‘Akon’, ‘Beenie man’, Jah Cure, Beres Hammond, Maxi Priest, Soca Queen Allison Hinds, and Dancehall Queen ‘Lady Saw’. She has, moreover, collaborated with R&B Sensation ‘Ashanti’, just to name a few.

In 2005, she was first runner-up in the Guyana Carib Soca Monarch, and she went on to win the Carib Soca Monarch title in February of 2009 and become the only woman to ever win that league.

Shelly has exhausted the possibilities for herself in Guyana, and now wants to go mainstream by fusing the Caribbean vibes with the American Hip-Hop and R&B mixes. This ambition gave birth to her mixed tape entitled ‘My Name Is Shelly G’, which showcases her new style on 21 tracks. Check it out in digital stores worldwide.

Music is the blood that runs through her veins, and she practically lives in the studio, having recorded in London, Jamaica, Trinidad and Guyana, courtesy of Vizion Sounds, Platinum 101 Trinidad, Dynamix Music, and Stadic Production. Her Soca Monarch entry for the 2014 competition ‘Party Animal’ (Wuk It) was recorded in Trinidad by Stadic Productions, and was awarded Best Groovy Soca by the Hits & Jams Boom 94.1 Radio Station in Guyana for Mashramani 2014.

Look out for Shelly G’s live performances at venues near you, and come out and support this electrifying song diva.

Shelly’s music is available on her website www.shellygonline.com For further updates, checkout her website: www. shellygonline.com, www.facebook.com/shellygonline, www.facebook.com/shelongarraway or follow her on twitter and Instagram @shellygonline.

Chronicle Pepperpot May 31, 2015

IX

(A look at some of the stories that made the news ‘back-in-the-day’ with CLIFFORD STANLEY)

In the Courts: He’s a cross between Boy and Man (Guiana Graphic August 28, 1959)

Charles is a small bit of a man and because of that young girls like Monica are forever making fun of him.

So small is the fellow that it is difficult to say whether he is a man or a boy.

A closer look however will convince you that Charles is man enough even though his frame is that of a boy.

That kind of thing, as a Lawyer told Mr Dan Debidin yesterday morning, can be very humiliating for Charles.

And the fact that Charles and Monica live in the same yard has added to the fellow’s torment.

For whenever he passes, Monica would taunt: “But just look at he.He too big for a boy and too small for a man”.

Well one day Charles decided to prove to Monica that he was very much of a man.

He showed her that even if his body was that of a boy his fists were those of a man.

They had clashed by the outhouse at the back of the yard and Monica chose that moment to repeat her taunt.

Young and vigorous at 16, Monica tried to prove to Charles he was so much of a boy that even she could beat him.

And according to Counsel, she brazenly braced him against the zinc of the nearby structure.

What was more, Charles lawyer was willing to wager that Monica could beat him.

And though Charles did not protest to this openly, he didn’t seem pleased.

‘BOY or MAN?’ After all Charles had come to Court prepared to plead guilty to the charge of assault Monica had instituted against

him.

That way he probably reasoned, he could convince the Magistrate and all those who cared to listen that he was indeed man enough to put Monica in her place.

And here was his lawyer running him down.

Despite all that evidence that Monica was the aggressor, Charles did plead guilty.

“Is he a boy or a man?” Mr Debidin asked as Charles stepped forward from the back of the court.

“That’s just it Sir. It is because of his size that this young girl is taking her eyes to pass him,” the lawyer stressed.

“Yes he is a short little fellow, but he is old. He is a man.”

“Well she has been in the habit of teasing him about his size,” Charles lawyer complained.

She told him: “Look at you…you too short for a man and too big for a boy.”

“On that day she even braced him against the latrine to show him that she could do battle with him.Then she added insult to injury by striking him with a bucket.”

“Well Monica let me hear what he did to you?” the Magistrate asked.

“Sir, is not so the story go,” Monica protested.

“I imagine so,” Mr Debidin agreed.

“Sir I went to the standpipe to get a bucket of water to go and bathe. And his stepdaughter who was at the pipe sprinkled water on me.”

‘LIKE YOU MUDDER’ “I turn and tell her that she ent got manners and she tell

For good eating in British Guiana…

CURRIED EGGS (Daily Argosy July 28th, 1960)

RECIPE: Four hard-boiled eggs, 1 onion, 1 oz. butter, 1 teaspoonful curry powder, ½ pint stock, cooked rice, I dessertspoonful flour, pepper and salt.

Shred the onion and fry it in butter.

Stir in the flour and the curry powder and seasoning.

Add the stock, stir well and simmer for ten minutes.

Slice the hardboiled eggs and put them in a saucepan.

Strain the curry stock over them and simmer for a few minutes.

Pile on a hot dish and serve with a border of rice.

me: like you mudder.”

“I then say that I would complain to her mother and she run and tell he and he come out and start to point he finger in me face and abuse me,” Monica complained.

“I notice you are giving him a side-long glance,” observed Mr Debidin.

“Sir this young woman here wanted to show this man that she could beat him….displaying her youthful strength by pinning him against the latrine,” Charles lawyer took over.

“And you’re saying that he counter-attacked,” remarked Mr Debidin.

“But this girl believes that she can beat him. It’s all very humiliating.”

“I don’t think so,” rejoined Mr Debidin. “Although she has an inch or two over him. I don’t think that she will be able to pin him down.”

“Just look at him Your worship”, the lawyer invited Mr Debidin stepping aside so that his bulky frame should not hide the puny Charles.

“The defendant is weak and puny…too small for a man and too big for a boy,” Chares lawyer pleaded and Charles glared at him.

“Well whatever the reason,” decided Mr. Debidin, “whether it is because she told him that he is a cross between a man and a boy, I believe he assaulted her. Man or boy, I think he can beat her.”

“You had no right to strike her,” Mr Debidin told the puny Charles.

“But because you’ve pleaded guilty, I’m going to be lenient. You’re fined $6.00 and costs $1.22.

Jim Reeves hit song…

HE’LL HAVE TO GO - is the No. 1 Tune (Daily Argosy July 4th 1960)

Jim Reeves hit: “He’ll have to go” found its way to the top of the ladder on the Husqvarna hit parade program on Friday evening over Radio Demerara.

Occupying second and third places respectively were Craig Douglas’ “Pretty Blue Eyes” and Gary Mills “Teen Angels”.

In fourth place was the Crest’s “Step by Step” followed by newcomer in the fifth place, Brook Benton’s “The ties that bind”.

The Drifters “True Love” occupied sixth place while at the bottom of the ladder of hits in seventh and eight places were Nat Cole’s “Time and the River” and “Theme from a Summer Place” by Hugo Winterhalter.

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

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Chronicle Pepperpot May 31, 2015

Has Insomnia, the unexpected visitor, come your way?

- Serve it a cup of Chamomile tea!

By Shivanie Sugrim EVER experienced difficulty falling asleep at nights? Is it consistent? Do you twist and turn on your bed? That condition is often regarded as ‘insomnia’.

If you google the term, I assure you that you’ll find definitions similar to this.

Insomnia is a persistent disorder that can make it hard for someone to fall asleep; hard for that person to stay asleep; and sometimes hard for a person both to fall asleep and to stay asleep, despite having opportunity to get adequate sleep.

The insomniac usually awakes feeling unrefreshed, which takes a toll on his/her ability to function during the day. Not only can insomnia sap a person’s energy and depress a person’s mood, it can also destroy their health, work performance and quality of life. (Mayo Clinic)

There is also a link between weight gain and sleep apnea.

It is often iterated that most adults need approximately seven to eight hours of sleep at night, but the aforementioned statistics show that persons discard sleep, giving it little consideration.

Sleep varies from person to person. Insomnia can either be a short-term condition (acute) or a long term condition (chronic). Acute Insomnia is very brief and occurs due to circumstances in one’s life; for example, exams or bad news.

Nevertheless, this usually resolves without any treatment.

On the other hand, Chronic Insomnia is quite consistent, would visit for three nights, and would stick by your side for as long as it pleases. Unlike Acute Insomnia, the disorders of Chronic Insomnia can be tied to many causes: shift work, medications, environmental changes, unhealthy sleep habits, among other things. These can all lead to insufficient sleep,

Shivanie Sugrim

But the thing for the insomniac to remember is that he/ she is not alone! Below are (global) statistics to prove that: * People today sleep 20% less than they did 100 years ago * More than 30% of the population suffers from insomnia * One in three people suffers from some form of insomnia during their lifetime * More than half of Americans lose sleep due to stress and/or anxiety * Between 40% and 60% of people over the age of 60 suffer from insomnia * Women are up to twice more likely to suffer from insomnia than men * Approximately 35% of insomniacs have a family history of insomnia * 90% of people who suffer from depression also experience insomnia * Approximately 10 million people in the USA use prescription sleeping aids * People who suffer from sleep deprivation are 27% more likely to become overweight or obese

and result in fatigue, low energy, decreased performance in daily activities, and mood disturbances.

However, persons with the chronic disorder can seek medical treatment to attain normal and healthy sleep patterns. It is important to note also that this disease, when it has progressed to the chronic stage, can be linked to other medical conditions, particularly psychiatric and depression issues.

So here are some symptoms to beware of if you feel you’re treading down the Insomnia path: * Awaking during the night * Awaking too early * Not feeling well-rested after a night's sleep * Feeling tired or sleepy during the daytime * Irritability, depression or anxiety * Difficulty paying attention, focusing on tasks or remembering * Increased errors or accidents * Tension headaches * Distress in the stomach and intestines (gastrointestinal tract)

* Ongoing worries about sleep * Difficulty falling asleep at night If you’re experiencing any of the above, it is highly advisable to visit an internal medicine doctor for treatment.

Being a victim of insomnia, I’ve somehow managed to escape its horrifying stages; but, ever so often, I’m revisited by the disease. So a personal recommendation would be Chamomile herbal tea, which is available at local supermarkets countrywide including Survival Supermarket. This herbal tea is gradually curing this unexpected illness of mine.

Like you, I’ve tried many sleeping pills and, unfortunately, it has led to no avail, and has even invited anxiety problems.

So, I’d recommend you get rid of those pills and try the Chamomile tea!

Here’s why you should: Chamomile is a herb that comes from a flowering plant from the daisy family. Both the fresh and dried flowers of chamomile have been used to create teas for centuries to cure a number of health problems, particularly sleeping disorders. The active ingredient in chamomile essential oil is known as bisabolol, which has a number of anti-irritant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial properties.

Chronicle Pepperpot May 31, 2015

XI

‘I’m keeping my fingers crossed’

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AST Thursday morning I was on the verandah at home in the city and I noticed a pile of garbage on the parapet opposite my house.

The heap included a broken sitting chair, an old mattress and bits of vegetable waste.

I was going out after lunch when a vehicle drove up, with City Police emblazoned on the front door; two men in uniform got out and one asked me if I knew who dumped the garbage across the street. I told them I didn’t know and they went into the yard close to where the waste was.

I returned home early that evening and to my surprise, the opposite parapet was clean.

The garbage pile had been removed. I was so surprised.

I hurried into the house and told my wife that the garbage was no longer there. I don’t know who removed it. But I found the swift action most commendable. We’re getting somewhere, I thought.

What, with groups of young people cleaning up areas around the city, with corporate citizens donating huge sums to the City Council for the clean-up, the follow-up which saw the garbage outside my house removed in a few hours is heartening.

The sprucing up of the cityscape began with work on the Independence Arch on Brickdam, and this has spread to parapets and drains and alleyways and now one entity has undertaken to clear the mess on the Hadfield Street end of D’Urban Park.

We had become so used to a dirty city. I was having nightmares. I would dream of piles of garbage coming through my front door and invading the sitting room, the rotting vegetables and fruit and fish stinking to high heaven. Then I would wake up, the sickening smell still in my nostrils.

To paraphrase the old saying, one swallow does not a

summer make. But I would like to think that what happened last Thursday is going to continue, as we follow up on what had been started since the cleaning up of the Independence Arch on Brickdam.

I pray that we are on the way to making our beloved capital a garden city once again. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

TAILPIECE:

Why not drop in at Castellani House on Vlissengen Road sometime this week. A showing of Abstract Art and Sculpture from the National Collection is on there and it promises to be quite a show. I hope the display includes works by Aubrey Williams (as a matter of fact one of his paintings is featured on the invitation to the show), and Cletus Henriques and Ron Savoury. A visit there will surely give a lift to your day. The exhibition continues until July 18.

An abstract panel catches the eyes of this duo at the opening of the Castellani House showing on Thursday evening

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Chronicle Pepperpot May 31, 2015

PORTRAIT OF A PRESIDENT - as a Man of Letters

L

ONG before Brigadier (ret’d) David A. Granger ascended to the highest office in the land as President of Guyana, he was making valuable contribution to the country especially in the field of literature.

Around this time when tributes would be pouring in, the import and impact of that aspect of the President’s life may be glossed over mainly because there is still a grudging respect for the writer in our society.

How ironic that such an essential aspect of development the word merchants and creators of ideas are relegated to lowly levels in society.

This article is an attempt to forestall any slight of the man as a litterateur and sort of endorse his contribution to the literature of Guyana in preserving our literary heritage and cultural patrimony.

President Granger has contributed to the preservation of our literary heritage as a writer, editor and publisher.

Of course, this overview of the President’s literary output will definitely incorporate his military career and his academic work as an historian, both areas of which lent to his literary output.

President Granger obtained a secondary school education at Queen’s Collage where he was a member of the Queen’s College Cadet Corps. The upshot of that experience led to the publication of the monogram, ‘The Queen’s College Cadet Corps, 1889-

1975’, which is a well-researched and well written document of which both the academic and layman could readily use.

This was to be the story of Granger’s life – research, record, assimilate, disseminate and publish.

Sharing of information is his hallmark. Sharing of information helps in the nurturing of a learned nation, a better workforce and a people loyal to the betterment of their community.

Just out of his teens, Granger joined the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) as a Cadet Officer which led to a colourful military career. His military acumen opened doors for him, leading to his involvement in other military and paramilitary establishments.

He came away from those organisations with many strips, pips and awards. But his most noted accolades from that era were his publications which include the following: ‘National Defence: A Brief History of the Guyana Defence Force, 1965-2005’; ‘The British Guiana Volunteer Force, 1948-1966’; ‘The Guyana People’s Militia, 1976-1997’; ‘The Guyana National Service, 1974-2000’.

This corpus of writing established him as the foremost authority on the military in Guyana. This knowledge in the military stood him in good stead as Granger moved into civilian life. ► Continued on page XIII President David A. Granger

Chronicle Pepperpot May 31, 2015 ► Continued on page XII This civilian period of his life was also characterised by his devotion to the arts especially writing, editing and publishing. He established the Free Press and founded the Emancipation Magazine and the Guyana Review Magazine, the most successful news magazine of the country. His interest in periodicals led to publication of ‘Guyana’s Periodicals’ which carries the subtitle, ‘A Brief Survey of the Periodical Press, 1796-2006’. The blurb explains that such publications arose to express the people’s economic, ethnic, political, social, cultural and religious interests’.

Granger’s love of country shows in the publication of ‘Guyana’s Independence 1966’ which is a useful guide to everything of national import like the National Flag, the National Coat of Arms, the National Motto, Symbols of Nationhood, the National Bird, the National Animal, the National Flower, the National Anthem among other information.

One of his hobbies, a man must have that personal space to indulge, is collecting coins which also lent to his literary output in the form of anther monogram, ‘Guyana’s Coinage, 1808-2008’.

His love for history and his desire to right history was manifested with the publication of ‘Five-Thousand Day War: The Struggle for Haiti’s Independence, 1789-1904’; ‘The Era of Enslavement, 1638 -1838’; and ‘The Village Movement, 1839-1889’. In these publications, Granger shows that he is not a man to mince word although he is a man of words and a man of letters.

Apart from his own writing, he edited ‘Milestones in Village History’ – a series of six radio talks delivered by Allan Young, and co-edited with Winston F. McGowan and James G. Rose, a massive book, ‘Themes in African-Guyanese History’. This book ‘focuses on some of the major developments in the history of African-Guyanese from the time of their arrival in what were then the Dutch colonies of Essequibo and Berbice in the first half of the seventeenth century to the present day’.

‘Themes in African-Guyanese History’ was first published by the Free Press, later reprinted by Hansib Publications. (A full review in subsequent article.)

To this corpus of writing must be add the many papers President Granger delivered at conferences including one dealing with women titled, ‘Convention and Convenience: A Preliminary Study of Women Soldiers in the Anglophone Caribbean with Special Reference to the Women’s Army Corps of the Guyana Defence Force, 1967-2002’.

There is another part of the President’s life when his biography is written (by yours truly or some other writer) that obviously afforded him time and space to attend to the arts and that is his family life. Family is important. Good family life is essential to a stable society and is an asset to the meaningful development of the country.

Obviously, all of the above will stand President Granger in good stead as he launches programmes in the effort to promote universal literacy which would lend to the eradication of poverty and a better Guyana. Long live the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.

(Persons wishing to respond to this author can telephone (592) 226-0065 or email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com)

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Chronicle Pepperpot May 31, 2015

4 BILLION PEOPLE REMAIN OFFLINE Despite an increase in global Internet usage and efforts to boost international Web access, some 4 billion people remain offline.

Over the last 15 years, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has seen the number of global Internet users increase from 400 million to an expected 3.2 billion

by year's end. Along the way, however, many billions of people were left by the wayside, without access to email, texts, social media, digital maps, or even statistics about themselves.

Industry heavyweights like Facebook and Google are working to bring free or cheap Internet access to emerging markets, teaming with local ISPs or launching balloon-based Internet service.

Internet.org and Google's Project Loon are still in their infancy, but ITU announced that between 2000 and 2015, Internet penetration overall increased almost seven fold from 6.5 to 43 percent of the global population.

Mobile users are keeping pace, too, according to ITU's forecast, which suggests that by the end of the year, there will be more than 7 billion mobile subscribers worldwide up from fewer than 1 billion in 2000.

Global cellular penetration is set to reach 47 percent this year, while at the same time, 69 percent of the global population will reportedly be covered by 3G mobile broadband, up from 45 percent in 2011. Of the 3.4 billion people in rural areas, meanwhile, about 29 percent will be covered by 3G broadband this year, the ITU said.

"ICTs (information and communication technologies) will play an even more significant role in the post-2015 era and in achieving future sustainable development goals as the world moves faster and faster towards a digital society.

WINDOWS 10 PRICE:

FREE UPDATE WILL BE AVAILABLE TO MOST USERS, BUT NOT ALL

Microsoft will offer free upgrades to its new operating

system, Windows 10 — but only for select people. And it’s unclear, at the moment, what will happen to those that aren’t chosen.

Users of the most recent versions of Windows - 7 and 8 - will be given the option to upgrade for free in the first year that Windows 10 is out, and will have to buy the software after that. But those on older versions of Windows, and those made for tablets, might miss out.

Microsoft has already said that users of the home version of Windows 7 and 8 will be given Windows 10 Home for free.

And users of those pro versions of those operating systems will be given the corresponding edition of Windows 10.

But Microsoft hasn’t yet said what will happen to those on Windows XP and Windows Vista. It appears that

people on those systems will have to buy a new version of Windows 10 from the very beginning.

People who are building new computers from scratch will likely have to do the same, buying a new version of Windows 10 for their new computer.

And those on Windows RT, the special version of Windows 8 made for mobile devices, will also be left out.

Select devices like the Surface RT and Surface 2 have been promised some kind of upgrade, but it’s unclear whether that will be a full version of Windows 10.

Microsoft is trying to get, as part of its plans for ensuring that developers can make their programmes knowing what operating systems they will be used on. Microsoft is also advertising the new operating system as ‘Windows as a service’ - not one single piece of software but a continually updated platform.

MICROSOFT'S VOICE ASSISTANT IS COMING TO IOS AND ANDROID Look out, Siri. Move over, Google Now. Microsoft's Cortana voice assistant is coming to iOS and Android.

The upcoming launch of a Cortana app will give users of iPhones and Android phones the option of a companion to Cortana on Windows 10 PCs. The move is part of the software maker's efforts to better compete in the mobile arena by making its apps and services available to users of the rival devices that have proven vastly more popular than Microsoft's own Windows Phone offerings.And with Windows 10, due this summer, Microsoft is also looking to make up in a big way for the misfire of Windows 8.

The new Windows 10 Mobile version, for instance, will run Microsoft's so-called universal apps, which are designed to work across all devices.

It will also make use of Microsoft's new Continuum feature to automatically switch an app's layout when the phone is plugged into a PC monitor and communicating with a mouse and keyboard.

As part of Microsoft's goal to connect your Windows PC to whichever smartphone you own, a new phone Companion app will allow you to install and use Cortana for Android and iOS. The app will be available in a few weeks to members of the Windows Insider Program, while the Cortana com-

panion will roll out to Android phones at the end of June and to iPhones later this year.

How will Cortana, Google Now and Apple's Siri all compete or co-exist as your voice assistant? That's up to you. iPhone users will still be able to use Siri as always, and Android users will still be able to rely on Google Now.

Chronicle Pepperpot May 31, 2015

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Scholar with Guyanese roots talks about education - says if CPCE entrance standard is raised, end-product quality would be greatly enhanced

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By Tajeram Mohabir LTHOUGH the previous administration had recognised the importance of education in nation-building, as was evident in the sector receiving the largest slice of the budgetary pie every year, performance had not been commensurate with the investments made.

Under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration, the education sector received about 15 % of the National Budget practically every year. In 2009, the sum allocated to education was $20.4 billion; in 2010 it was $21.4 billion; in 2011 it was 24.3 billion; in 2012 it was $26.5 billion; in 2013 it was $28 billion; and in 2014 it was $32 billion.

The heavy investment has seen a remarkable improvement in educational infrastructure from the state things were in about two decades ago. Access

to education has improved significantly, as have students’ performance at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations.

But with the huge investments, a portion of Dr Travis Bristol

which goes towards teachers’ training, there is a natural expectation that students should be performing far better than currently obtains at school today.

It is interesting to note that, in 2009, students’ pass rate counting grades 1 to 3 was 63.7 %; in 2010 it increased to 66.2 per cent; and in 2011, it declined slightly to 64 per cent. In 2012 it slipped to 58. 6 %; in 2013, it inched to 59. 3%; while in 2014 it increased minimally to 60.2%.

In the last three years, the achievement can be best described as horizontal progress, as it was below the lowest national pass rate obtained in the previous three years. Undoubtedly too, the results did not reflect value for money, given that there was an increase in spending on education in the past three years.

QUALITY TEACHERS Dr Travis Bristol, Research and Policy ► Continued on page XVI

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Chronicle Pepperpot May 31, 2015

Scholar with Guyanese roots ... ► From page XV Fellow at Stanford University, who has worked in Guyana through the World Bank, said improvement in students’ performance hinges on sound management and the quality of teachers in the school system.

Some of the shortcomings in the school system, he said, can be addressed at the level of the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), which should function as a centre for excellence.

Dr Bristol told the Guyana Chronicle it is important that those aspiring to become teachers have a love for the profession. He pointed out that applicants to college should say why wanting to teach would be a good idea. And their application, he said, should ideally include an interview component.

Dr Bristol was born of Guyanese parents in Brooklyn, New York. He has taught pre-service English teachers in Boston, USA, and has also taught for five years in New York City public schools. A distinguished scholar, Dr Bristol was, in 2013, awarded the Vice-President's Grant for Student Research in Diversity and the Provost Doctoral Dissertation Grant from Teachers College; the Minority Dissertation Fellowship from the American Educational Research Association, a Ford Dissertation Fellowship from the National Research Council of the National Academies, and the Spencer Dissertation Fellowship from the National Academy of Education.

Dr Bristol holds a Bachelor of Arts from Amherst College; a Masters of Arts in the Teaching of English from Stanford University; and, in 2014, he completed his PhD in Educational Policy at Columbia University.

“If you raise the standard of those entering the Cyril Potter College of Education, you begin to raise the quality of those who leave,” he told this publication in an interview on Facebook.

REINVEST Dr Bristol also emphasises the need to reinvest in teacher training. “We can't expect teachers to teach in ‘student-centred’ ways if their teacher-training is not delivered in those ways. Teacher-trainers need ongoing training themselves. At CPCE, there could be more of a sense of what are some practices (folks in the US use the term ‘core practices’) that all teachers should have when they leave.

“Identifying one or two practice would require the lecturers at CPCE to come together to, of course, learn those practice themselves. Given that so much teaching is done via ‘chalk and talk’, an interactive lecture and group discussion might be two core practices,” he said.

Improving teachers’ pay, he noted, also goes a far way in motivating teachers to deliver of their best.

The young educator has had several stints working in Guyana. During the summer of 2010, he worked on a number of projects here. The first was with Tej Girwar and Samantha Williams, both young education officers on a Male Teacher Recruitment Campaign titled "Be a Man, Teach Guyana". The project was vigorously pushed by then Education Minister Shaik Baksh, as it was felt that there was a need for more male role models in the school system, but it fell through after he was not reappointed to the Ministry following the 2011 General and Regional Elections.

CURRICULUM DEVELOPED Dr Bristol also developed a curriculum for in-service teachers on how to increase learning for boys.

“I also studied the distance learning centres and made some recommendations on how CPCE might improve them,” he said. “On that project, I had the opportunity to visit several distance learning centres in Berbice, and Moruca (in) Region One. The recommendations to the CPCE Principal include: Create clear and transparent requirements for becoming a tutor, and gathering and utilising of

Dr Travis Bristol conducting a session with secondary school teachers from Regions 3 and 4 at the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD) in January 2011

distance education tutors and students’ data must be done in a systematised manner to improve the quality of the distance education teacher education programme.”

It is not clear if these recommendations were implemented. But, in January 2011, Dr Bristol returned and taught the course designed to increase learning for boys to a group of secondary school teachers from Regions 3 and 4 at the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD).

In March of 2011, he returned and worked with senior education officers and helped them design courses for the Continuous Professional Development Programme at CPCE. During August of that year, Dr Bristol also delivered the course on teaching boys to a group of teachers from all across the country, with the exception of Region 9.

And from December 2013 to May 2014, he worked on the 2014 - 2019 Education Sector Plan.

One of the main recommendations in the plan is that the Ministry of Education places focus on improving the skills of teachers and head-teachers.

WILLING Dr Bristol told this publication that he is always willing to be a partner in the process of building the local education sector, and would love to continue working in the country to support the Ministry of Education and the Cyril Potter College of Education.

“The country must continue to invest in education. One way it should do this is to increase teachers' salary. One part of the Education Sector Plan calls for focusing on sub-groups of students who underperform. So we know that boys underperform more than girls. So the Ministry of Education must develop an action plan for supporting boys more than girls, or for creating better support for boys,” he said.

The scholar also pointed out that while it is not included in the current Education Strategic Plan, attention should be placed on how different racial/ethnic groups perform at the national and regional examinations. This, Dr Bristol said, ► Continued on page XVII

Chronicle Pepperpot May 31, 2015

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Dr Travis Bristol says if the standard for entering CPCE is raised, the quality of teacher leaving the college will be higher

Scholar with Guyanese roots ... ► From page XVI

Teachers cannot be expected to teach in ‘student-centred’ ways if their teacher-training is not delivered in those ways, Dr Travis Bristol says

would allow policy-makers to make better, more informed and targeted decisions to ensure even opportunities for all to perform optimally at these examinations, thereby silencing any cry of discrimination.

But, he noted, in all of this, “teachers are education's natural resources.” He pointed out that, in Guyana, there is still a great deal of work that needs to be done with teachers and with those supporting and training teachers.

Dr Bristol is married to Tolani Britton, who is also of Guyanese descent. Both of his parents are from Nabaclis, East Coast Demerara. His uncle, Kenneth Bristol, was a national boxing champion who represented Guyana at the Pan-American Games. Kenneth died in May 2014.

“My grandfather had the equivalent of a 6th grade education. He did not have the kinds of opportunities I have. And one of the reasons I do the work I do in Guyana is because I do not want that for any child.

“My grandfather was brilliant, but because he was poor and lived in the country, he did not have the same kind of access as other children,” Dr Bristol said.

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At Regional Toastmasters’ Prepared Speech Competition in Haiti…

GUYANA PLACES 2ND

Toastmaster Anita Ramprasad

among 13 of Caribbean’s finest public speakers

T

OASTMASTER Anita R a m p r a s a d o f G e o r g etown, Guyana competed alongside 13 of the Car i b b e a n ’s f i n e s t p u b l i c speakers at the District Level of the Toastmasters International Speech Contest, held from May 15-17 last at the Royal Oasis Hotel in Petion Ville, Haiti, and earned Guyana 2nd place at that prestigious competition!

Toastmaster Anita’s speech, titled ‘Begin with the end in mind’, focused on the importance of keeping our lives’ desired outcome and purpose in mind, regardless of the never-ending challenges that may be thrown at us. She declared we are the writers of our lives’ plots and the masters of our individual destinies.

Toastmaster Anita is a member of MACORP Toastmasters’ Club, where she also works as the Group’s Finance, Administration and Human Resources Manager.

In April of this year, Toastmaster Anita became Guyana’s youngest ever Distinguished Toastmaster, which is the highest award a Toastmaster can achieve.

Toastmasters International is a world leader in communication and leadership development. It has a membership of 313,000

they have learnt from the programme.

An annual International Convention is also held in August, and worldwide contest winners compete to determine the World Champion of Public Speaking. This year’s contest will be held In Las Vegas, Nevada from August 12-15, 2015.

strong. Members improve their speaking and leadership skills by attending one of the 14,650 clubs in 126 countries that make up a global network of meeting locations.

By regularly giving speeches, gaining feedback, leading teams, and guiding others to achieve their goals in a supportive atmosphere, leaders emerge from the Toastmasters programme.

There are four sets of speech competitions held annually, two in May for the contests of Impromptu and Prepared Speeches, and two in October for Humorous Speeches and Evaluations. The aim of these competitions is to build the confidence and exposure of contestants by polishing the skills

To a s t m a s t e r S h a ro n L a y n e o f S t .

Maarten, who was the District Winner, will represent the Caribbean at that competition.

There are seven Toastmasters Clubs in Guyana. Of these, two are open community clubs, namely Georgetown Toastmasters’ Club and Cacique Toastmasters’ Club; and five are corporate clubs, namely Digicel Extraordinaires, Unicomer Pacesetters, Bank of Guyana Royale, GAFSONS Toastmasters Club and MACORP Toastmasters Club.

For more information on this organization and how you can join or start a club, please visit www.toastmasters.org.

Chronicle Pepperpot May 31, 2015

Funke beats fuel crisis

NOT many worshippers turned up for church service last Sunday due to the ongoing fuel scarcity in the country.

Word is it even affected the offerings in some churches in Lagos, as there was a drop in the normal amount people give.

Nollywood actress, Funke Akindele who attended a church service on Sunday, did not go with her car. Instead, she opted for a bicycle, which she rode to church.

She even managed to look chic while she was at it. (NigeriaFilms.com)

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Omotola’s son drops new ‘single’ TV Queen, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde’s son, MJ, has just released a top song featuring Nigerian top Female Artiste Seyi Shay and Artiste Verchi.

The 16-year-old music producer recently completed work on the single of a budding artist, Verchi featuring Seyi Shay.

It was gathered that the new song is a joint production effort between Eni Beats and that of Omosexy’s son.

The Nollywood diva has already taken to Twitter to proudly flaunt her son’s latest achievement, and try promoting his work.

Rumour has it that the new song is being funded and managed by Omotola’s Red Hot Records. (NigeriaFilms.com)

Funke on her way to church last Sunday Omotola’s son, MJ

Akon opens academy in Mali

- to help Africa develop solar power SENEGALESE-American singer, Akon, whose Akon Lighting Africa initiative aims to bring electricity to some of the 600 million Africans who lack it, announced on Thursday the launch of a new “Solar Academy” for the continent.

The institution, scheduled to open this summer in Bamako, Mali’s capital, will try to give African engineers and entrepreneurs the skills needed to develop solar power. European experts will help supply training equipment and programs.

According to the group, investing in solar power for the future can help in more ways than one, and harnessing solar energy is an ideal way to enable those without electricity to get it.

“We have the sun and innovative technologies to bring electricity to homes and communities. We now need to consolidate African expertise,” said Samba Baithily, who founded Akon Lighting Africa with Akon and Thione Niang.

The aim of the academy is to teach people how to install and maintain solar-powered electricity systems, as well as micro grids, which are really taking off in rural Africa,” Akon Lighting Africa said. (NigeriaFilms.com)

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Chronicle Pepperpot May 31, 2015

There is much t Prime Minister Nagamooto

- following the recent elections vict

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By Shirley Thomas LREADY embroiled in theextensive jubilation and felicitation surrounding the recent APNU+AFC elections victory in Guyana over the last week and the ensuing days, a very special couple had added reason to

celebrate.

Two Saturday’s ago (May 23rd) Guyana’s newly appointed Prime Minister the Honourable Mr Moses Nagamootoo, and his wonderful wife, Mrs Sita Mary Nagamootoo, celebrated their 44th wedding anniversary.

The Chronicle extends heartiest congratulations and very best wishes to Prime Minister Nagamootooand his wife Sita, both of whom were thrilled at having their children and their families make a timely touchdown in Guyana to celebrate the

grand occasion with them.

Their three daughters, together with their husbands and children, travelled respectively from Canada and the United

‘I think we are richly blessed, and I thank God for that’

– Sita Nagamootoo

States to share in the joys of their parents’ 44thWedding Anniversary, and to lend moral and other support to their father as he takes on his new and demanding portfolio.

When the Chronicle visited the home of the Nagamootoo’s early on the morning of the day of their wedding anniversary, we observed the great excitement in the home as the children

greeted their parents.

Beaming with pride and joy, Mrs Nagamootoo told this newspaper: “I would want to wish my husband all the best in his new portfolio, and to wish that he would be able to deliver to the Guyanese people as promised. And my hope today is that his colleagues will support him and we would be able to move Guyana forward.”

Referring to him as the most wonderful husband ever, she added: “It’s been 44 wonderful years.Despite the hardships, the occasional ups and downs, we’ve nevertheless seen the glories and abundant joys. I think we are richly blessed, and I thank God for that.”

GIRL FROM COURTLAND Mrs Sita Mary Nagamootoo was the first of 11 children born to Basil Kamai and RamdaiKamai, née Moti, at Fyrish,

A proud moment of celebration for the Nagamootoo family: In photo, from left, are Former Magistrate Adela Nagamootoo, Moses Ernes to Nagamootoo, Maria Nagamootoo Persaud (Special Educator), Dr Dustaff Persaud, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, Tony Joseph (Business Owner & President of Muscatine Rotary Club), Mrs Sita Nagamootoo and Angela Nagamootoo-Joseph

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to celebrate for oo and his lovely wife Sita

tory and 44th wedding anniversary Corentyne, Berbice on November 11, 1949. Herfather, a teacher by profession, hailed from Port Mourant; while her mother, who hailed from Fyrish, was a housewife and businesswoman.

Her father’s postings as school teacher took the family to the villages of Letter Kenny, Auchlyne, and finally Courtland, where he spent most of his years. Sita grew up in a staunch Roman Catholic family with strict moral values. Her father was a senior member of the church board, hence she and her siblings grew up under his exacting rule and the watchful eyes of the nuns at church and at school.

Growing up in the neatly manicured agricultural community of Courtland was both refreshing and fun to Sita. To this day, she can recall the fun time she and her sisters and brothers had with their friends -- playing ball games, hide and seek, hot-bread-and-butter, and occasionally slipping away into the savannah to swim in the pond with their friends, when her parents were not paying attention.

Having attended a Catholic school, Sita attended Mass regularly, and in time became a virtual “Sisters’ girl”.

She was particularly liked and favoured by the nuns, who would have her teach summer school; and they would take her along on picnics and outings. On graduating from Lower Corentyne High, she was immediately selected for a teaching job at the St. Mary’s Carmelite Convent School in New Amsterdam.

schooling at Rose Hall Comprehensive High. With a light kindled, in time what might have begun as a flicker soon developed into a flame.

A young and dynamic politician, Mosesentered politics in 1964, at the tender age of 14,as a member of the Progressive Youth Organization (PYO), the youth arm of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), and soon joined its anti-colonialist struggle for Guyana’s Independence. His interest in, and passion for, politics has since never waned, but became even more pronounced.

In 1966, he founded the National Union of Students. His political efforts were not in vain, because that same year British Guiana gained political independence.

As a politician, he researched extensively, and by 1970, he entered the field of journalism, a career he would passionately pursue for the next 25 years. As a practicing journalist, he published several books and journals.

WEDDING BELLS A promising young journalist by then, Mosesexchanged wedding vowswith Sita Mary on May 23, 1971, and they soon began residing in Georgetown.

Their union produced four children,three girls and one boy, named Angela, Maria, Adela and Ernesto respectively.

Today they are all grown and reside abroad. Adela got married to Anthony Persaud and has followed in the footsteps of her

Mrs Sita Mary Nagamootoo, wife of the Prime Minister

Mr and Mrs Moses Nagamootoo, share a treasured moment with their grandsons (from left) Alexander, Brandon, Wayne, Mark and Nathaniel

FAMILIAR FACE Then, as Sita approached her late teens, destiny brought her into contact with a ‘small-days’ school mate from Auchlyne Scots School. By then an eligible bachelor, Moses VerasammyNagamootoo, whohails from Port Mourant, the village of her father’s birth, was teaching, having completed

father,having graduated from the University of Guyana with a Degree in Communications, and later pursuing studies in Law. Having been admitted to the localbar, she was later elevated to the position of Magistrate, and served in Berbice and West Demerara before migrating to Canada.

Angela Vashmini, who got married to Tony Joseph, (Business Owner & President of Muscatine Rotary Club),

also initially studied Communications and specialised in Video Production and Business. She was Managing Director of Atlantic Productions in Guyana, but has since migrated to Canada, where she is still engaged in the legal field.

Maria is married to Dr DustaffPersaud and is in the teaching profession. She has specialised in children’s ► Continued on page XXII

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There is much to celebrate for Prime Minister Nagamootoo ... ► From page XXI

special needs, such as Autism and those with hearing impediments. She is currently pursuing her Master’s Degree in Special Needs, and has already completed her undergraduate studies in that field at the Medger Evers College in New York.

Ernesto, who recently returned from the USA, is currently working at his father’s law chambers in Georgetown.

BREAKTHROUGH Moses has been in politics for 51 years. The battle was long and sometimes arduous,but he persevered.

In 1992,Mr Nagamootoo‘made it big’ in politics, having been given his first ministerial position as a Senior Minister of Information in the CheddiJagan Government. And from 1992, having found the job rewarding, there has been no turning back for him.

Between1992 and 2001, he held three ministerial positions: Senior Minister of Information; Senior Minister of Local Government and Regional Development; and Senior Minister of Local Government with responsibility for Amerindian Affairs. And today, he’s the Honourable Prime Minister of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, where he also has portfolio responsibility for the Information Sector. He is also the Chairman of Cabinet.

Throughout his works, travels and elections campaigning, his dedicated wife Sita remained firmly committed to his cause, and proved to be a tower of strength, supporting him in his every endeavour, even as she worked as a teacher and nurtured their four children.

Secondary; Alleyne’s High, and Campbellville Secondary.

Her final placement was back to Alleyne’s High, where she served as Head Mistress.

She completed her training at the Lilian Dewar College of Education, majoring in Mathematics and minoring in Languages. She graduated in 1977, after which she did her Bachelor of Education at the University of Guyana, and graduated in 1985.

In 1990, she did the Dip Ed. in Administration in Education, and soon after went into early retirement, so as to get to spend some quality time with her grandchildren.

MrsNagamootoo later took up lecturing in Language: in English Proficiency, Literature- Poetry, Drama and Novel, at the Cyril Potter College of Education. She retired in the early 2000s. She also worked with the CXC Board.

HUMANITARIAN But even though she is now retired, there’s never a dull moment for Mrs Nagamootoo. She is Secretary to the Ralph Joseph Charitable Foundation that reaches out to the needs of less fortunate children, widows and single parents in need of help. The Foundation also helps a few students to complete

their university education, and on Mother’s Day, would hand out Mother’s Day baskets.

KUDOS FOR ‘PM’ She has kudos for her husband on his appointment as Prime Minister of Guyana. “I wish to congratulate my husband. I think he is a seasoned politician. I strongly believe so, and I think he has a kind of intuition that tells him sometimes when something is not so right.”

She declared on her expectations of him as Prime Minister: “I would like to see him working really hard to deliver all the things the coalesced APNU/AFC Party promised the people of Guyana; such as better standards in education; increased salaries for workers; a reduction in VAT; reduction of the toll for crossing the BerbiceBridge; double the old age pension and making conditions at the public hospitals a bit more comfortable, particularly for women who go to deliver their babies and take their children there.”

Both the Prime Minister and his wife, Mrs Sita Nagamootoo would like to thank the people of Guyana for their support and for the confidence they’ve demonstrated in him (Moses), in voting for the Party for which he was prime ministerial candidate.

A WONDERFUL FATHER Cognizant of the fact that all work and no playmakes Jack a mere toy, Mr Nagamootoo, even though almost always under a heavy workload, always made quality time for his children, his wife now recalls.

“Moses is the most wonderful father,” she said. “He love his children, and even though he always carried a heavywork load with his journalism, politics, job as minister of government and eventually, legal practitioner, he made quality time for the family.

“We would go for walks at the seawalls, sit down and watch the waves, collect shells, and play in the sand or take in the beauty of the sunset against the horizon,” Mrs Nagamootoo recollects, noting that breathing in the fresh sea breeze whilemerely watching the waves rush to shore and out again have therapeutic properties.

Like her, Moses has a poetic mind, and was also a good entertainer in the home. He would read stories or do puppet shows for the children, or play music and teach them to dance.

And perhaps surprisingly, her husband is an expert cook, MrsNagamootooboasts. He delights in helping her prepare meals, once his work load is not too heavy. “In fact, I think he is a better cook than I am,” she declared quite candidly. At times he would invite his friends over, and serve them the most sumptuous meals he had personally prepared.

ACADEMIC LIFE On account of being preoccupied most of the time, Mrs Nagamootoo said she did all her studies after marriage; and she commended her husband’s interest, enthusiasm and the allround moral support he gave her when she did get down to it.

With a passion for teaching throughout her working life, she taught and took great pride in it. Amongthe schools at which she taught are the St. Mary’s Carmelite Convent School; theWinfer Gardens Secondary School; West Demerara

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and his lovely wife Mrs Sita Nagamootoo

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CONSUMER CONCERNS

By Pat Dial

SQUATTING HOUSING has always been an item of consumer concern world-wide. All governments of Guyana, from colonial times, have been engaged in housing activity and indeed, so has been the private sector.

Recently, as soon as the new government came into office and even before they had time to settle down, several hundreds of persons, especially on the East Coast and East Bank Demerara began to invade government lands, ostensibly to claim house lots for themselves.

This attempt to seize government property is of course illegal, and what makes the theft even more serious, is that it is state property which was being stolen. If there had not been a strong riposte to this invasion of state property, it could have embarrassed and made government appear to be weak.

Though some of the squatters had a genuine need, it is reported that many, as is usually the case, were motivated by strong greed to get hold of land on which to speculate and several members of the same family were engaged in this squatting exercise in an organised way.

In addition of this theft for speculation, squatting results in severe social and environmental problems by squatters occupying areas where roads, drains, water connections, play-

grounds, schools, health facilities and electricity poles should be.

Fortunately, President Granger has firmly declared that such squatting was illegal and that his government would never condone such illegality and he required the police to take necessary action.

The police have started doing their duty of clearing away the squatters and the

have been avoided.

But government must nip in the bud all future attempts at squatting and the police and the Courts must he prepared to deal condignly with the disease of squatting.

Some of the wooden structures which were built illegally by squatters

PAT DIAL public looks forward to the police reporting that all squatters have been removed. It is surprising that the police have not charged anyone despite the fact that large numbers of squatters have been caught on videos, have given interviews to the media and could be easily identified. If some squatters are charged by the police, this would act both as a warning and a deterrent.

In due course, house lot development and distribution would be done and everyone would have the opportunity of applying.

Such development would have proper infrastructure and be environmentally friendly. The quality of life would be improved and land speculation would

Disgruntled persons involved in a confrontation with a passerby

Confusion at Success, as persons blocked the road to gain the attention of the media and Government officials during the ‘land grabbing’ exercise

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NAMILCO brings international ... â–ş From

on page VI

it provides the benefit of long first fermentation, which allows gas and alcohol production, production of aromas, and further its acidity production increases the strength of the dough, its flavour and its shelf life.

By the same token, this also allows a better work organisation in that fermentation is achieved before mixing the final dough. It short-

ens fermentation time, allows a more flexible production schedule, and the quantity of preferment can be adjusted depending on the desired length of the first fermentation.

Preferment also has a few setbacks in that extra mix is needed (in general the day before baking), and extra space is needed (room temperature and cooler space).

The main types of preferment are pre-

ferment dough (old dough), polish, sponge, biga and sourdough.

The origin of pre-fermented dough, according to the presenter, is that it was developed to compensate for the mediocre quality of bread produced using a straight dough process with short first fermentation. This could be any kind of dough with at least three hours of pre-fermentation. The regular baguette dough is always preferable.

This allows a wide range of products and the retaining of traditional methods and practicability.

The Polish Dough is actually one of the first preferments elaborated with commercial yeast, and it was invented by Polish bakers and adapted in Austria and later France. It is a liquid preferment (100% hydration) with the quantity of yeast being calculated based on fermentation time. It could be used in many different products, and is also the preferment of choice for baguette dough.

The Sponge Dough, of course, originated in England, where it was used as a preferment in pan bread and also in the production of sweet dough. This type carries

a stiffer preferment (6063%), and the quantity of yeast is calculated based on the fermentation time. This could be used in many different products, but is preferable for the sweet dough.

As stated by Mr Galdos, the Sourdough is the first leavening agent for bread, and the culture of the wild yeast and bacteria used to ferment final dough. The consistency could be liquid or stiff, and this preferment is perpetuated day after day. It could also be used in a lot of products.

The presenter told attendees that preferments are a very cheap and natural way to improve bread quality, and that the drawbacks can be easily overcome, allowing the baker to develop

different flavour profiles, thus improving his/ her baking performance.

SECOND PHASE OF SEMINAR In the second segment of this educative seminar, Presenter Didier Rosada dealt with the consumer tendencies in North America, Asia and Europe, where he said natural ingredients are used along with traditional baking processes.

He noted that this allows for functional breads, low sodium content, and no gluten.

He explained that such tendencies started about ten years ago with the exception of the gluten-free and low sodium products. He â–ş Continued on page VI

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After 10 years, Subhan signs off from NCN’s “Guyana Today” show

“It has been a privilege to host Guyana’s premier television morning show over the past decade. I believe in some way, that makes me the longest serving host for the show. It was indeed an honour.” Those were some of the parting words from Neaz Subhan on hosting his final show on Thursday last (May 28, 2015) for the NCN morning programme, ‘Guyana Today’.

In a somewhat emotional farewell, Subhan most recent co-host, Ms. Tamara Rodney, took the opportunity to ask pertinent questions which allowed for a brief reflection of his time on the show. Rodney mentioned how much she would miss his humour and the energy he brought to both on and off set during the time she spent with him. On his final show last Thursday, Subhan’s passion for cricket was still evident.

He expressed his profound disappointment on the manner in which Shivnarine Chanderpaul was treated by the West Indies selectors. He was clear that the issue was not about Shiv breaking Brian Lara’s record, but about treating players with respect.

He reminded that Shiv has played the most Test matches for a West Indian player, the leading Test runs scorer for a Guyanese, the second leading Test runs scorer for the West Indies and is in the top ten of all time Test runs scorers. That in itself, Subhan believes, compels respect and a decent manner to end such an illustrious career. Cricket aside, his love for

cooking was also revealed.

Subhan also took the opportunity to commend the hard work and commitment of the show’s technical staff for their enthusiasm and willingness to learn which is evident from what they deliver. He noted, like everything else in life, there is always room for improvement. In this regard, he urged the producers to never be satisfied with the current product but to continue to strive to set new standards. During his time, Subhan would have co-hosted with at least eight lovely females.

Subhan produced and coordinated the show for about two of those ten years of his involvement during which time the primary focus was to transform the aesthetics of the set and to raise standards. He told the Chronicle that while it was very challenging as the producer, the opportunity to perform the task was rewarding. He hopes that during the past decade, he would have in some small way contributed to the show’s success. He pointed out that he would miss hosting the show and the kind comments from loyal fans, but reminded that life is such.

He wished continued success to NCN and the ‘Guyana Today’ family. At the end of the show on Thursday, Subhan was seen on live television walking out of the studio greeting the staff in the process. He would have conducted hundreds of interviews on various programmes on GTV, now NCN.

Neaz Subhan

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NAMILCO brings international ... ► From

on page XXIV said there is development of new equipment technology to produce breads using additional baking processes, but at an industrial level.

Mr Rosada noted that this allows for highly hydrated dough, stressfree lines, and can be done in tunnel ovens

with stone conveyor belts. He said that more space is dedicated to such technology during baking shows.

Teaching on the concept of the Gluten Free Method, he said dough is elaborated in only one step and with only one fermentation time.

This, he said, guarantees a shorter baking process, but produces a strong high-gluten flour neces-

sary with lots of additives (more expensive).

Another disadvantage is that it allows no flavour development, and has very short shelf life, thus resulting in lower quality products.

This presenter emphasised on the fact that the majority of small artisan bakeries are still producing without taking into consideration the new tendencies,

which include the use of high gluten fours, pre-mixes, use of notime dough process, high level of salt and ‘sugary fats’. These bakeries, he noted, have very little concept of marketing to increase their sales.

He said that in many countries bread consumption is not increasing because people are finding other healthier alternatives to bread. He added also that people are responding to the ‘Eat less Bread’ recommendations by medical entities, especially when breads are too rich in sugar and fat.

Mr Rosada explained that baking seminars are effective in teaching bakers how to work with traditional processes, which allows cheaper and better quality products.

He also mentioned that bakers need to ‘re-learn’ the values of the craft, and teach the newer generation what is a great bread.

He noted that offering a more complete product line (natural, functional and reality breads) is important, as well as creating a marketing concept to promote consumption.

According to this

presenter, flours designed specifically for Artisan process should be offered at the mills’ level, which would see lower protein content, but good quality and a lower level of additives. While he said that the entire baking industry seeks support from the medical community to improve the image of bread, he said they should how ever let the consumer decide on their choices by making sure the traditional art of baking is not lost by using pre-mixes.

The very successful seminar was coordinated by Afeeze Khan

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DWAYNE HACKETT Man with a passion for photography

By Michel Outridge DWAYNE Hackett is an enterprising single-parent father of one, and is probably one of the best photographers on the local shores, given his zealous attitude and open-minded approach towards life and meeting his goals.

He once owned a photo studio, but has since started to work on call, although he is hoping to re-open his studio. For now, he goes to locations to take photographs.

Now 11 years into photography, Dwayne Hackett says he is still

learning with the passage of time.

His first job, as a webmaster/graphic artist at the GTV, cultivated in him a distinct liking for photography, and that is how he has decided to make that his career.

He said that after one year of working with television, he took a leap of faith and started at his own pace in the world of photography in 2003.

“I am my own boss, but the clients have the last say. I am a specialist as well as a generalist, and I specialise in classic portraits,” Hackett said.

He is also known for

Dwayne Hackett and his son

his work with several advertising companies, where his clientele is very wide. He likes to capture the emotions and expressions of his clients.

A Berbician from Rose Hall Town on the Corentyne Coast in East Berbice, Region Six, Hackett is of mixed ancestry, with a Chinese and Amerindian-mix father from Hosororo in Region One (Barima-Waini); and a Spanish, African, European, Indian and Amerindian-mix mother.

He says he is the eldest of six siblings, is a city resident, and does not have a single racist bone in his entire body.

At 36, he has been an athlete and a cyclist, but his real love is music. He plays the guitar very well, and is part of the Georgetown Chamber Choir.

Being primary caregiver for his son, Hackett told this publication, he is coping very well, and that the child can be seen in tow with him almost everywhere. He deems the two of them inseparable.

Hackett says he had been on the campaign trail with APNU+AFC for the past two months, taking photographs of individuals at rallies, and portraits of all the political candidates for that coalition.

He says he is a ‘people person’ who likes to mingle in a crowd, reach out to people, and take photos which capture people’s facial expressions and emotions, especially parents with children.

Hackett describes himself as a ‘down-toearth’ kind of guy who likes to interact with people, some of whom he photographs without their knowledge, since he is always interested in knowing what a person

is feeling at the time of being photographed.

He says he likes tak-

ing family portraits, since body language is vital to the photographer. He revealed that a photographer has to be in tune with him/herself and the people whose pictures he/she is taking.

Hackett says that, for now, he is also focusing more on individuals than groups, and that photography can be a very lucrative business if the photographer knows what he/she is about; because photography has become easy with the advancement of technology, but the human touch is still important in any job, and w i t h photography it is quite Photographer Dwayne Hackett

the same.

Hackett said that before advent of the Internet age, photos were available only in hard copies; but now everything is electronic and much faster, and has become very competitive as well.

Hackett says he also likes abstract photography, and does not miss an opportunity to visit exhibitions, although he devotes a very great deal of his time to his young son.

Hackett says the photographs he takes speak for themselves and for the genuine passion he has in his job. He says photography is in his blood, and he cannot rid himself of it anytime soon. As such, he is certain he can have a lifetime of employment taking photographs of people’s most cherished moments.

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Chronicle Pepperpot May 31, 2015

Known as ‘DJ Avalanche’…

QUACY STEPHAN

COATES - pursuing his dream of taking it to a next level in the music industry

By Telesha Ramnarine QUACY Stephan Coates, known as ‘DJ Avalanche’, is currently pursuing a career in music and is diligently working on taking it to the next level. In fact, HJTV Music Awards recently recognised his ‘She Ready’ as the Best Groovy Soca Song for 2015.

According to him, this song, which he sang in the Carib Soca Monarch for 2015, created quite a buzz locally and overseas as well.

Coates, 28, was born and raised in Georgetown to Jacqueline Cates and Brian Boyce and has five siblings.

He is currently the music coordinator for the National Communications Network (NCN) which entails sourcing all the music for the company and censoring them to ensure they are clean before they hit the air.

Coates is also in charge of some of NCN programmes in the sense of monitoring what reaches the public. “It’s an important job because if anything bad goes out there, I am the first one they would call,” he explained in an interview.

He has been working with NCN for the past five years, four of which he spent in the newsroom as a

cameraman. Presently, he is based in radio as the music coordinator.

SINGING Coates is also a recording artiste and a DJ for the past 14 years. He participated in this year’s Carib Soca Monarch and was placed in the top ten finalists. This is actually his second time in the competition, and on both occasions, he made it in the top 10. “I’m looking forward to going again next year,” he said.

Interestingly, he has also participated in the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company Limited’s (GT&T) Jingle and Song Competition in 2007 and 2009 where he was also placed in the top 10 on both occasions. He likes soca, reggae, and dancehall music.

Coates explained that growing up, he wanted to become a drummer. “Music was always in my thoughts growing up. So that’s why I am trying to pursue a career in music and maybe that’s why I am a DJ as well because music is something I always wanted to do since I was a little boy. I used to be singing; any little tin cup I get I hit on it just to make a rhythm or something,” he recalled.

Presently, he is the DJ of ‘Morning Mayhem’ on 98.1 FM every day from 6 to 11 am and of ‘Late Night Vibes’ on Friday night from10 to 12pm. He also does parties, Bar-B-Ques, weddings, etc. (He can be contacted on telephone number 641-9800).

“I didn’t get a chance to learn to play the drums but I started singing at about age 11 and started recording at the age of 18 with my first song. I came from a long Coates and his future wife Faresa

With his son Aiden

DJ Avalanche line of singers including a cousin, my grandfather, a few aunts.”

Though accepting that he is not at the point in his career where he wants to be, Coates said he is confident that he will soon reach there. “I give myself ► Continued on page XXIX

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QUACY STEPHAN COATES ► From page XXVIII roughly five years to get there. Once I put my mind and heart towards it I know I can do. I don’t view just view music as a hobby but as a business as well. If you want to break into the market out there you have to be competitive and keep bringing good stuff to the table. I won’t say I will reach at the point where I want to be in five years but I will be in a better position than where I am right now.”

Currently, Coates said he is recording with DP (Darrell Pugsley) Records who is his producer. “I see myself recording a lot of songs in the future, like I said break into the market and get that hit song out there.”

MORE LOCAL SUPPORT NEEDED Coates finds the music industry in Guyana to be a challenge in his path to

► Continued on page XXIII

Coates was a top ten finalist on four occasions!

Coates is the music coordinator for NCN

success. “I think Guyanese in general need to support their own some more. The support is there but a lot of people don’t support in the way that they should support,” he offered.

He said the various radio stations ought to be playing more Guyanese music as well. “They don’t have to stop playing the foreign music but pay some more attention to local artistes. If you look at Trinidad and Jamaica where the artistes make a living off of music, they embrace their artistes to the fullest and they show them that support.

At the end of the day, you still have to go into the studio and pay for your studio time.

So it’s something that is very costly. We need financial support but we also need people to embrace us some more. I think we could do better,” he said.

Coates finds artistes such as ‘Natural Black’ and Eddie Grant to be very inspiring to him.

He believes that goals can be achieved if only people remain positive and focused.

“In life, there are always challenges and no one can face your challenge for you. If you don’t step up and put your game into everything you do, you will always be conquered by your challenges. Stay focused, put your best foot forward at all times and keep believing because if you don’t believe in yourself, nobody will believe in you,” he advised.

Coates is soon to be married to Faresa Aluddin and they have a son, Aiden.

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Chronicle Pepperpot May 31, 2015

Erectile dysfunction less likely if you drink two cups of coffee a day

By Sophie Freeman

SCIENTISTS believe that caffeine triggers a series of effects that help relax the arteries in the penis, thus increasing blood flow Men who drink two or three cups of coffee a day are less likely to suffer from

erectile dysfunction, a study has found.

Those who drank between 85mg and 170mg of caffeine daily were 42 per cent less likely to report ED than those who drank none, and those who drank between 171 and 303mg of caffeine were 39 per cent less likely, researchers said.

Even men who were overweight, obese or had high blood pressure - known risk factors for ED - were less likely to suffer from the problem if they drank the equivalent of two or three cups a day.

The scientists from the University of Texas suggested that caffeine triggers

a series of effects that help relax the arteries in the penis, thus increasing blood flow.

They studied data from nearly 4,000 men, and, using 24-hour dietary records, assessed the amount

of coffee, tea, fizzy drinks and sports drinks they consumed on average per day. (ukmirror.com)

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XXXI

WRONGFULLY CONVICTED Dear Wayne & Tamara, My wife and I have professional careers that demand a lot of our time. My wife is very social and is focused on her large family. I am also quite social, however, I do not have any family and rely more on a network of friends.

Many of my friends are women, and many are younger than myself - mainly because I work in an industry where young people predominate and I am seen as their mentor/ senior.

My wife prefers I do not see my female friends. She suggests when I have lunch or dinner with friends (generally in a group, although occasionally alone) these are “dates” and thus inappropriate.

Even when I share conversations with my friends, my wife makes me feel I am dishonest or hiding something. But if I didn’t do this, I would eat alone most days.

I travel for work, as does my wife, and never question who she has lunch or dinner with, yet she grills me on every meal I have with a friend, male or female.

I am totally baffled. I am happy in my marriage and have never given her any reason to doubt my fidelity. My wife and kids have always come first.

Chad *********************** Dear Chad, We might construct a scale to measure your wife’s intentions. On the left side of the scale we'll put the innocent, dewy-eyed explanations. On the

right side, we'll put the worst case scenarios.

Starting from the left, there's a simple explanation. Your wife is feeling her age. Your younger female colleagues make her nervous.

Moving a bit to the right on our scale, your wife has discovered a coworker of hers is cheating. Now, for the first time, she wonders, Could Chad be cheating?

Still moving to the right, it could be a control thing. You don't have family. It's always been her and her family, not you and your people. Could her implied accusations be a way to hold you tight within her family group?

Finally, we arrive at the far end of the scale.

Your wife is cheating. Like many cheaters she accuses you of what she is doing. It's a defense mechanism which preserves her belief in herself as a good person. "If he's doing it, then I cannot be a bad person for doing it, too."

There isn't enough information in your letter to decide where your wife falls on the scale. So what do we suggest? Act from the one principle which applies to all innocent victims of jealousy.

When someone acts jealous for no good reason, you cannot give in to it. A jealous person is not an impartial jury. They have decided. Either you have done it, are still doing it, or will do it in the future. That is their verdict.

A jealous person doesn't deal from reality, but from what they believe. Logic and reason are not part of their equation. Dealing with jealous people is like dealing with zealots. There is no point in arguing with them.

There's one final issue. Could your wife want out of the marriage? If she makes accusations and shares them with her friends or family, she may be setting herself up as the innocent party in the event of divorce.

First and foremost, tell your wife unequivocally nothing is going on and unequivocally state you will not be subject to false accusations. You can never play along with a jealous person for the same reason you would never tell someone who is hearing voices that you hear them, too.

Since you are not doing anything wrong, act in a way appropriate for someone in your workplace. If you act otherwise, your wife will take that as proof you are guilty.

In fact, she is the guilty one. Either guilty of a mistaken belief, guilty of cheating, or guilty of a mental imbalance which needs psychological treatment.

Wayne & Tamara

XXXII

C

By Neil Primus

UP THE RIVER

yril had lived most of his life in the hinterland. He got married and lived with his family there until his father dies in the city and left all his property to his only child, Cyril. The man and his family moved to the city. The life there was hectic and soon it began to tell on his family. As a consequence he sent them back home and they saw each other on regular visits.

Then Cyril died, and as was requested in his Will - his body had to return to the hinterland to be buried.

Arrangements were made and the journey commenced.

A hearse from Welcome funeral home parlour drove the corpse the sixty miles to the sandy banks river. From there it was transferred to a boat with a dense engine (2 hp) that slowly chugged up the long and lonely fiver. This journey would take more than three days.

At the first pit stop, the captain purchased ice and packed it on the body which lay in the bow of the craft, it was a medium size vessel with a shed. The casket was covered with blue tarpolen.

The captain and his assistant went to get a few drinks before retiring for the night.

They would resume they journey the following day

Malcom had been drinking all day. He was

Chronicle Pepperpot May 31, 2015 higher than a satellite and felt better each passing sip.

When he had enough for that night he bought ‘a half’ for his company on the river and staggered towards his boat.

When Malcom moved his boat, the tide was very low, this meant that his craft had shifted position. He saw the blue side of the boat in front of him and scrambled clumsily aboard. After making his way to the back of the boat, he started the small engine

and steered for home. He would get there by morning.

SPUTTER, SPUTTER, PUT, OUT The engine died and the boat drifted slowly with the tide. Malcom opened his eyes and looked googely around him. The rum had sunk in well. He raised himself into a sitting position and broke the seal of the half high wine.

He took a sip and closed the bottle. He put it into his pocket and tried to fo-

cus. Something was up, oh yes, engine. He reaches the engine and tried to restart it.

It was dead. He checked the gasoline, empty. He cursed silently to himself. How did he forgot this. He was sure he had at least half tank. He reached for the extra gas bottle, none.

As he stared around him, he began to realise that everything about the craft seemed unfamiliar. The engine was a dense, he had a 4hp. His boat had exterior blue and interior green. This craft had exterior blue (dark) and interior blue (sky). Although it was night, he could see clearly because of the moonlight. It was then he noticed a painted sign of the boat “welcome home funeral parlour”.

Malcom was beside himself with anger. He had drunk so much that he had driven away with the wrong boat. What an embarrassing thing. His alcohol dulled brain tried to understand the problems this could cause.

He gave up. The effort was causing him to get a splitting headache. He took another drink.

Out of the corner of his bloodshot eyes he detected movement in the bow.

Someone else was there.

What would he say? He must have been asleep when Malcom took off. What to do? He would just have to tell them ► Continued on page

XXXIII

Chronicle Pepperpot May 31, 2015 ► From page XXXII the truth. He made his way to the front of the boat cracking his ankle against the seat when he tried to step over. He howled and cursed in pain. He sat on the seat for a moment and rubbed his throbbing foot.

There was a strange rustle like bricks then the movement again. He tried to focus.

“Excuse me. Hello!” he offered.

No response.

“Sir! Hello!”

Silence “Wake up and listen please,” Malcom implored.

“Wake up fowat!”

The voice was flat, low - almost a growl.

“Sorry to disturb you friend,” Malcom tried again.

“Yogon sorry fo true,” came back the reply.

“I mek mistake and pick up the wrong boat.”

From the front of the craft came the sound of a deep, rasping laugh.

Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Malcom became uneasy. This was not going well. He was too drunk to make any complicated calculations so he continue uncertainly.

“I would turn back but the engine run out of gas.”

“Turn back.”

Now there was anger and threat in the strangers’ voice. “a … a… mean take this boat and get wine” “Yo done start moving me. No turning back!”

Malcom began to sweat.

“Moving you?” he stuttered.

“Yes! I going home to rest. A not turning back yohear!”

The figure had now moved the tarpaulin and had begun tossing out pieces of ice. Malcom watched in mild shock. As the man emerged from the box the full significance hit him.

It was a casket! The boat belong to a funeral home that could only mean that the man sitting up in the bow was….

He could not complete the thought. It was too terrifying even for his drunken mind. He looked wildly around for escape. There was only one, the river. Malcom slowly retreated to the back of the boat and sat there trying to stay still.

“Start paddling!” The voice range with authority. Malcom did not budge.

“Yo hear me!”

SILENCE Ok! I gon teach you a lesson before they bury me! Malcom trembling body could not move even if he wanted to obey. The man rose from the casket and moonlight shuck his body. His face was set in an evil snarl and his eyes were locked onto Malcom.

“I gonbruckyo neck!”

The corps began a slow menacing advance. Malcom looked at the river and contemplated but only for a second.

He was not sure where he was and which direction was land but that did not stop his next move. As the cadaver closed in on him. He rose on trembling knees, made a swift sign of the cross and jumped overboard. As he surfaced some distance from the drifting vessel he could hear the haunting laughter of the corpse as if it was taunting him.

“He! He! He! He! Yo lucky yo jump. We gon catch up again sometime.”

Malcom started to swim hard. He wanted to make sure that that sometime would be later, much later rather than sooner. Last thing I herd of Malcom was that he was heading for the river mouth doing his famous dog paddle.

Occasionally he would turn over onto his back, float for a while and take a sip of high wine.

XXXIII

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XXXVI

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XXXVII

ARIES - This week can be a lot of fun, with plenty of interaction and opportunities to relax in good company. Enjoy a lunch with interesting people or spend time with a significant other. However, there’s a chance of mixed messages and misunderstandings. It could be too easy to get the wrong end of the stick, even if you make an effort to be as clear as possible.

Energy levels could drop, too, which means you’d be wise to lighten your schedule.

TAURUS - This week it could be easy to grow complacent and forgo tasks and activities that are necessary to your progress. Trying to meet deadlines or reach targets could seem like paddling upstream. Potent energies can coincide with escapist tendencies that could see you dreaming of exotic shores or craving a duvet day. Your best bet may be to cut out activities that aren’t strictly necessary and leave plenty of time to relax and rejuvenate.

GEMINI - Art, music, culture, and other fun activities could be delightful and inspiring this week. You can harness your imagination and use it to your advantage, particularly through visualisation and creative activities. If you haven’t dabbled in a favourite hobby or pastime lately, doing so can be very fulfilling. Where romance is concerned, someone may be more of a taker than a giver. Watch for hidden agendas or too many little lies. Let your intuition be your guide.

CANCER - With the Gemini focus, you’re in a natural phase in which it’s a good idea to slow the pace. This is one time of year when you’ll benefit from a lighter schedule. Allow more time to meditate, reflect on life, and decide what’s best for your future. You may notice that you’re more sensitive than usual to other people’s moods and feelings, which you can use to your advantage. You may crave peace and quiet after spending time in crowds.

LEO - Be careful when discussing work or closing deals. With Mercury retrograde and Neptune’s influence, things may not be as they seem. Read the fine print on any documents you need to sign, and keep your financial and personal information safe. Double-check facts given to you by others, as they may have dubious origins. Even so, it’s possible to make progress if you keep your wits about you. In romance, remember that all that glitters isn’t necessarily gold.

VIRGO - Though your best qualities may be on display at work, someone’s incompetence could spoil your time in the limelight. Disruptive and unsettling influences can cause misunderstandings, missed appointments, and mixed messages. If you want something done this week, it’s best to do it yourself. Leaving it to others could undermine your reputation. While there may be many romantic opportunities open to you, choose carefully.

Someone could take advantage of your willingness to help.

LIBRA - It’s unlikely this week will go as planned, as someone may have to break a promise or cancel an outing. You’ll also need to keep your wits about you at work, as nebulous influences might cause you to make a mistake or neglect an important task. Writing down a daily to-do list and ticking off each item in turn can help you navigate a maze of activities. That said, grab any chance you get for a new experience or travel adventure!

SCORPIO - Business matters and joint finances may need careful handling this week, as the blend of energies will only add to the confusion. It’s unwise to invest money in schemes about which you know very little or that have dubious designs. In fact, it’s probably best to postpone important financial decisions until next week. You’ll have more clarity and more information at hand. Although your love life seems to be sizzling, someone could undermine your confidence. Stay strong.

SAGITTARIUS - Unexpected events could disrupt routines this week - just about anything could happen. Effective solutions may be only a phone call away if you’re willing to ask a friend or expert for advice. If you need a second opinion, check that it comes from a reputable source before you share it with others. A situation at home might need attention, although it would be unwise to make any major decisions this week. A loved one’s attentiveness can boost your spirits.

CAPRICORN - The secret to getting the most out of this week is to delegate wherever possible. A strong Neptune focus could not only sap your energy but also cause delays and confusion. The less work you take on, the better the chance of dealing with it efficiently. Don’t believe everything you hear, especially if it comes from the lips of someone with a tendency to embellish the truth. Regular workouts can go a long way toward helping you stay positive.

AQUARIUS - This isn’t the best week for financial matters, particularly if you’re thinking of buying or selling big-ticket items. In fact, you may be better off waiting until Mercury turns direct on June 11 to ensure a smooth transaction. A lively Gemini focus could keep you busy in the realm of romance. You seem to be the life and soul of the party, so you shouldn’t lack invitations.

But beware of someone who’s too friendly or flattering for their own good.

PISCES - There’s pleasure to be had in sprucing up your home to make it cozier and happier. Your creative skills and talents come to the fore this week, helping you devise delightful colour schemes or bright ideas for new curtains or soft furnishings. Have a clear plan before you invest in paints or materials. There’s a chance you could change your mind halfway and lose out in the process. There’s potential for romance with someone who’s been a supportive friend.

XXXVIII

CXC

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XXXIX

SURIDA NAGREADI ► From page XL “Many years ago, I was probably around 13 years old, I was sitting on my bed reading a text book out loud. Several minutes into my reading, my grandfather came to the door and said “Annie, is that you?”

I replied, “Yes Grandpa” He said, “Wow! You’re reading so well I thought it was the television.”

There came a broad smile, and I said, “Thank you, Grandpa”.

“I don’t think my Grandfather realised how much that statement inspired me. From that day, I wanted to become a better reader and speaker”.

Little did she know she was unconsciously preparing herself for such a career in the media by impromptu speeches, debates, and other outspoken activities. Her ‘This is it’ moment came when she first heard herself on Radio on her audition day. Amazed at her very own voice, she began questioning the reality of it, only to receive exceptional yet praiseworthy comments from persons around. Thereafter, she realised this is where she fit in, what she does best; and, most of all, where she feels satisfied.

Being a Radio Announcer has impacted Surida’s life dynamically. She is able to reach out to people, sharing positive content whilst inspiring and motivating them. Public speaking is no longer a fear of hers, as she is more confident in the way she speaks and delivers herself. It has also allowed her to constantly develop herself, since she intends to be a good leader/motivator for her staff.

“I am able to share whatever knowledge I have through inspirational messages to my listeners, and also to generate happiness through music,” a beaming Surida says.

After a stellar performance at school, she pursued a Degree in International Relations at the University of Guyana, and graduated at the age of 20. At that point she determined that the Media, Project Management and Marketing would be her prime areas of interest. But apart from those, she hopes one day to fulfill her early dream of being a Criminal Lawyer.

Holding a great adoration for Dr Rovin Deodat, this spectacular soul has secretly made him her mentor whilst growing up watching his debating programmes.

“When I was much smaller, there were many times I tried speaking like him (got caught many times speaking to myself in his tone). He has somewhat inspired me for wanting to speak well. Hopefully, one day - and soon too - I will meet him to thank him for being an exceptional role model,” noted Surida in high spirits.

Apart from being a radio announcer and manager, and assisting in marketing for the Guyana Times Media Group

Surida after hosting the 2015 Miss Global International Pageant.

of Companies, Surida has had the privilege of being largely involved with the Limacol CPL T20 Tournament for two consecutive years. Last year she was Coordinator for the Limacol Ambassadors and Amazon Warriors Energy Promoters. This year however, she will be Coordinating the Cheerleaders for the Guyana leg of the games!

“This is a great opportunity which allows me to develop on my Project Management skills and at the same time be a part of the biggest party in Sport!” Surida has said.

It is evident that this gem of a person is gradually growing into an entrepreneur. Radio, she says, is taking Guyana by storm; and, for this reason, she believes it should be used in a positive way, since it can be used as a medium for many things, such as connecting people worldwide; medium for culture; inspirational messages; marketing; and building and exposing local talent.

“In recognising the importance that Radio now plays in our society. It becomes imperative for us to constantly step up our game, ensure content is developed and increased ever so often, and further ensuring that your announcers are constantly trained for personal development and better broadcasting.

These are a few of the first steps that we can take in contributing to our Radio Industry,” Surida disclosed.

Her main show is ‘Locked In with Surida Nagreadi’, which airs from Monday to Saturday between the hours of 2pm - 6pm. During that time, she would host a sponsored programme known as the ‘DSL Afternoon Flow’, while on Sundays she airs a religious programme known as ‘Bhakti Sangeet’ from 8am - 9am.

She is currently finalising a number of programmes/ shows for the Radio Guyana Inc. (RGI) radio station so that her very listeners can expect a lot in the weeks to come!

SURIDA NAGREADI

- A beautiful, multi-talented young woman blazing the trail to be Guyana’s next icon in the Radio Industry!

The beautiful Surida Nagreadi

Costumes designed by Surida in the Mashramani Band 'Xcite' in 2014 Limacol Ambassadors of the Limacol CPL 2014 games, cheerleaders’ coordinated by Surida

T

By Shivanie Sugrim HE thing I hate about Mondays is that it aggravates me to go to work when I don’t really want to. Then there’s Tuesday, Monday’s ugly sister; and the week continues with my mother’s award-winning question: “Who are you featuring this week? You know that girl ‘Surida’ on RGI’s 89.5 FM? I like her! Her voice is AMAZING! Call her up!”

You got your wish mom, and to those fans of Surida Nagreadi’s show, grab a snack and stay tuned to this page as we explore Surida’s world!

Born in Venezuela, but having spent her entire childhood in Essequibo and later experiencing the wonders of the West Coast of Demerara, Surida has managed to build an ideal foundation of her personality - her ability to relate to everyone from all walks of life.

Growing up among three other siblings, Surida enjoyed fishing in trenches and relishing the 90s’ rural number one dish of milk and rice and the famous coconut mixed with sugar in its shell!

“I am able to share whatever knowledge I have through inspirational messages to my listeners, and also to generate happiness through music” – Surida She would also tag along with her grandmother to help her make coconut oil, even though her only motive was to get the ‘chanchee’ left over from making the coconut oil.

Entering her early adolescent stage, Surida developed a passion for classical dancing at one point, but then, like most girls, diverted to “playing dress up” in her room. Not once did she recognise in herself the potential to be both a radio manager and a radio announcer simultaneously, until someone else did. ► Continued on page XXXIX