Pepperpot 25 05 14

Our Independence

Arch

THE National Independence Monument on Brickdam, near Vlissengen Road, is a gift to the people of Guyana from the Demerara Bauxite Company (DEMBA) commemorating Guyana’s Independence from Great Britain on May 26, 1966. The structure, in the form of an arch, consists of three tubes made of aluminum from Guyana’s bauxite mounted on a quartz base. The arch was designed by Canadian engineer, Edric Klak.

Centre

Page XXIII

II

Short Story

The Golden Winged Fairy

T

he raindrops, like white diamonds, pure and glistening, rolled off the silken leaves of the forested trees. The wet floor, a rug of fallen leaves, felt soft and cool to the touch on the bare feet of the young native boy as he ran and jumped; his bow and arrow strung across his back.

Kupono loved the jungle with its exotic animals and birds, and the rare flowers he found for his mother. It was more of a home to him than the small Ameridian village where he lived with his family of the ancestral Arawak tribe. The rains he always welcomed, for he had a great fascination with rainbows, drawn like a magnet to their heavenly splendur.

He closed his eyes for a few moments as the rain eased to a drizzle, and as he opened them, like magic, a rainbow appeared beyond the mountains. Kupuno exclaimed with glee; like the many times before, he set off in his own robust style, the boy he is, to find the end of the rainbow.

He wanted not the pot of gold fabled to be there, but he felt in his young heart there was something there, richer than gold.

Kupono had a wild imagination, talking often to the unseen beings of the forest, the fairies and the elves; wanting them to come out and play with him. Along the way as he hurried, he shouted greetings to his animal friends, the howler monkes, squirrels and rabbits. The more he ran, the further away the rainbow seemed to be and it started to fade from the sky.

“Oh no,” he cried, “Don’t go!”

At that very moment, he heard a small cry, “Help!”

Kupono stopped and looked around, but he saw no one. What he saw was a part of the forest he had never seen before, a small waterfall, a gushing stream with small gold fishes and the most exotic birds and flowers he had ever seen. He looked around in wonderment and spread his arms, “What is this place? How have I never seen it before?”

He knelt to pluck flowers and heard the cry again, from a little distance away. He followed the sound and there lying on a bed of flowers was a golden winged fairy. The fairy had a broken wing and looked so helpless in its tiny form.

He gazed in amazement. This couldn’t be real.

“What is happening to me today?” he wondered.

Kupono had learnt from his grandfather how to heal wounds, using nature’s medicine. Kneeling down, he said to the fairy.

“I can help you.”

The little creature looked up at him and nodded her consent. Kupono picked her up with gentle care and his little hands worked deftly. The fairy’s wing was soon as good as new and it flew away and disappeared.

The rainbow, Kupono noted, had also disappeared; another adventure lost. But as he walked back, he felt not disappointed but rewarded, for he had seen something he always knew in his little heart was real, a fairy.

He laid in bed that night, listening to the sounds of the forest, a symphony orchestra in play, and as his eyes closed, he wondered.

“Was this all a dream?”

In the quiet of the night, a small voice called, “Kupono, come with me.”

Kupono rose from his sleep and followed the voice through the forest, until he came to a cluster of tall trees

where beyond he could not see, until the fairy, its wings shimmering with a golden hue in the night, flew to the trees and magically a path opened for Kupono to walk. He entered a courtyard and stared incredulously at the Golden Castle, the King and Queen, and all of the fairies, pixies and elves. The paths were paved with gold and gold nuggets like pebbles were everywhere. The night lit up with the golden wings as the fairies, elves and pixies danced and played with him, as though he was one of them.

At dawn, Kupono’s eyes opened at the sun’s gentle kiss on his face, not sure he had been dreaming. He sat up in

Chronicle Pepperpot May 25, 2014

maureen.rampertab@gmail.com his hammock and a tiny gold nugget fell to his feet making him realize it had not been a dream at all. He picked it up and smiled, knowing it had not been a dream at all, but as real as the gold nugget in his hand. The fable that at the end of the rainbow there is gold was true but richer and more precious was the Kingdom of the Fairies.

Kupono searched for the place he had seen in his dream for days, but he could never find it. One day he sat down, dispirited and the Golden Fairy appeared.

“Why are you sad?” she asked Kupono “I have been searching for you, I’ve always wanted to be your friend,” he replied.

“We have played with you often, because you believe in us, only you couldn’t see us then. You helped me and for that you have been rewarded. You always chased the rainbow to see what was at the end, now you have. We will always be your friends.”

Kupono laughed happily, for this was certainly an adventure of a lifetime. Forever in his mind he would marvel at what he saw at the end of the rainbow, and even more wonderful, the Golden Winged Fairy was now his friend.

Chronicle Pepperpot May 25, 2014

III

By Petamber Persaud

High Noon at the National Library

L

AST Thursday, May 17, 2014, at high noon, ‘provide a focus for the recognition of the creative writing of the National Library hosted the winners of the Guyanese at home and abroad, and to stimulate interest in, and 2012 Guyana Prize for Literature in appreci- provide encouragement for, the development of good creative ation of their contribution to the literary arts. among Guyanese…’.

That contribution obviously included the But the prize is more than that as seen through the words writing of poetry, fiction and drama; but on another level, the of Mr. Hoyte when he made the original announcement of the contribution embodied self-publishing, writing from within and prize on February 23, 1987, saying, ‘the encouragement of writing from afar, writing on daily issues, themes and s of view. good writing has valuable spin-offs in society…it encourages The event was also staged as an inspiration to emerging writ- clear thinking and clear expression…if success in solving ers, to validate the importance of writing and to heighten the awareness and appreciation of Guyanese literature. The target audience was mainly secondary school students who reciprocated by staying back long after the formal programme had ended to interact robustly with the writers. Informal forums sprung up around each of the three writers and there was no let up in the interaction, there was no let off from the probing questions.

Three of the five winners were present for the event, namely Ruel Johnson, Chaitram Singh and Mosa Telford. Three-time winner of the Prize, Dr Ian McDonald, and first time winner, Ms Cassia Alphonso were absent, but they were represented through the reading of their poetry by Ms Donna At the High Noon event, from left, Chaitram Singh, Ruel Johnson and Mosa Sergeant and Petamber Persaud Telford respectively.

At his turn, Johnson read a poem and used his allotted time to engage all present, especially two brave students, on the reasons for writing. The two emerging writers indicated their intention to write by first the show of hands, then by standing, and finally by taking to the podium to ventilate their interest. Singh read excerpts from his two novels, ‘The Flour Convoy’ and ‘February 23 , after giving a background to the writing of the books and after speaking modestly about his life and work. Telford read from her play, ‘Sauda’; it was an awesome delivery of drama, the presentation of which was enthusiastically received; be it said that all the presentations were well-received.

During the open floor discussion, yours truly fielded The audience at the National Library questions such as the role of fiction, the role of the writer in society, while many wanted to learn more about drama, being duly affected by the presentation by Telford which included how the playwright worked on the storyline.

The 2012 Guyana Prize was awarded in September 2013.

Following are the five winners of which four are locally based.

Ruel Johnson won the Best Book of Fiction award for his manuscript, ‘Collected Fictions’. Johnson is a second-time winner.

Chaitram Singh, the foreign based Guyanese won in the Best First Book of Fiction category with his novel, ‘The Flour Convoy’. Singh’s other entry, ‘February 23 Coup’ was shortlisted for best book of fiction category.

Cassia Alphonso’s ‘Black Cake Mix’ and Ian McDonald’s ‘The Comfort of All Things’ shared the award in the category of Best Book of Poetry. Alphonso is a first-time winner, while McDonald is a third-time winner.

Mosa Telford won in the category of drama for her play ‘Sauda’, submitted as a manuscript.

The Guyana Prize for Literature was established in 1987 by the then President of Guyana, Hugh Desmond Hoyte, to

problems is to be achieved’.

In closing remarks, in a sort of coup de grace, Petamber Persaud referred to the Prize as a successful coup in the literary arts, mindful that the Prize is still a work in progress.

Persaud preceded his remarks by referring to the February 23, 1763, Berbice Slave Rebellion and to the failed coup attempt in Singh’s book, ‘The February 23 Coup’.

High Noon at the National Library on Thursday May 17, 2014, had all the drama of the movie of the same name – good will always be victorious.

High Noon at the National Library portrayed good literature will always be victorious. High Noon at the National Library was meaningful literary interaction played out in real time.

Responses to this author telephone (592) 2260065 or email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com What’s happening: • The 2013-2014 issue of The Guyana Annual magazine is now under production. This issue is dedicated to A. J. Seymour and will focus on the increased interest in photography, the expanding arena for cultural activities, what’s happening in the Diaspora (Guy-Aspora) and will continue its role championing the cause of locally based emerging writers and of Guyanese writers in general, offering space and encouragement for their work.

• The first reprint of my book ‘An Introduction to Guyanese Literature’ is now available.

IV

Chronicle Pepperpot May 25, 2014

TUTORIAL HIGH SCHOOL IS 75 YEARS OLD

“Celebrating the past, challenging the present, creating the future” The Castello Commemorative Fund

T

he ethos of the Castello brothers, Austin and Joseph, was an education at any cost.

Hundreds of students from the pre-1976 era had the privilege of attaining a quality secondary education at this private school, free of cost, just because of the brothers’ generosity.

Two dollars per term in the 1940’s was a lot of money for many poor working class parents. The fee rose to $30 in 1960. Consider the circumstances extant in colonial British Guiana, then factor in three or four children from one household, and the picture that emerges records a family in dire financial straits but with children of exceptional academic ability.

There were quite a few families in this condition, workers who were simply unable to pay ‘school fees’ after the first term. In true Castello fashion, the children were allowed to continue their classes, some quite unaware of the fact that their parents had communicated their hardships to Austin and his likely response was, “OK. You will pay when you can.

Your child(ren) just can’t stop going to school”.

His generosity was not confined to this cluster.

Scholarships were awarded to deserving children “left, right and center”, to children from rural areas as far away as Mahaicony and Hopetown in West Berbice, from Wales to Uitvlugt on the West Coast Demerara, and to outstanding students living in Georgetown who had excelled at the Junior Cambridge Examination, or in sports. Tutorial was among the highest ranking second tier secondary schools of the time, of course after the tier 1 top five led by Queen’s College.

Many Tutorialites, from 1944 when the first intake graduated, to 1976, when the school was usurped under the umbrella of the Ministry of Education, went on to play very significant roles in the development of Guyana, in public and private capacities. Some became Ministers of Government and Parliamentarians (the late Kenneth Denny and Mr. Malcolm Parris); University of Guyana lecturers (Michael Parris, Gregory Blyden); others function in diplomatic circles (Honorary Consul General of the Kingdom of Norway, Desmond Sears and formerly of Japan, Hans Barrow); in public sector institutions (Dr. Barton Scotland and Fritz McClean), and the media (Mark Watson, Nazeema Raghubir, Esan Griffith). Many have migrated and joined religious orders (Monsignor Paul Jervis) while a others acquired Doctoral degrees in a wide assortment of disciplines.

This formerly high flying educational institution lost its status for a plethora of reasons. and it even

came close to being shut down by the government of the 1970’s. Education was made free in 1972 so it was left to the Ministry to effect repairs to school buildings.

Tutorial High located on 5th St. Alberttown did not feature on the priority list.

The Castello brothers, now at ages 68 (Austin) and 65 (Joseph), although beyond the newly established retirement age of 55, stayed on at the school and Joseph was appointed Head Master three years before he retired officially in 1981/82.

For obvious reasons, scholarships were no more.

THE CASTELLO COMMEMORATIVE FUND & AWARD Just over a decade ago, the Alumni Association of four chapters (London, Toronto, Guyana, New York) floated the idea of reviving the Castello legacy of providing scholarships and academic awards to the school’s graduates who have won places at tertiary institutions in and outside of Guyana. The plans foundered a bit and lay dormant for a few years, but some members were quietly researching the legal ramifications, identifying possible sources of funding for continuous replenishment, and crafting constitutional requirements for its management.

They then decided that the sources of funding would include contributions from the Alumni Chapters in Guyana and overseas, revenue from fund raising events, from gifts donated by past students, resources

Please see page v

Chronicle Pepperpot May 25, 2014

From page IV provided by the Education Ministry, and from the proceeds of the net revenues realized by each Alumni Chapter hosting a Triennial Reunion.

The school’s 74th Anniversary rolled around on 1st September 2013, and during the month-long commemorative activities, the Alumni Association launched the Castello Commemorative Award and Fund at a ceremony that featured high ranking officials in the Education Ministry.

In his feature address, President of the Guyana Chapter, Desmond Sears, explained that the Castello Commemorative Fund is a Tertiary Education resource that would be used to sponsor one Tutorial graduate every year who has performed creditably at any level of the Caribbean Council of Examinations (CXC) and gained admission to the University of Guyana, the University of the West Indies or any other institution offering tertiary or vocational study.

The fund will also be used to supply educational facilities for the school, and should serve as a catalyst for students to aim for greater achievements. The Guyana chapter is managing the fund in tandem with representatives of the Student and Parent-Teacher bodies, overseen by the Ministry of Education.

The very first recipient of the CCF four-year Scholarship award was 17-year-old Cassandra Bovell. She had just gained admission to the University of Guyana to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Biology. She has the distinction of being the first Tutorial CXC Candidate to achieve a ‘double award distinction’ in Agriculture Science, and scored Grades I and 2 in English Language, Human and Social Biology, Mathematics, Social Studies and Information Technology.

That was not all she wrote – literally. Cassandra had been simultaneously enrolled in the Morgan Learning Center from the third form level and she performed creditably at CXC English Literature and Integrated Science (2013).

The school and Alumni tangibly rewarded her ground-breaking achievement in Agri Science with

monetary gifts and trophies donated by the New York and Toronto Chapters. This humble, self-effacing young woman still believes that there was much more she could have done with her examinations to earn distinctions in all the subjects she wrote.

Though currently enrolled in the Biology degree programme, she is holding on to her dream of studying Medicine and one day becoming a specialist in Osteopathy.

Fifth Formers at Tutorial are currently writing the CXC 2014 examinations. From the results due in August, this year’s recipient of the Castello Commemorative Award would be identified and bestowed during the September celebrations marking the school’s 75th Anniversary.

In the meantime, the Guyana Chapter is preparing to host hundreds of alumni located all over the world for the Twelfth Triennial Reunion scheduled for 27th July to 3rd August, 2014.

Diverse activities have been planned, and heading the schedule is a Courtesy Call on H.E. President Donald

Ramotar. Visiting and homebased alumni will tour the Kaieteur Falls and interior eco-resorts, participate in the annual Emancipation celebrations and an Athletics/Fun Day. The highlights will be a grand Gala Dinner and Ball and an awards presentation event at which several past and present teachers and other outstanding personalities would be recognized.

Past students could contact any member of the Guyana chapter for more information and to make reservations.

T h e Tu t o r i a l H i g h Alumni are as determined as ever to restore the high level of achievement, academic and otherwise, that Tutorial used to be known for. At home and abroad they have been raising funds for many years and transmitting those funds and materials to improve the fortunes of their Alma Mater. The Guyana chapter is filled with former students of exemplary character and high conviction, people who are just as determined to return Tutorial to its glory days, those decades between 1939 and 1976, when the magnanimity of the Castello brothers, Austin and Joseph, knew no bounds.

V

Cassandra receives the Castello Commemorative Award from School Board Chairman Gregory Blyden

VI

‘QUACK’ DENTISTS outnumber legal practitioners by far

Chronicle Pepperpot May 25, 2014

problem for the Government and the people you treat?

Andy –Not really. You, as a senior dentist, must know that there are not enough dentists to serve the whole population; and as far as I am concerned, we are doing the public a service.

BRS – But what is the quality of service that you provide to the public?

Andy –What do you mean by quality of service?

BRS – I mean standard hygienic conditions, professional techniques, guarantee of work done, etc.

Andy –Speaking for myself, people would not continue to come to me if they were not satisfied.

BRS – What procedures do you perform?

Andy – Actually I do extractions, fillings, root canal, dentures, etc.

BRS – Do you have an x-ray machine?

By Dr. Bertrand Stuart

WHILE there are over fifty registered dentists in Guyana, the estimated number of illegal dental practitioners, commonly called “quacks”, exceeds two hundred.

It is a well-known fact that members of the dental profession denounce the practice of these ubiquitous imposters. Though without significant success, official actions have sometimes been taken by the Guyana Dental Council to mitigate the problem. There is even an Enactment which provides for restricted service under special conditions for “quacks” to operate.

I recently interviewed one of the more famous “ quacks” whom I will refer to as Andy.

Here’s how it went: BRS – Would you agree that illegal dental practitioners like yourself may be posing a

Andy – No. Why? BRS – You need that when you are doing a root canal or after some complicated extractions so you can verify if a piece of root still remains.

Andy – I didn’t know that.

BRS – Because you are not d to treat people, don’t you think a patient can be arrested as an accomplice if they should attempt to lodge a complaint with the police against you for any damage you might do to their mouth?

Andy – I suppose it makes sense but I never thought about it that way. In any case it never happened.

BRS - If you had the authority in the Government what would you do about “quacks”?

Andy – If they have a minimum of a secondary education and were doing the work for a few years, they should be given a test. On passing that test, they should be given their licence to practice.

BRS – You mean just like a dentist?

Andy – Yes. BRS – But do you know that the Government passed a Law that says only a dentist can work on a patient and that the dentexes and other professionals trained by the very Government must either work only on children or under the direct supervision of a dentist?

Andy – What? That’s news to me.

BRS – It is true. You can check it out in the Dental Act which is part of the Laws of Guyana and read it for yourself. Anything else you would like to say before we close?

Andy –Yes. When people are suffering the humanitarian aspect must be considered first.

To eliminate “quacks” would entail a great deal of resources which the country can scarcely afford. In any case it is not a priority in my view. Another thing, with less people serving the dental needs of the population, the cost will go sky high. The poor man will not afford it.

Thanks, Doc. Of course Andy’s final contention may be true.

However, I would think it would be better in the long run to pay a bit more for dental services than have a quack mess up your mouth.

Chronicle Pepperpot May 25, 2014

Man convicted for raping 2 stepdaughters

A

… freed by Appellate Court

lfred Kellman, who was convicted by the jury for having carnal knowledge with his two stepdaughters, (aged 9 and 11 respectively) in 1972, was freed by The Guyana Court of Appeal.

This happened because the Appellate Court found the trial Judge erred in not telling the jury that it was dangerous or unsafe to convict on uncorroborated evidence of children of tender years.

The conviction was set aside, but in the interest of justice, a new trial was ordered.

The Appellate Court was constituted by Chancellor E.V. Luckhoo, and Justices of Appeal Guya Persaud and J. O. F. Haynes.

The facts of the case disclosed that the appellant was charged and found guilty on a two-count indictment with having unlawful carnal knowledge of his two step-children , A and B, 9 and 11 years respectively.

The children’s mother was not home at the time, but on her return, some four hours later, she observed that A was in a distressed condition and related this to the jury. Each child was an eye witness to the offence involving the other and at the Assizes both gave sworn testimonies implicating the appellant.

The medical evidence was of no help and there were no external signs of injury whatever to the children. The trial judge did not however warn the jury that it is dangerous or unsafe to

convict on either count on the uncorroborated evidence of children of tender years ; he never used the word ‘warn’ or ‘caution’ or told them of any danger of risk in convicting if they did not find corroboration, although he did explain that corroboration is always looked for as a matter of practice , even though it is not required as a matter of law in sexual cases.

The jury was however told that the independent eye-witness evidence of each child , if believed , was capable of amounting to corroboration, and that they

have been in a sexual offence on children of tender years ,that they should be cautious before convicting the appellant on uncorroborated evidence. This prima facie would be fatal to the conviction unless there has been no substantial miscarriage of justice

could consider the offences as proved if they believed what the children said about the appellant.

On appeal, it was contended on behalf of the appellant that the cumulative effect of the judge’s directions did not amount to a sufficient warning to the jury, that it was unsafe to convict on either count on the uncorroborative evidence of children of tender years.

Justice of Appeal Haynes, as he then was, held: (1) That the jury were not in terms or effect warned, as they ought to

would inevitably have convicted the appellant.

(2) That the crucial question is whether the State has in relation to each count , such substantive corroboration apart from the evidence of the other child , that the Court feels sure that if a proper warning had been given , a reasonable jury

(3) That the only other bit of evidence which could possibly be corroborative is that of the children’s mother , about A’s distressed condition; but it was not entitled to much weight as it was not observed until some four hours after the alleged assault.

(4) That the conviction and sentence must be set aside and a new trial ordered.

Mr. Haynes, delivering the first judgment

at the request of Chancellor Luckhoo, said, “The case for the prosecution was that on Saturday 15th January, 1972, between 12 noon and 1 pm., the appellant had unlawful carnal knowledge first with A , then 9 years old, and after this with B, her sister, then 11. Their mother, the lawful wife of the appellant was out. According to the evidence. each child was an eye-witness to the offence

involving the other. The medical evidence was neutral. There were no external signs of injury whatever.

The appellant admitted that he was at home with these two step-children between noon and 12.40 p.m. , but he swore he did nothing to either of them during this time or at all.

Consequently, the State had to prove; (i) that the sexual acts occurred; and (ii) that the appellant was the man involved.

He was unrepresented by counsel and the jury found him guilty on both counts of the indictments.

At the time of the trial, one girl was 13 and the other was 11. Both gave sworn

VII

By George Barclay

evidence.

So corroboration was not required as a matter of strict law, but it was obligatory on the trial judge as a matter of law, to warn the jury in terms or effect , that in the eyes of the law, it was dangerous or unsafe to convict on either count on the uncorroborated evidence of the children for two reasons: firstly, because the charges were sexual offences; and, secondly, as each girl was regarded by the common law as a child ‘of tender years’.

VIII

Mama Dot

by Fred D’Aguiar

Chronicle Pepperpot May 25, 2014

Introduction by Harold Leusemann CROSSING the English Channel on a crisp and clear mid-December night in 1996 was surprisingly less choppy than anticipated. I was on my way to London for an interview with Fred D’Aguiar, whose ‘The Longest Memory’ was one of the books I had been able to snatch from the editor’s book shelves as compensation for an unpaid internship at a small Edinburgh-based publishing firm the previous summer. This novel and his earlier books of poems turned out to be so captivating and full of exuberance, drive, and passion that I had to meet this poet in person. In preparation for the interview, I had caught myself frequently turning to D’Aguiar’s first, slim book

of poetry, Mama Dot, which was described by reviewers as “Stunning” (O’Donoghue 107), “remarkably free from self-doubt” (gross 67), “the most exciting first book of poems to appear in recent years” and nothing short of “a landmark in modern poetry” (Charles 36). Mama Dot revolves around a character based on the poet’s grandmother in Guyana, the challenges of the Guyanese diaspora in the UK, and the Guyanese landscape as sensual stimulus for artistic growth and expression.

The image of Mama Dot is one of vitality and strength, she is “somebody out here you can touch and verify with the senses…who you can see, fear, smell and remember,” as D’Aguiar explains in an interview. (Leusmann 18). He gives this grandmother figure mythic and primordial qualities.

Through her, links to the African diaspora in the Caribbean and Europe are forged. She becomes a goddess-like centre of creation story and a representative of the African diaspora in the Americas who undertakes an Adamic task of creating and naming a new society away from, but fused with the memory of, Africa. She enables him “to write about my memories and imagine those experiences again,” but the further he delves into this experience, the more that person Mama Dot vanishes: “…after a while I am not simply dealing with her biography, but extending her into a symbol and metaphor”(Leusmann 18).

In the person of Mama Dot, many experiences are synthesizes, and D’Aguiar employs her image to move from past to present to future, a future that in many cases means migration away from Guyana as a necessity for a family to survive. The diasporic condition is viewed by Mama Dot in a pragmatic and affirmative view when she addresses the narrator: “You know England, born there, you live / To die there, roots put down once / And for all” (D’Aguiar, Mama Dot 21).

It has the effect that the narrator recognizes his position as insider and outsider in the diaspora all at once, being able to observe the centre not just from the fringes but from its very midst in London.

What the narrator carries with him to the centre is his language. D’Aguiar reveals the far-reaching influence of the Caribbean nation language as a choice of diasporic artists. At play are not only a mastery of the English language, but also a skilful and artistic subversion of it to reflect realistically and convincingly on diasporic experiences of other Caribbean immigrants in Britain, as in

Please see page IX

Chronicle Pepperpot May 25, 2014

From page VIII “Dreadtalk.” This poem records the rough situation of young West Indians confined to psychiatric wards in London, an environment D’Aguiar has insight of and experience in as he trained as a psychiatric nurse after leaving secondary school. Locked up in facilities like these further contributes to a deterioration of their mental condition as they are already alienated by growing up in the diaspora. The narrative voice of the poem is made up of many voices D’Aguiar had known among those institutionalized youths.

In “Dreadtalk”, one cannot help but feel a linguistic inventiveness, the forming of the language to suit the narrator’s palate and the poem’s originality as well as unaltered transfer from the speaker in the room to the listener/reader. It is almost a recording of voices that incorporates oral elements of the diaspora experience and gives the poems an immediacy and “a hard edge” (Birbalsingh 140) without nostalgia and sentimentality.

They also reveal a hybrid character, as they are the result out of the merging of the Caribbean language and the dialect and slang of the English language spoken in London.

D’Aguiar moves into a significant role as translator for the black British young people who lack knowledge of the Caribbean. Having grown up in Great Britain, they know what it is like living in that country, but have no first-hand experience of the place their parents and thus part of their cultural inheritance came from. These young and often aimless adolescents are frequently without orientation in the British society that more or less rejects them. D’Aguiar attempts to give advice on how to manage and negotiate life in the diaspora.

Mama Dot is characterized by a kind of self-awareness in evocative poems like “Mama Dot Warns Against an Easter Rising” and “Guyanese Days.” Especially “Guyanese Days” reveals that D’Aguair is looking up to another Guyanese writer, Wilson Harris, for a link between life in the diaspora and Guyana and its interior. For D’Aguiar, Harris’s writing “helped in the formation of my otherwise romantic sensibility, a mindset affirmed by reading English Romantic poetry and reaffirmed by a landscape which promised a viable alternative to the querulous city and postmodern materialist consumption” (D’Aguiar, “Country” 44).

D’Aguiar’s self-reflection emphasizes that life in the diaspora means negotiating two stands of identity – one Guyanese, the other British – and not falling into the trap of essentialist notions of neglecting one part of his identity.

A poem like “Guyanese Days” is necessary in order to “rescue a place which I had in my head and heart, but which didn’t exist anymore” (Birbalsingh, 138), D’Aguiar explains.

This place is the village of Airy Hall, “(f)ifty miles or so outside the capital, Georgetown… (and taking) up no more than a stretch of road. If you drive too fast you will not realize you have passed through it; if you sprint you can cover it from one end to the next in no time” (D’Aguiar, “Airy Hall” 5).He spent ten years as a child in Airy Hall, which the writer took in his heart and mind from Guyana to the diaspora in Great Britain. He vividly reminisces

IX

about this village and some of its inhabitants in that narrative, from which one can get the impression that his poems of Mama Dot “arrived singly, in odd lines that resonated for me because tied to a childhood memory, lines with built-in images which burnt with a beacon’s clarity in my mind’s eye,” as D’Aguiar clarifies (D’Aguiar, “Zigzag” 314). Here he hints at the creative process of the diasporic writer. The poem came into existence through a dreamlike remembrance. D’Aguiar’s desire to conjure memories of his former identity as a child growing up in Guyana was filtered through the lens of a diaspora experience. These places may not exist anymore the way they did when the writer was a child, but ultimately they form part of his diaspora consciousness. They have emotional weight for him as he played in those sands, trees and fields out of which he is “creating an emotional map” (Birbalsingh, 138) imagined from memories and superimposed on a geography that has probably changed a lot since his departure from Guyana at age 12.

“Guyanese Days” is a long evocation of the writer’s childhood in Guyana, trying to make “sense of the world and interacting with the world and being shaped by it” (Leusmann, 18). Especially from his diasporic perspective, those days and years spent in the Guyanese countryside defined who he was about to become. Absorbing the sensual qualities of the countryside with its colours, noises and smells left marks on D’Aguiar’s mind which he is able to translate into words once he started to learn writing in school.

Please turn to page X

X

Mama Dot ...

From page IX

The poem is characterized by a freshness and openness that culminate in a lack of any restrictions. As a child, D’Aguiar could roam the countryside, working “this land half-naked / Growing into patched, taken-in clothes” (D’Aguiar, Mama Dot 43), and enjoy an independence that would have been hardly possible in an urban environment. The poet living in a diaspora revels in the thoughts of growing up in a carefree place where he “used to sit and count the coconut crash / Down: one this minute, two the next; / They skidded off branches, bounced trunks / To bang neat grooves in the mud, splash / Ponds or rolling, they’d come higgledy / Piggledy to nestle at my shaded spot” (D’Aguiar, Mama Dot 43). D’Aguiar remembers these incidents as only an adult can who enjoyed that time of his life which was also interspersed with the first positive school experiences.

He functions as a guide, recording instances and occurrences that many of the generation of Caribbean immigrant children growing up in Great Britain in the mid-1980s when Mama Dot was published were not able to experience. What they are able to experience here in Mama Dot though are vivid images of reading and writing that D’Aguiar mixes with the sensuality

Chronicle Pepperpot May 25, 2014

of the Guyanese landscape. D’Aguiar recounts the hours spent in chalk dust-filled classrooms where school was “a nursery rhyme / Sung till learned by heart, even table / so recall is an easy melody found whole” (D’Aguiar, Mama Dot 43) and the early beginnings of writing full of difficulties because the pen was not as easy to handle as the “fishing-rod made from a branch / Broken and shaped with a nail” and because “ he and page were like hoe and stony ground” (D’Aguiar, Mama Dot 44), difficult to manage and learn, but getting easier when “the rhythm of dive after dive and the pen’s zig zag receded” (D’Aguiar, Mama Dot 45) to become legible writing. There might be some romanticism in the recollection of the narrator’s Guyanese childhood, but the intention of these remembered episodes was to give the readers, and especially any young persons in the Guyanese diaspora in Britain, who had not been able to experience the countryside of the parents’ land, a window into a different life away from the stark and challenging realities of growing up in urban Britain. The narrator intended to show points of reference and guidance to a younger audience in their search for an identity that is difficult to come by in the diaspora and has rendered them void of a sense of belonging.

In Guyana, afternoons and evenings were spent indulging in the carefree enjoyment of child’s plays, companionship, and the greatness and openness of the sky where “[t]he full moon rose and million stars…/ All gathered to watch how its lustre creams the sky / And is sometimes lost to clouds” (D’Aguiar, Mama Dot 48). Intermingled with the images of natural beauty are the recurrent tools of a future writer. For D’Aguiar, the artistic expression to transport the natural beauty as well as the emotionality of Guyana began with his ability to put words to paper in an act similar to that of a painter who transports his feelings via brush to canvas. In Guyana, D’Aguiar experienced that “[t]hat country under the moon’s phosphorescence / Was vacant papyrus, my defining sight, its calligraphy” (D’Aguiar, mam Dot 48). Guyana comes to the canvas for the artists to be filled with words. Pen and paper are defining tools to make visible the feelings, impressions and memories of D’Aguiar’s childhood in Guyana to the diasporic writer he has become in Britain.

D’Aguiar has at his disposal a sort of selective memory that is unique to diasporic people, as they are not living in the place they are reminiscing about. What D’Aguiar records is a diasporic imaginary, very selective, subjective and contradictory. It is a dreamlike landscape reflecting his desires and not based on common experiences he may share with other members of the Guyanese diaspora in Great Britain in the 1980s.

The ability to write and communicate the singularity of his experiences in Guyana is a defining moment in D’Aguiar’s quest for an identity. He can write a Guyana he experienced years ago into existence. Guyana is the imaginary homeland that does not exist anymore in that shape or form when D’Aguiar had left it, but he is able to conjure it up through the images that he was able to capture as a child when he had been physically in Guyana. The physical sensation of actually being there is not possible in a diasporic condition, so the mind has to function like a repository of memory and imagine a Guyana specifically in D’Aguiar’s terms.

Chronicle Pepperpot May 25, 2014

Food for the Poor’s benevolence continues

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N its customary display of benevolence, Food for the Poor (Guyana) Incorporated (FFP) earlier this month donated two hundred and twenty-six 5- gallon pails of paint to a number of residents of Onderneeming Phase 2, Parfaite Harmonie and Bell West, West Bank Demerara, Region 3.

Employees of FFP had previously visited, identified and interviewed those in dire need of paint for their homes. Approximately one hundred pleasantly surprised householders received paint and all the recipients expressed gratitude to FFP for its kind gesture.

The day following the donation, FFP revisited Parfaite Harmonie, where an outreach programme was conducted. Over 500 persons benefited from the assortment of items provided by the non-governmental organization. These items included rice, beans, clothing and household paraphernalia. There was obvious satisfaction on the faces of everyone in receipt of the items.

Persons of La Parfaite Harmonie receive food items from Food For The Poor

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Chronicle Pepperpot May 25, 2014

600M! Shahrukh Khan tops Tom Cruise and Johnny Depp’s earnings

KING KHAN has made it to the list of the top ten wealthiest Hollywood and Bollywood personalities Shahrukh Khan, who enjoys a humungous fan following from all over the world, has now made it to the list of the top ten wealthiest Hollywood and Bollywood personalities, thereby being the only Indian celebrity on the list. Outpacing Hollywood stars like Tom Cruise, Johnny Depp, Tyler Perry and Tom Hanks, King Khan is named as the second richest with a fortune of some $600M. Well, we aren’t surprised considering he is not just an actor, but also a producer, TV host and media and sports investor.

Conducted by Singapore-based Wealth-X, the survey places comedian Jerry Seinfeld on the top position. It estimates the funny man’s fortune at $820M. Are we seeing some raised eyebrows? Cruise is the third richest actor worth $480M followed by Johnny Depp and Tyler Perry both tied at $450M. The list also includes several Academy Award winners like Jack Nicholson ($400), Tom Hanks ($390M) and Clint Eastwood ($370M). Nicholson is at the number six followed by Hanks, Bill Cosby, Eastwood and Adam Sandler.

All said and done, as an Indian, it feels really good to see the lone Indian in this prestigious list. Shahrukh Khan has indeed taken India to a global level.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s second outing at Cannes 2014 red carpet

THIS ex-Miss World pleasantly surprised us with her dazzling new avatar on the 67th Cannes Film Festival red carpet.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan looked spectacular when she made her delayed appearance at the ongoing Cannes Film Festival on May 20 in a golden strapless Roberto Cavalli attire.

We loved Ash’s sexy lean avatar. Her second appearance however looked a safe option – an ivory Roberto Cavalli gown.

While we weren’t impressed, neither did the actor disappoint us. Aishwarya chose a similar ensemble and tried something new with her look. The blood red lips were replaced with nude shade and the curls with a little more formally arranged hair.

The fashion police, who went gaga about Ms Rai Bachchan’s transformation, might not go crazy with this light-eyed beauty’s second outing. But for someone who has faced so much criticism for her appearances on the French Riviera, we think that Aishwarya wanted this year to be a pleasant and memorable one.

Priyanka Chopra turns a producer

After Anushka Sharma and RanbirKapoor, Priyanka Chopra turns producer. The actress will co-produce Madhur Bhandarkar's next Madamji. The film has Priyanka in a lead role which revolves around an item girl-turned-politician. Before leaving for Barcelona, Priyanka and Madhur Bhandarkar had a meeting and they decided to produce the film together. The film will start rolling once PeeCee finishes shooting for Mary Kom and AKhtar's Dil Dhadakne Do.

Sonakshi Sinha on the Filmfare cover

THE actress is our cover girl this fortnight. Sexy curves ahead! Sonakshi Sinha shows off her new and improved attire on our latest cover. The actress talks about her dramatic weight loss, link ups and more. Also, Vidya Balan admits she is shameless, Arjun Kapoor talks about physical relationships and Ranveer gets up close and personal. Not just this. Farhan Akhtar shares his fitness secrets with us.

Ranbir Kapoor and KatrinaKkaif go on a secret long drive THE alleged couple spends some quality time together.

No matter how much they try to deny or keep it mum, we all know that Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif are love birds that are inseparable from each other. Katrina Kaif recently returned from Abu Dhabi where she was shooting for Bang Bang with Hrithik Roshan and the actress met her beau Ranbir Kapoor as soon as she landed. Our eagle-eyed paparazzi caught them in the car going for a long drive. Come on guys, you can’t fool us anymore.

Chronicle Pepperpot May 25, 2014

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Chronicle Pepperpot May 25, 2014

MICROSOFT SURFACE TAB PRO3

S

The tablet that can replace your laptop!

atya Nadella has done it again! With the Surface Pro 3, Microsoft isn’t shying away from a fight.

The latest entry in the Surface line, introduced this week at a press event in New York City, takes dead aim at the ultra-premium, ultralight segment currently dominated by Apple’s MacBook Air. Yep, the Apple MacBook Air…my favorite Laptop off all time!

Facingup with Apple MacBook Air On paper, it’s not even close to a fair fight, as the new Sur-

This thing is outrageously light. With the Type Cover and included pen, the Surface Pro 3 is still 180 grams (about 6.5 ounces) lighter than the 13-inch MacBook Air.

Surface Pro 3: Can the execution match the message?

That achievement is even more impressive when you realize the new Surface Pro has a 12-inch (diagonal) display with a 2160x1440 native resolution. That's significantly larger than the 10.6-inch, 1920x1080 display on the Surface Pro 2.

And yes, that's a 3:2 aspect ratio rather than the 16:9 ratio of a typical laptop. The resulting display feels much more natural in the hand when held in portrait mode, where its dimensions are downright paper-like.

Thinner than previous surface tabs The two previous iterations of the Surface Pro were uncomfortably thick. This edition is impossibly thin, especially

face wins on almost every score. But the market doesn’t pick winners and losers by looking at spec sheets. And the Surface Pro 3, while undeniably brilliant in design and execution, is still also indisputably quirky. Microsoft calls it "the tablet that can replace your laptop." Whether laptop buyers are ready to make that leap is an open question.

Here are some first impressions, after just a few minutes of reading about it and off-course having a chat with Microsoft about brand new -superb devices.

Pen with Bluetooth Previous Surface Pros included a Wacom digitizer with pen. The Surface Pro 3 uses an N-Trig digitizer and a pen that pairs via Bluetooth. The pen (included with every edition) requires a battery and is stored in a small loop at the left side of the Type Cover.

The pen has a clever button at top that works like a remote control. Tap that button once, as if clicking a ballpoint pen and it wakes up the device and loads Microsoft OneNote. In the onstage demo, a double-tap of the pen button saved the current screen to OneNote, allowing quick sharing and editing.

Flexible key stand The biggest stumbling block for some would-be buyers is going to be that kickstand, which is far more flexible than before but still will feel more awkward in the lap than a conventional clamshell design. (There's a reason they call them laptops.) Another design change that helps is a tiny tweak to the Type Cover, whose top edge now flips up and clamps to the bottom bezel of the display magnetically. That makes the keyboard significantly more rigid and adds some ergonomic tilt as well.

Nine hours steady battery use-One year standby mode.

The performance of the 42 watt-hour battery, which reportedly can last for nine hours of steady use and, more importantly, can hold its charge in standby mode for up to a year.

If you liked the earlier iterations of the Surface Pro you'll no doubt love the changes in this, the third edition. If you were put off by the Type Cover or the heft of earlier versions, the improvements here make it well worth a fresh look.

when you consider that's an Intel Core i5 processor inside.

Yes, there's a fan, but it's a custom design that expels air in literally every direction through the thin vents that completely surround the tablet's magnesium case. This means you won’t hear the fan or feel any air even when pushing the central processing unit (CPU.) Several signature Surface features get significant changes in this edition. The kickstand, which was limited to a 22-degree angle in the Surface Pro and added a second angle in the Surface Pro 2, now uses a friction hinge that can stop at any angle from zero to 150 degrees. Fully extended, it props the top edge of the display up by just a couple inches, ideal for viewing movies.

The power supply has a completely new magnetic connector that replaces the sometimes-balky five-pin design of earlier Surfaces. (On the downside, that means those old power supplies won't work with the new model, and vice versa.)

The track-pad, another source of complaints, is completely redesigned in the Type Cover for Surface Pro 3. In brief, it’s smooth and accurate.

Good things not cheap, cheap things not good!

The real question is whether there are enough wellheeled buyers out there willing to pay the premium price for a Surface Pro instead of a MacBook Air. The lighter weight, sharper display, and touch support are pluses for the Surface.

But they might not be enough to convince traditionalists to give up that familiar laptop form factor.

Chronicle Pepperpot May 25, 2014

Nigeria’s Nollywood reaches mainstream Nigeria's bustling film industry is about to take a giant leap forward with the upcoming U.S. release of "Half of a Yellow Sun." Starring Oscar nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor ("12 Years a Slave"), who was born in London to Nigerian parents, and acclaimed actress Thandie Newton, the film is Nigeria's most expensive movie to date with a budget of $10 million.

"Eighty percent of the money came from Nigeria," Biyi Bandele, the Nigerian-born director of "Yellow Sun," told ABC News. "That was a first. That never happened before.

It's the biggest movie ever made in Nigeria." The film marks a milestone for Nigeria's film industry, which exploded in the '90s with the growth of home video and is now the second-largest employer in the country. Today, Nigeria churns out some 50 movies per week, most of them straight-to-video releases, making it the second-largest producer of films in the world, after India. Hence the nickname, Nollywood.

"The future of Nigerian film is very rosy," Bandele said.

"In the next decade, the world is going to be hearing a lot from Nigerian filmmakers, young filmmakers who grew up within the Nollywood tradition and then went to film schools. I'm really excited about the prospect of Nigerian cinema in the next decade, thanks to Nollywood."

"Yellow Sun" is a love story set against the backdrop of Nigeria's civil war, the Biafran war that divided the country between 1967 and 1970. It's based on Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's bestselling novel of the same name. Bandele, a UK-based playwright making his directorial debut, shot "Yellow Sun" in the southeastern part of the country, where a lot of events in the film actually took place.

Chiwetel Ejiofor in a film still from "Half of a Yellow Sun."

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Chronicle Pepperpot May 25, 2014

Thank You

I have read your column for some years now and admire your commonsense advice.

It would be nice to know if you have received any follow-up letters to let you know how your advice has helped.

A big thank you for your great service to others.

Cheryl

Cheryl, thank you for making such a wise suggestion. We are so used to hearing the rest of the story, we forget that readers don't know the follow-up.

This is what the author of the letter in last week's column wrote after receiving our advice.

"Thanks so much for taking the time and walking me through this mess. Your analysis and insights showed me how immature I am. I now get to know myself better, and hopefully, can transform myself into a better man."

You may remember a column in March from a successful businessman. The original letter was 900 words long and our reply to him over 700 words, but since each column is 650 words long, we had to condense a lot. The problem was this writer's wife spent a huge amount on clothes each month, did a minimal amount of parenting and swiped some of his pain medications.

We showed him what he couldn't see: his wife was showing classic junkie behavior.

Please see page XVII

Chronicle Pepperpot May 25, 2014

From page XVI He didn't believe us, though he sent a cursory thank-you anyway. Five weeks later we received this email.

"Hi Wayne & Tamara. For your information, my wife admitted yesterday she is a drug addict. WE are seeking help and taking appropriate steps to assess her current condition, detox if necessary, and then move forward back to normalcy.

"I wanted to send you this note as thanks and as a compliment to your correct assessment of both her and my awareness of the problem. You were absolutely correct about my wife being an addict and correct about me as well, not seeing or wanting to think that my wife was a drug addict and being 10 steps behind her.

"I thank you again, but if you remember my first response was, Wow! "I did not believe you then, but I do now."

When we told a woman involved with the wrong man that along with our advice we were going to give her a verbal smack, she replied, "Thank you for saying it like it is. :) Have a great weekend!" From a serviceman in the Middle East with a family problem we got this.

"Thank you again for your help, and I hope you can continue to help people throughout life."

A teenager with a family dilemma told us how she would follow up on our advice. She concluded with, "Thank you both so very much. This definitely helped me out a lot. It all made sense and I really appreciate it."

Another woman wrote, "Many years ago, I wrote the email below to you. Rereading the email now, it is easy to remember the desperation I felt. I wrote and rewrote that email a dozen times. Thanks for the great advice you offered then and continue to offer today."

A man with problems in his extended family wrote, "Wow. I really needed to hear that.

Just reading your advice makes me feel a sense of relief and gives me confidence. Thank

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you very much for taking the time to read and understand my long and confusing letter.

Thank you!"

A woman who needed help with her wedding plans wrote, "I recently realized I never thanked you for your advice. It was point on." A gay man gaining the courage to break off his engagement said, "You have saved my ex-girlfriend's life and mine, as without you, I would have married her and gone on for years with this secret."

Cheryl, we could go on and on with the thanks we have received. It is the most satisfying part of writing the column.

Wayne & Tamara

Send letters to: DirectAnswers@WayneAndTamara.com , or Direct Answers, PO Box 964, Springfield MO 65801.

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World Cup: Brazil's small security firms get ready

Chronicle Pepperpot May 25, 2014

By Donna Bowater Rio de Janeiro

WITH the 2014 World Cup kicking off in Brazil in three weeks' time, Marcos Oliva is preparing for a busy tournament.

The 45-year-old runs Manto Negro Servicos (MNS), a small security company founded in Rio de Janeiro in 2002.

The firm, which has 10 bilingual managers, has contracted 1,000 temporary staff to handle increased work during the month-long event.

MNS may be a small operation, but it has some very high-powered clients, including World Cup organiser Fifa, and visiting officials from Australia and France, whose national teams have both qualified for the tournament.

For Fifa, MNS will be providing security for the "Fan Fest" area on Rio's Copacabana Beach, where matches will be shown on a big screen.

Mr Oliva, who is also a serving officer with Rio's military police, says: "It's going to be a big moment for us - there's a big demand for work, and it's a great opportunity for us to grow, and to show what we can offer.

"We expect an increase in work of between 50% and 60%, because the demand is big. And the service has to be the best."

Giant operation With protests - some violent - continuing to take place across Brazil by people angered by the high cost of hosting the World Cup, security during the event is going to

Please see page XIX

Chronicle Pepperpot May 25, 2014

World Cup ...

XIX From page XVIII

be a big deal.

Add the fact that there are up to 50,000 murders per year in a country that continues to be bedevilled by violence and crime in general, and you can understand why the Brazilian government is spending 1.9bn reais ($860m; ÂŁ509m) on a major policing operation for the tournament.

Yet in addition to the 150,000 troops and police officers that will be on duty, more than 2,000 private security companies, often small firms like MNS, will also be at the heart of the operation.

While Brazil's small-scale security firms cannot compete with the nationwide reach of their larger rivals, many make up for this by employing highly experienced and

Please turn to page XX

Brazilian authorities are hoping that the vast majority of the population will get behind the World Cup

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World Cup ...

From page XIX

knowledgeable staff, such as individuals who have previously worked for the armed forces or the police.

This, as in the case of MNS, enables them to secure high-profile clients.

And with no less than 600,000 overseas visitors set to attend the World Cup across 12 host cities, there is a lot of security work to share around.

OLYMPICS TO FOLLOW Brazil hosting the World Cup has also seen security sector entrepreneurs from over-

Please see XXI

Brazil is putting in place a major security operation for the World Cup

Chronicle Pepperpot May 25, 2014

World Cup ...

From page XX

seas arrive in the country to offer their services and secure business, such as British couple Mark and Tanya Harris.

They set up their sports and security consultancy, Foot in Brazil, in Rio at the end of last year, and have seen demand swell since the start of 2014.

The pair, who have no direct employees, are helping teams, organisations and delegations plan their stays in Brazil, including carrying out risk assessments and managing private security.

Among their clients are media companies, sponsors and VIPs. Mr Harris, 32, a former British Army officer, and Mrs Harris, 35, who previously worked for the British Olympic Association, says the main security concern is the potential threat of protests or other disturbances.

After the World Cup, Foot in Brazil will turn its attention to the Rio Olympics and Paralympics in 2016, but Mr Harris says he hopes the company will continue beyond those Games.

"Foot in Brazil was formed because of the major event opportunity in Brazil with the World Cup, Olympic and Paralympic Games all taking place in a two-year window," he says.

"However, we have looked at this as a long-term project and will assess the opportunity to continue to do business in Brazil as we approach 2016.

"With the infrastructure legacy that has been created from these major events we hope that

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Brazil will continue to bid for and attract major sporting events."

'IMAGE PROBLEM' Mario Baptista de Oliveira, who is general director of Grupo Protege, one of Brazil's largest security companies, offers an interesting insight into what foreign clients are requesting from his company and its many smaller rivals.

Despite efforts in recent years by authorities in Rio to remove drug gangs from the city's favelas or shanty towns, a policy called "pacification", Mr Baptista de Oliveira says important visitors for the World Cup want to be as far away as possible from such areas.

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Chronicle Pepperpot May 25, 2014

Netflix plans original UK drama about the Queen (BBC News) ONLINE subscription service Netflix is set to order its first original British drama The Crown, a ÂŁ100m series inspired by the life of the Queen.

Peter Morgan, who wrote 2006 film The Queen and recent stage play The Audience, will write the script with director Stephen Daldry also involved.

Dame Helen Mirren is not currently attached to star in the series.

Netflix is already home to successful US dramas such as House of Cards, which helped launch the service in the UK. Original commissions like the Kevin Spacey political drama and Orange is the New Black have been credited with

The Queen has already inspired an award-winning film and play by the same writer, Peter Morgan

Dame Helen Mirren returned to the role last year in The Audience changing the face of television viewing habits - in part by delivering each full season online in one go.

Left Bank Pictures, owned by Sony Pictures Television, will produce The Crown and is understood to be close to completing their deal with Netflix.

Both the BBC and ITV had also expressed interest in the show, which will chart Queen Elizabeth II's reign from the moment she succeeded her father George VI, at the age of 26, to the present day.

It is understood the script will focus as much on the changing political landscape as the Queen herself, in a similar way to last year's West End production of The Audience, which followed her meetings with various Prime Ministers.

It saw Dame Helen crowned best actress at the 2013 Laurence Olivier Awards, having previously won an Oscar, a Bafta and a Golden Globe for her performance in the film The Queen.

However, insiders have suggested she will not be involved in The Crown.

Morgan also wrote Frost/Nixon for the stage and adapted it for the big screen and The Damned United while Daldry is known for The Reader, The Hours and Billy Elliott.

The Crown is set to be 20 episodes in length, with reports Netflix has committed a budget of at least ÂŁ5m per episode.

"What our members love watching most and what we have focused on with our own series are highly-serialised stories," Netflix's spokesman for Europe, Joris Evers told the BBC last month.

"We like the kind of series that have a longer story arc where, over multiple episodes and multiple seasons, you follow a storyline as opposed to a procedural show... where somebody gets killed in the first 10 minutes and within that hour you find out who it was and they get locked up."

The internet video streaming firm revealed it had added 2.25 million new subscribers during the first quarter of 2014, bringing its total global membership to 48 million.

This week it also unveiled plans to expand to a further six European countries before the end of the year.

Chronicle Pepperpot May 25, 2014

Cartoonist Paul Harris just ‘bumped’ into this art form … and the inimitable Justin Kunsorn was born

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by Telesha Rampersaud

PAUL Andre Harris has been quite an accomplished cartoonist in Guyana for some time now, but he never had it in mind to become an artist.

As he puts it, it was just something he “bumped into” and decided to work hard at and develop. Along with his natural ability, he unwittingly developed his interest in art by observing the works of his father, Mr. Hawley Harris.

Paul’s story dispels the idea that positive results would come only to those who know exactly what they want in life at a tender age, those who from childhood know what they want to do and become after leaving school.

His story makes the point that even if a youth is not sure of what he wishes to become, he can still make something of himself, depending on his circumstances. Though planning ahead has its benefits, like Paul, a youth can very well ‘bump’ into something and become expert at it.

In this vein, Paul, 55, has this to say: “I didn’t set out to become a cartoonist, it sort of just happened. I just bumped into it and I became interested, and I worked at it.

Please turn to page XXVII

Paul, at right, chilling with some of his buddies in town.

Paul’s cartoons often serve to lighten the moods of people.

Paul Andre Harris

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Eccles

A bustling community with alluring beauty and jolly people

By Alex Wayne I WAS truly excited and was breathlessly anticipating my visit to Eccles on the East Bank of Demerara.

You see folks, ever since I was younger, I was always somewhat enthralled with the constant bustle of this village, and often wondered how in heaven’s name it appeared that the residents there were always up and going, or otherwise fussing about with one thing or the other.

After enduring the raucous and very inconsiderate attitude of the bus conductor aboard the Grove (East Bank Demerara) bound mini- bus I had entered, I disembarked at Eccles, my eardrums ringing from the merciless beating they had received from the boom box blaring to its fullest in the bus.

Eccles is a very interesting village, just over four miles from the capital city of Georgetown and nestled snugly between the slightly larger villages of Agricola and Bagotstown.

While her two neighbours are more yester-year fashioned villages, Eccles over time has evolved into a bustling community with a very vibrant industrial sector.

Eccles, according to its residents, is divided into three sections: the CC Eccles New Housing Scheme, the DD New Housing Scheme, and the Eccles New Scheme, still under construction. These areas are however divided into several other avenues, streets and byways that constitute its infrastructural layout.

at their work stations, having their after-lunch siestas, or watching television.

Naturally I took what seemed to be a main road that led into the village, allowing access to almost every area through well-paved access streets, decent alleyways, and well managed pathways.

I was truly having an amazing time... all around the horns of vehicles were honking, villagers were politely waving and awarding me with a welcoming smile, and even a few bravely enquired of my mission with an inquisitive twinkle in their eyes.

Lawns were most neatly kept and endearing flower tress lined the roadways, lending a somewhat Guyanese sparkle and certain tropical allure to the village. Everything appeared so neat and well arranged that I just marvelled with a little envy at the apparent comfortable and jolly existence of these people.

Eccles seemed to be the location where almost every race resides. While it is populated with a large amount of East Indians and Africans, over the years Amerindians, Chinese, Portuguese and mixed races have taken up residence in the economically booming village.

THE MEMORABLE CONNECTIONS

OUR ARRIVAL Ever so often I arrive at a village with mixed emotions as to the reception I would receive; but strangely enough, I was naturally excited about my exploration of this location, and was just pleasantly taken aback with its beauty and high class sophistication. What appealed to me was the intriguing manner in which the quiet and secluded areas that housed the rich and popular elite still seemed to fuse mystically with the bustle of activity that surrounded the areas where the working class and more down-to-earth of the village resided. * It was if I was exploring in a glitzy and glamorous Hollywood, yet trekking in the more laid-back environs of Queens, New York. Then there was the ‘industrial areas’ to contend with the flurry of vehicles and pedestrians darting in and out, smoking chimneys, and noisy machines, all blending with the noisy laughter of men merrily at work.

Most of the houses in this village could be labelled as posh and expensive, save for a few that still cling to the cottage appearance, some needing refurbishing here and there.

And I have never seen so many taxi services existing in one village and so many hire cars, their drivers just ready to sprint to the beck and call of the next ready customer.

I strolled through Anainda Avenue, which seemed to be a more quiet location and everyone seemed to be locked in, save for about three persons who were tending to the lawns of the Eccles Christadelphian Hall. Not a face was looking out of an open window and I assumed they were either out

Industrial Workers returning from a lunch break

Chronicle Pepperpot May 25, 2014

I have learnt from doing the Village Focus explorations that the best of the lot to interact with were the roadside vegetable or food vendors who always have so much to offer.

These persons are more prone to indulge, divulge information, and are often the sweetest and more approachable among villagers.

Quite naturally I approached ‘Baby’ as she prefers to be called, who is a grown woman residing in Eccles for over twenty-five years. She was all smiling and without hesitation declared that life in Eccles was good and was certainly a refresher to the soul.

“Sir, life is beautiful in Eccles and I am certainly enjoying it. We have electricity, paved streets, and our drainage is good, save for the CC Back Road trench which needs cleaning since weeds and other bushes have taken it over. We have proper drinking water, and it’s easy to find jobs in Eccles because of all the factories and other businesses here. I would not say that life is perfect here.... But what I know for sure is that we are quite happy and comfortable as a people and I would like to thank the Government for taking care of us all”.

‘Baby’ is a snack vendor and she wisely positioned her stall just outside the gate that leads into the ‘industrial section’ of Eccles. At her stall, one can enjoy delicious buns, biscuits, boiled and fried channa, fish and bread, purri, egg balls, and the list goes on and on.... This of course goes with fresh fruit juices and carbonated beverages.

While her husband works as a joiner at one of the industrial factories, she sells snacks to help out in the home.

To ensure her customers are kept filled and satisfied ‘Baby ‘ wakes up at 02:00 hrs daily (except on Sundays) and prepares the day’s delicacies. She takes her items to her stall at 7:00hrs, just when the workers are arriving for duty so she can garner morning sales from those who desire a ‘morning top up’, or may have left home without breakfast.

Sales are mostly good for her throughout the year, but may dwindle a little at Christmas time, when persons are prone to be more concerned with purchasing household items for the holidays.

I was directed next to a village elder, Balram Singh, who was very camera shy and vehemently demanded that his photo should not be taken or published. After much coaxing and encouragement from his ‘buddy friend’, Chaitram Persaud, he softened up a bit, but not before mouthing ‘Me ain’t want me pitcha in de papers”.

Balram, 84, has been residing in Eccles for over 65 years and was more than able to shed light on the settlement long ago.

“Bai me can remembah when me was a lil bai... dis place nah bin deh like it is today. “Eccles then was a wide stretch ah

The access road that leads to the Haags Bosch landfill site at Eccles

Chronicle Pepperpot May 25, 2014

The Flambouyant Sports Bar & Restaurant serves as a popular entertainment hub for villagers land with just lil bit houses. De place had nuff trees and bush and we nah bin ah get wata like we ah get today. There was no good road and we nah bin get shaps and suh like is present today. But after a time moh people begin tuh live hea and then we start fuh get shaps and all dem business yuh see hea today. I think dat Eccles is wan ah de most pramising village in Guyana, and am thankful of how de Govament has helpe in de improvement. I give de Govament nuff, nuff praise fuh the new housing scheme dat is building ad de back ah de village.

“Eccles really nice and everybody ah live hea as wan... and just de otha day a new candy factry open hea, and it will provide moh jabs fuh villajas”.

Today Eccles is a mystical fusion of internet cafes, snackettes, taxi services, industrial businesses, supermarkets, small boutiques, commercial centres, and so much more. Eccles over the years has been surely taking on the makings of a little town, so to speak.

Telochmie Sankar was all smiles and jolly laughter and proudly proclaimed that life in Eccles was splendid, save for one small issue that is of great concern to her.

According to Mrs. Sankar the DD Eccles irrigation trench just outside the industrial sector for months now has been in dire need of cleaning. Upon inspecting the trench, I discovered lots of refuse in the water and it was indeed overgrown with weeds and bushes.

This is preventing the free flow of water and residents are afraid that the area would be flooded after a heavy downpour.

One resident said that he had made several approaches to the NDC body responsible for that area, but was unsuccessful in having them desilting and clearing the trench.

GREAT COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL Despite its size, Eccles is definitely showing great signs of commercial and economic development.

The industrial section alon, with its thriving businesses, lends an unrelenting ‘economic aura’ to the village. The many businesses there offer wide scale employment for villagers and outsiders, signalling the possibility of one of Guyana’s

First-time visitor Abu Johnson samples some of the delicious snacks items sold by food vendor ‘Baby

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Keeping the village quite clean and beautiful more thriving commercial sectors in the making.

Eccles is at its busiest throughout the entire day and even into the late hours of the night. One might want to agree that this little village appears to be even busier than the Garden City of Georgetown, since some sectors of the Garden City are dormant during the late hours of night.

As we walked through the village, residents were busily engaged in ‘endless shopping’, in the garment stores, boutiques, dry goods shops, and even in the few restaurants.

Young girls were trekking in and out of shops, purchasing cell phone cases, makeup gift ideas, and in some cases, the latest brands of cellular handsets. Others were darting in and out of the Chinese restaurant that has sprung up there just over two years ago.

Housewives were rushing in and out of the clothing establishments, cashing in on the cheap bargains and arguing loudly for price slashes.

Some persons could be overheard loudly making arrangements to visit the Eccles New Housing Scheme which is still under construction to view the posh houses or maybe to decide which one will best suit their living arrangements when they are completed. The Igloo Ice-Cream Parlour offers the perfect opportunity for students and villagers to indulge in their ‘ice-cream fantasies’ since it sells all shades and flavours in ice-cream and related products.

Amongst the many entities that lend to the commercial make-up of the village are Hardeen & Son’s Lumber Dealers, Pokerz Woodworks, Truck Masters Auto Sales, R & W Super Centre, Umitech Awning, Flambouyant Sports Bar, Super SavingsTaxi Service, Linkin Internet Cafe, Deanysh Timber & Timber Products, Price Line Pharmacy & Gift Centre, and so much more.

ENTERTAINMENT Seeking word on the entertainment status of the village, Jadesh Samaroo explained that entertainment in the village is most times ‘home produced’ as he chose to put it . He said that many times groups of friends would come together and host entrainment activities at their homes or sometimes step out of the village to other mega activities.

That aside, the Flambouyant Sports Bar offers all week entertainment for those who are desirous of winding down or stepping out for a little

Merry youths race through the streets of Eccles on bicycles, mindless of the scorching midday sun

Please turn to page XXVI

Eccles

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fun. Of course birthdays, weddings and other entertainment functions add lustre to the welfare and existence of villagers from time to time.

LIVELIHOOD OF VILLAGERS

With the exception of the few that would have left the village to seek employment elsewhere, residents of Eccles are employed in one way or another.

A large majority are employed at the various entities in the rich industrial sector, while some may teach at the academic institutions in Eccles. It seems that a few are still occupied in farming in the distant backlands, but that is rapidly becoming a thing of the past, as the village continues to evolve.

The food stalls are quite popular around the village and many make a fast dollar in this trade, but that aside, others are employed at the many taxi services, boutiques, supermarkets, and other businesses around. The village is abuzz with the employment opportunities that will be furnished by the new and elaborate US$2M candy factory that was just recently commissioned in the village.

This factory will sport five different fruit flavours of ‘Kaieteur Candies’ and three varieties of mints on the local market. The company, dubbed Sueria Manufacturing Inc., will also produce peanuts and will expand its operations to cater for plantain chips and chewing gums. The company is already providing employment for over twenty persons but will ensure employment positions for hundreds after its expansion initiative On the other side of the coin, a large number of persons are engaged either manning their own businesses or working in the businesses of others.

ETHNIC HARMONY Any rumours of ethnic differences existing in Eccles should be treated as nonsense and be crushed under foot.

If there is any truth to such tales, that maybe would have existed years ago, but with time have evaporated, and have been replaced with a ‘racial harmony’ so rich in its intensity that it sent a sweet thrill of intense delight coursing through my very soul.

The noisy chatter of students could be heard from a distance away as they conversed on the ‘happenings of the day’ or on possible methods of effectively completing assignments.

Of course the bigger girls were giving and getting ‘goo goo eyes’ from some males hot in pursuit, or chomping noisily on chewing gum. A few school girls ganged up in groups mouthing the latest gossip in hushed tones for fear of the teachers overhearing.

It was a pleasing ethnic fusion as they spilled into the streets, both Indo and Afro buddies and school chums, laughing their heads off at one comical joke or another. They were indeed a picture of what we would want our beautiful Guyana to be.

Chronicle Pepperpot May 25, 2014

From centre pages

below $15M. In an area such as Eccles, the same house from a private developer will cost about $25 million,” the minister explained.

Housing development on the East Bank commenced in late 2010 when government announced it will create 30,000 new households. In 2011, government invested almost $2.B on the East Bank, and in 2012, an additional $3.5B was invested. This brings a total of some $5.8B invested on the East Bank alone.

Undoubtedly, Guyana is at a defining moment in its history as a large number of citizens are becoming home owners and partnerships with the financial institutions have seen more low income earners having access to affordable mortgages to purchase or construct their homes.

Citizens will benefit greatly when works are completed on the Young Professionals Housing Scheme.

THE ACCESS ROAD TO THE HAAGS BOSCH LANDFILL Another initiative that was the talk of the village is the access road to the Haags Bosch landfill site, aback of Eccles, which residents feel will greatly benefit villagers and others from outlying areas. Many feel that the landfill site is a positive Government gesture since it will take away from the build-up in refuse at the prior Georgetown location.

This will greatly enhance the city’s ability to cope with solid waste management and bring much needed relief to residents.

It was declared that no disposal will be done at the Mandela dumpsite, Le Repentir from February 1,2015, as this will be completely closed in accordance with Environmental Protection Agency regulations. The new site at Eccles, as indicated, will have geo-synthetic materials placed at its base.

The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Nigel Dharamlall had previously indicated that stern action will be taken against persons found dumping garbage at the Mandela site after February I next.

Housewives chatting noisily by the street corner The irrigation trench at CC Eccles Housing Scheme certainly needs to be cleaned

CONCLUSION Eccles Village is a true indication that Guyana is indeed rich in natural resources and laden with economic potentials and opportunities. It is also a stark reminder that Guyana’s stirring beauty is registered in its exotic villages, and in the welcoming smiles and mirthful laughter of its very happy people.

Take a break folks from the hectic schedule of your lives and take some time to visit this impressive location.

You would be sure to leave with a smile of satisfaction and pleasant memories to last a lifetime.

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS SCHEME Residents are more than excited about the new housing scheme under construction at the back of Eccles, and are lauding the Government for the considerate initiative.

The housing development along the East Bank of Demerara continues to move apace, with the Young Professionals Scheme still under construction.

This newest housing scheme will comprise a semi-gated community within the wider Eccles Housing scheme, in which forty, 1200 square-foot houses will be constructed. According to Minister Irfaan Ali, efforts are being made to complete the scheme by August, in keeping with the drive to provide affordable housing to all Guyanese.

“We’re going to expand our partnership with young middle and low income earners… young working persons… “ Alluding to the need for such a scheme, Ali noted that over the years, the Housing Ministry has received a large number of applications from young professionals, including doctors, lawyers, engineers and bankers, within the age group 25-35 years.

“We have worked to create an affordable package for this target market. The total cost of this package will be just

The horse-drawn cart is still used extensively for transport around the village of Eccles

Businesses continue to pop up around Eccles as the location becomes more and more engulfed in a significant economic boom

The newly commissioned US$2M Candy Factory at Eccles will soon offer jobs to many residents

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Cartoonist Paul Harris ...

From XXVII

Whatever I know as an artist, I gained though practical experience.”

In fact, before he realised that he wanted to pursue art, he worked with an agency known as Carib Advertising, an advertising arm of what was then Bookers Stores, now Guyana Stores. He then moved on to work with the advertising arm of the Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation.

He sold copies of a sports paper called the ‘Weekend Sports Magazine’ and even worked with his dad on his rubber stamp business.

Through it all, though, Paul enjoyed watching his father draw pictures and images. “I was fascinated by it. I wasn’t fascinated by being a cartoonist but by the images he put together. And that’s what captured me.”

He read a lot of comic books, traced related images, and then drew them by hand. His father observed this and subsequently asked him to do a cartoon for the Chronicle newspaper, where he was at the time working.

Mr. Hawley Harris informed Paul that the Chronicle had a cartoon competition, and asked him if he wanted to enter. Paul was a bit apprehensive because he still knew little about cartooning, but his father encouraged him to give it a try, and he did.

It turned out that the editors at the newspaper liked Paul’s cartoon. “There was nothing fantastic about it. The art wasn’t great or anything. It was just that the editors wanted something to lighten the mood of the people.”

Around that time, he explained, Guyana was experiencing shortages of food items such as cooking oil, flour, gas, besides having constant blackouts. “People were greatly affected, it caused great frustration, and it really disrupted society at that time, because people could not get what they were accustomed to. People were generally unhappy.

“So the cartoon I did eventually came to be called ‘Justin Kunsorn’. This character wasn’t concerned about anything; he just made light of the issues. It went from once a week to twice, then every day. It was in demand,” he said.

Paul now has his private collection of art. He enjoys drawing women and animals. He has also done a few scenes, but cartoon animation remains his current interest. “Art is how I communicate. I’m not a great speaker, but I can convey my message and issues through art.”

Furthermore, it was Paul who painted all the animals on the walls of the Botanical Gardens in the city. In an effort to generate money for the zoo, he is trying to get some businesses to advertise next to the paintings.

Paul explained what the best thing is about being an artist: “I enjoy the freedom it brings, in that I’m not tied down to one aspect, or one issue, or one perspective. I can look at it from whichever angle I choose. It also gives personal enjoyment. Some people take a drink to feel good, art is my thing.

I just enjoy doing it.”

The worst part, though, is that people can get offended very easily. “Today’s world has become not only dangerous, but a place where sensitivities have reached a peak that the slightest thing you do offends someone.

“The slightest thing you do offends someone because certain sections of society come up with their rules and regulations of how their society should be. I may not necessarily be a member of their society, but I have my feelings, and I may express them and unwittingly offend them.”

Asked what advice he would give to aspiring artists in Guyana, Paul said: “It’s difficult, I won’t lie and say it would be all good; but if you truly want to make a living out of being an artist, you have to experiment. The only way you can be better at anything is to practise.

“There are many very talented artists in Guyana, and they think they have to go abroad with their talent.

But abroad, whatever you are offering, they have thousands of people doing that kind of work already for years, and many of them have not made any impression to this day. So if you choose to enter into an outside market, be prepared to take a lot of blows, because it’s not going to be easy.”

Paul operates from home, and he has become so well known that he would just be at home and receive calls for

work. At one point in his life he had to work on paper and deliver his work in person to the newspapers daily. But computer technology, as he puts it, has made life so much easier for him that now all he has to do is upload his work on his computer and send it via e-mail.

Asked what he thought was the role of the artist in society, Paul said: “Today’s world is run mainly by politics and big businesses. Artists provide a viewpoint. He can interpret issues, such as social issues.”

And according to him, it’s a job that pays if the artist is

willing to work. There is no one place to provide work for the artist, but there are peak times when an artist’s services would be required, such as at around Mashramani and Easter, among several other seasons.

Paul is the father of two, and he credits his wife, Darlene, for her support to him over the years. “She has been a major support to me. When I met her, I fell in love; and to this day, I’m still in love. We’ve been married for 24 years. I never thanked her for it, but she has made me very happy.”

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Chronicle Pepperpot May 25, 2014

Learning Spanish. Lesson 2 Conversation * Juan: Sí,dígame. * Pablo: Hola, ¿está Juan, por favor ? Soy Pablo . * Juan :Sí, soy yo ,Juan.¿ Qué tal Pablo? * Pablo: Muy bien gracias. Mira, te felicito por el nacimiento de Paula y te agradezco la invitación a su bautizo.

A mi esposa, a mi hijo y a mí nos encantará asistir al bautizo.

Desafortunadamente, mi hijastro no podrá asistir porque está en los Estados Unidos, visitando a su madre, por el momento. * Juan: Bueno,iquélástima. Será un día especial. * Pablo: Y nos gustaría comprarle un regalo a Paula. ¿Tienes alguna idea de quéregalarle ?¿Un juguete ?¿un vestido

?¿Algo para su cuarto ?¿Un libro ? * Juan: No, no debes comprarle nada. * Pablo:¿ Verdad ? Bueno¿ y cuándo nació ? Y qué tal están ella y su madre? Espero que todo vaya bien. * Juan: Sí, las dos están muy bien gracias . Nació hace un mes. * Pablo: Bueno me gustaría verlas pronto. Hasta el día 2 entonces. Muchas gracias por la invitación y nos veremos pronto. Que estén bien. * Juan: Igualmente. Hasta Luego. Adiós.

Gramática / Grammar The personal a Remember ,whenever a person is the object of a verb ,a must be placed before the object for example Tepresento a mi novia ( introduce you to my girlfriend) Invito a los vecinos ( I invite the neighbours) Quierover al bebé(I want to see the baby) NOTE. Whenever the prepositions a and de are placed before el,the following changes occur. a +el=al, de+el=del Vocabulario.

Key expressions for celebrations include... iSalud! To your health!(a toast) iFelicitaciones!i En hora buena! Congratulations! iFelicidades!Congratulations! (in the context of a birthday). iQue viva! -- Long live...!

For regret...

Desafortunadamente:unfortunately Lo sientomucho:I am very sorry Es una lástima—It is a shame iQué lastima!-- What a shame!

Practice 1. Of course,the celebration may be a wedding ( una boda) or other occasion,and it may be that you still thank the host but have to express regret and decline the invitation. How would you respond in that situation? Use some of the expressions in the dialogue and vocabulary to help you.

2. Coloque primero el artículo en singular . Luego forme el plural del artículo y el nombre.

Ej. la mesa, mesas coche profesor médico hombre mano hotel foto tren habitación niña libro cuaderno mujer turista autobús radio

Please see page XXIX

Chronicle Pepperpot May 25, 2014

From page XXVIII Remember -The nouns ending in consonants or in - e can be either masculine or feminine Ej. El hotel, el lápiz, la nariz, el camión, la lección, el pie, la clase - The article defines the gender of nouns.

El cuaderno, el mapa, la ventana, la mano, los temas, las fotos.

Un hombre, una mujer, unos días, unas motos.

-- The adjectives agree in gender and number with the noun.

El gato (es) blanco La gata (es) blanca Los gatos (son) blancos las gatas (son) blancas 3- Escriba estas frases en plural: Ejemplo: El tomate es bueno. Los tomates son buenos.

- Mi hijo es pequeño - El autobús es más barato - El taxi es más caro - La niña es inteligente - El profesor es argentino - Mi gato es negro - La máquina es nueva 1.3- Conversación José: Hola, Pedro¿Qué día es hoy?

Pedro: Es sábado,¿no?

José: Ah, perdón. Lo que quiero saber es ¿qué fecha es?¿A cuánto estamos?

Pedro: Estamos a diez de octubre.

José: Muy bien ¿Y mañana no es día festivo?

Pedro: Hombre, no, es pasado mañana, el lunes doce de octubre, el día de la Hispanidad.

José: iQué maravilla!iUn día de vacaciones! Nos vemos en la playa¿no?

Pedro: Por supuesto.

Certain problems occur with numbers. Look out for the following …

-Spellings can be an issue, specially if two vowels are together. Try and think how theword is pronounced, and spell according to the sound of the word: sieteseis nueve diecisiete Pay attention to how numbers are constructed - 1-15 are numbers that stand alone, for example uno,cuatro, doce,quince.

- 16-29 are one-word numbers, which are composed of two numbers,for example dieciséis, veintiuno, veintidós,veintitrés, veintiséis.

Note the stress mark for accent needed on 16, 22, 23,26.

-From 31 to 99 the number words are separated, fo example treinta y uno, cuarenta y ocho.

- The y ( and) only occurs between the 'tens' and ' units', not, as in English, between the 'hundreds' and 'tens', for example ciento cincuenta y cinco. Watch the Word order!

- Uno (1) stays as it is when counting, but becomes un before a masculine noun, for example tengo un libro and una before a feminine noun, for example treinta y una chicas.

-Cien becomes ciento when you say numbers formed with 100, for example cientodos (102), but stays as cien when counting.

-Most of the 'hundreds' are regular. Note the irregulars: quinientos, setecientos,novecientos.

To be continued …

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Chronicle Pepperpot May 25, 2014

Hot Nollywood actors at loggerheads

In what feels a little like the plot of a B movie, hot Nollywood actors Emeka Ike and Jim Iyke are currently at loggerheads following an adultery mess totally gone wrong.

The two actors were in Baltimore, United States of America to shoot a movie (Title Undisclosed) where one Phillip a United States resident and a good friend of Emeka Ike accused the actor of sleeping with his wife Ruth Okoro. Emeka denied it all putting all the blame on Jim Iyke and not only accusing him of framing him up but also calling Jim Iyke a low life small boy'.

Phillip and Emeka Ike have a friendship that span over fifteen years and Phillip claims to have supported Emeka during his rise to fame, and to have even given him some funds to shoot a movie, something he claims Emeka never did. He also claims that Emeka has been sneaking into the U.S every now

and then to sleep with his wife.

Emeka on the other hand agrees that someone has been sleeping on Phillips bed, but that someone is Jim Iyke. Emeka claims that when Ruth Okoro came into the country sometime last year, Jim Iyke harassed her so much her husband Phillip begged Emeka Ike to talk to him. He also claims that Jim is out to bring him down and Phillip who he says is a crook involved in Visa scams in the U.S is also obviously jealous because he just purchased a Touareg and opened his own Secondary School.

The whole thing started when Emeka called Phillip from his hotel room and told Phillip (who was in Huston on business) that Jim was having an affair with his wife. In fumes, Phillip called Jim, and Jim retorted in annoyance telling Phillip that if he really wanted to know what was going on, he

should take the next flight and come see for himself. Phillip did just that.

When Phillip got to the hotel, he met Jim with his girlfriend and his wife with Emeka. He was so furious he was about to cause a ruckus the police had to get him out of the hotel, telling him if he had any issues he should go to court.

He says after the incidence he says Emeka claims to be in a cult and is threatening to kill when he comes to Nigeria.

Phillip is talking to the press and has also reported the situation to the Acting Guild of Nigeria who shouldn't have any say on the personal life of actors but give advice.

Jim Iyke isn't saying very much, he couldn't be less bothered and says God has vindicated him

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CROSSING THAT HURDLE …Unsighted students of Guyana Society for the Blind speak about their aspirations

E

By Shirley Thomas

ARLIER this month, a batch of ten unsighted students entered by the Guyana Society for the Blind to write the Caribbean Secondary Examinations Council examinations at this year’s May/June sittings, wrote the first of five subjects for which they had registered.

Having overcome the initial feelings of nervousness associated with examinations, the students are now in high spirits and are looking forward to completing the exams successfully.

One year ago, the Guyana Society for the Blind (GSB) collaborated with the Ministry of Education and the President’s ‘One Laptop Per Family’ Initiative to launch the training project through which the students – 18 and over -- were coached for the examinations. The subjects offered were English Language, Principles of Business, Office Administration, Social Studies and Human and Social Biology.

The first subject written, Human and Social Biology, was conducted at the African Cultural Development Association’s headquarters on Thomas Lands in Georgetown. The other four subjects will be written during next month.

The Guyana Chronicle invited comments from those students on how they feel about being given the oppor-

Please turn to page XLVII

Rosemarie Ramit

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At the ‘Institute for the Blind’: Students of the CSEC class prepare for the May/June 2014 exams.

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Chronicle Pepperpot May 25, 2014

BEAUTY For the great results from a home-made pedicure try this, amazing results.

1. Mix ¼ cup Listerine 2. ¼ cup vinegar 3. ½ cup of warm water Soak feet for 10 minutes and when you take them out, with a towel wipe away the dead skin.

QUICK FIXES 1. Put toothpaste on your pimple before you go to bed, should help reduce swelling overnight. Make sure it is the paste not the gel. One of the most popular acne home remedies.

2. Wash your face twice a day in warm salty water. This should leave your face oil free without aggravating the acne.

3. Tea water and honey face pack Things you will need: * 1 cup of tea water (cooled down) * 2 spoons of rice flour * ½ a spoon of honey The rice flour acts as a very good scrub and honey moisturizes the skin.

Method: Mix the above ingredients and apply on the skin. Leave it on till the mask dries completely, for around 20 minutes or more.

Before cleaning the mask with water, make sure you masPlease see page XXXVII

Chronicle Pepperpot May 25, 2014

From page XXXVI

LEMON SHANDIES Blend lemonade with beer for a mellow-yellow refresher.

INGREDIENTS 1/2 cup sugar 3/4 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 4 lemons), plus wedges, for serving (optional) 8 mild pilsner beers (12 ounces each) DIRECTIONS STEP 1 Place eight 16-ounce glasses or mugs in the freezer.

sage the facial skin in circular motions; this is very important as it removes the dead skin and evens out the skin tone.

Then wash your face with cold water .This gives you a fairer and even skin tone.

GARLIC CHICKEN Ingredients: 4 cloves garlic, chopped ¼ cup olive oil ½ cup garlic herb Parmesan cheese ½ cup seasoned bread crumbs 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts Directions: 1. Mix garlic with olive oil; place a microwave safe bowl.

2. Microwave on high for 30 seconds, set aside.

3. Combine Parmesan cheese and bread crumbs together, place in a shallow dish. Dip chicken in garlic mixture then coat with bread crumb mixture.

4. Place in an ungreased 13x9 inch baking pan. Bake at 425 degrees F for 30 minutes or until juices run clear when chicken is pierced with a fork.

5. While chicken is baking, prepare steamable broccoli and mashed potatoes.

6. Serve chicken with mashed potatoes and broccoli.

Serves 4.

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STEP 2 In a small saucepan, combine sugar and 3/4 cup water over medium heat. Cook, stirring, until sugar dissolves, about 1 minute. Refrigerate until cool, at least 10 minutes and up to 1 week.

STEP 3 In a 2-cup liquid measure or small pitcher, combine sugar mixture and lemon juice. Pour 1 beer into each chilled glass; add about 1/4 cup lemon mixture and, if desired, a lemon wedge. Serve immediately.

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Madrid matadors gored by bulls at festival launch

Matador Antonio Nazare was the second matador to be wounded at the San Isidro festival launch

Moments after David Mora opened the event he was tossed in the air in front of shocked spectators at Las Ventas (BBC News) A MAJOR event in Madrid's bullfighting season had to be cancelled after all three matadors were gored by bulls.

David Mora suffered the worst injuries, as one of the animals rammed its horn into his leg and tossed him into the air at the Las Ventas bullring.

He was said to be in a serious but no longer life-threatening condition.

The organisers of the prestigious San Isidro festival said it was the first time in 35 years that the event had had to be suspended.

About 2,000 bullfights are still held every year in Spain, but the numbers are falling. In 2010, Catalonia became the second Spanish region after the Canary Islands to ban the tradition.

Opponents describe the blood-soaked pageants as barbaric, while fans - including Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy - say the tradition is an ancient art form deeply rooted in national history.

Chronicle Pepperpot May 25, 2014

'HORRIFIC, SHOCKING, CHILLING' Mr Mora, who opened the programme, fell to the ground after being knocked over by a 1,172lb bull.

A shocked crowd watched in horror as he was gored and thrown through the air. Mr Mora sustained a large gash in his thigh and another in his armpit, bullring officials said.

Spanish newspaper El Pais described the somersault as "horrific, shocking, chilling".

The second matador, Antonio Nazare, injured his knee when a bull dragged him along the sand in the bullring. And the final headlining act, Jimenez Fortes, was skewered in the right leg and the pelvis.

Bullfighting dates back at least 4,000 years and is thought to have been popularised by the Romans.

The corrida, as it is known, is still permitted in a majority of Spanish regions despite growing criticism.

Last year, Spain's congress granted the tradition cultural heritage status in order to protect it from further bans.

The move was condemned by international animal welfare groups.

Matador Jimenez Fortes sustained injuries to his right leg and pelvis

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Chronicle Pepperpot May 25, 2014

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ARIES - When you’re determined to have some totally random fun (that is to say, most days), there’s just no way to move you from your chosen path. That’s even more true when the company you’re in includes someone you’re sure is up for the ride. At the moment, though, you’re a bit torn between doing what’s right and letting your more impulsive side hold the reins.

TAURUS - Whether you’ve just set eyes on them for the first time or you’re just now noticing how awesome they are, you could definitely be feeling love.

It doesn’t matter how long you’ve known them, of course -- it still feels like the first time for both of you. Enjoy it! You’re great at spoiling the ones you love, and goodness knows they are too!

GEMINI - The phrase ‘multi-tasking’ had to have been coined by someone who knew what it’s like to hang around you as you segue merrily from one duty to another at breakneck speed, yet managing to keep track of each detail from each task while chatting to a small crowd on multiple topics. That particular skill is especially evident now to anyone nearby.

CANCER - Your usual M.O. is to check with your gut, sitting silently and just listening. Then, and only then, do you knock on the door of your mind -- usually, just to see if it’s busy. If the two aren’t seeing things the same way, there’s just no contest. You aren’t known as the ruler of emotions for no good reason. Now there’s a business decision to be made, so guess which side wins out?

LEO - Make your reservations -- and don’t worry about taking the time off, either! You’re totally overdue for some good times, and might be starting to think that the ‘all work and no play’ routine isn’t doing anything for your mood.

You’re also wondering if your relationship could benefit from a bit of time away together. Choose your destination -- and please don’t forget to ask for input!

VIRGO - There’s something to be said for getting noticed, and that’s exactly what’s on your agenda for now -- but also for a while to come. Still, for the moment, you’re more than happy to satisfy yourself with simply knowing that the people who love you care enough to make you feel grounded and totally secure. Be fair, and make sure they know the feelings are mutual!

LIBRA - Your first impulse is to walk right past that emotional storm you can tell is brewing. Of course, everyone who knows you know that you can’t let yourself do that -- it’s not in your nature. The people giving you those ‘help us’ signals from across the room know it, too. There’s no use fighting it -- stroll right over and ask if there’s anything you can do to help.

SCORPIO - This is your time to play counsellor. This time, it’s probably a pal sending out the distress calls. You’re on your way over to offer assistance, silently cursing those sensitive antennae that just can’t let you pretend you haven’t noticed. Before you arrive, do yourself a favour and resolve to tell them what they need to hear -- not what they want to hear.

SAGITTARIUS - It’s not true that you’re only up for fun, games and laughter.

Sure, it may be what you do best -- and love the most -- but when what you’re doing is important to you, you’re just as determined and single-mindedly focused on it as anyone could possibly be. Now, as the need to stop laughing and start getting serious pops up, you tend to it seriously.

CAPRICORN - You know that teaching someone to fish is better than serving one up to them. Feeding the hungry is wonderful and important, but teaching them a skill that can keep them from ever being hungry again is far better.

You’ve got what it takes to do that now -- maybe for quite a few people -- and they’re willing to learn. Sit them down and teach them what they need to know.

AQUARIUS - Don’t hold back what you’re feeling inside. If a family member or friend is involved, you can’t keep quiet, no matter how much you may feel like you can. At the same time, they’re not able to keep quiet when you’re involved, either. Make sure you do one thing, if at all possible: Try to have the showdown in a place that’s not entirely public.

PISCES - You typically love having company over -- especially the closest of your people. Whether or not you were planning it, this is prime time to do exactly that. Make some calls and get folks over to your place for a wonderful dinner. You’ve got a serious conversation that needs airing, and it’s got to be in private. You can provide everything that’s needed except the other minds.

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CXC

Chronicle Pepperpot May 25, 2014

English

Chronicle Pepperpot May 25, 2014 Leroy Phillips

XLVII

CROSSING THAT HURDLE From page XXXV

Vishaul Mohabir

tunity to write the examinations.

Leroy Phillips, 23, of West Ruimveldt, responded, “I feel on top of the world, because it is an opportunity I never expected; and now that it has come, (I) have to grab it with both hands.”

Leroy has been totally unsighted for the last 17 years. At age 6, he fell down a flight of stairs, landed on a bicycle and hit his head. His parents, Sean and Racquel Phillips, took him to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was admitted and spent some time.

Leroy recalls getting ‘red eyes’ and suffering excruciating pain as his sight deteriorated over time. He said that, within one month, he had gone completely blind in both eyes.

On successful completion of his examinations, Leroy hopes to proceed to the University of Guyana to further his academic studies.

Rosemarie Ramit, 18, of Broad Street, Montrose, East Coast Demerara will be writing all five subjects, but says she has a particular liking for science.

Rosemarie asserts,“I am very grateful for this opportunity, and wish to express my gratitude to those who

have made it possible for me to write the exams.

“I am confident because I know I have the knowledge, except that I’m a bit nervous.”

She aims to attend the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) and read to become an English teacher.

The third of four siblings, Rosmarie is a Christian and attends Plaisance Roman Catholic Church, East Coast Demerara. She

is not completely blind, but is visually impaired. At age 13, she developed uveitis, an inflammation of the uvea, the middle layer of the eye between the retina and the sclera (white of the eye).

Her disease can lead to total vision loss if not taken in hand quickly.

Uveitis requires urgent referral and thorough examination by an ophthalmologist, and urgent treatment to control the inflammation.

Vishaul Mohabir, 20,

of Diamond New Scheme, East Bank Demerara, said, “It has always been my ambition to work in an office.

In addition to wanting to make a contribution , I also like the glamour of it. I am working towards passing all five subjects and moving on to furthering my studies,” he said.

Vishaul is the son of Jetendra and Radha Mohabir. He has two brothers and one sister who are all very supportive of him.

Georgetown Marriott poised for opening later this year

T

HE Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) has endorsed the Georgetown Marriott project, saying it welcomes and fully supports the introduction of such an international brand hotel in Guyana.

THAG said in a statement that it believes that the introduction of the Marriott as a flagship hotel will encourage international investor and international airline interest in Guyana, and will prove to be a considerable asset to promoting Guyana as a tourism destination.

The Georgetown Marriott is scheduled to be opened later this year. (Photos by Adrian Narine)