Pepperpot epaper 10 09 2016

The sensational Soroya Simmons â–ş Page XII

-making waves in and out of the pool

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Chronicle Pepperpot October 9, 2016

Multiplication of plants without seeds is possible

DAILY, research personnel of the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) garbed in lab coats immerse in the fascinating world of Science. Through trial and error, and sometimes years of experiments, they have had successful breakthroughs, contributing to the development of agriculture.

NAREI’s Biotechnology Laboratory is a restricted area where permission is required before entry. Of course, it is a sterile environment and the many apparatus emphasise that serious scientific work is being done here.

The Research Scientist, Research Assistants and Research Technician who utilize the Biotechnology Laboratory are involved in

Plant Tissue Culture, which is a technique used to grow plant cells, tissues, organs or whole plants in laboratory conditions. This method of plant growth is referred to as micro propagation.

Parts of the plants that are used for cultures include young growing tips of plant (shoot tips) buds, nodes and roots. Those plant parts are usually small in size and may vary from less than 1mm to 15mm in length. Some crops currently being investigated by NAREI include pineapple, cassava, sweet potato, and plantain.

-The wonder of Science in agriculture

The five stages in Plant Tissue Culture Preparation: In this stage the media, containing Growth room requirements for the tissue to grow into plants, is prepared to form the stock solutions. It is imperative that this is one under hygienic conditions.

Initiation: This stage results in the establishment of new plants under laboratory conditions. Laboratory con-

ditions are sterile conditions.

This could be achieved three ways: steam, dry heat or chemical.

After sterilization, initiation takes places: the bud or shoot tip is placed in the

media and stored under artificial conditions. The light, temperature, and humidity are controlled to mimic that of the outside environment necessary for plant growth.

Depending on the type of â–ş Continued on page III

AGEISM

Chronicle Pepperpot October 9, 2016

- AN INSIDIOUS DANGER TO SOCIAL BETTERMENT

WITHIN every year, the United Nations commemorates a number of anniversaries which are of relevance to the human condition in general and to the social conditions in individual countries.

On October 1 every year "the International Day of Older Persons" is commemorated when the condition of older persons and the problems facing them are considered worldwide.

The theme of this year's commemoration is "Take a stand against Ageism."

The term "Ageism" is defined as harbouring and encouraging negative stereotypes of older persons and discriminating against them.

Ageism is widespread in Western, and indeed, all urbanized societies. Older people are marginalized and often cannot access medical services or other social services and the underlying and unconscious assumption is that such exclusion is a norm.

They are very often discriminated against in employment or in the workplace.

Most employers do not employ older persons, age being the criterion of not employing such persons despite their superior aptitude and ability.

In Guyana, this Ageism attitude is particularly harmful to the economic and social life of the country because of its demography and the heavy emigration of persons of

ability, skills, and experience.

Employers have slowly began to discover that if they confine themselves to employing from the pool of youth, this very often results in the rapid turnover of staff and the workforce being less skilled and experienced with an indifferent work ethic. The totality of this results in less than maximum production and productivity in contrast to employing some older people in the workforce where there would be greater stability and experience and at the same time a better work ethic.

Though many offices, supermarkets, banks and other places where older persons may have to do business have special lanes or areas to accommodate such folk, such accommodation is generally ignored by both the staff and younger people and so become ineffectual.

For example, at the General Post Office in Georgetown, there are notices that older persons, the disabled and pregnant women would be given priority but this is generally ignored except one comes in a wheelchair. And the same holds for almost everywhere else. Some reputable psychological researches have shown that persons who have been constantly exposed to the prejudices of Ageism die earlier than those who are not.

Recently, National Awards were conferred on persons who had served the country in many fields beyond the call of duty and the majority of awardees were older

persons, most of whom are still working and contributing to society. This ceremony together with the media coverage of it was a timely reminder of the value of older persons.

The State, educational institutions and NGOs could help to exorcise Ageism from Guyanese society.

The State must make positive and regular statements against Ageism and employ older people if they are better able to do their jobs than younger people. This does not mean that only older people should be employed; it simply means that if older people could not be easily replaced by younger folk, only then they should be employed.

In the schools and other educational institutions as well as in the family, the value of the role of older folk should be inculcated as well as pointing out that the welfare of younger people is linked with that of older people. Also, NGO's whose remit may include action against the prejudices of Ageism should be more proactive on the issue.

So far we have been looking at Ageism through the lens of Western Culture where it is perceived as a societal problem.

In many non-Western cultures, the aged are regarded as an asset to society: They are the preservers and custodians of the Culture and Wisdom of the society. They are also recognized as the cementing force of the

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PAT DIAL

family and are necessary for stable and strong families. From this perception, the aged are an asset and not a problem.

In Western Culture, we tend to regard life as a continuous process moving from birth to death without any pauses. Ageing is therefore not fully prepared for when it occurs.

In the Hindu tradition, a person's lifespan is divided into four quarters.

The first quarter (Brahmchari) is devoted to learning and the acquisition of skills. The second quarter (gharhastya) is the householder's existence where one is devoted to raising a family and creating material wealth for the family and ultimately for society.

The third quarter (vanaprastha) is when the householder begins to do public service and at the same time strengthens his belief in God. The final quarter of life (Sanyasa) is when one devotes one's self fully to public service and belief in God and prepares for death.

Age and ageing and death are therefore occurrences which are consciously accommodated and as such are less traumatic when they occur.

If we could synthesize our Western attitudes and solutions to the problems of Ageism with the more ancient non-Western traditions, we may be able to achieve a more permanent and successful answer to Ageism.

Multiplication of plants without seeds ... â–ş From page II

plant, for example a cassava will grow into a single long plant while a pineapple will grow into a cluster.

Multiplication: At this stage in the process there is an activity called sub-culturing.

For example the new cassava shoot that was recently formed in the test tube could be divided into three smaller pieces and placed in fresh media. For the pineapple, the clusters could be separated and placed in fresh media.

This process is repeated as needed. Further, this process could be repeated about six to eight times on a monthly basis. That is why this stage is associated with rapid growth.

Rooting: This stage is applicable to those cultures that did not grow roots. After building up a quantity of cultures a different type of media is prepared to induce rooting.

Importantly, at this stage a plantlet (cultures) is in the test tube.

Weaning: This stage is divided into two: acclimatization and hardening. The first step

is acclimatization: the plantlet is removed from artificial conditions and is placed in green house conditions. Slowly the conditions are changed from artificial to green house to avoid the plantlet from experiencing shock. After surviving the transition, the plantlet is moderately exposed to sunlight.

Once the plantlet is hardened it could go to the fields.

NAREI has successfully developed protocols for the production of sweet potato, pineapple, plantain and bananas and cassava.

Research continues in other crops such as orchids, coconuts, and breadfruit among others.

The benefits of Plant Tissue Culture include: year-round multiplication of planting material; use of small-sized explants to multiply plants; rapid bulking-up of plant material;more secure storage of plant material (germplasm) compared to traditional method of field storage; and more efficient utilization of space to store large numbers of plant containers. (Contributed by NAREI)

Research Technician preparing the media

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Chronicle Pepperpot October 9, 2016

Side effects of dental materials EXCEPT for food supplements and vitamins, there is no chemical compound or drug that is without a side effect. More than ninety percent of the times that someone has dental treatment, the attending dentist uses a drug or material characteristic to dentistry. So what are the side effects of dental materials? Since these substances are not generally known to the public how can one make a biological evaluation of them? This is especially true for Guyana where 100 percent of the dental materials used are imported.

For many years, the dental profession worked mainly with rather inert (stable) materials that had a limited contact with living tissue (except dentures). The opportunity for local and systemic complications was therefore minimal.

Now dental materials and devices are being treated more like drugs and have to meet the safety and efficacy requirements of drugs and medical devices. Some years ago, the government of Sweden banned amalgam (silver) fillings. This was after the whole

world has been using it for nearly two centuries and there has never been incontrovertible evidence of any deleterious effect.

We in Guyana are fortunate in the sense that we are relatively protected by restrictions existent for the manufacture of dental materials in some countries like the United States and Britain. This cannot be said for dental materials originating in many Third World countries where the standardization system does not require protracted testing before the laboratories can release the materials on the market.

In addition, if an agency, such as a government, should make a drug and that same agency should certify its use by the public, then the incestuous nature of that arrangement can be justifiably dubious. Since every single dental drug and material is imported and because local legislation at the present time does not regulate in any way the use of any of these substances, dentists should be careful about their utilization.

Certain dental materials such as composite resin (used for anterior teeth fillings), are

chemically active compounds and may have a detrimental effect on the pulp.

Amalgam (silver filling material) because of its mercury content and impression materials because of their former lead content also stimulated considerable interest.

Endodontic (root canal) therapy involves the most dangerous drugs in dentistry. The majority of the medications used are very poisonous. The procedures require canal obtrusion with drugs and materials that remain in constant contact with living tissues.

The most common drug used in dentistry is lidocaine which is used as a local anesthetic mainly for extractions. The active ingredient is chemically similar to the illicit drug cocaine but the part of the molecule which is toxic and causes addiction was removed.

Cocaine was actually discovered by the Incas, an indigenous tribe of South America who used this extract from the coca plant to numb wounds on the skin. However, it was not until 1884 that Dr. Carl Koller used cocaine medicinally as the first local anesthetic.

It is interesting to note that even after the nearly a century in which a weak solution of cocaine ceased to be used for anesthetic, Guyanese remain the only people that I know who refer to dental anesthetic as cocaine.

Despite the fact that we do not manufacture dental materials and drugs there is

Dr. BERTRAND R. STUART, DDS. need to legislate and regulate their use. Biocompatibility is the key word. The history of the development of controls, standards and guidelines began almost 500 years ago and is detailed in a chronological fashion up to the present time.

An outline of the latest revised draft of the International document (ISO Technical Report No. 7405), completed recently for the harmonization of human standards within the EC has been presented. The Bureau of Standards needs to include dental materials in its list of controlled drugs because “dental quacks� have a field day in importing sub-standard materials from questionable sources. In fact, a way to eliminate these illegal practitioners is to restrict the availability of dental material by making its possession illegal for persons not license to practice dentistry.

No amount of experimental study can guarantee absolute safety for any substance.

However, toxicological investigations provide data from which reasonable projections and predictions can be made about the conditions under which the product can be safely used.

In today’s world in which the development of a country is measured by how serious it views standards, it would be a boost in this context for the authorities to examine this question.

Chronicle Pepperpot October 9, 2016

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By Subraj Singh

Arundhati Roy’s The God of Small Things THERE has been a slow buzz rising in the global literary community over the past week. Publishers have announced that they will be releasing the second novel from Indian author and prominent activist Arundhati Roy. This is big news because Roy’s first novel, The God of Small Things, was a bestseller that went on to win the Booker Prize, and Roy, despite her output of non-fiction work, has not released any fiction writing in almost 20

(Random House, 1997) years. The news is particularly welcome because The God of Small Things has managed to carve out a niche for itself in the hearts of readers all across the world. Is there anyone who actually dislikes this novel? If so, I am yet to meet that person.

Roy presents us with a shifting, alternating and crafty

use of time in her novel. The chapters alternate between the past and present and so, we are presented with the main characters, fraternal twins, Estha and Rahel, when they are seven-years-old in the sixties and then in the early nineties when they are both thirty-one-years old.

The alternating time frames work for the purposes of The God of Small Things because it allows the reader to view and assess how two people are changed and affected by time, how adulthood is often marred by the scars gained in childhood, how death comes for us all in the end, how relationships that were once incredibly close can become frayed and destroyed with the efforts of time.

These are all ideas that are central to the novel and the framing effect use by Roy helps to emphasize all of these ideas because of the way in which she structures her novel.

Estha and Rahel, as children, live with their beautiful mother Amma, their elderly grandmother Mammachi, their malicious aunt Baby Kochamma, and their uncle Chacko.

The children are also quite fond of Velutha, a skilled and kindly dalit, an untouchable, who works for their family and, unbeknownst to everyone, is involved in an illicit love affair with Amma.

These are all the main players in the story and one by one, Roy makes the reader understand and empathize with the characters, even those who are not particularly likeable, such as Baby Kochamma, and are given reasons from their past which explain the development of their individual personalities. The way the past – past deeds, past actions – influence the present day lives of the characters is something that Roy is particularly skilled at presenting.

Roy’s writing is a whirlwind of poetry. She picks the reader up and tosses them in a storm made entirely out of the words she writes. When we witness Velutha and Amma’s sweet, forbidden trysts by the river, the author hurls us into a whirlwind of a romance. When a child dies and all the other characters must face up to the consequences of their actions, Roy throws us into the middle of all the pain that forms the crux of the novel.

When Baby Kochamma forces the children to commit the deed that destroys several lives, Arundhati Roy uses her writing to lure the unsuspecting reader into a space where only the most bare and most raw emotions are forced on to us so that we can see the horror and tragedy that emerges out of the culmination of corruption, politics, patriarchy, colonialist influences, abuse, and the caste system – all dangers which the author uses the

novel to highlight.

To say more about the novel would be to spoil it.

All that can be said is that in a few years from now, if not already, The God of Small Things will be a classic; it will be one of those books that everyone would be expected to have read. It contains a great story which, to borrow a quote from the novel, means that even when “you know who lives, who dies, who finds love, [and] who doesn’t” you will still want to know again because “the Great Stories are the ones you have heard and want to hear again.” The God of Small Things is a tale you will want to hear again and again and again.

Esther Hamer, Mistres of Costumes

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By Subraj Singh SOME of us are just glad to be blessed with one skill that sets us apart and makes us unique.

Esther Hamer is one of those fortunate souls who are blessed with multiple skills.

She is a wife and a mother of four, but Esther still finds the time to express her own creativity in a diverse manner of ways, solidifying her position in the rebirth of theatre that is happening in the country by not only possessing skills in the overlapping areas of costume design, dance and acting, but also ensuring that her work stands out from the rest and also by being keenly aware of the purpose her own work plays in the larger arena of showcasing Guyana and contributing to the country’s cultural landscape.

As with most creatives,

Esther Hamer, performing in Carifesta XII

Chronicle Pepperpot October 9, 2016

Esther Hamer, surrounded by other members of the National Drama Company where they represented Guyana at Carifesta in Haiti Esther ’s skills began to manifest themselves in her younger days. She recalled that as a teenager, for example, the ways in which the early streak of what would later grow into a great love for costume design would show up in the manner in which she designed her jeans – creating new patterns, embroidering, painting and alternating them on a daily basis so that she would have a new look every time she decided to go out. As an adult, those same skills have grown and have been shaped into a professionalism that comes with the maturation of the artist and the skills of the artist so that Esther’s work is now simultaneously dynamic, unique and representative of her particular brand of artistry.

For example, she designs the costumes for her own dance group, Kreative Arts, for the National Drama Company, where she also serves on the Board in the position of Public Relations Officer, for the National School of Theatre Arts and Drama, where she teaches Design to upcoming ► Continued on page VII

Chronicle Pepperpot October 9, 2016

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Esther Hamer, Mistress ... ► From page VI

thespians, and for other entities and institutions that fall into an artistic grouping, such as Merundoi or theatrical groups partaking in the National Drama Festival, where the skills that Esther possesses are sometimes also required.

When asked what the best part of designing a costume was for her, Esther’s own desire to constantly challenge herself and her own need to do her best possible work came to the fore when she responded that one of the best aspects of design for her is actually achieving, or coming as close to as possible, the exact concept that the client

Since Esther’s costumes are meant for the stage, for use in theatre and dance, and not necessarily for a model who has to strut down a runway, her work is all the more difficult. Design is not an easy task and, as Esther says, there are many factors that one needs to take into consideration when designing for the stage. Research has to be done in order to ensure authenticity and also as a general way of gaining information on the particular era or culture the costume comes from. The designer also has to take into consideration the functionality of the costume. Unlike normal

without fraying, and are created, in the case of theatre, with the knowledge that the outfit is meant to convey a character, to be a symbol, or to be a part of the set and it is often more than simply just “clothes.”

When questioned about the position of designers in the “hierarchy” of theatre (as there are those who still choose to see some as being more important than others) and how she feels about designers being regarded as less important than the actors or directors, Esther quickly and wittily retorted that “I don’t see anything wrong with the bottom. If you are

A scene from Ti Jean

Greek masks created by Esther Hamer for a production of Lysistrata requested. She also notes that when her own individual touches are appreciated, as a designer, it can also mean quite a lot to her.

clothes, which is just meant to cover the body, Esther’s costumes are also built to contend with the multitude of movements present in dance

Elements of the Caribbean and the Carnivalesque were used to create this costume for Stickfight

the foundation, then you are very important. Designers are the foundation. They have to be there working with the director before the play even reaches the lips of the actors.”

Esther studied theatre arts at the National School of Theatre Arts and Drama, where she graduated as Valedictorian of the Institute of Creative Arts in 2014. She now teaches Design at the School. On the relationship between teaching and her own work, she says that for her, each new project is a class where she learns and she knows she has to work hard enough to impress the director and the audience. As a student, the School offered her an opportunity to study something that she wanted to learn more about, free of cost, and she took it. As a teacher at the School, she was once more granted an opportunity, to teach the ► Continued on page VIII

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Chronicle Pepperpot October 9, 2016

Esther Hamer, Mistress ... ► From page VII

future practitioners of theatre, to pass on the knowledge she obtained and, like before, she reached out and took an opportunity that was simply too good to pass up.

Esther was encouraged to join the National Drama Company by her husband and fellow dancer, Jonathan Hamer. Esther believes that the Company is important because of its focus on “things Guyanese.” In her own words, she says of the Company, “We love Guyana and we love our culture, and we use the arts to promote that culture. That is what I think is special about the Company.” Esther’s most recent production was the National Drama Company’s staging of Derek Walcott’s Ti Jean and His Brothers, where she was not only in charge of creating costumes along with other members of the Company, but also acted and played the role of the Bolom (a folk figure from St. Lucia represented as the deformed soul of a dead foetus) in the production. Esther, it should be noted, is also an award winning actress – winning the Best Actress Prize at the National Drama Festival in 2014 for her role in Nicola Moonsammy’s Guilty Pleasures.

Esther, working along with fellow Company member, Nicholas Singh, and the other costume designers in the Company’s team were tasked with creating costumes representing animals (Bird, Cricket, Frog, etc.) as well as several demons and, of course, Ti Jean and his family, all the while keeping the Caribbean, the postmodernist and the folklore feel of the play alive and prominent. It was a task that was, to the directors and many appreciative audience members, majestically pulled off. Esther maintains that it was a team effort and pointed out

Front view of the Cricket’s costume in Ti Jean that none of it would have been accomplished without the help of the other members in the Company.

So while Esther Hamer may not yet be a designer who is a household name, she can say with some certainty that she may be the only designer in the country tasked with designing for a play written by a Nobel Laureate, and she can also safely claim to be a vital part of the theatre renaissance in Guyana.

Chronicle Pepperpot October 9, 2016

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FaceBookings...

Call 911: Social media has taken over Guyana's beauty regime!

IT seems as though we've all been blackholed into the para-cosmic world of makeup. Makeup artists and enthusiasts are being rated by the amount of followers they have, and how much social media presence they've accumulated.

It's a current trend. Facebook and other social media are the deciding factors in choosing a trustworthy Makeup Artist to do wonders to the face.

If you're basing your decision solely on social media presence, then guess what, you entered and crossed over to the dark side.

If your makeup artist has a # (hashtag), becomes a trending topic (whether it's for their makeup selfies or opinions on educational issues) you've become devoted to the cause. Your life has been changed. When they move, you move, you #contour, you #highlight, you #strobe, you #bake, and some are even #sandbagging.

There are currently almost two thousand photos on Instagram hash-tagged #GuyaneseMUA, some of who don't live or work in Guyana.

Social media has managed to capture the attention and worm its way into our hearts so much so that we

believe it's real.

Very few people think twice about what they see on Instagram. I remember when I first posted professional pictures of my work in 2012 on my Facebook page Eye Like

ensure that when you choose a Makeup Artist, have them show work with unedited photography. Ideally it's best to see they're work off camera.

Social media is a virtual

Makeup by Kerry, clients questioned its authenticity, saying that they thought it was something I grabbed off of google images.

It's imperative to question the validity of most images found on social media; if it's not over edited, its photoshopped. Be careful to

world and not reality. It's imperative that we learn to separate the two, yet understand and appreciate its value, but it's not something that should be reliable. Seek other sources. It takes more effort but it's worth it. The accuracy of what is seen online is questionable, and a

wise person should consider counsel before taking any further steps.

However, technology is the best for efficiency! Thank goodness for mobile devices that make it easier to snap, chat, and book online.

As a makeup artist, I consider myself first an artist, a talent. I hate having to deal with money, and the business side of things, but how else do I buy more makeup, and keep inspiring and making my clients feel and look fabulous?

Technology helps with efficiency; it makes it easier to book, and secure all ar-

rangements online. It's easier for a client to send pictures of work they would prefer.

It's faster to see the colour scheme of a person's event.

All those factors help in attaining the perfect look.

It's great to also book a time to discuss face-to-face what a client expects from their makeup artist.

Some also get carried away and book classes with makeup artists they've seen online and have only met online.

This is the biggest faux pas; if a fashion entity or publication has never men-

tioned, credited, or in any way regarded that person as a makeup artist, then newsflash, that person is questionable, sketchy, and will need a little more experience to be considered a professional.

Sorry, but, Facebook, snapchat, Instagram and Twitter are not credible sources of information; don't get carried away.

Don't judge a makeup artist by only their hashtag.

Choose wisely and it's always best to speak with your makeup artist in person first. #MakeupByKerry

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Chronicle Pepperpot October 9, 2016

Emerging Artist

Kamladeo Sahadeo IN an attempt to highlight some of Guyana’s emerging talent, particularly from our premier art institution the E.R. Burrowes School of Art, I decided to extend my platform so that the public could be better acquainted with future Guyanese art practitioners.

This week’s feature highlights Kamladeo Sahadeo, a young artist whose works are predominantly paintings and ceramics.

Dominique Hunter: Tell me a little bit about some of your works on display.

Kamladeo Sahadeo: I majored in painting with a minor in ceramics. The theme for my work is “Expression of a devotee” so most of my work is based on that theme. My major task was done with rice and beads. I chose the co-

lours based on the chakras.

Peacock feathers were used because it is said that peacock feathers safeguard positive energy. There are other pieces that deviate from the theme but those are earlier works done at Burrowes. The fruit in the painting, the pomegranate,

ana until I saw an ad in the newspapers about an art competition by the E.R. Burrowes School of Art. I wanted to enter but I didn’t get the chance because I was busy doing other things and the time just passed. After that, I sent out some applications but I

Kamladeo Sahadeo along with eight other students (all female) exhibited their art works at the recently concluded examination exhibition at the Umana Yana, as part of the requirements for graduation from the E.R. Burrowes School of Art. The graduation ceremony for the budding artists will be held later in the year. is used in sacred offerings.

DH: What inspired you to enroll at the art school?

KS: I had never known about an art school in Guy-

Intazaar waiting

didn’t get any response. So I decided to try Burrowes.

I called first then I went in and they registered me for some courses. I started in

September and that was the beginning of my journey. I’ve improved a lot since then.

I did the certificate program but I spent three years at Burrowes. I think it was good because I learnt a lot of things that I didn’t know. I didn’t know that art could be as broad and that there are different things you could talk about in art. Art is not just about painting and drawing.

DH: What led to your decision to choose painting and ceramics?

KS: Painting was always my passion. It’s something I’ve always liked to do. Ceramics is something I always wanted to do. I like making things with clay but I never had the chance to do so. When I started ► Continued on page

Anat premee (eternal lover)

XI

Kamladeo Sahadeo, young painter and ceramist

Rang nritya (colour dance)

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Emerging Artist ◄ From page X

B u r ro w e s I re a l i z e d there was a lot you can do with clay and different techniques you can use to make things out of clay.

DH: Did you encounter any challenges?

KS: There were some difficulties with work but I got past those challenges. My biggest challenge was that I didn’t know about shading and blend-

ing colours. That’s why most of my paintings are not that realistic. But I’m going to work more so that I can enhance my paintings. Back then my paintings were really flat with just the outline and colour inside but now that I’ve gone through the art school and I know about the techniques I have a better understanding of how to apply my paints.

Sacred bird DH: What are some of your plans for now?

KS: I want to have my own studio on the West Coast of Demerara. I know that it’s hard here in Guyana

A section of the ceramic works done by Kamladeo Sahadeo

Rangoli on Canvas

because people don’t really appreciate art much but I will still try my luck. I know my passion lies in art and I feel comfortable working with painting,

ceramics and drawing.

I won’t go into a field where I’m not comfortable because that wouldn’t make sense.

So I’m just going to stick with my art.

The sensational Soroya Simmons -making waves in and out of the pool

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By Daniel Haynes IN the world of Guyanese aquatics, where most swimmers take the plunge into sprint swimming, at the age of 20, Soroya Simmons is finding her niche in long distance and open water swimming.

Additionally, the long distance swimmer, who has a penchant for sarcastic humor, is one year from going the distance in completing her degree in Medical Rehabilitation, specializing in physiotherapy, at the University of Guyana.

Standing at just over 5”4, she is witty, sarcastic, driven, and loves life.

Soroya Amanda Simmons was born June 28, 1996, and adamantly holds to the fact that she falls under the Zodiac sign of Cancer – something you would not argue if you valued your life.

Born an only child, she constantly had her head in a book, since from a young age, her mother always read to her. All that changed, however, when she was seven-years0old. Her mom had taken her along to meeting she had at the Tower Hotel Poolside.

“I decided that the best thing to do was jump into the deep end of the pool while no one was looking,” Soroya

Chronicle Pepperpot October 9, 2016

recounted. “It was learning to doggy paddle, making it to the wall and climbing out of the pool that I remember feeling accomplished about…I learned to swim out of sheer need to survive,” she added, laughing.

It was this experience that would shape her life for the next 13 years. After the “incident” she was enrolled in summer swimming classes two weeks later, giving her an activity to do during the August holidays.

“After the holiday I just continued swimming and as I started going to training more regularly I was enrolled in a club and starting doing more competitions and it just progressed from there,” she added.

The former Marian Academy student was always an academic and is by definition another one of the “Marian babies.”

She attended Marian Academy for 13 years of her life, from the nursery, to the primary level and finally graduating after completing the high school level. She eventually left the school to attend neighbouring Queen’s College for one year of sixth form.

“I actually got passing marks for QC when I wrote common entrance, but I didn’t want to go there,” said Soroya.

“It was a sense of familiarity, I didn’t want to leave Mar-

Soroya during a practice session this week ian, Marian was all I knew and I just couldn’t tear myself away and look I ended up right back at QC for sixth form so it worked out,” she laughed.

Being the bookworm, she took to subjects like English and Literature like a fish to water, and those were two of the subjects she excelled in. She counts herself an academic but is very much aware of the subjects she is weak in.

“I’m obviously gifted at some stuff than others; English and Literature were two of my best subjects due to my love of reading. I loved the poems, and I didn’t mind writing all the essays since I loved writing,” she stated.

“I disliked math, and I absolutely hated physics but I just loved Biology.”

Soroya was one of the students in the science stream and in fourth form at the time of streaming, she had no idea what she wanted to do. She just felt that from the science stream she could do practically anything.

It wasn’t until the swimmer was in fifth form that she stumbled on physiotherapy, something that would become her passion. And did it happen in the most ironic of ways!

The future physiotherapist had her first major swimming injury and had to attend therapy sessions as part of her recovery.

“I had always known physiotherapy; it was just at that time when I got that injury, that I fully understood Soroya, centre, at the recent Maracas Bay Open Water Swim meet

► Continued on page XIV

Zambia, Mibicuri ‘Rice keeps here alive’

Chronicle Pepperpot October 9, 2016

By Alva Solomon

“RICE keeps here alive,” said Joseph George as he studied his hometown.

He stared at the rice fields in the distance and reminisced on his earlier days at Zambia, the unofficial name given to the small community at Mibicuri South, Black Bush Polder on the East Berbice Corentyne.

The residents there are involved in agriculture, mainly rice farming. But one thing is unique about this quiet commune.

It was created in the aftermath of the 1964 political disturbances which ran across the country. “This place was created to protect them, so the government placed all the African Guyanese people around the time in here,” he said.

He is one of the earlier sons of the community which has seen little infrastructural development over the decades since 1964. During a recent visit to the village, it was evident that the area lacks infrastructural enhancement. The authorities fenced the playground several months ago but for residents, it was a move which was long overdue.

For George, Zambia slowly progressed to the state it is today. The village is home to approximately 40 households, few children and most of the residents are from the older generation. In the aftermath of the disturbances, the government provided the residents with one and a half acres of land on which to live and another 15 acre on which to plant rice.

However, the plan did not materialize as expected, and many suggested that

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persons could not endure the remoteness of the area at the time. As such the population dwindled over the years.

Mibicuri is the largest of four settlements which make up Black Bush Polder.

The others are Lesbeholden, Joanna and Yakusari. Rice farming is done in the entire polder and according to George, it is the one economic activity which is keeping the community of Zambia alive.

He said that some persons are currently renting their rice lands while others sold their property during the initial

A rice mill in the background near the entrance to the roadway which leads to Zambia at Mibicuri

A motorcyclist passes along the roadway near Zambia

Fourth Street in Zambia was paved in recent times , much to the delight of residents who were pleading with the authorities to fix the roadway

years.

But how did the community receive the name “Zambia”?

Not much persons could have explained the origin of the name but reports are that it was an elderly man who simply blurted out the name during a conversation and it stuck to the area.

Joseph is one of many older persons in the community and during the visit it was evident that not many young people live in Zambia.

He said he moved to the area with his family from the village of Ulverson ► Continued on page XV

Odetha Davis at her snackette

The sensational ...

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Chronicle Pepperpot October 9, 2016

► From page XII

what was wrong and how it was being fixed.

“I guess from there my interest grew and I fell in love with it,” she recounted. It certainly did not hurt that Soroya’s grandmother was a physiotherapist and she had an example to emulate.

“I want to get my Master’s in Physical therapy and go along the lines of Sports Therapy, so it’s really a Master’s in Sports Science I’m going after,” she finished.

Soroya has excelled in the classroom, performing well in both the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE).

The only reason she did not do the second unit of CAPE

was that she did not need the second unit to enter into the Medical Rehabilitation programme at UG. Like any National Athlete, the swimmer has had her fair share of tours for the country and has represented Guyana multiple times. She has travelled to Suriname, French Guiana, Barbados, Trinidad, Aruba, Curacao and Mexico-the last country being her favourite trip thanks to the culture of Mexico.

There is more to Soroya than academics and athletics and she is actually an avid reader with some of her favourite books being the Harry Potter series and the timeless classic of Jane Eyre. She is also a comic book fan, favouring the

With one of her many awards Marvel Universe with her favourite character being Tony Stark’s Ironman.

It is not wise to pick a fight with her when it comes to her comics. Her interest also extends to the world of Japanese comics called manga. She is also capable with a compound bow and arrow and learning Japanese in her spare time.

When it comes to swimming accomplishments, she holds records across the 15-17, and 18 and over age groups in the 50,100 and 200 metre back strokes, something she is extremely proud of. However, admittedly, most of her notable accomplishments have come in recent years since figuring out what her niche is.

“For me, I’ve always been better at longer distances and that’s where I found my niche. I started experimenting with open water swimming last year since my cousin in Trinidad had been inviting me for years to do the Maracas Bay Open Water Swim meet and I finally decided to give it a try. I did the 2650km and found I loved it,” she stated.

This year Soroya did the same Maracas Bay Open Water Swim in the 5000km distance and finished 4th overall for females. “I entered the race with much trepidation but once I hit the water all my fears just faded away,” she stated, “Once I hit the first lap and started the second lap I definitely felt I could do this and I did.”

Now back home and continuing her focus on open water swimming, she is looking towards the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo and hopes to represent Guyana. Her biggest motivation comes from her determination and drive to make an impact in the Guyanese sporting community.

“I want to responsible for some sort of change. Guyana has such great potential in sports but our professionals don’t stay and as an athlete I see everything. There’s so much that can occur if only there was support for our athletes and I want to be someone whose name is in the conversation years down the line.

“I want to sit back and say, yes I played my part.”

Those are lofty goals that perhaps the young Soroya, who spent most of her time in the slice of heaven carved out in Moruca running trails, swimming in ponds and lakes and enjoying being free, did not even forecast.

With her ambition, determination, drive and passion, and the supporting cast of Dorado Swim Club –the club she is a part of- her swimming goals are definitely attainable.

She credits the attitude of Dorado towards swimming as well as their understanding of her academic interests as part of the support system she can rely on.

Soroya embodies what her favourite Harry Potter house Slytherin stands for: Determination, ambition and the will to succeed.

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Zambia, Mibicuri ... ► From page XIII

on the West Coast of Berbice .

That was in 1968 and at the time he felt that his world crumbled when his family relocated there. At the time, he was a cricket fanatic. But he later attended the Berbice Comprehensive School and daily he would see the brighter side of the area at Rose Hall Town.

He pointed to the drains, which he noted were dug by “shovel men” when Zambia was created.

As this publication entered the area, on a hot-sunny Wednesday recently, paddy lines took up long stretches of the length of the roadway. A few cows grazed in the dry swathes of land while acres of land were being burnt.

It was a sight that created a picturesque view of the agriculture sector in all her bloom. But as the dusty roadway narrowed near Zambia, a shop at the side of the roadway was a much needed stop for refreshments.

There, Odetha Davis sat outside her snackette as she chatted with her friend. The two grew up at Zambia; Davis said it was the only place she will ever call home. But she had a long list of complaints about her hometown, a list which she has had for decades. “This

Joseph George reminisces on his earlier days at Zambia place started about 50 years ago, people came there in 1964 and we living here in one state,” she said, referring to the village as a “break-away place.”

In her 36th year, she said her concerns centered on

Three of the earlier settlers of Zambia what she termed the ineffectiveness of the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) in the area . “If we want something done for us we have to go to the NDC, we have to go there and beg them,” she said, noting that Zambia is home to many public servants including teachers, nurses and police officers.

“There is much they need to do for us,” she said.

She said that recently two of the four streets in the area were paved, after decades of pleading and according to her, while there was migration in the initial years, many persons moved into the area overtime but they re-migrated as time progressed.

“We feel abandoned, nobody comes but we are hoping against hope,” she said as the midday sun blistered the village.

As the dust blew across the roadway, several men swept paddy to a confined area along the roadside. One young man noted that it was the job of his choice, since at the moment he can earn a hefty $12,000 packing and tending to the paddy of the millers in the area.

He said he attended the Kuru Kuru College where he honed his mechanic skills but since he couldn’t find a job once home, he turned to tending to paddy.

Further up the road , three men who have been farming for decades sat under a house. They appeared contented but their stories about life in Zambia did not differ from their fellow villagers. But they expressed

hope that the main intent for the village when it was created will one day be realized.

“Do we have anything to celebrate?” asked another resident when the question on the villages’ existence was asked. She added that many young men moved away from the area in search of brighter opportunities.

On this note, it was noted that the village is in need of a vocational centre where the residents can learn various life skills and prepare themselves for a trade.

Street lights and improved water distribution are other areas which residents said can add to the enhancement of Zambia.

In addition, the construction of pavilion facilities at the fenced-playground is one area which residents said can bring life to Zambia.

This young man said he earns a healthy sum from the rice mill. He tends to paddy along the roadway at Zambia

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Chronicle Pepperpot October 9, 2016

Lady Gaga: Clips from new album 'leak' on Amazon (BBC) Snippets of Lady Gaga's new album Joanne have been shared online after fans "tricked" Amazon's virtual assistant into playing preview clips.

Previews can commonly be heard on Amazon when an album is available for pre-order, but they had been disabled for Gaga's highly-anticipated comeback.

Owners of Amazon's Echo speaker then discovered they could access songs by issuing the instruction: "Play Joanne by Lady Gaga."

Amazon declined to comment to the BBC. The 30-second clips have been recorded and shared online by several fans, withone video showing Amazon's speaker lighting up and responding to the voice commands.

Among the leaked songs are Hey Girl, in which Gaga duets with Florence Welch of Florence + The Machine over a stomping, staccato piano line reminiscent of Elton Johns's Benny and the Jets.

Just Another Day is a country ballad about the star's break-up with fiance Taylor Kinney, in which she sings: Joanne, Lady Gaga's first solo album since 2013's "We both know I could learn a thing or two about relax- Artpop, is officially released on 21 October ing."

Gaga has opted for a "live" feel throughout, rejecting the synthesized beats of her earlier albums for a combi-

nation of rootsy Americana and power pop.

The lyrics also seem to be more personal and emotive than the high-concept self-empowerment anthems of Born This Way and The Fame Monster.

Joanne is officially released on 21 October. Like her father's New York City restaurant, it is named after Gaga's aunt Joanne Germanotta, who passed away from Lupus in 1974 at the age of 19.

"This record was about me trying to understand my father, and his grief," she said in a statement announcing the album last month.

"It's also a record about me trying to understand myself and wondering where I'm going next in life. Because truly, the thing that I'm searching for the most is to feel connected to humanity, to feel connected as a person. So Joanne is like, you know, Lady Gaga if you erase all the fame."

The star has already unveiled several songs from the album, including the single Perfect Illusion and the heartbreaking ballad Million Reasons, online.

Others were debuted live on a "dive bar" tour of Nashville this week.

The BBC understands the "leaks" were isolated to the US, and the loophole has now been closed,

Chronicle Pepperpot October 9, 2016

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Chronicle Pepperpot October 9, 2016

A bright future ahead for nursing in Guyana

Chronicle Pepperpot October 9, 2016

By Svetlana Marshall

INDISPUTABLY, nursing in Guyana has faced many stumbling blocks but with the strong backing of the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and the Public Health Ministry, Principal of the Georgetown School of Nursing Cleopatra Barkoye is convinced that the sector can achieve much more than to keep its head above rough waters.

Statistical reports indicate that 60 per cent of the more than 300 students that enter Public Nursing Schools annually, either through the Georgetown School of Nursing, the Charles Roza School of Nursing in Linden or the New Amsterdam School of Nursing, are successful at their final examination.

PAHO, the Ministry and the Department of Nursing are working to improve the pass rate and will be placing greater emphasis on the curriculum, qualification, experience of tutors and the screening of applicants.

Though the majority of the nursing tutors have ac-

quired their Bachelors of Science Degrees in Nursing, and collectively have more than 300 years of experience under their belt, Barkoye said there was still a great need to sharpen their skills. As such, a Nursing Tutor Certificate Training Programme was initiated with the primary support of PAHO. The oneyear online training programme, which commenced in 2015, had attracted 25 tutors, including those from the St Joseph Mercy Hospital School of Nursing.

But Principal Barkoye believes that even with capacity-building for the tutors, the Nursing Programme in Guyana should be revamped, explaining that it should not be taught at the level of a school but a university.

“The Caribbean and the world at large have left us behind. They are two steps ahead of us. They are saying that really and truly the Registered Nursing Programme is done at universities,” she posited.

FOUNDATION BEING LAID This, however, will re-

quire significant preparations. According to the Principal Tutor, the foundation work is being laid. It was explained that in 2015, a PAHO sponsored visit was made to Belize where discussions were initiated on the possibility of having Guyanese tutors acquire their Masters of Science in Nursing. This, Principal Barkoye said, is expected to materialise by 2017.

Once the tutors are adequately qualified, the Principal Tutor hopes that steps will then be taken at the level of the Public Health Ministry to have the Registered Nursing Programme dissolved at the level of the schools and offered only at the Bachelor’s level at the University of Guyana.

“When you have a Bachelor’s you have a wider scope of knowledge, and you will recognise that research is really important because that is how we practice,” she posited.

Will the proposed dissolution of the Registered Nursing Programme result in the closure of the Georgetown School of Nursing and

similar schools across the country? Principal Barkoye when asked responded in the negative, explaining that the Post Basic Midwifery Programme, the Direct Entry Midwifery Programme, and the Nursing Assistant Programme will still be taught at the level of the school.

“While there is still a need for the school, the registered nursing programme must move beyond the school because that is where the world is and if we stay here we will always keep ourselves behind. If the world is moving, we have to move with it,” Principal Barkoye posited.

In Guyana, the Registered Nursing Programme is complemented by a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Programme which is offered at the University of Guyana for a period of two years.

The Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing commenced in 2002 under the leadership of Mrs Gwendolin Tross – a veteran in the field of health education and nursing.

On her return to Guyana in 1998 Tross had joined the

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University in the Faculty of Health Sciences; however, she was disappointed that nurses were still unable to specialise in nursing at the level of the university.

“I was concerned that after spending many years abroad, the university was not offering a degree course for nurses, bearing in mind that it was an expectation before I left Guyana in 1979,” Sister Tross said.

She added: “There was a degree course in education but not for nursing.”

Subsequent to a series of discussions with Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Dr Emanuel Cummings, Sister Tross took up the challenge to develop the Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing.

In 2002, the programme was launched with a total of 19 students who had opted to specialise either in Management, Education or Nursing.

Despite many challenges, the first batch of students graduated in 2004 from the University of Guyana. “One

Students of the current class of the Georgetown School of Nursing

of our graduates received the highest grade point average in the Faculty of Health Sciences.

Over the years many of our students’ research papers were accepted for publication by the Caribbean Medical Council,” said a proud Sister Tross. Today, the Bachelor’s in Nursing Programme continues to evolve.

COLLABORATION The success of the programme could not have been possible without the unwavering support of internal and external forces, she pointed out. “We had a lot of collaborative efforts,” she posited while singling out the Association of Guyanese Nurses and Allied Professionals, which is based in England.

“Every year they gave us money, 100 British pounds to be exact, for the best graduating student… they gave us extra money to purchase trophies and they still do it today.”

The Canadian Society f

► Contiuned on page XXII

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A bright future ahead ...

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Chronicle Pepperpot October 9, 2016

► From page

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or International Health was also instrumental in upgrading the faculty. “With the help of them, we extended the class rooms and…set up a resource centre,” Tross said.

The research centre was named in honour of GwendolinTross.

By 2008, an online Master’s Nursing Programme was developed following close collaboration with the St Joseph College, Connecticut. Seven nurses were the first to capitalise on the online programme. For her pioneering work, Tross, in 2015, was awarded the Golden Arrow of Achievement.

Notwithstanding its limitations, nursing

appointed. That officer is currently known as the Chief Nursing Officer, and continues to take pride in the management of the nursing profession with emphasis on education and practice.

Similarly, the Department of Nursing is responsible for the establishment of plans and programmes that are consistent with the National Health Policies and Plans.

“Nursing policies, standards and norms of nursing care are also formulated, monitored, and evaluated at this level,” Noel explained.

programme for registered nurses, however, students are required to take and pass the General Nursing Council Examination in order to be registered to practice.

In the past, applicants were required to have four subjects including Mathematics, English and Science, however, an additional subject is now required. However, health authorities are still concerned over the high failure rate. It is estimated that close to 40 per cent of the current student population fail. In recent years, steps have been taken to reintroduce the interview process. As such, all applicants are now required to be interviewed before being granted the opportunity to commence training in the field of nursing.

In addition to the Registered Nursing Programme, the Schools of Nursing which are managed by the Ministry of Public Health offer a two-year Nursing Assistant Programme, a one-year Post-Basic Midwifery Programme and the two-year direct entry midwifery programme. The Public Health Nursing Programme is currently on hold.

The Nursing Assistant Programme was implemented in 1969 following the completion of a study which concluded that there were a number of nursing tasks which could

However, she pointed out that there is a “Single Trained” Programme which attracts health workers from the community level to undergo midwifery training for a period of two years.

“Although you are selected by your village, you must have the required qualifications but that programme is two years because you have to do one year basic nursing and then you do the one year midwifery programme,” Parris explained.

Whether you are doing the Post-Basic or the Single Trained Midwifery Programme, all students are required to have 25 deliveries before permission is granted to write the Council’s exam. But before delivering the first baby, Parris said, trainees must first witness 12 deliveries “You must see 12 deliveries under the midwife watch and certain questions must be answered before permission is granted for you to do the 25 deliveries. If you don’t complete you cannot write the exam,” she explained.

Today midwifery is dominated by women; however, there are male midwives. Males were introduced to the midwifery programme in Guyana in the mid-1970s to respond to a shortage of midwives the country was expe-

Georgetown School of Nursing Principal Cleopatra Barkoye has been long recognised as the backbone of the Health Care System in Guyana. The process of ‘Guyanising’ had started in 1935 after concerns were raised over what was described as a determined effort to retain managerial positions for expatriate nurses, who primarily hailed from Great Britain.

“The question of promoting locally trained nurses as Divisional Sisters was considered, and it was the view of the (Legislative) Council that selected locally-trained nurses should be given every opportunity to qualify for managerial positions. Since further training in the United Kingdom was considered to be necessary qualifications, the Government agreed to assist suitable persons to obtain such training by contributing to their travel and other expenses,” Guyana’s first Principal Nursing Officer Gloria Noel said as she chronicled the development of the profession in the book ‘The History of Nursing in Guyana: 1800-1977.’

However, it was only until 1952 that a Guyanese was appointed Matron in the person of Irma Premdas. By 1970, a Department of Nursing was established within the Ministry of Health and a Principal Nursing Officer

EVOLVED GREATLY Under the watch of the Ministry and by extension the Department of Nursing, the nursing profession in Guyana has evolved tremendously with nurses now given the opportunity to specialise in various fields besides midwifery. These include pediatrics, anesthesiology, psychiatry and neonatal care.

“The genesis of organised nursing was in the early 19th century, and the first recorded nurses were males, who received no formal training and carried out menial tasks in the hospital. In 1831, female nurses were introduced, and they too received no formal training but worked under the supervision of the Surgeon General,” the former Principal Nursing Officer said as she recapped the history of nursing on the basis of which nursing education was developed.

It was only until 1945 that the first school of nursing was established here at the Georgetown Hospital. Today, Guyana boasts of having four nursing schools of which one is privately managed by the St Joseph Mercy Hospital.

These schools offer a three-year diploma

Midwifery Tutor Pauline Parris trains some 25 midwives every year. In photo, she is conducting one of her many sessions have been performed by an assistant under the supervision of the professional nurse.

“After successful completion, graduates are eligible to take the Nursing Council Exam for registration,” Noel explained while noting that “Nursing Assistants are eligible for enrollment in the professional nursing programme provided that they acquire the academic requirements, and have a satisfactory work history.”

Pauline Parris, a Midwifery Tutor, trains approximately 25 midwives every year at the Georgetown School of Nursing. “You must be a Registered Nurse or a Nursing Assistant, in order to do the post-basic midwifery programme,” she explained.

riencing at a time. Wayne Deane and Parsram Persaud were the first to commence post-basic training in midwifery – a move which was widely accepted and saw an increase in male admission to the programme.

According to reports, Guyana was the first country in the Caribbean to have opened up the midwifery programme to males.

“Nursing is a dynamic profession constantly changing to meet societal needs, but one thing is certain: despite changes in the health system and changes in nursing, nurses in Guyana will always remain the backbone of the health system and the fundamentals of nursing will never change,” Noel said.

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Fun activities for the kids Solve Toothpick Puzzles!

Looking for a way to engage your family over dinner? What if you could practice some spatial reasoning skills as well? These fun toothpick puz z les are easy to set up at the dinner table, and if your child gets stumped all you'll have to do is refer to the answers for help. The best part about this activity is that you'll be challenging your child to think geometrically while still having fun!

What You Need: A copy of the toothpick puz z les (see below).

24 toothpicks A coin

What You Do: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Pick one of the puz z les.

Lay out the toothpicks in the pattern you see on the paper.

Tell your family how you want them to change the pattern.

Watch them go!

Once they've solved the first puz z le, move on to the next one.

The answers are included, but it’s more fun if you only refer to them as a last resort.

PUZZLES:

ANSWERS

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Chronicle Pepperpot October 9, 2016

Olly Murs: My heart goes out to Zayn

Chronicle Pepperpot October 9, 2016

(REUTERS) OLLY Murs has offered his support to ex-One Direction star Zayn Malik, after the singer pulled out of several concerts with "extreme anxiety".

"It is definitely one of my worst fears and my heart goes out to Zayn," Murs told BBC News.

The star befriended One Direction through the X Factor, where they were runners-up in consecutive years.

He said Malik's anxiety had only surfaced since he had become a solo artist earlier this year.

"I feel for him, because he did seven or eight worldwide tours and he always had friends around him," said Murs.

"Now, he has that daunting anxiety [of] having to come out on stage without those other guys around."

So far this year, Malik has cancelled

appearances at the Autism Rocks Arena in Dubai and the Summertime Ball in Wembley Stadium.

"Unfortunately my anxiety that has haunted me throughout the last few months around live performances has gotten the better of me," Malik told fans after pulling out of the latter gig.

"I know those who suffer anxiety will understand and I hope those who don't can empathise with my situation."

Murs said that the sheer scale of the concerts could be the root of Malik's fears.

"He's got to start at theatres or smaller shows where he can build that confidence again. Once Zayn gets out there and starts performing, he'll be â–ş Contiuned

on page XXVI

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Olly Murs: "Once Zayn gets out there and starts performing, he'll be great"

Olly Murs: My heart goes out ...

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â—„ From page XXV

great," he said.

"It's just that initial thing of getting over the line. But fingers crossed he does get to perform that album at some point."

Malik is not the only pop star to suffer anxiety. Selena Gomez recently cancelled the remaining dates of her world tour,

citing the anxiety and depression that are side effects of Lupus, the auto-immune disease from which she suffers.

Justin Bieber also said his touring schedule was leaving him "mentally and emotionally exhausted to the point of depression". He subsequently cancelled "meet and greet" sessions with fans before and after his shows.

"You have to put your heart out to

Chronicle Pepperpot October 9, 2016

those guys for coming out and being honest," said Murs. "You've got to remember they're young and the pressure is massive.

"People have paid for their tickets and they want you to entertain them. It can take its weight on you."

The singer admitted he had also experienced "difficult" nights on tour, but they paled in significance compared to Malik

and Gomez.

"I'm not going to moan about it because these are our jobs. That's what we get paid to do," he said, indicating a poster in his management company's office that reads: "No whining".

"Whining and whinging... you shouldn't," he added, discussing his own shows. "You should just get on with it."

Chronicle Pepperpot October 9, 2016

Mileposts Congratulations are extended to Mohan and Elena Singh, who are celebrating their 11th wedding anniversary. Best wishes are coming from their relatives and friends.

Craig David's comeback album tops chart

CRAIG DAVID (BBC) CRAIG David has scored his first number one album for 16 years.

The singer's sixth studio album, his first since 2010, outsold its nearest rival - Bon Iver's 22, A Million - by 4,500 copies.

David said: "Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart. I don't know what's going on right now."

He described scoring the second number one album of his career with Following My Intuition as "the most amazing feeling".

David had last hit the top spot with Born To Do It in 2000.

"I'm seeing two generations connecting - the people who have been with me since 1999 and the crew who are just discovering me, both connecting on the same music," he said.

All of the top four albums this week were new entries.

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International Day for Disaster Reduction 2016

THE United Nations’ (UN) International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction is observed annually on the second Wednesday of October. As such, it will be celebrated on October 12, this year. Since the beginning of its observance back in 1990, it has always been a day to encourage people and governments to participate in building more resilient communities and nations. It also encourages and promotes a global culture of natural disaster risk reduction.

Natural Disaster, People and the Environment The Caribbean Region is prone to earthquakes and hurricanes because of its geographic location. Just a few days ago we saw Hurricane Matthew impacting on some of our sister CARICOM nations Haiti, Jamaica, Cuba and Bahamas leaving devastation in its wake. Matthew

Chronicle Pepperpot October 9, 2016

is the most powerful storm in the Caribbean since Felix hit in 2007.

Just five years ago, on Jan. 12, 2010, a devastating earthquake with a magnitude of 7.0 struck Haiti, killing more than 160,000 and displacing close to 1.5 million people. Five years later, scars of the tragedy remain in Port-au-Prince, and the nation is still struggling to recover.

Many might ask why the Caribbean region is so prone to these devastating disasters. In the case of earthquakes, the Caribbean islands tare situated within the vicinity of two tectonic plates: the North American plate and the Caribbean plate. These two plates are constantly moving in a side-by-side rubbing action on the jagged edges of each other. Sometimes the edges

– Language, Culture, and the New Chinese Presence in Guyana

of these two plates become stuck. When this happens, the rest of the block is still moving, and the energy that would normally cause the blocks to slide past one another is being stored up. When the force of the moving blocks finally overcomes the friction of the jagged edges and gets unstuck, all the stored up energy is released. The energy radiates outward from the fault in all directions - like ripples on a pond - in the form of seismic waves. The seismic waves cause the Earth to shake as they travel through it, and when the waves reach the Earth’s surface, they shake the ground and anything on it.

Hurricanes as we know, are totally different phenomena. The North Atlantic region, within which the Caribbean is situated, is prone to hurricanes every year.

Hurricane season is usually between June and November. Because of the conditions necessary for the formation of Hurricanes existing in the tropics; warm tropical waters (80°F and more), moist air and wind, the region is the perfect place.

These conditions fuel the strength and intensity of the hurricane, causing it to wreak havoc to anything ► Contiuned on page XXIX

Chronicle Pepperpot October 9, 2016

International Day for Disaster .... â–ş From page XXVIII

in its path.

IMPACTS Natural disasters, depending on their magnitude, vary in impact on people and the environment.

Among the effects of natural disasters are destruction to Wildlife and their habitat.

These species and their habitat play important roles e.g. preventing soil erosion; aiding in water purification and providing medicine, food and shelter. Such loss creates and further compound the problems which can see human’s livelihoods being affected. Further there is economic damage to countries due to landslides, heavy flooding, healthy impacts and the enormous cleanup costs. Many people in the region and around the world have lost their lives, homes or access to essential facilities, such as hospitals, due to natural disasters.Farm lands are destroy and fisher folks are affected.

Water quality supply is often affected as well and electricity supply and transportation networks are shutdown, causing a standstill in the country during these events.

Risk Reduction and Mechanisms According to the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP), in 2011 alone, almost 30,000 people were killed in 302 disasters, and 206 million people were affected. Beyond the toll on human life, the costs of disasters were estimated at more than US$ 2 trillion over the last two decades. Earthquakes and violent weather-related catastrophes helped make 2011 the costliest year ever for response and recovery from disaster. Disaster risk reduction is the concept and practice of reducing disaster risks through systematic efforts to analyse and reduce the causal factors of disasters. Having National and Regional Risk Reduction management plans, programmes and policies in place is important since it helps to reduce human and wildlife exposure to hazards and lessening vulnerability of people and property. This will take into consideration and focus attention and efforts not just reduction but prevention, mitigation and preparedness.

The Civil Defence Commission (CDC) has a leading role to play in promoting Comprehensive Disaster Management in Guyana. Presently it utilizes a core of volunteers from the various administrative regions who are trained in different areas of disaster preparedness. EPA has a representative on the Board of the CDC which seeks to identify potential risks and eliminate or minimize those risks.

CDEMA The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) is a regional inter-governâ–ş Contiuned on page XXX

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International Day for Disaster ... ► From page XXIX

mental agency for disaster management in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Its predecessor CDERA (Caribbe-

an Disaster Emergency Response Agency) had responsibility for the coordination of emergency response and relief efforts to Participating States that require such assistance.

It transitioned to CDEMA in 2009 to fully embrace the principles and practice of Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM). (CDM) is an integrated and proactive approach to disaster management and seeks to reduce the risk and loss associated with natural and technological hazards and the effects of climate change to enhance regional sustainable development.

Fortunately with the exception of the 2005 floods, Guyana has not been face with severe natural disasters. It is still important however, that

we are aware of these occurrences and render support to others affected, whether moral or material should this be required.

While for Guyana, the risk of major disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, landslides etc., is low, we still remain an extremely vulnerable country. With 90% of our population and most of our agriculture and administrative activities taking place on a narrow coastal belt our risk to sea-level rise remain high.

You can share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O EIT Division, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, G E O R G E TO W N ; o r email us at eit.epaguyana@gmail.com.

Chronicle Pepperpot October 9, 2016

Nostalgia Sunday

When Soul King Percy Sledge visited PERCY “Mr Soul� Sldege flew into Guyana on October 4, 1967 with his ninepiece band and received a chance welcome from Minister of Labour Claude Merriman who had gone to the airport for another engagement. In this Ray Seetram photo, Minister Merriman greets Percy as local soul singer Ted E. Jones looks on.

Viola Burnham performs duties as President Vice President with responsibility for Social Development and Culture was on October 3, 1989 sworn in to perform the duties of President shortly after President Desmond Hoyte left on a five-day state visit to Brazil. She became the first Guyanese woman to perform the functions of President.

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Nostalgia

Chronicle Pepperpot October 9, 2016

Sunday

Dawn of a new era Dr Cheddi Jagan was sworn in as President of Guyana on October 9, 1992 in what was heralded as the dawn of a new era. Here, he poses with his wife Janet, and with Mr Samuel Hinds (who Dr Jagan would later swear in as Prime Minister) and his wife Yvonne just after the swearing in ceremony

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Cut down in their youth

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On Wednesday, October 6, 1976, eleven Guyanese were among 73 persons who were killed when two bombs exploded aboard Cubana Flight CU455, causing in to plunge into the Caribbean sea. Of the Guyanese who died in the terrorist attack, six were Guyana students, all of whom dreamed of a brighter future.

They had left Guyana in a happy mood for what they believed was an exciting new chapter in their life. They had completed their

Raymond Persaud

GCE A Level examinations and were heading to Cuba on government scholarships.

On the 40th anniversary of the air disaster, we take a look back at those cut down in their youth.

Eric Norton: He would have celebrated his 19th birthday three weeks after the tragedy.

He was a former head boy of Queen’s College and the only son of Station Officer Harold Norton of the Fire Service and Mrs Norton.

Rawle Thomas: He was just over

Seshnarine Kumar

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Sunday

Nostalgia 18, a younger brother of Parliamentary Secretary Jeffrey Thomas of John Street, Campbellville, and also an old boy of Queen’s College. Rawle left school and worked with the Government Information Service (GIS) for two months, showing considerable promise as a writer and debater.

Raymond Persaud: He was 19, a teacher at Bishops High School before he left on the trip for Cuba. Raymond was the son of Charles Persaud of Sheriff Street, Campbellville.

Seshnarine Kumar: He was 18, a former Berbice High School student, son of Harry Kumar of Canefield Settlement, East Canje Berbice.

Jacqueline Williams: She was 19, an old girl of Bishops High School, and daughter of Public Service Ministry Training Adviser George Williams.

Ann Nelson: She was an 18-year-old former Bishops High School student who lived with her relative Esther Callendar in Charlotte Street, Bourda.

Jacqueline Williams

Ann Nelson

Eric Norton

Rawle Thomas

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ARIES You might feel as if you're caught between a rock and a hard place today when you want to do one thing and your friends want to do something else. Maintaining a cheerful attitude is difficult when people change their mind at the last minute, leaving you stuck with nowhere to go. Nevertheless, there's no reason to blame others for your position. Instead, honestly sharing your frustrations strengthens communication and eases the stress. Freedom is yours when you learn to take nothing personally.

TAURUS On one hand, you want to stick to your regular routine no matter who pressures you to do something different. On the other hand, you can't suppress your urge to break free from the status quo when the Moon squares volatile Uranus. Simple statements trigger strong reactions today, especially when you're unsure of what you really need. Nevertheless, taking a risk by inventing new ways to express yourself is more rewarding than trying to fit into someone else's box. An original is worth more than a copy.

GEMINI Change seems to come out of the blue today, initiating a process that brings you greater freedom of expression. But first you must find your way through the complicated emotional maze or you may reach a breaking point that can alter the course of a relationship. If your need for independence is greater than your hunger for closeness, it may be healthier to take time to reinvigorate a partnership with conscious intent than to let your emotions explode. Instead of allowing negative feelings to spiral out of control, focus on the facts to assure the best possible outcome.

CANCER Your agenda might not match everyone else's expectations today. You could overreact to what others say if you don't like the advice you receive. Conflict is possible now, especially if you're unwilling to compromise. However, choosing flexibility over stubbornness allows you to manoeuvre around emotional landmines while tactfully suggesting solutions. Cultivate constructive discussions in search of common ground, rather than insisting there is only one right answer. Japanese author Satoro wrote, "Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean."

LEO You could work yourself into a corner today by clinging to your fixed views. However, relief may come quickly if you're willing to roll with the changes instigated by the Moon's square to unstable Uranus. Nevertheless, you might feel overloaded with too many challenges as you attempt to eliminate the old in order to make way for the new. Paradoxically, jumping into a fire by choice is actually safer than holding yourself back to avoid complications.

VIRGO It's unnecessary to settle for less today just because things don't seem to go as you planned. In fact, disruptive Uranus can open your mind to a radically different notion about your true life's purpose. However, you may have to step outside of the logical box that usually works in your favour. Thinking about the alternatives beyond the limits of your current situation empowers you with a surge of creativity. Sometimes it's imperative to go to the extremes of self-expression in order to succeed.

LIBRA Your diplomatic approach to conflict is put to the test today when people act in unexpected ways. Although your day may be turned upside down by someone's shocking behaviour, you're exhilarated once you take off your kid gloves. However, you don't need anyone's permission to make radical positive changes. Fortunately, you can stand up for your beliefs even against great odds without letting your emotions get the best of you now. As Leonard Nimoy said, "Logic is the beginning of wisdom, not the end."

SCORPIO Although your heightened sense of urgency makes it nearly impossible to hide your frustration, risky behaviour won't necessarily make you feel any better. Unfortunately, your mouth can move faster than your ability to moderate outrageous comments today. What you think is an acceptable statement may trigger an unfriendly response from someone close to you. If you find yourself in the midst of a conflict with a friend or relative, retreat in the name of love. Practicing the art of compromise is better than winning the battle and losing your happiness.

SAGITTARIUS A casual remark could alter the course of your day in ways you can't predict. Conversations may suddenly veer off in odd directions today, leaving you perplexed about your next move. Therefore, it might be smarter to wait until your emotions settle down before saying what's on your mind while the moody Moon squares erratic Uranus in your 5th House of Spontaneity. Nevertheless, articulating your position clearly and calmly alleviates the current tension without upsetting the status quo.

CAPRICORN Domestic tranquility may be elusive today if your impatience motivates you to say and do anything to make your case. It's useless to pretend that you're willing to submit to someone else's point of view now that the Capricorn Moon squares radical Uranus in your 4th House of Home and Family. However, it's unnecessary to recklessly take a chance to find the freedom you seek. For now, the most peaceful way to handle the potential volatility is to just smile and walk away. Greek philosopher Euripides wrote, "Silence is true wisdom's best reply."

AQUARIUS You're not interested in following someone else's arbitrary rules and are quite willing to rattle your saber today in order to let them know you're the boss. A rebellious Moon-Uranus square provokes you to tell others what you want, even if you must break with tradition to get your message across. Taking an entirely different approach allows you to let go of the past to create a more harmonious yet stimulating future.

American suffragist Susan B. Anthony said, "Independence is happiness."

PISCES Speaking your truth is not always appreciated in family politics, but being honest with yourself about your priorities helps to keep your spirits alive. Although you might decide to bury your feelings today, unexpressed emotions still find their way to escape and create conflict. Thankfully, the Moon's current visit to your 11th House of Community emphasizes the value of building support among your family and friends. Henry Ford said, "Working together is success."

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

There is no royal road to learning, no short cut to the acquirement of any valuable art.

ANTHONY TROLLOPE (1818-1882), Barchester Towers STUDY SUCCESS Dear Student, Most of today’s input concerns pronouns. Many students find them much harder to use correctly than are nouns. This is caused by a difficulty they encounter when managing the change in certain pronoun forms, depending upon their use. The use of quotation marks is also treated. Be wise.

Love you.

GRAMMAR Quotation Marks Remember that quotation marks or lifted commas are used to enclose a direct quotation. Note here that when a quotation is interrupted by explanatory words such as he or she wrote, use two sets of quotation marks.

Also, use single quotation marks around a quotation within a

quotation.

Example: My teacher smiled and replied, “It is my mother who said, ‘A good cook can never, never make soup that does not taste well.’”

When writing dialogue, begin a new paragraph and use a new set of quotation marks every time the speaker changes.

Example: “What page are you now reading, Hubert?”

“Do you have nothing to do than to disturb me, Susan Sunlit Sunmogan?”

Exercise Work on completing the following sentences. The exercise should be challenging. There are markers to help you along.

1. We would rather die on our feet said Simon Silver than live with our palms outstretched.

2. Prejudice is the child of ignorance quoted Fay Dee. 3. Susan Diamond recited her poem It’s All for the Good of Mankind.

4. Someone once said Most easy roads seem to lead downhill!

5. Desmond, you get up the finance said Hazel Aloma, I’ll paste up the fliers.

6. To be prepared for success said Jennifer is one of the most effectual means of preserving life.

7. Do you know how to apply mouth-to-mouth breathing asked Mrs Henery-Simon.

8. So now they have made our English tongue a gallimaufry or hodgepodge of all other speeches wrote Edmund Spenser in a letter to Gabriel Harvey.

THE PARAGRAPH The Englishman felt that their trip had been successful. They certainly had not been treated as vassals, but with the greatest honour and courtesy; they had been immensely interested in all that they saw; the artists had made drawings everywhere they went and a log

Chronicle Pepperpot October 9, 2016

book was written by one of the secretaries. Letters had even been exchanged by the rulers of the two nations. Had they opened the way of friendly trade and intercourse?

(From The Pageant of Chinese History by Elizabeth Seeser Note: The first sentence in this paragraph is its topic sentence.

YOUR MASTERY? This quick teaser deals with mastery of pronoun usage such as: a) sentence meaning guiding your choice of case after than or as; b) the apostrophe and s to form the possessive of the indefinite pronoun; c) avoiding confusing possessive pronouns with contractions that sound like them; d) the possessive case before a gerund you wish to show ownership; e) pronoun we used in combination with nominative nouns; and us in combination with objective nouns (nouns which are in apposition with the pronouns); f) nominative case for subjects and predicate nominatives; objective case for objects g) the pronoun form to be used when it is part of a compound; h) the same case to be used for both pronouns, when a form of the infinitive to be links two pronouns; i) who and whoever as subjects or predicate nominatives; whom and whomever as objects A. List the correct pronouns for the following sentences. (Some of you would prefer to write each entire sentence). Do as it is convenient to you, please.

1. Billy and (he, him) have been assigned to the more lucrative outstations down town.

2. He depends upon (I, me) more than Jerry depends on (I, me) to represent (we, us) boys at the up-coming class debate.

3. Dismiss (whoever, whomsoever) has completed his afternoon Gardening assignment.

4. (Whose, Who’s) ready for dessert? There is one choice among apple strudels, fudge brownie sundaes, and chocolate-filled Meringue shells with strawberry sauce.

5. Help Fancy and (I, me) sort these endless invitations, please.

6. I should like to be (her, she).

7. Harry took (I, me) to be (her, she) because of our head and foot wear.

8. Don’t neglect (we, us) ten boys. The experienced guides are (we, us) boys.

B. Most sentences below are correctly constructed. There are, however, some pronoun errors for you to correct in others. Read each corrected sentence aloud to hear the sound you have given to it. In each instance give the reason for your correction.

1. The boy who the many fans say will win the flyweight title is Bobby Simon.

2. I’ll be staying at my aunt’s house in Akron to attend the two-day book festival.

3. This is she speaking. Who did you think it was?

4. Do you want Jasper, Joseph and I to wait for you at Junction Point?

5. Don’t mind my complaining! Remember I did.

6. Choose whomever you like. Give the gift to whoever comes first today.

Chronicle Pepperpot October 9, 2016

Bollywood Movie Review: Mirzya

(REUTERS) In the most complex of Punjab’s tragic love stories, Sahiban dooms her lover Mirza to death rather than have him kill her family. Why she did that has remained an unanswered question till now. And by his own admission, it was this very mystery that compelled Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra to make “Mirzya”, a modern-day take on the age-old tale. And yet, the puzzle seems to be the least of Mehra’s concerns throughout the film.

Instead, the film-maker focuses on gorgeous visuals, dressing up his love story in fairy tale hues with songs conveying more emotions than the two leads can muster. The part of the 129-minute film which deals with the ancient story of Mirza and Sahiban is gorgeously shot by Pawel Dyllus - wordlessly and in slow motion. But it loses its sheen when the leads Saiyami Kher and Harshvardhan Kapoor cannot summon the expressions needed to tell you a story without words.

In the modern re-telling, Mohnish and Suchitra are childhood friends whose fledgling love is brutally cut short.

The girl is sent abroad and when she returns as an adult, is betrothed to the heir to a royal family (Anuj Choudhry).

Mohnish is the stable hand at the modern-day prince’s stud farm, and Suchitra is inexplicably drawn to this scrawny and shaggy man rather than her fiancé.

Even if you put that down to the vagaries of love, the story doesn’t reflect the passion that Mehra wants to convey.

Part of the blame lies on the new leads - they don't have the chemistry or the acting chops required in a film that is so devoid of reality that only the actors can convince you otherwise. The other problem is that Mehra and screenwriter Gulzar deal with one too many timelines, cutting haphazardly from Mirza and Sahiban to Suchitra and Monish.

The trimmings in this love story like the music and choreography are the best bits but Mehra and Gulzar fail to give us a sense of the real conflicts in the film - the reason for Sahiban’s actions and the choice one has to sometimes make between lover and family.

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