ON MONDAY May 28th, the 41st Independence celebration fun day took place at Crystal Palace in South London, UK.
The temperature was 48F. It rained non-stop all the previous day and night and continued throughout the day. The winds at times seemed to be hurricane force. They were certainly strong enough to blow over the display stands until they were anchored down with all the wonderful food and merchandise on sale.In spite of this inclement weather, the show had to go on and, true to form the organisers and volunteers were setting up for the day of fun by 6 am.
The patrons started to arrive at 11 am and in spite of the weather there was a reasonable turnout.One lady told me all she wanted to do was stay in the warmth of her home but, when she thought of the dedication and hard work of the organisers she had to come out and support their efforts. I was very touched by this as I feel this sentiment was shared by many of the people who attended.
The planned events took place in this wintry weather with the children taking part in rain coats instead of a nice shorts and T shirts. A great day was had by all who attended. While Guyanese people can come out in this weather to share and enjoy their diversity, the organisers can stand up, take a bow and be so proud of their achievements.
So, a big thank you to the organisers, a thank you to “Michael” who provided the music free of charge for the Guyana Tourist promotion stall but, most of all, thank you the Guyanese people and supporters who showed the great love and pride held for their country time after time. Without them, the show would never go on.
Guyana has so much to offer -- the diversity of food, music, dance and the list goes on. I continue to experience and enjoy all.
PATSY DOWNEY
IRISH
Well done Aunty Patsy. You even beat John Mair to it...hahaha.
Wednesday 30 May 2007
UK Minister of Culture calls on President.
PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo on Monday received a courtesy call from Guyanese Minister of Culture in the British Parliament, David Lammy, at his official State House residence. Mr. Lammy is on an official four-day visit to Guyana, the Government Information Agency (GINA) said.
The agency reported that the minister, who has known President Jagdeo for several years, noted that Guyana has always been near his heart and this has prompted him to engage President Jagdeo in several discussions on ways he can represent Guyana in the UK. “Guyana matters to me and my family and it was good to see the President again and to talk about this country that we all love,” Minister Lammy said.
GINA said that at the completion of his official visit to Guyana, Lammy, who is accompanied by his wife Nicola, will travel to Venezuela to discuss official matters pertaining to the United Kingdom.
There they go again...leaving me out.
Boo Hoo Hoo !?!
The agency reported that the minister, who has known President Jagdeo for several years, noted that Guyana has always been near his heart and this has prompted him to engage President Jagdeo in several discussions on ways he can represent Guyana in the UK. “Guyana matters to me and my family and it was good to see the President again and to talk about this country that we all love,” Minister Lammy said.
GINA said that at the completion of his official visit to Guyana, Lammy, who is accompanied by his wife Nicola, will travel to Venezuela to discuss official matters pertaining to the United Kingdom.
There they go again...leaving me out.
Boo Hoo Hoo !?!
Two dismissed as airport management moves against corruption.
Guyana Chronicle
MANAGEMENT of Cheddi Jagan International Airport Corporation said yesterday that irregular activities and other forms of corruption will not be tolerated. All such reports should be immediately forwarded to Cheddi Jagan International Airport Corporation or the Police for necessary investigation and action,”it advised the public in a release. The release said the airport management recently dismissed two persons following investigations into reported irregularities. It said: “On May 15, an employee from a private security agency demanded money from a passenger who was carrying frozen fish in his suitcase.
The person complained to another security officer and the allegation was immediately investigated and found to be true. The money was retrieved and returned to the passenger before the flight departed Cheddi Jagan International Airport. The services of the guilty employee were terminated with immediate effect.
In a separate incident, an employee of a ground handling company was also dismissed for demanding money from an arriving passenger.”
The airport management can be contacted at:
Airport Operations Manager – 261-2038 or mskhan@cajairport.gy.com
Deputy Manager Airport Operations – 261-2300 or akelmann@cjairport.gy.com
Airport Duty Officer 261-2281 or 624-7022 (available 24 hours)
Ooooo...now we're getting somewhere !!!
MANAGEMENT of Cheddi Jagan International Airport Corporation said yesterday that irregular activities and other forms of corruption will not be tolerated. All such reports should be immediately forwarded to Cheddi Jagan International Airport Corporation or the Police for necessary investigation and action,”it advised the public in a release. The release said the airport management recently dismissed two persons following investigations into reported irregularities. It said: “On May 15, an employee from a private security agency demanded money from a passenger who was carrying frozen fish in his suitcase.
The person complained to another security officer and the allegation was immediately investigated and found to be true. The money was retrieved and returned to the passenger before the flight departed Cheddi Jagan International Airport. The services of the guilty employee were terminated with immediate effect.
In a separate incident, an employee of a ground handling company was also dismissed for demanding money from an arriving passenger.”
The airport management can be contacted at:
Airport Operations Manager – 261-2038 or mskhan@cajairport.gy.com
Deputy Manager Airport Operations – 261-2300 or akelmann@cjairport.gy.com
Airport Duty Officer 261-2281 or 624-7022 (available 24 hours)
Ooooo...now we're getting somewhere !!!
FLOOD WATCH ON !
Guyana Chronicle
CHAIRMAN of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) Mr. Ravi Narine yesterday reported a half-inch drop in the water level in the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) as authorities continued a close flood watch in the current rainy season. In an invited comment, he said that at 16:30h yesterday, there was a half-inch drop in the water level in the EDWC, with the average level varying from 57.8 inches to about 55.2 inches in various sections of the conservancy. He said the average water level throughout the conservancy yesterday afternoon was 56.87 inches. Narine also assured that “at this point in time, there is no need to discharge water from the conservancy through the Maduni”, adding that all water from the conservancy continues to be discharged through the Demerara River.
President Bharrat Jagdeo on Monday expressed concern at the alarming rise in the water level in the conservancy, and called on all Guyanese to keep a very close watch and take all necessary flood precautions during this rainy season. The President noted that at the start of the rainy season, water in the conservancy was kept at a very low level – somewhere around 55 inches (GD) - since heavy rainfall was expected. The water level by Monday had risen to 58GD and President Jagdeo told reporters this level in the conservancy is “starting to worry us significantly”. We were expecting heavy rainfall so we kept the conservancy level very low but we were criticised for keeping the conservancy so low; people said that the dam would cave in if we keep the conservancy so low - somewhere around 55 GD (but) we are already at 58 GD and that is getting to a level where it is starting to worry us significantly,” the President said.
Narine yesterday assured that “round-the-clock” inspection of the conservancy dam was ongoing by more than 100 persons, and the integrity of the dam seemed to be “intact”. He also noted that some 20,000 sandbags had been deployed and stockpiled as part of a contingency plan to shore up the dam in case of any emergency. Narine also pointed out that the water level is still high in the upper reaches of the Mahaica and Mahaicony areas, especially Moraikabai. A technical team flew over the dam Monday and President Jagdeo said a “close watch” was being kept over the conservancy.
Persistent rains that began last week and the forecast for continued heavy downpours have triggered a close flood watch along the coast, and Mr. Jagdeo indicated that this state of heightened alertness has further increased with the rise in the water level at the conservancy.
We have experienced unusual amounts of rainfall over the past several days (and) for the past ten days or so, we have an aggregate amount - when you look at all the stations in the hinterland and here on the coast - of about 100 inches of rainfall,” he said. We are very concerned about the possibility of flooding in many areas; we have already seen, in many of the coastal villages, accumulation of water,” he said. However, this water seems to be running off as the tide changes and we have most of the kokers operational, so we have had a fairly decent flow-off from the coastal villages with the exception of some persistently problematic areas, ” the President said. We have already started experiencing difficulties in the Mahaica, Mahaicony and Abary areas…where the water levels have increased significantly in the rivers as the water comes from the backlands running to the coast. And this is leading to some problems of flooding in some of these riverain areas.” We expect this to worsen, frankly speaking, because the rain is still falling in the hinterland areas and that water has to find its way out to the Atlantic,” he said.
President Jagdeo said he has since asked the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) to go out into the affected communities and prepare a report for him so that the government can decide if other types of interventions are needed, outside of the Drainage and Irrigation (D&I) interventions that were made. I would urge people to take all necessary precautions because with that volume of water flowing down the rivers, it could overtop some of the embankments that we have along the sides of the rivers.” While acknowledging that he is pleased with the empoldering work that was done, President Jagdeo said even this might not be enough if the water levels continue to rise. He assured that committed efforts are being made to manage the accumulation of water and keep the system working effectively. President Jagdeo noted that while the coast has been fairly dry and there has been a fairly decent flow-off of water from the coastal villages, his “biggest worry” at the moment is the hinterland areas. We have a significant amount of rain falling to the south of the city and while many people say they are not seeing the rains…that is because the rain is falling in the deep hinterland areas.” Unfortunately, that water has to run down through the rivers down to the sea and has to pass through many riverain areas. So what we are experiencing now is some difficulties in places like Lethem where the Takutu River is swollen and in Moraikabai were there are problems with high water,” the President said.
He also urged persons to refrain from tampering with flood-control structures, as was done with some parts of the Crown Dam.
CHAIRMAN of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) Mr. Ravi Narine yesterday reported a half-inch drop in the water level in the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) as authorities continued a close flood watch in the current rainy season. In an invited comment, he said that at 16:30h yesterday, there was a half-inch drop in the water level in the EDWC, with the average level varying from 57.8 inches to about 55.2 inches in various sections of the conservancy. He said the average water level throughout the conservancy yesterday afternoon was 56.87 inches. Narine also assured that “at this point in time, there is no need to discharge water from the conservancy through the Maduni”, adding that all water from the conservancy continues to be discharged through the Demerara River.
President Bharrat Jagdeo on Monday expressed concern at the alarming rise in the water level in the conservancy, and called on all Guyanese to keep a very close watch and take all necessary flood precautions during this rainy season. The President noted that at the start of the rainy season, water in the conservancy was kept at a very low level – somewhere around 55 inches (GD) - since heavy rainfall was expected. The water level by Monday had risen to 58GD and President Jagdeo told reporters this level in the conservancy is “starting to worry us significantly”. We were expecting heavy rainfall so we kept the conservancy level very low but we were criticised for keeping the conservancy so low; people said that the dam would cave in if we keep the conservancy so low - somewhere around 55 GD (but) we are already at 58 GD and that is getting to a level where it is starting to worry us significantly,” the President said.
Narine yesterday assured that “round-the-clock” inspection of the conservancy dam was ongoing by more than 100 persons, and the integrity of the dam seemed to be “intact”. He also noted that some 20,000 sandbags had been deployed and stockpiled as part of a contingency plan to shore up the dam in case of any emergency. Narine also pointed out that the water level is still high in the upper reaches of the Mahaica and Mahaicony areas, especially Moraikabai. A technical team flew over the dam Monday and President Jagdeo said a “close watch” was being kept over the conservancy.
Persistent rains that began last week and the forecast for continued heavy downpours have triggered a close flood watch along the coast, and Mr. Jagdeo indicated that this state of heightened alertness has further increased with the rise in the water level at the conservancy.
We have experienced unusual amounts of rainfall over the past several days (and) for the past ten days or so, we have an aggregate amount - when you look at all the stations in the hinterland and here on the coast - of about 100 inches of rainfall,” he said. We are very concerned about the possibility of flooding in many areas; we have already seen, in many of the coastal villages, accumulation of water,” he said. However, this water seems to be running off as the tide changes and we have most of the kokers operational, so we have had a fairly decent flow-off from the coastal villages with the exception of some persistently problematic areas, ” the President said. We have already started experiencing difficulties in the Mahaica, Mahaicony and Abary areas…where the water levels have increased significantly in the rivers as the water comes from the backlands running to the coast. And this is leading to some problems of flooding in some of these riverain areas.” We expect this to worsen, frankly speaking, because the rain is still falling in the hinterland areas and that water has to find its way out to the Atlantic,” he said.
President Jagdeo said he has since asked the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) to go out into the affected communities and prepare a report for him so that the government can decide if other types of interventions are needed, outside of the Drainage and Irrigation (D&I) interventions that were made. I would urge people to take all necessary precautions because with that volume of water flowing down the rivers, it could overtop some of the embankments that we have along the sides of the rivers.” While acknowledging that he is pleased with the empoldering work that was done, President Jagdeo said even this might not be enough if the water levels continue to rise. He assured that committed efforts are being made to manage the accumulation of water and keep the system working effectively. President Jagdeo noted that while the coast has been fairly dry and there has been a fairly decent flow-off of water from the coastal villages, his “biggest worry” at the moment is the hinterland areas. We have a significant amount of rain falling to the south of the city and while many people say they are not seeing the rains…that is because the rain is falling in the deep hinterland areas.” Unfortunately, that water has to run down through the rivers down to the sea and has to pass through many riverain areas. So what we are experiencing now is some difficulties in places like Lethem where the Takutu River is swollen and in Moraikabai were there are problems with high water,” the President said.
He also urged persons to refrain from tampering with flood-control structures, as was done with some parts of the Crown Dam.
Digicel launches BlackBerry here !!!
Guyana Chronicle
DIGICEL yesterday announced the launch of an innovative suite of BlackBerry smart-phones to its mobile customers here and the Guyanese market in general. At the media launch of the handsets at Le Meridien Pegasus Hotel in Georgetown, Chief Executive Officer of Digicel Guyana, Mr. Tim Bahrani said there is definitely a market for BlackBerry in this country and the introduction here of the “unique BlackBerry experience” is long overdue.
We are always looking at ways to expand our handset range so that it allows customers to benefit fully from cutting-edge wireless technology (and) Digicel is proud to be adding three BlackBerry smart-phones to our suite of handsets,” he told reporters. According to him, Digicel is the first operator in Guyana to introduce the BlackBerry wireless solution.
The BlackBerry Pearl, BlackBerry 8700 and the BlackBerry 7130 were the smart-phones launched yesterday and are now available on the market.The BlackBerry Pearl is loaded with features and offers everything you want from a smart-phone and the wireless advantage you only get from a BlackBerry,” Bahrani posited.The Blackberry Pearl delivers the full experience that users have come to love, along with powerful new media features such as a digital camera, MP3 player and video maker in what Bahrani said is “an amazingly small, light and stylish design”. Noting that the BlackBerry is “definitely one of those new innovations”, he declared that “multi-tasking has never been so easy!” Bahrani also believes there is a substantial market for BlackBerry handsets in Guyana. He said large corporations and companies like Banks DIH have already signaled their intention of having their senior managers use the BlackBerry smart-phones. Bahrani also asserted that “the BlackBerry experience you will get here is not dependent on the Americas II (Cable)”, used by its main competitor – the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company Limited (GT&T) and which was damaged off the coast of French Guiana recently.
Ms Lori Mulder, a Senior Manager at Research In Motion Limited (RIM) – the company that partners Digicel to bring BlackBerry to markets in countries around the world - said “RIM is proud to partner Digicel in bringing BlackBerry to Guyana for the very first time.” It is an absolute pleasure for me to be here with Digicel in Guyana; I had the privilege of being part of bringing BlackBerry to Digicel back in 2005 and it has been very exciting for me to watch Digicel’s growth over the last few years,” she told reporters. According to her, “BlackBerry is a total communications solution that improves the quality of life for businesses and individuals.”
Digicel Marketing Director Mr. Richard Gill said the handsets will range in price from between $55,000 to $65,000, while the BlackBerry service will be sold in ‘packages’ ranging from $10,000 to $17,000 per month. According to him, the cost of these packages depends on several things, including the number of free-minutes in each package and the kinds of added features in those packages. Gill said Digicel is committed to bringing “innovation into the marketplace” and to offer customers in Guyana the "best and most up-to-date service".
This is amazing.
It is a massive step forward for Guyana it terms of business solutions. Considering the size of our nation it is great to bring in technology that even the Russians can seem to get going !?!
DIGICEL yesterday announced the launch of an innovative suite of BlackBerry smart-phones to its mobile customers here and the Guyanese market in general. At the media launch of the handsets at Le Meridien Pegasus Hotel in Georgetown, Chief Executive Officer of Digicel Guyana, Mr. Tim Bahrani said there is definitely a market for BlackBerry in this country and the introduction here of the “unique BlackBerry experience” is long overdue.
We are always looking at ways to expand our handset range so that it allows customers to benefit fully from cutting-edge wireless technology (and) Digicel is proud to be adding three BlackBerry smart-phones to our suite of handsets,” he told reporters. According to him, Digicel is the first operator in Guyana to introduce the BlackBerry wireless solution.
The BlackBerry Pearl, BlackBerry 8700 and the BlackBerry 7130 were the smart-phones launched yesterday and are now available on the market.The BlackBerry Pearl is loaded with features and offers everything you want from a smart-phone and the wireless advantage you only get from a BlackBerry,” Bahrani posited.The Blackberry Pearl delivers the full experience that users have come to love, along with powerful new media features such as a digital camera, MP3 player and video maker in what Bahrani said is “an amazingly small, light and stylish design”. Noting that the BlackBerry is “definitely one of those new innovations”, he declared that “multi-tasking has never been so easy!” Bahrani also believes there is a substantial market for BlackBerry handsets in Guyana. He said large corporations and companies like Banks DIH have already signaled their intention of having their senior managers use the BlackBerry smart-phones. Bahrani also asserted that “the BlackBerry experience you will get here is not dependent on the Americas II (Cable)”, used by its main competitor – the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company Limited (GT&T) and which was damaged off the coast of French Guiana recently.
Ms Lori Mulder, a Senior Manager at Research In Motion Limited (RIM) – the company that partners Digicel to bring BlackBerry to markets in countries around the world - said “RIM is proud to partner Digicel in bringing BlackBerry to Guyana for the very first time.” It is an absolute pleasure for me to be here with Digicel in Guyana; I had the privilege of being part of bringing BlackBerry to Digicel back in 2005 and it has been very exciting for me to watch Digicel’s growth over the last few years,” she told reporters. According to her, “BlackBerry is a total communications solution that improves the quality of life for businesses and individuals.”
Digicel Marketing Director Mr. Richard Gill said the handsets will range in price from between $55,000 to $65,000, while the BlackBerry service will be sold in ‘packages’ ranging from $10,000 to $17,000 per month. According to him, the cost of these packages depends on several things, including the number of free-minutes in each package and the kinds of added features in those packages. Gill said Digicel is committed to bringing “innovation into the marketplace” and to offer customers in Guyana the "best and most up-to-date service".
This is amazing.
It is a massive step forward for Guyana it terms of business solutions. Considering the size of our nation it is great to bring in technology that even the Russians can seem to get going !?!
Monday 21 May 2007
Traffic lights in operation at three city junctions
(Stabroek News)
Traffic lights have been commissioned and are operable at three city junctions, Vlissengen Road/Regent Street, Regent/Camp Streets and Camp/Robb Streets,
and road users are being asked to comply with the traffic signals, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported yesterday.
Installation of traffic lights at 50 critical city junctions is being done under a US$2.1 million initiative by the governments of Guyana and India to ease traffic congestion in Georgetown. Minister of Transport and Hydraulics Robeson Benn, Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee and other officials of both ministries yesterday checked out the traffic lights which were in operation, GINA said. According to Benn, the traffic lights are an overdue development and citizens should exercise discipline and understanding to familiarize themselves with the new system that will create better traffic management and road safety. He noted that 'observations' of the lights will determine the need for adjustments to the countdown time for change of signals for both vehicular and pedestrian traffic. The system is adjustable, he added.
Meanwhile, routine programmes explaining the features and functions of the new lights will be conducted via television, radio and newspapers upon installation of traffic light at each junction, GINA reported. This is part of the ministry's public awareness and education campaign to familiarize road users with the new features. According to GINA, traffic safety engineer Kadri Parris has explained that the lights have various modern features to indicate five phases of movements for vehicular and pedestrian traffic. However, it has been observed that some persons are not au fait with the system and as a result are crossing the road irresponsibly.
GINA quoted Parris as saying that "These pedestrians' pelicans are in place to ensure the safety of our pedestrians who are the most vulnerable road users in the country and to ensure that they can travel safely."
Additionally, the lights have a countdown time which would indicate to drivers when the signals are about to change. Another feature includes directional arrows instead of the normal green lights, which are more user-friendly, particularly for motorists and cyclists. Regarding the solar panels installed at each junction, safety mechanisms are being explored to ensure their security. Meantime, persons are being urged to desist from attempting to steal or remove the panels as they will face charges for tampering with public property, GINA stated.
Traffic lights have been commissioned and are operable at three city junctions, Vlissengen Road/Regent Street, Regent/Camp Streets and Camp/Robb Streets,
and road users are being asked to comply with the traffic signals, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported yesterday.
Installation of traffic lights at 50 critical city junctions is being done under a US$2.1 million initiative by the governments of Guyana and India to ease traffic congestion in Georgetown. Minister of Transport and Hydraulics Robeson Benn, Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee and other officials of both ministries yesterday checked out the traffic lights which were in operation, GINA said. According to Benn, the traffic lights are an overdue development and citizens should exercise discipline and understanding to familiarize themselves with the new system that will create better traffic management and road safety. He noted that 'observations' of the lights will determine the need for adjustments to the countdown time for change of signals for both vehicular and pedestrian traffic. The system is adjustable, he added.
Meanwhile, routine programmes explaining the features and functions of the new lights will be conducted via television, radio and newspapers upon installation of traffic light at each junction, GINA reported. This is part of the ministry's public awareness and education campaign to familiarize road users with the new features. According to GINA, traffic safety engineer Kadri Parris has explained that the lights have various modern features to indicate five phases of movements for vehicular and pedestrian traffic. However, it has been observed that some persons are not au fait with the system and as a result are crossing the road irresponsibly.
GINA quoted Parris as saying that "These pedestrians' pelicans are in place to ensure the safety of our pedestrians who are the most vulnerable road users in the country and to ensure that they can travel safely."
Additionally, the lights have a countdown time which would indicate to drivers when the signals are about to change. Another feature includes directional arrows instead of the normal green lights, which are more user-friendly, particularly for motorists and cyclists. Regarding the solar panels installed at each junction, safety mechanisms are being explored to ensure their security. Meantime, persons are being urged to desist from attempting to steal or remove the panels as they will face charges for tampering with public property, GINA stated.
New steps to crush drugs via post !!!
(Stabroek News)
The Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) is introducing measures to reduce and ultimately prevent narcotics and prohibited substance from being sent by post.
A press release from the GPOC yesterday stated that the postal service had been plagued by the attempts of "drug" dealers to send their illicit and or prohibited substances via the mail.
As such, the release said, measures will be introduced in an effort to significantly reduce attempts by these "drug" dealers. The release said that with immediate effect, senders of parcels, Express Mail Service (EMS) packets and any other packet which must be inspected by Postal Officers as well as Customs Officers will have to produce proof of address which would by any utility bill and an acceptable means of identification.
Senders of these packets and parcels must also sign a declaration which advises that the police, CANU, and or any related official will be called in if any illicit or prohibited substance is found in any packet or parcel which was posted or is in the process of being posted, the release said.
So what will they be doing different ???
They usually open international mail to check if there is anything of value to steal. Guyana internal mail I guess is ok. Seems at least that the drugs are getting through ok !?!
The Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) is introducing measures to reduce and ultimately prevent narcotics and prohibited substance from being sent by post.
A press release from the GPOC yesterday stated that the postal service had been plagued by the attempts of "drug" dealers to send their illicit and or prohibited substances via the mail.
As such, the release said, measures will be introduced in an effort to significantly reduce attempts by these "drug" dealers. The release said that with immediate effect, senders of parcels, Express Mail Service (EMS) packets and any other packet which must be inspected by Postal Officers as well as Customs Officers will have to produce proof of address which would by any utility bill and an acceptable means of identification.
Senders of these packets and parcels must also sign a declaration which advises that the police, CANU, and or any related official will be called in if any illicit or prohibited substance is found in any packet or parcel which was posted or is in the process of being posted, the release said.
So what will they be doing different ???
They usually open international mail to check if there is anything of value to steal. Guyana internal mail I guess is ok. Seems at least that the drugs are getting through ok !?!
Saturday 5 May 2007
In a message to mark Arrival Day today, President Bharrat Jagdeo pointed to the rich legacy of Guyana's plural, multi-cultural society and declared that it is time that "we give sober reflection on the significance of immigration and indentureship." The President then urged, "Let us show a greater sense of purpose and maturity and more mutual respect, tolerance, appreciation and understanding of each other as we commemorate Arrival Day." Jagdeo also observed that the slave riots and the indenture system served as a clear historical bond that have cemented the alliances among all groups throughout Guyana.
He said that over the years the month of May is generally regarded and widely celebrated as Immigration Month in Guyana because it was during this time that the first batch of Portuguese (1835), East Indians (1838) and the liberated Africans (1841) arrived as indentured laborers in the then colony of British Guiana. As a result, substantial numbers of immigrants came from these same sources. In addition to these immigrants the country was also the recipient of Europeans, Chinese and Barbadian immigrants. According to Jagdeo, this immigration might not have seen the light of day were it not for the numerous slave riots in Guyana, Jamaica, Barbados and Antigua, which not only presented the ingredients for the Abolition of Slavery Act of 1834 but catalyzed the concoction of the Indenture System.
During the immediate post-emancipation era of `crisis, experimentation and change' immigration was seen as the answer to the much feared labour problems of the plantocracy and the consequential threat to the survival of the sugar industry. Through the combined efforts of these immigration schemes, Jagdeo said, the Guyana society was provided with over 340,000 indentured labourers during the period 1834-1917. The President noted that the immigrants' overall contribution to Guyana is phenomenal since they ensured the survival and expansion of the sugar industry in the nineteenth century in the face of tremendous odds.
The immigrants also aided the rise and development of villages, peasantry and economic diversification in general. Moreover, their cultural impact is pronounced and lasting, especially in the areas of religion, festivals, folklore, dress, language, dancing, music and food, he added.
He said that over the years the month of May is generally regarded and widely celebrated as Immigration Month in Guyana because it was during this time that the first batch of Portuguese (1835), East Indians (1838) and the liberated Africans (1841) arrived as indentured laborers in the then colony of British Guiana. As a result, substantial numbers of immigrants came from these same sources. In addition to these immigrants the country was also the recipient of Europeans, Chinese and Barbadian immigrants. According to Jagdeo, this immigration might not have seen the light of day were it not for the numerous slave riots in Guyana, Jamaica, Barbados and Antigua, which not only presented the ingredients for the Abolition of Slavery Act of 1834 but catalyzed the concoction of the Indenture System.
During the immediate post-emancipation era of `crisis, experimentation and change' immigration was seen as the answer to the much feared labour problems of the plantocracy and the consequential threat to the survival of the sugar industry. Through the combined efforts of these immigration schemes, Jagdeo said, the Guyana society was provided with over 340,000 indentured labourers during the period 1834-1917. The President noted that the immigrants' overall contribution to Guyana is phenomenal since they ensured the survival and expansion of the sugar industry in the nineteenth century in the face of tremendous odds.
The immigrants also aided the rise and development of villages, peasantry and economic diversification in general. Moreover, their cultural impact is pronounced and lasting, especially in the areas of religion, festivals, folklore, dress, language, dancing, music and food, he added.
Gunmen rob Kitty post office -$2M snatched (Stab)
Gunmen yesterday morning carted off close to two million dollars in yet another robbery at the Kitty Post Office, located a mere 200 metres away from the Kitty Police Station. No one from the post office was willing to offer a comment on the incident and Stabroek News could not contact the Post Master General.
Police in a statement yesterday said that bandits escaped with $1, 975,900. According to the police, investigations have so far revealed that two employees were at the time in the building: Postal Clerk Nicola Fogenay and Post Master Christopher Bowen. The suspects entered the post office and got into the inner office through an open door where they pointed a gun at Fogenay. They then took her into the Post Master's Office and ordered Bowen to open two safes from which they stole $1,775,900 and $200,000 respectively. They later tied up the workers and fled in a car, which was waiting a short distance away.
Armed robberies at the Kitty Post Office, located on Alexander and Pike streets have been frequent, dating back from November 2005 when three armed bandits robbed the office of some $500,000 and a quantity of stamps. The robbers then had escaped in a waiting motorcar.
The robbery had occurred around 7:30 am. The post office was open for business when the men entered the building. They stuck up several employees and ordered them to lie on the floor and demanded that the Post Master open a safe from which they stole a quantity the cash and stamps. While escaping, they also robbed a female employee of three gold rings and then escaped in a motorcar.
Then in April last year a female employee of the said post office was shot in the thigh when a gunman robbed the office shortly after it opened for the day.
Post Office Corporation Chairman Juan Edghill had said then that the robberies had prompted adjustments in the security system, including changes in the counter arrangement and other internal systems. Edghill had also called on residents who might have information to come forward, since the men were unmasked. A number of other post offices across the city and country have been set upon by bandits and cash stolen. A postal official was shot in one such recent attack in Berbice where a payroll was snatched.
200 HUNDRED YARDS !?!
Actually I usually float around Kitty a lot when i'm there and I know their roughly that distance apart if not less. If that was the UK, US or Canada, there would have been armed police there in less than a minute. Why can't Guyana have the same urgency as we do ???
Police in a statement yesterday said that bandits escaped with $1, 975,900. According to the police, investigations have so far revealed that two employees were at the time in the building: Postal Clerk Nicola Fogenay and Post Master Christopher Bowen. The suspects entered the post office and got into the inner office through an open door where they pointed a gun at Fogenay. They then took her into the Post Master's Office and ordered Bowen to open two safes from which they stole $1,775,900 and $200,000 respectively. They later tied up the workers and fled in a car, which was waiting a short distance away.
Armed robberies at the Kitty Post Office, located on Alexander and Pike streets have been frequent, dating back from November 2005 when three armed bandits robbed the office of some $500,000 and a quantity of stamps. The robbers then had escaped in a waiting motorcar.
The robbery had occurred around 7:30 am. The post office was open for business when the men entered the building. They stuck up several employees and ordered them to lie on the floor and demanded that the Post Master open a safe from which they stole a quantity the cash and stamps. While escaping, they also robbed a female employee of three gold rings and then escaped in a motorcar.
Then in April last year a female employee of the said post office was shot in the thigh when a gunman robbed the office shortly after it opened for the day.
Post Office Corporation Chairman Juan Edghill had said then that the robberies had prompted adjustments in the security system, including changes in the counter arrangement and other internal systems. Edghill had also called on residents who might have information to come forward, since the men were unmasked. A number of other post offices across the city and country have been set upon by bandits and cash stolen. A postal official was shot in one such recent attack in Berbice where a payroll was snatched.
200 HUNDRED YARDS !?!
Actually I usually float around Kitty a lot when i'm there and I know their roughly that distance apart if not less. If that was the UK, US or Canada, there would have been armed police there in less than a minute. Why can't Guyana have the same urgency as we do ???
Tuesday 1 May 2007
'Guyanese Mafia' get their own 'Who's Who'
By John Mair in London
The moniker--invented by me--has stuck. 'The Guyanese Mafia' are now well and truly established in the British and Guyanese public consciousness. They are also high up in British Society--especially in the public sphere. Now they are to get their own 'Who's Who' and be immortalised in print forever. The book Guyanese Achievers UK is about to be published in the UK; it will be launched with a glittering reception at the Guyana High Commission, graced by the High Commissioner himself, in London on June 1.
The man behind it all is rather self-effacing. Seventy-two-year-old Vidur Dindayal is a retired architect who has made this his life's work over the last three years. Dindayal who emigrated from Rosignol to London 45 years ago. has chronicled the rise and rise of the 'Mafia' through a series of 60 portraits of the 'achievers'-- from Baroness Amos to Lord Waheed Alli, from Professor David Dabydeen to Professor Cynthia Pine, from Keith Waithe to the late Rudolph Dunbar all thriving in a variety of fields. These sons and daughters of the Land of Six Waters and races have thrived in their adopted land or in some cases their homeland. Dindayal, who himself rose up from being a clerk to being an architect for the Greater London Council acknowledges the 'Mafia,' though recalcitrant in using the term, and their common heritage. "Guyanese migrants, by and large, have done well wherever they have settled. This book... is particularly aimed at celebrating the achievements of Guyanese who have settled here in the UK, their country of domicile. Given the small Guyanese population in the UK they have done well," he says in his preface.
Readers of the Stabroek News will be well aware of the major players on the Guyanese Mafia' stage. They will also remember the mild media storm over the 'Mafia' appellation too. Dindayal has been unstinting in his research with due credit paid to the Stabroek News and to this author for the spadework done on this subject and for his 'Guyanese achiever gene' typology. "Factors which perhaps contribute to the drive to achieve are that most Guyanese share in common a background of: modest means, an educational system with strict discipline in which we are expected to obtain top marks, where achievers are highly valued, as is respect for elders in the family and in the community, and a strong sense of belonging to the larger community, be it a village, the sugar plantation, or a part of town."
The 'Guyanese Mafia' have long ago arrived in the UK. So much so that now they are being replaced by the 'Young mafia'. Dindayal is their Boswell. The book, Guyanese Achievers UK By Vidur Dindayal, is published by Trafford Press ISBN number 1-4251-0542-4 costs US$36.52 US or 21 pounds sterling and is available on the internet at www.trafford. com/6-2300teh Net proceeds will go to charities in Guyana.
Hmmm...maybe that 'Young Mafia' includes me. Not sure if I could get around with a label saying 'Mafia' on it !!!
Awww hell, I can always dream !?!
The moniker--invented by me--has stuck. 'The Guyanese Mafia' are now well and truly established in the British and Guyanese public consciousness. They are also high up in British Society--especially in the public sphere. Now they are to get their own 'Who's Who' and be immortalised in print forever. The book Guyanese Achievers UK is about to be published in the UK; it will be launched with a glittering reception at the Guyana High Commission, graced by the High Commissioner himself, in London on June 1.
The man behind it all is rather self-effacing. Seventy-two-year-old Vidur Dindayal is a retired architect who has made this his life's work over the last three years. Dindayal who emigrated from Rosignol to London 45 years ago. has chronicled the rise and rise of the 'Mafia' through a series of 60 portraits of the 'achievers'-- from Baroness Amos to Lord Waheed Alli, from Professor David Dabydeen to Professor Cynthia Pine, from Keith Waithe to the late Rudolph Dunbar all thriving in a variety of fields. These sons and daughters of the Land of Six Waters and races have thrived in their adopted land or in some cases their homeland. Dindayal, who himself rose up from being a clerk to being an architect for the Greater London Council acknowledges the 'Mafia,' though recalcitrant in using the term, and their common heritage. "Guyanese migrants, by and large, have done well wherever they have settled. This book... is particularly aimed at celebrating the achievements of Guyanese who have settled here in the UK, their country of domicile. Given the small Guyanese population in the UK they have done well," he says in his preface.
Readers of the Stabroek News will be well aware of the major players on the Guyanese Mafia' stage. They will also remember the mild media storm over the 'Mafia' appellation too. Dindayal has been unstinting in his research with due credit paid to the Stabroek News and to this author for the spadework done on this subject and for his 'Guyanese achiever gene' typology. "Factors which perhaps contribute to the drive to achieve are that most Guyanese share in common a background of: modest means, an educational system with strict discipline in which we are expected to obtain top marks, where achievers are highly valued, as is respect for elders in the family and in the community, and a strong sense of belonging to the larger community, be it a village, the sugar plantation, or a part of town."
The 'Guyanese Mafia' have long ago arrived in the UK. So much so that now they are being replaced by the 'Young mafia'. Dindayal is their Boswell. The book, Guyanese Achievers UK By Vidur Dindayal, is published by Trafford Press ISBN number 1-4251-0542-4 costs US$36.52 US or 21 pounds sterling and is available on the internet at www.trafford. com/6-2300teh Net proceeds will go to charities in Guyana.
Hmmm...maybe that 'Young Mafia' includes me. Not sure if I could get around with a label saying 'Mafia' on it !!!
Awww hell, I can always dream !?!
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