Pastoral attraction (A flower garden at Naamryck Backdam, East Bank Essequibo, Guyana). Photo by Sonia Boodhoo
Miss Guyana World 2012 participates in N.Y. Revlon Walk/Run against cancer
May 11, 2012 By
Miss Guyana World 2012, Arti Cameron with Michelle Cole of COLEFACTS and Natasha Blu-Martindale at the N.Y. Revlon Walk/Run against cancer
Miss Guyana World 2012, Arti Cameron, recently joined about 25, 000 people from all over the world in the Revlon Walk/Run For Women. The Revlon Walk/Run against all cancers affecting women was held on Saturday, May 5, 2012, in Manhattan, New York.
Miss Cameron took the three-mile journey on the rainy morning alongside Cancer survivors, family members of those who have lost the battle, and those who are in support of finding a cure for the life-threatening disease. “I walked in support of women in Guyana and those across the world who have lost the fight and those who are still fighting against the deadly disease,” Cameron said.
Cameron’s team members for this event were two other dynamic Guyanese women: designer Michelle Cole of COLEFACTS, who lost her mother, Hermie Cole, to cancer, and Natasha Blu-Martindale, an artist and accountant who lost both her father and grandfather to the disease. Also present at the event were Hollywood celebrities and Revlon’s global ambassadors Emma Stone and Olivia Wilde.
Miss Cameron reached the finish line in 42 minutes in high spirits and has already expressed the desire to be part of the annual event. The reigning queen highlighted that it is important that more people stand together so that a cure for women’s and all cancers will be found soon. This annual event started in 1994, and has been committed to supporting pioneering cancer research and providing psycho-social as well as financial support for women fighting the deadly disease.
N.Y. –based Guyanese student wins marketing competition in Spain
May 11, 2012 By
Brooklyn, N.Y. – Stephanie Persaud, a marketing and management major at LIU Brooklyn, was a member of the winning team at an international marketing competition held at the Universidad Europea de Madrid in Valencia, Spain.
Stephanie Persaud
More than 50 students from Germany, France, Belgium and other European countries and the United States participated in International Marketing Week. The objective of the competition was to create a marketing strategy for a wine label.
Persaud, 20, and her successful teammates had an ambitious plan: They chose the label “The Black Dragon,” invented three wine products and developed a marketing strategy for a Hong Kong market.
“We were the only group to do three wines and the only group to create an ad, as well as a product label and bottle design,” said Persaud, a junior at LIU Brooklyn who is of Guyanese heritage.
The South Ozone Park, Queens, resident added, “It was a great networking and learning experience. I got to meet students I would never have met in my lifetime from all over Europe and learned about the culture of Spain.”
In addition to Persaud, two other LIU Brooklyn marketing majors – seniors Wayne Lawson and Amanda Pokhan – participated in the event, which was held in the first week of March.
Persaud, who plans to attend grad school and go on to a career in international marketing, has been very active in her campus and personal life. Her activities include volunteering with Students for Humanity to help renovate houses in Costa Rica. She is a member of an education club that helps bring awareness to youths about college, as well as the president elect of the Marketing Society. She has been named to Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, is on the Dean’s List and has earned the Jim Moody Internship Award. She has interned with BRIC Arts Media Center and with Island Def Jam Records, in marketing and event planning.
She also works with America Reads, tutoring young children, and at Broadway Suites, a company that rents office spaces to small businesses.
Guyanese celebrate Indian Arrival Day in New York
May 11, 2012 By
By Vishnu Bisram
GOPIO President Ashook Ramsaran; NYC Councilman Erich Urich; Veda Jamoona, office of NYC Comptroller John Liu; Naidoo Veerapen, Co-Chair of GOPIO Cultural Council at Indian Arrival celebration.
Indian Arrival was celebrated in Queens, New York, by the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) Upper New York Chapter last Saturday with a banquet dinner and cultural presentation.
The organization is comprised of mostly Guyanese. The Indian Arrival celebration coincided with the organization’s 4th anniversary. There were some 250 people in attendance at the gala affair held at the posh World’s Fair Marina Restaurant & Banquet Hall in Flushing, New York.
The program was moderated by Satruhan Sukdeo, President of GOPIO Upper New York Chapter, and a former executive staff of Guysuco. Guests included officials of GOPIO branches and Ashook Ramsaran who is the current president of GOPIO International.
The feature speaker was Guyanese-born professor, author and television host Paul Tennassee who spoke on Indian arrival as indentured labourers in the then British Guiana between 1838 and 1920.
Prominent journalist and community advocate Dr Gary Girdhari read sections of two of his poems, and GOPIO Upper New York treasurer Tony Roopnarain provided some lighter moments with Guyanese anecdotes.
Ashook Ramsaran conveyed greetings from GOPIO International and commended GOPIO Upper New York chapter for being a very active and vibrant addressing its community’s needs and interests. Former GOPIO International president Dr Thomas Abraham recounted GOPIO’s engagement with Guyanese and Caribbean PIOs.
Several US officials attended the event. New York City Comptroller John Liu presented congratulatory proclamations. New York State Assemblywoman and candidate for Congress Grace Meng made remarks on the contributions of South Asians (including Indo-Caribbean people to life in New York. Rcihmond Hill City Council Rep. and Minority Whip Erich Urich also lauded the contributions of Indo-Guyanese and Indo-Caribbean people to the city.
UG Communications Centre hails partnership with Scripps College
May 11, 2012 By
Dr. Paloma Mohamed (centre) with students at Ohio University in the U.S. following her presentation on "Media and Social Change".
University of Guyana (UG) Centre for Communication Studies Director Dr Paloma Mohamed has lauded the partnership with Scripps College of the U. S., contending that with “a little bit of money, you can change the world”. According to an Ohio University news bulletin on Tuesday, Dr Mohamed joined Scripps College of Communication staff and Guyana’s Ambassador to the United States Barney Karran in celebrating a recent collaborative project between the University of Guyana and the Scripps College of Communication.
During “The Guyana Experience 2008-2011″, Ohio University’s Scripps College of Communication faculty and staff worked to upgrade the University of Guyana’s communication curriculum and course content.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded the project to revamp the University of Guyana’s communication school, which, according to Dr Mohamed, was on the brink of closure. Several American universities competed for the grant project but the award went to the Scripps College of Communication.
The programme also advanced the education and experience of the University of Guyana’s faculty through master’s degrees and professional workshops and worked to upgrade the education and skills of Guyanese journalists and media professionals.
Scripps College professor and coordinator of the project Dr Vibert Cambridge thanked the many Ohio University faculty members who travelled to Guyana to share their knowledge and experiences with the University of Guyana staff. According to Ambassador Karran, such projects can make lasting impacts on countries such as Guyana. “Many nations today are still behind the curve in designing strategies to employ modern means of communication as tools in advancing growth, development and prosperity,” said Karran.
Karran went on to say that “in Guyana, information, communication and technology is set to play a transformative role in the educational sector as well as in social-economic development. Ties between Guyana and the United States are very strong, and these ties have been strengthened by the role of the United States as a partner in Guyana’s development . “
Changes made to the programme with the help of the Scripps College of Communication have already made an impact on the University of Guyana’s reputation within the Caribbean. “In three years, we went to a cutting edge curriculum. Our curriculum went from being 20 years behind everybody and leap-frogging to a futuristic approach,” said Dr Mohamed.
Humanitarian Mission of New Jersey Arya Samaj pays tribute to mothers
May 11, 2012 By
On Saturday, May 12th the Humanitarian Mission of New Jersey Arya Samaj Mandir, Inc, will be hosting a grand open air pre-Mother’s Day Multi Kund Havan Yajna, in honor of all mothers.
The Mandir’s parking lot will be transformed into a beautiful place of worship with approximately 100 families expected to attend the event. While others will be out socializing, shopping and going about their routine activities, the Executive and members of the Humanitarian Mission of the New Jersey Arya Samaj Mandir, Inc. thought it wise to pay tribute to mothers in a cultural and religious way by offering prayers, worshiping and thanking mothers for contributions they have made to family and society.
Officiating Priest and keynote speaker will be Dr. Satish Prakash, PhD. In attendance will be the Hon. Jerramiah T. Healy, Mayor of Jersey City and other dignitaries. The program includes making Hawan offerings, children garlanding parents, beautiful bhajans to be sung by the children in honor of mothers, and other items. The atmosphere itself will be serene. President of the organization Pandit Suresh Sugrim, said that in our society today, we pay very little attention to parents when they are alive. “We give them roses to smell and feed them posthumously when they are gone. We need to sing their praises and thank them when they are alive, not when they are gone. As I visit the nursing homes and other institutions and listen to the stories of many parents, I feel sad very sad.” He said. He added: “The purpose of such a celebration is to bring awareness and spirituality into people’s lives; to recognize the sacrifices that our mothers have made for us. Children need guidance and mothers are always there 24/7 no matter what the circumstances are.
The NJASM recognizes the importance of a mother in a child’s life and encourages open communication between a child and mother. NJASM also stresses on the fact that women should become educated either spiritually or academically since the future of their children is dependent on such education. They were taught that learning is a two-way street and no person is too old to learn.”
Morgan breaks own record in Suriname
May 11, 2012 By
Alika Morgan displaying her trophy and medals
National long distance runner, Alika Morgan broke her own record in the Telesur 10K road race in Suriname on May 1 with a time of 39: 57, bettering her previous mark of 41: 03 that was clocked last year.
Morgan, who was the defending champion, finished the race comfortably crossing the finish line close to three minutes ahead of the second placed finisher.
According to her, before the competition she was aiming for more than winning, she wanted to better her time.
She said she was pleased to achieve her goal although she was confident about doing so since she had been running faster than her previous record since the year started.
She was also judged the best runner in her age group as well as the best overall.
Meanwhile, national 5000m champion, Samuel Kaiton came in second in a time of 36: 01 in the junior category; he finished seventh overall.
When asked about Kaiton’s performance, coach Leslie Black said he was extremely pleased considering the unacceptable treatment he received recently from the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG). Black stated that Kaiton was refused registration for the under-23 competition that was held two weeks ago at the Police ground because he was late.
Black stressed that for a runner from the Rupununi who is in Georgetown just to compete should have been given a chance to participate.
“A late fee of Gy$ 500 is normally charged for registration but the Association did not even allow him to pay that and compete. The Association has to change their attitude towards athletes if they are to develop; without athletes, there would not be an Association,” stressed Black.
President’s/ Jefford Track and Field Classic launched
May 11, 2012 By
– Marian Burnett confirmed her participation
By Rajiv Bisnauth
Marian Burnett
After two years the President’s/ Jefford Track and Field Classic can be dubbed as the most prestigious Track and Field championships in Guyana and based on that recognition, the third edition will be held on May 20 at the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) ground in Linden.
The event was impressively launched yesterday in the boardroom of the Digicel head office on Fort and Barrack Streets, Kingston. President of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) Colin Boyce disclosed that Guyana’s international middle distance runner Marian Burnett has confirmed her participation for the championships while Guyana’s 3000 steeplechase runner Jennifer Chichester is also expected to grace the event. Boyce, who was a former sprinter, further revealed that apart from the two overseas-based athletes and the local contingent, the championships can expect a Caribbean invasion with at least two athletes from Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Grenada and Suriname.
The names of those athletes are expected to be confirmed later this week This, Boyce noted will create a more competitive atmosphere between Burnett, the local athletes and their Caribbean counterparts.
“What we do is to make it more competitive not only for Marian Burnett who is expected to feature in the 800 and 1500 meters, but also our local athletes,” Boyce added. The head of the Police Sports Committee further told the gathering that this year’s programme consists of 26 individual events, six team events, two events for the masters male and female and also a side event for older former national sprinters.
Boyce said that organisers are looking at the possibility of merging the smaller teams in order to make it more competitive so that each team participating in the championships is given the opportunity to win the grand prize.
The President’s/ Jefford Track and Field Classic was first held in 2010 in the memory of the late Elton Jefford, a former athlete and president of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) who passed away in 2009 and is the brainchild of his son Edison Jefford and current AGG president Colin Boyce.
Buxton Starz crowned champions
May 11, 2012 By
Easter Cup Football tournament…
Buxton Starz receive their prizes
Buxton Starz were crowned this year’s Easter Cup football tournament champions after they defeated Golden Staz 3-1 in the final on Saturday night at the Victoria Community Centre ground.
Keyon Sears led the way for Buxton scoring their first two goals in the fifth and 50th minutes while Sherwin Griffith made it more difficult for Golden Starz when he scored his team’s third goal in the 65th minute. Golden Starz managed a goal off a penalty in the 70th minute off the boot of Manaseh Primo.
Buxton Starz were rewarded with Gy$ 100, 000 and the tournament trophy while Golden Starz received Gy$ 50 000 and the runners-up trophy.
Earlier in the day BV United buried Victoria Kings 5-0 in the third place playoff. BV United received Gy$ 20 000 and a trophy while Victoria Kings received Gy$ 10 000 for their effort.
Each of the four top teams received a scholarship from the Institute of Business Education (IBE) for a player’s child or a child in their community.
The tournament was sponsored by Ansa Mcal Trading, Giftland Office Max, Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports, Kashif and Shanghai, LubriTech, and Keltech Document Centre.
Breaking the barriers
May 11, 2012 By
East Indian women cast off plantation tradition
Ms A Sankar, who won a Law Scholarship (1950s)
The first arrivals in 1838 on the sailing ships, Hesperus and Whitby, numbered 396, of whom only 22 were women. They lived in logies with poor sanitary conditions throughout the indenture period. Children and young women worked on sugar plantations in the ‘weeding gang’ and later in the ‘task gang’ or ‘creole gang’, earning poor wages.
In the late 1940s, women would leave their babies at the Estate crèche and go to work in the fields. They would also carry their babies in the fields, until an older child was able to stay home and look after the younger sibling.
The role of women such as ‘Sita’ of the Ramayana and ‘Radha’ of the Mahabarata were portrayed as the pure and ideal wife, and these representations continued to influence gender relationship expectations between men and women (at least among the Hindus).
Women who resisted or were accused of violating the oppressive patriarchal structures within Indian family structure were abused or even murdered. Among the women killed in this early period were “Anundai, Baumee, Goirapa and Saukalia, for allegedly deserting their husbands.”
Although the gross disparity of women created the conditions for sexual exploitation, it also served to strengthen their resistance movements throughout the indenture period.
Resisting plantation mistreatment
Sugar planters imposed harsh working conditions on labourers so that many strikes (riots) occurred. Labour unrests were often because of workers’ protests against mistreatment of estate workers, especially since the first riots on estates broke out in 1869.
Women also participated in protests against planters’ mistreatment of workers on sugar estates. In 1903, at Plantation Friends in Berbice an indentured woman, Salamea, urged Indians to fight against the plight of indentureship. Moreover, after indenture ended in 1917, while Indian women continued to protest as they struggled for justice, they also became victims of the planters’ oppressive practices on the sugar estates.
In 1964, Kowsilla, at age 44 and mother of 4, was “mowed down by a tractor [at Leonora sugar estate]. She became another martyr of the Guyanese working people movement.” Her death on May 6 is remembered for a woman who stood up bravely against a system of exploitation and oppression as during 1964 especially, many suffered during the sugar workers’ strike. Few such experiences and forms of resistance were recorded against planter oppression.
Helping to provide for the family
Kowsilla became another martyr of the Guyanese working people’s movement
While many Indian women, especially among the working poor, had not attended school, they were working to maintain their families and to send their children to school. Thus these women contributed significantly to their household and community, especially as ‘financial managers’, developing ways to improve their economic position. These included planting their backyard with greens, raising chickens, goats, sheep, looking after their cows, selling milk, and buying and selling produce.
Some also managed little shops in the villages and assisted in their husbands’ businesses, such as the tailor shops and grocery shops.
In the early 1930s and 1940s, Indian women preserved domestic life by participating in ‘throwing box hands’ to save money for their children’s education or marriage and, in some cases, they would ‘pawn’ their jewellery to obtain sufficient funds. In spite of the tremendous responsibilities they had to shoulder, their strength sustained the home greatly. Without birth control, many Indian women had large families, some having between 6 to 10 children or more, and therefore had to find ways to increase the family income to support a large family.
Urban women make their voices heard
At the same time, a small group of middle-class Indian women in the urban areas were beginning to participate in public circles.
Esther Saywack Mahadeo
One of the first known women to demonstrate resistance against the injustices of colonialism was Esther Saywack Mahadeo, (born in 1872) who was widowed at the age of 28, with four children.
Having inherited a small shop, she refused her parents’ offer to return home.
East Indian women carrying pot and milk jug (1922)
