TIMES INT'L

‘One of Guyana’s worst constitutional transgressions’

March 22, 2019March 25, 2019 TIMES INT'L

-FITUG says of Govt’s refusal to abide by provisions of no-confidence vote The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) has spoken out against the move made by Government to ignore the constitutional provisions of a no-confidence motion describing it as one of the country’s worst constitutional transgressions. The umbrella trade union body said it cannot ignore the many concerns being expressed at this time regarding what will be the state of play following the March 21, 2019 constitutional deadline regarding the legitimacy of the coalition Government. “For its…

Jagdeo claims House-to-House registration deliberate attempt to delay, rig upcoming polls

March 22, 2019March 22, 2019 TIMES INT'L

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has restated his party’s position that after March 21, 2019, the Coalition Government will be deemed illegal and will be treated as such. He also accused the administration of conspiring with the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to rig the next general and regional elections which was constitutionally due by March 21 2019, following its defeat via a no-confidence vote last December. According to Jagdeo, the move to replace the current voters’ list through House-to-House registration is the reason for his claims that there are plans to…

‘Chowtal Fiesta’ among New York Guyanese

March 22, 2019March 22, 2019 TIMES INT'L

By Vishnu Bisram The Prem Bhakti Mandir in Queens, New York, was packed to capacity for the fifth annual chowtaal sameelan. The event was hosted by the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha USA Praant. Some fifteen organizations and Mandirs participated in the chowtaal singing accompanied by drummers and the clinging of jaals (cymbals) and dantaals. Each chowtaal group sang at the top of their voices. Each group had a minimum of ten participants with some as large as twenty. Every member of the Chowtaal group sang and beat jhals (cymbals) while…

US President to meet with five Caribbean leaders

March 22, 2019March 22, 2019 TIMES INT'L

As the United States’ continues to press for Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro to step down from office, President Donald Trump will meet with leaders of four Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and a fifth regional leader, whose countries earlier this year agreed not to recognize Maduro’s latest term in office. In a statement issued yesterday, the White House said Trump would meet with the leaders of The Bahamas, Haiti, Jamaica, St Lucia and the Dominican Republic at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. It said the meeting with the Caribbean leaders “will reaffirm…

Farmer who launched brutal cutlass attack on wife charged with attempted murder

March 22, 2019March 22, 2019 TIMES INT'L

The farmer who brutally attacked his reputed wife on February 24 2019, was on Wednesday, charged with attempted murder. Fazal Osman, 39, of Mahaica, appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Cove and John Magistrate’s Courts. He was not required to plea to the indictable offence. Osman was remanded to prison and he will make his next appearance on March 5 at the Mahaica Magistrate’s Court. Vashti Mahase, 22, barely escaped with her life on the day of the attack. She was accompanied by a Rural Constable to Osman’s home…

Hypocritical…

March 22, 2019March 22, 2019 TIMES INT'L

…or unctuous? Your Eyewitness looked at President Granger’s address to the nation on the constitutional crisis into which he has plunged our country by his refusal to comply with the Constitution – even as he calls it “sacrosanct and supreme” – and wasn’t surprised that it was recorded rather than live. It would’ve been impossible to keep out the snickers of derision and disbelief that would’ve issued forth from any live audience!! And performance it was – as it has always been for Granger. But what kind of performance?? Being…

PPP/C Presidential Candidate promises to revive affected communities

March 22, 2019March 22, 2019 TIMES INT'L

During a meeting with residents of Belle Vue on the West Bank of Demerara, PPP/C Presidential Candidate Irfaan Ali said the Party is working to rejuvenate communities, especially those that were affected by the closed sugar estates. Ali also reminded of some initiatives which were made possible under the previous administration. The presidential candidate said his party is committed towards social justice for those who were affected by the closure of the sugar estates. In 2017, 1851 workers were dismissed from the Skeldon Sugar Estate; 1181 from the Rose Hall…

Phagwah – Breaking ethnic barriers

March 22, 2019March 22, 2019 TIMES INT'L

You know Phagwah is around the corner when you see brightly coloured powders for sale but nothing puts you in the mood better than hearing the distinctive voice of Bollywood legend Amithab Bachan singing “Rang barse bheege chunar wali, rang barse”. The song from the movie Silsila is synonymous with Ohagwah celebrations in Guyana and even further afield. Basically translating to “colours are showering,” rang barse is perhaps the most well-known phagwah song among Guyanese despite their ethnic or religious background. Phagwah is a community’s exuberant expression of joy to…

Cameron says regional PMs can initiate CWI restructuring

March 22, 2019March 22, 2019 TIMES INT'L

KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) Cricket West Indies (CWI) President Dave Cameron said Caribbean prime ministers had the power to restructure the regional governing body if they so desired, but it was not solely his responsibility to undertake reform of the organisation. Speaking on SportsMax here, Cameron argued that any governance restructuring needed to be initiated by the territorial boards which comprised CWI, and pointed out that the regional prime ministers pushing for reform could “instruct” the domestic associations accordingly. “The prime ministers believe that the structure needs to change — the…

The evolution of Phagwah Celebrations

March 22, 2019March 22, 2019 TIMES INT'L

By Lakhram Bhagirat Every year we hear of how much the celebrations surrounding the Festival of Colours have changed and that some of the long-held traditions are dying. But what exactly has changed and how much it has changed is a question with a variety of answers since change is the only constant in our lives. However, what has not changed is the spirit of the celebration. The very core of what Phagwah is about is very much alive and well. The triumph of good over evil still is the…