Dear Editor, To members of the Persaud family, members of Dharmic Sabha and members of PPP: Jai Guru Om. The swamis, bramacharis and devotees of the Guyana Sevashram Sangha and the America Sevashram Sangha extend our deepest condolences to you, on the passing of the president of Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud. Pt Persaud was an outstanding West Indian and world Hindu leader and the Sevashram Sangha is aware of the vacuum that will be left through his passing. He built his organisation from the ground and…
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Guyanese and other Caribbean immigrants will benefit from immigration amnesty in U.S.
Dear Editor: A comprehensive agreement has been reached among a bipartisan group of Senators (Republicans and Democrats) to grant a limited amnesty to illegal immigrants as well as to allow American companies to bring in technical workers in shortage areas. The deal was unveiled on Tuesday. The bill will benefit Guyanese and other Caribbean nationals, but it should be cautiously interpreted, especially bearing in mind that there are cut off dates for undocumented immigrants who can qualify for amnesty. It appears that the Senate will approve the bill but it…
Read MoreThe hotel industry must use more locally produced goods, services
Dear Editor, The caption caught me instantly. I thought “Way to go Guyana”. However, on reading the story, I found out that it was the words uttered by Barbadian Independent Senator John Watson. He was expressing great concerns about the leakage of the earnings in the country’s tourism industry, and suggesting that if more locally produced goods and services were used in that sector, things would have been better for the local economy. This has a big message for us in Guyana. I need not go to tourism but I…
Read MoreArms training with U.S. Navy team good for local officers
Dear Editor, Whether people want to enjoy hunting small or big game, plink away at targets or simply experience the thrill of shooting, gun training is necessary. In the case of professionals, this should be mandatory. That explains why I was so taken up with the fact that some sessions were held in Guyana and three Guyana Defence Force officers, three staff sergeants, and 14 sergeants, together with the force’s chief skill-at-arms instructor, all benefitted from complementary pistol and rifle marksmanship training. This was conducted by a team of five…
Read MoreCarl Greenidge’s pronouncement on sugar workers is a cause for concern
Dear Editor, Guyanese from all walks of life were left wondering what exactly is happening with A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) following Carl Greenidge’s “foot in the mouth” pronouncement that the sugar workers are the ruling party’s “problems”. It should be understood that when the People’s National Congress (PNC) was in power, the sugar sector, like the rest of Guyana, experienced a major decline in the 1980s. However, the industry’s recovery in the current decade has been rapid. Its output levels have approximately doubled since 1993 and production in…
Read MoreRice farmers are better off now
Dear Editor, In response to the good news about rice in Guyana, I feel compelled to make a few points. I think that rice must be contextualised. It is an excellent source of energy, giving carbohydrates, which are used in the body for brain performance, physical activity, bodily functions and everyday growth and repair. Rice is also low in fat and cholesterol free and this alone is enough to drive rice production in Guyana. This indeed has been happening. In fact, the overall rice production for 2012 amounted to a…
Read MoreMinister Ali has set the tone for the debate
Dear Editor, On Tuesday evening, having listened to Carl Greenidge label the 2013 Budget as unconstitutional, the Honourable Mohammed Irfaan Ali rose to the occasion and defended the government’s budget. If someone wanted to see dynamism, intelligence and political acumen on display, then I strongly recommend viewing Minister Ali in his most august self in Parliament. In responding and countering Greenidge in every minute detail with empirical data from established sources, Minister Ali as he has done previously, set the tone for the budget debates. However, in the year 2013,…
Read MoreBig educational boost for UG, CPCE
Dear Editor, Throughout the world, schools are acquiring computers and using the internet at rapid rates. Teachers need to, therefore, learn how to operate the computers and integrate them effectively into their instruction. Understanding the process that teachers go through to infuse technology into their instruction is essential to helping facilitate the successful integration of computers into classrooms. In Guyana, we are moving in this direction. Just a while back, the education ministry made a really good move, commissioning computer laboratories at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) and…
Read MoreGuyana’s housing sector continues to do well
Dear Editor, It is very good to note that the housing sector has been allocated some Gy$3.1 billion in order to continue ensuring that citizens have improved access to housing and to a better quality of life. With emphasis being placed mainly on providing access to affordable housing and developing new sustainable housing schemes, it is a sure way to keep Guyanese rooted. In fact, it is incredible that focus is also on increasing the provision of turn-key housing and expanding the construction of core houses in Guyana. We all…
Read MoreRemanded prisoners and child abuse
Dear Editor, A couple of working people have been remanded on charges of child abuse– abandoning and ill-treating two children – both of them are gainfully employed. They have a stable life as partners. However, it appears as though raising the children is creating a lot of difficulties. The charges are serious too – abandoning the six-year-old daughter and four-year-old son – causing them unnecessary suffering, beating and ill-treating them, and locking them in their apartment without any supervision and food during their working hours. These issues must be addressed.…
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