NRIs moving from the US to India: How much salary to expect

‘Madhuri Dixit to return to India, bag, baggage and doc in tow’

After staying in the USA since 1999, Madhuri Dixit will be moving back to India.

Dixit moved to Denver, US, after she married surgeon Shriram Nene in 1999, but visits India to work fulfill her commitments and assignments. They have two sons Arin and Ryaan. Dixit, 44, said that she and her husband would like their sons to be raised in India.

"It would be a great experience culturally for them. This is where their roots are. They are at an age where they can adapt quickly. They’ll be giving up their friends here [in America], but they are looking forward to making friends there [India]. I want them to learn Hindi and Marathi. I think it will be an exciting time for them too,” she said.

That story probably made news only Madhuri Dixit because of its star power. The fact that NRIs from the US are moving back to India is no shocking development. NRIs have, in the last few years, been relocating to India in large numbers, in search of better personal and professional lives. And if you are an NRI considering that move, there is one important thing that you must understand very well: the salary you will get in India.

Kris Lakshmikanth, Founder CEO of The Head Hunters India Pvt Ltd. says, “When it comes to compensation, we find that NRIs have inflated expectations. They mainly go by hearsay; their friend or friend’s friend who returned to India has told them a tall story about Indian salaries. They want to go by that yard stick.”

USD will not convert to INR

The first thing to remember is that you will not make the rupee equivalent of your US salary in India. The cost of living in India is significantly lower than that in the US. This also means a lower labour cost in India. These factors will determine your India salary.

Achyut Menon, head of Options Executive Search Pvt Ltd also adds, "In the nineties, people who were posted to India got expat salaries. But those days are over. In the last 10 years, India has become an attractive market for global companies who are not just looking to set up offshore centers here, but also to capitalize on the growing, educated and highly aspirational middle class consumer

segment. Added to that is the availability of skilled labour within India itself. Companies no longer need to pay expat salaries.”

According to the last available index dated July 2011, a Big Mac costing USD 4.07 in the US costs USD 1.89 in dollar terms in India (Rs 85 converted at an exchange rate of Rs 45). It means that the ig Mac costs 54% less in India; the cost of living is 54% lower in India. Read another way, this means that the rupee is undervalued by 54% to the dollar and that on the basis of PPP, one dollar would actually be worth Rs 21 instead of Rs 45.

So if you are drawing a salary of USD 100,000 in the US, you can expect to draw Rs 21 lakh in India, give or take.

Kajol: Most desired mom

Madhuri Dixt who is now returning to India from Colorado, USA, has bagged a couple of commercials. One is for a fabric softener where she is shown playing with a child.

Well here is news from an advertising world insider.Parvez Qureshi who makes commercials and corporate movies says that of all the married actresses who are now available for commercials like Madhuri Dixit, Raveena Tandon, Sonali Bendre, Karisma Kapoor, Kajol and Juhi Chawla, Kajol apparently is the most referred mom among the Bollywood mothers especially for commercials.

Kajol who is already endorsing a lifestyle range with husband Ajay Devgn and a couple of food products is apparently approached for most commercials featuring the 30-plus moms.

However since she comes with a much bigger price factor than the other heroines, the makers or the product owners approach the other married actresses.

It is said that Kajol is the leading name because her equity is attached to makers like Karan Johar and Aditya Chopra who still find central roles for her in their movies.

Kajol is the mother of two. Her son and daughter are named Nysa and Yug. It has been reported that she says she wants to have one more child.

Police pay Muslim student £20k over wrongful terror arrest

A student who was arrested and held for seven days after downloading an edited version of terrorism manual from a US Government website as part of his research has received  £20,000 in an out of court settlement with the police.

Rizwaan Sabir was arrested three years ago after downloading ‘The Al-Qaeda Training Manual’ available in book form from Amazon for his postgraduate research into terrorist tactics at the University of Nottingham. Sabir was in the process of preparing his forthcoming PhD proposal and was being advised by his friend and university administrator, Hicham Yezza.

Sabir often sent Yezza copies of documents he was using for his research and the Al-Qa’ida manual was one of them. On May 14, 2008, the document was noticed on Yezza’s computer by a colleague and as a result the university authorities notified the police.

Yezza and Sabir were arrested under Section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000 on suspicion of being involved in the “commission, preparation or instigation of an act of terrorism.” Both men were eventually released

on May 20, although Yezza was rearrested on unrelated immigration issues.

Sabir now studying at the University of Strathclyde subsequently brought proceedings against Nottinghamshire Police for false imprisonment and breaches of the Race Relations Act 1976 and the Human Rights Act 1998. In a statement to The Muslim News Sabir’s solicitor, Michael Oswald, said the case presented “one example of the way in which the War on Terror has been allowed to pervert the rule of law over recent years.

“Clearly, the police have a difficult and important job to do in their counter terrorism role, however, they must nonetheless act within the law and must be held to account when they do not. Through his remarkable effort and fierce determination over the last three years, Mr Sabir has been able to hold the police to account for  their failings. This result is nothing more than the clear vindication to which he is entitled.”

Hindus celebrate Divali on Wednesday October 26

This year, Divali will be celebrated in Canada on Wednesday October 26.

Divali (also spelled Diwali in certain regions) or Deepavali, popularly known as the “festival of lights”, is an important festival in Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism, celebrated for different reasons, occurring between mid-October and mid-November.

For Hindus, Divali is one of the most important festivals of the year and is celebrated in families by performing traditional activities together in their homes.

For Jains, Divali marks the attainment of moksha or nirvana by Mahavira in 527 BC.

For Sikhs, Divali is celebrated as Bandhi Chhor Diwas (The Celebration of Freedom), and celebrates the release from prison of the sixth guru, Guru Hargobind, who also rescued 52 Hindu kings held captive by Mughal Emperor with him in the Gwalior Fort in 1619.

Divali is an official holiday in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mauritius, Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, Suriname, Malaysia, Singapore, and Fiji.

The name “Diwali” is a contraction of “Deepavali” (Sanskrit: Dīpāvalī), which translates into “row of lamps”.

Divali involves the lighting of small clay lamps (diyas or dīpas) filled with oil to signify the triumph of good over evil. All the celebrants wear new clothes and share sweets and snacks with family members and friends.

Divali commemorates the return of Lord Rama, along with Sita and Lakshmana, from his 14-year-long exile and vanquishing the demonking Ravana. In joyous celebration of the return of their king, the people of Ayodhya, the Capital of Rama, illuminated the kingdom with earthen diyas and by bursting firecrackers.

The festival starts with Dhanteras on which most Indian business communities begin their financial year. The second day of the festival, Naraka Chaturdasi, marks the vanquishing of the demon Naraka by Lord Krishna and his wife Satyabhama. Amavasya, the third day of Deepawali, marks the worship of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth in her most benevolent mood, fulfilling the wishes of her devotees.

Amavasya also tells the story of Lord Vishnu, who in his dwarf incarnation vanquished the Bali, and banished him to Patala. It is on the fourth day of Deepawali, Kartika Shudda Padyami, that Bali went to patala and took the reins of his new kingdom in there. The fifth day is referred to as Yama Dvitiya (also called Bhai Dooj), and on this day sisters invite their brothers to their homes.

Weekly Recipe: Jalebi

Divali is incomplete without sweet and scrumptious dishes. One of the most delicious of them is the sugar dipped, beautiful and orange Jalebis. In a country like India where umpteen varieties of sweets are available, Jalebi is a universal favorite.

Not only on Holi, Divali or any festive occasions, Jalebi is something which is included in the regular diet of all the people born with a sweet tooth. The unique shape and the lip smacking taste are the reasons why Jalebi is prepared on every festive occasion in the country. Jalebi tastes the best if served hot or along with curd.

Though preparing Jalebi is not a very tiring phenomenon, it requires a little time and patience. Here is how you can prepare this mouthwatering dish.

Ingredients

2 cups All purpose flour (maida)

11/2 tbsp. fine grained semolina or rice flour

1/4th tsp. baking powder

2 tbsp curd (plain yogurt)

11/4th cups warm water

1/2 tsp. saffron threads, slowly dryroasted and powdered

3 cups sugar

2 2/3rd cups water

1/2 tsp green cardamom seeds powder

11/2 tbsp. kewra water or rose water 

Ghee or vegetable oil for frying

Method

Mix the flour, semolina or rice flour, baking powder, curd and 3/4th cup of the water in a bowl (preferably a ceramic bowl). Mix well with a whisk. 

Mix well and then add remaining water and 1/8th tsp. of saffron  powder, and whisk until smooth. 

Set aside for about 2 hours to ferment. 

Whisk thoroughly before use. 

Prepare string syrup by dissolving sugar in the water. Just before the syrup is ready add saffron and ardamom powder.

Heat oil in a kadhai. Pour the batter in a steady stream (or coconut shell with a hole) into the kadhai to form

coils.

Make a few at a time. Deep fry them until they are golden and crisp all over but not brown. 

Remove from the kadhai and drain on kitchen paper and immerse in the syrup.

Leave for at least 4-5 minutes so that they soak the syrup.

Take them out of syrup and serve hot.

A Real Boyfriend/Girlfriend is ___.

By: Zoë Ruderman

Normally, Twitter trending topics come and go fairly quickly—one minute everyone’s tweeting about the new iPhone then just as quickly their attention turns to what some celeb wore to a red carpet premiere. But one recent hash tag has managed to last a couple of days and is still getting a ton of tweets. 

It’s #ARealBoyfriend. Ladies are using the phrase to fire off their significant other must-have list, but surprisingly, men are the real driving force behind the trending topic, taking advantage of the chance to brag about what makes them such awesome boyfriends.

And today, people started tweeting #ARealGirlfriend. We looked through a few hundred of the brags and wish lists and rounded up our favorites. Check them out then add yours in the comment section. 

A real boyfriend...

...will wash up the dishes every night without fail. —@MissCharlery

...would kiss and hold your hand in front of the whole world. —@moonlightkitty_

...would let u use the last of his gel. —@A1deEZy

...kisses his woman on both sets of lips. —@LilDip_DreamBoi

...replies to your text before he replies to anyone else’s. —@aadoremybeauty

...will randomly tell his girl that he loves her. For no reason. —@IAm-Louisiana

...wants to chill with his girl even when her [she has her] period. —@dnumberbefore2_

...will tell his girlfriend that he is unhappy in the relationship, instead of just taking the punk way out & cheating on her. —@MinisterOnline

...will understand that your past is your PAST and will not judge you because of it. —@AlmondEyesXoXo

A real girlfriend...

...doesn’t keep in touch with her exes. —@FLOWP2ENT

...doesn’t get jealous when her man talks to other girls [because] she knows that at the end [of] the day he’s going home with her. —@Jade_Goodie

... [will] make u change your mind about marriage! —@AndoSuperPants

...will never hold you accountable for the last man’s actions. Instead [she] creates a standard the current man lives up to easily. —@Yoshi_5890

...doesn’t neglect the balls. —@shawnRIDDLE

...doesn’t let her man buy & treat on all dates. She also must treat him. —@MzLuscious13

...doesn’t go to her girlfriends about her relationship problems. She should talk to her man about their problems. —@iiBreakNecks

...won’t try to force her dude to say the “L” word. —@AntiStoopid

...doesn’t have to be with her man every single second to know that she’s loved. —@ISeeYouL0__0kin

Diabetes Mellitus

By: Dr. George I. Traitses

Diabetes is a severe health condition that can cause life-altering and even life-threatening problems, such as slow wound healing and nerve disorders. It can also complicate problems in muscles, bones, and joints.

Diabetes results from an excessive buildup of glucose in your bloodstream. Glucose, or blood sugar, which the body gets from food and also manufactures in the liver and muscles, is a substance the body uses for energy and nutrition.

To control glucose levels in your blood, the body uses insulin, a substance produced by the pancreas. An imbalance in this system can cause pre-diabetes or diabetes. In most people, normal blood glucose levels are usually less than 6.1. The levels vary depending on the time of day and how long it has been since you’ve eaten. Levels can go as high as 7.8 within 2 hours after a meal.

Pre-diabetes is excess blood glucose that is not severe enough to be called diabetes. The mild-to-moderate abnormal blood glucose levels of prediabetes can make you more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, stroke, and heart disease.

Types of Diabetes

There are two main types of the disease.

Type 1 diabetes, formerly called juvenile or insulin-dependent diabetes, usually begins in childhood to early adulthood. It results from destruction of insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. When the body destroys these cells, insulin levels in the blood become too low to properly manage blood sugar.

Type 2 diabetes is also called adultonset diabetes or non-insulin-dependent diabetes. This condition results from insulin resistance—the inability of body tissues to properly utilize insulin produced by the pancreas. The pancreas compensates by producing more insulin, but eventually it cannot keep up with the demand, especially after meals. Obesity, poor diet, and lack of exercise predispose you to developing type 2 diabetes.

A less common form of the disease is called gestational diabetes. It occurs, secondary to hormonal changes, in pregnant women during the late stages of pregnancy and usually resolves after the birth of the baby. It is important to remember, however, that gestational diabetes makes a woman more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life.

Managing Glucose Levels

With diabetes, uncontrolled glucose levels can lead to serious problems with vision, kidney function, nerve dysfunction, and blood vessels, including heart attack and stroke. In fact, people with diabetes have approximately twice the risk of stroke and heart attack faced by the general public.

In a nutshell, to manage glucose levels, you should exercise regularly, eat a healthful balanced diet, and maintain a healthy body weight. Physical activity helps control blood glucose levels in both healthy adults and in diabetics. Aerobic exercise, such as walking, swimming, dancing, and riding a bicycle, appears to be most beneficial.

What that does is raise your heart rate, helping to not only control blood glucose but also prevent heart attack and stroke. You can get some exercise by house cleaning or doing yard work, such as gardening. Physical activity helps diabetic patients maintain a healthy body weight, helps insulin lower the blood glucose levels, and gives patients more energy. Before you start an exercise program, consult with your doctor to make sure that the exercise program is tailored to fit your specific needs.

It’s also important to eat foods that are generally low in fat—and when fats are eaten, aim for “good” ones, such as those found in olive oil, fish, and other products.

Signs and Symptoms

The most common signs and symptoms of

diabetes are:

• excess thirst

• excess urination

• excess hunger

• fatigue

• losing weight without trying

• sores that heal slowly

• dry, itchy skin

• loss of feeling or tingling in your hands and/or feet

• blurry eyesight

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should seek treatment as soon as possible. Early diagnosis can play an important role in managing the disease and preventing multiple problems. Not all of these signs and symptoms need to be present in patients with diabetes. In fact, it is not uncommon to have diabetes with no apparent signs or symptoms.

Canadians sending mixed messages on confidence in economy

Canadians are sending mixed messages about their confidence in the economy, according to results of a quarterly poll that suggests growing numbers believe the overall economy is weakening even while most Canadians feel secure in their jobs and believe their personal financial situations will stay the same or improve over the next six months.

Nanos Research’s Expectations Index, based on consumer expectations about the economy as well as real estate values in their neighbourhoods, had a reading of 104.1 in the third quarter, its lowest point since 2009. The number of Canadians who think the economy will grow stronger in the next six months fell to 16% in the third quarter from 29.2% in the second. To reinforce that pessimism, the number predicting the economy would weaken in that period rose to 38.9% from 23.6% in the second quarter, and the number predicting no change fell to 41.8% from 42.7%.

The Expectations Index and other forecasts are based on results of a telephone survey of 1,209 Canadian adult conducted by the Ottawa-based agency between Sept. 25 and Oct. 2, hard on the heels of two months of extreme market volatility due to the European debt crisis, the U.S. debt ceiling debate and ongoing concern about the state of the recovery in the world’s largest economy. European leaders’ inability to resolve that continent’s debt crisis may lead to lower spending in Canada, Nanos Research president Nik Nanos told Bloomberg.

“One cannot underestimate the psychological impact of continuing negative news in terms of political gridlock in the U.S. and economic uncertainty in Europe,” Nanos said. “These two forces have created a chill effect among consumers in Canada and have contributed to a further erosion of Canadian consumer confidence.”

Asked for their views on real estate prices, 31.7% believed house prices would increase in the next six months, down from 35.1% in the second quarter, while 13.6% believed they would fall, up from 10.4%. The number who see no change was flat at 51.4%.

Shares of Research In Motion dropped more than 5% on Monday October 17 after it sought to appease disgruntled BlackBerry customers by offering free apps and technical support to make up for last week’s global smartphone outage.

Tens of millions of BlackBerry users were left without mobile email and other messaging for up to four days last week after a failure at a RIM data center in England triggered a service disruption across five continents. RIM will offer premium apps worth more than $100 to customers and a month of technical support for businesses free of charge, hoping to stem fresh defections from the BlackBerry, whose market share was already shrinking before the incident.

Analysts have said RIM needs to quickly repair the damage to its image caused by the outage and stem the loss of corporate customers who are now questioning the reliability of the BlackBerry.

“RIM has responded swiftly but this won’t undo the damage done to its reputation,” analyst Geoff Blaber at CCS Insight said earlier on Monday. “This may go some way to appeasing  customers but what’s critical is that the problem does not repeat itself.”

The stock was trading 5.1% lower at US$22.75 on the Nasdaq by 11:30 a.m. It has shed more than 60% of its value since the start of the year.

The BlackBerry has in recent years lost market share to Apple Inc’s iPhone and devices powered by Google’s Android system. At the same time it has sought to make deeper inroads beyond its core corporate base, with a special focus on younger consumers and in emerging markets. Highlighting the challenges, Apple said it sold 4 million of its new iPhone 4S in the first three days after launch last week.

RIM co-Chief Executive Jim Balsillie said the company wanted to make amends with customers.

“This is our way of expressing appreciation for their patience during the recent service disruptions and a tangible way of telling them how deeply grateful we are for their continued business,” he said in a phone interview.

Balsillie declined to estimate how much the offer would cost RIM and said he was unable to say whether RIM might have to revise its earnings forecast for the current quarter, which ends in late November.

The financial impact could prove sizable if a large enough portion of RIM’s more than 70 million subscribers take up the offers.

Balsillie said RIM was not running any tests on its network at the time of the failure and was still investigating the precise cause of the breakdown, the company’s worst ever.

The free apps on offer include games such as Bejeweled, and premium versions of a translation service and the music discovery tool Shazam. Richard Levick, who runs a U.S. consultancy that specializes in crisis management, praised the move but said the company should have made the announcement last week.

“I think it’s a good start, but they are always late,” he said. “They are always behind the curve.”

Francisco Jeronimo, an analysts at IDC, had a different perspective on the offer. He said the decision was a clever move by RIM because it would help customers to discover the app service.

“For RIM, this is an interesting way to attract users to the App World and incentivise them to search and download apps,” he said.

“More important than the offer itself, is that RIM is showing goodwill and being humble. They recognized the problem, apologized and now they are compensating their users.”

Youth Connection : Preventing “text neck”

Cellphone and Health Concerns .

Preventing “text neck” By: Dr. George I. Traitses 

In the last issue of the Caribbean Xpress we gave you an article on Blackberry Thumb.

Too much texting caused some people to come down with painful Blackberry Thumb. Now today’s technology is being blamed for another malady: text neck. 

Canadians sent 110 billion text messages this past year.

According to the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association, 56.4 billion texts were sent in Canada in 2010, up 60 per cent from the 35.3 billion sent the previous year.

As technology advances, allowing us to do more tasks on smaller equipment, our bodies often pay the price.

Texting is an easy to get away with in certain situations. Kids text right under the noses of their teachers during school hours. Most of these kids are so good with their keyboards that they don’t even have to look at the device while composing and sending a message. Text messaging has become so much a part of teenagers’ lives that 87 percent of those who text said that they sleep with – or next to – their phones.

With a growing potential for injuries from technologies that we rely on, it’s important to minimize the risks. One problem that is becoming more prevalent is neck strain from the over-use of mobile devices, or “text neck.” What Causes Text Neck? Text neck is caused by poor posture when using a mobile device. It’s all too common to become hunched over with your head drooping forward and your shoulders rounded as you become engrossed in your messaging or games.

How to Avoid Text Neck
. • Sit up straight with your chest out and your shoulders back.
• Bring your arms up in front of your eyes so that you don’t need to look down to see the screen.
• Tuck your chin into your chest to look down rather than dropping your head forward.
• If you must use your mobile device for lengthy typing, invest in an external keyboard.
• Rest your forearms on a pillow while typing to help minimize neck tension.
• Avoid using mobile devices while in bright sun light. Straining to see the screen leads to jutting the chin forward, shifting work from the spine to the muscles that hold up the head. The best way to avoid text neck is to limit the use of your mobile device. If you need to send a longer e-mail, wait until you have access to a computer or consider calling the person rather than texting.

Stretches for Frequent Texters
• Hand stretch. Start with your hands in a fist and stretch your fingers out as wide as they’ll go and then return to a first. Shoot for about 10 stretches with each hand. For added resistance you can stretch a rubber band around your fingers.
• Squeeze a stress ball. Do this for approximately 30 seconds for each hand.
• Chest stretch. To counteract the hunched posture of texting, stand up straight with your arms down at your sides. Turn your forearms until your thumbs are pointing at the wall behind you.

Soca Warriors bounce back

Lester Peltier smashed a hat-trick as under-pressure Trinidad and Tobago beat Barbados 4-0 in a CONCACAF 2014 World Cup qualifier.

Otto Pfister’s side needed to win the match after a surprise 2-1 defeat to Bermuda in Hamilton meant the Soca Warriors were already three points behind Group B rivals Guyana in their bid to move into the next stage of qualification. And they delivered in style as Peltier hit the first three at Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain before Hughton Hector added a fourth.

Also in Group B, Bermuda and Guyana drew 1-1 to further boost Pfister’s side as Ricky Shakes levelled for the visitors following John Barry Nusum’s opener for the hosts.

Canada and Puerto Rico drew 0-0 in Toronto to leave the hosts frustrated and the visitors out of contention. While the draw meant Puerto Rico cannot move into the next round from Group D, they were happy with a case of ‘mission accomplished’ as Canada took the initiative without making a breakthrough.

St Kitts and Nevis drew 1-1 at home to St Lucia.

In Group C, Panama smashed Nicaragua 5-1 as Blas Perez hit a hat-trick and Luis Tejada scored two for the home side.

Antigua and Barbuda enjoyed a 10-0 rout of an awe-struck US Virgin Islands in Group F, with Tamarley Thomas and Peter Byers scoring hattricks.

Haiti drew 2-2 with Curacao.

In Group E, Guatemala beat Belize 3-1 while Group A action saw the Dominican Republic overcome hosts Suriname 3-1 and El Salvador were 4-0 winners against Cayman Islands.


The Soca Warriors have won three of their second-round qualifiers for Brazil 2014 to date, and their strong position in Group B suggests Hyland’s faith is well-placed. They face a group finale against Guyana on 15  November that could seal their place in the third round.

It has taken Trinidad and Tobago several years to regroup after their exploits at Germany 2006. However, with a new star in the shape of captain and Stoke City striker Kenwyne Jones, Hyland believes the Warriors have “all the ingredients to qualify [for Brazil 2014] and stay at the top for a long time.”

“It’s time for Trinidad and Tobago to prove that we are capable of taking centre stage," he said.

Guyana lose Sarwan to injury again

Ramnaresh Sarwan

Injury-plagued West Indies batting star Ramnaresh Sarwan has been ruled out of this month’s Regional Super 50 Championship after failing to recover in time from a back problem.

The 31-year-old was named in Guyana’s 14-man squad pending the results of a fitness test scheduled for last Friday October 14, and played in a practice match on Thursday scoring 68 in a confident looking 78-ball innings.

However, the right-hander reported discomfort while fielding and opted out of the fitness test after advice from West Indies team physio CJ Clark and the Guyana team trainers.

“Sarwan explained that while there Ramnaresh Sarwan was minor discomfort while he was batting in the practice match on Thursday, he was stroking the ball well and batting was not a problem,” Reon King, the Guyana Cricket Board’s cricket development officer, said.

“He, however, said he encountered difficulties while fielding and thought it wise not to attempt the fitness test after explaining his condition and how he felt to Clarke and the team’s trainers.”

He was subsequently withdrawn from the squad and replaced by former Test batsman Travis Dowlin.

“The GCB has no choice, at this time, other than to request a replacement to the squad, from the WICB,” the Guyana Cricket Board said in a brief media statement. “The GCB’s national senior selectors have selected Mr. Travis Dowlin to replace Mr Sarwan.”

The blow is yet another major setback for Sarwan who was also ruled out of the Bangladesh tour because of injury.

He is expected to continue remedial physiotherapy treatment under the guidance of Clarke and Guyana team physio Beverly Nelson.

Sarwan, who has played 173 ODIs since his first 11 years ago, remains one of the region’s top batsmen and averages over 40 in both Test and one-day cricket.

His 462 runs and three centuries when Guyana last won the Regional 50-overs title in 2005 remain limited overs records.

Confident T&T: National team off to Guyana for Regional Super 50

Trinidad and Tobago will be looking to dominate the 2011 Regional Super50 Tournament in Guyana over the next two weeks and prove they are still one of the top teams in the Caribbean.

National coach Kelvin Williams said his team remain focussed and confident they can regain the limited overs title, insisting they will have to be ruthless in their approach in order to lift the newly-named Clive Lloyd Trophy. “Of course we are quietly confident going into the competition,” Williams said.

The coach noted that T&T usually do well in Guyana, which is where they won their last two 50-over crowns in 2008 and 2009, and is confident his players have the talent and experience to do well again.

“I still believe we have the experience in the team to overcome that. Chennai Super Kings captain Mahendra We have been playing cricket so I am not concerned that our practice matches were rained out. We just came back from India (where they played in the Champions League T20), the guys have been training and we have one day of practice in Guyana on Wednesday to fine-tune so I am sure we will be ready,” Williams added. The T&T coach also highlighted the importance of the competition for his players.

“It is a tournament we need to put up our hands and win. It eluded us last year and it is important for us to go to Guyana and play the type of cricket that the people of Trinidad and Tobago know we are capable of playing. It is about success and that is important, especially with how we finished in India. We have a lot to play for. The players know that and they need this one.”

And the coach said the absence of team regulars Lendl Simmons, Adrian Barath, Darren Bravo, Ravi Rampaul, Kieron Pollard and Denesh Ramdin-- all on duty with the West Indies squad in Bangladesh--only opens up new opportunities for the other players to step into the team and make a name for themselves.

Some of the players coming into the T&T side include Windies Under-19 all-rounder Derone Davis and wicketkeeper Steven Katwaroo, as well as off-spinner Sunil Narine and medium pace all-rounder Kevon Cooper, all of whom are yet to represent T&T in the 50-over arena.

“I think it is a perfect opportunity for some of these players to put up their hands and assume the mantle of responsibility. That is why they have been selected. They have that air about them, they can shoulder the responsibility and I am confident that when needed, they will put their hand up,” said Williams.

The Regional Super50 bowls off on Wednesday October 19, with the  day/ night semi-finals, on October 26 and 27, and final on October 29 to be broadcast live on ESPN from Providence, Guyana.

Alison Hinds blasts Miami carnival organisers

Miami Carnival may be over, but it ended on a sour note for Barbadian singer Alison Hinds.

The “Queen of Soca” music is awaiting a public explanation from Miami Broward One Carnival organizers about why she was unable to perform Sunday after days of heavy concert promotion.

Hinds was supposed to headline the annual celebration of Caribbean culture at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens. But at 11:20 p.m., a visibly upset Hinds clad in tight black shorts and strapped up black heels took to the stage and stunned thousands of fans with news that she was not being allowed to perform.

Apologizing, she blasted event organizers for “disorganization.” It was supposed to be Hinds’ first appearance at the carnival in two years.

Hinds said she wanted to limit her public comments, for now, to give organizers a few days to explain what happened. Her disappointment and anger, however, were visible in Tweets she sent out to her 14 226 followers.

“Soooo disappointed that I didn’t get 2 perform 4 my ppl in Miami 2nite!!Utter disrespect & total disorganization!!!” she Tweeted at 12:30 a.m.

Twenty minutes later, Hinds sent out another Tweet: “I did everything I was asked 2 do. All kinds of promo... radio, tv etc & then ur headliner doesn’t perform?? Shame on the carnival committee!!”

Sources told The Herald newspaper in Miami that the show was stopped after it passed the 11 p.m. ending time and organizers declined to pay venue charges to extend it.

It was the second time in two days that Hinds, who is known for her tunes trumpeting female empowerment, was unable to take to the stage. The evening before, organizers of the International Soca Fest, where she was also to headline, canceled the outdoor show at 11:53 p.m. because of rain and lightning. On Monday afternoon, promoters issued a statement explaining why they had to cancel and promised to honor patrons’ tickets at next year’s show.

“Saturday night was act of God. Last night, they had control over it and didn’t deal with it properly,” Hinds said.

Van Gibbs, Hinds’ manager, said they arrived at the stadium at 9 p.m. and were supposed to perform an hour later as the closing act. At about 9:55 p.m., he told organizers “There’s a problem.”

They aren’t fit to be running any committee,” Gibbs said. “They give soca and the culture a bad name.”

Equally disappointed was Calypso Rose, a legend in Caribbean music. She, too, was unable to perform.

Legendary singer Lalchan Rafi Singh return to Toronto is questionable

Lalchan Rafi Singh

Reported by Nirvan Balkissoon

Lalchan Rafi Singh’s return to Toronto is questionable due to a fall he suffered on Monday October 10, in Queens, New York.

“I was in New York at the time and in fact with Lalchan at the time of the fall. Lalchan came over to see me around 1 pm, We relaxed and played one of his CDs. He had a couple of drinks with Gerry and Joe while I just relaxed. We must have played the CD about 3 times while talking about his visit to Toronto and he also sang with the CD and enjoyed a wonderful time with us.

I connected him with Harold Boodoo so that Harold can prepare the music. Lalchan’s performance will be about 1½ hrs so he had about 12 songs and a medley that he would do in the second Harold, everyone started talking about some of the jokes that Lalchan would be belting out in between his performance as he stated he wanted people to come and enjoy themselves with him after 15 years away from Toronto.

Sometime around 4 pm we sat down to eat some food, I left Lalchan sitting at the table and went to lie down inside after finishing eating. After about 20 mins or so I was told that Lalchan got up from the kitchen table and said he was going home. While walking down the steps he must have lost his balance and fell down,. When I rush to the steps I saw Lalchan flat on his back fast asleep.

The landlord called the ambulance and they took him to Jamaica Hospital. The next day we visited him at the hospital to find him awake on a bed waiting for the doctor.

His left hand was bandaged up and in a sling. Lalchan told me at the time that he still wants to come to Toronto and would let me know as he’s supposed to come out of the hospital by the end of the week.

I spoke to Lalchan earlier this week and discussed his trip to Toronto and agreed that we’ll see how it goes with him on a day to day basis.

He still wants to come and perform and is hoping that he can still make it. His left hand is broken and he’s attending therapy but will keep me inform towards the end of the week.

At the time of this publication we cannot confirm whether Lalchan will be here to perform but if he does make it, everyone will be pleased.

US Pledges $77M for Caribbean Security

The Caribbean will receive an injection of $77 million in 2012 from the United States to develop anti-crime and anti-violence projects in the region, a number first announced by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Montego Bay, Jamaica earlier this year.

The CBSI, which is a shared security partnership between the Dominican Republic, CARICOM and the US, has identified three core objectives to focus on security threats: the reduction of illicit trafficking, advancing crime-fighting programmes like border protection, and the promotion of social justice through justice sector reform and tackling government corruption.

“We have encountered many challenges but we believe that the CBSI provides a useful and necessary framework for coordination and collaboration with our partners in the region,” said Julissa Reynoso, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Central America, the Caribbean and Cuba with the US State Department’s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs.

Reynoso, who co-chaired the CBSI meeting this week with St Kitts and Nevis, said her country would be delivering high-speed interdiction boats and relevant equipment to the Eastern Caribbean as part of the US Secure
Seas Effort.

The boats will complement similar vessels in the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica. Guyana and Suriname will also receive riverine patrol boats and equipment in 2012.

“We are proud of the accomplishments of the past year under the CBSI,” she said.

The US is also working with CBSI partners to promote the fight against financial crimes and money laundering, along with terror financing. Accordingly, preliminary assessments have been made in Trinidad and Guyana.

‘If only I knew’ - Mother reflects on last moments with son killed by goalpost

Six-year old Javani

“It was 94 students on roll up to yesterday; it’s now 93.”

The statement by principal Kerrol Lyons of Chester Primary School in St Ann reflected the deep sense of loss being experienced by  the entire Chester community after the death of six-year-old grade-one student Javani Bailey.

“A little girl here, she was playing ‘Mama Lashie’ with Javani. She says she still feels like she’s playing with him,” Lyons said in summing up the mood at the school.

Javani died on Tuesday October 11 after a goalpost he and other children were playing with fell on his head. It was a cruel blow for the woman who lost her mother just five months ago. It was made worse by the fact Six-year old Javani that she had initially decided not to send Javani to school and, after leaving the house to go to Montego Bay in St James, turned back to get him and his nine-year-old sister ready for school.

“Mi say, ‘Papa (her pet name for Javani), yuh know mi nuh feel fi sen yuh go a school today’; an him say, ‘Mommy, since yuh nuh waa sen mi, nuh worry sen mi’,” she recalled.

The last words she heard from Javani, as she put him and his sister in a taxi, were “Mommy, later”.

Javani’s aunt, Merona Morgan, said she was at a friend’s shop when some children came and told her that Bajeo had died.

“So mi say, ‘How Bajeo fi dead an Bajeo up a yard?’ Because mi talk to him in the morning an him say him not going to school,” Morgan recalled.

Morgan, along with the principal and two friends, assisted by a female driver who lives in the community, rushed the child to the St Ann’s Bay Hospital.

Later, it was a friend who called Francis, while she was in Montego Bay, and told her that something was wrong. The message was that Javani fell and the goalpost hit him in his head. That got her extremely worried. But then her sister called with the news that she dreaded most.

Francis said she would remember mostly “the way how him loving to mi. If anything wrong with mi, him would say, ‘Mommy, nuh worry’. Him always kiss mi if mi a cry an’ say, ‘Mommy, nuh cry; nuh cry, Mommy, everything a go alright’.”

Javani died in his aunt’s arms on the way to hospital. When the vehicle reached Priory, she said she felt Javani take his last breath. He was pronounced dead minutes later at the hospital.

Election Day: November 28

Guyana Elections

Guyanese will go to the polls on November 28 to elect a new government.

President Bharrat Jagdeo named the election date in a short one sentence proclamation which reads:

“President Bharrat Jagdeo has just issued a proclamation declaring Monday, November 28th 2011 as the date for the holding of General and Regional Elections in Guyana.”

President Jagdeo told reporters at the Office of the President that he had just received notification from Guyana Elections Commission Chairman Dr. Steve surujbally that the Official List of Electors, also known as the final voters list, was now ready.

The letter from Dr. Surjbally stated:

“Excellency, please be apprised that the Official List of Electors has been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the National Registration Act Chapter 19:08, the Registration of the People Act Chapter 103, the Elections Laws (Amendment) Act No. of 2000. Please be further informed that the Official List of Electors has been duly certified by Mr. Gocool Boodoo, Commissioner of Registration, Chief Election Officer and is now ready for publication,” Dr. Surujbally said.

According to GECOM, November 14 is the earliest possible date by which it would be ready for the polls. Nomination Day, the day on which the contesting parties will submit their Lists of Candidates, will automatically fall 32 days before the election date when it is eventually revealed.

According to the Office of the President, the November 28 election date gives political parties some six weeks to field candidates for the sixty five seat parliament which was dissolved last month to make way for the elections.

President Jagdeo will not be seeking re-election as he is constitutionally barred from doing so having already served two terms in that office.

His party, the People’s Progressive party, the PPP has put up General Secretary, Donald Romatar as their presidential candidate, while the opposition, a seven party coalition the APNU, has fielded retired Brigadier General David Granger as their presidential candidate.

Elderly woman hospitalised after fallen tree splits house in two

The fallen plum tree has left this
Nabaclis house in tatters.

An elderly woman was admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation after she sustained injuries as a result of a freak accident on Sunday October 16.

A tree fell and split her house in two. Doreen Layne was sitting in the living room of her Nabaclis, East Coast Demerara house when a decades old plum tree came crashing down.

The woman sustained a gaping wound to the back of her neck, the result of a disintegrated roof.

Layne’s son, Steve, who was cooking at the time escaped injury and was able to pull her to safety minutes after the tree fell.

From her hospital bed, the woman said that she cannot recall what really  transpired since she blacked out after being struck on her head.

There was no high wind at the time but according to Steve Layne, the tree has been rotting for some time and they were in the process of carefully cutting it down.

He recalled that around 20:00 hours he was in the kitchen of the house preparing something to eat. He had just come from the village backlands. His mother was resting in the living room after returning home from church.

He said that he heard the dogs barking and he looked out but did not see anything that would have given him the slightest inclination that something was wrong. Seconds later, the tree crashed down on the house.

Layne said that at first he did not hear his mother and he immediately became anxious since the electrical power to the house was severed as a result of the incident.

“When I realized that the roof cave in, I call and I ain’t hear no move… When I look towards where she was, I tell myself that she get covered. I tried to move forward but I was stepping on things that fall down,” Steve Layne said.

Eventually, he heard the voices of two persons in the adjoining yard and he called out to them for a torchlight to enable him to see better.

“Within that, while looking for the torchlight, I heard her call for me, and I recognized directly where she was and I started to move certain things and I get to her. When I get to her, was movements,” Layne said.

“We were in the process of cutting it down but we were not able to get it down before this happen,” he added. “I give thanks, within the whole level,” he said.

The Laynes have been living in the lot 36 Centre Road Nabaclis house since 1972.

Samuel Hinds is PPP/C prime ministerial candidate

Samuel Hinds

The ruling Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has named Samuel Hinds as its prime ministerial candidate for the November 28 polls, his fifth such nomination.

Presidential candidate Donald Ramotar made the announcement Sunday October 16 at a rally in the bauxite mining town of Linden.

“He is a man who has shown tremendous intelligence and a capacity for hard work. He has shown dedication. He has shown that he is ready and he has indicated his desire to continue to work hard on behalf of the people of this country,” Ramotar said.

Hinds, 68, has been prime minister since the PPP/C attained power in 1992 having served Presidents Dr Cheddi Jagan; his widow, Janet Jagan; and outgoing Bharrat Jagdeo.

Ramotar told those gathered that his party, if re-elected, plans to negotiate with the two bauxite companies that operate in the country to expand their production and to develop new products.

He said this will “see greater value added in the bauxite industry.

“We expect that we will succeed in pressing them in this direction and you can expect almost immediately...that we will create over 1,000 new jobs in this region in a very short space of time,” he said.

Days earlier, the main opposition People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) promised to reform the police force if it wins next month’s general and regional elections.

Member Debra Backer said the police force would be rebranded the Guyana Police Service.

She said a PNCR government would also accept British and Canadian help to improve security within the country.

On Sunday, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) announced that it had started printing the Official List of electors.

It said electronic copies have been given to leader representatives of the two parties.

“Electronic copies of the document were likewise given to the other Parties which were represented in the recently dissolved Parliament. Other Political Parties are being provided with copies of the certified OLE upon request,” GECOM stated.

Escapee in court on murder charge

Recaptured prisoner Halim Ballack appeared before a Point Fortin magistrate October 17 on charges ranging from murder to kidnapping and robbery with violence. Ballack, 29, of Palo Seco, appeared before Magistrate Indrani Cedeno one week after his escape from cells at the Point Fortin Police Station.

He and fellow prisoner Malcolm Fraser escaped on October 13. After seven days of searches by South Western Division police officers, he was recaptured on Sunday October 16 in a house at Beach Road, Palo Seco, a few meters way from his home. He is scheduled to reappear in court on October 31.

The charges against him are that on October 13 at the Point Fortin Police Station he escaped lawful custody; on September 25 at Reservoir Hill, Point Fortin, he murdered Wayne Carrington; and on September 25, at Hercules Drive, Egypt Village, Point Fortin, he robbed Elizabeth Sunny of a gold chain and pendant, valued at $1,400. Ballack is also accused of taking John Jackson against his will, obbing him of his cellphone, valued at $198, $28 in cash and used personal violence against him. Decked in a burgundy T-shirt and grey denim pants, Ballack gazed nonchalantly around the courtroom as the charges were read to him.

He stood silently for most of the proceedings but when he was leaving uttered a few words to a lone relative in the courtroom.

4 cops in court on stolen casino money charges

After two years of wrangling, the preliminary inquiry into charges that four police officers pocketed stolen casino money in 2009 officially began October 17 with the State’s first witness giving evidence.

State prosecutor Sanara Toon called Anti-corruption Bureau officer, Woman Corporal Annmarie Mac Millian, as her first witness in the matter before acting Deputy Chief Magistrate Rajendra Rambachan.

The officers—Cpl Deopersad Jankienanan, Cpl Kishan Harrysingh, PC Anslem Drakes and PC Regan Ramnanan—are facing charges of misbehaving in public office.

They allegedly failed, without reasonable cause or excuse, to hand over to the investigator of a robbery on August 21, 2009 at Club Avenue, Duncan Village, San Fernando, an undetermined sum of money which was part of money taken and recovered. Harrysingh, Drakes and Jankienanan are facing charges of misbehaviour in public office by stealing an undetermined sum of cash from the casino. Jankienanan also faces, together with Ramnanan, an additional charge of beating prisoner Mark Austin while he was in police custody.

Mac Millian testified for just over one-and-a-half hours and was cross-examined by attorney Jagdeo Singh, who appeared for Jankienanan. Attorney Chateram Sinanan also cross-examined Mac Millian. Attorney Vernon de Lima, who represents Drakes, reserved his cross-examination. Attorney Kevin Ratiram, who represents Ramnanan, was not in court yesterday. Toon, through Mac Millian, tendered two documents into evidence.

PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar: SoE and curfew to continue

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has said the State of Emergency (SoE) and the curfew (11 pm – 4 am) implemented in several areas of Trinidad will remain in place, until so advised by the security agencies.

Speaking at the Post Cabinet press conference at the Office of the Prime Minister, St Clair she said the members  of the security agencies spent several hours addressing Cabinet.

She said both measures instituted on August 21, 2011 will be constantly reviewed. The three month SoE will officially end on December 5, 2011.

The Prime Minister said the security agencies have said the SoE and the curfew have been “valuable tools in the fight of crime”. She said the agencies were putting measures in place to deal with crime after the SoE.

The Prime Minister also announced the National Security Operations Centre (NSOC) which allows for all members of law enforcement agencies to share information. She said previously there was no joint planning or sharing of information.

Quoting statistics since the start of the SoE to 6 am on Thursday, the Prime Minister said there have been 3932 arrests. She said 57 persons were arrested for homicides. On a figure of 500 murders a year, she said it meant there were 45 murders per month. Noting that although there were 15 murders in the first month of the SoE, “15 too much” it equated to 70 percent reduction in murders.

Other statistics given by the Prime Minister included 449 for gang related incidents; 745 for drugs; 769 for serious offences; 200 for other offences; 418 for enquiries and the seizure of 1243 ammunition, 29 magazines and 125 firearms. Additionally, three quarter billion in drugs have been seized or destroyed.

Major changes to be implemented at the 2012 Chutney Soca Monarch

Major changes will be implemented at the 2012 Chutney Soca Monarch held annually during the Carnival celebrations in Trinidad & Tobago.

New rules and regulations, exciting new elements, and a new theme in 2012, will all make up what is carded to be the biggest ever Chutney Soca Monarch in the history of the competition.

The Chutney Soca Monarch is the most important and largest Indo Caribbean event in the world. Held annually, it has also become one of the ‘Big Four’ events in our Carnival every year, the others being the International Soca Monarch, the Dimanche Gras and the Panorama Finals.

The event is being re-branded and will have a new look in 2012.

2012 theme - Chutney Soca Monarch

The Chutney Soca Monarch remains one of the most colorful productions in Carnival, and 2012 will be no different as the theme of the event reflects an embracing of the Caribbean spirit, Caribbean music and Caribbean people - ONE – One Caribbean, One music, One People – the theme for 2012.

New venue and new date

The Producers of the 2012 Chutney Soca Monarch have decided to move the event to Port of Spain. We have been having discussions with the National Carnival Commission with the intention of hosting the event at the Queens Park Savannah. These discussions are still ongoing.

Producers will also be moving the event one week closer to Carnival  and has proposed the Grand Final to be hosted on Saturday 11th February 2012.

New rules and regulations

2 new rules will be introduced to the competition in 2012.

Artistes will not be allowed to use film melodies in their songs, which have plagued the competition over the last few years. Only songs that have 100% original melodies and lyrics will be allowed to compete, and there will also be a screening of the music to ensure that lyrics and topics are positive.

Guyana to be included in a major way

In 2012, a number of new features will be added to the event.

3 artistes from Guyana will be taken directly to the Grand Final of Chutney Soca Monarch through a special screening process that will see eliminations gradually come down to the three selected Guyanese artistes.

2 judges from Guyana will also sit on the judging panel for the Grand Final should in case the technologies fail onthe night.

The Grand Final of the Chutney Soca Monarch will be broadcast ‘live’  via satellite to Guyana and featured on a major TV network in Guyana.

Finally, the event, which is judged by 100% text votes, will also give the Guyana public the opportunity to participate at this level, as arrangements are also being put in place for the people of Guyana to be able to vote via text voting through a local network.

By 2013, it is expected that a ‘Guyana Leg’ of the Chutney Soca Monarch competition will take place in Georgetown.

Other voting

In 2012, apart from Guyana nationals being allowed to vote through a local network, online voting will take place as the event will be streamed over the internet to a ‘live’ viewing public. Text voting will also take place as in years gone by in the USA, Canada and of course Trinidad & Tobago.

Major international act for CSM 2010

A major International act will be included in the program for Chutney Soca Monarch 2012. An act that will further enhance the production and add major value to the show. The event will also have an International co-host, and the opening of the show will feature several Caribbean countries.

Other Carnival events

In 2012, Southex will start a Jr. Chutney Soca Monarch that will crown a young champion. The event will feature one grand show that will showcase the talents of those artistes below the age of 18yrs.

Chutney on D Sutton, one of the most successful events in 2011 will once again be a feature on the Calendar of events.

Girlz Gon White, held at the Space Car Park over the last 3 years will also find a new home in 2012, as the event has outgrown the present venue.

Conclusion

Southex is projecting that 2012 will be the biggest and most exciting year in the history of the Chutney Soca Monarch. The Grand Final’s move to POS is a positive one, and one that will position the event where it should be.

Many other countries will be added to the 2013 event, as Chutney Soca Monarch starts to spread throughout the Caribbean.

Fuad bans Paediatric Hospital from accepting McDonald’s US$10,000

Health Minister Fuad Khan has banned the Wendy Fitzwilliam Paediatric Hospital from accepting a $64,000 donation from McDonald’s because of the link between the fast food industry and childhood obesity and a number of chronic non-communicable diseases such as diabetes.

Speaking in the House of Representatives, at Tower D, Waterfront Complex, Port of Spain October 16, Khan said that while Government was “very glad for foreign direct investment”, it was not happy to see a McDonald’s clown inside the paediatric ward, marketing the company and engaging in “subliminal advertising”.

Khan said he was shocked to see a picture in the Business Express(of October 12) of McDonald’s “Chief Happiness Officer Ronald McDonald”, a clown, announcing that McDonald’s had donated US$10,000 to the hospital.

“I would be writing to the Foundation (to instruct) that no money from these fast food enterprises should reach Mount Hope Children’s Hospital,” he said to desk thumping.

“That’s right,” Education Minister, Dr Tim Gopeesingh said.

“We have to protect our children and we have to decide, if we want to make sure that our children grow healthy and they don’t have the expense in the future, of kidney problems, et cetera,” Khan said.

He noted that this country had refused to accept $10,000 from softdrink manufacturers Pepsi and Coca Cola to replace some exercise equipment, while other Caribbean countries did.

He said there was a direct correlation between increasing obesity in the population, including alarming rates among children and adolescent, and the consumption of fast foods.

He said the correct mixture of salts, sugars and fats (especially when combined with flavour enhancers such as MSG,) created a “serious food addiction”, similar to addictive drugs, alcohol or nicotine.

Noting that Trinidad and Tobago had the highest rate of diabetes in the Caribbean, Khan said the combined economic burden of diabetes and hypertension in Trinidad was over $500 million a year.

In response, Diego Martin North East MP Colm Imbert stated that the Minister of Health meant well but he tended to say the oddest of things.

Imbert said, “This is a member (Khan) who held a fete at which there was consumption of alcohol and he attempted to make a donation to the Children’s Life Fund from the proceeds and it was refused because the proceeds came from the sale and consumption of alcohol.

“I believe he means well but he says the strangest of things. The first entity in Trinidad and Tobago whose contribution was refused to the Children’s Life Fund was none other than the Minister of Health. And he get vex you know, get on and get vex and so on when they refused to accept the money," Imbert said.

2011 Mississauga Summit: October 25

This year’s Mississauga Summit is taking place on October 25th at the University of Toronto’s Mississauga Campus. This year’s special guest is newly elected Mayor of Calgary, Naheed Nenshi.

Mayor Hazel McCallion called for the inaugural Mississauga Summit in 2007 and invited business leaders, educators, labour, not-for-profit groups and government to come together to discuss strategies to create well-paying, long-term jobs in Mississauga.

The inaugural Summit was heralded as a great success and an excellent start to addressing the difficult challenges facing our city, particularly unemployment and job creation. In 2009, the second Mississauga Summit was called and began to narrow the focus to the top 5 key issues facing Mississauga.

From the group discussions at the second Summit, over 150 community volunteers worked diligently between 2009 and 2010 on the 5 key issues facing our community. For over a year and a half, the volunteers strategized on the solutions that could address the five key issues that include:

Building Mississauga’s human services infrastructure;

Creating a post-secondary education strategy to compliment our economic and human capital development;

Waterfront development and environmental sustainability;

Cultivating Mississauga as a Centre of Excellence for diversity and immigration;

and

Creating quality jobs for the short and longer term.

The Summit team has concluded its work and is now ready to unveil its 5 “Big Ideas” to tackle these challenges and an action plan to improve the economic prospects of our city.

The details for the Summit are as follows:

Date: October 25, 2011

Time: 4:30pm - 9:00pm

Location: University of Toronto Mississauga

(3359 Mississauga Road)

The event is free of charge, but you must register prior to attending. To register for the Summit.

For more information, please visit the Mississauga Summit’s website at http://www.mississaugasummit.ca

The Mississasuga Summit has identified common, pan-Mississauga issues that must be addressed for our continued prosperity as a community and they deserve our support.

If you ever wondered how you can get more involved in your community and help to shape the future of our great City, there is no better  opportunity than the Mississauga Summit. Our city faces some significant challenges in the next 30 years and we need every resident to get involved and have their say about our future.

Letter from the Publisher

Nirvan Balkisson

Despite decreases in murders, Trinidad and Tobago remains in the top 35 homicidal countries in the world. This from a United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime which released a 100-page report it complied on 207 countries surveyed. The report entitled “Global Study on Homicide: Trends Context and Data 2011 (for the year 2010 and leading up to it) was published by the UNODC last week.

Based on 2010 murder figures this country is third in the Caribbean following Jamaica and St Kitts and Nevis and has an even higher per capita murder rate than Colombia.

The UNODC report pointed out that in the Americas Trinidad and Tobago had the eighth highest per capita murder rate. Port of Spain was also among the most homicidal cities in the world with a per capita rate above 30. Figures show that 40 per cent of the countries on which data was compiled had a per capita murder rate of less than three per 100,000 people, while Trinidad and Tobago ranked very high among 17 per cent of countries with a per capita rate of above 20.

The report noted that since 1995 many countries experienced decreases in murders with increases “particularly in Central America and the Caribbean, where today it can be seen to be nearing crisis point.” It continued: “All countries where there has been strengthening of the rule of law in the last 15 years there has also been a decline in the homicide rate, while most countries where homicide has  increased have a relatively weak rule of law.”

The UNODC found that with the exception of a temporary drop in homicide rates in 2006 the Caribbean, lead by Jamaica and Trinidad ad Tobago experienced a steady increase in murders linked to drug and crime. “In comparison to countries in other regions, countries in the Americas have on average high homicide rates associated with relatively high levels of development suggesting that factors other than development such as organised crime play a disproportionate role in driving homicide levels,” the report said.

Paradoxically though sharp drops in drug interdictions in the region and transshipments of narcotics through here have served to fuel murders. “This can be traced to increased competition between drug trafficking organisations fighting for their share of a diminished market.”

Between 1997 and 2009 drug seizures in the Caribbean decreased by 71 per cent and in 2009 only 10 per cent of cocaine US-bound was transshipped through the Caribbean. Interestingly though the report found an increase in trans-national narco smuggling through the borders of our closest neighbour, Venezuela.

Local authorities have said that much of the cocaine coming to our shore passes through that country.

Source: http://www.unodc.or/documents/data and analysis/institutions/homicides/global_study_on_homicide_2011_web.pdf

More than scandalous

When former chairman of the Police Service Commission, Nizam Mohammed sought to count Indo Trini officers serving in the upper echelons of the police corps, the Opposition PNM cried foul, railing against any suggestion of the use of affirmative action to readjust historical ethnic imbalances in the ranks. Yet recent revelations in Parliament demonstrate the party sees no conflict in affirmative action for non Indo Trinis, as the nation learnt Monday when in Parliament, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar revealed a massive and corrupt $45 million plus scholarship scheme used by the former regime from 2003 to 2007 to discriminate against Indo Trinis, denying them the chance to assisted higher education.

Every rule was broken, every guideline ignored as the PNM employed publicmoney reserved for needy students as their personal affirmative action slush fund. Of every 100 bursaries awarded by the Culture and Community Development Ministry it has been estimated seven went to Indo Trinis and 93 to Afro Trinis and minority ethnic groups. Though we do not know how the Equal Opportunities Commission which investigated the matter determined the ethnicity of the recipients, the Commission has concluded that there is a prima facie case of discrimination against East Indians by the PNM for the years 2003 to 2007. Apparently, the majority of the bursaries were given to residents of PNM constituencies and several went to party friends. In one instance, on the instructions of former prime minister Patrick Manning, a Grenadian was awarded TT taxpayers’ dollars secretly to study, and in many cases, scholarship recipients received more than specified in the guidelines.

The Prime Minister’s revelations are more than scandalous; they are stomach turning. Led by Mr Manning, the PNM used millions in taxpayers’ monies to deny Indo Trinis scholarships by overriding selection criteria (the Selection Committee apparently never met). Mr Manning endorsed the application of a Grenadian national for a secret $28,000 scholarship, dispatching a letter to former Culture and Community Development Minister Joan Yuille-Williams. “Hon Joan Yuille-Williams. Please handle this quietly,” Manning wrote on a letter dated November 14, 2004, according to the findings of the Equal Opportunities Commission investigation.

Mr Manning also recommended that the daughter of Brigadier Peter Joseph be given a scholarship even though she did not qualify. Joseph was then head of the Special Anti-Crime Unit of Trinidad and Tobago (SAUTT). The EOC has recommended a forensic audit “by the appropriate authority,” as there is also evidence that the amount available to the fund was much greater than $45 million. In our view, the establishment of a fund using taxpayers monies to hand out scholarships to friends and foreigners and to promote one ethnic group is a noxious mixture of fraud and racism and we expect ministers involved to be held criminally liable for these funds.

A message has to be sent to our elected officials that it is illegal to use state and taxpayers money to promote private agendas, particularly when these are racist or political. The Culture and Community Development Ministry´s public bursary programme was not for any minister’s disposition and we salute the current Prime Minister’s conviction to the pursuit of justice in this disgraceful affair and depend on her commitment that the slush fund will be referred to the DPP and the Integrity Commission. We are certain that the private use of public funds and the circumvention of proper guidelines and criteria are a violation of the Integrity in Public Life Act and we look forward to the release of the results of the audit to be commissioned by the office of the Attorney General.

Race is always contained in the political discourse of Trinidad and Tobago and though ethnicity and politics are inseparable at election time, no party has the right to use public resources to quietly promote one group of people over another. Unemployment relief programmes such as URP and CEPEP, already discriminated on the basis of party affiliation in their award of contracts and jobs, but these usually go to the unemployed, whereas many of the “Ministry” scholarships were not awarded to deserving and needy children of Trinidad and Tobago, when the money employed in the fraud came from the pockets of all TT’s citizens, regardless of race.

The general thrust to educate non-Indo Trinis would indicate the former regime felt non Indo Trinis were falling behind. While we hesitate to rush to uneducated conclusions, and we do not wish to presently engage in discussions about the pros and cons of affirmative action programmes, we submit that any such programme, if it is necessary, must be conducted with maximum transparency. TT dismissed Nizam Mohammed for his comments about Indo Trinis in the police service, but Mr Mohammed had the courage to speak openly and  honestly. Mr Manning and his government hypocritically ran their well-funded, insidious affirmative action scheme in the shadows.

This editoral is courtesy of T&T Newsday

Flooding nightmare in T&T

Neighbours look on as a family in
the Bamboo Settlement #2 area
Photo by Robert Collado

Eleven people whose homes were flooded out during weekend rains October 14-16 were moved to an emergency shelter located at the Eastern Indoor Sporting Complex near the Eddie Hart grounds in Tacarigua.

Several others, according to the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM), refused to move but the organisation said they were on stand-by and willing to even provide vehicles for those wishing to leave their stricken homes.

This was as several areas in North Trinidad remained under water following weekend rains which lasted seven hours during one of the spells.

Farmers in the Aranjuez area were hit hard as one of the tributary rivers that flow into the Caroni burst its banks and flooded several acres of patchouli, lettuce, cauliflower and cucumber under almost waist-high water. 

Rishi Ramsooharie, one of the farmers said, “Plenty farmers lost crops. My costs was about $25,000 and although we have had flooding before we really were not prepared for this kind of disaster. The thing is I cannot say if the Government should step in but we are really looking for help because what we spent we will not get back.”

Between Sunday and Monday clean-up efforts were underway in the St Augustine, Tunapuna,  Macoya, Golden Grove, Caroni, Aranguez, Maracas and Bamboo Settlement areas but with brief rainfall on Sunday coupled with high tides, the Caroni River which was in danger of bursting its banks, finally did so on Sunday night.

From around 8 p.m., the waters flowed into the yards and homes of residents in the Bamboo Settlement Number 2 area.