Overall market activity resulted from trading in 12 securities of which nine advanced, two declined and one traded firm.

Trading activity on the First Tier Market registered a volume of 112,483 shares crossing the floor of the Exchange valued at $1,465,522.16.

National Flour Mills Limited was the volume leader with 46,392 shares changing hands for a value of $83,081.35, followed by T&T NGL Limited with a volume of 36,108 shares being traded for $1,048,256.67. LJ Williams Limited B contributed 10,000 shares with a value of $7,200, while GraceKennedy Limited added 9,587 shares valued at $29,799.05.

Unilever Caribbean Limited registered the day’s largest gain, increasing $0.50 to end the day at $34. Conversely, T&T NGL Limited registered the day’s largest decline, falling $0.02 to close at $29.03.

Clico Investment Fund was the only active security on the Mutual Fund Market, posting a volume of 30,000 shares valued at $606,000. It advanced by $0.03 to end at $20.20.

In Tuesday’s trading session the following reflect the movement of the TTSE Indices:

• The Composite Index advanced by 3.44 points (0.28 per cent) to close at 1,246.41.
• The All T&T Index advanced by 5.25 points (0.31 per cent) to close at 1,716.70.
• The Cross Listed Index advanced by 0.21 points (0.20 per cent) to close at 104.46.

It has been a bad few days for the T&T Police Service (TTPS), an entity already plagued by low morale, loss of public confidence and reports of indiscipline among the ranks.

It could well be that one of the contributing factors to the current problems might be recruitment and training methods that are outdated. The focus now should be on reform, with emphasis on building a law enforcement entity that easily adapts to the changing values and practices.

Based on what transpired recently with the failed attempt to select a new Commissioner of Police, it seems that recruiting, selecting and retaining the right personnel is a big challenge for the TTPS. There is definitely a leadership vacuum and recent retirements at the executive level, along with other turnover causes, underscore the need for organisational strengthening. Merely appointing a full-time a Police Commissioner isn’t the solution.

Recent incidents underscore the need for hiring and retaining sworn police officers with skillsets geared toward 21st-century law enforcement.

Reforming the TTPS may require support from international agencies that can help in the development of a stronger, more effective TTPS.

Plug port leaks

Taking away from the good news that five suspects have been held and a record $35 million in cocaine seized at the Piarco International Airport, is the reality of the large amounts of illegal items that are still slipping in and out through ports of entry.

Installation of scanners at the Port of Point Lisas, soon to be followed by activation of the ones that have been left unused by the Port of Port-of-Spain, are only small signs of progress in the increasingly challenging battle to secure the country’s borders.

The problem is that the borders are still very porous and surveillance is not adequate at all of the critical points.

Given T&T’s geographic location along known drugs and arms trafficking routes, urgent action must be taken to stop illicit shipments by air and sea.

Our stories in pictures

The recently launched exhibition, Through My Lens—From Trinidad and Tobago to Me, provides compelling glimpses into various aspects of local life. The display, curated by the National Museum, features the work of amateur and professional photographers and is worth a visit.

We will discover in the days to come, essential differences between résumé and eulogy when we come to remember public intellectual/pamphleteer, Dr Morgan Job. For one, he would have resisted any attempt at label, summary or evaluation except perhaps in qualitative terms to describe engagement of ideas that possessed and haunted him for at least the latter part of his adult life.

Those ideas, in my view, were intrinsically linked by a notion of liberation which lesser, more limited minds mistook for the opposite. Through his irascible, cantankerous impatience with everyone else, glimmered a belief - pursued as virtual creed - that had to do with free thought and expression and, through it, enlightened engagement of social and political challenge.

For all this, he sometimes paid with frequent, agonisingly enforced public silence – attended to, toward the end, through gratuitous engagement of new channels we all, who wanted to keep in touch, did well to studiously manage. When he realised what you’d done to his Whatsapp messages or Facebook Messenger posts, he would seek recompense on the street, at the airport or wherever he spotted you through the top half of his heavy bifocals.

My own story began around 1988/89 and heavy rainfall at the front door of Radio 610, an offer of coffee and shelter and an eventually fortuitous introduction to NBS chairman, Ken Ablack. This may well have been an entry point for future regular radio and television gigs that spanned close to three decades.

We would again cross paths through the Prime 106 FM experiment under the supervision of the incomparable broadcaster, Dik Henderson around 1991/92. As head of News and Current Affairs, I would find myself occasionally sharing uncomfortable studio space with him. I recall the times the smell of sulphur would linger following on-air delivery of what I now acknowledge to be the toughest possible love—Tobago style.

It must have been that after any passion-filled and insult-laced tirade (some of which he could have delivered in about half a dozen different languages) he would retire to a quiet place and blow the smoke from the barrel of his rhetorical gun. Then he would render Chopin’s So Deep is the Night on his acoustic guitar and all would be well with the world.

With a flair for the painfully and embarrassingly obvious, he won few new friends (there was a handful of lifelong comrades), save for those who tried to understand him. There were also others who thought his verdict on the black condition consolidated their own assertion of a failed or condemned race. He must have known that space and time, offered in lieu of imposed silence elsewhere, was not always out of an appreciation for his view that the downward spiral of T&T society had always been a joint enterprise involving all.

I remember one time his on-air presence was the subject of a sustained campaign launched by people who ought to have known better.

I recall my own timidity in referencing a need for free expression and the pain that accompanied his eventual departure from the frequency. Who, from among us, truly felt that at the core of such a freedom was an ability by all to understand that the penalty for crudely-espoused views and intemperate rebukes cannot and should not be silence?

Who from among us dared to carefully calibrate the coordinates of what were thought to be his polarising campaigns? All we knew was that we either loved to hate his positions on things or hated that we sometimes loved them.

I remember an op-ed written by veteran journalist, Owen Baptiste, upon the death of pioneering media boss, Patrick Chookolingo. In it, Baptiste openly undertook to shed no crocodile tears. Some from among us should heed such advice and resist open hypocrisy.

If, in fact, his résumé elicits intense dislike or loathing, a suitable eulogy cannot but capture the essence of a tortured soul torn by love for the space it occupied and an intense disdain, if not hatred, for what it was becoming.

When Richard asked me to marry him it felt like it was straight out of a movie. In fact, it was such a fairy tale ending that I was called immediately to tell it on the radio.

Little did we know, the fairy tale ending meant the real-life beginning.

We fought, like really fought. I cried...he walked off. At one point, even the pastor doing our marriage counselling told us we were at risk of postponing the date. We just were not ready and we simply could not get it together.

We thought we were doing it all wrong and were certain we made a mistake.

Hollywood and fake “Facebookers” have a way of portraying unrealistic relationships and weddings. Everyone in these worlds has limitless budgets, so whatever the bride wants she gets. WRONG. Let me be the first to tell you the truth. Even the humblest of weddings cost money that you don’t have. Those that borrow, regret it and those that don’t stress over it, realise years later they did the right thing. But in the actual moment, no one is running around carefree like you see on social media or in the Hallmark movies.

Newlyweds also have a way of posting only the best of the best. No one seems to want to say, “This guy is totally in my space and I am going crazy.” This is where I am super thankful for women who are as real as they come. My girls sat me down and told me just how rough their first few years of marriage were and they then told me that the years they now have, are all worth it.

You see, their honesty helped me. Not only did I not quietly feel like a major failure, but they were able to share their mistakes in hope that I can learn and avoid making the same ones. As we often joke, I will make loads of new ones, but I can’t make the same ones they did.

A few days to go, and I am so happy Jess was able to witness the struggles because now, her reality isn’t based on the romantic films she watches. She will know that those are as fake as can be and they are purely for entertainment.

As I close, I would like to invite anyone that hasn’t already seen the invitation. This Saturday, May 12th, I will be getting married in Woodford Square. Yes, you read it correctly. We wanted to spread our love because God knows the country needs it. We firmly believe that force and guns will not bring back our sweet T&T, but an outpouring of love will. From 3 pm we will have a traditional ceremony under the gazebo and after that, we will be blessing those less fortunate than ourselves with a love meal. If your finances allow it, bring a dish to share. If not, just bring your love.

I would also like to ask all my readers to keep us in your prayers this week. Our battles we know, are all spiritual and this is where we must fight. Pray for good weather, for a revival of community in our land and most of all pray for a revival of family life and committed marriages.

A good marriage is the foundation of a secure family and secure families are the foundation upon which great societies are sustained.

We are all mourning the loss of Morgan Job, but couldn’t care less about the man when he was alive! He was constantly maligned and criticised for his blunt language and his habit for calling a spade a spade.

The real reason Trinis dislike persons like Mr. Job is because Trinidadians don’t want to be regulated! Period!

We don’t like when people call us out and point out our shortcomings.

We say we want law and order, but complain when the police stop us from driving on the shoulder or penalise us for breaking a red light!

We say make our roads safe, but complain when we get charged for drunk driving or driving in excess of the speed limit!

We say make our beaches and rivers clean but we toss all of our unwanted crap from our vehicles anywhere we please!

We say we want peace and quiet in our homes but drive all over the country at all hours day and night with oversized speakers in our cars blasting out everyone else’s eardrums!

We say we want to clean up corruption but we are willing to pay a contact in license office and elsewhere to get things done fast and hassle free! The list goes on and on and on and on and on.

STEVEN VALDEZ
WESTMOORINGS

With deep concern, I am writing about the increasing number of crimes in Trinidad and Tobago over the years. Crimes against women and children have increased manifold during the recent past.

This alarming rate of increase in crimes is a cause of concern for all right-thinking citizens in the country.

Lack of moral education, violence in movies, irresponsible police behaviour and a desire for easy money or undeserved prosperity in life are among the reasons that lead to crimes.

This situation must be tackled before it is too late. A multi-pronged strategy should be evolved to check crime in society. The public at large and the students, in particular, should be educated and told to respect the sanctity of life and individual liberty.

The police force needs to be educated to handle the situation intelligently and sympathetically. The media should be forced to play a responsible positive role.

Gypsy once sang: Somebody tiefing the soul of the nation, somebody gone with the love that we had. Somebody tiefing the soul of the nation, somebody driving this country mad....and we, yes you and me, got to stop this conspiracy...”

I hope things will improve before all is lost.

SIMON WRIGHT
CHAGUANAS

Dr Morgan Job was a brave and principled man. He was unusual in his dedication to research and academically informing in his opinion, while at the same time expressing these ideas in purposefully confrontational ways.

Dr Job’s opinions on economics and race were controversial, and expressed provocatively. But he raised very important and very well backed up points that needed to be dealt with intellectually, not just emotionally.

He genuinely believed that free markets and entrepreneurship would lead the masses of people to prosperity, that racist demagogeury was evil and should not be tolerated in any way shape or form, and was very dismayed about the state of African people, whom I believe he wanted to see rise up to greater heights, but without resentment and rancour against others. His was a “tough love” that was often misunderstood - sometimes, unfortunately, entirely through his own fault.

He believed in earning your own way in the world, so much so that he personally sold his own books on the street, in the airport, at malls. He desperately wanted people to read and engage with ideas, and he was not afraid to stand by what he believed, and earn his living by it. He was ridiculed for this, of course, by our often cruel society which all too frequently seeks to shame and silence the extraordinarily many visionaries we produce.

His passing is sad, for we have lost a truly unique individual in our landscape that profoundly shaped our national discourse and offered something genuinely new and peculiarly his own.

Dr Job will be missed. But let us appreciate him, and—agree or disagree with him—please let us continue to read and engage with the work he so wanted to contribute to our national development.

KIRK MEIGHOO
CUNUPIA

PRADO: Helen Patricia Stephanie aka ‘Patricia Stephanie Price neé Lowry’ died on Sunday, April 15, 2018 at Sunflower Senior Liv-ing INC (ALF) in Tamarac, Florida with her son Gerard Paul and her sister Judy Ann Lake at her bedside. Helen was born on June 29, 1940 to Arnim Lionel Lowry and Bathilde Henrietta Lowry (formerly Rosemond Henry of Saultibus/Laborie St Lucia, both deceased). She will be lovingly remembered as the mother of Patrice Carol Price (NZ), Gerard Paul Price (NJ), Christian Sylvester Kenneth Price (Maryland) and Renee Louise Price (NY). She was the former wife of Ken-neth Price (DC). Mother-in-law to Michael Clark (NZ) Sui Price (NY). Grandmother to Lindsay and Kirstin Price (NY). Sister of Arnim Valentine Lowry (Louisa deceased), Marie Ange Leontine Knights (Ralph), Judy Ann Lake (Sherwin), Lionel Peter Lowry (Marsha-deceased), Josephine Althea Frank (Rodney), Berthilda Jessie Lowry, Francisca Traverso (Elvon George) and Monica Gill (John). Relative of the Lowry, Gill, Duke, Knights, Williams, Lake, Frank, Traversos, Price, Tenias, Paul, Rosemond, Pullas; and De Freitas Families. Aunt, great-aunt and great-great-aunt to many. Friend of Eulah Horrel Jones, Mar-cia Newbald, Jocelyn Hackshaw, Peter Solomon and many more. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Premier Funeral Services and Cremations, Inc. of Oakland Park, FL USA and R. M. de Souza Memorial Chapel Limited, Diego Martin Main Road, Diego Martin, Trinidad. Funeral service for the late Helen Patricia Stephanie Prado takes place at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 10, 2018 at The Church of the Assumption, Long Circular Road, Maraval. Interment at Western Cemetery. For enquir-ies please contact R. M. de Souza Memorial Chapel Limited at 223-2007/637-2009.

“We are not out the T&T Super League as yet,” Defence Force manager Ryan Ottley said on Monday, a day after his team was one of 10, including the T&T Under- 20 team, to be dumped out of this season’s super league action.

Ottley has already written to the T&T Football Association (TTFA) demanding fair treatment to his team and all other teams blocked from participating in the TTSL, on the basis that the TTSL granted an extension to new club Erin FC and 1976 Phoenix to pay a $45, 000 registration fee which is a requirement for gaining entry and which the 10 clubs did not pay on Sunday.

Ottley said if the TTFA does not address his issue he will then take it to the CONCACAF and then the FIFA, the world governing body for football. Erin FC paid half the amount and gave the assurance that its prize monies for winning the Southern Football Association (SFA) League competition, will be given by the parent SFA.

The SFA itself appeared to have given the TTSL a commitment it will pay.

The super league is set to kick off on June 10 and Ottley, whose team won the Premier Division title back in 2015/2016, believes his team will be ready to compete again, saying in any system where justice is sought, fairness to all is paramount.

“Once a team was given an extension on Sunday then every team ought to be treated as fairly,” he said, before slamming Look Loy for disregarding the League’s mandate of developing its members.

Ottley said while he supports the idea of commercialising the TTSL and making it more professional, the League itself has to ensure that all clubs are up to that level first before taking such a stance.

“Football in T&T has been changing and it would take some time before change is complete, as clubs face many challenges.

For instance, in the case of the Defence Force and other State agencies, we face excruciating circumstances where slow government processes have prevented us from paying the registration fee,” Ottley explained.

He added: “The current economic climate must also be taken into account, bearing in mind clubs are grappling to become compliant, yet they have to look for funding. We are already not playing for any prize monies, so what is the incentive?” Guardian Media Sports learnt that clubs only had to pay the registration fee on Sunday as no club was deemed non-compliant.

And even so, Ottley said there were teams such as Harlem Strikers and Marabella Family Crisis Centre (MFCC) that allegedly showed up with cheques to pay, but were refused.

Yesterday, Terrence Boissiere, manager of MFCC had to deal with the death of one of his players -Noah Simmons, who was also a player for Shiva Boys Hindu College, gunned down on the Trainline in Marabella. Boissiere said he was contacted by 16-year-old Simmons early yesterday morning that he was on his way to the centre, but soon after Boissiere received another call relating the sad news.

In tears, he said: “This is what happens when we are denied entry into the Super League and refused support from corporate T&T. On Sunday I told Look Loy and the membership that our entry into the league is not just to play football, but rather to save lives. We are losing our young men in this area and it’s why we have been running this centre for 26 years.”

WALTER ALIBEY

T&T’s Anneliese Rose was the only winner for the host nation yesterday, the second day of the International Tennis Federation’s (ITF) Women’s Circuit $15, 000 Tournament at the National Racquet Centre (NRC) in Tacarigua.

Rose the most consistent player for T&T at the Fed Cup, got the better of her compatriot Anya King in the Women’s Singles 6-2, 6-3 on Stadium court, before facing the disastrous news that all the other T&T players, Carlista Mohammed and Soizette Simmons were beaten in their encounters.

Yolande Leacock, the highest ranked T&T player at 1212, was still on the court against Alexandra Riley of the United States up to press time last night, along with Mohammed and Rose, both teaming up to face the US pair of Shelby Prince and Anna Baranovski in the Women’s Doubles. In Leacock’s first taste of action on Monday, she partnered with the US Alexandra Riley to defeat the United States duo of Stephanie Nemtsova and Rushri Wijesundera 4-6, 6-4, 0-8 in the women’s doubles.

Simmons, playing her first game of the tournament, went down to the tournament’s number #2 seed Kirsten-Andrea Weedon of Guatemala in straight sets 6-2, 6-0. On the fifth court outside, number #4 seed Akilah James of the USA wasted little time in disposing of Vivian Mayumi Toma 6-3, 6-0, while Kayla Rizzolo recovered from a second-set loss 2-6 to triumph over Alycia Parks 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 in an all-American affair on the same court.

There was also a victory for Great Britain’s Katarzyna Pitak who overcame a battling Idia Amen of the US 6-4, 6-3, as well as Mexico’s Andrea Renee Villarreal, the tournament’s sixth-ranked player, who prevailed 5-0 retired against Christine Maddox of the USA on court six.

WALTER ALIBEY
 

An unbeaten 123 by Manda Farrow took Bonne Aventure to the final of the Victoria District competition in the 2018 Atlantic National Primary Schools cricket competition.

Farrow was excellent in taking her school past a monumental 196 that was posted by Rochard Douglas Presbyterian.

Rochard Douglas girls hammered the Bonne Aventure bowlers to all parts of the park in getting to the victory target for the loss of just two wickets in the allotted 20 overs.

Leading the batting for Rochard Douglas Presbyterian Annalise Sookhan who scored an unbeaten 53.

While she was at work, she found a willing partner in Elena Carlton who made a controlled 34, as they gave their school a total that they were expected to defend.

The two wickets to fall to Bonne Aventure went to Rayann Farrow and Karla Farrow. Both enjoyed similar figures of 1/33 of their four over-spell.

At the break, Rochard Douglas which has a proud tradition of success in Atlantic cricket was on top and looking good for a place in the title match.

However, it was not to be as when Bonne Aventure Presbyterian responded by making easy work of the target.

Leading that charge was Manda Farrow whose 123 not out brought screams of joy to her schoolmates who were on hand to support her.

Rayann Farrow chipped in with an aggressive 34 as the pair secured victory for Bonne Aventure with one ball to spare.

Elena Carlton finished with the best bowling figures of 1/27 of four overs, while Sookhan took 1/32 in three.

President of the Primary Schools Cricket Association Brent Francis said: “We heartily congratulate the Bonne Aventure Presbyterian players, their coach and teachers as they advance to the Victoria District Finals on May 15 at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy.”

Scores

ATLANTIC PRIMARY SCHOOLS CRICKET SCORES
Rochard Douglas 196/2 (20) (Annalise sookhan 53, Elena Carlton 34, Rayann Farrow 2/33, Karla Farrow 2/33) vs Bonne Aventure 198/2 (19.5) (Manda Farrow 123no, Rayann Farrow 34, Elena Carlton 1/27)—Bonne Aventure won by 8 wkts.

T&T’s well-decorated sprinter Marc Burns graduated on Sunday with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Exercise Science from Auburn University, Alabama in the United States.

“Super elated,” said Burns yesterday on his achievement. “Looking back at the journey, having that dream as a young child coming up competing in Carifta, CUT Games, all those things and have that dream of having free education, getting that scholarship and furthering my career. Looking back at it, I checked all those boxes.”

He was one of some 4,000 new Auburn graduates, who was part of spring commencement exercises over the weekend.

His parents Alec and Josephine Burns were present to witness their son open this next chapter in his life in a field which specialises in physical conditioning and performance.

“I was also so blessed to have both, my parents, here, I feel super elated,” said the two-time Olympic medallist, who shared that following the ceremony his parents told him: “Moments like these make parents teary-eyed, actually being alive and blessed to see those moments and have it to cherish forever”.

Burns most recently represented T&T at the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in Australia last month. However, it was an unfortunate end to the experience as the men’s 4x100 metres relay team was disqualified.

But that disappointment did not sideline him as he stayed focus on his academics.

“Me personally, I don’t compartmentalise my success,” said Burns when asked where does this achievement rates with his success on the track. “Over the years, I tried to deal with it (each challenge) as objectives that I need to complete and in going about it that way I am more focused at the job at hand. I just try to complete those objectives and in that way, I stay grounded and actually focused on what I need to do and not get sidetrack by outside noise so to speak.”

He is now aiming to fulfil his dream of earning a Master’s Degree Biomechanics, which is the study of the mechanical laws relating to the movement or structure of living organisms.

“Getting my Master’s in Biomechanics is my next objective,” said Burns as he prepares for life after track but he is not yet hanging up his boots.

“Yes, I will still be competing. At this point in my career, I have to choose my battles wisely so to speak so everything is based on after every training cycle how I feel, how the body feels, how well am I recovering so now it’s just tentative but I am still competing.”

Daneil Williams continued his reign as the undisputed local men’s beach volleyball king after he paired with new playing partner and fellow national indoor player Nathanael Noreiga to claim the Fourth Leg of the T&T Volleyball Federation Beach Volleyball Circuit at the National Beach Volleyball Centre, Saith Park, Chaguanas on Saturday.

The reigning national champion along with Daynte Stewart who was fifth at the recently concluded Commonwealth Games in Australia, Williams and Noreiga competing for the first time outlasted new duo Stewart and Marley Davidson in a gripping final 21-17, 15-21, 15-11.

When the ten-team tournament served off earlier in the day, Williams and Noregia swept aside Devaughn Martin and Evlon Pounder 21-12, 21-12 and Kareem Thomas and Kurt Edwards 21-17, 21-13 to top Pool A with a 2-0 record while Stewart and Davidson, who are using the tournament as part of their Youth Olympic Games Qualifiers preparations battled past Stephen Enile and Steffon Hutson 16-21, 22-20, 15-10; Chandler brothers, Lincoln and Lenroy, 21-10, 21-11 and Danielli Lewis and Darion Thompson 21-13, 21-13 to head Pool C with a 3-0 mark.

Davidson and Stewart, both national junior team indoor players then battled past Edwards and Thomas 21-18, 19-21, 15-7 in their quarterfinal before stopping Christian Francois and Marlon Phillip, another former partner of Williams, 21-19, 21-18.

Williams and Noreiga had a quarterfinal bye along with Francois and Phillip as the group’s winners with the best win percentage and followed it up by rallying past Joel Theodore and Josiah Abraham Eccles 18-21, 21-19, 15-10 in their semifinal.

Francois and Phillip ended the day on a high by beating Theodore and Eccles 21-17, 17-21, 15-9 for the third spot.

Top women teams eye final

The top two ranked women’s teams, Phylecia Armstrong and Malika Davidson, and Commonwealth Games participants Abby Blackman and Rheeza Grant remained on course for a fourth straight final showdown this year after topping their respective round-round-robin groups on Sunday at the same venue.

However, due to the inclement weather the semifinals, third place playoff and final will take place tomorrow from 7 pm.

Playing in Pool A, Armstrong and Davidson, winners of two of the three local tournaments hosted so far this season outplayed Tsyan Selvon and Brittney Choon 21-16, 21-12 and Romelia Fermin and Cheneil Millette 21-9, 21-6 and will meet third-ranked La Teisha Joseph and Suraya Chase in their semifinal tomorrow at the same venue from 7 pm.

The experienced duo of Blackman and Grant, both former national indoor team players and winners of the second local event this season, breezed their way through Pool B with wins over Joseph and Chase 21-11, 21-10; Asthma Charles and Latifa Gonzales 21-8, 21-7; and Ebony Williams and Afiya Alexander 21-10, 21-5 and will come up against Selvon and Choon in the other semifinal.

Joseph and Chase who have competed in all three legs of the 2018 Norceca Beach Circuit so far ended second in Pool B after beating Williams and Alexander 21-7, 21-9 and Charles and Gonzales 21-13, 21-15 in their other matches while Selvon and Choon was second in Pool A courtesy a 21-14, 24-22 defeat of Fermin and Millette.

Without saying a word…without spitting out sentences in anger…West Indians, all over the world have been embarrassed again, shamed...Their lives now indelibly stained by the notation of a demotion.

Demotion is never easy to accept, especially when one believes rightfully or wrongfully that it is unfair, unjustified, inequitable and downright unnecessary.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced last week, what we all expected but still hoped would not materialize, that the West Indies team is now outside of the top eight ranked teams in Test cricket for the first time in our history. And I should say, that takes some doing, given the teams below us, as only Zimbabwe has recently been introduced back into the Test arena and newcomers Ireland and Afghanistan will shortly join the fray. Effectively we are last.

Naturally, if all of this mattered to Cricket West Indies (CWI), then there could be serious concern among the various territorial boards and even in the countries themselves, but sadly that is not the case. Because like it or not, Insularity has not only raised its ugly head under this current administration but it has also soared to new heights.

How else can anyone explain that the once proud Barbadians accepting mediocrity in West Indies cricket? There was a time when the Bajans fill seven out of the 11 starting positions, including the captain, then chief selector and a coach here and there? That would have never been accepted by men like Wes Hall, Seymour Nurse, Frank Worrell, Garfield Sobers, Clyde Walcott, Everton Weekes, Conrad Hunte, and Malcolm Marshall.…Even now I sense Desmond Haynes and Gordon Greenidge are unhappy.

Jamaica, likewise seems to have become flummoxed by all that is going on with their journalists in a spin, from attempting to support their countryman to wanting what is best for the sport.

It is a dilemma that few fair-minded Jamaicans seem to be considering other than the mutterings of a few. In this country, it is something called “ Eat a Food “, and it appears that the Board’s food is too tasty for many of the once relevant Jamaicans to refuse. Unlike Barbados, former Jamaican players are not as plentiful in airing their views in public, but I am certain that in the private chats, they too are upset about the pathway that the Board currently occupies.

Meanwhile, Guyana has a problem of a different kind, that country’s Board has been described by some as being “illegal” or “unconstitutional“, but whatever is said, the current executive appears to have the backing of the regional Board, so as we say in the region, “one dares not bite the hand that feeds you”.

In other words, Guyana’s silence is not only golden, as it appears to be riddled with unanswered questions and after the distasteful treatment most recently to the once hailed “saviour” of cricket, Clive Lloyd.

Antigua, the home of Sir Vivian Richards, Andy Roberts and Curtly Ambrose, has made efforts in the past to express its displeasure with both Board and players alike, but it has come to nothing, because unfortunately the Board Head office is based in Antigua and therefore, Antigua has a lot to benefit when matches, functions and meetings are held on the island.

For the rest of the countries in the region, The Board has already worked out that by ensuring that tours, matches are played at these locations, and the tourist money flows in, most of them will be silent, even if their respective Prime Ministers at times (Grenada and St Vincent in particular raise an enquiry)

As for T&T, we have no say, our local board appears both ineffective and impotent and the current body is so much concern with keeping their positions that the cricketers and cricket have no value and do not matter.

The Future is not just bleak, it is terrible, there is no way this West Indies team in is current selection mode can win anything, much less a World Cup, we are now categorised as an erratic, unpredictable team that may win a single match, but never a compelling series against those above us.

And yes, I know there are not too many below us. Perhaps we need to stop swinging to the cow’s corner because not only is the smell bad, but there are too many West Indian officials stationed there, absorbing and it appears enjoying the odour of their legacy.

India High Commissioner to T&T Bishwadip Dey has embarked on a journey to discover T&T, not through the eyes of the young, but through the eyes of the elderly, those who witnessed the birth of this nation and contributed in their own way towards its development. He is a man on the move and has now devoted time to journeying to various parts of T&T, meeting people of Indian origin who are over 90-years-old.

He is the first of any India High Commissioner to T&T to embark on such an ambitious project.

T&T Guardian spent a productive hour discussing these journeys with Dey at his offices in Port-of-Spain.

Comfortably seated in a white chair in his brightly lit office, wearing a dark blue suit, coupled with a comfortable pair of shoes for traversing the various areas in T&T, Dey related his discoveries.

When asked what he learnt from his dialogue with elderly he said: “They are happy, filled with joy and have a love for life, they do not complain and are grateful for everything.”

The High Commissioner said he found that citizens over the age of 90 are very much active and recalls meeting a 93-year-old lady who still seizes every opportunity to do chores around her house such as washing, cooking and cleaning.

Dey said these elderly citizens have contributed not only to the development of T&T but have played an important role in keeping family values alive and passing on the cultural and religious practices from one generation to the next.

He said there are also strong family ties in the homes that he has visited where he witnessed that love and devotion for the elderly.

Dey said as senior members of society, the elderly have had an important guiding role for the local communities and form a historical link to India for nationals of East Indian origin.

He noted that the High Commission of India also shared in the pride of the Indo- Trinidadian community which remain justly proud of these elders who carved out their lives through initial struggles in their adopted country.

Respecting and caring for elderly family members is an integral part of Indian culture and the India High Commission is honoured to take this tradition forward in its own way by felicitating the elders and showing its gratitude to them.

Sharing some his experiences, Dey spoke of the day he visited Dharmie Deo, 104, of Digity Trace, Penal.

He said Deo vividly remembers her past years and recalled many important events of her life, including marriage, and her parents’ home in India.

He said she is strongly spiritual, hardworking, even now she tends her garden, and is a thoroughly family-oriented person.

He added that Deo remembers names of all members of the family, now into fourth generation, numbering over 50, who are spread throughout the country.

Samdaye Dhanasar, 104, received the High Commissioner at her Carat Hill, Barackpore home. 

She narrated her many experiences during her long lifespan to him, and recollected working extensive, arduous hours in the rice and sugarcane fields of Barrackpore while also tending to her responsibilities as wife and mother.
The first house in the street was built by Dhanasar’s husband Dhanasar Moosai.
Dhanasar said she kept thanking God for strength and for his blessings.
Dey said he found Dhanasar to be very cheerful, enjoying spending time with family.
He presented her with a token of appreciation besides paying his respects.
Dhanasar was overwhelmed at the interaction with the High Commissioner and wished him good luck.
Sooknanan Nancoo, 101, of Woodland, Penal said he was deeply involved in agriculture and was a top-ranking farmer in the community.
Nancoo, who helped to construct a temple and school in the area, and speaks good Hindi, also spoke about his strong spiritual connection, hardworking nature as secrets of his longevity.
The High Commissioner praised Nancoo for his fluent Hindi and for his contribution to keeping Indian culture alive.
Dey noted with satisfaction that a street was named after the father of Nancoo, who had done great service to the community.
Mahadaye Padarath, 104, of Spring Village, Valsayn recollected events leading to her marriage, working in the cane fields of the sugar estates that were once owned by Tate and Lyle and Caroni (1975) Limited.
Dey wished her continued good health and presented her with a bouquet before taking leave. Dey said his visits will continue.

In the continuing quest to determine how well police are equipped to treat with the mentally ill, especially in crisis, nothing as yet has provided any source of comfort on the matter. No one seems to know exactly what is covered in the Police Induction Training and whether that passing classroom encounter with the issue of acute mental illness is sufficient.

It is not that we are unaccustomed to police shootings and shooting to kill—hardly, since T&T looks like a normal day of Gunfight at the OK Corral. It is about the reasoning that leads a police officer to kill rather than maim or disarm an ill person acting violently.

To my mind, it is quite possible to find alternatives to deal with an individual acting violently and wielding a broken bottle or a “two-by-four.”

While I would rather see police trained to deescalate such situations, and while I do not subscribe to tasing, I’d rather a tased mentally ill person than a dead one. A bullet should never be used where medication could be sufficient to return to calm, alive.

But the myth of violence among the mentally ill which translates to the stigma that all mentally ill people are violent may well be behind the extreme measures police have taken over the years. Often I wonder how much prejudice has to do with police actions in these killings. Are actions propelled by a discriminating and ignorant perceptual measure of the worth of the life of a person who may be considered “mad”?

As a society, we have not as yet addressed the prejudices we hold against people who are different from us. And may God help those of us who are different if we pick up a stone and throw it at the police—it is almost an assurance that such a one would meet his maker much faster than even some criminals with automatic rifles.

And on that note, a police corporal and a sergeant firing at each other, in close proximity of each other, expending 28 rounds of ammunition and one remaining alive, employed—and possibly with full pay—to tell the sordid tale of alleged infidelity and indiscipline suggests to me another picture about shooting to kill or shooting to cause injury.

I wish that one of the individuals engaging the attention of this quest I am on had an opportunity like that—to be shot at and live to tell the tale. Instead, it takes about three rounds of ammunition, on average, for police to kill a person presenting with acute mental illness.

Sheldon Sobers, 25, dead by suicide

As an institution, Costaatt holds a special place in my heart. As a former adjunct lecturer, I have some of my best memories teaching and impacting the lives of some fine young people, a large number who are still in my community of friends and associates.

So when Ornella Brathwaithe posted about Sheldon Sobers’ death on Facebook and Alette Williams followed with a stirring, unsettling expression of grief, it got my attention. I could not recall Sobers but his name seemed familiar. It turned out that he was a student in my sister Debra’s class when she lectured at Costaatt, also.

The painful thing about this suiciding is that Sobers had sought an intervention. He was admitted to the psychiatric ward of the San Fernando General Hospital, and hours after being admitted this 25-year-old man hanged himself using a piece of cloth.

The news story said Sobers “was found dead around 9.30 am at the entrance of a room near the male dormitory of the psychiatric ward.”

The story also quoted the police as saying, “He (Sobers) was a regular patient of Ward 1 (psychiatric) and because of his behaviour he could not be immediately assessed.”

That fateful Sunday before his death, Sobers was said to be displaying “unpredictable behaviour” and having been transferred to the hospital by ambulance, he was then placed in an isolated room. I do not know how long he was there “quarantined,” unpredictable and unattended but “around 9.30 am a nurse found Sobers dead.”

Gail Miller-Meade, CEO of the South West Regional Health Authority, was quoted as saying that they (SWRHA) are now investigating why Sobers was kept in an isolated place when he was displaying signs of depression and mental instability.

The SWRHA in its condolences said it “remains committed to reducing the effects of mental illnesses among the population and implored the public to seek help as early as possible.”

But Sobers sought help and was in the assumed best place for an intervention. I have so many questions for the SWRHA but for now I must follow Alice down the rabbit hole…

CAROLINE C RAVELLO is a strategic communications and media professional and a public health practitioner. She holds an MA with Merit in Mass Communications (University of Leicester) and is a Master of Public Health With Distinction (The UWI). Write to: mindful.tt@gmail.com

Hope came unexpectedly and in abundance for 27 students of Signal Hill Secondary School who are benefitting from the complete refurbishment of the school’s computer lab. The project was financed by BP Trinidad and Tobago, and marked by a handing-over ceremony at the school last month.

The project was also achieved through collaboration with the Tobago House of Assembly’s Division of Education, Innovation and Energy. Delivering the feature address at the handover was Assemblywoman Marisha Osmond, Assistant Secretary in the Office of the Chief Secretary, Tobago House of Assembly (THA).

“I am a graduate of this great school, and as a past teacher also, I can understand every aspect of the challenges of education,” said Osmond. “This is indeed a benchmark contribution to the school and I can testify that bpTT has made sterling investments in young people all across Tobago in areas such as academics, sports and culture. This isn’t just a classroom—it is a gateway to the future. Signal Hill and bpTT have set a great example for us, and we must all do our part in providing opportunities for young people by fostering an empowered and productive population.”

The Signal Hill students are carded to write the Electronic Document Preparation and Management (EDPM) subject as part of their Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations during the month of May, but were deprived of a functional computer lab until bpTT intervened.

Encouraging the students, Joel Primus, Community Sustainability and Stakeholder Relations Advisor, bpTT, said: “When we got the request from Signal Hill, we immediately understood the critical need of the students and responded with urgency. bpTT is committed to the development of our nation and nowhere is this more important than in creating opportunities for young people to achieve their full potential. As you go on to achieve success in your exams, just remember that it’s never too early to think about your careers.

“Right now, young people are transforming the world with technology-based companies. I look forward to seeing how you will change the world for the better.”

Primus added: “The late leader, Nelson Mandela once said, ‘If you want to go fast, go alone but if you want to go far, go together’. Just as we have partnered with the Tobago House of Assembly and Signal Hill Secondary for this project, I hope that you all partner with each other as students and friends and take Tobago even further along the pathway to a brighter future of sustainable development.”

With the EDPM examination scheduled for early May, bpTT was able to complete the project in the two weeks of the Easter vacation, ensuring that the lab was fully functional for the opening of the new school term. The project encompassed the installation of new, networked computers, whiteboards, a printer and projector as well as refurbishment of the air-conditioning units, electrical installations and the general aesthetics of the lab.

Given this level of support, the students have already committed to a non-stop schedule of study and practice that will centre on use of the new computer lab.

According to ecstatic Form Five student, Janelle George, “To be completely honest, we were very despondent when we were confronted with the possibility that we might not get a fair chance to succeed in the EDPM exams. Then we were told that bpTT would behelping us and it felt so good to come out to the first day of the new term and walk into our brand new computer lab.

“We’re going to work hard together to ensure that we repay this investment in us. bpTT has energised us to achieve great things and we are truly grateful to them and everyone else who contributed to this wonderful project.”

Also giving kudos to the construction of the lab was School Supervisor III, Sherry- Anne Rollocks-Hackett, who said, “Education concerns society as a whole and as the old saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child.

bpTT has demonstrated that they are a conscientious member of our national village and by investing in young people; they are creating a better reality.

“Although these students are tech-savvy, the staff and administration of Signal Hill have shown them another aspect of ‘networking’ and its benefits. I expect great things from these students and many more students of Signal Hill to come.”

Signal Hill Secondary’s principal, Allyson Potts, was also happy for the timely intervention of bpTT and noted that under the guidance of their EDPM Coordinator, Pearl Alman-George, they were accustomed to attaining a 100 per cent pass rate in this subject.

An emotional Alman-George echoed the sentiments of all for the handover, and said: “These students were patient, and although it was difficult, they never gave up hope. That’s what bpTT means to them right now—the realisation of their deepest hopes. I’ll be retiring soon, but I know that with this computer lab, Signal Hill students will benefit for years to come and they will continue to be our shining beacons on the hill.”

Studio 66, 66 Sixth Street, Barataria, is the venue for a four-series course by lecturer Amon Saba Saakana, PhD, Dip Egyptology, this month.

The first will be held tomorrow, followed by three, all scheduled to begin at 6.30 pm.

The course looks at the introduction and development of agriculture, pastoralism, astronomy, philosophy, science and technology from 11,000 BC to 3200 BCE.

The primary aim of the course is to familiarise the student with the concept of a shared belief system and potent cultural influences spreading from the southern zones of north-east Africa to the monumental structuring of Kemet.

Topics include concept of ntr and the birth of cosmology; highlights of agriculture and animal husbandry innovation in the development of humanity; sacred science and technology: from pottery to tomb and pyramid building; and, rekh: moral precepts, the process of knowing and the Initiatic Temple University.

Saakana received his PhD from Goldsmiths College, University of London, and a Diploma in Egyptian Archaeology from the Institute of Archaeology, University College London.

His work has been widely published, and he is the author of a collection of poetry, God in the Song of Birds (2016), and the forthcoming Kmt in the Italian Renaissance: The Herme(s)tica in the Vatican Inquisition, due later this year. This is the first in a quartet of books on Kmt (Ancient Egypt).

Saakana is founder and principal of Karnak House publishers and Per Rekh Institute, a publishing house and a temple university dedicated to the arts and sciences of ancient Nubia and Kmt.

The course will be held on May 10, 17, 24 and 31, at the cost of $50 each in advance, or $60 on the day of the course. To register, call 365-7798.

Once again, BP T&T (bpTT) is teaming up with the trinidad+tobago film festival (ttff) to give five young people an opportunity of a lifetime, through the bpTT Youth Jury at ttff/18.

Application is open to young people between the ages of 16 to 21 years (inclusive) who are interested in, and wish to develop, a critical appreciation of independent film. Applicants must be TT citizens, residents, or based in T&T for at least one year prior to application.

Prospective jury members must apply by writing an essay of no more than 250 words, saying what their favourite movie is and why. Applicants must also provide their name, date of birth, gender, citizenship, residence and school or occupation.

Applications should be sent to: submit@ttfilmfestival.com (subject line: Youth Jury Application). Successful applicants under the age of 18 years will be required to have written consent from a parent or guardian in order to participate in this programme.

The deadline for submission is noon on Friday, July 13. Successful jury members will be notified by Friday, August 24.

The five selected jury members will meet during the ttff/18, under the guidance of experienced film critic BC Pires, to view a selection of feature-length fiction films dealing with themes and issues affecting young people.

After viewing all the films in competition, the bpTT Youth Jury will choose the winning film. The director of this film will receive a trophy to be presented at the ttff/18 awards ceremony on Tuesday, September 25.

The trinidad+tobago film festival celebrates films from and about the Caribbean and its diaspora, as well as from world cinema, through an annual festival and year-round screenings.

In addition, the ttff seeks to facilitate the growth of Caribbean cinema by offering a wide-ranging industry programme and networking opportunities. The ttff is given leading sponsorship by bpTT.

For further information visit www.ttfilmfestival.com