October 18, 2016

Archives for July 3, 2016

“GuyExit” out of the question – Greenidge

… President reaffirms commitment to Caricom

By Devina Samaroo

Deliberations within Guyana of an exit from the Caribbean Community (Caricom) following the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union (EU) is completely out of the question. This is according to Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge, who made it pellucid as he reaffirmed the country’s commitment tocaricom the regional institution.

The decision by Great Britain to leave the EU has sparked discussions within Jamaica of whether the country should leave Caricom, owing to the slothfulness of implementation of initiatives to boost the regional international movement.

Such concerns transcended to the local arena where commentators debated the notion of whether Guyana would be better off outside of CARICOM, a body which has proven to be incapable of moving beyond its developmental deadlocks.

However, during an interview with Guyana Times, the Foreign Affairs Minister argued that there are no grave circumstances that have occurred which would warrant the question of Guyana leaving Caricom.

“We are committed to Caricom. We have always been committed to Caricom,” he emphasised, noting that Guyana, after all, is one of the community’s four founding members.

President David Granger also made it clear that Guyana needs Caricom in order to push its developmental agenda.

“Caricom is very important to us, strategically, economically and socially,” the Head of State expressed on his weekly television programme ‘The Public Interest’ which aired on Friday.

“At present, I would say that there has been a lot of development and a lot of progress in terms of functional cooperation; health, education, security and so on… what I think has been subject to some criticisms is the progress on trade and other economic relations but I would say that Caricom is useful and Guyana cannot do without Caricom and we are looking for the enhancement of the single market economy (CSME),” he stated.

Over the years, there have been mounting calls for Guyana to leave Caricom and direct its focus on strengthening its relations with its South American neighbours.

Responding to these concerns, Granger said it is unfortunate that Caricom cannot progress at a faster rate but he reiterated that there really is no reason to leave.

“Things can go more quickly if there is a will by the heads of Government. I don’t think Caricom is sick. With some commitments on the parts of the heads of Government, we can go more quickly… There is nothing fundamentally wrong with Caricom, what is wrong is that we have not been implementing some of the measures agreed to,” he stated.

Caricom Deputy Secretary General, Dr Manorma Soeknandan recently urged all Caricom States to stand together and ride out the storm despite the number of challenges facing the regional body.

“Caricom has challenges, hurdles… together putting our shoulders under those will only make us stronger… losing one is not the answer,” she said.

She stressed that Caricom should not go through the recent Brexit (British Exit) experience.

Meanwhile, President Granger also reiterated that there ought to be no reason for the public to be concerned of any grave repercussions following the UK’s impending leave.

He noted too that both the Foreign Affairs Minister and British High Commissioner Gregory Quinn have declared that Guyana is not likely to be immediately impacted.

Granger posited, however, that it is too premature to make any concrete predications on what the outcome will be for Caricom, and by extension Guyana.

On the other hand however, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo believed that Guyana stands to lose a great deal from the Brexit fallout.

Jagdeo had stated that there is a strong possibility of Guyana losing its developmental funding once the UK leaves the EU, contending that Great Britain, more than the other countries, would normally represent the interests of Caricom States.

 

Guard shot, another injured by bandits

A security guard was on Saturday shot while two others injured when armed bandits attempted to invade the

Compton Charles

Compton Charles

Berbice Educational Institute.

According to reports, the incident, which occurred around 02:00h, left Compton Charles, 65, of Wapping Lane, New Amsterdam, nursing gunshot wounds to his left arm.

The other injured persons are Neville Roberts and Geneva Crandon who were both assaulted by the gunmen.

Reports are the gunmen beat and bound Roberts and Crandon as they were trying to get to the upper flat of the building.

Charles related to this publication that he heard what appeared to be a commotion coming from the lower flat and upon investigating realised that five men were in the compound.

“I couldn’t handle five men so I go in the room and they come and push open the door because it don’t have a lock,”

According to the injured man, instructions were given by one of the gunman to shoot him and then he felt a sharp pain to his left arm.

Crandon, the injured woman, related that the men approached her and immediately started to assault her.

“I saw a man come to me and he hold me by my hair and tell me to cooperate because one done dead already, so I start to scream for Charles. Then I see another one come with a knife. The first one had a small gun. They took me downstairs and right around the school.”

Crandon said as she was being pulled by her hair to the back of the school, she started to beg for her life, disclosing to the men that her sister had recently died.

Upon hearing this, the gunmen released her and she ran to safety.

The Police was contacted, however before they arrived, the men made good their escape.

Divisional Commander Ian Amsterdam told this publication that one person has been arrested in connection with the incident.

He said the suspect is also wanted in connection with a series of robberies, which were carried out on Father’s Day at West Canje and at Angoy’s Avenue.

Saturday morning’s incident comes on the heels of an attempt on Thursday evening to break into the New Amsterdam Multilateral School. In that incident a guard carrying a cutlass was able to chase the three masked men off.

Two weeks ago, thieves broke into Tutorial Academy Secondary, which is about 600 meters from New Amsterdam Multilateral.

On that occasion, one of the three guards on duty was bound as the three intruders took away his money and cellular phone before getting into the main office of the school and ransacking it.

It is still not known whether any items were taken.

No arrest has been made with regard to those incidents.

 

Gunmen storm, robbed Enmore supermarket

Gunmen stormed an East Coast Demerara Chinese Supermarket on Friday evening carting off an undisclosed amount of money and mobile handsets from customers.

Guyana Times understands that the men, one armed with a handgun, entered the supermarket located at Blossom Scheme, Enmore at about 20:00h.

As they entered, the perpetrators brandished their firearms demanding cash and valuables. The employees reportedly complied since they were fearful for their lives.

The gunmen then relieved the customers of their mobile phones and turned their attention to the cashier, who handed over an undisclosed sum of cash to the men who then escaped on foot. No one was hurt.

The Police were summoned but despite several patrols in the area, no arrests were made. Investigations are continuing.

This robbery comes mere hours after Lukpaul Sukhai, 37, of Foulis Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara, was shot to the shoulder, when three armed bandits pounced on him and his employer upon their return from a city bank on Friday.

It was reported that Sukhai and his employer went to a city bank earlier in the day and withdrew a sum of money.

As they arrived home, a white 212 Toyota car drove up in front of the house and two men, one armed with handgun, exited and discharged a round at Sukhai, hitting him in his right shoulder.

After being shot, and with his employer still in the car, the injured man drove away from the scene. The bandits turned their attention to the businessman’s wife and relieved her of a bag containing $20,000 and a few pieces of women’s clothing. They then made good their escape. (Bhisham Mohamed)

 

Warriors stun Knight Riders

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2016…

… despite Munro marvelous century

By John Ramsingh in Port of Spain

The drama of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) continued last night at the Queen’s Park Oval with a

30 June 2016; Sohail Tanvir, second from right, and the Guyana Amazon Warriors celebrate the wicket of Lendl Simmons during Match 2 of the Hero Caribbean Premier League between St Kitts & Nevis Patriots and Guyana Amazon Warriors at Warner Park in Basseterre, St Kitts. Photo by Ashley Allen/Sportsfile

convincing six-wicket victory for the Guyana Amazon Warriors against their inconsistent hosts despite a commanding unbeaten century from Colin Munro.

The Warriors were asked to make 163 to beat the Trinbago Knight Riders and to register their second consecutive victory on the road and got home with four balls to spare with Christopher Lynn blazing the trail to an aggressive match winning half century.

When Lynn was out leg before wicket to Dwayne Bravo (2/34) the score was 155/3 in the 19th over and only eight runs were required for victory. The winning runs came off the second ball of the final over when Jason Mohammed hit Ronsford Beaton over the cover boundary for 6 to seal the win. Mohammed finished on 33 not out from 30 balls (2×4; 1×6). Lynn batted with purpose to upstage the home team with another capacity crowd at the Queen’s Park Oval. He got to his half century from 30 balls with five 6’s and one other boundary. He was eventually out for 77 from 43 balls (1×4;8×6) and got great support from the Warriors top order with captain Martin Guptil making 26 and his opening partner Dwayne Smith getting 25. Christopher Barnwell failed again with the bat and did not bowl for the second straight match.

The game started when the Trinbago Knight Riders were sent in on another good track on a slightly heavy outfield and were once again pegged back very early but was rescued by Colin Munro.

The New Zealander Munro came to the crease to face the second ball of the match after his countryman Brendon Mc Cullum edged the first ball of the match from Sohail Tanvir behind. And was the case with the TKR in their previous two matches they were rebuilding after losing early wickets.

In the fifth over Hashim Amla played back to Veerasammy Permaul (26/1) and was bowled for 6 (10 balls) before Munro and Darren Bravo (12) added 74 for the third wicket before Adam Zampa got Barvo to hit a googly to deep mid-wicket.  At the other end Munro was blazing away to past his previous best T20 score of 89 on his way to his maiden T20 century. He got to 50 from 34 balls and to three figures from 64 balls (7×4; 6×6). The innings ended shortly after that with the Kiwi not out on an even hundred from 66 balls and the hosts 162/5. Dwayne Bravo made 18 from 17 balls and Kevon Cooper had a late charge with 16 from 9 balls while Umar Akmal failed again.

Tanvir was the leader of the Warriors attack again with 2 for 21 while Zampa, Rayad Emrit and Permaul picked up one wicket each.

With a sketchy series of home matches in the opening leg the Trinbago Knight Riders will now turn their attention to the Jamaica Tallawahs who beat the St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots in their opening fixture at Warner Park also on Saturday.

The game against the Tallawahs is the Knight Riders final home match and it is set for Monday at the Queen’s Park Oval at 19:00 Hrs.

While the Amazon Warriors will now put their away matches on hold as they travel to the South American mainland for four matches in Guyana beginning next Thursday against the Jamaica Tallawahs.

 

Barbados-based Guyanese dies after car plunges into trench

Sophia accident

A father of one died on Friday when the car he was travelling in ended up in a trench on Dennis Street, Sophia after the driver reportedly lost control. Dead is Orin Caines, 38, of Lot 214 Block X Liliendaal, Greatercar Georgetown.

According to reports, the car was driven by Derek Wilson and in the vicinity of the Sophia Training Centre ended up in the trench. The car was quickly submerged with Caine strapped in the front passenger seat. Wilson managed to wiggle himself out of the car but unfortunately Caines could not do the same.

Public-spirited citizens who witness the incident plunged into the trench to assist but by the time the Barbados-based Guyanese was pulled from the car, he was already dead. He was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

At the home of the dead man on Saturday, his mother, Rita Caines told Guyana Times that she was at home when a friend told her that her son was involved in an accident and suggested that she visit the GPH.

The woman explained that when she arrived at the hospital, her son was already dead. She noted that the post mortem will be done on Wednesday but from reports received he might have drowned. She last spoke to her son at about 12:00h.

The woman said that her son only returned from Barbados two months ago and fell ill, thus he was at home and not working. His reputed wife and five-year-old son who are in Barbados were informed of his demise.

Initially, there were reports that a child might have been in the car when it plunged into the trench but this was not the case. The only two occupants were the driver and the now dead man.

The aggrieved mother noted that it was hard to lose a child. He was the third and was a very humble and willing individual.

The driver was arrested and is assisting with investigations.

Caines leaves to mourn his mother, son, reputed wife and siblings. (Bhisham Mohamed)

 

No Planning: We’re West Indians

 

Satiricus, as usual, was befuddled. “Why in the world, are they hounding the government to have a plan for development?” he asked his friend Cappo. Even more than was their custom, they’d been frequenting the Back Street Bar. The May-June rains had extended into July in a determined attempt to make up for the drought earlier in the year. Since Cappo couldn’t get into the fields to cut his canes, he kept his wrist flexible by expertly swigging his beer from bottles.

“Who yuh ta’king ’bout, Sato?” he enquired of his old friend. “Yuh does always come out wid dese t’ings like yuh ah talk to people in yuh head!”

“Don’t you read the newspapers?” asked Satiricus irritatedly. “The business people want the govt to have a plan.”

“Suh wha’ wraang wid da?” said Cappo.

“You blasted know what’s wrong with that,” fumed Satiricus. “That is communist thinking. How can our businessmen call for planning?”

“But Sato, na you tell me dat Obama big gat wan plan fuh buil’ back ‘merica?” Cappo spoke softly for fear of upsetting Satiricus, who was paying for the beer.

“OK…OK,” conceded Satiricus. “But more importantly, planning goes against our Caribbean spirit.”

“Really?” said Cappo with an arched eyebrow.

“Yes, really, Sato,” said Satiricus firmly. “Did we plan to come here? No…we just ended up here. That is the West Indian way!”

“But abee na do business, heah,” Cappo pointed out.

“You playing the arse with me, Cappo?” asked Satiricus with some heat. “You now just like how we play Calypso cricket, we do “Calypso Business”.”

“Me na know da, Sato,” said Cappo humbly, as he ordered another beer. “Me jus’ a wan cane cuttah.”

“Well, that is how it is,” continued Satiricus. “Our businessmen don’t plan. They’re very creative. They just do whatever their neighbours do. Why should the government be asked to plan?”

“If yuh seh suh! Sato,” said Cappo placatingly. “But wha’ de guvment should tell de businessman dem?”

“Sorry, Mr Businessmen. No planning. We’re West Indians.”

 

Countrywide consultations on constitutional

Widespread consultations overrule an expeditious timeframe as it relates to constitutional reform, President David Granger stated as he explained why his administration was unable to fulfil its manifesto promise to

President David Granger

President David Granger

ensure draft recommendations are presented to the National Assembly for approval within nine months.

During an interview on ‘The Public Interest’ TV programme, President Granger explained that it is impossible for such a magnitude of undertaking to be completed in nine months.

He outlined that the availability of a framework for constitutional reform is an indication of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition’s determinedness in keeping its promise.

Moreover, he underscored the importance of the consultation process.

“I have asked for the process to be consultative because we have had different opinions on the constitution since in the mid-1970s and I feel the people of Guyana should have a constitution that is not subjected to acrimony,” the President said.

In this regard, he stated that those in charge of the constitutional reform process must embark on widespread consultation across the country in order to capture the concerns of the public.

“I would like to see more than rushing to timeline, I would like to see thorough consultations countrywide and those consultations must be countrywide and not boardroom consultations,” he said, noting that those leading the charge must travel to the various outlying communities to get the citizens’ views on these matters.

According to the APNU/AFC Coalition Election Manifest 2015, it will ensure the establishment of a Constitutional Reform Committee with a mandate to complete consultations, draft amendments and present same to the National Assembly for approval within the first nine months in Office.

With more than a year gone, Cabinet is still in the process of reviewing the report of recommendations on constitutional reforms submitted by the Steering Committee.

The report was handed over to Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo on April 30, 2016 by Convener and Chairman of the Constitutional Reform Steering Committee (CRSC), Attorney Nigel Hughes.

The committee was established by government last August to define the scope of the actual reform process, and formulate the terms of reference and mechanisms for consultation to establish a Constitution Reform Commission (CRC).

It is expected that a CRC will come on stream and it is this commission which will effect the changes to the Constitution.

The report recommends the reduction in the powers of the presidency, among other matters.

The manifesto had outlined the need to rebalance the powers and responsibilities of the Prime Minister and the President in a manner meant to reduce abuse, avoid conflicts of interest, and facilitate the more efficient execution of state functions.

Previously Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo had noted that it is critical for changes to the constitution prevail before General and Regional Elections 2020. (Devina Samaroo)

 

Workers, vendors call for “second chance”

Wales Estate closure

slow business sales cited

By Shemuel Fanfair

Although the closure of Wales Estate is slated for yearend, a group of market vendors and sugar workers, who depend heavily on the entity for their sustenance, on Saturday complained that with the announcement of closure, business is very slow.

As a result, they are finding it difficult to pay bills and send their children to school. In this light, they haveMarket 1 reiterated that the Wales Estate should be given “a second chance.”

Vendor Pam (only name given), stated that when the estate closes, she is unsure of just how she will afford to take care of her family.

“When this estate close down, me nah know if we gon get a biscuit or bread fuh eat, where dis money gon come from; you got bills fuh pay, tax fuh pay, water you pay by meter…since de people hear de announcement, [they’re holding in their money],” the woman stated.

Pork vendor Mary Clarke, who has lived in Wales for the past 40 years, explained that she is yet to decide on her future as when the estate closes, her financial life will change.

One worker, who said he has over 30 years’ service with the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) called on President David Granger to ensure that the decision to close Wales is reversed.

“When meh hear de estate a close down, da is a nightmare in meh life…de money wah me draw yesterday (Friday), you got to pay monthly water meter, yo got all kind instalments. So we ah ask de President of the country to give de Estate a second chance because de President cares for de people, we care to de President and also to de estate,” the sugar worker noted.

Other vendors on the market raised concerns about the increase of criminal activities in the area. Vendor, Bibi Rameshwar, a Bellvue, WBD, resident noted that her pension is assisting in her survival as sales are already slow in the area.

The woman further explained that her son has been working with the estate for the past 20 years but he has not been told when he would receive his severance package.

GuySuCo and the unions representing sugar workers, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) are currently engaged in a High Court battle over GuySuCo not consulting the unions on the workers’ employment status.

The High Court matter will be called on July 7 as the sugar corporation requested time to respond to the litigation on the grounds that it was not properly notified.

Meanwhile sugar operations at Wales will close by yearend.

City Hall’s corruption concerns

 

This week, President David Granger called on the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) to make strident efforts to become unified as they seek to implement projects and proposals to advance the development of the country’s Capital City.

President Granger underscored the importance of the M&CC working within the ambit and framework of the laws while explaining the need for all decisions taken to translate into a “good life” for citizens there.

He was resolute and clear in his address of the need for Georgetown to pursue a path of urban development and commence the return to a Garden City with picturesque landscape and infrastructure.

Among other things, the Head of State who is the second President to visit City Hall, pledged his commitment and support to the council while reminding it that its re-election will hinge solely on its performance and track record.

While his address to the council was welcomed by many Guyanese at home and abroad because of its timing and relevance, it was also severely criticised by those who understood the politics at the M&CC which has been bedevilled by conflicts, scandals, corruption, racketeering and nepotism over the last three decades.

In fact, President’s Granger’s address could be seen as largely ideological and cosmetic because it did not seek to address frontally the main problems facing the new Council, some of which were inherited from the previous body which existed under the PPP/C.

His address should have focused largely on the need to end the endemic culture of corruption, lack of consultation with citizens on core projects to be undertaken that will affect their livelihoods, the wastage and squandering of public funds through the award of questionable and dubious contracts to shady characters, the continued lack of coordination in the reallocation of vendors, and the urgent need to reorganise the city’s tax and revenue collection base.

If the President had adumbrated Central Government’s position on these issues without dictating how and in what form the Council should act, his remarks would have had more meat than bones.

That aside, there should have been some mention of the need to pursue a forensic audit of City Council’s finances, assets and liabilities so that there could be full disclosure on its states and the mismanagement which occurred under the stewardship of former Mayor Hamilton Green that spanned more than a decade.

This would be an excellent starting point on the road to recovery and good governance that the new Council must journey. It would also for once and for all lay bare all financial irregularities and challenges facing the council.

Some argue too, that any forensic audit should speak to the functionality and undertakings of the Town Clerk’s office which appear to have become heavily politicised in recent times.

Also, President Granger could have used the opportunity to explain the importance and role of minority politics on the council while encouraging healthy debate and full disclosure on issues that are of a public nature without the backstabbing, venom and shade throwing.

It would have also been nice to see the President hold talks with the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Georgetown in an effort to ease the tension between the two who have been at loggerheads over several issues since taking office with the most recent being the Parking Meters controversy which has turned out to be an embarrassment to the entire Council.

Such a meeting could be seen as interference but rather a move by the Head of State to practice mature politics by showing that direct dialogue in the presence of an impartial third party could lead to redounding positive outcomes especially with regards to interpersonal relations.

After all, all acts undertaken by the council will somehow affect its citizens and not just the privileged few that sit around the horse shoe table.

The new Council has a far way to go over the next two years in reshaping the municipal politics of Georgetown and redefining its political culture. In the end, any failure on the part of the Council which is not and never has been incidentally controlled by the PPP/C, will be seen as failure on the part of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change coalition.

It is clear now that the “change” citizens who took part in Local Government Elections this year had hoped for remains evasive until a more serious, transparent and prudent approach is taken to development and unity politics.

 

Who is Caricom’s “Caribbean”?

 

Tomorrow is Caricom Day. It is a holiday and we are expected to celebrate and reflect on being part of the regional community. But who makes up the Caribbean according to Caricom?

A look through their official website, especially on the subject of culture, is telling. The usual politically correct lip service is paid to the region’s diversity in race, religion, languages, and cultures but throughout there is an African dominance with hardly any Indian, Amerindian, Chinese or European presence.

True, the region is predominantly African by race and culture but the 20 per cent Indian population that comprises the English-speaking Caribbean is hardly insignificant.

“Through their chronicles and analyses, historians such as Jacques Roy Augier, Hilary Beckles, Kamau Braithwaite, Carl Campbell, Lisa Goveia, Douglas Hall, Neville Hall, CLR James, Keith Laurence, Woodville Marshall. Lucille Mathurin-Mair, Mary Noel Menezes, Walter Rodney and Eric Williams have played equally important roles in capturing our varied experiences.” So says the Caricom.org website.

The list does not include academics such as Basdeo Mangru, Brinsley Samaroo, Dr Clem Seecharran and other Indian Caribbean historians. By excluding them, Caricom’s “varied experiences” also excludes Indian Caribbean people, their history of indentureship, and their contributions to social, political and economic development in the region.

VS Naipaul, of course, did give Indians a history and a presence through his earlier works in particular. Perhaps, this is the root of the African Caribbean vexation with him: he makes Indians visible. Many would remember that his 2001 Nobel Prize was met here with criticism rather than celebration by sections of the Euro/Afrocentric media which often condemn him for his biting criticisms of the region.

Sir Vidia, however, could not be overlooked or ignored and he is the lone Indian Caribbean to be recognised on any of Caricom’s lists – he is included as a notable writer – for the list of regional artists is as prejudiced as their list of historians.

Not a single Indian artist from Suriname, Guyana or Trinidad and Tobago makes the cut when no art historian or curator would ever fail to note the work of Trinidadian artist James Isaiah Boodhoo whose use of colour has often been compared to Gauguin’s.

Caricom reduces the Indian cultural presence in the Caribbean to Naipaul, and a mention of roti and curry, and chutney music. It is no wonder that Caribbean Indians have never seen the regional body as representing their interests and have never asked for nor expected any help or support from them on any issues including those of cultural and political justice.

In Guyana and in Trinidad and Tobago, Indians continue to be culturally excluded except for politically correct tokenism, and their religions of Hinduism and Islam are still viewed by some as pagan and can make them targets of race hate. The Alexander Village Mandir in Georgetown was repeatedly vandalised for some 11 years during the Diwali festival.

Bishop Juan Edgehill on a recent television programme on Channel 28 admitted that many evangelical Christians view Hinduism as a pagan and idol-worshipping faith.

In Guyana, of course, the ethnic divide between Indians and Africans is also political and has spilled over into violence that targets the largest minority group, Indians.

It is not as if Caricom is silent on issues about regional racism and discrimination. Its Regional Cultural Committee made much a year ago of the deportation of Haitians from the Dominican Republic calling it a “gross denial” of the basic human rights of Haitian-Dominicans. And Caricom is supporting the African Caribbean Reparation Movement, as well it should.

But what Indians remember most about Caribbean leadership is hardly flattering. During the dark days of the PNC era, Forbes Burnham enjoyed a cosy relationship with the region’s politicians in what appeared to be pure racial solidarity. They all looked the other way as he destroyed our country.

Notwithstanding that Prime Minister Burnham was instrumental in bringing Caricom to fruition, regional leadership gains no credibility when it cherry picks the issues it will support especially when these appear to underline prejudiced views.

Caricom has done nothing to date to allay perceptions and fears of its own discrimination and if they plan to be truly representative, the organisation has to begin to look beyond the majority population of the region and become more ethnically and culturally inclusive with its practices and policies.

Indian Caribbean people have contributed greatly to the region’s progress in cultural, social, political and economic matters.

Caricom must recognise these contributions officially and ensure that the Indian presence is given its rightful place as part of Caribbean nationhood.