While sharing her accomplishment with her friends and family at her school located at the Aranguez Main Road, San Juan, Mahabir said she never thought her name would have been called.

She said she put in a lot of hard work and long hours of studying up to the last day for the exam and did not expect to score high enough to be placed second.

“I am speechless,” she said “Everything happened so fast.

When I heard my name, I just stood there in shock. I felt so happy and nervous at the same time. It is a feeling that I will never forget.” When asked about her career plans, Mahabir said she wants to follow in the footsteps of her cousins as doctors.

“I want to be a gynaecologist. I hear about some of the struggles women face in my country and I want to be able to contribute to my country in this field.

She said St Augustine Girls High School was her first choice and she cannot wait to attend the school in the new school term.

Her mother Charmaine Mahabir, a single parent and a proprietor, said her daughter made her extremely proud yesterday

His son Simeon,18, and nephew Daniel Ramcharan, 14, were also in danger of drowning during a family excursion to Mermaid Pool in Matura on Sunday but were rescued by a group of bikers.

A relative told Newsday both boys were coming to terms with Seegobin’s death and were expected to recover in time for the funeral.

Seegobin was accompanied by members of a Gasparillo- based motorcycle club on the excursion.

Newsday spoke to a member of the club who said contrary to earlier statements reported in the media, members did not need prodding to attempt to save Seegobin’s life.

“I was just about to put my helmet back on when I heard one of the other guys tell me that he was splashing around in the water. I turned around just in time to see David’s head slip beneath the water. I ran out into the pool to try and save him but it was already too late.” The member said Seegobin was an integral part of the club’s operations which has been actively engaged in charitable work and outreach programmes throughout the country. He said the other members were left deeply shaken by his death and he will be missed.

“Each year we would volunteer on Christmas day to ride out on our bikes and distribute toys and hampers to families all over and David would always volunteer to be Santa with his daughter right by his side all the way.

He was a big part of our family and we’re sad to see that this happened.”

Some people might choose this period to complete short courses, online degree programs, or projects around the home.

Whatever goals people may have in mind or how they choose to spend their time, the focus should be to improve the quality of life.

Therefore, be determined to adopt a healthier lifestyle, relieve stress, and enjoy family and friends, as well as children. For this cause adolescents, parents/guardians and community volunteers can come together to participate in food and nutrition activities. Such planned programmes can be probably conducted at the local, regional, and international levels engaging businesses, faith-based organisations, and communities. Today’s article will focus on interactive food and nutrition activities that can probably contribute to preventing disease, and promoting health and wellness among children and their families.

Healthy habits Helping children and adolescents to maintain their health is essential; this of course should include bringing together parents, caregivers, members of the extended family, and community residents.

You will find that they form the supportive network to assist the children and teens in not only making wise food choices, but also in promoting and developing healthy habits to last a lifetime, such as choosing nutritious foods and beverages to enhance growth and development, and regular participation in physical activity.

Moreover, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics supports this view; they documented in their position statement the significance in maintaining the health of children. For example good eating habits in children within the age group two to 11 years as well as their engaging frequently in physical activity can be beneficial in achieving optimal physical health and good cognitive development and function, maintaining healthy weights, enjoying food, and lowering the potential risk for developing chronic diseases.

Some challenges Although, it is critical to implement the healthy practices, however, according to studies conducted, there might be some challenges. These can include, but should not be limited to lack of income, food availability and access, long working hours of parents/guardians perhaps contributing to greater consumption of meals and snacks prepared outside of the home, or more convenience foods. Add to that list, increase portion sizes, preference for foods high in fat, sugar, and salt, lack of basic cooking skills, food and nutrition knowledge deficit, and the availability of cooking and storage equipment – all of which may tend to negatively impact health.

Children and teens who prefer to remain indoors and play video games, along with environmental concerns such as a safe place for play, violence in communities – such factors, may more than likely have a negative effect on physical activity level.

Simple practical approach Teaching children and their parents/ guardians how to prepare nutritious meals and snacks can be beneficial. For example, the registered dietitian and public health nutritionist can plan interactive food and nutrition activities focusing on the following themes; keeping food safe and basic sanitation principles, the nutritive value of foods, the Caribbean Food Groups, basic functions of nutrients and good sources, which foods to limit or omit containing high amounts of fat, sugar, and salt, benefits of adding fruits and vegetables to the diet, omitting sugary beverages – choose water instead, healthy fats, the importance of breakfast and examples of nutritious food choices, the food label, healthy cooking – working with recipes using local produce, planning a balanced meal and healthy snacks, and how to prepare, store, and package food.

This, of course, can be a collaborative approach involving food demonstrators; the caterers or chefs/cooks for school meals programme, cafeteria operators, and community residents or church associates responsible for planning pot luck dinners can also be invited to participate.

Also, to achieve and maintain a healthy weight, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicated that children should be encouraged to enjoy play; physical activities selected should be age-appropriate and enjoyable. The recommendation is that children and adolescents should do one hour or more of physical activity each day. Furthermore, ensure children and adolescents participate in the three types of physical activity: aerobic activity should make up most of the one hour of physical activity daily, example moderate-intensity activity such as brisk walking, and vigorous-intensity activity for example running (at least three days per week); muscle strengthening such as gymnastics or push-ups, three days per week, and bone strengthening such as jumping rope or running, three days per week, to be included as part of the one hour.

Nutrition message: participation in food and nutrition activities can benefit children and their families.

Claudette Mitchell, PhD, RD is an Assistant Professor, University of the Southern Caribbean, Department of Family and Consumer Sciences

The picture is that of the distraught mother captured at the moment of hearing of her only son’s murder. It has a powerful way of sucking you in to that place in that moment. You feel just a little bit of what she is feeling.

It’s called empathy because at the end of the day, in large measure, we do care about the well being of our fellow citizens.

There is also a growing feeling of, “There but for the grace of God go I” because on any given day we could find ourselves in a similar situation.

The picture has become a symbol of how lost many people feel — lost for ideas; lacking the courage or agency to draw the line firmly in the sand. We are moved to tears, to outrage, to marching even, but not quite to sustainable strategic action to change the things that we all know need to change.

What does that say about us? Responsibility for this crime, like so many others like it, spreads outward. At the centre, the one who committed this monstrous act, wielding the instrument of death against a child of insignificant physical stature, who was bound and gagged, with such force that the poor child’s throat was slit so deep the vertebrae at the back of his neck were also cut.

From where is such rage born? There is more to the evolution of such monstrous intent than failure of the police or tardiness of the courts, or absence of a government- driven crime prevention policy. Somewhere in that picture was the story of the way we treat each other; a story of payback.

And then there were the confusing pictures of Marlene Mc- Donald’s swearing-in ceremony.

In one picture she is seen laughing in a joyful and warm embrace with some friends, among them the notorious “Burkie,” whom she describes as being an example of the finest that East Port of Spain can produce.

In another picture of the same event, President Carmona, Ms McDonald and Mr Burke stand side-by-side rigid, humourless.

The Prime Minister, who also attended the event, was not part of the picture.

You think to yourself, “What an odd series of pictures.” What was it that caused you to recoil? Could it be the apparent breach of the dress code, or something else? Some time later Burkie is pictured giving an interview poolside at his Sea Lots residence in defence of his decision to attend the ceremony.

What in fact could have been so egregious and distasteful about his minister’s choice of friends that prompted the Prime Minister to go where not even the Integrity Commission could get him to go? Not that we are complaining. What information could the Prime Minister be privy to that would give him the impetus to fire his newly reappointed minister based on an unwanted guest, particularly after going so far out on a political limb to reinstate her? The Prime Minister’s explanation was very clear in a necessarily obfuscating sort of way: “This Government will retain its ability to speak with moral and other authority in its fight against crime and criminality in Trinidad and Tobago, and to do so we will zealously preserve our ability to do so by ensuring that we don’t compromise ourselves in anyway and when I speak on or take actions on this matter suffice it to say that I speak as Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, as head of the Cabinet and chairman of the National Security Council who, more than likely, will have a bit more information than anyone else in Trinidad and Tobago and the decisions I make are decisions against that background.” Good to know

An intro to beetroot Like many modern vegetables, beetroot was first cultivated by the Romans. By the 19th century it held great commercial value when it was discovered that beets could be converted into sugar. Today, the leading commercial producers include the USA, Russia, France, Poland and Germany. Many classic beetroot recipes are associated with central and Eastern Europe including the famous beetroot soup known as borscht. Beetroot’s earthy charm has resulted in its ubiquitous influence on fashionable menus and recipes. Its delicious but distinctive flavour and nutritional status have escalated it to the root you can’t beat.

Belonging to the same family as chard and spinach, both the leaves and root can be eaten –the leaves have a bitter taste whereas the round root is sweet. Typically a rich purple colour, beetroot can also be white or golden. Due to its high sugar content, beetroot is delicious eaten raw but is more typically cooked or pickled.

Beetroot is of exceptional nutritional value; especially the greens, which are rich in calcium, iron and vitamins A and C. Beetroots are an excellent source of folic acid and a very good source of fibre, manganese and potassium. The greens should not be overlooked; they can be cooked up and enjoyed in the same way as spinach.

History of health Beetroots have long been used for medicinal purposes, primarily for disorders of the liver as they help to stimulate the liver’s detoxification processes. The plant pigment that gives beetroot its rich, purple-crimson colour is betacyanin; a powerful agent, thought to suppress the development of some types of cancer.

Beetroot is rich in fibre, exerting favourable effects on bowel function, which may assist in preventing constipation and help to lower cholesterol levels too.

Beetroot fibre has been shown to increase the level of antioxidant enzymes in the body, (specifically one called glutathione peroxidase), as well as increase the number of white blood cells, which are responsible for detecting and eliminating abnormal cells. Beets are also one of the richest sources of glutamine, an amino acid, essential to the health and maintenance of the intestinal tract.

Other studies have looked at the effect of beetroot juice on blood pressure. A reduction in blood pressure is beneficial for the avoidance of heart disease and stroke. Studies state that nitrate rich foods like beetroot may help in heart attack survival.

Beetroot juice has gained popularity since Paralympic gold medallist David Weir announced that a shot of the juice was his secret to success.

How to select and store Good quality, fresh beetroots should have their greens intact.

The greens should be fresh-looking with no signs of spoilage. The beetroot should be firm, smooth, and a vibrant red-purple, not soft, wrinkled or dull in colour. Fresh beets with the greens attached can be stored for three to four days in the fridge, but beets with the greens removed can be stored in the fridge for two to four weeks. Raw beets do not freeze well since they tend to become soft on thawing. Freezing cooked beetroot is fine as it retains its flavour and texture.

Wash beets gently under cool running water, taking care not to tear the skin. It is this tough outer layer that helps keep most of the beetroot’s pigments inside the vegetable. The leaves can be steamed lightly to retain their nutritional quality. When boiling beetroot, leave the beets with their root ends and one inch of stem attached and don’t peel them until after cooking since beet juice can stain your skin.

Tip: If your hands become stained during preparation and cooking beetroot, rub some lemon juice over them to help remove the colour.

Safety For some people, eating beetroot may induce beeturia; a red or pink colour in the urine or stool. It is totally harmless.

Beet greens and, to a lesser extent, the roots contain high levels of oxolate. Individuals with a history of oxalate-containing kidney stones should avoid over-consuming beetroot.

The charge was read to the accused man who was not called upon to plead as he was charged indictably by PC Joseph. On Saturday morning at about 9 am the girl was on her way to a parlour near her home when she was approached by a man. Reports said the man snatched her and dragged her into some nearby bushes. He then raped her and left her there. The child sought help and a report was made at the Chaguanas Police Station after which the man was arrested and charged. The accused who was remanded into police custody is expected to reappear before a Chaguanas magistrate today.

And it is not just a matter of ensuring the ceremonial Head of State is secure: last Friday’s swearing-in ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley himself.

As such, this matter touches upon the security arrangements for him as much as for the President.

All who venture to President’s House — including members of the media — are acutely aware of the strictures that accompany such visits.

There is an accreditation process, forms of identification are often requested, there is even a strict dress code. No one can just walk off the road and into an audience with His Excellency.

Therefore it seems quite alarming – if we are to believe the reports – that a guest of which President’s House had no notice was simply waved past security checks by none other than a yet-to-be-appointed government minister. It is not the place of any guest at President’s House to subvert the security arrangements therein.

It is incredulous that this was allowed to happen. That it was not immediately addressed by security and administrative officials at President’s House, and by the officials at the side of the Prime Minister, in a way that would eliminate any risk would appear to be an acute failure of several agencies.

All of this is said without prejudice to the guest in question, a person reportedly known to police. Yet, even if this individual were a stranger to law enforcement authorities, it would still be highly irregular for such an individual to be sprung, as a surprise, onto the Prime Minister and President at a private swearing-in ceremony within the close confines of the Office of the President.

Meanwhile, even before the facts have fully settled, the political implications in relation to this bizarre affair have begun to reverberate.

History will record that it was Rowley who appointed McDonald and then removed her in the space of 48 hours. That dubious distinction, no matter the nuances of the facts, will forever be an embarrassing chapter of Trinidad and Tobago politics.

The Prime Minister — who is also the leader of the People’s National Movement — has not removed Mc- Donald as a deputy political leader in his party. His ostensible concern was the appearance of a proximity between the Cabinet he leads and criminal elements. It is unclear why he should not be concerned likewise when it comes to the affairs of Balisier House.

As for McDonald, this incident is not likely to be the last of her. She is an attorney and a former Opposition Whip and could well seek re-election as an MP. Unlike Rowley, however, she has failed to publicly address all of the serious concerns about her judgment last Friday.

Despite the speculation, the public remains none the wiser when it comes to the facts in relation this truly bizarre incident. In invoking his role as chairman of the National Security Council, Rowley asks us to trust his judgment on the assumption that he knows more than the general population does. The problem with this is that it is precisely the Prime Minister’s judgment that has now been brought under scrutiny by nothing other than his own actions.

Though he acted swiftly, the decision of the Prime Minister to hold a press conference 24 hours after he revoked McDonald’s appointment was an error as it created too much room for speculation. Furthermore, in relation to the guest, it must be noted that all citizens are entitled to equality of treatment under the law and to a presumption of innocence until proven guilty.

Either way, the events that unfolded last Friday should never have taken place. That is because the State has a legal and moral duty to ensure that it gives President’s House the resources it needs to secure our system of governance.

The review of arrangements at President’s House ordered by President Anthony Carmona must be swiftly undertaken to this end.

He revealed the purchase at yesterday’s sitting of the Public Administrations and Appropriations Committee chaired by Speaker Bridgid Annisette- George at Tower D, Port-of-Spain that met Education Ministry staff led by permanent secretary (PS) Angela Sinawasee-Gervais.

Rambharat asked Sinawasee- Gervais to account for the purchase but she said it happened before her tenure and she could only speculate a reply.

She suggested that it was at a time when funding was available and her predecessor might have reckoned it to be economical to buy two vehicles for $400,000 rather than just one for $240,000.

“I can’t say what was in the PS’s mind,” she said, but added that the decision might have been influenced by factors such as whether other vehicles were down at that ministry at that time.

Replying to a query from Annisette-George as to whether it might have been as a result of the need to spend available funds by a September 30 spending deadline, Sinawasee-Gervais opined that this was not likely the reason.

The vehicles were to be used to deliver mail with the X Trail recommended as having more trunk space although one committee member queried if this really was a valid criterion.

He is alleged to have smashed the windscreens a n d windows of the vehicles when he ran amok in the village. A police report stated that between 2.30 am and 4.40 am on Friday, the owners of the vehicles were awakened to loud noises and, upon checking, found their vehicles badly damaged. Total damage to the vehicles have been estimated to be $12,000. The suspect of Stanley Ville, Ste Madeleine was expected to appear before a magistrate in the San Fernando Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

He was arrested and charged by PC James of the Ste Madeleine Police Station.

Khan’s comments during yesterday’s sitting of the Senate was in response to a question on what measures Government intended given three recent drownings at the nation’s beaches.

Expressing regrets at the drownings, he said, it was impossible to have lifeguards at all beaches.

However, he said lifeguard services were available at the more popular beaches such as Maracas, Las Cuevas, Manzanilla, Vessigny, and Mayaro.

Noting that one of the drownings was at a pool in Matura, he said, lifeguard services fall under the Ministry of National Security and it was difficult to police all recreational water parks including waterfalls.

He said that the parents of one of those who drowned have asked for more signage, and that it was a fair request to have warning signs such as the depth of pools and where rip currents may occur.

Noting also the recommendation to extend the hours of work for lifeguard on the beaches to possibly two hours after 5 pm, Khan said, he will make a plea for it to be taken onboard.