In my humble opinion, this verse of scripture from the King James Version of the Holy Bible aptly describes the core of the current crime situation, and the seeming inability of our law enforcement apparatus to get the better of the situation.

Billions of dollars in technology, weaponry, strategies, training and consultancies have done little to abate the madness.

If anything, one can easily say the thing is getting worse. It is as though the beast that is crime is further provoked by these efforts, and therefore spews more of its venom.

Daily we read and hear of the senseless murders; seemingly unmotivated attacks on people, as though some demonic force is infiltrating the minds of those who commit these acts of violence on people selected, it appears, from a list of those who must perish in such gruesome circumstances.

The state of affairs now defies logic and excuses such as the drug trade or drug deals gone sour no longer hold water or can no more satisfy the deep concerns of the law-abiding, who fear that the next bullet or wielded cutlass may be directed at them.

Our leaders appear incompetent — bungling the management of this spiralling bedlam, and fear grips the hearts of the citizenry, causing panic responses and calls for unreasoned solutions.

Such as that coming from the Cunupia Business Chamber for the Government to make it easier for legitimate business owners to own guns.

How many of those in the grip of the crime demon are already legitimate business owners and how easy it is for one to become a legitimate businessman? What about those who already own firearms for protection? These people can be inspired to respond to an apparent threat with deadly force, thereby perpetuating the already untenable situation.

Are we going back to the days of the Wild West? We are not that far away.

The circumstances require a positive and decisive response that has so far eluded the powers that be.

Our Police Service is stretched to its limit and the blame game taking place between the political entities has contributed in no small measure to the existing conditions.

Truth be told, no government has the power or the ability to stop crime, so it is useless blaming the Government or even placing the burden of solving the dilemma at its feet. This is definitely an all-handson- deck assignment, every citizen taking the responsibility to put order back into our lives.

It stands to reason, therefore, that our physical efforts are puny, unable to shake this powerful enemy.

In spite of our billions of dollars, our plans fail over and over.

In Verse 13 of Ephesians, Chapter 6, the Bible tells us of “taking on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day.” This armour is our minds — the way we think, believe and operate.

The concepts and ideologies of evil must be replaced by GOD — good orderly direction. We are our own worst enemy.

According to Archbishop Joseph Harris, we must blame ourselves for the current situation, and therefore the change for which we yearn must begin with us. It is possible to change, to become kinder and gentler people.

This can only be achieved if we inculcate GOD in our lives, each person endeavouring to follow the good orderly direction that comes from our spiritual beliefs.

This is not a religious thing, but a spiritual concept that will lead us to have respect for the sanctity of human life.

GARVIN COLE Tobago

This match was started on March 19 but was re-scheduled to June 4 because of the international fixture between West Indies and Pakistan at the Queen’s Park Oval with TT CB officials allowing local cricketers and club officials the opportunity to witness the high profile encounter.

On March 19, PowerGen were bowled out for 244 and HYO, in their first innings, had reached 46 for one. And 77 days later, which could be a world record time for the completion of a two-innings match, HYO dominated the proceedings and toppled their opponents in dramatic fashion to collect full points and overhaul Woodland Sports Club’s tally of 87 points.

HYO started the last round with 62 points and needed the outright victory to be declared overall winners of the Senior Division crown.

HYO received 28 points for the victory which pushed them to the top of the standings on 90 points.

South Zone’s secretary Elvis Ramdeo confirmed that HYO are the new champions of the Senior Division.

“The Woodland team was leading on 87 points but HYO won their match outright and collected full points and that put them at the top of the standings. They are the new Zonal champion team,” he said.

Resuming at the 62 for one, HYO’s Richardo Beekie, Adrian Adams and Brian Deosaran showed the fighting spirit and chalked up top-notch centuries in a powerful batting display that pushed them to 404 for four declared.

Beekie and Adams featured in a superb third-wicket stand of 166 while Adams and Deosaran knitted a 94-run fourth wicket partnership that proved enough at the end.

Beekie slammed two sixes and 20 fours in a topscore of 130 while Adams smacked two sixes and 15 fours for his 117. Deosaran entertained with a quick-fire unbeaten 101 that was studded with five mighty sixes and 15 fours which allowed HYO to declare with an overall lead of 160.

Despite a valiant 62 by Krishindath Persad, following his 108 in the first innings, PowerGen were crushed in their second innings to be bowled out for 95 through the efforts of Adrian Adams (3/24) and Brian Deosaran (3/32).

HYO won by an innings and 65 runs and the players and their supporters, including manager, Phillip Achan, celebrated a most convincing and long-awaited victory.

The Woodland Sports Club players also witnessed the drama and left the ground knowing that their chances of being crowned champion had evaporated.

South Zone Seniors Summarised Scores: PowerGen Sports Club 244 (Krishindath Persad 108; Adrian Adams 3 for 42, Sterling Bissoon 3 for 62) and 95 all out (Krishindath Persad 62; Adrian Adams 3 for 24 and Brian Deosaran 3 for 32) lost to Hermitage Youth Organisation (HYO) 404 for 4 declared (Richardo Beekie 130, Adrian Adams 117, Brian Deosaran 101 not out).

Without success so far I enquired of the association whether any document was available giving the basis for the no-confidence vote. A no-confidence vote, whether unanimously or by majority, cannot be the sole reason for removing the Chief Justice.

Section 110 of our Constitution establishes the JLSC, and Section 137 provides for removal of a judge . . . “only for inability to perform the functions of his office, or for misbehaviour . . .” The nation needs a clearly articulated justification for the Law Association’s loss of confidence to which its citizens can subscribe.

The appointment of chief magistrate Marcia Ayers-Caesar (and very likely Avason Quinlan-Williams) is unquestionably a serious blunder, but in my view the JLSC acted very reasonably — even if misguidedly — in its evaluation of Ayers-Caesar.

The facts as seen by the public are that Ayers-Caesar was leaving behind an outrageous backlog of unfinished business. That the JLSC failed to verify the correctness of Ayers-Caesar’s data from court records could hardly justify the CJ’s removal under Section 137.

Comments regarding an age limit applicable to JLSC members seem misguided. “The appointed members” of the JLSC are not the “officers” referenced in Section 136. Section 110 (3)(a) and (b) clearly envisaged JLSC members to be retirees, thus “one from among persons who held office as a judge” and “at least one of whom is not in active practice.”

MICHAEL JAY WILLIAMS via email

Passengers travelling between Trinidad and Tobago via the TT Express and the TT Spirit over the past few months have been frustrated as mechanical problems, delays and cancellations have become common with the Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley taking a trip to the sister isle on Sunday to see firsthand what citizens have been enduring.

Hundreds of people will be going to Tobago over the next few days for the annual triathlon event with the boat the preferred option for many athletes and supporters in the past.

Gooding is optimistic that the Rainbow Cup will run smoothly on Saturday, but is hoping CAL can assist.

Gooding said, “I think a lot of people have changed their minds from taking the boat to flying, making alternate arrangements.

I have written somebody in CAL to let them know that we have a race coming up, and a lot of people did not get tickets so they will be coming on as a standby. They said they will try their best.” Gooding said it is often difficult to get to Tobago on any given weekend, but it is even more difficult on Rainbow Cup weekend.

“On a regular weekend you get so many problems (to get to Tobago), and then now you have a Rainbow Cup weekend.

The athletes, participants and spectators that are coming for this event will be a lot.

The majority of people will be coming from Trinidad.” On Monday, sailing was cancelled by the Port Authority with their official reason being inclement weather.

The T&T Express is the only passenger boat available as the T&T Spirit has been pulled from the sea bridge to undergo maintenance works.

“It affected us yesterday (Monday), because we were supposed to be in Tobago yesterday, but we are now on our way to drive onto the boat. We are now leaving Trinidad, so we have lost two days in setting up. That should not affect the race, it would not take us too long to set up.” The Rainbow Cup is one of the most popular triathlon competitions in the Caribbean and also doubles as the National Championships.

It has attracted athletes from the US, United Kingdom and the Caribbean in the past and this year promises to be another fun-filled event.

Chief organiser Prakash Ramkissoon yesterday thanked profusely the Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan for fulfilling his promise of commencing the paving of the North Oropouche road which had been in dire need of repair.

Ramkissoon said the deteriorating state of the road had affected the league last year with a few regular teams deciding not to participate.

He noted though that the Fishing Pond road has not yet been paved for several years and is also in need of attention. Ramkissoon expressed gratitude to title sponsor Caribbean Welders and its Managing Director Peter Park for again donating the first prize and continuing to partner with the league which has been going strong for over a decade.

He said plans to introduce a women’s league continue to be shleved because there is no proper changing faciloity for female players at the ground.

He reiterated his call for floodlights to be installed at the Fishing Pond Recreation Ground which he says is a hub of activity year-round with cricket and football. Second- place for this year’s football will take home $7,000 and a trophy with the third-place team getting $3,000 and a trophy.

The winner of the round robin stage will get $1,000 and the Raffie “Morock” Mohammed Trophy.

There will also be trophies for MVP, Golden Boot, First Hat-trick, Most Disciplined Team, Best Defender, Best Goalkeeper etc.

The league opens July 1 with the annual march past of teams.

The march past winner will get $1,000 and a trophy. Registration is $2,500 per team which includes 14 players. Any additional player registered costs $300.

The deadline for registration is June 20. For more info call Ramkissoon at 339-6778.

The commotion yesterday began at about 6 am when a group of men, accompanied by police, went to Ralph Narine Trace and informed the occupants about the demolition. Occupant Leena Patram, 43, said her husband Kumar Deonath, 36, had been living on the property for the last 36 years.

In destroying the two-bedroom ply house, Patram said damage was done to several religious items including murtis (Hindu statues).

He is also alleging that $8,000 and grocery items were stolen. “We are not going anywhere,” Patram said.

“She could have given us first preference if the land is hers. These people came here and showed us no documents. But, they claimed to have a court order. They told him come outside then started breaking down everything. They broke up my murtis. My flour and grocery gone,” said Patram.

Up to last evening, the couple was rebuilding the structure and efforts to contact the accused land owner proved futile.

Later on Monday, in the Princes Town district, 30-year-old private hire taxi driver Irwin Cozier was arrested and formally charged with using insulting language, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and assaulting an officer. Cozier was expected to appear before a San Fernando Magistrate yesterday.

In the Eastern Division, officers of the Arima Police station conducted an anti- crime exercise under the supervision of Inspector Birch and Sergeant Thomas arresting 30-year-old Allan Ford for possession of 45 grammes of marijuana.

The exercise took place between 10 pm on Monday night and ended at 2 am yesterday.

The band Dil-E-Nadan, led by the singing sensation Raymond Ramnarine, has been been at the forefront in delivering the best of Bollywood here in TT.

Songs such as Jag Ghoomeya Na Koyi, Tere Saang Yara, Oh Zalima, Udi Udi Jaaye, Barish, Ek Vari Yaa’r and Raabta and Koun Tujhe are the most requested and Raymond delivers them with style.

Hence the reason promoters Missy and ‘R’ contracted Ramnarine and Dil-E-Nadan for their Father’s Day concert. Ramnarine will share the stage with India’s Udit Narayan and his son Aditya Narayan.

Missy Lagan and her husband Rodney Bickram are making their dream a reality by putting Udit and Ramnarine on stage together for the event.

“The people of this country who follow these singing stars will be thrilled with their mix of music for this show,” Lagan said.

They will both be doing songs that have dominated the charts this year and those that ruled the 70s and 80s, she said. The artistes will perform the hits songs Aaj Mausam Hai Baraa, Chand Mera Dil, Baharon Phool, Yeh Reshmi Zulfein, Jo Wada Kiya Woh, Khush Rahe Tu Sada and Yeh Duniya Yeh Mehfil, Lagan said.

The Narayans who are known for bringing the best in romantic numbers to the silver screen will be clashing with Ramnarine and Dil-E-Nadan. They will perform current songs as well as those of yesteryear that remain in demand wherever Bollywood films are shown.

Udit is known for singing one of the most popular songs from Bollywood, Mehndi Lagake Rakhna, from the movie Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. His songs are played everyday on the five East Indian frequencies in TT . He has a huge following here and in the Caribbean. He also sang the mega hit songs, Oh I Love You Daddy with his son Aditya, from the film Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak. He sang the popular songs Pardesi Pardesi from the films Raja Hindustani, Main Yahan Hoo and Aisa Des Hai Mera.

Bollywood’s Shahrukh Khan has been portraying Udit songs in the movies, Darr, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Dil To Pagal Hai, Mohabbatein, Swades and Veer Zaara. Aditya has also established himself as the voice of child artistes in Hindi movies and acted in hit movies like Pardes, Rangeela and Jab Pyar Kisise Hota Hai. His role as as a son of actor Salman Khan in the movie Jab Pyar Kisise Hota Hai was widely acclaimed. However, Aditya has grown up and had taken a break from Bollywood since 2001, on account of his changing voice. He’s now back on the scene and is currently hosting Sare Gama Challenge 2008. Ramnarine who has captured major awards here for his talent also won an award for Best International Artiste in Holland in 2016. He started his singing career in the 90s when he entered his first competition in TT and won. He then entered Mastana Bahar and placed second in the finals. In 2013 he captured the Chutney Soca Monarch title.

“I am looking forward to singing for this Father’s Day concert with the Narayans,” Ramnarine said. He has been a fan of Udit for many years and cannot wait to get on stage and sing with his idol, he said.

Dil-E-Nadan has explored many types of music including pop, rock, R&B, parang, chutney and soca. The band has toured extensively to the USA, Canada, the Caribbean, Holland, London and Spain. Dil-E-Nadan copped the award for Best Band on the Road on three occasions for the annual Miami Carnival. Ramnarine has shared the stage with international performers such as John Legend, Earth Wind and Fire, Shaggy, Kumar Sanu, Brandy, Mr Vegas and the Sparrow.

Udit and his celebrity son Aditya will be accompanied by musicians from India at the Centre- of-Excellence in Macoya on June 17 at 7pm..

These observances are intended to raise global awareness to take positive environmental action to protect nature, the oceans and planet Earth by extension; but simple yet compelling education must be shared.

In doing so, we must develop a greater sensitivity to the impact of the food industry, water usage, the ecological and environmental footprint created by food production, and an appreciation of the challenges faced by rural and coastal TT .

Put another way, statistics from the Food and Drug Administration of the US show that the average human consumes an estimated one ton of food a year.

Further, waste produced by the food industry, food loss and the wastage of food pose several challenges and missed opportunities that are perhaps immeasurable.

At a national level, we need to look at building the resilience of farming and fishing communities to strengthen their adaptive capacity and reduce their vulnerability to exogenous issues such as climate change, but importantly to give them a voice in governance.

We also need to expand consumer thinking to an interest in where our food comes from, how it is produced, and the circumstances of the men and women who feed our country.

There is a greater awareness of our dependence on food imports, especially of commodities which can be grown/produced locally and those of dubious nutrition and quality, coupled with the change in economic climate which has encouraged food sufficiency to develop in different ways, especially at the household level.

I believe that educating about and understanding the food industry will bring people closer to the land, the oceans and encourage greater respect for the men and women who feed us.

By connecting with nature, we begin to focus on sustaining people and their livelihoods, the future.

OMARDATH MAHARAJ agricultural economist

Director of the Global Forensic Institute and the event’s organiser Jerome Chambers told Newsday yesterday he was not given any explanation for the barring of TSTT officials from the IT room by hotel officials.

“A few of my fellow organisers spoke to staff at the hotel who said they were not aware of any arrangements for a live stream,” Chambers said. “I visited the hotel myself and they agreed to help when I explained that TSTT will be organising the equipment for the feed. Later on during the weekend I found out that the technicians were turned away because staff was not willing to allow them access to the room.” Chambers said the hotel has arranged for live-stream communications in the past. Despite this setback however, he maintained that the conference was a success and said that he was prepared to arrange another session whereby guests would be able to hear the address. Newsday attempted to contact the hotel’s corporate communications manager and a woman who identified herself as ‘Mrs Nicholas’ said she was unable to speak on the matter.