The open elite category was fast and furious with just four laps of the short course and 24 cyclists aiming for the top spot.

From the first lap both Chin and Christopher Govia of Breakaway Cycling Club separated themselves from the other riders.

With a sprint to the finish, Chin held off Govia for the win in a time of 40 minutes and 54 seconds.

Adam Farfan (Survival OS) was third with Adande Piggott (MTB Kings) fourth, Micah Augustine (MTB Kings) fifth and Ryan Abraham (Slipstream) sixth. Kiyome Rankine of Slipstream was first in the ladies open elite category.

For the first time in mountain biking in Trinidad and Tobago there was an Under-5 category race. The category was won by Christopher Salazar.

Among the other winners were Shia Clark of the Giants Club who won the boys Under-7 category, Nathaniel Belmonte (Giants) grabbed the boys Under- 9 category and Cara Phillips (Giants) took the girls Under-9 category.

The Under-11 boys was won by Scott Michael-Shaw (Giants), while Jesse Hospedales (Giants) took the win in the Under-13 boys. In the Under-13 girls Kaiya Rankine-Beadle of Rainbow Warriors Triathlon Club snatched first place.

Mathew Wilson of MTB Kings won the open sport category, while Hospedales was the first tinymite in the category. Wilson, the overall winner, was also the first Masters 40+ finisher and Kayim Ali was the first Masters 50+. Miranda Morton-Gittens was the first female in this category.

With a total of 62 competitors, organizer Michael Phillips believes that mountain biking is off to a good start for the year and hopes to see the gradual increase in participation as the year progresses.

The organiser also hopes to stage a larger mountain bike event later this year with potential international athletes present which would give local riders a good opportunity to test themselves on home ground for this year’s Caribbean Mountain Bike Championships, set to be held in Trinidad.

A total of 24 boys teams and four girls teams will compete in the tournament. Each team will field six players in the 10-over matches (five overs per team).

The venues that will be used today are the National Cricket Centre, Balmain Recreation Ground, Calcutta Recreation Ground, Gilbert Park and Inshan Ali Park.

Among the schools expected to challenge for the trophy today are the eight premier division boys teams comprising Presentation College Chaguanas, Carapichaima East Secondary, Barrackpore West Secondary, Trinity College East, Naparima College, Shiva Boys Hindu College, Hillview College and Fatima College.

But Caribbean queens Jamaica “Sunshine Girls” are ranked fourth.

According to the International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA) rankings, the “Calypso Girls” netballers are ranked behind world champions Australia, New Zealand, England, Jamaica, South Africa, Malawi, Fiji and Wales.

Barbados slipped to 12th from the 10th spot they previously held.

Other caribbean countries, St Lucia are ranked 21st and neighbours Grenada are in 22nd.

Here are the top 20 rankings: 1 Australia; 2 New Zealand; 3 England; 4. Jamaica; 5.South Africa; 6.

Malawi; 8 Wales;9.Trinidad & Tobago; 10. Scotland; 11 Northern Ireland; 12 Barbados; 13 Uganda; 14 Samoa; 15 Zambia; 16. Papua New Guinea; 17. Zimbabwe; 18.

Botswana; 19. Malaysia; 20. Singapore.

For devotees of the local chapter of the Radha Madhav Society of 11 Bholai Trace, Chase Village, that is exactly what Jagadguru – “world teacher” Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj is to them.

The religious society will observe 60 years since the Jagadguru acquired that title, having debated for over ten days with other religious scholars in India to obtain it.

To his devotes such as Meera Baboolal, his teachings have irrevocably changed her life. He and his title will be celebrated for four days starting from January 25 to the 28 at the society’s centre. The tribute culminates on January 29 at the Divali Nagar auditorium, Uriah Butler Highway, Endeavour with a big celebration. Several religious Hindu groups have been invited among them the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha. The Indian High Commissioner has also been invited.

The organisation was established in 1988 after Baboolal met a spiritual teacher from India while studying in Canada. The celebration will mark the 60th anniversary of the day that the group’s leader was given the special title of Jagadguru in Hinduism. That title, she explained, is given to someone who possesses, “extensive knowledge of the scriptures and someone who is actually called the resolution in the spiritual world.” He was born in India in 1922 and was then named Ram Kripalu Tripathi at birth but later became known worldwide as Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj.

“The title was conferred upon Maharaj Ji when he was only 34-years-old in India. He was born in the village of Mangarh, about 60 km from Allahabad, India, as the son of a most respectable Brahmin Shri Lalita Prasad Tripathi (father) and Bhagvati Devi (mother). Shri Maharaj Ji spent his childhood in Mangarh, giving joy to all alike through his naughty acts. Following our worldly tradition, he too, like ordinary boys, first went to a nearby primary school and then to Chitrakoot and Indore for studying Sanskrit,” a write-up on Maharaj-Ji said.

In 1955, after living in the forests and travelling through the country meeting people, he organised a religious convention where it was said, “[it] was attended by all Jagadgurus of hierarchical order and eminent philosophers and scholars from Kashi (Banaras).

A similar convention was held in Kanpur in 1956. It was in these conventions that his spiritual genius baffled even the greatest of the intellectuals and scholars.

“Dazzled with the unique brilliance and divine knowledge of a young boy, a few jealous scholars started opposing his newest revolutionary ideas, and unable to bear his growing fame anymore, they sent an invitation on behalf of Kashi Vidvat Parishad, (a body of 500 most learned philosophers of India), for delivering discourses, on the pretext of making Him Jagadguru.

“Their intention behind this invitation was to humiliate him, for they thought that his genius, however extraordinary and unique, could be no match for the combined genius of the 500 scholars of Kashi Vidvat Parishad. But the result was absolutely contrary.

“Shri Maharaj Ji rendered a remarkably unique discourse in Sanskrit which left all these scholars speechless. Spellbound by his formidable wisdom and mastery of the Vedas and scriptures, the Kashi Vidvat Parsihad, unanimously, declared him not only ‘Jagadguru’ (World Teacher), but ‘Jagadguruttam’, i.e. supreme among all,” the text read.

There are now four people who sit in his ashram but they did not receive the title of Jagadguru by debate which makes Maharaj Ji the original Jagadguru.

The sense of pride was unmistakable in Baboolal’s voice as she said, “he basically teaches that God lives in every human being and you begin to realise that God lives in very human being the world would be so different.” Among his other teachings, she said, were that love’s foundation is tolerance, one’s duty to one’s self, walking on the path which takes you back to God and taking one’s duty in the world seriously.

Despite his passing in 2013, his work lives on in his followers who reside in many countries, globally.

The organisation also does charitable work throughout the country donating clothing and food items to many of the country’s less fortunate.

I have become a social butterfly first and foremost, mingling with so many interesting people, all sharing the same interest- gardening.

Gardening has always been a great part of my life and now I am able to share my ideas with others and use their ideas in my garden.

I have seen immediate and beautiful changes in my garden and it’s simply because members visit and interact with each other, offering good advice and especially compliments and appreciation given for all the hard work done. It just encourages me to do so much more.

My plants are my pride and joy and I care for them as my children, seeing them first in the morning and leaving them at night, making sure they are fed, watered and nourished because they give me so much joy. I am happiest walking in the garden early mornings with my cup of coffee and letting them know how much I love them, oh yes, I talk to them all the time.

At first I concentrated on orchids, having a green lawn and a few fruit trees, and was quite contented.

Now I have expanded and my garden is filled with so many new plants; these include desert roses, crown of thorns, bougainvillea, hibiscus, anthurium, and so much more. Even the lowly “stinking susie” and “lady slipper” both have a special place in my garden.

I am most proud of my bearing grape vine and flowering apple trees which I have shared freely with special friends.

In my opinion the most important part of the garden is the compost pile, where, we make black gold for the plants while using all the waste from the garden and kitchen. I learnt this process first hand from my uncles on the family farm in Cunaripo where everything was lush, green and healthy.

My garden offers me a healthy lifestyle, no matter how stressful my life is, I can walk or weed my garden and I am rejuvenated and full of energy. My BP is stable and most of all I am happy and calm.

Being a member of this club has given me utmost satisfaction and I always look forward to our Saturday meetings, plant sales and all other fund raising projects.

I am truly a happy gardener.

For further information contact the Eastern Horticultural Club at 357-5033, 764-9125 or 720-2698 or easternhorticultural@hotmail.

com The Club meets on the first Saturday of every month (except public holidays) at 3 pm at Moreton Hall, Aramalaya Presbyterian Church, Cochrane Street, Tunapuna.

This natural landscape is located one kilometre upstream from the Spring Bridge along the course of the Marianne River. The river plunges over a steep escarpment to create three consecutive basins.

There is a natural water slide which acts as a boundary between the first and second.

The pools are a pleasure for fun seekers with broad and shallow areas for swimming and jumping.

The Marianne River represents the soul of Blanchisseuse, and in the 18th century, the English surveyor Frederick Mallet saw the women washing their clothes in the river and called it Ladies River. Later the settlers referred to the place as washerwoman, which in French is Blanchisseuse.

In 1869, the first recorded Englishman to horseback through the mountains of the Northern Range to Blanchissesue was Charles Kingsley. In 1962 after Independence, the first Governor General Sir Solomon Hochoy grew up in Blanchisseuse and was greatly admired for his skill in horseback riding.

The walk to Three Pools will take 30 minutes and begins at the Spring Bridge. The route to the basins is upstream along the undulating banks of the river.

The trail crosses the river at a shallow area and passes through an abandoned cacao and citrus estate.

For those wishing for a more challenging experience, there is an alternative forest walk with an exciting river exploration.

Island Hikers explore Three Pools on Sunday Assembly 1: 8 am at the entrance to Central Bank Auditorium.

Assembly 2: 7.30 – 8.15 am opposite Sam’s Bar Maracas Bay at the end of the beach.

Life jackets provided if you have one bring it along.

Bathing is optional, bring an extra change of clothing.

Rating: 2 an easy walk to the Pools Note: optional forest walk and river exploration Rating 4 moderate For more info visit: islandhikers.

com and persons requiring transport must call in advance to book.

Defending monarchs, Georgia McIntyre (Senior) and N’Janela Duncan-Regis (Junior) who registered a historic beaver trick in 2016, have indicated they would be pulling out all stops to retain their titles.

Wilton “Flex” Griffith, co-ordinator of the calypso element, said that the customary contenders for the competitions have been fine-turning their offerings for the 2017 season. “Both senior and junior calypsonians who have participated in the show in past years have been calling to find out the date for auditions. We expect a full-turn out and a high standard of calypsoes since most of them have already done their recordings,” Griffith said in a media release.

Ramchand Rajbal Maraj, chairman of the Couva Carnival Committee (CCC), said he expected Carnival celebrations to be as “bright as ever” despite the downturn in the economy. “Although our allocation from the National Carnival Commission (NCC) was drastically reduced in 2016, we were still able to deliver a fantastic show last year. However, Couva cannot sustain another cutback in 2017. Our celebrations are unique among regional carnivals and people come from all over Trinidad and Tobago and further afield to savour the Couva Carnival experience. We are pushing the envelope this year to deliver,” Rajbal Maraj asserted.

He said the committee had planned its customary six-day carnival extravaganza for 2017, with several pre-carnival events also in store. “We are making a special appeal to the corporate entities in Couva and environs which benefit from the patronage of the various communities to step up to the plate and deliver on their social responsibilities. They need to give back. We cannot do this alone,” Rajbal Maraj pointed out.

Following is the calendar of events, with the major shows taking place at Carnival Centre, Couva Car Park: January 21, 10 am – auditions for Calypso Monarch Competitions (Senior & Junior), Balmain Community Centre February 17, 5 pm – sponsorship for contestants of Miss Central Trinidad Queen Pageant, Couva/Pt Lisas Chamber Hall February 18, 11 am – motorcade of Miss Central Trinidad Queen Pageant February 23, 7 pm – Tuco South/Central Calypso Tent February 24, 7 pm – Calypso Monarch Finals (Senior & Junior) and Extempo Competition February 25, 7 pm – finals of Miss Central Trinidad Queen Pageant February 26, 1 pm – Kiddies Carnival February 27, 5 am – J’ouvert February 27, 7 pm – Monday Nite Mas and King & Queen of the Bands Competitions February 28, 11 am – parade of the Bands & Band of the Year Competition.

The Airport Authority (AATT ) in collaboration with FODAT Ltd will premier “Gateway To The World” an ultra premium all-inclusive fiesta, at the South Terminal Car Park, Golden Grove Road, Piarco, on January 27. The event goes from 6 pm to 1 am and costs $850. Gateway To The World will encompass an airport/ travel theme, provide big bands, world-class food and ultra-premium drinks. Part proceeds go towards the development of the AATT Wellness Centre for the airport staff and neighbouring communities.

Patrons will receive giveaways and promotional items from the partners at the Airport. Featured entertainment line-up include Kes The Band, Roy Cape All Stars with Blaxx and Ricardo Dru, Karma The Band, David Rudder, Voice, Rupee and Orlando Octave, along with several other top guest performers.

This easily accessible venue will afford patrons secured parking zones, customer-friendly shuttle service and inclusive overnight hotel packages from partnering hoteliers within the vicinity.

Being born here gives him that little bit more leeway regarding established diplomatic behaviour. TT is nothing like when he left home. Estrada is doing us a big favour and has nothing to lose. We have all to gain by heeding a few well intentioned words of wisdom.

Our police lack competence in some areas of policing. I agree totally that the answer to runaway crime rests with the police, not the army. That is the reason all countries have police.

They have to police. They have to transcend the corruption that resides in all organisations. The army can be important back-up but the powers of arrest must lie only with the police. The police appear unable to shoot in the arm or in the leg. Members of the public may have information but would not give it if they believe the perpetrator will end up dead. Regardless how bad the offender. These young men may be relatives and children of friends and neighbours of long standing. People want them to be corrected, not killed. Not youngsters they have known as innocent children.

It is my view that it is now important for the TT PS to increase entry qualifications and start career officer contingents.

These men/women should immediately, after basic training, be sent abroad for crime detection and related courses. A law degree is not the equivalent of specific knowledge in crime detection. It is understood that this officer class will have to be paid commensurate with superior qualifications.

Crime fighting in TT must be brought into the 21st century.

Not every super intelligent graduating student is attracted to law and medicine. Rome was not built in a day but let us start somewhere, now, today.

Lynette Joseph Diego Martin

The plan promotes a Global Britain: best friend and neighbour to our European partners, but continuing to reach beyond Europe’s borders to new allies and old friends, such as TT . Britain’s history and culture are profoundly internationalist.

We are a European country, proud of our shared European heritage, but we have also always looked beyond Europe to the wider world.

Many fear Brexit might herald the beginning of a greater unravelling of the EU. That is not in any of our interests: we want the EU to succeed. The leave vote was no rejection of the values we share.

It was a vote to restore our parliamentary democracy, national self-determination, and to become more global and internationalist in action and in spirit.

We are leaving the EU, not Europe and have 12 objectives delivering one big goal: a new, constructive partnership between Britain and the EU.

First we will provide as much certainty and clarity as we can. We will build a stronger Britain, by taking control of our own affairs and laws, bringing an end to the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice in Britain.

Third, we will strengthen the precious union between the four nations of the UK through a joint ministerial committee. We will maintain the common travel area with the Republic of Ireland, protecting the integrity of the United Kingdom’s immigration system.

To ensure Britain is fair to everyone who lives and works in it we need to control immigration to Britain from Europe: we will continue to attract the brightest and best for work but with a properly managed process for European movement. We also need, sixth, to guarantee the rights of EU citizens already living in Britain, and the rights of British nationals in other member states.

A fairer Britain is also a country that protects and enhances people’s rights at work, so, seventh, we will push for workers’ rights to be fully protected and maintained.

A Global Britain will be one of the firmest advocates for free trade, so we will prioritise a bold and ambitious free trade agreement with the EU as our eighth objective. This will not mean membership of the EU’s Single Market. And a Global Britain must also be free to strike trade agreements with countries outside the EU and push for the removal of trade barriers.

Tenth, with a history of cutting- edge scientific research, we will maintain collaboration with our European partners on science, research, and technology initiatives.

A Global Britain will continue to cooperate with European partners on crime, terrorism and foreign affairs.

Finally, our 12th objective is to deliver a smooth orderly Brexit, reaching agreement by the time the two-year Article 50 process has concluded, with a phased implementation to follow.

TIM STEW High Commissioner