He also charged that the present People’s National Movement Government has not presented an economic plan for its recovery.

“Standing and blaming the People’s Partnership Government does not change the fact that this Government has failed to manage the economy in the interest of the people,” he said.

He said this was evident in the March 17 report of the Central Bank.

Supporting the motion calling on the House of Representatives to condemn Government for rising levels of unemployment and increasing poverty in the country, Rambachan on Friday said, “The gross incompetence we have seen in the PNM has been unparalleled.” It was disturbing that as they speak of unemployment, he said, the Minister of Labour, “over and over” cannot tell the country how many people have lost their jobs.

The minister keeps hiding behind the formal requirements of companies have to report retrenchments, he said.

“Did you become a minister to enjoy the ride as a minister? To get a fat salary? To dress up every day? To drive in a big car but you cannot tell the country how much people are losing their jobs?” he asked.

The government cannot put an economic plan of action to deal with the level of unemployment when it does not know how many people have been displaced and in what areas of the economy.

“If you don’t have that information. How can you plan?” he queried.

Declaring that Government cannot continue to borrow to stabilise the economy and that budgetary balancing was not an exercise independent an economic plan, he said, “The danger we are facing in Trinidad and Tobago under this Government is that it continues to put all its eggs in the energy basket.” Due to rising unemployment and poverty, Rambachan said, “There is a very serious social upheaval in this country that has not found physical expression, but mentally and psychologically people are deeply affected.

He said, “One wonders if the way people are psychologically and mentally affected is not leading to the frustration that is bearing out in violence to persons even in homes, and children against children in schools.” Someone has to take charge of what is happening to the social fabric of this country, he said. Claiming that the First Citizens Bank (FCB) initial public offering (IPO) under the PP administration was a success, he said, Government has to explain why a public relations excuse was being used to extend the FCB additional public offerings (APO) has been extended for two weeks after it was due to close on Thursday.

“Is it because people are losing confidence in the economy? When there is a loss of confidence by consumers and business people you are looking at a horrendous situation for the country,” he said.

In reality, making changes was contemplated at inception of the fund and will be needed as the environment changes. There are a number of funds globally that have had alterations to their original structure. As an example, Norway has altered the structure and orientation of its Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) several times since it was first established in 1990.

These modifications were made as the environment in which the country found itself changed.

Our finance minister appears to be suggesting that there should be a fund to allow for long term withdrawal. This would be disturbing.

Perhaps the Minister was suggesting that a stabilisation fund will be created with clearly defined and acceptable criteria which will spell out the circumstances when withdrawal should take place. It is always a question about how information is communicated.

The argument which states that changing the structure of the HSF suggests it was not thought out well at the start, is a misunderstanding of history. The Peterson Institute for International Economics argued that it is unrealistic to think that, once established, a fund’s structure should be immutable to political forces or changing circumstances. This is an invitation either to illegal activity or to overturning the structure completely.

If there are concerns about changes, attention must be paid to the size of the fund that is established for intertemporal transfers.

If larger than the present floor set in the existing legislation of US$1 billion, beyond which no drawings can be made for stabilisation purposes, then this will represent an improvement.

Perhaps the real question is what are the benefits that are expected to accrue to this country from creating two separate funds as against what pertains now – one fund, two primary objectives? There is no sound financial or economic reason to justify the decision that appears to be contemplated. What is the real reason for the change? In this regard the changes needed that appear far more relevant are all for political economy issues.

Firstly, the principle of contributing to the fund, needs to be changed and discussed by the country. Secondly, creating two secretariats to manage the fund raises questions of cost containment.

Thirdly, if we were to investigate the operations of the present HSF, what are its weaknesses? Is the Board of the HSF a prisoner of the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago (CBTT), wholly dependent on the bank for operational issues that treat with management and investment of the fund? Fourthly, what about the assessment of the HSF conducted by the Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE)? The PIIE assessed 54 funds from 37 countries using four categories: structure of the fund; governance of the fund; accountability and transparency of the fund and finally, behaviour of the fund in managing its portfolio.

The Trinidad and Tobago HSF scored very well on the first – 100 for structure – but earned a score of 0 on behavior off the und in managing its portfolio, with mediocre scores for governance and accountability and transparency.

Overall 21 SWFs scored higher than the HSF. How does the present changes to the HSF address the weaknesses identified in the assessment by PIIE? The government appear to be adopting solutions that are costly or in somebody’s interest, but is it in the country’s?

As far as the calypso genre is concerned, this vilification seems par for the course. However, should Indo-Trinidadians seek to retaliate by deriding Afro-Trinidadians in their chutney compositions and social commentaries, then the consequences for inter-ethnic civility and harmony would be all too obvious.

Chalkdust’s calypso has other negative connotations. First of all, he is an educator and a professor at that and therefore is seen as an exemplar whose composition would be deemed to be literarily and socially acceptable.

Secondly, I understand that Carnival and calypso now form part of the primary and secondary school curriculum and students would look up to the masters of the art for guidance and inspiration. Many might come to the legitimate conclusion that, in order to win a competition, one should incorporate smut and graphic sexual innuendoes in one’s lyrics.

However, there are many in positions of authority and influence whose perspectives and values are in full support of Chalkdust’s composition and they have a right to their opinions. The judges of the Calypso Monarch competition seemed to have been particularly impressed by Chalkdust’s offering when compared to the renditions of other finalists.

Then one Ryan Hadeed, writing in the Sunday Guardian of 19/3/17, effusively congratulates Chalkdust on his winning calypso, which he deemed to be “of the calibre of social and political satire of traditional calypso” and “that even scathing criticism can be entertaining.” I wonder if such criticism was directed at his own group whether he would be similarly amused.

The Express editorial of 7/3/17 provided the stoutest defence of Chalkdust and his winning calypso.

It said the calypso was pandering to “an audience whose primary objective is in entertainment.” Thus it appears that it does not matter what you sing or what message you send, once the audience is entertained, you have fulfilled your purpose. Where others might deprecate the vulgarity and poor taste of the lyrics, the editorial saw it as “a demonstration of the talents of the calypso artiste.” Those who are not impressed or indeed repulsed by Chalkdust’s calypso are deemed to suffer from “an absence of that sense of humour, which has helped to define us as a people and as a nation.” In other words, those who have attacked Chalkdust and his composition are somehow not only without humour but are anti-Trinidadian and anti-national.

Then comes the fulsome accolade: “Learn from Arithmetic was simply another demonstration of this long-established, largely emblematic and distinguishing feature of our national identity.” There may be many thousands of citizens who do not possess and cannot be associated with this characteristic of our alleged national identity. It does, however, beg the question as to who defines national identity and on what authority.

Finally, the defence rests on the pillar of free speech. The editorial proclaims that “our cherished adherence to the principle of free speech is firmly grounded here.” Needless to say, freedom carries with it responsibility. We must be reminded that free speech is not an absolute right. It is limited by the rights of others, by concern for the dissemination of hate and incitement to violence against individuals and groups, by respect for the reputation and character of others and by the moral responsibility to communicate with a degree of civility that preserves a modicum of inter-personal and inter-group harmony.

In an ethnically diverse society, such an obligation would seem m o r e n e c – e s s a r y whatever art form is employed as the medium of communication

Patrick netted a penalty to guarantee victory for Crown Trace at the St Mary’s Recreation Ground in Freeport.

Jourvel Guadeloupe, a central defender from Crown Trace, was named as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the Under-20 category.

Action continued last weekend at the Chaguanas Indoor Sports Arena with the Under-9 semi-finals as well as the quarter-finals in the Under-11 and Under- 13 divisions.

The four teams will have an extra week’s preparation however, to accommodate the goodwill visit of Canadian team Yeti Rugby Club which will use the League’s regular venue at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain.

In the final round of preliminary matches on March 15, St James Secondary leapfrogged Bishop B for the lead in the standings after scoring a 17-5 win over their previously unbeaten rivals in the competition.

Keryce Baptiste continued to be an attacking force for Bishop B but her single try was wiped away by Pateia Paul’s double for St James while Jade Husbands scored one conversion.

Both teams finished with five wins and a defeat from six matches in regular league play but while they ended tied on 21 points, St James boasted a superior points difference.

Bishop A team came in third with 18 points from six matches after shutting out Holy Name Convent 20-0. Imanuel Francis scored three tries and Maya Ours scored the other.

Providence Girls, who were on a bye on the final day, round off the top four with 15 points.

Bishop’s Centenary College missed out despite a 15-0 win over Holy Name B as they could only muster 12 points in league play.

“I discuss a lot of that in the edge of leadership.

You will see chapters like Knowing How to Speak.

You come back to basic virtues of leadership and basic foundations that might have been overlooked or not taught in schools.

“You would think that these are core values people should possess but somehow it seems to be eroding in leadership,” she said. Her second book, The Ultimate Leader: Learning, Leading and Leaving a Legacy of Hope was published in November 2016. The book is focused on how one could perform at their optimum level, even in the midst of uncertainty. “I delve more into giving hope because you see in today’s world when you look at what is going on in the environment and economy. People are facing personal troubles and on top of that leaders are asking for more and more and more and they need to be able to give that inspiration.” She discussed in the book her four pillars of leadership which are hope, humility, authenticity and integrity.

“If you don’t build your leadership with any of these it would eventually crumble,” she said.

For Hyacinth, it is important for a leader to put the needs of the multitude above one’s own.

Hyacinth hopes to dedicate all of her time and energies to being a motivational speaker and to focus on writing her material on leadership. She sees herself one day taking over Maxwell’s job.

“I see myself taking over John Maxwell’s job,” she said, without any hint of laughter.

The books are available on Amazon.com and local bookstores.

Remember when as a child you were in bed at night, frozen with fear because the curtain, pictures or ornaments cast a shadow that looked like a ghost, bogey man or potential murderer.

Remember how scared you felt as you started to panic – the heart rate quickening, palms get clammy, that low hum reverberating in your head, and the hands trembling.

When the defence mechanism was to pray, and distract your thoughts, even though you would invariably end up staring at the apparition convincing your young mind of your certain demise.

Subsequent nights would be filled with situational avoidance as you try to persuade parents or guardians that the lights in the corridor needed to be kept on (relevant to those of us who belong to the generation before the advent of those cute, child-friendly Disney plug-in night lights).

Other self-protection methods varied from double checking behind the curtains, having a torch, the rosary, Bible or a pocket penknife by the bedside.

Can you relate to this? If so, my question is –why do people who are affected by the mental health challenge of panic disorders (PD) endure such a lack of empathy, and face undue negativity and discrimination, when what they are living with is a highly exaggerated version of those childhood anxiety- inducing symptoms that strike them without warning? For many, it is not the possibility of a visit from the ghost or bogey man that causes them distress, but for people like my colleague, it is her lived experience of PD which causes her disabling anguish.

Panic disorder which is when panic attacks not related to specific situations occur frequently, and is characterised by a constant worry of other attacks, is fairly common. It touches as many as one in every 75 people, disproportionately affecting women.

There is also a genetic component, so if someone in the family lives with the disorder, or depression, there is the potential that other members will have an increased risk of having an episode during an unduly stressful time.

The Achilles heel is that many people do not understand mental health, so their point of reference is the perception of a violent, out-of-control, deranged person.

However, the evidence is clear that this is not representative of most mental health challenges, including PD.

So, isn’t it time the outdated notions of mental health is dispelled? Wayne Katon’s research on PD shows that appropriate knowledge and understanding of the disorder can reduce health care costs.

Therefore, given the current austerity measures, awareness raising will of course be beneficial. My suggestion as an initial step in this process is that the next time you encounter someone living with the disorder to actively and non-judgmentally engage in dialogue with them.

You will find out how intensely terrifying those attacks are, and be enlightened on what it is like to endure that heightened sense of fear, apprehension and anxiety that occurs without warning. They will tell you about the: racing heartbeat light headedness or nausea sweating and clammy hands feeling unable to breathe tingling fingers or toes, or trembling feeling a disconnect between the body and mind about their fear of losing control, of having a heart attack, or feeling like they are about to die, and the ongoing dread of experiencing future attacks.

They will also disclose their own situational avoidance strategies –the significant events, things and circumstances they unwillingly avoid and forego. Such as the beach lime to Maracas they desperately wanted to attend so they could get their favourite Richard’s bake and shark, but declined because they were worried about having an attack in public.

PD is not a character defect, nor is it a sign of weakness. It is a serious condition that requires understanding, and compassion.

Dr Yansie Rolston FRSA is a UK-based disability and mental health specialist advisor.

She is a social change trainer and facilitator who works internationally, at various levels of government, business, and civil society. Contact her at yr@efficacyeva.

com

In today’s column, you will find one of my former student’s essays about The Wine of Astonishment.

My YTC students loved this novel narrated by Eva, a strong, supportive Baptist woman, who holds her family together during that time when the British had outlawed the Spiritual/Shouter Baptists. They could relate to the poverty, persecution and the need to be independent.

The Wine of Astonishment presents the Baptists’ struggles during that time from 1917 to 1951 when the British outlawed the religion. Eva relates how this religious persecution affects her village, starting with her husband, Bee, the leader of the Bonasse Baptist church. Bee, like all the other Baptists in the village, must weigh the cost of pursuing their religion.

The Baptists of Bonasse face persecution from the British and their own local politician, Ivan Morton. Colourful characters like Bolo the stickfighter, demonstrate the importance of religion and culture in keeping a village together. As the Baptists’ problems mount, Eva notes how the entire village struggles to survive.

Young people flee to the city hoping for jobs with the Americans.

Throughout the novel Eva never doubts that God doesn’t give more than you can handle.

This historical novel will make you question how far you would go to stand up for the principles you believe in. This story of how culture and religion support and redeem us is a piece of history to be proud of as we head towards a holiday that symbolises our choice to worship freely.

Here is an essay by my former YTC student known as Ralph.

His essay is featured in my book Wishing for Wings.

Ralph’s Essay “Sometimes, like a mirror, I see my reflection looking back at me through pages behind a hard cover.

I was once told that through reading a book the journey of life becomes much easier because you establish who you really are after each page turned or your see different aspects of yourself.

“Reading The Wine of Astonishment painted portraits that represented symbolic and realistic scenes of my life. One such scene is in the beginning and sadly in the ending of Wine of Astonishment.

“The summary of events can be broken down simply like this: The church was hopeful and strong at one point in time, but challenged when faced with the added stress brought by the Government, law, other churches and their own selves.

“These troubles all piled on top of each other becoming like lava trying to burst from a volcano.

So is my life, suffocating in the rubble of disappointment and failures, rejection, shame, ridicule, insults and oppression. In the darkness, each door that leads into light is entered and suddenly vanishes like vapour.

“Hold on to the rope and it snaps. Yet they say fight. So I fight, fall, scream, fight, bleed, fight, give up and try, but fail until maybe the day I’m set free.

“The irony is, all this struggling has worn me down, and if I am set free, just like the church in Wine of Astonishment, my spirit would die leaving only a shell – like the church –the wind could easily blow by without saying goodbye.” The Wine of Astonishment is available in local book stores. It is now available on amazon.com as a kindle book as well.

The award, which recognises outstanding writing for young adults by Caribbean authors, is in its fourth year, but it is the first time that two Trinidadian writers have been included in the final line-up. They were competing with 35 other hopeful writers from nine Caribbean countries who submitted both published books and unpublished manuscripts.

Agostini’s manuscript is titled Waiting for the Bus and Hosein’s is The Beast of Kukuyo. The third finalist is Viviana Prado-Nunez of Puerto Rico for the self-published book, The Art of White Roses.

Up to Can$22,000 in prize money will be awarded to the three finalists, and their ranking will be revealed on April 26 at the opening- night celebration of the 2017 NGC Bocas Lit Fest. In addition to the cash prize, winners benefit from a publishing deal with a regional publisher, and CODE guarantees the purchase of 2,500 copies of each of the three new titles, which will be distributed to hundreds of schools, libraries, and community organisations across the Caribbean next year through a network of local partners.

With the forthcoming distribution of the 2016 winning titles, CODE will have shared over 22,000 award-winning books with readers in 11 Caribbean countries.

Working with the Bocas Lit Fest, CODE offers further support for writing, publishing, promotion, and teaching young adult literature by sponsoring professional training and public events where Burt Award-winning authors can meet and inspire young readers and writers.

CODE executive director Scott Walter said in a media release, “One of the unique features of the Burt Award is that CODE ensures young readers have access to the winning titles. We are thrilled not only to celebrate our three nominated authors but also by the prospect of bringing their stories into the world and connecting them with Caribbean youth.” Announcing the finalists at the media launch of the seventh NGC Bocas Lit Fest, founder and director Marina Salandy-Brown pointed out that this award not only rewards the writers, it also directly supports the Caribbean publishing sector through the unique guaranteed purchase and distribution of the winning books. “This makes all the difference to small independent publishers in our region and allows them to raise their standards.” Entries were judged by an international jury administered by the Bocas Lit Fest and made up of writing, publishing and educational professionals with expertise in young adult literature.

Chair of the judging panel, US literary agent Barry Goldblatt, will lead a workshop in writing for young adults during the festival, which runs from April 16 to 30 .

The Burt Award for Caribbean Literature is a global readership initiative established by CODE with the generous support of Canadian philanthropist William (Bill) Burt and the Literary Prizes Foundation.

Established in Tanzania in 2008, the award is now offered in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Canada and the Caribbean.

For more info on CODE’s Burt Award for Caribbean Literature: www.codecan.ngo/ burt-award-caribbean or www.bocaslitfest.com

In the meantime, in many countries, women increasingly find themselves under pressure to get rid of the foetus after a diagnostic test of amniocentesis or chorionic villi (CVS) sampling gives a definitive diagnosis of Down syndrome. Many women are put off testing due to the risk of miscarriage. But nonetheless, 90 percent of babies with DS are aborted in the UK, for example, under current legislation.

In Ireland, The Citizens’ Assembly, set up in 2016 to discuss issues such as its aging population, abortion and climate change, is discussing the possible repeal of the eighth amendment, which guarantees life to the unborn.

After voting in April a recommendation will go to the Houses of the Oireachtas to be debated.

If Ireland repeals the eighth amendment there will more than likely be an immediate decline in the number of people born with Down syndrome.

The possibility of wiping out an entire group of people has led to media messages in particular on Facebook where we now have regular features of young people with DS going about their lives with great success.

The issue raised by many is, quite simply, who is the judge of what constitutes a good or worthwhile life? As far as this relates to Down syndrome, we know from hard evidence that there is a wide spectrum of talent among those born with an extra 21st chromosome.

There are fashion models, actors and actresses, store workers and receptionists who all have DS. Children with DS attend ordinary schools throughout the developed world, sit state exams and learn to read and write. Many have phenomenal memories and a rare gift for caring for the elderly and in particular for people with dementia and Alzheimer’s. We have not even begun to tap into their worth and value to society.

Many commentators point to historical research that shows how valuable children with DS were to societies in past eras.

The Renaissance painter Fra Filippo Lippi, for example, included a child with DS in his Madonna Trivulzio and the 16th century Flemish Nativity painting, The Adoration of the Christ Child, includes an angel modelled on a child with DS beside the figure of Mary.

The 15th century Italian painter Andrea Mantegna also reportedly used a child with DS as a model for Christ in at least three of his paintings. Historians believe the child may have been his, or belonged to one of his patrons.

The inclusion of figures with DS suggests that society did not always share the sense of shame at the birth of a child with DS that we seem to have later imbibed.

Artists recognised the unique qualities of innocence, love and forgiveness that people with DS share with Christ.

Research into our own folklore suggests that the figure of the douen may have been invented because of a large number of children born with Down syndrome on a particular estate in Trinidad.

In keeping with many marginalised groups, children with DS in the past were abandoned, or institutionalised and left uneducated and were often not taught social skills. This is no longer so.

As a result we now see ordinary people with features that are different, working and living in society.

But the myths associated with this condition remain.

So what are the real issues? For the most part people with Down syndrome trust others. In Trinidad and Tobago it would be impossible for a young woman with DS to walk or to take a maxi-taxi without fear of molestation. But it is our social climate that allows no assurance of safety, not our children.

People with DS are often the butt of jokes because their features are recognisably different.

Certain parents even consider plastic surgery. However, having a distinctive look may be a protection.

It says there are things I may not be able to do, but this does not say that I cannot live an independent life and look after myself. I can also have a meaningful life and good friends and a loving family. At the end of the day how many of us can state with confidence that we have this much? Yes, it is highly unlikely that a person with DS will become an academic, a lawyer or a doctor or a professional of any kind. They also do not have the killer instinct needed to succeed in many corporate jobs. But not too many of our citizenry will end up in such p o s i t ions anyway and we do not as yet suggest that such potential “under”- achievers should be culled.