Must Read! Baiganchoka.com supports the Caribid2010 initiative
June 30, 2008
Please support the movement to get Caribbean nationals their own self-identifying category on the U.S. census form.
This is not a one person effort - we are doing our part on the congressional push but we all need to collectively raise our voices and spread the word to ensure this discrimination is fixed and lawmakers get the message. Read more
Why Guyana should embrace republican democracy and not socialism
June 30, 2008
It is stated in the constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana (Cap 1:01) that:
“Guyana is an indivisible, secular, democratic sovereign state in the course of transition from capitalism to socialism and shall be known as the Co-operative Republic of Guyana.”
Because the constitution was written in the 60s, I want to assume that the reference to socialism is socialism in the traditional sense which aims to end the predominance of the capitalist system, or in the Marxist sense, which aims to replace it entirely. For Karl Marx, who helped establish and define the modern socialist movement, socialism would be the socioeconomic system that arises after the proletarian revolution, in which the means of production are owned collectively. This society would then progress into communism. Read more
“Guyana asks US for help in miners’ murder probe”
June 30, 2008
Caribbean360 reports that President Bharrat Jagdeo (Guyana) has looked to the United States for assistance with forensic pathology. It’s about time he sought outside assistance! The Guyana Police Force said ballistics showed that the shells found at the scene matched those found at the Bartica and Lusignan attacks. Link Read more
Chutney Soca artist from Guyana (Audio Samples)
June 28, 2008
Rajesh B. Dubraj is an up and coming chutney soca artist from Guyana. Dubraj recently performed songs from his CD, “2004 Chutney Soca Monarch Guyana” at the Guyana Day event held at York College, New York on May 18th, 2008. Read more
What’s missing from Liberty Avenue Richmond Hill?
June 28, 2008
Over the past 12 years or so the landscape of Liberty Avenue in Richmond Hill Queens has emerged as a major business center focused on serving the West Indian community from grocery stores, nightclubs, bars, eateries to churches temples and mosques etc. However, what I noticed a lack of was a book store like that of a Barnes and Nobles or a café with the atmosphere that inspires discussion on politics, religion or social life in general. If the residents of Richmond Hill would like to utilize a café, the closest ones would be in Howard Beach on Crossbay Blvd or Austin Street in Forest Hills. In like, if one needs to peruse a book store on a Saturday afternoon, the closest one would be on Austin Street in Forest Hills. Read more
Baiganchoka.com Interviews Chuck Mohan
June 26, 2008
Who Chuck Mohan and why is it crucial we know the many roles this outstanding citizen play in our community? Chuck Mohan is a native Guyanese and has been living in the United States for the past thirty eight years. He is the president of the Guyanese American Workers United and is an outspoken political activist in the Guyanese community. Read more
Sammy Baksh - audio samples from his CD “Prodigal Son”
June 25, 2008
Sammy Baksh is a son of Guyana and a musical artist. He has been singing for quite a number of years creating many originals and covering many other influential artists that expands globally. One of his signature releases “To be Lonely,” is a favorite among Guyanese through out the Diaspora. The Team at Baiganchoka was honored to sit one with Mr. Baksh one evening to discuss the man behind the music and the experiences over the many years that have influenced the songs he created. Moreover, We were able discussed the West Indian culture in relation to music and how it has evolved over the many decades. Mr. Baksh was a wonder guest to entertain. We can clearly say that we learned a lot from the conversation with him. We hope you enjoy the interview and the music. Read more
Terry Gajraj - Listen to audio samples from his new CD
June 25, 2008
We would like to say thank you to Terry for letting us share his newest releases with you. His blend of Chutney and Soca music conjure up old memories and the sweet relaxed local life in the Caribbean. His music has topped the Chutney charts worldwide and he is frequently requested and played on the Indo Caribbean stations. We hope you enjoy his music as much as we did. Read more
James C Richmond: My Caribbean Anthem
June 23, 2008
Over Years we toiled, over time as a people;
Looking for common love
We garnered and nurtured our freedoms
Like sunlit crimsons rays from above
And thank heaven for new and free nations as they evolved
Born from the sweet of our brow, our strong will and heart
Out of the Caribbean Struggles,
To a future we will chart
Like Toussiant, like Nanny and Maroon,
Like Cuffy we’ll do our part.
Like Cecil Rawlw, like Tubal Uriah Butler, our heroes who
Broke the yoke of bondage; and for freedom yearned
Ours are the hope of our children yet unborn
Unbridled, unbought, unbossed Read more
Gay Marriage
June 23, 2008
The Court in Massachusetts ruled “that the hard working, tax paying gay and lesbian citizens deserve the same rights and protections under the law as any other citizen of the state”. “Gays and Lesbians have the same right to marry as heterosexual couple”. The California Supreme Court ruled that banning gay and lesbian couples from marriage is unconstitutional on May 15th, 2008. The court gave thirty days for the state to begin marrying same sex couples. Read more
Guyana Folk Festival 2008! All are Welcome
June 22, 2008
Caribbean People in Harmony through Culture
Performing Arts Festival
July 2nd,3rd 2008
August 9th and 10th 2008
Meyer Levin Performing Arts School
Ralph Avenue (between Beverly and Tilden) Brooklyn, New York
Folk Festival Family Fun Day
Sunday, August 31st 2008
Meyer Levin School Grounds
Ralph Avenue (Between Beverly and Tilden) Brooklyn, New York
For More Info
www.guyfolkfest.org
Tel 718-209-5207
A Tribute to the late President Cheddi Jagan
June 22, 2008
Today we observed the death anniversary of Guyana’s hero and one of the founding fathers of the P.P.P., the late president Cheddi Jagan. As a former member of the Presidential Guard where I served with a few presidents in the P.P.P. administration, I had the privilege to serve Guyana’s greatest president, the honorable Dr. Cheddi Jagan. The late President Jagan was a great leader, a great thinker, and he had great ideas to move to move Guyana forward. I remember the first lady Mrs. Janet Jagan who would always give me president Jagan’s breakfast bag in the morning. Read more
Guyanese proverbs and their meanings
June 20, 2008
All cassava get same skin but all nah taste same way.
-Though people may look alike because of their mode of dress, they are different in their own ways.
Big tree fall down, goat bite he leaf.
-When a great man falls, he is no longer feared or respected. Read more
Jameela’s Video Recipe for Roti
June 19, 2008
Here is a video recipe uploaded by Mr. Shiva B. on how to make a roti (buss-up-shot).
It’s not often that I get to eat roti, and yes I do live in Richmond Hill, New York - the land of a roti shop on every block, but I mean some good homemade roti. After watching this video I could smell the roti… maybe I’ve just been roti-deprived. Read more
What’s happening in Brazil?
June 19, 2008
Brazil has a current population of approximately 190 million people.
50% of the population in Brazil lives without access to sanitation facilities.
Brazils Income distribution is incredibly unequal: The richest 1% of Brazil’s population control 50% of its income. The poorest 50% of society have to live on just 10% of the country’s wealth. Read more