Baiganchoka interviews Mr. Sam Lall, Owner of the Lord Ganesh Plant in Queens New York.
November 7, 2008
We would first like to say thank you to Mr.: Sam Lall for graciously inviting us into his home to discuss the subject.
The purpose of the interview was to clear up any and all misconceptions the public has of Mr. Lall and the Amaranth plant that resembles the Hindu Lord, Ganesh that now grows in his backyard. The plant according to Mr. Lall is the undeniable fact that lord Ganesh is present due to the stark resemblance between lord Ganesh and the plant that is shaped like the deity. Mr. Lall noted in the interview that the newspapers has gotten it all wrong including The West Indian which ran a story that he never approved. Read more
Review:VISIONS 2008 “An Evening of Songs & Dance”
November 2, 2008
Saturday Oct 1st 2008, VISIONS which can be described as an organization focused on nurturing the artistic/cultural talents of children and young adults in the West Indian centric community of Richmond Hill, had their annual talent show at Richmond High School. The evening was filled with songs and dance from young Benny Mitesh Parag, Sarika Sherman, Samatha Ramkissoon, Pt Manoj Jadubans, Denna Maharaj, Katherine Ann Ramsingh, Vauhini, Nikita, Rajendra Persaud, Dexter Raghunanan, Hema Devi Thakoordeen, Ranjeev Ramdeen, Lisa Balram, Samantha Persaud, Wanita Ramnarine, Annand Sayroo, The Natya Tilakam Dance Academy and The Shahara Dance Group. Read more
COURTS CARIBBEAN launches their US Outfit in Brooklyn New York
October 31, 2008
Caribbean furniture, electronics and appliance chain, Courts, today lauched its Grand reception commerating its’ first US outfit. The Brand has debut in North America for the first time when it opens its doors in the Caribbean immigrant-populated borough of Brooklyn on Oct 31st.
COURTS has always been known for carrying the latest in furniture, electronics and appliances and is now located 2822 Church Avenue in Brooklyn, between Nostrand and Rogers Avenues.
Courts Caribbean says they are following on the well-known tradition of connecting families and friends, and will offer the unique service of island delivery to loved ones back home. Read more
NY Coalition to Expand Voting Rights: Press Conference from City Hall, New York
September 7, 2008
Did you Know that More than 1 million adult New York City residents can’t participate in local elections. That is 20% of adult New Yorkers and more than the population of 11 states! Is this really democracy?Every year, immigrants pay $ 18.2 billion in New York State income taxes at the exact same tax rate as their citizen neighbors. This is taxation without representation. More and more immigrants are joining and supporting labor unions, but can’t effectively demand that their elected officials support the legislation suggested by their union to provide affordable housing, high-quality education and access to health care in our neighborhoods. Read more
A Short History of the Indo- Guyanese Community of Richmond Hill, ‘Little Guyana,’ Queens New York.
August 17, 2008
This Indo- Guyanese immigrant community of Richmond Hill, ‘Little Guyana,’ Queens, New York was born a little less than three decades ago. The total life- span of the Indo Guyanese community is 169 years. The first wave of movement of the fore- fathers of this community was started in 1838 with two ship- loads of Indentured East Indian Immigrants. They left India bound for the British sugar plantations of British Guiana [now Guyana]. The first wave of immigrants was to continue until 1917, when the system of Indian indenture labor was ended. Thousands of East Indians went to British Guiana, until they became the largest ethnic group in the country, and was followed by the Guyanese African group.
The efforts of Dr. Cheddi Jagan and Mr. L.F.S Burnham united the working classes of the country, in the early nineteen fifties. Together their political party The Peoples Progressive Party [PPP] won the first General Elections of 1953, held under universal adult suffrage for the first time. The right to vote was given to all eligible voters. That victory was short- lived. The British suspended the constitution, and some of the party members were detained including Dr. Jagan and his wife. Mr. Burnham was never jailed or detained. Dr. Jagan and his party were branded as communists. This was during the infamous Cold War Years. Eventually Burnham split from Jagan in 1955. The two men now competed for political power. The British and Americans favored Burnham, who became the first Prime Minister, then president in an independent Guyana. Burnham ruled the country for 28 years dictatorially, and with rigged elections, as the champions of world democracy stood by quietly. Under Burnham the country became economically impoverished like Haiti. In addition the social and economic factors under Burnham, caused the second wave of East Indian Movement, in the opposite direction to the United States, Canada and elsewhere starting in the nineteen sixties. That second wave gave birth to the Indo- Guyanese immigrant community of Richmond Hill, now unofficially known as ‘ Little Guyana,’ in Queens, New York.
Reflecting:
Living Indo- Guyanese History
Connected to:
Richmond Hill, Queens New York and Motherland Guyana
By:
Robert H. Mahesh
Photo Blog of the City of Toronto, Canada
August 12, 2008
For some one living in New York City, visiting Toronto will likely leave the impression of a city that is well kept and thoughtfully developed. For one, the city of Toronto is quite clean. Yes, bits of garbage can be found in the streets but it becomes non-significant in comparison to New York. Two, the roads are well kept and potholes seems to be a thing of the past unlike that in New York Moreover, in Toronto the air seems to be less polluted because public transportation for the most part uses natural gas for fuel. Read more
Photo Blog from my trip to Europe
August 8, 2008
A little while back I had the occasion of visiting a few places in Europe. I started off in Barcelona, Spain, and worked my way to Florence then Rome, Italy. After Rome it was off to Corsica, which is a beautiful Island in the Mediterranean then to the South of France, theb Monaco then back to Positano Italy and lastly Paris to see the Eiffel Tower. What trip to Europe would be complete if you missed the Eiffel Towel? So Paris was a must see. This was all done in less then a week and a half and it was back home to New York. Read more
Update: Kris Gounden speaks on the current situation regarding his case on being victimized in Howard Beach
March 26, 2008
The Queens District Attorney called me last Monday to let me know the grand jury was unable to prosecute due to lack of information. Humm, what does this mean (I said). “It’s over!”. These were the same people that called me several times to accept a deal to get rid of this case. Interesting note, Councilman Addabbo and Frank Singh went on a local West Indian radio station (January 2008) to state that my case will be dismissed by the grand jury. Read more
Kris Gounden refers to growing up in Ozone Park/Richmond Hill battling racism in the 1970’s
March 24, 2008
It has been difficult to go thru the past but I guess people really have no clue of how much our people put up with to live in ozone park/ Richmond Hill. There is a local civic organization that meets at 101 Avenue and Lefferts blvd. I am told there are quite a few West Indians that attend these meetings. Its kind of ironic that the same place many West Indians were beaten and arrested (for nothing other than being West Indians!). It was never reported or given any press time. We just knew the places we couldn’t go because we would get “jumped”. Read more
Sybil’s Bakery - Richmond Hill, New York
March 23, 2008
I particularly like Sybil’s of Richmond Hill. I have sampled most of the restaurants in the area and by far I have found Sybils’ to have the tastiest pastries. In particular, the cheese rolls are the best. The curries and fried foods are also delicious especially the fried rice and Jerk Chicken, I usually have this once a month as treat for attempting to eat healthy all month long. Read more
Phagwah Celebration: Held in Richmond Hill, New York 3/22/2008
March 22, 2008
I attended the Phagwah parade this morning, which commenced at 130th street on Liberty Avenue in Queens and culminated at Smokey Park on 125 street and Atlantic Avenue in Queens. Read more