Latest update March 22nd, 2025 6:44 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

A SURE WAY TO GET YOUR PICTURE IN THE NEWSPAPERS

Nov 27, 2010 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom

As you drive along the main highways of the country, you will often see the dead carcass of some animal that has been run over by a vehicle. This is especially true during the rainy season when animals seek the warmth of roadways at nights, unconscious that they can be run over by vehicles.
A few days ago, I saw a dead cat on the West Berbice Public Road. It had been threshed by a vehicle. The animal was no doubt someone’s pet and had strayed out onto the roadway and was hit.
No doubt the owner of that cat would be very sad and hurt by what happened, and judging from what is taking place, may wish to establish some sort of memorial at the spot where the cat died. But should anyone be allowed to erect memorials alongside our public roads?
In my lifetime, I have seen dogs, goats, horses, cows, and pigs being run over by vehicles.
Imagine what would happen if the owners of all of those animals decided to individually place crosses to mark the spot where their animal died.
Now in the case of persons killed on our roadways, it is understandable that the families of those killed would wish to find ways to remember those who have been killed and to mark the spot where they died.
A few months ago, a young bank employee had her cellular phone snatched from her and as she pursued the bandit, he jumped into a car and ran over her. Her co-workers held a vigil for her and erected a cross at the spot where she was run over. Someone removed the cross, placed by the deceased colleagues.
Now, some persons associated with the dead young woman have erected another cross, this time in the medium separating the two lanes of the road where the young lady died.
Now while it is understandable that the relatives want to show their love for this young lady whose life was cut short, what sort of image are we creating of Guyana when people come to Guyana and see our roadways with crosses.
They will believe that our roads are deathtraps.
The authorities should ask the relatives who planted that cross to remove it. All other such memorials should also be removed once they are alongside roadways.
It will set a bad precedent whereby families of persons who lost loved ones in road accidents to claim a right to erect similar memorials alongside our road.
The grief and pain of the family is understood but this practice of planting crosses alongside our roadways must be discouraged.
It is not good for the image of Guyana and may not be even good for the safety of our roadways. What happens if everyone who lost loved ones in road accidents decided to imitate those who are planting public memorials to their loved ones?
The other gripe is that every day when you open the newspaper, you see a photograph of someone making a donation to the Kashif and Shanghai football tournament.
The joke around the place is that if at this time you wish your picture to appear in the newspapers, all you need to do is make a donation to this tournament and you will sure see your picture appearing in the newspaper.
It is commendable that corporate Guyana is coming on board what is by far the best-organized and most popular football tournament in Guyana.
But does the media have to publicize every donation that is made to that tournament? I think not.
Instead of dedicating all that space towards covering someone making a donation or providing sponsorship to the tournament- often the public is not even told what is the amount being donated- it would be better if coverage can be provided about the preparation of the teams for the tournament. Who is really interested in what firm made a donation to the tournament? Yet every day there is something in the newspapers about someone providing sponsorship.
Corporate Guyana should be encouraged to support all tournaments but please can someone spare us this daily ritual of reading about donations? This is free advertisement for the tournament and free publicly for the donors.

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| March, 17th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

St. Lucia’s Elite Blazers takes aim at FIBA 3×3 World Tour in Edmonton

St. Lucia’s Elite Blazers takes aim at FIBA 3×3 World Tour in...

Mar 22, 2025

…but must first conquer the One Guyana 3×3 Quest Kaieteur Sports-  For Caribbean teams, qualifying for the FIBA 3×3 World Tour is a dream come true. However, the opportunity to...
Read More
Petra/Milo U18 Football kicks off Round II action today

Petra/Milo U18 Football kicks off Round II action...

Mar 22, 2025

Track and Field clubs demand nullification of AAG elections

Track and Field clubs demand nullification of AAG...

Mar 22, 2025

Joint Statement from WIPA and CWI on Athlete Safeguarding

Joint Statement from WIPA and CWI on Athlete...

Mar 22, 2025

RCNA launches Childhood Obesity Prevention Inter-School Tapeball Competition

RCNA launches Childhood Obesity Prevention...

Mar 22, 2025

FL Sport donates stumps to Meten-Meer-Zorg Cricket Club

FL Sport donates stumps to Meten-Meer-Zorg...

Mar 22, 2025

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]