Adhere to the COVID-19 guidelines this `Mash’
“Mashramani” abbreviated as “Mash” is one of the most anticipated annual festivals in the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, celebrated on the 23rd February each year.
The most important thing about Mashramani is understanding the significance of why we celebrate this auspicious occasion by remembering when Guyana was declared a “Republic “on the 23 of February 1970. The word Mashramani is derived from the Amerindian word meaning the “celebration of a job well done.”
Culturally, Mashramani is a colourful festival which includes its annual parade, music, games, and it is surrounded by events and competitions, unfortunately this year due to COVID-19 most events have been canceled to protect our citizens.
Most Guyanese look forward to seeing Masquerade Bands performing dance routines throughout the streets of Georgetown,
Calypso and Chutney singing competitions, Children’s costume Parade, Steal Band and the crowning of a King or Queen.
This year most events have been staged virtually since there is no parade. We can still celebrate with close relatives and friends by keeping our indoor games, cooking, enjoying music, virtual events and much more to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
On behalf of the Citizens of Georgetown and the Office of the Mayor, I want to wish my Guyanese brothers and sisters a “Happy 51st Republic Anniversary!
Please ensure that you adhere to the COVID-19 guidelines and protect each other and drink responsibly.
Be safe and enjoy the festivities!
Yours faithfully,
Pandit Ubraj Narine JP Mayor of Georgetown
TEL AVIV – In the first foreign-policy speech of his presidency, Joe Biden had a simple message for the world: “America is back.” But restoring the credibility of US diplomacy and implementing an effective foreign policy will be an uphill battle.
To his credit, Biden is taking steps to reverse many of Donald Trump’s most damaging policies. As he noted in his speech, he has already signed the paperwork to re-join the Paris climate agreement and has reengaged with the World Health Organization.
Biden also announced the suspension of Trump’s planned troop withdrawals from Germany – a clear attempt to reassure America’s alienated European allies. Moreover, he warned Russian President Vladimir Putin that the days of the United States “rolling over in the face of Russia’s aggressive actions ... are over.” And he pledged to end US support for the Saudi-led offensive in Yemen, and to step up diplomacy to end the catastrophic war.
At the same time, Biden seems poised to uphold some of Trump’s more sensible policies. Notably, Trump was resolute in his desire to avoid “stupid, endless” wars in the Middle East, and he withdrew US troops from Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan, resigning himself to the Afghan Taliban’s return to power.
Biden is likely to take a similar approach (which, to be sure, began with Trump’s predecessor, Barack Obama). And for good reason: the US has expended vast amounts of blood and treasure in the Middle East, and has very little to show for it.
As for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Biden has endorsed the Trump-brokered Abraham Accords between Israel and a number of Arab countries, even though they represented a strategic setback for the Palestinian cause. While he is not expected to endorse Trump’s bogus Israeli-Palestinian peace plan, he also seems unlikely to invest much political capital in advancing the two-state solution – by now a lost cause.
But there remain major foreign-policy tests ahead. Start with Iran, which Biden barely mentioned in his recent speech. During his campaign, Biden promised to return to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, the so-called Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which Obama negotiated and Trump abandoned. To this end, the Biden administration will have to persuade Iran to stop enriching uranium beyond JCPOA-imposed limits and agree to new negotiations, before the US lifts its punishing economic sanctions on the country. Of course, Iran wants sanctions relief first, but compromise is entirely achievable.
This article was received from Project Syndicate, an international not-for-profit association of newspapers dedicated to hosting a global debate on the key issues shaping our world.