HARRY BISSOON

  PALM BEACH HINDU MANDIR'S COVID-19 FOOD DISTRIBUTION  Over the past four weekends, on Sundays, from 10am to 11am, the Palm Beach Hindu Mandir has been distributing basic food items to members of the community. This weekend, on Sunday, May 17, they will be engaged in their fifth such exercise, and maybe their last, for the time being.  In these times of lockdowns, self isolation and social distancing, and other Covid-19 precautions, the Mandir and its members must be commended for this valiant effort to ease the difficulties and change of lifestyles in which we are all absorbed. This should not be viewed as a charitable venture, but must be seen as a determined outreach to people in the community, to make it easier, and safer, for them to access basic food items. All that the Mandir is doing is acting as a medium to provide easy and safe procurement of these items.  In all communities, some more than others, handouts are taboo to many people. Many are quite comforta...

  ROBERT HARRICHARRAN I cannot claim to know Robert personally but I do know him. He was employed at the Royal Palm Beach Civic Center in West Palm Beach, Florida. He worked on weekends, whenever there were events at the Center, whether in the Grand Ballroom, or, any of the other Banquet Halls.  As a member of the community who hosted events at the Center, I came into contact with him whenever he was at these events. He worked with one, or, two other people, to set up and breakdown event arrangements and settings. He was also responsible, with the others who worked with him, for the successful completion of events, mindful of the Center's rules and policies.  I have had many events at the Center, and, based on feedback from many others who have  had events at the Cultural Center, I know him to be a responsible, friendly, pleasant, efficient, caring, and humble person. He always treated me with respect. I am  confident the he did the same with others. Robert came...

  BUMPER BALL, 'BATTING' & HOMEWORK  Growing up in the 50's and 60's was a nostalgic adventure, full of fun, frolic, family, and personal scholastic achievements, coupled with many misadventures.  It was a time when we had very little, if any, technological accessories. The only working technology that was commonly used, and which we feared, was the 'wildcane'. The cracking and hissing sound that this instrument made was used copiously by the older folks. Not us, the curious, inquisitive, growing children. It kept children in line. Even the police applauded the use of this simple technology.  The wildcane governed the behaviour of those of us who grew up during this period but it never stopped us from having fun and making great strides in personal achievements. After school, during the regular school week, was hectic and fast moving because of the limited time we had before sunset. Getting home, having a snack,and doing some household chores to help our mot...

  SWAMI VIVEKANANDA I stumbled on this book in 1972, at a library/book shop in Guyana, which was going out of business. At that time, during my formative educational life, I yearned for expansive knowledge in the religions of the world, primarily, Christianity, Hinduism, and Islam.  I was born a Hindu and learnt about its teachings through my mother, the local pandit, and reading the Gita, Ramayana, and some of the Vedas. Christianity came to me during my high school days, and discussions with my relatives, many of whom are Christians. I also read parts of the Koran during my teenage years. Through personal inspiration and revelations I became a Christian, following the teachings of Jesus, just after graduating from high school. In 1972 when I read Vivekananda's 'What Religion Is' a whole new understanding of religion was opened up to me. You are god he says! This was easy to understand, since I already believed in Jesus, when he says that the kingdom of heaven is within yo...

  I was pleasantly honored, in 2007, to meet Eustace Edward Ricardo Braithwaite ( E.R. Braithwaite), a Guyanese born British - American writer, novelist, teacher, diplomat, Electronic Engineer, and Royal Air Force pilot.  I greatly admired him as a writer. During my high school years - 1963 to 1966 - I read four of his novels, To Sir, With Love, Paid Servant, A Kind of Homecoming, and Choice of Straws.  To Sir, With Love,which is based on actual, autobiographical events while he was a school teacher in the East End of London, was the inspirarion for the classical movie, To Sir, With Love, with Sidney Poitier and Judy Geeson. The theme song with the same name was sung by Lulu. In 2007 when we were planning the Guyana Day cultural event in New York City at the Performing Arts Center, York College, Braithwaite's name came up as our Guest Speaker. We enthusiastically reached out to him in Rockville,Maryland, USA, where he was residing. He travelled by rail(Amtrack) to be at t...

  AN ATTACK OF INSANITY  Harry Bissoon  Western democratic societies, and even third world countries, are being driven to the edge, forced to dangerously  stand on a precipitous brink,at the edge of an abysmal pit. We, as a people, have made tremendous strides in technology and academic excellence but socially and as individuals, we are in a state of abject degradation. We have become divided along patisan lines of opinions and superfluous misnomers, such as race and color, that are driving us into camps and corners, even into the shadows of our very existence.  Many are afraid to step out because of vociferous and vitriolic attacks on their personality and character, mindful of the relevance and impact of what they say, and how it can inappropriately hurt them. This has created a silent constituency, waiting in the shadows to strike where it matters. The respect and appreciation of individual freedom is thrown to the winds, as bandwagons, which are organized an...

  THE EARTH DOESN'T NEED US We are forced into submission  Battling the forces of an unseen enemy Unable to see the the clarity of ascension Behold, the dark clutches of animosity  Earth laughs in our struggling anachronism  We are not as invincible as we thought  Do we work for the earth in selfless aphorism  Or, falsely think that the earth is naught 

  THE MOONGAZER.  It was just after 11:55 pm. The night was eerily quiet and was filled with a terrifying darkness that engulfed us with stifling closeness. The only light came in fleeting spurts and brilliant clarity from the moon. It was a full moon night, overladen with dark rain clouds! We quickly forgot the blistering excitement of the late night movie, ‘Kid Galahad,' which we had just seen at the village movie theater. We hurriedly ran along the middle of the clay brick road which coursed its way along the river bank, and ambling pass a silent burial ground, rushing to get home before the midnight hour.  On full moon nights, especially after midnight, the Moongazer would come out to roam the street, looking for an ideal spot to stand immobile and stare at the moon, his long legs stretched across the road. Invariably, the Moongazer stood just where the village koker was located, and where the clay brick road was met by two cross streets. He would stand astride, his f...

  Life is humanity's greatest achievement! It is so prevalent and omnipresent that we do not fully recognize its presence until it has left us. Many do not even realize that it's an achievement and feel that it's an inherent fact of our existence. But it's not! Life, as we know it, is achieved through our karmic journey! When the bond is broken, it devastates us! I know Raj! He lived, and will continue to live in our community and our hearts. I know his father, Harry Persaud,a singer of emotional, sentimental songs, from New York. I met him here in West Palm Beach when I migrated to Florida.  On behalf of myself and family, I extend sincere condolences to Raj's family, on his passing and transition to the great beyond.

  A REVIEW: VIRTUAL HOLIDAY CONCERT 12/13/20 Promoted & Sponsored by PALM BEACH COMMUNITY OUTREACH, INC  Virtual events have become the norm. Many of us who have a deep love and appreciation of the various, and diversified cultiral art forms, couldn't sit still and wait on the dreaded virus to dissipate, before doing what we love to do - promoting, and showcasing, our talented artists who bring our culture alive. Our Caribbean culture and heritage, Guyana and Suriname included, makes us rich and proud. The artists who performed have supported us before, in the different cultural organizations that we lead - GUYANA DAY USA, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO CITIZENS ASSOCIATION, SOUNTECC BBQ, THE ESSENCE OF MUSIC - and we took pride in bringing them together, as professionals and creative, emerging, new comers, to share their talents with you, our followers and supporters. These different groups have bonded together as PALM BEACH COMMUNITY OUTREACH, a duly registered,not for profit, co...

  THE RICE FARMER  Harry Bissoon  The power and influence of the rice grain is all encompassing, touching all in its path. The smell of rice fields fills you with hope and joy, particularly to the shrewd and sagacious rice farmer.The water, the mud, the tender straws, and the the touch of the rice paddy sends waves of satisfaction, buffering the body and soul of the farmer, stimulating him to productive action.The rice fields are the hope and dreams of the indefatigable farmer. He came a far way from the days when Bullocks were the heroes of the day! I remember my father's champion oxen, Black Jack. He was the leader of the pack. He hauled boats in and out of the backdam, and dragged iron ploughs, turning the soil, in readiness for sowing, done after the fields were flooded.  He pulled paddy bundles out of the fields, on wooden sleds, taking them to the mound where his brother, Reds, the lead oxen, along with another bull, were ready  to mash the straws, separat...

  LIFE IS AN ILLUSION  Life is an illusion, or, maybe not! We are born into this world, make our mark and create indelible impressions! Life, regardless of who and what we are, sentences us  to death, punctuated with happiness and joy, sadness and sorrow,  grief and mourning, excellence and mediocrity, and universality and crass individuality. We conquer this illusion with the posivite notches we make on others, and the world.  My friends, Steven Chang and Virginia Pahlman, have made strong impressions on others, and on their own spirituality and souls, to conquer this illusionary, physical life. They have gone beyond this illusion to be with the all pervading spirituality which will give them rest and peace. What else could life be! It is so fleeting and impermanent.  It is like floating wisps of air that could only be seen when it blows against the unmoving leaves of a palm tree, causing them to stir and dance, allowing us to behold the reality of the ill...

  RACISM IS AN INCONGRUOUS MISREPRESENTATION OF REALITY.  I grew up in Corriverton with great childhood friends! My village, Springlands, was almost evenly mixed, ethnically, between the two major ethnic groups, with a sprinkling of Portuguese and Chinese. As children, in Kindergarten, primary and secondary schools, we never knew that we were different, apart from having varying shades of color and hair types. We loved, got married, frolicked, got infatuated, and developed strong bonds with each other. Our parents and grown ups did the same. They never thought of, or showed any inclination of racial animosity and hatred. It was a great time! We were all brothers, sisters, and neighbors. We were one big family and we took care of, and looked out for each other. In the 50's, when I became a teenager, life was good and full of promises. As children, we were buddies in school, visited each other homes, and even slept over, with our parent's consent. I remember, in the early 60'...

  BUMPER BALL IS LIFE UNADULTERATED. Harry Bissoon  Listen! If you do not know the intrinsic beauty and drama of Bumper Ball, then you have really missed out on an important ingredient of redemption and second chances. It is a game of giants and people who walk tall. In the afternoons, after school, when you should have been tired and weary, a renewed vigor took hold of you, as you hurried home to grab a snack that mom made, rushed through your 'have to do' chores, and then raced to the village ballfield. Your friends were already there, some of them skipping their chores, mindful that they will be punished by whip, or, belt. But Bumper Ball was too sweet and full of excitement and energy. You had to beat someone, or, some team, that scored more runs, or, took more wickets than you yesterday.  Bumper Ball gave you a chance to build on your weaknesses and offered a pathway to becoming better than your best friend. On many occasions you had to take a physical thrashing by s...

  STAND BY ME Happy New Year, folks. It is not uncommon, for most of us to make resolutions, and periodically resolve to commit ourselves to become better individuals, especially at the beginning of a new year. As we welcome 2021, let us become steadfast in doing the things that will lift us to greater heights, to strengthen our good attributes and endeavors, and to minimize negativity. Let us build our positive relationships with others, and Stand With Them, as you would have them Stand With You. Be always positive, persistent and progressive, and aim for prosperity, in mind, spirit, and material achievements. Never give up! Be like the Beast in the famed novel by Gabrielle Susanne Barbot, Beauty and The Beast, in which he asked Beauty, every evening at dinner, for over eight months, "Will you marry me?" She said, "No", every evening, but in the end, after over 250 'Will you marry me', she said, "Yes", and the Beast became himself, a dashing and d...

  BERBICE RIVER CROSSING Crossing the Berbice riiver by ferry was an experience which was an adventure all by itself. To catch the first crossing at 4:30 am, traveling from Corriverton, you had to get the first bus at 2:00 am. By car, you could have left at 1:30 am, to join the line, if the car was crossing. This first crossing allowed you to be in Georgetown at about 8:00 am, to get your business done and travel back to Corriverton after lunch. The first crossing at the New Amsterdam Stelling bustled with activity. Hucksters peddled all sorts of goods, but the food vendors were a hit. Fish and Bread, and Salt Fish and Bake were the favorites, which went well with lemonade, cream soda, or any other drink of your choice. I liked the return trips. With your business done successfully, you could hang out in leisure at any one of the restaurants, or bar, around the Berbice car park, mindful of the time your car wants to leave on its trip back to Corentyne. Most people who took the firs...

  SUGAR CANE Those of us who grew up and were nurtured by the sweet nectar of the sugar cane grass are forever indebted to its resilient glory. Though the nightmares of plantation aristocracy were ingrained in our sentient beings, we shrugged that off and created new frontiers, unmindful of the chains that constrained us, forging new paths that took us to glory. Our forefathers expanded their scope of development,  seeking to travel to new and better horizons. Those of us who give unbounded praise to our predecessors who toiled in the sun and and sometimes, wet, slippery cane fields, are thankful for the sweet glory of this sweet grass, the sugar cane!!

  COVID-19 IS SCREAMING AT US. Observation by HB. Rumi: "When you are dead, seek for your resting place not in the earth, but in the hearts of men." Longfellow: "...And,  departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time." If Covid-19 hasn't taught us anything as yet, then we should take a pause and step back from our false infatuation with the tides of our times, and look at ourselves from outside of our bodies.  We must realize that we are only 'quiet dust', drifting along with purpose, it would seem, in the face of invisible, deadly threats, that could fatally devastate large swaths of humankind. We have become susceptible and fragile to nature's way of telling us that we are nothing. Nothing? No! We are not nothing! We need to follow simple and basic principles of love, appreciation, caring, respect, and cleanliness, and to realize that we are more than 'quiet dust'. If we do not find our real selves, then that is all we will be,...

  SPRINGLANDS STELLING Harry Bissoon  The Stelling was built and owned by Guyana Rice Board(GRB). It was later sold to Alesie, the dutch company that bought the GRB operations in Berbice, Guyana. As an employee of GRB, in the 70's and 80's, part of my responsibility, along with other GRB officers, was to clear the passenger launches( Lily1 and Lily 2) for arrival and departure. These launches were owned and operated by Surinamese. The Springlands Stelling was more than a cargo and passenger wharf! It was a meeting place, a point of social interaction.It was a place where people met to work and play, to reminisce, relax, rejuvenate and to find one's creativity and inner strength.It called out to us, entreating us to walk it's planks that stretched out into the silt laden waters of the mighty river that separated two nations, Guyana and Suriname, left over from the colonial era.  We willingly gravitated to its greenheart structure, hard and sturdy, yet comfortable and unm...

  THE BUFFET TABLE IS BEFORE US It's almost ten months since we became ensnaired by the far reaching tentacles of a virus that has grown into a global pandemic. We have been forewarned several times about this impending attack that has now become reality but complacency and a belief that we are invincible have left us in the throes of the greatest pandemic since the early twentieth-century.  As we scramble to find ways to defeat Covid-19 many has been left traumatized by the ravages of the virus. The socio - economic implications have been devastating with the shutting down of businesses and a change in the way we live. The virus has also become a political football as politicians seek to score big goals in a never ending struggle for power. The global death toll is alarming. Many has lost loved ones to this scourge that has touched many lives, leaving them distraught, without no source of income, depending on handouts and relief packages. Over the past months we have learnt m...

  I am suffering from media fatigue! Too many 'Badcasters' and enlightened 'experts' keep bombarding the tangled web waves and the premium TV channels! Badcasters? Who the hell are these people? They are our present day broadcasters, who are doing an injustice to the freedom afforded by the ease of access to the web. Broadcasting and its proponents -  Broadcasters - has always been a profession of class, quality, substance, and excellence. While there are a few of these who give credence to this hallowed exercise of the art of media communication, the majority of these 'Badcasters' prance to their own vibes in the confines of their bedrooms, or, basements, as the case may be. Let us not debase a relished art!  Premium news TV?Another sickness in our daily  burden of stupidity!Turn the TV on!. It is very easy! Very easy now in this age of digital explosion! A myriad experts fill your living room with opinions and pronouncements that only they could relate to! The...

  VILLAGE FIRESIDES by Harry Bissoon  It was a simple joy to behold! The flickering flames that created a welcome glow in the blackness of night, long before dawn. Villagers were up from restful slumber, making haste, hustling in a bustle of sounds and, rushing to make meals for working husbands, and even ladies who had to be wage earners. I was always up, long before the sun rose,  to render meaningful assistance to my mother as she readied my father's food which he had to take to work in the backlands(backdam) of the sugar plantation.  Wives, children and grandparents, heroes of the early morning darkness, challenged the hours before dawn, in the faint glow of hand lamps. The  village firesides, out in the yard, or, attached to indoor kitchens, added an amazing harmony of lights which could be seen by all. The village was awake and well, and labor and work triumphed! The day was ahead and enterprise played well for all who took the challenge!

  THE IMPACT OF INTERNET RADIO STATIONS  In recent times there has been a rapid progression of internet radio stations by all and sundry. You really don't need any special, or, intense training and technical skills to set one up. The tools are easily accessible to anyone who has the inclination and money to set up shop and broadcast out of their room, basement, attic, or, garage. These stations could range from dull and drab to fancy and glamorous. I really do not know the efficacy of these fly by night radio stations but from a layman point of view, and, from discussions with many DJs and broadcasters,  I have become  very sceptical about their listenership. Of course, it has been pointed out that there are such stations that attract thousands of listeners. I agree, but these have been initiated by big, well established and recognized  national and international broadcasters.  Facebook has become an advertising and broadcasting board for many of these fly ...

  This morning’s ruling has defied God’s authority when it comes to marriage. In states across the nation, voters acted through the democratic process to protect marriage and the family. Yet, federal judges rejected the will of the people. And now the Supreme Court has chosen to be a tool of tyranny by abandoning the rule of law and the will of the people. But to the Court, we send this unequivocal message: We will continue to uphold God’s plan for marriage between one man and one woman, and we call on all Christians to continue to pray for the nation, and for those whose religious liberties will be directly impacted by this ruling.   #SCOTUSMarriage

  THE GLORY DAYS OF THE MOVIE THEATER (CINEMA) The Cinema was an integral part of life on the Corentyne, and I know it was so in other parts of Guyana. The MAYA Cinema in Corriverton, which is shown here in decay and dereliction, was one of the five cinemas in the border town. The other cinemas were RADIO CITY, METRO, STAR and NOVELTY. These cinemas were closed because of various reasons, which included rising operating  costs and competition from TVs that brought viewing of movies in the comfort of your home. Even in the dying days of the Cinema, a dwindling number of persons still flocked to these movie theaters. It provided a welcome form of relaxation and gave people something to do, in the face of limited oulets of wholesome entertainment. Weekends buzzed with talk of movies to look at. PA announcers from the various cinemas crisscrossed the town, and even beyond the limits of Corriverton, to the neighboring villages. I remember those days with nostalgia and feel a sense ...

  CULTURE AND UNITY Culture has that underlying force to forge a common bond and to unite different cultural expressions, norms and art forms into a united whole, bringing people of varying ethnicities together. . However, this only happens when we understand and respect each other for what, and, for who we are!  I have been promoting culture since the 80's. It has been my hobby since then. Myself and two other friends, started the first Phagwah parade on Upper Corentyne, Guyana, in the early 80's, which attracted national attention. During that same period, I coordinated the performances,in Corriverton, by a national Surinamese dance group, as well as being involved in managing Mashramani events on the Corentyne. When I moved to the States, I continued in the promotion of Guyanese and Caribbean culture, with a clear and decisive mission to create cultural unity. I have worked with many performing artists, too many to portray here, who have stood out, not only as performers, b...

  WE ARE NOT INVINCIBLE  Many of us think we are invincible. I would also like to believe that I am such a person. But I am not. I know! Many of us know! Nonetheless, we strive to achieve invincibility.  We are being attacked by an invisible enemy. We cannot see it, so we presume that it's not there. It is with us! It will be with us until we can conquer it! I am troubled because many disregard simple precautions which will keep us safe. People of all ages walk, shop and mingle without observing these precautions. They do it with a proud disposition, as if saying, "I am not you. I am strong and healthy. They look at you mockingly, as if you are silly with your mask.  I will continue to take precautions against Covid-19, and I hope that you will do the same.

  EQUALITY, COMPASSION AND POLITICAL MISCHIEF - the case of George Floyd. Viewpoint by Harry Bissoon  In Alexis De Tocqueville's book, Democracy in America, he postulated that there is a direct correlation between equality and compassion that governs social interaction amongs us. Even though Tocqueville wrote more than one and a half century ago, his observations may still be relevant today. The death of George Floyd, precipitated by transparent police brutality, again brings to the forefront, the apparent unequal treatment of people of color, especially blacks, by the police. We may be born equal, but become unequal with the passing of time. Even though we may be presented with the same opportunities, not all of us react and respond with the same alacrity. This happens within all ethnic and racial classifications of people. In democratic America, consequently, we have people who are rich, poor, dependent, unemployed, sophisticated and trending, brilliant and dumb, enterprisin...

  IS THE WORLD, OUR ROTATING PLANET, TELLING US SOMETHING. "Happy the man, whose wish and care A few paternal acres bound, Content to breathe his native air In his own personal ground. Blest, who can unconcernedly find Hours, days, and years slide soft away  In health of body, peace of mind; Quiet by day." Alexander Pope. Pandemics are not new, but Covid-19 is close to us, alarmingly too close to many of us, in so much, that it's terrifying clutches have driven us into compulsory,or, voluntary retreat. A retreat that has forced us to rethink the ways of the world in which we live. We live in a world of unrestrained desires, restricted only by our inability to achieve more. But this inability is no barrier to us! We have created and manipulated ways and means to break this barrier. Ways and means which have no respect and  acknowledgment of the natural forces that surround us. We have, in all manner of ways, changed the equilibrium of the space in which we live. Do we need...

  IS THIS THE NEW NORMAL? COVID-19 AND ITS RAMIFICATIONS. Harry Bissoon.  "When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all your thoughts break their bonds; your mind transcends limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction, and you find yourself in a new, great and wonderful world." Patanjali. Covid-19 is gradually, nay, quickly, reshaping the world, in ways that are impacting the social, economic  and geopolitical dynamics which influence our lives in this world of international interdependency. The world will not be the same again, at least in the short term. Covid-19 has set the world racing to find ways and means to stem the tragic and deathly walk of this dreaded virus, and to understand the nature and ramifications of how it works. Scientists, doctors, medical experts, and even the media, have, since the onset of this virus, proffered various findings and observations that keep changing, as more and more information is colle...