Dear Editor,

There is interesting news from GuySuCo. It is a break with the history of alcohol use and the sugar industry in that they will not host events associated with alcohol at the Albion Sports Complex. The advertisement in SN implies that the management of the sports complex has linked alcohol use at the events with the destruction of the ground, I would like to have an idealistic notion that the management of the Albion Sports Complex might also be concerned about the destruction which alcohol has wreaked in the lives of the people around the sports complex.

However, it is noted that Port Mourant and Rose Hall Town grounds could continue to be venues for events with alcohol sales. The government will be hosting the National Chutney Competition in Berbice at the Rose Hall Canje ground. Would the government take the lead in ensuring that it also makes this competition a non-alcoholic one, so that families, young people and others in Berbice could continue to find alcohol free events to have a good time? Especially as republican status is supposed to celebrate the promotion of human development in Guyana?

The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, the Indian Arrival Committee and other organisations have shown that it is possible to have large, well attended events without alcohol, so surely the government and the Ministry of Culture would be willing to continue that legacy with the National Chutney competition?

Yours faithfully,
Vidyaratha Kissoon