Dear Editor,
First I wish to compliment from my heart, the Minister of Health and Minister of Home Affairs for action taken on smoking in public and educating people not to smoke, and for trying to curb noise nuisance. With Christmas coming up, while all must be able to enjoy themselves, they must do it in a way that does not disturb or disrupt the lives of others.
The Minister of Home Affairs astounded us commissioners at a meeting of the National Commission on Law and Order dealing with noise nuisance (my term as commissioner has since ended). He said it was neither the NDC nor the police who had to give permission for noisy events, such as are held frequently at the Starlite Drive-in. I was questioning the role of the police in granting such permission, since citizens are being disturbed when they need their rest, and often vulgar sounds can be heard from places like the Starlite. The Minister indicated that according to law, it was the area magistrate who had to issue such permission.
Recently Starlite had a show called the Diwali Chutney Show, giving a bad name to a holy occasion like Diwali, which went into the wee hours of the morning with rumble and tumble, while sick people and students and people needing rest suffered. Whether it is the Cove and John police, or the area magistrate who issues such permission, do they know what people have to go through? People are not able to go to church the next day or be productive workers. I really understand that the owner of the Starlite wants to make money, but he has to respect the citizens of the area. People might not complain if he ended the show at 12 midnight and put on shows maybe only three times annually. Starlite was meant to be a cinema. I am begging the Home Affairs Minister to please investigate who issued such permission.
I recall one decent lady, a senior member of the Dharmic Sabha, had a wonderful Hindu function planned at great cost, with a great son of Guyana, Pandit Gossai, as officiating priest. As the gentleman commenced the function in the afternoon, Starlite began rehearsal for a show with sounds that deafened the priest and all the guests, making the function impossible. Tears were in the eyes of this great lady and religious organizer.
About two weeks ago, while returning home from a hard day’s work, I saw dark clouds of smoke swirling around Atlantic Gardens. On entering I could barely find my way; my chest got puffed up and I started to cough heavily; my children had to go into the house, and with heavy heart I had to close all the windows in the house, as the smoke was making life very miserable. I found out that Starlite Drive-in had mown its grass and then decided to burn it without any consideration for other human beings. Guyanese must never be so unconcerned about other people’s health and comfort.
People have to be considerate to their neighbours when it comes to fires and noise. Last Friday, coming home at about 4pm, and expecting some house guests later on, I was bombarded with stinking smoke which filled my entire compound, and came into my home, just as it did the homes of other residents in Atlantic Gardens. The stench of smoke was so heavy, I had to take my guests elsewhere. The smoke was coming from a house in Happy Acres; the council had already given that family a warning, but they disrespect law and systems.
On Sunday morning last, I awoke at 4.30am for prayers and then meditation on my balcony overlooking the canal where tens of thousands of white birds would pass on their way to feeding grounds every morning. As I opened my door to step out, there was blackness in the air, and a pungent aroma around, burning up my nostrils. I could hardly breathe and I rushed into the bedroom, for I thought my house was on fire, and aroused my family, only to find that there was no fire in our compound; it was coming from Happy Acres again. I thought to myself, what kind of rich people are these that dwell in Happy Acres, who like to burn their trash day and night, making the lives of people in their own areas and other areas uncomfortable and unhappy.
About a month back I visited NCN, Homestretch Avenue, where the compounds of NCN, the Sports Hall, the Archives and the National Cultural Centre were covered with smoke. The guards at NCN told me that the Botanical Garden’s management failed to understand human beings worked in all these compounds, and the smoke affected their breathing.
I have seen the Minister of Health take on a number of issues which are important for good health. I challenge, and even beg him, along with the Minister of Home Affairs, to start issuing warnings and advisories against open fires in communities where people live, and to learn to turn their grass into compost. Those who light fires always do so in a manner never to inconvenience themselves; it is always at the back of their homes, or the side of their buildings, following the wind direction that would suit them. It is my sincere prayer and wish that people who usually light fires would note these concerns and desist from doing so in the future. They should either bury their garden waste or make compost, or join with neighbours and pay to have it removed. They should also work with the councils. The NDCs do have garbage days; work with them, as I do. I use the council on their usual days. All it takes is administration or organization, with lots of discipline.
Yours faithfully,
Roshan Khan
