Dear Editor,
I firmly believe that when Mashramani first began as a celebration it was not meant to be the high decibel noise generating event that it has degenerated into.
The residents in and around the Lamaha and Vlissengen and Irving street corner are victims every year to the ear drum shattering noise levels that start the day before as an excuse for microphone testing.
Big liquor companies such as Banks and DDL set up prime location tents with the biggest boom boxes to attract the most customers. Several small vendors with the active cooperation of the Mayor and City Council do likewise.
The music starts around 7 to 8 am, reaches a crescendo by 10 am and does not start abating until 10 pm at the very least.
One may say that the residents who are so affected by the noise (it’s not music) should move out for the day or go to a hotel for a day, but what happens to the animals in our care?
A society is as advanced as the care it takes of the weakest members. In our case it’s our animals that don’t get any consideration.
Dogs hear frequencies that we don’t even hear so one can imagine what happens to them on Mashramani.
I firmly believe that in the interest of democracy and equal opportunities for all which is enshrined in our constitution, the central Mashramani celebration must be rotated in turn. The First Lady has done an excellent job in beautifying many parts of Georgetown and the countryside. Perhaps the seawall esplanade might be a good location this year and will provide some relief to the residents in and around Vlissengen Road and Lamaha St including to the animals.