This week the man/woman-in-the-street shared their impressions on the flag-raising ceremony, the Children's Mashramani competitions and other Mash activities in general. Their views follow.

Richard Gillis - self-employed: `The Children's Mash is superb but what the big people parade lack is taste and some innovativeness. It needs the support of the big companies and the economy is not doing well for the kind of private sector sponsorship needed. Government should give incentives to the big companies for taking part in the competitions. I still believe that the tradition of hoisting the flag at midnight in the National Park should be reinstated. It is ridiculous to raise the flag in the morning on Mash Day. As a youth my friends and I would go to the National Park for the occasion. It was a good outing. Taking away the flag-raising ceremony and holding it at a time and place when people are still sleeping is robbing the young people of this country of a very important piece of their history. Very soon they may even forget the significance of the Mashramani celebrations and don't even associate it with the country's republic anniversary.'

Taniara Dindial - student: `I have enjoyed the one or two times that I'd gone to the National Park for a flag-raising ceremony and I would like it to return at midnight there for the Republic anniversary. The children's Mashramani activities are probably the best in whatever they do. It is good because it is developing our creativity and talents. Mash this year for me is what the theme says `Colourful and True in 2002'.'

Evelyn Kendall - teacher: `The flag-raising should really be held at midnight to usher in the Mash Day celebrations. The anniversary begins at midnight and not at seven in the morning. I used to go to the National Park and it was fun. I don't go at all to Parliament Buildings because of the time. The children's competitions are better this year. As a matter of fact it has been growing each year and getting better all the time. Mash for me is a time for all races in Guyana to come together as one to celebrate our nationality. It is really growing and I am confident it will get better.'

Budhram - taxi-driver: `I like Mashramani. It is good entertainment. The good thing about Mashramani is that it does not leave anyone out. You either take part as a reveller or as a bystander. I can enjoy the music, and the children and adults' parades, and get into the partying mood.'

Roxanne Devonish - clerk: `I think there is need to place more emphasis on the costumes as they used to long ago and move away completely from the T-shirt bands. Sanata Textiles is doing a good job with some of the materials I see. The fabric could be sold at a reasonable and affordable cost. There would only be need to import the glitter. I believe that the Ministry of Culture should really move back the flag-raising ceremony to midnight. The New Year does not begin at seven in the morning and the flag-raising marks the start of the celebrations. Holding the flag-raising at 7 am is only encouraging disunity as the PNC will continue to hold the midnight ceremony which has become a tradition. There should be one flag-raising at the National Park where supporters of the PPP and the PNC can all go. This will bring back some unity we badly need in this country. The Children's Mash has always been the best part of the Mashramani celebrations. Big people can learn from it.'

Bibi Zorina Adams - teacher: `The flag-raising ceremony at midnight is in keeping with tradition. It is more relaxing and that is when Mash really starts. You don't even have to sleep after midnight and just move into preparations for the next day. We only have one day of Mash. Trinidad has two days and almost two nights of carnival. The traditional flag-raising is an integral part of the Mash celebrations and people don't get a chance to witness it at Parliament buildings early in the morning. The government should not allow us to have two flag-raising. It should really be one. The children's Mash Parade is good and the schools are really doing better. It is even better than the adults... better organised. The adults can take a page out of the children's Mash. The big people's Mash needs more private sector sponsorship and eventually it will come into its own. Fernleaf, Demerara Distillers Limited and other sponsors of the children's competitions should really be commended.'

Shemeial Belle - student: `I have never taken part in the Children's parade but I enjoy it. I look forward to it because it is the best part of the Mashramani celebrations for me. I never went to a flag-raising ceremony but I heard older members in my family talking about it at midnight and the good times they had. I would like to take part in one at midnight. At seven in the morning I'm not awake as yet. After the children's parade, I will be looking forward to going out with the family to look at the Mash day parade.'

Patrick Lam - student: `I prefer the flag-raising ceremony at midnight because you can't see the fireworks in the daytime. It is also cool and relaxing in the night and there is also magic in the air at nights especially when it is moonlight. The Children's Mash is a good time for the family, even though I don't have kids, to enjoy the children's performances. I enjoy them. Mash is one of the best times for people from the various political, social and economic backgrounds to put their differences aside and just begin a New Year and start afresh. Mash Day is Guyana's delayed New Year.'

Michael Griffith - public sector employee: `The children's competitions and the parade have been growing each year. They, more than the adults, showcase what Guyana has to offer. The flag-raising ceremony should return to midnight. Midnight is the beginning of the Republic anniversary and the significance of it should not be lost in the festivities only. No one remembers the flag-raising ceremony in the morning of February 23. Mash looks like it will be better this year than the last.'

Margaret - housewife: `The children's Mashramani parade is always interesting and entertaining. I try to come out and see them whenever I can. I don't have a problem with the timing of the flag-raising ceremony. But in the past I used to go to the flag-raising ceremony at the National Park. Now I don't go to any flag-raising. I go out each year to enjoy the Mash Day parade. I don't go to criticise, just to enjoy myself regardless of how many bands there are on the road. In recent years it is beginning to get so much better.'