Guyanese New Yorkers celebrate Deepavalli

Nov 06, 2013 Letters

Dear Editor,
Deepavalli, more popularly called Diwali, the Hindu festival of light, was celebrated last weekend in New York, Orlando and elsewhere in the Guyanese American Hindu diaspora. It was a lovely day and many celebrated the festival outdoors with gaiety and splendor.
Also, in Trinidad, Guyanese joined others in celebrating the festival. Though not a public holiday in New York, as in Guyana, Trinidad, and Suriname, Diwali was celebrated with gusto. However, it is given recognition with cancellation of parking rules and non-attendance of students in public schools (but being on a Saturday it did not matter).
As in Guyana, non-Hindu New Yorkers in Guyanese neighborhoods like Richmond Hill, Crescent, Parkchester, Hollis, Jamaica, etc. also looked forward for the festival because it was a time for invitation for dinners and the distribution of mithai (sweets) as well as to take in the lovely deyas, brilliant fireworks and light displays.
The Guyanese American children, in particular, were glad to get a break from school chores for the holiday and to take in the spectacular traditional earthen lighted deyas and electronic lights, and to enjoy the season’s delicacies, and be the judge of the best lit home in their neighborhood. The kids also help with the lighting of the deyas and sharing prasad to neighbors and their friends. My colleagues at work look forward for their special meals.
During the previous weekend and all of this week, an aura of celebration has been in the air with the main business district of Liberty Avenue in Richmond Hill well decorated and teeming with shoppers. Hindus spent a lot of money and merchants want to attract them to their stores. And it should be noted that Diwali is significant to the business community because it is the time of the year when they close their business, close out old accounts and open new ones for the new Hindu year.
Businesses report excellent sales this year for Diwali related items as the American economy makes a turn around.
Guyanese Hindus organized a Diwali Nagar at the Cheddi Jagan Square where artistes performed. The Nagar displayed Indian arts and crafts, foods, music, and books, and highlights Indian contributions to the world. It attracted hundreds of revelers in traditional Indian attire. There was a free cultural variety concert similar to those held in Guyana during this time of the year.
The Diwali festival and Nagar have become a celebration of one’s Hinduness with Hindus expressing pride in their heritage and traditions. They were not bashful about celebrating their festival. It is celebrated with exuberance in New York just like in Guyana. Festivals like Diwali give Hindus, particularly Indo-Caribbean peoples, an opportunity to come together and to celebrate their identity.
Vishnu Bisram

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