MESSAGES FOR THE FESTIVAL OF DEEPAVALI 2014

Oct 23, 2014 News

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PEOPLE’S PROGRESSIVE PARTY

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) extends Diwali greetings to all Guyanese, in particular our Hindu brothers and sisters.
This festival signifies the triumph of light over darkness and resonates with humanity all over the world. The message of Diwali is universal and cannot be ignored, especially in these trying times.
The current situation in the world in which there still exist large pockets of people who suffer from oppressive and dictatorial rule, renders the significance of the festival all the more relevant and timely.
In our own country dark clouds are threatening to throw the country once again into a state of backwardness and darkness.
The PPP remains convinced that these destructive forces will not prevail and that good will ultimately triumph over evil.
It is the sincere hope of the PPP that Diwali, referred to as the Festival of Lights, will serve to rekindle our hope for a brighter Guyana. It certainly will brighten our collective hearts and souls as we seek to overcome our challenges and as we forge ahead to build a peaceful, progressive and prosperous Guyana.
Happy Diwali Greetings to one and all!

PEOPLE’S NATIONAL CONGRESS REFORM
The People’s National Congress Reform extends friendly greetings to all of the Guyanese people, but, on the celebration of the festive occasion of Deepavali, particularly the members of our Hindu Community.
Our Party recognizes that Deepavali, the Festival of Lights, should enliven all, young and old, men and women, rich and poor, in towns and communities throughout Guyana. It should be a unifying and integrating force which encourages goodwill, joy and friendship that bring all the people of Guyana together. In the religious context, the Goddess Maha Lakshmi, the Goddess of Light, is worshipped for wealth and spiritual enlightenment.
On this occasion, because the PPP/C Administration has accelerated its confrontational approach towards the National Assembly, while continuing to violate the fundamental tenets of our parliamentary democracy, particularly their refusal to hold local government elections and govern in accordance with the rule of law, and to recognize the law-making and oversight role of the National Assembly, the people of Guyana are seeing the light disappearing while a gathering storm looms on the horizon. The symbolism of the triumph of light over darkness now carries a powerful message for the Guyanese nation.
The national environment is polluted by:
The high incidence of domestic abuse;
Uncontrolled lawlessness, armed banditry and criminality which has created an atmosphere of fear and insecurity;
Barbarous murders have become a daily occurrence;
Corruption abounds at all levels of the society;
Our suicide rate has reached record levels;
Narco-trafficking appears to be increasingly out of the control of the authorities;
Indiscipline, in schools, homes and on the road abounds; and
Partisanship, racial and political discrimination defile our national life.
In the circumstances, the PNCR invokes the blessings of Mother Lakshmi to end this darkness so that our dear land can once again experience peace, prosperity, good governance, equity, security, a culture of civility, and good order.
A HAPPY AND JOYOUS DEEPAVALI TO ALL GUYANESE!

Alliance For Change
On the auspicious occasion of Diwali, the Alliance For Change extends greetings to all our Hindu brothers and sisters. This is a time of great religious significance in the Hindu calendar, commemorating the return of Lord Rama after he had spent 14 years in exile.
The message of Diwali gives us hope and teaches us that evil and darkness will not triumph in the face of goodness and light. It is a time for forgiveness and looking beyond differences. It is not a time for debasing and making disparaging remarks about others.
On this occasion, the Alliance For Change urges all Guyanese; regardless of their religious beliefs, to pray for our nation and for each other, that each of us may be a light of hope and kindness in the life of someone else. This Diwali as we share in the sweat-meats and other treats, let us also share peace and kindness.
Meanwhile, the AFC acknowledges its oversight in calling for a sitting of the National Assembly on October 22. Given the usual preparations and religious observances on this evening, it would have been impractical for the House to meet.
A happy Diwali to all.

A PARTNERSHIP for National Unity 
A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) takes this opportunity to once more extend felicitations and best wishes to our Hindu brothers and sisters and the people of Guyana generally, as we observe yet another Deepavali National Holiday.
Of the various Hindu festivals, Deepavali, the Festival of Lights, enlivens all, young and old, men and women, rich and poor, in towns and communities throughout Guyana. It is especially a unifying and integrating force. Diffusing goodwill, joy and cheer, it brings all people together.
The religious significance of this festival is particularly illuminating. The Goddess Maha Lakshmi, the Goddess of Light, is worshipped for wealth and spiritual enlightenment. But, alas, the light in our beloved country is only flickering. Literally and metaphorically, the light and spirit of this Nation are fast disappearing. With increased corruption, violent crime and a rising sense of hopelessness, the Guyanese Nation sees the light disappearing around them. They sense a gathering storm is at hand, as the human spirit of this Nation becomes sullen and depressed
This year’s observances are occurring at a very important moment in the history of the nation when there is a clear need for peace, understanding and stability. These values are common to all the religions in Guyana and assume particular significance in respect of the Deepavali celebrations. The idea of the triumph of light over darkness symbolically and otherwise, carries a powerful message for the Guyanese nation.
APNU, therefore, joins with the Hindu community and the rest of the nation in celebrating this important event.
A HAPPY AND JOYOUS DEEPAVALI TO ALL GUYANESE!

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The Federation of Independent Trade Unions (FITUG)
The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) the majority grouping of Guyanese workers, among them thousands of Hindus, join that community and indeed these days the entire nation as the Festival of Lights – Diwali – is celebrated countrywide.
From Corentyne to Charity, from Linden to Lethem and the hinterland, earthen diyas shine their little long-lasting lights in the darkest, moonless nights. Research shows that Diwali was started to celebrate harvests in rural India. The festival, it is indicated is celebrated on the fifteenth day in the dark half of Kartic (October/November).
It is rich in symbolism as light represents triumph over all that is evil – inclusive of ignorance, disease, poverty and all things negative to human existence. FITUG is attracted to quote from the poet, Khalil Gibram: “Do not let the Candle of Wisdom die out in the darkness of lust and error. For the wise man approaches with his torch to light up the path of mankind.”
Guyana needs persons, policies and leaders to be beacons and lighthouses of illumination leading our challenged society to progress in all its aspects. Today, it might be relatively easy to identify those in leadership and decision-making positions – from Parliament to Boardrooms to workplaces who are agents of darkness and violators of development. Criticism is healthy when it is constructive. Protest is empty when no alternatives are viable or even offered.
The Hindu Goddess of wealth and prosperity (Light) beams her spiritual illumination for all to enjoy. May her spirit inspire us, during the 2014 Diwali observances, to seek and demonstrate wisdom and vitality, strength and understanding to compromise for peace, stability and sustained progress.
A happy, joyous Diwali 2014 from FITUG.

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