HAPPY DIWALI TO ALL OF GUYANA

Oct 27, 2019 News

---

Today, we at Kaieteur News join our Hindu brothers and sisters to celebrate Diwali – the festival of lights. We hope that the brightness of this day will signify the importance of embracing new beginnings and by extension the triumph of good over evil.
We extend Happy Diwali wishes to all of Guyana and so do other individuals and organisations some of which can be found below.

HEAD OF STATE, DAVID GRANGER

I extend greetings to all Guyanese on the occasion of the joyous, religious festival of Diwali – the festival of lights.
Diwali is a significant celebration. It is a cultural retention of the Hindu community and is observed by all as a national holiday. This ancient Hindu festival was brought to our shores one hundred and eighty one years ago. The festival recalls how the people of Ayodhya lit small earthen lamps (diya) to illuminate the way for the return of Ram and Sita.
Diwali’s moral message is universal. Diwali signifies the triumph of good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, prosperity over poverty and hope over despair and the joy of homecoming.
Diwali reminds us of the values, which unite us as a nation – compassion, kindness and righteousness. It reminds us of the nation’s cultural diversity which, when respected, shields us from division and disintegration.
Guyana is becoming a more cohesive society as our people continue to work together, across geographical, racial and religious boundaries, to forge a stronger a more united nation.
Happy Diwali 2019!

&&&

PEOPLE’S NATIONAL CONGRESS REFORM

The People’s National Congress Reform takes this opportunity to extend greetings to the Hindu Community in Guyana and indeed, to all Guyanese, on the occasion of Deepavali or Diwali.
Diwali occurs on the night of Amavasya (New Moon) in the month of Kartik, which is considered to be the darkest night on the Hindu calendar and marks the return of Lord Rama after 14 years in exile. To welcome his return and to light his path, diyas were lit.
Diwali is a joyous celebration of inner light over spiritual darkness, knowledge over ignorance and right over wrong. It is a festive restatement of the Hindu belief that good ultimately triumphs over evil.
The PNCR has always been and will always remain respectful of Guyana’s cultural and religious diversity and believes that our diversity has worked and will continue to work to the country’s advantage. Guyana is a multi-religious, multi-ethnic and multi-cultural country. Our diversity is an asset not a liability. Our Party is proud to belong to a society of many faiths.
As we celebrate Diwali, the PNCR remains committed to ensuring unity in diversity so that our beloved country can experience real development and progress.
Shubh Diwali to all Guyanese!

&&&

INDIAN ACTION COMMITTEE

The Indian Action Committee (IAC) extends Diwali greetings to all Guyanese, especially persons who are adherents of Sanatana Dharma on the occasion of the now globally-recognised festival of Deepavali or Diwali, which is derived from the Sanskrit language and means “a row of lights”. Diwali falls on the new moon night of the month of Kartika and is celebrated over a period of five days in India.
Diwali is associated with several mythological stories, one of them dealing with the belief of Hindus that, on the day of Diwali, Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana, King of Lanka, and that the people of Ayodhya celebrated his return by lighting thousands of diyas.
The IAC recognises that in Guyana the Goddess Lakshmi Maataa or Maha Lakshmi is venerated on the day of Diwali, her devotees ardently believing that their veneration of her will result in wealth and prosperity being bestowed upon them in the future.
The bright lights of Diwali are believed, by Hindus, to guide and welcome Lakshmi Maataa into their homes where she can bestow her blessings on them and their families, and also to guide and welcome Lord Rama back to Ayodhya.
The bright lights of Diwali are also considered to signify the illuminatory power of knowledge, which destroys the darkness of ignorance and also to represent the triumph of good over evil.
The IAC calls upon all Guyanese to respect the sanctity of Diwali and engage in appropriate and fitting observances and activities.
Shubh Diwali

&&&

PEOPLE’S PROGRESSIVE PARTY
Once again Deepavali, commonly known as the “Festival of Lights”, is upon us. Its significance is most relevant for the advancement of humanity as its universal messages of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil, remain a reservoir of inspiration. In our quest for upliftment, these messages allow us to recognise not only the outer darkness that surrounds and engulfs us, but also the spiritual darkness within. Like all of our national festivals, Deepavali has transcended religious borders, and has become a major component of the Guyanese cultural mosaic. The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) takes this opportunity to extend greetings to all Guyanese, especially our Hindu brothers and sisters. Our Party urges that the pertinent messages that Deepavali teaches, be reflected upon and heeded. Let’s be comforted knowing that knowledge will defeat ignorance and that in the end, compassion will triumph over despair. Let us also use this occasion to be inspired to work in the best interest of all Guyanese and to build stronger bonds of togetherness as we participate in the various events that have come to be associated with this truly national festival. Shubh Deepavali to All!

&&&

ALLIANCE FOR CHANGE
The Alliance For Change extends our best wishes to the Hindu community of Guyana on this the largest and brightest Festival on your annual calendar. In this celebration of life and goodness, the AFC sincerely hopes that the auspiciousness, strength and wisdom that Diwali represents, will continue to guide the paths you take in the near and distant future.
Diwali or Deepavali adds greater significance from the vanquishing of evil by Lord Rama. Guyana is on a similar path, with rows of lights laid down to guide our way forward.
The AFC fully embraces the brilliance of Diwali and the effect that this Festival of Lights has on all of us. It has become much more than a religious festival, and it impacts Guyanese from all walks of life. The rows and creative designs of lights, diyas and colourful Rangolis bring out our collective joy and brotherliness.
AFC urges Guyanese of all faiths to transfer the teachings of Diwali into family and social relationships. This Festival is a true lesson in togetherness, and a celebration of joy in accomplishment. We must all remember that Diwali is a celebration of life itself, and that the lights and diyas, the cleanliness and brilliant colours represent hope and love for all humankind.
Happy Diwali to all Guyanese.
&&&

Georgetown Mayor, Pandit Ubraj Narine

Deepavali is a very auspicious occasion for Hindus across the world. The Foundation of Hinduism is the essence of unity in diversity. This is applicable in our country where multi-ethnic- cultural and multi-religious groups make up our national citizenry.
Deepavali is a time of great religious significance, as spiritual symbol of good over evil, light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. This festival as we know represents light, vision, illumination and enlightenment. It is not simple lighting the physical diya itself, but using this as a symbol; the clay diya represents the body, the oil signify everything we pour into our mind and body, and the wick symbolising the medium through which our qualities are displayed, being our thoughts, words and actions.
Taken to the level of the nation, the triumph of good over evil reassures us that our adversities and challenges can overcome and that we can also shine in society regardless of the darkness around us. We are at a time in our country where we need to remember that ‘good will’ is victorious, that hope and love will triumph over darkness and despair. We must remain hopeful and trust that our prayers will be answered and that our faith will not go in vain. There is a tremendous potential for Guyana to transform its economy, for our strength comes from our unity and only when we are united, we can overcome darkness.
It is my belief that the nation comes to life with each festival, and the joy that we experience at these times helps us to cope with the stress of daily loving, and reminds us that we are capable of being joyful human beings. Joy comes from the participation in each festival, the unity in families and communities, in the variance of food and culture, the enjoyment of music and entertainment
As people across our beloved nation gather together to illuminate their homes, their communities and their hearts, let us be the light we want to see in the world, and let our little lights fill the world around us so that we can share greater knowledge, affection and compassion to our fellow brothers and sisters. I take this opportunity to wish the entire nation a Shubh Deepavali.

&&&

ETHNIC RELATIONS COMMISSION
The Ethnic Relations Commission continues to spread the message of harmony and good relations amongst all Guyanese as was evident during a Diwali Celebration, held at its Queenstown office on Friday.
Participating in the programme were students of Cove and John Hindu College and Valmiki College, – who shared their knowledge on the significance of the festival and participated in the singing of Religious Bhajans.
Making brief remarks at the celebration, ERC’s Commissioner and representative of the Hindu Bodies Sister Rajkumarie Singh said that in a plural society like Guyana, with many different cultures, – people have managed to embrace each other’s culture.
More importantly, she highlighted: “This festival of lights or Deepavali which literally means a row of lights is a very beautiful festival that transcends social, economic, racial and religious barriers. It is so because it is an inner call to re-kindle this pure light in our hearts.”
Commissioner Singh also explained that light signifies the spiritual elimination brought about by truth, knowledge, love and peace.
To this end, she called on all Guyanese to pray for peace and harmony, as they ardently strive towards eradicating darkness in the form of untruth, ignorance, jealousy and greed. Instead, she urged all to usher in their hearts the inner light that signifies Care, Compassion, Truth, Honesty and Integrity.
The event which was attended by Commissioners, Staff, representatives from sister organisations and students from nearby Schools also showcased the lighting of the symbolic Diya and a musical interlude by members of the Indian Cultural Centre.
The ERC’s celebration of Diwali 2019 forms part of its efforts to build a unified Guyana.
&&&

GUYANA AGRICULTURAL AND GENERAL WORKERS UNION

The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) is once again pleased to join with all Guyanese and especially our Hindu community, to celebrate Diwali, widely regarded as the Festival of Lights. The Diwali observances give us an appropriate occasion to urge that peace, tolerance, understanding and compromise, especially in today’s conditions, brighten our pathways and guide us in our daily lives. Like the thousands of Diwali diyas in many regions which will light up the darkness of the night, let our existence be unobstructed by the darkness that forestall our development and well-being.
The Diwali celebration is one that today transcends one community and is supported nationally. The symbol of the lighted diyas is not only lovely to behold in the evening but it imparts the message of the value of spiritual enlightenment in our collective efforts to bring about conditions for our peace of mind and a satisfying life.
With such sentiments in mind, GAWU is always pleased to be associated with the usually wide interest shown in the expectedly dazzling celebrations that are traditionally associated with Diwali.
We wish all the practitioners of the Hindu faith, and indeed all Guyanese, a happy and enjoyable Diwali, the festival of lights.
Let the lights, at this time, light up our pathway to harmony, economic well-being and our general upliftment.
Happy Diwali!

 

---

---