GEOGETOWN : Grand Diwali celebration held at SVCC

GEORGETOWN : The Festival of Lights was, on Friday night, celebrated in grand style at the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC) Bel Air, Georgetown.

The
event, hosted by the Indian High Commission, started with the lighting of the
ceremonial lamp and the guests were welcomed in the traditional way by applying
sindoor on their forehead.

India’s
High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr K. J. Srinivasa, in his address to the
gathering, stated that Diwali is an important religious festival celebrated all
over the world by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists — some of the world’s
oldest religions.

He
explained that it is the day when Lord Ram returned to Ayodhya after defeating
Ravana while it is also the day celebrated as the day of the birth and marriage
of Goddess Lakshmi.
In south India, he said, “we celebrate the home coming of the legendary King
Bali. Bhai Dooj and Govardhan Pooja do form an integral part of this five-day
long festival.

The
tradition of Diwali views wealth and riches provide us an opportunity to do
good towards the betterment of society.”

Most importantly,
the High Commissioner noted that Diwali is a festival celebrating victory of
good over evil.

“Lighting
the lamp – the diya – is a chance to remember, even in the midst of darkness,
that light will ultimately prevail. Diwali is also a time for prayer,
reflection and contemplation, to reflect on our obligations to help our fellow
human beings, particularly the less fortunate.

And as we
light the diya — the lamp — we recommit ourselves to the triumph of light over
darkness, of good over evil. Guyana’s harmonious co-existence of its
multi-cultural and multi religious society was an example to emulate across the
world — similar to the ancient Indian concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — The
world is one family,” the High Commissioner added.

The event
was graced by five Cabinet ministers, namely: Human Services and Social
Security Minister, Dr. Vindhya Persaud; Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustafa;
Culture, Youth and Sports Minister, Charles Ramson; Local Government and
Regional Development Minister, Nigel Dharamlall; and Public Services Minister,
Sonia Parag, along with senior government officials, members of the diplomatic
corps, Indian nationals, members of the Indo-Guyanese diaspora, friends and
well-wishers of India.

The
Cabinet ministers, who were the guests of honour, spoke about Diwali and its
significance as they conveyed best wishes of peace, prosperity and happiness to
all Guyanese.

The event
also featured dance and music performances by the Swami Vivekananda Cultural
Center Tabla teacher, Amjad Ali Warsi; Kathak teacher, Varsha Chaudhary, along
with Ganesh Vandana and Stuti; dances by Berbice Delight Dance Group, Jeevan Ka
Nritya Dance Group and students of SVCC. There was also a tassa and dholl
rendition.