Manning: Divali has deep values for pursuit of spirituality

Across the world, observers devote much time to the cleaning up of their premises and the exchange of gifts, visits and the special foods of the festival, all of this in an environment of concern for family and community.

The celebration culminates with the lighting of deyas, which provides the most dazzling and spectacular illumination of homes, villages and municipalities. We share all of this with the global Hindu community, but what stands out is the embrace and appreciation of this tradition by the people of our multi-racial and multi-religious society. This is a reflection of our determination to create in our society a definite and adequate space and place for all in the national community.

It is well that this is so for, as with our other important national religious observances, Divali possesses deep significance and value for the pursuit of spirituality, peace and harmonious living. There are positive values to be inculcated, providing we allow ourselves to be inspired, as indeed we must, in what for so much of the world today constitutes difficult and troubled times. Divali is the first of the major religious observances our nation celebrates as we move towards year’s end.

And, as for our other religious observances, we need to take with us into the coming year and our daily lives all the enrichment and enhancement they can provide.

Amid the celebration and dazzling lights of this festival, let us therefore continue to focus on its deeper meaning. We must continue to draw on its sublime aspects, inclusive of how we can translate these into giving greater meaning to our individual and collective lives, through the promotion of love, peace, unity and harmony in our national community.

Best wishes for a happy celebration.