Guyana MP: Strive for unity

“While it is said that the waters of the Ganges is the purest, what I find interesting is the purity that Ganga Ma represents. To attain this kind of purity, one must be pure in thought, w o r d s a n d deeds,” she said, adding that life is like a river with many ups and downs.

“Life gives us joy, happiness and hope.

The challenge, she said, is to attain that balance where we as a people can face the ups and downs of life understanding that we are here today but we are not sure for tomorrow. She urged the leaders and all citizens to not only understand women and their venerability but also their inherent capabilities.

Minister of Community Development, Culture and the Arts Dr Nyan Gadsby Dolly, also addressed the gathering saying the theme of the sacred river reminds all of new life, rejuvenation and victory.

“It is said that it is here in Trinidad and Tobago the Ganges met the Nile and so, as we celebrate the sacred river and the festival of lights, we celebrate our diversity as a people,” she said, adding that the religious festival of Divali reminds all of victory over evil and light over darkness. President of the National Council for Indian Culture (NCIC) Dr Deokienanan Sharma said Divali Nagar made its first appearance at the carpark of the Mid Centre Mall in Chaguanas on October 26, 1 986. “Despite our understandable fears and trepidations, Divali Nagar at its opening became an immediate and huge success,” Sharma said. “On its very first day, it graduated into a national institution, into a festival of national import that brought back lost pride and awareness in the Indo-Trinidadians of their great and ancient culture.” Sharma noted that March 2017 will mark 100 years since the last of the indentured labourers came came from India and a centennial commemoration of the abolition of Indian Indentureship is being planned to mark the occasion.

The NCIC, the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha, the Indian Diaspora Council of New York and the local Indian Diaspora Council in collaboration with other organisations will be joining hands to mark the occasion with an Indian Diaspora World Convention to be held in TT.