Diwali Celebrations 2021

  The High Commission of India and Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC) in Georgetown celebrated Diwali on 5^th November 2021 with a grand program of lights and cultural performances. Event was graced by five Cabinet ministers of Government of Guyana: Hon. Dr. Vindhya V. Persaud - Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Hon. Zulfikar Mustafa - Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Charles S. Ramson - Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Hon. Nigel D. Dharamlall - Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Hon. Sonia Parag - Minister of Public Services along with various dignitaries, officials of the Government of Guyana, members of the Diplomatic Corps, Indian nationals, members of the Indo-Guyanese Diaspora, friends & well wishers of India. 

  The event started with lighting of ceremonial lamp. The guests were welcomed in the traditional way by applying Sindoor on the forehead.  The event included dance and music performances by the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Center Tabla Teacher Amjad Ali Warsi, Kathak Teacher - Ms Varsha Chaudhary - including Ganesh Vandana & Stuti; dances by Berbice Delight Dance Group & Jeevan Ka Nritya Dance Group, and students of SVCC and a Tassa & Dholl rendition.

  High Commissioner Dr KJ Srinivasa in his speech stated thatDiwali is an important religious festival celebrated all over the world by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists - some of the worlds oldest religions.  It is the day when Lord Ram returned to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana. It is also the day celebrated as the day of the birth and marriage of Goddess Lakshmi. In south India we celebrate the home coming of 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, Diwali is a festival celebrating victory of good over evil, celebrating goodness.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 cabinet ministers of Guyana, who were the Guests of Honour, spoke about the Diwali festival and its celebrations/relevance and importance to Guyana’s Socio-cultural milieu and conveyed Diwali greetings and wished that this Diwali may fulfill all dreams and bring happiness to the lives of all sisters and brothers of Guyana and the Diyas light up lives with peace, prosperity and happiness.

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6 November 2021