West Demerara observes Diwali with motorcade, cultural show
Guyana Chronicle
October 26, 2003
THE West Demerara roadway was Thursday night transformed into a spectacle of lights as dozens of brightly illuminated and decorated vehicles cruised from Vreed-en-Hoop in the east and Parika in the west and converged at the Ocean View Hindu Temple.
At the temple, the panel of judges, headed by Dr. Martin Boodhoo, adjudged the winners.
The motorcade on the West Demerara is an annual event which was started by the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha more than two decades ago. It is part of the observances of the Hindu festival, Diwali.
Earlier in the evening, a mammoth crowd had gathered on the lawns of the Temple - spilling into the streets of Ocean View because of its size - to see the motorcade and to witness a grand cultural programme including Indian songs and dances and skits all depicting and conveying the spirit and message of the Festival of Lights. It was widely felt that the crowd was the largest ever in the history of the event on the West Demerara.
President of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud, said that from the Hindu perspective, light connotes knowledge and vision.
“Light must replace darkness and knowledge must eradicate ignorance” if society is to progress, Persaud asserted.
While noting that the huge turnout was testimony to Hindus’ commitment to their religion, Pandit Persaud nevertheless urged Hindus to be more involved in the religion and educate the youths in their culture. He urged the gathering to continue to support the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha which has been in the forefront in expounding the teachings and practice of the Hindu philosophy in Guyana.
But at the same time, he pointed out, they must be tolerant and respectful to other religions and culture.
“Love must replace hatred and ill will must go,” Persaud declared, in the process to build a peaceful, stable and secure society in which all must be involved in unity if such a goal is to be achieved. He added that while Diwali coincides with several Hindu historical episodes, the essence of it is that light will inevitably replace darkness.
He also commended the West Demerara Prant (branch) of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha for their dedicated efforts and splendid organising to make the occasion such a grand and resounding success, as well as the excellent quality of the artistes who performed at the cultural show.
Diwali is the Festival of Lights which originated several thousands of years ago in India and is celebrated by Hindus all over the world with the lighting of diyas in homes and temples, prayer and the preparation and sharing of sweet meats. (Chamanlall Naipaul)