THE Golden Fleece Vishwa Jhotir Mandir was awarded first place in the Guyana Dharmic Sabha annual Deepavali motorcade Tuesday night on the Essequibo Coast.

According to reports, the float which depicted a clear message of Deepavali won the hearts of the judges from Georgetown and was awarded the top points of 277. The float which was dazzling with hundreds of lights depicted ways in which to stop social ills in society. A young beautiful girl dressed as Goddess Lakshmi sat in the float as it travelled slowly along the public road to the Anna Regina Community Centre ground.
Reports said the motorcade which began from the Affiance bus shed brought hundreds of residents on to the public road to watch the illuminated vehicles travel to the commercial centre of the Town of Anna Regina.
Some of the floats on the motorcade were Cotton Field Mandir which came second; Perseverance third; Richmond Mandir fourth and Affiance Mandir fifth. Other Mandirs such as Cullen, Airy Hall, Queenstown, Bush Lot Hari Dwar, Reliance, Aurora, Spring Garden and Cornelia Ida Mandir were given consolation prizes for taking part in the motorcade.
President of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, Dr.Vindhya Persaud, said she was happy to be part of the motorcade in Essequibo and very impressed with the various depictions by the Mandirs that took part in the float. The President applauded the efforts made by the various temples. She called on Essequibians to use the festival of lights to ignite that light within and to recognise that divine spark among each other. Dr Persaud urged the Hindu community to come together under the Dharmic family and help foster togetherness.
Vice- President of the Sabha, Mr. Jagmohan Persaud, also called on Essequibians to work together and not to be side-tracked. Persaud said the turnout at the motorcade is testimony to togetherness.
The programme at the Community Centre ground featured dances, skits, and special appearances by E- Network Emerging Voices winners Vishali Sukram, Amir Khan, Artie Sukhai and Naipaul.
Also witnessing the motorcade were Region Two Chairman, Mr. Parmanand Persaud and Vice-Chairman, Mr. Vishnu Samaroo.
Rajendra Prabhulall in Essequibo.

(By Rajendra Prabhulall)