THOUSANDS of persons lined the East Coast carriageway, all the way to the village of La Bonne Intention (LBI) Wednesday evening to watch the spectacular unfolding of the annual Diwali motorcade in celebration of the Festival of Lights. 

The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha has been tirelessly putting forward these colourful displays of various representations of the meaning of the event for 40 years.

According to President of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, Dr Vindhiya Persaud,  the Diwlai motorcade displayed the creativity of Hindu believers, and was initiated by then president of the GHDS, Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud.
She reiterated that the motorcade would not be what it is today if it weren’t for the visionary leadership of Pandit Persaud who envisaged the magnitude which this celebration would achieve after years of hard work and dedication.
SIMPLE START

Dr Persaud highlighted that what started in a simple manner with horse-drawn carts and carriages and a few cars bedecked with fairy lights has emerged into something grand and spectacular.
She lauded the floats as they entered the LBI Community Centre Ground, and labeled them “creative masterpieces” done by talented Guyanese.
She urged that all Guyanese follow the profound message which Diwali sends, that is the defeat of evil and the triumph of good, to eliminate the darkness and negativity out of their lives and find the light within.
Dr Persaud expressed her gratitude at the tremendous support the motorcade has received for the past 40 years.

Meanwhile, President Donald Ramotar expressed his delight at being present for the auspicious festival.
UNIVERSAL MESSAGE
He pointed out that the occasion has a great universal message which most can relate to, such as the triumph of good over evil, as well as the victory of light over darkness and the victory of truth over lies.
The President related that these messages indicate that everyone’s wrongdoing will come to light at some point, as today in Guyana, that is what we are witnessing.
He explained that Guyana is experiencing the set of people who believe that by keeping people in ignorance, or by feeding them with lies and misinformation, that will fulfil their purpose, but like the messages given by this festival, “it gives us hope that our people will eventually see through many of the lies that are being perpetuated today.”
President Ramotar noted that there are persons who have tried very hard to have the progress and development of this country stymied, but this cannot be allowed as “ we have come too far to turn back, too far to go back.”
“Tonight, stand by me! Stand by the Government as we move forward to build a country of peace, progress and prosperity,” he urged.

PRIZES

The 40th annual Diwali Motorcade saw the participation of 26 floats, and prizes were awarded for small and large categories as well as the commercial category.
Edward B. Beharry and Company Ltd copped the prizes for Best Overall Float and first prize in the large category division.
The prizes were donated by various sponsors of the event, including the Pomeroon Oil company, Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI), and Digicel among other business entities.

(By Savitri Laikram)