– President tells gathering at Dharmic Sabha’s mela
President Bharrat Jagdeo Saturday evening joined hundreds of Guyanese at the Dharmic Sabha’s Kendra, Prashad Nagar, to participate in this year’s Phagwah Mela and Bazaar.
The event, one of many organised by the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha to commemorate the Hindu festival of Phagwah, offered songs, dances and displays. It also portrayed various aspects of Hindu culture while several Indian garments and delicacies were on sale as a cross-section of society turned out to support the event.
President Jagdeo, in his address to the gathering, said that the event is of important significance for all Guyanese, especially Hindus, since the festival speaks about good triumphing over evil which has always been an age-long struggle.
He said that Phagwah signifies renewal and spring, and that while Guyana has experienced a long ‘winter’, with many struggles, hard work and many sacrifices, the  country can now have an ‘emerging spring’.
Those at the event were urged by the President to understand the significance of the festival and try to nurture the spring, through knowledge.
Parents were also urged to take note of the developmental changes in society and be aware of what is happening while playing a part to continue the struggle of good over evil.
The President posited that persons should be aware of what is happening worldwide and locally, so as to help transform the country into one that is modernised.
He added that the budget debates which are currently in progress are very important to the country and citizens should pay more attention to them, since the budget represents the plans for the country.
Phagwah marks the beginning of the New Year for Hindus. At this time celebrants spread colourful powder and spray perfume on each other.
Phagwah or Holi is ushered in with the burning of Holika the night before. The ceremony is a symbolic representation of the story told in the Hindu scriptures of King Hyranya Kashipu and his son Prahalad. (GINA)