Hundreds celebrate ‘Rashtra Jyoti’
-Symbolic lighting of the national diya
THE  Indian Arrival Committee (IAC) has partnered once again with Guyana’s premier telecommunication corporation, the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) to host the annual ‘Rashtra Jyoti’, which is the symbolic lighting of the national diya, to usher in Deepavali 2010. The Promenade Gardens was again the chosen venue for the colourful cultural extravaganza, and the programme commenced at 18:00 hrs with a prayer by Pandit Seeraj, followed with brief remarks by Chief Executive Officer of GT&T, Mr. Yog Mahadeo.
Presentations were also made by Deputy Mayor of Georgetown, Mr. Robert Williams; Pt. Ravi Persaud, who gave a brilliant dissertation on the significance of Deepavali; Chairman of the Private Sector Commission, Mr. Ramesh Dookhoo; representative of the Indian Arrival Committee, Aditya Persaud; and representative of the People’s National Congress, Mr. Basil Williams.  The Upper Berbice Chamber of Commerce sent a message which was read by the MC.
Representing President Bharrat Jagdeo at the function was Attorney-General, Mr. Charles Ramson, S.C., who preluded his feature address with a synopsis of the meaning and the festivities of Diwali. 
The AG drew a nexus between the current prosperity of Guyana, alluded to by Mr. Dookhoo, and the festival of which the symbolical deity is Mother Lakshmi, who is the goddess of light, love and wealth.
Dance items were done by the Ishara and Shelita Dance Troupes, with songs being rendered by Pandit Dhamo Prashad and Ms Devi Pooran.  Master of Ceremonies was Neaz Subhan of the IAC.
The National Diya was then lit to signify the overcoming of adversities and the heralding of prosperity in Guyana. This year’s “Rashtra Jyoti” is the second collaborative cultural Deepavali programme between the IAC and GT&T, with the highlight of the programme being the lighting of the National Diya (earthen lamp) to usher in Deepavali 2010, which symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, with all its implications and ramifications.
During the inaugural ‘Rashtra Jyoti’ last year, the National Diya was lit by His Excellency President Bharrat Jagdeo, who said “….children are the diyas of our lives…” and adjured the nation to heed the tenets of the scriptures and apply them to daily existence.  A release from GT&T stated that Opposition Leader Mr. Robert Corbin and other officials also symbolically lit other earthen lamps.
Hundreds attended the event last evening, admission to which was free, with delicious ‘sweet meats’ prepared by the Vishnu Mandir of Alexander Village served to all.  The Promenade Gardens was transformed by myriads of scintillating lights strewn in decorative symmetry to create a wondrous fairyland.
Among the officials present were Ministers Robert Persaud and Dr. Bheri Ramsaran.