– President Jagdeo
The Hindu festival of colour that marks the spring festival and symbolises the triumph of good over evil is a festival for all Guyanese, according to President Bharrat Jagdeo.
The Head of State expressed these sentiments while at the Indian Cultural Centre, Bel Air, earlier yesterday, and then the Dharmic Sabha Kendra, Prashad Nagar, later in the afternoon, where hundreds gathered for the festival prominent for the sprinkling of colourful powder and water.
“It is important that we all honour our ancestors and the culture brought here, but not treat this as belonging to any special group of people. This belongs to all Guyanese. That’s why I’m so happy that today we can celebrate this as Guyanese, all of us together, and foreigners,” President Jagdeo said.
The scenes at the two popular venues were similar to several others held across the country and as is customary, the celebrants included Hindus and non-Hindus.
Over at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, the first-ever colour fest was hosted on the lawns of the venue by the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) company.
The event was free to the public and blue powder was the only powder used on this occasion, to further promote the telephone company’s motto. Among the highlights were chowtal singing and tassa drum competitions and a variety of popular spicy Indian cuisines
Over at the Indian Cultural Centre, President Jagdeo was joined by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony, and Indian High Commissioner Subit Kumar Mandal, among others.
Amidst the fun and excitement, President Jagdeo reminded the gathering to acknowledge the religious and societal significance about the triumph of good over evil, the birth of things new, and the departure from things old.
He expressed the hope that the festival influences togetherness among Guyanese, alluding to the evident multiplicity of persons who gather to celebrate the Hindu festival.
Speaking at the Dharmic Sabha Kendra, President Jagdeo expressed similar sentiments, and urged that the message about triumph of good over evil motivate Guyanese to build self-confidence to overcome adversity even in difficult times.
Speaking with admiration about the energy and confidence demonstrated during Phagwah celebrations, particularly among the youths, the President expressed the hope that the same momentum is sustained with bigger tasks to be faced later this year.
Hindus celebrate Phagwah or Holi by sprinkling coloured powder and abeer.
On the eve of the celebration, a bonfire also known as holika, is lit, symbolising the triumph of good over evil as told in the Hindu scriptures by the story of young Prahalad and Demoness Holika, sister of King Hiranyakashipu. (GINA)