– gives $4.8M to Dharmic Sabha for upcoming Diwali celebrations
DIGICEL Guyana, on Wednesday, presented monetary assistance to three organisations as part of that company’s giving back to society in the development of culture and education locally.
The presentation took place at Digicel Headquarters at Fort and Barrack Streets, Kingston, where firstly, the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha (GHDS) was gifted $4.8M to promote culture in the form of the upcoming Diwali celebrations and motorcade.

GHDS Secretary Savitri Sukhai told the gathering that Diwali, a national holiday in Guyana, will be celebrated on October 26, this year.

It is the largest Hindu-celebrated event in Guyana, with the celebration transcending race, creed and religion.

She added that the highlight of Diwali each year is the countrywide motorcade organized by the GHDS, which sees thousands of Guyanese from all walks of life lining the streets in a harmonious atmosphere to observe the beautifully decorated floats.

Sukhai said the motorcades have grown exponentially, as seven motorcades of creatively decorated and illuminated floats will take to the streets in Essequibo, Berbice and Demerara, beginning this Friday and continuing through to Tuesday, the eve of Diwali.

She stated that the Central Georgetown motorcade will see categories of large, small and commercial floats participating from Georgetown, East and West Coast Demerara, East and West Coast Berbice, and East Bank Demerara.

Judging will be based on a points’ basis as follows: illumination (25), appropriate depiction of theme (25), appropriate music, (20), dress and deportment (15), punctuality (05) and overall presentation (10) points.
Considering the substantial costs to put the floats together, the organisation has increased the prizes in the three categories as follows:
First – $300,000 and $225,000 plus trophies; second- $200,000 and & $175,000 plus trophies; third – $200,000 and $100,000 plus trophies; fourth – $150,000 and & $100,000 plus trophies; fifth – $100,000 and & $75,000 plus trophies; and sixth – $75,000 and $50,000 plus trophies.
Sukhai told reporters that a float which does not place will still receive an incentive of $20,000 and a trophy.
In total, $3M will be up for grabs, with floats in the commercial category receiving large trophies as well. This year, the trophy for the Best Designed Float will be open to all three categories.
Moving away from the motorcades, she disclosed that the newest event, Diwali Utsav, which was held at the National Stadium on October 16, 2011, saw acclaimed singers from overseas and Guyana exploding on stage in a rich cultural extravaganza.
The Diwali Utsav is expected to become an annual event spread over three days, and the National Stadium parking lot will be transformed into a Diwali Village with decorated and illuminated structures, rangoli making, mehendi designs, face-painting and games for children, sumptuous food and Diwali shopping.
She said, “It is our humble view that these celebrations would not (have been) possible on such a grand scale had it not been for the generosity of Digicel.”
Digicel has partnered with GHDS as a major sponsor since 2009, not only for Diwali celebrations, but for all other events hosted by that organisation.
The second monetary presentation – $160,000 – was made to the Avon Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation. Receiving the cheque were members Judith DaCosta and Shawnella Puran.
DaCosta told the media that the money will be used to pay for the mammograms of 100 women, and will also fund the hampers for cancer survivors.
The third presentation was made to the Guyana Legion Remembrance Day School Quiz. It was worth $250,000, and in accepting the cheque, Administrative Assistant Luna Chung disclosed that the quiz will commence on October 25, 2011 on NCN Television for children between the ages of 12 and 15.
She added that the money will also go towards paying for the airtime on NCN Television, and the school quiz will be based on Remembrance Day activities.
Chung noted that the organisation presently has 50 registered servicemen from World War 11, whom they honour annually.
In brief remarks, Digicel Public Relations Officer, Shonnet Moore, told reporters that the three monetary presentations were a part of Digicel’s commitment in partnering to promote education and culture in Guyana.

She added that, for the first time, the GHDS Diwali celebrations this year will see employees of Digicel at the La Bonne Intention (LBI) Community Centre Ground, making it fun since they will be distributing prizes as well.
As for the donation to the Avon Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation, she noted that Digicel would continue to support the organisation and would also promote the foundation’s Walk on October 22, 2011, which will commence at Parade Ground at 06:00 hrs.

She urged everyone to purchase a t-shirt, as all proceeds will go towards breast cancer awareness activities.
Moore stated that in Digicel’s bid to contribute to the development of education in Guyana, the company saw it fit to make a contribution to the Guyana Legion Remembrance Day Quiz in which schools across the country will participate.