-likely to become an annual event
FESTIVALS definitely attract people, and this is true not only for tourists. Festivals also provide opportunities for Guyanese from all walks of life to unite in celebration of our unique culture. Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Indranauth Haralsingh, made this pronouncement during an interview with the Guyana Chronicle last Sunday while at the inaugural Diwali Utsav, organized by the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha.
Hundreds of persons turned out at the Guyana National Stadium to participate in that evening of events to usher in Diwali, the festival of lights, to be celebrated this coming Wednesday.
Alluding to the significance of the event, Haralsingh noted that it highlights a very integral part of our culture and our customs, and provides a different type of entertainment; one that is suitable for everyone.
“It is clean entertainment, which is also cultural. The Hindu religious custom is at play here. Celebrating Diwali and the Festival of Lights is very important, as it has an enormous amount of messages for all Guyanese; for us to unite; to let knowledge prevail over ignorance, and to let light prevail over darkness.”
These messages are even more important now as the country prepares to “pass the mantle” from one president to another, he added.
According to Haralsingh, the Tourism Ministry is pleased to be a sponsor of the Diwali Ustav, and this is just one of many such events celebrated countrywide around the festival.
He said: “One of the good things about Guyana is the six races living together in racial harmony and tolerance in a multi-ethnic society. It’s a good season for us, and we look forward to it with renewed hope. (It is) where, as a nation, good things can prevail and development can continue; where persons can be more understanding, and we can all work together to achieve greater things.”
The Tourism Ministry will also be hosting the  traditional Diwali Welcome at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, and  in association with other religious organizations, will this week be lighting a National Diya at the seawall in Kitty, Haralsingh added.
Meanwhile, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, member of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha and one of the festival’s organizers, expressed hope that the Diwali Ustav would expand to become a week-long activity.
She explained that the aim of the activity is to allow Guyanese to get involved, so that in years to come, it will grow as big as the Diwali motorcades, which have evolved into a national event.
“The idea is to start the celebration of Diwali early; it is about allowing persons to enjoy themselves in a wholesome atmosphere, and to prepare their minds for the coming week.  We are hoping that people would like this event,” she said.
Last Sunday’s event featured top singers and musicians, including Indar Kanhai and his sister, Nandanie Kanhai, with Andy Singh and the Trisul Orchestra of Trinidad and Tobago all performing   with Guyanese top singers Mohan Nandu, Sookrane Boodhoo, Rekha Singh and Suchitra Rampersaud. Entertaining and vibrant dances were also performed by the Dharmic Nritya Sangh.
The National Stadium’s parking lot was transformed into a cultural arena as patrons were treated to a variety of activities, including Rangoli-making (coloured rice decorations). The venue also provided the ultimate shopping experience for Diwali items, Indian clothing, jewellery, mehendi designs, face painting for children, and circle dancing and games for everyone.
Participants were also able to feast on the hot, tasty and delicious ‘seven-curry’, samosas, pholourie, potato balls, sweets and other delicacies available.
In addition to Diwali Utsav, the Dharmic Sabha will, beginning Friday night at Anna Regina on the Essequibo Coast, be holding motorcades countrywide in the countdown to Diwali.
On Tuesday night, the biggest motorcade of all will be held at the LBI Community Centre Ground, on the East Coast, where some $3 million in prizes will be up for grabs in the large, small and commercial categories.
According to the organizers, participating floats will assemble at the Shri Krishna Mandir in Campbellville, here in the city at 5.30p.m.
The motorcade will depart punctually at 6.30p.m., proceeding west along Campbell Avenue into Sandy Babb Street, north into J.B. Singh Road, east into the Seawall Road, to LBI community Centre Ground, where the prizes will be announced and presented.