The historic message of Phagwah is as relevant now as it has been over the ages and is applicable to every human situation, with no limitations to race, colour or creed.
Phagwah is one of the most ancient, joyous and colourful festivals of the Hindu calendar, which was brought down from India in 1838 by Indian Indentured Immigrants.
Phagwah, or Holi, is celebrated in Basant Ritu or the Spring Season. This season commenced in Basant Panchmi in the Hindu month of Phalgun when a Castor Tree is planted symbolising Holika. This festival is traced to the golden age of Satyug. Hola means grains and Holi is derived from the word Hola.
The burning of Holika takes place on the eve of Phagwah (full moon night). A huge structure (pyre) is built and kindled at the appropriate time in a symbolic act. Phagwah commemorates the New Year for Hindus.
Phagwah started at a time when India was facing a serious drought, affecting the various crops.  However, the rains eventually came pouring down to the satisfaction of the people (farmers) who came out in the fields playing in the water in joyous jubilation as they threw it on each other, soon after, they started reaping their bountiful harvest.
In Guyana our farmers have faced some serious tribulations because of climate change and other factors.  The government tries unrelentingly to invest in adaptation and mitigation measures in efforts to minimise the effects of the erratic weather patterns that are being experienced  in Guyana – as is happening the world over, sometimes with catastrophic results, with many lives lost and severe infrastructural and property damage, with many persons becoming displaced and homeless as a consequence.
Mankind, individually and collectively, need to study the underlying messages of the Phagwah festivals, and the philosophy that good always triumphs over evil.
Many persons hurt their fellow human beings – either intentionally or unintentionally, but, according to the Hindu scriptures, the Law of Karma, or divine justice, dictates that everyone pay for their misdeeds, or is rewarded for  their good actions.
How or why is not for man to determine.  When  a wrong is being done against someone, God is always witness – and He is also the judge.  Man should never seek vengeance against those who harm him, because vengeance belongs to the Lord, and he metes out justice to those who have been wronged or victimised.
In the world that we live in, the evil that man does lives after him, unto his future generations.  This is not dogma, but the faith of every religion.
The motto of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha is “Action thy duty, reward not thy concern”, which is a basic precept of Hinduism.  As it indeed is of evey religion.
To do good is its greatest reward, so as we enjoy the festivities of the Holi festival let us reflect on the message of Phagwah and do unto others as we would like to be done unto us, and we also need to take cognisance of the fact that the little things that we suffer are minimal in comparison to the catastrophic occurrences in the lives of less fortunate persons the world over and count our blessings, instead of cursing our fate.