LAST year, the first ever Colourfest, a Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) Phagwah extravaganza was a hit. This time around, the telecommunications company managed to outdo themselves. The event took place at the National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara and attracted thousands of persons who came for a day of food, music and Phagwah revelry.
CEO of GT&T Yog Mahadeo, who was humbly blending in and interacting with the crowd, exchanging Phagwah greetings, expressed satisfaction at the crowd’s response.
He noted that prior to “Colourfest”, large Phagwah celebrations were kept in mandirs; but the company has brought the religious festival under a national umbrella that encourages persons of all races and backgrounds to participate. Noting that GT&T goes the extra mile to please the people, Mahadeo pointed out that this year the company added among other improvements a large sprinkler system at the venue, and was also handing out water propulsion toys. As could be observed, many persons, ranging in age from toddler to the not so young, were enjoying the sprinklers, frolicking as if without a care in the world. As before, the company shared out some 5000 T-shirts and bottles of powder to an eager crowd. A motorcade to the Colourfest arrived, which moved off from the turn at Ruimveldt, with jubilant and brightly attired revellers arriving in large trucks.
The anticipated chowtal playoff was quite a hit,  with 13 groups trying their best to win the judges’ nod, some creatively inserting GT&T jingles into their pieces.
The event featured a grand cultural programme which included musical performances by the Shakti Strings band, Parmanand Sukhu’s “Sangeet Kiraat Tassa Group” and the Ishara Dance Troupe.