THE following messages were received from various organizations on the occasion of Deepavali, 2012.
We share in your prayers for health, strength and prosperity

Message from Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud, President, Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha
DEEPAVALI is the loveliest of our festivals. It dates back to the pre-vedic age.  It occurs on Kartik Amawasya, when the Goddess Laxmi Devi is worshipped.  Maha Laxmi, the Cosmic Queen, emerged from the churning of the ocean (Sagar Manthan) on a full blown lotus.
Laxmi puja takes precedence in commemorating the occasion.  Laxmi Devi is the Goddess of prosperity, and Hindus, in a very sincere way, worship Her for the fulfilment of their economic aspirations.  Deepavali threatens darkness, thus illumination is a dominant aspect of the festival.
In Guyana, it was observed in the estates and villages, and, with the passage of time, it has grown into a magnificent celebration with the introduction of motorcades on the eve of the celebration.  While Laxmi Mata is believed to be the sole source of wealth, the extensions of Her blessings are not confined to wealth, but are equally spiritual exultation.  Deepavali is a major festival, and it provides opportunities to demonstrate skills and artistry which are used in decorating the floats.  It is fascinating to recognize the skills of our people and their creativity lending to the significance of the occasion, and portraying different aspects of the festival on the vehicles as they travel through the streets.
The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha has been the pioneer of the motorcade, and it is regarded as the biggest event in the country. The Sabha wants the festival to continue to contribute to the unity of people, and not be used by any divisive element to cause any form of disunity.
We wish everyone Happy Deepavali, and share in your prayers for health, strength and prosperity.
SHUBH DEEPAVALI KAMNAYEA!

Best wishes from the PPP
The People’s Progressive Party extends best wishes to all Guyanese, and to the Hindu Community in particular, on the occasion of Diwali. The story of Diwali has universal appeal regarding the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness.
In our country, the PPP members and supporters fought gallantly to end the darkness of undemocratic rule. The light of freedom and democracy has shone since October 1992, at the first free and fair elections since independence.
Today, we see that the forces of retrogression are once again making an attempt to drive us backward. The behaviour of the joint opposition in Parliament and the organised thuggery at Agricola point to the dangers our country face.
All democratic, law-abiding and decent-minded Guyanese must work to ensure that the light of democracy and freedom continues to shine brightly on our country.
A happy Diwali to all!

Deepavali greetings from the Indian Arrival Committee
The Indian Arrival Committee (IAC) wishes to extend greetings to all Guyanese on the occasion of Deepavali, the festival of lights. Diwali is the shortened form of Deepavali, which is formed by combining the words deepa, meaning light, and avali, meaning a row.
Diwali is celebrated on a grand scale in almost all the regions of Bharat (India), and is looked upon mainly as the beginning of the New Year. It is enthusiastically celebrated for five continuous days, and each day has its significance with the number of the myths, legends and beliefs. In India, it is considered auspicious for shopping, and for inaugurations of business deals.
Starting new themes characterize the celebration of the festival of Diwali. The first deals with the triumph of good over evil, as told by the story of the destruction of Raavan, the king of Lanka, by Shri Raama, which is recorded in the Ramayana.
The second theme deals with the creation of wealth, and attainment of prosperity, which devotees feel will be bestowed on them by their veneration of Lakshmi Maata, or the Mother Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity.
The enduring nature of the festival has the capacity to escort man through the tunnel of ignorance into the passage of wisdom and light. This exhibition will be witnessed when millions of diyas and other symbolical lights will be kindled to usher in the occasion.
Hindus are convinced that the world we live in has two paths, the bright and the dark, both of which are eternal. Proceeding through the path, one reaches the supreme state from which there is no return; and proceeding by the other, one returns to the mortal world, and becomes subjected to birth and death once more.
Deepavali, therefore, allows the celebrant to transcend enumerated rewards for the acquisition of higher intelligence, which influences noble activities, such as sacrifices, austerities and charities. This realization enables the Bhakta (Devotee) to attain the supreme and primal state, which is the final goal for all mankind.

Hindu brothers and sisters urged to be more compassionate as Deepavali is celebrated
As Deepavali, commonly known as Diwali, the festival of lights, is celebrated in the Hindu world today, an urgent call is being made for Hindu brothers and sisters in Guyana and across the globe to renew their commitment to themselves, and to think of less fortunate individuals, especially their parents and those that are sick, lonely, and abused in our community.
This notion was emphasized by Pandit Suresh Sugrim of the Humanitarian Mission of New Jersey Arya Samaj Mandir Incorporated.
The Humanitarian Mission also has a Guyana Chapter which has been rendering regular assistance to various local individuals and organizations through the benevolence of our Guyanese/Americas and other donors.
According to Pandit Sugrim, as a significant event in the Hindu religious calendar, Diwali serves as an occasion to celebrate the festival of light and prosperity, and spreads the true light of wisdom. “It symbolizes victory of good over evil and knowledge over ignorance, and prayer for hope and optimism; expressing the highest desires of mankind, and (it) wishes one and all joy, happiness and peace, and for us as Hindus to recognize its utmost significance with devotion.” Pandit Sugrim noted that despite the diversity in the Hindu rituals, practices and beliefs, Diwali is truly intended to bind people together.
According to him, the occasion symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, and is a time when people are brought together to strengthen the hand of goodwill across religions, races and creeds.
The Diwali Festival, therefore, brings a message of oneness; and it is a time for families and communities to come together, engaging in meaningful dialogue, and demonstrate shared respect, regardless of the differences in faiths and beliefs.
“In celebrating the triumph of light over darkness, Diwali compels people to reflect on the importance of knowledge over ignorance, and invites them to apply this message in their personal and public lives.
“I urge all Hindus to assist in lighting the lamp (diya) of divine knowledge deep within ourselves, and to dispel from our personalities ignorance and darkness, such as hate, jealousy, malice, anger and pride.
“On this Diwali, I encourage harmony and peace among the different cultures, and promotion of collaborative actions to make our society a better place, where everyone respects religious freedom and live in peace and harmony.”
In attempting to be a unifying force, the devotions during Diwali will seek to encourage greater unity, amity and understanding, Pandit Sugrim noted. He anticipates that there could be a significant reduction in human suffering should his appeal be adhered to.
“On this auspicious occasion of Diwali, let us pray for our leaders, that they will confront the many challenges that are currently abounding in the society.
And even as Diwali is celebrated, Pandit Sugrim prays that Maha Lakshmi “brings the true wealth of peace, health, happiness, and love for all of God’s creation. May the spirit of Diwali extinguish any darkness in every human personality, and illuminate their souls with the light of love, respect and compassion. Let us all burn like diyas – giving light and life to others — and then we can truly say that we are celebrating the festival of Light,” he asserted. Fill the heart with the oil of love. Place in it the wick of single-pointed minds. Light it with the fire of knowledge, love, and truth, and remove the darkness of ignorance around you. Just as one lamp can light many lamps, let each youth kindle this light in many hearts.’

Pandit Suresh Sugrim

Greetings from FITUG
THE Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) joins Guyana’s Hindu community in celebrating the festival of Diwali.
Celebratory, but religious in nature, the physical, visual and material elements of Diwali – the appropriate bhajans telling of the Festival’s various origins and character, and the beautiful illumination of the earthen diyas and powerful motorcades – are complementary to the deeply spiritual and mental significance of this celebration.
FITUG is aware of the early Indian origins of Diwali, the exploits of both the wicked and the evil – Dasharatha and Ravana – and the purveyors of all that is good – Rama and Lakshmi. The Federation easily discerns the moral and lessons from these meaningful myths and legends, and understands how effective they can be in inspiring Guyanese to demonstrate the latent good residing in all of us.
Diwali’s lights symbolize triumph over the darkness of evil – evil from wretched politics, engineered violence from one group to another, mismanagement or discriminatory distribution of national resources.
FITUG urges Hindus to use the celebration to enlighten their own believers, and share the virtues of all that is right and just with all Guyanese.
We see this now national occasion as yet another opportunity for national spiritual renewal, so necessary for national survival and progress.
FITUG will light up hope and good deeds befitting the occasion of Diwali 2012.

PNCR message for the Festival of Deepavali 2012
THE People’s National Congress Reform extends friendly greetings to all of the Guyanese people, but on the celebration of the festive occasion of Deepavali, particularly the members of our Hindu Community.
Our party recognizes that Deepavali, the Festival of Lights, should enliven all — young and old, men and women, rich and poor, – in towns and communities throughout Guyana. It should be a unifying and integrating force which encourages goodwill, joy and friendship, forces that bring all the people of Guyana together.
In the religious context, the Goddess Maha Lakshmi, the Goddess of Light, is worshipped for wealth and spiritual enlightenment.
On this occasion, because the PPP/C Administration has accelerated its confrontational approach towards the National Assembly while continuing to violate the fundamental tenets of our parliamentary democracy, particularly their refusal to govern in accordance with the rule of law, and to recognize the law-making and oversight role of the National Assembly vis-à-vis the executive branch, the people of Guyana are seeing the light disappearing, while a gathering storm looms on the horizon. The symbolism of the triumph of light over darkness now carries a powerful message for the Guyanese nation.
The national environment is polluted by:
The high incidence of domestic abuse;
Uncontrolled lawlessness, armed banditry and criminality, which have created an atmosphere of fear and insecurity;
Barbarous murders, which have become a daily occurrence;
Corruption abounding at all levels of the society;
Record levels of suicide rate;
Narco-trafficking, which appears to be increasingly out of control of the authorities;
Abounding indiscipline in schools, homes and on the road; and
Partisanship and racial and political discrimination defiling our national life.
In the circumstances, the PNCR invokes the blessings of Mother Lakshmi to end this darkness, so that our dear land can once again experience peace, prosperity, good governance, equity, security, a culture of civility, and good order.

A HAPPY AND JOYOUS DEEPAVALI TO ALL GUYANESE!

People’s National Congress Reform