THE Regional Democratic Council of Region 4 (Demerara/Mahaica) observed Holi (Phagwah) for the first time yesterday; and Regional Chairman Clement Corlette, Deputy Regional Executive Officer Ameena Hinds, pandits, religious groups, and Education Ministry officials were all in attendance.

Phagwah celebrations start with a Holika bonfire on the night before Holi, when people gather to sing and dance. The next morning, a free-for-all carnival of colours, wherein everyone plays, chases, and colours each other with dry powder and coloured water; with some carrying water guns and coloured water-filled balloons for their water ‘fight’. Anyone and everyone is fair game: acquaintance or stranger, rich or poor, man or woman, old or young.

Speaking at a press conference held at the RDC head office, Regional Chairman Clement Corlette made brief remarks on how Phagwah is celebrated in Guyana, and how it was planned for the RDC to host such an event for the first time. He opined that it is good for all to live in harmony, and celebrate not only Phagwah, but all other religious holidays. Let us celebrate the Holi festival of colours in true spirit, joy, merriment and love, he implored.

He also spoke about practices in religion as he admonished all Guyanese to celebrate the festival as one, regardless of religious affiliation.

Speaking with Deputy Regional Executive Officer Ameena Hinds, the Guyana Chronicle was told that this is the first time the Regional Administration, in collaboration with the RDC, would host a programme to observe Phagwah festivities. The staff of the administration had embarked on the rangoli preparation with five gallons of rice and colours.

It’s a mini programme to emphasise the region’s collaborative effort in observing the different festivals that are being observed in Guyana, she said, as she iterated that every Guyanese should appreciate each other’s religion and practices, regardless of our different backgrounds.

The Rangoli, also known as Kolam or Muggu, is an Indian folk art in which patterns are created on the floor in living rooms or courtyards using materials such as coloured rice, dry flour, coloured sand, or flower petals. The RDC’c Rangoli was created by staff members of the Accounts Department, namely Briana Beharry, Taniesa Neusa, Nandi Kellman and Vani Rampersaud.

The Regional Chairman thanked them for their brilliant efforts.
Pandit Rajin Semachay, who blessed the programme with his prayers, explained the history of Phagwah and the way it’s taught to be celebrated. He said that Phagwah is the time when all Hindus come out and celebrate the festival of colours, so they should be guided by noble thoughts and actions, and by the fragrance of Bassant to rejuvenate their lives.

Phagwah, better known as Holi, came from the word Holika which means “good over evil”. Phagwah is also a time to pray for forgiveness and to correct errors.

After the press conference held at the Region 4 RDC, the Regional Chairman, approximately all the staff members of the RDC, members of the media, pandits, religious groups, ministry officials and many others observed the festival by damping each other with plain and coloured powder, and everyone enjoyed themselves before being treated to a meal as the celebrations continued.
By Asif Hakim