–on arrival at CJIA, Timehri

PHAGWAH is a Hindu holiday that celebrates the triumph of good over evil, and sees devotees traditionally wear white on Phagwah Day and indulge in the throwing upon each other of a harmless liquid called abeer, and coloured powder.

For this year’s celebrations, the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, has well and truly outdone itself, deploying staff yesterday at strategic positions in the arrival area of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport to accord incoming passengers a rousing Guyanese welcome, replete with coloured powder and sweetmeats, as is the Hindu custom at Phagwah time.

Though taken by surprise, passengers graciously went along with the programme, in the spirit of the season, and also applauded the GTA and its staff for coming up with such a novel idea.

One even exclaimed, “It feels great to be in Guyana and to be welcomed in this manner! You would have never gotten this in New York!”
First-time visitors from Trinidad and Tobago said that while they are accustomed to playing Phagwah back home, they’ve always heard that celebrations here surpass theirs, in both scale and conviviality.

“I came to Guyana specifically for Phagwah,” said Mr. Anil Ramnauth. “I heard about all the events, and would like to experience as much as I can; and I will be leaving for Trinidad on Tuesday.”

According to GTA Director, Mr Indranauth Haralsingh, his agency is always pleased to be at the frontline to extend such a warm welcome, and to share joy and goodwill to our Guyanese, as well as our visitors, returning home. Even if the passengers are not aware that Guyana is celebrating a festival, this conveys the hospitality the country offers, he said.

Mr Haralsingh further explained that there are a lot of planned activities for Phagwah, and he would like the country to have a safe and incident-free day.

“On behalf of the Ministry of Tourism and the Guyana Tourism Authority, I would like to wish all Guyanese and visitors a Happy Holi,” Mr Haralsingh said.

(By Rebecca Ganesh-Ally)