THE Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company Limited (GT&T) and the Tourism Ministry on Friday illuminated Camp Street Avenue between Church and Quamina Streets, Georgetown to usher in the celebration of Diwali (Festival of Lights).

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GT&T, Radha Krishna Sharma, during the symbolic ceremony expressed his appreciation to the Tourism Minister (ag) Irfaan Ali for so readily accepting this collaborative effort at organising this year

GT&T Diwali Galee, the hard work and dedication of the staff of GT&T, the Guyana Tourism Authority, the Guyana Police Force, the Ministry of Public Works, Mayor & Town Council and the Guyana Power & Light. He noted that this is not the first collaborative effort between the Tourism Ministry and GT&T but one of many “there is a long history of mutually beneficial

collaboration between GT&T and the Ministry of Tourism. Together we have worked on a number of initiatives including the sponsorship of the inaugural Guyana Festival 2014, Building Exposition, Annual GuyExpo and several other related events.”
The CEO noted that his company has embarked on many other activities and one might want to note that it is unique in its embracing of the cultural traditions of our multi-ethnic, multi-religious society. He noted that through sponsorship the company is able to assist and take part in all aspects of Guyana’s cultural traditions. “Our religion and culture give us our identity and our observance of these festivals enriches us all and helps to support cultural diversities” he said.
This year, Sharma noted, GT&T will be partnering with several Christian and children- centric groups to ensure our Christmas cheer has wider national reach. Only as recent as September the company partnered with and made a commitment to annually support the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) programmes as it relates to Ramadan, Eid-ul-Fitr and the Meten – Meer -Zorg Islamic Academy.
Sharma explained that Diwali is a sacred occasion on the religious calendar for Hindus where people give expression to their happiness by lighting diyas or lamps as a way of giving thanks for the attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, prosperity and peace. As he ended on this note he wished all a happy Diwali.
Speaking at the ceremony acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali, explained that “we owe the celebration of Diwali to our ancestors and to all those who have stood the test of time in molding and keeping the wonderful cultures and religious attributes of Guyana together”. He also thanked and recognised GT&T for continuing to show their corporate responsibility in ensuring that in every significant and major aspect in our country’s history and celebration they play a key and important role.
Ali mentioned also that GT&T has signed an agreement with the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) and this goes to show that a company of this caliber believes that tourism is a major component in the country’s economy. “As Guyana celebrates Diwali and diyas are lite I hope and pray that it will ignite love, unity and a new resolve to build a Guyana that is free from rhetoric, and free from developmental stalls” Ali said, as he wished all a happy and prosperous Diwali 2014.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony, deputising for President Donald Ramotar, wished all a happy and prosperous Diwali on behalf of the President of Guyana and Government as he emphasised the significance of the festival that leads to prosperity, good health and wealth.
Dr Anthony explained that the celebration of Diwali has gone beyond the boundaries of Hinduism, reflecting our multi-cultural and diverse society. “We have a potpourri of culture because we have been transplanted from many continents, uprooted from those continents, transported and transplanted here in Guyana, and we brought with us our culture which was not allowed to die,” he explained.
Dr Anthony alluded to the fact that Diwali is overcoming darkness on the personal, community and national levels. He said that we as a people can use the lesson of Diwali to overcome obstacles “if we want to see development and growth and for that to be sustained we must light a light at the national level, so that we can move forward not in little bits and pieces but as one people”, Anthony posited.
Also in attendance, were the Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, members of the Diplomatic Corps and special invitees, who were all treated to a rich cultural programme comprising devotional songs and several dance pieces by the Ishara Dance Troupe.

(By Rebecca Ganesh-Ally)