Dear Editor
PHAGWAH, like other religious festivals has its origin in deep religious values. Hindus believe that all religious festivals should be respected and citizens of Guyana must subscribe to enhance the true meaning of all religious festivals. While most religious festivals have a social side to them, that side must not be abused with negative expressions.
The consumption of alcoholic beverages has its prevalence in the social side of festivals. This conduct must be fully rejected, so that the deep values of these festivals would be sustained. What adds to the disrespect and total disregard of the festival of Phagwah is the blatant advertisement in the Kaieteur Newspaper 22nd March edition – page 15, wherein a sign extending Shubh Holi greetings with a great exhibition of Alcoholic Beverage (Smirnoff Ice Vodka Drink).

Over the years, all our businessmen would extend their greetings by highlighting religious pictures, quotes or expressing nature’s beauty to observe these festivals. King Liquor Guyana Inc. is fully aware of the great significance of these festivals, but still blatantly disregard the religious community, especially our Hindu brothers and sisters, to desecrate the festival through his ads.
I therefore call on all Hindu families and also the religious communities to protect all of our festivals (especially the religious ones) in the future and also asking the business communities and citizens to desist from such a desecration. The Sabhaa is also humbly requesting that our newspapers disregard these advertisements in the future.

Thank you
Viraat Sabhaa Guyana