– DNJ says this year allows for introspection, greater spiritual connection

By Vishani Ragobeer

THE thought of colourfully decorated vehicles in a motorcade, passing by hundreds- maybe thousands- of spectators is reminiscent of a distinctive Guyanese Diwali tradition. The next day, diyas sprawled across yards, ledges and fences coupled with flying sparks of the steel wool are a sight of wonder, in their own right.

“I’d be lying if I said that (this year’s Diwali celebrations) does not pale in comparison,” Chairman of the Dharmic Naujawan (DNJ), Rishiram Dubraj, told the Guyana Chronicle in a recent interview.

This group, the DNJ, is the Central Youth Arm of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha (GHDS). It comprises young, vibrant Guyanese who have been following the Sabha’s principle of “Action Thy Duty, Reward Not Thy Concern” in whatever they do- be it dance, sing, volunteer, or even, cook.

And Diwali is a particularly fun (but busy) time for these young folks. Just as many people countdown to Christmas, so too does the DNJ prepare for Diwali. Instead of cleaning the house and putting on the best Christmas ‘blinds’ they are at the ‘Kendra’ in Prashad Nagar, practising dance routines and constructing their float, for the grand Diwali motorcade which heralds in the Festival of Lights.

“At the Sabha, we always appreciate this concept of working towards a common goal,” Dubraj explained, adding that preparation for Diwali is no different. “For the entire month of October, we cook, clean and we go home at 2 am and then do it all over again the next day. At the end of it, we get to watch our creation get a prize or be paraded along the East Coast Highway.”

Beyond that, working so intimately with a group of friends- akin to a second family- forges strong relationships, according to Dubraj, who half-joked, “Your personality at 2am is not the same at 2pm.”

The motorcades commenced in 1974 after the Sabha’s President, the late Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud, thought that the festival of Diwali was too significant an occasion to just be restricted to the lighting of diyas on Diwali night.

This year, however, the current COVID-19 pandemic and the need to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus have changed the Diwali celebrations. There is no live Diwali Utsav nor is there Guyana’s highly anticipated Diwali motorcade. Instead, like many events in 2020, the motorcade and cultural show will be virtual events. But that has not been enough to ‘out’ the Diwali flame.

“If we were to really get down to it, the only thing that was really taken away from us was the Diwali Utsav and the motorcade, where we really can’t congregate in those large groups but maybe it is an opportunity to reflect on what Diwali really is,” Dubraj reasoned.

BLESSING IN DISGUISE?

Diwali, commonly known as the Hindu festival of lights, is actually a five-day celebration. President of the Essequibo Coast Praant (division) of the GHDS, Pandit Kaydar Persaud, explained that each of the five days has its own unique significance. Hindus celebrate Diwali on the 15th Day of the Hindu month of Kartik. It is known as the darkest night and as such the Goddess Lakshmi who is the giver of health, wealth and prosperity, is adored.

And indeed, pandemic or not, later today there will be diyas illuminating altars and homes, sweetmeats will be shared, steelwool will be spun and the symbolism of Diwali will still endure.

Dubraj reasoned that, perhaps, the subdued celebrations of Diwali this year could be a blessing in disguise. Without the grand celebrations, he posited that there is more leeway to center the observance to a more personal and spiritual level.

He encouraged all persons to reflect upon the significance of the five days, and the reasons why this holiday is really revered as the festival of lights. It is not merely a time for Hindus, or even Indo-Guyanese, to celebrate their religion or culture. Dubraj opined that it could allow each person to introspect. After all, the most fundamental principle- darkness over light should be universal.

The DNJ chairman said, “I think that one of the best things about Guyanese culture is that we are tolerant of each other’s culture, for the most part, to the point where we can participate in each other’s culture.”

While the mass celebrations have been curbed, and adherence to COVID-19 guidelines is a must, spiritual connections are paramount.