PHAGWAH is a Hindu festival that signifies the triumph of good over evil. It is usually referred to as ‘The Festival of Colours’. Thousands of Guyanese from all walks of life and from all religious and cultural backgrounds participate in the festival which speaks well of our multiculturalism and cultural diversity. The festival, an annual Hindu festival, was brought to Guyana by our foreparents who came over 150 years ago as indentured labourers.

It is to the credit of our foreparents that despite attempts by the colonisers to stultify the development of their cultures, the rich culture of our ancestors continue to grow and flourish as in the case of the festival of Phagwah.

The festival is called Phagwah because it originated in the Month of Phagoon in the Hindu calendar. It is widely known as a spring festival with the joyous celebration of spring, rebirth and fertility.

As the Phagwah celebrations have demonstrated, Guyana is becoming increasingly multi-cultural and open to diversity and accommodation. There is a remarkably high degree of religious and cultural tolerance which speaks well of the realisation of the ‘One Guyana’ vision as articulated by President, Dr. Irfaan Mohamed Ali.

At a much more fundamental level, the message of Phagwah is that justice will always prevail over injustice and good over evil. This is indeed a universal message and resonate with the whole of humanity.

Phagwah in Guyana is taking place at a time when the country is making significant economic and social progress. The country, thankfully is showing indications of a weakening of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic which will certainly enhance the festivity of the Phagwah celebrations that was somewhat moderated during the past two years because of the pandemic. And even though we are not as yet completely out of the woods insofar as the effects of the pandemic are concerned, there can be no doubt that the spirit of the Guyanese people is now buoyed with the easing up of the COVID restrictions, especially in this festive period of Phagwah and Easter, which is just around the corner.

Phagwah, as pointed out by President Ali during his Phagwah message last year,  is one of the most colourful and cheerful festivals in the Guyana which is celebrated by persons of all ethnic groups. It is a celebration of rebirth. It commemorates the regeneration of the land. It provides a real opportunity to recommit to the values of love, friendship and a shared humanity.

The festival also marks the renewal of spring. It is about the renewal of our commitment to remove all barriers that stand in the way of national development as we seek to build a prosperous cohesive and just society.

The religious community has a role to play in the realisation of the One Guyana Vision as articulated by President Ali and found expression in the religious communities in Guyana. According to President Ali, the religious leaders are the custodians of morality and they have ‘a duty and responsibility in leading the way and promoting social harmony, particularly through encouraging greater tolerance and understanding and through respect for our multicultural diversity.’

This year’s Phagwah celebrations coincide with the renewal of our commitment to a strong, united and prosperous Guyana. The country is now poised to become a regional powerhouse and all Guyanese, regardless of political or religious orientation, are stakeholders in this exciting transformation. As a country, we have overcome several challenges to our freedom and dignity including attempts to steal our democracy, but as the teachings and lessons of Phagwah have so eloquently reminded us, good will always prevail of over evil and justice over injustice.