-President Ali says in Navaratri message

IN observance of the sacred period of Navaratri, President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, on Monday night, joined Hindus at the Good Hope Mandir on the East Coast of Demerara to pray to the divine mothers, Durga, Laxmi, and Saraswati.

The auspicious occasion is a worldwide celebration that symbolises many facets of feminine strength and heavenly energy. It was also the eve of Ram Navami.

In his address to the congregation and, by extension, the nation, President Ali emphasised the importance of unity, unselfish devotion to God, and being a good human being towards each other during these auspicious festivities and long after.

He used the occasion to urge all Guyanese to come together as a family and as a community to honour and celebrate the gift of life and its journey.

While explaining the significance of acknowledging all that God is accomplishing in your life, President Ali said that the Supreme Being grants everyone the opportunity to live and experience a lovely life filled with all the goodness, glory, and mercies.

“This period of fasting, cleansing, and reflection is a period through which, as families, as a mandir, and as a community, we come together to journey spiritually. We come together on a spiritual journey in which we support and encourage each other.

Every night for the last week, devotees like you all across our country are in mandirs, satsangs, and in their homes, reflecting selflessly, giving praise and thanks, and celebrating with each other life and what it has to offer,” President Ali said.

He further reminded all that the auspicious period of Navaratri is an opportune time for devotees and all Guyanese alike to renew themselves, their spirituality, and the next generation.

President Ali said: “This occasion gives us the opportunity to renew our spirit, renew our spirituality, and give us this beautiful opportunity of bringing the next generation along.”

Expressing his happiness at seeing a number of children at the mandir, particularly on a school night, President Ali said: “I am so pleased tonight to see so many children in the gathering, on a Monday night, because of the richness of our beliefs, the richness of our values, the richness of our teachings, the richness of our positions, and the richness of our spirituality, which must be passed on. That is why places of worship like the temple/mandir are so important.”

Observing that there were more girls than boys in attendance at the function, President Ali said: “As you can see, we have many more young girls than boys, and that is also a reflection of our society. If we look at the university, we have more women graduating than men. If we look at the enrollment at the university, we have more women enrolling than men, which is good, but we have to also ensure that the men are not left behind. And you have to also encourage them to live a more positive life. You have to encourage them to join and be a part of occasions like these where we can all enjoy life on this level of spirituality. And it gives you a deeper and different appreciation for life.”

In relation to community and national responsibility, President Ali commended the pundit from the Good Hope Mandir for playing an integral role in the development of the people in his community and across the country.

Finally, regarding the government’s commitment to the people of Guyana, President Ali used the opportunity to highlight and share what the future holds for the country and its people.

“I want you to know that this government will do everything that we can do, and I say to you that the resources and the revenue that are there now are in transition. The real resources and revenue will come after 2027, when we will be able to do huge transformative things. With the hard work that we are putting in now, we are going to see the fullness of the results before 2030,” he said.

Meanwhile, Hindus across Guyana and the world celebrated Ram Navami on Tuesday. Ram Navami is the day on which Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, incarnated in human form in the land of Ayodhya. He is the Ardha Ansh of Vishnu, or has half the divinitive qualities of Lord Vishnu. The word “Rama” literally means one who is divinely blissful, who gives joy to others, and one in whom the sages rejoice.

It is said that Bhagwan Rama exemplified the perfect person (Maryada Purushottam). He is the embodiment of compassion, gentleness, kindness, righteousness, and integrity. Although he had all the power in the world, he was still peaceful and gentle.