-urges all Guyanese to embrace inclusion, equality, shared national purpose

PRESIDENT Dr Irfaan Ali, on Tuesday, used his Phagwah message to deliver a broader vision for Guyana, one rooted in unity, equality, and a sense of belonging for every citizen.

In a video address, President Ali emphasised that nation-building is not simply a matter of policy, but a collective responsibility that requires all Guyanese to transcend divisions of race, religion and class.

“There is a moment just before dawn breaks over Guyana… between the old self and a new one,” President Ali said, framing the traditional celebration of Holi not just as a cultural festival, but as a reminder of shared humanity and the strength found in diversity.

Against this backdrop, he highlighted that inclusion should extend to all Guyanese, including those returning from overseas. “You’re not visitors here. Your presence completes our circle,” he said, while underscoring the role of the diaspora in national development.

The President further addressed social equity, noting that differences should not hinder opportunity or acceptance. “Where the colour of a child’s skin matters less than the colour of their dreams… where religion is a part they walk in peace… class is a circumstance we transcend,” Ali said.

The Head of State linked the festival of colours to the broader message of nation-building, describing them as, “visible proof that beauty lies not in uniformity, but in the glorious, joyful mingling of differences.”

To this end, he encouraged citizens to carry the spirit of the festival into their everyday lives, fostering a society where every individual feels valued and included.

“This is not a small dream. It is the largest dream there is. It is a dream for which our ancestors struggled, for which they laboured and wept and hoped,” Dr Ali added.