Prime Minister Samuel Hinds at the Diamond Diwali motorcade

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, acting in the capacity of President, joined scores of people at the Diamond Community Centre, who came out to participate and view the motorcade procession Saturday evening.

Prime Minister Hinds said the significance of Diwali is many-fold and that each individual should observe this special period and reflect on his or her life and make the necessary adjustments to become a better person.

He stated that Diwali is the Festival of Light, that light always overcomes any darkness, and he urged the gathering to practise a healthy life, living simply and humbly.

This statement was made during his address to hundreds of Hindus and other Guyanese who gathered to witness the colourful, lighted and decorated vehicles which formed the Diwali Motorcade for 2009.

Dancers at the Diamond Diwali motorcade

The Prime Minister said that Diamond is a rapidly growing area, with the establishment of a hospital, a new state-of-the-art secondary school and a huge housing scheme.

He added that the upcoming establishment of banks and a gas station would add to the East Bank’s developmental process.

Prime Minister Hinds implored the gathering to remember that this is a period of joy and merriment and that everyone should remember that good triumphs over evil and better times would emerge after the period of difficulties people face.

The motorcade was sponsored by the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha.

Brandsrite Store looted during Regent Street fire
By Michel Outridge

The burnt-out site on Regent Street.

Brandsrite Store, which sells electronic equipment and kids supplies, was looted on Friday when fire ripped through two Regent Street, businesses and a dwelling house.

The Guyana Chronicle was reliably informed that persons helped themselves to items and articles from the store, but efforts to contact the owner were unsuccessful.

However, the owner of a nearby store which was spared, Crystals Boutique and Gift Shop owner, said he managed to empty his store because he was unsure whether the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) was able to contain the blaze which spread quickly.

The man added that he stood and watched as the fire raged out of control.

He observed that more attention was focused on Regent Household Electronics store where the fire started, while the nearby DM Beauty World Store could have been saved had the GFS had enough water to douse the flames.

The businessman, who prefers to remain anonymous, is hoping that the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) would restore power to the area.

The police were yesterday still guarding the burnt-out buildings even as curious onlookers stopped by to look at the gutted stores.

The GFS is yet to make an announcement as to the origin of the fire.