Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) hosts 3rd annual Diya Light-up
Hundreds of persons congregated to witness the National Diya Light-up at Rahaman’s Park, Houston, on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) on Sunday evening.
Prior to the lighting of the diya, the large crowd was entertained by religious and traditional performances from the Caribbean Hott Shots Band, Nirvana Humanitarian Society and the Indian Cultural Centre.
A section of the large gathering
Head of HSS, Ravi Dev, in his address to the crowd, reflected on just how far Hindus in Guyana have journeyed and progressed as a culture since the days of indentureship and colonialism. “Culture is not words, it is action!” said Dev, emphasising that if one was to realise his full potential, he must take action rather than suppress the innate quality as he reflected on indentureship which sought to repress the culture and progress of East Indians.
“Our people not only survived the plantation experience, but we prevailed and, in fact, we have success that we can demonstrate to this nation…” he said.
Third Annual National Diya Lit
Dev also advocated for national unity, recognising that Guyana could not develop as a nation if there was division between the various ethnicities and cultures.
Also in attendance was HSS Global Head Saumitra Gokhole of India, who shared a message with the Hindu community present at the celebration, and expressed his amazement at the way Diwali is celebrated in Guyana, in consensus.
“It (Diwali) is about light over darkness…darkness symbolised by ignorance, light symbolised by knowledge. The only way to do that is to get knowledgeable, to be educated… and that knowledge that we start from the simple things knowing about this world to the deepest knowledge – about the knowing of one’s self… the spiritual light within each one of us…we are all potentially divine,” said Gokhole as he pointed to various forms of darkness and ways to overcome them, as he urged persons to rise above difficulties.
The Light-up was the fruit of a successful collaboration between HSS Guyana, the Public Security Ministry and various Hindu organisations.
HSS Guyana performed a religious theme song as the national diya was lit.
