Aurora Secondary School students with their winning trophy and rangoli

The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha Essequibo Praant in collaboration with the Dharmic Nawajawaan hosted its Inter-Secondary Schools’ Rangoli Competition on Tuesday at the recently constructed Abram Zuil Secondary School, Abram Zuil, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

The competition was hosted ahead of the Hindu festival of lights, Diwali, which will be observed on November 12.
During the competition, teamwork and creativity were displayed through the colourful rangolis depicting the message behind the Hindu festival of lights. The event saw the participation of seven schools along the Essequibo Coast. The participating schools were Charity Secondary, 8th of May Secondary, Anna Regina Secondary, Cotton Field Secondary, Abram Zuil Secondary, Johanna Cecelia Secondary and Aurora Secondary School.
After a great display of talent and creativity, the first place in the competition was Aurora Secondary School, with Abram Zuil Secondary School placing second, while Anna Regina Secondary School achieved the third position.
The rangolis were judged based on depiction of the theme, description of the rangoli and interpretation, usage of colours, aesthetics skills and originality.
Meanwhile, President of the Essequibo Dharmic Nawjawaan, Pandit Kaydar Persaud said the activity is part of the GHDS calendar of events that is aimed at bringing the youths together. He added that he is very satisfied that all the secondary schools along the coast have participated in the event.
Rangoli is a traditional Indian art form where intricate and colourful designs are created on the floor using materials like coloured powders, rice, or flower petals. It is usually done during festivals and special occasions as a form of decoration. Rangoli holds cultural and religious significance that originated in India, symbolising good luck, prosperity, and the welcoming of guests. It is also believed to bring positive energy and ward off evil spirits. The designs can vary from simple geometric patterns to intricate motifs and are a beautiful way to celebrate and express creativity.