Holi, a source of solidarity and sustenance – Granger

…as Indian Cultural Centre ushers in celebrations

As Guyanese continued the festivities for Phagwah or Holi, the Head of State has acknowledged the significance of the festival during the Indian Cultural Centre’s Phagwah observance on Sunday morning.

The High Commission hosts the festivities annually and 2017 was no different, as patrons of various ethnic and religious backgrounds gathered and applied coloured powders and abeer on each other, courtesy of Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Venkatachalam Mahalingam.
President David Granger joined in the festivities and was greeted by patrons decked out in colourful apparel who applied an array of powders about his face, beaming. In his address to the gathering, the Head of State reminded that Holi has been “a source of solidarity and sustenance” during and beyond the period of indentured immigration.
“Holi has reinforced the link with the motherland and re-established cultural connections,” the Guyanese Leader noted.
He reminded that 2017 marked 100 years since the abolition of Indian indentureship in Guyana. The President pointed out that Holi has not only strengthened the bond among Hindus in Guyana, but the bond has extended to other religious and ethnic groups.
He said that with the arrival of around 240,000 Indian indentured immigrants to this country between 1838 and 1917, came the Hindu faith which served as a source of strength throughout their period of hardship.
“The plantation system was unkind and inhospitable. Indians suffered greatly as a result of the poor living and working conditions on the plantations… Festivals such as Holi brought happiness into an otherwise dreary life. It assured Hindus that good would defeat evil,” the Head of State noted.
With Holi being a Spring festival, Granger pointed out that the holiday celebrates fertility and reinforces the bond between life itself and the land.
“Holi is an opportunity for the renewal of human relations – an occasion for persons to set aside differences. It is time to forget and to forgive wrongs; to frolic, so let’s have fun!” he remarked.
High Commissioner Mahalingam, in his address, noted that the Festival of Colours, or Phagwah as it is commonly called, sees no difference as the colours blur the lines of race and class.
He said Holi was a true depiction of unity and diversity.
“We all know that Guyana’s motto is One People, One Nation, One Destiny and the emphasis on social cohesion; we are glad to see the real meaning of it in the congregation of proud citizens of Guyana here today,” he expressed.
Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo; his wife, Seeta; and former Presidents Samuel Hinds and Donald Ramotar were all present at the celebrations. Ramotar extended warm greetings to all Guyanese. He told Guyana Times that “the message of Phagwah is a very universal one and it’s something that all Guyanese can celebrate and it’s so wonderful to live in a multicultural, multiethnic society”.
The gathering witnessed an array of dance and presentations which reflected the cultural diversity of the celebration. The origins of Phagwah are rooted in the story of Prahlad’s faith which was used as a weapon against his aunt, the evil Holika. On the evening before the celebration, Holika effigies are burnt which signifies the triumph of good over evil. The ash creates a paste which is used for playing Holi.