Playing… Phagwah

Yep!! Today Hindus throw off whatever inhibitions they may have about invading other people’s personal space as they “play Phagwah”!! Now some of you out there might be wondering why we call the festival “Phagwah” while most the world call it “Holi”? Well, fact of the matter is that even in India – where the festival originated – they have several names for it in the various regions. It just so happens that most of the Indians who ended up in Guyana during indentureship came from Eastern Bihar and Western UP – the so called “Bhojpuri belt” where they speak Bhojpuri. Phagwa’s their name for Holi. Down in Tamil Nadu where our “Madrassis come from they call it Kaam-Dahaan!!
Basically, it’s a Spring Festival in which the early Indians who’d endured the vicissitudes of winter exploded in celebrating the return of life on the sprouting of new leaves!! As is usual in these matters in an old civilization like India, various stories become associated with the festival and form the basis of narratives that make it easier for ordinary folks to appreciate the notion of a regeneration!! In Tamil Nadu, the stories about Kama, the God of Love being burnt to ashes by Lord Shiva –who restores him to life forty days later on the entreaties of Kama’s wife and his own.
In Guyana, we tell the story of the King who became so infatuated with power that he decreed he was the Supreme Godhead and should be worshipped as such. He was opposed by his own son – who one suspects saw him warts and all!! – and who spread the word among his friends about Lord Vishnu being God. The King tried every which way to silence the upstart prince – including having his sister Holika who was immune to fire – immolate him. Forty days later, Vishnu took material form; killed the King – and order is returned. Holika gave her name to the festival and the immolation is recreated the night before Phagwah with bonfires across Guyana to launch the festivities that celebrates the triumph of good over evil!!
The lesson ain’t just about the dousing of each other with water – signaling the “outing” of the Holi fire and the smearing of red abeer signaling the spilled blood of the Great Pretender! It reminds us that there’s always gonna be power drunk individuals who will seek to lord it over us. Our duty is to follow the example of the little prince and “speak truth to power”!!
They say “the voice of the people is the voice of God” and as such has the power to make mountains crumble – much less the pretentions of leaders!!
Happy Phagwah or Kaam Dahan to all of you Dear Readers!!

…the long game
Over in the Near East, the Iranians are regrouping after the US and Israeli surprise attacks that wiped out much of their top government and military leadership!! But as your Eyewitness had predicted, other leaders have already been selected to take their places – all coordinated by a leadership body that was prepared for such an eventually!!
Militarily, it was always known Iran’s well-equipped with that staple of modern warfare – short, medium and long-range missiles travelling at all sorts of velocities – including supersonic speeds like their version of the Russian Oreshniks creating such havoc in Ukraine!! They can evade most anti-missile batteries. After the initial flurry of missiles into Israel and surrounding countries with US bases, your Eyewitness believe they’re gonna settle down for a war of attrition!!
Remember their 10-year war with Iraq under Saddam – then supported by the US and Israel?? The Iranians have raised their Red Flag of Revenge – and for a Shia nation founded on the belief in sacrifice, this ain’t gonna end well!!

…with honour
Well, our boys in crimson were knocked out by India from this year’s Cricket World Cup! But to their credit and your Eyewitness’ relief – they did so with very credible performances. Dare we say, “Wait till next time?”