Pandit Suresh Sugrim extends love and greetings to every human hearts as we celebrate the festival of Light (Deepavali) and asks at this time we renew the commitment to think of all those less fortunate individuals especially the children and seniors. It is important for us to share what the good Lord have blessed us with, to the lesser fortunate people than ourselves.
On behalf of the New Jersey Arya Samaj Mandir, Inc., Humanitarian Mission and its Guyana Chapter, “I am pleased to extend Shub Deepavali – Deepavali Greeting to all my Hindus brothers and sisters in Guyana and across the globe on the occasion of Deepavali.
A significant event in the Hindu religious calendar, Deepavali celebrates prosperity and spreads the light of wisdom. It symbolizes the victory of good over evil and knowledge over ignorance and prayer of hope and optimism, expressing the highest desires of mankind and wishes one and all joy, happiness and prosperity and for us as Hindus, to recognize its outmost significance with devotion. Despite the diversity in Hindu rituals, practices and beliefs, Deepavali binds all Hindus and non Hindu together with its symbolic power and the festive frenzy of its nature.
“Diwali, which is known as the “Festival of Lights”, symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and is a time when people are brought together as a nation to strengthen the hand of goodwill across religions, races and creed. The Diwali Festival brings a message of unity and it is a time for families and communities to unite in the Guyanese spirit to spread a meaningful dialogue and shared respect amongst all Guyanese citizens, other individuals and people of different faiths. In celebrating the triumph of light over darkness, Diwali compels people to reflect on the importance of knowledge over ignorance and invites people to apply this message in their personal and public lives.
“I urge all Guyanese to assist in lighting the lamp of divine knowledge and to dispel ignorance and darkness from our hearts such as hate, jealousy, malice, anger and pride etc, on this Diwali and to encourages harmony in our efforts to bring peace amongst the different cultures and promote collaborative action to make Guyana a better country where everyone respects religious freedom and to live in peace and harmony.
“Being a unifying force, the devotions at Deepavali would seek to encourage greater unity, amity and understanding among all people our country irrespective of their ethnic, religious, class distinctions. On this noble day let us reaffirm our commitment to unite every human hearts in our country and build a stronger society where everybody could live in peace, harmony, dignity and freedom, and serve each other with love, he further adds.
“And may there be an end to all human suffering on this auspicious occasion of Diwali, let us pray for our leaders in Guyana. In confronting the many challenges of our time, may God bless each one of them with the wisdom and strength necessary to lead our nation, to peace, security and prosperity and may God’s guidance and protective presence be always with them.
“May the lamps of love and devotion burn brightly in your hearts, may the light of understanding shine in your minds, May the light of harmony glow in your home may the bright rays of service shine forth ceaselessly from your hands. May your smile, your words, and your actions be as sweet as the sweets of this festive season. May Maha Lakshmi bring you the true wealth of peace, health, happiness, and love for all of Gods creation. “May the spirit of Deepavali, the ‘Festival of Lights’ illuminate every darkness in every human heart.
“Let us all Burn like Diyas – Giving light and Life to Others, and then we can truly say that we are celebrating the festival of Light (Deepavali).”
