(TRINIDAD EXPRESS) DEBATE has again followed Government’s declaration of the observance of Divali 2018 in Trinidad and Tobago, with one Hindu organisation claiming its given date of November 6 is off the mark.
The Sanatan Vidwad Vidyalaya Hindu School of Theology has questioned the manner in which Government decides on where its advice will come from, as to the dates of some events on the Hindu calendar.
Head of the School of Theology, Pandit Vishnu Narine, in a Letter to the Editor of the Express on Republic Day, said “unfamiliarity with the basic tenets of lunar calculations (Tithi) coupled with carelessly interchanging solar and lunar data may well be the reasons for this continuous grave error”.
Narine said proper calculations have shown that the festival of Lights should be celebrated in T&T on November 7.
“For yet another time, our Hindu population is being subjected to the heart-rendering situation whereby it is misguided on the date for Divali 2018. Hindu Shaastras (Law Books) clearly declare that Divali ought to be celebrated on the day which ushers in the sunset of the New Moon in the month of Kaartik (October/November). That date is wednesday 7th november, 2018,” Narine said.
Narine said it should be noted that places East, West, North and South of T&T, outside of India, are observing Divali on Wednesday 7, November.
These include Malaysia, Australia, South Africa, England, Guyana, Suriname, the United States and Canada, he said.
“The intelligence of the wider Hindu population should not be insulted by declaring dates without proper consultation. The proper observance of Utsavas (auspicious days) help to shape the Hindu mind so that he/she becomes an exemplar within the family, and aspires to improve the social fabric with the goal of creating a progressive nation,” Narine said.
“We implore those mandated with the relevant responsibility, to rectify the situation.”
Divali 2018 was declared in a statement from the Ministry of Communications last week.
The release stated that:
“Her Excellency, President Paula-Mae Weekes, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Holidays and Festivals Act, has appointed Tuesday 6th November, 2018 as the date of the public holiday in celebration of the festival of Divali.”
The Office of the President yesterday directed queries to the Ministry of Communications, where a representative said the annual date is advised by a group of leading Hindu organisations.
