Use lesson of Phagwah to stand firm
- President tells gathering at Phagwah mela

Georgetown, GINA, March 15, 2008

The message about the triumph of good over evil which is the main theme behind the story of Phagwah is a lesson which Guyanese can learn from, particularly during this period of trauma and uncertainty.
            This was the encouragement given by Head of State Bharrat Jagdeo who addressed a large gathering assembled at the Dharmic Sabha Kendra for the Phagwah mela and bazaar.
The event which is one of many organised by the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha to commemorate the Hindu festival, Phagwah took the form of songs, dances, modelling and portrayals of various aspects of the Hindu culture.
Among those in attendance were Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony, Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh and Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud.
Phagwah is also interpreted as the celebration of the spring festival and President Jagdeo urged that the philosophical significance of the festival be highlighted.
He reiterated the call for Hindus and all other Guyanese to maintain the spirit of good over evil, in order to stand against those who insist on inciting fear.
“I want you to understand that there is a struggle which may take a generation to transform and restore Guyana to a period when people will have the unity of working throughout this land,” the President Jagdeo said.
He expressed disappointment in groups and organisations in Guyana that prefer to focus on the rights of criminal elements instead of meeting at the negotiating table to condemn criminals.
The President also used the occasion to commend the work of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha of organising the event and several others over the years and urged that they continue to ensure that the significance of Phagwah is underscored.
            “These important parts of our culture were brought by our ancestors here to Guyana, and are now shared with all Guyanese and therefore, it is important that we continue celebrating and never underestimate the work of the Dharmic Sabha to ensure this culture remains alive,” the Head of State said.
Phagwah or Holi is ushered in with the burning of Holika the night before. The ceremony is a symbolic representation of the story told in the Hindu scriptures of King HyranyaKashipu and his son Prahalad.

                             

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