The 40th anniversary edition of Trinidad and Tobago’s iconic Divali Nagar festival has secured a critical financial lifeline, as leading local bottled beverage manufacturer Blue Waters, owned by prominent businessman Dominic Hadeed, elevates its longstanding support to become the official 2026 Diamond Sponsor, following a wave of funding pullouts from multiple state-linked enterprises earlier this month.
The National Council of Indian Culture (NCIC) confirmed the enhanced partnership during a press briefing held yesterday at the NCIC Hospitality Lounge in Chaguanas, where organizational leaders publicly expressed profound gratitude for Blue Waters’ increased financial commitment at a moment when the landmark cultural event faced significant budget uncertainty. State-aligned sponsors including National Flour Mills (NFM), First Citizens, the National Lotteries Control Board, and telecommunications provider bmobile had previously withdrawn their planned funding for the 2026 iteration, threatening the future of the beloved community gathering that draws hundreds of thousands of attendees annually.
NCIC President Surujdeo Mangaroo reassured the public that the 2026 Divali Nagar will remain a fully accessible “free gift to the nation”, with no admission fees charged for entry to the nine-day celebration, which will run from October 30 through November 7 at its longstanding venue along Narsaloo Ramaya Marg Road in Chaguanas. The 2026 event carries the timely theme “Viveka-Discerning Truth in the Age of AI”, marking four decades of preserving and showcasing Indian cultural heritage for the multi-ethnic national population.
Hosting the large-scale community gathering carries an estimated total cost of $5 million, a budget that NCIC leadership noted was at risk of falling short after the recent state sponsor withdrawals. Blue Waters’ elevated support builds on a multi-decade partnership that stretches back to the very first edition of Divali Nagar, with the brand’s involvement growing in lockstep with the event’s expanding national profile over the past 40 years.
In an official media release issued earlier the same day, the NCIC highlighted that Blue Waters’ decision to increase its sponsorship was driven by recognition of the 40th anniversary milestone and the festival’s decades of positive community impact. The statement framed the enhanced partnership as a testament to Blue Waters’ enduring confidence in Divali Nagar’s legacy, and a demonstration of the company’s commitment to backing cultural and community-focused national initiatives.
Blue Waters Chief Executive Officer Pradeep Subrian, speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the briefing, explained that the non-alcoholic beverage producer was approached to scale up its contribution after organizers encountered widespread economic headwinds that disrupted previous funding streams. While final details of the exact scope and value of the 2026 sponsorship are still being finalized as teams coordinate on specific areas of event support, Subrian emphasized that the iconic cultural gathering is a core component of the country’s diverse social fabric, and aligns seamlessly with the hundreds of local community events Blue Waters supports each year as part of its corporate social responsibility mandate. He went on to extend an open invitation to other private sector firms to consider partnering with the festival, noting that participation would depend on each organization’s internal strategic priorities.
Southex CEO George Singh, who was in attendance alongside Blue Waters’ Head of Commercial Marketing Avinash Lalloo and Chief Operating Officer Rajiv Ragoonanan, noted that the NCIC has spent the past 10 years building a robust network of corporate partners, and pledged to work diligently to secure additional private sector backing to supplement Blue Waters’ flagship sponsorship. Singh highlighted that the 2025 edition of Divali Nagar drew over 322,000 visitors, representing a significant cross-section of Trinidad and Tobago’s national population, and serves as a powerful platform to showcase the country’s rich multicultural identity to local and international audiences.
Lalloo echoed this optimistic outlook, noting that Divali Nagar’s core mission of celebrating faith, family and intergenerational community connection makes it one of the nation’s most valuable cultural assets. He confirmed that Blue Waters’ commitment to the festival extends well beyond the 2026 40th anniversary, and called on fellow private sector leaders to join the partnership to help the historic event continue to grow for decades to come.
Boost from Blue Waters
