分类： society

Divali, also known as Deepavali or Deepamalika, is a festival that transcends borders, cultures, and generations, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. Rooted in ancient scriptures, this sacred occasion carries a profound spiritual message: to live in the light, share it with others, and become a beacon of hope for the world. The clay lamp, or deya, serves as a powerful metaphor for the human body, with its flame representing the inner light of consciousness. Lighting a deya is a call to dispel ignorance, confusion, and negativity, fostering an awakening of awareness on personal, familial, social, and global levels.

Historically, Divali has been celebrated as a divine victory across various epochs. From Lord Indra’s ascension as King of the heavens to the Pandavas’ triumph in the Mahabharat war, the festival has marked moments of enlightenment and renewal. In modern times, India’s independence in 1947 and the inauguration of the Sri Ram Mandir in Ayodhya in 2024 have further illuminated the nation’s journey toward freedom and unity. The lighting of millions of deyas across the globe underscores the festival’s universal appeal and its ability to unite people across cultures and creeds.

In the postmodern era, humanity continues to grapple with challenges such as war, terrorism, and the proliferation of destructive weapons. Swami Brahma Swarupananda, founder of Brahma Vidya Peetham International, emphasizes that the true struggle lies within the human mind. The lighting of deyas symbolizes the eradication of inner turmoil, urging individuals and nations to embrace truth, compassion, and harmony. At Brahma Vidya Peetham, the celebration of Divali extends beyond the physical act of lighting lamps to fostering love and goodwill among neighbors, communities, and nations.

In Trinidad and Tobago (TT), Divali is celebrated with immense devotion and cultural pride. The annual Divali Nagar in Chaguanas, established in 1986, attracts thousands, showcasing the community’s deep connection to its Indian heritage. This year, the festival’s radiance was further amplified by the Artificial Limb Fitment Camp inaugurated at the Diplomatic Centre, a collaborative effort led by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Indian High Commissioner Dr. Pradeep Rajpurohit. As the world celebrates Divali, Swami Brahma Swarupananda offers a heartfelt prayer for global peace, prosperity, and unity, urging humanity to live in the light and share it with all.

The festival of Divali, a celebration of light, unity, and the triumph of good over evil, transcends geographical boundaries, uniting Caribbean and South Asian communities worldwide. From the vibrant streets of New York to the serene shores of the Turks and Caicos, and from the bustling neighborhoods of Guyana to the distant villages of Suriname and The Gambia, the diaspora creatively preserves the essence of Divali, blending tradition with modern life in foreign lands.

In Toronto, Devin Latchmana, a Canadian of Trinidadian and Guyanese descent, reflects on the evolution of Divali celebrations. Growing up in a Hindu household in Canada, he recalls a time when the festival was less recognized. Today, Divali is celebrated with grandeur, marked by decorations, traditional foods, and public acknowledgment. Latchmana and his family honor the festival with elaborate rituals, including puja, bhajans, and the preparation of traditional dishes, fostering a sense of pride and community.

In the Turks and Caicos Islands, Shivani Kamble, originally from Mumbai, India, emphasizes the universal values of Divali. For her, the festival is a celebration of unity and the human spirit, transcending cultural and religious boundaries. Kamble hosts an annual Divali party, inviting friends and neighbors to share in the joy, creating a sense of belonging and togetherness.

In Washington DC, Bhisham Persad, an architect and pundit from Trinidad, views Divali as both a cultural and spiritual experience. He highlights the festival’s significance in connecting with one’s inner self and celebrating prosperity and purity. Despite the more private nature of celebrations in the US, Persad remains hopeful for broader recognition, noting recent declarations of Divali as a holiday in California and New York.

In New York, Trinidadian Narda Mohammed finds a deeper spiritual meaning in Divali, despite the challenges of celebrating in a less communal environment. She keeps her traditions alive through food, sharing Trini culture with those around her.

In The Gambia, Catherine Andrews, originally from Trinidad, introduces Divali traditions to her new community, adapting to local resources to create makeshift deyas and preparing traditional Trinidadian vegetarian dishes.

In Guyana, Lakhram Bhagirat emphasizes the importance of family and community in Divali celebrations. He decorates his home with fairy lights and intricate rangolis, preparing traditional sweets and dishes, and lighting deyas to honor the festival.

In Suriname, Rudy Soeroedjlall Ardjoen highlights the unifying nature of Divali, celebrated by people of all ethnicities and faiths. The festival includes cultural events, deya lighting, and communal gatherings, fostering a sense of brotherhood and togetherness.

Across the globe, Divali serves as a beacon of light, unity, and cultural preservation, bringing communities together in celebration and reflection.

In the face of adversity, the spirit of Divali remained unshaken in Rousillac, Trinidad, as residents battled the aftermath of torrential rains that struck just a day before the Festival of Lights on October 20. Despite being inundated by floodwaters, the community rallied to clean up and prepare for the celebrations, showcasing remarkable resilience and determination.

The weekend’s tropical wave, which prompted a yellow-level adverse weather alert from the TT Meteorological Service, left over a dozen communities in Central Trinidad submerged. Rousillac, located in the southwest, was among the hardest hit. Streets turned into rivers, and homes were threatened by rising waters, yet the residents refused to let the disaster dampen their festive spirit.

Challiram Jodhan, a 64-year-old resident of Grant’s Road, spent hours preparing his home for Divali, only to see his efforts washed away as floodwaters surged around 5 pm on October 19. ‘I couldn’t do nothing,’ he lamented, recounting how water soaked his storage room and filled the foundation beneath his house. Despite the setback, Jodhan and his family remained steadfast, determined to light their deyas (traditional oil lamps) even if the rains returned.

Nearby, Nike Goomansingh and her husband Cecil faced similar challenges. While their home was spared from the floodwaters, their yard was submerged, forcing them to clean up once again after investing time and money in Divali preparations. Cecil attributed the flooding to poorly designed drainage systems, exacerbated by recent housing developments in the area.

In Dow Village, an elderly man, who chose to remain anonymous, showed damage to his outdoor prayer room, or mandir, where waters had risen to two feet. He blamed the narrow drainage channel running alongside his home for the flooding, which was further worsened by a barrel that blocked the outlet.

Despite the widespread damage, the community’s resolve remained unbroken. Nickolas, a resident of Mon Desir Road, worked with his family to prepare bamboo arches for deyas, grateful that their home was narrowly spared from the floodwaters. Sunny skies on Divali morning facilitated cleanup efforts, though the adverse weather alert remained in effect until 10 pm.

Otaheite/Rousillac councillor Javed Mohammed reported that about a dozen homes were affected, primarily by street flooding. The Disaster Management Unit (DMU) mobilized quickly, assisting with cleanup and distributing supplies to those in need. Similar reports of flooding in Palo Seco and Cedros were yet to be assessed.

As night fell on Divali, the deyas of Rousillac shone brightly, a testament to the community’s unwavering spirit in the face of nature’s challenges.