标签： Trinidad and Tobago

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.

Sixty years ago, at the age of 12, Debbie Jacob found solace in the life of Jane Goodall, the English-born primatologist, whose journey mirrored her own isolated upbringing on a remote Ohio dairy farm. Surrounded by cows, dogs, and horses, Jacob’s father named each of his 56 dairy cows, fostering a deep connection with animals that paralleled Goodall’s groundbreaking work with chimpanzees in Africa. Goodall’s unconventional approach—naming the chimpanzees she studied and observing their tool-making abilities—challenged scientific norms and redefined humanity’s understanding of animals. This shared reverence for animals inspired Jacob to spend 14 years researching and writing about police dogs, a testament to the profound influence of role models. Role models, Jacob argues, provide purpose, build confidence, and validate life choices. They remind us to be resilient and relevant, qualities exemplified by Goodall, who reinvented herself in her later years as an animal activist and environmentalist. Goodall’s tireless efforts to protect the planet for both humans and animals left an indelible legacy of hope and ecological awareness. Her message remains clear: we share this planet with animals and must work together to preserve it. Goodall’s journey also highlights the importance of curiosity and ambition over formal qualifications. Discovered by archaeologist Louis Leakey, who saw potential in her despite her lack of expertise, Goodall became the first person to observe chimpanzees in the wild. This belief in untapped potential shaped Jacob’s career, allowing her to excel in diverse fields without formal training. However, Jacob laments the modern world’s reluctance to take chances on individuals driven by heart and ambition. In an era dominated by systems and curricula, the qualities once valued in role models—honesty, diligence, trust, and risk-taking—are increasingly overlooked. Yet, the need for role models remains urgent, as the world grapples with a lack of positive guidance. Jane Goodall’s legacy serves as a reminder of the transformative power of role models and the enduring importance of curiosity, resilience, and reinvention.

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.

Acting President Wade Mark delivered a heartfelt national message in honor of Divali, the Festival of Lights, urging citizens to embrace the spiritual and communal significance of the celebration. Speaking on October 11, Mark highlighted the festival’s core themes of light triumphing over darkness, unity, and compassion. He emphasized that Divali, which commemorates the return of Lord Rama and Mother Sita to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile, symbolizes resilience, duty, and the enduring strength of family and community bonds. Mark described the lighting of deyas (oil lamps) as a powerful tradition that serves as a reminder of the ability of even a single light to dispel darkness. He encouraged citizens to embody this light by fostering love, understanding, and peace in their communities. The acting president also noted the widespread celebrations across the nation, with thousands illuminating their homes and businesses while offering prayers to Mother Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. Mark called for both personal and national transformation, urging citizens to reflect on values such as freedom, integrity, truth, and justice. He emphasized that Divali’s true essence lies not only in lighting physical lamps but also in keeping one’s spiritual light radiant. Mark concluded his message by extending warm greetings on behalf of President Christine Kangaloo and his family, wishing the Hindu community and the nation a joyous and holy Divali. ‘May the joy and peace of Divali fill all homes throughout the nation. Shubh Divali!’ he said.