Tomorrow’s celebration of Divali offers an opportunity to pause and remember a timeless truth: light can overcome darkness.
This year, that message feels especially urgent. A festival that traditionally brings people together has been overshadowed by public disputes over sponsorship, Government funding and leadership at the National Council of Indian Culture (NCIC). The debate has too often become louder than the values the Divali Nagar exists to celebrate.
As the lights shine across Trinidad and Tobago, we should ask whether we are willing to let them illuminate a better way forward.
The controversy began with questions about how the Nagar would meet its financial obligations. Several State-linked companies withdrew sponsorship, and the NCIC sought Government assistance for an event expected to cost about $5 million. Blue Waters subsequently stepped in as a major sponsor, but the announcement quickly became entangled in political controversy. Public criticism of the arrangement, reports of internal disagreement and board resignations, along with conflicting claims regarding Government support, added to an atmosphere of uncertainty and mistrust.
People are entitled to ask how public funds are allocated, how sponsorship decisions are made and whether organisations are communicating openly and transparently. Cultural institutions depend on public confidence. That confidence is strengthened through accountability, clear communication and respectful engagement. It is weakened when allegations are treated as fact, motives are assigned without evidence, and disagreement descends into personal or political attacks.
Yet, legitimate scrutiny should not cast a shadow over the festival itself.
Divali is a sacred observance for Hindus and a national celebration embraced by people of all backgrounds. The Divali Nagar is a showcase of Indo-Trinidadian culture and heritage, welcoming visitors to experience its music, dance, cuisine, teachings and traditions. Its value cannot be measured solely by sponsorship agreements or reduced to disputes over governance.
The message of Divali is not that difficult questions should be ignored. Rather, it teaches that they should be approached with wisdom, humility and compassion. The leaders of the NCIC, public officials, state enterprises, private sponsors and political representatives all have a responsibility to lower tensions rather than inflame them. They can clarify facts without escalating conflict, listen without treating criticism as hostility, and ensure that cultural celebrations do not become battlegrounds for wider political disputes.
Reconciliation begins when people see each other as more than the positions they hold or the sides they occupy. It requires a willingness to correct misinformation, acknowledge legitimate concerns and make room for respectful disagreement. It also requires remembering that cultural organisations exist to serve communities, not political interests.
Across Trinidad and Tobago tomorrow, families will light deyas, offer prayers, gather for meals and exchange greetings with neighbours and friends. These simple acts carry a profound lesson: light grows when it is shared. The Nagar can continue to be a place of fellowship, learning and cultural pride if that spirit remains at its centre, even when those entrusted with its stewardship face difficult questions.
This Divali should be more than a festival of lights. It should be an opportunity to restore civility, encourage honest dialogue and renew our commitment to living together with mutual respect. We can hold institutions accountable while preserving the cultural bonds that enrich our nation. We can disagree without becoming divided.
May the light of Divali guide us from suspicion to understanding, from conflict to dialogue, and from division to reconciliation.
