Senior Reporter
jesse.ramdeo@cnc3.co.tt
Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley last evening urged the population to let the Hindu festival’s spiritual theme of knowledge over ignorance prevail against those aimed at sowing discord and divisiveness throughout T&T.
“Even as an ever-increasing number sponsor divisiveness, practice hypocrisy, encourage ingratitude and glorify hatred, true Hinduism sees knowledge as beyond the mere acquisition of information. It holds knowledge instead as the path to seeking, knowing, understanding, and feeling God’s presence in our every action,” PM Rowley said while delivering the feature address at the Divali Nagar in Chaguanas.
Dr Rowley emphasised the importance of light overcoming darkness, a core tenet of the Divali festival.
He urged attendees to embrace the spirit of love and forgiveness.
“We must recognise that modern man is at a crisis point. It is said that we know so much yet understand so little about ourselves. One aspect of that crisis has been our loss of faith, or a belief in God’s divine force in our daily lives. Our nation is at a crossroads in a turbulent and uncertain world.”
The PM also recognised the urgent need for society to re-establish roots in religion.
“It is in times like these that the true teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, and I dare say the Quran and the Bible, provide valuable underpinnings for a nation whose youth and even many adults are existing without the moral and spiritual upliftment necessary to guide us to that place of safety, comfort and progress,” he said.
“Progress has meant an improved quality of our life but has come with a great emotional toll. Today, the science laboratory is increasingly replacing places of worship.”
He expressed his wishes for a prosperous and joyous Divali to the Hindu community, urging everyone to spread light and positivity in their communities.
“Implicit in the themes of Divali, I also see that of individual responsibility, a call to all people to take ownership of their lives,” the PM said.
“I see Divali as reminding us of the need for Divine therapy, our communication with God, on one hand, and our duties and responsibilities as citizens of our great country, on the national level. Let us continue to spread the light of Divali, across our beloved Trinidad and Tobago.”
Also addressing the gathering, National Council of Indian Culture (NCIC) president Deoroop Teemal lamented the rising costs associated with staging religious and cultural events but underscored the need to preserve the country’s legacy and heritage.
Among the Government ministers who accompanied Dr Rowley to the Nagar last night were Energy and Energy Industries Minister Stuart Young, Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan, Attorney General Reginald Armour, Tourism, Culture and the Arts Minister Randall Mitchell and Agriculture, Land and Fisheries Minister Kazim Hosein.
There were calls from several quarters to rescind Young’s invitation to the event, as he was initially carded to deliver the feature address as acting PM in Rowley’s absence. The Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) previously indicated that Young had offended Hindu women with his recent salacious comments towards Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar during the Budget debate and was unworthy of speaking at a religious event.
However, PM Rowley returned in time to take Young’s place on the Nagar podium last night.
Days ago, TTT Limited was also forced to apologise to the National Council for Indian Culture (NCIC) for technical difficulties experienced during Persad-Bissessar’s speech at the Divali Nagar over the weekend.
The NCIC is yet to decide on whether the state-owned media company’s expression of regret is sufficient.