Georgetown : President Donald Ramotar joined Guyanese in Phagwah celebrations at the Indian Cultural Center in Bel Air along with Leader of the Opposition, David Granger, Mayor of Georgetown, Hamilton Greene, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Debra Backer and members of the Diplomatic Corps yesterday.
President Ramotar addressing the audience said “Phagwah reminds us of who we are in this country… it is a festival of all, so too, it reflects the diversity of our people in many ways, that we are a people of diverse backgrounds”
In recognition of the unity being built through diversity, the President said the beauty of the mixture of colours more beautiful than one colour.
“This festival reflects the make-up of our country therefore it is an ideal festival to help us to reflect that we have common values, common aspirations, common goals and indeed helps us that we must all always struggle and work together for national unity in our country.”
Granger described Guyana as a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and multi-religious country. “This festival is very important for all of us …as a Christian I always wondered at the proximity of Easter and Holi, and I think I know the reason why we celebrate our festivals together. This shows that in diversity there is also unity,” he said.
Granger indicated that Phagwah is not just a celebration for Hindus and those who are descendants of Indians but it has become a national festival.
The festival’s significance leads back to the ancient story of King Hiranyakashipu and his son Prahlada. The king wanted everyone to worship him, even his son, but the young man defied him and his father tried several times to kill him, but failed. He even ordered his son to sit on the lap of his demonic sister Holika on a pyre, but again good triumphed over evil and Holika was burnt to ashes as Prahlada came out unharmed, hence the significance of the burning of the Holika on the eve of Holi
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