THE world faces the dark pandemic but the symbolism of the light of Divali shows that the darkness could be overcome.
Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly THA Ancil Dennis in his Divali message said that it was heartening to know that deyas will still be lit across the country even in the pandemic.
He said, “Divali offers us an opportunity for encouragement, introspection and hope. Just as Divali symbolises the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and hope over fear, we must take the same approach if we are to overcome. Our people have always risen to the occasion despite adversity. Our flame may flicker at times, but it has never gone out. Instead, it emerges brighter and stronger, revealing our tenacity and resilience as it dispels darkness.”
Dennis admitted that the road to recovery from Covid-19 was long and will remembered by generations to come.
The Chief Secretary said, “The lessons of Divali are many, which is why everyone celebrates alongside the Hindu community. It also focuses on personal enlightenment — the battle of knowledge over ignorance, a search for understanding and self-awareness that will help us achieve clarity in our own lives so that we, as members of families and communities, can all contribute to nation-building.”
Divali was also a unifying force for this country and an enduring example of religious acceptance, he said.
“It reminds us how we should live with each other, and that we lose nothing by sharing the warmth of our flame with others. Finally, it urges us to adopt selflessness, introspection, hopefulness, togetherness and perseverance. To do this is to become a better people, regardless of who we are or where we live,” Dennis said.
