By Sue-Ann Wayow
THE Hindu festival of Divali, which focuses on light over darkness, serves as a reminder for citizens about the need for divine guidance and personal communication with God.
This complements their duties and responsibilities as citizens on a national level, says Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley.
He made the comments as the featurea speaker at the closing night of the Divali Nagar on Wednesday. His speech was also shared by the Office of the Prime Minister as his 2024 Divali message.
Dr Rowley noted that the illumination of homes and public spaces should be seen as a tribute to all people. Over the past four decades, Divali has grown into a truly national event, with its religious significance upheld as sacred and its essential truths increasingly understood.
He said, “To these celebrations, I bring the greetings of the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, my family, and myself, as Prime Minister. Divali is part of the Hindu community’s canopy of festivals. It represents a spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance—themes that hold great relevance in our modern Trinidad and Tobago.”
Reflecting on the history of Hinduism in Trinidad and Tobago, the Prime Minister pointed out that, while initially dismissed by the West as “another oriental religion,” its complex philosophy and unique path to enlightenment have since been acknowledged.
Dr Rowley focused on the spiritual theme of “knowledge over ignorance,” stating its relevance to the nation at this time. “Even as an ever-increasing number sponsor divisiveness, practice hypocrisy, encourage ingratitude, and glorify hatred, true Hinduism views knowledge as more than the mere acquisition of information. It is the path to seeking, knowing, understanding, and feeling God’s presence in our every action,” he said.
He observed, “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.” Many have lost faith in a divine being, and the true teachings of the Bhagavad Gita and other holy books, such as the Quran and the Bible, provide valuable foundations for a nation whose youth and even many adults are lacking the moral and spiritual upliftment necessary to guide them to safety, comfort, and progress, he added.
Dr Rowley stated, “Progress has meant an improved quality of life but has come with a great emotional toll. Today, the science laboratory is increasingly replacing places of worship.”
He suggested that now is the perfect time for individuals to look within themselves with “naked honesty,” asking whether darkness exists in their daily lives.
Dr Rowley said, “We may question whether our days are filled with the ‘darkness’ of egotistical thinking, greed, yearning, jealousy, anger, fear, grief, lust, envy, and hatred, along with the modern enslavement of various addictions. Implicit in the themes of Divali, I also see a call for individual responsibility, urging all people to take ownership of their lives.”
He encouraged citizens to continue spreading the light of Divali throughout the nation.
