N. Dennis 20-10-2014 Event Indians and Seychellois celebrates Diwali in pomp and show Hindus around the world marked the annual Diwali celebrations over the weekend. The local Indian community and Seychellois gathered at the swimming pool complex at Roche Caiman on Saturday evening to celebrate the Festival of Lights. Over 100 participants took part in the Diwali cultural programme. It comprised of songs, a fashion show by children showcasing different traditional and modern Indian costumes and also a variety of spectacular choreographic dances from local numbers to Bollywood hits by different groups that had the crowd applauding excitedly. “Diwali is the mother of all celebrations and it means a series of lamps. When lit, the lamp despairs darkness. It is highly symbolic, which marks the celebration of good over evil, triumphs of victory, virtue over wise, right over wrong, knowledge over ignorance and truth over falsehood. Diwali brings together people of all cultures in happiness and bliss over the solitary individual that is extended to the humanity at large”, the Indian high commissioner, Sanjay Panda, explained to those gathered for the celebration. For his part, the chairman of the Hindu Council, Pravin Darad, presented a memento and silk shawl to the dignitaries present at the event. Mr. Darad also congratulated the recipients of the Hind Rattan Award 2015, Narasimhan Ramani and K.K Patel, for their social work and contribution to the community. The Hind Rattan is one of the highest Indian diasporic awards granted annually to non-resident Indian citizens (NRIs) by the NRI Welfare Society of India, an organization under the umbrella of the government of India. Designated Minister Meriton conveyed warm wishes and prosperity to the Hindu community in Seychelles on behalf of President James Michel. In his message, President Michel said, “we come to celebrate the values of life, the values we share, it is the time of Diwali – the Festival of Lights. It gives us an occasion to celebrate diversity, unity and fraternity. The Hindu festival has enriched our cultural and spiritual landscapes and is a call to enjoy the good things that we have in life. The festival gives an opportunity to reflect on our actions in the past. Seychelles is blessed with peace and harmony between people of different faiths and we need to continue to shine the light of this peace in our communities”. All those taking part in the cultural activities were presented with certificates. But the moment all the children were waiting for was the lighting of the sparklers. Accompanied by their parents, they happily waved their sparklers and wished each other happy Diwali. The invitees and guests also exchanged happy Diwali greetings. The Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Victoria, Denis Wiehe, read a message from the pontifical council for interreligious dialogue of the Vatican. It invites Hindus and Christian to work individually and collectively with all religious traditions and people of good will to foster and strengthen the human family through friendship and solidarity. The Anglican Bishop of Seychelles, James Wong, talked about the history of Diwali and the significance of the Festival of Lights to other religious groups. For her part, Homa Mungapen from the Baha’i Community read a prayer for the occasion. The evening had started with the lighting of lamps by a group of ladies - Minati Panda, Selvi Karunakaran, Beena Darad, Manju Singh, Geethalakhmi Kandan and Yogambal Ramani - in the presence of Vice-President Danny Faure, the Minister of Tourism and Culture Alain St. Ange, the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, David Pierre, the Archbishop Emeritus of the Anglican Church, French Chang-Him, Orthodox Church priest Fr. Sergios Janosevic, the CEO of National Council for Children Ruby Paridwalla, the acting Chief Justice Durai Karunakaran, Hindu Council advisor, Narasimhan Ramani, the chairman of the KRG Group, K.K. Patel, members of the Seychelles Interfaith Council and other religious leaders. Finally, firecrackers lit up the sky, driving away evil spirits. After all the activities were over, traditional Indian sweets were presented to all present at the celebrations.
Posted on: Tue, 21 Oct 2014 06:42:06 +0000
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