President Anthony Carmona says the lighting of deyas is symbolic "of our daily struggle to keep our minds focus on good thoughts, actions and deeds, so that we are not overwhelmed by evil temptations and conduct."He said so yesterday in his Divali message to the nation. The President said Divali was the triumph of light over darkness, of knowledge over ignorance, of good over evil.
He added: "In the absence of light, darkness reigns supreme. Darkness brings with it chaos and in this chaos we are prone to lose our way as a people and stumble as a nation."As I wish the Hindu community a Happy Divali 2013, I must remind you that the true representation of this festival has to do essentially with an inner spiritual victory."He also pleaded with citizens to refill the deyas of their hearts with the oils of courage, love, compassion, perseverance, hope and brotherly love.
"We must remember that the most portentous meaning behind this festival of lights is the consciousness of the inner light or third eye."The ancient philosophy of the Hindus, the yogis and some other religious sects have always propagated the doctrine that there is something beyond the physical body and mind which is pure, infinite and eternal," he added.He said Divali was also a celebration of thanksgiving for the bountiful harvest of the year and the ushering of a year filled with great expectation.
"In a multi-cultural, multi-religious society as ours, the festival of Divali brings us together as one," he said."The celebration of Divali has been taking place since ancient times and while the story behind the celebrations may differ from region to region, one theme remains constant, and that is the victory of good over evil, light over darkness," Carmona said.He added: "Let me once again wish you, the great people of this nation, a holy and happy Divali 2013.
My wife Reema, son Christian and daughter Anura, join me in wishing everyone shubh Divali."