22nd
October, 2003
Press
Release
MAKE
DEEPAVALI 2003 A TRUE TRIBUTE TO SHRI RAM
This year, like last year, Deepavali is being
celebrated under a cloud of darkness
for Hindus in Guyana and Trinidad, as the Hindu community
continues to come under vicious attack. The festivities and
celebration of Deepavali this year is itself a story of
triumph and heroism in the face of continued assaults on the
Indian community.
As the darkest night of Kartik is lit up
with thousands of diyas, and as we commemorate the victory of
Shri Ram, the Prince of Ayodhya, as he returned home in
triumph with his wife Sita who he rescued from the clutches of
the evil Ravan, the struggle, the bravery and the fight that
preceded that glorious welcome must be remembered. Shri Ram,
with focus and determination and strategy, fought valiantly
and fearlessly to defeat his enemy.
This Deepavali, GIHA urges the Hindu
community, as they celebrate, to do so in unity and to come
together and demonstrate intolerance for the kidnapping and
disappearance of Vivickanan Nandalall, a devout hindu lad, who
was mercilessly snatched only a week ago plunging his whole
family and community into mourning and distress. To do
anything less is to betray the teachings of Shri Ram, and to
make mockery of the message of Deepavali. All Guyana, and
Hindus, in particular, can find hope as they identify with the
great victory of Ram over the evil Ravan. During the long
years of struggle, neither Shri Ram and nor his wife Sita
compromised any of their values and their fight was an
honourable one. Until Hindus in Guyana begin to reawaken that
spirit of courage and bravery within them, only then will the
assault and the brutality end.
Like Shri Ram, Indians in Guyana know
the enemy: those who kill us, who kidnap us and who support
them. And those who preach an adharmic, dishonourable message:
those who advise that Indians bear up and accept our beatings,
who have conditioned Indians to become docile, who try to
extinguish us by promotion of a racism of oneness and who keep
us in a state of drunkenness. GIHA calls on Indian men, in
particular, to first identify the enemies, recognize the
shocking betrayal, and then take up the mantle of defending
the Indian communities and returning dignity to our people.
This Deepavali, GIHA cautions Indian men that
the rum culture was foisted upon them deliberately to
permanently numb the senses. A sober mind is required to
strategise for strength and dignity. GIHA hopes again, like it
did last year, that the Hindu community, the bearers of the
Deepavali lights, will lead the way in showing the courage and
strength of Shri Ram and Mother Durga so that this Deepavali
can usher in the onset of happiness and prosperity and the
destruction of spiritual darkness.
