Divali celebrations in London
The Trinidad and Tobago High Commission, London held its Divali celebrations on Saturday 29th October 2011.
The national celebration was attended by over two hundred members of the Diaspora which reflected Trinidad and Tobago’s multicultural society.
Mrs Beverley Awonaya, Public Affairs, Culture and Tourism welcomed nationals to the High Commission. She delivered a short message on behalf of His Excellency Garvin Nicholas who, due to Government business at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Australia, could not be present. In the message, High Commissioner Garvin Nicholas wished everyone at the event a blessed evening.
The President’s Message was read by the Acting High Commissioner, Mrs Reshma Bissoon-Deokie. This was followed by the lighting of the deyas by children. This symbolic act of lighting the deyas signified the essence of Divali and one of the world’s most universally-held beliefs – that of light conquering darkness or good conquering evil.
The featured address on the evening was delivered by Mr. Narinesingh Lal, Immigration Attaché at the High Commission. In his delivery, Mr Lal placed emphasis on the significance of Divali listing the three events concerning the celebration of Divali as occurs in Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean. The first being the emergence of Mother Lakshmi from the churning of the ocean, the second being the return of Lord Rama to Ayodha after defending King Ravana in Lakha and the third being the observance of a New Year for Hindus.
There was also the singing of Bhajans by nationals in the community.
A traditional East Indian dinner followed the formal part of the evening.
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