NCIC
Issue 2
November 2012
Divali - also known as ‘The Festival of lights’ is one of the most
important festivals in Hinduism. It is the celebration of light
over darkness and is widely celebrated in families by performing of traditional activities together in their homes.
portance of Divali for me is that at this very auspicious time for
my Hindu brothers and sisters, I take the time to reflect on the
things in my life that are less than positive. It is an opportunity
to breathe fresh air into my life and discard of old, bad habits.
As a non-Hindu citizen of Trinidad and Tobago when first approached with the question, ‘What does Divali mean to you?’
my mind produced several responses. Initially, I responded
that it meant that Christmas is fast approaching, that I will
soon eat an abundance of Indian delicacies, that a welldeserved public holiday was fast approaching, and that it provides me with an excuse to drive through St. James pointlessly
looking at deeyas.
As I drive to the homes of my friends to celebrate Divali with
them and I help in the lighting of the deeyas, it is not only my
Hindu friends that understand the significance of lighting the
deeyas; as every deeya I light, I say a silent prayer that in my
life, good will truly triumph over evil .
This year Divali is even more significant; and as I light my
deeyas, it will not only be my life that I reflect on but the lives
of my fellow Trinbagonians with regard to the current state of
As my mind traversed into deeper territory, I quickly realised the country. It is now more than ever that as Trinbagonians,
that Divali has played a more significant role throughout my that we need to unite and commit ourselves to good deeds
life and especially at this delicate time in Trinidad and To- and that which brings us closer to divinity.
bago’s history when the country is desperately in need of posi- As I sit with my plate of Indian delicacies and prepare to join in
tive celebrations.
the festivities, I pray that we let light into our lives and that
The tradition and story of Divali lays the significance of the we all have a safe and happy Divali.
victory of good over evil. The deeyas that are lit at Divali repre- Shubh Divali everyone!!!!
sent the lights that illuminate our homes and hearts. The im-
6
By Karimah De Four