Against the backdrop of a picture of the Hindu goddess Mother Lakshmi, National Council of Indian Culture (NCIC) president Deokinanan Sharma lit the ceremonial deya to officially open Divali Nagar 2022 on Saturday night.
And as he reflected on past Divali Nagar celebrations, Sharma announced that he was now passing on the baton.
The NCIC Divali Nagar venue, Narsaloo Ramaya Marg Road, Endeavour, Chaguanas, is back on the main stage after two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The start of the nine-night event drew a large crowd as in previous years. With the theme ‘Hindu Panth’, the 34th edition of Divali Nagar featured song, dance and booths showcasing businesses from Trinidad and Tobago, the Caribbean and India.
Former prime minister Basdeo Panday, government ministers Randall Mitchell and Kazim Hosein and religious leaders were among the guests. The Chief Guest for Divali Nagar 2022 is Pandit Dr Rampersad Parasram–Dharmacharya.
In his last speech as NCIC president, Sharma said that Diwali Nagar had been hosted virtually for two years, but citizens were eagerly waiting for the return of the physical celebration.
“Unfortunately in 2020 and 2021, the Covid-19 pandemic with its safety protocols, including social distancing, forced us to cancel the event. However, we introduced through social media a virtual Nagar. For us, it was a learning experience, but it seemed to be well received by the population,” he said.
First in October 1986
Sharma reflected on the first Diwali Nagar, in October 1986, organized at the Mid Center Mall car park where there was a procession through the streets. He said thousands of people visited the site to place flowers at the feet of a murti of Mother Laskhmi, surrounded by hundreds of jhandis.
They were the most memorable moments of his life, Sharma said, and returning to the physical festival of Divali Nagar reminded him of the emotions he experienced that day.
“Your presence tonight brings back many memories of that first Diwali Nagar and I still consider it the best we have ever had. None of the organizers of that first Nagari, led by Hans Hanoomansingh, could have predicted the response of the population that far exceeded our wildest expectations,” he said.
AWARD: Deoroop Teemal, right, vice-chairman of the National Council of Indian Culture (NCIC), presents an award to Culture Minister Randall Mitchell during the opening night of Divali Nagar. – Photo: NCIC
Sharma said his reign as NCIC president will soon come to an end as the management will change in the coming months.
“I have been president for 22 years. I thank the members of the council for rising to the overwhelming demands. Today, this Diwali Nagar will be the last one that I will present as NCIC president.
“I wish NCIC and its frontline project, Divali Nagar, and all future endeavors continue to prosper and grow to greater heights,” he said.
Sharma made a final appeal to the authorities to support the NCIC in its bid to host the cultural event.
“It’s an effort worth supporting and I appeal for your help in any tangible way you can,” he concluded.
Tourism, Culture and Arts Minister Mitchell thanked Sharma for his “remarkable” work over the past two decades, saying Divali Nagar had made citizens more aware of traditions related to Hinduism and East Indian culture.
And, according to Parasram, Divali Nagar was a milestone in East Indian culture in Trinidad and Tobago. He said the showcase exhibits over the nine nights depicted a particular theme.
This year, he said, Hindu Panth (Hindu Denominations) was chosen as organizers seek to explore Hindu denominations and demonstrate how it is possible for people to stand together despite differences.
“It seems to me that Hindu civilization accepted diversity and choice from early times. It seemed perfectly fine for people to organize themselves into different groups, choose a God of their understanding and apply the methodologies most convenient to them,” he said.
And as for Divali Nagar, Parasram said, “I hope it will continue into the future and reinvent itself to meet the needs of the population it serves without compromising its core values.”
The audience was treated to an invocation dance opening by ZeeTv Shiv Shakti Dancers along with Swami Sadashivananda Saraswati Maharaj, Jagdeo Phagoo, Satrupa Sesnarayan, Vickash Roopnarine, Rooplal Girdharie and the first Citizen Group Dragon Boys Tasssa.
