Colours galore!

― as Reg. 2 hosts grand public Phagwah Mela – many more to come

― all religious and national holidays to be celebrated with pride

DPI, Guyana, Thursday, March 21, 2019

The Regional Administration of Pomeroon-Supenaam, (Region 2) on Wednesday, March 20 hosted a public Phagwah Mela programme much to the satisfaction of the residents of Region Two. The programme was celebrated under the theme, “Blending Colours – Celebrating Love, Peace and Togetherness,” and is the first of its kind since the existence of the Regional Administration.

According to Regional Executive Officer, Denis Jaikaran, the administration will continue to give recognition to all religious and national holidays.

Regional Executive Officer (REO), Denis Jaikaran [centre] flanked by his programme managers of the Regional Administration Pomeroon-Supenaam.

Patrons playing Phagwah with each other at the Phagwah Mela.

A cultural dance being performed at the Phagwah Mela.

“These religious and national celebrations must be done to the satisfaction of our people. Phagwah like all other holidays in our country is part of our culture and our culture is our way of live hence next year will be bigger and better. Further, let me say that all religious holidays be it Hindu, Christian or Muslim will be celebrated for the enjoyment of all our people and we will celebrate with pride and dignity.”

Noting that Phagwah celebrates the triumph of good over evil, Jaikaran called on the entire region to embrace each other with love, peace and togetherness.

“Right now, we are in unchartered waters and there are many leaders spreading falsehoods that can easily divide us but we must stand resolute against statements that can cause great harm to us and embrace each other with love, peace and togetherness. Don’t fall prey to the rhetoric of division which is the evil; but rather embrace the rhetoric of togetherness which is good. Phagwah is all about good over evil.”

Sharing Phagwah greetings also was Regional Chairman Devanand Ramdatt, who echoed similar sentiments calling for peace, love and togetherness to prevail over all forms of evil.

The cultural presentation included traditional Indian dances, singing, poetry, chowtaal playing and of course the rubbing of powder on each other. There were lots to eat and drink including the popular Indian dish ‘seven curry’.

The activity was considered a huge success by many in attendance. Tillack Ramdial, a patron of the celebration, welcomed the move to host the activity on such a large scale and looks forward to a bigger and brighter celebration next year. “This is real progress, my brother. I have been around for a long time and this is the first time I am seeing this kind of unity. It is something that must continue and next year I hope it is bigger and better. I must tell the leaders of today to keep up the hard work of unifying our people. One love.”

Story and Images: Ganesh Mahipaul.