Pres Ali highlights importance of gratitude, as he joins Better Hope Mandir for Navratri

President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali used the observance of Navratri to remind Guyanese to appreciate the blessings in their lives, even as many remain preoccupied with what they lack.

The president issued the call on Monday evening when he joined devotees for the observance of Navratri at the Better Hope Mandir along the East Coast of Demerara (ECD). 

Navratri is not only about worship, he said, but about stepping back from daily pressures to “dig deep within ourselves” and find a sense of peace, humility, and contentment.

“Many times in life, we are preoccupied with so much discontentment that we cannot appreciate what is before us,” he noted.

The president urged those present to reflect on the value of family, particularly parents and elderly relatives, describing them as blessings that we often overlook.

He pointed to the simple but profound experience of worshipping alongside one’s parents, noting that many fail to appreciate it until it is no longer possible. Children, too, he said, must be embraced within the temple environment.

President Ali also highlighted the role of strong community institutions, praising the mandir’s leadership and development over the years.

He also pointed to broader national gains, including peace, access to education, improved healthcare, and basic resources such as food and water, as examples of blessings that are too often taken for granted.

In contrast to global conflicts and instability, he said Guyana’s circumstances should inspire appreciation rather than discontent.

President Ali also used the occasion to reinforce a message of unity, stressing that all people, regardless of class, religion, or social standing, are part of a single human family.

During his address, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall SC, encouraged Guyanese to reject divisive tactics by certain members of society. 

Navratri is a nine-day festival dedicated to Goddess Durga and is observed by the Hindu religious community nationwide.