‘We have the power to make a difference’ – PM Nagamootoo
– Celebrates Navratri with devotees at Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre
DPI, Guyana, Saturday, October 5, 2019
Prime Minister, Hon. Moses Nagamootoo joined with devotees and special invitees at the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, earlier Saturday evening, to celebrate Navratri.
Beginning his address at the religious celebrations, also called Durga Puja, the Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to be included in such an event.
PM Nagamootoo explained to his attentive audience, that he owed his understanding and respect of the Hindu religion and culture; special observances and festivals, to his parents who were devoted Hindus themselves.
“I grew up in a home hearing about Navratri.” … “Where I saw my parents, my father and my mother doing rituals that involved the worship of mother Kali.”
He further explained that later on as an adult, when he was asked to participate in such a ritual at the Whim Kali Temple, he did so out of extreme respect for his parents and grandparents.
On celebrating Navratri, the Honourable Prime Minister offered that this specific festival serves as an examination of how women are treated. He made a special call for women all over the world, and specifically in Guyana, to be treated with kindness and for their independence to be respected.
“I want to congratulate all of our women in particular who have participated in fasting and in prayers over the last nine days. Thank you for your sacrifice… On Facebook, I saw a message depicting the nine Hindu Goddesses, I believe it’s a message to the world that we should treat our women kindly and with respect, and we should respect also their independence and their independence to choose their economic activity and their right to an education.”
He said the message of Navratri should be taken, particularly for women, in that they possess the courage to stand up against wrongs, and courage to stand up for what is right in our society.
“We have the power to do so, all of us in our own lives, we have the power to make a difference and to make our society better.”
Navratri, for Hindus, is a time of religious reflection and fasting. Typically, the festival’s nine nights are dedicated to different aspects of the divine feminine principle. While celebrations throughout India varies, generally the first third of the festival focuses on aspects of the goddess Durga, the second third on the goddess Lakshmi, and the final third on the goddess Sarasvati.