Labasa Market was in a jovial mood yesterday as more than 200 market vendors gathered for their Diwali celebrations.

Speaking at the celebration, Commissioner Northern Joseva Vocea urged the Labasa Market vendors to spend Diwali with family and friends.

He told the vendors that Diwali was a time when they should make more effort to love their neighbours, forgive loved ones and reach out to those in need, the disadvantaged and the poor.

“Every religious celebration teaches values and respect with care and compassion that is needed for us to live together,” Mr Vocea said.

“Our Government believes in unity, whether it is Eid, Christmas or Diwali, we want every Fijian to respect each other’s religion and live at peace.”

“My friends as you enjoy this occasion I request you all to adhere to the time limitation that is in place for the fireworks, which is 5pm to 10pm daily and 5pm to midnight on Diwali day only,” he said.

He said in accordance to the Mineral Resources Department’s Explosives (Fireworks) Regulations, children under the age of 18 years were not permitted to purchase fireworks.

“I also urge children to use fireworks under adult supervision and parents please act responsibly with your children,” Mr Vocea said.

He said fireworks were explosives, not toys and should be handled responsibly with caution.

Special administrator of Labasa and Savusavu towns Vijay Chand said he was happy to receive the request from the Labasa Market Association to decorate the market  for the Diwali celebrations.

“Such a collective initiative by the vendors shows unity among them and this is not the first time they have had Diwali celebration at the market,” Mr Chand said.

“The vendors did their own collection to do decorations and arranged garlands for all the chief guests and prepared Diwali sweets for all the vendors,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Chand also sent out his deepest sympathy to families who have lost loved ones to fire incidents this year.

shratikan@fijisun.com.fj