Diwali, Chance to Showcase Heritage, Says Akbar

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Diwali, Chance to Showcase Heritage, Says Akbar

Diwali will also bring communities and the nation together in unity. It is the time to forgive and forget, time for reunions, to share happiness and show love.

by salote qalubau

26 Oct 2019 15:27

Diwali, Chance to Showcase Heritage, Says Akbar

The Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts, Rosy Akbar, with senior citizen Shiu Hari Prasad during the Fiji Girmit Council Diwali celebration at the Girmit Centre in Lautoka on October 24, 2019. Photo: Salote Qalubau

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Diwali is a time to pay tribute to the rich cultural heritage passed down from our elders, says Rosy Akbar.

The Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts, who was chief guest at the Fiji Girmit Council Diwali celebration yesterday, said the occasion was also an opportunity to embrace cultural diversity.

“For years Fijians have come together to rejoice the bliss and merriments of this joyous festival,” she said at the Girmit Centre in Lautoka.

“Diwali will also bring communities and the nation together in unity. It is the time to forgive and forget, time for reunions, to share happiness and show love.”

She said it was vital to reflect on the past and make positive decisions.

The Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts, Rosy Akbar during Diwali
celebration at the Girmit Centre in Lautoka on October 24, 2019. Photo: Salote Qalubau

Fiji Girmit Council vice-chairman Dharmend Goundar said every religion had a different way to commemorate the triumph of good over evil.

“We have all overcome obstacles and we have found success to actually be here and we have all done that with basic teachings from all our religions,” he said.

Mr Goundar said it was also important to remember sacrifices made by senior citizens.

“These are the elders that have actually built schools, these are the people who didn’t have a formal education but yet they built schools so that our generation could be educated,” he said.

Tui Tavua Ratu Nacanieli Uqeuqe said Diwali was an occasion also celebrated by the iTaukei people.

“Diwali is an occasion when two communities come together in joy while sharing the lights and sweets and renewing our bond with each other,” he said.

“The Bose ni Momo is committed to deepening relationships with different cultural groups.

“We value our relationships and we value the contributions of your ancestors. We hope, in time to come, we will build stronger relationships to genuinely learn from each other’s customs to reduce any misunderstanding that may exist.”