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a celebration at the residence of his excellency Garvin nicholas

hiGh commissoner for the republic of trinidad and tobaGo

on the commemoration of

The Festival of Divali

Saturday 17th November, 2012

3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

12a Greenaway Gardens, Hampstead London NW3 7DH

Lakshmi Mata

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Order of Ceremony

National Anthem (All Stand)

Welcome & MessageH.E. Garvin Nicholas, High Commissioner

for the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

Invocation

Bhajan No.1Mera Deepak - Shree Basdeo Singh

PrayerPandita Arsha Gosine Ghosh M.B.E.

Feature AddressMr. Narinesingh Lal, Immigration Attaché

Musical ItemDora Fernandes and Meera Mankanda

Dance ItemBollywood Dancers - Crishna and Camilita Budhu

Bhajan No.2Ram Ayodha Ayee - Mr. Gobin Dwarika

Closing MessagePandita Arsha Gosine Ghosh M.B.E.

Preeti Bhojan (Refreshments & Dinner)

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Opening Prayer

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Message from His Excellency Professor George Maxwell Richards TC, CMTT, Ph.D,President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago on the Occasion of Divali, Tuesday 13th November, 2012.

Today, as the members of the Hindu community in our

nation celebrate the largest Hindu festival in Trinidad and Tobago, they are joined worldwide not only by other Hindus, but also by Jains, Buddhists and Sikhs who also observe Divali.

It is worth noting that Trinidad and Tobago is one of only eleven countries in the world that has an official holiday marking the observance of this important festival that is a highlight on thereligious calendar of devotees. The inclusion of Divali in our national holiday calendar istestimony to the commitment made, fifty years ago, by

the founders of our then newly independent nation and declared in our national anthem, “…here every creed and race find an equal place…”. It is also an acknowledgement of the contribution which has been and continues to be made by citizens of the Hindu faith, in building our nation.

As typifies us as a people, Divali is not only celebrated by citizens of the Hindu faith, but also by those of different beliefs who join in the peace, joy and hope that characterises the festival and who participate by visiting with Hindu friends and families and lighting deyas in their communities.The deya has always been a

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central symbol of this Festival of Lights. It serves as a visualrepresentation of the Divali theme of the triumph of light over darkness, of good over evil, of truth over falsehood and of knowledge over ignorance. The humility of this symbol isparticularly striking to me, as these deyas, which illuminate our neighbourhoods and homes on this day, are not expensive lamps of gold or silver but earthen vessels made of clay.

Perhaps, all of us who call Trinidad and Tobago home, regardless of religious persuasion, may want to reflect on the role that each of us can play in being a light in our respective spheres of influence. Like the humble deya, we need not have gold or silver to be a bearer of light wherever we are.

Light is powerful. The smallest light pierces the deepest darkness. But, the importance of light is not derived solely from its ability to dispel darkness. Light also reveals what is hidden in the darkness. When light shines,

we see clearly and can avoid stumbling.To be a bearer of light is to carry great responsibility. As light bearers, we, by our words and deeds must raise the bar, inevitably exposing the baser human nature, in ourselves individually and in those in our spheres of influence. If each of us assumes the responsibility of bearing light, then certainly our homes, our families, our communities, our places of work and our nation willbenefit.

On behalf of my wife, other members of my family and on my own behalf, I wish the national community and in particular, those of the Hindu faith, a very happy Divali celebration.

May God bless our nation.

George Maxwell Richards

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Message From The Honourable Kamla Persad-Bissessar,Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago on theOccasion of the Divali 2012

NAMASTE

Fellow citizens, the annual festival of Divali has once again arrived bringing

with it an atmosphere charged with spirituality, the celebration of friendship, faith in God, community togetherness and unity, amongst other positive feelings and values.

There is absolutely no doubt that the festival of Divali is truly national, a reflection of our people’s maturity about our cultural diversity and pluralism. There are few countries around the globe who can boast of the way we in Trinidad and Tobago genuinely share one another’s festivals and where we make that extra effort to seek to understand one another.

It is perhaps because of our openness to appreciate, and our willingness to share and understand, that there is such a wonderful culture of friendship

and peace in this cosmopolitan country. I applaud the growing trend in our society to celebrate what is right in Trinidad and Tobago.

Divali 2012 comes at a time when we are witnessing a very active citizenry who expects good governance and a higher level of accountability in public affairs.I wish to assure the national community that my government is committed to the highest level of accountability in public affairs and to the principles of good governance.

This has been demonstrated by my own actions over the period I have been Prime Minister. As a government we have also demonstrated this in the way we have respected the rule of law, maintained the separation of powers, and ensured that media are free from any form of censorship.

Freedom to be critical of the

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government and to speak freely without the fear of persecution is a hallmark of my Government.

Where the freedom of citizens are protected, where freedom from fear exists, where differences of opinions can be discussed in an atmosphere of mutual respect, and where consensus as a mode of decision making is practiced, people are happier and society also flourishes. When we do all of this, light shines throughout our country.

It is with these things in mind that I celebrate the festival of Divali this year. It is a festival that celebrates the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness.

Wherever there is darkness in this land, whether it be in the form of perceived threats to fundamental freedoms, or whether it is the darkness of poverty, or the violation of the person, especially the rape and abuse of our women and children, I will work to eradicate these forms of darkness and bring light and healing to those affected. This is the prayer I ask of Mother Lakshmi, who is the one who brings light.

The principal deity of Divali is Mother Lakshmi, the Goddess of knowledge, wealth and wisdom – qualities which are inherent to the spiritual concept of light. As the Goddess of prosperity,

she is worshipped by devotees to ensure that they will be blessed with food, shelter, good health, knowledge and wealth, and, in addition, they will achieve their fullest potential as human beings.

As the Goddess of Wisdom, she is the one to bless us with the power to choose that which is right.

It is for these reasons that Hindus spend so much time preparing themselves physically and mentally as well as cleaning their homes and surroundings to greet Mother Lakshmi, since it is widely held that she will not visit places that are unprepared.

The importance of this is that, in the preparation we make to receive Mother Lakshmi, we have as a people the human capacity to set goals and to work hard to create and enjoy success. We must translate this into our secular activities with the same passion and faith. This will certainly facilitate and enhance our competitiveness as a nation and our fortunes as a country.

May the joy of Divali embrace you and your families. May it spread throughout our land, and may the love we show towards Mother Lakshmi be a love that encompasses all of us as one people and one nation.

ShubhDivali.

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