Her cabinet colleaugues Tim Gopeesingh, Anand Ramlogan, Winston peters, Emmanuel George and Devant Maharaj joined her at the celebration hosted by the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha (SDMS).
In an address to the families gathered for the festive event, Persad-Bissessar said the festival signifies new beginnings for a brighter future.
“Celebrating events like Phagwa is a kind of renewal for the new generation. It helps us to place importance on where we come from.” Persad-Bissessar stated.
“Phagwa is a season of hope and a time to renew our commitment to securing our future because the children here are our hope and our future,” she declared, adding that religion and culture will bring children closer to God, "in this multi religious, multi cultural society".
She added, “It reminds us to keep our feet on the ground and remember where we came from and who we are”.
Her HOLI messaged is reproduced below:
On the occasion of the observance of the Spring Festival, Holi, more popularly known as Phagwa in Trinidad and Tobago, I take this opportunity on behalf of the Government and people of Trinidad and Tobago to extend warm Holi greetings to our Hindu Community.
For many, the significance of Phagwa (Holi) is two-fold. The religious significance of the celebration lies in the conquest of good over evil, as manifested by the youthful Prince Prahalad’s triumph over his self-serving, demonic father, King Hiranyakashipu.
The secular importance of Phagwa derives from its origins as a Spring, harvest Festival with its implications of fertility, rebirth, renewal and regeneration.
Earlier this week the contributions of the rural women of the world were brought into focus through the 2012 observance of International Women’s Day, so too the occasion of Holi honours Mother Earth and all those who lovingly work the land.
Holi also heralds the Hindu New Year and is a time for thanksgiving, deep reflection and hope for the promise of continued blessings in the New Year. A time of reunion, this festival truly embodies a spirit of oneness which transcends all barriers and promotes greater social cohesion and understanding. Hindus and non-Hindus celebrate together the joy of the festival with chowtal singing, dance, abeer and love.
The Phagwa message of “unity regardless of demography or geography” is particularly relevant to us as nationals of a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural nation, as it challenges us to regard our diversity as a source of strength and a building block to a more equitable future for all our citizens.
As we join the local and international Hindu community in the celebration of this vibrant and colourful festival; I ask each citizen of Trinidad and Tobago to reflect on your own life, consider your community and your country and let us together make a renewed commitment to positively change and breathe new life into our local communities and our National community.
Let us direct our collective energy towards a resurgence of respect for the rule of law, national pride, personal security and national unity. Let us sit at the table of reconciliation to craft policies and programmes, which benefit each citizen of Trinidad and Tobago and lead our country to continued prosperity for another fifty years.
I urge you to exercise due care, caution and responsibility during your festivities.
Happy Phagwa to all celebrants!
Her HOLI messaged is reproduced below:
On the occasion of the observance of the Spring Festival, Holi, more popularly known as Phagwa in Trinidad and Tobago, I take this opportunity on behalf of the Government and people of Trinidad and Tobago to extend warm Holi greetings to our Hindu Community.
For many, the significance of Phagwa (Holi) is two-fold. The religious significance of the celebration lies in the conquest of good over evil, as manifested by the youthful Prince Prahalad’s triumph over his self-serving, demonic father, King Hiranyakashipu.
The secular importance of Phagwa derives from its origins as a Spring, harvest Festival with its implications of fertility, rebirth, renewal and regeneration.
Earlier this week the contributions of the rural women of the world were brought into focus through the 2012 observance of International Women’s Day, so too the occasion of Holi honours Mother Earth and all those who lovingly work the land.
Holi also heralds the Hindu New Year and is a time for thanksgiving, deep reflection and hope for the promise of continued blessings in the New Year. A time of reunion, this festival truly embodies a spirit of oneness which transcends all barriers and promotes greater social cohesion and understanding. Hindus and non-Hindus celebrate together the joy of the festival with chowtal singing, dance, abeer and love.
The Phagwa message of “unity regardless of demography or geography” is particularly relevant to us as nationals of a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural nation, as it challenges us to regard our diversity as a source of strength and a building block to a more equitable future for all our citizens.
As we join the local and international Hindu community in the celebration of this vibrant and colourful festival; I ask each citizen of Trinidad and Tobago to reflect on your own life, consider your community and your country and let us together make a renewed commitment to positively change and breathe new life into our local communities and our National community.
Let us direct our collective energy towards a resurgence of respect for the rule of law, national pride, personal security and national unity. Let us sit at the table of reconciliation to craft policies and programmes, which benefit each citizen of Trinidad and Tobago and lead our country to continued prosperity for another fifty years.
I urge you to exercise due care, caution and responsibility during your festivities.
Happy Phagwa to all celebrants!
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