COP leader says goodness begins "with each of us" in Divali message

File: Prakash Ramadhar (Newsday photo)

The leader of the Congress of the People is has said in his Divali message if evil is to be effectively defeated, goodness must begin with the individual.

"The analysis today is not how many deyas sparkle around (us); rather, how much of this blessed illumination enters our inner space.

"Are we succeeding in the triumph of the evils of our society such as, white colour crime, child violence, poor work ethics, increasing materialism and the increasing attraction for the pleasures of life? If evil is to be effectively defeated, goodness must begin with each one of us. Only then will a progressive nation be forged...

"On the auspicious occasions of all national festivals while we must be elated, we must also pause to reflect. Each passing year we are reminded of the triumph of good over evil, knowledge over ignorance and light over darkness.

"Ignorance is the precursor of a society's decay. In this world of information overload, distilling beneficial knowledge from mass information is critical to the upliftment to a higher society…

"Lord Krishna tells us in the Bhagvad Gita that the crux of the issue that all mankind continues to ignore and evade, in order to glow in the glory of ignorance, growing materialism, deceit, untruths and deception. As a people we must face up to the truth and resist burying our heads in the sand," the party said...

"May we pursue with love and humility the social traditions of this time, but more than that, let us internalise the deeper message of Divali so that we can positively contribute to the building of a better nation. A happy and holy, Shubh Divali to all."