We extend Diwali greetings to the members of our community who are celebrating the festival of lights this week. Light will always be a positive symbol for its ability to drive out darkness, not only from the rooms in our houses where diyas are being lit, but out of the darkest corners of our lives as well – for light will always triumph over evil.
Such is this auspicious time in our marking of the celebration that is Diwali, not only in its place in the calendar year, but within our lives. To willingly allow light into the dark spaces is to welcome the sacred and the holy, and to open the doors of our homes cleansed ahead and in preparation for this time is to enable the dispelling of not only the darkness that is ignorance, but to simultaneously sweep out despair and evil.
It is said that in preparing our homes for this celebration is at the same time to prepare our minds to receive the sacred light – that even as we ready the diyas for the spark of the flame that ignites the wick immersed in oil, we are also preparing our minds for the immersion of light and warmth from the steady flames of spirituality and enlightenment.
Such is the preparation performed by millions of devotees throughout the world in getting ready for this auspicious celebration. For many of us here in the GTA, this is when we mark the holy anniversary in Lord Rama’s return from the darkness of exile to the lights of Ayodhya after defeating the evil Ravana. Also, for many of us it is a time to honour Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth, and welcome her into our houses. Also enfolded in our traditions are to selflessly serve each other, sharing among ourselves kindness and generosity even as we renew and build the bonds holding family and kinship together. As we extend ourselves during the celebration of Diwali beyond our homes into our temples and communities, we begin to build even stronger networks, so everywhere is thoroughly illuminated not only with our light, but through our prayers for an enlightened world.
As we celebrate Diwali, let us extend its illumination so the entire world glows with hope, enlightenment, and prosperity.

We extend our recognition and congratulations to awardees Pundit Suresh Sugrim from New Jersey in the US, and Retired Magistrate Krishndat Persaud, from Corentyne, Berbice in Guyana. Both recipients have been recognised by the Toronto community and the Toronto Arya Samaj/Vedic Cultural Centre for their good work in charitable and humanitarian services to the people of Guyana.
In 2005 Pundit Sugrim founded the New Jersey Arya Samaj Humanitarian Mission – Guyana Chapter, and it has since been helping orphans, disadvantaged children, adults, youth, and seniors in Guyana. The Mission also established the Port Mourant education and empowerment centre at Ankerville, Port Mourant.
Persaud was recognised for his work with reviving the Panchayat system of community management of social issues in Corentyne, and also for his efforts in organising activities around the care and services related to drug abuse, AIDS, mental depression, suicide, and domestic violence. He was also recognised for his work in building a crematorium, a pavilion, and an access road at No 66 Village in Berbice, as well as for his lead role in transforming the 63 Beach in Berbice into a major tourist attraction.
We celebrate the achievements of these exemplars with the inspiring words from Frank Scarpitti, the Mayor of Markham, spoken on the night of the awards: “They have made [this world] a better place, and we need to celebrate that, and we need to talk about it, and acknowledge the great work they do. As Mayor of Markham, it is a pleasure [to recognise] two individuals who have made a difference in the world.”