Last month the rains poured and the waters rose to inundate Trinidad and Tobago, yielding a glimpse into a watery apocalypse, the floods rising inexorably and so quickly that it drove nationals onto roofs for safety, severely damaged houses, waterlogged household effects, and rendered major appliances useless.
In its aftermath came the spirit of Diwali, reflected in an outpouring of love and unity following the devastation, Indian High Commissioner to Trinidad and Tobago, Bishwadip Dey said last week.
Dey was speaking at the Spring Village Hindu School Diwali’s celebrations last Thursday. He noted the spirit of Diwali, its essence as the festival of light, was alive with the goodwill of the people in a time of national crisis.
Said Dey: “The spirit of Diwali is coming together; it is the defeat of darkness by light …I saw this during the floods, the spirit of Diwali of people coming together and confronting the difficulties. Diwali is not on one occasion of lighting the diya – it is lighting the goodness amongst us, and that is irrespective of religion, race, and ethnicity.”
He noted it was commendable in a time of crisis that the people of Trinidad and Tobago showed resilience as responders, with non-governmental organisations, volunteers, and good Samaritans united to bring relief to victims affected by the floods. Such a manifestation of caring and giving means Diwali goes deeper than its traditions, its roots drawing nourishment further down from more positive, nation-building values instilled in a nation and its many peoples.
Said Dey: “…I have witnessed a full display of these values when people came together as one. This is the true essence of Diwali, rooted in ancient Indian scriptures. Diwali celebrates the triumph of good over evil as it exalts mankind to rise from ignorance and societal barriers, remove all negativity, unify the mind, and continue with positive virtues.”
That the celebration of Diwali followed closely after the national crisis appears to have infused the recovering nation with its positivity and religiosity. Bookstore owner Henny Charran last week indicated she too was touched by the love and kindness that flowed in as the flood waters flowed out, with many nationals from the country’s different strata working together to aid suffering victims.
Charran reported families with tear-filled eyes in her bookstore lamenting tremendous property losses while replacing their children’s educational materials, saying everything had been lost in the floods. She recommended others like herself light a flame, such as a diya, in support and in prayer for thousands of victims affected by the floods.
Also, despite being significantly affected by flood damage, some victims did not plan to have the distress, discomfort, and anxiety caused by inconvenience and losses become a damper for celebration of the Festival of Lights.
Diwali is a time of family and love, said Pundit Vidya Jaikaran, as he surveyed his home after it was completely flooded out. He advised patience, and as far a possible, that nationals continue as best as they could with their daily lives.
Noting some devotees may be unable to thoroughly clean their homes in preparation for Diwali, this should not be a source of distress; rather, what should be maintained was a purity of the mind and heart, and this quality made evident through one’s thoughts and actions.
Said Pundit Jaikaran: “It is important to keep the home clean; but the heart has to be clean. Diwali is not a physical thing; it is more a spiritual thing – your mind has to be about purity and love.”
We too here in the GTA have been reaching out with purity, love, and generosity. Already we have touched the many lives back home affected by this national disaster. There is yet a lot more to be done, with many families still recovering from the devastation. In the spirit of Diwali, let us continue to give.