GAWU Phagwah Message 2008

The Festival of Holi is with us again. Hindus primarily, join with nature to welcome spring after the relative gloom of the previous winter.

The colours, the splendor and liveliness of Spring induce devotees to disregard status and social norms as they employ water, abeer and coloured powders to celebrate life. </p>

The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) joins with the Hindu Community as it involves All Guyana to observe and celebrate the Festival of Holi – commonly called “Phagwah” here. As we do over the years GAWU wishes to celebrate the Festival’s HOPE and OPTIMISM while regarding the religious mythologies surrounding the historical event. Mankind in all societies need HOPE to sustain life amidst the challenges of conflict, crime, disease, natural disaster and poverty. Holi offers this hope on the often-present Horizon. The first three months of Guyana’s new year of 2008 have presented some precedented challenges which, up to now, see Guyana demonstrating hope in the face of national adversity.

The Phagwah legend tells of Prahalad believing in the eternal God, Vishnu, much to the displeasure of his father, an evil King. The father and king challenged Prahalad the son to sit on a blazing fire alongside the wicked Aunt Holika. She was burnt as Prahalad survived. GAWU hopes that Guyana survives the fire and heat of economic challenges, sabotage and criminality.

Phagwah is one of those religious-based festivals which, observed as a national holiday, serves to bring a measure of happy harmony. It is a time when Guyanese – Hindus and Non-Hindus – take time to understand one another’s culture and aspects of religion not always their own. Understanding breeds appreciation, then respect. Holi joins groups together in the business of the celebration of hope.

We Guyanese need all of those virtues these days – hope, understanding, respect and love. May Phagwah 2008 usher in the sentiments and the realities of living together for a common, spring-like, glorious future.