It is with enormous pleasure that I bring Phagwah greetings to all Guyanese, particularly our Hindu brothers and sisters.Phagwah or Holi, the Hindu Festival of Spring, is derived from the word ‘Phalgun’, the name of the month commencing from Mid-February through Mid-March; and is the last month on the Hindu calendar. The first month of the Hindu Year is “Chaitra”, falling in Phalgun.

And so Phagwah or Holi is the start of the Hindu New Year; an opportune time for all Guyanese from all religious and ethnic backgrounds to share in the happy spirit of Phagwah, to reach out and touch, to rekindle the bliss of brotherhood and sisterhood, and thereby purge feelings of selfishness and enmity.

This festival brings to light the familiar story of Prahalad, his father the demon king Hiranyakashyapu, and his sister Holika. We all can draw lessons of resilience and fortitude from Prahalad as he unflinchingly stayed the course with his devotion and faith. Prahalad’s ultimate triumph of good over evil brings hope to all humankind committed to a path of peace and prosperity.

Phagwah is the one event when sprinkling coloured powder (’gulal’) or coloured water on each other shatters all barriers of discrimination, so that everyone seems to be the same; and so universal solidarity is reaffirmed.

Let all Guyanese celebrate this colorful festival of Phagwah in joyous spirit without any distinction of caste, creed, color, race, status, or sex. Let us be determined to build permanent bonds of friendship and unity to bestow greater stature on Guyana.

Happy Holi to all Guyanese here and in the Diaspora!