-Lets reflect on the message of Phagwah and work towards peace in our land-PMGeorgetown, GINA, March 23, 2008

The inaugural Berbice Mela held at the Bath Settlement Community Centre, West Coast Berbice yesterday saw thousands of Guyanese celebrating Phagwah (the festival of colours).

The event, organized by the Indian Arrival Committee (IAC) and sponsored by several business organisations was also attended by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and several Ministers of Government.
Heads of various Mandirs from Georgetown and around the country joined the large gathering of celebrants for the grand Holi celebrations.

The event showcased a cultural programme with dancing, chowtal and chutney singing. Indian cuisine, art and craft, jewellery, games and the spraying of colourful powder and abeer were among the features enjoyed by the celebrants.
The Prime Minister and Ministers were drenched with abeer and colourful powders and joined in the Phagwah celebrations.

Prime Minister Hinds in his message to the large gathering said that Phagwah marks the end of one season and the beginning of a new one. He called on all Guyanese to use the message of Phagwah- triumph of good over evil to bring peace and to destroy all evil forces.
He observed that there were all races celebrating Holi which is the first step to bringing peace in the country. He urged everyone to continue working to build a prosperous Guyana.
Ministers of Agriculture Robert Persaud and Human Services and Social Security, Priya Manickchand said Phagwah is the celebration of good over evil and the message should stay clear as it is to overcome all evil that wants to bring darkness in the country.
Observing the mixture of participants from all walks of life, Minister Persaud said that these occasions remind everyone that they are one people who should work to let peace continue to prevail in Guyana.
He said despite the recent tragedies, let the Phagwah celebrations be an example “to show those criminals that Guyana will stand and not fall because of their fear”.
During the celebrations, the IAC sent greetings to Muslim and Christians.
It was noted that it is a significant period in Guyana when the three major religions are being celebrated which the IAC recognised and encouraged all to look beyond religion and race and live in peace and love.
The IAC is a non-Governmental organisation which looks after the welfare of Indo-Guyanese. The first Mela was celebrated at the Everest Cricket Ground, Georgetown in 2004.
The successful Berbice Mela was in response to residents of Berbice and they expressed their gratitude to the IAC for making the event such a successful and memorable one.
Members of the IAC said this initiative will continue to be held annually. At the event three young Berbicians won three cellular phones from the GT&T Cellink Plus ‘Blue Power’ competition for persons who were dressed in blue.

Phagwah was also celebrated in various parts of the country and by Hindus worldwide.
Phagwah or Holi, is observed as a national holiday in Guyana and is the Hindu celebration of the Spring festival and the dawning of the New Year. The festival was brought to British Guiana by Hindus who arrived as indentured labourers to work on sugar plantations in the early 1840s.
The festival is ushered in with the burning of Holika. This ceremonial practice is a symbolic representation of the story told in the Hindu scriptures of King Hyranya Kashipu and his son Prahalad which sends the message of triumph of good over evil.