Hindu community celebrates Diwali, honours two local personalities |22 October 2014

The Hindu community of Seychelles celebrated Diwali, the festival of lights, on Saturday at the Roche Caiman swimming pool.

During the evening two local personalities of Indian origin -- Narasimhan Ramani and K. K. Patel – were awarded the Hindi Rattan Award 2015.

President James Michel also sent a message to the Hindus for the occasion. The message was read by Designated Minister Vincent Meriton.

Vice-President Danny Faure was the guest of honour at the show. Also present were Designated Minister Vincent Meriton; Minister for Tourism and Culture Alain St Ange; the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly David Pierre; acting Chief Justice D. Karunakaran; the high commissioner of India to Seychelles Sanjay Panda; Bishop Denis Wiehe of the Roman Catholic Mission and his Anglican counterpart James Wong; and other high dignitaries of the Hindu Council of Seychelles.

The celebrations started off with an explanation of Diwali which is a very important festival for Hindus. It signifies the triumph of good over evil, of righteousness over treachery, of truth over falsehood, and of light over darkness. Diwali, also known as Deepavali and the ‘festival of lights’, is an ancient Hindu festival celebrated in mid-October and mid-November every year.

The festival’s preparations and rituals typically extend over a five-day period, but the main festival night of Diwali coincides with the darkest, new moon night of the Hindu Lunisolar month Kartika.

Following that the guests were honoured -- Vice-President Faure was honoured by chairman of the Hindu Council of Seychelles Pravin Darad, Minister Meriton by Narasimhan Ramani, advisor to the council, and  Minister St Ange by council member Anil Kumar Singh.

VP Faure, ministers Meriton and St Ange also handed over mementoes to VIPS/SIFCO members.

The highlight of the evening was when two personalities from Seychelles, Narasimhan Ramani and K. K. Patel, were awarded the Hindi Rattan Award 2015 by the NRI (non-indian resident) Welfare Society.

The two men will be officially given the award in New Delhi, India on January 25, 2015 on the occasion of India Republic Day.

In his message for the occasion delivered by Minister Meriton, President Michel said Diwali brings values we all share and gives us another reason to celebrate our diversity, our unity and our fraternity.

The message went to say that the Hindu festival of Diwali has enriched our cultural and spiritual values and that it brings together people of different backgrounds.

“Diwali is another opportunity to reflect on our actions through the year that passed,” read the message, adding that it is a moment to think of the contributions of the world communities in the building of our nations, the fruits of prosperity, the fostering of a peaceful society.

The President also expressed his hope that this festival showers us with peace, unity and prosperity in our mission; the victory of our people over darkness and that this Diwali brightens the lives of all individuals.

Minister St Ange described Diwali as the cultural attachment of Seychelles in this diversity that makes us the people of Seychelles.

The minister urged the Indian community to really see the lights of the Diwali so they can continue to live in harmony, to work together and to look at the future of Seychelles together.

He ended by congratulating all those who got the event together.

There were also goodwill and congratulatory messages from the various faiths present.

During the evening there were also cultural performances by both Indian and Seychellois groups; presentation of certificates and mementoes.

The evening culminated with fireworks.