Skip to playerSkip to main content
CCNTV6
  • 1 year ago
The Divali Nagar kicked off last evening and will run until October 30th, immersing attendees and spectators in nine nights of Indian culture and Hindu tradition. This year's theme is 'Grihastha Ashram - Building Families and Homes', which the feature speaker called on the community to keep in mind, in light of the incidence of domestic violence. Rynessa Cutting reports.
Transcript
00:00A display of cultural heritage fused with notes of national pride.
00:18Diwali Nagar 2024 kicked off last evening with a number of riveting performances, much
00:23to the delight of hundreds of spectators.
00:27This year's theme is Grasta Ashram, building families and homes, values which the NCIC
00:33President stressed are fundamental to the Hindu community.
00:38The Grasta Ashram reminds us that family is the nucleus of our social structure.
00:47It is within the family that we first learn the traditions and values that shape our character
00:53and influence our actions.
00:56And as we celebrate Diwali this year, let us remember that the light we kindle and nurture
01:02in our homes reflects the light we carry within.
01:06But future Speaker Professor Dilip Dan lamented the incidence of domestic violence in the
01:11community.
01:13If we are to follow the guidelines prescribed by our own teachings, the trouble that we're
01:18facing today as a society would not exist.
01:22I will end by giving just three examples where we have strayed as a people and are reaping
01:29the consequences of our bad action.
01:32One, our scriptures hold women in the highest esteem.
01:38Domestic violence, physical or verbal, is not tolerable.
01:43Several excerpts from our scriptures display this from the Lakshmi Tantra.
01:47He who abuses women abuses Lakshmi herself.
01:52He who abuses Lakshmi abuses the entire three worlds.
01:56Where the woman is disrespected or abused, the family fractures with divorce, separation
02:03and single parenting the result.
02:06Professor Dilip also called on leaders to set good examples and for a change in culture
02:10with respect to alcohol abuse.
02:14It is fairly common knowledge that we have a problem with alcohol, dating back to the
02:18days that our ancestors worked in the cane fields and would have a drink in the evening
02:23to relax from a hard day's work.
02:26We all know Sundar Popo's song, Nana Nani, which tells a very comical story about Nana
02:31drinking white rum and Nani drinking wine.
02:35What we see today, however, passing as music and song is a horrible deterioration in lyrics
02:42and unfortunately these sell like hot bread.
02:45We have enough trouble with Trinibad music and some very lewd and suggestive kaiso, but
02:50our very own chutney leaves a lot to be desired.
02:55Meantime, legacy sponsor First Citizens Bank urged the business community to do its part
03:02to ensure that trends do not replace traditions.
03:06We must ask ourselves as the business community, is there a role for us in this journey?
03:12Are there programs and initiatives we can create or invest in to help widen the family
03:17support system necessary to develop disciplined, productive and tolerant citizens of Trinidad
03:23and Tobago?
03:24Now in its 37th year, the Naga will run for a total of nine nights, culminating on October
03:3130th.
03:38Renessa Cutting, TV6 News.
Be the first to comment
Add your comment