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.
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