Beckles: Divali theme about service to humanity

Opposition leader Pennelope Beckles said service to humanity is an important element of righteous action as highlighted by the Divali Nagar 2025 theme, Loka Sangraha.

Beckles and other opposition MPs attended the Divali Nagar in Chaguanas on October 16.

Beckles spoke about growing up in rural Borde Narve Village, nestled between Princes Town and San Fernando, and being exposed to many religious groups and practices and the beliefs which her mother instilled in her.

As she focused on the Hindu festival, Robinson-Beckles said of the five days of Divali celebration: “Each day celebrates the unique story of our triumph of truth and light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance and intellectual growth through spiritual mindfulness is enhanced in each of us.”

She said she grew up in a small village where her mother believed that the village raises the child and that the village of Borde Narve is a proper reflection of who we are in Trinidad and Tobago.

"Every story is told and our brothers and sisters of all faiths, whether it be Hinduism, Christians or Islam. I remember the bhajans floating from the mandir, the church bells on a Sunday morning, and the adhan calling to the faithful prayer at sunset."

She said she remembered at night the village glowed with deyas not just from the lighting homes, but lighting warm with compassionate hearts.

"We shared parsad, black cake, sawine and above all, we shared the gifts of community, friendships and togetherness; those childhood memories taught me the true meaning of unity in diversity that respect for each other's faith is not tolerance but actually love and action.”

Beckles said in her years of service in various capacities she has been guided by the principle to serve people and uplift those most in need.

"Each ministry, each project, each policy was about helping families move from darkness into light...That is the living message of Divali, that the light of compassion must overcome the darkness of despair."

She said successive governments have helped build TT to one of the most developed and literate in the region and thousands of citizens have seized opportunities to educate themselves and uplift their families.