Use lesson of Phagwah to stand firm
- President tells gathering at Phagwah Mela
THE message about the triumph of good over evil, which is the main theme behind the story of Phagwah, is a lesson which Guyanese can learn from, particularly during this period of trauma and uncertainty.
This was the encouragement given by Head of State, President Bharrat Jagdeo who addressed a large gathering assembled at the Dharmic Sabha Kendra for the Phagwah mela and bazaar.
The event, which is one of many organised by the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha to commemorate the Hindu festival, Phagwah, took the form of songs, dances, modelling and portrayals of various aspects of the Hindu culture.
Among those in attendance were Prime Minister Samuel Hinds; Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony; Minister of Finance, Dr Ashni Singh; and Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud.
Phagwah is also interpreted as the celebration of the spring festival, and President Jagdeo urged that the philosophical significance of the festival be highlighted. He reiterated the call for Hindus and all other Guyanese to maintain the spirit of good over evil, in order to stand against those who insist on inciting fear.
“I want you to understand that there is a struggle which may take a generation to transform and restore Guyana to a period when people will have the unity of working throughout this land,” President Jagdeo said.
He expressed disappointment in groups and organisations in Guyana that prefer to focus on the rights of criminal elements instead of meeting at the negotiating table to condemn criminals.
The President also used the occasion to commend the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha for organising the event and several others over the years and urged that they continue to ensure that the significance of Phagwah is underscored.
“These important parts of our culture were brought by our ancestors here to Guyana, and are now shared with all Guyanese and therefore, it is important that we continue celebrating and never underestimate the work of the Dharmic Sabha to ensure this culture remains alive,” the Head of State said.
Phagwah, or Holi, is ushered in with the burning of Holika the night before. The ceremony is a symbolic representation of the story told in the Hindu scriptures of King HyranyaKashipu and his son Prahalad.
World Consumer Rights Day
Commerce Minister declares war on 'junk food'
WITH World Consumer Rights Day, observed yesterday, being centred this year on eating right, Commerce Minister Mr. Manniram Prashad has all but declared open war on junk food saying that his ministry will do everything in its power to help people live healthy lifestyles.
Noting in his message to mark the occasion that Consumers International, the consumer watchdog organization, has chosen as its theme this year ‘Junk Food Generation’, Minister Prashad said:
“The Consumer Affairs Division of my Ministry has been given the go-ahead to do everything possible to ensure that consumers throughout Guyana are educated about their rights and responsibilities.”
Clearly concerned about the health risks associated with ‘junk food’, the minister said: “The fact is that junk food can lead to many health problems I therefore call on consumers everywhere to pay attention to their diet. My Ministry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, will be seeking to share with you a diet sheet for healthy living.”
Not yet done with the topic, Minister Prashad, who has portfolio responsibility for consumer affairs, said: “Consumers are well aware that junk food continues to have an adverse effect on our bodies. It leads to children being obese, often resulting in severe heart attacks that have been fatal for adults.”
Noting that statistics show that more than 22 million children worldwide five years of age and under are overweight, he said that Consumers International has been calling for action internationally to prevent the sale of the type of food that has been identified as contributing to an unhealthy state, and has asked the World Health Organisation (WHO) to put a restriction on the sale of unhealthy food to children.
Moreover, he said, countries are being asked to monitor the type of advertising aimed at children. “It is important that parents understands that they are directly responsible for the food that their children eat. In many cases, parents are not aware of what they are up against,” the minister said, adding: “As a result, I have instructed my consumer division to look at the types of food that are considered as unhealthy.”
Contending that his Ministry’s interest in consumer’s protection goes beyond the issue of ‘junk food’, Minister Prashad said:
“More importantly, I wish to emphasise the need for all of us to demand the highest quality of service and standards from our business places, namely food vendors, minibus operators, sanitation workers, public officials and public utility providers, like the water, telephone, and electricity.
“It is imperative that we pursue better food standards and quality not merely for our personal satisfaction in the consumption of goods and services but for the wider social good.
“Consumer protection, ladies and gentlemen, is not merely a domestic affair, with each passing year; it is becoming a top priority on the international economic agenda. It has been recognised that health is the most important asset of any nation and, therefore, we must protect the health of our children. Even as we observe ‘Junk Food Generation’ as the theme for this year, it should be noted that the Heads of Government met recently to determine ways and means to ensure that there were checks and balances on the food items that are considered as essential to the average household.
“All of us are consumers, and each one of us has an obligation and responsibility to be involved in consumer protection in order to make Guyana a better place to live and to do business. Let us do what is right for our children as we seek to keep them from the effects of junk food.”
