Dharmic Sabha's East Coast Deepavali motorcade cancelled
Stabroek News
November 2, 2002
After around 30 uninterrupted years, the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha has cancelled its annual Deepavali motorcade, in light of the current crime situation.
The illuminated motorcade normally starts in Georgetown and ends at La Bonne Intention on the East Coast Demerara on the eve of the Hindu festival of lights.
In a release announcing the cancellation, the Dharmic Sabha said that the decision "has been taken in light of the prevailing circumstances."
The Dharmic Sabha is urging all Hindus to observe the festival with the deepest spiritual fervour by attending mandirs, which will be conducting appropriate `Satsangh', holding pujas at their homes and illuminating their surroundings with lighted diyas.
The release said "we must earnestly seek Lakshmi Mata's grace and blessings for peace and stability."
Tomorrow, Satsangh will be held at the Shri Krishna Mandir in Campbellville at 6 pm and at the Rama Krishna Mandir in Kitty on Monday at 8 am. Monday has been declared a national holiday in observance of the festival.
For 30 years, the motorcade, which has become a tradition, had been held without interruption. Tens of thousands of Guyanese from all walks of life generally come out along the route to witness the lighted and decorated vehicles. The Georgetown/ LBI motorcade is the largest held in the country attracting participants from Berbice and West Demerara.
Motorcades have already been held in the East, Central and Upper Corentyne and West Berbice. Last night one was due to be held in Essequibo.
In the current crime wave featuring drive-by shootings, sources say there were concerns that a large gathering, such as the one expected for the motorcade, could be particularly vulnerable.
Sources say concerns were also heightened by the discovery this week of dozens of channa bombs at a house in Bonasika Street, Campbellville.