The Permanent Secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister, Yogesh Karan says it is his personal belief that fireworks which are noisy, should be put aside and Diwali should be celebrated peacefully with oil lamps or ‘diyas’.
He highlighted this during India Fiji Friendship Forum Eco Diwali celebration last night and says Eco Diwali is being celebrated with an aim to extend a helping hand and making a difference.
Karan says there may only be a few other countries in the world that celebrate Diwali proudly as a national holiday.
He says Diwali has been declared a national holiday for a very long time and adds that he is hopeful that there will be no hindrance to the celebration of Diwali in the future.
Meanwhile, the India Fiji Friendship Forum brought smiles to 25 families affected by COVID-19 by giving them a month’s worth of food supplies during their Eco Diwali Celebrations at the Kshatriya Hall last night.
India’s outgoing Acting High Commissioner to Fiji, Sukanta Charan Sahoo is urging people to spread happiness to those who have suffered financial losses and are hoping for a happy, healthy and blessed tomorrow. He says the COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented catastrophe upon humanity throughout the world, therefore when we celebrate any festival this year, we cannot help but think about the most challenging task ahead of everyone which is overcoming the devastating effect on public health and more importantly, on the economy.
Sahoo adds that this year’s Diwali is about survival and being grateful to God that we are still alive.
He says it is also about being thankful of the love and care of our family members and loved ones.
Karan adds people in the Central Division are grateful that we are able to celebrate Diwali in such a way and says he is grateful that the 25 families could join them for the celebrations.
He says the Forum has contributed $5,500 towards Prime Minister’s National Relief and Rehabilitation Fund after Tropical Cyclone Harold.
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