President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali used the observance of Navratri to remind Guyanese to appreciate the blessings in their lives, even as many remain preoccupied with what they lack.
The president issued the call on Monday evening when he joined devotees for the sacred period of Navratri at the Better Hope Mandir along the East Coast of Demerara (ECD).
“Many times in life, we are preoccupied with so much discontentment that we cannot appreciate what is before us,”he noted.
The president urged those present to reflect on the value of family, particularly the presence of parents and elderly relatives. He described them as blessings that are often overlooked.
He pointed to the simple but profound experience of worshipping alongside one’s parents, noting that many fail to appreciate it until it is no longer possible. Children, too, he said, must be embraced within the temple environment.
President Ali also highlighted the role of strong community institutions, praising the mandir’s leadership and development over the years.
He also pointed to broader national gains, including peace, access to education, improved healthcare, and basic resources such as food and water, as examples of blessings that are too often taken for granted.
In contrast to global conflicts and instability, he said Guyana’s circumstances should inspire appreciation rather than discontent, saying, “We see what war and conflict can do around the world.”
President Ali also used the occasion to reinforce a message of unity, stressing that all people, regardless of class, religion, or social standing, are part of a single human family.
Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall SC, also addressed the gathering briefly. He used those remarks to encourage Guyanese to reject divisive tactics by certain members of society.
Navratri is a nine-day festival dedicated to Goddess Durga and is observed by the Hindu religious community nationwide. (DPI)