On the eve of Divali, the students of Naparima Girls’ High School came together to celebrate the
festival of lights. The school’s very own Indian Cultural Club shared their unending talent with a
morning of song and dance all devoted to the celebration of Mother Lakshmi and the triumph of
good over evil.
The ICC choir sang beautifully with the musical accompaniment from Naparima College who
also performed a song during the programmme. The girls impressed everyone with their intricate
and devotional dances from the senior and junior dancers of the ICC choreographed by members
of the club. From emotional bhajans to passionate dances, there was no shortage of talent.
As much entertainment as the program provided, it was a great learning experience. They shared
the significance of a lit deeya which represented the removal of one’s ego through spiritual
knowledge, exhausting negative tendencies. Pundit Bhaskar-Anand was the honoured guest
speaker at this program and has devoted his many years to being a spiritual leader to many at
temples across Trinidad. He shared the true meaning of Diwali which was how Mother Lakshmi
stepped out of the light and came into the universe. He compared it to Mother’s Day as it was the
first time the creator saw his mother and even compared the girls to Lakshmi as they are lights,
illuminating the world. Pundit Bhaskar-Anand shared with the students the stages of life as well
as the four goals of life which included wealth, enjoyment of wealth, ‘Dharma’ which meant
being the best one can be and the final goal being to seek god. He also shared the four principles
or pillars of Sanatan Dharma and these included truth, mental and physical cleanliness, mercy
and charity. The girls listened intently and were indeed enlightened.
This Diwali program, organised by the Naparima Girls’ Indian Cultural Club was a great success
and would not have been possible without the hard-working students and teachers. The program
was enjoyed by all and indeed left the student body more enlightened than they came.
