Divali Nagar kicks off in October with focus on the family

Freelance Correspondent

The 36th edition of Divali Nagar gets rolling on October 22 and will run until October 30, with a focus being placed on strengthening the institution of the family.

This was announced by Independent Senator Deoroop Teemal, president of the National Council of Indian Culture (NCIC), over the weekend.

He was addressing a cultural show for attendees of a three-day International Conference on Hindi at the NCIC Nagar, Chaguanas.

He said the theme for this year’s Divali Nagar celebrations is Ghrias Ashram – Building Homes and Building Families. Teemal said the theme would look at parenting and the institution of the family.

“It is an attempt on the part of the NCIC to contribute to our national responsibility,” he explained.

Teemal said the NCIC Nagar has become a unique site throughout the Western Hemisphere because of Divali Nagar celebrations. He said the Nagar places Indian culture at the forefront and in a national way for all people to appreciate.

Minister of Foreign and Caricom Affairs Dr Amery Browne told the gathering that there is a lot more work that has to be done in the region to ensure the growth of Hindi.

He said, “Hindi as a language also resonates across our society.”

He added that T&T has deep ties with India and many locals have gone on to participate in training programmes in that country which have allowed for familiarisation in Hindi.