The Tobago Hindu Society brought song, dance and music to Lowlands Mall for its annual Divali celebration, with speakers emphasising unity across communities and organisers reporting progress on the island’s first mandir. The event took place on Saturday, weeks ahead of the Hindu Festival of Lights, according to TTT News. Members of the public were invited to experience a showcase of East Indian culture and take part in activities, including pick-a-pan trivia testing their knowledge of Divali. Society president Pulwatty Beepath said the celebration offered an opportunity to share Hindu culture with the wider Tobago community. She described strong cooperation among residents and said the island’s small Hindu community continued to feel welcomed and appreciated. Beepath said Tobagonians looked forward to the society’s Divali programme and other activities. She also described the tradition of visitors coming to her home on Divali day to collect food, presenting it as an example of the relationships maintained across the community. Assembly Member for Bethel/New Grange Darren Henry encouraged residents to carry the festival’s message into their treatment of others. He highlighted love, kindness, forgiveness, compassion and respect, and urged support for people facing difficulties. Senator Ashworth Jack also attended. He encouraged people to recognise common ground among ethnicities and religions while embracing their differences. The society hopes future celebrations will have a new home. Beepath said she wanted this to be the last Divali programme held at Lowlands Mall because construction of Tobago’s first Hindu temple was nearing completion. She reported that the stage was being tiled, with floor work still to follow, and said the community was also awaiting electricity. Her update indicated that those remaining works and the electricity connection were still outstanding before the temple could be completed.
