PPP/C

Happy birthday First Lady Arya Ali ❤️🎊

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐆𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭

I extend heartfelt wishes to all our citizens, and especially to our Hindu brothers and sisters, on this auspicious occasion of Diwali, the Festival of Lights. This sacred festival, now cherished by all Guyanese, reminds us that light will always triumph over darkness, and that goodness, knowledge, and virtue must forever prevail over ignorance, evil, and despair.

Diwali is one of the world’s oldest and most beloved festivals. Its origins reach deep into the soil of ancient India, where it began as a harvest celebration marking the end of the agricultural year and the beginning of a new season of hope and renewal. Over time, this simple observance of gratitude for a fruitful harvest evolved into a festival richer in religious meaning and moral symbolism.

In Hindu tradition, Diwali is celebrated in honour of several timeless stories. In parts of India, it marks the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile and his victory over the demon king Ravana—symbolising the victory of righteousness over wrongdoing. In other areas, it celebrates the triumph of Lord Krishna over the tyrant Narakasura, reminding us that evil cannot withstand the light of truth. For many, it is also a time dedicated to the worship of Goddess Lakshmi, who bestows prosperity, wisdom, and peace upon those who live with integrity and compassion.

Across all these traditions, the central message of Diwali reminds us that we must keep faith in the moral order of the universe, and that by lighting our own lamps of kindness and understanding, we help illuminate the world around us.

Diwali first came to our shores with the arrival of the Indian indentured immigrants who were brought to these lands in the nineteenth century. They carried with them their languages, their food, their songs and their religious beliefs, customs and traditions. In the early years, Diwali was observed privately in homes and small gatherings, often in humble surroundings. But as the Indo-Guyanese community grew and temples were built, the festival blossomed into a public celebration of light, devotion, and unity. Over generations, it has become a treasured part of our national life.

Today, Diwali in Guyana is more than a religious observance. It has become a national celebration. Homes are illuminated with flickering diyas, motorcades are held to usher in the festival, and families gather to pray and share sweets. People of every background join in acts of goodwill and generosity. Diwali is a time when the spirit of togetherness shines brightest, reminding us of what we can achieve when we live in harmony and mutual respect.

Yet, amid the splendour and celebration, it is important to remember the deeper meaning of this festival: the light within that gives true purpose to the lights without. In this luminous festival, it is not the grandeur of the celebration or the ostentatious displays that truly matter, but the spirit behind each light that is kindled.

Even a single, simple diya, flickering gently against the night, carries profound significance. The smallest flame, lit with sincerity and devotion, has the power to dispel gloom and to remind us that goodness needs no extravagance to shine brightly. Diwali teaches us that it is not the abundance of lights, but the purity of the heart that lights them, which brings true illumination to our lives, homes and our nation.

As we celebrate Diwali this year, let us draw from its enduring lessons. Let us renew our commitment to sustaining the rich religious and cultural traditions that define us as a people. These traditions are living expressions of who we are and what we aspire to be. Our diversity is our greatest strength, and it is our shared duty to preserve and nurture it for generations to come.

Let us learn to see the beauty that dwells in the simple and the ordinary. When we open our hearts to the simple and the ordinary, we discover that even the smallest flame can brighten the darkest night.

May this Festival of Lights inspire every Guyanese to banish the darkness of hatred and division, and to let compassion, tolerance, and unity guide our nation forward.

May the light of Diwali continue to shine brightly over our beloved Guyana. Happy Diwali to all!

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𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐌𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞
𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧

I am pleased to join with the international community in celebrating World Food Day 2025. This is an important day that reminds us of our shared responsibility to ensure that every person, everywhere, enjoys access to safe, nutritious, and affordable food.

This year’s celebration holds special significance as we are also commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the FAO on this auspicious anniversary.

For eight decades, the FAO has been at the center of global efforts to end hunger and malnutrition. Through its leadership, technical expertise, and advocacy, it has helped transform agriculture, strengthen rural livelihoods, and guide developing nations toward sustainable food systems. From supporting smallholder farmers to advancing climate-smart agriculture, the FAO’s work has been instrumental in ensuring that food security remains a central feature of the international agenda.

The theme for World Food Day 2025, “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future,” is both timely and powerful. It emphasises the urgent need for global collaboration among governments, organisations, sectors, and communities to build more resilient, equitable, and sustainable food systems. The message is unambiguous: the future of food depends on our ability to work hand in hand and to share knowledge, resources, and pursue innovation in pursuit of a common goal.

Yet, even as we celebrate this spirit of solidarity, the recently released 2025 edition of The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World reminds us of the challenges that persist. The report highlights that the recent surge in global food price inflation has had a profound impact on food security and nutrition. Rising prices have eroded household purchasing power, especially in low-income countries, pushing more families into food insecurity. The crisis has also made healthy diets less affordable, reinforcing nutritional inequalities as nutrient-rich foods become costlier while ultra-processed alternatives remain cheap and accessible. This reality underscores why global cooperation is essential for building a more just and nourishing food future.

Guyana has not been immune to food price inflation. The pressures of rising food costs and disrupted supply chains have also rippled through Guyana’s economy and households.

Despite these challenges, the country is determined to ensure that all citizens have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food. This determination is driving initiatives to strengthen local production, diversify supply, and position Guyana as a leading contributor to regional food security.

Guyana is building the foundation for a robust and sustainable food system. Guyana is poised to become the regional food hub of the Caribbean, supporting neighbouring countries in reducing food imports and strengthening regional food resilience.

Guyana is:

• Scaling up the production of priority commodities and promoting diversification into new crops, livestock, and aquaculture;
• Targeting new markets across the Caribbean, and internationally to strengthen food trade and supply chains;
• Investing in agricultural infrastructure, such as the construction of farm-to-market roads, modern storage facilities, upgraded ports, and improved transport links;
• Modernising agriculture with technology, including through digital extension services, precision farming, and climate-smart practices.
• Transforming the livestock industry and expanding aquaculture and sustainable fisheries;
• Driving value addition and trade logistics, thereby retaining more value within the national economy; and
• Promoting inclusion and empowerment by ensuring that women and young people are central to agricultural transformation.

Still, we recognise that the journey toward food security cannot be walked alone. The challenge of World Food Day 2025 calls for governments, the private sector, civil society, and communities to work hand in hand for better food and a better future. No single nation can solve hunger on its own, but together we can shape a world where nutritious food is accessible to all, and where sustainability guides every choice we make.

Guyana embraces this challenge with conviction and optimism. Guided by the FAO’s enduring legacy and inspired by this year’s theme, we reaffirm our commitment to building a food-secure Caribbean.

Together, hand in hand, we can build a better future.

Happy World Food Day!