PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD/TOBAGO, October 24, 2013 (First Post): The first Hindu chaplain of the US army, Capt. Pratima Dharm will be the chief guest at the 27th Divali Nagar, the annual exposition of Indo-Trinidadian culture held on the occasion of Diwali, that will be held Oct 24-Nov 1 in the borough of Chaguanas in Trinidad and Tobago.
President of the National Council of Indian Culture (NCIC) Deokienanan Sharma said the nine-day affair would promote Indian art, music, religion, culture and songs reflecting the Indian diaspora since its arrival from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in India in 1845.
“This year’s presentation will offer a show never seen before, and we expect over 100,000 people to attend not only from Trinidad and Tobago, but the rest of the Caribbean, the US, Canada, Europe and India,” Sharma said.
“Divali Nagar, since its inception, continues to capture the national imagination for its unique presentation and adaptation,” he added. This year’s theme is dedicated to the Hindu God Lord Krishna, who espoused the universal message of truth, peace and non-violence in the Bhagvad Gita which is now recognized as the most cherished and precious gift of India’s heritage and its quintessential philosophy and ethics, he said.