Southern Supplies Limited Divali Program 2014

Southern Supplies Limited (SSL)in and the surrounding business community, The College of Science, technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago (COSTTATT)in association with the Mayor of San Fernando, The City Council and The Knox Street & Environs Sports and Cultural Association hosted their Divali program on October 17th 2014.

The event was officially commenced by acting mayor Mr. junior Regello. At 6:00 pm patrons engaged in the tradition of lighting Deyas which on the night of Divali signifies goodness over evil and light over darkness. It also signifies the return of the Lord Rama to Ayodha after defeating the evil demon King of Lanka, Ravan.

The celebration of Divali in Trinidad and Tobago is marked as a national holiday with a significant number of functions held to celebrate the occasion. Within recent times the celebration has not only been extended to the homes and communities but organizations have also embraced this festival with special events held to commemorate this occasion. This is evident in banks, schools and other organizations where members of staff organize Divali cultural programmes, dress in Indian ethnic wear and distribute sweets and prasad to their staff and customers.

Hindus in Trinidad and Tobago clean and redecorate their homes to mark this auspicious occasion. They also maintain a period of abstinence or fasting. The day of Divali is marked with a host of activities in the homes where various dishes and sweets are prepared and Pooja (prayer) is performed. Most Hindus would offer Jhal (offering of water and flowers in a brass vessel called Lota) early in the morning. Family members participate in evening worship at 6 o’clock to Mother Lakshmi, the Goddess of prosperity and wealth. They then light their homes with several dozens of deyas and distribute Prasad and other delicacies to their families, friends and the community. This sacred festival is known to bring about positive feelings in the community, marked by unity, cleanliness, harmony and festivity.

Children and children at heart played with fun snaps and starlights into the late evening/night.

Later in the evening there was the crowning of the Divali queen. We would like to thank all nominees for their participation and congratulate the successful young lady who was nominated by Blue Point Office Supplies Limited and unanimously elected by the crowd Miss Ali.

7 years ago Southern Supplies Limited Group of Companies in association with National Centre for Persons with Disabilities and Midtown Associates, an organisation made up of several Southern Businesses donated 13 Motorised wheelchairs to 13 differently able individuals in need. These persons were previously equipped with manual wheelchairs which were in poor condition. Click here to learn more

Differently able persons are often left out in our society. Access to public places, restrooms, pavements, staircases are not always made handicap friendly. We are encouraging the government to adopt a similar program such as giving free laptops to every new Secondary School student to also acknowledge our differently able citizens and equip them with motorised wheelchairs to be better able to lead a near normal life which they so unfortunately cannot enjoy. Also, building codes should be amended to ensure commercial property owners construct with the differently able in mind. Ensuring ramps are put in place, restrooms are handicap accessible, parking spaces are reserved, and elevators are installed for high rise buildings and other means of solving these citizen’s restrictions.

Mr. Godwin James a prior recipient of one of the mobility scooters mentioned above was presented with a second mobility scooter at the event with the complements of Southern Supplies Limited, due to malfunctions with the present mobility scooter he received.

This year marks the third time the company has hosted this event at their Sutton street car park. Attendees of the event were treated to soothing melodies, intriguing dances plus more. The event was admission free and it represents the company’s commitment to supporting cultural events and the community as whole. Southern Supplies Limited would like to extend their gratitude to all performers, sponsors and attendees for making the 2014 event a success.