Truth resonates with the eternal light of Diwali, the Festival of Lights, which Trinidad and Tobago celebrates on October 20, 2025 — a national public holiday since 1966 in the dual-island Caribbean nation, 40% of whose 1.3 million population is of Indian origin. 

Over the years, Divali has evolved into a national celebration embraced by people from all walks of life. Whether at the iconic Divali Nagar or in homes and villages across the nation, the festival embodies the triumph of light over darkness and truth over ignorance.

At a time when our nation yearns for leadership and renewal, Divali’s timeless message offers moral and spiritual guidance. Trinidad and Tobago faces pressing challenges — economic hardship, unemployment, rising food prices, the deterioration of public services, and a general crisis of governance. The light of Diwali urges us to seek answers not merely in politics but in the deeper values of faith, truth, and unity.

Divali’s Message of Unity and Faith

Diwali promotes multiculturalism and secularism, standing as a unifying symbol in Trinidad and Tobago’s plural society. It is more than a festival — it is a spiritual institution that connects humanity with the divine.

Its teachings, embedded in sacred Hindu texts, have inspired generations with hope, faith, endurance, and compassion. These same virtues can help present and future generations overcome the trials of our time. The lessons of Diwali remind us that we must not lose sight of our moral compass or replace sacred wisdom with political rhetoric.

The great religions of humanity contain enduring prescriptions for social, cultural, and political renewal. Hindus and the wider Indian diaspora play an integral role in this process by preserving traditions that emphasize self-discipline, tolerance, and harmony.

A Call for Spiritual Renewal

As we observe Diwali 2025, let us engage in what the ancient sages called a spiritual revolution — a renewal of inner strength and purpose. This moral awakening, long envisioned by saints and reformers, can help humanity avert the perils of hopelessness and decline.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Republican Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and the right to worship. This freedom must never be surrendered to any authority or circumstance. The celebration of Diwali, deeply rooted in the history of East Indian indentured laborers who arrived 187 years ago from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, remains a testament to their enduring faith and contribution to our society.

These early settlers not only helped shape the nation’s economic and social landscape but also established a vibrant religious and cultural foundation. Today, the Indian diaspora in Trinidad and Tobago - and the larger Caribbean - continues to observe a rich tapestry of festivals — from Ganesh Utsav and Ram Navami to Krishna Janmashtami and Holi — each reinforcing the moral and spiritual values that sustain our multicultural identity.

Beyond the Festival: A Way of Life

The lights of Diwali should not illuminate our homes for just one night; they must shine within us throughout the year as a guiding principle of compassion, selflessness, and service. Diwali is not an occasion for celebration alone but a sacred reminder of our duty to promote goodness and harmony in society.

As Acharya Swami Avdheshanand Giri Ji wrote in The Footprints:

“Wake up from lethargy, inertia, and indifference. Be active and harmonious with everyone and everywhere. The ultimate Reality is One — Infinite, Eternal, Self-Luminous. Faith and practice can help overcome every obstacle on the spiritual path. If you want to be happy, make others happy. Love is an irresistible and inevitable force.”

This message captures the universal essence of Diwali — that happiness, peace, and love are not found in material pursuits but in serving others and living truthfully.

Truth and the Light of Diwali

Let us strengthen familial and communal bonds, promote understanding among all faiths, and renew our commitment to the values that have sustained our civilization.

As Mahatma Gandhi once reflected, truth and light are inseparable:

“Truth is as old as the hills. Truth resonates with the Light of Diwali. Truth is absolute — when all else fails, truth remains.”

May the light of Diwali continue to dispel darkness from our hearts and illuminate the path of righteousness, unity, and peace for Trinidad and Tobago and all humanity.

(The author is a Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago–based journalist and consultant. Views are personal. He can be contacted at paras_ramoutar@yahoo.com.)