Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan
Zardari felicitates Hindus on Diwali
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday greeted the Hindu community in Pakistan on the occasion of Diwali to be celebrated today (Tuesday).
“I wish to extend on my behalf, on behalf of the Pakistan People’s Party and on behalf of the people of Pakistan heartiest greetings to the Hindu community on the occasion of Diwali,” Zardari said.
The president said that the government believed that Hindus, and all other minorities of Pakistan were equal citizens of the state and must be given equal rights, including the right to vote.
He said that he was happy that as a result of the political struggle, the provision of a joint electorate in the original 1973 Constitution had been restored and the religious apartheid foisted on the nation had ended.
Zardari said that liberal democratic forces in the country had been in the forefront in protecting the rights of minorities in Pakistan.
He also reiterated that the new democratic government believed that all citizens, irrespective of their religion and social status, were equal and enjoyed equal rights under the constitution. app
Hindus celebrate Diwali today
Nasir Butt
LAHORE: The Hindu community living across the country like other parts of the globe is celebrating Diwali festival today (Tuesday) with great enthusiasm.
In the provincial metropolis, Hindus have organised special collective and individual programmes to mark the most vibrant festival. Like every year, Evacuee Property Trust Board (EPTB) has arranged a special programme at Krishna Mandir.
On the other hand, Hindu organisations have organised collective worships at two major places. The biggest gathering of Hindus, Sikhs, Christians and other minorities would be at Krishna Mandir Ravi Road while the second largest one will be at Farrukhabad, Shahdara at Baghat Ashiq Ram Ashram where Hindu Sudhar Sabha has made arrangements in the adjoining areas for a collective prayer for the Hindus who cannot join the main gathering at Krishna Mandir. The function organised by the Krishna Mandir will not only be attended by many Hindus, Sikhs, Christians and other minorities but also by Muslims from all over the province. Krishna Mandir has been decorated with lovely traditional motifs to welcome the pilgrims.
According to the programme, a pundit will recite Katha from Ramayana and perform Aarati, a ritual in which the form of the Lord is symbolically illuminated. Later, fireworks will be held and Parsad and Langar would be distributed among the participants.
Human Rights activists, Pakistan Gurudawara Perbundik Committee members and many others are expected to attend the function.
Hindu Sudhar Sabha General Secretary Amar Nath Randhawa told The Post that at the function at Baghat Ashiq Ram Ashram, local Hindus and a large number of community members from other cities are expected to participate in the ‘Lakshmi Pooja’.
Hindus celebrate Diwali every year for five consecutive days on Amavasya the 15th day of the dark fortnight of the Hindu month of Ashwin (October/November). The word ‘Diwali’ is derived from the Sanskrit word, ‘Deepavali’. ‘Deepa’ means light and ‘Avali’ means a row. Hindu houses are illuminated with twinkling diyas (small earthen lamps) to welcome Lakshami, the Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity.
On this occasion, Hindus decorate the doors of their houses with colours to indicate the long-awaited arrival of the goddess and the walls of the houses are covered with small footprints of the goddess which are made of rice, flour and vermilion powder.
This festival is celebrated and is looked upon mainly as the beginning of New Year. The first day is called Dhanteras or Dhantrayodashi while the second day is called Narka-Chaturdashi. The third day of the festival of Diwali is the most important day of Lakshmi Pooja which is entirely devoted to the propitiation of Hindu goddess Lakshmi. This day is also known by the name of Chopada Pooja and the fourth day is Padwa or Varshapratipada. The fifth and final day of Diwali festival is known as “Bhayya-Duj”.
