Dear Editor,

Regarding the news item `Hindu organizations call for Diwali pageant to be renamed’ (SN Oct 17), I urge the National Diwali Committee to reconsider its holding of the Miss Diwali Sari Pageant which appears to have hurt the sentiments of many Hindus. I have always supported the idea of a Diwali festival and in fact teamed with outstanding Hindu New Yorkers like Dr. Baytoram Ramharack, Vassan Ramracha and others to organize Diwali celebrations in NY in the 1980s. We also held a Miss Diwali Beauty pageant in NY but discontinued it because we recognized it hurt the feelings of many Hindus. I see nothing wrong in holding a cultural variety concert that reflects the theme of Diwali and these kinds of celebrations are routinely held in many societies I have visited including neighbouring Trinidad and far away Mauritius and South Africa.  But it should be celebrated in a dignified manner.

Diwali is an auspicious celebration and it should not be celebrated in a way perceived to be vulgar. Thus, I support the efforts of the group that seeks to have the Guyana event renamed.  The leaders of many Hindu groups in NY I spoke with on the subject also oppose the “vulgar celebration” of the festival which is supposed to lift us out of spiritual darkness and enlighten our lives.

I should also note that Diwali brings people together not divides them.  It appears that the planned Diwali Sari pageant is pulling people apart, defeating the purpose of holding such a celebration. With rising opposition from many prominent individuals and organizations and complaints about commercialization of the event, I humbly request the organizers to change the theme (and date if practical) of the pageant.

Yours faithfully,
Vishnu Bisram