Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has extended Divali greetings to the nation, calling on citizens to carry the festival’s spirit of care and unity forward as the country builds together.
In her 2026 Divali message, the Prime Minister said she was speaking on behalf of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, extending “sincere Divali greetings to our Hindu community and everyone sharing in this sacred celebration across our nation.”
Drawing on the Holy Ramayana, Mrs. Persad-Bissessar pointed to its description of Lord Rama’s reign as a measure of a society’s well-being: “All people loved one another.” The line is taken from the Ramcharitmanas, Uttara Kanda, Doha 20, Chaupai 1.
“These words express Divali’s enduring promise,” the Prime Minister said. “The triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance finds its deepest meaning in bringing peace, dignity and hope into people’s lives.”
She paid tribute to the ancestors of the Hindu community, noting that they “sustained that hope through hardship, preserving their faith, nurturing their families and sharing their light.” As people of every creed embrace Divali’s joy, she said, the nation honours “a heritage that has helped shape our nation’s generosity and resilience.”
Looking ahead, the Prime Minister said the national task is to carry that spirit forward. “Love of country must mean care for its people: opportunity for children, security for families, dignity for elderly citizens, and a voice for every community,” she said.
She expressed hope that the light shared on Divali night would deepen national bonds. “May our care, understanding, respect and tolerance for one another endure beyond Divali, deepening our unity and helping us to overcome difficulties and build a more prosperous nation together,” Mrs. Persad-Bissessar said.
The Prime Minister also offered prayers for the blessings of Mata Lakshmi on the nation. “May Mata Lakshmi bless every home with peace and abundance, every family with health and harmony, and every honest endeavour with prosperity,” she said, adding that she hoped Her grace would guide citizens “to cherish our blessings and share them generously, so that well-being and happiness flourish throughout our nation.”