Rain did not stop thousands of Hindus from celebrating Holi, the festival of colours, yesterday.
To mark the occasion a number of schools and shops were closed for the day to allow devotees to partake fully in the jubilant celebrations.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Professor Biman Prasad said Holi signified a time where people collectively set aside the trials of the past and celebrate in each other’s company.
“Holi is a time where we forget the difficulties of the past, we celebrate with one another,” Prof Prasad said.
Fiji was a diverse nation, he said, and Holi has long stood as a unifying celebration with loved ones.
Acknowledging the invaluable contribution of the Girmityas, Prof Prasad said the Coalition Government declared May 15 as Girmit Day, a national public holiday in 2023.
He said the annual observance served as a testament to their resilience and as Fijians celebrate the festival of Holi, may it remind them the eternal triumph of good over evil.
“We look forward to the future with confidence and with a view to improving the quality of our lives.
“I know that some of our people have gone through the onslaught of bad weather, flooding in some areas.
“But despite all that, I know that all of us are looking forward to celebrating Holi.”
