A group of young ladies celebrating Phagwah last year in Queens NY
The Hindu Parades & Festivals Committee (HPFC) will once again host the annual Phagwah Parade under the banner, “Good should conquer evil at all times”. Dhanpaul Narine, HPFC’s Public Relations Officer, told Guyana Times International that the theme of the March 20 celebrations in Queens, New York is a message the committee has embraced during its 23 years of hosting the event.
Narine added, “This year’s theme is ‘Working together for peace.’ Look at what is happening in the world today; as you know, different conflicts and everything else…the planners who sat on the committee, they talked about peace in a universal sense, and they said they want peace, worldwide.”
Meanwhile the committee had to make changes to the arade route this year, since the City of New York has indicated that due to a lack of financial resources, it is cutting back on parades by 25 per cent to save money. This, Narine said, “has impacted on us, and we have to cut back, like everybody else.”
So when the parade moves off from Sybil’s on 133rd Street onto Liberty Avenue, instead of heading into 123rd Street, the parade will turn onto 125th Street, two blocks earlier. The event starts at 12 noon and HPFC is optimistic that this year it will attract a record number of floats. Narine said: “From what we have been told, we are going to have over 20 floats. Last year we had about 18.”
Some of the floats that will be part of this year’s Phagwah celebration include the U.S.A. Pandits Parishat, Ariya Spiritual Center, Bhavanee Maa Mandir, Shri Trimurti Bhavan, Arya Samaj U.S.A., and United Community of Mandirs.
The procession will end at Smokey Park, where the curtains will open for the cultural show. An estimated 60,000 patrons are expected at that event, including the Queen Borough President Helen Marshall, who is Guyanese; Christine Quinn, Speaker of the New York City Council; and Eric Ulrich, local councilman.
Narine has reminded patrons about the no-alcohol policy during the Phagwah event, and is urging all to continue the spirit of good conduct which has prevailed during the 23 years of the celebrations.
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