GREVIC ALVARADO
Along with the nightly cultural activities, the Divali Nagar has become a learning centre for Indian culture during the day with primary and secondary school students participating in cultural and educational activities.
Visham Bhimull of the National Council of Indian Culture (NCIC) told Newsday, “The children's morning programme began on Sunday with a cultural presentation performed by child stars, and activities for children to do face painting, jewelry making and crafts.”
[caption id="attachment_1044624" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Visham Bhimull, Board Member of the National Council of Indian Culture shows the Hindu alphabet that students learn during workshops at Divali Nagar, Chaguanas. - Grevic Alvarado[/caption]
He said activities continued last Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday with Hindi, tassa and Ramleela workshops, as well as storytelling. The instructors teach students Indian culture, the Hindu alphabet, and other traditions.
“We are hopeful these activities provided to the children by the NCIC during Divali Nagar will generate appreciation for Trinidad and Tobago culture (which) is lacking in the education system, and also instill empowerment in TT and wider Caribbean identity through this precious education in language, music, expression, theatre and drama that is exclusive to the identity of our country.”
[caption id="attachment_1044622" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Babita Dubay, owner of the Kashmiri Chaiwala food sale, shows her masala tea and pakoda, the most sought after by customers in the Divali Nagar, Chaguanas - Grevic Alvarado[/caption]
The guided tours of students accompanied by their teachers take place between 9 am and 2 pm.
Some of the primary schools that visited the nagar are: Seereeram Memorial Vedic Primary, VOS Government Primary and El Socorro North Government Primary. Secondary school students came from Gasparillo Secondary, Mt Hope Secondary, Carapichaima East Secondary, San Fernando East Seconday, Aranjuez North Seconday and Chaguanas South Secondary.
“We are trying to bring our culture to schools across TT,” Bhimull said.
[caption id="attachment_1044621" align="alignnone" width="1024"] During the day in Divali Nagar, many commercial establishments remain open from 9am waiting for visitors. - Grevic Alvarado[/caption]
He said the daytime visits average around 2,000 people who visit the shopping areas and food vendors.
“We have averaged 10,000 a night since the beginning, depending on the weather. We expect to triple or quadruple that heading into the final night as we get closer to the end, once the weather allows.”
[caption id="attachment_1044620" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Elijah Toussaint and Terrell Woodley learn how to make bracelets for the Divali celebration during an activity at Divali Nagar on Wednesday morning. - Grevic Alvarado[/caption]
During the day commercial activities begin from 9 am. Newsday spoke with a visitor to the nagar who felt bringing students for the cultural experience was good for TT.
“I pref
