Washington DC: The Embassy of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Washington, D.C., on October 18, 2007, was the venue of a reception hosted by Her Excellency Marina A. Valère, in partnership with the religious head of the Trinidad and Tobago Hindu community in Washington, D.C., Pandit Bhisham Persad, to mark this year’s observance of the Hindu Festival of Lights – Deepavali. Special invitees included His Excellency Ranendra Sen, Ambassador of India to the United States and his spouse, Mrs. Kalpana Sen, CARICOM Ambassadors and their spouses, other members of the Diplomatic Corps, a wide cross-section of the Trinidad and Tobago Hindu community and Executive Members of the Trinidad and Tobago Associations of Washington, D.C. and Baltimore.

The evening’s programme which started with opening prayers led by Pandit Persad, included a special address to the gathering by the Ambassador, remarks by Pandit Persad and his spouse, Mrs. Babita Persad, the singing of Bhajans, a cultural presentation and a buffet-style vegetarian fare of a variety of Indian delicacies. In her address, the Ambassador warmly welcomed all in attendance and spoke of the significance of the festival in the Hindu calendar of religious celebrations and its equally significant place in Trinidad and Tobago calendar of religious events.