Download: Queens Literary Festival 2019
Dr. Dhanpaul Narine
By Dr. Dhanpaul Narine
Jalal ad-Din Rumi (1207-1273) said, ‘You are not a drop in the ocean, you are the entire ocean in a drop.’ This profound, and mystical expression led many to drink deeply from the well of poets and sages.
The Queens Literary Festival and Book Fair was founded over a year ago to bring to the public the works of writers and artists. In June last year, over 40 authors from around the world gathered in Queens to read from their writings. In the ensuing months, programs were held on women as change-makers and trailblazers and a tribute was dedicated to V.S Naipaul. The June 2019 program saw students and their parents participating in poetry, the arts and the spoken word. Continue reading
Rise of Modi’s Hindutva isn’t good for Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad – Commentary
By Ray Chickrie
The respect for one’s natural rights like religious freedom and freedom of association in the Caribbean are protected. There is no written or unwritten law that stratify us into permanent ranks in society. We are free to choose our names and our religion; who we associate with and marry. In some places this is not possible. But in Modi’s India a skewed understanding of the caste system has led to growing intolerance of minorities.
This is no secret. In 2002, the world watched the Gujrat genocide of Muslims under the former chief minister of that state and now Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi.
Hence, the communal relations in India have had repercussions in the Hindu and Muslim Caribbean communities. Continue reading →
Share this: