November 20-26 is Canadian History Week. 2023 will Celebrate Black Achievement in Canada. The week encourages Canadians to reflect upon and engage with Canada’s past. Some notable Black Canadians are:

• Lincoln Alexander (First Black Lieutenant Governor of Ontario) 
• Willie O’Ree (First Black Hockey Player in the National Hockey League) 
• Viola Desmond (Activist and the First Black Woman to appear on Canadian Currency) 
• Isaac Phills (First Black man to receive the Order of Canada)
• Jean Augustine (First Black Woman to be elected to the House of Commons)
• Anne Clare Cools (First Black Canadian to be named to the Senate)

History and significance of Diwali:
India’s diverse culture is expressed in various ways, including the celebration of Diwali, which varies from region to region and person to person. However, a common theme in all Diwali celebrations is the belief in the victory of good over evil, righteousness over falsehood, and the triumph of the oppressed over injustice.

In northern India, Diwali is celebrated to commemorate Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya with his wife Sita, aided by Lakshman and Hanuman, after defeating the demon king Ravana. The people of Ayodhya welcomed them by lighting earthen lamps throughout the city on a moonless night, making the city brighter than daylight.

In South India, it is believed that Lord Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura on this day. Other legends suggest that Goddess Lakshmi was born on the new moon day of the Kartik month, making this day highly auspicious.

Different dates of celebrations across India – Diwali, known by different names in various parts of India, is celebrated on different days, albeit close to each other. In South India, the festival falls on November 12, 2023. In Goa and West India, it is celebrated on November 11, 2023, a day before Diwali. In Varanasi, it will be celebrated on November 26, 2023, while in Punjab and other regions like West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Gujarat, Diwali will be observed on November 12, 2023.

Day 1: Dhanteras (November 10, 2023): Diwali begins with Dhanteras, a day symbolizing wealth, prosperity, and cleanliness. It is considered an auspicious day for buying gold, silver, or new clothes for special occasions.

Day 2: Choti Diwali (November 11, 2023): Choti Diwali sets the stage for the main festival. Homes are adorned with beautiful decorations, rangoli designs, and lamps to dispel darkness.

Day 3: Diwali (November 12, 2023): The main day of Diwali is marked by prayers, chants, new attire, the exchange of gifts, lighting diyas, fireworks, and illuminations that fill the moonless night with prosperity. The auspicious puja time is from 5:40 PM to 7:36 PM.

Day 4: Goverdhan Puja and Padwa (November 13, 2023): Goverdhan Puja commemorates Lord Krishna’s role in averting the destruction of the world by evil forces through divine intervention. Padwa celebrates the bond between lovers, be it a couple or a business owner.

Day 5: Bhai Dooj (November 14, 2023): Bhai Dooj nurtures the bond between brothers and sisters through love and blessings.

Significance of diwali – Diwali represents not only the victory of good over evil but also the victory of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya symbolizes the triumph of truth over falsehood. The illumination of the entire city upon his arrival signifies that truth welcomes us with open arms when we overcome falsehood.

Customs and traditions – Diwali is a ‘Festival of Lights’ and is the cherished celebration that unites people across India, transcending regional differences. In both South and North India, Diwali traditions are marked by common rituals and customs that emphasize the triumph of good over evil.

Preparations for Diwali commence weeks ahead with the cleaning and beautification of homes. Families come together to adorn their houses with colorful rangoli designs and light earthen lamps (diyas) to symbolize the victory of light over darkness. This act of illuminating one’s surroundings represent the conquest of ignorance and the prevalence of good. Diwali itself is a day of prayers, rituals and mantras along with offerings of sweets and fruits to deities. Families gather for a grand feast, exchange gifts and share warm wishes. A unique tradition involves arranging 13 earthen lamps, each symbolizing different blessings and protection.

Fireworks have historically been part of Diwali celebrations, but concerns over their environmental impact and harm have prompted a shift in focus. Many now prefer to embrace the true essence of Diwali, emphasizing the victory of good over evil, and seek alternative ways to celebrate, such as lighting eco-friendly lamps and candles.

Diwali is, thus, a time for renewal, spiritual reflection and togetherness. Diwali represents light, love and the supremacy of good values over the fleeting excitement of fireworks. Diwali serves as a reminder to endure the power of positivity and unity, celebrating the cultural diversity that makes India unique.

Though humanity has always counted its war casualties in terms of dead and wounded soldiers and civilians, destroyed cities and livelihoods, the environment has often remained the unpublicized victim of war. Water wells have been polluted, crops torched, forests cut down, soils poisoned, and animals killed to gain military advantage.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has found that over the last 60 years, at least 40 percent of all internal conflicts have been linked to the exploitation of natural resources, whether high-value resources such as timber, diamonds, gold and oil, or scarce resources such as fertile land and water. Conflicts involving natural resources have also been found to be twice as likely to relapse.

The United Nations attaches great importance to ensuring that action on the environment is part of conflict prevention, peacekeeping and peacebuilding strategies, because there can be no durable peace if the natural resources that sustain livelihoods and ecosystems are                                                                 destroyed