In Hindu mythology, Deepavali is a day to remember the triumph of good over evil, where the goddess Satyabhama conquered the evil King Narakasura and brought the guiding light to the people.

In the past, gods and kings reigned as 'children of God'. They ruled and determined every aspect of human life.

Today, the power lies with the people and it is up to them to choose the kind of government they want through the ballot box.

It is in this spirit of 'light over darkness' that several organisation are urging the people to use their wisdom to overcome the 'darkness' in their lives.

Maintain uniqueness

In its Deepavali message, Chinese educationist group Dong Jiao Zong said that nobody should do away with their uniqueness for the sake of globalisation.

In a press statement today, DJZ said it is willing to share its experiences on mother-tongue education with any concerned group.

"The wisdom of past generations believe that the usage of mother-tongue language along with professional teachers is the best and most effective approach to preserve our cultural uniqueness and ensure the well-being of future generations,' said the Chinese educationist group.

"Truth is, we value our lives together with other individuals from all walks of life, and we are always careful not to cause conflict which can compromise the interests of the people," the group added.

DJZ recently courted controversy over the language switch in teaching Science and Maths in English. It opposes the proposal because it fears that students' performance in the two critical subjects will be affected.

Chinese students, they said, have been performing above par in these subjects in their mother tongue.

They stressed that their opposition on the matter has nothing to do with race, because the Malays and Indians are also opposing it.

Fight injustices

Meanwhile, in his Deepavali message, PRM president Syed Husin Ali said there are still a lot of evil, cruelty, injustices, corruption, ignorance and poverty prevailing in our society, quite often caused by certain policies perpetrated by the powers that be.

"Let us hope that people of all races, classes and creed in this country will continue to fight against these, in order to bring about light, not darkness, in our society," he added.

Keadilan president Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said there must be a genuine display of the beauty in differences that exist among the various races in the country.

"We urge Malaysians to seize the opportunity of the Deepavali festival to interact, renew and reinforce the bonds of unity among the races, and at the same time, to demonstrate the caring and supportive attitude towards the less fortunate," she said in her message today.

Improve family ties

"Deepavali must also witness the strengthening of the quality of family life, improving the unity of the family, ties with relatives, and upholding the family and moral values that will maintain the well-being of society as a whole," she added.

DAP secretary general Kerk Kim Hock said that the world and Malaysia can become a better and safer place for all human beings if everyone plays his or her part to ensure the victory of good over evil.

"The world today indeed faces many challenges and uncertainties, and Malaysia is not exempted from many forms of darkness, which can threaten the nation's peace and the people's quest for a just, progressive, harmonious, united and secular democratic nation," he added in his Deepavali message.