Source: Guyana Chronicle

http://www.guyanachronicle.com/ARCHIVES/archive%20%2026-10-03.html#Anchor-13933

On October 26, 2003 the Guyana Chronicle reported that "hundreds of Guyanese lined the streets of Georgetown and the East Coast Public Road to view the annual Deepavali motorcade, and many more turned up at the La Bonne Intention (LBI) Community Centre Ground where the magnificently illuminated floats were judged. Deepavali or Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, was observed yesterday, a national holiday...In his address, President Jagdeo recalled that because of the crime wave affecting the East Coast Demerara, the annual motorcade was not held last year. He said that Guyanese have been brave to come out in large numbers this year and he commended them for doing so."