Georgetown: The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha launched its year of activities in celebration of its 40th Anniversary with a well-attended Satsangh at the Shri Krishna Mandir, Campbelville recently. Puja was conducted by Pandit Jagmohan Persaud, the Sabha’s Junior Vice President. In addition to uplifting Bhajans and Chants, there were messages from the Sabha’s Praants (regional bodies) Upper, Central, East and West Berbice, East and West Coast Demerara and East Bank Demerara, who all recommitted to working together for the Sabha and paid tribute to the Sabha’s late past President and founder Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud. Messages were also given by other Hindu Organisations including the Iskon Hare Krishna Movement and the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha. Theycommended the Sabha for its dedicated service to the Hindu Community and committed to continuing to work with the Sabha for Hinduism in Guyana.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, in brief remarks, reflected on his long association with Pandit Persaud and the Sabha. President Donald Ramotar congratulated the Sabha on achieving this milestone and urged all to work together for a better Guyana. He reflected on the situation that existed in Guyana in the late 1960’s and 70’s that resulted in the formation of the Sabha and the efforts that were put in by Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud to grow it during the most turbulent times. The President expressed regret that today’s generation were not able to experience the dynamism and fantastic oratory of the late Pandit Persaud on the religious and political platforms and in Parliament. He described Pandit Persaud as the best Pandit ever.
President of the Sabha, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, in her address which drew repeated and thunderous applause, expressed satisfaction in the fact that the event was being held at the Shri Krishna Mandir, Campbelville where the Sabha was launched 40 years ago. She paid tribute to Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud’s visionary style and direction, and to the men and women who worked by his side throughout the length and breadth of Guyana, giving unswerving support. She noted that the Sabha will continue to expand its Dharmic family through its Praants and will also maintain and strengthen its good relationships with all Hindu organisations and other religious bodies as its works in service of the people of Guyana.
Dr. Persaud expressed pride in the impressive track record of the Sabha and noted among the many achievements of the Sabha the organization of well recognized events such as PhagwahMela and Bazaar, ChowtaalSamelaan, HoliUtsav, Deepavali Motorcade, NayaZamana, Kala Utsav and Indian Arrival Day celebrations, which are supported by thousands annually and continue to evolve and be eagerly anticipated.
Dr. Persaud also highlighted several other initiatives of the Sabha including PrathnaSatsangh, Bacho-Ka-Satsangh and the training programmesoffered for free at the PanditReepu Daman Persaud Dharmic Sanskritik Kendra in Music, Dance, Hindi, Sanskrit, Gita and Panditai. She noted that PanditReepuDaman Persaudwas integrally involved in the Pandits’ training programme at the Kendra and has trained a significant number of pandits who practisein Guyana and overseas. A new Pandit’s training programme begins soon under the tutelage of PanditsJagmohanPersaud and ShamkumarRamlochan and Mr. Shivraj. She stated that in addition to the thousands trained at the Dharmic Kendra since it opened its doors in the early 1990’s as the first recognized Hindu Academy in the Caribbean by the Indian Government, the Sabha has not spared its efforts to offer those same training opportunities around the country in its affiliated mandirs, and Kendras in Berbice and Essequibo.Mention was also made of the Sabha’s Dharmic Rama Krishna Nursery and Primary Schools which continue to provide excellent education.
Dr. Persaud also made reference to the fact that, conscious of its expanding role in Guyana, the Sabha has been engaging in structured programmes dealing with social issues and working with the underprivileged and those affected by disaster or ill health. The Sabha has actively advocated against alcohol abuse, domestic violence and suicide and worked in the field of HIV/AIDS. Youths have played an integral role and have been trained as peer educators in all of these areas and recently as educators in our new parenting programme. Our Dharmic Naujawaan (Youth Arm) has, over the years, been immersed in countrywide charity drives and blood donations and other youth programmes. MahilaMandalee, the women’s arm has been engaged in a literacy campaign among children and presents bursaries to outstanding children around the country annually. The elderly have not been left out – hampers are given out and last year, 175 hampers were distributed around the country to the elderly.
Dr. Persaud also spoke on the Sabha’s “Voices against Child Abuse” programmewhich started in 2009 and has resulted in the construction of a shelter in Ankerville, Berbice “BalNivas” which will house children who are victims of abuse. It will also serve as a counselling and skills training facility in our drive to empower women and work with youth. She noted that the shelter has been primarily financed from concerts featuring legendary singers Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghoshal, AlkaYagnik and Udit Narayan and that fundraising is ongoing to complete construction of the shelter,which has gone a far way.
In conclusion, the Sabha’s President expressed heartfelt appreciation to the dedicated Executive Members, Dharmic Naujawaan, MahilaMandalee, Praant Executives, affiliated mandirsand members of the Sabha for their unhesitating support, work and efforts over the years and their commitment to the Sabha’s motto “Action thy duty, reward not thy concern”. She also thanked the wider public and the Sabha’s well-wishers for their tangible support annuallyand anticipated the same encouragement in the future.She promised amemorable 40th anniversary year.
On January 26th, the Sabha will host a special 40th Anniversary cultural programme at the PanditReepu Daman Persaud Dharmic Sanskritik Kendra at 10am.
One of the exciting announcements by Dr. Persaud was that the Sabha, in celebration of its 40 years of existence and the 176th Anniversary of Indian Arrival in Guyana, will be bringing back, by popular demand, the immensely talented SONU NIGAM and troupe to perform at the National Stadium on May, 4th, 2014.
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