The Hindu community has a range of challenges which if not addressed will result in its demise. It is not that all Hindus would be extinct but the Hindu currency or dollar would lose its value with no one proud to hold on to it.
Social challenges such as health care including the prevalence of life-style diseases, rapidly growing single parent culture, alcoholism and the absence of Hindus in decision-making at the State level and the higher echelon of business need to be addressed.
Our Hindu saints and sages have always stood up against oppression. When Viswamitra’s yagya was being desecrated he approach King Dasarath for protection and recruited the might of Rama and Lakshmana. When political gatherings and speeches were outlawed during British rule, Bal Gangadhar Tilak mobilized huge processions on the streets to celebrate the Ganapathi festivals. Tulsidas’s composition of the Ramayana in the 16th century was a direct challenge to the excesses of Moghul rule in India. Mahatma Gandhi was no less. He transformed himself into a political saint to expel the British from India.
Health care is a major issue in the country and the Hindu community has a responsibility to help arrest this scourge. I was happy to learn that the Satya Drishti Shakha of Barrackpore has planned a 10K Road Race and 5K Walk-a-ton for the 19th May as part of its Indian Arrival Day celebrations. Secondary health care is very costly but preventative health care is much cheaper if not free. It is time that the Hindus start gathering in small groups to engage in exercises. Savannahs across the country are well lit and there is every reason for groups of health-conscious Hindus to engage in these exercises to save thousands of dollars and discomfort in the long run.
Trinidad Hindus must promote some firsts or what I would call ground breaking projects. One example of this is the Chinmaya Campus which is the first fully digitalized (paperless) campus in the Caribbean. Another ground breaking project is the opening of the Guyana Campus of the Taxila American University this year (2024) with accreditation from the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and other Health Professions (CAAMP-HP).
The Deendayal Research Institute, based in Chitrakoot, a region where Rama lived during his years in exile, views Rama as an empowering figure and has built model farms to teach agriculture, Ayur Vedic facilities to maintain health, industrial training schools, houses and schools for tribal children, gaushalas to propagate Indian breeds of cows, a museum to ‘inculcate social values and ethics embodied in the concept of Ram Rajya’… etc.
Singing the Hanuman Chalisa should empower us into action. Filled with devotion to Sri Rama, Hanuman was able to perform numerous feats including the defeat of the army of Lanka to rescue Sita. Should the singing of the Hanuman Chalisa inspire us to perform similar feats? I hope the Hanuman Chalisa is not being used as an opportunity for business transaction- a naked fight for scarce advertising dollars.
Are some of our workers truly engaged in Ram kaaj or are they arkatyaas for the one per centers?
This is a question that must be addressed and find answers! If not, the community may have to undergo a second indentureship, if it is not there already.