In Trinidad and Tobago it the same ole same ole. It is like the earth stands still though we have entered a new year. This concern of mine is directed at the Hindu community which so far has failed to announce any new programs or activities to address issues affecting Hindus.
Speaking to a Guyanese living in the comfort of New York, he lamented the poor attendance at mandirs in Guyana and pointed out to me that several mandirs have padlocks on their gates. This is also happening in Trinidad and there is little or no effort to analyze the issue and find solution. More sadly is the fact that the average Hindu chooses not to be aware of this issue which appears to be very low in his list of priorities. In most cases, this issue does not even cross his mind!
But this is a matter of concern for the leadership in the mandirs and satsanghs. To address this issue Hindu leaders must firstly come together. Coming together remains a big challenge as each mandir is an island unto itself. Historically, most businesses, communities and nations fall apart because of a lack of unity. To survive and succeed it is critical that efforts be made to forge unity,
This does not mean that there are mandirs without vibrant services and dynamic pandits attracting large congregations. One such mandir is the Orange Valley Vishnu Mandir; another is the Sri Ram Mandir of Endeavour led by Pandit Omkar, a nephew of the late Pandit Rabindranath Maharaj. What is it that these successful mandirs are doing to consistently attract a fair turn out of devotees? They are definitely doing something positive that other mandirs are not doing. Possibly, those mandirs have a vibrant management structure that is very effective in mobilizing devotees!
The challenge is that leaders in the mandirs must come together and accept that they have a problem at hand and they need to address it. Unless that is done, there cannot be a solution and another year would come with more padlocks on the gates of mandirs.
Over the past three years I am active in a monthly Satsangh and for the past six months I am attending a weekly Satsangh. Do I have legitimacy do raise concerns on this subject? Interestingly, there are several ‘academics’ who are not active in any mandir but are eagerly planning seminars and workshop to address these issues. Worse is that these academics do not do any field work which provide the opportunity to accumulate empirical data. It is like administering bush medicine to treat an ailment. This is the deeper reality of the Hindu community in the Caribbean.
Successful leadership have always been from the ground up. Bhadase Maraj, Doon Pandit, Sat Maharaj and others who have steered and steadied the ship of Sanatan Dharma were leaders who had their feet on the ground. They not only built mandirs but also schools. It is that type of leadership that we must embrace and not those who live in gated communities and view the Hindu community as a stepping stone to politics or as clientele for their failing professions.
We need to endear ourselves to those leaders who can stand up and struggle aside us as those of the past have done. Sat Maharaj was one such leader who was always ready to fight and defend the right of Hindus. Nevertheless, instead of being admired and supported, several stood in opposition to him. I was hoping that those individuals would have stepped forward to fill the void left with the passing of Sat Maharaj. Unfortunately, they are yet to do so. We need to be aware of those charlatans and opportunists. Their horns must be examined!
Hindu dharma is on the rise globally but definitely not in the Caribbean. And why? It has the potential to rise. The problem is the insularity among the top leaders. Each leader is a law unto himself and harbors contempt against the others. The truth is our leaders do not have high opinions of each other. This cold war is eroding the fabric of the community, thus putting Hindus at the receiving end.
Hindu culture is free enterprise. Unfortunately, many Hindu leaders are have put up trade barriers including tariffs so that they can remain unchallenged. In most of the mandirs and organizations there are invisible padlocks. Devotees are welcome to pray, eat mohanbhog and bhojan but never to question the management structure which is truly a family affair. Despite most organizations and mandirs being guilty of this practice, only the practice of the SDMS is viewed as unprogressive. Hindu leadership is double standard and hypocrisy par excellence! These leaders want their sons and daughters to succeed them but Sat Maharaj should not enjoy such right!
Death is good and so is karma. It is certainly the surest way to bring awaken the Mother Saraswati in us. Maybe, I need to give Mother Durga some more time to rid the earth of rakshasas and their heirs- mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, cousins, nephews, nieces etc.