Pandit Ramesh Maharaj, 65, was murdered at his home in Cunaripo, Sangre Grande earlier this week. It was a home invasion and investigation revealed that he was beaten, stabbed in the neck and bled to death.
Hindu dharma has warned of the necessity of law and order in a society. In the celebration of Nav Ratri or the nine nights of worship, Mother Durga is worshipped for the first three nights. This goddess is depicted riding a tiger and carrying weapons in her many hands. Stories are told that Mother Durga took the terrible form of Mother Kali and destroyed the evil Mahishasura who was causing pain and sufferings to the people.
With runaway crime in our country the government’s first duty is to restore law and order. Pandit Ramesh Maharaj was in his home with his family. If a citizen is not safe in his home, where else can he be safe?
Crime has overtaken the country because the government has failed to define its core role which is law and order. Today welfare has become the norm where a government must provide money for culture, education, housing and so many other wants that citizens can provide for themselves.
With runaway crime, many businesses are being closed. Capital flight is on the rise and our entrepreneurs are moving to safer havens. Foreign investments are now going to refrain from investing in an environment of high crime.
Mother Durga is also the Goddess of health. Given the pandemic of diabetes, hypertension, heart and other life styles diseases, much need to be done to arrest this deterioration of health. No individual, family, community or nation can be prosperous with poor health. Urgent steps must be taken by all citizens to give priority to their health.
Education and prosperity will always elude the vulnerable and sick. Health is at an abysmal low in this country and excessive alcohol, lack of exercise and poor eating habits are major contributors.
Prosperity and the arts will always be out of the reach of a person who is sick and lying in bed. Unless that person is restored to health, his dreams and aspirations will remain unfulfilled.
Our business and middle classes need to display greater leadership qualities. It is they who have so much to lose. They have invested in education and capital and should not confine themselves in barricaded prison-like communities but step out and take charge of the leadership of the country.
It is the duty of the middle and business classes to step forward to save this country. With Mother Durga planted in their hearts they must stand up to the irresponsible political leadership that have us surviving at the mercy of criminal gangs.
May Goddess Durga inspire the people to fight against the evil stalking the land!