Youths of the Amar Jyothi Mandir led the congregation in a special Satsangh to celebrate the 64th Anniversary of Pandit Amar Seepersad, Spiritual Head, and President of the Amarjyoth Sabha of Southern Main Road, Cunupia on Saturday 3rd September 2022.
The youths not only led in the chanting of mantras and the singing of bhajans but delivered inspiring anecdotes on the positive role Pandit Amar had played in their lives. The active involvement of the youths only points to a bright future for the Amar Jyothi Sabha.
Pandit Amar recalled that his journey in the mandir began 43 years ago when he started attending the small kuttiya that stood on the site of the mandir. “My father, Roopchan Seepersad, and eleven villagers contributed $40 dollar each to purchase the land.”
Amar recalled that Swami Purnananda of the Bharat Sevashram Sangh, India, began teaching Sandhya, Havan and the Gayatri Mantra to the devotees at the Mon Plasir Road Mandir. “The resident pandit objected strongly to the teaching of the Gayatri Mantra to the common devotees who decided that they would purchase a property and build a kuttiya.” said Pandit Amar.
I recalled visiting the mandir in the 1980s and was impressed with the number of youths in attendance. I noticed the willingness of the devotees to work with all – Swami Satchidananda, Spiritual Head of the Divine Life Society and Archarya Ganesh of San Fernando to host public discourses on the Bhagavad Gita.
When the Hindu Seva Sangh launched its youth development training camps, Amar Jyothi always sent a large contingent of youths. I recalled the first camp held in 1984 at the Moruga Composite Secondary School with 40 odd trainees in attendance including Inderjeet and Purandath Lal of the Amar Jyothi Sabha. Purandath was able to recall all the Sanskrit commands taught by Raviji, the Camp Director, without fail. It was not surprising to me that Purandath went on to win a national scholarship and is now serving as a surgeon. Today the Amarjyoth continues to be the venue to host a weekly shakha of the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh in central Trinidad.
Dr. Bhoe Tewarie, former minister of government, and his wife were at hand to celebrate the birth anniversary of Pandit Amar Seepersad. Dr. Tewarie praised Pandit Amar for the work he was doing among the youths and recognized the readiness of the Amarjyoth Sabha to work with other Hindu organization.
I must congratulate Pandit Amar for the work the Amarjyoth Sabha is doing to train youths to conduct poojas and other rituals. Several individuals who are now actively promoting dharma have benefitted from that training including Pandit Robbie Seenath of Penal and Pandit Kumar Boodram of Endeavour.
The openness and generosity of Pandit Amar and the Amarjyoth Sabha was demonstrated in their continued presence and participation in all Hindu programs irrespective of their hosts. Recently, Friends of Hariji held a Satsangh for Haripersad Harikissoon, founder and former president of the Hindu Seva Sangh, and members of the Amarjyoth Sabha were at hand to celebrate with him. On Sunday 11th August 2022 the Amarjyoth Sabha would be the venue for a Bhajan Mala in memory of Ramnarine of the Ram & Muni duo that sang bhajans at mandirs throughout the country.
Pandit Amar has always espoused a concern for the Hindu community beyond pooja and Satsangh. This was demonstrated when he hosted a meeting to address the move by the Supermarket Association to remove Ramsaran’s Dairy Products from its shelves. By facilitating this meeting, Dr. Kirk Meigho took the initiative to pen a strong letter of protest of the actions of the Supermarket Association. The online paper ICDN published several articles protesting the attacks on Ramsaran’s Dairy Products. The Supermarket Association had no choice but to reinstate Ramsaran’s Dairy Products on their shelves.
During the Covid lockdown when shradh ceremonies were banned at the rivers and seas, the Amarjyoth Sabha constructed a shed with all the facilities including running water to facilitate the rituals. This is a clear demonstration of the willingness and readiness of Pandit Amar to make the necessary sacrifices to bring good to the larger Hindu community.
Pandit Amar has also worked closely with the Chacachacare Mandir led by Balkaran Maharaj and Family. I recalled journeying with Pandit Amar, Raviji and other devotees to the Hanuman mandir on the island and Pandit Amar conducting the pooja and delivering the discourse.
As for me, Pandit Amar is a friend and a brother. My ‘intrusive remarks’ at times do not evince from him a defensive reaction but a broad smile on his face. His serene and embracing personality is not unique about him per se but is present in all his siblings and other relatives especially his elder brother Joe.
I want to conclude this article by wishing Pandit Amar a happy birthday and that he continues to work with all to serve dharma.