While I am peeved at the outrageous conduct of a few ‘champions’ of the Hindu community, I must confess that they provide light humor. Like sawdust Caesars, they exercise limited powers but their arrogance can be a real pain in the ass.
While several Hindus are actively planning Hanuman Chalisa chanting across the country to culminate with a massive procession of 18,000 devotees on the anniversary of Hanuman Jayanti, and for this they have established internet chat group, a few have set up chat group for ‘idle talk’ and to dismiss some participants who disagree with their point of view.
“Hindus don’t want to unite” has been a cry for the longest while. It is time we examine this statement. Who are the Hindus who are making this complaint? What Hindu organizations are they active in? For example, with Holika Dahan and Phagwa celebrations around the corner, can we ask if these Sawdust Caesars are involved in a celebration in their neighborhoods.
Hindus in the Caribbean have to exorcise this arrogance that stems from winning a few dollars and a degree from a university. I would not talk about those with doctorates. They live in a world apart from mere mortals and morons!
Hindus have inherited an impoverished past, both in finance and education. caused by wars and famines by our foreign rulers. Moreso, we were uprooted from Bihar where the British subjected us further after our ancestors led the 1857 revolt against British rule.
Forming chat groups and just texting would not save Hindu society. The time demands real men and women who can come out of their air-conditioned rooms and walk the talk. This is very well demonstrated by devotees like Gyan Ramlogan, Soan Ramroop and others. Gyan Ramlogan is a driving force for dharmic action in the community. He was responsible for the recent program held at Pierre Road Recreation Ground in Chaguanas on Sunday January 21, 2024 to commemorate the opening of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, India.
While Gyan stands out as a lead player in the community there were several pandits and community groups and activists working together to realize this project. It is team efforts that is needed in the community to bring about success. Most institutions that are successful have committed teams of workers. For example, India’s Minister of Works has been dubbed a super minister for his success in expanding the country’s road network. However, in an interview with Navika Kumar of Times Now before a live audience, Minister Nitin Gadkari quickly pointed that if his ministry is successful in achieving its goals, it is only because “I have a committed team.”
I must thank Bhagawan for miraculously keeping Hindus like Soan Ramroop and Gyan Ramlogan away from a university. I am certain that had they been there, the chance of them being in the forefront in the planning and execution of this Epic Hanuman Yatra would have been much lower (less than 25%). Sadguru of Isha Foundation has always lamented the destructive role of education and charged that it is the educated people who are causing more problems in the world today, much to the agreement of his audience.
I am not at all decrying education. However, we need to keep our certificates in our drawer at home and stop wearing them on our sleeves. Our Yogis, Gurus and Swamis are well educated. Most of them went to the finest learning institutions and had jobs in leading corporation like NASA and IBM but do not permit that past to corrupt their minds and scare people away.
I really do hope and pray that we set aside our big qualifications if we truly wish to connect with the people. Basdeo Panday was a scholar in his own right and was able to connect and lead the sugar workers who were the least educated social group in the country. Everyone felt free to approach him and air their grievances and he would always give them a patient hearing. If today Ms. Kamla Persad-Bissessar is leader of the UNC it is not because she is lawyer and lives in south Trinidad; it is mainly because of her humility and ability to work will all. No wonder we are unable to identify a single person worthy of replacing her!