Latest update November 8th, 2024 1:00 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

The Swami title is one of honour

Jan 06, 2016 Letters

Dear Editor,
Reference is made to The Freddie Kissoon column in which he criticized Prof. Baytoram Ramharack for making reference to him (Kissoon) as an Indian who is not proud of his Indian identity and cultural roots and who (Kissoon) has refused to defend Indians against the most vile and vicious attacks from others. Kissoon has distinguished himself in his writings and the Indian community should confer an honor onto him for his rare achievements.
The record would show that Kissoon himself, at various times, stated he is not “an Indian”, that he is not proud of India, and that he is ashamed of being an Indian. In contradiction to the preceding comments, Kissoon stated that his parents were proud Hindus and they raised him as a Hindu and that he gave his daughter a Hindu name (at the request of his mother). Kissoon has criticized many Indian that write from an Indian identity perspective
In response to Dr. Ramharack’s critique of Kissoon’s lack of Indian cultural upbringing, Kissoon stated he understands Indian values well and that he does not have to display his identity publicly. That being the case, Kissoon has not explained why he does not celebrate Diwali or Phagwah or Eid or Arrival Day or other Indian festivals. All of his writings quote Westerners and not great Indian intellectuals. His references to music, arts, literature, and films are from the West and not India?
How come he does not use Indian kinship terms like mousie, mamoo, dada, cha cha, dulaha, patni, uncle, bhaiya, bahin. Anyone who understands Indian values or is an Indian will not call a pandit or a mulvi by his name or “Mister” as Kissoon routinely does. An Indian referring to an elderly person as “Mister.” or “Miss” is most disrespectful and must be condemned. Instead, the honorific title of pandit, meiji, uncle, auntie would precede or follow the name. I heard several Black and White priests refer to pandits, swamis and mulvis by their honorific titles and not their plain names.
Kissoon calls Swami Aksharnanda as  Aksharnanda”. No Indian will refer to a Swami like that Even Eusi Kwayana, Bonita Harris, Nigel Hughes, David Hinds, etc. respectfully refer to Aksharnanda as Swami. Even Muslims and Christians refer to Aksharnanda as Swami. The proper (Indian) way to address him is Swami, or Swami-ji, or Swami Aksharnanda, or Aksharnanda-ji. It should never be “Mister”. Ditto a Muslim title like Haji or Mulvi or Maulana or Meiji or Meiah. These honors are earned and the achievers should be so addressed. Most Indians use these titles when referring to those who achieved them. I most certainly do in all of my encounters with them.
Swami is an earned honorific title; it is not self imposed. It is bestowed by gurus to a student after intense training. It is not proper to call Swami Aksharnanda-ji “Mister”. It is equally wrong for Indians to disrespect Kissoon.
Vishnu Bisram

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | November, 6th, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

CWI Cricket West Indies suspends Alzarri Joseph for two matches

CWI Cricket West Indies suspends Alzarri Joseph for two matches

Nov 08, 2024

Bridgetown, Barbados – Cricket West Indies (CWI) has imposed a two-match suspension on fast bowler Alzarri Joseph following an on-field incident during the 3rd CG United ODI at the Kensington...
Read More
ExxonMobil Futsal Championship heats up in Linden

ExxonMobil Futsal Championship heats up in Linden

Nov 08, 2024

Harpy Eagles left frustrated by weather once again in Super50 Cup no-result against Scorpions

Harpy Eagles left frustrated by weather once...

Nov 08, 2024

Lennox Blackmore National Intermediate C/ship shifted to Six Head Gym

Lennox Blackmore National Intermediate C/ship...

Nov 08, 2024

All-round Jaguars clinch 3-wicket win over Pitbulls 

All-round Jaguars clinch 3-wicket win over...

Nov 08, 2024

GSLT20 ticket sales begin tomorrow at the local box office

GSLT20 ticket sales begin tomorrow at the local...

Nov 08, 2024

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]