Conference unites Hindu community to address key issues

Oct 23, 2024 Letters

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Dear Editor,

More than 300 participants, including students, devotees, pandits, and senior government official last Saturday converged at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre for the inaugural Caribbean American Hindu Issues Inc. (CAHII) Conference. Attendees from Guyana, the wider Caribbean, Suriname and overseas came together to address issues impacting the Indo-Caribbean Hindu community, focusing on health, the environment, education, society, and religion.
Representing President Dr. Irfaan Ali, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, delivered the opening remarks. Dr. Persaud conveyed the President’s greetings and reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment to religious freedom, a principle enshrined in the country’s constitution. “This conference exemplifies the importance of ensuring every country’s legislative framework enables people to worship, gather, and celebrate their traditions freely,” Dr. Persaud said. She also emphasized the value of continued discussions on religious freedom, pointing out the ongoing struggle in several countries for the recognition of religious rights and national holidays.

A PLATFORM FOR DIALOGUE AND SOLUTIONS

The conference was designed to foster collaboration among Hindus from the Caribbean and the diaspora. Participants engaged in discussions on issues facing the community, with an emphasis on finding practical solutions and strengthening connections among mandirs, cultural organizations, and community leaders. Topics included health, social services, environmental preservation, and ways to access secular resources while maintaining cultural and religious practices.
Several community leaders praised the initiative and expressed their desire to see it become an annual event.

Frank Singh, a sponsor and a respected community advocate, shared his enthusiasm: “The conference was a fantastic idea. It should be held once a year.” BK Tiwari, one of the main sponsors, a philanthropist and entrepreneur, echoed these sentiments, noting, “A conference of this nature is long overdue. I congratulate CAHII for this meaningful initiative.”
Dr. Tara Singh, Executive Member of CAHII, highlighted the event’s success in achieving its objectives. “It was refreshing to hear panelists and audience members exchange ideas, especially during the session on Hinduism. The interaction was vibrant and insightful. This will definitely become an annual event,” he stated.

STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY TIES

The conference’s impact extended beyond the discussions at the venue. Several attendees joined members of the organizing team at the Providence Mandir for Sunday service, deepening the event’s influence within the community. One participant remarked, “The feedback I received was very positive. It was a great opportunity to continue conversations that began at the conference.”
Students from across Guyana also benefited from the event, with many expressing excitement about participating. President of the MBB Foundation, Marcus Bisram, a key sponsor, shared that students from the Corentyne region were particularly engaged, and some who couldn’t attend expressed disappointment at missing the opportunity. Komal Singh, PSC Chairman, one of the sponsors, was regrettably absent.

Other sponsors include, Deo Gosine Foundation, ENet, the Government of Guyana, Dave West Indian Imports, Kamaldai Budhu, Dr. Muniram Budhu, Dr. Vishnu Bisram, Dayan Deonarine, Roopnauth Dwarka, Harry Hergash, Yudhbeer Singh, Srad Kublal, Prof. Narayan Persaud, Jewan Persaud, Vassan Ramracha, Ashok Ramsarran, Dr. Ganga Ramdass, Boysie Siew, Harry Ghaness, Rajendra Sukul, Jay Bridgepaul, Bose  Balraj, Seenath Jairam and Joe Tika.
Pt. Roopnauth Sharma, Chair of CAHII, was elated by the conference’s success. “This was a grand event, and I am overwhelmed with joy. I am grateful to everyone who made it possible. We will issue a press release soon with our plans for future development,” he said.

BUILDING A FRAMEWORK FOR FUTURE COLLABORATION

The CAHII conference aims to create a framework that ensures access to essential Hindu services, such as sanskaras (sacraments), festivals, and community support, for Indo-Caribbean Hindus, regardless of their location. Organizers emphasized the importance of fostering cooperation among Hindu organizations to address the community’s unique challenges and promote shared solutions.
One of the conference’s key goals was to develop a Resource Kit that would compile best practices and provide guidance on accessing both secular and religious resources. The event also aimed to encourage networking among participants to strengthen partnerships across the region.
Looking ahead, CAHII hopes the insights shared during the conference will enhance understanding of the community’s needs and inspire new initiatives. The event’s focus on collaboration reflects a shared responsibility among Hindus to address challenges related to health, social issues, and religion in culturally relevant ways.

A FOUNDATION FOR FUTURE PROGRESS

The overwhelming support for the CAHII conference suggests it has established a solid foundation for future gatherings. The organisers are confident that it will become an annual event, offering a platform for ongoing dialogue and collaboration. By fostering connections and addressing critical issues, the conference has created a space for Indo-Caribbean Hindus to celebrate their heritage while working toward practical solutions for the challenges they face.
With enthusiastic participation from community members, students, and leaders, the CAHII conference is poised to become a vital platform for fostering unity and ensuring the sustainability of Hindu traditions within the Caribbean and the diaspora.

Yours respectfully,
Jai Lall.

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• Ashok Ramsarran, Boysie Siew, Dave West Indian Imports, Dayan Deonarine, Deo Gosine Foundation, Dr. Ganga Ramdass, Dr. Muniram Budhu, Dr. Vishnu Bisram, ENet, Harry Ghaness, Harry Hergash, Jewan Persaud, Kamaldai Budhu, Prof. Narayan Persaud, Roopnauth Dwarka, Srad Kublal, The Government of Guyana, Vassan Ramracha., Yudhbeer Singh

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