The New Jersey Arya Samaj Humanitarian Mission (NJASHM) donated over 1,500 CDs, containing the 18 chapters of the entire Bhagwat Geeta translated in the English language, to representatives of several Hindu mandirs in Berbice and other regions last Monday.
The CDs have been compiled and interpreted by Swami Adgadadanandji of India, and were shipped directly from India to Guyana free of cost. They are intended for free distribution.
The objective behind the donation is to use a more modern way to enlighten and educate Hindus about their holy scriptures. According to president of the NJASHM, Pandit Suresh Sugrim, he fought on the ground of an educational empowerment program for Hindus in Guyana.
Pandit Suresh Sugrim (extreme right) and members of the Guyana chapter with some recipients of the CDs
“Many brothers and sisters tend to sell things as we go along the journey of life, and Christianity and Islam have the resources to donate the materials free of cost. But as far as Hindus [are concerned], we haven’t found the mechanism of donating our materials free of cost. So what we’re doing here (is) donating the CD, which is an mp3 file… so that the young and old can take it and understand about the value of the Bhagwat Geeta,” Pandit Sugrim said.
He expressed hope that the gesture would impact the recipients, in that they would take the time to read “and make them better Hindus”; and for other denominations who have listened to it: “They will [be] able to understand the value of what the Geeta has to offer from a very religious point of view, where you and I can be able to respect each others’ religion,” he stated.
He said that the donations to the mandirs and organisations would empower young and older people, especially since the state of some Indian people leave much to be desired in Guyana at this time. “I know there is a big lapse in this community, where the vulgarity of our Indian people is surpluses; and I have travelled across this country and I have seen the state of our Indian Hindus in this country, [in] that the vulgarity is to the max. The representatives of the mandirs and organisations expressed their sincere gratitude to Pandit Sugrim for the CDs, and said that the CDs would be shared with their members.
Pandit Sugrim warned the mandirs not to sell the CDs, because they are strictly not for sale. “Don’t sell the merchandise; you will hurt us and the Swami who has donated the CDs free of cost! Keep this in mind. If any Hindu tends to burn this and sell it, it is a shame on the mandirs,” he posited.
Many mandirs and organisations benefited from the gesture. Some Christian and Muslim organisations also benefited from the distribution.
Pandit Suresh Sugrim, President of the New Jersey Arya Samaj Humanitarian Mission, and Mr Avinash Persaud, President of the Guyana Chapter, and the entire Hindu community sincerely thank the donors for their contributions towards our Hindu brothers and sisters in Guyana, and are looking forward to their continued support.
