PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar has underscored the importance of preserving one’s culture in a multi-ethnic society. He did so while delivering the feature address at the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha’s graduation ceremony for pandits on Wednesday, at the Prashad Nagar Kendra in Georgetown, where 12 pandits graduated and received their certificates.
The Head of State attributed both his knowledge of Hinduism and ability to relate his religion to what is happening in today’s society, to Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud.
President Ramotar said, because of Pandit Persaud, he was able to grasp a lot of the philosophies that guided him throughout his life.
Hinduism should not be a mere concept but translated into aspects of today’s life. Moreso, it should be made a guide for action, to deal with the many issues that one may come across, he posited.
“Because we are living in a time when life is moving very fast and technology is advancing at a rapid pace, we have to be grounded, since it was much easier for the older generation to live through their era, as opposed to the youths of today,” he observed.
In this regard, President Ramotar urged that adults ensure young people are given a chance to understand their roots, in order for them to detect right from wrong and have an appreciation for morality and honesty.

GROUNDED
“You have to give them wings and allow them to fly with speed, but they can only do so if they are grounded with the philosophies that they have,” he pointed out.
Commending the Dharmic Sabha training programme for pandits, President Ramotar said it is important from a national point of view in Guyana, given the fact that this is a multi-ethnic society in which there are several cultures that complement each other in achieving one unique Guyanese culture.
He asserted that what the Dharmic Sabha is doing is perpetuating one, whilst making a tremendous contribution to the rich Guyanese culture as a whole.
He said culture comprises many different things and one cannot develop his or her if one does not grasp a deep understanding of the language.
President Ramotar announced that plans are in the pipeline to host an Indian science and culture fair in Guyana soon, with the assistance of Culture Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony.
Anthony, who was also present at the ceremony, emphasised the importance of having pandits trained, as he believes that persons who hold such high spiritual office should be well grounded in the sequence of rituals, as there are still many people who do not have a deep understanding with regard to the issue.
He also pronounced on the importance of knowing the language, since it can detect things that the translation cannot deliver.
Anthony suggested that, with the advancement of technology, virtual classrooms should be arranged in order to improve the skill of the spiritual leaders.

COURSES
Facilitator of the classes, Purshotham Shivraj said the courses run for two years and are being held as a result of a collaborative effort between the Indian High Commission and the Guyana Government.
He disclosed that the examinations are set in Mumbai, India and are sent to the Indian Cultural Centre in Guyana. And, upon conclusion of the tests, the papers are returned to India, where they are usually marked.
Since the programme commenced, two batches, one in 2006 and another in 2008, have graduated and classes for this year, also free of cost, will begin in September.
The training was started, initially, under the stewardship of Pandit Persaud in 1991 but was restructured approximately six years ago.