Youngest graduate Rico Edwards receives certificates

According to Bramchari Vidur, the Hindu College only had eight computers before New York-based entrepreneurs, Jay and Sylvia Sobraj, Sarwan Budhu, and Naresh Singh donated 50 high-tech computers to create a state-of-the-art computer lab that far outstrips any other in Guyana.

Students of the Hindu College give thanks to the Lord in song. Principal Ms. Rajkumarie Singh, Bramcharie Vidur, and other teachers are to their right.

According to Ms Singh, the group does not just donate and leave, but keep in constant contact with the Sangha via e-mails and telephone calls to enquire of the welfare of the Sangha; and they always try to meet the Ashram’s needs as they emerge, synchronizing their little time off each year to return to work, as in this occasion, toward perpetuating the vision of the Founder of the international Sangha, Yugacharya Srimat Swami Pranavanandaji Maharaj, who said: “I cannot bear to see the degradation of youths any longer…….go ye from one end of the world to the other and gather all my children under the banner of the Sangha so that they can be saved,” and the dedication of Founder of the Guyana branch, Swami Purnanandaji Maharaj, who established the Ashram in the early 1950’s under the most gruelling conditions.

The Ashram has evolved spectacularly because, as Jay Sobraj describes it, the Sangha fraternity has created a support system comprising, over the years, persons like group members, who believe that they were given their abundance on loan from the Lord and giving back to others is their way of repaying interest on the Lord’s loan, but their gift does not only stop at providing the material support and resources. They give generously of their time and themselves.

Sarwan’s and Sylvia’s families helped to build the Ashram to achieve the greatly-enhanced environment of today, since the original lands were almost virgin – highly forested and swampy, so the Ashram is almost like a second home to them. Naresh and his siblings, who are nephews of spiritual head of the UK branch of the Sangha, Swami Nirlitananandaji Maharaj, spent almost all of their boyhood days there, while Jay caught the infectious fever, that made him chronically devoted to the welfare of the Ashram and the perpetuation of its principles and objectives.

While Naresh spent his time with the participants of the workshop, Jay, Sylvia, Sarwan, and Bramchari Vidur were busy working to rehabilitate the dormitory, with input from LEN’S and Melsha. According to Bramchari Vidur, the dormitory, upon completion, will be so beautifully-appointed that the boys will never miss their homes.

The group, also sponsors scholarships to several students of the Hindu College and members plan to expand the IT programme to include a graphics design component, which will be located in a building adjacent to the Pranav Computer Training Centre, which currently focuses on Microsoft Office Programmes, which combines Word and Excel, Database Management, basic computer training for children, etc.

The group plans to renovate and refurbish the building, before sending additional computers and they are targeting September of this year for opening of the Graphics Design Centre, which will train students in Adobe Photoshop, Adobe in Design, Corel Draw, and Dream Weaver. A small fee will be charged by both centres to cover overhead expenses.

Shyam Sundar is Manager of the PRANAV Computer Training Centre, which Chris Ramlogan will be managing the PRANAV Graphics Technology Centre. Shyam is a mere 22 years old, while Chris is also in his twenties, but every member of the group says that they believe that our young people are the nation’s future and that investing in the young is a direct investment in an enhanced society.

They are currently discussing the institution of a community-services movement, because they are convinced, that if children are involved in community activities then they learn how a society operates. They say that community service is integral to American Society, and that if this system is introduced in Guyana, as a mandatory requirement for children then many things will consequently evolve and redound to the benefit of the general society.

Jay and Sylvia make a beautiful couple. He is tall and handsome and she is petite and quite lovely. I am a sucker for happy families and nothing touched me more throughout the entire proceedings than when Jay called his wife his best friend. Naresh says that the group bases their activities on respect for human rights, as a general principle, with special focus on women and children. They say that women are not given the respect that they deserve, and that children are people too and their rights should be perceived as paramount within societies.

Mr. Jai Petam, GuySuCo’s Regional Director of Berbice Estates, said that in this era of globalization, the world is demanding a more knowledge-based workforce, because this is what gives a competitive edge and is a fundamental necessity irrespective of one’s area of employment or interest.

Ms Singh, thanked the many persons who work assiduously, in the background to ensure a smooth flow, in the activities of the Ashram, especially the ladies who do the cooking and other support staff.

Naresh, who believes in the credo of proper human resource placement, with the requisite skills development for optimal results, received a beautiful card from the mother of graduate Ms. Melinda Thornhill, who said that the Sangha had made a difference in her daughter’s life.

But Ms. Thornhill, is one of many thousands in a long list of Sangha graduates whose lives were enriched by the Sangha, among whom are Jay and Sylvia Sobraj, Sarwan Budhu, and Naresh Singh.