The headlines scream every day of one act after another of inhumane and inhuman actions towards one’s fellow man.

But the stories of the good people of the world, and those who are predisposed to doing and teaching good, rarely make the headlines.

Revered Hindu spiritual leader, Pandit Prakash Gossaiji, died in the small hours of Monday morning, sending shockwaves into the international Hindu community, and deep grief in the hearts of those whom he has served and who have loved him almost to the point of worship.

The skeptics may say that everyone is fated to die, and that this is merely the death of another man; but this was no ordinary man, but a man who influenced the actions of some of the most powerful and influential men in the world through his interpretations of the scriptures.

Shri Prakash Gossai was awarded the Medal of Service in 2002, with President Bharrat Jagdeo doing the honours. He received it humbly, as was his wont. He did not flaunt his achievements, nor did he sing his own praises, but praises in his honour by iconic public figures worldwide hallmark the heights he has climbed and the status he has achieved in the dispensation where an education on philosophies that facilitate spiritual enlightenment and edification of the intellect is paramount to every dynamic of the human condition.

In 2005 he was also awarded by the New York City Council and the Tri-State Alliance for his humanitarian services, as well as his contribution and commitment to the community in the fields of culture and religion.

Although he achieved worldwide recognition he never forgot the land of his birth and he spent almost as much time in Guyana, sharing his gift of song and music with packed audiences countrywide as he expounded the beautiful stories enshrined in Tulsidas’ Ram Charit Manus, the epic tale of the Ramayana, which told of the way the ideal son served his parents, the ideal husband protected his wife, the ideal leader served his people, the ideal human being dealt with fellow humans, someone who, although born a prince of the greatest royal house of the period, could eat the leftovers of a poor woman who gave him the gift of her love.

President Bharrat Jagdeo originated from a background that recognizes the basic need to respect his elders and learn from their accrued knowledge, so he invited Pandit Gossai to return home as his advisor on how best to serve the people of this country that they both loved.

Without hesitation Pandit Gossai left the luxuries of his first-world home to return to serve his country, without abandoning his adopted homeland. His humility as he walked the corridors of the land, identifying areas of need, persons in need, facilitating assistance for the needy and the vulnerable, his trademark gentle smile, and his softly-spoken invitation “come nuh, baba, and let’s see what we can do to help” to every call for assistance, cannot be replaced by anyone at anytime.

He epitomized God in man, as much as any man can, and always strove for rapprochement, even when he is attacked and his character is besmirched, because he always attempted to practice what he preached, which was to look for the goodness residing in every man, irrespective of every consideration.

Prakash Gossai, gifted musical interpreter of the Ramayana and the Gita, sacred Hindu texts, always sought to juxtapose scriptural teachings of all the holy books to real life experiences, and to impart knowledge in his audiences, based on those teachings, on how to treat with one’s fellow man so that a peaceful and just equilibrium can sustain and triumph over one’s bestial tendencies.

In so doing he has ignited the lambent flame of love in many hearts and has paved the way for much good words and works all across the globe.

The Board, management, and staff of this newspaper extend condolences to the bereaved relatives and friends of Pandit Gossai.