The angst felt by Guyanese at home when the funeral of Shri Prakash Gossai was held in New York was somewhat assuaged yesterday when his ashes were scattered in the waters of his homeland after a touching memorial service culminating in a simple aarti ceremony.

Participants who could not fit into the mandir sat under a beautifully-woven palm-frond shed, spilling under a couple of other large tents on the grounds of the DeHoop Mandir on the East Coast of Demerara.

Dr, Nanda Gopaul, who deputized as MC in the place of Prakashji’s brother of the soul, Dr. Suresh Narine, spoke of the many wonderful qualities of Prakashji, not least his ability to facilitate and tolerate the conduct of male colleagues who probably made risqué jokes in his presence, maybe even pulling his legs a bit in shared camaraderie because, as Dr. Gopaul said, above all things, he was a wonderful human being who could bond with everyone in any sphere.

So many persons have shared memories of bonding with Prakashji, who is revered across the world and held in high esteem by even world leaders, yet he never lost the common touch – and that was the measure of his greatness. The humility that cloaked his persona with a warmth that touched the souls of everyone with whom he came into contact was his defining characteristic. He belonged to everyone and his aura was a common meeting ground for everyone everywhere, whatever their status in society.

He had this droll way of putting situations into perspective that yet offered comfort, and Pt. Ravi recalled one: “Nobody nah pelt empty mango tree.” And that wise little saying has provided solace and comforted many who have been the victim of rumours and spiteful actions of envious, covetous persons, because his meaning is that one has to be laden with God’s gifts before they are pelted with the ill-will and spiteful actions of lesser beings, very much like Jesus once comforted the aggrieved with lessons of life contained in his parables.

He was an intellectual who interpreted scientific concepts in like manner as he extemporized on Tulsidas’ Ramcharitmaanus; moreso in such melodic fluency as to make the celestials jealous. His heavenly, soothing baritone will continue to provide solace to trouble souls for generations to come.

And when one heard his father, Shri Bissoondyal Gossai sing, it is only then that the source of that blissful voice is made manifest, because his father enthralled those who went to honour his son no less than his son did though his uniquely interpretative renditions in teaching the precepts of the Ramayan.

President Bharat Jagdeo bestowed the gift of Prakashji on this nation when he invited him to return home because, in the President’s own words: “He did not need much encouragement. Although he was serving the New York Community well, he was constrained and wanted to return home to extend his services beyond the confines of religion and make a contribution to nation-building.”

But the basis of Prakashji’s religion is seva – service to God through serving man, and extending that service to embrace humanity is the exact precepts of the Ramayan that Prakashji has espoused all his life.

The President described this great soul as a “unique individual with vital qualities to offer to the world”:

And Prakashji has done so – immeasureably. President Jagdeo said that Prakashji knew instinctively that only hard work and a change of attitude could heal this nation from the traumas of the events of the sixties and the loss of freedom in the land.

Guyana’s President spoke of the soft side of Prakashji whose peculiar gift could bring people from every divide into harmonious co-existence, saying that there is a gap in the Office of the President since the loss of Prakashji, because he was bringing together members from every community and creating a cohesion that enabled people from our diverse cultures to work together to realize the possibilities of this nation.

Expressing his regret for not having had enough time to spend with a man whom he honours, and whose contribution to nation-building and to humanity as a whole he recognizes, the President said to the effect that humans take the people dear to them and in whom they have faith for granted, without realising that opportunities may be forever lost to destiny in a moment.

Bhajans were sung by Devi Seeraj, Bhai Mohan, Evan Radhay Persaud, with the most beautiful rendition by Prakashji’s father, Shri Bissoondyal Gossai.

Prakashji’s brother, Pt Bankim Gossai, presided over the ceremonies, assisted by Bramchari Vihari Sharan.

Pt. Ravi adjured those who love Prakashji not to mourn his death, because it is only the closure of a physical chapter. Quoting from the Gita, Pt. Ravi said that a branch that started in the river of Little Biaboo encountered many obstacles before being swept by the current of existence into the ocean of bliss which is represented by the abode of the Lord

Prakashji’s very popular composition “aaye bhi akela, jaye bhi akela, do din ki zindagi hai, do din ka mela”, which means “We made our entry into the world alone and in a similar manner we shall leave alone. But life is very short and its journey is like a fair.”

But he has not gone, not while his voice resonates in our souls, and the essence of his quiet presence reverberates in our memories.