Arya Samaj celebrates 100 years in Guyana

PRESIDENT of the Guyana Central Arya Samaj (GCAS), Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo, on Thursday said in all communities where there are branches of Arya Samaj, the organisation will aggressively promote knowledge based activities.
He told the Guyana Chronicle that this is part of the organisation’s centenary celebrations.

Mahadeo noted that among the activities to be promoted are the teaching of Hindi and the emphasis for children especially girls to attend school full time.
“Child and night marriages were denounced and all youths should spend all their formative years pursuing the highest form of education before entering into household life,” he said.
The centenary celebrations in Guyana, he said, are focused in July and August this year.
Mahadeo said: “An elaborate programme is being implemented across the country, to highlight the outstanding achievements of Arya Samaj and the promotion of Vedic Sanatan Dharma.”
These include several Yajnas, marches, multi-kunda havans and seminars. Some of the highlights and major events will include an international conference where renowned vedic scholars will be presenting papers for discussion which is part of the various activities planned.
Another project, the GCAS President highlighted, is the currently ongoing research to produce a book on the history of Arya Samaj in Guyana.
He said a brief history is presented in a souvenir magazine to be released in August.
Additionally, medical outreaches and a blood drive are also in the pipeline to mark the GCAS’s 100th anniversary.
“Many community projects are also planned, such as rehabilitation of the Help and Shelter building in Georgetown, distribution of hundred of hampers to the poor and needy, establishing an orphanage at Port Mourant and a shelter for persons with social problems,” Mahadeo said.
He said many of these activities have been undertaken with support from the United Arya Samaj Federation and other organisations.
The mission of Arya Samaj is enshrined in its motto ‘Krinvanto Vishwam Aaryam’ to make the Universe noble. Swami Dayanand Saraswatie founded the Arya samaj in 1875.
He declared his mission as not establishing a new religion but for humanity to go back to the Vedas.
The Vedas which are the oldest books in the world and the founder of the Arya Samaj movement Swami Dayanand was the first person to call for self-rule in India.
In Guyana, Arya Samaj was established 100 years ago by a visiting missionary from India Bhai Parmanand who was not only an Arya Samajist but also a fearless freedom fighter for India’s Independence. From 1910, Guyana has produced Arya Samajists who are leaders in all spheres of society.
Bookers prevented Arya Samaj missionaries from entering the sugar estates. Arya Samajists advocated the end of Indian immigration and were in the forefront for the independence struggle for independence of British Guiana.
Mahadeo said in 1953 when the constitution was suspended many leading Arya Samajists were sent to Sibley Hall and were imprisoned, harassed, persecuted and victimised.
The Arya Samaj vehemently opposed the cast system and advocated that Brahmins are to be recognised as learned persons with Vedic education and impeccable character.
“A Pandit can be anyone whose birth is not the over riding requirement. Equality of sex was another area of concern. The first Hindu female priests were Arya Samajists,” Mahadeo said.
There are ten principles of Arya samaj of which, eight address the issues of improving the quality of life of everyone for religious, social, economic political and community progress.

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