WOMEN HAVE A RIGHT TO BE EDUCATED
– Four honoured for long and outstanding services
“Women have a right to be educated…and this right was as a result of the tireless work led by Maharishi Swami Dayanand Saraswati”, so says Dr Cheetanand Mahadeo during his feature address at the 137th anniversary celebrations of the Arya Samaj held at the Canal No 2 Arya Samaj Mandir on Sunday last. The event, which was organized by the West Demerara Arya Samaj, marked the final session of a week-long celebration to commemorate the establishment of the Arya Samaj which was formed on April 10, 1875 in Bombay (now Mumbai) India by Swami Dayanand.
Noting that the Arya Samaj remains at the forefront as far as educating women is concerned, Dr Mahadeo posited that it was the prophetic vision of Rishi Dayanand who established special colleges for the education of women.
He reminded the large gathering that it was the Arya Samaj that established the first Gurukul for women and noted that the Gurukul remains a top ranking institution of higher learning even up to today.
Recalling the chaotic social state in India prior to the launching of the Arya Samaj, Dr Mahadeo said it was the most difficult task of breaking horrible traditions such as the Parda System (ladies having to cover their faces) and the Sattee System (a widow being made to burn herself alive on the pyre of her husband at the time of his cremation).
These traditions, Dr Mahadeo noted, were wreaking havoc and stressed that it was the vision articulated by Rishi Dayanand which led to the dismantling of such atrocities paving the way for women who today have become world leaders.
Noting that freedom to worship is enshrined in our (Guyana’s) constitution, Dr Mahadeo urged the gathering to carry the “torch” and underscored the importance for each person to understand the motto of the Arya Samaj, which is “Krinvanto Vishwam Aryam – Make the Universe Noble”.
Guided by its ten principles, Dr Mahadeo stated that the Arya Samaj continues to gain momentum as envisaged by its founder who emphasised that the main objective of the Samaj is to improve physically, spiritually and socially the conditions of all men and women.
Meanwhile, four persons (Mrs Satrupa Manu, Mrs Latchmi Pooran, Mrs Dhanpattie Roopchand and Mr Ramnarine Gokul) from West Demerara were honoured for their long and outstanding services.
The day’s proceedings which were chaired by President of the West Demerara Arya Samaj Mr Jaidev Dudhnath began with a march from Claybrick Bridge and ended at the Canal No 2 Mandir where several cultural items were presented by various affiliates of the regional body.