The body of well known and popular Arya Samajist priest Pandit Mahadeo Ramsaroop of Temple Street, Windsor Forest, West Coast Demerara was last Thursday (December 6, 2012) cremated at Kaashi Dhaam, Ruimzeight Ramsaroop, 77 who was known as Pandit Mahadeo was ailing for some time and subsequently died on Saturday, December 1 at the West Demerara Regional Hospital.
He leaves to mourn his wife, children, grandchildren, two sisters and one brother. His youngest brother who died recently was cremated on Thursday, November 29.
 
Hundreds of persons from various districts across Guyana turned up at his residence for the funeral service which was punctuated with Bhajans, Geets, Songs, oral and written tributes.

In a written tribute Dr Vishwa Mahadeo, President of the Guyana Central Arya Samaj stated that Pandit Mahadeo was a man of determination and possessed perseverance. He noted  that Pandit Mahadeo even though of his advanced age was very vocal in his beliefs and always stood up to expound on his thoughts; he was never afraid.  
Dr Mahadeo stated that the Arya Samaj movement will miss his contributions, his thoughts and his sermons while emphasising that Pandit Mahadeo  was a leading light not only on the West Demerara but throughout Guyana.

Meanwhile President of the West Demerara Arya Samaj Jaidev Dudhnath, who chaired the proceedings noted that Pandit Mahadeo a former president of both the Guyana Central Arya Samaj and the West Demerara Arya Samaj had etched his name in the pages of history of the Arya Samaj in Guyana, both as a Pandit and a Hindi teacher. “I say without any fear of contradiction that Pandit Mahadeo held the distinction of being the most successful Hindi Teacher…he was proud of his students’ performance…and likewise his students some of whom are still around while others have migrated…they are justly proud of their teacher,” Dudhnath reasoned.
Dudhnath a former student of the pandit noted that his Guru was a household name having officiated at Havans, satsangs and yajnas  
in almost all districts stretching from the Corentyne coast to the Essequibo coast.

Deplaning just hours before the cremation, US-based Guyanese Pandita Indrowtie Singh in her tribute stated that Pandit Mahadeo was a self-taught scholar noting that he left school at a very early age. Singh, also a former student said “it was amazing that he knew English grammar…he taught us…so when we went to English school we already knew”.
Singh opined that the high level of performance of his students was a clear reflection of her Guru’s ability to teach.”He stood tall among all Hindi teachers… he mastered the art of teaching”, she stated solemnly.
In an emotive plea, Singh said it would be a fitting tribute if others can emulate the qualities of a real great soul who touched the lives of thousands.

In another written tribute by yet another of his students, US-based Guyanese Sister Bharati Ramsamooj stated that Pandit Mahadeo had a dynamic personality with a pleasant disposition. She noted that Shiksha (a name he was fondly called) had led a simple life with high thinking and lofty ideals. She opined that his powerful voice would continue to echo in various corners of Guyana. Ramsamooj stated that if Shiksha’s life was his message then his work for unity and the upliftment of humanity is the path towards peace and happiness.

Secretary of the West Demerara Arya Samaj Pandita Dhanrajie Haimraj who is also a former student officiated at the funeral service. She told the large gathering that Pandit Mahadeo possessed some of the best qualities that truly identified him as a person of high repute. Haimraj stated that patience, perseverance, dedication and commitment were the hallmarks of her Guru.
She expressed hope that his students would be inspired by his rich legacy which she added is second to none.
Haimraj stated that the Arya Samaj world, the Guyana Central Arya Samaj and the West Demerara Arya Samaj have become poor but the Windsor Forest Arya Samaj has become even poorer with the passing of Pandit Mahadeo.