ALTRUISTIC service, education, culture and assisting others without seeking recognition and rewards are some of the principles that resulted in the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha being conferred with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award.

This was underscored Saturday evening when the High Commission of India hosted a reception at India House, Happy Acres, East Coast Demerara in honour of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha.

President of the Sabha, Dr. Vindhya Vasini Persaud had received the award in person from President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind at a ceremony on January 23, 2019 in Varanasi in the state of Uttar Pradesh.

The award from the Government of India is in recognition of the Sabha’s outstanding contribution in the field of community service.

This year marks the 45th anniversary of the Sabha. It was founded by Dr. Persaud’s father, Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud.

Dr. Persaud in her remarks thanked the High Commissioner and Indian Government for the recognition and promised to continue development of the Sabha through selfless service.
“Action thy duty, reward not thy concern,” she said were the words that inspired the launch of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha on January 8, 1974. It was an incredible path for the Dharmic family.

Dr. Persaud said it was an honour to collect the prestigious award that pays tribute to the tireless efforts, vision and leadership of the founder of the organisation.

“This award does not only belong to us at the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha but it belongs to all of Guyana because the work we do, the service we do selflessly is done for all of Guyana,” she said.

Noting that no one at the organisation was expecting any recognition for their service, Dr. Persaud said the group’s motto does not teach members to expect rewards for efforts expended.

“What has been done through community service has been done in a genuine way from our hearts and we pledge today as we celebrate our 45th year in 2019 the work will not stop, we will continue, grow and expand and we will continue in the manner in which we have done to collaborate not only amongst the Hindu community but beyond that,” Dr. Persaud said.

She continued: “Wherever people are in need of service and in need of anything that the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha can offer, we will do that.”

ONE FAMILY
Emphasising that the ties between Guyana and India have gotten stronger with time, Dr. Persaud said the world can learn from Guyana in the field of religious tolerance, since the world is essentially one family.

“All of us have the same desire and goal to live in harmony, peace and to look out for each other, to care for each other, and to leave a legacy that the future generations will be proud of and the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha can be assured that that legacy will continue,” she said.

Meanwhile, Indian High Commissioner, Venkatachalam Mahalingam said the award honours exceptional and meritorious contribution in a chosen field or profession.

“The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha has achieved progressive growth in every field and has expanded through the length and breadth of Guyana. In the entire Caribbean there is no such organisation as big and as successful as the Dharmic Sabha and the credit for this should go to the founder Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud and his daughter,” the high commissioner said.

Noting that the award is the most coveted given to any member of the Indian diaspora, the high commissioner said only two global Indian organisations received the award this year, and the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha was one.

He explained that the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha is the only organisation to receive such an award for community service within the last decade.
India, he said, is always proud of its diaspora.

“Wherever Indians go they have become model citizens of the country they belong, Indian diaspora is known for their professional achievement, hard work, community spirit, tolerance, disciple and their law abiding nature.”

The Indian diaspora in Guyana has contributed tremendously to a contemporary country although it is only the fourth generation that first came from India 180 years ago.
Ambassador Mahalingam also noted that the Indians have worked hard with their African brothers to develop Guyana for future generations.

The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award is the highest honour conferred by the President of India as part of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Conventions on a Non-Resident Indian (NRI), Person of Indian Origin (PIOs) or organisation or institution established and run by NRIs or PIOs, who have made significant contribution in several fields.

In attendance were special invitees and distinguished personalities.