Encourages children to read

By Indrawattie Natram

LIVING by the concept of Hinduism, Pandit Jagmohan Persaud wants to give back to the Hindu Community particularly the children. He is committed to educating the younger generation on Hinduism and also to leave stories that they can read and inculcate the teachings of the various Hindu scriptures. The Pandit who is popularly known as “Pandit Jagmohan” is the Vice President of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha religious organisation in Guyana as has inherited most of his religious knowledge from the Late Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud. He is the priest in charge of several mandirs throughout the length and breadth of Guyana.

Pandit Persaud, who commenced his religious education and teachings 33 years ago, recently launched his book “Arpan” which means “offering” in Hindu. The book is a compilation of stories which are rooted from various Hindu texts. During an interview on the book, “Arpan”, the Pandit said the Hindu scriptures have withstood the test of time and have paved the foundation of the values and morals that should be conspicuous in everyday lives.

He said in order to sustain Sanatan Vedic Dharma, the morals and lessons embedded in the Hindu scriptures must be passed on to the future generations.

“Arpan depicts lessons in simple story form when we understand them, we can start practising some of the life lessons learned,” Pandit said. He added that the book inspires Hindus how to live by the dharmic principles portrayed in the stories such as the power of prayers and love for God. He said the stories teach persons the essence of good conquering evil, dispelling darkness with light and demonstrating wisdom instead of ignorance. It is Pandit Persaud’s fervent hope that Arpan will be a special part of children’s lives. He said he enjoyed the experience he gained during the compilation process and hopes that persons can read and learn from the book.

The book took him five years to compile and the stories were keenly selected especially those that are applicable to one’s life. The first story in the book is the “The Curse not for the Worse”. Pandit is urging children to get back into reading and to learn about the Hindu ways. The books will be made available in various regions and will be retail at a cost of $1,000. All proceeds gained from the selling of the book will go towards the reconstruction of the Ocean View Mandir on the West Coast of Demerara.