By Frederick Halley
HUMANITARIANS have distinct personalities. They are social individuals, which means they’re kind, generous, cooperative, patient, caring, helpful, tactful and friendly. They are conscientious and also excel at socialising and helping others.
Guyanese-born Virjanand Jaglall, popularly known in the Toronto community as “Joe Jaglall” possesses most, if not all of the above traits.
In an exclusive interview with the Pepperpot Magazine, Jaglall was quick to point out that he considers himself “a humble servant and never looked for anything in return. My blessings come as an opportunity to be in a position to help others because of my passion for working with people, regardless of differences.”
Jaglall was recently rewarded for his untiring efforts by the Guyana 50th Republic Anniversary Committee for “Leadership in Volunteerism and Community Service, presented to persons who have made significant contributions to their communities through their time, actions, talents and dedication (outside any volunteer work done for their employer).”
According to the committee, the awardees in that category have shown consistent and sustained commitment and professionalism to community projects and have consistently applied leadership skills over an extended period of time.
A committed devotee to volunteerism and charitable work around the world and a role model to many, Jaglall, who is also a Hindu Pandit, is well respected amongst his peers and dedicates his time to the needy. He respects and creates good humour and as a leader, he demonstrates the importance of humanitarianism and selfless service.
Over the years, Jaglall has partnered with many organisations to raise funds for the needy and vulnerable members of the community. Some of the organisations and causes that have benefited tremendously from his voluntary services are the Vedic Cultural Centre in Markham; the Peel Arya Samaaj Mandir and Cultural Centre; the Shiva Mandir in Scarborough, the Seva4life Canada Inc.; the Humanitarian Mission of Port Mourant, Guyana; the Vedanta Academy in Bush Lot, Berbice, Guyana; the Children’s Orphanage in Cornelia Ida, Guyana; Shiva Mandir in Scarborough; Youths training camps, both in Guyana and Toronto; the Shiv Sewa Sangh Mandir in Scarborough; the Panwar Dance Academy of Greater Toronto Area; the Sangeet Vidyalaya Vedic Cultural and Educational Centre Inc.; the Maha Rudradev Mandir and Cultural Centre in Scarborough and The Guyana Festival, Toronto, among others.
For over six years, Jaglall and Pandit Devanand Ramoutar along with several youths, have been part of a musical band, The Gems Of Toronto, and have been performing for charitable organisations. The youths have since grown to assume the leadership of the band.
In January, 2019 Jaglall led a special committee, to raise funds to assist Jessica Motilall, a victim of domestic abuse and violence. She has since recovered and is back to her regular activities at school and in the Toronto community.
A Master of Ceremony in his own right, Jaglall has been emceeing concerts across Toronto for more than 30 years and has never charged a dime for his services.
Jaglall also worked at the Guyana Consulate in Toronto for just over a year from 2012 and according to him, “it was his most gratifying job because he was giving back to his beloved motherland.” Even after his sojourn there, he continued to volunteer and offer his services as needed with the Consulate’s outreach programmes.
A member of the Festival Committee, Jaglall spearheaded the last Inter-faith and Cultural Programme and was the Committee’s Co-Chair for the 50th Jubilee Republic Interfaith Celebrations. He also hosted the 50th Jubilee Republic Virtual Award and Cultural Ceremony held last month.
Jaglall hails from Number 66 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, Guyana. Born to humble rice-farming parents (Jeet and Savi), Joe is one of five children. According to him, he was exposed to community work at an early age through his uncle, the late Pandit Budhram Mahadeo.
Jaglall regularly attended the Number 64-66 Arya Samaj Mandir and was very active in the local Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO). He pointed out that these two organisations, coupled with support from his parents, moulded him with a sense of duty and fulfilment; thus, when he migrated to Canada in 1982, within the first week he met the late Sash Sawh (former Minister of Agriculture in Guyana) at the temple and there and then became a member of the Association of Concerned Guyanese (ACG).
Joe continued with his community work both socially and religiously, while working in the factory to help sustain his family in Canada.
A prominent member of Serv4 Life Canada, its president Roy Sugrim described Jaglall “as an individual who dedicates a tremendous amount of his time to community services and helping others. He is a very responsible volunteer and has been a huge asset to our organisation for a number of years.”
According to Sugrim, “he has assisted us in various capacities, including planning, execution and leadership in many of our community-based activities. His passion, commitment and extremely high intelligence in his community work make him an ideal leader in our organisation and the community at large.
“He is very physically and academically able which he utilises when setting up events that help those in need. He has worked closely with the president and other executive members of Serv 4 Life Canada Inc and played an integral role as an ambassador for the organisation.”
Currently a Real Estate Agent along with his son, Jaglall attended Seneca College and in 1989 obtained a Diploma in Fashion. He later gained his licence in Insurance sales, Mutual Funds securities licence and subsequently his Branch Manager Licence.
Before that, he started the First Arya Samaj Internet Radio and as the host, he intended to bring into focus, culture, values and prayer in helping to mould peaceful individual lives.
