Dear Editor,
With reference to the letter written by Sase Singh captioned “The de-recognition of rural Guyana” which you published on 24 April, 2016 the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (Hindus for Selfless Service-HSS) takes the opportunity to publicly agree with the views stated.
HSS holds the same certainty that the Hindus and youths from the rural geography of this country should be taken into perspective as we move to construct the new Ethnic Relations Commission. How can one form a national body when the representations of the people from the different walks of life are not equally being represented? Why must central Guyana have majority of the say on national Guyana! Did the relevant authority elaborate the importance of the ERC within the rural areas? Aren’t our “Country” men and women superlative too? Are we ruralist ruled out?
HSS has its roots in the rural areas, working for 20 years in this country. The core of HSS is the Hindu youths, young men and women who have been selflessly serving society. With many influential leaders and youths, HSS has worked within many rural communities in recruiting and reforming young Hindus and to some extent non-Hindus, all in the aim to serve this nation.
HSS has touched all three counties of Guyana, such as Morasi, Leguan, Wakenaam, Charity, La Grange, Stewartville, Vergenoegen, Cummings Lodge, Blairmont, De Edward, Skeldon, just to name a few.
Over the years HSS has been working in the areas that are often overlooked. In 1997, we were actively involved in one of the very first Suicide prevention awareness programmes held at Cove and John Hindu Collage.
Who can forget Guyana’s flood disaster in 2005? In addition to the 120,047 hot meals and 73,889 hampers and dry ration distributed, HSS joined with other Hindu groups to cook and distribute over 3000 hot meals, braving the vulnerability in delivering medical supplies to the thousands affected in its three days/nights relief effort.
In 2011, the group continued the fight against suicide by hosting seminars in the rural communities and even had some of its members trained as “Gatekeepers”. Gatekeepers gave support to the then Ministry of Health in its approach for National Suicide Prevention.
HSS has being doing work, from helping children with aids for schooling to collaborating with Hindu groups in steering and hosting International Day of Yoga. We gathered youths from all ethnic groups to attend the HSS honouring ceremony of our cricket great – Shiv Chanderpaul. This was no different when we illuminate HSS Guyana’s 1st National Diya last November at Rahaman’s Park.
Just as recent as last weekend HSS organised a massive youth cricket play-off where talents that are often overlooked was brought to light. HSS composition is with the Hindu youths of Guyana and moreso those of the rural areas.
During HSS chowtaal session with President David Arthur Granger – at the State House – our “I LOVE GUYANA” project was publicly announced by one of our members. The president was enchanted to know of move in assisting to make Guyana a better place.
The Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh hits the nail right on the head since we are not just a Hindu organisation but it is filled with a number of talented and educated youths whose aims are to serve Guyana. Why are we ruralist ruled out?
Sincerely,
Praem Narine
Rambharak (Satesh)
