Establishment of the Mohan Nandu Scholarship

Dear Editor,
It is with great pride and humility that we announce the establishment of the Mohan Nandu Scholarship at the Saraswati Vidya Niketan, the private Hindu secondary school at Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara, Guyana.
This institution took care of the basic needs of this cultural icon in his last years.
Principal of this secondary school, Swami Aksharananda- ji, recently visited Bharat Sevashram Sangha in Toronto, Canada, and received a certificate of appreciation from the Ashram, posthumously recognising the cultural contributions of Mohan Nandu and approving the establishment of the scholarship, after discussions with the director of the ashram, Dr. Lake Singh-ji.
Mohan is known throughout Guyana and the diaspora, and many would like to ensure that his deeds are known for posterity, and this initiative gives them an opportunity to act on that desire. A bank account has been created at the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) in the name of: Saraswati Vidya Niketan Scholarship Fund. Account number is: 006459027034. Swift Code: GUTIGYGE. Contact Information: Block H, North Public Road, Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara (WCD), Guyana; Telephone: +592 276 0013/14; Email: [email protected].

On Sunday, June 02, 2024, the Bharat Sevashram Sangha in Toronto, Canada hosted a simple but meaningful tribute to the late Indo-Guyanese musical legend Shri Mohan Nandu-ji. The programme was conceptualised by Ramnarine Sahadeo and supported by devotees of the ashram and by friends and family members of Nandu-ji.
A household name not only in the Indo-community in Guyana, but equally in the Caribbean and North American diaspora, Mohan Nandu blazed a musical journey that was second to none, and shared the stage in Guyana with Bollywood playback singer the late Manna Dey, many years ago.
Some of his friends share intimate stories of their association with this legend. To ensure that his legacy lives on, Ramnarine Sahadeo conceptualized and announced that a Mohan Nandu Scholarship will be established.
Ramnarine had already established a track record of ensuring cultural icons are not forgotten when he initiated and contributed to the Mahatma Gandhi Scholarship at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario.

Sincerely,
Somdatt Ramessar