Maha Sabha is important to the history of Guyana

Dear Editor,

I refer to Mr Badree Etwaroo’s letter dated July 28th, 2017, in which he sought to highlight the current situation at the oldest Hindu organisation in Guyana – The Maha Sabha.

Editor, I wish to concur to Etwaroo’s allegations, and also to join with him in calling on the Government to look into the manner in which the Maha Sabha is being run.

Editor, I can recall clearly when the Maha Sabha was the voice of the Hindu populace throughout Guyana — promoting the Hindu culture and religion in all ten regions, and propagating the eradication of poverty by the many charity drives once held. The Maha Sabha also once operated one of the most successful secondary schools in Georgetown, The Maha Sabha Secondary, which was located next to the Temple on Lamaha Street. My sister and I both attended this school. Today, the Sabha does not even provide a drink of water to the less fortunate, much less promote culture and Dharma!

Mr Editor, it disturbs me very much when I hear of the state of affairs of the Sabha. Such an organisation should be at the forefront of propagating Sanatan Dharma; instead, it has become a graveyard. There was a time when you could’ve sat at Jhandi Houses and, from the time the Pandit opened his mouth to speak, you would’ve known that he was from the Maha Sabha. But according to Mr Etwaroo’s letter, the priest of the Sabha can hardly understand the basics of grammar and Hindi, much less captivate an audience with his sermon! Very sad indeed.

Editor, my heart longs for the return of the good days that the Sabha once enjoyed, and the only way that can happen is if the Government takes control of the organization’s affairs. Mr. Editor, I am joining with Mr. Etwaroo in calling on Attorney General Mr. Basil Williams and the Minister of Culture, Nicolette Henry, to assist the Hindus of Guyana in regaining what was once the backbone of Hindus in Guyana. The Maha Sabha is important to the history of Guyana, and members should at least be able to attend service and listen to an informative sermon, not some rantings from an unlettered and unschooled priest.

Yours faithfully,

Kamini Jaigobind