Dear Editor,
Over the last few days, several letters have flooded the press, expressing the view that the Maha Sabha has become dysfunctional and its priest is somewhat deemed unfit for the position he currently holds as priest-in-charge of the said organisation.
Mr Editor, I wish to rebuke and debunk all the negative and incorrect statements issued by those individuals. The Maha Sabha is strong and well. Like every other functioning organization, the Maha Sabha has several internal problems, but I see no reason why these problems should be highlighted in the media.
If persons have suggestions to make, then the Sabha welcomes such, but we would not tolerate persons who seem to have several ulterior motives to tarnish the reputation of our prestigious organisation.
Editor, I grew up within the environs of the Sabha, and, over the years, I am witness to tremendous service that the Sabha does for Hindus all over Guyana. My advice to these persons – all of whom seem hell bent on painting a bad picture of the Sabha – is why not come on board and lend your expertise?
So far, I have never seen or heard of any of them at any of the Sabha’s outreach programmes, or any other event facilitated by the Sabha. So far, all that I’m getting from these individuals are the bitterness and resentment that have probably been locked away within them for many years. Instead of doing nothing but criticising and hiding behind your pens, come forward and get in the action. That’s what the Hindus of this country need, not another critic!
Editor, in terms of the priest of the Sabha, I have had the distinguished honour of watching him grow into a defender of our faith and a gem of sanatan dharma. Our priest is a young and industrious individual, and like many of us youths, his journey on the path of becoming a pandit has not been easy. Yet he picked up the reins of the Sabha at the tender age of nineteen, at a time when the Sabha was without a priest, and has since overseen several projects, including erection of the Sabha’s multi-million-dollar complex located on Lamaha Street.
Editor, our priest is not perfect, but he has made several efforts of his own to reach out towards his fellow Hindu brothers and sisters, to give and lend a helping hand to anyone he comes across. We definitely need more like him in Guyana. We at the Sabha stand firm: we will not give up our young priest for anyone else. Instead, we will work with him and ensure that he grows.
Finally, I would like to pose a question to all those persons who are using their pens as weapons against someone who does much for his religion. What have you done so far to uphold your dharma? Does it benefit the common Hindu out there when you sit behind your fancy degrees and doctorates and lambaste a pandit?
Instead, I urge you to use your education, use your cutting edge intellect, to inspire change for the Hindus. It was Ghandhiji who once said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world”. Stop fighting down those who are trying, and start making a change.
Long live the Maha Sabha!
Yours faithfully,
Pandit Yogeshwar
Mathoo, B sc Soc
