N.J. Arya Samaj CD to boost charitable work
By Chamanlall Naipaul
Personal Assistant to President Bharrat Jagdeo, Pandit Shri Prakash Gossai, has put out a CD with a collection of bhajans (Hindu devotional songs) to help boost the charitable work of the New Jersey Arya Samaj Mandir Inc. Humanitarian Mission.
In a an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Pandit Gossai said that the New Jersey organisation requested him to compile the CD, entitled “Bhikshaa ya daan”, which comprises eleven bhajans with musical backing from Indian musicians, to help raise funds for the organisation’s charitable and humanitarian work.
Pandit Gossai indicated that he willingly consented as he is also deeply committed to humanitarian work.
However, he explained that the CD, recorded in New York about three months ago, would not be sold commercially, but instead will be distributed to organisations and individuals, soliciting donations from them which will be given to the New Jersey Arya Samaj Inc. to help carry on the charitable work begun here some three years ago.
Pandit Gossai expressed gratitude to the many organisations which have been willingly supporting the humanitarian work of the New Jersey group.
He stressed that the charitable work is not restricted to any religious or ethnic grouping, but rather is available to any person or group which is deserving of help.
Pandit Suresh Sugrim, who heads the New Jersey group, said the decision to carry out charitable work in Guyana was motivated by visits to Guyana which revealed depressed communities; the humanitarian work which began here three years ago will be an annual feature.
He added that his organisation believes in the principle of charity beginning at home.
He said the work of his organisation is supported by the Guyanese diaspora and well wishers in Europe and North America.
He also reiterated that help is not restricted to any particular group of people, but is open to all underprivileged and less fortunate persons.
“Our organisation is 100% dedicated to this worthy mission and we hope that our presence and contributions in the lives of these less fortunate children and seniors will have a profound impact. Much emphasis has been placed on educating our children academically, but sad to say we have been lacking in the theological arena. The New Jersey Arya Samaj Mandir Inc. Humanitarian Mission, with the help of all our caregivers and supporters will play a vital role in enhancing the lives of the less fortunate children in whatever way we can irrespective of cast, colour or creed.
“Together we can give back a little of what the good Lord has blessed us with so that together we can make a difference in the life of the children that have been left behind and without. The Mission also wants to provide most of the necessities that children and seniors without families need to function normally,” Pandit Sugrim revealed.
The New Jersey Arya Samaj Mandir INC. was founded 20 years ago with the sole objective of providing a common forum that would promote the Aryan/Hindu culture, and to serve the educational, cultural, religious, charitable, and social needs of the Aryan/Hindu immigrant population and others that live in New Jersey and elsewhere in the U.S., and abroad.
The organisation also eventually embarked on its Humanitarian Mission to help the less fortunate children and seniors in Guyana, and intends to expand its outreach to other countries as it’s resources increase.
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