Hindu leader: Don’t get carried away by power

Spiritual head of SWAHA International Paramachyra, Pundit Hardeo Persad, opened the National Council of Indian Culture’s (NCIC) nine night Divali Nagar on Monday evening with a warning to politicians not to be carried away by the power of their positions and become corrupt and confused.

Delivering the feature address, Pt Persad advised politicians to adhere to the spiritual teachings of Hinduism which are truth and good conduct in daily life. He noted that some start with very simple means, but when they are elevated financially and to the corridors of power, they become corrupted and confused.

Enlightening the audience on the spiritual teachings and values of Hinduism which he said is not only for Hindus but for all of mankind, Pt Persad said it is desire that binds us and he advised the audience to use the sword, which symbolizes contentment, to get rid of desire.

He also turned his attention to the extortion and bullying at Siparia West Secondary blaming a lack of spirituality for the wave of violence pervading society, both in and outside of schools.

“We are seeing, making the round on social media, children bullying others. One boy beating another...big argument. What is causing all this? What is causing people to slit the throats of young children and aged people? What is causing this degradation and disillusion in society,” he asked.

“Spirituality or a lack of it. A lack of spirituality,” he offered as the reason. He urged the audience which included Ag Indian High Commissioner Raj Kamal, Senator Avinash Singh, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Community Development Angela Edwards, FCB CEO Karen Darbasie and NCIC president Dr Deokinanan Sharma, to teach their children proper values.

CEO of First Citizens Bank Karen Darbasie brought greetings on the occasion, saying Divali is an example of how the religion is woven into the cultural fabric of TT. Angela Edwards, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts also brought greetings on behalf of Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby Dolly, who was engaged in the budget debate in the Parliament.

Edwards expressed appreciation for the work the NCIC has been doing for the past 31 years. She also paid tribute to Ravi Ji, for his involvement in the ministry’s Mentoring by the Masters Programme , for his invaluable contribution to ensure the continuity of the tradition by the future generation. Divali Nagar will end on October 17.