Dharma Mandal
Paramacharya Pt. Hardeo Persad
Paramacharya Pt. Hardeo Persad, Spiritual Head of SWAHA International marked his fiftieth year as a practicing pundit in August 2017. For over five decades, this illustrious Hindu priest, teacher, mentor and spiritual guide has been actively involved in the religious, educational, socio-civic and physical spheres of development, both locally and internationally. This altruistic servant-leader has been walking on the path of advancement of human aspirations unceasingly, nurturing and advancing the welfare of others, without any expectation of reciprocity.
From infancy, the child Hardeo, the first son of Shankaracharya Pt. Hari Prasad and Mrs.Chandrawtie Persad, was deeply inspired by his illustrious father, and wanted to be a pundit of his ilk. As he grew up, this spark was further ignited by the training he received from his Guru, the late Pt Ramchandra Maharaj. The eager student embarked on formal training in punditai (field of service of a Hindu priest) alongside his pursuit of secular education and embraced his calling with pride, enthusiasm and courage.
In August 1967, he conducted his first puja, marking the formal commencement of his service as a pundit. This step also meant his initiation into active Hindu religious services where he began distinguishing himself as an inspiring force for enlightenment. This later blossomed into an intense commitment and dedication to the strengthening of the religious, spiritual, moral and ethical ideals of Sanatan Dharma in a changing environment.
During his 25 years as a secondary school Mathematics teacher, his humane and philanthropic manner in handling students’ issues impacted positively on their lives and earned him their deepest respect and gratitude.
With the formation of SWAHA in 1993, many large-scale service-oriented projects were initiated that impacted positively on the national landscape. Today, the nation has been enriched with the establishment of SWAHA ECCE centres, primary and secondary educational institutions, a Children’s Home and growing religious centres and branches spread across the length and breadth of country.
Punditji assumed the position of Paramacharya, Spiritual Head of SWAHA in 2008, on the passing of the Shankaracharya. The tremendous impact he has created in different areas amidst varying cultures has positively influenced the lives of many. . He saw leadership as a privilege to improve the lives of others Today, Paramacharya is the Guru of over ten thousand shishyas (students initiated by Guru).
The straightforward, refreshing views of Paramacharya on topical issues have been frequently sought and publicly expressed on national media. These views are reflective of his depth and clarity of thought. Not only is he a visionary leader but also, a principal agent of change. His five-decade experience of walking the talk has gifted him with a voice that expresses the depths of Hinduism. The resounding success of his recent publication, ‘What You Need to Know About Hindu Death Ceremonies’ is a clear indication that Paramacharya is indeed a game-changer. Today, his suggestions for modifications to rituals are gradually being embraced by Hindus.
As Paramacharya marks his golden anniversary in active service of punditai, he continues to labour in his down-to-earth manner. He is a true soldier of Sanatan Dharma, an individual who serves a cause greater than himself.
Pt. Balram Persad
Pt. Balram Persad was born in 1952 and is the 2nd son of the Shankaracharya Pt. Hari Prasad and Mataji Chandrawati Prasad. His academic studies began at Aranguez Hindu School and then El Socorro North Government School where he successfully wrote the Common Entrance Exam passing for St. Georges College. He later went on to write his Cambridge examinations at Queens Royal College in French, Spanish and Latin. Having a passion for the languages, he completed a double major in Spanish and History at the University of the West Indies and Post Graduate studies obtaining the Executive Diploma in School Management and Leadership.
Pt. Balram’s contribution to education has been tremendous having commenced his teacher career in Spanish and History at the Arima Secondary School in 1974. A short five years later, he moved on to the Aranguez Junior Secondary School where he eventually assumed the position of Vice Principal (Ag.) in 1999. In the year 2000, his vision for the expansion of education in SWAHA became a reality. He took on the leadership role of Principal of SWAHA Hindu College in 2001, transforming it into a premier school of choice. He now serves as the Principal of Tulsi Manas Primary School.
Pt. Balram Persad commenced his training as a Pandit at a very tender age through the tutelage of his father, Pt. Hari Prasad. He has served over fifty-five years as a Pandit in Trinidad and abroad and is currently the Spiritual Leader of SWAHA Om Shakti Mandali, SWAHA Tulsi Manas Mandir and SWAHA Kashi Vishwanath Mandir. He also served as the Spiritual Leader of the UWI Hindu Society for just over a decade.
He is married to Shrimati Nalini Persad and is the proud father of six children, Ambika Maharaj, Swastika Persad-Dubay, Chandika Ganesh, Pt. Vasistha Persad, Pt. Varistha Persad and Pt. Vinayak Persad and the grandfather of eleven.
Pt. Prof. Prakash Persad
Professor Pt. Prakash Persad, senior pundit of Dharma Mandal, is the Spiritual Leader of Divya Ashram, Preysal. He is a professor of Mechatronics at the University of Trinidad and Tobago. Professor Persad is a member of the Caribbean Academy of Sciences, the Association of Professional Engineers of Trinidad and Tobago, the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers and Director of the International Society for Productivity Enhancement.
Pt. Gyandeo Persad
Pt Gyandeo Persad, Chairman of the Dharma Mandal, is the Spiritual Leader of Sukh Shanti Bhakti Mandali and Dharma Jyot Mandali. He is the holder of a Bachelor of Arts degree with first class honours in Languages as well as Diploma in Education from the University of the West Indies. He has also completed studies at Indian tertiary institutions, having won two scholarships in Hindi. Pt Gyandeo served as Principal of SWAHA Hindu College, a post from which he retired in 2016. He is the composer of the SWAHA Geet and the SWAHA Chaaleesaa.
Pt. Maniedeo Persad
Pundit Maniedeo Persad FLMI(Dist.), ACII was born in 1962, the fifth son of the Shankarachaya Pundit Hari Prasad and Mataji Chandrawti Prasad.
Academically he is the holder of two professional qualifications in insurance and is the founder and Managing Director of EKTA Group of Companies and the Founder and Managing Director of SWAHA Media Ltd which holds the Concession for ieTV. He negotiated and managed the acquisition of the media house in 2017 and has also created ieRADIO an internet radio station as the sister Company to ieTV.
He started Punditai practice from the age of 15 and has completed over 40 years’ service in the Hindu Community to date. He is one of the Founding Directors of SWAHA Inc and has served in many capacities on the Board of SWAHA and in National Committees over the years particularly in Finance, Administration and Media. He is the creator of many programmes on Hinduism for Radio and Television and created the SWAHA TV Series since inception in 1990. He has also written a book on the worship of Lord Ganesh which is used in the Sri Ganesh Festival worship.
In 1999, he founded the Sri Ganesh Festival Committee serving as Chairman has developed celebrations in the West. He is also the Founder and Chairman of the International Gita Forum which was started in 2012 and annually has participation from India and diaspora countries.
Pundit Maniedeo Persad is the Founder and Spiritual Leader of SWAHA Sri Raam Dhaam a four storey Hindu Complex on St Lucien Road Diego Martin. He has served as a Government Senator during the Seventh and Eight Parliaments of Trinidad and Tobago. In 2003 he was appointed as Trinidad and Tobago’s High Commissioner to the Republic of India with concurrent accreditation to Japan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Indonesia resident in New Delhi India until 2010.
Pt Maniedeo is married to Rohini Persad with two children Kalyaani Vaani Persad and Pundit Kavish Veda Persad.
Pt. Sondath Maharaj
A senior member of the Dharma Mandal, Pt Somdath Maharaj has over four decades of experience in the priesthood, ministering to the needs of devotees across the length and breadth of Trinidad. He is the son-in-law of the Shankaracharya of SWAHA, His Holiness Pt Hari Prasad.
Pt. Umadutt Maharaj
A member of the Dharma Mandal, Pt Umadutt Maharaj is the Spiritual Leader of SWAHA Gyaan Bhakti Mandali of California, SWAHA Bhakti Jyot of Aranjuez and SWAHA Sanatan Brahm of Gasparillo. He is also the current President of SWAHA and Director of Sports.
Pt. Jaidath Maharaj
A member of the Dharma Mandal, Pt. Jaidath Maharaj is the spiritual leader of the SWAHA Gyaan Jyoti Mandali and a director of SWAHA . He is a also a director of SWAHA Media. He holds an undergraduate degree in accounting, a post graduate diploma in education administration and a Master of Education with distinction in the area of curriculum development. He currently holds the position of Manager, Quality at the Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business, University of the West Indies
Pt. Ishwar Madho Maharaj
Pt. Ishwar Madho Maharaj is the eldest son of the late Pt. Mohan Madho and Mrs. Tara Madho Maharaj. He holds a M.Sc. and a Postgraduate Dip. in Education. Currently Pt. Ishwar is the Acting Principal of SWAHA Hindu College. He is attached to SWAHA Tulsi Manas Mandir and the Longdenville Hindu Mandir. In addition, Pt. Ishwar is also the Secretary of the Dharma Mandal.
Dharma Sansad
Pt. Artma Persad
Pt. Dave Maharaj
Pt. Dharamraj Maharaj
Pt. Harnarine Maharaj
Pt. Khemraj Rampersad
Pt. Lakhram Bisram
Pt. Dr. Lomas Persad
Pundit Dr. Lomas is grandson of the late Shankaracharya of SWAHA, Pandit Hari Prasad and Shrimati Mataji, Chandrowtie Prasad. Pundit Lomas is the second son of pundit Gyandeo and Mrs. Judy Persad. Pt. Lomas is the vice president of SWAHA and the assistant spiritual leader of Sukh Shanti Bhakti Mandali. His contributions include providing religious programming for the Hindu community.
Pt. Lomas graduated with first class honours from the University of the West Indies where he attained a scholarship to study at Imperial College London. At Imperial College London he completed his Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering and M.Sc. in Advanced Mechanical Engineering. After completing his Ph.D. pundit Lomas taught at the University of Trinidad and Tobago. Currently he is based in Minnesota where he works as a researcher at Mayo Clinic. His interest lies in applied biomechanics and how research can drive improvements in the quality of life for disabled individuals. Pt. Lomas entered the Grihastha Ashram in 2019 after marrying Dr. Valishti Pundit, daughter of Pt. Bhaskaranand Pundit and Mrs. Vashti Pundit.
Pt. Rabidutt Maharaj
Pt. Shyam Gosine
Pt. Rajendra Persad
Pt. Rajiv Maharaj
Pt. Shammi Maharaj
Pt. Umesh Persad
Pt. Varistha Persad
Pt. Varistha Persad,
BA (HONS), PgDip Ed, MA (UWI)
TIII (Ministry of Education) Trinidad and Tobago
OCT (Ontario College of Teachers) Canada
Pundit Varistha Persad was born in 1989 and is one of the twin sons (fifth of six children) of Pundit Balram and Mrs. Nalini Persad. Academically, he is the holder of a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Language, Literature and Education (HONS); a Master of Arts degree in Literatures in English and a Postgraduate Diploma in Education in Secondary Education and Teaching from the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus. He has contributed to literary research and scholarship at the postgraduate level, even being published for his work on postmodernism and Caribbean literature.
In 2012, at the age of twenty-three (23), assessed as a T(III) in the subject areas of Secondary English and Literature, he began his teaching career at the Swaha Hindu College employed with the Ministry of Education in Trinidad and Tobago until tendering his resignation in 2018. In this same year, he transitioned to Ontario, Canada as a licensed teacher by the Ontario College of Teachers and employed with the Durham District School Board. In addition to teaching in public school, his skills and knowledge as a Caribbean academic and teacher made him highly sought after by private Employers in Education. As a result, he taught University preparation courses (Grade 11 and Grade 12) at Mississauga Secondary Academy (MSA) in Mississauga, Blyth Academy in Yorkville, Toronto and, Ontario Virtual School (OVS) in North York, Ontario. He now spends his time between Trinidad and Canada.
In 2014, at the age of twenty-five (25), he entered the Grihastha ashram by marrying Anesha Sharma, the granddaughter of the late Pundit Tulsidas Sharma and is now the proud father of three children-Ambi Persad, Aarav Persad and Aanav Persad.
Pt. Vasistha Persad
Pt. Vinayak Persad
Deceased
Shankaracharya Pt. Hari Persad
Pt. Parmanand Persad
Pt. Prof. Laxminarayan Sharma
Pt. Kisoon Maharaj