SWAHA members engaged in Team-building exercise with facilitator Pt Jaidath Maharaj.
‘’Do not become psychological antiques,” was the stirring plea of Upa-Paramacharya Pt Balram Persad, as he called on the members of all SWAHA institutions to be pro-active and transform their temples into laboratories where activities, research and experimentation can be carried out and where they can become the dynamic heart-beats of communities.
Punditji was addressing delegates of the first quarterly conference of SWAHA for the year 2013 which was held at the hospitality Room of Divali Nagar, Chaguanas. In celebration of SWAHA’s twentieth anniversary, present and past executives of the different centres and branches were advised to consider their responsibilities as sacred, as sacrifice, as service to others, as playing important roles in the development of their temples, schools, community and ultimately, our country. The path of ‘paropkaar’ ( service to humanity) was the suggested path which has immeasurable benefits.
An orientation segment formed an integral part of the conference, which saw incoming executive members groomed into their new roles and responsibilities at different levels of operations at their institutions and committees. Facilitated by Vice president , Arjoon Daniel, members were reminded of the strong base that bore the foundation blocks of the organization. In tracing the history of SWAHA, Mr Daniel laid bare the hopes and aspirations of the founding father, His Holiness Shankaracharyaji Pt Hari Prasad, hopes that were rooted in enlightened ritualism.
In his report, President of SWAHA, Pt Jaidath Maharaj gave an overview of the successes of the past year which saw an overall increase in participation and attendance at SWAHA functions, as well as the hosting of the first International Forum on the Bhagavad Gita. He urged delegates present to look to the future, to build the organization by contributing to the enlightenment and transformation of the society.
Pt Maharaj later conducted a ‘Team-building’ workshop that brought out many issues and solutions at in an interactive and innovative manner.
Briefly addressing the conference were other Directors of SWAHA, Prof. Pt. Prakash Persad, Pt. Maniedeo Persad and Pt. Gyandeo Persad. They all offered words of motivation indicating that after twenty years SWAHA has achieved magnificence. With still much to do, and with intensified efforts at addressing oneself at the feet of the Lord, further improvements will surely be made in time to come.
Plans for the year were outlined by Heads of the various National Committees. Among those listed were initiatives that will see a more intensified effort at engaging the attention of the young Hindus of our land. These include a Drama component of the annual scriptural quiz, the production of a digital album in the Swadeshi competition to commemorate our twentieth anniversary and the annual May Fiesta.
As the conference concluded, all members left with a rejuvenated spirit of vitality and enthusiasm , with a greater sense of commitment to be a part of the process-building that will bring value to self, community and nation.
