Celebrating SWAHA’s 31st Anniversary

It was 31 years ago that the illustrious Shankaracharyaji, Pt. Hari Prasad declared SWAHA an official entity. On April 15, 1993, SWAHA was incorporated and began operation as a Hindu-based, nonprofit, humanitarian organisation. Its aim was to cater to, care for and provide for the multiple needs of the Trinidad and Tobago community, both on local and foreign grounds. The late Shankaracharyaji identified and heeded a call for change among Hindu Sanaatanists.

The name SWAHA means ‘offering’, which captures the ethos of working selflessly to uplift the nationals of Trinidad and Tobago and, by extension, the global family. Since its first offerings into the fire of sacrifice of this Maatri-bhoomi, the Motherland, 31 years ago, SWAHA has walked a long road of achievement.

Today, through the medium of its centres, branches, affiliates and other service-oriented institutions, SWAHA is able to fulfil its mandate. Additionally, SWAHA’s strengthened infusion of philosophy and enhanced focus on enlightened ritualism have created a heightened awareness of facets of Sanaatan Dharma among Hindus. Evidence of this is seen in SWAHA’s Ganesh Utsav, Kartik Nahaan, Phagwa, SWAHA Gita Forum, Ramleela festivities as well as the Swadeshi competition,  which have taken on new dimensions and have evoked renewed interest among Hindus. This year, the Swadeshi competition will be held at SWAHA Sukh Shanti Bhakti Mandir on May 19th from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. The Swadeshi prize giving and annual awards ceremony will take place at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Cultural Co-operation.

In the sphere of education, SWAHA has made several strides with the establishment of its ECCE centres, private primary and secondary schools. In fact, SWAHA Hindu College is well on its way to achieving premier status among secondary schools, not just in the north eastern educational division, but also countrywide. Academic excellence has always been the hallmark of this unique institution, so much so that within the last few years the school has acquired many national titles, among them, national scholarship winners and top placements in the Caribbean in CAPE exams.

The opening of SWAHA’s Vishok Bhavan Children’s Home in 2008 was SWAHA’s commitment to the wellbeing of the children in the national community in the area of social services, with special emphasis on child development and human preservation.

Tribute must be paid to those whose input, help and support played a significant role in the journey thus far. Firstly, nothing would have come to fruition without the perception and insight of the Shankaracharyaji, through whose spiritual acumen SWAHA was born and has flourished ever since. Tribute must also be paid to the former pundits who have all greatly contributed to the shaping of the organisation. Gratitude must also be expressed to all who have supported the various programmes, financially and otherwise.

As the organisation sets foot into its fourth decade of existence under the spiritual stewardship of His Holiness Paramacharyaji, Pundit Hardeo Persad, SWAHA moves forward with determination and perseverance to expand the scope and reach of its many programmes aimed at building communities, the society and, by extension, a better Trinidad and Tobago.