SWAHA – Partnership for Progress

Special celebrations usually summon to the human mind a barrage of experiences and emotions. Major milestones such as anniversaries often force us to look within, reflect on our journey and assess our current position, with a view towards actualizing the attainable goals of the future. As we celebrate our twenty-second year as an incorporated organization, it is clear that SWAHA has left an indelible mark on our nation’s landscape. In fact, anyone who faithfully explores SWAHA’s contribution will undoubtedly recognize its unique role in bringing about religio-cultural changes within the Hindu community. Indeed, our Paramacharya has coined the term “enlightened ritualism” for this is the major thrust of the organization.

Who led us into this enlightened realm of existence? Who gave justification for balance between the secular and the spiritual? Bhagwaan Raam cautioned Lakshman, stating: “…Jimi PaakhandBaadTe, Gupt Hohi Sadagranth.” The Lord warned of his devotees falling prey to unholy individuals who seek to advance their own selfish causes under the guise of Hinduism. SWAHA has always sought to engender independence and foster upward spiritual mobility. With this in mind, SWAHA’s founding fathers, led by the late Shankaracharyaji, Pandit Hari Prasad and Mataji, Chandrowtie Prasad, set out to become the change agents for the evolution of Sanaatan Dharma in Trinidad and Tobago.

The organization heeded the action call popularized by Pt. Balram Persad: “The Pundits and the People working in a Partnership for Progress in the pursuit of Paramaatma.” An all-inclusive action plan was advanced to bring about spiritual illumination, enlightened ritualism, a spectrum of social services and quality education. These intrinsic seeds of thoughts coupled with the spiritual guidance of the Gurus and the tenacity of the core members of SWAHA drove the organization to the attainment of over fifteen centres and branches in Trinidad and Tobago, with affiliate branches in the United States, Canada and India.  Following closely were the establishment of four Early Childhood Care and Educational Centres, its first co-educational secondary school, SWAHA Hindu College, and most recently, the children’s home, Vishok Bhavan. SWAHA has also provided outstanding support to the Hindu community in elucidating many of the spiritual concepts and religious practices through this very medium, the longest running Hindu monthly newsletter in the Caribbean.

SWAHA does not stop here! In constantly seeking to advance, Aaagay Chalay has been a guiding philosophy. The ability to identify, analyze, formulate and formalize has now brought us to the revelation of a new initiative: the Swaha Youth Conclave. We envision this to be a youth arm of SWAHA’s hierarchy that will be charged with the responsibility of mobilizing and empowering our members so that they can move closer towards achieving their full potential. In many respects, we are seeking to promote the creation of a distinctive order of Sanaatanist Hindus – “Professional Hindus” – who are capable of meaningfully contributing towards nation building.

Indeed, SWAHA has achieved much in its twenty-two years of existence, but there is still much to be done. As we set foot into a new year, we must heed the call of Paramacharyaji whose clarion call is to continue the journey on the chariot of dharma and to do so dispassionately. Only then is victory certain.

Pt. Ishwar Madho-Maharaj