Dear Editor,
It was a solemn afternoon as mourners flocked the Grace Funeral Home on Conduit and Pitkin Ave in Queens on Tuesday, June 16, to view the body of a great spiritual and academic leader – Shri Prakash Gossai.
The demise of Shri Prakashji, or Guruji, as he is fondly called by his disciples, brought shock to many around the world. Many would have loved to come to New York to pay their final respects to this great Hindu icon, but many challenges prevented them from doing so.
At the funeral home devotees sang religious songs, while many mourners carried a somber expression as they joined the line to view the body. They openly expressed their disbelief that he was so young when he died. They said he was a great man, and they would miss his singing and presence at the mandir, etc.
His children and other family members sat quietly in front of the funeral home as they recollected what an extraordinary man he was for them and the Hindu world. Many pundits, including Pt Rajin Balgobin were present, and they remembered what Shri Prakash Gossai had accomplished as a great ambassador for Hinduism.
Popular Muslim missionary Haji Jakir echoed the call for unity among the religious denominations.
He said Shri Prakash Gossai was a true friend and brother to him as both of them would grace each other’s religious celebrations, and he would like to see his legacy live on.
Television sets were mounted on the walls of different chapels to broadcast the proceedings as hundreds of people continued to arrive at the funeral home.
Yours faithfully,
Danny Basil
That’s Haji Zakir… and teh good Haji loves the spotlight.
I don’t know much except what I read about the Pandit. He seems to have a lot of people who believe in him and also some detractors. In death however, we remember the good and pray for the soul deceased.
Now, Mr. Basil, please forgive me if I am wrong, but your letter…well sounds a lot like what a certain Bisram would write, except that his is usually longer. Are you guys related?
No,we are not related but i wrote what i saw.Moment like these people express emotion coupled with sincerity,not greed and one sidedness.Our revered Guru was an inspiration to millions around the world and he did it out of love for his culture and religion.In a lifetime we would not find a replacement.
Okay. I then take back my last comment.
Based on what I have read, the respected Pandit seems to have been a good spiritual leader.
In Toronto here, we lovingly call him the ‘Pope’ of Hindu Religion in the West.
He was a great man – affable, humble, loving, kind, encouraging, etc., etc.
And we will miss him dearly.
RIP, our cherished one.
Sri Prakash Gossia, a great person of our time. He was a son, a brother, a father and a teacher. Guru’s teaching was his passion and it was so natural with all ages. Sri Prakash has such sweet melodious voice not only when he sang but when he spoke as well. Knowing him from childhood going to different mandirs, poojas, yagnas and other religious functions, listening to him reading from the Ramayan was a blessing. My family was so fortunate to have met with him recently after such a long time. The hindu/Guyanese community at large and throughout will forever embraces your teaching and you will always live on through your recordings and literatures. Rest in peace with the blessings of Sri Ram, Lakshman and Seeta – Jai Hanuman
Shivanie, you forgot “Good Husband”, how come? tsk, tsk. Wa happen? sweetgeorgia peach.