Berbice Hindu Milan brings together various denominations

Hindus from various organizations in Berbice came out in large numbers to be part of the first ever Berbice Hindu Milan at the Albion Sports Complex Ground recently.

Part of the gathering
Part of the gathering

Coordinator, Sandra Sankar told Stabroek News that the response to the three-day event was tremendous and Hindus in Berbice are calling for it to be an annual feature.

The Milan was organized by a group of businesspersons including Poonai Bhigroop, Balram Shane, Dr V. Narine, Dr Veerasammy Ramayya, Mahendra Jeebodh, Mukesh Persaud, Veditah Ganesh and Ramoo’s Funeral Parlour following inter-religious dialogue with Bishop Juan Edghill of the Ethnic Relations Commis-sion.

Shri Prakash Gossai was also a main feature at the event which also saw Swami Aksharananda, Jairam Petam, and Pandits Ravi, Bud, Krishna, Shaam and Danesar in attendance.

Prime Minister Sam Hinds who represented the government and Regional
Chairman, Zulfikar Mustapha also addressed the gathering.

Sankar was proud that for the first time the Arya Samaj, the Hare Krishna movement, the Divya Jyotie Gratie Sansthan and the Art of Living organization linked hands to bring forth an event of that magnitude in Berbice.

She said the Albion Complex was transformed into a “place of pilgrimage” and a “heavenly atmosphere” with songs, skits, dances, the Ramayan, bhajans and chants along with speeches and a multi Hawan Kundh (fire sacrifice) on the final day.

Prakash Gossai at the event
Prakash Gossai at the event

Over 160 Kundas were set up and prayers were conducted simultaneously,” Sankar said. Following this, the attendees were entertained with cultural items. The programme was highly publicized through local television advertisements as well as a live call-in television programme the evening before the grand occasion.