Dear Editor,
Pundit Prakash Gossai, formerly of Mahaica and founder of the Bhuvaneshwar mandir of Queens, was recently honoured in New York by two Members of the U.S Congress as well as by several Guyanese organizations. Gossai, who has lived in New York for over twenty years, will be re-migrating to Guyana to accept a position to serve as religious and ethnic advisor to President Jagdeo beginning this new year. Since he is leaving New York, Guyanese community leaders decided to honour him for his spiritual, cultural, humanitarian, and social work. They showered accolades and honoured the popular pundit at several events for his commitment and dedication in service to Guyanese and other nationals in America.
Gossai is an accomplished spiritual and community leader in New York. He is also an outstanding singer and exponent of the Hindu scriptures and a respected academic. Gossai is a graduate of U.G in Biology and worked at GPC as well as at the labs at Georgetown Hospital before migrating to New York. He worked as a teacher for several years before committing his life full time to panditai.
In addition to serving Guyanese in America, Gossai has frequently traveled to Jamaica, Canada, Guyana and Trinidad conducting discourses on the Hindu scriptures. He studied Hinduism in India which he recently re-visited and was honoured by various organizations.
Gossai received an award from the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin at the posh Jewels of India restaurant in Long Island. Republican Congressman Peter King of Long Island presented him with a Congressional Honor congratulating “Shri Prakash Gossai for his remarkable achievements so far, and look forward to receiving more exciting news on the many productive years ahead.” And last Sunday at the mandir in Queens, Gossai received an honour from Democratic Congressman Gary Ackerman applauding “Shri Prakash Gossai for serving the members of his New York community with great distinction and deserving our sincerest appreciation and thanks”. Gary Ackerman declared January Dec 31, to be Shri Prakash Gossai Day in the Fifth Congressional District of New York”. Gossai also received honours from groups in Toronto and New York.
In accepting the various honours conferred upon him, Gossai said
“I accept them on behalf of my followers and supporters who help to make me what I am”.
At one point, Gossai was overwhelmed with emotion and pledged to perform in his new job with excellence. He said he would try his utmost best to live up to people’s expectations. Gossai thanked Dr. Tara Singh, community leader Ramesh Kalicharran, and others who planned the events honouring him. He expressed his greatest appreciation to those who showered praises on him.
Yours faithfully,
Vishnu Bisram
