Dear Editor,
I am responding to the release from the Office of the President by Permanent Secretary Dr Gopaul (SN Jan 11) regarding Pundit Prakash Gossai’s recent appointment. I penned a letter about the plaudits Gossai received in New York (SN Jan 6). I wrote Gossai was leaving NY to serve the government as a religious and ethnic advisor. It was not my intention to be “mischievous or to provide misinformation” but to salute an outstanding leader of the Guyanese community in America for his ascension to higher office and his overall achievement. Gossai did not say he would be a religious advisor. He only indicated he would be assisting the President. It was assumed by many at the mandir and at the dinner recognizing Gossai (for his contributions to Guyanese-Americans) that his role would be advising the President about religious affairs.
I should not have accepted the assumption put forward by many of his ardent followers. I deeply regret my faux pas and the problems or controversy resulting from the letter especially the Peeping Tom commentary (Kaieteur News Jan 9). My apology to the President and Dr Gopaul for turning a good appointment into an unnecessary controversy.
I know Gossai quite well as a pundit, singer and academic. I am confident he will be an asset to the President and people of Guyana. He is a successful preacher who pulls huge crowds wherever he goes. I should note that at the mandir, when asked if they support Gossai returning to Guyana to assist the President, only about 25 out of 600 people raised their hands or about 4%. That is just an indication of his popularity and likeability. Few can expound on the Hindu scriptures like him. And fewer can sing like him. New Yorkers, Canadians, and others don’t want him to leave them. Their loss is Guyana’s gain.
Yours faithfully,
Vishnu Bisram
