Dear Editor,
Ashok Singhal, an iconic Hindu Leader, who had deep admiration for Indo-Guyanese and other Indo-Caribbean people has passed on. Singhal-ji, held in great esteem by Hindus worldwide, was felicitated at the Guyanese Surya Narayan Mandir in Jamaica, New York, mid-September. He was also honoured by Guyanese at other temples in recent years. He died on Tuesday at a hospital in Gurgaon, India.
Singhal, 89, served for 20 years as the International President of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad that was founded by a Trinidadian Member of Parliament during the 1960s when he visited and lived in India. The VHP has branches in several countries including Trinidad and the US where many Guyanese are members and followers.
Singhal, who partook in India’s freedom struggle as a youth, often visited Guyanese and Trini Temples during his visits in the greater New York area.
He also visited the Caribbean several times. In his various appearances at Indo-Caribbean gatherings in America, he showered glowing tributes on Indo-Caribbean people for holding on to their culture some 175 years after leaving India.
He spoke at the Surya Narayan Mandir just before returning to New Delhi where he makes his home. He visited Guyana several years ago.
Tributes poured in from around the globe including from Guyanese pandits in New York.
Ashok Singhal was called a ‘Raj Purush’ (statesman) by Guyanese Hindu community leaders. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described his death as “a deep personal loss.” Modi said Singhal was an institution centred on serving the nation and the Indian diaspora although he was not a politician. Singhal lived the life of a bachelor committed to seva (serving others).
Another Indian national, Narain Kataria, who showered accolades on Indo-Caribbeans for holding on to their culture also passed away recently. Kataria-ji was 85. He was an institution in the Asian Indian community. He offered support and encouragement to Guyanese in the struggle against the dictatorship. He attended several events organized by Guyanese. He was among a small working group of Indian nationals who collaborated closely on various projects with Indo-Guyanese in Queens where he made his home.
He would lead a large team of participants at the annual Phagwah celebrations held in Richmond Hill and at other events organized by Indo-Caribbeans.
Like Singhal, Kataria was effusive in his praise of Guyanese for their Indian cultural retention.
Kataria was founder of the Indian American Intellectuals Forum. He was also a relentless organizer on India related activities and a regular participant at the annual Diwali celebrations at South Street Seaport and the India Day parade. He was the guiding hand behind several organizations and events, including the Inter-national annual Hindu Unity Day held in Queens over the last 20 years in which Guyanese were active participants.
Many Guyanese and other Indo-Caribbean people attended his funeral service in Long Island last week.
Both Indian leaders will be sorely missed.
Yours faithfully,
Vishnu Bisram
