Dear Editor,
It is with sadness that Guyanese learned of the fatal accident — “Guyanese woman killed in Florida accident, husband injured” (Jun 25). Both husband (Pt Sarvo Dayal Bissoondial) and wife (Devina), as your correctly reported, are enormously popular, respected, and well-liked among Indo-Caribbean people in Florida as in New York. Their presence was felt everywhere in Florida in religious activities. They fulfilled the needs of the large community there and in neighbouring Georgia. They were very good singers and musicians. And they were known for their kindness, simplicity, and humility.
The news of the fatal accident made the rounds in the Indo-Guyanese community in New York and Florida through social media shortly after the accident long before it hit the traditional media. The accident has been the topic of conversations of various chat groups. Guyanese friends and family of the couple are in shock as they know the duo extremely well for their service to Hinduism. The death of Devina and the injury to Pandit Sarvo Dyal Bissoondial, as stated by everyone who knows them, is a major blow to the Hindu community in Florida. Her loss and his injury are major blows to the Guyanese community in America.
Sarvo and Devina are admired for their dedication and commitment in service to the Indo Caribbean public in the states of Florida and Georgia. They are well known among Hindus from Guyana, Trinidad, Jamaica, Suriname, and India; even non-Hindus who graced their havans (rituals) and kathas (pujas or jhandis) were impressed with their service and explanation of the Hindu scriptures.
Sarvo, originally from Annandale, resided in New York for a short while with friends and families before deciding to move to Florida where both he and his dharam patni (wife) served the religious needs of the large Hindu population (Arya Samajists and Sanatanists) from the Caribbean and India. They traveled from north to south Florida performing religious services. The couple was returning from a havan service when the accident occurred.
Just last month, Pt. Sarvo (as he is called and well known) was in New York to perform havans for Arya Samajists; and not surprisingly, Guyanese remember them fondly.
Yours sincerely,
Vishnu Bisram
