“Look Bhai Girish Ji here is my old home where I stayed many times.” It was a federal building and detention center where Pandit Ram Lall Ji was kept for many years. Pandit Ram Lall Ji fought for the independence of Guyana. British Government found him so dangerous to their empire that they jailed him in 1966. He was granted ‘Pardon” and released on 26th May, 1966 only after Guyana was a free country.

More than 500 people went to Guyana from America and Canada and different parts of the world to pay their tribute to Arya Samaj and their stalwart leaders like Bhai Parma Nand ji, Prof. Bhaskaranand, Swami Ved Bharati (Pt. Usharbudh Arya), Mehta Jemini Ji, Pt. Ayodhya Pradas Ji and many more unnamed heroes who spread the Vedic message of Arya Samaj in the Caribbean countries.

On 7th August, 2010, Guyana Central Samaj Georgetown was decorated with Flowers and Om Jhandas. All streats leading to the Arya Samaj were oranted with orange glory flags of Aum.

The chief guest, Hon. Prime Minister of Guyana, Mr. Sam Hinds launched the function. He appreciated the contribution Arya Samaj and its leaders had made for the freedom and development in Guyana.

From North America, Dr. S.C.Soni (Patron Arya Pratinidhi Sabha America), Dr. Satish Prakash (Founder Acharya Maharishi Dayanand Gurukul), Mr. Anand Rupnarine (Trustee Vedic culture Centre Canada), Dr.Awaditya Mahadeo (Canada), Pandit Harpal Rajpal (Canada), Pandit Suresh Sugrim (President Humanitarian Mission New Jersey), Bahan Davi Lakhnath (Arya Spiritual Centre NY), Mrs. Sumitra Ali (NY), Dr. Kusumita Pederson (Prof. of Sociology & Religious Studies, St. Francis College Brooklyn, NY) and Arya Pathik Vaan Prasth, Girish C. Khosla along with many more guests were present to mark the 100 Years of Arya Samaj in Guyana.

Local dignitaries including Mr. William (Commissioner of Ethnic Relations), Mr. Hamilton Green (Mayor of Georgetown), Pt. Ripudaman Persaud (MP), Mr. Khem Raj Ramtjattan (MP), Dr. Vishawa D B Mahadeo, (MP), Mr. Moti Lal (MP) and many more senior officials representing the Guyanese government graced the occasion. Many prominent business leaders including industrialist also joined the celebration.

The atmosphere was so joyful and emotional. After many years all new and old members of a big family Arya Samaj were greeting and hugging and remembering old days.

It was a scene of religious harmony, Pt. Ripudaman Persaud (Sanatan Dharma Sabha), Reverend of Christian Community and Mr. Roshan Khan of Muslim Community paid tribute to Arya Samaj. It was revealed that Roshan was the student of Pandit Ram Lall. Pandit ji has given name Kamal Krishan Lall.

A big group from Holland and neighboring Suriname came to represent their countries. Pandit Deva Nand Bhagelu, Dr. Dev Sharman, Pandit Goverdhan, Mrs. Tara Sukhoo and many more.

VEDIC INSTITUTE

Pandit Ram Lall ji has established an ashram at Kersaint Park LBI. He has a rich Library and guest house where all the missionaries and preachers live there for short and long time. A ashram consist of a big Hall, Dining Room, A modern well equipped kitchen and 5 bed rooms.

ARYA VIR DAL AT 71 VILLAGE

The well-known Vedic scholar, Dr. Satish Prakash Darshancharya of Maharishi Dayanand Gurukul of New York has arranged Arya Vir Dal Camp for 5 days. The camp had reminiscence of the olden days of Pandit Usharbudh. In the evening a big procession with band, candle light march and Bhajans on loud speaker attracted the whole village. After the Yatra, every one gathered in a big ground where Pandit Ram Lall ji and Pandit Hari Dev Ji Gopi remembered the good old days of 1956. More than 250 boys and girls attended the camp with all kind of spiritual and physical activities.

I felt so proud to see the organizational capacity, zeal and enthusiasm of Dr. Satish. Dr. Soni, Bahan Sati Gurdial (former Gen. Secretary APSA), Mr. Anand (Canada) and many more attended. An audio compact disc named Atam Geet, Part 5 and Manav Dharm were also released.

There are 34 active Arya Samajs Mandir in Berbice. While driving from Georgetown, one could see that Arya Samaj has made impact on Guyana economics and social life. Many Arya Bandhus have migrated to North America; still many Indians are holding big official posts in Guyana. Justice Prem Prakash is a very reputed leader in Guyana. After retiring from High court he has been serving many government and social organizations. While touring Guyana we visited several Arya Samaj Mandirs in all parts of Guyana. Some of them are very historical.

Pandit Suresh Sugrim of Arya Samaj New Jersey is playing a tremendous role of helping the unprivileged through a humanitarian mission.

The first President of Guayana, Late Dr. Cheddi Jagan was the active worker of Arya Vir Dal. We had seen many pictures with Pandit Ram Lall Ji. On centenary occasion Pandit Ram Lall ji & Dr. Soni presented a beautiful statue of Dr. Jagan to the Prime Minister.

United Arya Samaj Foundation of New York had posted many sign boards around to commemorate 100 years of Arya Samajs in different places.

SURINAME

After the function, Pandit Ram Lall ji took us to Suriname. It was a 25 minutes boat ride to Nickerie. We were impressed to the impact and influence of Pandit ji. They have beautiful Sanatan & Arya Samaj Mandirs all over. Everyone was instating him to visit their places. Pandit Ji was invited to give a 30 minutes live TV talk, which was telecasted same evening.

Many industrialists like Boyhe & Tara Soekhoe, N.V.Balie and other invited us to show their factories.

Visiting Guyana and Suriname has been a tremendous experience. I am thankful for all the Arya Bandhus for their hospitality. vvv