Indian High Commissioner urges youths to preserve their culture

book-1Georgetown: India’s High Commissioner to Guyana, Venkatachalam Mahalingam on Sunday urged youths at the Guyana Sevashram Sangha (Cove and John Ashram) to preserve the Indian culture and not to forget the many struggles their ancestors went through.

Mahalingam was at the time visiting the Ashram (located some 15 miles from Georgetown) for the first time. In his address, he said that he was impressed with the pristine and clean environment of the Ashram. Speaking directly to the youths, he urged them to read more and enhance their knowledge about their ancestors, cultures and traditions.

The Ambassador also donated 240 books which will be placed at the Ashram’s Library and used by students of the Hindu College. During the presentation, he expressed that he was blessed to make the donation, and asked youths to read the Hindu epics (Ramayan) and learn the Hindi Language.

Swami Shivashankarananda, Administrator of the Cove and John Ashram, welcomed the Commissioner and urged him to make more visits to the institution.

Meanwhile, Principal of the Hindu College, which is located in the Ashram’s compound, Rajkumarie Singh, thanked the Commissioner for the donation which she said came at an opportune time. Singh said the books will benefit the school and further enhance research in the Hindi language, noting that the College’s students write Religious Education as a Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination subject.

At the end of the usual morning service\hawan, the India High Commissioner was given a tour by Swami Shivashankarananda. He was garlanded and honoured with a shawl by members of the Ashram. He also took the opportunity to sign the Ashram’s visitor book.