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Through its tireless efforts, the Dharmic Sabha successfully initiated and organized numerous cultural events, religious festivals, and educational programs, enriching the lives of countless individuals, and building greater understanding and appreciation among all for Hinduism and Indian culture. Notable initiatives, in this regard, are the Diwali Motorcade, Phagwah celebrations including Holi Utsav and Chowtaal Samelan, Prathna Satsangh, Naya Zamana and Kala Utsav. The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha’s iconic Diwali Motorcade is a beautiful and tangible symbol of unity and celebration of light across Guyana.

Although its primary mission revolves around the education of Hindus in the values and concepts of Hinduism, over the years, Dharmic Sabha expanded the ambit of its work to include areas of education, social issues, health and wellbeing, and community service. The Dharmic Rama Krishna Nursery, Primary and Secondary Schools and the Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud Dharmic Sanskritik Kendra are established centers of academic excellence and cultural learning. Bal Nivas provides much needed shelter and support for vulnerable children.

In 2019, the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha was recognized by the Government of India with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award, the highest Indian Award given to an organization established by Overseas Indian Diaspora for its outstanding achievement in the field of community service and in recognition of the valuable contribution in promoting Indian culture.

“Dharmic Sabha’s 50th anniversary is a momentous occasion to reflect on the extraordinary achievements and contributions made by the organization. Under 40 years of visionary leadership by Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud and dedication of the founding members, Harry Ramdass, Dalin Chand Persaud, Mohanlall Sahadeo, Sukhdeo Ramsaroop, Rambaran, Sital Persaud, Mahase, C. Ramsaroop, Luckie Narine, Harry Persaud and M. Ramsay, a solid foundation emerged and was sustained and expanded under the dynamic ten-year stewardship of Dr. Vindhya Vasini Persaud.

“The leadership and membership of the Sabha’s nine Praants, Mahila Mandalees, Dharmic Naujawaans and affiliated mandirs must be lauded for their dedication, over 5 decades, in promulgating and sustaining the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha’s impressive array of programmes and initiatives. Dharmic Sabha extends its heartfelt gratitude to its members, volunteers and supporters for their invaluable contributions over the years. Their unwavering support has been instrumental in the organization’s success,” a statement noted.

As the Sabha attains its 50th milestone, it look towards the future, remaining steadfast in its commitment to serve Guyana, and to continuing to provide leadership to the Hindu community with humility, dignity and integrity.

The organization is reminded of Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud’s first anniversary remarks – “the future is boundless and the opportunities unlimited.”

The structure will include a minimum of five operating theatres – one specifically for cardiac surgery – and advanced digital X-ray, and CT Scan machines. It will be the second public facility to house an MRI machine and will be equipped for transplants.

Two additional buildings will be constructed within the compound – one for a teaching facility and another for a modern psychiatric facility.

Meanwhile, Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony, in his remarks, highlighted that the new theatre for cardiac surgery will eliminate the need for patients to travel to Georgetown to do such a major surgery.

He said residents can expect the hospital to be equipped with “world-class, top-notch” equipment with 24-hour service at the Accident & Emergency department.

“Today is significant for health care in Guyana. We have been working to get here for a number of months. The President said he wanted to build a world-class healthcare system…what you are seeing here today is the manifestation of the President’s vision for Region Six to have a level five facility,” the Health Minister said.

Project Director for VAMED Engineering, Walter Puhringer, in giving a brief overview of the project, said that works commenced in September 2023 with the design; ground works are expected to begin within the next two weeks.

Thus far, fencing and land-filling have been completed, with actual construction of the facility to start in March.

Puhringer has promised to deliver the project up to the standard required and on time.

Also speaking at the event was the Regional Chairman David Armogan who noted that the construction of the new hospital is an important step for the delivery of a higher standard of healthcare under the government’s plan to develop every sector in the region and country.

“Over the last three years…massive amounts of money were invested in the health sector in region…new health centres are opened and serviced by doctors…patients can also collect their medications from health centres instead of having to go hospitals.

“The waiting time has reduced considerably and the type of complaints we got before it has improved…hospitals have new digital x-rays, we hardly hear about the shortage of medications…our government has ensured that we have a ready supply so that patients do not have to buy.”

The existing New Amsterdam Hospital is the most advanced in Region Six and it is the biggest hospital in Guyana after the Georgetown Public Hospital, which is the country’s main referral hospital.

In Region Six, the New Amsterdam hospital is complemented by the Skeldon Hospital, though a new hospital is also being constructed near the existing one at Skeldon.

The vehicle was a black Nissan bearing registration number PJJ5730, owned by 56-year-old Lloyd Persaud and driven by 24-year-old Brandon Persaud.

The fire started after a ruptured fuel line came into contact with hot engine components, ignited, and spread to the entire bonnet,” the fire service noted.

As a result of the fire, the entire engine and bonnet of the car were destroyed.

Later in the day, at about 12:50 hrs, a crew responded to a house on fire at Lot 66 Remus Agricola, East Bank Demerara.

The structure was a two-storey wooden and concrete building owned by 45-year-old Howard Samuels and occupied by 36-year-old Tenefa Samuels and her two family members.

The building and its contents were destroyed, leaving all of the occupants homeless.

The purported cause of the fire was an overload of the electrical circuit, which resulted in arcing and sparking and the subsequent ignition of nearby combustible materials, the fire service said.

Two houses and a zinc fence in close proximity to the building of origin were also affected by radiated heat.

Later, at 02:20 hrs, the same team from the Eccles Fire Station responded to a fire at Lot 16 New Providence, East Bank Demerara.

Upon arrival, firefighters observed a two-storey wooden and concrete building with an adjoining flat engulfed in flames.

The building was owned by 80-year-old Florence Ramsaroop and occupied by 28-year-old Seth Persaud.

As a result of the fire, the building and its contents were destroyed, leaving one person homeless.

Fire prevention officers are currently investigating what caused the fire.

Finally, at 23:55 hrs, a fire was reported at Lot 262 South Vryheid’s Lust, East Coast Demerara.

The structure was a two-storey wooden and concrete building owned by 42-year-old Vanessa Lewis, who occupied it along with five others.

As a result of the fire, the building and its contents were destroyed, leaving six persons homeless.

“An electrical circuit overload, which resulted in arcing and sparking that ignited nearby combustible materials, is the purported cause of the fire,” the fire service report noted.

The Fire Service is imploring all citizens to be vigilant and to practice fire safety and prevention to avoid any possible fire emergencies.