GUYANESE are encouraged to attend the Saturday, April 28 mega-concert featuring one of India’s most popular singers, Sonu Nigam, who with his troupe of 15 persons (singers and musicians) will be performing live at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, East Bank Demerara at a concert organised by the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha to mark the 174th anniversary of the arrival of East Indians in Guyana. Sonu is known for his renditions of popular songs of the legendary Mohamed Rafi, besides his own Bollywood hits. He is also widely celebrated for his role as television host for the musical talent show ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa’, and for his non-filmi albums.He has sung approximately 54 different voices, and has sung with international artistes such as Britney Spears. He has won numerous awards for his songs, including those in popular films Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham, Kal Ho Na Ho, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, Om Shanti Om, and Main Hoon Na.
Sonu’s has been the voice of many Bollywood stars, such as Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Amir Khan, and Abhishek Bachchan, to name a few.
Proceeds from this concert go towards construction of a Shelter for children who are victims of abuse. The building will be based in Berbice, where the Sabha has already secured the land.
Besides performing at the concert, Sonu Nigam will attend a special event hosted by the 38-year-old Dharmic Sabha to launch the building plan for the Shelter.
Proceeds from this concert go towards construction of a Shelter for children who are victims of abuse. The building will be based in Berbice, where the Sabha has already secured the land.
Besides performing at the concert, Sonu Nigam will attend a special event hosted by the 38-year-old Dharmic Sabha to launch the building plan for the Shelter.
In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Assistant General Secretary of the Dharmic Sabha, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, said the idea of building a Shelter had its genesis sometime back in 2009.
“In 2009, I received a call from one of the members of our Upper Corentyne praant (branch) telling me about a home where there were children who were being abused by their father. Both father and mother regularly consumed alcohol and used illegal drugs,” she related.Dr. Persaud recalled that the children, aged two to 12 years old, were not going to school and were suffering various forms of abuse.
“Having received that call, I tried my best to get some intervention from governmental and non-governmental agencies, and that became the trend. From there on, I received more calls from the same area in Berbice, talking about more children and more homes; and I realised at that point that this problem was very serious, especially in that region,” she said.
“Having received that call, I tried my best to get some intervention from governmental and non-governmental agencies, and that became the trend. From there on, I received more calls from the same area in Berbice, talking about more children and more homes; and I realised at that point that this problem was very serious, especially in that region,” she said.
She disclosed: “I was happy that it was brought to my attention, but I was dissatisfied with the responses I got in terms of intervention; because, most times, the children were only taken away for a short time, or not at all, and most times they ended back in the same situation where they had the problems, or a place was not found for them in any of the homes,” she said.
Dr. Persaud said she then resolved that the Sabha should take a more active role in this regard. Noting that prior to this, the organisation had been working in areas such as HIV/AIDS, alcohol abuse and, to some extent, suicide; she related that by the beginning of 2010, she thought it was a good idea to start a formal programme dealing with the issue of child abuse.
She said a proposal was taken to the Committee of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, and she went around the country and found a number of young people, mostly from Berbice, who had come from various backgrounds and had talent in singing.
With these young people, a programme called ‘Voices Against Child Abuse’ was developed, she said, explaining: “We developed a programme whereby they would become the speakers - as the front of the Sabha - talking about child abuse and how children could get help; how children could recognise that there was a problem; and more importantly, that they know they were not alone, that help was out there.”
The Sabha executive member said various television ads were launched, featuring young people from across the country “singing a few lines of a Hindi song to first capture the attention of persons, after which they gave messages on abuse.”
She said that, subsequently, in April 2010, ‘Voices Against Child Abuse’ was formally launched with a programme called ‘Emerging Voices’, an initiative that was well received.
That dinner and awareness session, she recalled, was attended by former President Bharrat Jagdeo, and it was there that she put forward the idea of a halfway home, or shelter, elaborating, “I want it to be a place where children could find safety and seek shelter; and if necessary, their mothers or fathers, either of whom would also be (a) victim of abuse. And we would work with these children and parents if necessary, giving them counselling, also not denying them their education, and allowing them in time to reintegrate back into society, after which we would have been able, with the help of the governmental agency, to identify whether there will be a family member or a foster home that will be willing to take them in.
“…it was never to be an orphanage. It was merely to provide some shelter and some safety and security for a period of time, until we felt it was safe enough and they were well enough and able to withstand the trauma and the horror which they had been exposed to, and get back into society.
“We also had the plan of working with the perpetrators to whatever extent we could, to see if we could get the family back together. That is something that is perhaps a little too ambitious, but it was a thought,” she noted.
She said another part of the project that was talked about at that time was the opening of a vocational centre, where abused women could seek safety and shelter too, and develop various skills to make them independent financially, so that they could start new lives.
Noting that many of these centres and shelters are based in Georgetown, Dr Persaud said, “…so I thought, being that I got that first time in Berbice and there was a problem in Berbice, that the shelter should be there.”
She said it was decided that the shelter would be placed in an area where the need was great and the community would get involved, “so that they could be trained to recognise these problems and to work in the facility”, and over time, develop partial ownership of the project.
Dr. Persaud also pointed out that the Sabha has the intention to involve other faith-based organisations and other stakeholders, because “we didn’t want it only to be for Hindus, we wanted it to be for every child who had an issue.”
“We realise that children would have different needs, depending on the homes and the backgrounds from which they come,” Dr. Persaud, who is also a People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament, said.
She remembered that then President Bharrat Jagdeo expressed his admiration for the Sabha doing this in a different way; and, at a meeting, expressed an interest on behalf of the government to be onboard this initiative.
She said fund-raising for this project started, and through government, last year, the Sabha was able to secure the land to build the shelter at Ankerville, in Port Mourant.
Dr. Persaud said the Sabha is currently working on the building design, which will be launched by Sonu Nigam, and members are also hoping that President Donald Ramotar and Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Jennifer Webster, would attend the launching of the building design, since government has helped tremendously.
“Shortly after the launch of the building design, we will start the building; but, before this, the land has to be developed, and this is what we are working on,” she posited.
“We have also continuously been appealing to the public to support and to give to this, because it is very much needed and we feel if people in the community recognize, first of all, that there is a problem and that they can do something about it, whether they give their time or whether they give financially, we think it will benefit all the children that need it,” she insisted.
She assured that the Sabha would be visiting the shelter often, and have persons on site to ensure the smooth operation of the shelter.
“…we are hoping that we can provide a safe haven for children,” she said, revealing that the shelter, which is currently budgeted at some $75M, would have capacity to accommodate some 30 children at minimum, catering for both genders and, if necessary, parents.
She said the Sabha hopes to have some school room and health facilities, as well as a play area and other environmental aspects to cater for every child of every age.
Dr. Persaud said Sabha members are hoping that bringing Sonu Nigam will help them “to raise the awareness in a big way”.
She reminded that the Sabha has a Help and Relief Account at Demerara Bank, and persons desirous of contributing to it can contact Mrs. Gajraj at the bank, who will advise them on how to get it done. The Sabha would be issuing receipts and letters acknowledging all contributions.
She said a board would be erected at the shelter with all the names of the donors who have helped to make its existence a reality.
Dr. Persaud said it is hoped that when the project is materialized “maybe other organisations can come and we can work with them, so that they can do it in other parts of the country.”
Dr. Persaud said that since the Sabha’s establishment, it has moved from being “a purely religious organisation” to being involved in various social projects and activities.
The Sabha has a primary and nursery school, in Kitty and Campbellville respectively; and is working on opening a secondary school sometime this year.
The Sabha also runs a Dharmic Health Centre at Better Hope, ECD, which has been operational since 2005 following major floods, and residents of surrounding communities get free medical services. The Sabha has also trained peer educators.
Its Sanskritik Kendra in Prashad Nagar, Georgetown is a hub of activities: – Pandits are trained; Hindi and Sanskrit are taught; and regular classes in vocal and instrumental music, dance and cookery are held.
The Sabha is divided into a network of praants (eight branches) throughout the country and also has a women’s body -- the Mahila Mandalee -- and a youth arm, Dharmic Naujawaan, under its umbrella.
The youth arm is currently involved in a countrywide campaign in underprivileged communities, doing charity drives.
Dr. Persaud said she then resolved that the Sabha should take a more active role in this regard. Noting that prior to this, the organisation had been working in areas such as HIV/AIDS, alcohol abuse and, to some extent, suicide; she related that by the beginning of 2010, she thought it was a good idea to start a formal programme dealing with the issue of child abuse.
She said a proposal was taken to the Committee of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, and she went around the country and found a number of young people, mostly from Berbice, who had come from various backgrounds and had talent in singing.
With these young people, a programme called ‘Voices Against Child Abuse’ was developed, she said, explaining: “We developed a programme whereby they would become the speakers - as the front of the Sabha - talking about child abuse and how children could get help; how children could recognise that there was a problem; and more importantly, that they know they were not alone, that help was out there.”
The Sabha executive member said various television ads were launched, featuring young people from across the country “singing a few lines of a Hindi song to first capture the attention of persons, after which they gave messages on abuse.”
She said that, subsequently, in April 2010, ‘Voices Against Child Abuse’ was formally launched with a programme called ‘Emerging Voices’, an initiative that was well received.
That dinner and awareness session, she recalled, was attended by former President Bharrat Jagdeo, and it was there that she put forward the idea of a halfway home, or shelter, elaborating, “I want it to be a place where children could find safety and seek shelter; and if necessary, their mothers or fathers, either of whom would also be (a) victim of abuse. And we would work with these children and parents if necessary, giving them counselling, also not denying them their education, and allowing them in time to reintegrate back into society, after which we would have been able, with the help of the governmental agency, to identify whether there will be a family member or a foster home that will be willing to take them in.
“…it was never to be an orphanage. It was merely to provide some shelter and some safety and security for a period of time, until we felt it was safe enough and they were well enough and able to withstand the trauma and the horror which they had been exposed to, and get back into society.
“We also had the plan of working with the perpetrators to whatever extent we could, to see if we could get the family back together. That is something that is perhaps a little too ambitious, but it was a thought,” she noted.
She said another part of the project that was talked about at that time was the opening of a vocational centre, where abused women could seek safety and shelter too, and develop various skills to make them independent financially, so that they could start new lives.
Noting that many of these centres and shelters are based in Georgetown, Dr Persaud said, “…so I thought, being that I got that first time in Berbice and there was a problem in Berbice, that the shelter should be there.”
She said it was decided that the shelter would be placed in an area where the need was great and the community would get involved, “so that they could be trained to recognise these problems and to work in the facility”, and over time, develop partial ownership of the project.
Dr. Persaud also pointed out that the Sabha has the intention to involve other faith-based organisations and other stakeholders, because “we didn’t want it only to be for Hindus, we wanted it to be for every child who had an issue.”
“We realise that children would have different needs, depending on the homes and the backgrounds from which they come,” Dr. Persaud, who is also a People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament, said.
She remembered that then President Bharrat Jagdeo expressed his admiration for the Sabha doing this in a different way; and, at a meeting, expressed an interest on behalf of the government to be onboard this initiative.
She said fund-raising for this project started, and through government, last year, the Sabha was able to secure the land to build the shelter at Ankerville, in Port Mourant.
Dr. Persaud said the Sabha is currently working on the building design, which will be launched by Sonu Nigam, and members are also hoping that President Donald Ramotar and Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Jennifer Webster, would attend the launching of the building design, since government has helped tremendously.
“Shortly after the launch of the building design, we will start the building; but, before this, the land has to be developed, and this is what we are working on,” she posited.
“We have also continuously been appealing to the public to support and to give to this, because it is very much needed and we feel if people in the community recognize, first of all, that there is a problem and that they can do something about it, whether they give their time or whether they give financially, we think it will benefit all the children that need it,” she insisted.
She assured that the Sabha would be visiting the shelter often, and have persons on site to ensure the smooth operation of the shelter.
“…we are hoping that we can provide a safe haven for children,” she said, revealing that the shelter, which is currently budgeted at some $75M, would have capacity to accommodate some 30 children at minimum, catering for both genders and, if necessary, parents.
She said the Sabha hopes to have some school room and health facilities, as well as a play area and other environmental aspects to cater for every child of every age.
Dr. Persaud said Sabha members are hoping that bringing Sonu Nigam will help them “to raise the awareness in a big way”.
She reminded that the Sabha has a Help and Relief Account at Demerara Bank, and persons desirous of contributing to it can contact Mrs. Gajraj at the bank, who will advise them on how to get it done. The Sabha would be issuing receipts and letters acknowledging all contributions.
She said a board would be erected at the shelter with all the names of the donors who have helped to make its existence a reality.
Dr. Persaud said it is hoped that when the project is materialized “maybe other organisations can come and we can work with them, so that they can do it in other parts of the country.”
Dr. Persaud said that since the Sabha’s establishment, it has moved from being “a purely religious organisation” to being involved in various social projects and activities.
The Sabha has a primary and nursery school, in Kitty and Campbellville respectively; and is working on opening a secondary school sometime this year.
The Sabha also runs a Dharmic Health Centre at Better Hope, ECD, which has been operational since 2005 following major floods, and residents of surrounding communities get free medical services. The Sabha has also trained peer educators.
Its Sanskritik Kendra in Prashad Nagar, Georgetown is a hub of activities: – Pandits are trained; Hindi and Sanskrit are taught; and regular classes in vocal and instrumental music, dance and cookery are held.
The Sabha is divided into a network of praants (eight branches) throughout the country and also has a women’s body -- the Mahila Mandalee -- and a youth arm, Dharmic Naujawaan, under its umbrella.
The youth arm is currently involved in a countrywide campaign in underprivileged communities, doing charity drives.
“The Sabha has really gone further than what it originally set out to be; and I think (that) by having the building, we will take it one step further. And at this point in our country’s life and juncture, it is a very important step by catering to young people,” the president of the Sabha women’s arm said.
She explained: “We have also been speaking out against violence, especially violence against women, because that is an area that is linked to child abuse.”
She explained: “We have also been speaking out against violence, especially violence against women, because that is an area that is linked to child abuse.”
She said the Sabha is thankful to the Government of Guyana for its help in this project from the initial stage, and also acknowledged the support being given by the business community for the concert, with sponsors such as Digicel, E-Networks, National Communications Network, NTN, and New GPC.
She appealed for persons to lend a helping hand to make the concert successful and encouraged persons to come out to the much-anticipated concert, which is a wholesome family event where no alcohol is allowed.
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