By Harry Hergash
The Peel Arya Samaj, at the conclusion of its well attended Annual Veda Yajna on Sunday, September 15, 2019, awarded three scholarships to members of its youth group who are pursuing post secondary studies at educational institutions in Ontario.
Awardees were selected in a process requiring them to satisfy a number of eligibility criteria, including acceptance by a Canadian post-secondary institution, and completion of 40+ hours of voluntary work within the Samaj.
The scholarships were awarded to Anuska Budhu who is pursuing a degree in Life Sciences at the University of Toronto, Mississauga Campus; Sapna Rameshwarsingh-Nowbutt who is studying for a degree in Life Sciences at McMaster University; and Vishal Seenanan who is working towards an Advanced Diploma in Electro-Mechanical Engineering at the Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning.
Spiritual Leader of the Samaj, Pandit Naresh Persaud announced that for quite some time the organization, in keeping with its philosophy of promoting knowledge and education, has been considering the idea of offering scholarships to members of its youth arm. However, this idea became a reality when Mrs Chandra Lakhan and her children, Chris and Dr Calvin Lakhan, made a donation to fund the first set of scholarships in commemoration of the first anniversary of the passing of the late Dr Vishnudutt Chris Lakhan, Professor Emeritus, University of Windsor. Prof. Lakhan was the husband of Mrs Chandra Lakhan and father of Chris and Dr. Calvin Lakhan.
Prof. Lakhan was a brilliant son of Guyana who graduated in1973 as the top student in the Geography Department of the University of Guyana. After completing his Masters and Doctoral degrees on scholarships in Canada, he joined the University of Windsor and rose to the rank of professor in the Faculty of Engineering before retiring in 2016. The author of twelve books/monographs, several papers in academic journals and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Indo Caribbean Research, he was a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (UK), a Certified Geographical Information Systems Professional, and a Certified Environmental Inspector.
In a brief address, Dr Calvin Lakhan who is a Co-investigator with the Faculty of Environmental Studies, York University, noted that his father came from a poor background but did not let poverty prevent him from achieving his goals. He congratulated the awardees and encouraged them to pursue their dreams in this country.
The Peel Arya Samaj was founded in Brampton, Ontario twenty-eight years ago to promote the teachings and values of Vaidik Sanatan Dharma. Current President and General Secretary are Pandit Nait Gangaram and Ms Molly Balraju, respectively. The Spiritual Leader is Pandit Naresh Persaud and the Chairman of the Board is Dr Krish Brijpaul.