Members of the Caribbean diaspora across North America have commenced preparations towards starting a chapter of the Chinmaya Mission in Guyana, following an extremely successful spiritual renaissance of the Mission in Trinidad and Tobago, and throughout North America.
The vision of establishing Chinmaya Mission in Guyana is aimed at sustaining and reviving Sanatana Dharma for current and future generations and specifically to introduce the teachings of this globally recognized educational and spiritual institution to local Guyanese communities.
H.H. Swami Chinmayanandaji, founder of Chinmaya Mission famously said, “True religion has two important constituents: its philosophy and its ritual. Ritual without philosophy is only superstition, while philosophy without ritual practices amounts to madness.”
Guided by Pujya Swami Prakashananda, spiritual head of Chinmaya Mission Trinidad and Tobago, Chinmaya Mission in Guyana will serve to provide the knowledge of both philosophy and ritual to people of all backgrounds and ages, especially the younger generations.
Commencing with the goal of acquiring a plot of land in 2020 to serve as the headquarters for its activities, local communities can look forward to benefit from programs such as:
- Classes that explain Hinduism logically to the modern-educated generation, including its symbolism and spiritual philosophy
- Classes for deep and systematic study of various scriptures including the Bhagavad Gita and Upanishads
- Courses in spirituality for children and teenagers
- Sanskrit, Puja Vidhi and Chanting Courses
- Initial steps towards Chinmaya Vidyalaya: a school for children with a proven track record of blending the best of secular and spiritual education
Programs will be guided by a trained Brahmacharin who would be posted in Guyana, and supported by visiting Brahmacharins and Swamins from across the globe.
Members of the North American diaspora are motivated and hopeful that this project will help Guyanese to become more knowledgeable in Sanatana Dharma and inspire them to practise and propagate its teachings on their own.
One young Guyanese professional in Toronto commented: “I am privileged to join the movement and honour this ancient tradition that sustained our grandparents, and which they put their hearts and souls into keeping alive since the first boats arrived in 1838 in British Guiana.”
There are many opportunities to get involved and make a contribution right here in the GTA.
"Chinmaya for Guyana" will be hosting a fundraising concert in Brampton, on Sunday March 15th, 6:00-8:30pm with the very popular Ashok Yankarran (son of late Isaac Yankarran) and and the renowned Arun Gossai (son of late Sri Prakash Gossai) at 8832 The Gore Road Brampton. For tickets, please contact Gina at 647-889-4462.
Those with friends and families in New York can alert them to look out for a similar fundraising concert in their area in August of this year.
All are invited to make a donation towards this cause. For more details please visit www.chinmayaforguyana.org.

About Chinmaya Mission
Chinmaya Mission® was established in India in 1953 by devotees of the world-renowned Vedanta teacher, His Holiness Swami Chinmayananda. Guided by his vision, devotees all around the world formed the nucleus of a spiritual renaissance movement that now encompasses a wide range of spiritual, educational, and charitable activities, ennobling the lives of thousands in India and across the globe. Presently, headed by Swami Swaroopananda, the Mission is administered by Central Chinmaya Mission Trust (CCMT) in Mumbai, India. Under His guidance, the Mission has continued mushrooming across the globe and stands today with over 500 centres worldwide.
What does Chinmaya Mission teach? Chinmaya Mission follows the Vedic teacher-student tradition (guru-shishya parampara) and makes available the ageless wisdom of Advaita Vedanta, the knowledge of Universal Oneness, providing the tools to realize this wisdom in one’s life. Vedanta, the essential core of Hinduism, is the universal science of life, relevant to all people of all backgrounds and faiths. Vedanta inspires seekers to understand their own faith better. Thus, although Chinmaya Mission is a Hindu organisation, it does not seek to convert other religious practitioners. As a spiritual movement that aims for inner growth at individual and collective levels, the mission offers a wide array of Vedanta study forums for all ages, promotes Indian classical art forms and operates numerous social service projects. To date, millions worldwide have benefited directly or indirectly from Chinmaya Mission’s numerous centres, ashrams, classes, events, services and projects.
For more information, contact: Dev Singh, Spiritual Teacher at Chinmaya Mission Toronto, 647-838-3739.

Indian-origin politician Rishi Sunak was appointed as the UK's new finance minister last Thursday by Prime Minister Boris Johnson in a Cabinet reshuffle.
Sunak, the son-in-law of Infosys Co-founder Narayana Murthy, will join Home secretary Priti Patel on the top government bench as the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Earlier, Pakistani-origin Sajid Javid resigned as Chancellor in a shock move in one of the biggest shakeups since Johnson won a thumping majority in the December 2019 general election.
Javid is replaced by Sunak, who was until now Javid's junior as the Chief Secretary to the Treasury and seen as a rising star within the Cabinet.
The 39-year-old is set to move into No. 11 Downing Street, next door to the Prime Minister's Office as he takes charge of the second most important government position as the finance minister.
"The Queen has been graciously pleased to approve the appointment of Rt Hon Rishi Sunak as Chancellor of the Exchequer," Downing Street said in the official announcement.
The MP for Richmond in Yorkshire, married to Murthy's daughter Akshata, first entered the UK Parliament in 2015 and has fast risen up the Conservative Party ranks as a staunch Brexiteer who had back Johnson's strategy to leave the European Union (EU).
The UK-born son of a pharmacist mother and a National Health Service (NHS) general practitioner (GP) father is an Oxford University and Stanford graduate.
"From working in my mum's tiny chemist shop to my experience building large businesses, I have seen how we should support free enterprise and innovation to ensure Britain has a stronger future," Sunak had said during the Brexit referendum.
He co-founded a 1-billion pound global investment firm and specialised in investing in small British businesses before his entry into politics. He strongly believes that small businesses in the UK would flourish as a result of Brexit as the “vast majority of British businesses (94 per cent) don't have anything to do with the EU; but they are still subject to all EU law”.
Indian-origin MPs Alok Sharma and Suella Braverman are some of the other Indian-origin MPs expected to get a promotion in the Cabinet reshuffle, dubbed a purge due to some high-profile resignations and expected sackings.

Pranav Hindu Heritage & Cultural Centre will be observing the auspicious occasion of Maha Shiva Ratri from Friday Feb 21 at 6pm to Sat Feb 22 at 6am. at the Ashram, 102 Rivalda Rd, Toronto. There will be all night Shiva Puja in 4 Praharas: from 6pm, 9pm, 12 midnight and 3am. with continuous chanting of the Maha Mantra, Shiva Stotrams, Shiva Dhoons and concluding with Naam Shivaya Havan and Aarati. Officiating: Srimat Swami Bhajananandaji Maharaj. For info, call 416-741-4335.

Let’s admit it, very few of us get excited about doing our taxes. In fact, for most of us it can be a stressful time. Not just because anything to do with money can be worrying, but the idea of doing the paperwork can feel downright overwhelming.
But did you know that in order to be eligible to collect benefit payments and certain tax credits, you need to file your taxes?
Fortunately, there are free resources available to help you.
Online software. Not all online tax-filing software is expensive, or even associated with any cost. The Canada Revenue Agency’s website has a list of free and pay-what-you-want software that’s designed for Canadian tax-filing, including popular brands like TurboTax, SimpleTax and CloudTax.
Community tax clinics. Community organizations across the country host free tax clinics for people with a modest income and simple tax situation (for example, if you have no sources of income or if your income comes from employment, scholarships, a pension or benefit program).
Through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP), you can get your taxes done for free at a tax clinic in your community by scheduling an appointment or dropping in during advertised hours. Last year, the clinics helped people receive a total of over $1.9 billion in refunds and benefits.
Use CRA tools. The CRA offers free tools and options for doing your taxes. One is through NETFILE-certified software, which automatically fills in certain parts of your income tax and benefit return, saving you time and reducing typos. Another is by phone, available via a personalized invitation to those who have a low or fixed income and whose situation doesn’t change from year to year.
Remember, even if you don’t have an income or if you’re tax exempt, you need to do your taxes, because the information from your tax forms is used to determine your eligibility for benefits and tax credits. And depending on your situation, you could be entitled to receive hundreds, or even thousands of dollars.

CALL FOR PAPERS
Theme: Post Indentureship Movements and Trends
Date: May 29 to June 01, 2020
Venue: National Council of Indian Culture, Trinidad

The National Council of Indian Culture (Trinidad and Tobago) in collaboration with UNESCO Indentured Labour Route Project and the Department of History, UWI, St. Augustine invite you to submit papers for a conference in commemoration of the formal abolition of the Indian Indentureship system (1920), to be held in Trinidad, from May 29 to June 01, 2020.

OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the conference are:
• To present opportunities for diasporic researchers and scholars to engage in global dialogue. a• To advance the achievement of a progressive Indian diasporic world commu nity through collaboration and dialogue on various issues through the ex change of ideas, concerns, solutions, problems, person-to-person contacts
and professional relationships.
• To provide a forum for constructive international dialogue among diasporic scholars/researchers.
• To provide opportunities for scholars and researchers to interact and share major concerns with each other while discussing matters relating to their respective communities.
• To encourage inquiry by diasporic scholars, researchers and others into the challenges and practical possibilities for the Indian Diaspora in charting and sharing a common future.
• To focus new research on the post-indentureship/ post-20th century period as well as on contemporary trends.

TOPICS

The topics of the conference theme and areas of discussions listed are not conclusive. Additional ideas may be added as long as they relate to the theme of the conference.

1. Historical Perspectives - historical experiences that have shaped the Indian character since the end of indentureship.
2. The Emergence of multi-ethnic Nations and Societies – interaction with other ethnic groups, challenges and ethnic negotiations.
3. Emergence and Consolidation of Identities – multiple identities, ethnic identities, cross-cultural identities, contributions of gender, class, caste,
religion, politics and race to the identity formation.
4. Labour in the Indian Diaspora.
5. Gender Issues – emergence of gendered identities, changes in gender roles, gender inequalities.
6. Diasporic Youths – changing identities, shifting trends and roles, inter-
generational interaction.
7. Diasporic Heritage, Culture and Archives – literature, film, art, media, etc.
8. Technology and Entrepreneurship – global linkages, economic dominance/ consolidation, Diasporic transfers.
9. Future Trends – projections/ future developments in political, economic, socio- cultural areas, identity formation, global networks.
10. Ecology and the Environment.
11. Diasporic Biographies and Publications.
12. Sports, Performative and Visual Arts – craft, pottery, sound, music, dance, photography, festivals and ritual.
13. Politics in the Indian Diaspora.

The conference will be in English. Presentations will be 20 minutes (maximum) and panels will comprise up to four presentations. Abstracts (250 words) and a short Bio (2 paragraphs) must be submitted by 15 October 2019.

YOUTH PRESENTATIONS
An entire session (Friday May 29, 2020, 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.) has been designated for presentations by youths from throughout the Indian Diaspora on any topic of choice relating to the theme of the conference. In addition, youths are also invited to participate in a roundtable discussion on “Youth Aspirations in the Diaspora” on the same day. Youths wishing to participate in the roundtable discussions are asked to indicate this to the organizing committee.

FULL PAPER SUBMISSION – 15 MARCH 2020
SUBMIT EXTRACTS
On the Conference Website: widc2020.com
Or via email to: info@widc2020.com; Tel: 1-868-470-0133
Primnath Gooptar (Ph.D.), Chairman, World Indian Diaspora Conference 2020

There is no registration fee for paper presenters for the conference. Presenters would be expected to fund their own travel and local accommodation to the conference. Arrangements are being made for discounted rates at hotels for presenters and delegates. A general cost is as follows:
Guest Houses – 25 USD to 60 USD; 3* Hotels – 100 USD; Hotels – 100+ USD

Links to general information on Trinidad and Tobago
https://www.gotrinidadandtobago.com/
http://www.tourism.gov.tt/
https://www.discovertst.com/

US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will visit India to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi from February 24 to 25, the White House announced last week.
According to the official tweet by the White House, Trump’s trip to India will further strengthen the US-India strategic partnership. It also said that Trump’s visit will highlight the strong and enduring bond between Americans and Indians. The US President and First Lady will also visit Ahmedabad in Gujarat, which is PM Narendra Modi’s home state, as reported by ANI.
On January 16, the Ministry of External Affairs of India had announced that India and the US are in contact and discussing the proposed visit of Donald Trump.
However, the exact dates were not known then. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar had then said that speculations had been made for months over Trump’s visit ever since PM Modi invited him on his trip to Houston in the US.
As quoted by ANI, Raveesh Kumar said, “Speculations have been made on this for months… When PM Modi met Trump, he had invited him to India… Both the countries are in contact over this. We will share with you as and when we get concrete information.”

Authors' & Writers' Corner >