It's a myth if you were ever thinking that Swamis don't age! At least the ones from Guyana (and there are very few) do.
If you were lucky to be among the 500 plus guests attending the grandest of birthday celebrations at the Elite Banquet Hall last Saturday, then you will know that the indefatigable Swami Bhajananandaji is now officially a senior citizen. He turned 65 on April 11, 2009 although his looks will lead you to believe that he has many more years of travel to reach that milestone.
Some of Swamiji's admirers and many of his devotees and students worked to ensure that this was a unique party. Lavish vegetarian food, music, songs, dances, speeches, presentations, a tastefully decorated hall, distinguished guests and a house full of friends and supporters with no alcohol being served - all proved to be the recipe for a highly successful event.
Little wonder that Swamiji admitted in his speech that the evening will forever be etched in his memory. The mood at large was so electric and the spirit so infectious that this party may have set a new precedent for many people to follow in designing their own celebrations.
The children of the Pranav Ashram in Toronto, of which Swamiji is the backbone, dazzled and impressed the audience all evening with songs and bhajans. Included in the list of attendees were a number of dignitaries. The former Minister of Immigration, Judy Sgro delivered messages from Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the leader of the Liberal Party, Michael Ignatieff. Provincial member of Parliament Bas Balkissoon, represented the Premier of Ontario and delivered a stirring message. David Singh, a prominent member of the community, made a presentation on behalf of the Mayor of the City of Toronto, David Miller and Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti of Ward seven. There were also presentations on behalf the Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair and the Indian Consulate in Toronto. Additionally, a letter of congratulations was sent by Dr. Latchman Kissoon from Barbados, the first student of the Hindu College in Cove and John, Guyana where Swamiji received his grounding. Mr. Harry Bisnauth of the Brampton Flower City Rotary made a presentation recognizing Swamiji’s community work. There were representations and presentations from a number of Hindu temples from the greater Toronto area. Mr. Vishnu Sookar of the Devi Mandir in Pickering spoke of the difference Swamiji has made to Hindu Culture in Canada. Mr. Khris Misir of the Vishnu Mandir in Richmond Hill also outlined Swami’s achievements. Mr. Harold Kowlessar of the Shiva Shakti Mandir in Sarborough, also a former student of the Hindu College, recognized Swamiji’s achievements. Pandit Eshwar Doobay of the Gandhi Bhawan in Toronto spoke of Swami’s dedication to the community and his Dharma. There were also significant representations from the Vedic Cultural Centre of Markham, the Radha Krishna Mandir of Cambridge and the Bhavani Shankar temple of Brampton. The large number of guests who travelled from the United States also were clearly impressed by the evening’s program.
It was very obvious from the various presentations and the response of the audience to the evening's proceedings that Swamiji and his work is revered and respected by all.
His achievements did not come overnight but are a result of hard work and sacrifice. Swamiji joined the Bharat Sevashram Sangha in Cove and John, Guyana, some forty eight years ago, in 1961. He was one of eleven who were initiated as Brahmacharis in 1966. Swamiji’s journey as an educator started at the Hindu College in Guyana where he taught Biology, Chemistry, Religious Knowledge, Hindi, Civics and English Literature.
Many of his former students have gone on to become leaders in their chosen fields.
Swamiji began his training as a Bramachari (Hindu Monk) simultaneously with his tenure as a teacher at the Hindu College. He trained at the feet of his distinguished Guruji, Srimat Swami Purnanandaji Maharaj. Swamiji worked along with his Guruji on the translation of the Bhagavad Gita and the Hindutvam, the latter being the primer for Hindu rituals and teachings in that region for many years starting from the mid 1950s. During summer holidays from 1969 to 1979 the young Brahmachari was taken by his Guruji to the London, England Branch of the Bharat Sevashram Sangha to help with editing of the London Ashram’s bi-monthly Journal “Hinduism”.
In February 1985, Swamiji was initiated into the order of Sanyas by the then President of the Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Pujya Srimat Swami Satchidanandaji Maharaj who was himself a direct disciple of the Founder of the Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Acharya Srimat Swami Pranavanandaji Maharaj.
Swamiji's ability as a capable administrator was quickly recognized. Whenever there was a vacuum in leadership in the organization he was sent to fill the void. His lifelong journey has taken him from Guyana to Trinidad to England to India and now to Canada. Swamiji was sent to Canada to make a difference in the lives of Hindus here. Judging by the performance of the children at the cultural event last Saturday it is clearly evident that he is accomplishing that task with flying colours.

By Manshad Mohamed
Over 200 people attended the Banquet and Awards night of the Abary Sports and Cultural Organization (ASCO) at the Sapphire in Mississauga on April 4. It was a celebration of the group's 20th anniversary.
It was originally called the Abary Sports and Recreation Club but along the way this vibrant organization renamed itself as the Abary Sports and Cultural Organization in keeping with its expanded role in the community.
It's founding members were Raj and Hassiran Singh, Chris and Joycelyn Dindial, Jai and Oma Singh, Ricky and Patsy Persaud, Jerry and Preia Sibdhannie, among others.
There are now youngsters at the helm led by President Leon Dindial, son of Chris and Joycelyn. The Vice President is Sabita Narain; Asst Secty, Balbir Bahadursingh; Treasurer Danny Singh; Asst Secty/Treas Susanne Persaud. Executive Members are Raj Singh and Bernard Singh.
In his greetings from the Guyana Consulate, Mr. Danny Doobay congratulated this group for the smooth transition to its young, new officers who are recognizing the presence of the Founders and maintaining the principles established by them. He described the role that ASCO plays as "ambassadorial."
They were there in 2005 when help was needed for flood victims in Guyana; over the years, there have been countless efforts to send charitable donations to various events requiring community support, the Consul General noted.
ASCO's monthly social activities include bingo, Heritage night, family nights, attending Blue Jays games, cricket, bowling, kids Christmas parties and dance events.
Several fraternal organizations with Guyanese connections attended this evening's program and brought greetings, among them was John Odelle and Rudy Orlaff.
Awards were presented to Shawson Auto Body Shop and Leon Dindial. Raj Singh and Chris Dindial served as chaperones for this occasion. There was comedy and music for dancing.

Devi Mandir will be holding a Gyaan Yagna from Sunday April 26 to Saturday May 2 nightly from 7-9 pm at 2590 Brock Rd, Pickering. Pt Munelal Maharaj will officiate assisted by Pt Damodar Sharma, Pt Moti Lal and Pt Parushram. Info 905-686-8534, 905-470-2682, 416-755-1693 or 416-289-7926.

Chinmaya Mission invites you to a residential Family Spiritual Camp this summer open to children, youth and adults. The camp theme is: The Essence of Srimad Bhagavatam. Answers would be provided to many of life’s most intriguing questions like ‘what is the absolute good?’
Spiritual Master, Swami Tejomayananda, together with 12 Chinmaya Mission Teachers from North American centres will conduct the full program in English:
• Meditation & yoga
• Talks, Q&A, discussion groups and workshops
• Sports & recreation for youth and children
• Evening cultural shows
Date: July 29 – Aug 3.
Place: Delta Meadowvale Resort in Mississauga
Online registration open. Visit www.chinmayatoronto.com and follow the link.
Telephone contacts: Krishan 289 213 1363 or Chinmaya Mission: 905 417 2377.