A missionary with purpose

Chadee has received several awards, medals and recognition for voluntarism, his contribution to education, spiritual support and community service to his fellow citizens, both in Canada and Trinidad and Tobago. In some instances, the records show that he is not only the lone national of Trinidad and Tobago, but also the only person in Canada to have received them.

Among the long list, too numerous to mention, Chadee received both the Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship and The Governor General Caring Canadian Award for Community Service in 2008; the Newcomer Champion Award — Ontario Honours and Awards and Ontario Volunteer Service Award — ten years, both in 2009; and The Good Neighbour Award from Town of Ajax — 2010/2011Chadee was born on April 9, 1962, at the Texaco Hospital in Pointe-a-Pierre to Polly and Bisnath Chadee, of Sewlal Trace, Fyzabad, where he spent the first 22 years of his life with his four siblings.

His parents, who he says “have been the backbone in my life, instilling moral values as a Hindu, which I still hold true to this day, still reside at Sewlal Trace, which is still home, even today after having lived 25 years in Ontario, Canada”.

He attended the Fyzabad Presbyterian Primary School, and graduated in 1979 from the Fyzabad Anglican Secondary School, after which he was employed at Industrial Gases Limited at Pt. Lisas for four and a half years.

In November 1984, Chadee migrated to Canada and continued his studies, graduating with a Bachelors Degree (BSc) in Electronics Engineering Technology in 1988. He then married Merle and they soon were the parents of Aarti and Avesh.

Always a devout Hindu, with a deep attachment to Hanuman, Chadee started volunteering his services at the Devi Mandir in Pickering.

Wishing for a closer network where he could realise his dream to serve members of the community openly, sincerely and effectively, and purely through humanitarian efforts, he established The Hanuman Mission on his 40th birthday in 2002, to foster the advancement and educational awareness of Hinduism, Hanumanism and Humanitarianism in Canada, through the media, hospitals, community organisations and social service agencies and networking.

Said Chadee, “People are stressed due to the chaotic environment and the system that has changed faster than humans can adapt, so this was a personal mission with an individual intervention from “Hanumanji” himself. And to answer this divine call, I endeavoured to legally establish the entire mission with my own two hands through the blessings of “Hanumanji”p, conforming with the strict objectives and mandates of a charitable organisation as stipulated by relevant laws. To enhance my role in this Mission, I pursued a Masters Degree in Hinduism and graduated in 2005.”

Growing up as a Hindu in Fyzabad, “Chad”, as he is called, felt a sense of attachment to Hanuman, and became a true devotee to the primary deity for most Hindus in Trinidad.

He explained: “It is like Christians believe that the risen Christ came back to save us on earth and they believe he is alive today. Similarly, the Hindus believe Hanuman is alive and residing on earth. Anytime a red jhandi is among the flags outside a Hindu home, it means a Hanuman puja is being conducted, or has been concluded in that home. If one puja is done annually by Hindus in this country or Guyana, there is a 90 percent chance that it is a Hanuman puja.”

Hanuman, the mighty deity that aided Lord Rama in his expedition against evil forces, is one of the most popular icons in the Hindu pantheon. Believed to be an avatar (god or goddess appearing in bodily form on earth), and the 11th manifestation of Lord Shiva, Hanuman is worshiped as a symbol of physical strength, perseverance and devotion. Hanuman's tale in the epic Ramayana — where he is assigned the responsibility to locate Rama's wife, Sita, abducted by Ravana, the demon king of Lanka — is known for its astounding ability to inspire and equip a reader with all the ingredients needed to face ordeals and conquer obstructions in the way of the world.

Chadee explains that his genuine concern for the human race, as well as the ability to use his compassion to help guide others through difficult situations, was the basis for his obtaining a Doctor of Philosophy Degree (Ph.D) in Human and Social Services in 2007. His thesis was themed: ‘The Migration of Caribbean Hinduism into North America: The Evolution of a Community and Social Services Framework in The Hanuman Mission Of Canada.’ However, as a Hindu in the Western world, caring for his family and society through his personal consultancy firm, Avtic Consulting, Chadee says, “I was not satisfied with the vast gap amongst Trinidadian Hindus residing around the world and to advance the message and promotion of Hanumanism, established a global organisation called ‘The World Hanuman Council’ on December 11, 2009, in Ajax, Ontario, which incorporated persons from around the world, but moreso citizens of Trinidad and Tobago residing both at home and abroad, such as Ricky Ramlagan, of Radio Jaagriti, Pundit Donny Samlal, of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha, and Pundit Byragie, of Arouca residing in Miami.”

Chadee has voluntarily assisted and contributed to the Indo-Caribbean and South Asian communities; helped immigrants and newcomers to Canada with settlement, integration, language and social assistance matters; has created and designed various fundraising initiatives to assist charities and non-profit organisations in three countries; and is currently involved with promoting educational, cultural and social support initiatives, such as teaching ESL (English as a Second Language), music, dance and Indo-Caribbean heritage/culture traditions through various methods. He volunteers services in family mediation, counselling, marriage planning, separation, divorce settlements, parent/children conflicts, Hindu Chaplaincy, spirituality, grief counseling and conflict management within the immigrant communities. He has also been helping residents of the Greater Toronto Area and Durham Region in accessing and obtaining social insurance cards, passports, citizenship applications, health cards, and dealing with immigration matters through the MP’s Office and job placement education.