TT cultural activist receives India award

Girwarr received the award for “outstanding services” at the 25th International Congress of non-resident Indians held in New Delhi, India recently.

Girwarr who is the son of indentured labourers who came from Varnasi in India, settled in Becujal Village Cunupia, At age seven he started singing ‘Ramayan’ (verses from the Hindu text) in the company of Ballie Sadhu. Later he became a teacher of ‘Hindi’ in central.

Known as the ‘wonder boy’ among friends and relatives he spent his childhood days singing ‘Ramayan’ in many house function in the 40s and 50s. He released the first musical Ramayan long playing record entitled Bharat Nishad Sambad in 1947.

In 1961 he migrated to the United States to further his education. As a student at Eureka College, he earned a second place among 75 students for his essay in defence of Hinduism titled “Hate or Tolerate.” He majored in history, government studies, philosophy, and English. While resident in the USA, Girwarr continued his mission of spreading his message of the ‘Ramayan’ through music and devotional songs.

In 1997 he produced a book Hanuman Chalisa in English. Around this same time he received the ‘International Tulsi Award’ at the International Conference on Tulsidas and His Works.’ This function was held at the Florida International University in Miami.

In accepting the NRI award, he told the audience that he was blessed to be recognised for his contribution to culture. He said, “I am deeply touched to be in the land of my ‘Janma Bhumi’ which means - the land of my parents and fore-parents.” He continued his speech saying, when he looked around and saw the conflict in the world between different religions and ethnic groups, he wondered what solution could be found to prevent these atrocities, brutalities and violence going on everywhere in the world.

“Today the world has become one big home, where people from all different religions and culture live. We must therefore try not only to tolerate other cultures and religions, but also to respect and appreciate them,” Girwarr said. The way to solve this conflict, he added, is to see the one supreme power, that is God, in the heart of each person. “To hurt anyone, is to go against the laws of God Himself. That supreme power that pervades everything.”

He also said that people should practice ‘bimal bichar’ which is translated to mean, clear thinking, courage, discipline, commitment and strong ‘will power.’

In conclusion he said, “Life is for loving all else is illusion; study all the scriptures this is the conclusion. Be a model of love and service to humanity; for whatever we do, the judge is the Almighty. Live and love life sweet and sublime; before it is stolen by the thief of time.”