Geeta finds her mission

Geeta Ramsingh has dedicated her life to reaching the nation’s youths through religious teachings. She works tirelessly for this cause at the Hindu Prachaar Kendra (HPK), Longdenville. As chairman of the popular Kendra Phagwa festival she is responsible for the Pitchkaree singing competition which is also part of the Phagwa celebrations. The contest attracts thousands to the Nagar Site in Charlieville. The singers compose social and political commentaries and also traditional songs relating to  Phagwa. Geeta remains one of the key figures behind the planning of Pitchkaree each year and she has converted her home at Longdenville into an office where she puts in long hours.

“I am comfortable doing what I do. It is the labour of love — to work in the religious arena and to reach people and touch their lives. I have found my purpose and I think I am doing exactly what is required of me as a woman,” she said. Her husband Krishna Ramsingh is also heavily involved in the Hindu Prachaar Kendra. Geeta revealed that there were many occurrences which led her into living a totally religious life. It was in 1984 that she met her guru and mentor, Raviji, whom she also considers a father. While attending the Longdenville mandir she listened to Raviji’s lectures which awoke a spark within her. Twenty years after she remains one of his most dedicated disciples. “He taught me how to have confidence in myself and how to pray genuinely. I credit my successes in life to Raviji and to my parents for sending me to the temple,” she said.

She also manages her own business, Kalaa Kutir where she designs pots and deyas that are used at weddings and Hindu celebrations in the country. “This started as a pet project and it developed tremendously through the years. In fact the Ministry of Culture contracted Kalaa Kutir to decorate the Brian Lara Promenade for the 2003 Divali celebrations.” Another great event that is close to Geeta’s heart is the launching of the Mantra of the Year, each year. This recorded mantra (prayer) worked as a theme for the many events of the kendra for the year. “It is now 20 years since this started and I look forward to it. The members of the kendra headed by Raviji get together and come up with ideas for prayer that could influence the thinking of the younger people in society. It is sung in Hindi and in English so that everyone can identify with it,” she explained. With respect to the crime situation Geeta said parents and leaders must find ways to reach the youths.

 “I find people spend a lot of time complaining instead of reaching out to youths. We can’t simply wish that things will be okay and it will be. We must work together as a people and find the ways to battle the many problems that plague society. It takes the politicians from each constituency, the temple leader, the church leader and the imam to work as unit in each community. This way the various villages will be taken care of and in turn the country will see improvement,” she noted. Based on her  experiences, she said, prayer had a lot to do with cleansing society. “Prayer allows the person to become strong and humble and these two attributes are essential for today’s life.”