Bhajan Mala to raise funds for Sammy

This is in aid of the Kumar Sammy Kidney fund and will involve the singing of bhajans at the mandir at Caura Royal Road, El Dorado Village, Tunapuna.

Singers will include Pt Rishi Maharaj, Sagar Sookraj, Shivannand Maharaj, Kaliecharan Dookie, Sham Nagessar, Krishendath Bissoon, Kavita Bissoon and Lutchman Bissoon.

According to Nirmala Harrylal, PRO of the mandir, one of the objectives of the temple is to assist those in need. “While there are many activities which the mandir conducts to assist the deserving, the Bhajan Mala seeks to really pool our resources (human and financial) together to assist our brothers and sisters in society,” he said.

The committee of ESM plans to continue with the Bhajan Mala annually, to contribute the funds towards life-saving causes.

This year, through the contribution of $100 per bhajan, the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha and the devotees of ESM hope to raise funds for a life-saving kidney transplant operation for Kumar Chin Sammy. Both of Sammy’s kidneys have failed and he has to undergo dialysis twice weekly. Sammy, 58, is a diabetic and dependent on insulin for his survival. Sammy’s kidney operation will take place in Pakistan and is expected to cost approximately US$30,000. This includes travel and accommodation. The groups are urgently appealing to the public for support. Now serving as the president of the mandir, Sammy has been working for many years towards the development of this institution. He has spent the majority of his life involved in the propagation of indo-culture through music and song in TT.

He has also served as cultural ambassador for the Maha Sabha on assignment to Guyana, St Lucia, Suriname, Canada and the USA.

In 2004, he received the Mahant Ramdass Award for his contributions to Indian culture and was an honoree at the Maha Sabha Indian Arrival Day function in 2005.

Donations can also be made at the Trincity Mall Branch of Republic Bank to account #870128141631 in the name of Kumar Sammy Kidney Fund. The full Bhajan Mala will be carried live on 106.5 FM and listeners will have the opportunity for call in pledges.

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