A Hindu Perspective by Balliram Chadee. P.hD.

www.thehanumanmission.com. bally@thehanumanmission.com or Bally 416-992-2487.

Question: Public Life and Selfless Service: The Requirements, Ideals and Benefits?

  Ans : Many people enter public life for a variety of reasons. Many others perform selfless service for another set of reasons. But when the combination of public life and selfless service matches and becomes one entity, such people are very special. Many times we hear of situations, scenarios and people who made a difference to so many for so long, that it is difficult to remember. Sometimes it is more difficult to appreciate their efforts because the good they do just never seems to stop. They continue serving society, fellow beings and God. We see these values in religion, social services and believe it or not, yes in some politicians, even though all seem to be painted with the same bad brush.

If we look around our own community from the Caribbean , each of us would know of at least one person who has demonstrated these values, qualities and characteristics. We should be appreciative, willing to accept their service to society and call a spade a spade, whether we like some of these people or not. It does not hurt to accept that people who give of their time, money, professional service or even connections to help society and others, should get the respect and credit due to them.

In Ramayana (Hindu Sacred Text), we see Bhibishan; who was born and lived in a society of evil and rakshas, stood his ground for his belief, principles and ethical values. He kept his faith, as a public figure, being in the spotlight as Ravan's younger brother, ashamed of his brother's values and conduct many times, but he lived a life of spirituality, abided by the dharmic code of conduct and in the end, he was appointed ruler of Lanka, with the blessings of our sweet lord Shree Rama. When Bhibishan was facing troubles by his own brother, he kept his faith, believing in the values of spirituality and honesty. He met Hanumanji as a devotee and friend, they both shared equal values, beliefs and aspirations. Both being administrators and public figures in their own rights, never abuse the privilege to offer selfless service. As a matter of fact, their entire lives were spent, providing selfless service while being in public life, with no rewards for such service and no expectations. Today we see in our community, through professional services, business, media, newspaper, radio, television, concerts, promotions etc, where many claim to be providing selfless service, all because the objective is to be in public life, to be noticed, to be in the limelight, to have some power, to demand respect rather than to command respect. I have seen it over the years, as much as you. For those who have entered public life or provide selfless service, for the true values and objectives, I personally commend you and wish you well. If these were not your objectives, I wish you best of luck.

I would like to commend Roy Rampersad for an excellent job well done over the past two years with Hotshots Newspapers. Despite all the competition he and the newspaper have faced from others aspiring to compete with him, he kept his focus, kept his mandate, kept his objective, kept his goals and ultimately kept his loyal readers, contributors and sponsors. That is priceless and Roy, you have certainly done a gifted service to the Indo Caribbean Community with Hotshots, and as a contributor from day one, I am proud of the job you have done through the public and selfless service you have provided and the difference you have made to so many. I am proud to be part of the network and will continue to do my part as long as my service is required. In the same token, being in public life with The Hanuman Mission, I was blessed and continue to count my blessings from Hanumanji to be able to provide selfless service through TV (Hanuman Chaleesa), Newspaper (Hindu Perspective Articles), Hindu Chaplaincy (Hospitals) and Cultural Diversity Education (Police and other Social Services Agencies). As much success as public figures seem to enjoy, the satisfaction comes; at least for me, in the selfless services which affect and change the lives of those we serve. I have been extremely pleased and happy with my five years as Founder and President of The Hanuman Mission and consider myself specially chosen for such an undertaking, a unique place to be given for a person like me. I thank all those who have contributed to The Mission and who will do so in the future. Even without a building and capital assets, we have gone beyond expectations in our service deliveries to Ontario and beyond. We have done so with integrity, ethics, moral standards and virtues, breaking grounds beyond expectations, beliefs and acceptance in such short time, it is unbelievable for many. One of the Oaths I took, was to maintain decency in our actions and objectives, always remembering why The Hanuman Mission was established, why we were chosen and why we have been selected to do this job by Hanumanji himself and I pray to always remember this. I will finally like to invite the gentlemen who called and left me his very indecent message about why I went with my children and family to the Leary Joseph Show with Spread Pal Orchestra, recently put on by Gary Khan and Rafi Mohammed of Trinidad ; to call me back. He blocked his number so I could not trace his call and left no contact information, name or number for me to reach him, yet his message keeps saying he wanted to know why I went with my family to this program. I would be only too happy Sir, to answer you; if you would like to call me again, this time, leave your name, number and be a MAN to identify yourself, I will give you the answers you are looking for. I would like to invite you to take a look at our website www.thehanumanmission.com and see the wonderful work we have done for the past five years. I have never heard from you on any other issue, nor did I receive any compliments, feedback or suggestions from you except this indecent phone message, although I heard from hundreds others, across Canada , USA , the Caribbean, India and South America . But as I always say and was taught, Public Life and Selfless Service comes with a price, one which I anticipated, was aware off and one which I am very happy for. I would do the last five years all over again, if I have too, as I consider myself uniquely blessed. I welcome all comments, suggestions and criticisms from anyone, anytime because this is one of the sad perks of public life and selfless service. However, when you do so, be brave, be honest, be sincere, be factual, be ethical and most of all, be bold to identify yourself. Knowledge is wisdom, unity is strength and patience is a virtue. I hope to hear from you again Sir. God bless you. Happy Holiday Season to all. Keep up the good work Roy!