ONTARIO, CANADA, April 3, 2007: History was made by Pandit Damodar Sharma, the spiritual leader of the Devi Mandir, when he was sworn in last Sunday as the first-ever Hindu Honorary Chaplain for the Durham Regional Police. In attendance were the Mayor of Pickering Dave Ryan, the Deputy Chief of Police in the Durham Region Chuck Mercier, Inspector Jim Douglas, Judge David Stone, and a full congregation of all the supporters and members of the Devi Mandir. Pandit Sharma who lives in Pickering, immigrated from India 15 years ago. He is married and has three children. “Today is a very special day not only for the Devi Mandir but the entire Hindu community in Canada,” stated Vishnu Sookar, Chairman of the Devi Mandir.
“The Pickering Devi Mandir is doing a wonderful job, and the accomplishments of Pandit Damodar deserves a standing ovation,” said Toronto lawyer Dhaman Kissoon. Inspector Jim Douglas told the packed congregation that “we have developed a great relationship with the Devi Mandir and they have played a very important role in the community, it’s a great day.” Deputy Police Chief Chuck Mercier thanked the Mandir for their support in making the work of the police much easier. Mercier praised the Hindu community in the region and said, “with the leadership of Cecil Ramnauth and ongoing discussions for some time now, the time has come for the Devi Mandi and the Durham Police to work together on a higher level.”