Paras Ramoutar
TRINIDAD, September 1, 2005: His lectures, discourses and bhajans are about promoting international understanding, hope, inspiration, love and peace. This was what Trinidadian-born, Pundit Munelal Maharaj and his wife, Naveeta, espoused in their recent trip to South Africa where he delivered religious discourses from the Ramayana and the Gita, sang bhajans and gave inspirational speeches to overflowing audiences. Some of the places he officiated included: the Shri Gopalal Temple in Verulam; Woodview Hindu Dharma Sabha Hall in Woodbrook; Phoenix; and the Hillgrove Hindu Society AMS Hall, Hillgrove, Newlands. At his discourses in the Ramakrishna Centre in Glen Anil and ABH in Chatsworth, Pundit Munelal was guest speaker on both Lotus FM and Hindvani Radio Stations and many listeners were impressed by his strategy and responses. So inspiring was his visit that his hosts will have him back next May for another three-week of spiritual regeneration.
“During our sojourn in South Africa, we were able, both spiritually and mentally, to bring about peace and harmony. One can detect that in talking to the people, particularly the young people,” he said in an interview. Pundit Munelal wife Naveeta is a versatile singer/musician with a master’s degree in engineering. They have a four-year old daughter, Vaishnavi. He said that they were, “excessively overwhelmed by the warmth, hospitality, cordiality and support ushered to them by their South African hosts, the first by any religious leader from Trinidad and Tobago. “In our discourses, we take young people from where they are and not from where you want them to be. One must be able to spark that interest and enthusiasm and commitment, and automatically everything comes together. It’s a fusion, a synchronous undertaking,” he said.
Pundit Munelal continued: “I speak from a platform, but also come down to the people. It is done as a one-to-one conversation, and one feels the connection, the linkages with the person. This approach give one new hope and new confidence in life and in living,”he said. The couple have written four books and have recorded songs on 13 CDs, which were snapped up by emotional devotees. Pundit Munelal said his books brought about, “a new understanding and new meaning to its readers and allowed young people to fully appreciate and comprehend the rich traditions and unique personality of Hinduism in an easy-to-read format.” Some of the youths in South Africa are not the only ones who have walked away from religion. There is a similar pattern in North America where they have been “powerfully drawn by modern life.” “As young pundits, we need to talk to young people in a way that they understand, so I incorporate music, jokes, discussions on HIV/Aids, drugs and discourses of North America where we have hosted numerous successful camps over the many years we have been visiting there,” Pundit Munelal added.
Naveeta said, “Our trip was aimed to promote Hinduism with an emphasis on youth development and empowerment. Let me add that if the tradition dies with them, so does religion.” She said that from her interactions in Durban, she realized that young people were talented, wanted to learn, and took a genuine interest in religion and spirituality, pointing out that young musicians had accompanied them in their performances. “There is a different style and way of life in this day and age. Parental figures need to be flexible and adapt to situations where compromise is possible in religion so their children will feel comfortable,” she notes.