Swami Dayanand’s 1st Birth Centenary Commemorated in Mauritius (Part Two)

Pahlad Ramsurrun

At 11.15 p.m. came the turn of Pandit Ramawad Sharma. He spoke on brotherhood and cited many examples to prove that if something is not done at the proper time it is sure to meet with failure. In the latter part of the speech, he seemed to dictate the lines of the Upanishads which we should follow in future. To be brief, he hesitatingly meant to ask them to be less critical and more tolerant.

Next came the turn of Pandit Cashinath. At the very outset he began by humorously telling the audience that as they had heard something very “sweet” from the lips of Pandit Ramawad Sharma, he would add something “bitter” to the “sweet”, this would make the appetite of the hearers keener. While admitting that tolerance and time-serving policy are necessary in other matters, they cannot be countenanced in religion. He proved his assertions by irrefutable arguments and proofs. He said that when Swami Dayanand was alone against 350 million inhabitants of India, he did not fear to fight – and fight resolutely against all sorts of evil so as to make truth triumph over falsehood. If for the sake of pleasing everybody, Swami Dayanand would have followed a policy of tolerance, the state of Bharat Mata would no doubt have become worse. Every word the Pandit spoke sent a thrill through the body, and his speech, which was loudly applauded, was conceded to be a masterpiece. He exhorted the Samajists (particularly) to be brave and undaunted so that they may destroy the evil and injustice and establish justice and righteousness.

From 12.10 to 12.25 a Bhajan was again sung by Pandit Sankar, and then, at 12.25 p.m, began the speech of Pandit Gayasing. He spoke in his voluble manner for half an hour, after which the President closed the proceedings at 1.00 a.m, and the guests separated to enjoy a few hours’ sleep.

Sunday 22^nd

The next day at about 10.00 a.m, the plain surrounding the Dharamshala as well as the hall was already empty. But a few hours later not less than three thousand guests were

present. Havan was performed from 10.00 to 11.00 a.m. by Swami Mehta Jaimini, Pandit Shankar, Pandit Gayasing, and Pandit Anirood Sharma. At 11.50 a.m, Pandit Gayasing said that there were twelve coconut trees to be planted as a memorial of the centenary. Though they had to pay five rupees for planting each of them, several notable persons desired so, but as there were only twelve to be planted, the wishes of all could not be satisfied.

The following are the names of those who planted the twelve coconut plants: 1. Pandit Cashinath, 2. Mr. Rajcoomarsing Ramdeen, 3. Mr. Goolab, 4. Mr. Dowlut Dabee. 5. Pandit Anirood, 6.Mr. Guruparsad Duljeetlall, 7. Mr. Mohamed Hossen Ellam, 8. Mr. Mansasing, 9. Mr. Gopinath Chuttur (Head Teacher), 10. Mr. Ramroop Bhageerutty, 11. Mrs. Gayasing, 12. Mr. Ramsharan Moti.

At 12.00 a.m. Mr. Ramsharan Moti was again elected President, and Messrs. Teelucksing Gujadhur and Dabeedeen Reetoo, Honorary Presidents. There was a prolonged applause and a manifestation of great joy at the election of these two distinguished gentlemen. Medals were then awarded to the Pandits. The Honorary President, Mr. Teelucksing Gujadhur offered the medals to Pandit Cashinath, Pandit Shankar, and Pandit Vasoodev, (who was then absent through illness, and is now “in the bosom of his Father”), and Mr. Dabeedeen Reetoo, the other honorary President offered the medals to Pandit Gayasing, Pandit Anirood, and Pandit Jagnandun. They thanked the Presidents for this great honour on this grand day and retired to their respective seats.

The President then announced Swami Mehta Jaimini’s speech, which was a continuation of his speech of the previous night. His second speech too was very much appreciated, and the audience listened to it with unflagging attention. He spoke from 12.35 to 2.00 p.m., and expressed his regret that for want of time, he was compelled to cut short his speech.

The next speaker was Pandit Cashinath. As he was allowed very little time, he spoke somewhat hurriedly on what Swami Dayanand has done in the domain of education for the woman world.

At 2.40 p. m. the President informed the audience that Mr. Dunputh Lallah was going to speak for a few minutes. Everybody was very much pleased at this. He spoke vehemently at times allowing himself to be carried by emotion and said that we should set aside all religious and personal grievances whenever the cause of our nation and our country is in question. He foreshadowed the necessity of all the Indians to be united.

At 3.05 p.m. Pandit Gayasing’s turn came. After eulogizing Mr. Teelucksingh Gujadhur for a few minutes, he closed his speech by making an appeal to add a story to the Dayanand Dharamshala. Mr T. Gujadhur readily promised to give four hundred planks (an equivalent of about one thousand rupees), Mr. Hannuman promised to give 5,000 shingles and Mr. D. Lallah to give the necessary nails etc.  Pandit Gayasing himself gave one hundred rupees on behalf of his deceased wife. Afterwards a photograph was taken at 4.00 p.m., and the celebration of this memorable Anniversary came to an end.

KARMA

Postscript:

1. It appears that the report of the historic function held on 21st and 22nd February 1925 at the Dayanand Dharamshala, has never been published by anybody in any book ;
2. Neither the photograph taken on that occasion, nor the medals offered to Pandits have been traced, nor mentioned by anybody.
3. The twelve coconut trees planted in memory of that historic function had not survived the ravage of time, except the one tree that remained until 1980s when the new building was constructed, and later it was felled down to give place for car-parking.
4. Although no mention is made of any special issue of “Mauritius Arya Patrika” published on that occasion, yet, it was published, just after the historic function. It contained 36 pages and entitled “Shatabdi Ank”. In the Hindi section, there are three unsigned articles, followed by a poem by S. Ramawtar, and contributions by Pt. Atmaram, Heeralal Gupta, Ramsharan Moti and Banpresti Mehta Jaimini. The English section comprised the articles of R. D., Ramananda, Atma, Shankar, Karma, V. Govinden and Banpresti Mehta Jaimini.

The End