One outstanding social worker, reformer and healer of T&T was Doon Pandit. Who was this citizen who made a positive impact on the lives of hundreds of people?
Pandit was a humble religious leader, but also a heroic individual who willingly served his community and country. Citizens have regarded him as a humanitarian, activist, healer, nation-builder, charismatic leader, mystic, educator, peacemaker, Hindu patriot and motivational speaker.
Few people are familiar with the publication Doon Pandit: His Life and Times 1900–1958 by D H Singh. This biography captures the legacy of Pandit’s philanthropy, vision and spirituality. Some of Pandit’s relatives (he was born Seenath Ojar) have migrated, while others reside in Trinidad and Tobago.
Pandit was charitable and generous. He hailed from the Las Lomas/Arima/Tacarigua area, and stories of his work extended across the island and beyond our shores.
Indeed, he was a man ahead of his time, a man for all seasons and a social reformer who initiated positive social change in the first half of the 20th century. Here was a man without a secondary or tertiary education who had an unrivalled international reputation at the time, yet never lost sight of his role as a servant of the people.
Doon’s service to the homeless and poor was badly needed. Albert Gomes, in Through a Maze of Colour, captured the heartbreaking conditions faced by some Indians who found refuge in Port-of-Spain: “Ragged, unwashed and underfed, they roamed the streets by day under constant barrage of jeers, sneers and obscenities from every side.”
Doon had a deep desire to render service to those in need. To ignore the role of Doon Pandit would be a retrograde step. He helped portray Hinduism in T&T as a dynamic religion relevant to society’s needs.
This legendary Hindu sage walked with the Governor and other colonial officials, yet never forgot the ordinary people living in poverty. He truly epitomised the words of Rudyard Kipling in his poem entitled “If”, which stated that “he walked with kings but never lost the common touch”. Doon avoided the exalted and sanctimonious role of the pundit as someone who merely pontificated on religious texts.
Interestingly, Doon was credited with curing Josephine Shaw, wife of the then Governor of Trinidad. Subsequently, in 1949, the King of England conferred on him the title of MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire). He freely shared his spiritual gifts and did not seek accolades or awards.
Yes, he transformed the role of the pundit into that of a social worker, humanitarian and liberator. He sought to free his people from injustice, suffering and poverty.
He was comfortable associating with chamars, Afro-Trinidadians and non-Hindus. He was open-minded and a catalyst who sought to unify society by transcending barriers. Indeed, Pandit showed remarkable tolerance, respect and acceptance.
This aspect of Pandit’s character is supported by Nasser Khan, who, in a newspaper article in August 2008, praised Pandit’s willingness to help others: “People seeking him came from diverse racial, religious, age, class and gender backgrounds. They ranged from the unemployed, the sick, the businessman, the politician….”
Furthermore, Pandit was involved with numerous groups, including the Blind Welfare League, the Red Cross, the Breakfast Shed initiative and efforts to serve lepers on Chacachacare.
Louis Homer, a former journalist, mentioned that Doon once employed a Grenadian to keep a fire burning in his yard. This is an example of how he did not discriminate among his fellow citizens. It is admirable that this patriot worked with the poorest of the poor, the sick and the destitute.
Was he a politician? DH Singh argued: “When politicians came seeking his support Doon Pandit remained neutral.” Yes, Pandit remained focused on his work as a spiritual healer and social worker and refused to be drawn into politics. He was too busy serving the thousands who crowded his ashrams. How refreshing! How vital it is for some of our citizens to emulate him.
There are physical reminders of this great son of the soil. These include the Doon Pandit Arima Hindu Primary School, the Doon Pandit Mandir in Arima and the Doon Pandit cemetery in Las Lomas.
In 1950, Pandit was part of a meeting to establish a pandits’ union. In retrospect, I have realised that much more needs to be done to recognise the contribution of pundits and social workers to the socio-religious development of our communities. Undoubtedly, they provided sterling leadership in their communities and the wider society.
Should we not have documentaries or local films celebrating the lives of patriots such as Doon Pandit? It is vital for our legends to be preserved and revitalised. The monumental achievements of Doon Pandit are truly inspiring, yet he remains one of the Caribbean’s unsung heroes.
