A religious programme was held at the Chinmaya Mission, McBean, Couva last Sunday.
RavJi of the Hindu Prachar Kendra pointed out that the Hindu New Year, every year, must come to be an opportunity to strengthen resolve.
"We need to explore the best in our Hindu heritage, to be respectful to our national diversity and to give ourselves in fulfillment of our traditions," he said.
Swami Prakashananda, spiritual leader of the Chinmaya Mission, said that the theme of the celebration was, "Vasudhaiva Kutukbakam–the whole world as one family."
He said that the theme hints at a comprehensive Hindu ideology which seeks the welfare of not only, "our little piece of earth, but the entire earth."
"Not only of our little group when we get into power, but of the entire nation. It is a clarion call to nobility and the fulness of an all-embracing understanding," he said.
"It propounds a world view that seeks not only to validate the natural plurality which exists in the world but, more importantly, to reiterate a right which every species and indeed, every community has to perpetuate and assert its existence. It is a social paradigm derived from a deep spiritual understanding of the universe we live in," Swamiji said.
Speaking on constitutional reform, he said that a constitution should reflect the views and aspiration of the people who constitute the nation.
"You may say that our constitution was drawn up by our first Prime Minister. I am saying it was drawn by one whose inside was dug out and replaced with British software. Independence should mean the right to determine my own destiny. How can I determine my destiny if I am operating with your software programme," he added.
The colonialists have no concept that the entire earth is one big family, and if we are going to rediscover our oneness with each other and with the whole earth we have to embark on a revolutionary programme of decolonisation of our minds–both Indians and Africans.
"The colonialists still rule without their physical presence," he added.
