Santatan Dharma Maha Sabha Inc.

A Brief History

                   

“Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or lose.”

                   

Until 1952, there were two Sanatanist organizations in Trinidad. They were the Sanatan Dharma Board of Control (SDBC) and the Sanatan Dharma Association (SDA). Bhadase Sagan Maraj recognized the serious setbacks that this posed to the Hindu Community. The two organizations gave the impression of disunity among the Hindus and this proved to be a serious impediment in the introduction and development of a much needed education system.

                   

Quite illogically and unreasonably, the government of the day insisted that permission to build schools would not be forthcoming once there was disunity. There was definitely a need for an education system for the Hindus at that time. The 1950 Statistical Digest revealed that an alarming 48.5% of the East Indian population could not read nor write English. This statistic when further broken down showed that 60% of the Hindus was illiterate.

                   

It was imperative to change this. Bhadase Sagan Maraj had a burning ambition to transform the Hindu community from one of cane-cutters and grass-cutters, to one which sought opportunities for educational advancement. After all, an education would surely mean upward social mobility for all the young Hindus.

                   

This ambition brought together a powerful team of Hindus led by Bhadase. His team included the likes of Rampersad Bholai, Simbhoonath Capildeo, Ram Suratsingh, Pandit Satnarayan Panday, Pandit Krishna Maharaj, Pandit Sarabjit Persad and others.

They began visiting Hindu villages with the intention of getting support for a merger between the two existing bodies, the SDA and SDBC.

                   

Out of this momentum that was created, a Bill was passed in Parliament, ACT 41 of 1952, placing a seal on the merger and incorporating the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha Association of Trinidad and Tobago. With the merger effected, Bhadase Sagan Maraj was overwhelmingly elected as the first President General. Mr. Ram Suratsingh was installed as the Secretary General. Another key figure, Mr. Simboonath Capildeo later became Secretary of the Education Board of Management of the S.D.M.S.

                   

To keep the vision of Bhadase alive, in 1952 – 1956, the S.D.M.S. was able to establish over 40 primary schools. Most of the construction costs of these schools were privately funded.

                   

The schools not only provided the much needed educational opportunities for the young Hindus but also they provided employment opportunities for many of the Hindu teachers who sought employment elsewhere. As the schools were opened, principals and teachers were needed.

                   

Due to the economic climate prevailing at the time, the schools were crudely constructed and later became the object of ridicule from the PNM leader, Dr. Eric Williams. He often referred to them as ‘cow-shed’ schools.

                   

Bhadase’s response was that, ‘It is better to give a child an education in a cow-shed that none at all.’ In the passing of time, these same cowshed schools have become the pride of the nation. They are now among the best in the country. It must be emphasized that within one generation, Bhadase had been able to assist in the transformation of a cane-cutting, grass-cutting, agriculture oriented community into one of the most literate communities in the nation. Such a transformation did not occur overnight nor without the direction, guidance and motivation of Bhadase and he and all his supporters deserve all the accolades for this.

                   

In 1952, the Bhadase / Capildeo axis establish for all times the foundation for a highly organized Hindu community. The incorporation of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha and the establishment of the Hindu Schools were a product of this formidable combination. Bhadase and the S.D.M.S. not only focused their attention on the construction of schools. They also became actively involved in the building of temples throughout the country. In this context Bhadase was also a religious visionary, looking ahead to the 21^st Century. The S.D.M.S. has now become an organization that is focused on advancing our religion and increasing educational opportunities for all. Bhadase fought mightily and tirelessly for these things and his success is ever so evident.