Satnarayan
Maharaj was born on April 17, 1931 in Chaguanas but grew up with his grandparents
in
Caroni Village. He lived as normal a childhood as anyone else in his village being involved in
all the things that interested boys at that age. The insistence of his grandmother
about attending school, paid rich dividends for young Satnarayan, as he became a
teacher in 1946. In 1949 he was transferred to the
Biche Presbyterian School
when he refused to convert to Christianity.
The difficulties and discrimination that Satnarayan
Maharaj faced as a young teacher helped to broaden his own vision – a vision that
would manifest itself in his involvement in the Maha Sabha in the years to follow.
In his own
village
of
Caroni
, Sat became involved in religious activities and was very instrumental with others
in raising funds to help build the
Caroni
Hindu School
. By this time, the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha had been established and involved
in its school building programme, but the Board had little money and so depended
to large extent on the support of the villagers in each of the districts that the
schools were erected.
In 1952, Sat joined the S.D.M.S. Board as a teacher
at Riverside Hindu. In 1953, he was married to Shanti Maraj, the daughter of Bhadase
Sagan Maraj and his ties to this great man and the Maha Sabha were permanently established.
Soon after marriage, he began working for Bhadase
before setting off on his own business. In 1956, he went abroad with his wife and
spent 14 years in
London
. Eventually, through the insistance of his father-in-law, he returned to
Trinidad
in 1970. In 1972, he became on of the Assistant Secretaries of the S.D.M.S. and
in 1977, when Simbhoonath Capildeo did not seek re-election as Secretary – General,
Sat stepped in.
Immediately, he began to establish the Maha Sabha
as a powerhouse. His first mission was to establish a home and set about building
the Administrative Centre on the grounds of
Lakshmi College
. Needless to mention, he did not have the money to finance this structure but with
his power of influence and leadership, he was able to complete the building.
Sat went on a path to re-create the Maha Sabha and
with a group of supporters; he visited every temple and group across the country.
Within two years, they resurrected and re-created the S.D.M.S. Sat also began to
visit the schools.
This
was one of the strongest arms of the organizations and he needed to establish a
permanent relationship with the principals
and teachers. His visits to the schools
resulted from a disenchantment among the teachers. He visited six schools each day and held meeting every night in the mandirs. Sat was getting personally involved
in every aspect of the Hindu Community. He was visible and accessible and the ordinary
folk felt that there was a relationship with the Board. From 1977 onwards for ten
years Sat concentrated his efforts on the schools and only after he felt a sense
of comfort, did he move on to the other front – religion.
His
efforts resulted in making Phagwa a National Festival and in the process he introduced
Children’s Phagwa. Kartic was resurrected and made into an annual festival with
thousands assembling at Manzanilla each year. Sat also transformed Indian Arrival
Day celebrations from being a little sideshow into one of national prominence. The
Pandits’ Parishad had now become more vibrant and the training of young pandits
to carry on is a priority of the Parishad. The Baal Vikaas, the showcase of Indian
Culture among the pupils of the schools, cannot be adequately described in words.
Children performing verses (chowpais, dohas and chands) from the Ramayan, chanting
the Hanuman Chaalesa and singing Bhajans to every deity is absolutely fantastic.
It has served to discover talents in our young pupils, talents that would have probably
never been discovered.
Recently, the SDMS had ventured to expand its involvement
in Secondary education. For many years, Lakshmi Girls stood proudly as the only
secondary institution. Now, there are five colleges. This is through the negotiations
and drive of Satnarayan Maharaj.
The Maha Sabha now has a new status in
Trinidad
and this has caused a lot of envy. Things have been put in place in the fields of
education, culture and religion so that no one can say that the Sanatan Dharma Maha
Sabha has failed the Hindu community. It was felt in many circles that the Maha
Sabha could not have survived the death of Bhadase. Satnarayan Maharaj
proved this
wrong.
In 2002, Satnarayan Maharaj celebrates his Silver
Anniversary - twenty-five productive and magnificent years as Secretary General.
It has been a long and difficult 25 years, tiring and burdensome and sometimes the
urge to give up was uppermost in his mind. The support of his family and his loyal
supporters
over the years motivated him to continue and now as they all look back
to see what has been achieved they are happy that they persevered. We are thankful
for that perseverance.
Sat’s astute leadership and vision have transformed
the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha into a powerful organization that
is involved not
only in Hindus but matters of a national interest. He has certainly anchored the
Hindu community by anchoring the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha.
The Principal, staff, parents and students of the
El Dorado
South Hindu School
congratulate the Secretary – General of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha. Mr. Satnarayan
Maharaj for a truly outstanding twenty-five years in charting the direction of the
S.D.M.S.
We sincerely hope that you continue to find the
courage, strength and determination for many more years to come. We also acknowledge
the outstanding support of your wife, Mrs. Shanti Maharaj and your children who have stood by your side and assisted you along the way
Congratulations Sir, for a job well done.
May God shower His Choicest Blessings on you and your
family