Pt Budhram Mahadeo, CCH

Pa, and Papa, as he was fondly called, was one of Guyana’s freedom fighters. He joined Dr. Cheddi Jagan’s struggle for Guyana’s independence and, after independence, served his people and his country on numerous fronts. In politics, he was his people’s representative: he was a Central Committee member of the People’s Progressive Party for 50 years, and he was the Chairman of the Guyana Rice Producers Association for 20 years. He also held the titles of Justice of the Peace, Commissioner of Oaths for Affidavits, and Marriage Officer, and served as a director on various corporate and state boards.

He was a very prominent personality in the struggle for Guyana’s freedom from its dictatorship rule, to which end he once led a countrywide march (over 200 miles) in protest against the oppressors. He was jailed and victimized, but he persisted toward his goals. He represented the country in many places, including Iraq, England, the USSR, Russia, Czechoslovakia (then a separate entity), Iran, Suriname, the Netherlands, Cuba, the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, and other countries.

In his political and philanthropic schedule, Panditji was a leader and motivator. He grew up learning the Vedas and Shastras. A student of Swami Veda Bharati, he served his Guru’s mission of teaching the word of God, thus the title Panditji. He was successful in many debates and stood steadfastly for religious and social reform. In the religious field, he served as President of the Berbice Central Arya Samaj for over 20 years and as Vice President of the Guyana Central Arya Samaj for many years.

As a teacher during his youth, he rode his bicycle more than 20 miles each day to teach his classes in several villages along the Corentyne Coast. As a Priest, he was a solitary figure as one of the first Arya Samaj Pandits in the country to preach the unity of all religions. He also traveled widely, both within and outside the country, to deliver sermons to thousands of devotees.

Panditji became the Guru and a father figure for thousands of disciples in and out of Guyana. He believed in empowering young people, and so he pioneered the formation of the Guyana Hindu Youth Organization and the Guyana Aryan Youth Organization in the early 1970s. His priesthood embodied the ideals of Swami Dayanand – even to the extent of his express belief that Priests must not charge a fee for performing religious functions. His firm belief in Honesty and Integrity caused his name to spread far and wide, both within and outside Guyana. He was a beacon of light, and his soft smile lit up the hearts of many souls yearning for help.

Even as his health started to decline, he never slowed in his duties. His first major illness came as he delivered a speech to hundreds of political supporters at the No. 63 village. He delivered that speech fully aware of his health condition, but felt that he must not falter in his duties.

The Government of Guyana recognized Panditji for his flawless contributions to his country and awarded him the second-highest National award, the Cacique Crown of Honor. He was also presented with awards from various groups in and outside Guyana, including the Guyana Rice Producers Association, the Guyana Hindi Prachaar Sabha, the Guyana Agricultural Producers Association, the People’s Progressive Party, the Guyana Hindu Youth Organization, the Guyana Central Arya Samaj, and Arya Samaj USA.

This flame was extinguished on September 27th, 2000, after a morning of prayers, fasting, and silence. His light lives on.

His was a marathon life, a whirlwind of pure selfless activities that cannot be equaled.