Source: Anil Mahabir, Trinidad Correspondent
TRINIDAD, March 18, 2002: Secretary General of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha of Trinidad and Tobago, Shri Satnarine Maharaj, said tertiary education for Hindu citizens of T&T will soon be available “at a fraction of the cost when the Hindu University is set up.” Maharaj was speaking at a news conference at the Lakshmi Girls’ High School, the headquarters of the Maha Sabha, last week Wednesday at the launch of the project. He said the Maha Sabha, Trinidad’s largest Hindu organization, will use its 160 temples and 60 schools throughout the country to set up bases for study. People can also study at their homes. Maharaj said these bases will be set up with computers so students can access information from Florida’s Lynn University. Four representatives from Lynn University were present at the launch and said countries from all over the world are receiving data from them through the Internet. “The home is the most important teaching institution in the Hindu home and indeed the country at large,” Maharaj said. “Why is it that we can only send six percent of our children to university here in Trinidad, while other developed countries have an average enrollment of about 60 percent?” he asked. “Do we have talent to waste, or do we simply do not care? Sure, it is good to learn about the greatness of Indian culture and the devotional aspects of Hinduism, such as puja, but we have also got to educate our children about Hindu philosophy, such as the Vedas and the Mahabharata and give them a feel of academics as well. The education has to be all around for the Hindu,” he said. Maharaj asked the audience, which included many Christians and Muslims, not to draw any conclusions about a Hindu University, since there is already a Christian university in existence. He said that non-Hindus will be allowed to attend classes at the temples and Hindu schools. “No one will be discriminated against,” he said. The president of computer company DTRONICS, Richard Guide, said his company will be donating as many as 25 computer-ready bases for the university. These will provide easy access for those who cannot afford computers. Maharaj gave June 6, 2002, as the tentative date for the official launch of the university, that is, when classes will begin in full stream.