By Rajendranath Ramsundar – General Secretary

The followers of the Kabir Panth Faith are fortunate to have one of the richest heritages in religion, culture and history.  As we reflect we are reminded of the sheer determination and deep abiding faith, in the culture and religion and the sacrifice of our ancestral pioneers, to promote and sustain family life and its values.  In the face of hardships, exploitation and discrimination, these individuals were able to survive and today excels at all levels of society.

These qualities remind us of the teachings of Sat Guru Kabir Sahib:

 …”That God is one, all members of the human race are His offsprings,”

…”That all beings are essentially divine and worthy of His sublime love”,

…”That we should live a life of truthfulness, simplicity, purity, thrift. Compassion, forgiveness and love…”

On May 30^th 1845, the Fatel Razack brought 225 East Indian men, women and children to Trinidad.  These people came from places in India such as Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Punjab and more specifically Bihar, Orissa, Oudh and Madras.  Among these labourers were four main sects, namely, the Ramanandi, Owghar, Sewnarini and the Kabir Sect.

About the Kabir Sect, not much is written, however, certain names were very prominent at the time. These include, Shri Meethudass, Shri Bhajan Dass, ShriJogi Dass, Shri Khedardass, Shri Goolcharan Dass, Shri Ragoohardass and Shri Newadass.

A note of “Emigration from India to Trinidad” (Calcutta 1893) by the protector of Immigrants, Trinidad, indicates that the Kabir Panth faith was introduced in Trinidad by Shri Meethudass who came from India through Demerara, Guyana in 1880.  Shri Meethudass distributed “Bhaiks” or Kanthis (the mark of the Panth) to seven men and four women and then went back to India.  About six months later, Shri Govindass arrived in Trinidad through Demerara, and also distributed ‘Bhaiks’ to Shri Jogidass and Shri Newaldass and to several other devotees.

The ‘bhaik’ is a piece of Tulsi wood through which a cotton string is attached and worn around the neck.   These Mahants were then left with the powers to train other Mahants and distribute  ‘Kanthis’ and initiate followers of the faith.

These were the men who taught and guided immigrants according to the teachings of Kabir Sahib.  Many immigrants were converted from the various estates.

It was also reported in the diary of Sargeant /Major Comins, dated 18^th June 1891, an interesting conversation with an old immigrant named Kowlessar who was living in Trinidad for about thirty-five years,  “..that there were about 150 persons in the island belonging to the Kabir Sahib Ka Pant and their religion was, that there was one God who was supreme.  Their creed was to help everyone in need and even if he was poor, no one was refused; they had one day in the month at full moon, when they all met together and discussed their affairs…”

From Kowlessar’s account we can assume that the Kabir Panthis in Trinidad began practicing the teachings of Kabir Sahib as regards monotheism and equality of men, regardless of caste differences. Subsequently, the training of new Mahants took place and so the Kabir Panth faith continued to spread.

In 1932 the Kabir Panth Association was incorporated by an act in Parliament (Act No.36 of 1932) and the Association was then known as the Kabir Panth Association of Trinidad and Tobago (Inc. 1932).  In that same year, the Kabir Panth religion was recognized by the government of Trinidad and Tobago and was given its own financial grant under the Ecclesiastical Grant Scheme.

Each year henceforth, at the Annual General Meeting of the Association, members meet and elect its Central Executive comprising Officers and floor members who run the day-to-day activities of the Association.  Members of various boards are also elected according to the constitution. Following are the Officers elected for the year 2007.  Let us turn our attention now to the activities for this year 2007.

The month of May would have seen participation in celebrations commemorating the 160^th Anniversary of Indian Arrival Day.  The Association joined with the National Council of Indian Culture on a grand parade on the streets of Chaguanas ending at the Divali Nagar compound on the Solomon Hochoy Highway.

The month of June heralds the celebration of Kabir Jayanti.  The Association will be holding three nights of  Satsang culminating in the Satwick Chowka at the  Agostini Settlement K.P.A. School, Chase Village.  Other Satsangs and Chowkas will be held at other venues. Live radio coverage of these programmes is also envisaged to mark the occasion.

The Kabir Quiz between the Agostini Settlement K.P.A. School and the Siparia K.P.A. School takes place on the 21st June. The winners of last year’s quiz, Agostini Settlement K.P.A. will host the quiz and members are welcomed to witness this annual event.

In the month of November, the Association joins with the N.C.I.C. once again in the celebration of Divali.  We look forward to increase participation by members in the establishment of a booth at the Divali Nagar where an excellent opportunity exists to showcase our Association.

Kartik celebrations by the Asssociation take place in November.  Kabir Batt, as we know it, is celebrated around the time of Kartik Nahan.  Here too members are invited to participate at our Satsang.  The year ends with the commemoration of Kabir Nirvaan or Kabir Antar Dhyaan - the disappearance of Sat Guru Kabir Sahib. This will take place in the month of December.  Finally, the production of a calendar for 2008 is planned.

The Association will announce specific dates for these activities.  Members should keep in touch for these announcements.  It is hoped that these activities will serve to arouse the interests of members and provide opportunities to interact with other members.  The Central Executive look forward to an exciting year’s activities and would like to encourage everyone to participate.

Members of The Kabir Panth Association have a corresponding responsibility to seek the interest of the Association.  The Association is not the President nor Officers, the Association is its members.  Do not say what are “they” doing but rather what should “we” be doing.  Put aside petty differences, work together despite the odds, follow the teachings of Sat Guru and build on the five pillars –

TRUTH, NON-VIOLENCE, UNITY, ONE FAMILY AND ONE SUPREME MASTER.

With Kabir Saheb’s Blessings