NEW AMESTERDAM : Shree Krsna Mandir spreads Diwali spirit

Sunday 

NEW AMESTERDAM : The Shree Krsna Mandir in Gay Park, Greater New Amsterdam, East Berbice, is now in its 17th year of bringing cheers to many in their annual ‘Diwali Seva’ hamper drive.

With a
target of approximately 480 hampers for this year’s distribution, many needy
families and individuals will be given the opportunity to ensure they have
enough grocery during the auspicious Hindu holiday.

During
the distribution drive on Sunday, Pandit Rajin Balgobin told the Guyana
Chronicle that the idea is to reach out and spread cheer to as many people as
possible.

“For
sixteen years — we are now in our 17th year on the occasion of Diwali — a few
days before, we try to reach out to as many families or single parents, elderly
in various communities, sometimes 35-40 communities and distribute grocery
hampers.”

The
religious leader related to the Guyana Chronicle that support for the
initiative has been overwhelming, pointing out that the Mandir has moved from
distributing 120 hampers when they started to over 400 today.

Funds for
the event come from donations, both locally and internationally. Notably, the
overseas funding has been coming from Belgium and the Netherlands apart from
the UK, USA, Canada and the Caribbean.

Aside
from Guyana, Balgobin stated that the distribution is being done to 100 poor
families in India as well.

He
expressed gratitude for the generous donations received and while they would
like to assist more individuals, the recent increase in the prices of items
have made the number smaller but nevertheless the hampers are filled with
essential items that would bring a smile to the face of the persons receiving
it.