Guyana Central Arya Samaj 2nd Biennial Arya Samaj Conference
[ Coinciding with the 50th Anniversary Celebrations of the Arya Vir Dal in Guyana ]
11th - 12th August 2006 - Skeldon, Berbice
Theme: Arya Vir Dal in a Modern World

The Second Biennial Arya Samaj Conference was held on Friday August 11th and Saturday August 12th 2006 at the Skeldon High School Auditorium. The Biennial Arya Samaj Conference, which was initiated by the Guyana Central Arya Samaj in 2004, was created as a platform for Guyanese Arya Samajists to congregate in an effort to engage in constructive discussions. Since our 2006 Biennial Conference coincided with the 50th Arya Vir Dal Celebrations, the theme selected was “Arya Vir Dal in a Modern World”.

Our National Conference became an International one with the presence of our International Guests. Temples from all across Guyana, were given the opportunity to present papers in any of the various sessions (see below). We were pleased to welcome the presentations from local temples, individuals and overseas guests.

Below you will find an outline of the conference:

Aim of the Conference
To reflect and analyse the Arya Vir Dal movement from it's origins to present day and the relevance of it in the modern world in an effort to reverse it's declining influence on today's youths.

Objectives
- to recall the origin and purpose of Arya Vir Dal movement in India and it's spread to Guyana and the other parts of the world.
- to assess and recognize the declining influence of the Arya Vir Dal movement on youths of today.
- to make suggestions towards the implementation of strategies towards highlighting the relevance of the Arya Vir Dal movement in modern society in a manner that will attract the attention of the modern youth.

Plenary Sessions
Presenters were invited to present papers on the following topics during the plenary lecture sessions:

1. Arya Vir Dal World Wide
What is the Arya Vir Dal? How did it originate? What is the Role of the Arya Vir Dal in the Arya Samaj? How does the Arya Vir Dal function? Arya Vir Dal in India. Arya Vir Dal in Guyana and the Diaspora. History and present status. How to achieve cooperation and sharing of information or experiences amongst Virs and Viranganas internationally?

2. Arya Vir Dal in the Modern Era
Is the Arya Vir Dal a thing of the past? Is it applicable to today's society? What contribution can the Arya Vir Dal make to modern society? Is the Arya Vir Dal meeting the needs of the youths of today? Does the Arya Vir Dal attract the youths? If not, how can this be acheived?

3. Veda Prachaar/Prasaar for the Internet Generation
Adapting the method of teaching Vedic Philosophy for Modern Youths. How can Veda Prachaar/ Prasaar compete with video-games, satellite tv, internet? How can Vedic Principles be taught in such a way so that youths can resist the multiple distractions of Modern Society? Is disunity amongst elders the cause for lack of interest in youths? Can cohesion and unity in the Arya Samaj strengthen and empower youths who seek spiritual guidance?

Interactive Sessions
Delegates were divided into groups to discuss and generate solutions to two questions that were posed on both days. These were then presented at the end of each day. On the second day, the conference document bearing the summarised discussions were adopted.

Outline of the Proceedings

DAY ONE - FRIDAY AUGUST 11TH
Chairperson: Bhai Charlie Ammar


Opening of Conference
    by Pt Ramlall
Video-Message on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary Celebrations
    from Swami Veda Bharati
Background of Conference and Theme
    by Dr. Shailendra Sugrim, Secretary, Organising Committee
Empowering Youths for the Modern World
    Guest Presentation by Bhai Charlie Ammar

Plenary Session 1 - Arya Vir Dal World Wide
Paper 1: History of AVD in India by Guyana Central Arya Samaj
    Read by Dr. Sukhdev Soni, Chicago.
Paper 2: History of Arya Vir Dal in Guyana by Guyana Central Arya Samaj
    Read by Bahen Adithi Mahase, No. 78 Mandir
Paper 3: The Arya Veer Dal by Guyana Central Arya Samaj
    Read by Pt. Kamal Dhanesar, Vice-President, Guyana Central Arya Samaj
Paper 4: The Arya Youth League of South Africa by Arya Pratinidhi Sabha of South Africa
    Read by Bahen Usha Debipersad, Veda Niketan, APS,SA.

International Messages
Messages were received from India, Australia, UK, USA, Canada, Africa, Mauritius, Trinidad and Suriname.

Interactive Session
“Fostering Interaction between Arya Vir Dal Groups Internationally”
Questions addressed were: Why should there be an interaction between the various groups? What benefit will come of these interactions? (Aims and Objectives/Goals)? How is this to be done practically?


DAY TWO - SATURDAY AUGUST 12TH
Chairpersons: Prof. Rishee Thakur and Pt. Kamal Dhanesar


Plenary Session 2 - Arya Vir Dal in the Modern Era
Paper 1: The Dharmic Youth - Swami Dayananda's Perspective
by Shrimati Jaya Arakundo, India
    Read by Shrimati Saroj Soni, Chicago.
Paper 2: Arya Vir Dal in Modern Guyana
    by Shrimati Leila Singh, Reliance Vedic Mandir
Paper 3: Moving the Arya Vir Dal Forward
    by Bahen Dhanrajie Haimraj, Windsor Forest Vedic Mandir
Paper 4: Arya Vir Dal in the Modern WOrld
    by Bahen Usha Debipersad, Arya Pratinidhi Sabha, South Africa
Paper 5: Spirituality Vs Religion for the Modern Youth
    by Pt. Kamal Dhanesar, Berbice Central Arya Samaj
Paper 6: Sexually Motivated Youths - Can the Arya Vir Dal make a difference?
by the Georgetown Arya Samaj
    Read by Bahen Renuka Lall, Georgetown Vedic Mandir
Paper 7: A Brief Look at the Arya Samaj and the Arya Vir Dal
    by Bhai Yoganand Mahadeo, Guyana Aryan/Hindu Youth Organisation
Paper 8: A New Dawn of the Vedic Age - An Agenda for the Aryan Youth
by Dr. Harish Chandra, India
    Read by Dr. Ramesh Sugrim, Guyana Central Arya Samaj

Plenary Session 3 - Veda Prachaar/Prasaar for the Internet Generation
Paper 1: Information Technology & Veda Prachaar
    by Bhai Vijay Datadin, Georgetown Vedic Mandir
Paper 2: How can Vedic Principles be taught in such a way so that
youths can resist multiple distractions of modern society?
    by Dr. Cheetanand Mahadeo, Crabwood Creek Vedic Mandir
Paper 3: Focusing on the Internet Generation
    by Dr. Shailendra Sugrim, Arya Vir Dal Committee, Guyana Central Arya Samaj

Interactive Session
“Innovative suggestions to metamorphosise the Arya Vir Dal to appeal to the Modern Generation.”

Presentation of Statements
    Suggestions emanating from the various interactive session groups were presented.
Adoption of Conference Statement
    Selected suggestions from those presented earlier were ratified and adopted
    by the Conference Delegates.
Closing of Conference
    After adoption of the Conference Documents, participants were presented with
    Certificates of Attendance as the official sessions were closed.

Conclusion
We express our gratitude to all of our International delegates for the time and effort they made to attend our conference. Thank you to all of our local presenters for their valiant efforts. Our sincere gratitude to the Skeldon High School and the Ministry of Education for accomodating us at such a wonderful venue. We expect to print our conference document for distribution in the future. We look forward to welcoming our delegates once again for our 3rd Biennial Arya Samaj Conference which will be held on the Sunday 28th September, 2008.