The Shocking News
The Arya Samaj Community across the length and breadth of Guyana mourned the tragic loss of an outstanding Arya Vir, the Honourable Minister Satyadeow Sawh, his siblings (Shri Rajpat Rai Sawh and Shrimati Pulmatie Persaud) and their faithful guard, Bhai Curtis Robertson. Just a few minutes after midnight, on the morning of Saturday April 22nd 2006, a group of armed men attacked the peaceful home of Minister Sawh. During this incident, Minister Sawh was brutally assassinated and his siblings (who were visiting from Canada) and guard were mercilessly executed. Another brother, who was also in the house, and two other neighbouring guards, survived after sustaining gunshot injuries. A state of shock and disbelief settled across all Arya Samaj homes as the news of his assassination trickled in.

Minister Sawh has always been known to carry the banner of Arya Samaj proudly and promoted the values of Vaidik Satya Sanatana Dharma. Hailing from an Arya Samaj household, since childhood he attended and was integrally involved in youth camps. Even though he had the usual pressures of carrying out his duties as Minister of Agriculture, he always made a special effort to be closely involved in the activities of Arya Samaj. This loss will certainly be a huge blow to our society. He was at present the Chairman of the Organising Committee for the 50th Anniversary Celebrations of Arya Vir Dal in Guyana. Minister was also known to be a very kind and loving husband and father to his family. He ensured that his entire household was closely involved in the Arya Samaj society. His wife, Shrimattie Sattie Sawh is the Senior Vice-President of the Guyana Central Arya Samaj.

The passing of Minister Satyadeow Sawh will not only leave an impressionable void in the Arya Samaj Community but also in the Guyanese Community at large. He was known to be a very “down-to-earth” and “grass roots” Minister who reached out to the common man. He was always known to wear a charming smile and was always hospitable and accommodating when communicating with others. Min. Sawh was a man of impeccable character and always acted with a great degree of integrity. The Guyana Central Arya Samaj vehemently condemned this ruthless and merciless act of violence that was brutally committed on the lives of the innocent.

Antyesthi Sanskaara
The Antyesthi Sanskaara of the Late Minister and his siblings took place on Tuesday 25th April 2006 at the Good Hope Crematorium. The final journey for the Late Minister began with a Special PPP Tribute Ceremony at Freedom House. This was then followed by an Official State Ceremony on the Lawns of Castellani House where many Government, Parliament and Diplomatic Officials attended to pay their last respects. After this ceremony, the bodies of the Late Minister and his siblings were taken to his residence in LBI for viewing and funeral service. As many streamed onto the lawns of the residence, just get a final glimpse, it became difficult for the service to continue as the huge crowd became uncontrollable. At the end of the service, the three bodies were lifted in “dolis”, each invested with an Om Flag, and placed on an appropriately decorated trailer. A procession then ensued to the crematorium site, where hundreds of mourners had been gathered and waiting for more than 3-4 hours, bearing the heavy rains. Many lined the pathway to the crematorium site as Arya Samajists, decked in saffron and white, marched with the “dolis”. At the crematorium site itself, another huge crowd which was assembled soon became anxious and uncontrollable. After much effort, the local Arya Samaj priests performed the Antyesthi Sanskaara allowing for the bodies of the Late Minister and his two siblings to be cremated side by side.

Vaidik Bhajanaavali and Memorial Service
On Sunday 30th April, after the Antyesthi Sanskaaras were performed for the deceased, a Special Vaidik Bhajanaavali and Memorial Service were held at the Central Vaidik Mandir in their memory. Representatives from the various mandirs included: Crabwood Creek, No. 78 Village, Port Mourant, No.2 Canjie, Reliance Canjie, Enmore, Enterprise, Triumph, Georgetown, Canal No 1 and 2, Vreed-en-Hoop, Windsor Forest, Hague, Leonora, Cornelia Ida, Hampton Court and Cotton Field.

The youths of the Windsor Forest Mandir dedicated their entire presentation to the memory of the Late Minister who was fond of their performances at last year’s Arya Vidya Baal Divas. Many appropriate bhajans, chantings and speeches were made in their honour. On behalf of the President, the Prime Minister, Hon. Sam Hinds, paid tribute to the Late Minister. Junior Vice President of GCAS, Pt. Dhanesar, paid tribute to the Late Minister on behalf of GCAS.

Also present at this function was National Arya Samaj Awardee, Dharmacharya Pt. Ramlall from New York who, on behalf of the Tristate Arya Samaj Mandirs, presented a cheque to the widow of Curtis Roberston and to Shrimati Sawh. The secretary of the Guyana Central Arya Samaj also made a presentation on behalf of the organization to the widow of Bhai Curtis.

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The wife, children and the family of the
Late Minister Satyadeow Sawh would like to express
their gratitude for all the kind messages of condolences.
We would like to thank all the Arya Samaj Mandirs,
families and individuals, locally and internationally,
for sending their words of support and encouragement to us.
Thank you to the Guyana Central Arya Samaj,
the Government of Guyana and the People's Progressive Party
and all our local samajists who came out in our support.
Om shaantih, shaantih, shaantih.

---

SCENES FROM THE ANTYESTHI SANSKAARA
held on Tuesday 25th April 2006.



Section of the mourners seated under the tents that was surrounded by the large crowd of sympathisers.


Thousands of Guyanese, from all walks of life, streamed onto the lawns of the Late Minister's residence just to have glimpse. The large crowd became quite large and uncontrollable.


President of Guyana, His Excellency Bharat Jagdeo, lends his support to the bereaved family as he pays his last respects to the Late Minister. Spiritual head of Arya Spiritual Centre, New York, Pt. Ramlall mourns with family.


The Aryan Chariot that took the Late Minister and his siblings to the end of their journey.


All invested with the symbolic Om Flag, the Late Minister and his siblings were lifted by grieving relatives and friends.


Many lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the procession.


Thousands of mourners, from as far as Essequibo and Berbice, lined the final pathway that led to the crematorium in an effort to pay their final respect. Large crowds of mourners became uncontrollable as they all tried to have a final glance at a man they all loved.


Braving the heavy rains, Arya Samajists, led by Dr. Ramesh Sugrim, sung at the top of their voices in honour of their fallen comrades.


Peering from under their umbrellas, with their rain-soaked clothing, some of the mourners waited for more than 5 hours at the Crematorium Site.


The Antyesthi Sankaara performed by the Arya Samaj priests completed the final rites for the Late Minister and his two siblings.


As the cremation began, the crowd slowly dispersed. The rains ceased to shower their blessings. The sun emerged from the clouds in the West as it was about to set on the horizon. A beautiful rainbow emerged from the Crematorium Site. Om Shaantih, Shaantih, Shaantih.



SCENES FROM VAIDIK BHAJANAAVALI 2006 AND MEMORIAL SERVICE
held on Sunday 30th April 2006.
Central Vaidik Mandir, Georgetown.



Shrimati Sawh and her two sons during Havan Yajna.


Bhajanaavali presentations from the Essequibo Region in honour of
the Late Minister (Hampton Court and Cotton Field Temples).


Presentations being made from the East Demerara Region
(Enterprise and Enmore Temples).


Tributes paid and bhajans sung in memory of the fallen from the
West Demerara Region (Windsor Forest, Leonora and Uitvlugt Temples).


Appropriate bhajans resonated the Central Vaidik Mandir. Photos show contributions being made from the Berbice Region
(No. 78 Village, Reliance Canjie and Crabwood Creek Temples).


Tributes being paid by National Arya Samaj Awardee,
Dharmacharya Pt. Ramlall, Spiritual Head of Arya Spiritual Centre, New York
and Pt. Kamal Dhanesar on behalf of the Guyana Central Arya Samaj.


The Ten Principles of the Arya Samaj recited from memory in Hindi and English by the youths of the Windsor Forest Vedic Mandir.


Vedic Chantings and Bhajans by the Windsor Forest Youths, who dedicated their presentations in honour of the Late Minister and his siblings.


On behalf of the Government of Guyana, tributes were paid
by the Honourable Prime Minister of Guyana Samuel Hinds
and the Honourable Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy.


Financial presentations being made to Rehana Haywood and her eight children (wife of Bhai Curtis Robertson) and Shrimati Sawh by the Tri State Arya Samaj Mandirs of New York in the presence of Pt. Ramlall.


(Left) Presentation made to Rehana Haywood by the Guyana Central Arya Samaj. (Right) Bhai Roger Sawh addresses gathering on behalf of the family, at the end of the function.


Section of the gathering at the Central Vaidik Mandir, Georgetown.

 
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