GEORGETOWN, Guyana– Highlighting the enduring cultural bond between India and Guyana, the Indian High Commission and the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre in Georgetown successfully hosted a Srimad Bhagavad Gita chanting competition.
Organized in collaboration with the Chinmaya Mission in Guyana’s capital, the event saw enthusiastic participation from local temples and socio-cultural organizations.
“It was heartening to witness young children and youth chanting shlokas from Chapter 5 of the Bhagavad Gita at the award ceremony held earlier today. It underscores the deep cultural connection between Guyana and Bharat through our shared heritage, and the strong desire in both countries to preserve and strengthen our cultural and people-to-people ties,” the Indian High Commission in Georgetown posted on X (formerly Twitter).
“We extend our best wishes to our young Guyanese brothers and sisters who participated in this initiative and, in just a few months, demonstrated remarkable mastery in shloka chanting and appreciation of our shared traditions,” the post added.
The program also featured a photographic exhibition showcasing significant religious sites in and around Kurukshetra—the sacred place where Lord Krishna delivered the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna.
Coinciding with the event, the High Commission also briefed attendees about the upcoming International Gita Mahotsav, scheduled to be held in Kurukshetra, Haryana, from November 15 to December 5, 2025. The announcement included information on a range of cultural activities planned alongside the global celebration.
The Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre in Georgetown, one of the oldest Indian cultural centers abroad, was established in 1972. It offers instruction in Indian classical dance, yoga, and music. Many members of the Indo-Guyanese community continue to observe religious and cultural traditions brought to Guyana during the era of indentureship.
In a further show of cultural solidarity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Guyana in November for a two-day trip that included a moving religious event at the Promenade Garden in Georgetown. During the event, PM Modi participated in a Ram Bhajan (devotional song), emphasizing the strong cultural and spiritual ties between the two nations.
The visit underscored the vibrant presence of the Indian diaspora in Guyana and reinforced the role of cultural diplomacy in deepening bilateral relations between India and Guyana. (Source: IANS)
