A Hindu Perspective by Balliram Chadee. M.Hin.

 www.thehanumanmission.com. bally@thehanumanmission.com

or Bally 416-992-2487.

 

Congratulations on an Excellent Job -

Roy Rampersad and Hotshots Newspaper.

12 months or 1 year, whichever way we look at it, is a long time in any language. However, when we look at the efforts, contributions and progress made by Hotshots Magazine and its Founder/Editor, the one and only Roy Rampersad, I am sure you all would agree with me that the success of this newspaper is immeasurable and comparable to none in Canada.

Firstly on behalf of my family Merle, Aarti and Avesh, I would personally like to commend Roy and his Team for an exceptional job over the past year. Secondly from The Hanuman Mission, I would like to thank Roy and his newspaper for allowing me on behalf of the Executives and Management Committee, the golden opportunity to share with over 20, 000 readers every two weeks, the privilege to sit and read and educational segment on Hinduism, which I have been blessed to contribute. The feedback and request for continuous articles on Hinduism have been overwhelming for The Hanuman Mission and myself, as well as for Roy and Hotshots Newspaper, and we are eternally grateful for the opportunity to serve, contribute to the community and most of all to actually make a difference to so many in such a short time, irregardless of race or religion.

When I was approached by Roy to write an article on Hinduism, he wanted one thing which never existed in any of the other newspaper… simple to educate our community on Hinduism and in his words, “to keep our tradition, be who we are as Hindus, but write for a Canadian Hindu audience to read and understand, so they can appreciate what we are telling them..” and this is exactly just what we have done. Roy has strategized his newspaper to bring to the reading public what no other Caribbean or West Indian Newspaper has ever yet done. He has profiled people and their success, activities in the communities, promoted Charitable Causes, Events of the Caribbean, organized boat cruises, picnics and promotional creativities, where money, profit and gains were never the main object or mandate, rather to bring people together and bridge community spirits.

Being in Canada for over 20 years and having been exposed to all west Indian Newspaper during this period, I could safely conclude that Hotshots have created a niche for themselves and very difficult act for any one else to follow . They have been sensitive to the plights of all religions, races, cultures and heritage and have always tried to promote everyone equally. Roy has offered his newspaper to all communities to contribute on health, culture, religion, sports, jokes, lifestyles etc, without any prejudice. He has never “ just reproduced or reprinted” news from the Internet or other sources, rather contributed new and exciting information on every issue.

Finally I would like to once again Thank Roy and the Hotshots Team for an exciting one year of service to the Canadian Indo Caribbean Community and Congratulate them on an exciting victory. Like any new venture, growing pains and start up challenges would always present themselves and the Hotshots were no exception. However, one only has to look at the successful contributions made, the community affected and the lives touch for a smile, laughter and a moment of education and it is a fact the obvious conclusion would be that Hotshots is second to none. There is no competition for Hotshots and it would be a very very long time before any other person or newspaper can take the place of Hotshots Magazine. First impression counts and Roy has left the West Indian community always wondering what’s in the next issue. And so after 12 months the Hotshots Newspaper just keeps getting better and better and going strong. We wish Roy and Team Hanumanji’s Blessings for continued success and prosperity in the coming years. I also send out an invitation (as well as a challenge) to all businesses owned and operated by Caribbean members to support Hotshots Magazine through sponsorships and any other contributions possible in advertising etc. so collectively, you too can forge a relationship with Hotshots Magazine like the Hanuman Mission and make a superb difference to our community which is totally priceless.

Congrats again Roy for a Job well done. Bally and supporters of The Hanuman Mission…Thanks.