By Paras Ramoutar
Port-of-Spain, Aug 21 (IANS) Learning Hindi helps to understand and practise Hinduism better, says an Indian diplomat.

Indian High Commissioner Malay Mishra said here: “The study or the full appreciation of Hindi helps one to understand, practise and enhance Hinduism as one of the world’s most major and relevant religions today.”

The Indian High Commission has a network throughout Trinidad and Tobago to offer opportunities for everyone to learn, understand and practise Hindi.

He was speaking Tuesday at the 26th anniversary celebrations of the Edinburgh Hindu Temple, Chaguanas where Leela Jugmohan, Indra Juman, Suresh Jaisir and Mohan Persad were recipients of the temple’s anniversary awards.

Some 24 percent out of a population of 1.3 million people are practising Hindus, and there are over 200 temples spread across the country.

Mishra said: “Its (Hinduism) teaching is universal and cuts across ethnic, cultural, social or geographical limitations. Hinduism in inclusive and welcoming.”

He said that Hinduism has three facets — mythology, philosophy and ritual — all of which combined make it eternal and outstanding.

“One must delve in Hinduism for self-discovery and the full meaning and interpretation of life,” he said.

Pundit Ramesh Tiwari, a spiritual leader, said the Edinburgh Hindu Temple has always provided spiritual and social services to its devotees.

“We have been able to do this with a dynamic team of Hindus. We understand that whatever education you might have acquired, if one does not have human kindness then all schooling and accomplishments amount to nothing. Service to humanity is one of the important virtues of a human being,” Tiwari told a gathering of over 300 devotees.

Hinduism was brought here by immigrants who came between 1845 and 1917 to work on the sugar plantations. Most of the immigrants came from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.