Georgetown: Highlighting the enduring cultural bonds between India and Guyana, the Indian High Commission and Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre in Georgetown successfully hosted a ‘Srimad Bhagavad Gita’ chanting competition. Organised in collaboration with the Chinmaya Mission in the South American nation’s capital, the event saw active participation from temples and socio-cultural organisations across the region.

“It was heartening to witness young children and youth chanting shlokas from Chapter 5 of Bhagavad Gita at the Award Ceremony hosted earlier today. It underlines the deep cultural connection between Guyana and Bharat through our shared heritage and the strong desire in Guyana and India to preserve and reinforce our strong cultural and people to people ties,” the High Commission of India in Georgetown shared on X.

“We wish all the very best to our young Guyanese brothers and sisters who participated in this initiative and within a few months demonstrated their mastery in Shloka chanting and appreciation of our shared tradition,” the post added.

The event also featured a photographic exhibition showcasing key religious landmarks in and around Kurukshetra — the sacred battlefield where Lord Krishna delivered the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna.

Coinciding with the programme, the Indian High Commission in Georgetown informed attendees about the upcoming ‘International Gita Mahotsav’ scheduled in Haryana’s Kurukshetra from November 15 to December 5, 2025, and outlined various cultural activities planned around the global celebration.

The Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre in Georgetown, established in 1972, remains one of India’s oldest cultural centres abroad, offering training in Indian classical dance, yoga, and music. The Indo-Guyanese community, rooted in the legacy of indentureship, continues to follow traditional religious practices with great devotion.

In November, during a two-day visit to Guyana, Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in a deeply spiritual event that underscored the strong cultural connections between the two nations. PM Modi also joined a Ram Bhajan (devotional singing session) at the historic Promenade Garden in Georgetown.

The Prime Minister’s visit to Promenade Garden held special meaning, reinforcing the cultural vibrancy of the Indian diaspora in Guyana and showcasing how soft power and heritage continue to strengthen India-Guyana bilateral relations.