The National Assembly Of Mauritius has unanimously passed legislation, namely Act No. 7 of 2001, for the setting up of the Ramayana Centre. The Ramayana Centre provides a unique opportunity to the Indian Diaspora to come together and work out a coherent approach for the global dissemination of the teachings and values of Ramayana, under the guidance of Pandit Rajendra Arun, the founder President o
f the Centre. As is well known the foundational scriptures of Hinduism are the Vedas, which were complied by Guru Vyasaji in Sanskrit. As it is difficult of access and comprehension to the common man, a succession of sages and writers sought to expound its sublime teachings in different forms amongst which are the two epics Ramayana and Mahabharata also known as Itihasas. Subsequently several other versions in Sanskrit were written by different authors. The story and the values depicted so inspired other writers that they adapted it into their own vernacular versions according to the needs and context of their times. Thus it was that the Ramayana spread all over India and South-East Asia where the Ramayana tradition is still extant. Ramcharitmanas, the Ramayana of Tulsidas though is an epic yet is revered as a scripture. It narrates the story of Shri Ram who is the Supreme Brahma as well as an avatar of Vishnu Bhagavan, and also Maryada Purushottam (a noble man of decorum). It is written in Awadhi, the language current at the time, and in verse form meant to be recited and told as a story. The great characters of Ramayana, Shri Dasharatha Shri Rama, Sita, Lakshman, Bharat , Shatrughna and Hanuman were living examples to mankind of the noble values and ideals contained in the Vedas, and which they demonstrated in their lives. These are the same ones that the peoples of India and the Indian Diaspora aspire to live by today, the perennial and universal values which should constitute the basis of sound and sane living for all human beings. Hence the idea of setting up the Ramayana Centre. Today it is a reality, and a work in progress which depends for its realization and continuation upon the support of everyone. The website purports to inform all interested parties about the diverse aspects of the Ramayana and Indian culture in general, as well as about the numerous activities that are carried out at the Centre. An appeal is made for support and active participation in the ongoing projects and programmes of the Centre, a unique one in the region.
