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By Pandita Indrani |
June, 2002: The financial audacity of Mr Harnarine has revolutionized the Hindu Credit Union, within one generation of its humble start. His financial successes threaten the ideology and practices of traditional banking in this country, and he cracks the Hinduphobia shell of many, making a new image for the young Hindu male professional.
Mr Harnarine's grounding in his dharma, passion for the "small man", youth, sharp intellect, wide experience in business, finance, unionism, and his boldness to take a risk, all make for his brand of audacity. His aggressive style in pursuing an idea, once born, does not tolerate bystanders. And while all these qualities have not made him popular with vested interests he seems to be popular with the ordinary folks who are now getting access to more money and higher returns on their money. The gentleman seems to know where he wants to go and, instead of taking a donkey cart, he is on a rocket!
A couple weeks ago I visited one of the branches of the credit union and saw banking transactions being conducted like in any traditional bank. The long lines were mainly of people of Indian and African origin with one of Chinese origin somewhere in between, and several of varying percentages of this or that ethnicity. It did not suggest that the Hindu credit union was a place for only people of Indian origin or for only Hindus.
Some people are threatened by the "financial unity" between the major ethnic groups - enough to want to upset Mr. Harnarine's moneycart. Some ask about money laundering, with Mr. Harnarine denying any such illegal activities, defying anybody to find him "offside," and even taking the bold step of placarding the ruling party's office to protect his credit union's reputation. He explains that he is playing by all the legal rules of credit unionism.
Others point to the overt style of high living like ornate furniture, fancy cars, and the swimming pool in their recreation center. Hey, I also saw puja sthaans there, too, with people taking their morning inspiration before beginning work.
When one of the early Indian stations had a successful start, and its owners bought yachts within the first year there was no cry of high lifestyle from the very people on whose heads profits were made. I myself prefer simple living and high thinking, but I begrudge no one the right to enjoy their wealth as they see fit, though I can only caution that we are only temporary keepers of God's wealth and that, while we enjoy, we should also share with the more needy in society. I believe the Hindu Credit Union is engaged in a lot of "financial empowering of the weaker sections of society" their most noble charity, indeed! What is it that afflicts Hindus that they will, almost without failure, go out of their way to bring down other Hindus who are doing things better and different? Email me the answer if you know it.
Financial power brings political power in its wake. This seems to be the core issue in the recent attacks on the Hindu Credit Union and its president. Two government ministers participated in what many now believe is a devious plot to destabilize the Hindu Credit Union in the interest of bigger concerns big business, hinduphobics, and shaky religious and political leadership. Is there a link between this government's apparent discomfort with things Hindu and the maha faux pas of these two ministers?
Some on the ethnic and religious front say that there is little or nothing "Hindu" about the Hindu Credit Union now, because many of its members are not Hindus and that meat and alcohol are served on some occasions (though not sold) at its administrative-cum-recreation center in Chase Village. The Hindu Credit Union does not see itself as a "religious" organization, on par with the established ones. In fact, I would be worried if it does. It seems to be directed at generating and distributing wealth for especially the needy in society, guided by dharma (universal moral ideals that guide us in choosing which path of action to take) and artha (righteous way of gaining and distributing wealth), and being pragmatic about it all in our particular environment of Trinidad and Tobago. Noble ideals, indeed, for a financial institution!
In terms of food and drink, the highest ideal is that neither meat nor alcohol should attend the "Hindu" identity in any sphere of life. Yet, neither Hindu schools nor all Hindu homes are designated "no meat" and "no alcohol" zone in this country, though mandirs are. Should we, therefore, make demands on a financial institution that we don't make in our homes and educational institutions? You need to admire the Seven Days Adventists and the Muslims: in this regard, they take the difficult decisions, with ease. Divali Nagar faced a similar dilemma, and to the credit of its members, especially Mr. Hans Hanoomansingh, they stand by the highest Hindu ideals in this regard no meat and no alcohol, even though they lose much of the income-generating public fetes that thrive on alcohol. I trust that Hindu Credit Union would never get involved in selling meat or alcohol.
While the Hindu worldview is all encompassing I would caution that members of the Hindu Credit Union put structures in place to ensure that it remains "Hindu" in orientation, because this alone would ensure a continued spirit of inclusion. It is to Mr. Harnarine's credit that he seems pretty confident about his own identity as a Hindu to be able to embrace non-Hindus in his success story and with the warmth and equality that his dharma demands. If, however, structures are not put in place, then we would just have to hope that successors would continue in the Hindu direction. That is not good enough. Structures are needed and I don't see any sane person in this country having a quarrel with the fact that the Hindu Credit Union needs to remain in Hindu hands, even as it includes people of all faiths and ethnicities in its membership and administration. Right now Mr. Harnarine seems to be the only person who can command such a mandate from the membership.
There is no doubt that Mr. Harnarine and his team are challenging traditionally held images of the young Hindu male professional! I do not see many Hindu female professionals in the forefront yet, but the day is still young. I am excited by these experiments in a young generation of people with fresh, post-modern ideas and with "success" written on their foreheads as they take on the new global economy, driven by their dharmic ideals.
We are living in lawless times reminiscent of the pre-coup days of 1990 with robberies, hold-ups and kidnapping as routine a news item as the suicide bombers in Israel. I wish Mr Harnarine long life and health with this hornet's nest that his financial audacity has provoked. I can only hope and pray that those who serve and protect us would not have the same Hinduphobia that afflicts some in the current government, and that Mr. Harnarine may be assured of protection of life and property. As journalists we face similar silencing jihads so I can empathise with him in this regard.