We are pleased to announce the hosting of the 21st International Ramayana Conference at York College, City University of New York (CUNY), 94-20 Guy R Brewer Blvd, New York 11451, from April 29, 2005 to May 1, 2005. This is the first time ever that this Conference is coming to New York. We are equally happy that York College, CUNY, is sponsoring this historic event, along with “Guyanese International.” We also encourage other community organizations to become support groups of this important Conference.  

The first International Ramayana Conference was held in India in 1984, under the distinguished patronage of Professor Lallan Prasad Vyas, and has since then moved to several countries. With the help of Dharmacharya Ramlall, the conference venue has now been shifted to the commercial and information capital of the world, New York City. Ramayana scholars are expected from over 20 countries and they will share their rich expertise with other participants, including the Indo-Caribbean community, whose priests/academicians will also play a significant role in this Conference.

Scholarly papers will be presented on the following topics: (i) The Ramayana and Modern Day Challenges; (ii) World Peace and the Ramayana; (iii) The Ramayana and Conflict Resolution; (iv) The Ideals of the Ramayana in Shaping Family and Social Life; (iv) Science in the Ramayana; (v) The Ramayana and World Thought and Culture; (vi) The Ramayana, Family Life and Values; and (v) The Ramayana and Youth. Among our honored guests for the occasion is former Prime Minister of Trinidad & Tobago, and who is currently Leader of the Opposition Party in the Trinidad Parliament, Honorable Basdeo Panday.  

Academic presentations will begin on Saturday, April 30, 2005 in the main auditorium at York College immediately following the plenary session (which lasts from 9:00am to11:00am). A brochure containing the formal academic program is being published by York College for distribution to participants and members of the audience. The academic presentations continue into the next day (Sunday, May 1, 2005) until 3:00pm, when the curtains come down, but not before our local artistes show their appreciation for the conference proceedings by putting together their artistic and other skills online. 

To help create the right environment for the academic sessions that begin on Saturday April 30, 2005, at 11:05am, the organizers have arranged a fascinating Cultural Presentation for  Friday, April 29, 2005, (8:00pm to 10:00pm) at the York College main auditorium. An array of accomplished artistes, including the famous East West School of Dance led by Pt Satya Narayana Charka, will enthral the audience with their artistic prowess and panache. At the same time, these artistes’ performance will reflect our collective love and embrace of the rich ideals and heritage of the glorious Ramayana. Admission to all the sessions/events at York College is FREE.

No activity of this significance could happen without the requisite financial support of our community. Thus, we have had to organize a fund-raising cultural concert on April 24, 2005, at the Tropical Gardens, 120-05 Atlantic Avenue, Richmond Hill, New York, 11419, in order to help defray essential conference expenses. The Cultural Concert is being coordinated by Bahen Dolly Singh (718) 272-8655. We welcome your donations for this cause. Please make checks payable to the Indo-Caribbean Council (ICC), a support group of the 21 IRC. 

The official theme of the 21st International Ramayan Conference is: “Positive Thought, Rich Culture, and 20/20 Vision in the Ramayana.”

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