Being from a country with Hindu Dominance, I got aroused to know about an unexpected presence of Hindu Society in Botswana. Since my tour of 17 countries in Africa, I have been to various places of Christian, Buddhist and Muslim devotion that worked for the development and upliftment of specific religions. Although I met many Hindus on my way, I never had a chance to be in a Hindu organized community gathered together for the same purpose. I was convinced of not finding any. Dr. Ravi Shrestha informed about a Hindu Community in Botswana known as Botswana Hindu Society. Surprised and Curious, I made a plan to visit it at least once. By saying this, I don’t mean to get distracted from my belief that every religion should be taken together to have peace and harmony in the world.

Botswana Hindu Community was established in the 1960s with the arrival of few families of Indian Origin from Zimbabwe and Zambia. After the independence of Botswana in 1966, the country required various professionals to accelerate the development of the economy and thus many Hindu professionals and businessman from Indian and neighboring countries came in Botswana. They came, and along with them brought their traditions and rituals. They needed an organization for group celebrations that led the establishment of a formal Botswana Hindu Society in 1979. Society now shares belief of around 10,000 people in Botswana. Shyam Sundar Arora holds the chairmanship of the management team that works for upliftment of the organization and does various social activities.

On arriving Gaborone-the capital of Botswana, I thought to fulfill my curiosity and get acquainted with the place I was surprised to hear about. Late morning of 13th February, I reached Botswana Hindu Society. On reaching, I felt being in some place in the South Asian Subcontinent. I gave my introduction and hurried to get answers to some queries I had. I was welcomed in the society and offered to stay there. I didn’t want to forgo a different experience in Africa. I stayed till 16th before I was ready to catch upon my journey again. A complete vegetarian dish that even didn’t include garlic, onion and ginger was unique and wonderful.

‘There are also other Hindu temples but Botswana Hindu Society is the first Hindu temple in Botswana.’ A fellow Assistant Priest added some more information to my exclamation. He also helped me to get close to the society.

15th of February was one of the biggest festivals of Hindu- Sharaswati Pooja (Celebration worshipping Goddess of Knowledge). Considerable numbers of Batswan Hindu were present to celebrate the auspiciousness of the occasion. At the meantime, Jagadish Agrawal introduced me and requested the devotees to help my social cause and travels. It was a surprise for me. Society, on the Fudraiser, collected amount to provide some financial assistance to my journey along with amount sufficient to help two physically challenged and economically disadvantaged people through Giving the Gift to Mobility program of Furtemba Sherpa Foundation.

I am thankful for the kind courtesy, cordial intimacy and heartily support of Botswana Hindu Society. Thank you and I miss you all.

Peace and Harmony,
Furtemba Sherpa