Swarga Rohan - Seminar

Swarga Rohan – Preparation for the End of Life. This Seminar also under the guidance of respected Acharya Shiv Shankar Dwivedi ji, and under the ieadership of Pradeep Kulkarni, was also presented by the Maanaw Seva Association.

Hinduism teaches that the spirit, Atma, is permanent, however the body is not and permanent material happiness in life is an illusion. But we run after permanent happiness and conveniently try to forget death. Not dwelling on death is generally good, but not always. We eventually must deal with the stress for family at the end of life. The Punditji of the Hindu Society of Alberta recognized a silent challenge the East Indian community has faced for years and inspired the organization of a seminar on Swarga Rohan, on Makar Sankranti, 2018.

Swarga Rohan - or planning for the end of life journey - was organized by the Maanaw Seva Association and sponsored by the Hindu Society of Alberta. The hall was full and people were not disappointed. The seminar was not about death, it was about leaving the directions for family - and for medics.

Seminar leader Dr. Pradeep Kulkarni brought together gifted speakers with the right expertise. A presentation on a health passport by Lorelei Shawchuk provided some fundamental knowledge we are missing. For example, few had heard of the Green Folder and why to keep it on refrigerator! Atul Omkar explained about a variety of important documents and about making them legal. Information provided by Niru Channan on several government support programs at the end, made it a good beginning - for planning the end.