Mrs. Suscilla Chirkoot was born on August 22, 1953, to Chan and Sahadeo Rambally of Mowlah Road, Preysal. She later married on February 21, 1970, to Bhola Chirkoot of 17 Freeport Mission Road, Preysal. This marriage bore the fruits of two boys, Kailash and Dharmindra. The family that she created became an exemplar to society as she together with her husband lived a dharmic life, upholding Hinduism and instilling in their children the morals and values of the Hindu way of life. On March 4, 1991, the Chirkoot family was shattered with the sudden loss of Mr. Bhola Chirkoot. This was a great shock to her and many others but it was also the pivot for Mrs. Chirkoot to become closer to God.
In May 1995, then a member of the Polo Ground Hindu Organisation, Mrs. Chirkoot was asked to host a satsangh by Swaha Central Branch (now Swaha Divya Ashram) and gladly accepted. By the end of this satsangh, the Chirkoot family became an integral part of Swaha’s family. The Chirkoot’s residence was used as the meeting place for mobilization of the people of Preysal, as Swaha promoted its membership in the community.
Swaha Central Branch had its first fundraising activity in Preysal, (a Veg-e-Que) and this was gladly hosted at Mrs. Chirkoot’s home. When the members of Swaha Central Branch were searching for a piece of land to build its home, Mrs. Chirkoot’s dedication and longing for a Hindu temple in Preysal drove her to an intense search for vacant lands in Preysal. A piece of land was found and Mrs. Chirkoot negotiated with the owner for a reduced price before reporting to our Spiritual head Prof. Pt. Prakash Persad. Shortly after the land was purchased, preparations started for Swaha Central Branch’s new home.
After years of hard work, sacrifice and dedication by the members of Swaha Central Branch, a permanent building was completed, formally opened and Swaha Central Branch was renamed Swaha Divya Ashram by His Holiness Pt. Hari Prasad, the late Shankaracharya of Swaha. Mrs. Chirkoot engaged in all activities of Swaha Divya Ashram. She was a mentor to both her preschool students and her children and ensured that both her sons and their families were part of the Divya Ashram family. As part of Divya Ashram’s Summer Camp 2012 Mrs. Chirkoot said to those who were present, “Swaha and Prof. Pt. Prakash Persad have changed my life by coming in Preysal.”
On December 2nd, 2012, Divya Ashram and Preysal lost one of its most valued members, Mrs. Suscilla Chirkoot. Some of her last words before her passing were: “I have lived my life to the fullest and, if anything happens, don’t worry as I will be with God.” Mrs. Chirkoot will be missed dearly by the members of Divya Ashram. She had become a sister, a mother and close friend to many. As Divya Ashram says farewell to this great soul, let her life be a lesson for all of us.
