The Federation of Hindu Mandirs, in collaboration with the USA Pandits’ Parishad hosted the 2nd annual COVID Remembrance Memorial at the memorial tree located at Phil “Scooter” Rizzuto Park, on Sunday, Oct. 8. They were joined by Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, the NYPD, and CB9.
Photo by Anthony Medina
When Dr. Keshwar Ramkissoon returned home after receiving dozens of patients a couple of years ago, he’d go straight to his garage, change his clothing and immediately jump in the shower. His wife, Prarthna Ramkissoon, who also works with her husband at his electro-cardiology practice, recalled the trouble her husband went through to ensure COVID-19 couldn’t enter their home and infect his family.
Reflecting on the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the fear of losing a loved one, and the reality of mass deaths due to the virus were a reality, Ramkissoon wanted to ensure those who experienced loss during those years would never be forgotten.
On Sunday, Oct. 8, The Federation of Hindu Mandirs, in collaboration with the USA Pandits’ Parishad, hosted the second annual COVID Remembrance Memorial at the memorial tree located at Phil “Scooter” Rizzuto Park.
Last year, The Federation of Hindu Mandirs, working together with the city Parks Department and local civic and elected officials, plated a remembrance tree at the entrance of the park in recognition of the hundreds of city residents who lost their lives due to COVID-19.
“This tree is a symbol of life. In this world, we feel that nothing dies. Everything continues to exist in different forms,” explained Pandit Ram Hardowar, in his opening remarks. “… and that is the concept that every one of us continues on our life’s journey beyond giving up this body. And so we pray and that’s why we planted this tree. For this tree will be here autumn after autumn, hundreds of autumns will come, and this tree will continue to remind us that life is a continuous stream.”
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