HIS Holiness Swami Vidyanandaji Maharaj-ji of the America Sevashram Sangha at 153-14 90th Avenue, Jamaica, and also at Cove and John, East Coast Demerara, was honoured earlier in the month by President Bharrat Jagdeo at a special investiture ceremony at the auditorium of the ashram in North America.
This was the first time that such a ceremony was held outside of Guyana.
Swami Vidyanandaji was to have been honoured in Guyana, on October 20 at the regular investiture ceremony, but he could not make the trip because of his frail health.  President Jagdeo told the large gathering that he committed to present the award to Swami-ji in person in New York because the swami could not travel to Guyana to receive it. The President said he wanted to present the honour before he demitted office.
It was a very simple but moving and important ceremony.  Several speakers paid tribute to the swami, and to the President for his gesture in recognising the swami for his important and historic contributions.  Among the speakers was Queens Borough President Helen Marshall, who also applauded the work of the President, praising him for preserving the forest and holding on to the resources and wealth of the nation for future generations. 
Affection, respect and love poured out for the swami from several young speakers as well. The hall was jam-packed with guests, including several from Toronto.  The former Guyana Finance Minister Sasenarine Kowlessar also graced the ceremony with his presence, paying tribute to Swami Maharaj-ji and President Jagdeo.
Swami-ji was honoured for his tireless service, in the field of education, to Guyanese at home and abroad. He was awarded the Arrow of Achievement (AA) which is an insignia. President Jagdeo said Swami is deserving of the honour, pointing out the many things he did for Guyanese in Guyana and America. A standing audience witnessed The President affixing the insignia on the swami.
In brief remarks, the President spoke of the important role the swami played in educating children of all religious and racial backgrounds, and feeding and nourishing them. He said the ashram which the swami ran at Cove and John never discriminated against anyone on account of race or religion.  This was in sharp contrast with the colonial powers and their successors, who discriminated against Indians, and specifically against Hindus and Muslims. The President noted that in order for Hindus and Muslims to get a job with the government, they had to have converted to Christianity.  This was done away with by Dr. Jagan and the PPP government during the 1960s, although it continued during the dictatorship.
The President mentioned how Guyanese ran away from their homeland during the difficult period of the dictatorship, when basic foods were banned.  “We lost our best brains because of the abuses during the 28 years; and today, you all are making important contributions to America and other nations”.
President Jagdeo called on all Guyanese to work together to make Guyana a great nation, and to recognise their wholeness as a people, and their belonging to this wonderful nation.
The President and the swami received several involuntary standing ovations and loud cheers from every person in the audience. The President embraced the swami to loud applause. The poignancy of the embrace was most moving, and people cheered loudly.  The Swami thanked the President for the honour conferred on him, and wished him well for his remaining weeks in office.  The swami also invited the President to be a regular visitor at the ashram after he demits office.
The investiture award is about honouring people who serve country and people. The swami has been giving to and serving people above self, and is deserving of the highest honour of the land.
After the ceremony, the audience was treated to a sumptuous dinner.