Ashram’s spiritual head presents former President Jagdeo with plaque for excellent leadership
– …President Ramotar, former President Dr. Jagdeo, PM Sam Hinds all laud Guyana Sevashram Sangha’s exemplary service to humankind
HIS Holiness Swami Vidyanandaji Maharaj Guruji began his discourse with a Swagaatam, followed by a brief prayer. Welcoming all devotees and guests to the Guyana Sevashram Sangha to the Sangha’s Annual Maha Shivaraatri pilgrimage, Guruji said: “Just being present on this sanctified soil at this time enriches the mind.
“Further, if you are moved to participate, that is to pray and serve, then the joy in your heart and the contented smile on your face is actually a reflection of your soul – as Seva ignites the energy, the essence and the radiance of your astral body!
“Today we take this opportunity to especially extend a hearty greeting of affection to our new President – His Excellency Donald Ramotar. Mr. President we greet you in the name of Archarya Prananvandaji Maharaj, we greet you in the name of all the swamis and tireless social workers of the sangha all around the world.
“And we congratulate you on the ascension to the highest civil office of the land – that of President. Congratulations.
“We pray that your leadership of this nation be guided by the principles of righteousness, fearlessness, astute foresight, national consensus, and progress based upon equality! But above all, a leader who puts country above self is the greatest, and Mr. President, such qualities we already see in you; hence we know you will serve with exemplary vision.”
Guruji’s deep love, reciprocated in equal measure, for former President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has spanned the years from the time Dr. Jagdeo began his professional career as a teacher at the Hindu College.  Warmly welcoming his Dr. Jagdeo, Guruji said: “Words are insufficient to express the magnitude of Dr. Jagdeo’s brilliant and profound economic acumen that has catapulted our nation to the threshold of success.
“I am pleased to say that locally, regionally and internationally, he has fought, with unrelenting dedication, to restore respect to our nation, and to command a place of prominence among our peers.
“A renewed reputation such as this can only come from the best and finest in our midst.
“As some of the famous Hindu rulers do, that is, to visit places of pilgrimage. Dr. Jagdeo too usually comes to this holy place of pilgrimage.”
Dr. Jagdeo made his final pilgrimage as President of Guyana to the America Sevaashram Sangha last November to honour Swami Vidyananda with the National Award of the Golden Arrow of Achievement.
Guruji continued his appreciation to the former Guyanese President “One who is at the peak of his reign, and still finds the time to dwell with the saints, will be a yogi blessed with the greatest of merit for now and the hereafter – he will be the intellectual star shining brightly to light the path of others.” Upon conclusion of his presentation, Guruji then presented former President Jagdeo with a plaque for his exemplary leadership of and service to Guyana.
Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo says current president will uphold sanctity of religions
Former President of Guyana, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, expressing his appreciation for the honour bestowed on him by the Sangha through Guruji, said that he had no expectations of being accorded such an honour from such a prestigious organisation.
Lauding the work of the Guyana Sevashram Sangha, Dr. Jagdeo recalled the days of struggle to establish the religions of our ancestors because of the then prevailing philosophy of the British Government.  He spoke briefly on the origins and the establishment of the Ashram, in which Guruji played an integral part, with his entire life being given over to serve humankind
He stressed that the current President and First Lady, Mrs. Deolatchmee Ramotar, have strong religious convictions and thus President Ramotar will continue to support faith-based organizations as a prerequisite to nation-building, because the PPP has deep respect for faith and would always uphold the right of everyone to freely practice their religion.
Dr. Jagdeo said that Guruji has been an exemplary asset to the Ashram and all Guyana.
President Donald Ramotar stresses importance of religion in national development
Alluding to the struggle in olden days for the religions of ancestors to prevail, President Ramotar said that the PPP was the first voice raised for the equality of religion.  He recalled the days when only Christians were allowed jobs in the Public Service.  Even to be able to attend school necessitate the changing of names to Anglican versions.
According to President Ramotar, PPP pioneered the movement for democracy and today Guyana now enjoys an atmosphere where freedom of worship is a given.
Speaking of the importance of understanding the message underpinning the Maha Shivaraatri observances, the President adjured the devotees to shun all evil, and to understand that persons who devoted their lives in the service of their country are being slandered by those who distort facts with the evil intent of derailing Guyana’s hard-won democracy.
He extolled the selfless work of the monks and devotees who uphold and promote the work of the Ashram and promised his continued support to the organization.
PM Sam Hinds urges rejection of negatives
Described as a great friend of the Guyana Sevashram Sangha by the M.C, former student of the Hindu College and Finance Minister, Saisenarine Singh, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds encouraged the devotees of Lord Shiva to take cognizance that Lord Shiva is destroyer of all things bad and creator of all things good and to recognize that the children are Guyana’s future, and that the slate clean of negatives and clinging to a path that will contribute to the growth of our country is an imperative.
He said that, while he is not sure of the “intermediate people”, the future of Guyana will be safe in the hands of the youth of today, who are the future leaders of tomorrow.
He also was loud in praise of the work of the Sangha, explaining that the organization, while it is an institution of academic learning, also inculcates into its regime a sense of morality, spirituality, strength, and best practices in the pursuit of living.
The Night of Shiva
The celebrations of Maha Shivaraatri at the Guyana Sevashram Sangha (Cove and John Ashram) commenced yesterday from 5.30 a.m. with Shri Guri arti and a procession with the holy Tulsi plant and commenced at 6.00 a.m. this morning with the concluding arti.
The 24-hour chanting of “Hari Rama, Hari Krishna” in the Sri Sri Guru Acharya mandir effused the ambience of the atmosphere with tranquility, effervescent joy and incandescent rapture that saturated the soul with bliss and peace.
Millionaires and paupers, young and old, from all over Guyana and the world make that annual pilgrimage to pay obeisance to the Supreme Lord and seek his blessings.
The Ashram at Cove and John is a great equalizer of humanity, because it is there, in the presence of the Father of the Universe, that everyone is levelled to their knees as they bow with great humility, acknowledging that only with the Supreme Father’s blessings could life and achievements be made possible.
The Guyana Sevashram Sangha is always a holy place of worship, but on the occasion of Maha Shivaraatri it is transformed within days into a veritable abode of the gods, especially the Hindu College, which became, within one day, a holy temple of the Lord.