Latest update December 4th, 2024 2:40 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

Swami Vidyanandji was a great monk

Oct 30, 2015 Letters

Dear Editor,
It was around noon on October 28 that I received a telephone call from the Principal of the Hindu College, Cove and John that “guruji has passed away an hour ago”. Swami Vidyanandji, popularly known as “guruji” was the Spiritual Head of the Seva Ashram Sangha at Cove & John, and all the Seva Ashram Sangha branches in Canada, UK, USA and Trinidad & Tobago; all being off-shoots of the Bharat Seva Ashram Sangha in India. Guruji has dedicated, except for his earlier life working at the Albion Sugar Factory, all his life as a pious, selfless monk towards the upliftment of the social values of all people, helping the poor and needy and working tirelessly to enhance the quality of education of students at the Hindu College, Cove & John.
I have been associated with the Cove & John Ashram since 1997 and in 2001guruji selected me to be a member of the Management Committee tasked with the responsibility of managing the Hindu College and the Ashram. It was during the many engagements with this Committee that I saw a different side of this learned and selfless monk; a management strategist. I recall a few years ago he moderated a meeting of the Committee that established a practical and workable strategic plan for the Hindu College and the Ashram; a plan that remains a blueprint for the future of the Ashram and the School. It was never an easy task to plan and execute arrangements that cater for more than 20,000 devotees that attend the annual pilgrimage on Shiv Rathri on the lawn of the ashram. It has been steady over the years. Guruji never accepted anything less than excellence in whatever field of endeavor. He thrives for excellence. He was an exponent in the discourse of the Bhagwat Gita. His reflections and teachings on the scripture were always in reference to everyday life.
Guruji was a keen listener, irrespective how busy he may be, and always empathetic with a distressed and depressed devotee, and has never refrained in offering his usual divine guidance to anyone. In early September I visited him at the New York Seva ashram and it was obvious that his health was failing him, but he exuded such confidence that it was obvious that he will not let his physical well-being be a deterrent to the pursuit of his spiritual goals  Ever since I demitted office from a state Corporation in late March this year, guruji has provided me the most valuable guidance and support not only through my visits to him in New York and Cove & John, but through the several telephone conversations I have had with him. He was never too busy to see or speak with me. I shall remain eternally thankful to him for the advice he provided me not too long ago in the successful reshaping of my professional life.
I am sure the thousands of devotees whose hearts he has touched the world over will miss him, and the many hundreds whose life he has positively changed will forever adore him, but the great beyond beckons that guruji leaves this earthly planet to continue his spiritual work hand-in-hand with another pious saint, Swami Purnanandji, in the heavenly abode of Guru Maharaj, Swamis Vidyanandji and Purnanandji’s Spiritual Master.
Jai Petam

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | December, 2nd, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

 

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

UDFA Year-End Futsal Tournament kicks off December 15

UDFA Year-End Futsal Tournament kicks off December 15

Dec 04, 2024

-$1M up for grabs in 15-team tournament Kaieteur Sports- The Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) Futsal Year-End Tournament 2024/2025 was officially launched on Monday at the Retrieve Hard...
Read More
Jaker, Taijul and Rana script Bangladesh’s first win in West Indies since 2009

Jaker, Taijul and Rana script Bangladesh’s...

Dec 04, 2024

Trophy Stall and Superbet on board with Kashif and Shanghai Futsal tourney

Trophy Stall and Superbet on board with Kashif...

Dec 04, 2024

Jai Hind Jaguars trounce North Soesdyke Masters to claim O50s title

Jai Hind Jaguars trounce North Soesdyke Masters...

Dec 04, 2024

BMC invites clubs/teams to register for the 2025 BMC O40s Tournament

BMC invites clubs/teams to register for the 2025...

Dec 04, 2024

ASK-G holds successful Karate Grading Examinations

ASK-G holds successful Karate Grading

Dec 04, 2024

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]