Swami Vidyanandaji gets emotional send-off

…as thousands pay last respects

BY KRISTEN MACKLINGAM

Thousands of Hindu devotees, scores of prominent figures in society, members of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government and the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) turned up at the Cove and John Ashram to pay their final respects to the renowned spiritual leader Swami Vidyanandaji, where he was cremated on Wednesday.

President of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, Dr Vindiya Persaud, told the gathering that she was very humbled to be asked to say a few words on a man who has touched the lives of many and inspired many young fertile minds as he advocated the powerful message of education.

“We live in a country where like so many around the world, we face many challenges… but it is moments when we engage in spiritual pursuits and we surround ourselves with those who have good teachings, learning and wisdoms that we understand our purpose in life. Swamiji’s legacy is a positive one, is a clear one that our people must remain educated, that our young people must be given all of the skills to develop their true and full potential and that we must continue to foster understanding, respect and love for each other, when we come on this earth we know that there is a cycle of birth and death but it is the message that we leave on our departure that remains most important and I believe that the many of you who sit here today [Wednesday] and the many of you who are not here today will continue to follow in the footsteps of a man whose life displayed humility, simplicity and inclusivity,” she said.

Former President Donald Ramotar, in his address stated that those gathered at the Ashram had gone there for two purposes; to mourn the passing of the late Swami and also to celebrate his life contributions which he made.

He emphasised that the Swami started his journey from extremely humble backgrounds but elevated himself and as such persons in the country who wish to seek self development can use his life as an example.

“But he also made a wider contribution to the development of our country and we have advanced but I believe so far that a lot of the things today are being taken for granted… When he was in his early period he helped to fight for the recognition of Hinduism, he had to fight to have the equality of religion in our country. But more than that he made an enormous contribution to the education field as well…. significant and important contributions of the development of society…,” the former Head of State declared.

He posited that the late Swami had fought for the equality of religion in Guyana when there was a period in which those who were not of the Christian faith could not have secured jobs in the teaching, nursing and other public service professions.

“All of that has changed substantially and he made an important contribution where he didn’t have to deny who he was to promote the equality of religion in our society. Today there are ominous signs in our society, things that can take us backwards…and we must use the example of the life of Swami to inspire us to ensure that we do not have a reversal of those gains that we have made in this society and in that way we will be making a contribution to perpetuating his life. His work that is left here with us today and to ensure that the efforts that he made will not go in vain,” Ramotar added.

Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Venkatachalam Mahalingam, in his tribute stated that he, like the rest of the country, has great respect for the late Swami and is sure that God will bless him because he has served not only those in his country but in other parts of the world as well.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo told those attending the crematoria service that although the spiritual leader was no longer alive, he will be born again in memories, in every student who has seen the light of knowledge and who has seen the light of spirituality and learning.

“He has given to us that touch that says we are not simply human, we are human beings with a consciousness that tells us that life is much more than material things, mansions and cars and palaces. And he had lived a life not of ostentatiousness, he has lived a life of simplicity and service without expectation of rewards… And when Sase Kowlessar, then Minister, invited me to come to the Ashram on one of those occasions of Maha Shiv Ratri, it was a great delight that I met the person for whom I had great admiration… and when I came again when the lotus temple was open and so on that occasion I felt the touch of his holiness when he asked me to sit beside him, not at his feet, he asked me to sit beside him and he knew that I was troubled then and I believe that leaving him that day I became firmer, I became resolved that there was nothing that I couldn’t overcome if I decided that I should put my mind to the task of service, selflessly and without rewards,” the Prime Minister said.

He related that during his recent trip to Mexico it was his “obsession” to secure funding for something that was “lofty… something more intangible, stronger, more powerful, imperishable.” As such, he requested from the Spanish nation funding for the construction and establishment of a creative arts institute.

“I asked the authorities in Mexico if they could fund the building of an institute of fine or creative arts where you could have simultaneously the teaching of dancing, music, you could teach sculpture, you could teach languages; that they are all part and parcel of what is missing in our life. The finer side of our life, the creative side of our life, it would enhance our spirituality, it would make us perfect… and harmonise us with who we ought to be, not labourers alone but to tap the better angels of our souls and to become creative and to be whole as human beings. I pay this tribute today to all the relatives of the Swamiji, all those who have followed his example…,” he added.

Meanwhile, Former Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, recalled the early days when he had met with the spiritual leader, describing him as a religious man who was peaceful, humble and lived a simple lifestyle while contributing to the development of Guyana.

According to Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, he met the late Swami when he had visited the Ashram years ago to create a film based on Shivratri.

“I want to say a little bit about what sitting with him, and talking to him meant. When I had finished my film on Shivratri I called it an experience of belief and by that I meant to say not only what the film was demonstrating was the experience of Hindus, but also about my own experience of their belief. And the Swami was extremely generous in his conversations with me. He knew that I was a skeptic to say the very least and he did not try to persuade me …but we sat there and emanated the kind of peace and sense of self,” the Education Minister said. (kristenm@guyanatimesgy.com)