Dear Editor,
I write to express heartfelt commendations to the leadership, students, educators, supporters, and families of students (present and former) of the Saraswati Vidya Niketan (CI, West Coast Demerara) on being honoured by the Government of India on Friday with the prestigious Pravasi Samman Award, the highest honour given by an organization or individual in the diaspora.
This honour brings a sense of accomplishment to Swami Aksharananda, all staff members, and students and their families. It resonates with the school’s ethos of excellence in learning, and celebrates the dedication to promoting a culture of knowledge with spirituality. This school excels at CSEC and CAPE. There is hardly any other of its kind in the country.
The President of India conferred the coveted award at a special investiture ceremony, and that was followed by a banquet after a three-day conclave of delegates representing the global Indian diaspora. Thousands of delegates and special guests attended the international conference, with several coming from Guyana and the Guyanese diaspora, including this writer.
The convention began on Wednesday with a youth conference of Indians from around the globe. Mickela Panday of Trinidad was a featured speaker. It continued with the keynote address by PM Modi on Thursday morning to the thousands of delegates in a huge hall in the city of Bhuvaneshwar in the state of Odisha. Some Guyanese and other Indo-Caribbean people trace their roots to Odisha, which lies next to West Bengal, the capital of which is Kolkata (Calcutta), from where the indentured labourers were shipped, beginning in 1838.
The India conclave is known as Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD), and this year’s is the 18th edition. It is an idea conceived by Dharamdatt Sukhai Durjan and other Guyanese and Caribbean Indians at a private meeting at Salaam Bombay restaurant in New York in 1996 with then Opposition Leader and head of the BJP, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who went on to become the Prime Minister in 1998.
Vajpayee first served as PM for 13 days two years earlier. He established, in 2001, a high-powered commission that travelled throughout the diaspora, soliciting views on how India could engage the large diaspora. That commission came to Guyana, among other Caribbean territories, and met with Yesu Persaud, Hemraj Kissoon, Ravi Dev and other prominent Indians. The Commission recommended to the Indian Government the holding of an annual PBD, a gathering of Indians based abroad.
The first PBD was held in 2003. Shridath Ramphal, VS Naipaul, among others, were guests and feature speakers.
The PBD holds discussions on varied subjects. The PBD has brought together leading thought leaders (including politicians and scholars) and entrepreneurs from around the globe. Individuals or organizations are honoured for their achievements or contributions abroad for domestic uplifting or towards India. A politician, a head or deputy head of government or state, is usually selected as the Chief Guest.
The PM of Mauritius was Chief Guest in 2003. Bharrat Jagdeo was the Chief Guest in 2004. Irfaan Ali was Chief Guest in 2023. This year’s Chief Guest is the President of Trinidad and Tobago, Christine Kangaloo.
The SVN and its founder principal Swami Aksharananda have this year been honoured for their contributions to education in Guyana. They have schooled many, uplifting lives. This achievement — award and performance at CSEC and CAPE — marks a proud moment for the entire school community, as it continues its journey towards greater excellence.
SVN is deserving of this India accolade for an unwavering commitment to providing top-tier education that nurtures spirituality and academic proficiency. The award serves as a testament to the relentless efforts of Swami, the staff, and the community to deliver outstanding educational instruction and learning experiences to students. This recognition would motivate teachers and students to continue to excel, and it may impel the Government to recognise and salute the work of SVN in educating the less fortunate, underserved, and underprivileged.
Congratulations!
Yours truly,
Vishnu Bisram
