SELECTED NEWS
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
SVN’s Vamanadev Hiralall Tops Guyana at 2017 CAPE Exams
Pujya Swami Aksharananda giving Principal’s Award of Excellence to Vamandev Hiralall
CAPE,
the
equivalent
of
Advanced
Level
at
Oxford
or
Cambridge
or
London
Universities,
is
a
two-year
course
for
each
subject.
In
the
Caribbean,
each
subject,
with
the
exception
of
Caribbean
Studies
and
Communication
Studies,
has
two
units.
Over
the
two
years
Vamanadev
studied
for
9
subjects:
Biology,
Caribbean
Studies,
Communication
Studies,
Computer
Science,
Environmental
Science,
Information
Technology,
Physics,
and
Pure
Mathematics
for
an
equivalent
of
16
units
(subjects)
–
a
record
achievement
for
a
CAPE
student
or
any
Advanced
Level
student
in
the
history
of
such
exams.
In
all,
Vamanadev
scored
13
grade
ones,
with
12
distinctions,
and
3
grade
twos
and
he
has
been
placed
number
one
in
Guyana.
As
of
first
quarter
2017
he
is
also
rated
so
far
as
number
one
in
the
whole
Caribbean.
SVN’s
Principal
Pujya
Swami
Aksharananda
Ji
noted
that
Vamanadev
was
a
very
discipined
student
who
has
made
the
school
and
the
country
proud
of
his
achievements.
Swami
Ji
congratulated
the
teachers
and
staff
of
SVN
and
several
other
students
who
have
also
made
the
school
a
center
of
excellence.
Vamanadev
Upendra
Hiralall,
of
the
privately-run
Saraswati
Vidya
Niketan
(SVN),
is
the
country’s
top
performer
at
this
year’s
Caribbean
Advanced
Proficiency
Examinations
(CAPE)
.
For
full
article:
https://www.stabroeknews.com/2017/news/stories/08/23/svn-student-tops-cape/
Major General Joseph Govinda Singh
Delivers Charge to SVN Graduating Students 2017
Sunday
October
15,
2017
at
SVN
campus:
SVN’s
Principal,
Pujya
Swami
Aksharnanda
Ji
giving
Hindu
honors
and
welcome
to
Major
General
(Retired)
Joseph
Govinda
Singh
Ji
who
delivered
the
charge
to graduating students at SVN’s graduation ceremony.
UWI St. Augustine Principal, Professor Clement Krishnand delivers
keynote address at SVN’s 2016 Deekshant Samaroop (Graduation)
2016 Best Graduating Student Ramkumarie Ramdas Gets Presidential Award, Computer & Cash
Guyana’s President, Mr. David Granger Delivers Presidential Address at
SVN’s 2016 Deekshant Samaroop (Graduation) - Donates G$1M
Dr. Somdat Mahabir Delivers Keynote Address at SVN’s 2015 Dikshant Samaaroop (Graduation
Ceremony)
HOME PROGRAM OF STUDIES FACULTY-STAFF SWAMI AKSHARANANDA NEWS SEWA DONATE PHOTOS-VIDEOS SVN ACADEMIC SITE
SVN’s Vamanadev Upendra Hiralall Gets Prestigious Lester B. Pearson International
Scholarship at University of Toronto (2018 cohort)
Vamanadev
Hiralall
is
a
dedicated
student
intending
to
major
in
Biochemistry.
He
has
been
the
Top
Academic
Achiever
in
his
class
for
a
number
of
years
and
a
national
top
performer
in
both
CSEC
and
CAPE
Examinations.
His
commitment
and
achievements
have
earned
him
awards
and
commendations
from
school-based,
regional
and
national
bodies.
He
is
mindful
of
the
well-being
of
communities
and
has
participated
in
a
number
of
voluntary
activities
including
the
SEVAK
Health
Project
and
science
laboratory
design
projects.
He
wants
his
academic
commitment
and
dedication
to
be
beneficial
to
not
only
a
group
of
people,
but
to
humanity
as
a
whole.
As
such,
being
mindful
of
his
experience
and
competencies,
he
sees
basing
his
studies
in
biochemistry
as
a
part
of
a
larger,
long-term
goal
of
combating
disease,
which
is
a
threat
to
us
all.
He
is
grateful
to
be
named
a
U
of
T
Lester
B.
Pearson
Scholar
and
he
intends
to
keep
moving
forward
with
his
class
on
an
academic
journey
in
the
University
of
Toronto.
SVN’s Narindra Persaud Gets Prestigious Lester B. Pearson International
Scholarship at University of Toronto (2020 cohort)
SVN
is
proud
to
announce
that
Narindra
Persaud,
one
of
the
best
graduating
students
at
CSEC
in
2016,
has
been
awarded
the
Lester
B.
Pearson
International
Scholarship
to
pursue
studies
in
the
Faculty
of
Life
Sciences
at
the
University
of
Toronto,
Mississauga.
According
to
the
Times
Higher
Education
World
University
Rankings,
University
of
Toronto
ranks
18th
among
the
world’s
top
100
universities.
While
thousands
of
students
worldwide
apply
for
this
elite
scholarship,
Narindra
is
one
of
38
students
actually
selected
for
the
2020
cohort.
He
succeeds
Vamanadev
Hiralall,
who
was
granted
the
scholarship
in
2018.
It
is
worth
acknowledging
that
Vamanadev
and
Narindra,
both
of
SVN,
are
the
only
students
from
Guyana
to
ever
be
awarded
this
prestigious
scholarship.
Mr.
Persaud
hails
from
a
humble
background
in
the
village
of
Zeelugt,
East
Bank
Essequibo.
Although
he
was
displeased
with
his
performance
at
the
NGSA,
having
placed
Zeeburg
Secondary,
Narindra
attended
SVN
and
was
one
of
the
most
outstanding
performers
at
CSEC
in
2016
when
he
matriculated
in
20
subjects
with
14
Grade
Ones.
He
attributes
this
success
to
the
dedication
to
excellence
and
discipline
espoused
by
SVN
together
with
the
support
of
his
teachers
and
family.
After
a
one-year
break
from
studies,
Mr.
Persaud
returned
to
SVN
to
pursue
studies
at
CAPE.
Despite
difficulties
transitioning
to
full-time
studies
again,
he
was
SVN’s
best
graduating student at CAPE in 2019 with passes in 14 units.
Judge
Carl
Ashoka
Singh,
Acting
Chancellor
of
the
Judiciary
(retired)
Delivers
Charge
to
SVN
Graduating
Students 2018
Guyana’s Prime Minister, Mr. Moses
Nagamootoo, Chief Guest at 2018 SVN
Graduation
Yesu Persaud Ji Honored at 2018 SVN Graduation for Consistent Support and Mentorship
SVN’s Atishta Seenarine tops 2022 Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE)
Dec.
9,
2022:
The
Caribbean
Examinations
Council
announced
today
that
Atishta
Seenarine
of
the
Saraswati
Vidya
Niketan
School
is
the
Most
Outstanding
Overall
student
at
the
2022
Caribbean
Advanced
Proficiency
Examination
(CAPE).
Seenarine
is
also
the
Most
Outstanding
Overall
student
in
Natural
Sciences
at
the
CAPE
level,
a
release
from
the
Ministry
of
Education
said.
Picture
on
left
shows
Atishta
Seenarine
with
her
Principal Pujya Swami Aksharananda. The picture on the right show Atishta addressing SSV’s 2022 Dikshant Samaaroop (Graduation ceremony).
President’s Award of Excellence to Geveshwar Rajkishore; Prime Minister’s Award
to Atishta Seenarine and twin brothers Shivnarine and Shivshankar Chaitram
Guyana
Chronicle,
July
15,
2021
(Pictures
courtesy
Office
of
the
President
and
Office
of
the
Prime
Minister):
Dr.
Irfaan
Ali,
on
Wednesday,
presented
the
President’s
Award
of
Excellence
to
Geveshwar
Rajkishore,
the
top
graduating
student
of
the
Saraswati
Vidya
Niketan
(SVN)
School
who
achieved
18
grade
ones
and
one
grade
two
at
last
year’s
CSEC
examinations.
Rajkishore
was
accompanied
by
his
mother
and
a
teacher
at
the
simple
ceremony,
which
was
held
at
State
House,
a
release
from
the
Office
of
the
President
said.
The
17-year-old,
who
placed
fourth
overall
in
the
country,
said
that
he
was
elated
but
nervous
about
meeting
President
Ali.
“I
was
very
nervous,
but
he
was
very
calm.”
The
youngster
said
that
the
President
asked
him
about
his
examination
journey
during
COVID-19
and
his
plans
for
the
future.
Rajkishore
credited
the
Cornelia
Ida
School
for
motivating
him
and
announced
that
he
was
accepted
at
Rochester
Institute
of
Technology
in
New
York,
where
he
will
be
studying
Electrical
Engineering
with
a
minor
in
computational
mathematics.
Meanwhile,
Prime
Minister,
Brigadier
(Ret’d)
Mark
Phillips,
also
presented
three
students
of
the
Saraswati
Vidya
Niketan
(SVN)
school
with
the
Prime
Minister’s
Award
for
attaining
the
school’s
second-highest
marks
at
last
year’s
CSEC
examinations.
Atishta
Seenarine
and
twin
brothers
Shivnarine
and
Shivshankar Chaitram were tied for the number two spot after they each attained 17 grade ones and two grade twos.
Savitri Baalbahadur Receives 2020 SVN Leader in Education National
Award
Shri Maydha Persaud Ji, former Principal of Abram Zuil Secondary School on the Essequibo Coast was honored by Pujya Swami
Aksharananda Ji. Shri Maydha Persaud Ji received the 2021 Sarasati Vidya Niketan’s Leader in Education National Award at the school’s
graduation ceremony. Swami Ji said that Maydha Ji was more than a Principal becase he helped many students. He provided lodging in his
home for hinerland students at his own expense, Under his leadershio Abram Zuil school produced outstanding results.
Dr. Kumar Mahabir, Anthropologist, addressed SVN’s
graduating class of 2022. He lavished praise on the pioneering
work and vision of Pujya Swami Aksharananda. He also prasied
the teachers, staff, students and their parents. He also said that
SVN is a “prestige school”. In reference to Swami Ji he asked:
“Which school in Guyana or in the Caribbean do you know has
a Principal who does not take a salary? Which school do you
know who has a Principal who has a PhD and is also a Swami?
Which school has an open admission poicy and make the
students be successful” He said the students should be proud to
graduate from SVN. Dr. Mahabir reflected on the work that
Swami Ji does outside of the school as well - his writing, his
diction, and speeches, etc. He implored on the students to give
back to the school and society.
Shri Pat Dyal Receives SVN 2022 Leader in Education National Award
Picture shows Pujya Swami Aksharananda Ji giving Hindu honors to Shri Pat Dyal Ji who received the prestigious
2022 SVN Leader in Education National Award. Shri Ravi Dev Ji in his introduction noted that Dyal Ji and the late
Harold Persaud founded the National Archives of Guyana. Dyal served as the Chief Archivist of several years. His
long and distinguished career includes work in the civil service and also a teacher at Queen College.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi vists Saraswati
Vidya Niketan (SVN) Hindu High School, Guyana
Prime
Minister
(PM)
Shri
Narendra
Modi
visited
the
Saraswati
Vidya
Niketan
(SVN)
Hindu
School
on
Thursday,
November
21,
2024.
Pujya
Swami
Aksharananda
Ji,
the
founder
of
SVN
welcomed
the
PM
at
the
entrance
of
the
school
as
local
musicians
played
tassa
drums.
In
the
school’s
welcoming
party
was
Shri
Ravi
Dev
Ji,
the
HSS
Sanghchalak
of
Guyana,
Srimati
Nirmala
Singh
Ji,
the
recently
announced
Principal
of
SVN
and
four
Ministers
of
the
government
of
Guyana.
Modi
Ji
was
then
escorted
by
Pujya
Swami
Aksharananda
Ji
to
the
Siva
temple
shrine,
the
Hanuman
shrine,
and
the
main
Mandir.
As
PM
went
up
to
the
Hanuman
shrine
a
gathering
of
SVN
students
sang
the
Hanuman
chalisa
accompanied
by
dholak
and
harmonium.
The
PM
conducted
Puja
at
each
of
the
shrines
and
at
the
main
Mandir.
Upon
exiting
the
main
Mandir,
PM
Modi
stood
attentively
in
amazement
in
front
of
the
students
as
they
sang
Vande
Maataram.
Swami
Aksharananda
Ji
then
escorted
PM
Modi
Ji
to
two
classrooms
where
the
PM
was
treated
to
bhajan
singing
and
kathak
dancing
by
the
students.
The
PM
also
signed
SVN's
guest
book
and
interacted
with
invited
guests
and
several
local
politicians
who
were
present.
India's
External
Affairs
Minister,
Dr.
Jaishankar
who
also
met
Swami
Ji
previ
-
ously
accompanied
the
PM
to
SVN.
Hindus
in
Guyana
were
very
happy
and
grateful
to
PM
Modi
Ji
for
visiting
Guyana,
particularly
Saraswati
Vidya
Niketan
Hindu
school,
the
most
prominent
high
school
of
excellence
in
the
country.
This
was
not
Modi
Ji's
first
visit
to
SVN.
Modi
Ji
and
Swami
Aksharananda
Ji
as
well
as
Shri
Ravi
Ji
Maharaj
of
Trinidad
were
Sangh
kaaryakartas
in
Bharat
(India).
Modi
Ji
visited
Guyana
in
2000.
At
the
time
he
held
no
political
office.
During
his
visit
in
2000
SVN
was
just
starting
out
in
a
small
building
which
Modi
Ji
visited.
Swami
Ji
had
arranged
a
small
gathering
to
meet
Modi
Ji
during
the
2000
visit
which
the
PM
fondly
remembered.
He
also
remembered
staying
with
Swami
Aksharananda
in
a
small
house
which
had
no
beds
in
the
village
of
Cornelia Ida close by Saraswati Vidya Niketan school.
Pujya Swami Aksharananda Ji greeting Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at the
entrance of Saraswati Vidya Niketan, Nov. 21, 2024.
Pujya Swami Aksharananda Ji welcoming Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji at the entrance of
Saraswati Vidya Niketan (SVN), Nov. 21, 2024. Shri Ravi Dev and Smt. Nirmala Singh Ji, Principal of
SVN are behind Swami Ji.
Formal Hindu welcome for PM Modi Ji at Saraswati Vidya Niketan (SVN), Guyana. Pujya Swami
Aksharananda Ji and Nirmala Singh Ji, Principal of SVN look on as a student and a teacher performs
the rite. Nov. 21, 2024.
Prime Minister Modi Ji did pooja and aarti in the Shiva shrine at the Saraswati Vidya Niketan (SVN)
compound. Nov. 21, 2024.
PM Modi Ji greets government Ministers (Priya Manickchand, Susan Rodrigues, Sonia Parag and
Deodat Indar) at Saraswati Vidya Niketan (SVN). Swami Aksharananda Ji did the introductions. Nov.
21, 2024.
Pujya Swami Aksharananda Ji escorts Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi into Saraswati Vidya
Niketan, Nov. 21, 2024
Pujya Swami Aksharananda Ji escorts Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji to the Hanuman shrine at
Saraswati Vidya Niketan (SVN), Nov. 21, 2024.
Pujya Swami Aksharananda escorts Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at Saraswati Vidya
Niketan (SVN), Nov. 21, 2024.
Pujya Swami Aksharananda escorts Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at Saraswati Vidya
Niketan (SVN), Nov. 21, 2024.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in a classroon at Saraswati Vidya Niketan (SVN), Guyana, Nov. 21,
2024.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji and Pujya Swami Aksharananda Ji in conversation at Saraswati
Vidya Niketan (SVN), Guyana, Nov. 21, 2024.
Prime Minister Shri Modi Ji greets students at Saraswati Vidya Niketan school as he departs. Nov. 21, 2024.
Dr. Somdat Mahabir, Scientist in the cancer field and Professor, used Sanskrit phrases in his speech to remind the
students of the great intellectual and scientific tradition in Hindu culture. He called on SVN to take the lead in
scientific pursuits in Guyana and noted the need for policy makers to use data-driven
approaches in decision making.
Professor Sankat lauded the achievements of the school and focused his attention on the fact that SVN does not
have a National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) marks limit for admittance to the school. Students who gain low
marks at the NGSA are admitted. “They did not do well at previous examinations and through this institution,
they are opening doors to future careers which they could not have done otherwise,” he stated.
President of Guyana, Mr. David Granger delivered the Presidential address and presented a gold plaque to SVN’s
Principal Pujya Swami Aksharananda Ji on October 16, 2016 at the school’s graduation ceremony. The plaque will
feature the names of SVN’s top students beginning with 2016. The President also donated G$1M to SVN.
Pujya Swami Aksharananda honoring Savitri Balbahadur Ji, Principal Cyril Potter College of Education (Retired) at
Saraswati Vidya Niketan’s Dikshaant Samaaroha or graduation ceremony on Nov. 28, 2021. Savitri Ji received
Saraswati Vidya Niketan’s Leader in Education National Award.
Guyana’s
President,
Mr.
David
Granger
presents
the
President’s
Award
of
Excellence
to
Ramkumarie
Ramdass,
who
passed
19
subjects
(13
with
distinctions).
In
addition
to
receiving
the
President’s
Award
of
Excellence,
she
also received a cheque for G$20,000, a laptop computer, US$500, and the Cornelia Ida Mandir’s Award.
Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Judge Carl
Ashoka Singh speaking at SVN’s 2018
graduation ceremony. He served as Acting
Chancellor from April 2005 to Feb. 2017.
Shri
Yesu
Persaud
receives
a
special
award
from
Pujya
Swami
Aksharnanda
Ji
at
SVN’s
2018
Dikshant
Samaroha
(graduation
ceremony).
Swami
Ji
acknowledged
the
consistent support and mentorship he and SVN has received from Shri Yesu Persaud Ji.
Dr. Baytoram Ramharack Receives 2022 Saraswati Vidya Niketan (SVN) Leader in Education Award
Pujya Swami Aksharananda Ji ties sacred thread to the right wrist of Dr. Baytoram Ramharack Ji. He received Saraswati Vidya Niketan’s Leader in
Education National Award primarily for his books on Dr. Jung Bahadur Singh and Balram Singh Rai at the Dikshaant Samaaroop (graduation ceremony) on
Feb. 6, 2022 which was for the graduating class of 2021. Dr. Ramharack also delivered the charge to students.
Principal Maydha Persaud Receives 2021 Saraswati Vidya Niketan (SVN) Leader in Education Award
Shri Pat Dyal Ji Delivers Keynote Address at SVN
Shri Pat Dyal Ji received Saraswati Vidya Niketan (SVN)
Leader in Education Award at the 2022 graduation cermony.
He spoke of the excellent education and humanitarian work
that SVN is doing under the leadership of Swami
Aksharananda Ji.
Dr. Kumar Mahabir Delivers Charge to SVN
Graduating Student
Saraswati Vidya Niketan Launches Arjuna’s Archery Club
Tuesday, Nov 19, 2024
The Saraswati Vidya Niketan (SVN) on November 19, 2024, proudly launched Arjuna’s Archery Club on its school compound,
marking a momentous step in the promotion of archery as a sport in Guyana. Named after the legendary archer Arjuna from the
Mahabharata, the club embodies the values of focus, determination, discipline, and precision.
The idea for the club gained momentum following a fruitful coaching session on Sunday, facilitated by Archery Guyana’s Head
Coach and Secretary-General, Nicholas Hing, alongside Coach Kenrick Cheeks and the club’s committee members. This
collaboration inspired the formal inauguration of the club during a small ceremony held in the school’s auditorium. The launch was
attended by key figures in the archery community, including Archery Guyana’s Secretary-General and Head Coach Nicholas Hing,
SVN’s Physical Education Teacher and Archery Coach Kenrick Cheeks, and members of the club’s executive committee.
In his address, delivered on behalf of Archery Guyana President Mrs. Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon, Mr. Hing expressed the
Federation's pride in this significant milestone: "The decision to name this club Arjuna is both meaningful and inspiring. Arjuna
represents virtues that are essential not only in archery but also in life—focus, determination, and precision. This launch
demonstrates SVN’s commitment to holistic education, blending academics with extracurricular activities that foster character,
confidence, and teamwork."
Mrs. Persaud-McKinnon further emphasised Archery Guyana’s commitment to supporting new club formations and nurturing talent
that will represent Guyana with pride on the international stage. During the event, Mr. Hing also spoke about archery’s inclusivity,
highlighting its appeal to all ages and abilities and encouraged other school clubs to also become affiliated to the National
Federation. The ceremony concluded with a group photo to commemorate the occasion, capturing the spirit of unity and enthusiasm
among students, teachers, and coaches.
