Yogiraj Honored as Chief Guest at Sherwood College’s 149th Founder’s Day

 

By Arnab Datta –  Devotee, UK – 2018

“Mereat Quisque Palmam”. These Latin words meaning “Let each one merit his prize” adorn the gates of Sherwood College, a school nestled in the beautiful hills of Nainital in the northern regions of India. Founded in 1869, it has seen many illustrious people of India from the nation’s first Indian Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, the most recognized and Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan, and the foremost master in Kriya Yoga, our very own beloved master, Yogiraj Satgurunath Siddhanath.

Yogiraj was in the 1962 final year batch (class 12). He was a swimmer par excellence and was awarded a certificate of courage for his rescue efforts in a drowning incident. He was also an excellent gymnast, boxer, and bodybuilder in his school and college days. In many of his satsangs globally, Yogiraj often reminisces of the good old days in Sherwood and it had been a long-cherished wish to visit Sherwood.

This wish crystallized in a majestic way when Sherwood had the honor and privilege of inviting Yogiraj as the chief guest at this year’s 149^th Founder’s ceremony. Beloved Guruma also accompanied him. The event started with skating, a swimming and diving show, exhibitions of various societies, a Horsman Wing (junior school) Production and the Middle School Production.

Yogiraj led a deeply spiritual and wonderful session with the parents in the chapel, where he spoke about his experiences and read a few of his poems, such as “Maya”.

The Batch of 1993 was also there to celebrate their 25th-year reunion.  They presented a bell for the Horsman Wing which was inaugurated by Yogiraj.

It was a brilliant event, showcasing the unbelievable levels of physical fitness, artistic talents, and creativity that the school promotes and encourages. No wonder it churns out such shining stars year after year, and it is undoubtedly true that the most luminous of those stars blessed the school with his presence this year.