Citation read out for Swami Vishveshwaranandaji during Presentation Ceremony of the 'Pride of Uttaranchal' Award on 25. December 2005, in Dehradun, by a Member of Doon Citizens Council

In the year 1982 there came a man of God from the West to dwell in the Himalayas - the abode of Gods. His master Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati wanted him to serve the children of God in this part of the world.

Born in 1944 at Rorschach, Switzerland, this young man was by training an Electronic Engineer and had served as a pilot in the country of his birth. At the age of 21, he was attracted and greatly influenced by the teachings of Swami Omkarananda, whom he accepted as his Sadgurudeva and surrendered himself completely to the will of his master and thus became known as Swami Vishweshwarananda Saraswati.

His name, as explained in the booklet A Glimpse of Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati, 'signifies the happiness of Lord Shiva Vishwanatha of Varanasi, of Sivananda Ashram's Vishwanatha Temple and of Omkarananda Ashram's Dipeshwara Temple. He is an Akhand Brahmachari, one who has embodied in himself from childhood the unbroken principle of Brahmacharya' As stated in the Panchatantra, 'He is not a saint in truth, who is not a saint in youth'.'

Shri Swamiji has lived in life these values to the fullest. Vishweshwarananda Saraswati is a Karma Yogi by temper, character and choice and bears in his heart uncompromising and total devotion to his Gurudeva.

Before coming to India, he served from 1967 to 1982 Swami Omkarananda's European Ashrams with great distinction. His coming to the Himalayas ushered in a new chapter in the spiritual life of the region. Since then, the centre of his activities has been Muni-ki-reti.

Swamiji - a true Karma Yogi - established Ashram Temples for the Sadhakas, schools where the tender souls are imparted education and also abodes for monks, teachers and professors. Appreciating the greatest need of the people of the region, he has founded more than 50 educational institutions, 29 primary schools, 9 junior high-schools, 2 English medium schools, a degree college in Devprayag and the Institute of Management and Technology, besides various educational foundations - including one in Mumbai - and the Ayurveda Research and Formulations Centre. Thousands of parents whose children are being educated in these institutions all over the region are grateful to Swamiji. It has often been said that but for his initiative, many promising boys and girls of the region would have been deprived of an opportunity to do well for themselves in life.

Swamiji, your exalted being has not only helped many a young man and woman realize his or her dream in life but you have enabled the youth of this part of our fledgling State to lead a kind of life that is good, noble and meaningful. You have enriched our State both materially and spiritually. We express our sincere gratitude for this.

After ten years of his arrival in this land of saints and seers, Swamiji acquired Indian citizenship and on the 15 August 1998, this sage was honoured by the Government of India on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of India's Independence. This was followed by an initiation by the holy men of Haridwar and Rishikesh as the Mahant of Omkarananda Ashram in December 1999. In January 2000, after Swami Omkaranandaji merged into Eternity, he was reluctant to be elevated to the position of President.

Those who know him well aver that he has absolutely no desire to be Rama. In a manner absolutely self-effacing, he likes himself in the roles of both Bharat and Hanuman. There is certainly an aura around Swami Vishweshwaranandaji which helps men and women become better human beings. This is the greatest service than can be rendered to mankind.

Swamiji, your touch and piety have enriched - physically as well as spiritually - the lives of people of Dev Bhumi. The people of the State of Uttaranchal and especially the members of the Doon Citizens Council are beholden to you for the splendid and sublime work you are engaged in for the betterment of the people of Uttaranchal.

Through your total dedication to your Gurudeva, you are totally engrossed in the service of mankind.

The Doon Citizens Council salutes you for all that you have done and are doing for the welfare of the people of Uttaranchal and feel honoured in conferring upon you the PRIDE OF UTTARANCHAL AWARD.