About Mr Vijayaratnam
Mr Vijayaratnam Saravanamuthu joined the Malaysian Ministry of Labour in 1956 and served the Government for nearly 28 years in various capacities, as Labour Officer, Research Officer and Industrial Relations Commissioner. In 1962, he was awarded a British Government Scholarship to study Occupational Psychology at the University of Oxford.
After returning to Malaysia, he became the founder of the Hindu Youth Organisation (HYO) in 1949 and over the years, has contributed to the growth of the organisation, which now has 90 branches across the country. The Hindu Youth Organisation has honoured Mr Vijayaratnam, and fondly refers to him as ‘Father of the Hindu Youth’.
Mr Vijayaratnam organised many Hindu Youth Conventions in various parts of the country. He was also elected the First Secretary General of the Malaysian Youth Council in 1962. He represented the Malaysian Youth at the World Assembly of Youth (WAY World Body) in Singapore in 1954, the World Assembly of Youth in New Delhi, India in 1958 and again in WAY Conference in Amhurst, Massachussets USA in 1964. Mr Vijayaratnam also held the position of Hon Secretary in the Malaysian Hindu Sangam, and later received the honorary title ‘Sanga Ratnam’.
Mr Vijayaratnam possesses a strong background of Carnatic music, and has conducted prayer meetings and bhajan sessions all over the country. Saiva Periyar Sri Ramanatha Chettiar BA, BL of The Arul Neri Thiru Kootam bestowed upon
Mr Vijayaratnam, the title ‘Ellaingar Thilakam’ Youth Star in 1965. Being an eloquent speaker since his younger days, Mr Vijayaratnam has also travelled across the country extensively to deliver speeches on various occasions, festivals and celebrations.
After his retirement, Mr Vijayaratnam became actively involved in the Divine Life Society, Rishikesh. He has served the Society and earned the highest blessings of his Spiritual Guru and Master, His Holiness Swami Chidananda Saraswathi Maharaj – World President, who bestowed on him and his wife the sacred title ‘Guru Bakhti Ratna’ in 1985. Mr Vijayaratnam has received the blessings of many spiritual masters such as Kamakodi Chandrasekara Sankarachariyar, Jayendra Saraswathi, Swami Satyananda, Yogi Shuddhananda Bharati, Dr Nataraj Guru, Swami Nithya Chaitanya Yati, Swami Bhoomananda Teertha, Swami Chinmayananda and others. He has also attended the World Hindu Conference in New Delhi, Singapore, Bali, and Nepal and has served on the World Hindu Council. In 2001, Mr Vijayaratnam was appointed by His Holiness Swami Chidananda Saraswathi Maharaj, World President DLS, to become the President of the Divine Life Society, Australia.
In recognition of his religious contributions to the Indian community, and his outstanding work among the youth, The Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), during its 50th Anniversary Celebration, honoured Mr Vijayaratnam with a Gold Medal, which was presented to him by the Guest of Honour, former Prime Minister
Dr Mahathir Mohammad.
Mr Vijayaratnam has two sons – Dato’ Vijay Eswaran and Vijaya Vicknesh – from his marriage to Pushpavathy Chinniah, who was formerly a teacher in Kirkby Training School. Dato’ Vijay Eswaran is a bestselling author, a well-known speaker, and also the Executive Chairman of the QI Group of Companies,
a multimillion- dollar conglomerate that was founded in 1998. Vijaya Vicknesh is a successful owner of a TV station in London.
As a tribute to Mr Vijayaratnam’s social commitment and contribution to the nation, Dato’ Vijay Eswaran established The Vijayaratnam Foundation in 2006, with the aspiration to continue the philanthropic legacy that his father started 60 years ago.
Click here to watch Mr Vijayaratnam’s unforgettable achievements in the philanthropic world video.
Click here to watch the highlights of Mr Vijayaratnam's 75th birthday celebration video. |
