“India is the mother of spirituality and democracy” says President Murmu at Global Spirituality Mahotsav in Kanha Shanti Vanam

Chennai, March 2024: Smt. Droupadi – Hon’ble President of India graced the spirituality congregation ‘Global Spirituality Mahotsav’ taking place at Kanha Shanti Vanam – the headquarters of Heartfulness today. The four-day spirituality summit brought by the Ministry of Culture and Heartfulness is unique in that it has brought together the spirituality gurus of all faiths and communities together at one platform to raise the collective human consciousness together. The summit is themed at “Inner Peace to World Peace”. The conference aims to bring interfaith dialogues and help people of every age and every walk of life connect with spirituality in daily life. Anthem song for Global Spirituality Mahotsav titled ‘Inner Peace to World Peace’ was launched during the summit.

Accompanied by Ms. Uma Nanduri – Joint Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Hon’ble President took a tour of exhibition stalls at the summit and appreciated the legacy of Heartfulness mission. Smt. Droupadi Murmu – Hon’ble President of India said: “Global Spirituality Mahotsav will take humanity towards spirituality. Spiritual icons like Mahavir, Ravidas and Gurunanak have given India a unique identity as the spiritual hub of the world. Bharat is the land of ideals of Ahimsa and Compassion, the knowledge of which our ancient sages gave us and to strengthen which our great spiritual gurus are guiding us. Today the great spiritual leaders and lakhs of people have joined together to bring harmony irrespective of different belief systems. I congratulate Daaji for taking Heartfulness movement to 160 countries across the world. This is a very sacred cause. I am very pleased that The Ministry of Culture and Heartfulness have brought this Global Spiritual Mahotsav themed at Inner peace to world peace.”

Rev. Daaji – Guide of Heartfulness & President of Shri Ram Chandra Mission said, “We are very honoured to have Hon’ble President of India with us today. We are in times when mankind must unite steadfastly. In a way there is an urgency to it to prevent any more wars, chaos and strife taking place. If each of us understands that we all are one, it is the same Divine Light within each of us, we can overcome the differences. But this kind of understanding comes through meditation and higher consciousness. The summit is therefore to enlighten all that we must together move forward for the common goal of self-realization.”

A panel discussion on ‘Inner Peace to World Peace’ witnessed meaningful thoughts coming from noted panelists viz., Ranjana Chopra, Additional Secretary and Financial Adviser, Ministry of Culture; Gaur Gopal Das (ISCKON); Swami Atmapriyananda (Ram Krishna Mission); Sister Usha Behn (BrahmaKumaris); HH Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji (Shri Vaishnavism); and Sh. Kamlesh D Patel (Daaji) Global Guide of Heartfulness.

A second panel discussion on ‘Spirituality in Daily Lives’ by Jt. Secy. Smt. Amita Prasad Sarabhai, Ministry of Culture (Performing Arts); Swami Gita Govind Giriji Maharaj (Gita Parivar); Sadhvi Shilapi Ji Maharaj (Veerayatan); Pujya Bhaishree Ramesh Bhai Oza (Raj Chandra Mission); Yogi Nath J (Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Sansthan) + Experiential demonstration by Warkari groups; Dr. Jayanti Ravi (Auroville Foundation); Master G Shri Rajesh Kamra and Rt. Hon Patricia Scotland, Commonwealth Secretary General.

Upasana Kamineni Konidela – Vice Chairman-CSR Apollo Hospitals Group and Managing Director-URLife said: “I represent the aspirational youth and the women entrepreneurs who’ll form a significant path of new India. My family and I work in an environment where people battle life 24/7. We can treat them through cutting edge technology. But my grandparent, Dr. Pratap C Reddy always believes trust, faith and love are more vital to humanity. Today I’ve brought my 8-month-old daughter to take Daaji’s blessings. I wish the world had more oases like Kanha so it would slowly grow to create oceans of heartfulness.”

There were additional interesting talks by Swami Gauranga Das (ISCKON); Swami Mukundananda (Jagatguru Kripaluji Yog); Devi Chitralekha Ji (World Sankirtan Tour Trust); Swami Amritaswaroopa Nanda Puri (The Mata Amritanandamayi Math); and Upasana Kamineni Konidela – Vice Chairman-CSR Apollo Hospitals Group and Managing Director-URLife as well.

There were also many experience zones brought by various sansthas wherein people could gain wisdom and spiritual benefit. Cultural programs associated with spirituality, an exhibition showcasing India’s spiritual history, narratives of peace, and an immersive experience for spirituality through books and music were also organized.

Notable organizations have come together for the Global Spirituality Mahotsav, some of the prominent ones are Ramakrishna Mission, Parmarth Niketan, The Art of Living Foundation, The Mata Amritanandamayi Math, Archbishop of Hyderabad, Rev Cardinal Anthony Poola, Chinna Jiyar Swami, The Brahma Kumaris, Patanjali Yogpeeth, Maharishi Foundation (Transcendental Meditation), Isha Foundation, International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee, Archdiocese of Hyderabad, Rashtra Sant Tukdoji Maharaj Akhil Bhartiya Shri Gurudeo Seva Mandal, Sant Dnyaneshwar Devasthan, Alandi, All India Imam Organization, Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur and the Shri Ram Chandra Mission/ Heartfulness.

Day 2 of the summit hosted various panel discussions, cultural programs associated with spirituality, an exhibition showcasing India’s spiritual history, narratives of peace, and an immersive experience for spirituality through books and music. Wellness experience and immersive zones were also set up as part of the summit.

‘Sur ki sadhana’ – a musical rendition of melodies filled with themes of spirituality were performed by renowned performers and musical maestros like Leslie Lewis, Sadhana Sargam, Sourendro Mullick, Soumyojit Das, Shweta Mohan, Mangli, Dr. Yashoda Thakore, Iman Chakraborty, Sanjay Joshi.