Thousands of citizens from various backgrounds came together for an incredible and colourful Rashtra Raksha Maha Kumbha Yatra yesterday in the Ujjain Kumbha Mela, under the able leadership of Mananiya Shri Indresh Kumarji, senior RSS leader, with the inspiration, vision, blessing and graceful presence of HH Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, President of Parmarth Niketan (Rishikesh), Co-Founder, Global Interfaith WASH Alliance.
The procession was organized by the Rashtriya Suraksha Jagran Manch and Global Interfaith WASH Alliance, Parmarth Niketan. It started early morning from the Parmarth Niketan camp, which has been dedicated entirely to Swachhta Kranti (Clean Revolution) efforts, to the Prabhu Premi camp, where it was welcomed and blessed by Junapeethadheshwar Pujya Swami Avdheshanand Giriji Maharaj.
The vast and vibrant procession reverberated with Shakti of the divine feminine dressed in beautiful chunari saris, holding kalashs over their heads filled with waters of the River Kshipra. They represented that the true shobha (beauty) of Mother India was in the protection of its sacred water sources as well as the protection and education of the women and girl child of the nation.
There were also young women dressed as the beautiful rivers of Kshipra, Narmada, Ganga and Yamuna, representing the Divine Mother dancing admist the procession, they symbolized the sacred water sources that nurture and nourish Mother India’s vast population.
The yatra was followed by a Maha-Yagna, offering into the sacred fire the chant of ‘Idam Rashtrah, Idam Namama’ as an affirmation and intention to dedicate one’s talent, technology and tenacity for serving the sacred land of this nation while simulatenously working tirelessly for the welfare and well-being of the world.
Several inspiring speeches were given on the occasion by revered saints and dignitaries reflecting the need to create a Bharat Mata free from violence, terrorism, open-defecation, female feoticide, pollution and many other pertinent issues the nation faces.
The yatra was followed by a Maha-Yagna, offering into the sacred fire the chant of ‘Idam Rashtrah, Idam Namama’ as an affirmation and intention to dedicate one’s talent, technology and tenacity for serving the sacred land of this nation while simulatenously working tirelessly for the welfare and well-being of the world.
Several inspiring speeches were given on the occasion by revered saints and dignitaries reflecting the need to create a Bharat Mata free from violence, terrorism, open-defecation, female feoticide, pollution and many other pertinent issues the nation faces.
Mananiya Shri Indresh Kumarji said, “The future belongs to India and the world is looking to India as not only a global leader but a leader of peace and prosperity for all. It is time that we stand together for unity and fight against the social evils and injustices that hinder our progress. Today’s dialogue is to address and find solutions to these challenges as well as pledge to individual and collective action.”
HH Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji shared, “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat reflects the roots and values of our beautiful culture. It reflects our Bharatiya Sanskriti. As I often share, ‘worship your own, but respect all.’ Because only by ‘Sabka Saath’ (everyone’s contributions) is ‘Sabka Vikas’ (everyone’s progress and growth) truly possible. Therefore, everyone must come forward to contribute to these efforts by starting with their own homes and their own communities and when everyone makes a change in their own lives and their own surroundings the entire nation automatically reflects that change.”
Pujya Swamiji led an inspiring pledge to action which was focused on protecting Mother India from violence and terrorism, making it free from open defecation and pollution as well as any form of discrimination on the basis of caste or creed, instead to welcome diversity and noble ideas and solutions from all directions.
Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswatiji said, “India is not only our nation. She is our Mother. We say Bharat Mata! Today on Mother’s Day what gift can we give Her? Only to serve and preserve Her land, Her children — of all colors, castes and creeds, and Her culture. In the West there is a culture of give and take, of 50/50. Bharatiya Sanskriti teaches us how to give 100%. It is a culture of giving! It is this culture that teaches us that the world is one family- Vashudhaiv Kutumbakam. Therefore, let us remember that every action we do in our lives must be lived with the awareness that we are in service of this beautiful land, its rich spiritual-cultural heritage, its precious natural resources and all of our beautiful and diverse family.”
Chairman and Founder of International Islamic Sufi Foundation Mushahid Khanji also present on the occasion urged all the religious leaders to come together and work as one to make India open defecation free and pollution free.
Junapeethadheshwar Pujya Swami Avdheshanand Giriji Maharajji welcomed the Rashtra Raksha Samvaad by saying, “It is so beautiful to see the diverse bouquet of India here today. This is truly what the Simhastha, the Kumbha Mela, is all about. It is about the coming together and discussing of the different issues and challenges our glorious nation faces and it is a time to pledge to work together to address these challenges.”
Pujya Swami Govind Giriji also blessed the event with his divine presence and words of inspiration. Also present on the occasion were Jammu and Kashmir’s Cabinet Minister Diljit Singhji, Senior Journalist Shri Ved Pratap Vaidik, National Secretary of Rashtriya Jagran Manch Ms. Reshma Singhji as well as many others.
