Hon’ble Vice President of India, Renowned Faith Leaders, Motivate Historic Pledge by 5000 Gandhian and Tribal Trailblazers for a Swachh Bharat
GANDHI ASHRAM, DELHI- Hon’ble Vice President, Shri Venkaiah Naidu joined forces with Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, President of Parmarth Niketan, Co-Founder of Global Interfaith WASH Alliance, Harijan Sevak Sangh President, Shri Sankar Sanyalji and GIWA’s revered spiritual leaders of India’s many faiths, to inspire 3000 Gandhian and tribal representatives from across India to become trailblazers for a Swachh Bharat.
This historic event was jointly organized by the Harijan Sevak Sangh (founded by Mahatma Gandhi) and the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance under the collected leadership and vision of Professor Sankar Kumar Sanyal, President of Harijan Sevak Sangh, and HH Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswati, Founder/Chair, Global Interfaith WASH Alliance.
Patriotism was palpable in the massive event, as rousing speeches led the crowd towards collectively pledging for taking Mahatma Gandhi’s vision for a clean India into mission mode. The Swachh Bharat Mission, which was launched on Gandhi Jayanti 2014, is due to expire in less than two years, making sanitation the need of the day if our nation is to achieve its historic targets of toilets and sanitation for all.
On the auspicious occasion, as a symbol of GIWA’s message of Sanitation and Meditation for all the newly renovated Mahatma Gandhi Yoga Centre was also inaugurated at the Gandhi Ashram premises by the Hon’ble Vice President of India, Pujya Swamiji, Sankar Sanyalji and other eminent members of HSS. Just besides the Yoga Centre a beautiful Sanitation and Toilet Park was also toured by the Hon’ble Venkaiah Naiduji and all eminent delegates where different toilet models was shared by Jayeshbhai Patelji, President of Manav Sadhna & President of HSS, Gujarat.
Said Prof Sankar Kumar Sanyal: “It may noted that this Conference is the first of its kind after passing away of our beloved Nirmala Didi on 1st May 2008. My attempt and effort is to bring everyone together, all members of the Gandhian organisation and all faiths, now also with the support of Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, to bring everyone together to make a world of Gandhiji’s dreams. We look forward to supporting the efforts of Swachh Bharat as a people’s movement. We are deeply honoured to have the Hon’ble Vice President inaugurate this two day All India Gandhian Constructive Workers Conference.”
Said Hon’ble Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, “Our tradition is unity in diversity. We are one nation, one people and one world. That should be our path. More than a century ago Mahatma Gandhi had given a powerful message that sanitation is more important then political independence and that cleaniness is next to Godliness which are still relevant and show the importance of this issue. Today, we need to protect this great sanskriti (heritage) of our country which is to serve and give to others before oneself- his life was his message.”
Said HH Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswati: “Gandhiji laid a great emphasis on sanitation, to him it was greater than independence and to me Sanitation IS Meditation. As Mahatma Gandhiji emphasised that the external cleaniness (safai) and inner cleaniness (sachai- truthfulness) must go hand in hand. We must pledge today collectively and individually to BE the change and DO the change. I honour our Hon’ble Vice President for being a great inspiration to the youth and for being an example of living the principles of Gandhiji.”
Pujya Swamiji and Sankar Sanyalji honoured the Hon’ble Vice President with a khadi shawl, a khadi and elachi mala as well as a sacred Rudraksha sapling for his ever green, youthful leadership.
Added Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati, Secretary General of the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance, “Today, we saw something unique and beautiful as flags waved and chants for a Swachh Bharat filled the air. The wheels have been set in motion for an incredible journey of change.”
Distinguished Speakers Included:
- Hon’ble Shri Venkaiah Naidu, Vice President of India
- HH Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswati, President, Parmarth Niketan and Founder/Chair, Global Interfaith WASH Alliance
- Professor Sankar Kumar Sanyal, President, Harijan Sevak Sangh
- HH Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rimpoche, 37th Throne Holder of the Drikung Kagyu Lineage
- Giani Iqbal Singh, Jathedar, Patna Saheb Gurudwara
- Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati, Secretary General, Global Interfaith WASH Alliance and President, Divine Shakti Foundation
- Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi, President, All India Association of Imams of Mosques
- Venerable Lama Lobsang, Convenor, Global Buddhist Congregation
- Acharya Yeshi Phunstok, Deputy Speaker, Tibetan Parilament in Exile, Representative to HH the Dalai Lama
- Haji Syed Salman Chisthy, 26th Generation Gaddi Nashin of Sultan ul Hind Hazret Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chisthy
- Vivek Muni, Respected Jain Monk
- Swami BA Paramadvaiti, Braj Vrindavan ACT Now, Germany
- Swamini Adityananda Saraswati, Director, Programmes, Policy and Development, Global Interfaith WASH Alliance
- Dr. Binny Sareen, Brahmakumaris
- Mufti Nasihur Rahman, Principal of Al Jamiatul Islamia Mangaldai Banat Madrasa
- Representatives of all states and people from over 10 countries
