By Our Correspondent
NEW DELHI:National Capital New Delhi recently hosted the third World Peace Conclave with much ardour and massive enthusiasm. The grand celebration was organised by Swami Chidananda World Peace Foundation at India International Centre to observe the United Nation’s International day of peace. The Convention witnessed a congregation of Spiritual leaders, academicians, religious scholars, Scientists, Doctors, Yoga teachers, peace advocates and prominent personalities from different professions all over the world. The World Peace Conclave used to be held in the sacred memory of The Former President of The Divine Life Society revered spiritual Master, humanity preacher and messenger of peace, Swami Chidananda Saraswati.
Organised as part of the Chidananda Decade 2016–2026: A World Peace Initiative, the central theme of the conclave was “Peace, the Need for Humanity”.
The programme commenced with Vedic chanting. General Secretary of the Swami Chidananda World Peace Foundation, Amarnath Shetty, Presented the introductory remarks. Elaborating on the theme of the Conclave, Founder and President of the Swami Chidananda World Peace Foundation, Swami Brahmanishtananda Saraswati, observed that lasting peace could not be achieved only through conferences, agreements, resolutions or diplomatic mechanisms. Peace has to prevail first within the human being and then extend to the family, community, nation and eventually to the world-over, Swamiji added. Speaking on the relevance of Yoga and Ayurveda in the contemporary world, Yogi Jayadevan of Universal Yoga Consciousness & Darshan Yoga of Kerala, emphasised on their role in creating physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing. Pointing on “One Health and One Earth”, Prof Dr.Diwakar Sukul from London mentioned the inseparable relationship between human health and planetary health.
Recalling Swami Sivananda’s vision of Yoga as a complete way of life, senior monk Swami Sivachidananda Saraswati Maharaj stressed on prayer, meditation and the practice of Yoga as practical means of bringing peace into everyday life. Noted Scholar on international relations, Prof. Manoranjan Mohanty gave a clarion call to make peace as a worldwide revolution. Swami Pranapradananda, from Ramakrishna Math and Mission of Gurugram spoke on the relevance of peace in the light of the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Swami Vivekananda. Others who spoke during the occasion include Swami Viswarupananda Saraswati from Rishikesh’s Swarga Ashram and Bengaluru based Corporate trainer Sivananda Choudhury. The meeting was presided over by senior most monk Swami Sivachidananda Saraswati Maharaj. The Guests and author Swami Brahmanishtananda Saraswati released the book “Sivananda Yoga: A Worldwide Phenomenon”. The publication consists of essential teachings of Swami Sivananda Saraswati. The book has the rarest honour of being Forwarded by Gajapati Maharaja Sri Dibyasingha Deb of Puri.
The major highlight of the conclave was the presentations of honours in recognising contributions to spirituality, Yoga, service, peace, youth leadership, social and digital outreach. Swami Sivachidananda Saraswati Maharaj was conferred the “Light of Humanity’ recognition, Swami Viswarupananda Saraswati was honoured with “Sivananda Yoga Ratna” ,Yogi Jayadevan was presented “Patanjali Maharshi Samman”, Dr. Diwakar Sukul from London was conferred the “Nishkama Karma Yogi Samman” and Acharya Soumya received “Purana Purusha Samman.”
Among other awardees Youth Icon Nandan Dwibedi, received the “Yuva Bharati Samman” for his brilliant presentation on “GenZ’s contribution to world peace through Artificial Intelligence.” Sekhar Goswami and Damayanti Choudhury were also presented “Yuva Bharati Sammans.” While Vedang Goel received the “Young Talent Award”, Bijay Kumar Patra was presented with the “Sivananda Seva Ratna Award” for spreading spiritual messages through audio, video and digital media. Both Rajib Kumar Purohit and Govinda Chandra Mohanty received “Chidananda Bhakti Ratna Awards”.
