A snap, taken of many dignitaries,
who attended the function
It was the wish of Dr. Vijay Chitnis,
Executive Director, International Human Rights Foundation, to present
the Rashtra Shakti Awards to Swami Vishveshwarananda, President,
Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, and Kumari Somashekhari, General
Secretary, Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, for their contribution to
education, culture and spirituality in the name of their Gurudev,
Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati, a great Mystic, Philosopher and
Writer, during a Symposium on ‘World-Peace’.
The Function took place in the Breach Candy Auditorium, on 20th October
2008, evening. Breach Candy is one of the most beautiful areas of
Mumbai, situated directly at the sea-shore. The Function was organized
under the dynamic leadership of Dr. Rajeshri Varhadi, President, Star
Charities Trust and Former Member, State Consumer Commission.
The Main-speakers of this event were Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda,
President of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, Uttarakhand, and Rajyogini
Vandana Bahan, Member, Prajapita Brahmakumaris’s Matunga Center, Mumbai.
As Chief-Guest, the Honourable Justice, Mr. Vijay Munshi, Member, State
Human Rights Commission, graced the Function.
It was the time of sunset in a warm autumn-evening. The beautiful rays
of the setting sun, coloured the waves of the sea and the whole
environment of Breach Candy Auditorium, situated at the seashore, in a
red-golden mystical light, radiating joy and peace. It was an ideal
atmosphere to start the ‘Symposium on World-Peace’.
The nice compere, Ms. Kavitaji, welcomed the Dignitaries and the Chief
Guest. Then the start of this wonderful event took place with a
beautiful Pooja Nritya by Kumari Somashekhariji, General Secretary,
Omkarananda Ashram, Uttarakhand. She performed three devotional dances –
namely for Lord Shiva, Goddess Durga and Lord Krishna. Kumari
Somashekhariji started with a small introduction speech on the meaning
and essence of the words of the Bhajans. The whole audience appreciated
her performance, which took them into the world of Divinity, into the
lanes of Vrindavan and towards the feet of Goddess Durga. Her
performances got great applause. All the dignitaries were pleased to see
her performances which created a great spiritual atmosphere in the
auditorium.
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Kumari
Somashekhari delights the audience with her excellent
performance of typical
Indian Classical Temple-Dance |
Kumari Somashekhari was honoured
with a beautiful flower-bouquet |
After the wonderful dance performances, the dais was ready for speakers
to address their views on “World Peace”. It started with Rajyogini
Vandana Bahan from Prajapita Brahmakumari Ashram’s Matunga Centre. She
addressed her views on world peace with extreme warmth in her voice. Her
thoughts led us to the peace within us. By a small meditation she took
us to the outer space and easily made all of us present to feel peace
within ourselves.
After the wonderful thoughts rendered by Rajyogini Vandana Bahan, Dr.
Rajeshri requested Swami Vishveshwaranandaji to address the audience
with his views on world peace. Swami Vishveshwaranandaji explained
first, what peace is in reality and how by fear of law and order or by
suppression one cannot derive real world peace. World peace, he
beautifully explained, is possible when each one changes oneself, by
removing the evils of ego, like lust, greed, attachment, jealousy, which
destroy the peace in us. Swami Vishveshwaranandaji wonderfully
explained the practicality to find a solution to the problems, which are
coming in between to achieve world peace. Swamiji praised and explained
how extraordinary rich India’s culture is and the deep spirituality
India has. Swamiji explained, how much important it is, not to just
listen or read what the great Saints like Adi Shankaracharya have
preached in order to show us the right path, but that it is necessary to
walk and to live by what they have preached, then only we can get world
peace. As by each drop of water, the sea is formed slowly, in the same
way, if we change ourselves and purify our souls, the world can also
change, and we can attain world peace. Swami Vishveshwaranandaji ended
his speech with the wonderful words of our beloved Gurudev Swami
Omkaranandaji: “Think like a Genius, work like a Giant, live like a
Saint.” The whole audience and all dignitaries gave a huge applause to
Swamiji and they felt like wanting to hear more from him.
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Dr. Rajeshri in front of the banner
of her Star-Charity Trust,
which she created in dedication to her Mother
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Brahmakumari Rajyogini Vandan Bahan,
with an angel-like voice,
is bringing the audience nearer to the mystical world of
the Divine
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Dr. Rajeshri went on to speak about Swami Vishveshwaranandaji and
Omkarananda Ashram.
After this, the Chief Guest, Honourable Justice Vijay Munshiji, also
gave his views on world peace in a short sweet speech explaining the
importance and need of world peace. He rightly pointed out that usually
people know their rights, but forget their duties. Justice Munshiji was
glad that people like Swami Vishveshwaranandaji and Rajyoginiji Vandana
Bahan are doing a very good work towards achieving world peace.
After the speeches the floral tributes were given. Justice Munshi gave
the prestigious Rashtra Shakti Award to Swami Vishveshwaranandaji and
presented a shawl of honour to him. Then Mrs. Justice Munshi presented
the Rashtra Shakti Award to Kumari Somashekhariji.
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Swami Vishveshwarananda delivers his
lecture on "World-Peace"
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Swamiji receives the "Rashtra-Shakti
Award"
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Finally, Dr. V. Chitnis, being delighted by Soma’s dance, got up to
express his feeling. He said, that she is a soft-spoken, joyous
personality and a fine combination of Spiritual Wisdom and Divine
Beauty. Somaji’s heart has got the innocence of a child. Dr. Chitnis
further said: “I was requested to introduce Somaji, but I feel she is a
Goddess. One cannot introduce the Goddess to the world, one can only
worship her.” He ended his kind speech with a poem, dedicated to Soma.
As the event came to its last segment Mrs. Sadhana Mahashabde gave the
Vote of Thanks to the esteemed guests and dignitaries. She thanked
everyone for making this event such a memorable one. The event, as
everyone felt, was more like a Satsang with a divine spiritual
enlightenment, because of the presence of Swami Vishveshwaranandaji and
the devotional Pooja Nritya by Somashekhariji.
Dinner followed. It felt not like an end to an event. There was so much
to take from it and pass it on in our day to day life. It was also a
beginning to a stronger bond and giant step forward to peace worldwide.
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Swami Vishveshwarananda with a
beautiful Lakshmi-Narayana picture
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Not only Swami
Vishveshwarananda, but also Dr. Rajeshri and
Kavitaji are enjoying the
congratulations by Justice Munshi
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Kumari
Somashekhari with the "Rashtra-Shakti Award"
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Dr. Chitnis is praising Kumari
Somashekhari for her highly divine works
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The
dignitaries behind the dais, which is beautifully
decorated
with flowers, awards and picture
of Divinities
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