Addressing luminaries of all faiths, scholars, and seekers, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar – Hon’ble Vice President of India said: “This event is taking place at the largest meditation center in the world. It is gratifying that the Ministry of Culture is organizing this ‘mahakumbh of spirituality’. It was indicated we need a spiritual university – it is at Kanha and only needs to be legally sanctified. The theme of inner peace to world peace is contemporary to today’s environment, with escalating geopolitical tensions – inequitable development, intolerance, and violence based on religion and belief. Bharat is a global spiritual center. Kanha is the epicenter of spiritual moment. Our Bharat is defining world discourse inspired by a deep commitment to spiritualism. PM’s clarion call to seek resolutions through dialogues rather than war – emanates from deep spiritual ethos.”

Smt. Tamilisai Soundararajan – Hon’ble Governor of Telangana said, “Love is everything. Surrender everything. That is spiritualism. The whole world is looking to Bharat for solutions. Not just because of G20 but because of spirituality also. Yoga too. I thank the honorable Prime Minister for taking the art of Yoga internationally and bringing it back. India tends to import things. I thank the Ministry of Culture for organizing this program because in our Bharat we think youngsters are moving towards other cultures. This program provides sweetness of our culture to our youngsters. “

Shri G Kishan Reddy – Union Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Development of Northeastern Regions said, “The Mahotsav focuses on many levels of our conflicts. This is to highlight India’s vision of Vasudev Kutumbhakam. In 1983, Swami Vivekanand said I’m proud to plant a religion which has taught the world tolerance and acceptance. The message and role of India as a spiritual home are important in the current scenario. India is the friend of every country; India has pursued global peace. India is the birthplace of many religions; India is a land of knowledge and diversity. The Temple city of Varanasi has been inhabited for more than 3000 years, India is home to more than 50 Shaktipeethas where the divinity of women is worshipped. India has witnessed foreign invasions, we had philosophers fighting against social evils – like Shankaracharya, Ramkrishna Paramhansa, Vivekananda, etc. The entire world is looking towards India for wellness and yoga. The need for spiritual unity has never been greater. Spirituality has served as a beacon of hope and aspiring to reach ideals like Satya and Dharma.”

Rev. Daaji – Guide of Heartfulness & President of Shri Ram Chandra Mission said, “Hope this celebration can become a yearly tradition throughout the globe. This morning, I left abruptly, very lovingly a monk said to me – my son will start meditation. The purpose of this event is to know each other. We have forgotten one thing – the need for meditation is to discern right from wrong. Why would a person with a sane mind think of polluting air and water – all pollution in the world are a result of mental pollution. The traditions of India – like the plucking of Tulasi leaves, we attribute Tulasi as a goddess, because of its healing properties, our ancestors designated it as a goddess. There are breathing exercises – like Pranayama are tied with religion; we enrich our minds through Google, science, etc. Our guruji has done so many things – the 7 chakras mentioned in Vedas are because the 7th is a trap where one finds enjoys Satchit Anand, having attained this, the anandam is of such an order that it’s a trap. Our Guru said 16 chakras can be experienced by enriching our souls. This is through pranishya prana – a yogi can awaken dormant energies and make it travel from human to divine. It’s an experienceable promise. All religions talk of ‘the One’ – love means surrender. Not in the form of defeat but because my ego is sublimated, and we are one with God. When you realize this as a follower of any religion, be the best practitioner of that religion. Will there be wars if you follow your dharma – no. Be receptive and open your heart – not out of ritual or temptation but love for the sake of love.”

Shri Jupally Krishna Rao – Culture Minister of Telangana added, “I congratulate Daaji for bringing leaders from multiple faiths. With multiple religions and cultures – India is the tower of light in spirituality. The ancients of India were champions, they gave us philosophies, and techniques which are true blessings for modern life. All we do is run from one pleasure to another and never be content – we have become what many scholars term as a unidimensional man – this is bolstered by the facts of increasing depressive tendencies in teenagers and adults. There is a dire need for highly knowledgeable gurus disseminating supreme knowledge and a sensitive community to fall back on like – Ram Chandra Mission. The role of Ram Chandra’s mission in taking health and yoga to the masses is invaluable. Telangana is blessed to host the headquarters of this event. Appreciate the Sustainable development initiative taken by Heartfulness – converting barren land into Kanha Shanta Vanam is the Pride of Telangana.  The rainforest initiative has increased green cover, and water conservation projects have aided water levels. Experiential learning with yoga and guru will transform our lives forever. I’m confident that Kanha will transform many lives and become a global spiritual hub.”

A panel discussion on ‘Confluence of Pathways for Inner Peace to World Peace’ saw noted panelists viz., Sh. Abhijit Halder, IBC; Cardinal Anthony Poola, Archbishop of Hyderabad; Dr. Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi, AIIO;  Venerable Bhikkhu Sanghasena (Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre Ladakh); Sadguru Shri Riteshwar (Anandam Dham Vrindavan); Address by Adarniya Atmaprit Vidhiji (Shrimad Rajchandra Mission); Sh. D S Anand, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee; Bawa Jain (World Council of Religious Leaders, New York).

A second session on ‘Being & Becoming’ witnessed valuable talks from Jt. Secy. MoC  Smt. Uma Nanduri; Raj Yogi BK Mruthyunjaya (Brahma Kumari); Swami Bodha Maya Nanda (Ram Krishna Mission Hyderabad); Acharya Swami Mitrananda Saraswati (Chinmay Mission Chennai); Jaya Kishori (Video Message) (Self); Sh Kabir Bedi (Film Personality); Maharaja Tony Nadar (Transcendental Meditation).

A fireside chat was organized between noted film personalities Shri Shekhar Kapur and Shri Kabir Bedi moderated by social media influencer Kamiya Jani.

Mr. Fred Stella, Hindu American Foundation; Peer Ziya Inayat Khan, Inayati Order; Maharaj Kumar Sahib Dr. Lakshyaraj Singh Ji – Mewar of Udaipur; Sh. Madhur Bhandrarkar (Film Personality); Ven. Geshe Dorji Damdul, Tibet House Cultural Centre, New Delhi made some food for thought during a prelude to the session with the Hon’ble Vice President of India.

All panel discussions were followed by question-and-answer sessions from the audience.

There were also many experience zones brought by various Sanstha 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 Gurudev Seva Mandal, Sant Dnyaneshwar Devasthan, Alandi, All India Imam Organization, Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur and the Shri Ram Chandra Mission/ Heartfulness.

Day 3 of the summit also hosted 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

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The event was aligned with this year’s theme, “Invest in Girls’ Rights- Our Leadership, Our Well-being,” and addressed the critical issue of the climate crisis, underscoring the profound impact it has on children’s rights, particularly those of girls. Participants also discussed the role of boys and men in advancing gender equality and why gender equality is vital for a country’s progress.

Students from diverse backgrounds and institutions, including PRATYeK (Nine is mine), Citizens Association for Child Rights (CACR), as well as IIT Bombay, Whistling Woods International, and Sophia College (autonomous), actively participated in the meet-up. The event concluded with a pledge made by all the participants to combat gender discriminatory practices in their homes, educational institutions, among their peers, and within their communities.

Rajalakshmi Nair, Chief Field Office (AI), UNICEF Maharashtra said “I find it heartening that adolescents & young people are actively discussing and advocating for the rights of girls. It’s inspiring to see them express their opinion about gender equality. While the government, policymakers, and the social sector have made substantial efforts to improve the situation, there is still much work to be done to ensure the well-being of girls in the areas of health, nutrition, education and skills, gender-based violence, and prevention of child marriage. We need to bring more voices of adolescents and young people to start the dialogue and conversation around gender equality.”

Despite significant strides in gender equality, girls continue to face formidable challenges across various aspects of life, including health, education, gender-based violence, and equal opportunities. UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, UNICEF works for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.

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Armenia has asked the ICJ to indicate several provisional measures, including refraining from taking any actions that may breach CERD obligations, facilitating the safe and expeditious return of displaced ethnic Armenians, and recognizing civil registers, identity documents, and property titles established by the authorities of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The measures also include withdrawing all military and law enforcement personnel from civilian establishments in Nagorno-Karabakh occupied as a result of Azerbaijan’s armed attack, facilitating the access of the United Nations and its specialized agencies to ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh, and not altering or destroying any monument commemorating the 1915 Armenian genocide or any other Armenian cultural artifact or site present in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Armenia has also requested that Azerbaijan submit a report to the ICJ on all measures taken to give effect to the provisional measures within one month from the date of the order and thereafter every three months until a final decision on the case is rendered by the Court.

The ICJ is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, established by the UN Charter in June 1945. Its role is to settle legal disputes submitted to it by States in accordance with international law and to give advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorized UN organs and agencies. The Court is composed of 15 judges elected for a nine-year term by the General Assembly and the Security Council of the United Nations.

Armenia and Azerbaijan have been in a long-standing dispute over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which escalated into a military conflict in 2020. The conflict resulted in the displacement of ethnic Armenians from the region and the occupation of civilian establishments by Azerbaijan’s military and law-enforcement personnel. The ICJ has previously issued orders in the case, including on 7 December 2021 and 22 February 2023, reaffirming Azerbaijan’s obligations under CERD.

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