Aug
23
2013
In the service of God and humanity
In the service of God and humanity
In the tragic flooding in Uttarakhand mid-June, innumerable people (estimates report in the thousands) lost their lives. Another 11,000 are estimated to be missing. They couldn't escape as Mother Ganga's waters rose to heights unseen in over 100 years, flowing brown and fast: with forces greater than a speeding train. Nearly 100 dharmshalas (guest houses), packed full of pilgrims fell into the river. Hundreds of cars toppled off foundation-less roads. Roads were destroyed. Bridges collapsed. Countless lives were lost, as were property, possessions and hopes. Here in Uttarakhand, under Pujya Swamiji's vision,...
In the tragic flooding in Uttarakhand mid-June, innumerable people (estimates report in the thousands) lost their lives. Another 11,000 are estimated to be missing. They couldn't escape as Mother Ganga's waters rose to heights unseen in over 100 years, flowing brown and fast: with forces greater than a speeding train. Nearly 100 dharmshalas (guest houses), packed full of pilgrims fell into the river. Hundreds of cars toppled off foundation-less roads. Roads were destroyed. Bridges collapsed. Countless lives were lost, as were property, possessions and hopes. Here in Uttarakhand, under Pujya Swamiji's vision,...
Dear Divine Souls, I hope that – by God’s grace – this finds you and all your loved ones in the best of health and happiness at this sacred time. The 18th of June marked Ganga Dussehra, the day we lovingly refer to as “Gangaji’s Birthday.” It is the day on which we commemorate the time when, answering the tapasya and incessant prayers of King Bhagirath, Ganga flowed down from the heavens to the Earth. Ganga did not flow down merely because She wanted to, but rather with a very specific purpose –...
"Clean Yamuna for a Clean Ganga" campaign was organised at the Siri Fort Auditorium in New Delhi on World Environment Day on 5th June. A discussion was held at Siri Fort Auditorium on this day regarding "Clean Yamuna for a Clean Ganga" campaign. Panelists from politics and entertainment field were present on this occasion and shared their thoughts. Swami Chidanand Saraswati also expressed his views on this matter and said that it's time for the Indian Government to bring new private agencies regarding water management. The government should only monitored and implement...
23 February marked the 108th Rotarian Anniversary and Pujya Swamiji and the Ganga Action Parivar joined Rotarians in Allahabad, Chandigarh and worldwide to spread the message that truly service is the ultimate path to peace. Pujya Swamiji shares a beautiful quote from Mother Teresa: 'The fruit of prayer is faith, The fruit of faith is love. The fruit of love is devotion. The fruit of devotion is service. The fruit of service is peace.' One of the greatest services needed today is the preservation of the environment and our natural...
On the 25th February, film star Vivek Oberoi and his family were led by Pujya Swamiji, founder of Ganga Action Parivar and President of Parmarth Niketan, in a Kumbh Sangam Snan. Before the bath however, following the words and example of Pujya Swamiji, they all "gave a bath to Sangam before taking a bath in Sangam", moving along the banks of the Sangam picking up discarded plastic, polythene and other trash....
On Valentine's Day, Ganga Action Parivar organized a rally to make Mother Ganga our "green" Valentine, not only on Valentine's Day itself but everyday! People from over 45 countries at the Sangam ghat to sing and dance in celebration of their love for Mother Ganga, and to stress the importance of protecting and preserving her waters....
Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, founder of Ganga Action Parivar and President of Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Rishikesh presented special tree saplings to Imam Umer Ahmed Iliasiji, the President of All India Imams Association. The saplings were neem, rudraksh and kalpa vreksh at the Ganga Action Parivar camp before Imam Sahib departed. They joined hands symbolizing the union or sangam of the religions to work together for peace, unity and for protection and preservation of the natural environment, particularly the waters of Mother Ganga....
The Ganga Sansad (Ganga Parliament), which ran from the 21st to the 23rd, gathered in the evening at the Ganga Action Parivar camp in the Kumbh Mela, Allahabad. Participants in the Sansad included Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, retired General Shri V.K. Singhji, Jal Purush ("Water Man") Shri Rajendra Singh, Pujya Swami Harichetanandji, and Shri D.N.S. Subbaraoji among other esteemed guests....