Shashi Tharoor's Visit to Santhigiri -Press Release & Function Photo

September 4, 2009

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Parnasala coming up at Santhigiri a Symbol of World Peace: Shashi Tharoor

Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 3: The magnificent ‘Parnasala’ of Navajyothisree Karunakara Guru coming up at Santhigiri Ashram is a symbol of world peace, to which people from all over the globe will flock for spiritual realization, Minister of State for External Affairs, Mr. Shashi Tharoor, said today.

Launching a ‘Global Dissemination Campaign’ on the message and ideology of Guru for world peace in connection with the dedication of the ‘Parnasala’ on September 12, 2010, Mr. Tharoor said it was a great honour for him to inaugurate the three-year-long programme.

Addressing a huge gathering at the Santhigiri Ashram auditorium, Mr. Tharoor said Santhigiri Ashram was doing remarkable work in translating spirituality into community action for common good.

“The spirituality and self-realisation being propagated by the Ashram is not only for personal welfare but for the welfare of our fellow brothers and the world at large. This is what makes the Ashram a very special place. The main focus of the Ashram is on collective good and people’s welfare,” he added.

In this context, Mr. Tharoor noted that the calendar of events planned by the Ashram during the next three years included an International Conference on Peace, at New Delhi, and a ‘Santhi Yathra’ focusing on the issues of peace and environment protection. The ‘Santhi Yathra’, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, would also highlight other pressing issues facing the people such as access to safe drinking water and food for all, women’s empowerment, communal harmony and national integration, social security and mindset and lifestyle reform.

The minister also noted the Ashram’s noteworthy contribution in the field of rainwater harvesting and its proposed project to build a rainwater harvesting dam with a capacity of 50 million litres.

A National Development Camp for the youth was also being planned during the three-year campaign involving youth from different states of India, he added.

Stating that Navajyothisree Karunakara Guru spent his life propagating the cardinal values of ‘dharma’, ‘neeti’, ‘satya’, ‘ahimsa’ and ‘daya’, Mr. Tharoor said the lotus-shaped ‘Parnasala’ of Guru would symbolize all these values for the people of the world.

The dedication of the ‘Parnasala’ would be performed by an internationally renowned figure on September 12, 2010, with the participation of the global community. Santhigiri Ashram is planning a three-year-long campaign to spread worldwide the Guru’s message of peace for humanity. The dedication of the ‘Parnasala’ would be the focal event of the campaign.

The other major events being planned during the campaign are an all-India exhibition on Industry, Agriculture and Health, a massive ‘House Visit Progamme’ covering all households in Kerala, public meetings, lectures and discussions, mass convention, banner processions, rallies, distribution of leaflets, video exhibitions and slide shows.

Earlier, on his arrival at the Ashram, Mr. Tharoor paid floral tributes at the ‘Parnasala’ and offered prayers at ‘Sahakarna Mandiram’ (The Shrine of Cooperation) and at the Prayer Hall. He was presented with a ‘ponnada’ (ceremonial shawl) by Ashram devotees, Mr. V K Gupta and Mr. Herman Nenning, a bouquet by Mr. Carlos Guzman and a memento by Ashram General Secretary Swami Chaithanya Jnana Thapaswi.

The function was presided over by Sri Thalekunnil Basheer, former Member of Parliament. Ashram Organising Secretary Swami Gururethnam Jnana Thapaswi gave the welcome address while actor-director Madhupal and Ashram Vishwa Samskarika Navothana Kendra (VSNK) Secretary, Mr. K Satheesan offered felicitations. Ashram Nodal Office General Manager, Mr. P C Jain gave the vote of thanks.

Swami Gururethnam Jnana Thapaswi

Organising Secretary,

Santhigiri Ashram

-- With Prayers, Akhil. J.L