The Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Shri Trivendra Singh Rawatji, Pujya Mahant Narendra Giriji, Akhada Parishad President, Hon’ble Minister of Urban Development, Government of Uttarakhand, Shri Madan Kaushikji are welcomed by Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, President of Parmarth Niketan, and Dr Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswatiji, Secretary General of Global Interfaith WASH Alliance to the Parmarth Niketan Kumbh Mela Camp in Sector 18, Arail alongwith devotees and pilgrims from across India and around the world.
They offered a purnahuti (final offering) to the beautiful Paush Purnima Vishwa Shanti Yagna in Parmarth’s Yagyashala. Pujya Swamiji and Sadhvi Bhagawatiji gave a tour of the Parmarth Pi-Lo Pani Water Station and Handwashing Station. They shared that more than 200 of these systems have been installed throughout the Kumbh. The innovative systems are part of Parmarth’s ongoing efforts in partnership with Dettol Banega Swachh India and Global Interfaith WASH Alliance to preserve water and to provide free, clean drinking water to the millions of yatris coming to the Mela.
During the visit, the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Pujya Mahant Narendra Giriji, Hon’ble Shri Madan Kaushikji, Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji and Pujya Sadhvi Bhagawatiji inaugurated Parmarth’s FREE Medanta Medical Clinic and Advanced Life Support Ambulance. Also present at the inauguration were Dr. Shubhank Singh, Lead Clinician, and Dr. Punit Srivastava, Coordinator for Medanta, and Medanta nursing staff Kuldeep, Rajeev, and Nadeem.
A symbolic coconut was broken to flag off the Advanced Life Support Ambulance, which would be available to take critically ill patients to a hospital. Then, the dignitaries and guests entered the clinic for a sacred lamp lighting ceremony honouring the beautiful partnership between Parmarth Niketan and Medanta.
During the inauguration Pujya Swamiji said: “Service is the greatest form of worship and the best offering or tribute we can make in this sacred time of the Kumbh in the holy city of Prayagraj. The name of the city as Prayagraj reflects its rich history as a city of giving back. To me giving is living and living is giving. Its beautiful to have the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttarakhand join us in inaugurating this service as his life is also dedicated to the selfless service of humanity.” He concluded by thanking Medanta and the clinicians for offering their services free of cost to the Kumbh Mela and the people of Prayagraj.
Honourable Shri Trivendra Singh Rawatji said: “Thanks to the team from Medanta for caring for yatris not only at this camp, but I am glad to know that there services will also be made available to at all of the akhadas at the Kumbh. I also invite everyone in this spirit of service to be sure to come to the Kumbh Mela in Haridwar in 2021.”
Pujya Mahant Narendra Giriji said, “I congratulate the services of Parmarth Niketan, under the leadership of Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, and the great efforts they are making to ensure a healthy Kumbh Mela. I am also glad to know that this life support ambulance will be made available to all the akhadas in the Kumbh.”
Sadhvi Bagawatiji said: “The greatest way to practice our spirituality is to see the Creator in all of creation. Through health practitioners we are able to touch so much of creation with time, talent, technology and tenacity. The nectar of the Kumbh is flowing in the sacred waters of the Yamuna, Ganga, and Saraswati, and through the hearts and hands of those serving in the medical camp.”
The spirit of service is demonstrated by the generosity of Medanta and doctors and staff giving of their clinical expertise free of cost throughout the entire Kumbh Mela – free cardiac services and free basic medical services at the camp. Parmarth Niketan also thanked Dr. Naresh Trehan, the Chairman and Managing Director of Medanta – The Medicity, for his efforts to create the confluence of service, health, and community at the sacred sangam of Prayagraj.
