The Hon’ble President of India Shri Ramnath Kovindji began his Presidential visit to Parmarth Niketan Ashram in Rishikesh with a historic Ganga Aarti ceremony yesterday. During the second day of his visit the Hon’ble President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovindji met with Pujya Swamiji to discuss the various programs and initiatives inspired and blessed by Pujya Swamiji and implemented by Parmarth Niketan, Global Interfaith WASH Alliance and the Divine Shakti Foundation. Pujya Swamiji outlined numerous solutions and innovations for a variety of topics from faecal sludge management, sustainable solid waste management, development of Rudraksha Van (forest of rudraksha trees) and Kedar Smriti Van (forest in memory of those who lost their lives in the Kedarnath floods) and many other inspiring initiatives in the service of the nation.
The Hon’ble President and his family were presented with a sacred sapling of the rudraksh tree to plant at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The rudraksh is Parmarth Niketan’s signature gift as trees give life and rudraksh trees give sacred life!
Pujya Swamiji shared, “I am so glad to be able to share these new innovative technologies with our Hon’ble President who is so dedicated and committed to protection of our water, our air and our natural environment. With his leadership, I know Bharat will continue to become more and more green and eco-friendly. I really love our green and serene President!”
The Hon’ble President also interacted with a group of teachers and students of the Divine Shakti Foundation’s free schools and women’s empowerment programs as well as youth leaders from the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance’s LifeSkills Programme in addition to the team of sevaks and volunteers who serve tirelessly at the Ashram.
He was also presented a copy of Pujya Sadhviji’s newly released best-selling memoir, “Hollywood to the Himalayas: A Journey of Healing and Transformation.” In presenting the book, Pujya Sadhviji shared that, “It is such an honor and blessing to be able to present this book, my new memoir, to the Hon’ble President. Having lived the last 25 years here at Parmarth Niketan, I am so glad to have the opportunity to share the power of Bharatiya Sanskriti to heal and transform us with the world.”
As the Hon’ble President and his family departed, Pujya Swamiji warmly invited the Hon’ble President to grace the inauguration or concluding ceremony of the 2022 International Yoga Festival from 8-14 March next year!
