Today on the UN Peacekeepers Day, HH Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji and Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati blessed Vision2021’s mission for ‘One Million Youth for Peace,’ conceived and led by Ms. Rachna Sharma, by lighting the symbolic lanterns of peace on the holy banks of Mother Ganga during the evening sacred Ganga Aarti ceremony.
UN Peacekeepers Day pays tribute to all the people who have lost their lives in the cause of peace out of which the country with the largest number of individuals who have sacrificed their lives for these efforts are from India alone. It also honours those who have and continue to serve in UN peacekeeping operations for their dedication, commitment and courage, because of them our world continues to strive and maintain peace in areas of severe crisis and conflict.
The Vision 2021: One Million Youth for Peace is an educational and humanitarian movement engaged in initiatives to raise awareness about peace and purpose amongst youth in India and abroad. By giving 100 volunteer hours to these efforts, the world’s best mentors and established leaders are connected to the world’s budding leaders and volunteers. By doing so, Vision 2021 hopes to nurture Ambassadors of Peace and herald a brighter, more beautiful and more peaceful world for all.
On the occasion, Pujya Swamiji said: “India is not only a piece of land but truly a land of peace… If we are in pieces then what will we exude and/or manifest? Only pieces. But when we are in peace then we exude peace and we manifest peace around us. Therefore, it’s crucial that India’s young generation gets engaged and excited about connecting and contributing with our ancient and timeless heritage of peace. It is vital that we connect these efforts to a broader definition of peace which includes the crucial importance of protecting our environment and sacred water sources from over-exploitation and over-extraction, often the lack of these basic natural resources is the foundation upon which conflict and violence arises in the world.”
Sadhvi Bhagawatiji said, “We should not only PRAY for peace but as faith based organizations partnering with networks across the globe and the UN, we must also come together to PROVIDE the fertile grounds upon which peaceful communities can thrive. Today we bring our prayer for peace into action and light the lamp of hope and healing so that youth of this country and youth of the world are encouraged to truly be leaders of peace, this will then not only Make in India, as India will be a more welcoming place for investors and individuals alike, but it will also Make India, thereby making and contributing to a stronger, healthier and more peaceful world.”
Rachna Sharma expressed her gratitude by saying, “Together with my Guru, Pujya Swamiji, and Sadhvi Bhagawatiji’s blessings and tireless work of peace, I am certain that we can engage and inspire every youth of this country to join these vital efforts. I could not have imagined a more auspicious and beautiful way of starting this journey then on this day and on the banks of the River Ganga, the river of peace and love, in the lap of the sacred Himalayas.”
The beautiful lantern lighting ceremony on the holy banks of Mother Ganga coincided with similar ceremonies taking place simultaneously in South Delhi Campus of the Delhi University, HRH Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar the Prince of Royal House of Mewar hosted a ceremony in Udaipur, Mr. Sam Beard with Gift Foundation in Delaware, USA and Mr. Jawad Nabulsi at the Standford Business School in California, USA.