H.H. Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji Maharaj (Muniji)
December  2003 


Highlights:
(Click on link to go directly to that section)

Pujya Swamiji at Rotary Club International Convention
Pujya Swamiji at Peace Summit w/ H.H. The Dalai Lama
Pujya Swamiji at World Youth Peace Summit
Veepur Land Room and Water pump inaugurationFree Medical Eye Surgery Camp at Parmarth Niketan
Pujya Swamiji at University College London
Pujya Swamiji at the Treasury & House of Commons

UPCOMING EVENTS:
INTERNATIONAL YOGA FESTIVAL MARCH 1-7, 2004

BHAGWAT KATHA BY PUJYA BHAISHRI, MARCH 28 - APRIL 5

Divine Message by Pujya Swamiji - 
What is our Dharma? 
How should we respond when people treat us badly?


Pujya Swamiji's upcoming itinerary
Links to Previous Newsletters 
and Divine Messages

December 5  -- Bombay, India
Pujya Swamiji was the Chief Guest at the Rotary International Convention held at the Hyatt Hotel in Mumbai. The theme of the International Convention was "Lend a Hand" and it was graced also by the President of Rotary International, Mr. Jonathan Majiyagbe. 

   
 

 Pujya Swamiji gave a beautiful talk in which he commended Rotary International for their widespread humanitarian work, but he urged them to not only "Lend a Hand' to those in need, but rather to "Give a Hand." 

 
 

"Lending implies that it is temporary. Lending implies that they will repay you somehow or that you are expecting something back from the recipients. If I lend my book to someone, I am waiting to get it back. Rather, let us give as Mother Ganga gives: with no expectation, no hesitation, no discrimination and no vacation. Let us give of ourselves, give of our time, and give of our resources."

The function was beautifully organized by Shri Sushil Gupta, the owner of the Hyatt Regency Delhi and Mumbai and an active, dedicated Rotary Club member.  

December 7-9  -- Delhi
In conjunction with the Parliament of World Religions, the Delhi Peace Summit was held from December 7 - 9 with the theme of "Toward a Culture of Harmony and Peace."  The event was co-sponsored by India Heritage Research Foundation of which Pujya Swamiji is the Founder/Chairman (to see more of IHRF's cultural and charitable projects, please see http://www.ihrf.com)

On the inauguration, at the Ashoka Hotel in New Delhi, the chief guests were Honorable Shri Abdul Kalam, the President of India, Honorable Dr. Karan Singh, former ambassador of India to USA and a member of parliament, Shri Ashok Kumar Jain, the mayor of Delhi, Shri Jagmohanji, the Minister for Tourism and Culture, Government of India and Shri A.H. Ahmadi, former Chief Justice Supreme Court of India. 

Pujya Swamiji with the President of India, Hon. Shri Abdul Kalam and Dr. Karan Singhji

Delegates from nearly 20 countries came to take part in the 3 day event which is a preliminary Summit, in preparation for the Parliament of World Religions in Barcelona, in July 2004. There were representatives from the United Nations, International association of religious freedom, United Religions initiative, World Congress of Faiths and Temple of Understanding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pujya Swamiji with His Holiness the Dalai Lama

The Valedictory session was held at Gandhi Samiti, the land where Mahatma Gandhiji was tragically assassinated. The function was graced by His Holiness the Dalai Lama as well as Shri R. Venkataram, the former President of India, Dr. Karan Singh and Dr. L.M. Singhvi, as well as numerous dignitaries and revered saints. 

     
 

 

 
 


 

Pujya Swamiji presents the video of Lhasa and Mansarovar as well as the photos to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, with Shri R. Venkataram the former President of India, Dr. Karan Singh and Dr. L.M. Singhvi. 

 

Pujya Swamiji presented His Holiness the Dalai Lama with a video cassette of our yatra to Mansarovar and Mt. Kailash, highlighting the days we spent in Lhasa and the meditation we performed on His Holiness' birthday in Potala Palace, his previous home. His Holiness was very happy to hear about the yatra as well as about the humanitarian projects that India Heritage Research Foundation, under Pujya Swamiji's guidance, inspiration and leadership, are doing for the people of Mansarovar (for more information on these projects, please see www.kailashmansarovar.org)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 8  -- Bangalore
Pujya Swamiji was the main speaker at the World Youth Peace Summit, an initiative of the Millennium World Peace Summit. The World Youth Peace Summit was held in anticipation of the major International World Youth Peace Summit which is being organized by the United Nations and held in Kenya, Africa in October 2004. 

This World Youth Peace Summit was held in Bangalore at the ashram of Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji. 

   
 

 

 
  Pujya Swamiji gives a lecture at the World Peace Summit and is presented with gifts 
by Pujya Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji
 
 

Pujya Swamiji gave a beautiful speech to the thousands of youth who had gathered there from across the world, in which He gave them inspiring and uplifting suggestions on how to live spiritual, meaningful, divine lives in this time of being youth and students.

December 11  -- Delhi

   
 

Pujya Swamiji met with Hon. Dr. Karan Singh in Delhi to discuss numerous things, including the progress of the monumental project of the Encyclopedia of Hinduism. 

 

 
 

 

December 26  -- Veerpur
Shri Chandru Kewalramani from London and his brother Shri Vijay Kewalramani from New York came with their families to Rishikesh. Shri Chandruji is a great supporter of Parmarth and India Heritage Research Foundation, and sponsored the water facility project as well as 2 rooms in Veerpur. These were sponsored in loving memory of his parents and were officially inaugurated on the 26 December. Previously the village of Veerpur -- although living on the banks of Ganga -- had no running water. Through Shri Chandruji's generosity, a boring well was dug and running water has been provided for the village.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pujya Swamiji walks the Kewalramani family along the banks of Ganga in Veerpur

 

   
 

The official puja for the 2 room set was performed.  

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The new gaushala (cow home) in Veerpur

 

   
 

Clockwise from top: The water tap facility is officially inaugurated by the Kewalramani family; the fertile land of veerpur has been planted full of organic vegetables and ayurvedic plants; Priyanka Kewalramani (the youngest member of the family) distributed clothing to the Rishikumars at the Veerpur Gurukul.

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pujya Swamiji shows them all the organic farming in front of the Gurukul building.

December 26 - January 4  -- Rishikesh
A divine free medical camp was held at Parmarth Niketan. Doctors from Australia and also from India came to provide free eye care, including check ups, testing, diagnosis and free cataract operations. Patients received medicine and treatment where needed as well as operations if those were needed.

Dr. Jay Chandra, Dr. Shailja Chandra, Dr. Amrat Chowdhary and Dr. Purnima Roy came from Australia, and they were joined by 4 local eye specialists. In all, over 450 patients were seen. 56 cataract operations were performed and 107 patients received free eye glasses. 

 

   
 

Free cataract operations are performed for local, needy, indigent people of the Himalayas. 

 
 

 

 

 

   
   
  Patient recovering from operation crowd in the hospital, waiting for free treatment  
 

The following information was given also in the November update

December 1-2  -- London

Pujya Swamiji concluded His abroad yatra with a visit to London (and, as His yatra concluded on 2 December, we included these 2 days in the November update as well).

On December 1 He gave a special program at the University College London on "Why Should I be a Hindu." The lecture was not focused on making people Hindu, but rather focused on the beauty, wisdom, insights and truths of the Hindu tradition. It was actually more a talk on "The True Definition of Hinduism - What Does it Mean to be a Good Hindu" and "Why I should maintain and upkeep my Hindu faith and tradition." 

   
 

 He spoke for about 1 hour and then opened the floor for questions and answers. The audience was mainly students from various colleges/universities in London as well as adults who were eager to hear the talk. Topics ranged from non-violence, to dispelling myths of Hinduism, to inclusivity, to vegetarianism to how to heal violence within India. 

 
 


The program was successfully and beautifully organized in just one week's time by Bhavit Mehta, Neeraj Nathwani, and Naveen Joshi of UCL and IHRF - UK. 

   
 

 

 
  Pujya Swamiji gives a rose to Shri Ramniklal Solanki and appreciates the organizers; Audience members line up to do pranam and receive a copy of Grace in the Home, Pujya Swamiji's book on living a divine life.   
 


On December 2 Pujya Swamiji was the guest of the Treasury and the House of Commons. The Rt. Honorable Paul Boetang, Treasury Minister had been together with Pujya Swamiji at the Vision Dinner in 1999, hosted by Shri Ramniklal Solanki and family of Garavi Gujarat and Asian Trader Publications. Since that time, he has been inquiring about Pujya Swamiji and requesting him to come to the treasury. So, this time Shri Kalpesh Solanki and Shri Shailesh Solanki organized the visit. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   
 

 

 

It was beautiful to see Hon. Paul Boetang greet Pujya Swamiji with garlands of flowers, traditional tilak and aarti. Then, he took us throughout the entire Treasury building, explaining the history of the treasury as well as the nuances of its daily operations.

 

 
 

 

 

However, what impressed Pujya Swamiji the most was that the Honorable Minister keeps a beautiful temple in his office, with deities of various faiths, including Ganesh. There was even prasad laid out beautifully in front of the deities. 

   
 

 

 
  (left) in the Treasury courtyard; (right) in Hon. Paul Boetang's office.  
 

Hon. Paul Boetang is the first non-white minister of that high level in UK and he is a beautiful, humble, dignified, loving and committed soul. He and Pujya Swamiji greeted each other with the love of old, dear friends. 

Now, we just hope that he will allow us to make him feel that much at home in Rishikesh!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pujya Swamiji with Hon. Paul Boetang, the Solanki family & Sadhvi Bhagwati

Following the visit to the Treasury, Pujya Swamiji was the guest of Mr. Barry Gardiner, MP at the House of Commons where he took Pujya Swamiji throughout the House of Lords and the House of Commons as well as to the old Westminster. 

UPCOMING EVENTS

MARCH 1- 7: INTERNATIONAL YOGA FESTIVAL

From March 1-7, Parmarth is pleased to once again host and organize the International Yoga Festival. For more details please see www.parmarth.com/yogafestival.htm

This year�s highlights will include:  

1.     KUNDALINI YOGA taught by world famous Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa of Golden Bridge Yoga, Hollywood, California, USA. Gurmukh is one of the world's most renowned Kundalini Yoga teachers and is one of the highlights of every year's Festival. 
2.     IYENGAR YOGA taught by Karin O�Bannon, certified Senior Intermediate Level 3  Iyengar Yoga Instructor (one of the highest levels) and the newest, divine addition to the Parmarth Yoga Centre. Previously the Senior Teacher of the Iyengar Yoga Institute of Los Angeles, Karin is will be residing full time at Parmarth, and will offer daily Iyengar yoga classes as well as periodic special courses and workshops. Stay tuned to www.parmarth.com/yoga.htm for class and course info for Iyengar classes and courses taught by Karin.

3.     Reiki courses and treatment by Reiki Master Rohini Khatri

4.     Ayurvedic course and treatment by Ayurvedic Expert Brahmachari Vishwapal Jayanti

5.     Inspiring lectures by revered saints

6.     Evening divine Ganga Aarti

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MARCH 28 - aPRIL 5:
 

DIVINE BHAGWAT KATHA BY H.H. PUJYA SANT 
SHRI RAMESHBHAI OZA

 

Pujya Sant Shri Rameshbhai Oza (Pujya Bhaishri) is one of the world's most famous and revered Kathakars (those who recite the stories and messages of the scriptures). His Shrimad Bhagwat Katha and Shri Rama Katha attract audiences of tens of thousands of people, all across the world.  He not only tells the story of Bhagwan Krishna, but -- for 9 days -- one feels as though one has been transported back to the divine lands of Gokul and Vrindavan. The story is told with song, bringing alive the messages and teachings of Bhagwan Krishna. 

The Katha will be given in Hindi, but even those who do not speak the language will undoubtedly be touched, taught and transformed by the power of the chanting, the depth of the shlokas and the message of God, which is universal and beyond language. See www.sandipani.org for more details on Pujya Bhaishri

The atmosphere at Parmarth Niketan during the katha will be especially spiritually charged as it is also the time of the 
ARDH KUMBHA MELA.

Katha timings will be in the morning, and evenings will 
be filled with bhajans, kirtan, satsang, Ganga Aarti and yagna. Please go to www.parmarth.com/kathareg.htm to register

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Bathing in Ganga at Parmarth

CLICK HERE FOR PUJYA SWAMIJI'S 
DIVINE MESSAGE -
 
WHAT IS OUR DHARMA? HOW SHOULD WE RESPOND WHEN PEOPLE TREAT US BADLY?

 

 

 


CLICK HERE TO PRE-ORDER YOUR PROFESSIONAL COPY OF THE VIDEO AND/OR VCD OF THE KAILASH/MANSAROVAR YATRA
 
BY SANSKAR TV CHANNEL

 

Click Here to See Mansarovar Yatra in the News

 
 
 
Pujya Swamiji's Itinerary
December 2003 - February, 2004

January

February March
1 Rishikesh 1-29 Rishikesh 1-31 Rishikesh
2-3 Delhi        
4-6 Rishikesh        
7-9 Delhi        
10-31 Rishikesh        

Please note: Pujya Swamiji's itinerary is always subject to change. Prior to coming to Rishikesh, please make sure to confirm whether He is here by phone or email.

 
Contact Information:
Phone: (0135)  2434301, 2440088, 2434308 Fax: (0135)) 2434399
From abroad, dial: + (91-135) instead of (0135)