On the occasion of International Yoga Day Yoga Day, Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswatiji was warmly invited to address and be honoured with the Yoga Ratna (diamond of yoga) Awards 2016 in Bengaluru, Karnataka, organized by the Shwaasa Trust, in association with the Government Of Karnataka, Olympic Association of Karnataka & AWGP – All World Gayatri Pariwar. The special event was inaugurated by the watering of a beautiful tree by the Hon’ble Governor of Karnataka Shri Vachubhai Rudabhai Valaji, Shwaasa Guru Pujya Swami Vachananandji, Respected Chairman of Indian Space Research Organization – ISRO Dr Kiran Kumarji and Sadhvi Bhagawatiji.
Sadhviji also gifted a sacred Rudraksha plant to the Hon’ble Governor, on behalf of HH Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatijii, for being a ‘Yogi Governor’ of the green, garden city of Bangalore.
Thereafter they each spoke so beautifully in the opening ceremony of the importance and significance of Yoga for everyone, everywhere.
The Hon’ble Governor shared simply and profoundly, “If just by chanting OM, one can start healing their whole body and all of their major energy centres, then imagine what practicing more Yoga can bring to our lives.” He shared, “Yoga was key to leading a disease free, healthy and happy life.” Giving the example of the Hon’ble Chairman of ISRO and lauding the launching of the satellite in next two days, he mentioned the critical importance that the practice of Yoga holds in forming the foundation in which we are able to do and fulfill all of our roles and responsibilities and be of great service to our nation. He urged everyone to practice Yoga in their everyday lives.
Sadhvi Bhagawatiji inspired and touched the audience by sharing, “I come from Rishikesh, the land of spirituality, to Bangalore, the land of science, and today what the world truly needs is the sangam (confluence) of science and spirituality to address our most pressing global challenges. The key to bridging this gap is Yoga. Yoga is Union, of not just our physical bodies but of our external and internal worlds. It’s the bridge between sarkar (government), science and spirituality, it’s beautiful to see how so many organizations have come here today, together with the government and to honour and celebrate Yoga.”
She added that while we are conquering more and more of our outer space through science yet still we are not in peace or balanced within ourselves or in our families and communities or nations. Yoga gives us the key to knowing, exploring and conquering our inner space. She emphasized that Yoga is not just asana but a way of life and a state of being that brings great peace, harmony, health and joy to our lives.
Pujya Shwaasa Guruji and Hon’ble Devaragunda Venkappa Sadananda Gowda, the Union Minister of Law and Justice in the Government of India and the 20th Chief Minister of Karnataka, honoured Sadhvi Bhagawatiji with the honour of Yoga Ratna (Jewel of Yoga) award for her tireless contributions to spreading the art and science of Yoga all across India and around the world. The Hon’ble Minister shared such beautiful words about Sadhviji’s great dedication, devotion and commitment to sharing and truly living the values of Indian spiritual-cultural tradition, being a true Yogi.
Former Prime Minister of India, Shri H.D.Deve Gowdaji honoured Smt Nannamalji, one of the oldest Yoga teachers in India with the honour. Dr. HF Naikar from KM Foundation and three other Yogis were also awarded with the honour.