Pujya Swamiji and Sadhviji extend warm welcome to Dr Ron Malka, discuss world peace, environment and ongoing service programs
30 NOVEMBER RISHIKESH INDIA: HE the Ambassador of Israel to India and Sri Lanka, Dr Ron Malka, was warmly welcomed home to the holy banks of Maa Ganga for his first meeting with HH Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji and Pujya Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswatiji, bringing with him his family, Deputy Chief of Mission Ms. Maya Kadosh with her family and a cadre of 50 embassy staffers. From the moment introductions were made, a great friendship and partnership blossomed, closely aligned with the Growing Partnership being experienced at the national and international level, this great spiritual connect only deepened the exchange.
During the initial meeting, a wide-range of topics were discussed, including water conservation and environmental protection, interfaith cooperation, partnerships for peace and the upcoming International Yoga Festival, in addition to the world-wide programs and services of the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance, the Divine Shakti Foundation, Ganga Action Parivar and Parmarth Niketan.
On the occasion, Pujya Swamiji shared, “At the present time, two problems are taking frightening form on the world stage. First, the decreasing level of water, and second the increasing plastic clogging up our waterways and contaminating our soil and air. This water problem is a global problem, and for this recycling and conservation of water is absolutely necessary. Scientists say that only 2.2 percent of the waste water is being recycled, so we have to have a revolution for recycling of water. Therefore, if we can’t Create water we must at least work to Conserve it.”
Pujya Swamiji added, “There will be mutual brotherhood and a deepening of ties between India and Israel. Our relationship is full of sweetness, peace and harmony, and will continue and expand. It is an example for the world, and I am confident that both nations, with friendship and peaceful co-existence, will keep moving forward. Under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji, India is in a position to lead by example in solving global challenges such as climate change, poverty, terrorism, etc. However, if both of our nations work together for global prosperity we can do so much more.”
After a traditional water blessing ceremony, representing the commitment to ensure safe and accessible drinking water for all; a beautiful Ganga Aarti experience, to thank God for His endless and wondrous blessings; and, the exchange of Rudraksha saplings, symbolizing environmental protection.
During the Ganga Aarti, Sadhviji shared that “it’s so beautiful, because India and Israel are coming together – hand-in-hand and heart-in-heart – politically, but the honorable ambassador also shared with me that both countries are also coming together scientifically, technologically for water. Our honorable Minister of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resources, RD & GR was just in Israel, and it’s so beautiful today to be able to take that coming together a step further. It’s such a joy to welcome you and your family to come together, India and Israel, in love.”
Pujya Swamiji then presented a Rudraksh sapling to the ambassador, which Sadhviji described as symbol of “a new birth of a sacred life between these two nations for love, for peace, for water and for environmental protection.”
Also joining for the sacred evening Aarti ceremony was Pujya Madhusudan Saiji and Sathya Sai Vrinda family, whose two-day visit coincided with the Ambassador’s visit. Pujya Swamiji and Pujya Sadhviji also extended invitations to Dr. Malka and his party to attend the International Yoga Festival in 2020 and the Haridwar Kumbh Mela in 2021.
Responding in the affirmative to both invitations, Dr. Malka added that Parmarth Niketan is a truly divine place. The divinity and sanctity of the ashram and Mother Ganga fills the mind with joy. He also shared that the important discussions of conservation of water for sustaining life as part of the Growing Partnerships between India and Israel.
Last year Deputy Chief of Mission Ms. Maya Kadosh had brought her family to Parmarth Niketan and was so deeply touched by the experience that she promised to bring the new Ambassador as soon as he was appointed. Parmarth was also proud to host a very special Israel India Cultural Programme at the Prayagraj Kumbh Mela earlier this year with Gil Ron Shama and his band along the banks of the confluence of the Sangam, dedicated to the conservation of all Rivers of the world, as a beautiful fruit of the continued partnerships and cultural exchanges between both countries in partnership with the Embassy of Israel and looks forward to similar programs in the near future.