“The Himalayas,” declares HH Param Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji on this Himalaya Diwas, “are the home of diverse flora and fauna, diverse culture and traditions. And amidst this diversity, the Himalayas teach us unity amidst diversity. For centuries, our Sages and Saints and Rishis have come to these sacred peaks and given us sacred mantras that inspire and encourage us to serve all of humanity. These mantras teach us to live in peace, and not in pieces, and to see all of humanity as one family.

“If we are to save our Himalayas and save our planet, then our saints and scientists and samaj and sarkar must all come together to inspire great and lasting change. We must continue our growing legacy of new solutions for a clean, green and serene revolution for our majestic Himalayas, something that can only happen through the union of hands and hearts as one team with one theme!

“Today on Himalaya Diwas, and every day throughout the year, we must all come together for a safer and sustainable tomorrow. We must work and serve to ensure a future of wellness and peaceful coexistence and to create a culture of ‘not what for me, but what through me.’ And, we must share a message of our collective humanity! These are the lessons that the Himalayas embody. They must be our lessons, too!