We were delighted to welcome Argentina Piccin, the Resident Representative for UNFPA India and Bhutan, to the holy banks of Mother Ganga during the New Year holiday for discussions with Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji – Muniji and Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswatiji involving the rights and health of women and girls and the various programs and services that the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance (GIWA) and the Divine Shakti Foundation (DSF) have initiated to ensure that our Shaktis not only survive, but thrive. Of particular focus during the talks was life skill curriculum in schools to promote sexual reproductive health and education in schools across the nation, as well as reducing maternal health issues, that both GIWA and DSF have fostered for marginalized and rural populations.

In the event, Ms. Piccin also met with Dr. Mahendra Nath Pandeyji, the Hon’ble Union Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. She was joined on the trip by Nomsa Mbere, a South African attorney specializing in renewable energy projects that has advised in the various phases of the South African Government’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement (REIPPP) Programme.

Ms Piccin visited with Hon’ble National Chairman for National Safai Karamcharis Finance & Development Corporation (NCSK), Shri Manhar Valjibhai Zala ji, Hon’ble NCSK Member Manju Delay and Shri Mahendra Prasad, PPS to Chairman NCSK, about efforts to promote life skills, sexual reproductive education and Midwife training.

While here for her five-day visit, Ms Piccin and Ms Mbere joined the Ashram’s Special New Year’s Spiritual Retreat, where they participated in the world-renowned #GangaAarti with Pujya Swamiji and Sadhviji, as well as in a tree plantation ceremony with Hon’ble Minister Shri Pandeyji, signifying their commitment to conserving, preserving and protecting all of Creation.