Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Yury Petrovich Trutnev arrived with his beautiful wife Natasha at Parmarth Niketan, Rishikesh during their five day tour to India and met with HH Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswati ji and Pujya Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati ji in which they discussed upcoming International Day of Yoga, Parmarth’s annual International Yoga Festival, the various service projects being run by the ashram and Haridwar Kumbh Mela amongst other things.
Pujya Swamiji said that India and Russia have maintained strong political, military and economic ties and now there is a need for the two to work together on the environment, global warming and other conservation fronts.
Trutnev had earlier served as the Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment of Russia for eight years from 2004 to 2012. Both parties also expressed concern on the condition of Ganga, other Indian rivers and Volga, Don and other rivers in Russia which are suffering from increasing levels of pollution.
Pujya Swamiji said that the growing levels of pollution in rivers was a cause for global concern. He added that the natural resources are being used at an alarming rate and therefore it is important that countries join hands to ensure the future of the countries is safe.
The deputy Prime Minister was gifted a Rudraksha plant by Pujya Swamiji and they also took part in a water blessing ceremony to pray for adequate water supply to all countries globally.
The couple also participated in the world renowned evening Ganga Aarti ceremony.