Expressnews
Chennai:
C20 India 2023 is one of the official Engagement Groups of the G20 that provides a platform for Civil Society Organizations around the world to voice people’s aspirations to the world leaders of G20. Chinmaya Mission is one among the organisations chosen by the Government of India that have been entrusted with the prestigious responsibility of anchoring the deliberations pertaining to one of the key working groups, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – World is One Family! As part of 12 national conferences across the country, experts have so far deliberated and discussed the application of oneness, and explored paradigms of spiritualism, culture, regenerative development, minimalism, conflict avoidance and environmental consciousness through nine sub-themes.
The Three-day international conference (27th to 29, May, 2023) deliberated on these topics. The conference was inaugurated by the Honourable Thiru R.N. Ravi, Governor of Tamil Nadu, in the presence of Shri. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, President, Indian Council for Cultural Relations President and senior Acharyas of the Chinmaya Mission and Honourable Governor of Telangana & Puducherry Tmt. Dr.Tamilisai Soundararajan attended the conference as Guest of Honour on 29th May, 2023 for the Valedictory function. The objective of the deliberations on various sub-themes were able to provide equitable, worldwide access while rebuilding resilience towards a better future.
The Conference begun with Lighting of Kuthuvilakku by TN Governor Thiru. R.N. Ravi along with Thiru. Swami Mitrananda Ji of Chinmaya Mission Chennai. Book Launch: A new edition of Bhagawat Post-Event Press Release Geeta with easy explanation was launched by Swami Mitrananda Ji giving the First Copy to Governor R.N.Ravi, followed by speech delivered by Swami ji and TN Governor at C20 International Conference “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakkam” at Four Points by Sheraton Resorts & Convention Centre, Mahabalipuram, Tamilnadu.
Speech by Governor Thiru.R.N.Ravi:
Vasudhaiva Kudumbakam is a spiritual identity of our country India. We all know how important G- 20 can play role in human destiny. They needed economic, political and to shape the world which will be safe for every one and people live in harmony. Civil society know that society that emergence of modern state and G20 is constituted by heads of governments. Societies were there for 1000s long time ago. 1000 of years society have learn to co-exist to live in perfect harmony and environment. Today we know that the world is facing numerous challenges, numerous existential crises, be it unprecedented climate change. We are steering at mammoth disaster. Many island countries are counting their years. If it is not stopped then within next few decades it will be wiped of the map of the world. We fear on water rising due to melting of ice in polar regions due to climate change and what future will be is unexplainable. We are also in the midst of numerous conflicts, wars which are invisible and visible. Potentially dangerous, as today several countries equipped with such destructive war equipment. Any bad actions can mess the whole planet to perish. It should not be taken as normal equilibrium. The danger is looming all the time. We also have crsis of poverty. While there are countries with people who are prosperous, a significant part of them is suffering. This is unsustainable. The lack of needed empathy, compassion which was manifested in Pandemic. When the whole world suffered in Covid, some were less fortunate. When the vaccines were developed, we witnessed that some countries made it as a opportunity to make money. Thanks to our scientist when they developed Covid19 vaccines, we shared it to 159 countries and we have shown the world which is Vasudeva kudumbakam in action. In climate crisis – It was given fact that for development we need energy and sources are fossil fuels, which is the cause of global warming and climate change. Nuclear energy is carbon free but not risk free. At this time India decided to move forward on climate action and moved to green energy where it’s for the test of the over 40 percent of our Energy needs are from green energy where no fossil fuel or no nuclear. We need to reduce our waste. We set target of Open Defectation Free (ODF) and we did. Now we have to produce energy out of waste. Move forward on phase of organic farming. diesel with ethanol and we will achieve our goals. When 140 Crore can achieve successfully do them it can be lesson for the rest of the world. This application can. This country is walking on the talk. We talk about Civil 20 – Vasudeva kudumbakam, we have been with power and civilization for several thousand years. Vasudhaiva kudumbakam is the Motto of G20. It’s not a PR exercise but it is what our civilization lived through for several thousand years. This reflects in our day today life. In the most remote like tribal areas, you see every act of individual and collective efforts is there for the reference for mother earth. Respect for every creatures. It is because, this thought and realisation transit the understanding of ourself in this world.
The human beings, we all are finite. Our understanding is dynamic. Even people in remote area in our country live in harmony. When our Rishis and seers revealed the oneness of creation. Oneness is like massive tree with million leaves where no two leaves are alike but all is one in a family tree. This realisation resolves all kinds and nonsense of others. There is no question of you and I, but it’s is ours. This is the priceless living heritage of this country. This heritage is reflected in day-to-day discourses. When Rishis prayer they never offered prayer for themself, but for all. Let all collectively achieve this essence reflects the spiritual, culture of Bharat (India). I must congratulate Avanthee for this conference. Bhagavat Geeta is something which defines no limitation. It’s boundless. It’s for each one of us according to our capacity and Prakruti. It has always had something for everyone. India has a very important responsibility that we need to present our civilisation experience to the leaders and elicit to the way the people of this country have lived through various ups and downs but yet internal principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam has not gone, even in worst of time. At a time when we face crisis in our country, its our responsibility that now it’s time to spread that Amritkal – this country has to be Atma Nirbhar (Self Reliant) not only for us, but also to the rest of the world to make people live in peace and harmony with each other. This Civil 20 has special responsibly in drafting policy document to present to G20 and make policy that could make a world safer than today.
Speech by Her Highness Aswathi Thirunal Gowri Lakshmi Bayi (Author & from the Royal Family of Travancore) :
HH Aswathi Thirunal Gowri Lakshmi Bayi begun her speech paying respect to Lord Sree Padmanabhaswamy and thanking Swami Mitrananda ji of Chinmaya Mission Chennai for inviting her to the C20 Internation Conference & giving opportunity to present her speech on the topic which is close to her heart “Culture & Art” and its reference to “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” – The world is one family. She said the immortal words “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” is derived from the Mahaupanishad and much later in time in Corporate into the very popular Panchatantra authored by Vishnu Sharma. The concept of globalisation is very much there in the Indian ethos time immemorial emphasising on the aspect on the whole world as One Family, however in the modern western perspective ‘globalisation’ is redefined in commercial terms and unfortunately the world is been reduced to one large market. The idea of universal brotherhood has been the life breathe that runs across the subcontinent – India, from then to now, the same chant “Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavanthu” has come revolving down the centuries without a change. For us the oneness of brotherhood did not stop with human beings, it extended to flora and fauna, to the static blessings of nature like the mountains and the rocks. It was well being for all on earth. She referred to sage Yagnyavalkya the illustrious exponent of Vedanta who has been given the time slot of in the 6th century B.C or before advises “it is not our heritage still less colour of our skin that produces virtue, virtue must be practiced, therefore let no one do to others what he would not have done to himself”. She also quoted Atharva Veda which says “Earth is our mother, we are her children” and this idea focuses the oneness of creation. This subline concept has by and large confined to theory and so often conspicuous by its absence in the world scenario. Like all of you here, I too hope and pray, instead of being capsuled to papers to presentations and platforms, “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakkam” will bloom alive in practical application to some extend at the least, May the red colour of precious human blood be replaced by the blessed blow of goodwill. She spoke about the vibrant Bharat, and said she would wish to call the Indian heritage as “the mighty Indian experience”. She congratulated Chinmaya Mission and all the speakers & wished the best in the years to come will bring back the glory of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – the world is one family and there will be peace in the world by helping each other as one.
Speech by S.Gurumurthy – Auditor, Journalist & editor of Thuglak (a Tamil Political Magazine):
Auditor Gurumurthy started his speech with Namaskaram to Swami Mitrananda. He recalled Swami ji appreciation on his interview with Republic enclave on Republic TV and said Swamiji wanted him to share some thoughts in C20 International conclave. He said the world is changing and the rules we are talking today doesn’t hold relevance at all and said the rules which were relevant 100 years ago cannot stand today. He urged that we must have a helicopter view of situation, especially when India is taking presidentship in G20 which is good for the nation. He said PM Modi says, the world needs to be shown a different philosophy. We need to show Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam which is “Not World as family, but Earth as family”. It completes eco friendly approach on practices, rules, ecology, social norms etc as world order is changed after WWII, then now once again after the pandemic. He said, strategic, financial challenges, regulations, leadership, diversity are permanently getting restructured. The word diversity came into UN dictionary in 1994, it was eco-diversity and human diversity was not discussed, in 2009 the culture diversity were discussed in the UN and human diversity came as discussion after 2011. He said, UN is not having control today with power, relationship, economy of any country. He said, Macro economic theory which developed in the last 30yrs are useless, at best and harmful at worst. Is there any economic theory today which is commonly applicable to all the nations in the world? No. He said, now we need to understand the theme of G20 Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, means living with all beings in the world in harmony. He referred to the climate change, pollution and waste created by developing world, and said, 13 billion pounds worth garments are wasted in EU alone into the sea and other ecological issues are accumulated day by day. Gurumuthy said, the world is 71% water and our body also constitute of 70% of water. The concept of life in the world is same. Humans need co-exist with other beings and nature. The concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakkam is the only way to live in harmony.
Speech by Smt. Dr.Tamilisai Soundararajan – Honourable Governor of Telangana & Puducherry:
Dr.Tamilisai Soundarajan at the valedictory function of C20 International Conclave congratulated and thanked the organisers for conducting a 3 day long conference calling eminent speakers from across the country and beyond borders. In her speech, she said our country is making tremendous progress like never before, and we are seen as a very promising & valuable partner by countries all across the world. Today, India is seen as the capital of culture – such as our history, ayurveda, yoga and art forms are getting popular day by day. She said our country’s progress and G20 presidentship would make us even more popular and make us show our strength in all spheres such as healthcare, technology, art and potential to the outside world. While speaking about “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”, she said an example of how India truly practiced “the world is one family” and referred to recent Pandemic. When we ourselves as a nation struggled through Pandemic and facing economic downfall like all other countries in the world, we went through uncertainty and fear until we developed vaccines. However, after developing vaccines, even though we have 130 Cr population to vaccinate, we consider plight of other poorer nations than us and extended help alongside vaccinating our own citizens. She said, that is the true leadership of India and India shown to the world a true example of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”, the world is one family.
Cultural program and other sessions at C20 International Conference:
The event featured a cultural event by Indian Music Composer, 5 times Grammy Award winner and environmentalist, Shri. Ricky Kej, on Saturday and a performance by renowned Music Maestro Thiru. Ilayaraja and child prodigy Lydian Nadaswaram, was held on Sunday. The Honourable Dr. (Smt.) Tamilisai Soundararajan, Governor of Telangana and the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, presided over on Monday, 29th May, 2023 for the valedictory function. The C20 advocacy will generate the C20 Policy Pack and C20 Communique, which will contain the policy recommendations that will be launched at the C20 Summit in July 2023. The India Coordinator for this Working Group of C20 is our senior Spiritual Mentor, Swami Mitrananda Ji, and the International Coordinators are Shri. Virendra Gupta, Indian Council for International Cooperation, India and Dr. Vikrant Tomar, United Consciousness Global.
About Chinmaya Mission:
Chinmaya Mission, a spiritual organisation with a global presence with over 300 centres across the world, was established in India in 1953 by devotees of the world-renowned Vedanta teacher, His Holiness Swami Chinmayananda. Our teacher, during his 42 years of teaching, came to be regarded as one of the most respected teachers of Vedanta. Swamiji expounded that teaching from lecture platforms around the globe, unfolding, verse by verse, the meaning of the major Upanishads, the Bhagavad Geeta and other texts of Vedanta. Through his teachings, he ensured that all members of the society, irrespective of age, sex, caste or economic status, are provided with an opportunity to mould the inner core of their personality, through consistent ‘Spiritual Sadhana’.
