Hundreds of people, including spiritual leaders from numerous faiths, gathered in New Delhi on Jan. 2 and 3 to engage in discussions to raise global consciousness in order to address our world’s greatest challenges.
January 2nd included dialogue on the creation of a Global Dharma Day and January 3rd as the Global Consciousness Day.
On the 2nd, spiritual leaders spoke about “Global Dharma in an Era of Equality.” The panel including eminent speakers such as:
- Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, President of Parmarth Niketan Ashram in Rishikesh
- Pujya Swami Dewan Syed Zainul Abedin Ali Khan from the Ajmer Shrine in Ajmer, Rajasthan
- Pujya Shankaracharya Swami Divyananda Teerth of Bhanpura Peeth, Madhya Pradesh
- Pujya Acharya Roop Chandra, President of the Manav Mandir Mission, New Delhi
- Lama Lobzang, Vice President of the Mahabodhi Society of India
- A.K. Merchant, president of Baha’i Community in India
- Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi, Representing the International Imam Organization
- Falahari Baba from Alwar, Rajasthan
- Ezekeil Isaac Malekar, priest and honorary secretary of the Judah Hyam Synagogue, New Delhi
- Brahmakumari Sapna
- Father Dominic Emanuel
- Archbishop Vincent M. Concessao
Pujya Swamiji especially mentioned the need for preserving the environment and enforcing Nature’s Rights as Our Rights as the true path of dharma needed in our world today. He emphasized the need to preserve and protect our natural, cultural and spiritual heritage, such as Mother Ganga and all the river bodies of the world, as they are very lifeline of millions.
Shri BK Modi spoke of the need to sow the seeds of “Global Dharma” and continue the interfaith dialogue. All eminent dignitaries and participants agreed that 2013 is a year of new beginning, knowledge and spirituality. They committed themselves to working together to bridge divides and address the pressing challenges that face our world.
Plans were discussed for holding a follow-up workshop in the upcoming Kumbha Mela, the largest gathering of humanity, within the next two months.
A message from the Dalai Lama was also shared in which he called for gender equality and empowerment of women through education. Going forward, he said, women will play a key role in creating a peaceful society as they are more inclined to be compassionate.
The conclave brought together global thinkers, spiritual and business leaders, members of the royalty, professionals, senior bureaucrats and academicians. Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor also shared his views on global citizenship. Well-known performers closed the events on each day, including Dhwani, a multigenre vocal group that performed spiritual songs, and Kailash Kher who presented Sufi music. Distinguished panelists included scientist R.K. Pachauri, as well as thinkers like Gaj Singh, Mahesh Mehta, Narayan Mohan and Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati. They shared perspectives on how technology, education, spirituality and the environment play a key role in developing a world with a global consciousness.
The conference ended with the formation of a “Global Citizenship Forum”. The event ended with a unified opinion that global consciousness will be led by the youth; that technology would take this concept to the remotest part of the world and help focus on achieving environmental balance, food security and a holistic education which would also ensure equal opportunity for all irrespective of caste creed, gender or nationality.