Gandhi Ganga Samanvay Retreat

15 SEPTEMBER 2019, RISHIKESH:  A three day Ganga Gandhi Samanvay Retreat took place at Parmarth Niketan Ashram, on the holy banks of Mother Ganga, in the lap of the Himalayas, in celebration of the 150th Birth Anniversary of Ba (Kasturba Gandhiji) and Bapu (Mahatma Gandhiji). This was the very first time the Samanvay Retreat has happened outside of the Gandhi Ashram and the first of its kind on the banks of Maa Ganga. It seeks to bring service-oriented youth and professionals from the development sector together, to establish harmony between the head, heart and hand. As Mahatma Gandhiji said so beautifully, “Happiness is when what you think, what you say and what you do are in harmony.”

The participants felt the deep bliss of being on the banks of Mother Ganga as Her waters washed inside and outside. They reflected and nourished the values of maitri, compassion, truth, non-violence and humility, and discussed how they could bring the teachings of Gandhiji with the touch of Ganga into their own lives. Special interactions took place with Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, Founder of Ganga Action Parivar. Ganga Nandini, Vice President of Harijan Sevak Sangh, Uttarakhand, Coordinator of the Ganga Action Parivar was appreciated deeply for being the force behind organising and cultivating the space for this retreat to manifest, working together with Kishan, Diken and other volunteers from the Gandhi Ashram. Gandhian leaders and youth joined from across the country to participate in this unique and special gathering.