Sustainable living and tackling pollution were on the agenda as faith and spiritual leaders joined politicians at a three-day Kumbh Conclave last week in Allahabad, north India.
The protection of greenery in the city, promotion of eco-friendly choices and increasing awareness of a plastic and pollution-free Kumbh Mela were some topics that were discussed at the meeting.
Among those who attended were His Holiness (HH) Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji (HH Pujya Muniji), president of the Parmarth Niketan (Rishikesh), and founder of the Ganga Action Parivar, a co-founder of the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance.
He said: “The Kumbh Mela is a great Make India programme - of all, by all and for all. The time has come for us to rise above our ego and logos and come forward to protect our culture and our nature to shape and mould our collective future.”
HH Pujya Muniji urged spiritual leaders and ashrams to come together for a “New India”.
He added: “We must encourage our saints and spiritual leaders to follow a “four I programme”. They must provide information on the real challenges and threats faced by our nation, inspiration to address these challenges by finding and becoming the solutions, furthermore they must lead the appropriate implementation of these solutions and finally, provide innovation in the assimilation of these solutions with the society.”
Spiritual leaders and prominent politicians who attended the event also included Pujya Swami Parmatmanandji of Gujarat, Pujya Swami Brahmeshanandacharyaji, of Goa, Pujya Kamal Nayan Dasji of Ayodhya, Prof Dr Raja Ram Yadav, vice chancellor, Jaunpur Purvanchal University, Rakesh Tripathi, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson, Uttar Pradesh and Nishchal . Pandey, director of the Centre for South Asian Studies, Kathmandu.
The meeting was organised by the India Think Council, in association with the Uttarakhand Tourism Department, MNNIT Allahabad, University of Allahabad, from July 27-29 at the Motilal Nehru Medical College.
Ramit Sharma, the inspector general of Allahabad, said working together would help make the Kumbh Mela a success.
“I encourage you to break the concept of us vs them,” he said. “The administration is open and welcome to all your suggestions. In order to make the Kumbh Mela a grand success we need to work together as one family to welcome our world family. I look forward to Pujya Swamiji’s blessing to bring a greater harmony between each other and between the people and the political administration.”
Also at the event, there was a discussion to revive a Sanskrit Vidyalaya in Allahabad and make it a Vedic Excellence Centre. There was also plans to start a divine Ganga Aarti, on the same lines of the Ganga Aarti in Parmarth Niketan (Rishikesh) at the Dashaswamedh Ghat in front of the Sanskrit Vidyalaya.
Dharavi slum in Mumbai
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Man pleads not guilty to murder of BBC presenter's family
A 26-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering the wife and two daughters of BBC sports commentator John Hunt in a crossbow and knife attack.
Kyle Clifford, who also faces charges of rape, appeared via video link at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday.
Clifford, arrested in July after a manhunt, is charged with three counts of murder, one count each of rape and false imprisonment, and two counts of possessing offensive weapons – a 10-inch knife and a crossbow.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session.
He is expected to enter a plea for that charge at a later date.
The victims were Carol Hunt, 61, wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28.
An earlier hearing revealed that Louise had been found tied up and that both she and her sister had been shot with a crossbow, while their mother had been stabbed with a knife.
The fatal attack occurred at the family’s home in Bushey, a commuter town near Watford, northwest of London.
(With inputs from AFP)