BOLLYWOOD celebrities and saints came together for the launch of a book penned by one of India’s leading women spiritual leaders
Pujya Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswatiji’s new book, Come Home to Yourself, was launched on Wednesday (16) at Raj Bhavan in Mumbai.
The event was hosted by governor of Maharashtra, Bhagat Singh Koshyari, in the presence of HH Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, president of Parmarth Niketan, Rishikesh and founder of Global Interfaith WASH Alliance.
Celebrity guests included actors Anil Kapoor, Vivek Oberoi, Dia Mirza and musicians Kailash Kher and Sivamani.
Come Home to Yourself touches on challenging questions such as how to discover inner peace, find love, let go of anger, know your purpose, and connect with God, regardless of religion.
Describing the book as “amazing”, Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji said it “helps us understand ourselves, bring meaning to our lives because if we don’t understand ourselves we won’t understand anything.”
He also praised Sadhviji for bringing the “wisdom of the Himalayas and the purity of the Ganga to wherever she goes. “
Speaking at the event, actress Dia Mirza described how a show brought her to Parmarth, and it turned out to be a “life-altering experience.”
She said: “I was able to see the cultural, social, ecological and musical context of our sacred river, which is now the second most polluted river in the world.
“This is the dichotomy of our times, and through her book Sadhviji addresses this dichotomy and gives us insight into what it really means to find ourselves.”
Anil Kapoor said: “Sadhviji has been my friend for many years. I am very proud of her and always will be. I feel so special and want to thank America for sending her over to us.”
Davindra and Seema Misra, and Vijay and Gita Parekh
Varchas Patel with his father Vipin and mother Jayshriben
Hasmukh Shingadia and his wife Chandrika were all victims of the Horizon scandal
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)