New Delhi, 02 November (H.S.): The third day of the birth centenary celebrations of Revered Mata Bhagwati Devi Sharma and the Akhand Deep Centenary Year, organised by the Akhil Vishwa Gayatri Pariwar at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi, witnessed a vibrant blend of spiritual awakening, cultural performances and renewed commitments to nation-building.

Addressing the gathering, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda described self-transformation as the cornerstone of nation-building. Dr. Chinmay Pandya, Vice-Chancellor of Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya, said the Gayatri Mantra serves as a protective shield against moral decline and called for a transformation of the era through inner refinement.

The programme opened with captivating group dance performances by female students of Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya. The students enthralled the audience with devotional presentations to the songs ‘Ab Nav Yug Ki Gangotri Se Bahi Gyan Ki Dhara Hai’ and ‘Laagi Re Lagan O Maa Ki’. Through these performances, they brought alive the ideals of Gurudev and Mataji, along with the spirit of the Yug Nirman movement.

During the second session, Nadda said the penance, spiritual discipline, compassion and dedication to public welfare demonstrated by Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya, along with the selfless motherhood and spirit of sacrifice embodied by Revered Mataji, served as an enduring source of inspiration for all humanity.

He laid particular emphasis on three key commitments: personal self-improvement, nurturing noble values within the family, and dedicating one's abilities and resources to the welfare of society and the nation. He said spiritual practice should not remain confined to rituals of worship but should also find expression through service, compassion and social responsibility.

Nadda further observed that the collective participation of women, young people and society at large was essential to realising the vision of nation-building. Through self-transformation, he said, individuals could make a meaningful contribution to the progress of their families, society and the country.

Addressing the centenary celebrations, Dr. Chinmay Pandya, Vice-Chancellor of Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya, said that in an atmosphere marked by disorder, unrighteousness and moral decline, the Gayatri Mantra guided individuals away from confusion and towards discernment, sound judgement and virtuous conduct. He described it as not merely a mantra of worship but also a spiritual force capable of shaping personalities and transforming lives.

Pandya said genuine national reconstruction would not emerge solely through changes in external systems and institutions, but through positive transformation in individuals' thoughts, emotions and perspectives. Inner refinement, he observed, was the foundation of a virtuous family, a strong society and a capable nation. Positive change within individuals would, in turn, pave the way for a broader transformation of the era.

Former Union Minister and Member of Parliament Anurag Singh Thakur said meaningful change came not merely from expressing ideas but from translating them into everyday conduct and practice. He underscored the importance of social sensitivity, a strong sense of duty, physical well-being and respect for women in ensuring the progress of society.

The event was attended by Antar Singh Arya, Ramankant, Manu Gaur, T.S. Kalyanaraman, several other distinguished guests, administrative officials and Gayatri devotees who had travelled from different countries.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar