External Affairs Minister to Inaugurate DSF’s Livelihoods Centre

April 30, 2015

Hon’ble External Affairs Minister, Smt Sushma Swarajji, was warmly invited by Pujya Swamiji to inaugurate DSF’s newly completed Tryuginarayan Women’s Liveihood Centre. Pujya Swamiji shared that she, as the very embodiment of Sacred and Powerful Shakti (Divine Feminine), would be the most ideal and most inspiring women to open this centre, symbolically opening the doors of hope and healing in the hearts and the lives of countless Himalayan women.

DSF has joined together with Mandakini Women Weavers of Garhwal in partnership with the Government of Uttarakhand, and Panchachuli Women Weavers of Kumaon to engage and reach out to 300 families in the Kedarnath Valley. The Triyuginarayan Centre is located 25 kms from Kedarnath, the sacred site hit by the Uttarakhand floods in 2013. The flood took the lives of many men in the community leaving behind widowed unskilled women. The Centre is now training 100 families from the region to spin and weave shawls, knit sweaters, as well as produce many more marketable textile products for a global market. Pujya Swamiji envisions expanding a strong network for ensuring the buy-back of all the goods ad products produced by the women of Uttarakhand.

A gorgeous, hand-woven shawl by was presented to the Hon’ble Minister by Pujya Swamiji along with a sacred Rudraksh Sapling. Pujya Swamiji mentioned that during her visit to Kedar Valley He also would love for her to plant the first sacred tree for the Kedar Smriti Van, International Memorial Garden, which is being planned in the memory of all those who had lost their lives in the floods of 2013.

During their meeting, they discussed the upcoming International Yoga Day, June 21st, and the grande celebrations of this historic declaration supported by the UN, initiated and inspired by our Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modiji. They also discussed Nepal relief and rehabilitation efforts. Pujya Swamiji shared Project Hope’s services and efforts in Nepal as well as His own upcoming trip to Kathmandu. Smt Sushma Swarajji eagerly looked forward to coming home to Parmarth Niketan (Rishikesh) soon and was so deeply impressed, inspired and deeply touched to hear about the wonderful initiatives, projects and service activities flourishing under Pujya Swamiji’s vision and leadership.