International Peace Palace: Pledge for Water & Peace
September 14, 2017
An inspiring pledge, led by HH Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji – Munijiji and Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswatiji, took place at the International Peace Palace of the Hague in Netherlands with the Mr. Venu Rajamony ji, Ambassador of India to Netherlands and former Press Secy to the President of India, and Mr. Jonathan Granoff, President of the Global Security Institute, New York, USA as well as many other eminent leaders and heads of businesses and industries.
Pujya Swamiji shared, “The growing water crisis and countless drying water bodies across the globe is a concern for every individual and every nation, hence it is wonderful that this dialogue and call for collective action is taking place from the International Peace Palace, because without safe and sufficient water there can be no peace. Hence, it is time for us to join together across faiths to work as one for clean water, sanitation and hygiene for all, so that every child is allowed the opportunity not just to survive but to truly thrive.”
Pujya Swamiji and Sadhviji encouraged the heads of major corporations of the Netherlands to offer their 4T’s: time, talent, technology and tenacity for the protection and rejuvenation of the River Ganga. They also lauded the governments initiative to celebrate October 2nd, Mahatma Gandhiji’s birthday, all across the schools in the country, spreading, sharing and honouring Gandhiji’s example of non-violence and peace.
Sadhvi Bhagawatiji shared, “By committing to non-violence we do not only commit to ending violence and terror in the world but also ensuring that needless lives are not lost due to poor WASH and/or due to the over-extraction, over-exploitation of our natural resources. One of the greatest actions and choices we can make in our lives to honour his teaching is to ensure that we live a vegetarian lifestyle, significantly reducing our carbon and water footprint every day.”
Thereafter, Pujya Swamiji and Sadhvi Bhagawatiji honoured dignitaries on the dias with a sacred “Jai Gange” shawl and warmly welcomed everyone to their Himalayan home, to Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, during their next visit to India.
Just after the ceremony, Pujya Swamiji and Sadhvi Bhagawatiji presented the Hon’ble Ambassador with a copy of the Encyclopedia of Hinduism, to be placed in the Ambassador’s Offices for everyone to benefit from the comprehensive compendium. Mr Rajamonyji expressed his deepest gratitude and also reminisced of the beautiful interfaith presentation ceremony of the Encyclopedia of Hinduism to the Hon’ble President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjeeji in 2014, during his term as the Press Secy to the President of India.
