Multi-Religious Action Coordination Committee meeting under the chairmanship of Swami Chidananda

• Joint brainstorming on future action plan in the dignified presence of religious leaders, social institutions and personalities from partner organizations.

Rishikesh. An important follow-up meeting of the Multi-Religious Action Coordination Committee, which is continuously working towards peace, harmony, cleanliness, water conservation and strengthening human values ​​in the world, was held today at Parmarth Niketan, Rishikesh in the holy presence of Swami Chidanand Saraswati, Co-Founder of Global Interfaith WASH Alliance Jiva and International General Secretary, Jiva, Dr. Sadhvi Bhagwati Saraswati Ji. In this special meeting, there was a dignified presence of saints of different religions, spiritual leaders, social organizations, policy-makers, partner institutions and partner representatives.

The program started with the recitation of Veda mantras by Rishi Kumars, auspicious prayers and lighting of the lamp. Today’s program is clearly realizing the spirit of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”. Representatives of various religions delivered the invocation with messages of peace, compassion, service and collective responsibility. After this, representatives of Global Interfaith WASH Alliance (JIWA) and UNICEF welcomed all the guests.

The purpose of this meeting is an important effort to connect diverse faiths, cultures and institutions under a common objective of “Service to Humanity and Collective Responsibility”. The objective of the Multireligious Action Coordination Committee is to promote a spirit of cooperation, coordination and compassion in society, so that faith-based organizations can play an active role in addressing social and environmental challenges.

Swami Chidanand Saraswati said that today the world needs not only development but also divinity, not only technology but also sensitivity. When we forget the compassion within us, rivers get polluted, nature groans and humanity begins to disintegrate. The meaning of religion is to accept the suffering of every living being as one’s own suffering and stand with compassion and service for it.

If our places of pilgrimage and centers of faith resolve to reduce the suffering of humanity, then solutions to the world’s biggest problems can be achieved. Faith is complete when we hold someone who is falling, our prayers become a resolution to protect the earth, water, nature and humanity.

Let us create an era where religion breaks down the walls of hatred, heals cracks and unites hearts. The biggest challenge facing humanity today is not just pollution, disease or division, but the loss of sensibilities. At present, the biggest pollution is ideological pollution which can be removed only through religious leaders.

Sadhvi Bhagwati Saraswati Ji said, “Leaders have the divine opportunity to bring faith to life not just in words, but through action. True faith is not limited to preaching from the pulpit, but is manifested in actively working with service, compassion and dedication to bring about positive change in society.

Through the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance, we are planting these sacred messages of compassion, service, responsibility and positive change in the hearts of religious leaders and communities around the world, to together create a more sensitive, aware and compassionate world. The occasion reviewed the activities, campaigns and community initiatives conducted by the Multifaith Action Coordination Committee in the past. It was also observed how various religious and social institutions have contributed in the fields of cleanliness, water conservation, women and child welfare, environmental protection, public awareness and service in their respective areas.

In today’s program, religious leaders and institutional representatives shared their experiences, suggestions and future plans. Particularly discussed those areas where more cooperation, resources and participation are needed. Discussions were also held to expand the Multi-Religious Action Coordination Committee network, create new partnerships and make joint campaigns more effective.

Detailed information about the year’s activities and achievements was given in the programme. In which awareness campaigns, training programs, cleanliness and water conservation initiatives and social participation efforts conducted in various states and communities were highlighted. Information about new institutional partnerships, partner organizations and emerging collaborative opportunities was also shared.

An important part of the meeting focused on the topic “Future Priorities and Coordination Mechanism”, in which discussions were held on upcoming campaigns, public participation, role of youth, voluntary cooperation, institutional accountability and strengthening the regular communication system. Suggestions were invited from the participants as to how the Multi-Religious Action Coordination Committee could be made more effective and result-oriented.

After the program, all the dignitaries participated in the monthly Shri Ram Katha. A special dialogue was organized to inspire the huge crowd, listeners and devotees who came to Shri Ram Katha, in which special discussion was held on the role of religion and spirituality for positive change in the society.

In the evening, all the participants participated in the world famous divine Ganga Aarti of Parmarth Niketan and prayed for the prosperity of the world. Paying heartfelt tribute to renowned environmental thinker, pioneer of Chipko movement and Padma Vibhushan awardee Rev. Sundarlal Bahuguna ji on his death anniversary, Swami said that he dedicated his entire life to nature conservation, protection of Himalayas and rivers. His life is an immortal message of inspiration, service and environmental consciousness for the coming generations.

Dignified presence of dignitaries on this occasion:-
Swami Chidananda Saraswati, President, Parmarth Niketan Ashram and Co-Founder/Co-Chair, Global Interfaith WASH Alliance Sadhvi Bhagwati Saraswati, International Director, Parmarth Niketan and Secretary General, Global Interfaith WASH Alliance Muralidharji Maharaj, Founder and Spiritual Head, Manas Parivar, renowned Ram Katha reciter and spiritual guru Sadiq Ahmed, SBC specialist, UNICEF India Country Office
Vivek Muni Maharaj Ji, Acharya Sushil Muni Mission, Bharatiya Sarva Dharma Sansad (Jain religious leader) Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok, former Vice President of Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile and senior advisor of Bharat Tibet Sahyog Manch Sardar Paramjit Singh Chandok, President, Delhi Gurdwara Bangla Sahib Shankar Kumar Sanyal, President, Harijan Sevak Sangh Dr. Sanchita Shetty, actress, artist and influencer Naresh Yadav, former MP and rural development minister Supporters Dr. Markandeya Rai, President, Global Peace Foundation India Nandini Mishra and Bibhuti Mishra, Mahila Prabodhini Foundation Dr. Kanchan Chandan, Faculty of Teaching, Panjab University, Chandigarh Siddhayogi Adinarayanan, Anadi Foundation Swami Kumaranand Giri, South-East Asia Anadi Global Gomti, CEO, Anadi Foundation Ganga Nandini, Senior Project Director, Global Interfaith WASH Alliance
Rohan MacLaren, DSF and Jeeva.