International Youth Conference in Jadan India
In his lifelong quest to foster a happy and healthy world, His Holiness Vishwaguru Mahamandaleshwar Paramhans Swami Maheshwarananda organised an event designed to educate alike the Youth and Elders of India to the importance of world issues such as Environmental Protection, World Peace, Water Conservation and Tolerance for all Religions and Cultures. It took place on January 29th 2006, in Jadan, Rajasthan/India. Important Community topics such as Family and Cultural Values and the importance of a Unified and Educated India were also addressed.
The event was supported by highly regarded citizens such as His Royal Highness the Maharaja of Jodhpur. Speakers included High Court Judges, Politicians and Educators: Mrs. Mamta Meghwal, of the district Pali; Mrs. Lakshmi Barupal M.L.A (member of legislative assembly); Desuri Surendr Singh C.H.M; Judge Madan Ji Rathor M.L.A; Colonel Suk Sing Rathor and his wife Mrs. Vijaya Lakshmi; Pradhan Kesaram Choudry, Mayor of Jadan; and youth of "Vishwadeep Gurukul Vidyale Jadan"; foreign members and friends of YIDL from all over the world; Divya Jyoti, president of the Multicultural Society of Croatia; Agni Mitra representing Youth from Czech Republic; and Nataša Bucar-Dragsler, horticultural architect from Slovenia.
The Program was opened with the beautiful song Saraswati Vandana by the school children of Om Vishwa Deep Gurukul Swami Maheshwarananda Ashram under the guidance of Principal Nehaji Agnihotri. Children from classes 2, 3, 4 and 9 performed a drama about their ideas of a Happy Family, and the need to cultivate and protect Trees. The children also performed traditional songs and folkdances of Rajasthan as well as a splendid Yoga demonstration of the sequence Guru Pranam.
Swamiji reminded all that Yoga joins both soul and nature together: "Yoga has a vast meaning. It is not just a matter of physical exercise, but Yoga enables one to go deep inside, to know the Self." Swamiji's message is that we are all united - Soul, humanity and nature. As humans, we are the custodians and the guardians of the planet. "Children are the culture of tomorrow" and therefore need to be educated in such a way that they develop good habits, in order to live a healthy life. Happiness cannot be found by fulfilling the senses, we must learn to sacrifice - to discover for ourselves the difference between want and need. Mahatma Gandhi was a living example of it. 'Renounce and Rejoice!'.
Gurudev stated that if our necessities of life are less, happiness will come about more easily. With regards to the environment, Swamiji reinforced the need to protect our trees - in fact, all of the flora and fauna. Each person must take an individual stand. Youth must be educated and made aware of their responsibilities to their environment - to reduce waste, recycle and conserve water. The Government cannot be relied upon to do this, it is up to the individual to take personal accountability.
On the subject of a Unified India, Swamiji expressed his sadness, "We are not free in our own land. We have to take a permit like a passport from the government, to go to Manipura and Meghale. We are Indian but prohibited to enter our own territory. Youth should come out and rally hard to rectify this. The youth of today are the ones who will solve this problem. We can only guide and help them."
For this purpose, the association of "Yoga in Daily Life Youth Union" has been formed - so that youth of all countries can have a voice, be unified and work to rectify the problems of terrorism and drug addiction within their communities.
International Youth Conference
