New Delhi
The third World Peace Conclave was held at the India International Centre here to mark the United Nations’ International Day of Peace. The event was organised by the Swami Chidananda World Peace Foundation as part of its Chidananda Decade 2016–2026 initiative. This year’s theme was “Peace, the Need for Humanity.”
The programme began with Vedic chanting. Foundation General Secretary Amarnath Shetty delivered the introductory remarks. Founder-President Swami Brahmanishtananda Saraswati said peace should begin with individuals and extend to families, communities, nations and the wider world.
Yogi Jayadevan of Universal Yoga Consciousness and Darshan Yoga spoke on the role of Yoga and Ayurveda in physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing. Prof. Dr. Diwakar Sukul of London discussed the relationship between human health and planetary health under the theme “One Health and One Earth”.
Senior monk Swami Sivachidananda Saraswati Maharaj spoke on prayer, meditation and Yoga as practices for promoting peace. International relations scholar Prof. Manoranjan Mohanty spoke on the need for a wider peace movement. Swami Pranapradananda of Ramakrishna Math and Mission, Gurugram, discussed peace in the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Swami Vivekananda.
Swami Viswarupananda Saraswati of Swarga Ashram, Rishikesh, and Bengaluru-based corporate trainer Sivananda Choudhury also addressed the gathering.
A book titled “Sivananda Yoga: A Worldwide Phenomenon”, authored by Swami Brahmanishtananda Saraswati, was released during the programme. The publication contains selected teachings of Swami Sivananda Saraswati and carries a foreword by Gajapati Maharaja Sri Dibyasingha Deb of Puri.
The organisers also presented awards recognising contributions to spirituality, Yoga, service, peace, youth leadership and digital outreach. Swami Sivachidananda Saraswati Maharaj received the “Light of Humanity” recognition, while Swami Viswarupananda Saraswati received the “Sivananda Yoga Ratna” and Yogi Jayadevan the “Patanjali Maharshi Samman.”
Dr. Diwakar Sukul received the “Nishkama Karma Yogi Samman” and Acharya Soumya the “Purana Purusha Samman.” Nandan Dwibedi, Sekhar Goswami and Damayanti Choudhury received “Yuva Bharati Sammans.” Other awardees included Vedang Goel, Bijay Kumar Patra, Rajib Kumar Purohit and Govinda Chandra Mohanty.
