Saturday, 29 November 2025
Youthful Energy, Ancient Wisdom: Gita Jayanti Mahotsav Brings Culture Alive in Kurukshetra
Youthful Energy, Ancient Wisdom: Gita Jayanti Mahotsav Brings Culture Alive in Kurukshetra
( Vijay Sabharwal) Kurukshetra, November 28 -- Kurukshetra, the legendary land where the wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita was first revealed, once again echoed with devotion, colour, and creativity as the International Gita Jayanti Mahotsav unfolded this week. Among the many attractions—including the lively ‘Doll and Dhamaka’ programmes that delighted families—a quieter yet deeply meaningful initiative has been taking shape at Shri Jayaram Vidyapeeth. Here, the focus is on the youth, ensuring that the timeless lessons of the Gita are not just celebrated, but truly absorbed by the next generation.
For three days, the Vidyapeeth’s serene premises transformed into an energetic cultural arena as schoolchildren from Classes 10 to 12 participated in a series of competitions. The themes ranged from patriotism to pivotal teachings of the Gita—discipline, selfless action, and moral courage—giving students an opportunity to express profound ideas through choreography, dance dramas, and an engaging quiz contest.
The performances were far from ordinary. Twenty teams representing schools from across Haryana took to the stage with synchronised movements, expressive storytelling, and vibrant costumes. Their renditions portrayed episodes such as Arjuna’s dilemma, Krishna’s counsel on duty, and the triumph of righteousness. What made the performances more special was the palpable sincerity with which the students approached their themes; many had spent weeks preparing, guided by teachers who saw in this Mahotsav an opportunity for holistic learning.
“It is not just about winning a competition,” said Brahmaswaroop Brahmachari of Shri Jayaram Vidyapeeth. “Our aim is to help young minds connect with the Gita in a way that is natural, joyful, and lasting. When children dance, act, and reflect upon these teachings, they internalise them effortlessly.”
Beyond cultural programmes, the Vidyapeeth also carries forward its long-standing tradition of social outreach. It regularly organises assistance and welfare activities through its ashrams in Haridwar, Kurukshetra, Rishikesh, Vrindavan, Delhi, and other regions—quietly touching lives through education, spiritual guidance, and community service.
As the days progress, the Mahotsav continues to grow in vibrancy. On November 29, a Hasya Kavi Sammelan will bring celebrated humourists to Kurukshetra, promising an evening of laughter and lightheartedness. December 1 will witness a grand procession—one of the highlights every year—which will mark the culmination of the Gita Jayanti celebrations. Thousands of visitors, devotees, and locals are expected to join the colourful parade of tableaux, traditional music, chanting groups, and cultural troupes.
Meanwhile, an inspiring spiritual rhythm persists in the background. A group of 121 brahmacharis is performing continuous Gita recitations and Gita Yajna, adding a sacred undertone to the festivities. Their disciplined chants, rising early in the morning and continuing through the day, remind visitors of the true essence of the Mahotsav: reverence for a scripture that has guided humanity for centuries.
Kurukshetra Development Board’s honorary Secretary, Upender Singhal said at its heart, this year’s 21 days International Gita Jayanti Mahotsav is a celebration not just of heritage, but of hope. By bringing children to the forefront and blending art, spirituality, and community service, Kurukshetra is nurturing a new generation—one that carries forward the eternal message of the Gita with understanding, enthusiasm, and pride.
[4:41 pm, 28/11/2025] Vijay Sabharwal: युवा ऊर्जा और प्राचीन ज्ञान का संगम: अंतर्राष्ट्रीय गीता जयंती महोत्सव में संस्कृति का जीवंत उत्सव
कुरुक्षेत्र, वह पवित्र भूमि जहाँ हजारों वर्ष पूर्व भगवद्गीता का उपदेश हुआ था, एक बार फिर श्रद्धा, रंगों और उत्साह से गूंज उठी है। अंतर्राष्ट्रीय गीता जयंती महोत्सव के दौरान जहां एक ओर परिवारों को आकर्षित करने वाले ‘डॉल एंड धमाका’ जैसे कार्यक्रम हो रहे हैं, वहीं दूसरी ओर श्री जयराम विद्यापीठ एक विशेष पहल के माध्यम से युवाओं में गीता के उपदेशों को रोपित करने का महत्वपूर्ण कार्य कर रहा है।
विद्यापीठ में तीन दिनों तक कक्षा 10 से 12 तक के विद्यार्थियों के लिए विविध प्रतियोगिताएं आयोजित की जा रही हैं। इन प्रतियोगिताओं का केंद्र देशभक्ति और भगवद्गीता के प्रमुख संदेशों—अनुशासन, निःस्वार्थ कर्म और नैतिक साहस—पर आधारित रहा। छात्र-छात्राओं ने अपने विचारों को नृत्य-नाट्य, सामूहिक कोरियोग्राफी और रोचक क्विज़ प्रतियोगिता के माध्यम से प्रस्तुत किया।
स्टेज पर पेश किए गए कार्यक्रम साधारण नहीं थे। प्रदेशभर के विभिन्न विद्यालयों से आए 20 दलों ने शानदार तालमेल, भावपूर्ण अभिव्यक्ति और आकर्षक परिधानों के साथ ऐसे प्रदर्शन दिए, जिन्होंने दर्शकों को गीता के प्रसंगों में डूबो दिया। कहीं अर्जुन का मोह दिखा, कहीं श्रीकृष्ण का कर्तव्य उपदेश, तो कहीं धर्म की विजय का संदेश। सबसे प्रेरक बात यह रही कि विद्यार्थियों ने अपने प्रदर्शन में अद्भुत समर्पण दिखाया—कई दलों ने हफ्तों तक तैयारी की थी, और शिक्षकों ने इसे केवल प्रतियोगिता नहीं, बल्कि जीवन–मूल्य सीखने का अवसर माना।
“हमारा उद्देश्य केवल प्रतियोगिता तक सीमित नहीं है,” श्री जयराम विद्यापीठ के ब्रह्मस्वरूप ब्रह्मचारी ने कहा। “हम चाहते हैं कि बच्चे गीता के संदेशों से स्वाभाविक और आनंदपूर्ण तरीके से जुड़ें। जब वे नृत्य, अभिनय और चिंतन के माध्यम से इन उपदेशों को महसूस करते हैं, तो वे उन्हें सहज ही आत्मसात कर लेते हैं।”
विद्यापीठ अपने विभिन्न आश्रमों—हरिद्वार, कुरुक्षेत्र, ऋषिकेश, वृंदावन, दिल्ली और अन्य स्थानों—के माध्यम से समय–समय पर सहायता और सेवा कार्यक्रम चलाता है। इस प्रकार यह संस्था आध्यात्मिक शिक्षा के साथ-साथ सामाजिक कल्याण के कार्यों में भी अग्रणी रहती है।
महोत्सव के आगामी दिनों में उत्सव का रंग और गाढ़ा होने वाला है। 29 नवंबर को हास्य कवि सम्मेलन का आयोजन किया जाएगा, जिसमें देश के प्रसिद्ध हास्य कवि हंसी और व्यंग्य से माहौल खुशनुमा बनाएँगे। 1 दिसंबर को एक भव्य शोभायात्रा निकाले जाने की तैयारी है, जो हर वर्ष महोत्सव की भव्यता का मुख्य आकर्षण रहती है। इसमें हजारों श्रद्धालु, पर्यटक और स्थानीय लोग विभिन्न झांकियों, पारंपरिक संगीत, भजन-कीर्तन और सांस्कृतिक झलकियों के साथ शामिल होंगे।
इसी बीच 121 ब्रह्मचारियों द्वारा नियमित गीता पाठ और गीता यज्ञ का क्रम पूरे दिन चलता रहता है, जो महोत्सव में आध्यात्मिकता की पवित्र ध्वनि भर देता है। उनकी अनुशासित वाणी और मंत्रोच्चारण इस महोत्सव का मूल संदेश याद दिलाते हैं—गीता केवल एक ग्रंथ नहीं, बल्कि जीवन को दिशा देने वाली अनंत ज्योति है।
कुल मिलाकर, इस वर्ष का अंतर्राष्ट्रीय गीता जयंती महोत्सव केवल परंपरा का उत्सव नहीं, बल्कि आशा का प्रतीक भी है। कला, अध्यात्म और सेवा का यह संगम युवाओं में गर्व, समझ और संवेदनशीलता के साथ गीता के संदेशों को संजोने की नई प्रेरणा प्रदान कर रहा है।
Saturday, 22 November 2025
Tuesday, 11 November 2025
It was my pleasure and privilege to receive the blessings of His Holiness Jagadguru Shankaracharya
Thursday, 6 November 2025
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Wednesday, 30 April 2025
My middle article is on the Editorial page of the Tribune today.
An Ode to the Indian Roads
The government has been taking active steps to make traffic law enforcement more stringent to discipline unruly Indian drivers and make them ‘fall in lane’. From cameras on key stretches to speed radars and even speed alerts inside newer vehicles, the Indian driver has been put on notice. Now, as you know, highways are to modern India what the Indus River was to our Harappan-age ancestors; so, this has obviously come as a big blow to our civilization.
Of course, the efforts by the authorities to enforce more stringent controls on and around our country’s road network are quite laudable – or so I thought until my son returned one Sunday, rather annoyed and upset. Upon enquiring as to the reason, I learnt that he had just been ‘fined’ by the traffic police for speeding on a stretch of road close to our residence, in New Delhi. Speeding, he told me, meant going over the specified speed limit for that stretch of road, which – as the traffic cop had informed him – had been set at 50 kilometres per hour. Fifty, he repeated: a speed that even ‘autos’ found difficult to keep under when in their highest gear. “You see, Dad,” he exclaimed, “the Indian system is brilliant: first they lay down laws that no reasonable person can ever conform to, and then they negotiate the penalty with you for ‘mutual benefit’.” Furthermore, he explained, the cops had neatly chosen to surveil the only stretch of road where a motorist could possibly cruise above 50 kilometers per hour, in the first place, and elected to do this on a Sunday, when traffic was sparse and motorists could actually enjoy their rides in the otherwise busy city roads.
The following day, my son and I were travelling together in the car when, while waiting for the traffic light to turn green, a couple of cows wandered idly across the intersection, ignoring the ‘stop’ signal, before making themselves comfortable in the middle of the busy road junction. As soon as the signal turned green, there was a mad rush forward, as vehicles scrambled to nose ahead to lay claim to every inch of free road. There was a screeching sound and then a ‘thud’ as a motorbike slammed into the divine bovines, making complete minced-meat of the rider. Luckily, he was not hurt, as evidenced by the bored looks on the traffic police personnel standing nearby. As the rider dusted himself off, cursed his luck and picked up his mangled motorbike, I couldn’t help but wonder if the Indian driver deserved a respite from the roadblocks that he faced at every twist and turn of the nation’s roads!