VSK TN
Press Release
HINDU SPIRITUAL AND SERVICE FAIR CONCLUDES
BOOK ON ‘GLOBAL HARMONY’ RELEASED
RECORD 1.25 LAKH CROWD THRONG FIVE DAY FAIR
Chennai, Dec 28: The second Hindu Spiritual and Service Fair, organized by the Global Foundation for Civilizational Harmony (India), concluded here today with the release of a book on ‘Global Harmony’ and a clarion call to all spiritual and service organizations to synergize their strengths for the greater glory and welfare of the nation.
An estimated 1.25 lakh citizens of Chennai including children, women, teenagers, senior citizens, IT executives, corporate honchos, followers of different religious and service groups, students from different educational institutions and people from all walks of life visited the five day fair at Thiruvanmiyur.
The fair was inaugurated by Tamil Nadu Governor Shri S S Barnala in the presence of Karnataka Chief Minister Shri B S Yeddyyurappa, on December 24, 2009.
“This HSSF fair has explicitly and powerfully brought out and placed before us the service aspect of all religious organizations, which is part and parcel of their love of man”, Swami Gauthamananda, President of Ramakrishna Mission, Chennai, said in his valedictory address.
DGP, Fire and Rescue Service, Tamil Nadu, Shri R Nataraj said the activities of the organizations which participated in the fair reflected Swami Vivekananda’s vision of ;Manav Sewa’ (service to mankind) being ‘Madhav Sewa’ (service to God).
Tracing the origin and concept of GFCH India, its Director Shri K G Suresh said, it was visualized as a platform that would endeavour for a paradigm shift in thinking from the now prevailing notion of tolerance of other faiths as is the ideal to the ideal of acceptance of all faiths as valid and sacred to its adherents, with a view to achieve peace and harmony based on mutual accommodation.
Earlier, Swami Gauthamananda released a book ‘Global Harmony’ published by the GFCH India. The book is a compilation of the speeches delivered by eminent dignitaries including His Holiness the Dalai Lama and former President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam at the launch of the GFCH India on January 22, 2008 at New Delhi.
Both Swamiji and Shri Nataraj presented mementos to students who participated in various competitions organized during the fair as also people who worked hard to make the fair a grand success.
Shri K Prabhakar, Convenor, Chennai chapter of GFCH India, proposed a vote of thanks.
Earlier, the fair saw several high profile persons including RSS National Executive Member Shri Ram Madhav, cine actors Arjun and Vineet, Chairman and Managing Director of Thiru Arooran Sugars Ltd, Shri Ram V Tyagarajan and Shri T R Jawahar, Editor, News Today, visited the fair today.
Over 100 Hindu spiritual and service organizations including Ramakrishna Mission, Aurobindo Ashram, Ramanahram, Kanchi Mutt, Sringeri Math, Mata Amritananadamayi Math, Art of Living movement, Swaminarayan movement, Patanjali Yogpeeth etc participated in the fair.
GFCH India, which is a partner organization of the United Nations’ Alliance of Civilizations, was launched on January 22, 2008 by former President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam in the presence of leading spiritual leaders of all faiths including His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Swami Dayananda Saraswathi, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Baba Ramdev, Maulana Mahmood Ali Madani, Cardinal Oswald Garcias, Paramhamsa Nithyananda and others.