Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday presented the Kailakh Sanskrit Ratna Award for year 2024 to Niranjan Peethadhishwar Shri Shri 1008 Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Kailashanand Giri ji Maharaj, at a ceremony organised by Shri Kailakh Jyotish and Vedic Sansthan Trust at Jammu.
In his address, the Lieutenant Governor described Swami Kailashanand Giri ji Maharaj as an enlightened saint, Yoga Guru and renowned scholar and lauded his stellar contribution towards promotion of Sanskrit and promoting ideals and values of India’s great civilisation.
“Swami’s selfless service to Sanskrit and social upliftment is inspiring all of us to rededicate ourselves to strengthen our traditional & cultural values and work for the cause of the society,” he said.
At the award ceremony, Sinha shared the government’s resolve under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to preserve and promote India’ rich traditions and cultural heritage.
“Propagation of all-embracing Indian culture, core values, artistic traditions and the spirit of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, the world as one family" is our priority. India will shape a sustainable, peaceful and progressive world for future generations,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
He observed that today India with its rich historical and cultural heritage and its talented human resources is marching towards the goal of developed India by 2047. “In this journey, enlightened people from every field, especially scientists and spiritualists, need to come forward and give new impetus to the development process”.
On the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor called upon the saints, enlightened citizens and the administrative machinery to serve the humanity unitedly.
“Saints have to be the conscience keepers of the citizens in enabling equity and justice. A social awakening is needed for the society to prosper. It is for each individual of society, intelligentsia, saints to strive to inculcate core values to create a brighter future,” he said.
Sinha further called for collective efforts to ensure that the fruits of development percolate to the grassroots and spread the benefits among all people and manage the process of change with sensitivity.
“Quest for peace and prosperity call for leadership in every walk of life. Individuals must rise above vested interest to fulfill the responsibilities,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
He also commended the valuable contribution of Mahant Rohit Shastri and Shri Kailakh Jyotish & Vedic Sansthan Trust for promoting and popularizing Sanskrit Language through its various endeavours like Mobile Sanskrit Gurukul, Saral Sanskrit Bodh publication, Kartavya Path magazine etc.
Sham Lal Sharma, Member of Legislative Assembly; Prof BN Tripathi, Vice Chancellor SKUAST Jammu; Mahant Rohit Shastri, President, Kailakh Jyotish and Vedic Sansthan Trust; senior officials, spiritual leaders; heads of religious organizations, prominent citizens and students were present.