On October 4, 2024, the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, graced a Global Summit on ‘Spirituality for a Clean and Healthy Society’, organized by Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya at Mount Abu, Rajasthan.
Here is a complete transcribed speech from Hindi to English.
Om Shanti.
Today marks the Nagaral Session of the four-day Global Summit organized by the Brahma Kumari Ishwariya Vishwavidyalaya, Mount Abu, with the theme “Spirituality for a Clean and Healthy Society.” Seated on the stage are the Governor of Rajasthan, Shri Hari Bhau Bagad Ji, respected Rajyogini Mohini Behan Ji, Jayanthi Behan Ji, Brij Mohan Bhai Ji, Mritunjay Bhai Ji, and other esteemed members of the Brahma Kumari family.
It gives me immense pleasure to be present at this Global Summit, which is organized to discuss the topic of spirituality for a clean and healthy society. The mission of this institution is to promote world transformation through self-transformation. It is said that when the soul is skilled, pure, and healthy, everything else falls into place. This makes the theme of this summit highly relevant. Yesterday and today, I had the privilege of spending some time in Baba’s room at Mansarovar and interacting with senior Rajyoginis and Rajyogis. However, I deeply felt the absence of Rajyogi Nirwair Bhai Ji, who dedicated his life to the welfare of humanity and will always be remembered for his efforts toward building a peaceful and moral society. I pay my respects to his memory.
Ladies and gentlemen, spirituality does not mean being religious or renouncing worldly activities. Spirituality means recognizing the power within ourselves and bringing purity into our actions and thoughts. A person doesn’t become better by giving up their duties but by improving their actions and becoming a better human being. Purity of thoughts and actions brings balance and peace in all aspects of life, which is essential for building a clean and healthy society. It is believed that a pure heart resides in a pure body, and cleanliness is important in all traditions. Before any sacred act, one must ensure personal and environmental cleanliness. However, purity must extend beyond the external environment and into our thoughts and actions as well.
Respected Rajyoginis Jayanthi Behan, Mohini Behan, Brij Mohan Bhai, and others have expressed that we are all children of God, and just as God is pure, we too are pure and true in our essence. But we have stained ourselves with vices like lust, anger, greed, attachment, violence, pride, and ego. To regain our pure essence, we must purify the soul. When the soul is pure, all things will fall into place. If we are not clean mentally and spiritually, external cleanliness will be futile. Disregarding spiritual values and focusing solely on material progress ultimately leads to destruction. True health and wellness can only be achieved when we adopt a mentality rooted in purity.
Good health has many dimensions—physical, mental, emotional, and social health—and all these aspects are interconnected, affecting the quality of our lives. Emotional and mental health depends on right thinking because our thoughts shape our words and behavior. Before forming opinions about others, we should put ourselves in their situation and view things from their perspective. As Sant Kabir said, “I went in search of the wicked, but I found none. When I looked within, I realized there is no one worse than me.” Our ancestors emphasized the importance of purity in food for purity of heart. The Upanishads state that purity in food leads to purity in the mind, and purity in the mind brings inner peace.
I am pleased to know that the government is promoting organic and natural farming by using biofertilizers and traditional seeds, as this not only benefits our health but also our environment. There is a connection between pure food and a pure mind. The Brahma Kumaris have encouraged and practiced yogic farming, which is beneficial for both the body and the mind. It is said that as the food is, so is the mind, and as the mind is, so is the body.
The Government of India is taking several steps to ensure clean and healthy living for its citizens. Recently, the Swachh Bharat Mission completed 10 years, raising awareness about cleanliness across the society. Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, the government has committed to providing clean water to every household, and over 70% of rural homes now have access to tap water. Clean water is essential not only for hygiene but for health as well.
The government recently announced that citizens over the age of 70 will be provided with medical benefits under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. All these efforts aim to build a clean and healthy society, and public participation is crucial in making these initiatives successful.
It is expected that organizations like the Brahma Kumaris will continue to raise awareness about living a clean and healthy life by emphasizing the power of spirituality. Spirituality strengthens not only our personal lives but also addresses broader issues like sustainable development, environmental conservation, and social justice. Purity in food, water, and air leads to overall purity and health in life.
Today, the world faces increasing unrest, and human values are deteriorating. In such times, the importance of peace and unity has increased manifold. Peace resides not just in the external world but deep within us. When we are peaceful, we can show empathy and love toward others. Therefore, we must maintain purity in thought, word, and action.
The teachings of yoga and spirituality imparted by the Brahma Kumaris offer us the experience of inner peace. This peace has the potential to bring positive changes not just within ourselves but in society at large. I believe that this summit, with its focus on universal peace and harmony, will present new paths toward world peace.
This summit will continue until the 7th of this month, and I am confident that the various sessions held over these four days will greatly contribute to creating a cleaner and healthier world. As we face challenges like global warming and environmental pollution, it is essential to make every effort to protect our planet. Humans must realize that we are not the masters of this earth but its trustees. We are responsible for the planet’s protection, and as trustees, we must use our wisdom to safeguard it.
I am pleased to know that one of the sessions in this summit will focus on collective measures to combat climate change. As climate change is becoming a reality, with natural disasters like floods and droughts becoming more frequent, it is essential to take steps toward environmental conservation.
I urge all citizens to plant a tree in their mother’s name or on their birthday every year. If all 1.4 billion citizens of India plant a tree, we will see a significant increase in greenery and the effects of climate change will gradually improve.
As India celebrates its 100th year of independence, this institution will also celebrate 110 years of its establishment. Our goal is to make India a developed nation by the centenary of our independence, one that leads the world in every field. India has always been a guide to the world in spirituality, and I hope institutions like the Brahma Kumaris will further strengthen this identity.
Ladies and gentlemen, materialism gives us momentary physical and mental satisfaction. However, spirituality offers us the inner strength to recognize our true selves. It nurtures compassion toward all beings and sensitivity toward nature. I believe that spirituality is not just a path for personal growth but also a means for positive social change. Only when we can recognize the purity within ourselves will we be able to contribute to the creation of a clean and peaceful society.
I am confident that the efforts of the Brahma Kumaris, along with their spiritual strength, will bring about transformation in the world. As it is said, efforts always yield results. I believe that participants in this summit, both from India and abroad, will not only experience personal transformation but also feel empowered to bring about change in society.
With this hope and faith, I conclude my speech. I believe this summit will indeed contribute to a cleaner and healthier world.
Thank you. Jai Hind, Jai Bharat, Om Shanti.
