IEP Chandigarh, September 18
As part of the three-day International Gita Mahotsav, a seminar and cultural programme on Gita was organized at the Living Art Centre, Mississauga, Canada. The Living Arts Centre- Hammerson Hall is a prestigious auditorium dedicated to the activities of arts and culture. On this occasion, the Brampton Mayor, Mr. Patrick Brown, along with Gita Manishi Swami Gyananand Ji Maharaj, announced the installation of a replica of Krishna-Arjuna’s chariot at the newly approved Gita Park in Brampton.
A video message of Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal along with Yog Guru Baba Ramdev and Shri Guru Sharanand ji was played during the programme. In the message, the Chief Minister said that with the inspiration of Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi, since 2016, we are celebrating Gita Mahotsav at the International level. He said that organizing International Gita Mahotsav in Canada is a matter of pride for the people of Haryana. The Canadian people’s enthusiasm and faith in the Gita are beyond words. Sh. Manohar Lal said that 5,159 years ago, Lord Krishna gave the message of ‘Karmayoga’ through Gita on the soil of Haryana. This message of wisdom was meant for the whole world although it was given from the land of Bharat.
On this occasion, Gita Manishi Swami Gyananand Ji Maharaj said that the significance of Bhagavad Gita has manifold in the present times. Every person should imbibe Gita in his life. He said that the message of Gita is relevant for all times and it has been inspiring human beings for thousands of years. He said that we have to take the message of Gita to every corner of the world. For this purpose these series of programmes are being organized.
Haryana Cabinet Minister, Sh. Kamal Gupta said that through this event, efforts are being made to spread the essence of Gita across the world. He said that every person should have an attitude of service in his respective professional sector. He said that Bhagavad Gita is a holy book that transform all negative thoughts towards postive thoughts. After adopting the teachings of Gita, a person moves towards self-confidence, reverence and brotherhood.
While addressing, Jagadguru Ramanujacharya ji, Gita Manishi Swami Gyananand ji, Ramdhari Singh Guru ji, Arya Samaj Guru Sampurnanand ji, Canadian Ministers and MPs put forward their views on the role of Gita. Everyone stressed on promoting global peace, harmony, brotherhood and unity. Organizers of International Gita Mahotsav in London also shared their experience at the event. In the evening all delegates went to Troyers Park, which has recently been renamed as Gita Park by the City Council of Brampton.
In the programme, an exhibition on Gita was organized by Kurukshetra Development Board. It showcased the 48 Kos Kurukshetra, the identity of Kurukshetra and the views held on the Gita by scholars from all over the world. Book and souvenir stalls was organised by G.I.E.O. Gita and ISKCON Society.
Brampton Mayor, Mr. Patrick Brown, Mississauga Mayor, Ms. Bonnie Crombie, MPP Mississauga, Mr. Deepak Anand, MPP Brampton, Mr. Graham McGregor, MPP, Ms. Nina Tangri, Ontario’s Associate Minister of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity, Ms. Charmaine A. Williams, MP, Scarborough, Mr. Shaun Chen, Chairman, Haryana Bureau of Public Enterprises, Mr. Subhash Barala and Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Dr. Amit Kumar Agrawal, Consul General of India in Toronto, Ms. Apoorva Srivastava, KDB Secretary, Mr. Madan Mohan Chhabra, KBD CEO, Mr. Chandrakant Kataria, KDB Member, Mr. Upendra Singhal and many other dignitaries also attended the programme.