President Bhandari for establishing Vedic ideals; Former King calls for unity

Kathmandu / Oct 20: President Bidya Devi Bhandari has spoken of the need to establish the ideals of the Vedic values.

Inaugurating the International Sanatan Vedic Arya General Conference at Tundikhel in the capital city on Thursday, President Bhandari glorified the virtues of the Vedic cultures, one among them are- Yoga and Ayurveda, she puts.

Stating that the Vedic era had accorded equal rights to the women, the Head of the State lamented that such a glorious tradition saw erosion post-Vedic era.

She underscored Vedic knowledge to propagate the essence of ‘Basudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (The world is a single family) and ‘Sarve Bahwanti Sukhina’ (May all be happy).

On the occasion, Swami Sampurnananda Saraswati lauded luminaries Sita and Buddha whose deeds, he added, shone a light on Nepal.

He also argued that the birth of Lord Rama would not have been realized if sage Shringi, who resided in Dolakha in Nepal, had not gone to Ayodhya in India and performed yagya in King Dasarath’s palace.

Similarly, Janardan Ghimire, Sanskrit teacher at Tribhuwan University pointed out the need to promote Vedic knowledge in every household by translating Vedas in Nepali language.

Altogether 8,500 representatives, including 5,000 from the host country and 3,000 from India among other countries, are taking part in the conference.

A procession was held after the inauguration that began from the Sahid Gate and went through Tripureshowar to the ‘tree’ at Teku where martyr, Sukraraj Shastri, was executed, according to Dr Madhav Prasad Upadhyay, Coordinator of the Organizing Committee.

During the conference, yoga camps will be held on all three days from 5 am to 6 am.

Similarly, eight separate conferences will be organized on the sidelines of the general conference, informed Dr Upadhyay informed.

The Conference, organized by Nepal Arya Society, will last on October 22. The Arya Society was first established by Swami Dayananda Saraswati in 1875 in India.

Its Nepal chapter was established in Nepal in 1997 BS with the active participation of Madhavraj Joshi, father of martyr Sukraraj Sastri.

Meanwhile, former King Gyanendra Shah has stated that Nepal’s political situation in the past few years has made the country a victim of gross interference from outside forces.

Addressing the inauguration of International Birat Hindu Mahasammelan in Kathmandu today, Shah asked the citizens to question how and why Nepal landed in such an extreme and complicated situation.

“Nepal has a history of never having been subjugated. Nepal was the synonym of world peace, spirituality and tolerance. We must look back and ponder why and how have we become what we are today,” a statement issued by Shah’s Secretariat quoted the former King as saying.

The former monarch also urged all to move ahead together to promote and embrace “our civilisation and culture, protecting the rich history Nepal owns.”

Portraying that Nepal as a place where Hindus and Buddhist reside in harmony, Shah, however, lamented, “There are dark clouds hovering over the sky posing a big threat” to the cultures and the religions. He asked all to contribute in preserving it as well.

Meanwhile, the former King also stated that Hinduism needed new sight and new strength to walk on the old ones, to address necessary problems in the plain sight.

Acknowledging the Himalayas as the ‘Deva Bhumi’ (land of gods), Shah stated that spirituality in Hindu religion and philosophy is exemplary for the truth seekers.

“Truth remains truth, always in all ages and countries. This is what our Rishis have taught us, and mankind has gone through this experience.”

“Our language, history, dharma, philosophy and culture are the assets, glory and life spirit of the country and society,” he said.