Revered Shri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji,

All the sages and devout followers of Datta Peetham present here, and ladies and gentlemen!

एल्लरिगू …

जय गुरु दत्त!

अप्पाजी अवरिगे,

एम्भत्तने वर्धन्ततिय संदर्भदल्लि,

Pranam! Greetings!

Friends,

A few years back I had got the opportunity to visit Datta Peetham. That's when you had asked me to come to this event. I had made up my mind at that time itself that I would come again to seek your blessings, but I couldn't come. I have a trip to Japan today. I may not be physically present in this grand event of Datta Peetham, but my soul and mind is there with you.

I extend my best wishes and salutations to Shri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swami ji on this auspicious occasion. This stage of 80th year of life is very important. The 80th year is also considered in our cultural tradition as Sahasra Chandradarshan or celebration of a person's 1000th full moon during his life. I wish Pujya Swamiji a long life. I extend my heartiest congratulations to his followers as well.

Today, 'Hanumat Dwar' entrance arch has also been inaugurated in the ashram by revered saints and special guests. I congratulate all of you for this too. It is an addition to the work that you are doing inspired by Gurudev Dutt's call for social justice. Today another temple has also been inaugurated.

Friends,

It has been said in our scriptures-

''परोपकाराय सताम् विभूतयः''।

That is, saints and noble men are known for charity. Saints are born for charity and service to the humanity. So the birth and the life of a saint is not just a personal journey. Rather, the journey of uplift and welfare of the society is also associated with it. The life of Shri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji is a proof, an example of the same. There are so many ashrams in different corners of the country and the world. These are big institutions with different projects but their direction and purpose are the same - service to the living entity, the welfare of the living beings.

Brothers and sisters,

The thing that gives me the greatest satisfaction about the efforts of Datta Peetham is that along with spirituality, modernity is also nurtured here. There is a huge Hanuman temple here; at the same time there is a provision for 3D mapping, sound and light show as well. There is not only a massive bird park here, but also a modern system for its operation.

Datta Peetham has become a major hub for the study of Vedas today. Moreover, effective innovations are taking place under the guidance of Swami ji about how to use the power of music and melodies given to us by our ancestors for the health of the people. This use of science for nature, this amalgamation of technology with spirituality, is the soul of dynamic India. I am glad that with the efforts of saints like Swamiji, today the youth of the country are getting acquainted with the power of their traditions and taking them forward.

Friends,

Today we are celebrating the 80th birthday of Swamiji at a time when the country is celebrating 75 years of its independence. Our saints have always inspired us to rise above the self and work for everything. Today the country is also calling upon us to take collective resolutions with the mantra of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas'. Today the country is also preserving its heritage, promoting it and giving a boost to its innovation and modernity. Today, India is identified with yoga and youth. Today the world is looking at our startups as its future. Our industries, our 'Make in India' is turning out to be a ray of hope for global growth. We have to work towards achieving these resolutions. And I would like our spiritual centres to be centres of inspiration in this direction as well.

Friends,

In 75th year of independence, we have set resolutions and goals for the next 25 years. I believe that the resolutions of Datta Peetham can be linked to the 'Amrit Sankalp'. You are doing an extraordinary work for the protection of nature and for the birds. I would like you to take some more new resolutions in this direction. I urge that we all work together to increase public awareness on water conservation, our water sources, for the conservation of rivers.

In the Amrit Mahotsav, 75 Amrit Sarovars are also being constructed in every district. For the maintenance and development of these lakes we have to involve the society. Similarly, we have to carry forward the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan as a ceaseless mass movement. I would like to particularly appreciate the contribution made by Swamiji for the sanitation workers, and his fight against inequality. A religion’s real manifestation is to connect everyone which is being followed by Swamiji. I am sure that Datta Peetham will continue to fulfil its important responsibilities in terms of society-building, nation-building, and will give a new dimension to the service of living beings in modern times. And this is how the resolution of serving Shiva is fulfilled by serving the living beings.

I once again pray to the almighty for the long life of Shri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji. I wish him good health. I hope the society continues to grow and gets empowered in the same way through Datta Peetham. With that spirit, many thanks to all of you!

DISCLAIMER: This is the approximate translation of PM’s speech. Original speech was delivered in Hindi.

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DS/IG/AK