BAPS to Celebrate Festival of Art, Culture, Spirituality in New Jersey

Robbinsville, nJ: BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (B.A.P.S) commenced the Festival of Inspirations in Robbinsville, NJ, in the auspicious presence of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, the spiritual leader of BAPS, and David Fried, the Mayor of Robbinsville, NJ on July 16, 2023. The festival is a vibrant celebration that exalts the rich tapestry of diversity, art, architecture, values, and culture of Hinduism.

From intricately crafted sculptures to mesmerizing dance performances and soul-stirring programs, the festival serves as a gateway to ancient wisdom and timeless teachings.

Guests from North America will be encouraged to engage, participate, and soak in the profound teachings that inspire and ignite the human spirit. It is an invitation to embrace the values and principles that have withstood the test of time, fostering a deeper understanding of oneself and the world. Through this immersive journey, the Festival of Inspirations invites all to carry the spark of inspiration back to their own lives, spreading its transformative energy far and wide.

“The Festival of Inspirations serves as a platform for people from all walks of life to discover and embrace the universal values that bind us together,” said Alak Parmar, Women’s Activities National Coordinator at BAPS. “Through cultural showcases and inspirational stories, we aim to engage a wide range of audiences and create a meaningful impact. This festival will inspire and empower individuals to lead lives filled with compassion, understanding, and harmony.”

The festival will have uniquely designed programs for youth, professionals, and community members that aim to inspire and uplift. Various events are planned, including a blood drive that will foster the spirit of giving back and a shared sense of purpose among all generations. A traditional threemonth-long Vedic yagna will be performed to offer heartfelt prayers for peace and harmony with oneself and with the world.

The Festival of Inspirations celebrates the values that are also embodied by the upcoming BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham. This landmark of Hindu architecture and culture bridges the rich heritage of ancient India with the vibrant modernity of America.

Beyond being a place of worship, the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham will serve as a dynamic community center, welcoming diverse individuals for engagement and learning. It stands as a testament to the peaceful coexistence of the Indian American community in the United States and pays tribute to the dedicated spirit of service and devotion displayed by countless volunteers involved in its creation.

The event began with an energizing devotional bhajan, traditional dances, and speeches on the importance of values and festivals.

Pujya Anandswarupdas Swami explained the significant influence of leading a life rooted in values, while Sadguru Pujya Ishwarcharandas Swami underscored the personal development that attendees gain from participating in such festivals.

The festival, which will continue for three months, was inaugurated by Mahant Swami Maharaj, who reinforced the significance of BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham as a beacon of lifelong values, poised to inspire not only the present attendees but future generations as well.

His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the late spiritual leader of BAPS, had a simple but enduring vision: “May the essence of peace and inspiration embrace all who enter BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham.” The soon to be completed BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham campus hopes to fulfill this vision.

“We extend our sincere gratitude to the Robbinsville community for their unwavering support and warm acceptance of the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham,” said Chandresh Patel, Lead Volunteer at BAPS Robbinsville, New Jersey.

Due to limited space, participation in these programs requires pre-registration. Interested individuals can watch the events through a live webcast at https:// na.baps.or g

For detailed information on daily campus timings, please visit baps.org/ robbinsville.

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Public Event at Houston’s Wortham Center

Houston: Global humanitarian and spiritual leader Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of the Art of Living Foundation (AOLF), brings the “Sixth Sense” public event to Houston on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at the Wortham Theater Center.

The event, presented by the Art of Living Foundation – Houston, features an evening of wisdom and meditation with Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, whose lifelong work focuses on peace, unity, hope and self-renewal at both the level of the individual and society. Gurudev, a visionary leader, created Sudarshan Kriya (SKY) Breath Meditation and has been teaching the breath-based meditation techniques for health and well-being for over 40 years.

These evidence-based techniques are backed by over 100 research studies and transformational experiences of the participants.

Locally, Art of Living volunteer instructors have taught these techniques to participants from all walks of life including healthcare professionals, students, veterans and inmates.

“The time has come for the voice of peace to be heard loud and clear. If each person makes an intention to stand up for peace and makes their mental health a priority, we can make world peace a reality” Gurudev said. This event marks the visit of Gurudev to Houston after a long gap of 15 years and will bring together 2400 people to unite and take the message of peace to every corner of our community. Houstonians are invited to join this global movement during a historical evening of wisdom and meditation from Gurudev. “In the Sixth Sense event, attendees will learn and experience how to connect with their inner and outer world beyond the senses.

As human beings, we experience this world through our mind and the five known senses. Without spiritual wisdom, we might think that reality is only what we see, hear, touch, smell, or taste. But what happens with the rest of the life that exists beyond our five known senses. By participating, you will learn how to connect with your Sixth Sense—and gain greater clarity, awareness, peace, and more!

Tickets can be purchased online at https://aolf.me/ sixthsense-houston where additional details may also be found.

About Art of Living Foundation

Operating in 180 countries, The Art of Living Foundation (AOLF) is a nonprofit, educational and humanitarian organization founded in 1981 by renowned humanitarian and spiritual leader Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. All of AOLF’s programs are inspired by Gurudev’s philosophy of creating world peace through a stress-free and violence-free society. AOLF has touched over 800 million lives through numerous educational and self-development programs and tools that facilitate the elimination of stress and foster deep and profound inner peace, happiness, and well being for individuals.

About Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is a global humanitarian, spiritual leader, and peace envoy. He has helped millions of people worldwide find peace and resilience in the face of adversity, learning not only how to excel in their own lives, but also how to become powerful agents for social change.

Gurudev has created traumarelief and meditation programs for at-risk youth, war veterans, prisoners, and survivors of disaster. He has also created numerous educational and self development programs and tools that facilitate the elimination of stress and foster deep and profound inner peace, happiness and well-being for indi- viduals.

Standing for the Gandhian principles of non-violence, Gurudev has mediated and progressed negotiations for peace in conflictstricken areas such as Sri Lanka, Iraq, Venezuela, and Colombia, where he is credited for playing a central role in ending the violent 52-year conflict between FARC and the Colombian government. He has received 39 governmental awards, including the highest civilian awards from several nations. Twenty-four universities have awarded him with honorary doctorates for his peace-keeping and humanitarian efforts.

Consulate General of India

Houston

JOB VACANCY

The Consulate General of India, Houston invites application for the post of Chauffeur cum Messenger from the applicants who are either US citizens or permanent residents, residents with valid appropriate visa or valid work permit.

Interested candidates may send their application and resume along with all supporting documents (for educational qualification/passports/visa/work permit etc.) latest by 26 July 2023:

• by email to: hoc.houston@mea.gov.in

• or by post to:

Head of Chancery Consulate General of India

4300 Scotland Street, Houston, Texas 77007 For further details visit the Consulate website: www.cgihouston.gov.in

EMGH Hosts First Fund Raiser

Houston: Eternal Gandhi Museum Houston (EGMH) held its first fundraising event on Saturday, June 17, 2023, under the sponsorship of Dr. Nadir and Mrs. Sakina Ali. Dr. and Mrs. Ali toured the museum during construction and were thoroughly impressed. They immediately contacted the Board of Trustees and planned a fun-filled evening at the museum for their family and friends. The event started with guided tours of the museum, followed by a presentation of the EGMH project by members of the Board of Trustees. Madras Pavilion catered a sumptuous dinner for the event.

Dr. Nadir and Mrs. Sakina Ali generously offered to match all donations up to $100,000.00 that evening. The donations quickly surpassed the matching amount with major donors like Ashok and Madhu Moza, Dr. Ravi and Sudha Mani, Tasnim Vadva, and Dr. Sangeeta Saikia. We raised more than $225,000 in one evening.

EGMH has now raised $7.825 million of the $10 million requirement for the construction budget. The EGMH Board of Trustees are truly grateful to Dr. Nadir and Mrs. Sakina Ali and appreciates all the donors for their generous support!