New Delhi: Mahamahopadhyay Bhadreshdas Swami from Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) Swaminarayan Sanstha recently addressed a gathering of more than 400 esteemed delegates in Indonesia, who converged to the country for the R 20 Summit.
Bhadreshdas Swami along with other Hindu leaders addressed the mega gathering in Indonesia’s Bali on Nov 2 & Nov 3.
The R20 Summit is a new global initiative that brings together the religious leaders from the powerful G20 group of nations, with an aim to address & brainstorm solutions about global challenges of the 21st century.
Bhadreshdas Swami kept the audience captivated with his enlightening speech. He began his speech by paying tributes to Pramukh Swami Maharaj, on the latter’s centenary birth anniversary and underscored the message of global harmony.
While citing the motto of Indonesia, he reiterated, “Yes, we are different. Yet, we are one. ONE human race. ONE family of ONE home. Just as the ancient Rig Veda proclaims: Yatra viśvam bhavati eka nīḍam.”
Bhadreshdas Swami also drew attention of the learned delegates towards the timeless wisdom of the Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagwad Gita, Bhagwan Swaminarayan. He also called for a more universal definition of ‘dharma’ and unpacked several universal dharmic values like love, friendship, respect, peace & compassion.
Earlier, His Excellency & President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo addressed the opening session of R20 Summit and welcomed the wide range of religious figures & faith leaders.
Swami Govinda Dev Giri Maharaj, Treasurer of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust and Swami Mitranand Saraswati, Director of the All India Chinmaya Yuva Kendra were two other distinguished guests who spoke eloquently about religious harmony & also about the Sanatan Hindu Dharma at the R20 Summit.
Bhadreshdas Swami received words of praise from chief organizers of the show as well as Muslim organizations who attended the event.
Dr Timothy Samuel Shah, one of the lead organizers of Summit thanked Swami ji for “bringing knowledge of a great ancient philosophical and theological tradition into the heart of the first annual G20 Religion Forum.”
Kyai Haji Yahya Cholil Staquf, Chairman of the world’s largest Muslim organization also expressed gratitude to Bhadreshdas Swami & other Hindu leaders of India for their highly insightful contribution to the Summit.
At the culmination of event, Indonesia handed over the R20 President to India. The next R20 Summit will be held in New Delhi in 2023.
