Haryana Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini said that, similar to the efforts in Prayagraj Tirtha, Gitasthal Kurukshetra will also be made clean and beautiful. He said that to ensure the complete cleanliness of this Karmasthal, he himself will participate in the Swachhata Abhiyan by contributing to Shramdaan.
On the advice of Gita Manishi Swami Gyananand, the city will be divided into 18 sectors, and efforts will be made to make it completely clean and beautiful by 27th November. The Chief Minister urged all social workers, religious groups, youth, women, and citizens to actively participate and cooperate in the cleanliness campaign.
Together, they will work to transform this sacred city into a globally recognized "Swachh Kurukshetra."Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini was addressing a gathering at a program organized by social organizations under the aegis of the Kurukshetra Development Board, held at the Gita Gyan Sansthanam auditorium late on Friday evening.
Earlier, Chief Minister honored prominent figures including Gita Manishi Swami Gyananand, Mahamandaleshwar Dr. Shashvatnand Maharaj, Swami Bansipuri Maharaj, Paramhans Gyaneshwar Maharaj, Swami Hariom Parivajaak, and Swami Satpal Maharaj by presenting them with shawls.
Following this, KDB Honorary Secretary Upendra Singhal, Chairman of the 48 Kos Tirth Niravankary Committee Madan Mohan Chhabra, and member Vijay Narula, as per tradition, honored Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini. During the program, representatives from Kurukshetra's social and religious organizations presented over 25 suggestions.
Chief Minister warmly welcomed all the saints with folded hands and urged social workers and representatives of religious organizations to work together with the government and administration in support of the upcoming International Gita Mahotsav, scheduled from 28 November to 15 December. He emphasized that their cooperation would help ensure the festival's success with dignity and grandeur.
The Chief Minister reminded everyone that it was on this sacred land, 5,161 years ago, that Lord Krishna delivered the message of the Gita to the world through Arjuna. To spread these teachings, Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi organized the Gita Mahotsav at the Red Fort, urging the message of the Gita to reach every home.
Furthermore, thanks to the efforts of former Chief Minister and Union Minister Manohar Lal, the Gita Jayanti was transformed into an international festival in 2016. This celebration has now also been held in countries like Mauritius, England, Canada, Australia, and Sri Lanka.
He said that the cooperation of society is essential to advance this Mahotsav. Everyone must unite on a single platform to carry the Mahotsav’s work forward. The government will ensure there is no shortage of funds for organizing the event. The administration and Kurukshetra Development Board (KDB) are overseeing all the arrangements, but representatives of the organizations will need to take responsibility for monitoring these arrangements.
He further stated that a detailed blueprint must be created to ensure Kurukshetra, the Dharmakshetra, is cleaned before 27 November. The responsibility for preparing this blueprint has been entrusted to the Deputy Commissioner. To achieve this goal, and as suggested by Gita Manishi Swami Gyananand, the city will be divided into 18 sectors, with each sector's responsibility assigned to social workers and religious organizations.
He stated that before 27 November, he himself will visit Kurukshetra to participate in the cleanliness drive through Shramdaan. With the collective efforts of all, Kurukshetra will be transformed into a clean and beautiful city, similar to the efforts in Prayagraj Tirtha.
During the festival, a cleanliness drive will be carried out simultaneously at the 182 Tirthas of the 48 Kos of Kurukshetra. In addition to this, the festival will feature programs such as Deepdaan, cultural performances, and Gita recitations at these Tirthas, ensuring that the sacred sites are not only cleaned but also celebrated through these spiritual activities.
To ensure this, Chief Minister, Sh.Nayab Singh Saini himself has reached out to social and religious organisations. Therefore all such organisations should contribute to taking this Mahotsav to greater heights. Mahotsav achieved international status in 2016, although it has been organised since 1989.
*The World gaining inspiration from the International Gita Mahotsav: Swami Gyananand*
Gita Manishi Swami Gyananand Maharaj said that programmes like the ‘Vaishvik Gita Paath’ during the International Gita Mahotsav are inspiring people worldwide. This Mahotsav has gained global recognition and has already been celebrated with its full grace and enthusiasm in five countries.
Now, with the support of saints and social welfare organisations, the Mahotsav will be celebrated on an even larger scale. He said that the support of social organisations and citizens is essential for the success of this event. He stated that everyone should celebrate the Mahotsav with grandeur.
He also emphasised civic organisations for their active participation in making the city clean and tidy.On this occasion, former state minister Subhash Sudha along with other officials were present.