Hundreds of people, including spiritual leaders from numerous faiths, gathered in New Delhi on Jan. 2 and 3 to engage in discussions about creating a unified religion and consciousness on the road to building a “global citizen.”
The two-day conference was held at Buddha Mansion, the exclusive Prithviraj Road home of industrialist Bhupendra Kumar Modi, whose Spice Foundation organized the event. Modi heads Spice Global, a diversified conglomerate with headquarters in Singapore.
Some 300-400 people attended the Global Dharma Day on Jan. 2, Linett Loyall David, a spokesperson for the meetings, told News India Times. Around 300 invitees and numerous speakers, including Dr. Sudhir Parikh, publisher of News India Times and recipient of India’s Padma Shri award, participated in the Global Consciousness Day events Jan. 3.
Spiritual leaders spoke about "Global Dharma in an Era of Equality." A panel discussion on the need for a “Global Dharma” was addressed by, among others, Swami Chidananda Saraswati Maharaj, president of Parmarth Niketan Ashram in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand; Swami Dewan Syed Zainul Abedin Ali Khan from the Ajmer shrine in Ajmer, Rajasthan; Shankaracharya Swami Divyananda Teerth of Bhanpura Peeth, Madhya Pradesh; Acharya Roop Chandra, president of the Manav Mandir Mission, New Delhi; Lama Lobzang, vice president of the Mahabodhi Society of India; A.K. Merchant, president of Baha’i Community in India; Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi, representing the International Imam Organization; Falahari Baba from Alwar, Rajasthan; Ezekeil Isaac Malekar, priest and honorary secretary of the Judah Hyam Synagogue, New Delhi; Brahmakumari Sapna; Father Dominic Emanuel; and Archbishop Vincent M. Concessao.
Modi spoke of the need to sow the seeds of “Global Dharma” and interfaith dialogue. “With youth relying on technology for almost everything, it is time to bring innovation in religion as well so as to match with the new times. India has been a country that has been always open to new thinking and we strongly believe that we will see greater acceptance of Global Dharma in times to come,” Modi is quoted saying in a press release. Modi spoke of the need to sow the seeds of “Global Dharma” and interfaith dialogue. “2013 is a year of new beginning, knowledge and spirituality,” Modi said in his speech. “With this day we have sowed the seeds of Global Dharma, and inter faith dialogue,” he added. “With youth relying on technology for almost everything, it is time to bring innovation in religion as well so as to match with the new times. India has been a country that has been always open to new thinking and we strongly believe that we will see greater acceptance of Global Dharma in times to come,” Modi said.
On the second day, Jan. 3, attendees gathered to discuss how to achieve “Global Consciousness”. It concluded with an announcement by Modi on the intent to form a “Global Citizenship Forum” in Singapore in the months ahead. Modi also noted that the establishment of the forum was a concrete step toward taking the global initiative forward and that technology would be the driver of this much-needed change.
“We will organize many such sessions and platforms in the near future to continue our efforts to make Global Dharma a success and further strengthen the inter-faith dialogue between various religions,” Modi said.
The conference ended with a conclave on the subject of “Global Consciousness” and an announcement on the intent to form a “Global Citizenship Forum” in Singapore in the months ahead. A message from the Dalai Lama was read out in which he called for gender equality and empowerment of women through education. Going forward, he said, women will play a key role in creating a peaceful society as they are more inclined to be passionate.
The conclave brought together global thinkers, spiritual and business leaders, members of the royalty, professionals, senior bureaucrats and academicians. Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor also shared his views on global citizenship.
Distinguished panelists included scientist R.K. Pachauri, as well as thinkers like Gaj Singh, Mahesh Mehta, Narayan Mohan and Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati. They shared perspectives on how technology, education, spirituality and the environment play a key role in developing a world with a global consciousness.
Parikh focused on the need for “inclusive” growth, one where inequalities are minimized and opportunities are equal, drawing from his own experiences as a physician, a political activist and a non-resident Indian. “The great challenge of this modern era is how to deliver the great technological advances in computing and healthcare to everyone globally. Now that we have achieved growing numbers of democracies, how do we include everyone in our free societies?” Parikh posited. “The goal of inclusive growth and equality is one that we must pursue for ethical, spiritual, and pragmatic reasons as well.”
The event ended with a unified opinion that global consciousness will be led by the youth; that technology would take this concept to the remotest part of the world and help focus on achieving environmental balance, food security and a holistic education which would also ensure equal opportunity for all irrespective of caste creed, gender or nationality.
Well-known performers closed the events on each day, including Dhwani, a multigenre vocal group that performed spiritual songs, and Kailash Kher who presented Sufi music.
