The 6th Global Gita Conference held at New York on 2nd and 3rd August 2008 was jointly organized by Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, USA (Institute of Indian Culture) and International Gita Foundation Trust, Bangalore, India.

The two day conference started with the inaugural session on 2nd August 2008, conducted by Dr. Atul Choksi, Cardiac Surgeon, Sri Krishna Cardiac Hospital, Allahabad. SRI. Subhanu Saxena chanted the Veda mantras. Dr. P.V. Nath introduced the event and welcomed His Holiness Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji, His Holiness Swami Dayananda Saraswati and Consul General of India in New York, Smt. Neelam Deo. Dr. Jayaraman, Chief, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, New York, offered garland to Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji. Dr Nath offered the garland to Swami Dayananda Saraswati. Dr. Dinakar Rai presented a bouquet to Smt. Neelam Deo. This was followed by the lighting of the lamp by His Holiness Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji and His Holiness Swami Dayananda Saraswati.

His Holiness Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji released the CD ‘Rishi Vani’ and blessed the organizers and delegates with an inaugural address (click here for the speech). Audio tape of His Holiness Sri Swamiji’s composition "Geeta Saara" was played from 6th to 16th chapters. Consul General Smt. Neelam Deo released the souvenir and addressed the audience. The keynote address was given by H H Swami Dayananda Saraswati ji on “Bhagavad Gita - A Classical Spiritual Dialogue.” Eminent scholars including Mr Subhanu Saxena, Dr. Dinaker Rai, Dr. Atul Choksi, Mr. Jugal Mehta, Dr. P. Jayaram, Sri. Harish Ramchandani, Dr. Mahendra Jani, Pandit Swasti Narayan Dube, Dr. M.G. Prasad, Dr. V.V. Raman, Dr. Satya Agarwal and Dr. Yegna Subramanian spoke on various subjects like ‘Yogasthah kuru karmani’ ‘Samatwam yogamuchyate’ ‘Bhagawatgita and Vedanta’ and ‘Message of Bhagavadgita.’ Special attraction was the participation of youth Ms. Krishna Choksi, who spoke on ‘Bhagavadgita and Mahatama Gandhi’ and Jasmine Gadhavi and Shekar Krishnan, Alumni of Vivekanada Vidya Peeth, Wayne, NJ who spoke on ‘The Role of three Gunas’ ‘Inner freedom- the message of Bhagavadgita’ respectively.

Many young children recited the verses from the Gita and received prizes. H H Swami Tyaganand ji, Ramakrishna Vedanta Society, Boston, MA, H H Swami Nikhilanand ji, Barsana Dham, Austin, TX, H H Swami Yogatmanand ji Vedanta Society of Providence, Rhode Island and H H Swami Sadasivanand ji, Sivananda Vedanta Yoga Center, NY presided during various sessions. The cultural program included the Flute recital by Steve Gorn accompanied on Tabla by Ray Spiegel.

The concluding program on 3rd August 2008 consisted of Valedictory address by Sri Vijay Nambiar, Chief de Cabinet under the United Nations Secretary General. Special awards of recognition were presented by H H Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji to Dr. Yegna Subramanian, Sringeri Bharati Vidya Foundation, USA, Dr Mahadevaiah and Dr. Perna Mahadevaiah. H H Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji blessed the organizers, audience and volunteers with an inspiring message (click here for the speech). Dr. Deepa Awal proposed the vote of thanks.

 

Inauguration of the 6th Global Gita Conference - New York - 2nd August 2008.
Consul General of India in New York, Smt. Neelam Deo, His Holiness Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji and His Holiness Swami Dayananda Saraswati.

Parama Pujya Sri Swamijis

The concluding program on 3rd August 2008.
Valedictory address by Sri Vijay Nambiar, Chief de Cabinet under the United Nations Secretary General.

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