PANAJI
Sadguru Brahmeshanand Acharya was conferred Padma Shri for his distinguished service in the field of spiritualism. Upon receiving this highest honour of the country Swami Brahmeshanand, the present Peethadheeshwar of Shree Datta Padmanabh Sampradaya Peeth at Kundai Ponda expressed his happiness.
“It is an honour for the Peeth to receive this award and that too for its work in the spiritual realm. I am receiving this award on behalf of the Peeth and my Guru as well as all the great Swamis who preceded me,” stated Swami Brahmeshanand and added that he considers his award as a recognition for the spiritual work that the Peeth is carrying on in Goa and across the continents for decades.
Stating that this award has come a bit late, and should have been conferred to his Guru Swami Brahmanand Acharya Swami for his contribution, and not his own, the Swami dedicated his Padma Shri to his Guru. “Goa has a deep spiritual base and connection, and it is a pleasure that the Central government recognised and endorsed this spiritual identity of this tiny State,” said Swami, the founder head of International Sadguru Foundation working worldwide for uniting the world as one big family for world peace and harmony.
Heading 21 institutions that carry out spiritual, educational, social and cultural activities in India and outside, the Swami is known as a proponent of Vedic Sanatan dharma and promoter of inter-faith dialogue for conflict resolution and progress. This social reformer often addresses inter-religious international peace congregations as an ambassador of peace, unity, harmony and solidarity.
Thanking the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Ramnath Kovind and the State Chief Minister Pramod Sawant for highlighting the need to bring Goa’s spiritual identity to the fore and present it before the world, Swami stressed on the path of spirituality if peace is the goal. “Today’s youth and the people of this country must remember that it is only spirituality that can and will uplift them to higher planes. It is one aspect, in which all other aspects of life meet and melt. So never give up on spirituality,” advised the Swami.
“The Peeth is not after any awards and rewards, however, if the spiritual work carried out by us has found such recognition on a national level, that is the significance of how important being spiritual is, be it for an individual or an institution. The governments, both in the State and the Centre should be thanked for this recognition,” said the Swami who has been instrumental in reviving Goa’s lost and forgotten historical identity as Devbhoomi.
Currently heading the Shree Kshetra Tapobhoomi, the now 41-year-old Swami was appointed the 5th Peethadhish of Padmanabh Shisya Sampradaya at 21 to succeed Swami Brahmanand Acharya Swami. It was exactly two decades ago that he took his position, on May 24, 2002.
