Yes! Peace is possible. Yes! Unity is possible. Yes! We can celebrate different cultures. Yes! We can coexist. Yes! Humaneness first. These are a few statements that form my experience of the World Culture festival 2023 that I attended recently at Washington DC. Which over a million people from 180 countries attended at the National Mall in Washington. A total of seventeen thousand Artists presented their diverse cultures through their music and dance forms. In a divided war torn world what an amazing solace this celebration was, like a breeze of cold air in a hot desert, or like a laser beam of light in the blinding darkness that illumines.. this festival was more than just any other event for me..
Over one million participants
Because this event provoked some important questions – “what are we humans here on this planet for? Is it to fight over our differences, or are we here to fight for our survival, or to protect our individual faith? Are one of these the purpose of human life…. but these are extremely primitive beliefs, and we call ourselves modern, don’t we!
Of course we are different from one another – in gender, in colour, in faith, in thought, in belief, in culture but can we not live in harmony despite these differences .. Think about it- aren’t we within our small family all so unique and distinct from each other- in our likes, dislikes behaviour etc, but somehow that is acceptable to us. Than why can we not accept each others diverse nature in our bigger family ..
The ambassador of peace- Gurudev Sri Sri Ravishankar ji made a statement at Capitol Hill by organising the World culture festival. That we are indeed a “One big human family”. Despite our differences we can live in harmony with each other.
This event created a loud and clear sound of peace, it was the voice of universal love. And that this voice of Unity is more powerful than the noise of any war got stated in it’s magnanimity. What a beautiful vision that Gurudev manifested. Magical it was, simply magical ..
The World culture festival 2023 was a loud and clear voice of peace- yes! peace is possible
More power to this voice of peace. And to him for he not only believes in goodness of people but also has the power to bring us together. Gurudev’s message on this occasion- “If the mind is serene and calm then there is peace. Let’s commit ourselves on this occassion to bring happiness in society and wipe tears, that is humanness. We belong to one family”
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravishankar
Meditation brings peace in the mind. Gurudev led a meditation for one million people together. And that sound of silence that got created was very very powerful . Peace radiated from all hearts. And collective prayers rose like a huge wave rises in the ocean.
And my prayer was- Let every culture prosper, let Human race really grow in oneness. Let the voice of peace roar on our planet. Let us respect life in all its expressions. As every expression adds to the beauty of our “Human family”.
How freeing was that, can’t express in words!
I am going back home with an expanded consciousness and with the belief that -Peace will prosper beyond all odds. We are indeed one in spirit. And that inner spirit which is universal which expresses in our hearts fully will also bring us together as human family in future through many such celebrations.
Ms. Vasudha Jhunjhunwala holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts. She is associated with the Art of Living since year 2000. Born and brought up in a pink city Jaipur, Rajasthan she currently resides in Amchi Mumbai with her family. For nearly a decade, Vasudha has inspired more than 10,000 youths with her teachings and social work. She has undertaken various projects and has been an instrument of change for its success. Juggling between home and work, in her spare time Vasudha likes to paint, write poems, learn music and play badminton. She is a Social Worker, Entrepreneur, State Coordinator of The Art of Living, Student of Sanskrit & Classical Music, Writer, Homemaker, Mother, Meditation Teacher, Public Speaker, Recipient of CSO-2014 award by Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam and has travelled in 30 Countries.
She is a quintessential deshbhakt. It is difficult to match her youthful Energy.
Vasudha is extremely passionate about her initiatives. One of the most successful projects lead by her was the ‘Vote For a Better India’ - A campaign that facilitated the voter registration process and lead to 5 lakh citizens new voter registration across India in 2014 Lok Sabha Elections. Bringing more awareness to the people in the community she began the initiative ‘Mind your Vehicle’ - A project to sensitize citizens towards traffic discipline with 2000 volunteers in Mumbai. The project saw good media coverage. She was also the founding member of ‘Save Aarey’ project. In this project more than 300 volunteers cleared 5-truck loads of garbage from Aarey colony. With an aim to instill a sense of responsibility and nationalism among the youth, she has spearheaded several initiatives that included women’s safety drives, blood donation drives, cleanliness drives at railway stations and sea-shores, health and hygiene awareness camps and others.
Often people ask her what made her belief so strong to walk the spiritual path. She affirms that, “just like the light house guides the ship through darkness of night, our conscience guides us through decisions of life. For a smooth sail, just listen to it!”
The drought in Maharashtra had led to an increasing number of farmer suicides and Vasudha decided to contribute towards River Rejuvenation Project in the state. She along with her team revived around 22kms of Manjara river. The river Manjara rejuvenation in Latur District benefited 5 lakh villagers in its vicinity. Vasudha was also a part of the Solar Lamp Project. She was the catalyst in the distribution of solar lamps to flood-hit villagers in Orissa during Fani.
Her courage and valour gives her the skill to bring out the right perspective in every project she undertakes. Worry or Uncertainty are not words she rhymes with, Vasudha believes that’s Spiritual knowledge shields the flame of life from the winds of uncertainties. Vasudha is currently working on Project Pavitra. Since its inception this year, the project has imparted menstrual hygiene education to more than 2000 young girls in BMC schools and it aims to reach out to many more. She is also the founding member of SORT Club - Student's organization for Reform and Transformation. The club is now operational in 10 colleges in Mumbai. The project aims to remove the menace of substance abuse from the colleges of India. Vasudha is also working on a Happy Neighbourhood Project. The project aims to establish Happiness centers in societies to make societies stress-free.
If you meet her once, you would know that she has a very charming, intuitive, and jovial personality, her ideas and thoughts are ahead of it’s time. Her ability to perceive something new and unique in every individual is what draws people to her company. She gives a very comfortable and cool vibe something young students connect to and find easy to talk and open up to her about their problems. Make impossible, possible is her mantra. Her sessions are filled with grit, humor, inspiration, and some awespiring wisdom. People feel rejuvenated, energetic, experience clarity of thoughts, immense love in their hearts after attending her Mind and Breathe Workshops.
Mysteries of life intrigues her and even though she has traveled in 30 countries she found her best place within. She, by herself is a ‘Happiness Express’ moving swiftly on the spiritual path.
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Vasudha Jhunjhunwala 