Prayagraj: Under the aegis of Parmarth Niketan, the grand inauguration of ‘KultureKUMBH’ was held on February 4, 2025 in the Kumbh Mela area with an inspiring address by Swami Chidanand Saraswati and Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati. In the opening session, Swamiji highlighted the vast dimensions of Indian culture, emphasizing its core objectives.
Today, on February 5, the first session commenced with the blessings of Swami Chidanand Saraswati, who spoke about Kumbh not merely as a religious event but as a symbol of Indian philosophy, culture, and spirituality. In her address, Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati stressed the spiritual and social relevance of Sanatan culture, describing it as the key to solving all problems.
The keynote speaker of the program, Supreme Court advocate J Sai Deepak, conveyed his best wishes to all and underlined the significance of Bharat’s knowledge tradition. He noted that many civilizations across the world have adopted Bharatiya knowledge systems to better themselves. He emphasised that whenever we speak of Bharat, the Kumbh must also be mentioned, as it reflects Bharat’s immense capacity and ability to organize such a large-scale event with remarkable management skills.
Deepak drew a comparison between the Constitution and the Bhagavad Gita, stating that if we were to choose a guiding text for our lives, we should select the Bhagavad Gita, as it teaches us about our culture. He stressed that while it is essential to uphold the Constitution, there is no need to bow before it. Instead, Bharat must progress based on its own values and principles, without imitating any other nation. “Bharat must not become China; it should remain Bharat, following its own cultural path.” His speech sparked a meaningful discussion on the coexistence of culture and the Constitution, calling for the restoration of Bharat’s cultural heritage.
As a special guest at KultureKUMBH, badminton star Saina Nehwal shared her thoughts, emphasizing the role of culture in nation-building. She urged the youth to contribute to the country’s progress. Minister of State for Energy, Government of India, Shripad Naik, and Uttar Pradesh Principal Secretary for Urban Development, Amrit Abhijat, provided detailed insights into the arrangements for the Maha Kumbh and the work undertaken by the government.
During today’s event, a total of 12 distinguished speakers presented their views across four sessions. Experts engaged in deep discussions on various aspects of Indian culture, religion, history, and society, enriching the intellectual and spiritual significance of KultureKUMBH. All the guests were warmly welcomed by the event’s curators and producers, Shefali Vaidya, Shantanu Gupta, and Pushkar Sharma, with coordination provided by the Society for Hindu Academics, Narrative (De) Construction, Knowledge and Heritage. (SHANKH) Organisation. Scholars, saints, and researchers from Bharat and abroad are sharing their perspectives on Indian culture, religion, spirituality, and the Kumbh at this event. The objective of this gathering is to showcase the rich heritage of Indian culture on a global platform and to deliberate on its relevance in contemporary times.
