Day: July 24, 2021

 Ministry of Defence

The Fleet Award Ceremony each year marks the end of the operational cycle of the Western Fleet, the Sword Arm of the Western Naval Command. The ceremony was held on 23 July 2021 at Mumbai after a gap of a year due to the COVID 19 pandemic. This year, the ceremony was hosted by Rear Admiral Ajay Kochhar, Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet. The ceremony marked the operational achievements of the Fleet from April 2020 to March 2021. The event was attended by Flag Officers of Western Naval Command with Vice Admiral R Hari Kumar, Flag Officer Commanding -in- Chief, Western Naval Command as the Chief Guest.

FLEET AWARD CEREMONY – WESTERN NAVAL COMMAND Read More

 ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT OF INDIA 
SHRI RAM NATH KOVIND 
AT THE DHARMA CHAKRA DAY CELEBRATION 
ORGANIZED BY THE INTERNATIONAL BUDDHIST 
CONFEDERATION 

Rashtrapati Bhavan, July 24, 2021 

I am very happy to participate in this celebration of Asadh Poornima, 

which is observed as Dharma Chakra Day. I had the good fortune of 

planting a sapling from the Holy Bodhi Tree in the Rashtrapati 

Bhavan premises today. Earlier too, in November 2017, I had 

obtained a sapling from the Mahabodhi Tree and planted it in a 

garden at Rashtrapati Bhavan. That six-inch sapling now stands six 

feet tall. The sapling I planted today will also grow to become a tree. 

These trees will remain in Rashtrapati Bhavan as lasting symbols of 

the Buddha’s expansive and compassionate worldview. 

I heard the chanting of the Mangalgatha while planting the sapling. 

That invocation for the blessings of the Buddha has a very re-

assuring refrain which says, “तं तेजसा भवतुतेजय मंगलानि”. It 

means, ‘Through that power of the Buddha may there be auspicious 

victories for you.’ The world needs the power of the Buddha in the 

form of love, compassion, non-violence and healing to conquer the 

forces of violence, disease, conflict and poverty. 

Ladies and gentlemen, 

I am happy to note that today’s event is also being held at the 

Mulgandha Kuti Vihara, the holy site of Buddha’s first teaching, the 

Dharma Chakra Pravartana Sutra. 

I commend the initiative of the International Buddhist Confederation 

for organising this event today. I appreciate the efforts of the Ministry 

of Culture and Tourism led by Mr. G. Kishan Reddy for supporting this 

global event. I have been told that the Mahabodhi Society of India 

and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations are also partners in the 

efforts for celebrating this day internationally. They deserve special 

praise for their contribution to this major event. 

I believe that the appeal of Buddhism goes much beyond the nearly 

550 million formally ordained followers of the faith. People belonging 

to other faiths, and even sceptics and atheists feel attracted to the 

teachings of the Buddha. This universal and eternal appeal of 

Buddhism is due to its logical, rational and simple answers to the 

fundamental problems faced by human beings across time and place. 

The Buddha’s assurance of putting an end to suffering; his emphasis

on universal compassion and non-violence; his message to pursue 

morality and moderation in all aspects of life, have inspired countless 

people over the last 2600 years since his first sermon at Sarnath on 

this very day. 

The Buddha’s well documented life contains invaluable messages for 

humanity. He commanded great trust and respect even among his 

critics and opponents. They would become his followers. He had 

acquired this spiritual power because he remained steadfast in his 

adherence to the truth. 

In this virtual gathering of practicing Buddhists, everyone is aware of 

the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, the Pancha-sheel, the 

Three Pitakas, the Three Gems and the Three Shelters. Most of you 

are also aware of the major sermons by the Buddha, starting with his 

first sermon at Sarnath and culminating in the last at Vaishali. 

It is important to stick to the essence of the teachings of the Buddha 

and not get lost in several different interpretations and variations of it. 

In this context, the objectives of the International Buddhist 

Confederation are laudable. I am told that the governing theme of IBC 

is, “Collective Wisdom, United Voice.” Your effort in providing a 

common platform for all Buddhist traditions and organisations to serve 

humanity is praiseworthy. Application of Buddhist values and 

principles in addressing issues of global concern will help in healing 

the world and making it a better place. 

Ladies and gentlemen,

I feel proud in performing my duty to preserve, protect and defend a 

Constitution which is substantially based upon Buddhist values. I am 

proud to share with this virtual gathering that behind the seat of the 

Speaker of the Lok Sabha, the popularly elected house of the Indian 

Parliament, are displayed the words ‘Dharma Chakra Pravartanaya.’

This visible reminder of the ideals of the ‘Dharma Chakra Pravartana 

Sutra’ inspires our Members of Parliament to follow the spirit of the 

first sermon of the Buddha. The ‘Dharma Chakra’ is depicted at the 

centre of our National Flag. India’s National Emblem is also taken 

from the Sarnath lion capital of the Ashokan pillar. It can be said that 

the national symbols of the Republic of India always remind everyone 

of the Buddha’s ‘Dharma Chakra Pravartana Sutra’ at Sarnath. 

The chief architect of the Constitution of India, Babasahab Dr. 

Bhimrao Ambedkar ensured that the Buddhist principles of equality, 

justice, fraternity, peace and harmony found expression in the 

governance of the Republic of India. As we know, Babasahab was an 

authority on the life and teachings of the Buddha. 

Dear friends, 

Reeling under the impact of COVID-19, the world, more than ever

before, needs the healing touch of compassion, kindness and 

selflessness. These universal values propagated by Buddhism need 

to be adopted by all in their thoughts and actions. 

I hope today’s world gets inspired by the Buddha’s infinite 

compassion and resolves to overcome all sources of human suffering. 

I pray that human society follows the ideals of the Buddha and works 

to make our planet a more hospitable habitat. 

I convey my warm greetings to all of you on this very auspicious 

occasion. 

Thank you, 

Jai Hind!

ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT OF INDIA SHRI RAM NATH KOVIND AT THE DHARMA CHAKRA DAY CELEBRATION ORGANIZED BY THE INTERNATIONAL BUDDHIST CONFEDERATION Read More

 

Application of Buddhist values and principles in addressing issues of global concern will help in healing the world and making it a better place, said the President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind. He was addressing the annual Asadha Poornima – Dharma Chakra Day being organised by the International Buddhist Confederation through a video message today (July 24, 2021). He said that it is important to stick to the essence of the teachings of the Buddha and not get lost in several different interpretations and variations of it. He noted that in this context, the objectives of the International Buddhist Confederation are laudable. He also praised IBC’s effort in providing a common platform for all Buddhist traditions and organisations to serve humanity.

The President said that he believed that the appeal of Buddhism goes much beyond the nearly 550 million formally ordained followers of the faith. People belonging to other faiths, and even sceptics and atheists feel attracted to the teachings of the Buddha. This universal and eternal appeal of Buddhism is due to its logical, rational and simple answers to the fundamental problems faced by human beings across time and place.  The Buddha’s assurance of putting an end to suffering; his emphasis on universal compassion and non-violence; his message to pursue morality and moderation in all aspects of life, have inspired countless people over the last 2600 years since his first sermon at Sarnath on this very day.

 

The President said that the Buddha’s well documented life contains invaluable messages for humanity. Lord Buddha commanded great trust and respect even among his critics and opponents. They would become his followers. He had acquired this spiritual power because he remained steadfast in his adherence to the truth.

 

The President said that reeling under the impact of COVID-19, the world, more than ever before, needs the healing touch of compassion, kindness and selflessness. These universal values propagated by Buddhism need to be adopted by all in their thoughts and actions.  The President expressed hope that today’s world gets inspired by the Buddha’s infinite compassion and resolves to overcome all sources of human suffering.  

 

Early in the morning, the President planted a sapling of the Bodhi tree in the garden of Rashtrapati Bhavan. Among the dignitaries present on the occasion were Union Minister of Culture, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, Ministers of State for Culture, Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal and Smt. Meenakshi Lekhi and Secretary General, International Buddhist Confederation, Ven. Dr. Dhammapiya.  

Click here to see President’s Speech

Application of Buddhist Values and Principles in Addressing issues of Global Concern will help in healing the World and making it a better place: President Kovind Read More