On October 7, 2023, the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham was honored to host a distinguished delegation of ambassadors and representatives from the United Nations ahead of the grand dedication ceremony on October 8, 2023. Coinciding with a week-long celebration, the visit brought together leaders from Cambodia, Eritrea, Grenada, Guyana, Kazakhstan, Liberia, Malawi, Morocco, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Saint Vincent and Grenadines, Timor Leste, Mongolia, South Africa, Maldives, as well as delegations from Poland, Costa Rica, Brazil, Lebanon, Bhutan, and the UN Office of Counterterrorism.
The presence of these esteemed diplomats, including H.E. Mrs. Sophea Eat of Cambodia, H.E. Ms. Sophia Tesfamariam of Eritrea, H.E. Mr. Ché Ajamu Phillip of Grenada, H.E. Mrs. Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett of Guyana, H.E. Mr. Akan Rakhmetullin of Kazakhstan, H.E. Mrs. Sarah Safyn Fyneah of Liberia, H.E. Mrs. Agnes Mary Chimbiri Molande of Malawi, H.E. Mr. Omar Hilale of Morocco, H.E. Mr. Lok Bahadur Thapa of Nepal, H.E. Mr. Mohan Pieris of Sri Lanka, H.E. Ms. Inga Rhonda King of Saint Vincent and Grenadines, H.E. Mr. Karlito Nunes of Timor Leste, H.E. Mr. Enkhbold Vorshilov of Mongolia, H.E. Ms. Mathu Joyini of South Africa, and Ambassador Hala Hameed of the Maldives, underscored the universal message of peace, unity, and cultural preservation that Akshardham represents. H.E. Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj of India, who led the delegation, extended this unique opportunity to her fellow ambassadors and representatives.
Akshardham, transcending geographical boundaries and promoting global harmony, is a testament to the vision of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the late spiritual leader of BAPS, and represents the culmination of years of dedicated effort by over 12,5000 volunteers from around the world. Its inauguration on October 8, 2023, will serve as a lasting symbol of Hindu and Indian culture and traditions, spreading messages of peace, hope, and harmony for generations to come.
The grand dedication ceremony of the Akshardham will exemplify the ideals of peace and cultural unity that bridge diverse communities and nations across the globe. As representatives of their respective countries and international delegations, the attendees acknowledged the significance of cross-cultural appreciation and spiritual harmony in promoting global understanding and cooperation.
When H.E. Mr. Mohan Pieris, UN Ambassador to Sri Lanka, asked what message the delegation could take to share with other leaders, BAPS volunteer Kunj Pandya from Atlanta shared a simple yet powerful reply. “You’re all professionally trying to pursue external world peace – a mighty endeavor. But I think we all understand that to achieve world peace, we must first find inner peace. I invite every member of the United Nations to seek their own home of inner peace here at Akshardham to let that ripple and generate world peace,” he said.
The delegation’s visit highlighted their commitment to fostering peace, understanding, and cultural preservation on a global scale, the same messages and values underscored by Akshardham.