18,473 school students today recited 18 shlokas from 18 chapters of the Gita together at the Gitamaya Yuva Chetna programme here as part of the ongoing International Gita Mahotsav, which the Haryana government claimed was a new world record.
"Today's programme is unique as 18,473 school students together recited 18 shlokas from 18 chapters of Gita and thus created a world record. Gita is the combination of Karam Yog, Gyan Yog and Bhakti Yog and we can draw inspiration by following these in our lives," Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said.
He congratulated the students on this achievement and announced an award of Rs 5 lakh for them.
Underlining the significance of Gita Shlokas, Khattar recalled that how a common man like him had become the Chief Minister of Haryana by adopting a Gita shloka.
"In my early days I had come in contact with a great personality and learnt half of one Gita Shloka with its significance 'Karam Karo Fal Ki Chinta Mat Karo' and since then, I have been following this principle in my life"," he said.
"Recitation of Gita shlokas generate waves in the atmosphere and help in spreading high values in the society," he said.
After the 'Ashtashloki Gita Path', the students performed 'Surya Namaskar'.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister exhorted the people not to confine themselves to reading Gita but also adopt the holy book in their lives and contribute to the development of society and the country.
Various programmes would be organized to mark the five-day International Gita Mahotsav, which began here yesterday.
Lord Krishna had recited 574 Gita shlokas out of the total 700 shlokas and youths in equal number from 574 districts of the country have reached Kurukshetra, showcasing one shloka each scripted on their traditional dresses.
They have also brought soil of their respective districts which would be utilised to make a magnificent idol of Lord Krishna at Kurukshetra to symbolise unity and integrity of the country, Khattar said.
Apart from this, to spread eternal message of Gita to the world community, global chanting of Srimad Bhagvad Gita would also be held on Gita Jayanti Day on December 10 in 25 countries simultaneously at the same time from 6 to 6:15 pm. Similarly, seminars on Gita would be organised up to December 9, he said.
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Earlier, impressed by the ability of a girl Gitika from Rajasthan to recite Gita shlokas randomly, Khattar announced to give her Rs 51,000 from his discretionary fund.
Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Krishan Pal Gurjar, described Gita as a system which teaches the mankind to work selflessly.
"We could establish love and harmony in the world by adopting this holy scripture," he said, adding that Gita offers solutions to various problems.
Gurjar said Gita is a source of inspiration for him in discharging his duty as a politician selflessly.
Gita Manishi Gyanand Maharaj said that Gita is not confined to particular religion or caste or group but is for the whole mankind.
"It is also for children and youth. Gita shlokas infuse a new sense of energy and enthusiasm in the people," he said and thanked the state government for not only organising the International Gita Mahotsav but also ensuring the participation of students.
Sahsarkaryavah, Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) Dattatreya Hosabale said that Gita, Gaye (Cow), Ganga and Yoga are the identity of our country.
"Our country has made a unique contribution to the well being of humanity in the form of World Yoga Day. Today crores of people throughout the world are not only celebrating this but also adopting it in their lives," he added.
