Date : 12 Apr 2016

The great grand day finally arrived. The whole Mission awaited it with bated breath! After pranaams to Pujya Gurudev, Swami Tejomayanandaji accompanied by Swami Nikhilanandaji and Smt. Prarthna Saran reached the grand Rashtrapathi Bhavan and were escorted to the Durbar Hall. It is a very historic hall where all great people, Viceroys, Queens, Kings, Presidents, Prime Ministers and so many other dignitaries have been received and honoured by our Nation! The President of India arrived at exactly 11:30am and was saluted by military drums. Then we all rose for the National Anthem. The awardees were all great achievers in their own fields and there was huge applause for each one as the President himself pinned on the medals – Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. Our Guruji, Pujya Swami Tejomayanandaji was so simple, gracious, holy and divine among the other glitterati: Priyanka Chopra, Sania Mirza, Paresh Rawal, Rajnikanth and others. It is a big moment of pride for the entire Chinmaya Mission worldwide! The award, by Gurudev’s blessings, bestows on the mission National honour, prestige, pride of recognition and the fragrance of a country’s love and salutation. The President, the Prime Minister, Home Minister, Transport and Roads Minister, Power Minister etc. were all there including the top brass of the three defense forces and top government servants. The heart swelled with pride and the eyes were moist with gratitude, they all honoured our Chinmaya Mission in honouring Pujya Guruji. The function came to a close with the National Anthem, and tea hosted by the President in the Grand Old Ball Room and Ashoka Hall with its garden views and painted ceilings! Glory to the Chinmaya Mission!

The second part is even more charming! Back at the Chinmaya Centre for World Understanding, Delhi, Guruji was welcomed with dance, drums, aarti and flowers. Devotees danced their way to Pujya Gurudev’s Pratima sthal. Guruji first and foremost prayed to and thanked his beloved and revered teacher, Pujya Gurudev, Swami Chinmayanandaji. It was so touching when he put the awarded Padma Bhushan and the citation at Gurudev’s feet and then in his lap with so much ‪#‎love‬ and ‪#‎devotion‬. This selfless devotion was a great teaching to all Mission members on selfless service and graceful renunciation.

View the complete pics on Chinmaya Mission Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ChinmayaMission/photos/pcb.10156809220390343/10156809216625343/?type=3&theater
Watch the Recorded Telecast on ChinmayaChannel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82EUjg5FhTo&feature=youtu.be