Padma Bhushan Awardee Shri Kamlesh D. Patel (Daaji), President of Shri Ram Chandra Mission, Spiritual Guide of Heartfulness Meditation and Founder of Heartfulness Education Trust was honoured by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar at the NASC Complex, Pusa, New Delhi today. Shri Daaji performed Heartfulness Meditation with agricultural scientists and held discussion with them.

On this occasion, Union Minister Shri Tomar said that Shri Daaji is such a personality, if we call him the pioneer of spirituality and science, then it will not be an exaggeration, the agriculture fraternity is blessed to have such a great seeker among them.

Shri Tomar said that physical achievement is important in the development of any personality, but taking a holistic view, by integrating the mind, intellect and soul with the body, we are moving towards realizing the vision of overall development. Everyone in the world is in search of happiness, but the methods adopted to achieve them are endless; to achieve them, the path of spirituality along with Karma is very important. In Shri Daaji we can see a combination of both spirituality and action. His guidance, lifestyle, far-reaching thinking, love for nature and dedication to Nature, if we try to find a path in the light of all these, then we can reach closer to the ultimate goal. Shri Tomar said that Shri Daaji has recently been bestowed the Padma Bhushan, and he has received many other awards in the past, the present government under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is giving full respect to such talents and progressive farmers.

Shri Tomar said that Shri Daaji tries his best to convey the message of life's values to as many people as possible. Shri Daaji has a shade of spirituality and science within him, which he wants to share with everyone and is constantly engaged in. An MoU was also signed between the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and Kanha Shantivanam Ashram, which is benefiting everyone. Shri Tomar said that due to the efforts of Shri Daaji in the Kanha Shanti Vanam, 1,400 acres of barren land is now covered with green cover, as well as he is saving every drop of water by best water management practice. People from about 130 countries come and meditate there. One lakh people can meditate at a time and 50,000 people can stay there at a time.

Shri Daaji said in the program that India is the only country which can perfect and build the spiritual foundation of the world. No country can survive without spirituality. Our sages had experienced that divinity resides in every particle. He said that there is a big difference between religion and spirituality. In religion we put God out of our hearts, so people don't meditate because their conscience pricks them. That's why people get upset during meditation. Prevention is better than cure. Meditation is like standing in front of a mirror in which a clear picture of the person is displayed. Shri Daaji said, Lord Shri Krishna says that everyone wants happiness, but one who does not have peace in his mind, from where will he get happiness? so meditate, to bring harmony in our heart through purity. A focused mind will bring integrity, meditation works wonders but most people don't know what it is. During meditation, the mind is always engrossed in thoughts, while meditation is for God-realization. An inner search is needed to find God. He said that if the deeds are right then the soul automatically gets peace, otherwise the soul makes us frustrated. Once the heart is pure, God should come to you. God is more eager to meet you than you are. Shri Daaji said that what you build today will follow you in the future. You can achieve this through Heartfulness cleansing techniques and meditation.

Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Kailash Choudhary, Secretary, DARE and Director General of ICAR, Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Deputy Director General (Agriculture Education) Dr. R.C. Aggarwal, besides Shri Sanjay Sehgal, Shri U.S. Bajpai, Shri Gajendra Singh and Shri Rishabh Kothari of Heartfulness Meditation and other dignitaries and officers and scientists of ICAR and Ministry of Agriculture were present in the programme.

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PK