| Bahá'ís of India mark centenary at Lotus Temple | | NEW DELHI — Over 250 guests, including government officials, interfaith leaders, and members of civil society organizations, gathered at the Bahá'í House of Worship in New Delhi to commemorate the centenary of India's Bahá'í National Spiritual Assembly.
A message received from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, read during the gathering, expressed appreciation for the contribution of the Bahá'ís of that country to fostering social cohesion over the past century.
"Through its advocacy for gender equality, universal education, and grassroots community-building efforts, the Bahá'í community has emerged as a consistent advocate for social progress and unity," the message stated.
Highlighting the constructive part that the Bahá'í temple in New Delhi has played in promoting social progress, the statement noted that it "has emerged as a universally acknowledged emblem of spiritual transformation. The Lotus Temple also stands as a symbol of inner peace and harmony."
Among the distinguished guests was Ram Madhav, President of the India Foundation, who shared his personal reflections on the Bahá'í principle of the oneness of humanity and its resonance with Indian traditions, notably the concept of "living as one family."
Dr. Madhav stated: "I think that is the central message of this great Faith. I only wish that in the coming years this message spreads far and wide."
In her remarks, Nazneen Rowhani, Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, recounted the early history of the Bahá'í Faith in India during the mid-19th century and highlighted efforts to apply the Bahá'í teachings, "such as the oneness of humankind, the equality of women and men, the inherent nobility of every person irrespective of race, gender or caste, and the role of justice in the organization of human society."
She detailed the community's meaningful interactions with people from all walks of life, including prominent Indian leaders and thinkers, such as Mahatma Gandhi, who described the Faith as a "solace to humankind."
Ms. Rowhani described how the Bahá'í teachings have inspired educational, agricultural, and community-building initiatives across India, particularly in rural areas. "These efforts carried out… by the most unassuming people without political power or immense economic wealth, represent a triumph of the human spirit itself," she said. | To read the story online, watch the video, or view more photos visit news.bahai.org. | | | | | "FAMILY A SEEDBED FOR CHANGE" | | Fostering a new culture of equality in India | | | | | | Historic Battle of Haifa commemorated in New Delhi | | | | | | Lotus temple embodies "message for the world of today" | | | Follow BWNS for regular updates | | Dear Edward Lorilla, you are receiving this email because you subscribed to the Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS) at news.bahai.org/subscribe/.
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