ISKCON Youth Forum, the youth wing of ISKCON Delhi (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) organized the biggest ever youth festival by them in Delhi-NCR titled “UDGAAR – An Expression of Goodness and Joy” on 14th October at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium. Hon'ble Prime Minister of India Sri Narendra Modi, appreicated Udgaar festival, and ISKCON's effort in an offcial letter from his office. The festival marked the initiation of their “Value Awareness Campaign” all across Delhi-NCR. It gained the audience of 6000+ youth from Universities across the nation. India’s Union Human Resource Development(HRD) Minister Mr. Prakash Javadekar was the Chief Guest at the event. Member of Parliament Mr. Bhupedra Yadav and MD-NBCC( National Buildings Construction Corporation) Mr. Anup Mittal were also present on the dais, alongwith VCs(Vice Chancellors) of YMCA and Sharda University. The event was also attended by heads of prestigious educational institutions such as Ramjas College, Jaipuria School of Business and others.

The aim of the fest was to provide youngsters with a unique opportunity to develop and express their inherent constructive feelings and thereby experience the natural joy of the self. This year it was based on the theme “Building India Upon Values”, focusing on inspiring youngsters to contribute towards the social, economic and scientific development of India by cultivating better values in their habits and character. It was a full on education cum entertainment package, which comprised of a Inter-College Value Awareness Quiz, Dance Show, Words of Wisdom, Motivational Speech, Theatrical Presentation, ecstatic Mantra Rock Show and nevertheless sumptuous prasad. The event inaugural adress was by Mohan Rupa Das, ISKCON Delhi President who introduced the festival and its objective.

The events kicked off with unique Inter-College ‘Value Awareness Quiz’. This event was preceded by qualifying round which saw partcipation of 2000 students from 21 universities. The six Universities qualifying this stage, were represented in the final round of competition held at the festival. Akshay, from Delhi College of Arts and Commerce of Delhi University,stood first, was awarded by the Chief Guest.

Next came, Prince Dance Group, winners of famous talent show "India’s Got Talent" Season 1,they enthralled the audience and left many spellbound with their performances on “Values of Indian National Flag” viz sacrifice, peace and prosperity, and “Dasavatara”, the ten incarnations of Lord Krsna, each exhibiting a different value like character, chivalry, patience and compassion etc.

Rahul Arya, an internationally acclaimed sand artist, mesmerized everyone with his live sand art performance on life and teachings of ISKCON's founder Srila Prabhupada and his great social and spiritual contribution to global society.

The Chief Guest, Mr. Prakash Javadekar initiated his address by chanting Hare Krishna. Pouring heaps of praises on ISKCON, the movement and its teachings, he spoke on how ISKCON stands for all good values, has spread Hare Krishna Mantra worldwide and has helped in bringing thosands of youngsters out of addiction because it practices the principles of self-regulation, brotherhood, service and compassion. He further added, “There is prosperity in this world but for peace, everybody has to come to ISKCON”. Commenting on the #MeToo movement which has took the world by storm, he admitted, is because Character Building and Value Education which are an important part of education are lacking in our educational curriculum. He inaugurated “Ethicraft”, a club dedicated to sensitizing and training university and school students in cultivation of values.

The audience got the opportunity to hear words of wisdom from International ISKCON Leaders - HH Gopal Krsna Maharaja and HH Lokanatha Maharaja from India, HH Guru Prasad Maharaja from US, HH Sacinandana Maharaja from Germany who have dedicated their lives and working for over four decades in uplifting people and providing them what is lacking, Krsna Consciousness and Human Values.

All ISKCON leaders stressed on the importance of chanting Hare Krsna Mahamantra and gaining spiritual knowledge, in development of values. HH Sacinandana Maharaja from Germany explained how words are very powerful, when a judge in the court says to a couple, Now you’re husband and wife, they become so. Similar is calling out the names of the Lord. While HH Lokanatha Maharaja stressed upon how people today are running after money but the most valuable thing is Hare Krsna, which our youth is forgetting, which Srila Prabhupad gave to the western world.HH Gopal Krsna Maharaja told how the youth today is stuck in bad habits and encouraged everyone to read bhagavad gita and chant Hare Krsna.

Their short talks enlightened the youths and changed their viewpoints towards life and garnered appreciation from the dignitaries.

“I never thought it this way, that there is another approach towards life, apart from the materialistic way we often observe in Delhi,” said Anupam, Runner Up in the Value Awareness Quiz.  

Dr. Saroj Mahapatra, Director of Jaipuria School of Busniess, espressed appreciation in following word, " Grateful to ISKCON for inviting to UDGAAR today. Thanks for excellent hospitality and arrangements. Blessed to have a gift of Gita too ".

This was followed by an energetic keynote speech by Dr. Vivek Bindra, Leading Consultant, Motivational speaker and Corporate Coach. His Youtube channel is followed by a whopping 5 Million people worldwide. Dr. Bindra spoke on “Values for Success” in life, sharing humorous stories and bringing examples from life of great celebrities like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Baba Ramadev. He quoted many shlokas from Bhagavad Gita, to inspire students in determination, focus and hold high aims in life, and dedicate themselves to achieve those aims. He also shared his personal experiences and told how if one wants one hour happiness, he can sleep, one day happiness, he can go for picnic but if one wants permanent happiness, one must read Bhagavad Gita and Chant Hare Krsna.

Following this enthralling speech that energized everyone in the stadium, was an hour long theatrical performance “Asato Ma Sadgamaya- Marching towards Values” by ISKCON Youth Forum troupe. They showcased the unanimous inability of global leaders in solving contemporary global challenges through technology, policy and law, through a scene of United Nations Meeting. This was followed by presenting the expanse of global challenges like, drug addiction, crime against women, corruption and environment and the need of bringing in values through education in spiritual principles presented in Bhagvad Gita and other vedas to tackle these challenges.

The final note address of the festival was by Sundar Gopal Das, Director, ISKCON Youth Forum, Delhi, an alumni of IIT Delhi who was behind conception and execution of the festival. He said ISKCON was founded with seven objectives, first one being ‘To check the imbalance of values in life and to achieve real unity and peace in the world’. The festival is a step aligned with this objective.’’ He further added, “ from the dawn of human civilization, the importance of Value Education has been realized by pioneers and thinkers all over the world as it is necessary in order to develop the core human values like integrity, honesty, truthfulness, trustworthiness, which are the foundational principles for a peaceful and prosperous society.”

Not ending on a silent note, began the thrilling Rock Show by Madhavas Rock Band runnners up of “ India’s Got Talent ” a popular show followed by millions in India. They got everyone singing on their musical tunes, chanting Raghupati Raghava and Hare Krsna Kirtan. Even the Dignitaries and Brahmacaris stood up dancing, what to speak of the audience. Everyone was jubilated and excited.

The exhausted buy exuberated students found their way to food or prasad stalls, taking home message about importance of values, fliers having adresses of ISKCON student centres around Delhi for joining courses on values in future, and real smiles.

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