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Message by
H.H.
Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda Saraswati,
President, Omkarananda
Ashram,
to the Senior Citizens of Rishikesh
 Adorations
to the most honourable and most respected Senior Citizens of
Rishikesh!
Senior Citizens are always very, very special
- special in the sense, that they are carrying an enormous
experience with them. They have seen the growth of the smaller
ones, they have worked hard to make the lives of the younger
generation better. Many of them have sacrificed enormously, not
only for their own family, but also for others.
When there are any difficulties at any place,
people always like to approach their respected Seniors and seek
their advice to get their own problems solved. The Seniors' advice
is based on solid ground with full understanding and great
knowledge, which they acquired throughout their lives.
The modern world, the economic situation, the
stress-related conditions in particular countries, are an enormous
draw-back for elderly people. There are places in Western
countries where the youngsters are more interested in their own
future and simply put their parents in an old age home. For these
youngsters parents have become a burden - which is really a bad
situation. For many senior people this situation creates
psychologically an enormous suffering.
In India things are far different and that's
wonderful. There is still a respect for the elderly people which
is second to none. Father and Mother are the "Stars". Children
greet them with respect and honour, while touching their feet - a
gesture which is otherwise very rare to find. The decisions of the
elder ones are final. The Vedic Philosophy teaches the young
people to see God in their parents. Their advice is guiding them
for their future lives.
The Senior Citizens of Rishikesh are truly
special and also very blessed to live in a town, which is called
"City of Saints", a city where from time immemorial
greatest Saints made their Tapasya, a city where the holy flow of
the Ganges is the main place for worship and prayer - a most
popular pilgrim place.
Often I have come across very learned Senior
Citizens and I always like to speak of their achievements for this
wonderful city. It is a great thing that they have formed a
Welfare Organisation and that they are regularly conducting their
meetings. I specially appreciate the highly learned Educationist,
Shri D.K. Varshney, President, Senior Citizens' Welfare
Organisation, Rishikesh, who is always eager to seek an
improvement of the Schools, Colleges and the City at large. He
never wastes a single minute, he is always active to serve others.
Such are the great Souls among our Senior Citizens of Rishikesh!
My Adorations again and again to them!
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