‘Samrasta Kumbh’ begins today

LUCKNOW: The stage is set for the first ever ‘Samrasta Kumbh’ to be organised on the second campus of Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University, Faizabad, on December 15-16. “At the main pandal, 3,500 young delegates will get to interact with seers and saints from across India,” said vice-chancellor Prof Manoj Dixit.

UP minister Ramapati Shastri and the V-C inspected the preparations at the venue. “A month before Kumbh 2019 starts at Prayajraj (in January 2019), five ‘Vaicharik’ (deliberative) Kumbhs are being organised in five places across the state -- Lucknow, Varanasi, Vrindavan, Ayodhya and the last one in Allahabad,” said the minister.

“The purpose of these events is to make people aware about the history of Kumbh, why it is organised and other aspects of the Hindu religion. Two such Kumbhs have already taken place. The Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith, Varanasi, organised the ‘Pariyavaran Kumbh’ (on environment), while the Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Agra, organised the ‘Nari Shakti Kumbh’ (on women’s power),” he said.

Prof Dixit informed that CM Yogi Adityanath would grace the inaugural day programme for an hour. Besides, a book on ‘Samajik Samrasta’ (social harmony) will be released on the occasion.

Explaining the theme of the Kumbh, he said, ‘This congregation is based on the theme of ‘one nation, one culture and one society’.” The V-C said that one of the attractions of the event will be a photo exhibition based on the theme of harmony. “It is for the first time that an event of this nature is taking place in Ayodhya. Lord Ram himself was an epitome of harmony. We are hopeful that both delegates and saints will benefit from each other’s presence,” he said.