Bhubaneswar: President Droupadi Murmu, who rose from a Municipal Councillor to the highest constitutional post of the country in July 2022, shared a slice of her personal experience while addressing the audience at the 50th foundation day of Jnanaprabha Mission in the capital city on Friday.
Sharing her personal experience, President Murmu said yoga changed her life completely. She said, “Yoga acts as a connection between the soul and the divinity. One needs to strive for purification of the body, mind and soul and spiritual awakening. We should not run after materialistic things, but strive to attain knowledge and focus on spiritual awakening.”
Murmu, who is on a two-day visit to Odisha – her second after becoming the President of India, said she had lost all hopes at a certain stage in her life. It was then she was drawn to yoga and it completely changed the course of her life. “Yoga helped me to compose myself and through it, I regained faith in life. I still practice yoga regularly. I wouldn’t have been what I am today without yoga,” said Murmu.
It is only due to the efforts of India that the world has now realised the importance of yoga which plays an important role in bringing peace and physical wellness.
People’s aspirations, as well as needs, are infinite in the present materialistic world. But yoga can give meaning to a person’s life, she said, adding, “Today I am blessed to be here at the institution as it reminded me of my mother. There is no other person who can take the place of a mother. Women have a significant place in society and mothers have always played a great role in the spiritual evolution of the world.”
“Our tradition holds mother in great respect and we should ensure that youngsters give the due love and care to their parents. They should strive to serve their parents,” said the President.
Jnanaprabha, a charitable and spiritual organisation, is named after Paramahamsa Yoganandji’s mother “Jnanaprabha”. And the organisation works to serve women, especially mothers.
Speaking on the occasion, Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal said, “It is the responsibility of all to spread happiness, fragrance and knowledge; and one should strive to acquire them constantly. I believe Jananaprabha Mission is helping people to achieve this.”
