Daijiworld Media Network - Vadodara

Vadodara, Sep 23: President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday emphasised the importance of meditation, introspection, compassion and positive thinking in addressing growing stress, violence, intolerance and social divisions across the world, saying inner transformation was essential for building peace and harmony.

Addressing a programme organised by the Brahma Kumaris in Vadodara, Murmu said the world was passing through a difficult phase, with unrest prevailing in several regions.

She said initiatives aimed at strengthening the inner self had assumed greater significance in such circumstances.

"In the present global scenario, challenges such as stress, anxiety, violence, intolerance and social divisions are widespread. There is an atmosphere of unrest in many regions. In such circumstances, initiatives that promote meditation, introspection, compassion and positive thinking become important," she said.

The President was speaking at an event marking the Brahma Kumaris' 90-year spiritual journey and the launch of its 2026 national theme, "Spiritual Awakening for World Renewal".

She also inaugurated the Brahma Kumaris Global Spiritual Palace Retreat Centre in Vadodara and virtually launched the national initiative "Awakening Inner Strength for Nation Building" from Nadiad.

Murmu said development should not be measured only in terms of economic growth and called for greater focus on human development.

"Today, there is a need not only for economic development but also for human development," she said, stressing that education should foster not just intelligence but also wisdom and discernment.

She said society needed progress that remained sensitive towards nature and strength that enabled individuals to exercise self-control instead of seeking to control others.

"We need a power that enables us to control ourselves rather than control others," the President said.

Referring to the philosophy of the Brahma Kumaris, Murmu said its message that "self-transformation leads to world transformation" remained relevant to the challenges confronting the world.

She said spirituality should help people develop stronger bonds with one another and noted that the Brahma Kumaris had taken the message of meditation and spiritual knowledge to several countries.

"There is a possibility of transformation within every human being," she said.

Murmu added that when people developed the belief that changing their thoughts and actions could transform their lives, it could restore hope and self-respect and create positive changes extending beyond the individual.

The President also referred to the Brahma Kumaris' work at Central Jail and said she had been informed that the organisation had been working there for nearly 30 years to provide inmates with spiritual knowledge and encourage a positive outlook towards life.

She said India's traditions of yoga, meditation, non-violence, compassion and 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam', or the world is one family, continued to have relevance in the contemporary world.

"India has given the world great life philosophies such as yoga, meditation, non-violence, compassion and 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'," she said.

Murmu said the objective should be to build an India that was economically prosperous, scientifically powerful, socially inclusive and spiritually awakened.

The programme was attended by Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat and Minister of State for Protocol Praful Pansheriya, among others.