By Yogendra Bhat, USA
Mangalore, Aug 31: Sri Sugunendra Teerta Swamiji of Putige Math has been elected to the World Council of Religion and Peace (WCRP) as International Co-President for the second term.
Swamiji's election was mainly due to his active participation in the peace-related programmes and projects of WCRP in the past five years. The election was officially announced during the final day of the VIII World Assembly of WCRP at Kyoto Japan.
More than 800 delegates from 99 countries and all major faith traditions attended the World Assembly, which was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of Japan, Junichiro Koizumi addressed the assembly during the inaugural ceremony of the World Assembly.
Other dignitaries who participated in the assembly included H E Mohammad Khatami, Former President of Iran, H E Kjell Magne Bondevick, Former Prime Minister of Norway, and many Senior Religious Leaders from all corners of the world.
Since Sri Sugunendra Teerta Swamiji is observing Chaturmasyam at Mumbai, he could only send his peace message to the VIII World Assembly in Kyoto. Dr Keshavaraj and Prasanna Acharya attended the World Assembly as official delegates on behalf of Swamiji.
Ganjifa Raghupathi Bhat, a well known artist from Mysore attended the World Assembly and exhibited his paintings on the theme - Mother Earth and World Peace.
Swamiji can be contacted at puthigeshree@yahoo.com