VISIT TO SOUTH AFRICA & MAURITIUS

I reached India on 19th September '2004 after my lecture tour of South Africa and Mauritius. By the grace of God, everything went off well. The Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa had organized a series of 7 lectures on Bhagwad Gita at the main centre of Durban in connection with Shri Krishna Janmashtami celebration and had also oraganised few more lectures on other subjects like Total Personality Development, Women Empowerment & Development, Management of Everyday Life etc. at the main centre as well as at few of their sub-centres. All the programmes were well-organised and well-attended. The Ashram activities are going on smoothly under the dynamic leadership of Swami Saradanandaji. I had also the opportunity of
witnessing their welfare and medical work, particularly for black community, which is very much appreciated by the local community.

I took this opportunity of visiting Phoenix Ashram established by Mahatma Gandhi (situated only about 3 k.m. away from the centre) and Peitermeritzberg Railway Station where Gandhiji was thrown off the train. This incident motivated Gandhiji for starting the non-cooperation movement, which paved the way for achieving freedom not only for India but also for South Africa and other countries. I also enjoyed the Dolphin show at the aquarium of Durban and Drackesberg - a World Heritage Site in South Africa.

On my way back I had the privilege of visiting Mauritius. There too, our Ashram activities are going on smoothly. Since I was there only for two days, they organised only one lecture in the Ashram premises on Holy Mother. T.V. people also took my interview for half an hour. I told them about the urgent need of spreading the universal message of Swami Vivekananda and for adopting spiritual culture in order to save the youth of Mauritius from evils like drug addiction, alcoholism etc. This programme was to be broadcasted on National Network.

In Mauritius I visited the famous Shiva temple near Ganga Talao considered to be 13th Jyotirlinga of the world and named as Mauritiusewar Mahadev! On the occasion of Shivaratri, thousands of devotees walk all the way from city to this place. Even the Prime Minister also visits this place on that day and makes necessary arrangements for the pilgrimage otherwise he may be voted out by the Hindus who are in majority in Mauritius ( about 51% )! There are so many other Hindu temples also. What a paradox! Here our Government is curbing the religious sentiments of the people in the name of pseudo secularism and in foreign countries, they are taking special care to respect religious sentiments of the people.

I also visited Blue Bay to see Corals and fishes beneath the seawater, Port Louise etc.