The Bahá’í Community Celebrates the 100th Anniversary of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of India
New Delhi – A milestone was reached this year as the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of India, the democratically elected council that administers and represents the Indian Bahá’í community, marked the 100th anniversary of its establishment.
To underscore this occasion a celebration was held at the iconic Bahá’í House of Worship, also affectionately known as the “Lotus Temple.” The event was attended by over two hundred fifty distinguished guests and VIPs from government, the diplomatic corps, and other spheres of the Indian society.
A special message of the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, addressed to the National Spiritual Assembly of India was read out during the formal act. Referring to the centenary of the Assembly, the Prime Minister indicated that “…This is a momentous milestone in India’s vibrant landscape of religious diversity and inclusivity…”
The guest of honour Dr Ram Madhav, President, India Foundation shared his thoughts on this occasion. He mentioned that the essence of the Bahá’í Faith is “all about justice” and that Bahá’ís have a “wide worldview” and that is why the people of India who have embraced diversity and stood for unity for millennia “easily connect with it.” It was stressed that “there can be different kinds of prophets coming at different periods of history. They are all bringing the same message of the Divine, …and that kind of message very easily resonates with the people of this country.” He further emphasized that “we all should live like one family” and shared his hopes that this “message spreads far and wide.”
The Secretary-General of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of India, Ms. Rowhani, in her address traced the evolution of the Bahá’í community in India and the role that the National Assembly has had to play in this over the last hundred years.
The highlight of the event was a special multi-faith prayer service with the participation of a choir held at the Prayer Hall of the Lotus Temple, which symbolises the spirit of inclusivity and harmony, a hallmark the Baha’i Faith.
Subsequently, the guests were entertained to a dinner reception on the lawns of the sprawling gardens of the Lotus Temple and enchanted by classical Indian music performed by talented musicians.
The Bahá’í community of India reflects the country’s rich diversity in the social, cultural, ethnic, and linguistic backgrounds that they hail from. The central teaching of the Bahá’í Faith, the oneness of humankind, is a principle that echoes the eternal spiritual teaching of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ which maintains that the earth is but one family.
The Bahá’í House of Worship, the Lotus Temple of Delhi, with its doors open to all, has come to represent most clearly this principle of oneness.
The Bahá’ís of India, have over the past hundred years striven to uphold and reflect this principle in establishing bonds of fellowship with their fellow citizens, free of prejudices of all kinds. Similarly, as they strive to uphold other principles of the Baha’i Faith such as the equality of women and men, the vital importance of dedicated efforts for the education of children – both girls and boys – as well as youth and the promotion of scientific advancement, their aspirations and aims coincide with and contribute to the vision of ‘Amrit Kaal,’ a vision of a prosperous, inclusive, and united India contributing to the well-being of the entire human family.
