Vice-President honours Sringeri’s spiritual lineage
The Vice-President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, addressed the Civic Honour Ceremony for Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Vidhushekhara Bharati Sannidhanam of the Dakshinamnaya Sringeri Sharada Peetham via video conferencing at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi. He described Swamiji as the successor-designate in the unbroken spiritual lineage of Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya.
In his remarks, the Vice-President reflected on how Adi Shankaracharya travelled across Bharat to revitalise Sanatana Dharma and established the first of the four Amnaya Peethams at Sringeri. He recalled Sringeri Mutt’s more than twelve-century history of upholding values such as compassion and selflessness while nurturing Vedic study and Sanskrit scholarship.
Preserving traditions, promoting learning and the arts
Shri Radhakrishnan noted that the Sringeri Peetham has preserved priceless traditions rigorous study of the Vedas and shastras, promotion of Sanskrit learning, and support for classical arts. He emphasised that the mutt has trained generations of scholars, acharyas and seekers and continues to serve as a living repository of Bharatiya learning.
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and inter-religious engagement
The Vice-President praised the Peetham’s openness: by welcoming people from diverse backgrounds, these institutions embody the Vedic ideal of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — “the world is one family.” He underlined that mutts, temples and ashrams play a vital role in sustaining social harmony and inter-religious engagement.
Relevance of the India Foundation discourse
The Civic Honour Ceremony and accompanying discourse, organised by India Foundation at the India Habitat Centre on the theme “Hindu Religious Institutions: Traditions, Customs and Inter-Religious Engagements,” were described by the Vice-President as highly relevant to contemporary India. He observed that Sanatana Dharma’s emphasis on service to humanity remains an active moral foundation for social work and cultural life.
Why this ceremony matters
Officials and scholars say public recognitions such as civic honours help spotlight institutions that conserve India’s intangible heritage. The Vice-President’s comments reinforced the idea that such peethams are not only custodians of religious practice but also centres for education, scholarship and community service elements seen as essential to sustaining India’s cultural fabric.
Event hosts and venue
India Foundation organised the civic honour and spiritual discourse at the Stein Auditorium, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. The event brought together academics, cultural practitioners and members of the spiritual community to discuss the role of Hindu religious institutions in preserving traditions and enabling inter-faith dialogue.
What the Vice-President urged next
Shri Radhakrishnan urged continued support for Sanskrit education, Vedic studies and cultural institutions, stressing that service to humanity is service to God. He also highlighted the civilisational trait of Santulaya (balance), noting India’s historic pattern of giving shelter to diverse faiths while evolving a unique civilisational identity.
Further reading
For the official press release and full text of the Vice-President’s remarks, see the Press Information Bureau. For details on the organiser and upcoming events, consult the India Foundation and India Habitat Centre event pages.