A GREEN Birthday-Environmental Service Festival was held at Parmarth Niketan, Rishikesh, on Monday (3) to mark the 73rd birthday of its president HH Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswati Maharaj Ji.
Kerala governor Arif Mohammed Khan, former Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar and numerous other dignitaries participated in the festivities and extended their greetings.
Many devotees, followers, revered saints, politicians, and actors from India and abroad sent video messages, written messages, greetings, and numerous messages of commitment dedicated to the environment.
The lighting of the holy lamp marked the beginning of the Green Birthday Celebration and Environmental Service Festival.
During the occasion, the Parmarth Niketan family initiated several new environment-dedicated initiatives and announced future service projects, such as Divyangta Mukt Bharat, Ganga Yoga, Ganga Katha, Parmarth Triveni Pushp in Prayagraj, Monsoon Kanwar Mela plantation, and many other projects dedicated to the environment and humanity.
Paying homage to the tradition from Jagadguru Shankaracharya Ji Maharaj to Mahamandaleshwar Swami Asanganand Ji Maharaj, Swami Chidanand Saraswati Maharaj Ji honored all the revered saints and said, "This is not just a manifestation festival but an environmental service festival. This entire life is dedicated to the environment, nature, Mother Earth, Ganga, and all of humanity. We are fortunate that God has given us birth on this divine land of India."
He presented all the revered saints and guests with cardamom, Rudraksha garlands, and the green gift of a Rudraksha plant from the Himalayas. The programme began with "Vande Mataram" and concluded with "Jana Gana Mana."
A grand feast (Bhandara) was organised at Parmarth Niketan to mark the occasion.
The event was attended by many revered saints including M.M. Swami Asanganand Saraswati Ji, Yoga Rishi Swami Ramdev Ji, Acharya M.M. Swami Avdheshanand Giri Ji, Gita Manishi Swami Gyananand Ji, M.M. Swami Harichetananand Ji, Sant Shri Murlidhar Ji, Dr. Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati Ji, Swami Dayaram Das Ji, Swami Jayantanand Saraswati Ji, Shri Ajay Bhai Ji, Sadhvi Abha Saraswati Ji, Swami Ravi Prapanchacharya Ji, Swami Krishnacharya Ji, Swami Keshavanand Ji, Swami Sanatan Tirth Ji, and Swami Gangeshwaranand Ji.
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)