Renowned singer, musical maestro, prophet, and propagandist Dr. LV Gangadhara Shastri received the prestigious ‘Kendra Sangeet Natak Akademi Award-2023’ from the President of India, Mrs. Draupadi Murmu. The Government of India has honoured him with this award in the main classical music department of India for creating records with the highest technical values. The programme was held on March 6, 2024, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. Along with the President of India, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Mr. G Kishan Reddy, Union Minister for Law and Justice, Parliamentary Affairs, and Culture Mr. Arjun Ram Meghwal, Chairperson of Sangeet Natak Akademi Mrs. Sandhya Purecha, and Union Secretary for Culture Mr. Govind Mohan were also present at the event.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Gangadhara Shastri said, “In the past, my Bhagavad Gita was appreciated by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, ‘Kalaratna’ from Andhra Pradesh, and ‘Honorary Doctorate’ from Panini University, Madhya Pradesh, and it is now appreciated by the President of India, Mrs. Draupadi Murmu Garu. Receiving the ‘Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in the presence of my parents is a real joy for me. I consider this SNA Award to have been given to me by Shri G. Kishan Reddy in recognition of my musical contributions. I can’t ask for more for my parents and my motherland. All these awards and accolades are coming my way for my Bhagavad Gita. None of this is my talent alone. This journey is the will of Lord Krishna and my parents’ passion! But my ultimate goal is not to win awards. I want every single Hindu in this country to read the Bhagavad Gita, understand it, practice it, and pass it on to future generations. Thus, preserve Sanatana Dharma! Indian spirituality transcends nationalities and ethnicities. There is no difference between caste, religion, class, or gender. The government should know about the systems of religious preachers like us and support us. We should not be in a situation where we need to ask governments for help. The Gita should be declared a national book. The Bhagavad Gita should be included as a subject in all schools. That is how we can save the rich culture of our country. Don’t look at the Bhagavad Gita as a religion. Learning English becomes Christianity! I am proud to have been born on the land of India, which gave birth to Lord Ram and Lord Krishna, the idols of Dharma, who tell us to treat everyone as equal,” said Gangadhara Shastri.
Central Sangeet Natak Academy Chairperson Mrs. Sandhya Purecha honoured Mr. Gangadhara Shastri by taking a bow, and she said that soon they will also organise Dharma propaganda programmes through Geeta on behalf of their academy.
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L.VENUGOPAL
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