Venus whispers in a sacred garden

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal">NEW DELHI: Where in the world would you get the chance to hear the monks from Himachal''s Tibetan Palpung Sherab Ling Monastery, and that too in a setting more serene than the Grammy Awards ceremony? At the launch of the Sacred Garden at 4 Tilak Marg, rechristened the Oneness Centre on Monday. As dusk enveloped the tranquil acres, the award-winning chants wafted through the enchanted evening organised by ActionAid India alongwith <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Times Foundation.</span><br /><br />"If plants can grow together in one garden and blossom, why not human beings?" President Abdul Kalam''s words was the inspiration for the Sacred Garden, where plants revered by different religions were planted by the assembled gathering to mark the inauguration of Times Foundation''s Oneness initiative on the eve of Venus Transit.<br /><br />Indu Jain, chairman of <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">The Times Group</span>, hailed the celebration of the feminine force in the form of Venus, the goddess of love.She regaled the audience with the lighter notes of her interaction with Kalam. "I was speaking with the President about empowerment of women with the celebration of Venus Transit, when he said, ''So now women will get their 33% reservation?'' to which I replied, ''No, now men will get 33%." Earlier, Mrs Jain had planted a sapling along with the President in the Rashtrapati Bhavan grounds.<br /><br />On a more philosophical note, Indu Jain continued: "Did you hear Venus whisper? I heard her say, India, with its diversity of age-old traditions and richness of culture is the natural leader. Where else in the world would a Christian woman nominate a Sikh as PM, who in turn has been sworn in by a Muslim First Citizen?�<br /><br />On the same principle, <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Times Foundation</span>, on Monday, launched "The Call of Global Oneness", under which India was showcased as a destination for oneness and wellness, through ancient holistic techniques perfected by gurus of repute.<br /></div> </div><div class="section2"><div class="Normal"><br />According to Mrs Jain, who is also the <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Times Foundation</span> chairman, "The new era of global oneness can be ushered in by the Cosmo Gens of today, the youth and the women who should follow the path of our <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">karmyogis</span>. America established its hegemony through bloodshed, and Japan rode to dominance on technology. But, while we despair over ''brain drain'', this is the way India is conquering the world though knowledge and love.� <br /><br />Travellers from around the world will be able to access various packages that include spiritual retreats, wellness tours and spiritual breaks in ashrams of several organisations.<br /><br />In the Sacred Garden of Tilak Marg, Delhi finance minister A K Walia planted the ber tree which is sacred to the Sikhs. Dharmadas Peter Schuppe and Keshava Taylor from the Ananda Sangha planted the Gardenia bush, "the favourite of their guru, Paramhansa Yogananda".<br /><br />Ashok Kini, in charge of the garden said, "This is where religions like Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Christianity, Zoroastrianism and Buddhism all have representational trees. A pond will flower with the lotus, a symbol of the world''s youngest faith, Baha''iism." </div> </div>