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Diwali Celebrations at the United Nations, Vienna, Austria

12 Nov 2025

Diwali Celebrations at the UN in Vienna

The United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV) is one of four secretariats of the UN, after Geneva, Nairobi, and the headquarters in New York

External delegates received a UN ‘Event Visitor’ pass upon entry

Volunteers provided the event passes to all registrants

An annakut offering to the sacred images adorned the second floor of Building C outside Conference Room 1

Many guests came to the annakut and offered flower petals in a gesture of gratitude and respect

The venue of the Diwali celebration was Conference Room 1

Each delegate received a decorative diya (traditional lamp), printed programme, and an information leaflet about BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir, Paris

Ambrish Limbachia, a senior BAPS volunteer from the UK, welcomed the delegates and introduced the theme of ‘Light, Peace, and Partnership’

More than 170 delegates joined the cultural and commemorative Diwali celebration

The proceedings began with Vedic prayers for universal peace and well-being

The soulful singing by swamis was accompanied by traditional Indian instruments

Vikram Jeet Duggal, Counsellor at the Permanent Mission of India to the UN, and Rushin Thacker, BAPS Representative at the UN Office in Vienna, participated in the ceremonial lighting of the decorative lamps

The event marked 25 years since the landmark address of HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj at the Millennium World Peace Summit at the UN headquarters in New York

Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s call for multi-level dialogue – amongst religious leaders, with their respective followers, and with oneself – felt just as relevant for peace 25 years on

Dr Markand Patel expanded upon 30 years of BAPS’s partnership with the United Nations

Dr Patel is a leading volunteer for BAPS healthcare services across the UK

Dr Patel systematically explained the work of BAPS in supporting the UN’s various ‘Sustainable Development Goals’ to help end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure peace and prosperity for all

Vikram Jeet Duggal, Counsellor at the Permanent Mission of India, delivered the keynote address, commending the shared ethos of Diwali, BAPS and the UN

Mr Duggal praised the values-based leadership of Mahant Swami Maharaj in guiding BAPS’s services for humanity, calling him a “true Ambassador of Love, Peace, and Harmony in our world today”

Ms Peri Lynne Johnson, Assistant Director General and Legal Adviser of the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), shared some remarks as the guest of honour

Ms Johnson appreciated BAPS’s work in the Ukraine humanitarian crisis and also its activities in the United States, saying, “Hearing the work of BAPS feels like home again.”

Earlier, BAPS volunteers met with Ms Johnson and the Permanent Mission of India to further discuss shared values and goals

International diplomats sat alongside BAPS volunteers

Diplomats and dignitaries from various countries, UN agencies, and community organisations joined the celebration

Brahmaviharidas Swami, Head of the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi, shared an inspiring video message on cultivating ‘Peace through Partnership’

The delegates were introduced to BAPS’s growing role in promoting interfaith and multicultural understanding in Europe through the forthcoming BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir in Paris

In a recorded message, Mr Yann Dubosc, Mayor of Bussy-Saint-Georges in Paris, shared: “BAPS’s work across countless local communities shows that spirituality and service can go hand in hand.”

Guest of Honour Mr Yuko Yasunaga, Deputy Director General and Managing Director of the UN’s Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), underlined the importance of partnership between public institutions and civil society

Mr Yasunaga congratulated BAPS on its 25 years of General Consultative Status with ECOSOC, and reiterated BAPS’s commitment to “work together… as good neighbours, hand in hand.”

International diplomats sat alongside BAPS representatives from around the world

BAPS representatives from Australia, Austria, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Sweden, and the United Kingdom were also among the delegates, reflecting the fellowship’s global reach and its continuing partnership with the UN family

More than 170 delegates joined the cultural and commemorative Diwali celebration

Diplomats and dignitaries from various countries, UN agencies, and community organisations joined the event

The delegates were introduced to the universal life and work of HH Mahant Swami Maharaj in serving others irrespective of race, rank or religion

Mahant Swami Maharaj shared a video message of blessings and inspiration in which he encouraged everyone to “become a lamp of goodness that brightens the world around us”

Rena Amin, a senior volunteer for BAPS UK & Europe, concluded the proceedings by thanking the delegates and sharing a call for further partnership “so that we may continue to grow together in serving humanity”

(L to R) Dr Markand Patel (BAPS UK), Yuko Yasunaga (UNIDO), Shailesh Bhavsar (BAPS France), Vikram Jeet Duggal (Permanent Mission of India), Rena Amin (BAPS UK), Peri Lynne Johnson (IAEA)

Paramtattvadas Swami met with Yuko Yasunaga and several other delegates before and after the event

Aksharviharidas Swami and Gnankushaldas Swami with leaders of Hinduistische Religiongesellschaft in Österreich (Hindu Religious Organisation in Austria)