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Int'l Business Times
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Int'l Business Times
Inclusivity and Traditional Indian Wisdom: A Blueprint for Eternal Prosperity
In a time of ideological divisions, fractured global dialogues, and rising individualism, the world searches for systems that don't merely tolerate diversity but celebrate it. Few cultures preach this profound idea: Unity through diversity. At the heart of India's millennia-old spiritual wisdom lies an inclusive worldview, which isn't just philosophical, but intensely lived. And perhaps, no recent event brought this philosophy to global attention as powerfully as the wedding of Anant Ambani in July 2024. While the event captivated international headlines for its grandeur and guest list, its more profound message was subtle yet striking: Inclusivity anchored in tradition. Held in Mumbai, the wedding wasn't merely a union between two individuals; it was a confluence of faith, heritage, and global harmony. From Silicon Valley to Saudi Arabia, from spiritual gurus to sovereign leaders, the guest list embodied the world in dialogue. Political dignitaries like John Kerry, Tony Blair, and President Samia Suluhu Hassan, among others, stood side by side with ISKCON monks, Shankaracharyas, and Vedic scholars. The wedding was not just about opulence—it was a reflection of how family values and spiritual discipline remain central to Indian tradition, even amidst modern success. The Ambanis' decision to follow ancient Vedic rituals, to include a mass wedding of underprivileged couples, and to serve over 1,000 meals daily through a bhandara (community kitchen), turned a private celebration into a world benchmark on compassionate wealth. From the resplendent Banaras-themed décor to the Valley of Gods performance led by Nita Ambani, the ceremonies radiated cultural richness while staying anchored in humility and service. Guests from all backgrounds, dressed 'Resplendently Indian,' became part of a shared experience—united not by uniformity, but by reverence. What made this moment so powerful wasn't just the scale or symbolism; it was the spirit of inclusion that permeated it all. In an increasingly segmented world, where difference often leads to distrust, India offered an alternative: difference as a divine deed. Just as Lord Krishna teaches in the Hindu scripture sacred book 'Shrimad Bhagavad Gita' that truth wears many faces, this wedding reminded the world that tradition can be expansive, not exclusive. That wealth, when paired with wisdom, becomes a force for upliftment. And that cultural diplomacy, when rooted in authenticity, has the power to heal global narratives. This layered, open-hearted approach to truth is the essence of Indian inclusivity, and it was this same spirit that the Ambani wedding reflected to the world.


India Today
12-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- India Today
Radhika-Anant: A sacred celebration rooted in Hindu traditions
The Ambani wedding was a return to spiritual roots. The entire celebration was steeped in the philosophy of Santan Dharma-the eternal way of life. Here, marriage was more than ceremony; it was a sacred experience, a transformative rite of passage in the spiritual journey of two ritual reflected Vedic values. The wedding rituals were performed before the sacred fire, in the presence of elders, saints, and spiritual leaders who offered blessings and presence of top religious figures from across Vedic and other Indian spiritual traditions—Shankaracharyas, Iskon monks, Jain munis, yogis, and gurus—was unprecedented. Their participation turned the wedding into a rare spiritual congregation. Even the samuhik vivah (mass wedding) for underprivileged couples and the three-week-long bhandara (community feast) were expressions of Hindu ethics—of seva, or selfless service. The Ambanis didn't just follow rituals—they embodied them, living out the teachings of Santan Dharma through wedding was a spiritual statement, showing the world how tradition, faith, and modernity can co-exist and elevate a life event into a timeless offering.- Ends