Dedicate Divali to martyrs, light a candle: Shilpa Shetty

Tribune News Service

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Haridwar, October 29

Noted Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty Kundra wants the country to support the commitment and courage shown by Indian armed forces in securing the borders of the country. She is upset with some sections of society that doubt the capacity of the Army in the war against terror.

Shilpa was on a two-day personal visit to pilgrim city Rishikesh recently. She was accompanied by her mother Sunanda, husband Raj Kundra and actress-turned interior designer and sister Shamita Shetty. She urged people to light at least one candle and plant a sapling in the memory of the martyrs who laid their lives while serving the motherland.

“Indian Army personnel have been doing a great job in extreme weather conditions and away from their homes for months, which normally is not easily recognised or valued. Without they guarding the borders of our country or fighting against terrorism, we can’t even imagine ourselves living a normal life. The festival of lights needs to be dedicated to the martyrs, as there will be no Divali celebrations for their families. It’s a small gesture but will boost the morale of the martyrs’ family members as well as Army personnel, who are on duty,” said Shetty, who is the co-owner of Indian Premier League cricket team Rajasthan Royals.

She also urged people to plant a sapling on every festival they celebrate, irrespective of their religions, in the memory of the martyrs.

On the spiritual experience that she gained during her visit to the Parmarth Niketan ashram on the banks of the Ganga, Shilpa said it was beyond words, as it had enlightened her soul, mind and body.

“Going near the sacred Ganga itself is a spiritual bliss and performing yajna and yoga is a lifetime experience. Deity Ganga boosts my inner soul and the dance skills. It’s nothing like meditating and being with oneself on the banks of the Ganga,” said Shilpa.

Spiritual ideologue of Parmarth Niketan Swami Chidanand Muni Maharaj lauded Shilpa’s dedication saying “actors have a great influence on their fans, particularly youths, so her appeal to dedicate this Divali to martyrs will surely inspire lakhs of people”.

“Parmarth Niketan has been involved in various social causes. The visits of public personalities such as actress Shilpa Shetty give a fillip to such efforts. Cinema has a deep impact on viewers’ mind and attaching social causes gives it a noble dimension” said Swami Chidanand.

As the news about the visit of Shilpa and Shamita spread, fans, pilgrims and tourists flocked to the Parmarth Niketan ashram and the adjacent Ganga ghat to see them perform rituals during the Ganga aarti.

Shilpa and her sister did not disappoint their fans and allowed them to click selfies with them and take autographs. The sisters kept reminding them about lighting a candle or diya and planting a sapling during Divali in the memory of martyrs.