Gandhi Centre Of Science and Human Values

On July 30, 2026, Bhavan’s Gandhi Centre of Science and Human Values, in collaboration with Chinmaya Mission Dharwad, organised a book release function at Dutta Subhabhavan ‘Chinmaya Suyoga’ in Kalyana Nagar, Dharwad. Held as part of the Guru Poornima celebrations, the event commenced with soul-stirring bhajans. Poojya Shri Swamy Krutatmanandaji, acharya of Chinmaya Mission, Hubli-Dharwad released the book Himalayada Belli Shikharagalatta, a Kannada translation of G.K. Pradhan’s Towards the Silver Crests of Himalayas, published by Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bombay. The translator, Smt. Veena Vidyadhara Joshi, shared her journey, noting how she was inspired to translate the work after reading the Marathi version, and how she felt the divine presence of the Guru throughout the process. She concluded with a self-composed song dedicated to the Guru, which left the audience spellbound and created a deeply spiritual atmosphere. Following this, Smt. Joshi was felicitated by Swamiji and Dr. Meena Deshpande, Honorary Director of the Centre.

In his discourse, Swamiji highlighted the spiritual significance of the Himalayas, explaining how they uniquely attract spiritual seekers. Recollecting his own visits to the sacred peaks, he remarked that standing before their majesty makes one realise human insignificance. He noted that words fail to capture the profound silence inspired by the snow-covered peaks, where the juxtaposition of the highest summits and deepest valleys symbolises life's ups and downs, teaching us to maintain equanimity (samachitta). He urged the audience to read the book, emphasizing that time spent with good literature minimises negative actions. The event concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Mr. C.S.Kulkarni followed by the distribution of Prasad. Mr. Ananth Thite compered the programme.