India uses Sanskrit for the first time ever in UNSC Meeting during Climate Change debate
Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar on Tuesday addressed the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) open debate on climate change. While speaking at the debate, the Union Minister opened India’s address to the meet with a short hymn in the Sanskrit language.
Prakash Javadekar spoke a short hymn from the Sukla Yajurveda, During his address, the Environment Minister acknowledged UK PM Boris Johnson and other dignitaries with the Sanskrit hymn from Sukla Yajurveda.
“Om Dyouh shantih, antariksham shantih, prithvi shantih, aapah shantih, oshadhayah shantih, vanaspatayah shantih, vishve devaah shantih, brahma shantih, sarvam shantih, shantireva shantih, saamaa shantiredhi. Om shantih, shantih, shantih.”
It translates to Om – May peace prevail in heaven. May peace prevail in interstellar space. May peace reign on the Earth. May the waters be peaceful. May peace be on all the plants and herbs. May peace reign on all the trees and environment. May peace rest with all the divine beings. May the Supreme Being and the scripture be the Abode of Supreme Peace. May peace reign everywhere and in every being. May there be peace and more peace everywhere at all times. May that supreme peace comes to me too (by the grace of the Supreme). Om peace, peace, peace.
He also spoke about how the commitment by developed countries to jointly mobilize $100 billion per year by 2020 in support of climate action in developing countries had been ‘elusive’. Highlighting how climate change also came with gender dimensions Javedkar said, “Since women are often the providers of food, water, and energy for their families they are likely to face increased challenges in accessing resources due to climate change.”
Javadekar called for viewing climate change as a wake-up call and an opportunity to strengthen multilateralism and seek equitable and inclusive solutions to “leave a greener, cleaner and sustainable world for our future generations.”
The Union Minister stated that India is the only country on track among the G20 nations to meet its climate change mitigation commitments. The Minister further said that India is not only meeting our Paris Agreement targets but will also exceed them. India currently has the fastest-growing solar energy programme in the world.
Urging for countries to integrate low-carbon development in their COVID-19 rescue and recovery measures, the Union Minister quoted Matama Gandhi’s phrase- “there is enough for everybody’s need and not for everybody’s greed”.
Ending with another Sanskrit shlok he said- “May all sentient beings be at peace, may no one suffer from illness, May all see what is auspicious, may no one suffer. Peace, peace, peace.”
