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NDTV
7 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
From Puri To Jamalpur: Ahmedabad Gears Up For 148th Jagannath Rath Yatra
Ahmedabad: Gujarat's largest city, Ahmedabad, is all set to witness the 148th edition of the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath on Friday, one of the awaited spiritual and cultural events. Rooted in centuries of tradition, the Rath Yatra, also known as the 'Chariot Festival', is not just a religious procession but a symbol of the state's cultural heritage, social inclusiveness, and civic coordination. Ahmedabad's Rath Yatra is the second largest in India after the one in Puri, Odisha. In the 19th century, Gujarat saw a resurgence of Vaishnavism, particularly through sects like Pushtimarg and Swaminarayan Sampraday, which already had a large urban following. The Jagannath sect, rooted in the worship of Krishna in tribal and rural forms, found resonance among these urban Vaishnavas. Mahant Narsinhdasji, inspired by the grandeur of the Puri Rath Yatra during his pilgrimage, resolved to establish a similar event in Ahmedabad. The temple at Jamalpur, believed to have been established nearly 450 years ago, was chosen as the epicentre. He envisioned a procession that not only echoed the spiritual magnificence of Puri but also brought God to the people, especially those unable to travel east. According to researchers, during British rule, religious festivals became sites of cultural assertion and community identity. The Rath Yatra, with its massive public turnout, vibrant pageantry, and egalitarian participation, became an annual expression of Hindu presence in an increasingly segmented urban society. Interestingly, the first few Rath Yatras of the late 1800s were carried out with modest chariots and small processions, mostly centred around the walled city. But by the early 20th century, the event had grown so large that the British administration took note, and occasionally intervened under the pretext of law and order. The procession begins early in the morning, around 7.00 a.m., from the 400-year-old Jagannath Temple in Jamalpur. It passes through key parts of the walled city, including Kalupur, Prem Darwaja, Delhi Chakla, Shahpur, and Astodia, before returning to the temple by late evening, covering a 16-kilometre route. The chariots carrying the deities, Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra, are pulled by hundreds of devotees. The 'Pahind Vidhi' or ceremonial sweeping of the path is traditionally performed by the Gujarat Chief Minister, symbolising humility and service. The event is rooted in devotion, but its relevance goes beyond religion; it represents a successful model of mass coordination between citizens, police, civic bodies, and faith groups. In 2024, over 10 lakh devotees were estimated to have attended, and a similar turnout is expected this year. "For us, Rath Yatra is not just a festival, it's an emotion. Watching the deities come out of the temple feels like a personal blessing," said Meena Patel, 52, a Jamalpur resident. The 2025 edition will see unprecedented technological integration, with AI-based crowd monitoring, 3D route mapping, and surveillance via 3,500 CCTV cameras, 2,872 body-worn cameras, 25 watchtowers, and 240 terrace points. Over 23,884 security personnel will be deployed, while 484 dilapidated structures along the route have been sealed for safety. The Rath Yatra has also become a vehicle for social unity, with peace committee meetings, women-led outreach, and community sports and cultural events conducted as part of pre-yatra engagement (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
The Hindu
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Bridging Code and Culture: The Rise of Indian Tech Leadership with a Spiritual Backbone
In an age where technology commands global transformation, Indian-origin leaders are increasingly recognized not just for their engineering prowess but for their grounding in values, culture, and a timeless tradition of learning. From Sundar Pichai at Google and Satya Nadella at Microsoft to healthcare, academia, and financial leadership across the U.S., Indian intellect is no longer a quiet force—it is the foundation upon which global systems are being reimagined. One such architect of meaningful transformation is Hiten Bhuta, who was recently awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Indo-US Chamber of Commerce. The award, presented in the presence of top civic and industry leaders at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay, marked a recognition not just of his entrepreneurial success, but of a life that integrates technical excellence and community service with spiritual awareness—a uniquely Indian blend that traces its roots to a much older lineage. Anchored in a 500-Year Legacy Hiten Bhuta's journey is deeply inspired by Pushtimarg, the path of grace founded by Jagadguru Vallabhacharya, a Telugu Brahmin saint-philosopher born over 550 years ago during the glorious era of Krishnadevaraya of the Vijayanagara Empire. Vallabhacharya emphasized seva, bhakti, and scholarly inquiry—a spiritual framework that deeply influenced Indian society and continues to shape Bhuta's personal and professional life. This lineage of learning and devotion has guided Bhuta's life work: building businesses that matter, preserving cultural wisdom, and supporting communities across the globe. A Rare Academic Distinction An engineer from India, Hiten Bhuta is an alumnus of the prestigious Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM-A) and also studied at Shailesh J. Mehta School of Management at IIT-Bombay, located in Powai—two of the highest academic institutions in India. In a rare academic honor, he was also invited to deliver a lecture at IIT-Bombay, joining a select group of industry leaders recognized for thought leadership and practical impact. His speaking engagements reflect his wide influence and global insight. Hiten Bhuta has spoken at leading platforms and institutions around the world, including: ● University of South Florida – Tampa, Florida ● Indian Institute of Technology – Bombay, Mumbai, India ● Econo Lodge Franchisee Association (ELFA) – USA ● UK Industry Meeting – London, United Kingdom ● Gujarat Technology University (GTU) – Gujarat, India ● Asian Indian Community Association – Los Angeles, California ● AAHOA Trade Events – across the USA These engagements showcase not only his technical expertise and entrepreneurial insight but also his ability to bridge business, culture, and value-based leadership. Innovation Rooted in Culture As the founder of CGS Infotech, a Mumbai-based leader in cloud computing, cybersecurity, and digital identity management, Bhuta has empowered over 4,000 businesses worldwide, including respected names like HSBC India, Hero Motors, L&T, MMTC, and Hawkins. CGS's India-based team of engineers delivers world-class services in: ● Corporate email and cloud infrastructure ● Cybersecurity and domain protection ● SSL and website development ● Digital marketing and business acceleration Led by seasoned professionals like Pratibha Pandit, Abhijeet Ranade, Sarvesh Pande, Shweta Zaveri, Yogita Patange, Umesh Patil, Yogesh Sanap, Chetan Palkar, Umesh Shinde, Neha Baddi, and Sayali Warang, the CGS India team blends technological acumen with a strong service ethos. Their work powers several industrial and educational institutions whose roots lie in India's high-trust systems of excellence. 'Working with Hiten Bhuta for over a decade, I've witnessed a rare leadership style—one that blends innovation with empathy, strategy with values. At CGS, we don't just deliver digital transformation; we deliver trust, care, and long-term value to our clients and our team,' says R. Venkat, Senior Director and Leader Of Core Management Team, at CGS Infotech. What makes CGS distinct is not just the scale of its operations, but the clarity and care with which it delivers digital transformation—an extension of Bhuta's belief that technology should serve humanity, not overwhelm it. CGS Infotech also gratefully acknowledges its long-standing partnerships with global technology leaders like Google, and GoDaddy—with GoDaddy being a particularly enduring and trusted collaborator over the years. These partnerships have enabled CGS to provide reliable, secure, and high-performance solutions to thousands of clients globally The Sakar Vision: Culture as Capital Bhuta's commitment to India's spiritual heritage is also reflected in his non-profit initiatives through the Sakar Trust—an organization dedicated to cultural education, rural empowerment, and the preservation of India's philosophical treasures. Among the most impactful contributions of Sakar Trust are the popular online study sessions on Adi Shankaracharya's Stotras, conducted regularly by Bhuta himself. These sessions, attended by seekers from around the world, explore the subtleties of texts like Dakshinamurthy Stotra, Atma Bodha, Sadhana Panchakam, and Maya Panchakam, revealing timeless truths through a modern lens. Bhuta's reverence for Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya, whom he often calls the original system architect, is not just academic—it's personal. He sees Shankara not only as a spiritual colossus but as a cultural strategist who unified India through knowledge, compassion, and clarity. 'Our legacy is not just temples and texts,' Bhuta shares during his sessions. 'It's the mindset of inquiry, the joy of discovery, and the responsibility to preserve and pass on what is timeless.' Technology Meets Timelessness As Bhuta says: 'Artificial Intelligence will shape our future. But the spiritual intelligence of our sages must guide its ethics.' In a world driven by speed, Bhuta offers a counterpoint—one that values clarity over chaos, wisdom over noise, and culture over convenience. With CGS Infotech growing rapidly across sectors, and Sakar Trust touching lives across continents, Hiten Bhuta stands as a reminder that India's greatest export is not just code—it is consciousness. 📖 To explore Adi Shankaracharya sessions and cultural programs: 🌐 'This is a company press release that is not part of editorial content. No journalist of The Hindu was involved in the publication of this release.'
