Yathindra Sapthathi – First Samatha Puraskars
First Samatha Puraskars Honour Bharats Defenders Scientists and Martyrs Families 70 awards presented at the Statue of Equality during HH Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji’s Saptathi Mahotsavam
Serve All Beings as Service to God
The ceremony began with the lighting of the lamp, Vedic chanting, and Vande Mataram sung by students of Nethra Vidyalaya, Swamiji’s institution for visually challenged students.
Professor Purushottam Rao invited the distinguished awardees, guests, and their families and requested HH Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji to welcome them with His mangalasasanams.
In His opening address, Swamiji described the awardees as luminaries whose lives exemplified dedication and selfless service to Bharat. He recalled one of the guiding mantras of His organisation:
“Serve all beings as service to God.”
“This is not merely a noble thought or a spiritual ideal,” He explained. “It’s a way of life.” The awardees, He observed, had given that ideal a living expression.
Drawing upon the Bhagavad Gita, Swamiji explained that just as Karma must be supported by Jnana to become Yoga, the valour of defence personnel must be supported by scientific expertise, advanced medical care, and the determined support of families. He paid special tribute to the Veer Naris, acknowledging the courage and dignity with which they have carried forward their lives.
Swamiji then shared “a small secret.” As a young boy, He had dreamed of becoming a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force. “But God had different plans for us,” He remarked. Surrendering to the Divine will, He became a Dharma Rakshak, “piloting souls through divine skies.”
Swamiji explained that the 70 awardees were the first recipients chosen under His Sankalpa to honour those who serve the motherland. Through these awards, He said, He saluted not only the 70 recipients but all who serve the nation, including those “whose service gets unnoticed, except by the Supreme.” He expressed His wish that the Samatha Puraskars continue in the years ahead.
Honouring Karma Yogis and Jnana Yogis
The ceremony brought together distinguished defence personnel from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, alongside eminent defence scientists, whom Swamiji described as Karma Yogis and Jnana Yogis, recognising the complementary contributions of action and knowledge in protecting and strengthening Bharat.
The honourees represented extraordinary achievements in national defence, military leadership, operational courage, strategic research, missile development, aerospace technology, and indigenous defence innovation.
Their contributions reflected decades of dedication to safeguarding Bharat’s sovereignty and strengthening its scientific and technological capabilities.
The ceremony also recognised defence personnel who participated in Operation Sindoor, acknowledging their courage and commitment in service of the nation.
For detailed profiles and achievements of the distinguished defence personnel and scientists honoured with the Samatha Puraskars, please refer to the commemorative booklet Click Here
“Words become redundant when introducing them. Silence after mentioning their names is more effective.”
Veer Naris, parents, and other family members came forward to receive the Samatha Puraskars and Mangala Sasanams from HH Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji.
When the mother of a fallen soldier from Andhra Pradesh came onto the stage, the gathering honoured her with two rounds of heartfelt applause.
The recognition was a solemn reminder that the sacrifice of a soldier is also borne by the family left behind. Through these posthumous honours, the ceremony expressed profound gratitude not only to the fallen heroes but also to the families who continue to carry their legacy with courage and dignity.
In His concluding address, Swamiji reflected upon Bharat’s extraordinary unity and resilience.
He contrasted the disintegration of the Soviet Union with Bharat’s continued unity despite open borders and a diversity of religions, communities, and political perspectives.
He posed a thought-provoking question:
“What is the protecting shield for us? Is there any golden dome? No.”
Swamiji explained that Bharat’s enduring strength lies in mutual respect and steadfast adherence to one’s values. “We respect each other, and we follow our own,” He observed.
He emphasised that Bharat cherishes peace and respects all, while remaining prepared to protect itself whenever necessary. Referring to Operation Sindoor, He acknowledged the resolve demonstrated by the nation’s leadership and Armed Forces.
Swamiji connected this spirit to Bhagavad Ramanujacharya’s timeless message:
“Worship your own, respect all.”
He recalled how Bhagavad Ramanujacharya challenged discrimination, shared sacred spiritual knowledge with those previously denied access, and opened temple doors to people irrespective of caste or gender.
Explaining the significance of the Statue of Equality, Swamiji described Bhagavad Ramanujacharya’s Namaskara Mudra as an expression of reverence to the Lord residing in the hearts of all beings.
He further highlighted the complementary roles of Sastra Dharis (those who bear weapons) and Saastra Dharis (those who advance scientific knowledge and innovation). While the former protect the body of the nation through courage and valour, the latter strengthen its Atma through scientific knowledge, research, and technological innovation.
Describing the awards as “only a token of our gratitude,” Swamiji told the honourees, “You yourselves are support to the nation itself.”
Offering His mangalasasanams, Swamiji prayed that Bhagavad Ramanujacharya grant them strength, courage, and a happy life, “so that your services will never be retired,” adding that their service would continue to inspire coming generations.
Distinguished Guests and Conclusion
The ceremony was graced by HH Sri Devanatha Jeeyar Swamiji, senior RSS leader Sri Bhaiyyaji Joshi, and Dr. Jupally Rameshwar Rao, Chairman of My Home Group. Sri Bhaiyyaji Joshi and Dr. Rameshwar Rao addressed the gathering.
Swamiji invited the awardees to wear the sacred cloths presented to them as a cherished remembrance of the occasion.
Sri M. Jagadeeshwar, IAS (Retd.), President of Vikasa Tarangini, proposed the Vote of Thanks, expressing gratitude to the distinguished awardees, their families, invited guests, volunteers, and everyone who contributed to the successful organisation of the ceremony.
The programme concluded with Santhi Manthra Patanam and the National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana, rendered by Nethra Vidyalaya students.
Post the presentation of awards, the distinguished awardees and their families were taken for darsanam of Bhagavad Ramanujacharya at the Statue of Equality and subsequently served Prasadam.
– Yathindra Sapthathi,
– 70th Thirunakshatram Celebrations of HH Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji
– Muchintal, Hyderabad | November 11, 2026
