President Droupadi Murmu Reflects on Nature During Visit to Puri

Puri: A day after participating in the annual Rath Yatra, President Droupadi Murmu spent a tranquil morning at the sea beach of the holy city of Puri, immersing herself in the serene natural surroundings. Later, she shared her thoughts on social media, reflecting on her experience and emphasizing the importance of reconnecting with nature.

In a heartfelt post on X, President Murmu wrote, “There are places that bring us in closer touch with the essence of life and remind us that we are part of nature. Mountains, forests, rivers, and seashores appeal to something deep within us. As I walked along the seashore today, I felt a communion with the surroundings – the gentle wind, the roar of the waves, and the immense expanse of water. It was a meditative experience.”

She described the profound sense of peace she felt, comparing it to the spiritual experience of having a darshan of Mahaprabhu Shri Jagannathji the previous day. “All of us can feel that way when we encounter something that is far larger than us, that sustains us and that makes our lives meaningful,” she added.

President Murmu expressed concern over humanity’s growing disconnect with nature, citing the adverse effects of exploiting natural resources for short-term benefits. She highlighted the recent heatwaves in India and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events globally as evidence of this imbalance.

“More than seventy percent of the surface of the earth is made up of oceans, and global warming is leading to a rise in global sea levels, threatening to submerge coastal areas. The oceans and the rich variety of flora and fauna found there have suffered heavily due to different kinds of pollution,” she noted.

Drawing inspiration from coastal communities, she praised their deep connection with the sea and their traditional knowledge of nature. “Inhabitants of coastal areas, for example, know the language of the winds and waves of the sea. Following our ancestors, they worship the sea as God,” she wrote.