Mumbai, August 5, 2026 — On a quiet afternoon in Mumbai, representatives of different faiths gathered under one roof. Buddhist monks in maroon robes sat alongside members of other communities as Maharashtra Governor Jishnu Dev Varma rose to present the National Integration and Social Harmony Award.
The recipients were two figures from very different backgrounds. The first was Palga Rinpoche, the 8th reincarnate Lama of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition from Ladakh. The second was senior thinker Indresh Kumar. Both were recognised for their long-standing efforts to promote peace, national unity and social harmony across communities.
The programme had been organised at the initiative of Deputy Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, Shri Anna Bansode. What unfolded was not a loud political event but a simple, dignified ceremony focused on shared values.
As the Governor presented the awards, the hall reflected a rare mix of identities — members of the Buddhist Sangha, representatives of various religions, and invited dignitaries sat together. In a further gesture of respect for Buddhist tradition, the Governor also offered Kathina robes, known as Chivar Daan, to the monks present.
The ceremony carried a quiet message. At a time when differences often dominate public conversation, the event underlined the importance of those who work silently to bring people closer. For Palga Rinpoche, the recognition reflected decades of spiritual work rooted in compassion and coexistence in the high Himalayas of Ladakh. For Indresh Kumar, it acknowledged his efforts in fostering dialogue and understanding across social and religious lines.
By the time the programme concluded, the message left behind was simple yet powerful: national integration is not built only through policies and speeches, but through the steady work of individuals who choose harmony over division.
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