CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE
For UN Vesak Day 2019
I am happy to know that the 16th United Nations Day of Vesak celebration will be hosted by the National Vietnam Buddhist Sangha at the Tam Chuc International Buddhist Convention Centre, Ha Nam Province, Vietnam, from 12 to 14 May, 2019.
The United Nations Day of Vesak (UNDV) celebrates our common civilizational links with millennia old shared religious and cultural history. As Prime Minister Modi remarked at Quan Su Pagoda in September 2016: “While other countries came to Vietnam with the message of violence and war, India came to Vietnam with the message of love and compassion of Lord Buddha”.
The Festival provides an excellent platform to reflect, inspire and imbibe Lord Buddha’s teachings of peace, compassion, equality and truthfulness for harmony and well being of individuals and societies. In this context, the main theme of UNDV-2019 celebrations ‘Buddhist Approach to Global Leadership and Shared Responsibilities for Sustainable Societies’ very aptly underscores the universality and timelessness of Lord Buddha’s message which remains as much relevant today as it was two and a half millennia ago.
I am delighted to be participating in UNDV-2019 and look forward to be a part of Vesak celebrations in Ha Nam Province as part of the delegation led by H.E. Mr. Venkaiah Naidu, Honourable Vice President of India. I commend the inspiring leadership of Most Ven. Dr. Thic Thien Nhon, President of National Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and President of United Nations Day of Vesak Celebration 2019, in hosting the prestigious UNDV celebrations for the third time in Vietnam. The three-day festival will bring participants from many parts of the world. I am sure that the deliberations held on the main theme of the Festival will provide a greater understanding
BOOK OF MESSAGES: UNITED NATIONS DAY OF VESAK 2019 27
of Lord Buddha’s message and inspire us to become good humans and global citizens to face the contemporary world’s challenges together.
May Lord Buddha bless us all !
I wish the celebration of the 16th United Nations Day of Vesak-2019 all success.

Ambassador of India,
H.E. P. Harish