Why everyone is chanting the mantra of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam at WEF in Davos

From PM Narendra Modi to Klaus Martin Schwab, founder and executive chairperson of the WEF, everyone chanted Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam at Davos.

Davos, Jan 24: India not only means business, but philosophy too.

On the inaugural day of the 48th edition of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland on Tuesday, India was omnipresent, literally.

From Prime Minister Narendra Modi's well-appreciated keynote address, exquisite desi cuisine on the platter to live yoga sessions on display, India showcased its best at the biggest global summit in Davos.

While Modi is hard selling the country at the four-day long international forum with the tagline--"India means business", it's the age-old Indian philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam which is winning everyone's heart at the picturesque town nestled in the Swiss Alps.

Klaus Martin Schwab, founder and executive chairperson of the WEF, while introducing Modi at the summit invoked India's philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam to the utter glee of all the Indian delegates present there.

The Sanskrit phrase, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, means the world is one family.

Business tycoon Anand Mahindra, who was at the event, said that the slight tongue-twisting phrase (especially for foreigners) caused little discomfort to Schwab to pronounce it perfectly; however, it was a "brave attempt" on the part of the German economist and engineer to spread the message of unity and diversity in a fractured world.

"While introducing @PMOIndia Klaus Schwab, praised India's philosophy of Vasusdhaiva Kutumbakam. His pronunciation of the phrase wasn't perfect but he made a brave attempt! He is right: that philosophy of ours is what makes us stand out in a fractured world," tweeted the chairperson of Mahindra Group.

While introducing @PMOIndia Klaus Schwab, praised India’s philosophy of Vasusdhaiva Kutumbakam. His pronunciation of the phrase wasn’t perfect but he made a brave attempt! He is right: that philosophy of ours is what makes us stand out in a fractured world. pic.twitter.com/lGFHAwgCvJ

— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) January 23, 2018

It was not just Schwab, who chanted Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam at the annual Swiss jamboree of the rich and powerful. Modi too stressed on the age-old mantra of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam to highlight the importance of unity in solving various global problems during his speech at the WEF in Davos.

Speaking at the plenary session of the WEF, the PM said the mantra was crucial to bridge the existing gap in humanity.

"India has always believed in values of integration and unity or Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam which means the entire world is one family. It is relevant to bridge distances. We have always believed in uniting humanity, not breaking it," he said.

The Sanskrit phrase used in ancient Hindu texts like the Maha Upanishad resonated well with the delegates at the WEF in Davos, especially at a time when the world is in chaos.

Moreover, the credo of this year's WEF summit is "creating a shared future in a fractured world".

So, what could work best to mend the bridges and heal the world than to follow in the footsteps of the ancient Indian adage--Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.

Coming together of more than 2,500 delegates including top politicians, economists, business honchos and celebrities from 100 countries at the summit, Davos itself is a mini-example of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.

OneIndia News