Thousands of people from different walks of life and regions of the county have been reaching this small town located close to the district headquarters to take part in an annual conference, being organised for the 544th consecutive year. The three-day conference is an occasion for those who follow the preachings of Umar Alisha to come together and pray for global peace.
Abutting the railway track on the Kakinada-Pithapuram road, the sprawling ashram premises located amid lush green vegetable and flower gardens is a place where people of any race and religion can walk in. It is a platform for philanthropists to donate and the needy to get help.
“Universal peace is the mantra we preach here. Meditation will be taught and practised, besides encouraging people to undertake social service,” says Umar Alisha, the ninth generation head of the spiritual organisation established by his forefathers. His forefathers had been into preaching, social service and literary activities, and as their successor, Mr. Alisha is continuing the legacy in all the fields. He was instrumental in establishing the new ashram on the sprawling premises.
Service activities
The Umar Alisha Rural Development Trust, service wing of the spiritual organisation, has been into rural education and health sectors. It is running educational institutions and health centres, besides conducting skill development camps for destitute women.
Launched as a small organisation five centuries ago, the peetham is now enjoying the patronage of philanthropists from all over the country. Cutting across religious lines, people visit the ashram every year and participate in the annual events. The conference that ended on Saturday is one of the major annual events.
“Absence of spiritualism among the people is causing disturbances to the daily life all over the world. It is time we spread spiritualism, which is the only means to address the challenge of global unrest,” Mr. Alisha said during his address.
The volunteers engaged themselves in jobs such as distributing water and milk to the public, collecting the details of those who needed medical and financial help and making arrangements for serving food.
There has been a steady increase in the turnout over a period of time.
