An Inspiring Commitment to Society
A heartwarming story has emerged from Patna, the capital of Bihar, where Pandit Om Tiwari, a priest at the Pancharupi Hanuman Temple, has taken a significant step towards positive social change. He has resolved to facilitate the marriage of one deserving young woman each year, utilizing both his personal income and the offerings (dakshina) he receives at the temple. Pandit Om Tiwari views performing a daughter's marriage as the greatest act of virtue and aims to bring joy to families through this endeavor.
Inspiration Behind the Initiative
Pandit Om Tiwari's commendable initiative draws inspiration from a recent appeal by Prof. Dr. Ranvir Nandan, the chairman of the Bihar Rajya Dharmik Nyas Parishad. Prof. Dr. Ranvir Nandan had urged all temples and monasteries to allocate a portion of their donation box collections to support the marriages of daughters from impoverished families. Furthermore, Pandit Om Tiwari credits the social welfare activities undertaken by the temple's secretary, Mohit Prakash, for reinforcing his belief in the vital social role of religious institutions.
Pandit Om Tiwari firmly believes that religious sites should not merely be confined to worship but must actively engage in community welfare and assist those in need. Through this initiative, he seeks to alleviate the burden of escalating marriage expenses and the hardships faced by economically vulnerable families.
A Life Dedicated to Service
Pandit Om Tiwari has been actively involved in the fields of astrology and religion for the past 14 years. For the last seven months, he has served as the head priest at the Pancharupi Hanuman Temple in Patna. His early education was at Shri Gorakhnath Sanskrit Vidyapeeth, and he pursued higher studies in Varanasi. He has also rendered his services at esteemed institutions such as DAV Public School, Gopalganj, and Anisabad. Currently, he is also the founder of Astro Varta company and the director of Ashok Foundation, planning to channel income from these ventures into his social welfare initiative.
He regularly undertakes pilgrimages and contributes to charitable activities within his capacity. Pandit Om Tiwari's philosophy of life extends beyond accumulating wealth or personal comforts; it encompasses making a meaningful and beneficial contribution to society.
A Message of Respect for Daughters
As a father of two daughters himself, Pandit Om Tiwari deeply understands the significance of daughters. He unequivocally states that a daughter is not a burden to any family, but rather a symbol of honor and good fortune. He aims to transform societal mindsets that, even today, harbor negative perceptions about the birth of daughters. His initiative is a step towards fostering social awareness and ensuring that every daughter receives equal respect and opportunities, thereby encouraging families to take pride in their daughters' progress rather than viewing them as a liability.
