Aushim Khetarpal Honoured at Arunachalam for Representing Global ‘Baton of Peace & Unity’ Initiative

Ananya soch: At the spiritually revered land of Arunachalam, filmmaker and actor Aushim Khetarpal was honoured with a prestigious spiritual leadership recognition during the 17th Annual Spiritual Festival. The recognition was conferred by esteemed saints and spiritual leaders in acknowledgment of his contributions to cinema, television, and social welfare initiatives that promote spiritual awareness and humanitarian values.

The “Baton of Peace & Unity,” linked to the Sai Baba Peace Awards, began its global journey in October last year at Vatican City under the blessings of Pope Francis. The symbolic torch then travelled across continents, reaching the Mahatma Gandhi Foundation in South Africa, followed by Dallas, USA—home to one of the largest statues of Sai Baba. The journey continued through spiritual institutions associated with Amrita Maa and the Mother Teresa Foundation before culminating at Arunachalam.

In the presence of over 100 saints and spiritual leaders, Aushim Khetarpal ceremonially lit the sacred torch, marking a moment of pride and spiritual significance. Representing such a global initiative dedicated to peace, unity, and humanity is considered a rare honour for an Indian filmmaker and social contributor.

The event was आयोजित under the guidance of Swamy Sai Ravichandran at the Akshaya Sri Sai Dhyana Sabai Temple in devotion to Sai Baba. Thousands of devotees participated in the sacred Girivalam (parikrama), symbolizing deep faith, unity, and service.

Speaking on the occasion, Aushim Khetarpal emphasized the growing need for peace in today’s world, stating that initiatives like the Baton of Peace & Unity carry immense relevance. He described lighting the sacred torch at Arunachala as both a proud and deeply spiritual experience.

With a career spanning over three decades, Khetarpal is known for creating films and television content centered on spiritual themes, including stories of Sai Baba and Baba Ramdevsa Pir. His upcoming film, Children of God, is an inspirational coming-of-age drama addressing themes such as LGBTQIA+ identity, human rights, and self-acceptance, and is slated for theatrical release on June 19.

The festival featured sacred rituals like homam, abhishekam, aarti, bhajans, and nama sankeertanam. Large-scale charitable initiatives, including annadaan (food distribution) and clothing donations to saints, reflected the timeless message of unity—“Sabka Malik Ek.”

The event stood as a powerful spiritual gathering and a meaningful step toward fostering global harmony, compassion, and humanity.