Pune, 5 September 2023: The G20 Interfaith Summit kicks off with Dr. Vishwanath Karad’s Bronze Statue Inauguration followed by the felicitation of chief guests and other religious leaders. The inauguration ceremony was graced by esteemed dignitaries, including Hon’ble D. Todd Christofferson, Religious Leader & Chairman of the Executive Committee of Brigham Young University Board of Trustees, Hon’ble King Husein, Chairman & CEO, Span Construction & Engineering, Inc. USA, Hon’ble Dr. Ashok Joshi, Founder, Microlin LLC, Salt Lake City, USA, Hon’ble Dr. Ronald Gunnell, Founder, Global Chairman at Truth Alone Triumphs – Global Enterprises, LLC, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, Hon’ble W. Cole Durham Jr, Founding Director, International Center for Law and Religion Studies, and Hon’ble Brian Grim, President, Religious Freedom & Business Foundation, USA, amongst others.
The bronze statue, a striking representation of Dr. Karad is a tribute to his unwavering dedication, and extraordinary contributions to fostering excellence in education and interfaith dialogue. It will serve as a source of hope and inspiration for countless generations to come. The magnificent bronze statue, a creation commissioned by three universities from Salt Lake City, USA, viz Brigham Young University, University of Utah and Westminster University, stands tall at an impressive height of 12 feet and 5 inches, with a length of 4 feet and 5 inches, and a width of 3 feet and 5 inches.
Dr. Vishwanath Karad, Visionary Educationist, UNESCO Chair Holder and Founder President of MIT World Peace University, expressed his gratitude, stating, “This moment is a testament to the power of education and the enduring pursuit of peace. I am grateful and deeply honored by this gesture, which symbolizes our shared commitment to a brighter, more harmonious world through education and interfaith collaboration. The G20 Interfaith Summit is aligned with our unwavering commitment to forging a harmonious and sustainable world. I look forward to the engaging conversations and knowledge dissemination by some of the best minds from around the world.”
King Husein, Chairman & CEO, Span Construction & Engineering, Inc. USA further added, “I stand before you today to pay tribute to Dr. Karad on behalf of his countless American admirers. Dr. Karad did not seek or request for this honor, he dedicated his entire life to fostering peace and unity among all people. The unveiling of this statue is not merely a ceremony; it is a profound testament to the undeniable hand of God.”
D. Todd Christofferson, Religious Leader & Chairman of the Executive Committee of Brigham Young University Board of Trustees, commented, “This day holds a captivating essence and profound significance. As we celebrate Teacher’s Day in India, it is only fitting that we honor not just a teacher, but a trailblazer, a profound thinker, and a tireless advocate for global harmony. It is my honor to have the opportunity to unveil this statue, a symbol of profound inspiration.”
“It is a profound privilege to stand here on this momentous day. The statue of the esteemed Professor Dr. Vishwanath Karad serves as an enduring reminder of his invaluable contributions to mankind, ensuring that his legacy continues to inspire future generations.” Said Ronald C. Gunnell, Founder, Global Chairman at Truth Alone Triumphs – Global Enterprises, LLC, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.
Dr. Ashok Joshi, Founder, Microlin LLC, Salt Lake City, USA added, “Around three years ago, in a conversation with King Husein, the seeds of an idea were sown – the idea to erect a statue in honor of Dr. Vishwanath Karad. Today, that idea has blossomed into a momentous occasion where we pay tribute to the greatest educator of our century, Dr. Karad. His unwavering commitment not only to universal education but also to spirituality is truly exceptional. I am happy to be here today in honoring the remarkable legacy of Dr. Karad.”
Executive President of MIT-WPU, Rahul Karad, concluded, “It is indeed a rare and exceptional occasion to unveil a statue in honor of a living individual. The overwhelming love and respect demonstrated by these esteemed dignitaries for Dr. Vishwanath Karad have left an indelible mark on us. Words fail to capture the depth of my emotions. With profound humility, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the distinguished dignitaries, revered religious leaders, and saints who have graced us with their presence on this historic day and bestowed their blessings upon us.”
The three-day G20 Interfaith Summit (5th – 7th Sept) will bring together a broad collection of people from India and around the World with an anticipated participation of over 2000 attendees, including more than 100 professional speakers and presenters. Government officials, representatives of international organisations, members of civil society, academics, and members of religious groups will come together to create a shared vision for a better future.