India is a land of farmers, with about 75 percent of the 1.1 billion people in the country connected to agriculture.

Govind Ballabh Pant University, in the Pant Nagar town of Udham Singh Nagar, is the first university in India to blend technology with agriculture and has been praised by Nobel Laureate Dr. Norman E. Borlaug as the “Harbinger of the Green Revolution” in India. Established in 1960, the university is situated in the lush green foothills of the Kumaon range of the Himalayas. Since 1966, it has held an All-India Farmers Fair (Kisaan Mela) twice a year, a forum for scientists, farmers, and industry-related people. Of mutual benefit to both the farmers who attend and the exhibitors, it also attracts a large number of agro-industrial firms.

In March 2009, over 15,000 people from all over India participated in the Farmers Fair in Pantnager in the state of Udham Singh Nagar. This is an industrial district, and many industry-related professions are prevalent here. It is the perfect example of a harmonious culture, for which India is so widely known. Various religions and lifestyles blend there harmoniously.

A team of young people decided to have a booth at the fair and introduce Maharaji’s message of peace. They contacted the organizers to rent a space for their stall, put together a presentation on a laptop computer, and arranged for people to come and listen to the presentation. Materials were also produced and made available to the visitors. Because the fair was organized on such a grand scale, more than 5,000 people were introduced to Maharaji’s message in four days, and over 350 people expressed an interest in learning more about it and were given addresses where they could follow up in their area. For the team of young people, it was fun to introduce Maharaji’s message to so many people attending the Fair, and they received many positive comments.

One elderly man said, “Our society can benefit from this message. I like this program, and, God willing, I will visit this stall again.” A University professor commented, “I wish the Vice-Chancellor of Pant Nagar University would invite Maharaji here. His discourse is marvelous. I think he would be very welcome by the students and the staff.” A student at the University remarked, “Maharaji’s message is full of excitement. It sparks both the mind and the heart.”

The young people’s team plans to participate in a similar fair soon, where more than 50,000 visitors are likely to attend.