Thank you!
Helle Bank Jørgensen, GCB.D, CCB.D and NACD.DC
CEO Competent Boards. #1 Amazon Bestselling Author, Global Keynote Speaker. Thought Leader & Corporate Advisor.
This is Thanksgiving weekend in the US, and I will use this occasion to thank all of you who read my newsletter from all over the world.
This past month has been extraordinary for me. I visited India and was met with so much warmth and wisdom. I had so many meetings and the opportunity to speak at numerous events next to extraordinary leaders.
I have so many pictures and stories to share, but today, on this last day of the month, let me share one of my very beautiful memories: the lamp-lighting ceremony at the Bombay Stock Exchange Limited (BSE) .
I was asked to light the lamp together with Ms. Kamala Kantharaj , the Chief Regulatory Officer of BSE. This was very special to me, and it was a pleasure to share this very special moment with Shailesh Haribhakti [GCB.D] , Anirban Ghosh , Vikesh Wallia , and Rajeev Peshawaria from Singapore.
A lamp-lighting ceremony is a traditional ritual in many Indian cultures, particularly Hinduism. It marks the beginning of a new endeavor, a celebration, or a special occasion.
Here's a brief overview I received from Vikesh, who organized the fantastic conference:
Significance
The lamp, known as a "diya," symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.
Procedure
The ceremony typically involves the lighting of a lamp by a dignitary, elder, or a prominent guest. The lamp is usually filled with oil or ghee, and a cotton wick is used to light it.
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Occasions
Lamp lighting ceremonies are commonly held during various events, such as:
Benefits
The lamp lighting ceremony is believed to bring:
I wish we could light the lamp for our world and all of us living on our little blue planet.
Best wishes and thank you to all Stewards of the Future
Helle
CEO Competent Boards. #1 Amazon Bestselling Author, Global Keynote Speaker. Thought Leader & Corporate Advisor.
6dThank you so much for your kind words. It was a true pleasure to meet you and all the leaders and to learn from you all.
Global Technology & Innovation Leader|Wharton Alumni |Founder and CEO - Social Enterprise|Board Member & Strategic Advisor|Certified Independent Director (IICA)|ESG Impact Leader|Duke LEAP Topper| Fellow BoardStewardship
6dWhat a wonderful post, Helle! ♥️ It was truly a privilege meeting you🙏 I am deeply grateful for the way you lit the lamp of knowledge within us and inspired the audience to embark on a transformative path of Board Leadership journey & Sustainability through your impactful speech.
Business Leader | Independent Board of Director | Pursuing Ph.D. from IIM, Ranchi
1wVisit again Helle Bank Jørgensen, GCB.D, CCB.D and NACD.DC
Thanks Helle Bank Jørgensen, GCB.D, CCB.D and NACD.DC for sharing about Lamp Lighting ritual that is part of all functions particularly in India. Your kind presence at Bombay Stock Exchange Limited (BSE) on 19th November 2024 was an honour for Board Stewardship and a true delight for an audience of over 200 who came from all over India to listen to you ! We look forward to your visit again !
Industry Advisor - BFSI at Tata Consultancy Services
1wHelle Nice articulation about the significance of lighting of a lamp in the Indian culture. The spiritual connotation of the light (lamp) is profoundly enunciated in the Indian Vedic literature (Upnishads) as: ॐ असतो मा सद्गमय । तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय । मृत्योर्मा अमृतं गमय । ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥ Rough translation: Supreme Divine, From the darkness of ignorance, lead me towards the Light of knowledge. From the sphere of mortality and material attachment, lead me towards the world of Immortality (self-realization and enlightenment). In modern times, one of the leading Hindi poets - Dr. Harivanshrai Bachchan - has penned a beautiful composition about the indomitable spirit of lighting the lamp while facing challenges and adversities. है अँधेरी रात पर दीपक जलाना कब मना है. Roughly translated as: Agreed, the night is dark. However, lighting of the lamp is never forbidden.