“Reflect on history, act with conscience,” Pres Ali urges young people

…links spiritual growth to accountability, constancy

A strong sense of conscience formed the basis of President Dr Irfaan Ali’s address during his attendance at the Maha Shivratri 2026 festival. He said that constancy and consciousness are two of the most important themes highlighted by the festival, describing them as essential reminders drawn from spiritual teachings. According to the President, true spiritual development is not possible without both conscience and consciousness, and society must reflect on whether these values are being lost.

The Head of State stressed that consciousness goes beyond spirituality alone, explaining that spirituality cannot thrive where there is hunger, anger, social decay, war and other negative forces. He noted that spirituality is often narrowly defined as God-consciousness but said it requires deeper accountability and moral awareness. “But God consciousness and God fearing comes with a lot more than spirituality – God consciousness is our ability to recognise that there is a superior understanding, there is a superior valuation and there is a superior evaluation on our every action and our every move. That leads us to who we are and what is expected of us first as human beings,” he stated. Addressing young people and emerging leaders, the President urged reflection grounded in history and struggle rather than convenience. “To the young people and everybody who are coming up, we must evaluate our connection with things based on history, based on struggles, not based opportunistically on a moment in time. When you want to know how great your parents were, don’t evaluate them on one little coil you have today… Go back to the conscience of a mother that carried you for nine months. Go back to the conscience of a father whose greatest joy was to pat you on your back or to rub your head to make you fall asleep,” he said. He further explained that consciousness involves a broad understanding of history and society. He pointed out that when the ashram was first established, it came at a time when the presence and expression of Hinduism was being pushed out of mainstream society, noting that there was a period when conversion to Christianity was effectively required for entry into the civil service. He described this as a historical reality that cannot be ignored and said the point was not political but structural in nature. Referencing his affiliation with the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), he said, “The most constant organisation has always been and I am very proud that I am part of this organisation, the People’s Progressive Party. In our history there was a period when the consciousness of this party was questioned.” Meanwhile, he underscored its link to conscience and lasting spiritual awareness. “Constancy is directly related to conscience, because the consciousness and awakening of the spiritual being in us today is of very little use if it is only awakened today. Today is just but a reminder that that conscience exists and that consciousness exists so we can take it through the rest of the year and the rest of our life. So, I remind myself and I remind all of us of this festival,” he said.

Humility, limits of human strength
He also highlighted the significance of Lord Shiva in Hindu belief, describing the deity as a symbol of creation, preservation and dissolution. He said the festival provides an opportunity to contemplate the cycle of life and renewal and to acknowledge the divine source of all power. Maha Shivratri, he stated, reminds humanity that ultimate authority over life and death rests with the Divine. In that recognition, he urged humility and an understanding of the limits of human strength. President Ali also pointed to the religious practices associated with the observance, including fasting, prayer, meditation and the chanting of sacred mantras. He said these acts represent spiritual discipline and devotion, while offerings in temples symbolise love and surrender. Additionally, he underscored the moral teachings associated with Lord Shiva, particularly the values of detachment from excess and commitment to righteousness. He said the festival serves as a reminder of the need for generosity in a world where wealth and hardship exist side by side.