Aushim Khetarpal Honoured for Representing the “Baton of Peace & Unity” Initiative
Arunachalam, Tiruvannamalai | May 1, 2026: At the sacred land of Tiruvannamalai, filmmaker and actor Aushim Khetarpal was honoured with a spiritual leadership recognition during the 17th Annual Spiritual Festival held at Arunachalam. The honour was conferred by revered saints and spiritual leaders in recognition of his contributions to films, television, and social welfare initiatives that promote spiritual awareness and humanitarian values.
The “Baton of Peace & Unity,” associated with the Sai Baba Peace Awards, was first initiated in October last year at Vatican City by the Pope. The torch then travelled to the Mahatma Gandhi Foundation in South Africa, followed by Dallas (USA), where one of the largest statues of Sai Baba is स्थापित. From there, it moved through Amrita Maa and the Mother Teresa Foundation before arriving at the sacred Arunachalam in Tiruvannamalai.
In the presence of over 100 saints and spiritual leaders, the torch was ceremonially lit by Aushim Khetarpal, marking a proud and significant moment. It is a rare honour for an Indian filmmaker and social contributor to represent this global initiative dedicated to peace, unity, and humanity.
The event was organised under the guidance of Swamy Sai Ravichandran by Akshaya Sri Sai Dhyana Sabai Temple in devotion to Sai Baba. Thousands of devotees participated in the sacred Girivalam (parikrama), symbolising faith, service, and spiritual unity.
Speaking on the occasion, Aushim Khetarpal said,
“In today’s world, there is an urgent need for peace. Initiatives like the ‘Baton of Peace & Unity’ and the Sai Baba Peace Awards carry immense significance. Lighting this sacred torch on the holy land of Arunachala is both a proud and deeply spiritual experience for me.”
Aushim Khetarpal is widely known for his work in films and television, especially projects based on Sai Baba and Baba Ramdevsa Pir. For over three decades, he has been using cinema as a medium to spread spiritual awareness and social messages. His upcoming film “Children of God” is an inspirational coming-of-age social drama that highlights important themes such as LGBTQIA+ identity, human rights, and self-acceptance. The film is scheduled for release in theatres on June 19.
The festival also featured a series of sacred rituals, including homam, abhishekam, aarti, nama sankeertanam, and bhajans. In the true spirit of service, large-scale charitable initiatives such as distribution of clothes to saints, annadaan (food donation), and community meals were conducted, reflecting the timeless message: “Sabka Malik Ek.”
The event stood not only as a spiritual celebration but also as a meaningful step toward promoting unity, compassion, and humanity on a global scale.
