Brazilian Acharya Jonas Masetti Honored with Padma Shri Award

Recognition for a Vedic Guru

Jonas Masetti, a Brazilian spiritual leader who founded the Vishva Vidya Gurukulam in Brazil, received the prestigious Padma Shri award from President Droupadi Murmu. The Vedic teacher accepted the accolade dressed in a white dhoti, barefoot, and adorned with a tilak.

Expressing his surprise, he stated, “I did not anticipate this honor. It is a significant recognition... Many individuals in Brazil are delving into Vedanta, and this award is not solely for me but also for our family, who are dedicated to preserving this tradition,” he shared with a news agency. Known as Acharya Vishvanath, he had previously met the Prime Minister of India during his visit to Brazil last year, where he showcased aspects of the Ramayana in Sanskrit at the G20 Summit.

Jonas Masetti's Journey

Originally from Rio de Janeiro, Masetti worked as a mechanical engineer for leading firms in Brazil. However, he felt 'empty' and sought to discover the 'meaning of life', as he recounted. His quest led him to Vedic traditions, prompting a visit to Swami Dayananda's ashram in Tamil Nadu. Eventually, he returned to Brazil with the intention of sharing the teachings of the Vedas.

He remarked, “There are numerous educators in India, and a Westerner does not need to come here to impart their culture. I observe many young people missing the chance to appreciate their heritage, becoming captivated by Western ideologies.” Currently, he operates an institute named 'Vishwavidya' in Brazil, utilizing technology to disseminate his teachings through various online programs. Previously, PM Modi highlighted that through his 'Free Open Course', Masetti has imparted Vedic principles to over 150,000 students in a span of seven years.

Padma Awards Ceremony

During a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan, President Droupadi Murmu presented the Padma Awards, alongside Prime Minister Modi and other notable figures. Justice (Retd.) J.S. Khehar was honored with the Padma Vibhushan for his contributions to Public Affairs. The Padma Vibhushan was also awarded posthumously to folk singer Sharda Sinha and dancer Kumudini Lakhia.

Additionally, the Padma Bhushan was conferred upon Dr. Shobana Chandrakumar for folk dance, Sadhvi Ritambhara for social work, and economist Bibek Debroy for Literature & Education, with family members accepting the awards on their behalf.