Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday spoke in his monthly radio address of Indian culture was being spread in far-away Argentina and Latin America by a 90-year-old woman who had studied the Indian scriptures and was introduced to Indian culture when she came to India. 

In his address, Modi mentioned the contributions of the Hastinapur Foundation which is "involved in the propagation of Indian Vedic traditions" in Argentina and other Latin American countries. 

"Our culture is very much liked in Argentina. In 2018, during my visit to Argentina, I participated in a yoga program - 'Yoga for Peace'. There is an organization in Argentina - Hastinapur Foundation. 

"It was founded 40 years ago by a lady, Professor Aida Albrecht. Professor Aida Albrecht is going to turn 90 today....When she was 18 years old, she was first introduced to the power of Indian culture. She also spent a lot of time in India. She studied about Bhagavad Gita and Upanishads in depth. Today the Hastinapur Foundation has more than 40,000 members and about 30 branches in Argentina and other Latin American countries," he said.

Modi said that the Hastinapur Foundation has also published more than 100 Vedic and philosophical texts in the Spanish language. "Her ashram is also very enchanting. 

Twelve temples have been built in the ashram, in which there are idols of many Gods and Goddesses. There is also a temple at the center of all this which has been built for Advaitwadi Dhyan (meditation)," he added.

Modi said that the diverse colours and spiritual strength of Indian culture have always attracted people from all over the world.

(SAM)