BKUN Newsletter: Festivities, Fanfare, Inaugurate Newst Brahma Kumaris Retreat Center

Festivities, Fanfare, Inaugurate Newest Brahma Kumaris Retreat Center

President of

India

Joins Senior BKs at First Convention

A new Brahma Kumaris (BK) retreat center in Bhorakalan, Delhi,

India

opened April 19 amid festivities involving 5,000 guests, prominent among them the president of India and other high-ranking government officials. BK Dadis, the original members of the meditation organization founded in 1936, greeted about 2,000 dignitaries in the new 2,200-seat auditorium at Om Shanti Retreat Centre (ORC), which is named for the raja yoga greeting meaning, “I am a peaceful soul.”

The intended function of the ORC is to create a learning environment where individuals can explore personal growth and experiment with ways of integrating the spiritual dimension in their professional work and community service. It is a place that will routinely draw together both well-known figures and new and existing meditators. The environment was widely acknowledged to be a work of art.

With a poem and a group recitation, H.E. Dr. Abdul Kalam, president of

India

, set a distinctive tone for the start of the first convention in the new hall. The gathering focused on the topic “The Evolution of a Good Human Being.” Dr. Kalam was heralded for his role as scientist, spiritual leader, and the country’s “number one citizen.” Haryana governor Mr. Babu Parmanand and chief minister Mr. Om Prakash Chautala were also in attendance, along with with B.K. Prakashmani (chief administrative head of the Brahma Kumaris), Dadi Janki (co-administrative head), and Dadi Gulzar (additional administrative head).

The meeting marked a moment of international convergence before the Dadis scattered to other programs in Chennai, Bangalore,

Sri Lanka

, and London. President Kalam arrived and departed via helicopter, accompanied by two other helicopters and welcomed by a large fleet of well-wishers. Security was heavy for the event, with some 2,000 police officers lining buildings and rooftops.

Press, TV, and radio coverage carried the event nationally. Selective portions were broadcast on prime-time national news.

— B.K. Nirwair, Mt. Abu,

India

, e-mail bkgs@vsnl.com


Summer 2003 \| Issue 1, Volume 1 \| Back to the main BKUN site
• Introduction News Stories: Message from Dadi Janki Sister, Catch This Dime President of India Inaugurates Newest BK Retreat Centre Croatian Business Leaders Think Global BK Participation in COMESA World Social Forum in Brazil Commission on the Status of Women UNESCO Workshop on Righting Racism United Nations/Civil Society Relations World Summit on the Information Society BK Portraits— Third Eye	Festivities, Fanfare, Inaugurate Newest Brahma Kumaris Retreat Center President of India Joins Senior BKs at First Convention A new Brahma Kumaris (BK) retreat center in Bhorakalan, Delhi, India opened April 19 amid festivities involving 5,000 guests, prominent among them the president of India and other high-ranking government officials. BK Dadis, the original members of the meditation organization founded in 1936, greeted about 2,000 dignitaries in the new 2,200-seat auditorium at Om Shanti Retreat Centre (ORC), which is named for the raja yoga greeting meaning, “I am a peaceful soul.” The intended function of the ORC is to create a learning environment where individuals can explore personal growth and experiment with ways of integrating the spiritual dimension in their professional work and community service. It is a place that will routinely draw together both well-known figures and new and existing meditators. The environment was widely acknowledged to be a work of art. With a poem and a group recitation, H.E. Dr. Abdul Kalam, president of India, set a distinctive tone for the start of the first convention in the new hall. The gathering focused on the topic “The Evolution of a Good Human Being.” Dr. Kalam was heralded for his role as scientist, spiritual leader, and the country’s “number one citizen.” Haryana governor Mr. Babu Parmanand and chief minister Mr. Om Prakash Chautala were also in attendance, along with with B.K. Prakashmani (chief administrative head of the Brahma Kumaris), Dadi Janki (co-administrative head), and Dadi Gulzar (additional administrative head). The meeting marked a moment of international convergence before the Dadis scattered to other programs in Chennai, Bangalore, Sri Lanka, and London. President Kalam arrived and departed via helicopter, accompanied by two other helicopters and welcomed by a large fleet of well-wishers. Security was heavy for the event, with some 2,000 police officers lining buildings and rooftops. Press, TV, and radio coverage carried the event nationally. Selective portions were broadcast on prime-time national news. — B.K. Nirwair, Mt. Abu, India, e-mail bkgs@vsnl.com