The President’s Visit to Manav Kendra

On 14 March 1972, the President of India, Dr V. V. Giri, spent the day in Dehra Dun, during which he graciously consented to visit Manav Kendra.

Dr V.V. Giri, the President of India, addresses the congregation at Manav Kendra during his visit there on 14th March 1972.

The usual observances of strict security and protocol having been taken, the President arrived by car with accompanying entourage, and was welcomed by the Master and garlanded in traditional Indian manner. Enthusiastic effort had been spent to make the simple surroundings of Manav Kendra neat and acceptable for the honour with a little delicate and tasteful decoration as a visual gesture of welcome to the distinguished visitor.

Dr Giri spoke in praise of Manav Kendra as a project upholding Great Principles, and remarked on the importance of the Master’s work and His amazingly humble way of performing it without publicity or advertisement.

When Bibi Hardevi Ji offered some vegetable juice as refreshment, there was the usual practice of tasting by the chief security officer before the drink was proffered to the President. The tray was then placed before the principals on the dais, and the Master handed one glass of juice to Dr Giri. The officials excitedly exclaimed that the glass the Master had given was the wrong one – the untasted one – but Dr Giri declared that as the Master had given it with His own hands, then he was going to accept and drink it.

After the National Anthem, sung very sweetly by forty-three ladies from the centre for the blind in Rajpur, the President stepped down from the dais, bade a smiling farewell to the Master, and entered his car. The large audience, invited from various walks of life in Dehra Dun, was then given tea and refreshments before returning to the town. Thanks to the dedication of our staff in India, we are able to present here the transcript of Master’s speech of welcome to the President, as well as Dr Giri’s address. We are also including the subjective comments of Master’s Representative in Boston, Mrs Mildred Prendergast, who was present at the occasion with eyes wide open.

Pictorial Report

The President accepts a set of the Master’s books.

 

A glass of vegetable juice.

 

The Master welcoming the President.

 

The President, the Master, Bibi Hardevi, and the President’s entourage stand during the singing of the National Anthem by the ladies from the Women’s Training Centre for the Blind, Rajpur.

 

Ladies from the Women’s Training Centre for the Blind, Rajpur, singing the National Anthem.