A Visit from the Vice-President

Manav Kendra wore a specially festive look on the harvest festival of Basakhi, falling on 13^th April this year, to welcome the informal visit of His Excellency the Vice-President of India, Shri Gopal Swaroop Pathak. The Vice-President arrived at Manav Kendra at 10:15 a.m. And was received at the Master’s residence by the Master Himself and members of the Managing Committee. The Vice-President, who was accompanied by Mr R.K. Tripathi, the District Magistrate for Dehra Dun, relaxed for a short time in the Master’s sitting room, and while refreshments were served talked with the Master and received a complete set of His books from His hands. It appeard that His Excellency had studied some of the Master’s writings.

A tour of Manav Kendra followed, after which the Vice-President was conducted to the dais in front of the eagerly awaiting group of people who had been individually invited for the occasion. After the National Anthem had been sung by the ladies of the School for the Blind, an address of welcome – Abhinandan Patra – was read by Dr M.M. Chopra, and a framed copy of the same presented to His Excellency. The Master then spoke briefly, outlining the work being done at Manav Kendra:

From my student days I have taken a deep interest in man making, man service, and land service. The highest of these is man making; then comes man service; lastly land service. Regarding land service, there exists a principle that says to grow a blade of grass is more valuable than other patriotic endeavours. […]

I have written a number of books, including one on yoga, which is a comparative study of the various systems and in which I have shown the benefit of that yoga which gives a direct first-hand contact of the soul with the Over-Soul – because this Inner Path is for all and everyone must go through it, sooner or later […]. In the image of this body, temples, mosques and churches have been made – dome-shaped, nose-shaped, forehead-shaped. This place, however, is called ‘Manav Kendra’, meaning the place where man will be developed; and this is its work.

When the Vice-President replied, he expressed his strong approval of the principles the Master is incorporating at Manav Kendra, and congratulated all those who are fortunate in being even a small part of such an important undertaking.

The National Anthem was sung to close the proceedings, and the Vice-President made his way to the waiting car. He was pleased to accept two baskets of fruit parshad from the Master, for his onward journey.