Report on Delhi Young Adult Sahavas October 2003
By- (Manoj Sethi)
Secretary
Avatar Meher Baba Centre, Delhi
Sahavas with the Beloved
means, being on the shore of the Ocean of Love and having the opportunity to
draw as much love as one can, as the Beloved is the Ocean of Love. Beloved
Baba said, "Your love for Me should have free expression in the mode or form
best suited to you. It should shine through you to others, awakening their
hearts to receive this divine gift. Gatherings and meetings in My name
should be a channel for the expression of My love, and to give them any
other importance is to misunderstand My cause". Keeping these precious words
of Baba in our hearts, we at Avatar Meher Baba Centre Delhi had
organized the Second Young Adult Sahavas from 11th through 13th October,
2003.
As per revered Bhaujis directions, we designed the Sahavas in a unique
manner. Bhauji had directed us to conduct the programme in difference
places, so that the true purpose of flow of Divine love among Baba's
children in different places, could be achieved. The Sahavasees spent the
first day of Sahavas in Delhi, the second day in Hamirpur and in the third
day of the programme, they visited places like, Ingohta, Maudaha, Mahewa and
Meherasthana. Here is a detailed day by day report of the second Delhi Young
Adult Sahavas.
First Day; Saturday, 11th October,
2003
The programme started with the Arti of Beloved Baba at 7.00 am in the
morning of 11th October, followed by distribution of "Prasad". A beautifully
designed welcome card, depicting Beloved Baba with children was distributed
among the Sahavasees and the programme took off with glittering smiles on
all the faces. After breakfast, at 9.00 am, Bhauji's opening message was
read out and copies of the message were distributed. Bhauji had meaningfully
described how all of us are in Sahavas with the Beloved from the beginning
of the creation and opening of the programme of Sahavas is a reminder for
all of us to always remain in the Ocean of His Bliss forever and ever.
Welcome message of the President, Sh. Pratap Meher and the Secretary, Sh.
Manoj Sethi were read out.
After messages, it was time for introduction of all the Sahavasees and the
itinerary of the whole programme was read out and explained. At 10.00 am, it
was time for Meher Chalisa, Bhajans and Songs. The recitation of Meher
Chalisa by Sh. G.S. Nigam, Smt. Nigam and Smt. Nandini Mathur left everybody
spell bound. The bhajan programme consisted of "Katil Teri Nazar se", "Tera
Sahara Hamein Raat Din"; by Smt. Nandini Mathur ; "Ayere Ayre"; by Smt.
Nandini Mathur & Dharmistha, "Jin Dhyayo"; by Sh. Nigam, ; "Sab Mil Bolo";
by Smt. Nandini Mathur and Chorus & two Qawalie's "Kis Shaan Se Mehfil
Mein"; and "Ab Kya Bataoon"; by Sh. Gopi, enchanted everybody. At
11.00 am, it was time for tree plantation project and group discussion. All
the Sahavasees participated in the tree plantation programme. In group
discussion, to give a chance to everybody for participation, each Sahavasee
was made to pick up a Baba quote and share his/her thoughts regarding the
same. Everybody contributed brilliantly in the whole process. The group
discussion was followed by an enlightening speech by Sh. R.N. Malhotra, one
of the prominent Baba Lovers of Delhi. Sh. Malhotra, mainly concentrated on
the explanation of "Consciousness & Feelings"; and "Love & Lust", and how
one should put her effort in loving God by loving others. Many Sahavasees
asked questions to Sh. Malhotra regarding their doubts on different aspects
of spirituality, which where satisfactorily answered.
At 1.00 pm, all had lunch and had free time till 3.00 pm. At 3.00 pm, all
the Sahavasees went to "Prayaas", an organisation dedicated for the
education, vocational growth and overall upliftment of neglected girls in
the society. The experience was beyond description, when the girls in
Prayaas met their more privileged social siblings. The girls first of all
introduced themselves to the Sahavasees and vice versa. The girls
accompanied the Sahavasees in reciting Baba's Prayers and Arti. Those were
moments of moving sentiments when the hosts left no stone unturned in
welcoming their guests by singing and dancing at the time of their
introduction. The Sahavasees distributed sweets and chocolates among the
girls. Three competitions, i.e. Drawing/Painting, Rangoli and Mehendi were
organised. One had to see to believe it how dexterously the girls performed
in all the three areas. With distribution of prizes, the project came to an
end.
At 6.30 pm, it was time for celebration of the First Anniversary of the
Young Adult Sahavas in Delhi, that was organized from 13th through 15th of
October last year. An anniversary cake with as many candles lit up, as
the number of Sahavasees was cut. A unique anniversary card, with a candle
each from the anniversary cake fixed in it was distributed to all, alongwith
Souvenirs of Golden Jubilee Celebration of Delhi Centre and Baba books.
At 7.30 pm, all the Sahavasees departed for the Railway Station to get on
board of the train to Kanpur at 9.35 pm. Prof. & Smt. B.N. Bhasin and Sh.
Madan Bhasin were kind enough to accompany the Sahavasees during the rest of
the programme of Sahavas.
Second Day: Sunday, 12th October,
2003
The Unchahar Express, with all the Sahavasees on board arrived at the Kanpur
Railway station, at 5.30 am on the 12th October. Little did the Sahavasees
know at that time that they had started a journey, which was of utmost
spiritual importance for their lives.
The love with which the Sahavasees were welcomed at the Avatar Meher Baba
Kanpur Centre is beyond the limited boundaries of literary expressions. A
briefing about the history of the Kanpur Centre was followed by Arti and
Prasad distribution. After having breakfast, at 8.00 am, the Sahavasees
started their journey to Hamirpur, better known as the Heart of
Beloved Baba.
At 11.15 am, when the bus carrying the Sahavasees approached the Hamirpur
Centre, the Baba Lovers of Hamirpur were seen standing on the road to greet
the Sahavasees. Everybody realised at that moment, why Baba had said
Hamirpur is My heart.
The programme of Hamirpur started at 12.30 pm with welcome speech by Sh.
P.C. Nigam. All the Sahavasees introduced themselves to the Baba Lovers of
Hamirpur. The Sahavas cards, Bhauji's opening message, Baba Books and
Souvenirs of the Golden Jubilee Celebration of Delhi were distributed to the
Baba Lovers and volunteers of Hamirpur Centre.
After lunch session, it was time for some enlightening moments with Sh.
Pratap Chandra Nigam, Trustee of Meherastana Trust. He started His speech
with a quote of Baba, "He who approaches Me with a heart full of love has my
Sahavas". Sh. Nigam then delved upon the history of Hamirpur and about Sh.
Baba Das, who was the first among the Lovers of Beloved Baba in Hamipur. The
emotional narration of Baba&'s visit to Hamirpur on 18th & 19th November,
1952 made the hearts of everybody ache with the love for Baba. Everybody
present had a clear idea, why Baba had said, "If you wish to get My love,
then you will have to pass through the streets of Hamirpur".
From 5.00 pm to 8.00 pm, it was time for the service projects. All the
Sahavasees participated in the tree plantation project inside the premises
of the Hamirpur Centre. The Sahavasees did cleaning of the main Prayer Hall
and the project of assembling the books of the library of the Centre. Then
the Sahavasees, draped Beloved Baba's idol with beautiful clothes. The sight
of the children clothing their Beloved Father was beyond expression.
After Arti, at 7.30 pm, a programme of song and dance was presented by the
pupils of the Meher School. The dances on "Aadi Sachetan", & "Welcome song",
"Vandana" and "Dandia item". were among the rarest of sights the Sahavasees
might have ever witnessed before.
After the dance programme, at 8.00 pm, Sh. G.S. Nigam, honourable Trustee of
Meher Pukar Press Trust and the Administration-in-charge of Meher School,
made an appeal to all the prominent Baba Centres to put in efforts for
forming Meher Schools in all over India. This, as per him, would go a long
way in training the next generation with Beloved Baba's principles Love &
Truth.
Sh. Shiv Prasad Sashtri, one of the prominent Baba Lovers of Hamirpur,
described about incidents of Baba's Newlife and Baba's visit to Hamirpur.
After the speech of Sh. Shiv Prasad Shastri, Prof. B.N. Bhasin, who
accompanied the Sahavasees, all the way from Delhi narrated the story of Dr.
Dhaulat Singh. Dr. Dhaulat Singh, whom beloved Baba had ordered to lead a
life of penance and begging for one month, followed the order of His Beloved
by leading such a life for a whole year. Prof. Bhasin also extensively
discussed the New Life of Beloved Baba.
Ms. Rakhi Sharma, the Sahavas Coordinator gave a detailed description on the
essence of Sahavas and what activities are organised in Sahavas programmes
in Meherabad and other parts of India. She shared her rich experience in
different Sahavas programmes she had attended and gave a detailed idea on
the aim and goal of the Sahavas programme.
After dinner, from 10.00 pm, the Hamirpur Centre arranged a video show for
the Sahavasees depicting the whole of the day's activities of the Sahavas.
All the Sahavasees enjoyed the show till 11.00 pm and then it was curfew
time.
Third Day – Monday, 13th
October, 2003
After morning Arti and breakfast, the Sahavasees started their journey for
Meherastana. In February 1954, when the Baba Lovers of Mahewa prayed Baba to
stay the night there, Baba said, 'I will rest at my home in Meherastana".
So, Baba's children from different parts of India started their journey from
their Father's heart to their Father's home. On its way towards Meherastana
the convoy stopped at Ingohta, where Baba had spent two nights during His
visit to Hamirpur & Meherastana. Sh. P.C. Nigam informed that with Ingohta,
Baba had completed a full circle around Hamirpur. All participated in the
Arti in front of the beautiful idol of the Beloved.
There was another stopover at Maudaha, where Beloved Baba gave Darshan
during His Fiery Free Life. The idol of Baba during His school days reminded
everybody of the little Krishna (Bal Gopal) and all the eyes were filled
with tears of love for the Beloved. As per Sh. P.C. Nigam, there was no
programme of Beloved Baba to visit Meherastana. But such was the Divine play
of the Perfect One that He got upset in Maudaha because His orders were not
obeyed properly and returned back. With repeated request by the Lovers, Baba
agreed to go to Meherastana.
At 11.30 am, the Sahavasees reached Meherastana. The location of Meherastana
does remind everybody of Meherabad. Baba's "Kutiya" (hut) is located on the
upper Meherastana and the trust office is in the lower Meherastana. Here the
Sahavasees decorated Baba's "Kutiya" with rangoli, beautiful clothes, Baba's
flags and other decorative. Some of the Sahavasees engaged themselves in
tree plantation in different places of upper Meherastana. The love for the
Beloved was oozing out of everybody's hearts. The Sahavasees lightened
fourteen "Diyas" in memory of Baba's washing the feet of fourteen boys of
fourteen years old who were given fourteen rupees each by Baba, here. The
Sahavasees met some of those fourteen gifted souls.
After Arti, Sh. P.C. Nigam was kind enough to narrate a brief history of
Meherastana. On 21st November, 1952, Baba visited Maudaha, where two
colleges, i.e. National Inter College and Rehmania Inter College invited
Him. When Baba visited National Inter College, He declared, "I will always
be present here". Then Baba visited an orphanage, under the management of
Rehmania Inter College. There Baba said He would wash the feet of fourteen
boys of fourteen years and bow down in front of each child. After Baba had
washed the feet of the first child and preparing to bow down at his feet,
the child went back. This made Baba upset and Baba cancelled His tour and
returned back. But again with the repeated request of the Lovers, Baba
agreed to come to Meherastana with the same condition that He will wash the
feet of fourteen boys of fourteen years each, prostrate before them and give
fourteen rupees to each of them. The conditions were successfully fulfilled
and Baba was very happy. Again Baba came to Meherastana in February, 1954
Baba rested at the "Kutiya" in the night of 9th February and observed a
whole night's "Jagran" (awakening) with the Mandali. At 12.50 am, Baba
declared His Avatarhood by raising His right hand and indicating "Avatar
Meher Baba Ki Jai".
The Sahavasees had lunch in lower Meherastana and with heavy hearts started
their journey back to Hamirpur. At 5.00 pm, the Sahavasees reached Hamirpur.
Bhauji's closing message for the Sahavas was readout here and distributed to
all present. After Arti, at 5.30 pm, the Sahavasees left "Baba's heart" for
Kanpur railway station and it was the end of the Sahavas programme and
beginning of another phase of the eternal Sahavas with the Highest of the
High. At Kanpur railway station, the Sahavasees boarded on the train for
Delhi at 9.25 pm and reached Delhi at 4.30 am on 14th October, 2003.
With the able guidance of Bhauji, initiative by the Sahavas Coordinator,
Ms.Rakhi Sharma, supported by Sh. Manoj Sethi, Prof. & Mrs. B.N. Bhasin and
Sh. Madan Bhasin, the "Second Young Adult Sahavas", at Delhi could be
organised. Invaluable cooperation by Sh. Gore Lal, Sh. P.C. Nigam, Sh. G.S.
Nigam, Smt Nandini Mathur, Sh. Gopi and Sh. R.N. Malhotra helped the Sahavas
run smoothly.
Last, but not the least, the love and affection of the Baba Lovers of
Hamipur, Ingohta, Maudaha and Meherastana made the Sahavas memorable. The
children and management of "Prayaas" deserve a special thanks for giving
their unconditional support.
(Manoj Sethi)
Secretary
Avatar Meher Baba Centre, Delhi
Avatar Meher Baba Centre, Delhi
(Regd.)
50-A, Tughlakabad Institutional Area, M.B. Road, Near Batra Hospital, Opp.
Rotory Blood Bank. New Delhi Pin: 110 062
E-mail : secretary
ambdelhicentre.com
Website :
www.MeherBabaTheAvatar.org