Long-lasting Impact & Life Transformations

Rakeshbhai Ramanbhai Patel

Lavarpur, Gujarat

“I was addicted to alcohol since 1992. For the past 1015 years, it became quite extreme. I ended up selling 3 vighas (1.2 acres) of my property to fund my addiction. Every morning we would have arguments during tea, where my mother would yell from the other room saying he does not want tea, he wants alcohol. So let him go otherwise he will continue arguing. I would pass by the nagar from time to time so I would see people working here and it has become the talk of the town. The Festival of Pramukh Swami Maharaj is going to be celebrated there. People were registering for seva, so for those who would like to register can. But I was not a satsangi, so did not know whom to contact to register. I saw a car that was regularly coming to the site. It would come in the morning and leave in the evening. They offered to take me to the site if I wanted to join. So once during the month of Bhadarva, I joined. It was extremely hot, so I left.

One night, I felt as if someone was waking me. I packed my bags to which my wife asked what is this. I replied, don’t worry, I have to leave in the morning. Next morning, I left without telling anywhere where I was going. Upon leaving, per my routine, I was walking towards my regular place (where I would drink), but then I changed my route and instead came here (the nagar). My regular place was on the opposite side of the road. I didn’t go there, meaning I didn’t go to drink alcohol. I came straight here. It felt as if someone had pulled my hand and brought me here. I then registered to do seva for 15 days, where my seva started in the landscaping department.

Over time, I became more involved where I became attached and did not feel like leaving. I have been doing seva for over 4 months. I was freed from my addiction to alcohol and everything fell into place. Such deep rooted addiction could never be uprooted without the inspiration of Bapa. In order to free myself from this addiction, I had gathered 2 lakh rupees so I could be admitted to Kaneria Hospital. But upon hearing about this celebration for Pramukh Swami Maharaj Centennial Celebrations, I told my wife to keep this money on the side – that it will come into use. I will ask for it if I need it. After coming here, I saw how the volunteers are serving without any addictions. Upon seeing their affection and with Swamibapa’s inspiration, I began doing seva, puja, tilak chandlo –all of which I had despised as one time. After coming here, I was inspired to bathe daily and do puja. There is something about Pramukh Swami, that the thought of alcohol does not even enter my mind. Now, I’m embarrassed even talking about it. Today, I feel that my past life was a waste, and this is my new birth!”

Vraj Prajapati Piplag, Gujarat

Vraj found a bag in Bal Nagari and had called the person who lost it to personally give it to him. Any 18-year-old would be tempted to keep the cell phone, money, etc. “But I didn’t really have any such thoughts. Instead, I thought whoever’s bag this was, obtained his money through hard-earned means. The inspiration to not take the money was from Pramukh Swami. He used to say to never take anyone’s belongings, to not wrong anyone and to never steal. So, this has been ingrained in my mind. These values have been instilled in me by attending Bal Mandal sabha.”

VP & Engineering Fellow at Google

“I think it’s this truly wishing for an amazing betterment of every person, and hence by extension, society, and then just working selflessly towards it is what [Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s] life exemplifies to me and is evident through what is shown here in various exhibits and shows as well... If you want to experience a truly integrated version of spirituality – that integrates across ages, facets of life, family, profession, spirituality – this is a very unique and welldone combination of all of them. It’s bound to get a person to think more deeply about things.”

Shri Akshay Kothari Co-Founder & COO at Notion

“I think it’s really inspiring to see how it all came together ... something like 80,000 volunteers giving their most precious time. It’s not only about your own happiness ... this is one of the key lessons I am taking away -- the acts that you have rather than the words you speak ... to respect him and follow the life he lived, and do those acts yourself.”

“Swamiji says about spending time with your family, being connected with each other. That will bring about peace and happiness and effectively prosperity in your lives, professionally and otherwise. We all at some point know what the right things are to do, we lose track of that, and festivals such as these will be those reminders.”

His Majesty King Charles III

United Kingdom

“His Holiness’s timeless message that ‘In the joy of others lies our own, in the progress of others rests our own, in the good of others abides our own, know this to be the key to peace and happiness,’ resonates as much now as it always has.”