Mar 24, 2006

Maharaji Inaugurates First 'Food for People' Facility in Northeastern India

Maharaji, has inaugurated a new facility which will provide free hot meals each day year-round to people in a tribal area in Jharkhand, northeastern India. "Food for People" is a custom-built, well-equipped 10,000 sq. ft. facility providing 45,000 free meals of their liking to people in need each month. Hot meals are served to 500 children every morning and evening and to 500 adults every afternoon.

The opening of the first "Food for People" marks the launch of an innovative model of food aid by the The Prem Rawat Foundation (TPRF), developed and operated in consultation with local village elders. With support from Raj Vidya Kender, the organization that promotes Prem Rawat's message of peace in India, a 6-acre plot of land was purchased, and a well-equipped facility was built. Fifty villagers were then trained to operate the facility at the highest sanitary and nutritional standards.

Dr. Kamal Chand Singhal, representing the World Health Organization at the inauguration, said: "This valiant effort directly supports the efforts of the World Health Organization. The healthy food and clean water provided each day by Prem Rawat's Foundation at this impressive facility will help many children and adults in Jharkhand become less vulnerable to disease and death, and go on to live healthy lives. This is a noble and generous initiative, for which Prem Rawat and his Foundation need to be acknowledged and wholeheartedly thanked."

Linda Pascotto, president of TPRF, said: "The initiative was born from the vision of Prem Rawat, who has brought his message of peace to Jharkhand in recent years. When he first came to this area and saw the undernourished children, he envisioned how proper nutrition could help them get healthy, acquire a better education, and later hold jobs to support themselves and their families. This initiative pioneers Prem Rawat's vision to bring the food-aid help where needed, in a manner that maximizes the resources available and compels the local people to become involved and take ownership. For the first time, when people in Bantoli wake up in the morning, they are assured of having a hot meal and are able to focus on taking care of their families. We are grateful for the support and collaboration provided by the village elders as we developed the project."

The tribal area in Jharkhand is one of the poorest areas in India. Many people work in mines, but conditions are brutal, and many die on the job. Women and children labor alongside the men, working more than 10 hours a day for an annual income of less than $100. Others subsist by farming, gathering forest products, and raising small animals. Field laborers go for days without food, chewing a root plant that kills the appetite. Seventy-five percent of the women are underweight, which in turn leads to increased mortality in childbirth. For children under 5, the mortality rate is twice that of the rest of India.

Discover more about Prem Rawat and The Prem Rawat Foundation

Mar 21, 2006

'Lake of Joy' - by Prem Rawat

Lake of Joy - by Prem RawatMaharaji Prem Rawat-9The experience of joy is the best thing in life, Prem Rawat says, and when we turn within, we can experience the joy and fulfillment we long for. For those who are thirsty for that joy, he offers help: “If you can’t find it,” he says, “come to me. I have a lake full of joy.”

Read an excerpt and see photos from Prem Rawat's address or download the print version

Maharaji Brings Message of Hope to Indian Villagers

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During the past few weeks, Prem Rawat visited many remote villages in India, addressing more than 175,000 people, and then went to New Delhi for a three-day international event. One participant, who had attended several of these events, said that Prem Rawat's message is the same for all people, whether rich or poor.

Read more about Prem Rawat's visit to India

Mar 11, 2006

Prem Rawat - 'The Basic Wish'

Maharaji / Prem Rawat
Each of us has a basic wish for joy and peace in our life, Prem Rawat says, but sometimes other priorities get in the way—like a fog that obscures our vision. When we put the priority to be content at the top of our list, he says, there is no limit to the joy we can feel in our lives.
Read an excerpt from this address by Prem Rawat and see photos or download the print version