Editorial February 2025

Dear Readers,

Aruna and I make it a point to visit India almost every year. Most of the time, our trip revolves around attending a family wedding, and nearly always, it is a short visit lasting about three weeks. However, this time, we decided to extend our stay to six weeks and take the opportunity to check off a few long-awaited items from our bucket list. 

One of the items we finally fulfilled was a trip to South India. We spent ten incredible days exploring the natural beauty and cultural richness of Kerala, while taking a memorable trip from Cochin to Kanyakumari. As a lifelong admirer of Swami Vivekananda, I was particularly excited about visiting the famous Vivekananda Rock Memorial, which turned out to be the highlight of our journey. Standing on the rock, surrounded by the vast ocean, and reflecting on Swami Vivekananda’s teachings was a deeply inspiring and spiritual experience.

Another item that we checked off our list was a visit to the Statue of Unity in Gujarat, located a little over 100 miles from Ahmedabad. This magnificent monument stands as a tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, one of the most prominent leaders of India’s independence movement, who played a crucial role in uniting the nation. Sardar Patel, who was India’s first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister after independence, was a staunch follower of Mahatma Gandhi and contributed immensely to shaping the newly independent nation. The Statue of Unity is a fitting tribute to his legacy and stands as the world’s tallest statue, reaching an astonishing height of 597 feet. Witnessing this architectural marvel in person and learning more about Sardar Patel’s life and contributions was an awe-inspiring and humbling experience.

Now, let me share three extraordinary experiences we recently crossed off our bucket list. Unlike the ones I mentioned earlier, these are not just ordinary achievements. These experiences bring profound, life-changing moments and a deep sense of mental peace.

Visit the Akshaya Patra Kitchen and School.

Visiting an Akshaya Patra kitchen allowed us to witness firsthand the sheer scale, efficiency, and dedication with which the organization operates. The experience was nothing short of awe-inspiring. We observed how the kitchen produces an astonishing number of nutritious meals daily, ensuring that thousands of children receive fresh, hot food. What stood out the most was the seamless coordination of the entire process. The team carried out every step with remarkable precision and efficiency, from sourcing ingredients to preparing, packaging, and transporting meals. The strict hygiene protocols maintained at every stage were highly commendable, ensuring that the food not only remained nutritious but also met the highest health and safety standards.

One of the most striking aspects of the visit was seeing the advanced technology and streamlined processes that enable the kitchen to prepare and distribute food so quickly and consistently. The entire operation is a testament to Akshaya Patra’s unwavering commitment to eradicating hunger and ensuring that no child is deprived of education due to a lack of nourishment. It was incredible to learn that a typical Akshaya Patra kitchen is capable of preparing 100,000 hot, wholesome meals in just four hours. Witnessing such efficiency in action left us with a profound sense of admiration and appreciation for the organization and the people working tirelessly behind the scenes.

After spending time in the kitchen, we proceeded to visit a nearby school that benefits from Akshaya Patra’s meal program. This was yet another heartwarming experience. Bright-eyed children welcomed us with unmistakable excitement and joy as soon as we arrived. I had the opportunity to interact with some of the students, and their enthusiasm was truly infectious. They spoke about how much they enjoyed the food, with one young girl expressing how the meals keep them energized throughout the day and help them focus better on their studies. Seeing the happiness and gratitude in their eyes reinforced just how impactful this initiative is—not just in feeding children but in empowering them with the ability to learn and build a better future.

Our visit to Akshaya Patra’s kitchen and the school was a profoundly moving experience that deepened our appreciation for the organization’s mission. It reaffirmed our belief in the importance of supporting such initiatives, as they play a crucial role in transforming the lives of countless children.

Visit the Brahma Kumari Center in Mount Abu.

Unlike our long-standing association with the Akshaya Patra Organization, our connection with the Brahma Kumari Organization began more recently when Sister Shivani visited South Florida. During her visit, I assured Sister Shivani that on my next trip to India, we would visit the Brahma Kumari center in Mount Abu.

Thankfully, I was able to keep my promise when Aruna and I had the privilege of visiting the center during our recent trip to India.

The experience was both serene and deeply introspective. We were warmly welcomed by our host, BK Brother Satya Narayan, who took a personal interest in our visit and made sure to show us every facility in the BK Center with outstanding care and attention. During our stay, we were accommodated at Gyan Sarovar, a place adorned with beautiful gardens and tranquil meditation halls. The peaceful surroundings provided us with a perfect setting to explore spiritual teachings, allowing us to reflect and further deepen our understanding of inner peace.

We had the wonderful fortune of meeting BK Sudesh Didi at Gyan Sarovar. She has been a spiritual luminary for over four decades, guiding countless individuals on the path of self-discovery and inner peace. Her wisdom transcends cultural boundaries, as she imparts deep insights into the practice of meditation and the process of unlocking the immense creative potential of the human mind. The meeting with Didi left a lasting impression of her unwavering dedication to selfless service. She embodies mindfulness and compassion, always conscious of humanity’s collective journey towards a higher truth and spiritual awakening.

One of the facilities we visited was Shantivan, the forest of peace houses, the largest solar cooking facility in the world. This BK facility provides breakfast, lunch, and dinner to 15,000 people every single day. It also has the largest hall in Asia without pillars—‘Diamond Hall.’. It can accommodate 20,000 people.

Distributing Solar Lamps in Slums in Ahmedabad

During my recent visit to Ahmedabad, I met Arpita Shah, founder and managing director of a non-profit organization called SSV Foundation. The organization works for the environment, water recharging and harvesting, education, health, and women’s employment.

Among several projects they work on, one of them is distributing solar lamps in slums. This project created an interest in me, so I asked for more details, and Arpita mentioned that they are distributing solar lamps in slums tomorrow. Would you be interested in joining us? Naturally, I responded positively, unable to resist the opportunity. So the next day I had the opportunity to join Arptia and her team in distributing solar lamps in the slum areas. It was an experience that was both humbling and fulfilling. Seeing their struggles first hand made me realize the profound impact a simple solar lamp could have on their lives.

As Arpita and her team members distributed the lamps, I saw the joy and gratitude in the eyes of children who could now study at night without straining their eyes. Mothers expressed relief, knowing they could cook and complete household chores safely after sunset. Elderly residents, who often struggled with poor lighting, welcomed the solar lamps as a blessing.

The experience reinforced my belief that small acts of kindness can bring immense change. Access to light is a basic necessity, yet so many people live without it. This initiative was not just about distributing lamps—it was about empowering communities with sustainable solutions. Seeing their smiles and hearing their heartfelt blessings made this experience unforgettable. It strengthened my resolve to continue supporting meaningful projects that uplift the underprivileged.

Let me conclude my editorial here, as discussing my bucket list further could easily fill all 80 pages of this Desh-Videsh edition.

On a serious note, if you’re interested in visiting any of the three places I mentioned and experiencing the unique journey that Aruna and I had, feel free to email or call me.

Raj Shah

Managing Editor