Kanha Shantivanam 5th January 2024

Daaji conducted the final preceptor sitting for Jeyabal and Kapil Naidu in the morning. Later, he went for a walk. After that, he got ready to receive Shri Ram Nath Kovind, the ex-president of India. He arrived at 11.30 a.m. in Kanha and was received at Pearl by some of our functionaries. Daaji met him at his residence with his entire family beside him to receive him with due honor.

Kovind ji and Daaji exchanged greetings, and then Kovind ji felicitated Daaji with a shawl. Daaji then gave him a flower pot, which symbolized our green initiatives as well as life and nature. Marg Patel was then introduced to Kovind ji, and Marg also greeted the ex-president with a flower pot. All the family members present there were introduced to Kovind Ji one by one.

 Daaji took the guest inside his room, and they had a short discussion before Daaji conducted meditation from 12.16 p.m. to 12.39 p.m. After the meditation session, Daaji lovingly invited Kovind ji to stay in his own home instead of going back to the Pearl, as there was too much crowd due to the ongoing practice of Transcendental meditation. Kovind Ji accepted the warm invitation. Daaji asked the in-house team to get the room ready for Kovind Ji.

When passing by, Kovind ji saw Daaji’s mother Baa’s photo, which was kept near Baa’s room. Kovind Ji was informed that she had passed on to the higher realms on March 5th, 2023.

During the lunch, Kovind ji shared his first experience of coming to Kanha during Chariji’s time, when it used to be a completely barren and arid expanse of land. Kovind Ji asked Pratima Ben if all was well and if she liked living here. Then he shared that he visited Pratima Ben and Daaji’s home in Ahmedabad during Chariji’s time when Chariji was staying with them. A little later, Daaji then announced to all present there that Kovind ji had generously agreed to be the chairman of Babuji’s 125th birth anniversary celebrations committee.

From there, they all went for a walk in the garden of Daaji’s home. Daaji explained to Kovind ji just how the transplantation is done here in Kanha. He showed the trees that were packed for translocation to the place where the forthcoming International Cambridge School in Kanha is being constructed. Daaji then showed him the borewell pits and the underground water harvesting. Daaji explained everything in detail to all the different species of plants, trees, and hydroponics, especially near the parking area, and finally reached Babuji Maharaj’s car and showed it to him. Later, Kovind Ji and Daaji both went to take some rest.

In the evening, Dr. and Mrs. Tony Nader, accompanied by Raja Luis and other guests from the Transcendental Meditation, came to Daaji’s residence. Kovindji was still getting ready while Daaji and the visitors spent some time before Kovindji joined all of them. Daaji asked Dr. Nader what his favorite tree was so that they could prepare it for the plantation, which would be done at his hands on his upcoming birthday.

A little later, Kovind Ji came to the living room. Daaji introduced all three guests from Transcendental Meditation to Kovind Ji. Kovind Ji then lovingly asked if he could have a group photo with all of them. Raja Luis had donned a pastel blue suit, which reminded me of one of the heydays of the Transcendental Meditation movement under Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ji, while Dr. Nader was dressed as always in pristine white embroidered with gold. The Maharani accompanied him in a pretty bright explosion of pink, which set off her platinum blonde hair. Daaji and Kovind Ji were a pair in black and white attire of quiet and subdued elegance. It was a study in contrast with interesting proportions.

Dr. Nader then offered the book ‘Human Physiology: Expression of Veda and the Vedic Literature’ to Kovind ji and the book ‘International Conference to Re-Establish Ideal Vedic India’ to Daaji.

Later, they all sat down and had a short discussion. Raja Luis told Kovind ji how they are feeling very much at home in Heartfulness. The Transcendental Meditation people have begun to feel that we share a common goal for families, education, and scientific research with Heartfulness. 

Kovindji said, “Daaji is the enlightening force. It is because of him that I have the privilege to be with you all." Raja Luis responded to that remark, saying that Daaji has embraced us in not just a simple way but a very deep way, and it has made us feel that we can contribute together as two organizations.

Daaji courteously asked Kovind ji if he would like to proceed for dinner or have a meditation session first. Kovind ji preferred to meditate first, so Daaji conducted a meditation session for all present there from 8.02 pm to 8.34 pm before going in for dinner.

Daaji accorded his spot at the dining table to Kovind ji, and he sat on the side in his unpretentious, endearing hospitality, which has allied many hearts to his. Over dinner, the conversation turned to Kovind ji, who took leave from all and went to his room, and Daaji accompanied the guests to their cars. After saying goodbye to them, he then went for a walk.

Before going to bed, Ram Nath Kovind ji said to Daaji, "I will be ready for another sitting in the morning."