- By: Gobind Singh, General Secretary, Sant Nirankari Mandal, Delhi.

In order to manage and superior the holding of congregations and meet the requirements of the increasing number of saints all over the country, the then Spiritual Head of the Mission, Baba Avtar Singh Ji gave it an organizational outfit, Sant Nirankari Mandal. The Mandal was got registered under the Societies Registration Act, with its Headquarters at Delhi in September 1948. Its aims and objects include to preach and propagate the concept of One Formless God (Nirankar) and promote peace, non-violence and Universal Brotherhood among the people all over the world by holding congregations and otherwise. It is also stated that Sant Nirankari Mission is a religious order, which believes that God can be realised only with the grace of living Satguru. Further, it shall not associate itself with any political party.

Initially, the Nirankari Baba nominated a seven-member Executive Body of the Mandal. Their principal qualification was devotion to God and the True Master as also their spirit of self-sacrifice for fellow devotees. Baba Ji exhorted them to set an example for others through their personal life. Ever since, the members of the Executive Committee have exalted themselves in the eyes of the devotees for their sense of devotion, love and respect as also their guidance and help.

In a way, time has proved the efficacy of the Mandal. The Executive Body has embodies in itself selfless service, devotion and dedication. The faith reposed in its members by the Master and the Mission has been upheld. The Members have stood the test of time and circumstances. Nominations and replacements by the Satguru have thus proved flawless.

The Mandal found changes in its set up from time to time as and when considered necessary. The organisation indeed went on expanding with the growth of the Mission and its activities. To-day, it bears the complexion of any sound democratic institution, although its basic commitment remains unchanged i.e. spiritual awakening among the masses. The Mission has about 1,200 Branches in India. Organizationally, each Branch is headed by a Mukhi or Pramukh. In addition, there are Missionaries (Pramukhs) who address congregations in close co-ordination with the Head of the Branch concerned. Generally, all these functionaries are authorised by His Holiness to reveal God-knowledge to the seekers, on his behalf.

For administrative efficiency, the Branches have been distributed among 36 Zones. The Zonal In-charges co-ordinates the activities among Branches and also serves as a link between the Branches and also serves as a link between the Branches and the Headquarters. A Zonal In-charges is nominated by the Executive Committee with approval of the Satguru.

As per Memorandum of Association and Rules and Regulations of the Sant Nirankari Mandal, it has the following organs:

1. General Body: It comprises all the Parcharaks, Mukhis, Parkukhs, Zonal In-charges, Sewa Dal office-bearers and such other members of the Mission as may be nominated by the Satguru. It meets at least once a year under the benign Chairmanship of the Satguru. The General Body reviews the progress of the Mission and lays down policy guidelines for its promotion further.

2. Working Committee: It consists of 51 Member or more, to be elected by the General Body for two years. It meets at least once a year and decides all policy matters, including the Annual Budget.

3. Executive Committee: The Executive Committee may have at least 11 Members. They are nominated by the Satguru from amongst the Members of the Working Committee for two years. The Committee must meet at least once in two months. At present there are 19 Members of the Executive Committee, each Member looking after the subject specifically allotted to him. This Committee has nine office-bearers i.e. President, Two Vice-Presidents, one General Secretary, four Secretaries and one Treasure. All the Members of the Executive Committee are collectively responsible to implement the decisions taken by the Working Committee as also the General Body.

4. Advisory Committee: Almost every Department has an Advisory Committee attached to it. The Member-Incharge of the Department is its Chairman. The Members are such devotees as have the talent and experience of the subject concerned. Nominated by the Executive Committee with the blessings of His Holiness, the Member of the Advisory Committee have a tenure of two years.

All properties, movable and immovable, belonging to and acquired by the Mandal from time to time vest in the Sant Nirankari Mandal. All donations, offerings, gifts etc. in cash or kind, constitute the funds and assets of Mandal. These are utilized for activities and programmes designed to achieve the aims and objects of the Mandal. Proper and true accounts of the income and expenditure in respect of the Mandal and its Branches are maintained at Delhi Headquarters under the overall supervision of the Executive Committee. The accounts of the Mandal are audited by the Chartered Accountants annually.

Overseas

While Delhi (India) is the world headquarters of the Mission and, being the seat of the Satguru forms the Mother Church for this global Mission, the organisation in each country outside India enjoys considerable degree of organisational and managerial independence. All the Branches in one country look forward to their national headquarters of the Mission for policy guidelines, plans and programmes for reaching out the message of the Mission to more and more people. All funds received in the form of offerings and donations are retained and utilised for the Mission’s activities in the country concerned. Similarly, they administer the properties of the Mission as per the rules and regulations of the local government. For this purpose there are independent Executive Boards of the Mandal to manage and propagate the Mission in their respective countries.

Organizationally, the Mission stands registered with the government in several countries, including USA, Canada, UK, Germany and Australia. The office-bearers are appointed as per the rules and regulations of the Mission in each country, with the approval of the Satguru.

In all, there are over 100 Branches of the Mission outside India. The Mission is already flourishing in countries like USA, Canada and UK. Several towns in these countries have Sant Nirankari Satsang Bhawans, where congregations are held regularly. Sewa Dal volunteers in uniform make all the arrangements. Considerable stress is laid on inter-country and inter-regional co-operation and co-ordination in the matter of missionary activities. Like in India, country-level and regional level congregations (Samagams) are becoming more and more popular abroad also. For example, USA and Canada hold special Samagams jointly on regional basis. The UK Sant Nirankari Mandal over-sees the missionary activities all over Europe.

Thus we find that as per the universal character of the Sant Nirankari Mission, the Mandal is keeping due pace in establishing and managing effectively the Branches set up at home and abroad. With such arrangement the Mandal has made earnest effort to make every devotee feel at home and remain in regular touch with the Mission and the Master. The administrative network between the Master and the devotee anywhere in the world, is result-oriented.

By itself the Mandal is a great source of inspiration to devotees and the seekers alike to come and seek the blessings of His Holiness Baba Ji and make their life really meaningful and purposeful.