Manav Ekta Divas, April 26, 2009 - A Report-by Prafull Lande
The Sant Nirankari Mission, a spiritual movement working towards universal brotherhood celebrated 'Manav Ekata Divas' (Human Unity Day) by organizing a Free Health Fair Sunday, April 26th 2009 in Tracy, California. Renowned doctors from all around bay area as well as the volunteers of the Sant Nirankari Mission (sewadal) gathered at the Tracy Bhavan very early in the morning to setup the health fair. Sewadal members had worked hard for last few weeks spreading the word about this event. Communication mediums such as fliers, newspapers, emails, Internet as well as word of mouth were used to make everyone aware of the event. And as it turned out that effort was not in vain. The health fair received an overwhelming response. Almost 300 people turned up for the event. Dr. Bhupinder Bhandari, Dr. Atta, Dr. Mouttapa, Dr. Norquitta Johnson, Dr. Kyle Collins, Dr. Jason Nanda, Dr. Rajleen Arora as well as nurses Ms. Hattie Shears, Ms. Kulwinder Kang, Ms. Kris Creasman and Ms. Jo Betts graciously volunteered and provided their services to patients free of charge. Priest Narinder Pal Singh ji (Pali Noor) welcomed all on behalf of the mission. One could see joy and satisfaction on the faces of volunteers conducting the event as well as attendees; some of them had come from places as far as Reno, Fresno, San Jose, and Sacramento. Arrangements of snacks, water, fruits and juices were made for the patients. Apart from that Langar (community lunch) arrangement was also made. In an adjacent hall, a documentary was shown on a big screen about divine journey of Baba Gurbachan Singhji who fell to the bullets of some fanatics on April 24, 1980. The Sant Nirankari mission celebrates human unity day and organizes blood donation camps and health fairs as a tribute to his supreme sacrifice. A satsang program (spiritual congregation) was conducted from 1 pm to 2 pm in the same hall. Sister Kulbeer Kaur ji, Priest Rev. Narinder Pal Singh ji (Pali Noor) and Rev. Prem Chaudhri ji paid tribute to Baba Gurbachan Singh ji by sharing inspirational incidents from his life. Sister Kiran ji, Renu ji, Kamalpreet ji, Sapan Chawala ji,Rev. Paramjeet ji and Rev. Shauki ji paid tribute by singing devotional songs. The program was concluded with screening of the message to mankind by the head of the Sant Nirankari Mission, His Holiness Baba Hardev Singh ji. He reinforced the importance of human unity amidst diversity of cultures, cast, creed, color, religion and language. This message of human unity was not just listened to but being lived by the people who participated in the health fair as we could see people from all walks of life, with different social, cultural, religious background working hand in hand with utmost love and respect. The response for the health fair camp was so overwhelming that few Doctors graciously volunteered to stay late beyond scheduled close so that they could treat each and every patient and none had to go back disappointed. In the end, the President of Sant Nirankari Mission, USA, Dr. Iqbaljit Rai thanked and honored visiting doctors and nurses by presenting them appreciation certificates. The Sant Nirankari Mission organizes free health fairs and blood donation camps all over the world to celebrate Human Unity Day. It is one of the leading blood donating voluntary organizations in India. Scores of blood donation camps are organized in the month of April every year. These camps are held as per the wishes of the present Spiritual Head of the Mission Baba Hardev Singh who said that blood should flow in veins , not drains and donation of blood would be the best tribute to Baba Gurbachan Singh who sacrificed his life for the sake of Truth and human values. Moreover, blood donation is the best service one could offer to humanity. When transfused in human veins blood knows no religion, caste or nationality. The Mission has organized more than 1247 Blood Donation Camps in India and abroad during the past one decade. It is estimated that the volunteers of the Nirankari Sewa Dal and other devotees have so far donated more than 248,000 units of blood. Quite often, His Holiness, his esteemed spouse and other members of the gracious family also donate blood during these camps. The miracle is that the number of blood donors always exceeds the capacity of the blood collecting teams. In recognition of the Mission's efforts towards promoting voluntary blood donation, the Indian Red Cross Society conferred a special award on the Mission on June 14, 2006. The Sant Nirankari Mission is essentially a spiritual movement. Its principal commitment to its followers is to make their minds conscious of the Eternal Reality and unite their Soul with the Creator, the Formless God. The Mission believes that ignorance and superstition are the biggest obstacles in man’s path to real progress and happiness. The narrow-mindedness, hatred and pride brooded by them are the most vicious source of trouble for the mankind. The Mission endeavors to remove the same by making spiritual enlightenment within the reach of every man and woman--young or old, rich or poor, high or low, educated or illiterate, whatever the language, faith or culture, whatever the state or the nation. For more information about the mission please visit http://www.nirankari.org * * * * * * * |