London ( UK ): Global Co-operation House honoured about 110 BKs who have reached the milestone of over 80 years of physical age and many who have been in knowledge for decades and have been part of the Brahma Kumaris university in London, UK, and overseas.
As the over-80s took their places on the stage, Dadi Janki’s favourite song was played: ‘Chalte, chalte’, ‘Move along, move forward’ … ‘While I was moving along, I found God’…
BK Maureen welcomed everyone: ‘Looking at the stage, what a vision! How Baba has created all of you, and I have known many of you from where we were all very young, you and I! Today here we are. I know over the years you have really surrendered body, mind and wealth to Baba and Baba has promised a long life, not just in satyug but right now. You are the pillars, our ancestors’. It’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our very special dear brothers and sisters and so may there be many more years to come. Your presence in our family is providing the atmosphere that keeps us all uplifted and close to Baba.
BK Jaymini also opened the ceremony with great words of enthusiasm for such an auspicious gathering: This is going to be repeated kalpa after kalpa. Bapdada and Dadi Janki are all present with us. It was Dadi’s vision. Everyone is welcoming you and now BK Sudesh and Sister Jayanti will be welcoming you with a tilak and sash. You are all strong and powerful and seated in the roots. This is a strong tree. There are 110 of you from London class and Environs. We will then do a ceremony like this in the Midlands and around the UK.
Crowns also were placed on each one by BK Nimu, BK Mani and BK Jasub. BK Jaymini and Sister Maureen continued as the crowns were given out. Tilaks were applied to each one by BK Sudesh and the sashes by BK Jayanti.
Words directly from Bapdada were also read out: ‘You Mothers have been made instruments to carry out establishment of the land of happiness. The urn of the nectar of knowledge has been placed on you mothers. Just as a ceremony or the opening for something is carried out so to the Supreme Soul is carrying out the opening of paradise through you mothers. Therefore you children have to become alert. This is the shakti army. The father gives the responsibility of you mothers. It is the task of the mothers to grant salvation. Victory to the Mothers!’
‘Bapdada praised the mothers and fathers. It is only at this time in the whole cycle we have this part with the Father…..You have played this part cycle after cycle’.
BK Jaymini asked those who remember Dudden Hill with Nagin bhai, who is here today. Also she remembered there were at least 25 souls from this group who couldn’t be present in person today, but who would be sitting and watching at home and that they too are being honoured as well.
BK Maureen noted that all those here and at home being honoured: ‘Give strength and friendship and from the heart she wished to thank ‘these pillars who have been and continue to be so strong and also sometimes as caring as a pillow… Your presence brings lots of memories back to us.’
I wish to thank you all for being powerful inspirations up until now and to the end. We will be going home together. So stay here in these bodies and keep remembering Baba, so we go together.
We are honouring BK Sudesh too as she is our first ‘golden oldie’. Sister Jayanti is also here with us today and although she is not yet there (80 years old), but she is a great inspiration for everyone.
A group of young sisters and brothers from the Southall Centre danced to honour the group and showered them with petals. Songs from the Murli were played as they danced. ‘Those who are with the Father, has the rain of knowledge for them’.
‘This is the time to forget the world and to sing, hum in happiness. It is time to rejoice.
‘Someone made me belong to you and taught me how to smile’.
BK Manu (Wadhwani), representing the Hindi class, BK Monica representing the English class, and BK Packiawathy, representing the Tamil class, all spoke.
BK Manu shared that he is 81 and nearly 47 years in knowledge. ‘I remember when I was only one brother in class and with eleven sisters surrounding me. I am happy to see everyone sitting together.’
BK Monica: This is such a phenomenally beautiful gathering and I hope very much this will repeat again. Lets see what’s in the Drama…
BK Packiawathy: I am 83 and in 1996 I was in Sri Lanka and took the course and after that in London, at the Ilford Centre and all the time under the canopy of Baba’s protection. BK Jaymini also introduced Kaka, who is 101 and demonstrates ‘Rajyoga for anti-aging’ BK Jagruti then led the whole gathering, with all those being honoured onstage and off (around 110) and also to a full auditorium of BK family, into some light sitting exercises and filled the hall with laughter and happiness.
BK Jagruti asked everyone to ‘think of a blessing that has always touched you and share it with your partner. You must have received over 80 blessings!’
May you be ever young, beautiful, alive, drinking, dancing and singing and Baba’s child forever. Lots of love and congratulations.
BK Ratan, also over 80, shared an audio-visual message:
You are so lucky you are around at this time to do so much service. I am 83 years old and in full-time service with Baba after being in knowledge for 43 years. Where there is a will there is a way. So not only celebrate your 80 plus birthday but it’s a day to make a promise to do more and more Baba’s seva, through the mind or actively moving around. I wish you all the best.
BK Balwant, BK Charu and BK Shashi, three pillars of the London class, all shared blessings. BK Maureen then mentioned BK Hansa, who was the seed of this event. When she was last in London she suggested an event to honour all our wonderful jewels. Today she is travelling in India, but she sends everyone lots of love and good wishes.
BK Christine then shared a beautiful poem to honour the group:
Oh great golden oldies
Well past three score years and ten
Shining examples of faith and fortitude
Firmly fixed in the Family’s heart
Physical faculties may be fading
Hearing and sight no longer acute
But fortified by those vital vitamins
Daily dose from the Eternal Naturopath
We honour your distinguished service record
Courage and commitment, royal resilience
Not weighed down by rows of medals
Trimurti badge quite simply enough
Signs of wear and tear in the body
Movement restricted, may need a stick
Perfect for dealing a blow to Maya
Sense of humour, an invaluable aid
For all that, age is relative
No mid-life crises in the future world
Soul conscious not age conscious
Training with young Balwant
For the marathon gold
Your forgetting is getting better
Nuggets of wisdom lovingly acquired
Baba awards you gold stars for remembrance
Mine of experience open to all
Your golden past and future meet
No sentimental longing
But joy in every moment
Of your sparkling Diamond Age
Sister Jayanti
This is a very beautiful scene, and it is very moving. I remember many, many of you from the days that you started with Baba. And here you are 40, 30, 20 years on this journey with Baba, through all those years being loyal, faithful,
trustworthy and serviceable. Even if you never conducted a class or a lecture, that is ok, as we see each other in class and that is an inspiration and great seva.
It’s a joy to have everyone here. And how Baba is sustaining you! Even when the body is a bit fragile, I never hear any complaining. I see you all smiling and saying with God’s grace ‘I am ok, I’m fine’. This is true and as we continue
to do that, Baba makes it fine. Thanks for being the foundation in Baba’s service and an inspiration for the whole world, as many of you have
travelled to so many places to do service. Many of you have been ready to go here and there whenever Baba or Dadi asked you to do anything. I know Baba will make life peaceful and comfortable not only in the Golden Age but now
and in the final moments everyone will remember only One Baba and you will fly.
Sudesh Didi
Om Shanti I am sure Bapdada and Dadiji is from the subtle region watching this scene and showering blessings of love and happiness and congratulations. (Didi then spoke in Hindi).
The roots are here, from Hong Kong, and also the fruits are here. The fruits will continue, generation after generation, into the future of the golden age as well. It is those who have watered this tree of Baba’s yagya who have left a deep imprint. These are the authorities of experience.
I see the kingdom and a temple! Congratulations and congratulations.
BK Jayanti also thanked BK Hansa: The chunies (sashes) and gifts were prepared and packed by BK Hansa in Madhuban and so not was she the seed for this event but every step of the way she has been supporting this very
special celebration. She is with us.
BK Maureen thanked everyone and guided everyone into meditation, as everyone on stage gave Drishti to the gathering. This was followed by a standing ovation for all the elders.
A special blessing and a rose was then given to each one being honoured and blessings and toli to all those present.
