THE PRESIDENT VISITS MANAV KENDRA ON MARCH 14, 1972, the president of India, Dr. V.V.
Giri spent that day in Dehra Dun, during which he graciously consented to visit
Manav Kendra. The usual observances of strict security and
protocol having been taken, the President arrived by car with accompanying
entourage, and was welcomed by the Master and garlanded in traditional Indian
manner. Enthusiastic effort had been spent to make the
simple surroundings of Manav Kendra neat and acceptable for the honor with a
little delicate and tasteful decoration as a visual gesture of welcome to
distinguished visitor. Dr. V.V. Giri spoke in praise of Manav Kendra
as a project upholding great principles, and remarked on the importance of the
Masters work and his amazingly humble way of performing it without publicity or
advertisement. When Bibi Hardevi Ji offered some vegetable
juice as refreshment, there was the usual practice of tasting by the chief
security officer before the drink was proffered to the President. The tray was
then placed before the principles on the dais, and the Master handed one glass
of juice to Dr. V.V. Giri. The officials excitedly exclaimed that the glass the
Master had given was wrong one – the untasted one – but Dr. V.V. Giri declared
that as the Master had given it with his own hands, then he was going to accept
and drink it. After the national anthem, sung very sweetly by
forty-three ladies from the center for the blind in Rajpur, the President
stepped down from the dais, bade a smiling farewell to the Master, and entered
his car. The large audience, invited from various walks of life in Dehra Dun,
was then given tea and refreshments before returning to the town. Thanks to the dedication of our staff in India,
we are able to present here the transcript of Master’s speech of welcome to the
President, as well as Dr. V.V. Giri’s address. We are also including the
subjective comments of Masters Representative in Boston, Mrs. Mildred
Prendergast, who was present at the occasion with eyes wide open. |