News Letter March 2015

1. Walk of Hope spreads
Hope, Love and Melody in City
VOL: V No: 11‐ March 2015
From the Founder's Desk
DearFriends,
It was a great opportunity for us
Mysoreans. Walk of Hope led by Sri M
of Manav Ekta Mission with a mission
to spread love and harmony stayed for
two days in Mysuru. Sri M himself is 66
years old and I found many padayatris
older than him. Walk of Hope has already covered more
than 1000 kms. It is a very difficult undertaking. It is
their commitment, will power and passion along with
the Divine Grace that has made them walk this long
distance. Otherwiseitwouldbeanimpossibletask.
Can Kabir Dohas transform any one? Here is an
example that it can. A man born in a dalit family rose to
international fame by singing Kabir Dohas. He is none
other than Padma Shri Prahlad Singh Tipaniya. The
other day he presented Kabir Dohas at Jagan Mohan
Palace in the presence of Sri M. After hearing such
melodious,divine,meaningfulandtouchingdohas,Isaw
many from the audience touching his feet and taking
blessings.ThatisthemagicofKabirdohas.
Nowadays, it is difficult to have an MLA as a Guest at
short notice. With just a phone call and an SMS request,
we were pleasantly surprised to find our humble and
simple MLA Mr. Vasu at 6am at the farewell walk. We are
proudofyou,Mr.Vasu.
I am highly indebted to the teams responsible for the
Inauguration of our Himalayan RockSalt Cave and
Release of the Memoir. Mr. Tribhuvan Kapdi, Salt Cave
Consultant from Mumbai, my son-in-law Mr. Rajesh Pai
who is a well-known architect, our engineer Mr. N.
Kumar and other friends of Vijay realised my dream of
Salt Cave. Similarly the editorial team of President of
VWF industries Mr. G.Radhakrishnan, Mr. Arun B.R. and
Mr. Venkateshan S. were entirely responsible for the
MemoirwhichIhopehascomeoutverywell.
This issue covers programs of Walk of Hope in Mysuru
and the inauguration of Salt Cave and Release of
Memoir. I thank everyone who made these events
successful.
B.R.Pai
Walk of Hope, the padayatra by Sri M from Kanyakumari
to Kashmir, for peace and harmony by Manav Ekta
Mission has traversed over 1000 km after 60 days of
walk, Satsang and spreading message of peace and
harmony.
Sri M and his team from the Manav Ekta Mission arrived
at Mysuru on the morning of the 21st March and were
well received by the who's who of Mysuru the deputy
mayor and other leading personalities. Nearly 1000
citizens including schoolchildren accompanied the
entourage to the heart of the city where they stayed
overnight.
Interfaith Satsang
On the evening of the 19th March, an interfaith
concourse was held at Jaganmohan Palace auditorium.
The program started with Dhananjay Murty's soulful
prayer to Ma Gayathri. Representatives of various faiths
spoke on the importance of peace and communal
harmony in these troubled times.
Sri M talked about the objectives and experiences at the
Walk of Hope so far. Addressing the local community, he
shared his hopes for the future. Sri M spoke for peace and
interfaith harmony and stressed that all souls are
potentially divine. Citing from the scriptures he quoted
“Ekam Sat, Viprah Bahudha Vadanthi”- meaning “Truth is
One, the wise call it by different names”. The source of all
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2. ...3
Thoughts lead to deeds. Like seeds, these thoughts
germinate and obtain fruition over a period of time.
One such thought came into being a few years back,
during Dr. Pai's visit to Athens in Greece at 8 one night,
when he chanced upon a salt cave there and
experienced first-hand the benefits it can bring to all of
us leading a “modern” life style, along with its attendant
ills and pills. Given Dr. B.R.Pai's passion for wellness, he
took it upon himself to bring the Salt Cave to his Vijay
Wellness Center at Mysore. The idea finally took its
“Himalayan” shape thanks to scores of well-wishers
and a lot of behind-the-scenes hard work.
The other thought is more recent sometime in
September last year, a few weeks before Dr. B.R.Pai's
75th birthday when the Vijay family realized that
nothing short of a souvenir, nay, a memoir, can do
justice to his life and times and the chequered path that
has been covered over these 75 years. But the best laid
plans of men often go awry and the memoir took some
time coming! As they say, it is better late than never.
As a synchronous coincidence, both ideas took their
final form and shape and came into being on the 12th of
March, 2015. So there it was, a twin cause for double
celebration at Vijay Foundation when the memoir was
released and the Himalayan RockSalt Cave was
inaugurated.
It is in the fitness of things to describe the day's events in
some detail, with a bit of background and context.
The event started off on a melodious note with an
invocation by Dr. Snehashree Nirmal Kumar, a dentist
by profession and a mellifluous singer too. She
captured the audience with a rendering of 'Theredide'
Mane' O Baa Athithi…' and 'Ilidu baa Thaayi ilidu baa…',
invoking both the guests and the goddesses.
While Mr. Ajith Pai welcomed the guests, Mr.
G.Radhakrishnan briefly introduced the chief guests.
The dignitaries lighted the lamp, ushering in a new era
of wellness initiatives at the Vijay Foundation. The two
gentlemen who did the honours, couldn't have been
more apt.
Dr. Rajaram V. Baliga, a childhood friend of Dr. Pai is not
only a senior surgeon but also an advocate of wellness.
Mr. S.N. Murthy, a senior advocate of the Karnataka
High Court has known Dr. Pai personally and
professionally almost ever since VWF industries came
into being.
Dr. Baliga eloquently spoke on the history and origins
of salt therapy and the benefits of a salt cave. Since
each of us breathes in about 10,000 litres of air every
day, it is imperative that we breathe well.
Unfortunately, in this day and age, a breath of fresh air
is at a premium. Respiratory ailments are the second
biggest killers in the world. Children are particularly
vulnerable. It has now been scientifically proved that
respiratory problems are alleviated with salt therapy.
Salt therapy is an age-old and time-tested body and
mind rejuvenation experience. RockSalt Caves that
consist of natural mineral rock salt provide relief to our
body and spirit.
He rightly pointed out how it could benefit not just
people with respiratory problems, but also rejuvenate
young and old with its exhilarating effects.
Mr. S.N.Murthy, in just a few minutes, was able to bring
out the core of Dr. Pai and the memoir to the august
Tale of Two Thoughts
Inauguration of ‘Himalayan Rocksalt Cave’
and Release of Memoir ‘Light on Dr. B.R. Pai’s Life’

3. gathering present. Quoting from it, he mentioned
that the memoir on Dr. Pai's life is not just a souvenir;
it will re-ignite and re-kindle the sparks within, of all
those who read it and identify with it. He hoped that
it will be an inspiration to the younger generation in
achieving their own goals in their lives.
A few of Dr. Pai's friends shared their thoughts and
jogged old memories. While Dr. S.K.Ghori expressed
his deep admiration with his Hindi musicals 'dam dam
dheega dheega, mausam bheega bheega' among
others, probably already carried away by the
exhilaration of the salt cave, Mr. Bapu Satyanarayana
was equally musical with his touching remarks. Mr.
Thontadarya chose to describe Dr. Pai as a true
follower of Deen Dayal Upadhyaya. Mr. Sridhar Raje
Urs recalled memories of his erstwhile neighbor and
close friend. Mr. Vijaynath Bhat expressed himself
with a variation of the 'Mere paas…' dialog; 'Mere paas
Dr. B.R.Pai hai' he exclaimed. Dr. D.R.Nagaraj recalled
how Dr. Pai always brought out a holistic touch with
his employees. Mr. Sreedhar Sagar recalled Dr. Pai's
spiritual leanings.
Dr. Pai, expressing his gratitude to the Omnipotent
Almighty and his spiritual gurus, thanked the close
friends and associates who contributed their
reminiscences which he said were directly from the
heart. Every word rings true and recalls fond
memories, reminiscences and recollections of our
association over the years, he said. He would always
cherish those thoughts. He also thanked all the well-
wishers who were present and those who couldn't
make it on the day. He had special words for Mr.
Tribhuvan Kapdi, Salt Cave Consultant from Mumbai,
Mr. Rajesh Pai, Dr. Pai's son-law and a well-known
architect, and other friends of Vijay, due to whom the
dream of Salt Cave had been realised. He hoped
Mysoreans would utilize this therapy.
The guests spent time at the salt cave, experiencing
first-hand its rejuvenating effects. The afternoon
concluded with lunch and dessert and a lot of good
feelings.
In many ways, the double celebration is a turning
point. While for Dr. Pai, it will be another reason to
recharge his batteries with renewed vim and vigor in
a lighter vein, Mr. Ajith Pai had mentioned that with
the salt cave, Dr. Pai would be more energetic than
ever - for Mysoreans the salt cave will be hopefully the
beginning of a series of wellness products and
practices for the benefit of one and all.
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4. life is one. He exhorted the assembly to be a part of
this soul-seeking journey. “Let's walk together, hand
in hand, for a united and inclusive India.” Pointing out
that the Kanyakumari to Kashmir padayatra
advocates that humanity is one transcending
religious, racial, geographical, cultural and ideological
differences, Sri M said we should believe in our innate
spirituality. He ended with a quote from Bhakti Yoga
of Bhagavad Gita saying that the Greatest of bhaktas is
the one who takes care of welfare of all human beings.
Mr. K.B.Ganapathy suggested that it was the duty of
all citizens to support the padayatra and the message
of peace. Former VC of Yenepoya University Dr. Syed
Shakeel Ahmed pointed out that one third of the
country's population is poor and uplifting them should
be the priority. Positive energy should be spread all
over, he said. Stressing on the equality of mankind, he
said the Quran Hadis mentioned the same.
Swami Muktidananda Maharaj of Ramakrishna
Ashram started with “Sarve janaaha sukhino
bhavantu”. He said Unity is the Ultimate Truth. Where
Science is the objective search of Truth, Spirituality is
the subjective testing of existence. Spirituality starts
where Religion ends, he concluded.
Father Gilbert quoted from the scriptures “Ask, and it
will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it
will be opened to you.” Further quoting Francis of Assisi,
he said “It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless
our walking is our preaching.”
The Aashirvachana were provided by His Holiness
Suttur Sri Shivaratreshwara Swamiji. He termed Sri
M's padayatra as a historic one on the lines of
Shankaracharya and Swami Vivekananda. Quoting
extensively from Allama Prabhu, he said India's
spiritual wealth is at the crossroads. Former President
Abdul Kalam always believed in Unity in Diversity. He
finished with a couplet from Yethanna Mamara stating
“Let's seek the fineness in everything around us.”
Convenors Dr. B.R.Pai and H.Ramachandra
welcomed the gathering and proposed the vote of
thanks.
Kabir Vandana with the modern-day Kabir
The evening of the 21st March was a special treat for
the audience by Padma Shri Prahlad Singh Tipaniya,
the well-known Malwi folk singer from Madhya
Pradesh. He performed together with tambura,
manjira, dholak and harmonium players from his
troupe. Prahlad Tipaniya had the presence of Sri M to
empower him. Sri M honoured him with a Mysuru
Peta. And in his own words, Prahlad Tipaniya was
honoured to be singing Kabir dohas in the presence of
the modern-day Kabir.
Sri M recited a few dohas with their meanings,
followed by Tipaniya's melody. The music was
enthralling and took us to great spiritual heights.
The two-day leg of the Walk of Hope through Mysuru
was a great success. Nearly 500 bid them farewell on
the 21st as it left for Srirangapatna. A horde of
admirers led by Swami Muktidananda, MLA Vasu, Mr.
Hariharan and others walked with Sri M expressing
solidarity with Sri M and thanking him for the Mysuru
leg of the walk.
On behalf of Sri M and team, the convenors of the
event at Mysuru, convey their deepest and heartfelt
thanks. They have not only played a major role in the
success of the padayatra, they have played a major
role in providing Hope to the nation.
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5. Inauguration ‘Himalayan Rocksalt Cave’ and
Release of Memoir ‘Light on Dr. B.R. Pai’s Life’
12th March 2015

All set ..... Melodious beginning
Introducing the guests Briefing on Salt Therapy & Salt Cave
About the Memoir Expressing gratitude

6. Release of MemoirRelease of Memoir
A cross section of the esteemed audience
Dr. Pai and friends
Varieties of Salt Lamps
With more friends
Ladies in the Salt Cave