February 25, 2006


After returning from Mt. Abu, a hill station, something akin to a resort town, I can understand why most tourists see Mumbai as little more than a city to fly in and out of. On the top of the mountain the air is a more agreeable, less humid and the temperature drops down enough degrees to need a sweater at night. In Mumbai the air is filled with car horns and broken mufflers, and the constant bustle creates a feeling of drowning. In sharp contrast, the little town in Rajasthan entices gentle solitude.

The people that are there fall into two groups—the imported and endogenous. Mt. Abu attracts people from all over India with its clean air and peaceful lake, but the largest draw comes from the Brahma Kumaris’ facilities which include a hospital, their headquarters, and a conference center and resort called ShantiWorld (meaning Peace World). With one of their big annual conferences coming up this Saturday visitors from all over the world were there. Buses full of attendees kept spilling their cargo of white clad passengers. They take a universalistic approach to religion with a strong influence from Hinduism. Meditation is highly practiced and they set up programs to help those in need. Easily identifiable in all white saris and other attire, they go about with the goal of spreading peace.

What really impressed me about Mt. Abu had nothing to do with the BK Organization. It had everything to do with the owner of the hotel where we stayed. There is a saying in India that says "Our guest is our god." This man epitomized these words. Always attentive to our needs, he was lavish in his hospitality. For our last meal there, he prepared a feast of fine cuisine that left us satiated until the next day. Upon departing, with our stomachs as full as our backpacks, he wouldn’t allow us to leave until we took a packed meal for the trip back to Mumbai. His kindness truly deserves blessings from the heavens, despite the fact that the hotel is his business.