Mumbai, 27 September 2026: Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur celebrated the 60th birth anniversary of spiritual master and humanitarian Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshji with a two-day gathering titled Aho Gurudev – 60 Years of an Enlightened Existence. Held at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai on 25 and 26 September, the event brought together spiritual leaders, business figures, philanthropists, artists, volunteers and spiritual seekers from across the world.
The gathering attracted participants from 214 cities and 24 countries, reflecting the international reach of Gurudevshri’s spiritual teachings and humanitarian work. The programme centred on the idea that spiritual growth should be reflected in compassionate action, with the announcement of 60 new initiatives marking a key highlight of the anniversary celebrations.
Among the prominent spiritual figures attending were Pujya Morari Bapu, Pujya Anandmurti Gurumaa, Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, Swami Swaroopanandji, BK Sister Shivani, Sadhvi Bhagwati Saraswati and Bhiku Sanghasenaji.
The event also welcomed distinguished representatives from business, public life and entertainment. Attendees included Infosys Founder and Chairman Emeritus N. R. Narayana Murthy, Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran, Maharashtra Cabinet Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha, actor and Member of Parliament Hema Malini, former HDFC Chairman Deepak Parekh, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Founder and Managing Director Dilip Shanghvi, actor Ranbir Kapoor and actor and fashion entrepreneur Sonam Kapoor Ahuja. Other guests represented major business groups, financial institutions, the armed forces and India’s wider cultural landscape.
60 initiatives announced across spirituality and service
A major announcement at Aho Gurudev was the launch of 60 initiatives, divided equally between spiritual development and seva – service to society. The projects span healthcare, education, mental health, animal welfare, environmental protection, community support and spiritual learning.
Among the announced service initiatives are Shrimad Rajchandra Sarvamangal Cancer Hospital and Shrimad Rajchandra Sarvamangal Hospital and Medical College in Surendranagar. Plans also include the Shrimad Rajchandra Mental Health Initiative, 60 new Shrimad Rajchandra Love and Care Centres, and multispeciality medical camps, alongside anaemia and vision-care programmes intended to reach 60 million people across India.
Animal welfare features prominently in the programme. Proposed projects include a dedicated animal-care campus in Dharampur comprising the Shrimad Rajchandra Animal Hospital, an animal shelter, an institute of veterinary science and an Ahimsa Awareness Centre. An additional animal hospital is planned for Malad.
Education and social development initiatives include Shrimad Rajchandra DISHA, a free, artificial intelligence-powered career guidance platform; a school for children with special needs in Mumbai; and Shrimad Rajchandra Sarvamangal University, envisioned to serve rural India. The wider initiative also includes afforestation, women’s empowerment, community development and environmental projects.
The spiritual initiatives will expand opportunities for learning, reflection and engagement with the Mission’s teachings. Plans include spiritual centres in Mumbai and new facilities at Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram, such as a wellness centre, Solitude Groves known as Ekant Kutirs, and a museum dedicated to Shrimad Rajchandraji.
The international programme includes six new satsang centres in South America. The Mission also announced plans to make Gurudevshri’s discourses, books and meditations available in eight of the world’s most widely spoken languages, alongside 60 books comprising six titles in 10 languages. His commentary on Shrimad Rajchandraji’s Atmasiddhi Shastra is planned for release in 60 languages. Another initiative is BEYOND, a visual biography of Gurudevshri Rakeshji.
Leaders highlight values, compassion and service
Addressing the gathering, N. R. Narayana Murthy praised the connection between spiritual values and practical service demonstrated by the 60 initiatives. He said the impact of a spiritual tradition should be measured not only through its teachings but also through the compassion those teachings inspire.
Murthy also emphasised that India’s future would depend on the quality of its people, alongside progress in technology and infrastructure. He spoke about the importance of transforming culture and values as part of the broader vision of a developed India.
Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran reflected on the values that underpin enduring institutions, including trust, character, discipline, perseverance and hard work. Drawing on his four decades with the Tata Group, he said Gurudevshri’s work with young people was helping communicate values and a sense of purpose to communities on a significant scale.
Actor Ranbir Kapoor described the collective atmosphere at the event as an experience of joy and happiness. He praised Gurudevshri’s contribution to uplifting people and highlighted the involvement of young people in spiritual life under his guidance.
Kapoor also pointed to healthcare professionals travelling to remote parts of India to serve communities as an example of spirituality expressed through action. Reflecting on his own journey towards a deeper understanding of spirituality, he said meeting Gurudevshri had strengthened his interest in exploring India’s spiritual heritage further.
Young seekers take renunciation vows
The celebrations included the Sacred Atmarpit Diksha ceremony, during which 11 young seekers took vows of celibacy and committed themselves to a life dedicated to a higher purpose.
On the evening of 26 September, the cultural presentation Aho Gurudev brought together youth performances celebrating Gurudevshri’s life, teachings and humanitarian contributions. Across the two-day programme, Gurudevshri delivered three discourses exploring the themes of “Choosing Consciously”, “Renouncing Courageously” and “Serving Compassionately”.
The themes reflected the anniversary’s wider message: that spiritual understanding can guide personal choices while inspiring sustained efforts to support others.
Six decades of spiritual and humanitarian influence
According to the Mission, Gurudevshri Rakeshji began attracting seekers from the age of four. Over the following six decades, his work has developed an international following, reaching people across cultures, professions and generations.
The Mission’s activities extend from spiritual education and youth engagement to community programmes, healthcare outreach and animal welfare. The anniversary celebration placed these diverse efforts within a shared vision of inner development accompanied by responsibility towards society.
Although the Mumbai gathering featured prominent guests and large-scale cultural presentations, the announcement of the 60 initiatives remained central to its purpose. The projects set out an expanded programme of spiritual and humanitarian work intended to create lasting benefits for communities.
Following the Mumbai event, the Aho Gurudev celebrations are expected to continue across India before moving overseas. Planned destinations include Dubai, London, Toronto and cities across the United States, extending the anniversary programme to Gurudevshri’s international community of followers.
