<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:28.96%;"><img src="https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/2025_02_UK_Hansaben_of_GCH_2608122ac5.jpg" alt="2025-02-UK-Hansaben of GCH.jpg" srcset="https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/thumbnail_2025_02_UK_Hansaben_of_GCH_2608122ac5.jpg 148w," sizes="100vw" width="148px"></figure>Dear Brothers &amp; Sisters,News of Hansaben Patel of GCH, LondonHansaben was born 27 August 1940 in Surat, Bardoli Kharwasa, Gujarat, India. &nbsp;She had four sisters and two brothers. Hansaben, from a young age, was very devoted to Shiva. Hansaben was married with two sons (Nareshbhai and Anilbhai) and one daughter (Shilaben) who all live in the USA. She also has five grandchildren and great grandchildren.She took knowledge in 1979 in West Bromwich. Jyotiben from Dubai gave Hansaben the course and she, along with Manuben and Hansaben Prabhu, all came to knowledge at the same time. From the 80s Hansaben started to attend class in Tennyson Road and then began to help in the kitchen. Dadi Janki, seeing Hansaben’s qualities of cooking bhog and brahma Bhojan, asked Hansaben to come and stay in Baba’s house. Brijben and Ansuyamata were also part of supporting Baba’s bhandara in the 80s.Once Global Co-operation House opened, Hansaben took full responsibility of the kitchen from 1991. The mothers that attended morning class each morning, helped Hansaben in the kitchen. Hansaben’s main specialty was her organising and management skills, and of course many dishes that are still remembered today. She always prepared in advance for programmes ranging from 50 to 1,000 and she inspired the mothers and brothers to cooperate and maintain a yogi atmosphere. Dadi Janki always praised Hansaben as she and all mothers would never miss the Murli, they would prepare before class and then attend Murli and then later continue.Hansaben and the mothers were masters of creating various types of toli and, again, her perfection and precision was her specialty, making sure that each piece of toli was exactly the same size. So perfection and also cleanliness in the kitchen were deep principles that Hansaben upheld.Hansaben’s daily activity was from the morning hours when she would be in the kitchen from 5.30am, and then in the afternoon she would spend time calling her service companions, family members, and the many that she remembered, and she touched souls to come to Baba’s house or stay close.In April 2023, Hansaben had a nasty fall, after which her health began to deteriorate. In October 2024, with courage, she decided to have a hip operation which was a success, but due to her age, the body went through various&nbsp;settlements and she stayed in hospital for nearly three months. During this whole time Hansaben remained very strong and many visited her in&nbsp;hospital regularly. On Friday, 24 January, 2025, at Amrit Vela (between 4am and 5am) Hansaben quietly passed away in the hospital, the atmosphere in the room was very peaceful and light.We shall fondly remember Hansaben for all the service she did and the souls she sustained and brought closer to Baba.The funeral took place on 29 January 2025.&nbsp;We send our good wishes in Baba’s remembrance to Hansaben and her family.With love, In Baba’s yaad,BK Jayanti

Hansaben Patel of GCH, London, Has Flown to Baba

<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:26.24%;"><img src="https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/2025_02_UK_Nirmla_Devi_Bakhshi_2d69837e88.jpg" alt="2025-02-UK-Nirmla Devi Bakhshi.jpg" srcset="https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/thumbnail_2025_02_UK_Nirmla_Devi_Bakhshi_2d69837e88.jpg 139w," sizes="100vw" width="139px"></figure>Dear Brothers &amp; Sisters,BK Nirmla Devi Bakhshi was born on 21 March 1931 in Meerpur, India, and departed on 29 January 2025 in Slough, England, on the auspicious day of Moni Amavasya during the Maha Kumbh Mela in India, which occurs only once every 144 years. She left her body peacefully within ten minutes. Her last words were "Om Shanti", spoken with a beautiful smile on her face.She is fondly remembered as a mother to all, offering love and strength to everyone she met. Highly disciplined in her daily routines, she was a powerful yogi, detached from possessions, and an embodiment of purity. She had the quality of always speaking good words and demonstrating merciful and benevolent behaviour towards all living beings.Born into a family of educated professionals—mainly lawyers since many generations, doctors, and teachers—she herself served as the headmistress of a children's school. In 1966, she moved to the UK with her family. In April 1970, Baba himself gave her the Gyan course through visions, making her the first person to receive Gyan outside of India, along with her daughter Suman. She began serving at her home in Slough and continued there until 2025.A great instrument of Baba, she played a vital role in supporting the newly established centres across Europe, particularly in Germany, Belgium, Holland, and Switzerland. She travelled extensively, serving Baba’s centres. Beyond her spiritual work, she was also a dedicated social worker, always committed to the well-being of her community.Strong and royal in nature, she had the unique ability to unite people—exemplifying the sanskars of a true Maharaja of the coming Golden Age, Satyuga.With deep gratitude, we send her our heartfelt thanks for the immense love, care, and support she gave to all.The final farewell will take place on Monday, 10 February 2025, at 11.30am Slough Crematorium, Stoke Road, Slough SL2 5AXThe family requests everyone to join afterwards for Preeti Bhojan (a gathering for friends and family to have a meal together) at Slough Hindu Mandir, Keel Drive, Slough SL1 2XUWe send our good wishes in Baba’s remembrance to BK Nirmla and her family.With Love, In Baba’s yaad,Slough BK Family

BK Nirmla Devi Bakhshi of Slough, UK, has taken Baba's Lap

<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:33.34%;"><img src="https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/2025_02_Coventry_Shantaben_Kheradia_4b44f9e552.jpg" alt="2025-02-Coventry-Shantaben Kheradia.jpg" srcset="https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/thumbnail_2025_02_Coventry_Shantaben_Kheradia_4b44f9e552.jpg 176w," sizes="100vw" width="176px"></figure>Dear Brothers &amp; Sisters,Shantaben was born in Jamnagar, Gujarat, India, one of ten siblings. Her father was a tailor. At the age of four, she travelled by ship with her mother and siblings to Africa to join her father. The family lived in Mombasa and Kisumu, where she grew up cooking for a large extended family.In 1963, her life changed dramatically when she moved to Coventry, England, with her husband and two small children. They arrived with little money but made their home a welcoming place for others who had also migrated from Africa. Her husband worked in a factory and they began to build their lives together. However, he sadly passed away after an accident at work, leaving Shantaben to raise their children alone. She worked at GEC Electrics, starting on the factory floor and eventually becoming an inspector.On 7th July 1977, encouraged by her sister-in-law Lilaben Chohan, she attended a spiritual lecture in Leicester by BK Ramesh Shah. She immediately connected with the teachings of the Brahma Kumaris and remained dedicated for the rest of her life. From the beginning, she very much wanted to be at the heart of the Yagya, and spent time in London, Dubai, and Madhuban. She formed a close bond with Dadi Janki,&nbsp;and when she lived in London, she often spent time in Baba Bhavan where Dadi Janki lived.In the late 1980s, she returned to Coventry and lived at the BK Centre. She worked tirelessly in Baba’s service, especially through her love of cooking. Her food was cherished by all, and she could prepare both Indian and Western dishes with skill. She had a lively personality, enjoyed sharing spiritual knowledge, and engaged with everyone warmly. She loved Baba and studying gyan, and enjoyed sharing Baba’s jewels with others.In her later years, as her health declined, she could no longer serve as actively but remained devoted to Baba’s work and the Yagya in her heart and mind. Shantaben lived a full life with great courage and determination. She will be remembered for her generosity, her unwavering faith in Baba, and her dedication to the yagya with her body, mind and wealth.The final farewell will take place on&nbsp;Thursday, 13 February 2025, at 12 noon Canley Crematorium Cannon Hill Chapel Cannon Hill Road Coventry CV4 7DFAfter the crematorium, the family invites you to join them at: Hindu Temple Society 380 Stoney Stanton Road Coventry CB6 5DJDetails&nbsp;of&nbsp;the live streaming&nbsp;of&nbsp;the funeral for those who can’t attend in person: Website: &nbsp;watch.obitus.com Username: &nbsp;qiya2594 &nbsp;/ &nbsp;Password: &nbsp;435782We send our good wishes in Baba’s remembrance to Shantaben and her family.With Love, In Baba’s yaad,Sr Jayanti

Shantaben Kheradia of Coventry, UK, Attains Baba's Lap

Dear family,We just got the news that at Amrit Vela time, our dear Hansaben of GCH flew into Baba's lap. &nbsp;She has looked after Baba's Bhandara&nbsp;and served us all for so many years giving so much sustenance.We will give further news as soon as it is available.With love in Baba's yaad Sister Jayanti

BK Hansa ben of London, GCH has Flown to Baba

<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:28.17%;"><img src="https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/2024_01_Africa_Sr_Shirley_of_South_Africa_e1cba09955.jpg" alt="2024-01-Africa-Sr Shirley of South Africa.jpg" srcset="https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/thumbnail_2024_01_Africa_Sr_Shirley_of_South_Africa_e1cba09955.jpg 110w,https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/small_2024_01_Africa_Sr_Shirley_of_South_Africa_e1cba09955.jpg 352w,https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/medium_2024_01_Africa_Sr_Shirley_of_South_Africa_e1cba09955.jpg 528w,https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/large_2024_01_Africa_Sr_Shirley_of_South_Africa_e1cba09955.jpg 704w," sizes="100vw" width="704px"></figure>On the 1st January, our dearest and lovely Sister Shirley surrendered her body and peacefully flew into Baba’s lap. After a few years of physical illness, which became worse during 2024, she powerfully prepared herself for her onward journey. It was a privilege to witness her strength, courage and determination to settle all her accounts cheerfully while serving until her last breath.Sister Shirley was one of the first kumaris in South Africa to surrender to Baba in the mid 1980’s when the first centre was established in Lenasia - her hometown. Although she served in different centres around the country, Lenasia was always her ‘home’. It was here that she cared for and nurtured both the community and Baba’s children tirelessly for almost 4 decades. Loved and respected by members of the community and the many organizations that she contributed to, for her gentle and compassionate nature.Sister Shirley was a long-standing member of the NCT and the South African BK Board of Trustees. She brought a kind and understanding heart to all matters, keeping us focussed on the importance of maintaining good relationships, no matter what.As we reflect on the example she set for us all, we wonder at the power of such love for God. Never a trace of discontent nor despair was visible despite the extreme tests that the body endured. Sister Shirley was a true credit to her Father, Teacher and Satguru. Farewell, dear soul – you will be a great blessing wherever you go.

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Transitions

Hansaben Patel of GCH, London, Has Flown to Baba

BK Nirmla Devi Bakhshi of Slough, UK, has taken Baba's Lap

Shantaben Kheradia of Coventry, UK, Attains Baba's Lap

BK Hansa ben of London, GCH has Flown to Baba

Sister Shirley, Baba’s special diamond from South Africa, has flown away