Celebration of India’s Independence Day and Raksha Bandhan St. Petersburg, RussiaThe ultimate freedom and independence are achieved through complete purity of our thoughts, relationships, diet, and lifestyle. This message has been shared by the Brahma Kumaris members in St. Petersburg at various venues on the occasion of Independence Day of India and the pure festival of Raksha Bandhan.&nbsp;On August, 15, a group of BK students joined the official flag hoisting ceremony at Consulate General of India in this city. After listening to a special address delivered to the nation by Smt. Draupadi Murmu ji, President of India, on the eve of 78th Independence Day celebration, there was a space for friendly communication with the Consulate staff, members of the local Indian community and guests of St. Petersburg (especially a large group of retired police officers from Delhi and other cities of Bharat). The song “Ye dosti” (“We’ll never leave this friendship”) performed by BK Anna got everyone singing, and it contributed a lot in creating the atmosphere of love in the gathering.&nbsp;Later on the same day, Santosh Didi shared her words of blessings at a grand reception held by the Indian Consulate at K2, the Russian government’s events hall at Krestovsky Island of St. Petersburg.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/India_Independence_and_Raksha_Bandhan_Celebration_News_4_199b787956.jpg" alt="India Independence &amp; Raksha Bandhan Celebration News-4.jpg" srcset="https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/thumbnail_India_Independence_and_Raksha_Bandhan_Celebration_News_4_199b787956.jpg 245w,https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/small_India_Independence_and_Raksha_Bandhan_Celebration_News_4_199b787956.jpg 500w,https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/medium_India_Independence_and_Raksha_Bandhan_Celebration_News_4_199b787956.jpg 750w,https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/large_India_Independence_and_Raksha_Bandhan_Celebration_News_4_199b787956.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw" width="1000px"></figure>

Celebration of India’s Independence Day and Raksha Bandhan St. Petersburg, Russia

<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:100%;"><img class="image_resized" src="https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/Chief_Navi_officers_Tarun_Sobti_Brijinder_S_Sodhi_Captain_of_IMS_M_R_Harish_with_Didi_Santosh_3a059c6a9e.jpeg" alt="Chief Navi officers - Tarun Sobti, Brijinder S Sodhi, Captain of IMS M.R Harish with Didi Santosh.jpeg" srcset="https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/thumbnail_Chief_Navi_officers_Tarun_Sobti_Brijinder_S_Sodhi_Captain_of_IMS_M_R_Harish_with_Didi_Santosh_3a059c6a9e.jpeg 215w,https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/small_Chief_Navi_officers_Tarun_Sobti_Brijinder_S_Sodhi_Captain_of_IMS_M_R_Harish_with_Didi_Santosh_3a059c6a9e.jpeg 500w,https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/medium_Chief_Navi_officers_Tarun_Sobti_Brijinder_S_Sodhi_Captain_of_IMS_M_R_Harish_with_Didi_Santosh_3a059c6a9e.jpeg 750w,https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/large_Chief_Navi_officers_Tarun_Sobti_Brijinder_S_Sodhi_Captain_of_IMS_M_R_Harish_with_Didi_Santosh_3a059c6a9e.jpeg 1000w," sizes="100vw" width="1000px"><figcaption>Chief Navi officers - &nbsp;Tarun Sobti, Brijinder S Sodhi, Captain of IMS M.R Harish with Didi Santosh</figcaption></figure>The frigate “Tabar” of Indian Navy arrived in St. Petersburg, Russia, at the end of July 2024 to take part in celebrations dedicated to Russian Navy Day (July, 28). The frigate was built at the Baltic Shipyard in St. Petersburg in 2004. It is the third multifunctional ship of “Talwar” class in the Indian Navy.Didi Santosh graced with her presence the festive meeting on board the frigate “Tabar” on Monday, July 29. Among the participants were Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti, Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff; Brijinder Sodhi, Naval Attaché (Indian Embassy in Moscow); Gaurav Kumar, Сonsul General of India in St. Petersburg; Alexander Konovalov, director general of Baltic Shipyard; Evgueny Grigoriev, chairman of Committee for External Relations of St. Petersburg; Margarita Mudrak, chairperson of Association for International Co-operation of St. Petersburg; Indian Navy officers based in Severodvinsk and Kaliningrad.Alexander Konovalov expressed his surprise mentioning that the ship has been maintained so perfectly well even 20 years after it was built. He thanked the ship’s crew for their dedication and hard work. While meeting with Didi Santosh, Mr Alexander Konovalov was happy to know that the Brahma Kumaris Centre in St. Petersburg was located quite near his home.The next day, while meeting the ship’s crew, Santosh Didi explained the deep spiritual significance of the ancient festival of Raksha Bandhan and tied Rakhis to everyone. The participants of the meeting were happy to get special gifts and sweets cooked with love at the Brahma Kumaris Centre.<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fmPbGEGokDqn1st-DAqv7dEkCtB4pMo4/view">Video news of events - link</a>

Didi Santosh on board Tabar frigate during Russian Navy Day celebration Service news

<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:75%;"><img src="https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/Group_photo_f4813b7179.JPG" alt="Group photo.JPG" srcset="https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/thumbnail_Group_photo_f4813b7179.JPG 234w,https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/small_Group_photo_f4813b7179.JPG 500w,https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/medium_Group_photo_f4813b7179.JPG 750w,https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/large_Group_photo_f4813b7179.JPG 1000w," sizes="100vw" width="1000px"></figure>“The Art of Creating Double Light Atmosphere in the Family”&nbsp; A dialogue with participation of BK members,&nbsp;family couples from Delhi and Mumbai St. Petersburg, Russia July, 4“A Happy, Pure, Prosperous Family: God’s Masterpiece”, the new value-based project by the Brahma Kumaris in St. Petersburg, dedicated to the Year of Family in Russia (2024), is gaining momentum. The dialogue “The Art of Creating Double Light Atmosphere in the Family” that took place in Lighthouse on Thursday, July 4th, became the third public event since the official launch of the project three weeks ago.This time, a large group of couples (yugal), BK members from Delhi and Mumbai, arrived in St. Petersburg, increasing the beauty of the gathering.It is said, as is the food, so is the mind. This became one of the key topics of the dialogue. Speaking about subtle energies contained in pure vegetarian diet cooked with good wishes and spiritual love, in God’s remembrance,&nbsp;BK Aditi, distinguished educationist and author, CEO of Dynamic Minds Group (Delhi), shared her personal story of how this understanding and practice had enabled her to restore inner calm and enhanced happy and balanced relations with her family members.BK Nitin Beri&nbsp;(Mumbai), member of Board of Governors, Global Institute of Business Studies, expressed his joy of interacting with his brothers and sisters, residents of St. Petersburg, mentioning that Mumbai and St. Petersburg were sister cities. He shared how touching the energy of the Supreme Father, the Head of the unlimited family of souls, had saved him from despair and filled his mind with clarity, acceptance, and ability to appreciate people more.Dr Valentina Suloyeva, famous ophthalmologist, director general of the North-West Regional Health Centre (Russia), explained how a positive attitude and happy mood were the main foundation to ensure physical health, longevity, career growth, and hearty, sincere relations with family members and colleagues.A few minutes spent in powerful silence made everyone ponder on the magic of good wishes and pure feelings for uplifting the self and transforming the atmosphere around us. Then the BKs from Delhi and Mumbai came on the stage especially to thank&nbsp;Santosh Didi&nbsp;for her motherly sustenance and share their loving feelings with their brothers and sisters of this city. The event came out to be a living proof of creating the family atmosphere and spreading those vibrations all around!

BK Couples from India Dialogue about “The Art of Creating Double Light Atmosphere in the Family” in St. Petersburg, Russia

New Project Launched in St. Petersburg,“Happy, Pure, Prosperous Family: God’s Masterpiece”June, 2024 -The Brahma Kumaris Centre in St. Petersburg marks its 34th anniversary by launching a new value-based project dedicated to the Year of Family in Russia. The year 2024 is celebrated as the Year of Family in Russia. The new project, “Happy, Pure, Prosperous Family: God’s Masterpiece” is aimed at enhancing the inculcation of virtues and powers for happy and peaceful life through understanding the spiritual laws that govern the interaction between individuals, family members and communities.&nbsp;From the very outset, the project has received support of both governmental and non-governmental organizations. Among its partners are the Union of Women of Russia – Women’s Alliance, Federation of Women with University Education, National Business magazine, ESG Media, the League for Sports Tourism, and others.The arrival of 10 dedicated brothers, Shantivan niwasis, for the project launching filled the atmosphere of the Diamond Hall of Lighthouse with special vibrations of Baba’s unlimited family of Madhuban. BK Bhanu Prakash (Roti dept), BK Gyaneshwar (Mansarovar), BK Bhanu Prasad (Dining), BK Darshan (Video dept) and others brought special greetings and blessings on behalf of Dadi Ratan Mohini ji, Nirwair bhai sahab, Munni Didi ji, and all Madhuban niwasis.&nbsp;The launching event started with a beautiful dance drama representing various facets of the pure divine family life: the family as a ship overcoming the storms of problems, or a garden of living flowers, or a fortress protecting its members from negative forces, etc.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/Gods_Masterpiece_Launch_Event_7a9ac909f3.jpg" alt="Gods Masterpiece - LaunchEvent.jpg" srcset="https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/thumbnail_Gods_Masterpiece_Launch_Event_7a9ac909f3.jpg 245w,https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/small_Gods_Masterpiece_Launch_Event_7a9ac909f3.jpg 500w,https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/medium_Gods_Masterpiece_Launch_Event_7a9ac909f3.jpg 750w,https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/large_Gods_Masterpiece_Launch_Event_7a9ac909f3.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw" width="1000px"><figcaption>Happy, Pure, Prosperous Family: God’s Masterpiece - Launch</figcaption></figure>Ms Anna Mityanina, Children’s Rights Ombudswoman of St. Petersburg, sent an official letter of greetings on the occasion: “The family is the main support for an individual and a constituent of success. The family is about our roots, our history, it is a link between the past and the future. The tree having strong and well-developed roots will grow well and bear fruit. A child’s personality, their virtues of kindness, mercy, respect for seniors, love for their motherland are developed in the atmosphere of the family. I congratulate the Brahma Kumaris Centre in St. Petersburg on the occasion of their 34th anniversary. Wishing you every success in your constructive work for social improvement and rejuvenation of human values, enhancing happy relations in every sphere of life.”&nbsp;Some of the project partners came on the stage to share their vision of a happy family.&nbsp;Ms. Elena Ioffe, board member of the Union of Women of Russia, said: “A happy family is a small nuclear reactor where the energy of love is generated and then spread further. I would say that this energy is generated mostly by women – mothers, sisters, and daughters.”&nbsp;Ms. Zoya Apevalova, president of Federation of Women with University Education, said: “A happy family is about accommodation and acceptance. In spite of challenges that arise on a daily basis, we should learn to accept and enjoy the present moment.”&nbsp;Ms. Lubov Bragina, executive director, Radomira Centre, said: “A happy family is the one where every member is loved and respected. It is a place where they value spiritual and emotional closeness to one another. This is why I am happy that the project is starting today at this wonderful place, the Brahma Kumaris Centre in St. Petersburg.”&nbsp;BK Vijay Kumar spoke on the subtle spiritual aspects behind the concept of the new project. He said, “Throughout the history of the genealogical Tree of Mankind, souls have preserved the memory of one God and one human world family. We belong to Him, and He belongs to us. This awareness is a thread that is going to give us back the divine power that will sustain the family, society, and the world in general.”&nbsp;Santosh Didi explained the message behind the new project by saying, “God, the Supreme Father, has given us a new understanding. Originally, as we come to this world, we are present here for giving, not for taking. Deities are givers, and ordinary human beings are takers. As time goes by, however, we gradually change from givers to takers, and accordingly our sorrow and sufferings keep increasing. Then we establish relationships in order to share our pain, rather than to give comfort and happiness. This is how relationships change into karmic bondages. So the new project is aimed at enabling us to become free from those bondages. And the key to achieve that is to consider ourselves to be souls having happy relations with the household of our own bodies, in the first place, and then to come in interaction with others with the attitude of giving.”&nbsp;On this special occasion, the 2nd edition of the book “A Happy Family: 36 Questions and 36 Answers” was introduced to the audience. The book released now is based on the materials of the family training programs and other events that have been held in Lighthouse since 1990.&nbsp;The events within the framework of the new project will continue till the end of this year. Those will include dialogues, seminars, training programs, cultural performances, interviews etc. with participation of leading educationists, psychologists, lawyers, journalists of Russia as well as senior BK teachers and other BK members from India and other countries.<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:79.65%;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jnR_WXj9zF4VdT4znJE26peGjy8uJkkr/view" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/Gods_Masterpiece_Opening_project_f9b1c90ca4.png" alt="Gods Masterpiece - Opening project.png" srcset="https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/thumbnail_Gods_Masterpiece_Opening_project_f9b1c90ca4.png 245w,https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/small_Gods_Masterpiece_Opening_project_f9b1c90ca4.png 500w,https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/medium_Gods_Masterpiece_Opening_project_f9b1c90ca4.png 750w,https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/large_Gods_Masterpiece_Opening_project_f9b1c90ca4.png 1000w," sizes="100vw" width="1000px"></a><figcaption>Happy, Pure, Prosperous Family: God’s Masterpiece - Launch Video</figcaption></figure><figure class="image"><img src="https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/Happy_Family_project_page_1_45fefafb9b.jpg" alt="Happy Family project - page 1.jpg" srcset="https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/thumbnail_Happy_Family_project_page_1_45fefafb9b.jpg 221w,https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/small_Happy_Family_project_page_1_45fefafb9b.jpg 500w,https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/medium_Happy_Family_project_page_1_45fefafb9b.jpg 750w,https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/large_Happy_Family_project_page_1_45fefafb9b.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw" width="1000px"></figure><figure class="image"><img src="https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/Happy_Family_project_page_2_5b22f34bd6.jpg" alt="Happy Family project - page 2.jpg" srcset="https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/thumbnail_Happy_Family_project_page_2_5b22f34bd6.jpg 219w,https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/small_Happy_Family_project_page_2_5b22f34bd6.jpg 500w,https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/medium_Happy_Family_project_page_2_5b22f34bd6.jpg 750w,https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/large_Happy_Family_project_page_2_5b22f34bd6.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw" width="1000px"></figure>

New Project Launched in St. Petersburg,“Happy, Pure, Prosperous Family: God’s Masterpiece”

BK Mruthyunjaya bhai and BK Banarsi bhai took part in an event “Youth for Transformation - Dialogue about Values in Education" in St Petersburg, Russia. They were the chief guests at this event, held at Lighthouse, the Brahma Kumaris Centre in St. Petersburg.&nbsp;<img src="https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/DSC_8099_38259eca9c.jpg" alt="DSC_8099.jpg" srcset="https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/thumbnail_DSC_8099_38259eca9c.jpg 234w,https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/small_DSC_8099_38259eca9c.jpg 500w,https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/medium_DSC_8099_38259eca9c.jpg 750w,https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/large_DSC_8099_38259eca9c.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw" width="1000px">&nbsp;Opening the dialogue, Mr Anatoli Likhtin, Head of Department, Russian Academy of Economics and Civil Service under the President of the Russian Federation, said, “Parents and educators invest a lot of energy and resources in raising the younger generations, however we can see that the lack of values in the lives of young people make those huge investments go waste. I have practised the raja yoga meditation for quite a while and have got a practical experience of its usefulness. Today I am happy that we have an opportunity to get a first-hand introduction of the programs offered by the Education Wing and Medical Wing of the Brahma Kumaris.” Please find more details here-

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St. Petersburg

Celebration of India’s Independence Day and Raksha Bandhan St. Petersburg, Russia

Didi Santosh on board Tabar frigate during Russian Navy Day celebration Service news

BK Couples from India Dialogue about “The Art of Creating Double Light Atmosphere in the Family” in St. Petersburg, Russia

New Project Launched in St. Petersburg,“Happy, Pure, Prosperous Family: God’s Masterpiece”

Br Mruthyunjaya & Dr Banarsi in St Petersburg