Leonid Fedorovich Arikh, a well-known journalist, writer, poet, founder and publisher of the all-Russian weekly "New Tuesday" (Novey Vtornik), and his wife Nadezhda Andreevna recently visited the Brahma Kumaris Center for Spiritual Development in Moscow for a friendly meeting. 

"New Tuesday" has been published since 2012 and is distributed as a social and educational tab for regional publications that serve as a kind of launch vehicle for the federal newspapers. The weekly issue is prepared in Moscow and sent by e-mail to partners who contribute it to their publications. Readers love and trust the Weekly very much. Among the authors of "New Tuesday" are famous writers and public figures, winners of various awards and competitions, including the prestigious Golden Pen award in the journalistic community. "New Tuesday" is an all-Russian weekly and has a tab application in the media of all the Federal Districts, including the Federal Weekly "Mir Novostei (World News). The total readership is more than 2.2 million people. 

Leonid Arikh is also a laureate of the Golden Pen of Russia, Prize of the Union of Journalists of Russia. It is awarded annually for outstanding professional achievements, long-term work in the Russian press, radio and television, civic position and impeccable moral authority among colleagues. 

During his warm-hearted, get-acquainted meeting with Didi at the Moscow center, Mr Arikh learned about the Center and its activities, and about the experiences of the students, who, with the help of Spiritual Knowledge and Raja Yoga, were able to easily overcome professional burnout, stress, bad habits – smoking, alcohol, and gain control over their minds and emotions.  Mr Arikh was openly skeptical: "I doubt it! How is all this possible!" However, as an open hearted journalist he asked nearly 108 questions including about how the organisation was established and how everything began, who is Brahma? Can he be seen? His questions finished after meditating in Baba's room. 

Indeed, how could one believe that a public organization exists on the voluntary, incognito students’ contributions, that they do everything with great enthusiasm. They maintain perfect cleanliness and beauty in the Center; prepare, conduct non-profit programs for all kinds of  people; work on socially significant projects; even travel by invitation to other cities to give lectures! And no one gets a salary! For them it's a service and their sincere, pure desire for the Center to live, develop, and benefit not only themselves, but also other people, the city, the country, and the world. The journalist was met with something incomprehensible, but so attractive, some kind of miracle! 

During a friendly lunch, the distinguished guests met a cook, a doctor by profession; a teacher of chemistry and biology, and a practicing psychologist who prepared beautiful fragrant pastries and decorated the table. At near-by tables, several people were decorating little cakes for the next day's program. In the yard, another student, a builder, an artist, and a designer by profession, was planting flowers as a gardener. 

Mr Arikh asked: "You say that your self-improvement study lasts for the whole life. Do you give any diplomas to your students?" We replied that here we learn to live consciously, improve our character, and be filled with inner power. Therefore, our diploma is life itself, which becomes an inspiration for others. 

We presented Mr Arikh with the Diploma of Public Recognition "Diamond of Benevolence" with the words: "For dedication to the profession, friendly and honest conversation with the reader, as a sign of respect for the work that helps build a better future." 

Our meeting was so special and close to our hearts that we did not even notice that three hours had passed. We exchanged gifts. We presented our books where one can find answers to many questions. 

Mr Arikh's newspaper had published an interview of Sudha Didi, "Future has Hope" by the President of the "My Moscow" Foundation - Ms. Vera Boldycheva, a Journalist and well wisher of Brahma Kumaris. She had been inspired to do a special interview with Didi Sudha after Didi had received the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award 2025 from the Honourable President of India Her Excellency Droupadi Murmu. [See photos in the slider.] The interview, published  in Leonod Arikh's Weekly, was the instrument for his visit to Baba's home. You can download this interview by clicking on the link below. 

While taking leave, Mr. Leonid gave Didi his book "A Star Named Yurka", and signed it as follows:

To the respected Didi Sudha, "In memory of a historic meeting at Brahma Kumaris Center for Spiritual Development. I really hope that the impressions received here will inspire both me and you to new creative achievements. Leonid Arikh

Click here for more photos

There is hope for the future - English.pdf

There is hope for the future - Russian.pdf