Prem Rawat - 2006 in Review Maharaji’s tours started in 2006 with an event in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he addressed students and aspirants.  The next day, he was on his way to India, where, in the course of four weeks, he attended 23 events in 12 locations, including the inauguration of the Food for People facility in Bantoli. Many of these events took place in the countryside and were attended mostly by people from villages. Five events were attended by more than 90,000 people; one was attended by 200,000. Soon, Maharaji was in Barcelona, Spain, where he attended a two-day meeting held by people involved in helping to spread his message around the world. The meeting was followed by a public event with more than 2,000 people in attendance. Two weeks later, Maharaji was at the United Nations in New York, where he delivered the keynote address at a special event held in honor of the support provided by TPRF to the United Nations Development Programme’s Community Water Initiative in Ghana and the National Council of Women of the United States’ Water Well Project in Ghana. The event was attended by distinguished representatives of the UN in New York, as well as by government and civic leaders from the area. Presenting Maharaji with the Distinguished International Humanitarian Achievement Award, Mary Singletary, president of the National Council of Women of the United States, said,  “This award is given to you in recognition of outstanding leadership, profound commitment, and exceptional tributions to the quality of life for women, children, and families, and for the inspirational global influence of your message: Peace comes when we begin to look within.” The next day, Maharaji was on his way to Montreal, Canada, where he attended an event and then on to Europe for an event in Hamburg. Two weeks later, an event in Los Angeles was followed by another in Knoxville, Tennessee. Ten days later, Maharaji was in Malmö, Sweden. Responding to an invitation from the president of Rotary International, he delivered the keynote address at the pre- vention meeting for delegates of Rotaract—a division of Rotary International for people age 18 to 30. Rotaract has 182,000 members from more than 140 countries. Next, on to Marseilles, France, where nearly 4,000 people heard his message of peace. A week later, Maharaji was in Cotonou, Benin, where he addressed people who had traveled from all over West Africa to hear him speak. He made his first visit to the Canary Islands, where people had been inviting him to come for years. He went on to The Hague, Netherlands, also for the first time, and five more locations for public events in Europe. Shortly after that, 25,000 people under the age of 25 greeted him at an event in India celebrating the 40th anniversary of Maharaji bringing his message of peace. The vice president of India welcomed him, saying, “I want Maharaji’s message to reach the people around the world.” After an event for students in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, he presented his message to the Chinese community at the invitation of the Chinese Malay Association. Maharaji was welcomed by the minister of health. The minister of education was also there to greet him. After another event in India and one in Mauritius, Maharaji traveled to South America. In Florianopolis, Brazil, at the International University of Peace, Pierre Weil, the rector, appointed Maharaji Ambassador of Peace. Two days later, Maharaji was in Argentina for an event with more than 4,000 people. The next day he was presenting his message at the Senate of Argentina, at the invitation of the United Nations’ White Helmets as well as the Forum of Human Rights and Humanitarian Action. From Buenos Aires, Maharaji went on to Quito, Ecuador, where before an event with a capacity audience, he received the distinction of “Illustrious Guest” from the representative of the mayor. On his way to a four-day event near Brisbane, Australia, he stopped in Wellington, New Zealand, to share his message of peace on the occasion of the UN International Day of Peace. The event took place at the Parliament of New Zealand. The United Nations Association of New Zealand and the member of parliament for Wellington joined forces with TPRF to help bring this event to life. Before the year was out, Maharaji had spoken to over a million people in 21 countries, most of whom had come to hear him for the first time. 2006 Humanitarian Activities In early 2006, TPRF’s humanitarian efforts were first directed to the victims of Hurricane Wilma in Cancun, Mexico. TPRF had helped rebuild roofs in 2005, and many people in other Mayan villages still needed help. TPRF funded the purchase of more roofing material to rebuild 250 more roofs. Shortly after that, Maharaji inaugurated the first Food for People facility in a village called Bantoli, in a tribal area in northeastern India. The 10,000 square-foot custom-built facility was developed in sultation with local tribal elders and with full support of villagers. Each day, year-round, 1,000 free hot meals are distributed to children and another 500 meals to adults. Part of the food served is grown on the land around the facility. The facility is operated by Premsagar Foundation, a nonprofit organization, and funding is provided by TPRF. Two months later, following mudslides in the Philippines, TPRF made a significant tribution to the Philippine National Red Cross for food packs. At the same time, a free vision clinic was held in northeastern India. During a special event at the UN in New York, on behalf of TPRF, Maharaji gave significant tributions to the United Nations Development Programme and to the National Council of Women of the United States for water well programs in Ghana. Following a series of earthquakes in Indonesia, TPRF made three tributions to Yayasan Dian Desa, the Indonesian Development of Education and Permaculture Foundation, and the World Food Programme to repair water wells and feed people. After turmoil struck in the Middle East, the Foundation made a tribution to another reputable nonprofit organization, Oxfam, to bring clean water to people in need. Last but not least, at the end of 2006, the Foundation entered into a three-year partnership with Oxfam to help improve the nutrition of indigenous Australian schoolchildren in northern Queensland.   Photo courtesy of WFP/Rein Skullerud