Rajchandra Mission Announces 60 Initiatives at Gurudevshri Rakeshji’s Birthday Celebration

Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur announced 60 spiritual and community service initiatives during a two-day gathering marking the 60th birth anniversary of spiritual leader Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshji at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai on September 25 and 26, 2026.

The event, titled “Aho Gurudev: 60 Years of an Enlightened Existence,” brought together spiritual leaders, business executives, public officials, philanthropists and volunteers. According to a statement from the mission, thousands of participants attended from 214 cities across 24 countries.

The announced initiatives were divided equally between spiritual programs and service projects, with proposed efforts spanning health care, education, animal welfare, career guidance and environmental conservation.

Health care projects included the Shrimad Rajchandra Sarvamangal Cancer Hospital, the Shrimad Rajchandra Sarvamangal Hospital and Medical College in Surendranagar, and the Shrimad Rajchandra Mental Health Initiative. The mission also announced 60 new Shrimad Rajchandra Love and Care Centres.

According to the statement, multispecialty medical camps, along with anemia screening and vision care camps across India, are intended to reach 60 million people.

Animal welfare plans included a campus in Dharampur comprising the Shrimad Rajchandra Animal Hospital, an animal shelter, an institute of veterinary science and an Ahimsa Awareness Centre. An animal hospital in Malad was also announced.

Education initiatives included Shrimad Rajchandra DISHA, a free career guidance platform powered by artificial intelligence; the Shrimad Rajchandra School for Special Needs Children in Mumbai; and Shrimad Rajchandra Sarvamangal University, intended to serve rural India. Other projects focused on afforestation, women’s empowerment, community support and the environment.

The spiritual initiatives included centers in Mumbai and additional facilities at Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram, including a wellness center, solitude retreats known as Ekant Kutirs, and the Shrimad Rajchandra Museum. Six new satsang centers in South America were also announced.

The mission outlined plans to make Rakeshji’s discourses, books and meditations available in multiple languages, including six titles in 10 languages, totaling 60 books. It also announced his commentary on Shrimad Rajchandraji’s Shri Atmasiddhi Shastra in 60 languages and BEYOND, a visual biography of Rakeshji.

Spiritual figures attending the gathering included Morari Bapu, Anandmurti Gurumaa, Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, Swami Swaroopanandji, BK Sister Shivani, Sadhvi Bhagwati Saraswati and Bhiku Sanghasenaji.

Other guests included Maharashtra Cabinet Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha; Infosys founder and Chairman Emeritus N. R. Narayana Murthy; Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran; Lt. Gen. D. S. Kushwah; Member of Parliament Hema Malini; former HDFC Chairman Deepak Parekh; and Sun Pharmaceutical Industries founder and Managing Director Dilip Shanghvi.

Also attending were chef and Wonderchef co-founder Sanjeev Kapoor; Reliance Retail and Reliance Jio Director Manoj Modi; Adani Group promoter Vinod Adani; Hinduja Group Chairman Ashok Hinduja; Torrent Group Chairman Emeritus Sudhir Mehta; actors Ranbir Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor Ahuja; Kotak Mahindra AMC Managing Director Nilesh Shah; Motilal Oswal Financial Services co-founder Motilal Oswal; and Pidilite Industries Chairman Madhukar Parekh.

During the Atmarpit Diksha ceremony, 11 young participants took vows of celibacy and committed themselves to a spiritual life, the statement said.

Rakeshji delivered three discourses, titled “Choosing Consciously,” “Renouncing Courageously” and “Serving Compassionately.” The program concluded with “Aho Gurudev,” a musical tribute depicting his life.

Following the Mumbai gathering, organizers plan to take the celebration to other locations in India and overseas, including Dubai, London, Toronto and cities across the United States.

Speaking at the event, Murthy linked spiritual teachings to public service and described the 60 initiatives as an example of compassion expressed through action.

“The true measure of any spiritual tradition lies not just in its teachings, but in the compassion it inspires through action,” he said.

Murthy added that India’s future would depend on the character of its people alongside advances in technology and infrastructure.

“India’s future cannot be determined by technology and infrastructure alone. Its destiny will ultimately be shaped by the quality of its people,” he said.

Chandrasekaran drew parallels between the Tata Group’s values and Rakeshji’s work with young people. Reflecting on his 40 years with the group, he identified trust, character, discipline, perseverance and hard work as qualities that help shape individuals and institutions.

“And that is why the work of Gurudev is so meaningful,” Chandrasekaran said.

He said Rakeshji’s teachings and engagement with young people were helping share those values and a sense of purpose with a wider audience.

Kapoor spoke about the gathering’s atmosphere and the participation of young people in spiritual and service activities.

“I’m speechless experiencing this collective energy of joy and happiness,” he said.

He also highlighted the work of doctors and other health care professionals who travel to remote communities to provide care.

“Seeing specialized doctors and healthcare professionals travel to the remotest parts of our country to heal people and serve communities, that, I believe, is what true spirituality is,” Kapoor said.

Kapoor added that knowing Rakeshji had encouraged him to pursue his own spiritual goals and that he hoped to visit the Dharampur ashram.

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