People of Arpana

Dr Jatinder Kumar Mehta,
formerly Chairman and Chairman Emeritus of the Arpana Group of Trusts
09.03.1918 - 22.05.2008
Dr Mehta was Chairman of Arpana Trust since its inception in August, 1962, and of Arpana Research & Charities Trust since its inception in January, 1980. He was Chairman Emeritus of the Arpana Trusts from September, 2007.


Many have said that Dr J.K. Mehta, or Papaji, as we all knew him, was a father to those who were privileged to know and love him. He gave himself unstintingly, taking especial care of new members of the Arpana family, gently guiding them, giving emotional support, and helping them to understand and imbibe the sublime truths of Urvashi and the Scriptures. Those who were the recipients of his love and compassion, and witness of his humility and deep abiding faith are indeed privileged.

Mr R.M. Sabharwal, formerly Executive Director, Arpana Group of Trusts
20.11.1929 - 04.10.2004
Mr Sabharwal, or Ratti Uncle, as he was lovingly called by the Arpana family, left a successful professional career, first in Burmah Shell and then ACC, Delhi, to offer himself as a servant of the Master. His ability and dogged persistence to raise funds laid the foundations of Arpana's mission for the welfare of the disadvantaged, through wide ranging services in three States of India, which today are nationally and internationally recognized.

Born to serve, his missionary zeal gave him the passion, strength, determination and dedication to work tirelessly, with the inspiration and guidance of Param Pujya Ma, for the upliftment of the needy in slums and villages.

Ms. Kamala Surie (Nani)
27.11.1928 – 02.12.2008
Kamala Surie came to Arpana with Dr Ela Anand and her surgeon husband, Dr A.K. Anand when they left their Nursing Home in Delhi to come to serve at Madhuban. She was the first matron at the Arpana Hospital, and helped to build it up from scratch. She personally trained the nursing staff, who were mainly recruited from untrained girls from the surrounding villages, and looked after all their needs.

Her love and concern for each member of the Arpana family, attending to whatever ailment they had, was matched by her love and care for the nurses and hospital staff working under her, and for each patient, regardless of their status.

In his own right, a renowned teacher, Papaji was a holistic healer. He submitted to the Spiritual Vision of Param Pujya Ma, acknowledging Her Divine Life as Supreme, and it was he who declared this to the world. He was one of those few who truly imbibed and practised the essence of Urvashi, remaining a faithful disciple of Param Pujya Ma to the end of his life. Papaji helped so many people in trouble, with broken relationships, with legal problems, anyone in need of a helping hand. He would accompany a patient, or accident victim, to a hospital, sometimes far away, seeing that all his or her needs were met, and in the absence of loving relatives, he would play the role of a caring parent, brother, or son. He was one of those rare ones who give of themselves, totally.

To see him serving in his chosen profession as a doctor was a unique experience. He was deeply loved by his patients, to whom he was much more than a physical healer, a friend and confidante, and they flocked to him, whether he was sitting under a tree with his medicine bag, or in the hospital clinic. With Pujya Ma's loving inspiration, he went out of his way for all those in need, free with his money, medicines, and personal time without limit, in total identification, which is the very essence of Urvashi's practical teaching. Papaji planted the seeds of Arpana's medical services, and oversaw their growth in the Arpana Hospital and Haryana villages, in the Himachal Centres and remote rural areas from where he attracted a large number of deprived hillfolk. Papaji and Mr Sabharwal known to us as Ratti Uncle, together reached out to many funding agencies and donors in India and abroad, giving them the confidence and trust to adopt Arpana and build up the services into what they have become today.

Mrs Raj Malik
16.12.1929 - 17.06.2005
There is none in Arpana who did not have daily interaction with 'Raj aunty', whether family members or staff, patients or visitors. We all remember her patience and humility with gratitude. Mrs Raj Malik was one of the mainstays of the Arpana ashram and service activities. She worked tirelessly in the Hospital office, dealing with admissions and billing of patients in a compassionate manner, giving personal attention to each one. She would assess those needy ones, ensuring that they received free treatment, and would request patients of private rooms to donate towards better facilities in the Hospital. It was her intense commitment to Arpana that won people over.

"Raj aunty" organised all the vehicles of Arpana, which was a massive task with so many diverse requirements from Arpana's members and all the service activities.

"Raj aunty" truly enriched the lives of all those who came into contact with her.

His humility touched everyone who came into contact with him. For a pilgrim on the path of truth, humility is one of the most integral and essential qualities, and he possessed it in abundance. Despite every kind of impediment, he persevered, assimilating the Spiritual qualities of humility and patience, love and identification, which left a deep impression upon each one with whom he came into contact.

Ratti Uncle was a great karmyogi, working without any consideration of his own needs and comforts, oblivious to time or fixed hours of work. No task was too big or too small for him. He set an example to all who knew him and worked with him, of total giving and identification, which is the meaning and essence of 'Arpana'. He was a shining example of Pujya Ma's oft repeated injunction to "Love all".

Ratti Uncle, busy from morning to night, yet always had time for everyone, and almost everyone who knew him well received assistance in time of need. He gave pure love to each one of us and to all he met. If there was a problem, he would resolve it, if there was a burden, he would share it, if there were tears, he would do his best to wipe them away and put a smile there instead.

Ms. Reva Bhandari
07.01.1947 - 04.10.2004
Reva 'didi' had a dream to reach Urvashi into every home and heart. Her deep understanding and clarification of 'Urvashi', Param Pujya Ma's elucidation of the Scriptures, was exceptional. She expected absolute attention and concentration from her students, which was rewarded with a beautiful experience of the practical meaning of 'Urvashi'. Through Reva, each member of the Arpana family was initiated into the intoxicating depths of 'Urvashi", Param Pujya Ma's Divine flow of Knowledge. She was an exceptional devotee of the Lord.

Through the 1970's and 80's she organised Arpana's stage presentations, based on stories of the Prophets and devotees told by Param Pujya Ma to the children of Arpana. The atmosphere of loving togetherness through these stage presentations was mainly due to her meticulous care for every single individual who participated.

In the last few months of her life, Reva approached Lata and Usha Mangeshkar, renowned singers of devotional songs in Indian cinema, to sing Param Pujya Ma's elucidation of the Upanishads. The Ish Upanishad was chosen as the pilot project, which has since been completed.

Mr R.M. Sabharwal (Ratti Uncle), Ms. Reva Bhandari, ( 'didi' ), contributed their love, dedication and prayerful service to make Arpana what it is today. As seekers of the truth, they traversed a long way along the Spiritual path, in belief as well as in practice. Their lives are a beacon light for each spiritual aspirant.

Ms Preeti Madan
26.02.1967 - 04.10.2004
Preeti was one of those rare souls who always had a bright smile, a word of encouragement, for everyone she met. She was a humble worker who never complained, for whom no job was too big or too small. Immersed in her work, she never bothered whether she had rested or had personal time to herself. Her simplicity endeared her to everyone who came into contact with her.

Preeti worked tirelessly for the welfare of the village women who hand embroidered linen in their village homes. Her dedication in marketing these rural handicrafts ensulred economic security to hundreds of rural women.

Dr Kamla Bhandari (Mama)
10.11.1919 - 09.01.2004
Born as the second daughter to a renowned Arya Samajist of Lahore, her father took pride in her zeal to become a doctor. She embarked on a career in the army as a captain. She had great strength of character and nobility.

She opened her heart and her home to all. Each one who cam to 22E Defence Colony called her Mama; each one became her child and her family grew.

Pujya Ma defines the process of spirituality as divided into the three padas of AUM. The service of the Lord who abides in all beings is the first rung. Kamla worked alongside her husband, Maj. Gen. Bhandari at the charitable clinic in Lajpat Bhavan. She made wise investments to provide sufficient means to serve the impoverished needy, willing all she had to the Baij Nath Bhandari Trust, set up to alleviate distress and suffering, which has made substantial contributions towards free treatment for needy patients at the Arpana Hospital, and medical centres in Himachal Pradesh and Delhi.

"Mama" truly imbibed Param Pujya Ma's direction to encompass the Lord's family as our own. She identified with poor footpath dwellers, lepers, and needy families eking out a living on the streets of Delhi; they were all her 'family' and she gave generously to all she could.

Maj. Gen. Baij Nath Bhandari M.D. MRCP, DTM (Papa)
01.05.1906 – 21.05.2003
He was Chairman of Arpana's Delhi Chapter and a Trustee of Arpana trust. His life was a continuous flow of selfless service. Having joined the Army Medical Corps from which he retired as Deputy Director, Medical Services, Southern Command, he later became the Principal of Maulana Azad Medical College, and was appointed director of Irwin Hospital and Govind Ballabh Pant Hospital, Delhi.

Inspired by Pujya Ma, he joined the Servants of the Peoples' Society, Delhi, marking the beginningof the charitable medical clinic in Lajpat Bhavan to which he gave his life and energy. He actively participated in Arpana's service programmes over the years.

He translated into English the Srimad Bhagavad Gita elucidated by Pujya Ma in Hindi, an immense labour of love which took three years to complete. (See Arpana's Publications). "Papa" was deeply respected for his deep love, his impeccable integrity, humane spirit and compassion for all.

Mrs Pushpa Gupta (Gian Bhushan)
02.02.1932 - 14.04.2004
She had a deep abiding faith in Param Pujya Ma, and was one of Her most ardent devotees. Despite severe bodily ailments, her faith and determination to serve others to the utmost were admired by all.

Mr Mela Ram Dhiman
He passed away on 12th October 2003 at the age of 99.
He was the father of Chote Ma, a simple, goodhearted man, honest and straightforward in all his dealings. A true karmyogi, he worked in the accounts department until just a few months before his death. He set a beautiful example of love and dedicated service.

Dr Gian Bhushan
03.05.1930 – 15.09.2003
He was a man of generous nature, ready to help anyone. Devoted to his profession, he was highly respected in social and medical circles. He retired as Chief Medical Officer of Karnal. He was closely associated with Arpana for many years, never failing to come to our assistance whenever required

Ms. Manju Dayal
She passed away on 11.09.1995
Manju lived a dedicated life, full of love and care for others. There are so many exhilarating memories of her beautiful deeds of service: the lovely flower arrangements she made; the love and skill with which she made and arranged the costumes and sets for Arpana's dance dramas; the many small jobs she used to do around the house so that it would always be a welcoming home. She touched the lives of so many in so many ways.

Manju was given the job of marketing the handicrafts produced by village girls and women, so that they could receive an income to improve their standard of life. She organised home sales and sales in hotels in Delhi and other places. She never sought recognition, and always worked with total dedication and humility.

Mrs. Usha Seth
Delhi's service chapter was spearheaded by this remarkable devotee, along with her close friends. She embraced the children of the slums whom she served, as her own children… taking pride in their every success and gently taking them forward despite all odds. Starting her saga of service in accordance with Pujya Ma's practical directions, she guided Arpana's Molarband services to their present efficacy and heights.

Dr. AK Anand
29.12.1935 - 07.06.1999
A renowned surgeon of Delhi, Dr. AK Anand left his private practice and Nursing Home in Delhi to give of his knowledge to the rural underprivileged at Arpana Hospital, Haryana. Meticulous by nature, he ensured the highest standards of hygiene and delivery of health care through the hospital.

Greatly drawn to 'Urvashi', the flow of spontaneous verse through Param Pujya Ma, he gave tunes to many of the prayers She had sung in the past, and immersed himself in a deep study of Urvashi under Chote Ma's guidance. The credit of laying the gardens of the Ashram go to him and his great love for flowers.

Shri Kamal Kumar Vaid

Shri Kamal Kumar Vaid first met Param Pujya Ma, then a Director in the Punjab University, when he obtained a job in her office. When she left the University in 1962, to proceed to Rishikesh, he also left his job. In 1965 he joined the small group living with Param Pujya Ma when she settled in Madhuban, Karnal. He was one of the earliest ‘partakers’ of the nectar of Supreme knowledge – ‘Urvashi’ – which flowed forth spontaneously from Param Pujya Ma. Her directions on how to live this knowledge and her life, a mirror of her knowledge, became the inspiring force for him as it was for many others who came to her for spiritual guidance.

In pursuance of his own path towards his spiritual goal, he was given various responsibilities in the Ashram, such as liaising with Government officials and furthering Arpana’s fund raising through many ‘production’ initiatives. He discharged his responsibilities with dedication. His marvelous sense of humour permeated his relationships with all, bringing much laughter and lightness into the daily life of the ashram.