- 60th Birth Anniversary of Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshji, celebrates not one Life, but the Lives Transformed by it
- A Galaxy of Saints, Stalwarts and Seekers from Six Continents Gathers; 60 Landmark Initiatives Announced Mumbai, 27th September 2026: The Jio World Convention Centre became a meeting point for the world on 25–26 September 2026, as Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur hosted Aho Gurudev – 60 Years of an Enlightened Existence. The celebration honoured the 60th birth anniversary of Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshji, globally revered spiritual master, humanitarian and ardent devotee of Shrimad Rajchandraji.
It was, ostensibly, a celebration of a 60th birth anniversary. But inside the expansive convention centre, the occasion seemed to resist the usual grammar of ‘milestone birthdays’. Spiritual heads, corporate leaders. philanthropists, young volunteers and thousands of spiritual seekers from 214 cities and 24 countries across the world, moved through the same space.
The two-day gathering brought together revered spiritual figures including Pujya Morari Bapu, Pujya Anandmurti Gurumaa, Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, Swami Swaroopanandji, BK Sister Shivani, Sadhvi Bhagwati Saraswati and Bhiku Sanghasenaji. Other distinguished guests included Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Cabinet Minister, Government of Maharashtra; Padma Vibhushan N. R. Narayana Murthy, Founder & Chairman Emeritus, Infosys; Padma Bhushan N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Sons; Lt. Gen. D. S. Kushwah, PVSM, AVSM, SM, GOC, Maharashtra, Gujarat & Goa Area; Padma Shri Hema Malini, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha, Mathura); Padma Bhushan Deepak Parekh, Former Chairman, HDFC; Padma Shri Dilip Shanghvi, Founder & Managing Director, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries; Padma Shri Sanjeev Kapoor, Culinary Icon & Co-Founder, Wonderchef; Manoj Modi, Director, Reliance Retail & Reliance Jio; Vinod Adani, Promoter, Adani Group; Ashok Hinduja, Chairman, Hinduja Group; Ranbir Kapoor, Actor & Producer; Sudhir Mehta, Chairman Emeritus, Torrent Group; Sonam Kapoor Ahuja, Actor & Fashion Entrepreneur; Nilesh Shah, MD, Kotak Mahindra AMC; Motilal Oswal, Co-Founder, Motilal Oswal Financial Services; and Madhukar Parekh, Chairman, Pidilite Industries.
A striking highlight was the announcement of 60 new initiatives, split equally between Spiritual and Seva projects. The list of Seva projects ranged from Shrimad Rajchandra Sarvamangal Cancer Hospital; Shrimad Rajchandra Sarvamangal Hospital and Medical college in Surendranagar; Shrimad Rajchandra Mental Health Initiative; 60 new Shrimad Rajchandra Love and Care Centres; Multi-Speciality Mega Medical Camps as well as anaemia and vision care camps across India reaching 60 Million lives; a mega campus for animal care including 4 institutions including, Shrimad Rajchandra Animal Hospital, animal shelter, institute of veterinary science and Ahimsa Awareness centre in Dharampur as well an Animal hospital in Malad; Shrimad Rajchandra DISHA- a free, AI-powered career guidance platform; Shrimad Rajchandra School for Special Needs Children, Mumbai; Shrimad Rajchandra Sarvamangal University for the rural India; Shrimad Rajchandra Afforestation initiave and many other initiatives for women empowerment, community and environment.
For spiritual upliftment, projects unveiled included spiritual centres in Mumbai; New spaces at Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram like Shrimad Rajchandra Wellness Centre; Solitude Groves (Ekant Kutirs); Shrimad Rajchandra Museum; six new satsang centres in South America; Pujya Gurudevshri’s discourses, books and meditations in 8 of the world’s most spoken languages, 60 books (six titles in 10 languages) and Shri Pujya Gurudevshri’s commentary of Shrimad Rajchandraji’s magnum opus Atmasiddhi Shastra , in 60 languages; Shri Atmasiddhi Shastra in 60 languages; and BEYOND, a visual biography of Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshji.
The event also brought the Sacred Atmarpit Diksha (renunciation) ceremony wherein eleven young seekers took the vows of celibacy, committing their lives to a higher purpose. On the 26th evening, ‘Aho Gurudev’, a spectacular cultural tribute, brought together youth performances paying an ode to Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshji’s life and works. - Across the programme, Gurudevshri Rakeshji delivered three elevating discourses on ‘Choosing Consciously’, ‘Renouncing Courageously’ and ‘Serving Compassionately’. Since the age of four, Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshji has drawn multitudes of seekers, moved by a clarity that seemed to transcend His years. Six decades on, that early luminosity has grown into a global presence spanning six continents and touching millions of lives, from youths discovering purpose early and corporate leaders stepping away from boardrooms to attend His discourses, from village classrooms in Africa to rescued animals given a second chance, and seekers across languages and cultures finding solace and perspective. This force for spiritual awakening and sustained humanitarian action, made the celebration about the lives transformed through His vision.
The event carried the grandeur of a large spectacle, but its centre of gravity was elsewhere—in the idea that spirituality should translate into action. With the first event held in Mumbai, the celebration is slated to move across India and then overseas, from Dubai and London to Toronto and cities across the US. - Key Quotes:
Padma Vibhushan Shri Narayana Murthy, Founder and Chairman Emeritus of Infosys
Respected Gurudev dear Rakeshji, my deepest salutations to this extraordinary individual, who represents for us all the godly attributes.
The true measure of any spiritual tradition lies not just in its teachings, but in the compassion, it inspires through action. And that is what we saw today—the demonstration of these wonderful 60 initiatives. These are the acts that reaffirm our belief in God and in saints.
India’s future cannot be determined by technology and infrastructure alone. Its destiny will ultimately be shaped by the quality of its people.
When I had the privilege of meeting Gurudev, my humble request to him was charter a revolution where our culture is transformed. If we transform our culture into a desirable one, then Viksit Bharat will happen very quickly.
Padma Bhushan N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Sons
Gurudev Rakeshji, pranams. Good evening to all of you.
It is my great privilege and honour to be here on this historic occasion to celebrate the 60th year of Gurudev.
For me, it was absolutely revealing to learn about Gurudev and this wonderful organization that he has built in such a short time, and the impact Gurudev is having on everyone who hears about him and has an opportunity to have a glimpse of him.
I have now spent 40 years in the Tata Group. Our group, as many of you know, is more than 150 years old. We are built on strong values. These values—trust, character, discipline, perseverance, and hard work—are what build great individuals and great institutions.
And that is why the work of Gurudev is so meaningful. Through his teachings and his work with young people, these values and this sense of purpose are being shared with tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, and millions of people. That is the impact Gurudev is having on this world.
I am grateful to Gurudev for giving me this opportunity. I seek his blessings for myself and for everyone here. Thank you.
Actor Ranbir Kapoor-
I’m speechless. Walking into this hall and experiencing this collective energy of joy and happiness, Gurudev, it is truly something special. This is what you have created.
It is an absolute honour to be here for your 60th birthday celebrations.
For all the selfless work you have done over the years, for the countless lives you have touched and healed, and for the way you continue to uplift humanity, I wish you a blessed life filled with love, laughter, and happiness.
I know you are often called the ‘Youth Magnet.’ And it is truly incredible to see young minds coming together and walking the path of spirituality under your guidance.
Seeing specialised 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.
Gurudev, I had the good fortune of becoming a father for the first time three years ago. Around the same time, I received what felt like a gift from above: I had the opportunity to play Bhagwan Ram in Ramayan. That experience brought me closer to my own spirituality and helped me understand the spiritual heritage of our country more deeply.
And now, after knowing you, I feel that I will come even closer to that goal.
I cannot wait to visit your ashram in Dharampur.
Happy birthday, Gurudev. Thank you so much. It is truly an honour to be in your presence.”
