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The City of London honours Rev. Daaji with the prestigious “Freedom of the City award”

Special MoU with the Commonwealth Secretariat among other key highlights during his visit
Bengalore, 22ndMay 2024: In a yet another moment of pride for India, theCity of Londonhas conferred uponRev Daaji – the Guide of Heartfulness & President of Shri Ram Chandra Missionٳپdzܲ“Freedom of the City of London Award”at Guildhall in recognition of his lifetime dedicated to humanity and noteworthy efforts in education, wellness, and environmental initiatives. As the Guide of Heartfulness, Daaji has made meditation accessible to millions of people around the world and has helped bring transformation in their lives, thereby the award ceremony also aptly coincided with World Meditation Day.
The Freedom of the City of London Award is the greatest honour that is in the power of the City of London to bestow. The past recipients of the coveted award wereArchbishop Desmond Tutu;Nelson Mandela, as President of South Africa; Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru – the first Prime Minister of India; Bill Gates – Co-Founder Microsoft; J K Rowlingrenowned authorand many other prominent personalities. Recent high-profile recipients includeProfessor Dame Sarah Gilbert, who initiated and led the development of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID vaccine; theatre entrepreneurs,Dame Rosemary Squire and Sir Howard Panter;and former Managing Director and Chief Privacy Officer at the London Stock Exchange, Vivienne Artz.
Known as ‘Daaji’ by his followers and celebrated for his teachings on meditation and spirituality, Shri Kamlesh Patel (Daaji) was nominated by theCity of London Corporationֱ Policy Chairman, Mr. Chris Hayward,Իthe Chair of the organisationֱ Freedom Applications Sub-Committee, Ms. Rehana Ameer.Daajiֱ ceremony was attended by members of his family, friends and local Heartfulness practitioners, and was conducted by theClerk of the Chamberlainֱ Court, Ms. Laura Miller.
Expressing his gratitude upon being conferred the honour,Rev. Daaji – Guide of Hreartfulness & President of Shri Ram Chandra Missionsaid, “I am delighted to reconnect with the United Kingdom and accept the Freedom of the City Award. This recognition is an honour to all the volunteers and practitioners of Heartfulness not just in London, but around the world. Now more than ever, unity and harmony are important. Meditation serves as an important means to bring the world together.”
Speaking after the Freedom ceremony,City Corporation Policy Chairman Mr. Chris Haywardsaid, “It was my pleasure to nominate Kamlesh D. Patel for the Freedom, which can be awarded to individuals in recognition of their contribution to public life, and which continues to attract people from a wide range of backgrounds and areas of expertise. Mr. Patel received a very warm welcome from my colleagues at Guildhall and I hope that he and his guests enjoyed the ceremony and will remember it for many years to come.”
Former Chair of the City Corporationֱ Freedom Applications Sub-Committee, Rehana Ameer,,I admire people who make a tangible difference to other peopleֱ lives, and who feel fulfilled and derive pleasure from their work. I was delighted to support the nomination for Kamlesh D. Patel Ji, whose work on meditation and spirituality will have helped bring a sense of calm, peace, and improvements in the mental health and well-being of so many people over the years. As a woman with a proud Indian heritage and someone who recognises Daajiֱ contribution to the diverse communities as a spiritual leader and author, this award from the City goes some way towards thanking him for his achievements in education, environment, and wellness over the last four decades.”
One of the City of Londonֱ ancient traditions, the Freedom is believed to have begun in 1237 and enabled recipients to carry out their trade. As well as being nominated for, or applying for, the Freedom, it is also offered by the City of London Corporation to individuals as a way of paying tribute to their outstanding contribution to London or public life, or to celebrate a very significant achievement.
Earlier this yearRev. Daaji was also appointed as the Global Ambassador for Peacebuilding and Faith to the Commonwealth by Her Excellency Patricia Scotland, KC, Commonwealth Secretary General. Last yearThe House of Lords had conferred India-UK Triumph Award upon Rev. Daajifor his extraordinary contribution to the world as a spiritual catalyst for heart-centered approach to life.Rev. Daaji is also a Padma Bhushan recipientin recognition for his extraordinary contributions to the world.
This is Rev. Daajiֱ first visit to the UK in a decade. The other chief highlights of his visit are marked by signing a special Memorandum of Understanding with the Commonwealth Secretariat, delivering a speech at the 22nd Commonwealth Education Ministers Conference at Marlborough House, engaging with Members of Parliament at the House of Lords, and meeting with practitioners of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha at the Neasden Temple in London.

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