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A Look At Current Times... Historical Bio cont'd next page .... Until December 2008, Prem Rawat’s speaking tours and engagements were arranged by Elan Vital (EV), a charitable organization incorporated in 1971 in the US. EV also provided support for the production of materials containing his message. In November 2001, he established The Prem Rawat Foundation (TPRF) to further his message of peace, and to provide humanitarian aid to people who are often overlooked by other aid agencies. He conceived this idea during a conversation with active philanthropist, Linda Pascotto. Later, he asked her to become the first president of TPRF.
"The main humanitarian focus of the Foundation," says Pascotto, "is to provide nutritious food and clean water for people who don't have access to them. And not just ready-to-eat canned rations. Maharaji wants these people to have good-tasting foods and to give them the dignity of a decent meal. He's talked to me about when he was a child, how hungry people would come to his house, knock on the kitchen door, and any time of day or night, they would get something to eat. and he's often expressed how gratifying it is to see the face of a person who was hungry and has had a satisfying meal." (p. 296, Peace is Possible, by Andrea Cagan) |
When news of the devastating tsunami of December 26, 2004, hit the headlines, Prem Rawat phoned Pascotto: "I'd like the Foundation to send some money. How much can it afford?" TPRF was short of funds at the time, so he auctioned off several works of art and donated the proceeds, which enabled TPRF to give enough money to the UN World Food Program to feed 9,000 survivors for a month and also to fund future humanitarian initiatives. One such initiative, the Food for People facility in northeastern India, now serves more than 100,000 free hot meals every year to poverty-stricken people living in a remote tribal area. Prem Rawat said, "Just because people are poor does not mean they are miserable. They all have beautiful smiles on their faces, but they need food, and this project will deliver real food to them."
TPRF also holds free medical clinics in India, where eye consultations, appropriate medicines and eyeglasses are provided to people in need. So that help can reach a greater number of people more rapidly, the Foundation partners with non-profit organizations such as the UN World Food Program, Oxfam and the Red Cross. |
