Arun Dada Lands In America! :)

Posted by Nipun Mehta on Mar 17, 2019

What a joy to receive Arun Dada and Jignasha in America today! See some photos here.

He arrived with first-class karma (courtesy of Jiggy insisting on him using a wheelchair :)). Audrey raced up to go touch his feet (later, at dinner, he gave a new name to Audrey -- "OldTree"). Bradley offered him a hand-made heart pin! We all hugged, bowed, laughed, and felt so grateful. Ari came by with his own version of a pin for Arun Dada and Jignasha that read: Love is the Answer. We did a parikrama of Banyan Grove, while remembering Pancho (who is on a pilgrimage as we speak!) and the beloved Pandya Sisters. Guri had prepared a royal Gujarati feast, where Arun Dada told me to save some for tomorrow LOL -- until he himself joined the party and went for second round of dessert (specifically inquiring about the ingredients!). We heard profound Vinoba stories at every encounter, with Jiggy's context peppered in between (like how she had just watched Deven and Simmu in a movie on Auroville, on the plane!) Between Arun Dada tasting his first-ever Avocado and the end of the dinner, the stories went to another level. "Oh, so Vinoba was into masti too?" Audrey asked at one point. Arun Dada laughed his silent laugh and gave another sweet story affirming the case. :) Jignasha was beaming her mischievous smiles all day, like that TA who already knows all the answers before the teacher even asks the question.



What a delight, and a particular honor to welcome Arun Dada and his Gandhian lineage on this land -- for the very first time. It's only been a couple hours (and we have lot more masti planned :)) but we're already all smiles. :) At this point, the main questions we're holding is -- will Arun Dada wake up at 3:30AM tomorrow? :)

Thank you, all. Such things cannot happen without an ecosystem.

Posted by Nipun Mehta on Mar 17, 2019 | permalink


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  • Rachana Bhangaokar wrote ...

    I am super duper overjoyed to read this post...it arrived just as I was thinking of Jigi!! 😁 Lots of love to all❤️❤️❤️

  • Bradley Stoll wrote ...

    As Audrey, Guri, Nipun and I awaited Arun-Dada and Jignasha's arrival, there was an anticipation in me that I was about to meet an amazing, yet humble, man. There was also lots of conversation, as Nipun, Guri, and Audrey tried to teach me a little Gujarati; "America am svāgata thÄ«" and "Tamne maline anand thaiyo." (I hope I got all the spellings correct.) After quite a wait, we welcomed Arun-Dada and Jignasha to the U.S. for their very first visit. They couldn't miss us with the Earth flag  See full.

    As Audrey, Guri, Nipun and I awaited Arun-Dada and Jignasha's arrival, there was an anticipation in me that I was about to meet an amazing, yet humble, man. There was also lots of conversation, as Nipun, Guri, and Audrey tried to teach me a little Gujarati; "America am svāgata thī" and "Tamne maline anand thaiyo." (I hope I got all the spellings correct.) After quite a wait, we welcomed Arun-Dada and Jignasha to the U.S. for their very first visit. They couldn't miss us with the Earth flag and Audrey's "Welcome" sign in a font only she can do! After lots of pictures, some of Audrey's homemade vegan cookies (we're convinced they were healthy, too:)), and hugs around, we were off to the car. Arun-Dada was spry as a chick, as they say in the midwest. I could hardly believe I was in the presence of someone who worked so closely with Vinoba. I had only read stories of Arun-Dada. As we walked, Arun-Dada reached over and put his hand on mine as I was pushing the cart of luggage. I remember feeling something special. It was like the time when I was in the presence of Jayesh-bhai and he put his hand on my head, as if to bless me, although I don't believe that was his intention. The same with Arun-Dada, when his hand just rested on mine and he smiled. About that time I realized, in all my excitement and anticipation, I completely forgot to introduce myself! Nipun cleared that up on our walk to the car. Nipun also acted as a translator for me:). The five of them all headed off to Banyan Grove for some much deserved rest and a short recovery period, I suppose. Me...I'm just floating now, as I await Wednesday evening in the Kindness Temple<3<3<3.

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  • Ashima Goyal wrote ...

    Let's start a series of "The adventures of Arun Dada in Amriica" like "Tintin in America" :D Can't wait for all the masti recaps :-)

  • go wrote ...

    Every time I think of Arun dada, one of his thousands of song, comes alive - Pyaar ka paigam lekar Tumse Milne Aaye hai ... ( moved by love have come to meet you with a message of love...) , such grace to witness tsunamic ripples of love!