Dada Vratadhiirananda passed away on July 2, 2008.
Born in Maharlika (Philippines), he was a high school teacher when he met Ananda Marga and decided to dedicate his life to serving humanity for Baba's Mission. He trained in Davao Training Center in the 1970's. First he was posted to Brazil in South America (GT Sector) where he worked until 1998. There he organized business projects (importing and selling Indian clothing) that raised enough money to buy the jagrti in Brasilia. Then he supported the Sectorial Office.
In 1998 he was transferred to Nairobi, Kenya as Sectorial Office Secretary, where he served until the end of his life. He started the Ananda Marga Academy in the Kangemi slum in Nairobi in 2000, a primary and high school registered with the Ministry of Education. His goal was to offer affordable education to needy students in a country where secondary education is very expensive. He was the principal and taught English and French. He inspired the Giants of Nairobi to construct a building complex for both the primary and the high school. This school empowered many promising children who would not otherwise have the opportunity to attend secondary school.
He was a speaker at the International Conference on An Interfaith Perspective on Globalisation for the Common Good in Kericho, Kenya, on April 21-24, 2005.
He was a very selfless worker. He loved to read and to sing and partcipated in the cultural program of every retreat. He was also an artist and a poet. His room at the jagrti in Nairobi is lined with his paintings and he self-published his poems.
Didi Ananda Giitika wrote: "One teacher at Kangemi Ananda Marga High School and Primary school came today with tears, asking 'Who will take over what Dada does?' But there is really no answer. Dada was not only the heart and soul of the school, he was prolific in painting pictures that line its walls, and in planting flowers in planters everywhere. I also cannot imagine RDS without these dadas."
"You will live according to His desire; you will die, too, according to His desire. Yesterday I told you to take the name of one only. Today I tell you to depend on one only, not on two. Death will not be painful for you, because in death too you attain Him. Merge with Him with all your love." (Baba, "You Live According to God's Desire")
Comments from various workers:
ReplyDeleteFrom: Dada Rameshananda lihokmindanao[at]yahoo.com
Namaskar
Really shocking news for me what happen to Dada Vratadhirananda & Dada Harinathananda
I worked with these two workers there in Nairobi for many years. It's really sad news to hear.
They were true and hardworking workers of Baba. Last email I recieved from Dada Vratadhirananda, he said, "I found my home now here in Africa". Dada Vratadhirananda was my acarya; he initiated me in my hometown Gensan, Philippines in 1982. He's like father to me.
When i worked with him in Nairobi, every time i got clashed by the obstacles, I went to his room and he advised me like a father. He was very compassionate, trying to do something for society....
Baba has a reason for this, their work here is over. They will be in another place with a different face... with the Grace of GURU. Om shanti, peace on the journey of thier soul.
Yours in Him,
Dada Rameshananda
Philippines
=======
From: "Bhaveshananda Avadhuta" bhaveshananda[at]rediffmail.com
Namaskar,
We are deeply pained to hear of the shocking news of the senseless killing of two of our beloved Dadas, Dada Vratadhiirananda and Dada Harinathananda and also the grievous injuries to Dada Aksarananda. There are no words to express our anguish over this sad loss. These brave dadas gave their lives doing their spiritual duty while going to do their Kapalik Sadhana. Our sincere prayers to our Most Beloved Baba who had taken them unto His Loving lap and will certainly Bless them with Higher Realms of spiritual existence.
Yours,
Bhaveshananda Avadhuta
=========
From: didi candrasekhara didicandrasekhara[at]yahoo.com
Namaskar. Thanks for writing. It is really extremely sad news for us. How is SS dada now? [He is recovering after surgery.]
Didi Ananda Candrasekhara
=========
From: "Parameshananda" parameshananda[at]gmx.net
Namaskar,
It is very saddening to read the news about our now departed Dadas this morning. I've personally known both of them as I always met them in sectorial office whenever I passed by on my way to and from India. Dada Vratadhiirananda used to take me in his room where he would take French classes from me. He used to read French books and learn French poetry. I remember him singing one Edith Piaf's song by heart. He also often took me to his school where he was planning to teach French at that time. He was like a compassionate father, always giving me lots of attention, advice and guidance. As for Harinathananda, we went on few occasions to collect food together. One day we also went to bookstores looking at yoga books, as he knew that I was also giving classes in Cameroon at that time. This news is really a very sad one. I bid farewell to them. Baba for surely knows why them at this time… Baba Krpahi Kevalam.
Yours in His divine Will,
Parameshananda
========
From: Rasatmakananda rasat[at]theamway.com
Namaskar,
When reading the header "most sad news" I was not expecting such news. At this very moment I don't know what to say, I knew both of them very well when working for years together in Nairobi. Harinathanandaji considered me the one who inspired him to become a WT when sitting in a taxi together in Bombay.
For me Dadaji was the key Worker for all the donations and collection for Nairobi Office.
Huge number of people in Nairobi know him. Whoever shot him, will get in trouble when the people get to know what happenend. Vratadhiranandaji is
same, a well known person. Its not only we Workers who are in shock -- the common people are as well. May Baba be with both of them.
Rasatmakananda
=========
From Dada Vishvarupananda:
Gosh, how heartless can people become? Their lives should have ended with more dignity.
========
A'c Prabuddhananda Avt
Namaskar . Its really very painful to know this Sad News that two of our senior and dedicated WT Missionary Workers left this mortal world under the attack of Anti-social elements remaining still in so-called civilised (?) society today. I know both of them well as most sincere Devotees of Baba named as Myrters. I worked with Vratadhiiranandajii in Brazil, GT Sector, and with Harinathanandajii in Berlin Sector. May their noble souls remain in absolute Peace on Baba's Divine Lap .
I also pray for the quick recovery from the injury of Dada Aks'arananda Avt who is in the Hospital , Nairobi, Kenya.
We have to work with multiplied speed and sincerity in order to remove all darkness and disparities remaining in present Society.
With regards, in Him,
A'c Prabuddhananda Avt
R.U, Sec (Qahira)
From Dada Diipajinanananda:
ReplyDeleteNamaskar,
I met Dada Vratadhiirananda when I first came to GT sector. I felt he was very dedicated and he was the financial mainstay of the GT Sectorial Office for many years. In his later years here in GT he started a jagrti near to the shop he supervised in downtown Sao Paulo, where people found spiritual solice from their stress. I still meet people who remember fondly that place. I remember that he loved kiirtan which blended well with his love for music and art.
I worked with Dada Harinathananda in Argentina. He was always active and cheerful. I last saw him in India two years ago and enjoyed his company and good humor.
brotherly
Dada Diipajinanananda
From: "Dada Vedaprajinananda" dadaveda[at]ru.org
ReplyDeleteSubject: Condolences
To the Margiis and Workers of Nairobi Sector
Namaskar.
We have heard of the incident of July 2, 2008 in which Dadas Vratadhirananda and Harinathananda lost their lives and Dada Aksarananda was wounded and wish to express our deep condolences.
Though these workers have passed away the sacrifices that they made for the upliftment of humanity will not be forgotten.
Respectfully,
Ac. Vedaprajinananda Avt.
On Behalf of all the workers and margiis of Qahira Sector,
========
From: Ananda Devapriya anandadevapriya[at]mac.com
Subject: wishing you well
Namaskar
I am thinking of you and wishing you strength through this moment - the deaths of the Dadas must be very shocking for you.
Please take care of yourself and may Baba keep you safe.
In His Love
A. Devapriya
=======
From: Dada Shiveshvarananda dadashivesh[at]yahoo.com
Namaskar,
We just do not understand His divine liila. Though Nairobi is a well known place for criminals, and sometimes certain dadas had problems there but, it was beyond our imagination that we would loose these two Dadas this way. We have lost two dedicated jewels who were beloved to all. It's an uncompensatable loss of our organisation.
May Baba receive them in His divine lap!
Om' Sha'nti !
Dada Shiveshvarananda
NEWSPAPER REPORT FROM The Nation (Nairobi)
ReplyDelete4 July 2008
Michael Mugwang'a And Bob Odalo
Two foreign charity workers were shot dead by armed gangsters in Nairobi on Wednesday night.
By Thursday evening, the third victim of the attack was fighting for his life at the Kenyatta National Hospital in the city.
The three were shot at as they drove in their car just 100 metres from one of the charity institutions they run in Westlands, off Waiyaki Way, at 11pm.
The foreigners were in a two-car convoy of religious people heading for special prayers at the open grounds opposite Kangemi slums when they were attacked.
Runs charities
They are attached to the Ananda Marga Mission, which runs several charities in the country.
According to a witness who was in the second car, four armed men emerged from the roadside at a petrol station on the highway and stopped the vehicle.
The gangsters reportedly raised their firearms and ordered the occupants to hand over the car keys and get out.
When the driver appeared hesitant, one of the criminals shot him in the chest. Another gunman shot the passenger in the front seat.
The other occupant of the car opened the door and tried to flee but was followed and shot five metres away.
The gangsters then removed the bodies and drove off in the car.
The witness, who identified himself by his religious title as Dada Jaya, said their attempts to save two of their colleagues were futile.
They, however, managed to get the third victim to hospital alive.
One of the dead men was identified as Hugo, a Latin American from Guatemala going by the religious name of Harinathananda. The other is Juanito Porass, a Filipino going by the religious name of Vratadhiirananda.
Namaskar
ReplyDeleteWe wanted to take this opportunity to write a brief note to convey our family's deepest sorrow and loss of our beloved Brother, Uncle, and Grandfather (Tito Johnny)Dada Vratadhiirananda. We love him greatly and know that he served so many people selflessly. We will always remember him with fond memories and cherish the many ways that he's given to enrich our lives and that of countless others.
On behalf of the family of Dada Vratadhiirananda, we would like to express our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the Ananda Marga community in this very difficult and sad time. Thank you for taking care of our beloved Uncle, Brother, and Grandfather. We also extend our sincerest condolences to the loss of Dada Harinathananda and wish the other member of the community a full and quick recovery.
Sincerely,
Porras Family
This is Didi Ananda Ruchira's personal account of Dada Vratadhiirananda and Dada Harinathananda's funeral service.
ReplyDeleteNamaskar,
It was a wonderful and typical mixture of African & Ananda Marga culture. What was also wonderful was the vast mixture of people who arrived to say goodbye to our dadas at the funeral service of Dada Harinathananda and Dada Vratadhirananda on 7 July 2008.
The people of the community of Kangemi, where the dadas' work is centred, came early and in large numbers. The seats filled quickly and it soon became standing room only. The rich also came. What a mixture of people were there! The upscale ladies of the yoga classes, the old grandma with her orphaned grandson, the students from the school. Dada Harinathananda's sister (a margi) came accomanied by a margi friend. The margi remarked to me afterwards that as she sat and watched the crowds view the bodies, she was looking at their shoes. A few pairs of stylish sandals or exclusive fashionables passed then followed by pairs of feet barely shod in frayed sneakers or tire-rubber sandals. This ceremony crossed all strata of the society in a way that only Mission workers can unite. My estimate was about 500-600 people were there.
Our ceremony was well-planned, true, but with that touch of AM chaos that makes all our events so special to all of us, like a taste of home; it was moving, spiritual and tearful all rolled into one. When the bodies arrived from the mortuary, there was the typical African uproar of wails and tears. The crowd moved peacefully to view the bodies. But then, I don't know all, for I was also moved to tears. It's too too sad to see our brothers sleeping there.
The smallest of Academy's primary school children then arrived, having paraded from the Kangemi school. They were singing mourning songs and carrying placards. "The killers must be brought to justice" "Many of us could only get our education because Dadas paid our fees." "Goverment must make better security for us" and so on. They sang and many were weeping. After their songs, they sat.
Then there was another wave of wailing and chanting up the road. The secondary school kids arrived. Also with protest placards. Their beloved principal Dada Vrata was inside, they came to join in the services. They entered in a disciplined way and viewed the body, many wailing in expression of deep grief.
An opening prayer. Samgacchadhvam. A moment of silence. Songs. A government Minister got up to speak, he was moving in his words. Telling us about the shame such holy men should be killed in this way. I wondered where he came from, only to realise that he was a yoga student of "Dada Hugo". That's how everyone called Dada Harinathananda. "Hugo the Real Boss" was how the youth, musicians and artistes called him. Even by time I got up myself to say a few words, it's what I called him: Dada Hugo. Dada Harinathananda had moved far and wide. Literally thousands of peoples' lives were touched & inspired by him. He was outgoing, sociable, flamboyant. Indeed, in this last week, while recieving so many phone calls from his former students, supporters and youth, artistes, children, youth footballers, the most frequently repeated phrase was "He was my best friend."
Dada Hugo, Friend of All.
Dada Vratadhiirananda had his following too. Generally he was so much more quiet, more sedate, more introvert than Dada Harinathananda, he was not quite as well known among the upscale bunch, he moved quietly in other circles. The children loved him, he was fatherly and disciplined. He inspired so many of his students to strive for more and reach greater heights in their lives. His students were truly affected by his death. One mourner from the community said "He was a father to the fatherless, a friend to the friendless. Who will pay the school fees now? Many of us will not eat tonight, will not sleep."
Dada Vrata, Provider of Shelter to All
More singing from the students, more prayers, more eulogies. It went long beyond the scheduled 1 hour. Finally the moment came to carry them on their final journey. Or should I say it in true Kenyan spirit "the last matatu they'll ever take."
In Kenya the only crematorium is run by the Hindus, and they still do it in the traditional manner as an open flame pyre. About 150 mourners came along to this final event.
After that, I felt a great lift of spirits. As someone said, they have gone to their next posting.
In Him,
Didi Ananda Ruchira
(Ananda Marga, Abha Light Project)
visit: www.abhalight.org
Namaskar,
ReplyDeleteThis is from the Porras family of the late Dada Vratadhirananda. We would like to once again extend our gratitude to the Ananda Marga community,this time for all that you have done to give our beloved uncle, brother and grandfather a very decent and honorable funeral service.
We would especially like to thank Didi Ananda Ruchira for posting here the details of the funeral service. You just dont know how much we appreciate and value it. We are thirsty for any news pertaining to our beloved Tito Johnny (as we his nephews and nieces call him). You have helped so much in alleviating our sadness and grief by letting us know that so many people value his contribution to their lives.
We felt that we are also part of the ceremony by the vivid accounts that you were able to detail in your posting. We read everything with sadness that we were not able to witness all these personally but we also read it with much awe and happiness.
From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for your generosity in taking the time and effort to relay what happened in Dada Vratadhirananda's and Dada Harinathananda's funeral.
with our sincerest gratitude,
Porras Family
FROM HONORIO ALUMNO:
ReplyDeleteThe Early Sweet Days with Dada Vratadhirananda in South America
The loyalty and love of Dada Vratadhirananda to Baba and the organization knew no boundaries. The first time I met Dada Vratadhiranandaji was when he was still Dada Vireshvar in Calcutta, India during the mid-80s. He was just fresh from training and I was attending the monthly global reporting as representative of GT sector. He offered me lunch and I found out that he was maintaining his existence in India as a new worker through cooking nice western food, offering to the overseas workers and charging them. The money he garnered from this small entrepreneurship was part of the capital he used in his first posting as RS Brasilia.
He was a businessman before becoming a Dada and his business acumen helped him to adapt to the style in Brasil, to be on top of his game. Dadaji, a talented person with a sublime personality, practically knew everything from business to cooking to philosophy to the arts. He learned the Portuguese language in a matter of few months. These qualities helped him a lot as a new worker in the field.
His voice while singing and cooking was like that of Frank Sinatra, which we always teased him about. Those days cooking was his passion that we always expect a nice sumptuous meal or sweets (prasad) during Sectorial RDS or Sunday DC. He became a pillar of strength in the maintenance of the activities in the Sectorial Office in Sao Paulo.
Once, we traveled together down south to Curitiba and officiated at an Ananda Marga RM wedding. I noticed that he was well-versed in Caryacarya. Dadaji even prepared the prasad and the garlands.
I also remember Dada Nityasatyanandaji always praising him because of these good qualities.
Dada Vratadhiranadaji told me a story that during his personal contact (PC), Baba reminded him that he left behind a girl who almost committed suicide as he had decided to go to training to become a monk. He is such a gentleman that before he went to wholetimer training, he left with his family (mother) jewelries and precious stones for their sustenance as he was leaving the family and he was their bread winner at that time. His sacrifices were a virtue that he was blessed by Baba to be always successful wherever he was posted.
Dadaji's sweet smile and undying love for the Lord will always be remembered. He is now one with the Lord.
Honorio Alumno
me acuerdo de dada vrata fue una persona tan especial para mi trabajamols juntos cuando yo era lft en san pablo el manejaba las lojhas y era una persona realmente muy responsable me puse muy trriste al saber de su muerte ojala que esta muerter sirvas como ejemplo para que todos tengan mas seguridad en lksus vidas para ti hermano vrata mmi mas sincero namaskar HARI FROM ARGENTINA TUCUMAN
ReplyDeleteAmbani Benson: Dada Vrata was so dear. Although his physical body is no more, he still lives within our hearts. He can never be out of it. As a young boy in Kangemi, I never would have known the true meaning of living an honest,peaceful life. He took time to teach us the best a man can ever learn. I'm always proud of you Dada.
ReplyDeleteYou shall always remain in my heart and my baby boy named after you, I shall always call your name.
Baba nam Kevalam.It was very sad news.
ReplyDelete14 years down the line, I finally found a blog to share my deepest inner feelings. When Dada Harinathananda heart stopped beating I was only 10 years old, though old enough to understand what had happened I wasn't mature enough to understand what was coming, just how could the sun continue shinning, how could the birds continue singing and how comes the world still revolved, the mighty universe was silent and still dark even after this mighty warrior Dada Harinathananda rest lifeless on his grave, with him he carried every joy and happiness that I and my fellow homeboys ever had, I only knew him for 3 years and am jealous of those who knew him a lifetime, for three years dada Hugo natured me, shaped me in a manner that I still embrace today, I have always tried to imagine what life would be like if he was here today and every time tears run down my face.
ReplyDeleteDo with might whatever you put your hands to, for there is no work, no knowledge nor wisdom in the grave in which you are going.
Rest in peace my friend and guardian Dada Harinathananda.