Over 200 distinguished dignitaries attended the grand launch of ‘Transcendence’, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam’s last book, at the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Nairobi, Kenya.
‘Transcendence’ records Dr Kalam’s spiritual experiences with Pramukh Swami Maharaj, through the 14 years of their special friendship.
Paramvandan Swami paid tribute to Dr Kalam’s lifetime of dedicated public service and contributions to the development of India. He also described how Dr Kalam regarded Pramukh Swami Maharaj as his ‘ultimate spiritual teacher’ who had placed him in ‘a God-synchronous orbit’.
Then, amidst the chanting of Vedic verses, the book was launched by Shri Vimal Shah (CEO, Bidco Oil Refineries), Hon. Jonathan Mueke (Deputy Governor, Nairobi), Hon. Hassan Omar (Senator, Mombasa), H.E. Yogeshwar Varma (High Commissioner of India), Shri Nitin Malde (Chairman, Hindu Council of Kenya), Shri Naushad Merali (Founder, Sameer Group) and other invited dignitaries.
Thereafter, some of the invited guest addressed the assembly.
Shri Vimal Shah emphasized the book’s general theme of unity in diversity and asserted the need for all to overcome barriers of class, color and creed to progress.
Shri Joseph Muturia, a former MP, recounted his life transformation through his first meeting with Pramukh Swami in 1985, when he was inspired to quit drinking alcohol.
Hon. Hassan Omar expressed that only true greatness can inspire at the very first glance, just as Pramukh Swami Maharaj had inspired Dr Kalam.
HE Yogeshwar Varma compared ‘Transcendence’ to ‘Thirukkural’ a work on ethics by Thiruvalluvar, a celebrated Tamil poet and philosopher, and encouraged all to read the book as a guide on how to progress.