[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 72 (Tuesday, May 18, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E992]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN HONOR OF HIS HOLINESS BABA KASHMIRA JI MAHARAJ FOR HIS DEDICATION TO 
                          THE INDIAN COMMUNITY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 18, 1999

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize His Holiness 
Baba Kashmira Ji Maharaj for his commitment to equality and tolerance 
in India.
  Called a visionary with a humane touch, Baba Ji has been instrumental 
in facilitating the distribution of medical services to the most needy 
in the remote villages of Punjab. By founding the S.G.L. Charitable 
Hospital at Jalandhar, Baba Ji has ensured that blood donation sites 
and necessary cancer treatment and detection equipment are available to 
the area's less fortunate.
  Through a combination of meditation and medication, Baba Ji and the 
Charitable Hospital has assisted the sick, drug addicts and those 
suffering from depression. Now, plans have been established to create a 
nursing college, a dental college, and a medical college.
  Another issue of great significance to Baba Ji is that of gender 
equality. He has been instrumental in highlighting the discrimination 
and degradation suffered by Indian women. He has spoken passionately 
about the oppression created by the dowry system and has repeatedly 
lent his services to families unable to meet the expenses of a wedding.
  Baba Ji has also made essential and indispensable strides towards 
assisting Indian women in their quest for economic independence. He and 
his family have long been promoters of equal education rights for boys 
and girls. In 1910, Baba Ji's father and grandfather donated the 
necessary land and money to found an institution designed to address 
the educational needs of India's young women and girls. This 
institution has become one of the finest women's educational 
institutions in Asia.
  From assisting earthquake and flood victims to his ground breaking 
medical work to his efforts towards equality in India, His Holiness 
Baba Ji has worked tirelessly on behalf of India's disadvantaged. For 
his tremendous work in these areas; for his insight and leadership; and 
for his continued dedication to the underprivileged, I would like to 
thank and congratulate His Holiness Baba Ji.

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