Others thought these arrangements were rather elaborate for a two-day meeting, but Baba had inspired Pendu to do so; other than that, there was no reason for doing it, because the rainy season had for the most part ended. The tents had been pitched in open fields on soft soil, and in the event of a rain shower, it would not have been good to have the participants sleeping on the ground. Therefore, Pendu arranged everything accordingly. Padri was responsible for providing electric lights and water. As helpers (to assist with the work for the meetings), Baba called Nana Kher, Dr. Kanakadandi, Kohiyar Satarawala, Rangole, Pankhraj, Minoo Kharas, Adi Dubash and Nozar Dadachanji to Meherabad.
During this period, Baba ordered Krishnaji to meditate every night for an hour starting at midnight. Krishnaji instructed Bhau to wake him at that time. Everyone had to get up at 4:00 A.M., as tea was served at five o'clock at Meherabad. The whole day, Bhau was occupied with the meeting arrangements. In addition to this, he had to stay awake until midnight just to awaken Krishnaji, since they had no alarm clock with them!
Baba visited Meherabad on 7 and 8 September, with Eruch, Kaka and Kumar to inspect the preparation work. He visited Akbar Press on his way to Meherabad on the 8th.
In America, Mildred Kyle died of a stroke in Myrtle Beach on the 8th.
Baba sent this telegram: "Mildred has found eternal peace in me."
With Baba's permission, Elizabeth Patterson sent her ashes to India, where (in March 1955) Baba turned them over to Adi Sr. with instructions they be given to Padri to bury on Meherabad Hill beside the other graves.
Meanwhile, some of the Westerners had already arrived in Bombay. Sarosh had also arranged a press conference on the 4th, at which Adi Sr. spoke. On 11 September, Meherjee and Nariman brought the Westerners to Ahmednagar at 10:30 P.M. The group consisted of 20 men, ranging in age from 23 to 74.1
Arrangements had been made for the men to stay upstairs in the Meher Retreat building on Meherabad Hill. Savak Kotwal stayed with them the entire time to see to their needs.2 Sarosh and Viloo would come during the day for their food arrangements. Savak Damania also assisted, and Don looked after their health and made certain everything was kept clean and sanitary.
Sarosh and Adi Sr. had arranged a mass, public darshan in Wadia Park in Ahmednagar. It was to be held on Sunday, 12 September 1954, and for weeks ahead of time the event was well publicized throughout the district.
Footnotes
- 1.The Western men were: Will Backett (London), John Ballantyne (Australia), John Bass (New York), Francis Brabazon (Australia), Lud Dimpfl (California), Philippe Dupuis (New York), Frank Eaton (Myrtle Beach), Dana Field (Florida), Fred Frey (California), Max Haefliger (Switzerland), Joseph Harb (California), Ben Hayman (Texas; arrived later), Frank S. Hendrick (Pacific Coast, U.S; arrived later), Bill Le Page (Australia), Alexander Markey (California), Fred Marks (London), Charles Purdom (London), Malcolm Schloss (California), Darwin Shaw (New York), Fred Winterfeldt (New York). Don Stevens (of California) was to have attended the meeting, but he was ill in the hospital with a urinary tract infection.
- 2.Although Savak had never maintained a diary before, for some days, he kept a journal of his time on the hill with the Westerners.