After recitations from the Bhagavad Gita and kirtan singing by the students, Vaswani, deeply moved, paid tribute to Baba in his welcome remarks over the microphone. The following is a part of his talk:
Sisters and brothers, children of the One Divine Mother! I speak in the presence of one whom his disciples in different parts regard as the Ancient One ...
For 30 years and more, he who is in our midst today has borne witness to the truth that there is something better than speech. That is silence. It is, to my mind, the truth of Truths. He has spoken to the world through silence. His witness to the "Kingdom of Silence" went into my heart many years ago. In this age of noise, he has taught the truth: Be silent! ...
I have been impressed, too, with another truth in the life of beloved Baba. He is a lover of the simple life. He is simple, and therefore he rejoices in the company of the little ones. In his message ... he said it did his heart good to come in contact with the little ones, the children of the Mira Schools.
There is a third thing too which I have noticed in regard to Meher Baba — the smile on his lips. A beautiful smile plays on his lips always. He has suffered as perhaps not many have. He has experienced pain as not many have. But there is always a beautiful smile playing on his lips.
His silence, his simplicity, and his smile — these are his three gifts to us. I bow down to him with love and humility in my heart.
On Baba's behalf Deshmukh spoke eloquently for five minutes, emphasizing Baba's Avatarhood and mission. The hall was full to capacity with Vaswani's students and followers. Baba's lovers had to stand outside by the gate.
The headmaster of the school, C. B. Advani, spoke a few words, and also the secretary, Sri Gangaram, after which Baba asked that this message from him be read out to the students:
The youth of today is the ruling force of tomorrow. All things have a small beginning; the seedling grows into a tree, the stream into a river and the child grows into a man to use or misuse the lessons he has absorbed in life as a youth.