Spiritual leader, author, and Global Guide of Heartfulness, Mr. Kamlesh D. Patel (affectionately known as Daaji), has received the Freedom of the at a ceremony at Guildhall.
Celebrated for his teachings on meditation and spirituality, he was nominated by the Corporation’s Policy Chairman, Chris Hayward, and the former Chair of its Freedom Applications Sub-Committee, Rehana Ameer.
Mr Patel’s (Daaji) ceremony was attended by members of his family, friends, and local Heartfulness practitioners.
Born in Gujarat and a resident of New York for many years, Mr Patel (Daaji) is a trained pharmacist and the president of Shri Ram Chandra Mission; Global Guide of the Heartfulness Institute and founder of the Heartfulness Education Trust; and Managing Trustee of the Sahai Marg Spiritualty Foundation. In 2024, Daaji was conferred with the title of Global Ambassador of Peacebuilding and Faith to the Commonwealth.
Expressing his gratitude, Daaji said:
“I am delighted to reconnect with the United Kingdom and accept the Freedom of the City Award. This recognition is an honour to all the volunteers and practitioners of Heartfulness not just in London, but around the world . Now more than ever, unity and harmony are important. Meditation serves as an important means to bring the world together.”
Speaking after the Freedom ceremony, City Corporation Policy Chairman Chris Hayward said:
“It was my pleasure to nominate Kamlesh D. Patel for the Freedom, which can be awarded to individuals in recognition of their contribution to public life, and which continues to attract people from a wide range of backgrounds and areas of expertise.
“Mr Patel received a very warm welcome from my colleagues at Guildhall and I hope that he and his guests enjoyed the ceremony and will remember it for many years to come.”
Former Chair of the City Corporation’s Freedom Applications Sub-Committee, Rehana Ameer, said:
“I admire people who make a tangible difference to other people’s lives, and who feel fulfilled and derive pleasure from their work.
“I was delighted to support the nomination for Kamlesh D. Patel Ji, whose work on meditation and spirituality will have helped bring a sense of calm, peace, and improvements in the mental health and well-being of so many people over the years.
“As a woman with a proud Indian heritage and someone who recognises Daaji’s contribution to the diverse communities as a spiritual leader and author, this award from the City goes some way towards thanking him for his achievements in education, environment, and wellness over the last four decades.”
One of the ’s ancient traditions, the Freedom is believed to have begun in 1237 and enabled recipients to carry out their trade.
As well as being nominated for, or applying for, the Freedom, it is also offered by the Corporation to individuals as a way of paying tribute to their outstanding contribution to London or public life, or to celebrate a very significant achievement.
Recent high-profile recipients include Professor Dame Sarah Gilbert, who initiated and led the development of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID vaccine; theatre entrepreneurs, Dame Rosemary Squire and Sir Howard Panter; and former Managing Director and Chief Privacy Officer at the London Stock Exchange, Vivienne Artz.
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