BK Santosh Kukreja
(Didi Santosh)
- Director of Regional Cultural and Educational Non-Governmental Organization “St. Petersburg Brahma Kumaris Centre”
- Joint regional coordinator of Brahma Kumaris services in Russia, CIS and Baltic region
- Director of “Divine Light” Art and Cultural Group
- Author and coordinator of educational projects “The Relay-Race of Positive Changes”, “Old is Gold”, “Happy Family – the Masterpiece of God”, “Golden Rules of Health” , “16 celestial arts” and others
- Regional coordinator of the world-wide Brahma Kumaris Initiative “7 Billion Acts of Goodness”
- Author of books, articles, essays on spirituality
- Experienced spiritual teacher and leader with 40 years of experience.
BK Santosh visited with lectures and courses more than 30 countries.
Fluent speaker in Hindi, English, Russian.
Awards
- Special honorary medal “For Strengthening Moral Values” by the Russian United Committee on Awards (18 September, 2009)
- Order “Danko's Heart” in nomination “Spiritual Renaissance of Russia” by the Council of Social Organizations of St. Petersburg and Moscow (31 May, 2011)
- Honorary Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (in World Culture) by the International University of Fundamental Studies, Oxford Educational Network, California University FCE CA, USA, and International Parliament for Safety and Peace
- Certificate of 'Person of the Year 2011' in nomination “Modern Aspects of Mercy and Charity' (UNESCO, UNISEF) by the International Parliament for Safety and Peace and Oxford Educational Network “for the outstanding contribution in development of modern efficient trends in world culture as well as for active participation in UN programmes”
- International Medal “Simurg” for “contribution to culture of peace and global humanitarian cooperation” by the Association of Culture of Azerbaijan (May, 2013)
- Honorary title of “National Educator” for “substantial contribution to education of adults” (April, 2014)
- Order “Golden Swallow” in nomination “Best People of Russia” by the International Centre of rehabilitation and social protection of refugee and migrant children “Swallow” (September, 2014)
- Order “Lighthouse of Hope” for social service in Russia by the Public Foundation for helping homeless children (September, 2014)
- Golden Diploma and Commemorative Medal for “outstanding input in spiritual development of Russia and in elevating the status of social role of women mothers” – by the International Association of Charities “Mama” (December, 2014).
- The Trophy UNESCO for special contribution at the international level to harmonize the relationship in society, as well as the assimilation of spiritual and cultural values among the youth by Moldavian Federation of Associations, Centers and Clubs of UNESCO (September, 2015)
- ‘Shakti Achievement Award’ honoring the path breaking effort in Creating a Superior Place in the World of Women on the Occasion of International Day of Elimination of Violence Against Women organized by Yog Confederation of India (November, 2015)
- Honorary title “Ambassador of Culture” for merits in propagation of moral culture humanistic values and for high personal culture by Association of Culture of Azerbaijan “Simurg” (September, 2016)
- Member of Russian Philosophic Society, Russian Academy of Sciences (April, 2017)
- Commemorative Medal for invaluable contribution in developing the science of spirituality and promoting Love, Kindness and Happiness – by Sport Tourism Spudents’ League of St.Petersburg (July 2018)
- Certificate of Honor for the selfless service to humanity and for the invaluable contribution in the social and spiritual well-being of people – by the European Academy of Natural Sciences, St.Petersburg branch (Feb, 2019).
Brief Biodata
BK Santosh was born in 1964 in Delhi, India, in a big well-educated and religious family. Her grandmother developed personal interest in teachings and practice of the Brahma Kumaris in 1968. Later, in 1972, her parents also started studying at the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University. BK Santosh's first interest in spirituality developed further into regular practice of ancient Raja Yoga meditation and a determined desire to dedicate her life to spiritual empowerment of humanity.
Since childhood she has been inclined to social service and was showing the qualities of a leader. She used to gather poor children of her area, washed and fed them and afterwards taught them reading, writing, good manners etc. At school she had keen interest for different subjects of study, actively participated in camps organized for girls to help them to withstand various life situations.
She graduated from the University of Delhi in March 1983 in B. Sc. Honours (zoology). At the time of study at the University she did a 3 year advanced diploma course in Russian language, took one year training in traditional Indian dance and also took courses of ceramics & pottery and batik. In spite of her active social life and studies, she was feeling the need to deepen her experience of spiritual truth and almost immediately after graduating from the Delhi University she dedicated her life to the spiritual study and service as a Brahma Kumaris teacher. From 1983 to 1989 she had the privilege to extend spiritual services in India, especially in Delhi and related territories.
In 1989 the Brahma Kumaris was invited by the Russian Academy of Sciences and BK Santosh was appointed as one of the pioneers to start services in Russia. In March, 1990 she came to Moscow and in June – to St. Petersburg. Since then she has been part of opening centers and directing spiritual service in Russia, Baltic region, Georgia and CIS including Ukraine, Belarus, Armenia and Azerbaijan. She also toured with lectures and trainings to Great Britain, USA, Canada, Shri Lanka, Central and South America.
A special feature related to the Brahma Kumaris Center in St. Petersburg is that almost at the beginning of its activity the city authorities gave the organization one acre of land in one of the best areas of the city. By 2000 a separate building was constructed there named “Lighthouse”. In 2014 the second phase of the building named “Mighthouse” was inaugurated. It accommodates the Museum of Spiritual Knowledge and History of Humanity, Art Gallery, Heaven Area, Diamond hall, Conference hall, course and seminar rooms, meditation halls. The Centre is surrounded by the Peace Park – a community recreation zone created by BKs on the nearby territory.
BK Santosh is an experienced teacher, an inexhaustible source of inspiration and ideas, gifted with a refined sense of harmony and beauty. Under her inspiration “Divine Light” cultural group was created with the aim of joining art and spirituality for the service of humanity. She has also played the role of directing and organizing big cultural performances both in Russia and abroad.
In the multifaceted educational activities of the Brahma Kumaris Centre in St. Petersburg (Russia) under the direction of BK Santosh a special place is given to programs of social orientation.
Short list of activities under the guidance of BK Santosh in St. Petersburg (Russia) and nearby countries
1990 – Starting spiritual service in Russia. Establishing the Brahma Kumaris Center in St. Petersburg
1992 – The City Administration on request of the team of BK students allocates the Brahma Kumaris Center in St. Petersburg with a plot of land as a sign of recognition of social significance of its activity.
1995 – Implementation of international project “Sharing our Values for the Better World” and presenting the book “Global Vision of the Better World” to ex-president of the Soviet Union Mr. Mikhail Gorbachev.
1997 – Presentation of the Positive Health Project and the book “Say NO to Drugs!” providing moral and spiritual strategy for liberation from drug addiction. The opening ceremony was held in the presence of Chief Expert in Narcology of St. Petersburg and about one hundred heads of different narcology institutions of the city.
1998 – Organizing the conference “Human Resource Development as the Way to Overcome Crises”, in which about 1 thousand people took part.
1998 – Inauguration of the international project “Igniting the Spirit of Human Dignity”, in commemoration of 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Presentation of a project “Give One – Take One” with participation of heads of St. Petersburg social organizations. Inauguration of a permanent exhibition “Education for Personality Development”.
1999 – Implementation of the project “Say NO to Drugs” (lectures and exhibitions at schools, colleges and libraries of the city). Attended by more than 3500 people.
2000 – Carrying out the International project “Manifesto-2000” (under the aegis of UNESCO) in the Russian Federation.
2001 – Completion of the first phase of construction of the Brahma Kumaris Centre and starting regular classes in the new building “Lighthouse”.
2004 – Implementation in Russia and CIS countries of “Self-Management Leadership” and “Time Management” trainings, worked out by the Brahma Kumaris.
2005 – Organizing the II International Congress of Mothers “Women and Family Values” (India).
2006 – Carrying out in St. Petersburg the International project “Images and Voices of Hope”, designed by the Brahma Kumaris for media professionals and cultural workers.
2007 – Organizing and conducting a conference “Women and Family Values” – in partnership with Department of family and childhood, St. Petersburg State University of Culture and Arts.
2007 – Organizing a series of programs in Georgia on invitation of the Council of Non-Governmental Organizations and Women Association of Georgia.
2007-2010 – Initiating and implementing “Relay-Race of Positive Change” – major social project of BKWSU in Russia, CIS and Baltic states, covering more than 200 cities.
2008 – A series of trainings “Family Values” within the Year of Family in Russia.
2008 – “Spiritual Culture for the Golden Era” – special event in Mumbai, Delhi & Mt.Abu (India) with participation of the cultural group of BKs from Russia, dedicated to the Year of Russia in India.
2009 – Seminars “Golden Rules of Health” for medical professionals and all those interested in healthy lifestyle.
2009 – A series of programs in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, on invitation of the Women Association of Azerbaijan. Opening BK Center in Baku on the request of eminent people of the city.
2009 – “Peace in the World – the Call of Time” - special event in Mumbai with participation of the cultural group of BKs from Russia, dedicated to the Year of India in Russia. Together with BSES MG Hospital.
2010 – Organizing International conferences on education and health in collaboration with professional organizations.
2011 – Establishment of Raj Yoga Centers in Georgia and Armenia. Launching a new project “Diamond Ring of Russia” with the aim of bringing Godly message to different cities of Russia. A series of programs for senior citizens “Life Long Learning”.
2011 – Participation in Platinum Jubilee celebrations of the Brahma Kumaris in India with cultural performances of “Divine Light” group.
2011 – 2014 – Design and construction of the 2nd phase of the Brahma Kumais Centre in St.Petersburg.
2012 – Participation in the “Future of Power” dialogue in Mumbai with the cultural performance of “Divine Light” group: “Indra Dhanush: Unity in Diversity”. Expansion on wide scale of programs “Youth for Creativity”.
2012 – Numerous programs for youth within the framework of the International project “Youth for creativity”.
2013 – Participation in the International Conference on Globalization in the city of Astara (Azerbaijan). At the Conference BK Santosh was awarded with the diploma for the best presentation. The Association of Culture of Azerbaijan awarded her with the International Medal “Simurg” for “contribution to culture of peace and global humanitarian cooperation”.
2013 – Numerous awareness-raising programs within the framework of the Year for Environmental Protection in Russia.
2014 – Celebration on a wide scale of the Brahma Kumaris’ Silver Jubilee in Russia, CIS and Baltic states.
2014 – Publication of the book for the general public “Who am I? A Heart-to-Heart Conversation with the Self” – on the basis of spiritual knowledge of the Brahma Kumaris.
2015 – Active participation in the Brahma Kumaris World-Wide Initiative “7 Billion Acts of Goodness”.
2016 – Participation in the International Women Conference “East and West meet at St.Petersburg”;
Participation in the V St.Petersburg International Cultural Forum;
2017 – Implementation of a new educational and cultural Project “16 Celestial Arts”.
2018 – St.Petersburg Brahma Kumaris Center becomes a member of the Women’s Alliance
- Participation in the II Eurasian Women Forum
2019 – Creating and conducting a new educational and cultural Project 'Painting the portrait of
Petersburg” in partnership with the Women’s Alliance