1938 — 2024
A life that became service.
Behind the enormous responsibilities he carried was a remarkably simple human being.
He saw possibilities where others saw difficulties, brought people together and had the ability to transform challenging situations with patience, positivity and spiritual strength.
For countless people, he was not only a leader.
He was family.
1938
Punjab
Born on 20 November 1938 in Punjab, Nirwair Singh developed an interest in philosophy and spirituality from an early age.
As a teenager, he read the lives and teachings of thinkers including Swami Vivekananda, Swami Ram Tirtha, Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Radhakrishnan.
1954
Indian Navy
Drawn by the desire to serve his country, he joined the Indian Navy, trained in Electronics and Electrical Engineering and later participated in the Goa Liberation operation of 1961.
1959
Mumbai
While in Mumbai, his search for meditation and deeper spiritual understanding led him to a Brahma Kumaris centre.
The atmosphere, spiritual knowledge and experience of Rajyoga touched him deeply.
1959
Mount Abu
Six months later, he travelled to Mount Abu and met Brahma Baba personally.
In the profound silence of that meeting, an inner decision became clear: his remaining life would belong to God and to service.
1963
Mount Abu
At the age of 25, he left a promising career in the Indian Navy and dedicated himself completely to spiritual service.
It marked the beginning of an extraordinary journey that would span more than six decades.
He tells how the first yoga filled the room with light; how Baba’s letters and silent drishti made him bodiless; and how, in 1963, he left the Navy so that every hour could belong to Godly service.
I spent six years with Mamma and ten years with Baba. At that time, I was serving in the Indian Navy as a radio engineer, that is, an electronics engineer. My friends in the Navy persuaded me to visit the ashram. There, the sister explained everything to us in a very sensible and impressive way. Four days later, we were given the experience of yoga. The experience of yoga was extremely powerful and blissful because we immediately reached the angelic stage.
In the beginning, it felt rather strange to us that in yoga we had to keep our eyes open and look towards the centre of the forehead, and I felt quite hesitant. But after two minutes, when the magical mantra—“I am a pure soul, I am an embodiment of peace, and I have a relationship with the Supreme Father, the Supreme Soul”—was repeated, my mind became very peaceful, and it was a very sweet experience for me. I felt as though the entire room had become filled with white light. Even the carpet, which was red, began to appear white. For me, it was an experience of semi-trance.
I had been going to the service centre for only about four weeks when we had the good fortune of Mamma coming there. Special talks were arranged so that we could take the fullest benefit from her visit to Mumbai. Every evening, from 5 to 6, Mamma would conduct class. Mamma’s stay in Mumbai made our foundation very strong. She would not begin the class straightaway. Before the Murli, there would be yoga, which in itself was a very sweet experience. We would ask Mamma, “How do you know the questions that are in our minds?” She would say, “I simply sit in yoga, and whatever comes into my mind, I speak.”
I found this knowledge so fascinating that whenever I met anyone, I would ask, “Would you like to experience peace of mind? Are you interested in knowing about the soul and the Supreme Soul?” Most often, the answer would be “Yes,” and because the service centre was nearby, I would introduce them to the sister in charge. In this way, within one month there were around 40 students, including eight senior students.
All this news was sent to Baba through letters. In those days, the postal service was very good. A letter would be written from Mumbai every evening and would reach Madhuban the very next day. Every day, someone would go to the railway station to post the letter. On the other side, Baba’s correspondence through the Murlis also continued beautifully.
I used to write to Baba every day. We began writing letters to each other in the way two people deeply in love write to one another. Baba would write little stories to inspire me, and I could not remain without writing to Baba. If I wrote two pages, Baba would write four pages to me, and if I wrote four pages, Baba would write six. Baba’s letters contained points from the new Murlis. In this way, Pitashri sustained us children with jewels of knowledge so that our spiritual effort could continue to grow.
In 1959, six months after coming into this knowledge, I came to Madhuban for the first time. I was to celebrate a personal meeting with Shiv Baba through Brahma Baba. This meeting with Baba was so inspiring and powerful that I decided my future at that very moment.
When we entered Baba’s room, we saw Baba seated on a gaddi and Mamma sitting on the other side. There was nothing that needed to be spoken. The profound silence and Baba’s powerful drishti instantly made me bodiless, and I felt as though I was going far away from this world. I could clearly experience vibrations of peace and rays of red light emerging from Baba’s face. This powerful experience was unlike any worldly experience.
For about six or seven minutes, Baba and I continued to communicate silently, mind to mind. Thoughts arose within me: “Yes, Baba, you have now come to transform this world. Now I have seen you personally in the corporeal form, face to face, and the rest of my life is dedicated only to you.”
A few moments later, I felt such a strong pull that I went and sat in Baba’s lap. Baba also says in the Murli that until the children come into Baba’s lap, they cannot receive the inheritance. All Brahma’s children receive the inheritance, but for me, this was the inheritance of the Confluence Age received through corporeal Baba.
I was immensely happy to meet Baba. Baba asked us whether our journey had been safe and comfortable. In reality, what Baba said was not so important; my heart was simply longing to hear Baba’s voice.
In those days, there were no facilities such as tape recordings or videos. There was no Amrit Vela yoga as we have today either. Yoga would take place at 5:45 in the morning, and the Murli would begin at 6. After class, we would meet Baba and Mamma in Mamma’s room. Since there were very few of us students, every day we received Baba’s extremely powerful drishti. There was no need even to think. Within a second, we would become filled with spiritual intoxication and would dance in happiness. Later, we would go for meals or on a picnic. Sometimes we would play badminton.
Baba used to say that an elevated Godly life did not mean that one should keep studying all the time; there should also be a balance with games and recreation. In the evening, class would be held from 8:00 to 8:45. At the beginning, Mamma would ask the children about their spiritual stage and would also ask whether they had made any mistakes. Before Baba arrived, Mamma would speak to us for about ten minutes.
In 1959 itself, Baba came to Mumbai. A gentleman offered Baba a beautiful apartment in a good locality of Mumbai and told him that he could stay there for as long as he wished. On this occasion, I took leave from the Navy and decided to spend a few days with Baba in Mumbai.
During the early years of the 1960s, the Yagya was passing through a very difficult financial period. One day, the situation became such that only twenty-five paise remained in the bhandari. There were many people who needed to be fed. The sister who was the instrument informed Baba about the small amount of money that remained. Baba immediately said, “Do not worry. Just wait until eleven o’clock.” The post used to arrive at eleven.
Baba’s faith was so firm that he would always say, “The Yagya belongs to Shiv Baba, not to Brahma Baba. Shiv Baba Himself has created it, and He Himself has to run it. We have nothing to worry about.”
When the post arrived that day, there was a money order for one thousand rupees. From his heart, Baba thanked the soul who had used her money in such a worthwhile way at that particular time. I remember that she was a sister living in bondage in Mumbai.
Baba would return many times over the cooperation someone gave at the right time. When that mother’s husband went out for his morning walk, she would telephone Baba, and Baba would speak the Murli to her over the phone. Sometimes the call would continue for as long as forty-five minutes. Some brothers and sisters regularly took notes from this telephone class. We too would take notes. Baba had a deep awareness and appreciation of cooperation given at a time of need.
Baba used to say, “Children, you should not have breakfast until you have done some Godly service.” So after the Murli finished, I would go to a nearby park to do service.
Once I explained the Trimurti to a soul, but because I was in a hurry, I explained it in a confused way. The person to whom I was giving the knowledge was a Christian woman. Pointing towards Brahma Baba, she asked, “Who is this person?” I introduced Brahma, Vishnu and Shankar and said that God creates the new world through Brahma, but it did not become clear in that sister’s intellect that this work was taking place now.
When I returned to Baba, as on other days, I told Baba during our discussion of knowledge what had happened. Baba would listen and then explain to us how the knowledge should be given. When I told him about this incident, Baba said, “You should have told her that the Supreme Father, the Supreme Soul, is now giving knowledge through Brahma Baba. Had you said this, that soul could have received the birthright of the inheritance from Baba.”
I asked Baba for forgiveness. The next day, when another elderly brother asked the same question, I gave him a clear introduction of Brahma Baba and said that it was through him that God was now giving the knowledge. He asked, “Where is Baba now?”
I said, “He is here in Mumbai.” That soul expressed a desire to meet Baba. I told him that I would take an appointment from Baba and let him know the next day. The following evening, he came to meet Baba.
Baba seated him close beside himself and said, “You too are just like Baba, just like a father. Baba’s body has grown old, and your body too has grown old like Baba’s.” Ordinarily, gurus do not seat their disciples close beside them, but Baba seated him near and gave him the experience that both of them were children of God. Baba explained the knowledge to him, and from that day onward he began attending class every day.
Once I wrote to Baba that I was free for two months and that he could send me anywhere for service. I also wrote that I wanted to open a service centre. Baba knew that if I opened a service centre, I would become bound to it. So Baba wrote back, “Do not worry about opening a service centre. Others can do that work too. You simply take care of the centres that have already been opened.”
Now I feel that Baba knew about my future and wanted to keep me free from bondage.
I arranged my worldly work in such a way that I could take out one day during the week and also the weekend for spiritual service. Baba used to give us many yuktis for serving through newspapers, so during my holidays I began going to newspaper offices and making friends with the people there.
On Saturdays, we would go to parks and special tourist places to distribute leaflets. On Sundays, we would go to temples to serve devotional souls. Baba used to say that in the temples of Shri Shri Shiv, Shri Krishna and Shri Lakshmi-Narayan, we could find souls belonging to the deity clan.
Gradually, I began to feel that this much was not enough; I should give my entire time to Godly service. During one of those holidays, I went to Jaipur as an instrument for service. It was, in itself, an elevated experience.
On my return, I met Mamma and Baba and expressed my desire to leave my worldly occupation so that I could give all my time to Godly service. Mamma said, “It is a very good thought. What does a person really need in life? Two pairs of clothes and two meals a day—and that can be received from the Yagya.”
In 1963, I applied to leave the Navy. Baba had said in the Murli that if you practise yoga for eight hours every day, you can completely settle the accounts of your karmas.
I began experimenting with this. Every day, I started practising yoga from eight in the morning until twelve noon, and again from four in the afternoon until eight in the evening. During the afternoon, I would write the Murli in other languages and help the elderly mothers.
I received a beautiful fruit from this experiment—I was released from the Navy. After leaving my job, I had the opportunity to remain in Baba’s close company for about three months, and from time to time I also continued to receive guidance from Dada Vishwakishore.
On special occasions, Baba would often give gifts. This is why even today, whenever someone comes to Madhuban, they certainly receive a gift.
Once, a sister came to Madhuban with her husband to meet Baba. Although that brother was not particularly supportive of the sister, she tactfully managed to bring him to Madhuban to meet Baba.
Baba met the brother and lovingly held beneath his chin a picture of Lakshmi and Narayan that had been prepared as a gift. Baba explained to him, “Sweet child, Baba has come to make you ordinary children worthy of worship like Lakshmi and Narayan. Would you like to become like them?”
He replied, “Yes, Baba. If you help me, I will certainly become like that.”
Baba said, “Baba has come for this very purpose. But for this, you will have to take a vow of purity. Will you take it?”
He said, “Yes, Baba, I certainly will.”
Baba immediately asked for a rakhi to be brought, and a sister tied the rakhi of purity on him. After that, Baba gave him the picture of Lakshmi and Narayan as a gift. That brother and his wife still come to Madhuban and say that from that day onward, the inculcation of purity became easy in their lives.
Since I have been in Madhuban, I have had the good fortune of seeing very closely how Dadi Ji took responsibility from Baba and continued to take Shrimat from Baba at every step.
When Avyakt BapDada came for the first time on 21 January 1969, Baba said that leaving the body was merely like changing rooms. Baba said that he was still present in the service of the children just as he had been before, and that we should never think that Baba had gone away.
Baba gave us the faith that as long as the Confluence Age continues, Baba is with us; only Baba’s form has changed.
Whenever you look towards Baba’s translight image in Baba’s room, you can feel that corporeal Baba is still clearing the path ahead for us.
Sit with Nirwair Bhaijee in this talk. His vibration, his royalty, and his love for God become something you can witness — not only hear.
Nirwair Bhaijee became one of the important instruments in the growth and administration of the Brahma Kumaris, serving for many years as Secretary-General and as a member of its Management Committee.
Yet responsibility never seemed to separate him from people. His leadership was expressed through accessibility, listening, trust and the ability to help others move forward.
In 1982, he represented the Brahma Kumaris at the United Nations Headquarters during the Second Special Session on Disarmament.
From international conferences to personal meetings with leaders, thinkers and public figures, his purpose remained consistent: to bring spirituality into conversations about peace, leadership and the future of humanity.
Beginning in 1983, he played an important role in major international conferences on universal peace, global cooperation, harmony and values.
He helped create places where people could transform.
An interactive map of the centres, campuses and humanitarian institutions with which his service was closely connected will live here.
For Nirwair Bhaijee, spirituality could never remain separate from humanity’s practical needs.
His concern for people helped inspire the creation of J Watumull Global Hospital & Research Centre, Mount Abu, inaugurated in 1991.
Its vision brought spirituality and modern healthcare together while extending medical service to surrounding communities, including economically disadvantaged and tribal populations.
When someone was suffering, they deserved the best care that could be given.
Behind the meetings, projects, buildings, conferences and responsibilities was a person who deeply valued meditation.
His capacity to act came from his capacity to become still.
I experienced deep peace every day because I chose to live life under God’s guidance and support.
B.K. Nirwair
Some personalities are best understood not by reading about them, but by listening to them.
Over the years, beautiful songs have been dedicated to Nirwair Bhaijee — expressions of gratitude, remembrance and love.
A musical tribute woven from songs offered in his memory.
One of the most beautiful parts of Nirwair Bhaijee’s early spiritual journey was his correspondence with Brahma Baba.
He remembered writing regularly to Baba — sometimes two pages, sometimes four — and receiving even longer replies filled with spiritual wisdom and encouragement.
These were more than letters. They were spiritual sustenance during the formative years of his life.
The page shown here is not Nirwair Bhaijee’s own letter. It is one Baba wrote to a brother or sister in the yagya — a glimpse of the same loving hand he remembered.
These are not simply reminders of Nirwair Bhaijee.
They are the continuing expression of his life.
1938 — 2024
Nirwair Bhaijee left his physical body on 19 September 2024, but the values he lived, the people he nurtured and the institutions he helped build continue to carry his presence into the future.
His life reminds us that greatness is not measured by how much one holds —
but by how completely one gives.
Om Shanti.
