—Brahma Kumaris marks 50 years of promoting inner peace, self-reflection and spiritual development in Guyana.

AS Guyana experiences unprecedented economic growth and infrastructural expansion, President Dr Irfaan Ali has cautioned that national development must be measured by more than roads, bridges and buildings, emphasising that a country’s true progress depends on the character, values and consciousness of its people.
Speaking on Saturday at State House during celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the Brahma Kumaris in Guyana and welcoming renowned spiritual leader Sister Jayanti, the President said genuine transformation begins within the individual and not solely through material advancement.
He praised the organisation’s five decades of service in promoting meditation, self-reflection, emotional resilience and positive thinking, noting that its work aligns closely with the vision of One Guyana by fostering understanding, compassion and unity across communities.

Sister Jayanti echoed those sentiments, urging Guyanese to reconnect with their inner selves and warning that consumerism, rather than technology, has distanced modern society from its moral and spiritual foundations.
Beginning his address on the importance of inner peace, President Ali said that in a world that is constantly moving, building, expanding and changing, it is easy to overlook the fact that true progress begins within.
“The greatest transformations often start not with machines, money, roads or buildings, but with the human spirit,” he said.
Describing the anniversary as a significant milestone, the President said the occasion marked half a century of service, spiritual teaching, personal transformation and community upliftment.
“The 50th anniversary of the Brahma Kumaris in Guyana is a significant achievement. It represents half a century of service, dedication, spiritual teaching, personal transformation and community upliftment. It represents 50 years of helping Guyanese discover the power of inner peace, meditation, self-reflection and positive thinking. For five decades, the Brahma Kumaris have quietly but steadily contributed to the spiritual and moral development of our nation,” he said.
According to the President, the organisation’s work has touched countless lives, helping individuals navigate the challenges of modern life with greater balance, resilience and purpose.
He noted that the role of organisations such as the Brahma Kumaris has become even more important as Guyana enters what he described as a new era of prosperity and development.
Highlighting the country’s rapid transformation through investments in roads, bridges, schools, hospitals, housing developments and economic opportunities, President Ali said material progress alone cannot define national success.
“A nation’s true progress is incomplete if it is confined to the material alone. It must also be reflected in the character, values and consciousness of the people. It is precisely this inner dimension of development that gives meaning and direction to our material achievements,” he said.
He added that the One Guyana vision extends beyond economic growth and infrastructural development.
“The vision of One Guyana is not merely about economic growth or infrastructure development. It is about creating a society united by mutual respect, understanding, compassion and shared purpose,” he said.
Making a call for unity, the President urged citizens to strengthen connections across communities, cultures, religions and generations.
He further noted that the philosophy of the Brahma Kumaris aligns closely with the aspirations of One Guyana, explaining that both are rooted in the belief that diversity is a source of strength and that humanity is united through shared values and experiences.
“When individuals become more peaceful, communities become more harmonious. When communities become more harmonious, nations become stronger. When nations become stronger, humanity moves closer to the peace for which we all yearn. No society can successfully address its challenges through legislation and policies alone. Lasting progress also requires self-discipline, empathy, integrity and a commitment to higher values,” he said.
President Ali said the organisation’s promotion of meditation and yoga has become increasingly relevant in an era characterised by stress, anxiety, misinformation and constant distraction.
He described the Brahma Kumaris as pioneers in introducing and promoting these practices in Guyana and credited the organisation with contributing significantly to the nation’s moral and emotional well-being.

“A society cannot thrive on prosperity alone. It must also be nourished by integrity, compassion, self-discipline, kindness and respect,” he said.
“Organisations such as the Brahma Kumaris help to cultivate these values. They remind us that peace is not merely the absence of conflict. Peace is a way of thinking. It is a way of living. It is a way of relating to others.”
The President encouraged Guyanese to engage with the organisation through its meditation programmes, wellness initiatives and community activities, noting that the values it promotes transcend religious and cultural boundaries.
“As we celebrate this Golden Jubilee, let us reflect on the tremendous contribution that the Brahma Kumaris have made to Guyana over the past 50 years. Let us honour the pioneers who established the movement, recognise the volunteers and teachers who have dedicated their lives to service, and look forward with confidence to the next 50 years of growth, service and inspiration,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sister Jayanti spoke on the importance of spirituality in a rapidly changing world, arguing that consumerism and materialism pose a greater threat to humanity’s moral values than technology itself.
“When our consciousness turns to materialism and consumerism, and when these are the things that drive individuals, then we see the result of that in the state of the world and the state of our human nature impacting the environment in a very big way,” she said.
“Technology is a tool, and one can use it for either thing. I have a knife and I can use it to cut a finger, or I can use it to cut a fruit. And so, it is human consciousness that drives whatever it is that is happening in the world out there,”
She said spirituality encourages individuals to embark on an inner journey of self-discovery and reconnection.
“What spirituality reminds us is that we have to go on an inner journey, and going on that journey means that we rediscover the connection with the self,” she said.