A good-looking personality may not always be blessed with inner beauty i.e. wisdom. Even if you come across in its perfect form, such a combination may be seldom accompanied by competence of high order. And it will be a rare probability, a real sign of divine benevolence, if humility too can be found inherently clubbed with these traits. Bhupender ‘Bekal’ indeed however, enjoyed this divine benevolence and his life presented a practical example of this extremely uncommon composition of human personality.

Bhupender ‘Bekal’ was born on 19^th August, 1950 in Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh). His parents - Pindi Dass and Raj Rani, have been known to Nirankari world as distinguished followers of the Sant Nirankari Misssion. Pindi Dass physically departed from the world in 1971.

In Bhupender ‘Bekal’, maturity of mind manifested itself right from childhood. A disciplined and hard-working student, he showed keen interest in spiritual activities taking place around him. That his mind was influenced by the spiritual environment of the family could easily be noticed as he grew up.

In due course of time, the family left Kanpur and settled in Patel Nagar in Delhi. ‘Bekal’ Ji determined to make life meaningful and useful. With active co-operation of his brothers and sisters and young friends, he organised what they named, ‘Patel Club’. The forum was used to arrange special lectures, seminars, etc. with a view to inspiring the young boys and girls to take interest in spiritual enlightenment. With the same objective, he would give prizes to the best speakers or participants in these programmes.

Poetry was another interest of Bhupender ‘Bekal’. He started with poems in Hindi on nationalism or patriotism. With the passage of time he established himself as a poet of spiritual awakening, his pen being dedicated to the devotion of God. The first collection of his poems on this theme to be published was ‘Ish-Bhakti’ i.e. ‘Devotion to God.’ ‘Indra-Dhanush’ is a popular collection of his poems in Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu.

‘Bekal’ Ji became a Graduate in Science. Later, he did LL.B also. In addition, he took Diploma in Printing Technology.

In 1972, ‘Bekal’ Ji came in contact with Shri ‘Nirmal’ Joshi who inspired him towards the service to the True Master (Satguru) in such a way that soon he became a symbol of the same. In other words, with Joshi Ji’s help, ‘Bekal’ Ji’s submission to the Mission was total and complete.

During the Second Mussoorie Conference in 1973, with the blessings of the then Head of the Sant Nirankari Mission, Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji, it was decided to start a spiritual magazine exclusively for children. ‘Bekal’ Ji was assigned the responsibility to edit the same under the title ‘Hansti Duniya’. This is how ‘Bekal’ Ji came into contact with the Publications Department of the Mission. Along with his distinguished colleague Vinay Joshi, he worked hard to make the magazine interesting and popular. In view of his sincerity of thought and spirit of service, Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji authorised ‘Bekal’ Ji from 17the January, 1977 to reveal to the seekers God-Knowledge on his behalf.

‘Bekal’ Ji started his career from Delhi Book Company. But after some time he joined the Punjab National Bank where, by dint of his intellectual ability and devotion to duty, he became a Branch Manger in the matter of few years only. He served the Bank in this capacity up to 1992. Thereafter, as ordained by Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj, he left the Punjab National Bank and dedicated his services to the Mission on whole-time basis.

When the publication of ‘Hansti Duniya’ was streamlined, ‘Bekal’ Ji was given the responsibility of Editor ‘Sant Nirankari’ (Hindi), the spiritual monthly magazine of the Mission. He worked in this capacity for a number of years and encouraged a large number of intellectuals to write about the Mission and its message. At the same time, he compiled and edited several books. In fact, it would not be an exaggeration to say that whatever books were brought out by the Publications Department up to 1992, ‘Bekal’ Ji was associated with them invariably in one way or the other. Even after that he continued to give the benefit of his contribution to the Publications Department from time to time.

In acknowledgement of the sense of humility in his nature and his dedication to the service of the Mission, His Holiness nominated ‘Bekal’ Ji as his Personal Secretary in 1992. Thus the star of the Publications Department began to illuminate with his competence the whole Mission, by dint of his surrender at the holy feet of the supreme source of light, of course. His devotion to duty and farsightedness in his imagination earned him a pat on the back from Baba Ji. ‘Bekal’ Ji was made a Member of the Executive Committee of the Sant Nirankari Mandal in March, 1997. In addition to his responsibilities as PS to His Holiness, he was made Member Incharge of Computer and Internet services of the Mission. He took keen interest in this field also. He played pioneering role to put across the information related to the Mission and its activities over Internet, thus reaching out for the first time to the members of the Mission and other elite, on global basis. ‘Bekal’ Ji took keen interest in the planning, organization and supervision of the Sant Nirankari Studio. He strengthened the Studio and streamlined its working in such a way that before he left for his eternal abode the Studio had its own editing table. Still photos were better preserved and spools transferred on U-matic cassettes. Samagam cassettes also took a new shape under his supervision and active involvement. Besides, he proved his efficiency by streamlining the administration of the Sant Nirankari Mandal and making it responsive to the fast expanding missionary activities. During 1996, ‘Bekal’ Ji accompanied His Holiness on his salvation tour of several countries of the world.

Nirankari literature too owes a lot to ‘Bekal’ Ji. His name is associated with several books that directly relate to the Mission’s ideology, particularly as reflected by holy discourses. ‘Guru-Vachan’ based on discourses by Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji, ‘Manthan’ and ‘Chintan’ by ‘Nirmal’ Joshi Ji, and ‘Gurudev Hardev’, ‘Andhkar Se Prakash Ki Or’ and ‘Main Ne Padha Aap Bhi Padhen’ by Rev. J.R.D. ‘Satyarthi’ are among the popular Hindi titles he edited and gave the final shape. The books he authored include ‘Indra-Dhanush’ - a collection of his poems in Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu; ‘Darpan’ based on His Holiness Baba Hardev Singh Ji’s discourses, ‘Kalyan Yatra’ an account of Baba Ji’s spiritual tours; and ‘Suna Aap Se Kaha Aap Se’ - a book containing interesting stories on spiritual topics. In addition, he made valuable contribution in the compilation of ‘Guruvachanamrit’ based on holy discourses by Shaneshah Baba Avtar Singh Ji, Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji and Baba Hardev Singh Ji; and ‘Avtar Updesh’ - a book containing discourses by Baba Avtar Singh Ji.

Suddenly, it appeared that the role assigned by Divinity to Bhupender ‘Bekal’ on the world-stage was over. He collapsed due to massive heart attack on 14^th March, 1998, in Calcutta while he was still on the mike during the procession that marked the beginning of the two -day Silver Jubilee Nirankari Sant Samagam of West Bengal. Thus the drop immersed into the Ocean, the flame went back to the Light, but so suddenly, so abruptly.

The personality of Bhupender ‘Bekal’ was just like a fresh rose, endowed with instant attraction and sweet fragrance. He was a perfect devotee of the True Master, a competent administrator, a farsighted intellectual, an able editor and a renowned poet. It was due to his own personality that whosoever came into his contact, became his admirer, his own.

A saint of versatile qualities, Bhupender ‘Bekal’ will continue forever to occupy a special place in the history of the Sant Nirankari Mission. Certainly, he will remain a source of inspiration for generations to come. As regards death, this is how he himself put it: 

BHALE SANSON KI TOOTE DORI,
JHULAS DE TAN KO AAG NIGORI,
‘BEKAL’ JIS KI YAAD HAI ZINDA,
MRITYU US KA KAHAN MARAN HAI!

 Let the delicate chord of breathing break, let poor fire burn the body; Bekal’ says, the person whose memory does live, will never die with death!