Prem Rawat Maharaji Biography Page 5

Until December 2008, Prem Rawat’s speaking tours and engagements were arranged by Elan Vital (EV), a charitable organization incorporated in 1971 in the US. EV also provided support for the production of materials containing his message. In November 2001, he established The Prem Rawat Foundation (TPRF) to further his message of peace, and to provide humanitarian aid to people who are often overlooked by other aid agencies. He conceived this idea during a conversation with active philanthropist, Linda Pascotto. Later, he asked her to become the first president of TPRF.

"The main humanitarian focus of the Foundation," says Pascotto, "is to provide nutritious food and clean water for people who don't have access to them. And not just ready-to-eat canned rations. Maharaji wants these people to have good-tasting foods and to give them the dignity of a decent meal. He's talked to me about when he was a child, how hungry people would come to his house, knock on the kitchen door, and any time of day or night, they would get something to eat. and he's often expressed how gratifying it is to see the face of a person who was hungry and has had a satisfying meal." (p. 296, Peace is Possible, by Andrea Cagan)