K.I.D.S. Reunion
This summer saw many Osho festivals and events in the UK – but few of us older adults knew of the K.I.D.S. reunion which took place in Cornwall at the end of August.
Group photo: Nicky, Jennifer, Sugit, Su, Daya, Purva, Majid, Sagara, Puja, Pramada, Zozo Ryan (Soma), Robert (Chiten) Mudita, Willy, Vijay, Somen, Seth, Mick Toivo, Dipa, Gulab, Agsi, Bria, Daven, Ines, Alice, Shana (Rani), Sargam, Bindu, Harley,
Sena, Rupda, Gini, Catalina, Sasha, Elana, Leon, Jaes, Sheriden, Sky, Asha, Sanjay, Sandesh, Paritosha, Marlon
Bottom row left: Asha, Shana (Rani), Sandesh, Elana, Catalina
Bottom right: Rupda, Asha, Sanjay, Pramada, Vijay
In 2000 Rupda organised the first reunion of sannyas kids who had spent much of their childhood in communes in India, Medina, Ko Hsuan and on the Ranch. That reunion was held in California and this time it was Europe’s turn. A campsite in Cornwall was reserved for the 10 day event. Not all of the people were there all of the time but the peak number was about 65 which included some of the K.I.D.S. kids and some parents. Sometimes 3 generations were represented e.g. Paritosh, her son, William, and daughter, Sandesh, and their children, Skye and Catalina.
Beloved friends such as Disha, Santosh, Abigail, Geetesh and Milo, who are no longer with us, were remembered at the reunion.
Rupda explained that many sannyasin K.I.D.S. have journeyed into the outer world and that sannyas doesn’t really play a big part in their lives today. This I can easily understand because most kids were sannyasins because of their parents, not out of their own choice, and as they grew up they had to find their own individual way. However, my experience of the kids who grew up in the Osho communes, whatever their path is now, is that they are awesome human beings - full of confidence, intelligence, integrity, creativity, joy and most of all openness. It is their openness which always blows me away.
Rupda also said that the bond that the kids have is not necessarily one of sannyas and Osho but one of being so close and sharing so many experiences. Growing up together over the last 30 years is a long time and at this event some of them they were meeting after 27 years. Much laughter and many hugs were shared and there was a lot of catching up going on!
Every one enjoyed all the activities during the 10 days but the last evening was deeply touching as people sat in a circle, explained the meaning of their sannyas name and told stories of their experiences as kids growing up around Osho. People were intensely aware of the depth of the bond between them. So strong was the feeling, in fact, that they decided to have the reunions every 5 years instead of every 7 years from now on.
Rupda’s website
text by Veena – September 2008
