News & Events
Our News & Events section shares upcoming dates, highlights from recent activities and thanks to our partners. Photos, key figures and clear fundraising updates keep our supporters connected to the work they make possible.
Charity Evening 2026 at Yogazentrum Riki: Helping Together, Building Trust
On 10 October 2026, we were delighted to return to Yogazentrum Riki in Scharnstein for our annual charity and information evening. Many donors, association members and committee members joined us to hear about Balasai Global Care’s current projects in India and come together to support people in need.
A total of €3,943.03 was raised during the evening.
The evening centred on a look back at the year’s charitable work: daily meals for children at the Balasai Free School, daily meals for people in need from our new kitchen, support for people living with HIV, and help for young people pursuing their education. Personal experiences from visits to Kurnool brought this work to life, showing how support reaches people on the ground and where further help is needed.
One memorable example from the summer was funding a vending cart with a sun canopy for a man living in extreme poverty. The cart enables him to sell goods and earn a living — a practical example of helping people help themselves.
Coming Together for Puja and a Shared Purpose
A shared Atma-Lingam Puja brought a sense of ceremony to the evening. There was also time for personal conversations, questions about the projects and discussions about future plans.
Many volunteers helped make the evening a success. Books, organic honey, paintings and various other items were offered for sale, alongside cake, coffee and tea. The proceeds contributed to the fundraising total. Once again, Martin Krampfl and his wife lovingly prepared a fragrant Indian dish with aromatic spices, following Ayurvedic principles.
Putting Care and Transparency into Practice
Our treasurer, Gerlinde, explained how carefully project accounts are checked. Receipts are requested from India even for small expenses and cross-checked against the accounts. For us, managing the donations entrusted to us responsibly is a deeply held commitment.
She also announced plans for a voluntary external review of the association’s finances by a tax professional in 2027. This additional review will reinforce our commitment to transparency and help supporters see how their donations are used.
Our heartfelt thanks go to Yogazentrum Riki for making this annual information and charity evening possible, and to all our guests, volunteers, donors and sponsors. Your commitment turns our shared sense of connection into practical help for people in India.
Successful Charity Chess Tournament in Scharnstein Supporting Balasai Global Care
From 3 to 7 June 2026, Scharnstein hosted the second Almtal Chess Open — a special tournament bringing together competitive spirit, community and a shared commitment to helping others.
A highlight was the simultaneous exhibition on 5 June with Austrian Grandmaster Andreas Diermair. Playing multiple opponents at once, he demonstrated his skill with an impressive result of 23 wins and 5 draws.
The greatest achievement, however, was the support raised for a good cause. Corporate sponsorship, entry fees, voluntary donations, cake and drink sales, and other contributions raised an outstanding €12,034.78 for Balasai Global Care. This included €8,800 from corporate sponsors, €750 in entry fees, €751.23 from the donation box, €233.55 from refreshments and €1,500 in additional donations.
All net proceeds will support Balasai Global Care’s core projects in India. These include the Annadanam daily meal programme at Kurnool Ashram and a residential community near Kurnool offering orphaned children living with HIV and other people in need a safe home, regular meals, medical care and compassionate support.
Special thanks go to Erwin Lachmair, a board member, passionate chess player and the driving force behind this charity event. His tireless commitment helped turn the idea into reality. Alongside organising key aspects of the tournament, he worked hard to secure corporate sponsors.
We are equally grateful to fellow board members Gerlinde and Monika, who provided invaluable support with handling payments, serving refreshments and organising the event. An occasion like this would not have been possible without so many helping hands.
Regional broadcaster Salzkammergut TV also attended and reported on the successful charity tournament.
Our heartfelt thanks go to all the players, sponsors, volunteers and visitors. This event showed how much we can achieve through community, commitment and a shared love of chess.
Thank you for your wonderful support for Balasai Global Care!
Photos from the tournament:
Watch Our Charity Chess Open:
Our Sponsors – A Heartfelt Thank You
Opening Celebration of the Community Kitchen in Kurnool – 19 November 2025
On 19 November 2025, the new community kitchen was officially inaugurated at Balasai Baba’s ashram in Kurnool. Over the preceding months, the facilities had been extensively developed as part of the FCRA-approved meal programme. Improvements included modern commercial gas cooking ranges, a water purification system, drinking water coolers, dishwashing stations, toilets and washing facilities, a spacious covered area, large-scale cooking equipment and a new connection to the well-water supply.
The opening brought together local political representatives, Brahmin priests who blessed the kitchen, and, above all, many people in need from Kurnool. Children from the school serving the local slum community enjoyed a nutritious, freshly prepared meal. Many people facing poverty and hardship also received a warm meal and a free medical check-up from the doctors attending. Children from the residential community for people living with HIV were warmly invited too.
Journalists and television crews covered the celebration, sharing news of this new humanitarian facility dedicated to selfless service to people in need.
Photos from the opening celebration:
Charity Evening at Yogazentrum Riki (Scharnstein) – 11 October 2025
On Saturday, 11 October 2025, we were delighted to host our first charity event at Yogazentrum Riki in Scharnstein. The board of Balasai Global Care presented our ongoing projects and explained how the Balasai Baba Trust (BSBT) operates in India.
We then celebrated an Atma-Lingam Puja led by seven pujaris, marking the launch of our new fundraising association and the Trust’s work in Europe. Many volunteers contributed cakes, food, souvenirs and books for sale. Thanks to this wonderful support, more than €3,500 was raised for people and children facing hardship in India.
Our heartfelt thanks go to all our guests, volunteers and sponsors!
Following the enthusiastic response, we will hold another charity and information event next year, followed by an Atma-Lingam Puja.
The evening drew to a relaxed close around the campfire at the yoga centre, with open and inspiring conversations about future charity events and projects supporting the Balasai Baba Trust (BSBT).
Charity Chess Tournament in Scharnstein – An English Grandmaster Plays for a Good Cause
All tournament and sponsorship proceeds will be donated to Balasai Global Care. Every contribution helps provide medical care and nutritious meals for people in need in India.
Thank you to our partners and sponsors!
