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NEWSLETTER
[November 01, December 01 and January 02]

Dear friends of Sadhu Vaswani Mission,

Dada Shyam.
Sadhu Vaswani's 122nd Birthday was celebrated with deep love and fervor.
The enthusiasm of the yatris who came from all over India and abroad was
really very infectious. There was a smile on everyone's faces as they
bathed constantly in the holy vibrations that were created during the holy
functions.

PEACE MARCH
On Saturday, Nov. 20, the Peace March began at 8 am and was flagged off
By film artist Mukesh Khanna from Shri Shivaji Preparatory Military
Residential School. The March terminated at Dastur Boys' School at 10.30
am, where Dada J.P. Vaswani delivered his message of peace and non-violence.

Shri Mukesh Khanna of"Mahabharat" and "Shaktiman" fame first blessed
The most enthusiastic crowd of over 6000 students, children and animal lovers with the words, "Ayushman Bhava" acting as "Bhishma Pitahmaha" and as "Shaktiman" made students repeat the seven "adarshas" or principles and added the eighth one as "I will remain vegetarian and not eat food of violence, flesh, fish and fowl."
Dada J.P. Vaswani and Shri Mukesh Khanna kindled the "Peace Torch" and released colourful balloons, which were symbols of peace and love. They waved the white Peace Flag and thus inaugurated the Peach March.
In unison, thousands of young voices shouting slogans of "Bhaakri
Ghya, Bakri Nako; Dudh Ghya, Daru Nako" and "Creation is one Family", "Live and let live" proceeded on the March for Peace and Universal Brotherhood on the streets of Pune city. There were 8 to10 beautifully decorated floats, propagating vegetarianism and world peace.
In his fiery, thought-provoking speech in Hindi, Dada urged the overcrowded rally of children to think of the cruelties that are perpetrated on animals, day after day.

"Before eating a delicious non-vegetarian dish, pause for a while and think of the agony through which the slaughtered animal had to pass. Be friends, not killers of animals, be protectors and not destroyers of animals", he said.
Conference on 'Reverence for all life'.
A one-day International Conference of Voluntary Organizations on
'Reverence For All Life' was organized by the World Foundation on Reverence
For All Life on November 18, at Le Meridien Hotel.
The Conference was inaugurated by H.E. Ramadevi, Governor, Karnataka
State. The theme for the International Conference was 'HELP' - Health,
Ecology, Literacy and Peace and the main motto for the same was 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' i.e., all creation has one life.

The Conference was jointly conducted by Sadhu Vaswani Mission, Symbiosis International, World Peace Center, MAEER's MIT and Top Management Club.
While Dada J.P. Vaswani presided over the Conference, the keynote address was given by former Union Minister, Ram Jethmalani, M.P.
Speaking on the occasion, Dada said, "Man is a part of nature and in
killing his fellow creatures (animals) he is killing mankind. Humanity
needs to be awakened. Volunteers are needed and I request the Convention to put forth their best efforts to influence the student-opinion towards vegetarianism. I offer myself as a volunteer".Free medical camp for animals

The Sadhu Vaswani Mission had organized a free Medical Camp for
Animals on Nov. 24, from 10.00 am to 2.00 p.m. at the Mission's Veterinary Hospital at Lavle village. Dr. S.K. Jawalikar, Add. Director of Animal and Husbandary Deptt. Pune inaugurated the Camp. Thirty five doctors volunteered their free service for the Camp and over 832 animals were treated.As a token of gratitude, the villagers from the villages covered, pledged to observe Nov. 25 as Meatless Day.

A gathering of Sindhi's of Pimpri collected at the open lawns
To celebrate Sadhu Vaswani's birthday and to hear Dada J.P. Vaswani's Rooh Rihan on Nov.18. The thought on which Dada spoke was "When, O When?". Let us not procrastinate for who knows when our time may come to depart from this earth.On Nov 19 and 22 Dada addressed the students of the St. Mira's institutions and paid glowing tributes to their founder-Sadhu Vaswani. He was overjoyed to receive over 17 Lakh Meatless Day pledges by the college students and more so when the Principal of the St. Mira's English Medium School declared that the whole school had gone vegetarian on Nov.25!

All programs were held on the grounds of the Dastur School, which included the Rooh Rihan on the 22nd, the Dada Leela on the 24th and the celebrations we had for the whole day on the 25th found people simply swarming the whole place.

On the 23rd the Rath Yatra with Sadhu Vaswani's beautiful
picture was taken all over Pune, Dada pulled the Rath barefoot. He
addressed large crowds at 2 places enroute the path which was unusually
very well decorated with twinkling lights and welcome gates.In his glowing tribute to his Master, Sadhu Vaswani, Dada J. P. Vaswani said: "Sadhu Vaswani went from place to place with this one message: Love ye one another. Ope ye the windows of your heart, Dada added and let love flow out of you to one and all. And if we don't have love, let us beg and pray God to grant us this gift of giving love to one and all.

Bhog of 122 paths of Nuri Granth and Akhand Path of Guru
Granth Sahib was done, the sacred havan fire was kindled and service of the
sufed posh families and poor beggars (daridra narayana) was done. A
collection of over one crore Meatless day pledges were offered at the
Lotus Feet of Sadhu Vaswani. The new edition of the Nuri Granth was
released. Dada kept the Nuri Granth on his head while every one reverently
bowed to it and then clapped in joy of the new publication.
On the 25th evening, addressing an over crowded audience
Dada spoke on 'How to make the Impossible, I'm possible '. Seven suggestions Dada gave on the occasion were

1) Always expect the best
2) Never be afraid of taking risks
3) Go and do the things you are afraid to do
4) Learn to accept every obstacle as an opportunity
5) Make your own decision
6) Never say for anything that it is impossible until you give it a chance to prove itself
7) Remember that what is impossible with man is possible with God.

On the 26th, Sadhu Vaswani's Birthday was celebrated
According to the Hindu Calendar with akhand kirtan, service programmes, langar and Sadhu Vaswani's recorded upadeshes and Dada J.P. Vaswani's speeches .Hundreds of kilos of rice, wheat,dal, potatoes onions were kept in a huge hall and the poor were allowed to choose and take away what they will and how much ever they could carry.

Guru Nanak's Birthday
Nov 30 was Guru Nanak's Birthday. There was akhand kirtan and
Dada J.P. Vaswani's upadesh on Guru Nanak followed by Modikhana in which
Dada sat as the divine grocer. People brought articles like clothing, soap,
food items and offered it to Dada for the service of the poor.
On Dec. 1 Dada went to Bombay to record lectures in Hindi for
broadcasting over the TV. He worked hard over them for over 15 days and
would sit for five hours at a stretch to finish as many lectures as he
could. As a result, he got ultraviolet ray-infection in his eyes and had to
stop recording because of it.

Sadhu Vaswani Sadhana Camp
In the serene and idyllic surroundings at the Shahani Holiday
Home, Lonavla, the Sadhu Vaswani Sadhana Camp was inaugurated by Dada J.P. Vaswani by kindling of the Akhand Jyot on December 22, 2001. The three and a half day camp had 352 participants from Pune, Bombay and other cities from India and abroad. During the camp everyone had the experience of being so peaceful and happy within, many felt that they were in heaven. Everyone practised as much mauna (silence) as they could and conducted themselves in such a disciplined routine that they felt tranquil and relaxed at all times. Dada J.P. Vaswani's discourses and his presence had a great impact. Everyone felt a great surge of peace, contentment and a spiritual uplift as they felt Dada's love-vibrations flowing and working through them.The highlights of the Camp were the kirtan and bhajan sessions. Everyone participated in the singing and so a great atmosphere was created. Sadhu Vaswani's soul-stirring recorded upadeshes were spoken in such a soft and musical voice that one wondered how prose could sound so lilting to the ear. The guided meditations simply lifted us out of this work-a- day world. The mantra-recitation sessions at the break of dawn toned the mood for the whole day.
Although Dada was suffering from intense effects of ultraviolet rays
in his eyes due to excessive video shooting at Bombay, he gave such lovely
upadeshes that our minds and hearts overflowed with love and longing. The
main theme of Dada's upadeshes at this Camp was:
O Lord, we are bound by the three clutches, prongs of maya.
Break our bondage and keep us at thy Lotus feet always.

Very invigorating Question-Answer sessions were held. Yoga classes
Were attended by a large number of participants every afternoon. Service
programmes at the Home for the aging blind and in other charitable
institutions at Lonavla and blanket distribution at night to roadside
sleepers were conducted. The Quiz programme, the sloka/joke and bhajan
antakshri at the Camp fire and the cultural programme were enjoyed by one
and all.The Walk-a-thon was held at the Kaivalyadham grounds. Rs.10, 18,620 were collected and will be used as a maintenance fund for the Dada Darshan project at the Sadhu Vaswani Mission campus.After three and a half days of a love-filled,soul-enriching experience at the Sadhana Camp, one and all felt quite reluctant to re-enter their work-a-day world outside Lonavla.On January 10, a Rooh Rihan was held at the Brindaban grounds. Dada said that when we go to God in a spirit of humility, He removes all our difficulties and sorrows.He spoke on the thought that can be translated thus:
O Thou, who dost remove the sorrows of the meek,
And art the Friend of the Friendless ones,
I seek refuge in Thee
And lo! Thou art my Eternal Companion!

SWAMI VIVEKANANDA
Swami Vivekananda was remembered on his 139th birth-anniversary at the Youth Meet held at St. Mira's College for Girls and at the Sadhu Vaswani Mission on January 12.Addressing the crowded gathering, Dada J. P. Vaswani said: "Swami Vivekananda was a man of fire. He called upon the youths to spend themselves in the service of India's teeming millions. He believed that India's spirituality alone could save our sinking civilisation, but not until we of India bore witness in deeds of daily living to the great ideals of our great ancestors."

36th MAHAYAGNA
Sadhu Vaswani's 36th Mahayagna was observed during a
week-long programme at the Sadhu Vaswani Mission, Pune. Devotees from all over India and some from abroad also joined. On January 13, a Rooh Rihan was held at the open lawns at Pimpri and thousands of people came and drank in from Dada's fountain of practical wisdom. The St. Mira students (schools & college) observed the day on January 11 and 12. They had speeches, skits and service programmes. Dada addressed the young students and said that the one master-word of their founder, Sadhu Vaswani was "Give"! Go and serve as many as you can, in as many ways as you can, he said. The students competed for the best skits on the life teachings of Sadhu Vaswani. The skits by St. Mira's College and the St. Mira's Primary School were selected to be shown once again on January 17 to the sangat.We had bhog of Nuri Granth Path and Guru Granth Sahib Path, Prashna Manch and a Youth Meet too.

On January 16, after Prabhat Pheri at dawn, satsang was held at the
sacred Samadhi at 8am. The sacred havan fire was kindled and we heard the
flute-like voice of Sadhu Vaswani on the recorder. Sadhu Vaswani's message
was about the fleeting nature of life. So why not make it more meaningful?
The sufed posh sisters received cash of Rs 1000/- each. Also a lot of
grocery, dress materials, shawls, and towels. Total expenditure for the
seva was Rs. 1,20,000/- .The poor (daridra narayan) were sumptuously fed
and given and a 5 Rupee coin. Fruits were distributed to poor patients and
inmates of a number of charitable institutions and orphanages were fed.
In the evening at the Brindaban grounds, Sadhu Vaswani's upadesh was shown for the first time through the video screen to a large number of people.A huge trophy was awarded to Shri Arvind Shinde for his ever-ready, meritorious services to the Sadhu Vaswani Mission.In his discourses on Jan. 16 and17, J. P. Vaswani said that we must Go out in quest to realise the primary purpose for which we have been given the human body. And for this, we must learn to say "No" to the things that tempt us away from the path of self-realisation.

Free eye camp
In connection with the 36th Mahayagna of Revered Sadhu
Vaswani, a free eye camp was conducted at Sadhu Vaswani Ashram, Khandala on January 20. 437 poor people attended the camp and nearly 155 were treated with free medicines for various eye ailments. 72 patients were identified for cataract operations who will be brought to the Inlaks and Budhrani Hospital for free IOL cataract surgery. 17 patients were referred to Inlaks and Budhrani Hospital for refraction, dilation, funduscopy and slit lamp examination.Putting new generation Sindhis in touch with Roots
Answering the need of the hour, the Indian Institute of Sindhology- Pune Chapter and St. Mira's College for Girls organised a Seminar "Sindhi for you and me",on Jan. 9 at the St. Mira's College Auditorium. The theme of the Seminar was Sindhi literature translated into English. In her keynote address, Mrs. R. A. Vaswani, Chairperson, Sadhu Vaswani Mission emphasised the need for the new generation to be acquainted with the great literary and sufi traditions of the Sindhi culture. Mr. H.T. Sadhwani (I. A. S.) who has completed the herculean task of translating the 1730- page long Nuri Granth written by Sadhu T. L. Vaswani in English, read out some of his translations. Dr. Lachman Khubchandani, a renowned global scholar, explained that a translator is basically a communicator and drew a parallel between Narad who communicated the Lord's messages to the masses and the translator who communicated to the readers the writers works. Dr. K. Lekhwani of Deccan College threw light on Lord Sorley's translation of Shah-Jo-Risalo, while Mrs. Indra Parwani, librarian St. Mira's College for Girls, presented a paper on the difficulties of translating Sindhi into English . Mrs. Rita Shahani and Mrs. Aruna Jethwani read out translations of Sindhi poetry. Prof. Ishwari Jotwani, by literally translating some common idioms in English, created ripples of laughter all around. Bhajan Competition
The St. Mira's College for girls organised an Inter-Collegiate Bhajan Competition on January, 23 at the Indulaxmi Auditorium. Ms. Shweta Tambe from SNDT College came first and was given an award and Rs. 601/- in cash.

RELIEF AND REHABILITATION ACTIVITIES IN GUJARAT
(26-01-2001-26-01-2002)
Dada J. P. Vaswani always tells us, "There is a meaning of mercy in
all that happens to us." We may not always perceive its significance when we are caught in the throes of events; but time tells; and time heals wounds, taking us closer to the truth we seek. On January 26, 2002, Gujarat braced itself to observe an unforgettable anniversary- a whole year had passed since the catastrophic earthquake had struck the state. Now, with God's grace and the goodwill of selfless, service-minded people, Gujarat is slowly but surely rising, like a phoenix out of the ashes. The process of repair, reconstruction and rehabilitation has been steady and progressive. There is still a long way to go - but life is returning to their homes; and smiles are returning to weary faces. It is with deep humility and gratitude that we record the part the Sadhu Vaswani Mission has been able to play in the momentous task of rebuilding Gujarat. Responding soulfully to the disastrous earthquake, Dada J. P. Vaswani offered his fervent prayers for the suffering brothers and sisters of Gujarat, as soon as he heard the news. A special prayer meeting was organized at the Mission Campus the following day, January 27, 2001. In the meanwhile, a high level rescue squad, consisting of the CEO of the Mission and the two secretaries, had already set out to visit the affected areas; and preliminary rescue efforts were set in motion with truckloads of rations, blankets, clothes and medicines being rushed to Bhuj, the epicentre of the earthquake. Dada's fervent appeal to the Pune citizens to help the quake victims,received an overwhelming response. Within a couple of days, gracious and generous donors had pledged a total of no less than 88 lakhs. More and more would be forthcoming in the days that followed.In the meanwhile, a team of doctors, nurses and technicians from Inlaks and Budhrani Hospital set out for Gujarat. This was the first medical assistance squad to arrive in the twin cities of Adipur and Gandhidham. A Blood Bank Unit was set up and doctors began offering emergency medical care to victims. As the Spiritual Head of the Sadhu Vaswani Mission worldwide, Dada Issued an appeal to Mission Centres all over the world to open their hearts and devote themselves to the massive task of putting Gujarat back on its feet. Devotees everywhere responded to Dada's compassionate call, and assistance in cash and kind began to pour into the Mission.

Dada being Dada, would not rest content with all that was being done. On 31st January, 2001, barely five days after the earthquake, he flew into Gujarat in a chartered aircraft to be with the quake victims personally and to extend his helping, healing touch to them in their hour of crisis and
tragedy. After landing at Kandla Airport, Dada was driven around the
streets of the tri-cities of Gandhidham, Adipur, and Kandla, where he saw
at close quarters, the havoc wreaked by the quake. He visited the makeshift hospitals and medical aid centres, offering comfort and solace to victims who were physically and mentally traumatised. With his tender love and compassion, he held the hands of the sick and the injured; he comforted
the bereaved; he enveloped their suffering hearts with his healing compassion and warm love.

Quick and well-thought out action followed Dada's personal visit.
Survivors and victims had pleaded with Dada to get the tri-city area
fumigated. The Dhabol Power Company offered its assistance in this regard,
and the fumigation process was carried out on 1st February 2001. Temporary
basic shelter was provided to the homeless, even as the devotees of the
Sadhu Vaswani Centre at Rajkot began to visit villages in the interior with
much needed emergency aid and assistance. In several villages they visited, they found that they were the first outsiders to come with emergency aid after the quake had struck!The team of medical experts from the Inlaks Hospital had set up the Sadhu Vaswani Medical Centre at the Mid Town Hotel in Adipur, which soon earned the reputation of the best medical aid centre in the area. A relief headquarters was set up at the Sadhu Vaswani International School in Gandhidham, from where relief efforts were being coordinated.

Three major areas were identified for immediate implementation following Dada's personal visit:
1) To organize repairs to damaged structures in the tri-cities of
Gandhidham - Adipur - Kandla. One of India's leading structural
consultants, Mr. Shrikhande, was engaged to offer expert guidance in the
reconstruction work.
2) To finalise the plans for a new township called Sadhu Vaswani
Nagar, with new quake-proof houses for victims who had lost their homes.
3) To offer educational, vocational and psychological support to quake-hit women and children, by setting up creches and counselling centres.

Thus Dada's compassion and blessings began to be translated into
Quick and meaningful action! The Dhabol Power Company, the Divine Life Mission, Adipur, and a visiting Danish Medical Team joined hands with the Mission, and rehabilitation efforts took concrete shape. The Danes set up a
state-of-the-art mobile operation theatre in Adipur- and surgeons from
Inlaks Hospital began to carry out major surgery to victims who needed
them. Between Bhuj and Khandla, the Sadhu Vaswani Medical Centre was the only facility offering proper OPD and surgical facilities with X-Ray and a
Pathology Laboratory. Gujarat Governor, Shri Sundersingh Bhandari, and other dignitaries visited the Medical Centre, and extended their warm appreciation for the excellent work it was carrying out.To help the Mission's special Village Relief Team which had been initially handicapped by lack of mobility, devotees from Dubai, London and Mumbai contributed funds for the purchase of two vehicles- a Sumo and a Mahindra Jeep. Two more Sumo vehicles were loaned to the Mission for the relief efforts, with the help of these vehicles, the Village Relief Teams were able to reach remote villages in the interior of Kutch, which had not received any aid up till then. Relief materials were distributed among the desperate villagers, and emergency medical aid made available to them. Impressed with the excellent work being carried out by the Mission, the International Red Cross approached Mission Headquarters in Pune with an offer of 12 more vehicles for immediate use in the relief operations. The American School, Bombay, Bajaj Auto, Pune and Finolex Industries, Pune, offered to lend their aid and assistance to the relief efforts being organized by the Mission.Space was earmarked in the Sadhu Vaswani Hostel for working women in Gandhidham, to set up vocational and counseling sessions for women and creche facilities for children who had been orphaned by the quake and all this had been accomplished by 9th of February 2001!

Under Dada's guidance and inspiration, the Mission drew up its detailed strategy to work in five major areas:
1) Medical Relief
2) Materials Relief
3) Repairs Relief
4) Individual Relief
5) Rehabilitation Relief

The first four areas were already operational. The Rehabilitation
Relief took shape in the form of a major Housing Project, which like all other aid activities, was well thought-out and meticulously executed.
A piece of land admeasuring 7 acres was allotted to the Mission at a
concessional rate by the Sindhi Resettlement Corporation and Construction
work began on a war-footing in May. On an average, 3 houses were completed every two days. The entire construction project was completed in a record time of 161 days, with all work being done in rigid compliance of
prevailing rules and regulations. Infrastructure facilities such as roads,
street lights, sewerage lines, electricity and water supply were duly provided. In the first phase, the Mission completed the construction of 244
quake-resistant, well-constructed houses, each with a hall, 2 bedrooms,
kitchen and toilet. The cost per house was efficiently and economically
restricted to US$ 5000 - of which the allottee's contribution was US$ 3000,
(the quantum of aid each allotee received from the State Government) while
the balance of $ 2000 was contributed by the Sadhu Vaswani Mission through donors. The housing complex, named Sadhu Vaswani Kunj, was
inaugurated at a solemn ceremony on 5th November 2001, at the hands of Revered Dada J.P. Vaswani. Honorable Home Minister of India, Shri L.K. Advani presided over the function, which was well attended by several Ministers and Officials of the Gujarat Government as well as other dignitaries.At the Sadhu Vaswani Mission, the concept of service is ongoing - not restricted to one-off "events".

With one major housing project successfully completed, the mission has four others in the pipeline:
" Construction of 90 tenements in Adipur and Gandhidham.
" 100 independent houses in Morvi.
" 70 houses in Rajkot.
" 200 houses in interior Saurashtra.

The devotees, donors and the ever-willing volunteers of the Mission
Have risen as one to carry out their part in the rehabilitation work, under the guidance and inspiration of their Revered Dada J.P. Vaswani. The journey has begun well; with the grace of our beloved Gurudev, we are sure it will be successfully completed. Ok, then. More in my next.

In His Service,

piya

NOTE : KINDLY SENT THE FAXES FOR DADA J.P. VASWANI IN FUTURE ON THE FOLLOWING FAX NUMBER : 020 - 6127474