"We love you more than anything in the world Dada!” To this hoarding, awoke the twin town of Pune — Pimpri— on 10thNovember, 2019.
140thbirth anniversary of Gurudev Sadhu Vaswani was marked early with the Rath Yatra in Pimpri. On the occasion, people gathered from various parts of Pimpri chanting aloud, ‘Dada Shyam’ and spreading the message of ‘Reverence for All Life’ and abstinence from all forms of flesh food and intoxicants of 25thNovember — Sadhu Vaswani’s birthday.
Didi Krishna Kumari, before the start of the Rath Yatra, offered a prayer to Beloved Dada and Gurudev Sadhu Vaswani. Speaking on the occasion she said, “All of us will agree with me, we have today, experienced Gurudev Sadhu Vaswani and Beloved Dada’s presence amidst us.” This statement was followed by a resounding ‘yes’. On the rath was a life-like portrait of the Beloved Masters — Gurudev Sadhu Vaswani and Rev. Dada J.P. Vaswani.
Chants of the Mahamantra, “Hare Ram Hare Ram, Ram Ram Hare Hare, Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare’ reverberated along the route. With renowned singer, Kaajal Chandiramani rendering vocals, Pimpri was ecstatic with love and devotion. Slogans were also raised in chorus invoking sympathy and compassion in all towards all forms of life. “Mesmerizing is the word. Truly sublime,” said Shobhan Motwani.
The Rath Yatra followed the route that began at Open Lawns, near Anandpur Kutiya, via Sai Chowk. The yatra passed through temples and gurudwaras that paid homage to the Rath. The yatra concluded at the Royal World School Grounds where a further program was held. A skit by Vision Sindhu Children Academy was performed. It was on ‘vegetarianism’ and ‘love for birds and animals’. The performance by the little was both endearing and awakening. An enactment of Beloved Dada was also seen. The message was on keeping the Sindhi language alive. ‘Remember your roots. Speak the Sindhi language at home and also outside. By all means learn other languages, but do not forget the Sindhi language’. This was followed by a talk of Beloved Dada. His message for the day was on ‘adopting a vegetarian life’. He said man is of the belief that flesh food is essential for the body, “you enjoy eating their flesh thinking you will gain strength”, but he added that the strength comes from within. He also led the attention of the devotees to the true purpose of the human life. He concluded his address with another reference towards turning to vegetarianism.
The program finished with dinner prasad served to all.