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The First Annual Sports Day at Sadhu Vaswani Gurukul, Manjri - January 19, 2019 In the village of Manjri, tiny tots of Sadhu Vaswani Gurukul looked all prepped up for their very first sports day on 19th January 2019. The event started to the lighting of the lamp by Didi Krishna Kumari, Working Chairperson, Sadhu Vaswani Mission. Speaking on the occasion, she said, “This school is a dream school of Gurudev Sadhu Vaswani who wished for an educational system based on character-building. The small steps that we are taking today will help your children achieve great heights and fulfil Dada’s dream where he believed and often said, kuch na kuch kar jayenge.” Manju Nichani, Executive Director of Manjri School motivated the parents with her speech - Dada Vaswani always maintained that children are our richest treasure, it is our responsibility together to care, love and bring them up. And the first thing is to believe in the child, each one is a winner in the game of life. This set the tone for the event. It began with the little ones competing for the costume race, skipping race, frog race and relay race. Parents and guests too competed in a lemon spoon race and running race. The young ones gave drill performances to a resounding clap. Speaking for the villagers, Dattatraya Harishchandra Birajdar, spoke on the occasion. He said, “You have allowed us to dream, dream through our children and we cannot be more grateful for all that you are doing. These are our responsibilities that you have taken upon youself. We are indebted to the Founder Rev. Sadhu Vaswani and Rev. Dada J. P. Vaswani.” About the school: It is the latest dream project of Dada, started as a humble offering on his centenary year. It provides free value-based education to the children of the poorest of the poor in Manjri. In addition to free uniforms, shoes, socks, textbooks, etc they are also given free breakfast and lunch meals.A prize distribution ceremony followed by distribution of snacks concluded the event.

The Mission was graced by the holy presence of Hindu Spiritual Leader & Singer-Preacher of Vedanta Philosophy, Pujya Bhaishri Oza on 18th January 2019. He took a look at the technological marvel of Darshan Museum, based on life and teachings of Sadhu Vaswani. Later he offered homage at the sacred Samadhi of Rev. Sadhu Vaswani and Rev. Dada J. P. Vaswani. He also gave a short and inspiring upadesh to those gathered and quoted from the Shrimad Bhagwad Gita and also the Bhagwad Puran. Remembering Dada, he said, “I had joined in the 99th birthday celebrations of Rev. Dada from across the shores, amidst his devotees, in Panama. Although the plan was to be present for his centenary birthday, he chose to leave his physical form. It is true of saints, they appear from the beyond to awaken souls and soon move back to the unseen. He concluded saying, “Dada was the very embodiment of love and patience. May he keep guiding us and take us to the light.” Pujya Bhaishri Oza was felicitated at the hands of Didi Krishna Kumari. He was also presented with Dada’s Centenary Volume - Alphabets of Good Life.

Sadhu Vaswani’s Mahayagna of 16th January evening was graced by the holy presence of Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo, Buddhist Spiritual Leader from the Drukpa Lineage of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism. Visiting the Pune Mission in homage on Dada’s Centenary, she said, “Although on one hand it seems that you have lost your Guru, but on another level, He has grown even closer to each one of you because He is no longer divided by material form. Now there are no boundaries, no boundaries at all. She further added, “All of you are so fortunate. Dadaji not only had the great wisdom, power, and blessing, He had so much light that just radiates through. In this day and age there are many teachers, some better than others, and to have a genuine Guru, a Great Being at this time is an enormous privilege.”

5:30 am, 16th January, the city awoke to solemn chants of Hare Krishna Hare Ram. The Twilight Procession - Prabhat Pheri— marked the observance of the 53rd Mahayagna of Rev. Sadhu Vaswani. 53 years ago, this day, in the year 1966, Sadhu T. L. Vaswani left this physical abode and merged into the light. “My mother and I were standing in this very compound when the news came at 8:20am. It was saddening and we were all broken, our Master had passed on,” said a teary-eyed septuagenarian, Nandini Punwani. “That day, it was open to all to have his last darshan. The next day we had the antim yatra before the final rites. To this day, the memory is etched in my heart. There is nothing that is as painful as this loss,” she added. “But yes, I also have beautiful memories of the warmth of his loving touch, the way he would bless us, the walks that he would take and how we would tag along, listening to his flute-like voice and experiencing divinity, none of it is forgettable. I truly believe that he still lives on,” she further added. Marking the 53rd Mahayagna, the Sadhu Vaswani Mission observed it with a prayer meeting with bhajans and kirtans. This was followed by the khuda hafizsong at the hour of 8:20 am- the Great Master earthly departure. An audio upadesh of Gurudev was played wherein he spoke of the fragility of life, how death can knock at one’s door at any time and how one must prepare oneself to greet death by connecting with the Name Divine. The prayer meet concluded with the serving of prasad. Garlanding of Sadhu Vaswani’s statute that stands tall in the central part of the city —Sadhu Vaswani Chowk—was done by city mayor, Mukta Tilak. Evening session was graced by the holy presence of Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo, Buddhist Spiritual Leader from the Drukpa Lineage of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism. Visiting in homage on Dada’s Centenary, she said, “Although on one hand it seems that you have lost your Guru, but on another level, He has grown even closer to each one of you because He is no longer divided by material form. Now there are no boundaries, no boundaries at all. He’s there, He represents also the deepest level of the divinity within us.”  She further added, “All of you, you are so fortunate because in this day and age society is going really in a very difficult direction. In this day and age there are many teachers, some better than others, and to have a genuine Guru at this time is an enormous privilege. May the light of the Guru shine within ea ch one of you.” This was followed by the recorded upadesh by Gurudev Sadhu Vaswani where he urged all to ‘awake from the deep slumber one is entangled in’ and Rev. Dada J. P. Vaswani who spoke on ‘Going within and connecting with God’. The day ended with vigil that continued into midnight wherein devotees sang the glory of the Master. 17th January, 2019 Morning: Daridra Narayan Seva: At early hours of the morning, echoes of Dada Shyam resounded in the Sadhu Vaswani Mission. The needy and the hungry queued up for a filling meal organised for them. Bread, pav, subzi, rice, oranges, ladoos and loads of love, it sure was one treat of a meal. Afternoon: Yagna, Havan and Sevas: Devotees from all quarters gathered at the Mira Hall of the Sadhu Vaswani Mission for a spiritual congregation. Narration of a verse from the Sukhmani Sahib followed by the kindling of havan initiated the session. The havan burnt bright as devotees offered ahuti’s into it. Simultaneously continuing were kirtans and bhajans rendered in the most soulful vocals. The atmosphere was charged in divinity. Sadhu Vaswani Centres who had collected maximum Meatless Day pledges were awarded appreciation momentos. Ratan Singh Kukreja of the Ahmedabad Centre that collected eight lacs fifty eight thousand four hundred and six pledges said, “It is solely Dada’s blessings that allows us to achieve all that we do. People believe in his conviction of living in harmony with all living beings. His message is simple and easy to convey but difficult to follow. Those who commit themselves to it, find the Lord. In times as these it is difficult to find a satguru as Dada. We are fortunate to have him. He cannot be limited to the body, he is all pervading,” added Kukreja. “We couldn’t ask for more. If it were not for the Mission, our household necessities would not be met. We see this as Dada’s blessing,” said Komal a recipient of the seva.At the sides was seen distribution of tiffin boxes, stationery sets and cash to a few students of St. Mira’s School. Groceries, utilities and grains were distributed amongst the poor and needy. “This seva not only helps us run our homes but coming from a divine atmosphere as this, it has a positive impact on the entire family. Although, today, we miss the physical presence of Beloved Dada, we know he is watching over us,” said Laxmi. Concluding, the langar prasad —fellowship meal—was placed at the feet of Gurudev Sadhu Vaswani and Rev. Dada J. P. Vaswani before being served to all. Havan, Dada’s Message & Deepak Yatra: 1966, January 17, the funeral pyre of Gurudev Sadhu Vaswani was lit at 5:30 pm in the Mission where stands his Sacred Samadhi. At the marked hour, every year Rev. Dada offers an ardent prayer on behalf of the devotees. This year, a audio recording of Beloved Dada was played. The prayer said, “We are children of pride and passion. Make us children of light so that we too may shine like the angels above. Swiftly is the time passing, many are our transgressions, forgive us, look upon us with your merciful eyes. Break the bondages of our senses and desires. O Lord free us. ” The prayer moved one and all. The sangat then proceeded to take forward the tradition of the Deepak Yatra wherein everyone lights a lamp at the Sadhu Vaswani Chowk as the Master’s frame glistens in light. The evening satsang included upadesh by Rev. Sadhu Vaswani and depictions of scenes from his life.

15th of January 2019, the sun shone brighter upon the Sacred Samadhi of Gurudev Sadhu Vaswani and Rev. Dada J. P. Vaswani. Today was a big day, an auspicious day, for joining the two Masters was Sister Shanti in all her tenderness and warmth- a statue of Sister Shanti was to be inaugurated today. Soon thereafter, the havan was lit by Didi Krishna Kumari and the ahuti was offered. Devotees present were chanting the Gayatri Mantra and Asatoma Satgamya Mantra in a choral with utmost vedic rhythm. The atmosphere was divine in all its element.The programme began to the reading of a verse from the Holy Scripture of Sukhmani Sahib. This was followed by a recitation of a shloka from the Man Prabodh. Lighting of the lamp was done by Didi Krishna Kumari, Working Chairperson, Sadhu Vaswani Mission. An audio rendition of the Chapter 12, Shlokas 13-20 in the flute-like voice of Sadhu Vaswani was played. A vachan from the Nuri Granth and then from the Anjali Sangraha was read. Incidentally, the vachan opened to a verse on Sister Shanti, something that moved everyone present, coming to all as a message from dear Dada himself. Finally, with a clarion call of ‘jo bole so nihal, sat sri akal,’ the statue of Sister Shanti was unveiled at the hands of the committee members of the Mission. The moment was truly ecstatic. Sister Shanti’s statue was glistening with love and light. Tender as she was, the statue was every bit of her, motherly and divine. On the designing and making of the statue, Piya Uttamchandani spoke, saying, “Sister Shanti, the spiritual-daughter of Gurudev Sadhu Vaswani was laid to rest by Rev. Dada J. P. Vaswani in the Sacred Samadhi of the Great Master. For long, the Mission had been contemplating upon placing a statue of her. With that view, we created a model statue and on the occasion of Sister Shanti’s Mahayagna placed it in the Samadhi. Although we had decided to take it out once the programme was over, none of us had the heart to do so. So it remained stationed there lovingly gazing upon Gurudev Sadhu Vaswani. Being a rough model, it needed replacement. Dada pooled in his funds and for the statue to be soon made. We connected with Mr. Vinayak Rampure, a renowned sculptor from Pune. On approaching him, it so happened that listening to the life and teachings of Sister Shanti, he was thoroughly moved and held her in high regards. His devotion to her, shows in the carving. The sculpture depicts her in all her illustriousness; compassionate, loving and caring. All those who have had the fortune of being in her company have remarked that the statue is an image of hers in its entirety.” Truly, the devotees were seen tear-touched as they bowed down to Sister Shanti as she continued to gaze upon the Great Master- Sadhu T. L. Vaswani.

The sun was yet to arise but the dawn had struck at the Sadhu Vaswani Mission, it was all set to bring a little sunshine in the lives of the little ones of school. A total of 1600 students were waiting for a surprise. As the trucks loaded with sumptuous snacks trudged along the lanes of Pune along with vans packed with volunteers, it was a scene to behold. Soon the kids were seen eagerly awaiting the bal mela to begin at Bibewadi. Gathering at the school grounds, the event started with the Dada Aarti followed by chanting of ‘Om’. A clarion call of ‘Dada Shyam’ by the singer, Shashank Ombhase echoed back by the children set the tone for the celebration! Next was the Ganapati bhajan and finally began the bal mela! Dosa, samosas, misal pav and bhel, the counters were quick crowding! “One more dosa please!” was the common demand! “A little spicy bhel here!” said another kid.  A busy morning it was! Volunteers were giving their all to make the little ones happy! But one must commend the discipline and patience with which the kids were waiting their turn. Finally, it was time for desserts! Ice-creams! And more it! Gifts! All in all it was a bal mela worth remembering. The staff, the kids, the volunteers left fulfilled and god-filled. “The arrangement and execution was perfect. I’ve been here for 12 years now and I haven’t seen the kids as happy as they are today. They were given the opportunity to play, sing, show their talent and have the time of their life! Also, the kids know Sant Tukaram, Sant Dyaneshwar, but today they have come to know that similar to them, Sadhu Vaswani and Dada J.P. Vaswani too are saints. It is important that kids learn this at an early age. And what more, they got ice-creams to eat, chocolates and gifts to take home! Can they ask for more?” said Ankush Maruti Shinde a faculty from the school.

Sadhu Vaswani Gurukul, Pimpri's first Bi-annual event Sadhu Vaswani Gurukul, Pimpri completed its first batch on January 6th. The teachers decided that it would be a good idea to showcase the impact of the values imparted to the young ones to their parents and hence a gathering was organised on Sunday, 13th January at the BT Adwani Hall, Pimpri. The programme kick-started with the tiny tots welcoming the parents with the recitation of the holy mantras 'OM' and 'IK ONKAR'. Then, the elder kids, with their beautiful voices, sang Beloved Dada’s Aarti and Krishna Bhajans with pure devotion. What followed was a play by the elder kids that portrayed Beloved Dada emphasis on love and empathy for the poor and needy. The younger kids enthralled the audience by gleefully chanting the Mahamantra, Shree Ram Jai Ram and a Krishna Bhajan. The cuteness, actions and the expressions of the little ones had the audience awestruck, their innocence leaving them spellbound. As a part of an interesting activity, the elder kids also came forward and spoke about their learnings and experiences in the Gurukul’s sessions that lasted 12 weeks. Lastly, reminiscing their recent trip to the Darshan museum, a batch of elder kids put up three scenes from their experience - one where a little Sadhu Vaswani refused to eat food of violence as prasadi; second where He displayed honesty with respect to an erroneous first rank in His class and third, where He helped children sail through a storm with the power of prayers. The programme ended on a happy and high note as the children cheered through an AV comprising of pictures of their sessions at Gurukul. The parents too got an actual peek into the life lessons that their children had received in the three month long sessions. A lot of them were seemingly moved with what they witnessed and thanked the team profusely for bringing about a change in their children. The team at Gurukul Pimpri was filled with gratitude on being given an opportunity to be an instrument of service at the Lotus feet of Gurudev Sadhu Vaswani and Beloved Dada.

Sadhu Vaswani Mission headquarters, Pune gleamed in the divine moonlight of the New Year’s Eve. Bhajans, kirtans and seva marked the celebrations. Devotees were seen thronging the Mission with one wish to ‘Be By their Gurudev’- Rev. Dada J. P. Vaswani. “It’s 25 years today that I have been coming to the Mission on the New Year’s Eve. I know, Dada is here and he will always be,” said Rekha Balani who came all the way from Lucknow. Another devotee from New Delhi said, “It’s special. It’s over 15 years that I visit on the 31st of December but there always something new that I take home.” Themed as ‘Be By Us Gurudev’ the Mission from 10:30 pm to midnight was echoing to ecstatic kirtans. Highlights of 2018, a much-awaited annual segment, was one of the finest moments of the New Year’s Eve. With the best of Dada’s wit and teachings, the highlights were stirring, emotional and awakening. A vachan from the Nuri Granth was read out to the devotees which was apt to the evening. This was followed by the upadesh of Rev. Dada. The teachings were one to abide by for the rest of the life. Briefly, it spoke of three must-do things in the New Year which included, every day one must practise silence for little time. One must sit in silence to become New, one must establish a link of love and devotion to God. Make God real to oneself. God is here & God is Now. One must establish some sort of relationship with God like father, mother, Master, brother, friend to make one’s heart NEW and finally to do some simple act of service every day. Deepak Yatra to the Samadhi marked the conclusion of the program. The devotees had stepped into 2019 with renewed love, devotion and faith for the Lord with Dada by their side. Sevas continued on past midnight wherein devotees went about the city distributing blankets to the poor who were battling the winter chills. The seva will continue throughout the winter months.

It was nearing midnight. The air was chilly. The Sadhu Vaswani Mission volunteers rose to the occasion as their hearts moved in thought to those needy out there. Taking quick action, new blankets were loaded up and three cars moved out from the Mission. As they hit the roads, theirs was just one focus - to bring warmth to the ones shivering by the street sides. Instead of plastic sheets to cover them, the recipients showed their joy in the warmth of blankets. Biscuit packets were distributed as well. Rev. Dada J.P. Vaswani himself used to move out in the wee hours of the cold nights of winter to distribute blankets. The Mission strives to follow his example of love-in-action with the blanket drive in the winters. Volunteers move out at night into the streets of the city to bring Rev. Dada’s love and warmth to as many as possible.

Sadhu T. L. Vaswani and Dada J. P. Vaswani’s Samadhi to be built outside India. On 23rd November 2018, Guru Nanak Jayanti Day, and in commemoration of Sadhu T. L. Vaswani’s 139th Birthday, the Sadhu Vaswani Center of New York / New Jersey, with the financial support of a few devotees, acquired the land that will become the sacred resting place for the Masters’ Samadhi. This land is adjacent to the Sadhu Vaswani Center of East Brunswick, New Jersey, at 6 Perry Road. The large trees in this garden resemble the ones by the Sacred Samadhi in Pune, the ones Sadhu Vaswani so loved! Soon, with the assistance, planning, and contribution of all devotees and well-wishers around the world the center will begin the humble task of building the Samadhi, a place of pilgrimage to all living outside India. The little home attached to the sacred Gardens is planned to become a library & Little Lamps Gurukul / Pre-school. In education lies one of the key tenets and future work of our Mission and the Masters’ vision. In her message, Sister Krishna Kumari, Working Chairperson of Sadhu Vaswani Mission said, “This land is not merely a valuable piece of real estate. It is the fountainhead through which will flow and spread Dada’s ideals and teachings in thought, word and deed. The minds of the young ones will grow and flourish with the foundation you will lay. The kirtan chants will add to the divinity of the ambience. The seva or service you will carry out will provide succour and sustenance to those in need. Above all, the remarkable decision of establishing Dada’s Sacred Samadhi there, at the other end of the world, will provide refuge to the souls of thousands who are unable to traverse the distance to Pune, to the punya bhumi of the Sacred Samadhi here.”

Sadhu Vaswani Mission’s secondary school held a 2-day workshop in association with Suresh Naik Space Education Center & Punekar Educational Initiatives. The students were trained to develop a simulation of a real satellite. The two day Cubsat Satellite Mission Workshop comprised of satellite design, its construction & launching by the school students. This was the first ever satellite program by an all girls school in India. It was organized on 30th November and 1st December 2018. The workshop was guided by the eminent space scientist Suresh Naik,  Chairman of International Space Society & former group director of ISRO, who is well known in   popularising Space Science. Suhas Punekar, Chairman of Punekar Educational Initiatives also participated in this workshop. The workshop aimed at providing the basic knowledge of space science, satellites, electronics and embedded systems followed by hands-on activity by student groups. The students guided by the trainers fitted all the major subsystems found in a satellite, such as power, sensors and a communication system. In the first day, students learnt to design the Cubsat satellite. Nine student teams built their own miniature satellites fitted into a small can and equipped with a parachute. On the second day, they learnt to use the satellites to collect live data from an altitude of 10 to 20 meters above the earth's surface. The climax of this fascinating mission was the launch of the satellites at 4:30PM on the school grounds in the presence of the working chairperson of Sadhu Vaswani Mission, Krishna Kumari, dignitaries and parents. Amongst applause from parents, teachers and dignitaries, the 9 teams  watched excitedly their self-built Cubsats launched into the air with the help of a drone and descending gracefully by means of a parachute, and at the same time transmitting the real-time data wirelessly about the environment including air temperature, humidity and altitude to a receiver & recorded on a laptop on the ground. The budding women astronauts were given a medal and certificate of participation & the best three groups received a trophy. The students will get ample opportunities to meet and interact with experts from ISRO and NASA as audio-video sessions, faculty visits and site visits are planned. The school strives to impart practical knowledge to the students in line with Rev. Dada J.P. Vaswani’s teaching - Knowledge without action is empty as shadow. The Principal Mrs. Anjali Raghani’s vision and hard work once again culminated in another success story. She thanked the management and the organisers for providing the students their first practical experience of a real space project.