Search Results

Sadhu Vaswani Mission sets up COVID Care Centre at Purandar Taluka Working with local officials & with the support of Naraindas Morbai Budhrani Trust, a COVID Care Center has been setup by the Mission in Malshiras Village, Purandar Taluka, Maharashtra. The Mission received a request from the Gram Panchayat and the Zilla Parishad of the Purandar Taluka seeking assistance in isolating patients — asymptomatic and ones with mild symptoms. At the time of the request, the patient testing positive was isolating at home. However, given their tiny homes, the idea of isolation was blurred and family members were constantly amid the patient risking the entire family testing positive. In some cases, the entire family was living out of the home while countering several troubles that included cooking meals, sourcing medicines, among others. Allowing this to continue would have led to a surge in the cases, which is when the local authorities converted a marriage hall into a quarantine centre. However, making the facility isolation compliant was necessary. Sadhu Vaswani Mission, in its humble efforts, stepped in. 30th April 2021, a team of volunteers from the Mission visited the isolation facility and surveyed the infrastructure. “While at the survey, we observed a few patients already occupying the facility sleeping on the floors. Automatically, the foremost requirement of the centre was to provide the patients with beds. We immediately swung into action and initiated the back-end work through our volunteers. The next requirement was to ensure that the centre was sanitized frequently. Also, we took into consideration the needs of the medical and support staff and shortlisted materials that included monitoring medical equipment. Prioritizing our efforts as per the needs, we began the procurement,” said a Mission official. 5th May 2021, as a part of initial assistance and to equip the centre, the Mission sent 50 beds and mattresses, 200 N-95 Masks, medical tools like Stethoscopes, B.P. Apparatus, sanitation materials for keeping cleanliness, steel containers for water and stationery items as required. With the first set of material dispatched and ready for use, the Mission then initiated the next steps to complete the procurement of additional requirements. “We realized that in a situation like this, a time-sensitive approach needs to be followed. Accordingly, we immediately sent the essentials required to make the facility functional. Once that was completed, we readied the list of additional material that is required in an isolation facility and started the procurement,” added the Mission official. 7th May 2021, the Mission sent additional material required for the set-up of the COVID Care Center which included bed-sheets, sanitisation materials and cleaning essentials. “This was of great help since the marriage hall converted into an isolation facility; the centre has a kitchen of its own. We, therefore, decided to provide ration so that the cooking can be done within the premises of the facility. Surveying the requirement, we procured the necessary rations,” added the official. 10th May 2021, the Mission sent ration to ensure that the patients are provided with nutritious meals during their isolation. Ration items included 40kg sugar, 30kg flour, Tur Dal 30 kgs, Moong Dal 30 kg, Urad Dal 40 kgs, Coconut 40 pc, Kolam rice 210 kgs, Cooking oil and spices & masalas. Additionally, on 11th May 2021, the Mission sent 30 pillows to the Centre. On 12th May 2021, the Center was inaugurated in the esteemed presence of Supriya Sule, and respected local authorities. Addressing on the occasion, Supriya Sule appreciated the efforts of the Mission. Rupali Sarnobat, Tehsildar, Purandar Taluka also made a special mention of the expedited action undertaken by the Mission in setting up the Center. All the material and equipment are dispatched through Mission vans accompanied by Mission volunteers. The volunteers offer personal, timely assistance and help to local authorities in organizing the distribution of material provided. It is also important to note that the Sadhu Vaswani Mission would only be involved in a supporting role and providing the necessary basic requirements for the set-up of the Centre and all other facilities like doctors, nurses, helpers, oxygen, ambulance and any other emergency requirements are being taken care of by the local government authorities. The efforts will continue until such times as required.

Karuna Sevas: Sadhu Vaswani Mission Serves the Muslim Brethren in the Holy Month of Ramzan Unity, love, service, sacrifice, humility, compassion, right conduct, knowing the purpose of this human life and striving to fulfil the same, realizing the goal of life to be mukti (or Liberation/ Salvation/ Moksha/ Nirvana) and living to achieve that goal, and discovering the essence of spirituality: these are ideals that are common to all religions. They form the golden thread which runs through the garland of many variegated, fragrant flowers that are the world’s diverse faith. — Rev. Dada J.P. Vaswani 25th April 2021, Sadhu Vaswani Mission served the Muslim Brethren in the holy month of Ramzan. Ration kits were distributed to 42 families in dire need of supplies. The Mission received an urgent distress call from the Madari community residing in the Madari Basti, Koregaon Park Pune. They are a minority community and earn their living through performing magic acts, decorating balloons at birthday parties and such miscellaneous tasks. Their income that is already uncertain has been further affected badly with the second wave of COVID-19. The Mission team immediately swung into action, packed ration kits and reached the site for distribution. The beneficiaries were queued up in an orderly manner and the distribution was completed within allotted time. Their worries, at least in terms of food on their plates, were alleviated. "We could see the gratitude through their eyes," a volunteer added. To make the grains adequate, each ration kit consisted of 5kgs wheat flour, 5kgs rice, 1kg tur dal, 1kg moong, 1kg poha, 1kg sugar, 1/4 kg tea powder and 1ltr oil. The distribution comes in the holy month of Ramzan. “We were particularly moved when one of the brothers asked us, ‘Aap Muslim parivaronkeliyekaroge?’ — Will you be serving us; Muslim families?” To which we responded with Sadhu Vaswani's teaching that he lived by precept and example — Children of the Earth, Ye All Are One! As we said this, we humbly prayed unto our Beloved Masters that may we grow in brotherhood and sevas. We also served them with fruits — a dozen bananas to each family to break their fast,” added the Mission official.

21stand 23rdApril 2021, Sadhu Vaswani Mission, Pune organized service activities spanned over two days in the red-light area of Budhwar Peth, Pune. The area, similar to last year, was in dire need and the dwellers were anxiously waiting for help and assistance. Sadhu Vaswani Mission, as initial and immediate assistance, with the cooperation of the police authorities, distributed 1000 ration kits to the occupants in the red-light area. Each ration kit consisted of 5kg wheat flour, 5kg rice, 1kg dal, 1kg pulses, 1kg poha/sabudana/suji, 1kg sugar, 1litre cooking oil, and 250gms tea. The ration kit can last for an average of 15+ days. “The police officials from the Faraskhana Police Station reached out to us and informed us of the need that our sisters are facing. While we are carrying out sevas in the city and suburbs, we felt it necessary that we help our sisters in these difficult times. A survey was conducted by the police officials and they got in touch with us with the precise requirement. We immediately swung into action,” said a Mission official. “We began with the packing of the ration kits with 16 volunteers and completed it within minimal breaks so the next step of distribution could be expedited. Simultaneously, the police officials allotted and distributed coupons to beneficiaries,” he continued. The loading of ration kits into the Mission van was followed by a prayer led by Didi Krishna Kumari. At the location, coupon holders were queued up with adherence to social distancing and masking and only one beneficiary at a time was allowed to take the kits. Coupons also ensured that the kits reached the right hands and there was no duplication. Sisters with little ones were also given joy packets consisting of biscuits, toffees, and chips. Also, on day one of the sevas, Dr. Sanjay Shinde IPS, Additional Commissioner of Police, Pune joined in the labour of love — distributing the kits with his own hands. The beneficiaries were relieved at the timely sevas. “With the strict curfew, although the groceries are open for specific hours, the sisters are lacking finances to make even small purchases to feed themselves. The distribution came as a relief to them; the smile seen in their eyes was telling how grateful they were. To us, it is the Masters' grace that brings respite to all those in need,” said a volunteer. Given the severity of the second wave, safety measures are strictly adhered by the volunteers.“We are using double masks — one disposable and another N95 with nitrile safety gloves. The police personnel are ensuring discipline and one of them even commented that is the most orderly distribution, especially in these times, that they have come across,” said a volunteer. A total of 20 volunteers conducted the distributions. On 23rd April morning, about 200 transgenders were also given ration kits along with other women from the red-light area. Their children were again served, this time with fruit drinks and bananas. Dr. Priyanka Narnaware, Deputy Commissioner of Police, also graced the occasion and served ration kits with her own hands. In the following week, the Mission distributed 2000 hygiene kits to them. The second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic is spreading and surpassing the peaks of the first wave, severely impacting India and the condition of the poor is particularly grim. To counter this challenge, Sadhu Vaswani Mission has once again risen to the occasion and is multiplying its seva efforts to reach the poor and needy, daily wagers and helpless ones to provide for their basic necessities.

* Man thanks the official by shaking hand with his new arm * Bridegroom gets an artificial arm just in time so he could garland his bride at their wedding These and more news-stories were the highlights of the artificial limbs camp organised by Sadhu Vaswani Mission in Ichalkaranji, Kolhapur District, this weekend, 13th & 14th March 2021. It was sponsored by Finolex Cables and arranged by Inlaks and Budhrani Hospital, the healthcare institute of the Mission in association with Rotary International. Sharing the experiences of the beneficiaries, an official said, “It was overwhelming to witness the joy that spreads on their face when they see a functional arm being affixed. One of the patients walked up to me and held out his left hand for a handshake. I was surprised when he said, this was the arm he lost and therefore wishes to shake hands with me. I was speechless. I held out my hand and sought his blessings.” Of another distribution from an earlier time, the official recalled, “One of our patients was to get married the next day of the limb distribution. He came to us and said that he would use the prosthetic arm to place the varmala — a garland of fresh flowers — around his bride’s neck (a Hindu wedding ritual denoting the beginning of the wedding ceremony).” 327 patients received free customized prosthetics, the measurements of which were taken earlier.

Sadhu Vaswani shared with all who came to him, the joy of the Eternal. His life was a life of mukti. Was he a nitya-mukta, an ever-free soul? He spoke of himself as a “servant of God and His suffering creation”. I shall be born, again and again, he said, to help those that suffer and are in pain. — Rev. Dada J.P. Vaswani 16th January 1966, 8:20 am, 55 years ago, Sadhu T. L. Vaswani dropped his mortal frame and merged into the eternal light. Sadhu Vaswani Mission, each year, since then organises satsangs, sevas and talks of the Great Masters in observance of Sadhu Vaswani’s Mahayagna. This year, owing to the pandemic protocols, the observance was taken virtual with seva activities by volunteers with strict adherence to social distancing norms. 16th January 2021, marked the 55th year of the Mahayagna. The dawn was ushered by a Prabhat Pheri— twilight procession— at 5:30 am with in-house devotees echoing devout chants of Hare Krishna Hare Rama. At 8:00 am, a satsang was held in the Sacred Kutiya to commemorate the time of Sadhu Vaswani’s passing. In the evening session, at 6:45 pm, recorded talks by Sadhu Vaswani and Rev. Dada J.P. Vaswani were broadcast live. The day ended with the observance of vigil beginning at 10:30 pm that continued into midnight. 17th January 2021, a noon satsang was held. At 5:15 pm, the time when Revered Sadhu Vaswani's body was consigned to the flames; prayer session, havan and satsang was broadcast live from the Sacred Samadhi. At 6:45 pm, in the evening session, recorded talks by Sadhu Vaswani and Rev. Dada J.P. Vaswani were aired globally. Didi Krishna Kumari, throughout the Mahayagna week, gave talks at the programmes held by the centers narrating anecdotes and stories from the Great Master’s life. Extensive seva activities were carried out by the Pune headquarters and Sadhu Vaswani centers wordlwide. 16th January, 460 breakfast meals were distributed in Pune, Pimpri and Khandala. A drive of distributing Solapuri (thick) chaddars — 2 in each house was carried out in Khandala. 200 Solapuri (thick) chaddars were distributed in the villages of Ujnavli Katkarwadi and Khariwali Katkarwadi. 17th January, 375 breakfast meals were distributed in Pune and Pimpri. Ration kits were distributed to 120 poor and needy families at Pune, Pimpri and Daund. 302 artificial limbs were distributed to children at a camp held at Ambad, Jalna. The little ones were also given games, adding to their joy. The 55th Mahayagna of Revered Sadhu T.L. Vaswani was observed globally by Sadhu Vaswani Centers, including Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata, Pimpri, Ulhasnagar, New Jersey, and Washington DC among others. Related News Links: Rev. Sadhu Vaswani’s 55th Sacred Mahayagna Marked With Various Services - https://www.punekarnews.in/rev-sadhu-vaswanis-55th-sacred-mahayagna-marked-with-various-services/

’Thank you for giving me a pair of eyes!’ they said as they received new walking sticks from Sadhu Vaswani Mission Pune! Do you know the value of your eyes? Should we not feel grateful to God for the gifts He has bestowed on us — two eyes with which to see the beauty of the world around us? — Rev. Dada J.P. Vaswani Eyes, how invaluable are they! It was Hellen Keller who said, “Of all the senses, sight must be the most delightful.” Sadhu Vaswani Mission, that actively engages in the ‘Sight for the Sightless’ programme offering free eye-surgeries, throughout the year, to countless people in another initiative to aid the visually impaired groups, distributed white cane sticks in a two-day drive held on 1st and 10th January 2021. The Mission was approached by a group that sought assistance for availing of the sticks. In an effort to meet the demands immediately, the first drive was carried on 1st January 2021 where cane sticks were distributed with joy packets. A small get-together was organised for the group members near Nehru Stadium, Swargate. 10th January 2021, more cane sticks were distributed at Congress Bhavan where all members had gathered for the celebration of World Braille Day (4th January). “It was an experience that words wouldn’t do justice to! We handed over each cane stick personally to all the recipients while they were seated for the programme. Their faces had an unusual glow and their smile was right from the heart! The sheer joy of something as small as a cane stick that brought to them was inspiring. More than them, it was we who were thrilled by their demeanour, the acceptance with which they live and the cheer that they have in their lives despite the impairment is a lesson to learn,” said a volunteer. “What stood out to me, was a comment by a beneficiary who said, ‘Thank you for giving me a pair of eyes.’ We were speechless. Little do we know, how important are these cane sticks to them!” he added. A six-fold cane stick was given to women that would fit into their purse and a four-fold to cane stick was given to men.

Spreading the Warmth of Kindness Khandala, a hill station on the outskirts of Pune, known for its picturesque landscape and pleasant climate is a sight to behold. Winters particularly are severe and the town is enveloped in a thick misty fog with an icy breeze. A tourist attraction for many but a bitter winter for the townspeople. Sadhu Vaswani Mission, in its endeavour to make the winters comfortable and warm, continued its blanket sevas in Khandala. 8th and 9th January 2021, a team of 10 Mission volunteers set out from Pune. “We were greeted by an overcast sky and a wintry breeze. One can only imagine how the villagers are enduring it in their humble hutments. We are trying our best to reach out to as many as we can through this blanket seva initiative,” said a Mission volunteer. The volunteers start early at around 8:00 am; packing and loading of blankets is done in advance. In a self-driven car, driving through difficult terrains these volunteers distribute blankets to surveyed villages. “Coupons are distributed to needy households, with one blanket for each family. On the day of the distribution, at the designated area, blankets are given against the coupons so that it reaches the right hands,” added the volunteer. The Mission also distributed biscuit packets to children. Brother Lal Advani, Mission’s 86-year-old volunteer who has been at the forefront of the Khandala sevas since the lockdown times once again actively participated in the sevas. Ushering in advance his 86th birthday that falls on 14th January he said, “Age is in the mind and I do not know what fear is, and therefore neither has been a deterrent to me. My role is modest, all I do is help the volunteers with the villages, connect them with the needy families and take them to the locations for they are remote and hardly known to commuters. The joy on their faces upon receiving the warmth of a blanket is a feeling that is warmer than all the blankets put together! It is sheer bliss to spread this love of the Masters.” 8th & 9th January 2021, in the continuance of the sevas, the Mission distributed 285 blankets in the villages of Babdeowadi (52), Dandwadi (47), Wankhalwadi (65) and Katlachiwadi (121). In addition, 13th January, in observance of Dada Yagna, a seva-drive distributing Solapuri chaddars — 2 in each house was carried out in Khandala. 13th January 2021, 300 Solapuri chaddars were distributed in the villages of Palasdari katkarwadi, Varne katkarwadi, and Anjurun katkarwadi. The Mission, on its way to the villages and back, served the voiceless ones also, distributing biscuits to chickens, dogs and monkeys.

2021 — New Limbs Renewing Lives! * Child gets a new leg, mother cries with joy * A senior woman gets a new arm with a movable thumb! 3rd January 2021, Sadhu Vaswani Mission’s healthcare institution — Inlaks & Budhrani Hospital held a free artificial limbs distribution camp. Patients included those from Kolhapur and Pune City. Artificial Limbs Programme is held throughout the year. However, owing to the pandemic times, travel restrictions and the hospital being a COVID-19 designated hospital, the distributions could not be held last year. Nevertheless, with the restrictions easing and situation improving, Inlaks & Budhrani began the year 2021 with the resuming of the artificial limbs distribution. “It felt like old times! The patients coming in with hope and walking back with a limb, experiencing independence in movement; the sheer joy of it, we missed it all. But this camp has rejuvenated us and we are looking forward to more such distributions throughout this year,” said an Inlaks official. 43 patients; 30 from Kolhapur and 13 from Pune received foot limbs — below the knee and above the knee and arm limbs— below the elbow and above the elbow as per their infirmities. The beneficiaries also received hygiene kits, towel and napkin. Women receipts additionally received ladies gowns and men were given T-shirts. Sharing the recipients' experiences, the official said, “A senior lady was given arm limbs and at first when we gave her the hygiene kits and gown, she was hesitant to use her new arm. But we managed to convince her and she was thrilled. We gave her one with a movable thumb and an arm that can carry up to 5kgs of weight.” Continuing he said, “There was another, whose both legs were amputated and when he got his limbs, he was wobbly. But in no time, with his will to walk again, he managed to adapt quickly to the limbs. It’s a sight to experience!” Among the beneficiaries was also an 8-year-old kid who had lost his right leg in a freak accident as a child. His mother dearly looked upon him as he walked around, practising. A day later, sharing her experience, she said, “It’s overwhelming. I am unable to contain my tears. When my kid would see footwear’s, he would be eager to try them on and look at them with longing, it would be unbearable and utterly painful. But today, he hasn’t come home to have his food! So engrossed is he is playing about with his friends. My child, who would need the support of crutches, is walking and playing about, words cannot spell out my emotions!” The patients were brought from Kolhapur to Pune in a bus arranged by a local organizer. Artificial limbs measurement camp was held earlier on 6th December 2020. On the day of distribution, the patients were served chole pav and chai upon arrival and biryani with pickle and drinking water was packed and given for the journey. The entire distribution was executed within 3 hours. Related video links: Child gets gets new leg - https://youtu.be/f7bLkRJbCqs New Life: New Legs, New Year 2021 - https://youtu.be/m3GyjU4HZzQ Related news links: Artificial limbs donation camp helps 43 people https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/artificial-limbs-donation-camp-helps-43-people/articleshow/80178637.cms 8 year old boy gets a new leg, mother cries with joy https://www.punekarnews.in/8-year-old-boy-gets-a-new-leg-mother-cries-with-joy/ RENEWING LIVES AS 43 PATIENTS FROM KOLHAPUR AND PUNE RECEIVED FOOT & ARM LIMBS https://nrinews24x7.com/renewing-lives-as-43-patients-from-kolhapur-and-pune-received-foot-arm-limbs/

Sadhu Vaswani Mission, Pune in observance of Dada Yagna - Remembrance Day of Beloved Dada J.P. Vaswani - distributed food items in the month of December 2020 to animal shelters and stray feeders across the city. “Shelters and stray feeders were running out of supplies. When the Mission reached out to them; it came as a relief. What we offer in seva lasts for a month which gives them time to attend to other needs especially medical, for there are many animals who are ailing and wounded,” said a volunteer. “But it’s their spirit that is commendable. They face public wrath on a daily basis, some are using up their savings, some are using their pension; It’s their dedication to the cause of animals that Beloved Dada blesses them with timely assistance,” she added. Distributions included - Rice: 2300 kg to Mission Possible (Shankar Shet Road), 100 kg to stray feeder (Urlikanchan, 100 kg to Prani Seva Kendra. Poha: 2200 kg to Mission Possible (Shankar Shet Road), 300 kg to stray feeder at Vishrantwadi. Biscuits: 135 cartons to Mission Possible (Shankar Shet Road) 10 cartons to a stray feeder (Urlikanchan), 2 cartons to a stray feeder at Vishrantwadi, 3 cartons to Prani Seva Kendra. 8 tarpaulin sheets were also given for the Upasna Foundation shelter at Alandi.

Sadhu Vaswani was in the matriculation class when a poor man came to him asking for a blanket. Before he could fetch his blanket, his teacher said to him, “Why give him a blanket? He will go and sell it. Give him instead a rupee coin and he will feel happy.” Sadhu Vaswani, in a spirit of obedience, gave the poor man a rupee coin. The poor man went away happy, but Sadhu Vaswani said he could not sleep the whole of that night, sad at the thought of not having given his blanket to the poor man in the cold of winter. (Excerpt: Sadhu Vaswani - Life and Teachings by Rev. Dada J.P. Vaswani) Indeed then, of what help shall a rupee be in the icy, bitter colds of December! In this spirit, Sadhu Vaswani Mission volunteers set out to spread the warmth of the Masters to the poor and needy at Khandala; where the winters are stinging, long and severe to the villagers in the hills. 11th December 2020, the Mission volunteers set out in a self-driven car in the early hours of the day marking the beginning of ‘Blanket Sevas at Khandala’. “The mercury levels have been dropping drastically. If Pune has been shivering in the morning hours one can imagine the state of Khandala which is on a high altitude with an expanse of open space! Therefore, this Ekadashi and as a part of Beloved Dada J.P. Vaswani’s Yagna Day, the Mission decided to distribute blankets to our needy elders and sisters from the woodcutters’ community at Khandala,” said a Mission volunteer. The Khandala team supervised by Lal Advani shortlisted villages that are in dire need of blankets and volunteers from Pune set out with the necessary material. Pre-packed, loaded and stacked neatly for quick distribution, the car travelled through the difficult terrains. “The response was overwhelming! The senior citizens and ladies who received the blankets were thrilled and immensely grateful for the timely and thoughtful aid. We felt thankful to have been blessed by our seniors. The bonus here was the little ones to whom we distributed joy packets! They couldn’t contain their happiness and were dancing about in joy! It was a sight to behold and one that lit up our faces with smiles! It was an experience to cherish!” 11th December 2020, Sadhu Vaswani Mission distributed 120 blankets to senior citizens and ladies from the villages of Khareli Katkarwadi, Jhambrung Thakarwadi and Takayi Katkarwadi. 100+ joy packets were given to the kids of the village. 18th December 2020, in round two of the seva, the Mission distributed 115 blankets to senior citizens from the villages of Jangamwadi, Kumbewadi and Mahard. Joypackets to children consisting of 2 chiwda packets and 2 biscuit packets were also distributed. As on 18th December 2020, the Mission has distributed a total of 235 blankets to senior citizens in 6 villages of Khandala. The Mission will continue to reach out to more villages in the following months of winter.

25th November 2020, Sadhu Vaswani’s birthday, observed as International Meatless Day; receives resounding global support despite pandemic times 49,56,464 (Forty-nine lakhs, fifty-six thousand, four hundred and sixty-four) people pledge to observe November25th as Meatless Day 8,12,99,958 (Eight crores, twelve lakhs, ninety-nine thousand, nine hundred and fifty-eight) people support the cause 417 (four hundred and seventeen) people pledge to turn vegetarian for life Virtual satsangs, celebrity interactions and seva programmes mark the celebrations Slaughterhouses close in many parts of India inobservance of Meatless Day 25th November 2020: Highlights: Rath Yatra organised in Pune sans devotees and crowd Uttar Pradesh declared the closure of all slaughterhouses in the state Bangalore, Baroda, Ahmedabad, Ulhasnagar, Bhopal, Rajkot, and Gandhidham saw a complete shutdown of slaughterhouses . Virtual telecasts with stand-up comedian, Atul Khatri and celebrity chef Vicky Ratnani. Extensive animal sevas carried out by Pune headquarters and Sadhu Vaswani centres in India and abroad. Governor Albert Bryan, Virgin Islands issued a proclamation declaring 25th November as Meatless Day. Photo competition organized by Berjaya Youths and special meal discounts offered by Berjaya Café, Berjaya Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. Penang State Minister for Welfare & Environment signed the pledge for International Meatless Day. Bangalore centre organised a 'Global Talent Hunt' on the theme — ‘Live and Let Live – An Eco-Friendly Choice'. H.E. Sugandh Rajaram, High Commissioner of India to Ghana supported and praised the efforts'. Meatless Day Message' spread in Sindh, Pakistan secured great support and appeal from Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, MNA & Patron-in-Chief, Pakistan Young Hindu Forum . Sadhu Vaswani Mission ushered in 25th November, the 141st birthday, of Sadhu T.L. Vaswani amidst virtual satsangs, kirtans and bhajans, sevas, and telecasts of recorded talks by the Great Masters — Sadhu Vaswani and Dada J.P. Vaswani. The headquarters at Pune and its centres worldwide organised week-long web telecasts taking the celebrations to a global platform. This year, Didi Krishna Kumari delivered talks and shared insights from the life and teachings of Sadhu Vaswani. 25th November, which is also observed as an International Meatless Day and Animals Rights’ Day in homage to Sadhu Vaswani received an enthusiastic global response despite the pandemic times. Awareness activities and virtual satsangs. Sadhu Vaswani Mission schools organised activities, competitions, solicited pledges from institutions and companies and pledged to go vegetarian on 25th November. The Hyderabad centre held virtual telecasts with stand-up comedian, Atul Khatri and celebrity chef Vicky Ratnani. The Adipur centre with Bridge Builders, Youth Wing of the Sadhu Vaswani Mission, Gandhidham put up hoardings in the town and on highways while personally approaching slaughterhouses to close for a day. The Bangalore centre organised a ‘Global Talent Hunt’ on the theme — ‘Live and Let Live — An Eco-Friendly Choice' that received a resounding response. The Casablanca centre continued its support to the cause by collecting pledges from the local Moroccan Community and institutions that included schools, orphanages, and specially-abled centres. Several restaurants also pledged to offer only vegetarian food while creating ‘Meatless Menu’. The Penang State Minister for Welfare & Environment signed the pledge for International Meatless Day. A photo competition was also organized by Berjaya Youths and special meal discounts offered by Berjaya Café, Berjaya Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. Governor Albert Bryan, Virgin Islands issued a proclamation declaring 25th November as Meatless Day. H.E. Sugandh Rajaram, High Commissioner of India to Ghana supported and praised the efforts. The ‘Meatless Day’ message spread in Sindh, Pakistan secured great support and appeal from Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, MNA& Patron-in-Chief, Pakistan Young Hindu Forum. Compassion to Animals: Animal sevas were carried out by the Pune Headquarters and other centres on this day. The Punehead quarters carried out the distribution of rice Kani (700 kgs) and Marie biscuit large (25 cartons) to 1700 animals sheltered at Mission Possible in Shankarshet Road and Saswad; rice Kani (100 kgs) and Marie biscuit large (15cartons) to animals at Prani Seva Kendra, MG Road. Rice Kani (200 kgs), poha (800 kgs) and biscuit (5 cartons) were donated to Vaishali, independent stray-feeder at Charoli. Poha (200 kgs) and biscuit (5cartons) donated to a stray feeder at VishrantWadi. The Bangalore centre organised animal seva at Akhila Prani Daya Sangha, a gaushala and shelter for rescued animals; cows, goats and pigeons were fed and one volunteer adopted a cow for the whole year. The Kolkata centre donated phenyl, disinfectant, mops, dusting pan, floor cleaner, dusting cloth, long-handled sponge-mops, colin spray, brooms, buckets, dustbin and long-handled floor cleaning scrubber to Ashari — Kolkata Chapter of People For Animals located at Mukundapur; a hospital for street animals mostly dogs and cats and providing shelter to animals that cannot be released back to the streets post-treatment; in the shelter, as on date, are 400 dogs, 50 cats and 105 cows. The Chennai centre carried out a series of animal sevas which included the feeding of1000’s of cows and pigeons at Gandhi beach; feeding 500 stray dogs at Corporation Dog Pound Thattankulam; feeding 2000 parrots at Triplicane. Slaughter Houses close: Each year, several local authorities order the closure of slaughterhouses in their towns, cities and states. This year Uttar Pradesh, Bangalore, Baroda, Ahmedabad, Ulhasnagar, Bhopal, Rajkot, and Gandhidham saw a complete shutdown of slaughterhouses. NH37Dhaba in Pune put up a signboard for its visitors and served vegetarian food only. The 'Meatless Day’ message also garnered wide press coverage thus reaching out to countless households. On this day, 417 (four hundred and seventeen) people pledged to turn vegetarian for life. Individual pledges received from India and abroad stand at 4,956,464 (Forty-nine lakhs, fifty-six thousand, four hundred and sixty-four) and supporters from India and abroad at 81,299,958 (Eight crores, twelve lakhs, ninety-nine thousand, nine hundred and fifty-eight). Service of the Poor: ‘Daridra Narayan Seva’—service to the poor and needy was also carried out throughout the day. The Pune headquarters began the day by serving the poor and needy and distributed pulao, samosa, pav, banana and boondi ladoo to 150 people at Laxmi Road, to 90people around the Hollywood Gurudwara Road, East Street, and MG Road, to 150 at Sai Chowk, Pimpri and 100 to the adopted and additional families at Pimpri. TheMission also distributed ration kits to 100 needy adopted and other families at Pimpri and also to 115 other needy workers. The day was also made special for 100 children of the National Federation of Blind, Swargate who were given samosa, pav, banana and joy packet that included Marie biscuit, cream biscuit, assorted chocolates, and cake. At midnight, the Mission distributed 36 blankets around the area of Somwar Peth, Rasta Peth and Zilla Parishad chowk. The Baroda Center volunteers at ‘Fakir Ki Jhopdi’ distributed pulao packets and apple-banana cake to 500 people at the break of dawn and distributed 400 packets of moong for patients at a government hospital. The Hyderabad Center served breakfast to 500 poor and needy. Delhi Center took to the roads with freshly-cooked, hot breakfast of bread pakora and chai; an evening seva by the centre included serving of kulcha, chole and halwa to 1000 needy people. The Bangalore centre, in a 3-day seva, distributed 750 sets of blankets with sweets/biscuits to labourers and Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) workers around the city. Bridge Builders Chennai distributed 100 kgs of rice to Dhanirasa Foundation as an urgent aid that would feed over 500 people. The Ahmedabad centre distributed cash, ration kits, hygiene kits, and utensils kit to 50 widowed families. Satsangs: The Sadhu Vaswani Mission Pune headquarters organised a live broadcast of the noon satsang with bhajans and kirtans and the evening session with talks by Sadhu Vaswani and Dada J. P. Vaswani. The day ended with the rendering of devotional bhajans and observance of the vigil from 10:30 pm to midnight. Sadhu Vaswani Centers, national and international organised virtual satsangs including London, Taiwan, Gaungzhou, St Maarten, Washington DC, Atlanta, Dubai New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Pimpri.

On the sacred occasion of Sadhu Vaswani’s birthday, 25th November 2020, Sadhu Vaswani Mission initiated a ‘breakfast seva’ in Pimpri. Freshly cooked, warm breakfast to the poor and needy is being served daily at Pimpri; adding to the Mission’s seva locations. Volunteers from Sadhu Vaswani Centre Pimpri are actively engaged in executing the seva. Starting as early as 6 am, volunteers gather at the centre and whilst singing devotional songs and kirtans cut vegetables for the meals of ‘Daridra Narayan’. “Every day, we reach the Pimpri centre to the melody of the Amrit vela echoing from a nearby Gurudwara; the only divine music in an otherwise quiet and hushed street,” smiled a volunteer. At 6 am, the volunteers open the centre and start with the task of vegetable-cutting. Another volunteer, in charge of cooking, arrives by 7am and prepares the breakfast meal, assisted by the volunteers. The breakfast is ready by 8 am and the packing starts immediately and soon the breakfast is ready to be served. Keeping in mind the ongoing pandemic and ensuring uniform distribution, the Mission, decided to pack the meals instead of distributing with serving spoons and cutlery; an earlier practice. At the centre, are volunteers with jobs who regardless of their official commitments manage to spare time for the morning seva that goes on up to 11 am! “There are volunteers here who work on USA-based night shift jobs up to 5 am. They come straight from their jobs to do seva till 11am and then go home. After the distribution, work still remains to be done - cleaning the centre, washing the utensils and purchasing vegetables for the next day,” added a volunteer. Grocery is provided by the Sadhu Vaswani Mission headquarters and vegetables are purchased by the Centre’s volunteers. The volunteers remark, “The recipients give us compliments on the preparations and also share their preferences! It’s heartwarming!” Sadhu Vaswani Mission at Pimpri distributes a total of 125-135 packed breakfasts to the poor and needy at Sai Chowk and other nearby areas. Meals include varieties of rice, poha, upma, dal khichdi, vada pav among others. Daily, 12-13 volunteers devote themselves to the breakfast seva.