Dada
J. P. Vaswani
Dada Vaswani, Dada Jashan
Dada Vaswani
Personal
Born
Jashan Pahlajrai Vaswani

(1918-08-02)2 August 1918[1]
Died12 July 2018(2018-07-12) (aged 99)[3]
ReligionHinduism
NationalityIndian
SectNonsectarian
Religious career
GuruSadhu Vaswani
HonorsU Thant Peace Award[4]

Jashan Pahlajrai Vaswani (2 August 1918 – 12 July 2018), better known as Dada Vaswani, was an Indian spiritual leader.[5] He promoted vegetarianism and animal rights,[6][7] and was the spiritual head at the Sadhu Vaswani Mission founded by his Guru, Sadhu Vaswani.[8] The Mission, a non-profit organization headquartered in Pune, India, has centers around the world. Vaswani authored about 150 self-help books in Sindhi and English.[9]

Early life

Born in Hyderabad, Sindh to Krishnadevi and Pahlajrai Vaswani was one of seven siblings: three sisters, and four brothers.[2] Pahlajrai, his father, worked with the Hyderabad Training College for Teachers, eventually becoming the supervisor of all primary schools in Karachi.[10] Krishnadevi, his mother, was one of the first few women to have benefited from some English education in those days.[11]

Education

Vaswani's formal education started at the age of three. Taking two double promotions, Vaswani finished his primary education in three years instead of the usual five. Completing his primary education from the T. C. Primary School at seven years of age, a special tutor was then engaged to coach him in the English language. Vaswani later transferred him to an English-medium school. Next, he was admitted to the Rosary School, wherein he received a triple promotion, enabling him to join High School much earlier. Vaswani then moved on to the St. Patrick's School where he completed two years before his father died. The family was plunged into a severe financial crisis and he had to move to the N. J. High School, which was a government school.[12]

Global addresses

Vaswani spoke at numerous venues including the Palace of Westminster in London,[13] the Global Forum of Spiritual Leaders in Oxford, the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago, and the Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders at the United Nations in New York.

The Moment of Calm

Vaswani initiated The Moment of Calm; a global peace initiative. World over, people observe two minutes of silence on 2 August (his birthday) and choose to forgive one and all.[16][17] Spiritual Leaders, like Dalai Lama have spread the initiative.[18]

Death

Vaswani on a 2023 stamp of India

Vaswani's health began to decline in May 2010, when at the age of 91, he fell and fractured his hip while playing ping-pong with children in Panama. He never fully recovered from the injury and was confined primarily to a wheelchair the rest of his life. After several days in a Pune hospital for undisclosed ailments, Vaswani returned to his mission and died on 12 July 2018. He died three weeks shy of his 100th birthday.

Further reading

  • Bharucha, Ruzbeh N. (2016). Conversations With Dada Vaswani: A Perfect Disciple, A Reluctant Master. Penguin India. ISBN 9780143426660.

References

  1. "Dada Vaswani Master". Speakingtree.in. 2 August 1918. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
  2. 1 2 "Dada J. P. Vaswani". Sindhishaan. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  3. "Spiritual leader Dada J P Vaswani passes away – Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  4. "Shaper Of Souls". Outlookindia.com. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
  5. "Secularism is respecting all religions, say Dalai Lama and Dada J P Vaswani – Times of India". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 29 July 2013. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
  6. "Dada Vaswani dies at 99: Eloquent speaker, he batted for vegetarianism, animal rights". The Indian Express. 13 July 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
  7. admin (25 September 2013). "Dada Vaswani shares pearls of wisdom with Toronto! | South Asian Generation Next". Sagennext.com. Archived from the original on 12 July 2018. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
  8. "The Light of the Spirit – Dada J.P. Vaswani | Bharata Bharati". Bharatabharati.wordpress.com. 21 May 2012. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
  9. Team DesiJam. "Dada JP Vaswani graces London Book Fair | DesiJAM". Desijam.in. Archived from the original on 5 May 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
  10. Dada J.P. Vaswani; His Life & Teachings. Sterling Publishers Pvt.Ltd. 2002. p. 8. ISBN 81-207-2461-5.
  11. Dada J.P. Vaswani: His Life & Teachings. Sterling Publishers Pvt.Ltd. 2002. p. 9. ISBN 81-207-2461-5.
  12. Dada J.P. Vaswani: His Life & Teachings. Sterling Publishers Pvt.Ltd. 2002. pp. 12, 13. ISBN 81-207-2461-5.
  13. The Committee Office, House of Commons. "House of Commons – Standards and Privileges – Fifth Report". Publications.parliament.uk. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
  14. "Parliament of the World's Religions". Conferencerecording.com. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
  15. "The World Council of Religious Leaders". Millenniumpeacesummit.org. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
  16. "The Moment of Calm is August 2 at 2pm". NRInews24x7. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
  17. "PM greets Dada Vaswani on 97th birthday | Sakal Times". Sakaaltimes.com. 3 August 2015. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
  18. "HH The Dalai Lama joins The Moment Of Calm Video". Speakingtree.in. 2 August 2013. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
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