Even as the 98th birthday celebrations of Dada JP Vaswani have just concluded in Pune, my thoughts go back to August 1997, when I interviewed him for a local newspaper.
One of my dear cousins had just passed away a few months ago and my mind was still grappling with the mysteries of death.
Hence, after wishing him a very happy, 79th birthday I requested Dada to explain the concept of death to me. The ever smiling man held my hand in his and looking straight into my eyes said, “Death is not something to mourn about. Your dear ones have merely moved from one room to the other room. They have simply changed their clothes and moved away. They are waiting for you in the other room. You will meet them when your time comes.”
Believe it or not, but this simple explanation put me at ease immediately. I began to breathe more easily and the painful grip that death seemed to have over me, began to vanish slowly. Dada continued, “Each and everyone of us comes with a return ticket with the day, date and time written on it. We may not be able to read this ticket, but go we must, when our time comes.”
Dada was curious to know the workings of a newspaper and asked me about my everyday routine. When I mentioned that I wrote three reports and worked nearly 14 hours a day, he seemed to be taken aback. But soon smiled and said, “This is true enthusiasm and happiness. Whenever you have taken up work in hand, you must see it to the finish. Enthusiasm is the greatest asset you can possess, for it can take you further than money, power or influence.”
He then presented me with his guru, Sadhu Vaswani’s book on the Bhagwad Gita. “My Guru has explained the Gita in a very simple manner. Read the book slowly. Ruminate over the thoughts expressed. It will give you a lot of clarity about life.” Sound advice. Later, Dada very sportingly posed for a photograph with me, which is now part of my prized possessions.
In later years, as I progressed as a journalist, work pressures prevented me from meeting Dada. However, the regular press releases from the Sadhu Vaswani mission always kept us abreast about Dada’s thoughts, actions and words. We were always happy to publish pictures of Dada being driven around Pune Camp area in a motorized chariot spreading the message of vegetarianism on World Meatless Day or his sermons during the festive season. There would always be a quick thank you note from the mission with Dada’s blessings.
In recent years, his health has been a cause for concern, especially on a tour of the USA when he had to be hospitalised. All the city papers religiously gave updates on his health and his followers sometimes even rang our newspaper office to inquire about their dear Dada’s health. But Dada, has smiled his way through his ailments. God simply wants him to carry on with his good work.
However, Dada’s biggest contribution has been to inspire his enterprising Sindhi community to serve humanity. Several years ago, when I was a banker in Chennai, I had a rich Sindhi businessman customer who asked me to identify a few social projects which he could support. When we visited a destitute home which housed orphans and senior citizens, we were told that they needed a cow to support the home. My customer, simply said, “Why, one cow? I will give them six cows. Let them eat well and be happy.” My customer did not stop at just the cows. He was in our bank on Monday morning to open a large bank deposit in the name of the destitute home.
As Dada says, “Let me give to the world the best of which I am capable and the best will return to me!”
Rahul Chandawarkar, now settled in Goa is former editor of the Sakal Times newspaper in Pune. He is also recipient of the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism award in 2009.
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