Pune: Global Forgiveness Day Marks Dada J.P. Vaswani’s 106th Birthday

Pune, 2nd August 2024: The 106th birthday of Dada J.P. Vaswani was celebrated worldwide as Global Forgiveness Day, with a special Moment of Calm observed at 2 PM. This annual event aimed to spread Dada’s powerful message of forgiveness, touching hearts across the globe.

This year’s campaign, themed “Happiness Blooms in Forgiving Hearts,” utilized various platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and radio, to reach a global audience. Collaborations with international partners, programs by Sadhu Vaswani Centres, and numerous institutions further amplified the campaign’s reach.

The celebration kicked off with a forgiveness video highlighting the importance of forgiveness for self-care and healing. Additionally, an uplifting musical video titled “Just Let It Go” was released to help participants release negativity. In line with this musical theme, a “Let It Go” dance challenge was introduced, encouraging people to use dance to free themselves from burdens and embrace liberation. Many joined in, experiencing the joy of letting go.

Participants were encouraged to share Forgiveness Bands both in person and online. The “Share the Love: Share the Band” initiative featured the forgiveness E-band on digital platforms, serving as a fun reminder to prioritize mental well-being. These bands symbolized a silent promise of support, fostering a global community of love and healing. In total, 250,000 physical bands were distributed worldwide.

Various magazines published articles on Dada Vaswani’s teachings on forgiveness, and continuous video screenings of forgiveness messages were featured at Pune Railway Station. Educational institutions such as Berkeley University of California, D.Y. Patil Akurdi, St. Mira’s College, HR College, and National College joined the forgiveness movement. Many schools across India actively participated, hosting contests, workshops, and seminars. Some schools organized a mega Global Forgiveness Day event, conducting activities like Emotion Graffiti Walls, pebble paintings, Forgiveness Delicacies, bookmark making, and more. Several Zilla Parishad schools in Pune also observed the Moment of Calm.

Numerous global partners, including Unify, The Love Foundation, The Path of Forgiveness, Global Love Day, Positive Healthy Inspiration, Choose Love Movement, and Project Forgive, supported Global Forgiveness Day. Spiritual organizations such as Brahmakumaris, Gayatri Pariwar, Om Mandali Australia, Swami Chidananda World Peace Foundation, Sindhu Amardham Ashram, Parmarth Niketan, and Jeev Sewa Sansthan also backed the Moment of Calm.

Forgiveness Jars were set up at the Mission and its centres, allowing individuals to express and release their burdens by writing their feelings and placing them in the jars. This activity provided participants with a profound sense of relief. One participant shared, “I feel so much lighter after writing down my worries; it feels like Dada will look into it.”

Global Forgiveness Day 2024 not only honored Dada J.P. Vaswani’s legacy but also emphasized the healing power of forgiveness through a diverse array of engaging activities and heartfelt initiatives. Dada Vaswani believed, “Hearts at peace will create world peace.”