Dubai: For a centenarian, Dada J.P. Vaswani’s clarity of thought and speech is striking.
“I feel I am just 30 or 35,” the 100-year-old non-sectarian leader, author and inspirational leader tells XPRESS during a Dubai stopover earlier this week en route India after visiting the Pope in Rome.
Ask him what the secret to good health is and pat comes the reply: “Laugh, smile and accept everything that comes your way. Whatever happens, happens for the good.”
Known as a global harbinger of peace, love and harmony, Dada Vaswani says, “There was a time when life in the community was rooted in the love of God and in the service of others. But now I find that communities have grown in worldly wealth. Our young people believe that love is sensuality. What they need to understand is that love is purity.”
Women’s education
Stressing the role of women’s education, Dada Vaswani, whose mission has established several schools and colleges for girls in India, says, “When you educate a boy, you educate an individual. But when you educate a girl, you educate an entire community.”
He also emphasises the importance of vegetarianism, which he calls the “food of the future”. “We must embrace vegetarianism as it promotes good health. We need to show compassion to animals who love their lives as much as we do. We shall not have peace until we stop killing. We must not take away that which we cannot give and since we can’t give life to a dead animal, we have no right to take away the life of a living animal.”
Model for other countries
Dada Vaswani, who is all praise for the Rulers of the UAE, says, “The Rulers here have great reverence for the ideals of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), the Truthful and Honest One. May the blessings of Allah be on this country so that it is a model for others to follow.”
Dada Vaswani, who has authored more than 150 books, addressed a huge gathering with an inspirational talk titled “Switch on the light” at the Ritz Carlton on Saturday.
The talk was followed by a Q&A session.
According to Indian businessman Ram Buxani, among those present at the talk, “Dada is an inspired speaker. His simple language, profound thoughts, universal outlook and captivating voice, interspersed with delightful anecdotes keep the audience transfixed. His humanitarian spirit transcends caste, creed, colour and religion. As Dada says, the root cause for war is irreverance for life.”
Another Indian businessman Bhagwan Shivlani says, “Dada is our mentor. As a student, he secured a double promotion thrice and graduated at 17. His books show us very simple steps to overcome our daily struggles in life, including stress and anger.”
Indian expat Sunil Motiani, who hosted Dada Vaswani at his home, says, “Dada has been visiting Dubai for the past 20 years. He is a father figure to us, showering love and touching the lives of anyone who meets him.”
