Sadhu Vaswani Mission head, Dada Vaswani, dies at 99
What's the story
Spiritual leader Dada JP Vaswani, head of the Sadhu Vaswani Mission, died today due to old age-related ailments, a mission member said. He was 99.
"He had been admitted to a private hospital in Pune for the past few days and was discharged last night," the mission member said.
Vaswani died in the mission premises this morning, she added.
Details
Vaswani would have turned 100 next month
The mission was planning a big celebration on Vaswani's 100th birthday next month, the mission member added.
Born on August 2, 1918, in Pakistan's Hyderabad city in a Sindhi family, Dada Vaswani, as he was popularly known, was the head of the Pune-based Sadhu Vaswani Mission, a non-profit organization involved in social work and charity.
The organization runs educational institutions and hospitals in Pune.
Political well-wishers
LK Advani is a frequent visitor to the mission
PM Narendra Modi had addressed the spiritual leader's 99th birthday celebrations last year through a video link. Modi had then said Vaswani's blessings will help in accomplishing goals for a new India.
In May this year, President Ram Nath Kovind had visited the mission to inaugurate the Sadhu Vaswani International School.
Senior BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani is a frequent visitor to the mission.
Information
Vaswani acclaimed as a non-sectarian spiritual leader
Acclaimed as a humanitarian, philosopher, educator, orator, and a non-sectarian spiritual leader, Dada Vaswani had captivated the hearts of millions of people worldwide. He was also into promoting vegetarianism.
Being a sage
Vaswani was ardent disciple of Sadhu TL Vaswani
Vaswani's regular discourses at the mission premises attracted people from different walks of life.
Vaswani was a brilliant student but gave up a career in academics to follow in the footsteps of his illustrious uncle and guru, Sadhu TL Vaswani, who had set up the charity organization.
His mortal remains have been kept at the mission to enable people to pay their last respects.