The Swadhyay Parivar Community in Uganda has called upon Ugandans and its members to embrace a healthy lifestyle in 2024, following the teachings of their spiritual leader, Rev. Pandurang Shastri Athavale, also known as Dada. The community, currently gathered at Parth Preeti in Naguru Kampala and Shri Gurdwara Ramgharia in Jinja, emphasized the importance of selflessly donating blood as a symbol of unity and gratitude.
In their New Year message, the group, consisting of 142 Swadhyayees, highlighted their commitment to holistic well-being, incorporating practices such as a nutritious diet, prayer, exercise, scripture reading, and selfless interactions. The emphasis on a holistic approach to blood donations is seen as a representation of the oneness of humanity, according to Mr. Anil Patel, a community member.
During the Christmas Day event, the Swadhyay Parivar Community donated blood to the Uganda Blood Bank in various locations, including Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, and other global locations where Swadhyay members reside and work. The 2023 event, themed “Twadartham” or “For You,” aimed to convey Jesus Christ’s message of love towards God and moral values.
Mr. Anil Patel explained that their spiritual leader, Dada, has taught them to express gratitude through meaningful actions, fostering a deep understanding of divine relationships among human beings and nurturing the urge to connect with the entire human race.
This marks the third time the Swadhyay Parivar is celebrating Christmas in Uganda and Kenya. When asked about the emphasis on blood donations, Mr. Patel highlighted that the Swadhyay movement seeks to uplift humanity by holistically developing individuals, guided by a reason-based religion. Blood, he mentioned, is considered a divine creation symbolizing the unity of the human race and their relationship with God.
Another member, Mr. Ashok Joshi, emphasized that blood donation signifies divine brotherhood under the fatherhood of God, uniting humanity despite differences in economic status, education, caste, creed, and nationality. The Swadhyay Parivar movement aims at achieving spiritual, social, and economic liberation by coexisting with other faiths and movements.
