Dada Amar
Rev. Dada Amar can be described as a Mystic with a Mission. From a tender age he was attracted to the Divine. He worked abroad for several years but the flame of godliness continued to burn within him and he remained simple and austere. In 1951, he met Sadhu T.L Vaswani, founder of the Mira Movement and this contact left a deep impression on his mind. Giving up a lucrative career, he dedicated his life to the service of God.
“Wherever I may sit, stand or go, I am never away from your gaze, O Lord! My innermost secrets are not hidden from you. Keep me away from evil deeds. You are Omnipresent. May I remain in Your presence everywhere, every moment. May I be good, serve selflessly, thereby fulfilling the purpose of my human birth. The New Year has begun, May I transform my life anew!”These are the opening lines of Amar Vachan, Timeless Thoughts penned by Rev. Dada Amar – A Saint, A Saviour who brought glory to the name of Sindhis in Bangalore.
Dada Amar Satsang
One of the most vibrant activities started by Dada is the Satsang, which attracts people fromall walks of life. Dada firmly believed that Nam Simran chanting the name of God and service were dearer to God than mere rituals and ceremonies. Over the years, the Satsang has evolved into a temple where scores of brothers and sisters congregate every day. They sing the praises of the Lord and participate in various activities of service to the needy. Every Sunday, children assemble here for their weekly dose of spiritual inspiration at the Gita Class. All festivals and holy days are celebrated with devotion and enthusiasm. These activities are carried out under the leadership of a group of committed ladies handpicked by Dada himself – fondly referred to as the “Pillars” of the Satsang.
Beloved Dada did not preach or propagate any Ism – to him religion was a way of life. The Lord, he said, is a Living Force which vibrates in all beings. True worship lies in the service of the weak and the downtrodden. He constantly emphasized the importance of service through his teachings and his life.The Dada Amar Charitable Trust founded by him is a reflection of this principle. It undertakes various humanitarian projects, reaching out to people in need – irrespective of their caste or creed.
Dada Amar Centre for Cerebral Palsied Children
Cerebral Palsy is a condition caused by damage to the brain occurring before, during or shortly after birth. The life of a cerebral palsied child is wearied down by severe physical and social handicaps. The Rehabilitation Centre has brought new hope to the lives of several such children and their families. It offers an integrated development program including:
- Physiotherapy
- Academic Education
- Occupational Therapy
- Vocational Training
- Speech Therapy
- Training in fine arts, sports, etc.
All these facilities are provided free of charge to the children. In fact they are even transported to and from the Centre without any cost.
Amar Dham
Recognizing the desperate need for decent housing, the Trust has set up a housing project aptly called “Amar Dham” on the old Airport Road, Bangalore. The two blocks consist of 60 apartments, which are provided on a rent free basis to needy families. There is also a beautiful Satsang and community hall which is used by the residents.
Borewells
Borewells are regularly drilled to provide clean water to the poor in Bangalore, as well as remote areas on the periphery.
Assistance to Orphanages & Old Age Homes
Rations and other necessities are distributed to numerous charitable institutions across the city.
Juvenile Diabetic Camps
India has the dubious distinction of being the diabetic capital of the world. Unfortunately, many of the afflicted are small children from extremely poor families for whom the cost of lifelong treatment is out of reach. The Trust supports these diabetic children with their monthly requirements of insulin and syringes free of cost. Their condition is closely monitored by specialists and they are thus able to live a normal life without fear.
Education
The Trust gives scholarships to over 100 deserving students every year for their basic and advanced studies.
Medical Assistance
Medical aid to the needy is generously provided. This includes medicines for the patients, hospitalization and surgery as and when required.
As these activities grow from strength to strength, there is a severe constraint of space and infrastructure. It has therefore been decided to demolish the existing building and put up a modern structure to house the Satsang and Rehabilitation Centre. Compact living quarters for visiting saints are also being provided. When built, it will bring large number of devotees to comfortably participate in all the activities of the Satsang. It will also give the cerebral palsied children a modern and efficient environment to develop in.
“The best way to thank God for your light is to extend a helping hand to someone in the dark.”
The noble work started by Dada Amar goes on and his spirit continues to live.