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A MOMENTOUS DAY
(SNDT, 7th to 10th November 2008)
Scroll down for ongoing activities
of WMPP 2009
IIWA (IQRA INTERNATIONAL
WOMEN'S ALLIANCE) WAS LAUNCHED
Women's Movement for Peace and
Prosperity supports it. One of the purposes of IIWA is to
highlight the right way to interpret the Quran.
Women believe that there has to be
spiritual an material progress, empowerment an elightenment...We
hope to receive not only principled but active support of every
corner of the civil society in this ambitious and noble
endeavour.
My "DADI NANI KI KAHAANI" in URDU was released by Dr. Abidullah
Ghazi (Director IQRA), who strongly supports inter
religious learning...
Dadi Nani ki
Kahaani (Urdu Version)
Foreword
Uzma Naheed
President IQRA Foundation
(Asia Chapter)
I gave a
quick look at Shakun’s book: ‘Dadi Nani ki Kahaani’
It is a small book of a little over 100 pages containing
interesting inspiring stories that remind me of petals strewn on a serving dish.
Stories in ‘Dadi Nani ki Kahaani speak about spiritual
personalities. They expound the philosophy and faith, which represent various
religions thoughts and beliefs, in a very simple and attractive manner.
The moral of each story is that every faith teaches human
understanding and respect for one another.
The aim of these stories is to instill love in the minds
of those whose mind has been tainted with thoughts of hatred by those, whose aim
is to bring dissent withincommunities.
Evil is capturing good human values.
People of different religions are fostering hatred towards
one another.
Now it is necessary that this mischief is halted and
diverse people from different religions come to understand one another and open
a door of harmony between various religions so that people learn to respect one
another’s beliefs.
For the above predicament Shakun has found a solution.
She has found a way, so that the young, who are a ray of
hope for tomorrow’s world have the right understanding of the direction towards
love and peace.
Shakun has used her God given ability and given the
philosophy of various religions the form of stories.
These stories develop human values which will greatly
influence young minds. They will also be useful in building the character of
children and there is a great possibility that the coming generations will go
beyond barriers of misunderstanding religions.
These children will become the torch bearers of humanity.
I congratulate Shakun on behalf of workers of Iqra
Education Foundation and Iqra International Women Alliance for taking this
successful step towards harmony within religions. This will result in the coming
generation putting the right foundation to a society which will destroy hatred
and division.
In this new society formed there will be people who will
believe in God, love one another…The people will be spiritual and Peace and
harmony will reign. Quarrels and riots will be destroyed. No one will lose their
life due to religious misunderstandings…Women will not be widowed nor children
orphaned!
Now let us place the foundation stone towards the monument
of understanding one another and living in peace!
Uzma Naheed
Myself, Chairperson of Women's
Movement for Peace and Prosperity, speaking 'Women to Women' A
message of Peace. Some of the points I touched upon:
-
Do not say you are just a
housewife. You are a mother and as such the future and the
future leaders depend on what values you instill in them.
We have only one home called Earth and if we are going to
destroy it, where are we going to go? What will happen to our
children?
Look around you as to what is happening to the world. Dropping
bombs on the Innocent…Can any religion condone that?
Why is’nt the woman speaking out?
We cannot remain silent spectators..
Where is her voice?
Why has it been stifled?
It must speak.
She must become empowered through education, interaction in
every field…
The Compassion in a woman has to be set free.
It has been encaged for too long.
That is one of the only solutions that I see to bring about
peace.
Only the religion of Love and Compassion must prevail.
Gandhi said an eye for an eye will make the world blind…Many
many more
Women have so much shakti.
Only one thing wrong in a woman
She does not know her own worth.
We are mothers sisters wives daughters
We understand each others pain
We are beyond Hindu Muslim Christian…
You may get the feeling I negate the role of man.
That is not the intention.
A man has enjoyed centre stage for so very long. I only ask
him to sit in the audience for a while and listen to the Voice
of a Woman which has been silenced for so many years…Feel the
compassion and the Love that resides in our heart…and the
dormant Spirit which wants to walk hand in hand with man!
...Spirituality is not about finding God, it's more about
releasing the innate God (or the goodness) in you through your
deeds in day to-day actions...
How do we connect?
By getting to know one another.
We will then realize that we are all the same, under the make
up.
We all belong to the human race, and the planet is the only
home we know and share.
I believe that if one is sincere and feels truly about
something, one produces ripples, which will reach everywhere.
This light can eradicate darkness.
I truly believe:
Ishwar Allah Wahguru Chaahey kaho Sri Ram
Maalik sabka ek hai, alag alag hain naam
Geeta Bible ya ho Quraan
Maalik ka hai sab mein gyaan
Sab ka maalik sadaa banaata
Sabkey bigdey kaam
Maalik sabka ek hai alag alag hain naam
Uzma Naheed, President IQRA Foundation (Asia Chapter)
felicitating and welcoming Dr Tasneema Qazi (Director IQRA) a
charming lovable highly knowledgeable lady. She alongside her
husband works on Inter religious dialogue, Liaison of Madrasas
to Modern Education.
Uzma Nahid and myself. We have been meeting for years and we
interact to understand and agree to disagree. She tells me that
she was inspired by the concept of 'Women's Movement for Peace
and Prosperity'(She is now a trustee of WMPP)and has now formed
IIWA IQRA International Women Alliance.
Brahma Kumari Neenaben, told us about the BrahmaKumari
Organization. It was founded in Hyderabad Sind, now in Pakistan
and is run by women.
The Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual
University acknowledges the intrinsic goodness of all people.
They teach a practical method of meditation that helps
individuals understand their inner strengths and values.
Brahmakumaris are committed to
spiritual growth and personal transformation, believing them
essential in creating a peaceful and just world.
Neenaben guided us through a
beautiful meditation and had all feeling and exuding peace!
Neenaben, Uzma Naheed, Myself, Asma Aijaz (Manager- Women
Affairs)
Some interesting points:
We also had Bela Das who made some
interesting points:
Amongst Chimpanzees when rivals
fight, the female chimpanzee takes away the stones from the male
partners and try to bring them together.
IQRA and its associates had organized a discussion on:
Quraan and Vedas...Kitnee door kitney paas?
Observation: Savaal yeh
naheen ki Quraan aur Veda... Kitnee door kitney paas?
But
Mussalmaan kitnee door Quraan se aur Hindu kitnee door Veda se
November 26
2008
Terror
struck at CST Nariman House Oberoi Taj
I wrote on my blog:
I have lived in Mumbai for most part of my life...Experiencing
the ongoing drama that is holding the whole of
Bombay hostage!
My heart cries...It is time that we all convert to becoming
humans...to the religion of humanity....because these acts prove
otherwise...Oh God! be with the people who are going through
this trauma...held hostage through no fault of theirs...
Above: My bhabhi (maternal cousin
brother's wife) Jyoti Nanik and myself immediately after she was
rescued from the Trident where she was in a room with her
daughter for 2 stressful nights...but does she not look calm? It
is because of the amount of meditation that she does and the
faith that she has! She survived, 'food wise' on badaams that I
had sent her for Diwali and biscuits her husband had got for
her...Goes to say that one must accept with gratitude whatever
gifts comes ones way...the Universe has it all planned out when
it will be handy!
My son's inlaws were having dinner but were rescued before the
major drama began...
My other bhabhi (paternal cousin brother's wife) Reshma Sanju
Khiani was rescued...She had tremendous presence of mind...She
kept shouting for help, though she was injured by sharpnels
until she was rescued from the Oberoi...She had to undergo
surgery, but is now stable...
My children's 2 couple friends succumbed and gave their life
leaving young children and aged parents behind...My heart and
prayers go out to them.
I am angry, and hurting, but shall be using that energy to pray
for the departed and those left behind...then I shall help/lead
a constructive campaign that halts such heinous senseless
crimes!
Random thoughts this monday
morning
World is angry but Bombay is livid...we must maintain that anger
until it gets converted into right action...Let us go on with
our life but let us not forget...The politicians are doing
nothing...I personally feel that at least Bombay is running
because of committed Industrialists and NGOs so then why should
we pay our taxes...Industrialists spoke about not paying Advance
taxes on tv yesterday...Go for your vote show your presence get
your mark on your finger but do not vote... I dont know all the
answers...Oh yes I am happy that this time the anger is at the
politicians and not to innocent people of different caste or
creed...Take care be safe think logically the worst terrorist is
the one who brainwashes you to believe in only one way...If your
thoughts are towards peace and love and you take the right
action towards it...I think it is right...I believe in non
co-operation until we see that things are moving in the right
direction...Hatred of any kind is political in nature...Let us
have one day a month in which to show that we citizens are
united...the easiest way would be to wear a certain colour on a
certain day of week/month...and have candle vigil at Gateway/Shivaji
Park/ and/or any other garden around Bombay...If the media,
industrialists, people opinion is together we can achieve the
impossible...and nothing is impossible we just have to believe
and persevere!
Above: with a group of youngsters near the Gateway. The T shirts
say: Enough is enough!
After sitting at home and watching tv...I felt I needed to do
something. There were mixed reports about the Citizen candle
get-together that was to be held at the Gateway of India. Some
said it may be a ploy for terrorists to attack again. When I do
not know what to do, I do nothing so I waited. My friend called
and said if I wanted to do something that evening. That was the
cue. I said yes, let us go to Leopold and Gateway.
My God, the people present at the Gateway.Over a lakh
definitely. They were angry but contained.I think I may have
been part of History. This kind of choice of 'removing blinkers
and take action' was seen during our Independance. Today we are
better equipped with computers, mobile phones... I repeat ad
nauseum that this 'umang' to do something, which has to be
constructive...does not die down! But it seems that, it may not!
I had a Geeta class which I conduct for the young...and I said
that maybe the death of so many young ones and old, was not in
vain. It was a call to awaken! Dear God grant those gone, peace,
those left behind strength...and the citizens a way lit up in
the right direction!
Above: Me at the Leopold
restaurant. Look under the frame. You will see the mark that the
AK47 and terrorists left...chilling!
But what was heart warming was that the restaurant was full! No
fear!
Like Kunal Merchant say: Even though the entire country has been
victimised, the terrorists have failed because we are alive and
we shall hold a kindled flame of hope. Just like it took some of
the terrorists to victimise an entire country, it will take some
of us to destroy their disease
Activities:
Held Mantra Chanting and prayer
meetings for Victims and 'those left behind to cope' on Monday
1st of December at Ishwar Bhavan Temple
Spoke on trauma and how to deal
with it at my 'Young Ladies Geeta Class' on Thursday, 4th of
December
JANUARY 2009
Jan 14th 2009
Held a Sankranti celebration with
bhajan kirtan at the Hundalani temple...gave in charity to the
under priviledged.
Had a meeting at ShantiVan. Deepa
Kodikal explained various techniques of mediation and how to be
in a meditative state at all times
Ek baar dekho, hazaar baar dekho, baar baar dekho hamari Maya
Shahani Bill Clinton ke saath!
Maya Shahani I am proud to state is the Chairperson Emeritus of
Women's Movement for Peace and Prosperity (WMPP)...But there is
so much more to this gracious grateful who has won the title of
'Beauty Queen'
Maya Shahani, is also the Chairperson of SAGE Foundation.
SAGE Foundation receives recognition at the Clinton Global
Initiative in Hong Kong, China
Maya Shahani was recently invited to be part of the Clinton
Global Initiative established by former President Bill Clinton.
This initiative, aims to turn pioneering ideas into viable
solutions to urgent global challenges, bringing together
international leaders from government, the private sector, NGOs,
the media, and academia to make "Commitments to Action" that
impact lives around the world.
Bill Clinton issued a certificate of recognition to SAGE
Foundation for its commitment to create a self sustaining model
village near Mumbai, which could be replicated anywhere in the
world.
About SAGE Foundation (www.TheSageFoundation.com)
contact
press@clintonglobalinitiative.org.
The English third Edition of Dadi Nani ki Kahaani has
been released. The book is sponsored by Mr Ramchand Pohoomal
of Pohoomal Worldwide Exports Pvt Ltd. Today, the 27th of Feb
I, Shakun went to the Pre-Primary Cathedral school and
gave my books to the Primary Teachers.
Feb 27th 2009
Picture on left: Ms Amla Ruia imparts values to the
children of Pre-Primary Cathedral school while I gave my Dadi
Nani ki Kahaani to the teachers of the above mentioned school.
They would like me to speak in the school as they are
celebrating the Granny year.
 
Picture on right: Our Kirtan group of over 30 years.
We had a Holi Kirtan on the 9th of March 09. Spoke about the importance
of voting and reviving our Sindhi Culture and Language.
March 28, 2009
We celebrated Cheti Chand and also Our Wedding
Anniversary as it happened to fall on the same day. I invited
Mona Patel Shah who is standing for elections from the
Professionals Party of India to tell us about herself and her
ideology. www.ppi.net.in
2nd April 2009
Was invited by charming Tasneem Kalsekar
(Cultural Affairs Specialist, The American Center, American
Consulate General) to a luncheon in honour of Ms Sadia
Shepard,(pretty girl in red top) Author of 'The Girl from
Foreign'
Sadia lectures frequently about growing up in a home with a
Muslim mother, Christian father and Jewish grandmother; the
history of India's Jewish communities; the Partition of
India; and the craft of autobiographical writing. She is
currently at work on her second book.
Sadia Shepard is a documentary filmmaker and writer based in
New York City. In 2001, she left New York for Bombay on a
Fulbright Scholarship, her goal to try to understand the
history and future of the tiny Indian Jewish community that
her grandmother was born into and left to marry her Muslim
grandfather. Sadia spent nearly two years recording her
experiences in film, video and writing, which became the
basis of her first book, The Girl from Foreign.
3rd April 2009
Above 9From right) the Honourable Sheriff Ms Indu Shahani
and myself
Invited Ms Indu Shahani to speak at the 'Celebrating Life'
group on the 3rd of April 2009 at the Malabar Hill Club.
Everyone knows that Indu has been an exceptional Sheriff and
as such her term has been extended by a year! You can know a
lot about her and her achievements if you google her
name...so I am going to tell you what you probably do not
know.
I have known Indu since she was a young girl and we grew
Spiritually together until I got married...We moved on with
our lives, but we kept in touch with each others lives...I
am proud of her but not surprised at her success. She has
always been efficient, persevering and pleasant!Lately when
I called her for her participation for a good cause, she
responded immediately and that added an extra feather in her
cap: 'Lack of ego and a passion to do good!
May God and Ma bless you always!
To read about Ma Brij Mohini, Indu's and my Spiritual Guide,
Click:
http://www.dalsabzi.com/books/in_touch_with_masters/a_letter_of_blessings_from_maa.htm
2nd May 2009
Ms Sunita Godbole (Trustee WMPP) has always
followed her heart and done what she believes to be right
irrespective of what the various political parties believe.
Ms Sunita along with other pool members and
locals opposed the BMC's move for developement of Mahatma
Gandhi Memorial Olympic Pool at Shivaji Park...They believe
that it is a disguised effort to privatise the prime
property...
Full article and photo in DNA Mumbai, 5th
page, May 2nd 2009
May 4th 2009
WMPP CRUSADER SUNITA
Wah again!
Full report in 'Mirror' today, May 4th 2009...
Residents
oppose felling of 111 trees at BMC-run pool
Complain to tree authority, question why trees at Mahatma
Gandhi Memorial Olympic Swimming Pool at Shivaji Park are
being cut ...
...Godbole, the chief complainant, also pointed out
in the letter to the tree authority that some trees that
have the notice pasted on them are not actually mentioned in
the notice. “For instance, tree number 6 is not on the list
of trees proposed to be cut. They probably think that if
they write several numbers on a notice and paste them on all
trees, it will be presumed that there is permission to fell
every tree with a notice and the contractor can then easily
cut them,” she said...
4th May 2009
A note from Maya Shahani, Chairperson SAGE
Congratulations Sunita. You not only help to
plant trees, but you protect them too. I would like
to share with my WMPP family that Sunita is helping me in
planting thousands of trees. SAGE Foundation has tied up
with PATT Foundation ( www.patt.org)
a global organization for
tree plantations. Banks like Barclays Bank and
Standard Chartered Bank are funding the tree
plantations, and Times Foundation is also helping. SAGE
Foundation is the implementing agency for tree plantations
in India on behalf of PATT Foundation. Sunita and her
brother (who owns a nursery) are supplying the saplings.
Recently, at a very short notice of just a day, Sunita
supplied us saplings for tree plantations in the Navy
ground at Worli for planting mango and pomegranate trees.
Sunita has also connected SAGE Foundation with the
Yusuf Meherally Trust for getting us land in Panvel for
setting up the SAGE School of Creative Crafts. We went
yesterday to see the land with Haresh Shah, Trustee of YM
Trust. If all goes well we may start the SAGE Center from
there. So a VERY BIG Thank you to you Sunita. You have kept
the WMPP flag flying high !!!
Maya
13th May 2009
Meeting held at Maya Shahani Residence on 13th May 2009
to celebrate the coming together of Sage, WMPP and Eager to
B.
58 people attended,
Members of Sage, WMPP and Eager to B.
Some close Eager friends/family to volunteer for the good
work.
Ms Maya Shahani spoke about Sage:
Ms Shakun Narain Kimatrai spoke about wmpp, click:
Ms Vimla Patil spoke about how we can bring ideas, projects
to take the good work forward
Ms Amla Ruia spoke about how we could help in the water
harvesting and desilting of Methi River...
Shakun mentioned about the 'Project Clean Vrindavan'
Mr Haresh Shah, Trustee of Yusuf Mehralli Trust, spoke about
their various activities and said that they would help in
setting the Sage School of Creative Crafts.
Richard Alderson, Chairperson of UK based Co called
'Unlimited' which helps Social Entrpeneurs to succeed.
Ms Uzma Naheed spoke about IQRA, IIWA (Iqra International
Women Alliance)...She is trying to negotiate for land in
Malad
to help under resourced women in skill training...She holds
exhibitions for their products...
Various other attendees spoke briefly about their
activities...
Thanks were given to Ms Maya for hosting this wonderful
event...Maya in turn thanked Shakun and team for helping
organize the event and to all who enthusiastically attended.
Read about our Eager to B. Group activities. Click:
http://www.dalsabzi.com/women_movement/good_people.htm
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