Tell us about the start of your journey working for a social cause. What spurred it on?
I was always an outgoing person and did my bit helping society in small ways – calling an ambulance after an accident, collecting money to sponsor someone’s surgery, rescuing kittens, etc. However, the turning point came in 2014 when my husband Suhas and I helped rescue a calf that had awkwardly fallen in a pit near my house. We were put in touch with a volunteer from Dhyan Foundation, who helped Suhas care for the calf at a neighbour’s place until it was well enough to join its mother.
After the calf and its mother were reunited with their owner, volunteers of Dhyan Foundation continued to meet Suhas who donated to their cause. We were invited to attend their Sanatan Kriya workshop at Ribandar. While I was initially skeptical, it ended up changing my life. At the end, as the teacher chanted the Gayatri Mantra, I had certain visions that made me feel there was something more to this kriya.
Soon, I began practising it regularly and started caring for cow’s and rescuing other injured animals. The whole concept is reducing the pain in the creation. Dhyan Foundation teaches advanced yogic techniques, mantras and meditation. As a precursor to these practices, karmic cleansing is essential. So the sadhaks devote their time and effort in theservice of humans, animals and the environment.
We currently have with us a thousand cattle in three gaushalas in Zambavali, Shirvoi and Betul rescued from accidents, illegal trafficking and slaughterhouses. Whenever there is an accident in Goa, we send our ambulance and bring the injured cattle to our Shirvoi gaushala where our team of doctors, paravets and staff treat them and nurture them for the rest of their life. So the rescue of the calf was the turning point which got re-established after attending the Sanatan Kriya workshop.
What challenges do women face when attempting to resolve social issues?
I don’t think particularly women face any issues. Women are strong. Every woman is a shakti. If the cause is selfless, then society supports. Physical strength is secondary.
How important is your family support in your cause?
Without family support, it would be an uphill task. Family is like a shock absorber; you can fall back to them without any guilt. I am indebted to my family.
What was the toughest challenge you faced so far? How did you overcome it and what did you learn from it?
The toughest challenge is to get a good lawyer who is willing to fight to help you retain custody of the cattle seized by the police. Otherwise, they will be slaughtered. Without a good lawyer, one has to spend sleepless nights preparing court applications and hoping for divine assistance. Divine help does come but not without some anxious moments. Once we lose custody of the cattle, it is next to impossible to find them alive. Perseverance is the key. Help comes when there is focus on my guru Yogi Ashwini. What I learnt is that no problem is as big as it seems. One makes it big by imagining unnecessary negative things which actually never happen.
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