New York City Mayor Eric Adams officially proclaimed August 2 as “Global forgiveness day” to promote love, peace, and healing among individuals and communities worldwide. As per an official statement, the day marks an annual event dedicated to honouring the life and teachings of Dada J.P. Vaswani, the spiritual leader of the Sadhu Vaswani Mission.

The Mayor made the announcement at an event organized in  the Consulate of India in New York. Jennifer Rajkumar, NY State Representative and Assemblywoman, John C. Glidden, Mayor of Closter, Dilip Chauhan, Deputy Commissioner NYC Mayor’s Office for international affairs, Consul General Randhir Jaiswal, Jagdish Sehwani, Jonathan Granoff, and several dignitaries, and prominent personalities were present on the occasion.

Dilip Chauhan, Deputy Commissioner NYC Mayor’s Office presenting the proclamation

A message on the power of fostering a habit of forgiveness in daily life by J.P. Vaswani and a guided visualization-based meditation by Krishna Kumari along with a moving live santoor (meditative musical instrument) performance by Vinay Desai, a student of Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma, was the highlight of the event.

The attendees of the event also observed “A moment of calm” in silence, practising forgiveness, and reflecting on its significance in their personal and collective journeys. The “moment of calm” resonated with similar sessions held in numerous cities worldwide, including in Pune, India at the headquarters of the Sadhu Vaswani Mission, where millions united in the message of forgiveness and reconciliation.

According to a release, the movement garnered widespread attention, attracting collaborations with esteemed organizations dedicated to peace and forgiveness such as Greater Good of the California University, Berkeley, CCARE of Stanford University, Project Forgive, Unify, Worldwide Forgiveness Alliance, the Path of Forgiveness, Infinite Love, the Love Foundation, Pardon International, Project Happiness, and Choose Love Movement. 

“Global forgiveness day” and “A Moment of Calm” have now become a symbol of collective responsibility, inspiring individuals to contribute to a more compassionate and loving world, the release mentioned.

The Sadhu Vaswani Mission, a non-profit organization headquartered in Pune, India, was founded by Sadhu Vaswani’s spiritual successor, J.P. Vaswani. The Mission operates various social and humanitarian projects, educational institutions, and hospitals that offer free medical services, heart transplants, cataract surgeries, and more, regardless of caste or creed.