This special anniversary of Ladies Day, its 30th anniversary and Swami’s 100th birthday, was celebrated in grand style by unity events in most regions around Australia with devotional programs, talks about the significance of the day and Swami’s teachings on the importance of womanhood and the completion of dedicated service activities.
Two regions supported the Share the Dignity organisation in its annual Christmas drive to provide bags of essential items such as, toothbrushes and toothpaste, soap and hair care products, deodorant and sanitary items, for women in distress such as homelessness, domestic violence victims or economic hardship. Queensland Region packed and donated 142 bags and Victoria Region, during their spiritual retreat marking the 100th Birthday Celebration, provided 120 bags. The reaction of staff at the drop off points mirrored one another with staff at both points being amazed at the generosity of our units as they usually only received 1-3 bags at a time. One of the staff involved wanted to know more about the organisation and googled us, took details and made a special positive mention about us to the organisation administration about our activity.
The Australian Capital Territory Region provided hygiene packs for mothers and babies to the Karinya House, an NGO that provides support to vulnerable women who are pregnant or parenting a baby.
New South Wales Region, via an engaging Master Chef style competition, prepared and donated 100 meal boxes for the homeless, as well as having a group chanting of the Gayathri Mantra 108 times, dedicated to the One Million Steps Sadhana developed to honour Swami’s 100th birthday.
Queensland Region, which celebrated the event over two separate dates, also prepared and provided food boxes to support Community Friends, an NGO providing vital assistance to those in need or distressed. One of those seeking assistance and looking at the food, asked, ‘Did we put Love into it’. When answered, ‘Yes, everyone did.’ He smiled and happily took his food. That special touch was also used in the Share the Dignity bags as each contained a personal card reflecting our love and positivity.
The day’s activities emphasised the value of women in our communities.
