Dera Sacha Sauda (colloquially DSS) is a non-profit Social Welfare and Spiritual Organization, established in 1948, by the ascetic Mastana Balochistani, as a centre for spiritual learning. Its main centre is situated in Sirsa, Haryana, in the northern region of India. Dera Sacha Sauda preaches humanitarianism by practicing selfless service to others. There are supposedly more than 50 million people around the world who are faithful followers of this organization. Dera’s devotees learn to meditate and follow the principles laid down by Dera. The organisation has set a benchmark with several Guinness World Records in humanitarian, environmental and various other non-profit initiatives.[1][2][3][4]
The name Sacha Sauda ("true deeds") refers to an incident in the life of Guru Nanak Dev. Some sources tell that when Nanak Dev was a young boy, his father gave him some money and instructed him to conduct a business operation in order to make a profit and learn business skills. Nanak dev used the money to buy food to feed the poor, and explained to his father that in doing so he had done "true business".[5] Thus the name came into being as not just an identity but, a philosophy of true deeds that serve humanity.
History[edit]
Founder: Mastana Balochistani
Successor: Shah Satnam Singh
Current leader: Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh
Dera Sacha Sauda was established by Shah Mastana from Baluchistan, in 1948. He was popularly known among his devotees as His Holiness Beparawah Mastana Ji Maharaj. The organisation was laid just a year after the country saw Independence and there was a renewed sense of freedom, awakening and awareness among the people of India. Dera Sacha Sauda and its founder Shah Mastana's endeavour was to bring a spiritual awakening among the masses and to uplift humanity, in order to create a better world. Maharaj Ji hailed from Balochistan, part of present-day Pakistan. With devotion and hard work, Maharaj Ji transmuted the barren land of Sirsa into a spiritual garden and imparted the glorious method of meditation to his followers. The slogan “Dhan Dhan Satguru Tera Hi Asra,” which Dera’s devotees chant at the Ashram, elucidates the kindness of God Almighty as our saviour. Guruji preached about following the path of truth, humanity, and hard work. In 1960, the reins of Dera were handed over to his spiritual successor, Param Pita Shah Satnam Singh Ji Maharaj. Mastana Ji Maharaj merged with the divine light on April 18, 1960.[6]
Param Pita Shah Satnam Singh Ji Maharaj was the second spiritual guru of Dera Sacha Sauda, born on 25 January 1919. He took over the spiritual leadership position from Mastana Ji Maharaj at the age of 41 and served mankind for thirty years (1960-1990). He composed hymns and wrote several holy books. He passed away, or as the Dera says, proceeded back to Nij-Dham (eternal abode) on 13 December 1991.[7]
Saint Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Ji Insan became the third leader of DSS on 23 September 1990, at the young age of 23 years. He was born in the small town of Shri Gurusar Modia, Rajasthan and is the most famous and revered Guru of Dera. He has brought innovative and unique methods in his humanitarian endeavors within Dera Sacha Sauda.
Principles and Positions[edit]
The sect cites as its principles, laid down by Shah Mastana: secularism, equality, no acceptance of materialistic wealth, and truth and faith over everything else, meditation to the road of truth, quietism, trict individual discipline, strict social discipline, hard work, faith and meditation to escape from re-births (moksha). The organisation envisions an egalitarian, conflict free and peaceful world where the inner spiritual realization, self-confidence and attainment of God are foremost through the practice of true meditation. The world order will be free of social evils, exploitation and sinful conduct. Practically the women will find their right place in society. - as quoted in official statements.[7] Recently, volunteers of Dera Sacha Sauda took some vows to make their and other people's life better.[8]
Mission[edit]
Dera Sacha Sauda clearly defines its mission as below:[7]
To freely propagate true meditation throughout the world to attain inner self-confidence and see God.
To educate people that God can be found only by true meditation learnt from a selfless true master and not with money.
To see the world as one, and believe in the same ONE God.
To promote love and tolerance amongst people of all religions, castes, color and regions without any discrimination.
To promote adoption of drug and alcohol free, meat/egg/fish free diet and restore correct values and character.
To promote morality and convince people about the harms of immorality, promiscuity and high risk behavior.
Welfare activities[edit]
Single Motivator Driven Multispecialty Hospital and Eye Bank[edit]
Dera Sacha Sauda's ambitious 400-bed multi-specialty hospital was inaugurated by Dera head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Insan in Sirsa in March 2014 and has been named Shah Satnam Ji Specialty Hospital. It has all modern facilities and state-of-the-art operation theatre for treating patients. The hospital aims to give "tertiary" healthcare to the rich, while also providing "free" healthcare to the poor.[9][10] Dera Sacha Sauda in its efforts to completely remove blindness from the face of the earth has encouraged and motivated about 117,813 individuals in donating their eyes. Poojaneeya Mata Kartar Kaur Ji International eye bank, a part of the Shah Satnam Ji Specialty Hospital ranks third in the country and is the largest in terms of a single motivator driven eye bank. Till date, 9421 pair of eyes have been donated here, of which nearly 3000 have been effectively transplanted.[11]
Green S Welfare Force[edit]
The entrance of Shah Satnam Ji Dham, Dera Sacha Sauda, Sirsa, Haryana
With the aim of dedicated selfless service to humanity in distress, Saint Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Ji Insan formed a welfare and disaster relief organisation called "Shah Satnam Ji Green-S Welfare Force", which now has more than 63,000 doctors, engineers, rescuers, paramedics, and tradesmen participating.[12] The organisation has rendered aid during many of India's natural disasters. A few major incidents like Kolkata fire [13] [14] and the factory collapse in Jalandhar [15] [16] showed the true heroism within the force. The Green S Welfare Force is spread all over the world wherever there are DSS devotees. In one incident, volunteers from Auckland travelled all the way to Palmerston North to plant 4000 trees in a tree planting campaign.[17]
Cleanliness Campaign[edit]
Dera Sacha Sauda supports and promotes cleanliness and hygiene in every possible way. It believes in cleaning civic areas and maintaining the cleanliness. And thus, this campaign encompasses villages, towns, cities and metros.[18] Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh started a Cleanliness Earth Campaign in India with a banner of ‘Cleanse the planet earth, to remove disease and curse’ (‘Ho prithvi saaf, mite rog abhishaap’) on 21 September 2011 with a two day campaign attended by two lakh followers in New Delhi.[19][20] This was followed by a series of campaigns in different cities.
detail of Cleanliness Earth Campaign
1. Delhi India on 21,22-9-2011[21]
2. Jaipur, Rajasthan on 1-9-2011 [22] [23]
3. Bikaner, Rajasthan on 23-11-2011[24]
4. Gurgaon, Haryana on 17-12-2011[25]
5. Sirsa, Haryana on 24-12-2011[26]
6. Jodhpur, Rajasthan on 7-2-2012[27] [28]
7. Kota, Rajasthan on 17-3-2012[29]
8. Hoshangabad, Madhya Pradesh on 31-3-2012[30]
9. Puri, Odisha on 5-5-2012[31]
10. Hissar, Haryana on 25-8-2012[32]
11,12. Rishikesh, Haridwar & holy Ganga, Uttrakhand on 1-11-2012[33]
13,14. Ajmer & Pushkar, Rajasthan on 8-12-2012[34]
15. Rohtak, Haryana on 13-2-2013[35]
16. Faridabad, Haryana on 2-3-2013[36]
17. Narela, Delhi on 15-3-2013 [37]
18. Karnal, Haryana on 24-3-2013[38]
19. Kaithal, Haryana on 26-3-2013[39]
20. Noida, Utter Pradesh on 13-4-2013[40]
21. New Delhi, India on 10,11-9-3013[41]
22. Sikar, Rajasthan on 7-10-2013[42]
23. Alwar, Rajasthan on 8-10-2013[43]
24. Dausa, Rajasthan on 9-10-2013[44]
25. Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan on 10-10-2013[45]
26. Sheopur, Rajasthan on 11-10-2013[46]
27. Tonk, Rajasthan on 13-10-2013 [47][48][49][50][51] [52] Puri[53] and Jaipur.[54] Similarly, Dera Sacha Sauda has again shown interest in cleaning the Ganga and Yamuna Rivers but with full support and cooperation of the government.[55]
Welfare in the flood Affected Areas of Uttarakhand[edit]
Medical Aid - After the 2013 flash floods in Uttarakhand, a team of strong-willed doctors trekked over 40 km to villages to provide medical care to people who were in desperate need of help. The team was led by Haryana-based Aditya Insan, a senior consultant ophthalmologist. The team consisted of specialists from AIMMS along with a state-of-the-art mobile hospital of the Dera and 15 vehicles to transport patients.[56]
Relief Work - A team of 200 volunteers including engineers, paramedical staff and divers were also organised to provide door-to-door relief with food packets and conduct rescue missions.[57]
Widow Remarriage - The area of Deoli-Brahmgram village was called a 'village of widows' as many men belonging to the area died in the floods. In an attempt to rehabilitate the women, Dera head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh announced that 1,500 followers of the sect were willing to tie the knot with the Uttarakhand widows. Women who did not wish to remarry were also helped to rebuild their lives.[58]
During the Uttarakhand Floods, Dera Sacha Sauda had sent 7 trucks fully loaded with fodder for the welfare of the animals there.[59]
Welfare of Sex Workers[edit]
Anti-prostitution initiatives began in November 2009, when Guruji called on his followers to counter prostitution, and to help sex-workers escape a "life of perpetual slavery".[60] In December 2009, Dera and its volunteers took a step towards reducing sex trafficking in the country and also preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS virus, by giving a consent for marriage with adult sex workers and to "help them escape their dreary existence".[61] The former prostitutes are referred to as shubh devi ("holy angel"). In Januray 2010, a mass marriage ceremony for former sex workers took place in Sirsa. Also minor sex workers were brought in for adoption to give them the security and warmth of a family environment.[62][63][64][65][66]
Welfare of Transgenders[edit]
Dera Sacha Sauda had launched a social welfare campaign and had filed a petition in the Supreme Court to grant legal status to the transgenders. On 15th April, 2014 the Apex Court gave a judgement in favour of the Eunuchs and ordered that the eunuchs and transgenders will now be given the legal status of the third gender.[67] This will make them eligible for quota in various government jobs, education institutions and also ensure medical treatment. The Government will also devise social welfare schemes for third gender community and run a public awareness campaign to erase social stigma.[68][66] In support of the transgendered, Guru Ram Rahim Singh has also directed his followers to help the intersex children who join itinerant transgender communities. He plans to support their schooling in special institutions.[61]
Encouraging Organic Farming[edit]
On 26th September 2013, the third two day Kisan and Agriculture Technology Fair was inaugurated by Revered Guru Ji with 43 stalls exhibiting modern agriculture instruments as well as agriculture devices and techniques from old times. The Fair was held to make good agriculture practices and techniques reach more and more people.[69] On 8th July 2014, the organisation took another initiative to promote and propagate organic farming in the agricultural areas of India, and the 4th edition of the Kisan evam krishi nayi taqneek mela [70](i.e. Farmers' New Technology Fair) was held with about 78 stalls. Manufacturers of seeds, fertilisers, latest agricultural technology and other farming equipments from Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan and other regions came here to exhibit and promote their products.
Charitable programs[edit]
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To incorporate the philosophy of "Service to Mankind is Service to God" in real life Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Ji has undertaken about 102 Humanitarian Activities for the welfare of mankind which are being executed by the followers worldwide.[71]
An annual eye care camp between 13–15 December each year, staffed by eye surgeons.[72]
A campaign against female foeticide in India; the organisation has also built the Shahi Betiyan Basera for those young girls who were about to be killed by their parents. This place is called the Home for the Royal Daughters and provides amenities for destitute female children.[73][74][75]
On 15th August of every year, the members of Dera Sacha Sauda celebrate their Revered Guru's birthday as Tree Plantation Day and plant saplings throughout the globe. Dera again targeted to add up some more million trees on 15th August,2014 as part of the 'Nature Campaign' by celebrating the Guru Ji's birthday in Aasa Buttar village in Giddarbaha sub-division and planted about 30,00,000 saplings.[76][77][55] A mega tree planting drive was hosted on 15th August,2009 in an endeavour to plant 50,000 saplings in the region of Fazilka and nearby villages.[78] With 340,200 participants from Dera Sacha Sauda, India was also able to plant 1,945,535 seedlings from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on 15th August,2011.[79] Recently, the five regional directors of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Mindanao are pooling their efforts to break this world record posted by India by conducting a nationwide massive tree planting activity from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. during the anniversary celebration of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) on 26th September,2014.[80] Recently, a plantation drive was held in Peenya, Bangalore on 27th April, 2014 by the Dera and planted about 101 saplings.[81]
Disaster relief during Gujarat Earthquake in 2001. Dera sent a convoy of nearly 50 trucks, each containing material worth Rs 1.3 lakhs along with volunteers.[82] Also, when a building collapsed in Delhi, Shah Satnam Ji Green S Welfare Force were among the first to reach the spot and help in the rescue mission.[83]
A 1000 sq. metre plot has been allotted to Dera Sacha Sauda by HUDA to perform various social and religious activities for the welfare of the people.[84]
Sports became a focal point, when in 2004, Parampita Shah Satnam Ji Educational and Welfare Society (which is affiliated with Dera Sacha Sauda), built the Shah Satnam ji Cricket Stadium in Sirsa, Haryana. Using a workforce of 10,000, the stadium was said to have been built in 45 days with a capacity of 30,000.[85] It is spread over 100 acres, which made it the second largest in Asia.[86]
Organ and whole-body donation was encouraged by DSS as their followers willingly decided to donate their bodies to medical colleges.[87] It emerged as one of the leading whole body donor agencies as per newspaper reports.[88]
A massive Blood Donation Camp organised on 12 April 2014, at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi,[89] followed by several other locations, gathering a record number of 75,771 units of blood.[90] Camps were organised in Haryana, 22 districts of Punjab, 13 districts of Rajasthan, five districts of Uttarakhand, 13 districts of Uttar Pradesh, four districts of Maharashtra, four districts of Madhya Pradesh, 12 places in Himachal Pradesh and two places in Jammu. Approximately two lakh donors had been registered for these camps [91][92] and around 3 lacs, 95 thousands and 398 blood units (Around 1 lac 77 thousands and 929 litres) have been donated so far. As repoerted, Dera Sacha Sauda is an organization where the donors reach to the place wherever blood is required and hence is generally referred to as the "True Blood Pump".[71] Recently, on 10th August, 2014 , members of Dera Sacha Sauda organised a blood donation camp in Australia.[93]
One of the 102 humanitarian activities carried out by Dera Sacha Sauda devotees is the 'Food Bank Programme'. It is an innovative measure wherein the Dera devotees in Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Himachal keep a fast for one day in the week to provide for the ration of those in need.[94]
World Records[edit]
The organization has acclaimed a list of 16 world "records" and excellence "awards" which has helped the society.[95]
Largest blood donation camp - A total of 15,432 people participated in a blood donation drive on September 7, 2003, at sachkhand hall,shah satnam Ji dham Sirsa (India).
Largest blood donation camp - A total of 17,921 people participated in a blood donation drive on October 10, at Sriganganagar (India).
Dera Sacha Sauda was held on 15th August 2009 and a total of 6,873,451 treeswas planted across the globe. Since then, 15th August is celebrated as Tree Plantation Day by the followers of Dera Sacha Sauda across the globe.
Largest blood donation camp - A total of 43,732 people participated in a blood donation drive on August 8, 2010, at SMG complex (India).[96][97][98][99]
Most trees planted simultaneously. (Record held till 2011).
Largest eye screening camp - A total of 4,603 people got their eyes screened at Dera Sacha Sauda, Haryana, India, on December 12, 2010.[100][101]
Most people signing up as voluntary eye donors - A total of 71,042 people signed up as voluntary eye donors ( after death) on September 23, 2011.
Most people signing up as blood donors - A total of 61,752 people signed up as voluntary blood donors on September 23, 2011.
Most people pledging as body and organ donors - A total of 55,392 people pledged to donate their organs and whole body (after death) on 23 September 2011.
Most people pledging against corruption - A total of 60,551 people pledged against corruption with their free consent on 23 September 2011, at SMG complex (India).
Most people tossing coins together (single venue) - A total of 12,013 people participated in tossing one rupee coins on August 15, 2011, at SMG complex (India).
Most people pledging against dowry - A total of 59,491 people pledged against dowry with their free consent on 23 September 2011.
