We encountered unexpected traffic while returning on the Western express highway this Sunday evening. It seems some flyover is being constructed because of which such heavy traffic was there. Cars were moving bumper to bumper and I was having to use the break every minute. We were in acceptance and peace inspite of chaos around us. Thanks to the Art of living course which has trained us to accept the moment as it is 🙂
It was around 7.30pm when we were passing by from under Malad flyover(at a speed of around 20km/h) in a flash of a second a BEST bus came in full speed and almost sandwiched our car, with the flyover on one side and the bus on the other as it wrongly over took another bus. I applied sudden breaks (God’s intervention), if there had been a one second delay, our car would have collapsed into the moving bus. Om namah shivaya, thinking of it still gives me goosebumps! I felt a surge of anger at this foolish act of the careless driver. Who had just proved with his rash driving that he does not care for the lives of common man.
Instead of letting go (like most of us do, since we are so habituated to take unjust in our country) I followed him. He stopped outside Dindoshi bus depot to drop passengers. At that moment, I took my car ahead and parked it right in front of the bus, so that he could not escape or move. We were 4 girls in the car – Mrunal, Mamta, Ranjeeta, myself, along with Shashwat. 3 of us got down and demanded an apology from the driver. Did the driver respond respectfully and admitted his mistake? Forget about an apology, this guy had not slightest of regret about what he had done. He was in complete denial and looked into our eyes as if telling us , ‘What you girls can do to me..do what you like..I don’t care.’ 2 officials came from the bus depot and instead of supporting us they started asking me to remove my car and instead file a complain in the police station.
At Dindoshi Bus Depot
I was adamant not to move. In the mean time, I called the traffic Commissioner and requested him to intervene. VBI had done a project with the traffic department which was very appreciated by him. He was kind enough to call the ACP who immediately helped us by sending a traffic cop to help us. The message was posted on the group and in no time 5 of our Hero volunteers came to help -Mandar, Monish,Pratik.. (Pratik was at the celebrations of his parent’s 30th anniversary and was kind enough to drop everything and come).
I could clearly see divine’s intervention at this point .We were only girls with a child but help came in from all directions in no time. The bus depot officials called for police too. A flood of people surrounded us now. The traffic cop was very supportive and helpful. And even the police. Both bashed the driver and did not give in to his stories. By now the driver had realized that he won’t be able to get away with this and he may even loose his job. He came to me and resentfully apologized.I patiently explained him that his job needs him to be very responsible as lives are at stake. The traffic cop took his licence and filed a complain. As a punishment the driver will not be driving for atleast 15 days.
I sincerely hope that after this the driver and his other colleagues will get a learning and they would be more careful on the roads. Every citizen’s life is important and cannot be taken for granted! We in India, have started giving up very soon to the unjust that happens around us, we have made ourselves believe we are the chickens in the truck – helpless and unaware! And that is one of the reasons for the state of affairs in our country. We should come together and create pressure groups and stand by each other in times of crisis. Like is said ” Sanghe Shakti Kalyuge”, VBI gives us that platform. Every wrong action needs to be reported and demanded for justice. When more and more citizens do this we can have a JUST India .
For all of us who witnessed this incident it got further reaffirmed -“Bhakt Kabhi Haar nahi sakta “, a devotee can never lose:)) . As a devotee we are bestowed with infinite strength by the divine. Prayers at the feet of Gurudev, who nurtured us on this path and made us recognize the infinite strength in us.
Ms. Vasudha Jhunjhunwala holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts. She is associated with the Art of Living since year 2000. Born and brought up in a pink city Jaipur, Rajasthan she currently resides in Amchi Mumbai with her family. For nearly a decade, Vasudha has inspired more than 10,000 youths with her teachings and social work. She has undertaken various projects and has been an instrument of change for its success. Juggling between home and work, in her spare time Vasudha likes to paint, write poems, learn music and play badminton. She is a Social Worker, Entrepreneur, State Coordinator of The Art of Living, Student of Sanskrit & Classical Music, Writer, Homemaker, Mother, Meditation Teacher, Public Speaker, Recipient of CSO-2014 award by Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam and has travelled in 30 Countries.
She is a quintessential deshbhakt. It is difficult to match her youthful Energy.
Vasudha is extremely passionate about her initiatives. One of the most successful projects lead by her was the ‘Vote For a Better India’ - A campaign that facilitated the voter registration process and lead to 5 lakh citizens new voter registration across India in 2014 Lok Sabha Elections. Bringing more awareness to the people in the community she began the initiative ‘Mind your Vehicle’ - A project to sensitize citizens towards traffic discipline with 2000 volunteers in Mumbai. The project saw good media coverage. She was also the founding member of ‘Save Aarey’ project. In this project more than 300 volunteers cleared 5-truck loads of garbage from Aarey colony. With an aim to instill a sense of responsibility and nationalism among the youth, she has spearheaded several initiatives that included women’s safety drives, blood donation drives, cleanliness drives at railway stations and sea-shores, health and hygiene awareness camps and others.
Often people ask her what made her belief so strong to walk the spiritual path. She affirms that, “just like the light house guides the ship through darkness of night, our conscience guides us through decisions of life. For a smooth sail, just listen to it!”
The drought in Maharashtra had led to an increasing number of farmer suicides and Vasudha decided to contribute towards River Rejuvenation Project in the state. She along with her team revived around 22kms of Manjara river. The river Manjara rejuvenation in Latur District benefited 5 lakh villagers in its vicinity. Vasudha was also a part of the Solar Lamp Project. She was the catalyst in the distribution of solar lamps to flood-hit villagers in Orissa during Fani.
Her courage and valour gives her the skill to bring out the right perspective in every project she undertakes. Worry or Uncertainty are not words she rhymes with, Vasudha believes that’s Spiritual knowledge shields the flame of life from the winds of uncertainties. Vasudha is currently working on Project Pavitra. Since its inception this year, the project has imparted menstrual hygiene education to more than 2000 young girls in BMC schools and it aims to reach out to many more. She is also the founding member of SORT Club - Student's organization for Reform and Transformation. The club is now operational in 10 colleges in Mumbai. The project aims to remove the menace of substance abuse from the colleges of India. Vasudha is also working on a Happy Neighbourhood Project. The project aims to establish Happiness centers in societies to make societies stress-free.
If you meet her once, you would know that she has a very charming, intuitive, and jovial personality, her ideas and thoughts are ahead of it’s time. Her ability to perceive something new and unique in every individual is what draws people to her company. She gives a very comfortable and cool vibe something young students connect to and find easy to talk and open up to her about their problems. Make impossible, possible is her mantra. Her sessions are filled with grit, humor, inspiration, and some awespiring wisdom. People feel rejuvenated, energetic, experience clarity of thoughts, immense love in their hearts after attending her Mind and Breathe Workshops.
Mysteries of life intrigues her and even though she has traveled in 30 countries she found her best place within. She, by herself is a ‘Happiness Express’ moving swiftly on the spiritual path.
View more posts
Dear vasudha didi, i just carefully read narrow escape story. It concludes Sangh ki shakti which i experienced many times while working in VBI office and during entire IVBI campaign. I think it’s guruji’s sankalpa that MEDITATORS will lead the united india & VBI is providing platform to unite India.
akshay kalap
Dear vasudha didi, i just carefully read narrow escape story. It concludes Sangh ki shakti which i experienced many times while working in VBI office and during entire IVBI campaign. I think it’s guruji’s sankalpa that MEDITATORS will lead the united india & VBI is providing platform to unite India.
akshay kalap
Vasudha Jhunjhunwala 
Truly inspiring!
indeed very inspiring .
Dear vasudha didi, i just carefully read narrow escape story. It concludes Sangh ki shakti which i experienced many times while working in VBI office and during entire IVBI campaign. I think it’s guruji’s sankalpa that MEDITATORS will lead the united india & VBI is providing platform to unite India.
akshay kalap
Dear vasudha didi, i just carefully read narrow escape story. It concludes Sangh ki shakti which i experienced many times while working in VBI office and during entire IVBI campaign. I think it’s guruji’s sankalpa that MEDITATORS will lead the united india & VBI is providing platform to unite India.
akshay kalap