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New Milford marks Nirmala Devi Day with proclamation
Nirmala Devi, the founder of Sahaja Yoga spread a message of world peace, the advancement of women, and the attainment of self-realization.
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Jeffin T. Kaleekal - Tue, 24, Mar 2026
- 04:17 EDT
- 25
Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi / Sahaja Yoga website
Michael Putrino, the mayor of New Milford, New Jersey, declared March 21 as ‘Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi Day’ through an official proclamation.
Nirmala Srivastava, also known as ‘Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi,’ who was born in Chhindwara, India, in 1923, founded Sahaja Yoga, a worldwide meditation movement that promotes inner transformation, holistic well-being, and a heightened awareness of one’s connection to a higher universal power.
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Sahaja Yoga and its founder, Nirmala Srivastava, were also honored through an exhibition in New Jersey, inaugurated by Majority Leader of the New York State Senate Andrea Stewart-Cousins. The inauguration was also attended by Consulate General of India in New York, Piyush Singh.
Sharing glimpses of the event on X, the CGI expressed his sincere gratitude to Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins for her “continued support to the Indian American community.”
Talking about the exhibition, he added, “The exhibition highlighted the values of spirituality, inner peace, and harmony at the heart of Sahaja Yoga.”
In his proclamation, Putrino described mental health and inner peace as “essential foundations for a thriving, resilient, and compassionate community.”
Nirmala Srivastava worked in close association with Mahatma Gandhi and dedicated her life to the realization of his vision of universal peace, human dignity, and unity among nations. She was guided by her profound commitment to world peace, the advancement of women, and the attainment of self-realization.
She has also been nominated twice for the Nobel Peace Prize and has received numerous international honors in recognition of her humanitarian and spiritual contributions.
The mayor urged “friends, family, colleagues, and practitioners across the state of New Jersey, throughout the United States, and around the world” to gather on March 21 to commemorate Nirmala Srivastava’s legacy and celebrate her 103rd birth anniversary.
Putrino proclaimed, “I, MICHAEL PUTRINO, mayor of the Borough of New Milford, New Jersey, do hereby proclaim March 21, 2026, as SHRI MATAJI NIRMALA DEVI DAY in New Milford, and invite all residents, irrespective of their beliefs, to observe this day by engaging in meditation and wellness practices that promote peace, self-realization and bring harmony within our community.”
Nirmala Srivastava spread her teachings and practice of Sahaja Yoga for more than 40 years. She traveled internationally and offered free public lectures, helping people experience self-realization, regardless of race, religion, or circumstance.
In addition to spreading Sahaja Yoga, which is now established in more than 100 countries, Nirmala Srivastava also founded a non-governmental organization for destitute women and children, several international schools teaching a holistic curriculum, health clinics offering treatment through Sahaja Yoga meditation techniques, and an arts academy to revitalize the classical skills of dance, music, and painting.
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