AIA Insurance conducted the AIA Piyavara Pooja, Sri Lanka’s first crowdsourced digital thorana (pandol), in celebration of Vesak, at the Colombo 7 Buddha Rashmi Vesak Kalapaya.
Held for two days on May 23 and 24, this innovative, first of its kind initiative combined tradition with modern technology, permitting Sri Lankans to actively participate in lighting up the thorana through their personal pledges towards healthier living.
The AIA digital thorana was designed to light up with each pledge made by Sri Lankans to incorporate the simple yet healthy act of walking into their daily routines. In doing so, the event witnessed an overwhelming response, with over 2,000 engagements, all pledging to walk at least eight km a week, thereby taking a positive step towards their own wellbeing.
The event also supported a noble cause. Every engagement from the AIA Piyavara Pooja contributed towards a donation to HelpAge Sri Lanka, a non-profit charity dedicated to uplifting the lives of underserved elderly individuals for nearly four decades.
HelpAge Sri Lanka supports healthcare, with a special focus on vision, livelihood enhancement, social support, and advocacy programmes. As such, the participants of the Piyavara Pooja were not just able to illuminate the thorana but also light the lives of someone else, this Vesak.
The overwhelming participation resulting in the entire thorana lighting up fully on both nights.
