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18
August 2006 (V.S. 2062, Shravan vad 10) Friday, Bangalore
On the previous day, 17
August, Swamishri departed from Atladra at 3.00 pm by car
to Amdavad. Since the flight to Bangalore was late Swamishri
departed at 6.15 pm and landed at Bangalore airport at 10.00
pm. After nearly three years Swamishri was visiting Bangalore
again.
In the evening welcome assembly today the Deputy Chief Minister
of Karnataka Shri Yediruappa, Minister of Science and Technology
Shri Ramchandra Gauda and MLAs Shri Narendra Babu and V. Somnna
garlanded Swamishri.
Viveksagar Swami elaborated upon the story of Nishkulanand
Swami from the Harililamrut. Thereafter youths performed a
welcome dance. Finally, Swamishri blessed the assembly with
the message of pricelessness of human birth and its principal
aim to attain God and not to engage oneself in mundane pleasures.
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19
August 2006 (V.S. 2062, Shravan vad 11) Saturday, Bangalore
At 9.55 pm H.H. Balgangadharnathji
arrived at the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir. Swamishri welcomed
him and honoured him with a garland. H.H. Balgangadharnathji
garlanded Swamishri and offered him a shawl. Pujya Balgangadharnathji
spoke highly of Swaminarayan Akshardham in N. Delhi and Swamishri’s
contribution in showcasing Indian culture in a modern and
traditional way.
In the evening satsang assembly BAPS students studying in
Bangalore performed a drama “Chalo na padta shikhiye”.
The drama depicted how satsangi youths remain steadfast in
niyams in the face of enticements and addictions in college.
Thereafter Swamishri blessed the assembly.
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22
August 2006 (V.S. 2062, Shravan vad 14) Tuesday, Bangalore
The mahant of Pejavar Math,
HH Swami Vishveshtirthji, arrived at the BAPS Swaminarayan
Mandir. Swamishri welcomed him with a garland and a shawl.
Pujya Vishveshtirthji narrated his vivid impressions of Swaminarayan
Akshardham and said that he was impressed by the life of Bhagwan
Swaminarayan.
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25
August 2006 (VS 2062, Bhadarva sud 2) Thursday, Chennai
Swamishri and Governor
of Tamil Nadu dedicate Homes in Pattipulamkupam & Mahabalipuram
In
the aftermath of the devastating tsunami that hit the shores
of South India’s western
shores in 2003 BAPS sadhus and volunteers immediately engaged
themselves into providing rescue and relief. Thereafter
Swamishri pledged to reconstruct the villages of Pattipulamkupam
(44km from Chennai) and Mahabalipuram.
Today, after 13 months 145 homes in Pattipulamkupam and
100 houses in Mahabalipuram were completed by BAPS Swaminarayan
Sanstha and BAPS Care International. The dedication ceremony
was held at Pattipulamkupam. First Swamishri sanctified
the homes in Mahabalipuram and thereafter dedicated the
homes at Pattipulamkupam with the Governor of Tamil Nadu
H.E. Surjeetsingh Barnala. Swamishri and the Governor untied
the nada chhadi amidst Vedic chantings and then visited
the homes, each 300 sq.ft, fully furnished with lights,
fans, beds, utensils and other household items. The new
homes were built on the site of the old houses destroyed
by the tsunami.
During the inauguration assembly the Governor, district
collector and MPs were honoured with garlands. Thereafter
Brahmavihari Swami briefly talked about the relief activities
of BAPS. The local MLA Shri D. Murti expressed his gratitude
for the Sanstha’s yeoman services. The district collector
Shri Pradeep Yadav also voiced his appreciation to the BAPS
for building wonderful houses for the homeless. Thereafter
Governor Surjeetsingh Barnala said, “Today, I am happy
to hand over the houses reconstructed jointly by BAPS Swaminarayan
Sanstha, India, and BAPS Care International, USA –
both are international socio-spiritual charitable NGOs – to
the tsunami victims. I thank Shri Pramukh Swami Maharaj
for inviting me to hand over the houses constructed by
them for the tsunami affected people. Pujya Pramukh Swami
Maharaj represents the essence of Hinduism with universal
wisdom and simplicity. Today, the affected people are rehabilitated,
thanks to the efforts of the administration, NGOs and philanthropists
from every nook and corner of the world.
“I am happy to know that BAPS Swaminarayan San-stha
and its volunteers swung into rescue operations within
20 minutes of the natural calamity and were helping the survivors
on Marina Beach in Chennai. It is heartening to note that
they provided relief items, schoolbags, note books and gave psychological and
emotional counseling to the traumatized victims. They have covered 51 villages
affected by tsunami and offered assistance, hot meals, food packets and drinking
water. Their service includes medical camps and has examined 508 children from
22 devastated villages.
“I commend the effort of BAPS for their dedicated
rehabilitation work. I understand that it contributed immensely
to the Gujarat Reconstruction for Development Project in Kutch to rehabilitate
the earthquake victims. I am informed that they have a Swaminarayan School in
Neasden, London, where they teach the Hindu ethos, among other co-curricular
activities. It is heartening to note that they also teach
values and the Indian culture. I wish the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha and their
volunteers all success in their endeavours. Let their service to the society
continue for years to come.”
Finally, Swamishri ble-ssed the assembly, “God and
his sadhus and devotees come to earth to make those who
are miserable and unhappy happy. To share the pain and
misery of others is a hallmark of our culture. Whatever
intelligence and wealth that God has given us is not for
only us to enjoy. But it is also to be used for others.
To give to others is a virtue of Hindu dharma. Recently
in the wake of the floods in Surat many social and religious
organizations rushed to provide relief and aid.
“Let us pray to God that such a calamity never comes
to anyone. The houses built here are for those who have
suffered in the tsunami. May they be inspired with spiritual feelings and experience
peace. May God bless all who have helped and cooperated in this project with
peace and happiness. We thank the government, its officers, the Governor, MLAs
and the local people for their help and assistance.”
The assembly concluded with the national anthem at 12.25pm.
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27
August 2006 (VS 2062, Bhadarva sud 4) Sunday, Chennai; Ganesh
Chaturthi, Shramshravani
After Swamishri completed
his morning puja, he performed the foundation-stone laying
rituals of a research centre for the renowned Shankar Netralayam
(Eye Hospital). Swamishri also blessed Shri Badrinathji and
his colleagues.
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31
August 2006 (VS 2062, Bhadarva sud 7) Thursday, Chennai
In the evening assembly
various Gujarati organizations honoured Swamishri for his
spiritual and philanthropic services to society. Viveksagar
Swami addressed the assembly. A video on the Sanstha’s
flood-relief work in Surat was shown.
Thereafter youths performed a cultural dance. The chief guest
of the evening assembly Shri Narendrabhai Maher and other
dignitaries honoured Swamishri with a garland and bouquets.
A citation honouring Swamishri was read out and presented
to Swamishri. Then on behalf of the Gujarati Samaj Shri N.R.
Dave said, “Swamishri has built Akshardham in Delhi.
It was a feat that would have taken twenty-five years to complete,
but it was accomplished with profound faith in only five years.
Swamishri’s management, coordination and leadership
are unique. Pramukh Swami is not only a Jagatguru but a Dharmacharya
with great foresight. For us Pramukh Swami Maharaj is a Yugpurush.”
The president of the Akhil Bharat Brahma Samaj Shri Varunbhai
Japi and the Chief guest Shri Narendrabhai Maher also expressed
their feelings of appreciation for Swamishri.
In conclusion Swamishri blessed the assembly enlightening
all about the efficacy of satsang.
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