Service & Sacrifice of Volunteers

The backbone of the Pramukh Swami Maharaj Nagar is its dedicated force of over 80,000 volunteers and hundreds of swamis. These volunteers and swamis form a diverse group of professionals and skilled workers who come from different geographical, academic, and social backgrounds, resulting in an effective mosaic of leaders and workers. Out of the thousands of volunteers serving in this Pramukh Swami Nagar, many have professional careers and businesses, while others have left such positions to serve full-time by admirably balancing their personal, family, social, professional, and volunteer duties. These volunteers have been overseeing physical service, planning, management, and implementation in almost 45 departments in the Pramukh Swami Nagar.

Rajniben Zala from Surat was financially not well and the Pandemic made things worse for them. Over and above that, she had to undergo an operation which increased her financial burden. She used to do tailoring odd jobs to make ends meet. She wanted to serve in the Shatabdi Mahotsav so she took a loan of Rs. 20,000 and came to the festival grounds for her seva.

Pujaben Bharucha of Bharuch has two daughters aged 3 and 10. Her mother-in-law has had knee operations 4 times and has great difficulty moving even at home. Pujaben wanted to come to serve but how could she in such circumstances? Her mother-inlaw told her to serve at the Shatabdi Mahotsav. She assured her that she should not worry about her daughters or all the other household jobs. It was very painful for her but she motivated her daughter-in-law for this once in a lifetime seva opportunity. Salutations to such an understanding mother-in-law.

Rajvirbhai Parmar, age 14 had seva in the Bujo show. He was part of the Adivasi dance (ethnic dance). The dance involved carrying a spear. Once he hurt his leg with the spear during the dance. He was taken to the doctor who bandaged the wound and advised him to rest for two days. Yet Rajvir continued his performance with the bandage. His zeal was an inspirational to all.

Aaradhnaben Patel of Vadodara runs a small restaurant and lives in a rented apartment. She served for 20 days in the Pramukh Swami Maharaj Shatabdi Mahotsav. She learned during her service period that the husbands of her colleagues had a hard time cooking and managing their meals back home. Once she returned, she singlehandedly cooked meals for the family members of the volunteers serving in the Mahotsav. She also delivered food at the homes of people who could not come to eat at her place. Salutations to Aaradhnaben for going beyond her assigned seva and serving others.

Sanjaybhai Patel of Jharola came to serve at the Pramukh Swami Maharaj Shatabdi Mahotsav in Ahmedabad for a day with his neighbor. Looking at the enthusiasm and sacrifice of the volunteers on the festival grounds, he joined for 15 days of seva and then, after 15 days, decided to stay in seva till the end of the festival. He had a habit of drinking alcohol. He would consume Rs. 3000 worth of alcohol daily causing regular issues and fights at home. Fed up with the daily problems, his wife and daughter left him. After coming to Pramukh Swami Maharaj Nagar for seva, he gave up his alcohol addiction. When his wife and daughter came to know about this, they were very happy would go to joyously pick him up when his seva ends.

Kushal Maltiya used to live with his maternal uncle and study in Poona. He came to the Mahotsav on his uncle’s insistence to serve for 7 days. He was allocated seva in the Yagna Dept. One day he suddenly told a swami that he wanted to commit suicide due to his failures in his studies. He also told the swami that he drinks alcohol and smokes regularly. His lonely life, shorttempered nature, addictions and failures had made him depressed to the extent that he wanted to end his life. On getting guidance and blessings from senior swamis, he gave up his thought of ending his life.

Jitenbhai Patel had joined seva in the landscape department. He owns a RO plant company and employs 20 people. He left it to his employees to handle and came for seva. Earlier, he used to drink alcohol of Rs. 1000 daily. After coming for seva, he realized that if I can stay without alcohol for 15 days, then I will be able to live with even longer and can give up this addiction. He gave up his addiction. His family was very happy to know this. Thousands of families have received the gift of joy due to Shatabdi Mahotsav.

Ramanbhai Patel of Surendranagar has lost his one hand but his enthusiasm for seva has not been lost. He was allocated seva in the transport department at the Pramukh Swami Maharaj Shatabdi Mahotsav. Despite his physical challenge, may it be scorching sun or heavy rains he continued his seva at his allocated parking spot nonstop. He would ensure that all vehicles are parked properly. When asked if he finds it difficult to do his seva with just one hand, he said with great enthusiasm that, ‘our physical troubles are no match to the troubles faced by Pramukh Swami Maharaj.

Shauryarajsinh Solanki, age 13, volunteered at the Bal Nagari (Children’s Cultural Adventureland) in the housekeeping department at the Pramukh Swami Maharaj Shatabdi Mahotsav in Ahmedabad. On his first day of seva, he hurt his hand while playing and had a hairline fracture. The doctor advised him to rest at home. This disappointed him immensely. He requested his parents and the doctor to allow him to continue his volunteer service. Upon getting their permission, he served with a plastered hand and completed his seva commitment.

By the blessings of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj and the Shatabdi seva, he could give up his addiction and saved his marital life. With the guidance of Swamis, he also started doing puja and resolved to stay away from all addictions for the rest of his life. Pramukh Swami Maharaj Centennial Celebration was indeed a festival of inspiration and transformation.