Service & Sacrifice of Volunteers

Raj Patel, age 12 of Nadiad, served in the housekeeping department at the Bal Nagari. On Dec16, 2022, he found a silver bracelet. He immediately informed his caretaker and had it deposited at the lost and found office. All present appreciated his honesty. From expensive mobiles to wallets to jewelry, during the one-month festival, volunteers found numerous things which were returned to the owners.

Harsh Brahmbhatt of Toronto, Canada deeply desired to serve at the Shatabdi Mahotsav in Ahmedabad. His marriage was also planned around the same time as the festival. To serve in the festival, he postponed his wedding. He served for 2 months till the day before his marriage and served the guests to the best of his ability. His fiancée Rajal supported his decision and in an indirect way served at the festival.

Hasmukhbhai Darji, a tailor by profession, is very poor. His daughter is affected by polio and his wife is sick. His savings had been used to treat his wife. Despite all the issues, he came to the Shatabdi Mahotsav to serve. Without taking a single rupee, he stitched and fixed the clothes of the volunteers serving at the festival. His goal was only to serve and he did so for four months!!

Himanshubhai Kariya owns a pharmaceutical company. He was allocated seva in the construction department. During his seva, he learned that we were short on tractor drivers. He had never driven a tractor, and he had not been allocated this seva either but he thought that if I learned to drive a tractor, I could help the team better. So he hired a tutor and learned to drive the tractor in two days. Though this was not his skill, he adapted to the situation to serve better.

Darshan Patel, age 13 of Ahmedabad is a regular member of the children’s activities of BAPS. He knew that the centenary celebration is going to take place on a grand scale. He thought how I can contribute to it? He started saving his pocket money for a year, not using it on anything he would have liked to spend. Controlling his mind for his daily treats and wishes was not easy, but his desire to serve was such that he did not budge. He donated Rs. 15,000 of his pocket money to the Bal Nagari. Over and above this, he also served as the emcee for the show ‘The Jungle of Sheru.’

Manishaben Kanjariya of Surendranagar and her husband both were in seva at the Mahotsav. While they were in Ahmedabad, their house was burglarized. They had gold ornaments at their home. They prayed to God and Mahant Swami Maharaj. Upon going home, to their surprise, the thieves had broken their main door locks but missed the ornaments. Their valuable savings were intact. Their prayers were answered and were now convinced of what they had heard numerous times - ‘God always protects his devotees.’

Vishwaben Baldha, age 13, a student at the Randesan Girls School in Ahmedabad served in ‘Sea of Suvarna’ show. She wasn’t feeling well, but she still continued. When senior volunteers came to know about it, they enquired. Vishwa politely told them, ‘We have heard that Pramukh Swami went to devotees’ homes despite 102°F fever, so why can’t I continue?’. After the show, she vomited yet wanted to perform in the next show but was taken to the doctor and asked to rest. How can a 13 year have complete disregard for his body?

Priyankbhai Patodiya, finished his engineering and wanted to go to Canada for further studies. He got admission in Master degree course at Centennial College, Toronto, Canada. He had paid his first semester fees and was ready to go to Canada. But at that time there was a call for volunteers to serve at the festival. So Priyank decided to postpone his studies and serve at the Pramukh Swami Maharaj Shatabdi Mahotsav for six months. His family members asked him to serve for a month and go to Canada but he insisted on serving for six months. Finally, everyone agreed and his college too, agreed to use his paid fees when he comes to study in the next semester.

Anand Patni of Ahmedabad worked for Gujarat

First channel as a reporter. On December 21, 2022, he visited the Shatabdi Mahotsav with his family. In the Bal Nagari at the ‘Pledge Booth’, he made a pledge to touch his parents feet daily. He got a book titled ‘Let’s become an Ideal Child’ as a gift for taking the pledge. The next day he started to follow his pledge. On reading the book he received, he showed a page on giving up addictions. He told his father, ‘if you don’t give up addictions, then I will not talk to you.’ Anand gave in to his persistent request and pledged to give up his addiction. The next day the child took the book to his school and told his classmates and teacher about it and the pledge he took. On Dec 22, 2022, Anandbhai came to the Bal Nagari to take live coverage of the ‘Pledge Booth’. He was very impressed with the festival. For the last 15 years, he has been searching for a true Guru and his search finally ended here. He resolved to make Pramukh Swami and Mahant Swami as his guru. Pramukh Swami Maharaj Centennial Celebration was truly a festival of inspiration and transformation.

His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj

“Every second of his life, Pramukh Swami Maharaj worked for the upliftment of humanity. He did not just pay lip service to these values, but practiced them and inspired others to practice them. Despite a person’s flaws, Pramukh Swami looked at his virtue. He loved everyone, inspiring them to become better. Thus every individual he met improved their life. If we resolve to behave in this way, that will ensure society’s collective progress.”

The Festival in numbers

Over 12.1 million visitors • 5.6 million cc blood donated

250,000 children resolve to respect parents, study sincerely & become ideal citizens visit www.psm100.org