BICENTENARY CELEBRATIONS A report on the bicentenary celebrations 2017 in the state of Gujarat, India
It is extremely joyful to receive the continuous inspiring reports from the communities in Gujarat State about the bicentenary celebrations of the birth anniversary of Baha’u’llah taken place in the spiritually uplifting atmosphere of devotion and dedication. So far more than 6500 people participated in 51 events organized in 36 communities across Gujarat State. Not less than ten thousand people have been approached to invite for the celebrations and given them the Message. The topics of conversation during
the visits carried out for Invitation and during the celebrations were: Mission and Life of Baha’u’llah, His Message for the Unification of Mankind, Purpose of Life, How the believers are striving diligently towards fulfilling His Mission through the process of community building at the local level. The programs included spiritually awakening prayers and devotional songs, inspiring talks and presentations, short films depicting the Life and Mission of Baha’u’llah and community building process across the World, cultural programs, meals and refreshments, etc. Every Individual believer has tried their best to contribute in one or the other way to make this historical celebration memorable and fruitful. The center of celebrations was local communities in Gujarat, and all the programs
included establishing conversations with the largest possible number of people during the invitation campaigns or during the celebrations. The Local Spiritual Assemblies, Local communities, Individual believers and Agencies or believers from nearby communities where assistance required played a major role. In order to encourage and inspire the Institutions and Agencies of the Faith continuously, the State Baha’i Council in collaboration with the Auxiliary Board Members was able to organize consultative gatherings at different level from regional to local. The Local Spiritual Assemblies and the communities tried various strategies to establish conversation with largest possible number and connect them with the Life and Mission of Baha’u’llah and invite them to become an active support in the community building process. They also approached media, used banners, Informative booklets, pamphlets, etc. The booklet prepared by the National Task Force was translated into Gujarati and 5000 copies were printed for wide distribution. Keeping in mind the guidance from the Universal House of Justice, the Auxiliary Board Members, State Baha’i Council, State Training Institute Board and the coordinators, Cluster level agencies, the Local Spiritual Assemblies and every individual in the community have played an important role in making this celebration fruitful that would lead towards strengthening of the community building processes at local level and awakening the souls to embrace the Cause of God. The programs were self-supported by the friends either by the Local Spiritual Assemblies, community members or nearby communities. This reflects how deep rooted the love of Bicentenary celebrations report - Gujarat | Page 1
Baha’u’llah is in the hearts of every believer in the State. The Gujarat community also especially contributed for printing of books and material for the bicentenary celebrations.
Amoniya, Silvassa, Ahmedabad Local Spiritual Assemblies/communities prepared their budgets and established separate funds to make the celebrations self-sufficient.
Preparations for the Bicentenary Celebrations The State Baha’i Council tried to inspire the Institutions and Agencies through regional or cluster level consultative gatherings to study the messages of the Universal House of Justice and consult about how to make this historical occasion not just an event but a process that would contribute in strengthening of the community building process. The Auxiliary Board Members, Cluster Level Agencies and coordinators played a major role in accompanying the communities and Local Spiritual Assemblies to establish conversations with people through Teaching teams and Invitation campaigns. Just before the celebrations began, the Council organized a one day consultative meeting for the members of Institutions and Agencies at Lachhkadi, Umarkui
cluster which was attended by around 80 friends. The purpose of this gathering was to discuss with the Institutions and Agencies about the purpose of these celebrations, so that it would not just become an event but effective teaching efforts in guiding the souls to embrace Baha’u’llah and invite them to become active supporter in the community building process. Many of the Local Spiritual Assemblies started their preparations before a year. Ahwa, Mahalpada, Nanapada, Gangpur, Chaukiya, Page 2 | Bicentenary celebrations report - Gujarat
The following material was especially prepared by the Institutions and used: • Booklet in Gujarati • Hoarding of 40*20 feet was kept in front of the main railway station in Ahmedabad • 24 banners placed on the roadside by Nanapada community and 10 banners placed in Ahwa cluster. • 1000 copies of 4-page colorful and attractive Invitation card-cum-booklet prepared by Nanapada Assembly • Special pamphlet with messages from dignitaries prepared by Mahalpada Assembly • Invitation cards prepared by Ahmedabad, Gangpur, Silvassa, Bharuch, Amoniya, Raykas assemblies. • Common Invitation card prepared and used by other Assemblies and Communities
Invitation Campaigns Efforts were made diligently across the State in establishing conversations with people about the Life and Mission of Baha’u’llah and how Baha’i communities are laboring to fulfill the Vision of Baha’u’llah into reality through community building process with largest possible number of residents at the local level where the events took place, with dignitaries and others at all levels. A delegation from Ahmadabad community visited the honorable Governor of the State,
preparation and also during the programs. A Baha’i from Bhesan community visited the Mamlatdar in Bhesan and gave the message about the Faith to him. Apart from above experiences, friends from all the communities
tried their best to invite the people for the programs and establish conversation with them about the Life and Mission of Baha’u’llah. Some of the communities like, Bhisya, Nandanpeda, Nanapada, Gangpur invited friends from every family in their villages. Gangpur community invited Sarpanches, members of District and Taluka level panchayats from their area as well as dignitaries from their communities.
Om Prakash Kohli and presented him the Baha’i Literature. They had a chance to discuss with him about the Baha’i Faith. Ahmadabad community made systematic efforts to receive special messages from Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat State. They also had a chance to establish conversation with some of the reporters of various regional level newspapers in Ahmadabad. The Local Assembly of Gondalvihir and Mahalpada formed different visiting teams to assist nearby communities in inviting and organizing the programs for bicentenary celebrations. The District Collector, District Development Officer, District Forest Officer, Chairman of the District Panchayat in Dang district were visited and given the message and also invited for the program in Nandanpeda organized by the Mahalpada Assemby. Ahwa cluster Growth Committee and all the coordinators played an effective role in
Nanapada community made well-planned and systematic invitation campaigns to invite the people and dignitaries, political leaders, religious leaders from nearby communities. As per report they had a chance to invite and establish conversation with Member of Legislative Assembly of Dang District, Chairman and members of Taluka Panchayat, around
12-15 Sarpanches from nearby Panchayats. They visited one of the churches during their Sunday Assembly and presented the message of Baha’u’llah. Their Invitation campaign lasted for almost a month. Bicentenary celebrations report - Gujarat | Page 3
Programs organized for Bicentenary Celebrations across the State Apart from the teaching trips organized by the teaching teams in various communities the special programs were organized in 36 communities around the State with participation of more than 6500 people. The participation varied from 6 to 750+ in all 36 communities across the state. Devotion, Intensity of love burning in the hearts of believers, and their willingness and dedication to work for the Vision of Baha’u’llah was reflected clearly among Individuals, Institutions and Communities. On this historical occasion every possible effort was made by them to establish conversation with all kinds of people.
We may say that Silvassa community inaugurated a series of events. They organized weekly programs for people from various backgrounds and they are willing to continue their efforts. On 17th November 2017 they organized their 14th program. They invite 15-20 people every
time and through audio-visual presentations and discussions they establish conversations with them. Some of the friends from other cities also attend their teaching program and with the help of two of the participants, two such teaching programs were conducted in other cities. Nature of the program varied across all the Ahmadabad community organized a special communities. Nanapada community tried their program in one of the well-known auditorium best to give the message to dignitaries from nearby villages, Bhisya community concentrated in city on 1st October 2017. More than 350 people attended the program. Introduction to on inviting people from their village and the bicentenary, Life and Mission of Baha’u’llah, what cultural programs, Nandanpeda community concentrated on what should they present during Baha’is do, sharing of experiences by the seekers and teachers of Baha’i Children classes was the celebration in order to make all the seekers included in the program. familiar with the Cause, while Ahmadabad community tried to keep in mind the principles like equality of men and women of the Faith during the whole program.
The communities like, Nanapada, Gangpur, Bhisya, Nandanpeda, Umarkui, Raykash, Gadvihir did have a grand celebration programs with participation of 400 to 750+ people. Around 700-750 people participated in Bhisya, which was around 40-50% of the total population in the village. People from Muslim and Hindu background participated with the believers in Nandanpeda and they liked the concepts and principles discussed during the program. A TV Page 4 | Bicentenary celebrations report - Gujarat
reporter from Doordarshan also attended the program in Nandanpeda and Bhisya. MLA Dang and around 30+ dignitaries including 12-13 Sarpanches participated in the celebration organized by Nanapada community. Most of them were familiar with the Faith and gave their best wishes on this occasion.
Baha’u’llah, Aim of Life, Community building process taking shape at the community level through core activities, how every individual is invited to join the community and become active supporter of the process and serve their community. 21 communities organized powerpoint facilities to show them the short films on Life and Mission of Baha’u’llah, Community building process and the Lotus Temple. Many of the communities prepared food for all the friends who participated in the programs and rest of the communities served refreshments.
Gangpur Assembly organized their programs of bicentenary celebration in a large ground in the Centre of the village. They raised large shamiyana. They divided their programs into three sessions- Session 1 - 10:30am to 2:30 pm: Inspiring talks, cultural programs, etc.; Session 2- In the evening: Games; Session 38:30pm to 11:30pm: Traditional Folk Dances, Traditional Musical Instrumental shows, cultural programs, etc. A total of around 700-750 people participated in the program. Umarkui community organized their program with minimum efforts and they were surprised to see around 750 people. Some of these people were familiar with the Baha’i Faith and the activities, but they were not in touch with the Baha’i community for one or the other reason. We hope this occasion will become an instrument in activating them in the community. Lahan Barda is around seven month’s old community in Saputara cluster and more than three hundred people participated the bicentenary celebration. Kel is also a new community in Garkhadi cluster where one hundred and seventy five people participated in the program. The programs in the above mentioned and other communities mainly included- Presentations on Life and Mission of
Advertising and Print Media Some of the Local Spiritual Assemblies, communities and Individual believers were successful in publishing articles in daily newspaper columns. They approached the reporters and did have a conversation with them about the Life and Mission of Baha’u’llah and the Cause. Some 11 articles, reports or announcements were included in the daily newspapers. Girnar Doordarshan Gujarati TV telecasted the coverage on the celebration in Nandanpeda community twice. Ahmedabad community have put up 40*20 feet hording in front of the main railway station in the city with the Baha’i Writing- “Earth is but one country and Mankind its Citizens”- The Baha’i Faith in Gujarati. Nanapada community placed some 24 banners on the roadside in around 45 kilometers area. In Ahwa cluster some 10 Banners with Baha’i writings were placed on the roadside area. Bicentenary celebrations report - Gujarat | Page 5
List of Newspaper coverages 1. Navgujarat samay: 13 Sept 2017 - Article 2. Gujarat Samachar: 30 Sept 2017 3. Gujarat Samachar: 1st October 2017 Announcement 4. Gujarat Samachar: 2nd October 2017 Report of program 5. Sandesh- Surat: 18 Oct 2017 Announcement: Nanapada 6. Navgujarat: 20 October 2017 Announcement 7. Sandesh: 24 October 2017 - Nandanpeda 8. Gujarat Mitra: 25 October 2017 Nandanpeda 9. 25 October 2017: Nanapada 10. 25 October 2017: Gangpur 11. 6 November 2017: Nandanpeda A representative from Doordarshan (DD)News Gujarati was invited to witness the celebration in Nandanpeda. 1. Coverage on Doordarshan Girnar TV channel on 26 October 2017 twice.
Self sufficiency Centre of all the bicentenary celebration events was at the local level and the ownership was taken by Local Spiritual Assemblies, Local believers or Agencies and Individual believers from the nearby communities. Grand Page 6 | Bicentenary celebrations report - Gujarat
celebrations took place in Ahmedabad, Silvassa, Nanapada, Gangpur, Ahwa, Bhisya, Nandanpeda, Isdar and Ravchond, Dhavlidod, Umarkui, Gadvihir, etc. Many of them made arrangements for shamiyana, music system, food, audio-visual presentations, etc. As mentioned earlier many of the Assemblies prepared their invitation cards and placed banners. The Council is extremely happy to announce that the whole statewide program is selfsufficient. Around 95% expense was done by the Assemblies and Individuals in the communities. As per the reports total expenses exceed three lakh and twenty five thousand rupees, this does not include the cost of printing material by the Council. The Council has already received pledges towards the printing of material from Individuals. Some of the Local Spiritual Assemblies’ budget was more than fifty thousand, but they put into efforts to establish a separate fund a year ago and the believers were encouraged to contribute for this historic occasion. The Council appreciates the services of the Auxiliary Board members, Training Institute Board and their coordinators, Cluster growth Committees and especially the Local Spiritual Assemblies, Individual believers and communities for gaining this wealth of experiences in establishing conversation with maximum number of people and dignitaries about the Life and Mission of Baha’u’llah. The Council is planning to have a one day consultative gathering on 10th December 2017 at Ahwa Baha’i Bhavan for the members of Institutions and Agencies and key believers across the State to share their joyful teaching experiences and to reflect on how to canalize the spiritual energy released through this historical occasion of the bicentenary of the birth of Baha’u’llah in the community building processes taking shape in the communities. Prepared by Vasant Bagul For, State Baha’i Council of Gujarat, India
Bicentenary Celebration Events organized in Gujarat State Community 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 21 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32
Ahmedabad Baroda Bharuch Surat Valsad Silvassa Umarkui Gangpur Amoniya Nanapada Bhendmal Ahwa Bhisya Pipalghodi Sendriamba Nandanpeda Ravchond Isdar Dhavalidod Gadvihir Khambla Zaran Lahan Barda Davdahad Raykas Subir Gondalvihir Boriyachh Kel Chikhali Siddhpur Gandhinagar
Cluster
Date
Ahmedabad 1; 22 Oct 2017 Baroda 22-Oct-17 Bharuch 22-Oct-17 Surat Valsad Silvassa Umarkui 16;22 Oct2017 Umarkui 21-Oct-17 Amoniya 22-Oct-17 Nanapada 21-Oct-17 Nanapada 20-Oct-17 Ahwa 21-Oct-17 Ahwa 21-Oct-17 Ahwa 17-Oct-17 Ahwa 18-Oct-17 Ahwa 21-Oct-17 Ahwa 21-Oct-17 Ahwa 22-Oct-17 Ahwa 22-Oct-17 Garkhadi 20-Oct-17 18;20 Oct 2017 Pipaldahad Subir 21-Oct-17 Saputara 23-Oct-17 Pimpari 24-Oct-17 Amoniya 25-Oct-17 Subir 26-Oct-17 Ahwa 28-Oct-17 Umarkui 27-Oct-17 Garkhadi 29-Oct-17 Nanapada 3-Nov-17 Siddhpur 21-Oct-17 Gandhinagar 12-Nov
Total
Events Participation 2 1 2 2 1 12 2 1 1 1 1 2 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
350 30 40 60 20 300 750 700 25 500 25 100 900 60 150 600 80 100 150 400 100 80 275 45 190 35 60 35 175 150 6 40
51
6531
Video clips Yes
Yes Yes Yes Yes
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