Vinod Chandrashekhar Dixit
Prime Minister, Narendra Modi recently addressed the inaugural function of Pramukh Swami Maharaj Shatabdi Mahotsava year-long worldwide celebrations hosted by BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir from 15th December, 2022 to 15th January, 2023 in Ahmadabad. Chief Minister of Gujarat Bhupendra Patel, Governor of Gujarat Acharya Devvrat, Mahant Swami Maharaj and PujyaIshwarcharan Swami were also present on the occasion among others.
Pramukh Swami Maharaj was a guide and guru who touched countless lives across India and the world. He was widely respected and admired as a great spiritual leader. The well-known guru wielded influence not only in India but also overseas, especially in the United States. Pramukh Swami Maharaj vowed to remain loyal to the Sanstha and fulfill his duties. From his childhood days, he was drawn to the spiritual way of life and started performing Puja at the age of seven. After schooling, he would spend his free time in temples, one of which was the Swaminarayan Mandir. He received initiation as a Hindu Swami in 1940 from Shastri Maharaj, the founder of BAPS, who later appointed him as President of BAPS in 1950. Yogi Maharaj declared Pramukh Swami Maharaj to be his spiritual successor and guru of BAPS, a role he commenced in 1971.
Modi conveyed his feeling of the presence of divinity and grandeur of resolutions and pride for the heritage. While paying tribute to Pramukh Swami Prime Minister Narendra Modi says “I pay my tributes to Pramukh Swami Maharaj on his Jayanti. I consider myself blessed that I got the opportunity to interact with him on multiple occasions and also got a lot of affection from him. He is globally admired for his pioneering service to society.” He emphasised saying that “Pramukh Swami Maharaj Ji was a reformist. He was special because he saw good in every person and encouraged them to focus on these strengths. He helped every individual who came in contact with him.
Modi once said that he used to take Pramukh Swami’s guidance during his chief ministerial stint. “Once he asked for tapes of my speech and after listening to them, he suggested what things I should not say in my political speeches. While I was initially baffled, I later realised that Bapa was concerned about my development”. “Pramukh Swami used to inquire about each and every minute detail of the Narmada dam project. Wherever he is now, he must be very satisfied with the completion of the Narmada project,” said Modi, underlining his government’s biggest achievement for Gujarat.
Pramukh Swami Maharaj took his values-based message and his social services to all, including those classes often neglected. Through social service activities such as de-addiction drives, education provision and healthcare services, he provided self-respect and a new direction to the lives of even the most deprived people. He understood the problems people face in their everyday lives and empathized with their pain. His success is not measured by the awards he received nor by the recognition, he accumulated. He was and remains the torchbearer of human values and Indian culture throughout the world. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel paid his tributes to Pramukh Swami Maharaj saying, “By his simple living and with his message of love, peace, harmony, truth and faith; Pramukh Swami Maharaj was an inspiration to millions.” One thing is clear that the festival Pramukh Swami Maharaj Shatabdi Mahotsav has been made possible through the generous support of more than 250 farmers and builders who have generously offered their land for use as the festival site. Pramukh Swami Maharaj who lent his ears to millions of individuals around the world and gave courage to overcome personal battles will always be remembered.
