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SPECIAL FEATURE FEBRUARY 03, 2023 | The Indian Eye 41

Service & Sacrifice of Volunteers

Raj Patel, age 12 of Nadiad, served in the Darshan Patel, age 13 of Ahmedabad is a regular member of the
housekeeping department at the Bal Nagari. On Dec16, children’s activities of BAPS. He knew that the centenary celebration is
2022, he found a silver bracelet. He immediately going to take place on a grand scale. He thought about contributing to it.
informed his caretaker and had it deposited at the lost He started saving his pocket money for a year, not using it on anything
and found office. All present appreciated his honesty. he would have liked. Controlling his mind for his daily treats and wishes
From expensive mobiles to wallets to jewelry, during was not easy, but his desire to serve was such that he did not budge.
the one-month festival, volunteers found numerous He donated Rs. 15,000 of his pocket money to the Bal Nagari. Over and
things which were returned to the owners. above this, he also served as the emcee for the show ‘The Jungle of Sheru.’

Manishaben of Surendranagar and her husband both were in seva at Harsh Brahmbhatt of Toronto, Canada deeply
the Shatabdi Mahotsav. While they were in Ahmedabad, their house was desired to serve at the Mahotsav. His marriage was also
burglarized. They had gold ornaments at their home. They thought it all planned around the same time as the festival. To serve
must have gone. They prayed to God and Mahant Swami Maharaj. Upon in the festival, he postponed his wedding. He served for
going home, to their surprise, the thieves had broken their main door 2 months till the day before his marriage and served
locks but missed the ornaments. Their valuable savings were intact. the guests to the best of his ability. His fiancée Rajal
Their prayers were answered and they were now convinced of what they supported his decision and in an indirect way served at
had heard numerous times - ‘God always protects his devotees.’ the festival. Where there is a will, there is a way.

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

Hasmukhbhai Darji, a tailor by profession, is very Vishwaben Baldha, age 13, is a student at the Randesan Girls School
poor. His daughter is affected by polio and his in Ahmedabad. She served in ‘Sea of Suvarna’ show. She was not feeling
wife is sick. His savings had been used to treat his well, but she continued her performance. When senior volunteers came
wife. Despite all the issues, he came to the Shatabdi to know about her health and inquired. Vishwa politely told them, ‘We
Mahotsav to serve. Without taking a single rupee, have heard that Pramukh Swami went to devotees’ homes despite 102°F
he stitched and fixed the clothes of the volunteers fever, so why can’t I do my performance?’. After the show, she vomited
serving at the festival. His goal was only to serve and yet wanted to perform in the next show but was taken to the doctor and
he did so for four months!! asked to rest. How can a 13 year have complete disregard for his body?

Priyank Patodiya, finished his engineering and wanted to go to Canada for further studies. Himanshu Kariya owns a pharmaceutical company.
He got admission in Master degree course at Centennial College, Toronto, Canada. He had He was allocated seva in the construction department.
paid his first semester fees and was ready to go to Canada. But at that time there was a call During his seva, he learned that we were short on
for volunteers to serve at the festival. So Priyank decided to postpone his studies and serve at tractor drivers. He had never driven one, and he had
the Pramukh Swami Maharaj Shatabdi Mahotsav for six months. His family members asked not been allocated this seva either but he thought that
him to serve for a month and go to Canada but he insisted on serving for six months. Finally, if I learned to drive it, I could help the team better. So
everyone agreed and his college too, agreed to use his paid fees when he comes to study in he hired a tractor tutor and learned to drive in 2 days.
the next semester. Though this was not his skill, he still adapted to it.

Dhiren Patel exports Aluminum and owns 14 serving here so much that he inspired over 20 of bricks, lifting cement bags, digging ditches, etc. He
warehouses in Surat. His company’s turnover is in his staff, family and friends to come serve at the had never done such work earlier, but Pramukh Swami
millions of rupees. He didn’t want to miss this once- Mahotsav. Despite being a reputable businessman, he Maharaj had done so much for him that he wanted to do
in-a-lifetime opportunity and decided to serve at the accommodated with the other department volunteers. something during his Shatabdi.
Mahotsav and came for 15 days of seva. He enjoyed He did all menial and laborious tasks such as lifting

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