Inspired by HDH Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the Bal-Balika Mandal of Johannesburg hosted a Vaali Sanmelan – Parent’s Gathering - at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Mayfair West on Saturday 29 March 2008. Parents of all Balaks and Balikas, as well as other well wishers from the community were invited to attend the event. Around 120 invited guests attended the event.

The Vaali Sanmelan program  began with Balaks performing the Ghoshna, Stuti, and Prathna in unison. This was followed by an audio-visual introduction to the Bal Mandal. A talk on “Charitrya ane Sanskar” was then delivered by Avnish Desai, an illustrious member of the Bal Mandal. A fun-filled drama (The Honest Thief) based on Yogiji Maharaj’s bodh katha, was performed by the Bal Mandal.

A member of the yuvak mandal then conducted a presentation on Parent-Child Relationships. A cultural dance on the Bal Geet “Maare Hari bhajanma rahevu chhe” was performed, in which the balaks depicted the stories of Prahlad, Shravan and Dhruv. A member of the Vadil Mandal then discussed the benefits of and the values that children gain from attending Bal sabhas and participating in childrens’ activities.  

Members of the bal mandal then contested in a Mahabharat Quiz where they were tested on their knowledge on the epic which is currently being discussed as a series in the weekly Bal Sabha. Balaks and balikas then received awards for achievement in the mukhpath adhiveshan that was held earlier in the year. A total of 46 awards were presented. Samuh arti was then conducted.

The Vaali Sanmelan concluded with the serving of Prasad during which parents had the opportunity to browse through posters on Bal Bhaktas (i.e. Prahlad, Nachiketa, Dungar Bhakta and Shravan), BAPS activities and information about the bal-balika mandal which were all prepared by the Balika Mandal.