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National
Bal-Balika Convention, Orlando, USA |
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Morning Programs, 10 July 2004  It is true that Swamishri travels around the world, but on this day, balaks and balikas had a chance to learn about Swamishri's travels for them, as the theme for the day was, "Vicharan to my Heart." Swamishri demonstrated his efforts to make children happy when he arrived in the morning session by playing a game of pictionary with saints and balaks. Swamishri first served as judge, but then he himself drew pictures to give memories to the balaks and balikas. At the conclusion of the morning session, a question and answer session was held with Swamishri, during which Swamishri explained the importance of learning to speak, understand, read, and write Gujarati. He also described how children can serve their parents, primarily by behaving according to their parents's wishes and by respecting them. Evening Programs, 10 July 2004
Balaks presented a very creative evening program, in which they entered a "time machine". They went back in time to see first-hand what the time of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and his spiritual succession of God-realized saints was like. They chose five different locations in time, starting with Bhagwan Swaminarayan's time, and moving all the way through to Yogiji Maharaj's time. At each place in time, they learned about incidents related to Bhagwan Swaminarayan and the Guru Parampara through speeches, dramas, and dances. Saints also sang kirtans about Brahmswarup Shastriji Maharaj and Brahmswarup Yogiji Maharaj, which put Swamishri, saints, and the delegates in a very joyous and festive mood. Swamishri also narrated his favorite incidents of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Shastriji Maharaj, and explained the importance of following agna through an incident of Bhagatji Maharaj. Before Swamishri left the assembly, he personally served dudhpaak to the saints, as Shastriji Maharaj's shraadh was symbolically celebrated. After, senior saints served all the balaks dudhpaak. |
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