The UK Bal-Balika Mandal launched the Kidz Ultimate Challenge (KUC) with a grand inauguration programme in the presence of Sadguru Pujya Mahant Swami on Saturday 21 January 2012 at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London.
As children and parents arrived at the Mandir, they were greeted with flags depicting the KUC. Following registration, they were escorted to a display of a man carving himself from within a boulder of stone, where children explained that a person is the sculptor of his or her own destiny.
The programme commenced with younger children performing a dance followed by the traditional deep pragatya and a powerful opening video. Using innovative displays and interactive examples, ‘Professor Bhatt’ demonstrated that the body has immense ability and power. He highlighted many interesting facts about the human anatomy which left the children feeling that the body is capable of doing much more than what they use it for.
Avish Patel, Karan Patel, Prashant Rao and Jatin Parekh then eloquently explained the power of the brain and the several different types of human intelligence. They continued to explain that to reach one’s full potential, one needs to develop the brain and mind holistically. The children also described how television, the internet and computer games can sometimes inhibit the development of the brain.
Jay Patel then discussed the power of the heart and brain to help overcome the sternest of life’s challenges. Rahul Bhagvat retraced the history of past adhiveshans and explained the benefits that the KUC will bring to the children and parents in the future. He conducted an interview with Hem Mehta, an outstanding performer of a previous adhiveshan, who highlighted the role his parents had played in positively encouraging him to achieve the best. Hem also underlined the need to be organised and self-motivated in one’s education as well as committed to learning the KUC material. He went on to explain that it is a unique opportunity to mould one’s life, something not to be missed or taken lightly.
Pramukh Swami Maharaj had also sent his blessings for the KUC, which Yogvivek Swami elaborated upon in detail. Swamishri had called the KUC a ‘maha-adhiveshan’, and his inner wish was to see all the bal-balikas of UK and Europe to desire, aim and strive to ‘Be The Best’. (These words were also displayed at the centre of the stage in large letters using Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s own handwriting.)
Sadguru Pujya Mahant Swami continued to retain the audience’s attention by beginning his address with a freehand illustration. From it, he explained that if young plants are provided with plenty of water, nutrients and protection, they will blossom into beautiful flowers. Similarly, children with the right care, attention and values can blossom into ideal citizens of society. He also highlighted the importance of instilling good values into children from a young age and spoke of the inherent power that they possess, which can only be released and harnessed with the care and attention given by a parent. He also strongly emphasised that parents must learn to become role models for their children.
The KUC pack was then inaugurated by Mahant Swami and explained by Kiran Patel. Divyesh Patel thereafter detailed the main competitions of the KUC. The parents and children then sat together and filled in the entry form and obtained the packs.
The programme concluded with the launch of the new Jaynaad – ‘BAPS: Be the Best’ – with colourful confetti filling the air. The vibrant decorations and lights contributed to a memorable and inspiring launch.
The event was attended by more than 1,300 children and parents and was also viewed by many more around the UK and parts of Europe. Parents and children from distances as far as Ashton-Under-Lyne, Liverpool, Leicester and Birmingham had eagerly arrived to attend the event. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the programme and was inspired to proceed forward in their journey to ultimately ‘Be the Best’.