|| असतो मा सद्गमय ।तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय ।मृत्योर्माऽमृतं गमय ||
This pavamāna abhyāroha written is an ancient Indian
mantra introduced in the
Brihadaranyaka Upanishad brings in the light in the life of BAPS Swaminarayan Vidyamandir, Randesan after a challenging year. The Annual Day of this year was on the theme of ‘तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय’. All the students and staff members had joined virtually, owing to the prevailing Covid-19 conditions, for the celebration that brought together the entire SVMR family in the time of isolation and quarantine. The occasion was endowed by the esteemed presence of Smt. Aartiben Patel, Principal - District School Board, Ontario - Canada as our chief guest on the occasion. The lamp-lightning ceremony was performed by the distinguished guest, Campus Director - Dr. Neeta Shah along with the students of Class - 7 from their respective residences. The letter of blessing from Guruhari Mahant Swami Maharaj had been the driving force for the school in these challenging times. Students presented the Annual Report of the school - the learning which got transformed from learning in a room to learning through Zoom - challenges that enabled kinesthetic learning of prime importance - the co-curricular and extracurricular activities.
Smt. Aarti Patel enlightened the occasion with a doctrine to lighten the lives of others, reflecting upon what has been done, what could be done and what has to be done by a student as well as a teacher. She added to strive for attaining the unattained skills and attributes; building strong relationships; overcoming personal shortcomings - to commit to learn. She proposed to indulge in reading good texts; books so that one could help oneself and others too. Learning must not stop. She added that learning should be there in every interaction, with every person, with every situation in one's life. It should be one’s commitment to oneself.
Students shared their eye-opening experiences and struggles that had to be through to adjust this new way of learning - the online education system. Teachers also shared the challenges that they faced in getting acquainted with the technology-powered teaching - learning environment.
Dr. Mithun Khandwala, the Academic Director of BAPS Swaminarayan, addressed the occasion focusing on the transformation, the journey that the entire education community had undergone in the 21st year of the 21st century.
Mr. Bharat Mavadia, the Assistant Director, conferred the board results of BAPS Swaminarayan Vidyamandir. Adding to the felicitation, he expressed gratitude, on the behalf of the school management, to the teachers and mentors who put in their best efforts in order to facilitate the success of students.
Dr. Neeta Shah, the Campus Director, reminisced the thematic celebration and representation of the sentiment driving this campus and members thereby. In the lineage of these celebrations, the 5th Annual Day, she recalled the vision of Param Pujya Pramukh Swami Maharaj and Guruhari Mahant Swami Maharaj for this campus which is the bedrock of character-inclusive education.
The celebration concluded with musical tribute with classical dance being paid in the feet of Guruhari Mahant Swami Maharaj.