23 December 2001, Sunday, Washington DC
H.D.H. Pujya Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s 81st Birthday samaiyo was celebrated with a grand assembly of haribhaktas. The theme of the samaiyo was, ‘His Vision, Our Mission – The Divine Wishes of Swamishree’. The morning began with a special Mahapuja in which record number of people, participated. Balaks and kishores performed in majority of the evening program. The highlight of the night was a wonderful 30-minute drama that depicted the importance of bal sanskar, and the role satsang plays in everyday lives of people. The program also included a raas, “Kode Kode Vadhavie Aaj…”, by the yuvak mandal, and a kirtan aaradhna by the kishore mandal. The kishori mandal decorated the Mandir with pictorial displays of H.D.H. Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s daily activities, such as nitya puja, murti pratistha, vicharan, afternoon walk, and dinner. The mahila mandal prepared 2 cakes, one that was 81 inches long, and another that was a ‘Train to Akshardham’. Everyone enjoyed this samaiyo together, and were able delve a great deal deeper into many facets of Swamishree’s life.