23 December 2001, Sunday, Cleveland, OH
Devotees attended H.D.H. Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s 81st Janma Jayanti celebrations that were held on Sunday December 23, 2001 from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the BAPS Shree Swaminarayan Mandir in Brunswick (Cleveland), Ohio. The program was started with a traditional Stuti (with translations), dhoon, and prarthana by Bal and Kishore Mandals. This was followed by Kirtans, and speeches about H.D.H. Pramukh Swami Maharaj; his childhood, the story of his diksha, and his experiences with children were highlighted. These speeches were presented by balaks and kishores. A skit, “Samsha Prashna” (Samsha Prashna means question-answer with action not words) was performed by the Bal Mandal, and a folk-dance was performed by the Kishore Mandal. A video clip was shown from the celebration of Swamishree’s Janma Jayanti celebrations at Sankari in Gujarat, India that took place on the same day.
Various videos highlighted H.D.H. Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s social work, how he has helped people overcome bad habits, and how he always remembers God. Also, the Sanstha’s video on the kirtan “Dhanya Dhanya eh Sant Sujaan ne” was shown. Other presentations provided an update on BAPS Care International’s India Earthquake Relief efforts and announced the launch of the SAT / ACT classes at our BAPS Mandir. Kishores were the Masters of Ceremonies. An exhibition put together by the Bal/Balika and Kishore/Kishori Mandals was placed in the lobby of the mandir. The theme of the exhibition was “Ghanu Jevo Ho Jivan Adhar”.
The major sponsors of this program were individually recognized and all the sponsors as well as attendees performed the Aarti which looked spectacular in the dimmed lighting of the prayer hall. In the end everyone had Mahaprasad prepared with enthusiasm by the Mahila Mandal, and many people happily recounted their personal experiences with H.D.H. Pramukh Swami Maharaj and wished a long happy life for him.