On Saturday 24 June 2006, over 2,100 yuvaks and 1,700 yuvatis attended a special assembly at the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, Amdavad, in the presence of Pramukh Swami Maharaj.
In addition to 3,200 youths from Amdavad, youths from Gandhinagar, Mahesana, Dholka, Himmatnagar, and villages surrounding Amdavad also attended this special morning assembly.
Based on the theme 'Tamara hraday akashma pankhi bani udya karu...' the youths were inspired to strengthen their personal practice of satsang and their devotion to God and guru.
The assembly began at 9.45 am with bhajans, a speech and video show. this was followed by an inspiring question-answer session with Pujya Ishwarcharan Swami and Pujya Viveksagar Swami. Through their answers they related personal memories of Yogiji Maharaj and Pramukh Swami Maharaj and how both these great gurus had inspired them on the path of spirituality.
At 11.05 am Swamishri arrived in the assembly to a rapturous ovation. The youths performed a welcome dance based on the day's theme song, 'Tamara hraday akshama...'. Thereafter, Swamishri blessed a number of youths who for many years had been sincerely practising vows of not watching TV, not eating outside food, not attending garba, observing waterless fasts on ekadashi and nom, regular satsang reading, daily singing chesta and others. Then eight youths interacted in an entertaining and enlightening discussion with Swamishri. During the discussion the youths presented the tendency of youths to be drawn away from observance of satsang vows. In particular they discussed the issues of tilak-chandlo, appropriate dress sense, eating outside food and marriage. Swamishri gave excellent guidance on each of the issues, stressing the need for all youths to apply tilak-chandlo, wear appropriate dress as directed by Bhagwan Swaminarayan, not eat outside foods, and to enter into marriage as per the traditions of Hindu dharma and with the consent of their parents.
Following this absorbing and elevating discussion, the entire assembly sang the bhajan, 'Re sagapan Harivarnu sachu...' in chorus as a pledge to live by the ideals of Satsang taught by Bhagwan Swaminarayan. The atmosphere was charged with emotion and divinity.
The assembly concluded at 12.25 pm. Before they departed the youths were presented with mementoes and they pledged to sincerely live by the words of Swamishri and earn his inner blessings.