With the inspiration of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the National Kishore-Kishori Shibir, entitled ‘My Mandir, My People, My Home’ was held in the presence of Kothari Swami at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London on Sunday 27 July 2008.
The programme consisted of inspiring speeches by sadhus and thought-provoking group discussions to develop pride for the mandir, to bring awareness of the dangers of misuse of social networking tools, and to strengthen the relationship and attachment to Satsang and the Satpurush.
Sadhus explained the key concepts of mandirs providing knowledge through the scriptures in the ‘My Mandir’ session. A live stage discussion involving senior karyakars conveyed the important role that the mandir has played in moulding their lives. Yogvivek Swami then spoke of developing pride for the mandir through seva, following Kothari Swami’s concluding speech relating to rituals and enhancing personal devotion.
The second section, ‘My People’, addressed the important issues of social networking websites where kishores and kishoris participated in their respective group discussions. Yagnatilak Swami’s talk on the dangers from the misuse of social networking websites for the individual provided an eye-opening experience.
‘My Home’, in the form of Swamishri, was the theme for the final session of the Shibir, where Shukmuni Swami explained and advised on the methods to earn Swamishri’s true rajipo. A question-answer session provided an opportunity to hear from sadhus on their thoughts on attaining Swamishri’s rajipo, before Kothari Swami concluded on the overall theme of the Shibir calling for all kishores and kishoris to view their fellow satsangis with mahima drashti.