The BAPS Chhatralay in Vidyanagar celebrated its 45th Annual Day on Sunday 22 February 2009, with a special program in the presence of Pujya Mahant Swami and Pujya Tyagvallabh Swami.
The Annual Day assembly was held at Akshar Farm in Anand, and was attended by over 3,000 present and past students, and devotees.
At the start of the assembly youths of the Chhatralay presented a specially composed ghazzal to mark the occasion. This was followed by a drama entitled ‘Katha Manni, Vyatha Manavni’ written by Jnanratna Swami. The drama depicted the vastly different outcomes in the lives of two youths who are placed under a variety of financial ad mental burdens. The story showed a poor satsangi youth who is able to cope with all the mental, physical, financial and social pressures in his life due to his faith in God. However, another youth, who has only fleeting contact with satsang and little faith in God, breaks down mentally under the pressure of social responsibilities. The story goes on to reveal how, through prayer and reinforcement of the satsang he had been exposed to, the second youth is able to recover. The entire audience greatly appreciated the elevating message of the drama and the fine acting of the youths.
Thereafter, youths of the Chhatralay were awarded prizes for their academic achievements and for their performances in the various activities of the Chhatralay.
The assembly concluded with an inspiring address by Mahant Swami, who spoke about maintaining faith in God in all situations to help one cope with the ups and downs of life.
Also present in the assembly were Dr. C. L. Patel , Chairman of the Charotar Vidyamandal and B.G. Patel, Vice-Chancellor of Sardar Patel University, Vidyanagar.