Gurupurnima was celebrated with great fanfare at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Edison, NJ on July 14 - 15, 2012 as children from the age of 4 to 13 presented a very interesting and unique cultural program. Based on the theme, “Pramukh Swami Maharaj Mane Bahu Game”, the children presented a court drama where three lawyers argued whether Pramukh Swami Maharaj is a friend, a parent, or a teacher.
One lawyer defended that Swamishri is our friend because he always remembers us and he sacrifices his body to play with us among other points. The lawyer proposing Swamishri is our parent used examples which showed how Swamishri cared for us like a parent and how he guided us through thick and think. The third lawyer argued that Swamishri is our teacher as he teaches us to live a virtuous life. As the court drama unraveled with those different sides, the lawyers called up evidence in the form of videos with Swamishri connecting with children, short speeches showing Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s care and love, singing that extolled the greatness of our Guru, live mukhpath recitations quoting the scriptures, and short skits teaching how important a Guru is in our lives. In the end, the jury came up with the verdict that Pramukh Swami Maharaj is a friend, a parent and a teacher - all in one.
The children practiced rigorously for over a one month during their school summer break and presented a very good program which was appreciated by one and all.