Around 850 young BAPS Childrens Activities volunteers who dedicate their time to making a positive impact in the lives of children under the age of 10 attended the first-ever Shishu Karyakar Shibir held in India.
In 2004, on the occasion of BAPS Childrens Activities Golden Jubilee, His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj began Shishu Mandals in India for children under the age of 10. In honor of the 50th anniversary of BAPS Childrens Activities, 50 such centers were started in Gujarat. Today, the Shishu Mandal activities in India have grown to include more than 800 centers across the country. Approximately 10,000 children benefit from these centers and more than 1,000 volunteers serve to provide an environment for these young children to excel in life and in Satsang.
The convention, centred around the theme of Rajipo (To earn the pleasure and grace of God and guru), was graced by Pujya Swayamprakash Swami (Doctor Swami) and other sadhus, as well as lead volunteers from childrens centers across Gujarat and Maharashtra.
To help the volunteers develop the skills needed to better serve the children in their centers, lectures, special workshops, skits, interviews and audio-video programs were organized. A highlight of the convention was the Brahmanandam fair in which volunteers were exposed to different ways of making spiritual and life lessons fun and interactive by message-oriented games organized in the format of a fair.
Pujya Doctor Swami also gave a motivational address reminding the attendees of the unique service opportunity they have been given the potential to inspire generations of honest, responsible and active citizens and leaders whose lives are balanced and guided by profound spirituality.
Param Pujya Mahant Swami Maharaj blessed the convention with a video message highlighting that rajipo is when God and guru are overjoyed. What is the value of their joy? Akshardham.
The shibir inspired the attendees and provided them expert guidance on how to serve the youngest BAPS devotees Swamishris shishus.