Over 1,000 devotees and well-wishers joined in this tribute assembly along with leading dignitaries comprising of members from various Indian community organizations and local politicians: Mr. Colin Brooks, Member of Victorian Parliament; Mr. Craig Ondarchie, Member for Northern Metropolitan Region; Local City of Whittlesea Councilor Mary Lalios; Mr. Rakesh Malhotra, Consul & Head of Chancery representing Consulate of India in Melbourne; Mr. Makarand Bhagwat, President of Hindu Council of Australia; Mr. Abhijit Bhide, President of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh; Mr. Dipak Sanghavi, Chairman of Vaishnav Sangh of Melbourne; Bhakta Dasa and Bhakta Dasi representing ISKON temple in Melbourne; Mrs. Geeta Devi, President of Vishwa Hindu Parisad, Victoria Chapter; Mr. Nitin Doshi President of Melbourne Jain Shwetamabar Sangh; Mr. Jay Shah and Mr. Kushagra Bhatnagar representing the Overseas friends of BJP; Mr. Satya Ramadugu and Ms. Lavanya Ramanujadasi representing Jet Australia Foundation; Mr. Ravi Bhatia and Mrs. Madhu Bhatia representing Australia India Business Council; Deepak Vinayak representing South Asian Community Link Group; and Mr Kishore Gursahani representing Prem Prakas Mandal Melbourne.
MP Colin Brooks while giving his speech noted that “HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj spoke wisely and he always spoke of peace. The fact that he was able to engage with world leaders, that he addressed the United Nations on peace, that he was ranked as one of the most influential people in the world depicts the essence of qualities in him that we need to recognize. He was respected because of the way in which he quietly went about setting example and helping other people. To reflect on such a great life, 95 years of service to people right around the globe and establishment of BAPS here in Melbourne, the great work that this organisation does, it leaves me with the feelings of the gratitude.”
MLC Craig Ondarchie, reflecting his divine association with HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj narrated in his speech, “I have no speech notes with me today. I am going to speak from my heart and I am sure I am inspired to speak to you today by the inspiration of HDH Pramukh Swami Maharaj. I feel both sad and happy today. Sad that we spend tonight, saying farewell to such a revered Guruji, such a great leader, such a great inspirer, but I feel happy that his inspiration lives in every one of us today. It’s an honour to be with my BAPS family tonight. I have been now twice to Akshardham temple last year and I was embraced as a part of family there and I looked at the architecture at Akshardham in Delhi wondering how all the stones connect with each other and how the carvings connect with each other and there is not one bit of steel in that whole building in any of Akshardham at all and it all inter-links and I think myself in my heart how can that be, how can everything be held together, how can people so readily talk about what BAPS does around the world with tragedies, with blood donations, with monetary giving, with giving of food, how can all that be? Well there is one simple answer to that question – It’s through the inspiration of HDH Pramukh Swami Maharaj. When I got the message about the passing away of the Guruji, I wondered what would happen next? I wondered how we would live this inspiration ‘In the joy of others lies our own’ and I think I know the answer tonight because his inspiration lives in our heart, lives in my heart, lives in your heart, and lives in the communities that we connect with here. So tonight is not just a sad night, but the sun is shining outside and will every single day because of HDH Pramukh Swami Maharaj.”
Priyachintan Swami spoke on how HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj dedicated his entire life only for uplift and betterment of countless people across the globe, creating addiction-free communities by developing individuals to be spiritually centric and ethically sound.
Paramchintan Swami narrated the impact of Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s teachings and life on innumerable people of all social strata residing in different the continents of the world.
Towards the end of the tribute assembly, the video blessings of HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj and his HH Mahant Swami Maharaj were shown. The assembly concluded with offering of mantra pushpanjali and arti to HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj.