Around 3,800 yuvaks and yuvatis participated in the two phases of the finals of the Akhil Bhartiya Yuva Adhiveshan.
Continuing the BAPS tradition of channelling the talents, skills, enthusiasm and energies of youths into challenging and creative spiritual activities, these national finals marked the climax of the Akhil Bhartiya Yuva Adhiveshan, held to commemorate the Vachanamrut Bicentenary (1819–2019) and Pramukh Swami Maharaj Centenary (1921–2021) Celebrations.
This Adhiveshan, which was launched in December 2018, was held at three levels – Zonal, Regional and National. From an initial field of over 30,000 yuvaks and yuvatis, around 3,800 qualified for the national finals in Sarangpur.
Participating youths from BAPS centers throughout India competed in one of three divisions: City, Village and Chhatralaya (Hostel), depending on which division their center belonged to. Further, in each division there were two age groups: Nilkanth (14–18 years) and Sahajanand (19–26 years).
Each youth was required to complete the primary qualification criteria in which they had to memorize some basic devotional verses and three Vachanamrut excerpts.
Then they could select to participate in the following competitions: Vachanamrut Mukhpath (Memorization) Vachanamrut Quiz (Written and Oral), Speech, Nirupan (Vachanamrut Elaboration) Essay, Short Film, Video Show, Drama and Poster Design.
As they progressed through each of the three level, the standards of the competition increased.
The national finals were held in the presence of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj in two phases: 3–5 June for youths in the City division and 6–8 June for youths in the Village and Chhatralaya divisions.
The routine for both phases was the same. The youths arrived in Sarangpur on day one (3 and 6 June) and after registration, attended the grand inauguration assembly in the presence of Mahant Swami Maharaj.
On day two (4 and 7 June), the youths participated in the various competitions during the morning and afternoon. In the evening, a special assembly was held in which some of the outstanding performances from all the competitions were presented in the presence of Mahant Swami Maharaj.
On day three, the youths participated in an inspiring shibir on the theme ‘Nishthavan Bhava’ (Develop Firm Conviction) in the presence of Pujya Bhaktipriya (Kothari) Swami, Pujya Tyagvallabh Swami, Pujya Ishwarcharan Swami, and other senior and learned swamis.
In the evening assembly, in the presence Mahant Swami Maharaj, the prizes for all the competitions were awarded.
Blessing the youths, Mahant Swami Maharaj said, “Whether one has won a prize or not, by merely participating you have earned the inner blessings of Maharaj and Swami.”