Chaired by Hon. Chief Minister of Gujarat Shri Vijaybhai Rupani and co-chaired by Hon. Deputy Chief Minister Shri Nitinbhai Patel, the two-hour long meeting focused on the current COVID-19 pandemic wave and the need for mass awareness and actions to overcome it. The virtual meeting was attended and wholeheartedly supported by prominent religious leaders of all faiths and organizations of Gujarat.
While appreciating the ceaseless efforts of the government and the selfless services of frontline workers, on behalf of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha and HH Mahant Swami Maharaj, Brahmavihari Swami emphasized that together we must learn lessons from past pandemics and their patterns to help us plan for the needed infrastructure. Moreover, in these critical, warlike emergencies, we must encourage each other by generating more confidence, hope and harmony. Since close contact is the method of transmission, the long-term need for self-control, self-discipline and patience in all humans is paramount. He echoed the words of HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj, “Help the victims and help the helpers,” and that special care should be offered to healthcare and frontline workers who may be undergoing anxiety.
In conclusion, the leaders of all faiths and the Government of Gujarat resolved to collectively meet the necessary medical, moral and spiritual needs to help curb the current wave and prepare for the future.
Furthermore, the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha has been working tirelessly to encourage mass vaccinations by opening vaccination centres and camps; taking part in vaccination drives across the world which have successfully vaccinated thousands of people. Permanent and temporary hospitals with hundreds of beds in Ahmedabad, Surat and Vadodra have also been made available to the public. BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha continues to serve and support thousands of families across India in these unprecedented times.