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Satsang Prasar & Management Conference 2021, UK & Europe

6 Feb 2021

Satsang Prasar & Management Conference 2021

Every year, senior volunteers of BAPS UK & Europe gather to learn how they can improve on serving their respective mandirs, local communities and fellow devotees

This year, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the event was held online, with over 2,000 delegates registering to join

A volunteer from Manchester welcomed the delegates to the online conference

Resident swamis at London Mandir sang the dhun and prarthana to commence the conference

A video of Mahant Swami Maharaj performing the traditional deep pragatya inaugurated the conference auspiciously

Sanjaybhai Kara BEM, a trustee for BAPS UK, provided an overview of some of the highlights from 2020

With the pandemic closing all BAPS mandirs and centres in the UK and in Europe in early March, all activities and events quickly moved online, including arti and satsang from London Mandir being webcast daily from neasdentemple.org

BAPS also served as a vital source of reliable health awareness and guidance during the pandemic, reiterating government guidelines and providing key information about the vaccine, how to stay safe and how to protect others

Inspired by Mahant Swami Maharaj, BAPS volunteers also quickly mobilised in 61 areas throughout the UK and Europe to provide food and support to the needy, vulnerable and keyworkers

Some of the key highlights of 2020 included major celebrations that were also held online: the <a href="https://www.baps.org/News/2020/Yogiji-Maharaj-in-the-UK-50th-Anniversary-Celebrations-18895.aspx" target="blank" style="text-decoration:underline; color:blue;" >50th anniversary of Yogiji Maharaj in the UK</a>, the <a href="https://www.baps.org/News/2020/London-Mandir-25th-Anniversary-Celebrations-19111.aspx" target="blank" style="text-decoration:underline; color:blue;" >25th anniversary of London Mandir</a>, and the <a href="https://www.baps.org/News/2021/Celebrating-50-Years-of-Satsang-in-Europe-19596.aspx" target="blank" style="text-decoration:underline; color:blue;" >50th anniversary of Satsang in Europe</a>

Some of the key highlights of 2020 included major celebrations that were also held online: the 50th anniversary of Yogiji Maharaj in the UK, the 25th anniversary of London Mandir, and the 50th anniversary of Satsang in Europe

<a href='https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTBshFmiHbaBYa0pfqnSpnaAdw57VfMOj' target='blank' style='text-decoration:underline; color:blue;' >Timeless Hindu Wisdom</a>, a special web series delivering life-enhancing teachings from ancient Hindu scriptures in a contemporary, bite-sized format, has proven to be very popular

Timeless Hindu Wisdom, a special web series delivering life-enhancing teachings from ancient Hindu scriptures in a contemporary, bite-sized format, has proven to be very popular

Even amid the pandemic, key projects progressed, albeit slower than originally planned, including the new mandir in <a href="https://www.baps.org/News/2016/New-Mandir-Project-18009.aspx" target="blank" style="text-decoration:underline; color:blue;" >Birmingham</a>, UK...

Even amid the pandemic, key projects progressed, albeit slower than originally planned, including the new mandir in Birmingham, UK...

... as well as the new mandir in <a href="https://www.baps.org/News/2016/New-Mandir-Project-17559.aspx" target="blank" style="text-decoration:underline; color:blue;" >Manchester</a>, UK

... as well as the new mandir in Manchester, UK

Many services moved online, such as the <a href='https://shayonauk.com/' target='blank' style='text-decoration:underline; color:blue;'>ShayonaFresh</a> app, to allow people to access quality sattvik vegetarian food safely and efficiently

Many services moved online, such as the ShayonaFresh app, to allow people to access quality sattvik vegetarian food safely and efficiently

The Gift Shop also moved online to <a href='https://giftshop.neasdentemple.org/' target='blank' style='text-decoration:underline; color:blue;'>giftshop.neasdentemple.org</a>, as a 'click and collect' service and now also with delivery available to anywhere in the UK within 5 working days

The Gift Shop also moved online to giftshop.neasdentemple.org, as a 'click and collect' service and now also with delivery available to anywhere in the UK within 5 working days

Even while mandirs remain closed for gatherings, devotees can stay connected through the myBAPS app (available for <a href='https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.goodbarber.mybaps&hl=en_GB&gl=US' target='blank' style='text-decoration:underline; color:blue;'>Android</a> and <a href='https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/mybaps/id1505505420' target='blank' style='text-decoration:underline; color:blue;'>Apple</a> devices), <a href='https://www.neasdentemple.org/' target='blank' style='text-decoration:underline; color:blue;'>neasdentemple.org</a> website, <a href='https://www.youtube.com/bapsuk&europe' target='blank' style='text-decoration:underline; color:blue;'>BAPS UK & Europe</a> YouTube channel as well as the 'Neasden Temple' <a href='https://twitter.com/NeasdenTemple' target='blank' style='text-decoration:underline; color:blue;'>Twitter</a> and <a href='https://www.instagram.com/neasdentemple/' target='blank' style='text-decoration:underline; color:blue;'>Instagram</a> accounts

Even while mandirs remain closed for gatherings, devotees can stay connected through the myBAPS app (available for Android and Apple devices), neasdentemple.org website, BAPS UK & Europe YouTube channel as well as the 'Neasden Temple' Twitter and Instagram accounts

Sanjaybhai also provided an update of some key BAPS projects from around the world

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, Sanjaybhai particularly thanked the many female volunteers who form the backbone of BAPS activities and services throughout the UK and Europe

Dr Mayankbhai Shah, also a trustee of BAPS UK, elaborated upon the community outreach activities of 2020 and plans for the year ahead

A video further summarised some of the community outreach projects delivered during 2020

Sadguru Pujya Ishwarcharandas Swami provided a video message of inspiration and spiritual guidance on how to serve selflessly with humility and integrity

Devanbhai Parekh, a senior lead volunteer, helped reflect on the satsang activities of 2020 and outlined the goals for 2021 leading up to the centennial birth anniversary of Pramukh Swami Maharaj

Himanshubhai Patel, a senior youth volunteer, provided an update on the 'Satsang Diksha' course of study and memorisation

Jitendrabhai Mistry, a senior national volunteer, shared an update on the 'BAPS Connect & Care' project that reached out to thousands of families during the initial peak of the pandemic

Swamis have also been conducting online padhramanis - home visits through video conferencing facilities - to connect with and support thousands of families all over the UK and Europe

During a panel discussion, swamis at London Mandir shared insights into some of the upcoming projects celebrating Pramukh Swami Maharaj's centennial birth anniversary

Mahant Swami Maharaj blessed the volunteers in a special address, in which he reiterated the spiritual basis of selfless service with devotion, humility and unity

Yogvivekdas Swami concluded the conference with a message of introspection, appreciation and motivation