26 January 2001: (V.S. 2057, Maha Sud 2) Friday, Bochasan
Swamishri hoisted the Indian flag outside the mandir gate on Republic Day.
At 8.45am Swamishri sat down for breakfast and at 8.50am an earthquake occurred. Swamishri was calm and began chanting the Swaminaryan dhun. Swamishri told everyone to go outside and finally he too, at the request of everyone, got up and came outside into the lobby. When the earthquake subsided he returned to his room and chanted the Swaminarayan dhun.
After breakfast, Swamishri phoned all the mandirs to know of the earthquake consequences in the mandir and the city and surrounding villages. He gave instructions for immediate relief work to all the affected centers.
At 10.15am, Swamishri performed the ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of an entrance to the village.
At 10.40am Swamishri travelled to the neighboring town of Borsad and performed the ground-breaking ceremony for a new Swaminaryan Mandir.
At 5.40pm, Swamishri departed from Bochasan and observed the ongoing construction work of a new Swaminaryan Mandir in Padra. At 7.05pm, Swamishri arrived at Atladra Mandir.
The students of the Akshar Purushottam Chhatralaya celebrated their annual day with a presentation on the annual activities of the hostel, a drama performance and a prize distribution ceremony at the hands of Swamishri. Finally, Swamishri blessed the function.
At night Swamishri obtained information on the latest situation in different centers and gave further guidance on the relief activitie