16 January 2001: (V.S. 2057, Posh Vad 8) Tuesday, Surendranagar, Children's Day
In the evening assembly Uttarayan Joli utsav was symbolically celebrated and a program of speeches, folk-dances, monoacting was presented by children as part of Children's Day celebration. Finally, Swamishri blessed the assembly and chanted the Joli mantra, 'Narayan Hare Sacchidanand
Prabho ...'
17 January 2001: (V.S. 2057, Posh Vad 9) Wednesday, Surendranagar, Sajanpur, Dhrangadhra, Surendranagar
Swamishri arrived at Sajanpur village, performed the murti-pratishtha at the new Hari mandir and blessed the congregation.
In the afternoon Swamishri left for Dhrangadhra, sanctified the land for the proposed mandir and attended a satsang assembly in the evening before returning to Surendranagar.
18 January 2001: (V.S. 2057, Posh Vad 10) Thursday, Surendranagar, Kishore Day
At 10.25 am, Swamishri inaugurated a new building at the C.U.Shah Medical College.
In the evening the kishores presented a cultural program of folk-dances, speeches, drama and kawali as part of Kishore Day.
21 January 2001: (V.S. 2057, Posh Vad 12) Sunday, Baldanaa, Ranpur, Gadhada
Swamishri performed the murti-pratishtha at the new Shree Swaminarayan Mandir in Baldanaa. Lord Harikrishna Maharaj was honored by the devotees.
In the evening, Swamishri arrived in Ranpur and inaugurated 'Shri E.M. Gopani Polytechnic Institute' run by the Sarvajanik Education Society.
Swamishri arrived in Gadhada at 7.45 pm.
22 January 2001: (V.S. 2057, Posh Vad 13) Monday, Gadhada
At 10.25am, Swamishri and the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Keshubhai Patel, inaugurated the newly constructed gateway to Gadhada that was jointly financed by BAPS and the Gadhada Municipality.
Thereafter Swamishri, government officials and the local citizens assembled for the opening ceremony of the river Mahi pipeline water supply project by the government to the town of Ghadhada and its neighboring villages. Swamishri and Shri Keshubhai Patel performed Vedic pujan of a copper pot containing the river Mahi water.
On behalf of Gadhada, the Mayor conferred Swamishri with the 'Gadhapur Ratna' award and a citation for his philanthropic activities.
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 activities.
27 January 2001: (V.S. 2057, Maha Sud 3) Saturday, Atladra
During his morning puja, Swamishri performed extra rosaries (prayers) for the alleviation of the suffering of the earthquake disaster victims. Throughout Swamishri's puja the sadhus chanted the Swaminarayan dhun and finally offered his condolences to the victims and prayers for the calamity that had befallen the country.
During breakfast, Swamishri offered consolation by phone to families affected by the calamity and instructions to sadhus at various BAPS centers for the relief work.
28 January 2001: (V.S. 2057, Maha Sud 4) Sunday, Atladra, Padra, Atladra
At 10.25am Swamishri performed the murti-pratishtha ceremony of the newly built Swaminarayan Mandir in Padra. Swamishri also blessed the pratishtha assembly.
During his routine walk in the evening, Swamishri attended a phone and gave instructions for the earthquake relief work.
o In the evening, Swamishri convened a meeting to discuss ways to enhance the Sanstha's relief operations.
29 January 2001: (V.S. 2057, Maha Sud 5) Monday, Atladra, Vasant Panchami
During his routine walk in the morning a call got connected to Bhuj (till then all phone communications to Bhuj were dead). Swamishri cancelled his walk and attended the phone. Despite several disconnections, Swamishri had called 12 more times and imparted detailed guidance and instructions for the relief work.
At 10.40am, Vasant Panchami assembly was held. After bhajans, discourses, announcement of relief operations, Swamishri finally blessed the assembly. (Click for more details)
30 January 2001: (V.S. 2057, Maha Sud 6) Tuesday, Atladra, Children's Day
The evening program saw a variety presentation by children on Children's Day.