Home > News > India > Gandhinagar > President of India H.E. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Swamishri celebrate BAPS Bal Suvarna Mahotsav > President of India H.E. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Swamishri celebrate BAPS Bal Suvarna Mahotsav, Gandhinagar, India

President of India H.E. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Swamishri celebrate BAPS Bal Suvarna Mahotsav, Gandhinagar, India

8 Feb 2004

President of India H.E. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Swamishri celebrate BAPS Bal Suvarna Mahotsav, Gandhinagar, India

Children seated on the lawn

Swamishri greets the Deputy Prime Minister Shri L. K. Advani and Chief Minister of Gujarat Shri Narendra Modi (behind)

Swamishri garlands President Abdul Kalam and welcomes him to Akshardham

Swamishri, the President and guests make their way from the reception to the stage

Balikas seated on the lawn in front of the Akshardham monumen

Murtis of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami and Shri Gopalanand Swami inside the Akshardham monnument

The President and invited dignitaries offer their respects to Bhagwan Swaminarayan by placing flowers at His feet

Inside the Akshardham monument: (L to R) Pujya Ishwarcharan Swami with Thakorji, Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani, President Abdul Kalam, Swamishri, Governor of Gujarat Kailashpati Mishra and Chief Minister of Gujarat Narendra Modi

After having darshan the dignitaries are led towads the program stage

Releasing of peace balloons by Swamishri, dignitaries and 20,000 children

Children wave the Indian flag

Balaks welcome the President with a garland

Children wave the Indian flag

'He matrubhumi Bharat, tuj pad vandna.' - Welcome dance by BAPS children

Swamishri and President with Shri Harikrishna Maharaj (center) on stage

'He matrubhumi Bharat, tuj pad vandna.' - Welcome dance by BAPS children

The celebration assembly begins in the presence of 20,000 children

Welcoming the stage guests two balaks narrate a story comparing the lives of Swamishri and the President highlighting their services to the nation in the fields of spirituality and science

A colorful dance and dialogue depicting the glorious 50 year history of BAPS children's activities

Children engrossed in the assembly

A grand view of the Bal Suvarna Mahotsav assembly

Invited guests and children are absorbed in the stage program

Speech by Pujya Ishwarcharan Swami

A view of the stage with the beautifully lit Akshardham monument in the background

The President engages in an interactive session with BAPS children

The President addresses the assembly

Swamishri blesses the assembly

The President was overjoyed with the ceremony of arti and the spiritual explanation of Swamishri: "You are performing arti of God, present in the heart of the children, while the children are performing the arti of the same God, present in your heart."

Swamishri honors the President with a shawl and memento of Akshar Deri

The President departs

H. E. President Abdul Kalam and Swamishri mutually thank each other before the President departs from Akshardham