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National
Personalities
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Dr.
Verghese Kurien, Chairperson, National Dairy Development
Board, Gandhinagar, November 1992
During his
visit at the Centenary Celebration of Yogiji Maharaj, Dr.
Kurien expressed: "I am a Christian follower but I
am happy that I have been invited here and honored. This
shows that there is no distinction between religions in
this organization. Religion is that which brings man closer
to man... The sacrifice and organizing capacity here is
exceptional. I am full of hope that the people of Gujarat
will learn something from this festival." |
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Ramkrishna
Bajaj, Leading Industrialist,
Gandhinagar, November 1992
Ramkrishna Bajaj was impressed by his visit to the
Centenary Celebration of Yogiji Maharaj. In an assembly
he said: "The organization is splendid and beyond words.
It has been done with great insight and intelligence and
is very captivating. Without devotion such mammoth organization
is not possible. Even the government cannot do this. You
are reviving our traditions. Here, I find discipline and
dedication." |
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The
Chief Minister of Maharashtra,
Shri Manohar Joshi, 31 March 1995
During the
inauguration of Swaminarayan Nagar in Samudraal, a town
reconstructed by the Sanstha after the earthquake in Latur,
the Chief Minister of Maharashtra lauded the Sanstha's services.
He said: "I have never seen such wonderful work elsewhere.
The Sanstha’s relief and social work during such a disaster
(Latur earthquake 1993) has provided society with a new
life and strength to bear the pain and suffering. This effort
has been of great help to us." |
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H.E.
Venkataraman, President of India, 1995
H.E. Venkataraman was all praises for the Shri Swaminarayan
Mandir, London, during his visit in 1995: "I have seen
all the mandirs of India and of the world. In fact, I have
built a few myself. But I have never seen a mandir like
this. It can’t be the work of man. It has to be the work
of God." |
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Bhaironsinh
Shekhawat,
Chief Minister, Indian state of Rajasthan, 1996
Shree
Bhaironsinh Shekhawat praised the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir,
London, saying: "Out of the power of his wish, Swamiji
has built a magnificient mandir in London and has obliged
us with this great benevolent act of erecting this monument
of Indian Culture. Today, hundreds of educated sadhus, inspired
by the benevolent ideals of Swamiji are moving in society
to spread the message of Indian Culture. Whenever I see
such dedicated volunteers, I am humbled." |
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Chandrashekhar,
Prime Minister, India, 1996
"The
work of the sadhus and volunteers is truly praiseworthy.
Our Pramukh Swamiji has inspired them. This in itself is
strength for us, because the strength of India originates
from the actions of our sages and voice of our saints."
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Jagatnarayan
Kapoor,
President, Indian Science Academy, 1992
The Centenary
Celebration of Yogiji Maharaj in Gandhinagar, 1992, impressed
Shri Jagatnarayan Kapoor. During his visit he commented:
"Here, I find the modern application of science and
technology. The 17,000 volunteers are actively serving from
morning till night. Our world needs such volunteers. I hope
the lamp you have kindled will keep giving light to the
whole world." |
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Mrinalini
Sarabhai, Esteemed Danseuse, 1992
During her
visit to the Centenary Celebration of Yogiji Maharaj in
Gandhinagar, 1992, Mrinalini Sarabhai shared her feelings:
"What an exhilarating, divine and devotional atmosphere
of love and joy where humanity has gathered in a wonderous
song of love. And through it the deeply moving smile of
Yogiji Maharaj blessing us all." |
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Mr.
R. Chidambaram,
Director, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, 1993
"Under
the guidance of His Divine Holiness Shri Pramukh Swami,
this Sanstha is pursuing excellence in its efforts to impart
spiritual values to people, particularly young people." |
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Mr.
Nani Palkhivala, Eminent Economist & Advocate of India,
November 1985
During
his visit to the Bicentenary Celebration of Gunatitanand
Swami in 1985, Nani Palkhivala said: "What impresses
me most is your total tolerance, how you regard all religions
as one, how you regard service to mankind, the brotherhood
of man, in other words, you stand for very high ideals.
And I think if the salvation of India and of the human race
is to be achieved it can only be through the great ideals
which I find being propagated here." |
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Dignitaries at Akshardham Monument, Gandhinagar, Gujarat
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The
former President of India,
Shri Giani Zail Singh, 1985
During
his visit to the Bicentenary Celebration of Gunatitanand
Swami in 1985, the then President Giani Zail Singh opined:
"It is the gestures, activities, life, sacrifices, spirit
of renunciation and benevolent deeds of great saints and
sages that made a great nation out of our country. The Swaminarayan
Movement is one such Faith that has been so serving the
nation. Many saints and sages have descended on this earth
and enshrined the highest ideals of life. Who has preserved
those values? It is saints like Pramukh Swami who have imbibed
them. By virtue of their lives and deeds, they possess a
spiritual appeal; because of which people listen to them
and get inspired to live by those values. The Government
needs such noble saints; however, they do not need the Government.
And had I not visited Akshardham, I would have missed a
lot in my life."
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Hon.
Atal Behari Vajpayee,
Prime Minister of India, 16 May 1993
During
His visit to Akshardham Monument, Gandhinagar, the PM opined:
"A pleasant surprise!
The effort of filling the whole ocean into a pot is truly
commendable. The concept is attractive! The noblest experience
of leaving a long-lasting impact through the combination
of light and sound. A project worthy of emulation, which
transmits the eternal message of religion right down to
the common man. Congratulations!" |
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Shri
B.V. Doshi, Eminent Architect,
21 November 1992
"Akshardham
is timeless, where people can learn about the eternal quest,
values, the soul, and about man and his duties. It is not
just a temple, it is a place for a cultural quest, and through
this it is a quest of the self. It is a place where people
will not be sitting in one place only but they can do research,
see the Multimedia show, the museums and finally I think
after they have gone round they would go to the temple where
the spirit is. This is probably one of the rare temples
built in contemporary times where one can expect thousands
of people to come and yet it will not look crowded. I think
this is important. It is an integration of a contemporary
sect or philosophy and its manifestation in the form of
a temple." |
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Dr.
Dinesh Vyas, Eminent Advocate & Economist, 16 November 1992
"To
be very honest I don't have any words to describe my feelings
of respect for Akshardham. I have seen the whole Akshardham
complex. It has been built very beautifully. I think it
is a creation of a great spiritual power. The spiritual
power that is here will be responsible for the progress
of our future India. I am very impressed with Akshardham.
Indian culture has been presented here at its best. Whoever
comes here will take with him a power and life's noble values
that will be of great benefit to him in future." |
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H.E.
Shri Abid Hussain, Former Indian Ambassador to USA, November
1992
"A visit
to this great house of Devotion and Spirituality is like
a pilgrimage to one of India's biggest shrines. Akshardham
is a place of virtue, devotion and knowledge. Going through
the place makes me feel inspired - the glory of India's
past and the efforts of present sages and the hope of a
better world to follow, swells the heart with joy and confidence.
India's sanskruti and culture, the presence of godliness
all around makes one feel proud of being an Indian. In building
Akshardham, Swamiji has made India's spiritual life alive.
Here man stands between the visible and the non-visible
and through the teaching of the great Swamiji it becomes
possible for ordinary men to experience the Almighty Lord
of the world, the maker of this universe. May Swamiji's
message of love, harmony and devotion spread and make this
world a better place.
" |
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Pundit
Shivkumar Sharma,
Eminent Santoor Artiste, 8 November 1992
After
seeing Akshardham the renowned Santoor artiste commented:
"A rare Monument which is created out of total devotion,
dedication and selfless service."
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Shri
R. K. Laxman, Internationally acclaimed cartoonist, 17 August
1997
After seeing
Akshardham Shri R. K. Laxman noted: "Excellent, elevating
experience!"
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Shri
L.K. Advani, President, Bhartiya Janta Party, November 1992
"I
have seen many exhibitions and museums in many parts of
the world. But I can say with all honesty that I have not
seen a presentation of Indian values and ideals so beautiful
and effective as here in Akshardham. It is so beautiful
that it is simply beyond the ken of imagination. The ancient
Indian belief of the sages is portrayed here through the
presentation of the fundamental principles of all the religions
of the world. Our concept of 'The world as one family' is
really effective.
I believe that whoever comes here will take a deep and lasting
impression of spirituality with him. I am sure that not
only Indians will yearn to visit Akshardham but foreigners
will also be attracted to it." |
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Shri
Geet Sethi, World Billiards Champion, November 1992
"Akshardham
is unique and overwhelming in its appeal. I have never seen
a complex so beautiful, so thought-provoking and so well-managed."
During
his visit to the Centenary Celebration of Yogiji Maharaj
he was impressed by the organization of the festival. He
said: "I am very impressed with the responsibility
and organizational capability of all the boys. Their dedication
and enthusiasm is exemplary." |
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Shri
B.J. Diwan, Rtd. Chief Justice, High Court of Gujarat, November
1992
After seeing the spiritual township at the Centenary Celebration
of Yogiji Maharaj, Shri B.J. Diwan commented: "Mind
boggling, planning and organization have been harnessed
to the cause of religion and moral as well as spiritual
advancement. Under the able leadership of revered Pramukh
Swami Mahsaraj, people of all ages and all walks of life,
have rendered these Celebration a major event in the life
of everyone." |
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Dr.
K.P. Narsimharao, President, Medical Council of India
"The
simplicity and saintliness of Pramukh Swami touches deep.
He never allows his greatness to ride upon his shoulders
and lives naturally like one of us. His actions touch the
heart." |
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