With the blessings and guidance of Pujya Pramukh Swami Maharaj, Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) is currently active in a wide range of earthquake rehabilitation services.
On 17 May 2002, in Gujarat, a special dedication assembly was held in Surendranagar, in which 18 schools reconstructed by BAPS were presented to the people by Pramukh Swami Maharaj. Over 8,000 people attended the assembly in which Swamishri presented the name plaques of the reconstructed schools to the school and village officials.
Then 4 of the 18 school principals addressed the assembly. They said that on their request Pramukh Swami Maharaj agreed to reconstruct their schools without a moment’s delay.
On this occasion one of the honourable guests, State Minister Shri I.K. Jadeja, said, “The district of Surendranagar is very fortunate since Pramukh Swami Maharaj, who is revered worldwide and inspires noble values in people throughout the world, has presented these schools which will be centres for value-based education. Now it is necessary for the people of Surendranagar to use these schools to provide value-based education.”
State Minister Shri Fakirbhai Vaghela said, “First I thank Pramukh Swami Maharaj for reconstructing 18 schools for this district. It seems that he has resolved our difficulties to provide us with opportunities. Swamishri’s sadhus are highly educated. Many are from England and America. That such sadhus have renounced the world and are engaged in this earthquake relief work to serve us is no ordinary matter. I have seen many of the Sanstha’s mandirs, met many of the sadhus and know Swamiji personally. That is why I say that these schools will be centres for learning values.”
Blessing the assembly, Pramukh Swami Maharaj said, “God is very merciful. From Him we learn to be compassionate and due to His grace this work is possible.” Swamishri especially thanked the donors and blessed that they be able to continue to support such noble work. He also thanked the villagers, officials and contractors who helped in the reconstruction. Also, Swamishri blessed, “May the children who study here also gain noble virtues, pride for their country, become ideal citizens and increase the prestige of our state and country. May they keep dharma and God at the forefront in all their work. Just like Arjun had kept the strength of God at the forefront and won, may the students all become like Arjun.”
Also present on this occasion were the local MLA Shri Dhanraj Kela, the District Collector, and representatives of the donors, namely, Deputy General Manager of Industrial Development Bank of India (IDBI) and others.