Indian Independence Day was
celebrated at the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Bartlett, Illinois
in the presence of Swamishri. Early in the morning, Swamishri,
saints, and devotees gathered in front of the Mandir for a
"Dhvaj Vandan", where all present saluted the Indian flag
and sung the Indian national anthem.
During the evening, the Midwest
Satsang mandal organized a "Sanskruti" program to illustrate
the principles, values, and history of the Indian culture.
Through a culmination of speeches, dances, dramas, and multimedia
presentations, kishores portrayed the inventions, discoveries,
and ideas of ancient Indian thinkers and spiritual masters.
Senior saints also addressed the assembly, explaining the
importance of preserving sanskruti as well as cultivating
character.
At the conclusion of the assembly,
Swamishri said in his blessings that one must develop ideal
characteristics like compassion, non-violence, etc. He also
stated that the purpose of having this human body is to become
brahmrup and worship God. Finally, he stressed the importance
of the Sant by saying that the Sant does not live for himself,
but for the good of all.
Earlier in the day, physicians
and other professionals in the medical field participated
in a Medico-Spiritual Conference held in the presence of Swamishri.
They discussed the fact that in addition to the problems of
the body that can be cured by medicine, there are issues of
the mind and soul that can only be cured by spirituality.
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