To mark the centenary celebrations of Param Pujya Pramukh Swami Maharaj, BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, Singapore, hosted the Festival of Inspiration - A Celebration of Life, Culture and Harmony.
This one-day event was celebrated at Little India in Singapore. A large open park on Serangoon Road was transformed into a festival arena that housed six booths of inspiration and a large stage to host the cultural programs.
For over three months, a small group of devotees and volunteers, young and old, men and women, had toiled hard to make this event a grand reality.
Guruhari Param Pujya Mahant Swami Maharaj had sent his blessings from Ahmedabad, India, prior to this event. And on the morning of 19 November, Param Pujya Doctor Swami together with swamis and devotees inaugurated the Festival of Inspiration at the main gate.
Each of the six booths presented a theme: anti-addiction, moral living, family harmony, vegetarianism, Indian traditions and Pramukh Swami Maharaj's motto ‘In the Joy of Others lies our Own’. BAPS women created a beautiful ten feet by ten feet Pramukh Swami Maharaj Shatabdi rangoli which became a center of attraction. Also over 200 children participated in the children's drawing competition and a Premvati food court serving delicious Indian cuisine.
At 11:00 a.m., members of the Inter-Religious Organisation of Singapore, comprising of 9 world religions (Bahai, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Sikhism, Taoism and Zoroastrianism) came onto the stage with Param Pujya Doctor Swami to light the lamps of auspiciousness and to say a prayer for world peace and harmony.
Over 100 artists from 15 different organizations performed over 20 vibrant cultural performances. These performances presented dances of Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Kerala and also music recitals of the veena and violin and an electrifying Dhol Tasha performance that captivated the crowd.
In the evening, the High Commissioner of India to Singapore, H.E. Shri P. Kumaran, visited the event. Param Pujya Doctor Swami welcomed and honored him with an Amrut Kalash. He then took a tour of the entire event, seeing all the booths in detail, meeting volunteers and visitors. He also presented awards to winners of the children’s competition.
Over 4,000 people from all faiths, communities and nationalities including community leaders and leaders of various associations had visited this event which was a first-of-its-kind in Little India, Singapore.
Sony TV Singapore had aired the announcement of this event over 39 times in ten days.
Experiences
This is wonderful work and a very interesting concept of presenting our social values, family values and individual values in a very beautiful setting to the people where everyone can also interact. Great work by the volunteers here because you can see their devotion, dedication, unity and social responsibility.
Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s life is an inspiration to all. What a legacy he has left for everyone to follow.
Rajan Krishnan – Chairman, Hindu Advisory Board, Singapore
To my knowledge, this is the first time that an event of this type and scale has been organised here at Little India.
Rajakumar Chandra – Chairman of Little India Shopkeepers & Heritage Association (LISHA), Singapore
The teachings of moral living and family harmony at this event will benefit not only the Indian community but the larger community. I loved the message ‘a beautiful house does not necessarily mean a beautiful home.’
I wish to thank BAPS for organising this event which brings all our diverse communities together.
Master Benjamin Tan – Taoist Federation (Singapore)
Beautiful. I liked the message on family harmony, peace and joy which is so important today.
Vijaya Mohan – Renowned Artist, Guinness World Record Holder & Social Worker
This is tremendous work. Even if a few people take inspiration from here to transform their lives, I would consider this event a success.
Rakesh Khetan – Director, Wirana Group
After visiting here, I will now limit my use of social media which is an addiction. Well done. You have put in a lot of work for this event and I am glad that I was here in the right place at the right time.
Adam
The message on moral values impressed me the most and I will teach this to my children. It was an awakening and you have done great work.
Catalina