BAPS Swaminarayan Research Institute, New Dehli, conducts an international online course titled 'Siddhant Sarvasvam'. To mark the completion of the first year, a five-day Bal-Balika Shibir themed 'Akshar-Purushottamna Yoddha' (The Bravehearts of Akshar-Purushottam) was organized for students studying in grades 3 to 9 who are pursuing this course.
From across India, 43 balaks and 39 balikas, who had memorized the Swaminarayan Siddhant Karika (565 shloks) and Satsang Diksha (315 shloks) attended. The newly enrolled balaks and balikas also joined in the shibir. During the last year, through the Siddhant Sarvasvam curriculum, the students have studied Pramukh Sanskritam (basics of the Sanskrit language), Swaminarayan philosophy, brief biographies of the gunatit guru parampara and other sampradayik texts. During this shibir, the children received special training in public speaking, storytelling, Sanskrit communication and other skills. The students also participated in various classes and creative activities, played sports and watched a magic show.
During the shibir, the children benefited from the direct guidance of learned and senior saints, and learned teachers of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya (Sarangpur). In a session with Pujya Viveksagar Swami, the children learnt about enjoying and concentrating on their Sanskrit studies. The children also received the blessings of and had an impromptu Q & A with guruhari Mahant Swami Maharaj through an online evening session on 17 May.