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Today everyone waited for Maa's arrival. Maa came at 10:30am.
As Maa's Jeep entered the main entrance, all the girls did garba in front of
the vehicle. The jeep moved slowly until it came to entrance of Maa's
building. Here basically we had powerful kirtan. Everyone living at
Swargarohan complex was gathered in the center spot around Maa's Jeep. YDK
youths sang so many different dhoons. Maa was very happy and seeing her
laugh everyone was feeling joy.
Finally Maa stepped out of the Jeep and went to her room.
At 12:30 children from different school came. Special stage and area was
set up behind the Kutia. Children from 4 to 5 primary school had come.
Seeing them, for the first time hit me how poor this part of Gujarat is.
The children had no uniform. What struck me the most that none had anything
to wear on their feet. Everyone was bare feet! After everyone came, Maa
came and took her seat. The children of different school showcased bhajans,
patrioic songs etc. Everyone enjoyed this Sanskrutik program.
Sun was above our head. Everyone could feel the heat. One striking seva
Maa showed us was giving water to each child.
Devotees from abroad were given chance to welcome the children by serving
them with water. They went from child to child and gave them water. It
was hot and no one refused water. The people who were giving water to the
children were very much moved. They felt sense of inner satisfaction that
they were quenching thirst of these poor children - as Maa calls them - "Daridra
Narayaan"
Then began giving of gifts to all the children. New Jersey Dhyan
kendra had donated school bag for all the students containing uniforms. All
the names and other info of the students were collected ahead of time.
Uniforms were made to fit each one of them!
Its surely is
going out of one's way!
I have never seen a charity or organization going this far. Each
child's
name was called out and gift was given to them. Each student collected
his/her uniform, then picked slipper from another New Jersey YDK member,
then biscuits from Sureshbhai/Ushaben/Japesh Mistry Canada; Packet of
Nasto from Panama devotee;
Rupees 10 from Sureshbhai Toronto and
of course lots of candies from Maa. Where the need was, Maa was showing us
how to donate. Also as each children was given gift, the giver folded his
hand thanking the god for accepting the gift! Maa's ways are unique.
Through out this program, we kept mantra-gan
going.
All in all it was very successful program. Oh how could I forget, one
important part of this charity program. There was one handicapped student,
Maa got him a tricycle. Prabhaben of Surat donated this to the child. His
name was called and he dragged himself on the ground. He reached and climbed
up the tricycle. It was specially designed so that handicapped person could
run it using his one hand instead of legs. The boy went around ground with
the bike. Truly this was the best gift the boy probably got!
Though devotees paid for donation items, it was Maa who showed how and where
to donate. Every one prayed and thanked Maa for today's Daan day.
In the evening Maa had the Matakifod festival. Normally this is celebrated
on the Janmastmi day (Lord
Krishna's birthday) but because devotees from overseas may not be here, Maa
arranged 4
pots
suspended on a rope. Four groups were called. 1st group every Ben over 40
years had to gather around and climb up and break the
pot.
6 or 7 ladies stood holding
their
arms. Then few climbed on top of them, etc until they reached the earthen
pot. Seeing
it
on a video and seeing
it
live is very different. Everyone had blast time. Men over 40 also played
this game. Then teens and then children. Every group managed to break the
earthen pot which contained Prasad from Maa. Maa then showed everyone on
video projector Matkifod game which was just played by us!
Maa also showed us Alaska yatra Tape. Devotees had gathered on top of a
Highway seeing the sunset and sunrise -
both happening within 15-30 minute of time. This happened at midnight!
Vasudevbhai
and Vinodbhai and Kishorbhai gave commentaries to everyone.
Thus ended today. Tomorrow is marked for Food donation to needy.
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