We had a wonderful party that lasted a whole week – did we celebrate & enjoy the whole week ????. My sincere answer is YES , YES, & YES. Our guests arrived from INDIA , Mauritius , Kenya , Uganda as well as our local dignitaries ,affiliates , sister bodies & members of the community. The events took place between three venues – the APS headquarters , UKZN WESTVILLE CAMPUS & the EXHIBITION CENTER – DURBAN.
The program was packed with arrival of foreign guests & providing accommodation . We arranged tours to numerous projects in the city that are closely associated with the APS . The evenings were full with entertainment & wonderful meals. The SURILA SANGEETH made up of overseas & local artists provided highly professional entertainment .
We managed to include high level discussions & reach consensus on many issues affecting ARYA SAMAJ in SOUTH AFRICA , the AFRICAN continent & INDIA. The discussions were robust & frank. Highly skilled professionals from all the delegates were sensible to bring about order & resolve critical issues.
Our week end was completed with a glorious HAWAN on Sunday morning where we performed a mass YAGNA with 108 HAWAN KUNDS . The presiding priest was DR.B. RAMBILASS who was assisted by SHASTRI MWANGI ARYA from NAIROBI. All our priests formed a guard of honor to welcome our SWAMI ARYAVESH & his entourage of overseas guests. The priests assisted at each HAWAN KUND during the reciting of the mantras.
The conclusion of the HAWAN provided us with an ideal opportunity to reaffirm & launch various projects of the ARYA SAMAJ. We officially launched the ARYA SAMAJ AFRICA. The relationship of MAMA AFRICA & MOTHER INDIA associating cultures , religion , caring of the environment & coordinating social cohesion needs to be translated into active participation. The VEDIC SCHOOL OF STUDY will be the vehicle to provide training , skills development & transfer of training materials as well as promoting human capital across AFRICA. The ARYA SAMAJ in INDIA is providing enormous financial & other support. The use of internet facilitation will greatly support this project.
The APS with its affiliates launched a BHAJAN CD. We are grateful to various stakeholders who helped to produce the CD.
Our coffee table book entitled “ DRISHYA “ encapsulating the images & scenes with some write ups was also launched at this event. The distribution will be delayed in order to include the events of the 90th anniversary.
An ambitious project known as PROJECT TRIPTI was also launched. Our participants at the HAWAN were not shy in reaching into their packets & pledging hundreds of thousands of RANDS towards “ TRIPTI “ – satisfying a thirst for water. Our SAMAJ has pledged its support to sink a borehole in a rural community . We acknowledge that we cannot wait for politicians to promise us delivery of fresh water. This project will be ongoing & we hope our relationship with our fellow brothers & sisters will continue to flourish. The SAMAJ is thankful to all those who support our program.
Our hungry guests were served with a sumptuous meal & smooth melodious music.
A core group of members from the SAMAJ as well as our youth league members provided excellent support to ensure that we delivered . We are grateful to our many business associates , affiliates , friends & well wishes for their contribution to the 90th anniversary celebration.
ARYA SAMAJ AMAR RA HE !!!!
RAMESH NIRANJAN
