I am indeed delighted to participate in the 50 Golden Years of BAPS Children activities and also to inaugurate ?Educating Slum and Tribal Children Programme?. My pranams to His Divine Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj and greetings all dignitaries and children. I am happy to see the activities of Akshardham and the great service to the children from slum and tribal areas for the last 50 golden years. When I see all of you, I was thinking what I can share with you in this spiritual environment. So I have selected a topic ?Beautiful and Creative Mind?.

My Experience with Pramukh Swami Maharaj

When I am in the midst of this gathering, I am reminded of my first meeting with Pramukh Swami Maharaj on 13 June 2001. My discussion with Swamiji on the fusion of science and spirituality and the role it could play in national development went on for an hour. I asked Swamiji that I wanted to establish a trust Vision 2020 with five liked minded individuals and asked for his blessings. Swamiji said that God?s blessings are already upon me. He shall pray that my ideas are successfully realised. May India prosper both spiritually and economically. What he wished to say was that the stronger the spiritual wealth the stronger will become all other forms of wealth. If you increase material wealth alone man will be lost in luxury and worldly pleasures. Spirituality will guide him back, help him rise above mundane pleasures. In reality we rarely provide what is really needed. We provide everything else clothing, food, shelter but with all these we should also remember spiritual wealth.

In essence value based education, religion transforming into spirituality and economic prosperity will lead to generation of enlightened citizens. Such citizens are required for national development.

Story of God?s Creation

At this point I am reminded of a story about God?s creation. As you know the big bang theory, the universe gets created with many galaxies and number of species are generated, millions of years passed. One day God desired to know how his creation is doing. He descended on earth and found that there is enormous deterioration in the state of affairs. He perplexed and wanted to find a solution. He summoned the angel and devil. First he asked the angel whether he could find a remedy to the situation. The angel after thinking, he said that the problem is complex and it will need considerable amount of time to bring a change from the present and it is very difficult.

Then the Lord asks the devil, whether he can find a solution. The devil said that he can do it. God was slightly suspicious and he wanted to test the devil before entrust the action. He said he should do three things. If he succeeds in them he will be entrusted with this job. The first job he asked the devil to count the number of stars in all the galaxies in the universe. The devil went in search and stated the exact number of stars in the universe, which was found to be correct. A second question God gave was to count the number of sand particles on all the beaches of the earth. The devil went around and found the correct answer for this as well. The third question God says ?Go to India and find out how many political parties are there?. The devil went to count and he has still not returned.

I have received number of interesting questions from the children which I would like to answer.

1. What is the secret behind your success?

-- Pankaj Rathwa, Std.VII, Don Bosco School, Vadodara

Or

If we want to become like you then what should we do?

-- Arsh Patel, Std. V, Chandulal Vidya Mandir, Mumbai

Ans. When you are young, you need to have an ambition for life. Think big. Once you know what you would like to become, you have to sweat for it. That means hard work. While you are progressing there will be problems and hurdles. You must have indomitable spirit and perseverance to defeat the problems. Then you will succeed in life. The Almighty is with you and he will conspire for your success.

2.What are your future plans for the country?

-- Raja Brahmbhatt, Std. VI, Bright High School, Vadodara

Ans. Removing the poverty of 260 million people, seeing the smiles on their faces and transforming India into a developed nation is our immediate mission.

3. Why do you think that by 2020 India will become a developed country?

-- Arsh Mehta, Std. XII, Tejas High School, Vadodara

Ans. India has a population of one billion people. Out of this one billion, 540 million people are below the age of 25 years, which is our national strength and also we have natural resources. Also we have a road map for transforming India into a developed nation by the year 2020. It includes, integrated action in the five areas of Agriculture and agro-processing, education and healthcare, infrastructure including power, information and communication technology and strategic systems and critical technologies. Ignited minds of the 540 million youth will definitely transform India into a developed country by the year 2020.

4. How can we stop terrorism?

-- Rishi Patel, Std. VIII, Kendriya Vidyalaya, Rajkot

Ans. Terrorism has been a phenomena faced by a number of countries in the world. For removing terrorism we have to work towards minimizing various types of disparities among different sections of the society, especially the youth. Also we should aim at providing value based education to all members of the community backed by employment opportunities. The religion should get transformed into spiritualism. We should aim to make the entire country developed so that hunger and starvation vanishes. These actions can create a harmonious societal atmosphere leading to peaceful co-existence.

5. Why is there so much corruption in India? What should be done to stop it? What can we children do to help stop corruption?

-- Arsh Patel, Std. V, Chandulal Vidya Mandir, Mumbai.

Ans. Home generates enlightened citizens. If such an evolution does not take place, difficult situation arises as we are witnessing. Eradication of corruption in public life requires a movement and this movement has to start from home and school. Only three people can help in eradicating corruption. They are father, mother and primary school teacher. If they inculcate righteousness among the youth nobody can change them in their later life. Hence we need this movement in all our homes for eradicating corruption in public life.

6. How can we control our mind?

-- Soham Brahmbhatt, Std. VIII, A.S. Chaudhary High School, Rajkot

Ans. By fixing a higher goal with indomitable spirit to achieve something beyond us will enable to control our minds and contribute towards a larger cause. Societal missions of bringing happiness to the helpless also enable us to control our minds. Continuous work and right type of thinking is a means of controlling minds. Also failure and problems should not derail a person. We should defeat the problem instead of problem defeating us.

7.We say India is one country, but why is there no unity between all the states?

-- Yash Dave, Std. VIII, Jivkorba High School, Ahmedabad

Ans. Harmony comes from tolerance. We should cultivate a sense of unity amidst diversity of region, religion and language. These divisive forces should be converged as cohesive forces for bringing about peace in the society. Putting the nation in a higher goal that is the Developed India mission will bring unity among all states.

8. What do you like most?

-- Kirtan Patel, Std. IX, Girdharnagar-Shahibaug High School, Ahmedabad

Ans. Discussing with children and understanding their dreams. Smile on the faces of one billion people.

9. Which has been the happiest day of your life?

-- Umang Dave, Std. IX, Silken Academy, Mumbai.

Ans. Once I was working with Doctors to get light weight Floor Reaction Orthosis (FROs) for polio affected persons. After taking the measurements when the children were fitted with light weight FROs weighing 1/10th of the original weight which they were carrying, the children started running, walking and pedaling cycles. Their mobility brought tears of joy in the eyes of their parents. The sight of happiness on their faces brought bliss to me.

10. You are the first President who loves children so much. Why do you love us so much?

-- Yogesh Patel, Std. VII, Kerala People Education School, Bhavnagar

Ans. Because, you have dreams and questioning mind. And also your innocence, curiosity, commitment, sincerity and concern for making the country great.

11. When will India make a spaceship that will take children to the moon?

-- Sunny Kanabar, Std. VII, St. Mary Vidyalaya, Rajkot

Ans. Presently there is a moon mission ? Chandrayana-1. This mission has the objective of putting a spacecraft closer to the moon orbit and carrying out experiments. This mission is planned in 2007. This can further lead to manned missions in the subsequent years and establishment of factories in the moon. You get ready.

12. We want to visit your home, when can we come?

-- Hardik Modi, Std. VII, Experimental School, Surat.

Ans. Almost everyday, I receive number of children from different parts of the country. Definitely you are welcome to Rashtrapati Bhavan with your parents and teachers. We have a children's Gallery, Bio-diversity Park with various types of beautiful animals and birds, two herbal farms, apart from the historical building of the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Above all, we have beautiful flowers with fragrance.

13. What should we place more faith in ? science or God?

-- Umang Dave, Std. IX, Silikan Academy, Mumbai.

Ans. God has created the human being with brain and thinking faculty. He has commanded His creation that the faculty be used with reasoning to reach His image. This is the destiny of the human being. Science is the boon, God has bestowed upon mankind when reasoning becomes the capital of the society.

14. I have heard that one poor mother sold her child for Rs. 10. Is this the price of the Indian child? If not, what is the value of the Indian child?

-- Tushar Pahurkar, Std. VI, Vidyakunj High School, Vadodara.

Ans. Poverty is a curse. Our mission is to fight to remove the poverty. Children are invaluable asset to the nation.

15. Everybody has something to tell us. Some say we should be disciplined, some say we should study, we should be honest, hardworking and so on. All these are important ? but what is the most important quality for a child?

-- Dharma Mehta, Std. IX, St. Francis School, Mumbai

Ans. The most important quality for a child is to be honest to himself or herself and compassion to others. This will lead you to become an enlightened citizen.

16. What goal did you aim to achieve in your life? So, what should we children aim for from now?

-- Parth Padhya, Std. VII, New Vidyavihar School, Ahmedabad

Ans. When I was 10 year boy, studying fifth class, my teacher Shri Siva Subramania Iyer, has put into me the dream of my life. Similarly you can also choose an area in which you have intense interest and pursue it with full enthusiasm and vigour. Aim what you like to become: teacher, artist, fashion designer, doctor, engineer, good social worker and combination of a good human being.

15. To make your dream for India come true, what do you expect the children of India and, in particular, the children of BAPS to do?

-- Parth Patel, Std. VIII, Delhi Public School, Ahmedabad

Or

What is your message for the children today?

-- Neelkanth Patel, Std. VI, Tejas Vidyalaya, Vadodara.

Ans. As a student you can definitely contribute by fixing a goal in your life, concentrate to combat, overcome the hurdles and achieve excellence. Student must imbibe moral values. They should aspire to become entrepreneurs. During holidays students can teach poor and underprivileged children and create a mission for them. They can plant trees and contribute towards improving ecological balance. These activities will collectively lead towards development and prosperity.

16. Who will you make the next President?

-- Neelkanth Patel, Std. VI, Tejas Vidyalaya, Vadodara

Ans. YOU, and you get ready.

17. Why do you wear a blue shirt?

-- Harsh Bhatt, Std. VII, Fatima Convent School, Bhavnagar

Ans. I like the sky and its marvels.

18. When you do difficult job, do you remember God?

-- Hardik Zala, Std. VIII, Seventh Day Adventist High School, Ahmedabad.

Ans. We must remember that success is the result of our sincere efforts supported by divine intervention. It is said that God helps those who work hard.

19. What was your first thought when you became President?

-- Sunny Kanabar, Std. VII, St. Mary Vidyalaya, Rajkot.

Ans. My first thought was, a beautiful Thiagarajaswamigal's Keerthana in Sri Raga echoed from my heart - "Endaro Mahaanubhavalu andhariggi vandanamulu" which means, "I salute all the great noble hearted human beings".

20. What was your first thought when you met Pramukh Swami Maharaj for the first time?

-- Kirtan Patel, Std. IX, Girdharnagar-Shahibaug High School, Ahmedabad.

Ans. I met an inspiring soul and a spiritual leader beyond religion.

21. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, how would you like to be remembered?

-- Arsh Mehta, Std. VI, Tejas High School, Vadodara

Ans. He brought smiles on millions of faces. I will work for it.

22. You were from a poor family, so why did you choose not to work and study instead?

-- Rishi Patel, Std. VIII, Kendriya Vidyalaya, Rajkot

Ans. My parents and teachers were supportive and I was encouraged to pursue my studies.

23. You are on such a high post, but how are you able to live such a simple life?

-- Parth Patel, Std. VIII, Delhi Public School, Ahmedabad

Ans. My needs are very few.

24. What are the special qualities of the children from your time and today?s children?

-- Yogesh Patel, Std. VII, Kerala People Education School, Bhavnagar

Ans. I find that today?s children are more inquisitive and they want fast results. They have great ambitions and aspirations. Present day children are more intelligent.

25. In our country, even with a good degree why is it difficult to get a job? So, is it worth studying?

-- Dharma Mehta, Std. IX, St. Francis School, Mumbai

Ans. Number of jobs are limited, hence it is competitive. For succeeding in the competition, you have to work hard. If you persistently work hard, I am sure you will succeed in getting a job. Alternatively, you must equip yourself to become an entrepreneur. Then instead of seeking job you will be able to provide jobs to others. For both, employment and entrepreneurship, education is essential. Problem starts in thinking when the completion of the education leads to government job. A system is getting evolved to built in the educational system ? with entrepreneurship and employment

26. If God granted you one wish, what would you ask for?

-- Kirtan Patel, Std. IX, Girdharnagar-Shahibaug High School, Ahmedabad

Ans. I will pray god to give me strength to work for universal peace.

(Questions from BAPS children living outside India)

27. How can we as foreign Indian children help the needy children in India?

-- Tushar Shah, Std. IX, Aylesbury Grammar School, Milton Keynes, UK

Ans. There are number of Non-government agencies working towards this mission. You can participate in helping the children through good agencies.???

28. You have a strong passion for India. How can we as foreign Indians also develop this pride for our Motherland?

-- Tarun Patel, Std. VIII, Swaminarayan Independent School, London, UK

Ans. Anyone of Indian origin forms part of the large Indian family, which is proud of the civilizational heritage of our country. Hence, you are in a position to develop this pride for our motherland. You all have umbilical connectivity to the mother India.

I would like to administer an oath for all of you which I would like you to repeat with me. Are you ready?

Ten point oath for the youth of the nation

1. I will pursue my education or the work with dedication and I will excel in it.

2. From now onwards, I will teach at least 10 persons to read and write those who cannot read and write.

3. I will plant at least 10 saplings and shall ensure their growth through constant care.

4. I will visit rural and urban areas and permanently wean away at least 5 persons from addiction and gambling.

5. I will constantly endeavor to remove the pain of my suffering brethren.

6. I will not support any religious, caste or language differentiation.

7. I will be honest and set an example for others to follow.

8. I will work for becoming an enlightened citizen and make my family righteous.

9. I will always be a friend of the mentally and physically challenged and will work hard to make them feel normal, like the rest of us.

10. I will proudly celebrate the success of my country and my people.

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