Ahmedabad, India – December 7, 2024: The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, witnessed a breathtaking celebration of service and devotion as BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha commemorated 50 years of volunteerism through its Karyakar Suvarna Mahotsav (Golden Anniversary Celebration). This grand event, attended by over 100,000 volunteers and millions of viewers worldwide, paid tribute to the selfless dedication and contributions of BAPS volunteers worldwide.
The evening’s celebrations united individuals of all ages and walks of life, reaffirming the legacy of selfless service inspired by BAPS spiritual leaders. From captivating performances to inspiring addresses, the event highlighted the transformative impact of seva (selfless service) on individuals, communities, and society at large.
The program began with a ceremonious welcome for His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, who arrived at the stadium in a beautifully crafted chariot. As the chariot advanced along the periphery of the stadium, a symbolic performance was performed by nearly 800 children and youth karyakars dressed in 550 handcrafted floral petals and 225 beads, which took nearly four months to prepare. This heartfelt tribute and welcome beautifully expressed the volunteers’ connection with Mahant Swami Maharaj.
Themed ‘Seed, Tree, Fruit,’ the event celebrated the journey of volunteers over the past 100 years. The Karyakar Suvarna Mahotsav program was divided into three segments—Seed, Tree, and Fruit—each symbolizing the evolution and impact of BAPS volunteerism.
The Seed segment showcased the nurturing of the selfless service tradition, initiated by Shastriji Maharaj and Yogiji Maharaj, and structured by Pramukh Swami Maharaj, who established organized platforms for volunteers. The Tree segment illustrated how these seeds of service blossomed into a global volunteer force, with stories of resilience and unwavering dedication to initiatives such as education, family unity, and humanitarian efforts. Special tributes were paid to women volunteers for their steadfast contributions. The Fruit segment celebrated the transformative outcomes of volunteerism, highlighting the global reach of BAPS through humanitarian projects and the lives it has touched.
The event underscored the unparalleled unity and dedication of volunteers, from large-scale festival management to individual acts of life-saving service, reflecting the boundless spirit of seva that continues to inspire millions worldwide. Each segment of the program was brought to life with mesmerizing performances by 2,000 artists, dazzling visual projections across a 160×140-meter screen, 70 projectors, and innovative uses of 100,000 pre-programmed wristbands that lit up in unison.
Key dignitaries, including Honorable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi (via video message), Union Home Minister of India, Shri Amit Shah, and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, shared their reflections on the volunteers’ contributions and the values they embody. The program also featured touching personal stories of volunteers who had made extraordinary sacrifices in service to society.
