My Short Visit to Ahmedabad

 

My Short Visit to Ahmedabad

I visited Ahmedabad to participate in International Conference on the Role of Saints in the Empowerment of Scheduled Castes organized and hosted by BAPS Swaminarayan Research Institute in cooperation with Gujarat University and Guru Ghasidas  Vishwavidyalaya Bilaspur on December 21. I wrote a separate blog

At Bliss Serviced Apartments

on the Conference which may be read at:  http://diplomatictitbits.blogspot.com/2022/12/the-role-of-saints-in-empowerment-of.html It was my maiden visit to Ahmedabad. With a view to see around a bit, I requested my hosts to book my travel schedule in such way that I could get some time in Ahmedabad. They were kind enough to accommodate me to have December 20 for sightseeing etc. But that was not to be as fog in Chandigarh delayed my flight for almost 6 hours. Nevertheless, Ajay Bhai and Kanu Bhai, my duty bound and courteous escorts deputed by my hosts, took me around for a quick city tour of Gandhi Nagar and Ahmedabad in the evening including  Sabarmati over-bridge and the locality where the mother of PM Modi was residing in the heart of Ahmedabad. The gratifying aspect of the day was a tour of the Pramukh Swami Maharaj Nagar in the outskirts of Ahmedabad; specially erected and constructed village or township in 600 acres which was also the venue of the Conference I was to attend the next day, one out of the 8 planned such events. The village was formally inaugurated on December 14 by PM Narendra Modi in connection with centennial celebrations of

At Mahotsav in front of statues of Guru Ravidass abbd Guru Nanak

Pramukh Swami Maharaj.  Pramukh Swami Maharaj Shatabdi Mahotsav is being celebrated for a month starting from December 15. The month-long centenary celebrations of Pramukh Swami Maharaja, who lived by his motto of "in the joy of others lies our own", is being celebrated from December 15-January 15 in Ahmedabad. The festival is being hosted on a gigantic 600-acre site, named 'Pramukh Swami Nagar'. As many as seven large decorative gateways are made to welcome and guide visitors to the various zones in the campus. Pramukh Swami Maharaj's Maha-Murti is perched, with depictions of his great life and works. Five immersive shows - 'Sahajanand', 'Muktanand', 'Nityanand', 'Bharatanand' and 'Paramanand'  comprising of films and live performances - themed on relevant topics taught and promoted by Pramukh Swami Maharaj, such anti-addiction, family, harmony pride

At Mahostav - Replica of Akshardham New Delhi

for India and community service, is aired. Thousands of volunteers serving at the Pramukh Swami Nagar have been engaged full-time by admirably balancing their personal, family, social professional and volunteer duties. They have been engaged in planning, management and implementation at the Pramukh Swami Nagar, some of whom have been serving for the past six months to one year.  It was a thoughtfully created site presenting the ‘Sarv Dharma’ philosophy of India. On the main entrance gate, there were huge images of Guru Ravidass, Guru Nanak and Satguru Kabir along with other revered Saints.

I was accommodated at a clean and green complex of flats, Bliss Serviced Apartments in the Green City Avenue of Gandhi Nagar, the capital city of Gujarat, a modern city said to be free of pollution. I found Ahemdabad an old and historical city and Gandhi Nagar a planned city, still under development.  Ahmedabad was the capital of Gujarat from 1960 to 1970. Later on, the capital was shifted to Gandhinagar. Ahmedabad is the largest city in Gujarat. The tourist spots of Gaandhinagar - Gandhinagar are -The Akshardham is a massive Hindu temple with ornate carvings and sculpted pillars, Dandi Kutir museum traces the life of Mahatma Gandhi, the Indroda Nature Park has a zoo and botanical gardens, and an adjacent dinosaur and fossil park.  Ahmedabad - The Sabarmati River runs through its center. On the western bank of Sabarmati river is the Gandhi Ashram, a site of Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy.

I relished a variety of Gujarati food (pure vegetarian) in the tastefully created dining halls at the Pramukh Swami Maharaj Nagar, the venue of the December 21 Conference – Dhokla, Thepla, Kakria, Chevda, Khakhra and also Gathiya. It was a sheer delight. Just to carry the memories of the visit, I purchased Khadi wear from the Gandhi Ashram for my own use.

I may add to conclude that during my long diplomatic career, I could not avail of opportunities of “Bharat Darshan’ which were available to me. I could see a bit of Bharat only after my retirement – Dharamshala with my family during the visit of my son Naresh from

At Pune - Babasaheb Ambedkar Museum and Memorial

Sweden, Amritsar along with one of my colleagues from the IFS fraternity, Nagpur on the invitation of RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat as the Guest Honour at one of the RSS’s annual events, Pure to participate in a Seminar hosted by Social Studies Foundation and now Ahmedabad/Gandhinagar. I look forward to more such opportunities in the year 2023.

With all the best wishes and Happy New Year to my readers.