Celebrating Tribal Day at Pramukh Swami Maharaj Nagar.

On the seventh day of the month-long celebrations of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, thousands gathered at Pramukh Swami Maharaj Nagar in Ahmedabad to celebrate “Glorious Tribal Traditions: Celebrating Humanity”, marking Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s relentless efforts in uplifting tribal communities.

Despite his advancing age and health conditions, Pramukh Swami Maharaj visited tribal villages regularly. In 1977, he visited 91 tribal villages of the Sabarkantha region amid the sweltering summer heat. In 1979, he toured 95 tribal villages within the Panchmahal and Bharuch regions. He travelled in the tribal villages surrounding Bodeli in 1979, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1992, and 1998. His visits elevated the remote villagers from poverty, illiteracy and addictions and inspired them to progress socially, educationally and spiritually. His work reflected his passion to ensure the continuity of tribal traditions while helping to provide resources for individuals’ social and economic uplift.

The program started at its usual time and many dignitaries from various field were present at the event and also contributed their views.

In the evening program BAPS scholar  Adarshjivandas Swami narrated Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s herculean efforts in connecting with people. He said, “Pramukh Swami Maharaj wrote over 750,000 letters, never neglecting a single individual’s letter, as he believed service to humans was service to God. He personally met hundreds of thousands, listened to them, solved their problems and guided them towards a better life. Just as yogis practice hath yoga in the forest, Pramukh Swami Maharaj practiced ‘hita’ (welfare) yoga, as he lived for others, prayed for others and guided others his entire life.”

Further another scholar said,  “Pramukh Swami Maharaj transformed the lives of countless tribal communities through his unconditional love. Today, in Gujarat’s Bodeli district alone, 30,000 tribals are living a spiritual life free of addictions. Travelling in tribal areas, Pramukh Swami Maharaj would stay in tribals’ homes, sleep in the open in the winter cold, walk for kilometres to their villages, resolve their problems, sanctify their homes, and eat the food offered by them. Countless tribals have provided testimonials that Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s unconditional love has transformed their lifestyles and improved their socio-economic condition. Tribal children graduating from BAPS schools are now doctors, engineers and professionals who have gone on to prestigious universities like IIT Mumbai. Books and chronicles can be written on Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s work for tribal upliftment.”

Some of the male and female who have acquired some of the educational qualifications were facilitated on stage in the program, During the programme, many dignitaries spoke of India’s glorious tribal culture and honoured Pramukh Swami Maharaj for his efforts in tribal upliftment.

Ramchandra Kharadi, National President of Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, said, “From the time of the Ramayan to the bhakti of Shabari, tribals have been pivotal in Indian history. Tribals have been exploited by foreign invaders since long. Tribals helped defeat Mahmud Ghazni and have remained instrumental in saving our Indian tradition even today.”

Harsh Chouhan, Chairperson of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, said, “I was elated that an entire day was dedicated to celebrate tribal culture in Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s centenary celebrations. Our community has a silent sorrow that no one understands us, but Pramukh Swami Maharaj was able to understand us and inspire others to do so. This is because he did not employ the standards of others to understand us, but listened with his heart. For Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the tribal folk and city-dwellers were the same. We should endeavour to spread the same feelings and messages Pramukh Swami Maharaj fostered in every village to be successful in tribal upliftment.”

At the end of the event Pramukh Swami Maharaj said, “Pramukh Swami Maharaj provided a distinctive definition of Adivasis. He said, ‘The oldest, ‘adi’, is God, and those in whose hearts God resides ‘vasi’ are Adivasis.’ This was not just wordplay, but Pramukh Swami Maharaj truly believed and lived this. Pramukh Swami Maharaj often said, ‘Although others may consider tribals backward, I see God in them.’ This sentiment propelled him to travel from hut to hut in tribal areas, considering them his family. He stayed at their homes and ate their food without distinction. Through his selfless love, he transformed the lives of thousands of tribals, freeing them from addictions and bad habits and inspiring them to lead virtuous lives. Today, these same tribals have progressed academically, professionally and spiritually, teaching their children to also walk on the path. In fact, many males and females from the tribal communities are joyously serving as volunteers in this festival. Whatever he did, Pramukh Swami Maharaj did with his heart, and his heart was so pure, it touched everyone.”