Title
To recognize the Centennial Celebration of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj in Columbus.
Body
WHEREAS, Born on December 7, 1921, in Chansad, Gujarat, India, Pramukh Swami Maharaj embarked on a spiritual path from an early age, seeking purity, renouncing material possessions, and possessing a striking humility, saintliness, and selfless desire to help all, and;
WHEREAS, His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj was the fifth spiritual successor and guru of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), a worldwide Hindu organization dedicated to promoting harmony between individuals, within families, and amongst diverse communities, and;
WHEREAS, his unique combination of spirituality and leadership has grown BAPS globally, encompassing more than 1,100 mandirs worldwide and 150 centers in North America, and created five grand stone mandirs in the United States, and;
WHEREAS, these mandirs offer a welcoming and spiritual space for thousands of families, as well as worship, fellowship, communal meals, education, and activities for young and old, creating a true home for the faithful, and;
WHEREAS, a rare soul, His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj always lived for others, visiting more than 250,000 homes in 17,000 villages and cities in more than 50 countries, and personally counselling and comforting more than 810,000 people, and;
WHEREAS, His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s unique message to the world is ‘‘In the joy of others, lies our own’’, and his words were thoughtful, meaningful, and consoling, coming from the depth of profound experience and deep compassion, and;
WHEREAS, His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj always gave enlightenment, guidance, and wisdom to the many entrusted to his care and administered abundantly and unstintingly to the spiritual and corporal needs of all, and;
WHEREAS, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Columbus, Ohio serves the Columbus area community with charitable works and spiritual support inspired by His Holiness; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS: That this Council does hereby thank BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha for their service in the City of Columbus and recognizes the Centennial Celebration of Pramukh Swami Maharaj.