1^st English Bal Sangat

22^nd February 2001 saw the first English Bal Sangat of the year of Leicester. Well over half a hundred people, both children and adults, attended making the atmosphere an electric and exciting one.

The talented youngsters were responsible for conducting the entire congregation, right from the stage to Sewa Dal duties. Presiding the chair was young sister Navita Muman (age14). Whilst sister Swanti Mathura (age 9) performed the secretary’s demanding role with remarkable confidence and character other budding youngsters providing the musical accompaniment on the stage. Each young decotee came fully prepared ready to participate in this fascinating event which was a sign of the great enthusiasm and confidence of the youngsters’ ability to present their intriguing feelings before such as large gathering. Both young and old were completely mesmerized and pleasantly surprised.

There was a lot to learn from each and every person. The youngest to speak were brothers Samdesh and Navdesh who thanked Baba Ji for their partents and each other. Brother Hashim Ji shared a story about profit Mohammed (peace be with him) who taught us to love everybody and, as he explained, to even love our enemies. There was an abundance of poems and hymns. The unexpected, but much appreciated, presence of young brother Rahul Ji and family from Birmingham, also brought smiles to the faces of everyone as they shared their views.

Sister Navita, in her discourse, explained the importance of accepting each other’s way of life and not criticizing anybody on account of diet or dress. She explained that we should not judge anybody simply on observation of their clothes, or make negative assumptions because somebody may have a completely different culture to us. She concluded her vichar by saying that we should love everyone as our brother and sister and live as one big family together.

Credit must go to the parents who bring their children on the path that Satguru prescribes since this no doubt provides young minds with a broadminded and opent platform upon which they may build their understaning. Baba Ji has explained many times that the children of today are the saviours of tomorrow. May we pray to Nirankar that events like these continue to take place regularly all over England and elsewhere so that the small but colourful flames of today and develop into the brightly guiding stars of tomorrow.