Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Kingsbury places huge importance in education, stemming from the lineage of Lord Shree Swaminarayan that has established a culture of educational support. Indeed, in establishing the headquarters of Maninagar Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan, Jeevanpran Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa founded a boarding house for students even before building a Mandir there. This was only the beginning, as Swamibapa established a tradition whereby funds raised during grand religious festivals were reserved to fund societal projects – predominantly educational establishments. Continuing and flourishing that tradition, Ved Ratna Acharya Swamishree Maharaj established numerous schools and colleges, including Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Mahila Arts & Commerce College in Bhuj, exclusively for girls so that they may access high-quality education within the Kutch region.
Tuesday 30th August saw an Education Awards evening, inspired and presided over by Acharya Swamiji Maharaj. Over 120 awards were given out in total to students who had excelled at GCSEs, A-levels, vocational and technical training, professional qualifications and specialist certifications. A total of 31 excellence awards were handed out – reserved for those who had done exceptionally well in their educational achievements. Amongst these were 8 first class honours at degree level, passes at grade 9 in all GCSEs, and A*s in all A-levels, for several students – truly remarkable results.
The evening was a wonderful celebration of the exceptional talent that exists within the Mandir community, and served as an inspiration to future generations as to what can be achieved through hard work, dedication and the grace of God. We pray to the Lord that our community continues to achieve and flourish in this way, that achievers use their talents and skills for the progression of the Mandir and Sanstha, and remain humble with the understanding that all their successes are due to the mercy of God.