By Atmarpit Apurvaji

This June, PM Narendra Modi paid tribute to the Mahatma’s Mahatma. Known as Shrimad Rajchandraji, a Gujarat-born saint, philosopher, poet and spiritual luminary; who interacted with Mahatma Gandhi before he went to South Africa is believed to have left a deep impression in his life and had influenced his thoughts on truth, non-violence and austere living. Gandhi’s proclamation of Shrimadji as he wrote in “My Experiments with Truth” said, “In my moments of spiritual crisis, Shrimadji was my refuge.” In the Modern Review, June 1930, he said, “Such was the man who captivated my heart in religious matters as no other man has ever till now.”

Commemorating the glorious occasion of Shrimad Rajchandraji’s 150^th Birth Anniversary Year, under the inspiration and guidance of Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshbhai; Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur is hosting year-long celebrations including production of award-winning theatrical masterpiece, YUGPURUSH. One of the landmark events in the revelry was the launch of commemorative coins and stamp of Param Krupalu Dev in the divine presence of Pujya Gurudevshri by the Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

On the morning of June 29, crowds thronged in thousands to Sabarmati Ashram, Ahmedabad to participate in the epic event.In a moving address, Pujya Gurudevshri extolled the virtues of Shrimad Rajchandraji and how His thoughts and guidance catalysed Mohandas Gandhi’s transformation to a Mahatma.

The crowd rejoiced as Prime Minister expressed heartwarming words eulogising Shrimad Rajchandraji. Honourable Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Vijay Rupani, expressed his deep regards for Shrimad Rajchandraji and His great impact on Mahatma Gandhi. The audience comprising of government officials, special guests, invitees and devotees keenly watched a video depicting the life of Shrimad Rajchandraji.

Audience rose to their feet when the Honourable Prime launched two commemorative coins and a special postage stamp as a nation’s tribute to Shrimad Rajchandraji. The launch culminated with a warm exchange as Pujya Gurudevshri gifted Honourable Prime Minister a sacrosanct idol of Shrimad Rajchandraji. In honour of the outstanding vision and revolutionary steps taken by the Honourable Prime Minister in making the nation powerful, Pujya Gurudevshri also presented him with the ‘Krantdrashta Karmayogi’ Award.

Award-winning play titled YUGPURUSH depicting the relationship between Mahatma Gandhi and Shrimad Rajchandraji will be played across Australia this November. Further details can be found at australia.yugpurush.org.