Maryada Mahotsav - 143rd - (05) A Preview Of Preparations

Dear Readers, SUCCESS happens when preparations meet luck. I knew that people of Gangasahar were lucky. Without luck, they could not have got the chance to host an important event like Maryada Mahotsav. I had no doubt about the success of festivities. Luck and successes always prevail in holy presence of Pujyapravars.

Nevertheless, I wanted to learn about the level of preparations, which really have to be in place to make the Maryada Mahotsav a successful event.

I headed to meet the person who was at the helm of affairs. In the town of Gangasahar, it was not difficult to find Shri Lunkaranji Chhajer, Mahamantri of Maryada Mahotsav Vyavastha Samiti. He and his team were working from a make–shift office just across Terapanth Bhawan.

However, my fear was whether a person like him would have time to talk to me on a very busy and crucial day just before Maryada Mahotsav. As the saying goes, only busy people can find time, Shri Chhajerji spent some twenty minutes with me - though he was simultaneously attending some other tasks. I did not get any signal to indicate that they were expecting any contingency or uncertainty. As my talks with Shri Chhajerji progressed, the reason for this became very clear – they were fully prepared on all fronts. They were handling all details in a very systematic manner. Most tasks were delegated to various capable persons and everyone was taking care of the work, which was allotted to him. The details were truly impressive but here are some of the points they had taken care of:

• Finance
• Beautification of Town
• Guests Hospitality
• Security Arrangements
• Accommodation – Guests / Sadhu / Sadhvi / Samani / Mumukshus
• Construction
• Volunteers liaisons
• Supply of Gas Stoves & Cylinders
• Supply of cooking utensils, beds, blankets & mattresses
• Canteen – Snacks & beverages
• Bhojanashala - meals
• Gochari
• Media & Press relations
• Transportation Help
• Water & Electricity Supply
• Medical & Health
• Processions arrangement and crowd control
• Stage / Arena managements
• Books & Literature
• General Enquires
• Lost & Found
• Public Announcements
• Banners & Hoardings
• Cloak Room (Left luggage facility)
• Onward Ahimsa Yatra

Shri Chhajerji informed me that District Collector Mr. Alok Gupta had been helpful in timely completion of construction of road from Terapanth Bhawan to Nokha Road via Anuvrat Marg. Mr. Gupta had issued necessary instructions to local and district level government officials to ensure problem free supply of water, gas and electricity; necessary help of police force was enlisted to maintain security, traffic and crowd control arrangements & active support of relevant local bodies was assured to maintain cleanliness of the town.

The work was allotted/shared between all terapanthi organizations of Gangasahar and nearby towns – Shri Jain Shwetambar Terapanthi Sabha, Terapanth Yuvak Parishad, Mahila Mandal, Kishore Mandal, Kanya Mandal etc. All the organizations and their volunteers were discharging their assignments happily and dedicatedly. In fact they made some 40 sub-committees, which took care of much more than above listed different subjects.

I saw and heard two very young girls of Kanya Mandal (around 10 yrs) making routine public announcements!!! Mahila Mandal’s volunteers were busy in managing the canteen in nearby place. Stacks of Gas stoves and other items as may be required by people who opt to stay in temporarily constructed cottages gave a clear message that nothing was going to be in short supply. Many people mentioned to me that the level of cleanliness and lighting on the roads was not seen by them in many years!!!

I was told that at a meeting of volunteers held earlier on that day, 180 persons vowed to serve 24 hours a day on all next three days.

Dear readers, with all above and more, how could SUCCESS elude the dedicated and devoted people of Gangasahar??? (view)