BAPS temple donates $11,000 for earthquake relief in New Zealand

John Key, the prime minister of New Zealand, visited BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir and Youth Centre in Avondale, Auckland on Sunday September 5, 2010. On the occasion, the BAPS community donated $11,000 in response to the devastating earthquake near the city of Christchurch.

At the same time, BAPS volunteers pledged to continue with their support by collecting more funds from the wider community through an ‘Earthquake Appeal Project’. The prime minister appreciated the efforts of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha in reaching out for the affected. He said, “I would like to commend BAPS for this generous donation. It will help enormously.”

The spiritual leader of BAPS, Pramukh Swami Maharaj, also sent a special message and prayers for the unfortunate victims of the earthquake. Key also had an opportunity to meet and interact with young people of BAPS at the Pramukh Swami Youth Centre. He also lauded the nurturing of talent and abilities of youth by the BAPS. Youth are taught in variety of disciplines ranging from classical music and crafts to money management and martial arts.