Paying tribute to the BAPS leader, Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji said: “It is a great tragedy for India and the world that HH Pujya Pramukh Swamiji Maharaj has left from his earthly, physical body. We were so blessed to have him in physical form for so many, divine years, and his physical presence will be deeply missed.
“India is not a piece of land; it is a land of peace due to saints like Pujya Pramukh Swamiji Maharaj, who have dedicated their entire lives for peace, love and harmony.
“To me Pramukh Swamiji Maharaj is not gone; he will always stay on. He is still here today with us in heart, in spirit, in love and in blessings.
“Pramukh Swamiji Maharaj was very special, very unique. He was a saint who not only spread the message of peace and harmony, but who also was the manifestation of peace, love and harmony. He was a saint of action and perfection, a saint of vision and wisdom. He always had great discipline, austerity, honesty and integrity in his own life. What he preached, he always practised.
“Now, although he is not here in physical form, his messages of love, harmony and peace will continue to inspire the Swaminarayan tradition and so many others.
“To me Pramukh Swamiji Maharaj is a saint of the century. Many times I have had the opportunity to meet him and see him from very close, and I could see the piety and the purity in every cell of his being. Saints like this come on the earth and bless the earth very rarely. It is a great blessing that we were able to be with him.
“Pujya Pramukh Swamiji Maharaj emphasised that seva IS sadhana. He emphasised that the best prayer is to serve humankind. It is crucial that the numerous seva programmes continue to grow and flourish in his name.
“Additionally, I believe that the greatest homage we can pay to his great legacy will be oneness. I pray to see the oneness grow and blossom among the Swaminarayan tradition and between the Swaminarayan tradition and other traditions. To be one, to be strong in our faith, to unite in his name, memory and teaching, will be the greatest homage we can pay Pujya Pramukh Swamiji Maharaj and also Bhagawan Swaminarayan.
“My humblest pranams to Pramukh Swamiji Maharaj.
“I know that Pujya Mahant Swami will be a great torch bearer of the Swaminarayan tradition and will continue to lead with the vision, wisdom and blessings of Pujya Pramukh Swamiji Maharaj.
“I send my pranams to him and all Swaminarayan sants.”
Dharavi slum in Mumbai
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Man pleads not guilty to murder of BBC presenter's family
A 26-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering the wife and two daughters of BBC sports commentator John Hunt in a crossbow and knife attack.
Kyle Clifford, who also faces charges of rape, appeared via video link at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday.
Clifford, arrested in July after a manhunt, is charged with three counts of murder, one count each of rape and false imprisonment, and two counts of possessing offensive weapons – a 10-inch knife and a crossbow.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session.
He is expected to enter a plea for that charge at a later date.
The victims were Carol Hunt, 61, wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28.
An earlier hearing revealed that Louise had been found tied up and that both she and her sister had been shot with a crossbow, while their mother had been stabbed with a knife.
The fatal attack occurred at the family’s home in Bushey, a commuter town near Watford, northwest of London.
(With inputs from AFP)