Staff Reporter
For thousands of people who visit the Swaminarayan Temple (of the International Swaminarayan Satsang Organisation (ISSO), in the South Auckland suburb of Papatoetoe, the sight of young volunteers performing a variety of tasks is a daily routine.
As well as participating in the Poojas and other ceremonies, some of them go a few steps beyond their brief and undertake free cleansing service.
Among them is Manish Kumar from Patiala, India. He completed his education in March 12 and is employed at Countdown in Mount Eden in Central Auckland.
Hitesh Prashar is also a young man from Hoshiarpur in India. He is now a student pursuing a course in Mechanical Engineering at the Manukau Institute of Technology to obtain a Level 6 Diploma.
He works as a part-time Mechanic at a local workshop.
When ISSO Trustee and Director Ranjna Patel made a casual mention of the two young men, she said that there were two other joining them in their daily chores.
“They are at the Temple every day, cleaning the mess made by people offering milk, flowers and fruits to the Deities. The wash the entire area, perform the service, participate in the prayers and leave quietly. We are proud of the younger members of the society,” she said.
We salute Manish Kumar and Hitesh Prashar, wish them well and look forward to hearing from the other two young men.
It is these men who help us to repose faith in the growing generation and in humanity in general. Ms Patel calls them ‘Unsung Heroes’ and we could not agree more.
Photo :
Manish Kumar and Hitesh Prashar
