HRH The Prince of Wales visited BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Neasden, London on Monday 5 March 2001 for the second time, his first visit being on 28 February 1996.
His Royal Highness arrived at the Mandir at 6pm and was received at the ceremonial gates by the trustees of BAPS, and the Worshipful Mayor of Brent, Cllr. Joyce Bacchus together with His Excellency The High Commissioner for India, Nareshwar Dayal. The Prince of Wales was welcomed by Atmaswarup Swami, head of the Mandir, in the traditional Hindu manner by applying a chandlo (red vermillion mark) to his forehead and tying a nada chhadhi (red thread) on his right wrist.
His Royal Highness then proceeded up the marble steps of the Mandir to the inner sanctum to pay respect to the sacred images. Thereafter, His Royal Highness met some of the hundreds of volunteers and community representatives who have been raising much-needed funds for the survivors of the worst earthquake to hit India in over 50 years.
On entering the Haveli Prayer Hall, Prince Charles was greeted with a rapturous applause by the thousands who had gathered.
After being garlanded by Atmaswarup Swami, His Royal Highness listened to Vedic prayers recited by sadhus of BAPS. A minute’s silence as a mark of respect to the deceased then took place. The British Rescue Team, RAPID-UK were felicitated for their rescue efforts. Captain Minesh Patel, co-ordinating manager of the British Airways 'Flight of Mercy' went on to share his experiences.
This was followed by a presentation of the ‘Sponsor-a-Home Scheme’ to help rehabilitate the tens of thousands of people left homeless by the earthquake. The scheme involves building 2,100 homes in 10 villages in Gujarat. In addition to the above houses, BAPS will undertake to build schools, kindergartens and nurseries in 25 villages.
Pupils of the Swaminarayan School presented a cheque of £17,180.07 to HRH The Prince of Wales. This phenomenal amount had been raised by the schoolchildren themselves through participation in a Sponsored Charity Walk organised by the Swaminarayan School to raise funds for the BAPS Gujarat Earthquake Appeal.
His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the spiritual leader of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha sent a video message to His Royal Highness in which he thanked him for visiting the Mandir and offering his support to BAPS. His Holiness went on to thank the RAPID UK Rescue Team for their life saving efforts in Gujarat and concluded by praying to God that the rehabilitation work be performed smoothly and blessed one and all.
In his keynote address, HRH The Prince of Wales expressed his deepest sympathy to the Gujarati community. He went on to say, “My heart goes out to those injured and left homeless and deprived of everything in life."
Prince Charles continued, “26 January will be remembered as a black day by the people of India and by all those like myself who care for India and have a deep affection for that country."
He went on to praise all those who have raised funds and said, “I particularly wanted to commend the Swaminarayan Hindu Mission for its truly remarkable role in providing rapid and practical assistance without any administrative cost which is the truly remarkable part."
His Royal Highness then officially launched the BAPS Sponsor-a-Home Scheme and made a generous donation to build a primary school of five classrooms in one of the most affected areas in Gujarat.
At the end of the one-hour visit, The Prince of Wales was presented with a memento before departing.
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