Devotion comes in different colours. While many Amdavadis are celebrating the inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya by lighting diyas, offering prasad and singing bhajans, there are many who believe service to man is service to god and hence plan to offer help or other services to those in need as part of the Ram Temple inauguration celebration.
An animal lover, 32-year-old Hitendra Mali is offering churma laddoo to street animals on the day. A resident of Gota, Mali firmly believes that god is for and in everyone. “My volunteers and I will feed laddoos to around 10,000 street animals including cows, dogs, buffaloes, goats, monkeys and squirrels in the city,” he said. Mali will be spending Rs 1.5 lakh to feed the animals.
Shital Kalal, an employee of an NGO has been fasting for 11 days following in the footsteps of PM Modi. The 44-year-old resident of New Ranip said the PM has been fasting for the welfare of the country and this inspired her to do it. “Through my fast, I can pray for his well-being and that of the nation. Hence I have been fasting since last Friday and will break my fast after the huge celebration for the Ram Mandir in our society,” she said.
Dharmendra Thakkar, an auto driver, is offering free rides to his passengers from 9 am to 9 pm on January 22 from Naroda to Narol. “Saint Jalaram Bapa was a devotee of Lord Ram and I am a follower of the saint. I am inspired to do my bit for society and hence I will be offering free rides to passengers,” he said.
Bhadresh Shah, owner of Kuldevi Jewellers, offered free mehendi to women on January 20 and 21 to celebrate the consecration ceremony at Ayodhya Mandir. In all 350 women took advantage of the offer. “We keep doing such programmes and had one such offer during Gauri Vrat too,” said Shah.
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