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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORARY SHREE HARI ROAD
WHEREAS, Sahajanand Swami, or Bhagwan Swaminaryan, was an influential social reformer in early 19th Century India; and
WHEREAS, Bhagwan Swaminarayan worked towards ending the caste system, often noting that heaven was beyond distinctions of class and creed; and
WHEREAS, Bhagwan Swaminarayan advocated for women’s rights, the education of women from all strata of society, and instituted numerous protections for women at the time; and
WHEREAS, Bhagwan Swaminarayan strongly emphasized devotees to offer community service, live free of addictions, and under a strict moral code of conduct in support of society; and
WHEREAS, Bhagwan Swaminarayan promoted nonviolence in all aspects of society by word or action; and
WHEREAS, Bhagwan Swaminarayan inspired 3000 educated individuals to renounce the world and live as sadhus and inspired 1.8 million devotees in his time; and
WHEREAS, The Swaminarayan Sampradhay has continued to grow in the past 225 years in India and abroad, now totaling 20 million followers internationally, to positively impact communities worldwide; and
WHEREAS, Bhagwan Swaminarayan was affectionately called “Shree Hari” by his followers,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board does honorarily rename the segment of Martingale Road between Schaumburg Road and Biesterfield Road as ‘Shree Hari Road’ in honor of the influential life of Shree Hari; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this text be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body, and suitable copies be tendered to members of the Shree Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Temple and Cultural Center.
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