Mumbai: Youths to lead Baha’i intercalary days celebration

Distribution of 500 blankets to street kids by some members of the Baha’i community during the intercalary days celebration in 2020

In the light of the prevailing novel Coronavirus pandemic and an uptick in the number of positive cases being recorded in Mumbai, the intercalary days celebration of the Baha'i calendar will be led by the city's Baha'i youth this year. The days that fall between February 25 and 29 are celebrated by community members who take to acts of charity and social service towards the poor during this period.

Songs and feasting with children from the Badhwar Park slums during the celebration in 2020

What happens
The Baha'i calendar, called the Badi calendar, is a uniform solar calendar of 19 months and 19 days, adding up to a total of 361 days. The remaining four days (five in leap years) are observed as intercalary days - intervening days - during which Baha'is focus their attention towards acts of charity and social action. They distribute gifts to the needy in homes for the elderly, to children in orphanages, as well as to poor patients in hospitals, etc. Community members also organise functions and devotionals to convey the message of harmony and unity and emphasise the need to eradicate superstition and prejudice.

Nargis Gaur, secretary of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahai's of Mumbai, said, "The intercalary days are a period of preparation for the upcoming month, which is the last month in our calendar, during which we fast. During these days, we indulge in acts of charity and generosity. This year, due to the pandemic, we will have virtual meetings and prayers, as well as online junior youth programmes.
The youth will imbibe the spirit of these intercalary days; some of our youth members are volunteering time at an animal shelter in Khar, while other youngsters are organising programmes such as giving drinking water to policemen, as well as taking stuff to old age homes that they require. This year, the youth will lead from the forefront."

‘An awakening call'
According to the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahai's of Mumbai, the "concerted activity organised during the intercalary days lends impetus" to the community's regular social service activities throughout the year. "This year serves as an awakening call to the community to arise as never before to alleviate the sufferings of fellow citizens during distressful pandemic conditions and economic travails, besides healing the wounds of communal polarisation," said the Assembly, in a press release put out on Monday. Gaur said, "Significantly, children and youth are involved in Baha'i welfare activities in order to inculcate in them the spirit of service and prepare them to carry forward the baton of goodwill to citizens of all castes and creeds."