A half-day Workshop on Samskara Varga Prashikshan  for 13  ladies including  housewives and college going   students from 8 villages of Vellangallur area of Irinjalakuda, was held at Anandadham today (  Saturday,28th May). Shibir started at 10 a.m. with a report  by Smt  Mini  who had attended the first one day Samskarvarga prashikshan Shibir held on 22nd December 2015.She narrated how the Samskara varga prashikshan given in Kendra  was helpful for them in starting 10 such Vargas in different villages of Vellangallur and today's workshop was the result of the demands of more parents who found the difference in the childrens' behaviour.This was followed by Didi's talk on the ' Need for Samskara' to bind the  people together to inculcate the Indianness in them.

Sri Sudhakarji guided them on how they could organize and conduct classes for children within a limited time of one and a half hour, which would include all aspects of development- physical, mental, spiritual, intellectual and patriotic zeal in a child. Teaching of daily prayers,song, exercises, and games practice, summing up by Didi,  formed part of the workshop. The Workshop concluded at 1.30 p.m. withShanti mantra. All the participants enthusiastically participated in the entire programme and looking forward in organising a few more classes in the different areas of Vellangallur, as well as assisting  the already existing vargas in their localities . 

Mananeeya LakshmiDidi talking to the participants

game in progress

SAMSKAR VARGA PRASHIKSHAN  SHIBIR

     'Be and Make', is one of the well-known sutras of Swami Vivekananda. What can be a more relevant message for the budding Samskarvarg teachers who are given training or prashikshan to train the kids in and around their locality, in  inculcating good samskaras,  which would help to build up their all round personalities.

     A three day nonresidential Samskaravarg Shibir was conducted from 28th April to 30th April,by Vivekananda Vedic Vision Foundation at Anandadham, under the able guidance of our resource persons and also jeevanvrati karyakartas,- Sushree Lalita Didi, Sushree Sumitra, Sri Raghuji and under the overall support and guidance of Mananeeya Lakshmi Didi. 17 children from the age group of 11years  to 18 years and 3 mothers from 8 localities in and around Kodungallur, were trained. From 9 a.m. to  3.30 p.m everyday, they were trained in different skills like  art of story telling, based on Indian Cultural values like Satya, Tyaga,Seva etc, Slogans or ghosas, Agnyas or commands for disciplining the Varga,and many games through which they could develop their life skills both physically and mentally. 

      Dr Ashalatha BJP Counsellor of the 41st ward of Kodungallur town was the Chief Guest for the concluding session. She spoke to the children and their parents as to the importance of good samskaras . 'Though it was the concluding of the camp,yet  it was just the beginning because this handful of children could make a mark in the society by spreading Swamiji's message to the nook and corners of Kodungallur' said Mananeeya Lakshmi Didi in her ashirvachanam.

Mananeeya LakshmiDidi lighting the lamp  -28th April

Story telling session- children enacting the story told by Didi

Su. Lalita Didi training children in Surya Namaskar

Sri Raghuji's class on patriots of India and Kerala

Su.Sumtra Didi's session -Agnya, Ghosh, Geet  and instruction for Khel

Dr Ashalatha addressing the children on the concluding session

Vishwabhanu Februrary - March 2016

It was a good fortune to start our Vimarsha series with Acharya A.K.B Nair. Sri A.K.B Nair is a renowned exponent of spiritual literature in Kerala. After a long and spotless career in the Indian Revenue Service, he took up studies  in Sanskrit and Spiritual literature and emerged as an extremely well-versed speaker on Bhagavata,Devi Bhagavatam, Ramayana and so on.Of special interest to him is Ezhuthacchan's Adhyatma Ramayana in Malayalam.He has produced a well-studied commentary on this Malayalam Ramayana, which he says,the Holy Book of Keralites. The talk on 18th April, 4pm to 6.30p.m.was based on the innumerable anecdotes which make it a manual for self-unfoldment and societal well-being, in essence, it was an enlightening exploration into the Dharma as depicted in the life of  Maryadapurushottam Sri Ramachandra. One could easily understand why Sri Rama was called 'Vigrahavan Dharma'. How Rama behaved  as an  elder brother, as a husband, as a son, as a friend and as a King, became the dharma of a brother, a husband, a son, a friend and the rastra dharma of a King. Hence he assured that if the reading  and understanding the meaning of Ramayana becomes the part of the life of each family, life will be smooth and without failures.

PDC- II

A six-day nonresidential PDC for children of classes III to V was conducted at Anandadham from 13th April to 19th April. 40 children  enrolled. Story telling based on Indian Culture, our patriots , crafts including drawing ,painting and paperwork , games, Suryanamaskar and sanskrit sloka chantings formed part of everyday schedule. Today was the concluding session. Parents of the participants were invited for the session. Children were divided into 5 groups namely Dhruva, NAchiketa,Prahlad, Unniarcha and Abhimanyu. Smt Jyothi Unniraman, a close well wisher of Kendra was the Chief Guest.Guided by their group leaders who had attended the previous camp held for classes VI to IX , the campers put up a short and sweet programme which was well appreciated by all.

Personality Development Camp I

PDC I started from  1st April and concluded in the  evening  of 7th April, (Thursday). The camp was formally inaugurated by Mananeeya Lakshmi Didi. The theme of this camp was " Make in India". 57 children from the age group of 11years  to 15 years, attended.
Even though the duration was just a week, the children could enrich their capabilities, discover their potential through various activities meant for them during the camp. There were lectures on  i) personality development by a well-known professor Sri Harishankarji,ii) by Sri Mohan Nair, on the topic 'Belief' that what the human mind conceives , it can achieve, iii) on 'Memory power' by Sri Sudhakarji, iv)Sri Sujith Sir's workshop on values. Apart from this, craft classes taken by Su Bindu  and class on the importance of environmental conservation by Sri Anoop Sir, Suryanamaskar, games group songs and chants were also part of the schedule for the participants.

Mananeeya Lakshmi Didi, inaugurating the camp and  talking to the children

Games 

                                     Children                                            with Sri
                                       Aroop Sir

 Girls with Crafts teacher
Su.Bindu                            




                                         Yoga

Vishwabhanu December 2015 - January 2016

Inauguration of Saptaham

It is time again to celebrate Viveka Ganapathi pratistha divas this year also like previous years.  Srimad Bhagavatha Saptaham started at Anandadham. Sri Oravankara Achuthan Namboothiri as Acharya from Tantra Vidya Peetham Aluva, with his Saha Acharayan Attupurath Damodaran Namboothiri and Pukuzhy Vasudevan Namboothiri as the poojari. The programme started with Sri Oravankara Achuthan Namboothiri lighting the lamp and Ma Lakshmididi honored the yagnacharya and others. 

Acharya  Tirumeni,  explained  the importance of Bhagavata Saptaham and gave programme schedule for next seven days. With arathi and shanti mantra the programme  concluded for the day

From 1st February, on every Mondays,Wednesdays and Fridays for one and a half months yoga satra  has been started .especially for ladies which includes 40 students and six  lecturers, of Maliankara SNM College, in Ernakulam district. The students  are from degree first and second year.

Bhagavata Saptaham

There will be a Bhagavata Saptaham starting from 10th February to 17th February 2016. This is being done coinciding with Viveka Ganapathi's installation ceremony. For the last six years this Yajna is being organised  by the Foundation

SWAMI VIVEKANANDA JAYANTHI CELEBRATION 2016

SURYAKIRAN

(SAMUHIKA-SURYANAMASKAR COMPETITIONS)

Irinjalakuda Bhavans

Irinjalakuda Bhavans

Bhavan's Vidya Mandir

On 12th January, Samuhika Surya namaskar competition was held for classes VII and VIII, at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan's Vidya Mandir -Irinjalakuda.102children in five groups - Rose. Lily, Dahlia, Jasmine and Lotus groups, two from girls' and 3 from boys participated in the competition.From the boys, Dahlia group and from the girls Rose group were selected for the final on 28th January

Gurushree Public school

Gurushree Public school

    

Gurushree Public School

On 14th January, Samuhika Surya namaskar competition was conducted for classes VII to X at Gurushree Public Scool, Chapara, Pullut.100 children in five groups -Kripa.Daya, Karuna, Adithya and Dharma groups, 3groups from girls and 2from boys participated in the competition.From the boys, Daya group and from the girls Adithya groups were selected for the final on 28th January.

S.N. Vidya Bhavan

S.N.Vidyabhavan

On 19th January, SamuhikaSurya Namaskar competition was conducted at S.N.Vidyabhavan, Chentrappinni. 40 students participated. All the 40 were selected for the finals as they had performed well.

Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Kodungallur

Amrita Vidyalayam,

Sai Vidya Bhavan

Amrita Vidyalayam

Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Kdlr

Amrita Vidyalayam

25th January, Samuhika SuryaNamaskar competition at Bharatiya VidyaBhavan, Kodungallur, Sai Vidya Bhavan, P.Vemballur and AmritaVidyalayam, Kodungallur.80 children participated, from Bhavans and Amrita and 60 from Sai Vidya Bhavan, out of which 40 were selected, from each school. Groups selected from Bhavans were Nirvana (boys)and Nirvikalpa(girls), from Sai were Satya and Dharma and from Amrita Vidyalayam were Chinmayi and Jyotirmayi.

 H.D.P.Y school, Andipilikavu

27th January, Samuhika Surya Namaskar competition was H.D.P.Y school, Andipilikavu.100 children participated out of which 40 were selected for the finals.

SURYA KIRAN  FINAL PROGRAMME

28th January, from morning 8 a.m up to 12 noon, the finals of the Groupwise Samuhik Surya Namaskar competition Surya Kiran, was conducted at Anandadham for all the students selected at the school level.8 schools participated. Sri Harilal of Arsha Yoga Centre and Sri Sudhakaranji, Kendra well-wisher were the judges. Sri Sai Vidya Bhavan's Dharma group for girls were the toppers, Gurushree Public School's Aditya group for girls and Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan's Dahlia group for boys secured the second and third position. In all during Surya Kiran Programme, 7100 Surya namaskars were performed by 880 students both at school and final level. 

QUIZ COMPETITION AT ERNAKULAM

The Cultural Quiz for Students of CBSE Schools in Ernakulam was conducted at the Andhra Cultural Association Hall, Kochi on January 20th, 2016. The event started with the a short prayer followed by the lighting of the lamp by Man. Dr Lakshmi Didi. Didi also addressed the gathering.

The participants for the quiz were from Class VIII and IX. Bhavans Vidya Mandir, Elamakkara emerged as the winners closely followed by Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Tripunithura, Amrita Vidyalayam, Ernakulam and Kendriya Vidyalaya, INS Dronacharya, Kochi. Sri Vinod Ponoth conducted the Quiz programme.

SONG COMPETITIONS PATRIOTIC 

AND FOLK, AT JUNIOR AND SENIOR LEVELS

Patriotic group song and Folk group song competitions were conducted on 21st for the Juniors(U.P.Leve) and on the 22nd for the seniors( High school level), at VKVVF campus, Anandadham. A total of eight schools and 200 students in all participated. Winners of Patriotic song at Junior level was Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Kodungallur and at the Senior level S.N.Vidya Bhavan, Chentrappinni. Winners of the folk group song competition at Junior level were Gurushree Public School- Chapara and at the Senior level, Govt.Boys H.S- Kodungallur.  

26th  JANUARY 

Flag hoisting by Mananeeya Lakshmi Didi.All Sishuvihar  present students and some old students along with their parents attended.Didi talked to them about patriotism in the words of Swamiji. A kutumba Sammelan was arranged for the day. Variety of games for the mothers, yoga students and children to take part and enjoy, followed by lunch together.Each of them cooked something special and brought for all to taste. All of them  enjoyed the essence and warmth

of being together.

SEMINAR ON 'WOMEN OF INDIA - PAST, PRESENT AND FOR EVER'

30th January a seminar on 'Bharata Stri, Annu, Innu, Ennum' was conducted at Anandadham.Prominent speakers were Prof. Leelavathy who was the chief speaker, Smt K.B. Sreedevi whose topic was 'Bharata Stri -Annu', Smt Indira Krishnakumar(retired PMG), whose topic was 'Bharata Stri - Innum', Dr Lakshmi Shankarwhose topic was 'Bharata Stri Ennum' and Prof.N.Lakshmi Kutty who summed up with concluding remarks. It started at 10 a.m. and continued up to 1.30 p.m.100 people attended.

CONCLUDING FUNCTION OF SWAMIJI JAYANTHI

Public function of SV Jayanthi celebration was on 31st January, which was the actual Janma Tithi of Swami Vivekananda according to the Indian calendar. Programme started at 10 a.m and concluded at 12 noon. Prof.N.Lakshmi Kutty was the chief Guest and Prof Muralidharan, Director of Hindi Prachar Kendra delivered the Presidential speech.He emphasised on the importance of value-based education.

Prof.Lakshmi Kutty talked on the life of Swami Vivekananda, His extraordinary talents and qualities and how one could imbibe such qualities in one's life. Prize distribution followed. The rolling shield for Patriotic group song would be shared by both Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Kodungallur and S.N.Vidysbhsvan, Chentrappinni for six months in each school.Trophy of Folk group song would also be shared by Gurushree Public School and Govt.Girls H.S.S.Kodungallur. Mananeeya Lakshmi Didi and Prof.Lakshmi Kutty gave away the prizes. meritorious but economically backward students five each from the Xth  and XIIth  class of G.G.H.S.S.Kodungallur also received scholarships of five hundred rupees each and Kum.Arya of XIth  standard received the Late Sreedevi Namboodaripad Memorial Scholarship of Rs 1000/- for the being the topper in class. Sumptuous prasadam was served for all who had come. It was sponsored by a close wellwisher of VKVVF, Smt  Rema Murali of Irinjalakuda. 

Swami Vivekananda Jayanthi Celebrations

As Swamiji's 153rd birth tithi is on 31st January, it was decided to have a month long programme with various competitions  for  school children and collegiates.i) On the 12th Sandepani Sishuvihar childrens' programme  at Anandadham  ii)Samuhik Surya Namaskar group competitions at school levels from 12th January to 27th January. iii) Samuhika Surya Namaskar group competition final at Anandadham campus on 28th. iv) Vimarsha on' Women of India-past, present and future ' on 30th January and v) Swamiji Jayanthi celebration public function on 31st January.

12th January

Swamiji's Jayanthi was celebrated by the  tiny tots of Sishuvihar. Each of them was dressed in different attires depicting the different characters and incidents from Swamiji's life, characters from  Puranas as well as the patriots of Kerala  etc. This was followed by short speeches by the tiny tots from Swamiji's thoughts.

Swamiji's Jayanthi was also celebrated in Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan's Vidya Mandir, Irinjalakuda. There was Groupwise Samuhika Surya Namaskar competition, where 102 students of classes VII and VIII participated.The best group of girls and of boys were selected for the final round to be held on 28th January.