ARAVINDA KEERTI MUDRA AWARD FOR DIDI

Aravinda Keerti Mudra Award was conferred to Ma.Lakshmi Didi on 19th December for her extensive selfless  service for the upliftment of the common masses especially women. The award was conferred  by the Aravinda Charitable Society, Palikkathodu,Kottayam. Swami Sadananda,Acharya of Chinmaya  International Foundation Piravom who was the - Chief Guest , presented the award  in the presence of other dignitaries like Dr K.P. Kylasanatha Pillay -Senior advocate of Supreme Court of India , Sri Anirudhan-librarian of M.G  University and the Principal Smt Kavitha R.C of Aravinda Vidya Mandiram. The function was held in the mentioned Higher Secondary school run by the Society at Palikkathodu.
The award consists of a gold medal and a momento.

VANAPRASTHA

Divinisation of human life has beena pet theme of Indian seers.In every generation newer and wewer attempts are made by thinkers and social reformers to realise this highly meritorious ideal a living practice. Sri K.V.Dayal, concerned about the falling standards in human life -nature interaction has created a package of 20 formulae to rectify our  mistakes in agriculture practices,food habits education and inter human relationships.

On 15th evening Sri Dayal presented his ideas to a discerning audience at Vivekananda Kendra Kodungallur and invited them to participate in his 20 lecture course.Through a full day exposition he will deal with the problems connected with the above four major concerns of an individual's life so as to help one to de addict oneself from the wrong approaches and strive for happiness in personal and family life, reestablish sustainable agriculture- rectify the mistakes in the field of education and evolve newer and healthier practices in our food habits.

More than 50 people participated in the Introductory services of ' Vanaprastha' as Sri Dayal calls it. With reactions and eagerness many have come forward to participate in his wholesome programme of Divinisation of life.

MATRUPUJA-SANDEEPANI SISHUVIHAR

As a part of the regular annual programme Sri Sarada Devi's birthday is celebrated with Matru Puja  or worshipping their mothers and grandmothers by the  Sandeepani Sishuvihar children. 
This year too Matrupuja was conducted on 14th December from 10 a.m to 11.30 a.m. The parents and children started coming to Anand dham by 10 a.m. Prior to that arrangements were made for all the children to sit and do the wonderful yajna. Ma Lakshmi Didi while addressing the parents emphasized the need for inculcating the values in their  children by themselves living those values. She explained to all the mothers present that to please Mother Lakshmi they aught to dress themselves up modestly, so that the children adore them, to please Mother Saraswati Devi they should consciously use sweet words and never use abusive language and to please Goddess Parvathi Devi they aught to live happily taking all the members of the family just as the goddess does with all her children their  Vahanas( Peacock, mouse,snake,bull etc).Then and then only can they become 'Sri-Matas'
  All the children performed the puja with devotion as guided by Lakshmi didi. The programme ended with Shanti Mantra after offering the arati and feeding the children with prasadam. 25 children  took part.

SADHANA DIVAS

On this auspicious day, the morning's programme started with a short prayer. Ma.Lakshmi Didi addressed the group of 20   participants.While narrating the story of the Rock Memorial, Ma.Didi stressed on how one  can do wonders if one has intense faith in oneself, determination and the love and regards for the purpose or mission of one's life.Ma.Ekanathji's mission of life was Man Making and Nation Building through the path shown by  Swami Vivekananda. Thus the construction of His Memorial was just the first phase and  an  organisation bearing      Swamiji's name, became the second phase. His intense love for Swamiji and his faith in himself lead him to succeed in his Mission in spite of innumerable hurdles that came on the way.
All of those present paid their homage to Ma.Eknathji by offering of flowers before the portrait.The programme ended with Shanti Mantra.

In the forenoon the Nivedita Swasraya Tailoring unit group of 15 ladies including the 2 teachers gathered in the Dakshina Hall. 19th November  proved to be a special occasion for VKVVF as this day was chosen to expand our self help venture for women into a self help Commercial Activity.With 10 sewing machines ad more than 30 trained ladies we thought that we should expand their self help idea into a more tangible income earning project.
Each of the 15 ladies who were present including the teachers contributed  whatever they could from Rs 1000/- to Rs 5000/- and embarked  on a project of stitching bags , skirts , nighties, churidars etc, and selling them at reasonable rates . This is sure to bring them decent monthly income in addition to utilizing their time profitably and fruitfully,which otherwise would be washed on TV serial shows or gossiping . Coming to Kendra also indicates in them an attitude of surrender, power behind 'nishkama karma' and much needed spiritual awareness. With this hidden agenda we have offered our new venture of Nivedita Swasraya Tailoring Unit  as our Smarananjali to Ma.Eknathji on his 105th birthday.
Ma. Didi and Sri Sudhakarji spoke to them. All the participants offered flowers before the portrait of Ma.Eknathji. The meeting ended with Shanti Mantra.