| News
& Notes - August 2008 |
|
Gurupoornima was observed on July 18. On behalf of all the
devotees, Smt Indira & Sri Navin Sinha from Patna worshipped
the holy feet of Poojya Swamiji. More than 80 seekers from
different parts of the country and abroad participated in
the function held in Vijnaana Bhavan. About 350 devotees,
including those from Thrissur and the neighbouring villages,
took part in the Bhakti-bhojana.
During the 6-day Retreat that followed, Poojya Swamiji
explained the importance and relevance of Upanishadic thoughts, the message of
Bhagavadgeetaa and the philosophy of Yogavaasishtha Ramayana, relating them to
the mind that seeks redemption. Nutan Swamiji and Ma took classes based on the
Upanishads and Sreemad Bhagavatam.
The Retreat concluded on July 24, with the Anna-vastra Dana-satra
in whichabout 6000 deserving families were given rice, cloth and paayasam. It
was a sublime festivity, wherein devotees who had come to attend the Retreat
participated wholeheartedly.
Gurupoornima was celebrated at different centres in Delhi,
Jamshedpur, Malaysia, USA, Chennai and Pune. Poojya Swamiji’ talk was made
available to them through Internet.
In the afternoon of
Gurupoor¸im¡, a meeting of the Organizing Committee of the Foundation for
Restoration of National Values (FRNV) was held at the Ashram in the presence
of Poojya Swamiji, Nutan Swamiji and Maa. Many members came from Delhi,
Jamshedpur, Dubai and Mumbai specially to attend the meeting. With the
National Summit scheduled in November, they discussed various aspects for
making the National Event effective. Poojya Swamiji emphasized that different
Regional Chapters should actively spread the awareness of the
value-restoration-movement’s objectives and also enlist members for FRNV to
strengthen the “Thinkers’ Voice”. FRNV’s intention is to get the
opinion-makers of the country concerned about the plight, and pool their
efforts for an emergent redress.
As in the previous
years, a few days before Gurupoornimaa, the workers and other service people
connected with the Ashram activities (about seventy in all), were invited
specially and honoured in a sublime function held in Vijnaana Bhavan on July
14. Poojya Swamiji explained to them their valuable role in the Ashram’
multifaceted lokasa´graha activities. They were gifted a set of dress, and
were given bhakti-bhoj.
Anna-vastra Daana
Satra, one of the annual joint welfare activities of Narayanashrama Tapovanam
and Hind Navotthana Pratishtan for the past 22 years, is being conducted from
more than 50 centres. 15,000 dhotis, 8,000 sarees and 70 tons of rice are
being procured for the purpose. The first distribution was from Omkarashram of
Deshamangalam on Jul 12. Distributions have already taken place from ten more
centres, to be followed by others, including Vyasa Tapovanam and
Sanatanadharma Ashramam. Recipients arriving with tokens distributed in
advance by our volunteers, are being welcomed with ¡rati and given 3 kg of
rice, a dhoti or saree and paayasam by Sannyaasins, with the chorus
naama-sankeertana in the background sanctifying the whole event. The Anna-vastra
Dana Satra benefits thousands of poor families, including some from tribal
villages.
The steady growth from 150 beneficiaries 22 years back to
nearly 23,500 this year, spread over 250 villages, has been due to the
increasing enthusiasm and dedication of the participants and contributors from
India and abroad. The loving responses to the appeal show that the efforts in
awakening people to daana-dharma have been quite effective. The act of daana
alone can purify one’s wealth. It remains a source of blessings for the
descendants.
On June 25, Poojya
Swamiji inaugurated ‘Bhavan’s Infosys Auditorium’ at the Bharatiya Vidya
Bhavan School at Wadakancherry, Thrissur. After unveiling the plaque of a
class room in memory of Purushothama Swamiji, Poojya Swamiji inaugurated the
new computer laboratory with audio-visual unit.
Sewing Machines: As
part of the Annual D¡na Satra, 41 pedestal sewing machines were distributed on
June 29 to indigent women for selfemployment. A meticulous process of
selection was undertaken to identify the deserving recipients.
Jnaana Yajña in
Malaysia & Programmes in Chennai: Poojya Swamiji, along with Nutan Swamiji and
Maa, will leave the Ashram on Aug 18 to conduct the annual Jañjna Yajña in
Malaysia. The programme details were published in the last issue. Contact
(Malaysia): CIRD-Malaysia 603-7781 6110; Sri Unnikrishnan 603- 5635 8539; Smt
Vasanta/Sri Param 603-7955 0580; Sri Jayasekar (Seremban) 606-762 6888; Sri KR
Pillai (Seremban) 606-762 4130.
On their way back they will halt at Chennai between 4th &
8th of September. The programme details of Chennai Jñaana Yajña taking place
on 5th, 6th and 7th, were published in the last issue. Also, the next joint
meeting of the members of the Advisory Board, Patrons and the Organizing
Committee of the “Foundation for Restoration of National Values” (FRNV) will
be held on Sep 07 morning at Chennai. Contact (Chennai): Sri Balasubramanian (tel
no: 044-2435 8521, 98410 46000); Sri KB Raman (94446 73313).
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