News & Notes - September 2005

     Malaysia Jñaana Yajña: Poojya Swamiji accompanied by Ma left for Malaysia on 21st August for conducting Jñaana Yajñas there. They will be staying in CIRD, Malaysia and are expected to return by 4th September.

     Jñaana Yajña in Pune: As announced last month, Poojya Swamiji along with Nutan Swamiji and Maa will be going to Pune to conduct Jñaana Yajña between Sep 26 and Oct 6. The main talks will be held at Nehru Memorial Hall.

     Caring the Uncared: On 14th August 2005, the children of the Cultural Promotional Class in CIRD Delhi, had an unforgettable experience when they were taken for an educational ride on board the world-class Delhi Metro.

These children are from extremely poor families living in slums in the neighbourhood of CIRD. Apart from helping them with basic education, CIRD has been imparting to them awareness of hygiene, values and the national culture. The exposure to the advancements in technology by way of a train tour, complemented the children’s ongoing education, and was also a unique adventure for them.

All this came about when Sri Sreedharanji, Managing Director of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), after seeing the children in the class in CIRD, suggested such an educational excursion. Accompanied by the CIRD volunteers, the children, wearing the dresses given by CIRD, were taken to the Welcome station from where they boarded the sophisticated train. During their travel, the children were exposed to airconditioned automobiles, lifts, escalators and of course an air-conditioned train, apart from viewing many novelties in Delhi, enroute Metro station. To them, this was a first time event.

At the Kashmiri Gate Station, McDonalds, one of the chain restaurants in Delhi, welcomed the children with gifts and refreshments. Later, McDonalds arranged amusement and recreational programmes for the children with a number of drawing, painting events and the like.

The overall dream experience lasted for over 4 hours. DMRC, who treated the children as VIP guests, had made all the arrangements with a lot of care and attention to every minute detail. The children, who were assisted at each stage by the staff of Delhi Metro with love and affection, enjoyed every moment of the tour. On return to CIRD, when the children were asked what they liked most, they promptly replied that it was the ‘Uncles’ and ‘Didis’ of DMRC and McDonalds.

In his communication to DMRC, Poojya Swamiji, acknowledging their fond, creditable mission noted: “Loving and benevolent steps like these go a long way in upholding the society’s welfare and solidarity as well as strengthening the cultural fabric of the country. The invisible impact of such thoughtful benevolence is far-reaching. May there be more of such noble souls occupying responsible positions in the Nation endowed with esteemed love and fraternity.”

Pleased by the philanthropic gesture, Ma in her letter to Sri Sreedhanaran ji of DMRC observed, “We are very touched that you thought of giving this opportunity to the children who would have never dreamt of getting this kind of an exposure. I wish many more similar poor children, be exposed to national achievements of our country and be proud of our nation. Let them be inspired to think great about the country and grow up to be responsible citizens. Our love and best wishes to all those in Delhi Metro who so lovingly and heartily participated in this significant programme.”

     An Austere Sojourn in CIRD: A group of Poojya Swamiji’s devotees in Delhi organized an austere sojourn in CIRD from 13th to 15th August 2005. A first of its kind, the stay gave the participants a unique opportunity to pursue their spiritual saadhana away from the pressures of home and work, in the serene and sublime atmosphere of CIRD.

With guidance from Poojya Swamiji, Maa and Nutan Swamiji, a detailed routine was worked out. The programme included Morning Chanting (6:00a.m.), Pushpasamarpanam and Prabhatarashmih (7:00a.m.), listening to recorded talks by Poojya Swamiji (9:15a.m.), Seva (10:30a.m.), second session of recorded talks (2:30p.m.), post-tea listening session (4:30p.m.), evening prayer and satsang (6:00p.m.), reading and discussion session (8:45p.m.). During the listening sessions recently recorded discourses of Poojya Swamiji were played.

All the devotees participated eagerly in the seva-activities, including cleaning the buildings, looking after the garden, cooking and washing of utensils. The collective austerity brought about a beautiful bond between themselves – an aspect of Interactional Saadhana Poojya Swamiji always refers to. One of the devotees remarked, “I feel the presence of Poojya Swamiji, Maa and Nutan Swamiji here”.

The following devotees participated in the programme: Mithu Sengupta, Raj Dagur, Anuja, Ruchita, Silva Roy, Amitav Sengupta, Sardana, Raju Kapoor, Lakshminarayanan, Sanjay Chakravarty and Ramesh. Some of the local residents from Vasundhara also participated in various sessions.

This is what some of the participants had to say at the end of the 3 days: “It gave me great joy”; “The mind was quite at peace and very fulfilled”; “Personal bonding between all of us has increased”; “Staying here is a saadhana”; “It has been the most wonderful experience, being with everyone here”; “It had a very profound impact on me”.

     Anna-vastra Daana Satra: The annual Anna-vastra Daana Satra was conducted across 50 village centers in and around Thrissur. The fondness in the hearts of the people for this sublime mega-event was evident by the numerous enquiries received. “The benedictory effects of Daana are to the society in general and to the individual in particular. It is the act of daana that purifies and sustains the wealth of an individual or his family. The concept of daana therefore remains a source of blessings for the descendants.” – Poojya Swamiji said during the distribution.

This year, 21,000 families were benefited by the Daana Satra programme. The function was held in each center with Aarati to the recipients, along with chanting of the sloka “Na tatra suryo bhaati …” In Narayanashrama Tapovanam distribution took place over two days for about 5,000 families. Nearly 4,000 recipients were given daana in Vyasa Tapovanam. About 13,000 dhotis, eight thousand sarees and 65 tons of rice were distributed.

Under the Monthly Daana Satra scheme, about 350 indigent individuals are given 15 kg of rice each and some money every month. Assistance for education, medical treatment, house-building and repair, etc. is also given to the needy from time to time on a regular basis. Students attending the ‘Cultural Heritage’ classes in Narayanashrama Tapovanam and Vyasa Tapovanam, are given uniforms, exercise books and other essential items. This year, the number of beneficiary students has been about 400.

 

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