Hum Panchi Ek Daal Ke - Annual Prarthana Shivir 2017
Report by Shantala Trasikar
The Mumbai Prarthana family woke up early to the chirping of the birds on 10th June, 2017. It was the day for the Prarthana Shivir, held every year to celebrate the Janmadivas of our Guru Swami -Parama Pujya Parijnanashram Swamiji III at Shri Anandashram Math at Khar, Mumbai. ( July 2017 )
They say the early bird catches the worm so our little birdies arrived early on that Saturday morning to register for the Shivir. After settling down and the Sabha Prarambha prayers, a Yogasana session was conducted by Shweta Manjeshwar. Children performed simple yogasanas to step-by-step instructions given by Shwetapachi. This activity got the little tummies growling with hunger and it was snack- time with some yummy, hot and healthy breakfast.
This was followed by an absorbing presen- tation on our feathered friends by Shilpa Mudurpachi. She gave the children a bird’s eye view on the different types of birds found close to our homes in the cities, birds found in the countryside and in the jungles. The slide show covered quite a few birds, their distinctive features, their nesting habits, their unique calls and some interesting facts. The session stressed on the importance of listening to the sounds in nature, a skill we all need to hone. Children added to their vocabulary as they read names of birds like the Oriental magpie robin, coppersmith barbet and purple -rumped sunbird.They learnt how to compare and contrast a parrot and a parakeet! The best part was practising the different calls of the birds;Cheewit, Cheewit, Did you do it? Oh did you do it? Then, twitutodo- twitutido, Kaka- kakoo!
This highlight was followed by Game-Time conducted by Smita Nagarkattepachi. A quiz kept them busy as they huddled into their groups and tried to come up with super-quick answers.
After a wholesome lunch, it was ‘Shloka recitation time’. Children enthusiastically recited shloka-s with proficiency. Some of the shloka-s that were recited were ‘Dwadashjyothirlingam Stotra, Shree Sharada Stotram, Panchakshari Stotram, Shree Mahalakshmi Stotram and Ekshloki Ramayan.
In the craft activity that followed, children worked in groups to make amazing birds from paper cups! They also made a bird feed that could be hung in the balcony to tempt our feathered friends to visit.
Soon, it was time to cut the scrumptious cake and offer it at the Lotus Feet of our beloved Parama Guru -Pujya Parijnanashram Swamiji III. Amidst twinkling diya-s, children, parents and teachers recited the Shri Parijnan Trayodashi and partook of the prasadam. Teachers also used this opportunity to exchange their pile of ACK books, diligently tracked and maintained by Chaitali Shiralipachi. Ex–Prarthana child Arya Dhareshwar sang the favourite Marathi song – ‘Sheptiwalia Pranyanchi bharli hoti Sabha’.
Alas, it was time for the birdies to return to their nests, time to share the exciting events of the day with loved ones at home, time to tweet and chirp happily ‘Oh did you do it, Oh did you do it?’
Shilpa Mudurpachi conducting session on Birdcraft! Turning a paper cup into a feathered friend!
'Birds-Our Friends'
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On June 3, Parama Pujya Sadyojat Shankarashram Swamiji inaugurated Parijnanshram Vidyalay - a primary school started at Kotekar by the reputed Saraswat Education Society Mangaluru. For all the lucky local children this is the first major step
Towards A Brighter Future!
In 1946 the Saraswat Education Society, Mangaluru had started the Anandashram High School at Kotekar-Someshwar near Ullal for the benefit of the local children as well as for those coming from the Kasargod District of Kerala. Later, in 2005, it started a PU College of Science and Commerce on the same campus. As there was a growing demand for an English-medium school in the area, this year members of the core committee prepared a plan to start a CBSE school and submitted it for Approval to Pujya Swamiji, who is the divine Mentor of all the institutions flourishing under the Saraswat Education Society banner. After receiving the go-ahead from Pujya Swamiji, a nursery school with Lower and Upper KG was planned as the first step for the academic year 2017-2018.
On June 3 this year, the inauguration of this school took place at the Holy Hands of Pujya Swamiji at a glittering function. After lighting the lamp to usher in the light of knowledge for years to come, Pujya Swamiji gladdened the hearts of all parents and devotees in the packed venue by stressing the importance of education springing from a firm foundation of cultural awareness and sound values.
Shri M. Raghavendra Bhat, Chief General Manager, Karnataka Bank Ltd., Shri K. Jayaram Shetty- ex-MLA of the area were Guests of Honour. Shri Alekal Ramachandra Rao, CEO Saraswat Education Society welcomed the gathering. Smt. Ranjitha Joshi, Headmistress, Ganapathy English Medium School, Mangaluru proposed a vote of thanks. Shri Vinod Yennemadi, past President SES, Shri Praveen P. Kadle - President, Saraswat Education Society and Shri Mahesh L. Bondal, Secretary, SES were also present on this happy occasion.
