DAY 6 – 18th April
Session 1
Hanuman’s Search for Sita
(Online Game)
by Dr. Aravind Raghavan
Dr. Aravind Raghavan, IIT-ian, professor at Sardar Patel College of Engineering, was secretary of Chinmaya Yuva Kendra, for several years. He is a playwright and an actor. Aravindji led the enthusiastic audience through various interactive and thought-provoking games. Scores called Ram Naam and Sita Naam were self-assessed. Introspection was the aim of the games.
Some key points learnt from each game are as follows.
* If we have clear purpose, faith in oneself, in the means and in the Lord, then we have unlimited strength to accomplish all manner of challenges.
* Who is our personal Jambavan?
* How to categorise the troubles we face and how to solve each, in the most practical way.
* Apply lateral thinking solutions to solve tough challenges.
* Be patient and observe situations from all angles. Pause, think and apply the solution.
* No matter how intelligent we are, only hard work will help us achieve our goals.
* Perseverance and mental strength are necessary to finish our goals.
* Acknowledge mistakes, understand them and move on.
* Dejected by consistent failures? Contemplate. Seek inspiration. Get up. Fight.
* How should we turn adversity into opportunity.
* Observation of the smallest details is extremely important.
* Actions speak louder than words.
* Sometimes, short-term pain is essential for long-term gains.
* We need to face our enemies bravely.
Aravindji concluded the Story-Game session with a beautiful request - to make a Gratitude List of all the people who have helped us in our spiritual journey. He quoted Gurudev on how to be Hanuman, how to get the Hanuman Mode on, to achieve success in life.
Report by
Sapna Amit Ramaswamy
Chinmaya Prakash Zone
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DAY 6 – 18th April
Session 2
Siya Ram Bhajans
by Devotees
The evening started with a beautiful invocation by Swami Swatmananda. Following this were bhajans sung by all ages, melodious, joyful, mesmerising, with enthusiastic presenters. To start with the cutest of all – Shishu Vihar children. Their sweet voices and antics touched everybody’s heart! This was followed by the talented Venkatraman sisters, Bala Vihar and CHYKs. A beautiful rendering of Ramabhadra ra ra, a Telegu composition was done; the meaning of which was beautifully explained by Swamiji.
It was a collected offering of Chinmaya Mission members from India and abroad. Bhajans from Chinmaya Swaranjali Vibhooti added much sweetness to the musical evening. Sri Jagat Tarkasji gave a whistling rendition of a Ram bhajan. The evening was further enhanced by the bhajans sung by Swami Advaitananda and Swami Sughoshananda. Bhajans continued to flow like the river Ganga and in its flow, it carried us all along, with hearts swelling with bhakti and lips chanting the Lord’s name. The event concluded with a sense of gratitude and fulfilment towards all the organisers, participants, parents and attendees, without which the programme would be incomplete.
Report by
Vandana Narang Lund
Chinmaya Prakash Zone