This year, the Bal Vihar Sevikas of Jayam organized the GCC Prize Distribution in a different way. Our area coordinator, Smt Rupa Kumar, along with the Gita Doots, went to the participating schools in the Zone and distributed the prizes during the Assembly or the Annual Day. This opportunity was also used to meet the Principals, the School Management, and Teaching Staff. They assured us of their full support and greater participation in the future. Senior Sevika Smt Pratibha Shah, addressed the vernacular medium students in Hindi, explaining the benefits of chanting and the significance of the mantras, to encourage more students to participate.
The Sevikas of GCC in Jayam took the initiative to invite the finalists in Jayam GCC to Sandeepany Sadhanalya on Sunday, February 12 to visit the Jagadeeswara Temple and Chinmaya Pradeep. The response was enthusiastic with 67 participants ( including 50 children) and their families and friends registering for the event. 120 people attended.
The program began sharp at 10 a.m. at the Jagadeeswara Temple with an invocation by Smt Rupa Kumar and a brief welcome to the serene and sacred precincts of Sandeepany by Sri Chittoor Manohar. The participants, young and old, then chanted the Gita Dhyanam and the 3rd. Chapter of the Gita in melodious unison. After the chanting, they performed the pradkshina.
While the group went down to Chinmaya Pradeep, the prize winners stayed back to receive their prizes and certificates from Smt Pratibha Shah. The entire group was then conducted on a tour of Chinmaya Pradeep. The program ended at 11.30. Light snacks were served after the tour and they were invited to visit Chinmaya Vani and Chinmaya Upahar.
For many people, this was their first visit to Sandeepany and Pradeep. The impact of the ashram environment, the temple, Pradeep, the Grace of Pujya Gurudev and the Guru Shishya parampara was visible on them. Many of them said they would visit the ashram again. Many enquired about study classes, Balavihar and other activities. We expect many of them to participate in GCC 2023 and also bring more of their friends into the Mission.
