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News Brief & Reports:
September 2005
Fall Semester Began
(Saturday,
September 10 & Sunday, September 11, 2005):
Vivekananda Vidyapith began it’s first day
of the Fall Semester’s Character building classes for
the Saturday and Sunday students respectively. For
detailed report please go to
:
www.vidyapith.org/Folder_2005/FirstDayFall2005.shtml
Classical Vocal Music
Concert
(Saturday, September 17, 2005, 6:00 p.m.): Vidyapith
held a North Indian Classical Vocal Music Concert by the
renowned artist Srimati Veena Sahasrabuddhe at
George Washington
Middle School in Ridgewood, New Jersey. Veenaji poured
her heart and soul into the concert, and as a response
she received a standing ovation from the audience. It
was a full house concert, thoroughly enjoyed by
everyone. For more detailed report please visit:
..\Folder_2005\VeenaShhasraConcert.shtml
October 2005
Parents-Teachers’ Meeting (October 1 & 2, 2005):
Parents teacher meeting were held on October 1, 2005 for
the Saturday Students and on October 2, 2005 for the
Sunday students from 4 to 6 pm. The main purposes of
the meeting were to discuss curriculum and the ways
parents can help their children in taking maximum
advantage of the Vidyapith’s character building
program.
Durgashtami
Celebration (Saturday, October 8, 2005, 5:00 p.m.):
Students, teachers, parents and friends of the Vidyapith
gathered to celebrate Durgashtami in the Prayer Hall.
The celebration began with the Panchopachara worship.
The main bhajans were lead by Jyotiben Shah, with Tilak
Jani accompanying the singing on tabla. The program
included Pranam Mantras, Manasa Puja, Veda Mantras,
Aratrikam, a beautiful hymn – “Shakradaya” from the
Durga Saptashati, flower offering by Lina Sivadasan on
behalf of all the devotees, a dhun – “Prema Rupini
Shyama Maa” sung by Mahendra Uncle, Prabhu Smaran,
reading and discussion by Mahendra Uncle, a bhajan -
“Durgatinashini” by Vivek Kocharlakota, presentations
by students, a hymn - “Devi Aparadh Kshamapan Stotra,”
Presentations II (students), a bhajan – “Jaya Sarade
Devi” by Latha Tatapudy, Devi Arati, Veda Mantras, and
Pranam Mantras. Sheela Krishnan did the concluding
arati.
Mahendra
Uncle read from the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna and
pointed out what a great devotee of the Universal Mother
Sri Ramakrishna was. Even after attaining Nirvikalpa
Samadhi, Sri Ramakrishna considered himself a child of
the Universal Mother. In the Gospel he said, "Brahman
and Shakti are identical. If you accept one, you must
accept the other. It is like fire and its power to burn…
You cannot think of the milk without the whiteness, and
again you cannot think of milk’s whiteness without
thinking of milk. Thus, one cannot think of Brahman
without Shakti, or Shakti without Brahman… When we think
of It as inactive, that is to say, not engaged in the
acts of creation, preservation, and destruction, the we
call It Brahman. But when It is dynamic and engages in
activities, then we call It Kali or Shakti. The Reality
is one and the same; the difference is in name and
form."
In the
student’s presentations, Rishi Dhar presented the two
aspects of the Universal Mother. On one hand, she is
very loving and caring towards her devotees, like a
mother. On the other hand, she is the embodiment of all
the powers of gods. She destroyed many demons, like
Raktabeeja, Chanda and Munda. Another student, Aneri
Rokad, explained how Mother Durga took Her form from the
combined powers of the gods, adorned with their divine
weapons. Sonali Tatapudy then told that the first three
days of the nine days celebration of the Universal
Mother is the worship of Mother Durga as the purifier of
our minds. The next three days are for Mother Laxshmi
who gives us good values and prosperity. The last three
days are for Mother Sarawati who gives us knowledge. Arvind
Krishnamurthy read a heart warming poem by Helen Steiner
Rice, depicting a mother's love and her simplicity and
compassion. Latha aunty's 4th grade class presented a
song on Durga, called “Durga Devi Janani,” and Latha
Aunty sang a bhajan, "Jay Sarada Devi.” The celebration
concluded with distribution of Prasad. (Report prepared
by Priya Parikh).
November 2005
Special Guest Sri
Dinubhai Dave at the Vidyapith
(November 5 & 6, 2005; 9:00 a.m.):
In the assembly,
Vidyapith had a special guest, Sri Dinubhai Dave (Vandana
Aunty’s father). He was a high school principal for
several years and was involved in various educational
and cultural activities for students. Following Mahatma
Gandhiji’s teachings he had made special visits to
villages in India with documentaries and other
pedagogies to enhance the educational and cultural
knowledge and awareness of the villagers. Also, he had
visited Gandhiji’s ashram when Gandhiji was alive and
had a brief one-to-one conversation with him on one
occasion. All were eager to hear his reminiscences of
Gandhiji. With a wonderful sense of humor and engaging
eloquence he presented Gandhiji’s picture. Students
felt Gandhiji’s living presence through his
description. Sri Dinubhai also told the students how
fortunate they were to be parts of Vidyapith’s character
building program. He emphatically told them to hold on
to the values taught by great personalities. It was a
very inspiring morning listening to him.
Diwali
celebration (Saturday, November 12, 2005, 9:00 a.m.
& 1:00 p.m.): Diwali was celebrated at the George
Washington Middle School in Ridgewood, New Jersey, in
two sessions: 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. for the Saturday
students and 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. for the Sunday
students. Please see details on Page 4 and 5 (Sheela
Krishnan and Priya Parikh to provide detail write up).
Thanksgiving Prayer &
Reading
(Thursday, November 24, 2005; 8:00 a.m.):
Students, teachers, and parents gathered at the
Vidyapith for a special Thanksgiving prayer and
reading. The prayer started with the Pranam Mantras,
Veda Mantras, and Aaratrikam. Mahendra Uncle then read
passages from the book “The Eternal Companion,” which
describes the life and teachings of Swami Brahmananda,
one of the first apostles of Sri Ramakrishna. Uncle
elaborated a few main points while reading and
encouraged all to ask questions. Several students and
parents asked questions which helped in understanding
the teachings of Swami Brahmananda and clarifying some
of the misconceptions. All the discussions were focused
on how to apply these teachings in our day-to-day lives
and thus make progress in our spiritual lives. It was a
very fruitful morning. After the prayer and reading,
everyone enjoyed thanksgiving lunch in the company of
their Vidyapith family.
December 2005
Gita Jayanti
Celebration (Saturday, December 10, 2005; 3:30
p.m.): Several students, teachers and parents look
forward to this unique celebration in which the devotees
recite the entire Srimad Bhagavad Gita (700 verses).
Because of its length, this celebration starts earlier
than other celebrations. Student Sneha Shah did the
Panchopachara Puja. The program started with pranam
mantras, followed by Manasa Puja. Jyotiben Shah was on
the harmonium and Tilak Jani on the tabla. After that,
the recitation began with Gita Dhyanam and first three
chapters of the Bhagavad Gita. After each recitation of
a couple of chapters, Mahendra Uncle summarized the
meaning of each chapter. An alumnus Manish Ajavalia
played harmonium during the recitations. After the third
chapter, there was a dhoon, “Radhe Govinda Bajo Radhe
Gopal,” followed by recitation of chapters 4 to 10.
After a short break, the second part began with a dhoon,
“Shri Krishna Sharanam Mama” and Aaraatrikam. Then Gita
chapter 11 was recited in which Lord Sri Krishna
revealed to Arjuna his fierce and infinite Universal
Form, as also his benign and pleasing human form. After
this was pushpanjali, in which flowers were offered to
Sri Krishna and then to Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother Sri
Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananda. Finally, when time
came to recite chapters 12 through 17, all the students
in MEGA 6 who had memorized several chapters of the Gita
stood up in front of the hall and recited these
chapters. These chapters were recited with so much power
that it helped to intensify the mood of the devotees.
Then Trupti Aunty led a dhoon on Sri Krishna. Finally
the last chapter was recited. It followed by aarati,
Veda Mantras and Pranam Mantras. Contemplating on the
teachings of the Gita and applying them are of great
value in our everyday lives. Remembering this great and
divine dialogue between Lord Sri Krishna and Arjuna, the
devotees took Prasad and dispersed.
Christmas Celebration
(Saturday, December 17 & Sunday, December 28, 2005; 9:00
a.m.): On both the days Christmas was celebrated with
Vidyapith students, teachers and parents. The
celebration included singing of Christmas Carols,
reflections on the teachings of Christ, related stories
told by Santa Claus, and giving of gifts to the younger
children of the Vidyapith.
For more details, please see page ___.
January 2006
New Year’s Prayer &
Worship
(Sunday, January 1, 2006; 7:00 a.m.): Every year the
Vidyapith students, teachers, parents, and well-wishers
begin their new year with special worship of all gods,
goddesses, and Sri Ramakrishna. Previous day all the
preparation was made for the worship and the remaining
preparation were made on January 1st morning
before 7:00 a.m. In the serene atmosphere of the prayer
hall, the pooja began with with the chanting of the
Pranam Mantras and the Narayana Suktam. All
participated in reciting the appropriate mantras of the
worship. After the worship, all joined in singing the
Aratrikam. At the conclusion, everyone came forward,
offered mental prayers and flowers at the altar. Thus
the year 2006 began at the Vidyapith in a prayerful
atmosphere.
Youth Day (Swami
Vivekananda’s Birthday) Celebration
(December 17, 2005 – January 15, 2006): Youth Day was
celebrated in three parts during three weekends. For
more detailed report please see pages 4-7 of this
Glimpses issue.
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