Bal Sparsh 2020 at Anushaktinagar
BAL SPARSH : Imbibing values and creating a culture of creativity, imagination and innovation
Bal Utkarsh (Excellence in Children) initiative of DIYA Anushaktinagar is imbibing values and creating a culture of creativity, imagination and innovation. Seeds of nobility are sown among children at very early age. The aim is to inspire and enable children to lead a meaningful and purposeful life. The performances by the children give them confidence and at the same time sows the seeds of noble qualities and good virtues in their subconscious minds. On occasion of National Youth Day i.e. Birthday of Swami Vivekananda, DIYA Anushaktinagar organized an enriching program “Bal Sparsh – बाल स्पर्ष” at Anushaktinagar Kanchi Kamakoti Kainkairya Sabha Hall.
National Youth day was the day chosen for Bal Sparsh deliberately to ignite tender minds. The event started with a Ganesh Vandana in the melodious voice of one of the Bal Sanskar Volunteers, Smt. Shruti. To set the theme of the program Shri Hitesh Joshi narrated a story from Upanishad giving a crystal clear message for setting the tone for the next set of events in the program.
Team DIYA shared the objective of DIYA, the concept of Bal Sanskar shaala and the manner in which it is run selflessly by volunteers of All World Gayatri Pariwar across the world. The need for Bal sanskar shaala, the activities taken up, the need to write a diary and the positive experiences were emphasized. The gist of the talk was that to develop spiritual thinking, reflective character and behaviour, one needs to have four personality traits of prudence, bravery, responsibility and honesty.
Experimentation, innovation and creativity have been the keystone of Team DIYA. Revered Dr Pranav Pandyaji has greatly emphasized on the importance of writing spiritual dairy by each and every spiritual aspirant. As it is important to set a goal to add purpose in life so also it is important is also to make a plan of execution. Spiritual dairy writing helps to excel in Atmabodh and Tatvabodh sadhana. It helps to focus on our weaknesses and strengths.
Team DIYA innovated this time in the baal-sanskaar shala course curriculum with the introduction of a kit for the children and the parents.
Each kit contains:
- Gayatri Mantra machine for daily sadhana
- Bal Utkarsh Desk Calendar
- Self-introspection Diary
- Yugrishi’s Literature exclusively for development of parents and children
- Literature with regards to Balivaishwa yagya
- Pragya yoga Vyayam poster
Such 300 kits were made for distribution.
The diary in the kit is designed on the Pragya Yog Sadhna concept of Gurudev and provides a check list for self-analysis of daily routine right from waking up in the morning to sleeping at night. It also helps on self-writing. With help of guidance frombooks written by Guruji, psychologists and spiritual teachers, the team had carefully selected the items that constitute the diary. The list is compiled to suit all temperaments. Children are inspired to follow them diligently. The dairy has a questionnaire tailored in such a way as to remodel the behaviour and mind, and get rid of detrimental habits in children. It is an effective way of self-study and a basic practice of jnana yoga. Shri Vijay Patle explained how to enter against each item as heads for each columns, and indicate each day report on their own self under each category. He explained how at the end of the month, parents can study the chart the children have made. It can help to determine the schedule of their progress / decline for that month. Provision is kept for parents /teachers for assessment every 3 weeks to review and take corrective action whenever required. The Bal Utkarsh Desk calendar is designed with the important events of last five years of Bal Sanskar Shala’s children participating in the various events organized by DIYA. It also includes quotations related to self-development of children for all days of a month.
The Bal Sanskar kit was inaugurated by Shri Chinmoy Basu, Principal of Atomic Energy Central School-4, BARC, Dr Akshata Shetty, Renowned Pediatric psychologist, Dr. A P Tiwari, Associate Director, Knowledge Management Group, BARC, Shri S G Bhandarkar, Associate Director, NPCIL, Shri Parshuram Yadavji and others. The kits were distributed to all children.
Two songs were sung by children from bal sanskar shaala which focused on stimulating the humane side in individuals. Sabse pehle swayam badal lo kar lo itna kaam……& “ Ek Din Hee Jee magar Insan Bankar Jee…..
On the occasion of Swami Vivekananda Jayanti, Insightful stories were shared by Shri Chinmoy Basu which introduced Swami Vivekananda effectively to the august audience. He inspired children to participate in the journey of human excellence through all round upliftment of life. He appreciated the commitment shown by DIYA volunteers behind this great initiative of Bal Sanskar shaala. He shared that it was a wonderful amalgamation of people from different age groups the young DIYA Mumbai volunteers, the parents and small children along with their grandparents and to add to it the spiritual ambience of the Ganesh temple.
Dr Akshata Shetty, Founder of Aakaar (shaping our future generations) shared sharp insights of child psychology and her journey as a child. She gave simple but significant sutras to be noted while dealing with children. There were also some pointers for children.
She shared three golden rules for parents:
- Listen to children. All children want that their parents should listen to what they say. Only if children feel heard will they say everything to parents.
- Spend time with children: Only if we spend time with children that we will be able to strengthen our bond with them. Spend time with children: Only if we spend time with children that we will be able to strengthen our bond with them.
- Never compare: Comparison of children with others affects their self-confidence and creates animosity between them.
Dr A P Tiwari said that the Balutkarsh kit is like having guru at your side. It is like subtle blessing of guruji to aimless life with direction of self-awareness and realization. It is a very effective tool for Atmasamvad. He tried to reiterate the importance of spiritual reading.
The session concluded with Shantipath sung by Jyoti Tripathi didi and members of bhajan circle of the DIYA BARC Team. The children were elated to see the Bal sanskar shaala kit designed exclusively for them and look forward to utilize them along with their parents. The parents were delighted by this noble thought of having a kit.
Bhavana Joshi, the Baalsanskar coordinator of DIYA Anushaktinagar expressed that this simple habit of Spiritual writing will stimulate self-awareness and elevate oneself.
Shri Omprakash Bisenji finally rendered the vote of thanks.
Testimonial by a parent: ‘It is the best gift a child could receive on special days’.
