BALAVIKAS MEET REPORT BY DR LAVANYA SARASWATHI

The major attractive aspect of this program was the whole event was modulated and Organized by senior Balvikas students of Begumpet zone. Interestingly all were welcomed with a fruit basket by group - Balvikas students.The session started with Vedam chant, garlanding Swamis photo and lighting the lamp by the students.

At the outset our District president Sri. H. Srinivasulu Garu spoke a few introductory lines about our Organization and made it clear that we are not here to spread any religion. For the benefit of new comers he explained that there are mainly 3 functional wings of our organization, which are Education, Service and Spiritual wings. He said that this programme is part of the education wing.A pocket book on Veda in Telugu “Vedamalika” was released by Smt. Lalithamma Garu, District mahila Vibhag co-coordinator.

The meet had a very interesting interactive program with Mrs. Uma Rao, a Senior Balvikas guru from Dallas, USA.Smt. Uma Rao Garu emphasized the need for conducting Balvikas classes .and the different aspects of the class like, slokas, story telling, bhajans, group activities etc. She said that parents have a very important role to play.A Guru, only sows a seed and it is the responsibility of the parent to water and nurture it and see that it blossoms into a beautiful flower.

Basic manners to greet elders or our guest are also taken care of in the class.To develop intimacy with parents and also to increase the strength of the class, she advised to have a parent participation class wherein we have group activities for the parents. This develops commitment from the parents too in bringing their children to the class, discussing and making them follow what is being taught and in turn help themselves to live like a role model to their children.

A habit is learnt in 2 months if the child is around 10 years and it will take 11 months if the child is around 30 years. Children need a mentor other than the parent and that has to be a Balvikas Guru.They also need an alternate peer group with same or higher morals, and it has to be a Balvikas group.Balvikas creates consciousnes of right and wrong, good and bad in children, which is very important as the parents may not be always available to keep a watch on them.

Children learn to think before they act after attending the classes.They are told how to live righteously and truthfully in this world.Life applications play an important role in moulding a Child’s character. Balvikas brings out the inherent talents which are hidden, unknown and un-recognized evenby the parents and the students themselves.

Balvikas students presented their skills in sloka recitation, padyasukthulu and their meaning, bhajans, drawing, story writing, Veda chanting etc. Parents were inspired by their talents. Some children had put forward their problems in the form of questions, which were answered by Smt.Uma Rao Garu and by other parents too.

The sample Q’s are: Q 1. When we get angry as children can we forgive that person who is the cause of our anger? If so how?

A. YES. By just keeping quiet for some time and making them realize later that what they have done is incorrect.By channelising your energy in any productive work like cleaning your room, or doing homework very fast etc. it is said that when we are angry we get a lot of energy.By talking to that person who is the cause of our anger with a smile and helping them in their needs, we will make them feel ashamed.By being open to that person who is the cause of our anger, as sometimes they will not be aware that they had caused us anger. This will reduce our agony and their anger.

Q 2. How to cope up with daily chores and satisfy every body?

A. Attend Balvikas classes regularly which will help you to maintain time and time management and also to plan your things perfectly. Improves your concentration, develops intuition, will help you follow self-discipline etc.

There was an inspiring talk by Mrs.Pooja Sawhney, who stated that for the success of a Bal Vikas class how all are important - a guru who is the front wheel, a parent who is the back wheel, and a student who is riding the bicycle.

A few parents also expressed their opinions and appreciated the motto of the class.The activities of Begumpet zone were detailed by Smt. Saraswathi Rama Rao Garu.The session closed at 6.30pm with harathi.

NOTE: All the participants irrespective of age left the hall with this same feeling - "THE NEED OF THE HOUR FOR ALL ROUND DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN IS BALVIKAS AND ALL OF US HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY".
Sairam

BALAVIKAS BEGUMPET ANNUAL MEET WITH PARENTS

Dear Brothers and sisters,Sairam and good day

Not many may be knowing that on 13th of July the Sunday we had another very absorbing programme and this time it is Begumpet at Windsor terrace hall in Begumpet. About 160 people comprising gurus,parents and children gathered at 3.30 pm to celebrate and review the Balavikas programme that is going on in this samithi. We had a guest in Smt Uma Rao from USA to interact with parents,teachers and Gurus and provide them with some fundamentals and method of conducting programme that interests all concerned.

Incidentally we had our good friend Sri Prakash garu who has been very supportive and provided interesting hints.Sri Prakash has had invaluable experiance in Balavikas environment while in US. Here is a report compiled by Smt Dr.Lavanya Saraswathi garu our Blavikas Guru and the editor of the Balavikas monthly Telugu magazine.

Please read,enjoy and send your feed
Thanks,regards and love to all
Srinivasulu
Your District President.

Bala Vikas – some more suggestions – 02 June 08

A suggestion was received from our Balavikas editor Dr Lavanya Saraswathi garu!
that we should encourage all members and like minded persons to subscribe to a copy of Telugu BALAVIKAS monthly magazine and I concur with her.

Also procure the small booklets designed and published by the District Mahiladal wing of Hyderabad.These books contain Bhagawat geetha slokas and Balavikas related Prardhana slokas.

The subscription for the Magazine is Rs 60 per year and the small books are priced at Rs 2 per copy.You can buy them at our Sivam book store or call and write to the Editor.Sathya Sai Balavikas/F- 2B/B-Block/ Brindavan Apartments/Cheekoti Gardens/Begumpet/ Hyderabad- 500016/Tel: 040 27764253/

Please contact Sri TSN.Rao garu -9948964550/ Dr.Lavanya Saraswathi garu :9490117654 for further details and requirements.

Bala Vikas - a suggested approach - 29 May 08

One question that comes on and on in our Organisation ,and needs our attention. is about Balavikas in the city and at a number of places.Some how most of us seem to feel and live with the following problems.

1. Children do not come regularly and continuously to the classes.

2. The parents also do not show interest and follow up.In fact they pull out their children for out side programmes of their interests.

3.The parents - children present day trends are not very encouraging.

4.We have been/are doing all that needs to be done but with no results

5.There are not many Gurus who are regular and even they are not properly trained.

6.There is no new breed of young Gurus.

7.Now what do we do ?

The following approach will certainly improve the situation with prayers!

1.Every teacher must be up to date in the methods and content of the Balavikas syllabus with new and innovative/creative tecniques that makes the childrens’ presence interesting and lively.

2.Children's participation in the programmes must be utmost-child must be given opportunity to speak sing,read write ,draw,paint with the present day environment in view.

3.We must be able to embrace the changing approach and circumstances with out compromising on the fundamentals of the SAI philosophy.

4.Every student must be contacted on phone every week to ascertain his/her coming to the class-even though there is a break.

5.Every parent must also be contacted every week if necessary and request them to send their child .

6.Parents must be invited to the class for observation and encourage them to participate.This can happen only when their child is participating individually some time or the other.

7.The guru must also visit the child's home once in a way and appraise the parents about the progress and interest of the children.This contact will be very useful for mutual benefit.

8.Parents meet must be there along with children every quarter and celebrate with cultural event by the children with a party and prize distribution.

9.senior balavikas children should have a day of Bhajan singing at Sivam and parents should be invited.

10.Annual balavikas rally and a programme exclusively for children at Sivam should be conducted.

11.The teaching syllabus should also be mixed with environmental related issues,traffic, do's and do not's-civic sense,manners,public behavior,communication,responsibilities etc should be taught in every class bit by bit-with questions/answers/quiz programmes etc.

12.The teachers should always be available on the balavikas day with out any break-they can even skip other prasanthinilayam duties if need be- but stay put at the venue under all- except under exceptional personal reasons.Under such circumstances an alternative teacher must take over.

13.Finally,prayers to Swami to help us!

When you read through all the above we are likely ( it could be true) to say sir! we have tried all those since years but no use!-Then what we should do is keep trying -keep trying and keep on trying----on on on... but never say give it up.....because we have taken up this in our mission with HIM.