Alumni of Sarswathi Sishu Mandir schools of Telugu states (Telangana and Andhra Pradesh) who are settled in Bengaluru have got together on the special occasion of Sneha Milan, at Jaigopal Garodia Rashtrothana Vidyalaya (JGRV), Kalyana Nagar, Bengaluru today, 29th June 2019.
Nearly 130 ex-students and 20 kids of their families, belonging to many districts of Telangana and Andhra regions have got together reminiscing the value-based education that they received from their revered Acharyas (teachers) that have helped them immensely in succeeding in their life pursuits, many of whom are presently working as executives and leadership roles in top notch companies. Every ex-student got an opportunity to express his/her opinion regarding the formative education that they received during their school days. One could evidently see the joy and heartfelt gratitude while they were expressing the feelings towards their school. The discipline, patriotism, social values and ethics and above all the humanitarian principles were the key takeaways from the ex-student’s speeches.
Addressing the alumni gathering, the key note speaker Sri Lingam Sudhakar Reddy garu, Dakshin Madhya Kshetra Sanghatana Karyadarshi (Organising Secretary), Vidya Peetham affiliated to Vidya Bhārati, Akhil Bhāratiya Siksha Sansthan said, “Classroom is where the nation’s future beholds”.
While observing about the present education system, Sri Sudhakar lamented that it is producing excellent Doctors, Engineers, Lawyers, Scientists, Entrepreneurs, Teachers and many more professionals, but whether those professionals are equipped to uphold human values and ethics? he raised a question.
On the other side, the parents are anguished when their child scores 5 marks less in Mathematics or Sciences or any subject, but do not bother about child’s behaviour towards her elders be it parents, grandparents or other elders. What must alarm the parents is the child’s behaviour than the 5 marks in regular subjects, because child can acquire many degrees but discipline and certain behavioural aspects can be corrected only in the formative years. Since the present schooling system does not provide the Samskaras for children, it is fallen on the parent’s shoulder to take care of child’s overall development in their hectic schedule. Quoting Swami Vivekananda, “We want that education by which character is formed, strength of mind is increased, the intellect is expanded”, Sri Sudharkar garu said, Sarswathi Sishu Mandirs over Bhārat continues to stride in that path.
He stated that, it is incorrect to hyphenate ‘Education’ and ‘Samskaras’, as Samaskaras minus the Education is not an Education at all, rather inherently same. Emphasising on the need for a holistic growth of a child, he said, Samskaras play a vital role in formative years, and it is incumbent on us to impart the true values of humanity and Dharma, to prepare today’s children as tomorrow’s World leaders and Thought leaders.
Talking about the philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”, Sri Sudhakar emphasised that, while we can imbibe the technological advances from the West in tune with the times, both the “National character and Individual character” are necessary for building a better future and wellbeing of Bhārat, which has been the philosophy of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the world’s largest voluntary organisation, from where Saraswathi Sishu Mandirs draw inspiration.
In his concluding remarks, Sri Lingam Sudharkar ji said, Saraswathi Sishu Mandirs are conducting an august gathering of its Alumni 29th December 2019, where we are all fortunate to hear from Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s Param Pujya Sarsanghchalak Sri Mohan Ji Bhagawat at Sri Vidya Peetham, Bandlaguram, Hyderabad Bhagyanagar.
He requested all the participants to extend this special invite to all the alumni students of Sishu mandirs of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, settled in various parts of the world.
The President of the Sishu Mandir ex-student association (Telangana and Andhra regions Poorva Vidyarthi Parishad) Sri Harismaran Reddy garu in his valedictory address has invoked Bhārat Mata in the form of a sloka: “Ratnakara Dhoutaparam, Himalaya Kireetineem, Brahma Rajarshi Ratnaadyaam, Vande Bharata Mataram”. He mentioned that in our schooling days, we have recited this sloka and enunciated the full meaning hailing the glory of Bhārat Mata, and has correlated with the distorted history that is being taught as enunciated by Romila Thapars of the world. He said, it pains to read such blatant distortion when the great “Emperor Samudra Gupta” of Bhārat Varsh is compared to Napoleon Bonaparte, who by the way was born several years (1900 years) after Samudra Gupta, and he is given the title ‘Napoleon of Ancient India’…! Such deceitful distortion of this scale has to be countered emphatically and consistently and expose the destructive minds to preserve Bhāratiya Itihas. Citing many examples of how our ex-students have excelled in their lives by the Samskaras imparted to them by Sishu Mandir schools, he felt proud to have been associated with the school for a long time and continuing to do so.
Sri Harismaran proudly cited many examples of our ex-student’s contributions be it resources, monetary and their valuable time in helping our Sishu Mandir schools, and encouraged ex-students to take small initiatives in strengthening value-based education for Saraswathi Sishu Mandirs. Inspired by these speeches and initiatives by the school, many ex-students volunteered their time and resources.
The program began by lighting earthen lamps in front of “Bhārat Mata” Murthi by guests and Acharyas of Saraswathi Sishu Mandirs – Sri Lingam Sudhakar Reddy garu, Sri Ravula Suryanaraya garu, Sri Kotamraju garu, Sri Patakamuri Srinivasarao garu, Sri Hanumantha Rao garu, Sri Narasimhulu garu and Sri Harismaran Reddy garu. This was followed by Saraswathi Vandana by Smt .Srivani and Smt.Sowjanya. Smt.Praveena ji has compered the whole function enthusiastically, while Sri Girish Mandyala and Sri Sreenivas Chowdarapu led the entire program with their hard work and dedication.
True to Hindu tradition, the ex-students paid their obeisance by performing Guru Vandana to the Guests with shawl and offered flowers. As a token of their blessings, Sishu Mandir Acharyas gifted each ex-student with four books titled:
- “Jagasira Moura Banaaye Bhārat” (జగశిర మౌర బనాయే భారత)
- “Archana” (అర్చన)
- “Pillala Bhavishyatthu Kosam” (పిల్లల భవిష్యత్తు కోసం)
- “Prapancha Samasyalaku Parishakraaram Hindu Jeevana Vidhaanam”
ప్రపంచ సమస్యలకు పరిష్కారం హిందూ జీవన విధానం
During the course of the program, the ex-students with their families enjoyed recreational games, while in parallel the kids were engaged by volunteers in traditional games. At the beginning of the program, Vayaktik Geet was soulfully rendered by Sri Bhargav garu and Smt.Avanthi during the Valedictory function (Samarop).
Finally, SriJagan Mohan presented Vote of Thanks to one and all for the success of the program, especially the host school Jaigopal Garodia Rashtrothana Vidyalaya, Kalyana Nagar, represented by Sri Maheshwarappa Ji.
Concluding the program, Girish Mandyala rendered Shanti Mantra and “Bhārat Mata Ki Jai”, followed by Bhojan Mantra and team lunch.
Everybody were seen enthusiastically exchanging their contact details to stay in touch with each other and their alma mater – Sri Saraswathi Sishu Mandir!
