It started with a thought and then a phone call to Swami Prakarshananda, Chinmaya Mission Delhi, whose suggestions and guidance got the ball rolling and the first ever Bala Vihar Camp outside the Chinmaya Mission premises in Delhi fell into place. The camp took place from 5 June to 23 June and the beneficiaries were 150 children of an NGO called Nai Disha Educational and Cultural Society, Vasant Kunj.
Sharmila Bhowal from Chinmaya Ranjan spearheaded the planning of the camp with the theme – Vande Bharat. Children learnt shlokas, songs, dances, did art and craft activities, heard many value-based stories from Bharatiya culture, were taught about indigenous foods and best nutrition, about unsung heroes and freedom fighters down the centuries and of course daily Yoga classes. International Yoga Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm. A science workshop was included in the camp. They went on an online Magical Bus to different parts of the country learning about the diversity, animals, plants, festivals and clothes, art and dance forms and the people of India. Definitely an exciting eye-opener.
The take away was this – We are India, we are Indians. To be proud Indians we have to be good human beings with the right values. Religions may be many but God is One. We all call Him by different names. So love God and pray to Him for yourself and for everyone.
At such short notice, an army of sevaks came from far and wide to take sessions. A big shout out to all of them. Some called and encouraged, some helped with refreshments while others with resource material. Many sevaks came from as far as Noida and Gurgaon besides different parts of Delhi to take sessions with the children.
