On December 9, 2018 Sunday, Chinmaya Mission Jaipur organized the Inter
school level of “Geeta Chanting Competition” at Paramanand Hall, C- Scheme,
Jaipur. This competition is being successfully conducted annually by
Chinmaya Mission Jaipur since 1999. It was consecutive 20th year.
In this competition this year 2550 students from 13 eminent and prestigious
schools of Jaipur participated, out of which 29 participants reached the Inter
school level. Immense enthusiasm was seen in schools, parents and students
for this event.
The Chief guest of the event Dr. Rajendra Prasad Sharma, Professor & Head
of the Philosophy Department, Rajasthan University, graced the program with
his presence and guided everyone on the relevance of Shrimad Bhagwat
Geeta and it’s usefulness in life.
In the competition, the first, second and third winners of each category A, B, S
& D were given award of cash prizes of 3000 /-, 2000 /- and 1000/-
respectively along with books and trophies. Four schools were given prizes
for overall best performance.
Certificates of participation were given to all the 2550 participants.
This year, all the participants gave a memorable presentation on the Geeta on
chapter 18.
The event coordinators were Dr. Ramesh Wadhwani, Sh. Mool chand Khatri
and special assistance was given by former treasurer Chinmaya Mission
Jaipur Sh. Ramjas Vaish. They were felicitated by the Chief guest and
President Smt. Mamta Mansingka for their dedicated contribution in
conducting the event successfully.
Senior Mission members along with Secretary and President were present
during the program.

From apprehension to appreciation, an Indian American teenager’s gradual change of heart towards India was the premise of a captivating play performed on December 8th 2018, at Chinmaya Prabha Houston. In a compelling narrative of a few of India’s saints, 115 Balavihar children  worked in harmony with live orchestra, modern technology, and visual effects to fly us across space and time to “India, My Sacred Land.”

The play draws inspiration from Shri Darshana Nanavaty’s sixth grade curriculum book, “India, The Sacred Land.”  The common notion that saints are only ascetics living in solitude was systematically corrected as each act unfolded the story of a special saint who influenced the society of that time. After paying homage to the Chinmaya Guru Parampara, children embodied the spirits of Samartha Ramdas, the inspirational guru of Emperor Chatrapathi Shivaji and of the melodiously devotional Mirabai, the princess saint of Mewad. They portrayed Purandaradasa, the miserly diamond merchant who turned into a devoted musical saint; they made us revere the values that Kabirdas lived and mesmerized us with the power of the faith of Soordas, the blind poet-saint. They highlighted the great humility of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and the missionary zeal of his disciple Swami Vivekananda–well remembered for his revolutionary address at the Parliament of World Religions in Chicago.  For the duration of the play, those performing were not just children but truly a representation of the saints themselves, worthy of respect and attention.

The bhajans and musical accompaniment of the live orchestra trained by Smt. Jamuna Murali and her team elevated the performance. Singers, tabla players, cellists, violinists, and pianists musically showcased the mood in every scene. Characters like the naughty mice, the perplexed disciple, and the enlightened masters were enlivened by creative sound effects that were mischievous, amusing, and deeply soulful respectively. Make-up and costumes for the 115 performers – for royalty, saints, peasants and devotees who all spanned different centuries, were breathtakingly realistic and true to character.

While the play was written entirely in English, the clever script by the Bala vihar play coordinators moved seamlessly between traditional and contemporary styles of speech. Relatable snippets of a young boy complaining about bedtime, referring to a saint as ‘awesome,’or simply judging India by its outward gildings, struck a chord and often won plenty of laughs from the audience.

An IT-focused audio-visual team tied everything together brilliantly. Awe-inspiring, larger-than-life images and animations burst out from the massive LED-lit backdrop. It drew the audience into the inner sanctum of temples, allowed access into the most important of Shivaji’s courtrooms and even took viewers to the Chicago Parliament of World Religions assembly of 1893.

The most impressive achievement is the diverse age range of the performers from as little as pre-K to twelfth grade. These artists kept the packed hall riveted to their seats. To come across an occasion where people from age two to ninety two can all thoroughly enjoy an evening together is rare. “India, My Sacred Land” is a true testimony to the devoted teamwork of all the volunteer groups of Chinmaya Mission Houston.

Hari Om.

Pujya Guruji visited Modern Senior Secondary School, Patiala.

The days events started with the school band escorting Guruji for the cultural program put up by the students. Ms. Nanki Singh, Trustee of the school introduced Guruji to the children and teachers. Shri Jujhar Singh – Chairman and trustee and Ms. Anjali Singh, Ms. Indu Shrikent, Ms. Kala Ramnath,  Ms. Aishna Sharma Chulani, Shri Chetan Sharma members of the School Managing Committee and devotees of Chinmaya Mission were also present. The cultural program presented included the primary school children singing nursery rhymes written by Guruji and the Aarti by Guru Nanak Dev ji. The skits invoked a love for God.

Thereafter Guruji addressed students of classes 6-8.
Speaking to students of classes 9-12 Guruji shared the 6As for success: Aptitude, Aspiration, Ability, Application, Attitude and Altar of dedication.

For the children of classes 3-5 Guruji told a story indicating how all work can be dedicated to God.

In the evening Guruji planted a sapling and had a session for teachers in which Guruji pointed out that the purpose of Education is manifesting the divinity in a person and to develop love for God.

Shri R.L. Manchanda, President Chinmaya Mission Patiala left suddenly for his heavenly abode on 26th Nov morning. He lived a “Life of Contributions”. Being a civil engineer by profession, he supervised the construction of “Chinmaya Shatabadi Sabhagar” of Chinmaya Tapovan Trust, Sidhbari, constructed in memory of Param Pujya Gurudev during his Centenary year celebrations. He also supervised the construction of Chinmaya Jagriti Ashram and Shri Ram Mandir Patiala. He was a great personality with humane qualities and will be remembered with respect always by the present and future generations. His departure is a great loss to family, friends, society and Chinmaya Mission. May his soul rest in peace.