|
As per the decision of Sri Sathya Sai World Education
Conference, it is proposed to take adequate steps to establish a
network within the State and at the National level to promote
unity and foster creativity in all the 99 Sri Sathya Sai Schools
in IndiaWith the Divine Blessings of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai
Baba, a three day Sri Sathya Sai inter School Values festival
was organised for a cluster of ten Sathya Sai Schools in Tamil
Nadu from 9th Jan 09 to 11th Jan 09 at Sri Sathya Sai Institute
of Educare, Chromepet, Chennai – 44, under the guidance of the
Institute of Sathya Sai Education, Mumbai to highlight and
encourage the growth of Human Values among the school children.
The following nine Sri Sathya Sai Schools of Tamil Nadu have
participated in this festival. 1. Sri Sathya Sai Nursery and
Primary School, Ambathur, Chennai
2. Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Educare, Chromepet, Chennai
3. Sri Sathya Sai Mat .School, Erode
4. Sri Sathya Bala Gurukulam Mat. School, Mathigiri, Hosur
5. Sri Sathya Sai Mat .School, Kundarapalli, Krishnagiri
6.. Sri Sathya Sai Bala Gurukulam Mat. School,Palayamkottai
7. Sri Sathya Sai Mat .School, Salem
8. Sri Sathya Sai Vidyalaya Mat. Hr.Sec.School, Thiruvottiyur
9. Sri Vishwa Vidyalaya Mat. Hr. Sec. School, Vandalur, Chennai
265 students and 48 Teachers participated in this festival. In
addition to this more than 100 local students participated in
the Prerana Yatra. Accommodation was made comfortable and
delicious food was served to all. Sri S.R. Sankaran,
Educational advisor of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Educare,
Chromepet, Chennai and leader trainer of Bharat Scouts and
Guides was in charge of the entire programme. He has organised
more than 100 scout camps throughout India. All the students are
mixed and divided into five equal groups under the names Sathya,
Dharma, Santhi, Prema, and Ahimsa. They were seated in the
prayer hall groupwise. The Prasanthi flag was hoisted by Sri
Pavadiappa, Correspondent and Principal, Sri Sathya Sai Bala
Gurukulam Mat. School, Mathagiri, Hosur. All the schools’ flags
were hoisted on the top of the building. Smt. Meera Venkatesan,
Principal, Sri Sathya Sai Nursery and Primary School, Ambattur,
Chennai lighted the lamp of love. Bhajan singing and Veda
chanting were done by the students. The inaugural programme
was presided over by the State Co-ordinator, EHV Programme,
Tamil Nadu and Correspondent of Sri Sathya Sai Institute Of
Educare, Sri. P.Kumarasamy. While inaugurating the programme,
the chief guest Smt. Dr. Sowmya Sivakumar, Prof. Mary Mount
University, USA, in her talk said, “Similar to how medicine is
given with a spoon of honey, human values should be taught in a
pleasant way.” The festival was marked by numerous
competitions such as group singing, group dance, poster painting
, instrumental solo music, declamation and one act play. All the
sai school students participated enthusiastically. Alumni of
the Sri Sathya Sai University , Puttaparthy were part of the
festivals as they acted as judges for the various competitions.
Smt. Meera Venkatesan, Principal, Sri Sathya Sai Nursery and
Primary School, Ambattur, Chennai, organised various value games
for students. Other school teachers helped her.
The Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Educare, Chromepet, Chennai,
presented a skit “Andal” which won a prize in the state level
Balavikas competition. Adventurous sports of the school on their
Annual cultural sports meet-2008 was screened. Eminent speakers
who addressed the students during the three days’ festival
included former General Manager of N.L.C., Sri.C.S. Raju,
Educational Advisor, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Educare,
Chromepet, Chennai, Sri. S.R. Sankaran and Vice-President of
Dhanus Technologies and former student of Sri Sathya Sai
University, Puttaparthy, Sri. V. Krishnamoorthy. They gave
lectures on “Health and Spirituality”, “Personality development
“ and “Faith” respectively. Whenever time permitted Sri.
S.R. Sankaran taught patriotic songs to the students and
teachers. Daily all the students assembled in the prayer hall
in the early morning at 05.30 am and did Omkaram, Suprabhatham,
Jyothi Meditation and Nagar Sangeerthanam. Then from 06.00 am to
06.30 am they had yoga practice and pranayanam. Some students
demonstrated various yogic postures. In the evenings they
played various games like Foot ball, Volley ball, Cricket etc.
with guidelines of teachers. The games were conducted in groups
divided earlier. In the night, a film ‘Shirdi to Parthi’ on the
life of Shirdi Sai and Parthi Sai was screened to all. Prerana
Yathra : Prerana Yathra was conducted around Nemilichery on
January 10, 2009. The students of all the nine schools marched
holding high their school banners with folk dances and band
instruments. A group of students sang bhajans and did veda
chanting in front of Swami’s chariot. The atmosphere was serene,
pious, pure and lovely spreading the message of Bhagavan Baba
for a peaceful and happy world. Valedictory Function :
Sri.P. Kumarasamy, Correspondent, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of
Educare, Chromepet, Chennai gave welcome address. On behalf of
all the teachers, Smt Meera Venkatesan, Principal, Sri Sathya
Sai Nursery and Primary School, Ambattur, Chennai presented her
views about the festival. Master. Varunkumar from Sri Viswa
Vidyalaya Mat.Hr. School, Vandalur, Chennai, on behalf of the
students, shared his thoughts with the audience. Honorable Justice V. Ramasubramaniam, Judge Madras High Court
was the Chief guest for the valedictory function. He remarked
that students should give importance to mother, motherland and
mother tongue. They should feel for others’ sufferings.
Otherwise, there is no use of whatever they study. Convener of Sri Sathya Sai Trust, Tamil Nadu, Sri. V.Mohan, in
his valedictory address stressed the importance of conducting
such value festivals as they cultivate good human values in the
young minds. He went ahead explaining the importance of “EUP” –
Education, Understanding and Practicing of values in the
day-to-day life.
The Chief Guest distributed the certificates to all the
participants. Smt. K. Sai Meera, Principal, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of
Educare, Chromepet, proposed the vote of thanks. Dr. N.S.K Swamy, Correspondent Sri Sathya Sai Mat. School, Erode
took the Mangala Arathi. After the function, Dr. V. Mohan, Convener, Sri Sathya Sai
Trust, Tamil Nadu had a meeting with all the Principals of Sri
Sathya Sai Schools, Tamil Nadu and discussed about the
development of all the Sai schools in Tamil Nadu.
On the whole all the students and teachers enjoyed the values
festival fully and carried home sweet and valuable memories with
them. Sure, this festival has served its purpose of imparting
good values in the young minds. P. KUMARASAMY
Chairman
Festival Committee
State Coordinator, EHV Programmes
SSSO - TN. |
