Balagokulam Magazine, a project of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS), a non-profit, cultural organization focused on Hindu community in the USA announced that it launched Kaun Banega Ramayan expert (KBRE) (“Who will become Ramayan Expert”) quiz contest on the occasion of auspicious Hindu religious festival, Makar Sankranti. HSS’ objective in launching Ramayan Quiz contest is to create awareness in Hindu children about Ramayan. Life of Shri Rama, as told in Ramayan, teaches timeless values like brotherly love, devotion, sacrifice, valour, personal integrity etc. and is very relevant in the present times. KBRE contest provides a forum for all children in the USA to participate in contests and win attractive prizes.

Hindu values are widely acknowledged for their positive contributions towards peace, prosperity, family values and spiritual growth for the entire humanity. HSS’ vision is to preserve, protect and promote Hindu culture by molding children – the future of our world.

The contest is scheduled to happen in two phases starting on January 14th, 2006.  In the Phase I of the contest, happening between Jan 14 and Mar 31, 2006, the children are required to register for an online quiz about Ramayan. The children who qualify in this phase will be invited to an in-person written quiz about Ramayan in the Phase II, in the month of April 2006. Hundreds of Balagokulam centers across the United States will be conducting the phase II of the contest.  Final results of the contest will be announced in May 2006.

All the children who successfully complete the online quiz will be given certificates and those who take part in the in-person examination will be given mementos.  There are several prizes in each of the categories including both cash awards and in-kind awards. Total prize money for the competition is expected to be in the range of $10,000. Due to increased participation in the community sponsorship program, prize money is expected to increase.

In order to help the children prepare for the quiz, Balagokulam website features study material such as Ramayan Story for children, Practice test etc.  Parents can also purchase an optional KBRE kit for a discounted price of $10 at the time of registration. The kit offers an interactive CD, flash cards and coloring kit. For more details on the contest rules, age groups and the cost of registration please visit http://www.balagokulam.org/contest.

It is expected that this will be one of the unique events of this nature to be organized in the United States.  It expected that phase II of the quiz will be conducted in more than 100 centers across the United States and 1000s of children are expected to take part in each phase of the contest.

Balagokulam Magazine is published quarterly by HSS and is available in the USA with an annual subscription. For more information on the magazine or to subscribe on-line, please visit http://www.balagokulam.org/

We offer this project as a tribute to Shri Guruji Golwalkar (1906-1973), on the occasion of his birth centenary.  A spiritual leader and a social organizer, Shri Guruji inspired thousands of people to dedicate themselves for the mission of reforming the Hindu society and rejuvenating Sanatana Dharma.

About Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS)

HSS is a non-profit cultural organization dedicated to preserve Hindu Dharma and its Dharmic roots in the society. HSS runs “Balagokulam” program for children throughout the US to impart Hindu cultural values to children. HSS also runs programs for youth and parents that focus on integral personality development (physical, intellectual, social and spiritual). HSS has 94 chapters across US. For more information on HSS, visit http://www.hssus.org/ and http://www.balagokulam.org  or call Khanderao at 408-737-7930

|