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| Youth Conference 2006 On Hindu Values |
Mona Khaitan
10/16/2006
Youth Conference 2006 on Hindu Values
Hindu Sangam
The youth sessions were organized by grade levels, with three separate sessions held for middle school children, and six sessions for high school students further divided into junior high and senior high students. Three adult discussion session were separately convened for college students and adult members. This allowed interaction among adults of varying ages from college students to grandparents. In total, 12 discussion sessions were held with an equal number of topics prepared. The planning, preparation, and execution of the sessions provided a unique opportunity for the youth to think through a topic, discuss it in small group sessions at planning meetings held before the conference, and then moderate the sessions. This process honed their leadership skills, verbal and written communication skills, knowledge base in the selected topic, ability to work in teams, and most importantly boosted self-confidence in their own abilities. The youth designed and prepared flyers and brochures and participated in the necessary planning meetings needed to hold the conference. They grasped the importance of detailed planning essential for holding successful discussion sessions as part of the overall conference. This was invaluable training in a friendly low risk environment replete with advice and experience of adults that ranged from fresh college graduates to grandparents.
Alongside the Youth Conference 2006 were held four separate programs. Over 100 children, grade 5 and under, participated in a Sri Ganesha pujan and learnt the correct service (vidhi) for holding such a puja at home. There was a lively Pranayama and Meditation session attended by approximately 40 adults who were introduced to introductory techniques for later practice at home. An equally popular Yoga session was held later in the cafeteria and a Bhajan session was enjoyed by many in the Auditorium.
Shri Mohan Bhagvatji was the main guest speaker at the beginning of the cultural program held in the afternoon. His principal message for everyone was to observe unity in diversity. His inspiring message was simple: we must bond together and secondly be a good Hindu (accha pakka Hindu). We are not here to compete. We must understand and follow Hindu values. The speech was followed by Kalaa Sangam, a combination of dances and songs.
The finale of the day was the much loved enactment of the life of Sri Rama (Rama Leela). Over 140 youths participated in an expertly coordinated play of Rama Leela in the auditorium filled to capacity. There were 9 separate scenes with finely made scenes in the background. The entire play had been prerecorded so the diction was clear and the actors young and small could be heard distinctly. The costumes were professional and the play rehearsed to perfection. The audience was kept enthralled with the impressive forest scenes complete with mist. This was a successful enactment of the life of Sri Rama and had an uplifting effect on those who watched, young and old alike. The Hindu Sangam closed with the recitation of the Shanti Mantra.
Food For Thought
Are we real Hindus? How do we live? What are the ideals before us? What are our feelings? Is it that we are Hindus only by force of circumstances or by accident of birth? There is no use merely saying, “Oh! We have a great culture.†What do we know of it? How do we practice it? Do we look at our individual life as an offering to the society? Can anyone look at us and say, “Here is a man who is seeking perfection in all that go to make a real human being?†We should realize in our day-to-day life that we are Hindus and mold every little aspect of our life in keeping with those great traditional values. This is the prime responsibility that rests upon us.
– Guru Golwalkar Ji
VHP of America’s mission is to promote unity amongst Hindus through a network of local chapters and like-minded organizations, provide community service to people in distress, cultivate self-respect and create opportunities for imbibing Hindu values through Bal-Vihars, Youth camps, Family retreats, and establish world-wide contacts with Hindus. www.vhp-america.org
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