Kids and the concept of sewa
Balagokulam kids learn that ‘selfless service’ is deeply embedded in Hindu values and culture, reports NEERU THAKUR
The kids learn aspects of culture while their parents get a yoga lesson
Balagokulam Melbourne’s March session served as a reservoir of knowledge for little children who came to learn skills of life. It was centred around the concept of Sewa, the Sanskrit word meaning ‘selfless service’ or giving back. “Iswarah Sarva Bhutanam Itruddesha Arjuna Tishtati” means that the same God who is present in me is also present in other human beings. Young children have very receptive minds so once they are taught about sewa, what naturally follows is why, how and to whom the concept of serving applies. Children need to learn that serving man and other beings is serving God. Sewa also includes the environment and living in harmony with nature.
In Balagokulam, the theme of sewa was developed more towards caring and sharing among young children, and also towards parents and community. At the beginning of the event, the children were engaged in various activities such as offering flowers and prasad to God, and prayers in Sanskrit for world peace. Besides practicing Surya Namaskar and chanting the Gayatri Mantra, the children were encouraged to participate in sewa activities at home, at school and in the community. The whole idea behind this theme was to teach our children to serve and help others from a young age. Parents can also begin to teach their children to consider the feelings of others by teaching them to share with others.
Shikshaks adopted various learning styles and approaches to raise awareness of sewa among children. One of the khels was to answer general knowledge questions based on cultural knowledge, and for every correct answer the team would receive a letter that would form the sentence ‘Sewa is selfless’. This activity was very successful and enjoyed by the children. Another interactive game related to safety and health issues and how sewa should be done for each other. The children also answered questions based on our daily lives, to learn about the various (simple) approaches for sewa.
Balagokulam provided the children a rare opportunity to play other games like ‘Bhai Bhai Kitna Kitna Pani Hey’, ‘Hathi Kee Soond’, ‘Chor Sipahee’ etc. in an effort to develop healthy friendships and positive engagement among themselves. It is also important to teach the children, through games and sports, to show and express gratitude and love for others. At the interval, the children were served drinks and cakes donated by one of the parents to celebrate the birthday of their child. This generous act of kindness further highlighted the fact that sewa is deeply embedded in Hindu values and culture.
The atmosphere during the March Balagokulam was amazing, with young and old together infusing the occasion with a real feeling of community. Balgokulam is no longer only about children; it is now becoming a means for like-minded parents to socialise while participating in activities such as yoga and group discussions (baudhik). Furthermore, it was extremely heartening to observe that the children gave their very best during all the activities. Despite being born and brought up in Australia, the kids continued to amaze everyone with their knowledge about Indian culture and heritage.
Balagokulam continues to grow through its ever-increasing base of volunteers and shikshaks, who are the heart and soul of the programme and the reason behind its success.
Finally, Balagokulam concluded with a request from Abhijit Bhide for a generous contribution or sewa for sustaining the programme in the future.
