Chennai corporation school kids learn nuances of culture, get inspired to serve

Chennai: It was a summer camp with a difference to a group of children from Chennai corporation schools. Though they invariably spend the days playing on the streets or grounds unmindful of the scorching sun, this summer had been a good experience for them, especially in stepping into the realms of culture and learning to serve.

During summer vacation, these children often while away the time without bestowing thoughts on sublime subjects and when the school reopens they would be busy with the academic life. “So, this time we have decided to do something different, apart from teaching slokas and mantra initiation to children. They were taught the nuances of our Indian culture and inspired to involve in service, especially in nation building activities,” says V. Subramanian, secretary of Jankalyan, Chennai.

A group of Hindu organisations including Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam Chennapuri Baktha Samajam, Hindu Jan Jagran and Jankalyan got together to provide them free classes on Indian culture for about a week. The camp concluded on May 12 at Shankaralayam, Chetput here. Over 30 students including girls had participated in the camp in which Tantra yoga and slokam recitation were taught. They teachers also explained about the guru parampara and taught them patriotic and environment songs.

The camp was inaugurated by Gajananda Saraswathi swamy who explained about various forms of Lord Ganesh and also how the Lord helps the devotees in overcoming obstacles in life. Nagarajan of Jankalyan who coordinated the entire programme. The organisers gave away free copies of LIFCO dictionaries, books on Vishnu Sahasranamam and Lalitha Sahasranamam, handwriting books and other educational aids to the participants.