Seva Activity by DJRC, LVC, LPT & LB - April 2017

Balabharati centers of  Royal County, Lake Point Tower , Lake Bay and Lake View County came together for a Seva activity.  Setting a target to support Gandhi Education Trust, which works to provide Home & Shelter for Old, Home & Education for Children, Families from the apartments - Young and old collected contributions towards Food ration, medical supplies, Clothes, Text & Story Books, Wheelchair, Monetary support etc.

On 30th April 2017 Sunday, few families along with Children traveled in person with all the contributions to Gandhi Old Age Home & Education Society. This is an Old Age home housing 120 people. In the other facility, children are provided support with Shelter and assistance for education. Families had a chance to interact with the Elderly at the trust and people running the trust. Elderly are being take care well with the required  facilities, Nutrition, Medical care, Recreation. The place has small in house garden for growing vegetables. The visiting children had carried saplings prepared by them during Balabharati sessions and they planted Tree saplings (Tamarind) at the site.

Place is equipped with an Ambulance, Large Hygienic Kitchen and a  Mess,. We were received with great warmth. Old Grannies prepared savories (Obattu aka Puran Poli) for all.  Original recipe prepared by the most experienced hands created magic. Children kept licking the fingers.

It was also humbling to hear various experiences from the residents. Many residents voluntarily work to help the trust and support each other. Some Manage accounts, Electrical and plumbing works, Take care of temple rituals. An elderly uncle did Archana for all the visiting children at Ganapathi temple in the premise. All in all it was a memorable day.

Contributions Summary
Food Products
-----------------
1 Premium Sona Masuri Rice         
2 Ashirvaad Whole Wheat Atta     
3 Sunflower Edible Oil                   
4 Basmati Rice                               
5 Toor Dal                                     
6 Onion                                           
7 Potatoes                                       
8 Ragi Flour                                   

Other Products
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1 Clothe Bags (Normal & Warm)           
2 Adult Diaper Packs                               
3 Cordless Phone Set                               
4 Inflatable Mattress with Pump             
5 Text Books & Bags                                   
6 Story Books Sets                                   
7 Pens , Crayons, Pencils, Stationery sets
8 JSB Foldable Steel Wheelchair             

Monetary Donations
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Balabharati Updates - April 2017

​

Namaste ji 

Balabharati team shares with you the updates of the month.

May month Magazine and Yojana :   

The 54th edition of BB Magazine and the corresponding Yojana soft copy for May 2017 is updated in the resources blog home page ( right side ). Visit http://balbharati-resources.blogspot.in/  Hope centers have contacted nearest Balabharati Pramukh and collected the hard copies for the kids. Magazine and Yojana soft copy also attached in this mail. 

​   Subhashita Audio for May month is updated in resources blog ​( 

http://balbharati-resources.blogspot.in/search/label/Subhashitam

​ ) ​

Special activity in last week of the month ( May ) :  

This month, a fun activity is suggested. Each person (kid - 1 piece, parent - 2 pieces) can bring Mango in Balabharati ;  let’s mix all the varieties and enjoy different varieties of Mango with everyone. While eating, everyone can talk about their favourite variety of Mango, it’s origin and if they have some memories associated with it. Some of the popular variety of Mangoes are Mallika, Mulgoba, Chausa, Himsagar, Himayat, Neelam, Raspuri, Totapuri, Dasheri, Kesar, Malda, Alphonso, Amrapali, Banganapalli, Kalepad, Langra etc. Please make sure to remember about Swacchha Bharat after eating the delicious Mangoes, leave the place in it’s original condition or better. 

News and events from centers:   

• A new Balbharati started in Ayappa Nagar, KR Puram (Akshay Nagar Valay, Lingarajapuram Khand). 

• At Basavangudi Balabharati, Sri Rama Navami utsav was celebrated with devotional fervour in presence of many parents and elders. Quiz, Geet Chanting, Dasara kritis and such activities were part of the celebration. Some pictures of the event are available at  http://balbharati-kids.blogspot.in/2017/04/shri-ramanavami-at-basavangudi.html

• Royal hermitage BB children sang 'Chandan hai' song in their layout's cultural fest, and also demonstrated some science experiments. 

• Kethana Blossom ( Panathur ) kids participated in tree planatation activity on Earth Day. Many pedestrians stopped over to interact with the kids and see what they are doing when they planted the saplings and encouraged them. 

• Meenakshi classic ( HSR ) conducted summer camp ( shibir ) activity for 6 days, 2 hours a day. On the last day, there was a valedictory function which was well attended by parents. They also expressed their desire and availability to take part in Balabharati activities as Shikshika/Shikshak. Activities included Bhagawad Gita chanting ( Chapter 12 ) , Craft activity - bottle painting, a dance taught by Kishoris ( teenager girls of the same apartment ) to younger kids.

• VM Serenity (Horamavu) Balabharati Shikshika team conducted summer camp for kids which included activities such as Craft, Story, Dandiya, Tuhina drawing and colouring, Tulsi plantation, Fireless cooking, outdoor games and puzzles.

• SLS Spencer (Horamavu) Balabharati conducted summer camp which included activities such as Paper bag making, Best of waste, Bharatiya Khel, 3D poster making using eco-friendly materials, Pot decoration, Rangoli.  On the last day, the children showcased all their works to their parents. 23 kids took part. Many mothers joined the core shikshika team in helping to conduct the activities, and are also interested to join in for regular activities.  A short video of the same is available at   http://balbharati-kids.blogspot.in/search/label/SLS_Spencer  

• Plama heights (Hennur) Balabharati also conducted a one day activity as part of summer camp, and it was focussed on Bharatiya khel. 8 Shikshikas, 1 Shikshak and 31 kids took part.  

• Krishnageet Shelters (Pai Layout) Balabharati Shikshika team had a baithak and has made a detailed plan of conducting variety of activities through out summer​ 

• Divyajyoti Royal County Balabharati ( DJRC  - Singasandra ) shikshikas have planned and executed a variety of activities since vacation started for kids. ​As part of a green drive, 1
  1 kids participated in planting saplings
  ​ where 
   they have been each given responsibility each to take care of their plant.
  ​ ​
  The tilling and planting was all done by children.
  ​ 
  They are taking care of their respective plants by watering them regularly.
  ​ The shikshika/palak team ​have actually made a schedule spanning the entire summer period with activities such as 
  Seva Activities
  ​ by supporting a home for the less privileged through cloth and other items collection drive, 
  Tree Plantations
  ​, learning activities such as 
  Geet, Shlokas, Bhajans, Stotras 
  ​which is already being conducted regularly, 
  Learning Om
  ​ ​
  Chanting, Ganapathi Bhajan, Hari Bhajan, Devi Bhajans, Other Bhajans and
  ​
  Hanuman Chalisa.
  ​ In addition, they also have a target to teach 2 patriotic songs along with Ekatmata Stotra. Also in plan to teach science model making of 
  Simple AC
  ​, 
  Projector
  ​, 
  Star watching, introduction
  ​. Physical activities includes 
  Surya Namaskar and Yoga
  ​, 
  khels
  ​, e
  xcursion
  ​ v
  isit a farm
  ​/​
  Go Shala and one ancient historical place(to be decided).
  ​ ​

• Some centers are discussing possibility of doing a summer camp type activity in 2nd half of May when kids would have come back from vacation.

The monthly Balabharati updates is also available under the kids blog at     http://balbharati-kids.blogspot.in/search/label/bbnews  

Since many of the parents' email ids may not be in this mailing list, shikshikas/shikshaks are requested to share the above link in whatsapp to all parents and other shikshikas who are not receiving this email. 

Shubham

Balabharati Team. 

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Summer camp ( Shibir ) at SLS Spencer Balabharati ( Horamavu )

Summer activity was held at SLS SPENCER, Horamavu last week. Kids were involved in following activities

Day 1: Best of waste

Day 2: Paper bag making

Day 3: Bharatiya khel

Day 4: 3D poster making using ecofriendly materials

Day 5: Pot decoration

Day 6: Life skills

Day 7: Rangoli 

Day 8: Showcase of all crafts made during the week.. 

23 kids and shikshikas along with parents participated in the week long activity...

                                            Click here to see a short video of the camp

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Shri Ramanavami at Basavangudi Balabharati

Kids of Basavangudi Balabharati celebrated Shri Ramnavani with devotional fervour and engaging programs. From Bhagavad Gita recitation to Purandara Dasa kritis and Ramayana Quiz, various cultural activities were performed by kids under the able to guidance of shikshikas. 

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Recent activity update from Purva Skywood Balabharati

Sankranthi was celebrated with a community feeling of cultures from Andhra , Tamil nadu , Maharashtra , northern states and Karnataka . At beginning of event, we wished everyone in all 4 languages . Previous day we decorated the place with 3 rangolis . One was made by wetting ground with desi cow dung and Gobbemalu ( cowdung balls with flowers & haldi-kumum  decoration ). Second Ragoli was made where we cooked pongal in open on bricks and using cowdung cakes as fuel. Rangoli depicting surya's chariot 'Rath' was made and decorated with Turmeric leaves . Third rangoli was made on stage with terracota powder and rice powder ...area decorated with sugarcane sticks, mango leaves and flowers .

We performed puja of Cow with calf and Ox . We performed surya puja by chanting Ashtakam and giving pongal as prasadam . A knowledgeble person briefed us on the importance and meaning of the festival. Cowherd people were given daan of Rice,Jaggery and Til apart from other items by residents. Cowherd people  played Nadaswaram ( traditional music of keertanas ) by walking around our complex .They performed a show of Ox and cow depicting them as Sita and Ram . The show was Sita Rama Kalyanam which the cattle and their owners performed well entertaining young and old . Special sankranti sweet made of til and jaggery was distributed among everyone . Haldi Kumkum was given to Suhasini's. Kids and adults fed the cattle with vegetables and beaten rice-jaggery. Cultural programs based on tradition concluded the event. 

Our purpose to share these in detail is to make other centres aware . The cowherd people are quite talented but unfortunately they are surviving mostly on begging by taking their cattle all around the area. We would like to encourage this art form by giving them a platform to perform . Our children will not only enjoy , but benefit a lot by seeing the tradition .Its our responsibilty to keep this art form alive. These cowherd people live in slums after migrating from villages . Without proper guidance , they are lost here and ultimately resort to easy money by begging near temples or streets. Occasionally they get chance to go to Gruhapravesh with cow where they are paid well. 

Such talented people may be anywhere apart from HSR . We need to encourage them as they are keeping the tradition alive. This will slowly give them chance to earn with respect. Gau puja has always been a part of our culture . We suggest to have Gau puja conducted near temples or on festivals inside apartments and encourage Bal Bharthi children to participate actively. This way cattle people will not sell their cows to butchers .When we invite these people to play traditional music during our community festivals , it will become a respectable job to earn . Mutual benefit is my intention. Our kids will learn tradition from such events. Any Bal bharthi centre in HSR interested in conducting similar activities may kindly contact us. 

Although we conduct Bal Bharthi every sunday , sometimes practical exposure to such traditions will make good impact on children.

Childrens day- we planted saplings that were grown in our pots at home from seeds left after eating the fruit. Children adopted a plant and regularly watered them. 

Republic day - ​We performed a skit on saving trees and took oath to protect them.

Independence day - Kids staged a Nukkad Naatak about Saving water in Hindi. Kids made Gandhi Topi's with newspaper and coloured it with Tiranga. 

Rathasapthami - Children along with parents performed Suryanamaskar in open ground during sunset . We chanted Suryashtakam , Lord Surya's names and gave information about Lord Surya Bhagwaan as per our puranas .

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Balabharati Updates - March 2017

Namaste ji 

Balabharati team shares with you the updates of the month.

April Magazine and Yojana :   

The 53rd edition of BB Magazine and the corresponding Yojana soft copy for April 2017 is updated in the resources blog home page ( right side ). Visit http://balbharati-resources.blogspot.in/  Hope centers have contacted nearest Balabharati Pramukh and collected the hard copies for the kids. 

Special activity in last week of the month ( April ) :  

Hindu New year and calendar - an introduction to children from elders. Please see yojana for further notes on how this can be conducted. 

News and events from centers:   

• VM Serenity Balabharati in Horamavu celebrated Holi with nice participation from people in the apartment. Around 50 kids participated.  A recent center, they are happy to share with us that the response from residents to Balabharati activities is very positive. 

• Klassic Benchmark apartment BB in Gottigere valay conducted a special event called Matru Bharati. It was an event conducted by the BB Kids for their parents. Kids took guidance from the shikshika and conducted the whole event themselves. Compering was done in Hindi by two balikas. The song 'chandan hai' was sung by the kids with parents repeating in a lead and follow mode. Kids took yoga ( one each) - with the parents themselves performing the yogasan under the instruction of the baal shikshak. There was also a memory game for parents. In the end, kids served refreshments to all. All minute details and arrangements were planned by the kids and executed well. The objective of the program was to give an opportunity for parents to really come and feel how the Balabharati is done and what all kids have learnt. The quiz conducted by kids for parents was also received very well. Mothers and fathers both participated actively in a baithak ( discussion ) with Sri Suresh ji on the importance of parents' involvement in sanskar-imparting activities for children, and also encouraged them to conduct Kishore and Kishori Bharati in their apartment.

• NGV BB and ST Bed BB in Koramangala valay had shikshika team baithaks. They reviewed the activities thus far, and also planned for upcoming month. They also decided to conducted this "once in a month baithak"  in the house of one new shikshika every month. In ST Bed BB, kids from a neighbouring seva basti ( kids of construction workers ) also participate with regular kids in the BB.

• Purva skywood BB had conducted Sankranti festival in January in a special way by inviting a kole basava group ( “Kole Basava” is an adorned bull with his multi-coloured embellishments accompanying his master. They are nomads who go from house to house, playing music and blessing people in exchange for clothes or food. ). They conducted Sita Ram Vivah and played music for the kids and also explained their art. The shikshika team arranged this to sensitize kids to the plight of such persons who actually preserve certain aspects of our culture, but themselves are not taken care by the society and live in less privileged conditions. 

• Acas Crescent Balabharati in Gottigere valay did the story for March in an innovative way by having the kids enact the whole story. Kids were dressed in various birds' faces, and used domestically available items to enact it. 

• Concorde Manhattans BB team did a quickly arranged Bhajan program on Ram Navami day, with quite a few shikshikas and kids participating. 

• Many centers are also beginning to organize the monthly shikshika/parents meeting session to review the activities of the month and also plan for coming month. Such meetings are felt to be very helpful in consolidating the shikshika / shikshak team which will further make the Balabharati activity more effective. 

• Parents of Ittina and Sarovar Balbharati have been continuing to conduct quiz based on BB magazines post Balasangama. 

Summer camps:   

• Centers such as Sarovar, Meenakshi Classic and Suraksha Fair View have already planned for summer camp, in various forms including activities such as daily habits, swachata, practising to keep one's things organized, health awareness, Craft, Yoga, etc. Meenakshi classic team intends to do it as a 2 hour per day activity for 6 days. Suraksha Fairview are planning 2 days activity.  

• The google form for summer camp idea collection (   https://docs.google.com/forms/d/12A4iBH-aFePHBBJ9Uvgknn9k1iDNV9nrmtqn6yfEyew/edit?usp=sharing  )  shall be open for ideas sharing till April 9th. After that, Balabharati team shall try to compile the ideas and send suggested models for summer camp activities. Any center willing to conduct the camp for their kids may contact nearest BB pramukh for further support. 

Shubham

Balabharati Team. 

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