VMS DC Chapter - children's conference (PRAHLLAADA LOKA) report

[Guest guest]

Under the auspicious presence and blessings of HH Sree Sree SuguNendra

Theertha Swamiji,

VMS - DC Chapter, held its second VMS Children's Conference in Washington

DC

on Saturday, Jun 23rd, 2001, 3 - 5.00 PM.

 

Sree Swamiji taught them three Shaanti mantras.

The kids also learnt laghu-vaayu-stuti from Jayakrishna.

 

Kids were divided into two age groups: 1. Less than 10 years and 2. Above

10 years of age.

 

The first group of kids was divided into two teams A and B, and quiz in the

" who wants to be the millionaire? " style was conducted. Two teen-agers

SuparNa and Paayal were made into moderators who did a splendid job.

Questions were on topics such as RamayaNa, Mahabhaarata, Udupi,

Achaarya's avataara-traya, and Dashaavataaras.

 

It was well received by the kids as well as adults which was shown by

their high level of enthusiasm in their participation.

 

The next activity was to make the kids write an essay about a topic from a

list of topics. The three topics were :

1. School lunch tips for vegetarians

2. What I want to be when I grow up

3. Life as a Hindu in America

We heard some real-life problems that our kids face when they have to buy

vegetarian lunch in school.

 

The next activity was to write as many different names of Vishnu as they

could think of. It was good to see some of the kids write real long lists

in a short period of time.

Some also had written their friends and class-mates names - showing the

sarva-shabda-vaachyatva of parabrahman.

 

In the next activity, each kid was made to pick a draw and was made to talk

about that subject. Characters from RamayaNa, Mahabhaarata, itihaasa and

PuraaNas were chosen.

Everyone participated till all the draws were over.

 

Shree Swamiji in his concluding anugraha-bhaashaNa recalled all the

characters that the kids had talked

about and enacted, and told them what message we should pick up fom each

of those characters.

" Like Bhima we should be strong "

" we should always chant God's name - NarayaNa NarayaNa like Naarada " .

" We should not oversleep like kumbhakarNa "

" Like Hanumantha we should be ready all the time "

" Like VibheeshaNa we should always keep company of Good people like SreeRama

and Hanumantha "

" We should keep away from the company of people like Mantharaa of

RaamaayaNa "

 

 

We Indians have rich culture and heritage which should be followed and

propogated.

Finally, Shree Swamiji blessed all the kids with phala-mantraakshate

along with VMS certificates to all the participating kids. Shree Swamiji

blessed the

VMS DC children's conference gathering with a new name " PRAHLLADA LOKA " .

 

He said " In spite of the environment provided by HiraNyakashipu, Prahllaada

grew up to be a great devotee

and got the blessings of Lord Narasimha. Unlike Prahllaada's father, your

parents are providing

you with this kind of good environment. You should meet more often like

this "

 

Shree Swamiji said there was similar gatherings in Pheonix, California,

Michigan and other places.

We should have a national gathering of kids.

 

VMS DC chapter is going to use this new name for future children's

conferences in Washington DC.

 

VMS expresses its sincere thanks to Smt. Rama Srinivas, who had put

together the whole event and also to Navales for providing their spacious

basement for this wonderful event.

 

- Jayakrishna Nelamanagala

VMS Education Committee