Bhaskara Shakha: 2016

Thursday, November 17, 2016

Krishna Fall Leaves Picture Frame

Shakha 13-Nov-2016

The balas of shakha did an art activity : " Krishna Fall Leaves Picture Frame "
Balas were given a picture of Shree Krishna and asked to go outside in the nature and collect fall leaves. Using these fall leaves, the Balas beautifully pasted the leaves and made a picture frame for Shee Krishna. Below are the pictures of the same

shubham

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Vijayadashami Utsav 2016, Chicago

We wish you and your family a very happy Vijaya Dashami!

Vijayadashami marks the victory of good and righteousness over evil. As you know, we Hindus enthusiastically and joyfully celebrate this special occasion, in myriad different forms, on the 10th day of Shukla Paksha(Waxing moon fortnight) in the month of Ashwin (September-October). Stories of Goddess Durga as a combined power of all Gods to kill Mahishahur, ShriRam's army of tribal citizens and monkeys to win over crime committed against women, and many other are popular.

This day also happens to be our foundation day when Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar took the significant step to organize the Hindu society 91 years ago.

Vijayadashami is one of the important occasions when all HSS Chicago families get to come together.

Afternoon of 16-October 2016, HSS families from Chicago area gathered as an extended family.
Smile and chatter was naturally filled in the premises to start with which was followed by Shastra Poojan, a meaningful ritual of Vijayadashami festival. More than hundred of us in HSS ganavesh (uniform) later demonstrated our learning from Shakha.

A well coordinated demonstration took place

Kids from Naperville shakha chanted Ramayan shlokas.
Schaumburg Shakha recited Shlokas.
Our own new shakha performed combination of Sharada, Lakhmi & Durga prarthana and later a combination of Yogasans.
Physical activities in terms of Games, Yog-Vyayam, exercise using Dand were performed by various age-groups.
Schaumburg shakha presented a symphony and Naperville Sevikas had rhythmic performance of yogchap(lezim).

Our Atithi (Chief guest) of the program, Shree Chirayu Parikh, Chairman of Jalaram temple, addressed us and talked about various initiatives taken up by HSS to organize Hindu society in USA. He emphasized introduction of Hindu studies in University curriculum. Mukhya Vakta (Main speaker) of the program Smt Shreevidya Radhakrishna, National Bal Pramukh, HSS, highlighted the key achievements of HSS. Representation of correct Indian history in Californian text books and the constant need of coming together, was described in great detail covering many such recent incidents in American context.

The festivity was supplemented by Prasad - delicious snacks and socialization.

*******************shubham*******************

Thursday, August 25, 2016

Hindu Heritage Camp Report

Namaste,

We successfully conducted a day long Hindu Heritage Family Camp in Wheeling, IL targeting some of the Northwest suburbs in Chicago area. In the below email, forwarding report & pictures of the HHC. Also adding a summary of our preparations towards this camp.

Highlights of the camp preparations -

Started preparations 8 weeks back (late June) with 5 karyakartas - Vineet ji, Guruprasad ji, Indira ji, Sreevidya and myself - in a baithak
Targeted suburbs: Arlington Heights, Des Plaines, Wheeling, Buffalo Grove
Identified strong Hindu pockets within these suburbs - Apartments, Sub Divisions, public places
Sampark stats:

Personally reached out to: 160+ families (handed over Fliers)
Got contact details of 80 families
36 families attended the camp
Out of the total participation, 80% are completely new to HSS

Almost all the sampark was done 1-on-1: distributed fliers by walking around in apartment complexes, sub divisions...
3 Sample Shakhas were conducted in 2 apartment communities to give a glimpse of the HHC and Shakha

In each Sample Balagokulam, we had separate activities for children and adults. We had warmups, yoga, khel and discussion for adults while children did warmups, suryanamakar, khel, shlokas and story.
1st sample shakha had 30 attendees, 2nd sample shakha had 40 attendees, and 3rd sample shakha had 18 attendees
lot of participation in the HHC came from this.

Chiraag Hebbar was Vistarak in this area in July and helped in Sampark and sample Balagaokulams.

Take Aways/Next Steps -

Sample Balagokulams really helped new people understand what Shakha/HHC would be like and helped encourage more people to join in
Announced starting of a new Shakha at the end of HHC with the venue, date, time. Starting on this Thursdays @ 6:30 PM.
Developed huge contact base for the new Shakha - these contacts are our pat list for the new Shakha to start with
In the feedback forms several of the new participants signed up to volunteer in the weekly Shakha

Link to the HHC pictures -

https://goo.gl/photos/ vt9sqMsaVgQUpENt6

HHC Detailed Report -

"Hindu Heritage Family Camp, NW Suburbs" took place on August 20, 2016 (Saturday) in Wheeling Park District. This camp was conducted for introducing Sangh to new families of NW Suburbs and potentially start a new Shakha.

It was a day long camp from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Total 134 participants (12 as Shikshak+Prabandhak) from 36 families participated.
Participants were divided into 4 Ganas (Ati Shishu (Below 5), Shishu/Bala, Tarun Purush, Mahila) for most of the activities.
Camp began by lighting Diya and Welcome note.
Everyone enjoyed a sumptuous lunch; Most of the lunch items came from Karyakartas' houses.
Special highlight of the camp was when families came together to make their very own murti of Ganesha out of clay
We ended the day with concluding ceremony and distribution of certificates for children.
Tarun Gana had following activities:

Ice-Breakers
Warm-up & Surya Namaskar
Pranayam
Workshop on Shlokas (Gana was divided in 8 teams)
Discussion on Hindu Identity (Separately for Swayamsevak & Sevika Gana)
Khel (Separately for Swayamsevak & Sevika Gana)
Ganesh Murti making (Family-wise)
HSS Presentation (all participants together)
Prarthana (all participants together)

Children had following activities:

Ice-Breakers
Warm-up & Surya Namaskar
Shloka
Niyuddha
Video time
Khel
Ganesh Murti making (Family-wise)
HSS Presentation (all participants together)
Prarthana (all participants together)

Celebrated Raksha Bandhan before Samarop
Apart from the key karyakartas who have been involved from the beginning, shikshaks included Sudharshan Dwarakanath from Urbana Champagne, Girish ji Pambhar, and Ma. Shridhar Damle ji from Chicago area.