Atlanta, GA -- Monday, April 12, 2004 -- More than 150 Hindu-American kids in
the Greater Atlanta region spent their Spring break last week learning about
their rich culture and heritage at the Hindu Heritage Camps organized by the
Atlanta chapter of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS). The camps took place in the
cities of Dunwoody, Marietta, Alpharetta and Norcross covering all the four
major counties that comprise Greater Atlanta.
Blended with fun and enjoyment, the camps imparted knowledge about the Hindu
culture, its traditions, customs and Samskaar (values) to the young
Hindu-Americans. The day at the camps began with the assembly, introduction and
orientation of the participants. This was followed with traditional exercises
like Shareer Sanchalan, Paada Sanchala, Satat Yog, along with Yoga and
Suryanamaskar. Through Cultural games and slogans, which were the next
activity, various traditional and cultural values were imparted. For example,
the significance of the Hindu greeting of Namaste that “I bow in front of the
divinity in you” was explained with the help of one such game.
The afternoon began with a story-telling session on the life of Lord Krishna,
peppered with a Krishna-bhajan specially composed for Hindu kids born and
brought up in the west. Shlokas such as the Bhojan Mantra and the Saraswati
Mantra that can be practiced by children before their meals and studies were
taught. After lunch followed the arts session which involved coloring pictures
of Raksha Bandhan and Maha-Shivratri. For the crafts, children learnt to make a
beads’ Rakhi. Sarita Vaidya who sent her 7-year daughter to the Alpharetta camp
said, “My daughter is eagerly waiting for Raksha Bandhan so that she can tie
the Rakhi she made for her brother. All these years, Raksha Bandhan was not a
significant event for her. The camp has changed that.”
The evening continued with the airing of an animated movie of the epic Ramayan
followed by a quiz on the same and then concluded with a prayer. Hindu
Swayamsevak Sangh is a registered non-profit organization in the US with more
than 75 active chapters all over the country. In the Greater Atlanta region,
HSS has 3 chapters for youth activities and Balagokulams for kids in the
regions of Duluth, Norcross and Marietta. For more information visit
www.hssworld.org or www.balagokulam.org
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