Youth as the driving force

IF OCTOBER 2 is a day of rejoice and celebration, January 30 is a day of deliberation and sadness for every one of us who remembers and reveres the Mahatma.

``The spirit becomes unclean if the heart is not washed with prayer'' said the huge banner on the stage of the Vidyodaya School's auditorium. The occasion was Sarvodaya Day commemorated with all sincerity by the school recently.

This year Gandhi Peace Foundation joined hands with Vidyodaya Schools in their ardent efforts to inculcate Gandhian values and ideals in students.

What impressed most even as you entered the huge hall of the school was the total silence that prevailed among the entire group of students.

Mr. Kulandhaisamy, Secretary, Gandhi Peace Foundation, spoke to the students about Sarvodaya, (which means ``the welfare of all'') its relevance in today's scenario, and the significance of the spinning wheel that was so dear to Gandhiji. In today's tension-filled world of faction feuds, Mr. Kulandhaisamy's reiteration of the importance of a single religion namely the religion of Truth, was timely and appealing.

Any message, if it has to make an impact on the young listener, has to be crisp and pithy. Inkeeping with this dictum, the Secretary of the Gandhi Peace Foundation, made his speech short and effective.

The all Religion Prayer for Peace that had been organised included Sikh, Christian, Muslim and Hindu forms of prayer. The school choir was seated beside them on stage and rendered the bhajans. The Christian devotional number ``Hosanna Jayam'' and the Islamic song in praise of Allah ``Iraivanidam Kai Yenthungal'', a melodious and meaningful piece, had been thoughtfully included in the bhajans. Readings and translations from the various religious texts were interspersed with songs, well-rendered by the students.

The prayer session drew to a close with ``Raghupathi Raghava Raja Ram''. It immediately brought to our minds Gandhiji and his last words and proved a memorable finale. The teachers encouraged the students in the audience to join in the bhajan and soon it was an enthusiastic yet sober rendition. All the while there were a few other students on stage constantly working on the charka, which Mr. Kulandhaisamy explained symbolises empowerment, togetherness and creativity.

An exhibition depicting the entire life history of the Mahatma, was held. It was a joint effort by the students and teachers of Vidyodaya schools and a placard stated that it had been organised with the help of Thakkar Baba Vidyalaya.

Gandhi Peace Foundation observes Sarvodaya Paksham from January 30 to February 12 to stress and impress upon young minds Gandhiji's 18- point constructive programme. The foundation, fully aware of the need to steer the youth to the right path of peace in these days of disharmony and discord, will be visiting several schools and colleges in the city. Vidyodaya schools always had steadfast faith in the Sarvodaya movement and they reaffirmed the faith by organising the eventful programme together with the Gandhi Peace Foundation.

Park Matriculation, P.S. Higher Secondary, Sri Sitaram Vidyalaya, Sarva Seva Schools and Rosary Matriculation Higher Secondary Schools are a few of the other schools where Sarvodaya celebrations are being taken up as a mission till Feb. 12. The outstanding features of the entire programme at Vidyodaya schools were the punctuality with which the events began and the smooth transition from one event to the other in absolute silence. Organisational skills were to the fore on that day and that in itself was a great tribute to the Mahatma.

MALATHI RANGARAJAN

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Features
Next     : Keen eye for detail