Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Chandigarh, conducted a Bal Sanskar Shibir (Summer Camp) from 1st to 21st June 2025. A total of 66 students (38 girls and 28 boys) from Chandigarh and surrounding areas participated in the camp. The programme was supported by around 50 devotees and volunteers who helped in conducting the classes and activities.
Each student was provided with a kit containing:
- A folder
- Stationery items
- Festival calendar
- Memory book (daily diary)
- Surpath bhajan book
Highlights of the Shibir:
- Prarthana and Meditation in the temple.
- Yogasanas, conducted in separate groups for boys and girls.
- Moral and cultural stories based on the lives and teachings of:
- Swami Vivekananda, Sri Ramakrishna, and Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi
- Ramayana & Mahabharata
- Guru Nanak Dev Ji & Guru Gobind Singh Ji
- Bhagavan Buddha, Sri Shankaracharya & Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
- Indian festivals and sacred pilgrimage places (Bharatiya Teerthas)
- Arts & Crafts:
Pottery, Madhubani & Warli painting, paper and stone art, scratch & mosaic art, origami, sketching, greeting cards, bookmarks, etc. - Chanting: Pranam Mantras, Vedic Mantras, stotras, and bhajans.
- Sunday Seva Activities:
Cleaning of temple and classrooms, watering plants, watching inspirational movies (Yama-Nachiketa, Dashavatara), and group games promoting team spirit. - Children’s Library: A small-scale library was set up to promote reading habits.
- Daily Practice:
Students maintained their diaries with daily good habits and performed them at home.
Concluding Ceremony – 22nd June 2025
The valedictory function was held on 22nd June 2025. Highlights of the event included:
- Compering, Vedic chanting, and bhajans by students
- A short play titled “Brother Madhusudan”
- Pratibha Prakatan Programme: Awards were presented for outstanding performances in yogasana, art & craft, story-telling, bhajan singing, regular attendance, diary maintenance, and library use
- Exhibition of art and craft created by students and faculty
- Speeches:
- Chief Guest: Dr. Richa Rathi, Additional Director, Higher Education, Chandigarh
- Guest of Honour: Swami Tanmahimananda, Ramakrishna Mission, Shimla
- Introductory remarks: Swami Bhitiharananda, Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Chandigarh
- Newsletter Release: A softcopy of the Shibir summary was distributed
- Honours: All volunteers received laminated photographs of Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi
- Student Participation Certificates and Swami Vivekananda laminated photos were distributed along with flower plants
- Lunch Prasad was served to all attendees
The programme was attended by over 300 people, including students, parents, volunteers, and devotees.
