As conducted in earlier years, Ramakrishna Saradashrama, Ponnampet, organized Vasantha Vihara, 8 day Summer Camp from 23 to 30 April 2017, for the children and youngsters of 10 to 16 years of age. Camp was inaugurated in the holy presence of Sri Sri Shantamallikarjuna Swamiji, Revered Swami Jagadatmanandaji, Swami Swatmaramananda, Swami Bodhaswarupananda, other monks and Dr. Nanjunda, who is founder of Coorg Public School. In the inaugural talk, Sri Sri Shantamallikarjuna Swamiji mentioned the importance of Summer Camp for inculcating values in the life of student community.
The camp was framed to impart Spiritual and Value based education to the participants through Guided Meditation, Yoga, Bhajans, Vedic Chanting, lectures, interactions, Film Shows and power point based presentations.
On the first day of the camp, Swami Swatmaramananda, started the proceedings immediately after the inauguration through bhajans and lecture. Later Dr. Nanjunda, a leading educationist, academician and a well known trainer for students and professionals gave a powerful speech. In the noon session Swami Nityasthananda and Swami Shantivratananda spoke on “Values in Life” & “Personality Development in the light of Swami Vivekananda’s life & teachings” respectively.
Second day’s proceedings was started by Yoga classes by Dr. Allama Prabhu and Dr. Manasa, who explained about the importance of Yoga in daily life for students and how to inculcate the healthy habits. They also taught Yogasana and Pranayama to all the participants till the last day. Then Swami Veetabhayananda conducted Vedic Chanting and Bhajans. Swami Shantivratananda and Swami Nityasthananda addressed students in morning session. In the afternoon session Mr. Mahesh Jambardi and Mr. R Ashok interacted with the students with inspiring stories and interesting scientific experiments. Then leading educationists from Mysore, Mrs. Indira Ganapathy and Dr.Deepthi conducted workshop on MIND MAPPING to students and taught effective ways for studying through creative teaching .
From the third day onwards, till the end of the camp, Dr. Anant Ram who has Phd In Kannada Literature, introduced students to literary vastness of Kannada language and also introduced students to Sanatana Dharma and our Rich spiritual and cultural Heritage through songs & interesting stories. Rev. Raghaveshanandaji Mj spoke on Holy Trio in his 3 lectures. Dr Jadye Gowda gave inspirational talk on Plants, Flowers & Nature. DR. Kushalappa, Dean of College of Forestry, Ponnampet who has the expertise in the environmental and agricultural field of Coorg district shared his vast knowledge by interacting with students.
On fourth day of the week, some interesting lectures were imparted by eminent personalities like Raghaveshanandaji Mj, Nityasthanandaji Mj &Dr. Anant Ram.
On fifth day , all the students were taken out for an excursion to Sri Igguttappa Temple which is located about 60 Kms from Ponnampet at a scenic place. They also saw ancient Wooden Palace of Dodda Veera Raja. On the way back students were also shown Kalancheri Math at Arameri.
On sixth & seventh day children had interesting lectures by eminent personalities like Mr. K P Uthappa, Mr. Suresh Kulkarni, Dr. Ananthramu and Swami Atmajnananda. Mr. Loknath who is founder of LIFE – Loknath’s Integrated foundation for excellence and SAFE – Student’s Academy for Excellence motivated students with his Audio-Visual presentation.
On eighth day Children had interesting lectures Dr. Ananthramu and Mr. Loknath. Later in the Valedictory function in which vedic chanting & welcome was done by Swami Parahitananda. Revered Swami Jagadatmanandaji Maharaj, gave benedictory address. Dr. Ananthramu, Mr. Chinnappa, Mr. Made Gowda, Ex-MLC addressed the children. Swami Bodaswarupananda gave vote of thanks.
On all the days during their stay in camp, students attended guided meditation in the morning and participated in evening prayers and vesper service of the ashram. Students also participated in group meditation and singing.
In the evenings, students actively participated in Library reading, Campus cleaning and Sports like – Volley ball, Throw ball, rings, skipping, kabaddi, kho-kho, Chess, etc
The uniqueness of this year’s camp is that the students from 15 districts of Karnataka like Bangalore, Belgaum, Mysore, Bellary, Chamaraja Nagar, Raichur, Bagalkot, Davanagere, North Canara, Bhadravathi, Haveri, Mandya, Shimoga, and Kolar participated apart from Kodagu.
Highlights of the Programme –
1. Guided Meditation classes.
2. Yoga and Pranayama classes.
3. Learning devotional songs, Vedic Chanting and discourses about developing faith in God.
4. Creativity, mind control and IQ development.
5. Group behavior, helping and co-operating with each other, developing right attitude etc.
6. Our Sanatana culture and spiritual heritage from Vedic age to Ramakrishna and Vivekananda era.
7. Films on Parables of Sri Ramakrishna, Life & Teachings of Swami Vivekananda &, Little Krishna.
8. Excursion to Sri Igguttappa Temple, ancient Wooden Palace of Dodda veera Raja & Kalancheri Math, Arameri.
9. Daily Games – Volley ball, Throw ball, rings, skipping, kabaddi, kho-kho, Chess, etc
10. Valedictory function.
Total no. of participants 110 (Residential – 97 & Non Residential – 13)
