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Contents:
 Independence
Day Festival at
Omkarananda Preparatory School
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A red-letter day in the history of the nation of India is 15th August;
every year schools, colleges, and government institutions pay homage to
the noble souls who sacrificed their lives at the altar of freedom for
the Independence of India instituted on 15th August, 1947.
This year, Independence Day was celebrated in Omkarananda Preparatory
School with great pomp by all the students and teachers of the school.
The Chief Guests were Mr. Abdul Mabood and his wife, Archana Singh,
Directors of SNEHI, a non-profit community based organization which
works to assist others, mostly focused on meeting the needs of children
and adolescents, the citizens of tomorrow. In addition to SNEHI, Mr.
Mabood has established the Institute of Child and Adolescent Mental
Health and Behavioral Sciences (ICAMBS).
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The Chief Guest is hoisting the National Flag |
The programme began with the hoisting of the flag by Mr. Abdul Mabood, followed
immediately by the enthusiastic singing of the national anthem by students and
teachers. After taking a pledge to protect India's freedom, some slogans were
spoken by the students with a feeling of zeal and patriotism.
After inspiring speeches by First Head Boy Master, Prajjwal Jain and First Head
Girl Master Anshika Aggarwal, Mrs. Ruchi Singh, Chief Guest and Master of
Ceremonies requested the audience and guests to judge the performances of group
welcome songs presented to them by members of all classes. Play Group A and Play
Group B began the welcome song contest; Play Group B was judged the winner.
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Students competing in the Welcome Song Contest |
The Sub Head Boy Master remembered Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation, in
his powerful speech and told those listening, how Gandhiji suffered torture and
imprisonment for the noble cause of freedom. After his reverent remarks; the
Nursery Classes gave their welcome song performance; again Group B won the
prize.
Saumya Agarwal, the Sub Head Girl Master, used a map of India to show the
colorful history and rich combination of cultures that comprise India. When she
completed, the K.G. Classes presented two songs: Group A sang "Jana Jana ka man
magan", Group B sang "Hey Arunavi Chandra Tumhara"; the judges were spell-bound,
but managed to award the prize to Group A.
The Chief Guest, Mr. Abdul Mabood stressed the importance of "tension and burden
free education." In his address, he urged teachers and parents to not impose
their own expectations and ambitions on the children, but instead, allow them to
grow and learn at their own pace.
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Mr. Abdul Mabood and his wife Archana Singh with
Students
of Omkarananda Preparatory School |
In order to further foster appreciation and encouragement of the children's
efforts, academic prizes were then distributed to those students selected for
their excellent scholastic achievement and 100% attendance.
The School Coordinator, Mrs. Meenakshi Gupta, thanked the Chief Guests for their
time and valuable insights and all others for participating and attending this
National Day of Independence. To finish the colorful commemorations, sweets were
distributed, with all guests wishing each other "Happy Independence Day."
Sacred
Krishna Janmashtami Day
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In the
Bhagavad-Gita, it is the all-knowing Lord Krishna who tells Arjuna: "You
are Dear to Me."; this statement of affection and truth enabled Arjuna
to surrender to the Lord in order to realize the Ultimate Purpose of
Life and beyond. The advent of such Divinity in the form of Lord Krishna
is celebrated all over India on Krishna Janmashtami Day.
Omkarananda Ashram
Himalayas observed this holy occasion in grand style at the Omkarananda
Kamakshi Devi temple beginning in the morning of 16th August, 2006.
Balaji Abishek Puja was offered to Lord Krishna by the temple priests;
devotional recitals of Vishnu Sahasra Nama Parayan and Arati followed,
infusing in all participants a heart-felt love and appreciation for Lord
Krishna. Prasad distributed to all in attendance concluded the morning
services.
In the evening,
words of welcome were extended to all by Swami Vishveshwar-ananda
Maharaj, who felt that Krishna Janmashtami, a special day of the eternal
culture of India, is strongly vibrating with the presence of Lord
Krishna. |
Kumari Somashekhari explained
the meaning of the dances |
The boundless beauty of the
Lord which is so lightful, should be remembered not only today, but for all the
time. This Light should become so strong, that it emerges in our heart, and we
slowly should sink into this timeless beauty of this eternal Light.
Swamiji further said: "Let
us also express our deep thanks to Gurudev Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati,
whose blessings, grace and sacrifice are the essence to realize all these
glorious works of our Ashram."
The Chief Guest, Acharya Balkrishnaji, awards the
children
for their beautiful performances |
The Chief Guest, most
revered Shri Balakrishnaji, the Secretary General of Pantanjali Yoga Peeth, gave
brief accounts of the life and teachings of Lord Krishna, in which he emphasized
the phenomenon of creation and the descent of consciousness in various names and
forms. The Chief Guest impressed upon the audience the reason for Lord Krishna's
Divine Form; he said "the whole purpose of the Krishna Avatar is to make you all
realize that you are a part of Him."
The devotional activities
continued with the bhakti dance performance by Kumari Somashekari and her dance
students; everyone was appreciative of such magnificent cosmic gifts expressed
by the dancers.
Miss Sangeeta Adhikary
compared the function most competently.
Krishna Naivedyam and Prasad
ended the sacred ceremonies; the divine vibration were lingering long after the
event was over.
Foundation
Day Celebration of OIMT
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The auspicious
celebration, marking the 7th year since the initial founding of the
Omkarananda Institute of Management and Technology, was held on the 7th
of September, 2006, at the Omkarananda Ashram, Rishikesh.
After a recital of
Saraswati Vandana to begin the programme, a group of OIMT students gave
a wonderful rendition of Vande Mataram song, followed by Guru Vandana
and a traditional welcome song. |
2 brilliant students of OIMT were presenting the
function |
In the welcome address given
by Dr. B.M. Johri, Director, the students and others in attendance were reminded
of the rich tradition of the Omkarananda Educational Institutions as Dr. Johri
briefly traced the progress of academic excellence followed by OIMT. In addition
to his words of inspiration Dr. Johri invoked the continued blessings of our
Gurudev Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati in guiding the Institute to further
heights of excellence and achievement.
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You can see the function was attended by the
President of Omkarananda
Charitable Trust, Swami Vishveshwarananda, the Secretary of the Trust,
Kumari Somashekhari, Shri M. S. Mehta, Shri I. D. Joshi, Director Dr.
Johri
and Prof. Subrahmaniam (behind Swamiji) |
H. H. Mahant Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda inspired
the students and lecturers of OIMT |
Shri M. S. Negi, Secretary of OIMT,
addresses the students |
Shri M.S. Negi's remarks
highlighted the significant improvement in the infrastructure and facilities of
the Institute; he encouraged the students and staff to be active in furthering
their organization, an institution of great pride for Uttarakhand.
Poojya Shri
Vishveshwaranandaji enthusiastically reminded the students of the marvelous
opportunity they have available to them at OIMT to develop qualities of
managerial excellence along with spiritual values, as the blessings of Gurudev
Omkarananda surround the entire campus with divine vibrations. Swamiji also
spoke to the students of the necessity of applying the knowledge and skill
gained through the MBA/BBA/BCA programmes for the welfare of society.
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Next, the students
expressed their love and gratitude to all of the faculty members by
presenting them with garlands along with their words of appreciation.
They further expressed themselves by presenting a thrilling
entertainment and cultural programme, displaying considerable talent and
skill for the audience. It was a great reminder of the well-rounded
education the OIMT students are receiving, in cultural and
extracurricular activities as well as pursuits of academic excellence
and distinction.
Shri R.S. Mehta,
Advisor, concluded the ceremony and celebration with a vote of thanks to
all participants, educators, and attendees. |
After hard work the students
could enjoy a very good meal |
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