School Books Donation Drives

As part of the Wipe a Tear, Remove a Pain initiative, we went on a school books donation drives to Ganjam and Devanahalli in last few weeks. We have been dedicating the weekend for this activity. It been an amazing experience interacting and spending time with poor school going kids.

One thing that struck me most about them was their innocence and and love.

This gives you an idea of we did during these events

Date: 30th May

This year, Shree Public Charitable Trust (SPCT), the social service wing of the ashram, has adopted the programme of distributing free note books to needy school children in rural areas around Bangalore. The first of such events happened on 30th May.

Volunteers of the ashram visited the small town of Ganjam near Srirangapatna, and first and foremost headed for the Shri Nimishamba Temple and offered the first set of note books at the Lotus Feet of the Divine Mother. At the pre-appointed hour and place, hundreds of children had gathered to receive the books blessed by Parama Pujya Shri Shri Nimishananda. The attractive note books, carrying the picture of Pujya Guruji and shlokas printed on the front and back inside covers, were eagerly sought after. Around 850 note books were distributed. The session ended with the children being led through the recitation of the shlokas.

Date: 13th June

The second of the free note book distribution event was held at the Government Primary School at Devanahalli near Bangalore. Smt. Geeta, a teacher in the school and a devotee of Pujya Guruji, was instrumental in organizing this event. As volunteers arrived at the school, they were greeted with smiling children with hands folded in a ‘Namaste’. The entire school premises was decorated with flowers and mango leaves and after preliminary introductions among the school headmistress and staff, the neat and small stage was occupied by a few of the volunteers, staff and local dignitaries. Around 200 students assembled in the auditorium, and sat with crossed legs in orderly rows. The mandatory speeches over, the students eagerly came up on stage to receive the precious note books, and posed for photographs. They sincerely recited the shlokas led by a volunteer, eyes closed and hands enjoined, and promised to recite the shlokas every day at home and school.

After the formal function, students came up to the SPCT volunteers and mingled freely with them. They sang songs, danced and exchanged phone numbers. The simplicity, innocence and lack of inhibition among these lovely children was a refreshing change for the city-bred. The staff of the school too, expressed their gratitude to Shri Shri Nimishananda Ashram for this gesture and advised the students to make full use of Pujya Guruji’s blessings to become responsible and knowledgeable citizens.

As the volunteers prepared to leave, cries of ‘Jai Matha’, ‘Jai Gurudeva’ rent the air as little hands bid goodbye, seeking promises of more such visits.

Here are some pictures of the event: