BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, August 10, 2005: (HPI note: Neha Shah provided the following report.) The setting: a beautiful Indian summer day. The air: warm and fragrant, that evoked memories for many of beautiful Indian festivals full of enthusiasm, energy and anticipation. Such was scene at Locke Middle School in Billerica on August 7, 2005. “Pradeepadarshini” (meaning one who guides to the right path in Sanskrit) was a daylong conference organized by the Boston Vibhag Sevika Samiti of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh for women. It was the fruit of months of planning and exhaustive efforts on the part of all its team members. The theme for the day was “Matrutva, Netrutva, Kartrutva”, which in literal terms translates into Motherhood, Leadership and Dutifulness on the part of Hindu women in their everyday lives, and how they handle it with grace and humility.
Activities for the day were a blend of contemporary and traditional. The health and nutrition workshop with specific information pertaining to healthy Indian food by Sangeeta Pradhan and the Yogasan workshop by Vijay Chitra with its various asana, breathing techniques and suryanamaskars was a virtual mine of practical and much needed information in today’s world. Various competitions, that of flower arrangement, low calorie recipe writing and quick tip writing, kept the mood light and playful. There was also a discussion forum, with the theme of Matrutva, Netrutva, Kartrutva, anchored by Ranjini Saigal, that vocalized the challenges, issues and thoughts of Hindu women today.
Simultaneously, for the children 5 years and above, there was a fair, or Balamela, as we like to call it, throughout the day. For the mothers it was a much needed respite, almost a spa-like experience for their minds and intellect, while being assured that their children were learning while they played. Balagokulam is a part of HSS where we aim to inform the young minds of our roots, of our culture and what Hinduism is through the art of play, stories and craft. Raising children and teaching them the true essence of Hinduism is a challenge for almost all parents in the USA.
In the afternoon, there was the sumptuous traditional Indian lunch, which to the commendation of organizers was prepared as a team effort by the Pradeepadarshini team. Following that there was also a beautiful rendition of group song or sangeek geet, led by the main coordinator of the event, Dr. Shruti Mankad. After that, there was playtime or khel for everyone and for a while even the adults became children.
In retrospect, the entire event, went off without a hitch. The organization and flow of events was smooth and seamless. Although spread through the day, the organizers managed to carry it out within a disciplined timeline. The number of attendees far exceeded the anticipated number, with nearly 200. The success of Pradeepadarshini is a testament to its leaders, its team spanning various chapters of HSS, great communication and coordination within the team, and tireless work by all involved and of course the much needed support and efforts from its male wing. HSS is a voluntary organization aiming to protect, practice, and promote Hindu Dharma and culture. Visit us at “source” above.