SANSKRITI PARICHAY SHIBIR
Pune 2006
A few
years ago, a novel concept was introduced to our community called ‘sanskriti
parichay shibir’. Our math, under the guidance of H.H Sadyojat Shankarashram
Swamiji holds a camp or ‘shibir’ for a particular age cohort, where we learn
something about our heritage, culture, or even spirituality. This January, a
shibir was held for the age group of 16 to 22. We were 39 of us, and 5
sanchalaks.
Before I talk about the shibir, I feel I must mention our
beloved sanchalaks namely Shri Krishnanand Heblekar [Kutti maam], Smt Deepa
Murdeshwar Katre, Smt Preeti Panemaglore, Smt Kalpana Chandavarkar and Shri
Raghunandan Honnavar, who went out of their ways to make us feel at home. Each
of them added to the shibir. Without even one of them, the shibir would not have
been so much fun.
The shibir was located in the district of Pune, near
Khadakwasla dam, in an area called Panshet. The name of this campsite is ‘Sneha
Seva Shibir Parisar’. The campsite was surrounded with trees. At a distance, one
could see the lush green Sahyadri mountains. The sight also overlooked the calm
Mutha River, which added to its charm. Apart from being so picturesque, the
people to whom this place belonged took utmost care of us. Right from heating
water for a bath to giving us the most delicious food, the people here always
looked after us.
The shibir was dated between the 26th and the 31st of
January. We were still at the pinnacle of winter. Everyone knows what Pune
winters are like, and the greenery complimented it. The very instant the sun
went down, the temperature dropped, and sweaters were out. The instant the sun
came out again, temperatures would rise. Mornings used to be less than 7
degrees, while afternoons used to be awfully hot. And to much displeasure of all
shibirarthies, wake up call used to be at 5.30 in the morning. The cold used to
be almost unbearable. The water used to be freezing, and washing up, brushing
out teeth etc felt like a Herculean task.
Our daily schedule was very well planned out. It enabled us
to complete the tasks scheduled for us, and at the same time, we didn’t feel
tired in the course of the day. it was roughly sketched like this:
5.30 - Wake Up
6.00 - Prayers
6.30 - Exercise
7.30 - Breakfast
8.15 - Session I
11.15 - Juice
11.30 - Session II
13.00 - Lunch
14.00 - Bath
16.00 - Tea
16.30 - Session III
18.45 - Bhajans, Deepanamaskar
19.30 - Session IV
21.30 - Dinner
22.30 - Bedtime
Sessions
II and IV were generally indoor sessions. We had the opportunity to listen to
people such as Smt. Samvita Upponi and Shri Mayur Kalbag, who spoke to us about
management, spirituality and success. The sessions were very informative and
helpful, and they both gave us tips on how to achieve our goals and lead our
lives successfully. We also had a talk by Smt. Deepa Murdeshwar Katre [who was
also one of our five sanchalaks] regarding or heritage which was promptly
followed by a very informative as well as enjoyable quiz that was conducted the
next day by Dr. Gulwadi based on the same topic.
Session III was generally a skill that was introduced. We were introduced to
activities such as archery and aeronautics. Not only were these demonstrated,
but they were also taught to us. We all tried our hand at archery, and made
little plane models too.
Session I however was everybody’s favorite session of the
day. Our sanchalaks came up with very innovative and thought provoking games.
Apart from this, we also had a handicap trek and rappelling fit into this
session. What made this shibir unique was the concept called ‘outward bound
learning programs’. After every outdoor activity, we had a group discussion
where we spoke about what we felt, our successes failures, why it happened etc,
and tried to draw parallels to our everyday lives from that.
In order to make our activities more organized, our group of
39 shibirarthies was divided into 4 ‘tolis’. The division was very strategically
done by the sanchalaks such that no groups of people who knew each other prior
to the shibir would be in the same toli. This allowed us to mingle with each
other more effectively. Each person knew all the others in the shibir. By the
end of the shibir, we all felt like a family. It was amazing how each of us
blended in.
What all of us shibirarthies were really waiting for however
came on the 3rd, 4th and 5th day when H.H Swamiji blesses us with His presence.
On the 4th day we had a vimarsh with Swamiji on the banks of the Mutha River
which was followed by Ashtamurthy Upasana. We also had a paramarsh where all of
our doubts regarding spirituality as well as our religion were addressed by Him.
That evening we had a campfire, where we shibirarthies presented a variety
entertainment program for H.H and our sanchalaks. There were songs, plays and
speeches.
The shibir officially ended on the 31st of January, with a valedictory
function where Swamiji as well as parents of the shibirarthies were invited. It
is said that all things come to an end, but the best things don’t, and so this
shibir will not end in the minds of us shibirarthies. Though we did have our
Dhwaja Avarohana, what we learnt from the shibir continue to be a part of our
daily lives, and thus this process that it has started within us will never end.