Report of Residential Anandshala camp for School children

Shri Pradeep Khelurkar, Secretary SAP ,explaining the objectives of the camp

Lighting of the Lamp by Camp participants

Smt.Ashaben Bothra, President SAP delivering the Presidential Address

Dr.Ravindra Rukmini Pandharinath addressing the participants after the inaugural session

Ashram Pratishthan (SAP), Wardha organised a Residential Anandshala camp for school children between the age group of 12 to 17 from 7 to 9 June 2023 at the premises of Sevagram Ashram. The camp aimed at personality development of school children as well as instilling in them the importance of human values like truth, non-violence, love etc. through various activities including lectures, discussions, workshops, games, practical demonstrations, documentaries etc. included in the curriculum. The camp was coordinated by Sri Jamanlal Bajaj Memorial Library and Research Center for Gandhian Studies (JBMLRCGS) of Sevagram Ashram Pratishthan. The medium of instruction was mainly Marathi and there were sessions in Hindi too. Students got an opportunity to experience certain aspects of the ashram life including Prayer, meditation and community work. In addition they had bird watching, singing practice and cultural programme. The camp was inaugurated on 7 th June by the lighting of the lamp by students in the presence of dignitaries.

Students attending Morning Prayer

Yoga/Meditation after morning prayer

Students attending the evening prayer

Forming of various groups

Cleaning of the premises

Students at the Entrance of Library and Research Centre building with programme coordinators

Bird watching at Sevagram

Exploring Bird nest in the well

Posing for a photo after bird watch

Discussion with Prof. Kishore Wankhede and team on birds identified

Names of birds identified

PowerPoint presentation on the Ashram

Prof.Chetna Maliye and MGIMS team conducting the personality development workshops

Warming up exercise before the commencement of the session

Workshop session in progress

Cultural Programme in the evening

The students got an opportunity to visit Gita Mandir including exhibitions of Jamnalal Bajaj and Acharya Vinoba Bhave, Magan Sangrahalaya and its various sections including spinning, weaving, block printing etc. Vinoba Bhave’s Ashram at Paunar and exposure to Ashram and Nai Talim premises also .

Explaining the history of Gitai Mandir

Explaining about Spinning at Magan Sangrahalaya

The resource persons who addressed the camp included Smt.Ashaben Bothra (President,SAP),Shri.Pradeep Khelurkar (Secretary , SAP), Dr. Ravindra Rukmini Pandharinath,(Writer and editor), Wardha, Dr. Chetna Maliye Professor, MGIMS,Sevagram, Prof Sunil Ganatra, Institute of Science, Nagpur , Prof. Kishore Wankhede Bahar Nature Foundation , Wardha, Shri Jeevan Awathare Teacher, Anand Niketan School, Shri Nilesh Gulhane, Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti , Dr. Rupesh W. Khubalkar , Nutan Adarsh College, Umred, Shri . Sharad S. Taksande, Sevagram Dr. Siby K. Joseph (Director, JBMLRCGS) and others

Dr. Rupesh W. Khubalkar , Nutan Adarsh College, Umred addressing the participants

Shri Jeevan Awathare of Anand Niketan School, Sevagram narrating inspirational stories

Dr.Sunil Ganatra,Institute of Science,Nagpur conducting the session

Shri Nilesh Gulhane explaining the science behind miracles

Dr. Dharmpal Kumare, Deputy Education Officer, Wardha was the chief guest at the valedictory session held on the evening of 9^th June. Fifty-nine students participated in the camp and were given certificates of appreciation at the valedictory function. The academic and practical sessions were held at the Library and Research Centre building of the Ashram.