Phalguna masam
February 28 to March 29
IN THIS
BALA MITRA
FOR THE BALAS, BY THE BALAS
Dallas East and North Vibhags - Bala - Monthly Newsletter
KARYAKARTA MESSAGE
By Chaithanya Chimmula, SW Sambhag Bala Pramukh
Dear Balas,
Karyakarta Message
Daylight Savings
Art Work
Chhatrapati Shivaji
Maharaj and the Hindavi Swarajya
Sangh Geet - Janani
Janma Bhoomi
Dallas North
Event pictures
Spring Activities
Vidura Badges
Hindu Heroes
Birthdays
Birthdays
March is a special month of new beginnings, celebration and learning! We welcome the Hindu New Year—both Solar and Lunisolar—reminding us that our festivals are connected to nature and the cosmos. This month, we also celebrate Holi, while continuing our journey with the Know My Hindu Values (KMHV) program! These utsavs are not just dates on a calendar; they are aligned with celestial rhythms, teaching us to live in harmony with nature
�� Holi – The Festival of Colors and Dharma �� Holi is a festival of joy, love, and the victory of dharma (righteousness) over adharma (evil). It teaches us that truth and goodness always win—just like Bhakta Prahlad’s devotion triumphed over Hiranyakashipu’s arrogance. As we celebrate with colors, let’s also fill our lives with colors of kindness, honesty, and friendship!
✨ Welcome New Balas to the KMHV Program! ✨
It’s wonderful to see so many new Balas joining Shakha and participating in the Know My Hindu Values program Whether you’re making Vidura Badges, filling a Gratitude Jar, or practicing Seva (selfless service), you are bringing Hindu values to life. Keep it up—these small actions will help you grow into strong, wise, and compassionate individuals!
Bala Mitra – 5 Years of Creativity!
It brings me immense joy to see how Bala Mitra has grown over the last five years. What started as a small initiative has now become a platform where Balas express their creativity, share experiences, and uphold our values Each article, story, artwork, and reflection you contribute is not just a reflection of your talent it is an inspiration for other Balas to learn and grow. Your voices matter, and your contributions are shaping a beautiful legacy for the future!
To all our new Balas—Welcome!
You are part of something truly special. Shakha is not just a place to learn, but a place where you will find friendships, discover your strengths, and build values that will stay with you for life We are so happy you are here! Shakha is like an extended family where we support each other. I am sure, together we become stronger, wiser, and more confident.
Let’s celebrate this month with colors, courage, and commitment to our values!
Wishing you all a Happy Hindu New Year and a joyful Holi! Jai Shri Ram!
Daylight Savings
~By Nivaan Naik, Prerana Shakha
I prefer daylight savings since I sleep in later and venture out later. It makes life more interesting and provides me with additional hours to do something I enjoy. Either gaming or sleeping in, daylight savings brings some excitement to life. One of the greatest aspects of daylight savings is sleeping in. Since I sleep in later, I get to have an extra hour to get dressed, be prepared for the day, or simply lie in bed. Having that extra hour of rest is a definite bonus. If I do sleep in, I don't feel as exhausted at school. Rather than struggling to wake up, I am more alert and better at learning. It makes it so much simpler to excel in school and class. I would most likely be tired even without that extra sleep and be unable to concentrate.
‘ Another aspect that I like about daylight savings is that I get to spend more time outside. I like playing sports and games such as soccer, basketball, and football. The longer daylight hours the sun remains out, the longer there is for me to play. That way, I get to spend more time just hanging out with friends and playing and playing without necessarily having to go in sooner because it is getting dark. I can spend more time practicing my best games outside in the afternoons rather than rushing back home as it is already late evening.
Overall, daylight savings is wonderful because I have longer bed time and play time, more fun-filled and active days, and more working light that is absolutely magical for my mood and habits. My night adventures go on longer, I spend more time outside, and I am far from sleepy at school. Daylight savings does it all better, and I couldn't be happy!!
Art Work
~By Ihrah Sharma, Chetana Shakha
~By Aditri Saraf, Prerana Shakha Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the Hindavi Swarajya
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was born on February 19, 1630, at the Shivneri Fort, in Kuser, Maharashtra, Bharat Shivaji Maharaj grows up to become the founder of the Maratha Kingdom, fight the Mughals and the British, and develop and build his own independent kingdom in Deccan
Shivaji Maharaj is also a warrior. He has fought many battles in his rule. One battle he has fought is the Battle of Pavan Khind. They fought at a mountain near Vishalhad Fort, Maharashtra, where the Marathas won. Another battle they fought is the Battle of Purandar where they fought between the Mughal Empire and the Maratha Empire, where the Mughals won. The last battle Shivaji Maharaj fought in, the same one which he died in, was the Battle of Sangamner.
Hindavi Swarajya is directly translated to in English language, “self-rule of Hindu people” A popular belief is that Shivaji used the phrase Hindavi Swarajya in a letter sent to Dadaji Naras Prabhu Deshpande of Rohidkhore on the 17th of April, 1645 The letter was sent to Dadaji in Marathi, an translated to English language, it states: “It is God Rohireshvar that has given us victory; and that God would enable us to fulfill our wish of Hindavi Swarajya It is God’s will that this kingdom should be established ”
Swarajya is a Sanskrit word which translates to, in English language, “independent dominion or sovereignty”, according to the Monier Wiliams dictionary. In conclusion, since March 14 was International Ask a Question Day, some questions I have for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is why did you not give Vatan to your assistant warriors? In spite of getting a lot of backlashes and animosity, why did you still not approve of Vatan? How did you realize that Vatan is not a good thing? Did you teach yourself that Vatan is wrong or did someone wiser teach you?
Sangh Geet - Janani Janma B
~By Sindhu Nagendra, Prerana Shakha
Dallas North Event Pictures
Anna-Melissa Shakha Picnic and Holi celebration
Unnati Shakha - Bhajan
Chetana Shakha Milan
Spring Activities
~By Dallas East Vibhag
Spring Activity - Hindu Scriptures
~By Dallas East Vibhag
Namaste,
On March 15th we had spring activities for our DE vibhag balas . For one hour kids played exciting games and prepared a chart on HINDU SCRIPTURES along with their parents and a few volunteers. All of them enjoyed making charts and at the end of the session we distributed snacks. Dhanyavaad to the vibhag team,balapramukhs ,parents and karyakartas who helped us in making this session successful.
Vidura badges
~By Chetana Shakha
Hindu Heroes Birthdays
Kalpana Chawla
Date of Birth: March 17, 1962
Astronaut Kalpana Chawla became the first Indian-origin woman to go to space in the 1997 STS-87 mission. She and the other crew members of the Space Shuttle Columbia STS-107 mission died when the shuttle exploded before reaching Earth.
Gangubai Hanagal
Date of Birth: March 5, 1913
Gangubai Hanagal was an Indian singer best remembered for her powerful and deep voice. In 1996, she was honored with the Sangeet Natak AkademiFellowship.
Saina Nehwal
Date of Birth: March 17, 1990
A former world no.1, Saina Nehwal holds the feat of being the only Indian female player and overall, the second Indian player to achieve this ranking. She is the first Indian female to have bagged in an Olympic medal in badminton. She was also awarded India's third highest civillian award, the Padma Bhushan.
Sandeep Unnikrishnan
Date of Birth: March 15, 1977
Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, was an Indian Army officer. He was martyred in action during the 2008 Mumbai attacks and was posthumously awarded the Ashoka Chakra, India's highest peacetime gallantry award, on 26 January 2009.
Birthdays
Happy birthday!
Meenakshi March 06
Nishan March 03
Poorti March 15
Vihaan and Avyaan March 11
janma dinamidam ayi priya sakhe santanotu te sarvadä mudam
prärthayämahe bhava satäyusi isvarah sadä tväm ca raksatu || punya karmanä kirti marjaya jivanam tava bhavatu särthakam ||
Dallas East and North Vibhag Shakhas
Agni (Kishor)
Sunday 9:30 AM - 11:15 AM
Legacy Dance Academy
8050 Preston Road Suite 206, Frisco, TX 75034. #469-269-2535
Anna/Mellisa
Friday 6:30 pm to 8 pm
At Deep Roots Montessori 1722 W White St, Anna, TX 75409
Chaitanya
Friday 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM 1380 SW Westpark Dr,Suites #1 and #2
Bentonville AR 72712 #479-866-2575
Chetana
Saturday 8:15 AM - 9:55 AM
Sai Nritya Academy
2751, South Stonebridge Dr. # 1
Mckinney TX - 75072
#972-207-9137
Jagruti
Sunday 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM
Ahn's Tae Kwon Do Institute 2001 Coit Rd 209 B, Plano, TX 75075
Kesari
Friday 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM 635 W Campbell Rd, Richardson, TX 75080 #972-482-8584
Kranti Shakha
Sunday : 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Children’s Garden Montessori Academy 8565 Gratitude Tr, Plano TX 75024
Maitri
Sunday 9:30 AM - 11:15 AM
Legacy Dance Academy 8050 Preston Road Suite 206, Frisco, TX 75034. #469-269-2535
Pragathi
Saturday 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
KJ Dance 2828 Stonebrook Pkwy, Frisco, TX 75034 #617-756‐9204
Prayag
Sunday 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Soul Fighters Martial Arts 1223 W McDermott Rd #100, Allen, TX 75013
Prerana
Sunday 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Children’s Garden Montessori Academy 8565 Gratitude Tr, Plano TX 75024 #626-200-5913
Shakti (Kishor)
Saturday 8:15 AM - 9:55 AM
Sai Nritya Academy
2751, South Stonebridge Dr. # 1
Mckinney TX - 75072 #972-207-9137
Shaurya (Kishor)
Sunday 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Children’s Garden Montessori Academy 8565 Gratitude Tr, Plano TX 75024 #214-697-5663
Unnati Shakha
Friday 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM 12465 FM 428, Celina, TX 75009 #201-637-4983
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