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BALA MITRA FOR THE BALA, BY THE BALA

South Houston Vibhag - Bala Monthly Newsletter Nov - Dec 2023

Karyakarta Message In this Issue Karyakarta Message

Saroj ji Samdani Pranam and Namaste to all Balmitra readers...... I am grateful for the opportunity of writing my thoughts in this special magazine amongst all the skillful young writers.

My SSV Experience Navratri (Nine Forms of Durga) My SSV Experience Bala Artwork - Painted Pumpkins Bala Artwork - Diwali Bala Artwork - Diwali Shakha Activities Birthday Pictures South Houston Vibhag Shakha Details

Bala Mitra and obviously its content is a real treasure box for me and I am sure it's the same for all of us. Each and every topic herein is very special and thoughtful, which give our balas a chance to think, explore and express themselves by writing on various aspects about our culture, festivals, spirituality and history. Each and every article of this Bala Mitra is written so well that it not only informs us but also makes us proud about the knowledge, thoughts, ideas and skills of our kids….and of course their efforts!!! As a parent as well as a Balashikshak - why is Balmitra important for me? In both of these dayitvas when I look into it and read it every time, I always become more and more informed. Curiosity of our balas and their ability to explore any subject-topic in their own way certainly inspires me and all of us. In my own experience, when we discuss any topic with balas, in turn we get back different aspects of the same topic from them. Before pausing my thoughts, I would like to touch upon one more aspect here what makes our balas different from others here in the USA? For the overall growth and development of any youngster, their larger family and society plays a key role. As we are staying outside Bharat, Shakha as our extended family fills the gap. I strongly believe that Shakha is the absolutely essential platform for shaping our balas’ personality. Even otherwise simple activities in Shakha like yoga, khel, cultural activities and family gatherings create a big impact on our kids, and it happens so subtly at each of those moments. Being regular in Shakha, a small time investment, results in a long lasting impact. Let's turn this page over and enjoy the Bala Mitra!!!!

MY SSV EXPERIENCE

Namaste! My name is Aditi Saurabh and I would like to share my SSV experience with you all!

TANAJI SHAKHA SUGARLAND

Have you ever been to 4 days camp? I attended SSV and would like to share all the activities we performed there. We woke up at 7 AM in the morning, got ready and had milk. We started the morning with yoga, pranayam and light exercises. We then went to the dining hall for breakast. The dining hall was called Annapurna!! After breakfast, we had a nice walk and attended shakha run by kids. We learnt about the roles of Mukhya shikshak and Dhwaj pramukh. We then attended a ghosh session and learnt about dhawaj rupna. We had a lot of fun activities like reading books, craft and learning abiout different characters from the Mahabharat. During the Baudhik sessions we learnt about Hinduism. Prarthna and many other cultural topics. We followed this routine for all 4 days. In addition, on the third day, we participated in manoranjan activities and performed the geet “Chandan hai iss desh ki maati”.

ADITI SAURABH

Thank you!!

NAVRATRI (NINE FORMS OF DURGA)

Did you know “Navratri” means nine nights in Sanskrit? During the nine days, we worship the nine forms of Devi Durga and offer prayers and seek blessings. The first form of Devi is “Shailaputri”. She is the daughter of the mountains and symbolizes strength. The second form is “Brahmacharini” which is the ascetic form. She symboilizes loyalty and devotion.

MEENAKSHI SHAKHA PEARLAND

The third form is “Chandraghanta”. She wears a moon on her head and symbolizes bravery. The fourth form is “Kushmanda”. This form also is called Jagat Janani as she created the universe. The fifth form is “Skandamata”. She is the mother of Lord Karthikeya. She symbolizes love and protection. The sixth form is “Katyayani”. She protects the world from chaos so she is a warrior and represents fearlessness and strength. The seventh form is “Kaalratri”. She protects the world from negativity and evil forces.

ANVITHA MODALI

The eighth form is “Mahagauri”. She is the epitome of purity and calmness. She symbolizes peace. The Ninth form is “Siddidatri”. She is the giver of knowledge and blesses us with skills and wisdom. Devi Durga defeated the evil demon Mahishasura who brought the world to havoc. So when you celebrate Navratri, remember it is not just some holiday. It is a divine holiday that represents Durga in defeating the evil demon Mahishasura.

MY SSV EXPERIENCE

Namaste everyone!

TANAJI SHAKHA SUGARLAND

DHWANI JAYPRAKASH

Let me share my experience attending SSV during the Thanksgiving holiday break. The SSV lasted for 3.5 days and 4 nights, and there were about 30 Balas and 3 Bala Shishak from different Shakhas around Texas.

First, I would like to talk about the Shakha conducted by Balas where the Mukhiya Shishak and Dhwaja Pramukh were all Balas. During the Shakha, we learned gosh and new Khels. I really enjoyed the way we were taught how to play various gosh instruments. The Bala Shishak divided us into four groups based on the instrument we were learning and our level of knowledge. My favorite part of the Bala Shakha was Khel, where I learned and played some new games.

Apart from the fun in Shakha, I had the opportunity to make lots of friends and play with them. During the baudhik sessions, we learned about the founders of RSS. I enjoyed the inspiring stories about Doctor ji, Guru ji and Mausi ji. We also did lots of crafts and learned a new Geet, which we performed in Manoranjan.

One of the best things was getting a lot of sleep because nobody woke me up when I was sleeping. Additionally, the food served was delicious which I enjoyed having along with my friends in Annapoorna Hall.

BALA ARTWORK - PAINTED PUMPKINS FOR HALLOWEEN

MEENAKSHI SHAKHA PEARLAND

RAGHAV PATIL

BALA ARTWORK - DIWALI

TANAJI SHAKHA SUGARLAND

SHANAYA SINGH

BALA ARTWORK - DIWALI

MEENAKSHI SHAKHA PEARLAND

MANYA JANI

MEMORIES OF SSV

SHAKHA ACTIVITIES

MEENAKSHI SHAKHA - VISIT TO MEENAKSHI MANDIR

SHAKHA ACTIVITIES

MEENAKSHI SHAKHA - CRAFT ACTIVITY

JAN MA DI NT PRIY NAMI AN A D OT SAK AM UT AY HE PR I ÄR MUDA E SAR B VA ISV HA THA M D YÄ AR VA Ä M AH S S ATÄ AHE PU NY RAKS ADÄ YUS I TV AK A AR TU | ÄM JIV M CA AN | M AM ARJ ANÄ AY KIR T SÄ RT AVA A TI HA KA BHAV M || ATU SA

AKUL ZHAVERI 11/06

TASHVI PATIL 11/08

ROHAN PILLAI 11/11

NISHKA TRIVEDI 11/15

ISHAAN SAMNERKAR 11/17

AMRUTHA ADDEPALLI 11/18

NISHVI BHATTAD 11/23

ANVITHA MODALI 11/29

ANAY SAMDANI 12/02

NAIMA MALLYA 12/04

SANCHITA HAMBARDE 12/07

RAGHAV PATIL 12/09

ARJUN TYAGI 12/16

ADITI SAURABH 12/19

KUSH DESHMUKH 12/22

NIHIRA THAKRE 12/27

Meenakshi Shakha

Ahilya Shakha Sunday 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Fort bend academy of Dance, 18551 old Richmond Road,Richmond

Sunday, 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM 2525 County Road 90, Pearland, TX 77584.

#713-355-7450

# 312-493-5933

Bhavani Shakha

Tanaji Shakha

Sunday, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM 2525 County Road 90, Pearland, TX 77584.

Sunday from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM 1210 Museum Square Dr Sugar Land, TX 77479

#720-934-9243

# 201-675-4457

Madhav Shakha

Shaurya Shakha

Sunday, 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM 1210 Museum Square Dr Sugar Land, TX 77479

Friday, 6:00 PM to 7:15 PM 4018 Westhollow Pkwy Houston, TX 77082 # 832-607-3615

#334-332-5706

Chanakya(Senior "praud" Shakha) Saturday, 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM 4018 Westhollow Pkwy Houston, TX 77082 #281-451-2021

PROMOTE DHARMA, FOSTER PEACE

Bacha bacha Ram ka..., Janmabhumi ke kam ka