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INFO : For Hindu Students outside India - "ROOTS"
"ROOTS"
An orientation program for college and high school students on Hindu Culture
Dec 23, 96-Jan 2 1997
Bangalore, India
WHAT IS ROOTS ?
Did you ever feel you need to know a little more about the basic tenets of
Hinduism ... know its origins... appreciate its multifarious rituals and
symbols manifesting in the form of temples, art, dance, music and festivals ?
Or you wanted to scale the heights of philosophical moorings of the oldest
civilization on earth... and have a glimpse of the Vedas, the Upanishads,
the Bagavadgeeta... and so on ? Make new friends with similar interests
from UK and other countries ?
To cater to these long felt needs of the Hindu Youth outside Bharat, a
special 5 days residential camp and a guided tour to historical places for
5 days has been organized. This program, ROOTS, aims to generate insights in
the participants which will enable them to understand and appreciate their
cultural roots.
WHAT WILL THE PROGRAM INCLUDE ?
* Visits to Historical sites.
* Introduction to Sanskrit conversation, Yoga, Meditation and Ayurveda.
* Seminars and Lecture-demonstrations by highly qualified people on
Philosophy, Music, Dance and rituals.
* Extensive interaction with highly dedicated social workers.
* Specially produced audio-visual presentations.
* Visit various community service activities in slums, handicapped children
centers, etc.
WHAT TOPICS WILL BE COVERED ?
History of India - High points of Hindu civilization.
Understanding Today's India.
Essence of Vedas, Upanishads and Gita.
Hindu Temples. Hindu Gods and Goddesses, pooja, prayers, festivals and their
significance.
Contributions of Hindus in the fields of science, technology, medicine, etc.
Hindu paradigm for management, politics, economics, ecology and administration.
Evolution of Music, Dance, Arts, and aesthetics.
Sanskrit speaking (Yes, You can!).
Yoga, meditation & Pranayama.
WHAT PLACES DO WE VISIT ?
Every year, we will cover different parts of India. Following are some of the most
attractive places we will be visiting in south India.
Temples at Belur and Halebidu represent some of the most delicate and
intricate carvings reminiscent of Hoysala dynasty. "Poetry in Stone" is the
exclamation of many, for these temples are indeed a challenge to the most
skilled sculptor.
Mysore is known for the grand royal palace and there are several nearby
places of interest like Brindavan Gardens, Sriranga pattana, Rangana Tittu
bird sanctuary, Chamundi Hills and Bandipur forest reserve.
Swami Vivekananda Rock Memorial at Kanyakumari is a source of inspiration to
all Hindus. The tip of India looks magnificent during sunrise and sunset
with the waters of the Indian ocean washing the feet of the Mother India and
reminds us of the Lion of Vedanta - Swami Vivekananda.
Other places include Somanathpur, Kanchipuram, Madhurai, Tiruchi, Tanjore, Tiruvanantapuram,
Guruvayur and Mahabalipuram.
WHAT ABOUT ACCOMMODATION ?
It will be residential camp in the outskirts of Bangalore for first 5 days.
You can experience the serene atmosphere of a Gurukul. During the tour,
you will get to stay with the local families, enjoy the homely atmosphere
and hospitality of Hindu homes and get to experience India. A high school
student from UK remarked after a similar program in Bangalore - "India is
not what you read or what you see. India is what you experience".
WHO ARE SOME OF THE SPEAKERS ?
Following is a partial list:
Justice Rama Jois - Retd. chief Justice, Punjab High Court.
Dr. H.R. Nagendra - Director, Vivekananda Kendra, Bangalore.
Sri Krishnappa - South Zone organizing secretary of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.
Sri Krishna Shastry - All India Organizing Secretary of Samskrita Bharathi, Delhi
Dr. Mattoor Krishnamurthy - Director, Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan, Bangalore.
Sri P.V. Krishna Bhat - Ex All India President, ABVP.
HOW MUCH DO I PAY ?
The entire program is organized by dedicated volunteers with the participation
of the local community in each place. So, the costs are incredibly low.
For the residential camp and also the guided tour to historical places, total
cost is only $150. This includes accommodation, food, and basic medical
fecilities.
You will have to take care of the round-trip fare for Bangalore, India.
HOW DO I REGISTER ?
To ensure a very high quality of the program, the number of participants is
restricted to 30. so, please call us before mailing the check.
Register early!!!
Contact
Arun Kankani (319) 294-8825
Email: Vvmurthy@aol.com
OR
Dr. S.Shamasundar, ROOTS,
"Yuva Shakti", 55, I main, Seshadripuram
Bangalore-560020, INDIA
Phone: 91-80-3383967, Fax: 91-80-6617276
Email: samskrit.sscentre@gems.vsnl.net.in
