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Answer:
All Omkarananda Educational
Institutions are situated in places which are since immemorial
times impregnated with the vibrant spiritual presence of immortal
Rishis and Sages. At every turn the children are faced with the
dynamisms of living Hinduism; the very atmosphere of the place
teaches them the basic principles of Hinduism.
Omkarananda Educational Society
aims at imparting education to all students irrespective of their
caste, creed, colour, religion or sex. In all Omkarananda educational
institutions students enjoy total freedom of religious views,
beliefs and practices. Religion is presented joyously and with
wisdom and love. Since students belong to various religions,
the teachings of Hinduism and the essentials of all religions
are being taught to the children in the Moral Science Classes.
Also guest lecturers and important
personalities from all walks of life give frequently talks on
various subjects like health, spirituality, better living, yoga
and medicine. These lights of learning inspire and impart to
the children the lessons and the wisdom they have gathered in
their lives.
Here are two of the most recent
examples of prominent spiritual personalities lecturing to our
school-children, thereby beneficially influencing the children
to live a life in accordance with the ethical, moral and spiritual
ideals:
Last September His Holiness
Sri Swami Shivapremanandaji Maharaj, a direct disciple of Swami
Sivananda, who runs an Ashram in Argentina, was received as Guest
of Honour in our Omkarananda Saraswati Nilayam. The children
were enthusiastic about his inspiring lecture on the spiritual
life.
In February / March, Omkarananda
Ashram Himalayas hosted the internationally renowned, most adorable
great Saint Sri Vasant V. Paranjpe Maharaj with a number of his
distinguished disciples. The Ashram was most happy to facilitate
the starting of his latest project which aims at spreading his
Fivefold Path of which Agnihotra and Yagna are the heart and
soul also in the Himalayan area. Sri Vasantji has a special program
of teaching basic principles of the Sanatana Dharma, including
Agnihotra, to the children. The visit of his team was a great
success at our Omkarananda Saraswati Nilayam.
These special hours with guest
lecturers are of great value to the school, and contribute to
the shaping of the ethical, moral and spiritual ideals of the
children.
On the last anniversary of Sri
Swami Sivananda's birthday all the schools of Rishikesh were
invited to participate in a prayer and speech competition at
Sivananda Ashram. When the Omkarananda students finished their
extraordinary performance of most rhythmic and enchanting prayers,
the hall was booming with applause, and non ending congratulations
accompanied the winners of five first prizes, and one second
prize for senior, junior and primary group-prayer in English
and Hindi, as well as two first prizes for the Hindi and English
speeches. Such successful programs constantly improve the already
excellent reputation of Omkarananda schools, and show the spiritual
impact Omkarananda Ashram has on education.
SARASWATI", the Newsletter
of Omkarananda Saraswati Nilayam, which is published regularly
since the mid-eighties, contains words of wisdom of Sri Swami
Omkarananda, messages of teachers, reports on guest lecturers
with summaries of their speeches and most important many student
contributions in the form of small articles, poems, witty comments,
scientific knowledge, etc. The students try to excel each other
in intelligence, in the depth of knowledge, spiritual insights
and in giving Golden Rules of Life. The students demonstrate
by their active participation that their school journal is great
fun". This Newsletter is thus another most attractive way
of imparting and deepening moral, ethical and spiritual principles
to the children and youth.
The Himalayan Ashram's Publication
Department edits, publishes and distributes since 1990 VIDYA
PRABODHINI", the biannual Magazine of Omkarananda Ashram
Himalayas, with leading articles of Sri Swami Omkarananda, drawn
from his speeches given during the daily three-times Satsang,
as well as many other most inspiring spiritual contributions
and Ashram information concerning its activities, publications
etc. It reaches a still wider public, bearing as it does most
inspiring spiritual wisdom.
Furthermore the Ashram distributes
publications
and cassettes carrying the teachings of Swami Omkarananda and
other speakers. Cassettes and Publications on Suktas, Stotras,
Aratis, Ashtakams, Mantras and Instrumental Music are also available.
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