April - June 2005

As every year the popular Vikas Mela took place at the Ganga on the Kumbha Mela Ground, Muni-ki-reti, Distt. Tehri Garhwal, on Sunday, 23rd January 2005, which attracted thousands of visitors.

On special request of the Chairman of Nagar Panchayat, Muni-ki-reti, Shri Manoj Dwivediji, Kumari Somashekhari presented a dance dedicated to Lord Shiva and she also sang a Garhwali song. Already at the beginning of her dance, Kumari Somashekhari received tremendous applause from the audience. Later on, when she was singing the Garhwali song "Jhum jhum barka lagi", the whole audience was clapping and swinging enthusiastically to the tunes of her song. The organizers of this Mela praised Kumari Somashekhari of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas for having completely adopted the Indian culture and also the culture of Garhwal in such a perfect way, that one cannot imagine at all, that she was born in a foreign country. Kumari Somashekhari's dance performance and Garhwali song were broadcasted in the local TV channel.

The 55th Republic Day was celebrated with great excitement by the students and teachers of the school. In spite of being a chilly, biting and a freezing day, the students enthusiastically participated in multi-coloured and multifarious events. It was on this day, 26th January, 1950, that our Constitution came into existence.

We had amongst us Swami Vishweshwarananda Saraswati, Km. Somashekhari and Shri D.K Varshney, reverent parents and other distinguished guests. The stage and the mike was well controlled by a young anchor, Master Antush Danu, a student of class VII. The programme started off with the flag hoisting by Km. Somashekhariji. This was followed by a march past by the students of class VII and Mass P.T. (Physical Training Exercises) trained under the able guidance of Mr. Waheed Ahmed, our P.T. teacher.

The cultural programme began with the famous patriotic song written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee-Vande Mataram. The students of class IV presented a beautifully choreographed dance-drama based on this famous song.

The young students of class III presented a Bengali song-Dhone Dhanne Pushpe Bhora, which talks about an India where one can see the lush green fields, gushing rivers, over cast skies, lofty and majestic mountains, - an India, where nobody goes hungry, where the granaries are over flowing, where the sun bestows its benevolent life giving rays, where the moon soothes everyone with its gentle, caressing, serene and tranquil light. The melodious song-Hum Bharat ke Bachche, sung by the students of class II, made the whole atmosphere musical by their sweet voices. The song describes the people, who sacrificed their lives for their motherland and the children who promise to carry on the task laid down by these great people.

The mighty Himalayas are the sentinels of our Country which have been guarding it from time immemorial. Garhwal, nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, had a great contribution to the freedom of our country. Keeping this in mind, the students of class V presented a Garhwali Song-Jai janma bhoomi hamari. The song was sung in praise of Garhwal, where the people are always ready to sacrifice their lives and uphold the dignity and integrity of their country.

We are proud to have students, who apart from excelling in academics, also take keen interest in other activities. Miss Aditi Badola is one such student who worked two years to compile information about the various important places of Garhwal into one book, named-Glimpses of Garhwal. Information about the famous places like Mussoorie, Valley of Flowers, Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamunotri, Hemkund Sahib and Rishikesh etc. are mentioned in this book. The book was released by Swami Vishweshwarananda Saraswatiji who blessed her for her endeavour and wished her all the success in future. Kudos to her for her achievement!

Swamiji, in his speech, stressed on the importance of the Republic Day and the contribution that the students can make for their country through true education, high moral values and discipline. The Principal, Col.(Retd.) D.L. Sachdeva thanked the august audience for attending the function.

As every year the annual function of Sanskrit Students Committee was held in Omkarananda Ganga Mata Mandir, Triveni Ghat, on 2nd February 2005, and Swami Vishweshwarananda Saraswatiji was invited as Guest of Honour. Accompanying him were Km. Somashekhariji, Shri Siddharthaji and myself. The Chairman of Rishikesh, Shri Deep Sharma, was invited as Chief Guest.

After the speech-competition of the students was over, the Chief Guest Shri Deep Sharma was requested to say a few words.

After his speech Swami Vishweshwaranandaji was called to address the gathering. Swamiji focused on various points like "Why is Sanskrit a Divine Language?", "Why India stands as a Spiritual Guru to the rest of the world?", "What can be done to continue our uninterrupted tradition of Sanskrit?" Swamiji in his speech to the Sanskrit students emphasized following points:

• Nobody can truly understand and appreciate the spirit of the Indian culture unless and until he does not know the Sanskrit language.

• This Sanskrit language has only power when you live accordingly.

• Emphasis has to be on highly correct pronunciation while reciting Sanskrit Shlokas.

• The secret of the decreasing Sanskrit tradition lies in our own life style, i.e. we have started loving things which are perishable, instead of focusing on that culture which is imperishable.

• India stands as one of the finest countries in the world because of the divine Truth and the deep secret of the mystic Reality which is still rooted in the Indian culture.

• It is now the responsibility of you all to continue this tradition because you all are young, dynamic and shining.

After his speech Swami Vishweshwarananda called upon Km. Somashekhariji to ask the students a few questions related to Sanskrit and reward them for correct answers.

At the conclusion of the function, the Organizing Committee honoured the invited guests with the shield and a shawl as a token of gratitude. At around 1.30 we took leave from the Sanskrit function.

Omkarananda Saraswati Nilayam
Farewell Report 2004-2005

Thousands of blessings in heart and mild tears in eyes we gathered together to bid a warm farewell to the students of class XII on 17th February 2005.

After much hard work and lots of efforts put in by the twelthies to equip themselves well for the board examinations, they require something to boost their moral, something to free them for some time from the burden of studies.
The students of class XI had just got free from their examinations and there are sure lots of things to be prepared. But enthusiasm, wishes of good luck, fun and frolic charged the spirits of eleventhies.

Traditions never die with time if they are rich

The tradition to evoke Goddess Saraswati and the worship of Agni Devata is as old as human beings. The rich tradition of Omkarananda Saraswati Nilayam for performing Hawana on the occasion of the farewell party could not ever be forgotten.

The morning of 17th February filled everybody's heart with pious feelings; the divine presence of the Almighty could be felt in the premises of Omkarananda Saraswati Nilayam.

The twelthies were welcomed with auspicious touch of vermillion on their foreheads. The parents of all the board students were invited to attend the Hawana and to make them feel that they are not alone but surrounded with the blessings of the students, parents and the Almighty together.
The programme started with the lighting of lamp by H.H. Swami Vishweshwarananda Saraswatiji follwed by Saraswati Vandana by school choir group. Then the whole atmosphere echoed with the chanting of Shlokas during the Hawana which was performed.

Now there was Natasha Dhaka present on the stage to deliver a speech on behalf of the whole class XI, with reminisced feelings of the bygone days. The speech made everyone nostalgic. To bring them back to the present, there was ready our skilled music teacher, Mrs. Sujata Banerjee, with her team, to sing a blessing song.

Now it was the turn of Miss Samriddhi Bahuguna, our school captain, who took over the mike to express her views and feelings on behalf of class XII. She thanked all the teachers and each member of O.S.N. Family for their kind cooperation and support.

Our respected teacher Mrs. Mridula Chaturvedi aroused the deep feelings of each and everyone present there through her speech. We could not control our tears when our honourable Principal Col. (Retd.) D.L. Sachdeva came up to express his emotions; he blessed and wished good luck to all the board students.

The students also were highly blessed by our Revered Swami Vishweshwarananda Saraswatiji who showered his words of inspiration on them.

The programme ended with handing over the candles to the juniors by the seniors as the symbol of responsibility and knowledge. The atmosphere became more pleasing with the song "Showers of blessings".

Good Morning to Everybody!
When it comes to departing from this sacred portal of enlightenment then I contemplate
They name thee before me,
A knell to mine ear;
A shudder comes o'er me...
Why wert thou so dear?

Not surprisingly, there are several reasons for this dearness and love for this lovely institution.
8th July, 1996 was the day when I, along with my brother and sister, first entered the portals of Omkarananda Saraswati Nilayam. Since then this school nursed us like a family. I have a very long relationship with this school but this long time passed within the wink of an eye. Today, when almost 9 years have slipped out of my hands, as I look back, I can see every moment of the wonderful time I have spent here. I came here from Lucknow and truly was a little apprehensive about how it was going to be studying in such a small town like Rishikesh. But soon after seeing the high standard of studies and the immense love of teachers of this school, all the apprehensions disappeared.

No doubt, it is because of the immense love this Institution has lavishly showered on me that I am, what I am today. School is like a rainbow which has many shades. But the most attractive colour of this rainbow is the last year. Of course, for me this was a very important year, as I was given the biggest responsibility in a school - my captainship - but I hope it was equally wonderful and important for my classmates, too.

At this point I would like to thank our honourable Principal and revered Swamiji who gave me some of the biggest opportunities of my life.

My words would be incomplete if I don't thank my juniors, especially class XI, my colleagues for their tremendous cooperation which helped me sail smoothly with high spirit. I think, the whole team of Captains, Vice-captains and my Co-captain, Nishant Dhaka, was a great group to work with. They always stood by me and no matter how angry I was on them, they supported me. Here I have to make a mention of my house pioneers Quaylee Madam and Archana Madam, who in real sense "exploited" my talent.

Obviously, who would like to part from such a family and leave such an institution? But time has to move. We will also move leaving space for our juniors. Though I today feel little envious that till today whatever was mine, will be taken over by my juniors but I have to remember that
The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

Good luck and Thank you.