Saturday 22 October 2011

Imbibing Traditions And Customs In Children During Diwali

Diwali is a special time for bonding and sharing. Festivals serve as a great pretext to make children understand the rich traditions of India. Like on other festivals, during Diwali too various rituals are observed. Rituals only make us aware of our culture and moreover in urban homes this is the best way to take time-out from work and spend time with the family.

It is wonderful time during festivals to make children aware of our great epics. Therefore, during Diwali parents and elders at home must narrate the story of Lord Rama’s Victory and the legends of Mahalakshmi to the children. Kids should be taught right moral that is the triumph of good over evil.


Celebrations at schools

School also plays vital role in enlightening children about various festivals. Diwali is one such main festival and schools on this occasion celebrate it in full swing. For play-schools, it is even more important as toddlers have to be made acquainted about the whole concept of Diwali.

Children on this occasion need to be taught true meaning of the festival. Through various activities in schools , children are taught to share candy and sweets, decorating school and home with lighting lamps and diyas (small clay pots which are lit like luminarias) .

Mother’s Pride, one such play–school which makes this festival truly memorable for kids by organized various activities and events for the little ones. Students were taught to greet everyone ‘Happy Diwali ‘on the occasion.

There was also enchanting medley of songs in schools that moved all. The dance performances by toddlers drew much applause from the enthralled audience. Children altogether had gala time in Diwali celebrations.

Tuesday 4 October 2011

Victory Of Good Over Evil



Dussehra, one of the most important festivals of India, epitomizes victory of good over evil. As on this day, Lord Rama (son of King Dushrath) killed Ravana (King of Lanka). Popularly known as Vijayadashmi, it is celebrated differently in different parts of the country. Generally, celebrations of Dussehra last up to 10 days. On the tenth day of Navratra, the fast is ended and celebrations of Dussehra are held. This festival is celebrated by burning effigies of Ravana, Kumbarkaran and Megnath. Also, performances of the Ramlila (a short version of the epic Ramayana) are held at several places in Northern India. Dussehra also reminisce end of exile of Pandavas and their return to reclaim the kingdom as per the Mahabharata epic.

Vijayadashami is also celebrated to rejoice the victory of Ma Durga over demons, especially execution of Mahishasura by her. It is celebrated to honor goddess Durga, who fought with Mahishasura for nine nights and killed him on the tenth day.  
Also, Vijayadashami is the day of the Saraswati or the deity of knowledge and learning.

Festivals Help Kids To Understand Culture Better

Festivals help to draw children closer to the culture. Celebrations not just at home but at school also aid in promotion of Indian ethnicity. Keeping this spirit alive, Dussehra was celebrated at Mother's Pride School in big way.  The classes were decorated magnificently according to the Dussehra theme. The whole ambience of the school gave a new festive look.

As a whole, it was a mythological week in Mother’s Pride school. Many events were organized. One of them was fancy dress, where tiny toddlers came dressed as Lord Ram, Sita , Laxman and Raavana. Spiritual and devotional songs were played and little ones performed on them. Also, mythological tales and fables about Lord Ram were narrated to the kids, to familiarize them with the epic Ramayana.

Saturday 1 October 2011

Remembering ‘Bapu’

Birthdays and anniversaries serve as good mementos and provide us the chance to relive those moments again. October 2nd does the same for us. It offers an opportunity to pay respect to the great figure who unwaveringly led our nation towards Independence.  

Gandhiji is proudly called as the ‘man of the century’. He had the courageous heart and a fearless spirit. His life reflected ideals of humanity and values of the country. He had been a beacon of light for many freedom fighters determined to fight for the independence of the country. The day is declared as national holiday due to which offices and colleges remain close. Prayer ceremonies are held at Rajghat, where people from different communities and religious background pay homage to the inspiring leader of the nation. 

Celebrations in schools 

Several commemorative ceremonies are held at different schools, where students actively participate. Different schools celebrate Gandhi Jayanti in different ways.

At Mother's Pride, gala ceremonies were held on the occasion. The entire school was brimming with the ‘Gandhian’ spirit. One could see toddlers dressed as Gandhi, Sarojini Naidu, Bhagat Singh, soldiers and others. Children held placards conveying the message of peace and non-violence. Students paid tribute to the leader by reciting poems and singing patriotic songs. Also, little ones danced on the songs of the movie ‘Lage Raho Munna Bhai’.  The main highlight was the song ‘Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram’, which was sung in his memory. 

Along with that, quiz was also held for the children, where they were asked questions about Gandhiji. The purpose was to make children acquainted with Gandhian concepts and glorify ideas like peace, non-violence etc. Also, to make them aware of Gandhi ji’s role in the Freedom struggle.