Atmabal snehsammelan
ll Hari Om ll
‘Aatmabal Vikas’
‘Aatmabal Vikas’, as the
name itself suggests, a programme that intends to empower the woman by way of
discovery or rather awareness of the strength and its source, both lie
‘within’. It implies the vikas, i.e. the development of the potential that the
woman already possesses. Designed under the guidance of Nandai, this 6-month
programme moulds the woman from various perspectives so that she becomes and
stays a positive personality, carries herself with confidence at home and
outside the world, is independent about her daily needs and most importantly –
‘Be Happy’.
The belief is that you
can give only what you have and the woman, as in the role of the daughter, the
wife or the mother – contributes a major share towards building family bonds,
personalities of children and also towards a healthier society. Therefore, she
must be on the first place, equip herself with strength, positivity, the
ability to give and receive love among other aspects.
The programme weaves
around the following nodes:
1. A
dialogue with the Group: Here guidance is given about nurturing
relations within the family, efficient management of time and thereby putting
time to appropriate use, handling gadgets, cleanliness, sensible economics,
pertaining to the household, advice about how to give you and the family
quality time while managing the home and the occupation, etc. It is apparently
small skills like handling gadgets or managing your accounts or documents or
even giving you space and time that go a long way in giving contentment which
in turn extends to the home.
2. Studying
the English Language: The ability to communicate in English is a need of the day. It
follows then, that the woman must be able to converse and be able to convey her
thoughts in English. Many of the women who join the programme have never ever
spoken a word of English but by the end of 6 months, end up staging an English
play. The group is divided into three levels – the basic, the medium low
and the medium high. The basic level has, of course to begin from the alphabet.
As they step out, they are even proficient in signing in English.
3. Enactments:
Putting up skits on given topics, ex-tempore talks, debates,
group discussions, games are used as media to help the group shed inhibition
and speak before a crowd.
4. Projects:
Projects with models made out of waste material (the idea is to
do it without spending a single penny) illustrate themes like the sacred places
or devotional services (seva) associated with the organization or banking
transactions, booking railway/air tickets. The project may even be presented
along with a short skit.
5. Craft: (Best
out of waste): Wonderful articles that can be useful in the home are made out
of waste material or material usually available in all homes. This not only
nurtures creative ideas but also brings the family together in a creative
experience. For instance painting lamps or making the ‘kandil’ (lantern) for
Diwali. One gets used to think in a certain manner and learns not to ‘waste’ or
dismiss articles, to preserve the things carefully.
6. Lectures:
Experts in the field of law, or of medicines are invited to
guide women and educate them. Demonstrations on subjects like vermiculture are
arranged. On the very first day, Nandai gives the group a few seeds of each
tree which they have to sow. The plants that grow from these seeds are then
handed over for plantation programmes.
7. The
end-session programme: At the end of the 6 months an entertainment programme presents
the entire group on stage. Each person is a participant and in the foreground.
The group writes plays which they themselves perform, direct and act in. It is
a point to be noted that the plays do not necessarily extract sympathy for the
woman. They do shed light on the undesirable aspects in a woman but only with
the intention of ridding her of them. An exhibition of the project models is
also displayed on this day. A journal of recipes selected among those, is
handed over to each member of the group.
8. The
presentation of certificates: The group is awarded a
certificate for having successfully completed the program.
9. The
picnic: This day is meant entirely for ‘play’. It is literally a day for
complete enjoyment and fun.
10.The 6
month period intends to equip and so is not the end, it is in fact the
beginning, a point in time where each woman is all set to step out into the
world with the ‘food’ - the package that will sustain her and sustain with
self-respect, positivity and confidence. She leaves the last class session with
a spoon, full of curds and sugar from Nandai. This little spoon has blessings
and strength that will last a life time and its satisfying sweetness invariably
seeps into her life and thinking.
The Atmabal snehsammelan organized under the guidance of our dear Aai on 10th February 2013, is beyond words.
The photos attached talks by itself:
ll Hari Om ll
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