Education is the basis of knowledge. Learning about one's cultural roots and heritage, forms one's identity. The HCCC Youth and Education Committee organizes the Balajyothi Program to educate Asian Indian children about our culture and heritage. This program is focused on children ages 3 and up, and their parents. This program started in 2001 with an introduction to the dieties in the Shiva Vishnu Temple. The prgram is currently in its fourth year. The classes are held from 1 pm - 2 pm, second and fourth Saturday of every month at the HCCC Learning Center/Library. These classes are conducted with the aim to educate children through stories of Gods and Goddesses. The stories are compiled with pictures suitable for the participants making it more interesting and fun-filled. Bhajans and Slokas along with their meanings are also taught. In this class, stories of the Gods, their symbolic representation, how they aid in the upkeep of good are discussed. Children are well supported by Balajyothi teachers who encourage them to share their ideas and talk about their thoughts. The class challenges all ages. It is a fun filled interactive one hour class in which both the parents and the children are involved in learning.
YEAR 2002
Jan - Mar 2002 Shiva Vishnu Dieties
Apr - Sept 2002 Dashavataras
Oct - Dec 2002 Devi Avataras
The first quarter of 2002 also concentrated on the various dieties at our own Shiva-Vishnu Temple. The second and third quarter talked about the ten avataras of Lord Vishnu (Dasavatara). The semester ended with a grand group Sri Krishna Puja at the temple, in which the children participated in a hands-on Puja Ceremony. They were delighted to conduct the puja themselves under the guidance of our temple priest and one of our learned Balajyothi teachers, Sri Murali Krishna Kalvapudi. After the Puja, we had a graduation ceremony where students were awarded Certificates and token gifts. We talked about Devi Avataras in the fourth quarter. The students were very happy to learn about the Devi Avataras especially during Navaratri. It helped them better understand the significance of festivals such as Navaratri and Deepavali. Our goal for Balajyothi is to kindle an interest in children in learning about the Hindu culture and heritage and the significance of gods and goddesses in the Hindu religion.
YEAR 2003
Jan - Apr 2003 Krishna Stories
May - Dec 2003 Ramayana
The theme for the first quarter of the year was “Untold stories of Lord Krishna”. Most of us know very little of all aspects of Krishna 's life. There is more to Lord Krishna than the commonly told stories of his birth, his association with Pandavas etc. The students were taught more about his Leelas and his Supreme Message to mankind. The main motive was to discuss Lord Krishna's deeds and his goodwill for the upliftment of the human race and how we to incorporate it into our daily lives. In the first week of February, the HCCC Balajyothi Program had an extended Sankaranti celebration. As a part of the cultural celebrations, the children participated in a kite making session. The participants made small kites to take home as gifts. The parents helped the volunteers make big kites to fly. With the weather being perfect with fair winds, it was joyful to watch the kids having great fun flying their kites.
For the remaining of 2003, we talked about the story of Ramayana, starting from the birth of Rama to his coronation. We also discussed various festivals that fell during the remainder of 2003. We talked about the significance of the festival, its origins and how it is typically celebrated in various parts of India.
We also celebrated the First Children and Youth Day. There were slew of activities for the children: Ganesha and Lakshmi Puja, sloka recitation, talent show, youth forum and an activity center for the really young. Three books were also brought out for the occassion.
YEAR 2004
Jan - June 2004 Temples of India
Aug - Dec 2004 Great Devotees
We started the year 2004 with an introduction to Temples, their components and their significance. The subsequent classes focussed on the numerous temples dedicated to the dieties in our own temple in Livermore. The temples were chosen from the Temple Book that was brought out on the First Children and Youth Day conducted by Shiva Vishnu Temple, Livermore on November 15, 2003.
We will talk about great devotees for the second half of the year.
We have an open admission policy. There is no fee. New students of are allowed to join us at any point of time and continue with ongoing classes. For more information about the program or to enroll, please contact Balajyothi Coordinators, Padmaja Madhusudan at pmadhusu@yahoo.com or Archana Ranganathan at ranganathanarchana@yahoo.com
To learn more about Youth and Education Programs, check the Youth and Education page at www.livermoretemple.org. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Y & E Chairperson, Dr. Kamala Shankar at kshankar27@comcast.net.
YEAR 2006Venue: HCCC Library & Learning Center
Age Group: Three years and older
In the upcoming Bala Jyothi classes (January – June 2006), we are going to be learning the Stories on the different Hindu Puranas and Bhagawat stories (Lord Krishna stories), slokas, bhajans and a host of other fun filled children’s activities like quiz, puzzles, games, coloring and so on.
On the first class of every month we will be providing interesting information about the festivals falling during that month. In fortnight forum the participants can share their songs, Bhajans and interesting information with their fellow participants.
Schedule for January - June 2006 Classes
Saturdays Dates Stories from
Second January 14 Vishnu Purana
Fourth January 28 Naradha Purana
Second February 11 Padma Purana, Garuda Purana
Fourth February 25 Varaha Purana, Bhagavata Purana
Second March 11 Brahmanda Purana, Markandeya Purana
Fourth March 25 Bhavishya Purana, Vamana Purana
Second April 8 Brahma Purana, Matsya Purana
Fourth April 22 Kurma Purana, Brahmavaivarta Purana
Second May 13 Linga Purana, Shiva Purana
Second June 10 Skanda Purana, Agni Purana
In the upcoming Bala Jyothi classes (September 2006 January 2007), we are going to be learning the Stories on the different Hindu moral values, Guru Sishyas, Slokas, Bhajans and a host of other fun filled filled childrens activities like quizes, puzzles, games, coloring and so on.
On the first class of every month we will be providing interesting information about the festivals falling during that month. In fortnight forum the participants can share their songs, Bhajans and interesting information with their fellow participants.
Teachers - Abirami Ravishankar & Padma Subbaraman