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Contents:
A Day of Victory-Vijaya
Dashami Celebrations
By Achyuta Chaitanya
A day for a new beginning for devotional people from all
walks of life. With festive fervour all around this is celebrated with great
pomp and gaiety all over the world wherever the spirit of Hinduism is prevalent.
 In
our Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, with the blessings of Sadgurudev H.D. Shri
Swami Omkaranandaji Maharaj, the 9 days Navaratri festival culminated into a
crowning finale as Vijayadashami day celebrations. Acharya Sureshji and his team
of young dedicated Brahmacharis had made earnest and excellent preparations for
the Puja and Hawana.
It was nearly a six-hours programme of chanting, Puja and Hawana. Throughout the
entire proceedings of the Hawana and Puja Shri Swami Vishveshwaranandaji Maharaj,
President, Omkarananda Ashram, and Shri Swami Satchidanandaji Maharaj,
Treasurer, Omkarananda Ashram, participated in the Hawana and Puja with devotion
and dedication, that's been the tradition of this great Ashram. Holy chants
reverberated in the hills of this holy land and the holy smoke from the Hawana
spread far and wide intensifying the purity of this divine place.
Ashramites and guests, Shri Swami Narasimhuluji Maharaj, Shri Munnesh Kumar
Agnihotri, Mr. and Mrs. Praveen Ramgoolam, great devotees from Mauritius, and
many others graced the occasion.
This holy function was concluded by the Kanya Puja. The essence of Vedanta – “Sarvam
Brahma Mayam” - is reflected in these Pujas. The presence of the Divine Mother
in a girl is invoked during this Puja and she is worshipped and showered with
gifts. Nine girl children to represent the dynamic Shakti and one Bal
Brahmachari to represent the static Shiva had been specially invited and they
were worshipped. On behalf of Omkarananda Ashram, Smt. Kamala Ramgoolam Mataji
performed the worship to these ten children and gave them gifts. Other
enthusiasts from outside also gave away gifts to these children.
In the following Sumangali Puja, Smt. Kamala Ramgoolam also was worshipped as a
manifestation of the Goddess and she was presented gifts on this occasion. “Sumangali”
is a married lady, whose husband is alive and who is bringing good luck and
prosperity to everybody.
It was then time for Mahaprasad. A good number of children and devotees were
treated to a sumptuous lunch. Everyone left for their home carrying with them
wonderful memories of this celebration and most importantly the blessings of the
Divine Mother and Sadgurudev Shri Swami Omkaranandaji Maharaj.
Shri Omkarananda-Kamakshi Mayya ki Jay !
Shri Gange Mayya ki Jay !
Sadgurudev Shri Swami Omkaranandaji Maharaj ki Jay !
25th Foundation Day
Celebrations
By Mrs. Harleen Chaudhary and Mrs. Alka Rakhwal
Omkarananda Saraswati Nilayam entered into its 25th year of
existence on 1st December 2007. The celebrations began in the morning with the
welcome of the Chief Guest, Mrs. Rose Philomena D'Souza, the Founder Principal
of the school, Swami Vishveshwaranandaji, Swami Narasimhuluji, Smt. Usha Devi
and members of the Managing Committee, by our tiny tots in their colourful
dresses.
The lighting of the lamp was done by Mrs. D'Souza and Swamiji, who were escorted
by the Principal Col. (Retd.) D.L. Sachdeva.
The cultural programme began with the Saraswati Vandana to invoke Goddess
Saraswati to shower her blessings on the students. It was followed by a prayer 'Tu
hi Ram hai…' which filled the atmosphere with religious fervour. An action song
'Praise Him…' by the tiny tots of Kindergarten in praise of the Lord sought
appreciation from all.
The OSN teachers paid tribute to Swami Omkarananda by the song 'Swami
Omkarananda, Master of body and soul…' written by our ex-staff member Mr. S.C.
Jakhmola and composed by Dr. (Mrs.) Quaylee Chakravorty.
 Then the students of class IX and X gave an impeccable classical dance
performance.
The stage was again taken over by the tiny tots of nursery performing an action
song, 'Five little ducks came waddling back…' It was such a cute performance
that it won the hearts of one and all.
Students once again proved their excellence in their perfectly coordinated
dance-choreography depicting the path of peace, along with beautiful music and
OM-chanting.
Swami Vishveshwaranandaji, in his speech, deemed the day as special, one, due to
Mrs. D'Souza's presence and, two, as it marked the onset of the 25th year of
foundation of the school. He reminisced the extraordinary hard work of Madam
D'Souza to build the foundation of the school so strong, with the blessings of
Gurudev Swami Omkarananda, to make it stand where it does today. He announced
that Mrs. D'Souza shall henceforth be an honorary member of OSN Management
Committee. He showered all his appreciation on Madam for planting the sapling
and grooming it, which is now a tree in its full bloom and promised her that it
is in excellent hands. He concluded
his speech with Swami Omkarananda's words:
“Think like a Genius, Work like a Giant, Live like a Saint.”
Swami Vishveshwaranandaji was presented a shawl as a mark of
respect by the Principal.
'After silence, that which is capable of expressing the inexpressible is Music.'
A Group Song 'Door nahi manzil…' was an enthralling performance by our students.
'Everything that begins always grows if it is supported by Mother Earth.' Our
Principal, Col. (Retd.) D.L. Sachdeva, heartily thanked Mrs. D'Souza for being
like Mother Earth for the sapling planted and enabling it to grow. He thanked
also school-teachers and students for the excellent show put up.
At the end, the guests were invited to the OSN Conference Hall to show a photo
gallery compiled by our teachers, which revived the nostalgia of the yester
years.
 In the evening, the school witnessed the 5th Omkarananda Inter School Volleyball
Championship. On this occasion, Mr. S.S. Panwar, an eminent Advocate of the
town, was the Chief Guest and the function was presided over by reverend Swami
Vishveshwaranandaji. Mrs. R.P. D'Souza, Mr. D.K. Varshney, Mr. K.N. Kothiyal,
Mr. R.S. Rawat and other guests were also present at the function.
 Mrs. D'Souza inaugurated the Championship by cutting the ribbon. The
participating teams were the Bharat Mandir Public School (BMPS), Rishikesh
Publish School (RPS), Nirmal Deepmala Pagrani School (NDS) and the team from the
host school, Omkarananda Saraswati Nilayam (OSN).
After three days of sweating it out in the ground, the final match in the girls
section was played between the OSN and BMPS. It was a very exciting match and
was drawn to a close finish with BMPS girls winning the trophy. In the boys
section, the finals were between NDS and OSN which turned out to be a
breathtaking match where NDS surfaced as the winners and bagged the championship
trophy.
The prize distribution ceremony was conducted by the Chief Guest of the day,
Mrs. Rekha and Mr. Navneet Nagalia, a prominent social figure of the town. The
Principal, Col. (Retd.) D.L. Sachdeva, presented a memento to Mrs. and Mr.
Nagalia.
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