Balagokulam role is no less significant in the task of nation building, enabling children to appreciate their cultural roots and learn Sanatan values
Founded during the mid-seventies in Kerala, Balagokulam is an international children’s movement that has played a key role in the development of children in the State. The organisation aims at inculcating moral, social and cultural values in children through the teachings of Lord Krishna, to make them achievers and leaders in their future thus shaping a responsible society.
What is Balagokulam? Gokulam is the place where Lord Krishna’s magical childhood days were spent. It was here that his divine powers came to light. Thus every child has that spark of divinity within and to express the same for personal, spiritual and social merits.
Balagokulam is an initiative of Shri MA Krishnan, a RSS Pracharak in Kerala, it enables children to appreciate their cultural roots and learn Sanatan values, the perennial values applicable to the whole universe, in a divine, interactive and culturally rich environment. It is one of the founder members of Global Network of Religions for Children (GNRC), a recognised body of UNICEF.
It believes in Acharya devo bhavah i.e. Teacher is revered as God. It is indisputable that in the present day the importance of Guru is declining. To inculcate among children the habit of respecting elders, Balagokulam units conduct Gurupujan (worshipping of Guru). Balagokulams in Hyderabad celebrated their Varshikotsav (annual function) this year. The participation of people in Balagokulam is quite significant, running into thousands in 55 different Balagokulam centers in the city.
Recent Varshikotsav events conducted in four different places across t Kerala had the participation of more than 5,000 with children alone numbering more than 2,000. It was an electrifying experience to watch and listen these children from (4 year old to 15 years old) chant Bhagavad Gita and Hanuman Chalisa in beautiful formations.
Pradeep Nambair, Patron Balagokulam said, “We always encourage children to speak in their mother tongue at home and with friends from similar background. We strongly believe that Bhasha (language), Bhusha (dressing) and Aachar (manners) make and sustain our Sanskriti (culture). On future programmes, he said that Surya Namaskar provides all of the key health benefits of yoga in a very succinct package.
There are 56 Balagokulam centers throughout Hyderabad where more than 2,500 children participate on a weekly basis. Worshipping Parents (Matru Pooja) and Bharatmata pujan on the Republic Day are conducted every year by all centres, he said.
Balagokulams are driving yet another radical change in their respective communities. The theme— Ganesh ki bhakti, Pradushan se chutti (Devotion to Lord Ganesh coupled with saving environment to move to clay rather than Plaster of Paris (PoP) Ganesh) caught the attention of the Media.
Balagokulam Hyderbad conducted a festival called “Thiruvathira” on December 25, 2015 in the splendid landscapes of Kerala, Thiruvathira is one of the most significant festivals celebrated during the Malayalam month of ‘Dhanu’ (December- January) by the womenfolk of Kerala. The festival is devoted to Lord Shiva and Parvati who, as per tradition, are worshiped as a perfect couple.
The task of sustaining Hindu culture in our next generation is so huge that no single individual or organisation could do it alone. Yet, every single individual or organisation’s part is significant and important. Thus Balagokulam role is no less significant in the task of nation building enabling children to appreciate their cultural roots and learn Sanatan values, the perennial values applicable to the whole universe, in a divine, interactive and culturally rich environment. — N Nagaraja Rao
