Vijaya Dashami Utsav - A Report

The festival also has a special signifcance in Sangh. It is on this day, 84 years ago, that Dr. Hedgewar pledged to consolidate and re-build the Hindu society and uplift it above the narrow loyalties of caste, sect, province and language. Various gathering are organized to celebrate this event - "patha-sanchalan" or route march being one of them.

In Canada we are welcoming the 85th year of Sangh's journey with a "sports event". Inter-shakha team competitions in Khokho, Kabaddi and Soccer are being held to demonstrate team spirit and strength.

The shakha ekatrikaran program at Vivekananda Shakha was very exciting, especially the khokho competitions. With an attendence of 76, six teams for various shakhas participated. The gripping final played between Vivekananda Shakha and Keshav Shakha teams unfortunately ended in  a draw. The 30 min soccer competion played between Madhav Manu shakha was very energetic as well. Due to lack of time, only one Kababbdi match was played between the younger yuva and tarun teams. The younger team demonstrated skill and vigour in playing the game, and at one point, it appeared they would actually emerge victorious. However, pure strengh and experience overcame the tough youngsters and they eventually lost the quite a thrilling match.

A group of about 20 yuva presented a niyuddh demonstration, all which was learnt at the Sangh Shiksha Varg in held July. There after an "amrut-vachan", Swami Vivekananda's words of wisdom was introduced by Divyang Patel. In August, two swayamsevaks from Toronto had been to the USA for 3 weeks as Vistaraks. Kanjan Patel presented his learnings and experience during the trip and how thrilled he was to visit other Shakhas and camps. Shri. Digant Dash, a HSS pracharak (full-time worker), then gave an inspiring bauddhik on Vijaya Dashami. He explained the importance of a combining wisdom (Saraswati), strength (Durgaa) and wealth (Laxmi) in the development of a healthy individual and therefore, a society. Shivaji's shakha food donation drive on the occasion of Diwali was announced as part of their Sewa activity. Vismay Patel graced the greatly successful event as Mukhaya Shikshak.

Raksha Bandhan: Rakhee program at a Police Station

Keshav Shakha undertook a unique and auspicious work on this year’s raksha bandahan day by tying rakhee's to police officers at 43 Division in Scarborough. 7 swaymsevaks and 5 sevikas visited met the superintendent and other officers who were on duty that time, briefly introduced HSS, explained the meaning of Raksha Bandhan, its relevance in the defence of the society, and how we celebrate it. 

Swayamsevaks and sevikas than tied rakhi to every officer. Officers were very much impressed with rakhi on their wrist and the novel concept of celebrating festivals at police station. Various questions were asked and and answered to the officers' satisfaction and bewilderment. At the end we offered sweets to all of them. Tt was a very joyful moment for all swayamsevaks and sevikas.

Fall Camp at Jagganathdhan, NY, USA

A 3-day, 2-night trip to the facinating HSS retreat at Jagannathdham, Belfast, NY, USA is planned. It will be a family camp with lots of indoor and outdoor activities, self-help cooking and cleaning, Yoga workshops and discussions. 

It's a long weekend and nothing like enjoying the time with family and friends on a very amazing location. Jagganathdham is a farm, with two huge farm houses, an on-site lake, a bit of a forest surrounding it. Domestic animals are prevelant in the area - a truly relaxing spot for you and your family. Since the HSS retreat is fairly new, the site needs your help in improviing the land. A bit of on-site sewa work can be done on-site during the stay.

Belfast is a small town located off Buffalo, New York and is 3.5 hours from Toronto across the Niagara Falls. The camp is scheduled to begin Saturday morning at 10.00 AM and will conclude by 2.00 PM Monday afternoon.  We are going to stay in houses. There are no fees for the trip, howver, the expenses incurred for groceries, fuel and miscellanous items will be shared amongst participants.

Please join HSS Canada on this fabulous ride, with your families.

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Sangh Shiksha Varg - 2009

Greater Toronto Area HSS has organized Sangh Shiksha Varg from 19th to 26th July at Blue Spring Scout Camp reserves. The varg kicked off on 19th July Sunday at 4pm was attended by 23 siksharthies (14 swayamsevaks and 9 sevikas) from various regions in Ontario. 

Varg was conducted by 4 sikshaks and 2 sikshikas. The well-planned daily activities started at 5.30 am, progressed actively during the day and finished by 10.00 pm. Workshops included physical, intellectual and cultural activities. Physical activities like niyuddha, games and samata are always popular amongst the youth, however, it was a great surprise the same group found meaning and interest in geet abhyas, aavartan dhyan and saayam prathna.

Katha (story telling) sessions included stories of Dr. Hedgewarji, Sarasvati tai Apte and many others whose lives and efforts have been inspiring to many. Participants were very excited on the day of speaking only Samskrita during bhojan on one day and keeping maun during bhojan during the other.

The last two days were attended by 14 karyakarta swayamsevaks and sevikas.
On the day of samarop (26th July) Dr. Yashwantji Pathak gave concluding baudhik and ashirvachan to all siksharthies. During SSV ashirvachan were also given by Ma. Jagdishji Vijh, Ma. Sabharwalji and by Ma. Rajkumarji. Ma. Saumitraji and Ma. Digantji were instrumental making SSV 2009 very inspiring, vibrant and memorable varg.