Culture:  A way of life 
- Sasmitha, Chennai
 
July 13, 2008 

We are in an era in which our children need to be educated time and again, about our own roots - culture and tradition. Many of us believe that faith in our religion, devotion to God and service to elders / mankind are the basic values that needs to be imbibed in our children. These values would enable them to accept and enjoy life with optimism. It is indeed our luck if our children could learn these from the world outside too. God sent mission is the Bala Gurukulam, the summer camp conducted by Sumukhi Rajashekaran Memorial Foundation. Here, the children are not only taught verbally about our culture and tradition, but also experience them through planned religious / historic tours and performances.
 

Savithri Vaithi blessing the children

First to mention is the Historic Tour, from 'Tirumailai to Thenkumari' organized by the Foundation for about 10 days in the month of May 2008 along with the children and the parents. The Bala Gurukulam group visited nearly 50 temples / heritage places, between Madurai and Kanyakumari. To mention a few :- Pillaiyarpatti, Tirukoshtiyur, Tirupullani, Sethu Paalam, Rameshwaram, Devi Pattinam, Yettayapuram, Thiruchendur, Then Tirupathi, Thirunelveli, Kanyakumari, Suseendram, Thenkasi, Thiru Kutralam, Srivilliputhur, Thiruparankundram, Pazhamudhircholai, Meenakshi Amman Temple at Madurai. One cannot forget the sunrise and sunset at Kanyakumari, Kadal Neeraadal and 21 punyatheertham (holy waters) at Rameshwaram. The children sang appropriate numbers at various temples thus receiving the blessings of Almighty and also the good wishes of the Devotees all around. Thanks to the Foundation to have given us such a memorable experience.
 

Concert at Vishranthi old age home…

A section of the audience enjoying the show

The next to highlight is the concert organized at the Vishranthi Old Age Home – Palavakkam, manned by Savithri Vaithi. Through this concert, Sumukhi Rajashekaran Memorial Foundation provided the children a platform to exhibit what they had learnt and receive the blessings of all the senior inmates of the home and also our beloved and adorable social worker, Savithri Vaithi. This also gave all of us an opportunity to learn something that each one of us must cultivate – respect and care to old people. This was one of the rarest occasions in our lives. The memories still linger in each and every one of our minds. We parents and all our children look forward to more of such opportunities which really touched our hearts and souls. This experience at Vishranthi would remain one of the most cherished one in our lives.
 
Life is not a bed of roses, but true and selfless people can transform any pain to pleasure. Sumukhi Rajashekaran Memorial Foundation deserves all the credit for their vision and their mission. Kudos to their effort to make every child in the Foundation share a true smile with everyone around.