Two day National Workshop for urban volunteers ‘Akhil Bharatiya Vanavasi Karyakarta Naganiya Aayam Baithak’ was held on July 3 and 4, 2016 at Prashanti Kutiram, Bengaluru, organized by Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram. 136 select delegates from 25 pranths attended this national workshop with a theme ‘Vanavasi, Nagarvasi, Gramavasi, we are all Bharatvasi’. The workshop agenda was about the roadmap of numerous projects undertaken in their respective Prants, current and upcoming projects, meeting the current challenges, improvement areas, assisting Kalyan Ashram’s activities and outreach to Vanavasi brethren of Bharat.
Briefing on the history of Vanavasi since its inception, Shri Atul Jog, Joint National Organizing Secretary emphasized on the values of bonding, Atmiyata, partnership, upliftment and successful integration into the society.
Sri Bhagwan Sahay, Akhil Bharatiya Sah-Nagariya Pramukh, apprised the audience of existence and contribution of Vanvasis as mentioned in the Rig Veda, he highlighted the Vanavasi karya across Bharat covering 394 Vanavasi districts covering 13,183 villages with 18,609 ongoing projects. The Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram is involved in 4,460 projects, servicing 1,25,415 students, establishing 219 hostels which includes 43 hostels for girls catering to 4,428 Vanavasi students.
Sri Shankar Lal Agarwal, Akhil Bharatiya Nagariya Pramukh, spoke passionately about the importance of Sangathan and criticality of bonding among Karyakartas. The introductory session saw each Prant Pramukh introducing themselves and talked about the activities in their respective Prants.
On the evening of 2nd July, SNEH MILAN was organized where 100 distinguished guests from Bengaluru attended. The program started with a Geet by a Vanavasi student. A video was screened covering the activities of Kalyan Ashram’s activities. It also highlighted the accomplishments of Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram towards integration of Vanvasis into our society. An informative session on PANCHGAVYA was held by Sri Damodar Shetty, Panchgavya Chikitsak. The SNEH MILAN ended with a spectacular cultural program by the Vanavasi children, which included a mesmerizing Bharatnatyam performance covering various aspects of our culture &values.
Admiral K Narayanan AVSM VSM (retd), President of the Reception Committee, inaugurated the 2nd day’s session; he emphasized the need of taking education to the doorsteps of Vanavasi for effective integration into the society. He lauded the self-less services rendered.
In various sessions, topics like youth activities in cities, involvement of women in Kalyan Ashram work, importance of training, collection of financial support and CSR were discussed. Shri Kishanlal Bansal informed about Vishesh Sampark activities.
Dr. R Nagarathna (S-VYASA) graced the closing ceremony and spoke on holistic health that S-VYASA offer. Shri. Atul Jog appealed to the delegates to invest more time for this noble work and encourage youth in these national initiatives. He further thanked all the volunteers for their sincere participation.
Sri Bhagwan Sahay, Akhil Bhratiya Sah-Nagariya Pramukh: “Safal Ayojan Ke Liye Dhanyavad!”
Sri Shankar Lal Agarwal, Akhil Bharatiya Nagariya Pramukh: “Dear Gopal ji, It was a nice experience of all the arrangements done by the team for All India Nagaraiya Karyakarta Baithak at Prashanti Kutir, Bengaluru. The best part of the meeting was that it managed totally by a team highly educated youths who had put all their resources including physical labour in making the meeting successful. Please convey the message to all Vana Mitras of the Vanavasi Kalyana.”
(VSK Karnataka)
