Utilise your vacations fruitfully

My little friends, your exams are over and now your vacations have started.  Actually, vacation is an open school which gives you the opportunity to shape your personality and learn various innovative arts and skills. During the vacations, you should have fun; but at the same time you must also try to learn some new things. This is an opportunity given to you by God to find out the skill in which you are lacking and develop  it.

The one who is constantly in a state of learning is called a student. When you visit any of your relative’s house, you should think and find out whether there are any means of learning in their house. For example, if your uncle has a computer, then you can learn things like typing or visiting websites that teach good sanskars (values). Students, if you really want to enjoy the vacation, then remember that real happiness lies in learning new things.

1. Actions for developing physique

1 A. Playing outdoor games : Playing outdoor games like kho-kho, kabaddi, etc. is exercise which keeps our body fit and healthy.

1 A 1. Qualities imbibed : Unity, alertness, leadership, thinking of others, developing judgement, listening to others, etc.

1 B. Doing Exercise like Surya namaskar : Doing exercise like surya namaskar daily helps to make the body strong.

1 C. Avoid playing computer games : Some students like to play unnatural games on computer instead of playing outdoor games. Playing such games harms our body and mind.

1 C 1. Victim of vices : By playing computer games, you are prone to  physical and mental weakness, avoiding physical exercise and narrow-mindedness.

2. Actions for mental development

Friends, our thoughts reflect our reading and our actions reflect our thoughts. Therefore, to have good thoughts, it is essential to read good books.

2 A. Read books and texts based on Nation and Dharma

2 A 1. Deities and Saints : Read story books on Deities such as Shrikrushna, Shriram, Shri Ganapati, Saraswati devi etc. and Saints like Saint Dnyaneshwar, Saint Tukaram, Saint Sakhubai, Bhakta Pralhad. etc.

2 A 2. Brave kings : Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, etc.

2 A 3. Revolutionaries : Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev, Veer Savarkar, Rani (Queen) of Jhansi, etc.

2 B. Do not read fictitious stories
Friends, many of you read fictitious stories just to pass off your time. In fact, we must read the stories of those people who have lived an ideal life. Fictitious stories have no base of reality. Can we ever get enthusiasm and inspiration to lead an ideal life by reading such stories ? So now think and decide whether you will prefer reading fictitious stories or real and inspiring stories ?

So children, read the biographies of Saints, brave kings and revolutionaries during this vacation; only then you will  be able to develop your personality.

2 C. Watching serials and video CDs

1. Watch the serials ‘Shrikrushna’ and ‘Ramayan’ on the TV.
2. You can also watch video CDs based on the lives of Saints and revolutionaries.
c. Do not watch cartoon films or horror films depicting murders and fights.

2 D. Painting pictures
Friends, during the vacation you draw and paint cartoons or whatever comes to your mind, just to pass off your time. Instead, draw and paint pictures on the subjects mentioned below. Do not draw cartoons of Deities or Saints.

2 D 1. Pictures of Deities : Shri Ganapati, Shriram, Shrikrushna, Datta, Shiv, Durgadevi and Laxmi

2 D 2. Pictures that awaken devotion : Pictures of Saint Tukaram Maharaj, Saint Dnyaneshwar, Saint Mirabai, Saint Gora Kumbhar and Saint Tukdoji Maharaj

2 D 3. Pictures that awaken patriotism : Pictures of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Rani of Jhansi and Shivaji Maharaj

2 D 4. Holy festivals : Pictures of festivals like Ganesh festival, Dipawali and Rangpanchami.

3. Learning stotras and shlokas

Learning by heart stotras (A hymn of praise for a Deity) and shlokas (Shlokas are usually part of stotras which are prayers to the Deities.) like Ramraksha stotra, Hanuman stotra, Sankatnashan stotra and Manache shlok.

Mr. Rajendra Pavaskar (Guruji), Panvel.

Help your parents in their work

Throughout the year, your parents help you in your studies and homework. In addition to managing her own household responsibilities, your mother prepares lunch for you and helps you in your studies. So, as a token of gratitude, you too should help her with the household work during your vacation.

Our parents do so much for us selflessly. We can show our gratitude towards them by caring for them and helping them with their work during the vacations.

Mrs. Sai Amre, Mumbai.