Bengaluru July 6, 2016: RSS inspired forum for Tribal Welfare, Vanavasi Kalyan Ashrama organised two day National Workshop for urban volunteers “Akhil Bharatiya Vanavasi Karyakarta Nagariya Aayam Baithak” held on July 3 and 4, 2016 at Prashanti Kutiram, Benguluru, Karnataka. 136 select delegates from 25 pranths attended this national workshop.
The program began with the theme – “Vanavasi, Nagarvasi, Gramvasi, we are all Bharatvasi”
The workshop conducted for two days, in the serene & lush green premise of the S-VYASA YOGA University. The event was attended by 136 delegates from 25 Prants of Bharat. 50 VanaMitra from Karnataka worked as Prabandhak. The workshop agenda was about the roadmap of numerous projects undertaken in their respective Prants, current & upcoming projects, meeting the current challenges, improvement areas, assisting Kalyan Ashram’s activities and outreach to Vanavasi brethren of Bharat.
The Workshop was inaugurated by Sri Atul Jog, Joint National Organizing Secretary, he provided a brief history of how the Vanavasi work commenced on 26th Dec 1952 by Sri Balasaheb Deshpande. He also emphasized on the values of bonding, Atmiyata, partnership, upliftment and successful integration into the society.
Sri Bhagwan Sahay, Akhil Bhratiya 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 & 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 2ndday’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 & CSR were discussed. Sri 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. Sri. Atul Jog appealed to the delegates to invest more time for this noble work & encourage youth in these national initiatives.
Sri Atul Jog, Joint National Organizing Secretary: “The program was conducted very nicely. I sincerely thank all the volunteers. I would like to meet all VanaMitra when I visit Bengaluru next”.
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 VanaMitras of the Vanavasi Kalyana.”
