Global Youth Leadership Program

A delegation of 11 students from USA, guided by Sri. Srini V. Raman, Smt. Savithri Raman visited the AIM for Seva projects at Anaikatti, Manjakkudi and Mohanur. A meaningful exchange in understanding India better, and sharing notes from their lives in the United States, the visit was “Interesting, insightful and poignant” to quote a delegate.

The Global Youth Leadership Program is an experiential live-in program for young expat Indian students. It is a part of the “Purna Vidya” teaching program envisioned by Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswati, with the objective of making them effective contributors in the society.

It is designed to help youth discover the spirit of community service through seva and promote better understanding of India, its rich culture and spiritual heritage.

Diary Highlights

• Welcomed by the school band! Wow!
• Colorful excursion into the primary school. Children displayed their talents and understanding of curriculum through stories, songs and “show and tell” projects.
• Visited Mohanur Sugar Mills and learned the working of a cooperative movement, farming community’s lifestyle, issues in farming and needs
• Interesting presentation by our team, interaction with middle and senior school students on communication technology and other advances in science.
• Mohanur school students enjoyed Soccer with us, and we picked up the breathless game of Kabaddi.
• Awesome visualization of “ Historical places of India and their relevance “ by a middle school student.
• High schoolers presented a pageant on famous Maratha Warrior Chatrapathi Shivaji and demonstrated his guerilla war fare strategies under the able direction of their social science faculty.
• Lucid narration on Robotics and fusion of culture by the GYL team.
• Discovered the syllables of Tamil and Hindi language. Amazing to see how Indian kids speak at least two languages.
• Appreciated the melody and harmony in devotional and patriotic songs.

Anaikatti:22-24 December

• Visited Swami Dayananda Jayawardanavelu Tribal Rural Hospital.
• Volunteered on the mobile medical van into forest. Shocked to see the isolation and living conditions of the tribals and the challenges in delivering quality healthcare in rural India. And AIMS does it free of cost!
• Cultural exchange with girls at Anaikatti Student Home. Learnt a few tribal dance moves.
• Thought provoking satsang with Swami Dayananda Saraswati.

Road trip :25 December

• Christmas Miracle! Witnessed the birth of a calf at Ashram just before we left for Manjakkudi.
• Soaked in the magnificent temple architecture of 1000 year old Brahadeeswara Temple at Tanjore.

Manjakkudi :26-27 December

• Visited Swami Dayananda Arts and Science college…a real eye opener to see so many advanced programs in Graduate and Post Graduate studies right in the middle of rice fields. And a 70% are girls. Great work towards women empowerment.
• Interesting group discussion on life in USA Vs Life in Manjakkudi. Amazed by the depth of their knowledge of life outside their village.
• Carried lord Vishnu in a palanquin as a part of the temple celebrations. Humbling and exhilarating.
• Played volleyball match with the Sembangudi school students.
• Fun to discover that they are just like us-similar hobbies, ambitions, cultures and this incredible quest for knowledge despite living deep down in a remote village.
• Witnessed Thiruvidamarudhur chariot artisans’ craftmanship in action, as they worked on restoring and recreating the ancient pancharathas.
• The English Primary School students impressed us with their flawless English and a cultural show.
• Visited the Vedapatashala and interacted with the students preparing for a career as temple priests.They are the future of Hinduism.