Amritapuri, 10 May 2014
Sadgamaya Summer Camp 2014, with the theme “Values from Valmiki,” was conducted at Amritapuri, May 7 – 10, 2014. 2,000 students of all Kerala Amrita Vidyalayam attended the camp. Swamini Krishnamrita Prana, one of the senior disciples of Amma, inaugurated the 3 day work shop for Std X students of all Kerala Amrita Vidyalayam schools by lighting the traditional oil lamp. She did a short and sweet benedictory address followed by a power point presentation about Ramayana by Br. Dhyanamrita Chaitanya.
The first day event started with the yoga for thousand boys. The facilitator was none other than the yoga adept, Bri. Shobhana and her team of Western yoga practitioners. Yoga for around thousand girls followed. This was the first item on all the three days of the camp.
Dr. Somasekharan enlightened the students on the peculiar kind of relationship among the brothers in Ramayana. The bond between Sri Rama, Lakhsmana, Bharatha and Satrughna is unique that one can see supreme love among them untainted by selfishness. Quite different is the relationship between Bali and Sugriva, the monkey brothers. Yet another example is that of Ravana and Vibhishana, the rakshasa brothers. Sri. E.V.Menon enthralled the students with his excellent oratory. His appealing physique, modulated voice, convincing spirit, depth of knowledge and experience made his talk stand out.
On the second day, Mr. Vidya Sagar spoke about Sri Rama’s most humble and great disciple, Sri. Hanuman. He related his anecdotes with real time experiences in life. He explained a true story wherein one of his friend’s daughter, who was just a fourth class student, didn’t want to worship Hanuman after hearing sarcastic remarks about him from her class mates. He described how the lofty aspects of our ancient philosophy are badly targeted as meaningless ideologies. Br. Sivamrita Chaitanya, in charge of M.A.Math, Thriuvananthapuram, made it very clear why Ravana, in spite of being a very great scholar, musician and powerful king could not succeed in life. It was just because he didn’t have the grace of guru. He didn’t have the humility to accept the advices of his grandfather, wife, brother or anyone else.
Dr. Lakhmi Sankar, spoke about the women characters of Ramayana on 10th, the third day. She stressed the need for strength and transparency for the girls of present generation, who are exposed to the risks of several physical and mental abuse. Sampoojya Swami Amritaswaroopananda Puri, the Vice Chairman of M.A.Math, addressed the students in the concluding session. He asked the students why do they believe the story of Ramayana. He explained the reason himself that we see a person with immense love, compassion and care in Amma and that is a proof that such personalities that are explained in Ramayana and other Ithihasas are true.
Amma arrived on the stage around 11.a.m on 10th and She addressed the gathering of 2000 students with Her inimitable way. She stressed the need of wearing uniform in schools and colleges with a true incident. She advised the students to learn to say, ‘NO’ in circumstances which take us to wrong. Students cleared their doubts and they danced to the tune of Mata Rani bhajan sung by Amma. Amma distributed seeds to the two hundred students who participated in ‘Wealth from Waste’ and gardening workshop and She also gave individual darshan to all the participants while the theatrics workshop participants presented a skit on Ramayana.
After lunch, on all the days of the camp, the students got divided into eight different groups for various workshops. Theatrics, chitrarachana, recycling, gardening, insight games, etc were conducted with profound enthusiasm and excellent participation. Students were also taken on a visit to the Amritapuri campus of Amrita University.
Amma wanted to give the students a treat to the taste buds too. She made special arrangements for payasam, ice cream and masala dosa.
Feedback given by students of different Amrita Vidyalayams.
AV – Chavakkad
It was a divine opportunity for all of us to be a part of Satgamaya Camp 2014. There were inspiring speeches by some famous personalities. We all enjoyed the camp very much. – Meera Rajendran
AV – Pulpally
I am totally satisfied with the camp. I hope such a camp is conducted once more. – Jerin Thomas
AV – Pandalam
This camp was really amazing. I am proud to be a student of Amrita Vidyalayam. This camp was really very interesting and very influencing. I want more such camps. – Deva Gayathry S.
AV – Kollam
This camp gave me a wonderful opportunity to spend 3 days with my friends. It was really enjoyable and also useful for students like us – Vedic Maths, Campus Visit, etc. – Fathima J.
AV – Ottapalam
I am extremely thankful to Amma and all her followers who gave us such a wonderful opportunity to unite here. I understood how nature acts as our mother. I will spread the message of this camp to as many people as I can. – Dhanya
AV – Koilandy
This was an interesting camp. We all really enjoyed it. It was a very wonderful gift for us. We got nice classes from here. And we are very lucky to see ‘Amma’ and to study in Amrita Vidyalayam School. – Shivakami R.S.
AV – Thiruvananthapuram
I had a great time here. Enjoyed a lot and this camp helped me to attain knowledge about Valmiki Ramyana. It was a wonderful experience with Amma. – Sandeep P.S.
AV – Vatakara
It was a fantastic camp. I have learned many values from Ramayana. I thank our most beloved Amma for arranging such a nice camp. – Nikitha S.
AV – Kozhikode
The camp was a thrilling experience that I had experienced in my life. Every moment was enjoyable. This camp was all about values of Valmiki Ramayana. There were many workshops held during these three days which were all related to Ramayana. At the end of the camp, our dream was fulfilled by seeing our beloved Amma and getting her loving hug. Amma’s darshan will be a memorable one for all. – Sandhra
AV – Palakkad
It was an extraordinary camp. We enjoyed a lot. It was very informative and valuable. – Namitha M.
AV – Harippad
At first, I was not at all interested to join the camp and I was forced by my parents to join it. At that time I decided that after the camp I will inform my parents that it was so boring. But my thought completely changed during the camp because it was such an interesting and enjoyable camp. – Sreeraj S.
AV – Tanur
I am very proud to be a student of AMRITA VIDYALAYAM. – Megha A. K.
AV – Kannur
This was my first summer camp in my life and this was so awesome. I loved it. There were many interesting activities that should benefit us in our studies and our future. So, next time if Amma organizes a summer camp, I will definitely come. – Anandhu Ajith
AV – Changanassery
I choose the topic gardening and composting. It was so exciting and it was very nice. In this camp, we knew more about the values of Valmiki Ramayana. Now, we know how to make compost and how to plant a seed. I will surely make a garden myself. Thanks.
– Anjana
AV – Thiruvalla
These three days were the most beautiful days in my life till now. Though I knew about Ramayana, this summer camp made me understand the hidden aspects and the values that each character represents. I came to know about how to use these values in real life situations. Now I am more confident about myself than I was before. Now I know what to do in my life. Thank you Amma, for this summer camp! – Shaharadh S.
AV – Ernakulam
This was my first experience of a camp. I have always felt proud as a student of Amma’s institution. It was a wonderful camp. We had lots of fun and entertainment added with a whole lot of values. We were blessed to receive impartial love from our beloved Amma. – Athul A. Kumar
AV – Pathanamthitta
We had lots of fun at Amritapuri. We had a wonderful experience with all my friends and with Amma at the ashram. Those who did not come had a big loss and we had a wonderful time with all the people here. We made so many new friends. On this occasion I am thanking everyone for this opportunity. – Eknath S.
AV – Thalassery
I am very happy to be here, that is to be a part of the Amrita family. I liked the food. I humbly request Amma to grant her permission to have another wonderful camp like this with extended days. – Sidharth
AV – Mananthavady
I thank our beloved Amma for creating the Satgamaya camp for all the schools of Amma. From the camp, I learnt many equations about Vedic Maths. Ajay Sir’s class was great. It was a nice and wonderful camp for us. – Naveen Thomas
AV – Kanhangad
It was so interesting. I am lucky to be a student of Amrita Vidyalayam. I enjoyed a lot. Thank you so much. – Haritha P.
AV – Kodungallur
The Satgamaya Summer Camp was very good. I liked the yoga classes and the speeches. I got more knowledge about Ramayana and Vedic Maths.
– Mohammed Hashim
AV – Manjeri
I really enjoyed this three-day camp. Now I understand that I am really blessed by my loving God ‘Amma’. I enjoyed all the sessions. I enjoyed the Vedic Mathematics by Rupesh Sir. I am thanking Rupesh Sir. I also like the Ramayana movie. Thank you Amma! Thank you all the members who helped us to enjoy this camp. Amma Mata Rani ki Jai !!! – Arun T.
AV – Perumbavur
I am attending a camp for the first time. So, first I felt the pain of separation from my parents. Now I am thinking that it would have been a great loss if I had not attended it. – Adithyan J.