Guru Vandana 2018 At Bellow Springs: Teachers’ Day

ELLICOTT CITY, MD - From Howard County Public Schools: Guru Vandana 2018, “Teachers appreciation Day,” took place on May 19th 2018 in the Howard County. The event honored about 13 teachers from Howard county schools. Guru Vandana is a concept, an idea that is as old as humanity itself. If looked at from the literal definition, the “Gu” in Guru means Darkness/Ignorance, and “Ru” means Light. The Guru is the One who dispels the darkness of ignorance and bestows upon him or her knowledge. From a spiritual prespective, the word Guru is “one who is beyond attributes and forms.” With such a beautiful, inspiring, and revered concept of Guru, the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, Maryland chapter chose Guru Vandana to be one of their cultural events of the year, a tradition that they hope to continue every year honoring all those Gurus that impart knowledge on the student. The event took place in the Bellows Springs elementary School Auditorium, which included students, teachers from the howard county schools, as well as members from the local Indian community.

Mrs. Veena welcomed everybody to the event. Dr. Murali Divi, a volunteer of HSS Balagokulam, Maryland chapter, spoke about the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh which was created to raise awareness through Hindu Culture, Principles and Values to promote Seva, Selfless Service for the benefit of the community. Bellow Springs Elementary principal Mrs. Carol Hahn and Veterans elementary Principal Mr. Robert Bruce and Mr. Mahesh Kalla from HSS kick started the event with Lamp Invocation (Lamp lighting ceremony). Saraswati Vandana cassical dance performance was given by kids. The event then went on to the chanting of Sanskrit Shlokas and a skit by howard county elementary school students on the significance of Guru. Mr. Mahesh Kalla, chief guest of the event, elaborated about the importance of the Guru vandana and HSS activities. He then on to point out those events such as Guru Vandana are “beyond culture, religion, caste and creed”. Such events only promote Unity within Diversity among the community.

The Guru Vandana ceremony consisted of students putting Tilak and doing Aarti for teachers, followed by memento awarding Ceremony. Bellow Springs Elementary principal, Miss. Carol Hahn and Veterans Elementary principal Mr. Robert Bruce and several other teachers on the stage spoke about how humbled and honored they were for the event. Many distinguished faculty members and community members that were present at the event congratulated the Hindu SwayamSevak Sangh organization for having such a unique cultural event. The event concluded with thank you notes from Mr. Praveen followed by Yoga Rhythm and Shanti Mantra by balagokulam kids demonstrated Yoga and Surya Namaskar postures to create awareness among the people about Yoga and its advantages in achieving a healthy body, mind and spirit.

Photo courtesy of Howard County Public School System