Yesterday was Gandhi Jayanti and I was trying to remember when I first became aware of Gandhiji's existence. And it dawned upon me that my relationship with Bapu started at the age of 5 when I stepped in to my school Balmohan Vidyamandir. And since that day in my heart little Bal & little Mohan always lived and grew.
Our school was established by Shikshanmaharshi Dadasaheb Rege who himself was just 7th grade passed person but had a vision of creating human beings like Mohandas Gandhi & Bal Gangadhar Tilak by giving right values through education. In fact the name of the school was kept "Balmohan Vidyamandir" by taking Bal for Tilakji's name and Mohan from Gandhiji's name. Dada used to tell us how he sees Gandhiji and Tilakji in us; how he wants us to be truthful and fearless in accepting and owning up responsibility & consequences of our actions just like Bapu did. I must have heard some of Gandhiji's stories so many times that they are ingrained on my mind.
For 10 school years of my life; every day I saw Gandhiji's statue and read & heard his stories and listened to Dada's words about how I must become like him. And though I left the school after graduating my association with Gandhiji continued. Somewhere deep down in my heart I carried Dada's vision with me.
Today while talking to my little babies at "Matru Mandir" I remembered my power over their tender minds. And I felt very happy that I was nurtured by a great soul like Dada who installed Gandhiji in my heart at such a tender age. Now I know Gandhiji will walk along with my little ones and guide them just like he guided me.
My new journey with Bapu started today.
lovely article .... There are no words to describe to what you are doing for our kids... I would say we are lucky that our kids are getting to be part of matru mandir and the exposure they are getting ...
ReplyDeleteIn fact it helps us also in our daily life ...and due to some acquaintances we are also enlighten by events at Matru Mandir...