The Thanniyoottu Sai Centre celebrated the 05th anniversary of the Education in Human Values program on Gurupoornima Day this year.
Mullaitivu district in Sri Lanka was one of the most negatively affected districts during and after the 30 year ethnic conflict. Due to frequent displacements and relocations to refugee camps, many families were very affected economically and socially. The education of the younger generations took a toll, while they succumbed to bad habits that further aggravated the situation.
In a bid to find a solution, the Sathya Sai Centre in Thanniyoottu initiated the Education in Human Values program, aiming to transform at least a few children and thereby support their parents. These classes are conducted monthly in two locations; one at the Sathya Sai Centre and the other at the Puthukudiyiruppu Central College. The resource personnel are educationalists and Senior Sai Devotees well versed in Swami's teachings on Human Values, where Yoga and Meditation are also taught as part of the curriculum. Parenting programs are also held, in order to encourage the parents to support and be a part of the transformation process.
The commencement of the program in July 2013 marked the attendance of 125 students studying in various schools, while the 5th anniversary this year was celebrated with over 200 students, their parents, and EHV teachers. Bro. V. Manoharan, President of the National Council of SSIO, Sri Lanka, along with Ms. P. Umanithi, the Zonal Director of Education for the Mullaitivu District under the Education Ministry of the Government of Sri Lanka graced the occasion as special invitees.
The program commenced with the hoisting of the Prashanthi Flag by the Chief Guest followed by Omkar and Bhajan. Bro S.Navaratnam, Chairman, Sathya Sai Centre, Thanniyoottu delivered the welcome address. Bro Thavarjah, the former Chairman of the Centre, who took the initiative to start this program, explained its history, how the classes are conducted and the benefits derived by the students and parents. Following this, the students rendered the Human Value song and also held a panel discussion on the five human values: Sathya, Dharma, Shanthi, Prema and Ahimsa which was moderated by one of their teachers, Dr. Sivasankar.
The program held a unique talk show with 03 students; one of whom is an EHV student and two other non EHV students who have not heard of the program. The discussion among them highlighted how students are admitted to this program, how the classes are conducted, the subjects taught, and the transformation it has brought about on them.
After this, the parents and students were given the opportunity to express their views and experiences of this program. They briefly mentioned that this program has not only brought about a transformation among the students but also among the parents. The parents mentioned that the positive change in their children is clearly visible in their day to day activities. They have not only changed their bad habits but have shown considerable improvement in their studies. They thanked the SSIO for their contribution in transforming the future generation. This was followed by the felicitation of all teachers involved in the program.
Ms. Umanithy, congratulated the Sai Centre for conducting the Human Value classes for students for the last 05 years, and highlighted that this is a program that should be followed by other spiritual organizations, as she was convinced that the EHV program had undoubtedly brought positive results and transformation among the students and parents. She also thanked the Sai Centre for conducting parenting classes for the parents periodically.
Finally, the Chief Guest, Bro V Manoharan, interacted with the students. He inquired from them about the change the EHV program has brought in their lives. He spoke to many of them individually, to find out their aim and ambitions in their life and also questioned them in order to assess the benefits they have derived from the EHV program. He impressed upon the need to improve their leadership qualities and also mentioned the messages of many world renowned leaders whom the students could follow as their role model.
