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In Holi Special - A Truly Holy HOLI By Archana Venkatesh, Mumbai, India
My son was agog with excitement when he returned from school yesterday. His face shone with the light of triumph, he was beaming with a sense of accomplishment.
“I have overcome my greatest enemies!” he stated simply.
What does he mean by that? He has never been the aggressive sort. And now this… I was worried. I expected a note from the teacher asking to see her. I started preparing my explanation. Presently, I found him peering at me, wondering why I didn’t react appropriately to his statement. I was itching to deliver a sermon on non-violence and friendliness and sharing and the works. But fortunately, good sense prevailed and I decided to find out more about the incident first and reserve my judgments for later.
In his school, all the children were made to write out their greatest weaknesses on a slip of paper and burn them in the Holi bonfire, thus signifying that their weaknesses were now burnt up and they were free from it. What a powerful way to solve a problem! Almost all the children shared my son’s sentiment and really believed themselves to be free from the weaknesses that they had burnt. Hats off to the vision of the teachers who thought of such a beautiful way to explain the significance of the festival!
The mind of a young child is a sacred space…inviolate and pure. Seeds of thought sown in this fertile soil blossom as values that shape his character. I am so glad that my son has been initiated into the real spirit of Holi. The triumph of good over evil is a much clichéd platitude. But experiencing it in its truest sense will leave an indelible impression in my son’s mind. That’s exactly what my son experienced...a truly holy HOLI!
22 March 2008, 12:02 PM
Rupa Roy wrote:
An effective message written with sensitivity. Good work, Archana! I have always wondered why people wait for Dhuleri to greet one another a 'Happy Holi'. Reply to this
23 March 2008, 12:07 PM
archana venkatesh wrote:
Thank you very much. I think Holi is only one of the several oppurtunities in India to make us feel fulfilled and effectively convey it to all around. Reply to this
24 March 2008, 3:39 PM
archana venkatesh wrote:
Lovely, isn't it? And if you had seen the faces of those children, you would've been moved to tears at their innocence. Reply to this
23 March 2008, 11:40 PM
Jasmin wrote:
A nice way to eliminate the evil in us.But Archana Fire is a purifier so it's more likely to purify us by burning the impurities. Reply to this
24 March 2008, 3:20 PM
Neha Gupta wrote:
That was really a great way to help students overcome their fears and weaknesses. The school authorities really deserve a pat on their backs.
An effective message written with sensitivity. Good work, Archana! I have always wondered why people wait for Dhuleri to greet one another a 'Happy Holi'.
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Thank you very much. I think Holi is only one of the several oppurtunities in India to make us feel fulfilled and effectively convey it to all around.
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You have come out with a very important aspect of the festival. Happy Holi!
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Yes. It has indeed been an eye opener for me too !!!
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inspiring... though it reminded me of the voodoo rituals...
Happy Holi dear...
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I am really game for voodoo rituals if they are inspiring.
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Wow, what a nice way to make the young ones get rid of their fears.
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Yes. Nice and effective too !
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Wow, what a bright and inspiring idea! Thanks for sharing.
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Lovely, isn't it? And if you had seen the faces of those children, you would've been moved to tears at their innocence.
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A nice way to eliminate the evil in us.But Archana Fire is a purifier so it's more likely to purify us by burning the impurities.
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Very true! The net result of the experience was just that.
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That was really a great way to help students overcome their fears and weaknesses. The school authorities really deserve a pat on their backs.
Great blog!
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What a great teacher and lucky kid to be her student!
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