The Children's Recreation Centre at Soami Nagar

Revered Prof. Prem Saran Satsangi on 9th July 2006, while talking about the ‘Innovative Evolution of the Race of Superman’ stated, “But we all know that careful nurture has a great effect on children too. Even if one succeeds to bring good souls into this world, if they do not get the opportunity of proper nurture in accordance with the new polity and new devotional method they cannot become Superman”.

Setting up a conducive environment to nurture young brains is so very important. One of the pillars in Dayalbagh for this is 

‘The Children Recreation Centre (CRC)’. 

These have been established and run in various Dayalbagh Branches across the world, to provide an opportunity for children to come together, make friends with each other and to have company of persons with similar values, while providing entertainment and developing some desirable skills.

This week, Ms. Arti Prasad gives us insights into the activities of the CRC Center in Soami Nagar, New Delhi. Ms. Prasad, an alumnus of Dayalbagh Educational Institute, is the Principal of Soami Nagar Model School and the CRC Incharge of Soami Nagar Branch. A keen sportswoman, she has a strong passion for teaching and serving society and loves to work with children.

Be Happy,
Anurag
---------------

Ms. Prasad writes...

As per guidelines from Dayalbagh, CRC- Children’s Recreation Centre (बाल मनोविनोद केंद्र - Bal Manovinod Kendra) was established in Soami Nagar, New Delhi on 29th May 2011.  Its main objective is to give a platform and opportunity to Satsangi children to imbibe Dayalbagh values and culture from a young age. Children develop many skills through peer group interactions and with the help of empathetic volunteers and mentors. Dayalbagh defined the guidelines and responsibilities for parents, and identified activities for children.

In our branch, children meet every Sunday after Branch Satsang to enjoy various activities and they play various games at the centre like, Shabd Kautuk, Chess, Carrom, Chinese Checkers, Draughts, Mechanix and other outdoor games. Shabd Kautuk (Hindi Scrabble) is an innovation of CRC Dayalbagh, which helps in improving vocabulary and learning correct spellings in Hindi. CCA- Council of Children’s Affairs is also very active in our branch wherein children challenge their minds to build models or give presentations on special occasions like Earth Day. They also make posters on various topics, plant saplings, improving efficiency of working at CRC using new techniques and technology and at the same time increase their knowledge about Dayalbagh culture through quizzes on occasion of Bhandaras.

Revered Prof. Prem Saran Satsangi ji's visit on 14th May 2015:

It was an auspicious moment when Revered Satsangi Sahab visited us. The CRC group made a model of the Sigma Six Q model covering all Six Qualities. Revered Satsangi Sahab inspected and interacted with children and advised them on economical use of resources and cost effectiveness, Google maps and GPS, use of latest technology in dairy, Gassifier, manure production etc. He emphasised the need for inculcation of Values and Quality, which leads to Excellence.

Excursion Trips:

Once a year, an educational excursion trip is organised for CRC children. Parents are  also  involved as volunteers in this and it serves as a great opportunity for children to enjoy, learn various values like sharing, helping others, tolerance, leadership etc. On 9th August in 2015, children were taken to Red Fort to relive the state's history and gain knowledgeable facts about our country's past.

Values and Quality Day Celebration in Branch:

Diwali was celebrated as “Values and Quality Day”. A fair was organised in evening where children made Rangolis and decorated the campus using recycled plastic bottles and other waste items, imbibing values of “Waste nothing”. Children pledged to celebrate a Green Diwali and to save our environment. Different activities and games were planned for children, along with parent’s involvement. Refreshment was served to all by CRC volunteers. Children sold hand made planters; magnetic fridge stickers, bookmarks, spiral pads, photo frames etc., which they have learnt in Craft classes. Children wrote slogans and poems expressing their views and ideas on Values. A game was played with children, which was based on values like respect; punctuality, being economical, honesty etc.

Cultural Programmes:

CRC children learn and recite holy compositions and also take part in skits and street plays, action songs etc. with lot of enthusiasm. A puppet show was also organised by Noida branch CRC children and interactive session on Book Reading was conducted with them.

Workshops:

To involve parents in CRC activities, workshops are conducted on various topics. Interactive sessions helps them to share their problems in bringing up children and expectations of children. Guidelines are also shared from time to time and experienced persons from the branch help in counselling. Workshops are conducted on “Time Management”, “Innovation”, “Google search and GPS”, “Green Technology”, “Leadership skills”, “Team work”. Learning is through worksheets, presentations, brain storming exercises to make it enjoyable.

Every Sunday, after the branch satsang, children participate in a Physical Drill and enjoy sprouted chana. Children also help in cleaning activities at the branch, be it the satsang hall or grounds. They play outdoor team games in winters like kho-kho and badminton, which they enjoy the most.

Children enjoy field activity and learn about flora and fauna with mentors who guide them and explain various aspects. CCA children did a project on “Air Pollution in Delhi” in which they studied causes, effects, solutions, particulate matter. They also did a project on “BIODIVERSITY”. Children of various classes collected data in groups, made scrap books, studied factors in neighbourhood and analysed the results.

Intellectual Growth and Brotherhood values:

Various competitions are organised for children at the centre and also at District and Regional level once a year. In these children play with peer group of different branches and develop feeling of competitiveness and brotherhood at the same time. 

Keeping in mind the development of “Complete Man” and “Superman” of satsang, we CRC team are trying to inculcate and sow seeds at an early stage with motto of Sahyog (सहयोग), Sangathan (संगठन) and Safalta (सफलता), i.e. collaboration, organization and success.