“Connect and understand your culture. It is utmost important,” said Pujya Bhaishri during the Youth Camp at Whitewater, Wisconsin, USA

From Thursday, July 17th till Sunday, July 20th, the youth of Chicago and neighboring suburbs of Illinois were blessed with Pujya Bhaishri’s exclusive sannidhya at the Whitewater campus of the University of Wisconsin. There were a few camp coordinators from the Manav Seva Mandir who did a superb job of coordinating the entire event and keeping the program on track and felt blessed to be a part of this unique setting where Bhaishri was completely relaxed, loving and open with the children.

There was a daily schedule of prayers and breakfast at 7 am followed by activities and a daily lecture and Question & Answer session with Pujya Bhaishri from 9 am till noon. After lunch there were various activities planned ranging from athletic events like volleyball, kho-kho, etc. to cultural festivities. There was a Garba organized on Saturday night, which Bhaishri attended and participated.

The entire event was wonderfully coordinated with the approximate 40 youth ranging from ages 14 to 23 divided into various teams with team leaders being the youth themselves. They all sang the daily aartis by turn, and presented shloks and bhajans to Bhaishri too.

The layout was very flexible with Bhaishri completely accessible to each of the children and he spent a lot of time connecting with all of them individually. Prior to the daily event, all the youth handed in questions and thoughts they had which Bhaishri answered in turn and exhaustively.

Bhaishri also discussed at length with them their unique identities and how they can be richer for being both Indian and American, and not simple American Born Confused Desis (ABCD’s). In essence he emphasized that they should challenge themselves and conduct themselves with the professional excellence and hardworking dedication that is the norm in America, and yet maintain strong roots to their abundant, rich Indian culture and heritage as far as their personal lives are concerned. By achieving this balance they can really find their niche socially, professionally and individually being all the more well-developed for it!

He gave the camp his blessings and wishes that this may lead to an annual tradition by which Manav Seva Mandir is able to tap into our vast Indian Resources of Saints and speakers who can come and connect with the youth in this vital recharging activity. Just as we re-charge our cell phones, at this critical junctures in their lives it is important for the children to keep connecting and focusing on their heritage to understand its value in their lives and continue to blossom and spread its divine fragrance.

The entire camp was dressed in camp t-shirts and jeans on the last day and Bhaishri gave them all his heartiest blessings telling them that they looked the Manav Seva Mandir Millitary! Shri Ram had his sena and these children were the army of the community. He also said with great pride and joy that looking around he has no qualms about the future of our culture and religion in this country because his dear youth will take over and be running the temples and all these activities so beautifully themselves in the near future. He shared with loving pride the organization and attendance of an entire youth group from London who attended the Porbandar navratri and came to serve for the various camps that were held. He hopes to see many more of his children from all over the world, work together and come forward to serve humanity and uphold their culture.

On Sunday, Bhaishree had a pravachan at the Mandir in the evening and he specially asked to meet with all the parents of these divine children who made the commitment to their children’s’ future by sending them to such a camp.

In all, it was a divine experience for all present.