An AYUDH-India Regional Training Camp was conducted at the Mata Amritanandamayi Math in Pune. More than 200 youth from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Goa, Chattisgarh & Tamil Nadu gathered to learn how to better contribute to a peaceful world.
The Camp was inaugurated by the head of Mata Amritanandamayi Math, Pune, Swami Vidyamritananda Puri. Swami enlightened the audience with a speech on Indian culture.
The camp was also blessed by Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri, Amma’s senior-most disciple, Vice-Chairman of Mata Amritanandamayi Math and the President of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham. In his speech, Swamiji explained, “In cultures throughout the world, there is the tradition of giving back. Everything has its price; nothing is free. The participants will reap the benefit of this camp in the future, but the price they have to pay is the discipline and hard work that this camp inculcates in them.”
The Camp witnessed inspiring talks on Sanatana Dharma by distinguished personalities, team-building exercises, life-skills workshops, personality-development programs, yoga and meditation sessions, a cultural tour and adventure games.
Material scientist Dr. Muruganant, the Vice-Chancellor of Indus University, Ahmedabad, spoke on the science of spirituality. Dr. P. Ram Manohar, Research Director of the Centre for Advanced Research in Ayurveda at our Amrita School of Ayurveda, shared insights into how to live a healthy lifestyle. Ragavan Manian, a disciple of the renowned Carnatic musician and composer Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna, conducted a captivating music workshop. Pundlik Sitaram Wagh, founder of the Vayuva Group, guided the participants for a cultural tour to Shree Sant Dnyaneshwar Samadhi, in Alandi Pune.
Prasad Deole and Team Z BAC Adventures conducted outdoor games on the theme of fearlessness derived from the Bhagavad Gita.
Ms. Lakshmi Menon, the CEO of the New Indian Express Group, was the keynote speaker of the camp’s valedictory function. She shared her experiences about how Amma has helped her to face challenges in life. After that, she distributed the certificates and prizes.
The Ayudh participants gave excellent feedback about the camp. Some of their takeaways included to never underestimate oneself, to always strive to be happy and to try to learn more about spirituality. They also said they had learned the importance of teamwork, patience and the importance of trying to maintain mental equilibrium at all times. They also said that they learned how to be happy, positive and grateful, as well as how to surrender the ego and accept their mistakes.
The participants vowed to regularly practice meditation and yoga. Most importantly, they said that they had learned that the greatest thing in this world is giving: Only by giving can we be happy. For that, they said that Amma is a constant source of inspiration.
