International Conference on “Meditation and Wellness” Programme attended by the NSS volunteers of College of Agriculture, Rajendranagar from 7-9th February, 2020 organised by Shri Ram Chandra Mission at Kanha Santivanam

Shri Ram Chandra Mission on celebrating the 75 years of heartfulness has organized an International Conference on “Meditation and Wellness” from 7-9th February, 2020 at Kanha Santi Vanam, Kanha Village, Nandigama Mandal, Ranga Reddy District, Bangalore Highway, Telangana State and invited the NSS volunteers from all the Universities in Telangana State. In February 2020, Ram Nath Kovind, the President of India visited Kanha Santi Vanam, the global headquarters of Shri Ram Chandra Mission and unveiled the world's largest meditation center. Around 1500 NSS volunteers participated in the event which was also witnessed by nearly 50000 people including general public, celebrities, students, school children and ‘abhyasis’ from other countries as well. It was spiritual retreat celebrated on the 147th birth anniversary of the Adi-Guru, Shri Ram Chandra of Fatehgarh (Lalaji Maharaj). The programme was organized for students to help them to overcome their fears, anxieties and improve their performance in examinations. In this connection, fifty number of NSS volunteers (35 from the College of Agriculture, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad and 15 from the College of Community Science, Saifabad) participated in the programme. Two NSS Programme Officers, Dr. B. Padmaja and Dr. T. Supraja from the above Colleges, respectively accompanied the volunteers. Dr. Sk. Kamruddin coordinated the programme. After check-in at the centre on the afternoon of 7th February, 2020, they were given the orientation by Sri Prashanth Vasu. Later, an interaction session was attended on “Approaching the examinations with confidence” by Sri Tushar Pradhan and Sri Pavan Kumar. Group meditation followed with Heartfulness guide, Shri Kamalesh Patel called as Daaji from 18:00 to 19:30 PM. The second day, i.e., 8th February, 2020 was also started with the yoga and group meditation with Daaji in early hours. Miss P.V. Sindhu, famous shuttler attended the session. The volunteers attended a talk on “Stress-Lets Break Up” by Rajlakshmi Borathkar. From 11:00 to 12:30 hrs, and 18:00 to 19:30 hours, group meditation with Daaji was attended. From 2:15 to 4:30 hrs, Brother Stans from France addressed the volunteers and students on “Science of Meditation”. He told that the research results says that a person regularly practicing yoga and meditation will have the improved brain functioning, less distracted by external disturbances, shorter attentional blink and more attentiveness to the ‘present’ rather than focusing on past happenings or future expectations. Meditating for 30 minutes daily for 8 weeks was found to change positively the grey matter in the brain. Later, Dr Shymala from Bangalore speaking on the power of mediation said that a person’s attitude decides his altitude. Meditation is an instrument to clean the subtle body and sharpening the intellect. In the evening session of yoga and meditation, Daaji addressed the youth and highlighted the importance of developing good attitude and role of yoga and meditation in human life. On the third day, again, yoga and meditation session was conducted in the morning. Daaji was awarded with the “Most Admirable Leader” in the field of Social Service by “Brandstory”. Mr. Hemanth Sharma, editor of BrandStory handed over the award to Daaji. Later it was followed by the performance of school children on improved mental activities, who are attending the “Brighter Minds” programme specially designed for improving the cognitive skills of the children. The programme came to an end by 10:00 AM on 9th February, 2020 and the NSS programme officers and volunteers returned to the headquarters.