Monthly Archive for April, 2008

A Regal Visit

Published on April 8, 2008 in Uncategorized. Closed

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On March 26th Sri Ram Ashram was honoured to receive the U.S. Ambassador to India for a one night visit. Gracious in every action, Ambassador Mulford, along with his wife, sister-in-law and niece made it a point to speak individually with each child, guest and staff member. Watching Kavita chat with Mrs. Mulford in her most proper English was a crowning moment given how far she has come since her arrival ten years ago. Ambassador Mulford joined in basketball games, tossed around the Frisbee and taught Deepak how to use his newly acquired yo-yo. He walked to the clinic hand in hand with the younger children as they babbled to him in English and Hindi smiling the entire way. His 16 year old niece, Kaitlin Lang, donated over 100 pairs of shoes she collected through Compassionate Kids, a non profit organization she founded in America,. Thank you Ambassador and Mrs. Mulford, Kathleen and Kaitlin Lang, the children are thrilled and honoured by your visit. You are now members of our extended family and we hope you will join us again and again.

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Celebrations

Published on April 8, 2008 in Sri Ram Foundation. Closed

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India is famous for vibrant holidays and festivals. Without a doubt Holi is the most colourful. Not to be left behind, Sri Ram Ashram celebrates holidays with special vigour. Imagine a family of 65 children full of gusto and rampant energy throwing coloured water and powder at each other. Thankfully we had many guests to help absorb the energy of all the children, not to mention each other.

We began our Holi celebration dancing around a bonfire. Before the fire is lit red and white cloth strips, symbolizing negative energy, are tied to the wood. As they go up in flames so do all our negativities. And, of course what’s a bonfire without a few drums and dancing?

The next morning Holi starts in earnest. Powdered colours flew as we smeared it into each other’s faces. Water guns were quickly discarded for buckets and hoses. Everyone’s hair turned pink, green and yellow. Mine is still a lovely shade of pea green. Our faces looked like a finger-paint canvas on overtime. It’s all in good fun and we ended up playing in the pool afterwards. If you haven’t celebrated Holi we dare you to join us in 2009!

The next day, March 23rd, we celebrated Babaji’s happy birthday. This is our special holiday for which the children produce a show of song and dance. For days beforehand the ashram is filled with blasting music as the children practice. Traditional is mixed with verve with the children strutting their stuff in gala fashion. Deepak, in what is now famously called the headless chicken dance, entertained us with a break-dance fusion kinda thing. The small kids danced to a song from Tare Zameen Par, a popular children’s movie. The boy’s donned beards and moustaches for a Punjabi jig while Keshav asked Babita to marry him in the snow princess skit. As all good parents do we thought each of every child was spectacular.

The day ended with a cake and snacks for all. A good time was had by all.

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