Sneha Seva Trust’s Jnanasiri Project: Mindset AND Marks

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Bharat Maata – an essential part of any Sneha Seva Trust Event

On 2nd August 2026, Sneha Seva Trust organized Sankalpa Event as part of Samskara Kendra activities for about 200 newly sponsored 8th standard students selected for Jnanasiri Vidya Vethana, along with their parents and guardians. Event was wonderful success with everyone coming together to celebrate culture, devotion, and community values.

All Set for Nitya Puje Initiation & Practice

To start event on divine note, We, the disciples of Pujya Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji of  Art of Living conducted a traditional Satsang & bhajan session. Kids participated in the session with immense enthusiasm, and we were thrilled to see 100% participation from all children and parents present. Entire hall reverberated with joy as everyone sang together with pure hearts and high energy. Importance of nama sankeertane , music and dance in our culture and how important it is for parents to practice sadhana.

Satsang & Bhajan Session

Demonstrated with a simple fun exercise how children listen more through their eyes than their ears, meaning we must demonstrate by our own behaviour and practice instead of just preaching, if you want children to emulate.

Participants being guided to the preparatory process
Chanting Time
Gratitude and Meditation Time

Following Satsang, ardent RSS Karyakarta and Swayamsevak Shri Lakshmi Narayan Sharma ji spoke to children and parents about importance of daily spiritual practice. He explained significance and process of performing daily pooja, and why reserving few minutes every day for pooja and dhyana in daily life is so valuable for growing mind. He taught students daily pooja procedure and four basic shlokas for everyday puja, giving them clear and easy daily routine to follow at home.

Shri Lakshmi Narayan Sharma ji

As part of session, Nitya Pooja and Dhyana concepts were explained in simple terms that every child can easily relate to. Nitya Pooja is just like saying good morning to God. Everyday you wake up, brush teeth, and say good morning to parents. Pooja is taking five minutes to say warm good morning, thank you, and offer small treat or flower to God who looks after world. Nitya Dhyana is power-up for mind. Just like charging phone gives energy to play games, taking two minutes to sit quietly and breathe gives brain maximum focus, memory, and peace for day.

Post Puja

Shri Lakshmi Narayan Sharma ji walked everyone through simple five minute Nitya Pooja for kids that keeps routine short, active, and sensory. First step is clean hands and smile, followed by lighting diya, offering flower or water, chanting simple mantra, and ending with gratitude pranam. In preparation step, kids wash hands and feet, then sit comfortably in designated quiet corner. Next step is welcome by lighting diya or agarbatti with adult help. It was explained that light removes darkness just like kindness removes sadness. For offering step, it was explained that kids pick real flower, tulsi leaf, small cup of water, or any fruit if available for naivedyam.

It was emphasized that God does not care how big gift is, only how much love you put into giving it. Thereafter all participants were initiated into 4 basic Shlokas – Vakratunda Mahakaya, Saraswati Namastubhyam, Guru Brahma Guru Vishnu and Namastestu Mahamaaye. Finally during aarti and gratitude, kids wave small bell or clap hands while singing short Arti song, if possible. With a quick pranam there were asked to pray God for good thoughts, health, and fun day.

During lunch time, group of curious students approached us to explain how exactly to do meditation in their daily routine. We sat together over food and guided them on simple ways to practice dhyana at home. We addressed common doubts that children usually have during meditation practice. When kids asked why they cannot just play instead of sitting for dhyana, we told them two minutes of Dhyana keeps mind healthy so they enjoy playing even more, just like brushing teeth keeps teeth healthy. When kids asked if God can see or hear them during quiet time, we explained that God is not person far away in sky but is like air or sunshine. You cannot see air, but you can feel it when you breathe, and God feels love whenever you think good thoughts. When kids asked what happens if they make mistake in steps or get distracted, we reassured them that God does not care if they drop flower or forget word. Just like mom loves hand drawn birthday card even if lines are not straight, God only cares about love and smile.

Parents/Guardians part of the program

Many parents participated in program and expressed immense happiness for being part of such divine event. After program, everyone enjoyed delicious meal together and returned home with firm sankalpa to perform Nitya Pooja every day. Sankalpa Event ended on highly positive note, leaving all new students and their parents inspired, empowered, and deeply connected with values of Sneha Seva Trust.

Organizational Profile: Sneha Seva Trust (Click to Visit their Website)

Background and History: Established in 1990 at the Timber Yard Layout in Bengaluru, the organization has served as a beacon of hope and transformation for communities in need. Formally registered in 2007, its journey began with a heartfelt mission to serve with compassion and empower individuals through education, healthcare, and skill development.

Educational and Community Initiatives: The organization provides free tuition classes for students from 2nd Standard to the SSLC level. However, its impact extends far beyond traditional academics. Through weekly Samskara classes, the trust imparts value-based education and essential life skills to children. Additionally, comprehensive counseling services are offered to both students and parents, alongside free medical camps organized to support the overall wellbeing of the community.

Jnanasiri Project: As part of the Jnanasiri Project, Sneha Seva Trust organizes a specialized program for students, encouraging them to take a formal pledge to practice daily worship and meditation (Nitya Pooje Nitya Dhyana).

Story of Little Arjun and Dusty Mirror

Once upon a time, there was a young boy named Arjun who loved to play in the mud, paint pictures, and race his friends. Arjun had a special tiny silver mirror in his room given to him by his grandmother. “This mirror is magic,” his grandmother had told him. “Whenever it is clean and clear, it reflects the warm, bright sunlight and fills your whole room with beautiful light.” Every morning, Arjun would wake up, wipe the mirror clean with a soft cloth, and shine a little flashlight onto it. The clean mirror would bounce a bright, glowing beam of light all over his room, making Arjun feel happy, energized, and ready for a great day. But then came a busy week. On Monday, Arjun said, “I don’t have time to clean my mirror today! I want to play right away.” By Wednesday, he forgot again. Day after day, tiny bits of dust, mud from his hands, and spots of paint settled on the glass. By Saturday morning, Arjun woke up feeling cranky and tired. He tried to shine his flashlight onto the mirror, but nothing happened. The glass was so thick with dust that no light could bounce off it. His room stayed dark and gloomy.

Arjun ran to his grandmother and said, “Ajji! The magic mirror is broken!” Ajji smiled gently, took a damp cloth, and handed it to Arjun. “The mirror isn’t broken, Arjun. It’s just covered in dust from all your playing. Take two minutes to wipe it clean.” Arjun sat down quietly. He took a deep breath, slowed down, and carefully wiped away every speck of dust. As soon as the glass was clear, the bright morning sunlight hit the mirror and Lo! His whole room lit up with brilliant, warm, golden light again. Arjun instantly felt peaceful and cheerful.

Lesson for the Kids

“Guess what? You have a magic mirror inside you—it’s your mind!

Every day, when we run around, get angry, or rush, a little bit of ‘dust’ settles on our mind. Pooja and Dhyana are just like wiping that mirror clean.

Taking two minutes every morning wipes away the dust, so your inner light can shine bright all day long!”

Shri Varadaraj ji, Secretary of Sneha Seva Trust and the heart and soul of this Event

From Attappady to Conference Room – Inspirational Journey of Neeli

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Memorable and Inspirational Journey
Cartoonised from Original Photographs using Gemini

Last Sunday, I walked into a humble but cozy home in Bengaluru for a birthday lunch. My host was a young girl from the 2016 Government of Kerala sponsored batch, a group of over 200 tribal youth brought down from remote forests of Attappady to be trained as Electronic Technicians. She now shares this home with five of her classmates from that very same batch, a visual treat when I saw how far they have all come together.

Over lunch, memories came rushing back. She recalled her early days in the city, intense culture shock, daunting language barrier, and overwhelming urge to pack her bags and run back to familiar sanctuary of the hills. She reminded me of how I had refused to let her give up as it was during my tenure as head of the training institution, deploying every method from firm discipline to patient counseling to help her navigate those initial hiccups.

Her gratitude was not just for a career or monthly paycheck, it was for dignity and security it brought her family. With tears in her eyes, she shared a moment that meant more to her than any corporate milestone, the day she was able to take her ailing mother to a proper, well-equipped hospital for treatment, stepping away forever from a thatched hutment that passed for a clinic in their native forest.

Her journey from a quiet, hesitant girl in the woods to a thriving professional in the heart of India’s tech hub is a story of grit, transformation, and unshakeable resolve.

When Neeli first left her hamlet in 2016, morning mist hung low over dense forests of Attappady. She had never stepped out of the hills, had worn only traditional attire, and spoke a native tribal dialect mixed with broken Malayalam. The world outside was a myth she had only heard of until a government sponsored skill development drive brought her batch down to Bengaluru.

The transition was brutal.

The bustling metropolis was an alien planet. For Neeli and her peers, primary hurdles were not just circuit diagrams or soldering irons, they were foundational lifestyle shifts. Structured environment demanded strict personal hygiene, formal attire, and relentless punctuality, concepts entirely foreign to life governed solely by sun, moon and seasons.

Compounding the struggle were ingrained habits. Weaning the group away from routine tribal addictions required immense patience, firm counseling, and constant monitoring. Language felt like an insurmountable wall. Technical terms in English sounded like noise, and even basic daily communication in the hostel was a battle. Many in the batch wept in silence, paralyzed by homesickness and culture shock, ready to pack their bags and flee.

Neeli almost broke too. But every time she felt like giving up, she remembered her mother working tirelessly under harsh sun back in Attappady, struggling just to secure two meals a day. Neeli’s resolve was not built on ambition for personal fame, it was forged in a quiet promise to give her mother a dignified life.

She decided to fight.

When training hours ended, while others rested, Neeli stayed back. She spent hours in front of a mirror, practicing basic phrases to overcome her language barrier. She adapted to disciplined routine, taking pride in her clean uniform and sharp presentation. She picked up soldering wire, studied circuit boards until her eyes burned, and slowly began grasping logic behind electronic components.

Her quiet determination did not just change her, it inspired the rest of her batch. Seeing her dedication, others found their footing, shedding reluctance and leaning into discipline required to succeed. By the end of the rigorous program, Neeli was unrecognizable from the shy, hesitant girl who had stepped off the bus months earlier. She graduated as a skilled, confident technician.

Her real trial began when she secured placement at a top French multinational electronics manufacturing firm. Stepping onto a high-tech shop floor filled with state-of-the-art machinery and strict global standards, she faced a whole new level of pressure.

Yet, grit honed during her training days paid off. She moved up from assembly line operator to taking on complex technical responsibilities. Her sharp eye for quality, unwavering work ethic, and ability to bridge communication gaps earned respect of both her peers and management.

Today, Neeli works as Line Manager at that French multinational, directly leading a team of technicians and engineers.

The girl who once struggled to speak outside her forest dialect now leads operational stand-up meetings. The family that once survived on daily wages in the hills now lives in comfort, supported by a daughter who refused to let her background define her horizon. Neeli’s journey stands as living testimony to what pure resolve and a daughter’s love for her mother can achieve.

PS:

I respectfully acknowledge the role of Visionary Kerala Bureaucrat Shri Subaiah Sankaran, IAS (Click for his LinkedIn Profile) in shaping destiny of thousands of unserved sections of the society. It was his idea to ensure sustained livelihood for the community through Skill Training, instead of propping them through Dole.

Name of the trainee changed to protect her identity

Grandpa Bought It, Dad Built It, I Sold It, Good Luck Kid!

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Red soil of Jamshedpur carried fragrance of hot iron and honest sweat when old Gurdeep Singh laid foundation of Swadeshi Steel. Gurdeep spent young years saving every single rupee, skipping meals to purchase tiny plot near Subarnarekha river. He worked alongside handful of blacksmiths, forging simple tools with relentless dedication to quality. Workers ate together under shade of banyan tree, bound not by contracts but by deep mutual respect. Town knew that metal from Gurdeep’s foundry would never bend under pressure because founder put his heart into every blast of furnace.

His son Harpreet turned small workshop into towering industrial titan. Harpreet possessed vision of architect and stamina of bull, erecting massive chimneys that painted sky with gray industrial plumes. Under his leadership, factory expanded across acres, supplying steel beams for bridges and railways across country. Harpreet walked shop floor daily, greeting seasoned workers by name and ensuring that core values of safety, honesty, and legendary quality remained untouched. Swadeshi Steel became beating heart of town, supporting hundreds of local families and earning unshakable trust across market.

Tragedy struck when leadership passed to grandson Vikram, who returned from fancy foreign business schools carrying deep disdain for traditional ways. Vikram viewed moral values as slow outdated liabilities standing between him and quick wealth. He cut worker safety budgets, replaced high grade iron ore with cheap filler materials, and silenced veteran managers who dared to object. When quality ratings plunged and debts piled up, Vikram did not try to fix core problems. Instead, he sold ancestral controlling shares to ruthless private equity firm, pocketing quick fortune and abandoning loyal workforce overnight.

Steel Magnates to Street Beggars

Decades later, ghost of ruined enterprise hung heavy over cold rusted gates. Asset strippers had gutted machinery, sold off land pieces, and left entire community shattered. Today, Vikram’s young son stands in line outside those very gates among crowds of hopeless laborers, begging daily wage contractors for single shift of heavy lifting. Hot sun burns down on broken signboards as great-grandson of pioneer searches for work on soil his family once owned, fulfilling ancient warning of lost values and ruined heritage.

When orders flooded in initially despite lower quality, Vikram mistook this quick cash flow for strategic genius. He failed to see that early sales were driven merely by novelty and lingering prestige of his family name, not by any real value in his cheapened product. Temporary spikes in success often blind leaders into believing they have conquered market, when in truth, short-term hype can never replace deep structural strength. True sustenance only comes when roots run deep into uncompromising quality and trust, making organization resilient enough to weather shifting trends rather than collapsing moment initial curiosity fades.

Swadeshi Steel stands today as a stark reminder of the age-old Scottish proverb: the father buys, the son builds, grandchild sells, and his son begs. Sustainable growth is never just about balance sheets, bottom lines, or quarterly metrics on Tally software. True organizational legacy rests on the invisible bedrock of foundational values- integrity, trust, and human connection, that built it in the first place. When modern enterprises abandon these core principles in pursuit of hyper-growth or reckless reformation, they strip away the very soul of the brand. Beyond spreadsheets and profit margins, a brand lives in the hearts of its workers, its community, and its patrons, and once that trust is broken, no amount of financial engineering can buy it back.