During their winter vacation, balaks and balikas of the Asia-Pacific Region attended the shibirs based on the theme of Shastras – Walk the Talk. Three shibirs were organized around Australia in which a total of over 240 children participated: Sydney (4-5 July), Perth (18-19 July) and Adelaide (1-2 August).
The shibirs, held in the presence of Jnanpursh Swami and Adarshmuni Swami, focused on our Hindu shastras, the important shastras of the Swaminarayan Sampraday and the Sant as a unique living Shastra.
The shibirs was organized specifically for the 7- to 14-year-old age group. Bal-Balikas learnt about many shastras, including the Vedas, Upanishads, Ramayan, Mahabharat, Shikshapatri, Vachanamrut, Swamini Vato, and concluded with a focus on Pramukh Swami Maharaj, who as the ideal Sadhu, is a Walking Shastra.
Through classroom sessions, practical workshops, video presentations, and fun and games, every Bal-Balika took away a message to imbibe at their homes and in school. They even undertook niyams of satsang reading and were presented with notebooks and bookmarks as mementos of the shibir and reminders to “walk the talk” by living the message of our Shastras in their daily lives.
The shibir also included a Samuh Puja session, team-building activities and a sports outing promoting fitness.