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The Budding Generation
Sikh
youth camp at Fremont buzzing with enthusiasm
Satnam Singh
Khalsa
 Fremont:
An ongoing Sikh youth camp at Gurdwara Sahib, Fremont running from
July 6 to August 14 and aimed at educating American born children
about Sikh as well as Punjabi lifestyle has been drawing an
enthusiastic response from not just the participants but also their
parents and guardians. With a 9 am to 5 pm schedule packed with
activities and participants coming from age group of 3-16 years, the
atmosphere starts buzzing with activity early in the morning with
the children reaching Gurudwara Sahib and beginning the day with
Nitnem, followed by ardas. The daily Guru’s Hukam is followed by
muharni, the pronunciation of Punjabi language. At 11:00 a m, the
students get their first break in which they get cereals and fruits.
In addition, they can have langar if they wish. After a half an hour
break, the children line-up for their respective classes.
Participants
attend three classes per day with two short breaks and a lunch. The
classes include “The turban, pride of Sikh”, Punjabi and Sikh
history & culture in regular routine and cooking, art & craft
classes in intermittent routine. Course work includes slideshows,
group discussion and lectures that are displayed through projector
and emphasis is laid to make classes more interactive instead of
just a lecture.
Special
attention is being paid to turban class which is divided into three
parts- History, style and tying. Related history and culture is
shown to students through power point slides including birth of
Khalsa and Punjabi heritage. The objective of the class is to
inspire and prepare students so that they can tie turbans themselves
with enthusiasm and pride. Approximately 40 students with ages 8-16
years attend this class.
In
the Punjabi class, the children are divided into two groups. The
first group includes those students who are at a rudimentary stage
of learning to read and write Punjabi. The second group includes
students who know Punjabi well. They are further trained to have
better command on Punjabi so that they can read and understand the
teachings of the Guru.
Some of the
students go to Santhya classes taught by Bhai Harpreet Singh Ji of
Damdami Taksaal. In this class, the students are taught how to
recite Gurbani in “Shudh” form. “Kirtan – the rhythm of the soul” is
taught by Bhai Jarnail Singh Ji and Bibi Deep Kaur Ji. The classic
form of Kirtan is practised, that includes ragas from Shri Guru
Granth Sahib Ji. Every Friday, children participate in games that
help them stay healthy and active. Lemon race, basketball, soccer,
water balloon and many other games are played with zeal to win and
enjoy. The winning students are honored with certificates and other
prizes. In the arts & crafts class, girls are taught to do
stitching, knitting and crotchet work. The camp is organized by
Fremont Gurdwara in collaboration with sadh sangat of Bay area.
Every week, sangat extends support in successful running of the camp
by doing seva in langar and donating foodstuff such as pizzas,
fruits, etc. There are 8 teachers and 12 volunteers who are working
hard to smoothly run the camp. Sikh Students Association of SJSU is
playing a vital role to make camp students friendly and is teaching
as well.
29
July 2009
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