submitted by Muthu Rajasekaran, ISW School parent 

Namaste to all!

As we embark into the beginning of new year 2024 kids learnt about harvest festivals, namely Pongal, Sankranti, Lohri and how it is commonly celebrated across different parts of India. Thanks to all the parents who volunteered to teach and share their experiences of the harvest festival.

At ISW, the Saraswathi puja was celebrated on March 10, 2024. The celebration at ISW is a long-standing tradition that has  been cultivated under the presence and guidance of Ms. Carolyn and Ms. Shiamin for the past 30 plus years – which has been and will be cherished by the past, present and future students of ISW. Prior to the big day, Ms. Sonia and Ms. Sarita taught the bhajans (Sharda Stavan and Hey Ram, Hey Ram) to the kids that they will be reciting on the day of puja. Amidst their busy schedule of language class and practicing bhajans, few kids even signed up to perform solo performance during the puja.

On the day of celebration, kids wore traditional Indian attire and were excited to offer their devotion to Goddess of knowledge, music, and the arts. Special thanks to Ms. Carolyn for the idols and decorations – a serenity and glimpse one could only experience in a temple.

Each kid was given a plate with some flowers, diya, and an idol of Saraswathi maa, and then the puja ceremony preceded by Mrs. Anju Shukla. As the Guru Mantra and Saraswathi Shloka’s went on, thekids meticulously took the flower petals and kum kum and offered their prayers to Saraswathi maa. Then in one single file, the kids along with Ms. Sonia and Ms. Sarita recited the bhajans (Sharda Stavan and Hey Ram, Hey Ram), which was pleasant to hear and was witnessed by the parents who graced the occasion with their family members. After the prayers, the solo performance of the kids was conducted. To our surprise, many kids who didn’t initially sign up for the solo performance also showed interest and were given a chance to showcase their spirituality – Afterall what better occasion can erupt their confidence than the day of wisdom and knowledge is being worshipped.

The enchantment of Goddess Saraswathi Maa’s songs, slogans and dance performance by the kids filled the room with eternal and divine aura. At the end the kids received blessings from the teacher and had the sacred thread tied onto their wrist, and then proceeded to collect the prashad.

Overall, this year’s Saraswati puja celebration was a huge success, and once again thanks to all the teachers and parents whose effort is much appreciated in every step of the kid’s nourishment and traditional upbringing. Together we can make our community and culture stronger!