India consulate heads to Bakerton
The effort marks Gandhi's 150th birthday and Saini says: “Gandhi does not only belong to South Africa, but he also belongs to the whole world.
The Consulate General of India, Balbir Raj Saini, arrived at Springs Secondary School in Bakerton on Friday as part of an initiative to promote Indian culture in South Africa.
The effort marks Gandhi’s 150th birthday and Saini says: “Ghandi does not only belong to South Africa, he belongs to the whole world.
“We want to spread his message of love and peace in today’s turbulent world.
“We want to go to as many schools as possible.”
With the consulate was yoga instructor Maya Bhatt, who had recently received her master’s in yoga.
The morning started off in the school library, where a short documentary on the life and teachings of Mahatma Gandhi was shown to a group of learners.
Learners were invited to ask questions and some stood up in front of the class and shared their thoughts and ideas about Gandhi, his life, his teachings and what it meant to them with a prepared speech.
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Darshan Nadar says: “Gandhi captured the world’s attention with is policy of non-violence.
“As a Hindu, he has inspired me to respect other religions.”
Rohan Rajeshver Bodalina emphasised Gandhi’s belief in simplicity and giving away things you have no need for.
“For example, if you have a book lying around your house, you can give it to someone you know and it can be useful to them.”
Yasmeen Shaktil gave one of the more impassioned speeches, recalling some of what Ghandi stood for: “Love in his world means love for everyone.
“He said people need to love enough in order to not fight and to avoid conflict.”
“There are many people who have real humanity in them and those who do touch the lives of people over many generations.”
After the learners gave their speeches, they were handed out prizes in the form of books by the consulate himself.
The consulate reminded everybody that Gandhi was a big inspiration for Nelson Mandela and that they both played a large roll in South Africa’s transformation.
This was followed by a yoga session in the school’s assembly hall.
The lesson was given by Bhatt, who says: “Young people need yoga more than anyone else.
“Because I feel at this teenage level their bodies are experiencing big hormonal changes which make them more impassioned, helpless and alone at times.
“Yoga works by balancing the hormone levels, this will calm them down.”
Bhatt feels yoga will provide the learners with tools to deal with issues and challenges with a sense of calm and self-control.
The consul wishes to reach as many schools as possible before the commencement of exams.
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