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 IN THE WORLD'S LARGEST RIVER ISLAND MAJULI

Fireflies looming in the dark throwing little sparks of light around indicating that you are always by my side…I am grateful.

Location: Majuli

ASSOM BHAONA SAMARUH 2024

Date: 18/01/2024 to 30/01/2024

Sri Sri Auniati Satra

Manikanchan Rangamancha Majuli

Immensely blessed to be part of the larger Assamese community.

Bhagavad Gita:Chapter 12, Verse 8

may eva mana adhatsva mayi buddhim niveshaya

nivasishyasi may eva ata urdhvam na sanshayah

Translation

BG 12.8: Fix your mind on Me alone and surrender your intellect to Me. There upon,you will always live in Me. Of this,there is no doubt.

(Taken from Bhagavad Gita The Song of God Commentary by Swami Mukundananda)

ASSOM BHAONA SAMARUH 2024 BEST MOMENTS      

 Jai Shree Krishna   

It was the month of January. Being in an obliterated phase of life knowing not what waited I packed my bags for home. Maa being my greatest companion for life and an integral part of my spiritual journey ensured that I could make a seat in the bus all set to Majuli from my village Kamalabaria for the ASSOM BHAONA SAMARUH 2024 to be held in Majuli Assam. Early morning bowing at the lotus feet of the Lord I started my journey for Majuli. I was excited. Draping a beautiful mekhela sadar and a shawl around to beat the chilling winter we started our journey from Kamalabaria. For me it was a spiritual journey to explore the beauty of the Satras. We reached at around 10 a.m. in Majuli. There was a large gathering. People in white one of its kind never seen or experienced before. It was a great experience to be received amidst the guest from different parts of Assam getting ready for the dihanaam to be performed as part of the opening ceremony of the ASSOM BHAONA SAMARUH 2024. Mama ensured like a bird with her newly born chicks that I was safe amidst the crowd. Deep down I knew I was not safe within. It felt like death was creeping in with all those months of isolation contemplating what laid ahead. Ph.D. journey teaches us so much more about ourselves. We become more resilient and kinder to ourselves and to others around. At times it feels like truly we are in some other world. The more we contemplate upon our research topic the more we feel there is so much more to learn, to navigate and to explore. Maybe this is the reason why research means searching again and again. For a while I thought why not visit the stalls. I always have a strong fascination for local vendors selling local products and for books. Mama took me to a small shop where we had paratha and buffalo milk. I enjoyed the curd fully as I was very hungry after the long journey. It was one of its kind famous in Majuli. Do not miss one when you visit. Mama purchased gur (jaggery) for home. And then it was the time for the event. With different kinds of musical instruments around the event started. For few moments it felt like I was transported into some other world with so many women singing together. That was the moment I felt deeply acknowledged and felt grateful that I belonged to the Assamese community. I revered at the Lotus feet of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva and his creations. We visited Sri Sri Auniati Satra and Sri Sri Garamur Satra, Majuli.

The link to some of the videos done is attached below. Do go through it.

Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva and his contribution to the Assamese culture is immense. Satras refers to monasteries. We stayed for sometimes and after having khichdi returned. It was evening when we left Majuli. Before leaving as I got into the bus I marveled at the wonderful creation and contribution of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva to the Assamese community. Though I wanted to stay longer and experience the bhaona event still we could not as we had a long way back home to travel. My mama is a wonder woman like every other mother. Whenever I feel the need that I should be thankful for life I thank Krishna that he gave me this beautiful woman. I bowed down before the Lord thanking him for the amazing moments. Tulsi is considered to be very precious in Hinduism. I was given Tulsi as I decided to leave seeking Lord's blessing. I got into the bus and when we were leaving, I could hear the voice of characters in different roles which indicated that the Bhaonas already started.

On our way back home, we entered Sri Sri Garamur Satra. While people around were busy clicking pictures, I decided to enter the Garbhagriha and be with the Lord for some time. He looked majestic in his full glory and splendor. I wanted to spend some time more. I know not why this happens with me every time. What strange connect do I feel with him I often ask myself? Whenever I am with him, I feel I am so much comforted. I remain happy with people around me questioning aren’t you worried? How carefree you can be? I hum to songs singing his glory with weary eyes of people intrigued if at all I am serious about life. I submit everything to him with believe in his intentions knowing he would anchor my boat to its safe destination. Why worry if you know you are in turbulent waters, but you have a very special friend to take care of you. When Gajendra was in pain, he asked for Lord’s blessing with all his heart pulling a lotus and lifting it towards the heavens. God responded. When Draupadi was in danger she was helped by Krishna. All that is required in life is to have faith for it rules all. We have never seen God still why people tie threads around trees seeking warmth and protection. It is because they believe in the presence of a higher energy that protects us all. I know not how life ahead will be. But this visit to the river island was a life changing moment.

Evening descended. The roads and the sunset behind allured me into spending some time more. Yet I know I have to keep moving. I knew not when I felt sleepy.  I woke up after some time to Assamese songs with people around me dancing. There’s so much fun fair around. I saw people around dancing to the tunes of latest Assamese hits. It was such a heartwarming and enthralling experience. I could all but thank my precious mama for letting me to be the part of such a wonderful event. She always has my heart.

On the way back home, I thanked Maa Durga for her immense blessings at Sri Sri Podumani Aai Than, Lakhimpur. When we reached home it was around 8 p.m. It was so refreshing a journey indeed to listen to the words of the Satradhikar of Sri Sri Auniati Satra Dr. Pitambar Dev Goswami and to be amidst so many people celebrating an event glorifying Assamese culture. I cherish every moment I spent in the river island. I know not when the silent routes of life would carry me back to the river island again for the moment appeared so beautiful that future seemed so much of a foray. For isn’t life all about celebrations of the present moment for words lay astray with the plannings of tomorrow. Until we meet each other all over again.

Let butterflies fly.

For they are bright and beautiful.

Let lotus bloom in murky waters.

Let the waters recede.

I miss home

I miss my thorn bird.

He flew long back

I hear no news.

We play in the same rhythm.

When our tunes are in alignment.

We connect.

Sparks develop.

And then at times we depart.

But with the promise

That we will meet again.

With roses and poinsettias.

At a beautiful dawn.

Keep travelling.

There is too much of hue and cry around.

Smile a bit.

Spread joy

Add to the vibrational awareness of the world.

With a cheerful heart

Much love my soul family.

Sayonara

Priyanka💞

 

Ankuran: DEVELOPING EARLY READING HABITS IN YOUNG CHILDREN

Ankuran: DEVELOPING EARLY READING HABITS IN YOUNG CHILDREN:  "  Every child you encounter is a divine appointment."                                                                 - Wess Sta...

DEVELOPING EARLY READING HABITS IN YOUNG CHILDREN

 " Every child you encounter is a divine appointment."

                                                                - Wess Stafford

My child is unable to read a Class 3 level textbook. Mam, students at Class 6 level have problems in writing the words and pronunciation. What should we be doing? What kind of strategies do I design so that my child can read and speak fluently in English. Some of the common questions that intrigue parents pertain to developing early reading habits in young children-like what kind of books should I be giving my young one to read? How can I develop reading skills in my little one? How can I help him so that he could read the text well? How can I develop fast reading in my child?

As a researcher working in the field of Foundational learning and as a reader so much in love with books my journey with reading is quite an amazing one. In this blog I will be sharing some of the ways through which parents and early childhood educators can develop early reading habits in their children. Along with that there will be brief elaboration on some of the books that could be used by parents and teachers to develop reading habits in children.

Anything that we do in continuation over a period of time becomes a habit. In the Foundational years the main focus when it comes to developing reading skills of our children lies in the area of developing oral competency, letters recognition, forming words, print awareness etc.

WHY DEVELOP THE PRACTICE OF READING?

1.To let the imagination of child blossom.

2.To develop curiosity in children towards learning of new concepts.

3.Knowing the world around us etc.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT BOOKS THAT CAN BE GIVEN TO CHILDREN IN THE FOUNDATIONAL YEARS?

• The Butterfly Lion - Michael Morpurgo

• The Little Prince - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar - Eric Carle

• The Giving Tree - Shel Silverstein

• The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse - Charlie Mackesy

Source:   The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse by Charlie Mackesy - Penguin Books Australia

Develop oral competency requires being able to come in terms to the letters being used in the text, word recognition etc. Often it is seen that in subjects like Assamese and English emphasis is given on children going through the text with the teaching reading the lines of the text in the classroom and then students repeating the sentences after the teachers. Our very motive as educators should not be to let monotony sweep in our classrooms rather to let adequate student engagement happen through diverse classroom-based activities. This requires building the emotional connect between students and teachers. Reading without understanding has no meaning.

WHAT CAN TEACHERS DO TO PROMOTE EFFECTIVE READING?

Essential it is for teachers to understand the importance of pedagogical approaches in the form of different methods that could be used-

1.Using TPACK framework in the classroom. TPACK refers to Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge. TPACK is a framework that could be used by teachers for effective instructional delivery through ICT (Information and Communication Technology) integration in the classroom. 

2. Building upon the existing knowledge of the students.

3. Fun based classroom activities.

4. Adequate stimulus variation being used by teachers in the classroom.

5.Tapping into the inbuilt potentialities of the child

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF PARENTS IN PROMOTING READING HABITS IN CHILDREN?

• As a mother it is essential that you yourself have an inclination towards reading.

• Develop the practice of bedtime reading.

• Bring diversity in reading practices like not going only with reading of stories but also at times shifting it to reading of a poem for our young ones.

• Take your child to attend different storytelling sessions.

• Keep a note on the progression of the learning curve of your child.

• Believe in your child.

• Provide adequate motivation in the form of different reinforcement.

• Take a look at his strength and weakness through SWOT analysis. SWOT refers to Strengths, Opportunities, Weakness and Threats. It refers to a management technique through which appropriate planning for the child's progress towards reading habits can be done if the weakness in one specific area could be found out.

• Once in a week visit the schools and talk with the subject teachers to understand the progress of your child.

• Talk with stakeholders associated with the learning of the child-researchers and policy makers.

• Gift the child a book on his birthday.

• Take a look at the local specific literatures available.

• Work towards developing community libraries in which your child can sneak peek into the amazing world of books.

• Give the child a dictionary directing about its usage.

• Try to introduce a new word in the dining table.

• Do not focus upon the end result. Every child has his own pace of learning. Have faith in the abilities of your child. Let these abilities blossom spontaneously focusing upon his needs.

• Giving focus to intonation, bringing clarity in the way instructional practices and reading based activities could be done in the classrooms.

• As teachers it is essential for us to understand that the need of our learners in the classroom is very diverse. This is due to the social set up that they comes from along with many other associated factors.

Reading is fun when it is done keeping in mind the learners interest, age appropriateness and contextualization related aspects. Our aim as teachers should not be to put information in the students mind. Rather we should work upon our ability to design different ways through which we can work towards developing the interest for reading in our children's mind in the Foundational years.

Reading is life. It introduces children to a whole new world of imagination and fantasy and helps children come in terms to understanding of human emotions which is vital for societies to sustain. Let your child explore the amazing world of reading.

Signing off

With lots of love and best wishes

Priyanka