VIJAYAWADA: Different perspectives of life, respect to traditions, importantance of self-discipline and being self-reliant are some of the values that students of different schools say they have learnt during the week-long ‘Subhapradam’ programme organised by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) across the state.
In Vijayawada, 350 girls and an equal number of boys, who have completed their 9th and 10th class participated in the unique summer camp of TTD that will formally conclude on Tuesday morning. Sharing their experience during the camp with Express, girl students said they never had such an informative and enlightening experience.
“The first day here, all the apprehensions we had were put to rest. It is not just a feeling of peace, but a desire to know is what makes us what we are. We were able to overcome our laziness and adhered to ‘early to bed, early to rise’,” P Keerthana, student of Bapanaiah School in One Town area of Vijayawada said.
She said during the camp, apart from the lessons on moral and ethical values, they came to learn of camaraderie. “When I told my parents I felt at home here, they were surprised and happy,” she said.
BRLV Pravalika, a student of Chaitanya Techno School, said time she got to learn about time management. “There was no rush to do the work and at the same time we found ourselves doing all. We learnt a lot about the real purpose of the rituals and the scientific thought behind many of our traditions. It has been a real eye opener,” she said.
Agreeing with her, K Lakshmi from Ponnur and K Priya of Vijayawada said they now have a different perspective of our culture and traditions. “Respect for our parents has only increased, when we saw how high they are held in our traditions. They act selflessly and it is our duty to listen to and respect them. This is what we have learnt,” said G Himaja of STBEM school.
B Kumalalath and her friend said traditions and values teach no discrimination and they are meant for us to live a meaningful life. “When they taught us about various mythological and historical figures, we came to know about moral and ethical values they practised and how such values had helped them to become the persons we remember today,” T Sai Keerthana said.
J Likita of Nandigama, Reha Sree of Poranki and T Nikhita of Vijayawada said they found Yoga Asanas practised not only benefit physically but also psychologically. “We learnt the benefits of self care and when we go back, we will not burden our parents with chores which we could do ourselves,” she said.
Y Karthik, NSR Raghavendra and P Kuladeep from Vijayawada participating in the programme too agree with views expressed by the girls and say respect for our traditions and value system has only increased by participating in Subhapradam.
K Padmaja, incharge of girls at the programme said every effort was made to make the participants feel at home.